Mail Order Meals - Kirsten Osbourne Page 0,25

were already filled with toast, bacon, and fried potatoes. As soon as the eggs were on, they were put onto the plates and Trudie served the men, and then went back as Mrs. March made more eggs for herself and Trudie.

Once they were all seated, Doug said a prayer over the meal.

“How much of this did you cook, Marion?” Mr. March asked.

“The bread was already made, and Mrs. Charleston and I did the potatoes together, but I could easily make them now that she’s shown me. I did the bacon and the eggs myself.” There was no little pride in Mrs. March’s voice as she answered. “Trudie has consented to teach me to cook.”

Mr. March smiled at Trudie. “Thank you. I hope you know that this won’t be an easy task.”

Trudie smiled sweetly instead of kicking the man under the table as she wanted to do. “We’ll work together, and it will go well.”

Doug sat eating his meal. “Does that mean you won’t be cooking for me for a while?” he asked.

“If I go to the March’s house after breakfast, do you think you could heat up your own leftovers for lunch?” Trudie asked. It would be an easy task, but she knew Doug was much worse in the kitchen than Mrs. March.

He frowned. “How long is this going to take? I like having my meal already warmed up when I get home. It saves time.”

“I could make you two sandwiches for lunch, and wrap them in oil cloth. Then you could take them with you, and eat without ever having to come home for lunch. It’s only for a week or two.” Trudie hoped it wouldn’t be longer than that, because she didn’t want Doug upset with her, but she did feel the need to help her friend. She wondered if life would always be a balancing act.

He sighed. “I suppose that will be all right then.”

Trudie smiled at Mrs. March, letting her know she wasn’t bothered by how gruff Doug had sounded. Learning to cook wasn’t easy, and the two of them would do it together.

After supper, Mrs. March helped with the dishes, and to Trudie’s surprise she didn’t know she had to have hot water to wash the dishes in. “I’ll teach you all about housework as well,” Trudie said happily. She was thrilled to have a friend to be with while Doug was on the range.

Once the Marches had left for the night, Trudie sat down with Doug at the table, picking up her sewing. “Thank you for not minding if I help Mrs. March.”

Doug shrugged. “I do mind a little, but I suppose if you needed something she would be here.”

“I’m sure she would. She’s going to be a good friend to me.”

He looked at her for a moment before nodding. “Do you have a need to be around people?”

“Absolutely. I grew up with a dozen brothers and sisters. How on earth would I ever get used to the silence of being alone all the time? I’m thrilled to have a neighbor so close, and one who needs to learn something from me. It will be good for both of us to spend time together that way.”

“I’m glad you’ve found a friend then.”

“Have I done something to upset you?” Trudie asked. “You’ve been awfully quiet.

Doug shrugged. “I’m a mostly quiet man. I do my work, and I handle things, but I’m not running around looking for someone to talk to all day.”

Trudie sighed. “I am.”

“It looks like you’ve found someone.” Doug looked back down at a stick he was whittling, and paid attention to that instead of his wife.

Trudie had no idea how she was going to live with a mostly-quiet husband. Where was the man she’d married, who had entertained her so much for three days?

Chapter 7

Trudie made Doug’s sandwiches for him, and sent him off to work with a kiss that next morning. He seemed distracted even when he kissed her. She knew something was wrong, but if he wouldn’t talk to her about it, there was nothing she could do.

As soon as he was gone, she saddled one of the horses and rode over to the March’s house. When she’d dismounted, Mrs. March was on the porch smiling. “I made breakfast this morning exactly like you showed me. Thomas said it was wonderful. Thank you so much.” She was obviously thrilled to have cooked something edible for a change.

Trudie smiled. “So, let’s see what we want to cook next. Do you have