A Conard County Baby

Hattie shook her head and returned to pulling items out of the cupboards and fridge. “I don’t mind company while I cook. Since you’re living here, got anything special you want for dinner?”

“I’m fine with anything.” Her mother had always made up the menus for the week with the cook, and while she was at college, she ate whatever was available in the cafeteria. The only time she had any say in her meals had been at a restaurant.

Hattie looked dubiously at her. “Even liver?”

At that, Hope’s internal anger gave way to a laugh. “Not liver,” she admitted.

“Knew there had to be something. There always is, if folks are honest. Cash don’t much like it, neither. Now my Don could eat it every night. Lucky for me he doesn’t insist on it. Pull up a chair. You look cold. Want some coffee or tea?”

A half hour later, she’d learned a lot about Hattie’s life, her grown daughter and son, and the grandchild that was on the way. She couldn’t help feeling envious about a life that hadn’t been easy but had brought so much warmth and closeness to a family.

All the while, Hattie’s hands were flying as she made casseroles for easy heating. Hope could barely keep up with what she was doing and finally asked, “Would you teach me how to cook?”

That brought Hattie to a standstill. “You don’t know how?”

“Not much. I’m okay with a microwave.”

Hattie tsk-tsked and went back to stirring the contents of a bowl. “Something everyone needs to know, man and woman alike. Sure I’ll teach you. Plain cooking, but good. We’ll start Monday.”

“Thank you.”

“Ain’t much to it, gal. Once you get the basics, you can do most anything you want.”

“Sounds like I’ll manage, then.”

“Don’t doubt it. Only met one woman in my life who couldn’t. I swear she could burn water when she boiled it.”

Hope giggled. “I probably could, too, right now.”

“You look smarter than that to me.”