He looked at her in surprise. “Of course, I’d want to spend time with you. Do you think I don’t like to be around you?”
She shrugged. “I’m just not sure of my footing sometimes.”
“Before the Marches come over, we’ll have to go up to the bedroom. I’ll show you where I want you to be.”
She shook her head. “Oh, there’s no doubt in my mind where my footing is in the bedroom.”
“That should tell you what you need to know.” He wasn’t sure why his lovemaking didn’t let her know how much he cared for her.
And maybe it should, but Trudie wasn’t convinced. Sure, she knew he liked to make love with her, but that was different than enjoying being around her when they were vertical.
As soon as Marion and Thomas arrived, Thomas took a horse and went to find Doug, while Trudie taught Marion how to make a pie crust. “Pie crusts are the hardest things to make, in my opinion,” Trudie said.
She showed Marion how to roll out the crust, and then Marion did the bulk of the work. “You’ll show me how to make a cherry pie tomorrow?” she asked. “Your pie was the best thing at the potluck Sunday. The crust just melted in my mouth, and had a buttery taste.”
“That’s how it’s supposed to be. And yes, I’ll show you. This is the same crust, but we’re making this into a savory pie, and that one was sweet. I like to add chicken, peas, and carrots, in a white sauce. They all cook together, and we add them to the crust. Then we bake. It’s pretty basic.”
As they worked together, Trudie thought about asking her friend what she did when Thomas got quiet, but she really didn’t think she wanted to share her marital troubles. Not just yet. Perhaps the troubles were in her mind like Doug seemed to be telling her.
After the chicken pot pie was in the oven, Trudie whipped up an easy cake recipe, showing her friend exactly what to do. “This is a coffee cake, usually meant for mornings, but I think it’s a great dessert as well. I know Doug will be pleased to have a dessert of any kind.”
As usual, Trudie baked without a recipe, and Marion watched. “You’ll write it down for me?”
“Of course. I never mind writing anything down, but I’ve done so much cooking, I just don’t need a lot of recipes anymore.”
When the men came in, Trudie removed the chicken pot pie and put the coffee cake into the oven. She always preferred to serve coffee cakes hot.
As they sat down, Thomas smiled at Trudie. “I need to thank you for all the help you’ve been giving Marion. Even when you’re not around, she cooks decent meals now. She hasn’t burnt even one thing since the two of you started working together. And my house is spotless now. I cannot believe the difference you’ve made.”
Trudie smiled. “It was my pleasure. It’s fun to teach other people things like that. I’ve been cooking all my life, and she never had to. You can’t expect someone to do something they’ve never learned.”
“I see that now.”
Doug said a quick prayer, and they ate together, the conversation kept up mostly by Marion and Trudie. “What else do you want Marion to be able to cook? I’m happy to show her anything, but I don’t think she needs more than another week of instruction.”
“Stew,” Thomas said quickly. “I’ve always loved a good venison stew.”
“Oh, sure. I can do that. I’ll take my rifle out and get some meat, and then we’ll cook it together. I’ll even show her how to butcher her own deer.” Trudie shrugged, not minding at all.
Thomas looked at Doug with wide eyes. “Your wife hunts?”
“My wife has hidden skills that even I haven’t seen yet. She told me a story about shooting apples off her brothers’ heads with a slingshot.”
Marion looked at Trudie and laughed. “I’ve been sitting here admiring your womanly skills and wishing I was as domestic as you are, and here you can shoot your own deer?”
Trudie shrugged. “It’s all part of being a farm girl. I did whatever I was told at any given time. That’s why I can climb a tree.”
Marion looked at Thomas. “You should have seen her yesterday. There was a cherry tree, and I was looking at it, trying to figure out how we were going to get cherries without a ladder, and the next thing I knew, she was perched on a branch plucking cherries like she did it every day.”
Thomas looked at Trudie. “Did your mother mind that you were such a tomboy?”
“I’m not sure my mother even noticed. Well, she noticed when I was shooting apples off my brothers’ heads and took my slingshot away, but for the most part, my brothers and sisters and I ran wild. We liked it that way, and it was easier for her. She didn’t have to chase us so much.”
Thomas looked at Doug. “Do you mind?”
“Mind? Why would I mind? I have a wife who’s good at absolutely everything. It sounds like a dream come true. I just won’t ever go shooting with her, because then I won’t be able to tell her I can outshoot her any longer.”
Thomas seemed to be stunned, but he said nothing else.
Marion smiled at Trudie. “I think she’s wonderful. I love that she can teach me so many things.”
“I’m glad Mrs. Goldman introduced us. I needed a good friend here who would make me stop missing my sisters.”
“Are your sisters all as good at everything as you are?” Marion asked.
“No. Some are good at some things and some at others. My sister Elizabeth is a businesswoman. My sister Susan is a rancher’s wife in Texas. My sister Mary married the boy next door, and she is having babies and being a farm wife. We’re all different.”
Doug ate his last bite of the chicken pot pie, and he smiled. “She’s the best cook around, and that’s the only thing that matters to me.”
Thomas nodded. “I suppose you should be very happy to have found this one to be your wife.”
Marion stayed and helped do the dishes, while the men sat at the table and talked. Doug was whittling, and Trudie listened to the conversation the men had. “Doesn’t your wife make you uncomfortable?” Thomas asked.
“Why would she?”
“Because she’s so...well, manly.”
“Manly? Have you seen my wife? She’s one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met. She cooks and bakes foods that melt in your mouth, they taste so good. How could I ever complain about that without sounding childish?” Doug was proud of everything Trudie could do, whether others saw her skills as manly or womanly.
“I suppose.” Thomas didn’t sound convinced, and Trudie blinked away tears. She didn’t like being talked about that way.
Marion must have understood how she felt, because she said, “What time will you come over tomorrow? Should I go hunting with you? Maybe you could teach me to shoot a rifle.”
Trudie smiled at her friend, understanding what she was doing. “I’d love to take you hunting. The hard part with a deer is getting it home after you shoot it. That’s more of something for a man to do. Women just don’t have the same strength as men do.”
“I suppose not,” Marion said. “I do wish I could shoot a deer and then fix it for a meal. Of course, I’m squeamish, and I might throw up the first time.”
Trudie laughed. “It’s just meat. I promise, when you think of it that way, it won’t bother you at all.”
After the other couple left, Trudie went to sit with Doug. “Do you feel like Thomas does? That I’m too manly?”
Doug laughed, taking her hand and pulling her onto his lap. It was the first affection he’d shown her outside the bedroom in over a week. “You certainly don’t feel manly.” His hand went up and covered her breast. “I think we should go to bed early tonight. We both have to be up early, and we want to have enough time to have a little fun.”
“Fun?” she asked, knowing perfectly well exactly what he wanted. Food and sex were the only things he ever wanted from her.
“Yes, fun.”
Trudie laughed and kissed him softly. “You know, I think I like it when you want to have fun.” She wiggled a little on his lap, just
to feel his reaction. “Race you!” And she took off running toward the stairs, knowing he’d be right behind her.
The sound of his laughter filled the air around them, and she smiled. She had so missed his laughter for the past days. It had seemed as if he’d never be happy again, which seemed ridiculous to her.
When they got to the bedroom, they both stripped themselves quickly, jumping into bed together. Trudie had felt like he hadn’t really seen her and he was going through the motions as they made love.
But that night was different. He took his time, and kissed her everywhere, and when he finally joined his body with hers, it felt like a celebration. Every bit of his mind was with her, and when they were finished, he held her close, stroking her arms and her shoulders.
“Did I do all right?” Trudie asked, determined that he was going to praise her after lovemaking at least once.
Doug looked at her. “Of course. I’ve never complained when we’ve made love.” Why would she even ask that?
Trudie decided that was as good as she was going to get, and she curled up beside him, yawning widely. “Well, I think it was very nice. I enjoy being intimate with you.” Maybe he’d be able to take instruction from her and give her the words she needed.
Instead he kissed her forehead and closed his eyes. “Go to sleep. Mornings come way too early.”
Trudie sighed, wishing he would understand what she needed. It was all right though, because she had her entire life to teach him what he needed to know. They were married, and he wasn’t going anywhere.
As her eyes drifted closed, she wondered if he would ever love her like she loved him. She didn’t know how or when it had happened, but all at once she knew she’d never make it without him. He was her everything.
Chapter 9
When Trudie woke the next morning, she reached for Doug, hoping that their lovemaking the night before had healed their relationship, and they would once again be like they had been during the first few days of marriage.
He wasn’t there. She sighed, and sat up, reaching for her clothes, and going down to start breakfast. If she couldn’t reach him any other way, she could always reach him with food, because it seemed to be his favorite thing in all the world.
When she got downstairs, he wasn’t there, but the milk pail and the egg basket were gone, so she was certain he was doing his morning chores. She did a quick meal of bacon, eggs, and toast, and it was ready when he got back inside.
She put the plates on the table as he was washing his hands. “Coffee?” she asked. He drank it some mornings and didn’t others.
“Yes.” Doug sat down in front of his food, while she poured coffee for both of them.
After the prayer, she asked, “Why did you get up so early? I woke earlier than usual, and you were already gone.”
He shrugged. “Just woke up. I’m a little worried about the herd today, and I’m not sure why, but I’ve learned to trust my instincts in these things.”
Trudie nodded. “That makes sense. “I made extra bacon for sandwiches for you today. Do you want two like usual? Or three?”
“Make it three. I’m not sure what I’ll find out there, and I know whatever it is, I’m going to need extra food to keep me going. Of course, I always seem to need extra food to keep me going.”
She laughed softly. “That’s very true. Do you know what you want for supper tonight? I’m going to try to get a deer this morning, and I’m teaching Marion to make venison stew. How does that sound to you?” She knew he’d been at the table when they’d talked about it the previous night, but he hadn’t participated in the conversation, and she truly wasn’t certain if he was paying attention.
He nodded. “Sounds good. You should know by now that if you make it, I’ll eat it.”
After breakfast, she got his rifle and took the wagon over to Marion’s. That way if they didn’t get a deer, they could at least go to the store in town and get provisions.
Marion was waiting for her and the two women went toward where they had seen deer on their walk on Saturday. “Do we need to be really quiet?” Marion asked.
Trudie nodded. “It’s best if they don’t hear us coming.” To her it was common sense, but obviously Marion had never been hunting, so she wouldn’t know.
Less than an hour later, Trudie took aim with the rifle and got a buck right through the heart. She handed the rifle to Marion, instructing her to keep the barrel raised, so there was no chance of shooting anyone. Trudie’s father hadn’t approved of her shooting guns, but he’d made sure she knew how to be safe when she did.
The two women dragged the animal back to Marion’s house, and they strung him up from a tree upside down as Trudie had been taught. She had learned to use a tree branch as leverage when hoisting an animal up. “We’ll let it bleed out until after lunchtime, and then we’ll butcher it for the meat.”
Marion shook her head. “I can’t believe you know how to do all this.”
Trudie shrugged. “It really is the difference in our backgrounds. You were raised in New York City, and I was raised on a farm outside Beckham, Massachusetts. The skills we learned were very different, and they should have been.” They’d talked a lot about how they’d been raised, so she knew where her friend had grown up.
Marion nodded. “The closest I ever got to nature was Central Park, and it was surely a beautiful place, but hunting wasn’t allowed there.”
“I would hope not! It would have been easy for someone without good aim to kill people that way. I’m sure it was much safer to just say no hunting there. Did you enjoy Central Park?” Trudie had heard about the park all her life, and she’d always wondered if it was as wonderful as it was touted to be.
“It was lovely. Truthfully, it was like an area with no civilization inside a huge city. I would rather be here than in Central Park, because there, I would be forced back to reality too quickly. Here, I can walk miles in any direction without running into a group of people.”
“I like how quiet it is here. It was worse in Massachusetts because we were close to a large town. Here, I don’t worry who will hear me if I shout at my husband.”
Marion giggled. “Do you really shout at your husband?”
“I haven’t needed to so far.” Trudie winked at her friend, and they went inside, leaving the deer hanging where it was. “Let’s talk about lunch. Any ideas?”
“I have leftovers from what I made Saturday night.”
“Lunch is taken care of then. Monday needs to be your laundry day. We did it last Monday, and it’s time to do it again. We skipped the bed linens last week, but it’s time to wash them now.” Trudie rubbed the back of her neck. “Next week, I’ll need to conquer spring cleaning at my house. Would you like to come and help me with it, and then I’ll help you with your spring cleaning the week after? I think it’ll be more fun with both of us.” She didn’t look forward to going back to her days alone after spending so much time with her new friend. She’d gotten used to being with her every day.
“That sounds nice. If I bring food, will you help me make suppers?” Marion looked as if she was afraid to ask after everything Trudie had done for her already.
“Sure. I don’t mind that at all.” Trudie wasn’t sure how Doug would feel about the Marches eating with them, so she didn’t offer for them to simply stay for supper every night.
They did the laundry that day, and Trudie realized she was falling behind on her own laundry. “I need to come after lunch tomorrow, if that’s okay. I just realized that my laundry is behind. But you’ll make enough for supper tonight to serve for lunch tomorrow, so you’ll be fine without me.”
Marion nodded. “Why do I think I need you here holding my hand every step of the way?”
Trudie smiled. “I wish I could be. You’re like my Colorado sister, and I’m thrilled you’re here. We’ll work together as much as we can. We’ll have to sew together as well.” She just needed to remember not to neglect her husband as she was helping her friend.
; “I’d like that.”
When Trudie got home that afternoon, she put together a casserole and put it in the oven, before going outside to water her garden. There weren’t any weeds popping up yet, but the dirt was dry, and she was worried her plants wouldn’t grow without more rain.
After watering, she went inside the house and gave herself a sponge bath standing in front of the sink. She needed a real bath, but with as much time as she was spending at the March’s house, it would be difficult to get. Perhaps she could do it before lunch the following day. It would be good to have a mostly normal routine, if only for a day.
When Doug came in, he sniffed appreciatively. “What’s for supper?” It was always his first question when he walked in the door. He didn’t much care about the answer, but he always liked to anticipate the coming feast.
“I made a casserole out of cornbread, corn, sausage, and some cheese. I think you’re going to love it.” She hoped he would anyway, because she’d made it up as she’d gone. Of course, she’d always had the ability to taste things as she imagined putting them together. She’d never failed.
He smiled. “You made it, so you know I’ll love it.”
“Did you find anything odd on the ranch today? I know you were worried.”
“A coyote got in and killed another calf. One of the heifers. We’re going to have to work on better fences.” He rubbed his hands over his face, leaving a streak of dirt down one cheek.
“I’m sorry about the calf.” She didn’t mention the streak of dirt, because she really didn’t mind. Stepping forward, Trudie walked to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I know it’s hard to face so many setbacks.”
“We always know we’ll lose a few calves, but we were doing so well, I thought we could make it through without losing any this year. I was wrong.” His arms came around her and he rested his cheek atop her head. “Did you get a deer?”
“We did. I’ll make stew tomorrow night. I started thinking about what I made tonight a few days ago, and it sounded too good to put off making.” She hoped he didn’t care that she’d changed the plan for supper without consulting him.
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