She spotted the cherry tree just feet from some raspberry bushes. “You get the raspberries, and I’ll get the cherries.”
He frowned. “To get the cherries, you’d need to climb the tree.” Maybe she could shoot, but he was certain she wouldn’t be able to climb a tree. No woman really could.
Trudie didn’t hesitate. She put the basket over her forearm and a foot on a low knot on the tree. Within seconds she was sitting on a low branch, plucking cherries from all around her. “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”
Doug shook his head at her. She certainly wasn’t a refined lady like he’d expect her to be, but she got every job she set in front of her done. He wasn’t sure if he should scold her for climbing the tree, or applaud how swiftly she’d done it. This wife of his was a confusing woman.
As soon as she finished filling her basket, she called for Doug to come take it from her. “I don’t want to risk spilling them on my way down.”
He grinned as she scurried to the ground with the deftness of a squirrel. “Don’t tell me. Your brothers taught you to climb trees?”
She shook her head. “Actually no. My sisters. We built a treehouse that the boys weren’t allowed into after they built one and my father said it was fine the girls couldn’t go in it, because girls were incapable of climbing trees. It made us angry, so we had to prove him wrong.”
He shook his head. “I’m sure you’re happy to be in Colorado now then. Women have had the vote here for three years.” Most independent women he knew had wanted the vote, and they were thrilled to be able to exercise their rights as citizens.
“Wait...are you serious? I can vote?” Trudie had never even considered voting. It was something she would have to think about and study. Of course, in the modern year of 1898, women should be able to vote. It was almost the twentieth century.
He nodded, enjoying the excitement on her face. “Now I’m not sure I want my wife to vote...” he said teasingly.
She took one of the cherries from her basket and threw it at his head.
“Ouch! The pit was in there.” He rubbed his head.
“And now you know to never threaten my voting privileges, don’t you?” Trudie was amused by the mark left on his face. She was certain it was cherry juice. At least she hoped his skin wasn’t reddening from her throwing it at him.
He shook his head. “You didn’t tell me you had good aim when throwing.”
“No, but you knew I had good aim with a slingshot and a gun. You couldn’t have questioned my throwing arm.”
He laughed. “I shouldn’t have, I guess.”
As soon as they arrived back in the house, Trudie sat at the table. “I’m trying to decide if I want to start pitting the cherries before I go to bed.” It was already dark out, and she needed to be up early to cook breakfast. “I’m going to wait until morning, I think. I can work on the cherries tomorrow. I’ll probably can some and bake a pie as well. Where is the handgun, and I’ll go pick some more tomorrow if I have time?” She loved the freedom she would have as his wife. Having a choice of where she wanted to walk and what she wanted to do was something thrilling to her.
He showed her where he kept it on a shelf in the parlor. “You know I’ve never even been in here,” she said. “I guess I should have explored the whole house, but you seem to be so terribly fond of the kitchen...”
“That’s where my food comes from. How could I not be fond of it?” He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him, surprising her with a kiss. “Thank you for making me pies.”
She shook her head. “You’re going to want pies every day now, aren’t you?”
“I probably can’t eat a whole one in one meal. So, make it for supper, and I’ll have the other half for lunch.”
“Do I not get pie?” Trudie asked, glaring at him.
“Okay, you can have two pieces, which leaves the other six pieces for me. Three for lunch and three for supper.”
She shook her head. “You eat more than three of my brothers combined!” She hadn’t imagined it would be possible for anyone to out eat her brothers.
“Well, I do a lot of work. I’m sure your brothers don’t work as hard as I do.”
Trudie refused to comment on his reasoning. “I’m going to bed. I’ll work on the cherries in the morning, and make sure you have a pie for supper.”
“Have I told you yet that you are the very best of wives?”
“No, and it’s probably not something you should tell me. It might go to my head.” With that, she turned and hurried up the stairs to change into her nightgown.
Just after she’d turned down the lantern, Doug came into the room and stripped all of his clothes off again. When he got into bed with her this time, he didn’t ask for anything, he simply started kissing her and stroking his hands over her body.
When he dared to cup her breast in his hand, she gasped. “I don’t know that I’ve given you that liberty yet.” But it felt good.
He shrugged. “Sometimes a man has to take liberties whether they’ve been given or not.” His hand stayed at her breast, rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. His other hand moved down her body and cupped her bottom in his hand, pulling her against his erection. “I think it’s time for you to remove this nightgown.”
Trudie thought about refusing him, but she knew she couldn’t hold him off much longer, and the truth was, she was feeling some of his passion. Her fingers went to the three buttons on the front of
