“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
