Laurey

"You ready to go?"

"Yeah" she tied her bonnet under her chin and they got into the cart together. Jud flicked the reins and they started off to Claremore.

"You're gonna find somethin' pretty to buy, right? Wanna buy you somethin' pretty."

"I know" she managed a smile. After they had gotten out of bed, after she'd made them breakfast and settled into their normal daytime routine, she was able to understand what had happened more clearly. She was broken inside, and it wasn't like a man could know instinctively what would feel good or bad for her. She didn't know herself sometimes. And if Jud was only used to whores and saloon girls whose job it was to be willing and eager for it, of course he wouldn't know how to treat her. Besides, every husband hurt his wife like that, but not every husband apologized with presents. "I'm gonna get fabric—maybe enough for a couple dresses."

"That's good." His slouching posture and low mumble betrayed his lingering guilt, so, taking pity on him, she continued filling the silence.

"I don't need any dresses, but I'd like to have more'n one. You'll help me find the prettiest fabrics, right? Wanna look good for my husband."

"Yeah, 'course," he gave her a little smile. "And maybe some more chalk? Almost run out."

"Sure. You know, your readin' is gettin' to be so good, I'll bet we'll be able to start on the Shakespeare soon. And we can read together, just sittin' by the fire after dinner."

"I'd like that. Be like how your parents used to read together."

"Yeah, you remembered."

"'Course. Remember everythin' you tell me."

They reached town and she led him to the store she'd been to with Ado Annie before the social, the one that apparently had all the best fabrics.

"That one's real pretty." He pointed to a bolt right by the door. "Oughta get it, I like to see you in pink, makes you look…I dunno, sorta glowy."

"Jud," she tried to hush him up, embarrassed at the knowledge that the shopkeeper must have heard him. She was quickly distracted by another bolt, though. "Oh!" She held up a blue-checked fabric to her body. "This too?"

"Yeah, I like that one."

She beamed and made her way down the rows of bolts, sure to look at each one so that she could make the right choice. She appreciated his patience, the way he seemed as focused as she, weighing the benefits of each option. She chose three patterns, not wanting to be greedy with his money, be one of those wives men joked about.

They also went to the stationery store for more chalk. Jud handed over the money with a little smile, the one he always gave when he was showing her off. She liked that he still did that, even after being married for three months.

"You folks got a lot of writin' to do?" The shopkeeper asked.

"Yeah" Laurey beamed, knowing Jud wasn't always comfortable talking to strangers. "We're tryin' to learn writin' a bit better, though. Practicin' a lot."

"Right" Jud squeezed her hand.

The shopkeeper nodded. "That's real nice. I know they're gonna teach readin' and writin' classes for adults at the schoolhouse by the Skidmore Ranch some nights. Might wanna try that out."

"Really? Oh, thank you! We'll see 'f that's somethin' we're interested in." She winked at Jud and shook her head the minute the man's back was turned, reassuring him that he wouldn't have to go to classes with men and women he didn't know. It might be something she would enjoy, she could even work as a teacher's assistant. Being around other people and making new friends in a small, safe space seemed like something she'd be ready for. But she knew Jud would hate it, and wouldn't want her to do it on her own where he couldn't be near her and keep her safe.

They got back to the wagon, holding more packages than she'd ever had all for herself. The soft jostling of the wagon and the warmth of his body next to her made it impossible to keep her eyes open, and she settled her head on his shoulder.

"You sleepy?"

"Mm-hmm" she nuzzled closer.

"I'll carry you upstairs when we reach the house." He kissed the top of her head. "Try not to wake you."

"You did that after the social. I remember" she murmured "I wasn't even that tired. I could've walked, but I wanted you to carry me."

He laughed, sending a warm, low vibration through her body. "Yeah, I figured. It was real cute, though, and I like carryin' you."

"That's good." she sighed before drifting off to sleep, next to her handsome, sweet, generous husband.