Chapter 11
11
U nable to rest most of the night due to a dreadful case of nerves, Aundy finally gave up on sleep and found things to do to keep her hands busy. Long before the sun began sending streaks of golden light across the horizon, she had baked a sheet cake and cookies, washed a load of laundry and strung it on the clothesline to dry, and dusted the front room.
By the time she heard the men clomping their way down the bunkhouse steps, she'd already gathered the eggs and made her morning threat to Napoleon to turn him into chicken dumplings if he didn't refrain from pecking at her or flogging her head.
She hurried back to the house, whipped up a batch of biscuits, set bread to rise and put a big pot of beef stew on to cook for lunch. Strips of crispy bacon scented the morning air while she scrambled a big pan of eggs. Potatoes fried in another pan as she made a pot of coffee then called to Dent through the open window when she saw him walk toward the barn.
Although he didn't appear to increase the speed of his steps, his stride quickly covered the distance to the house. He stuck his head inside the kitchen where Aundy stood at the stove making sure the eggs didn't burn.
"Morning, Missy. Need something?" he asked, taking in the smells of breakfast. His stomach rumbled in anticipation.
"I'd like you and the boys to join me for breakfast if you haven't eaten. It will be ready in just a few minutes." Aundy smiled over her shoulder at her foreman. If she could get the hands in a good mood, maybe they'd be more receptive to her plans. Despite Garrett's skepticism, a hearty breakfast had to be a good start.
"I'm sure they'll appreciate a hot meal none of us had to prepare. I'll round them up." Dent hustled down the steps and across the yard toward the bunkhouse.
He soon returned with the other men, their hands and faces bearing traces of a thorough scrubbing.
"Good morning," Aundy said, setting a bowl of fried potatoes on the table next to the eggs.
"Mornin', Miz Erickson," Bill said, stepping behind a chair at the table. "We're mighty grateful for the invite to breakfast."
"I'm glad you all could join me." Aundy poured five cups of coffee and made herself a cup of tea. She sat in the chair Dent held out for her. The hands took their seats and Dent asked a blessing on the meal.
Aundy encouraged small talk, asking the men about things they'd done or seen in the past few days, their growing up years, anything she could think of besides the topic of sheep.
George consumed the last piece of bacon while Aundy refilled coffee cups and took a deep breath.
"You're probably wondering why I asked you to join me for breakfast." Aundy looked around the table. At Dent's nod, she continued. "I purchased something that I think will add to the value of the farm and provide additional income without increasing the work load."
"Did you buy one of those new-fangled gas-engine tractors?" George asked with a hopeful look on his face.
"I did not," Aundy said, glancing at the man who was usually quiet. "However, if you all agree it would be a sound investment that will pay for itself in saved labor and increased production, we can discuss it at a later date."
"What'd you buy?" Glen asked, swirling the last dregs of his coffee around in his cup.
"A surprise." Aundy couldn't force the word sheep past her lips. If the hands reacted even half as badly as Garrett did, she wasn't up to facing all five of them at once.
"What kind of surprise?" Dent asked, giving Aundy a long, inquisitive look.
"One I hope you all will give a chance before you form opinions," Aundy answered cryptically.
"We can do that, Miz Erickson." Bill looked around at the other fellows. Dent was the only one who appeared to disagree.
"Wonderful. In that case, I'll hope you'll join me for lunch today. The surprise should arrive early this afternoon." Aundy smiled and started to rise from her chair.
"In order to be prepared for this surprise, why don't you just tell us what it is," Dent said, his voice taking on an unfamiliar, hard tone. She quickly surmised Dent didn't like surprises of any kind, unless they involved food.
Aundy sat down, put some starch in her spine, and looked directly at Dent. "Yesterday, I bought some sheep."
Fred, who had been leaning on the back legs of his chair, let it thump forward. "Goldurn it! How many of those filthy, stinkin' monsters did you buy?"
"Roughly five hundred," Aundy said, not letting Fred's annoyance cause her to back down. She gave each man a cool glare before continuing. "I intend to raise them for their wool. The man I purchased them from will deliver them this afternoon. He assured me they should take far less care and feed than cattle."
"Five hundred woolies! Five hundred!" Fred ranted and started to jump to his feet. A restraining hand on his arm from Dent kept him in his seat.
"That's a lot of sheep, Missy." Dent gave her a look that said she had lost her mind. "Don't you think we should have discussed this before you bought them?"
"Perhaps, but I assumed you men would belittle my idea, think I'd gone crazy, and do your best to talk me out of it." Aundy was fast losing the tenuous hold she had on her temper. She needed the men and appreciated their hard work, but she sorely wished they'd quit treating her as if she had rocks in her head. "I researched the options extensively and came to the conclusion that sheep would provide additional income, could be pastured on less acreage than the cattle, and should require far less care."
"But I done told ya…" Fred started to say, but closed his mouth at a glare from Aundy.
Hastily rising to her feet and stretching to her full height, she gave her temper free rein. Angry blue sparks shot from her eyes, burning into those seated at her table, rendering them speechless.
"I quite clearly heard what you told me, Fred. I did consider your opinion. More than you can possibly know. I need all of you here on the farm. The thought of any of you leaving, for any reason, saddens me greatly." Aundy's gaze moved over each man sitting at the table. "You work harder than I expect and are far more dedicated than I deserve. I appreciate each one of you, which is why I don't want any of you to have to spend time working with the sheep. Mr. O'Connell said his shepherd would be happy to keep his job regardless of who employs him."
Aundy inhaled a calming breath and sat down again. "Perhaps at some point, once we get our feet back under us, we can look at running cattle again. For now, though, we are short on people willing to work for a woman. If you'll stick with me, I will do my very best to make it worth your while."
"You really aren't going to make us work with the sheep?" Bill asked, glancing at Fred who appeared mad enough to chew nails.
"No, I'm not. You certainly may if you choose, but I won't demand any of you work with the sheep on a daily basis. If they get out or we need to move them to another pasture, I may ask for your assistance, but other than that, you won't have to work with the sheep. When it's time to cut their wool, I plan to hire a crew to see that done."
The men sat quietly for a few minutes, considering their options. Aundy treated them fairly, paid them well, and often made them special treats. They all knew finding somewhere to work where they earned similar wages with comparable working conditions wouldn't be easy.
"I apologize for springing this on you, but I didn't know what else to do." Aundy looked pointedly at Dent.
Resigned, he stared at her for a minute before nodding his head.
She could have mustered some tears and turned the men in her favor. She'd seen countless women do just that, but she didn't operate that way. If she wanted the men to treat her like the owner of a farm, then she'd swallow back her emotions and act like one. "Please, give me and the sheep a chance."
The men glanced at one another and finally Dent gave her a tight smile. "We'll give it a chance, but if it looks like it isn't going to work, will you agree to sell them?"
"Absolutely." Aundy was glad the conversation went as well as it had. "If you'll come back just before noon, I'll feed you lunch and then the sheep should be here."
"Yes, ma'am." Dent stood and opened the door while the other men filed out. He studied Aundy for a moment, appearing thoughtful. "I sure hope you know what you're doing."
"Me, too," Aundy said, with a bravado she was far from feeling as Dent went out the door.
After washing the breakfast dishes, she checked on the stew, and finished what lunch preparations she could. She carried in the clean laundry from the line, ironed and then put away the pieces.
A glance at the clock confirmed she had a couple of hours before the men would return to eat. She took a pile of dresses that belonged to Erik's mother to her bedroom and began trying them on to see if she could wear any of the clothes.
She buttoned a navy calico dress sprigged with dainty pink flowers and ran her hand down the front of the skirt. Although out of style, the dress still had plenty of wear left in it. It billowed around her, but she decided with an apron over the top, it would serve well to wear on the farm. The dark color would help hide dirt or stains and the loose gown would be welcome on hot summer days.
Aundy glanced in the mirror and noticed her petticoat hanging out of the bottom of the dress. She pulled up the hem to see if she could let it out. As she studied it, she heard a commotion outside and the sound of a dog barking. Without taking time to change, she ran to the front of the house and yanked open the door.
Wooly animals milled around as far as she could see, filling the barnyard and trailing down the lane.
Owen O'Connell rode his horse to the end of her walk and waved his hat at her. "Mrs. Erickson! Top o' the morning to ya."
She hurried down the steps and across the front walk, grateful for the fence around the yard that kept the sheep away from the flowerbeds she'd carefully weeded. "Mr. O'Connell, I wasn't expecting you until this afternoon."
"I know, lassie, but these woolies whispered bright and early they were ready to head to their new home, and moved right along," O'Connell said with a beaming smile.
At Dent's approach, Aundy started to make introductions, but her foreman greeted the Irishman by name and shook his hand.
"If you'll bring the sheep this way, we'll pasture them in the north section over there." Dent waved to an area behind the house.
"Sure and certain, Dent," O'Connell said, herding the sheep in the direction the foreman indicated.
When all the sheep grazed in the pasture, O'Connell returned to the house with a dog and a boy. The dog, a Border collie, wagged his tail in friendly greeting. Aundy had heard that particular breed was excellent at herding sheep.
The boy, who looked to be about fourteen or so, was all skinny arms and legs, with dusty, worn clothes, a happy-go-lucky grin, and a mop of shiny brown hair topped by a bedraggled cap. He carried a small lamb in his arms, giving it a tender glance as he rubbed its head.
Aundy knew right away that the youth had a soft heart and a gentle hand.
"Mrs. Erickson, I'd like ya to meet yer new shepherd. He'll do a good job for ya, or answer to me." O'Connell thumped the boy on his shoulder. "Tell her yer name, boyo."
The boy set the lamb down. It bleated once then nuzzled the grass of Aundy's yard.
As he swept the cap from his head, the boy bowed and raised big, brown, soulful eyes to Aundy. "I am Nikola Zorian Gandiaga, your humble shepherd."
Aundy fought down a smile and politely tipped her head to him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Nikola Zorian Gandiaga." Her tongue worked to pronounce the strange name properly. "Is this your dog?"
"Yes, ma'am." The boy rubbed his hand on the canine's head. The dog leaned against his leg and looked up affectionately. "This is Bob. He's a good helper."
"And how about this little one?" Aundy bent down and rubbed her hand over the lamb. The wool was softer than anything she could have imagined.
"This is a poor orphan baby," Nikola said, offering Aundy a smile that would someday make women swoon. "Just like me and Bob."
"An orphan? What happened to his mother?" Aundy turned her gaze to O'Connell.
"When we were passing by a farm this morning, a huge dog ran out and killed one of the ewes before we could stop him. Beast looked more like a wolf than a dog. Came out of nowhere, it did. It's a bottle for this baby, unless ya can convince one of the mammas to adopt him."
"I'll make sure he's cared for." Nikola took a protective step toward the lamb.
"Any other mishaps?" Aundy asked, glancing at the Irishman. O'Connell shook his head.
"No, ma'am. That was it. Ye are now the proud owner of four hundred and ninety-eight head of sheep, counting the babies."
She gave O'Connell a jaunty smile. "I suppose you'd like the rest of your money, then."
"If yer of a mind to give it to me, I'd surely like to get the funds and be on me way. Me fondest hope is to begin the journey to sunny California by sunrise the day after tomorrow."
"Then by all means, let's get you on your way." Aundy turned toward the house. When she looked back over her shoulder, she studied the shepherd boy. "Nikola, if you wait right here, I'll be back and we can talk about your wages and getting you settled in the bunkhouse."
O'Connell soon rode down her lane with his hands following behind. Two of them approached Dent about working there and he discussed his thoughts with Aundy. She agreed to give them a chance and they promised to return the following evening.
Aundy waved one last time at O'Connell then stared at the lamb, asleep in her yard. The dog rested his head on his master's lap, as the boy sat by the lamb.
What a picture it made. One she never thought to see, but dearly loved all the same.
"Young man, the first order of business will be to get you settled. You go on over to the bunkhouse and pick out an empty bed for your own." Aundy studied the slender boy. He looked like he needed good food and some motherly attention. Since he mentioned being an orphan, she wondered how long he'd been taking care of himself.
"Yes, ma'am," he said, getting to his feet. "I appreciate you giving me a job and letting me stay with the sheep. When Mr. O'Connell said he was leaving, I didn't know what I'd do. Thank you for giving me a home and a place to work. I usually sleep out with the sheep, though, so I don't need a bunk."
"You pick a bunk, anyway. I'm not sure I like the idea of you sleeping outside when the nights are still cold. You're most welcome about the job. My men almost revolted until I told them the sheep came with their own shepherd."
Nikola grinned at her and she smiled.
"I'm very glad you decided to come along with the sheep and bring Bob." Aundy placed a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder. Although he was painfully thin, she had an idea he was stronger than he appeared. "Do you prefer to be called Nikola?"
"I answer to Nik. It's what my mother always called me and what my friends call me. I hope to have friends here."
"Nik it is." Aundy's throat tightened at the sad look on Nik's face when he mentioned his mother. She wondered where he came from, where his family lived. From what she'd observed since he set foot in her yard, he'd been raised with good manners and someone who had been kind.
"You go settle in. I'll keep an eye on Bob and…" Aundy looked from the lamb to Nik. "Does the lamb have a name?"
"He doesn't, yet." Nik grinned as he lifted a knapsack and walked out of the yard. "You could give him one, if you like."
Aundy watched Nik saunter toward the bunkhouse, whistling a happy tune. Her attention returned to the dog and the lamb. She dropped to her knees and patted both on the head. Softly murmuring to them, warmth penetrated her back and she looked up into Garrett's silvery eyes.
"Couldn't help but see the parade go by," Garrett said with a grin, hunkering down and holding out his hand toward the dog. Bob sniffed it and licked Garrett's fingers. He rubbed the dog's ears and scratched his back, making a new friend for life.
When the dog rolled over onto his back, Garrett gave his stomach a thorough rub, watching Aundy stroke the lamb's little head.
"I already see disaster looming." He inclined his head toward the lamb.
"What?" Aundy asked, turning her gaze from the lamb to the man squatting so close to her she could feel his warmth through the sleeve of her dress.
"You're going to make a pet of that one, aren't you?" Garrett studied the lamb. It did look kind of helpless and cute, for a stinky wooly monster.
"Quite possibly." Aundy grinned as she continued stroking the lamb along his back. "Feel his coat. It's so soft, like touching butter."
"No thanks." Garrett continued to pet the dog.
"Oh, don't be so obstinate." Aundy grabbed Garrett's hand and placed it on the lamb's back. The contact of their skin sent wild sparks shooting throughout her entire being. She quickly released his fingers.
Garrett hesitantly rubbed the lamb before petting the dog.
Aundy stood and looked down at Garrett. He gazed up at her with those silvery eyes drawing her to him like magnets.
He slowly rose to his feet and fastened his full attention on her, taking her in from the golden braid wound around her head like a crown to the toes of her shoes. As he gave her a second glance, he stepped back and raised an eyebrow.
"Where did you get that dress, Mrs. Erickson? I know for a fact it isn't one of your creations or one your sister made." Garrett was unsuccessful in his efforts to hide his smirk. The dress was several inches too short, revealing Aundy's petticoats and giving him a view of slender ankles encased in light stockings. The billowing gown looked wide enough to fit two of her inside, but the color suited her well, especially now that her cheeks had blushed pink.
"Oh, I…" Aundy glanced down at the dress and realized she still had on the gown that was too short and far too wide. "My goodness."
Embarrassed, she started to race up the steps into the house, but Garrett caught her around the waist before she made it to the door. He pulled her back to his chest and bent his head so his breath caressed her ear. "Don't change on my account. I don't mind seeing your pretty ankles."
Aundy should have slapped his face or at least rushed into the house and slammed the door. Unfortunately, her limbs turned languid when her back touched his chest while his breath churned up new, disquieting sensations as it danced tantalizingly around her ear.
"You're intractable." Aundy huffed, trying to regain the ability to move her arms and legs. All she wanted was to fall back against Garrett's solid chest and stay there forever, wrapped in his arms.
"So I've been told." Garrett made no effort to move his hands from her waist or his lips from their place so close to her cheek.
"Garrett…" Aundy's voice came out in a whisper. She turned her head and he fell into her liquid blue eyes. "I think…"
"Me, too." His voice was deep and husky as he slowly turned her in his arms.
The kiss he would have surely given her failed to materialize when Nik's whistling interrupted them from a few steps away.
"Thought I better come get Bob and the lamb," Nik said, grinning at both Aundy and Garrett.
"I'm Garrett Nash." Garrett stepped away from Aundy and held his hand out to the young man. "Our place is the next one over, Nash's Folly. If you ever need anything, you just let me know."
"Thank you, sir. I'm Nikola Zorian Gandiaga, shepherd of the sheep," the boy said, once again executing a bow with his cap held to his chest. "But my friends call me Nik."
"A pleasure to meet you, Nik. I hope you enjoy working here with Mrs. Erickson. If she beats you too hard, refuses to feed you, or threatens you in any way, just tell me or Dent. We'll set her straight."
Nik's eyes grew wide, but then he grinned, seeing the appalled look on Aundy's face and the teasing smile on Garrett's.
"Yes, she looks like a cruel woman," Nik said, joining in the joking. "I'll have to be on guard at all times."
"For sure." Garrett reached out and grabbed Aundy's hand, squeezing it without even realizing what he did.
Annoyed by their teasing, all thoughts of kissing Garrett fled right out of her head. Aundy marched to the door and glared at Garrett then Nik.
"If you both think you can behave, you can wash up and tell the rest of the men to get ready for lunch. Nik, you may bring Bob and Butter to the back porch."
"Butter?" Nik asked looking at the lamb. "Guess you named him."
"Yes, I did." Aundy stepped inside the house, quietly closing the door behind her.
She raced through the house, pulled off the dress in her bedroom and slipped on one of her own. Aundy dashed to the kitchen where she donned a large apron, slipped a pan of rolls into the oven, and hurried to set the table.
By the time the men filed inside the kitchen, she had everything ready and greeted them all with a smile.
"Don't know why you think they are smelly, evil beasts, Fred. Even young Nikola can see they're harmless. Too bad a big fella like you is scared of a few little wooly sheep," Glen teased as they sauntered inside.
The daggers Fred shot at Glen with his eyes would have bled him out on the kitchen floor if they'd been able to pierce him. Glen laughed and slapped Fred's back as they all stood at the table, waiting for Aundy to be seated.
"Garrett, not surprised to see you here," Dent said, winking at Aundy. "Couldn't keep from coming over to check things out, could you?"
"You know it." Garrett held Aundy's chair for her while she took her seat. Dent gave thanks and the men all dug into the food. Nik filled his bowl twice with stew and looked around the table, sizing up the men.
"So, Nik, where do you come from?" Dent asked, wanting to know more about their young shepherd.
"Mr. O'Connell's place," he answered with a cheeky grin.
"Before that, if you please." Aundy smiled at the fun-loving boy.
"I grew up near Jordan Valley, about as south from here as you can get and still be in Oregon." Nik buttered another roll and took a bite before continuing. "My family came from the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain before my brother and I were born. There are many sheep farms around Jordan Valley and most hire Basque shepherds to care for the sheep."
"So you're Basque?" Aundy asked, realizing with Nik's name, his heritage should have been evident.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Are your parents and brother still in Jordan Valley?"
"No, ma'am. They died in a blizzard when I was ten. They went to town to get supplies and never came back. I was sick, so they left me home, planning to return before it got dark. It was early spring and no one thought it would snow. Just came up suddenly." Nik's happy smile slipped from his face as he remembered the blizzard and the days he spent trapped in the small cabin, alone and frightened. "A neighbor found the wagon just a few miles from our cabin."
"I'm so sorry for your loss, Nik." Aundy reached over to pat the boy on the arm. He was so young to bear such heartache.
"Thank you."
"What did you do… after…" Glen asked, voicing the question they all were thinking.
"My father's friend took me in for a while, but he had his own children to look after. I went to work as a shepherd that summer and have been doing it since. When the man I worked for sold part of his flock to Mr. O'Connell, I decided to go along with the sheep." Nik looked around the table at the friendly faces. He thought it would be easy to get used to living here with Mrs. Erickson and her hands. They all seemed like good people. "And here I am."
"I, for one, am mighty glad you're here." Fred grinned at Aundy then Nik. "Mrs. Erickson has assured me you will take care of the sheep so I don't have to get close to them."
Nik laughed. "Caring for the sheep is my pleasure."
"It would be my nightmare," Fred said, making everyone laugh.
After Aundy served slices of cake with coffee, and a big glass of milk for Nik, she gave each man a handful of cookies as he went out the door and thanked them all for their hard work.
Garrett leaned against the kitchen counter, watching her as she started to clean off the table.
"Don't you have work you need to see to?" Aundy asked, unsettled by his concentrated gaze.
"I sure do." Garrett made no effort to leave. However, he did walk over to the table and help carry dishes to the sink. Silence settled around them as they cleared the table.
"What are you about, Garrett Nash?" Aundy asked, glancing at him speculatively as she began washing the dishes.
"Not a thing, Mrs. Erickson." Garrett tried to force himself to walk out the door, but something about Aundy held him captive.
She'd traded the dress he'd teased her about earlier for a soft pink gown that put rosy blossoms in each cheek and made her lips look ripe for the picking. Studying her bottom lip, he recalled how delicious her kisses had tasted when he'd sampled them previously.
Suddenly, he could think of nothing else beyond kissing Aundy, melding his lips to hers. When he gazed into her eyes, he saw something flicker there, something that looked like wanting, mixed with a little fear.
Unable to bear the thought she might be afraid of him, he took a step closer and leaned down until his lips were near her ear.
"I won't hurt you, Aundy. I promise." Garrett's voice was deep and husky as his breath stirred the tendrils floating around her ear. His lips seared her skin when he pressed a hot kiss to the tender flesh of her neck.
"Garrett," she moaned, grabbing onto the front of his shirt to hold herself steady. Her knees weakened as soon as he put his arms around her. His kiss nearly made her collapse.
If he let go of her, she'd surely sink to the floor. Deprived of the ability to do anything but cling to the man who held her so lovingly in his arms, Aundy raised her lips to his. Eagerly, Garrett claimed them, kissing her until she felt lightheaded.
"I think I better leave." His lips hovered agonizingly close to Aundy's.
"I think that is a very good idea." Aundy leaned against him with her eyes closed. Finally drawing back, she opened one eye, then the other. The broad grin on Garrett's handsome face left her feeling self-conscious.
"What?" She asked as she gathered the loose threads of her composure together. Aundy patted her hair with still damp hands then looked down to see if she had something on her dress or apron. Garrett continued to grin at her. "I insist you tell me what you're staring at."
"You." Garrett grabbed his hat and walked to the door, wet handprints on the front of his shirt providing evidence she'd held onto him. "Beautiful, sassy, spirited you."
Her cheeks felt hot as Garrett tipped his head and went out the door. How in the world was she going to keep her heart locked away from Garrett Nash when she knew, without a doubt, she'd fallen in love with him?