Chapter 14

14

" D o like this, Missy," Li said, as he bent over a row of freshly tilled earth and showed Aundy how to drop carrot seeds into the ground then cover them with the rich soil.

Aundy hid her smile. She found it amusing Li decided to call her Missy, just like Dent. Li was as good a cook as he claimed and fixed tasty, filling food the men ate without complaint.

It was the pledge of a special treat that resulted in a freshly plowed garden that morning. After Li promised to make Glen fritters for supper in trade for preparing the garden ground, he swiftly plowed a space near the house.

Li volunteered to help plant the seeds. Since he had experience and she didn't, Aundy was more than happy to follow his direction.

"Yes, sir." Aundy walked next to him, planting a row of carrots. She ordered a wide variety of vegetable seeds for their garden and was excited to discover Erik's mother had long ago planted blackberries and strawberries. With the trees in the orchard, they'd have plenty of fresh produce to eat as well as preserve for the winter months.

They worked most of the morning planting the garden then Aundy made sandwiches and took lunch out to Nik. Since she was supposed to accompany the Nash family to Ashton's for dinner that night, she didn't want the boy to miss his lessons.

As she walked out to the far pasture where Nik had the flock, she breathed deeply of the fresh air and soaked up the warm sunshine while listening to her shepherd play a cheerful tune on his harmonica.

When she arrived in Pendleton, she had no idea at the time she'd find herself truly thinking of the place as home.

Aundy loved the clean air, the quiet peacefulness of the country, and the freedom she felt on the farm. Guilt stabbed at her over Erik's absence and the reason she was so free to do as she wished. She offered up a prayer of gratitude for all her many blessings.

Nik noticed her approach and ran over with Bob and Butter at his heels. "Hello, Aundy. What are you doing out here?" Nik took the basket she carried and walked with her toward a spot under a shady tree.

"I brought some lunch and thought we could have your lesson now. I'll be gone this evening and didn't want you to miss out on your studies." Aundy spread a cloth beneath the tree before sitting down. Butter rubbed against her side and Bob flopped near her feet, his tongue lolling out of his mouth while his tail wagged in a happy rhythm.

"I don't have any of my books or papers with me." Nik sat by Aundy and waited while she handed him a thick ham sandwich and a jar of milk that was still cold.

"Today can be a nature lesson."

A lively discussion of the clouds overhead, geological facts, and what made the grass green took place as they ate their sandwiches. Nik munched on the cookies she brought along while Aundy asked him how he thought the sheep liked their new home.

"Your soil is much richer than Mr. O'Connell's," Nik said, gazing around the green hills with pride. "The sheep have such good pasture, they stay fat and content."

"I'm glad to hear that." Aundy studied the flock. Watching them was so restful. They were quiet and calm as they nibbled at the pasture grass, presenting such a serene picture. Aundy's mind wandered to a sermon the pastor had shared recently about the Good Shepherd and his sheep.

"…it was really good," Nik said, brushing crumbs off his hands and setting his empty milk jar inside Aundy's basket.

"I'm sorry, Nik. I didn't hear what you said," Aundy admitted.

Nik grinned at her with a knowing smile. "Gathering wool or chasing dreams?"

"Both. Neither." Aundy laughed, shaking her head.

"You were thinking about Mr. Nash," Nik teased, leaning back on his elbows.

"I was not thinking about J.B. or Nora, for that matter," Aundy answered with a saucy grin.

"I didn't mean them. I meant Garrett and you know it." Nik helped Aundy pack the remnants of lunch.

"I know no such thing." Aundy was surprised Nik noticed her interest in Garrett, although he had caught them almost kissing a time or two. "Tell me what you said and I'll pay attention this time."

"I said Li made Chinese food for dinner the other night and it was really good. None of us thought we'd be able to eat it, but even though it tasted different, I liked it. I think everyone else did, too. There wasn't any left."

"I'm glad you all enjoyed it." Aundy wished she'd had a bite or two. With Li taking over the cooking, she was able to spend more time learning about farming and taking care of some chores around the house that needed attention, but she missed the lively conversations that took place during breakfast and supper.

Now, the meals seemed so quiet and somewhat lonely with all the men eating at the bunkhouse. Occasionally, Nik would eat with her before they launched into his lessons. The boy had already figured out to ask what was on the menu at her house and the bunkhouse before he made up his mind where he'd eat.

"You should come next time he makes it. Everyone would be glad to have you there," Nik said, walking with Aundy as she started back toward the house.

"Maybe." Aundy smiled at Nik and rubbed her hand across his shoulders. Although he remained thin, he was starting to fill out his frame.

Butter bleated and ran around her legs. She knelt and gave the lamb a thorough petting before doing the same for Bob. The dog rolled onto his back and held still, in perfect bliss, while Aundy scratched his belly.

"Okay, you three, I really do need to get back." Aundy rose to her feet again.

"Where did you say you're going?" Nik asked.

"Ashton Monroe's place. The Nash family will be going as well, for dinner."

"Oh." Nik studied the toe of his boot.

"Why? Something wrong?" Aundy wondered what caused his sudden pensive mood.

"Nothing. It's just… I think Mr. Monroe likes you." Nik let out a sigh as he looked at Aundy, trying to judge her reaction to his words. "I like Garrett much better, though."

"Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the subject, although I'm here to tell you right now, I'll be staying single."

Nik looked at her with his happy-go-lucky smile back in place. "That's good, Aundy. You stay single and when I'm old enough, you'll marry me."

"You are a tease, Nikola Zorian Gandiaga!" Aundy laughed again, walking away with a wave. "A real tease."

Back at the house, she washed the few dishes she'd dirtied to make lunch and decided to clean the chicken coop. She hated the job even more than she did gathering eggs, but she had time to take care of it before she had to get ready for dinner.

Almost finished with the unwelcome chore, she noticed a horse stirring a cloud of dust as it raced up her lane.

She expelled a heavy sigh as she watched Marvin Tooley pull his horse to a stop at the end of her walk. He weaved his way through the front gate, down the walk, and up the porch steps, pounding on the front door.

Aundy wished she had her gun with her. Instead, she rushed out of the coop, grabbed a shovel on her way to the house, and ran around to the front yard. Fearful Marvin's wild thumping would break the frosted glass panel out of the door, she raised her voice to be heard above the racket he made.

"Mr. Tooley, cease your pounding!"

He stared at her with bleary eyes. "Told ya to sell them durn sheep, woman. Done told ya to," he slurred.

Aundy hadn't seen many drunk people in her life but it was obvious Marvin imbibed in something either quite potent or quite a lot of it.

Marvin sneered at her. "Now ya'll pay the piper."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Aundy asked, standing her ground. "Is that another of your threats?"

"Nope. Not a threat. It's a fact." He cackled loudly. The sound made the hair on the back of Aundy's neck prickle. Marvin Tooley sounded like a lunatic.

"Be that as it may, would you please take yourself and your facts off my property this instant?" Aundy pointed her hand in the direction of Marvin's lathered horse.

"I warned ya, woman. Done told ya. But ya jes won't listen." Marvin weaved down the steps.

Aundy wasn't sure the crazy drunk would be able to get back on his horse much less take himself home.

He glanced back at her as he fumbled to put a foot into his stirrup. "Stubborn, fool woman. It'll teach her to listen to me."

Unbothered by his comments, she offered him an insincere smile. "Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mr. Tooley. Have a lovely afternoon. If you come back making more threats, I'll pay a visit to the sheriff about you."

"Don't threaten me!" Marvin yelled, somehow managing to get on his horse. He rode a few yards down the lane before falling off.

Aundy tossed aside the shovel and marched to where Marvin sprawled in the dirt.

"You are completely pathetic," Aundy muttered as she grabbed his horse's reins and led it to the barn. The last thing, the very last thing, she wanted to do was take Marvin Tooley home, but she couldn't very well leave him in the road and there was no way she was letting the man in her house, the barn, or the bunkhouse. She wanted him off her property, posthaste.

Swiftly hitching a horse to the buggy, she tied Marvin's horse to the back then pulled up beside the drunken man. Without any of the hands around, she was on her own if she planned to take Marvin home.

"Mr. Tooley, I can't and won't lift you up. You've got to get to your feet without my assistance. Now up!" Aundy prodded him with the toe of her boot.

Although he grumbled at her, Marvin did manage to stagger to his feet long enough to collapse into the back of the buggy with his legs dangling off the end.

"If you fall out, so help me, I'll leave you there," Aundy warned then set the horse down the lane at a good clip. She'd never been to Mr. Tooley's farm, but had an idea where to find it from everyone warning her to stay away.

Not daring to think about what she did, she drove north until she came to a crossroad and turned left. She followed it for a mile or so until she reached another crossroad and turned left again. A short distance down the road, she looked to her right, spotting a derelict house and barn off the side of the road. Since it was most likely her destination, she turned the buggy that direction.

When Marvin's horse whinnied from behind the buggy, Aundy was sure she'd found the right place.

She stopped the buggy close to the door of a house that may have at one time been nice. Quickly stepping out of the buggy, she untied Marvin's horse and led him to the barn. After removing his saddle and bridle, she turned him into the pasture.

When she returned to the buggy, Marvin was nowhere in sight. Grateful she wouldn't have to smell or speak to him again, Aundy climbed into the buggy and headed home.

What a wretched, detestable man!

Thanks to the time she spent taking Marvin home, she would be hard-pressed to be ready in time to go to Ashton's for dinner. While she'd dearly love to stay home, her curiosity drove her to visit his place. From what she heard, it was quite something to see.

At the barn, Aundy unhitched the horse and started brushing him down when George walked in.

"Howdy, Aundy," he said with a friendly smile, taking in her windblown hair and sun-reddened cheeks. "Can I help you with something?"

"George, your timing is providential. Would you mind finishing this for me? I've got to get up to the house." Aundy dropped the currycomb in his hand. On her way out the door, she called "thank you" before lifting her skirts and breaking into a very unladylike run across the yard and up the steps to the kitchen.

While water filled the bathtub, she laid out the clothes she planned to wear, glad she'd pressed the dress the previous evening after Nik finished his lessons.

After taking a bath and washing her hair, she stood in front of the kitchen stove combing out her long tresses, hoping to dry them faster.

As quickly as possible, she tugged on her dress and slipped her feet into a pair of dressy shoes that originally belonged to Mrs. Erickson. She rushed to style her hair in a loose upsweep with a few wispy tendrils falling along her neck and by her ears. Hastily fastening a rose made out of ribbon in her hair, she gave herself one more perusal in the mirror before deciding she looked as good as she could.

Aundy yanked on her gloves and picked up her reticule then decided she might need a shawl on the way home. She chose the soft white covering that belonged to Erik's mother then rushed into the front room as the jingle of harness let her know the Nash family arrived.

Garrett offered her a startled glance with his hand still poised to knock when she suddenly swung open the door.

"Hi," she said, breathless from her frenzied preparations to be ready on time.

"Hi." Garrett stared at her, mesmerized. He had no idea about women's fashions, but the pale blue gown Aundy wore with touches of lace made her eyes sparkle and accented her fine figure. The blue rose in her hair just made him want to take it out and unpin all her glorious wavy locks.

Quickly pulling the door shut behind her, Aundy smiled at Garrett, wondering why he looked at her so strangely.

"Shall we?" Aundy motioned toward the surrey where his parents waited. "We don't want to be late."

"No, not late," Garrett mumbled, holding out his arm to her. Instead of acting the part of a gentleman, he really wanted to pull her to his chest and kiss her repeatedly. "You look beautiful, Mrs. Erickson."

"Thank you, Mr. Nash." Aundy felt warmth fill her cheeks at Garrett's intense study from the flower on top of her head to the toes of her ivory shoes. Brazenly returning his gaze, she nearly stumbled on the walk as she took in how utterly appealing he appeared. "You look quite handsome this evening."

"You think so?" Garrett glanced down at his pressed pants, fancy vest, and suit coat. Nora insisted he dress up instead of going to Ashton's in his denims and a cotton work shirt.

"Yes, I do." Aundy turned her attention to J.B. and Nora in the front of the surrey. This was the first time she'd seen J.B. take the reins. It must mean he felt better.

"Good evening." Aundy squeezed Nora's hand in hers before Garrett helped her into the back seat of the surrey.

"I don't know how you manage it, honey, but you get prettier every time I see you," Nora said, turning around in her seat to smile at Aundy. "Blue is definitely your color."

"Thank you." Aundy blushed again at Nora's compliment.

"Don't you think she looks lovely, Garrett?" Nora asked, aware of her son's gaze lingering on Aundy's face. When he didn't answer, she stretched her arm behind the seat and swatted his leg. "Isn't that right, son?"

"Yes, Ma," Garrett said, not paying any attention to what Nora said. He was too absorbed in watching the way evening light played in Aundy's hair and highlighted the freckles across her nose. She was breathtaking. At least he felt like she'd stolen his breath away. When he tried to inhale a calming breath, her soft rose fragrance floated around him, drawing him into an invisible web he had no desire to escape.

Nora turned around and squeezed J.B.'s arm, leaning close to him. "I think our boy is a goner," she whispered.

J.B. grinned and nodded his head. "That he is, but who could blame him. She's quite a girl."

"Did you have a good day at the ranch?" Aundy asked Garrett, eager to divert his attention elsewhere. The way his silvery eyes flickered with heat made her completely unsettled.

"Nothing out of the ordinary." Garrett finally regained his ability to both think and speak, although he continued to be distracted. It was hard to concentrate on anything with Aundy at his side, looking and smelling so lovely. "How about your day? What did you do?"

"Li helped me plant the garden this morning," Aundy said, then gave Garrett a saucy grin. "Perhaps it would be more truthful to state I helped Li plant the garden this morning. He knew what he was doing and told me what to drop where and how much dirt to put over it."

Garrett chuckled and took Aundy's gloved hand in his. Sparks shot from their fingers up both their arms. "Then what did you do?"

"I took lunch out to Nik and we had a nature lesson." Aundy's eyes shone with excitement as she looked at him. "He's such a bright boy, and so sweet. I want him to learn all he can. Maybe he'll go to college someday."

"Maybe he will. Anything is possible." Garrett studied the way Aundy's lips moved. Her mouth tempted him when she smiled. "How's he doing with that harmonica you bought him?"

"Wonderful. I heard him playing Daisy Bell today and recognized it right away."

"If you aren't careful, you'll spoil that boy," Garrett teased. Love and care couldn't spoil a boy with a heart like Nik's. "Maybe you should lavish some of that attention on me."

Aundy released Garrett's hand to smack him on the leg. He used the opportunity to put his arm around her and draw her closer to his side. When she didn't protest, he let out the breath he held and relaxed.

"The sheep are so peaceful to watch, Garrett. I'm ever so glad I bought them, even if most of the neighbors disapprove."

"Who's been jabbering about the woolies now?" Garrett might have been quite vocal in his displeasure with Aundy purchasing sheep, but he didn't like the way so many of the neighbors had given her a piece of their mind about them. He had to admit, they hadn't been any trouble so far, except for providing fodder for the neighborhood gripers.

"I think most everyone has been by at least once to let me know their thoughts on my flock, although Marvin Tooley seems the most concerned. He came by a little inebriated this afternoon." When a look of fury and concern settled on Garrett's face, Aundy wished she hadn't said anything. He frowned and she felt his arm tense behind her.

"He showed up at the farm drunk?" Garrett asked, angry with Tooley for his inappropriate behavior.

"I think that is what you'd call it. He couldn't stand up straight and slurred his words. He fell off his horse when he tried to leave and seemed quite incoherent. I hitched up the buggy and took him home. My goodness, but his place could use some attention. Does he have any hands to help out?"

"You what? Back up, honey. You took Tooley home? While he was drunk? What were you thinking? What if he'd done something to harm you?" Garrett pelted her with questions so fast, she didn't have a chance to answer. He scowled at her, waiting for a response.

"He was too drunk to do anything and I couldn't just leave him passed out in front of the house. Taking him home seemed the logical thing to do, so I did. No harm done."

Garrett was coming to realize Aundy's matter-of-fact tone coincided with the stubborn set of her chin.

With the hand that wasn't already wrapped around her shoulders, he reached out and took her fingers in his, gently rubbing his thumb along her glove-covered palm. Unsettled by the sensations it stirred inside him, Garrett assumed Aundy felt something similar. She melted against his side and released a soft sigh. "I'm very glad no harm was done, Aundy. Very glad. Next time, call and I'll come over."

"You're a busy man with your own place to run, Garrett. I could have had one of the hands take care of it, but they were all out working. I'm capable of handling things." Aundy wondered how many times she would have variations of the same conversation with Garrett. She wished he'd realize she was no weak little female who depended on a man to take care of her and protect her. She could and would take care of herself.

Occasionally, though, it was nice to feel cared for and sheltered. Like now, with Garrett's spicy scent tickling her nose as she sat against his side, letting her know she was safe and secure in his arms.

J.B. turned the surrey off the road onto a lane lined with dogwoods that were full of beautiful blooms.

"Oh, my," Aundy whispered, impressed with the beauty of the trees and the setting of the house up on a hill.

"I forget how pretty it is out here in the spring," Nora said, gazing at the trees. "I don't know how Ashton keeps these trees alive as cold as it gets in the winter."

"Must be his special fertilizer," Garrett commented. J.B. laughed and Nora looked at her son with a glare that would have chastised him had she not been fighting to contain her own smile.

The surrey rolled around a circular drive. J.B. stopped in front of a three-story house that could rival any picture Aundy had seen of a stately plantation home.

"Something, isn't it?" Nora asked as J.B. helped her out of the surrey while Garrett gave Aundy his arm.

"That it is," Aundy agreed, tipping back her head to take in the grand white columns and balconies. They walked up the steps together. J.B. raised his hand to knock on the door as a buggy traveled down the drive, followed by a lone rider on horseback.

Garrett grinned as Kade climbed off his horse. Politely offering his arm to one of the town's schoolteachers, Almira Raines, her spinster sister wrapped her bony hand around his other bicep and they started up the steps. Their brother, owner of a barbershop in Pendleton, followed behind. The two Raines sisters could talk a dead man into his grave and they were each doing their best to capture Kade's attention, chatting up a storm with every step they took.

Swallowing down the chuckle that began to erupt from his mouth, Garrett tipped his head at Kade.

"Evening, Deputy. Here for dinner?" Garrett kept a firm grip on Aundy's elbow as they stood at the door.

"Yep. Ashton invited the sheriff, but he had to cancel at the last moment. He asked me to come in his place." Kade tried not to roll his eyes at the two women who had him caught like a mouse between two sparring cats.

"Lucky you," Garrett teased.

Kade would have replied, but the door opened and Ashton's butler welcomed them into the entry hall.

"Ladies, I'd be happy to take your outerwear." The butler gathered wraps and shawls while the men removed their hats and handed them to the stoic man. With a nod, the butler inclined his head toward a large gathering room. "Please be seated. Mr. Monroe will be down shortly."

The group moved into a room with an enormous fireplace, expensive furnishings, and fine art. They chatted for a few minutes until Ashton appeared in the door. He greeted them with his usual charm and did his best to put his guests at ease.

The butler announced dinner was ready. Ashton maintained a lively conversation as he ushered his guests into the dining room. Aundy found herself seated between Ashton at the head of the table and Garrett to her right.

The undercurrents flowing between the two men were enough to make her feel battered from both directions. She didn't know what was going on with Garrett and Ashton, but she wished it would stop.

When Ashton reached out and clasped her hand in his, Garrett dropped his arm around the back of her chair and leaned closer to her. Ashton kept bumping her leg beneath the table and Garrett made sure his hand brushed against her arm any number of times.

By the end of the meal, the two of them had her so jumpy and irritated, she couldn't wait to go home.

Ashton had other plans, though, as he invited them to stay and play parlor games. After dividing into teams, they played a few games of charades before Kade and Garrett had their fill of listening to the Raines sisters' chatter.

Deliberately executing a yawn that should have cracked the joint in his jaw, Kade begged pardon and said he had to get back to town since he had the night shift.

"We should be going, too." Garrett nudged his dad's foot with his own as he rose from his seat.

"So soon?" Ashton asked. "But the fun is just beginning."

"It was a lovely evening, Ashton. We appreciate your hospitality, but we really should go," Nora said. She'd noticed Garrett's desire to leave sooner rather than later. Aundy looked like she'd swallowed something bitter halfway through dinner and the frown that puckered her brow hadn't gone away.

"Yes, Ashton, thank you so much for inviting us. Your home is very impressive." For all the beauty of the architecture, Aundy thought Dogwood Corners was missing some vital welcoming element. She couldn't pinpoint what, exactly, but something seemed off.

"I hope, now that you know where to find me, you'll come back to visit again." Ashton draped Aundy's shawl around her shoulders with much more lingering care than was necessary.

Garrett picked up her gloves and reticule, handing them to her before grabbing his hat.

"I'd be happy to bring her back anytime she's of a mind to visit." Garrett hustled Aundy out the door. He shook Ashton's hand, thanked him for the meal, and urged Aundy down the broad steps to where the surrey waited.

"That was a little rude, don't you think?" She asked as he helped her in the back of the surrey.

"Not at all." Garrett's tone sounded clipped as he draped his arm along the seat behind her, glad to be out of Ashton's oppressive house and presence.

Quiet on the ride home, Garrett seemed more like himself as they neared her place. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his side.

"Don't want you to catch a chill." His voice was warm and husky by her ear.

An involuntarily shiver raced from her head to her toes. Garrett's proximity, combined with his voice, made Aundy think of sweet, thick molasses. She could picture it pouring over her heart right down to her soul.

If she had a brain in her head, she'd move away from him. Unfortunately, she seemed to have left her sense at home. It appeared to have fled the moment she opened the door earlier that evening and gazed into Garrett's silvery eyes.

Nestled against his side, breathing in his unique masculine scent, she savored every moment until J.B. stopped the surrey at the end of her walk. Garrett walked her to the door and that's when they noticed a note nailed to the house.

Aundy jerked it free and gasped at the writing that appeared to be in blood. She sincerely hoped her imagination ran away with her and it was only paint.

Garrett took the note from her hand and read it in the fading light. He folded Aundy into his arms. Whoever wrote the note was clearly lacking in basic spelling skills.

"Git rid a 'em sheep or git of the farm, ya dum wuman!"

"I'm sorry, honey. Do you think Marvin Tooley wrote this?" Garrett asked as Aundy stood with her head pressed to his chest. Although he appreciated the opportunity to wrap his arms around her, he was outraged that anyone would threaten her. She had every right to raise whatever she wanted on the farm and if he had anything to say about it, she'd never leave.

"I don't know. He was quite drunk earlier. I don't know if he would have come back this soon." Aundy breathed deeply and stepped away from Garrett. Taking back the note, she stared at it a moment before opening her door.

"Thank you for seeing me home, Garrett. I appreciate it," she said and walked inside the house.

Garrett stood in the doorframe, peering into the empty house. "Want me to come inside and make sure everything is fine?"

"That won't be necessary." Aundy was determined not to let fear override her need for independence. "Thanks again."

"Are you certain…?" Garrett started to ask, but she quietly closed the door, shutting him out.

Aundy trembled with fear. She wanted Garrett to hold her hand, light all the lamps, and promise her everything would be fine.

Since that wasn't going to happen, she pulled the gun out of her reticule and walked through the house, prepared to shoot if anything moved.

In her bedroom, she lit a lamp and heaved a sigh. Why did the neighbors have such a hard time accepting her sheep? They weren't hurting anyone. Nik kept them contained. She didn't go around commenting on the state of her neighbors' livestock, which included a herd of scrawny cattle, some horses that looked abused, and a pair of mean dogs that had to be part wolf for as vicious as they seemed.

Maybe it wasn't so much about the sheep but about her, a woman, taking over the farm. Although she had a lot to learn, she was willing to try and gave her best each day to make the place a success.

Not a thing could be done right then, so Aundy changed into her nightgown, blew out the lamp, and slid between her cool sheets.