Aundy (Pendleton Petticoats - Book 1) (21 page)

“Okay, Mr. Dent,” Li said, getting to his feet. Turning to Aundy, he bowed to her and thanked her for the tea, then thanked Nora for her hospitality and care.

“Just call me Dent, no mister,” the foreman said as he opened the front door and walked out with Li.

Aundy heard Li tell Dent to call him Li or Hong, no mister.

“I think they’ll get along fine,” Nora whispered as they watched the older cowboy and the younger Chinese man walk across the front yard and toward the bunkhouse.

“I hope Li works out,” Aundy said, sitting back and taking a sip of her tea. Cooking for the bunch of men while trying to keep up with everything else reminded her of the frantic days she put in before moving to Pendleton. They left her weary and exhausted, which wasn’t all bad. That way she didn’t stay awake at night worrying about who wanted to harm her sheep or dreaming about Garrett.

Thinking about Garrett, with his mother sitting across from her chatting about a new quilt pattern she saw in a magazine, made her cheeks blush.

“Are you feeling well, honey? You look a little flushed,” Nora said, leaning over and putting a hand on Aundy’s forehead.

“I’m fine, just a little warm,” Aundy said, sipping her tea to try to hide her embarrassment. She was saved from having to explain herself when a knock sounded on her door. She wondered who was visiting now.

Rising from her seat, she opened the door to see Ashton Monroe smiling broadly and dressed impeccably.

“Ashton,” Aundy said, opening the door wider to allow him entry. “I didn’t expect a visit from you today. I thought you were out of town.”

“I just returned and thought I’d stop to say hello on my way home,” Ashton said, not smiling quite as broadly when he saw Nora sipping tea.

“Mrs. Nash, you’re looking lovely as always,” Ashton said, taking her hand in his, exhibiting manners befitting a fine gentleman.

“Thank you, Ashton. Been out of town again?” Nora asked, keeping her voice even although her eyes had lost the warmth they held earlier when she and Aundy were visiting.

“Yes, ma’am. Business, you know,” Ashton said, sitting down and accepting the cup of tea Aundy poured for him along with a cookie. Aundy’s stylish outfit caught his attention and he watched her for a moment before he felt Nora’s glare.

“My, but you are a busy man,” Nora said dryly although Ashton didn’t notice.

He soaked up the comment like praise and puffed out his chest. Aundy thought he looked a little like the peacocks she’d seen in Chicago. “A busy man is a successful man,” Ashton said, setting down his cup of tea and clearing his throat.

“It is serendipitous to find you here, Mrs. Nash,” Ashton said, speaking to Nora while his gaze lingered on Aundy.

Although he would never consider her beautiful, she was quite striking and fashionable when she chose to be. He hated seeing the plain dresses she tended to wear around the farm. Considering the smart ensemble she had on, he had to assume she’d either been calling or to town. “I would like to invite all of you, along with Mrs. Erickson, to be my dinner guests Friday evening. I haven’t entertained company at Dogwood Corners for far too long. Won’t you please join me?”

The last thing Nora wanted to do was force J.B. and Garrett to eat dinner with the pompous Ashton Monroe, but if he was trying to be neighborly, she didn’t feel she could refuse. “That’s a lovely invitation, Ashton. We’d be happy to join you, if Mrs. Erickson is of a mind to go, of course.”

“Of course,” Aundy echoed, wondering what Nora was thinking. Busy with so much work on the farm, Aundy didn’t really want to make time to go to Ashton’s, especially when he did behave somewhat arrogantly if he had an audience. Not looking forward to the evening, she did like the thought of finally seeing his home. “May we bring something?”

“No. Just your lovely faces,” Ashton said, getting to his feet and picking up his hat. “I might turn it into a regular dinner party. Let’s plan on six that evening to dine.”

“We’ll be there,” Nora said, watching as he kissed Aundy’s hand on his way out the door. Unless Nora was completely mistaken, Garrett was falling in love with Aundy. It might prove to be quite interesting to have him watch Ashton slobber all over her hand a few times Friday evening. Interesting, indeed.

“I better get back to J.B. and think about putting supper on the table,” Nora said getting to her feet and walking toward the door. “Let me know how things go with Li Hong. Garrett has tried to get him to talk about who beat him, but he won’t say a thing. I don’t know who he’s protecting, but I certainly wish he’d tell us. No one should be allowed to treat another human that way and get away with it.”

“I agree,” Aundy said, walking Nora out to her buggy. “Maybe he’ll talk to someone here once he settles in. I just hope he’s as good a cook as he claims. I’m more than ready to let him take over.”

Laughing, Nora flicked the reins and turned her buggy around in the barnyard. As she was leaving, Nora called over her shoulder. “We’ll pick you up Friday to go to Ashton’s.”

Chapter Fourteen

“Do 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.

Hiding her smile, Aundy found it amusing Li decided to call her Missy, just like Dent. Fitting right in to life on the ranch, Li was as good a cook as he claimed and had fixed good, filling food the men ate without complaint.

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

 “Sure, Li,” Aundy said, walking 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 Nik 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 Nik 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.

Loving the clean air, the quiet peacefulness of the country, and the freedom she felt on the farm, she was so thankful to be there. Feeling a stab of guilt 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.

Watching her approach, Nik ran over with Bob and Butter at his heels. “Hello, Aundy. What are you doing out here?” Nik took the basket she was carrying 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 said, spreading 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 happily.

“I don’t have any of my books or papers with me,” Nik said, sitting down by Aundy and waiting while she handed him a thick ham sandwich and a jar of milk that was still cold.

“Today can be a nature lesson,” Aundy said with a grin. Discussing the clouds, geological facts, and what made the grass green, they enjoyed their lunch and time spent together. While Nik ate the cookies she brought along, she asked him how he thought the sheep were doing.

“The soil of your pastures is much richer than Mr. O’Connell’s,” Nik said, gazing around the green hills with pride. “The sheep have such good feed, they stay fat and happy.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Aundy said, looking at the flock. Watching them was so restful. They were quiet and calm as they nibbled at the pasture grass, presenting such as serene picture. It made Aundy’s mind wander to a sermon the pastor shared recently about the Good Shepherd and his sheep. She knew for all the dedicated care Nik gave the sheep it was nothing compared to the love and compassion given by the heavenly Father to His precious flock.

“…it was really good,” Nik said, brushing crumbs off his hands and putting his empty milk jar back in 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 said, helping Aundy pack the remnants of lunch.

“I know no such thing,” Aundy said, surprised Nik had noticed her interest in Garrett, although he had caught them almost kissing a time or two. “Now, 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,” Nik said.

“I’m glad you all enjoyed it,” Aundy said, wishing 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 dinner.

Now, the meals seemed so quiet and somewhat lonely with all the men eating at the bunkhouse. Once in a while, Nik would eat dinner with her before they launched into his lessons. The boy had already figured out to ask what was being served at her table and the bunkhouse before he made up his mind where he’d eat dinner.

“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 said, smiling at Nik and patting his back. Butter bleated and ran around her legs. Aundy stopped 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 said, standing up 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 said, studying the toe of his boot.

“Why? Something wrong?” Aundy asked, wondering what caused his sudden pensive mood.

“Nothing. It’s just…I think Mr. Monroe really likes you,” Nik said, letting 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 said with a laugh as she walked away with a wave. “A real tease.”

Arriving back at the house, Aundy 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. Finishing the unwelcome chore, she was troubled to see a horse stirring a cloud of dust as it raced up her lane.

Closing the coop behind her, she sighed 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, but instead grabbed a shovel on her way to the house and ran around to the front where she was afraid, with Marvin’s wild thumping, he’d break the frosted glass panel out of the front door.

“Mr. Tooley, cease your pounding, please,” she yelled to be heard above the racket he was making.

“Told ya to sell them durn sheep, woman. Done told ya to,” he slurred as he stared at her bleary eyed. Aundy hadn’t seen many drunk people in her life but it was obvious Marvin had imbibed in something either quite potent or quite a lot of it. “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,” Marvin said, then laughed. 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 asked, pointing her hand in the direction of Marvin’s lathered horse.

“I warned ya, woman. Done told ya. But ya jes won’t listen,” Marvin said, weaving down the steps. Aundy wasn’t sure the crazy drunk would be able to get back on his horse let alone home. “Stubborn, fool woman. It’ll teach her to listen to me.”

“Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mr. Tooley. Have a lovely afternoon and if you come back making more threats, I’ll be paying a visit to the sheriff about you.”

“Don’t threaten me!” Marvin yelled then somehow managed to get on his horse only to ride a few yards down the lane and fall off.

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

“You are completely pathetic,” Aundy muttered as she grabbed his horse’s reins, whirled around and ran 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.

Quickly hitching a horse to the buggy, she tied Marvin’s horse to the back of it and stopped beside the drunken man. Without any of the hands around, she knew she was on her own getting 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 demanded, prodding him with the toe of her boot.

Although he grumbled at her, Marvin did manage to stagger to his feet long enough to collapse in 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 him 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 was doing, she drove north until she came to a crossroad and turned left. She followed it for a mile or so until she reached another cross road and turned left again. Traveling a short distance, she looked to her right, spotting a derelict house and barn off the side of the road. Deciding 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.

Pulling the buggy to a stop close to the door of a house that may have at one time been nice, she climbed down and untied Marvin’s horse. Leading him to the barn, she took off his saddle and bridle then turned him into the pasture.

Walking back to the buggy, Marvin was nowhere in sight. Aundy was grateful she wouldn’t have to smell or speak to him again. Climbing in the buggy, she soon had the horse heading back to the road.

What a wretched, detestable man!

Hurrying home, Aundy was going to 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 was driving her to visit Ashton’s place. From what she heard, it was quite something to see.

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

“Howdy, Miz Erickson,” he said with a friendly smile, taking in her windblown hair and sun reddened cheeks. “Can I help you with something?”

“George, you’re timing is providential. Would you mind finishing this for me? I’ve got to get up to house,” Aundy said, dropping the currycomb in his hand on her way out the door. Calling over her shoulder, she yelled “thank you” before lifting her skirts and breaking into a very unladylike run across the yard and up the steps to the kitchen.

Turning the water on in the bathtub, she laid out the clothes she would wear, glad she’d pressed the dress the previous evening after Nik finished his lessons.

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

Hustling into her clothes, she slipped her feet into a pair of dressy shoes that were Mrs. Erickson, then rushed to style her hair in a loose upsweep with a few wispy tendrils falling along her neck and by her ears. She fastened a rose made out of ribbon in her hair and gave herself one more perusal in the mirror before deciding she looked as good as she could.

Hurrying back to her room, she picked up a pair of gloves and her reticule then walked into the front room just as the jingle of harness let her know of the Nash’s arrival.

Yanking on her gloves, Aundy decided she might need a shawl on the way home and hurried back to her bedroom grabbing the soft white covering that belonged to Erik’s mother before rushing to the front room.

Swinging open the door, she startled Garrett who had already lifted his hand to knock.

“Hi,” she said, breathless from all her frenzied preparations to be ready on time.

“Hi,” Garrett said, staring 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 golden locks.