Page 306 of Conveniently Wed
“Why does everyone tell me to stay away from Mr. Tooley? Is he really that mean?” Aundy asked as Garrett stopped the buggy at the end of the front walk and waved at Nora when she stepped out onto the porch.
“Even more so,” Garrett said solemnly, although she detected the slightest hint of a grin working at the corners of his mouth.
“Hello!” Nora called, hurrying down the walk, barely waiting for Garrett to help Aundy out of the buggy before pulling her into a welcoming hug. “Don’t you look pretty today? My goodness, but you have some beautiful clothes. And your hair is so thick and long and lovely.”
“I…” Aundy spluttered, not accustomed to being paid compliments. She knew she wasn’t beautiful like her younger sister and had long ago resigned herself to just being who she was — sturdy, strong, and hardworking.
“Doesn’t she Garrett?” Nora prodded, staring at her son. “Isn’t she one of the most striking girls you’ve ever seen?”
At Nora’s hasty nod and glare, Garrett was quick to agree. “Yes, Ma,” he said, tipping his hat to the women before hurrying toward the barn with the horse and buggy. He glanced over his shoulder and watched Nora herd Aundy up the steps and inside the house. Her fancy-stitched skirt swished around her long legs while her golden hair rippled down her back.
He wasn’t just paying lip service because his mother wanted him to. Erik’s widow had turned more than a few heads since her arrival in Pendleton.
She wasn’t beautiful by society’s stilted standards, but she was very attractive. His mother summed it up well when she said the girl was striking. With that golden hair, blue eyes, creamy skin, and tall height, she was hard to miss.
Since her arrival on their doorstep covered in mud, he discovered she was a caring and gentle, yet determined person. Although Garrett thought inner beauty was much more important than outward, it was hard not to admire how she carried herself, or the way her city clothes accented her becoming curves.
Irritated by his wayward thoughts, Garrett unhooked the horse and gave him a portion of feed before starting on the evening chores. An hour later, he walked inside the house, after reminding himself a dozen times it was inappropriate to think about Erik’s widow. Even if the marriage had been in name only and Erik spent nearly all of the few days he and Aundy were together unconscious, Garrett’s thoughts were still out of line.
Sincerely missing his friend, Garrett let grief and guilt chase away any lingering interest he had in the girl as he washed up for supper.
Waiting until she and his mother took their seats at the dining table, he pulled out the chair across from Aundy and sat down, bowing his head. His father asked the blessing on the meal then his mother started a lively discussion about upcoming events at church and things happening in town.
After dinner, Aundy helped with the dishes then Nora insisted everyone gather in the parlor for a while before Garrett took Aundy home.
“Have you decided what you want to do with the farm yet?” J.B. asked. He knew Aundy had been weighing all of her options.
“I’ve decided to stay and make it a success as a way of honoring Erik.” Aundy sipped the tea Nora served as the two of them sat together on the sofa.
“That’s wonderful, honey.” Nora patted her leg, offering an encouraging smile. “What are your plans?”
“I want to learn all I can about managing a farm. I need to learn about animals, crops, everything. Dent said he’d help, but suggested Garrett might be able to provide assistance with some of my lessons, like shooting.”
Garrett, who’d been drinking a cup of coffee, choked in his efforts not to spew the drink all over his mother’s prized set of furniture. J.B. reached over and slapped his back a few times.
“Sounds like a grand idea to me.” J.B. winked at Nora as Aundy watched Garrett with concern.
“I don’t want to be any more of a burden to anyone. I’m sure I can figure things out.” Aundy glanced down at the teacup she held in her hand.
“Nonsense.” J.B. settled back in his chair, pinning his gaze on his son. “Garrett would be happy to teach you how to shoot and whatever other lessons you need help with. I might not be much use outdoors yet, but I can teach you about cattle and crops if you’re of a mind to come here for a little schooling. We’ve got a few books that might be a help to you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Nash.” Aundy offered him a shy smile. “I’ve been reading a book I found on Erik’s desk, but I still have some questions about what I’ve read. I hate to bother Dent because he’s so busy and he informed me today we need to hire more hands.”
“Well, you probably could use a few more. Erik always hired some seasonal help once the farm work began.” J.B. continued to wait for Garrett to recover from his choking fit and join the conversation. “Do the men know you’re planning to keep the farm and run it yourself?”
“Dent said he’d tell them after supper tonight.” Aundy watched out of the corner of her eye as Garrett took a cautious sip of his coffee. “I realize I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m willing to work hard.”
“We know you are, honey,” Nora said, patting Aundy’s leg again. “Don’t you worry about a thing. We’ll help you learn about farm life. You can count on us. All of us.” Nora gave Garrett a pointed look and he numbly nodded his head, trying not to look at Aundy.
The firelight in the room made her hair glimmer and shine while the look on her face, filled with animation and excitement as she talked about learning to farm, made him want to promise to do everything in his power to help her succeed.
After visiting for another hour, Garrett finally went to hitch the horse to the buggy while J.B. and Aundy worked out a schedule for her to learn what he could teach her from the kitchen table about crops, livestock, and rural life.
Nora gave her another hug as she walked out the door and waved enthusiastically as Garrett helped her in the buggy and started down the lane back toward the road.
“Thank you,” Aundy said quietly, taking in the beautiful colors filling the sky as the sun set. She would never tire of the smell of clean air and the wide-open spaces she’d found in Pendleton. Unlike anything she’d ever experienced, she felt such peace here in the country.
“For what?” Garrett kept his gaze fastened on the horse instead of his companion.
