Page 309 of Conveniently Wed
Once they were out of sight, Aundy gave in to the urge to stamp her foot. “Bunch of club-dragging cavedwellers,” Aundy muttered to herself, marching into her bedroom and getting out one of her best day gowns. Quickly deciding she couldn’t possibly get into her corset without assistance, she gave up and placed a call to Nora.
“Nash’s Folly,” a deep voice resonated in her ear, making tingles race down her spine.
“Garrett?”
“Yep, the one and only.” His lighthearted tone caused a smile to break out on Aundy’s face while her heartbeat skipped into a faster tempo.
“This is Mrs. Erickson. May I please speak with your mother?”
“Nope.”
“Oh… I… well… I…”
Laughter filled the earpiece of the phone and Aundy held it away from her head, staring at it, perplexed, before returning it to her ear.
“I’m teasing you, Mrs. Erickson. Just a moment, I’ll get her for you.”
“Thank you.” Aundy breathed a sigh of relief. She could hear rumbling sounds in the background then Nora’s cheery voice greeted her.
“What can I do for you today, honey?”
“Nora, I hate to ask, but I sorely need your assistance with a matter here at my home. Would there possibly be any way you could come over this morning?”
“Certainly. I can be there in an hour. Anything I need to bring?”
“No, ma’am, and thank you,” Aundy said, remembering that many people listened in on the phone lines so anything she said could be fodder for community gossip.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can, honey.”
“Thank you, Nora. I appreciate it.”
She hung up from her call with Nora as Dent knocked once before stepping inside the kitchen. Aundy retrieved a pencil and a pad of paper from Erik’s desk, poured Dent a cup of coffee, and sat with him at the table writing an advertisement for hired help. They worked to finish the wording when the front door shut and footsteps echoed down the hall. The two of them looked up as Nora bustled into the kitchen.
“What are you working on?” Nora asked, peering over Aundy’s shoulder.
“Four of the men quit this morning when Dent told them I was keeping the farm. We’re in dire need of more help,” Aundy said. She looked at Dent as he stood and edged toward the door.
“With Erik gone, you’re running five short? Is that right?” Nora asked, looking to Dent for confirmation. At his nod, Nora shook her head. “We can send over some help until you hire more men.”
“Absolutely not, Nora. You’ve done so much already.” Aundy rose and looked at Dent for support. Inconspicuously, he nodded his head at Nora.
“Looks like you’re outvoted, Missy.” Dent grinned then hurried out the door before Aundy could reply.
“Nora, I…” Aundy turned to the woman who had been mother, friend, and mentor to her since she’d stood dripping mud all over her clean porch.
“Not another word, Aundy. It’s what neighbors and friends do.” Nora set a basket on the table and pulled out a few jars of jam, a napkin filled with cookies, and a loaf of bread that smelled delicious, filling the kitchen with a wonderful yeasty scent.
Aundy couldn’t do much cooking with one hand and tried to get by as best she could. Dent invited her to join the men in the bunkhouse for meals, but she didn’t feel right about that either.
Nora removed her hat and set it on the table. “Now, what requires my assistance?”
“I need to go into town and get the men’s wages from the bank, pick up supplies, and place an advertisement in the newspaper. I should be dressed in something more presentable than the clothes I’ve been wearing and for that, I need someone to help me put on that blasted corset. I hate to bother you, but I don’t know what else to do. I would also be forever grateful if you can help me get my hair put up proper before I head into town.” Aundy walked to her bedroom with Nora following close behind her.
“And just how, precisely, do you plan to get into town to run all these errands?” Nora helped Aundy remove her shirtwaist and skirt then settled the corset into place.
“I hadn’t exactly gotten that far in my plans. I watched Garrett with the buggy and horse yesterday. I think I could handle it.”
Nora laughed. “No doubt you’d try, but you better wait until that arm of yours has healed. My buggy is right outside and I’d be happy to run into Pendleton with you. I’ll call J.B. and let him know you and I are eating lunch in town today. He and Garrett can fend for themselves.”
