Page 332 of Conveniently Wed
“No!” Aundy wondered why he insisted on goading her. “And to answer your question, I plan to tell Dent and the boys tomorrow. I wanted to make sure the deal was final before I said anything and jeopardized losing Fred. I’d really like to find a way to keep them all working for me.”
“Could you hire someone to tend the sheep and tell the rest of them they won’t have to worry about the woolies?” Garrett suggested. As fiercely as Fred hated sheep, he wasn’t sure that would be enough to keep him from quitting.
“Perhaps.” If she could find someone willing to work for her, she’d hire him in a heartbeat.
“I take it you spoke with Owen this morning.”
“Owen?” Aundy asked, confused.
“O’Connell. His name is Owen O’Connell.” Garrett scowled. “Didn’t you get the full name of the man you’re doing business with? Might be good to know, don’t you think?”
Quickly realizing her mistake, Aundy felt like a chastised child. The feeling irked her considerably. “Yes. Of course.”
“What did you discuss?” Garrett asked, wondering if she’d offered a price, made a verbal agreement.
Aundy repeated the brief conversation she had with Mr. O’Connell. Garrett nodded, pleased that she hadn’t made any promises.
When she pulled up in front of the attorney’s office, Garrett noticed Owen O’Connell sat on a bench near the door, waiting.
He hurried around the buggy to give Aundy his hand and then turned to the Irishman.
“O’Connell. Good to see you again,” Garrett said in his typical friendly fashion, shaking hands with the man as he stood from the bench. “Hear you’re getting ready to head south and leave our lovely Eastern Oregon weather behind.”
“It’s lovely now, boyo, but when the snow blows and the ice freezes everything, I’ll be sunnin’ meself in the warm, balmy California weather.”
“So you will.” Garrett reached a hand over to place on the small of Aundy’s back and gently pushed her forward. “May I introduce Mrs. Erickson? Aundy Erickson. She married Erik the day of his injury.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss, Miz Erickson. Terrible thing that happened to Erik,” O’Connell said, doffing his hat and tipping his head to Aundy.
“Thank you, Mr. O’Connell. I appreciate your condolences.” Aundy smiled at the man, noting his eyes looked bloodshot and tired. “Shall we go in?”
“Certainly.” O’Connell held the door for Aundy and Garrett to precede him.
An hour and a half later, they left the bank together and O’Connell shook both their hands. Once he delivered the sheep, he would receive payment in full. For now, Aundy paid himhalf of the agreed upon price, after drawing up papers at the attorney’s office.
“We’ll be at the farm tomorrow afternoon with your woolies, Mrs. Erickson. See you then.” O’Connell touched the brim of his hat then walked away in the direction of a saloon.
“While we’re in town, I’d like to go by the sheriff’s office,” Garrett said as he helped Aundy into the buggy and started down the street. “I want to ask about Li Hong and see if any of them have heard anything.”
“Do you think he’s wanted by the law?” Aundy asked, hoping the man wasn’t. For some reason, she felt a little protective of the poor immigrant who’d been beaten so badly.
“Probably not, but never hurts to ask.” Garrett stopped the buggy when he noticed his friend Kade walking toward them. He set the brake and turned to Aundy. “Mind waiting just a moment?”
“Not at all,” Aundy assured him. She watched as he ran across the street and enthusiastically shook the hand of a man who looked like an officer of the law with a shiny star pinned to his vest. The tall, brawny man looked familiar then she realized he was the handsome cowboy she’d seen at the train station the day she arrived in town. He’d also been at church several times although he usually left before the service ended.
Garrett visited with the officer a few minutes then both of them looked her direction. Far enough away she couldn’t hear what they said, she smiled when Garrett walked back across the street with the man.
“Aundy, this is my very good friend, Kade Rawlings. He’s a sheriff’s deputy,” Garrett said, making the introduction.
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Erickson.” Kade doffed his hat and nodded to her. “I’ve known Garrett since we chased tadpoles in the creek and terrorized the little girls at school.”
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Aundy said, shaking the man’s hand and offering him a smile. It was hard not to notice his handsome face, brawny frame, or towering height. Garrett was quite tall and his friend Kade stood an inch or so over him.
“Garrett tells me he made a new friend Friday night. I might ride out later and ask him a few questions,” Kade said, watching the way Aundy and Garrett snuck glances at each other. So that was the way the wind blew. He’d have to torment Garrett about his obvious interest in the winsome widow later. “He also said you purchased a few head of sheep. Good for you. My uncle raises sheep south of here and does well with them.”
“Thank you, Deputy Rawlings. I hope the sheep will be a good addition to our farm.” Aundy caught Garrett rolling his eyes. “Although Garrett has made it clear he much prefers cattle.”
Kade chuckled as he slapped Garrett on the back. “You’ll have to ask him sometime where he got his dislike of sheep.”
