Page 334 of Conveniently Wed
“Mornin’, Miz Erickson,” Bill said, stepping behind a chair at the table. “We’re mighty grateful for the invite to breakfast.”
“I’m glad you all could join me.” Aundy poured five cups of coffee and made herself a cup of tea. She sat in the chair Dent held out for her. The hands took their seats and Dent asked a blessing on the meal.
Aundy encouraged small talk, asking the men about things they’d done or seen in the past few days, their growing up years, anything she could think of besides the topic of sheep.
George consumed the last piece of bacon while Aundy refilled coffee cups and took a deep breath.
“You’re probably wondering why I asked you to join me for breakfast.” Aundy looked around the table. At Dent’s nod, she continued. “I purchased something that I think will add to the value of the farm and provide additional income without increasing the work load.”
“Did you buy one of those new-fangled gas-engine tractors?” George asked with a hopeful look on his face.
“I did not,” Aundy said, glancing at the man who was usually quiet. “However, if you all agree it would be a sound investment that will pay for itself in saved labor and increased production, we can discuss it at a later date.”
“What’d you buy?” Glen asked, swirling the last dregs of his coffee around in his cup.
“A surprise.” Aundy couldn’t force the word sheep past her lips. If the hands reacted even half as badly as Garrett did, she wasn’t up to facing all five of them at once.
“What kind of surprise?” Dent asked, giving Aundy a long, inquisitive look.
“One I hope you all will give a chance before you form opinions,” Aundy answered cryptically.
“We can do that, Miz Erickson.” Bill looked around at the other fellows. Dent was the only one who appeared to disagree.
“Wonderful. In that case, I’ll hope you’ll join me for lunch today. The surprise should arrive early this afternoon.” Aundy smiled and started to rise from her chair.
“In order to be prepared for this surprise, why don’t you just tell us what it is,” Dent said, his voice taking on an unfamiliar, hard tone. She quickly surmised Dent didn’t like surprises of any kind, unless they involved food.
Aundy sat down, put some starch in her spine, and looked directly at Dent. “Yesterday, I bought some sheep.”
Fred, who had been leaning on the back legs of his chair, let it thump forward. “Goldurn it! How many of those filthy, stinkin’ monsters did you buy?”
“Roughly five hundred,” Aundy said, not letting Fred’s annoyance cause her to back down. She gave each man a cool glare before continuing. “I intend to raise them for their wool. The man I purchased them from will deliver them this afternoon. He assured me they should take far less care and feed than cattle.”
“Five hundred woolies! Five hundred!” Fred ranted and started to jump to his feet. A restraining hand on his arm from Dent kept him in his seat.
“That’s a lot of sheep, Missy.” Dent gave her a look that said she had lost her mind. “Don’t you think we should have discussed this before you bought them?”
“Perhaps, but I assumed you men would belittle my idea, think I’d gone crazy, and do your best to talk me out of it.” Aundy was fast losing the tenuous hold she had on her temper. She needed the men and appreciated their hard work, but she sorely wished they’d quit treating her as if she had rocks in her head. “I researched the options extensively and came to the conclusion that sheep would provide additional income, could be pastured on less acreage than the cattle, and should require far less care.”
“But I done told ya…” Fred started to say, but closed his mouth at a glare from Aundy.
Hastily rising to her feet and stretching to her full height, she gave her temper free rein. Angry blue sparks shot from her eyes, burning into those seated at her table, rendering them speechless.
“I quite clearly heard what you told me, Fred. I did consider your opinion. More than you can possibly know. I need all of you here on the farm. The thought of any of you leaving, for any reason, saddens me greatly.” Aundy’s gaze moved over each man sitting at the table. “You work harder than I expect and are far more dedicated than I deserve. I appreciate each one of you, which is why I don’t want any of you to have to spend time working with the sheep. Mr. O’Connell said his shepherd would be happy to keep his job regardless of who employs him.”
Aundy inhaled a calming breath and sat down again. “Perhaps at some point, once we get our feet back under us, we can look at running cattle again. For now, though, we are shorton people willing to work for a woman. If you’ll stick with me, I will do my very best to make it worth your while.”
“You really aren’t going to make us work with the sheep?” Bill asked, glancing at Fred who appeared mad enough to chew nails.
“No, I’m not. You certainly may if you choose, but I won’t demand any of you work with the sheep on a daily basis. If they get out or we need to move them to another pasture, I may ask for your assistance, but other than that, you won’t have to work with the sheep. When it’s time to cut their wool, I plan to hire a crew to see that done.”
The men sat quietly for a few minutes, considering their options. Aundy treated them fairly, paid them well, and often made them special treats. They all knew finding somewhere to work where they earned similar wages with comparable working conditions wouldn’t be easy.
“I apologize for springing this on you, but I didn’t know what else to do.” Aundy looked pointedly at Dent.
Resigned, he stared at her for a minute before nodding his head.
She could have mustered some tears and turned the men in her favor. She’d seen countless women do just that, but she didn’t operate that way. If she wanted the men to treat her like the owner of a farm, then she’d swallow back her emotions and act like one. “Please, give me and the sheep a chance.”
