Page 338 of Conveniently Wed
“Are your parents and brother still in Jordan Valley?”
“No, ma’am. They died in a blizzard when I was ten. They went to town to get supplies and never came back. I was sick, so they left me home, planning to return before it got dark. It was early spring and no one thought it would snow. Just came up suddenly.” Nik’s happy smile slipped from his face as he remembered the blizzard and the days he spent trapped in the small cabin, alone and frightened. “A neighbor found the wagon just a few miles from our cabin.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss, Nik.” Aundy reached over to pat the boy on the arm. He was so young to bear such heartache.
“Thank you.”
“What did you do… after…” Glen asked, voicing the question they all were thinking.
“My father’s friend took me in for a while, but he had his own children to look after. I went to work as a shepherd that summer and have been doing it since. When the man I worked for sold part of his flock to Mr. O’Connell, I decided to go along with the sheep.” Nik looked around the table at the friendly faces. He thought it would be easy to get used to living here with Mrs.Erickson and her hands. They all seemed like good people. “And here I am.”
“I, for one, am mighty glad you’re here.” Fred grinned at Aundy then Nik. “Mrs. Erickson has assured me you will take care of the sheep so I don’t have to get close to them.”
Nik laughed. “Caring for the sheep is my pleasure.”
“It would be my nightmare,” Fred said, making everyone laugh.
After Aundy served slices of cake with coffee, and a big glass of milk for Nik, she gave each man a handful of cookies as he went out the door and thanked them all for their hard work.
Garrett leaned against the kitchen counter, watching her as she started to clean off the table.
“Don’t you have work you need to see to?” Aundy asked, unsettled by his concentrated gaze.
“I sure do.” Garrett made no effort to leave. However, he did walk over to the table and help carry dishes to the sink. Silence settled around them as they cleared the table.
“What are you about, Garrett Nash?” Aundy asked, glancing at him speculatively as she began washing the dishes.
“Not a thing, Mrs. Erickson.” Garrett tried to force himself to walk out the door, but something about Aundy held him captive.
She’d traded the dress he’d teased her about earlier for a soft pink gown that put rosy blossoms in each cheek and made her lips look ripe for the picking. Studying her bottom lip, he recalled how delicious her kisses had tasted when he’d sampled them previously.
Suddenly, he could think of nothing else beyond kissing Aundy, melding his lips to hers. When he gazed into her eyes, he saw something flicker there, something that looked like wanting, mixed with a little fear.
Unable to bear the thought she might be afraid of him, he took a step closer and leaned down until his lips were near her ear.
“I won’t hurt you, Aundy. I promise.” Garrett’s voice was deep and husky as his breath stirred the tendrils floating around her ear. His lips seared her skin when he pressed a hot kiss to the tender flesh of her neck.
“Garrett,” she moaned, grabbing onto the front of his shirt to hold herself steady. Her knees weakened as soon as he put his arms around her. His kiss nearly made her collapse.
If he let go of her, she’d surely sink to the floor. Deprived of the ability to do anything but cling to the man who held her so lovingly in his arms, Aundy raised her lips to his. Eagerly, Garrett claimed them, kissing her until she felt lightheaded.
“I think I better leave.” His lips hovered agonizingly close to Aundy’s.
“I think that is a very good idea.” Aundy leaned against him with her eyes closed. Finally drawing back, she opened one eye, then the other. The broad grin on Garrett’s handsome face left her feeling self-conscious.
“What?” She asked as she gathered the loose threads of her composure together. Aundy patted her hair with still damp hands then looked down to see if she had something on her dress or apron. Garrett continued to grin at her. “I insist you tell me what you’re staring at.”
“You.” Garrett grabbed his hat and walked to the door, wet handprints on the front of his shirt providing evidence she’d held onto him. “Beautiful, sassy, spirited you.”
Her cheeks felt hot as Garrett tipped his head and went out the door. How in the world was she going to keep her heart locked away from Garrett Nash when she knew, without a doubt, she’d fallen in love with him?
12
Aundy released a sigh as she looked up from the weeds she pulled from her flowerbed on the front side of the house. Marvin Tooley jerked his horse to a stop at the end of the walk.
Quickly rising to her feet, she brushed off the knees of her skirt and met the grumpy man halfway across the yard.
“Mr. Tooley, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today?” Aundy asked, forcing herself to greet him with a smile.
