Page 347 of Conveniently Wed
Unless she was completely mistaken, Garrett was in love with Aundy. It might prove interesting for him to watch Ashton slobber all over her hand a few times Friday evening. Interesting, indeed.
“I better get back to J.B. and think about putting supper on the table.” Nora rose from her chair and walked toward the door. “Let me know how things go with Li Hong. Garrett has tried to get him to talk about who beat him, but he won’t say a thing. I don’t know whom he’s protecting, but I certainly wish he’d tell us. No one should be allowed to treat another human that way and get away with it.”
“I agree,” Aundy said, walking Nora out to her buggy. “Maybe he’ll talk to someone here once he settles in. I just hope he’s as good a cook as he claims. I’m more than ready to let him take over.”
Laughing, Nora flicked the reins and turned her buggy around in the barnyard. As she was leaving, she called over her shoulder. “We’ll pick you up Friday to go to Ashton’s.”
14
“Do like this, Missy,” Li said, as he bent over a row of freshly tilled earth and showed Aundy how to drop carrot seeds into the ground then cover them with the rich soil.
Aundy hid her smile. She found it amusing Li decided to call her Missy, just like Dent. Li was as good a cook as he claimed and fixed tasty, filling food the men ate without complaint.
It was the pledge of a special treat that resulted in a freshly plowed garden that morning. After Li promised to make Glen fritters for supper in trade for preparing the garden ground, he swiftly plowed a space near the house.
Li volunteered to help plant the seeds. Since he had experience and she didn’t, Aundy was more than happy to follow his direction.
“Yes, sir.” Aundy walked next to him, planting a row of carrots. She ordered a wide variety of vegetable seeds for their garden and was excited to discover Erik’s mother had long ago planted blackberries and strawberries. With the trees in the orchard, they’d have plenty of fresh produce to eat as well as preserve for the winter months.
They worked most of the morning planting the garden then Aundy made sandwiches and took lunch out to Nik. Since she was supposed to accompany the Nash family to Ashton’s for dinner that night, she didn’t want the boy to miss his lessons.
As she walked out to the far pasture where Nik had the flock, she breathed deeply of the fresh air and soaked up the warm sunshine while listening to her shepherd play a cheerful tune on his harmonica.
When she arrived in Pendleton, she had no idea at the time she’d find herself truly thinking of the place as home.
Aundy loved the clean air, the quiet peacefulness of the country, and the freedom she felt on the farm. Guilt stabbed at her over Erik’s absence and the reason she was so free to do as she wished. She offered up a prayer of gratitude for all her many blessings.
Nik noticed her approach and ran over with Bob and Butter at his heels. “Hello, Aundy. What are you doing out here?” Nik took the basket she carried and walked with her toward a spot under a shady tree.
“I brought some lunch and thought we could have your lesson now. I’ll be gone this evening and didn’t want you to miss out on your studies.” Aundy spread a cloth beneath the tree before sitting down. Butter rubbed against her side and Bob flopped near her feet, his tongue lolling out of his mouth while his tail wagged in a happy rhythm.
“I don’t have any of my books or papers with me.” Nik sat by Aundy and waited while she handed him a thick ham sandwich and a jar of milk that was still cold.
“Today can be a nature lesson.”
A lively discussion of the clouds overhead, geological facts, and what made the grass green took place as they ate their sandwiches. Nik munched on the cookies she brought alongwhile Aundy asked him how he thought the sheep liked their new home.
“Your soil is much richer than Mr. O’Connell’s,” Nik said, gazing around the green hills with pride. “The sheep have such good pasture, they stay fat and content.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Aundy studied the flock. Watching them was so restful. They were quiet and calm as they nibbled at the pasture grass, presenting such a serene picture. Aundy’s mind wandered to a sermon the pastor had shared recently about the Good Shepherd and his sheep.
“…it was really good,” Nik said, brushing crumbs off his hands and setting his empty milk jar inside Aundy’s basket.
“I’m sorry, Nik. I didn’t hear what you said,” Aundy admitted.
Nik grinned at her with a knowing smile. “Gathering wool or chasing dreams?”
“Both. Neither.” Aundy laughed, shaking her head.
“You were thinking about Mr. Nash,” Nik teased, leaning back on his elbows.
“I was not thinking about J.B. or Nora, for that matter,” Aundy answered with a saucy grin.
“I didn’t mean them. I meant Garrett and you know it.” Nik helped Aundy pack the remnants of lunch.
“I know no such thing.” Aundy was surprised Nik noticed her interest in Garrett, although he had caught them almost kissing a time or two. “Tell me what you said and I’ll pay attention this time.”
“I said Li made Chinese food for dinner the other night and it was really good. None of us thought we’d be able to eat it, but even though it tasted different, I liked it. I think everyone else did, too. There wasn’t any left.”
