Page 355 of Conveniently Wed
Aundy dropped cookie dough onto a baking sheet before sliding it into the oven. “Ashton? Now isn’t a good time for a social call.” Her tone was flat with a hint of irritation as she rinsed her hands and dried them on a dishtowel.
“I realize that, my dearest Mrs. Erickson.” Ashton sidled next to her and took her hand in his. He led her to the table and held out a chair for her. When she reluctantly sat down, he gallantly dropped to one knee, looking at her with tender eyes. “I heard about the tragedy that befell one of your sheep and rushed right over, knowing how distraught you’d be.”
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but as you can see, I’m fine.” Annoyed to have Ashton fawning over her, Aundy wishedhe’d leave. He wasn’t normally quite so… attentive. It irritated her that the men all seemed to expect her to fall to the floor in a faint, or sob until she lost the ability to function coherently.
As the owner of the farm and the sheep, she wouldn’t allow herself the luxury of giving in to the urge to cry until she drained the well dry.
“My dear, you look anything but fine. You seem quite distressed.” Ashton stood, pulled a chair over, and sat so close to her their knees brushed. Aundy drew back her legs and frowned at Ashton.
“Truly, I’ll be fine, Ashton. Please don’t worry yourself on my behalf. Someone from the sheriff’s office will be here soon, so it’s probably best if you leave now.” Aundy rose from her chair and removed the cookies from the oven, glad to have something to keep her busy. If she had to sit with Ashton patting her hand and consoling her one more minute, she might give in to the urge to slap him.
“If you’re certain.” Ashton sounded hurt as he got to his feet and started toward the front door.
“I’m certain, but thank you again for thinking of me.” Aundy tipped her head toward Glen, indicating he should walk Ashton to the door.
With the last of the cookies in the oven to bake, Aundy washed the dishes she dirtied to make cookies as Glen returned to the kitchen.
“Do you like Ashton?” Glen asked, picking up a hot cookie then juggling it from one hand to the other until it was cool enough to eat.
“Of course I like him, just like I do all the neighbors.” Aundy dried a bowl and put it away.
“No, I mean like him… you know?” Glen wondered why he brought up the subject in the first place. It was clear Ashton’spresence annoyed Aundy and she wanted him out of the house as quickly as possible.
“If you mean would I consider giving my heart to a man like him, then the answer is no.” Aundy observed Glen as he snitched another cookie. She poured a cup of coffee and handed it to him as the kitchen door opened and Dent entered with Kade.
The deputy took the two notes and asked Aundy questions about any threats she received. She told him about Marvin Tooley, including taking him home when he showed up drunk the previous afternoon.
“Why in tarnation didn’t you find one of us?” Dent asked, trying to keep from yelling. He couldn’t believe Aundy hauled the filthy drunk home all by herself. She might be the boss, but she was still an innocent woman who shouldn’t be dealing with some of the things she’d resigned herself to managing as the owner of the place.
“You were busy, I handled the situation and that was that.” Aundy offered Kade a cup of coffee and a plate of cookies. Appreciative, he accepted both.
“That isn’t that. That is asking for a whole lot of trouble, Missy. You can’t be going around hauling home drunks. You just can’t.” Dent slapped the hat he’d been twisting around in his hands on his leg, stirring up a cloud of dust.
“We’ll discuss your thoughts on that subject later,” Aundy said, turning her attention back to Kade. He asked her a few more questions, took another handful of cookies, and left. Dent gave him the bloody knife to take with him.
Lem decided to stay with Nik out by the sheep. Other than the dead lamb, they didn’t find any missing or wounded animals when they checked the pasture.
“Missy, you and I are going to have a long conversation about what is acceptable for you to do and what is not.” Dent waggled his finger at her.
She prepared to let him have an earful about doing whatever she deemed necessary when the back door opened and Garrett stepped inside.
“Aundy, are you okay?” His silvery gaze locked on hers. He opened his arms as he walked toward her. She rushed into the warmth and comfort he offered.
Despite her attempts to keep her emotions from showing, to keep her fear and hurt from overwhelming her, the sight of Garrett opened the floodgates and she couldn’t hold back any longer. Although she’d kept her back straight and chin up throughout the evening, as soon as Garrett touched her, all the starch went out of her spine and she melted against him.
As the first sob shook her shoulders, Garrett sat on a chair at the table and pulled her onto his lap, cradling her head to his chest.
Stroking her back, he murmured softly to her. “It’s okay, honey. It’s okay.” Garrett handed her the dishtowel Dent held out to dry her tears.
“It’s not okay,” she said between sobs. “They killed my lamb, Garrett. They killed my poor little lamb.”
“I know, honey. I’m sorry.” Garrett noticed Glen sitting at the table, grinning at him as if he knew some big secret.
“We’ll just um… Come on, Glen,” Dent said, hurrying out the door with Glen right behind him.
“I’ll leave them alone for a minute or two before I go make sure he ain’t doing nothing he shouldn’t be,” Dent said as they walked toward the bunkhouse.
“Ol’ Garrett better be sure he wants the boss lady because she’s plumb sold on him. She would barely give Ashton Monroe the time of day and fairly ran him out of the house, but she sure don’t seem to mind Garrett being there.” Glen concluded Aundy had better taste in men than most of the female population around town. Garrett Nash could have his choice of women, butAshton had the looks, money, and suave manners that made the ladies practically fall at his feet.
