Page 356 of Conveniently Wed
“When was Ashton here?” Dent stopped outside the bunkhouse.
“Just before you and Kade came in. Aundy didn’t seem pleased he showed up. She told him she was fine and to go home. He finally got the idea she wasn’t of a mind to visit and left.”
“Did he know something had happened or was it a social call?”
“He knew all about it. Said news travels fast. Suppose that’s true enough. I heard some busybodies round here can’t get any of their housework done cause they spend all day listening in on the telephone line.”
“That so?” Dent asked distractedly, looking toward the house and deciding to give Aundy a few more minutes alone with Garrett.
Half an hour later, Dent knocked on the kitchen door and stepped inside. Garrett drank coffee and ate cookies while Aundy sipped a cup of tea. She no longer cried and seemed calm.
“Everything okay?” Dent poured himself a cup of coffee.
“For now,” Aundy said, looking at Dent and mustering a small smile.
“Lem’s gonna stay with Nik and the sheep for a while. Hank’s gonna catch a few winks then head out to pick up the second shift. Fred and Bill will keep an eye out around here tonight,” Dent said, letting Aundy know someone would watch to make sure she was safe.
“Why don’t you come back with me to Nash’s Folly, Aundy? No one will know you’re there and you can rest easy,” Garrett said, reaching across the table to take her hand in his.
Once she stopped crying, he’d attempted to convince her to stay at his place. Nora could mother her and he could keep an eye on her until they caught whoever made the threats.
Adamant that she wasn’t going to abandon the farm, the sheep, or her men, Aundy refused. Like she did now.
Grateful, she smiled and squeezed his fingers, but shook her head.
“That’s exactly what someone wants me to do, isn’t it? Run off scared. I think someone wants me off this place and they’re trying to frighten me into leaving by harming my sheep.” Aundy glanced from Garrett to Dent. The two men passed some unspoken message through lifted brows and nearly imperceptible nods of their heads.
“You two agree, don’t you?” Aundy rose and began pacing around the kitchen again. “Why? What did I do? Who did I offend?”
“No one, Missy.” Dent took a drink of his coffee. “Some folks, men, just don’t cotton to the idea of a woman running her own place and doing it quite well.”
Garrett agreed. “Their way of thinking may be outdated, but you aren’t going to change their minds.” His parents raised him to believe everyone should have equal opportunities regardless of gender or race. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to stay at our house tonight?”
“No, Garrett. I thank you for your concern, but I’ll be fine.” Aundy rinsed out the cups in the sink. Dent mumbled something about seeing them later and ambled out the door. Garrett leaned against the counter, watching Aundy wipe off the table and store the leftover cookies in a tin.
As she walked by, he pulled her against him.
“Don’t, Garrett. Please.” Tears filled her eyes as she looked into his silvery depths. He’d been so good to her, letting her cry, making her feel safe in his strong arms. If he offered more gentle assurances, she would break down sobbing again and that wouldn’t help anyone. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”
“I know you will be. You’re one of the strongest women I know,” Garrett said, offering a loving smile. When he lowered his head to hers, their lips connected in a fiery kiss.
Aundy wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him, to her dreams, to her desires for a future with Garrett. Pressed against him with his lips moving insistently against hers, she could easily forget about the farm, the sheep, and everything else.
Unfortunately, she didn’t have the luxury of forgetting and abruptly pulled back, pulled herself down to earth and reality.
“Thank you, Garrett. You can’t know how much I appreciate you being here when I needed you most,” Aundy said, meaning every word. Although she refused to let Glen call him, Aundy hadn’t realized how desperately she needed Garrett until he walked in the door. She wanted to go with him to Nash’s Folly where Nora would make her tea, J.B. would offer sage wisdom, and Garrett would keep her safe. Instead, she had to stay, take a stand, and let it be known that nothing was going to run her off Erik’s land.
“Anytime you need me, I’ll be here.” He settled his hat on his head and disappeared into the evening darkness.
16
Endless inquiries following church services about what happened at the farm left Aundy exhausted. She declined Nora’s invitation to stay for lunch and instead went home to spend the afternoon in the peace and quiet of her own house.
Unable to sleep the previous night due to being both frightened and angry, Aundy wanted nothing more than to curl up on her bed and take a nap.
She removed her church dress and shoes and pulled on one of the old calico dresses she’d altered to fit her taller, thinner frame. Plucking the pins out of her hair, she braided it and fastened the end with a ribbon.
Drained, she flopped down on the bed, tugged a quilt over her legs, and was soon asleep.
