Page 364 of Conveniently Wed
“Let’s go see that boy.” Nora took Aundy’s hand and walked to the bedroom. Aundy asked Bill if he’d walk with J.B. down to the barn, knowing he’d rather be outside than stuck in the house.
Nora and the doctor checked on Nik while Aundy stood at the foot of the bed. Tears threatened to spill as she patted Nik’s sheet-covered foot. She turned away as a knock sounded at the front door.
Aundy opened it and bit back a sigh. Ashton stood on the front porch with his hat in hand.
“Aundy, I just heard the news. Is the boy going to live?”
“We’re praying he will.” She opened the door and stepped back so Ashton could walk inside. He gave a brief glance into the room where Doc and Nora stood over Nik’s bed, then tookAundy’s hand in his own, pulling her to the far side of the front room.
“When I find who has done this, I’ll make sure he pays,” Ashton said vehemently.
Aundy looked at Ashton, really looked at him. Something about him seemed different. Although dressed impeccably, his hair was a mess and a growth of stubble darkened his normally smooth cheeks. His eyes were what she noticed most. There was an odd light glinting in them that left her frightened.
“Missy, Dent say to…” Li rushed inside then came to a complete standstill a few feet away from where she stood with Ashton. The cook dropped his head and began backing toward the door. “Sorry, Missy. I come later.”
“Please, come in.” Aundy motioned for him to stay. “Have you met Mr. Monroe?”
“I leave now, Missy.” Li hurried out the door.
“That wasn’t like him,” Aundy said absently, staring at the closed door, wondering what had gotten into her cook.
“What kind of help have you hired out here?” Ashton glared at her. “You’ve hired a Chinese laborer?”
“He’s a wonderful cook and a good friend.” Aundy didn’t like Ashton’s tone. “Speaking of good cooking, Nora brought food for lunch. I think I’ll set it out. I’m sure everyone is hungry.”
As she walked to the kitchen, Aundy wished Ashton would leave instead of following her. She opened one of the covered baskets Nora brought and set a platter of sandwiches on the table.
After retrieving plates from the cupboard, she turned around and watched Ashton grab the rocks she left in a bowl in the center of the table.
“Aren’t those pretty?” Aundy set down the plates then pulled a cake from the second basket. “I found those down at the creek the other day.”
“Down at the creek? On your property?” Ashton dumped the rocks into his hand, tossing all but three aside.
“What are you doing?” Aundy bent down to pick up the rocks Ashton threw on the floor. When she reached beneath the table, his fingers curled around her upper arm like an iron fist.
“Something I should have done weeks ago.” Ashton yanked her upright and tugged her out the door behind him. Rushing around the corner of the house, he jerked Aundy along with him. So surprised by his behavior, she hadn’t yet put up a fight, but when he neared the end of the front walk, Aundy pulled back.
“I’m not going anywhere. I need to be here, close to Nik,” Aundy said, digging her feet into the yard.
“You’re coming with me.” Ashton held her arm in a painful grip, continuing toward his horse.
“I won’t go with you.” Panic began to overtake her and she struggled to pull away. If she screamed, would the men get there in time to help her? “You can’t make me.”
“Yes, I can.” Ashton pulled a revolver from his holster and struck the handle against her head, knocking her unconscious.
18
Garrett couldn’t get to Aundy’s fast enough once he heard the news about Nik's wound and the dead sheep.
Since she still wasn’t of a mind to speak to him, he rode out to where the sheep were pastured to see if he could do anything to help.
Dent and Kade were there, along with Fred, Hank, George, and Glen.
Garrett felt sick as he looked over the slaughtered animals. He had no idea why anyone would be so cruel. Forcing his thoughts from the wounded boy back at the house, he dismounted and walked over to where the men stood.
“Garrett, good to see you,” Dent said, reaching out to shake his hand. “We picked up some shell casings by the tree where we found Lem. Looks like whoever did this took Lem by surprise, shot the dog, and then Nik. Probably killed the sheep first then did the shooting because we heard the shots go off early this morning and the sheep were already bleeding out when we found them.”
Carefully surveying the area, Garrett wished the ground had been wet. Maybe then they’d be able to find a distinguishable boot or hoof mark.
