Page 311 of Conveniently Wed
“Ashton Monroe, I didn’t know you were back in town,” Nora said, looking at the man as he stared at Aundy. “You were gone when poor Erik had his accident so you probably haven’t had a chance to meet his wife.”
“Wife? So it’s true. Erik really did send for a mail-order bride?” Ashton tipped his head at Aundy and offered her an engaging smile. “I can’t believe someone as lovely as you, Mrs. Erickson, would have been unattached.”
The man was either full of poppycock, as her father used to say, or had impaired vision. A glance at the thick fringe oflashes around his intense, dark eyes, made her doubt he had any problems seeing.
“Thank you, Mr. Monroe,” Aundy said, tipping her head demurely. Her mother instilled impeccable manners in both her daughters, despite the fact their father thought it was a bunch of unnecessary nonsense.
“My condolences on your loss, Mrs. Erickson, particularly so soon after your arrival in our little town.” Ashton took Aundy’s gloved hand in his and pressed a light kiss to her knuckles.
“Again, thank you, Mr. Monroe.”
He released her hand and gazed into her eyes. “I insist you call me Ashton. All my friends do, and I certainly hope you’ll allow me to be your friend.”
Aundy gave her head a barely perceptible nod, watching Nora roll her eyes. “Very well, Ashton.”
“That’s better.” Ashton beamed a brilliant smile Aundy’s direction. “Now, what brings you ladies to town today?”
“We had a few things we needed to do.” The smile Nora turned to Ashton lacked any real warmth or sincerity. “What about you?”
“Just a few business matters that sorely needed my attention,” Ashton said, glancing from Aundy to Nora. “Perhaps you ladies would join me for tea at Dogwood Corners one afternoon?”
“Perhaps.” Nora placed a hand on Aundy’s arm to keep her from saying anything. “We need to get through calving season first.”
“Oh, yes. How is the illustrious cattle business at Nash’s Folly?” Ashton asked.
The disdain in his voice shocked Aundy.
“As good as ever,” Nora said. She looped her arm through Aundy’s and gave it a gentle tug. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to finish our shopping.”
“Of course, Nora. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Erickson.” Ashton tipped his hat solicitously. “I look forward to seeing you again.”
After watching him walk toward a group of men gathered at the back of the store, Aundy glanced down. Nora’s narrowed gaze followed him.
She gave Aundy a look of warning. “Don’t let his nice manners and fancy talk turn your head, honey. He’s not one to dally with. As handsome as he is, not to mention smooth talking, Ashton has broken more hearts than you can imagine. He’s nothing but trouble when it comes to pretty women.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Aundy said, following Nora to the store’s counter. “I don’t believe he’d be interested in someone like me anyway.”
“What do you mean?” Nora stopped to study Aundy’s face.
“You know, someone plain and simple, without wealth or station or beauty,” Aundy said, stating what she felt was a fact. “Besides, I have no interest in becoming involved with a man. None at all. I’ve only been a widow for less than two weeks.”
Nora laughed and wrapped an arm around Aundy’s waist. “You may not have grown up wealthy or in high society, but there is nothing plain or simple about you, honey. We all know you and Eric weren’t in love, didn’t really know each other. I wouldn’t worry too much about being the grieving widow. After all, we did talk you out of wearing black. When the right man comes along, the one who makes your stomach fill with butterflies and your breath catch in your throat and all sense fly right out of your head, you’ll be ready to rethink that notion about staying away from the male species.”
Aundy looked at her friend in surprise and felt a grin tugging up the corners of her mouth as Nora smiled back at her. She’d never admit it, but Nora had accurately described what happened to her whenever she was near Garrett.
The women finished their shopping, placed Aundy’s ad in the paper, and left word with a few of the businesses in town they were hiring out at the Erickson farm.
At a charming little restaurant, they enjoyed a leisurely lunch. Nora introduced Aundy to several people she hadn’t yet met.
Aundy insisted on buying lunch then the two women climbed into the buggy and headed out of town.
“When Ashton invited us to Dogwood Corners, where is that?” Aundy asked. Curiosity about the strange yet handsome man nearly got the best of her.
“That direction,” Nora said, pointing down a road as they passed it. “If you follow that for a mile or so, you’ll see a big house up on a hill. He had dogwoods sent out here and hires a gardener to try to keep them alive. So far, he’s been successful, although with our cold winters, I don’t know how.”
“I’m sure the trees are lovely.” Aundy tried to envision an imposing house surrounded by dogwoods. She didn’t think she’d ever find out what it looked like, and that was probably for the best.
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