Page 313 of Conveniently Wed
“I’m absolutely certain.” Aundy nodded her head for emphasis.
Garrett whipped out the gun, knocked all the cans off the posts, and returned it to his holster so rapidly Aundy had barely seen anything. She wasn’t sure she’d even had time to blink.
She laughed, thrilled at the opportunity to watch Garrett in action. “No wonder Dent said you should teach me. Were you a gunslinger in a past lifetime?”
“No, ma’am.” Garrett grinned. He didn’t usually show off, but he was in the mood to do so today, wanting to impress his neighbor. “I practiced a lot growing up. I guess I read one too many western adventures as a kid.”
“I can’t believe your mother would allow you to read dime novels.” The look she gave him made him wonder what kind of retribution he’d face if he kissed her. She looked so lively and pretty with her cheeks flushed and errant strands of silky golden hair twirling in the afternoon breeze.
“No one said she knew I was reading them.” Garrett offered her a devilish smile. “She’d have boxed my ears if she knew I was reading those instead of the books she deemed acceptable.”
“Now I’ve got something to hold over your head.” Aundy teased as they walked together.
“Just try.”
“I’ll save it for a day when I really need it.”
As they strolled around the side of the barn toward the house, Garrett breathed deeply of Aundy’s fragrance that put him in mind of summer roses. He tried not to stare at her tall figure and trim waist. “I’ll come over soon and we can set up some targets so you can use Erik’s guns. They’re yours now, so you should practice shooting them, get familiar with how they feel in your hand.”
Elated at the idea of being with Garrett, Aundy knew she shouldn’t be. A wave of guilt swept over her for enjoying the time she spent with her handsome neighbor as much as she did. Her husband had only been gone a few weeks and she told Nora earlier that morning she refused to get involved with another man.
Her last two relationships ended with the men she cared for dying and she couldn’t go through the pain of losing someone else again.
She stopped on the front walk and turned to Garrett. “Thank you for teaching me to shoot. I hope I never need to do it, but I appreciate you helping me learn.”
“You’re welcome, Aundy. Most welcome.” He marveled at the way the sun played in her golden hair. His mother must havebeen the one to pin it up in the poufy style because he knew Aundy couldn’t manage it with her arm in the cast. Although it looked stylish, he much preferred it rippling in golden waves down her back.
Dreams of burying his hands in all that hair made his temperature climb. He cleared his throat, trying to chase his thoughts in a less amorous direction.
“Are you staying for supper?” he asked, motioning Aundy to precede him down the walk.
“I’ve been enough of a burden to all of you today. If someone wouldn’t mind taking me home, I need to see to some things there.” She waited as Garrett opened the kitchen door for her.
“If you’re certain,” Garrett said, hoping she’d stay. He enjoyed hearing the cadence of her voice and the conversations around the dinner table were much livelier with her there.
“I’m certain.” Aundy stepped into Nora’s kitchen where the woman bustled around with dinner preparations.
“Certain of what?” Nora asked, sliding a pan of rolls into the oven.
“That I need to go home. Dent will be wondering if things went well in town today.” Aundy removed Nora’s apron, returning it to the peg on the wall. She slipped her arms in her jacket sleeves and picked up her hat. After setting it on her head, she attempted to jab a hatpin in one handed and struggled to get it into place without the ability to hold her hat steady with her other hand.
Garrett wondered what she’d do if he helped her. He quickly shoved his hands into his pockets before he found out. “Dent? What did he need in town?” He tried not to grin when Aundy’s tongue came out of the corner of her mouth as she fussed with her hat.
“Aundy lost four hands this morning. Up and quit when they found out she’s keeping the farm and staying. I neglected tomention it earlier,” Nora said. She asked Garrett to send over some extra help and gave him the names of the men who’d quit.
He wasn’t surprised by the news.
“That leaves you really short-handed.” Garrett studied Aundy, wondering if she’d accept their assistance. “I’ll send over a couple of men in the morning. Did you put an advertisement in the paper? Let people around town know?”
“Yes, we did.” Aundy gave up on her hat and pulled on her gloves. “That was one of the reasons we went to town. I hope someone responds to the advertisement.”
“I’m sure you’ll have plenty of people answer the ad, honey.” Nora took Aundy’s hatpin and jabbed it into the hat then put her arm around the girl’s waist as she walked her to the door. “You’re more than welcome to stay for dinner, but if you’re of a mind to go home, Garrett can take you.”
“Thank you, Nora. I appreciate all your help today.” Aundy hugged the woman before walking down the porch steps. Garrett quickly hitched the horse to the buggy and in no time, they were on the road to her house.
“Do you think Dent can interview and hire the men?” Aundy asked as Garrett easily held the reins in one hand.
He turned his silvery gaze to her and observed her for a moment before answering. “He’s more than capable. Why?”
