Aundy (Pendleton Petticoats - Book 1) (10 page)

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 anytime she was near Garrett.

Finishing their shopping, they 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.

Going to a charming little restaurant, they enjoyed a leisurely lunch with Nora introducing Aundy to several people she hadn’t yet met.

Aundy insisted on buying lunch, and then the two women were soon on their way out of town.

“When Ashton invited us to Dogwood Corners, where is that?” Aundy asked, unable to keep her curiosity from getting the best of her.

“That direction,” Nora said, pointing to a road as they passed it. “If you follow that for a few miles, 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.”

“Oh,” Aundy said, trying to envision an imposing big house surrounded by dogwoods. She didn’t think she’d ever find out what it looked like, and that was probably for the best.

Chapter Six

“Site down the barrel and hold it steady,” Garrett said, finding it hard to instruct Aundy in how to shoot his revolver with her floral scent teasing his nose and a wayward wisp of hair engaged in a teasing dance by his cheek. 

His mother returned from town with Aundy in tow, saying J.B. agreed to give her lessons in farming in the afternoons and they shouldn’t miss a single day. Spending a couple of hours at the kitchen table taking notes as J.B. shared information about farming, Garrett interrupted the lessons when he stopped by the house to ask his father a question.

Aundy appeared to be as taken aback as he was when Nora insisted he give the girl a shooting lesson right then.

“Ma, I just needed to ask Pops a question,” Garrett said, backing toward the door, hoping to escape. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be around Aundy. The problem was that he wanted it too much. He’d like nothing better than to spend the afternoon sitting somewhere quiet listening to her lilting voice and getting lost in her sky blue eyes.

“I’m sure Garrett has much more pressing matters this afternoon,” Aundy protested, getting to her feet from her place at the table. “I really should be getting home anyway.”

“Nonsense. Garrett could use a break from his work, couldn’t you?” Nora asked, raising her eyebrow at him in challenge.

“Sure, Ma, but Mrs. Erikson isn’t exactly dressed for a shooting lesson,” Garrett said, taking in Aundy’s pretty outfit from the frill of lace around her long neck to the fancy stitching on the hem of her skirt that was the exact same shade of blue as her sky-colored eyes.

“She can leave off her jacket and put on one of my aprons. She’ll be fine,” Nora said, hustling to pluck a clean apron off a peg and tying it around Aundy before she could protest. Placing a handful of cookies in Garrett’s hand, Nora pushed him and Aundy toward the door. “Have fun.”

Garrett shook his head, but led the way behind the barn where he set some old cans they saved for target practice on top of a few fence posts.

Taking out his revolver, he planned to have Aundy shoot it once or twice and send her back to the house, but she held the gun in her hand, looking at it expectantly. Holding back a sigh, he took the gun and described in detail how it worked, how she should hold it, gun safety, and everything a beginner needed to know about the weapon.

When he finished, she smiled at him, causing him to forget what it was he was going to say. He pointed toward a post and told her to try to shoot one of the cans.

Aundy was having a hard time holding the gun steady using only one hand and her first shot went wild.

“Here, let me help you,” Garrett said. Aundy started to hand him the gun, but he stepped close behind her and put his arms around her. Placing his big hands over her smaller one, he helped her raise the gun, his cheek pressed against her temple.

That was his first mistake.

His second was taking a deep breath. Nearly undone by her soft rose fragrance, her warmth seeped into him, making him feel slightly overheated.

“Normally, you’d learn to shoot using both hands to steady your weapon. Since that isn’t an option, you’ll just learn to do it one-handed from the start,” Garrett said, desperately wanting to kiss Aundy. “You hold it like this, see?”

Aundy nodded her head, unable to see or think. Not with Garrett so close to her. He smelled of horses and sunshine, and some musky scent that was alluring and inviting.

Stepping behind her, pressing close, she felt her knees wobble and fought the desire to lean back into his strength. Her stomach fluttered as Garrett’s breath stirred the hair by her ear then she felt his cheek against her temple. His deep voice filled the air and her soul. She blinked her eyes, trying to keep from collapsing at his feet.

Blocking out just how wonderful it felt to have Garrett’s arms around her, she instead focused on the can on top of the fencepost.

“When you feel ready, gently squeeze the trigger. Don’t pull or tug it, just let it come easy,” Garrett said, drawing on what was left of his restraint as he kept his arms around Aundy, helping steady the gun in her hand.

Aundy pulled the trigger and hit the can, knocking it off the post.

“That’s great, Aundy,” Garrett said, giving her an enthusiastic hug around her waist. Realizing what he’d done, he dropped his hands and stepped back. “You seem to be a fast learner. Try the next one.”

Aundy wasn’t sure she could concentrate enough to hit the side of the barn, but tried to regain her focus. She missed a few, but the more she shot, the more she hit until she was grinning as broadly as Garrett.

“I’m very proud of you, Aundy.” Garrett was amazed at how quickly she picked up shooting, especially since she was learning one-handed.

“Thanks,” Aundy said, beaming a smile at Garrett, rather pleased with her efforts considering she’d never before held a gun. “I can see why Dent said you should teach me to shoot. You’ve been so patient and informative.”

“Glad you think so,” Garrett said, taking the gun from her and reloading it. “Want to try again?”

“I believe I’ve killed enough cans today. However, I’d like to see you shoot,” Aundy said, wondering if Garrett would hit all the cans he lined up on the posts.

“Are you sure?” Garrett asked, returning to stand beside her, holstering the gun.

“I’m absolutely certain,” Aundy said, nodding 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.

“No wonder Dent said you should teach me,” Aundy said with a laugh. “Were you a gun slinger in a past lifetime?”

“No, ma’am,” Garrett said, grinning. 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,” Aundy said, giving Garrett a look that he thought might make his knees buckle beneath him. She looked so alive and pretty with her cheeks flushed and wayward strands of silky golden hair twirling in the afternoon breeze.

“No one said she knew I was reading them,” Garrett said with a devilish smile. “She’d have boxed my ears good 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 said with a teasing glance at Garrett.

“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 rose scent and 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.”

Thrilled at the idea of spending more time 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 was only gone a few weeks and she just told Nora earlier that morning she was not getting entangled with another man. The last two relationships had both ended with the men she cared for dying and she couldn’t go through the pain of losing someone else again.

Stopping at the front walk, Aundy 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,” Garrett said, admiring the way the sun played in her golden hair. His mother must have been 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 she looked polished and nice, he much preferred seeing it rippling like golden waves down her back.

Thinking of his hands in all that hair made his temperature climb and he cleared his throat, trying to chase his thoughts in a less amorous direction.

“Are you staying for supper?” Garrett 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,” Aundy said, waiting 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 said, stepping into Nora’s kitchen where the woman bustled around with dinner preparations.

“Certain of what?” Nora asked, sliding a pan of rolls in the oven.

“That I need to go home. Dent will be wondering if things went well in town today,” Aundy said, removing Nora’s apron, putting on her jacket, and picking up her hat. Setting it on her head, she attempted to jab a hatpin in one handed and struggled to get it into place.

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?” Garrett asked, trying 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 to mention it earlier,” Nora said, realizing she forgot about having Garrett send over some extra help. She told him who had quit and he shook his head.

“That leaves you really short-handed,” Garrett said, looking at Aundy. “I’ll send over a couple hands in the morning to help. Did you put an advertisement in the paper? Let people around town know?”

“Yes, we did,” Aundy said, giving up on her hat and pulling 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 said, giving Aundy a pat on the back 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 said, giving the woman a hug 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 held the reins easily in one hand.

He turned his silvery gaze to her and studied her for a moment before answering. “He’s more than capable. Why?”

“I don’t think it would be in anyone’s best interest for me to conduct the interviews. With my lack of agricultural knowledge and the obvious problem of having a woman in charge, I thought it might be best to have Dent do the hiring.”

“Maybe, but whoever you hire will have to come to terms with the fact they are working for a woman at some point. Why don’t you and Dent interview them together?”

Aundy nodded her head, giving it some thought. She’d talk to Dent and see what he wanted to do. All of it depended on someone being interested in working for them. If they couldn’t get anyone willing to work for her, she didn’t know what they’d do. Running cattle and farming was extremely hard work and required many hands to make it successful.

“If you have trouble finding some help, you could always sell the cattle. That would lessen the load and the men you have could handle the farming part of the operation,” Garrett said, trying to think of ways to make things easier on Aundy. He knew a few of the men at Aundy’s place would rather work the cattle than the land, but the ones who stayed on were good hands who’d do what needed done. “You could also think about renting out some of the ground to someone else. Or you could run more cattle and put the wheat ground into pasture or plant seed to cut for hay. If you run more cattle, you’d have to have a way to feed them.”

“What would you do, if you were in this situation?” Aundy asked, looking at Garrett with her beautiful blue eyes moist and intent.

Turning his gaze to the road, he had to swallow twice before he answered her with his thoughts lingering on her inviting lips. “I think I’d see what kind of response comes from the advertisement. If that doesn’t go well, I’d probably sell the cattle. The price is good this year and then you wouldn’t have to worry about their feed and care.”

Glancing at Aundy, he took in the determined look on her face. He also couldn’t help but notice the freckles dotting her nose, or the pink hue the warm afternoon brought to her cheeks. Although he knew society’s standards wouldn’t consider her beautiful, he thought she was absolutely lovely. In addition to her outward appearance, he greatly admired her intelligence, fortitude, and gentle spirit.

“I’ll take that into consideration,” she said, turning her head and smiling at Garrett so warmly, he felt himself leaning toward her, wanting to kiss those rosy lips of hers in the very worst way. Her eyes widened and he caught himself before he did something he shouldn’t.

“If you decide you do want to sell the cattle, I’d be happy to help you find a buyer that will give you a good price. There’s a man in Umatilla who raises Shorthorns. He might be interested in expanding his herd.”

“Thank you. If I decide to sell the cattle, I’ll be sure to let you know,” Aundy said, relieved to see they were nearly to the house. She didn’t know how much more time she could spend in Garrett’s presence without losing all her common sense. For some reason, she got the distinct idea he almost kissed her a moment ago, but that was impossible.  Someone as handsome, generous and fun as Garrett Nash wouldn’t want anything to do with her. He needed a beautiful, charming wife content to sit in the house and be domestic.