Read Online Aundy (Pendleton Petticoats - Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Shanna Hatfield
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of a mind to keep the farm going.”
Dent worked for Erik’s parents for years, then for Erik when his folks passed away. He could run the farm with his eyes closed, but there were some young bucks on the payroll who didn’t like the notion of a woman being in charge.
Getting to know Erik’s bride, Dent thought the girl had spirit and sense, a combination he greatly admired.
“I see,” Aundy said, taking a breath and looking Dent in the eye. No time like the present to put her thoughts into action. “I have no intention of selling the farm, Dent. My plans are to continue where Erik left off. Obviously, I have a wealth of information to learn, but I’m willing and able. At least I will be as soon as my arm heals. I was hoping you could teach me what I need to know about the livestock and crops and such.”
“That’s a lot to learn in a short time, Missy,” Dent said, looking at Aundy. He was glad she was staying, even if it was going to annoy some of the men in the area to have a woman running the place. “I’m happy to help you learn, but I’ve also got to be out there supervising the rest of the men. Maybe Garrett and J.B. could be of assistance with some of that learning. Between the three of us, we can teach you what you need to know.”
“Oh, well, I don’t want to be a bother to anyone,” Aundy said, thinking she’d already monopolized enough of Garrett’s time. Besides, she found it hard to concentrate when he was near. Her thoughts grew tangled in his silvery gaze, engaging smile, dark hair, and broad shoulders.
“It won’t be a bother,” Dent said, getting to his feet and walking to the door. “Come out to the barn after lunch and you can have a lesson in getting to know the horses.”
“Okay. I will,” Aundy said, smiling at the foreman who was quickly becoming a friend. Dent was hardworking and loyal, and right now that was more than she dared hope to have.
“Use that telephone thing and call Mrs. Nash. She’ll let you know if Garrett has time to help with your lessons or not. And tell her you need to learn to shoot while you’re at it. There’s plenty of varmints, both two and four-legged, you need to learn to take out if they pose any danger.”
Aundy looked at him with wide blue eyes as he tipped his head, slapped on his hat and hurried out the door.
She’d never even held a gun in her hand before, but she supposed if she wanted to become a true Westerner, she’d have to put aside her fears and embrace her new lifestyle.
Sitting down at the desk in the front room, Aundy wrote a long letter to her sister, describing what had transpired in the last week and asking Ilsa to come to Pendleton as soon as possible. Knowing spring balls and parties would keep demand for her aunt’s creations high, she assumed Ilsa probably wouldn’t be able to get away anytime in the near future.
Finishing the letter, Aundy picked up a book on animal husbandry she began reading days ago. The information in the book made her take stock of how much she really needed to learn. Absorbing a chapter at a time, she was feeling a little more confident in her abilities to be a help on the farm.
Making herself a simple lunch of bread and jam with a slice of cheese, Aundy tried to eat slowly, taking time to savor another cup of tea.
Washing her plate and cup, she wiped the table, glanced at the clock and started out the door when the phone jangled on the wall.
The sound still startled her even though she should be used to it by now. It seemed at least one person called every day, whether it was Nora, the doctor, or Pastor Whitting.
“Hello,” Aundy said, speaking into the phone on the kitchen wall.
“Aundy, dear, how are you today?” Nora asked in her usual cheery voice.
“I’m fine, Nora. How are things at the ranch?”
“Wonderful. Our first two calves dropped last night. You should come over and see them,” Nora said, realizing Aundy probably wouldn’t know what she meant. “That
Dent worked for Erik’s parents for years, then for Erik when his folks passed away. He could run the farm with his eyes closed, but there were some young bucks on the payroll who didn’t like the notion of a woman being in charge.
Getting to know Erik’s bride, Dent thought the girl had spirit and sense, a combination he greatly admired.
“I see,” Aundy said, taking a breath and looking Dent in the eye. No time like the present to put her thoughts into action. “I have no intention of selling the farm, Dent. My plans are to continue where Erik left off. Obviously, I have a wealth of information to learn, but I’m willing and able. At least I will be as soon as my arm heals. I was hoping you could teach me what I need to know about the livestock and crops and such.”
“That’s a lot to learn in a short time, Missy,” Dent said, looking at Aundy. He was glad she was staying, even if it was going to annoy some of the men in the area to have a woman running the place. “I’m happy to help you learn, but I’ve also got to be out there supervising the rest of the men. Maybe Garrett and J.B. could be of assistance with some of that learning. Between the three of us, we can teach you what you need to know.”
“Oh, well, I don’t want to be a bother to anyone,” Aundy said, thinking she’d already monopolized enough of Garrett’s time. Besides, she found it hard to concentrate when he was near. Her thoughts grew tangled in his silvery gaze, engaging smile, dark hair, and broad shoulders.
“It won’t be a bother,” Dent said, getting to his feet and walking to the door. “Come out to the barn after lunch and you can have a lesson in getting to know the horses.”
“Okay. I will,” Aundy said, smiling at the foreman who was quickly becoming a friend. Dent was hardworking and loyal, and right now that was more than she dared hope to have.
“Use that telephone thing and call Mrs. Nash. She’ll let you know if Garrett has time to help with your lessons or not. And tell her you need to learn to shoot while you’re at it. There’s plenty of varmints, both two and four-legged, you need to learn to take out if they pose any danger.”
Aundy looked at him with wide blue eyes as he tipped his head, slapped on his hat and hurried out the door.
She’d never even held a gun in her hand before, but she supposed if she wanted to become a true Westerner, she’d have to put aside her fears and embrace her new lifestyle.
Sitting down at the desk in the front room, Aundy wrote a long letter to her sister, describing what had transpired in the last week and asking Ilsa to come to Pendleton as soon as possible. Knowing spring balls and parties would keep demand for her aunt’s creations high, she assumed Ilsa probably wouldn’t be able to get away anytime in the near future.
Finishing the letter, Aundy picked up a book on animal husbandry she began reading days ago. The information in the book made her take stock of how much she really needed to learn. Absorbing a chapter at a time, she was feeling a little more confident in her abilities to be a help on the farm.
Making herself a simple lunch of bread and jam with a slice of cheese, Aundy tried to eat slowly, taking time to savor another cup of tea.
Washing her plate and cup, she wiped the table, glanced at the clock and started out the door when the phone jangled on the wall.
The sound still startled her even though she should be used to it by now. It seemed at least one person called every day, whether it was Nora, the doctor, or Pastor Whitting.
“Hello,” Aundy said, speaking into the phone on the kitchen wall.
“Aundy, dear, how are you today?” Nora asked in her usual cheery voice.
“I’m fine, Nora. How are things at the ranch?”
“Wonderful. Our first two calves dropped last night. You should come over and see them,” Nora said, realizing Aundy probably wouldn’t know what she meant. “That
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