Free Aundy (Pendleton Petticoats - Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield Page B

ranch.
    “Before you get too excited,” Garrett said, trying not to grin at Aundy’s confused look, “I thought I’d show you how to hitch a horse to the buggy and take it to the ranch then I’ll bring you home after dinner and reclaim Jester.”
    “Okay,” Aundy said, following Garrett as he took Jester’s reins and led the animal toward the barn.
    Aundy watched, taking mental notes as Garrett described each step in the process of hitching the horse. The animal stood quietly during the entire process.
    “Erik’s horses are well trained. You always need to be watchful of any animal, but Erik’s won’t intentionally cause you harm. Even ol’ Nut will behave as long as Bolt is close by.”
    “Okay,” Aundy said, standing so close to Garrett, she could smell his unique, manly scent. Combined with the warmth radiating from him and the way he kept looking at her with those silvery eyes, she found it impossible to pay attention to his detailed instruction. Taking a sudden step back, she would have tripped over a feed bucket if Garrett hadn’t grabbed her good arm and pulled her forward against his chest.
    Overwhelmed with strange emotions and sensations, Aundy kept her gaze down when Garrett dropped his hand and stepped away.
    “Thank you,” she said, embarrassed. “I wasn’t paying attention.”
    “It’s quite alright,” Garrett said, trying to gather his thoughts. They’d scattered every direction the moment he touched Aundy. He felt sparks work their way from his fingers all the way up his arm. “Shall we head over to Nash’s Folly?”
    “Nash’s Folly?” Aundy asked as Garrett assisted her onto the buggy seat.
    “That’s the official name of the ranch,” Garrett said as he directed the horse out of the barnyard and down the lane toward the road. “You mean Ma hasn’t told you that story?”
    “No, she hasn’t,” Aundy said, her curiosity piqued by Garrett’s statement. “Why don’t you tell me?”
    “When Ma and Pops arrived in Pendleton, they came out here and saw this land and Ma was humming the hymn My Jesus, I love Thee . Do you know it?”
    When Aundy shook her head, Garrett began singing the hymn in a deep baritone that made Aundy blink in surprise as his rich voice filled the afternoon air with perfect pitched notes.
     
    My Jesus, I love Thee
    I know Thou art mine;
    For Thee all the follies of sin I resign…
     
    “She and Pops thought God’s grace led them here to Pendleton and they were going to make the best of it. They declared they were ‘resigning their follies’ and starting a new life. Pops decided to call the ranch Nash’s Folly so none of us would forget their promise. We’re still human and make mistakes, but that story helps keep us on the straight and narrow,” Garrett said, turning to look at Aundy with a devilish grin. “That, and the threat of Ma taking a switch to us.”
    “I can’t imagine Nora taking a switch to anyone,” Aundy said, smiling at Garrett. “But I do like that story and the name Nash’s Folly. ”
    They rode along in silence for a few minutes before Aundy gave Garrett a thoughtful look. “Did Erik have a name for his farm?”
    “No. Everyone round these parts refers to it as the Erickson farm. His folks settled there a long time ago. Guess no one felt the need to give it any other name,” Garrett said, wondering what Aundy was thinking. Her eyes had narrowed and she pinched her lips together. He noticed she did that anytime she was in pain or contemplating something. Since he was certain she was not suffering at the moment, he decided she must be thinking about something.
    When she continued to appear lost in her thoughts, Garrett talked about some of the neighboring ranches, who owned them and if any of them had names. He cautioned her to stay away from Mr. Tooley, much in the same way as Erik.
    “Why does everyone tell me to stay away from Mr. Tooley? Is he really that mean?” Aundy asked as Garrett stopped the buggy at the