Page 367 of Conveniently Wed
“May I come in?” Hank thought Ashton Monroe looked like a pretty-faced lunatic. Unsettled by the bizarre, feral gleam in the man’s eyes, he wanted to turn around and run down the steps.
However, since Aundy was most likely somewhere in this monstrosity of a house, Hank swallowed back his fear and did his best to convince Ashton he was Pastor Whitting’s nephew.
“Certainly.” Ashton ushered Hank into a large gathering room overlooking the front yard. “I asked your uncle to come because today is going to be my wedding day and I wanted him to do the honors.”
“Wedding, you say?” Hank asked, perplexed. If Ashton was getting married, then he probably wasn’t plotting evil. “Surely you want to wait for my uncle, then. He should be available tomorrow.”
“No, that won’t be necessary. It must take place today. Right now.” Ashton took Hank by the arm and pushed him down into an overstuffed chair. “The bride is somewhat reluctant. Young and scared of her matrimonial duties, I suppose. I’m afraid if I wait any longer, she won’t be cooperative at all. You know how women can be.”
“Yes, I do.” Hank forced a broad grin, wishing he could blacken both of Ashton’s deranged looking eyes. “I’ll just wait here, then, while you bring in the bride.”
“I’ll see if she’s ready.” Ashton walked to the door. “I have a house servant who will stand as witness. I’ll fetch her as soon as my bride comes downstairs.”
Hank nodded his head. A trickle of sweat slid down his neck as Ashton closed the door. Quickly gaining his feet, he rushed to the window and looked outside. Slight movement from a tall hedge reminded him there were four men outside ready to rush in at his signal, although he sincerely hoped the pastor stayed hidden as Kade advised.
Ashton Monroe seemed completely unbalanced and dangerous. Hank had once watched a cat play with a mouse before devouring it. The cat swatted at the mouse, set it free, then caught it again and again before finally killing it.
He thought Ashton did an admirable job at being the cat.
Raucous thumping sounded overhead. Hank quickly stuffed the pastor’s Bible into his coat pocket and opened the door as Ashton raced down the stairs, face distorted with fury.
“What’s the matter?” Hank asked, wondering what caused Ashton to lose his calm facade.
“My bride seems to be playing games with me,” Ashton said, quickly putting his pleasant lord of the manor face back in place. “It may take a moment or two for me to find her.”
“What’s your bride’s name?” Hank asked.
Ashton glared at him.
“I can help look for her if you tell me what name to call out,” Hank offered with an indifferent shrug.
“Aundy. Aundy Erickson,” Ashton said. He turned and ran down the hall toward the back of the house.
Hank glanced upstairs and caught a glimpse of movement. Aundy peeked over the stair railing from the landing.
Quietly stepping into the foyer, he motioned for her to hurry and she raced down the stairs without making a sound.
“Get outside and run for the trees. Garrett and Kade are there,” Hank whispered, opening the door and giving Aundy a push. “I’ll try to keep him distracted.”
Aundy picked up her skirts and ran down the steps. She started across the yard when she heard Ashton scream her name from inside the house. Running as fast as she could, she looked ahead as Garrett burst out of the shrubbery, racing her direction.
Ashton entered the foyer with a rifle in his hand, continuing to bellow Aundy’s name.
“Oh, did I see her run down the hall?” Hank hurried toward Ashton, intentionally stumbling into him, dragging them both to the floor.
“You, fool, get out of the way!” Ashton yelled, shoving Hank and rising to his feet. Hank yanked the rifle from his hands before he ran out the door. Ashton pulled a revolver from a holster on his hip and aimed it at Aundy. “Stop or I’ll kill you right now.”
Aundy continued running. She was almost to Garrett when the pop of the gun drew her up short. Garrett dropped to his knees from the impact of the bullet ripping across the outside of his upper arm.
Terrified, Aundy sank down beside him and looked back at Ashton. He raced toward them in a weaving pattern and would soon be at her side. Although others hid behind the shrubs ready to jump into action, she didn’t know what Ashton would do if someone else threatened him. Desperate to keep her friends safe, she resigned herself to doing Ashton’s bidding.
“I give up, Ashton. I’ll marry you.” Aundy lurched to her feet, placing herself between Ashton and Garrett.
“Aundy, no.” Garrett clenched his jaw as he regained his feet. “Don’t do it.”
“Be quiet or I’ll put a bullet in your head.” Ashton sneered at Garrett. “I win again. First I’ll marry this troublesome piece of baggage then figure out a way to get Nash’s Folly as well.”
“Never. You won’t get your filthy hands on our land and you certainly aren’t putting them on Aundy.” Garrett took a threatening step toward Ashton, whipping his gun from the holster on his hip. Ashton grabbed Aundy and pulled her against his chest, using her for a shield with one arm wrapped around her neck.
