A Headstrong Woman

chapter Eighteen

Jonathon was leading Raven and Lady from the barn a few days later when he looked up to find a rider approaching. He and Alexandria had finally managed to slip back into their comfortable routine after a couple of awkward days. He somehow had a feeling in his gut that this man was about to upset the delicate balance they had struck. The crazy thing was he had no logical reason for feeling so. He frowned when the man rode closer and he still couldn’t identify him. He waited impatiently and looked the man over as he neared. The man could be no more than five feet nine inches with a thick build. What hair he had left was brown and he had a rather homely look. When he dismounted, Jonathon noted that his eyes, behind his glasses, were brown as well.

“Can I help you, sir?”

“I’m here in response to the ad,” the man replied.

Jonathon looked the man over; he didn’t look as if he’d even been near a cow before.

“Do you have any experience?” Jonathon queried. He didn’t mind training a hand but this man looked more than a little green behind the ears.

“Experience?” the man squinted at him before shaking his head. “No, and frankly I didn’t think it would be required.”

“It isn’t required, just preferred. I can always show you how it’s done,” Jonathon responded.

“How it’s done? “ the man sputtered, his face was mottled red with embarrassment.

“Why don’t I show you around?” Jonathon offered; what was wrong with this man?

“I think it would be best to meet Mrs. Morris first,” the man countered, his brown eyes were large behind his glasses and his manner affronted.

“All the men go through me,” Jonathon said firmly.

“You her brother?”

“No, her foreman and friend.”

“With all due respect, I certainly don’t want to get started on the wrong foot here, but I’d like to meet Mrs. Morris first. I have my letter from my minister and letters of recommendation right here,” the man thrust several papers at him.

“A letter from your minister is hardly necessary; a former employer would be more useful.”

“Employer? The ad said a letter of recommendation from the family minister.”

“You’re confused sir, I helped write the ad it said letter of recommendation from former employer helpful but not necessary.”

“No, no, please can’t I just meet Mrs. Morris?” the man was seemingly at the end of his patience.

“Sir, do you want a job or not?” Jonathon demanded and watched the man frown.

A job?” the man’s brow furrowed before he smiled. “Whew, I must say, I am relieved; I was getting concerned. Name’s Victor Quentin and I am most certainly not here about a job, I’m here in response to this ad,” the man shoved a paper at him, one ad circled in ink. The man tapped the ad and Jonathon read it in disbelief before looking back at the man in front of him. The man pushed his spectacles back up his nose and watched Jonathon expectantly.

“I’m afraid that there’s been a mistake, you may go,” Jonathon informed the man.

“But the ad’s dated just a few days ago…”

“I said, you may go,” Jonathon repeated.

“Now look here, mister, I intend to meet Mrs. Morris. I think the misunderstanding is on your part,” the man was becoming red in the face, this time in anger.

“The misunderstanding is on Alexandria’s part but believe me it’ll be cleared up when I’m through; you can be on your way,” he told the man and turned to enter the house. “Rusty, see this man off the property,” Jonathon instructed.

“Will do,” Rusty said without question.

“Now look here I intend…whoa now, hey wait, okay, okay; I’ll go,” Jonathon could hear the man, though he never looked back. The last thing Jonathon heard before he entered the house was: “I didn’t even get my paper back.”

“Jonathon, are you okay?” Anna asked as Jonathon entered the house unannounced and looking as angry a bull at branding.

“Where’s your sister?”

“She’s getting ready why?” Anna asked with a frown.

“What’s your sister’s full name?” he demanded.

“Alexandria Camille Morris, why?”

That explained the name she had given the thug on the train he mused before remembering the incriminating piece of paper in his hand. “Did you know about this?” Jonathon handed Anna the ad and watched her face pale.

“Please, Jonathon…. don’t let her do this?” she pleaded.

“I don’t plan to,” he assured her.

“Jonathon… do you care for my sister?” she was watching him closely.

Jonathon glanced at her and hesitated. “Can we discuss this later?”

“A simple yes or no will do,” Anna’s eyes when they met his were firm; she expected an answer.

“Yes.”

“That explains it; I had noticed,” Anna paused, her expression pained but accepting. “Please stop her, Jonathon, however you have to. You’re the only one who can.”

Jonathon nodded at her and continued to the bottom of the stairs. “Alexandria Camille Morris, get down here!” he yelled.

Alexandria was still struggling with one boot as she started down the stairs.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded.

“Trying to get dressed,” she answered with a frown.

“I was referring to this,” he thrust the ad at her.

Alexandria glanced at it and bit her lower lip. “Where did you get that?”

“Alexandria, this is crazy!” he snapped at her.

“What am I supposed to do? Let Simon win?” her own tone was angry.

Jonathon grabbed her by the arm and hauled her into her office; he slammed the door behind them. “Alexandria, this isn’t a game!” Jonathon snapped at her.

“Jonathon, I should have warned you about this. I am determined to keep this place. I won’t let Simon win!” her chin came into the air. She hadn’t warned him though because she had known he wasn’t going to be happy with her decision. “Wait a minute, where did you say you got the ad?”

“From a short, whiney, bald man.”

“What? There’s a man here to see me?”

“Was, Rusty saw him off the property,” he informed her and watched her eyes widen.

“You had no right…”

“Does our friendship mean anything to you, Alexandria?” Jonathon demanded.

Alexandria stopped short and frowned.

“You know it does,” she said softly.

“Then hear me out. You have no idea what kind of man will respond to this ad, Alexandria. Drunks, cheats, wife beaters, the last thing I want is to see you at the mercy of an abusive husband and to find myself in jail for trying to protect you.”

“Jonathon, I’ve given this a lot of thought and I intend to see it through,” Alexandria’s chin came up again.

“Do you want a stranger coming in here and taking over? Do you want a stranger in your bed; around Lilly?” Jonathon demanded.

“I wanted to run my ranch and be left alone but that’s not happening!” she yelled at him.

“So instead you’re going to bring a stranger into your home and bed; I see how that helps!”

“Would you stop saying that?” Alexandria pleaded as tears came to her eyes. She wanted to slap her hands over her ears.

“What? You don’t want to be reminded that someone you don’t know would have the right to touch you at will?” his tone was harsh.

“Stop! This is not your decision to make!”

“You prefer to make it with your eyes closed, is that it?”

“I don’t have a choice!” Alexandria’s tears spilled over. She could take a lot of people’s criticism but not Jonathon’s.

“There’s always a choice, Alexandria.”

“Well I don’t see one,” she insisted. “I’m tired of struggling, I want a family, I want… I don’t have a choice. I can’t marry Tristan or Lane and besides, I don’t want any messy emotions involved…I…”

“Marry me,” Jonathon watched her eyes widen as she made an odd noise at the back of her throat and suddenly collapsed into the desk chair behind her. Sheer shock seemed to have dried her eyes. “If you are so determined to do this; then marry me. I’d like a family too, Alexandria, and I already love Lilly; I’ll be good to both of you.”

“Jonathon… I…my sister…”

“Is my friend; no more and she knows that.”

“I can’t marry you,” she said weakly.

“Why not, you were prepared to marry a stranger?”

“But…but…”

“Yes?”

“This is crazy!”

“Oh your idea was real bright,” he reminded her. Alexandria frowned at him. “Alexandria, I care a great deal about you how could I not after all we’ve been through together? If you can’t have love why not friendship?” he offered as he squatted in front of her chair. “I find you attractive, I think I’ve made that clear,” he continued and watched her eyes close. “And judging by your reaction to my kiss I would say you’re not completely repulsed by me.” Alexandria’s eyes flew open at that. “What do you say?”

“Jonathon…”

“Yes, Alexandria?” he asked softly.

Alexandria met his gaze; confusion was warring within her. As she held Jonathon’s gaze she noticed for the first time that the edges of his eyes were darker than the middles.

Slowly she nodded, “Okay,” her voice was barely audible.

Jonathon visibly relaxed. “Thank you; when?”

“It doesn’t matter,” she answered.

“How about a week from tomorrow? That gives us a little time to plan and adjust,” he offered.

She nodded.

“It’s going to be okay,” Jonathon reassured her as he stood.

Alexandria stood and moved around the desk to see him out. Jonathon turned and looked down into Alexandria’s upturned face.

“Why didn’t you just come to me in the first place, Alexandria?” he asked.

Alexandria was surprised to see hurt etched into his features. “I depend on you so much, Jonathon. I didn’t want to bother you with another of my problems,” her eyes were trained on her boots. She hadn’t wanted to, but she was.

Jonathon placed a finger under her chin and forced her gaze to meet his.

“You don’t bother me, Alexandria,” he assured her. He watched tears spill down her cheeks and leaned over to press a light kiss to her temple, then cheek, and finally her lips. He released her and gently shut the door behind him. Alexandria pressed her fingers to her lips. What had she just agreed to?

***

Alexandria looked at the calendar and tucked Jonathon’s birthday gift into her pocket. She still couldn’t fully comprehend the events of the day before and had spent an hour laboring over her journal entry, trying to accurately capture what she was thinking and feeling. She arrived in the kitchen to find Jonathon speaking with Anna. The conversation halted when she entered.

“Good morning,” she greeted.

“Hi, I’m headed for town,” Jonathon informed her. “It looks like it might get messy later, why don’t you rest today and enjoy your sister and daughter’s company,” he suggested.

Alexandria considered it and nodded.

“I have a gift for you,” she informed him.

Jonathon smiled; he was touched that she had remembered his birthday. “Hang onto it until I get back, I really need to get going if I want any hope of beating this weather,” he told her as he grabbed his hat and started for the door.

“Okay, I’ll see you when you get back,” she agreed as she followed him onto the porch. Alexandria couldn’t have explained how she was feeling if her very life had depended on it, as her journal entry had proven. She was nervous and at the same time an undercurrent of expectation seemed to run through her. It was because of the uncertainty of her situation, she told herself. Why did she feel the need to be close to Jonathon today, to have him reassure her? She was put out with herself, and had no idea what to do about it.

“You okay?” Jonathon sensed the uncertainty she was feeling.

“I don’t know,” she admitted.

Jonathon, his thumb lightly caressing her jaw line, cupped her face with his hand. “It’s going to be okay, Alexandria, whatever happens; it’s going to be okay. Do you trust me?” he asked her and watched her nod. “I’m going to take care of you,” he promised.

“Why?’ she wanted to scream, instead she stepped closer to him; fear and uncertainty coursed through her. Something deeper and more disturbing lay buried beneath everything else she was feeling but Alexandria was afraid to probe too deeply, afraid of losing the fragile thread of control she had on her emotions.

Jonathon looked down into her upturned face and wanted to kiss her, might have had they not been interrupted. A throat cleared behind them and Alexandria jumped back; her cheeks flooded with color.

“I thought you might like some warning so you could change, Alex, someone’s coming this way,” Sparky informed her.

“Thank you, Wesley,” she said and hurried into the house. Jonathon met Sparky’s questioning gaze. “My intentions are honest I promise,” he raised his hands raised in defense against the young man’s penetrating gaze.

“They’d better be,” Sparky said as he turned and left the porch. Jonathon turned back to his own thoughts. He felt uneasy about leaving Alexandria alone with someone approaching but if he was going to town, he needed to go. With a sigh of resignation he turned and went for Raven.

***

Alexandria shut the door to her room and leaned against it a moment before moving to change. Should she go through with this crazy plan or call it off before it was too late? She shook herself into action. There was no time to consider it. Someone was coming down the drive and she needed to be dressed appropriately if she was going to receive them.

She quickly stripped her work clothes and stood in indecision in front of her chifferobe. If she chose a more formal morning gown she would be forced to call for help and there wasn’t time for it, she decided and pulled on her underclothing before dressing in a pale green tea gown with a white floral print. The pooched front was of darker green satin and the sleeves loose from the elbow over a sheer under sleeve. The back had a Watteau train that fell loose from the neck. She stepped into her slippers and quickly coiled her braid into a crown on her head. It would have to do, she decided as she started down the stairs where her sister was answering the front door.

“I’m sorry, but Alexandria isn’t in the house at the moment, Mr. Price.”

“I’ve just returned, Anna; thank you,” she said as she stepped to her sister’s side. Anna nodded and returned to the kitchen.

“Mrs. Morris, it is of the utmost importance that I talk to you,” Tristan’s expression was one of agitation.

“Come in,” she led the way to the parlor. She claimed a seat and waited for Tristan to claim the one opposite her.

Instead he paced.

“Mrs. Morris, I had hoped to give you some time to recover from losing your husband and to approach you slowly, but in light of… in light of what I’ve learned that apparently isn’t an option. What is this, why did you place this ad?” Tristan handed her a clipping of her ad. Alexandria sighed. She hadn’t expected the people in her own community to learn of this.

“Mr. Moody is threatening to foreclose because I’m a single woman. I could marry him and the whole situation would be cleared, however…”

“I’ll help you get a lawyer,” he offered.

Alexandria was already shaking her head. “I appreciate that, Mr. Price, however, I’ve spoken with a lawyer and the sad truth is, not many judges will side with a woman.”

“Then I’d like to respond to this ad, Alexandria. I can provide well for you and Lilly,” he offered as he came to kneel before her.

Alexandria’s eyes widened. “I’m flattered truly, however, I can’t… that is, we don’t share the same values,” she tried explaining.

“I’ve been attending church as you know and have come to respect your beliefs, Mrs. Morris.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Price; I can’t marry you,” she told him.

“Think about it, Alexandria; I can rescue from this if you’ll let me,” he said as he stood.

Alexandria followed him to the door and saw him out. She frowned as she walked to the kitchen.

“What did Tristan want?” Anna asked.

“To propose,” she mumbled as she chewed her lower lip.

“Tristan proposed?” Anna’s hands stilled in the dough she was kneading. “What did you say?”

“I turned him down. He wants me to consider it.”

“Are you?”

“I could never marry Tristan,” she sighed.

Alexandria worked with her sister and Millie, Lilly on a stool helping as they worked on lunch and baking. After lunch, Alexandria started on Jonathon’s birthday meal.

“What are we fixing?” Anna asked.

“His favorites,” she replied as she started battering chicken.

“Besides chicken, what’s his favorite?”

“Biscuits, Mashed potatoes, milk gravy, peas, green beans, and okra,” Alexandria answered without looking up.

Anna was watching her with a speculative stare.

“Did you ask him what he wanted?” Anna asked her.

“No, those are his favorites,” she answered with a frown at her sister.

“How do you know?”

“He eats with us almost every evening, Anna. It’s not too hard to figure out,” she shrugged.

“Now who could that be?” Millie mused when a knock sounded at the front door. She moved to answer it and returned a few moments later to inform Alexandria that it was for her. Alexandria entered the parlor to find Lane pacing it like a caged animal.

“Hello, Lane,” she said cautiously as her mind strayed to their last encounter.

“Alexandria, I want to know what is so repulsive about me that you would pull a stunt like this,” Lane demanded as he thrust the ad at her. Alexandria wanted to groan; this got worse each time it came up. “Mr. Moody says that I can’t hold the lien. Most judges would side with him, whether the law agrees or not. Mr. Moody is, however, willing to forgive and forget my debt if I’ll marry him.”

“He can’t do that!”

“Oh, believe me, he is,” Alexandria answered.

“That still doesn’t explain the ad. I want to marry you, Alexandria. There is no reason for you to marry a stranger.”

“Actually, Lane, Jonathon helped me see how crazy the idea was,” Alexandria told him.

Lane frowned, Jonathon again; the man foiled his plans at every turn.

“Thank God for small favors,” Lane said under his breath. “Marry me, Alexandria and I’ll see to it that this place is always yours. I was going to build a house but we can live here,” he tried persuading her.

“Lane, you deserve to be loved and love is not something I can give you,” she said gently.

“You could learn with time,” he said as he stepped closer to her and reached out to lightly grasp her arms.

“Lane, I can’t marry you,” she said more firmly.

“Can’t or won’t?” Lane’s voice rose. “Alexandria, I have loved you for three years. Three years! Do you know why I left town? Because I couldn’t stand the thought of watching you with Elijah, that’s why!” he yelled in her face. Alexandria frowned and tried stepping away from Lane. He tightened his hold. “I have waited for you for three years!”

“Lane, I never gave you any reason to believe…” Lane cut her off by kissing her roughly.

“Tell me you didn’t feel that?” his face was in hers.

“Let me go!” panic rose in her as images of Nick in her face surfaced in her mind. “Stop!” she screamed and tried to wrestle free from him.

Lane, confused by her sudden panic, frowned and tightened his grip to try calming her.

“Alexandria, calm down,” Lane urged.

Anna looked at Millie with wide eyes and hurried from the kitchen to go for one of the men. She knew better than to intervene herself. She spilled into the yard and started for the bunkhouse. She stopped and turned when she heard a rider approaching. She nearly collapsed with relief when she recognized Raven. She raised her skirts and started down the drive at a run. Jonathon frowned and reined Raven in as he slid from his mount and Anna approached.

“Th…thank God, you’re here. Alexand… Lane is here and Alex…please help!” she panted.

Jonathon bit back a curse and started for the house; Anna was struggling to keep up. He burst into the front door and skidded to a stop at the entry to the parlor.

“Calm down, Alexandria, I’m sorry I scared you, please…” Lane begged as she struggled against him.

“Let go of her you idiot!” Jonathon grabbed Lane by the collar of his shirt. Lane loosed his grip on Alexandria so abruptly that she landed hard on the floor. Anna collapsed by her sister and wrapped her arms around her.

“Get out!” Jonathon shoved Lane toward the door.

Lane glanced back at Alexandria where she sat sobbing in her sister’s arms. Had the woman gone crazy? A glance at Jonathon’s angry face propelled him out the door.

Jonathon returned to the parlor and squatted in front of the women. “What happened?” he asked.

“They were arguing and she started screaming. He wanted her to marry him, I caught that much; then things seemed to turn ugly,” Anna told him.

“Alexandria, what happened?” Jonathon asked her.

Alexandria took a deep breath and shuddered from head to toe. “We were arguing and then he was kissing me… all I could think of was Nick in the barn…” Alexandria closed her eyes. She felt like a fool for the way she had reacted.

“That jerk!” Jonathon stood and paced the room for a moment. “Come here, Alexandria,” he offered her his hand. Alexandria let him pull her to her feet and offered no resistance when he pulled her into his arms. “You okay?” he asked her.

She nodded against his shoulder.

Anna, her heart aching a little, slipped around them. She was trying to come to terms with the fact that Jonathon cared for her sister and not her, but that didn’t stop it from hurting.