A Headstrong Woman

chapter Nineteen

Alexandria stood in the circle and safety of Jonathon’s arms for several minutes as she gathered her courage. She really was feeling foolish now that the threat was gone.

“I’m sorry; I overreacted,” she apologized as she stepped away from Jonathon.

He reluctantly let her go. “It’s understandable.”

Alexandria suddenly felt at loose ends and nervous with Jonathon; she clutched at the first thought that came to her mind.

“Oh! Here’s your present,” she rushed to pull the flat wrapped object from the drawer of a nearby table.

Jonathon pulled the brown paper from it; a smile split his face.

“Longfellow!”

“You said he was one of your favorite poets and I came across that in the Morris’s store and had to buy it,” she explained. “It’s got all his best poems and The Courtship of Miles Standish. I hope you enjoy it.”

“I’m sure I will. Thank you, Alexandria,” he hugged her.

“Well it isn’t a horse and I don’t suppose it’s practical, but I thought you’d like it,” she joked.

Jonathon smiled and Alexandria noticed the smile lines at the corner of his eyes. A clap of thunder burst overhead and Alexandria startled and stepped closer to Jonathon.

“I think the bottom just fell out,” Jonathon commented and went to peer out the window. “Whatever you ladies are cooking smells great,” Jonathon said as he turned back to her.

“It’s almost finished; it’s your birthday meal.”

“You shouldn’t have done that,” he told her, but his smile said he was thankful.

“Oh it’s not much,” her eyes twinkling, “just chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes, milk gravy, peas, green beans, okra, fresh brewed tea, and a chocolate cake.”

“Maybe I should thank Moody,” Jonathon’s voice was low and eyes dark. Alexandria swallowed hard. Good Lord! If the man was going to go bizarre on her every time she cooked his favorite foods maybe she shouldn’t, she speculated.

Had she asked Jonathon what caused the reaction, which she didn’t, he would have explained that it was the effort she had put into it and her bothering to know what his favorite foods were. It made him believe that maybe she could come to care for him. They joined the others in the kitchen and were soon seated at the table, a feast spread before them. After dinner, Alexandria sat Lilly down with pencil and paper to keep her entertained and started cleaning.

“I hope the men are dressed for this messy weather,” she fretted as more thunder rumbled overhead.

“Don’t worry, Alexandria. They’re more prepared than you are,” he teased her.

“Funny,” she shot at him, her look was annoyed.

He smiled.

“Want a poem?” he offered as he thumbed through the book. Alexandria nodded and Jonathon settled on one.

“The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;

It rains and the wind is never weary;

The vine still clings to the moldering wall,

But at every gust the dead leaves fall,

And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;

It rains and the wind is never weary;

My thoughts still cling to the moldering past,

But hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,

And the day is dark and dreary.

Be still sad heart and cease repining;

Behind the clouds the suns still shining;

Thy fate is the common fate of all,

Into each life some rain must fall,

Some days must be dark and dreary,” Jonathon read with perfect inflection.

He had a nice reading voice, Alexandria decided.

“How depressing!” Anna exclaimed.

“No, it isn’t,” Alexandria protested. “It promises brighter days. Everyone goes through difficult times but only for a time. That’s what it means.”

“Hope, I believe, would be the theme,” Jonathon added.

“Exactly!” Alexandria nodded.

“Melancholy,” Anna argued with a shake of her head.

Alexandria threw her hands up and turned back to the sink.

“Happy birthday,” Lilly handed Jonathon a picture. “That’s Mommy an’ Anna. That’s Millie, me, and this is you, you eat a lot,” she said seriously as she explained the picture.

Alexandria chuckled and moved to glance over the picture. Jonathon was wearing his hat in the picture; something he never did in the house, and had a circle full of scribbles in front him. Apparently it was Lilly’s rendition of his healthy appetite. Alexandria laughed a full hearty laugh and hugged her daughter.

“I think it’s perfect,” she told her.

Jonathon scowled and tried and failed to bite back a smile. “Have fun at my expense,” he growled playfully, then added more seriously, “thank you for dinner.”

They assured him he was welcome before Alexandria invited him to share a quiet evening in the parlor with them. He smiled and followed Alexandria and Anna into the shadowed room. Anna lit several lamps and curled into an armchair before pulling a light throw over her lap as she opened a book. Alexandria moved to the window and watched as a drop of rain slid down the window slowly, met another drop, sped up, then slowed again. She sighed.

“What a dreary evening,” she commented restlessly.

“Care for a game of poker?” Jonathon asked.

“I don’t gamble,” she informed him.

“You don’t have to gamble.”

“Oh, well I don’t know the game,” she shrugged.

“Surely you learned it on one of your visits to the saloon,” his teasing elicited a laugh from Anna and look of mutiny from Alexandria.

“Will you ever allow me to live that down?” she asked him.

“Haven’t decided,” he teased.

Alexandria rolled her eyes; then smiled as she noted her sleeping daughter. “Lilly is sound asleep.” Lilly had climbed into his lap, placed a thumb in her mouth (a habit Alexandria had thought she was through with) and had fallen sound asleep.

“Lead the way and I’ll carry her up,” Jonathon offered.

“Let me have her. I think I’m going to go to bed early, it’s the perfect evening for it and I’m exhausted,” Anna said as she stood and put her book away. Jonathon carefully shifted Lilly into Anna’s arms. After Anna had left the room Alexandria suggested they move onto the front porch. Jonathon nodded agreement and lit two lanterns that hung on the porch.

“Care for more Longfellow?” Jonathon offered as Alexandria kicked her shoes off and pulled her knees to her chest.

“Please,” she agreed and closed her eyes as he read The Village Blacksmith. By the time he had finished, she was feeling drowsy herself.

“You look ready to fall asleep,” he noted.

Alexandria smiled, stretched and lowered her feet back to the porch. “This weather would make anyone drowsy,” she commented as she moved to lean against the porch railing. The rain had slowed to a light drizzle and Alexandria lifted her chin to enjoy the fine mist that blew back into her face. “This weather is good for reflecting isn’t it?” Alexandria asked as she leaned her cheek against the damp porch post.

“What are you reflecting on?” he asked as he propped himself on the rail so he could see her face.

“That I love this place. As difficult as it was with Elijah and then after his death, I wouldn’t change it. It’s become a part of me, this ranch I mean. And I know it sounds crazy, but those men out there are like my children, even though some of them are older than me.”

“So we’re all big kids huh?” his tone was teasing.

“No not you; I could never think of you as a kid, not with your knack for rescuing me.”

“With your knack for finding trouble someone needs to,” he told her. Alexandria smiled.

“Anything you would do different?”

“No, even though it was painful every time we lost a baby and then losing Emily… I’d do it all again for the good times.”

“That’s what matters isn’t it? That you’d do it again? ‘Thy fate is the common fate of all, into each life some rain must fall’,” she quoted.

Jonathon smiled. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

“I doubt anyone could have,” Alexandria agreed. “His poems are full of wisdom.”

“Do you think people will still be reading his poetry a hundred years from now?” Jonathon mused.

“I think so,” she smiled up at him.

Jonathon smiled back at her. He hesitated to change the subject and break the peace of the evening.

“Alexandria, I’ve been thinking. In light of the fact that word is spreading about your advertisement, I think we should marry tomorrow. If Moody gets word of this you’re in trouble,” Jonathon pointed out and watched her nod.

“You have a point,” she admitted.

“Are you okay with that?” he asked her and watched her closely.

“I’m fine,” she assured him.

***

Alexandria fidgeted restlessly as she waited for Jonathon to come to the house. This was it, her wedding day. A knock sounded at the door and, knowing it would be Jonathon, Alexandria hurried to answer it. Without a word, they stepped into her office. Jonathon took in her pale face and took her hand. He knew this wasn’t easy for her.

“We can wait a few more days,” he offered.

“No, I think we should go ahead as planned,” she told him.

He nodded and noticed for the first time what she was wearing. She had chosen one of the new dresses her mother-in-law had slipped into her trunk. It was an off white creamy color with mint green leaves, and mauve colored flowers scattered across it. She looked beautiful, her rich dark hair contrasting with the creamy color of the dress. Her hair too was done more stylishly than she had been wearing it, with several curls trailing down her back and over her shoulder. Her green eyes seemed to jump out against the contrasts she had created in her appearance. Jonathon swallowed hard

“I think you’re right,” he nodded. He too had dressed for the occasion and cut an impressive figure in his suit. “The buggy’s ready,” he told her. She nodded and followed him from the room. “I’m going to town,” she called to her sister and Millie. Once outside, Jonathon helped her into the buggy and turned to Sparky.

“Remember, in an hour deliver the note I gave you,” Jonathon reminded him.

“Will do,” Sparky nodded. Alexandria tucked her shaking hands into her lap and mentally planned the morning’s activities out in her head. It would be simple, she told herself again, nothing to it. All she had to do was give the appropriate response when it was expected and it would be over.

“You okay?” Jonathon’s question caused her to jump.

“Nervous,” she admitted.

Jonathon took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. “It’ll all work out, Alexandria.”

She tried smiling but suspected that it came out resembling a grimace more than a smile.

Their first stop in town was the courthouse, a stop for rings, and then the town minister. After a few questions and a brief explanation to the minister, they were married. Alexandria stepped into the afternoon sunlight and felt her head began to swim. She was married! Jonathon grabbed her arm and steadied her.

“Sorry,” she mumbled; her face was pale.

“I should have come up with a better plan than this,” Jonathon led her down the sidewalk.

Alexandria followed him; she wanted things seen to with Moody.

“Mrs. Morris, I’ve been expecting to see you soon,” Simon claimed her hand and pressed a kiss to it. “I knew you would come around to my point of view.”

Alexandria gently extricated her hand and stepped back from him.

“You’re right; there was nothing to be done but to marry,” Alexandria admitted defeat.

“You’re a wise woman, Mrs. Morris,” Simon’s smile put her in mind of the cat that had swallowed the canary. She could almost see a yellow feather hanging from his mouth.

“It’s Mrs. Stewart now, Mr. Moody. I’m no longer single and my husband is waiting to see you. That should satisfy your clause and any judge in the land according to my lawyer. I can send for him as well if you’d like to speak with him,” her voice was steady and cool as hard steel. She was quite proud of herself.

“Husband?” Simon’s face had gone red.

“Yes, sir, you said I had to marry or come up with the money, I married.”

“I meant that… that is… I wanted to marry you!” he sputtered.

“That was unacceptable sir, I’m sorry,” she responded indifferently. She had enjoyed letting him think he had won for a moment before bursting his bubble. “I have no notion or desire to become any man’s arm decoration or favorite plaything. I want to be respected for the whole of who I am,” she informed him; she was still on her feet, much to his consternation. She actually had an inch or two on him in height.

Simon’s mind was racing. How could he turn this around to his advantage?

Alexandria moved to the door, opened it, and stepped aside as Jonathon entered.

Simon’s gaze traveled up to meet Jonathon’s and he swallowed hard. This was not a man he wanted to mess with.

“Mr. Moody, Jonathon Stewart, my husband. Jonathon, Simon Moody,” she was relishing the panicked expression that Simon wore. He had lost and he recognized it.

“Have a seat, Mr. Stewart, and we’ll see to the paper work,” Simon indicated the seat across from his desk. A few moments later they walked out of the bank and Alexandria let out the breath she had been holding. Simon had threatened that if they were ever late with a payment to look for him, but he had momentarily conceded defeat.

“I overheard your whole conversation in there, you were brilliant,” Jonathon informed her.

Alexandria smiled at him. “I was shaking so bad inside that I was afraid I would collapse.”

“It didn’t show,” he assured her. “Are you hungry?”

“I don’t know if I can eat.” Alexandria was still fidgeting though the part of the day she had dreaded most, her confrontation with Moody, was over.

“Come on, I’ll take you to the hotel dining room, my treat,” he smiled as he held to the door for her.

“You take kissing up to the boss to the extreme, don’t you?” she teased.

“Is that a challenge or an invitation?” he asked in her ear as he steered her through the lobby. Alexandria felt heat color her cheeks as her startled gaze met Jonathon’s amused one. He chuckled and Alexandria was momentarily tempted to hit him. She wasn’t allowed the opportunity, however, before they arrived in the dining room to be seated.

Jonathon talked and joked with her until the food arrived and to Alexandria’s surprise, she was able to eat. After leaving the restaurant, they stopped by the livery for Jonathon to talk with Mr. McAllister.

Alexandria wandered down the boardwalk where it was cooler than it was inside the building and was drawn to the sound of gunfire just beyond the building. She followed the sound until she reached the corral that bordered the livery to find several men indulging in a firing competition. She watched for a moment noting which men were good shots and which weren’t before approaching one of the better shots near the end of the line.

“May I see your gun?” she asked sweetly of a young cowboy at the end as he closed the barrel of his gun after reloading. He surveyed her with a smile and carefully handed her his gun; his expression indicated that he clearly expected her to take her toe off. She had the attention of all the men present as she leveled the gun and knocked six cans neatly off the opposite rail.

“Thank you,” she smiled as she returned the man’s gun. She could feel the men’s astonished gaze on her as she started back toward the livery. She faltered when she found Jonathon, his arms crossed, waiting a few steps away. She lifted her chin and marched to where he stood. Amusement, and not anger lit his eyes, however, and Alexandria relaxed.

“What am I going to do with you?” he asked her.

Alexandria colored.

“Come on,” he said as he placed his hand at the small of her back and with a nod at the amazed young cowboys she’d just shown up, escorted her to the wagon. He scooped her up and planted her on the buggy seat.

“You are going to keep me busy aren’t you?” his tone was almost proud.

Alexandria felt an odd flutter in her stomach. Jonathon started around the buggy and Alexandria glanced up to find a young woman watching her from the train platform. The woman was petite with beautiful red hair and Alexandria somehow knew her eyes would be green, and her heritage Irish. Respect shown on the woman’s face as she smiled and nodded at Alexandria; Alexandria smiled back. She wished she could go and introduce herself.

“Your parents should be waiting when we reach the ranch,” he informed her, “that’s what I was arranging with Sparky when we left.”

“That will make telling Anna easier,” she sighed.

“I don’t think she’ll be all that surprised.”

“Jonathon… you don’t understand how my sister feels about you.”

“We understand each other clearly, we discussed it,” he argued. “She told me to do whatever was necessary to prevent you from marrying a stranger.”

“She did?” Alexandria brows were drawn.

“She did. She loves you a lot, Alexandria.”

“I know,” she admitted.

As they neared the ranch, Alexandria found herself wishing she hadn’t eaten. She was afraid it was all about to come back up. What would her parents say? Despite what Jonathon had said Alexandria was still worried about how her sister would take the news.

***
Anna poured herself a fresh cup of coffee and joined her parents at the table. She could see by their strained expressions that they were worried and wondering why their daughter’s foreman had summoned them. Anna could tell them but didn’t think it was her place to. Besides, there was the possibility that they had worked something else out, though she didn’t see how. They heard the team approaching and all eyes turned toward the door where a few moments later, Alexandria and Jonathon entered.

“I suppose that you are curious as to why I sent for you,” Jonathon said as he pulled a chair for Alexandria.

“The thought had crossed our minds,” Clay commented.

“You both know of Alexandria’s situation with the ranch so I’ll skip that and unless you’re deaf have likely heard of her plan for solving the problem,” he was hoping to come to the point. Clay nodded but Shirley frowned in confusion.

“She put out an ad for a husband,” Anna supplied to her mother. Shirley’s face blanched, “You did what?”

Alexandria couldn’t meet her mother’s eyes.

“Jonathon talked her out of it,” Anna soothed her mother.

“What would possess you to do such a thing? You have a home you can return to at any time. Let Mr. Moody have this place… in fact, I insist that you come home…”

“Shirley, they are trying to say something, would you let them, please?” Clay asked a bit impatiently.

Shirley clamped her jaw shut and nodded.

“We… I….” Alexandria hesitated, her eyes going to her sister; then closing. How could she have agreed to something she knew was going to hurt her sister?

Anna watched her sister’s struggle and waited. She could end her sister’s misery but she didn’t. After a week of struggle she had accepted the inevitable and had made her peace with the facts. That didn’t stop it from smarting.

“Just say it, Lexie,” Clay urged his daughter.

“Jonathon and I were married today,” she blurted as all the remaining color draining from her face. Silence greeted her news. No screaming or sobbing from Anna; no verbal response from her parents. Alexandria felt suffocated by the silence but didn’t dare look up from her lap.

“Well, at least there will be someone to look after you now,” her dad was the first to speak. Alexandria looked up at her father to find him watching her calmly. She was thankful for his quiet strength; she had depleted her own this morning.

“Welcome to the family, Jonathon, I’ve always thought a lot of you,” Shirley said quietly.

“Congratulations,” Anna added.

Alexandria let out the breath she had been holding and looked to her sister. She read hurt in her sister’s eyes but no accusation. Alexandria burst into tears. The stress and strain of the day had been too much. She had expected anger from her sister, for Anna to hate her even; Alexandria wouldn’t have blamed her. Her mom and dad she had expected to accept it, they both liked Jonathon, but Anna, she knew she had hurt her sister whether Anna was showing it or not. Alexandria lurched to her feet and ran from the room.

“Excuse me,” Jonathon said to the others as he followed her. He caught up with her in the parlor, where she stood, arms wrapped around herself, staring out the window.

“Tell me why you’re so upset,” Jonathon gently pulled her around to face him and into his arms.

“Anna’s being so brave but I know this must come to a shock to her and I know I’ve hurt her terribly,” she poured her heart out to him.

“Anna knew our plans, Alexandria. She admitted to overhearing the conversation and asked me about it.”

“She knew?” Alexandria pulled back and frowned at him. Anna had been subdued but Alexandria had chalked that up to the situation with Simon.

“Yes.”

“She gave no indication… I should have told her myself.”

“It wouldn’t have mattered, Alexandria,” Anna said from the doorway. “Had you turned Jonathon down it wouldn’t have changed the fact that Jonathon sees me as a friend and no more. It hurts to watch someone you care for marry another, however,” Anna paused as though considering her words carefully, “I’ve let go and made some realizations. You and Jonathon are good for each other, Lexie, and good friends. I wish you both the best of luck,” Anna told her sister as she crossed the room.

Jonathon released Alexandria and stepped back as the sisters hugged.

“When did you get so grown up?” Alexandria asked on a tearful laugh.

“The past few days,” Anna replied with a rueful smile. The two hugged again as their parents entered the room. Tears streaming down her own face, Shirley joined her daughters and the men smiled over the women’s head as if to say: ‘Women, what do you do with them?’

“Might I have a word with you in private?” Clay asked of his new son-in-law.

“Yes, sir,” Jonathon agreed and gave the three ladies a wide berth.

“Clay, son; it’s Clay.”

“Yes, sir… I mean, Clay,” Jonathon followed his father-in-law from the room. The two men moved outside and strolled across the yard to an empty corral away from prying ears.

“First off, I want to thank you for all the help you’ve been to my daughter,” Clay said to the younger man.

Jonathon wasn’t certain how to answer but attempted to. “I made a promise to Elijah that I would, but over the past several months your daughter has come to mean a great deal to me, sir,” Jonathon shared and watched Clay.

“You love her?” Clay’s gaze met his head on and never faltered. Jonathon smiled as his mind quickly touched over the past several months and his own realization that he did indeed love Alexandria.

“Yes, sir,” he answered without hesitation.

“I kinda thought so. And again, it’s Clay,” Clay smiled at his son-in-law.

***

Alexandria helped Anna pack and the three ladies chatted easily among themselves. Alexandria was so relieved that Anna didn’t hate her that she felt almost giddy.

“I wonder what Dad wanted to say to Jonathon,” Alexandria mused as she folded one of Anna’s shifts.

“Man stuff, I’m sure,” her mother answered. “Your dad likes Jonathon, I suspect that accepting him into the family is going to be easy, I just hate the circumstances of your marriage.”

“I figured that was how you and dad would feel,” Alexandria admitted not finishing the thought that it had been Anna she had been concerned about.

“He’s a good man, Alexandria, it doesn’t take a person long to see that, and I don’t want to meddle, I mean, I’m not even certain where things stand between you two,” she started hesitantly.

Anna knew her mother wanted a private audience with Alexandria and found an excuse to leave.

“You know, Lilly’s been down for her nap for a while now. I’d like to say bye before I leave, if you two don’t mind, I’m just going to go check on her,” she was already leaving the room.

Alexandria knew her sister was being polite.

“Tell me dear,” Shirley patted the edge of the bed beside her, “is your marriage to be in name only?”

Alexandria felt her cheeks color. “We discussed it and we both want a family,” she answered honestly. “We didn’t discuss timing so I don’t know what to expect really.”

“Do you care for him at all?”

Alexandria considered her mother’s question carefully.

“I do. We’re good friends and can talk about most anything, even things we shouldn’t,” her cheeks were slightly pink as she remembered their late night discussion and kiss. “And I am attracted to him. He kissed me right after we returned from Jasper and it was kind of nice actually,” she felt a bit like a schoolgirl. She didn’t mention their other kiss, the one that had shaken her to her core.

Her mother smiled. “Maybe his proposal stems from more than a desire to help you,” Shirley suggested.

“I hope not!” Alexandria, her face horrified, jumped to her feet. “I like Jonathon, love him as a friend even, but I’m not in love with him and I don’t want to hurt him.”

“Calm down, Alexandria. I didn’t say that he does but would it really be so terrible if he did?”

“Mom, there is nothing worse than unreciprocated love as I am sure Anna can tell you.”

“Maybe there is,” Shirley suggested, “lost love as Jonathon would know having already lost someone he cared for and loved.”

“Mom, maybe he’s attracted to me, but I don’t think he loves me; I hope he doesn’t,” Alexandria insisted.

Shirley sighed. “I’ll be praying for both of you.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Alexandria responded.

“You’ll be fine. I love you, Alexandria.”

“I love you too.” Alexandria returned her mother’s hug.

***

After Alexandria’s parents had left, Alexandria asked Millie to watch Lilly while she and Jonathon talked with the men and informed them of their marriage. They started with the men who were currently in the bunkhouse. All took it in stride with one exception. Sparky had stalked away and was leaving the barn as they were entering. His face was set in a grim line.

“Will he be okay?” Alexandria worried.

“He will be after he blows off some steam,” Jonathon’s heart went out to the younger man. A few minutes later they were riding at a brisk pace for the range. Alexandria cast a worried glace at the sky when a low ominous rumble sounded from overhead.

Jonathon looked at Alexandria’s lightweight riding habit and grimaced. He had changed after his conversation with Clay and was dressed comfortably with his duster in place. Alexandria’s choice of clothing was certainly beautiful but not at all helpful in a downpour. Hoping to beat the rain, he urged Raven into a canter. They had spoken with the men and were just about to start for the house when the bottom fell out. Jonathon borrowed Rusty’s blanket and promised to see that it was returned. He dismounted and reached for his wife.

She slid to the ground obediently and offered no protest when he remounted and reached for her to settle the blanket around her. Alexandria leaned against him for the ride back, glad to let someone else see after her for the moment. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been so exhausted.

Alexandria felt as though she were melting into Jonathon and chastised herself. She shouldn’t feel this way; they had an agreement, not a real marriage, even if they had talked of a family. But she couldn’t help herself, wrapped in Jonathon’s arms as she was she felt safe and cherished. It was an illusion, she knew. Jonathon didn’t love her any more than she loved him. She would do well to remember that too, she thought dismally. Once was enough for having your heart broken. No sense in foolishly allowing it to happen again. She shuddered slightly, Jonathon’s arms tightened around her, and Alexandria sighed. Marrying Jonathon might prove to be the biggest mistake she had ever made so why did being in his arms feel so right?

***

From the safety and warmth of her parent’s buggy, Anna watched people hurry down the wet boardwalk and momentarily let the world pass her as a mere bystander. It was an unusual role for the usually active social butterfly. The weather had quickened the pace of the pedestrians but Anna found that it suited her mood. She wasn’t angry with her sister but nonetheless; she couldn’t shake a sense of melancholy either.

A tall figure, seemingly oblivious to the heavy rain, caught Anna’s attention. The gentleman was perhaps as tall as Jonathon and almost equally as broad through the shoulders and as narrow through the waist. As he came closer she noted that his hair was as dark as Jonathon’s, but straighter. His gaze, when it met hers, revealed soft gray eyes.

Anna abruptly dropped her eyes. The man looked a lot like Jonathon and she couldn’t resist peeking up from under her lashes as he pulled alongside the buggy. The gentleman winked; one corner of his well-formed mouth pulled up in a grin. Anna, a deep scowl on her face, jerked back further into the buggy. The audacity of the man! A stranger winking at her! Despite her inner ravings at the man she sneaked a peek at the man’s retreating back and shook her head. The man either bore an uncanny resemblance to Jonathon or she wasn’t dealing with things as well she thought. Either was possible, she admitted to herself. Her parents emerged from the dry goods store and Anna forced a pleasant smile to her face as they climbed into the buggy. Best to keep her less than sound mental status to herself, she decided.