A Headstrong Woman

chapter Twenty-one

Anna fidgeted as she waited for her sister and former crush. She wanted to get this day over with and wanted to go home where she could relax and not have to pretend that she didn’t mind seeing Jonathon with Alexandria. She spotted Alexandria and Jonathon coming her way and studied the man beside them; her cheeks stained red with recognition. He was the man from the boardwalk, the one that had winked at her! Anna quickly moved to stand mostly behind her father and wished that she had found a graceful way to decline coming.

“Clay, you remember my brother Ted?” Jonathon inquired before introducing him to Shirley. Shirley smiled warmly at the young man and stepped aside to expose Anna.

“This is, Anna, our youngest daughter,” Shirley introduced them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss.” he said as he leaned over and kissed her hand. “I believe, Miss. Cannon, that while we didn’t speak our paths did cross day before yesterday,” Ted’s eyes were twinkling. “It was raining and you were in your buggy…”

“Yes, of course, it’s a pleasure to see you again, sir,” she said in a clipped tone before she moved to stand inside the hotel.

Shirley frowned at her daughter’s rudeness but made no comment.

“That was the lovely, if a little curious young woman, that I encountered in town,” Ted confided after Clay and Shirley had turned to lead the way in.

Alexandria laughed, “It’s no wonder she was staring at you. Anna lived with me from the time of Elijah’s death until the time that Jonathon and I married. In fact, they had likely just come from our place when you encountered her. There is no way she could have missed the similarities between you.”

“Careful, Ted, she’s had a rough time of it lately without your flirting,” Jonathon cautioned.

“Me a flirt?” Ted asked innocently; then laughed at himself.

They entered the restaurant and were soon seated.

“How are you two newlyweds fairing?” Clay inquired.

“We’re fine,” Alexandria’s cheeks were slightly pink but she was smiling. “I know it was sudden but Jonathon and I get along very well.”

“You think it was sudden?” Ted asked her family. “I arrived into town and discover Jonathon’s married his beautiful boss, who he assured us that was all she was in his last letter,” Ted teased and watched his brother smile as Alexandria blushed again.

“Are you seeing anyone?” Ted asked Anna as she was sitting her water glass back on the table.

Anna started; her glass toppled. Anna began patting at the wet tablecloth with her napkin and a waiter appeared to help. After the mess had been cleaned up and a fresh glass of water set at her place, Anna turned to Ted.

“To answer your question, no, the person I was interested in is otherwise engaged in his affections,” she answered truthfully. A general hush fell over the table as everyone looked everywhere but at each other.

“I see, how fortunate for me,” Ted was wondering why everyone was avoiding the topic of Anna’s love interest. Anna turned red and conversation moved on. After their food arrived, conversation was more erratic and a short time later, desert having been finished, they moved outside.

“Thanks, Dad,” Alexandria hugged her father. “We enjoyed having dinner with you.”

“You’re welcome, we enjoyed it too.”

“It looks like it might rain, we should probably all get going,” Jonathon suggested with an eye on the sky.

“That’s not a bad idea,” Clay agreed. They made their farewells and were soon on their way home.

***

Alexandria found herself at a loss as to what to do with herself the next day after she finished her chores that morning and decided to take a bath while her husband was busy on the range. She had just dressed in a comfortable day dress and pulled her hair from her face with two hair combs when she heard a knock at the front door. Millie had gone to town and Alexandria and Lilly were alone in the house. Lilly was napping.

Alexandria reached for her loose her hair and cringed. It would be highly improper to answer the door with her hair down as it was. She had no option she realized and hurried to answer it. She was wishing she hadn’t when she found Lane on her doorstep. She hadn’t expected to see him here again.

“Hello, Lane,” she didn’t invite him in.

“Alexandria, I’ve come to apologize for my behavior the last time I was here. Can you ever forgive me?” his face was truly repentant.

Alexandria was wary, “I’ve already forgiven you, Lane.”

“May I come in? I’d like to talk with you. Calmly this time,” he said hopefully.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Alexandria hesitated.

“Please, Alexandria? I just want to apologize,” Lane pleaded. Alexandria rather reluctantly opened the door for him to enter. “I apologize for my hair, I had just washed it and there was no time to pull it up,” she said as she led the way into the parlor and perched nervously on the settee. She had expected Lane to claim the seat across from her. She stiffened when he sat down beside her.

“Your hair is beautiful. I had forgotten how it pulls into soft curls when it’s down. I haven’t seen it down since we were kids,” he watched her pull further away. He wanted to be angry with her but reminded himself that her fear was a result of his handling of her on his last visit. He hadn’t meant to lose his temper and scare her.

Alexandria didn’t like the intimate nature of this conversation. “You said you wanted to talk,” she prompted coolly.

“Alexandria, I really botched things the last time I was here. I know that your dead line is fast approaching and I want…I want to marry you, Alexandria.”

“Lane, I’m already married,” she informed him.

“Alexandria, I know that you’re still mourning Elijah. I understand, however, he’s gone, my dear. You’re still here and have your whole life ahead of you.”

“Lane, I know that Elijah is dead…”

“Your hair, it really is beautiful,” his eyes darkened.

Alexandria swallowed hard. This wasn’t going well, she had learned in her short marriage to Jonathon what that look meant.

Lane tried to pull his eyes from Alexandria’s long tresses, but failed. She was beautiful. Did she have any idea how distracting she was? She haunted his thoughts during the day and his dreams at night. She had become an obsession.

“Come here, Alexandria,” he ordered.

Alexandria jumped.

“I just want to kiss you, like I should have last time,” he told her. Alexandria’s eyes widened and she flew to her feet.

“Lane, I think we should continue this discussion at a later time. I really shouldn’t have permitted you into the house without Millie here,” she said as she moved away from him.

Lane had come to his feet and was pursuing her.

“Come here, Alexandria,” his voice was low and caressing.

“Lane, I’m a married woman,” she argued as she skirted around him, he grabbed her arm.

“We’ve been over this, Elijah is dead,” he attempted to pull her close.

“I know Elijah is dead but Jonathon isn’t,” she all but squeaked as she struggled against his grasp on her.

Lane stilled; his grip still tight, as her words registered.

“What?” he barked.

“Jonathon and I are married,” Alexandria replied.

Lane felt rage, hot as molten metal wash through him. “How hard was it for him to seduce you, Alexandria?” his hands tightened on her arms. “How many others have you given your favors to in return for their help?” he asked.

Alexandria flinched.

“I never took you for the type. I put you on a pedestal; now I find that I’m not good enough for you.”

“Lane stop, you’re being unreasonable. I’m not the type…” her words were cut short when Lane back handed her. She stumbled into a wingback chair and then into the floor. Alexandria’s hand came to her stinging cheek and burning lip; her eyes were wide and frightened.



Jonathon stood in the parlor doorway for a split second before he crossed the room and grabbed Lane by his collar. Jonathon dragged the man into the yard, released him and watched Lane stumble for his footing.

“You want to hit someone?” his eyes snapped with anger. “Go on,” he invited. Lane never landed his punch before he went sprawling into the dirt. Lane scrambled to his feet.

“If you ever touch my wife or insult her again…”

Lane barreled into Jonathon cutting the sentence short. Alexandria watched helplessly as the two men exchanged blows.

Drawn by the commotion, Ted came spilling onto the porch and Rusty around the corner of the house and intervened. Ted grabbed his brother, and Rusty grabbed Lane; they pulled the two men apart.

“Calm down, Jonathon,” Ted urged his brother.

“Enough!” Rusty barked; both men stilled. “What is going on here?”

“He insulted; then hit my wife,” Jonathon’s eyes still drilled into Lane.

Rusty’s hold tightened on Lane as he worked to bring his own anger into check.

“Are you crazy?” Rusty asked Lane. “I assure you, had Ted and I not intervened that he would have beaten you to a pulp,” Rusty informed Lane before releasing him.

Alexandria took in Lane’s busted lip, bruised cheek, black eye, bloody nose, and a small gash on his forehead and winced. He was also holding his side. How much more damage could her husband have done? She had only seen him this angry twice. Both times on her account and it frightened her.

“I’d suggest that you leave,” Ted said before releasing his brother. Lane quickly scanned the angry faces of those around him before leaving.

Alexandria stood, her arms wrapped around herself as her husband approached and shrank back from the anger in his eyes; it was with amazing gentleness, however, that he gently wiped blood from the corner of her busted lip.

“Are you okay?” his eyes were dark with emotion.

Alexandria felt a shiver run through her as she swallowed hard and nodded. “I’m okay.”

“What happened?” Ted asked as he joined them on the porch.

“I didn’t want to let him in, but I didn’t know how to handle it and… then when I told him that I had married Jonathon…” Alexandria shuddered.

“Don’t let any former suitors in this house unless I’m here,” Jonathon instructed.

Alexandria nodded her agreement as they moved into the house just as Lilly started down the stairs from her nap. Ted scooped her up and tickled her.

Alexandria moved to the window, her gaze trained on nothing in particular.

“Come on, let’s raid Millie’s cookie jar,” Ted suggested to his new niece. He had a feeling Jonathon and Alexandria needed a few moments of privacy.

Jonathon continued to watch his wife as she reached back and dragged her fingers through her hair. She pulled it straight; then released it to spring back into curls. He couldn’t blame Lane, and Tristan, or Moody for being attracted to her. He could not however, excuse their treatment of her, or in Tristan’s case help questioning motives. He moved to stand behind her, turned her to face him and pulled a lock of her hair over her shoulder to run his fingers through it.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked her. She nodded. “I can’t blame him for being attracted to you,” his gaze held her wide, trusting green eyes. He pulled her into his arms, thrilled that she came willingly, and kissed her.

“I’m glad you came in when you did,” Alexandria admitted as she laid her head on his shoulder. Jonathon held her until Lilly came bouncing into the room with her cookie in hand and demanded her mother’s attention.

***

Alexandria dressed for church with trepidation. Today would be the first time that most people in the community learned of her marriage to Jonathon. It was probably a good thing that Jonathon’s brother had arrived to divert the girls’ attention. It might prove to save Alexandria’s neck.

As soon as they arrived at church, Alexandria and Jonathon sought out Pastor Anderson as he was crossing the yard from the parsonage and informed him of their marriage. He would make an announcement after worship service. Several young women who were clamoring for Jonathon’s attention waylaid Jonathon before he could even make it to the church steps and asked for an introduction to his brother.

Alexandria went in search of her mother and spoke with her briefly before wading into the fray of young women to claim her husband.

“Well as if one of you wasn’t enough, now how are we to decide who we like more?” One of the young women flirted outrageously.

Alexandria rolled her eyes. Lilly reached for Jonathon as soon as they reached him and was taken from her mother’s arms.

“If you ladies will excuse us,” Alexandria said with polite coolness as she led Jonathon through the crowd. She could feel eyes on her back and knew the gossip had started.

“Thank you,” Jonathon smiled, as he took her by the elbow and nodded to a neighbor.

After the song service, Pastor Anderson read off several prayer requests, prayed, and made the announcements. Alexandria tensed when he came to the announcement of her marriage and heard several gasps from around the church as several of the ladies raised their fans and leaned close. Jonathon took her hand and squeezed it gently to reassure her. It galled Alexandria that these ‘pillars of the community’ would assume the worst of her.

After service, Alexandria, Jonathon, and Ted crossed the yard to meet Alexandria’s family. They found them talking with a new couple and their twin children. Clay made the introductions.

Alexandria smiled at the red head across from her in recognition.

“Jonathon, Alexandria; Ted, I would like you to meet Colton and Ali Davis and their children: Kelsey and Kelvin.”

“Were you at the train station a few days ago?” Alexandria asked after the introductions had been made.

“Yes, we were and unless I’m mistaken you were demonstrating your skills as a gunman,” Ali’s green eyes were sparkling. Alexandria found herself blushing under her parent’s scrutiny.

“That definitely would have been Alexandria,” Jonathon chuckled.

“Ali is good with a gun too,” Colton joined the conversation. “She ran a ranch by herself for years.”

“Alexandria was running her ranch until our marriage,” Jonathon shared.

“That’s not entirely accurate, Jonathon; you were there the whole time looking out for me,” Alexandria reminded him.

“It sounds like we have a lot in common; you’ll have to come to dinner once we get settled,” Ali invited.

“Or you could come to our place even sooner,” Alexandria countered.

“I would like that,” Ali smiled.

“Where are you living?” Jonathon asked Colton. The man was tall, almost as tall as Jonathon with light brown hair, and brown eyes. He had a commanding presence that left Jonathon wondering about his work.

“We bought the old Hines place. I worked as an U.S, Marshall for years but when I met the lady I was ready to settle down with I decided to take up ranching,” Colton shared.

“I know the place; we’ll send an invitation soon.”

“I look forward to it, we should go, Ali,” Colton prompted his wife. “It was nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure was ours,” Alexandria assured them. She watched them leave before turning to her parents.

“Mama, Daddy we were wondering if you would join us for lunch at the ranch.”

“That sounds like a fine idea,” her mother smiled.

***

Alexandria lay across her bed and watched as Anna loosened her hair and brushed it out. Dinner had been an interesting affair with Ted teasing Anna and Anna trying her hardest to ignore him. Shirley had run her daughters out of the kitchen and stayed to help Millie with the dishes while the men went out to the barn to see a new foal.

“Why are you so short with Ted?” Alexandria asked her sister.

Anna, her face set in a frown, related the incident in town the week before.

“He’s a flirt,” Anna declared.

“And no one could ever accuse you of being one,” Alexandria was biting back a smile.

Anna glared at her sister, started to speak, stopped, and sighed. “Perhaps I used to be.”

“He’s a nice guy,” Alexandria assured Anna.

“If you say so. So how are things with you and Jonathon?” Anna changed the subject and watched her sister blush.

“They’re going pretty well, we’re really great friends after all.”

“Friends?” Anna asked pointedly and watched the color deepen in her sister’s cheeks. “That’s what I thought.”

“I didn’t say we were in love.”

“No, but he is, in love with you, you realize that don’t you?” Anna inquired and watched her sister shake her head. “Believe me, Alexandria, he is. Every woman wants a man to look at her the way he watches you,” Anna told her sister.

Alexandria turned and frowned at her sister.

“You’re scared?” Anna could see fear in her sister’s eyes.

Tears spilled down Alexandria’s cheeks as she nodded.

“Why, Alexandria?”

“I don’t want to be hurt and I don’t want to hurt him,” Alexandria admitted.

“Alexandria, you are so blind, just remember I said that when you work through things a few months from now,” Anna said as she tuned and started re-braiding her hair.

***

Ali Davis pressed a hand to her sore back as she attempted to displace the weeds that had taken root in the flower garden in front of her new house. She had dressed in a pair of baggy trousers, a button up shirt, and a large vest to do her work. For a long time it had been her standard manner of dressing but that had been before Colton had broken through the barriers she had built around herself. Those walls had been firmly erected after those who should have been protecting her had shattered her innocence and confidence in the world around her. They were days she preferred to forget.

She was startled when a rider approached seemingly from nowhere and squinted against the sun that outlined the unexpected guest. The visitor was tall and slim but that was about all she could ascertain for certain.

“I see that my concerns over my wardrobe were unfounded,” A feminine voice said from the dark spot in the sun. Alana stood when she recognized Alexandria. The tall woman was dressed in jeans, a man’s shirt, and wore a gun at her hip.

“Completely,” Alana smiled in pleasant surprise. She saw Colton bearing down on them; then watched as he faltered, his gaze sliding over Alexandria in surprise. The remaining tension left him as he closed the distance. Colton was protective of Alana and unfortunately some had given him reason to be.

“Hello, Mrs. Stewart,” Colton wore a wide smile on his face as he looked between the two women. The two couldn’t be more opposite in appearance and likely background, but there was something in the set of their chins and obviously their manner of dressing that suggested kindred spirits. He found himself chuckling.

“I can already see that you and Ali will be great friends,” he informed her.

“I certainly hope so,” Alexandria grinned as a rider approached in the distance. A moment later Jonathon swung from his horse and glared at his wife.

“I thought I asked you to wait for me,” Jonathon reprimanded.

“I knew you would catch up, besides; I’m armed,” Alexandria informed him.

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

Alexandria smiled.

Jonathon seemed to notice their new neighbors all at once and reddened. “Mr. Davis, it’s good to see you again.”

“Colton, please,” Colton insisted as he extended his hands.

“Call me, Jonathon,” Jonathon invited before looking over Ali, a wide smile spread across his face as he chuckled. “Oh no,” he muttered, “two of them.”

Both ladies laughed.

“I was just telling your wife that I could already tell they were going to be friends.”

“May I see your gun?” Alana asked Alexandria.

Colton smiled at his wife indulgently. “Go on, I know you want to; I’ll check on the kids.”

“Thanks, Colt, come on, Alexandria, I’ll get my gun and we can fire a few rounds,” Alana led her new friend into the house.

“Shall we discuss the latest fashions?” Colton joked.

Jonathon laughed and shook his head. “How about ranching and stubborn women instead.”

“Two subjects I know well,” Colton admitted.

“As do I,” Jonathon smiled. “The reason we descended on you unannounced was because my wife insisted on extending an invitation to dinner to your wife herself. I asked her to wait a few moments but…”

“I understand,” Colton empathized. “I understand that you and Alexandria haven’t been married long?”

“Not long at all, how long have you and Alana been married?”

“A few months.”

“I thought you had been married longer,” Jonathon admitted.

“Kelsey and Kelvin are my step-children but I love them like my own.”

“I feel the same about Lilly. Technically she isn’t even Alexandria’s but the two are so much alike that you would never know it, in personality anyway.”

“I know some things are built in at birth but I think they often pick up traits from those that are closet to them. Kelvin has picked up a lot from me and I’m proud of the boy. Ali and those kids had it rough for a while.”

“Makes you love them more doesn’t it?” Jonathon asked with understanding.

“It does, would you mind waiting while I check on the kids? They were fighting and we put them down for naps,” Colton explained.

“Go ahead,” Jonathon encouraged.

Alexandria watched as Alana expertly aimed and fired her gun before stepping aside for Alexandria to do the same. They were pretty well matched in their skill.

“You’re a good shot,” Alana complimented the younger woman as she looked up at her, Alexandria had the height advantage by about two or three inches.

“So are you,” Alexandria returned.

“Congratulations on your marriage,” Alana offered.

Alexandria offered a strained smile. “Thanks.”

“Did I say something wrong?” Alana’s gaze was fixed on Alexandria.

Alexandria held Alana’s searching gaze and felt an instant connection with the woman. She never made a conscious decision to share with Alana but found herself doing so.

“Our marriage was one of convenience,” Alexandria blurted. “I was about to be put out of my home. Jonathon and I are friends, the best of friends and care a great deal for each other but we aren’t in love.”

Alana started to correct Alexandria. She saw the same look in Jonathon’s gaze when he looked at Alexandria that she often saw in Colton’s. She knew love when she saw it; she also knew fear, it had been her close companion for a long time and she saw it in Alexandria’s eyes now.

“I’ll be praying for you both,” Alana promised. She felt a kinship with Alexandria and welcomed it; she also felt years older in life experience, though that she wasn’t ready to share.

“Thank you.”

“He seems very fond of you.”

“He is, as I said we’re very good friends and attracted to each other even but…” Alexandria’s eyes clouded, “Jonathon lost his first wife in child birth; he was crazy over her. I know firsthand what a hold a deceased wife has over a man,” Alexandria related.

“What do you mean, Alexandria?”

“My first husband was never able to move past the memory of his first wife…I understand, or try to. Love is powerful or so I’ve been told,” she shared with a forced shrug.

Alana studied Alexandria’s profile as she focused on loading her gun. Her new friend looked very vulnerable; Alana bit back a smile. She too had felt that same vulnerability before she realized her love for Colton. She kept this thought to herself.