A Headstrong Woman

chapter Four

“I have a beautiful wife,” Elijah commented as he and Jonathon worked in the barn together that afternoon.

“Congratulations,” Jonathon grinned at his boss and friend.

“For what? Last night I suddenly realized that my wife is a woman and now I feel like a gangly teen age boy and you’re congratulating me?” Elijah wasn’t amused.

“Sorry,” Jonathon’s smile belied his words. “How old are you, Boss?”

“Thirty-seven.”

“Hardly a gangly teenage boy.”

“Thanks but that doesn’t stop me from feeling like one.” Elijah was quiet for a moment as he filled a bucket with feed. “How old are you, Jonathon?”

“Twenty-six.”

“Still young; appreciate it while it lasts,” Elijah offered a self-depreciating smile before disappearing into a stall. He reemerged shaking his head. “I take back what I said about feeling like a gangly teenage boy beside her; most the time I feel more like an old man.”

Jonathon smiled; he was curious as to just how much of an age gap there was between the newlyweds but he didn’t dare ask.

“Tonight I plan to take your advice and spend some time with her. We talked last night but that was more me apologizing for being a jerk since she arrived.” Elijah scooped the bucket into the feed again as Jonathon began cleaning one of the stalls.

“Good luck.”

“Thanks, I’ll need it. I have to tell you, I’m very glad you showed up here, Jonathon, you’re proving to be a good friend.”

“Thanks, everyone can use a friend.”

“How are you holding up, Jonathon? You don’t say much about it but I know firsthand the first few months are the hardest.” Elijah paused outside the stall.

“I’m alright most the time, especially when I’m busy. Others…others are hard. Yesterday would have been her birthday.”

“That was a hard day for me too,” Elijah acknowledged.

“It was a hard one, Boss,” Jonathon nodded.

“Call me Eli, Jonathon. You may be my employ but as I’ve already stated; you’ve come to be a good friend to me.”

“Thanks, Eli,” Jonathon returned before both men concentrated on their chores.

***

Alexandria entered the barn later that afternoon while Lilly was taking her nap and carried an apple to her favorite team horse. Spunky snorted and greeted her affectionately before claiming the offered treat from her out stretched hand. The door opened and Alexandria nodded at one of the hands she didn’t know as well.

“Afternoon, Mrs. Morris,” the man tugged his hat brim in greeting.

“Afternoon,” Alexandria returned with cool politeness.

“You sure are a pretty thing; how’d that old geezer pull that off?” the man had come to lean on the stall next to Spunky’s. “How old are you anyway, sweet thing?”

Alexandria glowered at the man and studied him a moment before answering. He looked to be in his early twenties, his hair dirty blonde and eyes brown. His face was sharp and cruel; she shuddered.

“Old enough,” she responded.

“Why’d you up and marry an old man?” The man’s gaze raked over her as he talked.

“I married my husband because I love him,” she bit out impatiently before turning and moving to the stall of the other team horse. She hoped that the man would take the hint and leave her be.

“Then you must be disappointed. I was under the impression that he married you to care for his brat by his sainted wife,” Nick threw the barb at her and watched it hit its mark. She visibly flinched. “Aware of it are you? What a waste; you’re so beautiful,” the man reached out to brush his knuckles up and down her arm.

Alexandria’s nostrils flared in indignation as she yanked her arm away from him. “I don’t recall giving you permission to use my given name Mr…”

“Name’s Nick,” the man smiled.

“Sir! And I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your hands off me,” she spat at him before moving to step around him. She realized her mistake too late.

“Feisty are you?” Nick grabbed her arm.

Alexandria stiffened. “Please remove your hand from my arm or I will be forced to go to my husband.”

“Is that a threat?” Nick was amused.

“What’s going on here?” a familiar voice demanded. Nick quickly released Alexandria’s arm and stepped away.

“Nothin’,” Nick turned and rushed away.

“Are you alright, Mrs. Morris?” Jonathon asked as he stepped toward her.

“I’m fine, Mr. Stewart; thanks for your aide. He was being…rude is all.”

“Listen, Mrs. Morris, I don’t exactly trust Nick and I’m not sure Eli does either. You need to watch your step around that one and you need to tell Eli what happened,” Jonathon advised as he searched her pale face.

“Thank you for the warning, Mr. Stewart,” Alexandria offered a tense smile before she hurried from the barn.

She wouldn’t tell Eli, he had seen it in her face.

“Head strong,” he muttered as he turned to the task that had brought him to the barn in the first place.

Alexandria, her limbs still shaking, collapsed onto her bed. Never had anyone made her feel so cheap in her life! Alexandria shuddered as she rubbed her arms and wished she could erase the memory of how he had looked at her and the way he had touched her arm. That he had known the state of her marriage only added insult to injury. Did everyone know? Was it obvious?

Since she and Elijah had spoken things had been less strained between them. Breakfast and lunch had actually been pleasant but she had already made up her mind not to expect anything from her husband. That way she didn’t risk being disappointed.

Alexandria stood, checked her appearance, and decided to go work on Lilly’s dresses. She had no time to sit around feeling sorry for herself. What had happened in the barn had come to nothing and she was fine. Regardless what Mr. Stewart had advised she had no intention of telling Elijah what had happened.