A Headstrong Woman(105)

“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.”