A Headstrong Woman(108)
“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.
Chapter Twenty
Jonathon rode straight into the barn with Raven and dismounted before reaching for his wife. They saw to the horses and then dashed to the house. Alexandria frowned when Millie’s conversation with a decidedly masculine voice reached her ears. She stepped into the kitchen and peered curiously at the man at her table and Jonathon hurried around her. The man at the table stood and embraced her husband.