A Headstrong Woman(118)
“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.