A Headstrong Woman(119)
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.
Chapter Twenty-two
Alexandria was puzzling over what to wear to her brother’s wedding when there was a knock on the door downstairs. Jonathon was in the house and she heard him answer it. When she recognized Tristan’s voice she moved downstairs; she knew that now, with her husband present, was the time to tell Tristan she was married. He had been out of town on Sunday when the public announcement had been made.
“So what I’ve been hearing is true then?” she heard Tristan inquire of Jonathon.
“What have you been hearing?” Jonathon returned as Alexandria stepped into parlor where the men stood. Their attention shifted to her.
“Hello, Tristan,” Alexandria greeted quietly.