A Headstrong Woman(123)

“Can I go with you; I wanted to see Dr. Carver?”

“Sure. Alexandria,” Jonathon started hesitantly.

“What is it, Jonathon?”

“I haven’t been completely honest with you,” his blue eyes were dark as he held her gaze.

Alexandria swallowed hard. Her heart accelerated; she was afraid of what he had to tell her.

“I love you,” he shared and watched her eyes close. Behind them lightening split the sky and rain began to pour.

Alexandria felt as if it were her heart that had split open and not the sky. “Why? Why would you marry me knowing that…?”

“I couldn’t lose you.”

“Jonathon…”

“You think I should have sat back and let you marry a stranger? That I should have lain out there in the bunkhouse not saying a word and torturing myself with the thoughts of another man touching you?” he asked her. Alexandria shuddered at the thought of another man touching her and frowned. “But no one would have been hurt,” she said rather lamely.

“I would have only you would have never known it.”

His words made her heart ache. “I don’t deserve you.”

“You deserve better.”

“You could have had any woman in the area, why me?” she demanded.

“Because I love you, Alexandria, because I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re the kind of person the heart sees and falls for.”

“What?” Alexandria’s brows crinkled in confusion.

“I see you with my eyes and I like what I see, but if I didn’t see a heart that my heart could love your beauty wouldn’t matter.”

“I feel guilty having someone as special as you are and not even being able to say I return your feelings,” she informed him.

Jonathon smiled. “You have an odd way of looking at the world, Alexandria. What’s so special about me? I’m just a cowhand who fell for his boss.”

“No, you’re not. You are one of the most considerate and rare men I know; do you know how few men would have helped me and looked out for me without smothering me,” she asked incredulously.

Jonathon caressed her cheek and smiled at her. “That’s a high compliment, Alexandria; thank you. Do you know what I love about you?” he asked her and watched her shake her head. “I love the way your whole face lights up when you smile, I love the way your eyes flash when you’re angry and that chin comes up. I love the way you square your shoulders when you feel the most vulnerable. I love the way you love a little girl that isn’t even your own like she is. I love that you’re close to your family and think of others first…I love you, just you for who you are,” he informed her rather passionately.

Alexandria had tears in her eyes. “I don’t want to hurt you,” she whispered in torment.

“You haven’t and that you’re concerned for me demonstrates what I mean. You’re a great person, Alexandria.”

“Jonathon,” Alexandria stared at the buttons on Jonathon’s shirt a moment before forcing herself to meet his gaze, her cheeks were already stained pink. “I’m glad I’m having your baby,” she informed him.

Jonathon kissed her passionately before pulling her into his arms and holding her.

Alexandria closed her eyes and clung to Jonathon. She would be lost without him, she realized. Did she love him? Was this what love felt like between a man and a woman? Before she could contemplate it further shouts reached them. They turned to see Ted racing toward the house.

“Come on,” Jonathon said as he turned and led Alexandria into the house. It was then that he noticed the wind had died and frowned. Ted met them at the top of the stairs.

Alexandria felt disoriented; the house seemed dark for midday.

“Get Lilly and get in the cellar,” Ted ordered. “There’s a tornado coming this way!”

“Dear God,” Alexandria breathed as she dashed into Lilly’s room and scooped the sleeping child into her arms. Millie was already standing in the pantry, the trap door to the cellar standing open. When she spotted them coming she preceded them in and took Lilly. Alexandria climbed down the steps and turned to her husband expectantly.

“Stay here, Alexandria; for Lilly and the baby stay here. I’ll be back; I promise,” Jonathon said before closing the door.

“Jonathon!” Alexandria screamed and started toward the steps.