A Headstrong Woman(21)

Jonathon stirred himself from his dark thoughts and decided he should check in with the men before the day got underway and hectic. He had made a promise to Elijah and he intended to keep it. He was beginning to understand why the man had been concerned for Alexandria. She was clearly too stubborn for her own good.

“Hey, Jonathon, how are they in there?” Sparky greeted him as soon as he entered the bunkhouse.

“Solemn.”

“I kinda figured that. Is Mrs. Morris holding up okay?”

“Hard to say,” Jonathon shrugged. It was hard to explain to someone who hadn’t been there. After checking in that everyone had their orders he returned to the house and was relieved to find that Alexandria had at least moved to the kitchen. She now sat at the table, a plate of pancakes and bacon in front of her.

“You need to eat, honey,” her mother cajoled her.

“I just don’t have an appetite,” Alexandria protested and pushed the plate away.

“Try? Please, for me?”

Alexandria picked up a piece of bacon, took a bite and slowly chewed without any real interest.

“Come in, Mr. Stewart, would you like some breakfast?” Carolyn addressed him.

“That would be nice, thanks,” Jonathon moved to the seat across from Alexandria and seated himself; a moment later Millie set a plate of food in front of him.

“Thank you, Millie.”

Jonathon buttered his biscuit and pancakes and dribbled syrup over them before opening his napkin to place it in his lap. He wasn’t particularly hungry himself, he realized as he picked up his fork. At the head of the table, Clay’s food set mostly untouched as well.

Jonathon looked up to find Alexandria watching him, her brows slightly furrowed. He met her gaze and wondered what answer she was looking for as her eyes seemed to question him. He watched tears threaten and watched her just as quickly fight them.

“It’s okay to cry,” he offered softly, for her ears alone. Alexandria gave an almost imperceptive shake of her head and dropped her gaze.

“Mama!” Lilly came running into the room; tears streamed down her face.

“I’m right here, baby,” Alexandria turned as Lilly flung herself into her arms. “Come on, let’s get you dressed,” Alexandria stood and moved from the room.

Jonathon shook his head and turned to his plate.

“She’s shutting us all out,” Shirley commented beside him.

“She’ll come around,” Jonathon tried to reassure her.

“I just don’t know how to help her,” Carolyn turned to him, her gaze troubled.

“Just be there for her, Mrs. Cannon, that’s all anyone can do.”

“You went through this rather recently yourself,” Carolyn spoke her thoughts aloud.

“Yes, Ma’am and it’s taken a while but I’m moving past the worst of it now. Just be there for her when she does reach out.”

“Thank you, Mr. Stewart,” Carolyn offered what she hoped was a grateful smile.





Chapter Six





“Mrs. Morris, I am so sorry for your loss,” Tristan Price extended his condolences. He was the ranch’s closest neighbor and a lifelong acquaintance of Alexandria and her family.

“Thank you, Mr. Price,” Alexandria returned.

“Please be careful, Mrs. Morris, I still can’t believe he was…I’m sorry, it’s just disturbing. You know you can call on me if you need me; right?” His hazel eyes were earnest as he studied her face.

“I appreciate your concern, Mr. Price; I’ll keep that in mind.”

Tristan moved on to be replaced by another neighbor. They had started arriving bearing dishes of food not long after breakfast and morning chore time. Alexandria, hoping her responses were appropriate, was running on autopilot. The night of lost sleep was starting to catch up with her. Lilly clung to her as she had all morning; Alexandria was left to shift her from arm to arm.

“Come on, Lilly, let Grandma take you?” Carolyn reached for the toddler.

“Nooo!” the child shrieked.

“Leave her, Mama; she’s fine,” Alexandria rubbed the child’s back in small circles.

“Why don’t you go and lay down with her, Alexandria; you look exhausted,” her mother fretted.

“Maybe I should,” Alexandria agreed. She moved to the stairs and was about to take the first step when her father ushered her in-laws into the house.