A Headstrong Woman(24)

“I know you’ve barely slept in the past two days, have you ever eaten anything?” he demanded of her.

Alexandria frowned at him; she was trying to register his question.

“Never mind, that’s what I thought. I’m not off to a great start here,” he muttered.

Alexandria couldn’t for the life of her figure out what the man was going on about. He kept one of her elbows firmly in hand as he escorted her in after the others.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Cannon, but she just nearly collapsed; I think she needs food and bed in that order,” Jonathon interrupted the ladies discussion about who was heating what dish.

Both women rushed to her side and seated her at the table.

“Thank you, Mr. Stewart, won’t you stay for lunch? You have been such a huge help here the last few days and my son wrote of you and your friendship to him often,” Dorothy invited.

“Thank you, Mrs. Morris, I would like that,” he nodded his agreement and moved to the table.

“I was hoping you could show us around tomorrow so we could see the state of things around here,” Clay addressed him as he indicated the seat beside him.

“That would be no problem, sir,” Jonathon assured him.

As soon as a plate was put in front of her, Alexandria started eating; she was surprised at how hungry she felt. She couldn’t remember the last time a meal had tasted so good though later she wouldn’t be able to remember what she’d eaten. One moment she was looking at her plate of food and the next it was blurring and tilting as gasps sounded around her.

“Come on,” Carolyn pulled on Alexandria’s arm to help her to her feet. Alexandria stood and allowed her mother and mother-in-law to help her to her room and into bed. The last thing Alexandria saw as her eyes slid closed was her mother gathering her discarded items.

***



Alexandria woke to find her mother again bustling around her room, this time laying out her clothing.

“Good morning,” her mother greeted her when she found her watching her.

“I slept all afternoon and night?” she asked in surprise.

“You did,” her mother answered, “feel better?”

“I do,” she said as she sat up and stretched. She swung her feet over the side of the bed and started dressing. “I’m starved.”

“Well come on; we’ll feed you,” her mom smiled.

Alexandria followed her mother to the kitchen and took a seat at the table. Lilly was already dressed and eating and none of the men were present.

“Where are Daddy and Nathaniel?” Alexandria queried before filling her mouth with eggs.

“They and Mr. Stewart are looking things over and assessing where the ranch is at currently,” Carolyn explained as she began washing the dishes the men had stacked by the sink.

“Nathaniel and I need to discuss some matters with you when he returns,” Janice informed her.

Alexandria nodded; the bite she had just taken settled in her stomach like a piece of lead. She would know soon enough what was to happen to her.

“Would you like some help packing up Eli’s things?” Carolyn offered.

“No, thanks, I can manage it on my own,” Alexandria assured her mother.

“Are you sure? It will be a big job,” Janice worried over her.

“I’m certain.”

Janice hesitated a moment; then, her face kind and compassionate, spoke. “I’m aware that things were not altogether as they should have been between you and my son. I know he had his own room, so if that is your concern, please don’t let that stop you from accepting help.”

Alexandria set down her fork, her eyes on her lap.

“There is no reason for you drop your head,” her mother-in-law sat down beside her and dropped her gaze to meet Alexandria‘s. “Eli wrote me of the mess he had made of things and how deeply he regretted that he had hurt you. He never let go of things easily, even when he was a child. For what it’s worth I really believe he was starting to.”

“Thanks, Janice,” Alexandria tried hard to smile. “I guess I could use some help,” she acknowledged.

“You finish eating and we’ll get started,” Janice offered.

Alexandria nodded and several minutes later was ready, at least she hoped she was ready to get started.

Entering his room and going through his things felt awkward, like an invasion; theirs had not been that kind of marriage. They started four piles, one for charity, one for trash that needed to be discarded, one for Lilly, and another of things Janice wanted. It saddened Alexandria to realize there was really nothing of his that meant something to her. No, she did have one thing he had given her; the hair combs, she realized with some relief.