A Headstrong Woman(28)
Jonathon watched her chin come up and knew the answer. “Then I’ll teach you, really teach you. But first, tomorrow we’re going to town and you’re purchasing clothing that fits,” he informed her. “Come on, let me see your heels, I know they have to be raw,” he said as he started for the house.
Alexandria stared at his retreating back and wondered how he had known about her heels. She followed him and claimed a seat in the rocking chair he indicated. Alexandria couldn’t stop the small yelp that escaped when Jonathon pulled off first her boots and then her socks. The backs of her heels were bloodied.
Jonathon sighed and met her gaze. “I’ll give you one thing, Mrs. Morris, you have an iron will,” his tone held begrudging admiration. “I’ll be right back with some ointment. Your hands are raw too aren’t they?” he surveyed them before leaving the porch. Alexandria leaned back in her chair; she felt like a chastised child. She had only been trying to meet his requirements after all. He returned moments later and Alexandria reached for the jar of ointment.
“I’ll do it,” Jonathon informed her.
Alexandria intended to argue but he was already applying the ointment with surprising gentleness.
“Do me a favor, next time tell me when you’re soaked through and through and your heels and are being rubbed raw, okay?” he glanced up at her. He found her blinking back tears but nodding in agreement. He applied more of the ointment to her hands.
“Thank you,” she said softly when he was through. It had been both a humbling and discomforting experience for Alexandria. She wasn’t used to letting anyone but her family look after her. Alexandria was about to enter the house when he stopped her.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t more help today. It’s not that I think a woman is incapable, I just don’t believe you should have to. I’ll see you in the morning and we’ll get you properly outfitted for the job,” he told her.
“Thank you,” she said again and watched him walk across the yard to the barn. Her foreman was turning out to be an interesting man, she decided as she entered the house. She spent dinner being grilled about Jonathon by her sister; then enlisted her sister’s help in taking her measurements.
***
The next morning Alexandria dressed in her hated widow’s weeds and prepared for a trip to town. She again emerged from the house to find things ready and waiting; the team already pulled up close to the porch.
“Good morning, Mrs. Morris,” Jonathon greeted as his gaze slid over her. She looked stark in her mourning clothes. Her face was pale and her green eyes too solemn for someone as young as she must be. She had been through more than her fair share, he reminded himself. Even if he didn’t relish the task ahead of him he had made a promise to Elijah and he would keep it. Besides, Alexandria was going to need all the help she could get though she didn’t know that yet.
“Good morning, Mr. Stewart,” she returned. He helped her into the buggy before setting their course for town.
Alexandria was quiet for a moment before she turned to look at her foreman thoughtfully.
“What was she like?”
“Emily?” Jonathon glanced at her.
Alexandria nodded and watched him smile.
“She was incredibly soft hearted, loved kids,” Jonathon fell quiet. “It broke her heart when our first two were stillborn.”
“She sounds nice.”
“She was. She was also the cutest little petite thing I’d ever seen.”
“Petite,” Alexandria muttered the word with a grimace.
“I’m sorry, touchy subject?” Jonathon glanced her way.
Alexandria hadn’t meant to speak aloud and could only nod for a moment. “Martha, that was Elijah’s first wife, was a petite woman. Both my sisters are petite; me I’m…well not.”
“There’s nothing wrong with your height, ma’am.”
“I’m sorry but do you have any idea what it’s like to be taller than most of the guys in your class?” she demanded.
A smile tugged at Jonathon’s mouth. “Yes, actually, I do.”
“I meant if you’re a girl,” she said in exasperation.
“But I’m not; I get your point. There’s nothing wrong with your height.”
“Well it doesn’t matter anyway, I have no intention of remarrying so men and their fickle preferences are no concern of mine,” Alexandria stated matter of factly.