A Headstrong Woman(33)
***
Several mornings later, Alexandria dressed for work and joined Jonathon in the yard where he was waiting with their mounts. She felt sore as she moved off the porch; the last several days had been harder than she anticipated and when she returned home each evening she usually still had something waiting for her to go over in the office. Jonathon seemed to have picked up on her fatigue and had been very patient with her. His playful teasing and joking helped distract her as well. However, as much as she appreciated his saddling Spirit for her, she knew she should see to it herself. “You know, Jonathon, I don’t wish to sound ungrateful, but I do know how to saddle a horse,” she informed him.
Jonathon surveyed her a moment; she looked rather like a kid playing dress up.
“I know, but I don’t want to come in and find you buried under a saddle one morning,” his gaze again swept over her slim frame. He knew he shouldn’t tease her but after discovering how easy it was to get a reaction out of her he couldn’t seem to help himself; it was too much fun.
“Now wait a minute…”
“Tell me something,” Jonathon cut off her argument, “does your sister by chance have a crush on me or…”
Alexandria’s laughter cut him off.
“Noticed that, did you?”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he nodded. “We should be going,” he suggested and swung into his saddle. He watched Alexandria do the same; he was still impressed that she could do it without the aide of a mounting block.
“My sister noticed you the moment you walked through the church doors; aren’t you flattered?” Alexandria was enjoying teasing him now.
“She’s a sweet kid but I’m not interested.”
“Don’t you let her hear you call her that,” Alexandria laughed.
“I can’t help it, she’s all wide eyes and…” Jonathon frowned as he tried to put into words.
“She thinks that’s what men like; it seems to work for her over all.”
“Good, so she can choose one of them and leave me alone,” he didn’t even try to hide his exasperation with all the female attention he was getting.
“Good luck, she seems quite smitten.”
That evening as they returned to the ranch Alexandria posed a question she had wanted to ask all day.
“Will you teach me to use a lasso?”
“What?” he was certain that he had misunderstood her?
“Please? I want to be able to do all of the work not just part of it.”
“You aren’t planning on learning the job and then firing me are you?” he teased.
“No! I need you here for as long as you’ll stay. I’d be lost without you and I know you can’t deny that,” she told him.
“Humph! Sounds to me as though you’re trying to sweet talk me into helping you,” he playfully accused. He was surprised by how easily they had fallen into a comfortable working routine.
“Of course,” she smiled.
“Okay, you win. I’ll teach you how to use a lasso.”
“Thank you, Jonathon. If there’s anything I can do to help you let me know.”
“Keep your sister at bay and we’ll be fine,” he smiled.
“Speaking of Anna, she said to invite you to dinner,” Alexandria was grinning widely.
“For the food, I come for the food,” he clarified.
Alexandria led him into the house where they joined Millie and Anna at the table.
“Where are you from, Mr. Stewart?” Anna asked as soon as blessing had been said.
“South Dakota.”
“Is your family still there?” Anna’s gaze was locked on Jonathon.
“Yes, they are.”
“Do you have siblings?”
“Anna, the man is trying to eat!” Alexandria chastised her sister. “Sorry, Mr. Stewart,” Anna’s cheeks were red.
“No peas!” Lilly shouted when Alexandria spooned some onto her plate. Lilly shoved Alexandria’s hand away and scattered peas across the table.
“Lillian Marie! You know better,” Alexandria scolded and pulled the child’s chair out. She gave Lilly’s bottom a firm spat and Lilly threw herself into the floor and started screaming. Jonathon watched as Alexandria wrestled with the toddler for the next several minutes; the battle was seemingly at a draw. Alexandria, her clothing rumpled and her hair disheveled, now stood over a screaming Lilly.