A Headstrong Woman(36)

“Nonsense, many of the men who attend are widowers.”

“Again, I thank you, but I’m not interested.”

“What am I doing wrong?” Alexandria’s tone was decidedly whinny.

Jonathon smiled and walked out to where she stood.

“First, relax,” he gave her shoulder a quick rub. “The most important thing is to visualize yourself hitting your target and keep your wrist loose; it’s more in the wrist than the arm. Unless you’re ready to give up,” he offered and watched her chin come up. She would do it and he knew it. He walked back to the fence and watched as she started again with renewed interest.

“Do you think she can do it?” Anna asked him.

“I know she can, she just needed to decide she could,” he took Lilly when she reached for him.

Several minutes later, Jonathon applauded when Alexandria’s lasso landed more on the barrel than off it. She turned, bowed, and then resumed practicing. Anna claimed Lilly and returned to the house as lunch approached.

Jonathon found a task that he could work on while remaining close by in case he was needed.

Alexandria paused in what she was doing when she noticed a rider just topping the rise on the drive. She couldn’t distinguish who they were but knew she needed to change. Jonathon emerged from the barn and met her at the fence of the corral she was working in.

“I heard a rider approaching. We all over look your choice of clothing…”

“I know. I need to hurry,” she said grimly.

Jonathon scooped her up and deposited her on the other side of the fence.

“What…”

“You need to hurry, there’s no time to argue,” he cut her off. Alexandria turned and marched into the house.

Anna came to the door of the kitchen when Alexandria shut the door with more force than necessary and started stomping up the stairs muttering something about ‘that man’. The rest was lost as Alexandria shut her door.

“What was that all about?” Millie asked; Anna shrugged.

***



Lane, hat in hand, knocked on the door. He had planned on calling on Alexandria sooner. He had no intention of waiting around until it was too late to make his suit. He knew that Alexandria had a while before she could marry if one held to society’s codes of conduct but he planned on using his friendship with her to get an advantage over other possible suitors. Millie pulled the door open.

“May I help you?”

“Yes, I was hoping that Mrs. Morris would be available to see me,” he explained.

“Come in and I’ll see if she’s available,” Millie instructed and led him into the parlor. Lane claimed a seat and fidgeted with his hat while he waited for Alexandria. She looked stark in her widow’s clothing and with her hair neatly braided and coiled at the nape of her neck when she entered a few moments later.

“Lane, I wasn’t expecting you,” she greeted him.

“I wanted to check on you. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, thank you for asking. How are you?”

“I’m well,” he answered and was at a sudden loss for words. “I thought of you often while I was away,” he blurted and watched her frown.

“Please, Lane, I appreciate your friendship and concern but don’t feel that you must worry over me. I’m faring well enough.”

“I couldn’t help myself. It distresses me to think of you struggling along on your own.”

“I’m not really. I have my family, my sister’s here with me, and I have a very capable foreman who looks out for the ranch.”

“What does he want from it?” Lane countered and watched Alexandria’s cheeks color.

“He was Elijah’s friend and made a promise. He’s upholding that promise,” she responded evenly.

“I hope that’s all he’s doing. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No, as I’ve said, I’m actually faring well,” she answered coolly; she did not like his insinuation.

Lane searched for something to say. Alexandria sat across from him, her hands folded into her lap, and knees bent to one side. He could hear sounds of activity in the kitchen and could smell lunch on the stove. He had hoped she might extend an invitation to stay but none was forthcoming.

“I suppose I should go; I’m certain you have things to do,” he said as he stood.

Alexandria escorted him to the door and thanked him for coming. She then hurried to her room. She slipped off her black boots and dress and rolled her denims back down before pulling her shirt back on. She could only pray that Lane hadn’t been aware that she wasn’t properly dressed. After lunch, she returned to work outside.