A Headstrong Woman(38)

“Hi, Mama; Anna is in her element,” Alexandria hugged her mother.

“I’m afraid to ask. Good morning, Mr. Stewart,” Carolyn’s gaze shifted to the man as he approached.

“Good morning, Ms. Cannon,” Jonathon returned her greeting.

“Thank you for driving the girls to church this morning, I don’t care for the idea of them traveling even that far alone,” Carolyn expressed her gratitude.

“My pleasure, Ma’am.”

“Pick me up,” Lilly demanded of Jonathon.

“Pick you up?” Jonathon, one brow raised and hands on hips, surveyed the child.

“Please?” she offered him her most pleading expression.

“That’s better; you’ll learn your manners yet,” Jonathon scooped the child into his arms.

“Good morning, Mrs. Morris, it’s good to see you back in church,” Tristan greeted her with a warm smile. “How have you been faring?”

Alexandria could only blink at him for a moment; since when did he attend church? “I’m managing; some days are harder than others. Thank you for asking.”

“I’ve been concerned for you, Mrs. Morris. You’ve had a lot to deal with.”

“Mr. Price, it’s good to see you here with us,” Clay came to stand beside his daughter and extended his hand.

“Mr. Cannon, a pleasure as always,” Tristan offered with a smile.

“I believe they are about to start, we should be seated. Alexandria, are you going to sit with us?” Clay turned to his daughter.

“Of course, Daddy; good day, Mr. Price,” Alexandria offered a nod and followed her daddy. Clay stopped beside the pew as Alexandria moved into the pew before stopping abruptly.

“Lilly! Jonathon had her,” Alexandria turned and relaxed when she spotted Jonathon behind her father.

“We’re your shadow, remember?” he teased.

“Hand over my daughter you rogue,” Alexandria reached for the child.

“What did I do to deserve such a title?” he demanded.

“I’m sure you’ve done something to deserve it even you do manage to somehow always come out smelling of roses,” Alexandria turned without waiting for his answer.

“She’s abusive,” he accused to Clay.

“I heard that,” she shot him a haughty glance.

“I’m staying out of it; would you care to join us, Jonathon?”

“Thank you, sir; I think I will.”

“Where is my wife?” Clay turned to survey the room. He finally spotted her moving his way, their youngest on her heels. He followed Jonathon into the pew and seated himself as he waited for his wife to join him. Anna edged past him and seated herself on the other side of Alexandria.

“Switch seats with me,” Anna whispered frantically to Alexandria as the music began playing.

“How am I going to do that without being obvious?” Alexandria whispered back.

“Please?” Anna pleaded. Alexandria lifted the hymnal from the seat in front of her and glared at her sister. Lilly began tugging at her sleeve and she picked the child up and balanced her on her right hip to cut off any further disruption from her sister. She was not here to aide her sister in catching a husband. When Lilly tired of being held and slid to the pew to feed her dolly, Anna stepped closer and elbowed her sister so hard Alexandria stumbled and bumped into Jonathon on her left.

“Sorry,” she mumbled to Jonathon before glaring at her sister.

“You okay?” Jonathon queried.

Alexandria nodded.

“Do me a favor and make sure you stay between me and your sister please?” he requested in a near whisper.

Keeping her eyes on her book, Alexandria chuckled dryly without answering. Jonathon gave her a curious glance before turning back to his own hymnal.

On Alexandria’s other side, Anna cast angry glances at her, which Alexandria chose to ignore. Regardless her actions someone was going to be upset at her, she realized; she quickly shrugged the thought off.

By the time service was drawing to a close, Lilly had climbed into Jonathon’s lap and fallen asleep and Anna was in a full blown pout. Alexandria had managed to ignore her sister and enjoy the service. After the final prayer, Alexandria gathered her things and turned to Jonathon to take her daughter.

“I’ve got her,” he assured her as he stood and shifted the child in his arms.

“Let me get your Bible then,” Alexandria insisted and scooped it from the pew to add to hers. “You seem to be Lilly’s new favorite person.”