A Headstrong Woman(52)

She watched her sister resume practicing with the handgun as Jonathon talked with Rusty. A few moments later when they entered the barn, she started to go back into the house but decided against it. Upon leaving the barn, Jonathon spotted her and joined her.

“Hello, Ms. Cannon, how are you today?” he inquired.

“Fine and you?”

“I’m fine.”

“Mr. Stewart, we have known each other some time now and see each other quite often, would I offend you if I asked that we use our given names?” she asked him; she hoped that she wasn’t being too forward.

Jonathon looked hesitant and then smiled. “I suppose that we could.”

“Thank you. I feel so stuffy calling you Mr. Stewart all the time while Alexandria calls you Jonathon.”

“Sure. Nice day isn’t it?”

“It is. Has she taken to it?” Anna asked, although she could see that Alexandria had. Alexandria was now wheeling the horse around as she prepared to take another shot.

“She has, but that doesn’t surprise me, your sister is one of those people who will always do those things they set out to do. She’s a very strong person.”

“She is, at least she wants you to think so. She doesn’t always show it when she’s been hurt or isn’t holding up well beneath the surface,” Anna told him.

Jonathon nodded. “I’ve noticed that.”

“What else have you notice about my sister, Jonathon?” she asked rather pointedly.

Jonathon looked both surprised and unsettled. “Are you asking if I’m interested in your sister?” he watched her color.

“Are you?”

“I admire Alexandria a great deal. She is a good friend, however, losing my wife was one of the hardest things I ever had to deal with and I’m not in a hurry to move on just yet,” he answered her honestly.

Anna felt hope surge through her. She was sixteen, or almost seventeen. She could wait a while; would wait a while.

“Does Lexie know this?” she asked.

“Yes, but that aside I can promise you that your sister doesn’t see me as a potential suitor, Anna. In fact, she has quite a chip on her shoulder where men are concerned as you yourself more or less pointed out. ‘God help the man who tries’ I believe you said.”

Anna could feel color spreading up her neck and cheeks; she hadn’t meant to be so obvious.

“She’s not bad,” Tristan caught them off guard.

Jonathon glanced up to where Tristan sat atop his horse and wondered where the man had come from.

“She’s a natural shot actually,” Jonathon shared. Alexandria had spotted their guest and joined them. She lightly secured her mount to the rail.

“I wanted to check on you,” Tristan informed her. “I’m sure last night must have been pretty traumatic.”

“I’m fine; thanks for your help.”

“I’m glad I could help. Alexandria, it’s dangerous for a woman to be alone, especially an attractive woman. I’m glad to see you learning to protect yourself but if you need me please call on me. I’m sure this is a great group of cowboys but you need more protection than they can offer,” he voiced his concern.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Alexandria’s smile was strained. “Thanks again for the help.”

A heavy silence followed her comment before Tristan shifted uncomfortably and spoke.

“I can see you’re busy, but please, Alexandria, be careful.”

“I will be,” she promised.

Tristan bid them all good day before Alexandria returned to practice her shooting from a standing position; she left the horse at the rail.

“He makes me nervous,” Anna admitted.

“I’m not sure what to make of him,” Jonathon admitted.

“He’s interested in Alexandria,” Anna shared. “He has been since she was fifteen but didn’t get his nerve up to call on her and approach Daddy until just before Elijah came into the picture.” Their conversation trailed off as Alexandria approached again and she looked between them suspiciously.

“Why do I get the feeling that you two were talking about me?” Alexandria asked as she grabbed Elijah’s gun belt and put it around her waist.

“What you want a gun belt now?” Jonathon asked in amusement and pointedly ignored her question. Alexandria smiled as she attempted to put it on. A moment later Jonathon stepped in to help her alter it so it would fit her.