A Headstrong Woman(6)

“Elijah said his name is Jonathon, Jonathon Stewart, I think. He’s the new hand at the ranch.”

“The new hand at the ranch?” Anna’s eyes lit instantly.

Uh oh, Anna was notorious for her crushes, though she usually got over them quickly when the new object of her affection proved once again to be a mere man or as Anna often declared disdainfully, “A mere boy.”

“Yes, he just started a couple of weeks ago.”

“Maybe I should come visit now that you’ve had time to settle in,” Anna smiled widely.

“You’re welcome to visit any time but I only see him in passing and that rarely,” Alexandria warned.

“Well then we’ll just have to make sure our paths pass his, won’t we?” Anna’s smile was downright cheeky now.

“Yes, of course, how silly of me,” Alexandria returned. Anna had looped her arms through her sister’s and was guiding her, presumably to a seat.

“How’s married life?” Anna asked conversationally.

“Fine. Lilly is such a sweetie, her dad has been so busy she is clinging to him today like rain to a window pane,” Alexandria forced lightness into her tone. Anna still frowned at her as though there was something wrong with her statement.

“Alexandria, we need to be seated,” Elijah appeared at her elbow.

“Of course,” Alexandria nodded.

“Might I sit with you?” Anna requested.

“Certainly,” Alexandria was quick to agree.

“Oh! Excuse me!” Anna quickly apologized to the broad back she had just walked into. “I wasn’t watching where I was going Mr….?”

“No harm done Miss.” Jonathon turned and assured Anna.

Anna, her blue eyes wide, stared up at him expectantly. Alexandria realized that she was waiting for an introduction but she herself had never formally met the man.

“Oh, um, Jonathon this is Annabella Cannon, my sister-in-law and this is my wife Alexandria Morris. Alexandria, Annabella, Jonathon Stewart, my new hand at the ranch.

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stewart,” Anna offered her hand and her most charming smile.

“My pleasure, Miss.” he took her hand politely, “and it’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Ma’am,” he added to Alexandria with a quick nod.

Anna still had not released his hand and Alexandria realized he was now staring down at it in consternation.

“This is your first time here with our congregation is it not?” Anna finally released his hand.

“Yes, yes it is,” he quickly tucked his hand safely inside his pocket.

“So you don’t know anyone yet?” her look was one of concern.

“She’s right, Jonathon, why don’t you join us?” Elijah invited as he led Alexandria into a pew. He seated himself on her left to allow Anna to sit beside her and Alexandria watched as Jonathon hesitated before seating himself beside Anna somewhat cautiously. Poor Mr. Stewart, he had no idea what he was in for, Alexandria mused as the first notes of music started from the front of the church.





Chapter Two





Jonathon considered himself to be a perceptive man, seeing things for what they were and calling them as such. He evoked in others a sense of confidence he himself didn’t quite understand. He mused on this as he watched Elijah’s young wife pin laundry to the clothes line. She was tall and slender, so delicately turned that she looked as though a strong wind should bend her to the ground like a young sapling.

Elijah had shared his tumultuous thoughts with Jonathon over the few weeks he had been there and he found himself torn between understanding and compassion for the older man and frustration at him for how little thought he gave his wife. Whatever Elijah’s reasons for marrying the young woman, she deserved common courtesy from her husband.

Alexandria glanced up at him as though aware of his scrutiny and he noted how flat her eyes were as he nodded a greeting and stood; he should get back to his chores. It couldn’t be easy to realize that the man you shard your bed and life with wasn’t in love with you; he could remember how excited and full of dreams Emily had been when they married. He glanced back at Alexandria one last time. Her back was now to him as she worked; her long hair hung in a single braid down her back like that of a schoolgirl. Just how old was she anyway?

He entered the barn and moved toward a group of men who were moving a stack of crates Elijah wanted relocated. The men had easily accepted him and included him in their joking and talk. Oddly enough, though most were close to him in age and couple even older; he felt much older than them.