A Headstrong Woman(61)
“I need to go to town today; I meant to tell you yesterday. I have some personal business to see to.”
“Oh,” Alexandria looked taken back “okay, I have work here anyway,” she shrugged. She looked so lost that Jonathon almost invited her along, but he couldn’t.
Alexandria walked past him, into the barn, and saddled Spirit. Jonathon, anxious to have his trip over with, left for town. Jonathon combed town three times in search of a gift for Alexandria before settling on one. Once he had, he could only pray that Alexandria wouldn’t do bodily harm to him. It was with a smile and prayer that he left town.
***
Alexandria felt at loose ends all morning without Jonathon on the range with her and the men. Nick had been watching her intently and Alexandria finally decided to return to the house about lunchtime. Alexandria had just finished eating her lunch with Lilly and Millie; Anna had taken to her room with a headache, when a knock sounded at the door. She opened it to find a smiling Jonathon waiting.
“I want to blindfold you,” Jonathon announced without preamble. Alexandria, her look one of concern, stepped backward.
“Why?”
“I brought your birthday present home and I want to surprise you.”
“Why didn’t you just wrap it?” she was still watching him cautiously.
“Too bulky.”
“Okay, so just bring it in.”
“You don’t want this in the house,” Jonathon argued.
“Oh, fine, blindfold me,” she sighed as she turned her back to him. Jonathon blindfolded her and led her from the house.
“Where are we going?”
“Just a few steps.”
“Jonathon, I’m scared,” her tone was teasing.
“I’m the one who should be scared.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see. Stand here, okay, don’t move yet. Now, you can remove your blindfold,” he informed her.
Jonathon watched as Alexandria removed her blindfold, her eyes grew wide, and mouth fell open.
“Jonathon, I cannot accept…no, you’ll have to take it back,” Alexandria was shaking her head.
“Can’t. It’s non-returnable.”
“You’ll have to!”
“Can’t.”
“Jonathon!”
“What?”
“I can’t accept a gift like this from a man!” she protested.
“I thought it was clothes you weren’t supposed to accept from a male friend.”
“Jonathon…I cannot accept this.”
“She’s yours, Alexandria. I’m not returning her,” Jonathon informed her. The beautiful cinnamon colored mare stood in front of them. She had one white streak down her nose and over her right eye.
“What would people say? It’s too much, I can’t…”
“I got her at a steal. No one can do anything with her at the stables and she liked you. She’s as cautious of men as you are, you’re the perfect pair.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“Welcome,” Jonathon’s grin was wide.
“I really can’t…”
“What’s her name?”
“Jonathon…”
“That’s an odd name for a female horse,” he teased and watched her smile. “What’s her name?”
“Lady.”
“Perfect.”
“Jonathon, people will talk…”
“Tell them you bought her or that it was an investment in the ranch. You won’t hurt my feelings any,” he suggested. Alexandria was staring at the horse longingly but hadn’t touched her. “Ride her.”
“I really shouldn’t,” she said without conviction.
“Am I going to have to put you on her?” he threatened.
Alexandria frowned at him and swung into Lady’s saddle. Jonathon had thought of everything, the stirrups were even adjusted to the right height. She urged Lady forward into a trot, and then a gallop and rode her to the top of the hill and back. She stopped in front of Jonathon, dismounted, and smiled.
“She’s great, thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Jonathon smiled back.
Alexandria’s next move shocked her as much as Jonathon. She flung her arms around him and hugged him. It took Jonathon a moment to recover before he hugged her back, his arms slowly and cautiously coming around her.