A Headstrong Woman(62)

***

Alexandria and Jonathon spent the rest of the afternoon on the range. Alexandria rode around the herd a bit more than usual; Jonathon smiled as he watched her. The men had admired her new horse, only a couple of them asking questions as to where she’d come from. He couldn’t help but recall Sparky’s words about Alexandria as he watched her. There was something in the way that both Alexandria and Lady held their heads that spoke of spirit and life. It was impossible not to take note of it in Alexandria; it was why she turned heads everywhere she went. And like Lady, she wasn’t about to submit to just anyone. Some men would see that spirit, admire it, and would respect her for it. Others would look at her and see that spirit; only they would want to break it; to bring her into submission just as they would a high spirited horse. Jonathon frowned at the thought of what it would take to break Alexandria’s spirit and the thought of any man attempting to do so.

“You alright?” Rusty asked from beside Jonathon and he realized that his jaw was clenched and his eyes were likely hard.

“Yeah, fine; just had an unpleasant thought is all,” he assured the man as Alexandria rode toward him. He shook his head at himself; here was comparing her to a horse after teasing Sparky for that very thing. He was losing it.

“You ready to return to the house? I have some things I need to do in the office,” Alexandria said as she rode up beside him. He had to admit that she made quite a sight sitting atop Lady. Alexandria’s back was straight and face shining with sheer enjoyment.

“Let’s go,” he agreed. As they rode back to the house, Alexandria asked Jonathon a question that had been plaguing her since Jonathon’s return from town with Lady.

“Jonathon?”

“Yes?”

“Why did you buy me a horse?” she asked.

Jonathon smiled. “I spent the better part of this morning searching for you a birthday gift. Nothing jumped out at me until I saw Lady. You know a lady in mourning is hard to shop for.”

“You didn’t have to get me anything,” she informed him.

“I wanted to.”

“Thank you, Jonathon. When’s your birthday?”

“I’m not telling,” he smiled.

“That is not fair,” she informed him.

“Sorry.”

“If you don’t tell me I’ll have to pick a day myself,” she shrugged.

“June thirteenth.”

“Thank you.”

“You know the biggest reason I bought her for you?” Jonathon said a moment later.

“Why?”

“You two connected. I bought Raven because we immediately took to each other. I think horse and owner should be a team.”

“Oh, well, thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Alexandria,” Jonathon answered with a smile.

“Rusty informed me that he knows of man in Jasper looking to sell some cattle. He said Tristan mentioned it the other day when their paths crossed in town. What do you think? Would it be a good move to replace some of the cattle we’ve lost?” Alexandria posed her question and watched him closely as he considered it.

“Perhaps, especially if we can find a couple of hands, which I might have. They are supposed to come out tomorrow for an interview. They had stopped by the livery just before I came and Mr. McAllister was able to tell me where to track them down. I wanted to meet them here on your turf and be there when they meet you.”

“You want to see firsthand their reaction to working for a woman?” Alexandria asked in understanding.

“Exactly; any hint that they’ll be a problem and they’re gone.”

“Maybe they’ll work out. I know we could use the extra hands.”

“We could. If they work out what do you say to us taking a look at these cattle?”

“I think we should,” she nodded.

“We should probably move quickly. Do you think we could contact the man through Tristan and be there all by Friday night?”

“Maybe,” she nodded.

“If this goes well tomorrow we’ll plan on it.”

“Want to join us for dinner?” Alexandria offered as they rode into the yard.

“Sure, sounds nice,” Jonathon agreed. He dismounted and reached for Alexandria.

“There you are…”

Alexandria looked up to see her mother, staring wide-eyed at her from the doorway, her words dead on her lips. Until this moment, her mother and father hadn’t known that she was working as a cowhand in men’s clothing.