A Headstrong Woman(72)
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Alexandria was thankful that her mother-in-law never asked for an explanation of what had been going on when she apologized for making a scene. The rest of the afternoon had been uneventful and the next day had been spent touring the Morris’s dry goods store and the town of Jasper. Sunday morning when they loaded into the Morris’ carriage and started for church, Alexandria was feeling much more like herself.
At the church, Alexandria was introduced to Elijah’s childhood neighbors and friends and felt herself growing uncomfortable again. These people had known her husband better than she had. She forced a smile and swallowed her discomfort. She was still talking to the last woman she had been introduced to when a grating voice reached her ears.
“Mrs. Morris, how wonderful to see you, pray tell who is this with you?” the voice, thick with a southern accent, inquired.
Alexandria turned to find herself looking at every stereotype she had ever heard about the south. The woman was petite standing no more than five feet three inches in height. Her hair was golden blonde, her eyes sky blue, and her figure full in all the right places.
“Ellie, this is Alexandria Morris, my daughter-in-law. Alexandria, Ellie Meade,” Janice introduced them.
“Charmed I’m sure,” Ellie smiled. “And who is this?” her eyes were locked on Jonathon with rapt attention.
“This is Jonathon Stewart, the foreman on Alexandria’s ranch. Jonathon, Ellie Meade,” Janice obliged her request for an introduction. Alexandria rolled her eyes and started into the church. She had no desire to watch yet another woman fawn over her foreman. He attracted women like honey drew flies.
Alexandria would have been hard pressed to tell anyone what the sermon was about; her own thoughts had been on preparing for the trip home. Alexandria was relieved when church dismissed and anxious to start packing. If she had known that Ellie was about to invite herself to dinner she might not have been in such a hurry.
“Oh, Mrs. Morris, won’t you come have dinner with me tomorrow evening?” Ellie asked Alexandria.
“I’m sorry, Ellie, Alexandria is leaving tomorrow, however, you’re welcome to join us for dinner now,” Janice invited.
“Well aren’t you a doll. I’d be just delighted to join you,” Ellie beamed.
Alexandria forced a smile and stepped into the buggy. Janice turned back to speak with the pastor and Jonathon politely handed Ellie into the buggy before seating himself beside Alexandria. Nathaniel sat on the driver’s seat with Henry, the Morris’ driver, to make room. Janice joined them and they started the short trip to the Morris’ home.
“You have your own ranch?” Ellie inquired of Alexandria as soon as they were moving.
“It was my late husband’s but I have been running it since his death, well, with a lot of help from Jonath… Mr. Stewart, anyway,” Alexandria answered.
“How fortunate that you have someone of his talents around,” Ellie smiled; it didn’t reach her eyes. Alexandria bristled at the implication the comment held but let it go. “You sure are a pretty thing,” Ellie smiled at Lilly.
Lilly frowned at her and gazed up at the hat that seemed fixed into Ellie’s curls. When Ellie tried patting Lilly on the head the child scampered into Jonathon’s lap and frowned at Ellie.
“I’m sorry, Lilly can be a little shy,” Alexandria apologized for her daughter. Lilly stuck her index finger in her mouth and laid her head on Jonathon’s shoulder.
“You are a little ham aren’t you?” Janice asked her granddaughter.
“She thinks she owns Jonathon,” Alexandria laughed.
“She does,” Jonathon smiled.
Ellie was surveying them sharply and Alexandria shuddered. The woman came across as almost predatory.
Alexandria was relieved to arrive at the Morris’s and escape the confines of the buggy. Desiree, a gorgeous young maid of the Morris’s, had dinner waiting and served them in a hostile manner; her eyes were shooting poison at Ellie, who spent the entire meal flirting with Jonathon. It was with dread that Alexandria moved toward the parlor after the meal was over. Saying he wasn’t feeling well, Nathaniel excused himself and Janice went to put Lilly down for a nap after telling the “younger people” to enjoy themselves.
“Alexandria, Janice speaks very highly of you and hinted that you actually work out on the ranch, is that true?” Ellie turned to her as they entered the room.