A Headstrong Woman(81)

“We seem to have a penchant for improper conversations,” he smiled wickedly.

Alexandria colored; Jonathon’s smile widened.

“How rude of you to remind me,” she said primly as she snapped open her parasol and lay against her shoulder as a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. Alexandria heard him chuckle beside her as they resumed walking and the sound sent a tingle through her. She wasn’t certain what was happening and whether or not she liked it but she had the distinct impression that something had shifted between her and her foreman.

***





Anna stood on the platform and followed the bidding on her basket; she was wondering where Jonathon was. She had seen no sign of him since arriving in town. When she finally spotted him her cheeks heated with anger. He was with her sister! Where had Alexandria gotten the dress she was wearing and when had she changed? She watched as Jonathon leaned over to say something to Alexandria and felt envy shoot through her as Alexandria’s head tilted in laughter.

Anna had lost track of the bidding while observing Jonathon and had to be prodded toward the side of the raised platform. She found herself looking down into Frank Wilson’ smiling face; she inwardly cringed. Frank was nice enough but was a bit of a bore in her opinion. She forced a smile and accepted his hand. He led her away from the crowd and seated her on the blanket she had brought. He seemed content to sit and stare and with a resigned sigh, Anna took the initiative to start a conversation.

***





Alexandria pretended that she hadn’t heard her name when it was called but her mother appeared from nowhere and urged her forward. It was with trepidation that she mounted the platform steps and moved to the center of the stage. Lilly hid behind her skirts; Alexandria wished she could hide. The bidding started and Alexandria tried not to follow but couldn’t help herself. Tristan was the first to bid, followed by Lane and Mr. McAllister from the livery. Then Lyle Taylor, the town lawyer. Alexandria’s eyes widened as the bidding climbed. They were all after her ranch; they had to be. At least Mr. Moody was out of town on business, she mused with relief.

“One hundred dollars!” a bid from the back brought gasps from the audience and quickly gave way to surprised murmuring.

Alexandria felt herself blanch.

The men who had been bidding turned in surprise to look for the source of the bid. Alexandria didn’t have to; she knew the voice well. What was Jonathon doing?

The emcee took the stunned silence as his signal to close bidding. “Sold!” he called as he dropped his gavel.

“I want to up the bid,” Tristan called.

“I said sold, the time to up the bid was before bidding closed,” the emcee barked.

Alexandria moved to the side of the stage and accepted Jonathon’s help in descending the stairs.

“People are going to talk,” she said in a low voice.

“They already are,” he informed her and led her through the crowd.

“What do you mean they’re already talking?” she asked as they moved away from the crowd and past her sister and her companion.

“Haven’t you heard the rumors?”

“No,” she shook her head.

Of course she hadn’t, Jonathon thought, he and everyone else had been shielding her from it.

“They are. You really do look nice in that dress,” he changed the subject.

“Thank you. Jonathon, why did you bid on my basket?” she asked him as he spread out the quilt. The better question might have been why so much, she mused.

“Because I wanted to spend the day with you.”

“Jonathon, we spend every day together.”

“Working; this is playing,” he smiled and helped her ease to the ground. Alexandria opened the basket and started preparing plates. It didn’t matter why Jonathon had bid on her basket, he had paid good money and she would be good company. It wouldn’t be hard; she sincerely enjoyed Jonathon’s company anyway. She was glad he had won her basket, she decided and smiled at him as she handed him his plate.

“Thank you,” he smiled back.

She settled Lilly beside her and watched the child take her first bite of chicken. “Is it good?” she asked her daughter as she pushed a strand of hair off her forehead and watched her nod earnestly.

They sat quietly eating for several minutes before Jonathon spoke.

“Anna looks to be enjoying herself,” he commented.