A Headstrong Woman(82)
Alexandria looked over her shoulder to where her sister was laughing at something Frank had said and frowned. She knew her sister well enough to know it was a forced laugh.
“I hope she is,” Alexandria commented. She had the feeling that while she’d had no part in Jonathon winning her basket that she would be the one to catch it from Anna later.
***
Anna forced another laugh at another lame joke and prayed for the plays the children were giving to begin. She owed Frank her first dance and then the night was hers. Anna had tried every ploy she knew to catch Jonathon’s attention since he had passed with her sister but other than a smile and polite nod; she had failed completely. Every other man there had cast interested glances at her but the one man whose attention she wanted. She had thought to make him jealous with her obvious ‘enjoyment’ of Frank’s attention but it wasn’t working. There was a lull in conversation with Frank and she knew she should say something to fill it but could think of nothing.
“Those two look good together,” Frank commented and nodded to where her sister and Jonathon were seated.
Anna frowned. “They’re just friends. She avoids men, he avoids women, and I suspect eating together was their way avoiding others,” Anna quickly explained. It was what she had been telling herself since they passed.
“He’s looks pretty interested to me,” Frank shrugged as though it didn’t matter.
“With Alexandria? No, they’re just friends,” she said a little too sharply.
“You like him,” Frank said with sudden understanding. “Of course, why shouldn’t you? Every other girl in these parts does. Why do you girls do that? Jonathon’s a great guy best as I can tell but what is it about him that makes you girls so all fired interested?” Frank demanded.
“I’m sorry, Frank; I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
“I’m fine but I want you to answer my question,” he responded.
“Well to state the obvious, he’s a very good looking man. At first he seemed kind of mysterious and to a lot of the girls I think he still is, but I got to know him and he’s… just the kind of guy you want around,” she finished rather lamely; she was unable to express her thoughts.
“Thank you for answering, I hope that we can still enjoy the evening as friends?”
“That would be nice,” she smiled and relaxed for the first time that day. The start of the skits was signaled and the scattered crowd reassembled at the stage to watch the children’s performance.
***
Alexandria laughed at the children’s antics and found that she was enjoying herself very much. One of her school chums wandered over and they greeted each other warmly.
“Rose, how are you?” Alexandria asked her friend.
“I’m great, this is little Abigail,” she indicated her baby.
“Oh, she’s beautiful, Rose,” Alexandria stroked the little one’s cheek.
“You can hold her,” Rose offered and gently transferred the baby into Alexandria’s arms. Alexandria, her heart aching, stared down at the little one. Holding the baby was a mistake; it only reminded her of what she was missing.
“I don’t believe we’ve met,” Rose said to Jonathon.
“Where are my manners?” Alexandria shook herself from her melancholy. “Rose, this is Jonathon Stewart. Jonathon, Rose Perry.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Perry,” Jonathon extended his hand. “You have a beautiful daughter.”
“Thank you, I think she is but I’m biased. You may hold her if you like, you look like you have some experience with children,” Rose offered.
“I’d like that very much,” he admitted.
Alexandria reluctantly handed the baby over. At first she thought Jonathon looked odd holding the tiny baby in his strong arms, but in further reflection decided he looked rather natural with her.
“Hi, cutie,” Jonathon said to the baby. She cooed and flailed her little fist in the air gleefully.
“She likes you, Mr. Stewart,” Rose told him with a wide smile.
“Of course she does, every female he encounters likes him,” Alexandria rolled her eyes. Lilly tugged at Jonathon’s arm and glared at the baby’s bottom.
“I think someone is jealous,” Jonathon acknowledged. “Thank you for your trust, Mrs. Perry,” he said as he handed her baby back to her and lifted Lilly into his arms.