A Headstrong Woman(9)

“Lillian! Mr. Stewart is trying to drive,” Alexandria chastised as she attempted to reach for her step-daughter.

“She’s fine. I love kids,” Jonathon assured her as he settled Lilly more firmly in his lap. He placed the reigns in Lilly’s hands and kept his hands below hers. Lillian shot her new mommy a triumphant smile.

“Congratulations, Mr. Stewart, she doesn’t take to just anyone but when she does she’s loyal.”

“I’m honored; it isn’t everyday a pretty lady takes up with me,” he joked with a smile.

Alexandria thought back to the previous Sunday at church and it was her turn to smile, “You must not be aware of the stir caused at church Sunday.”

Alexandria watched him color but felt no remorse for her teasing.

“I’m not unaware, I simply wish to ignore it in the hope it will go away.” His expression was so woebegone that Alexandria found herself laughing. It felt good to laugh.

“I wish you luck with that one, Mr. Stewart. I’ve seen the young ladies around here when they are taken with a fellow; they are quite relentless.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

“You’re welcome. Where are you from, Mr. Stewart?”

“South Dakota.”

“So when your wife died you decided on a change of scenery?”

“I did,” he nodded.

“Do you have any other family?”

“I have an older half-brother Lewis, he’s married to Carol and they have Missy and Nate. I have an older sister Carol, she’s married to Frank and they have twin boys Matthew and Mark, and my brother-in-law keeps joking about a Luke and John,” he shared and watched her smile. “I also have a younger brother Theodore, though we all call him Ted.”

“No mother and father?” her eyes were lit with teasing.

“A mother, Dorothy, and a father, Nicolas,” he returned on a chuckle.

“Where do they live?”

“In the same community I did in South Dakota.”

“And you left them all?” her eyes were wide in disbelief.

“Had I not I would have been perpetually haunted; there were memories everywhere,” he shared quietly.

“I guess that would be hard,” she acknowledged. “I just can’t imagine being that far from my family. They are only a few miles away and I miss them more than I ever imagined,” Alexandria admitted.

“Schedule a standing dinner date for Sunday. Emily and I alternated our families every other Sunday so we could all stay in touch,” Jonathon suggested.

“I just might do that; thanks Mr. Stewart,” she offered him a wide smile.

“You’re welcome,” he nodded as town appeared on the horizon.





Chapter Three





Alexandria entered the store, her list in one hand, and Lillian’s small hand firmly grasped in the other.

“Well, hello, Alexandria,” Mrs. Lawson, a longtime friend of her mother’s greeted. “What brings you back so soon?”

“I’m afraid I forgot some things when I was last in here,” Alexandria acknowledged.

“Oh, I had hoped perhaps you were here to buy for a coming little one but I suppose it is a little soon for that isn’t it?” the woman offered a wistful sigh. Her own daughter seemed unable to conceive and the woman seemed to be casting her own wishes onto all of her friend’s children.

Alexandria tucked her head hoping to hide the pain the woman’s comment caused; she wasn’t likely to ever be in buying for a little one of her own.

“Listen to me; I’ve embarrassed you. I’m sorry dear, you never mind my meddling and let’s get that list filled shall we?” the woman offered her an apologetic smile.

Hoping to avoid further discussion of children and babies, Alexandria handed over her list and browsed some nearby merchandise. As soon as her packages were wrapped and ready, she added a stick of licorice to the order for Lillian and beat a hasty retreat. She was quiet on the return trip to the ranch, her thoughts heavy with all of her unrealized dreams. Beside her, Mr. Stewart seemed to respect her need for quiet and kept up a steady chatter with Lillian.

“Here we are,” Jonathon announced as they rolled to a stop by the ranch house. Alexandria startled and looked around in amazement. She had been completely unaware of where she was.

“Thank you so much for your help, Mr. Stewart,” Alexandria offered as he helped her down. She started gathering her packages; she tensed when Elijah moved to help her. As soon as they were in the door she turned to her husband, her head high and back once again rigid.