A Headstrong Woman (11 page)

“All the more reason you wouldn’t notice.”

“Notice what?”

“The way he watched you.”

“He felt sorry for me; I had just buried my husband.”

“If you say so. There’s also your neighbor who was fawning over you at the house.”

“What neighbor? When did this happen?”

Alexandria’s look was rather comical and Jonathon realized she was completely oblivious of her own beauty.

“I think he owns the land to the west of you.”

“Tristan?” Alexandria was shaking her head again. “Tristan can have his pick of nearly any woman in town, despite all their parent’s warning.”

“I take it he has a reputation?”

“Notorious,” Alexandria confirmed.

“I say you’re blind to men’s interest and that they’re too intimidated to make them known.”

“As I stated, it doesn’t matter,” Alexandria insisted. “Your turn, you have developed quite a following at church, surely you’re aware of that?”

“Perhaps some time in the future I might decide to marry one of them,” he shrugged.

“But not now?”

“No.”

“Then stop fussing at me,” she said triumphantly.

“Point taken,” he smiled; his eyes were twinkling. He wasn’t sure how they had ended up on the topic in the first place though he figured it was only logical that she would remarry and probably in the not too distant future. It was odd for young, propertied widows to remain single for long. If nothing else survival dictated they remarry with haste.

Alexandria wasted no time in getting started upon arriving in town. She entered the dry goods store, measurements in hand and started selecting merchandise. She looked up about half way through her list to find Tristan approaching.

“Mrs. Morris, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you to town on such a cool day?”

“Hello, Mr. Price. I needed to pick up a few items that I had to select for myself. How are you?”

“I’m well. Are you managing okay? Word is you’re keeping the ranch.”

“I am,” she nodded.

“If I can ever help, please let me know.”

“I’ll keep your offer in mind, Mr. Price.”

“You do that, Mrs. Morris. I should let you get back to your business and return to mine.”

Alexandria, a slight frown on her face, watched him walk away. What had that been all about? True enough he had spoken with her frequently in public before her marriage but they had never been more than polite acquaintances. With a shake of her head, she finished shopping and moved to the counter. Mrs. Lawson eyed her purchases but said nothing.

Alexandria emerged from the store and in her haste to return home, bumped into a passing pedestrian. She technically shouldn’t be out.

“Oh excuse me!” she apologized.

“Alexandria! How are you?” Lane asked as he bent to gather her scattered packages.

“I’m holding up alright.”

“May I escort you to your buggy?” her packages were now tucked firmly beneath his arm.

“Certainly,” she agreed and moved down the sidewalk beside him. “I hear that you’ve become quite a business man.”

“I’ve made several land investments and already they’re paying off.”

“That’s wonderful, Lane. I know your family is glad to have you back in town. Why did you stay gone so long?” she asked and watched his cheeks heat.

Lane wasn’t about to tell her that her marriage to Elijah had driven him from town. She wouldn’t understand: he had never had the guts to make his intentions known. He wouldn’t miss the opportunity this time.

“My business took longer than I expected. Have you decided what you’re doing with the ranch?”

“What do you mean?” she asked as they stopped in front of her buggy.

“You aren’t planning on staying on the ranch…” he was starting to watch her warily.

“Actually, I am. My foreman, Jonathon,” she nodded to where he stood, “is teaching me how things work around the place.”

Lane’s eyes slid to Jonathon; his face was red, “Alexandria, a ranch full of men is no place for a lady!”

“I’m not alone out there. Millie is there and at the moment so is Anna; she’s helping me with Lilly.”

“Alexandria, any of those men could easily…”

“I don’t fear the men who work for me. Elijah was very careful about who he hired. I appreciate your concern but I am a grown,
widowed
woman. Not a child. I need to go, I hope I’ll see you at church Sunday,” she said before turning and climbing into the wagon.

Lane was glaring at her.
              “We’ll talk later,” he said before turning and stomping off.

Alexandria tucked her shaking hands into her lap. She wasn’t one to back down from a confrontation but they always left her shaken.

“Still think he isn’t interested?” Jonathon asked her as they started from town. Alexandria’s expression said she wasn’t amused. Jonathon bit back a smile and urged the team forward.

***

From his window in his bank office, Simon Moody watched Alexandria’s wagon roll from town. Alexandria Morris was a beautiful woman and now the owner of one of the most valuable pieces of property in the area. How fortunate for him that she was now available. He had watched her exchange with Lane Wilson and knew the younger man was interested. Simon knew that at forty-five he was still an attractive man with his dark hair and eyes. He hoped that Bank Owner, a title he wore proudly, would only sweeten the deal. How had Elijah won her hand, certainly not his looks or charm? Elijah had been short on both. No, he suspected that Alexandria had married the man for the position that such a marriage would give her. He had watched many women marry their way up the social ladder in his lifetime and for the first time in his life he didn’t mind providing that ladder himself.

“Mr. Moody, Dalton and Zeke Wiley are here for their appointment,” a young bank clerk announced.

“Send them in,” Simon nodded. A few moments later the two men entered and claimed seats.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Moody. What services can we provide for you?” Dalton asked. The young man was attractive, with dark hair and dark eyes, and was always well groomed. The fact that the young man was so clean cut in appearance was the reason Simon had chosen him. His slow wit brother had come in the deal.

“I want you to rustle some cattle. I’m willing to pay and pay well. Are you interested?”

“Just how well?” Dalton’s eyes were lit with interest. Simon smiled.

***

“So just why are so many of the young ladies at church fixated on me?” Jonathon asked to make conversation as they returned to the ranch.

“The word is they think you’re attractive and terribly romantic,” Alexandria informed him.

“There are other younger and more eligible men…”

“Yes, I see what you mean, you are so terribly old,” Alexandria said in mock disdain.

Jonathon was surprised by her teasing but couldn’t help smiling; he was several years younger than Elijah had been.

“I’m relieved you see it my way,” Jonathon said with a nod.               Alexandria chuckled.

“Seriously these girls don’t even know me,” Jonathon pointed out.

“Oh, you’re quite a legend didn’t you know? Everyone knows all about you.” Alexandria’s eyes were lit with mischief when he glanced at her.

“Really?” Jonathon asked cautiously.

“Really, Mr. Stewart, you are a most remarkable man if the stories are to be believed.”

“What stories?”

“Well you should know. You remember the time that you rescued you’re future wife from a horrible fire?”

“Can’t say I do.”

“That’s how you met.”

“I thought that Emily and I were neighbors and childhood sweethearts.”

“No, you rescued her.”

“Thank you for informing me.”

“You’re welcome. Of course your proposal was quite remarkable.”

“Was it?”

“Yes, proposing in front of the whole town like that.”

“And I thought I had done a bang up job of it after crashing her engagement party to another man.”

“What?” Alexandria asked attentively.

“We had a falling out; she went to visit an aunt in the city while I was working for my uncle and wrote to inform me she was marrying another. I hopped the first train I could catch.”

“Wow, that’s better than the rumors,” Alexandria informed him.

“Anything else I should know?”

“Yes, you camped by her grave for three days and had to be pulled away by several men.”

“No, I rode away before they were even through with the burial; I couldn’t bear to look back,” his voice was heavy with pain.

Alexandria winced for him; he had obviously loved his wife deeply.                “And you kept riding?” she guessed.

“I gathered a few of my things but, yes, I basically kept riding,” he admitted as the ranch came into view.

***

Alexandria, her eyes wide, stared at her image in the mirror. She had not counted on the denim pants fitting so closely. They weren’t tight, exactly, but were rather form fitting. She placed her hands on her hips and wondered when they had filled out as they had. Had she really been so distracted that she missed that?

“How bad is it?” she asked Anna, who was watching her from the bed.

“It’s not so bad really, just unconventional,” Anna had a smile on her face. “You look kind of tough.”

“Great,” Alexandria groaned, “just what I need.” She grabbed her hat, slapped it on over her braid, and yanked on her gloves. She had decided against chaps, though she did own a pair now, and carried her duster. The day had turned out warm and she planned on carrying it along rather than wearing it.

“How did you find boots to fit?” Anna inquired.

“They’re boy’s boots,” she answered as she pulled her door open. “Wish me luck,” she called as she started down the stairs. If Jonathon stared or gawked she knew she would turn right back around and march back into the house.

Jonathon stood at the bottom of the porch steps and waited for his boss to join him. Maybe with her properly attired to work they could make some progress, especially since the weather was co-operating. He still thought he was crazy for getting himself into this situation. Why had he promised Eli he’d look after her anyway? Because he hadn’t expected to have to do it, he admitted to himself. It wasn’t that he disliked Alexandria, he had no reason to, but looking after a headstrong woman wasn’t what he would call a picnic, even if her spunk did amuse him.

The door to the house opened and pulled Jonathon’s attention from his thoughts. His gaze swept over his boss and he quickly worked at schooling his features. When he had pictured her in men’s clothing, he had pictured her lost in baggy pants; he hadn’t expected her to buy them to fit. Apparently she hadn’t expected the end result either; she looked highly uncomfortable.

“Much better. Ready to work?” Jonathon tried to put her at ease. Her clothing wasn’t indecent; merely… surprising.

“Are you sure I look all right?” her hands came to her hips.

Jonathon followed the motion and then yanked his attention back to her face.

“You look ready to work.”

“I am ready,” she nodded and started down the steps. She had watched Jonathon’s reaction closely and had seen nothing to indicate that he thought anything of her clothing.

“At least I have one consolation,” Alexandria commented as she swung into the saddle, a task much easier in her new clothing, “anyone who happened along would mistake me as one of the men and think nothing of it.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Jonathon muttered under his breath as he mounted.

Alexandria didn’t hear him. Anna did and frowned at them from her position on the porch.

“Do you think the men will be uncomfortable with my being there?” Alexandria fretted.

Jonathon looked down into her upturned face and wished that he could assure her they wouldn’t.

“They’ll get used to it,” he answered instead. “Could I make one suggestion though?”

“What’s that?”

“Find a name you’re comfortable with them using. Boss might be hard to swallow and Mrs. Morris will only remind them you’re a woman.”
Like they’d need reminding,
he thought to himself.

“I’ll do that,” she nodded more to herself. “I was planning on giving them the chance to leave, no questions asked. I know some men don’t like working for a woman.”

“That’s a good idea,” he was thinking of a couple of the men who had already complained. They reached the men and Alexandria started making the rounds.

Rand answered as she had expected him to: that he was leaving to set up his own place up before his marriage to his fiancée. Rusty assured her that he had no problem working for a woman.

“Sure, aint no reason a woman caint run things,” Chris smiled.