A Headstrong Woman (10 page)

“And you are more than welcome for you and Lilly to join us,” her father added.

“We’ve been discussing it this morning and what we want to know is if you wish to remain here? We know you have no experience ranching but we know you are an intelligent woman and we will be available if you need us,” Nathaniel offered.

Alexandria’s eyes widened. Run the ranch herself?

“Jonathon, Mr. Stewart, has agreed to stay on as foreman and is more than capable of helping you learn the lay of the land so to speak. With his help and your father and brother checking in, we believe you could learn to run this place by yourself.”

She glanced at Mr. Stewart and found him watching her; his expression was neutral but his eyes seemed to be conveying confidence in her. Alexandria felt her heart lift with hope, she could, couldn’t she?

“This place should be kept and maintained for Lilly,” she mused aloud.

“A part of it, yes, but I don’t think that you should work and maintain it all these years to end up with nothing. This is a large ranch thanks to Elijah’s forethought in buying up small parcels over the years. I propose we set a part of it in trust for Lilly upon reaching her majority and that the remainder should be yours. If we take that approach, you will be getting your investment and work out of it and her part will be protected should you remarry.”

“I seriously doubt that will be an issue,” Alexandria stated confidently. Her mother and father frowned but said nothing.

“Either way, I think that is the best approach,” Nathaniel offered.

Alexandria nodded her agreement. “I want to do it,” she announced; excitement was starting to take root.

“It will be difficult to run this place and raise Lilly alone,” Janice warned, “but we think you are more than capable.”

“I could stay and help with Lilly for a while, just until she learns her way around ranching. That way she won’t be worrying over Lilly’s care,” Anna offered.

Clay and Caroline exchanged glances before seeming to reach an unspoken agreement.

“That’s Alexandria’s decision, though she might appreciate your help.”

“Thanks, Anna, I think I’ll take you up on that,” Alexandria smiled in her direction.

“There are papers and things we will need to go over and sign, and there is a lien on the property at moment but if the ranch continues to do as well as it has been you shouldn’t have any trouble paying it off. I would for you if I were able.”

“Okay, I’m sure I can manage and if I have questions Daddy isn’t that far away,” Alexandria nodded confidently. She was going to do it; she was going to be independent!

Alexandria sat in the desk chair; Mr. Stewart was seated opposite her. She knew he had agreed to remain on and help her but she suspected the request she was about to make might surprise him.

“Nathaniel and my father prepared and tutored me quite well in the business end of this ranch and I understand that you agreed to help me obtain general knowledge of what each man here does. I, however, would like to work side by side out there with the men and see what they do for myself,” Alexandria explained her reason for asking him to meet with her. She watched his brows wing up in surprise as he shifted in his chair.

“With all due respect, Mrs. Morris, that is hardly necessary.”

“I feel it is. Look, Mr. Stewart, let’s be honest here. Some of those men are probably less than thrilled at the idea of working for a woman. I myself am not comfortable asking them to do something that I haven’t even tried. I would like an opportunity to show them I respect them and what they do and to earn their respect. I feel this is the best way to do that.”

Jonathon studied her a moment; he knew he was going to regret this.

“Alright; you want to work like a man? No skirts, no side saddle; you need sturdy britches, chaps, a long sleeved top, a hat and water proof over coat. Oh yeah, and a bandana. Can you meet those terms?” Jonathon laid his offer on the table.

Alexandria opened her mouth, closed it, and with chin held high nodded.

“Good, I’ll see you first thing tomorrow.”

“After lunch,” Alexandria countered.

Jonathon paused in standing and met her direct gaze; he nodded. “After lunch it is. Dress warmly, it looks like rain.” With that Jonathon stood, placed his hat on his head and excused himself.

Alexandria hurried to go through the crate of Eli’s clothes that had not yet been donated to the church. After a fair amount of digging she had found a few things that she thought would work. A few alterations and she laid her clothes aside to have a quick lunch. By the time Mr. Stewart arrived at the house Alexandria was pulling on the boots she had found.

Jonathon chatted politely with Anna as he waited for Alexandria to appear. When she did it was all he could do not to laugh; Anna did. Alexandria had hemmed a pair of Elijah pants and taken in the waist, leaving the material to balloon from her slender waist. Her shirt, one of her own, only emphasized how badly the pants fit. Her hat, a floppy gardening number, wouldn’t last a moment in the rain. The bandana at least fit. When his gaze landed on her feet it was to find boots at least two sizes too big on them.

“I couldn’t make the chaps fit,” she admitted as she pulled on the coat she had dug out. She rolled the sleeves several times before pulling on the too large pair of gloves she’d shoved in her pockets.

“It’ll be alright today,” Jonathon muttered. It was probably the only thing that was alright for the day. “Let’s go,” Jonathon opened the door for her and waited.

Alexandria was relieved to find that he had already saddled the horses. She had plenty of experience at it but Elijah’s horse, which she would be using, was seventeen hands tall and not easily saddled.

Jonathon waited for her to mount before showing her the property boundaries as Elijah had started his training. When it started raining, Jonathon asked Alexandria, where she was slumped miserably in her saddle, if she was ready to go back to the house. She pulled herself up straight and refused. By the time they joined the men Alexandria’s hat was dumping water on her by the brim full and she was soaked. Water had found its way in her ill-fitting clothing and she was so cold it was all she could do to keep her teeth from chattering. She had long ago discarded her too large gloves and her too large boots were rubbing blisters onto her heels. Several of the men watched her but said little.

Jonathon finally had his fill of it and with a firm tug on Raven’s reigns, turned to escort back to the house. She was quiet on the return trip, her shoulders no longer quite as straight as they had been a few hours earlier.

“You need to get dry,” he informed her as he helped her from the saddle. “Are you still determined to do this?”

Jonathon watched her chin come up and knew the answer. “Then I’ll teach you, really teach you. But first, tomorrow we’re going to town and you’re purchasing clothing that fits,” he informed her. “Come on, let me see your heels, I know they have to be raw,” he said as he started for the house.

Alexandria stared at his retreating back and wondered how he had known about her heels. She followed him and claimed a seat in the rocking chair he indicated. Alexandria couldn’t stop the small yelp that escaped when Jonathon pulled off first her boots and then her socks. The backs of her heels were bloodied.

Jonathon sighed and met her gaze. “I’ll give you one thing, Mrs. Morris, you have an iron will,” his tone held begrudging admiration. “I’ll be right back with some ointment. Your hands are raw too aren’t they?” he surveyed them before leaving the porch. Alexandria leaned back in her chair; she felt like a chastised child. She had only been trying to meet his requirements after all. He returned moments later and Alexandria reached for the jar of ointment.

“I’ll do it,” Jonathon informed her.

Alexandria intended to argue but he was already applying the ointment with surprising gentleness.

“Do me a favor, next time tell me when you’re soaked through and through and your heels and are being rubbed raw, okay?” he glanced up at her. He found her blinking back tears but nodding in agreement. He applied more of the ointment to her hands.

“Thank you,” she said softly when he was through. It had been both a humbling and discomforting experience for Alexandria. She wasn’t used to letting anyone but her family look after her. Alexandria was about to enter the house when he stopped her.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t more help today. It’s not that I think a woman is incapable, I just don’t believe you should have to. I’ll see you in the morning and we’ll get you properly outfitted for the job,” he told her.

“Thank you,” she said again and watched him walk across the yard to the barn. Her foreman was turning out to be an interesting man, she decided as she entered the house. She spent dinner being grilled about Jonathon by her sister; then enlisted her sister’s help in taking her measurements.

***

The next morning Alexandria dressed in her hated widow’s weeds and prepared for a trip to town. She again emerged from the house to find things ready and waiting; the team already pulled up close to the porch.

“Good morning, Mrs. Morris,” Jonathon greeted as his gaze slid over her. She looked stark in her mourning clothes. Her face was pale and her green eyes too solemn for someone as young as she must be. She had been through more than her fair share, he reminded himself. Even if he didn’t relish the task ahead of him he had made a promise to Elijah and he would keep it. Besides, Alexandria was going to need all the help she could get though she didn’t know that yet.

“Good morning, Mr. Stewart,” she returned. He helped her into the buggy before setting their course for town.

Alexandria was quiet for a moment before she turned to look at her foreman thoughtfully.

“What was she like?”

“Emily?” Jonathon glanced at her.

Alexandria nodded and watched him smile.

“She was incredibly soft hearted, loved kids,” Jonathon fell quiet. “It broke her heart when our first two were stillborn.”

“She sounds nice.”

“She was. She was also the cutest little petite thing I’d ever seen.”

“Petite,” Alexandria muttered the word with a grimace.

“I’m sorry, touchy subject?” Jonathon glanced her way.

Alexandria hadn’t meant to speak aloud and could only nod for a moment. “Martha, that was Elijah’s first wife, was a petite woman. Both my sisters are petite; me I’m…well not.”

“There’s nothing wrong with your height, ma’am.”

“I’m sorry but do you have any idea what it’s like to be taller than most of the guys in your class?” she demanded.

A smile tugged at Jonathon’s mouth. “Yes, actually, I do.”

“I meant if you’re a girl,” she said in exasperation.

“But I’m not; I get your point. There’s nothing wrong with your height.”

“Well it doesn’t matter anyway, I have no intention of remarrying so men and their fickle preferences are no concern of mine,” Alexandria stated matter of factly.

“Obviously it does concern you or it wouldn’t be a sore spot,” he argued.

“It is
not
a sore spot, Mr. Stewart,” Alexandria corrected him.

“Do me a favor please? If we’re going to be working together every day do you think you could call me Jonathon?” he looked her direction to determine if she was offended.

“Okay, Jonathon, you can call me Alexandria.”

“How did you meet Elijah, Alexandria?” Jonathon changed the subject.

“I’ve always known Elijah.” Alexandria, not wanting to get into an explanation, shrugged.

It was quiet for a moment before Jonathon spoke again.

“The boys teased you in school right?” Jonathon glanced at her.

“What?” Alexandria frowned at him.

“About your height.”

“Relentlessly,” she admitted. “If not for my mama I might have spent the whole of my school years walking like a hunch back so as not to draw attention to my height.”

“They were either threatened or trying to flirt. Boys can be kind of stupid that way.”

“Trust me they weren’t. Later, it was my petite sisters and friends who got all the callers and attention; it didn’t take me long to figure out the men were put off by my height,” she added.

“I don’t think it was your height that intimidated them,” he countered.

“Intimidated them
!” Alexandria’s look was both incredulous and somewhat demeaning as though she felt Jonathon was off his rocker.

“Alexandria, I don’t know you well and haven’t known you long, but as soon as you’re threatened you throw up this front of cool confidence. A confident woman can be very intimidating to a young man,” Jonathon told her.

“No,” Alexandria dismissed him with a shake of her head.

“That’s why your friend had come rushing back into town?”

“What friend; what are you talking about?”

“At the funeral.”

“Lane?” Alexandria was totally flabbergasted. “I have known Lane my entire life!”