queried after she had finished attempting to pluck hay from her dress and hair.
“Not yet.”
“So join us,” she offered.
“I’ll do that but I need to see to a couple of things here first.”
“Just let yourself in,” she told him as she started from the barn. “Hey Sparky,” she greeted the young cowhand as he passed her. Alexandria let herself into the house and greeted her sister, daughter, and Lilly.
“What happened to you? You’re a mess,” Anna responded.
“Do I look that bad?” Alexandria laughed. She had forgotten how good it felt to let loose and just be silly.
“You do.”
“I got in a hay fight. I haven’t been in a hay fight since we were kids; I’m going to go change.”
“It’s nice to see her so happy,” Millie commented as she stirred a pot of oatmeal.
“Who was she in a hay fight with?” Anna was frowning.
Chapter Thirteen
“What’s going on with you and Alex?” Sparky asked after Alexandria had left.
Jonathon frowned at the younger man. “What do you mean what’s going on?” Jonathon inquired as he cleaned up the mess that he and Alexandria had made.
“You two seem awfully close these days,” Sparky said nonchalantly.
“We’re friends.”
“You sure that’s all?”
“Certain. Why haven’t you told her how you feel, Sparky? Everyone but her already knows it.”
“I like her, heck, I love her, but I’m not the man she needs and I know it,” Sparky admitted as he saddled his horse. “Alexandria…she’s kind of like a thoroughbred…”
“You’re comparing her to a horse?” Jonathon was amused.
“Hear me out. She’s beautiful, but high-spirited. She needs someone who can lovingly keep her in line; I’d be mush in her hands. As much as I admire her, come time for me to settle it will be with a nice quiet woman.”
“Are you calling her a challenge?” Jonathon was starting to laugh.
“No, not exactly. You can word it how you want, she’s special and unique but… high spirited.”
“I’m expected inside, I’ll see you later, oh; I have to run to town today. Would you kind of keep an eye on Alexandria, without her knowledge of course?”
“Of course,” Sparky smiled. “Hey, Jonathon, why don’t you call her Alex like all the other guys?”
“I’ve been calling her Alexandria since before she decided she was Alex, she’s Alexandria to me,” he shrugged.
“Just wondered; see you when you get back from town.”
“See you, Sparky.” Jonathon mounted the porch and entered the house. He stepped into the kitchen for Millie to survey him and laugh.
“Who won?” she inquired.
Anna turned to look him over; her face flushed with anger. Her back rigid, she quickly turned back to her cooking.
“We called a truce,” Jonathon answered.
“You’re a mess,” Alexandria smiled as she breezed through the door and pulled a piece of hay from his hair.
“Shoulda changed huh?” he smiled back.
“Nah, just go brush off good,” she suggested.
Anna plunked the biscuit pan onto the stovetop with more force than necessary, and viciously stabbed each biscuit to transfer them to a plate. Friendship was one thing, but flirting?
“What’s wrong with you?” Alexandria asked her sister.
“Nothing,” Anna bit out.
“Could have fooled me,” Alexandria frowned at her sister. “Does this have anything to do with the hay fight?”
“How perceptive,” Anna responded, then clammed up when Jonathon reentered the room. They were soon seated and plates were being passed around the table.
“Did someone attack the biscuits?” Jonathon inquired as he surveyed the damaged top of his biscuit. Alexandria watched her sister turn several shades of red as she busied herself with pouring a ridiculous amount of gravy over her own biscuit. Jonathon’s question went unanswered. After breakfast, Alexandria followed Jonathon outside.
“I need to go to town today; I meant to tell you yesterday. I have some personal business to see to.”
“Oh,” Alexandria looked taken back “okay, I have work here anyway,” she shrugged. She looked so lost that Jonathon almost invited her along, but he couldn’t.
Alexandria walked past him, into the barn, and saddled Spirit. Jonathon, anxious to have his trip over with, left for town. Jonathon combed town three times in search of a gift for Alexandria before settling on one. Once he had, he could only pray that Alexandria wouldn’t do bodily harm to him. It was with a smile and prayer that he left town.
***
Alexandria felt at loose ends all morning without Jonathon on the range with her and the men. Nick had been watching her intently and Alexandria finally decided to return to the house about lunchtime. Alexandria had just finished eating her lunch with Lilly and Millie; Anna had