Jasper who’s anxious to sell some of his herd. If the two new potential hands work out tomorrow, Jonathon, Lilly, and I are planning on going to look into it. Rusty too, though he’ll go ahead of us.”
“With who as a chaperone?” Anna’s tone was clipped.
“Anna, we’d be on a public train together, then I would be staying with my in-laws, there would hardly be call for a chaperone,” Alexandria informed her sister.
“It wouldn’t look right!” Anna argued.
“Mom, Dad, I wanted your input,” Alexandria ignored her sister. Her mother and father were looking at each other and seemingly communicating without words.
“You and Jonathon work together daily and I happen to trust him to look after you, I think it’ll be okay,” her father finally answered. “As you pointed out, the trip would be in full view of the public.”
“You can’t be serious?” Anna’s eyes were snapping with indignation. “Do you know how that will look? A single lady…”
“Don’t question your father, Anna. Besides, your sister is a widow with a ranch to run and a daughter to rear, not an innocent straight out of school,” Shirley said to her youngest.
Anna’s cheeks flushed at the reminder that she was just that.
“You want to go? Then we could be two single women traveling with a man,” Alexandria’s tone was sharp.
Anna turned a deep shade of scarlet.
Shirley gave her daughters a sharp look and both dropped their gazes to their plates.
Jonathon shifted uncomfortably at the end of the table.
“We could hire a chaperone if you’re worried about it,” Jonathon offered Alexandria.
“I’m not, however, if you are, I’ll dress as a man and pose as your brother,” she proposed.
Jonathon choked on the bite in his mouth and quickly reached for his glass; he took a long gulp before responding.
“Forgive me, Alexandria, not only would you not pass for a man, I would certainly foil that one in no time. I don’t care how you dress or what work you do, you are a lady and I can’t forget that. I think one man helping another on and off the train and holding doors might look a little funny.”
“I could cut my hair and…”
“No!” Jonathon cut her off, paused to collect himself, and continued. “Alexandria, it’s preposterous to think you could pass for a man, even if you concealed your figure, one look at your face and anyone would know.”
“Jonathon’s right, it’s silly to go to that kind of trouble, if you’re concerned enough to try disguising yourself, hire a chaperone, but I think it would be a waste of time and money to do so,” Clay spoke up.
“I agree,” Alexandria nodded and took a bit of her dinner.
“Now that that’s decided, how are you two faring?” Shirley asked her daughters.
“Fine,” Anna said coolly.
“I’m okay, I guess,” Alexandria shrugged.
“When exactly are you leaving?” Shirley asked them.
“Friday, it’s short notice and we have a lot to do, but we have to act quickly.”
“Then we’ll plan your birthday dinner for after you return,” her mother informed her.
“That’s a good idea,” Alexandria agreed.
***
Alexandria paced the confines of her office as she waited for the arrival of the potential new hands. Jonathon had agreed that if these men were going to work on the ranch that Alexandria should greet them dressed in her widow’s weeds. It would also expedite her paying a call on Tristan. A knock on the door brought Alexandria to the door where she admitted Jonathon and the two men.
“Alexandria, this is Mitchell Harris and Lenny Mills, gentleman, this is Alexandria Morris, owner of the Bison Creek Ranch.”
“Mrs. Morris,” Mitchell Harris, the taller of the two gentlemen, quickly removed his hat and bowed slightly.
Lenny Mills followed his example and did the same. The two men were opposite in coloring. Mitchell was equal to Alexandria in height with blonde hair and cool blue eyes. His face was sharp and angular in an appealing way. Lenny was stocky, his eyes nearly as dark his black hair and his complexion ruddy.
“Gentlemen, please be seated,” Alexandria invited as she circled the desk and seated herself. On top of her desk lay a list of questions that Jonathon and her father had worked up for her to ask the men. Several questions later the men seemed to be working past the worst of their nerves and were answering her questions more comfortably.
“I feel it is only fair to warn both of you that I take a hands on approach to working on this ranch and am often among the men. I