Alexandria sighed at her sister’s persistence. “Of course he was but that does not tell you whether you two would suit as husband and wife. That is a lot harder to discern, trust me on this please?”
“Why; what’s wrong, Lexie? Is Eli not treating you well?” Anna was immediately alert.
Alexandria realized too late her mistake. “We got off to a rough start but we are doing much better now. He loved Martha so deeply, Anna, and I didn’t know him half as well as I believed myself to. I just don’t want to see you hurt or see you struggle. Just be sure when you marry that you know the man; okay?”
“I will, Lexie. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Positive. We had a long talk last night and I really think we’re making progress now.”
“Good. So, all that aside, what have you been doing? I mean you have a housekeeper; do you still cook and stuff?”
“I do, but it doesn’t all fall on my shoulders, which honestly is a relief. I’m rather accustomed to teamwork,” Alexandria offered her former teammate a smile.
“I know Mama misses you, though she tries to be brave about it. Daddy says at least you aren’t all the way in California the way Catherine is. Oh! Speaking of Catherine, we received another letter; she says she sent one to you too.”
“I haven’t gotten it yet, though if it came since Tuesday, no one’s been back by the post office yet. I’ll be glad when they get the free rural delivery service started out in this area.”
“I know, it will be nice,” Anna agreed.
“Can I have another cookie, please?” Lilly requested.
“One more,” Alexandria consented.
“You make a good mother, Lexie, I can’t wait for a new niece or nephew; to think I’ll have them close enough to see,” Anna’s smile was wistful; she had yet to meet Catherine’s two children.
“Right,” Alexandria busied herself with wiping crumbs from the table.
“What is it, Lexie?” Anna’s face immediate became drawn.
“I should check the bread,” Alexandria jumped up to open the oven and peer into its hot interior.
“Don’t try changing the subject on me, Lexie, what’s wrong?”
“What if I never have children?” Alexandria countered almost angrily.
“Is that what you’re worried about? You haven’t been married all that long, Alexandria,” Anna sank back in relief. Her gaze, however, stayed on Alexandria.
“You’re right of course,” Alexandria forced a smile.
“I don’t suppose I could get a tour of the house could I?” Anna’s expression was teasing.
“I’m sorry, Anna! I was so glad to see you that I didn’t think anything about it. Let me just ask Millie to keep an eye on the bread and I’ll give you the grand tour.”
“I was just returning,” Millie offered as she entered.
“Thanks, Millie. Well, Anna, we’ll start here on the first floor. You’ve seen the parlor of course and I’ve not changed anything in there and of course the old dining room is Millie’s quarters. I’ll give you a quick peek into Eli’s study and office and then show you the upstairs.” Alexandria stood and lifted Lilly to her hip.
A few steps brought them to the office door directly across from the kitchen and Alexandria opened the door almost cautiously. This was not territory she had spent much time in; none, truth be told.
“This is the office or study I guess both apply,” Alexandria indicated the interior with a sweep of her hand and then quickly pulled the door to and indicated the back stairway which stood nearly directly beside them.
“I can’t believe that in all the years we knew Elijah and Martha I have never been up here but I haven’t,” Anna mused aloud as they topped the stairs into a wide hallway the same dimensions as the one below. The upstairs, however, contained more rooms.
“That’s my room,” Lilly pointed to her own room.
“We’ll start there,” Alexandria gave her step-daughter an indulgent smile. Alexandria stepped into the room and let Anna look around at the pale yellow walls and floral curtains that had been lovingly decorated for the little girl that had now become Alexandria’s whole life. Alexandria couldn’t see this room without recalling Martha’s excitement while decorating for a then infant Lillian.
“It’s a beautiful room,” Anna acknowledged.
“It is. I still remember Martha showing it to me once when I came to call with Mama; I think you were at school that day.”
“Rub it in that you’re older,” Anna crinkled her nose at her sister.
“In a few years you’ll be rubbing in that you’re younger,” Alexandria predicted with a smile. They continued down the hall to the middle room which was set up a guest room as Lillian was the only child. The front room was the same.
“Here’s my favorite,” Alexandria crossed the hall and opened the bathroom. A pull chain toilet dominated the back wall with a sink to the right and the tub to the left. Her childhood home had an indoor toilet but not an in room tub.
“It’s big! Ooohh, look at the tub and a sink!” Anna walked into the room and looked around in awe.
“Isn’t it great? I love to soak in this tub,” Alexandria admitted. “Elijah added this after Martha got sick.”
“Wow! You think I can convince Daddy to add one?” Anna’s eyes were sparkling with merriment.
“Good luck,” Alexandria smiled in return. They exited the bath and Alexandria showed Anna the sewing room which was smaller due to the bathroom enlargement taking from its square footage. A small bed and chest did occupy the corner in case it was needed for guests but the room was predominately used for sewing projects including several dresses Alexandria was currently working on for Lilly.
“Where’s your room?” Anna queried as they exited the sewing room.
“Right here beside the bath,” Alexandria led her into the room overlooking the back yard and porch. The room was done in a rose patterned paper and was dominated by a large four poster bed, flanked by windows. A chifferobe sat opposite the bed and the wall the door occupied contained a chest of drawers and a long full length mirror. The wall opposite the door held the fireplace flanked by two arm chairs and two more windows. In the corner was a dressing table and stool.
“It’s very lovely,” Anna commented as she walked around the room and trailed her fingers over the furniture.
“It is,” Alexandria acknowledged. Her home wasn’t as large and grand as some in their community but was relatively well appointed.
“What a large wardrobe,” Anna pulled the doors open to admire the interior. Her face crumpled and her lips came between her teeth as she closed the doors and turned to her sister.
“I think I hear a buggy coming; it’s probably Daddy,” Alexandria quickly announced before her sister could ask questions. Alexandria led the way and hurried for the main staircase as fast as her feet would carry her.
“I haven’t seen this room,” Anna protested as she deviated from her sister’s trail and into the last remaining room. She stopped short just inside the door and then turned to frown at her sister who now stood behind her. That Elijah occupied the room was obvious. His brush and hair tonic sat on the dresser as well as a photo of Martha; a pair of his trousers lay across a chair. Anna turned and marched to the wardrobe and opened it to find it filled with Elijah’s clothes.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Alexandria said before her sister could even speak.
“You aren’t sharing a room?” Anna stared at her sister in horror. “Do mom and dad know?”
“No, and you aren’t going to tell them either. There is nothing they can do to fix this, Anna. This is between me and my husband and I don’t want to talk about it.” Alexandria left her sister standing in the room and hurried down the stairs. Her father was just being admitted by Millie.
“Hi, Daddy, how was town,” Alexandria greeted him with a kiss on his cheek. She set Lilly on her feet and let her trail Millie back into the kitchen.
“Busy. I
hope that you and Elijah don’t mind but I picked up your mail while I was there.”
“Thanks, Daddy, I appreciate that and I’m sure Elijah will as well.”
“Hi, Daddy,” Anna reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Are you alright, sweetheart?” Clay asked of his youngest.
“Just a little tired I think,” Anna forced a smile.
“Well, we’re headed home. I would stay for that promised coffee but it’s looking as though it may rain.”
“I understand, Daddy. I’m glad you came by and brought Anna. Tell Mom I love her.”
“I will,” her dad promised.
“Come see me again soon,” Alexandria hugged her sister.
“I will,” she answered.
“Please do,” Alexandria encouraged and followed them onto the porch; she waved as they climbed into the buggy and pulled away. Dreading the long afternoon ahead, she turned back to the house.
Chapter Four
“I have a beautiful wife,” Elijah commented as he and Jonathon worked in the barn together that afternoon.
“Congratulations,” Jonathon grinned at his boss and friend.
“For what? Last night I suddenly realized that my wife is a woman and now I feel like a gangly teen age boy and you’re congratulating me?” Elijah wasn’t amused.
“Sorry,” Jonathon’s smile belied his words. “How old are you, Boss?”
“Thirty-seven.”
“Hardly a gangly teenage boy.”
“Thanks but that doesn’t stop me from feeling like one.” Elijah was quiet for a moment as he filled a bucket with feed. “How old are you, Jonathon?”
“Twenty-six.”
“Still young; appreciate it while it lasts,” Elijah offered a self-depreciating smile before disappearing into a stall. He reemerged shaking his head. “I take back what I said about feeling like a gangly teenage boy beside her; most the time I feel more like an old man.”
Jonathon smiled; he was curious as to just how much of an age gap there was between the newlyweds but he didn’t dare ask.
“Tonight I plan to take your advice and spend some time with her. We talked last night but that was more me apologizing for being a jerk since she arrived.” Elijah scooped the bucket into the feed again as Jonathon began cleaning one of the stalls.
“Good luck.”
“Thanks, I’ll need it. I have to tell you, I’m very glad you showed up here, Jonathon, you’re proving to be a good friend.”
“Thanks, everyone can use a friend.”
“How are you holding up, Jonathon? You don’t say much about it but I know firsthand the first few months are the hardest.” Elijah paused outside the stall.
“I’m alright most the time, especially when I’m busy. Others…others are hard. Yesterday would have been her birthday.”
“That was a hard day for me too,” Elijah acknowledged.
“It was a hard one, Boss,” Jonathon nodded.
“Call me Eli, Jonathon. You may be my employ but as I’ve already stated; you’ve come to be a good friend to me.”
“Thanks, Eli,” Jonathon returned before both men concentrated on their chores.
***
Alexandria entered the barn later that afternoon while Lilly was taking her nap and carried an apple to her favorite team horse. Spunky snorted and greeted her affectionately before claiming the offered treat from her out stretched hand. The door opened and Alexandria nodded at one of the hands she didn’t know as well.
“Afternoon, Mrs. Morris,” the man tugged his hat brim in greeting.
“Afternoon,” Alexandria returned with cool politeness.
“You sure are a pretty thing; how’d that old geezer pull that off?” the man had come to lean on the stall next to Spunky’s. “How old are you anyway, sweet thing?”
Alexandria glowered at the man and studied him a moment before answering. He looked to be in his early twenties, his hair dirty blonde and eyes brown. His face was sharp and cruel; she shuddered.
“Old enough,” she responded.
“Why’d you up and marry an old man?” The man’s gaze raked over her as he talked.
“I married my husband because I love him,” she bit out impatiently before turning and moving to the stall of the other team horse. She hoped that the man would take the hint and leave her be.
“Then you must be disappointed. I was under the impression that he married you to care for his brat by his sainted wife,” Nick threw the barb at her and watched it hit its mark. She visibly flinched. “Aware of it are you? What a waste; you’re so beautiful,” the man reached out to brush his knuckles up and down her arm.
Alexandria’s nostrils flared in indignation as she yanked her arm away from him. “I don’t recall giving you permission to use my given name Mr…”
“Name’s Nick,” the man smiled.
“Sir! And I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your hands off me,” she spat at him before moving to step around him. She realized her mistake too late.
“Feisty are you?” Nick grabbed her arm.
Alexandria stiffened. “Please remove your hand from my arm or I will be forced to go to my husband.”
“Is that a threat?” Nick was amused.
“What’s going on here?” a familiar voice demanded. Nick quickly released Alexandria’s arm and stepped away.
“Nothin’,” Nick turned and rushed away.
“Are you alright, Mrs. Morris?” Jonathon asked as he stepped toward her.
“I’m fine, Mr. Stewart; thanks for your aide. He was being…rude is all.”
“Listen, Mrs. Morris, I don’t exactly trust Nick and I’m not sure Eli does either. You need to watch your step around that one and you need to tell Eli what happened,” Jonathon advised as he searched her pale face.
“Thank you for the warning, Mr. Stewart,” Alexandria offered a tense smile before she hurried from the barn.
She wouldn’t tell Eli, he had seen it in her face.
“Head strong,” he muttered as he turned to the task that had brought him to the barn in the first place.
Alexandria, her limbs still shaking, collapsed onto her bed. Never had anyone made her feel so cheap in her life! Alexandria shuddered as she rubbed her arms and wished she could erase the memory of how he had looked at her and the way he had touched her arm. That he had known the state of her marriage only added insult to injury. Did everyone know? Was it obvious?
Since she and Elijah had spoken things had been less strained between them. Breakfast and lunch had actually been pleasant but she had already made up her mind not to expect anything from her husband. That way she didn’t risk being disappointed.
Alexandria stood, checked her appearance, and decided to go work on Lilly’s dresses. She had no time to sit around feeling sorry for herself. What had happened in the barn had come to nothing and she was fine. Regardless what Mr. Stewart had advised she had no intention of telling Elijah what had happened.
Chapter Five
If there was one benefit to the extremely cold Montana winter, it was that Elijah was in the house more often. Being in the house more often meant he could observe his wife and get to know her better. Once they had agreed to get to know each other and she had relaxed, he found her company to be delightful. She had a way of telling stories about Lilly’s antics throughout the day that kept him laughing in the evening. She kept the house graced with greenery or color of some nature all through the bleak days and her smile could easily light a room. Just before Christmas he cut a tree and brought it in for her to decorate.
Watching her and Lilly made him feel old. Alexandria was full of energy; she turned the tree decorating into a game. She and Lilly cut snowflakes from paper, Alexandria knit angles; together they all strung popcorn for a popcorn chain. Elijah wasn’t certain if he would call what he was feeling for his wife love, but he was certainly more drawn to her by the day.
It was on a blustery cold evening in late March that Elijah first kissed his wife.
Lilly was already in bed and he was escorting Alexandria upstairs for the night. She had stopped at the door to her room and turned to him with a smile.
“Thank you for the beautiful hair combs. They were a wonderful present,” she told him. He had intended to give her the combs for Christmas but had chickened out. Seeing her hair pulled up on the sides with the rest hanging down her back in soft curls had impacted him more than he feared. He was learning not to fear his growing attraction to her. He had come to realize that learning to like her, perhaps even love her was not a betrayal of Martha at all.
“They suit you,” Elijah’s hand came to her jaw to tilt her chin as he stepped forward. He kissed her gently, then again more ardently. It took Elijah a moment to register that Alexandria wasn’t responding. He broke the kiss and looked into her tear filled eyes.
“I’m sorry, Elijah; I’m not ready,” she whispered.
He released her and took a step backward. “I understand.”
“I am so sorry,” she repeated before hurrying into her room and shutting the door behind her.
Elijah was surprised at the sting the rejection left. Your pain is only a fraction of what she felt when you left standing alone on her wedding night, a voice taunted. Elijah winced; then nodded his agreement with the words. His heart heavy, he turned for his room.
Alexandria sank against her door as tears streamed down her face. She hated that she had hurt her husband and her friend, but a friend was all he was to her. After months of getting to know her husband she had come to count him as a friend but felt none of the attraction she had initially felt for him when she had married him. It was as though the more she got to know him the less attractive he was as a mate but that was what he was, her mate. She had just turned her husband away from her bed and if her mother knew she would give her a tongue-lashing. She should go to him and invite him into her room or herself into his but couldn’t do it, not yet; she needed time to adjust to the idea.
A Headstrong Woman Page 4
