“Because I think you just did. I don’t know if the years have changed his philosophy, but he used to feel the same way you do. No hanky-panky until after marriage.”
“Good for him, but what does that have to do with me working for him? I’d think that would make you even more comfortable with the idea. Or do you think I’m going to lead him astray? Honestly, Mary. It sounds like you’ve got a case on him. You can have him. All I want is the job.”
The line was silent for a few moments. Finally Mary let loose with a heavy sigh. “We’re all only human. We can all be tempted. It’s fine to have high ideals about not going too far, but the reality of it is, it can happen before you realize what is happening.”
“Oh, come on. When you start removing your clothes, naive or not, you’ve got to realize you’re doing something wrong. All it takes is the resolve to stop - provided you actually want to stop.”
“Bingo. Maybe you won’t want to.”
“With Mr. Cade?” Cynthia rolled her eyes in exasperation. “You have nothing to worry about. Even if he were a gorgeous stud, I wouldn’t become romantically involved with my boss. You know how I feel about that sort of thing.”
Mary’s tone became dry again. “I know. You’ve told me a zillion times. But ... Oh, what’s the use? Did you call me to get my opinion or to tell me you’re going to take the job? It sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”
“I know. It’s just that it sounds so right. You can’t imagine how I’ve missed the country. I hate it in town, and the diner is so...boring. Besides, this way I can save some money. The way things are going now, I’m lucky to save ten dollars a week.”
“How many times have I offered to let you stay with me - free? Even if you paid me half my rent, you could still save money.”
“I know, and I appreciate your offer. But that’s a good way to ruin a terrific friendship. We’ve been all through this a zillion times.”
Silence again.
“Mary?”
“I’m still here. You’d better give this some serious thought. I know you’re attracted to him, but...”
“The only thing I’m attracted to is his job offer - and the idea of getting out of this gossipy little town.”
“Whatever. Just think it over and don’t jump into something you might live to regret.”
For the next week Cynthia listened to - and even found herself instigating - discussions about Mr. Cade. When picking up her mail at the post office, she often talked to Adrena. Being the only postal employee in a small town, the petite extrovert was always ready for conversation. She had an opinion about everything – and an uncanny habit of being right.
“Nothing today,” Adrena said as Cynthia dug in her purse for the box key.
“Again” Cynthia sighed, abandoning her search. “How are things going today?”
“Same old same old. How about you?”
“Nothing much – as usual.”
“You ought to go out once in a while. People are starting to wonder if you don’t like them.”
Adrena never minced words. Cynthia shrugged.
“You know how I am.”
“Yeah,” Adrena snickered. “Not much better than the hermit. At least he’s coming to town regular now – regular for him.”
“He does seem a bit reclusive.” Cynthia responded, focusing her attention on a speck of dirt on the counter. “I don’t know much about him.”
Adrena's laugh was short and humorless. “You haven’t missed much.”
Cynthia looked up at Adrena. “Do you know him?”
Adrena rolled her eyes. “Nobody knows Russell Cade. Do you remember that rumor in school? Oh yeah, you weren’t around here then. I never believed it anyway. I figured his sister started it because she was jealous of him. I guess his stepfather thought more of him than her. After she got married and moved to Colorado the family information stopped – if you know what I mean. He comes in now and then to get things, but don’t talk much.” Adrena grinned. “Kind of like you.”
Cynthia smiled. “Maybe he’d rather listen than talk.”
Adrena stamped a letter. “I guess so. From what I hear, he’s pretty...frugal; I guess would be the best word. Dependable, though. Mr. Catlin at the bank says he’s as honest as they come. The ranchers around here say they can always count on him to help when they’re in a bind. Even so, I don’t know anyone who admits to understanding him - much less calling him a friend. He’s a strange one.”
“It sounds like he’s a respectable person who likes to keep to himself.”
“Yeah.” Adrena said, wrinkling her nose. “A regular hermit.”
“I guess being reclusive is a poor way to make friends.” Cynthia shrugged. “On the other hand, maybe it’s a good way to avoid trouble.”
Adrena tipped her head to the side and studied Cynthia thoughtfully for a moment. “Is that why you don’t date?”
Cynthia’s face grew warm. “Maybe so. Men can be a trial sometimes.”
“Like your father?” Adrena’s gaze was probing.
“That was different. My father couldn’t do anything about his health.”
Adrena lifted her brows and tossed the letter in a slot. “He could have gone to a nursing home so he wasn’t such a burden on his daughter.”
“He offered to do that. I wouldn’t let him. How could I enjoy myself knowing he was being tended to and surrounded by strangers?”
Adrena nodded. “That sounds like your kind of logic - always thinking of the other person first. Admirable, but you’re never going to get anywhere doing that.”
“All I want is a small place of my own. Somewhere I can have a garden and maybe a horse. I guess that’s my idea of getting somewhere.”
“Well, if that’s what you want. Go for it. Maybe you could hire on as a nanny at Old Man Taylor’s ranch. He’s got two boys that...well, calling them a handful would be an understatement. Maybe that’s not too good an idea after all.” She snickered. “I bet if anyone could straighten them out, it would be you, though.”
Cynthia caught her breath. “Geez, is my reputation that bad?”
“Bad? I’d like to have your reputation. Your boss says you’re the best thing that ever happened to the diner. The guys think you’re...”
“A prude?” Cynthia interjected.
“Conservative would be a good word.”
“Dull would be another.”
“I wouldn’t call you dull, just inactive.”
“Well, whatever I am, I’d better get home. It’s almost time for you to close. Have a nice evening.”
Cynthia left the post office feeling better about Russell Cade than she did about herself. Still, what about the rumor? What could have happened so long ago that people still remembered it? But then, they seemed to remember everything - probably because they kept it revived for entertainment. Where Russell Cade was concerned, the only thing they seemed to have against him was the fact that he provided them no new topics. Good for him.
The conversation with Adrena was comforting, but Mary maintained her viewpoint. She couldn’t argue his virtues, but she still insisted that the situation was conducive to trouble. Apparently she found Mr. Cade not only attractive, but also irresistible. Obviously it had been a long time since she had seen or talked to Mr. Cade. That was one facet of the job that didn’t trouble Cynthia. Her greatest concern was whether she could manage such a large house on her own. Even the isolation didn’t trouble her. Still, there was one question she couldn’t ask the townspeople. Why had Cade singled her out for the job? Jennie was the logical choice. The voluptuous brunette was pert and sophisticated. Angie was buxom and plump, but she was a hilarious entertainer. It was a question she’d have to ask Cade.
Everything considered; it was easier to make the decision to take the job than to placate Mary. Eventually Mary accepted the inevitable and even offered the use of an old shed to store everything Cynthia wouldn’t take with her. The house was furnished, so she didn’t have much t
o move – just a few pieces of her parent’s furniture and some summer clothes. Dad’s old truck had been sitting at Mary’s since it broke down.
When Mr. Cade strode into the diner Friday night, Cynthia’s clothes were packed and stored in the back room of the diner. Chet glanced at her. He had said his peace Wednesday when she gave notice. He liked Cade, but not the situation.
She approached Cade’s table hesitantly. What if he had changed his mind? After all, he was a recluse and undoubtedly enjoyed the solitude of a quiet ranch.
His brows lifted when she stopped at his table. “Well?”
She twisted her apron with nervous fingers. “I have my things ready...but I have a few questions first.”
He watched her expectantly so she dove in.
“Why me? There are two other waitresses here.”
He glanced across the room at Jennie and Angie. “You seem to enjoy your work - and you are respectful toward me.”
She considered his response. “I suppose I do enjoy the work, and I try to act respectful to all our customers.”
He nodded. “Exactly. Your attitude is professional.”
He watched her for a moment and finally lifted his brows again. “You said several.”
She smiled. “Your answers were all encompassing.”
His nod was brief. “Are you ready to go?”
“My shift doesn’t end until nine.”
He nodded. “Do you have a car?”
“No. I have a truck, but it hasn’t started for a month. I live close enough, so I simply walked. I parked it at a friends’ house.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“I don’t know. One day it wouldn’t start. I bought a battery, but it didn’t do any good. I was trying to save enough money to get it repaired.”
“Well, show me where your things are and I’ll take them out to my truck while I wait. Go ahead and order my supper.” He stood and stared down at her. “Have you had anything to eat yet?”
“I ate a while ago on my break.”
She led him to the back room where her things were piled and resumed her last hour of work at the diner.
CHAPTER TWO
Russell Cade was a meticulous driver. He drove the speed limit...no more; no less. He maneuvered each turn with precision. The dim instrument panel light revealed a strong profile with an aquiline nose and prominent cheekbones. He was by no means a handsome man but his facial features did suggest a stolid character. The years had not been kind to him. He looked closer to forty than thirty. That might be the result of too much exposure to the elements. Apparently he spent a lot of time on the back of a horse, riding his range in all kinds of weather - a fact that prompted more than one comment by townsfolk that he had wasted a good college education. Considering his comment about ambition, he probably didn’t consider the education wasted. Obviously he liked ranch work better than anything he had studied.
She shifted in the seat and peered into the night. They must be nearing their destination. Her gaze tried to outrun the headlights and gave up, following the broken line on the highway as it leaped from the dark and shot forward, disappearing under the truck. She rubbed her eyes and tilted her watch crystal around until the light reflected enough to read the dial...ten-thirty. She yawned. This would be one Saturday she wouldn’t have to crawl out of bed and get ready to go to the diner. From now on it would be crawl out of bed and cook, clean and then maybe rest a little. What was the house like? Even Mr. Cade had hinted that it was unusually large. Again she wondered if she had bitten off more than she could chew.
The truck turned off the main road and lurched down a long drive. A structure loomed dark against the lighter horizon. Could that be the house? She held her breath as they approached and turned into the circular drive. As the truck came to a halt in front of the house, she stared up at it in awe. Mary was right. It had an eerie atmosphere, almost as if it were leaning over the truck, investigating the new arrival.
She followed Cade up the steps and across the wide porch, waiting as he unlocked the door. He stepped back to let her enter first. Inside was a spacious foyer sporting a long graceful stairway. To the left was a tall narrow window, bare to the coldness of the room. To their right was a doorway into a huge family room. In one corner a piano perched silently. The embers of a fire still cast a faint glow from a massive fireplace. She shivered, clutching her coat closer. A strong hand gripped her elbow.
“I told you the house was drafty. Here, let me show you where you will sleep.”
He led her down a short hallway and opened the first door. Reaching inside the door, he flipped the light switch and the room was flooded with light from a ceiling fan.
“I fixed the door so it locks from the inside.” He dug in his pocket and produced two keys still on their original ring. “Here are the keys. That door over there is your personal bathroom.” He turned abruptly and left the room.
The sting of his cool hospitality was quickly replaced with awe as she turned back to the room. She gazed at the room in rapt silence. The large room contained some of the most beautiful antique furniture she had ever seen. The wood appeared to be cherry, and although it could use a coat of wax, it still had a deep luster. Instead of a closet, a large wardrobe stood at one end of the room, dwarfing a vanity desk with a large oval mirror. A chest of drawers with copper handles sat beside the bed - and what a bed it was. The carved headboard was beautiful but it was the lace canopy and matching bedspread that caught and held her attention. It was fit for a queen.
“I hope you don’t find all this too primitive,” Cade spoke behind her.
She swung around and stared at him. “Primitive?”
“The furniture - it was handed down to my mother and she left it to me. It’s old, but still in good condition. I recently put a new inner spring mattress on the bed, but the rest of it is exactly as she left it.”
“Left it? Did your mother pass away?”
“She died.” He answered in a brusque tone as he deposited her things in the middle of the room. “I’ll show you around a little before I turn in.”
They trekked back down the hallway to the family room and then into a spacious kitchen. The appliances were modern but the cabinets were old and solid. The floor was as clean as the counters. Copper-bottomed cookware hung from hooks on one wall. A small round table and two chairs were placed in a corner near the doorway to the family room, providing a view of the fireplace.
“I eat in here,” he said. “I only use the dining room when I have company.”
The laundry room was also clean and an old wringer tub still sat in one corner, as though unwilling to completely surrender to modern appliances.
Cade stretched and yawned. “Well, make yourself at home. I’m going to turn in. If you need anything, my room is at the end of the hall. You’ll find extra blankets in the entry closet if you need them.”
He turned and left the room, his boots clicking across the tile floor and then fading as he moved across the hardwood family room floor and down the hall.
She glanced around the kitchen, knowing she should familiarize herself before breakfast, but feeling uncomfortable about exploring so soon after her arrival. What would he want for breakfast? The best way to decide was to find out what he had in the refrigerator.
She opened the refrigerator - milk, eggs, and bacon - the usual supplies. A little more exploring revealed that the cabinets were stocked with sufficient supplies of dry goods and the potato and onion bins were full. Was there anything Cade didn’t do efficiently? The answer came to her so quickly that it brought a smile to her lips. Participate in conversation.
Returning to her designated room, she hung all her clothes in the cedar lined wardrobe and tucked her personals in the spacious dresser. At eleven she finally crawled into the bed. She was exhausted, and morning would arrive all too soon. She set the alarm and fluffed the pillows, but it did no good to close her eyes. They kept popping back open. Her mind was up, wandering the huge house -
and Cade’s mind. Why had he suddenly decided he needed a maid - or was it sudden? Could there be truth to Mary’s suspicions. No. She couldn’t believe that there was any thought of romance going on in Cade’s mind. He had probably reached a point that the ranch and house were too much work. Seeing her at the diner probably gave him the idea of getting help.
She glanced at the door, realizing she had forgotten to lock it. Not that it mattered. If he intended her harm, he would hardly have fixed the door so it would lock from the inside. Of course, he could have had more keys made - in which case, it wouldn’t matter if it was locked or not. She thought of the movie Psycho and immediately wished she had never watched it. The night was cold and she was cozy in the bed. There was no point in freezing her buns off darting across the cold floor to lock the door. Her eyelids drooped and finally she slept.
The alarm clock buzzed insistently and she reached over to slap the snooze button, squinting at the iridescent hands. Five a.m. She threw the covers back and gasped. It was miserably cold in the bedroom. Tossing her gown aside, she hurriedly pulled on some sweats and made the bed. Opening her door quietly she carried her shoes to the kitchen before putting them on. Then she lit the oven and washed her hands.
By the time Cade arrived in the kitchen she had biscuits, gravy, bacon and eggs ready. Cade dropped into a chair and immediately began to put away the food. She poured him a cup of coffee and he glanced up at her.
“Sit down and eat.”
“I never eat this early in the morning.”
Still, she poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. “Do you want me to pack you a lunch?”
He shook his head, declining to answer until he had swallowed the food in his mouth.
“I’ll be in at twelve.”
He sipped his coffee. “Sandwiches will be fine today. Spend some time exploring the house. Make a list of anything you need and I’ll drive into town Monday.”
Courtship of the Recluse Page 2