“What are you doing?”
She lifted her head. “I dropped the salt shaker behind the stove.”
“Here, let me pull out the stove.”
She slid off the counter and straightened too quickly. The blood drained from her head, leaving her dizzy and disoriented. She lifted a hand to her head and her knees started to buckle. Instantly a strong arm gripped her around the waist.
“Are you all right?”
She staggered on legs of rubber and he lifted her to the counter, sitting her in front of him.
“Put your head down.” He grabbed the towel and turned the cold water on. Lifting the hair off the back of her neck, he applied the cool towel. “Better?”
“I feel stupid,” she answered through her hands.
Finally he removed the towel and she straightened cautiously. “I think I’m all right now.”
He helped her down, his hands lingering on her waist as he gazed down at her. “Are you sure you’re all right. I think you’ve been working too hard lately.”
She laughed nervously, acutely aware of the warmth of his hands through her cotton dress.
“Don’t be silly. I was simply hanging upside down too long.”
Her heart was pounding hard and warmth invaded her neck. The way he was looking at her - was he going to kiss her?
Unsure what to do with her hands, she rested them on his arms. Through his shirt sleeves she could feel the swell of his biceps and her heart jumped into high gear. A wave of warmth rushed up her neck and broke over her cheeks.
Her blush brought a shy smile to his lips. “You know, Cindy, we could...”
But he got no farther. Claudette spoke sarcastically from the kitchen doorway.
“Well, well - isn’t this cozy.”
Cynthia fairly leaped away from Cade, her face flaming.
“It isn’t what you think. I...”
“Oh, I believe you,” Claudette interrupted flippantly. “Now if you been a male...”
Cade looked as if he’d been slapped. He glared at Claudette and swung around, jerking the range from its cove.
“You can get that salt shaker now, Cynthia.”
She moved past him and gingerly felt behind the stove until her fingers closed around the shaker.
“I’ve got it.” She pulled the shaker out and glanced up at Cade.
His face was pale and drawn as he shoved the range back into place. His jaw muscles worked as he spun on one heel and marched to the outside door, slamming it as he left.
Cynthia turned on Claudette. “That was a mean thing to say. Don’t you care that you hurt his feelings?”
Claudette laughed. “Russie? He doesn’t have any feelings. Haven’t you learned that yet?”
Claudette had gone one step too far. Cynthia slammed the shaker on the counter, spraying salt on the floor.
“Everyone has feelings, Claudette, though some people are extremely successful at hiding them. If you knew Mr. Cade nearly as well as you think you do, you would know that he is actually very sensitive.”
Claudette shook her head. “You’ve really got a case on him, haven’t you?”
Cynthia clammed up. What was the use? It was best to stay out of the entire thing - if they would only let her. Tomorrow they would be leaving, and it couldn’t come fast enough. She turned to the stove to prepare supper and Claudette left the room.
Later, as she was straining the water from the potatoes, Cade wandered in. He took a mug from the cupboard and poured himself a cup of coffee. He leaned against the wall, sipping his coffee silently as he watched her mash the potatoes. It was obvious that he wanted to clear the air, but couldn’t decide where to start. Finally he pushed away from the wall and crossed to the table. Glancing into the family room, he turned back to Cynthia.
“I shouldn’t let her get to me that way.”
Cynthia glanced at him and frowned. “She seems to have so much animosity toward you. Why?”
He shrugged. “Who knows? Wild imagination, listening to too many stories, or maybe because I have the ranch. She doesn’t want it, but it irks her to think that it was left to me - the weirdo.”
Cynthia smiled. “She can’t make up her mind whether you’re having an affair with me or hiding something. It kind of leaves you in trouble either way, doesn’t it? Like the choice between the devil and the deep blue sea.”
He glanced up sharply, his lips thinning down and his face paling. He slammed the mug on the table and stood, crossing the distance between them in two long strides.
He jerked her around and grabbed her shoulders roughly.
“I couldn’t care less what Claudette thinks, but let me take the question out of your mind.”
His lips crushed down on hers, bruising them as his fingers dug into her shoulders. She pounded his chest with her fists and tried to scream. He released her as suddenly as he had begun the assault. She swung hard and her open hand cracked against his face.”
His voice was barely more than a whisper. “Nice touch.”
That was when she noticed Claudette standing in the kitchen doorway. So it had all been a show for Claudette.
“Of all the...” Tears stung her eyes as she brought her hand around and struck his other cheek with a ringing blow. How could he betray her trust so utterly - for the sole purpose of proving a point to Claudette?
He grabbed her hand. “That’s enough, Cynthia.”
A sob tore from her throat. “Not nearly.” She jerked her hand free and darted past the wide-eyed Claudette - up the stairs and into the safety of her room. Flinging herself on the bed, she sobbed out the anger and hurt. Why couldn’t he have confronted Claudette, instead of acting like a beast? And to think she had trusted him. Didn’t he know that his brutal assault proved nothing? Did Cade even know how to be romantic? How she would have welcomed a loving hug or kiss from him. But now he had ruined everything. It was bad enough that his actions warranted her decision to leave, but now she actually feared him.
Someone knocked on her door and she wiped her eyes and blew her nose before responding.
“Who is it?”
“Claudette.” The voice was strangely timid.
Cynthia hesitated. Was Claudette here to gloat? If she was, she had picked a poor time. This time there would be no holding back. Claudette was going to get a piece of her mind.
“Come in.”
Claudette pushed the door open slowly and demurely made her way across the room. She sat on the edge of the bed, contemplating Cynthia with a compassionate expression.
“I’m sorry. I guess I was wrong about both of you.”
She was wrong, all right - and she had no idea how wrong she was. Claudette hadn’t interrupted Cade making a pass. In fact, she had been nothing more than a spectator for a convincing role Cade was playing. And worse yet, Cade had thought she was going along with his skit.
Claudette folded her hands in her lap. “If you want to get away from here, I’d hire you. We have a beautiful house and lots of parties. You wouldn’t be so lonely there.”
It was in her mind to tell Claudette to take a long walk off a short pier, but a cool voice interrupted them at that moment.
“Head hunting, Claudette?” Cade was standing in the doorway, coffee mug in hand.
Claudette stood and smiled down at Cynthia. “I’m serious, Cynthia. If you decide you want to go, you can leave with us tomorrow morning.” She brushed past Cade, giving him a stern look as she left the room.
Cade wandered across the room and stared out the patio doors, sipping from the coffee mug. For a long time he simply stood there, and when he finally spoke, his voice was controlled.
“I want to apologize for forcing myself on you and I want to assure you that it will never happen again. I took all my frustration and anger out on you. I was way out of line.”
“You didn’t have to prove anything to me, you know. I didn’t believe Claudette.”
He glanced around sharply. “Then you’re the only one. People are
always willing to believe the worst about others. I’m not sure who started that story, but it floated around here for my last two years of high school. It looks like Claudette is determined to keep it alive.”
“So you kissed me in front of her. That way she would know you liked women.”
He frowned. “No, I didn’t even know Claudette was standing there until you slapped me. Then I wondered if you were putting on a show for her to prove nothing was going on between us.” He shook his head. “If the show had been for Claudette, would I have been so rough?”
She tucked her legs under her skirt and gnawed at her lower lip. “Then why were you so rough? It was the first time you’ve ever been anything with me but a perfect gentleman. It frightened me. You’re so strong.” She threw him an accusing look. “Don’t you see what you’ve done? It’s inevitable that two people living in the same house are going to be at odds sometimes, but from now on I’ll never feel completely safe. If you’d fired me, or even hit me ”
“I’d never hit you.” The words were swift and emotional and she had no doubt he spoke the truth. He rubbed his forehead and ran his fingers though his hair until it stood on end. “I know what you mean. I betrayed your trust. And I insulted you by being such a brute. I didn’t mean for it to be that way. I was so angry, and Claudette picked the worst time to...” He shook his head. “I have no excuse. I was wrong and I admit it. I told you. It will never happen again.”
Obviously he did realize the consequences of his actions. His anger was unfounded, but she had to accept some of the blame for his method of approach. If she hadn’t flirted with him, kissing her probably wouldn’t have come to mind. Looking back, her words did sound like a challenge. He moved toward her, his expression far from bland. In fact, tortured would be a better description. Yet when he spoke, his voice was decisive.
“Look, Cynthia. If you think you’d be happier with Claudette, I won’t stand in your way, but I want to make it clear that I don’t want you to go. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had and things around here could never be the same without you.”
She gaped up at him, finally snapping jaws shut. “Best friend? I never knew you thought of me as anything but a housekeeper - an opinionated one at that.”
He frowned. “There’s nothing wrong with having a different opinion. It only proves you have a mind of your own.” He stared down at his coffee with a sour expression. “I’ve always been a little inept at expressing my feelings.”
A little? That was the understatement of the year. Yet, he stood before her, conceding his shortcomings frankly. She smiled up at him. “Practice makes perfect,” she quipped.
He stared at her. “Does that mean you’re giving me another chance? You’re staying?”
She sighed heavily and slid off the bed. “I suppose so.” She slipped her shoes on. “I left supper half done. I’d better go finish it.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Cynthia was careful not to flirt with Cade again, putting on a professional front when he was around. He couldn’t have asked for a better housekeeper, but the atmosphere between them had become strained. Why was it so hard to joke with him without flirting? And Cade had become more solemn in the last few weeks, as if he sensed her dilemma and felt uncomfortable as well.
The tension was taking its toll in another way. Nearly a week early on her monthly cycle, she was caught unprepared. The few supplies she had would barely last the night, especially since the flow was unusually heavy. That meant she would have to drive to town tonight, and she wasn’t feeling up to it. She sighed as she set out the supper dishes. Oh well, life was full of unpleasantness and this was a minor one.
Cade came through the kitchen door and pitched his hat on the peg. “Smells good. I’m starving.”
“Well, sit down then. It’s ready.”
He washed and bellied up to the table, proving his statement as he delved into the food. Cynthia picked at her food, pushing it around the plate more than anything else. Nothing looked good and she felt feverish. Finally she put down her fork and gave up the pretense.
“What’s the matter?” Cade asked. “Are you feeling puny tonight?”
She shrugged. “I was just thinking. I need to go to town for something so I’d better get started. Maybe I can get back before dark.”
“Why don’t you let me go in and get it for you? I needed some things anyway and I don’t mind driving in the dark.”
She picked up her plate and scraped the food into a scrap bowl for the cat. “That’s all right. It’s kind of personal.”
“Oh. Well, why don’t you go with me then?”
Dark splotches hindered her vision and she paused, planting a hand firmly on the counter for support. Surely she wasn’t going to faint. Never in her life had she fainted. The room began to spin, and she grabbed the edge of the sink. Her knees buckled and hit the cabinet. Cade’s’ chair scraped the floor and his boot heels hit the floor twice before he grabbed her waist. A burning sensation began in her throat and she realized she was going to heave. The back door was too far away for her rubbery legs, and the only alternative was the sink. She leaned over the sink, retching uncontrollably. Suddenly cool hands were pulling her hair back and turning on the water. She coughed, and tears stung her eyes. It wasn’t bad enough she had to pitch her cookies in front of him, now she was going to cry. As she dashed the cool water on her face, the strength returned to her legs.
Cade handed her a towel and gently rubbed her back. His expression was openly compassionate as he reached out, drawing her into his arms and guiding her head to his shoulder.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were sick? You don’t have to wait on me hand and foot, you know.” He brushed the hair back from her face and stroked her cheek gently.
She buried her face in his shoulder, hoping he wouldn’t notice she was crying. But he wasn’t fooled. He patted her shoulder.
“What’s the matter, Cindy?”
“Nothing,” she managed to respond in a weak voice.
“Then why are you crying? Is it this house? Are you lonely? Do you need to see a doctor?”
“No.” His sympathy only made matters worse and she hiccupped.
His voice was anxious. “You’re not going to throw up again, are you?” He lifted her chin with two fingers, and the expression on his face might have been amusing under different circumstances.
“No, I feel better now.” She said, stepping away from him. She grabbed a tissue from the box on the counter and blew her nose. “I’m sorry. It happened so suddenly that I didn’t realize it was coming.”
He was still watching her intently. Pulling out a drawer, he removed a paper and pencil.
“Write down what you need and I’ll get it. Surely it can’t be that personal, and you’re in no condition to be going to town.”
She stared at the paper. How did she get herself into predicaments like this? She shook her head. “I can go. I feel better now.”
He frowned at her suspiciously. “Is it a female thing?”
When she blushed, he nodded. “Write down exactly what you want.” When she still hesitated his expression became exasperated. “Come on, Cynthia. We’re both adults. There’s no reason to feel embarrassed about a normal body function.”
“I’m not embarrassed.” She grabbed the note pad and wrote a brand name and quantity. “They carry these at the store where we always shop.”
He glanced at the paper and nodded. “I know what to get, now you go lay down on the couch until I get back. I don’t want you fainting and breaking your neck or something.”
“I’m all right. I can go...”
“You can go lay down, like I said.” He followed her to the family room and made sure she was safely lying down before he left. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
It was ridiculous - sending him into town after such personal items when she was perfectly capable of going by herself. Of course, if he was already going to the store to get something... A mental picture of Cade sho
pping for such items brought a smile to her lips. Cade probably wouldn’t be the least bit intimidated by the task, though.
Giving him a few minutes to traverse the drive, she got up and went into the kitchen. After she cleaned the table and finished the dishes, she went to her room to get some aspirin. By the time she reached the top of the stairs, tiny flecks of light were dancing across her vision. In her bathroom, she wiped her face with a cold rag and took a couple of aspirin. Pulling back the covers on her bed, she slipped between the cool sheets and let exhaustion take its course.
Cool fingers brushed her cheek lightly and she woke to find Cade leaning over her. The lamp beside her bed was on and he had a sack in one hand.
“Are you feeling any better?”
She rolled on her back and smiled up at him.
“Much.”
“Good.” He set the sack on the night table. “I’ll leave this here for you. “Would you like some ice cream?”
She sat up and grabbed her throbbing head. “I’ll come down in a few minutes.”
He felt her forehead and rubbed her back. “Headache?” At her nod he stroked her hair. “The ice cream will help.”
After he left the room she opened the sack to get her things and smiled. Inside was everything she had ordered - as well as a box of chocolates. Cade knew how to be a friend, even if he didn’t know what to say. She put the things in her bathroom and was returning to the bedroom when Cade knocked on her open door.
“Room service.” In his hand he held a bowl of ice cream, and his eyes held a welcome spark of humor.
“Oh, Cade,” she laughed. “That’s so sweet.”
He grimaced. “Don’t get mushy on me.”
He sat on the end of the bed and watched reflectively as she ate the ice cream.
“You know,” he finally said. “I think I’ll sleep in tomorrow, so don’t bother to get up early. I could use a day cleaning up the barn.”
She rolled her eyes. “I was out there yesterday when I came back from riding and noticed that the barn was almost as clean as this house. I know what you’re up to and thanks for the concern, but I’m fine now.” She jabbed the spoon in the ice cream and sighed. “I feel like such a baby.”
Courtship of the Recluse Page 7