Courtship of the Recluse, Linda Rigsbee [e novels to read online txt] 📗

twitched again. “There’s nothingsensitive about Claudette, but if you want to move into that roomupstairs with the balcony, go ahead.”

Her face didn’t lose its warmth and shegnawed at her lower lip. “What made you single out that room?”

He tucked his hands in his back pockets andshuffled his feet, the color in his face deepening. “I figured...”He shrugged. “I saw you up there one time.”

If she thought her face could get no warmer,she was unpleasantly surprised. How often had he watched hersunbathing? It could only have been in the last few weeks since theweather had turned warm. She didn’t own a swimsuit, so bra andpanties had been her option. The rest of her clothes were there inthe room in case he came into the house, and she thought the deckwas as private as her bedroom with him out on the range wet nursinghis cattle. Apparently she was wrong. She stared down into thesink, feeling violated.

He must have sensed the cause of her suddenwithdrawal, and spoke gently.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...I forgot myrope in the barn and had to come back yesterday. I wasn’t...I meanI didn’t...I looked away.”

She glanced up at his tortured face and hadto smile. The stoical Russell Cade was stammering around like aschool boy. And why? Actually, the bra and panties were far lessrevealing than a bikini. Was he embarrassed because she wasscantily dressed, or because he had inadvertently invaded herprivacy?

“It wasn’t your fault. If I want to sunbathe,I should buy appropriate clothing.” She rinsed a plate and droppedthe subject. “I think it would be fun to redecorate the familyroom. Actually, I haven’t had enough to do around here lately.”

The extra color was beginning to fade fromhis face and he turned toward the family room. “When you’re donewith the dishes, let me know. There is a chest of drawers and athree-quarter bed in the attic. Between the two of us we ought tobe able to carry them down to that room.” He took a few steps andthen paused, glancing back at her. “Feel free to get anything youwant out of the attic. I know you’ll take care of it.” And then hewalked away, his shoulders swaying like a pendulum with hisstride.

His absence sucked the energy from the roomand she stared down at the dishwater. Was Mary right? Was shefalling for him? No, it couldn’t happen. She wouldn’t let ithappen. Not when everything else was working out so well. Shesqueezed her eyes shut and prayed that romantic thoughts wouldcease to invade her newfound paradise.

CHAPTER FIVE

Cade escorted her to town and purchasedeverything on the list - plus a few more items. When she remindedhim that he was going over the thousand-dollar figure he had thrownout, he merely shrugged.

“It will be worth the investment.”

She wondered what would be worth theinvestment, but didn’t want to wind up in the middle of a feud. Washe trying to show his sister up? Impress her? It seemed totally outof character. Nothing Cade did indicated that he gave a hoot aboutwhat anyone else thought.

As they packed the last of the items into theback of his truck, he glanced up at her.

“It’s early. Let’s go by and take a look atyour truck while we’re in town. If it doesn’t look too complicated,maybe I can fix it.”

She stared at him. “I...You don’t have to dothat.” He was already responsible for her food and housing. “I canget it towed to a shop.”

His eyes held a touch of humor. “You don’twant me to interfere?”

“It isn’t that. It’s just that...well; it’snot your responsibility.”

“I know. But it would be nice to know you hada way to get out and do things without fear of taking the onlyvehicle. I know you feel uncomfortable about driving my truck. Youhaven’t used it once.”

“Then I’ll get mine fixed. I had no idea itwas troubling you.” Little did he know that she wouldn’t have leftthe ranch if her truck had been available. The ranch was toobeautiful - too interesting and too much like home.

He eyed her thoughtfully. “It isn’t troublingme, but if you really don’t want me messing with it...”

She sighed and shook her head. “You do whatyou please.”

Cade launched into an investigation of theold truck while Cynthia and Mary caught up on the latest gossip.Finally he stepped back from the vehicle and wiped his hands with arag.

“I think I know what it is. I’m going to goget a part. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Cynthia reached for her purse. “Let me giveyou some money. How much do you need?”

He lifted a hand and shook his head. “No,I’ll get it. If it doesn’t work, it’s my problem. If it does, thenyou can pay me back if you want.”

“Parts plus labor,” she insisted.

He eyed her sternly. “I’m not amechanic.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “That’s a finething to be telling me while you’re working on my truck.”

His eyes twinkled with mirth, but he refusedto let the rest of his face respond. Mary stood by, unusuallyquiet, but when Cade left she found her voice.

“So, can you still tell me you’re notromantically interested in him?”

Cynthia rolled her eyes. “Let’s not gothrough this again. Nothing is going on and nothing is going tohappen.”

Mary shrugged and smiled wryly. “Then whywere you flirting with him?”

Cynthia gasped. “Flirting with him? I wasn’tflirting with him.” She knew her face was getting red. Had she beenflirting - unconsciously? A Freudian slip? And more important, didCade think she was flirting?

Mary contemplated her soberly for a fewmoments and then spoke gently. “Be careful, Cindy. I know you’resure you can stay in control, but...”

“I can,” Cynthia replied archly. “And anyway,Cade definitely isn’t romantically interested in me, so there’sabsolutely nothing to be concerned about.” Both statements camefrom the heart. People had limited control over their emotions, butthey could certainly remain in control of their actions.

Mary shrugged. “Well, if I were in yourshoes, I’d see my doctor about some form of birth control. Peoplehave urges and sometimes things just happen.”

“Oh, Mary. The best method of birth controlis abstinence and a little pill is no substitute for