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

she came through the living room thefire was roaring, but Cade was nowhere in sight. For that much shewas grateful. Yet, when the smell of bacon lured him to thekitchen, she found herself wishing he would address the subject.Instead he was withdrawn and somber, even picking at his food.Finally he pushed his plate aside and rose from the chair.

“See you tonight,” he mumbled as he headedfor the door.

“Do you want me to pack you a lunch?”

He clamped his hat on. “No. I don’t wantanything.” Without another word, he left the house.

She stared after him. Would he prefer shewasn’t here when he got back tonight? Was he angry with her? Afterall, if she hadn’t turned her head when he kissed her on the cheek,maybe things wouldn’t have turned out the same way.

Warmth invaded her cheeks as she thought ofsomething else. Maybe he was afraid she would insist he make anhonest woman of her. She slammed the plates into the sink. Well heneedn’t worry. The last thing she wanted was a reluctant husband.If he wanted to forget it had ever happened, so much the better. Itshouldn’t have - and it never would again.

CHAPTER NINE

In the week that followed, they driftedfurther apart. Their friendship had been destroyed by one night ofpassion. Their innocence replaced with guilt. Why had they allowedthemselves to completely lose control? Had it meant anything at allto Cade, or was it merely a moment of desire? Was it the first timefor him? It shouldn’t make any difference, but it did. Cade was theman of her dreams, but was Mary the woman of his? Had he givenhimself to the wrong woman? Was that why he was so remorseful?

She stabbed the spade into the flowerbed andgazed off into the distance. It was such a beautiful ranch, soquiet and secluded. A hawk made a wide swing across the grasslandand suddenly dived, jerking up at the last second, its great wingsstraining as it pumped back into the air with added weight. Arabbit writhed in its claws, screaming in terror.

She shuddered. One moment things could be sotranquil and then the next... She sighed. It depended on how aperson looked at it. For the rabbit, it was a bad day. For the hawkand her young, it was a good day.

A shadow fell over her and she turned intothe sun, shading her eyes with a gloved hand. Cade was standingover her, a puzzled expression on his face as he contemplated herwork.

“What are you doing?”

“Digging up these bulbs. I noticed they weregetting crowded. I’m going to move some of them over there.” Sheindicated a cultivated area not far from where she was working. “Ihope you don’t mind.”

He rubbed his jaw and stared absently at thespot. “Not at all.” He glanced around. “As a matter of fact, theplace could use a little sprucing up.”

Was he hinting that she should give moreattention to the exterior of the house? She pushed away from theground stiffly and rubbed at the sore muscles in her back while shesurveyed the house. Actually, it could stand a good washing and apaint job, but surely he didn’t expect her to do that.

She slapped at a mosquito on her arm andglanced up at him. “I didn’t expect you so soon. I’ll go in andstart supper.” She removed her gloves, wondering about the slowflush that was darkening his somber features.

He jabbed his hands in his pockets and lookedaway.

“You haven’t been in to see Mary for a while.Why don’t we go out for pizza tonight? We could stop by and pickher up.”

“Why don’t you go in by yourself?”

He glanced at her sharply and regarded herthoughtfully for a few moments.

“Does friendship mean so little to you thatyou can toss it aside so easily?”

She stared at him. “Mary and I aren’tfighting.”

He opened his mouth to speak and then shut itagain, shaking his head. He squatted and took some of the freshlydug soil in his hand, crushing the lumps and letting the dust runthrough his fingers.

If he wanted to see Mary, why did he have todrag her along? Of course, after the other night... She slapped hergloves together to remove some of the mud.

“You don’t have to feel obligated to take meeverywhere you go. If you want to visit Mary, why don’t you go seeher?” She turned and headed for the house without waiting for ananswer. Her eyes were filling with tears and she didn’t want him tosee. She jerked the kitchen door open, not realizing he was closeuntil she heard his voice behind her.

“If you’re not fighting, why don’t you go seeher?” He dodged the screen door as it narrowly missed his forehead.“Are you angry with me again?”

“No.” She reached for the doorknob and hegrabbed her arm.

“I’ve said something to upset you.” It was astatement, not a question.

Her eyes were probably bloodshot and tearswere beginning to blur her vision. She averted her face. “I toldyou. I’m not angry.” She tried to sound convincing, but her voicefaltered.

“Then why are you crying?” His hand stillheld her arm captive.

“I’m not crying.”

“Then look at me.” She could feel his intentgaze on her.

“I don’t feel good.” She reached for the doorwith the other hand. “If you want to go into town for pizza, pleasedon’t feel obligated to invite me. I’m your housekeeper, remember?I work for you. I’m your employee.” She pushed the door open andhurried to the sink. “Would you like some coffee or something?”

He stared at her with a perplexed expressionand finally shook his head. “I’m going to go wash up. We’ll talkwhen you cool off and get yourself together.”

He strode off into the other room.

She stared after him. Maybe she was reactingemotionally. The best thing to do was to calmly tell him she wouldrather not go. That would leave him free to go alone. But shedidn’t want him to go. Nor did she want him to see Mary.

When he returned to the kitchen, she wasstill staring absently into the refrigerator. She glanced up as hewalked across the floor and poured a cup of coffee. He met hergaze.

“You still don’t want to