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

hills and appeared tobe planted in alfalfa. At one end of the field was a lean-toshelter with some kind of equipment stored under it.

He kicked his horse into motion and shefollowed him down the hill to the shed. Inside the lean-to was amenagerie of antique farm equipment. All were in excellentcondition and she suspected that he probably used them regularly.An old sickle mower and rake with their high metal seats were theonly items she recognized. She glanced at him and smiled.

“Horse drawn equipment. I remember seeingsome pictures of Granddad on an old rake like that.” She dismountedand examined the equipment more closely.

Cade joined her and climbed up into the seaton the sickle. “You use this lever to lower the sickle, like thisand then lift it over stumps and such.” He went to the rake. “Youlower the tines until they touch the ground. When the tines getfull of hay, you lift it. If you dump them evenly you have rows ofhay. Then you use the old baler to scoop the hay up. You have totie the bales by hand, though. It gets tedious, but I get a kickout of doing it that way.”

She ran her hand over the smooth cleansurface of the baler. How did he manage to keep everything in suchgood condition? Cade was a worker; there was no doubt about that.No wonder he wasn’t interested in a wife. He didn’t have the time.Yet he had found the time to invite her on this ride. She glancedup again and realized he was waiting for some kind of response. Shesmiled.

“You keep it all in such fine condition. Youobviously appreciate it. Has it always been on the farm?”

“No, I searched a long time before I foundeach one and I paid dearly. I suppose there are some people whowould consider it unthinkable to keep it in operation. Actually,I’ve had to have some replacement parts specially made.”

“I think it’s wonderful that you havepreserved an old way of life. It’s just too bad that you’re theonly one who gets to enjoy them. You know, Cade, there are otherswho feel the same way you do about the old ways.”

He frowned. “So what do you want me to do,make a museum out of this place? No, I may be selfish, but I don’twant a bunch of tourists traipsing around my property.”

“I know; you like your solitude.” She mountedagain and watched him swing lithely into the saddle. “If you openedthe place up to tourists, the ranch would lose its purity ...but itseems such a waste.” She shrugged. “It’s such a big ranchand...well; haven’t you ever considered hiring some help?”

He stared out across the field. “Mom alwaystold me I was vain enough to think I was the only one who could dothings right. If I had paid more attention to her and spent alittle less time out on the range, she might be alive today.” Hestared at her. “You remind me of her sometimes.”

Whether that was a good or bad thing shecouldn’t guess, and she didn’t have time to ask. He turned hismount and started up the hill at a lope. It was difficult enough tokeep up with him - conversation was impossible.

Again they traveled across the wild country.Several times they scared up a covey of quail and once even a wildpig. As the sun reached its zenith, they put their horses down asteep slope. Below them a creek wound sluggishly through a narrowvalley. Was this the same creek they had stopped to eat lunchbeside that first time? It was a good thing Cade was with her,because she had no idea how to get back to the house.

At the creek Cade drew up and dismounted.“This looks like a good spot to eat lunch.” He lifted his arms tohelp her down.

After a slight hesitation, she leaned forwardand gripped his shoulders. He grasped her waist and lifted herbodily from the saddle. It all appeared innocent until her feettouched the ground, and he pulled her close, wrapping his armsaround her as his lips sought hers hungrily. She struggled, but hisgrip was firm - and then he released her.

She backed away from him, wiping her mouth asshe threw him a poisonous look. Had he brought her all the way outhere to force himself on her?

He shrugged, turning to his saddlebags forthe food. “I thought you might have thawed out a little by now.Obviously I was wrong.” He jerked the saddlebags from the back ofhis horse and glowered at her. “You know, Cindy. It doesn’t alwayshave to culminate in sex.”

She stared at him. “What?”

“You said you didn’t want to sleep with meagain and I respect your decision. Does that mean we can’t indulgein a little innocent affection now and then?”

She moved away from him and contemplated thecreek absently. It might be innocent to him, but it was far fromthat for her. But he did have a point. The only thing she had beenproving lately was that she could successfully avoid him. He wasn’tthe first man she had kissed and she had never considered herselfpromiscuous with other men. Had she carried things too far in theopposite direction? She sighed and turned.

“Maybe you’re right.”

He smiled. “I know I’m right. Now let’s eatlunch.”

For the next week she cautiously accepted hisoccasional displays of affection. The ugly feeling was beginning toleave, but there was still that other thing. They were making noprogress in their relationship. It was plain that Cade was contentwith things the way they were, but she wanted more. She wanted apermanent relationship with him - marriage. If that wasn’t anoption, it was time to leave. But as time progressed, his obviousreluctance to propose marriage presented a far more difficultproblem. Mary showed up one morning in time to witness thatfact.

Cynthia was spending her third morninghugging the stool when someone knocked on the door. Wiping her facewith a cold rag, she composed herself and answered the door.

Mary gasped. “You look terrible. What’s thematter? Are you sick?” Realization flooded her face with horror.“You’re not.”

Cynthia nodded. “I’m afraid so. I was hopingI was simply a few weeks late, but