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

ago that people stillremembered it? But then, they seemed to remember everything -probably because they kept it revived for entertainment. WhereRussell Cade was concerned, the only thing they seemed to haveagainst him was the fact that he provided them no new topics. Goodfor 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 alsoirresistible. Obviously it had been a long time since she had seenor talked to Mr. Cade. That was one facet of the job that didn’ttrouble Cynthia. Her greatest concern was whether she could managesuch a large house on her own. Even the isolation didn’t troubleher. Still, there was one question she couldn’t ask thetownspeople. Why had Cade singled her out for the job? Jennie wasthe logical choice. The voluptuous brunette was pert andsophisticated. Angie was buxom and plump, but she was a hilariousentertainer. It was a question she’d have to ask Cade.

Everything considered; it was easier to makethe decision to take the job than to placate Mary. Eventually Maryaccepted the inevitable and even offered the use of an old shed tostore everything Cynthia wouldn’t take with her. The house wasfurnished, so she didn’t have much to move – just a few pieces ofher parent’s furniture and some summer clothes. Dad’s old truck hadbeen sitting at Mary’s since it broke down.

When Mr. Cade strode into the diner Fridaynight, Cynthia’s clothes were packed and stored in the back room ofthe diner. Chet glanced at her. He had said his peace Wednesdaywhen she gave notice. He liked Cade, but not the situation.

She approached Cade’s table hesitantly. Whatif he had changed his mind? After all, he was a recluse andundoubtedly enjoyed the solitude of a quiet ranch.

His brows lifted when she stopped at histable. “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 dovein.

“Why me? There are two other waitresseshere.”

He glanced across the room at Jennie andAngie. “You seem to enjoy your work - and you are respectful towardme.”

She considered his response. “I suppose I doenjoy the work, and I try to act respectful to all ourcustomers.”

He nodded. “Exactly. Your attitude isprofessional.”

He watched her for a moment and finallylifted his brows again. “You said several.”

She smiled. “Your answers were allencompassing.”

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 startedfor a month. I live close enough, so I simply walked. I parked itat a friends’ house.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“I don’t know. One day it wouldn’t start. Ibought a battery, but it didn’t do any good. I was trying to saveenough money to get it repaired.”

“Well, show me where your things are and I’lltake them out to my truck while I wait. Go ahead and order mysupper.” He stood and stared down at her. “Have you had anything toeat yet?”

“I ate a while ago on my break.”

She led him to the back room where her thingswere piled and resumed her last hour of work at the diner.

CHAPTER TWO

Russell Cade was a meticulous driver. Hedrove the speed limit...no more; no less. He maneuvered each turnwith precision. The dim instrument panel light revealed a strongprofile with an aquiline nose and prominent cheekbones. He was byno means a handsome man but his facial features did suggest astolid character. The years had not been kind to him. He lookedcloser to forty than thirty. That might be the result of too muchexposure to the elements. Apparently he spent a lot of time on theback of a horse, riding his range in all kinds of weather - a factthat prompted more than one comment by townsfolk that he had wasteda good college education. Considering his comment about ambition,he probably didn’t consider the education wasted. Obviously heliked ranch work better than anything he had studied.

She shifted in the seat and peered into thenight. They must be nearing their destination. Her gaze tried tooutrun the headlights and gave up, following the broken line on thehighway as it leaped from the dark and shot forward, disappearingunder the truck. She rubbed her eyes and tilted her watch crystalaround until the light reflected enough to read thedial...ten-thirty. She yawned. This would be one Saturday shewouldn’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 thenmaybe rest a little. What was the house like? Even Mr. Cade hadhinted that it was unusually large. Again she wondered if she hadbitten off more than she could chew.

The truck turned off the main road andlurched down a long drive. A structure loomed dark against thelighter horizon. Could that be the house? She held her breath asthey approached and turned into the circular drive. As the truckcame 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 wereleaning over the truck, investigating the new arrival.

She followed Cade up the steps and across thewide porch, waiting as he unlocked the door. He stepped back to lether enter first. Inside was a spacious foyer sporting a longgraceful stairway. To the left was a tall narrow window, bare tothe coldness of the room. To their right was a doorway into a hugefamily room. In one corner a piano perched silently. The embers ofa fire still cast a faint glow from a massive fireplace. Sheshivered, clutching her coat closer. A strong hand gripped herelbow.

“I told you the house was drafty. Here, letme show you where you will sleep.”

He led her down a short hallway and openedthe first door. Reaching inside the door, he flipped the lightswitch and the room was flooded with light from a ceiling fan.

“I fixed the door so it locks from theinside.” He dug in his pocket