"But she’s your sister. You must have hadsome good times.”
“Not really.” He stretched. “See you in themorning.”
She watched his tall figure move gracefullydown the hall, forcing unwelcome warmth to crawl up her neck. Somepeople lived their entire lives without ever being close to anyone.Maybe he simply wasn’t capable of having a relationship deeper thansurface friendship. At any rate, it was none of her business. Afact he had made abundantly clear.
When Claudette arrived, the room was finishedand the house in order. Cade answered the door and ushered hissister into the family room where Cynthia was doing some lastminute dusting. She glanced up as they entered - and thenstared.
Claudette was a knockout. She had large browneyes with thick black lashes and matching hair that was stackedbecomingly on top of her head. From her long neck to her slenderankles, Claudette was dainty and feminine. Her rosebud mouth curvedinto a smile that never reached her eyes. She was attached to thearm of good-looking man wearing a business suit.
Cade made the introductions.
“This is Cynthia Turley. I hired her as ahousekeeper a few months ago. Cynthia, this is Claudette Lander andher husband Carl.”
Cynthia offered a hand to Carl and heaccepted it cordially. “Nice to meet you,” he said. “I didn’t knowRussell had a maid.”
Claudette glanced around the room. “It’sabout time he did something with this old house.” Finally her gazecame back to Cynthia. “I assume you’re the one responsible for thenew look. Nice job.”
Cade was standing behind Claudette and herhusband. He winked and made the OK hand sign. Obviously the roomhad passed an important inspection. He picked up the luggage.
“I’ll show you where you will sleep whileCynthia gets supper on the table.”
Supper was ready and the table set. Cindycarefully laid out the food in an attractive manner and retired tothe kitchen. A few minutes later Cade popped his head around thedoor.
“Is everything ready?”
“Yes. It’s all on the table. Go ahead andeat. I’ll bring desert in after a little while.”
He frowned and stepped into the kitchen.“You’re not eating? Are you feeling ill?”
“No. I’ll eat later.”
He shook his head. “No. You’ll eat withus.”
“But it wouldn’t be proper. I’m the hiredhelp.”
He scowled at her. “I don’t care. You eatwith us. That’s an order.”
“Yes sir.”
“And none of that yes sir stuff, either. Iwant someone who can contribute intelligent conversation, notgrovel at my feet.”
She lifted her brows. “And so you asked me?Don’t you think you’re setting yourself up for adisappointment?”
His eyes twinkled and he jabbed a thumb atthe dining room. “Save the smart talk for later. Get on in thereand set yourself a place - or do I have to do that?”
She wrinkled her nose at him as she brushedby and he tugged playfully at her hair. She quirked a brow and madean exaggerated point of putting her hair back in order, tossing herhead pertly and smiling up at him.
Claudette and Carl were waiting patiently inthe dining room when Cynthia and Cade entered. Sobering, Cynthiaaddressed them.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I didn’trealize I was supposed to dine with you. Go ahead and take a seatwhile I set another place.”
Ignoring the raised brow that Claudette gaveher husband, Cynthia hastily set another place and graciouslysubmitted to improper treatment as Cade helped her with her chairand then seated himself. It was hard to tell whether he was tryingto impress his sister or shock her. Somehow the latter seemed morelikely with Cade.
During and after supper, conversation seemedto continually migrate back to Cynthia. Were the Landers actuallyinterested in her mundane life, or was there some other reason fortheir questions? The evening was long and she was grateful whenCade announced he was going to bed.
Once she was certain Cade and his guests werecomfortable, she retreated to her room with a book. She wasn’tactually tired, but reading was relaxing. Inside the quiet room,the balcony beckoned, so she slid the patio door open and steppedout into the balmy night. She leaned on the banister and breatheddeeply of the clean air. Down by the pond, frogs were singing theirnight songs and the sky was filled with bright stars. Somewhere outon the range a lone wolf called, its eerie howl reminding theintruding humans that they had not yet won. She sighed contentedly.This was heaven on earth. How could it get any better? And then shethought of Cade. A cool breeze touched the warmth of her cheeks.Why couldn’t she stop thinking of him that way? What was it abouthim that attracted her so? No matter how often she asked herselfthe question, the answer remained elusive. Could it be that hisstoic personality was the very thing that kept her interest perked?People always wanted what seemed unobtainable. Was that the case?If he returned her affection, would she grow tired of him?
She turned away from the beauty of the ranch,reminding herself that she had made the decision to leave. Howcould she stay, feeling as she did about Cade? Sooner or later itwould become obvious to Cade himself. And then what would he do -suggest she find attention elsewhere? So many questions and so fewanswers. She settled into the old rocker and snapped on the lamp. Afew chapters would take her mind off Cade.
But it didn’t, and even when she slept, shedreamed of him again. This time they were on the balcony, gazinginto the night, his arm around her waist. She snuggled against hisbody, but this time when she lifted her lips for his affection, helaughed.
She woke with a start. She rolled over andpunched her pillow. Now that was a good example of her imaginationworking over time. Cade laughing? Did Cade secretly laugh at theway she flirted with him? The idea brought a rush of heat to herneck. She tossed her head to throw the curls from her face androlled over in bed. Stop thinking about him. It was that simple.All she had to do was put her mind to it.
The clock ticked away the minutes and shefinally sat up and squinted at it - four-thirty. What time wouldCade want to get up this morning? She threw
