“Good for him, but what does that have to dowith me working for him? I’d think that would make you even morecomfortable with the idea. Or do you think I’m going to lead himastray? Honestly, Mary. It sounds like you’ve got a case on him.You can have him. All I want is the job.”
The line was silent for a few moments.Finally Mary let loose with a heavy sigh. “We’re all only human. Wecan all be tempted. It’s fine to have high ideals about not goingtoo far, but the reality of it is, it can happen before you realizewhat is happening.”
“Oh, come on. When you start removing yourclothes, naive or not, you’ve got to realize you’re doing somethingwrong. All it takes is the resolve to stop - provided you actuallywant to stop.”
“Bingo. Maybe you won’t want to.”
“With Mr. Cade?” Cynthia rolled her eyes inexasperation. “You have nothing to worry about. Even if he were agorgeous stud, I wouldn’t become romantically involved with myboss. You know how I feel about that sort of thing.”
Mary’s tone became dry again. “I know. You’vetold me a zillion times. But ... Oh, what’s the use? Did you callme to get my opinion or to tell me you’re going to take the job? Itsounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”
“I know. It’s just that it sounds so right.You can’t imagine how I’ve missed the country. I hate it in town,and the diner is so...boring. Besides, this way I can save somemoney. The way things are going now, I’m lucky to save ten dollarsa week.”
“How many times have I offered to let youstay with me - free? Even if you paid me half my rent, you couldstill save money.”
“I know, and I appreciate your offer. Butthat’s a good way to ruin a terrific friendship. We’ve been allthrough this a zillion times.”
Silence again.
“Mary?”
“I’m still here. You’d better give this someserious thought. I know you’re attracted to him, but...”
“The only thing I’m attracted to is his joboffer - and the idea of getting out of this gossipy littletown.”
“Whatever. Just think it over and don’t jumpinto something you might live to regret.”
For the next week Cynthia listened to - andeven found herself instigating - discussions about Mr. Cade. Whenpicking up her mail at the post office, she often talked to Adrena.Being the only postal employee in a small town, the petiteextrovert was always ready for conversation. She had an opinionabout everything – and an uncanny habit of being right.
“Nothing today,” Adrena said as Cynthia dugin her purse for the box key.
“Again” Cynthia sighed, abandoning hersearch. “How are things going today?”
“Same old same old. How about you?”
“Nothing much – as usual.”
“You ought to go out once in a while. Peopleare starting to wonder if you don’t like them.”
Adrena never minced words. Cynthiashrugged.
“You know how I am.”
“Yeah,” Adrena snickered. “Not much betterthan the hermit. At least he’s coming to town regular now – regularfor him.”
“He does seem a bit reclusive.” Cynthiaresponded, focusing her attention on a speck of dirt on thecounter. “I don’t know much about him.”
Adrena's laugh was short and humorless. “Youhaven’t missed much.”
Cynthia looked up at Adrena. “Do you knowhim?”
Adrena rolled her eyes. “Nobody knows RussellCade. Do you remember that rumor in school? Oh yeah, you weren’taround here then. I never believed it anyway. I figured his sisterstarted it because she was jealous of him. I guess his stepfatherthought more of him than her. After she got married and moved toColorado the family information stopped – if you know what I mean.He comes in now and then to get things, but don’t talk much.”Adrena grinned. “Kind of like you.”
Cynthia smiled. “Maybe he’d rather listenthan talk.”
Adrena stamped a letter. “I guess so. Fromwhat I hear, he’s pretty...frugal; I guess would be the best word.Dependable, though. Mr. Catlin at the bank says he’s as honest asthey come. The ranchers around here say they can always count onhim to help when they’re in a bind. Even so, I don’t know anyonewho admits to understanding him - much less calling him a friend.He’s a strange one.”
“It sounds like he’s a respectable person wholikes to keep to himself.”
“Yeah.” Adrena said, wrinkling her nose. “Aregular hermit.”
“I guess being reclusive is a poor way tomake friends.” Cynthia shrugged. “On the other hand, maybe it’s agood way to avoid trouble.”
Adrena tipped her head to the side andstudied Cynthia thoughtfully for a moment. “Is that why you don’tdate?”
Cynthia’s face grew warm. “Maybe so. Men canbe a trial sometimes.”
“Like your father?” Adrena’s gaze wasprobing.
“That was different. My father couldn’t doanything about his health.”
Adrena lifted her brows and tossed the letterin a slot. “He could have gone to a nursing home so he wasn’t sucha burden on his daughter.”
“He offered to do that. I wouldn’t let him.How could I enjoy myself knowing he was being tended to andsurrounded by strangers?”
Adrena nodded. “That sounds like your kind oflogic - always thinking of the other person first. Admirable, butyou’re never going to get anywhere doing that.”
“All I want is a small place of my own.Somewhere I can have a garden and maybe a horse. I guess that’s myidea of getting somewhere.”
“Well, if that’s what you want. Go for it.Maybe you could hire on as a nanny at Old Man Taylor’s ranch. He’sgot two boys that...well, calling them a handful would be anunderstatement. Maybe that’s not too good an idea after all.” Shesnickered. “I bet if anyone could straighten them out, it would beyou, though.”
Cynthia caught her breath. “Geez, is myreputation that bad?”
“Bad? I’d like to have your reputation. Yourboss says you’re the best thing that ever happened to the diner.The guys think you’re...”
“A prude?” Cynthia interjected.
“Conservative would be a good word.”
“Dull would be another.”
“I wouldn’t call you dull, justinactive.”
“Well, whatever I am, I’d better get home.It’s almost time for you to close. Have a nice evening.”
Cynthia left the post office feeling betterabout Russell Cade than she did about herself. Still, what aboutthe rumor? What could have happened so long
