Cynthia began slicing the potatoes in the pot. "I think this place is beautiful, and apparently the ranch is paying for itself. At any rate, Mr. Cade seems to be happy with his lifestyle. Who are we to suggest that it's wrong?"
"He's such a hermit. Everyone laughs behind his back. It's so embarrassing. Every year I come out here and try to convince him to get with the times, but it's to no avail. I guess he enjoys the privacy of isolation. That way he can do what he wants and who's to know? He doesn't date. Would you believe he covers up with the excuse that he's saving himself for one special girl?" She laughed in a single expulsion of air. "I mean, he's a twenty eight year old man, for heavens' sake. If he hasn't been with a woman, it's probably because he's had other ways of ..." She let her voice trail of suggestively and shrugged again.
Cynthia ran water in the pot. "Why is it virtuous for a woman to practice chastity, and ludicrous for a man? I share his philosophy and no one has accused me of...enjoying the same sex."
Claudette digested the response reflectively and finally lifted her shoulders in a graceful shrug again.
"You defend him because you work for him and you're a loyal employee, but I'll bet you've wondered why he's so unresponsive."
Cynthia didn't answer. It was a loaded statement. If she said he was responsive, Claudette would assume something was going on. If she confirmed that Cade was unresponsive she would be as much as endorsing an ugly rumor. Because Cade was so reclusive and entertained controversial ideas, he was a target for that kind of gossip. But it didn't fit the man she had come to know, and she wasn't about to believe it simply because he hadn't made a pass at her yet. She'd like to give Claudette a piece of her mind, but that would be unprofessional. It was Cade's house and sister. As the hired help, she was supposed to be supportive of Cade without upsetting Claudette.
Claudette dropped the subject and Cynthia thought it would never be brought up again. She was wrong - as usual. The very next day she was straining over the counter to reach behind the stove when Cade came into the kitchen.
"What are you doing?"
She lifted her head. "I dropped the salt shaker behind the stove."
"Here, let me pull out the stove."
She slid off the counter and straightened too quickly. The blood drained from her head, leaving her dizzy and disoriented. She lifted a hand to her head and her knees started to buckle. Instantly a strong arm gripped her around the waist.