As she descended the long stairway again, her palm caressed the smooth dark wood of the banisters. It was such a beautiful house - and so cold. She rubbed her arms again and headed for the living room, which was now comfortable. The fire was burning down, though, so she added more wood. She stared into the flames, wondering why none of the windows had curtains, and why so many things were left to gather dust in the attic. The floor was cold. Why no rugs? She curled up on the couch and fell asleep.
Waking with a start, she glanced at her watch. Fifteen minutes until twelve. She leaped from the couch and darted into the kitchen. Her first day and she had fallen asleep on the job. Working as fast as she could, she started a pot of coffee and sliced some ham. As she completed setting the table, the screen door squealed and Cade opened the door. He stomped his boots and shook white flakes from his hat and coat before entering the house
Cynthia poured them both a cup of coffee as he washed at the sink.
"How long has it been snowing?" She asked.
He dried his hands with the towel. "It just started. It looks like it might get bad. Do you have a list yet?"
She blushed. "No, I'm afraid I didn't get around to it yet."
He noted her rising color and shrugged. "No problem. I don't think we need much of anything." He dropped to a chair and built himself a sandwich. "Did you call your friend yet?"
"No. I didn't...I thought...It's long distance, you know."
He shrugged again without looking up. "Keep in touch with people. It gets lonely out here."
He should know. Which came first, the recluse or the loneliness? She set the coffeepot back on the stove.
"Are you lonely?"
"No." He took a bite of his sandwich and washed it down with coffee.
She fashioned a sandwich. "Was your mother lonely?"
He glanced up at her, and his mouth twitched. "Yes."
"What happened to her?"
He swallowed his food. "Eat your lunch." His attention was back on his food.
Her face felt hot and cold by turns. His cool reproach smarted, but the previous terse answers about his mother should have warned her that it was a touchy subject.
At any rate, he was a recluse and he probably didn't want a babbling female around. She took a bite of her sandwich and glanced up when he finally spoke, his tone brusque.
"She died of a broken heart. I thought everybody around here knew about the Cade's."