Courtship of the Recluse

She caught her breath. "Right now?"

He popped the glove compartment shut and stared at her. "Do you have some reason you want to put it off for a while?"

She smiled through her tears. "No." She wiped her eyes. "But tell me something. When you offered me a job, were you thinking of me in any way other than a housekeeper?"

He colored slightly. "I noticed you were a good looking woman, if that's what you mean. But it was a good hot meal that brought me into the diner the first time. It was the meal and a friendly waitress that brought me back. After that I got to thinking how nice it would be if I had someone to cook me a meal every day. One thing led to another and I finally worked up the courage to offer you the job." He shrugged. "I'm not sure exactly when I started falling in love with you. I guess it happened gradually. Little things like the way you took in that stupid cat. And the way you faced everything with a smile. Even the way you felt about that attic. I knew, because I felt the same way. And then that day we rode together. I could tell you saw the ranch the same way I did." He frowned at her hand. "I never told anyone, but I avoided getting involved with any woman because of what happened to Mom. The loneliness drove her mad. I should have moved away, but I couldn't stand to leave the ranch."

"But Russ, she could have moved away. You weren't responsible for her state of mental health. Obviously she was the dependent type or she wouldn't have stayed out there."

He nodded. "I know. I wanted a wife and children, but I didn't want to risk losing them because of the ranch. I suppose if I had met a woman and loved her enough, I would have given up the ranch, but I knew I would be resentful, so I simply avoided any situation that might end up in romance."

"So you hired a housekeeper with a professional attitude." Her smile was wry. "It must have nearly scared you to death when I started flirting with you."

Color returned to his cheeks. "On the contrary, I was flattered. Anyway, it seemed like innocent flirtation." He stared absently out the window and continued. "Then we took that ride and you were so impressed with the country. That's when it first crossed my mind that you might be the one." He took a deep breath and turned to her again. "Then the day you fell on the ladder and I caught you - I figured you suspected then." He paused and lifted a brow.