"I should have thought about it before, but it's never too late to stop doing something you know is wrong."
He walked across the kitchen and paused at the door. "People should get married because they want to spend the rest of their days together, not because they've already shared a few nights." He lifted his hat from the peg and clamped it on his head and then paused, one hand on the door while he studied her face. Finally he shrugged.
"I'll see you tonight."
She stared at the door after he left. He was making it plain enough. He wasn't interested in marriage and he didn't want her trying to manipulate him into it. At least now she knew where they stood. Tears flooded her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. How could he have been so ardent last night and so thoroughly indifferent this morning? Last night she could have sworn he loved her. Now his only concern was that she had his meal ready when he came home for supper. What a fool she had been. Hadn't Mary warned her? But no, she had been so certain, so naive. Not once, but twice. There would be no third time. Of course, hadn't she said that twice already? The smartest thing for her to do was to pack up and leave. This was a no-win situation.
But instead of packing, she cleaned the house and went for a ride. Bad as the situation was, she still couldn't stand the thought of leaving the ranch. And for what? At least while she was here she could save some money. If she went back to the diner she would be lonely and broke. None of this would have happened if they hadn't been alone in the house. Maybe she could do something about that and help Cade make some money at the same time. She had been reluctant to mention her idea before, but now she was desperate enough to risk his anger.
So, that evening at supper she broached the subject.
"You know Cade; you could make a profit off this ranch other ways than running cattle."
He jerked his head up and regarded her for a moment with a sour expression.
She hesitated, intimidated by his obvious displeasure. But too much was at stake, so she pushed on.
"Have you ever thought of turning this place into a dude ranch? You have the extra bedrooms and..."
"The last thing I want is a half-dozen little brats running around here tearing things up. Adults are bad enough, but when they bring their unruly offspring, it's unbearable." He scowled at her. "Besides, I like coming home to a quiet house every evening."