Chapter 4
“Something smells good.” Tessa walked back into the kitchen.
Her words interrupted Cade’s thoughts. She’d changed into the nightshirt, and he immediately noticed the outline of her body. While the garment covered everything, it left little to the imagination. He quickly turned his attention back to the stove.
“It’s steak and fried potatoes. I hope that’s okay.”
“It’s fine. Can I help you with anything?”
“No, it won’t take long. Why don’t you have a seat?”
A few minutes later, Cade brought their plates to the table and asked if she’d care for water or coffee with her supper. She opted for water, and after placing a glass near her plate, he joined her at the table.
“This is good, thanks,” Tessa told him. The meal wasn’t fancy, but it was hot and filling. The potatoes had been fried with onions, and the steak was juicy and tender. There was also bread and butter that the man said his foreman’s wife had made.
“You’re welcome. Do you mind if I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“What’s your name? It seems strange that we’re sitting here sharing a meal and we haven’t been properly introduced.” He smiled.
Tessa laughed, thinking how it had never occurred to her to ask his name.
“It’s Tessa. And yours?”
“Grayson, but everyone calls me Cade. Nice to meet you, Tessa.”
“You too, Cade.”
“So, do you live near here?”
“About an hour’s ride from here. My friends and I came here for the weekend. We’re attending a Halloween masquerade ball.”
“That’s sounds like fun.”
“I’m hoping so. This will be my first time going to a masquerade.”
“I went to one five years ago with my wife. We had a great time.”
“Will you and your wife be going to this one?” Tessa was surprised that Cade had a wife. From what she’d seen of his home, there were no feminine touches to indicate a woman’s presence.
“My wife and son died of influenza the winter before I moved out here.” Shadows accompanied the sadness in his eyes as he spoke.
“I’m sorry, Cade.”
“Thanks.”
Silence followed and Tessa looked around the kitchen as they ate, noticing once again, how much the room looked as if it were built in the 1880s. There was no electricity, and it had a woodburning stove and fireplaces.
“Your table is nice.”
“Thanks. My uncle built it.”
“How do you like living off the grid?”
“Off the grid? I don’t understand.”
“It basically means living off the land and not using modern conveniences, like electricity for lights, refrigerators to keep food cold, or using gas to heat a room or cook food.”
“Me and everyone else I know has either used gas lamps, kerosene lanterns or candles for lights. Some folks use ice boxes to keep their food cool.”
“Wow! I guess the authenticity of the place helps people to stay in character.”
“I’m not sure what you mean by that.”
“I meant to say that your home is well built and uh, modern.”
Tessa got the feeling he thought she might have been insulting him, and she wanted him to know that was not her intention. Rather than risk saying anything else that might possibly be misunderstood, she remained quiet for the rest of the meal.
When they finished eating, Cade got up, cleaned their plates, and put the kettle on to boil for hot water so he could wash the dishes.
“Would you care for a cup of coffee?” he asked.
“I’d like that, thanks.” Rather than sitting at the table doing nothing as she waited for the coffee, she got up and began helping him clean the kitchen. By the time they were done, the coffee was ready.
“Here you go.” He handed her a cup of the steaming hot liquid.
“This is almost as strong as the whiskey you gave me earlier,” Tessa joked. “You wouldn’t happen to have some milk or cream would you?” She watched him drink the bitter brew without blinking an eye.
“Sorry, I don’t. You could try watering it down a bit.” He told her as he looked out the window to see if there had been a change in the weather. He noticed Tessa took his advice and after adding a bit of water, she seemed to find the coffee much more palatable.
“It’s not easing up at all is it?” She asked when he turned from the window.
“Not a bit. If anything, it’s raining harder.”
“Great. Now what am I supposed to do?” Tessa mumbled.
“If you like reading, I have some books in my study. You’re welcome to read one of them.”
“Thanks. I think I will.”
Tessa followed Cade into his study. The “some books” he mentioned was more of a small library. She ended up selecting “Poems” by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper whose work she remembered from an African American Lit course she’d taken in college.
“Find anything that interests you?”
“I did.” She raised the book she held in her hand.
“Good. I’m going to do some paperwork I’ve been putting off.”
“I’ll go get started on this and leave you to it.”
Cade watched Tessa walk out of the room, once again seeing how the nightshirt clung to the curves and valleys of her body.
The open neckline showed a hint of cleavage and the rest of it draped her beautifully rounded hips and curvy backside.
He felt an ache of loneliness. His wife had been dead for three years and he missed her dearly.
He’d been with a few women since her death, which met his physical needs, but didn’t ease the loneliness he felt.
Seeing Tessa in his nightshirt caused desire to well up in him.
He poured himself a drink and took a seat at his desk, hoping the work he needed to complete took his mind off his loneliness and the woman in the other room.