"So, is there any money in the bank that isn't tied up?" Cade asked.
"A few thousand. The wages and expenses account is separate from your father’s spending money."
"Don't need it anyway, just asking. Thanks, Tory. You coming?" He looked down at Russ.
"Yes." Russ stood up and reached across the desk to shake hands with Tory. "Thanks for everything."
"I'll be out for the funeral tomorrow. If you have anything else you need to know, give me a call."
"No worries, thanks. When are you expecting Rooney?"
"Hopefully later today or in the morning. I've let her know about the funeral. The will she can hear later if it comes to that."
"Can you tell her I can't wait to see her. Give her my number and tell her to call me if she isn't coming straight out to the house."
"Sure, Russ. Thanks for coming in guys. I'll see you tomorrow."
They shook hands. Russ walked out of the solicitor’s office and held the door for Cade as he hobbled out on his crutches.
"Where's your car?" Russ asked, shielding his eyes from the bright sunshine.
Cade nodded to the bright yellow Ferrari sitting at the kerbside.
"Really? Geez, that must have set you back a bit." He walked over and squatted down to look in through the passenger window.
"Yeah but it's worth it. Best chick magnet on the planet." Cade took the key from his pocket and unlocked the door, pulling it open. "Have a seat."
Russ slid his long legs into the car and relaxed against the black leather seats.
"Want me to take you for a spin?"
"Another time maybe. I want to go out and see Essie. Are you coming out or staying in town?"
"May as well stay at the house. At least that won't cost me anything." Cade gave him a winning smile. "Be good to have a home-cooked feed for a change too."
Russ looked over and wondered why he and his brother were so different. All Cade wanted was a good time and no responsibilities. It didn't look like much had changed since he’d become a football star. If anything, it probably made him worse.
He got out and shut the door. Standing with his hand on the car, he looked in. "See you there then. Drive carefully."
"Always. Stop being so damned fuddy duddy and worry about something that needs it. I don't."
Russ walked back to his BMW sedan and sat going over the terms of his father's will. It really didn't impact greatly on him, as things had turned out. It would be a shame if Rooney and Cade didn't agree to live there. To see the home and all its contents go to strangers gave him a sense of loneliness that surprised him.
In all the years he’d been away from home, he hadn't missed the property, only his mother. She’d visited often enough before he married. His ex hadn't liked his mother as much as he’d hoped she would, and the fact they couldn't stay at the house annoyed her even more. No chance to live it up and impress his father, getting her toes in the door.
Why couldn't see through her? Everyone else could. Am I so damned gullible, so soft in the head?
He shook off his thoughts. Russ was glad Essie was taken care of at least. She deserved a home and retirement after all the love and care she’d showered on their family. The thought of seeing her again after all these years made him smile.
It was time to go home.
* * *
Russ drove along the familiar roads toward Petersham Homestead. Down the New England Highway and turning at Maitland, he cruised through the tiny but popular town of Lorn. The closer he got to the family property, the tighter his chest became.
The final sweeping curve of the road rose ahead of him and he slowed the car as he crested the hill. Sweeping paddocks led down to a large lagoon that fronted the property. Memories of days lazing on tyre tubes rushed in to remind him of his childhood.
Russ pulled over to the side of the road and gazed at the property. Large fig trees surrounded the main house as it lifted tall chimneys to the sun. The slate roof glowed in the late afternoon light. It looked as though nothing had changed in the ten years he’d gone.
Horses grazed peacefully in the front paddocks and ducks floated on the water where he’d gotten sunburned more times than he could remember. The weeping willows that lined the lagoon and followed up the driveway were taller but otherwise the picture in his memory was the same.
A tractor rolled over paddocks on one side, down past the old convicts’ barracks, cutting hay and he wondered if it was Kate. He smiled to himself. Fancy his brother's shadow all grown up and running the place. Things really had gone full circle. Little Kate had adored Cade, following him everywhere, at every chance she could.
How his brother couldn't see that she'd worn her heart on her sleeve was beyond him. But then all the girls had adored his brother. The blond-haired, blue-eyed sporting hero always had someone running after him. It was a shame that none of them had managed to tame him.
Constantly in the news for his antics and celebrity girlfriends, Cade had scoffed at the playboy tag and insisted his goal was only to play the best he could for his team. Now Russ wondered if those days were finally over.
The thought of Kate all grown up made him smile. I wonder if she’ll still fall at Cade’s feet after all these years? Russ put the car in gear and headed down the road, turning in at the same cast iron letterbox that had sat as a sentinel for over a hundred years.
He drove up the long sweep of the driveway and through the wrought iron gates, pulling up in front of the
