Kate looked over at Essie and chewed on her lip before glancing back at Russ. "Yeah, about that…I hope you don't think I did anything to coerce your father to keep my job. It came as much of a surprise to me as it did to you."
"You know me better than that, Kate. Father would have given you the job because you deserved it, not because you were after his money. He wasn't that stupid, and neither is Tory."
"Yeah well, when I heard about it, I wondered how you guys would take it." She laughed. "I should have guessed you’d be good with it. Um, what about Cade? Did he say anything?"
Russ ran his hand through his hair and grimaced. How the hell am I going to answer that?
"Okay, I get it." Her mouth thinned into a tight line. "I’ll just have to deal with it, I guess. It's good to have you back, Russ, even if your brother is still an arsehole. I have things to do. Later." She turned on her heel and stormed out, grabbing her hat as she went.
Essie clucked her tongue. "Damn shame that boy hasn't had a chance to see how good Kate is doing before he gets snippy with her."
"Yeah, well he’ll just have to face her himself and sort it out. I tried and got the rough edge of his attitude for it. I'm sure Kate can deal with him. She seems pretty capable now she’s all grown up and not chasing him like a love-sick puppy."
"I'm sure she can but that's not the point, Russ. She shouldn't have to. Poor girl has had her work cut out for her the last few years. Manages those farm hands pretty good but they respect her as a boss, bit different to how Cade treated her."
"Yes, but won't it be interesting to sit back and watch to see if it works on Cade?"
Essie slapped her palm on the island counter between them, her rare snappy attitude rearing its head. "If he hurts her, Russ, so help me, I'll give him what I should have done when he was younger."
Chapter 5
"Rooney, it's good to see you again," Tory kissed her cheek before he led her into his office and guided her to a chair. He sat on the edge of his desk in front of her. "I'm sorry, honey, I know you were hoping to sort things out before he died."
"Yeah well, I shouldn't have left it so long." She gave a shaky laugh. "So, want to tell me what we do now?"
"Sure. Can I get you a coffee before we start?" He watched as her striking blue eyes filled. She wiped a trembling hand over the already tidy hair, not a blonde strand out of place. The tears spilled over her dark lashes and trickled silently down her cheeks. Tory wanted nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and take away the pain. Sadly, she probably wouldn't accept his help, not that he would stop offering. He had adored her from the time she had made it her mission in life to tag around after her brothers and him.
"Got a spare tissue?"
He reached behind him, grabbed the box and placed it in her hands. "Let me order coffee and we can talk about the will. See where you want to go with it, okay?"
Rooney nodded her head and blew her nose while Tory reached for the phone.
By the time their coffee was brought in, Rooney had composed herself. "Sorry about that."
"We grew up together, Rooney. I’m the person you’ve turned to in the last eight years. If you can't cry in front of me, where can you cry? Heck, I remember you crying when your poddy calves were sold off and you weren't embarrassed for me to see your tears then." He smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "It's no different now we're adults. A few tears won't make me like you any less."
"I know but still, sometimes I think I take you for granted. I'm sorry if I do but you make it easy for me. I don't mean to." She smiled and reached for her coffee, blowing across the top of the hot liquid before taking a sip. "Oh, I needed that."
"You don't take advantage and besides, what are friends for?"
"Thanks, Tory. I mean it. You’re probably my best friend and the only one I can talk to about family problems. I don't know what I would have done without you."
I never want to find out either. Tory cleared his throat before speaking. "Right, now the will. I don't know if you’re ready to read this, but here it is." He handed her the document and sat back sipping his coffee while she read the will.
Rooney tapped a finger nail on her lip as she read. A frown appeared on her forehead as she scanned the page and she tilted her head as though thinking about what was written. Tory watched her turn to the next page and continued reading. She chewed on her lip, small sniffling sounds coming from her mouth moments before tears trickled down her cheeks.
When she finished, she looked up. The faraway glaze in her eyes startled Tory. Concern raced through his blood and his heart skipped a beat. What was wrong? "Rooney, are you okay?"
She blinked and looked at him as though coming out of a dream, lifting the tissue to wipe away the tears. "Sorry, I was just thinking. I wonder why he did it that way? Wanted us all back home, I mean?" A frown appeared between her eyes and she pursed her lips. "Do you think he was trying to apologise for making us all leave?"
"Maybe. He didn't say too much when we drafted up the will. I didn't think it was my place to ask, quite frankly." He shuffled the papers and braced himself. "Are you going to move back and live at Petersham
