"Sounds just like the old man." Russ smiled to soften the words.
"Yeah well, it was the best thing he could have done for me. It gave me a purpose to keep going. I think if I'd had someone molly-coddle me, I would have broken inside. He watched me working and taught me what he could. I took to it like a duck to water. When Thomas the old manager retired, he gave me the job."
"Sounds like you deserved it to according to Tory. I'm glad it worked out for you, Kate. The place is in good hands."
"Thanks. You can tell me to mind my own business, but what is happening with you guys? Are you staying?" She watched him, her emerald green eyes focused on his face.
"Yes, for now anyway. I was telling Cade earlier, I think we should keep the farm in the family. I mean, we don't know what Rooney is up to. She might want to come home."
"Yeah, she might. What about Cade? Is he staying too?"
"Worried about your job, Katie?" Cade pushed the door and hobbled into the kitchen. He leaned his crutches on the counter next to Russ and looked at her.
"No. Why should I be?"
"Surely if the farm gets given to the local government, they can appoint their own managers." He took a glass and poured himself wine while he spoke to her.
"Nope. Tory has it all sorted. I keep my job regardless of what happens." She smiled at him sweetly and the look in her eyes dared him to say something.
Russ coughed to cover up the laugh bubbling up his throat. "Give up, Cade. She's not going anywhere and that includes falling at your feet."
"We’ll see about that," Cade replied, watching Kate over the rim of his glass as he took a sip of the wine.
Dinner’s ready," Essie interrupted.
"Thanks honey." Kate led them into the dining room and took her seat while Russ stood holding the chair out for her.
When they had their meals in front of them Cade lifted his glass. "Here's to nothing." His sardonic smile wasn't lost of Russ. If he was any judge there was more to his brother’s injury and bad mood than he was letting on.
"Will you be at the funeral tomorrow, Kate?" Russ ignored the snort that came from Cade.
"Of course I will. Your father was good to me and I have to say my farewell the same as everyone else does." Her voice wavered and she lifted the serviette to cover her mouth, coughing.
"It should be an interesting day," Cade said. "I wonder how many locals will come out hoping we don't stick around?"
"Why would anyone do that? Hell’s teeth, Cade. Your father was well liked, at least by people outside his family. I'm sure they aren't thinking along those lines. Besides they wouldn't know about the terms of the will anyway." Kate shook her head and frowned at him.
"I wouldn't put it past some of them to have had a word in the old man's ear." He glanced over at Kate, his dinner forgotten while he toyed with his wine glass. "So, tell me again how you managed to worm your way around him?"
"Cade, stop it now!" Russ turned to Kate. "Don't let him goad you. Ignore him, please Kate." Russ was mortified at his brother’s behaviour and from the look on Kate's face, she was too.
"If you’re suggesting I did anything sleazy to get this job, you are mistaken. Your father took me in and offered me a job when I lost my parents. And just so you know, I had to work my arse off to keep it too." She stood and glared at Cade. "I would never sleep with a man to get what I want, unlike your floozies do. I think better of myself than that. Funnily enough I have standards, Cade. Something you know nothing about." She placed her napkin on the table. "Excuse me." Kate walked out of the dining room with her head held high.
"You idiot." Russ glared at his brother.
"Fuck you, you sanctimonious prick. You know nothing, Russ. The way you let people walk over you and do what they want, it's just plain sickening."
"You don't know what you're talking about," he replied. A sinking feeling clutched at his stomach because he knew Cade spoke the truth.
"Yeah I do. You signed everything over to that bitch of a wife just to save yourself an argument. Don't try to deny it. You already said as much this afternoon." He took another drink, draining his glass. "It's no wonder you have nothing, brother. You’re a total walkover. I refuse to be like that. If I want something, I'll take it."
"Kate's not like that. You know she isn't." Russ pushed his plate away, his appetite gone. "She’s had to work for what she has."
"Yeah, sure. She has her foot in the door, buddy, and there is no getting rid of her. Just watch she doesn't get her claws into you too."
"We are friends and that won't change. You need to take a good hard look at yourself, Cade. You've turned bitter and it doesn't look good on you." Russ stood. "Excuse me." He walked from the room as his brother’s laughter followed him.
He made his apologies to Essie on his way through the kitchen. She tsked and headed for the dining room, a frown on her face. Hopefully she would give Cade a talking too. She was the only one who could get him to listen. The only one who wasn't charmed by his smile and good looks.
Russ walked outside and around the back of the house. He could see the lights on in Kate's house and headed
