“They’re going to look fabulous, trust me on this. Let me make some lunch too and then we can all get stuck in and get the job finished.”
“You’re a lifesaver. Thanks Mama.”
* * *
Adam rubbed his hands over his face, wondering how he was going to show the court enough new evidence to help get Simon a retrial. His father had all but admitted to hiding evidence and getting Sally out of the way, but that didn’t equate to solid hard facts unless he had a sworn statement from the old man. He couldn’t see that happening this side of a major ice age. The recording he took with his phone wouldn’t stand up in court if his father didn’t give his permission at the beginning which he hadn’t. No wonder he hadn’t complained about it. The old bugger was clever enough not to incriminate himself. But at least he’s given me something to start with.
If he could find Sally he would have to convince her to testify and he doubted that would happen. What women would willingly send herself to jail? She might have done something wrong, but he knew she wasn’t stupid. Things were not looking good in his favor.
The only way was to prove his father had broken the law. He had no choice but to push ahead with this case if he wanted to sleep at night. The extent of his father’s deals had never hit home like this before, and it was up to Adam to put things right if he could. If he didn’t, he would never be able to clear his name and look Lena in the eye again. She was a strong lady and he hoped that one day she would think kindly enough of him that they might have a chance at a relationship.
The ring of the phone jarred his concentration and he looked at it, willing it to silence. It rang out and within seconds it started to ring again. Frustrated and annoyed, he reached for it, growling into the receiver. “Hello.”
“That is hardly the way to answer your phone, Adam. You were taught better.” His father’s voice rang in his ear.
“What do you want, Father?” He pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes closed as he tried to concentrate on the voice.
“We need to talk about this before you do something stupid and ruin everything I’ve worked for. I don’t want you going off half cocked just to make a point.”
Half cocked, right. “You perverted the course of justice. What could be more cocked up than that?” He released a sigh. Spencer was sitting at his feet, watching his every move. Adam reached down and rubbed the dog’s chin.
“I have an offer for you.” The voice was suddenly stilted and strained.
“Like I’d be interested in one of your deals. This is what caused the problems in the first place, don’t you think?”
“My sister gave you far too much leeway after your mother died. She’s ruined you, Adam.”
Adam smiled, remembering his aunt and the reason he was sitting in Mudgee now and not stuck in Sydney working for his father. “No, she did the right thing which is what you should be doing right now.” But I doubt you will.
“Come home, Adam. Come home and let’s talk about this. Please.” The judge’s voice had softened and for the first time he could remember, Adam heard a plea in his father’s voice.
“I’ll only come if you give me what I want.”
The pause lengthened but Adam remained silent.
“Be here at mid-day tomorrow then, at the house though, not the office.” The phone went dead in his hand.
“Well, that went well, Spencer. Things might just work out after all.” He got up from the couch and headed to the kitchen to feed them both. Adam gave Spencer his favorite meal of chicken and rice and heated up leftover stew and potatoes for himself. Lena had insisted he take home a large container of her special recipe veal ragout. It was one of Ben’s favorite dishes and she made a large serving which left plenty of leftovers for him. The zing of olives in the tomato sauce had won Adam over at the first mouthful and after the flavors had mulled for another day, it should be tasty.
She was a wonder in the kitchen and he had no doubt her café was going to go from strength to strength. Opening night was going to be a huge success and she had bookings into the next month. The decision to open only four nights a week was probably a wise choice on her part. It would give her time off and hopefully when she was over the pain of her marriage falling apart, she would look at him as more than a neighbor and a landlord. He had the urge to repeat the kiss they’d shared after the school fundraiser every time he saw her.
Adam heated up his meal in the microwave and pondered his future as he stood in the farmhouse kitchen. Would he ever find someone who would stick with him through thick and thin or was he destined to the life of a single man? Sure, he loved his new life, but his time spent with Kyle made him more than aware of the short fallings in his own childhood. Being able to run carefree through the long grass and chase down butterflies or frogs was never in his childhood. He had a hankering for what was missing and wondered if there would be a way he could capture it if only for a fleeting moment.
He went to sleep not thinking of the simple joys of boyhood, or how he was going to rebuild his flock, but how he was going to give a man and his family the freedom Adam felt responsible for.
The
