"You all know why I left home. What you don't know is what happened next." She licked her lips and gave a wobbly smile. "I had no idea when I left here I was pregnant." She held up her hand as Essie tried to stand up. "No, please let me get this out." She wiped her hands down the sides of her skirt before looking up again. "When Tory called to tell me Mum had died, I was in hospital giving birth to my daughter. That’s why I never came back. I couldn't. It's something I've wanted to do ever since but there has always been something going on. I went to university and got my veterinary degree with a toddler at my feet."
Cade watched how Tory reached his hand out and clasped hers. "Anyway, I was going to buy the business I’m working at but they sold unexpectedly and now all this has happened. Earlier today I inspected the old practice on Putty Road and put in an offer. It's a dump and needs a hell of a lot of work, but it's all I can afford. If they accept my offer, my daughter and I will be home next week."
"Well, well, well." Cade sat forward in his chair, resting his whiskey bottle on his good leg. "I knew something like this would happen. The way you and that boy disappeared down to the barn all the time…our sweet little sister wasn't so sweet at all."
"Get a grip, Cade. Stop being such an arsehole," Kate spat at him. "Rooney, is there anything I can do for you? You just have to ask." She stood up, walked over to Rooney and wrapped her arms around her.
"Thanks, Kate. I'm sorry I didn't tell any of you but it was easier not to at the time."
Essie glanced at her before joining the huddle. "Oh, child! I wish you’d come home. I could’ve helped out with the little one."
"Yeah well, that’s probably what will happen now, so don't go getting your knickers in a twist, Essie. We all have to come home, so you’ll have your fill of us." Cade lifted the bottle to his lips taking a noisy slurp.
Cade leaned back in the chair and shook his head. "Sorry to take the sparkle off your announcement, little sister, but has anyone bothered to think about what I want to do? I mean, Russ here had to run out of town because his trophy wife didn't want to stay with him and his job was going nowhere. You need to find a home for yourself and your child, but what about me?" He put his bottle on the table beside him, ignoring the disgusted look from Essie. "Has anyone even thought about what would happen if I decided not to come back home? I have a fucking career, for God's sake, and I like it." He ran his hand through his hair. "I don't want to come back here and fester away in the bloody country—not yet anyway."
Rooney turned on him, and Cade blanched at the venom in her gaze. "Why is it always about you, Cade? Ever since you were a little boy, you had to be the one in the front. First to have everything, first to get the attention. Russ and I took a back seat to you and your goals, so don't you think it's about time you thought about what we want just for once?"
"Honey, let it go for now. Talk to him when he isn't drinking." Russ tried to get her to back down.
"No. I'm sick of everyone giving him what he wants. It was all ‘Cade this’ and ‘Cade that’. Cade must play football because he is good at it. That’s what Cade wants. I'm so damned sick of it. I want a home for my child and a business of my own. Now I have a chance to get it, and I won't let him stand in my way."
"Since when have I had it all my way?" Cade pulled himself to his feet ready to do battle with his sister. "I've worked for everything I have, and don't you forget it. For some reason you all think being a sports star is all glamour. Well let me tell you, it isn't. I have to work my arse off every day to stay in shape and train, to say nothing of the promotional crap that gets thrown at us." Cade held onto the edge of his chair to stop from toppling over. The whiskey played havoc with his balance. "You were always Father’s little girl, Rooney. Why the hell do you think he took it so damned hard when he caught you with your pants down? You disappointed him, that's why." He laughed bitterly. "You were the final chance he had to make one of us the next member of the dynasty and look what happened. Little Katie stepped in where none of us wanted to be and now she’s in charge."
He saw the colour race up Kate's cheeks. "So, instead of falling into line with Father’s idea of a farming dynasty, you go and get knocked up by the local bad boy. For fuck’s sake, it's laughable. You would always think of yourself before anyone else."
"That's enough, all of you." Tory stepped between Cade and Rooney.
"Mind your own business, Tory. I haven't finished." Cade pushed him out of the way. "I will make up my mind about moving home when I'm good and ready, little sister, and there is nothing you can do about it. I'm going to bed."
Cade turned and hobbled out of the room. He leaned on the entry way wall for support as he headed for the veranda for his crutches. His leg ached like never before and despite the amount he’d drunk, Cade knew there was more to it than the
