The rush of voices sounded behind him. Cade ignored them as he headed upstairs to his room and slammed the door. He ripped his shirt over his head and threw it on the floor. The room was hot and stuffy. Cade hopped over to the window, his knee throbbing each time his foot landed on the floor, the pain making him feel sick. Grabbing at the turned timber handles on the sill, he lifted the window and pushed it up, breathing in the cooler air that rushed inside.
He lay down on his bed without pulling down the quilt. Why did he have the jitters about his injury when normally it wouldn't bother him? Deep down he knew but didn't want to admit it, even to himself. This time he knew it was more crippling than before. It could mean the end of his football career, and he wasn't ready for that. He wished he could tell his family the reason he was so belligerent but he couldn't face the sympathy, not yet.
Chapter 12
Russ woke the next morning with anticipation running through his veins. He chose his suit and shirt with care, spending extra time on his appearance. First impressions meant a lot to him and he wouldn't do the meet and greet with mismatched socks or a bad tie. He splashed on a small amount of cologne and looked at his reflection in the oval, full-length mirror in the corner of his room.
Satisfied, he took his wallet from his bedside table along with his phone and keys before walking out of his room. The bedroom door opposite was still closed and there wasn't a sound coming from inside the room. He assumed his brother was sleeping off the drinking binge from the day before.
Russ looked forward to returning to the hospital where he’d been born. A fresh start, a new job and a return to the home he loved put a spring in his step as he headed down the stairs.
The sound of laughter came from the direction of the kitchen. He pushed open the door and smiled. Essie stirred a pan on the stove while Kate leaned on the kitchen counter, cradling a large coffee mug between her hands.
"Morning, ladies, how are you this bright, sunny morning?" Russ placed his car keys on the counter with his phone and headed to the oversized coffee machine.
"Much better than yesterday, thanks. Get away with you, I'll do that," Essie said as she nudged him with her hip.
Russ made eye contact with Kate, who grinned. "I see nothing has changed in this kitchen."
"And why would it then? Things were working just fine and they will continue to do so under my watch." Essie turned to him with a baleful glance. "Just because you've grown up some since I saw you last doesn't mean anything has changed in this house, you know. I still run the kitchen my way. Go and sit."
She turned on the machine and placed a mug underneath the spout before hot coffee dribbled down, filling the kitchen with a delicious aroma.
"Morning, Kate, sleep well?" Russ dropped onto the stool beside her.
"Yes, surprisingly I did." She gave him a gentle smile, her lips twitching. "After the bombshell Rooney dropped on us yesterday, I kind of figured my mind would be churning over the news and wouldn't sleep a wink." Kate drained her mug and pushed it away before resting her chin on her hand. "What do you think is going to happen when Stevie finds out?"
"There will be hell to play, that's what." Essie placed coffee in front of Russ. "That boy isn't going to take the news lying down, I know that for a fact."
"What makes you so sure he will even care?" Kate raised an eyebrow at the older woman.
"He may have been a bit wild as a teenager but things have changed. He's a reliable member of the community now and you can ask anyone what he’s like. Straight down the middle, Stevie is. I think our girl is in for a shock." Essie poured pancake batter in small pan on the stove. "Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to having Rooney and her little one home, but I don't reckon it's going to be as easy as she thinks."
"Essie is right. I don't have much to do with the law mind you, but by all accounts Stevie Taylor has turned out to be a pretty good guy. It's a shame things weren't resolved before now. It could get nasty since Rooney has left it so long," Kate said.
"Well, that is something she’ll have to sort out for herself. I have things of my own to work out." He took a sip of the coffee, sighing as the hot cup of joy slid over his tongue, buzzing his taste buds awake. "Oh Essie, that would have to be the best coffee I've had."
She stepped in front of him, a hint of pink on her age-lined cheeks, and deposited a plate piled high with pancakes in front of him. She added a small bottle of maple syrup and a pot of butter curls to the side of his plate.
Russ reached out and grabbed either side of her face, pulling her close for a fast kiss of gratitude. Essie grinned and bustled away to clear up her dishes.
"Kate, aren't you eating?" Russ asked before he cut a wedge of syrup-drenched pancakes and jammed them in his mouth. He closed his eyes in bliss and groaned as he chewed.
"I'm all good, thanks. Had mine already." She stood and walked to the sink, dropping her mug into the hot bubbly water. "Back for lunch, Essie. You have a good day, Russ. I expect you will knock them all dead in there. It's about time the hospital had a handsome young doctor instead of the old fogies
