Rooney watched him peel away, spraying gravel as he left. She slid down the door frame to sit on the step. Her breath came in small gasps and her heart was pounding. Nothing had changed for him. Does that mean he still loves me after all this time? Oh my God, what am I going to do? I should have told him. Damn it, Rooney, you’re such an idiot.
She sat clutching her arms around her stomach while different scenarios ran through her head. Stevie would be bitter that she hadn't told him, Rooney could see that. It was her decision to cut all ties with home when she left, including those with the boyfriend who hadn't stood up for her. Although he didn't get off scot free as she had thought, he still had a lot to answer for. If he’d been a man at the time, their lives would be so different now.
No point in crying over what might have been. I have a life now and a child to provide for. I'll tell him when I can do it without breaking down.
Rooney wiped her face and realised she was crying. She grabbed a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose before standing up. It was time she left, Tam would be getting worried. Taking a quick look around, she grabbed her car keys and clicked the lock on the door before pulling it closed behind her.
On the drive home, Rooney argued with herself. Too tired to even think it through rationally, she gave up and concentrated on planning her new business schedule instead.
Chapter 17
Russ pulled up outside the small Victorian cottage on the outskirts of Singleton ten minutes early to pick up Elizabeth for their date. He glanced over the wrought iron fence at the small manicured garden. He could imagine her living in something like this. It was neat and tidy, everything in its place.
He hoped she approved of the restaurant he was taking her to. It was small and cosy, close to home and not over the top pretentious. She hadn’t wanted a fuss. Happy to have her company for the night, Russ had agreed and booked at the Italian restaurant.
Before he could open his door, she appeared in the small garden. Russ smiled and got out of the car, walking over to meet her at the front gate. The simple dark blue dress hugged her curves and accentuated her long legs. Her throat was bare and the front of the dress dipped to a point between her breasts. "You look lovely tonight, Elizabeth."
A blush raced up her cheeks and she smiled. "Thank you."
Russ opened the gate and took her hand, walking her to the car. He opened the door and waited until Elizabeth was settled before closing it again. When he slid into his seat and started the car, she looked over at him. "Thank you for taking me out. I've been looking forward to it."
"I hope you like the restaurant I've booked. La Casa, the small Italian place in town. You did say somewhere nice and not over the top if I recall, Elizabeth." He indicated and pulled the car out into the road.
"Call me Lizzie please." She smiled.
His fingers ached to touch the smooth line of her neck. To trace the length to her collar bone where he imagined the skin was as smooth as it looked. Russ gripped the steering wheel and kept his gaze on the road ahead. He pulled up at the restaurant into a parking spot out front. Before Lizzie could open her door, he was there to help her.
She took the hand he offered to help her out of the car and then withdrew it when she stood. "Thank you. It's rather refreshing to find there are still a few gentlemen left in the world."
"My father wouldn't have it any other way. We grew up opening doors for my mother and any other ladies we met along the way. Heaven forbid if we slacked off and forgot."
"Why, what happened if you did?"
"My father believed in punishment and not behaving like he expected us to would often mean the cane." He smiled and guided her into the restaurant. They stood waiting at the reception desk for their table until the waiter noticed them. "Table for Williams."
"Follow me, Doctor Williams."
Russ walked behind Lizzie as they were shown to a quiet corner of the restaurant. When they were seated, the waiter handed them menus and took their drink order. Finally, they were alone.
"Where did you grow up, Lizzie?" Russ raised his glass of wine and took a sip, savouring the smooth red liquid.
"Sydney. Paddington to be exact. My parents were both in medical research. They spent their life looking through microscopes and writing about their findings." She looked down and made patterns on the tablecloth with her finger.
"Do I detect a note of disdain there?"
"Not really. They were great parents. I guess I had it better than most. At least we were a family." She smiled and her whole face lit up when her gaze met his. "Tell me about you. I bet you had a great childhood."
"Well, I was born here but you probably know that."
A small twitch curved the her lips more. "I actually don't really know much about you at all. I told you I don't listen to gossip but if I did, I somehow doubt they would get it right."
"Fair comment. My parents owned a farm just outside Lorn. It's a beautiful property that’s been handed down over generations. Full of history and the perfect place for children to grow up. I have one brother, Cade who is a football star and a sister, Rooney. She’s a vet and opening her own practice soon. She has a daughter, Tamara."
The waiter arrived with their entree and Russ stopped talking until he’d served them before continuing.
"My mother was the kind of person who encouraged us no
