"Let's wait and see then. Make sure you rest up properly and stop walking around on that leg when it should be up." He took a step closer and lowered his voice. "Watch the drinking and driving too. The bosses won't take another incident like the last one. You’re skating on thin ice, buddy. Be careful."
The coach walked back down the tunnel and left him standing alone. The emptiness settled in Cade’s chest, leaving him with the gut-wrenching notion that this could easily be the last time he would stand on this hallowed ground.
Chapter 19
"Thanks guys, I appreciate the way you got here so quickly." Rooney signed off on the telephone installation and watched the servicemen pack up the tools and walk to their truck. Now she had a phone line, she could hook up her internet. Over the weekend, Rooney had purchased the equipment and supplies she needed to open her doors. With luck, it would start arriving today and she would be working this week.
The last couple of days were hard work but it had paid off. The walls shone and the dirty grey tiled floor was surprisingly cleaner now she’d scrubbed the years of neglect from it. Russ had helped her bring shelves and a desk out of storage from home for her office. They also added comfortable chairs to the front room which now looked comfortable and homely.
The stainless steel workbenches had come up shiny and new with some elbow grease, and the only thing she lacked after her supplies was patients. Hopefully the word would get out and she would get a steady stream of people dropping in.
Kate had helped by doing up a flyer which had gone through the post to all the surrounding areas. She’d also done an email to all of the contacts in the address book Rooney had found in the paperwork the last vet had left behind. There weren't any entries in the last couple of years he’d owned the business but it was all she had. Now it was a case of sit and wait to see if anyone wanted her services.
As the truck pulled out of her driveway, a small red sedan pulled in. Rooney stood at the door and waited to see who it was. The car door opened and a young woman in jeans and a loose white blouse climbed out, lifting her hand in greeting.
"Rhian? Rhian Walker, is that you?" Rooney skipped down the stairs and across the car park with her arms open wide to embrace her old school friend. "Oh my goodness, you look terrific. How are you?"
"Fabulous now I've seen you." She pushed back and looked at Rooney with a huge grin on her face. "Kate told me you were here and I just had to come out and see you." She slipped her arm through Rooney's and together they walked inside. "Tell me all about it. We have years to catch up on."
"Let me make you a coffee and we can do that. It is so good to see you again." Rooney brushed away a tear before it fell down her cheeks. "I've missed you so much."
"Likewise. When you left, I was heartbroken. Nobody knew where you were, Stevie wasn't talking. It drove me crazy." She followed Rooney into the small kitchen and leaned on the bench while she filled the kettle.
"I'm sorry. I know I should have kept in touch but things just didn't turn out the way I'd planned. I owe everyone a big apology for that." She smiled again. "You look terrific."
Rhian ran her hand over her stomach, showing off a small swell. "This is why. I feel terrific. I'm having a baby and we are so pleased."
"Oh my, I never noticed the ring. Congratulations Rhian, I'm so happy for you. Who did you marry?" She turned to add boiling water to the cups, holding up the sugar.
"No not for me thanks. Just black." Rhian took the mug and walked back out to the reception area and took a seat leaning back comfortably. "Do you remember Dennis Hines? The tall, dark and gawky kid who never said boo?"
"Yes, of course I do. He had eyes for you and you used to ignore him. I often felt sorry for Dennis." Rooney smiled at the memories that came flashing back, of them all swimming in the dam while Dennis sat quietly under the weeping willow trees watching and biding his time until he could speak to Rhian.
"Yes well, he was determined and I finally went on a date with him. We've been stuck together like glue ever since. We got married a couple of years ago."
"Oh, I'm so happy for you. Say hi to him for me, won't you?"
"I will. He knew you were here anyway. I think Stevie told him. So, about the man, are you going to hook up with him or have you found yourself a husband while you were away?"
Rooney looked down at her coffee and wondered how much to tell. If Stevie found out before she told him herself, there would be hell to pay and that was understandable.
"Look, you don't have to worry about me saying anything to Dennis. Girl’s honour, anything and everything will be between us as always. That hasn't changed, Rooney."
"Sorry. I have my reasons for being a bit cautious. I owe Stevie a decent conversation but when he rocked up here the other night, it didn't feel right. I gather you know what happened, how Dad found us?"
Rhian nodded.
"Well, he belted me. God, how he laid into me. I still have the scars across my butt from his leather belt. Anyway, stupid us for being caught. Fact is, I got the biggest dose of rejection because Stevie grabbed his pants and
