"Mummy, can I go outside for a little bit before dinner?" Tam smiled and waited.
"Sure." She turned back to Cade.
Cade looked into her eyes. How much did she know about him trying to save Kate from the feisty young colt? "It seems okay. Russ ordered a scan and it doesn't appear to be a torn ligament. He figures it's just more of the same and my surgeon in Sydney agrees. Nothing to do for it but rest. He wants to see me in a few days, nothing to worry about."
"You wouldn't have told me either unless I asked, would you? Rooney muttered. She walked over to kiss Essie before opening the fridge door and grabbing the bottle of orange juice. She lifted it to her mouth and took a swig straight from the bottle.
Cade watched as her hand started to shake. A line of juice ran down her chin and throat, soaking into her white-collared shirt. Rooney wiped at it with the back of her hand and noticed him watching her.
"What's wrong, kid?"
Tears welled in her eyes and he eased to his feet, hopping over to where she stood. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her close, worried about the way she trembled. "Tell me what's wrong, Rooney. I don't like to see you like this."
"I'll be okay." She heaved a sigh and gave him a wobbly smile. When he released her, she grabbed a tissue off the kitchen counter and blew her nose.
Essie placed a cup of tea on the counter and pushed her toward the stool. "Sit and tell us what's going on in that pretty head of yours before Tam comes back inside."
Cade perched himself back on the stool and listened while she relayed the visit from Mr Stubbs and her consequent trip to his farm on the way home. "You have to file a complaint against him, Rooney. He can't be allowed to get away with this kind of thing. It's inhumane."
"Yeah, it made me sick looking at those poor dogs locked up. I don't trust him though. Rhian said he's crazy and he sure gives off that vibe." She blew her nose again and smiled. "I know Tam is going to love the pup. At least I can say I've saved one and given it a decent chance for a normal life."
"Yes, you can and it's a shame we can't take more. Who knows how long it will be before they get rescued." He started to work out things in his mind, going over how much he had in the bank and how long it would keep him afloat when everything went pear-shaped.
"You sound as though you want to go and buy something too. I didn't take you as an animal person anymore, Cade."
"You know I love them. Hell, I was never without a dog as a kid. It's just been too hard living in the city to keep one. Now I have to live here—well most of the time anyway—it might be easier to have one. You and the squirt can look after it for me when I'm in the city."
"Of course we can, but I don't know if you should go there. It might be a better idea to call the RSPCA and leave it at that. Let them do what they do best." She looked at him, a frown on her face.
"Well, I think it would be a good idea if I went in and had a look. Who knows how long it will take them and if they have more than one complaint, maybe they will escalate the case." He smiled and chuckled. "I can take photos too. He'll never know what hit him."
"You are hardly in a position to do much, Cade. I think you should leave it to the authorities."
"He won't suspect a thing with me looking like this. I'll have to take your car though. If I rock up in the Ferrari, he'll probably double the price."
"I can't drive that thing. I've gotten so used to my old automatic. Don't make me drive it, Cade, please." The horrified look on her face amused him. At least she wasn't crying over helpless puppies.
He laughed and ruffled her hair. "Settle down, Rooney. It's the 400A, meaning it's an auto too. The easiest car to drive, believe me. I manage with this damned support frame on my leg. I'll go and see him in the morning and then call over to your place and get you to check over whatever I end up with."
"Fine then, but I hope the beast is insured."
He rummaged in his pocket and held out the keys for her to take, amazed at letting someone else drive his precious car. "Fully, so stop worrying."
When he went up to bed that night, he gave little thought to what had happened at the hospital earlier in the day. What was done was done and there was no going back. He just needed to keep himself busy until the day of his final medical and not let it worry him too much. Cade knew he wasn't going to go back to playing football. His career was over the moment he went to Kate's rescue.
He leaned his crutches against the wall and hopped to the centre of the room, glancing out the window at the moon shimmering in the evening sky. Cade pulled his shirt over his head and threw it on the chair in the corner of his room. Why the hell had he gotten involved with his sister’s problems? It wasn't as though he really wanted a dog, they tied you down. No, it was because he'd always had her back. Except the last time when she really needed him and there was no way history was going to repeat itself.
Tomorrow he would do his bit and try to make up for not realising his little sister had needed his help when she ran away from home. In the scheme of things, what he would walk
