It was too late to call Tory about the details now. Even though they had been best mates at school, Russ had no idea where he was living since finishing law school. He had no idea his father had become one of Tory's clients. It would have to wait until morning when Russ could call him at the office listed on the letter.
By the time he got it together enough to call his brother, it was dark. When the call went to voicemail, he left a message. "Cade, it's Russ. We need to talk. Give me a call as soon as you get this message regardless of the time. Ta."
Russ walked into the bathroom, stripped off his shirt and threw it on the floor. He looked in the mirror at the man standing there. His mother's colouring but his father’s looks. She was as fair as his father was dark. Unruly blond hair curled around Russ's ears. He’d given up worrying about it long ago, content to let it go where it wanted to. His eyes were his best feature according to his ex-wife.
Tiredness mapped his eyes with red, the vivid blue dulled to grey and the usual piercing intensity replaced with sadness. He wished he had made up with his father before now. Unlike his mother who’d supported her children, the old man hadn't. He was too stubborn to admit they deserved to choose their own career path. Where she gave them free rein, his father had expected them all to follow in his footsteps as a cattle baron.
Nothing could sway Russ to work the land. His goal had always been to help people and since his mother died, the need to heal the sick was even stronger than before. He tried to ignore the knot in his stomach as he stripped his trousers and boxer shorts, throwing them in the clothes basket. He needed to look his best for the interview tomorrow. He rubbed his hand over his jaw. The 5 o'clock shadow rough against his palm.
I hope my grey suit will be appropriate. I doubt I would make my best impression wearing my usual hospital garb of jeans and polo shirt. I wonder where my good bottle of Armani aftershave is? Funny, I haven't seen it around. Paula probably decided she wanted that as well. He frowned looking through the small drawer in the cabinet coming up empty handed. Looks like its Old Spice again.
Russ flicked on the shower and walked under the spray, his shoulders slumping as the heat massaged his tired muscles. I'll set the alarm early and have a shave then, too damned tired tonight. He stood letting the spray wash over his face before giving himself a quick scrub. When he stepped out of the shower and dried himself, Russ walked to his bed. Throwing back the blanket, he collapsed down onto the cool sheets. He was exhausted, excited and apprehensive all at once.
* * *
The chiming of his phone woke him just after midnight.
"Yo, brother. What's up?" Cade’s voice was slurred and Russ knew he must have been out on the town.
"I got a letter from the solicitors. The old man died."
"Fuck, really?"
"Yeah really. Listen, where are you? I need to call Tory in the morning and we will no doubt have to head home for the funeral and a meeting." He thought quickly. "Can you get away later tomorrow? I can pick you up and give you a lift down."
"No, it's okay. I have stuff to do before I leave here, I'll tell you when I see you. Give me a call after you've spoken to Tory and let me know what's happening. I'd rather meet you down there if you don't mind."
Russ promised to call back tomorrow and disconnected. He dropped his phone on the bedside table and lay back on his pillow. Now he was awake and his mind turned things over. Doubting he would get back to sleep in a hurry, he got up and flicked on the lights as he went.
* * *
"The job is yours, Doctor Williams. When can you start?" Neeta Pryor looked over the rims of her steel-framed black glasses.
"We haven't discussed the location, Ms Pryor."
"Oh gosh! Sorry about that. I have to say this position was stressing me out until I saw your application. Singleton in the Hunter Valley. Beautiful spot. I'm sure you will love it there."
Russ sucked in a quick breath and she frowned. "Is that a problem for you, Doctor?"
"Uh…that’s where I grew up actually. You took me by surprise."
"So," she chewed her bottom lip with even white teeth, "will it be a problem for you to return?"
Russ swallowed and looked past her out of the window. He needed something quieter than working in the city. Singleton offered him everything he wanted. With his father gone, there was no reason why he shouldn't go home and work his way back into the community. It was his father who forced him away. That didn't mean he had to stay away forever.
Smiling at Neeta, he swiftly made up his mind. "No. That won't be a problem for me. When do I have to be there?"
"Can you start next week? Monday?" She shuffled her paperwork and drew out a sheet, handing it over to Russ. "If you could sign this for me accepting the position, I can draw up the contract and have it delivered to you later today. There are doctors’ quarters at the hospital you can use if you require or you can find your own place. Your call."
"Thanks, I'll let you know." He signed the paper and pushed it back over the desk. "You know where I am and I'll be there until five tonight so you can send over the contract." He stood and reached for her hand, shaking it. "I appreciate the
