Stevie watched her go inside the house and then turned to Rooney. He watched the colour race up her pale cheeks and resisted the urge to tease her. When they were younger, he had driven her to distraction when she blushed. It had invariably led to making out, the very thing they got into trouble for but they couldn't keep their hands off each other.
Now he was a responsible citizen, he would have to curb the lust that rose in him whenever he saw her. The way he had taken her yesterday was not something he regretted though. No other women had ignited the flame in him like Rooney did. Powerless to resist the spark that burned between them, it guaranteed to get him into trouble especially when she had his child with her.
He stood up and casually draped his arm over her shoulder. "You know, if Tam wasn't here I’d take you down to the barn and refresh old memories. You're lucky I want to see my daughter but don't think you're getting away scot free." He dropped a kiss on her smooth blonde hair. "We can discuss us after dinner when your brothers have finished giving me dirty looks and grilling me."
She laughed, a sound that shot right to his gut. "Grill you? That will be the day, you're the policeman. It thought that was your job."
"When it comes to leaving you alone and pregnant, if I was your brother, I would kill me."
She walked toward the back door of the house and Stevie stuck close to her side, his arm still over her shoulder. "Yeah well, I guess we’re both to blame for that, so don't feel too bad. They might let you live since you didn't know about it."
Rooney pushed open the door and memories came flooding back of standing at the kitchen counter filling his stomach with Essie's home-cooking.
"Stevie, oh my, it’s so good to see you." The spritely housekeeper ran to greet him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He picked her up and swung her around until she giggled. "Put me down, you ratbag."
While she gathered her breath, he stood back and looked at the person he considered his saviour when he was younger. His own mother had died when Stevie was twelve and his father shut himself off, wracked with grief. The only person he’d had to talk to was Rooney, and the person who made sure he had enough to eat was Essie. It hadn't seemed right to come and visit her with Rooney gone. The old man wouldn't have let him on the property again.
"I've missed you, Essie." It was hard only seeing her in passing when she was in town shopping. Knowing how much she loved and believed in him was one of the reasons he’d joined the force.
"Oh away with you, Stevie." Essie blushed at his words. "My how you've grown into a handsome man. Poor Rooney won't be able to resist you now anymore than she did when you were youngsters."
"And look how much trouble that got them into."
Stevie turned around to see who had spoken. Russ was walking into the kitchen, a grim look on his face. Fuck, I'm done for now. Dread filled his stomach and he prepared for the confrontation he knew he deserved. Stevie clenched his fists at his side and moved forward to meet Rooney's eldest brother.
Chapter 25
"Well I'm glad you're here, Stevie. Rooney needs you," Essie said.
"I think she’s the one who should decide that, Essie," Russ said as he walked into the kitchen. He looked at Stevie and dropped his briefcase by the door before walking over and standing in front of them. "I do hope now you're someone of worth, your morals have changes somewhat and you're ready to do the right thing by my sister."
"What is up with you, Russ?" Rooney walked over and stood between him and Stevie. "You don't talk to anyone this way."
"It's okay, I can take it. He won't be the only one who thinks I need a flogging for leaving you."
"No, he won't be." Cade hopped into the kitchen, his new dog close on his heels. "If I wasn't injured, I would drag you outside to the barn, and it wouldn't be for what you’re used to getting up to in there either."
"Stop it, both of you." Rooney glared at her brothers. "This is none of your bloody business and I'll thank you to remember that. Russ," she poked him in the chest with her finger, "you look like someone just messed up your nice orderly life. Spill your guts and tell us what’s really pissing you off, and stop taking it out on Stevie."
He shook his head, stepping away to go and look out the kitchen window. He took a glass from the draining board and filled it with water, drinking the lot before he turned back to them. "Sorry. I really am so sorry. It's good to see you again, Stevie. I apologise for my behaviour. It's been a shocking day and I feel like hitting out at something or someone."
"Hey, bro, I thought we were on the same side here." Cade looked crestfallen now there wasn't going to be a fist fight. "How am I supposed to take him on by myself?"
"Get over it, Cade. You don't mean it and we all know it. Stop trying to play tough." Rooney walked over to Russ and rested her hand on his arm. "Tell us what's going on. I know it's more than work. You were foul yesterday when you got in."
"Fine, a problem shared and all that. It's my ex-wife, or at least I thought she was my ex. Seems after initiating a divorce and taking everything I had, she’s decided she wants this place too. To top it off, she tells me I'm going to be a father." He gave a bitter
