"I knew she was a money grabbing little tart." Cade’s lips turned up in a snarl. "What are you going to do about her?"
"I've spoken to Tory. Just as well I have some money left over. He's getting a private detective to check her out. He seems pretty confident they’ll find something."
"She can't touch this place anyway, can she?" Rooney asked.
"No, it's all tied up, but she doesn't know that." He rubbed his hand over his face and sighed, shaking off his bad mood. "It's nice to see you again, Stevie." Russ stepped forward and held out his hand.
Stevie gripped it tight, shaking before speaking. "I know you probably all have a lot of questions but if you could keep them until Tam is in bed, I would appreciate it. Then you can ask me what you want."
"There’ll be no fighting, so don't look so damned pleased, Cade." Rooney frowned at her brother and he sat down. "I'm sure we all have a lot to catch up on but as Stevie said, after Tam has gone to bed would be best. Then we can air our gripes and let that be the end of it. Understood?"
"Yes, good idea. Can I get you a beer, Stevie?"
He nodded his thanks, looking toward the door as Tam came running in, holding up her clean hands.
"Go on out to the front and I'll call you when dinner is ready." Essie shooed them out of her kitchen.
Russ walked outside and over to a post on the end of the veranda. He leaned on it gazing over the front of the property. For a short time he’d imagined himself free of the tension his job and marriage had caused him. Being home was what he needed to relax and unwind from the stress of the city and finding a connection with Lizzie was the best thing that could have happened. Now it looked as though Paula had ruined all that. The budding romance, the peaceful return home, all gone with one woman's greed and spite.
"Is there anything I can do, Russ?" Stevie stood next to him, a cold beer in his hand. He looked every inch the policeman he was and Russ was impressed with the change from the bratty kid he’d known.
"Thanks, I appreciate it. Tory said there’s nothing he can do legally. We can search for dirt on her but at the end of the day, if she doesn't want to sign the papers, she doesn't have too."
"That sucks. And the hot little nurse you were keen on? Is she involved somehow, because I don't get why you are so grumpy if it’s only about the house." Rooney slipped a hand through his arm and sipped a glass of wine.
"You see way too much for a little sister, you know that." Russ smiled at her and took a long drink of his beer before he answered her. "Lizzie was the one who met her in reception. Apparently Paula made quite a fuss about seeing me. To top it off, she announced she was pregnant in front of the whole damned emergency department."
"Oh, shit." Rooney's eyes widened.
"Exactly, now they all think I'm a scumbag for leaving a pregnant wife and playing around with Lizzie. I can't win." He finished his beer and slammed the empty bottle on the concrete at his feet.
"You have to fight for her, Russ. Come on, don't let Paula win," his sister pleaded with him.
"It just isn't worth it."
"Grow a spine for God's sake, Russ." Cade's voice rang out in the calm evening. "You're all about being fair and keeping the peace. Sometimes you have to put yourself out to get what you want."
"He's right," Stevie said. "I know Lizzie well. She's a great lady, Russ. If you think she is the one for you, go in and fight for her. Bugger your wife, Tory can take care of her."
"I can't walk away like that."
"Is there any chance it could be your baby, Russ?" Rooney asked.
"Not a hope it hell. I'm pretty sure sex is involved to create a new life from what I learned at uni."
"Well..."
"Evening all...Stevie, it's good to see you again." Kate walked around the front of the house, her clothes dirty and stained from work.
"You're a bit late knocking off." Rooney raised her glass. "Can I get you a wine before dinner?"
"No, I need a shower first." She showed her filthy hands. "If you can give me five minutes, I'll have one then."
"Sure. I'll have a glass with your name on it," Rooney replied. She watched Kate walk away and wandered down the steps with Stevie following her. They walked over to where their daughter played with her new dog in the roots under the huge Morton Bay fig trees.
Russ watched them with envy. If Paula's baby had been his, he would have tried to come to an amicable agreement with her. The dream of having his own child was up there in the list of things he wanted to achieve. Sadly, it wasn't working out that way.
"I don't know why you let her treat you that way, Russ. You deserve better and not just because you're family." Cade hopped across the veranda to stand beside him. They looked down at the small family under the tree, bonding. "Don't let Lizzie go if she means anything to you."
"I can hardly go courting her with a pregnant wife in town." He struggled to keep the anger from his voice. "Sorry, it's not your fault and I don't mean to take it out on you either. It's been a shit of a day and I'm a little bit wound up over it all. I can't see a way out of this. Not one that will fix itself in a hurry, anyway."
"So, let me get this right, you’re going to let her think you don't care and risk losing her, and let your stupid bitch wife win? I thought
