Their creamy hides gleamed in the late afternoon sun. The calves skittered around their mothers while they chewed contentedly on the long grass. They watched the humans with bored interest and little or no fear.
"They look great. What is it that you have to catch up on that's stressing you out so much?" Cade rested his chin on her shoulder, a stray hair blowing against his cheek.
"These guys have to come in and get tagged and all the usual things, worming and vaccinations. As you know, it’s more than a one man operation with animals that size. I have the boys working on repairing that long line of fencing." She smiled, glancing at the herd. "Then there is the paperwork which is piling up and maintenance on the farm machinery. I really need to be two or three people."
"Hmm, not sure if I could cope with that many of you. I think I might have my hands full with one Kate."
She blushed. "About that..."
"Yes, let's talk about that, Kate. Let's clear the air." Cade got off the bike and stood beside her, hands on his hips as he gazed over the farm. "I know I was a typical brat when I was a kid. You didn't deserve to be ignored." He turned to her. "I apologise for that. I know there is something between us and so do you. I can almost hear the flutter of your heart when I'm close and it makes me happy."
"Why would that please you?" She licked her lips and looked down at her fingers.
"Because it means I get to you in a way I want, and that makes me happy."
Kate laughed, a shaky sound Cade took as insecurity.
"I don't find it funny, Kate. You are a stunning woman I want to know more about."
"Don't play with me, Cade. I couldn't stand it." She looked at him with solemn eyes.
He stepped over and cupped her cheeks in his hands, brushing his lips over hers. "I promise I won't."
She lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck, placing her lips on his. Tentatively at first, Kate kissed him, then bolder as she devoured him. He stood, stunned at the intensity of the feelings rushing though him. Little Kate, the kid who used to follow him around with hero-worship in her eyes, would be the undoing of him.
"Wow." Cade ran his hands down over her back, cupping her butt in his palms. "That was pretty hot."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to attack you like that. It kind of built up over the years." A soft pink tinge fluttered over her freckled cheeks.
"I'm not complaining, not by any means. You just surprised me."
"Yeah, well. Look, if you’re on the level, I may as well be too. I admit it, I adore you. I always have." She paused, waiting for him to react. "When you came back home I was expecting the Cade we all knew from the news. I know you said it was media hype, but you did treat me like crap when I was a kid. I had to see if I could trust you enough before I let you know my feelings."
He kissed her nose. "I was an awful teenager, I admit it. I won't hurt you, Kate, I promise. When I first hurt my leg, I knew what was happening. Deep inside, I knew I wouldn't play again. It took me a bit of time to deal with that and I made an arse of myself."
"It's understandable, Cade."
"Yes and no. It's something I should have dealt with behind closed doors. You didn't need to be giving a lashing of my lousy attitude. That’s something I should have kept to myself. Fact is, you were doing things to me I didn't want to acknowledge. I didn't know if I was ready for a serious relationship."
"A relationship or me?"
"Relationship. You, I could never turn away from, as a friend or a lover when the time comes. You are special to me, Kate. I hope you know that." He squeezed her butt again before conceding they still had things to do. "Let's get this tour over so we can work out what I'm going to do in the morning when I start work."
Her laugh rang out over the meadow as they got back on the bike.
Chapter 32
Stevie offered to carry Rooney upstairs.
"I can walk. I'm not helpless." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she cringed. "I'm sorry."
"Hey, don't beat yourself up over it. I know what you meant, but I really think you should go and have a shower. Then I can tuck you in." Stevie brushed the hair from her forehead, a sad smile on his face.
"If you need any help, may I could..." Kate stopped, the heat racing up her cheeks when Stevie turned to frown at her. "Sorry."
"Thanks anyway, Kate." Rooney squeezed his hand, trying to reassure him. She threw the blanket back and swung her legs down from the couch. Holding onto Stevie's hand, she stood up. Rooney let him lead her from the lounge. Together they walked up the stairs to her room. She glanced inside the open door of Tam's room and smiled, happy her baby sleeping peacefully without the demons that were bound to invade her own dreams.
He shut the door behind them and flicked on the light before heading into the bathroom to turn on the shower. When he came out, she stood at the foot of her bed, pulling at her hair, trying to undo the clasp around her twisted knot. She tore at it, impatient now to get it undone.
"Honey, calm down. Let me get it for you." Stevie took her hands in his, soothing her with his voice. When she relaxed against him, he let go of her hands and undid the clip, throwing it on the bed cover.
Rooney raised her
