"Maybe. He didn'tsay too much when we drafted up the will. I didn't think it was my place toask, quite frankly." He shuffled the papers and braced himself. "Areyou going to move back and live at Petersham Homestead again?"
She raised an eyebrowand tilted her head to one side as her gaze passed over the top of his head. Herecognized her thinking look and waited for her process his question.
"I don't know.It's something I'll have to think about. There could be repercussions withTamara."
"I still say youneed to talk to Stevie. He has a right to know about his daughter." Toryswallowed the lump that rose in his throat every time he discussed her pastlover with her.
"You know what Ithink about that idea. He didn't give two thoughts about me when Fathercaught us in the barn. The weak bastard ran to save his arse and left me totake the belting of my life." Her eyes flashed with anger, dark and stormyas she spoke. "He deserves nothing from me, least of all anexplanation."
"Well it's yourdecision but I think it might come back to haunt you. What happens if you domove back and Tamara meets him? What are you going to do then?"
He watched her turningit over in her mind. She twisted her hands together and threw quick, guardedglances his way. Rooney wasn't as brave as she was making out but he was thelast person to call her on that.
"Can I stay atyour house tonight, Tory? I don't want to go home until the funeral."
"You know youcan…no need to ask. Mind telling me why you don't want to go and see yourbrothers? It has been eight years and I know you miss them." The thoughtof having her alone in his house was enough to have him doing cartwheels but hecontained himself and tried to act the family solicitor and her best friend.
"I'm afraid if Isee them I’ll give in and promise to stay without making sure it's the bestthing for me and Tamara before I move her from Brisbane. I need to think aboutthis rationally without my heart involved before I make a final decision."She smiled up at him and his heart almost stopped beating. "I want to tossit around with you over dinner, if that's okay?"
"Sure, sounds likefun."
Rooney jumped up androunded the desk. She leaned down and wrapped her arms around his shoulders."Thanks, Tory, I mean it. No one else has been so supportive for so long,at least not anyone from my past. I'll get dinner tonight. Key still in thesame place?"
He untangled her armsand breathed deeply, loathe to let her go before he’d had enough to get himthrough the rest of the day. "Yep, you know where it is. I'll…uh…see youjust after five then."
With a heavy heart, hewatched her leave his office. He was afraid of what would happen when she movedback. She had to confront her brothers and tell them the truth. Rooney also hadto tell Stevie, and Tory knew it wouldn't be pleasant.
Chapter Six
Cade drove up the long,winding driveway wondering how he was going to get out of living here. His lifewas in the city and so was his career. Gone was the young man who had left thefarm to go and play football in the city. It was where he’d made his life and asuccessful career. Now he was a national hero, and he liked the lifestyle. Itwould be impossible to lock himself away down on the farm on a permanent basis.How to get around the terms of the will was going to be the hardest thing.Anything was worth a go though.
He drove around theback of the house to the old blacksmith’s shed, intent on getting his car outof the weather and dust. Little had changed in the years he’d been away. Hismother’s roses still clambered over the wall of the kitchen garden andfree-roaming chickens darted over the green grass chasing bugs or picking atwhatever took their fancy, just as they had done when he was in charge offinding all the hiding places for their eggs.
Deciding it was bestnot to park under the large fig tree to avoid seeds falling on his car, Cadeparked inside the only empty stall. The other three had farm machinery parkedin them. He turned off the car and sat for a moment, excited to be home butapprehensive at the same time. For his own reasons, he had not kept in touchwith anyone from his past, preferring to break free and start his new life.
Opening his door,careful not to hit it against the wall of the narrow stall, he squeezed himselfout with his crutches in one hand. Cade leaned on the car and closed the doorbefore propping the crutches under his arm. He hobbled out of the stall andlooked around, squinting against the bright sunshine.
"You can't parkthat thing in there. Find somewhere else for your damned toys."
Cade looked to hisleft. A curvy redhead in tight blue denim jeans and a checked work shirt stoodwith her hands on her hips, glaring at him. Her green eyes were pinned to hisface. He shook his head.
"Kate?” He laughedloudly when he realised it was.
"Shut up, Cade.Move it before I get back this afternoon." She turned her back to him andwalked off, her head held high.
"Well, well, well,what do you know…little Katie grew up pretty good looking." He let hisgaze travel up and down her body, coming to settle on her hips as she hadwalked down the hill and into the barn. I wouldn't mind getting my fingerstangled in that wild red hair while sampling those luscious lips. He turnedto the house. May as well get this over and done with.
Music came from the oldoriginal kitchen, separated from the house by a covered path, and he
