Kate stepped away fromher own scrutiny and into the bathroom. She turned on the shower, waitingimpatiently for the water to heat up. When it did, she stepped under the sprayand thought of how far she’d come in the last few years because of her owndetermination and hard work.
Initially the otherstock hands had relished a female amongst them and she was the brunt ofconstant boy jokes and ribbing about cooking and cleaning for them. It seemedthey didn't get the point about her being there to work the same as them, notas someone for them to chat up. Essie had taken pity on her and cooked herdinner once or twice a week to give her a break from attention of the men.
The soothing water randown her face and Kate scrubbed the dust from her pores. The worst thing abouther job was the constant dirt and exposure to the elements. She worried what itwould eventually do to her fair skin. She lathered sun block on constantly butit didn't seem to keep the freckles away. Kate turned off the shower andreached for a fluffy towel.
Once dry and dressed inslim fitting capri pants and a loose blouse, Kate brushed her hair beforepulling it up in a messy knot on top of her head. She smeared pale lip glossover her lips and sprayed a little perfume on her throat and behind her ears.
Satisfied she wouldpass muster, Kate stroked her hand over Wally who was now washing himself onher bed and walked out of her cottage toward the big house. Coming face to facewith Cade after giving him orders earlier was going to be interesting. Just lethim try and tell her what to do. She was running the show now and it was abouttime he realised that.
Chapter Nine
Russ looked up as theback door opened and Kate walked into the room. She headed for Essie and gaveher a quick peck on the cheek before turning to him.
"Russ, sorry aboutthe welcome before. I had on other things my mind." She walked over andleaned in to give him a brotherly hug. "I'm pleased to see you. Sorryabout the divorce and all, it must have been rough." She perched her button a stool at the counter and kept her gaze on his face.
"I guess it was,but that's life I suppose." He shuffled his feet and sat beside her."It's funny but I'm glad it happened in a way. We weren't right for eachother. It took me a few years to figure that out." He sighed. "Paulawanted more from me than I could give. Things I had no interest in, so it'sprobably for the best all round." He reached over and ran his hand downher arm. "Enough about me. Tell me what's been happening with you. Farmmanager, that's really great news, Kate."
She looked down at herfingers and Russ wondered what was going through her mind. "Yeah, I likeit here and it suits me."
"So tell me how itcame about that you decided you wanted to be a farmer." He looked up whenEssie put a bottle of chilled wine on the counter in front of him."Thanks, Essie." He poured two glasses, handed one to Kate and satback waiting for her to talk.
"Well, you know myfolks were killed just after your mother died? I didn't know what I was goingto do. I mean, seriously there isn't much a seventeen-year-old can do with nomoney and no family." She took a sip of the wine and Russ noticed how herhand trembled as she gripped the stem of the glass.
"Your father tookme in and gave me a permanent job. Funny thing was, I'd already approached himabout it and was working holidays anyway. No fuss or anything, said I wouldhave to prove myself if I wanted to keep the roof over my head. He didn't havetime to worry over me or anything like that."
"Sounds just likethe old man." Russ smiled to soften the words.
"Yeah well, it wasthe best thing he could have done for me. It gave me a purpose to keep going. Ithink if I'd had someone molly-coddle me, I would have broken inside. He watchedme working and taught me what he could. I took to it like a duck to water. WhenThomas the old manager retired, he gave me the job."
"Sounds like youdeserved it to according to Tory. I'm glad it worked out for you, Kate. Theplace is in good hands."
"Thanks. You cantell me to mind my own business, but what is happening with you guys? Are youstaying?" She watched him, her emerald green eyes focused on his face.
"Yes, for nowanyway. I was telling Cade earlier, I think we should keep the farm in thefamily. I mean, we don't know what Rooney is up to. She might want to comehome."
"Yeah, she might.What about Cade? Is he staying too?"
"Worried aboutyour job, Katie?" Cade pushed the door and hobbled into the kitchen. He leanedhis crutches on the counter next to Russ and looked at her.
"No. Why should Ibe?"
"Surely if thefarm gets given to the local government, they can appoint their ownmanagers." He took a glass and poured himself wine while he spoke to her.
"Nope. Tory has itall sorted. I keep my job regardless of what happens." She smiled at himsweetly and the look in her eyes dared him to say something.
Russ coughed to coverup the laugh bubbling up his throat. "Give up, Cade. She's not goinganywhere and that includes falling at your feet."
"We’ll see aboutthat," Cade replied, watching Kate over the rim of his glass as he took asip of the wine.
Dinner’s ready,"Essie interrupted.
"Thankshoney." Kate led them into the dining room and took her seat while Russ stoodholding the chair out for her.
When they had theirmeals in front of them Cade lifted his glass. "Here's to nothing."His sardonic smile wasn't lost
