Russ nodded and stood."Thanks. So long as you’re okay, I'll leave you alone. I think I’d bettergo and settle Essie's ruffled feathers now. She was going in to sort out Cade.I'd hate to see which one comes off better after he’s been drinking."
"I'll see youtomorrow at the funeral then."
"Yes, I guess so.Night, Kate."
Russ walked away, hisstomach in a knot over the approaching funeral. Cade had hit a sore point withhim. He was worried about who would be there tomorrow to farewell his fatherand who would be there to see what the family were going to do. I just hopeCade doesn't go spouting off and blow what chance Rooney and I have of a newlife here.
Chapter Ten
Russ greeted mournersthe next day before the funeral, accepting condolences and well wishes. When hesaw Tory drive up with his sister in the front seat, he stepped forward thenhesitated, unsure how she would react to seeing him after so long. He watchedRooney grasp Tory's arm as he helped her from the car. He leaned down and spoketo her. They’ve always been close. I hope I can have that bond with heragain. When we were kids it was nice and easy now, after all that's happened,who knows. When Rooney nodded her head, Tory stood back and looked towardthe chapel where Russ was standing watching and listening.
"Better?" Heheld her by the tops of her arms, keeping her steady until she nodded her head.
Rooney looked up at himand gave a wobbly smile. "This is harder than I thought it was going tobe."
"It's okay, honey.You don't have to be tough. I've got you."
Tory slipped his armaround her shoulders and walked along the crushed granite pathway to the smallsandstone chapel in the grounds of the family home. She glanced at the smallgraveyard, her grip on Tory's arm tightened and she held her head high.
"Rooney."Russ reached for her and she collapsed in his arms "Shush, honey." Hestroked her hair and held her as she cried. "Tory, thanks for bringingher."
Russ glanced at Toryand, seeing the pain on his face, it hit him how much Rooney meant to him. Neversaw that one coming.
"Russ." Thepain was etched into the lines around Tory's mouth. His eyes were filled withlove as his gaze settled on Rooney's tear-stained face but he stood by lettingher give in to her grief in her brothers arms.
She stood back, butheld onto Russ’s arm. "Sorry about that. It just kind of hit me seeing youstanding there, Russ."
"I've missed you,Rooney. We need to talk after everyone has left." He smiled, hoping toease the strain on her face. "There’s a lot to catch up on."
A shadow crossed herface and he glanced over at Tory, who looked away, refusing to meet Russ'sgaze.
"Sure. Let's justget through this first, please." She wiped her nose and looked in the doorat the crowd already sitting inside the chapel. "Is Cade in there?"
"No, not yet. Heshouldn't be too far away though. He was ready when I left." Russ lookedinto his sister’s icy blue eyes and winced at the pain he saw there. "Didyou want me to go and find him for you?"
"No, it's okay.I'll see him sooner or later." She turned to Tory. "Can we all go intogether…please?"
Russ and Tory shared aglance and then stood either side of Rooney, arms linked and walked her inside.The cloying smell of lilies filled the small chapel and Russ wished someone hadchosen a different flower. They reminded him too much of his mother's funeral.
Keeping his gaze aheadon the minister waiting to start the service, Russ guided his sister to thefront seat and waited while she sat before looking around the faces of those whowere here to pay their last respects to his father. He noticed Essie sitting inthe pew behind him and he reached back, briefly touching her on the shoulder.She gave him a sad smile and he took his seat.
The ministerapproached. "Is there anyone else before we start, Russ?"
"Cade..."
"Is here,"his brother said as he hobbled down the aisle. He leaned down and kissedRooney, whispering in her ear before dropping onto the hard wooden seat besideTory.
The service passed in ablur and by the time the last of the mourners had shared food with them andleft, Russ was rubbing his temples, the tightness giving him the mother of allheadaches.
"Russ."Rooney looked up at him. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a bun and herpale skin was free of makeup. Redness rimmed her steely blue eyes and Russ knewthere were going to be more tears by the glimmer of moisture in her eyes. Hehad been watching out for her and she hadn't yet been up to see their mother’sgrave. As their father’s casket was laid in the ground, Rooney had looked away,her gaze on the hills she used to ride as a child.
"Hey, youokay?" He slipped his arm around her shoulders and walked her outside tothe garden.
"I will be. Iguess. Can you come with me up to the grave now there is no one here? I need tosay goodbye to Mum, and I don't think I can do it on my own."
"Sure, butwouldn't you rather have Cade take you up?"
"He's sitting onthe front veranda with a bottle of whiskey. I doubt he’ll be going anywhere forsome time." She looked up at him, her lips quivering as tears gathered inthe corners of her eyes once more.
"Come onthen." Russ sucked in a deep breath and walked her up the hill toward thechapel.
***
Rooney felt her stomachrolling as they followed the fence line down toward the chapel. The wind blewenough to cool the summer heat rolling over the hills. She glanced around atthe farm as they neared the graves. Nothing had changed since she was lasthome. Pushing away all other thoughts, she looked over the fence as Russreached for the latch on the gate. She’d dreaded this moment ever since Toryhad called her to tell her the news. Now she had to farewell both her parentson the same day. It was a hard call for even
