Russ stood up and heldonto her shoulders. "What happened?"
"Pete's wife issick. He was offered good money for the business and he took it. He would havebeen a fool not to. That left me at a loose end. Now we have to comehome."
"Interesting will,isn't it? I never thought he would do this to us." He shrugged. "Ithink it's a good idea, for me anyway, and I think for you too. I'd like to getto know my niece. Where is she?"
"Staying withPete. I couldn't bring her home before I sorted things out. I fly backtomorrow. We might drive back in the next week or so."
"You okay?"Russ looked over at the gate at Tory watching them, then looked back at Rooney.
"Yes. Tory knowseverything. He’s my ‘go to’ person when I need to keep up with things."She reached out a hand. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I thought it was forthe best."
Russ took her hand inhis, winding their fingers together as they had when they were children."I know you are, little one, but I have to admit to being a little bit sadI've missed out on so much." He raised his other hand and lifted her chinto look into her eyes. "Just don't leave me out of things again,okay?"
Rooney gave him awobbly smile before answering. "I promise. We have a lot to talk about.What we all want to do about moving here. I can't let the property go to anyoneelse, Russ. I want to be responsible for keeping the folks’ legacy alive, evenif everything Father did wasn't my idea of how things should be. Mother workedhard to keep this a family home. I want it to stay that way. At least fornow."
Russ kept hold of herhand and walked with her over to the gate where Tory stood patiently, watchingthe two of them like a hawk.
Tory reached for herand Rooney fell into his arms with a soft sigh. He ran his hand over her paleblonde hair before kissing her cheek. "Okay now?"
"Yeah, I think so.I needed to do that." She turned to Russ. "Thanks. You still have theknack of rescuing me."
"Well, what can Isay? You've always brought out the maternal side in me. How about we go down tothe house and have a quiet drink, see how Cade is going?"
Rooney laughed and Russsmiled. "Cade will be making love to his bottle of whiskey for the rest ofthe night, I should think. But I need to speak to Essie anyway and see if sheneeds some help with clearing up or dealing with all the food the neighbourshave so kindly brought over."
"When are yougoing to tell her, Rooney?" They both knew the housekeeper would take thenews hard. She considered herself their second mother and would take itpersonally that she wasn't told of the pregnancy.
"I guess now is asgood a time as any. May as well get it over and done with and tell everyone,since I have to go back tomorrow anyway."
They strolledback to the house together.
Kate walked from hercottage as they came through the gate. "Rooney, I've been dying to catchup with you." She held her arms out and they hugged. "Sorry aboutyour father."
"Yeah,thanks." Rooney let her gaze travel over her childhood friend. Kate hadgrown into a beautiful young woman and she told her so, watching the blush raceover her freckle-dusted cheeks.
"I have some newsto share with the family. I think you should be in on this conversation too.You and I were always so close." She sighed with relief when Kate nodded.
"Of course, if youthink I should be there, I will. Want me to get Cade for you?" Did Katestill have a case of hero worship for Cade? She had it pretty bad when we werekids. I wonder if this is an excuse to go looking for him? No, Kate was onlybeing helpful. Surely, she'd outgrown the childhood crush?
"Thanks. If wecould all meet in the front room, I think that would be best." Tory laidhis hand on Rooney’s shoulder and smiled encouragingly at her. He knew how hardthis was for her, and she was grateful for his unconditional support.
They walked into thekitchen together.
"Essie, can wehave you in the front room for a meeting please? I have some things I need tosay to the family, and that includes you," Rooney said.
The housekeeper lookedup with a worried look on her face. She wiped her hands on her apron and reachedback to undo the ties, letting it fall undone. Lifting it over her head, shewalked towards the hallway, the apron still clutched in her hands.
Tory, Rooney and Russfollowed her. Rooney could hear Cade's voice before they got to the front ofthe house. "Come on Katie, don't be such a snob. Have a drink with melater."
Kate walked from thefront veranda inside the house, meeting them in the hallway. She grinned,giving Rooney a wink before she walked into the front room, her arm acrossEssie's shoulders.
Chapter Eleven
Cade tried to lifthimself from the low cane chair and struggled. The amount of alcohol he haddrunk to numb his brain was playing havoc on his legs. He laughed at himselfand counted under his breath before pushing himself up with his
