He saw the colour raceup Kate's cheeks. "So, instead of falling into line with Father’s idea ofa farming dynasty, you go and get knocked up by the local bad boy. For fuck’ssake, it's laughable. You would always think of yourself before anyone else."
"That's enough,all of you." Tory stepped between Cade and Rooney.
"Mind your ownbusiness, Tory. I haven't finished." Cade pushed him out of the way."I will make up my mind about moving home when I'm good and ready, littlesister, and there is nothing you can do about it. I'm going tobed."
Cade turned and hobbledout of the room. He leaned on the entry way wall for support as he headed forthe veranda for his crutches. His leg ached like never before and despite theamount he’d drunk, Cade knew there was more to it than the doctors wheretelling him. After being so stupid and leaving his crutches outside, he knewthe pain he would feel tomorrow wouldn’t be good.
The rush ofvoices sounded behind him. Cade ignored them as he headed upstairs to his roomand slammed the door. He ripped his shirt over his head and threw it on thefloor. The room was hot and stuffy. Cade hopped over to the window, his kneethrobbing each time his foot landed on the floor, the pain making him feelsick. Grabbing at the turned timber handles on the sill, he lifted the windowand pushed it up, breathing in the cooler air that rushed inside.
He lay down on his bedwithout pulling down the quilt. Why did he have the jitters about his injurywhen normally it wouldn't bother him? Deep down he knew but didn't want toadmit it, even to himself. This time he knew it was more crippling than before.It could mean the end of his football career, and he wasn't ready for that. Hewished he could tell his family the reason he was so belligerent but hecouldn't face the sympathy, not yet.
Chapter Twelve
Russ woke the nextmorning with anticipation running through his veins. He chose his suit andshirt with care, spending extra time on his appearance. First impressions meanta lot to him and he wouldn't do the meet and greet with mismatched socks or abad tie. He splashed on a small amount of cologne and looked at his reflectionin the oval, full-length mirror in the corner of his room.
Satisfied, he took hiswallet from his bedside table along with his phone and keys before walking outof his room. The bedroom door opposite was still closed and there wasn't asound coming from inside the room. He assumed his brother was sleeping off thedrinking binge from the day before.
Russ looked forward toreturning to the hospital where he’d been born. A fresh start, a new job and areturn to the home he loved put a spring in his step as he headed down thestairs.
The sound of laughtercame from the direction of the kitchen. He pushed open the door and smiled.Essie stirred a pan on the stove while Kate leaned on the kitchen counter,cradling a large coffee mug between her hands.
"Morning, ladies,how are you this bright, sunny morning?" Russ placed his car keys on thecounter with his phone and headed to the oversized coffee machine.
"Much better thanyesterday, thanks. Get away with you, I'll do that," Essie said as shenudged him with her hip.
Russ made eye contactwith Kate, who grinned. "I see nothing has changed in this kitchen."
"And why would itthen? Things were working just fine and they will continue to do so under mywatch." Essie turned to him with a baleful glance. "Just becauseyou've grown up some since I saw you last doesn't mean anything has changed in thishouse, you know. I still run the kitchen my way. Go and sit."
She turned on themachine and placed a mug underneath the spout before hot coffee dribbled down,filling the kitchen with a delicious aroma.
"Morning, Kate,sleep well?" Russ dropped onto the stool beside her.
"Yes, surprisinglyI did." She gave him a gentle smile, her lips twitching. "After thebombshell Rooney dropped on us yesterday, I kind of figured my mind would bechurning over the news and wouldn't sleep a wink." Kate drained her mugand pushed it away before resting her chin on her hand. "What do you thinkis going to happen when Stevie finds out?"
"There will behell to play, that's what." Essie placed coffee in front of Russ."That boy isn't going to take the news lying down, I know that for a fact."
"What makes you sosure he will even care?" Kate raised an eyebrow at the older woman.
"He may have beena bit wild as a teenager but things have changed. He's a reliable member of thecommunity now and you can ask anyone what he’s like. Straight down the middle,Stevie is. I think our girl is in for a shock." Essie poured pancakebatter in small pan on the stove. "Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forwardto having Rooney and her little one home, but I don't reckon it's going to beas easy as she thinks."
"Essie is right. Idon't have much to do with the law mind you, but by all accounts Stevie Taylorhas turned out to be a pretty good guy. It's a shame things weren't resolvedbefore now. It could get nasty since Rooney has left it so long," Katesaid.
"Well, that issomething she’ll have to sort out for herself. I have things of my own to workout." He took a sip of the coffee, sighing as the hot cup of joy slid overhis tongue, buzzing his taste buds awake. "Oh Essie, that would have to bethe best coffee I've had."
She stepped in front ofhim, a hint of pink on her age-lined cheeks, and deposited a plate piled highwith pancakes in front of him. She added a small bottle of maple syrup and apot of butter curls to the side of his plate.
Russ reached out andgrabbed either side of her face, pulling her close for a
