Rooney walked out andmade sure her daughter was strapped in before standing back as Cade started theengine. "Drive safe, Cade. I won't be long. See you at home." Shewaved as the car drove sedately out of the car park and headed for the farm.
Smiling to herself,Rooney headed back inside to do a final check on the equipment she had managedto salvage. With a pen in her hand, she walked around and listed everything shedeemed good enough to use for now. When she got home, she’d go online and seehow much of her savings she would have to use to get the doors open.
The slam of a car doorstartled her and she looked up. The light was fading and she cursed. They wouldhave expected her home ages ago. Lost in her own world, the time had flown.
Footsteps sounded onthe gravel car park and she walked over to the door to greet whoever hadstopped by. Rooney looked out the door and her heart almost stopped beating.Memories of her past rushed through her mind. Stevie, the love of her teenagelife, walked towards her.
"Rooney." Hestood looking down at her, his tall frame towering over her petite height."Heard you were back in town." Stevie stood with his hands on his hips,watching her with dark brooding eyes.
"Yes, Father diedand we had to come back, but you probably knew that anyway." Her voicecame out in a squeak and she took a deep breath before saying anything else."I see you’ve done well for yourself."
"Well it was kindof overdue, wasn't it? Either join them or get on the wrong side of thelaw." He looked at her lips and clenched his together.
"What did youwant, Stevie?" Please leave, before I dig by hands into your shirt andpull you inside.
"Just to check upon you. I'm sorry about your father."
"No you're not. Hewas a bastard to you." She coughed and cleared her throat. "I hear hegave you a belting too when I left home."
Stevie threw his headback and laughed, digging his hands into his back pockets. "You could saythat." He looked back at her, his gaze travelling the length of her body."I guess I deserved it, although at the time I didn't think so."
Rooney kept silent andwatched the emotions race across his face.
"Why didn't youtell me you were going, Rooney?"
"Let it go,Stevie. What's past is past and I want it to stay that way." She swallowedand looked down, finding it hard to look into his face.
He turned and walked afew paces before turning back. "I might not be the kid I was when you leftbut nothing’s has changed for me, Rooney, nothing at all. See you around."He walked to the unmarked police car and got in, slamming the door behind him.
Rooney watched him peelaway, spraying gravel as he left. She slid down the door frame to sit on thestep. Her breath came in small gasps and her heart was pounding. Nothing hadchanged for him. Does that mean he still loves me after all this time? Oh myGod, what am I going to do? I should have told him. Damn it, Rooney, you’resuch an idiot.
She sat clutching herarms around her stomach while different scenarios ran through her head. Steviewould be bitter that she hadn't told him, Rooney could see that. It was herdecision to cut all ties with home when she left, including those with theboyfriend who hadn't stood up for her. Although he didn't get off scot free asshe had thought, he still had a lot to answer for. If he’d been a man at thetime, their lives would be so different now.
No point in crying overwhat might have been. I have a life now and a child to provide for. I'll tellhim when I can do it without breaking down.
Rooney wiped her faceand realised she was crying. She grabbed a tissue from her pocket and blew hernose before standing up. It was time she left, Tam would be getting worried.Taking a quick look around, she grabbed her car keys and clicked the lock onthe door before pulling it closed behind her.
On the drive home,Rooney argued with herself. Too tired to even think it through rationally, shegave up and concentrated on planning her new business schedule instead.
Chapter Seventeen
Russ pulled up outsidethe small Victorian cottage on the outskirts of Singleton ten minutes early topick up Elizabeth for their date. He glanced over the wrought iron fence at thesmall manicured garden. He could imagine her living in something like this. Itwas neat and tidy, everything in its place.
He hoped she approvedof the restaurant he was taking her to. It was small and cosy, close to homeand not over the top pretentious. She hadn’t wanted a fuss. Happy to have hercompany for the night, Russ had agreed and booked at the Italian restaurant.
Before he could openhis door, she appeared in the small garden. Russ smiled and got out of the car,walking over to meet her at the front gate. The simple dark blue dress huggedher curves and accentuated her long legs. Her throat was bare and the front ofthe dress dipped to a point between her breasts. "You look lovely tonight,Elizabeth."
A blush raced up hercheeks and she smiled. "Thank you."
Russ opened the gateand took her hand, walking her to the car. He opened the door and waited untilElizabeth was settled before closing it again. When he slid into his seat andstarted the car, she looked over at him. "Thank you for taking me out.I've been looking forward to it."
"I hope you likethe restaurant I've booked. La Casa, the small Italian place in town. You didsay somewhere nice and not over the top if I recall, Elizabeth." Heindicated and pulled the car out into the road.
"Call me Lizzieplease." She smiled.
His fingers ached totouch the smooth line of her neck. To trace the length to her collar bone wherehe imagined the skin was as smooth as it looked. Russ gripped the steeringwheel and kept his gaze on the road ahead. He pulled up at the
