"Hi, Russ, can Ihave a minute?"
She stood at the doorwith the light from inside shining brightly into the dark night. He sighed. Thelast thing he wanted was polite conversation. What he needed was a drink and hisbed. Russ turned to her, his briefcase in one hand and the other in his trouserpocket toying with his car keys, trying to keep his agitation under control."What can I do for you, Kate?"
"It's not me thatneeds help. It's your stupid brother." She headed out toward him."Silly fool tried to be a hero today when I was breaking in a young colt.He jumped off the fence and did his leg in. I think he has done more damage tohis knee and won't go to hospital. He's waiting for you."
"What am Isupposed to do about it? He's a big boy. I can't make him do anything hedoesn't want."
"Can you at leasttry, Russ? I feel responsible because he was trying to help me. It was kind ofsweet of him even if he is a jerk." She shrugged and looked at him withhope in her eyes. "Can you please talk to him about getting it checked outproperly?"
"I'll see what Ican do, not that I can promise anything."
"Thanks,Russ." She tucked a long red lock behind her ear. As she turned away, Katelooked over her shoulder. "Good luck with him." She walked back toher cottage, shutting the door behind her.
Russ sighed. After theday he’d had, dealing with his younger brother wasn't appealing. He didn't needthe grief or someone else's problems. The lights in the kitchen were on when hepushed the door open. The smell hit him before he saw the woman leaning overthe kitchen sink. Essie, his faithful Essie had cooked his favourite meal, Thaibeef curry. It was as though she knew the kind of day he'd had.
With gratitude, Russwalked over and leaned his chin on the shoulder of the only woman who had neverlet him down. "You are awesome."
"Bad day? You lookterrible, Russ. Are they working you too hard already?" She dried herhands on the tea towel and turned to take his dinner from the oven. Walkingover to the island bench, Essie placed the hot plate on a mat and told him tosit.
He leaned on the benchand looked at the meal in front of him. "Everyone else in bedalready?"
"Yes, Rooney hadan early night with the little one. It was Tam's first day of school and shewas pretty worn out. You need to eat your meal and t go and sort Cade out.Kate is worried about him, Russ. He came to her rescue today and she's worriedhe’s hurt himself more than he's letting on."
"Yes, I know, shestopped me on the way in." He took a succulent piece of beef and popped itinto his mouth, delighting in the flavours. He swallowed before looking acrossat her. "You know he won't listen to me, he never has." Russ spearedanother piece of meat and scooped up some rice. He ate and thought at the sametime. "I suspect there is more to his injury than he was letting onanyway. From the amount of pain he’s in makes me think he’s holding back onus."
"Well, that may bebut the fact is, he has injured himself again and you need to go and talk somesense into him. Try and get him upstairs into his own bed too. I don't approvepeople sleeping on the couch when a perfectly good bed is right upstairs."
He scooped up the lastpiece of meat and lined up his knife and fork before pushing the plate away."Thank you, Essie, I needed that."
She came over and satin front of him. "Do you want to talk about what's bothering you?"
Russ sighed and leanedhis arms on the counter top. "I had a visitor at the hospital today. My exfronted up and announced to all and sundry I'm not divorced after all."His gut twisted with pain. "Seems as though she’s decided not to sign thepapers. I hadn't given it a thought once I'd done my bit and sent themback."
"Why would she dothat to you? Isn't she the one who initiated proceedings in the firstplace?" Essie frowned.
Russ reached over andpatted her hand. "Yes, she did. But apart from finding out about Fatherdying and thinking there was something in it for her, she is pregnant."
If it wasn't soserious, the look of shock on Essie's face would have made him laugh out loud.
"Oh dear, well, Isuppose you'll have to help support the little one then. You can't turn yourback on a child, Russ."
"It's not mine,Essie. I know that for a fact. My wife and I haven't slept together for months.I suspected she was having an affair but I didn't want to deal with it. Now Ihave to." He stood and walked over to pour himself a glass of water.Leaning against the bench, he drained the glass and left it on the sideboard."I've asked Tory to try and sort something out with her lawyer. She won'tbe coming here, as much as she would like to. If she gets her foot in the door,we won't be able to get rid of her."
"Well, if shecomes knocking, I'll send her on her way then." Essie stood and smootheddown her apron. "Now, how about you go and sort out that brother ofyours."
Russ pushed the dooropen and walked into the hallway. The sounds of snoring came from the frontroom and he walked to the door to look in. Cade lay on his back on the couch,his leg propped up on a cushion and a blanket covering him.
Beside the couch anempty whiskey bottle lay on its side, next to it, a pill bottle. Russ walkedover and crouched down to retrieve it. Reading the label, he looked down atCade and shook his head.
"Bloodyfool."
"Whas that?"Cade slurred and opened his eyes. "Russh, the hero hash returned."
"What the hellhave you done to yourself this time? You’re looking for trouble, Cade."
"Bull. I was
