Kate didn't believe insex for the sake of it. What was the point? She had to live with herself and asit stood now, the only one who cared about her morals was her.
"Kate, earth toKate?" Cade poked her arm.
"What?" Shelooked around the table and everyone was watching her. Rooney had a smile onher face and Kate could just imagine what was going through her mind."Sorry, thinking of other things. Work and stuff, you know."Embarrassed now, she grabbed her napkin and wiped at her lips.
"Essie was askingif you would like your coffee on the veranda. Stevie and Rooney are going toput Tam to bed, and come down and join us. There are a couple of things we needto discuss. You may as well be in on the conversation since you’re consideredfamily." Cade looked at her with pale blue eyes and a grin on his face.
"Um…yeah,sure." She cursed her pale skin knowing she was blushing. Pushing herchair back, she stood. Before Cade could stand, Kate took his plate and hers,walking into the kitchen to place them on the counter.
"Sorry, Essie. Iwas miles away." She rinsed the plates and loaded them in the dishwasher.
"Don't apologiseto me, Kate. You can moon over the boy any time you like. It would be nice tosee him with you and not one of those skanky city girls who hang around therugby players." Essie grinned.
"Oh, you’reincorrigible. That’s the last time I'm confiding in you." Kate headed backto the dining room to collect more dishes.
***
When Tam was settled,Rooney and Stevie came back downstairs. Kate joined them on the veranda onceshe had finished cleaning up with Essie.
"Okay, so what'sthe big deal here apart from the fact we have Stevie for dinner?" Sheleaned against a veranda rail with a mug of steaming coffee in her hands,trying not to look at Cade.
"You've metMilly." Cade stroked the head of his dog snuggled in beside his chair."Do you know Mr Stubbs? He lives out on the Lorn Road."
"Yeah, everyonedoes. He's an arsehole from all accounts. Not quite right in the head."
Cade laughed."Right, you got him in one. He visited Rooney's surgery the other day andhe brought in that little pup Tam is running around with. When he saw what thebill was going to be, he said he was going to shoot it. Rooney, being Rooney,bought it."
Kate looked over at herfriend and smiled. "I probably would've done the same thing."
"Yeah, that maybe, but on the way home she decided to call in and be nosy. Seems Rhian toldher how he runs a puppy farm and she wanted to see for herself."
"Like to livedangerously, don't you?"
"I had to do it,Kate. I'm sure you would’ve done the same."
"But unlike Kate,I'm not sure you could do anything to save yourself if the case arose,"Stevie said. "Kate at least, can throw a sizable calf on the ground anddigs in with the best of them. You look way too delicate for that."
Rooney gasped andthumped him on the shoulder. "Cheap shot."
"It's the truth.We know he is a nasty character, which is the reason the RSPCA have asked for apolice presence tomorrow when they go in. I don't want you anywhere near him inthe future. If you have any issues, call me and let me deal with it."
Kate watched Steviebrush his hand over Rooney's cheek and ached for someone to love her as much asthat. "So, where do you and that dog come in, Cade? You did say you wouldconfess all after dinner." She walked over and sat down on the top step,watching him stroking his fingers around Molly's ears.
"I figured if wecould get video evidence of what was going on, it would help Rooney'scomplaint." He leaned forward in his chair and gave her his trademarksmile. Molly placed her chin on his sore knee and gazed adoringly at him."He was only too happy to show me around and sell me something. Luckily, Iinsisted on checking out the second barn because Molly here was tied up withbloody baling twine, ready for a bullet. Poor girl hadn't had a litter for twoseasons running and was useless in his eyes."
Kate pushed back thewave of emotion rising in her throat. Who would have guessed the tough rugbyplayer could be slayed by a barren collie on death row? She coughed to clearher throat. "Right. So what happens now then?"
"Nothing, I guess,until he goes to court. Then I suppose Rooney and I will have to testifyagainst him, tell the judge what we saw. Although I think the video evidence isproof enough."
"What videoevidence?" A chill raced up her spine.
"I had my phone inmy pocket and videoed everything. Rhian downloaded it and we emailed it alongwith the complaint form."
"Are you crazy?What if you'd been caught?" She couldn't believe how stupid he wassometimes.
"Don't tell me youcare what happens to me, Kate?" He nudged Molly out of the way and stood,shuffling over to where Kate had risen at the top of the steps. He placed hishand on her arm and the heat raced through her skin. "I was perfectlysafe, but your concern is always welcome—more than welcome in fact."
"You're reading itwrong. I wasn't concerned for you, just the family in general." Brushinghis hand off, Kate placed her cup on the ground and backeddown the steps. "I have to go to bed. I've got an early start. Nice to seeyou again, Stevie. Night all." Kate walked away, cursing herself foracting like an idiot. He would think she was another conquest and that wasmortifying. She refused to put herself in the same category as his groupiegirlfriends. Her pride wouldn't let her even though her body might have otherideas.
"Kate, pleasewait." Cade almost caught up with her as she reached her front door. Hemust have cut through the house.
"What?" Shekept her hand on the door handle, ready for a quick escape.
"I didn't mean toupset you, I'm sorry." The race through the house to head her off sportingcrutches took more effort than he thought it would. There were spikes of painshooting up his leg and he was out
