"That's what I thoughttoo. Hang on, let's go see the mums and babies. Tell me what you think ofthem." Kate took off again and drove for a good ten minutes before theycame to a gate.
Cade got off andhobbled to open it, standing back when she drove through. He locked it behindher and skipped over to climb back on the bike. Wrapping his arms around her,Cade watched over her shoulder as she headed to a small group of cows andcalves.
Their creamy hidesgleamed in the late afternoon sun. The calves skittered around their motherswhile they chewed contentedly on the long grass. They watched the humans withbored interest and little or no fear.
"They look great.What is it that you have to catch up on that's stressing you out so much?"Cade rested his chin on her shoulder, a stray hair blowing against his cheek.
"These guys haveto come in and get tagged and all the usual things, worming and vaccinations.As you know, it’s more than a one man operation with animals that size. I havethe boys working on repairing that long line of fencing." She smiled,glancing at the herd. "Then there is the paperwork which is piling up andmaintenance on the farm machinery. I really need to be two or threepeople."
"Hmm, not sure ifI could cope with that many of you. I think I might have my hands full with oneKate."
She blushed."About that..."
"Yes, let's talkabout that, Kate. Let's clear the air." Cade got off the bike and stoodbeside her, hands on his hips as he gazed over the farm. "I know I was atypical brat when I was a kid. You didn't deserve to be ignored." Heturned to her. "I apologise for that. I know there is something between usand so do you. I can almost hear the flutter of your heart when I'm close andit makes me happy."
"Why would thatplease you?" She licked her lips and looked down at her fingers.
"Because it meansI get to you in a way I want, and that makes me happy."
Kate laughed, a shakysound Cade took as insecurity.
"I don't find itfunny, Kate. You are a stunning woman I want to know more about."
"Don't play withme, Cade. I couldn't stand it." She looked at him with solemn eyes.
He stepped over andcupped her cheeks in his hands, brushing his lips over hers. "I promise Iwon't."
She lifted her arms andwrapped them around his neck, placing her lips on his. Tentatively at first,Kate kissed him, then bolder as she devoured him. He stood, stunned at theintensity of the feelings rushing though him. Little Kate, the kid who used tofollow him around with hero-worship in her eyes, would be the undoing of him.
"Wow." Caderan his hands down over her back, cupping her butt in his palms. "That waspretty hot."
"Sorry, I didn'tmean to attack you like that. It kind of built up over the years." A softpink tinge fluttered over her freckled cheeks.
"I'm not complaining,not by any means. You just surprised me."
"Yeah, well. Look,if you’re on the level, I may as well be too. I admit it, I adore you. I alwayshave." She paused, waiting for him to react. "When you came back homeI was expecting the Cade we all knew from the news. I know you said it wasmedia hype, but you did treat me like crap when I was a kid. I had to see if Icould trust you enough before I let you know my feelings."
He kissed her nose."I was an awful teenager, I admit it. I won't hurt you, Kate, I promise.When I first hurt my leg, I knew what was happening. Deep inside, I knew Iwouldn't play again. It took me a bit of time to deal with that and I made anarse of myself."
"It'sunderstandable, Cade."
"Yes and no. It'ssomething I should have dealt with behind closed doors. You didn't need to begiving a lashing of my lousy attitude. That’s something I should have kept tomyself. Fact is, you were doing things to me I didn't want to acknowledge. Ididn't know if I was ready for a serious relationship."
"A relationship orme?"
"Relationship.You, I could never turn away from, as a friend or a lover when the time comes.You are special to me, Kate. I hope you know that." He squeezed her buttagain before conceding they still had things to do. "Let's get this tourover so we can work out what I'm going to do in the morning when I startwork."
Her laugh rang out overthe meadow as they got back on the bike.
Chapter Thirty-two
Stevie offered to carryRooney upstairs.
"I can walk. I'mnot helpless." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she cringed."I'm sorry."
"Hey, don't beatyourself up over it. I know what you meant, but I really think you should goand have a shower. Then I can tuck you in." Stevie brushed the hair fromher forehead, a sad smile on his face.
"If you need anyhelp, may I could..." Kate stopped, the heat racing up her cheeks whenStevie turned to frown at her. "Sorry."
"Thanks anyway,Kate." Rooney squeezed his hand, trying to reassure him. She threw theblanket back and swung her legs down from the couch. Holding onto Stevie'shand, she stood up. Rooney let him lead her from the lounge. Together theywalked up the stairs to her room. She glanced inside the open door of Tam'sroom and smiled, happy her baby sleeping peacefully without the demons thatwere bound to invade her own dreams.
He shut the door behindthem and flicked on the light before heading into the bathroom to turn on theshower. When he came out, she stood at the foot of her bed, pulling at herhair, trying to undo the clasp around her twisted knot. She tore at it,impatient now to get it undone.
"Honey, calm down.Let me get it for you." Stevie took her hands in his, soothing her withhis voice. When she relaxed against him, he let go of her hands and undid theclip, throwing it on the bed cover.
Rooney raised herhands, running her fingers through her hair. She panicked when they encountereda
