"She is fine.Still a little bit rocky but that's to be expected. She asked me to stay again.I doubt I’ll be leaving. I hope you're okay with that."
"Why are youasking me? It's not like I have any say in my sister’s love-life."
"No, but the housewas left to the three of you. I was planning on running it past your brother aswell. I don't want to stand on anyone's toes here."
"Stevie, you canmove in permanently. I don't care." Russ shuffled some papers on his desk.
"Right,thanks." Stevie looked at him and then down at his feet, nervous for asecond. "Look, I know I don't have to do this, but it kind of feels rightsomehow. I want to ask Rooney to marry me."
Russ grinned, a smilethat reached his eyes. "Are you asking me if you can have my sister’shand? Well, well, that is one for the books."
"I figured sinceyou’re the head of the family it was only right. Mind you, if you say no, Idoubt it will make any difference." He was relieved nonetheless.
"If you didn'tmarry her, I’d be angry. Of course you have my blessing. It’s time Tam had afather, and you and Rooney got your act together."
"Great, thanks.Now I have to find a ring and the right time to get down on one knee." Hereached over and shook Russ's hand. "Now I think I should go and have achat to Lizzie, try and set her mind at rest over this whole damned thing.She’ll take it hard."
Stevie walked down thecorridor to her office and knocked on the door. Hearing her call out, he walkedin, closing the door behind him.
"Lizzie, how areyou?" He stepped over and took a seat in front of her desk. "Have youread this morning's paper yet?"
Chapter Thirty-five
Kate rolled out of bedand stretched. Today was going to be a wonderful day. Today she was going towork with Cade and when they finished, she intended bringing him home to herbed. The thought made her smile as she bounced around the room, getting readyfor work.
She'd slept in and thatwas okay once in a while. She needed the rest after the emotions of yesterday.Cade had been so kind, holding her while she wept, and her feelings for him hadratcheted up a few notches.
She’d told him how shefelt about him, and he hadn't run at her admission. Most of her night had beenspent planning her next step. Finally, before she fell asleep, Kate had workedout how she was going to seduce him.
Grabbing a clean shirtand pair of jeans, she dressed and hurried over to the big house for breakfast,and to let Essie know what she needed. When she walked in, Cade sat at theisland counter with Rooney. She stopped at the door, her heart pounding as shegazed at their two blonde heads close together.
Cade was closer and shegot to ogle his profile for a few seconds until he noticed her in the room."Morning, boss, had a late night?"
"Hmm, just alittle bit restless. Slept in though, sorry." She walked over to kissEssie good morning.
"What have you gotto be sorry for? You're the boss. You can do what you want." He sipped hiscoffee and patted the stool next to him.
Kate walked over andhopped up. When Essie brought her coffee over, she wrapped her hands around ittrying to stay the excitement building in her body. "How did you sleep,Rooney?"
"Shocking.Nightmares unfortunately. Russ gave me a tablet and I slept in too. But I feelmuch better today."
"That'sgood." She glanced at Cade. "I wonder if you would mind starting inthe office for me today? There is so much paperwork to deal with and I'd ratherbe out on the farm today."
"Sure. If youdon't mind me going through stuff, I can deal with that."
"None of it’s asecret anyway. It all goes to you guys at the end of the year. If you couldsort out what has to go to Tory for payment and what needs to be filed, I wouldbe eternally grateful." She smiled when Essie placed a plate of porridgein front of her with a small jug of milk.
"How grateful?"He looked down at her, a smile on his face and a sexy look in his eyes.
Kate bit the inside ofher cheek to stop the noise coming up her throat, and concentrated on getting aspoon of porridge in her mouth without spilling it down her shirt.
"Stop teasing her,Cade." Rooney slapped him on the arm. "Ignore him, Kate. He's in oneof those moods this morning, I can tell."
Me too. Kateknew Rooney had it wrong. He wasn't teasing her for the hell of it. He wasteasing her in purely sexual way and it was working. She was so close to askinghim outside to the barn right now, she was sure it showed on her face."That's okay. I'm used to him ribbing me. God knows we all got plenty ofit when he was a scrawny youngster."
"Hey, enough ofthe scrawny stuff. I'll have you know that now I'm a highly-honed athlete withabs of steel and a body most men would die for."
"Yeah well, wearen't most men, dear brother, and we know you. Do as Kate asked and clear herdesk of paperwork. I'm sure she can find something else to keep you out oftrouble if you get through that."
"I'm sure thatwon't be a problem." Kate gave him a quick smile. She spooned the last ofthe porridge into her mouth before walking over to the sink and rinsing herplate. Leaning against the edge of the sink, she faced them. "Well, thisisn't getting much done. You two have a great morning and I'll see you forlunch."
Kate took her hat fromthe back door and jammed it on her head before heading out. There was her ongoingwork with the young colt she had to see to today. May as well sort him outbefore lunch, then she could go herd the cows closer to home for when Cade wasable to help her. Once the boys had finished the fence they were working on,they could all pitch in and get the job done.
Castrating calves washard and messy, not a job to be taken
