"I hoped you wouldunderstand, Rooney. I've sung your praises to the new owner and I'm confidenthe will keep you on when he takes over next week."
"Let me worryabout that. You look after yourself and Julie, that’s what’s important rightnow. I'll pop over and see her on the weekend then, okay?"
"She would love tosee you, you know that." He stood and opened his arms wide. Rooney steppedinto them, doing her best to keep her emotions under control.
"If you need me,I'm here, okay?"
"Thanks, Rooneyyou're a good girl."
Pete gave her a sadsmile and opened the door. With a small wave of his hand, he walked away backto the reception room.
Rooney gripped thearmrest of her chair and fell down into it. She dropped her head into her hands.Julie was the sweetest person she knew and to be knocked down with Alzheimerswas a terrible blow. Her heart was breaking for them both. Pete and Julie hadtaken her in when she found herself with nowhere to live and helped her throughso much. There wasn't anything she wouldn't do for them.
Not showing how guttedshe was about not being able to buy the business would be one thing she coulddo. All during her uni days Pete had told her the business was hers when shecould afford it. She had scrimped and saved her heart out to put money asidefor that very reason. To own her own business was the dream that kept her goingon the days when things got too much and the study, along with the wailing ofher toddler, threatened to derail her.
Now it was gone. Everythingshe had worked so hard for was being ripped away, leaving her with a poundingheart and an empty ache. What was she going to tell Tam? Having a secure futurefor her baby was the one thing that kept her focused.
"Rooney, are youokay?" Tara leaned on the door, a frown on her forehead as she looked in."Pete told me the news."
"Um, yeah, I'll befine."
"But I know howmuch you had your heart set on this place. You've wanted it ever since I canremember."
"I know, butwhat’s happening to Julie is so much more important right now. Let's focus onwhat we can do to help them and I can worry about my career after we meet thenew owner next week." Rooney thought of the spring bulbs she’d planted atthe front door last week and wondered if she would be here to see them burstinto bloom.
"Sure, but if youneed me, I'm here. You know that."
"Thanks. Now, whattime is our next appointment? I might try and grab a quick break if I havetime."
"You do. Free timefor around forty minutes, then the afternoon rush starts."
"Great. I'm goingfor a walk to clear my head. I'll have my phone if you need me." She stoodand took off her white coat, hanging it on the back of her office door before takingher running shoes from the closet. Rooney slipped them on, stood up and pickeda cap from the collection she kept on the hook inside the closet. "Back inhalf an hour."
She managed to get outthe door and part way down the street before the tears overflowed. Walking washer saviour, it always had been. It had started as her way to distance herselffrom the real world when it all got too much. Now she was an adult, it allowedher time to herself to relax and think things through. It was Julie who’d convincedher to start walking to get her out of the house and give Rooney some time toherself.
The flowers bloomed andthe sweet fragrance of spring blossoms mingled with the smell of freshly cutgrass. She let the smell soothe her nerves, breathing deeply to let the scentscalm her nerves and smooth out the jagged edges of her hurt feelings. Her feethit the pavement in a steady rhythm and eventually the pounding of her heartmatched it. Funny how getting outside always sorts out the crap rollingaround in my head. I just need to give Pete and Julie all the support they needand play nice with the new guy. There is plenty of work for both of us if he isplanning on being hands-on. It should all work out fine. I need to rememberthat and it will be so. Keep telling yourself that, girl.
By the time Rooney madeit back to the practice, she was more relaxed and focused on what lay ahead.She would put all of her energies into helping Pete and Julie get through theturmoil that lay ahead.
When she arrived back fromher walk there was already a patient waiting for her. Rooney greeted the womanand her dog. "Just give me a minute to get changed and I'll be right withyou, Rose."
"Take your time,honey. We're early anyway."
Tara stood and followedher into the office. "Listen, you had a phone call while you were out. Itwas Tory. I'm sorry, honey, you need to call him straight away. I'll deal withRose."
Her breathing soundedjagged to her ears. The pounding of her heart scared Rooney and she sank downin the chair behind her desk.
God no! I can't takeany more bad news today. She wiped her sweaty palms on thelegs of her jeans and struggled to get her breathing under control. It's badnews, it has to be. Why else would the family solicitor and long-time friendcall me?
Chapter Four
"You have to be kidding me."
Cade glared at Tory andbrushed off his brother’s restraining arm. Although they were roughly the sameage, Tory was the calmest of the group. Cade had always been the show pony ofthe trio, intent on being in the spotlight while Tory and older brother Russwere happy to stay in his shadow. The only thing Russ and Cade shared was theirheight and blond colouring.
"How dare that oldbastard dictate to us from the grave. Didn't he do enough damage while he wasalive?" He stood up, grabbed
