"Fairenough," Russ said. "I sure as hell can't run the farm and Cadedoesn't want to."
Cade snorted in reply.
"Shall wecontinue?" Tory put his glasses back on and looked over the black framesat the two brothers.
Cade shrugged and Russnodded his head. He wanted this over and done with so he could go and see howmuch had changed since he’d left.
"To my children.Russ, Cade and Rooney, I leave the farm known as Petersham Homestead and all itentails. Land holdings, stock and adjoining small holdings will remain in jointownership provided the attached provisions are met." Tory looked up again."I've told you those." He looked back at the papers in his hands."In the event of a death among them, the shares will be passed to theremaining siblings. After the death, the siblings and children will inherit theproperty." Tory paused and looked over at his clients before readingfurther.
"All profits fromthe sale of stock will be reinvested in the property for maintenance andrunning costs. Bonds, term investments and bank accounts will be dividedequally between my remaining children. My late wife's jewellery is to be givento my daughter, Rooney. Artwork is to remain part of Petersham Homestead to begifted along with the property if that is what comes to pass."
"Geez, I get italready. We can't sell the damn place." Cade brushed a lock of blond hairfrom his forehead. "Don't know how the hell I'm going to live therethough."
"As I say, you maynot have to stay in the city if your leg is too badly busted." Russ hatedto be cruel but it was time Cade thought of someone other than himself.
"Whatever. Is thatit, Tory?" He grabbed his crutches and tucked them under his arms.
"Yes, for now. Allof the accounts will still come to me for payment. If you could give me yourbank accounts details, I can arrange the transfer of funds when the bonds andterm deposits mature at the end of the financial year. Or, if you wish, you canreinvest the money."
"So, is there anymoney in the bank that isn't tied up?" Cade asked.
"A few thousand.The wages and expenses account is separate from your father’s spendingmoney."
"Don't need itanyway, just asking. Thanks, Tory. You coming?" He looked down at Russ.
"Yes." Russstood up and reached across the desk to shake hands with Tory. "Thanks foreverything."
"I'll be out forthe funeral tomorrow. If you have anything else you need to know, give me acall."
"No worries,thanks. When are you expecting Rooney?"
"Hopefully latertoday or in the morning. I've let her know about the funeral. The will she canhear later if it comes to that."
"Can you tell herI can't wait to see her. Give her my number and tell her to call me if sheisn't coming straight out to the house."
"Sure, Russ.Thanks for coming in guys. I'll see you tomorrow."
They shook hands. Russwalked out of the solicitor’s office and held the door for Cade as he hobbled outon his crutches.
"Where's yourcar?" Russ asked, shielding his eyes from the bright sunshine.
Cade nodded to thebright yellow Ferrari sitting at the kerbside.
"Really? Geez,that must have set you back a bit." He walked over and squatted down tolook in through the passenger window.
"Yeah but it'sworth it. Best chick magnet on the planet." Cade took the key from hispocket and unlocked the door, pulling it open. "Have a seat."
Russ slid his long legsinto the car and relaxed against the black leather seats.
"Want me to takeyou for a spin?"
"Another timemaybe. I want to go out and see Essie. Are you coming out or staying intown?"
"May as well stayat the house. At least that won't cost me anything." Cade gave him awinning smile. "Be good to have a home-cooked feed for a change too."
Russ looked over andwondered why he and his brother were so different. All Cade wanted was a goodtime and no responsibilities. It didn't look like much had changed since he’dbecome a football star. If anything, it probably made him worse.
He got out and shut thedoor. Standing with his hand on the car, he looked in. "See you therethen. Drive carefully."
"Always. Stopbeing so damned fuddy duddy and worry about something that needs it. Idon't."
Russ walked back to hisBMW sedan and sat going over the terms of his father's will. It really didn'timpact greatly on him, as things had turned out. It would be a shame if Rooneyand Cade didn't agree to live there. To see the home and all its contents go tostrangers gave him a sense of loneliness that surprised him.
In all the years he’dbeen away from home, he hadn't missed the property, only his mother. She’dvisited often enough before he married. His ex hadn't liked his mother as muchas he’d hoped she would, and the fact they couldn't stay at the house annoyedher even more. No chance to live it up and impress his father, getting her toesin the door.
Why couldn't seethrough her? Everyone else could. Am I so damned gullible, so soft in the head?
He shook off histhoughts. Russ was glad Essie was taken care of at least. She deserved a homeand retirement after all the love and care she’d showered on their family. Thethought of seeing her again after all these years made him smile.
It was time to go home.
***
Russ drove along thefamiliar roads toward Petersham Homestead. Down the New England Highway andturning at Maitland, he cruised through the tiny but popular town of Lorn. Thecloser he got to the family property, the tighter his chest became.
The final sweepingcurve of the road rose ahead of him and he slowed the car as he crested thehill. Sweeping paddocks led down to a large lagoon that fronted the property.Memories of days lazing on tyre tubes rushed in to remind him of his childhood.
Russ pulled over to theside of the road and gazed at the property. Large fig trees surrounded the mainhouse as it lifted tall chimneys to the sun. The slate roof glowed in the lateafternoon light. It looked
