Constantly in the news for his antics and celebrity girlfriends, Cade had scoffed at the playboy tag and insisted his goal was only to play the best he could for his team. Now Russ wondered if those days were finally over.
The thought of Kate all grown up made him smile. I wonder if she’ll still fall at Cade’s feet after all these years? Russ put the car in gear and headed down the road, turning in at the same cast iron letterbox that had sat as a sentinel for over a hundred years.
He drove up the long sweep of the driveway and through the wrought iron gates, pulling up in front of the house. Nerves fluttered in his stomach as he turned off the key.
Before he was out of the car, a small woman came running from the front door.
"Russ, you're home." She raced down the steps and threw herself into his arms, sobbing against his chest.
"Shh, Essie, it's okay, I'm here." He held her close, feeling the sobs racking through her frail body. When her cries turned to small hiccups, he held her back and wiped the tears from her wrinkled cheeks with his thumbs. "Still throwing yourself at the boys after all these years, Essie."
"Oh, away with you." She reached up and batted him on the shoulder and he feigned pain. "It's so good to see you home. It threw me for a minute."
"I get it, Essie. It kind of threw me off coming up the driveway too."
"I'm sorry this is the reason you came home. I know your dear mother would have wanted be here to see you return."
"I know, but hey, better late than never." He flicked a button on his key ring and opened the boot to take an overnight bag from between the boxes.
"Are you home for the funeral or for good, Russ? Looks like you have a bit of stuff with you."
He tucked an arm around her slight shoulders and walked up the steps onto the veranda. "Big changes are happening for me, Essie. Pour me a cup of tea and I’ll fill you in."
As they walked through the dark polished oak doorway, his gaze picked out the familiar family crest inlaid in the stained glass panels either side of the door. The smell hit him first, a mixture of beeswax furniture polish entwined with the softer fragrance of roses. His mother had loved her roses and Russ stopped when he spotted them. The crystal bowl sat on the low table in the reception room as if she'd placed them there herself. Even the old leather chairs were still tucked into the curve of the stair case and he remembered seeing her there, waiting.
"You father wouldn't let me change a thing when she died."
"I'm glad he didn't. It's like she is still here."
"I swear some days she is. Your room is still the same. I haven't moved a thing since you left."
Russ dropped his bag at the foot of the stairs and followed Essie into the back of the house to the kitchen where the smell of baking filled the room. "You've been busy again I see."
She filled the kettle before placing it on the stove and grinned at him. "You know me well enough to know I wouldn't have people over to farewell your father and not feed them." She took a tissue from her apron pocket and blew her nose. "Is Cade coming home?"
"Yes, he should be here soon. I met him at Tory's but he has his own car. I don't know if he will stay, Essie. His world is football." Russ stood with his hands in his pockets and looked around the room. Nothing had changed in here either but he hadn't expected it to. Essie was a stickler for order and kept things exactly how she liked them.
She made him tea and put it on the island counter between them. "I guess Tory filled you in on what has happened here since you left?"
"Yeah, he did." He lifted his cup and took a sip.
"Kate should be in soon. She is a godsend to this place, let me tell you. When your dad started finding it hard to manage on his own, she was happy to help out. She's run the place ever since, taking on more and more until he could relax and let her manage it on her own."
"I never thought farming was her thing growing up. She always talked about going to the city."
"Pfft, you know why that was don't you? Your brother was going and she was stuck on him. Stupid boy couldn't see what was under his damned nose."
"But all the girls followed him around. That’s the way it was."
"Yeah, and more fool me for being one of them." Kate walked in the back door throwing her Akubra on the hook on the wall. She slipped her arm over Essie's shoulders, giving the older woman a hug. "Russ, how are you?" She stepped over to him and into his arms, a smile lighting up her emerald eyes. "It's been too long."
"It has but I can honestly say time has been very kind to you. You look great, Kate." He held her at arm's length and gazed at her.
"Hard work must agree with me then." She moved away and opened the fridge door, taking out a plate of cold meat. "Can I eat this, Essie? I'm damned hungry."
She ripped off the cling film cover and pulled a strip of meat from the bone. Kate closed her eyes as she chewed and smiled in appreciation of the taste. Russ stood watching her, fascinated. The little girl had grown into a stunning woman.
"Do I have something on my face?" She licked her lips and wiped her hand over her chin.
"Tory didn't tell me you had grown up so…um well…stunning."
"Yeah well, that just kind of happened." She shrugged her shoulders and continued to fill her mouth, chewing slowly as she watched him. "So, what have you been up to? Still playing doctor to all those rich folks?"
He laughed as she winked his way. "No, never been that type of guy, which I’m sure you know anyway." He smiled at her before he spoke. "You may as well both know, I signed my divorce papers a couple of days ago. I’m a free man again." The thought gutted him.
"Fuck, Russ, I'm so sorry." Kate wiped the back of her hand over her mouth and took a step toward him. "I didn't know, Tory never said anything." She lay her hand over his and squeezed. "Anything I can do?"
"No but hey, thanks. I'll get over it in time. Probably for the better anyway as things worked out with this place."
Kate looked over at Essie and chewed on her lip before glancing back at Russ. "Yeah, about that…I hope you don't think I did anything to coerce your father to keep my job. It came as much of a surprise to me as it did to you."
"You know me better than that, Kate. Father would have given you the job because you deserved it, not because you were after his money. He wasn't that stupid, and neither is Tory."
"Yeah well, when I heard about it, I wondered how you guys would take it." She laughed. "I should have guessed you’d be good with it. Um, what about Cade? Did he say anything?"
Russ ran his hand through his hair and grimaced. How the hell am I going to answer that?
"Okay, I get it." Her mouth thinned into a tight line. "I’ll just have to deal with it, I guess. It's good to have you back, Russ, even if your brother is still an arsehole. I have things to do. Later." She turned on her heel and stormed out, grabbing her hat as she went.
Essie clucked her tongue. "Damn shame that boy hasn't had a chance to see how good Kate is doing before he gets snippy with her."
"Yeah, well he’ll just have to face her himself and sort it out. I tried and got the rough edge of his attitude for it. I'm sure Kate can deal with him. She seems pretty capable now she’s all grown up and not chasing him like a love-sick puppy."
"I'm sure she can but that's not the point, Russ. She shouldn't have to. Poor girl has had her work cut out for her the last few years. Manages those farm hands pretty good but they respect her as a boss, bit different to how Cade treated her."
"Yes, but won't it be interesting to sit back and watch to see if it works on Cade?"
Essie slapped her palm on the island counter between them, her rare snappy attitude rearing its head. "If he hurts her, Russ, so help me, I'll give him what I should have done when he was younger."
Chapter Five
"Rooney, it's good to see you again," Tory kissed her cheek before he led her into his office and guided her to a chair. He sat on the edge of his desk in front of her. "I'm sorry, honey, I know you were hoping to sort thing
s out before he died."
"Yeah well, I shouldn't have left it so long." She gave a shaky laugh. "So, want to tell me what we do now?"
"Sure. Can I get you a coffee before we start?" He watched as her striking blue eyes filled. She wiped a trembling hand over the already tidy hair, not a blonde strand out of place. The tears spilled over her dark lashes and trickled silently down her cheeks. Tory wanted nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and take away the pain. Sadly, she probably wouldn't accept his help, not that he would stop offering. He had adored her from the time she had made it her mission in life to tag around after her brothers and him.
"Got a spare tissue?"
He reached behind him, grabbed the box and placed it in her hands. "Let me order coffee and we can talk about the will. See where you want to go with it, okay?"
Rooney nodded her head and blew her nose while Tory reached for the phone.
By the time their coffee was brought in, Rooney had composed herself. "Sorry about that."
"We grew up together, Rooney. I’m the person you’ve turned to in the last eight years. If you can't cry in front of me, where can you cry? Heck, I remember you crying when your poddy calves were sold off and you weren't embarrassed for me to see your tears then." He smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "It's no different now we're adults. A few tears won't make me like you any less."
"I know but still, sometimes I think I take you for granted. I'm sorry if I do but you make it easy for me. I don't mean to." She smiled and reached for her coffee, blowing across the top of the hot liquid before taking a sip. "Oh, I needed that."
"You don't take advantage and besides, what are friends for?"
"Thanks, Tory. I mean it. You’re probably my best friend and the only one I can talk to about family problems. I don't know what I would have done without you."
I never want to find out either. Tory cleared his throat before speaking. "Right, now the will. I don't know if you’re ready to read this, but here it is." He handed her the document and sat back sipping his coffee while she read the will.
Rooney tapped a finger nail on her lip as she read. A frown appeared on her forehead as she scanned the page and she tilted her head as though thinking about what was written. Tory watched her turn to the next page and continued reading. She chewed on her lip, small sniffling sounds coming from her mouth moments before tears trickled down her cheeks.
When she finished, she looked up. The faraway glaze in her eyes startled Tory. Concern raced through his blood and his heart skipped a beat. What was wrong? "Rooney, are you okay?"
She blinked and looked at him as though coming out of a dream, lifting the tissue to wipe away the tears. "Sorry, I was just thinking. I wonder why he did it that way? Wanted us all back home, I mean?" A frown appeared between her eyes and she pursed her lips. "Do you think he was trying to apologise for making us all leave?"
"Maybe. He didn't say too much when we drafted up the will. I didn't think it was my place to ask, quite frankly." He shuffled the papers and braced himself. "Are you going to move back and live at Petersham Homestead again?"
She raised an eyebrow and tilted her head to one side as her gaze passed over the top of his head. He recognized her thinking look and waited for her process his question.
"I don't know. It's something I'll have to think about. There could be repercussions with Tamara."
"I still say you need to talk to Stevie. He has a right to know about his daughter." Tory swallowed the lump that rose in his throat every time he discussed her past lover with her.
"You know what I think about that idea. He didn't give two thoughts about me when Father caught us in the barn. The weak bastard ran to save his arse and left me to take the belting of my life." Her eyes flashed with anger, dark and stormy as she spoke. "He deserves nothing from me, least of all an explanation."
"Well it's your decision but I think it might come back to haunt you. What happens if you do move back and Tamara meets him? What are you going to do then?"
He watched her turning it over in her mind. She twisted her hands together and threw quick, guarded glances his way. Rooney wasn't as brave as she was making out but he was the last person to call her on that.
"Can I stay at your house tonight, Tory? I don't want to go home until the funeral."
"You know you can…no need to ask. Mind telling me why you don't want to go and see your brothers? It has been eight years and I know you miss them." The thought of having her alone in his house was enough to have him doing cartwheels but he contained himself and tried to act the family solicitor and her best friend.
"I'm afraid if I see them I’ll give in and promise to stay without making sure it's the best thing for me and Tamara before I move her from Brisbane. I need to think about this rationally without my heart involved before I make a final decision." She smiled up at him and his heart almost stopped beating. "I want to toss it around with you over dinner, if that's okay?"
"Sure, sounds like fun."
Rooney jumped up and rounded the desk. She leaned down and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Thanks, Tory, I mean it. No one else has been so supportive for so long, at least not anyone from my past. I'll get dinner tonight. Key still in the same place?"
He untangled her arms and breathed deeply, loathe to let her go before he’d had enough to get him through the rest of the day. "Yep, you know where it is. I'll…uh…see you just after five then."
With a heavy heart, he watched her leave his office. He was afraid of what would happen when she moved back. She had to confront her brothers and tell them the truth. Rooney also had to tell Stevie, and Tory knew it wouldn't be pleasant.
Chapter Six
Cade drove up the long, winding driveway wondering how he was going to get out of living here. His life was in the city and so was his career. Gone was the young man who had left the farm to go and play football in the city. It was where he’d made his life and a successful career. Now he was a national hero, and he liked the lifestyle. It would be impossible to lock himself away down on the farm on a permanent basis. How to get around the terms of the will was going to be the hardest thing. Anything was worth a go though.
He drove around the back of the house to the old blacksmith’s shed, intent on getting his car out of the weather and dust. Little had changed in the years he’d been away. His mother’s roses still clambered over the wall of the kitchen garden and free-roaming chickens darted over the green grass chasing bugs or picking at whatever took their fancy, just as they had done when he was in charge of finding all the hiding places for their eggs.
Deciding it was best not to park under the large fig tree to avoid seeds falling on his car, Cade parked inside the only empty stall. The other three had farm machinery parked in them. He turned off the car and sat for a moment, excited to be home but apprehensive at the same time. For his own reasons, he had not kept in touch with anyone from his past, preferring to break free and start his new life.
Opening his door, careful not to hit it against the wall of the narrow stall, he squeezed himself out with his crutches in one hand. Cade leaned on the car and closed the door before propping the crutches under his arm. He hobbled out of the stall and looked around, squinting against the bright sunshine.
"You can't park that thing in there. Find somewhere else for your damned toys."
Cade looked to his left. A curvy redhead in tight blue denim jeans and a checked work shirt stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at him. Her green eyes were pinned to his face. He shook his head.
"Kate?” He laughed loudly when he realised it was.
"Shut up, Cade. Move it before I get back this afternoon." She turned her back to him and walked off, her head held high.
"Well, well, well, what do you know…little Katie grew up pretty good looking." He let his gaze travel up and down her body, coming to settle on her hips as she had walked down the hill and into the barn. I wouldn't mind getting my fingers tangled in that wild red hair while samplin
g those luscious lips. He turned to the house. May as well get this over and done with.
Music came from the old original kitchen, separated from the house by a covered path, and he made his way there first. He peered in through the open door. An iPod sat on the window sill playing to an empty room.
A fresh coat of paint had been applied and the old furniture he remembered no longer filled the space. An old table stood next to the fireplace and a laptop computer sat open on it. Filing cabinets leaned against the far wall and another smaller table held what looked like sales sheets and dockets. Obviously it was someone's office now.
He turned and walked towards the main house, watching his footing over the rough cobblestones. Pushing open the kitchen door, he stepped inside.
"Leave that door open any longer and the flies will come in." Essie stood at the island counter rolling pastry. "Get in here and shut the door."
"Sorry, Essie." He hobbled in and shut the door behind him. "How are you?"
"Better than you by the look of things. What have you been doing to yourself, Cade? That doesn't look too good." She wiped floury hands on her apron before stepping forward to wrap her frail arms around his shoulders.
"It's nothing I haven't had before, Essie. A few weeks rest and I'll be back into it " He took a seat at the counter and leant his crutches against his thigh. "So, how have you been? Not much seems to have changed around here."
"Now why would it? No point in changing it if ain't broken."
Her words were clipped and Cade felt the bite. "Is there a problem here I'm not seeing? You sound a little bit annoyed." He clenched his teeth waiting for the lashing of words he knew would his way. Essie had never held back on giving him a tongue lashing as a youngster, and he doubted she’d softened over the years.
Coming Home (Williams Siblings) Page 4