Coming Home (Williams Siblings)

by Ann B. Harrison

  In the reflection of the mirror she saw Tam walking in, glancing around the room. "Can I keep this stuff?" She looked around and grinned when she spotted the shelf of stuffed toys.

  "Sure. Keep what you want and ditch the rest." Rooney walked over and patted the bed, sitting down on the floral cover she had loved as a teenager. "Once we get settled we might be able to change things for you. You know, put up fresh wall paper and get you a new bedspread if that's what you want."

  "I kind of like it how it is. For now anyway." Tam looked at her mother expectantly. "Can I go down to the kitchen and get a biscuit. I'm hungry and thirsty and she said I could."

  "Sure, but her name is Essie and remember your manners."

  She watched the child skip out of the room and listened as the footsteps sounded all the way down to the bottom before standing up. Rooney wiped her palms on the legs of her jeans and walked to the door. She walked out into the hallway and took slow steps toward her mother's room, pausing outside the door before lifting her hand. The door knob was cool to the touch and Rooney turned it, waiting for the small click just before it gave. With determination, she pushed the door open and looked inside from where she stood.

  The lingering scent of old fashioned roses hit her first. The perfume brought back a rush of memories that threatened to drop her to her knees. Rooney grabbed hold of the door frame and gripped it with one hand, the other closing over her mouth to stop the whimpers rising in her throat from slipping out.

  "Hey kid, it's okay." A hand dropped on her shoulder and she jumped, swinging around ready to hit out.

  Cade grabbed her hand before her open palm made contact with his cheek. "Shit, calm down. I didn't mean to scare you like that."

  "Hell, I'm so sorry." She hiccupped and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "It kind of got me, the smell and the memories."

  He reached for Rooney and pulled her against his shoulder. "I don't know why Essie put you in there. Do you want my room instead?"

  She gazed at him, grateful he understood her panic. "No, it's okay, really. I got a bit overwhelmed. I'll be okay." To prove it more to herself than her brother, she took a step inside the room. It was impersonal now apart from the smell. Her mother's belongings had been packed up and moved, probably into storage. She wondered who had done it, was it Dad or Essie.

  The furnishings weren't the same as the last time she’d stood in this room. A new bedspread graced her mother's four-poster. The only personal thing left was the smell, and that Rooney could learn to live with.

  "Did I hear my niece clomping down the stairs before?" Cade walked in the room behind her.

  "Yeah, she's a bit scared of everything but I think Essie has her won over with fresh biscuits. Want to come down and meet her?" Rooney walked over and tucked her arm through Cade’s. "Where are your crutches?"

  "Don't mother hen me. They're in my room. I keep tripping over so, when I'm in the house, I use the wall for support and hop around. Works for me, so don't start nagging." He gave her his trademark grin and she forgot her nerves. "I've had enough from Doctor Russ. Now, let me go and meet the kid."

  He turned and hopped out of the room. Rooney took one more glance around the room before she followed, keeping close as he worked his way down the stairs. When they pushed through the kitchen door, it was to hear the chatter of Tamara talking excitedly. stalled when she spotted Cade.

  "Tam, this is your Uncle Cade. Cade, my daughter Tamara."

  "Hey, Squirt, nice to meet you."

  Rooney watched him work his charm on the girl and glanced over at Essie, sharing looks over the expanse of the kitchen. Could it be her brother had a heart after all? She had yet to see it but if anyone could change her brother’s arsehole attitude it would be Tam.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Cade held back his surprise as he looked at his niece. There was no mistaking who her father was, even if he hadn't known the truth. The thick black hair framing her face was enough of a giveaway without the piercing blue eyes that looked up at him. Where Rooney was almost white-blonde with pale blue eyes, Tam was the spitting image of her father.

  A cough behind him made him glance up. He’d been staring, and Tam had sidled over to her mother. "So, Squirt. How old are you?" Cade rested on the stool and leaned his elbows on the island counter. He glanced quickly at his sister and noticed the discomfort on her face.

  "I'm going to be eight this year. What did you do to your leg?" She came closer and lifted the large cookie in her hand, taking a bite.

  "Football accident."

  "Are you busted now?"

  "I hope not. Guess I'll find out next week." He looked over at Rooney and put on his best smile. "Fancy passing me a beer?"

  "No, but I'll make us a coffee." She turned and walked to the coffee machine. Taking two mugs from the top, she placed them under the spout before putting a pod slot and pushing the start button. Rooney turned to watch him while the machine dribbled out fresh coffee.

  "What are you going to do if you're busted?" Tam walked closer and looked into his eyes with the honesty of a child. "You could work for my mum. That's if you know how to help sick animals."

  Cade smiled, hiding the jolt of terror spearing his gut. "Thanks, but I'm sure it will all work out." He met Rooney's gaze. "So you got the old dump then?"

  She walked over and placed a steaming mug of coffee in front of him before taking a stool opposite. Her pale blue eyes were hard and determined as she gazed at him. "Yes, I did and since I have little or no money and the place is a filthy hole, I'm roping you into help me clean it up so I can set up shop and start work."

  "Seriously? You want me to clean for you?" Cade roared with laughter.

  A small fist thumped him on his sore leg. "Don't laugh at my mother."

  He looked down at the child so like her father. "Sorry about that, Squirt. I can't see myself with a bucket and mop in my hand though."

  Essie spoke up. "Wouldn't hurt you to get out of your room and away from the bottle for a while. Do you good to think about someone else for a change."

  Cade gripped the edge of the island counter. "For your information Essie, I do think about others." He looked back at Rooney. "Just tell me what you need, and I’ll do what I can."

  Tam looked at him with one eyebrow raised as if she was still deciding whether or not he was telling the truth.

  "Tomorrow we’ll go and make a start then," Rooney said. "I need to get you booked into school too, Tam." She laughed when that comment was met with a glare. "I've already told you, honey, you have to go to school. You'll make friends easily. It's only a small country school and they’re mostly farm kids."

  "When do I have to start?"

  Cade's heart melted at the lost look in her eyes. The girl had spunk and he liked that. She also had a soft side and he hoped the spunk won out more. Despite the face he showed to the public, girly girls didn’t appeal to him and considering who her mother was, he doubted she would be too frilly.

  "How about Monday? That way you can spend the next couple of days with me cleaning and getting sorted. Over the weekend you can find your way around the farm." Rooney spoke with a firm tone that left Cade in no doubt she was in control of her child.

  "Yes, Mum."

  "So, how bad is this place? Has Tory seen it?" Cade sipped the coffee and waited for an answer.

  "He was the one who told me about it. It’s pretty feral. It smells disgusting and I doubt if anyone’s inside and opened a window for years." She laughed, the sound filling the kitchen. "I don't have a choice, Cade and that's okay. I'm used to hard work. It's how I've managed all these years."

  "I can come over and give you a couple of hours. If I get my work done here in the morning, I’ll come over with lunch and spend a bit of time before I have to come back and get dinner ready." Essie stopped chopping vegetables and looked at Cade. "I know you’ll help her because it's what you should do."

  "Yes, Essie. You know I will." Cade gave a conspiratorial wink to his sist
er. "How are you going to drum up business? Do you have a marketing plan or anything?"

  "Uh, not yet. I’m going to clean up first and put a notice in the paper when I’m ready. I still have to buy some equipment when I can afford it. Tory is going to transfer money into our accounts next week. It won't be much, but something to work with for a start."

  "Great, I can do with some cash."

  Rooney looked at him with a frown on her face. "You earn heaps, Cade. Don't tell me you spend it as fast as you earn it?"

  He dropped his head and traced a pattern on the counter top with his finger. His inability to save money was one of the things his manager constantly harped on. "You know how it is, I have a standard to uphold and I'm still young. Plenty of time to save money."

  "You are so irresponsible. I thought you would know better than that. Always save half of what you earn, Dad always said that. Even when he dished out pocket money, he told us to save half."

  "Yeah well, moving on to the next subject. I'll meet you there tomorrow, about nine. I'm enjoying my sleep-ins while I can."

  Rooney shook her head and walked away in disgust, leaving him with a sick feeling creeping up his gut to stick in his throat. He didn't care what anyone else thought of him but Rooney was different. She had always looked up to him, her hero. Now he saw that hero-worship fading away.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Russ scrubbed his hands. It was late and the emergency room was finally quiet. The evening shift had taken over and he needed to get his paperwork done so he could head for home, and a much needed meal and sleep. A major car accident had kept them all rushed off their feet for most of the day. They’d stabilised the driver and injured passenger before they were airlifted to Maitland Hospital where a surgeon was on standby, ready to operate.

  He dried his hands and headed to his office, taking off his white coat as he walked. When Russ dropped into his chair, he rubbed his hands over his face.

  "Ready for home?" One of the younger nurses leaned against the door frame, watching him. She ran her hand down the neck of her uniform top, popping open the top button.

  "Yes, Diane. I certainly am. It's been a big day all round. Shouldn't you be off duty too?" He smiled.

  "I just wanted to check on you and make sure there was nothing else you needed Doctor Williams." The suggestive way she pouted her lips made Russ' stomach clench. Nurse Stanley's words came back to mind. "I prefer to keep things professional Doctor Williams, especially around the younger nursing staff."

  "Thanks Diane. I have everything I need. I won't keep you any longer. Night." Russ turned to his computer and started working, ignoring the girl at the doorway. Eventually he heard a huff of breath and glanced up to see her sashay down the hallway, her displeasure at being brushed off obvious.

  Thank goodness for that. Russ had so far in the first week, had every eligible nurse hit on him, ask him to dinner, make suggestive moves or blatantly touch him when they were alone.

  He didn't want a sleazy affair in the broom closet with someone too young or immature, or someone only out for what they thought he could give them. That romance had been and gone, and he didn't want to repeat it.

  Russ thought of the only woman who had even touched the block of ice in his chest called a heart. Elizabeth Stanley was the one person who hadn't made a move to get to know him better, and he pondered on asking her out on a date. Deciding against it for now, he concentrated on getting his notes done before turning off his computer. He took his jacket off the coat hanger in the closet, shrugging it over his shoulders. Taking a final glance around the office, Russ took his keys and flicked off the light switch before walking out.

  He passed through the emergency ward on his way to the front door, casting his eye over the staff as he went. "Nurse Stanley, I thought you’d already left."

  She looked up, a tinge of pink flushing her sculptured cheek bones. "I…um… had a couple of things to do. Almost finished now."

  "I'll wait and walk you out. It's dark now, can't have you getting into trouble outside alone." He leaned on the counter, waiting while she shuffled paperwork into the correct files.

  "That's not necessary, Doctor."

  "It is to me. Take your time, I'm not in any hurry."

  She frowned and Russ noticed the quick words between the nightshift as they threw glances her way. "Fine then."

  He raised his eyebrow at the gossiping staff, and they hurried to continue their work. By the time Nurse Stanley was ready, Russ had looked over every inch of her face, arguing with himself about the wisdom of dating a nurse he worked with.

  He walked alongside her out of the building, noticing the tension in the way she held herself. When they reached the staff car park, she turned on him.

  "That wasn't necessary, waiting for me. It just gave the staff something else to talk about." She opened her car and threw her jacket and handbag on the back seat.

  "I was brought up to use my manners when it comes to a lady. You shouldn't worry about what other people say about you, Elizabeth. If they’re going to talk, there is nothing you can do to stop them."

  "I don't wish to be any one’s subject matter." She crossed her arms and gazed up at him in the waning light of the evening. "My life is my own and none of their business."

  "I understand that, but you shouldn't let it worry you." He thought quickly. "I wonder if you would like to go out for a meal with me one night?"

  "And give them something else to talk about?"

  Russ smiled. "No, give you and me something to talk about. Just dinner between two friends."

  She chewed on her bottom lip and Russ wanted to take that mouth in his and smooth out the tightness tugging at the corners of her lips.

  "I don't know if that’s a good idea. We don't really have anything in common."

  "I bet we do, and it's a perfectly good time to find out for ourselves. Saturday we are both off shift. I can pick you up and take you somewhere nice and quiet so we can talk."

  Russ watched the turmoil in her eyes as she weighed up the decision.

  "Fine, okay then."

  He smiled, reached out to touch her, thought better of it and pulled his hand back. Russ noticed how the colour raced up her cheeks when he'd reached for her, happy there was at least some sort of reaction. "You can give me your address tomorrow. Drive carefully." Russ stood back while she scrambled to get into her car. When she stalled the engine, he smiled to himself. It looked as though Nurse Stanley wasn't as immune to him as she tried to make out.

  When she drove away, he turned to walk to his own car, clicking the remote lock before he reached for the door handle. The drive home was peaceful and quiet. It gave him a chance to go over the day’s cases and unwind—something he didn't really get to do in the city hospitals. It was always too busy.

  By the time Russ turned into the driveway and past the lagoon, it was dark. The lights twinkled inside the house and he relaxed, the day’s tension gone at the front gate. He’d made the right decision to move. His stress levels were down and he slept better at night.

  He parked his car next to his brother’s yellow machine and walked up toward the house. The lights were on in Kate's house and he wondered how long it would be before his brother woke up to the fact she was still head over heels in love with him. Probably never. He’s too wrapped up in himself to see what’s in front of him.

  Essie bustled around in the kitchen when he pushed open the door. "What are you doing working at this time of night?" He leaned down to kiss the lined cheek offered to him.

  "Getting things ready for Rooney tomorrow. She’s having a working bee at that place she bought. I'm going over to help her after I get my work done here." She pushed him to sit at the counter. "I've got your dinner keeping warm."

  Russ watched her go to the oven and take out a foil-covered plate before setting it in front of him. He lifted the cover and the smell of roasted chicken and vegetables filled his nostrils. "I've missed your cooking, Essie."

  "Away wi
th you." She smiled and continued packing carry bags with cleaning supplies. "Rooney talked your brother into helping clean tomorrow. Mind you, I think Tam had more to do with it. Hard to say no to that one."

  "I can't wait to meet her. It's a shame I was so late tonight."

  "Just like her mother she is, in temperament anyway. Spitting image of her father to look at, though. No doubting who he is either," Essie said.

  "I never said otherwise," Rooney said as she pushed open the kitchen door. She walked over and wrapped her arms around her big brother, kissing him. "How’s the new job working out?"

  "Good, I really like the hospital. You can get lost in the city." He took a bite of chicken, savouring the rich gravy that Essie had slathered all over it. "So, is my niece asleep already?"

  Rooney dropped down on a stool beside him and leaned her elbow on the counter, resting her head on her hand. "Yes, she was exhausted. It was a big drive down here and she was a bit nervous about the move too. After raiding the cookies Essie made, she met Kate and ran ragged around the farm after her until dinner. Then she crashed before I could bath her."

  "Sounds like you when you were little." Russ took the coffee Essie handed him. "Thanks."

  "She is very like me. Some days I wonder how Mum coped with me and my moods. I was so damned stubborn and determined to have my own way. It's the only thing that stops me coming down too hard on Tam when she digs her toes in."

  "I can't wait to meet her." He looked into her cool blue eyes. "When are you going to tell Stevie."

  Russ was aware of Essie looking in their direction, waiting to hear what Rooney had to say. She was part of this family and had as much right to know what was going on as the rest of them. He speared a piece of roast potato with his fork and watched his sister’s face as he put it in his mouth.

  "I don't know. Honestly, I just don't know how I'm going to face him." She picked at a stray lock of hair and tucked it behind her ear. "I have to find him first, though."

  "I thought Tory would have told you all that. Boy wants to keep you to himself, if you ask me," Essie said. "Stevie is easy to find anyway. Just go to the police station."