"You wouldn't have told me either unless I asked, would you? Rooney muttered. She walked over to kiss Essie before opening the fridge door and grabbing the bottle of orange juice. She lifted it to her mouth and took a swig straight from the bottle.
Cade watched as her hand started to shake. A line of juice ran down her chin and throat, soaking into her white-collared shirt. Rooney wiped at it with the back of her hand and noticed him watching her.
"What's wrong, kid?"
Tears welled in her eyes and he eased to his feet, hopping over to where she stood. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her close, worried about the way she trembled. "Tell me what's wrong, Rooney. I don't like to see you like this."
"I'll be okay." She heaved a sigh and gave him a wobbly smile. When he released her, she grabbed a tissue off the kitchen counter and blew her nose.
Essie placed a cup of tea on the counter and pushed her toward the stool. "Sit and tell us what's going on in that pretty head of yours before Tam comes back inside."
Cade perched himself back on the stool and listened while she relayed the visit from Mr Stubbs and her consequent trip to his farm on the way home. "You have to file a complaint against him, Rooney. He can't be allowed to get away with this kind of thing. It's inhumane."
"Yeah, it made me sick looking at those poor dogs locked up. I don't trust him though. Rhian said he's crazy and he sure gives off that vibe." She blew her nose again and smiled. "I know Tam is going to love the pup. At least I can say I've saved one and given it a decent chance for a normal life."
"Yes, you can and it's a shame we can't take more. Who knows how long it will be before they get rescued." He started to work out things in his mind, going over how much he had in the bank and how long it would keep him afloat when everything went pear-shaped.
"You sound as though you want to go and buy something too. I didn't take you as an animal person anymore, Cade."
"You know I love them. Hell, I was never without a dog as a kid. It's just been too hard living in the city to keep one. Now I have to live here—well most of the time anyway—it might be easier to have one. You and the squirt can look after it for me when I'm in the city."
"Of course we can, but I don't know if you should go there. It might be a better idea to call the RSPCA and leave it at that. Let them do what they do best." She looked at him, a frown on her face.
"Well, I think it would be a good idea if I went in and had a look. Who knows how long it will take them and if they have more than one complaint, maybe they will escalate the case." He smiled and chuckled. "I can take photos too. He'll never know what hit him."
"You are hardly in a position to do much, Cade. I think you should leave it to the authorities."
"He won't suspect a thing with me looking like this. I'll have to take your car though. If I rock up in the Ferrari, he'll probably double the price."
"I can't drive that thing. I've gotten so used to my old automatic. Don't make me drive it, Cade, please." The horrified look on her face amused him. At least she wasn't crying over helpless puppies.
He laughed and ruffled her hair. "Settle down, Rooney. It's the 400A, meaning it's an auto too. The easiest car to drive, believe me. I manage with this damned support frame on my leg. I'll go and see him in the morning and then call over to your place and get you to check over whatever I end up with."
"Fine then, but I hope the beast is insured."
He rummaged in his pocket and held out the keys for her to take, amazed at letting someone else drive his precious car. "Fully, so stop worrying."
When he went up to bed that night, he gave little thought to what had happened at the hospital earlier in the day. What was done was done and there was no going back. He just needed to keep himself busy until the day of his final medical and not let it worry him too much. Cade knew he wasn't going to go back to playing football. His career was over the moment he went to Kate's rescue.
He leaned his crutches against the wall and hopped to the centre of the room, glancing out the window at the moon shimmering in the evening sky. Cade pulled his shirt over his head and threw it on the chair in the corner of his room. Why the hell had he gotten involved with his sister’s problems? It wasn't as though he really wanted a dog, they tied you down. No, it was because he'd always had her back. Except the last time when she really needed him and there was no way history was going to repeat itself.
Tomorrow he would do his bit and try to make up for not realising his little sister had needed his help when she ran away from home. In the scheme of things, what he would walk into tomorrow wouldn't be much but it was a small step toward proving he was good for more than playing football and drinking his life away.
Cade hopped to the bed and sat down, planning what he was going to say and do when he came face to face with Stubbs. The first thing he had to do though, was find enough money to pay for whatever he ended up with. He opened his bedside cabinet and took out the old cigar box his father had left lying around one day. There had been one cigar in it and Cade had stolen it, pleading ignorance when the old man came looking for it.
He had smoked the cigar behind the barn with a couple of mates, making themselves horribly ill in the process. Now he kept his spare cash in it. Spare cash that was fast becoming his only cash. He sorted through the notes and laid out two hundred dollars by his phone. If the guy he was going to see didn't like the lure of cash under his nose, Cade was going to be in trouble.
***
Cade drove sedately down the rutted driveway and parked beside the barn Rooney had described. He pushed the record button on his phone and clipped it into his front pocket careful to make sure the camera eye was pointing out.
Before he could get out, a rough voice called out. "What do you want?"
Cade opened the door and put on his best star quality smile. "Mr Stubbs, my name is Cade Williams." He struggled to stand and reached in for his crutches. "My sister got a pup off you yesterday, you know Rooney, the vet. Well, it seems to me you are the man to come to for animals and, since we are both local, it makes sense to come here before I do the rounds of the pet shops." He held out his hand, keeping the smile on his face from slipping as the dirty fist headed his way.
Mr Stubbs grabbed his hand and shook it. "No point going to the shops, they get all their animals from me anyway." He looked Cade up and down, frowning. "What do you want a dog for anyway? I thought you were some big football star or something." With his hands jammed into his dirty overalls, he stood back and eyed Cade off, waiting for an answer.
"Yeah, well it's like this. As you can see, I've had a pretty major injury. Fact is, I doubt I’ll ever play again. So I'm looking for a little companionship and Rooney seems to think you might have something to suit me."
"Perhaps I do. Don't normally do business this way though." He squinted against the morning sun and shrugged his shoulders. "You won't be wanting a receipt for this dog, would you?"
"No, not all. I'm sure we can come up with a cash price that will suit the both of us."
"Follow me then."
Mr Stubbs walked past the barn with Cade following him.
The stench made Cade's eyes water and he almost gagged. When his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the shed, he looked around. Cages lined every wall, and in each of those cages were dogs with puppies of all ages and breeds. No wonder Rooney lost it last night. This is disgusting.
"What are you looking for exactly?"
"Not really sure. I'll know it when I see it. You understand I'm sure, Mr Stubbs. I want the animal that tugs at my heartstrings." All of these poor little buggers are doing that. If you could show me everything you have available, I would appreciate it." It'll give me a chance to video everything too. The more evidence I have against you, buddy, the happier I'll be.
Mr Stubbs muttered and slowly walked the length of the building.
When they got to the end, Cade noticed another door. "Are there more in there?"
"Nothing in here suit y
ou, then?" He looked annoyed and Cade's chest tightened.
"Actually, I'm not too sure. Nothing has really said 'Take me home,' just yet. If you wouldn't mind?"
He pushed open the door and walked in with Cade behind him.
Cade made sure to walk the length of this building too, videoing both sides of the barn. A whimper caught his attention and he went to investigate what was in the dark corner amongst empty feed sacks and cardboard boxes. Tied with a piece of hay baling twine, a small collie lay in the dirt. He reached out a hand and it backed away, cowering in the corner.
"That one's not for sale."
"Why not?" Cade held out his hand and whispered to the dog. It sniffed his fingers and a small pink tongue risked a quick swipe against his skin.
"Past her use by date. Didn't get in pup for the second time. Going to shoot her later, got no time for dogs that don't earn their keep."
"This is the one I want." Cade stood and turned to Mr Stubbs.
"Not getting it for free, if that's what you're thinking. I've had to feed and look after it until now, should give me something for it."
Cade reached into his pants pocket. "I have two hundred dollars here, take it or leave it."
A grubby hand snaked out and grabbed the notes. "Don't go thinking you'll get any refunds for that money either. Buyer beware."
"I appreciate your help, Mr Stubbs. I wonder if you would be kind enough to give me a hand out to my car with her, though? I'd hate to get tangled in her on the way out. I'm sure you understand."
Cade stood back while Mr Stubbs untied the dog and dragged her out of the barn. The walk past all of the undernourished and dirty animals just about broke his heart, but he was on a mission and had to get to Rooney before they took the next step.
Mr Stubbs opened the car door and pushed the dog inside, slamming it before the terrified animal could slink back out.
Cade lifted his hand in farewell. "Thanks for this, much appreciated." He turned the car around and headed down the driveway, stopping at the gate to switch off his phone and glance over at the poor dog shivering on the back seat. "You poor bloody thing. I'll look after you, girl. I promise. We’ll shut that bastard down if it's the last thing we do."
He drove as fast as the speed limit allowed and pulled into the car park at the practice. Before he could turn off the car, his sister came running out the door followed by her new receptionist.
"Oh Cade, we've been so damned worried."
He grinned and shrugged his shoulders before opening the door. "Don't know why. I told you I would be okay."
"We know what Mr Stubbs is like, Cade," Rhian said. "Just a little on the weird and crazy side."
"Hi, Rhian. Nice to see you again. Well, what do you think?" He indicated the poor dog shivering on the back seat.
"Oh baby, look at you." Rooney cooed to the animal and opened the door. She crouched down to talk to the dog, holding her hand out. It sniffed her fingers and gave a tentative lick, looking over at Cade. "I think it likes you, brother."
"And why wouldn't it? It's a girl after all." He laughed, relaxing now he was safely away from the farm. "Can you take her in for me please and check her out. Bastard was going to shoot her because she didn't fall pregnant two seasons in a row. I couldn't leave her there hoping he didn't get around to it before the authorities visited."
Rooney sat on the back seat beside the dog and ran her fingers around its ears, talking soothingly to it. When it relaxed, she took the length of string it had around its neck and led it inside the surgery.
Cade followed with Rhian and shut the door behind them. Rooney cut the string from around its neck and let it wander around, sniffing. Rhian placed a bowl of water on the floor and the dog took a sniff before drinking her fill.
"Poor little thing is so malnourished and dirty." Rooney took a seat and watched the dog. It looked around and sniffed at a bag of dog food on display before going to Cade and sitting at his feet. "I guess she’s your dog."
"Looks like it. I'll get Squirt to help me give her a bath after school and pick a name. Can you give her the once over before I go please, Sis?"
"Sure, come in and I'm sure she will follow you." Rooney walked into the treatment room.
"Rhian, do me a favour will you?" Cade held out his phone to her. "Can you download the video from my phone and save it just in case we need to use it."
"Sure. No problem." She took it and sat behind the desk, her fingers skimming over the keys.
Chapter Twenty-three
Rooney watched the dog hover around her brother’s feet as he hopped into the treatment room. He leaned down and stroked her head, whispering to her before he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up onto the table.
"I could have done that."
"No need. I'm not helpless, Rooney. My leg is out of action for a bit, not the rest of me."
She stroked the dog while looking into its ears and eyes. When she put the stethoscope into the ears it shrank back, trying to get off the table.
"It's alright, girl, shh now." She nodded for Cade to help hold the dog while she listened to its heart and lungs. When she took its temperature, it cowed and tried to get away from her. "Understandable, love, I wouldn't like it either."
Rooney ran her fingers down the spine and palpated the dog’s stomach before giving her verdict. "She’s fine, Cade, just very malnourished. With love and attention, she should come good in no time. I doubt she’s ever been vaccinated, so I'll do that now too and give her some worm tablets."
The dog watched every move she made and sat surprisingly still while Rooney gave her an injection.
"You need to give her small meals to start with. I would suggest home-made or the brand I have out in reception. It doesn't have fillers, just good ingredients."
"I'll ask Essie to make something up for her. Can I get a collar and lead rope from you for her please?"
"Sure, go and choose whatever you want." Rooney lifted the dog down from the table and watched her follow Cade from the room, glancing back once as if she couldn't believe she hadn't been hurt.
Cade chose a plain red collar and lead, dropping them on the counter. "Give me an invoice please, Rhian. I may be able to claim this one day."
"Cade, you don't have to pay for those." Rooney came up behind him.
"Yeah, I do. This is your business, love. You need the money as much as anyone else."
"But you don't..."
"Did Russ tell you that? Figures. Mr Perfect can't keep his mouth shut."
Rooney felt for him. Cade had always been the big spender in the family, never a saver like she and Russ were. "Look, I know things aren't exactly going the way you planned but hell’s teeth, you should have always had a backup plan."
"Yeah well, shit happens. Listen, enough about my problems. Care to share a coffee with me before I go while Rhian sorts out the video."
"Give me another ten minutes or so and you can have your phone back. It's downloading now but taking forever," Rhian said glancing up.
"Of course." Rooney walked into the kitchen with Cade and his dog close behind her. He shut the door and took a seat at the tiny kitchen table. "Look I'm sorry, I didn't mean to rouse on you. It's just that I worry about you and what’s going to happen if your leg doesn't come good."
"I know. I haven't told anyone this before but if it will put your mind at rest, I'll share a little secret promise I made to Mother."
She nodded her head and waited.
"You know Father always wanted us to follow in his footsteps? Well, the only way to keep the peace between him and Mother when I left was if I promised her I would come and work at home if I never made it playing football." He gave a bitter laugh and Rooney watched the dog nudge at his hand with her nose. "Looks like the old bastard will get his way sooner than I thought. After my gallant action the other day when I thought Kate was going to get stomped by that stupid colt, I seriously doubt I'll ever get on the field again."
"I'm sorry, Cade. I know how m
uch your career means to you." Rooney made him a coffee and sat down beside him.
"Yeah well, that's how it goes sometimes. At least I have somewhere to live and a female that loves me." He smiled and stroked the dog’s head.
"And she's not the only one either." Rooney grinned and took a sip of her coffee.
"What are you talking about?" The puzzled look on his face made her smile.
"Haven't you noticed how beautiful Kate has turned out?"
"Yeah, fiery little thing too. She hates me. I can tell."
"Nah-ah. Not a chance brother. That girl has loved you since she was twelve years old. It's time you opened your eyes to a real woman and not those fancy floozies you hang around with."
Cade laughed and shook his head. "No, you have it wrong."
Rooney smiled to herself, watching her brother’s face as his mind worked. She could almost imagine what was running through his brain. Kate was a stunner and Cade would be stupid to ignore what was in front of his nose.
When Cade left, Rooney sat at the desk to watch the video Rhian had downloaded. It broke her heart to see what those poor dogs were going through. She made a phone call and spoke to the manager at the RSPCA. He requested a written statement and a copy of the video be forwarded to him so he could see for himself what conditions were like.
After filling in and emailing the forms to him, she sent Rhian home. It was four o'clock and she doubted they would get any other clients today. Rooney cleaned her treatment room and spent some time with the puppy. It was looking so much better today and she thought about taking it home for Tam tonight.
A car door slammed and she shut the cage door, ignoring the whine from the pup. Straightening up, Rooney walked out to the reception room in time to see Stevie walking in the door.
"Rooney."
Coming Home (Williams Siblings) Page 14