Free Coming Home by Ann B Harrison

own business, but what is happening with you guys? Are you
staying?" She watched him, her emerald green eyes focused on his face.
    "Yes, for now
anyway. I was telling Cade earlier, I think we should keep the farm in the
family. I mean, we don't know what Rooney is up to. She might want to come
home."
    "Yeah, she might.
What about Cade? Is he staying too?"
    "Worried about
your job, Katie?" Cade pushed the door and hobbled into the kitchen. He leaned
his crutches on the counter next to Russ and looked at her.
    "No. Why should I
be?"
    "Surely if the
farm gets given to the local government, they can appoint their own
managers." He took a glass and poured himself wine while he spoke to her.
    "Nope. Tory has it
all sorted. I keep my job regardless of what happens." She smiled at him
sweetly and the look in her eyes dared him to say something.
    Russ coughed to cover
up the laugh bubbling up his throat. "Give up, Cade. She's not going
anywhere and that includes falling at your feet."
    "We’ll see about
that," Cade replied, watching Kate over the rim of his glass as he took a
sip of the wine.
    Dinner’s ready,"
Essie interrupted.
    "Thanks
honey." Kate led them into the dining room and took her seat while Russ stood
holding the chair out for her.
    When they had their
meals in front of them Cade lifted his glass. "Here's to nothing."
His sardonic smile wasn't lost of Russ. If he was any judge there was more to
his brother’s injury and bad mood than he was letting on.
    "Will you be at
the funeral tomorrow, Kate?" Russ ignored the snort that came from Cade.
    "Of course I will.
Your father was good to me and I have to say my farewell the same as everyone
else does." Her voice wavered and she lifted the serviette to cover her
mouth, coughing.
    "It should be an
interesting day," Cade said. "I wonder how many locals will come out
hoping we don't stick around?"
    "Why would anyone
do that? Hell’s teeth, Cade. Your father was well liked, at least by people
outside his family. I'm sure they aren't thinking along those lines. Besides
they wouldn't know about the terms of the will anyway." Kate shook her
head and frowned at him.
    "I wouldn't put it
past some of them to have had a word in the old man's ear." He glanced
over at Kate, his dinner forgotten while he toyed with his wine glass.
"So, tell me again how you managed to worm your way around him?"
    "Cade, stop it
now!" Russ turned to Kate. "Don't let him goad you. Ignore him,
please Kate." Russ was mortified at his brother’s behaviour and from the
look on Kate's face, she was too.
    "If you’re
suggesting I did anything sleazy to get this job, you are mistaken. Your father
took me in and offered me a job when I lost my parents. And just so you know, I
had to work my arse off to keep it too." She stood and glared at Cade.
"I would never sleep with a man to get what I want, unlike your
floozies do. I think better of myself than that. Funnily enough I have
standards, Cade. Something you know nothing about." She placed her napkin
on the table. "Excuse me." Kate walked out of the dining room with
her head held high.
    "You idiot."
Russ glared at his brother.
    "Fuck you, you
sanctimonious prick. You know nothing, Russ. The way you let people walk over
you and do what they want, it's just plain sickening."
    "You don't know
what you're talking about," he replied. A sinking feeling clutched at his
stomach because he knew Cade spoke the truth.
    "Yeah I do. You
signed everything over to that bitch of a wife just to save yourself an
argument. Don't try to deny it. You already said as much this afternoon."
He took another drink, draining his glass. "It's no wonder you have
nothing, brother. You’re a total walkover. I refuse to be like that. If I want
something, I'll take it."
    "Kate's not like that.
You know she isn't." Russ pushed his plate away, his appetite gone.
"She’s had to work for what she has."
    "Yeah, sure. She
has her foot in the door, buddy, and there is no getting rid of her. Just