Coming Home (Williams Siblings)

by Ann B. Harrison

  "What are you doing here?" She tried to keep her voice even but struggled seeing him within arm's reach again. He still did something to her heart and now she knew he had taken a beating too, she was feeling a little bit kinder towards him. Maybe today would be a good time to talk to him about Tam before it got too hard.

  "What are you doing messing with Stubbs?" His anger was palpable and she took a step backward, shocked by the verbal attack.

  "What do you mean?"

  "I've just had a call from Dean over at the RSPCA. He wants me to co-ordinate a raid on Stubbs' farm in a couple of days based on video evidence you supplied along with a formal complaint."

  "Hell yes, I complained. The guy is an arse and deserves to be shot." She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the treatment room. "Look at that pup. He brought it in and when he found out it was going to cost him a good amount of money to fix, he wanted to take it home and shoot it." She looked up at him, pleading with every inch of her being for him to understand.

  "Jesus, Rooney. You could get seriously hurt here. He has a reputation and I don't want you involved with him." Stevie grabbed her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

  He looked at her with tender passion and a fierce possessiveness in his eyes that melted her heart. She’d been his whole world then and that was why Rooney had never understood the way he'd left her to take the blame for being caught in the barn. "I didn't take the video. Cade did, and he has a new dog to show for his soft side."

  Stevie laughed. "Your brother doesn't have a soft side. Isn't it all about him and his career?"

  "No, at least, not now. He’s the one who took the video after I told him about the pup and the other dogs at the farm."

  "The other dogs? You've been there, haven't you?" He glared at her, his brown eyes dark and stormy.

  Rooney swallowed. This was a side of him she hadn't seen, and it scared her. "Yes." Her voice came out in a small squeak and she spoke again, but stronger. "I called in on the way home to tell him what I found when I examined the pup. It gave me a chance to see for myself what his place was like. Cade took it from there."

  "Did you not think it would have been a better idea to call me?" His face was so close to hers, she could smell the musky sweat breaking out on his skin as his anger with her mounted. She lifted her hand to push him away but he grabbed her wrist. Anger surfaced and she kicked him in the shins.

  When her foot made contact with his leg, he cursed and his gaze darkened. "Be careful what you do here, Rooney. I'd hate to bring you in for assaulting a police officer."

  The words didn't register with her brain. All she could think of was the times when they fought, which were plenty, and the only thing that stopped them was sex. The memories came flooding back and Rooney felt the heat pool in between her thighs. She noticed the moment he shared the same memory, the smoulder in his eyes and a small smile tipped the corners of his lips. Many of their fights and differences were brushed aside because of the passion that ignited between them. Passion that ultimately led to them to being caught.

  She looked at the fullness of his chin, his day old growth of black beard and the softness of his mouth. Without thinking, Rooney reached closer and ran her tongue over the fullness of his bottom lip before taking it in her teeth. His arms gripped her tighter but she brushed them off and wrapped her arms around his neck as she deepened the kiss.

  Eight years of holding back erupted inside her and there was nothing she could to stay her emotions, even if she had wanted to. When he returned the kiss, his hands gripped her butt, pulling her closer and she groaned against his mouth. Rooney dug her fingers into his rich black hair, pulling and smoothing the glossy locks alternately as she pushed herself into him, trying to gain access to the body denied to her for so long.

  Stevie took a step back and lifted her to sit on the counter. She looked down into his eyes and he smiled. It was all the encouragement Rooney needed. Gripping the front of his shirt, she ripped it open to admire the smooth curves of his chest. Gone was the boyish body she remembered, replaced by muscles gained through a rigid fitness routine. Abandoning resistance, she trailed her fingers down the ridge of his breastbone and traced the smattering of hair surrounding his nipples. She leaned closer to take one in her mouth.

  He groaned in pleasure, letting her nip and tug the small hard nub. When Rooney lifted her head, Stevie raised an eyebrow and she grinned. With shaking hands, he undid the buttons on her shirt, peeling it from her shoulders down to her elbows. He stopped her from shrugging it all the way off by holding her hands against the counter top.

  Suddenly, she felt exposed and wary. It was still daylight and anyone could come in and catch them. She opened her mouth to tell him to lock the door when he leaned forward and traced the outline of her bra with his warm tongue.

  "Oh God, don't stop. Please, don't stop." Rooney arched back to give him unrestricted access to her breasts. When he released her hand to unclasp her bra, she shrugged off the shirt leaving hers naked and wanton.

  The prickle of his day’s growth rasped deliciously on her breasts as he took a nipple in his mouth, and she gasped as old memories came racing back. Rooney sucked in a deep breath and pushed him away. I can't do this, I just can't.

  Stevie looked at her, his expression one of puzzlement as Rooney grabbed her clothes.

  "No, stop. Step away." She put her bra on and jumped down off the counter. Rooney watched him from under her lashes as she pulled on her shirt doing the buttons up like a shield around her broken heart. This wasn't the way she wanted it to go. There were things they needed to talk about before they fell into old habits. Because once they did, there would be no going back.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Rooney walked into the kitchen and put on the kettle. When she had two cups of coffee ready, she came back and placed one in front of him.

  He leaned against the bench and watched her. She was nervous now and it worried him. "What's wrong, Rooney? You reached for me just like old times and then you push me away. I don't get it, what's going on? Is there more to the animal cruelty case you’re not telling me?"

  "No." She sighed and bit her lip before meeting his gaze again. "There is something you need to know and I figured we should sort it out before we jump back into the old routine again." With a shaking hand, she pulled the band from her hair and raked her fingers through the long strands. While she tied it back up, catching the tendrils that had escaped, she sorted out the words in her head.

  "When I left, I took more than I thought with me." Pain gripped her chest as he looked at her. "I didn't find out for a few months. I guess my cycle was all up the creek with stress and everything. I was pregnant, Stevie."

  He glared at her with a thunderous mood ready to raise its head, and she held up her hand. "Don't go all caveman on me, it won't work. You left me. You fucking left me to my father who strapped my arse so damned hard I still have the scars. Don't you dare go all 'poor me' over this." The tears poured down her face now and she brushed them away.

  "What did you do?" His gut rolled as he looked at her.

  "I raised her alone. It was damned hard, but I had no choice. Dad would have killed both of us if he'd known." She sniffed and grabbed a tissue. "I managed and, now I'm back home, I thought you should know."

  "Thank you very much, Rooney. That’s so damned irresponsible, you know? You could have called me. I would have come to you, helped you out." He ran his hand through his hair and turned from her, the hurt burning through him like a knife.

  "What could you have done? You had no money, no job, no future. For all I knew, you could have been in jail yourself. You weren't exactly the model citizen back then, Stevie."

  Ashamed of the childhood he’d had, he snapped at her. "I was a stupid kid, I get that, but I think I deserved better. I would never have turned you away, Rooney, never."

  She looked at him her lips trembling and uncertainty in her eyes. She twisted her fingers in the hem of her shirt watching him for a reac
tion. He almost relented, but he was hurt himself beyond measure. This was going to take some getting used to. A father. "I wish you’d told me." A deep pain was churning in his stomach and butterflies were beating against the inside of his chest making his breathing uneven and strained.

  "I'm sorry, I didn't do it deliberately. By the time I realised I was pregnant, I had a decent job and people who cared about me. It seemed more important to make a home for my baby and make sure I could earn a decent living than try and tell everyone. I didn't even get to tell Mum. She died the day Tamara was born."

  "I wondered why you didn't come home for her funeral. I'm so sorry. I know how much you loved her." He stepped closer now he’d calmed down. Tentatively he reached out a hand and she fell against him, her tears running fresh again.

  "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

  "We can fix things now you're home." Stevie leaned down and kissed her hair, rubbing circles on her back. "When can I come and see her?"

  "Can you let me talk to her first? You can come over tomorrow after work and get to know her." She smiled at him through her tears. "I don't want to throw it at her in a hurry and have you waiting by the door. It might freak her out."

  "I think that's a great idea."

  ***

  As he drove up the driveway the next afternoon, Stevie was a bundle of nerves. Going into a raid never left him feeling as anxious as he was now going to meet his daughter for the first time. He pulled up outside the old stables and parked his car. There was nobody in sight and he stepped out, looking around as he shut the door. The place hadn't changed much since he was here last. The only difference was the old man not glaring at him as he asked for Rooney.

  The sound of a puppy yapping drew his attention and he walked around to the back of the house. A dark-haired child was swinging in the old tyre hanging in the fig tree by the old milking shed. As she swung in the air, the pup tried to catch her and missed. It yapped each time it jumped, dragging its injured leg.

  Stevie stood transfixed, looking at the face of the child—his child—as she laughed at the animals’ antics. The sound of her laughter, the high pitches squeals of delight shot through to his heart. Pure joy radiated from her face, the huge grin she wore hitting him with a rush of paternal pride he never expected. She looked so much like him, it almost broke his heart. There was no mistaking he was her father. A well of emotion rose in his throat and he coughed to avoid tears. Now wasn't the time to lose control.

  Tamara looked over and smiled, her features her mother’s, her colouring his. "Are you here to see me?" She jumped off the swing and took a few steps toward him, the pup at her feet.

  Stevie crouched down on the ground and waited for her to come closer. "Yes. I guess if you are Tamara, then it's you I want to see."

  "I like to be called Tam. Tamara is such a girly name." She titled her head to one side and gazed over him. "You're my father, aren't you? Mum said you were coming. Where have you been? Fathers are supposed to be there to help mothers look after their children."

  "Sometimes things happen in strange ways, Tam. Things don't always work out the way you think they will. But I'm here now and I'd like to get to know you, if that's okay?"

  "Of course it’s okay, silly, you're my dad." She grinned and sat down on the grass, grabbing the puppy and pulling it on her lap. "He has a broken leg but it doesn't stop him running around. Mum said I have to be careful and not let him get too excited because he might hurt it more."

  "I think your mum might be right. She is a vet after all." Stevie reached out and scratched the pup under the chin and the needle-like teeth latched onto his finger, making Tam laugh. "What have you called him?"

  "Well, I'm still thinking about it. I like Sid but Uncle Cade said he needs something better than that. Sid is too silly for a dog. I think what he called his dog is sillier."

  "It's your dog, call it what you want."

  "You are a policeman, aren't you?" She pinned him with an intense gaze.

  "Yes, I am."

  "Can you tell Uncle Cade I'm calling him Sid then. He won't argue with a policeman."

  "Tam, hey. Oh, hi Stevie, I didn't hear the car." Rooney walked out and glanced between them. He gave her a reassuring smile and saw the tension leave her jaw. She walked over and rested a hand on his shoulder.

  "I hope you aren't letting that puppy do too much, Tam. He needs more rest before he'll be up to racing around the yard after you."

  "I am, Mum." She looked up at Rooney and cast a quick look to her father before meeting her mother's gaze again. "Is my father staying here now?"

  "I live in town." Stevie spoke up, mindful of the way Rooney gripped his shoulder at the question. "I can come and see you lots though."

  "Okay. Are you staying for dinner then? I want to show you my room?"

  "Essie has cooked enough to feed an army. She said to make sure I told you." Rooney looked down at him, a small smile playing at her lips.

  "I've missed her. Funny, she was the only one who approved of me." He stood and took her hand. "Can we talk later, after dinner?"

  "Um…yeah, sure." She pulled her hand free and spoke to Tam. "You need to go and wash up. Essie will have dinner ready in ten minutes."

  "Okay, Mum." Tam smiled and ran up to the house with the puppy racing to keep up with her on its three good legs.

  Stevie watched her go inside the house and then turned to Rooney. He watched the colour race up her pale cheeks and resisted the urge to tease her. When they were younger, he had driven her to distraction when she blushed. It had invariably led to making out, the very thing they got into trouble for but they couldn't keep their hands off each other.

  Now he was a responsible citizen, he would have to curb the lust that rose in him whenever he saw her. The way he had taken her yesterday was not something he regretted though. No other women had ignited the flame in him like Rooney did. Powerless to resist the spark that burned between them, it guaranteed to get him into trouble especially when she had his child with her.

  He stood up and casually draped his arm over her shoulder. "You know, if Tam wasn't here I’d take you down to the barn and refresh old memories. You're lucky I want to see my daughter but don't think you're getting away scot free." He dropped a kiss on her smooth blonde hair. "We can discuss us after dinner when your brothers have finished giving me dirty looks and grilling me."

  She laughed, a sound that shot right to his gut. "Grill you? That will be the day, you're the policeman. It thought that was your job."

  "When it comes to leaving you alone and pregnant, if I was your brother, I would kill me."

  She walked toward the back door of the house and Stevie stuck close to her side, his arm still over her shoulder. "Yeah well, I guess we’re both to blame for that, so don't feel too bad. They might let you live since you didn't know about it."

  Rooney pushed open the door and memories came flooding back of standing at the kitchen counter filling his stomach with Essie's home-cooking.

  "Stevie, oh my, it’s so good to see you." The spritely housekeeper ran to greet him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

  He picked her up and swung her around until she giggled. "Put me down, you ratbag."

  While she gathered her breath, he stood back and looked at the person he considered his saviour when he was younger. His own mother had died when Stevie was twelve and his father shut himself off, wracked with grief. The only person he’d had to talk to was Rooney, and the person who made sure he had enough to eat was Essie. It hadn't seemed right to come and visit her with Rooney gone. The old man wouldn't have let him on the property again.

  "I've missed you, Essie." It was hard only seeing her in passing when she was in town shopping. Knowing how much she loved and believed in him was one of the reasons he’d joined the force.

  "Oh away with you, Stevie." Essie blushed at his words. "My how you've grown into a handsome man. Poor Rooney won't be able to resist you now anymore than she did when you were youngsters."
<
br />   "And look how much trouble that got them into."

  Stevie turned around to see who had spoken. Russ was walking into the kitchen, a grim look on his face. Fuck, I'm done for now. Dread filled his stomach and he prepared for the confrontation he knew he deserved. Stevie clenched his fists at his side and moved forward to meet Rooney's eldest brother.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  "Well I'm glad you're here, Stevie. Rooney needs you," Essie said.

  "I think she’s the one who should decide that, Essie," Russ said as he walked into the kitchen. He looked at Stevie and dropped his briefcase by the door before walking over and standing in front of them. "I do hope now you're someone of worth, your morals have changes somewhat and you're ready to do the right thing by my sister."

  "What is up with you, Russ?" Rooney walked over and stood between him and Stevie. "You don't talk to anyone this way."

  "It's okay, I can take it. He won't be the only one who thinks I need a flogging for leaving you."

  "No, he won't be." Cade hopped into the kitchen, his new dog close on his heels. "If I wasn't injured, I would drag you outside to the barn, and it wouldn't be for what you’re used to getting up to in there either."

  "Stop it, both of you." Rooney glared at her brothers. "This is none of your bloody business and I'll thank you to remember that. Russ," she poked him in the chest with her finger, "you look like someone just messed up your nice orderly life. Spill your guts and tell us what’s really pissing you off, and stop taking it out on Stevie."

  He shook his head, stepping away to go and look out the kitchen window. He took a glass from the draining board and filled it with water, drinking the lot before he turned back to them. "Sorry. I really am so sorry. It's good to see you again, Stevie. I apologise for my behaviour. It's been a shocking day and I feel like hitting out at something or someone."

  "Hey, bro, I thought we were on the same side here." Cade looked crestfallen now there wasn't going to be a fist fight. "How am I supposed to take him on by myself?"