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Before Kitty registered any response to his departure, Daniel put a bottle of brandy down on the bar and set about organising two ice-filled glasses.

“I usually provide a barrel of brandy and a fluffy St Bernard for injured customers, but she’s having a night off. Animal Welfare has been on the phone again about her work hours.”

Kitty’s throaty laugh stirred his groin.

“To new acquaintances and sore heads,”Daniel said, offering her the glass.

“To sore heads,” she repeated, taking a sip of the drink. “Oh, that’s good.”

“We aim to please. Now, tell me how you came to be roped into Tottenbridge’s answer toThe Weakest Link? You don’t strike me as the trivia type.”

“It’s a long story.”

“I’ve got all night.” Daniel raised an eyebrow and gazed deep into her eyes, running his hand along the smooth top of the bar. They were bigger without her glasses, framed by perfect brows and long, dark lashes.

“I’m not sureIdo,” said Kitty. “I need my bed. My head is killing me, I’m half blind, and I’ve got to get up early to feed a paddock full of hungry goats.”

It was Daniel’s turn to laugh. “Why don’t you let me walk you home? It’ll only take a few minutes and give you some fresh air. I can even give you a fireman’s lift if you collapse from a concussion.”

Kitty’s head tilted to the side. “Why the hell not?” she said. “Give me a couple of minutes to say goodbye to Jonty.”

Nervous that her cousin may say something less than flattering about him, Daniel kept his eyes on her as she headed towards her table. Kitty approached her cousin and whispered in his ear. Jonty’s jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed as he threw Daniel a suspicious glance.

Getting protective cousin vibes, Daniel returned his look with a cherubic smile. Kitty and Jonty spoke for a few more seconds, and then a burst of triumph filled Daniel’s chest as she turned around and headed back towards him.

When she arrived at the bar, Daniel found it hard to wipe the smile off his face. Things were looking up.

“Everything okay?” he asked.Kitty looked way too relaxed. Way too nonchalant.

“Sure. I was just getting a few pointers on feeding the chickens in the morning.”

She was lying. Jonty wouldn’t willingly let his cousin within twenty metres of Daniel without a chaperone. Most men in the village would feel the same way. He chuckled. Kitty must be persuasive.

“Are you sure Jonty trusts you with me?” said Daniel.

“I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt it, Katherine,” he said, finishing his drink.

“Please, call me Kitty,”she said.

He pulled his lips together. “You see, I prefer Katherine. If that’s okay with you?”

Kitty shrugged and slid down the stool to the floor. “Whatever works for you, Daniel.”

“Music to my ears,” he said. “Let’s go.”

9

JOSH

Josh headedto the urgent call out he’d got at the pub, his sturdy truck negotiating the ruts and runnels of a parched field in the dark. He’d hated to leave trivia night so early without the opportunity to say goodbye to Kitty.

The corners of his mouth lifted. She was the star of his fondest childhood memories. Kitty—the mystical creature who turned up every summer—spreading smiles and fun, only to disappear again as school started. He looked forward to every visit, and to say he’d admired her was an understatement.

She was his first boyhood crush. Of course, she would never have known. But as she ran wild with him and Jonty, always armed with a pack of tissues, she’d wormed her way into his young heart.

They’d both changed, but tonight, the years had peeled away. Kitty’s carefree spirit was missing at first. Josh always pictured her with a glow in her cheeks and unruly, tousled hair flying around her shoulders as she ran. Smash to the head notwithstanding, Kitty was pale and shy tonight. But then she smiled at him. Her face softened, and old feelings raced back, crashing into his chest.