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“Good morning, beautiful boy,” Kitty cooed to the pig, giving him a scratch.

“Good morning,” said Josh, a grin on his face.

Kitty spun around, eyes wide. When she saw Josh, her body relaxed, but it didn’t stop her from throwing a discarded glove in his direction.

“Bloody hell Josh, you frightened the life out of me.”

She didn’t look happy. What was he expecting, though? How would he feel if she’d spent the majority of a week avoiding him?

“How are you?” he asked. “I haven’t seen you for a few days.”

Kitty’s brows furrowed. “Oh, has it been that long? I hadn’t noticed,” she said, hands on her hips.

Josh flinched.

“I’m great, thanks,” Kitty said. “Jeffrey is great company.”

Did the lady protest too much? Josh smirked. “I’m sure he is. He’s always been a bit of a ladies’ man. Shame he wasn’t on hand to scrub your back down at the pond, though.”

Kitty’s eyes opened wide, and the colour in her cheeks heightened. Perhaps he shouldn’t have said anything, but he couldn’t resist. She looked at him like a petulant toddler. How he wanted to kiss those pouting lips.

“I’m sorry. That was uncalled for,” he said, wondering if he should just confess that she was slowly driving him insane. “Do you want a hand?” he asked, stepping into the middle of the barn.

“Pardon?”

“Jeffrey. Do you want a hand with him? My way of saying sorry for my appalling manners. I’m sorry I haven’t been to see you. It’s been a tough week.”

Kitty gave him a wan smile. “Thanks. He’s the least of my worries, though. It’s Jemima that seems to have it in for me.” she said, gesturing to the pig in the next-door stall.

“Maybe she’s jealous of you?”

Kitty turned to look at the pig with a snicker. “She’s bearing a grudge for something. Can you help me get her down to the pen at the other end? Jeffrey will follow her.”

They worked together to encourage Jemima into the new stall, and just as she’d said, Jeffrey followed her. The movements of Kitty’s long, supple limbs taunted Josh, and it was an effort to keep his eyes off her bottom as she pushed the stubborn pig along. His mind flew back to their game of Twister and the feeling of her body against him when he pulled her down on top of him. He’d sealed his fate with that one action.After that point, he couldn’t avoid his feelings any longer. But he’d have to worship her from afar, just like when they were kids.

After putting the pigs in the new stall, Kitty slid the heavy metal bolt across its door and turned to Josh.

“Thanks. I don’t suppose you have time to help me clean the poo they left behind?” She cocked a dark eyebrow. “I’ll let you use my lucky spade.”

Her grin caught him off guard. Perhaps she wasn’t so mad at him after all.

“Josh wiped his hands on the front of his jeans. “It’s tempting, but I can’t. I’m on the road today. I wanted to check in on you, though.” Josh paused and shifted his weight. “How are your interviews going?” he asked.

Kitty shuffled her feet around the straw on the floor.

“They’re going great. I’m three in so far. The firm wants me to spend a few days with them next week.”

Josh’s heart lurched, and his heart rate sped up. Its racing was a reminder that he would lose her soon. She looked so beautiful, lit up by a shaft of sunlight making its way through a loose patch of tiling.

“Can you be free tomorrow?” he asked, rushing his words. “I wondered if it would be a good day to ride along with me? Show you what I do.” He paused. “Only if you’re interested, of course.”

Kitty’s eyes locked onto his, and perspiration sprung at his top lip. She was hesitating.

“I’m not sure, Josh. I’ll check with Thea,” she said, wiping away a strand of dark hair that had escaped her ponytail and now clung to her neck.

“Don’t worry about Thea. She’ll be fine with it. She may struggle without her new wing woman, but it won’t be a problem.”

Josh’s eyes travelled down to Phil’s oversized wellies. “You may need to rethink your footwear, though.”