No question, Lucas Knight was walking, talking woman bait. Man bait, too, given the unashamed lust-filled ogles of some of his clients. Teagan had been around farriers and horsey people all her life, and never had she seen a person attract a crowd the way he did.

As they’d arranged, he’d picked her up on Wednesday at six am and driven to a large racing stables fifteen or so kilometres south of The Falls, where the landscape was a strange mishmash of agriculture, light industry and creeping housing development. Teagan swore every single strapper in the place made an excuse to saunter by for a gander. She was sure Lucas noticed – it would be impossible not to – but it didn’t seem to bother him. He’d either look up and offer a quick cheery g’day or carry on working.

A couple of the stable girls tossed her sullen looks that spoke of deep envy and dislike. Though the waves of hostility rattled her fragile self-esteem, she forced herself to match them with a steady, neutral gaze. Teagan didn’t want the day ruined by their wrong thoughts. Besides, she wasn’t competition for anyone. Lucas might be action-movie-star attractive and on the surface a good, honest bloke, but his interest in her was too surreal to be believed. Besides, she wasn’t in a trusting enough state of mind for any form of relationship. She wasn’t optimistic that she ever would be again.

From the racing stables they called in on a small acreage with a monster-sized house sprawled across the middle to shoe the owner’s daughter’s dressage horses. They were stunning animals, sleek and pampered, although surprisingly obedient. Teagan guessed it had cost a lot of money to train them. The entire place reeked of money.

Though still early in the day, the girl’s equally sleek and pampered mother had been joined by two other women, all in their forties, who spent the entire time lounging around the pristine yards trying to capture Lucas’s attention. When Lucas paused to remove his jumper, the collective intake of breath nearly had Teagan breaking out in laughter, but a cautioning glance from Lucas kept it inside. He’d warned her on the journey over that this might happen, and hadn’t sounded happy about it either but accepted it as his lot. If a few bored housewives getting their jollies was the price of keeping his business going then so be it. Like everyone else, he had a mortgage and bills to pay and couldn’t afford to be precious.

‘Doesn’t it make you feel like a piece of meat though?’ she asked as they drove to his next appointment.

He shrugged. ‘Not really. It’s only annoying when they get in the way.’

‘So you like being slobbered over by a bunch of cougars?’

He took his eyes off the bitumen for a second to throw her an amused glance. They were on one of the thin, crumbly-edged roads that seemed to wind like snakes across the region between the broader main road ladders, all of which Lucas appeared to be highly familiar with. ‘Wouldn’t you?’

‘The middle-aged male equivalent?’ She affected a shudder. ‘No thanks.’

‘Who’s being ageist now?’

Teagan shut up. He had a point.

‘They’re harmless.’ He lifted his palm from the wheel, his voice taking on a slightly tired tone that revealed how he really felt. ‘Most of the time.’

‘I take it from that you’ve had to fend off your fair share of offers.’

‘A few.’

‘That must be tricky.’

‘It’s not easy.’

He smiled a little, which made Teagan wonder if he’d accepted any of the proposals. Not all his admirers would be like the women they’d just left. He’d encounter plenty of women his own age, riders or strappers who were single and offering no-strings-attached sex. A quick bit of fun against his ute or a stable wall, the sun kissing them as rough hands played over soft skin and breaths came fast, mingling in pleasure.

For some reason the image made her irritable. She shifted onto her left hip and stared out the window to concentrate on the passing scenery, wishing the vision of Lucas and his expert, exploring hands away. Annoyingly, it continued to linger.

‘So how did you get started as a farrier?’ she asked, trying for another distraction.

‘I didn’t really know what I wanted to do when I finished school. I wasn’t stupid but I wasn’t very academic either, so uni was out. Figured I’d do an apprenticeship of some sort but they were pretty thin on the ground. To fill in I took a job in a racing stables near Warwick Farm. Discovered I really liked working with horses but I was too big to be a jockey and stable work paid like crap, so there didn’t seem to be much of a future there for me.

‘One morning I got talking to the farrier. He told me about a TAFE course I could do. I looked into it further and signed up. Did vocational work with a couple of master farriers while I studied then four years later I was out on my own. Started working around the valley and never looked back. Not many professionals around these days, so it’s been a steady business over the years. Plus I get to work outside, doing something I enjoy and am good at.’ He winked at her. ‘I even have groupies.’

‘So it seems.’ Teagan took a moment to tame her thoughts which were running rampant again thanks to that wink. ‘You probably shouldn’t have asked me along today. I’m likely ruining your business.’

‘Nah. It’ll just make me look more unattainable. Women love that.’

She laughed and rested her head back. ‘God, you’re conceited.’

‘What? You don’t have fantasies about men you can’t have?’

‘None of your business.’ But she softened it with a teasing ‘wouldn’t you like to know’ tone.

‘Shame. I wouldn’t mind knowing your fantasies.’ The cheeky wink he followed that with left her insides skipping and a warm flush blooming across her skin. Then he refocused on the road and turned serious. ‘I’m just trying make the most of things while I’m still young and fit. There’ll come a point later on when I won’t be able to do this anymore. My back will have gone or I’ll have suffered an injury. It happens a lot in my profession. I may as well make the most of it while I can. Tomorrow I might be stuffed.’

‘Then what would you do?’

‘I’d make things.’

Intrigued, Teagan shifted around from the window to look at him properly. ‘What sort of things?’

He tapped his necklace. ‘Things like this. Other stuff, too. Home-decorator pieces. Garden sculptures. The margins are great and if things get slow I could go back to doing bigger ironwork. Commission projects. Like I did for Vanessa with her gates.’

‘That’s your work?’

‘Uh-huh. That’s how I got to know her. She wanted someone to design gates for the farm. Bunny knew I had my own forge and put her in touch.’

‘I didn’t realise.’ The admiration in her voice was sincere. Lucas had real talent. ‘They’re amazing. Really beautiful.’

‘Thanks.’ He caught her gaze for an extended moment before looking away, but Teagan saw the genuine pleasure her praise had brought and was surprised by how much it thrilled her. That despite her inner darkness she’d created something lovely in someone else. ‘There’s a living to be made if I can get a name for myself.’

‘I bet. Would you miss the horses at all?’

‘Yeah, but I can always get one of my own. Anyway, by then I’ll probably be married, have kids. Maybe they’ll want to ride.’

‘You have it all worked out, don’t you?’

‘Not really. I’ve yet to find a girl who’ll take me on.’ His expression left her unsure if he was serious. It seemed unfathomable that Lucas Knight would struggle to find anyone to fall in love with him, yet his mouth had a grim tilt and his gaze seemed to hold a distant edge.

‘Come on, you have women throwing themselves at you the moment you open your door.’

‘They’re not exactly the right girls.’

‘Then what constitutes a right one?’ The moment the question was out itchy heat began to crawl up her neck. It made her sound like she wanted to be the right girl, when that was stupid. Sure, Teagan could do with a friend, but anything else was beyond her, the pool incident notwithstanding. Lucas was only playing games anyway.

He didn’t seem to notice her discomfort. ‘Someone who takes me for who I am inside and doesn’t spend all day blowing smoke up my arse. Someone who doesn’t mind a bit of dirt under their nails or on me.’ He flicked a glance towards her head. ‘Red hair.’

‘Not skinny.’

‘Not skinny would be good. You women are weird about your weight. Most of the time you think you’re too fat when the truth is blokes like something to grab hold of. Bums and boobs and other fleshy bits.’

Eyes narrowing, she angled closer. ‘Are you sure you aren’t secretly in love with my aunt?’

‘Nah. I’m ageist, remember?’

Teagan laughed and sat back to stare once again out at the surroundings. Lucas had explained that most of his work was to the south and north. Unlike when he first started, these days he had only a few clients in the valley. The demographics had changed. A lot of city people had bought land and built large houses hoping to enjoy a tree change. Wealthy retirees abounded along with urban types like Callum with money and no children, and an urge for a country retreat. Even Bunny’s business had altered focus, from livestock and horses to mainly small animals.

In the Wilmington Valley south of The Falls, where the land was less rolling, racing yards, a few studs and equestrian centres flourished. The fences were treated or painted timber. Glossy-coated animals grazed on well-managed pastures, the paddocks protected with windbreaks and dotted with steel shelters.

This was the sort of place Teagan had expected Ness to live in. Her aunt was glamorous, independently wealthy and well-connected. Hanging with stud owners and famous racehorse trainers seemed far more her than an underutilised farm in a hidden valley beset with eccentric villagers.

Although glancing at Lucas, she could see the appeal. Dom was extremely good-looking, too. In fact, they almost looked alike. Both tall, with dark-blond hair and blue eyes, and skin that took on a tan instead of freckling. Lucas, though, was huge in comparison, and with his big scarred hands, rumbling voice and easy laugh, much earthier. Dom was all lean metro polish and smooth talk, careful of every word he uttered. Clever with his manipulative language and hypnotic gaze.

Their next stop was a miniature horse stud owned by a gentleman called Peter Somersby, who had to be the campest man Teagan had ever encountered. He practically minced across the yard towards the ute, arms open wide to Lucas in greeting.

‘Lucas, you sublime creature. You’re so good to me!’

For an awkward moment, Teagan thought Peter was going to kiss him. Then he spied Teagan. He tucked in his chin, and, with a waggle of his finger, he admonished Lucas with a pouty ‘you naughty boy’ look before prancing his way towards her.

‘And who is this adorable girl? Don’t tell me you found yourself a redhead at last?’

‘This is Teagan Bliss,’ said Lucas. ‘Vanessa’s niece.’

Peter clapped. ‘The glorious Vanessa! How utterly wonderful.’ He appraised Teagan with appreciation. ‘Aren’t you a pretty thing. But one would expect that. Such good genes.’

Peter held out a floppy hand towards her. Teagan took it, trying to smile above the awful limp-wristed shake.

‘I cannot express how jealous I am of you, dear.’ He clutched his hands together under his chin. ‘Oh, to be able to stroke that divine body!’

‘Give it a rest,’ said Lucas, but his tone was amused.

Peter sighed and rolled his eyes. ‘He has no idea what he’s missing. Such a waste.’

Recovered from the onslaught of rampant affectation, Teagan grinned.

With a wink, Peter minced off towards the end of the stables.

‘Don’t pay any attention to the gay act,’ said Lucas. ‘Peter’s worked in theatre all his life. He can make you believe what he wants.’

‘So he’s not gay?’

‘Dunno. He might be bi. But with two ex-wives and four kids he’s definitely not averse to having sex with women.’

‘So . . .’

‘His way of testing how judgemental you are. Plus he loves acting. I came here once when he was in rehearsals for Othello. Suddenly, he starts quoting Shakespeare, something about dying upon a kiss. Next thing I know he’s stabbed himself. Scared the crap out of me. I was on my knees dialling Triple Zero and he starts laughing. I could’ve stabbed him myself.’

As Lucas spoke, Peter led a tiny horse, not much bigger than Saffy, out of the end stable.

‘Bloody hell,’ she said. ‘It’s like a dog.’

‘Unfortunately, not quite as good-natured,’ said Lucas quietly. ‘But Peter adores his horses.’

Peter beamed at Teagan. ‘This is Marielle Maison, my best mare.’ He ran a perfectly manicured hand down the tiny horse’s tufted mane. ‘Isn’t she a treasure?’

‘Mmm,’ said Teagan, unsure how else to answer. What the hell were you meant to do with it? She let the horse sniff her fingers before rubbing at the tiny white star on her forehead. ‘Are they for children to ride?’

Peter’s hand flew to his chest, eyes bulging in indignation. ‘They’re not toys!’ He gave a sniff. ‘They’re stud animals of the highest breeding. I would never let an irresponsible child near one of my darlings.’

‘O-kaaay.’ Teagan looked at Lucas, but he was enjoying the exchange far too much to help her out. ‘So . . . not to be difficult, but what are they for?’

‘For connoisseurs, of course. Equine aesthetes like myself.’

‘Teagan’s a horse girl,’ said Lucas, finally taking pity on her. ‘Show horses.’

‘Was. I had to sell my horse, sadly.’

At the news Peter was all sympathy. ‘Oh, you poor sweetheart. I would simply die if I had to give up any of my darlings.’

‘How many do you have?’

‘Six. My stallion, Barnabas, three mares, Chester – the gelding who was my first mini and got me hooked – and a young filly I recently purchased from another breeder.’ His expression turned soppy. ‘My babies.’

‘Right,’ said Lucas. ‘Best crack on.’

His predictions about the tiny horse’s manners proved correct. Thoroughly spoiled by her owner, the mare skittered and danced, and even sank her teeth into Lucas’s arm when he tried to pull her leg forward to work on the toe of her near fore hoof, the reason they’d been called out. The mare had a break in the hoof from lashing out and hitting a wall. Not serious, Lucas said after an inspection, but in need of a tidy. Teagan would have swatted the vicious little thing, but Lucas barely reacted, hampered, she supposed, by a hovering Peter.

When he’d finished, Peter did his best to coax Lucas into the house, but Lucas politely refused. ‘I’m due at Belgravia in half an hour.’

‘You work too hard.’

‘Nothing wrong with a bit of hard work.’ He patted Peter’s back and winked in a way that probably melted Peter as much as it did Teagan. ‘You should try it sometime.’

‘You take care, gorgeous girl. And give my love to your aunt. I must give her a call. Such a classy lady.’

‘You should come around for drinks one afternoon,’ said Lucas. ‘Vanessa would enjoy seeing you.’

‘You know, I might just do that.’ He pressed a finger to his chin. ‘If I recall, Friday’s margarita night. I might pop by then. Perhaps the divine Bunny will grace us with her presence, too.’ He clapped his hands. ‘And that utterly stunning man, Domenic.’ He slid a look at Lucas. ‘You are, of course, my favourite, but Domenic is more my age.’

‘Everyone’s an ageist,’ said Teagan as they drove off, which earned her a cheeky grin from Lucas.

‘Only way to be, babe,’ he said with a look that made her feel suddenly gushy and silly. God, she had to get a grip. ‘Only way to be.’

Lucas poked his head around the corner of Belgravia’s office door. Nick was at his desk, staring morosely at his computer screen. Trays of paperwork overflowed around him. A coffee mug with a dead fly floating in the top sat forgotten by his elbow.

Lucas rapped on the doorframe. The coffee sloshed dangerously as Nick was jolted out of his contemplation.

‘Sorry,’ Lucas said, walking into the room. ‘Thought you would’ve heard the car.’

Nick reached across to briefly shake his hand before indicating the monitor. ‘Too bloody caught up in this. Sucks you in, this stuff. Like a black hole.’

‘Don’t I know it. How’re things otherwise?’

‘Shit. Bloody staff.’

Which was what Lucas had expected him to say. Finding reliable stable staff was the biggest problem Nick faced. Anyone with experience and sense was snapped up by the racing stables and other properties in Wilmington and further south. Nick wasn’t in a position to pay above-award rates, which meant Belgravia tended to be lumped with beginners or the useless.

‘I might be able to help if you need someone.’

Nick looked up at him in hope.

‘Vanessa’s niece. Arrived a couple of weeks ago from South Australia. Farm girl. Plenty of experience with horses. Can’t stand sitting around so she’s been keeping herself occupied fixing Vanessa’s fences.’

At the mention of Vanessa, Nick perked up. ‘Does she look like Vanessa?’

‘Sort of. Red hair at least.’ Lucas tapped the desk. ‘I thought you wanted someone who could work. Stick a Vanessa in here and nothing would get done.’

Nick glanced at the monitor and then at his paperwork. ‘I can only offer part-time.’

‘That’d probably suit.’ He began walking to the door. ‘She’s outside. Why don’t you come and ask her?’

As he and Nick emerged from the office, a skinny, heavily pimpled lad who looked about twelve but was probably seventeen, was attempting to lead a skittery horse across the brick yard. Teagan was out of the car, bum against the bull bar, watching the action.

One of the female stablehands was leaning on a broom, teasing the kid. ‘You don’t have the muscles, Bart.’

‘Shut up.’

She was right though. The young lad was struggling to hold the horse, which had a bee in its bonnet about something.

Recognising the animal, Lucas glanced at Nick and made a face. ‘Not him.’

‘Sorry. Cast a shoe yesterday.’

‘Shit.’ Lucas ran a hand over his head. This could get ugly and he was rather hoping he’d make it through the day without meeting any of his nemesis horses. Diablo was likely to show him up in front of Teagan. Peter’s little shit of a mare had nearly done it with her bite, but he’d kept his calm, despite wanting to smack her one. Anyway, it was never the horse’s fault. It was fear that usually caused them to play up.

He crossed to Teagan. ‘I might need your help.’

‘Sure.’ She nodded towards the horse. ‘That him?’

‘Yeah. Diablo. Worst horse in the place.’ As he spoke the horse yanked hard against the boy’s hold, who cried out as the rope slithered across his palm and left a friction burn. Sensing freedom, the horse began to trot away before breaking into a joyous buck and then canter.

Nick raced to shut the yard gate. Horses poked their noses over stable doors. The girl dropped her broom. The boy stood staring at his hand.

‘For fuck’s sake, don’t let him trip on it!’ yelled Nick too late. The loose lead rope caught under the horse’s off fore. With a jerk of Diablo’s head the clip attaching the lead to the halter snapped, giving him even more freedom.

Spooked, Diablo careered from one end of the yard to the other, slithering dangerously across the pavers as he changed direction. He propped at one end and released a hysterical neigh before streaking towards the now closed gate. Nick stood in front, frantically waving his arms. For a moment it looked like Diablo was going to attempt to jump both him and the gate, but at the last moment the horse skidded and lithely sprinted back towards the other horses.

He trotted back and forth in front of the stables, snorting and head-tossing, before finally settling to an agitated walk. Nick approached with quiet steps. The horse matched him step for step but backwards until he was caught quivering in the stable block corner, watching them all with wild eyes. Nick had almost reached him when Diablo took a sneaky sidestep and barged straight past. He trotted to the far end of the block, where a water tank was pressed between the wall and yard fence and close to Lucas’s ute. Diablo paused to snatch at some grass growing around its base, facing his attackers as he chewed.

Teagan stepped towards him, talking in soothing low tones. ‘Look at you, you big idiot. What a show-off, huh?’ She kept the flow of talk coming as she walked, all in a calm, even voice that belied her actual words. ‘Think you’re something, don’t you? But you’ve got nothing on my Astra. She’s the prettiest horse there is. Bit stupid like you, admittedly, but she’ll come round. Just needs to grow up. All legs and energy and teenage brain.’

Diablo’s ears twitched. His head lowered, nostrils flaring as he watched her. He pawed the ground with one hoof but Teagan kept coming. Lucas exchanged a glance with Nick. The stable girl went to move closer, but Nick jerked his head, indicating for her to stay back.

Finally, Teagan made it to the horse’s side. She let him sniff her hand and stroked his soft muzzle. She didn’t reach for his halter, just kept talking in that soothing voice, telling him what an idiot he was, how Astra would run rings around him. The horse began to relax. He bunted her head and snuffled through her hair. She grabbed the check piece of his halter and turned around, leading the puppy-like horse back towards the young boy.

‘Thanks,’ he said, eyeing Diablo warily before clipping another lead on.

She shrugged. ‘He’s just like my old horse. Completely fractious. They get these things in their brains for no reason at all. You just have to talk to them.’ She stroked the animal’s sweaty neck. She turned to Nick. ‘How old is he?’

‘Only three.’

‘Off the track, I suppose?’

‘Bred to win the Golden Slipper but he never made the cut.’ He nodded towards the horse’s groin. ‘Which is why he was given the cut. Didn’t improve his temper though.’

‘It’s hard to get them over their nerves. My Astra’s the same. Was. Was the same.’ She caught Nick’s unsaid question. ‘A horse I recently sold.’

Clearly impressed, Nick cast a keen look at Lucas, who gave an imperceptible nod. He spoke casually, as if afraid Teagan would career off like Diablo if he sounded too desperate. ‘Lucas mentioned you’ve experience working with horses.’

‘Only my own. But I’ve been riding since I could walk.’ She stroked Diablo and whispered something to him. ‘Funny things, but I can’t help but love them.’ She addressed Nick again. ‘Sorry, I’m Teagan.’

Nick shook her hand. ‘Pleased to meet you. So you’re new to the area?’

‘Sort of. Visiting my aunt. Vanessa Rogers. You no doubt know her. Seems everyone does around here.’

‘I do. Quite well.’ Lucas tried not to sigh as Nick’s voice gave away his Vanessa lust.

Catching it, Teagan gave Nick a tight smile before turning to Lucas. ‘Sorry. You probably need to get to work.’

‘So do you.’ He indicated Diablo. ‘You can hold him for me.’

Elsa, the stable girl, hovered around as he worked, filling Teagan in on the owner’s plans of a showjumping career for Diablo, a plan that she clearly disapproved of. How the owner was one of those rich, fairweather people who sold their horses on the moment they didn’t perform. Diablo was likely to end up at the knackers if he didn’t learn to behave. He’d thrown the shoe not long after throwing his rider, losing both up on the property’s steep back hills. The idea being that if she took the horse up and down them enough, tiring him out, he’d be too stuffed to play up when she took him back to the riding ring. Clearly a strategy that had failed.

‘Poor baby,’ said Teagan, stroking him. ‘He’s too young for that. I turned my Astra out for eight months after I bought her. She was like a puppy, legs going everywhere. Only knew stop and go. Still only knows two speeds, but we’re getting there.’ She gave an irritated sigh. ‘Were getting there, I mean. A friend owns her now. It’s a long road for these animals. They need patience, not the guts flogged out of them.’

‘Couldn’t agree more,’ said Nick, sidling up as Lucas patted Diablo and began stripping off his leather apron. He glanced at Teagan. She was watching him again, mouth slightly open. So she liked him in his leathers? Interesting. Made him wonder what she’d be like if she saw him at work in his forge.

Nick addressed Teagan. ‘Look, I had one of my staff quit on me yesterday. Ran off with her boyfriend.’ He lifted his arms from his sides and looked skywards. ‘What is it about horse girls? Always running off with men. Most of them losers.’

‘Not this horse girl,’ said Teagan.

‘Some men are worth running off with,’ said Elsa, throwing Lucas a hot glance.

‘You.’ Nick pointed at her, then jerked his thumb towards the stables. ‘Work.’ He turned back to Teagan. ‘I have a part-time vacancy. Six am until twelve, Monday to Saturday. Award rates. Interested?’

Teagan glanced at Lucas and then at Diablo. ‘I don’t know. I’ve only been here a couple of weeks. I still have a heap of stuff to sort at my aunt’s.’

‘You said yourself you’d need a job eventually,’ said Lucas. ‘That you didn’t want to keep sponging off Vanessa.’

Teagan bit her lip. ‘Can I get back to you?’

Nick handed her a card. ‘Mobile number’s the best. Don’t leave it too long. I can’t afford to be without staff for more than a few days.’ He looked up at the two-storey, old colonial Georgian-style house perched halfway up the hill behind the yards. The sort of historic home that cost a fortune to heat and maintain. ‘We’ve just had a baby. I spend enough time down here as it is.’

She fingered the card. ‘I’ll call. One way or another.’

Lucas glanced at her as they drove down Belgravia’s long hill back towards the road. She kept alternating between staring at her hands and out the side window, dragging the point of her incisor over her lip. Horses grazed the paddock, most wearing their lighter day rugs. A few were snatching from a round bale feeder, ears pricking as the ute wheeled past. Looking after them and others would be Teagan’s responsibility, if she chose to take it on.

‘What’s up?’ he asked.

‘I don’t know.’

At the end of the drive, he braked and flicked the indicator. A few cars sped past. He pulled out behind them and waited until they were up to the limit before speaking again. ‘Don’t want the job?’

She shook her head and sighed. ‘I honestly don’t know. I love horses, I’d like to work with them. And you’re right, I don’t want to keep having to sponge off Ness, but it seems permanent, you know? Coming here was only meant to be temporary. A place to rest while I worked out what to do with myself.’

He glanced at her again. Teagan’s lip was puffed where she’d been worrying it. The job offer seemed to genuinely trouble her.

‘What would you do otherwise?’

‘I don’t know. Drive west or north. There’re bound to be plenty of properties looking for workers. Lose myself out in the bush for a while.’

‘Lonely.’

‘I’m not exactly the world’s most sociable person right now.’

‘You’re not doing too badly from what I’ve seen. Anyway, it’s not like the job would be forever. You could give it a try and if you didn’t like it look for something else.’

‘Maybe,’ she said doubtfully, staring back out the window. ‘I’ll talk to Ness.’

They drove back through the village. Lucas was tempted to stop and check his mail, but on spotting Col’s battered Ford in the parking lot decided against it. It was lunchtime anyway. He had corned beef in the fridge. Some tomatoes and cheese, and homemade chutney that one of his clients had given him. All the workings for a good sandwich. Plus Lucas didn’t want his time with Teagan to be over yet. What better way to extend it than to offer lunch?

He was about to ask her if she’d like to grab a bite to eat with him at Astonville when she spoke.

‘Thanks for convincing me to come out with you. I had a nice time.’

‘Good. I hoped you would.’

‘I suppose I should get back to the farm now, let you get on with things?’

The way she spoke, the question in her voice, made him look at her. She was biting her lip again, her hands twisting together. ‘Is that what you want?’

‘Actually, no.’ The words were shy, her sideways gaze low under her lashes. A pink hue was colouring her creamy, freckled skin. ‘If you have the time, I’d really like to see your forge.’

She couldn’t have asked for anything better.