By the time she’d found the words to insist she never snored, the front door had clicked shut behind him.

  Chapter 10

  Never had a week crawled along at such a snail’s pace.

  Trent checked the clock on the vet clinic wall. It was only mid-afternoon on a Wednesday. He’d last seen Aubrey in her cottage Sunday night and he’d now finally see her again. They’d swapped a few polite texts about the Christmas tree lighting. She would come into town with Grace and then he’d be on standby to take her home.

  He reread the file about his next patient, a young border collie needing his weekly mite treatment. Aubrey was renowned for being prickly, and she was also one of the strongest women he knew. Her trust in asking him for help had stripped another layer off his defences.

  He’d already stuffed up once. He couldn’t do so again by acting on his attraction or by adding to everything that Aubrey had going on. After their walk to the cottage when he’d discovered what a perfect fit she was in his arms, his control had been strung as tight as Christmas lights. When she’d leaned over to touch his forearm, it had taken all of his willpower to not slide his fingers into her hair and kiss her.

  Sighing, he went to call in his next patient. After he saw the border collie, he had two rescue donkeys to deliver to Brenna at Glenwood Station. He should make it back in plenty of time for the Christmas tree lighting.

  As it turned out, he had an extra afternoon patient, a poodle who’d eaten Santa chocolates, and when he arrived at Brenna’s she had a horse with a foot abscess to be treated. When he was finally on his way back to town, trees cast long shadows across the road. After a quick shower, he headed to the tree lighting.

  He parked in the dance studio car park which the locals used during the busy annual book festival. From there it was a short walk through a cobblestone alleyway to the main street. The tree lighting was taking place in the park beside the historic library and would be followed by carol singing.

  A text arrived from Rowan letting him know that he and the girls were sitting to the left of the gazebo. He tapped off a reply and then messaged Aubrey to say he’d be there soon and to ask how she was going. Her answer was almost instant. A stream of Christmas emojis was followed by a dog and a sad face and finally a thumbs up. He hoped he’d drawn the right conclusion that she was fine but missed Bundy who’d stayed behind with Bagel over at Frank’s.

  When he stepped onto the main street, the aroma of cooked steaks, sausages and onions reminded him he hadn’t yet eaten. Once he’d seen for himself Aubrey was okay, he’d grab a steak sandwich from a food van.

  He strolled past the parking spots overlooking the park which were filled with utes and four-wheel drives. The vehicles were reverse parked so the occupants, mostly excited children sitting on pillows and doonas, would have a front-row seat to the tree lighting and carols.

  A blonde girl in pigtails and wearing flashing reindeer antlers called his name. Kelsey was the proud owner of a golden retriever puppy. As he watched, a tiny head popped up from beside her. The kids that would come to see him with their precious pets always made him smile. After meeting Aubrey, whatever children he imagined would hopefully be in his future always seemed to have dark hair and eyes spun with gold.

  He waved to where Clancy and Heath sat with Heath’s mother and nodded to other people he knew as he strode through the crowd. A tall Christmas tree had pride of place in front of the wrought-iron gazebo that was festooned in swags of greenery and red ribbons. The tree decorations used in previous years had been damaged thanks to a burst water pipe. He had a fridge full of plum puddings that he’d bought to raise money for the new red and gold ornaments and lights that would be on display tonight.

  Several quilting ladies sat together, and he braced himself for when they’d call him over. But all they did was give him a cheery wave. His gaze lingered as they bent their heads together to whisper. Call him paranoid, but they were busy plotting. Then he glimpsed Aubrey sitting beside Grace and all thoughts fled about what new matchmaking schemes might be afoot.

  Tonight, she wasn’t dressed in black. While not bedecked in Christmas cheer like those around her, her simple red and white dress still appeared festive. As if feeling his stare, she half turned and searched the crowd until she found him. Then she smiled.

  He felt the smile to his soul. Never once had she given him her real smile. Conscious that his stunned expression would make any watching matchmaker do a happy dance, he gave Aubrey a nod.

  As he drew closer, he saw the chair beside her was empty. He had assumed he’d be sitting next to Rowan. At his questioning look, she patted the green canvas. Rowan cast him a smirk as he took his seat, while Grace gave him a serene smile.

  Aubrey leaned over to whisper, ‘For some reason all the quilting club ladies are ignoring me. Even Vernette just gave me a brief wave.’

  Trent focused on her words and not the way her heavy hair slid over her smooth bare shoulder or that her lips were a glossy pink. Just as she always did, she smelled of lilacs. ‘They’re up to something.’

  ‘I agree. But we should enjoy the respite while we can.’

  He nodded as a voice on the loudspeaker asked for quiet.

  To his right Rowan groaned as Dr Davis, former mayor, stepped in front of the microphone set up inside the gazebo. Dr Davis was renowned for his love of the limelight and was yet to deliver a welcome speech that was under twenty minutes long. Rowan pulled his Santa hat over his eyes and settled back in his chair as if to sleep.

  While Dr Davis spoke, Trent watched Aubrey from the corner of his eye. She appeared at ease, except every so often she’d smooth her hands over the skirt of her dress. His arm brushed hers with the message that he was there if she needed him. Even though she didn’t look his way, her lips curved.

  Once the welcome speech was over, the park lights dimmed. With the sky now dark, the Christmas tree had all but disappeared.

  The countdown started.

  ‘Five, four, three, two, one,’ the crowd chanted.

  The expectant hush quickly turned into awe as the tree lit up with a kaleidoscope of colour and twinkling lights. While everyone cheered, Aubrey stayed silent, then Trent felt her hand reach for his. He wrapped his fingers around hers. Despite the warmth of the night, her skin was cold.

  When the park lights were switched back on, she slipped her hand free and came to her feet. After giving Grace a hug, she turned to leave. He exchanged a look with Grace before following Aubrey as she wove her way through the chairs and picnic mats. Even when she reached the footpath, she didn’t slow until they arrived at the cobblestone alleyway that led to the car park.

  ‘Thanks for taking me home. Grace was really looking forward to the carols.’ Aubrey stopped to rub at her brow. ‘I don’t know about you, but I could do with a coffee.’

  ‘I’ll get you one.’ They’d passed the turquoise vintage coffee van on the way out.

  Before he could reach into his pocket for his keys so Aubrey could wait in his four-wheel drive, she shook her head. Her expression was pinched and her face pale. ‘I’ll have one at home.’

  ‘There’s somewhere closer and we’d have the place to ourselves.’

  Aubrey nodded and set off towards the car park.

  On the short drive to his block, she stayed silent.

  When he stopped to open the farm gate, she shot him a curious look. Colour had returned to her cheeks.

  ‘I’m sure I said coffee not cow shed,’ she said when he slid back into the driver’s seat.

  He gave her a grin. ‘If it was daylight, you’d see the world-class view of my cow shed and one day new home.’

  He drove through the gate and parked. Using the light from his phone, they walked to the shed door where he retrieved a key from beneath an overturned terracotta pot.

  Aubrey gave a short laugh. ‘I know this is Bundilla, but I can’t believe you leave the key there for anyone to find.’

  ‘You said it yourself … it’s a cow shed.’

  He opened the door and switched on the light.

  Beside him he heard Aubrey gasp. ‘You have a proper coffee machine.’

  Good coffee was a city habit he’d never lost. But coffee wasn’t exactly on his mind. His gaze swept around the shed. Usually there was the commercial-sized coffee machine plus a fridge, table and chairs. But now there were a few additions, such as five bunches of mistletoe and a large note pinned to his fridge with a gingerbread man magnet that wasn’t his.

  He ground his teeth. He should have guessed Vernette wouldn’t have forgotten where the key was when he’d made her a cup of tea after they’d picked apples last autumn. No wonder he and Aubrey had been left alone tonight. The quilting ladies had a plan B.

  He reached up to unhook the mistletoe over the doorway. ‘I’m sorry, if I’d known I’d been mistletoe-bombed we wouldn’t have come.’

  Aubrey headed over to the fridge to read the note. ‘Your cow shed trespassers have been very sweet and left a fridge of goodies to share with a friend.’

  ‘Of course they did.’

  Aubrey opened the fridge. ‘Chocolate caramel slice, my favourite.’

  She took out the plate and a container of milk and carried them over to the coffee machine.

  Trent collected three more clumps of mistletoe. At least Aubrey didn’t seem fazed by the latest quilting club ploy. She also seemed to be in a better place after the tree lighting.

  ‘The quilting ladies must have been here for ages,’ she said as he joined her near the coffee machine where the final piece of mistletoe hung. ‘Someone must have climbed a ladder. I hope they’re okay.’

  He placed the mistletoe he’d already removed on the table and considered the height of the last piece above them. He’d even need a chair.

  When Aubrey stayed silent, he glanced at her. She stood watching him, less than an arm’s length away and a perfect distance for doing exactly what the mistletoe had been hung for. He forced himself to think about anything that didn’t involve his hands in her hair or his mouth on hers.

  But as the silence lengthened, her expression turned thoughtful and then serious. She glanced at the mistletoe overhead and then back at him. ‘It seems a shame to waste all the effort Vernette and her partners in crime went to.’

  Trent didn’t know if it was Aubrey’s actual words or the unusual quietness of her tone that held him still. He knew he should move, unhook the final mistletoe and make them both a coffee before they crossed the line they’d both drawn. But a flash of unguarded vulnerability across her face kept his feet in place. It was as though they were suspended in a moment that was impossible to break.

  ‘Aubrey.’ His voice was a whispered rasp. ‘This won’t be any simple mistletoe kiss.’

  Gold fired in her eyes. ‘It had better not be.’

  ‘Is that a challenge?’ He brushed his thumb across the curve of her lower lip, giving her a chance to move away. When she didn’t, he slid an arm around her waist.

  ‘No.’ She stepped forward so that their bodies touched. Her fingers traced the line of his jaw before her palm curled around the back of his neck. ‘It’s a promise.’

  The feel of her moulded against him ignited every spark that had simmered since they’d met. Their breathing grew unsteady as their gazes remained fused.

  Then, knowing that the instant their mouths met nothing for him would ever be the same, he lowered his head and kissed her.

  Chapter 11

  The magpie warbling beyond Aubrey’s bedroom window announced it was morning, but she didn’t open her eyes. She had things to process. Trent things.

  She’d never believed in chemistry. She’d just considered it an excuse the opposite sex used to justify testing her boundaries. They soon realised that when she said, ‘Touch me again and you’ll regret it’, she meant every word. She’d been a star pupil in her self-defence classes. But when Trent had stood under the last bunch of mistletoe, the longing and need to kiss him had proved too powerful.

  She’d also thought herself impervious to a man’s charms. No matter how good-looking he was, he’d only end up being an egotistical jerk who felt threatened by a woman who knew her own mind. If anything, she valued being cool, indifferent and unruffled. Her Ice Queen label was justified and appreciated. Not only did it leave her with more time for work, but men gave her a wide berth.

  Except after kissing Trent last night, not only had she definitely been ruffled but the hum in her hormones hadn’t subsided. And it wasn’t from the strong coffee they’d had afterwards. No wonder Grace and Rowan couldn’t keep their hands off each other. In a perfect world, she’d be hanging mistletoe everywhere so she could feel Trent’s mouth on hers again. But it wasn’t such a world, and last night had to be a one-off.

  ‘Bundy, stop looking at me.’ She opened her eyes. While she couldn’t see the kelpie, just feel his solid weight against her foot, she sensed his stare. ‘I know I’m awake but I’m working on getting out of bed.’

  She sat up and brushed her hair off her face. ‘And it’s our secret you’re sleeping here. If Rowan knew, I’d never hear the end of it. He already thinks I’ve gone soft because I said that ratbag kelpie pup of his was cute. Which he was when he was destroying Rowan’s very ugly Christmas socks, which I’m sure he left on the floor on purpose.’

  She glanced at her phone on the bedside table. ‘Look at that, it’s a new record. I’m fully conscious a whole ten minutes earlier than yesterday.’

  She stretched, feeling more refreshed and energised than she had since her parvovirus diagnosis had shown her she wasn’t superhuman. The country noises around her also no longer made her feel out of place or on edge. The night-time possum coughs didn’t keep her awake and the frog currently croaking near the water tank was simply telling her that it would rain today.

  Bundy jumped to the floor and she flipped off the bedsheet. If she could just work out what to do about Trent, her life would almost feel like it was back on track. She ignored the little voice that said ever since their café meeting, she hadn’t even come close to achieving such a thing. And now, thanks to their mistletoe kiss, she’d have no hope.

  After a shower and her usual full English cooked breakfast over at Grace’s, Aubrey grabbed her tote bag from the cottage. Today she’d managed to stop Rowan from stealing her crispy bacon, but she’d taken pity on him and slipped him her second egg in exchange for his black pudding when Grace wasn’t looking. Grace’s parents were from the United Kingdom and had loved black pudding. Grace didn’t know that Rowan wasn’t a fan and only ate it as it reminded the woman he loved of where she’d been born.

  Once at her car, Aubrey looked around for Bundy. After breakfast the kelpie had raced out the door with Bagel and there was no sign of either of them. Bundy had to be happy staying at Crookwell Park and not coming to town. She didn’t blame him. She would stay too if she could. But last night at the tree lighting she’d survived longer than she’d thought she would. Memories of Lydia hadn’t broken her like they usually did. So today she’d test herself further by going Christmas shopping. Usually, she purchased gifts online.

  She set off towards Bundilla, bouncing with every pothole and rut that her car hit. At a farm gate stood a red and gold Christmas tree made out of what looked like spray-painted tyres stacked from biggest to smallest. Whatever the bottom tyre was she had no idea they made them that large. There was no mistaking she wasn’t in the city anymore.

  Instead of such a thought making her think of work or how many days she had left until she returned home, she stared at the rugged mountain vista beyond her windscreen. Here the sky just seemed a deeper blue and the light crisper, clearer. Whatever the view was from Trent’s cow shed, it couldn’t help but be spectacular.

  Even just thinking about Trent brought warmth to her cheeks. She was yet to have a proper talk with Grace when it was just the two of them. As Grace had hugged her goodbye, she’d whispered she’d call when she was finished with the kitchen guys who were installing her cabinetry. She could then unpack how she was feeling and come up with a way forward with Trent.

  As if on cue, Aubrey’s mobile rang with Grace’s smiling face on the screen.

  She answered by Bluetooth. ‘Hi.’

  ‘Sorry it’s been such a busy morning. Now, I want to hear more about this mistletoe kiss. I know it wasn’t real, but please tell me you didn’t have your usual I’d-rather-have-my-wisdom-teeth-out-than-do-this-again reaction.’

  She’d obviously not been very specific in the text she’d dashed off to Grace last night after Trent had dropped her home.

  ‘It was a proper kiss. A fireworks-type kiss. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat, but I can’t.’

  Silence.

  ‘Grace?’

  ‘Aubrey.’ Grace’s voice was concerned. ‘You don’t do fireworks, you don’t even do sparklers, so why wouldn’t you kiss Trent again?’

  ‘Because I don’t do lots of things like one nights, casual or long term. I also don’t do long-distance. Trent and I live in different worlds and there isn’t any way for them to meet.’

  ‘Have you talked to him about this?’

  ‘No.’ She sighed. ‘I wasn’t exactly thinking straight. Just as well he was. Even if he did go to get the milk out of the fridge for our coffee when it was on the table.’

  Grace gave a soft laugh. ‘I don’t think Trent was thinking straight either.’ She paused and her tone turned serious. ‘Aubrey … Trent’s a genuine good guy. If there was anyone to try and make things work with, it would be him.’

  Aubrey spoke before common sense could acknowledge the wisdom of Grace’s advice. ‘He’s already been through enough and I’m nothing but a relationship liability. What I need to do is work out how to make sure things don’t progress any further.’

  ‘Will Trent still take you home from the harvest festival if you need to leave?’

 

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