I didn’t want to think about painkillers because that reminded me why he had needed them, which in turn kickstarted thoughts of that cosmic kiss… that heart-stopping moment that I had been striving all weekend to ignore.

‘Talking of trees,’ I said, as he made to walk off, ‘I think I’ve found somewhere to plant the family one.’

‘Fantastic. Whereabouts?’

‘Right at the furthest boundary overlooking the reserve,’ I explained. ‘There’s a slight mound. You’ll have to tell me if you think it’s suitable or not.’

Ned shook his head.

‘You know it.’ I frowned. ‘Is it no good?’

‘Of course, I know it,’ he laughed. ‘It’s the very place I was going to suggest.’

‘Oh,’ I said, taken aback.

‘Great minds think alike,’ he grinned and then he caught my eye and I felt like I was freefalling. ‘It’s a magical spot,’ he carried on. ‘The very best for watching the stars.’

I nodded, because I didn’t trust myself to speak.

‘Ned!’ came David’s voice from the plantation. ‘Are we going to look at these trees?’

‘Yes,’ Ned shouted back, still looking at me. ‘I’m on my way.’

Chapter 9

As I lay in bed that night my mind was awash with a million thoughts, many of which would never have existed had I not given in to David’s pleading and made my way back to Wynter’s Trees. Along with the turmoil I still felt every time I relived Ned’s goodnight kiss, I was also perturbed to find there were also stirrings of what could only be described as softening feelings for my former home. It was all very disconcerting.

I tossed and turned, thumping the pillows into a hopefully more sleep-inducing shape and felt grateful that I’d had the sense to announce my desire to sell up so soon after my arrival. Had I delayed, my memories of stargazing, the presence of the family tree, my work on the mural and creative sign making, could have led me down a very different path, in spite of what I’d told Ned earlier. I squeezed my eyes shut and eventually drifted into an uneasy sleep and a night of unsettling dreams which all involved me, him and a reindeer skin rug.

Neither Ned nor Bandit were in the lodge when I went down to breakfast, feeling both groggy and guilty about the steamy dream. Ned’s barely warm mug and damp towel and Bandit’s empty food bowl, suggested they’d already had a run and headed over to the office. I was grateful for the peace and quiet and lingered over my breakfast, reliving certain moments from my sexy slumber, even though they really should have been banned before the watershed.