I looked at her, rosy cheeked and so pretty and knew there was potential for them to be much more than that. They worked so seamlessly together. How could Ned not find that combination of brains and beauty irresistible?

‘I think there’s rather more than friendship between you,’ I said, fleetingly wishing I was on the receiving end of those words, rather than dishing them out.

Maya looked thoughtful.

‘Sometimes I do too,’ she nodded, ‘but we only ever seem to get so far before he backs off. The closest we’ve ever been was the result of a tipsy Christmas kiss last year.’

‘I daresay he’s mindful of your professional relationship,’ I pointed out. ‘You’re his employee and he’s your boss, so he’s probably reluctant to cross the line. I know he values the work you do here and wouldn’t want to lose you if you did start something up and it went wrong.’

Maya mulled that over for a moment or two, before linking her arm through mine.

‘In that case,’ she grinned, ‘I’ll have to find a way to convince him that nothing will go wrong, won’t I?’

I nodded but couldn’t bring myself to agree. In my head, I was all for getting Ned and Maya together, but my heart still felt nowhere near as keen.

Chapter 11

Having set the matchmaking wheels in motion, I made sure I stayed out of the way as much as possible during the next few days. Emboldened by my encouragement, I knew Maya wouldn’t waste a moment in finding ways to convince Ned that starting a romance with her wouldn’t jeopardise their professional relationship. And, even though I knew that, should she succeed, it would further my cause, I had no inclination to witness either her endeavours or their outcome.

‘Knock, knock.’

‘Hey Noah,’ I said, looking up to find him peeping around the temporary screen I had set up in the storage area at the back of the barn.

I had been trying to keep my new project under wraps, but with limited success. Everyone had been popping in and out, and sneaking a look, aside from Ned. Once he’d got wind that I was making something which would further enhance Wynter’s seasonal feel he told me he would rather wait and see the finished result.

‘How’s it going?’ Noah asked.

‘This is the last one,’ I told him, stretching out my back. ‘What do you think?’

‘Inspired,’ he said, clapping his hands together.

‘Now all I have to do is fix them to the carts and we’ll be in business.’