Page 62 of Not Just for Christmas

The cow chose that moment to let out a moo and we both laughed.

‘The lady has spoken, so I’m going to pass.’ His smile faltered. ‘No, I was going to ask about Nick. I know you said there’s nothing going on between you.’

‘Because there isn’t,’ I said. ‘But if there was, how would you feel about that?’

He gave me a crooked smile. ‘I thought I was asking the questions. But OK, I would feel glad that you’re open to loving someone new.’

‘Really?’ I sighed with relief. ‘You don’t think it’s cheating on Jack if I fall in love again?’

‘Oh Luce, no!’ He stroked his thumb gently across my cheek. ‘Love is the most important thing in the world. Being loved, giving love. Everyone deserves that. It’s not cheating, it’s living.’

‘Thanks. Still feels weird though. Accepting that my relationship with Jack is over.’

He shook his head. ‘Not over. Just changed.’

I felt a surge of gratitude towards him, and placed my hand over his. ‘That’s a lovely way to think about it. And maybe one day, I’ll find someone new to love.’

He squeezed my hand. ‘Someone will sweep you off your feet, I’m sure. Maybe even Nick.’

‘Not him. I don’t wonder what he’d look like naked. Which means there’s no spark there.’

Dylan hooted with laughter. ‘Is that a woman’s benchmark? Wow, all this time I thought they were falling for my wit and charm, and all along, they were just imagining me undressed.’

I finished my tea and set my mug down. ‘What I saw in the changing rooms at the surf shop earlier didn’t leave a lot to the imagination. So I won’t have to wonder.’

His eyes sparkled with amusement. ‘Interesting.’

‘Not that I was wondering,’ I added, completely failing to rid the memory of him in just his boxers from my brain. ‘So forget I said that.’

‘Unlikely.’ He slurped his tea, clearly unable to wipe the smile off his face.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. But despite my embarrassment, and the fact we were sitting in a freezing cold cowshed in the middle of the night, I loved how easy it was between us. How quickly we’d slipped back into the teasing relationship we’d always had. There was a minute or so of comfortable silence until my labouring cow began to make low noises again.

‘OK, old girl, let’s see what’s happening.’ I knelt in the straw beside her. The birth sack had already appeared, and I leaned in for a closer look. ‘Damn, I think this one is coming out backwards. Poor thing, this might not be as straightforward as the first calf.’

‘Shoot.’ Dylan came to join me. ‘Do we need a vet?’

I sucked in a breath. ‘We should be able to manage.’

‘We?’ He looked horrified. ‘No way, I’m just the tea boy.’

I reached inside the cow and attempted to untangle the unborn calf’s back legs. ‘Not tonight you’re not. Pass me the rope again.’

He handed it to me and I carefully attached it to the little calf’s back legs.

The first calf had got to its feet and was beginning to nuzzle her mother’s udders.

‘Grab the calf,’ I instructed him, ‘she’ll get in the way.’

‘Come on, buddy.’ Dylan held out his hand to the calf, and it stumbled towards him and licked his fingers. He kissed her snout. ‘Good girl, your mom will be right with you.’

‘I wish I had my camera on me. Your fans would love this.’

‘No,’ said Dylan, rubbing the calf’s head gently. ‘I don’t want to share this with anyone. Except you.’

A look passed between us and something flickered inside me; I wasn’t sure what it was, but it spurred me on and gave me courage. I could do this.

‘OK, time to push, girl.’ I put some gentle pressure on the rope, but the calf didn’t budge. The cow bellowed this time. I bit my lip, not wanting my nerves to show. ‘I need help.’