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‘All right.’ Callum broke into a tired jog, before realising in horror where she was heading. ‘Sarah! No! Stay inside the park.’

As he broke into a sprint, Sarah rounded the gate and disappeared. He prayed she had the sense to stay on the pavement. He heard the oomph, clatter and Sarah’s cry as he reached the gate and flung himself through it.

* * *

Liv had already walked through the village centre and located the converted house that was the surgery. She was just strolling past the church, enjoying the fresh air and peace and quiet when a pink, sparkly fairy on an equally pink sparkly bike slammed into her.

Instinctively, Liv grabbed the little girl as she launched herself over the handlebars, and wrapped her arms tightly around her, protecting her from harm as they toppled backwards under the momentum of the bike that crashed painfully into her legs. Liv gritted her teeth and bit back a moan as the pink cycle helmet slammed into her chin, and smacked her head back against the pavement.

‘Oh my God, Sarah, are you all right?’ Strong hands pulled the little girl from Liv’s arms. ‘Does it hurt anywhere?’

‘No, Daddy. The lady catched me.’ The little fairy sobbed softly.

‘I’m so sorry.’ The man looked up from his daughter and Liv was struck by the intensity of his blue eyes. ‘She’s only just had the stabilisers off.’

‘It’s OK.’ Liv sat up and ran her eyes over the little girl briefly, but couldn’t see anything that instantly concerned her. Her side twinged painfully, and she grimaced and pressed her palm against the still-healing skin.

‘Are you all right?’ The man reached down to her. ‘Are you hurt? Can I help at all? Did you bang your head?’

‘No, no.’ Liv shook her head, and instantly regretted the action. Hiding the pain, she seized his hand. ‘I’m fine.’

He pulled her easily to her feet and smiled down at her, and she was intensely aware of the extra few inches he had on her as he looked her up and down.

‘Is your hip all right? Are you in pain?’

Liv clenched her teeth and shook her head before answering. ‘It’s fine.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Old injury.’

‘And you didn’t knock your wrist?’ He gestured to her cast.

‘No.’

He watched her for a moment before kneeling to examine her knee. ‘You’re bleeding.’ His large hand slipped around the back of the joint.

Liv gulped, and tried not to think about how good those warm fingers felt as they wrapped around her leg. Whoever this good-looking stranger was, she didn’t have time to deal with him. Not when she was due at the surgery in less than half an hour and now had to deal with ruined stockings and a bloody knee. And she wanted to check her scar and reassure herself that she was really as OK as she said.

‘I’m fine.’ Irritated with herself, she pulled her leg away from him.

‘Bleeding isn’t exactly fine,’ he argued, good-naturedly.

‘Nope.’ The little girl peered at Liv’s knee from behind her father. ‘It needs cleaning, and magic cream, and a plaster, and a kiss to make it better.’

Liv was horrified at herself as she focussed on trying really hard not to picture that kiss. ‘Really, it’s fine. It’s just a scratch. I’m fine.’ She shook away his concern and jiggled her leg, trying to convince herself as much as him. ‘Look, perfectly fine.’

‘If you’re sure . . .’ He didn’t look convinced.

‘I am.’ Liv nodded and stooped to gather up the contents of her handbag which had — in the perfect demonstration of sod’s law — exploded all over the street. ‘Please, I just want to get on with my day.’ Pain and worry made her terse, but she forced herself to flash a polite, professional smile his way, before hoisting her bag onto her shoulder, spinning on her heel, and striding down the street, trying to ignore her aching knee and side.

* * *

Callum watched the gorgeous blonde retreat, her ponytail bouncing back and forth as she strode down the street and back towards the village centre, only slightly favouring her injured leg. He felt a sudden pang of regret that he hadn’t asked her name and was unlikely to ever see her again.

‘Daddy.’ Sarah tugged at his hand.

He gave himself a mental shake. He must be overtired to be distracted so easily. He had the surgery and his daughter to focus on. Speaking of which . . . He turned to glare down at Sarah. ‘Do you understand now why I wanted you to stay in the park? You could have been hurt. You did hurt that lady.’

‘I know. I’m sorry.’ Sarah’s eyes filled with tears, and Callum cursed himself for the hundredth time for not knowing how to deal with his daughter anymore. Things had been so much easier when she’d been smaller, and before her mother had abandoned them both.

‘Daddy, are you very cross with me?’