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‘You can’t tell me that’s an ancient tree. Not when you said the village planted it.’

‘No.’ She laughed. ‘Of course not. But our tree has its own magic, in a way. It brought a community together again, and you know the amazing things we’ve pulled off working together in the last few years. The wishing tree has kind of become the symbol of modern-day Broclington. You probably couldn’t see them in the dark, but some of the decorations aren’t really decorations . . . they’re wishes.’

‘People still make wishes on the tree?’

‘Yeah, they do. I mean, sometimes they’re more like prayers than wishes. For hope, for healing . . . but sometimes they’re wishes for things too. And when they come true, the person who made the wish comes back, undoes the knot and replaces it with a star. Every year we put the decorations up, there’s a few more stars than last year.’

‘That’s really sweet.’

‘Yeah.’ She smiled. ‘It really is. I mean, it’s fun for kids, but there is something a bit special about it too.’

‘It sounds it.’ In the near darkness she could see him watching her. ‘Angela? Have you ever put a wish on the tree?’

‘That would be telling.’ She laughed as she walked up the path to his front door. ‘Why, are you thinking you might like to tie on a wish of your own?’

‘No.’ His eyes met hers in the porch light, sending her pulse racing. ‘Right now, I can’t think of a single thing I would wish for. Everything I want is right here.’

* * *

Ryan rolled over in bed, grinning at the mop of curly hair peeping out over the top of his duvet. He couldn’t resist smoothing her curls and sliding his arm carefully around her waist. He didn’t want to wake her, not exactly, but he missed her — which was another bizarre concept, the idea that he could miss someone just a few inches away from him. She mumbled something and shifted sleepily, snuggling closer to him, tucking herself into his arms, deliciously warm and soft in all the right places. Even in her sleep she welcomed him, which was another experience he’d not had in far too long.

He lay there, cuddled against her, losing track of time for long minutes, thinking how much his life had changed so recently, and how much he’d really meant what he’d said the night before — that he liked this new version of himself. He felt happier, and calmer, and more free to be himself than he had for a very long time.

He wasn’t totally sure what that meant for Maverick — obviously he still needed to make a living, and he had contracts to fulfil, but after that he was planning quite a few changes — hopefully involving the woman curled up next to him, who snored gently, making soft snuffling noises that he found adorable. It was hard to resist reaching out and waking her up.

As if knowing he was thinking about her, Angela’s eyes flickered open and she smiled up at him. ‘Hi.’

‘Good morning.’ He smiled back at her, brushing her curls from her eyes before leaning over to kiss her. ‘Did you sleep all right?’

‘Really well, thank you.’ She stretched happily and giggled. ‘Despite waking up twice, I don’t feel even a little tired.’

‘Yeah, I woke up a couple of times too, but feel pretty good as well.’ He grinned, thinking of the last time he’d woken and she’d pulled him against her.

‘What time is it?’

‘Nearly nine.’

‘Pity. I could have happily stayed here a lot longer, but . . .’

‘. . . but you’ve got animals to feed and care for. Medication rounds to do.’

‘Yeah.’

‘Do you think they can wait an hour or so?’

‘Why, do you have something in mind?’ The glint of mischief in her eyes almost made him change his mind and pull her beneath him again.

‘I was thinking I could make you breakfast, then come help you at Bill’s.’

‘Hmm.’ She propped herself up on one hand. ‘You’re not supposed to be on today, but I guess I could add it to your payback hours.’

‘You don’t need to. I just want to spend the day with you. Even if we spend part of it in piles of excrement.’

‘You really mean that?’

He thought about it for a few moments before nodding. ‘Yeah, I really do. So what do you say — breakfast with me? I’ve even got some of those meatless non-sausage things you like.’

‘Yes please.’