Angels In The Snow. Sarah Morgan

you don’t know me very well,’ he drawled. ‘Listen. I’m the last person in the world that anyone would want looking after their kids. I don’t know anything about kids.’

      ‘You work in A and E. You know a great deal about kids.’

      ‘I know how to fix them when they’re broken!’ Daniel glared at him. ‘And I’m assuming you don’t want yours broken, which they will be if I look after them!’ He felt something close to panic rise inside him and then he looked at his brother—saw the dark shadows in his eyes.

      ‘You’re my brother,’ Patrick said softly. ‘That makes you suitable. You’re the only person I trust.’

      Daniel lifted his hand to his throat, feeling as though he was being strangled. ‘All right, I’ll do it.’ His mouth was moving even while his brain was still trying to refuse. ‘But you have to leave me some textbooks or something.’

      ‘They’re just kids, Dan,’ Patrick looked amused. ‘You don’t need books. They’ll tell you what they want.’

      ‘Posy is so little. How am I going to know what she wants?’

      ‘She’ll tell you. Alfie is good with her. He’ll help.’ Patrick glanced at the clock. ‘I’d better get back. Thanks. And stop worrying. It’s only for four days, Dan. What can possibly go wrong?’

      ‘I assume you don’t want me to answer that.’ Daniel strode back to his desk and delved under a pile of papers for his mobile. ‘The first thing I’m doing is calling Andrea.’

      ‘Your frosty lawyer? How’s that going?’

      ‘We’ve both been too busy for me to thaw her out,’ Daniel muttered. ‘One of the disadvantages of dating a career-woman is that they’re too involved in their career to see you. And when she’s available, I’m not. This place is death on a relationship, you know that.’ Seeing his brother’s face, he closed his eyes briefly. ‘Sorry.’

      ‘It’s all right. Carly didn’t leave because of the job—that was just her excuse. She left because she was Carly.’ Patrick rose to his feet. ‘Why would you call Andrea?’

      ‘Because she’s a woman. She’ll know what to do with a ten-year-old and a three-year-old.’

      ‘I wouldn’t be too sure about that.’

      ‘Well, she’s going to know more than me.’ Daniel dialled the number. ‘When are you leaving?’

      ‘Saturday.’

      ‘That gives me four days to bring in reinforcements.’

      ‘If you get stuck, you can always bang on the stable door and ask Stella to help. The kids love her.’

      Daniel thought about the kiss and gritted his teeth. Stella had made it clear she didn’t want him anywhere near her, and he was in agreement.

      If last night had taught him anything, it was that the chemistry between them was still alive and well. And that could only lead to trouble.

      No way would he be banging on the stable door.