He was everything male, from the way his shirt clung to the hard contours of his muscular body to the dark shadow that emphasised his strong jaw.
‘Is she asleep?’ Trying to sound brisk and practical, Stella placed the tray down on the low coffee table. ‘Poor little thing.’
‘Yes. Patrick called while you were across at the stable.’ Daniel reached for the bottle of wine. ‘Everything is going well. I took the phone to Alfie so that he could say hello—he wasn’t asleep.’
‘Did you tell Patrick that Posy isn’t well?’
‘I told him she had a cold.’ Daniel poured wine into the two glasses and passed her one. ‘I didn’t see the point in worrying him when there’s nothing he can do. And anyway, she’ll be fine. I’ll check her again in a minute. Thanks for making the food. It looks delicious.’
‘It isn’t very exciting.’ She was too physically aware of him to risk sitting next to him, so instead she sat on the floor and put some cheese on a plate for him.
‘You don’t have to sit on a hard floor, Stella.’ His tone dry, Daniel took the plate from her. ‘There’s room on the sofa and I promise to behave myself.’
That wasn’t the problem. The problem was her thoughts.
Playing it safe, Stella stayed on the floor. ‘Did Patrick say how he was getting on? Does the job sound interesting?’
‘Chicago is freezing but the hospital is very impressive. He likes the people and it looks as though the post would allow him more time with the children.’ His tone was even but something about him made her look closer.
‘And how do you feel about that?’
‘Pleased for him.’ Daniel sliced some cheese. ‘He deserves a break. It’s hard for him here, managing job, house and kids.’
‘But you’d miss him.’
He cut a piece of cheese. Studied it. ‘I’d survive.’
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake!’ Exasperated, Stella put her wine down on the table. ‘Why do you men find it so hard to express their emotions? What’s wrong with admitting that you’d miss your brother if he took this job?’
Daniel was silent for a moment. ‘I suppose I don’t want to think about it.’ He drew his hand over his face, his expression suddenly weary. ‘That’s my way of dealing with it. And it works for me.’
And suddenly she knew how upset he was about the prospect of his brother relocating.
‘Do you think it’s the right thing for him to do? It seems like a long way.’
He gave a lopsided smile. ‘Maybe I’ll follow his example. I’m sure they need emergency doctors in Chicago.’
Stella’s heart dived and she was appalled by how sick she felt at the thought of Daniel moving to America.
They weren’t together, she reminded herself furiously, so what difference did it make? In fact, it would probably be a good thing. It would force her to make the break she obviously found so hard to do herself.
On the other hand, the thought of him living so far away left a gaping hole in her insides.
‘Do you have everything ready for Alfie tomorrow?’ Swiftly, she changed the subject.
‘His school bag is by the door. He finished his maths homework. Did I miss anything?’
Stella smiled. ‘I don’t think you’ve missed anything. You’ve done a great job.’
‘If by that you mean that the house is still standing and the kids are alive, then I suppose you’re right. We’ll ignore the significant casualties along the way.’ He frowned as one of the kittens jumped onto the sofa. ‘At least I haven’t trodden on one of those yet.’
‘The kittens are so gorgeous.’ Stella scooped the animal into her hands and made a fuss of it. ‘Don’t you think they’re cute?’ She placed the kitten carefully in her lap and stroked it gently. ‘This is the feisty one. He was trying to attack the Christmas tree earlier. The other two are sleeping in Alfie’s bed.’
Daniel yawned. ‘I probably should have banned that.’
‘He’s happy and the kittens are happy.’ She fussed o
ver the kitten, wishing that Daniel had less of an impact on her. ‘It’s only another three days to go before Patrick comes back.’