Kiss Me at Midnight

Chapter Two

Olivia turned into a drive that was all too familiar to her with the front sign reading 'Roth Farm' which was an homage to Jay's family last name along with white fences surrounding much of the land.

Olivia could not help but look back at her daughter from the back seat, noticing how her angel like face was now lighting up with a glorious smile spread across her lips.

An unfamiliar black car pulled up, startling Jay's brother Matt from the car part he was greasing. As the only mechanic in Bennings Creek, it was his job to ensure that all the cars ran smoothly. That meant that sometimes he brought his work home with him or in today's case, to his childhood home where his brother still resided with their mother.

At first glance, the plates on the car were confined to Victoria but he didn't recognise the car and the windows were too dark to peer into the car and see who was driving.

It was only after the rear passenger door opened and he recognised the person getting out of the car did he put two and two together.

"Uncle Matt!"

"Leila!" Matt called back as he watched his niece run towards him, opening his arms for an embrace.

She flew into his cuddle like she had really missed her uncle since the previous school holidays when she had spent time here. Then seconds later, Leila asked him a question. "Where's Dad?"

Matt ruffled his niece's golden blonde hair, the same colour as his brother's hair, looking into her eyes almost identical to her father's. There was no doubt that his niece belonged to his younger brother.

"He's in the shed treating a sick horse. If you tread quietly I think you just may be able to scare him," Matt whispered with a cheeky grin. His brother Jay was the qualified and according to the locals of Bennings Creek, the devilish handsome veterinarian in town.

Leila managed to muffle an okay around lots of giggles as she ran off towards the rusty old shed in search of her father.

Matt turned his attention back towards the car, whistling when he saw a pair of tanned legs slide out of the car. He was assuming he knew those pair of legs. Matt had seen them before—if he could recall. It had been six years ago.

She shut the door, striking a little pose against the car before making long slow strides towards Matt and the big goofy grin on his face.

"Olivia! Long time no see. How long has it been since we last saw you in this part of town?" He clearly hadn't changed his comical ways.

"Ha. You're so funny and still trying to be the comedian I see. How's that working for you? And it has only been six years since I was here. It's really not that long ago."

Matt shrugged his shoulders, dipping his cowboy hat slightly. "I know but it's been a long time for me, especially when a lot has happened in that time."

"I know, I heard that you were now married with a baby on the way. Congrats! I'm sorry that I was not able to attend your wedding. But I had work commitments." Olivia put one high heel clad foot forward to embrace her friend. It was a slight stretch of the truth but she had figured if she came with Leila, it would have been slightly awkward and that wasn't what she wanted for Matt on one of the best days of his life. So she had stayed in the city while Leila attended instead. Although it didn't work out between her and Jay, she had nothing but happiness to wish for Matt who had been a good friend growing up despite the three years age difference between them. Olivia had often considered Matt like an older brother due to the fact that she was an only child.

"Oh, that's okay. I suppose it would have been a little awkward anyway if you did attend. The girl that got away and my bride to be." Matt laughed with a cheeky grin. He was consistently cracking jokes. Something Olivia loved about her friendship with Matt. She could always count on him to make her laugh. "I guess I was finally able to be tamed after all. Those awkward double dates I went on with you and Jay paid off," Matt said, tucking his thumbs into the keepers of his faded jeans. "But Reese is an amazing woman. I'm lucky to have found her and that she's able to put up with my wayward ways." Matt cackled, showing his constant mischievous grin Olivia remembered from him time and time again.