He thumped the desk with his fist. The bank had agreed to the loan. Dan had Paula and his unborn child to consider. He picked up the phone again. He wasn’t going to give in without a fight.

Chapter 15

CHAPTER

15

Dan strode along the path to his aunt’s back door. “Rowena,” he called as he tugged off his boots. She met him as he stepped inside.

“That’s good timing,” she said. “I’ve made biscuits and I’ve packaged some up for you and Paula.”

“Thanks.” He paused. He’d driven over trying to think of how to tackle the loan business without it sounding like he blamed Rowena. He didn’t for a minute, but he couldn’t find the right words to tell her she’d done something illegal. “Is the kettle hot? I could do with a coffee.”

“I was just going to have one.” She turned and he followed her through to the kitchen. The room was hot from the oven and full of delicious smells. Rowena was a fantastic cook. He missed that part of living with her.

She flicked on the kettle. “I started baking straight after breakfast so I’d be finished before the day gets too hot. I’ve put some things in the freezer for the shearers.”

Dan put a hand to his forehead. “Damn, I’ve forgotten to tell Paula about that.”

“Oh Dan.” Rowena shook her head as she set out two mugs. “You need to give her some notice. I won’t be here to help in the future.”

“We’ve got bigger problems.”

“What’s happened now? Machinery breakdown or is it Tom?” She frowned. “Paula’s all right?”

“She’s fine. Let’s take the coffee to the sunroom.” He waved at the battered tin on her bench. “Can I eat some of those?”

“Of course but you’re worrying me, Dan.”

“I’m sorry.” He picked up the biscuit tin and carried it to the table. With the sun on the glass this room was warm too.

Rowena followed with their mugs of coffee. He sat and waited for her to do the same.

“What’s this about,?”

He took a deep breath. There was nothing for it but to spit it out. “It’s about the loan I took out to buy the stud with Ted.”

“You’ve been meeting those payments. I know it will be a struggle this year but I’ve said you don’t have to pay me an income. I’ll be—”

Dan shook his head. “It’s not the repayments that are the problem. It’s the loan itself…it’s illegal.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not. Glen Barrett rang me. Since our meeting he’s been going through everything and he asked about the loan. The money we borrowed to buy a share of Harvey’s place is within the guidelines but…not the second loan for the stud.”