Paula stared at Dan. That wasn’t the response she’d expected. “Have you been discussing this with Rowena?”

Dan pushed his hat back on his head. “Not that I recall.”

“I thought you were happy for us to be here.”

“I am, but the way the season is shaping up there won’t be any money to spend on this place. If you’d rather move to the newer house…”

“Dan.” Paula was worried. “I thought you loved living here as much as I do.”

“It’s a house, Paula, a roof over our heads. Rowena can’t understand why we’d rather an old house over a more modern one but no one’s trying to make you move. Don’t get yourself in a state about it.”

She pushed back her shoulders. “I’m not.”

“Good.” He moved past her to the door. “Is lunch ready? Tom’s still over at Ted’s and I’ve got to move sheep. If he’s not back from there, I’ll need your help.”

Paula stayed where she was. Tears pricked at her eyes. She pursed her lips. It annoyed her when her emotions seemed to have a life of their own. Alison had reassured her it was part and parcel of pregnancy but Paula hated the way tears sprang to her eyes over the simplest of things.

She was hurt by Dan’s dismissive words about the house. They had worked together to make it liveable and she felt a real sense of belonging here. Dan had as well, up until now. Or had she noticed his reluctance to commit before this? She thought back to the dinner party and her surprise when Dara’s mention of doing up the baby’s room had brought a noncommittal response from Dan. Had he changed his mind about the place? He’d been vague about discussing it with Rowena. Maybe he did want to move. Paula shook her head. One minute she thought they were on the same page and then he would say or do something like this that confused her.

She composed herself and went to join him for lunch. He was right about one thing. No one was going to shift her. Wood Dell was a lovely house and it was now their home. Rowena couldn’t make her move and neither could anyone else.

* * *

Paula lowered her car window. “This is a road, Dan.” Ahead of her Dan was getting out of the tray top by a gate at the edge of their property.

“It’s the only way we can move the sheep to Harvey’s place.”

She looked back at the sheep milling in the paddock beside them. “But what if a car comes?”

“I’ve got the ‘Stock Ahead’ signs to put out. Flick your hazard lights on and move them along steadily with the Audi. I’ll meet you at the crossroads and then go ahead to the gate.”