“Oh yes. They’re fine.” She flipped the pages open. “Beryl is crowing. After all these years she’s going to be a grandmother. It seems Jacinta’s settled down. She’s met the most wonderful man. He’s off the land but a third son and there’s not enough work for him on the property. He’s working for another farmer and they’re trying to get enough money together to get their own place. Jacinta has married him and they’re having a baby.”

Dan studied Rowena, waiting for her to continue. What was the matter with her? Surely she couldn’t be jealous of a distant relative she didn’t like. She wasn’t his mother but his child would be her grandchild in every sense of the word.

“You’ll be able to tell her our good news.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s nice to know that, here and in another part of Australia, the Woodcroft blood line will continue on.”

Rowena’s eyes locked on his. “When is Paula due?”

“March, we think.”

“Are you sure?”

“Well, that’s what Paula’s doctor in Sydney said.”

Rowena waved the letter at him. “Jacinta’s baby is due in February.”

Dan frowned. Why was Rowena so agitated over a baby’s due date? “Good for her.”

“She’s had a test. The baby is a boy.”

Something niggled at the edge of his memory but Dan pushed it aside. He was more worried about Rowena. She’d shoved back her chair and now she was pacing the narrow galley kitchen.

“That’s nice for her…”

Rowena came through the arch and stopped right in front of him. “Paula’s got to have that test,” she said firmly. “We’ve got to know.”

“Now hang on, Rowena. I’ve already told you, Paula and I are happy to be surprised when the baby is born.”

“Surprised!” She spat the word at him. “It will be a surprise all right. The surprise will be when Jacinta gets this place, or at least a cut of it because she has a son before you.”

Dan could feel his jaw drop open. He forced it shut as the recollection thumped into his head – his father’s will.