Paula looked out at the few crops still standing. She knew a lot had been cut for hay but some crops were able to fill out and would provide a small yield. “Are you sure we’ll get a return this year?”

“Nothing’s ever sure. The home place is struggling but we’ve got Harvey’s place and the wheat crop there is looking good now. No sign of the rust and the heads have filled out nicely. Just that little bit of extra rain made the difference.”

“Dan, I know we talked about the house the other day but…”

“The house? Did we?”

Paula couldn’t believe he’d forgotten. She took a deep breath. “I want to clear it up once and for all. I want us to live at Wood Dell. I don’t care if it’s old and I promise I won’t ask you to make any more changes while money is tight, but I don’t want to move into Rowena’s house.” She studied his profile. He kept his eyes on the road but didn’t reply. Had she pushed her luck? Maybe underneath he did want to go to the new house.

Finally he spoke. “Have you been practising?”

“Practising?”

“That sounded like a speech.”

“No, but while you’re out farming I spend a lot of time in that house. I love it and I thought you did too but if you don’t care one way or the other then I’d rather stay…”

“What makes you think I don’t care?”

“Yesterday you said all we needed was a roof over our head.”

“Yesterday?” He reached up and scratched his head.

“When you were in the office you said…”

“Yes,” he said softly. “I remember now.”

“I love Wood Dell, Dan.”

He was silent for a moment. She looked away at the passing paddocks again.

“Look, Paula, it’s time I was more open with you.”

She turned and took in the rigid profile of his face and tried to keep her own voice calm. “We said no more secrets.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

She could see the stiffness in his arms as he gripped the steering wheel. What was he going to say?

“I am worried about the return we’ll get this year on Wood Dell. We may not make enough to live on, let alone pay the loans.”

“Oh, Dan,” she reached over and hugged him as best she could while he was driving. She could feel the tension in his body. “We can’t do anything about the weather but you haven’t been reckless. Your finances are looking better than some others I’m working on. You don’t have to worry about that on your own. Talk it over with me. When we get home, I’ll get the books out and show you.” She clung to him and gradually felt his body relax.

“The crops here will help.”