She put the CD player on and turned the music up to hide the noise of the wind. In the kitchen she went back to preparing the salads. Up until now Dan’s birthday had gone well. She had been pleased her gift of the pup had worked out. Dan had been overwhelmed to the point where she was sure she’d seen tears in his eyes. It hadn’t taken long for the dog to bond with his new master and Paula knew she’d done the right thing.

She hadn’t told Dan what had happened to his aunt’s gift. Luckily she’d been able to replace the chewed chocolate with one from the pantry and she’d washed the shirts. Dan had been quiet at first but had brightened up over breakfast, laughing at the silly card she’d bought him. He’d even danced her around the kitchen when one of their favourite songs had played on the radio. That had been three days ago. Now he was tense again, as if it was her and not the weather that had forced him in from the paddock.

There was a bang from the back verandah and the ceilings creaked and groaned as the wind whistled in. She went out to see Dan pulling off his boots.

“Everything all right outside?” She followed him into the laundry.

“I’ll have to cook the barbie in the garage. The rain they’ve forecast may actually fall. It’s looking very black to the south.”

“I thought it was hot outside.” Paula peered towards the pebbled glass of the old windows.

“It is, but the wind is changing. Anything could happen in the next few hours.”

Paula wrapped her arms around his waist. “I know you’d rather be reaping but if you can’t, we might as well enjoy ourselves.”

She felt the heat from his back against her cheek and his body tensed. Paula hung onto him, willing the tension to leave him. Once again she remembered the woman at the doctor’s surgery and her concern for her husband’s state of mind. Dan needed let go of the weight of his work for a moment. She felt him relax and he turned inside her arms.

“Can’t help the weather,” he said over her head. “You feel hot though. I reckon you need a cool down.” Paula felt a tug on her shirt and water sprinkle down her back. She squealed and tried to pull away but Dan’s arms wound firmly around her.

He kissed her cheek then his lips sought hers. Paula kissed him back, her body pressing against his. When had they made love last? It was a while ago. He scooped her up in his arms and she could see the gleam in his eyes as he carried her from the laundry.

“Dan? Paula?” A voice echoed from the back of the house.