Paula bit back the irritation she felt, as Dan lowered her to the ground.

“Come in, Rowena,” he called.

Paula looked at her watch. It was at least an hour before she was expecting anyone to turn up.

Dan winked at her before turning to greet his aunt as she strode into the small passage between the kitchen and the laundry.

Rowena glanced from Dan to Paula. “I thought you might do with some help getting ready, Paula.”

“That’s my queue to have a shower,” Dan said.

“Good idea.” Rowena gave him a cursory look. “It won’t be long till the others get here. Just before you do, can you help me with the esky?” She pushed the large container she was carrying into Paula’s arms. “Be careful with that. It’s cake.” She turned back towards the door.

Paula grimaced at Dan’s back as he hightailed after his aunt.

* * *

No sooner had he shut the screen door than Rowena grabbed Dan by the arm. “I wanted to talk to you about my visit to Glen yesterday.”

Dan searched her face, which was creased in a frown. “Not good news I gather.”

“Yes and no.”

The hot wind whipped at them, blowing dust in their eyes.

“Let’s go to the car.”

Dan climbed into the passenger seat of Rowena’s car. She turned on the aircon.

“I was advised that the loan was legal. There was nothing in writing but Glen was able to check back through the meetings we’d had. He was away the time I went to get advice about the loan. I remembered, as soon as he said, that I met with one of his junior partners. He didn’t do his homework properly and gave me the wrong advice.”

Dan felt a small surge of adrenaline. There was a glimmer of hope. “So you didn’t do anything wrong. We’re in the clear.”

“Unfortunately that’s not how it will be perceived. Glen was most apologetic but still insists we must get rid of that loan.”

Dan gripped his head in his hands. The pain came back, the tension that rarely left him twisted tighter. Rowena placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve got money saved, I can cash some shares, Austin would help out—”

“No, Rowena.”

“You can pay me back.”

He jerked his head up. “If we could find some other way to raise some funds and pay the damned loan at least you wouldn’t have the threat of being in breach of your duties hanging over your head.”

Rowena sucked in a breath. Her hand fell away from his shoulders. “Too late for that I’m afraid. When Jacinta’s lawyer said she was looking to make a claim he asked for the farm financials. I gave permission for him to contact our accountant.”

“You what?”