He was back to square one. Somehow he had to shift his debt and he’d run out of options. Rowena’s offer played over in his mind but he couldn’t take everything she’d saved and then some and there was no way he’d involve Austin. Dan had been hopeful that Ted may have been able to buy a bigger share of the sheep partnership. Not that it was much use. It could have lessened Dan’s debt but he didn’t imagine it would go any way towards satisfying Jacinta. Anyway, he hadn’t mentioned it since the fire. Ted had plenty on his plate. Still, once things settled down, he should still do okay. The hay that burned was good quality export hay and Ted would have had it properly insured. He stood to get a good payout eventually. Not the desired outcome but that’s what you paid insurance for.

Dan wished he had insurance against cousins making claims on his property. He thought about Jacinta, the relative he’d never met. Would he have wanted to meet her if he’d known of her existence when he was younger? Perhaps. It might have been nice to know someone his age who was a blood relation. If they’d known each other it might have avoided the looming fight. It was irrelevant now and waiting to hear was like waiting for a bomb to drop. Maybe, if he could find a way to come up with some money…He snorted at his delusional thought, but if there was a way maybe Jacinta would be happy to simply get some cash out of them. Rowena hadn’t thought it probable. He slapped his hand against his leg. It was a dead end plan anyway. He was already in debt and another loan was out of the question until after the will was settled.

A truck rumbled in the distance, breaking into his thoughts. He rolled his shoulders and peered in the direction of the road. Hopefully it was Tom. At least they could take the harvester over to the Harvey place and move the field bins, ready to start reaping there.

Chapter 23

CHAPTER

23

“What happens if you have high blood pressure?” Dan sat beside Paula on the bed. Her laptop was open and perched on the bedside cupboard. She looked frightened, which worried him but he kept what he hoped was a relaxed look on his face.

“Lachlan said not to worry.”

“Then you shouldn’t.” Dan glanced at the laptop. “Have you googled it?”

She gave him a sideways glance. “I might have.”

“What did you find out?”

“I could have high blood pressure that will resolve itself once the baby’s born or…” She turned her worried look to him. “I could have something called pre-eclampsia.”

“I’m guessing that’s not good.”

She shook her head. Tears brimmed in her eyes.