Dan put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Lachlan told you not to worry.” He kissed her cheek. It was soft and warm and salty from the tears. “He should have confiscated your internet access as well.”

“I don’t have the other symptoms. I did have a headache but it’s gone now.” She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “Just my blood pressure up a bit.”

“If it’s not that high maybe he’s just being cautious.”

“That’s what he said.” The tears continued to roll down her cheeks.

He wrapped both arms around her. “Don’t get upset, Sweet Pea. That will only make things worse. Maybe you need to take it easy for a while. Did Lachlan say anything about that?”

“No.” She dabbed at her nose with her lump of soggy tissue.

Dan reached across and pulled a fresh one from the box for her. “What did he say?”

“Just that I should come back next week for another check-up and…” She sobbed.

“And what?”

“And I shouldn’t fly.”

“Is that all?” He pulled her in close, trying to calm her with his hug, but she sobbed even louder. He felt useless. “Don’t get upset. We’ll work something out. Maybe we can drive to Sydney or maybe your family could come here.”

Paula turned her tear-stained face to him. “Are you crazy? They can’t come here. There are too many of them and it’s Susan and Jerry’s busy time with the restaurant and I couldn’t manage having them all here anyway…”

“Paula, stop.” Dan got off the bed and crouched in front of her, placing a hand on each of her shoulders. “You’ve got to calm down. If there was more to tell you, I’m sure Lachlan would have. He’s a sensible guy. Let’s wait and see what he says next week.”

Paula’s sobs were slowing. She wiped her nose again and let out a big sigh. He felt her shoulders relax under his hands. Her head hung down and he leaned forward and touched his forehead to her hair. “I’m sure the baby’s fine,” he soothed.

“I’m sorry, Dan,” she whispered. “I don’t mean to cry all the time.”

“Let’s take things easy,” he said.

“You aren’t.”

“That’s farming. I have to make hay while the sun shines, so to speak.”

She pulled away a little and lifted her head. A small smile hovered on her lips and she gazed at him with her trusting blue eyes. “You have pretty corny jokes, farm boy.”

“It plays down my natural charm and good looks.” He stood up, relieved that she had calmed down. He didn’t want to leave her upset but he had to get back to work. “How about I put the kettle on?”

“No, don’t worry,” she said. “It’s time I got dinner organised.”