“Thanks so much for your help with deciding on an outfit.” Rowena put a hand to Paula’s back. “I don’t mean to rush you but I have to visit a friend in hospital and I promised I’d be there before lunch.”

Paula glanced wistfully at the half-drunk cup of tea on the table. From Rowena’s manner there was no chance she could stay and finish it.

It wasn’t until she’d been bundled out the door and was driving away that she replayed the mention of a will in her head. The conversation, if you could call it that, had obviously been closed. Rowena had made it clear that wills were not a current topic and yet she had said Dan would need to change his so unless Rowena didn’t know about it that’s not why Dan was calling his lawyer. It had to be about the paperwork for Woodcroft Farm. If it was anything else important Dan would have told her. They’d said no more secrets and she trusted Dan to keep his word.

The dual cab was up by the shed as she drove into the yard. Dan came out and gave her a wave before reaching into the back of the vehicle. Spud was at his feet. The young dog was a fast learner and Dan’s shadow whenever he had the opportunity.

She wondered if the harvester was fixed and turned her car in the direction of the shed, rather than pulling in to the garage. Perhaps there was something she could do to help or she could organise to take Dan’s lunch to him. Rowena was right about one thing. This was a busy time of year and there was no point bothering Dan with, what had Rowena called them…trivial matters. Besides, with harvest and the baby they had enough on their plate at the moment.

Chapter 26

CHAPTER

26

Dan sucked in the fresh smell of early morning as he shut Tarzan in the house yard and took Spud with him to the shed. He had to finish the header repairs he wasn’t able to finish yesterday. Over breakfast Paula had asked him outright what his call to Glen had been about then answered her own question with her assumption it was regarding the paperwork for Woodcroft Farm. Dan hadn’t informed her otherwise and had hurriedly kissed her goodbye, muttering about work to be done.

He tugged his cap tighter on his head. He wasn’t happy with the man he’d become. Lying by omission was still lying. He rolled back the door to the shed and had barely made a start on the tyre he was patching when the pup began to bark and a vehicle pulled up beside his.