No doubt she was biased but Dan was a much better person. These last four days had been relaxing for both of them. Dan seemed happy even though there were moments when she could see he was pondering something. Like yesterday when she dozed off after lunch and woke to see him off in the distance, striding along the beach. And sometimes she would look up from the book she’d been reading and she would catch a look of something almost like despair on his face. If she asked him what he was thinking about, he would always turn it into a joke.

They stopped at the rocky outcrop on the point and turned to walk back to the shack. Dan stepped away a little and Paula had to walk faster to keep up.

“I know we’re not meant to be talking about work,” he said, “but I’ve been thinking about our loans.”

“What about them?” Paula asked. It was obvious their holiday was over and the farm was occupying Dan’s thoughts.

“Now that Woodcroft Farm has its own identity.” He flung his arms wide. “And plenty of equity…”

Where this was leading? Paula had no idea but he was walking even faster.

“You bought out Katherine,” he continued, “and we should get some good returns from the hay and the wheat there. Woodcroft Farm has fared much better than the main property this year.”

Paula still wasn’t sure where he was going with this but it took all her effort to keep up with his long strides.

“I thought that we could transfer my part of the loan for Woodcroft Farm as a debt against it, rather than against Wood Dell.”

“Why?” Paula sucked in a breath. “That would cost money to organise and there’s no need.”

“I’d like to keep the two properties separate. With Rowena getting married and…”

“Dan,” Paula gasped. “Stop.” She clutched her side where a sharp stitch was jabbing at her.

“What’s the matter?”

She looked up into his worried eyes.

“You were walking too fast. I’ve only got short legs remember. Ow!” Paula couldn’t help gasping as the pain jabbed harder.

“Is it the baby?”

“No, it’s just a stitch.”

“Are you sure?”

Dan’s concern made her doubt herself. Could this pain be something to do with the baby?

“It feels like a stitch,” she said, but there was a slight falter in her voice giving away her uncertainty.

She gasped as Dan scooped her up into his arms. “What are you doing?”

“Carrying you home. We don’t want to take any chances.”

“I’m okay, Dan,” she said but allowed him to carry her anyway. The shack was only a short distance away.

“How’re you feeling now?” He was puffing slightly as he lowered her to a chair on the verandah.