“As long as he’s got something for today.” Rowena pressed a container into Paula’s hands. “Take these for tomorrow.”

Paula was seething. She would love to fling the food right in Rowena’s face.

“I’ll do the rest of the dishes. You’d best get back and check on Bert.” Her hand was on Paula’s back. “Thanks for your help today.”

Paula stopped outside the gate. Rowena had given her a cursory wave and shut the door. Bloody woman. They’d had such a lovely morning working together. Paula really thought they’d made some progress with their relationship but, suddenly, here was Rowena reminding Paula that she wasn’t quite up to scratch as Dan’s wife. And then she’d almost been pushed out of the house.

Paula snatched open the car door. She couldn’t understand Rowena’s sudden mood swing. The mention of the plumbing had been a slip but Paula had managed to change the subject to the cousin.

She stopped with one leg in the car. Jacinta had to be it. There was something about the cousin and her baby that had upset Rowena. Paula recalled the sense of foreboding she’d felt in Rowena’s kitchen. Something was going on but if Dan didn’t know about Jacinta, and Rowena wouldn’t talk about her, how was Paula going to get to the bottom of it?

Pondering her dilemma she backed the car out of Rowena’s drive and turned for home.

* * *

“Dan, you’ve got to tell her.”

“No, Rowena. Just because Jacinta’s turned up here, nothing has changed.”

Rowena looked out the window. She’d waited till Paula had driven away before calling Dan. “Yes it has. Paula knows you’ve got a cousin and she also knows she’s pregnant.”

“But Paula doesn’t know about Dad’s will and it’s going to stay that way until after the baby is born.”

Rowena heard the steel in Dan’s voice. Usually she could get him to come around to her way of thinking and see sense but sometimes his pig-headedness clouded his judgement. She sighed. “Well, I think you’re making a big mistake. Paula is your wife and she should know what’s going on. You’re well aware of the trouble secrets can cause.”

“I’m in the middle of drafting sheep. I’ve got to go.”

“Dan.” Rowena could hear the sound of a dog barking. She knew he had a lot on his plate at the moment but so did she. Not the least was her wedding day, which was coming around very quickly. “You haven’t forgotten you were going to mow the outer yard for me.”

“No, I’ll get to it in the next couple of days.”

“All right, I’ll see you then.”