He headed up the passage to change his clothes but stopped when he heard soft murmurs coming from the baby’s room. Paula and Susan were looking over the cot, whispering together. No doubt this was what Rex was complaining about. Dan was tempted to go and look at the baby. He’d never met his nephew. But the two sisters looked cosy enjoying each other’s company.

“He’s gorgeous,” Paula said.

“Especially when he’s asleep,” her sister replied.

“Do you think boy babies are easier to manage than girl babies?”

“You’d have to ask Alison, but I imagine it’s about their little personalities, not what sex they are.” Susan turned. “Hello, Dan.” She walked towards him and brushed his cheek with a kiss.

“Hi, Susan, nice to have you here at last.” He nodded towards the cot. “And the baby.”

“By the look of my little sister, you’ll have your own baby very soon.”

Paula pressed her hands to her stomach, which was pushing up under her breasts. “I feel like a melon on legs.”

“Sticking out the front, now that means you’re having a girl. Or was it sideways spread for a girl? I can’t remember all the stories I was told when I was pregnant. You two didn’t find out what you were having at the ultrasound, did you?”

“We want a surprise, don’t we, Dan?” Paula turned her beaming face to him. Excitement sparkled in her eyes.

“We sure do.” He pulled his face into a smile and continued on up the passage to get changed.

Boy or girl, it made no difference. Jacinta’s visit to Rowena had confirmed that it really didn’t matter what sex Dan and Paula’s baby was. She was after Wood Dell by whatever means she could.

Chapter 33

CHAPTER

33

“How can I prepare a birth plan if I don’t know what to expect?”

All eyes in the group swivelled to the woman who had introduced herself as Van. She had just voiced the question they were probably all thinking. Paula certainly was. Dan squeezed her hand gently but she didn’t look at him. She knew his eyebrows would be raised.

Van was a little different from the other expectant parents. For a start, she was the only woman who had come to the birthing class alone. Not that it mattered. Paula was grateful Dan was with her tonight but she knew there could be times when he might not be.

Van stood out from the group in other ways. Her hair was spiked and had traces of green through it. She had several face piercings and tattoos on both arms. The rest of the group were more conservative in their appearance but it was the shirt that drew Paula’s attention. Van was tall and her baby bulge was just covered by a bright yellow t-shirt printed with the words What baby?