Her visit to Glen Barrett first thing this morning had given her much to think about. She felt a bit bad that she’d tricked him into giving her some partial information about the will. Once he realised his mistake she had convinced him it was in everyone’s best interest for her to know all of it. She’d been shocked to discover Jacinta had made a claim for their property and that Rowena could be in trouble over allowing a loan but so much made sense now. When she thought back over the last couple of months, Dan and Rowena must have been suffering under a terrible strain. Then she’d pictured the two of them in cahoots and she got angry. It was that anger that fuelled her now.

She got up from the chair and snatched up her keys. If Dan wasn’t here she’d start with Rowena.

Her wrath didn’t abate at the sight of Dan’s dual cab beside Rowena’s gate. All the better, she thought as she slammed the car door. She’d let them both have it at once.

Paula strode in unannounced but faltered as Dan appeared before her in Rowena’s kitchen. His hair was on end and dark stubble darkened his face, he clutched a mug in one hand and his other was against his chest with some kind of bandage on his finger.

Her heart leaped. “Dan, what’s happened?”

He walked towards her, arms outstretched. “I’m glad you’re home.”

“You’ve hurt yourself.” As he got closer she could see the bruising around the bandage. “What’s happened?”

“Just a broken finger.” He wrapped her in his arms. “I’m fine now that you’re back. I’ve missed you.”

Thankful he wasn’t seriously hurt, she sank into his embrace and inhaled the warm earthy smell of him. Then she pushed him away.

“Where’s Rowena?”

“Here.” His aunt had come into the kitchen behind him. “We were just going over things still to be done for the wedding.”

“Make me a cup of tea.”

The sharpness of her command brought looks of surprise from Dan and Rowena.

She glared from one to the other. “The three of us have to talk – about wills.”

Dan looked back at Rowena as Paula strode past to the sunroom. No one spoke, there were only the sounds of Rowena making the tea.

Once they were all seated around Rowena’s small table, Paula glared from one to the other again. “Have either of you got anything you want to tell me?”

Rowena looked to Dan whose shoulders slumped.

“Is this about my dad’s will?”

“I don’t know, Dan. You tell me?”

He held her gaze, his look full of sorrow but he didn’t speak.

“How did you find out?” Rowena’s question broke the silence.