As a new bride, Paula had envied Dan and Rowena’s shared conversations about farm events. Paula had worked hard to understand Dan’s world and gradually Dan had involved her more. It hurt her badly to think that Rowena was still his confidant, the person he had turned to in his time of trouble. She didn’t feel up to making polite small talk just yet.

The baby gave some sharp kicks and Paula held her stomach with both hands. She’d never used her pregnancy as an excuse to get out of anything but today it might come in handy.

* * *

“Stop fussing, Rowena, everything is perfect.” Austin put his hands on her shoulders. She leaned against him and surveyed the lounge where they’d removed some furniture and rearranged the rest several times.

“I’m not fussing – but we are having fifty people here tomorrow, and they will all need to be inside. The forecast is for hot north winds.”

“This is a big area with the doors to the dining room open. We could always take out the dining table.”

“Then there would be nowhere to put the food.”

“It’s finger food, people will have to balance it on…”

“You’re right.” Rowena turned, gave him a brief hug then strode to the phone. “If I get you and Dan to take out the big table I know where there are several small tables we can borrow. They would be better dotted around the rooms.” She picked up the phone then turned and smiled at her husband-to-be. “Thank you.”

Austin gave a mock bow. “Always at your service, my darling.”

Rowena suppressed a giggle. She felt like a young woman again, even though the face in the mirror told her otherwise. If it wasn’t for the will business hanging over her head and now Paula’s anger, which she had every right to feel. Rowena sighed. What a release it would be, to totally relax and enjoy this moment.

Austin began moving things off the table in the dining room. The four of them would fit around her sunroom table. She glanced at her watch. It would be some time before Dan and Paula arrived. She pulled back her shoulders and made a decision. Once she’d spoken to Joan, she would pour a nice cool drink and tell Austin everything. She needed a friend to lean on, and hoped with all her heart that sharing her troubles might ease them.

* * *

“I don’t think I can go to Rowena’s for lunch.”

“What’s the matter?”

Paula felt a momentary pang of guilt when she heard the concern in Dan’s voice.

“Nothing, I’m still feeling a bit tired, that’s all.” Her voice trailed off as she pegged the last sheet to the line.

“You shouldn’t have done all this washing. It’s too hot.”

“I’ve only been outside to hang it out, the washing machine does the rest.”