Rowena had her eyes fixed on the door to Paula’s room. It kept opening and closing and people buzzed in and out but no one would talk to her.

“Sit down, Rowena.” She let him guide her onto a seat then she gripped the armrests, as the noise of the helicopter passed overhead.

“Do you think they are going to fly Paula to Adelaide? Perhaps they’ve managed to stop the contractions. Oh Austin, what if something happens to them? Dan’s not even here.”

“Try to be calm. They’ve managed to make contact with Dan. He’ll be here soon.”

Rowena jumped up as two people pushed a clear dome-shaped capsule into Paula’s room.

“Why would they need that? Paula must be having the baby. They couldn’t stop it. Oh, Austin, it’s too soon.”

“You thought she was in labour. I don’t suppose you can stop what nature intended.”

“What good is modern medicine if…”

The door opened and the small capsule was wheeled out again. Rowena couldn’t see past the people pushing it.

“Was that a baby? Why can’t someone tell us what’s happening?”

“They’re all busy doing their job,” Austin said. “We’ll find out soon.”

Rowena rushed forward as Paula came through the door in a wheelchair.

“Paula, what’s happening?” Rowena was shocked at the weariness in Paula’s bloodshot eyes. “Paula…the baby…is it...?”

“Dan has a son.” Rowena had to lean forward to hear her. “But he’s small.” Tears rolled down Paula’s cheeks.

“We have to go.” The nurse pushing the wheelchair went to move on.

Austin wrapped a strong arm around Rowena and held the backpack towards the nurse. “This is Paula’s.”

“Paula, everything will be fine, Dan’s on his way,” Rowena said.

“He’s too late.” Paula sobbed.

“The helicopter can only take mother and baby,” the nurse said. “Dr Hunter will come and talk to you.” He pushed the wheelchair away.

“Wait, where are they taking you? We’ll make sure Dan gets there as soon as he can.”

“Doctor will fill you in,” the nurse called back. Rowena watched until the wheelchair disappeared around a corner then leaned against Austin’s solid chest. “Please God, let the baby be all right.”

Chapter 43

CHAPTER

43

Dan had plenty of time to think things over and over and over on the long drive to Adelaide. He was exhausted but worrying about Paula and the baby kept him awake. It had been gut-wrenching to arrive at the hospital as the helicopter took off. He’d rushed inside just as Lachlan Hunter was sitting down with Rowena and Austin.