Rod Brown was pushing them to sell him more wool. The first lot they’d sold him had been for a very good price. It was rewarding to see some of the fine wool that Dan had worked hard to establish being turned into a local finished product. Rod wasn’t here today but Paula had noticed Monica slip into a pew wearing one of her trademark shawls; beside her sat Chris and Dara and, in front of them, Uncle Gerald.

The minister took the baby from Jane’s arms and asked his name.

Together Paula and Dan announced, “Max Paul Daniel.”

There were murmurs and smiles from those gathered. In the end it had been the only choice. Dan had wanted their son to have his name as a middle name but wouldn’t help with a first name except to refuse all the suggestions she came up with. Then she’d had the brainwave to shorten her name and extend Dan’s to Daniel after his father and add a first name that was unique for their son. Max Woodcroft had a good strong sound to it.

Dan slipped his work-roughened hand into hers and she looked up into his twinkling eyes. A tingle of happiness surged through her. After all they’d been through their love was even stronger.

The minister poured water over Max’s head and he squirmed but didn’t cry. Paula couldn’t stop the tears that formed in her own eyes. So much had happened in the first year of her marriage to Dan and there were bound to be more tough times ahead but today was truly a momentous occasion. Come rain or shine, it would remain one of those special memories she kept for her lifetime.

She watched as a candle was lit for Max and the minister asked everyone to welcome him into the light. Dan squeezed her hand. She smiled up at him then gazed back at their son. Contentedness cocooned her in its warmth. The future was never certain but they would face it together as the Woodcroft family.

Acknowledgements

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book follows the characters I introduced in A Chance of Stormy Weather. It was originally self-published in 2008 and was titled Due Date.

Back then I began my acknowledgements with a thank you to my readers who wanted to know what happened next after Changing Channels. Their interest and encouragement inspired me to write what is now Come Rain or Shine.

In the first version I also thanked Peter Pedler, who patiently described legal advice, and Leanne Murphy and Sue Barlow who answered my medical questions and gave valuable feedback.

My appreciation also went out to Margie Davies and John and Kathy Snodgrass for the loan of anecdotes about life on the farm. Kathy was also a beta reader and another wonderful friend Sue Hazel nearly wore out her editing pencil. I am grateful to all of them for their input.