Paula tilted her head to look up at him. “Rowena said something today that made me think about our baby’s future.”

He extricated himself from her arms and searched her eyes with his. Surely Rowena hadn’t said anything.

“Don’t look so worried.” Paula gave him a squeeze. “Rowena was talking grandly about farming tradition, that’s all. But what if our son doesn’t want to be a farmer – or what if our daughter does?”

Dan exhaled. “This is the second time you’ve given me the idea we’re having twins.”

“Dan, be serious. I don’t want our child, whatever its sex, to have to follow tradition.” She glared at him. “He, or she, should have the opportunity to follow their dreams like we have.”

Dan looked into the trusting hazel eyes of his beautiful wife and knew at that moment he should tell her about his father’s will but he couldn’t bring himself to do it, not yet. He’d promised Paula no more secrets and he meant to keep that promise. He was simply delaying. Once he and Rowena had seen the lawyer and things were clearer he’d be able to give Paula the facts. He felt the ache radiate across his shoulders again. He definitely needed to get away and have a break or he’d go nuts. He thought longingly of his more carefree existence before his father died. Football had been the thing he lived for then. He forced his face to curve into a grin.

“I think we need a couple of days off,” he said.

“That sounds nice.”

Dan put an arm over Paula’s shoulders and started walking her towards the house. “How would you like a football retreat, complete with overnight accommodation and a walk on the beach?”

She looked up at him, a playful smile on her lips. “Sounds like every girl’s dream weekend.”

“Good. Let’s go and pack.”

Chapter 4

CHAPTER

4

Car horns blared all around and Paula snapped awake. Her heart thumped and she peered out of the window at the oval below her. Players dressed in black and gold were piling on top of each other and clapping each other on the back. Along the fence, spectators were waving flags and streamers and even articles of clothing, in black and gold colours. She looked at the scoreboard. It confirmed what she already knew – the Tigers had won the grand final.

Paula eased back into the seat of the dual cab and watched the excitement. She must have dozed off for a minute. She’d returned to the car at three-quarter time. After being on her feet most of the day, her legs and lower back had started to ache.