“A bit what?”

“I don’t know…sad.”

“I’ll ring her when we get home.”

“Why don’t we just call in there on our way?”

“All right, but I’ll drop you home first. There might be a problem with sheep or something.”

Paula sat back. The joy of their weekend had dimmed a little. While they were away, Dan was happy and relaxed. Now they were close to home and the burden he often shouldered was settling on him already. Or perhaps it was the call from Rowena. He’d been in a good mood until then even though they were nearing home. She wanted to keep the Dan she’d spent the weekend with, not this gloomy one.

“I’ll unpack and get the fire going,” she said. “There’s some of Rowena’s beef stew in the fridge. I’ll have it all ready for when you get back.”

“Okay.”

She reached over and patted his leg. “It was good to get away. I’ve really enjoyed the weekend.”

“Me too.”

She was encouraged by the smile she got in return. “You know, going away is good. I’m all inspired to get started on the baby’s room now.”

“There’s plenty of time for that.”

“I might need a bit of help with the ceiling. I want to get that painted while you’re around. Everyone keeps telling me I won’t see you once harvest starts.”

“It won’t be that bad. I can still get things done around the place.”

She watched his profile a moment as he concentrated on the road.

“Dan, are you having second thoughts about this baby?”

“Of course not.” He glanced at her. “I find it hard to imagine it, that’s all.”

She pulled his left hand from the steering wheel and pressed it to her stomach. “It’s real, Dan. Every day it gets a tiny bit bigger. It will be born eventually, whether we are ready or not. With harvest and Rowena’s wedding coming up, I want to be prepared before it arrives.”

He withdrew his hand to turn the corner from the bitumen to the dirt. “Okay, Sweet Pea,” he said softly. “I’ll help you with the painting this week.”

Paula relaxed again and pictured the baby’s room finished in the way she had planned. She didn’t say anything to Dan but she understood how he felt in a way. Like him, she found it hard to imagine this baby was real. Maybe once she felt it moving she could really believe it was there.

* * *