“You’re sick, aren’t you?” Laura slid into a chair next to her, and slipped her warm hands over Kate’s. “I knew something was wrong.”

Bree remained standing, arms across her chest. “Let her talk, Laura.”

Kate took a breath. “There’s nothing wrong with me. It’s just that I’m…I’m—”

“Pregnant!” Laura squealed.

“Yes.” Kate breathed out. Another hurdle crossed.

Laura threw her arms around her and pulled her close, then sat back and looked up at Bree. “We’re going to be aunties.”

“So that’s why you haven’t been looking so good?” Bree said.

“I feel like crap.”

“This is so exciting.” Laura bounced up and down on her chair. She was squeezing Kate’s hands so tightly she had to extricate them before they lost circulation. “Have you told Dad?” Laura stopped bouncing, her eyes wide. “What about Mum? Does she know?”

“You two and Dad are the only ones I’ve told.”

Bree sat on the chair on her other side. Her dark eyes locked on Kate. “What about Sean?”

Kate shook her head. “He’s driving interstate. I want to tell him…in person, when he gets back.” She turned to Laura, avoiding Bree’s questioning look. “That’s why you mustn’t say anything. I don’t want him hearing about this from anywhere else.”

“Like Facebook,” Bree said.

Kate grabbed Laura’s hand. “Oh, hell no. Laura, you mustn’t breathe a word…to anyone.”

“Of course I won’t until you tell me I can.” Laura huffed. “I can keep a secret, you know. But why haven’t you told Sean? I thought he’d be the first person you’d tell, even if it was by phone. He loves kids. He’ll be over the moon.”

“Laura, stop,” Bree said.

“What?”

Kate had her head down, scrabbling in her pocket for a tissue. She was trying to hide her tears but Bree had seen them roll down her cheeks.

“What’s the matter?” Laura’s tone was hushed this time.

“I don’t want it.” The words fell from Kate’s mouth in a ragged whisper. She squeezed her eyes shut. Neither of her sisters spoke. The fire whooshed as a log ignited. Something banged outside as the wind picked up and beyond that there was the drone of the tractor.

“Why would you not want a baby? Is there something wrong with it?”

“Shut up, Laura.” Bree’s arm went around Kate’s shoulder and she could no longer keep her sobs silent.

“I’m sorry, Kate.” Laura’s voice was heartbroken.

“It’s all right.” Kate dabbed at her cheeks and blew her nose. “It’s not your fault. I’ve been a bundle of mush since I found out. I’m healthy and pregnant. The doctor sees no reason for concern over the…its health. I have to have a scan in a week or so.”