Waiting at the Sliprails. Hawkesbury River area 1820s, Blue Mountains 1830s. As her term of conviction expires, London bred, Beatrice Dawes must consider her life ahead. She has few options open to her; therefore, Bea accepts the only offer of marriage she is likely to receive. It was either marrying a stranger or going on the street, and she wouldnt let that happen. Jack Barnes, a hired drover, appears, and he wants a wife. Bea has no idea what a drover is, but it sounds romantic. However, she discovers that a drover could be gone for months at a time, and the only people she would be left with were Billy and Netty, part of the tribe of aborigines who lived on their secluded farm. Jack and Bea marry and move on to his isolated farm. Bea learns to love not only her husband but also this wonderful aboriginal couple. Netty delivers her babies and brings her comfort. Bea relies on them while awaiting Jacks return. His letters are filled with the many adventures he experiences on his travels, yet she can read between the lines and knows he wants to be home. Then a visitor arrives and turns their lives upside down. Bea's love and forgiveness break through the wall their visitor had carefully constructed around herself.