Riverboat Point (16 page)

She left the office and went to stand in front of the sliding door. Thick clouds covered the sky. Evening had come early. She flicked on the light.

Small waves, stirred by the wind, disturbed the normally calm surface of the river. Dirt and leaves swirled past and large raindrops began to splatter the concrete floor of the verandah. She cast a look over the houseboats. All her hard work would definitely be undone. She would have to clean them again before they went out on Friday.

The rain became heavier, striking the roof. Savannah's gaze stopped at the upper deck of the last houseboat. She pictured herself up there, sitting in the chair behind the smoky glass. Whoever sat there would be almost invisible and would have a clear view, right into the lounge where she stood. She shivered and closed the blinds on the gloomy evening.

It had to be Ethan who'd sat there. It was the only explanation. But why? And if not Ethan then who? That troubled her more than thinking it might be her neighbour.

Ethan glanced at Gnasher's gate. Jasper was spending a lot of time there sniffing. Finally he lifted his leg then moved on, nose to the ground. Something had caught his attention, perhaps a fox had been through this morning. The wind and rain of last night would have washed away any previous scents. Ethan tossed a broken branch from the road to the bush on the side. The wind had scattered debris everywhere.

He moved his shoulders up and down and rubbed his hands together against the cold. It had been a while since he'd visited the old war vet. He'd try to get over there on the weekend. Trouble was there were no quick visits when it came to Gnasher. He liked to talk and Ethan's time was filling up with jobs. Once he got back he had to ring his father. Blake had berated him yesterday for not doing it already. Who knew how much help Mal would need with the shearing? Ethan could feel the tension building inside him. Working with Mal was similar to the pressure of working in a war zone. It felt like he was preparing for a trip outside the wire.

He pushed the thought away and set off again. First he'd enjoy his morning walk then he'd think about Mal. Jasper was up ahead on the other side of the road now, following the fence line that led to Belinda's gate. Once again the dog stopped, sniffed around and lifted his leg. It was going to be a slow walk at this rate. Ethan urged Jasper forward.

They made it as far as the fancy white gates before Jasper stopped again. Ethan went closer. The new gates had appeared flimsy in the headlights but up close he could see they were far from that. The chain and padlock were also heavy duty, as was the wire fence that met the gates on both sides. This was not a mere marking of a boundary. It was designed to keep people out.

Ethan thought about the Rottweiler that had come to meet Belinda. Perhaps the fence had been built to keep him in. That would make a very expensive dog fence. Still, Belinda had given the impression she had money. He smiled now at the thought of her obvious proposition the other night. He got that a lot when he was in the army. A night out on The Strand in Townsville was always a good night for him with the ladies. It was reassuring to know he was still appealing without the uniform. Just a pity it was the wrong woman who'd noticed.

His thoughts strayed to Savannah and the suppleness of her body as he'd helped her up from the table. She hadn't spoken to him or acted in any way that gave a hint she might find him of interest other than to help her with the boats.

He rounded a bend in the road. Ahead of him Jasper gave three short barks. Ethan faltered a moment at the sight of his dog sitting at Savannah's feet. She had her hands clenched to her chest, her head pulled back, eyeballing the animal.

“Jasper, come,” Ethan commanded.

The dog bounded back to him.

“You should have that dog on a lead.” Savannah put her hands to her hips, glaring at him.

Ethan couldn't help his sweeping gaze of her body. She wore a singlet top that stretched firmly over her curves and an equally snug pair of three-quarter gym pants. A jumper was tied around her waist. He raised his gaze to the dark patches made by moisture over her breasts. She'd been working hard.

“Are you able to control your dog?”

She was watching him. How long had he been staring at her? He reached down to pat Jasper's head.

“He's only young.” As opposed to Ethan, who felt ancient some days. “He was just saying hello.”

“Well now that he has, I'll be on my way.”

“How are you feeling today?” He smiled.

“I'm fine, thanks.” Her chin lifted and her eyes narrowed.

“That's good.” Ethan wanted to say more but she didn't look like she wanted to chat.

“How did you know I'd be here?”

Her tone was accusing.

“I didn't.” Ethan shrugged his shoulders, perplexed by her hostility.

She moved forward. As she drew level with him she studied him closely. Jasper crept a few steps towards her.

“Stay,” Ethan snapped.

Savannah paused.

“I meant the dog,” he said.

“Of course you did.” She glared at him a moment longer then jogged away. The jog turned into a run and she disappeared around the bend.

“That went well, Jasper.” Ethan scratched his head. “I get the feeling our neighbour wasn't pleased to see us this morning.” He squatted down and grasped Jasper's jowls in his hands. “Let's face it, she's never pleased to see you but I thought I was at least on friendly terms.” He ruffled the dog's head and stood up.

“Let's go.”

Why was he even trying? He'd vowed to distance himself from Jaxon's sister, only helping when he had to. It had come as a surprise to him to realise he wanted to know more about her. She wasn't the imposition he'd first imagined.

Dinner last night with Blake and Jenny had really brought his feelings to the fore. Watching his brother so obviously in love had stirred a yearning in him. Ethan wanted that closeness with a woman, something more permanent. It would come as a shock to many that Ethan Daly wanted to settle down. The blokes in Townsville would laugh if they knew. He glanced around as if one of them might suddenly appear but the road was empty – only him and Jasper.

In Afghanistan he'd been confronted by how cheap life could be. Even more so on his second tour when he'd been out among the villages. It had been a shock. It had changed him. Once he was safely back on base in Australia, army life hadn't been the same. He'd yearned for a place of his own and some peace. He'd found that to a certain extent but now he wanted more. It had taken last night's dinner with Blake and Jenny to make him realise he needed someone to share it with.

Savannah was different from many of the women he'd known. She was good-looking in an understated way. She could stand on her own two feet. She asked for his help only when it was something she couldn't do herself. If it was something she could learn and do herself she did, and yet he'd seen the hint of a vulnerable side she tried to hide. She kept fit, seemed to prefer her own company, although she'd obviously been enjoying herself with Belinda, and she wasn't much of a drinker if the other night was anything to go on. She was a puzzle. It piqued his curiosity.

He stopped and called Jasper.

“Time to head home, mate. I've got work to do.”

The thought of ringing Mal was a growing tension in his chest. He had to get it over and done with. Besides, there was a glimmer of hope to follow. Soon Savannah would need his help again with the houseboats. He'd have to think up a way that might ease him past the barriers she threw up. He was determined to get to know her better.

Ethan came out of the shed at the sound of a vehicle. Jenny's car rolled to a stop beside him and Blake lowered the passenger side window.

“Didn't hear you arrive today,” he said.

Ethan leaned down and nodded a hello in Jenny's direction.

“I had a few things to do at home first,” he said.

“Like ringing Mal?”

“I rang him this morning.”

“I know.” Blake grinned. “He's been on to me since.”

“Checking up on me?'

“He usually phones me every other day.”

Ethan straightened up. A ripple of envy swept over him. It was wasted energy.

“Mal doesn't want me there,” he said.

“Of course he does. He needs help. He's just not good at asking for it.”

“Where are you two off to?” Ethan changed the subject.

“Jenny's taking me to look at the crops. Going to see if any damage was done with that storm last night.”

Jenny leaned across to look at Ethan. “Want to come with us?”

“Why not?” He climbed into the back seat. “Thanks again for the meal last night, Jenny.”

“My pleasure. You'll have to join us again before I leave.”

“You going soon?” Ethan asked.

“Early next week. I have to get back to work.”

Ethan saw her glance at Blake but he was looking out his side window.

“Everything go all right getting that part in the header?”

“Nearly finished,” Ethan said. “I'll have the header back together by this afternoon and that's the last of it. You'll be good to go.”

“Blake's lucky to have your help,” Jenny said.

“Yes.” Ethan reached forward and patted his big brother's head. “Yes, he is.”

“Won't be much longer and I'll be able to manage on my own again.”

Blake spoke gruffly and once more Ethan saw Jenny glance his way. This time she had a wry smile on her face.

“Go left after this gate,” Blake said.

The air was certainly tense between them this morning. Perhaps a lovers' tiff, Ethan thought. They'd been happy in each other's arms when he'd left them last night.

“Doesn't look like you got much rain,” he said.

“Stuff-all. It's the wind I'm worried about. It got pretty wild during the night.”

“Same my way.”

They drove on in silence until they crested a hill and the canola crop stretched out in front of them.

“Wow,” Jenny said. “I guess it's not farming terminology but that looks pretty.”

“Wait a couple more weeks,” Blake said. “This will be a sea of yellow.”

“I'll have to come back and check it out.”

Ethan watched as they looked at each other.

“Yes, you will,” Blake said with a grin.

He opened his door and got out, making his way into the crop.

“You never wanted to be a farmer?” Jenny asked. She was looking ahead at Blake inspecting his crop.

“Not really. I enjoyed the freedom of growing up on the farm but I was always tinkering with the machines rather than working with the animals. Dad and Blake bought this property when Blake married.” Ethan stopped talking. He hadn't meant to raise the issue of Blake's marriage.

“Blake loves this place,” Jenny said. “He tells me he nearly lost it with the divorce.”

Ethan remained silent. He didn't know how much his brother had told Jenny about his business matters. He wasn't going to be the one to fill in any information Blake may have omitted.

“Sad that a marriage fails,” Jenny went on. “Especially when there are children, but I'd never thought about the extra implications for someone like a farmer. He could have lost everything.”

“He could have.”

Jenny twisted in her seat to look at him. “I hope you don't mind me asking but where do you fit into all this? You don't live on the property.”

“I'm only helping out. I enjoy working with machines.”

“But not with animals?”

Jenny was studying him with genuine interest.

“It's just that Blake said the same.” She glanced away to where Blake was still inspecting his canola. “He seems to love growing things but he has a special dislike for sheep.”

“It's nothing sinister. Neither of us are serial animal killers.” Ethan grinned. “Our parents love working with animals and their property isn't suited to growing crops. Blake's land is. He can graze their sheep here from time to time. It works out well for all of them.”

“He's asked me to come and live here.” She turned back. Her eyes were filled with apprehension.

“You don't want to?” Ethan was worried Blake was moving too fast.

“We hit it off really well from the start. It's not Blake I doubt. It's me – living here.”

“Too isolated?”

“Not really but I love my work.”

“There's a hospital in Burra.”

“I'm a trauma nurse.”

Ethan held her gaze. “Adrenalin junkie.”

“You understand.”

Ethan nodded. He imagined it was similar to working in a war zone, thinking on your feet, alert for every possibility, never knowing what might come your way.

“How do you cope being here after Afghanistan? Life must be so different.”

“Now I get my kicks from landing a fish for my dinner.”

He grinned. She didn't. He looked away to see his brother heading back towards the car.

“It's an adjustment,” Ethan said. “But I've only got myself to worry about.”

There was silence for a moment.

“I don't want it to end up spoiling things between us,” Jenny said in a quiet voice.

Ethan was at a loss. He was the last person to dish out relationship advice.

“You two seem very suited,” he said lamely. “Blake's a lucky guy.”

Blake climbed back into the front seat.

“Why is Blake a lucky guy?” he asked.

“Having your own personal trauma nurse,” Ethan said. “You're an accident waiting to happen.”

Blake's face lost its grin. He looked at Jenny. “We're a good match in so many ways. We want the same things.”

Ethan watched Jenny glance from Blake then back to the windscreen.

“Food,” she said. “All this fresh air has made me hungry.”