Riverboat Point (30 page)

“Who?”

“I don't know. The bloody people who run the television. It's all that other crap that comes on.”

“The adverts?”

“Not just them. There's shorts from other shows. It's all crap!”

“You should have put your DVD on instead,” Ethan said. “Watched one of them. No ads.”

“Wasn't in the mood.”

Gnasher wiped his plate clean with his last piece of toast. Then he sat back and burped.

“Thanks for that, mate.” He smiled his gappy grin. “You're not a bad cook for a grease monkey.”

Ethan gathered the plates.

“I'll clear up.” Gnasher stayed where he was looking up at Ethan. Even though his eyes were red they looked sharp.

“Any word on the pump?” Ethan asked.

“No.”

“You're welcome to keep using my place.”

“I appreciate the offer.”

“I'll leave you to it then.”

“Thanks for lunch,” Gnasher said.

Ethan nodded and stepped out into the grey afternoon. The rain had stopped but there was a chill in the air now. He jogged along the track to warm himself up. His visit to Gnasher hadn't gone quite how he'd planned. He'd wanted to check if Gnasher had been out firing his gun last night as much as to see how he was. Somehow Ethan felt as if Gnasher knew exactly why he'd been there. It gave him a queasy feeling. He didn't like to think Gnasher would be so stupid as to fire a gun near people.

Ethan glanced at his watch.

“Hell!”

It was three o'clock. He'd been at Gnasher's much longer than he'd intended. He turned his jog into a run. He was going to be late for Savannah again.

Footsteps pounded down the driveway. Savannah was walking back from showing her latest customers the parking space beside the shed. She turned and couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. Ethan was jogging towards her, concern written all over his face.

“Don't panic,” she said. “Only one group ready to go and they've just finished getting organised.”

He came to a standstill beside her, puffing gently.

“Sorry,” he said. “I ended up cooking Gnasher a meal.”

“That was kind of you.”

A car turned in at the gate.

“That's probably the next lot,” she said.

“I'll see to the others.”

“They're on
Tawarri
. I've explained about the hole in the wall.”

He nodded and set off towards the river. Savannah greeted the next lot of customers.

The next hour was filled with helping the clients and doing the paperwork. Now they stood on Savannah's front verandah sheltering from another shower of rain.

“What's next, boss?” Ethan said.

“I'm going to make sure I've got everything ready for tonight's meal. It's come in cold so I thought I'd bake a dessert. The next group will get here just before Belinda and Ash are due.”

“This is the group of women?”

“Yes.”

“So you won't need me?”

“Well.” Savannah linked her arm through his. “I've been thinking. Do you own a suit?”

“I think this is the point where I'm supposed to get worried.”

“Hear me out. If you don't like the idea I won't press you.”

He spun to face her and wrapped his arms around her.

“Press me all you like.”

His eyes had that deep dark look again and it was all Savannah could do to concentrate. She eased out of his arms.

“Let's discuss it over a coffee.”

He gave a small groan but followed her inside.

Damn having the Palmers over for dinner tonight, Savannah thought. She was as anxious as Ethan to see where this was heading.

Just on six o'clock car lights shone in the darkening driveway. Savannah went to the end of the verandah and opened her umbrella. It was a big multi-striped thing. Another find in Jaxon's shed.

Two cars pulled up. The passenger window of the first lowered and the driver leaned across.

“Savannah?”

“Yes.”

“I'm Tara and this is the bride-to-be, Emily.”

“Welcome to J&S Houseboats,” Savannah said.

“Thanks for helping us out,” Tara said.

“It's very good of you,” Emily said. “I think.”

Savannah stared as Tara began to laugh.

“It wasn't until we turned into your driveway that Em discovered what we were up to. The other girls are in the car behind.”

“I knew you were up to something,” Em said. “But you could have been taking me to a strip joint for all I knew.”

“Way out here?” Tara laughed again.

“You never know,” Emily said.

“No, you don't,” Savannah said and winked at Tara.

Her face lit up again. What a bright bubbly person she was. Emily was lucky to have such a good friend to go to all this trouble. Savannah hoped they'd enjoy the extras she'd organised.

“Drive down a bit further,” she said. “I'll help you load your gear onto the boat. Then I'll show you where to park your cars.”

“Em's still recovering from an operation so she has to sit while we do the work.”

“Fair enough,” Savannah said. “Follow me.”

She lifted her umbrella and walked ahead of the cars to the point where they could unload. Ethan had wedged some wood into several spots on the path where the slope was steep. It would help the women step more evenly to the boat. He'd come up with the suggestion while they discussed her plans for Tara's group over coffee. He'd liked her ideas and the steps had been his contribution.

“Be careful,” Savannah cautioned. “The path down is slippery.”

“Hang on, Em,” Tara called as she rushed around to her friend's side. “Take my arm.”

Savannah could see Emily was moving very cautiously. She offered her arm.

“Take mine too,” she said.

They made their way slowly down the path with Savannah holding the umbrella up to keep the drizzly rain off them.

The rest of the women followed. Tara introduced them once everyone was aboard.

“Look at the gorgeous flowers,” Emily said from her position on the couch. Tara sat next to her.

“A welcome gift for the bride-to-be,” Savannah said.

The women were all excitedly checking the houseboat and its layout.

“The towels are folded into heart shapes and they've got chocolates in them,” someone called from a bedroom and the other three rushed to have a look.

“You've been busy,” Tara said.

“The internet,” Savannah said. “You can find out how to do anything.”

Everyone pitched in to bring their bags and supplies aboard. None of them seemed like princesses. Savannah had a good feeling about the women and she was glad she'd planned a few extras for them.

“Bring your cars back up to the shed,” she said.

Tara and one of the other women followed her out. Savannah collected the umbrella from the deck. The rain had stopped for the moment.

“Thanks for this,” Tara said. “We really appreciate you having us at such short notice and not expecting us to go off cruising.”

“My pleasure.”

“Emily needs some spoiling and your extra touches were very thoughtful.”

“It's not over yet.”

Savannah studied Tara in the light from her car. She hoped her next idea would go down okay.

“Once you're settled I've got someone lined up to serve you some bubbly. It's a bit cool for the deck unfortunately, but he can serve them inside.”

“He!” Tara giggled. “You wicked woman.”

“He's not a stripper,” Savannah said quickly. She hoped she wasn't getting Ethan into anything too tricky.

“Oh well,” Tara said. “We'll take whatever you've got. It will be better than me serving the drinks.”

“We'll be down in about ten minutes.”

Savannah jogged back to the shack. She didn't own many dresses or skirts. The only decent clothes she'd brought with her were her new jeans and the blue top she'd worn last night. They would have to do. She was sure the women would only have eyes for Ethan flashed up in his suit rather than her anyway.

There was a tap on her back door.

“Come in,” she called.

Ethan was right on time. He stepped through the door. Her heart skipped a beat.

“What happened to the suit?” she stammered.

“I thought hens would prefer this look better. Don't you like it?”

“Like it!”

Her knees trembled. She shook her head. He was wearing a pair of blue jeans, dark brown belt and a white Bonds singlet. Even though they covered his body they left little to the imagination. His unruly hair framed his deep brown eyes and his face bore a shadow of stubble.

“I could put this on if you think it'd be better.” He held a green and white checked shirt at arm's length and slowly turned three-sixty degrees. He could have stepped from the pages of a magazine.

“That's not fair,” she groaned.

He made a move towards her.

“Stop,” she cried. “We've got to serve the drinks. Belinda and Ash will be here in about twenty minutes for dinner.”

“At your service, ma'am.”

“Can you get the bottles from the fridge? I'll carry the cheese platter.”

He stood tall and gave a salute.

She placed her hands firmly on either side of the board but they still trembled.

“Hell and snakes,” she muttered as she led the way to the houseboat. It was an old saying of her mother's and it seemed appropriate for the situation.

First she was going to have to watch as he served drinks to a group of women on a hens' weekend then act the perfect hostess while they entertained the Palmers for dinner, when all she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms. At least he could put his shirt back on for that or Belinda may not be able to resist, even with Ash there.

The front light lit up the deck of the houseboat. She must remember to explain to Tara about generators and things or they'd have no power by morning. Savannah could see all the women milling around inside.

“You ready, soldier?” she said over her shoulder.

“Yes, ma'am.”

She smirked as the bottles clinked together.

Tara slid the door open and Savannah stepped into the room carrying her platter.

“Good evening, ladies,” she said. “Welcome aboard
Our Destiny
. I hope you've got your champagne glasses ready. Tonight we've got a special waiter for you. Please welcome Ethan.”

There were squeals of delight, clapping and a wolf whistle as Ethan stepped through the door. He popped the first bottle accompanied by more shrieks and began filling glasses. Savannah worked her way towards Tara offering the platter as she went.

“Where did you find the hunk?” Tara asked.

“He's my neighbour.”

“Lucky you, girlfriend,” Tara said and dug Savannah with her elbow.

“I need to show you how everything works before I go, and we can't stay long. We've got friends coming for dinner.”

“Let's do it now,” Tara said.

Savannah put the platter down on the bench.

She jumped as Tara gave a piercing whistle.

“Listen up, ladies,” Tara said. “I'm about to get the ins and outs of how this boat operates. We're not going anywhere but there are a few things to learn. You enjoy Ethan's company 'cause he can't stay long but he's out of bounds. He belongs to Savannah.”

Savannah opened her mouth and closed it again. There were murmurs of “lucky girl”. Ethan met her gaze across the room. He was smirking at her.

Ethan's hands were on her as soon as they stepped back inside the shack. They stumbled into the kitchen and he backed her to the bench. Their mouths were locked and their bodies pressed together. His hand slid between them, under her shirt and inside her bra.

Savannah groaned and pulled her head away from his lips. He tasted so good.

“We have to stop,” she said. “They'll be here any minute.”

“Can't we turn off the lights? Pretend we're not here?” Ethan nibbled her ear. “We could hide at my place.”

That's when she noticed the lipstick on his cheek and his neck.

“You've got lipstick all over you.”

“You wicked woman.”

“I don't wear lipstick.”

He grinned. “Some of those hens were very fond with their farewells.”

“You'd better go clean it off.” She tapped his bottom as he turned. “And put your shirt on.”

“Yes, ma'am,” he said.

Savannah watched his bum as he walked away then turned her attention to the food. Behind her there was a tap on the glass of the sliding door. She spun to see Belinda and Ashton standing outside. Belinda was waving her usual bottle of bubbly.

Savannah took a deep breath, swept some hair from her eyes and crossed the room. Ten seconds earlier and they would have seen Ethan almost undressing her.

“Hello,” she called loudly. Both for their benefit outside the glass and for Ethan's in the bathroom.

She welcomed them inside. Belinda looked dressed to kill. She was wearing a vivid red, longline polo top over a short brightly patterned stretch skirt and red leggings. A black wrap hung around her shoulders. She reminded Savannah of Cruella de Vil in
101 Dalmations
. Savannah felt pale in comparison. Ash looked cool in a brown leather jacket and blue jeans.

“Where's that gorgeous neighbour of yours?” Belinda's eyes swept the room with a piercing gaze.

“Ethan's –”

“Here.” He walked across the room to them. “Hello, Belinda.”

He leant forward as she kissed both his cheeks. His shirt hung open so the singlet was visible.

You call that putting a shirt on, Savannah thought. What was he thinking?

Belinda handed Savannah her bottle.