Riverboat Point (32 page)

“I'll help you clean up then I'd better head home. Feed Jasper, have a shower. Then we can go and ask them.”

“Don't worry about the dishes. You get over to Jasper. He'll be wondering where you are.”

Ethan gave her a quick kiss.

“I told him I probably wouldn't be home for the night.”

“Confident, weren't you?” She grinned and kissed him back. His smooth bare skin felt wonderful under her fingers. “You'd better get dressed, soldier. Don't want those women to see more of you than they already have.”

“I'm going out the back door.” He went into the bedroom and came back with his jeans and boots on. “Back soon,” he said.

Savannah showered and remade the bed. Then she began to clear the table. She hummed as she carried the glasses to the sink, thinking of Ethan. She shrugged her shoulders at the thought of his touch. She was having trouble concentrating on anything else.

Behind her a phone went off. It wasn't her ringtone.

She went to the table. In among the plates and cups Ethan's phone rang and vibrated. She picked it up.

“What the …?” she mumbled. Jaxon's name was on the screen.

She pressed answer and put the phone to her ear.

“Hello?”

The phone beeped. She looked at the screen. The call had ended. She pressed the number to recall. It went straight to Jaxon's message bank. She put the phone back on the table and went to check her own. No missed calls from anyone let alone Jaxon.

What was he up to? Why would he try to ring Ethan and not her? She was sitting at the table staring at her screen, willing it to ring when Ethan returned.

“What's up?” he said.

“Jaxon rang on your phone.”

She nodded at it beside her on the table. He strolled over and picked it up.

“Did you answer it?”

“Yes.”

“What did he say?”

“Nothing. He hung up.”

“Perhaps it dropped out.” He slipped the phone into his pocket. “He'll try again, I guess.”

“Has he been in touch with you since he left?”

“Only once.”

“You didn't tell me.”

“I didn't know you then.” Ethan shrugged his shoulders. “I'd forgotten about it.”

“I'm worried. What if something's happened to him?”

“He wouldn't be ringing.”

“What if someone else had his phone?”

“Why would they be ringing me?”

Ethan bent over her and wrapped his arms around her neck.

“Don't worry about him. I'm sure he's fine. He'll turn up one day and tell us all about his fantastic holiday.”

Once more she didn't know whether to be angry or worried, but Ethan was probably right. Jaxon would turn up when he was ready. She wanted him to come home but then there'd be no reason for her to stay. Where would that leave her and Ethan?

“Come on,” he said. “Let's go and see if these ladies want a ride.”

A couple of hours later Ethan backed
Our Destiny
out into the river. The toot of the horn brought delighted squeals from the women who were all excited at the prospect of actually going somewhere.

“Left or right, bride-to-be?” he asked.

Emily was seated beside him on a chair with Tara standing on her other side. Their friends were out on the deck.

“I don't know,” she wailed. “Which is best?”

“They're both good. How about we go half an hour downstream then come back and go half an hour upstream?”

“That's a great idea,” Tara said.

Savannah was just inside the door, watching on. Ethan was full of good ideas. He could be so practical and sensible. The more she got to know him the more she found to like about him.

“This really is very kind of you.” Tara turned to Savannah. “Both of you. I'm sure you've got better things to do with your Saturday afternoon than take a boatload of crazy women on a ride.”

“It's good to get out on the river,” Ethan said. “I haven't been out for a while and we had a free afternoon.” He twisted sideways and winked at Savannah.

As if she wasn't drooling over him enough, that wink set off another fizz in the pit of her stomach. She felt even more attracted to him after his attentive care of Emily. She'd had some kind of major stomach operation and had to be very careful. He'd been the one to get the chair for her. He'd made sure she was seated and comfortable and had a small glass of bubbles at hand to toast the journey.

Savannah watched as he spun the wheel and pushed the throttle. He was wearing the same green checked shirt he'd worn yesterday but this time it was done up and tucked into his jeans. Not that it mattered. She knew every bit of what was under those clothes.

“We're off,” Tara said and clinked her glass against Emily's as the boat moved forward.

Savannah moved to stand beside Ethan. He reached around and pulled her close.

“You haven't been this way on the river either, Sav.”

“No.”

“You'll get to see Riverboat Point from a different view.”

“Don't you go out on the river much?” Emily asked.

“I've only been here a couple of weeks. This is my brother's business. Ethan and I are helping out while he's away.”

“There's the town,” Ethan said.

Savannah stared as the jetty and buildings came into view. They'd hardly been anytime on the water.

“It takes so long in the car.”

“That's why I often use my tinnie if I only want a few things,” Ethan said. “Much quicker by boat.”

“What a quaint little town,” Tara said. “We didn't see much in the dark last night.”

“I was too busy wondering where on earth you were taking me.” Emily chuckled.

“It's a friendly place,” Savannah said. She peered at the buildings as they passed. They looked different from this perspective and Tara was right, quaint was a good word. Up close the cracks in the pub wall and the fading paint on the supermarket roof were clearly visible but from here it was picturesque.

They cruised on down the river until Ethan thought it time to turn back.

One of the girls out on the front deck dug a bottle from the esky and refilled glasses. She poked her head in the door.

“Time for top-ups,” she said.

“I'll be in that, Sandy,” Tara said.

Sandy brought the bottle to Tara and Emily. “How are you enjoying this, Em?” she asked as she poured.

“Loving it. You girls look settled in out there with your jeans rolled up and your feet resting on the rails.”

“There's room for more chairs. Why don't you and Tara come out?”

Emily looked from Tara to Savannah.

“Would you like to sit outside?” Tara asked.

“Don't stay in on my account,” Savannah said. “I'll keep the captain company.”

“Go on, Emily,” Ethan said. “One more taste of the wind through your hair and freedom before you get married.” He gave her one of his heart-melting winks.

“I'm game,” she said.

Savannah and Tara took an arm each and guided Emily out the door while Sandy put out more chairs. When everyone was settled Savannah came back inside.

“Coffee, captain?”

“That'd be good. Thanks.”

She made them both a cup and sat next to him on the chair Emily had vacated.

“No wonder people enjoy doing this,” she said. “It's very relaxing.”

Ethan was staring off to the other side. She followed his gaze. A sandbank jutted into the river and beyond it was a guy in a tinnie with a fishing rod.

“You like fishing?” she asked.

“I'd rate it my number one pastime. Not much point being on the river if you can't fish.”

“So this kind of holiday doesn't appeal?”

He turned back to her. “Depends on the company,” he said. “It's not something I've ever done.”

They passed Riverboat Point again and then they were back to where they started.

“I'm going up on the sundeck,” Savannah said. “I want to have a sticky at the Palmers' place from up there.”

“Go for it,” Ethan said.

Savannah went outside and followed the deck around to the back. She took the steps up and just made it to the top as they drew level with the Palmers' house. It was set well back from the water and partly obscured by trees. From river level it would be hard to see. The house was two storey, all glass and angles. A bit further on there was a small jetty with a large speedboat and a tinnie tied up beside it. The speedboat was black, a sleek mean-looking machine. Must have cost someone a packet. Then something else caught her eye. Further back in the bush she could see a bobcat moving about. It was too far away to see who was driving but she assumed it was Ash. Surely the horse hadn't died already.

She went back to Ethan.

“Looks like Ash is digging a hole. Do you think the poor horse has died?”

“Maybe, or maybe he's just being prepared if he knows it's going to happen soon.”

“Don't you think it's awful?”

“Animals get old and die just like people, Sav. What do you think happens to dead horses?”

She pursed her lips. There he was being Mr Practical again. She leaned in against him.

“I feel sorry for the horse.”

“I know you do.” He kissed the top of her head. “Just think, the horse gets to spend its last days looking at this view instead of being in a stable somewhere.”

“Mm.” She sighed. It surely was a nice outlook and the Palmers had a big stretch of it. She settled back to watch the scenery go by. Every so often the raised voices and laughter of the women out the front drifted back to them.

“I recognise that spot,” she said pointing off to the right.

“Old Man's Landing,” Ethan said. “Time to turn around.”

Ethan moved his lips from her face to her neck.

Savannah stirred. Her nose twitched.

He traced his fingers between her breasts and gently caressed them.

“Are you awake?” he murmured in her ear.

She rolled towards him. “I am now.”

“Want to go fishing?”

“Maybe.” Her lips curled into a smile and she reached for him.

He slapped her on the bum and jumped out of bed.

“Come on then, get up.”

She opened her eyes. “It's still dark. What time is it?”

“By the time we're ready it will be daylight.” He kissed her. “Rug up. It'll be cold on the river.”

She curled into a ball and pulled the blanket over her head.

“Meet me down at my jetty in ten minutes if you want fish for dinner.”

She groaned. He grinned and let himself out. Savannah had cooked him dinner two nights in a row. Tonight he planned to cook her fish. He didn't mind if she came with him or not. She probably needed some space and he was okay with that.

“Hello, mate,” Ethan said as Jasper barked a greeting. “Sorry I wasn't home again last night.”

Ethan tapped his chest and the dog jumped up.

“You miss me?” He grabbed the fur on Jasper's face, gave him a playful shake then let him go. Jasper barked, sniffed Ethan's feet then hurried off down the drive.

Ethan bounded up the stairs. He boiled the kettle and made coffee in a thermos then threw together some sandwiches. He didn't know if Savannah would come with him but he wanted to be prepared.

The sky was lighting with a pale golden glow by the time he made his way down the path to his boat. He was pleased to see a shape huddled on the jetty.

“You're coming fishing?”

Sav turned to him, her face darkened by the hoodie pulled over her head. He caught a glimpse of her beanie underneath.

“I'm coming in the boat with you. I don't know about fishing.”

He helped her into the tinnie, loaded his gear and they were away. He headed upriver. There were no signs of life on board
Our Destiny
as they passed. The ladies had enjoyed a late night. Ethan had heard their laughter and voices long after Savannah had fallen asleep in his arms.

They headed on past the Palmers'. No sign of anyone about there either. Ethan continued on to his favourite spot then cut the engine and let the boat drift. He baited the hook and cast. Savannah sat crunched into a huddle, her hands jammed between her legs. The air was crisp but not freezing.

“There's coffee in the thermos,” Ethan said. “That'll warm you up.”

Savannah poured them one each then wrapped her hands around her cup.

He grinned at her. “Best part of the day.”

“For fish.”

Ethan's reel whizzed. He put down his mug. “Yes, for fish,” he said.

It only took him twenty minutes to put four good-sized callop in his bucket. Savannah admired each one reluctantly.

“Wait till you eat them.” Ethan smacked his lips. “They're fleshy, not fatty and they're sweet. You'll love them.”

“I look forward to it.”

“We can go home now.”

“Really?”

“That's enough for a couple of meals.”

He started the engine and turned the tinnie for home. The river was flat; they were the only ones making waves. Along the banks the trees and cliffs were mirrored in the water. The sky was turning a brighter blue with every minute. He could see Savannah taking it all in. He hoped she'd like it enough, and him, to want to stay on after Jaxon returned. Jaxon's plan had been to get his sister to take a river change for a while. He'd been worried about her. Said she was lost in the city. The Savannah Ethan had got to know might have had her problems in the past but she seemed to know what she wanted and went for it. He was happy about that.

“What are you grinning at?”

He shifted his gaze to her and sucked in a deep breath.

“The scenery. It's spectacular.”

She watched him closely as he tied the tinnie up to the jetty.

He helped her out.