Ethan's Song (13 page)

WHEN THE yacht had been repaired to his liking, they headed back northwest toward Savannah. They had called ahead with the expected few day’s delay due to the problem, but now it looked as if they were going to be back with a day or two to spare. Ethan needed those extra days with Jenà before she drove back to her apartment. He had to know if she liked his home and could be happy there. If there was any doubt, he would begin looking for another so when they were married, they wouldn’t spend precious time house hunting.

The last morning she didn’t want to get up. She woke finding his arms around her, and a look in his eyes that told her he had been awake for a while, watching her sleep. This was where she always wanted to be. But the knowledge that they would be at the end of their journey soon, seemed to hit her with a sadness. Moving in his arms, she put hers around him. Closing her eyes, she kissed him.

"What’s wrong, honey?" He not only saw it in her eyes, but felt it in the way she kissed him. "Is it because it’s the last morning?" She nodded, hugging him tighter. "We still have two days before you have to leave."

With a big sigh, she rolled onto her back, pulling him with her. "I don’t want it to end. I don’t want to leave you." Tears rolled down the side of her face as she spoke. "Make love to me, Ethan."

"M-m-m-m." His kiss was deep as his hands moved about her. She was under him with little movement. "I do like how you wake in the morning. I’m going to miss this." The words were whispered as he nuzzled her neck, bringing alive all her senses. "After a shower, I want to take you up to the house. You’ll be the first woman to enter my bedroom, the first I’ll make love to under my roof."

She giggled, pushing him away from her. "Don’t tell me that can be true." She was still giggling when he propped up on his elbows and looked at her as serious as he could. "What? Did you just buy the house before this trip?"

His smile grew. "I love it when you laugh. You make me happy." He was silent for a little while, listening to her heart beat.

"When did you buy it, Ethan?" Her giggles turned to laughter, but she didn’t know why she was so happy all of a sudden.

"I didn’t." He finally answered, letting his fingers run up and down her sides, his tickling adding to her reason to laugh. "I grew up in it." Her squirming only made him want her all the more.

"Quit, Ethan." Her hands caught the one tickling her, then fought to catch the other that had taken up where the one stopped. "Please, quit." She begged, but he continued as she squirmed about. Moving her hands to his ribs, she hoped to find he was even a little sensitive.

"No you don’t." He grabbed both of her hands, holding them above her head.
"Good. You’re ticklish, too." Her laughter died down as she looked into his eyes. Raising her head up to his, she began what he quickly took over. As soon as he had let go of her hands, moving his down onto her body, she brought hers down also.
"No, Jenà." He rolled off of her, making a large wave in the bed. "Jenà, no." He pleaded when she straddled him, continuing her attack.
"You don’t tickle me, I don’t tickle you." She spoke calmly, but continued. "Say uncle, Ethan."
"Uncle Ethan." He called out, catching her hands finally. "I call a truce, Jenà."
"Uncle Ethan." She repeated with a giggle. "I guess when we get married, that’s what you’ll become." He was an only child, but she had three brothers who had children from age fourteen to four, a dozen of them all together.
"I’d rather be Daddy." He sobered up quickly.
"Daddy?" Her smile remained. "Where did that come from?" She sat back, still straddling him. "Daddy. It does have a nice ring to it."
"I could get used to it." He put his hands on her hips. "You do want children, don’t you?" His seriousness had come back strongly.
"I suppose," she teased. "I hadn’t given it much thought." Her eyes went to the ceiling as if she were in deep thought. "With as much fooling around as we’ve done, and neither of us has given thought about prevention..." Her hands went to his shoulders as she bent over him. "It could be possible that we might
have
to get married." Though she was teasing him, she knew the possibility was too real.
Rolling her over, he looked deep in her eyes. "I don’t guess there was any reason for you to be on the pill, was there?" His grin turned into a smile again, then it disappeared all together. "Maybe our waiting isn’t a good idea, Jenà. If you were pregnant now, we couldn’t wait six months, or even three."
"Ethan. We decided it best to get our lives straight so we can be together with time for each other." Her arms were above her, resting on his shoulder. "If I find out we’re going to have a little one, I’ll be on your door step the next day with everything I own. Okay? Now, are you going to make love to me here, or in your bedroom at home?"
His kiss answered her question. "I’ve a lot to do before I take you there. You won’t mind waiting for me?"
Her fingers worked their way down his back slowly. "I’ll just wait right here until you’re finished, Mr. Ayers." She placed kisses on his shoulder, running her fingers back up into his hair. "Are we going to talk all morning?"

TAKING A long soak in the bathtub, Jenà thought back to more than three weeks ago, when Westley helped her get the job that had just been complete. She owed him many thanks for that.

Over coffee at one of her favorite all night cafes, she had talked with Westley. She’d complained about having so much time with no where to go, nothing to do. "It’s not that I need to make any money through the lapse," she had told him. "I need something to do for that time. I can’t believe Donaho let this happen. No, it isn’t his fault we had a cancellation. Those things just happen, thank goodness it comes rarely. But I don’t want to sit around twiddling my thumbs."

"Why don’t I take you to the agency. The time you’ve got off fits right in with the next cruise I go on," he had said with s smile. "Last I heard, they needed help. That is, if cleaning up after and serving rich people and the owner isn’t beneath you." He had been teasing.

"Westley, you know me better than that." She had given him her sweetest smile. "I’m just people’s kind of people." She put a little thought on it as they finished the blueberry muffins and coffee. "Going on a cruise sounds like it would be a lot of fun."

"Some of them are, but this one is a regular old job. Mr. Ayers doesn’t mix with the help, on or off duty, unless they are young and pretty like yourself." He had given her a thoughtful look. "If you do get hired and decide to go, take a warning from someone who has seen it happen. Watch out for him. He eats helpless women by the dozen." His voice had been so serious, as was his expression.

"But I’m not helpless." She had thrown back at him. "I can take care of myself. So what time do you want to go check on it?"

"They open at eight." He looked at his watch. "That’s only five hours. Better head home, if you’re going to get up early enough."

"Need a ride?" She stood, leaving money on the table for the waitress.
"You offering to take me home with you?" His smile was meant to charm her. He stood, taking her arm, looking down at her. "No, I’ll catch a cab. It’s too far out of your way." He paid the bill for them, taking her outside to her car, making sure she was safely buckled in, and the doors were locked. He had tried to kiss her, but she was too quick. Always had been.
"Thanks. I appreciate your friendship." She knew he would have liked their relationship to be more than that, and heaven knew he had tried, but it wasn’t in her thoughts to get serious about anyone yet. Then again, he wasn’t what she was looking for, if she was looking at all.
Her phone was ringing at a quarter to seven the next morning. It wasn’t until she answered in a grouchy tone, that she remembered Westley was going to make sure she had plenty of time to get herself ready for an interview. When her brain kicked in, she quickly took a shower and dressed as if she were going to meet someone very important. From the mirror her image looked back, pleased to see she looked wide-awake.
With two swallows of strong coffee, she bounced down the two flights of stairs to get to her car in the garage. She would pick him up and he would give her a recommend. She felt she had the job already.
And her feelings had been right. There was just one vacant spot left, then they would hire someone as a fill in, for a last minute emergency cancellation. When they had gotten back to her car, she let out a holler, giving Westley a hug to show her gratitude.
"Let’s have breakfast to celebrate," she had said, trying to get out of the possessive arms she had put herself in.
"I’ve got other ideas for celebrating." He kissed her several times, letting his hands slide down her back.
"Is that all you think about? You and every other man I’ve met recently." Disgust helped her get out of his reach. "I think I’m a bit tired. Want a ride home? I’ve got to get more sleep."
"No breakfast?" He had looked hurt. "I’m sorry, Jenà. If I behave myself, can we still have coffee at least?"
She’d given in to being with him for an hour at the same all night café they’d sat in a few hours before, but insisted on taking him home afterwards. Not having anything on the books for that evening, she didn’t go home. She felt like getting a few new clothes for the trip. She had three days in which to be ready.
When the day came, she wanted to pick Westley up, but he let her know he had some last minute things he had to do before heading to Savanna. He didn’t want to make her late if things didn’t go as he had planned.
With the paper he had given her, she found the place where they were to leave their cars. The yacht would be docked outside Savannah, not in its normal place, he’d told her in case she got lost and asked for directions. Leaving her car with the attendant, feeling funny giving her keys to someone she didn’t know, she had carried the large suitcase, small overnight bag and guitar case the four blocks to the pier.
Through the long walk, she kept asking herself why she hadn’t listened to Westley and left most of her things at home. He had told her she wouldn’t need much of anything, because more than likely she wouldn’t even get to see the sun. If she did, it would be to serve on deck, period. No sunning, no swimming, nothing. There were uniforms she would wear while on duty.
But she couldn’t shake the feeling that something might turn up. If she let anyone know about her singing, it was possible that she would be asked to perform. If the uniforms were anything like he had described, she wouldn’t want to sing in them!

THE WATER was getting cold when her thoughts returned to the present. As she wrapped the towel around her, she heard a tapping at the bedroom door. Knowing it wouldn’t be Ethan, she stuck her head out of the bathroom door and called for whoever it was to enter. If it was a male, she would retreat behind the door. As it turned out, it was Jenni who entered. Jenà’s eyes widened, and her cheeks burned when she saw her, knowing what she’d told her about not sleeping with the boss.

"Good morning, Jenà." Jenni’s voice was the cold it had been that morning she had explained what she was doing in the suite next to Mr. Ayers.

"Hi, Jenni. I guess you’re wondering why I’m in here." Jenà came out of the bath, carrying the clothes Ethan had stripped from her the night before. She was thankful she had been in the bathroom, at least it would look as if she were telling the truth. "I borrowed Mr. Ayers’ bath, since mine is having some trouble."

"I’m just here to strip the bed, and give a general cleaning, not pry into anyone’s private life." She went to the bed and began her chore. "I’ve already done your room."

"Oh." There was no need to say more. Her bed hadn’t been slept in. Now that she thought about it, she was sure the one who took care of the rooms daily had been talking. "I guess you pretty well know the story, then."

"Is there a story?" Jenni didn’t smile. "I packed your things, as ordered, if you want to know why your cases are on the bed. I figured you’d want to get dressed before leaving, so I left them where you could get to them easier."

Jenà walked to the bed, watching her one-time roommate. "Ethan and I are getting married, Jenni." It should have come out as a happy statement, instead of the one that was meant to put the other at ease. She didn’t know why she should worry about the woman’s opinion of her. Chances were they would never see each other again.

"I hope it works out for both of you." She continued her job, not looking up, as she half-heartedly wished her well. "He sent word that he’d only be another half hour."

"Thank you." Jenà spoke so quietly, taking herself from the bedroom one last time.
Her suite looked like it hadn’t been touched since she first walked into it, although she knew better. Jenni had dusted, vacuumed and put clean sheets and covers on the bed. A thorough cleaning, before they’d be on their way back to their lives as they knew it before the trip begun. Westley would probably be the only one she’d see again out of all she had worked with for a few short days. Because Westley lived in Atlanta and frequented the places she sang in, she would probably see a lot more of him than she wanted.
Silently she prayed he would leave on another job soon. She really didn’t want to keep seeing him, though she didn’t know why. After all, if it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have met Ethan.
Wearing her white shorts and a cool, pale green top, she carried her things to the front room. She wasn’t sure if she should take them upstairs or wait to see what Ethan had in mind.
"Jenà." Jenni’s voice came from the open door between the two suites. "I’m sorry for the way I’ve been toward you. I do hope things work out for you." She sincerely meant it this time. "I worry that you’ll get hurt over this, that’s all."
"Thanks, Jenni." She walked the few feet between them, giving the woman a hug. "I’m glad we met, and I hope to see you again."
"Just be careful, Jenà." She whispered. "He’s been known to have broken many a heart."
From behind her came his voice. "Are you about ready, sweetheart?" He smiled at the two women. "You wouldn’t mind if I took over?" He chuckled when Jenni stepped aside, and Jenà stepped into his arms. Without a worry of their audience, he claimed her lips in a deep kiss.
She melted to him, forgetting about the woman in the room until he let her have some freedom. When she looked across the room to the door, Jenni mouthed, "Be careful and good luck." Then she was gone, closing the door quietly.
"My things are in my room." She looked up at him, wondering what to do next.
"I’ll have them brought up later. You aren’t going to need them right away." Taking her arm, he led her out of his room, up the stairs and into the bright sunlight.
When her eyes adjusted, she took in the surroundings. The yacht was tied up to a long pier, but not one they had begun the trip from. The green grass that covered the hill looked picture perfect with the few scattered maple trees between the water and a large house. It was not a small home, yet it wasn’t quite as large as some of the southern mansions she had seen from afar.
"Well? Do you like it from here?" Ethan had been watching her expression. When she remained silent, enjoying the beauty around them, he continued walking her away from the ship, down the pier. "I hope you don’t mind walking up the hill. I’ve thought about a cart or two for this sort of thing, but it’s so seldom we dock here."
"This isn’t your home?"Jenà asked hesitatingly, her eyes on him now.
"I’m hoping you’ll consider it
our
home, Jenà. I want you to be happy here. It’s been in my family three generations. My grandfather, along side his father, built it in the early nineteen thirties." Ethan emitted love in the way he spoke about the only home he had known. "It’s build solid, to last many more generations."
"I’m thoroughly in love with it already." She saw a bit of relief in his expression. "You weren’t serious when you said you would sell it if I wasn’t happy here, were you?"
"I was. For you, my darling tease, I would walk away from it and everything else I possess, if it would make you happy." They were walking in the soft grass. He saw the smile on her face grow."What are you thinking about?"
She looked up at him with a slight giggle. "You’ll probably think me silly." She went on when he urged her to. "I can picture our children rolling down these hills. I can almost hear their laughter as they play hide-and-seek among the trees."
"I don’t find that silly at all. In fact, I find it quite satisfying to know you think so far ahead." Putting his arm tightly around her waist, he walked with a strong stride up the hill. "I will do everything to make you happy, Jenà. "
She had no doubts of what he told her. "And just what would it take to make you happy, Ethan?" When he stopped and turned her to him, she wasn’t prepared for the look in his eyes. He was very much in love with her, and had much desire for her. "I think I can guess."
He chuckled. "You’re right, I want you, Jenà. More important, I want you to be happy.
That
is what would make me happiest."
As they walked through the patio door, the sight took her breath away. "And you didn’t know I could be happy here?" She almost made an accusation of her question. "Oh, Ethan. It’s more than anything I’ve ever wanted."
He pulled her into his arms. "I had only hoped." With a kiss, he picked her up and was ascending the stairs. At the top he raised his head to look at her again.
"Tell me again, Ethan." She grinned up at him, begging to know it was true. When she saw a question in his eyes, she smiled shyly. "Tell me I’m the first woman to be taken to your bed."
His grin became mischievous. His voice low, sexy. "I swear to you, I’ve never had a woman up these stairs before. My father has, my grandfather has, but I’ve never. Never under this entire roof have I made love to another woman, Jenà."
"Why?" She didn’t care why. She loved the idea of being the first, even if she wasn’t his first woman.
He stopped in front of a door, the first one in the hallway. "Because I knew one day I would bring a very special woman into this house. I didn’t know when, but I knew the one I would marry would want it this way. Does it please you, Jenà?"
"I don’t know why, but yes, it pleases me very much." Pulling his head down a little, she kissed him with all the love she had for him. "I want to see the whole house, Ethan." She surprised him with her words.
"Now?" he asked with an incredulous tone. Taking a deep breath, setting her on the floor, he opened the door to his bedroom, stepping back to let her enter. When she hesitated, he gave her a push and a smile. "What are you afraid of?"
"Will the rest of your guests be going home today?" She looked at the room which had been opened to her. "It’s nice." she said of his room. "I mean it’s
really
nice." She looked up into his smiling face.
Ignoring her observation of the room, he answered her question. "No. I promised a party at the end of the trip, so most will be sticking around a couple of days, some on the yacht, some in the house. Will that bother you?"
"Of course not. This is your home, Ethan." Going to the window, she parted the lightweight curtains to look at the front of the house. It looked like several acres were covered with grass and trees, with flowers lining the long drive. "It’s so beautiful. It must have cost a fortune to get it in this shape, not to mention keeping it up must be a burden on your pocketbook."
Standing behind her, he looked at the grounds as if through her eyes. "My grandmother’s pride." He explained. "She spent nearly all her life making it look this way. My mother kept it up after her mother-in-law no longer could." She was silently looking, and he wondered if she’d be worried about its upkeep now. "You won’t have to worry about it. I employ a couple who take great pride in continuing its upkeep."
"It wouldn’t be a worry, Ethan. It would take a great deal of time, but it would be something enjoyed." She turned to look up at him. "Wouldn’t it be breaking a tradition if I, as your wife, didn’t take care of it?"
His smile showed how grateful he was for the feelings she held in his family’s traditions. "But I don’t want my wife spending all her time in the yard. My grandparents couldn’t afford the help. My parents didn’t have much in common, so my mother enjoyed being out there. But you and I... I think we could find better things to do with your time."
The look in his eyes told her it was time to change the subject. "Shouldn’t you be with your guests? I didn’t see anyone here to do for them."
Running his hands down her arms, he caught her hands. "Dear, sweet Jenà. Always thinking of other’s comforts." His smile turned playful. "Or is it that you’re stalling?"
She turned back to the window, being able to pull her hands from his with ease. "Why should I be stalling?"
"I think you think this is different from the yacht. You’re not sure you want me to take you into my bed." His arms were around her, pulling her tight into his hold.
"I admit, I can relate to how you felt about me being a virgin, what with me being the first in your home. To me, it feels pure." She turned again, finding the new thought in her mind interesting. "Maybe we should wait..."
"Wait?" There was amusement in his eyes. "Now, had you said this to me before we began our relationship, I could understand. But now?"
Her shoulders dropped slightly when he didn’t understand. "It’s like this house is the virgin. Your parents were married? Your grandparents?" She saw him nod at both questions, knowing at least she was making sense to him now. "I want to be married to you before we make love here."
"Then we shall. I’ll have it arranged for the day after tomorrow. The party will be our reception." His face brightened as he gathered her into his arms. "There’s so much to do. Call your parents, sweetheart, ask them to make arrangements..."
"Ethan." Her voice was calm. "I can’t do that. We discussed this before. We’ll be separated our first few months of marriage. I don’t want it this way."
"But I can’t wait for months before you come to my bed." The man sounded like a spoiled child, only the whining was absent.
"I’m afraid that’s how I feel about your home, Ethan." She turned from him, walking toward the door. "How did you ever survive before our first morning?"
"It wasn’t easy, I can tell you that." He followed, but wouldn’t keep her from leaving.
She turned, smiling as she gave her answer to her own question, with a warning. "There were other women before me, Ethan. That’s how you managed, I know. I can honestly tell you that I don’t hold it against you that they were there, only that if there were any more..." He started to say something, but she put two fingers to his lips. "I trust you. But at the same time, I just want you to know how I feel. You are my first. I hope you’ll be my last. I love you that much."
"You, Jenà, will be my last." As he held her, his head tilted back until his eyes were on the ceiling. "Heaven help me, but I will go along with the way you feel. I’ll just show you to your room." Slowly he closed his bedroom door, then walked to the next. "There aren’t any doors between our rooms this time." He sounded a little disappointed.