Riverboat Point (28 page)

Now as he watched Jasper trotting along the road for home he remembered something else. Savannah had a houseboat going out first thing this morning. He quickened his pace.

As they approached his drive Jasper barked and ran ahead. No doubt a bird or a rabbit had attracted his attention. Ethan followed. He couldn't stop the smile at the sight of Savannah halfway up his stairs with Jasper eagerly wagging his tail at her from below.

“Hello,” he called and saw the relief on her face. “He really wouldn't hurt you, you know.”

“I know,” Savannah replied croakily.

“Jasper, come!” he commanded.

“I'm sorry …”

“I'm glad …”

They spoke at once.

“Why are you glad?” He took the stairs two at a time to reach her.

She swept hair away from her eyes.

“You're home,” she said.

He stopped on the step below her and looked straight into her eyes.

“You need my help?”

Her eyes widened.

“I was expecting you for dinner.”

“Of course.” He took her hands in his. “I'm sorry about last night. A bit went on at the farm and I … well, I didn't get back here until midnight.”

“Is everything all right there?”

“Yes, for now. I'm not going back today. I'm at your beck and call.”

“You might wish you hadn't said that.”

Ethan was relieved to see her lips curve up in a smile. He leaned forward and kissed her. She gave a little gasp then returned his kiss. He reached around her and pulled her close.

“Hello?”

Jasper barked at the male voice. Savannah jerked back.

“That'll be Sam,” she whispered and peered around Ethan.

Her face was flushed a rosy pink. He leaned closer.

“Who's Sam and why are we whispering?”

“The guy from the houseboat,” she said as she slipped past him. “Coming,” she called.

At the bottom of the stairs she looked back at him. Her eyes sparkled.

“I need your help now,” she said softly. “They'll want to get away.”

“I'll be right there,” he said. “Just let me change my shirt.”

She gave a short nod and headed for the fence. Must make that gate, he thought as he bounded up the stairs.

Ethan watched Sam at the wheel.

“You're a natural,” he said.

“I've driven a few boats before,” Sam said.

“He's being modest,” his friend said.

“I've never driven a houseboat before,” Sam said. “They respond differently.”

“You look like you've got it under control,” Ethan said.

“Paul and I will probably take turns for a while. Till these freeloaders get the hang of it.”

The other three blokes standing nearby made various comments about Sam being in charge. They were a friendly bunch. No sign of the ladies at this early hour though.

“I was ready to let go the ropes last night.”

Ethan looked back at Paul.

“Someone took a pot shot at us.”

“It wasn't at us, Paul.” Sam raised his eyebrows.

“What do you mean?” Ethan asked.

“Your girlfriend didn't seem too concerned,” Paul said. “Reckoned it was some guy shooting rabbits but I know guns and that was a high-powered rifle fired close by.”

“A rifle?” Ethan thought of Gnasher straight away. Surely he wouldn't be shooting anywhere near Jaxon's place.

“We don't know what it was,” Sam said. He tapped the wheel. “Have you got the gist of this, Paul?”

“I reckon,” Paul said. “Between the two of us we should be right.”

“Take us back to the bank and I'll jump off,” Ethan said.

He watched as Sam headed to the bank. Savannah was standing on the lawn, waiting.

“Enjoy your holiday,” Ethan said to the group and let himself out onto the front deck. He waited for the boat to gently nudge the bank then he leapt over the railing. The motors rumbled in reverse, the horn tooted and the houseboat slid out into the flow of the river.

“One down, three to go,” Savannah said. “Well, only two really, the third boat is staying put.”

“Cancellation?”

“No.”

She gave him a nervous grin.

“They asked if they could stay here. It's six women on a hens' weekend.”

Ethan felt his eyebrows rise.

“It's your business,” he said. He put his arm around her. “I know it doesn't make up for standing you up last night but how about I make us breakfast? And I will make dinner tonight as well.”

Savannah stopped. He turned to face her.

“I really am sorry,” he said.

“That's okay.” She gritted her teeth. “Dinner might be a bit tricky.”

“Why?”

“Belinda and Ash are coming over.”

“Oh.” Ethan couldn't help the disappointment in his voice. He really wanted to spend time with Savannah – alone.

“She kind of invited herself really.” Savannah watched him closely. “She asked after you. Hoped you could join us.”

He held her gaze. He so wanted to kiss those pink lips of hers.

“Ethan?”

He scratched his forehead and concentrated on what she'd been saying. “Sure, why not? What time?”

“Seven o'clock.”

“I'd like to meet Ashton. See what kind of a man is married to such a flirt.”

“I like her.”

“So do I, but you have to admit she behaves like a tart.”

Savannah raised her eyebrows.

“You weren't in the car the night I drove her home. She all but propositioned me.”

“She certainly likes to enjoy herself. It will be interesting to see what she's like when Ash is around.”

“What are we having for dinner?”

“I've got a chicken stir fry I didn't use last night,” she said.

He groaned. “I'm sorry.”

“You've said it already.” She took his hand and pulled him forward. “I will hold you to breakfast though. Then I've got another job I need help with.”

She brushed her lips over his. Before he could respond she broke away and ran across the lawn.

“I'll be your way in five,” she called over her shoulder.

It was a beautiful morning, perfect for breakfast on the deck. Ethan made scrambled eggs. He carried it outside to where Savannah sat quietly watching the river, Jasper not far from her feet.

“You've got a new friend,” Ethan said nodding towards the dog.

“I thought he was guarding me.” She gave Jasper a wary look.

“He probably is.” Ethan chuckled. “But in a friendly way.”

“This looks good,” she said and started on the scrambled eggs.

Somewhere under the house a drum expanded in the warming air. Savannah jumped at the noise.

“Only a drum,” he said but it reminded him of the conversation with Sam and Paul on the houseboat. “I hear there was a problem last night.”

“Problem?” Savannah looked at him blankly.

“The guy on the houseboat said they heard a gunshot.”

“Oh yes. I'd forgotten. I was on the front verandah of the shack. It sounded like it came from close by. It echoed so it was hard to tell.” She paused. “Do you think it could have been Gnasher?”

“I doubt it.” Ethan was quick to defend his friend but the thought had crossed his mind. “He wouldn't be over here.”

“He was yesterday. He used your shower.”

“Keeping an eye on my place, are you?” He grinned. Anyone else he'd be annoyed but he liked the idea of Savannah watching his back.

She drew herself up. “I saw some guy disappearing into your driveway. He was acting weird. Thought I'd better check it out. I should have just rung the police.”

“I'm glad you didn't. Gnasher's a friend. His water pump's had it. He's using my place until he gets a new one.”

“That's what he said.”

“You spoke?”

“We introduced ourselves,” she said vaguely. “He called you Digger.”

Ethan chuckled. “It's army slang. He likes to call me that because he was a sergeant. He doesn't mean any harm.”

“I'll have to take your word on that.”

“I know he can act a bit odd at times but he's a recluse. Not used to being around people much. I can't imagine he'd come over here at night and fire his gun.”

“There was a fair bit of noise coming from the houseboat and it was a still night.”

He looked from her to the river. He didn't want to believe Gnasher would be so stupid as to fire a gun near people. Besides, he only had a twenty-two, and from what Savannah and Paul had said, the sound was very loud.

“I'll call in on him today. See what he knows.”

His mobile rang. Ethan glanced at the screen. It was the farm number, probably Barb.

“Sorry,” he said. “I have to take this.”

“Just remember you're at my beck and call.” Savannah's lips twitched.

He grinned and pressed the screen of his phone.

“Meet me at the big shed when you're ready,” she whispered.

He nodded.

“Hello,” he said into the phone.

“Just wanted to make sure you were all right.” His mother's voice crackled back

“I am.” He walked to the end of the deck. “I'm sorry about yesterday.”

“I do care what happens to you, Ethan.”

He sucked in a breath. Those few words had nearly undone him. Behind him he could hear the sounds of Savannah clearing the table.

“I'm sorry about my outburst yesterday,” he said.

“You are getting professional care aren't you, Ethan?”

“Yes.”

“Blake said you were seeing a doctor.”

“Yes.”

“It's your father who's hurting.”

That snapped him back to reality.

“Perhaps he should seek some help. I can recommend a good counsellor.”

“Sarcasm won't help, Ethan.” Her voice had a hard edge to it.

“I don't know what will then.”

She was silent a moment. “I'd like to see your place.”

“You're welcome anytime.”

“Perhaps in a few weeks.”

Or perhaps never. She wouldn't come without Mal and Ethan was sure his father wouldn't be coming to visit anytime soon.

“I'm assuming you don't need me out there today?”

“They'll be finished before lunch. They can manage.”

“Good. Well, I've got some work to do here.”

“I'll let you go.”

They said their goodbyes. Ethan stared at the silent phone in his hand.

Jasper padded up behind him and nudged his leg. Ethan looked down at the deep kind eyes of his mate. He ruffled the dog's ears.

“No point in looking back, is there, Jasper?”

He thought of Savannah and the mischievous look she'd given him.

“We've got better things to do.”

“Sav?”

She looked up at Ethan's call.

“I'm around the back.”

Behind Jaxon's shed there was an assortment of junk, from pipe to bits of bike to sheets of iron. She'd been rummaging through it while she waited for Ethan. He stuck his head around the corner.

“What's happening?” he asked.

“I need some signs to direct people here. I thought we might be able to make something from some of this junk.”

Ethan strolled up to her. Jasper was with him. Savannah watched the dog sniff through the junk pile.

“I haven't found anything useful yet,” she said.

“I've got a better idea,” Ethan said. “I've got some offcuts of timber I used to make Jasper's kennel. It's already painted blue. All we have to do is paint the words on it. If we use white paint it will have that rustic look that people seem so keen on.”

“Brilliant idea.” Savannah beamed. “I think I saw paint in the shed.”

“I'll go and pick out some suitable pieces.”

She went back to Jaxon's shed with a spring in her step. Inside on the shelves there was a box of paint. She pulled out a tin of white. Brushes might be a problem. She hummed to herself as she searched.

Her worry about Ethan had vanished. She'd even been able to joke about Belinda without feeling wary. She accepted Ethan's assurance he wasn't interested and she got distinct pleasure from knowing he was keen on her. She'd thought he was going to kiss her again this morning. Their conversation had been about Belinda and Ashton but his look was for her. She hadn't been able to resist kissing him before she'd dashed back to the shack.

Now he was helping her as promised. Just the two of them. Jasper padded into the shed. He looked at her and flopped down on the floor. Ethan followed him in with two large blue planks.

“Just the three of us,” Savannah said.

Ethan dropped the planks and looked at her sideways.

“I thought you were getting paint.”

“I have.” She lifted the tin. “No luck with brushes yet.”

Ethan held up two thin brushes. “These should do it.”

They bent over the wood deciding how the words should be laid out. Savannah found a thick pencil and drew the letters on the wood while Ethan stirred the paint. Then they took one brush each and filled in the outlines. He asked her about her life in Adelaide. She steered the conversation back to him.

“What do you do when you're not at the farm?”

“Fish.”

“All day every day?”

“It doesn't exactly pay the bills but I'm fairly cost neutral.” Ethan stopped painting to inspect what he'd done so far. “I was working part-time as a mechanic in Burra but the guy hasn't needed me for a while. He probably will once harvest gets in full swing.”

“How far is Burra?”

“Just the other side of my parents' property.”

“That's a bit of a drive.”

“Takes no time on a bike,” he said with a grin.

A shudder went through her.

He put a hand on her shoulder. “I'm joking. I stick to the speed limit.”