Riverboat Point (33 page)

“Coffee?” she asked, rubbing her hands together.

“Make it at my place. I'll clean the fish.”

Jasper came bounding down to meet them. Savannah gave the dog a wide berth. Ethan picked up his gear and the bucket of fish and made his way to the fish sink by his shed.

She returned with steaming mugs of coffee and watched him as he worked. Jasper took up his usual position nearby.

“Is there anything you're not good at?” she asked.

He looked at her a moment. He could say long-term relationships but so far this one had lasted more than one night.

“Can't think of anything,” he said instead.

“And you're so modest.” She flicked a leaf at him.

“What's today's plan?”

“I'd like to say sleep but there's little chance of that. Once Tara's group heads off I'll have to clean their boat and get it ready to go out again.”

“I can help with that.”

“I'll have three boats coming in tomorrow and two have to go out again the next day. I can't expect you to be here to help every time.”

Jasper leapt to his feet and ran towards the drive, barking as he went.

“Looks like we've got visitors.”

Ethan handed Savannah the fish on a plate.

“Would you take these up to the fridge for me? There's cling wrap in the bottom drawer.”

Savannah hooked her fingers through the handles of the mugs and took the plate in the other hand.

Ethan rubbed his hands together under the tap. He looked up as Blake's ute rolled past the shed and came to a stop. Blake raised his hand in a wave from the passenger side.

Ethan strolled over to meet him, glancing over the cab of the ute as the driver got out. He was surprised to see it was Barb. Jasper stopped barking and sniffed at her feet and legs.

“Sit, Jasper,” Ethan said. “Is everything all right?”

“We're on a Sunday drive,” Blake said with a silly grin.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “An early one.” They would have left the farm about the time he and Savannah were on the river catching the fish.

“I wanted to come.” Barb reached up and pulled his face to her for a kiss. Her lips were warm on his cheek. “You smell like fish.” She looked around. “It's terrible you're not even an hour away and I haven't seen your place. It looks like you've settled in well here.”

“You've been fishing?” Blake said.

“Yes. Took Savannah out for her first trip.”

“That's nice,” Barb said. Blake rolled his eyes behind her.

“Come on up.” Ethan gestured to the stairs. He didn't know what to make of this visit.

Savannah appeared at the top of the stairs.

“I'll leave you to catch up,” she said once they'd exchanged greetings.

“Oh don't go,” Barb said. “I've brought cake.” She slapped her thigh. “Bother, I left it in the ute.”

Blake groaned. “Now you tell me.”

“I'll get the cake,” Ethan said.

Blake was still moving gingerly. Extra trips up and down stairs wouldn't help.

He was out on the deck waiting when Ethan returned with the cake.

“Sorry about the surprise visit,” he said in a low voice. “Barb only decided late last night she was coming. Mal's gone to Adelaide with the wool. I left you a message.”

Ethan patted his pocket. His phone must be at Savannah's place again.

“Doesn't matter,” he said. “It's always good to see you.”

“Bit rude to call on a single guy this early.”

“Any earlier and I wouldn't have been home.” Ethan grinned at his brother. “I was out fishing.”

“What are you two whispering about out there?” Barb called. “Kettle's boiled.”

They sat on the deck. The day had warmed up, the conversation was general, Ethan felt relaxed. Savannah had to leave to deal with the houseboat. He invited her back for lunch.

“You'll stay too, won't you?” He looked at Barb and Blake. “There's plenty of fish.”

“But that was going to be your dinner,” Barb said.

“Doesn't matter. I'll find something else.”

“I'll bring a tossed salad back with me,” Savannah said.

“And my phone please.”

She gave him a smile and left.

“We have to head off straight after,” Blake said. “I'm going back to my place this arvo.”

“You're looking a lot better,” Ethan said.

“I am. I've worked out how to do just about everything with one arm and it's not giving me much pain now. It's the burn on my leg that still gives me grief. Jenny's coming back in a few days. Just a quick visit.”

Ethan had wanted to ask about her but didn't want to broach the subject with Barb there.

“It's good she's coming back so soon,” he said.

“Can't live without me.”

Barb gave a soft snort.

“Savannah's a nice girl,” she said.

“You two look pretty cosy.” Blake grinned.

“We're getting on all right,” Ethan said. He gathered the cups. “Want to see the rest of my place, Barb?”

By the time he was waving them off Ethan was totally relaxed. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so easy in his mother's company. It took him back to happier times.

They went inside and Savannah started cleaning up in the kitchen. He took her hand and led her to the couch.

“Come and sit for a while.”

“I have to get back and start cleaning,” she groaned.

He sat down and drew her onto his lap.

“I'll come with you. Let's just sit a minute.”

She snuggled into him.

“Just for a minute,” she sighed.

It was quiet. Ethan's eyes closed.

“I like your mum.”

He flicked them open again. “That's good.”

Savannah tipped her head to look at him.

“You don't see much of your parents, do you?”

“No.”

“They don't live that far away.”

“We don't see eye to eye on things.”

“I didn't notice that today. Lunch was good fun. Blake's a funny guy.”

“Mal wasn't there.”

Savannah rested her head against his chest again. She traced her fingers up and down his arm.

“Can I ask why you don't get on?”

“It's old news.”

She looked up at him again. Her gaze locked on his.

“Do you want to tell me about it?”

Ethan adjusted her weight on his legs. Did he?

“Sorry,” she said. “I'm being nosy.”

“It's simple really. I'm the black sheep of the family. Blake's been the compliant farm boy, happy to stay on the land.”

“And your parents?”

“Can't believe they had a son who would take up arms. They marched against the Vietnam War in their younger days.”

“And that's it?”

“That's enough. Mum and Dad have never forgiven me for joining the army. Being sent to Afghanistan was the last straw.”

“Why did you?”

“I was posted. When the army says go, you go.”

“No.” She reached up and ran a finger around his jaw. “I meant what made you join the army?”

“I knew I wasn't going to be a farmer. I liked working with my hands but with machines. I wasn't much of an academic. The army trained me to be a mechanic and I was of use to my country as well.”

“And your parents couldn't accept that?”

“They thought I'd done it to spite them.” Ethan thought about that a moment. “Maybe some small part of me did. Anyway, they couldn't cope with a son who joined the army and, even worse, went off to a war they didn't believe in – twice. They wiped their hands of me.”

“Your mum came to see you today.”

Savannah's eyes were round with concern. A little frown wrinkled her brow.

“Barb's been different since I returned from Afghanistan the second time.”

“There's been a lot of publicity about war – Gallipoli, remembering the sacrifice. So many have lost their lives. Maybe she's realised she's lucky to still have you. She doesn't want to lose her son.”

Ethan thought about that. Perhaps Savannah was right. There was something in the way she spoke that made him think she wasn't just thinking about him and his parents.

“You said you'd been in an accident,” he said. “Did you lose someone close to you?”

She lowered her head and rested it against his chest. Perhaps he'd pushed too far but he'd just told his family story. He knew little of hers except Jaxon was her brother.

He rubbed his hand in a circle over hers and waited.

“My parents,” she murmured.

He stopped circling and gripped her hand. “I'm sorry. That's terrible for you.” It explained a few things though – her determination, her strength and her willingness to help Jaxon out. He imagined for her it would have been sink or swim. He was glad she'd chosen to swim. “Jaxon hasn't ever said anything. You must find it very hard.”

“I miss them but it won't bring them back. I just wish I knew what Jaxon was up to. He can be a pain but he's my only family now.” She sat up. “I'd better get stuck into the cleaning. I know we had the fish for lunch but you still owe me dinner.”

“I'll think of something,” he said.

She climbed off his lap.

“The hens' group were sad you weren't there to see them off,” she said. A twitch played at the corner of her mouth. “They said to say thank you for looking after them so well.”

“It was your good business sense.”

“Rubbish.” She grinned. “They were all perving over your body.” She bent and kissed him. “Save that body for me,” she said. “That will be my dessert.”

Ethan stayed where he was, listening to her footsteps recede down the stairs. He'd opened up to her but not about everything. Now he was torn between his promise to Jaxon and his desire to be honest with Savannah. He picked up his phone. Jaxon had tried to ring and probably hung up when Savannah answered. Ethan selected his number. They really needed to talk.

Savannah paced up and down listening to Mandy's message bank.

“Hi, it's Savannah,” she said as soon as she heard the beep. “I'm hoping you might be free to help me clean the houseboats today. Can you return my call? Thanks.”

She should have called Mandy yesterday. Ethan had helped her with
Our Destiny
and she'd forgotten about ringing Mandy. He'd cooked burgers for dinner at her place and they'd had an early night. Goosebumps tingled down her arms. They'd gone to bed early but it had been quite a while before they'd slept.

Reality had hit early this morning. Ethan took a call from the garage in Burra. They had a big job on and needed his help. He'd set off almost immediately. At least he couldn't take her fishing again like he'd suggested the night before. Although he'd also offered to teach her how to operate the tinnie and she liked the idea of that. Taking a short run to Riverboat Point was appealing.

Savannah stopped pacing and looked at her phone, willing it to ring. She'd been sure she'd be able to get Mandy to help her. She'd tried to catch her a couple of times with no luck. The other three boats were due any moment. She'd have to tackle them on her own and hope Ethan would be back early enough to help with the fuel and septic.

She hung out a load of washing while she waited. Jasper lay, head resting on his paws, watching her through the fence.

“Pity you can't help me with the cleaning,” she said.

He lifted his head, tipped it to one side, then lowered it back again.

She went back inside. Through the sliding door she caught a glimpse of
River Magic
gliding towards the bank.

“Now it starts,” she muttered. She felt tired and she hadn't even begun.

Sam and his group were full of excitement. They'd had a wonderful time and wanted to book another trip as soon as they could all agree on a date. They were still unloading when
Tawarri
berthed beside them. The air was full of the voices of happy campers. All Savannah could think of was the work she needed to do.

Her phone rang. Her heart lifted at the sight of Mandy's name on the screen.

“I can help,” Mandy said. “Would you like me to come out now?”

“Yes please.”

Savannah tucked her phone back in her jeans pocket. She walked with more of a spring in her step now that she knew help was on its way. Just after the last car turned out of the drive, Mandy turned in.

“Am I glad to see you,” Savannah said.

Mandy moved briskly. She wore a navy polo top and trackpants this time and her runners. Once more her wayward curls were held back from her face by a brightly coloured scarf. She looked like a woman on a mission.

“Where do you want me to start?”

“Can you strip the beds and start cleaning
River Magic
? I'll carry down the clean linen and fill the trolley with the toiletries.”

“The quad bike makes it easier.”

“Quad bike?”

“Jaxon used to have one.”

“Is that the thing in the shed?”

“Maybe. Do you want me to take a look?”

“Sure.”

They walked up to the shed. Mandy chatted happily, full of enthusiasm for the next fitness session. Savannah opened the shed.

“That's it,” Mandy said pointing to the four-wheeled machine beside Jaxon's ute. “You can put small things in the tray on the front.” She looked around. “There should be a trailer somewhere.”

She poked around behind Jaxon's ute.

“Here it is.”

She started the bike and hooked the little trailer on the back. Then she slid the front door of the shed partly open.

“We just load up and take it all down in one go.” Mandy raised her voice above the sound of the motor reverberating inside the shed.

Savannah was gobsmacked. She'd made many trips back and forth with things for the boats. This would make it much easier.