Read Online Riverboat Point by Tricia Stringer - Free Book Online

was surprised at how well-appointed each one was. They were floating motels with all mod cons. Another revelation had been the name ‘Tawarri’ fixed to the front of the houseboat above the windows. Somehow Jaxon had ended up with the large sign that had originally hung on the gate to their grandparents’ farm. She’d taken her pot of tea and sat on the sundeck of Tawarri , imagining herself on holiday and pondering her little brother’s link to their family heritage.
    A distant bark brought her back to the task at hand. No doubt Ethan was taking his dog for a walk. They hadn’t made a time to meet, just said this morning. He could be over any minute. Apprehension gnawed inside her. Jaxon had obviously trusted him enough to ask for his help with the engines but what about the day to day? And what about this turnaround business? Jaxon knew she didn’t have any experience with boats and certainly not the piece of paper Ethan had said was required. Why had her brother ever thought she could just turn up and know all there was to know about houseboats? She had to get help and Ethan was the only one available. She’d just have to keep an eye out for anything odd.
    She went back inside, washed her dishes, made her bed and tidied away her gym gear. There was absolutely nothing more she could do until Ethan came. She picked up Jaxon’s notes. She’d given up trying to call him but she knew exactly what she was going to say when she did get to speak to him. Anger was always ready to resurface when she thought about her brother.
    A tap at the back door made her jump. She took a deep breath, counted to three and picked up Jaxon’s instructions and the houseboat keys. She needed Ethan’s help but she didn’t want to appear too eager.
    When she opened the door, the welcoming smile she’d planned barely stretched her lips. Ethan looked terrible. His eyes were bleary and his hair dishevelled. The light stubble that had given his face a rugged look a few days ago had grown into a thicker but ragged covering. It wasn’t appealing. Perhaps this was the real Ethan coming out. Had Jaxon found him not truly trustworthy?
    â€œGood morning,” she said.
    â€œReady to check out these boats?” he replied.
    With barely a look to see if she followed, he turned and set off for the river.
    She pulled the door shut behind her. The cool of the early morning had been chased away by the sun and a swirling breeze of warm air. A set of keys fell from her fingers taking the paper with it. She made a sudden lurch forward to stomp her foot on the page to stop it blowing away and gasped as a stab of pain coursed down her leg. She stepped forward gingerly. The pain receded just as quickly, replaced by a dull ache. Ethan had disappeared around the end of the house. She gritted her teeth and set off after him.
    By the time she reached the river he was inspecting the front of the first boat. It was pulled up onto the sloping bank just below Jaxon’s lawn. Ethan was intent on what he was looking at and obviously didn’t hear her approach. She reached him just as he stepped back, colliding with her. The force of his body knocked her backwards. Her feet went out from under her and she sat with a jolt on her bottom in the damp sand.
    The pain that surged through her forced a guttural cry from deep in her throat. She closed her eyes against the wave of nausea. She took in a deep breath and held it.
    â€œI’m so sorry.” Ethan’s alarmed voice reached her ears. “Don’t move. Where are you hurt?”
    The smell of stale alcohol and unwashed body odour worked like a dose of smelling salts. She flicked her eyes open. Ethan’s face was close to hers, full of concern.
    â€œI’m all right.”
    â€œYou’ve lost your colour. Are you sure you’re not hurt?”
    â€œI’m okay,” she snapped.
    Ethan hesitated then offered his hand.
    Savannah sucked