Read Online Riverboat Point by Tricia Stringer - Free Book Online Page A

in another deep breath. Damn her broken body. No matter how hard she worked it could still let her down. The pain was always there just below the surface ready to strike. It was hardly Ethan’s fault she was a cripple.
    She took his hand and used his strength to carefully ease herself upright.
    â€œI thought you’d broken something,” he said.
    â€œI’m fine. The ground’s soft.” She let go of his warm hand and brushed at the back of her jeans. “Just a muddy behind, I suspect.”
    His eyes studied her, still full of concern.
    She pulled her lips up in a grin. “Just an old war wound. It bothers me every so often.”
    The worry on Ethan’s face turned to a frown.
    â€œYou’ve been in service?”
    â€œService?” Savannah rubbed her hand down her leg. He must mean the armed service. “No. It’s just an expression.”
    Ethan pulled himself up straight. He was a good head taller than she was.
    â€œWell, if you’re okay we’ll get on with it.” His voice was distant now. All trace of concern gone.
    Savannah frowned. People said she was prickly. Obviously Ethan had a dark side too. Maybe this was what Jaxon had wanted her to look out for. She’d certainly not seen signs of any other neighbours since she’d arrived.
    â€œHave you got Jaxon’s list?”
    His voice snapped her out of her pondering. The paper and keys had fallen from her grip as she’d put out her hands to save herself. She eased herself down to gather them up. The ache went with her but no more sharp pains.
    She looked into his eyes. Once more he was watching her closely.
    â€œIt’s an old injury,” she said. “Plays up every so often. I’m fine.”
    She handed over the slightly muddy, crumpled piece of paper. He looked down and studied it.
    â€œSeems like Jaxon got them all ready to go before he left. Most of the work will be when the boat comes back. Which one’s going out this afternoon?”
    â€œ Tawarri ,” she said and nodded at the boat directly behind him.
    â€œRight, keys then. We’ll take her for a spin.”
    â€œOn the river?”
    He gave her a look one might give a child then turned away to step onto the boat. “First we’ll start the engine,” he said.
    â€œWe?” The word came out in a whisper and was lost in the sound of the cabin door sliding open. She stepped carefully along the narrow gangplank and followed him inside to the open living area at the front of the boat.
    â€œMake sure the throttle is in neutral,” he said as she moved to stand beside him at the console. “Then you turn one key.”
    A motor sounded from the back of the boat.
    â€œAnd then the other.”
    â€œTwo keys?” she said as the motor sound grew louder.
    â€œTwo engines.”
    Ethan stepped around her.
    â€œNow the ropes,” he said over his shoulder as he went back outside.
    Savannah followed him, watching as he loosened the ropes, coiled them and placed them aboard.
    â€œNow the gangplank.”
    She shuffled out of his way as he dragged the metal walkway aboard and shut the gate filling the gap in the guardrails. She felt useless. Once again she wondered how on earth Jaxon had thought she could do this. It was as foreign to her as flying a plane.
    â€œLet’s go,” Ethan said. “You whip down the back and check to see if anything’s coming.”
    He winked at her and ducked back inside.
    She made her way along the side of the boat and looked up and down the river. Nothing in sight. She retraced her steps. Ethan’s wink played over in her mind. It had transformed his face. He’d appeared boyish, full of fun. Her thoughts spun in confusion. He’d greeted her in a surly manner, been both brooding and caring and now he was almost flirting with her.
    â€œAll clear?” he asked as she reached the door.
    â€œYes.”
    The blast from the horn