Feeling better and more in control than she had to date Imogen donned light weight cover-ups and hat, packed a maillot, novel and sunscreen and went back to confront one fear in particular. Though a ghost he definitely wasn't, she thought dryly. You can't fall in love with a ghost.
And to no one in particular 'I'm not in love!'
Darlene handed over to Ethan's waiting arms a charming picnic basket and a cooler bag whose contents clinked tantalizingly. Chloe as usual came into the family room racing from the direction of her room, Isabelle, her Barbie doll in one hand and a dripping Barbie toy boat in the other.
'Can I drive the boat, Daddy? Can I? Can I?'
Marveling at his daughters' ability to bat her eyelashes at 5 years of age he let her down gently, 'You're too young to drive a boat, possum.'
'But I'll be good.' She wailed.
'You're always good, honey, just too…young.' And little, he added silently knowing to draw attention to her lack of height in relation to her friends was asking for trouble. 'You don't have a licence but you can act as my navigator. O.K.?'
Chloe chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully.
'I…guess so.'
'It's a very important job.'
She wondered why it was so important but trusted that Daddy knew best. So the little girl raced up stairs and returned quickly wearing her Dorothy the 'Dinosaur' hat, the closest thing she had to an alligator then, clutching her beloved doll and it's boat under her arm, she strutted out to the boat.
'And what will I be doing, Capt'n?'
Ethan took in her brief outfit and wondered what costume she would be wearing and why a cheeky grin had replaced the bothered frown she habitually wore in his presence..
'You…' his gaze sweeping down her length then up again 'can be my…mate.' Ethan enjoyed the effect dropping the "first" had on Imogene complexion and the telltale swallow that preceded her answer.
'And what does that entail?'
The breathlessness of her reply was a bonus.
'Below decks, sheets, ropes, ….' Ethan was enjoying his double entendres immensely.
'I thought it was a motor boat?' Darlene's puzzled question broke the spell he was weaving.
'Oh! So it is. How silly of me. Come on my mate, er, first mate, at least there are ropes that need attending to…' and in a sotto voce that only Imogen could here '…and below decks.'