'Daddy! Daddy! Come and see what I've found.'
Ethan looked heatedly into Imogene's eyes and drawled 'Saved by the bell.'
Letting go Imogen was mortified when his strong arms steadied her shoulders them sensuously slid down her arms.
'And which would my lady prefer? Water view or garden?' Ethan indicated the water's edge or the shade.
'The shade I think. I've had enough sun for today and so has Chloe.'
'So be it. Your wish is my command, Mistress.' The address emphasized with a deep bow.
Imogen faltered at his choice of words not sure if it was deliberate. But then she had quickly surmised that everything Ethan did or said was well thought out. The gleam in his eyes and cocked eyebrow told her he was definitely being deliberate. To cover her confusion Imogen grabbed the blanket from Ethan and stalked to where the shade from giant overhanging scribbly gums reached the edge of the sand. The infuriating man in question went to investigate his daughters find.
What was that man playing at? Cool and remote for 3 days then wham, hot and in her face. It was bad enough not knowing ones place in the order of things. But to second guess a man like Ethan was impossible. On a deep sigh, another one, Imogen spread out the blanket ready for Ethan, his daughter and the contents of the cooler bag.
Ah silence! Imogen groaned inwardly. While she enjoyed the incessant chatter of the 5 year old it tended to clash with the ambience of their surroundings. So when the girl declared she wanted to go look for more treasures both father and companion quickly endorsed her plan while limiting her foraging to staying within eyesight. A hush quickly settled with only the occasional sound from gumnuts being cracked and dropped by the lorikeets and the slap of the odd ripple against the hull of the boat. With coffee in hand both diners rested against rocks that some previous picnicker had strategically placed, a simultaneous sigh bringing a grin to their faces. Likewise their first words breaking the silence.
'I've been thinking…'
'I was wondering…'
'You first.' Imogen offered.
'No. Ladies first.' Ethan insisted.
Taking a deep breath Imogen decided to take that first step towards independence hoping that her words would not cast a blight over what so far had been a magical day.
'As I said I've been thinking,…a lot…well…it would be for the best if…um…'
'Yes Imogen?'
'Yes, er,…I need to move on Ethan.' At Ethan's less than helpful frown she continued. 'I can't keep sponging-'