Ethan's Song by Jan Carol Read Free Book Online Page B

what I hear. I’m nothing like that. I don’t want a one night stand, Ethan."
"Then tell me, Miss Wisdom, what are you doing here?" His voice held back a growing anger.
"I’ve asked myself the same thing many times." She was set on her feet. "You are... Well, you are! That’s all."
"I am what?" He demanded. "I’ll tell you what I’m not, young lady. I’m not one to be teased over and over again. I’m not one to be told what I am, because you don’t know what I am, Jenà. You listen to too many people, and you don’t listen to anything that matters."
Her wide eyes watched as he left her standing there. He went down the stairs to his suite. Her halting breath came as she realized how upset she had made him.
She stood there until he was out of sight, then went down the same stairs, continuing where he had not. When she was in her room, she slipped out of her dress, putting on a tee-shirt and crawled into her bed, letting the tears fall silently to the pillow.
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    WHEN THE alarm sounded at four, Jenà was still very much awake, again. As Jenni began moving about, the woman in the top bunk lay still, not wanting to talk because she knew she would let slip what had happened while the woman below her slept. She felt the need to talk to someone, especially someone female who might understand. It seemed forever before she was alone in her room.
    Thoughts of the things she felt wouldn’t leave her, just as it happened before. Again, too, she wondered how she would be able to face Ethan Ayers. Maybe she would change shifts with Jenni or Sherri. Neither of the women liked the early mornings. They probably would gladly give it up to her. As if that would keep her from having to be around him.
    But mornings weren’t to her liking, either. She might be able to avoid things like what had been happening after the late shift, though. The latter far outweighed her dislike for going to work early.
    She would have to be in the dinning room when he took his evening meal with his guests today, though. The thought made her feel depressed. She didn’t think she could spend the hour as she had two nights ago, blushing because he was watching her.
    Okay, she couldn’t be there. She would speak to Flapjack about getting someone to replace her. Westley had taken over once, he could do it again. She would continue with the setting up and cleaning up, but would refuse to serve the drinks.
    Knowing she wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, she climbed down to the floor, turning on the light. She paced the space that was clear of everything for a few rounds, then decided to go upstairs and beg coffee from whoever was in the kitchen this early in the morning.
    Dressed in a simple shift from the closet, she took the stairs quickly. The place was as if no one was on board, until she reached the dining area and could hear rustling from the kitchen. Someone would be doing the pies, rolls and other things needing early attention.
    "No, no, no, Jenà." The voice came from behind her. Flapjack was dressed in his usual white outfit, she saw when she turned to find out what was wrong. "We are never to be seen wearing anything but our uniforms."
    "But..." She started to speak, but she was hushed by the look he gave her.
"No buts. Never, never, never do you come upstairs wearing anything but your uniform, unless Mr. Ayers gives a different order, which I have to hear from him." The head cook had her arm in his big hand, turning her around to make her go back downstairs.
"But Flap, all I want is a cup of coffee. I’m not on duty for nine hours." Her protests must have fallen on deaf ears, as she didn’t get an answer from him, just a smart push in the direction of the stairs.
Sitting in her room, she picked up her guitar and began playing. She hummed the tunes, knowing if she ever began singing the words, she would wake everyone on the third floor. But the urge to sing was so great. Setting the guitar down, she changed into her uniform. Two violations