Sounding the Depths by Maria-Claire Payne

Author:Maria-Claire Payne [Payne, Maria-Claire]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing
Published: 2012-05-19T00:00:00+00:00

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Ethan placed a plate of food in front of Josh and sat down with his own while Lana and Emerson pretended nothing special was unfolding in front of their eyes. Both had half expected Josh to storm out of the house when he’d realised Ethan was there by Lana’s invitation. The casual conversation swirled around a discussion about last evening’s many guests, the food, the excellent wine. Josh let Ethan’s hand remain on his shoulder as he stood to pour everyone more coffee, letting his own linger when they both reached for the last slice of toast.

Tommy ran into the room and climbed into his uncle’s lap, his wide, unblinking eyes reflecting his awe at Ethan’s height and presence.

Josh cuddled the child to his chest while he fed him some eggs.

Emerson and Lana pretended again not to watch Ethan watching Josh.

Tommy looked up at Ethan, his voice solemn. “You are so tall and so black and so handsome and you talk kinda funny. Do you have a puppy? We found a puppy and kept him. We named him Fred. Both my grandpas talk funny too but not like you.”

Ethan opened his mouth to answer the rapid-fire questions from Lana’s son, but Tommy drew a quick breath and got off another round before Ethan formed a word.

“Do you kiss my uncle Josh like Grandpa Emerson and Grandpa Blake kiss? It’s okay for boys to kiss, you know, but I like kissing girls. But you can kiss my uncle Josh ‘cause he likes kissing boys, my mom says.”

Josh turned his head to prevent the coffee spraying out of his mouth from landing on his nephew.

Lana lifted her son from Josh’s lap and herded her brood out into the yard.

Silence filled the kitchen as all eyes turned towards Ethan. His shoulders shook, his eyes teared up—and then his laughter exploded and filled the room.

Emerson poured another round of coffee. He pulled out a hip flask and added a liberal dose of whisky to each. “So, Ethan, your flight from London went well? How’re your parents?”

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