Page 108 of Grace on the Rocks

Bryan glanced over atEòghann, who tilted his head, waiting patiently for the answer.

“I abandoned you,”Bryantold his oldest cousin, his voice cracking at the admission. “You, and everyone, just likeAlecabandoned me—abandoned all of us.”

“No, you didn’t,”Eòghannsaid softly.

“I did.Andit’s eaten away at me all these years until there was nothing left but raw edges and memories and shame.Iwanted to make it up to you, andIdidn’t know how.Ididn’t even know how to pick up the phone and wish you happy birthday.”

Eòghann frowned at him like he was trying to smile but had forgotten how, and then suddenly he pulledBryaninto a fierce hug, like if he squeezed hard enough,Bryanwouldn’t feel guilty anymore.ThenCaitclosed in, rubbingBryan’sarm hesitantly, andLùcstood back awkwardly watching, as though all the adults had lost their minds.

Bryan took a shuddering breath.This, right here, was exactly why he’d come home.

“When the opportunity withJulescame up,IrealizedIhad an idea, a good one, andI’drather do it here among family than anywhere else surrounded by s-strangers.Iguess maybeIwanted to prove to the islandI’mnot just a dumb little kid with a fantastical dream who dates everyone he meets, but a man with a vision for the future.IforgotI’dbeen gone so long thatI’mthe s-stranger now.”

“You don’t have anything to prove,”Caitsaid.

“I absolutely do.”

“Pish, no you don’t.Butso we’re clear, mostly you came back because you missedme,”Eòghannteased.

“Mostly.”

“And then you fell in love with a girl,” he added gently.

“More fool, me.”

“ForChrist’ssake,Bry, why haven’t you said all this to the town?”Caitasked. “Sureand it would get them on your side.Imean, not the part about the girl, that’s plain enough for everyone to see after the ceilidh.”

“When have they ever listened?” he asked, glancing towards the front of the house where he could still hear the muffled shouts of his picketing neighbors right through the stone walls.

Cait waved them away like they were no more than annoying midges. “Thisis the first exciting thing they’ve had happen in a decade.”

Instead of irritating him as it would’ve done at seventeen, her unconcern eased the knot inBryan’sstomach.

“You didn’t abandon me,”Eòghannsaid softly. “Inever felt you did.Youleft to become who you were meant to be.Iknow it, and they will too, if you let them see into this place.Letthem see you, no mask, no walls.”

Bryan wasn’t so sure, but he’d always trustedEòghannto know what was what—especially when it came to the island.

“Anything left to do here?”Lùcasasked.

“Aye,”Bryantold him, because he might as well finish what he’d started.

SoCaitelicited a promise he’d come round for a vegetarian meal soon and then left his cousins to help him erect the new rainwater cistern behind some strategically placed shrubbery.Oncefilled by the next good rain,Bryancould switch over the utility, and the cistern would feed fresh water inside.Withthe greywater system complete,Grandad’scottage would be fully off the grid.

Job done,LùcandEòghanntried to persuade him out to the pub, but he wasn’t in a mood for celebrating or socializing.

Instead, he stared down at a fresh document on his tablet, trying once more to form his thoughts into words that could turn picketers into supporters, a speech to welcome his investor and bring the town over to his side all in one go.Itreally needed to be someAaronSorkin–level shit.

He’d have liked to pickGrace’sbrain.Shehad such a way with words, and she’d offered to help him on her way out the front door, but… well.Whatdid it matter anyway?

The next time someone knocked, he shouted, “Buggeroff,” but they just kept on knocking.Hereally should install a doorbell camera with a rude prerecorded send off.

Finally, he threw open the door, surprised to findWesleystanding there, fist poised to hammer again, and he couldn’t help glancing behind and to either side of her in search of her shorter brunette bestie, butWeshad come alone.Eventhe picketers hadn’t yet assembled for the day.

“Forget your specs?” he asked, knowing full well there was no trace of either woman in his guest room, since he’d laid new floors in there the day before.

She shook her head. “CanIcome in for a dram?”

“At eight in the morning?”

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