Page 11 of Where the Waves Kiss the Shore
Kasia wondered at that. If you loved someone, you were there for them, weren’t you? She wasn’t around for her family, but that was their fault. They couldn’t accept her for who she was, and she had no control over that. And it was her grandmother who made it all so hard. Tierney had the perfect granny who’d done her best to pull her family together from around the globe, yet Tierney had never appreciated her enough.
“She thought the world of you. Of all her grandchildren, you were the one she saw herself in.” The words came out without her really meaning to say them. Perhaps it was the genuine sadness in Tierney’s eyes, or maybe it was the desire to make a connection with someone who could have some control over her future at the hotel.
Tierney raised her eyebrows. “Really? Granny worked hard all her life. She must’ve been disappointed that I didn’t follow in my dad’s footsteps with the business.”
“She was proud of your dad’s success, but she never believed that was your future. She loved that you forged your own path, even if you haven’t decided yet where that will lead you.”
It felt right to share that with Tierney even though it had always irked her that her hardworking boss admired the grandchild who’d achieved the least.
“I’m not sure I really believe in an end destination. Aren’t we on a journey our whole lives? I have no desire to get to a point where I want to stay still.”
What a load of hippie shit.“Perhaps that’s because you find yourself in a good place wherever you go.” She sat down at the bench, determined to make Tierney listen to what she had to say. “This is my place in the world. I want to stay here forever. But I can only do that if the hotel remains viable.” Her hair fell into her eyes, so she pulled it back into a tight ponytail. “I understand you don’t feel the same way that I do about Inishderry, but I don’t know how you can turn your back on the place that was so dear to your granny.”
Tierney’s head snapped around, and she frowned. “I’m not turning my back. I’m here now, aren’t I? Just because I wouldn’t be content to spend my whole life here doesn’t mean I don’t love it.” Tierney swung her legs down and sat up opposite Kasia. “But I can’t make an actual difference here. I can report back to my dad and give him my opinion, but that’s not something he takes very seriously, so I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”
The conversation was going nowhere. Kasia stood and put her gloves back on. “You’re the only hope I have. All I ask is that you listen to what I have to say and take that back to your dad. He sent you here to check up on the hotel, so he must have some interest in keeping it in business.”
She turned away and continued with her work. After a few minutes, she heard Tierney get up and go inside. Would she take her mission seriously and do her best for the hotel? Kasia could only hope so. If she didn’t, Kasia would have to find a new home. Again.
SIX
The coastal pathskirted the very edge of the island, across beaches and along the cliffs. Tierney stopped momentarily to look at the view. It was a glorious late autumn day with all the heat of a summer’s afternoon, and she allowed herself a few moments to bask in the warm sun. Across the shining water that reflected the blue of the perfect sky, she could see the neighboring uninhabited island, Inishkyle, glistening like a roughly hewn diamond. On childhood days like this, the kids would take a boat to the island, always supervised by the reliable Joey or an older cousin, and swim on the beautiful silver strand.
Thinking of Joey brought her back to the present. She was on a mission. She turned away from the beauty of the view and focused on her feet as she took the uneven steps down into the small bay that housed the island’s second harbor, a simple dock alongside a rocky beach. This was where Joey preferred to keep their fishing boat, especially during good weather or in the tourist season. She’d walked past the main harbor first, but there had been no sign of Joey’s little white fishing boat. They could be out fishing, but it was Sunday, and even Joey took a day off.
She was trying to heed Megan’s advice and take ownership of her problems—if you could call a neglected friendship aproblem. Whatever. She was going to sit down with Joey and talk it through.
As she rounded the cliff, the view opened out. A couple of currachs were tied up to the quay, but Joey’s fishing boat was absent. That was annoying. How could she make things right if she couldn’t track them down? She should have sent a text, but she’d wanted to surprise them, hopefully in a positive way. Tierney squinted out to sea and made out the shape of a small vessel heading toward the bay. It could be Joey, but the sun was in her eyes, and she wasn’t sure. She might as well walk down since she’d come so far. If it was a boat doing a tourist cruise, she could perhaps get a ride back with them to the main harbor.
By the time she’d scrambled down to sea level, the boat was docking. Tierney could see the name on the hull and was pleased it was Joey’s boat, Queen Maedbh. As she stepped carefully over the dock’s worn wooden planks, Joey’s tall figure emerged from the wheelhouse, and Tierney’s heart warmed to see her old friend.
If Joey wasn’t too mad at her and she could salvage their friendship, she swore to herself that she wouldn’t leave it so long ever again. Joey was busy tying up the boat and clearly hadn’t seen her approach, but before Tierney could call out, another figure appeared from the wheelhouse.
Annoyance bloomed.Fucking Kasia. She’d still been busy in the garden when Tierney had left. Why was she out in Joey’s boat? Tierney pushed back the irrational jealousy. She should be glad the friend she hadn’t seen for years was enjoying company. She’d always worried Joey’s lifestyle made it hard for such an introverted person to have friends. But why did it have to be Kasia? She’d poured her heart out to her earlier, and Kasia had only been interested in the future of the hotel. Yes, it was good her job was so important to her, but she could have shown a little more empathy.
As if sensing Tierney’s thoughts, Kasia turned and saw her. Her pursed lips suggested she wasn’t any happier about the encounter than Tierney. She turned to speak to Joey, whose head shot up, and they smiled widely. They placed both hands on the side of the boat, vaulted out onto the dock, and came running toward Tierney with an enthusiasm that suggested they weren’t holding any grudges.
“Tierney! I heard you were back.”
Tierney was wrapped in an embrace that made her bones creak. Joey lifted her off her feet and swung her around. She clung on and hugged back for all she was worth. There was something very comforting about a Joey hug.
“Put me down,” she gasped finally when she started to feel a little dizzy. Joey held her out at arm’s length. She looked up into the familiar red-cheeked face and returned the same joyous smile. “It’s been far too long.”
“That’s all on you. I’ve been here the whole time. Literally.” Joey’s smile faded slightly.
Their job fishing for shellfish around the island earned them a living, but it was hard work, and they rarely had time or money for a vacation. Joey had always said it didn’t matter, because they got to spend their life in a place other people paid good money to visit, so it was like a full-time vacation. But they’d admitted to Tierney years ago they missed the opportunity to experience other cultures and cuisines.
“I know, and I’m sorry. I was hoping for a chance to explain.” She tipped her head toward where Kasia was discreetly moving things around on the boat, as if giving them time to greet each other.
Kasia raised her head and stepped up onto the quay. “Joey, catch up with your friend. I can walk back to the village.”
As if she doesn’t even know my name.Tierney struggled to plaster a smile on her face.
Joey frowned. “You don’t need to do that.” They faced Tierney. “We were going to have a swim. It’s nearly high tide.” Joey indicated the water level.
Tierney wanted to win the battle of who was Joey’s best friend, but she was trying to be a better person, and Joey loved to swim. “Don’t let me stop you. Go ahead, but can we catch up tomorrow?”
“Why don’t you join us?” Kasia’s words were friendly, but her tone was chillier than Tierney suspected the water would be.
