Page 46 of Where the Waves Kiss the Shore
Tierney could be a distraction when it came to getting jobs done, but what a charming distraction. And it was more than the sex. Tierney’s easy enthusiasm and kindness were good tobe around. Kasia felt herself unwind whenever she was with Tierney, and she was beginning to understand what motivated her.
She might have talked a little too much about her on a rare night out with Joey the evening before. They’d gone to a community cinema show, and she sat whispering through most of it.
“She’s not just taking those photos to make money, Joey. She really cares about endangered species.”
Joey had managed to subdue their laugh. “You weren’t really paying attention before, were you?”
“No, I guess I’d made some judgments about Tierney before I got to know her properly.”
“And now?”
She’d turned to Joey and then back to the screen. “I…think she’s amazing. I’m still convinced she’ll leave and break my heart, but what we’ve got now is pretty good.” She hadn’t been able to hide her smile, even in the dark.
“Maybe you should enjoy it as it is. Don’t worry about the future.”
“That would be easier if the future didn’t involve trying to keep a crumbling hotel together over a busy tourist season. And most likely without Tierney.”
Where has she got to?As if summoned by Kasia’s thoughts, Tierney wandered in with two mugs of tea and half a packet of biscuits.
“We’ve earned these. It’s break time.”
She handed over a mug and dropped into a chair facing the new restaurant windows. Kasia followed suit, and they watched the rain and wind beat against the glass. Cradling her mug of tea, Kasia said, “It’s much warmer in here now.”
“And it would have the best view for dining on the whole island if only there was anything to see.” Tierney stood andpushed her nose up against the window, peering out into the grayness. “It’s hard to tell where the sea ends and the sky begins.”
Kasia also rose. “If you’ve got your cousins coming over for dinner, I’d better start preparing food.”
“Hey.” Tierney pushed her back down to her seat. “I’m not expecting you to cook. I invited them here because there’s more room than at the cottage.” She shrugged. “And I’ve barely been there for weeks, so it would feel a little weird. But you don’t need to help. I’d like to cook for everyone.”
She wanted to say it would be less work for her to cook than to clean up the mess Tierney made, but she didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm, so she followed her to the kitchen. Tierney pulled a variety of items out of the refrigerator.
Kasia opened a bag to find it packed full of shellfish. “Did Joey drop these off?” The idea of Tierney cooking was terrifying enough without it involving seafood. “What are you planning?”
Tierney laughed and rested against the worktop. “Are you worried I’ll kill people? It’s fine, Kasia, I know what I’m doing. I promised the kids lobster mac ’n’ cheese. Although there weren’t any lobsters, so I’ll make do with Dublin Bay prawns.”
“And you know how to do that?” She looked over Tierney’s shoulder, still wondering if she should insist on helping. Not that she knew how to make the dish, but she did have a food hygiene certificate and some common sense.
“Relax, I’m from Boston. I can cook seafood safely.”
Kasia was ushered to the door by Tierney’s firm hand on her elbow.
“Go and read that book you’re always complaining you have no time for, or have a nap. I’ll call you half an hour before dinner.”
“Are you sure?”
Tierney kissed her, but pulled back before they could get too carried away. “Yes. Now go, or I’ll start to think you don’t trust me.”
Tierney was right; she had proven herself capable of cooking. Kasia needed to stop treating her as if she was clueless. She got the impression Tierney had experienced a lot of that in life. Convincing herself, she took the stairs quickly, determined to make the most of her free time.
“I’ll let you know when they arrive,” Tierney called after her.
Stretched out on her bed, she opened the novel she was still only a third of the way through. But before she’d read a page, her eyes began to droop. She laid the book aside. She had time for a quick nap.
Laughter broke into her consciousness, and she opened her eyes to semi-darkness.
“No wonder you never finish that book.” Tierney grinned as she looked around the open door.
She sat up and rubbed her face, trying to make sense of where she was. She must’ve been deeply asleep. Her brain replayed snippets of a strange dream involving her grandmother playing the accordion.
