Page 78 of Where the Waves Kiss the Shore
Christy nodded. “We want the ferry business to thrive. It’s not as if we’re the only option. I don’t want to drive Tierney away to the Mullens on the mainland.”
Both of her uncles glanced over at Tierney, who shrugged.
“I want to work with my family to make this happen, but if you make it difficult for me, I’ll have no choice.”
“I want no involvement with you or the hotel, but I won’t put anything in your way.” Desmond finished his pint.
Tierney sighed. “I’d love to know what it was my dad did to piss you off so much that I have to pay for it too.”
“He did nothing. That was the problem. He never helped Mammy and Dad, and nothing was ever expected of him. There’s no way either of us”—he waved at his brother—“could have run off to America. But he left with their blessing. He’s a lazy little freeloader.”
Desmond’s voice had risen by the end of his monologue, and Anthony put a hand on his arm.
Tierney let out a bark of laughter. “So he was the baby of the family who left and became successful, and you resent him for that?” She shook her head. “Wow.”
“The least he could do would be to come back here and apologize, but he’s too spineless to even do that,” Anthony piped up.
“So you’ll continue to take it out on me in his absence?” She shook her head again. “Shall I tell you his version of events? Not that I believe him any more than you, but you need to hear it anyway.”
Seán came over with another round of drinks and sat down next to Aoife. He smiled at Kasia to acknowledge their unity as people affected by the conversation, but not fully part of the Walsh family.
“Dad says he grew up in terror of you both. That you’d bully and hurt him whenever you got the chance from an early age. He used to try and follow Granny around for protection, but she’d be busy and shoo him away to go and play. So he’d run away with Gabriel, and they’d sit on the quay and dream up ways theycould make enough money to get off the island. Away from you.” She leaned forward. “Now, look me in the eye and tell me there’s no truth in that.”
Anthony’s gaze shifted between Tierney and his brother. “We were kids. Boys. We played rough. Kevin was the smallest, so he always came out worse, and he didn’t like it. That’s just life.”
“He’s five years younger than you, Uncle Des. At fifteen, you must have been terrifying to a ten-year-old.”
Desmond cleared his throat. “Maybe we got a bit too rough sometimes. But he was their golden child. It was as if we didn’t matter at all.”
“Those are the thoughts of a child. Lots of kids resent new siblings, but not many of them carry that into their sixties. You all need to grow up. It’s absurd.”
Kasia smiled. Tierney could never have had this conversation a few short months ago. Her confidence was impressive.
“Can we not put all of that behind us now?” The sweep of Aoife’s arm took in her brother and husband, as well as Tierney and Kasia. “We all just want to work with each other and make the island a better place.”
“And I don’t want to dread coming into the pub when you two are around. I’m not my dad, and I’m not a child to be bullied.” Tierney raised her glass and took a long swallow. “You don’t have to be my friends. Just treat me with a little respect.”
Desmond stood. “Let’s see how you get on with the plans for the hotel. You won’t get any trouble from us.”
Anthony got up behind him and tipped his head at Aoife. “You can work together all you want as long as it doesn’t affect profits.”
As the two men walked toward the door, Desmond turned. “And tell Kevin we should talk.”
“No.” Tierney’s tone was firm but not insolent. “You tell him.”
Everyone at the table let out a long breath when the door closed.
Joey moved from their perch at the bar to sit at the table next to Seán. “That went better than expected.”
Kasia felt the energy coming off Tierney in waves. “You were brilliant.”
Aoife nodded. “They’re not easy people to stand up to.” She raised her glass. “To Tierney.”
The others echoed her, and everyone drank.
Tierney jumped up. “See you all tomorrow for the start of a new chapter at Walsh’s Waterside hotel.”
Kasia found herself being pulled through the pub door. As soon as they were alone in the dark, Tierney reached up for a kiss.
