Page 2 of Where the Waves Kiss the Shore
Kasia wished she and Joey felt differently about each other. It would solve so many of her problems. But she preferred lovers full of confidence and sass. Joey was lovable and attractive in a strong, sweet kind of way, but they didn’t float Kasia’s boat. Besides, Joey was too close to home for her comfort, even if an attraction had been there. What she did have in her life was a loyal, caring best friend, something she would never take for granted. “I love you too, fish face. Now, what brings you to town on a Monday morning?”
“Same thing as you.” Joey grinned and picked up the cereal pack Kasia had placed in her basket, peering at the label. “Five-grain muesli with coconut flakes.”
She snatched her preferred breakfast back, laughing. “We both know that’s not true. I’ve seen your breakfast cereal choices. If it doesn’t turn the milk to chocolate, you’re not interested.”
“That’s the truth. I needed to see Doctor Scott, so I thought I’d pick up some supplies while I’m here. Save me coming back to town later in the week.” They picked up a basket full of snacks. “I’m about done in town if you want a ride. We’ve got lifeboat training tonight.”
Kasia didn’t need to be asked twice. She’d take a ride on Joey’s little fishing boat over the ferry any day. “I know, I’m dreading it. I just need to pick up cat food, then I’m ready when you are.”
“Grand. And you can update me on progress with the will on the way back.”
“You’d better make it a quick trip then, ’cause it won’t take long.”
Joey turned as they waited at the checkout. “It’ll get sorted, Kasia. You’re doing an amazing job with the Waterside. It’s not just ticking over; you’re getting better reviews than ever. Once the will has been read, there’ll be some clarity and whoever’s inherited the hotel will invest to modernize it.”
Kasia looked up from meticulously stacking her groceries. “I’m not so sure. Peggy was so desperate to find a way to bring Kevin home, I wouldn’t be surprised if the will gives them all an equal share. Her final attempt to reunite her three sons.”
“I hope you’re wrong.” Joey paused while they packed up the groceries and carried the bags down to the harbor. “That feud has been going on since their teens. I can’t see them ever working together.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. It would make the future so much more uncertain.”
As they got underway, Kasia moved to the bow of the boat and watched the familiar shape of the island grow larger. It was her home, and she had promised Peggy she would do her best for the hotel, but at the end of the day, she was just an employee, and there was only so much she could do.
“Keep your line.”Joey’s voice boomed over the howl of the wind.
After her long day, Kasia wished she was tucked up at home instead of out at sea in the dark. Boat handling drills weren’t something she enjoyed. She was confident on the radio and operating the winch, and any other job really. But most of the other lifeboat crew had far more maritime experience, so she was never called on to drive the boat. She’d been volunteering long enough now, though, she was expected to extend her skillsto anything that was needed. Although they would never go out without an experienced helm, if something happened to Joey while they were out there, others needed to be able to take over.
She reversed the inshore lifeboat toward the carriage that lay in the shallows of the pebbly beach. She’d got the boat off the carriage and completed the exercise. Now she just needed it to get back in one piece, and they could all go home.
She completed the maneuver, sat through the debrief, and changed out of her protective kit on autopilot, only vaguely aware of her surroundings. She was exhausted after her disrupted sleep the night before, but it had been worth it for the sex. She had always had a need for sex, though it didn’t sit well with her discomfort about her orientation. While she loved being with women, a small voice was always telling her it was wrong. The voice sounded suspiciously like her grandmother’s, and even though she’d come to terms long ago with the abuse she’d received for who she was, she couldn’t ever quite silence it.
“Are you okay?”
Joey’s voice shook her from her reverie, and she turned as they made their way around the harbor toward the hotel. “Of course, why?”
“You’ve barely spoken since we got back. You don’t need to do this, you know.”
Joey knew Kasia well enough to see her fear. The drills were bad enough, but the real-life emergencies terrified her. Often in darkness, and almost always in high seas, the tiny boat would go out to save lives.
“I do, though. Everyone who’s fit enough is part of this crew, and if Aoife, with a young family at home, has to go out, I’m happy to take my turn.”
“Seán wanted to make a big thing of how well you did tonight, and you were oblivious.”
“Was I? I’m sorry. I was thinking about other things.” She dropped her shoulders. “I’m really tired.”
“I’m not sure your city adventures are the best thing to set you up for the week. You don’t always have to play as hard as you work.”
Kasia looked around quickly, but the other crew members were out of earshot.
Joey swung an arm around her. “But you’ve always been among the best at pulling yourself out of bed at three a.m. and being on the boat in ten minutes, so I guess tonight was good practice for that.”
“I feel guilty about Seán. I should’ve been more of a team player.” Their stroll ended at the lane to the hotel. “Are you going to the pub?”
Joey nodded. “Everyone’s going, so I’ll stay for a quick one.”
“Everyone except me.” She leaned into Joey. “I should join you.”
Joey pulled her tighter. “They all know the hours you work, Kasia. They understand.”
