Page 43 of Where the Waves Kiss the Shore
Tierney’s smile reassured her in a way it wouldn’t have a few weeks ago. Why not just unwind and enjoy the trip? There was nothing she could do about it anyway. Kasia took herself to the prow of the boat and watched the small island grow closer, the strip of golden sand looking like paradise even in January.
“I can’t believe you’ve never visited before.” Tierney moved up next to Kasia and pointed. “Only five houses were ever built on the island. They all date from the late nineteenth or early twentieth century and belong to the five fishing families of Inishderry. The Moneens.” She pointed to the first small hut by the beach. “The Walshes. Grander, but left to ruin in recent years.” The next building was missing a lot of slates from the roof and had a slight castle vibe to it. “Two are around the back of the island. We’ll pass them later.”
When they turned around the other side of the narrow island, Tierney indicated a tall stone tower. “And finally, the O’Haras. Chieftains of the island of Inishkyle.”
“We’re the only suckers still trying to squeeze a living from these waters, more like,” Joey shouted over the engine noise.
They coasted into the small quay near the tower. Tierney jumped enthusiastically onto the quay with a rope and started to tie up. Kasia remembered her stories of how happy she’d been as a youngster on Inishderry and wondered again how Tierney had stayed away so long.
When the boat was secure, they walked up to the square tower.
“I can’t believe this is the first time you’ve brought me here.” Kasia saw smoke coming from the high chimney. “Is someone at home?”
Joey laughed and shook their head. “It’s just our old fishing hut. I came over this morning and lit the fire. It was freezing in there.”
Joey’s thoughtfulness surprised Kasia. It seemed a lot of effort for somewhere warm to change after their swim. Then the door swung open, and the smell of hot food spilled out. Joey led them in. The square room was lit by a flickering fire in a massive stone hearth on the far wall. Fairy lights were strung up on the walls, and a white trestle table in the middle of the room was set for eating.
“Sorry it’s a little basic,” Joey said.
Kasia rubbed her temples and turned to Tierney. “Aren’t we here to swim? I don’t understand.”
Tierney had a strange smile on her face, but she didn’t speak.
Joey said, “It was Tierney’s idea. She wanted to take you for a meal to say thank you for all you did last year. But nowhere is open on the island this time of year, so we thought we’d do it ourselves. I didn’t catch much this morning though, so we’ve got a beef casserole.” They lifted the cover on a tureen.
Kasia flooded with warmth. “Tierney, that’s so sweet.” She grasped Tierney by the elbows. “You didn’t have to. I was just doing my job.”
“You didsomuch more than that.” Tierney looked away. “I wanted to thank you, but also to apologize that we left you on your own for so long. You deserved better.”
Tierney’s soft brown eyes were shining. They were so close, Kasia had to remind herself Joey was standing nearby before she did something stupid.
Tierney stepped away first. “So are we swimming before we eat or not?”
“Yes, let’s.” Anything to escape the heavy atmosphere that had descended. She turned to Joey, who was making themself busy in the kitchen. “You coming, Joey?”
They didn’t turn. “You two go. I’ll get the food ready.”
Shit. She didn’t really want to be on her own with Tierney. She needed time to figure out where she wanted this to go.
Tierney had already stripped down to her swimsuit and grabbed her dry robe before practically running out the door. “Just a quick dip, and I’ll be back to help.”
Kasia took her clothes off at a more leisurely pace and followed Tierney down to the quay. A splash and muffled shriek indicated she’d jumped off the end. Kasia favored the more gradual entrance down the steps, but her attention wasn’t really on the water temperature as she replayed the last couple of weeks since Tierney had returned.
Their relationship had moved to a different level. Far from being selfish and lazy, Tierney had revealed herself as a hard worker, and she seemed to share Kasia’s vision for the hotel. They’d developed a rhythm of working together that felt more than right. But it wasn’t just finding someone she could work with. It was the warmth in her chest when Tierney walked into a room. The anticipation she felt when Tierney had gone to the mainland, and she called to say she was on her way back. The warmth turned into something more when Tierney was up close. A heat that brought Kasia back to their night together and to feelings she yearned to revisit.
Tierney had made it clear on Christmas Day that being on Inishderry and working hard at the hotel were her way of coping with the mess at home until she could sort things out with Megan. What would happen then? When Megan called and Tierney went running home? A future together was impossible, so at the end of the day, she’d be left here alone when Tierney upped and left.
If she was realistic about that, could they have something good in the short term? There were still months of winter left before her life got hectic again. Sure, they were going to be busy in the daytime, but the long, dark nights stretched out ahead. Tierney could make them more fun if both were honest about what it meant.
She watched Tierney swim across the bay and wondered if being clear about what this was would it make it any less painful for her when it ended.
TWENTY-ONE
The water wasa shock after the heat Tierney had been feeling up close with Kasia. She’d promised to be there to support her, though now all she could think of was being with her. And not just in a pure lust kind of way. Although, the image of putting her arms around Kasia’s lean body was taking her straight to them lying together in bed, limbs entwined.
She ducked her head beneath the water until her brain ached with the cold.What the fuck?She struck out with an overly violent stroke, annoyed about putting herself and, more importantly, Kasia into an awkward situation. But Kasia had felt it too, hadn’t she? She was sure she’d seen it in her eyes, and that had made her yearn to reach up on tiptoes and plant a kiss on her shiny lips.
Shit, she was doing it again. She turned and swam back to the pier. Even at her level of exertion, the cold was starting to get to her. Kasia’s blond head bobbed near the quay.
