Page 64 of Where the Waves Kiss the Shore
“He’s amazing. I think I’ve found my person, Tierney.” She paused to swallow another mouthful. “Are you sure you want to hear about how loved up I am?”
“Of course, I do. I didn’t get to know Al before…” She stopped, not wanting to revisit the incident at the funeral. “But I’d like to meet him properly. Anyone who can break through that spiky shell and get to your soft interior has my admiration.” She nearly dropped her food when Megan elbowed her hard. “Hey, don’t mess with me while I’m eating.” She grinned and took another bite.
“We’re getting engaged.”
Tierney’s intake of breath sucked in some tortilla, and she coughed violently.
Megan thumped her on the back until she cleared her throat.
“I wasn’t trying to kill you.” She held out a glass of water.
“I’m pleased for you, really.” Tierney spluttered and took the water gratefully. “Thank you.” She drank slowly. “I really am stoked. It’s quick though, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, but I’m certain. When you know, you know.”
“Yup, that’s true.”
“What does that mean? You’ve met someone. And it’s serious. Nooooo!”
Tierney batted away her mock horror. “No, not anymore. Hey, tonight’s about you telling me your news. That story can wait.”
“While I appreciate your newfound commitment to not making it all about you, there is no freaking way you’re going to get away with that for long.” She headed for the refrigerator. “How about we make ourselves comfortable on the couch? I’llopen this wine”—she waved a bottle—“and I’ll tell you more about being in luuurve.”
Tierney chuckled while she cleared away the food packages. Getting things back to something like normal with Megan made her feel warm and safe. She hadn’t missed home much at all while she’d been in Inishderry, but she’d missed time with her best friend.And sister.How long would it take her to get used to that idea? It wasn’t unwelcome; it was just odd. As if the world had moved slightly off-kilter, and she just needed to find her place again.
They curled up on the couch, and Megan pulled a blanket over both their knees. “I’ve missed this. I’m sorry I pushed you away.” She squeezed Tierney’s hand. “I just felt so dumb that I’d never realized what was going on, and I lashed out at the wrong person. I’d held Kevin in such high regard for so long, and he was so dismissive about the lie he’d been living. He walked away. And you were there, being you, and I took all my anger out on you. I’m so sorry, Tierney.” She leaned her head on Tierney’s shoulder.
“But why did you leave me dangling for so long? I didn’t know if you were ever going to speak to me again. It really hurt.”
“The longer it went, the harder it got to get in touch and apologize. Every text and silly photo you sent just made me feel even more guilty. I was an idiot, and I’m truly sorry you had to nearly get killed by a storm to make me realize how much I care about you.”
“Well, we’re here now, aren’t we?” Tierney pulled her in closer. “How are things with Dad? Are you going to call him Dad?”
“I think that ship has sailed. He’ll always be Kevin to me. But things are better, thanks to some counseling. He’s hard work, Tierney. I don’t think he’ll ever be truly emotionally available to either of us.”
“I know. I tried to have it out with him, but he brushed everything off. Going back to Inishderry felt like the best thing to do.”
“And how did that go? Before the storm, I mean.”
She pushed her foot against Megan’s knee. “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re so obvious. Tell me all about Al. Quickly, before my sleep deprivation catches up with me, and I fall asleep on your shoulder.” She dodged the poke to her arm. “Come on, I really want to hear about everything.”
She lasted another hour before she staggered up to her bedroom, but they’d gone a long way to closing the chasm that had opened up in their relationship. Now she just needed to deal with her dad.
“Letme stop you right there. I’m going to sell the hotel.”
“What?”
Tierney’s brain back-pedaled. She’d walked into this meeting five minutes ago with the confidence she could turn everything around. How had it gone downhill so quickly?
“But, Dad, we’ve written a really viable business plan. The damage to the hotel is a setback, but let’s use it as a chance to reset. To get all the real changes made and relaunch next year as a high-end group retreat center with a restaurant that takes advantage of the location. You’ve seen the figures; you’ll get your investment back in a few years. Then it’ll just keep making you money.” She hated reducing the value of the hotel and all it stood for into monetary terms, but she knew her audience.
“I’ve read all the reports and seen the figures. Youhavedone a thorough job.”
She couldn’t remember the last time he’d complimented her about anything. Surely, that was a good sign.
“But I already have a portfolio littered with better investments, and they’re all closer to home where I can keep an eye on them. It’s not worth the trouble.”
“But I can look after it. I’ve promised you I’ll stay on top of it and oversee the work. I’ll put in all the effort. I just need your financial commitment.”
