Page 36 of Changing Tides
Joey leaned across the table. “Please don’t keep blaming yourself. I should’ve widened my customer base years ago but…I didn’t. This is on me.”
Marianne stood, wanting to be sitting more comfortably. “I’ll clear the table. You get Denny settled with his toys and we’ll talk through your options.”
She dumped the plates in the kitchen, not wanting to miss this opportunity to help Joey, and returned to find Joey and Denny flicking through a picture book on the floor.
“Come up here.” She sat on the couch and patted the seat next to her. “Denny will be fine for a few minutes.”
Joey hauled themself from the floor and sat.
“So, what are your options?” She turned in her seat.
Joey shrugged. “I need to sell double what I am presently to make even a small profit. I can start approaching restaurants further afield, maybe in County Clare. But that means longer delivery routes, which takes a lot of time out of my day.”
Marianne nodded. “You’ve got a good reputation, and I’ve got a few contacts I can tap up. What else?”
Joey ran a hand through their hair. “By far the easiest option is to sell to the wholesaler the Portrinn fishers use. I’d just need to get it to the harbor, and they’d take it off my hands. Profit margins are minimal, though, so I’d have to catch a lot more.”
“But that’s not your kind of fishing, is it? You like to take the minimal catch and make sure it’s in perfect condition.”
“That’s not even the worst of it.” Joey sighed. “Those trucks are headed for France or Spain. My lobsters could be in tanks for weeks. At least I wouldn’t need to worry about my reputation. My catch will just become part of a generic load. No one will ever know they’re eating O’Hara lobsters.”
Marianne wanted to close the space between them and kiss the frown from their face. Hell, where were these thoughts coming from?Concentrate on business advice!
“Are there any other options?”
A tentative smile lit up Joey’s face. “There’s one. You know I have the few oyster trestles in the bay?”
“I do indeed. I’m hoping to try some soon.” Marianne had no doubt the oysters grown in the pristine waters of Inishderry would be among the best she’d ever tasted.
“Well, I was thinking of increasing production by 400%. I can get a grant and a business loan to help buy the new equipment and the seed. Then it’s a lot of work for no return for a couple of years before they reach market size, but I think I can make it work.” Their hopeful expression warmed Marianne’s heart. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea, Joey. There’s such a demand for oysters, and yours will be the best. It addresses some of your sustainability concerns, and you can get a year-round market if you look at online sales.” She wanted to hug them. “I think you should go for it. I’ll help in any way I can while I’m…”
She didn’t want to say it. While she was around. Because she didn’t want to think of the time when she’d inevitably have to leave the comfort of this little island.
Joey’s smile wavered a little. “Thank you for your support. Now I just need to write a business plan, get the funds in place, and increase my knowledge of oyster farming.”
“You can do it! I know of an amazing oyster farm in France that runs courses.”
Joey laughed dryly. “Thanks. The government runs an online course. I’ll make do with that for now.”
Marianne admonished herself for her insensitivity. Of course, Joey couldn’t—and wouldn’t—take themself off for six weeks on an elite aquaculture course. Before she could apologize, Denny toddled over, rubbing his eyes. She lifted him into her lap. “I’d better get this little lad to bed. Make yourself comfortable.”
When she returned, she found a clean kitchen but no sign of Joey. She looked outside and found Joey asleep on the couch on the deck, their long legs slung up on the railing.
She sat down alongside them and took a long breath, releasing the frustrations of the day. This had been a much shorter shift than she was used to, and she’d need to get backinto the routine of juggling quality time with Denny and the demands of her kitchen. But talking through Joey’s plans had been a welcome distraction, and she’d enjoyed sharing their optimism for the future. Being around Joey calmed her.
She studied their face in the receding light. Straight golden-brown hair fell back from their face, revealing fine cheekbones. Their nose was strong but even, and their wide jaw made her want to run her finger along the smooth skin.
There was that train of thought again. There were some strong and unexpected feelings floating around the more time she spent with Joey. Unexpected, but not entirely unwelcome.
She lay back and stared up at the darkening sky as the stars began to show themselves. She picked out the constellations she was familiar with and wondered how it would feel to go back to the city where it was always too bright to see the stars.
“I like the North Star.” Joey’s low voice made her jump. They were so close their breath tickled her cheek. She tilted her head to look into their eyes, endless and unfathomable in the low light.
“Show me.”
They pointed up at the starry sky, but their gaze didn’t leave Marianne’s and she was equally transfixed. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to lean across the minimal space and place her lips on Joey’s. For a split second, they responded, and the sensation was exquisite. Joey’s lips were the most perfect thing she’d ever tasted. Then Joey recoiled so violently they nearly fell off the couch.
