Page 46 of Changing Tides
“Please. It would really help me get my career back together.” Marianne put down her empty glass and grasped Joey’s hand. “I can come out when you’re working, so it won’t mean extra trips. Just having me along for the ride.”
Marianne threw them into all kinds of confusion every time she held them in her pastel blue gaze. But she needed this, and even if it hastened her departure, they had no choice but to help.
“Okay, if it doesn’t take too much time, and I can actually work while you’re filming.” There was a limit to the number of times they could stage pulling a lobster out of a creel for the camera.
“I promise. It’ll be authentic footage of you working, and I’ll do my thing and stay out of your way.” She leaned acrossand kissed Joey on the cheek. “I’ll find a way to thank you, somehow.”
Joey jumped up. The intimacy was too much. “I’ve got a dark ride ahead of me. I’ll get going.”
Marianne stood, too. “Oh no, you must take the truck. I don’t need it tomorrow. If the weather’s good, I’ll take Denny out for a walk.”
“If you’re sure?” Joey was glad to avoid the bike ride and pushed down the thought that this meant another reason to see Marianne when they brought the truck back.
Marianne followed them to the door and handed over the keys. “Thanks again, Joey. For everything.”
“No bother.” They turned Marianne’s hug into a quick embrace and almost ran out the door. How were they ever going to keep a lid on this attraction if they kept agreeing to cozy projects together? It felt like they were inviting a whole lot of heartache, the very thing they’d been trying hard to avoid.
Joey wavedto Tierney’s cousin on the road the following afternoon. Aoife was still dressed in her Walsh Ferries uniform as she walked with her three children up the lane. They stopped the car, and the oldest child ran up to the window. “Hi, Joey.”
“How’s it going, Gracie? Are you looking forward to big school next term?”
Gracie screwed up her face. “I think so. I’ll have to get up really early to get on the ferry with Mum, but there’ll be lots of new people to meet.”
Aoife came up behind and dropped a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “We’ll be having some very early nights to begin with,until we get into the new routine. It’ll be good for her. Sure, everyone needs to get off this island for a while, don’t they?”
Joey nodded agreement.
“How are Marianne and Denny settling in now they’re here for the whole summer? The girls have been telling me he and Ruane walk together back to Bridie’s every day after school.”
“Yeah, he loves the school run, apparently.”
“It’s good for them both to have some companionship. Will you tell Marianne he’s welcome for a sleepover anytime? It’s usually just me and the kids while Seán’s at work, and another one is no trouble at all. Especially when he’s such a good lad.”
Pride rushed through Joey at the comment. But what were they thinking? Denny wasn’t their child to be proud of. “Heisa great kid. I’ll let Mari know. She needs a bit of downtime, too.”
They waved the family past and drove on down to the Waterside, where they’d promised to pick up Kasia for a swim. As the road descended to the hotel, the vista opened out in front of them: distant mountains, gleaming sea, and the beautiful natural harbor in the foreground. It was a glorious day, and they wished they’d offered to spend time with Mari and Denny. But their swims with Kasia were difficult to schedule in the busier summer months, and today worked for them both.
Kasia grabbed her bag the moment Joey entered the foyer. She leaned over the counter and kissed Tierney’s cheek. “Are you sure you’ll be okay for an hour or two?”
Tierney grinned at Joey. “I think I’ll cope.”
Joey waved and followed Kasia out.
“Let’s go before I get pulled into something else.” Kasia jumped into the truck, and they pulled away toward the beach.
“How are you feeling?”
Joey glanced across. “Good, I guess. Marianne’s asked me to do some filming with her.”
“And do you want to?”
“Yeah, of course. Marianne needs to regain her confidence and keep her fans happy.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Joey pulled the truck to a stop on the narrow lane and turned in their seat. “I know you love me and you want to look out for me.” They took a deep breath as they formed the words they wanted. “But there are some things I really need to work out for myself, Kasia. Can you rein in the advice a little until I’m looking for it?”
She frowned and opened her mouth. Then she blinked and nodded. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m just so worried you’re going to get hurt.”
