Page 88 of Changing Tides
Joey squeezed past her and glanced at the contraption. Their cheeks reddened. “Kasia was throwing it out as the tray was broken, so I thought I’d rig it up so Denny can see through the cabin window. He’s getting heavy to hold all the time. If you don’t think it’s suitable, I’ll move it away.” They blinked. “It probably doesn’t meet safety regulations, but it’s safe. I wouldn’t put Denny at risk.”
She realized they were waiting for her. “Oh, Joey, I think it’s the sweetest thing ever. You’re so thoughtful. And I know you’ll always keep Denny safe.” They were close in the wheelhouse, and she leaned in instinctively to kiss Joey, before she realized that may not be welcome. Had Joey pulled back, or was she imagining it? This was driving her mad.
“We need to talk.”
Joey strapped Denny in his makeshift seat and turned.
“I know.” Their eyes were wide, but still impenetrable. “I thought as it’s so mild, it’d be a good day to go to Inishkyle. We can sit on the beach and Denny can play while we talk.” They indicated a basket tucked away. “I brought a picnic.”
“That sounds perfect.” Marianne backed into the only available corner as Joey went to untie the boat, then they squeezed back into the wheelhouse.
“It’s tight in here. I can stand on deck.”
The close contact felt awkward in this uncertain situation, so Marianne backed out of the open side of the cabin and stumbled on a coiled rope. Joey reached out a long arm and steadied her, keeping the other hand on the wheel as they steered away from the quay.
“Stay. There’s room for us all.” Joey pulled her close but returned their hand to the controls.
“So, tell me about your family’s history on Inishkyle.” Perhaps a neutral conversation topic would lessen the tension in the cabin. Even Denny was unusually quiet as he watched their progress from his new vantage point.
Joey threw her a glance. “There’s not a lot to tell. Back in the day when Inishderry was heavily populated, you could either grow crops, keep animals, or fish. Most people did a bit of everything, but a few families fished more than others. The O’Haras were fishers. They used to bring the catch to Inishkyle to cure it so the islanders would have food in the winter.”
They were nearing the strip of an island now. Marianne watched as a few buildings came into view. “Did people live here?”
“A few over the summer. But mainly the huts were used for curing fish and to store gear and nets. And for the occasional overnight stay if the weather turned.” Joey waved at a stone tower with a small dock in front. “This is ours. I stay here sometimes in the summer if I want some peace.”
Marianne took in the solid stone structure. “It’s not really a hut.”
“My ancestors built it with wood originally, but it got washed away in a winter storm. People soon learned it was easier in the long term to build something substantial.”
They pulled up at the small stone pier and Mari took the coil of rope and jumped the gap, pulling the rope tight on the mooring bollard and tying the hitch Joey had taught her what seemed like a lifetime ago. She secured the second rope Joey threw to her. Then Joey lifted Denny from his seat and passed him over.
“Denny on a island!”
He stomped his feet as she lowered him to the quay, and she kept a firm grip as she took the bags from Joey.
“Remember what Joey taught you?”
“Pier dange-us. Big water.” He didn’t let up in his pulling, though, and Marianne gave up trying to help Joey with the basket.
They slid it onto the quay, then scrambled up after them. “Good boy for remembering, Denny. But that means we walk slow and hold tight to Mama’s hand.”
Denny’s tiny fingers gripped Marianne’s more firmly, but he kept pulling and she allowed herself to be dragged toward the tower.
Joey caught up, lugging the basket in both hands. “Let’s get everything into the hut, then we can go for a walk to burn off some of his excitement before we eat.”
They put down the picnic and pulled out a large brass key. “I used to leave it open in case anyone needed shelter, but some kids from the mainland came out once and had a big party. They left quite a mess.”
As the door swung open, Marianne squinted to see the dark interior, at contrast with the bright sun outside.
“Welcome to Castle O’Hara, as Tierney calls it. Go on in.”
Marianne let go of Denny’s hand and he ran ahead. She stepped into a simple square room, the stone walls painted white to brighten it; two small windows allowed a trickle of light.
“Sorry.” Joey stepped past her and switched on a battery pack. Strings of crisscrossed white fairy lights lit up around the walls and transformed the space. They emptied some wooden blocks from a bag and Denny giggled and sat down to build his own tower.
Marianne smiled gratefully. “It’s lovely.”
Joey cleared their throat. “It’s basic, but it serves a purpose.”
