Page 100 of Against Ebony Irish Seas

“Did it knock some sense into you?” she asked with narrowed eyes.

“Why didn’t Sophie leave?” he asked, unable to stop himself.

“I’d say that’s her business, wouldn’t you? You should ask her yourself. After you clean up, of course. And shave off that beard you’re growing. You look like a grizzly.”

He scrubbed his hand over his face, not wishing to tell her how much energy it took to simply get out of bed, forget shaving. “I’ll grow a beard if I want to.”

She rolled her eyes heavenward as she had in times past. “Glory! I see nothing is new with your mood. I’ll leave you now, before I shriek so loud I scare the sheep.”

When she disappeared, he exhaled in relief. She was as much a pain in his arse as his brother was becoming. Carrick grew angrier by the day, and like a pressure cooker, he was going to blow his top soon. Jamie scratched his beard. It itched, and it dripped water when it rained. He had planned to shave it until Sorcha had poked at him.

Then he stopped and rested his hand on his shovel. Hewasacting like an imbecile. He was evading his friends and the people who cared about him. He was also evading the one duty that hadn’t been taken from him: starting the children’s arts program at the center.

Of course, he didn’t know if he could even continue with it given his current predicament. Wouldn’t it bleed over? But maybe it was the first step in finding some clarity about his life. He could work behind the scenes to help, couldn’t he? He decided to text Bets as opposed to calling her. That way he could be brief and to the point, nohow are you, Bets?orhasn’t the weather been wet lately?

Her response came immediately, and his knees went a little weak seeing it.I was planning to call you after the school review. We have over a hundred children lined up for classes starting October 1. The media has been terrific for enrollment.

He read the text again. One hundred students? He couldn’t believe it! He started to write backAnd the parents know I’m involved…But he deleted it. If they’d asked for him to be removed, he didn’t want to know. It would break him and the last shreds of his pride. He picked up his shovel and started digging again.

The next morning, when he arrived to help Carrick at the west pasture, he waved a hand to the rolling hills. “You moved the sheep without me?”

“You were in a snit, and so was I.” He walked over and put his hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “You know I love you. Even when you’re digging your feet into the ground like you would a shovel. God knows, I’ve done the same. But, Jamie, I’ve never wanted to pound sense into you until now, and it tears at me to think about the trials you’re facing. I just want you to know I love you, and Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, am I glad you shaved that beard off.”

His mouth tipped up at that. He’d gone home after his call with Bets and summoned the energy to do that, at least. “Not a good look for me?”

“I was about ready to buy you the mug Angie showed me after all my blathering about it the other day. It saidDon’t Hate Me Because I’m Beardiful.”

He groaned at the pun, but his heart warmed from their interaction. If they could tease each other, they were back on solid ground. “I’m sorry I’ve been an arsehole and poor company.”

“You put up with me and my bad moods aplenty when I had dark times,” Carrick said, gripping his shoulder before letting his hand fall. “But I still think you’re an eejit to be staying at our parents’ when Sophie is sleeping at your home.”

He bit the inside of his cheek to prevent himself from asking, but he couldn’t refrain. Not this time. “Someone is with her?”

“Of course. We’ve got her, Jamie. She’s still one of ours.”

He had to turn away from his brother’s knowing glance. “It’s hard on me, being away from her. Knowing it has to be like this.”

His brother snorted. “Don’t start, or I’ll forget my good mood and start wanting to bash you over the head again. Grab your shovel and let’s get to work. Thanks for the help, by the way.”

He glanced over as his brother broke earth. “It’s not like I had anything else to do, and I appreciate the distraction.” He was going to let Bets contact him for help.After the school review…

He hadn’t heard an update from the Education Officer, and it grated at his skin like the barbwire fencing in front of him, the small slices deep and enduring.

A horn honked, and they looked over to see Kade Donovan’s truck approaching. Carrick muttered something but kept digging. Jamie lifted his hand in a wave as Kade parked. He hadn’t seen any of his friends in days, and he had to admit the sight of him eased his troubles.

“You’re not riding your horse like usual,” Jamie called out as their friend got out and walked toward them.

Kade lifted his hand, showing an envelope of sorts. When he arrived, he inclined his chin to Carrick, who grunted and speared the ground with his shovel.

“It was decided I was the best person to give this to you,” Kade said, handing over the official-looking envelope. “Inside is a written complaint against the principal of our school, Margaret Doyle, regarding her improper use of power and authority regarding you and your teaching.”

He blinked at Kade before turning to look at his brother. Carrick’s calm demeanor suggested he’d known this was coming. “Let Kade tell you why you should do this in case it’s not obvious to your thick skull,” his brother said with a stern look.

Nodding, he watched as Kade slapped the envelope against his thigh, his tall form throwing a long shadow on the ground. “Everyone seems to think I might be even nicer than you, Jamie, and I one hundred percent think you should do this. What Principal Doyle did was wrong, and she needs to held accountable. For you as much as for the children and the school itself, and all served by it. File the report, Jamie.”

He stared at the envelope. “All my life I’ve tried to make the peace, find another solution, or let things go.”

“So have I, hoping to give a kind word and attention to change things, but you can’t pony ride this problem into healing,” Kade said, his brown eyes entreating. “This is about doing what’s right and just, and what she’s done—how she’s used her power for her own agenda and opinions—is wrong.”

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