Page 91 of Against Ebony Irish Seas

She shifted on the couch and studied the hastily scribbled notes in her hand. “One, ignore it. Which we can’t do. Two, try and talk to the person about their behavior. Been there. Gotten nowhere. Three, educate and correct misinformation.”

“Most everyone in town has been talking themselves blue for the past couple of days defending Jamie and Sophie.”

“Don’t forget about Ghislaine’s response to the flyers.” She’d spread flyers of her own with the headlineTHISIS THE ART COMING TO CAISLEAN, accompanied by Sophie’s design. Not her parents’ paintings.

“Mary and Orla knew what they were doing,” Linc drawled. “They sure stirred the pot good. Sex always sells, or so they say. I never could figure out how to use it to sell windows.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Four, feed the gossips little details about your life to keep their small-minded brains and boring lives fulfilled—”

“Some expert really said that?” Linc chortled.

“Yes. It keeps getting better. Five, stop associating with the gossipers.”

“I’ll cancel Mary and Orla’s invitation to our next BBQ.”

“Right. How about this next one?Just live your life and be happy. Seriously?”

“It’s not a bad thought—unless someone is gunning for you, which is our exhibit A, B, and C right now.”

Yeah, it sure was. “Six is the most dire suggestion, if you ask me.”

He sat up, frowning. “What is it?”

“Move,” she said darkly, tossing her list onto the couch next to her.

“For some, it’s a reasonable strategy. Bigger towns, more anonymity. Of course, it’s not an option for us.”

“But it might be for Sophie, and Greta’s already left,” Bets said, lying back and studying the ceiling. “And Jamie…what if he doesn’t beat this, Linc?”

He rose and came over to her, rearranging her so her head was cradled in his lap. “Come on now. We can’t think that way. His mother is coming home from Portugal to show support and talk to other people in the school administration, here and county-wide. We’ve already got a win in our pocket. The censorship board has withdrawn their complaint against Jamie, given all the national exposure. I believe they saidadditional information has been brought to light…”

She’d read their letter with disgust. “It shouldn’t have been started in the first place.”

Stroking her hair, he said, “Let’s focus on the upside. Our children’s arts program is a go again.”

“With our program head in very hot water.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I know he doesn’t want to take the issue to the papers like we did with the Garda situation, but—”

“He’s trying to protect Sophie,” Linc growled. “With one of the charges being immorality, I can see why. It’s a loaded accusation, and reportersloveto ask questions about it. I mean, what are they going to ask him? Do you get out the whips and chains with the artist on rainy nights or maybe just on days ending inY?”

“Good God! Is that what people think when they hearimmoral? We should hide that crop you use on me the next time company comes.”

He gave her a gentle squeeze and laughed at her joke. “Yeah, you know me. So deviant. Not that it’s anyone’s business what two consenting people do.”

“I still think Ghislaine is right.” God, she really liked that woman, and she couldn’t be happier for Donal. “They should let her craft a press release about this mess. It can be simple and to the point—he’s been a great teacher with terrific performance on record, and now he’s being targeted for working with the center and being in a relationship with Sophie.”

“Some men don’t want to look weak, and that could be interpreted—”

“I don’t care.” She punched the sofa. “Say they’ve fallen in love and have a healthy and committed relationship. Make it a love story.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Ghislaine stood in the doorway, holding Donal’s hand, both of them so radiant they were another example of a love story come to life. “I did knock, but since you already knew I was coming, I let us in. Donal was against it.”

“I’m becoming un-Irish about opening people’s doors without invitation,” he said with a snort. “But we bring good news. Denis has been suspended indefinitely and without pay. The ombudsman has concluded their investigation, and they didn’t like what they found. We’ll be getting another officer from a different locality to take over in the meantime.”

Bets shot out of Linc’s lap as he let out a whoop. “That’s a victory!”

“Yes, it sure is.” Donal grinned. “Ghislaine didn’t tell me until this morning, but she’d set up a camera outside the protesters’ area, so we weren’t limited to what the reporters picked up.”

“TheTurn Heresign, to be exact, and the footage ended up in the ombudsman’s mailbox somehow,” Ghislaine said, touching Donal’s arm with a familiarity Bets was all too happy to see.

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