Page 101 of Against Ebony Irish Seas

Blowing out a long breath, he reached for the envelope. “Who’s in favor of this?”

“Everyone close to you and the arts center,” Carrick said, clapping him on the back. “Who do you think wrote it up? We’re behind you, Jamie, but you have to do more than defend yourself. You have to try and hold the people who are assaulting you and your character responsible for their actions.”

“There’s no unringing this bell,” Jamie said, feeling the heavy stock paper with his fingertips, the weight of authority in it. “I could never work with her again.”

Kade shifted his weight and regarded him. “Would you want to?”

Sophie’s words echoed in his mind, about the yoke he’d put on his shoulders. Why did he think he needed to? What kind of twisted nobility was plaguing him?

“I know you don’t want to hear it, but there are other teaching positions, Jamie, ones that could be happier.” Carrick sighed heavily. “Angie came here because she lost a job she loved and look how that turned out. The truth is, if you aren’t open to finding something better, you’ll never have it, and that’s not what any of us want for you. But you’re the one who has to decide.”

“Jamie,” Kade said, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder, “none of us want to see you live out your days alone and miserable.”

He knew that now. Hewouldbe alone and miserable in a way he’d never been before.

“I’d rather knock you on the head with this shovel,” Carrick said half-jokingly as he picked it up.

He stared at the two men. They’d both faced tragedy and come through it well. He needed to find the courage to do the same. “I’ll file the complaint.”

“Good,” Kade said with a smile, fishing into his pocket. “Here’s a stamp. We had it addressed for you already.”

He fixed the stamp on it with intention before saying, “So I see.”

“I’ll even drop it at the post for you in town,” Kade said with a lopsided smile. “How’s that for a friend?”

His throat grew tight. “Pretty fine, as they say.”

“Now what are you going to do about Sophie being your soulmate?” Carrick asked, staring him down. “And you better have a sound answer this time because I can still use this shovel on your thick head.”

He firmed his lips as emotion surged up inside him. “I need help with that too. To tell you the truth, I’ve hated every minute of being back in the quiet all by myself. And if this will help restore my reputation, I’ll be glad and then some. I miss the warmth of her smile and the way we are together. Dammit, I don’t want to live without her!”

“Of course you don’t.” Carrick put his arm around his shoulders. “You’re not that thickheaded.”

“Never,” Kade agreed as they started walking.

“Where are we going?” he asked because Carrick’s grip had purpose, like he was leading a sheep.

“We’re headed into town, if you must know.” Kade elbowed him gently in the side. “In fact, you can hold the envelope on the way. Don’t take this wrong, Jamie, but I’m so glad you shaved your beard.”

“That’s what I told him!” Carrick said with a laugh.

“But how did you even see it?” Jamie touched his clean-shaven cheek.

“Your brother sent out photos to show how mired in the muck you’ve been,” Kade said with a grimace. “Low tides, Jamie, but the sea always changes. Come ride in the truck with me. I imagine you and Carrick have had about enough of each other.”

He shared a smile with his brother. “It’s not been so bad.”

“Speak for yourself,” Carrick said with a laugh. “Go on. I’ll be joining you shortly.”

“Have fun,” Kade called as they got into his truck.

Carrick lifted his middle finger in the air.

“What was that about?” he asked Kade as he handed him the envelope to post.

He started the car and took off. “You’ll soon see, Jamie, me boy.”

When they reached town, Kade made the turn toward the school. Jamie clutched the dashboard with one hand. “Ah…Kade.”

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