Page 69 of Against Ebony Irish Seas

Jamie was so tired he shifted his weight to his right leg, the ache in his back a fierce line of fire from the heavy labor. “It’s a right fine wall.”

Carrick clapped him on the back. “It is, at that.”

“Do you want me to come by and add shattered glass or metal tacks to the top of them walls on the morrow?” Liam asked, dusting off his hands.

He frowned. “Even though I’ve seen many a wall such as that, I’m not sure I want to go that far. We’ll hope my new dog will be as much of a deterrent as the motion lights we’ve installed.”

Glancing over at Rex, the black-and-white Irish sheepdog Kade had delivered at noon, along with one for Carrick, he had to smile. He’d never wanted a dog, being how he was away so long at school. But things were different now. Sophie was here, and they would both take comfort from Rex and his canny patrols. The dog had sniffed every inch of his property after scenting all twenty-some men who’d shown up to help along with Kathleen and Ellie, who’d demanded to help alongside their husbands.

His friends and the village were behind them, and many had shown up at the site to express their outrage over the incident. He’d wished Sophie could see the support the community was offering, but she’d spent the day working with Ghislaine, Linc, and Bets on a rapid publicity press campaign. When he’d caught Sophie on the phone for a second earlier, the fatigue had been obvious in her voice. She needed a break.

They all did.

“Brady,” he called to his friend, who was rubbing the small of his back with a pained look, “might I inquire if you’d be willing to open the Brazen Donkey so I can buy everyone a pint?” It still choked him up that Brady had closed the pub today to help.

“If you’re buying, I’m opening.” Brady grinned over the weariness on his face. “I’ll see you all there.”

“I just want to go home and take a bath after hauling those cinder blocks,” Ellie moaned. “I don’t know how anyone does this kind of work all day long.”

“They have strong muscles and even stronger constitutions,” Kade’s father responded with a laugh. “You did pretty well for someone who’s not used to working outdoors.”

“I don’t work outdoors,” Declan said, putting his arm around Kathleen, “and I did just fine.”

“But you’re constantly at the boxing gym or lifting slabs of meat,” Kathleen said, smacking him on the backside. “That qualifies. Who’s going to tell Sophie, Linc, and Bets about our little meetup?”

“I will since I’m picking Sophie up,” Jamie said, giving them all a smile. “You’re a good bunch. The whole lot of you. I take back anything I ever said about you. See you at the pub.”

Carrick squeezed his shoulder. “I’m going to pick up Angie and the baby. They were with Megan and Ollie at the farm, but I think they could use a little lift of the spirits. It’s been a dark day.”

“But lighter with friends, I’d be thinking.” He watched those friends head to their cars, his heart full. “I had Ellie take some photos so Sophie can see how many people came to help.”

“It’s only the beginning. Have you heard from Sorcha?”

He glanced around to make sure they were far enough away from the others for this conversation. “She was the one who woke me in the night.”

“That’s fine.” Carrick nodded once and then again. “It’s good knowing she’s looking after more than your romance. That seems to be taking root nicely. I’m glad for you, Jamie. We’ll be seeing you soon.”

He waved and headed over to where Liam was standing with a gadget in his hand. “I think we have it working right,” their friend said with a devilish grin. “Abracadabra.”

The newly installed gate for his driveway began to close, and Liam held the device out to Jamie.

He walked over and took it with a grateful smile. “You’re the best.”

“I’m handy, is all.” Liam rubbed his brow. “Changes the view, doesn’t it? Makes me rather sad. The need to put up walls is a tragic commentary on the state of affairs here in town. Let’s hope this is only temporary.”

“Right now, I can’t even think that far ahead.” He kicked at a broken piece of cinder block in his yard. “I only want Sophie to feel safe.”

“Agreed. But you also needed to send a message. Not everyone wants to be kind, and sometimes people can be downright nasty. You’re saying you won’t let them.”

“No talk of forgiveness and turning the other cheek? We were raised on it, and all I can think now is that it’s easy to talk about turning the other cheek when no one’s beating on you.”

“You know the old saying.Every man is sociable until a cow invades his garden.”

“Or a sheep.” He turned to Liam, someone he knew he could share his inner turmoil with. “It makes me wonder how this will change me as a teacher. When a kid strikes another kid at school, we tell them not to hit back.”

“But you’renothitting back, are you?” Liam faced him. “You’re taking measures to keep yourself and those you love safe, and you’re asking the law to hold people accountable for crimes. Crimes, Jamie. Ones that are as plain as day.”

“Maybe we aren’t taking schoolyard scuffles seriously enough.” He sighed, suddenly tired. “That’s where this all starts.”

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