Page 8 of Harbor Lights (Inishderry Island Romances #3)
Kasia’s bread was a taste experience that made Con a little envious of Shiv. “Thank you.”
“And tell her she’s welcome to come down for a meal on us. Anytime she wants.” Kasia broke into a half smile. “If she wants to socialize, I promise I’ll play nice.”
Con nodded. “I’ll suggest it, but I get the feeling she takes a while to feel comfortable around people. Thanks, both.”
She handed baby Pegeen over and was soon on the dirt track up to the cottage on the cliffs.
“Hullo?” She called in advance, so she didn’t startle Shiv with her presence. “Shiv?”
“What are you doing here?” Shiv appeared from the side of the building, wiping her hands on a rag. Her greeting was accompanied by a scowl that told Con she wasn’t as welcome as she’d hoped.
“Hey, I was visiting patients and thought I’d drop by and see how you were getting on.” She inclined her head toward the toolbelt Shiv was wearing. “Looks like your equipment turned up.”
Shiv’s shoulders lowered a little. Why was she so defensive?
“Yeah, that red-haired cousin dropped it off yesterday. I’ve been able to get plenty done.”
She didn’t make any attempt to invite Con in, and continued to stand, feet planted wide, hands now stuffed in the pockets of her overalls, as if she was defending her territory.
Con flashed a friendly smile. “I’m afraid red-haired doesn’t narrow it down much with the Walshes, but I’m guessing that would be Christy. I’ve brought you a welcome package.” She hefted the larger bag. “And Tierney and Kasia sent some items, too.”
Shiv remained motionless. “Why?”
“Sorry? What do you mean?” A flicker of irritation burned through the confusion. Showing kindness shouldn’t be this hard.
“I can buy my own food; I don’t need charity.”
Patience deserted Con. “Oh, for God’s sake, Siobhán, grow up. You’re new to a small community. It’s absolutely normal for people to welcome you. Stop making this so difficult.” She hoisted the bags again. “Can I just come in and put these down, and I’ll leave you in peace?”
Shiv bowed her head. “Yeah, the door’s open, go on in.” The aggression had left her tone.
Con pushed the door open with her foot, still annoyed. She lifted the bags onto the old wooden table that had been commandeered as a workbench, and looked around.
Shiv pushed the door closed and stood leaning against it, her shoulders hunched. “Sorry.” Her eyes were as wary as they had been when they first met.
Con breathed deeply. “It’s okay. I’m sorry I shouted. Not everything’s about pity, Shiv. Sometimes people just want to be nice.”
She looked around her at the bare stone walls and the scant furniture. “Jeez, you shouldn’t be living in this place.”
“It’s my choice,” Shiv muttered. “It’s exactly why I don’t want folk coming around poking their noses in.”
“It’s not a criticism of you. I’m just wondering how Des Walsh can justify sending his own flesh and blood to live in squalor to save him money.”
“He had no involvement at all in my life until two weeks ago, so I doubt he feels a strong sense of duty.” If Shiv was trying to keep the bitterness out of her tone, she’d failed.
She pushed herself off the door. “You said you’d leave the bags and let me be.”
Did she care how rude she was coming across?
Con sighed. “Right you are. Can I just show you what I brought?” She started removing items from the bag.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d have any refrigeration until the electricity is connected so I’ve mainly brought tins.
” She stacked them on the table. “And some soya mince.” She shook the bag and placed it with the other food.
“All pretty basic stuff. But Kasia has done you up one of the cheese boards they sell to the tourists.”
She pulled the platter from the other bag and waved it enticingly. “Plus, some of her home baked bread and a bottle of wine.”
Shiv hadn’t moved.
“Will you not sit down and eat something now? I promise I’ll leave.”
“If it gets you out of here, I’ll force it down.” Shiv’s half smile belied her gruff tone and she brushed past to the kitchen, presumably to clean up.
While she was gone, Con unwrapped the cheeses and looked around for a knife to cut the bread.
“Do you want to stay for food?”
She turned as Shiv emerged, her overalls tied around her waist, another white tank showing off her wiry arms. A clean dressing covered her injury. She retrieved two plates and a bread knife and sat down at the table.
Con shook her head. She wanted to stay, but Shiv was clearly forcing herself to be polite, now, and she wasn’t going to make it any worse.
“No thanks, I’ll need to get away, or I’ll miss the ferry.” She turned for the door.
“Doc.”
She turned.
“Thanks for this.” Shiv indicated the food.
“You’re welcome. See you around.”
She half ran outside and got in the car. What had she been doing hanging around like she was begging for an invitation? What was it about Shiv that was so magnetic?
Con had struggled with loneliness for a few years, despite her busy life, but then she’d got to know Joey better and spent more time in their company.
That had expanded over recent years to include Kasia and Tierney, and more recently, Marianne and little Denny, and now Pegeen.
She had quite the social life these days.
But the pull of seeing Shiv was something else she couldn’t quite define. Their backgrounds were so different, and Shiv seemed so young. They had nothing in common.
Except an inability to feed ourselves . She remembered the empty refrigerator she had to go home to. Never mind. An evening in the Harbor Bar would give her the chance to listen in to all the local news and not dwell on the awkward position she’d put herself in today.