Page 9 of Harbor Lights (Inishderry Island Romances #3)

SIX

Shiv trotted down the hill to the village feeling almost carefree.

She’d finished the wiring of the house and was now waiting for the network company to switch on the supply.

Once she’d tested it, she could report back to her granddad her work was complete.

She hoped he’d stick to his side of the bargain because, despite the never-ending stream of cousins to swerve, she liked the cabin on the cliffs and was keen to make it more habitable.

She needed to find some paid work, though.

She’d spent the last of the money her mom had sent her ordering equipment online, so she could live the self-sufficient life she was accustomed to.

She was headed to the Waterside to collect it now and had rehearsed being sociable and open.

Kasia and Tierney’s kind gesture of the food package had been an olive branch she was determined not to turn into a sharp stick.

Perhaps at least this part of the family hadn’t been put off by the rumors that must surely have preceded her.

And the food had been delicious. Less practical than Doc’s supply of tins and dried food, but very welcome after her usual spartan diet.

The various cheeses had been a treat, and the bread might have been the best she had ever tasted.

Although, she’d been so ravenous when Doc had insisted she eat, anything would have tasted good.

The last couple of days, she’d eaten well with the provisions Doc had brought, and now she’d had time to process the gesture, she was touched by her thoughtfulness.

She frowned. In return, she’d been such a bitch.

Doc had taken her by surprise turning up, and she’d been embarrassed for her to see the basic conditions she was living in.

Thank God, the bedroom door had been closed, and she couldn’t see the state of that mattress.

She’d been desperate to get her away from the cabin, but also disappointed when she’d left.

Although not surprised, after her own rude behavior.

She jogged into the parking lot of the hotel. Among the handful of cars, she recognized the silver truck that had rescued her a few days ago and wondered if Joey was around. She needed to thank them, too.

She was torn about all the return favors she was accumulating in this little tight knit community.

In some ways it reminded her of the squats and camps she’d grown up in.

They’d been communities that watched out for each other.

But here, she felt like the poor relation, literally.

It didn’t feel like an equal sharing of resources; more that people thought she needed help.

To be fair, when she’d been wandering around the island, dripping blood, she had absolutely needed help. But if she was going to take from people, she needed to be able to give. And she couldn’t do that if she didn’t mix.

She pushed open the hotel door and plastered on her friendliest smile.

“Hi there.” Kasia looked up from the reception desk with a return smile. “Have you come to take us up on our offer?”

“Huh? I came to say thanks for the food and wine, and to pick up my packages.”

“That’s fine.” Kasia came from behind the counter. “Did Doc not mention we invited you to have a meal on the house?”

Whoa. The generosity was getting too much. “She didn’t. But I don’t need that, thanks. I’ve got plenty of food at the cottage.”

Kasia screwed up her nose. “It’s not like her to forget.”

It probably slipped her mind in her rush to get away from my hostility.

“But you’re welcome, anyway. Why not have some lunch before I get your packages?”

“No, thank you. I need to get back.” To an unheated shell of a house, but Kasia didn’t need to know that.

Their conversation was interrupted by voices overlaid by the chattering of a small child.

Shiv turned to see Tierney and the fisher, Joey, descending a staircase set back from the main foyer.

Tierney was carrying a toddler, the source of the chattering.

As they emerged from the staircase, Shiv noticed Joey also had a small, curly-haired child in tow.

“Hey, cuz.” Tierney approached with a broad smile.

Shiv had never been called cousin before. “Hi.”

She put on her best social skills. “Who’s this?” She reached out and a tiny hand grabbed her finger. It was kind of cute.

“Shiv, meet your—not too sure how many times removed—cousin, Peggy, or Pegeen as she’s ended up being called, little Peggy.”

“Ah, after my great-grandmother?” Shiv wiggled her finger, and the little girl grabbed it with the other hand and giggled.

“Yeah. You never met her, did you?” Tierney’s brown eyes shone.

Shiv gave a short laugh. “I never met a single member of my family until a couple weeks ago. It was just me and my mom.”

Tierney cleared her throat. “That’s a crappy deal to be given. And I thought I was an outcast.”

Pegeen twisted in her grip. “Mamamamama,” she shrieked in Kasia’s vague direction.

Tierney rolled her eyes. “Her first word, and boy, she’s getting some use out of it.” She carried the child toward the reception desk, but then stopped and turned. “We should talk more when it’s just the two of us.”

Kasia took the squirming child. “I was trying to convince Shiv to stay for lunch.”

“Oh, yeah, please do.” Tierney turned again with a wide smile.

“Uh, I can’t. I’ve got to get all this stuff back to the house and set up before dark.

It’s still a couple more days before I get the power connected.

” She threw a glance at the brightly lit restaurant, which was busier than the deserted parking lot would lead one to believe.

The chatter and clattering of plates brought her back for a moment to mealtimes in the correctional center. She shivered.

“We could get a sandwich upstairs.” Joey’s low voice reminded Shiv they’d been standing quietly aside during the whole conversation, along with their equally silent child.

She turned. “Hi, Joey. Good to see you again.” She squatted on her haunches. “Hi, I’m Siobhán, but you can call me Shiv. What’s your name?”

Enormous brown eyes stared back at her. “Denny,” the child announced in a tiny voice.

“Well, hi, Denny. Good to meet you.”

He smiled shyly and ducked behind Joey’s legs.

“Sorry.” Joey grinned. “You did better than most people, first time.”

Shiv straightened. “He’s a cutie.”

“Joey’s right.” Tierney moved to the stairs. “Let’s just eat upstairs.”

Shiv found herself moving along with the stream of adults and children up the back stairs, presumably to Tierney and Kasia’s living quarters.

Joey followed close behind, having scooped up Denny. “When we’ve eaten, I’ll run you and your packages back up to the cabin, okay?”

Shiv nodded. “Thanks.” It felt easier to surrender to this tide of companionship, kindness, and belonging than to try and break free.

At this moment, it felt as though she was part of the family, not an outsider who’d been kept a secret her whole life.

She’d enjoy it while it lasted, but she knew better than to expect too much from family.

The room she entered was large and light-filled from the floor to ceiling windows on one side.

Tierney waved her to the long table in the center, but Shiv walked over to the window and stared out over the harbor.

She hadn’t paid much attention when she arrived, but the natural oval expanse of still water was mesmerizing.

“It’s a beautiful island, isn’t it?”

Tierney turned from strapping Pegeen into her highchair. “It sure is. Especially when the rain isn’t drumming against that window.”

Little Denny joined her at the window. “Boats in the harbor.” He pointed. “Joey gotta boat.”

Shiv smiled, pleased he’d gotten over his shyness. “I know. I’ve been on it. Do you like riding on Joey’s boat?”

“Denny drives sometimes.” He turned his head to Joey. “Don’t I?”

“You do,” Joey said, squatting down to talk to him. “Sometimes I drive.” They indicated themself. “And sometimes you drive.” They tapped Denny on the tummy and turned it into a tickle. Denny shrieked and squirmed until Joey lifted him in the air and swung him around to sit at the table.

“We’re encouraging him to use I instead of his name. His speech was a little delayed, so every small milestone is a big win.”

Shiv smiled. “He seems like a smart kid. And before I forget, I didn’t thank you properly for rescuing me last week.”

“No bother at all.” Joey tipped their head toward Shiv’s arm, which was currently covered by a well-worn army shirt. “Has it healed well?”

“Yeah, good as new.” She pushed her sleeve back to show the scabbed-over cuts. “I need to go over to Doc tomorrow to get the stitches out.”

“If you want a lift, I’ll be headed over at one pm.”

“Thanks, that would be perfect.” Another ferry fare saved. Money really was tight when that was her first thought.

Once they’d eaten and Shiv was beginning to feel like it had been a long time since she’d had some peace and quiet, Joey stood.

“How about I leave Denny here for a while and help Shiv with getting those packages to the cottage?”

Kasia carried plates to the sink. “Of course, if Tierney doesn’t mind.” She turned. “When does Marianne get back?”

Joey was wiping Denny’s face and hands. “Wednesday night.” A broad smile broke across their face.

“Mama comin’ home.” Denny’s smile was equally wide.

“She certainly is, shrimp.”

“Marianne’s a superstar chef,” Tierney explained to Shiv. “You may have heard of her.”

Joey reddened. “Shut up, Tierney. She does some TV shows. Mainly in Ireland. You wouldn’t have heard of her in the US.”

Shiv hated when these conversations came up; people could be so weird about her alternative upbringing. “I don’t watch TV.” She scratched at a scab on her arm. “We didn’t have a TV when I was growing up, and I just never got into the habit.”

Tierney glanced her way. “Fair enough. It can be a terrible waste of time. You’ll have to meet Marianne in the flesh then, when she’s back.”

“Yeah, I’m sure I will.” There was nowhere to hide from new acquaintances on this tiny island.

Joey gave Denny a kiss. “See you in a short while, Denny. Come on, Shiv, let’s go.”

“Thanks for everything,” Shiv said to Tierney and Kasia before she followed Joey toward the stairs.

“You’re welcome. And come back soon for a proper meal in the restaurant,” Kasia called after her.

Shiv followed Joey downstairs to a storeroom where her packages had been neatly stacked. Between them, they got them out and into the back of the truck quickly. Joey didn’t mess around.

“You’re getting settled in, then?” Joey took the dirt track slowly so as not to disturb the packages stacked in the back.

Was she? “I’m making sure I’m a little more self-sufficient. I’m used to being able to live off grid, but I had to leave everything behind. I like to know I can cope with any eventuality.”

Joey nodded. “So, what are your plans now you’ve finished the job for Desmond? Are you looking for work?”

Shiv was naturally wary of sharing too much, but if she wanted to get work, she’d have to make herself available.

“Yeah, I might be, if you know of anyone looking for an electrician. I can plaster, too. Painting and decorating, even gardening.” She laughed.

“I can turn my hand to pretty much anything.”

“I might have some work,” Joey said. “My dad’s cottage needs some new sockets and stuff. The whole system needs an overhaul, probably. Would you be interested in doing that?” They pulled up at the cabin.

“Yeah sure, why not?” She got out and started to unload the truck.

“Grand.” They maneuvered a long, heavy box between them into the house. “I’ll give you a call, and bring you over for a look.”

“Sounds good.” She took the last of the packages. “Thanks for the lift, Joey. I owe you another one.”

“Take on that job, and we’re even,” Joey called from the open window as they started the engine. “I’ve been waiting three months for a guy on the mainland to call me back.”

Shiv waved them off. “It’s a deal. See you tomorrow.”

She rushed back in and started to unwrap the long box.

A rolled mattress had seemed the easiest option.

She pulled it into the room with the bed frame, which she’d thoroughly cleaned, aired and painted a jaunty red with some paint she’d found in the storeroom.

She undid the vacuum packaging carefully and rolled the mattress into place.

“That’s more like it.” She quickly located the new sheets and duvet she’d bought and soon had the bed looking welcoming and cozy. She didn’t mind the sleeping bag, but it would be good to have a little stability in her life for a while.

She kicked off her boots and threw herself onto her new bed, settling her hands behind her head on the new plump pillows.

The lunchtime date, uncalled for as it had been, had made her feel kind of warm.

It had been a long time since she’d lived in the squats of her childhood, surrounded by other women and children.

Her adult life had been much more solitary: staying on the move, untraceable and unnoticed.

Until she’d become of interest to someone who had undone all that work of being invisible and forced her to run.

She pushed away the dark thoughts and returned to her day.

There wasn’t much she had found to complain about in her stay in Inishderry so far.

She’d met more kind and welcoming people in the last week than she had in years.

That thought took her to the intriguing doctor.

She wanted to know more about who she was and what she’d done in her life.

The thought surprised her. Her life had been about knowing as little as possible about people, unless she was trying to reveal them as neo-Nazis.

But she drifted off thinking about Doc in her sharp tweed suit, rattling around in that big, lonely ramshackle house.