Page 54 of Harbor Lights

Well, they’re not secret now, are they?

She was being silly. She couldn’t keep it under wraps forever. And now with Shiv involved, she felt much more confident they could make it happen.

“That’s right. We’re hoping to turn it into a youth club.”

“Oh, that would be a wonderful thing for the island.” Kasia clapped her hands.

“It would, but there are a few hoops to jump yet, so I’d appreciate if you kept it to yourselves for now.”

“I gotta convince my granddad to let us have the shed, for one.” Shiv had her mug cupped in her hands and Con worried she was still cold.

“So very much not a done deal.” Kasia’s enthusiasm faded.

“I have full confidence in Shiv’s negotiating skills.” Con squeezed Shiv’s knee.

“It’s not worth anything to him, and my labor is.” Shiv shrugged.

“I see you have a good understanding of your grandfather’s priorities.” Kasia stood and drained her mug. “I need to get on, but stay as long as you want.” She pressed Colette back into the chair. “Stay and finish your coffee. The kitchen will cope without you.”

She paused at the door. “Good luck with your plans. Keep me posted.”

“She’s a whirlwind, isn’t she?” Shiv murmured.

“Yeah, but such a good boss. She pulls everyone along in her wake.” Colette’s smile was full of admiration. “And she leaves me to run my kitchen without any interference.”

“It must be killing her inside.” Con laughed, knowing Kasia’s need for control.

“Anyway, enough of my work.” Colette pulled her chair closer. “Tell me more about your involvement in the youth club. Are you planning to stick around?”

Her questions were aimed solely at Shiv, so Con sat back in her seat and watched Shiv answer the interrogation. Con couldn’t see her expression since Shiv was turned toward Colette. She still had her hands clasped around her mug, but she appeared relaxed while she explained to Colette she hadn’t made any long-term plans, and how keen she was to see this project get off the ground.

“And what did you do before you came here?”

Shiv’s leg tensed where it rested against Con’s. She bit back the impulse to answer for Shiv and shield her from the inquisition.

“I was—am—a political activist, working against fascists and neo-Nazi organizations. But I ended up in jail for a spell.”

“Oh, what worthwhile work. I admire people like you who give up everything for the greater good.”

Con thought Colette was gushing a little, but Shiv’s shoulders relaxed a little more. “I don’t know about that, but anyway, I made a powerful enemy, and I came here to lie low.”

Con hadn’t heard Shiv talk so freely to anyone other than herself. She observed the young chef a bit more closely. Her jet-black hair framed a triangular face with sharp cheekbones. She had pale blue eyes made more startling by the dark lashes that surrounded them. Damn. Why had Con never noticed how stunning she was?

She sat forward now, her hands clasped on her crossed legs, the picture of a receptive audience, all ears for Shiv’s quiet honesty about her life, without a sign of insincerity. Con was beginning to feel like a third wheel. She drained her mug and stood. “I’d better be heading for the ferry.”

She had half an hour, but she’d rather stand, getting soaked on the quay, than watch this interaction a moment longer.

Shiv blinked up at her and got to her feet. “I’ll walk you down.”

“You don’t need to do that. You just got dry and warm.”

Shiv’s eyes held her own and Con’s insecurity about losing her attention was gone in a moment. “I want to. And Kasia says I have to borrow a waterproof coat.”

“I need to get to work, anyway.” Colette gathered their mugs.

Shiv turned to her. “It was good to meet you.”

Colette clasped her hand with her free one. “You, too. Will I see you again soon?”

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