Page 67 of Harbor Lights

Shiv’s voice was still a little indistinct.

“Just about. No thanks to your actions.”

She didn’t mean to sound gruff, and Shiv tensed under her fingers. “Sorry. You scared me. How are you feeling?”

“Like shit. I got a cramp in my leg in the water, and everything hurts like hell.”

“Your muscles are warming up, so you’ll get the sensation back. If it was a serious muscle spasm, it’ll hurt for a few days.”

She let go of her grip on Shiv’s arm and covered it back up with the various layers Tierney had added.

“Are you feeling up to a slow walk to the hotel? It’ll warm you up.”

“M’not feeling up to anything, but I’ll give it my best shot.”

Con took a firm hold of Shiv’s elbow and put her other arm around her waist. She was so slight, even bundled up in all the blankets, Con thought it would be easier to carry her. But she needed to keep her circulation moving. Anyhow, Con wasn’t prepared for the fight needed to get Shiv to agree to that.

“I’m here, too.” Tierney materialized on Shiv’s other side. “Aoife will tidy up here and lock up with Seán when the paperwork’s done.”

Con threw Aoife a grateful glance as Shiv shuffled forward. “Take it easy, now. There’s no rush.”

“I think I’m gonna need a ride up to the cabin,” Shiv mumbled.

Tierney laughed. “You ain’t going nowhere, cuz. Joey only got the Coast Guard off your back by promising Doc here would be observing you overnight.”

Shiv’s eyes flicked to her briefly before she focused back on getting one foot in front of the other.

“Lucky for you we had a last-minute cancellation on one of the cottages. The one with the best view, in my opinion. So, you’ve got it as long as you need it.”

Tierney kept up her chirpy chatter all along the road past the quay where the ferry docked, and up to the hotel. Con hoped it was taking Shiv’s mind off her discomfort. She was just grateful she didn’t have to think of any small talk.

When they finally crossed the lawn behind the hotel, Tierney steered them toward the correct white cottage on the shoreline. The door opened and Pegeen ran out, carefully navigated the small step, and toddled across the lawn toward them.

Kasia appeared at the door, her hair escaping from her ponytail. “She was watching at the window the whole time.”

Tierney dropped to her knees and caught the little bundle of chatter and swung her into her arms.

“We’re back now, sweetie.”

Con led Shiv into the house and immediately wanted to throw off her coat. It appeared Kasia had taken the instruction to make the house warm very seriously. The fire blazed in the hearth and an oil heater had been set up at the other end of the open plan living area.

She helped Shiv drop into a chair near the fire, then removed her own layers as the creeping heat radiated out from her core.

Kasia took her coat and dropped her a sympathetic glance. Her face felt red from the heat. Her glasses steamed up and she pulled them off, running her sleeve across her face.

“Perfect conditions for Siobhán to warm up. Not so ideal for me.”

Shiv turned her head upward. “You don’t have to stay. I’ll be good here with the fire.” Her tawny eyes flickered with a different message. Were they pleading with her to stay, or was Con kidding herself?

“Idohave to stay, as it happens. As the only available medical professional, it’s my duty to make sure you’re okay.” She pulled her cashmere sweater over her head before it killed her and replaced her glasses. “So, you’re stuck with me.”

Kasia headed toward the door, where Tierney waited with Pegeen on her hip. “Soup’s warming on the stove. There’s fresh bread there, too, if you want it.” She indicated. “And the tea’s brewed. We need to get Peggy to bed, but if there’s anything at all you need, just text.”

Con saw them to the door. “Thank you for everything.”

“Like I said before, Shiv’s family. It’s no trouble.” Tierney let Pegeen to the ground and skipped across the lawn with her. Kasia winked and followed.

Con closed the door, and the heat hit her again. How was she going to cope with a night of this? She’d dressed for a winter ferry trip and a visit to Shiv’s clifftop cabin, not for a furnace. She had the urge to strip off her heavy corduroy trousers, but she wasn’t up for parading around in her boxer shorts in front of Shiv. Besides, this wasn’t about her.

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