Page 76 of Harbor Lights

“Are they meant to be just an audience? Shouldn’t they take part?”

“Hey.” Tierney put down her mug. “We only need so many participants. Most people aren’t as good as they think, anyway.”

Shiv spotted a weak spot and continued to tease her cousin. “Surely, it’s about variety. That’s what everyone loves about karaoke. That even the tone deaf can take part.”

“Right, that’s it.” Tierney stood. “As punishment for trying to sabotage my high-quality karaoke night, you get to choose the duet of your choice to sing with Doc.”

Shiv dropped her smirk. “I told you I don’t sing.”

“Ah-ha!” Tierney stroked her chin. “We’ve moved from can’t sing todon’tsing. I believe we’re getting closer to the truth.”

Shiv waved her away, laughing. “Investigate all you want. I’m not singing tonight.”

“Refuses to sing.” Tierney jotted in an imaginary notebook.

Shiv tossed a cushion at her, then she spotted the lights of the ferry rounding the lighthouse in the near darkness and jumped up. “They made it!”

Lightning forked across the sky.

“Looks like Doc will need a room for the night if the weather’s hitting already.” Thunder rumbled over the end of Tierney’s words.

“Ah, she was planning to stay in the cottage, I think.” She tried to sound nonchalant, but it felt shifty. What should she say? Until she and Con had established what exactly was going on, she didn’t plan to discuss it with her chatty cousin.

“Really?” When Tierney collected the mugs from the table, Shiv followed her to the kitchen. “Those kids’ beds aren’t made for adults, and I’ll never hear the last of it if Doc gets a stiff back. She loves her comfort.”

“She can have the main bedroom. I’m good on the couch.”

“Okay. Well, we’ll find her a room if she needs it.” Tierney pulled a car key from a hook and held it out. “Why don’t you run the car down to pick her up? That rain’s gonna hit any moment.”

Shiv grabbed the keys and made for the door. “Good plan. See you shortly.”

The ferry was pulling up alongside the quay as she sprinted across the car park to the battered white car and pulled the door shut. The rain came out of nowhere in a violent sheet.

She found the windshield wipers, crunched the gears, and slowly rolled down the hill toward the quay. Perhaps she should’ve mentioned to Tierney she’d never driven a stick shift. How hard could it be?

Jacky was pulling the hood tight on his waterproof jacket while he readied the gangplank for the two passengers who stood sheltering in the cabin. Shiv recognized Con’s stocky shape covered by her long coat. Her chest warmed at the knowledge they’d be together again shortly. Shiv had lived with people in the past. Other activists in the cramped quarters of her RV. But they’d come and gone, and she had never missed them, or even thought much of them after they left. Now here she was, unable to imagine a life without Con. She didn’t want to imagine it. Life was better when they were together.

Shit, she was in deep. But Con felt it, too, and she’d said she was tired of fighting it. So, what would tonight look like? And what about after that?

She took in a long breath. They had Tierney’s fucking karaoke to get through before they could talk. She had to keep her shit together and act casual.

She jumped when the door opened and Con bundled in, throwing her overnight bag onto the back seat. The movement covered Shiv in a fine mist of rainwater.

“Sorry.” Con wiped ineffectually at her shoulder. “Fucking horrendous night, it’s turned out to be.”

Her face widened in a smile. “But I’m loving the chauffeur service.”

Shiv’s gaze dropped to Con’s mouth. She wanted to kiss her so bad, but she wanted Con to take the lead, if that’s what she wanted, too. Con’s eyes softened with desire as she leaned in toward Shiv, but then she pulled back violently when someone rapped on the passenger window. She lowered it slightly.

“Any chance of a lift, there, Siobhán?” Jacky peered in.

Shiv plastered on a smile. “Of course, jump in before you’re soaked to the skin.” She nudged Con, who grinned sheepishly.

“Thanks a million.” Jacky let himself into the back and slung his bag next to him. “Are you heading to the karaoke?”

“We certainly are, Jacky.” Con had regained her composure. “Will we be treated to your rendition of Galway Girl tonight?”

“That you might.” Jacky cleared his throat. “On the condition of me being fully lubricated, obviously.”

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