Page 89 of Harbor Lights

She dropped into a chair. “I swear that hill is getting steeper.”

Turning from the counter, Shiv tried to subdue her impatience. “You wanted to talk. Go ahead,” she said coldly.

Con winced, then nodded. “Fair enough.” She pushed out of the chair again and approached. Shiv backed up to the counter and folded her arms.

“I want to apologize once again for the other day. I panicked and catastrophized—and you took the impact of that.” Eyes wide, she held Shiv’s gaze.

Shiv shifted, but maintained her position.

“I know it was cowardly,” Con said, “and you probably can’t forgive that because it’s not the way you would ever behave. But please give me a chance.” Her last words broke as her chin wobbled.

Shiv couldn’t bear it any longer. She could act like she didn’t care, but inside she just wanted Con in her arms. “Come here.”

She folded herself around Con and let her rest her head on her shoulder.

“I’m sorry I messed up. Please hear me out.” Con’s words were a humid cloud in her ear.

Shiv slid her hand up to Con’s neck and ruffled her fingertips through the short hairs until she reached the longer waves on top. Gently, she pulled Con back so she could see her.

All the anger of the last twenty-four hours faded. This was where she wanted to be. So, if Con was willing to give them a go, she would jump in at the deep end.

Ignoring Con’s tear-stained cheeks and steamed up glasses, she touched their lips together. Just a tender kiss to show she was feeling it.

“I’m listening,” she said when she pulled back.

The whistle of the boiling kettle broke the mood and she extricated herself. Filling the teapot, she grabbed two mugs.

“Come and sit.”

Pulling out a crisp handkerchief, Con followed her to the table. She pulled off her glasses as she sat, and polished the lenses. Then she blew her nose noisily and sniffed. “Sorry.”

Shiv was sorry for her own behavior. Her usual approach of keeping her distance had protected her until falling in love with Con had left her feeling vulnerable. But she didn’t want to protect her heart any longer. She wanted to open it up to the possibilities of a future with Con. She just needed to hear Con wanted to take the same chance with her.

Con moved to pick up the teapot, then stopped. “The tea can wait. I need to say this.”

She shuffled out of her coat and draped it over the back of her chair. It wasn’t warm in the cabin, but her cheeks were still rosy from the enforced march. Shiv felt another pang of guilt.

Con folded her hands on the table and held Shiv in her firm, green-blue gaze. “I love you. I should’ve said it weeks ago, but it scared me. I’ve spent a decade keeping myself tucked firmly away in the past. And then you marched in. Well, it was more of a stagger to begin with.”

Shiv gave her a grin, acknowledging their first meeting. She must’ve looked like such an angry loser.

“But I couldn’t help myself. You worked yourself into my heart surprisingly quickly. And now…” She blinked a couple of times. “I don’t want you to leave.”

Shiv shrugged. “I’m not leaving. Not anytime soon, anyway.”

“I don’t mean Inishderry. I mean this. Us. I want us to be together, if that’s what you want, too.” Her mouth moved wordlessly for a moment. “You said you loved me?” The words were so full of hope Shiv had to reassure her.

“Yeah, I guess I fell hard, too. And it’s not something I’m experienced in.” She reached across and threaded her fingers in Con’s. “But I don’t know if you’ve noticed, I’m a little all or nothing.”

“I know. And I didn’t give you a reason to feel safe with me. But you are, Shiv. If you choose to be with me, I’ll care for you and protect you with my last breath.”

Shiv didn’t need anyone’s protection. When she opened her mouth to say so, Con touched a finger to her lips.

“Not because you need to be protected or saved, but because that’s what every fiber of my being tells me to do. And you’ll do the same for me.” Her smile suddenly was pure happiness. “Having someone care for you isn’t a weakness, Shiv, it’s a strength. We can face the world together.”

“How has someone so wise spent the last ten years being lonely?”

“Because I made that choice.” Con’s smile faded momentarily. “And now I choose happiness. If you want that, too?” She quirked her eyebrows. “But while you’re considering my proposal, let’s have tea.”

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