Page 94 of Harbor Lights
“You bet. I’m helping Joey grade some oysters, then I said I’ll go with them on their deliveries. They’ll drop me off on the way back. Will I bring food?”
“No need. I’ll get a stew in the slow cooker before work.” Con turned for the door. “Gotta go, or I’ll need to sprint down the hill.”
They’d both gotten better at cooking in recent weeks, and Marianne had been sending them recipes to try. Con clearly got more satisfaction out of cooking than Shiv, and she said she enjoyed it as an end to her working day. Shiv was happy with that outcome. Left to herself, she would still chew on a meal replacement bar, but Con’s dishes were becoming hard to resist, and she was finding the fit of her jeans a little more snug.
She held the door for Con and got a last kiss before she strode away down the rocky track. Shiv had never missed a person the way she missed Con when they were apart. She’d never even known it was possible to feel this way. But she liked it. After making love, she had no desire to get out of the bed and go find her own place to sleep. Curled in Con’s arms was where she wanted to drift into dreams.
Jesus, but I’m getting soft in my old age.
But she didn’t mind. While this couple thing was all new ground for her, she’d settled into it. She couldn’t—didn’t want to—imagine her life without Con in it now.
She showered and dressed, still revisiting the night they’d just had. Every night they spent together, which was most nights, was memorable. Shiv had discovered a whole new world she hadn’t known existed, of loving and being loved.
Hammering at the door made her start. Visitors at the cabin were rare.
Joey stood on the doorstep, a wide, white grin splitting their broad face. “I was dropping Mari to the ferry, and I saw Con getting onboard looking a little rumpled, but with a big smile. Figured you might appreciate a ride across the island. In case you’re a little… tired.”
Shiv rolled her eyes, still a little embarrassed at how enthusiastic their friends were about seeing Con and her together. “I’m okay, thanks. Well rested.” She grabbed her old coat and elbowed Joey on her way past. “But as you’re here, you can take me to work.”
She loved the variety of work she now got pulled into. There was more than enough work for someone who could turn their hand to most things, and she had a waiting list for electrical jobs.
She was always happy, though, to put everything aside whenever Joey needed help. Today, they’d be hand-cleaning and sorting oysters ready to be sold. It was a laborious job, but the time went quickly in Joey’s easy company, and her sense of achievement was great when the bags were loaded into the truck for delivery.
She slid onto the bench seat of the cab, and they pulled away slowly down the narrow track.
“What are you doing at the weekend?”
“Mari’s away, so it’s just me and Denny. We’ll probably go on a rock pool safari, if the weather isn’t too bad.”
“All weekend? Can’t you get out for a swim or anything?”
Shiv was a little frustrated. Since she’d been on the island, there had always been something going on among her friends, whether it was dinner at someone’s house, an event at the Waterside, or just a cold-water dip off the quay. But it was Friday, and she hadn’t been able to tie down any of her friends to a single activity over the weekend. Even Con had been strangely vague about what she had planned.
“Dunno. I guess it depends if Aoife invites Denny over. Can I let you know?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Shiv mulled it over as they drove across the island, but she couldn’t put her finger on what had changed. Perhaps she’d overestimated island life, and she was in for a dull few months before the buzz of the summer kicked in.
* * *
The buzzof an alarm filtered through Shiv’s dreams, and she stirred as the arms that enclosed her moved away. She let out a complaining moan.
“I’m sorry, darlin’, that’s my alarm.”
“But it’s Saturday.” She snuggled in tighter, preventing Con from getting out of bed.
Con relaxed for a moment and hugged her back. “I want to stay, but I’ve got to go.”
“Where? It’s the weekend. You didn’t tell me you had plans.” She sat up as her annoyance at the uncertainty of the weekend resurfaced.
Con slipped out of the bed and made a beeline for the bathroom.
“I’ve got an appointment. I must’ve forgotten to mention it.”
She left the door ajar.
“The weather’s looking good. I thought we could go for a beach walk.” Shiv wasn’t giving up without a fight.
Con’s head appeared around the door. “I’ll be back after lunch, and I’ll be all yours for the afternoon.” She started to brush her teeth, abandoning the conversation.
