Page 71 of Distant Shores
The guy—Liem—threw me a quick, curious look as Ireland made it to us.
She was wearing casual athletic clothes, her brown hairpinned away from her face. They stared at each other for several seconds, something intense passing between them.
“How are you? I’ve been meaning to call,” she said quietly.
Liem’s brow pinched as he seemed to really consider his answer before he smiled sadly at her. “We’re here. Muddling through. May I ask the same question of you?”
She looked uncomfortable again, and her eyes flicked to me.
I was missing something. Something big behind those indigo eyes. Something related to the sadness I saw before.
“Hey,” I said softly.
“Hey,” she said back, almost shyly.
Liem’s gaze bounced between us, but I didn’t pay it any attention.
Her gaze trailed down my body, but then she jerked and turned her attention back to Liem. “You shouldn’t ask me that. I…. It wasn’t, you know. It’s not mine to, you know. Whatever.” She waved her hand, her words stilted and full of doubt.
Liem’s gaze sharpened on her before he turned his attention to me and held out his tattooed hand.
“I’m so sorry for my poor manners. I’m Liem Lott.”
“Adair,” I said, shaking his hand slowly before adding, “Jacks.”
“Are you teaching today too?” Ireland asked Liem. “I didn’t see you on the schedule.”
“No, I’ve just been staying with Aunt Ari for a couple of days. In fact.…” He looked over his shoulder, and we followed his gaze.
“Ireland,” an older woman said as she approached our impromptu group.
Hippie. That’s how Pops might’ve described her, with her billowing skirt and beaded jewelry.
The woman pulled Ireland into a hug, and Ireland was rigid as a board for several seconds before she sagged against her, the fight visibly leaving her body.
Liem was looking at them both with a soft smile.
I finally relaxed because it was clear these people loved my mysterious roommate. Or cared for her deeply, at least.
“My dear,” the woman sighed. “I’ve been worried about you.”
“Me?” Ireland asked, a furrow in her brows when she pulled back. “Why me?”
The woman just squeezed Ireland’s arm without answering. Just like Liem hadn’t.
“Hello, young man,” the woman said. “I’m Ari. Or Aunt Ari to this one,” she added, nudging Liem.
“Adair,” I supplied.
Ari smiled kindly, so much like her nephew, then turned back to Ireland. “Listen, I need to speak with you soon about our greenhouse. I know I’ve left it late, but?—”
“Please don’t apologize,” Ireland said, cutting in. “If you don’t feel up to it yet, that’s fine. There’s no rush.”
“That’s kind of you to say, dear, but I think I need this. I need something to focus on besides my… well, everything.”
Our party of unspoken emotion and tension grew from four to five as Delly strode confidently down the hallway to us.
“Hi, everyone,” she said with a little wave.
