Page 115 of The Shell Collector
Such big and loving promises from an innocent, sincere heart.
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Friday morning got there soquickly that Amanda barely had a chance to worry about how much she’d miss Hailey and Jesse. But she wanted to do this for Maeve. The kids were in good hands with Paul, and he had Tug to call in a pinch.
She had to work fast to pull it all together. She’d never been to Charleston, either, but with a specific goal in mind, she had a good plan and couldn’t wait to get started. Taking the trip would be bittersweet, but she treasured the opportunity to spend this time with Maeve uninterrupted, helping her fulfill her lifelong wish.
Judy had insisted they use the limo service she’d scheduled and offered to pay extra to allow them to break up the ride into two days for the side trip. Paul used his airline miles to book Amanda a flight back home. Everything had fallen into place without so much as a snag.
Amanda looked forward to meeting Maeve’s sister. The age difference between Judy and Maeve was nearly twenty years. She could see why Judy might feel like she needed to take care of Maeve, since Maeve had taken care of her when she was young. She wondered how much Judy would be like Maeve, if at all.
Amanda and the children met up with Paul and Tug at the diner. The guys assured her everything would be fine and made her promise not to worry and to have the trip of a lifetime. That was a hard promise for her to make, but she’d try to keep it.
She hugged and kissed Hailey and Jesse, but they seemed almost eager to get rid of her since they were so excited to have a camping weekend with Paul. She tried not to take it personally.
The kids waved goodbye from the counter while Paul walked her back outside to her car.
“I trust you completely.” She placed her hand on his cheek. “I can’t thank you enough for doing this for me. I know it’s a big favor to ask.”
“It’s not. I’m happy to do it. Now, you better get going.” Paul stopped next to her car. “I’m not going to bother you, so you call if and when you need to, okay?”
She nodded and started to open the car door, then turned back and ran into Paul’s arms. He held her tight. “You girls make these days the best possible, and then you and I are going to make memories here. I love you, Amanda. I always will. I’ve got this.”
He kissed her, on the mouth this time.
“Thank you. I’ll see y’all soon.” Amanda let go of Paul and got in her car, throwing it in reverse and heading home before she changed her mind.
He loves me.
She drove to her house with those words teasing her brain.Like love love? I can’t process this right now. Focus on Maeve.
The driver would be picking them up at Maeve’s at ten o’clock.
Amanda had made some cookies and a casserole for Paul and the kids, but if she had to guess, they’d eat at Tug’s the whole time she was gone. She wrote a good-night note for each of them and laid them on their pillows. A big heart on the front of each note. Paul’s too.
She grabbed her luggage, then closed the door behind her, feeling blessed for the path she was on. She loved this little house and all the special moments Whelk’s Island had given her so far.
She drove over to Maeve’s house. She left her overnight bag in the car and climbed the stairs.
Maeve met her at the door. “Are you as excited as I am?”
“Yes. I couldn’t sleep all night!”
“Come on in. I feel like ten o’clock will never get here.” Maeve hurried her inside. It was a beautiful day. The Carolina blue sky was as clear as could be. There wasn’t one cloud overhead, and the ocean was as calm as bathwater.
The nurse had finished up her short term last night, so Maeve and Amanda were alone.
“It was nice to have the place to myself this morning,” Maeve said. “One last time.”
“Are you sure about all this? You can change your mind. We can make it work. Me. Tug. Paul. We’ll all do whatever you need us to.”
“No. I’m sure of my plan.”
“Do you have everything you want to take?”
“Yes.”
The doorbell rang. “That’s probably our driver.” Amanda grabbed Maeve’s hands, unable to hold in the little squeal of anticipation. “I’ll let him in.”
