Page 125 of The Shell Collector
“Well, technically Maeve helped, but I do feel more independent about it. I’m sorry. I hope you appreciate why I can’t let you give me a space.”
He returned the jar to the box and raised his hands. “Not another word. I like you being strong enough to do your own things. I completely understand.”
She was so much busier these days, but she didn’t mind one bit. “I am, but I need to also keep my priorities straight.”
“Kids first.”
“I want to put God first. And you and the kids first. Everything else second.”
“We need to work on your math,” he teased. “But seriously,Ihave people who can help you set up a website and everything. I hope you’ll let me make that connection for you.They’re amazing, and it wouldn’t cost much. You have plenty of room for inventory here, so why move all this to Maeve’s? Which, by the way, we need to quit calling it Maeve’s house.”
“What should we call it?”
“The Shell Collector?”
She laughed, but it wasn’t a half-bad idea. “I kind of like that. Yeah, I really like that. A nod to Maeve. She will always be a special part of this town. Plus, it’s catchy.”
Paul said, “I was kidding, but it does kind of work.”
“I’m going to give these salts away until I can get a business going. I’ll get some feedback and start a customer base at the same time. I’m going to build a very strong business plan, just like you did. Baby steps. I can do it.”
“I know you can do it on your own, but if you want to bounce ideas off me or whatever, I’m here for you.”
“I’d love that kind of help. I’m really excited about this. Salt of the Earth is going to be a real thing.” She pushed the jars back onto the counter. “And you’re right. No reason I can’t leave the inventory here.”
He lifted his hand and high-fived her.
She slapped his hand. “To Salt of the Earth,” she said, then hugged him.
“We could set you up a little kiosk at Paws Town Square onthe weekends if you want,” Paul said. “We’ve been talking about letting vendors rotate through to give the regulars something new and fresh.”
She squeezed her hands together. “This is pretty exciting. Wait, do you think it’s smart for us to mix business and our relationship?”
“That depends. I’d like us to mix everything. I don’t have any plans to be anywhere but where you are. I was hoping you were feeling it too.”
“What if things don’t work out?”
“Then we’ll still be friends.”
“If I lost your friendship, I’d—”
“You are the most important friend in my life. That will never change. I can promise you that.” He placed his hands on her hips. “Amanda, if we didn’t at least try, we could miss out on something really amazing. I know you’re not ready right now. We don’t have to rush things, but can’t we at least try? Then someday we could get married and all live together in The Shell Collector. I hear there’s plenty of room.”
She sucked in a breath. “You know I’m afraid.”
“That’s okay. We’ll work on it. Together.”
I want to believe that.“Losing Jack left a hole in both our lives, but now it’s like he’s bringing us together.”
“It’s a strange place to be. I get it.”
“I wonder if we’re just filling the gaping wounds and these might not be real feelings that we’re experiencing.”
He looked like he was holding his breath. “But you are feeling something, right?”
“Something. Yes. For sure.”
“That’s all we need for now.”
