Page 33 of The Shell Collector
Maeve walked out of the surf shop with joy bubbling in her heart. Kimmy would be fine. The heavenly shade of pink in that shell only confirmed what she’d been thinking since she found her own pink treasures down on the beach earlier: twin girls.
Whelk’s Island was growing, and in a good way.
10
That evening, Amanda rearranged thekitchen. There was no reason not to use the space she’d had built for her business. They could use the room for a homework station for Hailey or more storage. She regretted not having done enough research and planning to pass the inspection required for a cottage food business in the first place.
Rookie mistake. Jack would have never missed that detail.
Dried herbs had seemed like such an easy option, and she loved working with them. Even though she’d made certain she could partition Denali’s access from the kitchen area she planned for her business, it was a direct violation for him to be in the house at all.
She thought of rehoming Denali, but she couldn’t deprive the kids of him. Jack had specifically picked out that dog for them. It was their last gift from him. She wouldn’t give up her dream, though. Somehow, someday, she’d figure out a way to make it happen.
The kids were still playing in their room, so she took advantage of the extra time to package dried herbs, then jar some of the new salt she’d made. In a couple of weeks, she’d try it on a few dishes.
She hoped for good results. If nothing else, her family ate well. She was proud of herself for not letting her kids live on hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and macaroni and cheese. That in itself was a win.
Jack used to tease her that she’d have inventory to supply the world before she ever sold the first jar if she didn’t start advertising them. The plan had been to take the different mixes to the farmers market as a testing ground, but that was the summer Jack never came home. Another year had passed since then, and here she was still experimenting.
She lifted her chin as she often did when she spoke to Jack. “I’ll sell them one day.”
It wouldn’t be this year, but she’d find a way to rent a space that met the state requirements. For now, she could give the salts as Christmas gifts to the new friends she’d make at work. And she’d concentrate on designing the website. Those were things she could do now, and maybe even build up some early reviews and clientele.
The thought of new people in her life warmed her. She picked up one of the jars. Elegant yet simple. She and Jack had looked through the catalog many times before making a decision. Even coming up with the recipes to test each new flavor was backed by hours of thought and methodical measurement. A flash of a memory—Jack sitting there, pretending to be nervous about trying yet another dish. Then slowly savoring each bite as serious as a judge on one of those cooking shows.
She put a lot of work into coming up with good recipes to use her herbal salts in, and Jack had been a big part of that. She sank into the loving memory for a moment. Enjoying it. He’d always been her biggest cheerleader.
Recipe cards!Why hadn’t she made that connection before? She could offer a monthly subscription service.There are opportunities here. No, I won’t give up the dream, Jack.
Amanda grabbed a notebook and jotted down the ideas. How she wished she’d been able to make it happen this year.Everything will fall into place when it is supposed to.
She climbed on the step stool and tucked the new batch in the cupboard. Jars filled the shelves of the double cabinet.
She took three different jars down from the cabinet shelf: one sweet, a citrus, and a savory blend. She placed them on the counter. They might make a nice gift for Maeve. If she cooked. She couldn’t really picture the older woman dawdling around in the kitchen in those snap-up cotton shifts old ladies wore. No, Maeve, even on the beach, was always in vivid colors. Gauzy flowing fabrics that moved like the surrounding weather. She seemed like a free spirit who loved nature. Someone who’d pick lazing in a hammock outside over a day in the kitchen wearing an apron.
There was something about Maeve that made Amanda want to learn more about her.
Maybe it was the confidence with which she moved. Her independence. Or the dedication to what she loved—being on the beach, rain or shine. Or simply that she’d been kind enough to stop and chat with Hailey and Jesse. Maeve hadn’t been the least put out by their interruption. In fact, she’d seemed delighted, charmed even, by them. Amanda loved how Maeve had stomped her foot into the surf and splashed Jesse back. So unexpected and playful. Amanda wished she could be that carefree and spontaneous.
Smiling at the thought, she fashioned a ribbon around bunches of lavender, rosemary, and thyme and wrapped them and the herb-infused salts in a length of unbleached muslin for Maeve. She’d deliver them later. But now it was getting late and she needed to put the kids to bed.
After Hailey and Jesse had brushed their teeth and changed into pajamas, Amanda knelt next to the bunk beds and squeezed her eyes tight. Her two angels started their prayer.
“Now my lay me…”
Those little voices grabbed her heart. Such a big job to do all the right things by them, by herself.Don’t let me mess them up.Some days I can barely take care of me.As usual, Jesse yawned before they could get through the whole thing. There were a few times when he’d been fast asleep before Hailey said amen.
She kissed them each on the forehead. “I love you with all my heart.”
She let out a breath with the click of the bedroom door.
We’re all safe. I made it through another day.
As Amanda climbed into her own bed, she thought of the message in the lip of her shell:“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.”Jack’s shirt hanging on her chair still tethered her to life these days.
I’ll know when it’s time.
She quietly recited her prayers, adding one new name to the list tonight.Maeve.
