Page 34 of The Shell Collector
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Maeve had been so distracted thinking of Kimmy and her soon-to-be arrivals that she nearly missed Amanda and the kids leaving the library.
“Hello!” Maeve said. “What a nice surprise.”
“Hey. Hailey was just talking about you again.”
“Really?” Maeve rubbed her ear, teasing with Hailey.
“Good things,” Hailey said.
“She checked out a book about North Carolina shells so she could learn about them.”
“You are absolutely precious,” she said to Hailey, who beamed.
“There are a lot of pictures in here too. I’m going to try to collect one of everything.”
“My. That will be quite the adventure. It could take a long time.”
“Will you help me?”
“Of course. I’d love to.”
“I gotClifford the Big Red Dog.” Jesse lifted the book in the air, showing it off. “Ruff ruff bowwow.”
“My daddy used to read that to me when I was a little girl,” Hailey said with all the confidence of a teenager rather than a six-year-old. “I told Jesse it’s a good book. He’s going to love it.” She leaned in, lowering her voice. “Hopefully, Mom can do the voices right. Daddy was so good at it, but he’s not here.”
Hailey glanced at Amanda, almost as if she were worried her mom may have overheard.
Maeve wondered what the rest of the story was.
Amanda’s cheeks were as red as the brightly colored dog on the cover of Jesse’s library book. She lowered her head, looking everywhere except at Maeve.
“I’ll do my best.” Amanda sounded playful, but Maeve caught the overzealous tone that didn’t ring quite sincere.
Amanda swallowed so hard that Maeve thought the young lady might choke.Poor thing. I recognize the hurt behind those pretty eyes.“Everyone tells a story in their own special way. I bet it will be different but every bit as special.”
Hailey seemed to think about it for a second. “You’re probably right.” She reached for her mother’s hand.
“Thank you, Hailey.” Amanda brushed her hair back over her shoulder. “Why don’t you and your brother go sit on a bench over there in the reading garden and look at your books. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Hailey took Jesse’s hand and together they ran through the gate.
There was a nervous laugh, followed by a sigh, and then Amanda turned and faced Maeve. “It’s not easy when a marriage ends. The kids—”
“They’re resilient, and yours are just fine. More than fine. I can feel their joy from a distance. Don’t you worry.”
“Well, I…we moved here for a fresh start.”
“You made a wonderful choice.” Maeve eyed her, wishing she’d tell her more. She’d always been a good listener, but it was harder to listen when folks wouldn’t share the words. “Whelk’s Island is a happy place. Sure, it’s gotten busier over the years, but the true locals are a rare and wonderful lot. This community still embraces old-fashioned traditions, and I have a feeling you’re going to fit right in and be very happy here.”
“I sure can use some happiness. I’m so tired of being sad.”
“Honey, unfortunately no life is free of sadness, be it from pain, loss, illness, or…well, you get the idea. It’s all a necessary part of a life well lived.”
“Seems like there’d be an easier way.”
“Not our place to say, is it?”
