Page 108 of The Shell Collector
“Oh my gosh. Did I sleep all that time?”
“It’s okay.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not.”
She pulled her feet underneath her. He could see the memories from yesterday filling in the dream spaces. “Maeve.”
“It’s life. She’s lived a long one.”
“She has, and she said she’s ready.” Amanda sat there sorting through conflicting emotions. “She’s very peaceful about it. Why am I not?”
He ran his fingers along her arm. “Because we selfishly want to keep all the good people around us.”
“We do.” She nodded slowly.
“Exactly. It’s why I’m still sitting here now, invited or not.”
“Thank you, Paul. I know you didn’t sign up for all this drama. Taking care of the kids and then me too.”
“But that’s exactly what I’m here for. For you, Amanda. For them too. This is what I want. More than anything. We’re friends first always. I will always be here for you.”
The moment was oddly quiet now that the rain had stopped, and he wondered what she was feeling. “The kids will be awake soon. I’m going to make you and the troops breakfast.” He pressed his hands together. “Can I have free rein of your kitchen?”
“Only if I can have coffee first.”
“You can. I’ll bring you a cup. You hang right there.”
“I won’t turn that down.”
He’d hoped she wouldn’t. He went into the kitchen and made her coffee.
“For you, madam.” He handed her the mug. “I’m going to let you drink that while I rustle up some breakfast for all of us.”
“An offer I can’t refuse.” She lifted her mug to her lips.
He went back into the kitchen and rummaged through the refrigerator and pantry, mentally making a plan. He wished he had the ingredients to make pancakes, but eggs and bacon would have to do this time.
He was taking the bacon out of the pan with a fork when Hailey and Jesse ran in and halted to a dead stop in front of him.
He turned, holding up the fork in one hand, with Amanda’s pink butterfly apron wrapped around his waist.
“You’re not Mommy.” Jesse folded his arms across his chest, one eyebrow up in a peculiarly good impression of The Rock. Jack would have so loved that.
Paul knelt down. “Mommy is right behind you. In there.”
They spun around and ran to the couch, hugging her. “Good morning, Mommy.”
“Paul is cooking in your apron?” Hailey raised her arm in the air, palm up. “Is that crazy or what?”
“Hey now,” Paul interjected. “Don’t be talking about the chef behind his back. I happen to be quite the cook, and breakfast will be ready in a minute. Hailey, can you set the table for me?”
Hailey ran into the kitchen. “I can. I know how.”
Paul dished the food onto the plates and carried them to the table. “Ding, ding, ding. Breakfast bell.”
“It looks amazing,” Amanda said as she sat down. Reaching for her napkin, she looked back up at Paul. “You picked this for me?” She twirled a dandelion between her fingers.
