Page 130 of The Shell Collector
“What’s it say?”
“Trust the journey.” She handed him the shell. “Paul, I believe you are on this journey with me.”
He squeezed her hand.
“There’s a card.” She opened the envelope and read it out loud.
Dearest Amanda,
You are stronger than you can imagine. It has been my honorto call you my friend. Thank you for sharing your time and allowing me to be a small part of Hailey’s and Jesse’s lives. Grief is a tricky monster. I pray that you and the children will not grieve my departure but rather take joy in knowing that I am with Jarvis on those streets of gold. Tell Hailey I have my sunglasses and I will find Jack. I bet he’s waiting on me with Jarvis.
Embrace your life. I want you to. We all want you to. Be brave, my friend. You have a wonderful life ahead of you. I hope you love Denali and that it’s everything you’ve dreamed of. You made my dream come true. I had no idea that our girls’ trip would be as wonderful as it was. Hopefully this Denali trip will be just as special. If you want to know what I’m thinking, it’s that you and Paul and the children will all take this trip together and make memories that will last a lifetime. I believe you can trust Paul, but don’t listen to this old lady. You trust your heart. I’ll be watching, and if I get to ask for an assignment, you’ll be hearing my voice in your ear every time you walk that beach.
I love you, my dear. Raise your children strong like you. Let Him show you your gifts and He will lead you.
Until we meet again.
Your friend,
Maeve
She looked into Paul’s eyes. “Would you want to go?”
“I would walk on hot coals for you. Whatever you want, I’ll be there. But if you need to do it alone—for Jack—honey, I get it.”
Of course you’d say that.Paul was never selfish. His joy came from the things he did for others. She looked into his eyes, which seemed to lead straight to his heart. “I am so thankful and grateful you are in my life. Our lives. I want you to go to Denali with us.” Yes, she did. That was a memory she wanted to make with him.
His smile brightened. “I can’t wait.”
Amanda let out a breath. “I’m so lucky to have known her. I will never be as amazing as she was, but I hope I can make her proud.”
“You already are. You two were meant to meet and lift each other.”
“It would seem so, wouldn’t it?” Amanda looked around at the lovely home she was now living in.
“You are a strong and remarkable woman. I am so grateful for the love that is growing between us.”
“Paul, for the first time, right this minute, I truly feel worthy of love again.”
“I will never let you down.” He shook his head, his eyes glistening.
“Thank you for being patient with me.”
“I will wait as long as you need.” He took a knee in front of her. “Don’t freak out. I’m not asking you to marry me today.”
She cried, hugging her arms to her chest.
“I want to put it out there that when you’re ready, I do want you to marry me. I’ll wait as long as it takes. I want to be your husband. To love, honor, and obey you. To help you raise your and Jack’s children the way you’d have wanted it.”
She hugged his neck.
“Interrupt worry with gratitude.”
—
The next morning, it took a moment for Amanda to realize where she was. It would take some getting used to living here in Maeve’s house. She heard voices from outside. She pushed the covers back and walked into the hall. She followed the sound toward the front door and stepped out onto the porch. Paul, Hailey, and Jesse looked as guilty as three pirates standing there at the bottom of the steps.
“What is going on?”
