Page 129 of The Shell Collector
“Maeve signed the deed to this house and property over to you. You’ll be responsible for taxes and insurance beginning two years from now. She’s left the funds to take care of it until then and to board her dog if you choose to do so.”
“We’ll take care of Methuselah,” Amanda said.
Paul dipped his head. “Absolutely. We’ve got that covered.”
“All I need is your signature here and here and we’ll get the deed transfer done.”
Amanda leaned forward and signed the papers. “That seems too easy.”
“The house was paid for. No liens or anything, although I did have a title search done for Maeve as good practice.”
“Thank you.”
“All the details are in this package.” He slid it over to Amanda. “That’s all I need from you.”
Next to the papers, he placed a simple blue box.
Before she could ask what it was, Mr. Ledger reached into his jacket. “And this is from Judy.” He handed Amanda an envelope as he stood. “I’ll leave you to go through everything. Ifyou have any questions at all, call me. There’s no charge, andI’ll take care of whatever queries or problems you encounter.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ledger.”
“You’re welcome. I’m really sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.”
“I can let myself out.” He stood, straightened his jacket, and left.
“This is a lot to take in,” Amanda said. She turned and laid her head on Paul’s shoulder.
“She was very generous.”
Amanda opened the card from Judy first.
Dear Amanda,
You and your children made my sister’s life so full at the end. She cherished the days since she met you. You made her last days happy, and she was then ready to meet her one true love in heaven. I know because she told me so, and she also told me she hoped she would die in her sleep, which is exactly what she did. I pray you can find comfort in that. Carry on and treasure your life with those precious children and recognize your gifts. Give them away. God will keep giving you more.
Maeve’s loving sister,
Judy
She passed the letter to Paul.
He held her hand while he read it. “She was something,” he said. “You two have the same heart.”
She picked up the blue box that Mr. Ledger left on the table. It had some weight to it. She lifted the lid. Inside, there was an envelope on top.
Amanda opened it, then looked up at Paul. “It’s information about Denali, the mountain in Alaska.” A glossy brochure highlighted a two-week cruise and rail trip along with a stay to see the northern lights. “Doesn’t this look beautiful?”
“Jack really wanted to take you there. I’m sure if he had one regret about not coming back, it was that you two never got to make that trip.”
She looked at the pictures. “I still want to see it. All of it. The summit. The northern lights. Those small Alaskan communities.”
She swept back tissue paper and lifted out a blob of Bubble Wrap secured by packing tape. “This is really taped up tight.”
“Here, let me get that.” Paul took the knife from his pocket and sliced the tape. He pulled the Bubble Wrap from the outside. “It’s a shell.”
“Oh? I should’ve known.” She breathed a happy sigh. “It’s a conch. She loved them.” She turned it over in her hand. “It has a message. Like the other ones.”
