Page 69 of The Shell Collector
Jesse lifted his arms and made muscles. His body quivered as he struck the pose.
Paul reached over and squeezed his bicep. “Wow. You are strong.”
“From digging moats. I’m a really fast digger. It makes your arms burn.”
“I taught him everything he knows.” Hailey stepped in front of her brother to vie for Paul’s attention.
“I bet you two are a good team,” he said.
“The best. Come on, Jesse. Let’s finish the tea party.” She sat back down, and Amanda and Paul watched them in an awkwardly weird but wonderful quiet.
Amanda spoke softly. “I hate that Jesse doesn’t really remember Jack. I’m not sure how to keep all the memories alive without keeping the hurt around too. And Hailey…oh my gosh, if she doesn’t end up a psychologist, I’ll be shocked. That kid is so in tune with my moods. She can sense when I’m struggling. I hate that.” Pain danced in her eyes.
“Perhaps Jack’s working through them to make sure you’re okay,” Paul offered.
Her lips parted softly. “Hadn’t really thought of that.”
“You’re a wonderful mother. If anyone can lead them through this, it’s you. You know the way.”
“Yes. I sure do,” she said, pressing her hands together.
“I thought you might have gone back to Ohio. Your mom—”
She flipped a hand in the air to stop him. “That’s a sore subject. She’s been so determined to get me home that she’s been no help at all.”
“I’m sure she means well.”
“You know how she can be,” Amanda said.
It was true. Amanda and her mom had had their challenges over the years, but Paul knew after burying his parents that those matters didn’t seem worth fighting over when they were no longer around to love.
She held her head high. “Our life is here now. It’s a good place to be.”
His whole life was here, too, although explaining that meant telling her that he’d left the Marines. She’d only ever known him as a soldier. Jack had died for this country. He’d wanted to fight for Jack’s honor, but no matter what, he couldn’t bring him back.
He wanted to tell her—Maeve seemed to think he should too—but it was too much to lay on top of the already emotional day. Instead, he rested his forearms on the table and leaned in.
“I’m so glad I saw you today. Thank you for letting me backin.”
“I needed someone to blame, and your big shoulders were right there. You didn’t deserve it, but I guess even that served a purpose. It made me figure it out by myself, and I needed that.”
“My big shoulders are always here for you. For them. Please let me help.” He thrummed his fingers against the wooden picnic table. “I don’t want to overstay my welcome, and actually I have some things to take care of this afternoon, but can I call you? Can we get together and keep…talking…pick up where we…”
“Sure.” She stood up, a half smile on her face. “Oh, I guess you need my number, right?”
“Yeah.” He stood, too, and handed her his phone.
She typed in her number and handed it back.
He pressed a button, and her phone rang from somewhere inside.
“I’ll find that later,” she said. “Thanks for coming by.” She walked him to the gate and then, on tiptoe, hugged him around the neck. “Gosh, it feels good to get a real hug again. You always were the best hugger.”
As much as he wished he could hug her all night, he let her go. “I’ll call you.” He backed up. “I’d better go.” He opened the squeaky gate, his insides whirling. When he looked back, they were all waving.
Did this really happen?
He got in his truck, almost afraid to check his rearview mirror in case that cute house had turned back into the little abandoned shack that he’d try to buy a few months ago.
