Page 86 of The Shell Collector
“No.” Maeve shook it off. “We just have a million years of history.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. I’m telling you, I can see it in his eyes.” The door opened, and Hailey and Jesse zipped inside to a chorus of theGilligan’s Islandtheme song led by The Wife.
“We learned a song.” Hailey scooted into the booth. “We love playing with that bird. She really likes us too. We’re trying to teach her our names.”
“She’s very smart,” Maeve said. “She’ll be saying hello to you by name before you know it.”
Hailey clapped her hands. “I can’t wait.”
“Hey, you two,” Amanda said. “I was thinking about taking Denali over to Paws Town Square for a walk this afternoon. How does that sound?”
Jesse bounced in his seat. “That would be fun!”
“Maeve should come with us,” Hailey said. “Youhaveto see that place.”
“Yes, Maeve,” Jesse said. “Please?”
Maeve hesitated, but only for a moment. “Yes, I’ve been wanting to see how it turned out, and the time keeps slipping away.”
“Slipping away? Is everything okay?” Amanda felt a note of panic in her voice.
“Oh, it’s just an expression. I’m not getting any younger.” Maeve seemed uncomfortable, shifting in the booth. “I could go around two. Would that work for you?”
“That sounds great,” said Amanda.
The waitress brought their order to the table, and Maeve got up. “I’m going to let y’all eat. I need to get home and make some calls this morning so I can play later.”
“I’d offer you a ride home, but we walked down today too. Besides, I know you prefer the beach route, and I’d never try to come between you and your treasures.”
“Well, you are one of them, my dear. You and these two.” Maeve pointed at the tops of Hailey’s and Jesse’s heads. “But I do need my daily dose of the ocean as well.” She spread her arms wide and started to walk out the door. “The tide beckons me.”
—
It was late in the afternoon when Amanda pulled into Maeve’s driveway and tooted the horn. Denali lazed in the back between the car seats.
Maeve walked down the stairs. It was the first time Amanda had seen her in anything other than a skirt or dress. Dressed in blue jeans, she looked alarmingly thin.
“Hi, Maeve!” Jesse said.
“Hello, you two. Didn’t I just see you this morning?”
Hailey blew her a kiss. “You did. And Denali’s here too.”
“I don’t think he’s very excited about going walking.” Jesse’s lips pulled to the side.
Maeve slid into the passenger seat.
Amanda glanced in the rearview mirror before backing out onto the street. “This may be the world’s shortest walk.”
“It’ll be fine.”
They drove over to Paws Town Square, and Maeve marveled at the surroundings as she got out of the car. “It’s pretty enough to be a resort for people, not just pets.”
Hailey tumbled out of the car, and Jesse raced around to help her with Denali, who was standing at the edge of the seat, looking out but not budging. Hailey tugged on the leash, but that only made Denali lie down.
“Don’t pull him too hard. Here, let me get that.” Amanda walked over and commanded Denali to get out of the car, finally tapping him on his rear end to get him moving. He hit the ground with a hefty one-two snort.
“Let’s go, Denali.” Hailey started walking, and Denali moved in a languid lumber, picking up speed at a slow rate. Jesse skipped alongside.
