Page 88 of The Shell Collector
“I should’ve told you sooner. When Jack died, I became reckless. Guilt took over my good judgment. I had to get out and redirect my attention before I got someone else killed. I was a mess.” He lowered his head. “I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you.”
“What? Paul, you haven’t disappointed me. Sure, I was proud that you and Jack were serving our country, but that’s not what makes you special. It’s who you are inside. In fact, it’s a major relief.” Her tongue flicked across her lips.
“I don’t want you to think less of me. Jack gave his life for this country. He’s a hero.”
“Stop, Paul. I hate to even say this out loud, because I’ve been trying to ignore the possibility of it, but if you were still in the Marines, I don’t think I could risk that hurt again. I mean, I realize it’s a long shot that anything would ever happen to you, but I—”
“There’s more. I’m running Gauge here because I own this place. Well, not just this one, but the whole business. The location in Virginia, and three more underway.”
He could almost hear her replaying what he’d just said in her head, but she didn’t look offended or mad or even that surprised.Please let this be okay.
Her eyes darted from one side of the huge building to the other. “How did you achieve all this in such a short amount of time?”
“I was broken emotionally, but I had a plan. I wanted to still make a difference, and I got lucky. I tapped on the right doors. Got the right investors and supporters who also wanted to make a difference for our veterans. You see, it’s not just the kennel or these retired military dogs. It’s the veterans who need work while healing from PTSD. We are partnering closely with several organizations.” He stopped and took a breath. “Sorry. I’m kind of passionate about it.”
“Congratulations. This is amazing!” She looked around. “I’m…I don’t know…impressed. Proud. Excited for you. All of that.”
He sighed with relief. “I’m really proud of it. This company is so much more than a cool place to leave your dog. There’s a lot of personal stuff that goes along with it. Ties back to my fellow military men and women. It’s a long story.”
“I want to hear it, no matter how long it takes. And, Paul…I could never think less of you. No matter what you did. You’re not what you do. It’s you.” She tapped his shirt at his heart. “This is who you are. You have always been thoughtful and caring.”
“I’ve been so blessed, and I’m passing it on, Amanda. There’s so much more to this business that I can’t wait to share with you. It touches lives in a way that I could have never dreamed of, and I don’t do it alone. One heart touches another and the talents just flow.”
“Gift. This is your gift.” She nodded with a reassuring smile. “It sounds like it was meant to be. I’m so excited for you and so proud of you.” Gauge sat at attention in front of them. She reached down and stroked his ear.
“I need to finish Gauge’s run. Can I come over tonight?”Please say yes.
“I was hoping you would.”
“Yes.” The fist pump had been an automatic response. He pulled her into a friendly hug. “Thank you.” He released her, looking into her smiling face. “We’re going to run. He’s on a strict exercise routine, but I’ll be over tonight. I can bring pizza.”
“No, I’ll cook. Just show up. Whenever. We’ll be there.”
He took off running. His legs felt strong, probably from the adrenaline, and the dog geared up right with him too. He turned and waved a hand in the air. “See ya later.”
Maeve stood on the bridge with the kids. Jesse was on tiptoe, peering over the rail.
The boards echoed as Gauge’s feet double-timed across the planks over the exercise pond.
“See y’all later,” he said as he jogged by.
“Bye.” Hailey and Jesse were still waving when he transitioned from the bridge back to the Astroturf. In the reflection of the large round security mirror that hung between the trees, he could see them still standing there. When he spotted Amanda’s bright-blue shirt, his pulse quickened.
She wasn’t mad. Glee pumped through him.
He took Gauge for one more fast lap, and then they cooled down with a game of catch and fetch in the water-park area outside. The two of them relaxed and dried in the sun.Best job in the world.
He’d honored Amanda’s wishes to stay away, but when he saw her on the beach, those old feelings flooded back. A thousand what-ifs ran through his mind. He thought about his love for her all these years, impossible to act on while Jack was alive. He’d all but buried those feelings in finding a way to move on. Seeing her again awakened all of that hope.
He’d worried that Amanda wouldn’t understand how he could leave the Corps after Jack had given his life for it. He’d dreaded telling her, but she seemed genuinely relieved by the information.
All that worry for nothing.
Now he just needed to win her heart.
—
That evening, Paul stood at the back door of Amanda’s house with a paper grocery sack in one arm and a yellow plastic bag hanging from his other hand.
