There was something about Maeve that made Amanda want to learn more about her.
Maybe it was the confidence with which she moved. Her independence. Or the dedication to what she loved—being on the beach, rain or shine. Or simply that she’d been kind enough to stop and chat with Hailey and Jesse. Maeve hadn’t been the least put out by their interruption. In fact, she’d seemed delighted, charmed even, by them. Amanda loved how Maeve had stomped her foot into the surf and splashed Jesse back. So unexpected and playful. Amanda wished she could be that carefree and spontaneous.
Smiling at the thought, she fashioned a ribbon around bunches of lavender, rosemary, and thyme and wrapped them and the herb-infused salts in a length of unbleached muslin for Maeve. She’d deliver them later. But now it was getting late and she needed to put the kids to bed.
After Hailey and Jesse had brushed their teeth and changed into pajamas, Amanda knelt next to the bunk beds and squeezed her eyes tight. Her two angels started their prayer.
“Now my lay me…”
Those little voices grabbed her heart. Such a big job to do all the right things by them, by herself. Don’t let me mess them up. Some days I can barely take care of me. As usual, Jesse yawned before they could get through the whole thing. There were a few times when he’d been fast asleep before Hailey said amen.
She kissed them each on the forehead. “I love you with all my heart.”
She let out a breath with the click of the bedroom door.
We’re all safe. I made it through another day.
As Amanda climbed into her own bed, she thought of the message in the lip of her shell: “All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” Jack’s shirt hanging on her chair still tethered her to life these days.
I’ll know when it’s time.
She quietly recited her prayers, adding one new name to the list tonight. Maeve.
—
Maeve had been so distracted thinking of Kimmy and her soon-to-be arrivals that she nearly missed Amanda and the kids leaving the library.
“Hello!” Maeve said. “What a nice surprise.”
“Hey. Hailey was just talking about you again.”
“Really?” Maeve rubbed her ear, teasing with Hailey.
“Good things,” Hailey said.
“She checked out a book about North Carolina shells so she could learn about them.”
“You are absolutely precious,” she said to Hailey, who beamed.
“There are a lot of pictures in here too. I’m going to try to collect one of everything.”
“My. That will be quite the adventure. It could take a long time.”
“Will you help me?”
“Of course. I’d love to.”
“I got Clifford the Big Red Dog.” Jesse lifted the book in the air, showing it off. “Ruff ruff bowwow.”
“My daddy used to read that to me when I was a little girl,” Hailey said with all the confidence of a teenager rather than a six-year-old. “I told Jesse it’s a good book. He’s going to love it.” She leaned in, lowering her voice. “Hopefully, Mom can do the voices right. Daddy was so good at it, but he’s not here.”
Hailey glanced at Amanda, almost as if she were worried her mom may have overheard.
Maeve wondered what the rest of the story was.
Amanda’s cheeks were as red as the brightly colored dog on the cover of Jesse’s library book. She lowered her head, looking everywhere except at Maeve.
“I’ll do my best.” Amanda sounded playful, but Maeve caught the overzealous tone that didn’t ring quite sincere.
Amanda swallowed so hard that Maeve thought the young lady might choke. Poor thing. I recognize the hurt behind those pretty eyes. “Everyone tells a story in their own special way. I bet it will be different but every bit as special.”
Hailey seemed to think about it for a second. “You’re probably right.” She reached for her mother’s hand.
“Thank you, Hailey.” Amanda brushed her hair back over her shoulder. “Why don’t you and your brother go sit on a bench over there in the reading garden and look at your books. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Hailey took Jesse’s hand and together they ran through the gate.
There was a nervous laugh, followed by a sigh, and then Amanda turned and faced Maeve. “It’s not easy when a marriage ends. The kids—”
“They’re resilient, and yours are just fine. More than fine. I can feel their joy from a distance. Don’t you worry.”
“Well, I…we moved here for a fresh start.”
“You made a wonderful choice.” Maeve eyed her, wishing she’d tell her more. She’d always been a good listener, but it was harder to listen when folks wouldn’t share the words. “Whelk’s Island is a happy place. Sure, it’s gotten busier over the years, but the true locals are a rare and wonderful lot. This community still embraces old-fashioned traditions, and I have a feeling you’re going to fit right in and be very happy here.”
“I sure can use some happiness. I’m so tired of being sad.”
“Honey, unfortunately no life is free of sadness, be it from pain, loss, illness, or…well, you get the idea. It’s all a necessary part of a life well lived.”
“Seems like there’d be an easier way.”
“Not our place to say, is it?”
Amanda raised her eyes. “All in His time. Is that what you’re going to say?”
“You know as well as I, but the ocean is a great stabilizer. I think being here helps make things easier to understand. Some people think that when life is good, it’s like the tide flowing in and when it’s bad, it’s like the tide going out.
