“I’m stunned. You seem so healthy.” She set the water glass down gently.
“Cancer doesn’t have rules. It can be very sneaky.” Maeve laughed. “It was hard for me to accept for a while, because for so many years after Jarvis passed on, I hoped I wouldn’t wake up in the morning. Then finally when I started living again, I got the death sentence.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“No, don’t be. I’m just being dramatic. I outlasted cancer for a lot longer than anyone expected. I did some treatments years ago, and I’ve bought a lot of time. But now there’s nothing else to try and my organs are wearing out. I’m ready.”
“You’ve certainly made the most of every day.”
“And you should too. I’ve had a lot of wonderful years, but age is finally starting to take its toll, and that’s okay. I met you and your family, and this summer has been one of my best yet. I’m so thankful I didn’t miss out on that and grateful I was still here to see Kimmy start her family. Good stuff.”
“You’re special to us too.”
“I wasn’t sure how to broach this with you, but since you’re here.”
“Is there something I can do?”
“Well, I know you love your little beach cottage, but this place is bought and paid for many times over. All I pay is the insurance and taxes, and they aren’t all that much. I’d like to offer you this house to raise your children in, or use it however you see fit. Start that business you dreamed of in the cottage. That could work.”
“Maeve, that’s so generous.”
“Not really. Remember, I’m not packing anything up.” She laughed. “It’ll take you three years to dig out of all my junk.”
“So a furnished house, even?” Amanda looked around. “I don’t know what to say. If we did, at least Methuselah could stay here with us. This is home. He knows every inch of the place, and he has routines.”
“Routines are important for the likes of us.”
“I’ll take care of him.” Amanda looked at the wall of windows with the pretty colors streaming through. “We could really live here?”
“It’s not much, but I’d be thrilled to know that a family who loves the beach is here. It’s a good house to grow up in. I know. I did it. There’s plenty of room. I don’t even use the top floor anymore. You could host lots of guests. There are four more bedrooms upstairs. I used one as an office for a long time.”
“Wow.” Amanda’s mind reeled. Things like this didn’t happen to people like her.
“Or maybe instead of using your cottage for your business, you could rent it out and then use the income to continue to be a stay-at-home mom. Or not. Whatever your heart tells you to do. You’re a smart lady. You’ll figure it out. And if you let Paul come into your heart, I know he’ll take wonderful care of you—and he can take care of you very comfortably—without my help. But let me do this for you.”
“Maeve, you’re too kind.”
“If I’d ever had a daughter, I’d have loved her to be exactly like you.” Maeve reached for her hands, taking them into hers. “You’re a caring woman—kindhearted and strong. A wonderful mother. I always thought I’d have been a good mother.”
“You would have. You’re so great with my kids. And me. You’re more of a mom than my own. You have been my redirection.” She sniffled. Tears streamed down her face, but there was no use in brushing them away. There were too many to stop.
“Don’t be sad, honey.”
“You are nothing if not wise. You are going to be a tough act to follow. Hailey is going to live in this sunroom. I’m not ever changing a thing in here.”
“I hope you’ll continue to add your little treasures. It has been a very happy spot for me. I love this room.”
“Are you sure we can’t get a second opinion? More help? I could drive you anywhere.”
“No, this has been a long time coming. I’m ready. I can feel my old body winding down. If I’m lucky, God will answer my prayers and let me go in my sleep. I’ll wake up to Jarvis. He’ll be holding my hand, there in the streaming light in heaven.”
“You make it sound pretty wonderful.”
“You know it will be.”
“You’re right. I do.” She thought about the song that she played over and over, trying to soothe her pain when Jack died. “Knowing what I know about heaven…” Those lyrics reminded her why she shouldn’t be praying him back: he was the one in the better place, and he’d be there for her when her time came.
“I think Hailey and Jesse need to know what’s going on. Do you mind if I tell them?”
“Of course not. They’ve made this summer such a joy for me.”
“What about Tug? He’s worried about you. You’ve got to tell him, or do you want me to?”
Maeve sighed. “I think he knows, but will you ask him to come see me tomorrow morning between the breakfast and lunch crowd? I’ll tell him. I owe him that.”
Amanda stood and wrapped her arms around Maeve. “This sure isn’t what I expected to find today.”
Maeve’s expression softened. “Life is rarely predictable if we’re doing it right.”
—
Amanda drove over to the diner. Hailey and Jesse were eating ice cream at the counter when she walked in. “No wonder they love you,” she teased.
She nodded for Tug to follow her out to the deck.
“How is she?” he asked.
“I love Maeve,” The Wife said.
“She wants you to come see her tomorrow between the breakfast and lunch crowd.”
His head hung low. “It’s not good. I sensed something was off. I’ve
