Amanda leaned forward and signed the papers. “That seems too easy.”
“The house was paid for. No liens or anything, although I did have a title search done for Maeve as good practice.”
“Thank you.”
“All the details are in this package.” He slid it over to Amanda. “That’s all I need from you.”
Next to the papers, he placed a simple blue box.
Before she could ask what it was, Mr. Ledger reached into his jacket. “And this is from Judy.” He handed Amanda an envelope as he stood. “I’ll leave you to go through everything. If you have any questions at all, call me. There’s no charge, and I’ll take care of whatever queries or problems you encounter.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ledger.”
“You’re welcome. I’m really sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.”
“I can let myself out.” He stood, straightened his jacket, and left.
“This is a lot to take in,” Amanda said. She turned and laid her head on Paul’s shoulder.
“She was very generous.”
Amanda opened the card from Judy first.
Dear Amanda,
You and your children made my sister’s life so full at the end. She cherished the days since she met you. You made her last days happy, and she was then ready to meet her one true love in heaven. I know because she told me so, and she also told me she hoped she would die in her sleep, which is exactly what she did. I pray you can find comfort in that. Carry on and treasure your life with those precious children and recognize your gifts. Give them away. God will keep giving you more.
Maeve’s loving sister,
Judy
She passed the letter to Paul.
He held her hand while he read it. “She was something,” he said. “You two have the same heart.”
She picked up the blue box that Mr. Ledger left on the table. It had some weight to it. She lifted the lid. Inside, there was an envelope on top.
Amanda opened it, then looked up at Paul. “It’s information about Denali, the mountain in Alaska.” A glossy brochure highlighted a two-week cruise and rail trip along with a stay to see the northern lights. “Doesn’t this look beautiful?”
“Jack really wanted to take you there. I’m sure if he had one regret about not coming back, it was that you two never got to make that trip.”
She looked at the pictures. “I still want to see it. All of it. The summit. The northern lights. Those small Alaskan communities.”
She swept back tissue paper and lifted out a blob of Bubble Wrap secured by packing tape. “This is really taped up tight.”
“Here, let me get that.” Paul took the knife from his pocket and sliced the tape. He pulled the Bubble Wrap from the outside. “It’s a shell.”
“Oh? I should’ve known.” She breathed a happy sigh. “It’s a conch. She loved them.” She turned it over in her hand. “It has a message. Like the other ones.”
“What’s it say?”
“Trust the journey.” She handed him the shell. “Paul, I believe you are on this journey with me.”
He squeezed her hand.
“There’s a card.” She opened the envelope and read it out loud.
Dearest Amanda,
You are stronger than you can imagine. It has been my honor to call you my friend. Thank you for sharing your time and allowing me to be a small part of Hailey’s and Jesse’s lives. Grief is a tricky monster. I pray that you and the children will not grieve my departure but rather take joy in knowing that I am with Jarvis on those streets of gold. Tell Hailey I have my sunglasses and I will find Jack. I bet he’s waiting on me with Jarvis.
Embrace your life. I want you to. We all want you to. Be brave, my friend. You have a wonderful life ahead of you. I hope you love Denali and that it’s everything you’ve dreamed of. You made my dream come true. I had no idea that our girls’ trip would be as wonderful as it was. Hopefully this Denali trip will be just as special. If you want to know what I’m thinking, it’s that you and Paul and the children will all take this trip together and make memories that will last a lifetime. I believe you can trust Paul, but don’t listen to this old lady. You trust your heart. I’ll be watching, and if I get to ask for an assignment, you’ll be hearing my voice in your ear every time you walk that beach.
I love you, my dear. Raise your children strong like you. Let Him show you your gifts and He will lead you.
Until we meet again.
Your friend,
Maeve
She looked into Paul’s eyes. “Would you want to go?”
“I would walk on hot coals for you. Whatever you want, I’ll be there. But if you need to do it alone—for Jack—honey, I get it.”
Of course you’d say that. Paul was never selfish. His joy came from the things he did for others. She looked into his eyes, which seemed to lead straight to his heart. “I am so thankful and grateful you are in my life. Our lives. I want you to go to Denali with us.” Yes, she did. That was a memory she wanted to make with him.
His smile brightened. “I can’t wait.”
Amanda let out a breath. “I’m so lucky to have known her. I will never be as amazing as she was, but I hope I can make her proud.”
“You already are. You two were meant to meet and lift each other.”
“It would seem so, wouldn’t it?” Amanda looked around at the lovely home she was now living in.
“You are a strong and remarkable woman. I am so grateful for the love that is growing between us.”
“Paul, for the first time, right this minute, I truly feel worthy of love again.”
“I will never let you down.” He shook his head, his eyes glistening.
“Thank you for being patient with me.”
“I will wait as long as you need.” He took a knee in front of her. “Don’t freak out. I’m not asking you to marry me today.”
She cried,
