that make you wonder if it may have even had another stop somewhere along the way?”
“I’d never thought of that, but perhaps.” Maeve seemed intrigued by the possibility.
“The Havelock Ellis quote. The one in the shell we found. It’s become my favorite.”
Maeve nodded. “A lot of the shells have been specific to a situation. Something I wanted to say without being a busybody old lady, and never just my opinion. I used quotes and scriptures or a simple word or two. ‘Believe.’ ‘Have faith.’ ‘Hope.’ Just something to make people pause for that split second it takes to get back to the reality of a situation and find hope. It’s all about hope.” Maeve looked at her. “I did leave those shells for you.”
“I’m so glad you did.”
“I only hand delivered a few compared to the probably thousands I’ve cast into the ocean or left in flowerpots or along the dunes. And somehow they seem to land in the hands of people who need the message.”
“Did you ever hope that’s what would happen?”
“I never really thought about it until it started becoming a thing. Honestly, the ones I didn’t plant seemed to help as much as the ones I did. Like the one that Becky found.”
Amanda pressed her hand to Maeve’s arm. “Your wonderful gifts to so many. It’s going to be sad to think no one might ever find another.”
“Unless they keep recirculating. They could keep popping up for years. I kind of hope they do.” Maeve looked out the window with a smile on her face, rather quiet for the rest of the ride.
James must’ve been ready to be back in Macon, because it took less than four hours to get there.
“I think James may have sped.” Maeve flashed her a knowing look.
For some reason, that struck Amanda’s funny bone. “Are you planning to wage a citizen’s arrest on our driver?”
“That would be a first for me.” She giggled with a wicked look in her eye that made Amanda wonder if she might actually do it.
When they got to Judy’s neighborhood, Amanda worried about Maeve living in a subdivision like this. Not that it wasn’t nice. It was. Huge houses on big sloped lots. Old-timey lampposts lining the walking paths dotted by professionally landscaped beds, but it was nothing like Whelk’s Island.
“I guess this ride was a warm-up for the style in which you’re about to get accustomed to,” Amanda teased.
“I’ve never even seen a picture of her house. It’s more grand than I’d imagined, but that doesn’t impress me.”
“Maeve, call me every day if you want. Or not at all. Please call if you need me or want to talk to the kids. Anytime day or night. And if you want us here, we will be here. I promise.”
“Oh, Amanda, you are so special. I will remember that, and thank you for this trip. It’s meant the world to me. There’s not one thing that I want for now.”
Maeve held Amanda’s hand the rest of the ride.
They turned into a long driveway lined with crape myrtle. The road curved, making a large circle in front of the house. In the middle of that circle, a large fountain sprayed water into the air.
“Very pretty.” Amanda noticed Maeve’s lips tightening. “Are you okay? You can come back home with me. Whatever makes you happy.”
“I’ll be fine. It won’t be for very long. It’s the right thing to do, and I’m at peace with this.”
Amanda nodded, unable to respond, else she might start crying and never stop.
“Amanda, some people only come into our lives for a season. I’m glad our paths crossed. I needed you in this phase of my life, and I pray that my experience has somehow brought you some peace with your recent past and possibly given you a nudge toward a happy forever after with Paul. This summer has been so eye opening for me. I’m definitely going out on a high note. Don’t you mourn for me. I want you to celebrate. Hang colorful lights across the yard and throw a wonderful party. Be brave and enjoy everything you deserve in this lifetime. Do not waste a single day.”
“Yes ma’am. I promise I am listening to your every word. I will make you proud.”
“Oh, Amanda. I already am.”
James opened the door and helped Maeve out of the car. Amanda also got out, feeling protective of her new friend as Judy and her husband made their way toward them.
Amanda hung back, not wanting to