feedback and start a customer base at the same time. I’m going to build a very strong business plan, just like you did. Baby steps. I can do it.”
“I know you can do it on your own, but if you want to bounce ideas off me or whatever, I’m here for you.”
“I’d love that kind of help. I’m really excited about this. Salt of the Earth is going to be a real thing.” She pushed the jars back onto the counter. “And you’re right. No reason I can’t leave the inventory here.”
He lifted his hand and high-fived her.
She slapped his hand. “To Salt of the Earth,” she said, then hugged him.
“We could set you up a little kiosk at Paws Town Square on the weekends if you want,” Paul said. “We’ve been talking about letting vendors rotate through to give the regulars something new and fresh.”
She squeezed her hands together. “This is pretty exciting. Wait, do you think it’s smart for us to mix business and our relationship?”
“That depends. I’d like us to mix everything. I don’t have any plans to be anywhere but where you are. I was hoping you were feeling it too.”
“What if things don’t work out?”
“Then we’ll still be friends.”
“If I lost your friendship, I’d—”
“You are the most important friend in my life. That will never change. I can promise you that.” He placed his hands on her hips. “Amanda, if we didn’t at least try, we could miss out on something really amazing. I know you’re not ready right now. We don’t have to rush things, but can’t we at least try? Then someday we could get married and all live together in The Shell Collector. I hear there’s plenty of room.”
She sucked in a breath. “You know I’m afraid.”
“That’s okay. We’ll work on it. Together.”
I want to believe that. “Losing Jack left a hole in both our lives, but now it’s like he’s bringing us together.”
“It’s a strange place to be. I get it.”
“I wonder if we’re just filling the gaping wounds and these might not be real feelings that we’re experiencing.”
He looked like he was holding his breath. “But you are feeling something, right?”
“Something. Yes. For sure.”
“That’s all we need for now.”
Her breath quickened. “Definitely.” She reached out and placed her hand on his chest. His heart was beating as hard as hers was. He was afraid too.
* * *
—
Amanda had brought home only one small bag of Spanish moss, but once she realized what she should be doing to honor Maeve, she’d contacted the inn, and the woman there was more than happy to help her out. When the box arrived on Saturday morning, she gathered the children and Paul and Tug and they all worked tirelessly to get it done, putting any other plans on hold.
They laced the Spanish moss throughout the tree, spreading it far enough apart that hopefully it would love its host and not only grow but thrive there. Amanda handed strands of white lights to Paul, who used a rake and a tall ladder to get them as high as they could be on the old live oak in Maeve’s backyard.
It had been a long, hot job, but they’d made it fun by letting the kids separate the moss into pieces and hand them up like they were an assembly line. Hailey named each bunch. Hopefully, she would remember which was which. To her they looked like bearded old men, so they had names like Bart, George, Frank, Gary, Rick, Larry, and Bob.
Afterward, Paul made barbecued chicken on the grill, and the kids anxiously awaited nightfall so they could see the live oak all lit up.
They had a countdown to the big event, and against the dark night sky, the lights really did make the backyard look special. Especially from the second-level deck.
Amanda took pictures. She couldn’t wait to call and tell Maeve about the lights. She’d order copies of the photos and send them to her. Maeve would love it. Amanda could imagine the twinkle in her eye when she saw them.
Paul moved closer to Amanda. “Let’s all join hands in honor of Maeve tonight. How’s that sound?”
Amanda’s heart warmed. “It’s a beautiful idea.” She looked at Hailey and Jesse. They were both nodding. “Yes, we all miss her,” Amanda said.
“Okay, then,” Paul said quietly.
They all joined hands, standing there on the balcony overlooking the glowing tree full of Spanish moss and lights.
Paul started, “Thank You, heavenly Father, for another day to be