a tail swirling in a circle so fast it looked like he might helicopter above the water.
“Thank goodness you didn’t fall,” the woman said, exhaling. “Jesse, you can’t do that, sweetie.”
“He’s fine. He was curious about my bag. They’re both delightful.” She offered the young woman a smile. “Really. It’s okay.”
“Thank you. I’m Amanda Whittier, their mother.” She seemed to collect herself. “This is—”
“Hailey and Jesse,” Maeve said, completing her sentence. “Yes, they politely introduced themselves.”
“Her name is Maeve,” Hailey explained.
“I see.” Amanda turned her attention from Hailey to the woman. “So nice to meet you, Maeve. I’ve seen you walking the beach before. We’re new to the area.”
“Yes, I know.” She stood and leaned in. “I’m a lifer. Born and raised here. I know everyone.” Maeve paused, expecting Amanda might explain her connection, but she didn’t.
Maeve finally said, “If you need to know anything, just ask. I can recommend restaurants, mechanics, a church. Whelk’s Island is a wonderful place to live.”
“We love it.” Amanda placed her hand on Jesse’s shoulder. The dog lay in the wet sand.
“That’s Denali,” Hailey said, pointing to him.
“He is quite handsome.” Maeve turned her attention back to Amanda. “It’s great that you chose Whelk’s Island. We need young families like yours to move in to keep this town alive.”
“These two are pretty lively twenty-four seven,” she said with a laugh. “We live in the first house on the right.”
“I know that house. It’s been empty a long time.”
“It’s a work in progress, but we’re slowly getting settled in.”
“It’s a wonderful location. Protected by the dune, and kind of tucked away in your own little oasis. What brought you to our town?”
Amanda stammered. “Well, I…We needed a change. I…” She looked off, then back at Maeve. “I love the beach, and it’s beautiful here.”
“It is.” Maeve suspected there was more to that story, but she didn’t push. Instead, she pointed to where the land began to curve around and rise higher. “That’s my place. I’m sure we’ll see lots of each other on the beach. I’m out here every day.” She delicately tapped Hailey and Jesse on the head.
“That’s a big house,” Hailey remarked.
Unlike the other houses around here that sat close to one another, hers sat alone. It did look big from here. Three levels above the stilts, and a walkway on the top floor with a wonderful view. Yes, it looked quite grand from a distance.
“I grew up in that house,” Maeve said. “It sat empty for years after my folks died. Like yours, it took some work. That makes it even more special, don’t you think?”
“Definitely,” Amanda said with a smile. “We love a project.”
Maeve had a feeling that even simple tasks became a project when there were two littles at your feet, but then she’d never had any so she wouldn’t really know. “When I lost my husband, I moved back. A lot of house for one lady and her old dog, but it’s home.”
“Your dog can come play with Denali someday,” Hailey offered. “Like a playdate.”
“I’m not so sure my dog is up for much playing anymore. He’s like me: old.”
Hailey propped her hands on her hips. “You’re not old. You’re fun.”
“In all my eighty-one years, I don’t think I’ve ever had a nicer compliment. I’ll tell my sister, Judy, you said so.” Maeve lifted her chin. “She thinks I’m old as dirt. She wants me to come live with her.”
“You’re eighty-one?” Hailey’s eyes bugged out. “You don’t look that old. Is that in mermaid years?”
“You really don’t,” Amanda said.
“Well, thank you, both, but I am, and my dog is old too.”
“What kind of dog do you have?”
“Mine’s just an old mutt. The veterinarian said she thought he was a schnauzer-beagle mix.”
“A schneagle. They are so cute,” Amanda said.
“He’s not really that cute at all, but he’s sweet. I didn’t even want a dog, but that sister of mine said I needed one. She also said he was a senior dog that would never find a home if I didn’t take him. I figured I’d appease her since the thing probably wouldn’t make it to the end of the year, and here I am seven years later and that dog will probably outlive me.”
“Oh no.” Amanda lifted her hand to stifle a laugh.
“It’s true, but we’ve grown to really enjoy each other.”
Hailey tugged on Amanda’s arm. “Maeve collects stuff in her pretty bag while she’s walking on the beach.”
“Treasures!” Jesse jumped, inadvertently splashing the entire side of