by Nancy Naigle
Hailey gave the bag a test lift, then removed a couple of things. She raised it again. “I can carry this much.”
“Bring it back too?”
Hailey took one more thing out, looking satisfied.
“Good deal. Go put on your swimsuit and bring a hat.”
Amanda made peanut-butter-and-banana sandwiches, cut into fourths, the way they liked them, then tucked them and frozen juice boxes into her bag. She’d quickly figured out how to eliminate carrying a cooler. Even a small one was too much to lug over the dune with everything else they required for a few hours on the sand.
“Y’all ready to roll?” Amanda called out.
Both kids came skidding down the hall.
“Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’.” Jesse marched through the kitchen, wearing his western straw hat and stars-and-stripes swim trunks.
Amanda hoisted the straps of her beach chair onto her back, then grabbed her tote bags. The kids ran past her out the front door with Denali. They waited for her at the gate of the white picket fence that outlined the perimeter of their postage-stamp lot.
She unlatched the gate. Hailey and Jesse, holding hands, started running up what they liked to call the mountain. It had been the perfect spot for watching the fireworks display earlier in the week. The kids were fascinated by the colors even if the bangs scared them every single time. Independence Day was a milestone for her, too, this year. She’d have to be brave, stay strong, and endure.
They made it over the dune in record time and unloaded everything far enough back from the waterline that the tide wouldn’t force them to move, something they’d learned the hard way after chasing towels and toys into the surf one afternoon.
Amanda spread out a sheet. “Let’s eat breakfast before you play, okay?”
Hailey and Jesse each nibbled on a quarter of a sandwich but were more interested in getting down to the water.
“Is this enough for now, Mom?” Hailey asked.
Jesse climbed to his feet.
“Sure. Go play,” Amanda said. “I’ll save these for later.”
Hailey grabbed her bag of tools and ran down to the water. Jesse and Denali caught up to her and began digging like crazy. Sand flew in the air, left and right.
Denali ran halfway up the beach with his tongue hanging out but then turned and went back for more. The kids squealed and giggled as he chased them in and out of the ankle-deep surf.
The pooch tuckered out quickly and sprawled out on the sheet next to Amanda. She poured water into a bowl for him, which he ignored, but then he gave her a lazy wink she took as a thank-you.
Hailey ran back up, settling her hands on her hips. “Mom, make Denali come play.”
“Give him a break, Hailey-bug. Look, he’s worn out.” The dog’s tongue lolled out to the side.
“Okay. I’ll show Jesse how to draw hearts and flowers.”
“Excellent. That sounds fun.” Amanda dug through her beach bag and pulled out two spoons. “Here. You can use these.”
“Yay!” Hailey jetted off toward the surf, a willing Jesse following her wherever she went.
They moved near the water, and Hailey started giving orders. She was bossy for a six-year-old, or maybe all six-year-olds were. Amanda didn’t really have anyone to compare her to. But fortunately Jesse didn’t seem to mind being bossed about. He’d been born with a chill personality. Never crying. In fact, for a while she’d wondered if something was wrong with him. He was so different from Hailey. Amanda hoped he’d never change.
Watching them work so diligently together always made her heart happy.
A flash of color caught her attention. Down the beach a tall elderly woman wearing a skirt in a kaleidoscope of gem colors kicked her feet through the surf. She grabbed the edge of her wide-brimmed hat as she hopped over a crashing wave that soaked the hem of her skirt.
Amanda wished she could feel that carefree.
She watched as the woman crossed in front of where Jesse and Hailey were playing. Just then, Jesse pointed at the woman. In an instant, he was on his feet, running toward her.
Amanda jumped up. As she tried to get momentum in the soft sand, Jesse reached for the long tote hanging from the woman’s shoulder.
Lord, if he tugs that woman into the water, what will I do?
3
Maeve twirled around like a waterspout to keep from falling. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d been hung up in a blob of seaweed or someone’s towel that had been stolen by a wave because she wasn’t paying attention to where she was walking. She’d been focused on the horizon—the magical spot where the deepest parts of the sea met with the sky. Her arms flailed, but she caught herself.
A little boy with royal-blue eyes framed by dark lashes stared up at her with one hand still clutching her shell bag, and his eyes as wide as silver dollars. She wasn’t sure who had been startled the most, her or him.
She squatted to get to his eye level. People had always complimented her on her icy-blue eyes, light blue like the North Carolina sky, but his were like sapphires, bluer than she’d ever seen before.
“Hey there, buddy.” The bottom of her skirt floated around her legs like a colorful jellyfish. “You scared me.”
The little boy let go and leaped back next to a girl with the same bright eyes. “What’s that?” he asked, his finger pointing at Maeve’s bag.
“That’s where I keep all the treasures I find for safekeeping.”
A woman with long blond hair ran toward them, panic on her face.
“That your momma?” Maeve nodded her way, trying to calm her.
“Yes ma’am.” The little girl took her brother’s hand possessively.
A wave came in, churning foam and spray into the air.
“I’m Hailey. This is Jesse.”
“My name is Maeve.”
“Maeve,” Hailey repeated. “That’s a very pretty name. You look like a mermaid. Do you live in the water?”
Maeve noticed that the way her skirt floated in the water did look peculiarly like fins. “Being a mermaid would be pretty special, don’t you think?”
With an emphatic nod, Hailey said, “I do.”
“Would you like to see some of my treasures?” Maeve let them look inside her bag. Jesse reached in and pulled out a large scallop shell, his mouth forming a perfect O.
“Pretty neat, isn’t it? And that’s not even the best of ’em,” Maeve said.
The woman raced to Maeve’s side. “I’m so sorry.” The woman huffed, leaning forward to try to catch her breath. The dog that was following her had lost interest and was now biting at the waves, his tiny stub of 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 Maeve’s long flowing skirt. The brightly colored fabric hung heavy and wet.
Amanda winced. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s the beach!” Maeve lifted her foot in the air and stomped the water, splashing them all.
Jesse’s drenched face struck an awkward expression, and then he dropped his hands to his knees and belly-laughed.
Hailey reached for Amanda’s hand. “Mom, I want to collect sea treasures just like she does.”
Jesse touched Maeve’s tan leg, jabbering so fast she only understood about every other word, but she saw that his gaze was intent on her bag.
“Please?” Amanda seemed to remind him.
He pressed his lips together, then looked up at Maeve, dimples deep into his cheeks. “Please can I see more shells?”
Maeve lowered her bag to the sand. “Go ahead. Rummage around and pick out your favorite.”
Jesse picked up a tiny corkscrew-shaped shell. “I like this one. It’s funny looking.”
“That’s a neat shell, isn’t it?” Maeve placed her finger on the sharp point at the top. “It’s called an auger.”
Jesse’s tight grip made his fingertips whiten. “Ogger.”
“Right. An auger is a drilling tool that construction workers use to dig holes. See how it’s shaped? When it spins, it moves the dirt out of the way and makes a deep hole.”
His eyes sparkled. “I like dirt.”
“I bet you do.”
Hailey extended a finger toward the biggest shell in the bag. “I like that one.”
Maeve reached in and handed it to her. “That’s a lightning whelk.”
“Lightning?” Hailey held it out as if it might shock her.
“Not that kind of lightning. It won’t hurt you.”
Hailey closed her hand around it, testing to be sure. Satisfied, she asked, “Where did it come from?”
“Whelks are kind of like snails. They build their shell, making it bigger as they grow. I guess this one died, or maybe he moved away. The tide brought the empty shell in last night.”
“It’s beautiful. Now place it carefully back in her bag,” Amanda said.
Jesse put his shell back in Maeve’s bag too. “Thank you.” He marched off in a circle around Maeve, happier to be splashing.
Maeve tidied her bag. “It’s been nice chatting with you. I wish I had more time, but I’ve got to run. I like to be at the courthouse for the town council and zoning meetings. You should come check them out sometime. It’s a great way to be on top of what’s happening in this town.” She turned to leave.
“Bye.” Hailey waved. “I hope we see you soon.”
Maeve walked away, hoping the same.
* * *
—
Maeve changed into a sundress and flats and walked over to the courthouse. It wasn’t but a few blocks away but seemed farther in this heat.
The Whelk’s Island courthouse was no Taj Mahal. Just a long two-story saltbox with white pillars in front. She climbed the three steps and walked inside. The air-conditioning was a welcome relief.
She nodded hellos to the regulars and the mayor as he walked by. “Good morning, Maeve. You’re looking well.”
“Thank you, Mr. Mayor.” Maeve slid into her favorite spot in the second row. She’d learned to sit near the end so she could leave without bothering anyone if she got bored or fed up. Truth was, her temper flared now and again at some of the foolish things people tried to pass in this town. If she didn’t stick up for Whelk’s Island, there’d be no telling what shape this city would be in ten years from now.
The meeting was called to order, and Maeve stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. She loved this part. It made her proud that Whelk’s Island still placed importance on the pledge. In other parts of the country, people were abandoning it in public and schools, and she didn’t like that one bit. She placed her hand over her heart. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.” Pride swelled inside her as the voices united and lifted in the room. Good people, doing good things. “With liberty and justice for all.”
The harrumph of everyone sitting back down at the same time was followed by the roll call. A silly process when it was easy to do a quick head check, but that was politics. Lots of rules for rules’ sake.
There wasn’t much on today’s agenda that really needed her attention, but she’d listen and speak up if necessary. After all, can’t complain if you don’t offer your reasons. She was rich with opinions.
Several consent orders followed, including one for the Friends of the Library proclamation, as well as the hundredth anniversary of the American Legion Auxiliary. She clapped wildly, proud of her friends and neighbors for their good works.
When the floor opened for general public commentary, she recognized the dashing young man with the compelling blue eyes who owned Paws Town Square walking to the podium. He was fit but had brains to match his rugged good looks. He’d proven he was a smart businessman, and this council hadn’t made it easy. They gave him a fight from the word go. In the beginning, no one wanted him to bring his business to this town. She’d stood up for him because his plan included repurposing the vacated Lowe’s building. Ghost box, he’d called it. It was overgrown and an eyesore. She was glad he’d hung in there until everyone saw it the way he did.
The man stood at the podium, then addressed the council.
“Good afternoon. Paul Grant. Paws Town Square, Whelk’s Island. Mayor, council members, and others here today, I wanted to provide an update now that we’re fully operational. It’s been a long road to get here, as you well know. This is our second location, and the third is now underway in Jacksonville, Florida. We’re delighted with the enthusiasm of the local community using the dog park and trails, and we’re nearly booked to capacity the entire summer, which exceeded our expectations on year one. I wanted to share a couple key measures that show the good we’re all doing, because without the support of this council, and this town, this would not have happened.”
He drew their attention to a slide projected on the wall. “In the Whelk’s Island location, we already have fourteen retired military working dogs going through rehabilitation. The twelve-week program will prepare these dogs to be reunited with their original military handlers. There are over twenty-five hundred active military working dogs in our armed forces currently. They serve our country as soldiers, and upon return, like our men and women, they need special handling to address issues like PTSD or injuries sustained while working in combat zones. We’re proud to be part of that solution.”