Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Shelby
Slay the Dragon
Shelby hadn’t spent a full day writing in over a year when she’d finished her last book.
Nothing had felt right, until today. Now this story—about a group of sisters with long dark hair, a treasure map, and magic powers they never knew they had—was rumbling around in her mind.
She couldn’t type fast enough to get all her ideas out and it was invigorating.
She wasn’t sure if her publisher would like it, or if her readers could get attached to a group of misfit preteens, but she already loved them.
When there was a knock on her door in the afternoon, she realized she hadn’t eaten since that morning. Then she remembered Pops’s funeral was the next day and wondered if she should be doing something to prepare for that?”
She opened the door to find her porch crowded with women from town.
“Oh hello, Mrs. Hart.” She was surprised to find Wesley’s grandmother standing at her front door holding a covered platter. And several of the other women carried various dishes.
“Shelby honey, I know we’re intruding a bit on you, during your time of grief. But we think Zeke would want us to. And we really just wanted to tell you how sorry we are for your loss. So we each brought you a little something to eat. In case you hadn’t thought to.”
Shelby pulled her sweater across her body to cover up the fact that she was still in her sleepwear and opened the door wider.
“Thank you, Pops would be so sad to know he missed finding all you lovely ladies on his front stoop with food,” she said smiling.
The women all smiled at her knowingly, like they could tell she was using humor to make light of how sad she was every time she thought of Pops being gone.
Then Wesley’s grandmother stepped in and gave Shelby a warm hug, and patted her cheek gently. “He was so proud of you. Always talking about your books and grit. You’re not alone with this, Shelby Bell.”
Her eyes watered and she could see why Wes was so good if this woman had anything to do with it. From what she could tell his family was close-knit, loving, warm, and close. All the things her family wasn’t, and she’d have no experience with if it weren’t for Pops.
Before she knew it the rest of the women were filing into her foyer and following Mrs. Hart to the kitchen.
There was a swell of commotion and talking, condolences, oohs and ahhs about Pops’s beautiful view, and a big plate of shepherd’s pie was set in front of her as she was seated at the kitchen table.
A chocolate cake and several other pies were placed on the island and someone put the tea kettle on to boil.
The women all started telling stories about her grandparents and in particular how devoted Pops was to her grandmother.
“He used to call her his dove. He was smitten with your grandmother the moment he laid eyes on her,” Mrs. Hart said.
“And it lasted for seventy years,” Mrs. Meyers, another of the town’s matriarchs, said, pulling down teacups.
“Shelby honey, quite a few people in town were wondering about the service. Did you need help planning things?” Mrs. Hart asked.
She set down her fork. “No, Pops had it all arranged and Declan, our attorney, said it was all handled.”
“The thing is I think we’d all like to attend, if that’s okay, but the details weren’t included in the obituary.”
“He must have written that because I didn’t know one went out yet.”
Mrs. Hart pulled up an image on her phone and passed it to Shelby. Her eyes watered again, and she decided she would read it later.
“The service will be at the lighthouse, followed by the burial by my grandmother. Tomorrow at eleven a.m.,” Shelby said.
Mrs. Hart’s hand covered hers. “Alright we’ll be there, and I wanted to see if you’d like to come for a visit out to Hart House during your stay? I happen to have an artist studio that I think you’d enjoy. Maybe you could get some more inspiration and have dinner with me?”
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be staying in town, I mean now that Pops is gone. I may head back to Atlanta after the service.”
All the women nodded like that made sense, but then the room was filled with chatter as they started to rattle off a list of things she needed to do, if she was leaving the house empty for an extended period of time.
“You’ll want to make sure you have the fridge cleared out.”
“And turn off the water just in case.”
“Find a groundskeeper.”
“I didn’t think of all that. I guess I’ll need another day or two to get the house in order.”
“There’s no rush, dear,” Mrs. Hart said with a sweet smile.
Then as if they were part of an orchestrated dance, the women started to tidy up the food and store everything in the fridge for her. Once the kitchen was spotless, they made their way to the door like a school of fish, just as there was another knock.
When she opened it, she was surprised to find Wes standing there in uniform. He had a scowl, but it was directed at his grandmother not Shelby.
“Oh my favorite grandson—look, ladies, it’s Wesley.”
The women all greeted him with big smiles and admiration, as if he were visiting them at their own homes.
“Gran, I asked you not to impose on Shelby. She’s got a lot going on,” Wes said and she couldn’t help but enjoy the protective tone he used.
“Oh well if you mean bringing her pies and cakes—and feeding her the first good meal of the day—was imposing then I am guilty as charged. You better arrest me,” Mrs. Hart said.
The women all laughed, and Shelby couldn’t help but be envious of the friendship and bond they all had. She’d never had a group of women to back her up so effortlessly. They each gave her arm a squeeze or offered a pat on the back as they filed out of the house.
“We’ll see you tomorrow, Shelby, and if you need anything you just call me. I left my number on the kitchen counter,” Mrs. Hart said. “You’re one of us now, dear, so don’t you hesitate to reach out.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hart.” Shelby accepted another warm hug from her and enjoyed her scent of powder and cinnamon. Then they were gone.
“I hope they weren’t being too meddlesome. Those women are like an old lady biker game, but with fancy cars, pies, and southern accents for weapons,” Wes said.
“Actually, it was really nice to have them surprise me. I sorta forgot to get dressed or eat today. I’ve just been writing since you left.”
His eyes roamed over her body and warmth trailed a path where his gaze moved, as if her body could imagine him touching her everywhere he looked.
“Do you want more company or do you need to get back to your book?”
She held the door wide open. “I also forgot to shower—maybe you could help me with that.”
Wes took a big step inside and gripped her waist, his face diving into her neck where he inhaled her scent and kissed her throat. “Maybe we should get a little dirtier. I’d hate to waste all that water.”
“Great idea.”
And just like that Wes carried her back to her room for another evening of pure bliss. If she was with him she didn’t have to think about what a hard day tomorrow would be, and she didn’t have to be all alone yet.
*
The row of dozens of cars along Sandy Point’s Lighthouse Lane was the only color where snow still covered the usually lush green grass like a blanket that encircled the lighthouse.
Fifty feet to the left of the lighthouse was a cliff where the original settlers of Sandy Point were buried.
Established as a small fishing town with one lighthouse that helped direct the ships into the port over a hundred years ago.
The Shepherds were one of the original families that settled the area, and there was a family plot where her grandfather would be laid to rest next to his wife, parents, and siblings who had all died before him.
As Shelby sat in one of the few chairs, she realized Pops had gotten one thing wrong in his will and preparations.
He’d miscalculated how many people in Sandy Point would want to pay their respects.
Her father and uncle weren’t among them, but just about everyone else in town was.
Of course Declan was there, but so was every shop owner, city council member, Mrs. Hart and all the town matriarchs.
Teachers, the librarians, and many of the Sheriff and Fire Department officers.
As was every member of the Hart family—even Levi had returned with his fiancée.
Which made it more obvious that Shelby was the only Shepherd there, but it warmed her heart to see how much the town had loved and respected her kind and brilliant grandfather.
Her eyes landed on Wesley, who stood across from her with all the other uniformed officers.
He’d left in the early morning hours, but promised he’d be here, and he was.
He gave her a nod and met her gaze, unbothered if anyone saw them staring at each other.
But then an unexpected hand fell on her shoulder, and she looked up to find her mother, with big black sunglasses on.
She was dressed in a fur coat, and leaned down to whisper in her ear.
“Your father was too upset to attend.”
Shelby had to fight the laugh that bubbled up inside.
Her mother meant her father was too upset at what Pops had done, cutting him out of his will.
And it begged the question of why her mother had bothered to show, but that would have to wait until after the funeral.
The priest arrived and gave a nice sermon about what it meant to live a full and good life, and how the display of people at Pops’s grave spoke of how kind, and well loved he was.
But how in death it was most important that we feel we’d been true to God and ourselves.
He spoke about his last conversation with Pops, again the week he died, and how at peace he was with his life and ready to join his wife in heaven.
Shelby couldn’t have stopped the tears from flowing if she’d tried, and Declan was prepared with a handkerchief, so she didn’t make a complete mess of herself.
Then it was time for them to lower Pops’s coffin into the ground and she watched with a little less of an ache knowing Pops didn’t want her to be sad. Afterwards the townsfolk filed out of the small cemetery and soon it was just Shelby and her mom.
“Your father is so upset and embarrassed. He didn’t think I should come, but how would that have looked?”
Shelby squeezed her eyes closed before she faced her mom.
“You attended Pops’s funeral because you’re worried about how it would look if you didn’t? Not because you cared about him or mourned him. It’s just your image in town?”
“Shelby, your grandfather never cared for me, and he cruelly cut both his sons out of his will. He was spiteful.”
“No, he wasn’t, he was loving and thoughtful and he gave them exactly what they deserved.”
Her mother reared back as if Shelby had struck her.
“Did you have some part in this?”
“In what, Mother? Stealing Dad and Uncle Mike’s inheritance? How could you even ask me that? I had no idea what Pops planned, twelve years ago!”
It was clear her mother didn’t believe her.
“Don’t make a scene. We’re already giving the town enough to gossip about. And don’t think people haven’t noticed you and Sheriff Hart have some sort of connection.”
Shelby rolled her eyes. “I’m done trying to be something I’m not for you.
You don’t even care about me, only how my presence here impacts your reputation at the beach club.
Your wayward daughter, with tattoos and books reminds everyone you’re not perfect.
And Pops not leaving Dad anything shows all the cracks in our family facade. ”
“But we are a family, Shelby, and you need to make amends with your father. If you were to hand over their inheritance, I’m sure it would improve your relationship with your father, your uncle, and Samuel.”
And that was why she was here, the real ugly reason.
“I won’t be giving any of Pops’s money to Dad, Sam or anyone. That’s not what Pops wanted to do. And I’m old enough to realize not even that would make Dad care about me.”
“You just need some time to think things through.”
“No, Mom, I don’t. And if all you’re going to do is lecture me or use me for your ridiculous image then I don’t see the point.”
“Shelby, I am your mother. You can’t just cut me off.”
“You mean like you did to me all these years? The only thing I don’t understand is why you even had kids.”
“Your father wanted two sons, to carry on the family name and tradition.”
“I’m so sorry to have disappointed you both.”
Her mother just turned on her heel and stomped back to her waiting car.
Shelby’s heart ached. It was so strange to crave something from her parents that they were just never going to be capable of giving her.
Did that make her broken too? She knew the best thing for her was to get out of town.
Maybe she could come back and visit Pops’s house, but she could never stay in Sandy Point.
There was always going to be too much pain here for her.
When she finally walked away from Pops’s grave, she wasn’t surprised to see Wesley’s truck behind hers.
He waited for her with open arms and she dove in, needing his strength and warmth.
He didn’t say anything, just kissed her brow and slowly rocked as he held her.
And she realized the biggest heartbreak for her in Sandy Point was going to be leaving him behind.