Page 87 of Sunsets at the Beach House

“Outstanding.” Conrad gave Danny a wave. “Need a hand with that box there?”

Danny nodded. “It’s the Christmas tree. Not that heavy, but a little awkward for one person. If you’re willing, we can take it right to the truck.”

“You got it,” Conrad said.

Margo left the men and went in search of her daughter. She found Claire in her bedroom, just as Danny said. “This place is a whirlwind.”

Claire turned from facing her closet. “Isn’t it? Pastor Freeman really came through on the help. With those men, plus Danny and Cash, we’re making decent progress.”

“Conrad’s helping Danny move some things in the garage.”

Claire nodded. “The Christmas stuff probably. How’d you do at your house? I guess pretty well if you’re here already.”

“It wasn’t too hard. I’ll have movers come shortly to pack up the entire house and bring it to the storage unit. Then I can get the place cleaned and sold, and concentrate on remodeling the new one.”

“That’s pretty exciting.”

Margo realized her daughter was holding a large white garment bag. “Is that your wedding dress?”

Claire nodded. “Yes. And it’s going in the donate pile.”

“Your wedding picture is on my wall.”

“You can donate that, too,” Claire said.

Margo laughed. “That’s about what I thought you’d say. How are you doing? Being back here, I mean.”

“All right. I cleaned out Bryan’s car, which I’m going to donate to the church. Sitting in it gave me a couple moments of…I don’t know what you’d call them. Memories? Flashbacks? Reminders? But all it really did was help me understand that I have definitely moved on. Which I’m glad about.”

“So am I. I know it can’t have been easy. Any of this.” Margo lifted her chin slightly. “But I’m proud of you. I know that’s something I probably haven’t said often enough, but I’m saying it now. You’ve made the best of an awful situation. Lesser women would have allowed it to destroy them.”

Claire smiled. “Thanks, Mom.”

Margo nodded. “You’re welcome. And I mean it. You seem more in charge of your life than you ever have been. If there was something good that came out of all of this, it’s the way you’ve forged ahead.”

“You know, that’s one of the nicest things you’ve ever said to me.”

Disappointment filled Margo. “I’m sorry about that. I know I’m not the most demonstrative person when it comes to affection and praise, but it doesn’t mean I’m not thinking those things.”

“I like them better when you say them. Or act on them.”

Margo impulsively held out her arms. “Would you like a hug?”

Claire laughed. “I’d like one very much.” She tossed the garment bag on the bed and embraced Margo.

She held her daughter close, hugging her in the way she’d never been hugged much herself, not growing up, anyway. “We should be better about things like this.”

“We should,” Claire said as she let her mom go. “Nothing wrong with showing each other how much we care.”

“Not at all. But it’ll take some getting used to.”

“Baby steps,” Claire said.

Margo nodded at the second closet, the doors still closed. “What are you doing with Bryan’s things?”

“I’ve already told the men from church they can have anything they want., but the rest is going to the veterans charity. I’m going to empty out his top dresser drawer in a bit. It’s nothing but junk anyway, but I think there’s a pair of gold and diamond cufflinks in there that were his dad’s. Whatever. I’ll sort through the box some night when I’m back home.”

She laughed suddenly. “I think that’s the first time I’ve called Diamond Beach home without thinking about it.”

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