The truth of Arnie’s devastation was still evident on his face. Stella’s skin prickled. All of this was true. The magical potion from Ireland, the glittering ink pad and library stamp, and the ability to breathe life into fictional characters.
Stella’s stomach dropped. She’d told Jack it would be better if he wasn’t there when she returned. What if he’d changed his mind and left the library? What if he got lost? What if her stampinghadworked?
Panic pounded her heart. She stood from the bed as a chill swept down her body. “When the characters arrive, are you there to give them instructions?”
“Stella, are you okay?”
Her entire body started to tremble. “Are there rules you have to give them? So they know whatnotto do?” Like leave the library.
Arnie said, “It’s important they know my rules while in the library, but yes, I’m there to instruct any new characters.” He reached out his hand for her, and she instinctively grabbed it. “Stella, what’s wrong?” His heart rate increased. “Just know that I didn’t tell you sooner because I didn’t want to trap you in a life you didn’t want.”
Stella’s anxiety spiked. “Can more than one person use the stamp, or is one of the rules that only one person can use it at a time?”
Arnie frowned. “I’m not sure. Why?”
“I need to get back to the library. I’ve left Vicki and Dan long enough.” Possibly left them in a complicated situation with fictional characters. “I’ll check in later.”
“Hey, kiddo, you sure you’re okay?” Arnie asked.
Stella shook her head. “No, there’s a lot happening, and I need to get back.”
“I’m here if you want to talk it out,” Arnie said. “And be kind to Jack, okay? He’s a good friend and a good man.”
Remorse wriggled through her. What if he ended up like Ruby Lou and Pearl? She wouldneverforgive herself. Stella grabbed her bag and pulled out her cell phone and turned on the ringer.
“Call me if you need anything.” Then she ran out of the hospital to her car and drove to the library like someone trying to break the speed of sound.
Chapter 12
On the drive back to the library, Stella’s emotions ping-ponged between irrational fear at what she might have left behind and guilt over how she’d treated Jack before she left. Those feelings were compounded by Arnie’s admission of the magic and what the ink pad and stamp were capable of.
The library parking lot was full of cars when Stella drove by on her way to her spot in the back lot. As soon as she turned off the ignition, dark gray words swirling like tornadoes flew out of the air vents and around her head. She swatted at them, causing them to twist around the steering wheel.Escape. Warning. Panic mode.The words rushed toward the car’s ceiling and then dive-bombed the dashboard, smashing into pieces. The trembling letters rejoined into broken words and limped across the lower portion of the windshield.
Stella’s cell phone rang and startled her. She dug in her purse as she opened the car door, and a wave of summer heat stole her breath. She withdrew the phone and answered. “Ariel, hey—”
“Finally! I’ve been texting you! Are you okay?”
“I was at the hospital with Arnie, and I didn’t check my phone before I left. Listen, I can’t talk right now, but I’ll call later.”
Squeals erupted from the lawn area just off to the side of the library’s back steps. Stella walked around a parked car to get a better look at who was squealing.
“What’s going on?” Ariel asked. “Talk to me. My stomach feels all weird and unsettled.”
Stella squinted in the bright sunlight, shielding her eyes from the blaze. “What did you eat?”
“Stella,” Ariel said, sounding exasperated, “it’s not food. It’syou. What’s going on with you and that guy at the library?”
As Stella speed walked toward the back door, she saw a group of young women dancing in a lopsided circle with unbridled excitement. Their giggles and high-pitched voices bounced toward Stella.
A man wearing a top hat and riding attire stood on the back steps, looking slightly embarrassed by the surrounding women. Sunlight beamed off his striking face, casting light in every direction. His baritone rumbled, and the young women seemed hypnotized.
Stella’s skin tingled in an entirely unpleasant way.Is that Darcy? Outside the library?“Ariel, I have to go.” She disconnected the call as she heard the start of Ariel’s protest. Stella’s brain and legs kicked into gear and she sprinted across the parking lot.
The idea that Fitzwilliam Darcy could be lost to readers everywhere sent her into full-blown panic mode. Where had he come from? She hadn’t seen him earlier that day, but now he had groupies mesmerized by his dashing smile and British accent. She wheezed as she leaped onto the steps and gripped his arm.
Darcy released anoomphas Stella slammed into him and jerked his arm toward the library doors.
“I beg your pardon,” he said as he snatched his arm out of hergrip. His tall shadow cast an imposing silhouette. “That is no way for a lady to behave.” He straightened his coat.
