Stella’s heart leaped at the thought of dancing with Jack and having him hold her close again, but then she remembered why she’d skipped every school dance.
“We’ve talked about this. I don’t dance. As in, I’ve never been to a dance before.”
Jack brushed his lips against her cheek. “Never? Would you be willing to go with me?”
“Jack,” she said, pulling away from him, “I don’t know the first thing about dancing. I’d embarrass you.”
“I can teach you.” He kissed the side of her neck.
“Are you planning on teaching me everything?” she asked, closing her eyes.
“Not everything,” he said against her neck. “In some areas you’re already killer diller.” Then he kissed her lips.
By lunchtime the library and grounds were full of activity. Dan and Vicki had arrived together, and Vicki sent Dan to the break room to put away their belongings so she could ask about Hook and the police. As much as it tweaked her guilt, Stella lied and said it had been taken care of. Vicki’s relief washed over her, and she jumped into festival prep with a renewed sense of focus.
The local tent rental company sent workers just after the library opened, and they busied themselves setting up the ten-by-ten tents for the outdoor vendors. Tables and chairs were placed inside the tents, and vendors arrived to decorate and organize their spaces. Generators were hooked up, and extension cords were connected to allow for electricity. Stella watched the progress with anticipation, wishing Arnie were there to witness his plans becoming reality.
Once the music stage was erected, performers sound checked, and Stella took a break to linger on the back steps of the library and listen to a few songs. The day was beautiful, but the intense heat caused everyone to sweat straight through their summer clothes and gulp bottles of lukewarm water. They walked around while fanning their faces, swirling the soupy hot air. Cardinals chirpedwearily from the shade of an oak tree, and no clouds marred the bright blue sky.
Stella lifted the sleeve of her T-shirt and swiped it across her face. At least the heat had dried up most of the sogginess left over from yesterday’s rainstorm. The lawn still sank in places, and a few stubborn puddles remained in the parking lot, but by late afternoon the whole place would be dry and thirsty.
Back inside the library, volunteers bustled, and Vicki hurried through the foyer with a clipboard in her hands. She pointed toward the children’s section.
“Puppet show booth is that way. Number fifteen,” she said to a woman whose arms were full of limp cloth puppets. “There’s an open area right beside your table for you to set up your backdrops and props.”
“Thank you,” the woman said as she hurried away.
“Everything under control?” Stella asked.
Vicki pressed the clipboard to her chest. Her round cheeks were flushed, and her fiery hair was exceptionally large because of the humidity. “I’d say in the absence of our ringleader, we are keeping this circus organized.”
“Hungry?” Stella asked. “I thought I’d grab lunch for us.”
Vicki nodded. “Famished.”
“How about the deli? Then I’ll swing by Frost Bites for desserts. We deserve a cool treat. What would you like?”
Vicki gave Stella her order, and then Stella wandered through the first floor looking for Dan and Melanie. After taking their orders, she searched for Jack and found him talking to a man setting out stacks of books on a table.
As Stella approached them, she saw that the books appeared to be historical fiction novels about World War II. Jack and the man were discussing the Battle of the Bulge. How strange was it for Jackto talk about a war he’d been part of, even if only in a novel? Did it stir up difficult memories? Could he picture the faces of the other soldiers and friends he’d lost? Did he feel like a man out of time?
Soon hewouldbe out of time. A pang of sadness followed.
Jack noticed her on the periphery and a slow smile changed his face. She wanted to linger in that space of being seen by him.
“Hey, Stella,” he said. “This is Thomas Linden. He’s a local author with a passion for World War II.”
Stella shook Thomas’s hand and introduced herself. “We’re happy you’re here. Please let us know if you need anything or have any questions about the festival. We appreciate your support.”
“Happy to be here,” Thomas said.
“Please excuse us.” Stella grabbed Jack’s arm and pulled him aside into the privacy of an aisle between bookshelves. “Is that weird? Talking about the war?”
Jack glanced back at Thomas, who was arranging his books. “It’s strange, but I’m thankful for men like Thomas who are still interested in sharing our history with others so soldiers aren’t forgotten.”
Her dad had said something similar, which was another reason he’d created the care packages for soldiers. She leaned her head against Jack’s shoulder. “How could anyone forget you?”
Jack tucked a curl behind her ear.
