Stella patted her hair, feeling the frizz creeping outward. “It’s out of control today. All the humidity.”
Jack grinned. “I like it. How’re you holding up? From what I can tell, the setup is running smoothly.”
He followed her to the circulation desk. “I’m going to the deli to grab lunch for me and the rest of the crew. Can I bring something back for you?” She grabbed her purse.
Jack hooked one finger around her purse strap. “Could I walk with you?”
Stella glanced toward the library’s front doors. In the past forty-eight hours, she had broken all kinds of rules. “Arnie told me to keep everyone in the library. I know we only went to his place, but is town too far? Are we pushing the limits?”
“Arnie’s let me outside a few times.”
“Off the grounds?”
Jack reached for her hand. “No, but you could protect me.”
Stella laughed. “From what?”
He tugged her close. “From getting lost. Come on, Stella. It’d be sweet to see the town.” He placed a quick kiss on her neck, and her knees wobbled.
She rolled her eyes. “No fair.” But she leaned into him. “I doubt you going into town with me would upset Arnie more than knowing that a drunken Hook tried to lure a book club member into his captain’s quarters. Come on, dreamboat.”
Jack’s laugh filled the foyer, and Stella marveled at this new woman who was evolving inside her. She pushed open the library’s front doors and nearly ran into Dana Cannon. She had a canvas bag slung over her shoulder and wore a ball cap emblazoned with the name of a local Little League team.
“Dana,” Stella said as she held the door open, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”
Dana smiled as her gaze shifted toward Jack. Her expression said,I bet I know where your attention was.
“Looks like festival preparations are in full swing,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it tomorrow. Arnie and the committee always do the best job with it. Can I return the books I checked out about Wildflower Hill?”
“Of course,” Stella said. “The library isn’t open for normal activities”—she glanced into the foyer—“even though it’s full of activity. But I don’t mind returning these for you.”
Dana reached into her canvas bag. “Thank you for suggestingFried Green Tomatoes. I’d forgotten how much I loved it.”
Stella’s chest filled with warmth. She quickly glanced at Jack, wanting to tell him that she’d called forth the wordson purposeand helped Dana find this book.
Dana continued, “I also hoped I could talk with Arnie about the books. Do you think he’d have a few minutes to spare? I’m sure he’s busy today, but it wouldn’t take long.”
Stella’s shoulders sagged. “Arnie isn’t here today.” When Dana’s smile slipped right off her face, Stella added, “But if he were, he would definitely take the time to talk with you. He suffered a heart attack a couple nights ago, and he’s still in the hospital.”
Dana gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. Her green eyes opened wide over the tops of her fingers. When she lowered her hands, her bottom lip trembled. “Is he going to be okay?”
Stella reached out to touch Dana’s arm briefly. “Yes, and he promised me that he’ll be right as rain ASAP. He’s already feeling better, but it’s customary to keep a heart attack patient in the hospital for at least a few days.”
Dana dropped the novel back into her bag and then gripped the straps of her canvas bag with both hands. “Can he have visitors?”
“Yes,” Stella said.
Puffy white words floated out of Dana’s bag and lifted into the air.Comfort. Chances. Kindness.“Does he need anything? Could I bring him something?”
The warmth continued to spread through Stella at seeing Dana’s words. She caught Jack’s gaze before his eyes flitted to the words too. If only Arnie knew how much goodness Dana wanted to share with him. An idea popped into Stella’s mind.
“He’s suffering on the hospital food diet, but he loves whitechocolate macadamia nut cookies. I bet if you smuggled in a few of those, you’d win his heart forever.”
A lovely, hopeful smile lifted Dana’s cheeks, and Stella was struck by her beauty. Dana would never be described as dainty or frilly like some women. She was capable and sturdy and strong—a marvelous fit for Arnie.
An inner joy lit her green eyes. “I have a wonderful recipe for white chocolate macadamia nut cookies from my grandma. I’ll drop off my books and scurry back home. I have baking to do.”
Dana said goodbye and disappeared into the crowded library, and Stella and Jack headed down the concrete stairs toward the sidewalk.
