Lisa nodded. “His nurse just left a few minutes ago. He’s doing well but impatient to go home, as to be expected. Go on in.”
Stella knocked on the door and pushed it open when she heard Arnie call for her to enter. He was sitting up in the raised hospital bed holding a cup of coffee.
“Hey, kiddo,” he said, before putting the cup on the bedside table. “I’ve been eager to hear about everything. Percy stopped by yesterday and surprised me. I had the nurse call him because I thought he’d want to know, but I didn’t know he was coming to town.”
Stella tamped down the irritation that wanted to erupt. “He surprised me too.” In more ways than one.
“He looks good and happy,” Arnie said.
“Mm-hmm.” Good thing Arnie hadn’t seen Percy last night.
Arnie clapped his hands together once. “How did festival setup go yesterday? Did everyone show up? Any problems? Any concerns?”
Stella grabbed the orange chair and slid it to the edge of the bed. “I told you not to worry. If the doctor gets wind that I’ve flustered you, they’re going to forbid me from visiting. Do you want that? Then who will bring you breakfast pastries?” Stella shook the brown bag she’d been holding before putting it on the bedside table. “After a plateful of cookies, I figured you’d need healthy treats.”
Arnie’s eyes narrowed. “Iknewyou were somehow involved—sending Dana here with my favorite cookies.”
Stella held up her hands in defense. “She asked if she could bring you anything, and I just told the truth.” Stella sat in the chair. “So, how was it? Did you two hit it off?”
Arnie leaned his head back and sighed. “She’s a lovely person.”
When he didn’t elaborate, she bounced her elbows on the bed until he opened his eyes again. “And?”
“And we’re going to have tea or coffee or lunch when I make my jail break.”
Stella smiled widely, and Arnie looked at her strangely. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I haven’t seen you smile like that in ages,” he said.
Stella sat upright, clasping her hands together in her lap. “I’m happy for you, that’s all. You deserve someone nice to have conversations with. I like Dana. She seems like good people.”
Arnie eyed her but continued, “She is. I should thank you for your sneakiness. Dana spent the better part of two hours here talking about all sorts of interesting topics. We could have talked for the rest of the day, but she had to go home to let out her dog. I’m looking forward to seeing her again.”
“I knew once you got over the babbling bit, you’d have a great time,” Stella said.
“Enough about me. Tell me about the festival, and I promise not to work myself up.”
Stella explained how well the setup had gone, due to the committee’s and his impeccable planning, and that there had been no issues they couldn’t handle. She told him about the volunteers and the vendors and about Jack. But she purposely left out information about Hook and his untimely departure and her confrontation with Percy.
When she finished, Arnie’s features relaxed. “That’s what it is, then.”
“That’s whatwhatis?”
“Jack.”
Stella stilled. “What about him?”
Arnie reached over and patted her hand. “Someone has turned your light back on. You’re glowing. I’ve missed that. I would tell you to be careful, but love is an adventure worth taking, and playing it safe isn’t always worth it. Listen to an old man. Take the leap.”
Stella stared at him. “I don’t—”
“Don’t deny yourself the pleasure of basking in it for a while.” Arnie held out his hand to her, and she slipped hers into it.
Her throat tightened when she looked at him. “It’s kinda terrifying, opening myself up again.”
He nodded. “My two cents, kiddo? Love is always worth trying, even when it’s scary. Don’t let fear of the unknown keep you from living.”
Stella nodded. “I hear you.”
