“No,” Jack said, as though reading her mind. “Don’t you dare feel sorry for that man. He made his bed. Let him lie in it.Withoutyou.” Jack’s gaze held a questioning look. “Youdidtell him no, didn’t you?”
“Of course,” Stella said, miffed that he’d question her desire for Wade. “I don’t want anything to do with him.”
Jack’s gaze softened. “Come here.” He folded her into his embrace.
New tears formed, but the intensity of her sadness had faded. These tears filled her with relief. She’d never stood up for herself when it came to Wade. She’d let him do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted, always putting her own needs to the side. Not anymore.
“How’s your heart?” Jack asked while rubbing her back.
She sniffled against his chest. “Good. Strong.” She leaned away from him to meet his gaze. “I imagined his return so many times in a million different ways. I imagined how my heart would react, everything I would say, and even how he might explain his absence in a way that would make his leaving less hurtful. But when the moment finally arrived, I was angry and indignant on my own behalf. He doesn’t get to waltz back into my life like he’s the returning hero. He doesn’t get access to me anymore. He gave that up. Willingly. I thought I’d feel guilty for telling him to get lost, but I don’t. Iwanthim to get lost.”
Jack held her. “It’s important that you take care of yourself. I hope you know that.”
Vicki called her name from the foyer, and Stella released Jack. Vicki held two white paper plates with funnel cakes dusted in a thick layer of powdered sugar. “I brought dessert to celebrate the success of the festival! Arnie will be so proud of us. Oh, I didn’t realize Jack was still here. Well, we can share— Hey, are you okay?”
Stella touched her fingertips to her wet cheeks. “Just stress relieving.”
Vicki put the plates on the circulation desk. “I get that. There were a few touch-and-go moments when I thought I might lose it, but I think we did the library proud. I received hundreds of compliments. The only thing people complained about was the heat, and that’s out of our control. Get over here, and let’s celebrate a job well done, and thank the heavens we don’t have to do this again for another year.”
Stella appreciated the distraction. She, Jack, and Vicki finished off the funnel cakes and chatted about the day’s events. It was late, but she called Arnie because she’d promised to update him. His relief and pleasure traveled through the phone and filled Stella with satisfaction and gratitude.
When she finished talking with Arnie, she, Jack, and the rest of the library crew walked the grounds outside the library while the remaining volunteers made sure the park was empty. At nearly ten thirty Stella locked the rear door to the library and waved goodbye to everyone. She sat on the back steps and stared at the empty lawn. Jack sat down beside her.
In the soupy evening air, a sprinkle of lightning bugs flashed as they weaved above the grass. A crescent moon peaked over the pine trees in the distance. Crickets eased out in the silence, making sure the coast was clear, and then chirped a summertime song. Stella’s shoulders sagged forward as she propped her elbows on her knees. Jack’s warmth felt strong and solid beside her. She leaned her head back and looked up at the stars.
Stella was proud of herself for standing up to Wade and happy for the festival’s success. She should be content with how her life was changing, guiding her toward a better path, but all she could think about was that Jack would be gone in less than a day.
“So... tomorrow,” she said, trying to pretend the conversation was easy.
Jack reached for her hand and pressed it between both of his. “It normally happens around sunset or just after. There’s no definite time, but around then seems to be the case more often than not.”
Stella closed her eyes, the starlight imprinting on the inside of her eyelids. She had let hope loose like a wild thing with no chance of catching it again. A quiver started in her heart and then spread out like a shock wave. She dropped his hand and stood.
“I’m going to take a walk, get some air.” She stepped off the back stoop and trudged across the grass with no destination in mind. Tears stung her eyes, and she clenched her jaw to keep the threatening sob at bay. After a long, exhausting day, plus the encounter with Wade, she was overly worn down, which meant she was also overly emotional.
“Stella,” Jack called.
His shoes slapped the soft earth as he hurried to catch up with her, but she didn’t stop. Shecouldn’tstop because then she would have to face him. She would have to look in his eyes and know she’d have to say goodbye soon.
“Stella,” he said, taking hold of her arm and slowing her forward motion. “Hey, look at me.”
Stella stopped walking, but she didn’t turn her head. She didn’t trust herself to keep her composure. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I-I’m about two seconds away from making a blubbering, embarrassing mess of myself.”
Jack stepped in front of her. “Tell me why you’re upset.”
“Is that a joke?” she asked, her voice breaking with sadness. “Youknowwhy I’m upset. You’re leaving. Tomorrow. And then what? What about me? What am I supposed to do with that?”
“I can’t tell you how to feel, but I can tell you how I feel. I’m thankful.”
“That you’re leaving?” Stella glared at Jack and shoved him out of the way. But he hooked her arm and spun her around.
“No, because of the time we’ve had. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me,” Jack said. “Youare the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I know it’s been only a few days, but these have been the most wonderful days. Because ofyou. And I don’t regret a second of our time together. I don’t want to waste our lasthours together feeling sad. I want to enjoy every moment with you.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t pretend that you’re not leaving.”
