“Letting go of something that brought you joy willseemas though it might take the life out of you, and it can for a while, but it won’t forever. And Dorothy carried the dream and beauty of Oz in her heart forever.”
“That’s garbage, Arnie.”
“Stella!”
“What? Maybe it’s not garbage, but right now I’m sad and disappointed and frustrated. Can’t you understand that?”
“Do you regret that it happened?” he asked. “Are you sorry that you’ve allowed yourself to feel something again? To be happy?”
She pulled the car into Arnie’s driveway and parked behind his convertible. “Mostly no.” She pressed both hands to her chest. “I have loved the feeling I’ve had with him. But I have regret because I’m afraid of how much it’s going to hurt when he’s gone.”
Arnie reached over and grabbed her hand. “I am so sorry, Stella. I never would have brought him here if I’d known. I thought I was finally ready to tell you the truth about the magic and you’d get a kick out of talking to him. I didn’t know you’d get so attached.”
“To my childhood crush?” she argued. “Why wouldn’t I have gone all googly-eyed for him?”
“You’re not a child anymore, kiddo,” Arnie said. “I didn’t know you’d still be harboring feelings for him.”
“Have youseenhim?” Stella asked, exasperated.
“I’m sorry,” Arnie said again, and the pained look on his face caused Stella to lean over briefly and lay her head on his shoulder. He laid his hand on her cheek. “I’d never hurt you on purpose.”
“I know.” She turned off the engine. “You’resurethere’s no way to let him stay?” She couldn’t stop the tears that pooled in her eyes.
“I wish I had all the answers for you,” Arnie said. “I wish I could help in some cure-all way. But the magic is powerful, and there are rules for a reason. Rules we shouldn’t break.”
Stella met his gaze. “Again?”
Arnie’s face paled. “What do you mean?”
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she wiped it away. “In the hospital you mentioned that we couldn’t try to keep someone away from the source of the magicagain.”
Arnie averted his gaze. “The babblings of an old man.”
Stella leaned against the seat and dropped her head back, releasing a loud exhale. “Love is a wonderful, terrible thing.”
“More wonderful than terrible, I hope,” Arnie said.
Stella looked over at him, wiped at her tears, and nodded. “Me too.” She cleared her throat and inhaled. “Let’s get inside before we start sweating. It’s gonna be as hot as a two-dollar pistol today.”
After settling Arnie back into his cottage and starting a load of laundry, Stella felt calm enough to walk over to the library. She checked in with Melanie and Dan and updated them on Arnie. She also found Jack and asked if he’d like to eat lunch with them at the cottage.
“I told Arnie about us,” she admitted.
Jack gawked at her. “What did you tell him?” His gaze drifted toward Arnie’s cottage.
“Don’t be absurd,” she said, understanding the panic on his face. “I didn’t tell him everything, just about my feelings for you and how I want you to stay and I’m sad and blah blah blah.”
Jack grabbed Stella’s hand, causing her heart to wobble. “What did he say?”
“He’s mostly upset with himself for bringing you out. He assumed we’d have a nice chat and that would be the end of our story.”
“How could anyone have a nice chat with you and want that to be the end of the story?” Jack asked.
Warmth tingled over her body, and she snuggled up to him. “That’s kinda what I said about you.” She smiled. “Lunch?”
Jack hesitated. “Is he angry with me?”
“Not at all,” she said. “Give me your order for the deli, because Iwantyou to join us.” He leaned over and kissed her. When he pulled away, she asked, “Is that a yes?” He kissed her again, and she laughed against his lips.
