Nope.Maybe she’d hit some garage sales. Her followers were encouraging her to create aHunger Games-themed room. The treasure hunt would give her something to occupy her mind.
She returned to the circulation desk to tidy up when heavy pounding came from the library’s front door. They were closed, so she could just ignore it. But what if it was Mr. Timmons? Maybe his car wouldn’t start. She’d been in such a hurry to get inside, she’d not waited for him to leave.
She sighed and walked toward the front door. An enormous flash of lightning lit up the library. Abby blinked at the brightness. The booming thunder cut off another loud knock. The storm must be right on top of them.
She hurried to the door and threw it open. Her heart dropped to her stomach.
“Hi,” a soaked Ricki said. “I suppose I should have brought an umbrella, but I didn’t know it was going to rain.”
Abby stared at Ricki as the driving rain fell. Coming to her senses, Abby stepped back. “Uh, come in.”
Ricki smiled and looked down at herself. “I don’t want to get the library all wet.”
Abby couldn’t help but smile. Blythe would have blasted through the door, but here Ricki stood drenched, afraid of making a mess.
“I’ll find towels.” Abby reached for Ricki to pull her inside, but she stopped with her fingers only inches from Ricki’s arm. She stepped back and motioned Ricki inside. “Get in here.”
Ricki glanced down at Abby’s hand, and sadness filled her eyes. “Maybe I should go.”
Something inside Abby shifted. “The hell you will. Get your ass in here.”
Ricki’s eyes widened, but she stepped inside.
Despite her racing heart and the myriad thoughts running through her mind, Abby had the bearings to shut and lock the door.
Ricki’s hair was plastered to her head, and raindrops ran off it and down her face. Water dripped from the bottom of her T-shirt and bounced into the puddle she’d already made on the floor.
Abby pointed at her. “You stay here while I find something to dry you off.”
Ricki glanced at the puddle. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right. We can clean it up.”
Ricki shook her head. “That’s not what I’m sorry about.”
“Oh.” Abby met Ricki’s gaze. The same emotions Abby was feeling reflected at her from Ricki’s eyes. The love she saw was enough to give her courage. “We can clean that up, too.”
Hope filled Ricki’s eyes. “You promise?”
Abby grinned. “I do.”
Since Abby only had paper towels, it’d taken longer to clean up than Abby had expected. By the time they had finished, Ricki was shivering from the cold.
“We need to get you out of those wet clothes,” Abby said.
Ricki nodded. “I didn’t bring any clothes with me.”
Abby paused, debating with herself. Ricki looked miserable, so Abby couldn’t expect her to talk here, but was it wise to invite her to Abby’s house?
“I’m fine.” Ricki must have noticed Abby’s hesitation. “We can talk here.”
Abby grinned. “I won’t be able to understand you through your chattering teeth.”
Ricki smiled, but sadness still filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
Abby shook her head. “Not here. Follow me home. We can talk there.”
“Are you sure?”
