“I think I’ll just keep a wide berth from her.”
“Good plan.”
Lillian headed off to the kitchen to see if The Yarnies needed more help passing out coffee and cookies, though she’d see if someone else would volunteer to bring it out to Delbert and Camille. She’d already hit her fill of the woman. She should go and check on Lucky, too. Make sure the pup was doing okay in the crowded center.
At least helping out in the kitchen and checking on the dog would keep her mind off of Etta.
Maybe.
Where was the woman? She couldn’t help worrying about her.
Robin paced around inside the center waiting for Jay to return. She’d lost count of how many times she’d glanced at her watch. Barney walked by her side as she juggled the kitten in her other arm.
Zoe walked up to her. “Any sign of them?”
“No, not yet.”
“Want me to watch your kitten while you walk Barney around?”
“That would be great.” She handed Sunny over to Zoe. “Sunny. Her name is Sunny.”
Zoe stroked the kitten as it settled into her arms, purring. Zoe laughed. “She’s a noisy little thing.”
“She’s a purr monster, that’s for sure. The storm and the hubbub haven’t seemed to bother her one bit.”
“I’ll watch her while you give Barney some exercise.”
“Thanks, Zoe. Let me know if you see the guys come back.” She walked away, out of the main room of the center and down a long hallway, trying to escape some of the crowd. Barney was beginning to look a bit anxious. Whether it was the storm or the crowd, she wasn’t sure. She circled twice around inside the center and ended up by the front door yet again.
Sara looked up from the table and shrugged. “Sorry, they’re not back yet.”
“I hope they found Etta and I wish they’d get back here.” She didn’t know how many more laps around the place she could do before she went crazy with worry.
“I’m sure they’re fine,” Sara said encouragingly.
“I’m sure you’re right.” But she wasn’t sure. She still had this nagging feeling and just wanted to lay her eyes on Jay and know he was okay. Then maybe she’d feel better. Or some better. The storm had her on edge. She let out a long breath, trying to steady her nerves.
The door swung open and a group of people entered, crowding through the door, trying to get in out of the storm.
With all the commotion, Barney tugged on the leash unexpectedly and pulled it right from her hand. She lunged for the leash but wasn’t quick enough. Barney rushed past the people and headed toward the door. “Barney, come back.”
She pushed through the people to get to the door and to her dismay, the dog rushed out into the storm. She whirled toward Sara. “I have to get Barney. He got out.”
“No, don’t go out in that.” Sara jumped up from her chair.
“I have to.” Her heart pounding, she raced out into the storm just in time to catch a glimpse of Barney running across the parking lot, his leash trailing behind him.
She had to catch him. Had to. Or Mrs. Gleason would never forgive her.
And Jay probably wouldn’t either…
Chapter 13
Jay and Mason hurried through the storm. Jay tried to shield Etta as best he could from the drenching rain. But at least they’d found Etta and they were getting her to safety. They finally made it to the community center and Mason battled against the wind to open the door. Jay maneuvered through, careful not to bump Etta’s hurt ankle.
Lillian and Zoe came rushing up to them. “You found her. Oh, Etta, are you okay?” Lillian’s eyes were full of concern.
“She’s hurt her ankle. Looks pale.” Jay set Etta down carefully and she leaned against him. He wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her.
Lillian touched Jay’s arm. “Thank you so much for going and finding her.”
“It was no problem.” He was always glad to help Lillian after all she’d done for him.
“I saw Dr. Harden here. I’ll go find her.” Zoe sent a quick look at Mason as if checking to make sure he was really here and safe, then hurried away.
Gary showed up with a chair for Etta and she gratefully sat down.
“What happened?” Lillian asked.
“It was silly of me. I was stashing some records up high on the shelves, just in case there was any flooding. I climbed a ladder, but lost my balance and grabbed hold of the bookcase. The whole thing tumbled over. My leg was caught and I couldn’t move the bookcase. It was too heavy. Luckily Jay and Mason found me and were able to get me free.”
Ashley Harden hurried up to them, doctor bag in hand. “I hear Etta needs to be checked out.”
“Ashley, yes. Etta was trapped under a bookcase.” Lillian hovered over Etta.
“It’s my ankle.”
Ashley checked out Etta as Jay’s gaze roamed the room, looking for Robin. He turned to Lillian. “Have you seen Robin?”
“No, not for a bit. I’m sure she’s here in the crowd somewhere.”
He noticed Zoe was holding Sunny. “You have her kitten?”
Zoe smiled and petted the kitten. “I’m just holding her for Robin. Last I saw Robin she was walking Barney around.”
He scanned the crowded room yet again and frowned. He just wanted to set his sights on her. See her. He really wanted to kiss her or hug her, but he’d settle with just seeing her smile.
Sara came rushing up to them and grabbed his arm. “Jay, there you are. You have to find her.”
“Robin?” Concern swept through him at the sound of panic in Sara’s voice.
“Yes. She was walking Barney near the doorway and a group of people came in. Barney got away from her and ran out the door. I tried to stop her but she… she ran out after him.”
“She went out in this
