Abigail was seated on a low chair in front of a semicircle of tiny, cross-legged bodies, with a colorful picture book open in her lap.
“—and the bear said,” she read with gentle enthusiasm, “‘Who’s been sleeping in my bed?’”
A chorus of giggles erupted from the kids.
“Miss Abby, read that line again!” one of the boys shouted, practically bouncing in place.
Abigail chuckled with warmth in her tone. “We’re finishing this one first, then maybe,” she teased, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she turned the page. “The forest was quiet, and all the animals listened to the wind…”
It was peaceful and it was the kind of peace she only found among these children. The scent of strawberry-scented sanitizer lingered in the air as sunlight slanted across the storytime rug.
Until the door
