Previously Loved Treasures (Serendipity #2)(25)

“That they are,” Ida replied, “but it’s mighty nice having them.” She told Caroline how Big Jim’s sickness had depleted their bank account.

“The only thing of value I had left was this big old house, so I started renting out rooms. Max was first.” She turned to Caroline. “Did you know he’s your granddaddy’s baby brother?”

Caroline shook her head. “Up until a few days ago, I didn’t know I had any family.”

“Well, you sure do now.” Ida smiled. “You’ve got me, and I still think one of these days your daddy is gonna come walking through that door hollering he’s back home.”

“That would be nice,” Caroline said, “but I’m not holding out a lot of hope.”

“You never know.” Ida grinned. “You just never know.”

Caroline had to admit that was true. If an unknown grandma could come from out of nowhere, it was possible her daddy would one day come home.

As Ida washed the dishes, Caroline dried them and breathed in the smell of sausage and biscuits that lingered in the air. “You sure are a wonderful cook.”

Ida gave a big hearty laugh. “Shoot, honey, this’s nothing but down home cooking. Anybody can do it.”

“Not me,” Caroline replied. “I wouldn’t know where to start.”

“Didn’t you cook for your young man?”

“Hardly ever. He wasn’t home much, and when he was we generally got takeout.”

“Takeout?” Ida repeated. “Like pizza?”

“Unh-huh. Pizza, fried chicken, Chinese. Stuff like that.”

“Well, if that don’t beat all,” Ida said.

“It’s not because I’m not willing,” Caroline said. “I just never learned how.”

“Your mama didn’t teach you?”

“Mama?” Caroline giggled. “Why, she couldn’t boil a pot of water.”

Although she said nothing more, Caroline began to wonder if maybe it was the endless dinners of pizza and canned soup that drove her daddy to leave.





The Desk





That afternoon Ida climbed into the passenger seat of Caroline’s Toyota, and they went in search of a desk. “We’ll start at Previously Loved Treasures,” Ida said, “because Peter Pennington always has exactly what you need.” Although she was careful not to mention the teddy bear, she told of finding the rosewood bed and the new lamp for Caroline’s room. “Peter not only seems to know when you’re coming, he also knows what you’re looking for.”

“I doubt that he knows.” Caroline laughed. “It’s probably just a good guess.”

“It’s not a guess,” Ida replied. “He knows.”

Caroline laughed again.

A few seconds later Ida waggled her finger and pointed to the storefront a few doors down. “There it is.”

When they pulled up in front of the store Peter Pennington stood alongside the door, just as he’d been on Ida’s previous visits. He looked exactly as she’d described him. Thin, elfin almost, with thick round glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. Caroline would have considered him bird-like, were it not for the black suit he wore. The dark heavy fabric seemed to anchor him to the earth.

When the engine rumbled to a halt, Peter walked to the curb and opened the passenger door on Ida’s side of the car. He bent and leaned toward her.

“I thought you’d be coming in today,” he said.

“Hello, Peter,” Ida replied. She turned and gave Caroline a sly wink. “See.” She nodded confidently.

“And this must be your lovely granddaughter.” Peter smiled.

Caroline laughed. “Yes, and I suppose some magical power told you that.”

“No,” he answered. “Your grandma did. She was in last week getting a few things for your room.” With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he said, “And now I’m guessing that you’re back to pick out a desk?”

Caroline looked at Ida. “Did you tell him about the desk?”

Ida shook her head.

“Your grandma’s been bragging about how you’re going to be a famous author,” Peter explained. “So it stands to reason a writer would need a desk.”

“Oh, okay.”

The logical explanation settled comfortably in Caroline’s head but not in Ida’s. Yes, she’d told Peter that Caroline was coming to live with her, but she couldn’t recall mentioning her granddaughter writing a book. While Ida stood there trying to remember, Caroline followed Peter to the back of the store.

“I’ve got exactly what you need,” he said and pushed aside a standing mirror blocking the way.

Behind the mirror sat a small wooden desk. It was old, scratched in a number of places, and missing a knob on the bottom drawer.

“I know it’s not much to look at,” Peter said, “but it’s perfect for your needs.”

Ida, who’d followed behind, peered around the mirror. “It’s not very fancy. Don’t you have something a bit nicer?”

Peter shook his head. He got ready to explain the desk was exactly what they needed but didn’t have to. Caroline had already taken a liking to it.