Previously Loved Treasures (Serendipity #2)(78)

“Thank you,” she whispered through a flood of tears.

If Peter was no longer here perhaps he was somewhere else, helping another person, handing them exactly what they needed in exchange for a single coin. It mattered not that anyone else had seen or believed in Peter Pennington. Caroline did. She believed just as Grandma Ida had believed.

With a saddened heart, she climbed back into her car and drove off.





The Secret





Wilbur was released from the hospital the following day. The doctor indicated it would be after lunch, but Caroline arrived while the breakfast tray still sat on the table.

“I thought maybe we’d have some time to talk,” she said and pulled the visitor’s chair closer to his bed.

“Is something wrong?” Wilbur asked.

Caroline shrugged, “I don’t know if I’d say wrong, but it certainly is confusing.” She explained how she’d gone back to Previously Loved Treasures and found the store empty. “It’s not like Peter to just not be there. He knew when I was coming, and he was always ready with exactly what I needed.”

“Having what you need,” Wilbur said with a smile. “That could be nothing more than coincidence.”

Caroline shook her head. “It wasn’t coincidence. He knew. I tried to buy you a new pocket watch, but Peter told me you needed that wristwatch. See what I mean?”

“Not exactly.”

“The glow-in-the-dark watch saved your life.”

“Saved my life?”

Caroline nodded. “The smoke was so thick, Calvin couldn’t see a thing. If it wasn’t for the glow of that watch…” The remainder of such a terrible thought was left unsaid.

“Who’s Calvin?”

“The fireman who rescued you.”

“Oh,” Wilbur said, “I don’t recall much of that night.”

Pulling the conversation back on track, Caroline said, “See, Peter was always looking out for Grandma and me. He never actually said it, but I knew he was. If he cared about me, why would he leave without saying something? Goodbye, maybe? Or, I have to leave town?”

“Possibly he had no choice. He may have gotten sick or lost his lease.”

Caroline shook her head again. “That’s not it.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I asked every merchant on the street, and they all claimed they’d never seen the store or heard of Peter.”

“That is strange.” Wilbur cradled his chin between his thumb and index finger, then hesitated a lengthy while before asking, “You’re sure you had the right location?”

“Of course I’m sure!” Caroline answered indignantly. “I’ve been there five different times, and Grandma was there too.”

The mention of Ida’s name caused Wilbur to think back on the years of his life. He’d seen a stranger come from out of nowhere to shove a boy from the path of an oncoming car. He’d seen a silver cigarette case stop a bullet from reaching a soldier’s heart. And when Ida was in need of someone to love, he’d watched her find the granddaughter she never knew she had. How many other unexplainable things had he witnessed and never stopped to think about? People sometimes offered up explanations. They’d say it was the hand of fate or perhaps a lucky break, but was that really the truth?

Wilbur gave a deep sigh. “I’ve a feeling Peter was there for you because you needed him, and now he’s moved on.”

“Moved on? As in not coming back?”

Wilbur nodded solemnly.

“But the picture and bonds,” Caroline said. “They’re not really mine. What do I do with them if he’s not coming back?”

“Actually, they are yours,” Wilbur said. “Peter gave them to you.”

“The picture, yes, but it’s possible he didn’t know the bonds were behind it.”

“He knew.” Wilbur laughed. “Just as he knew I needed that watch.” He reached across and folded her hand in his. “You see, Caroline, everybody deals with a certain amount of good and bad in their life, but sometimes the bad starts taking over. When that happens the Lord sends a bit of help. I think Mister Pennington might have been your help.”

Caroline pictured the little man with his black suit and round glasses and laughed. “Peter Pennington, a guardian angel?”

“Despite my years, there’s a world of things I don’t understand. I can’t say whether your Mister Pennington was a wealthy eccentric or a guardian angel, but I’d be willing to bet your grandma had a hand in making sure those bonds got to you.”

Caroline gave a long sorrowful sigh. “It’s sad to think I’ll never see Peter again. First Grandma, now Peter. It’s like there’s a hole in my heart.”

Wilbur gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Don’t worry. God never closes a door without giving you a window.”

Caroline thought of the gaping hole in the back of the house, and for a fleeting instant she could see Calvin lifting the new window into position.

~

It took almost two weeks for Caroline to settle into the thought that the bonds actually belonged to her, and when she finally did it was only because she’d come to accept that they were a gift from either Peter Pennington or her grandma.