Page 33 of The Promise in Poppies
“It’s a quote from the children’s bookPeter Pan and Wendy,” Lucy told them. “Second to the right and straight on till morning are the directions to Neverland.”
“Wait.” Cassie scrunched her forehead, recalling the framed literary quote she’d seen online recently and saved as an option for the nursery. “Isn’t it supposed to be the secondstarto the right?”
“They added that part in the original Disney movie, but in the book, it’s exactly like this.” Lucy pointed to the note. “So, I suspect you’ll find the diary somewhere near a copy ofPeter Pan and Wendy.”
“But which one?” Cassie asked.
“My guess is the library,” Penny said, then frowned. “Which means we’ll have to wait until it opens in the morning.”
“I can get us in,” Colt offered. He leaned back casually, one arm draped over the back of Penny’s chair. “I’ve jimmied the lock before.”
Penny bolted upright, swiveling to face him. “You’rethe one who moved all the romance books into the science fiction section during our senior year!”
“That was before you showed me love was real.” He leaned in to steal a kiss.
Penny swatted his arm. “I’mthe one who helped Beverly move all of them back. It took us an entire evening after school.” She gave her husband a stern glower of disapproval, but Cassie noticed the blush dappling her cheeks. Like a classic romance novel, the shy, straight-A student had fallen for the rebel prankster, helping him to reform his ways.
She hid a smile and reached into the pocket of her cardigan. “No need to break and enter. Beverly gave me a key this afternoon so I can start storing the silent auction items in the back room.” She dangled the tiny brass key ring. “Anyone care for a late-night field trip?”
Rejuvenated by the sense of adventure, they traipsed across the town square to the library like Peter Pan’s merry band of lost boys.
Penny led them straight to the row of classic children’s literature, trailing her finger along the faded spines until she paused at two identical copies. “That’s strange. They have the same binding, but this one has a call number, so we know it’s been cataloged in the system. But this one is blank.”
“What about the diary?” Lucy side-stepped around her brother’s massive frame to get a better look. “Do you see it?”
“No,” Penny admitted. “But I have a hunch.” She slid the duplicate copy off the shelf. “Just like I thought. It feels odd. Lighter than it should.” She flipped open the book, revealing a hollowed-out center. A crude leather journal rested inside, bound by a matching cord.
“Cool.” Colt leaned over her shoulder. “It’s like a turducken.”
Jack snorted. “Did you really just compare it to a chicken stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a turkey?”
“Tell me it doesn’t remind you of one,” Colt retorted.
“I’m more surprised you think it’s cool.” Penny raised an eyebrow. “I thought you said it was creepy.”
“Itiscreepy. And also kinda cool.”
“Can I see it?” Cassie asked, her voice a reverent whisper. She hadn’t been able to take her eyes off the diary since Penny uncovered it.
“Of course.” As Penny lifted the delicate object from its resting place, a slip of paper fluttered to the floor. She handed Cassie the diary then stooped to retrieve it.
A shiver ran up Cassie’s arm as she caressed the worn, feather-soft binding. What secrets awaited her inside?
“What does the note say?” Luke asked, drawing her attention back to Penny, who read it aloud.
“‘Well done, you’ve solved all the clues. The diary is yours, it’s long overdue. Thank you for playing along with my game. You’ve brought honor upon your father’s good name. If you’re ever in need, simply send me a line. From this day forward, you’re a friend of mine.’”
“That’s so sweet.” Kat rested a hand on her half sister’s arm. “I can see why your father liked him.”
“Are you going to read it?” Lucy asked Cassie, nodding at the diary.
“I’d really love to,” Cassie confessed, unable to hide the depth of her interest. “But we decided to auction off the chance to read it. I’ll have to bid on it like everyone else.”
“Uh-oh,” Colt teased, elbowing Luke in the side. “There goes your kid’s college fund.”
While they bantered about how much money they thought the diary would raise, Cassie carried it to the back room for safe keeping. She held it close to her chest, her fingers splayed against the cover. There was something about the feel of the velvety leather, made soft and pliable over time, that spoke to her heart, as if there was some truth or whisper of wisdom within the worn pages she desperately needed to know.
CHAPTER20
