Satisfied, I moved on.
“Dabney Holdstrom’s had a double disappointment,” I said. “Mr. Barlow won’t repair his cars and Sally won’t star in his magazine. I guess I’d be pretty devastated if I granted a wish for someone who said, ‘No, thank you.’ But if Dabney’s the wish granter, why did he make a wish? Was he trying to blend in with the villagers? When in Finch, visit the wishing well? And last but not least: Why does the wishing well grant some wishes, but not others?”
I gazed blindly at my pink bunny for several minutes before it dawned on me to share my troubled thoughts with Aunt Dimity. I was about to remove the blue journal from its pillowy hiding place when I heard the unmistakable clip-clopping sound of horses walking sedately up the lane. Reginald and I watched through the bay window as two gray mares turned into my driveway. I recognized the riders instantly, though I hadn’t seen them in a long time.
Peter and Cassie Harris were the most unexpected and the most welcome visitors I’d had all morning. They dismounted, tied their steeds to the hitching post Will and Rob used for their ponies, unloaded their saddlebags, and strode up the flagstone walk with their arms full of everything, it seemed, except a casserole dish.
Peter and Cassie were in their midtwenties. His dark good looks complimented her blond prettiness and though he was slightly taller than she was, they were both tall, lean, and blessed with the healthy glow that comes from working in the great outdoors.
“It’s open!” I bellowed as I tucked Reginald beneath the quilt. “Come in!”
The pair strode into the living room, deposited their offerings on the coffee table, and bent to give me kisses on both cheeks and much gentler hugs than usual, presumably out of deference to my injury.
“We come bearing gifts,” Peter announced, nodding toward the coffee table. “Mum sent the lilacs, the soup, and the grapes—”
Though Emma was Peter’s stepmother, he never referred to her as such. Emma had come into his life when he was a young boy and she’d been “Mum” to him ever since.
“—Dad sent the book of crossword puzzles,” Peter continued, “and Kit and Nell send their love. The magazines were my idea and the eye pillow was Cassie’s.”
“It’s made of raw silk and filled with lavender,” said Cassie, “to promote relaxation and sleep.”
“Thank you,” I said, thinking of how little sleep I’d had since I’d sent Bill to work. “Thanks for everything.”
Cassie scooped up the lilacs and the soup and carried them into the kitchen. Peter perched on the edge of the coffee table and surveyed my bandaged thumb.
“Does it feel as bad as it looks?” he asked.
“As a matter of fact, it doesn’t,” I said in mild surprise. “The painkiller must have kicked in.”
“Dad thought you would be on pain pills,” said Peter. “That’s why he sent the book of crossword puzzles instead of a bottle of brandy.”
“It’s the thought that counts,” I said, smiling.
Cassie returned with the lilacs arranged in a vase. She placed the vase on the end table nearest my head—the shortest distance between the flowers’ fragrance and my nose—and sat beside Peter on the coffee table.
“The others will be along later,” Peter informed me, “but Cassie and I couldn’t wait to see you.”
“He’s right,” said Cassie. “One of the advantages of living next door is that we’ll be able to spend more time with our favorite people.”
“It’s all settled, then?” I said. “You’re moving into Anscombe Manor?”
“It’s all settled,” Peter confirmed. “Dad hopes to have our flat fitted out by next month.”
“Emma’s throwing a party in our honor tomorrow night,” said Cassie. “You, Bill, and the twins are invited.”
“Mum would have asked you herself,” said Peter, “but she left for Ivy Cottage right after breakfast.”
I laughed. “If I know your mother, she’ll be gone until dark.”
“You know my mother,” Peter agreed.
“The party starts at eight o’clock,” said Cassie, “but if you’re worried about the boys staying up past their bedtime, come early. Our homecoming wouldn’t be complete without them.”
“Your homecoming has made Emma and Derek very happy,” I said.
“They’ve made us very happy by taking us in,” said Peter.
“It’ll be a big change from what you’re used to,” I warned. “Swapping fresh air and freedom for an office job won’t be easy.”
“It’ll be easy for us,” said Cassie. “Our funding dried up six months ago. We’ve been living on our savings, but they’re almost gone.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said.
“Don’t be,” said Peter. “Our enforced holiday made us realize that we were ready to change gears.”