The Blue Door Read Online Free

mostly into information?” Beau asked. “Do you have a computer? Because you can find even more on the Internet.”
    The old man nodded. “I use the computers at the library when the need arises, but I’ve found that I prefer books. It may take me longer to find what I need, but I learn unexpected things along the way. Many times, the journey is just as important as reaching the goal.”
    “
These
are stories,” Beau called from one of the alcoves. “Well, sorta.”
    Harken joined him and pulled one of the books from the shelf. “Yes, these are stories — life stories.” One entire bookcase was dedicated to biographies and autobiographies, and from what Prissie could see, most of them were of noted Christian thinkers, missionaries, evangelists, and pastors. “I’m also fond of parables,” the old man admitted.
    Milo reappeared and placed Harken’s keys onto the counter beside the register, then grabbed a couple of boxes. “Is anywhere in the shed fine?” he asked as Beau hauled a boxinto his arms as well. The shopkeeper agreed, and Milo and Beau carried them out.
    “Now that we have a moment …” Harken gave Prissie a considering look, but he turned to the boy standing just inside the door. “Hello, Koji. You’ve had an eventful day.”
    “Yes,” he agreed, glancing shyly at Prissie.
    “Why can
you
see him, Mr. Mercer?”
    “Because I’m an angel as well,” he gently revealed.
    Prissie shook her head. “But you’ve always been here, and everyone knows you! My dad’s bakery is half a block away, and I remember coming here when I was little!”
    “You were fond of books with castles in them,” he said with a smile. “Your father always called you his princess, and I think you believed him.”
    “That’s right! You remembered,” she replied, somewhat awed.
    “It’s part of my job to pay attention, although Jayce and I have been good friends since he was your age,” Harken said. “It’s been a pleasure to watch his hopes for the future flourish.”
    Prissie tried to fathom this new information, but angels simply didn’t fit into her notion of normal. “But this is impossible! How can
you
be an … an …?”
    “An angel,” he finished for her, nodding seriously. “It’s true, Prissie.”
    “Why would an angel live in a little place like West Edinton?” she asked skeptically.
    “A small town isn’t of greater or lesser importance,” Harken explained. “Milo, Koji, and I all have a part to play in a grander scheme — one that is beyond our ability to understand. In this way, we’re not much different from you.”
    “Are you saying that there are lots of people around here who are actually angels?” she demanded nervously.
    Harken made a soothing motion with his hand. “No, child. We’re few and far between, and it’s very rare for anyone to see us for what we truly are.”
    “Did I do something wrong?” Koji inquired, shifting from foot to foot.
    “No, young one,” Harken assured. “This wasn’t your doing.”
    Prissie’s discomfort grew, and she searched her mind for what little she knew of angels. “Does that mean that one of you is supposed to be my guardian angel?” she demanded.
    “No, neither of us is a Guardian,” the old man answered patiently.
    “But … I
have
a guardian angel?” she persisted.
    “Of course you do.”
    Glancing around the otherwise empty shop, Prissie asked, “Where?”
    Harken smiled softly. “Close.”
    “Don’t I get to meet my angel?”
    The old man’s smile widened, and he said, “One day, I’m sure you will, but today is not that day.”
    “Oh,” she mumbled in disappointment.
    Harken placed his hand on his chest and said, “Milo and I are Messengers. We’re go-betweens, directed by God. Koji here is an Observer; he watches, listens, and learns, tracing the hand of God in the lives of mankind.”
    She looked between the two of them, wanting to tell them they were crazy, then desperately said, “You don’t
look
like