Road to Avonlea: Dreamer of Dreams

By Heather Conkie

WHEN SARA AND FELICITY'S GOSSIP COLUMN ENDS UP ON Page One of the Avonlea Chronical, it looks like editor Aunt Olivia is to blame. Even worse, a ne'er-do-well robs the Chronicle and Jasper Dale's harebrained inventions make him the laughing stock of Avonlea. Sara and Felicity helped get Olivia into this mess...can they help her out of it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Davenport Press
• Release date: May 8, 2012
• ISBN: 9780986786181

Book preview

ROAD TO AVONLEA

Dreamer of Dreams

By: Gail Hamilton

Based on Sullivan Films Production written by Heather Conkie adapted from the novels of Lucy Maud Montgomery

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY: Davenport Press

Copyright © 2012 Sullivan Entertainment Inc.

Image Copyright © 2012 Sullivan Entertainment Inc.

Road to Avonlea is a trademark of Sullivan Entertainment Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except for reviewers who may quote brief passages.

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Chapter One

The strange apparatus appeared suddenly, emerging from the darkness of the covered bridge. It rattled and bounced along the slatted timbers until it met the red gravel of the main Street and continued on its slightly zigzag course. The residents of Avonlea School their heads in amazement as they went about their daily errands. They exchanged glances and raised eyebrows as the two-wheeled contraption wove its way somewhat unsteadily in the direction of the general store. Mrs. Potts and Mrs. Spencer watched its progress with amazement.

Will you look at that ridiculous thingamajig? snorted Mrs. Potts, not even bothering to disguise the ridicule in her voice. It’s beyond my powers of reason what Olivia sees in that man.

Mrs. Spencer followed her neighbor’s gaze and nodded her head slowly in agreement. Most everything in this life was beyond Mrs. Spencer’s meager powers of reason, and at that moment, nothing was as puzzling to her as the engagement of Olivia King and Jasper Dale.

Oblivious to this scrutiny, Olivia rode along behind Jasper on his latest and, to her mind, greatest creation—a bicycle-built-for-two. He had first seen a tandem bicycle in the Eaton’s catalogue, and he was convinced that he could make one himself that would be even better. He had kept it a secret, however, and surprised her with it just yesterday.

I guess it’s sort of an early Christmas present—for both of us, he had said, even though Christmas was still weeks and weeks away. Olivia smiled as she recalled how he had become quite speechless with pleasure at her obvious delight. Her cheeks were flushed pink with pride as they sped along the road together.

As the bicycle approached Lawson’s store, Mrs. Potts rolled her eyes once again at the sight of it. The front half was brown, the back portion was a dark blue, and it looked for all the world as if each half had a mind of its own. Which was more than she could say for the riders, she thought to herself with a chuckle. Then, deliberately planting a bright smile on her face, she called out in her foghorn voice.

Olivia! Congratulations on your fund-raising! The Improvement Society is so pleased!

Olivia King took one hand off the handlebars for a wobbly moment to wave an envelope at the stout figure on the steps of the general store.

Thank you, Mrs. Potts. I’ve got the money right here!

Mrs. Spencer smiled coyly and hooked her arm through Mrs. Potts’s. I suppose the credit should really go to Mr. Tyler and the Avonlea Chronicle for sponsoring the school renewal fund, but after all, we all know that it was Olivia who sweet-talked him into it!

The bicycle’s brakes engaged suddenly and Olivia and Jasper came to a jolting halt in front of the store. Jasper leapt off, but his foot caught awkwardly in the crossbar and he nearly tumbled to the ground. Once untangled, he immediately attempted to help Olivia, but she had already alighted and was in the process of smoothing out her fashionable culottes, which ended well above her button-booted ankles.

Mrs. Spencer took one look at the scandalous length of Olivia’s skirt and Jasper’s obvious ungainliness and turned to go into the store. Just then, the front door creaked open and slammed shut, and Bert MacKay tipped his hat to the aloof Mrs. Spencer. With an exaggerated bow, he reopened the door for her and she swept past him.

Like many self-respecting citizens of Avon- lea, Mrs. Spencer wanted nothing to do with Bert MacKay. Time was, he’d held a decent job and done an honest day’s work, but that was some years back. Now, it was rumored that he spent most of his waking hours at the racetrack in Summerside.

Felix King, carrying a bag of flour, managed to squeeze out the door just before it slammed shut again. His eyes lit up at the sight of Jasper’s latest innovation.

What a great bicycle! Where’d you get that, Mr. Dale?

Bert MacKay looked from Jasper to the tandem with obvious amusement That’s quite a machine! Did it come from the catalog, Jasper? he asked sarcastically.

Jasper glanced up from where he was trying, without much success to lean the bicycle against a hitching post.

Uh...no... he mumbled with embarrassment, grabbing nervously for the bicycle as it began to slide into the gravel.

Olivia beamed at him. Jasper made it himself...out of two old bicycles!

You don’t say, Bert said, as he shared a glance with Mrs. Potts and rolled his eyes to the heavens. Mrs. Potts smirked back, in spite of herself.

Olivia flashed a brilliant smile over her shoulder at Jasper. Isn’t it wonderful? He’s just so clever. He never ceases to amaze me.

Mrs. Potts Shook her head, and her ample chins wobbled as she did. It’s amazing what an engage ring will do to one’s good judgment, she observed quietly to Bert.

Olivia went on beaming at Jasper, oblivious.

You should see all the other amazing things he has invented.

Oh, now Olivia... cautioned Jasper, reddening with embarrassment as he took a package carefully from the bicycle basket.

Oh Jasper, don’t be so modest! Olivia protested and she turned proudly back to Bert and Mrs. Potts. He has an appointment with Mr. Lawson to demonstrate his latest invention. I’m sure he’ll be able to sell hundreds in the general store.

Hundreds of what, Jasper? asked Bert with a smirk.

Jasper clasped the package to his chest and looked increasingly uncomfortable. Oh nothing really, just a kitchen tool... he mumbled.

Olivia’s eyes widened in protest and she took Jasper’s arm proudly. It’s not just a kitchen tool. It’s a labor-saving device.

Another look passed between Bert MacKay and Mrs. Potts, but Olivia missed it as she gazed lovingly at Jasper. Finally, she took a deep breath and patted the envelope she was carrying.

Well, I’d best get this safely over to the newspaper office. Goodbye Mr. MacKay, Mrs. Potts. She gave Jasper’s arm an affectionate squeeze. Good luck, Jasper! she whispered, and she hurried down the street.

Giving the bicycle one last admiring gaze, Felix tore himself away and ran off to deliver the bag of flour to his Aunt Hetty.

Self-consciously, Jasper tipped his hat to Bert and Mrs. Potts and entered the general store. They followed, chuckling.

I certainly have to see this!

Reviews for Road to Avonlea

[Cassie Ripley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a riveting tale. I couldn’t put it down. I got so engrossed in the story that I actually felt like I was apart of the story. I also love the TV series and movies as well.