Where's Tess and Other Short Stories

By Barbara McHarris

This is a collection of short stories.

Where's Tess?  Four young teens set off on a one day job that will pay them $100.00
Knowing their destination is off limits, the teens tell their families they are headed in a totally different direction.

Scorching temperatures, rough terrain and lack of water turn this excursion into a life or death situation.

When only three of the teens stagger back to safety, the big question is, Where's Tess.

House on Lonely Hill  A young family moves back to their hometown.  They begin the search for a place to buy.  Ignoring the stories, they decide to look at the House on Lonely  Hill.

What they discover will prove or disprove all the stories that have circulated for years.

The Missing Room  Two young couples, traveling together, break down in front of a motel.  Being told the tow truck couldn't get there until morning, they take the two last rooms.

When morning comes, one couple is missing and so is their room.  Police, F.B.I. and border patrol are brought in to investigate the unusual disappearance.

The investigation leads to an international ring of smugglers.  What they are dealing in will make you think twice about stopping at a motel.

War Games  After thousands of years of wars, the world's leaders came up with a new way to fight.  There are no longer any trained military, only volunteers of every age and gender.

When a foreign government declares war on the United States, millions of people volunteer to fight.  Only one hundred are chosen.

The war is fought by strict rules and the outcome is immediately announced.

This book is suitable for all age groups.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Franklin Eddy
• Release date: Aug 17, 2011
• ISBN: 9781497719972

Book preview

Where's Tess and Other Short Stories

by Barbara McHarris

Published by Franklin Eddy, 2011.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

WHERE'S TESS AND OTHER SHORT STORIES

First edition. August 17, 2011.

Copyright © 2011 Barbara McHarris.

Written by Barbara McHarris.

Table of Contents

Copyright Page

Where's Tess and Other Short Stories

The House on Lonely Hill

The Missing Room

War Games

The End

Hey, Tess.  That Brad's old clunker out at the pump? asked Mr. Collier.

It sure is, answered Tess with a smile.  She had known Mr. Collier all her life and always enjoyed listening to his stories.

Guess I'll go talk a little business with him, said Mr. Collier picking up his change and receipt.

Wonder what he's up to now? Tess said to the clerk.

Not sure, but he's tried to hire everybody that has come in with a four wheel drive truck.  Heard him say something about the old mine.

Mr. Collier had left by the time Tess finished paying for the gas and cold drinks.  Handing Brad his change, she asked, What kind of business did Mr. Collier talk about?

The kind that's going to pay me a hundred bucks.  Brad bent down and kissed his girlfriend on the nose.  I'm going to need Brody's help.  Jump in and we'll go talk to him.

Aren't you going to tell me what's going on?

I'll tell you both at the same time, said Brad, as he flipped Tess over his shoulder and put her in his old truck.

Sitting under a tree down by the river, Brody let out a whistle.  What are we waiting for?  Let's go!

Not today, dim wit.  Can you both get away tomorrow?  Brad was laying with his head on Tess's lap.

Tess jumped up, dumping Brad's head on the ground.  She grabbed Brody by the hand and yelled, In the truck!  Quick!  We'll go without him.

Running for the truck, they heard Brad charging after them.  With a low tackle, Brody was brought to the ground.  The two friends wrestled until Brad put his hand on a barrel cactus.  Looking at Brody with mock anger, Brad said, You might run off with my girlfriend, but you'll never get away with my truck.  They all broke into laughter and Tess set about pulling spines out of Brad's palm.

That night at supper, Brad told his folks about his plans for the next day.  Tess, Brody, Sherry and me are going up to the beaver ponds for the day.  Thought we would look for arrowheads.

––––––––

Don't forget you've got chores, boy. Work first, fun later. mumbled his Dad through a mouth full of cornbread.

No prob, pops.  said Kenny.  Kenny was Brad's younger brother by eighteen months.  I'll do all the chores tomorrow.  Big brother will do all the chores for the next two weeks.  Looking at his dad for approval, Kenny shot his brother a mischievous look.

Knowing chores wouldn't be finished until afternoon, Brad had no choice but to play into his brother's hands.

Sounds like you're getting the best end of the deal, Kenny, said their dad watching both boys.

Yup.  Me and old Brad came to a silent agreement, didn't we Brad?

Sure did.  Thanks, Kenny.  Brad was already planning to catch Kenny behind the barn and give him a knuckle rub.  If he didn't need to get out of here early tomorrow, he would never agree to such a deal.

Take plenty of water.  This heat wave will even make the mountain hot, said mom.

The girls are getting all that stuff ready tonight.  Brody and I are in charge of spotting the perfect arrowheads.  Brad was lying through his teeth, but didn't want his folks to know where they were really going.  The old mine was totally off limits.

Pulling out of the long drive, Brad headed to the next farm over to pick up Brody.  From there, they would swing back the other direction and get the girls.

When the foursome barreled into the Loaf n Jug, they set about gathering