The Elliotmobile

By Jeanne Linton

The delightful story of Kaylee Appleby takes through a window into the adventuresome life of a resourceful young girl caught between a confident and able older brother and a precocious likeable younger brother. Kaylee is used to being uprooted and struggling to make friends. When she runs into Brenda after she starts school, she finds her kindred spirit in the company of this farm girl who is herself single out by her peers. The girls fall into the company of an older boy who was disabled after a tragic accident. The girls pursue the challenge of getting Elliot off of his front porch and into the mainstream of life. Come, join the adventure and watch the story unfold...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeanne Linton
• Release date: Jul 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310502378

Jeanne Linton

I was born in Vancouver, B.C. Married when I was 22 and moved to the midwest with my husband. While living in Michigan I had four children. Although I liked living in the U.S. after I was divorced, I returned to B.C. with two of my children where I have lived ever since, only returning to visit my family still in the U.S. I am retired now, enjoying my life, and continuing to write stories.I have written three young adult novels, a book where the main character is a chicken, but mostly science fiction novels. The science fiction novels ;'Seeds of the Galaxy' deals with the roots of humanity as they are forced from their world because of a changing environment and migrate across the cosmos.My books are listed on Smashwords under Jeannelinton.

Book preview

THE ELLIOTMOBILE

By:

Jeanne Linton

Dedication

To my nephew, Norman MacLeod

Taken from us far too soon, Norman is missed by all who knew him. A wonderful person, a loving step-father and husband, and a good friend; Norman carries our love with him no matter where he goes.

Norman would have liked this story because he loved the remote wilderness and lakes and that’s why I dedicate this story in his memory.

* * *

May the wind be at your back,

May the stars light your way,

May our loving creator guide your footsteps into infinity until we are with you once more.

Copyright

The Elliotmobile

Smashwords Edition

© Copyright 2016 by Jeanne Linton. All rights reserved

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, descriptions, entities and incidents included in the story are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events and entities is entirely coincidental.

The opinions expressed by the author are hers alone.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN: 9781310502378

CONTENTS

Dedication

Copyright

Preface

Train to Revelstoke

The Mansion

Starting School

Meeting Elliot

Sharing the Home

The Bullies

Elliotmobile #1

The Trial Run

The Dump

Elliotmobile #2

The Farm

Elliotmobile #3

Simon meets Elliot

Windjammer

The Diary

The Homestead

The Bridge Ceremony

Fraidy-Cat Dog

Mary’s Dream

Reader's Comments

Profile of Jeanne Linton

Coming Soon

Acknowledgment

Preface

The delightful story of Kaylee Appleby takes through a window into the adventuresome life of a resourceful young girl caught between a confident and able older brother and a precocious likeable younger brother. Kaylee is used to being uprooted and struggling to make friends. When she runs into Brenda after she starts school, she finds her kindred spirit in the company of this farm girl who is herself single out by her peers. The girls fall into the company of an older boy who was disabled after a tragic accident. The girls pursue the challenge of getting Elliot off of his front porch and into the mainstream of life. Come, join the adventure and watch the story unfold…

Train to Revelstoke

Crickety-clack, crickety-clack, crickety-clack.

The sound resonates against the inner walls of the snow shed as the eastward bound train snakes its way through the mountains. The train thunders through the switch and along the tracks as it approaches the freight train standing on the siding waiting for the Number One to clear the line.

S W O O S H. R h h h h

Kaylee Appleby is roused as the deafening roar echoes through the passenger car when it passes within a foot of the stationary freight train. Carefully, she crawls to the bottom of the sleeper, slips under the curtain and climbs down the ladder. As she gazes down the aisle she notices several of the berths have already been made up at the front end of the car. Sleepily, she wanders toward the seats grabbing at the curtains for balance as the car rounds a bend. Looking through the train window, Where are we? she asks her older brother, Simon, who is eating an orange.

Coming up on Sicamous I guess. A family got off in Kamloops earlier this morning so the purser made up their berths. His steel blue eyes meet hers, So how was the upper berth? Not waiting for an answer, Baxter lost the teddy bear that he claims he only uses as an armrest and cuddled me half the night. It was okay until he started to drool.

How was that—I mean three to a bunk?

Interesting, as his mouth breaks into a sheepish grin.

So where’s Daddy?

He went for coffee.

Where did you get the orange?

Here you are, carrot-top, as he hands Kaylee a bag.

Taking the last orange, she looks casually out the window at the passing scenery. The spring run-off seeps through the undergrowth, across the barren rock, and into the swift moving stream that hugs the bank of the railbed and cascades over the uneven ground of the natural flue toward the base of the incline. How long till we get there? she asks.

Like—you’re asking me? How should I know?

While they speak, the train’s whistle sounds a warning as it approaches a crossing.

Clang… Clang… Clang…

The crossing gate drops, drowning their voices as the entire car vibrates when the train passes over the wooden planks of the crossing and begins to slow. As the train rounds a turn in the narrow pass, it emerges into a lush open valley. In the distance, the distinct CPR red of the station appears. By the time the train reaches the station it has slowed to a crawl. Finding the platform empty, gradually the train accelerates and before long it is once again speeding along the track through the majestic Rocky Mountains.

The faint roar of turbulent waters is heard. Suddenly another raging stream, which has been swollen by winter run-off, bursts out of the woods as the frothing waters crash along the course of a rock-filled flue. Just as suddenly as it appeared, the stream disappears into the morning mist.

There you are, as George Appleby takes a seat beside his son. It won’t be long now. Revelstoke is a station, not like the whistle stop we just passed. George gives Kaylee a wide grin, Tonight we sleep in our own beds. How does that sound? He pauses for Kaylee’s response but there is none so he continues, The agent told me the house is an old Victorian style mansion. You’ll love it, Kaylee. Apparently it has three floors and a stately old attic where you and Baxter can play on rainy days. Still not getting a response, I heard the attic’s full of old junk from years of collecting by one of the long-time residents. Exhaling deeply, he tries to excite his daughter about their upcoming adventure, It’s a small town and since you’re the new kids, you’ll be popular.

Kaylee blurts out, Daddy, look at me. I have red hair and freckles. I’m short and fat. How popular do you think I’ll be even in a hick town?

You’re cute, Kaylee. What are you talking about, fat? You were a little fleshy when you were younger but you’re getting taller and slimming down, you’re not fat.

Daddy, you just don’t understand. I try to be nice but all I achieved when we lived in Vancouver was to be the tag-along for Carol. I was virtually invisible no matter what I did. Shaking her head and narrowing her eyes, Life is unfair, she scowls.

Kaylee, you’re talking about my little girl: cute, funny and full of life. Anyone can see that. That is if they’re looking.

Her eyes grow big as saucers and she tilts her head, So WHEN do you think that will happen?

The opportunity stands before you, but it’s up to you to make it work.

Just then Baxter appears and snatches the bag from Kaylee. Did you eat all the fruit, tubbo?

No I didn’t. I only had an orange.

Why didn’t you eat the banana? as he pulls the fully ripe banana out of the bag. It’s rotten, that’s why. You ate the orange and left me the rotten banana. Figgers!

We’ll be going to the dining car in a few minutes, Baxter. You don’t have to get dressed, just brush your teeth and wash your face. Come on—chop, chop, get moving, as George takes the bag from Baxter.

Kaylee walks along the aisle in the direction of the washroom with Baxter strutting behind her mimicking every move she makes. Maybe you can wash some of those ugly freckles from your dumb face, Kaylee.

Would you stop bugging me you little nerd, she growls.

Would you stop bugging me you little nerd, imitating her voice in a nasal tone.

Daddy, as Kaylee pleads for help from her father.

Daddy, Baxter repeats in a nasal tone as he shoots a toothy, cheesy smirk toward Simon. Kaylee rolls her eyes and steps into the washroom, closing the door firmly behind her.

When she emerges, she finds her family waiting for her. George wrinkles his brow, narrows his eyes, and gives Baxter a fierce glare. There will be NO teasing at the breakfast table, Baxter Alexander Appleby. If you so much as open your mouth, you’ll be having breakfast by yourself. Got it?

Knowing he’s in over his head; Got it. But the instant George’s head is turned, he sneers at Kaylee.

Knowing it’s a no-win situation; she exhales deeply and follows everyone into the dining car. At least while Daddy’s looking, Baxter will leave me alone.

As they sit at the table, the waiter approaches. Are you ready to order?

George places the menu back in its rack. Pancakes all around? He points with his finger without actually addressing any particular person.

George, I think I’d like some eggs this morning, Celia Appleby speaks up.

The waiter’s eyes move to Celia, Up, over, scrambled, basted?

Over-easy, Celia answers.

Would you like coffee, milk, juice? directing his question to George.

Coffee for me and my wife, the children will have milk.

Kaylee jumps, feeling a sharp pain as Baxter kicks her under the table. When she winces, George snarls, I told you to leave her alone, Baxter. Get over here, he commands as he motions for Baxter to sit beside him and away from Kaylee. Now behave yourself.

I wasn’t doing anything, Baxter responds.

I know what you were doing and it’s beginning to wear on my nerves.

Obediently Baxter sits between his parents. He shoots Kaylee a triumphant grin

Is he just doing this for attention? Kaylee wonders.

When the waiter returns carrying the plates of food, he corrects himself as the train lurches and sways. Not missing a beat nor faltering, he places the meals in front of each family member with the grace and confidence of a skilled ballerina. NEXT STOP, REVELSTOKE, the conductor shouts as he passes quickly through the dining car. Kaylee hears his loud voice booming as he enters the next car. NEXT STOP, REVELSTOKE.

Let’s not dilly-dally, George demands. We don’t have much time so eat up and then get dressed. Gather your belongings because when the train leaves Revelstoke and we’re no longer aboard, it’s unforgiving. Whatever you’ve left behind is gone. We’re approaching Three Valley Gap so we have about twenty minutes left.

Prompted by the desire not to be standing on the station platform in her pajamas or missing any of her possessions, Kaylee gobbles down her pancakes. She then dashes to the sleeping car only to find the berths have already been made up. She breathes a sign of