Summer At Stillwater Lake

By Jeanne Linton

Amy Anderson takes us on a journey into Northern Michigan where she spends her summer working at a remote fishing lodge for her aunt and uncle. In the company of her cousin, Paul, they ride the bus as far as Cheboygan only to find no one waiting to meet them. This is only the beginning of their troubled journey.

Along the way, they meet Pete and his load of feeder pigs. The story builds when the cousins run into Billy, Pete’s grandson. Billy is on a quest to win the pig race at the county fair in August. Intrigue tightens when they come up against Billy’s arch rival, who’s bent on winning the race at all costs. Join us on this adventure and find out how Billy meets the challenge.

A sub-story emerges as Amy witnesses the development of a bond between two young pirates, a dog, and a litter of kittens. Mrs. Farley, a visitor to the resort, comes to understand the meaning of compassion when she encounters the pirates. How this all plays out is not only heart-warming but an example of karma at work.

As you leaf through the story, you will discover the author has woven the thread of adventure, intrigue, deception and mystery into the story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeanne Linton
• Release date: Aug 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370371433

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

SUMMER AT STILLWATER LAKE

By:

Jeanne Linton

DEDICATION

To my daughter LINDA

You have always been a candle in the gloom

Whether near or far, you are the pillar of my heart

Funny, sweet, and wise,

Your loving kindness lights my way through life’s darkest hours

Copyright

Summer at Stillwater Lake

Smashwords Edition

© Copyright 2016 by Jeanne Linton. All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

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.

Published by: Smashwords 2016

ISBN: 9781370371433

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication

Copyright

Preface

Into the North

Angler’s Arm

Meeting the Turners

The Challenge

Making Friends

The Pirates

The Great Escape

The Training Course

Gilberts New Family

The Nelsons

Camping at Stillwater

Lake Superior

The Pignapping

The Plot Thickens

The Race

The Betrayal

The Barbeque

Reunited

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Profile Of Jeanne Linton

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Acknowledgement

Preface

Amy Anderson takes us on a journey into Northern Michigan where she spends her summer working at a remote fishing lodge for her aunt and uncle. In the company of her cousin, Paul, they ride the bus as far as Cheboygan only to find no one waiting to meet them. This is only the beginning of their troubled journey.

Along the way, they meet Pete and his load of feeder pigs. The story builds when the cousins run into Billy, Pete’s grandson. Billy is on a quest to win the pig race at the county fair in August. Intrigue tightens when they come up against Billy’s arch rival, who’s bent on winning the race at all costs. Join us on this adventure and find out how Billy meets the challenge.

A sub-story emerges as Amy witnesses the development of a bond between two young pirates, a dog, and a litter of kittens. Mrs. Farley, a visitor to the resort, comes to understand the meaning of compassion when she encounters the pirates. How this all plays out is not only heart-warming but an example of karma at work.

As you leaf through the story, you will discover the author has woven the thread of adventure, intrigue, deception and mystery into the story.

Into the North

As I pass through the turnstile, Aren’t you excited? Just think: quiet summer days, fishing for northern pike, trout and walleye, toasting marshmallows around a campfire, canoeing on Stillwater Lake, and meeting so many new and interesting people. Could there be a better way to spend the summer?

Let’s not lose our heads, Amy. It’s a summer job, Paul scoffs.

Less than impressed with his lack of enthusiasm, I give him a sinister glance, I know it’s just a summer job but how much work’s involved in cleaning a few cabins? After all, the lodge is Aunt Peggy and Uncle John's home and not only is Aunt Peggy a fabulous cook; she’s a neat freak as well. All we have to do is the initial cabin cleaning, cut the grass once a week, look after the rental boats, and rinse out the fish buckets after the fish are cleaned. We may have to carry a little firewood for the cabin’s wood stoves and the campfires, but nothing else. The rest of the time is ours to fish or hike or just hang out on the beach. We can use the boats in the afternoon when the guests are off doing other things.

You have to help Aunt Peggy in the kitchen. Did you forget about that?

Oh! Well, that’s not a big deal, I respond.

Exhaling deeply, Do you ever stop talking?

It was late in the evening when Daddy dropped us off at the bus terminal in Ann Arbor. After waving goodbye, we boarded the bus and settled into the back row of seats so we could sleep without being disturbed. As the bus enters the expressway, I stare out the window into the darkness watching the traffic weaving in and out. With the hypnotic lights, the swaying of the bus, and the humming of the tires, I’m soon lulled to sleep.

Its Paul turning over that wakes me in the predawn hours. I gaze toward the east where the darkened sky is turning soft amber and then I direct my attention to the aisle ahead of us to find we’ve picked up passengers during the night. With Paul still asleep, I lean back in my seat and close my eyes. I can't deny that the humming of the tires has a mesmerizing effect but finding sleep is impossible. I lie quietly as my mind wanders to thoughts of the coming adventure.

Soon we are entering the city of Cheboygan and before long the bus pulls into the terminal and stops in front of Gate 2. Stepping off the bus, my eyes trace the crowd, He must be late, I suggest. He said he’d meet us here in front of Gate 2.

It’s a long drive from the resort, Amy, anything could have happened. Paul sets his suitcase on the pavement and sits on it. I do the same. Before long the terminal empties and we find ourselves alone.

After a long hour of anxious waiting, Paul searches through his pockets looking for Uncle John’s letter. It’s here, pointing to the letter, pick you up on the 17th in front of Gate 2 in Cheboygan.

Looking over his shoulder, But it’s not clear, Paul. It doesn’t say which month.

His brow furrows, I came in May last year.

Maybe we should call. Do you have the number?

No, but I can get it from information. If he doesn’t answer, we’ll take the bus to Marquette and then another bus to Copper Harbor and hitch a ride to the resort.

Nice plan, Paul, I scoff. What if they’re already on the road?

How long are you prepared to wait? he scowls. If they’re still home, I’ll tell Uncle John to pick us up in Copper Harbor. Paul stomps off.

I fight the urge to cry. I’m hungry and stressed but as I suck back my emotions, I’m beginning to wonder if turning fifteen last month and getting a job was such a great idea.

Paul reappears, They didn’t answer so I left a message. I told him to meet us at the bus stop in Copper Harbor. That bus doesn’t leave for another two hours so let’s get breakfast because I’m starving and I know you must be too.

* **

I know somethings amiss because Uncle John never did show up in Cheboygan and we were still there two hours later. It’s well past two in the afternoon by the time we reach Copper Harbor. When we get off the bus in front of the service station, Uncle John is still nowhere to be seen. A sinking feeling wells up in the pit of my stomach as Paul disappears into the general store. He returns wearing a scowl. There’s still no answer. Giving me a disgruntled look, Its five miles down the road. We’ll have to walk.

How do you know its five miles and what if they’re not even home? I snap.

I asked how far it is and I know how to get into the lodge without a key, he answers abruptly. Besides are you forgetting, I’ve spent the last four summers working at the Angler’s Arm. I know Copper Harbor, the road, and where the lodge is. However, if you want to camp out here, be my guest but I’m going to the lodge.

I follow my fearless leader at a safe distance knowing he’s in a worse mood than I am. If the truth be known, I think he’s sick of me and this is only the beginning of summer.

Following the winding gravel road through the stunted forest, the sun warms us and a gentle breeze out of the west makes the journey tolerable. Except for the fact that my suitcase is getting heavier and heavier and I’m exhausted, the walk is spiritually calming.

Suddenly, a distant rattling catches my attention. As I turn, I see a dilapidated truck coming our way. When the truck pulls beside us, a midget of a man asks, Need a lift?

The sounds from the back of the truck indicate that he’s a pig farmer. I cringe at the very thought of riding in the smelly broken down wreck. Besides, the old man appears to be about a hundred and four and is as filthy as his truck.

How far are you going? Paul asks.

Up the road a piece, the man answers.

Do you have room for us? as Paul’s eyes turn to our bags.

Tight, but we can manage, the old man answers. Throw the bags behind the seat.

Pete’s the name, he announces as I slide into the cab beside Paul. "I picked up the feeders at the auction in Houghton early this morning. Looks like a good lot except