The James River Kids

By Lauren Himmelreich

Times may be tough in rural Alberta during the dirty thirties, but the James River Kids are tougher! Fuelled by their imagination and love for adventure, these kids know how to have fun and even pull a prank or two. From blowing up out houses, to daring rescues, there's never a dull moment. Life in the 'sticks' is hard and demanding, but it's worth all the effort when you've got true friends by your side.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lauren Himmelreich
• Release date: Jan 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370491520

Lauren Himmelreich

Lauren Himmelreich was born in Manaus, Amazon, Brazil on January 31, 1976. She is married and has six children. She is fluent in Portuguese and English. She immigrated to Canada in 1981 and loves being a Canadian citizen. She has always loved reading and writing stories and has written many stories for children and young readers, as well as some young adult fiction. Lauren and her family enjoy sailing at the lake near their country home in central Alberta, gardening, listening to and playing music, and just spending time together, playing games, telling stories and having fun.

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THE JAMES RIVER KIDS

Lauren Himmelreich

Published by Lauren Himmelreich at Smashwords

Copyright 2017 Lauren Himmelreich

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Smashwords Edition License Notes

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SPIES IN THE FOREST

It was 1935, times were still tough for everyone. They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. They had tried for over six years, as relentless as the drought and wind that had battered their homestead, to keep things going. But it was time to try something different. Willow and her family would leave behind their farm in Southern Alberta and they would go someplace new. They would try something new. Her father had told them they weren’t leaving everything forever, they were just going to do things differently for a while, because when change comes, you need to adapt and change too. They headed North, where Willow’s uncle had some land. There was good hunting there and trees, and green grass, and rivers and creeks. They had a better chance for good living out there.

Change is one of the constant things in life, her father said. We need to keep moving forward, even when it’s hard.

As the Dean family reached the crest of the Sundre hill, they were greeted by rolling hills, winding rivers and a clear undisturbed view of the mountains to the West. Margaret was amazed at how lush and green everything was. It seemed a kind of Eden compared to the harsh burnt prairie which they left behind, along with many memories and heart aches. She would miss all the good times they had on the old farm, but seeing for the first time, the unparalleled beauty of their new home that awaited them, she felt a ray of hope pass through her. She looked behind to the back seat where her daughter Willow and her toddler Duncan were fast asleep.

Should I wake them? she asked her husband. It all looks so beautiful, I don’t want them to miss it.

Just let them sleep, replied Curtis. We’ll enjoy the ride to our new home just the two of us. He put his arm around his wife and she snuggled in closer.

Sundre, said Margaret. What does that mean anyway?

I think it means South, answered Curtis. One of the early settlers named it, after his home town in Norway.

South, repeated Margaret with a smirk.

They headed North of the settlement, and crossed over the James River on a narrow wooden bridge. They continued another ten kilometers until they reached a partially cleared area with a small one-story log home nestled in the trees

Is that home? asked Margaret. She was startled and delighted at the same time with the rustic little house. How different everything would be.

It doesn’t look like much, responded Curtis as he pulled up to it and put on the parking break. But I’m sure it’ll keep us snug as a bug during the winter. By this time the kids were awake and ready to be introduced to their new world. Willow was the first one out of the car. She ran a big circle around the house and touched all the nearby trees, while Duncan just rubbed his eyes and yawned away his nap.

The sheep are going to love it here! exclaimed Margaret. So much to eat!

There were pine, spruce, birch and poplar trees everywhere. The late summer colors were bright and vibrant with the full rush of life that exists in nature just before Autumn sets in. The ground smelled sweet and earthy and full of goodness.

Is this our house? Willow asked in excitement. Is this where we’re going to live?

This is it! replied Curtis with his broadest smile. Willow ran up to her father and threw her arms around him.

I love it!

I’m glad! he exclaimed as he twirled her around. Margaret picked up Duncan and walked around with him, showing him all the trees and birds.

Look Duncan, she said. This is going to be our new home. Look over there, see that barn? That’s where our animals will go when it’s cold. And there, see that? she said pointing West behind the house. You and Willow can climb that big hill and go exploring if you want.

Marbles! was all Duncan said.

He wants his marbles, laughed Margaret as she put Duncan on the ground. He’s been asking for them ever since we left home.

Can we go exploring now dad? asked Willow.

Why don’t we all have a look at the house first, suggested Curtis, and then you can go exploring.

Alright, agreed Willow. She ran ahead and opened the door. Duncan ran inside and started calling for the puppy he was sure would be there.

Puppy! Puppy!

Shall we? said Curtis as he extended his arm to his wife.

Why thank you, she said laughing.

Is this my room? asked Willow. She spun around with her arms stretched out trying to touch all the sunshine that filtered in through the small window.

That’s your room, replied Curtis.

Where does Duncan sleep? Willow asked.

In your room of course, replied Curtis with a teasing smile. He looked over at Margaret who was pacing slowly between the kitchen and sitting room looking everything over. Well, what do you think?

Well, she began, It’s not what we’re used to, but the rooms are a good size. The walls look strong and tight. She patted one of the walls with her hand. All it needs on the inside is a good coat of white paint and it’ll look bright and cheery.

Curtis walked over to her and held her hands. When we get more settled, and the economy picks up, I’ll build you a nice two story house with a white picket fence, just the way you like.

I’ve already got everything I want right here, she said smiling. Just as they were about to share a kiss, little Duncan pulled at his daddy’s sleeve and announced that he had to go pee.

Well let’s go outside then, said Curtis as he picked up Duncan and headed out through the kitchen. There’s plenty of trees out there, he laughed.

Are we going exploring now? asked Willow anxiously.

We’re going exploring! announced Curtis. Got your compass?

Always! exclaimed Willow, pulling her compass out of her pocket and showing it to her dad.

Come on, said Margaret as she put her hands on Willow’s shoulders. Willow climbed the steep hill behind the house ahead of everyone else. The whole side of the hill was wooded and covered in wild flowers and clusters of red berries. At the base of the poplars and spruce were small dark green plants with clusters of wild blue berries hanging off their small branches. Willow gathered handfuls of these and threw them into her mouth with eager delight. She thought about what an exciting and wonderful place this would be. She thought about frogs and crickets and birds and blue sky. She thought about school and wondered what direction it was in.

She was so busy imagining all the new games she could play and the new adventures she could have that she almost didn’t notice what was at the bottom of the hill. It was a stream, a beautiful stream of clear running water, curling over the glistening round stones. It wound around like a snake and pooled together to make a perfect swimming hole, and then spilled over the edge like a tiny water fall and kept right on going for as far as she could see. The sun danced on the surface of it and it sparkled like diamonds. She could hardly contain her excitement and began calling out for the rest of her family to come and see.

Look! Look! she yelled.

The rest of the family came with haste to see what was so exciting. Curtis had Duncan on his shoulders and was smiling proudly as he approached Willow and Margaret.

So, you found it, he said with satisfaction.

Oh, it’s beautiful, said Margaret as she looked over the little stream. We’ll have so much fun here during the summer months.

Plenty of green grass to lay out a picnic blanket too, added Curtis.

And fishing! shouted Willow.

And fishing, agreed Curtis.

Willow showed Duncan how to throw rocks into the stream while Margaret and Curtis looked over their new land. Curtis looked at his watch and sighed. Doug’s going to be here soon with the truck, he said.

We better head back then, said Margaret. "Come on kids, time to head