Miracles on the Poke-A-No

By James Preston Hardison

Miracles On The Poke-A-No is a heart-warming, tear-dropping love story about a young teenage boy, Danny Johnson, and his admiration and affection for three girls. Danny wants to fulfill his dream of floating down a dangerous river near his hometown. At only fourteen years old, Danny is faced with life or death decisions. His only hope to save his friend's life is to navigate an aluminum boat many miles down the notorious river in almost total darkness. His life is further complicated when his father buys the Sadie Watkins farm which is shrouded with deep dark secrets.

This novel will leave you spellbound from one chapter to the next as it introduces a host of interesting characters that will soften your heart and test your emotions.

Miracles On The Poke-A-No takes place in rural America, 2009. This novel is packed with action, suspense, love, drama, and mystery. It is written in an audacious manner, yet intended for young and older readers alike.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 15, 2009
• ISBN: 9781449061937

James Preston Hardison

A retired computer operations manager, programmer, James Preston Hardison has become a full time author. He developed his writing skills while in the United States Air Force by writing articles for the base newspaper during his spare time. He has written and published twelve novels. He’s presently working on his thirteenth novel. All novels published by Authorhouse are available at bookstores, publisher, or by on-line ordering. Mr. Hardison has competed with the best, been awarded over one hundred awards, citations, trophies, plaques or other type certificates during his career. He lives in North Carolina, married and has six children.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Lightning streaked across the nightly skies as loud thunder echoed across the landscape. Bill Johnson and his family were within five miles of their home, located in a medium sized town named Glendale Heights. The Johnson family, Bill, 40 years old, his wife, Gail, 37, and their two sons, Danny, 14, and Jamie, 12 were returning from a trip at Disneyworld. Their first day there was very enjoyable, but the next two was interrupted by continuous rains that made it difficult to visit surrounding attractions. It didn’t appear that the rain was going to let up anytime soon so they decided to drive home, not realizing that it was still raining in their own county and surrounding areas as it was the day they left on their trip. Bill was driving slowly as the heavy rain beat against his windshield. Gail was very alert as she peered through the windshield trying to look ahead for any sign of danger. Danny and Jamie were wide awake as they gazed at the lightning as it zigzagged against the night sky. Bill was leaning forward toward the steering wheel, straining his eyes to ensure he stayed on the pavement.

Oh, my God, stop! Stop the car! Gail screamed.

What is it? Bill asked, placing his foot on the brake pedal.

The river has overflowed its banks! Look ahead, water has covered the road up ahead!

I see it, Gail! Goodness gracious, I thought I was being careful, but you sure did see the water hazard first!

What are we going to do now, Father? Danny asked.

Well, there’s one thing for sure, we’re not going to drive through that water. We won’t be able to cross the Poke-A-No Bridge tonight.

Bill, you need to be very careful when you turn this car around, Gail warned. If you get the tires off this pavement we might get stuck in the dirt.

I’m going to take my time, but I need for you to watch out for traffic while I get us headed in the opposite direction. It’s hard to see anything with this rain pouring down like it is.

Father, what are we going to do? Jamie asked.

We’ll drive back up the hill to that old deserted house until the rain lets up. After that, we’ll have to drive the long way around to get to home.

Bill, you’re not suggesting that we go into that spooky old house, are you?

No, Gail, we’ll sit in our car until the rain lessens. This is a very narrow highway and I wouldn’t feel safe trying to park on the side of the road. Bill finally got his car turned around; they headed up the hill toward the old Sadie Watkins home place which was about a half mile from the Poke-A-No River. Bill pulled into the spacious yard of the two-story house. He turned off his car engine and then he reached over and held his wife’s hand. She moved close as she could to him as they looked skyward at the lightning flashes.

Bill, have you ever seen it rain this hard before? Gail asked.

I don’t believe I have. I’ve never seen lightning this intense, either. The heavy rain continued as the Johnson family sat there wondering when the storm would let up so they could go home. All at once lightning lit up the surrounding landscape. Gail squeezed Bill’s hand as she stared toward the two story house.

Bill, I’m scared!

What’s the matter, Gail?

I thought I saw something at that upstairs window!

Sweetheart, maybe your imagination is playing tricks on you.

I’m not blind, there’s something alive inside that house.

Mother, what did you see? Jamie asked.

I’m not sure, but it looked like someone was at that upstairs window!

I’m sure you must be mistaken, Gail. Who in the world would be in that haunted looking house on a night like this? Bill asked.

I want to leave from this place! I’m scared!

Father, let’s go, my mother is scared! Jamie pleaded.

It’s okay, son, your daddy won’t let any spooks get your mother, Bill laughed.

Father, I don’t think that’s very funny, said Danny. Mother, what was it you thought you saw?

I don’t know, but it looked like the outline of a person standing at the window. You boys help me look real good whenever another flash of lightning lights up the landscape. Instantaneously, another flash of lightning occurred. Bill, we’ve got to leave this place, there’s more than one of them at that window now!

How do you know that? Did you boys see anything? Bill asked.

I was looking in the opposite direction, commented Danny.

What about you, Jamie?

I’m not sure; it’s hard to see anything through this rain.

Hell bells, did you see that? Bill asked. "I saw a flicker of light inside that house! There!

There, it is again."

Father, what is that? Jamie asked.

It looks like a lighted candle. Uh oh, the light just went out. I wonder what that could have been.

Lightning lit up the yard again. Jesus Christ, the front door of that house just opened up! Gail shouted.

We’re leaving right now, said Bill. I believe you did see something in that top window. He cranked the car and then he drove slowly out of the driveway. I’ve always heard that the old Sadie Watkins house was haunted.

Father, what is the story behind that old house? Danny asked.

Well, it’s all hearsay, but it seems that Henry Watkins, Sadie Watkins husband owed money to a merchant in Glendale Heights. The merchant tried and tried to get Henry to pay what he owed, but it never happened. Finally, the merchant, Mr. Oliver Grayson, drove out to Henry’s home to collect his money. A feud ensued and Henry Watkins shot Mr. Grayson with a shotgun. The next day, two sheriff deputies went to Henry’s home to look for Mr. Grayson, but Henry and Sadie Watkins told them that they hadn’t seen him. The deputies became suspicious and asked if they could look around. Henry told them to look all they wanted to. Henry and his wife went inside the house. The deputies searched the yard and then with Henry’s permission, they searched the house. They searched and searched but they couldn’t find any trace of Mr. Grayson.

"What happened to Mr. Grayson’s body?’ Gail asked.

Well, the law didn’t give up so easily. The next day those same two deputies took a trained dog to the Watkins home. They searched the woods behind Henry’s house for about thirty minutes until the dog stopped at a location covered by straw and leaves. The officers were certain that they had found Mr. Grayson’s body. What they didn’t realize was that Henry Watkins was standing back of them with his shotgun pointed toward them. The officers reached for their pistols, but not in time. Henry shot twice, killing both officers. He reloaded his gun and then shot their dog.

Now he’s killed three people and a dog, said Gail. Did he go to prison?

As a matter of fact, he didn’t. Sheriff Donnie Westbrook and several more officers went to Henry Watkins house later that day, but Henry and his wife were nowhere to be found.

Did the law find the three bodies? Danny asked.

Yes, they found the deputies right where Henry had shot them. They, also, found Mr. Grayson’s body lying in a shallow grave.

Why do they call it the Sadie Watkins house instead of the Henry Watkins house? Jamie asked.

The answer to that is simple. Mrs. Sadie Watkins inherited that house from her father after he died, which was a very long time ago.

Bill, whatever happened to Mr. and Mrs. Watkins? Gail asked.

They were never found. There was a rumor for many years that Mr. Oliver Grayson’s eldest son, George, might have killed them both for shooting his father, but it was never proven. Well, thank Heavens the rain is letting up some. We’re only five miles from home, but since we can’t cross the bridge here we’ll have to drive fifteen miles to get home.

Father, we still have to cross the Poke-A-No River, said Danny.

Yes, but it won’t be a problem going the long way around.

Why is that?

We will be traveling on higher ground. Five days later, Gail Johnson knocked on Danny and Jamie’s bedroom door. Just because it’s Saturday morning doesn’t mean you can lie in bed all day, Gail voiced.

We’re getting up, Mother, said Danny. Is breakfast ready?

Yes, in fact your breakfast is getting cold. You both wash your hands and hurry up and eat. Gail walked back into the kitchen.

Are they getting up? Bill asked.

Yes, they’ll be here in a few minutes.

Danny and Jamie came into the kitchen a few minutes later. What are you and the boys going to do today? Gail asked.

I don’t have any plans right now. I would take them fishing, but all the ponds and the lakes are still muddy from that rain we had several days ago.

The Poke-A-No River has receded a great deal now. At least you can cross the bridge that is located near that haunted house, said Gail.

Why don’t we go look around at that old house? Danny asked.

We’ve got no business at the Sadie Watkins home, Bill answered. Besides that, I understand the property has been for sale for over a year now, but no one wants to buy it. From what I hear, a man from up north was interested in buying the place. He drove into the yard and he was never seen again. A week after the man’s disappearance Sheriff Westbrook had the man’s car towed into Glendale Heights where it was finally acquired by the man’s family.

Bill, what happened to that poor man? Gail asked.

No one knows. It was like he had disappeared off the face of the earth. One of my employees said that there was a great big fishing pond located several hundred yards behind that house. There’s eighty four acres of cleared land on that farm and ninety seven acres of woods.

Bill, how do you know so much about that place? Gail asked.

To tell you the truth, I did have a good notion to buy that farm.

Why did you change your mind?

My mind was changed after I heard about that man disappearing. I didn’t want to take any chances since my children and wife might be there at times.

Do you believe in ghosts?

Not really, but there’s something mighty unusual about that place or otherwise someone would have bought it by now. The entire property can be bought for eighty nine thousand dollars, plus three thousand dollars in back taxes. The house looks very stable from the outside, realizing that it needs painting or siding to be installed.

Father, I believe you want to buy that place.

In all seriousness, Jamie, I am still interested in buying that place. Guess what, that farm has a great big pond on it?

Father, you could buy that old place and Danny and I would help you fix it up.

You’re forgetting one thing, Jamie, that old place is haunted.

I’m not scared of that old place! Danny and me, we’re not scared of anything, are we Danny?

I wouldn’t go that far, but it would be nice to have our own woods and pond. Wouldn’t that be great, Mother?

I suppose it would be, Danny, but we’ll leave that decision up to your father. Now, you two boys sit down at the table and eat your breakfast.

Mother, what was it that you saw that night at the haunted house? Jamie asked.

I really don’t know, but I thought I saw something. By the way, aren’t you boys hungry?

Jamie, let’s eat our food, said Danny.

After the boys finished eating, Danny hurried into the bathroom to brush his teeth. A few minutes later he came into the kitchen. Okay, Jamie, it’s time for you to brush your teeth.

Your brother is right, Jamie, go brush your teeth, and make sure you don’t leave any tooth paste inside the sink, said Gail.

About ten o’clock that morning, Danny walked toward the front door. Where are you going? His mother asked.

I’m going down the street to see Mary Ann.

Danny, I’m not sure you should go to her house. I’ve heard that her father don’t like young boys all that well. I’m sure he’s just trying to protect his daughter from unscrupulous ones.

Mother, I like Mary Ann. Just because I’m one year older than her doesn’t make me like her any less.

Danny, you will soon be fifteen years old!

Well, Mary Ann will soon be fourteen years old!

Don’t stay at her house too long. I wouldn’t want you to get Mr. or Mrs. Pearson angry with you.

Mary Ann Pearson only lived three blocks from Danny’s house. Mary Ann was a beautiful girl with dark brown eyes, black hair and very shapely for such a young girl. Danny knocked on the Pearson’s door. Mrs. Pearson came to the door. Hello, Danny, how did you enjoy your trip to Disneyworld?

We had a very good time, Mrs. Pearson. Would it be okay if I visited with Mary Ann for a little while?

I suppose so, Danny. Come into the living room and I will go find her. She walked up her stairs and found Mary Ann vacuuming her room.

Mother, how does my carpet look now?

It looks fine, dear. Danny Johnson is downstairs and he says he wants to visit with you for a little while.

Tell him I will be right down! First, I’ve got to brush my hair!

Mary Ann, how old is Danny Johnson?

He’s fourteen.

You do realize that you’re only thirteen years old, don’t you?

I’ll soon be fourteen. How does my hair look now?

Your hair looks just fine, but you need to make sure he’s gone before your father comes home. Now, go downstairs and the two of you can watch television for a while.

Danny was sitting on the couch watching a western movie when Mary Ann came into the living room. He quickly stood up. Hello, you sure do look pretty.

Thank you, Danny. Every time you see me, you say I look pretty.

That’s because you are pretty all the time.

How did you like Disneyworld?

The first day was wonderful, but after that it started raining and it didn’t stop, so we decided to drive back home. Where is your father?

He had to go to the hardware store for something.

Mary Ann, said her mother, walking into the living room. Your father just drove up.

Danny, you might need to leave, said Mary Ann. My father might not like you being here.

Mrs. Pearson, I mean your daughter no harm. I think she is the prettiest, sweetest and most friendly girl in the whole world.

I understand that, Danny, but Mary Ann is right about her father. He doesn’t seem to care very much about boys, especially around his daughter.

I’ll go, but I do hope I’ll be able to visit with her again sometime.

Danny Johnson, what are you doing here? Mr. Pearson asked.

Hello, Mr. Pearson, I was just leaving.

My question was--------what are you doing here?

I came to see Mary Ann.

I thought so. Well, Mary Ann is only thirteen years old and she is much too young to have boys come visit with her.

I’m sorry Mr. Pearson, but I like Mary Ann a great deal.

George, they were just sitting on the couch talking, remarked Mrs. Pearson.

Danny, you mentioned something about leaving, said Mr. Pearson, angrily.

Goodbye, Mary Ann. We’ve got two more weeks of school and I’ll see you there. Danny headed for the door. Mary Ann stood there, tears in her eyes, as Danny closed the front door behind him.

George, you had no right to make Danny leave like that, said Mrs. Pearson. He had only been here for a few minutes.

Mary Ann is too young to have boys visiting with her!

Danny Johnson is the nicest boy in the entire school, Mary Ann remarked, tearfully.

I don’t care how nice he is, he’s not to come to see you!

George, that doesn’t make a bit of sense!

Well, Jean, maybe you don’t care about our daughter, but I do!

I care just as much as you do, but you can’t keep our only daughter hidden from the world forever! Mary Ann hurried toward the stairs, tears sliding down her face.

Why do you think boys are always up to no good?

I know how they think!

For God sakes, what are you saying? Is that the way you were when you were a young boy?

I’ll just leave it at this; I don’t want any boys hanging around our daughter!

George, our daughter needs friends, including someone like Danny Johnson. He’s one of the nicest boys I have ever known.

Jean, I don’t care how nice he is! I don’t want him sneaking around so he can visit with our daughter!

"You listen to me, George Pearson; Danny Johnson doesn’t sneak around to see our daughter!

He likes Mary Ann and there’s nothing that you can say or do that will change that! You should call Danny and apologize for your behavior!"

Are you crazy? Why should I apologize to him when I’m only trying to protect our daughter?

Protect her from what? They were just sitting on the couch and watching television! I don’t think it has anything to do with Danny. I think it has something to do with you! Maybe when you were Danny’s age your mind was more in the gutter!

Jean, that’s not fair! That’s not fair at all for you to think like that!

George, this is the first real argument we’ve had in years. You know I love you very much, but I will not stand for you getting in the way of our daughter having a friend or two!

I was just trying to protect our daughter!

I understand that, but we’ve always taught our daughter the difference between right and wrong. We both should trust her judgment a little more than we do. She’s upstairs right now crying her heart out because you embarrassed her in front of Danny. I’ll bring in the rest of the groceries, but I want you to go upstairs and talk with her.

George walked quietly up the stairs; he knocked lightly on Mary Ann’s door. Mary Ann, this is your father, may I come in for a minute or two?

Yes, she answered, still crying.

George walked into her room and then sat down on her bed. Sweetheart, I love you more than anything in the world. I’m very sorry for acting the way I did toward Danny. I had no right to treat him like I did. Will you forgive your father for acting stupidly and being over-protective of his only child?

She wiped her eyes and then hugged his neck. I love you, Father. I love you very much.

Tears were sliding down Jean’s face as she stood at the doorway as her husband and daughter hugged each other.

Mary Ann, tell Danny that he’s welcome to come visit with you sometimes whenever your mother or me are home with you, said George.

Jean walked into the room; she hugged her husband and her daughter. George, do you realize that our beautiful daughter will soon be fourteen years old?

I certainly do. In fact, I’ve already bought her birthday present.

Father, my birthday is three months off!

I know it is, Mary Ann, but I saw something that I thought you would like, so I bought it before someone else got it.

Mother, what did he buy me?

"I have no idea, but I’m sure whatever it is you will like

Father, are you sure you can keep a secret for three months? Mary Ann asked.

I kept a secret from your mother for over a year.

What secret was that?

I was in love with her for over a year before I got up enough nerve to ask her out on a date.

Mother, is he telling the truth?

Well, he’s told me that same thing on numerous occasions, so it must be true. By the way, our groceries are still sitting on the kitchen table. I don’t believe that bucket of ice cream will stay frozen much longer. Let’s all go have some ice cream.

Chapter 2

It was Monday morning, Danny and Jamie had already left for school. Gail had already cleaned off the breakfast table, washed the dishes and was now getting ready to go to work at Rucker’s Clothing store at the Burton Lane Mall. The mall was located within the city limits of Glendale Heights. Bill Johnson was busy checking on five crews of plumbers that were working at different locations. Bill was a licensed plumber and owned his own plumbing company. He had ten full time employees; two were office personnel, eight were fully trained plumbers and there were usually five or six part time workers on his payroll. Bill’s oldest employee was a man named Albert Swanson. Albert was sixty-four years old, an outstanding plumber and well-respected by all the other workers. Oliver Grayson, the man that was killed by Henry Watkins was Albert Swanson’s first cousin.

Mr. Swanson, how is everything going today? Bill Johnson asked, entering the under-construction building.

Everything is going just fine, Bill. We should have all the plumbing completed in this house within two more days. There are only two of us working on this project.

Mr. Swanson, you have worked for me for seven years now and it’s no secret that you’re the best plumber in the whole county. If you don’t mind, I would like to ask you a question.

Ask away.

"Your uncle, Oliver Grayson, was killed by Henry Watkins at the Sadie Watkins home-

place. My family and I had to stop there one night recently because of a storm and high water. I believe there was someone in that old house that night."

What makes you think that?

We saw something like a lighted candle inside that house.

I don’t know what it was, but I’ll tell you one thing, that mean old Henry Watkins shot my uncle over a debt that he owed.

I wonder what ever happened to Henry and Sadie, Bill remarked.

I have no idea, but I’ll tell you this; Sadie Watkins was just as mean and conniving as Henry was.

Why do you say that?

A long time ago, she ran two kids up a tree for them getting two apples off her tree.

That doesn’t seem to make her all that mean.

You just don’t have all the facts. You see, she ran after them with a butcher knife in her hand. She was going to cut those young boys, but they hurried up the same apple tree that they had gotten the apples from.

What happened?

The boys wouldn’t come down so she went after the axe and then started chopping on the tree. The county game warden happened to stop at her house to buy some homemade honey that Sadie had placed in jars. When she went inside to get the game warden his honey, the young boys hurried down the tree and then they ran home.

What do you think happened to Henry and Sadie?

I have no idea. Maybe they’re still hiding out somewhere. Well, I had better get back to work if we are to finish this job in two more days.

Mr. Swanson, do you think Sadie Watkins’ home is haunted? Bill asked.

I believe it is.

Why do you think it’s haunted?

I drove there a few days after my uncle was killed. I walked into the woods to where the yellow tape was still dangling in the wind. I stood there looking downward at the ground where my uncle had been buried. The two officers were shot dead just a few feet from where my uncle was buried. All at once I had a feeling that I was being watched. It was as though someone was standing right behind me, but there was no one there. I don’t scare very easily, but I felt the presence of something there.

What did you do?

I started walking out of the woods, but then I stopped dead in my tracks!

What happened?

I heard something very weird.

What did you hear?

I would have sworn that I heard a voice saying, ‘help me!’ but there was no one there. I looked in all directions, but I didn’t see anyone. I turned around to leave, the voice sounded again, ‘Please, help me.’ It wasn’t a loud sound; in fact I could barely hear it. I figured it must be my imagination. I walked out of the woods and I didn’t hear the sound again.

Did you go inside the house?

No, I sure didn’t. My nerves were already shattered by the time I got to my car.

Mr. Swanson, I might be crazy, but I’m thinking about buying the Sadie Watkins farm.

I like working for you, but don’t expect me to do any plumbing in that house without other men with me. There’s something weird going on at that farm.

Bill Johnson was sitting at the dinner table with his family. Gail had prepared a fine meal, including steak, potatoes, gravy, string beans, corn, okra and homemade biscuits. Bill, how was your day? Gail asked.

We finished the plumbing in two new houses, but we have nine more homes scheduled to be plumbed. I may have to add on a couple more temporary workers.

How is Mr. Swanson doing? That dear old man should think about retiring.

Gail, Mr. Swanson is the best plumber in the entire state. I would hate very much to see him retire since I’m busier than I’ve ever been. Guess what he told me today. What did he say?

He said he went to the Sadie Watkins property a few days after his uncle was killed. While he was in the woods he thought he heard someone’s voice calling out to him. What did he hear, Father? Danny asked. He believes he heard someone asking him for help. Did he see anyone? Jamie asked.

No, he didn’t see anyone, but he must have had a very bad experience there. Why is that?

Well, Gail, he’s afraid to go back to the Sadie Watkins farm. I never thought Mr. Swanson was afraid of anything.

You’re not still thinking about buying that farm are you?

As a matter of fact, I am. I’m going to check on that very thing tomorrow. I’ve heard that I may be able to buy it a little cheaper than what I said before. Anyway, that property is a very good investment.

Bill, do you think it’s wise to buy property that is believed to be haunted?

"Yes, I do, Gail. I don’t think it’s haunted