Spirits of the River

By J.T. Gleason

Madison is a best-selling author. She is living her dream in Manhattan. Everything in Madison's life appears perfect including her relationship with Kevin. Just when she talks herself into accepting his marriage proposal, everything that she thought was perfect crumbles before her eyes. Her biggest fan and best friend, her sister Shannon, is there to pick up the pieces. Madison's relationship with her sister leads to another best-seller and they plan to set out on a whirlwind book tour together.

 

Eric is a talented painter and carpenter. He learned his carpentry skills from his Dad, his idol. Eric thinks he is destined to live in the city until he meets Sandy. She leads him to Wellesley Island, one of the most magnificent of the Thousand Islands which are spread throughout the St. Lawrence River, and turns Eric's life upside down.

 

Madison and Eric experience tragedies that would lead most to the darkest of all places. Instead, families unite, and the Spirits of the St. Lawrence River work their magic to heal hearts, restore faith, and provide hope for the future.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.T. Gleason
• Release date: May 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201547523

J.T. Gleason

J.T. Gleason is an Indie Author of fictional romance with a mix of mystery and suspense. She has enjoyed boating with her husband on the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands resort area of northern New York for many years. The setting of her fictional stories take place primarily in this area.

Book preview

I dedicate this novel to my husband.

It is what it is - Anonymous.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. - Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

Prologue

December 2015

SANDY

SANDY CHAMBERS SHIVERS as she peels back the covers and glances over at the snow caked panes of her bedroom window overlooking the St. Lawrence River. She silently thanks her husband as her bare feet touch the hardwood warmed by the radiant floor heat system he installed in October. Sandy and her husband, Eric, acquired this home from her parents a year after they were married. It had been Sandy's dream since her childhood vacations at this very home to live here year-round. Eric welcomed the simpler life and the chance to get out of the city. Sandy and Eric met in Manhattan shortly after they both graduated from prestigious colleges. He studied Art and her major was Business, but their paths never crossed until almost a year after college. She was working for a Commercial Real Estate company contracted to sell a prime retail building located in SoHo. After only six months working for this company, Sandy was given the opportunity as a Real Estate Analyst to consider the financial viability of one of SoHo's 19th century cast-iron industrial spaces. Numerous retailers occupied the building including an art gallery known to promote new artists. Eric was there to present an exhibit of his work. 

Sandy had no idea her whole life was about to change in an instant. She was being given a tour of the building by one of the building representatives and one of Eric’s paintings caught her attention. The painting was of an abandoned building. Eric was about to approach her but stopped short when he overheard her critiquing the painting. 

Wow, I think it’s great that this building is being utilized to promote up and coming artists, but . . . she hesitated and grimaced at her guide as she pointed to Eric’s work of art. Of course, Sandy thought of herself as quite an expert since her father had an extensive collection including originals by Monet and Matisse. She jumped as she heard a man clear his throat directly behind her. Sandy turned with the realization that her outspoken thoughts may have offended someone. Eric greeted Sandy with his arms folded and the wickedest knock down dead gorgeous smile he could muster.

"Good afternoon. I'm Eric Chambers, the artist. I understand this particular painting frustrates you?" he asked.

After what seemed an eternity, Sandy somehow managed to recover and respond albeit with some regret.

It’s just, the building, the landscape, the composition there’s no . . . unity, she stammered. Eric’s expression became more serious as he cleared his throat again. 

I think that was my intent. At the time, that’s kind of the way my life was going. I think I was trying to express the feeling of being pulled in two different directions, he explained. 

Sandy turned back to the painting, took a step back, paused and replied apologetically, I’m sorry, I guess I’m more into color and nature. I look for art that makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

Once the words were out, she realized how amateur and insulting she sounded. Fortunately, for Sandy, Eric never had taken this particular work of art very seriously. He responded with sincerity but just a hint of sarcasm.

Well then, please accept my apologies and let me offer you a warm cup of coffee?

Eric winked at the building representative who quickly took the hint to excuse himself and suggested that Sandy would be in excellent hands with Mr. Chambers. Eric completed her tour of the building after coffee and graciously extended his sincerest invitation to dinner which Sandy found herself accepting without the slightest hesitation. From that day on they were inseparable and were married two years from the very day of that first meeting.

For their first few months together as man and wife, they took steps to gradually ease out of their commitments in the city and formulate plans to move into Sandy’s family Summer home on Wellesley Island lovingly referred to by Sandy as paradise.  Once Sandy and Eric were settled in, Eric’s art greatly improved. His sources of inspiration expanded in ways he never imagined. There was so much to explore; Eric’s mind exploded with ideas. Locals raved about his work and tourists found it even more appealing. People love to be able to take a little piece of their vacation home with them; especially Eric’s paintings of the scenic St. Lawrence River which flows in between and around well over a thousand islands. Buyers often exclaim that his showpiece paintings of sunrises and sunsets, massive oceangoing vessels, two magnificent castles, majestic summer homes built on islands during a variety of eras, as well as the nature and wildlife, were very lifelike. Many were amazed at how the paintings seemed more like a photograph, but more vivid. When Sandy opened her own real estate company, she found her prior experience really helped her to become popular quickly among those looking for a sophisticated personality from the big city with a keen sense of style. Eric would often whip up a small painting for Sandy to present as a gift to first time home buyers on the island. This small gesture went a long way to building life-long relationships within their new community. In no time, Sandy and Eric found themselves living very comfortably financially, but they both felt like something was missing. Early on in their relationship, Eric and Sandy shared their ideals with each other on the importance of raising a family despite their careers.  Despite that desire, like most newly married couples, they were never certain they were ready to take on that responsibility. Human nature, with a little help from absent mindedness during a particularly busy week, took care of that for them. Their children, Claire and Lucy, were born almost two years after they were married. Twins were not common on either side of their families that they were aware of so you can imagine their surprise. Ironically, they did plan on having only two children, so twins really were a blessing in disguise. 

About a foot of new snow has fallen overnight but now the sun is shining without a cloud in sight. The water is tranquil, and Sandy can see the reflection of the pine trees. A thin layer of ice has begun to form in spots. After a long hot shower, she dresses and heads to the kitchen where she finds a freshly made pot of coffee. As the early morning flies by, Sandy tries to shake off the coldness she has felt since waking as she gets the twins ready to spend the day with their best friend while Sandy and Eric are at work. Claire and Lucy are on their best behavior during breakfast and, for once, do not give Sandy any trouble over which outfits they are going to wear. Even though the twins are identical, Claire prefers to wear dresses and Lucy prefers to wear pants. This morning, Sandy convinces them both to wear their flannel lined overalls and favorite cartoon covered turtlenecks since she heard on the radio there was a strong north wind. She finally convinces herself to stay positive and believe this is not going to be such a bad day after all.

ERIC

ERIC CHAMBERS IS ALREADY on the way to his workshop next door to their home when Sandy rises. He shovels out a quick path for Sandy to the garage but decides to plow the snow later as he is anxious to put the finishing touches on a special project before Sandy ventures over to say good-bye for the day. During the Winter, he divides his time between restoring old furniture for special clients and working on his art. In warmer temperatures, he will also include minor carpentry projects such as small decks, fences, and docks. The caretakers for one of two castles which were built on separate islands along the St. Lawrence river often bring him donated antique pieces to work on. He learned his carpentry skills at an early age from his father, Craig Chambers. Craig died just two years before Eric met Sandy and only a few months after being diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. It was a loss neither Eric nor his mother ever thought they would get over. When Eric works on these projects, he always feels his father's hands guiding his own. Over the past month, he has been working on a surprise Christmas present for Sandy. When she was growing up and vacationing on

Wellesley Island, she loved her parent's porch swing. Her parents took it down soon after she left for college and enclosed their front porch. When Eric and Sandy first moved in, Eric opened up the porch again. Now Eric is making a new swing, just like the original, based on pictures borrowed from Sandy's parents. He knows Claire and Lucy will love the swing as much as Sandy and he cannot wait to see their reactions on Christmas morning. It has been a chore to hide the project from them, but the cold winter air helps to keep them away from the workshop.

Just as Eric is getting ready to paint the swing, the workshop door flies open and there stands Sandy. 

Hey honey, I just wanted to remind you . . .—she stops short when she sees the swing—Oh Eric, it's beautiful! It looks so much like the one we used to have on our porch when I was growing up. Who is it for? 

The look on Eric's face gives it away. There is no hiding his disappointment. 

For me? she whispers. 

Eric just throws his hands up in the air. 

Honey, I am so sorry! I will pretend I didn't see it.

She closes her eyes and turns around.

I just wanted to remind you that I'm taking my staff out for a late lunch today in Alex Bay to have our Christmas party. I don’t plan to be late, but I need you to pick up Claire and Lucy from Cheryl's house at four. The girls really want to play with Brianna, and Cheryl offered to have them spend the day together. She just would like to have them picked up before she starts dinner. 

No problem, Eric says in disappointment. 

Sandy cringes. She does not dare turn around. She struggles to hold back her tears.

Eric...I love you. 

He comes up behind her and wraps his arms around hers while kissing her neck. I never could surprise you, he says with a sigh. I don't know why I thought this year would be any different.

Sandy is so moved by the love he continues to show her year after year. It always feels like the day they first met. 

But you did surprise me, Eric. You always surprise me and amaze me with your talents. And, you are not even done with it yet, so I do not even know what the final product will look like! Now put that paint brush to work and we will pretend this never happened. 

She welcomes the gentle pat on her behind as Eric shoos her out the door. Eric returns to his work and decides before painting that he will enhance the swing with an engraved heart. His gifts could never truly express how much love he has for Sandy and the girls, but he thanks God and his Dad every day for giving him his talents. At least he can try to show them by making them something special with his hands for every occasion. When Sandy first told Eric she was pregnant, he went straight to work on a cradle and then scrambled to make another when they learned they were having twins. For the twin’s first birthday, he surprised Sandy with a portrait of the girls. He reminded Sandy she had once remarked how she wished she could enjoy them at this precious age for just a while longer. The swing, along with a few outside projects, took up a great deal of his time so he did not get a chance to make anything special for the girls this Christmas. He knows the girls will enjoy the swing as much as Sandy, but he hopes they will be even more content with the huge surprise they have planned for them. The girls have been begging for months to go to an amusement park in Florida advertised constantly on television. Sandy found a big box to hide behind the tree and inside will be their favorite stuffed characters from the park holding an invitation to come visit them. They will leave a few days after Christmas to vacation there through New Year’s Day. He is now even more excited about seeing their reaction to the vacation; that alone will be the best Christmas present he could ever wish for.

Time escapes him and he finishes putting the first coat of paint on the swing just about the hour he needs to leave to pick up Claire and Lucy. Heavy dark clouds are drifting in from the North. He arrives at Cheryl's just a few minutes after four and notices it is beginning to spit snow. It occurs to him that he never even checked the weather report. As Cheryl welcomes him inside, he can hear the lake effect snow warning blaring across the TV screen for their area. The St. Lawrence River opens to Lake Ontario just a few miles east of them. The storm is pushing down from Canada and expects to be at its worst between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. He calls Sandy, but there is no answer. Cheryl tries to hide her concern as Eric stands there staring at his phone. 

You know Sandy, Eric, she would never answer the phone when she’s driving. Why don’t you stay for a while and warm up with some coffee? She’ll probably pull over soon when she feels it’s safe and give you a call back.

Thank you, but I think we better get home before it gets worse.

Sandy promised she would not be late, and Eric surmises she is probably on her way home at that moment. He is mindful of the fact Sandy will have to cross the Thousand Islands Bridge to get home and it can quickly ice up during a bad storm.

On their way home, the girls sing their favorite holiday songs in the back seat as Eric says a silent prayer. He is disappointed to find her car is not already in their driveway upon his return. Immediately upon entering their home he turns on the TV to the channel which shows the weather radar. There is a large oval white and blue indicator hovering over their area.

Eric starts dinner about five just as the storm is starting to intensify. He has never been the worrying type, but he must admit that he has a terrible feeling. He calls Sandy's phone again at 5:15 p.m., but it goes straight to voice mail. 

When's Mommy going to get home? Claire asks. 

Oh, I'm sure Mommy will be home any time now, Eric answers with confidence in his attempt to reassure the girls and himself.

They finish dinner and the girls go into the family room to watch their favorite cartoon shows. Eric is loading the dishwasher when he notices flashing lights in their driveway. All Eric can hear is his heart beating in his ears. Within seconds, his best friend, Officer Ted Camden, along with another much older looking police officer are at their front door. Eric slowly forces himself away from the window to meet them as he hears the doorbell. He grips the door handle with the overpowering feeling his life is about to be devastated. Eric feels the blood drain from his head as he opens the door and sees the look on Ted’s face. Ted is speechless as the other officer begins to officially deliver the news.  

Mr. Chambers, we are so deeply sorry to have to tell you this. Your wife has been in a terrible accident . . . 

Eric clenches his fists and responds in a whisper, Please, let’s step out on the porch, my children are just in the other room.

Once outside, Eric turns to address his friend, What happened Ted? 

Ted responds with a negative shake of his head and says, Oh God, Eric. . .—Ted hesitates as he wishes more than anything he did not have to continue—"It took place just as she got over the bridge onto the island. There was another vehicle coming from the