Anna's Legacy

By Lorene Wayne Smith

In the anxious minutes ahead Jim was lost in thought, trying to convince himself that everything was going to be okay. Time passed ever so slowly. Hearing the sound of voices down the corridor, he looked up to see the doctor coming toward him looking very solemn and strained.

"Jim, you have a little girl." he reported. Then a pause, and his tone changed. "Jim, Anna didn't make it. We did all we could. I am so sorry. She just had too much stress on her frail body the past few months and we couldn't stop the bleeding fast enough."


Already well acquainted with heartache and sorrow, James DeMonte wonders if he can go on after the death of his beloved wife. Completely devoted to his infant daughter, he feels he must give up his navy career so they will not be separated, and his future becomes uncertain.

Life takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself the recipient of Annas legacy, a legacy he had not known existed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504908979

Lorene Wayne Smith

Lorene has often been accused of having gypsy feet because of her love of the road ahead. But she also has a deep yearning for home. She is very private concerning her personal life and that of her tribe, which consists of many souls, and she loves them all dearly. Lorene is a strong advocate of alternative healing remedies and holds a DD in Holostic Theology. She possesses a truly compassionate heart with a genuine concern for the welfare of others and a stirring passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Lorene has been writing poetry and lyrics from an early age and admits she carried the dialogue for “Anna’s Legacy” in her heart for many moons before it became a printed document. Lorene lives in Boise, Idaho, where she is busily engaged in the writing of her second novel—as yet untitled.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

A light drizzle, tailings of the brief thunder shower that had skipped across the countryside earlier, was gradually dissipating and the skies were clearing rapidly. A fresh breeze, interwoven with the fragrance of spring flowers and the aroma of fresh rain, rustled the leaves and hurried playfully onward. The mid-morning sun broke through the clouds and shone brightly on the drawn shade of the open window. No stirring came from within the room aside from the gently swaying of the shade. In the distance a pick-up had just exited the highway and was making its way slowly up the winding road that led to The Cottages Bed and Breakfast. Guests would soon be arriving for their week-end reservations and the usual preparations were nearing completion.

A sudden gust of wind rushed through the open window flipping the drawn shade sideways and sending the braided ring pull spinning like a tiny ballerina. Startled by the noise, Joey instinctively flinched and opened her eyes. The rustling of the wind-blown shade had frightened her and created yet another anxious moment. Hastily she scanned the décor of the room seeking a grounding in the familiar surroundings. The panicky, unsettled feelings that had taken her over so many times since the accident were once again engulfing her; her heart was racing.

Carefully, she pushed herself up onto her elbow and began inhaling deeply, holding and counting, then releasing the breath. Again and again she repeated the breathing, holding and releasing. This ritual had often proven to be a means of Anna’s rescue from the overwhelming anxiety that plagued her.

Her concentration was intrusively interrupted by the sputtering and stalling of a lawn mower. Surprisingly, the intrusion seemed pleasant and reassuring. The steady hum of the approaching pick-up offered her even more reassurance that everything was okay. Her thoughts came to attention. That would be Jim returning from the markets with the needed provisions. The anxiety slowly began to subside.

The sound of the engine stopped, followed immediately by the slamming of the vehicle door. From a location nearby a male voice interjected,

I’ve been working on this mowing device all morning and I’m rapidly losing my patience.

That was Miguel, voicing his impatience with anything that didn’t operate efficiently. Miguel, her oldest and dearest friend, (and the nearest to a sibling she had ever known) was the one person in her world, with the exception of Jim, that she could always rely on for comfort and reassurance. With a detectible tease in his voice, Jim responded, Maybe it’s out of gas.

Naw, that would be much too simple. came the reply.

They laughed in unison as Jim jokingly chided, Perhaps you’re using the wrong tool for the job, Miguel. A hammer might…The mower suddenly ignited and the voices were lost in the incessant roar.

Slowly raising herself into a sitting position, Joey gazed toward the window with determination. Cautiously, she shifted her body and eased her right leg onto the floor. Then with her right arm she reached for the crutch positioned against the headboard and slid it sideways until it was easily accessible. With both hands on her casted left leg, she lifted the heavy bundle and gently lowered it as far as possible. The pain in her thigh was excruciating; dizziness engulfed her.

In an effort to regain control, she lay back against the pillow. Breathing heavily, she slowly brought herself back into a sitting position. Grasping the crutch firmly, she slid it under her right arm and lunged forward in an attempt to stand upright. Darkness overcame her and she felt herself slipping away. Resigning herself to the failed effort, she swayed backward onto the bed, closed her eyes and let it be.

<<<>>>

CHAPTER ONE

The Meeting

James Alan Demonte was the only son of Marcel and Joyce Demonte. Jim’s two sisters, Margaret and Janet, were several years his senior, and had provided him with much sisterly nurturing and love. Jim’s father, Marcel, was a naval officer with many years invested in the service of his country. Marcel had begun his naval career as an ensign, and was subsequently promoted and commissioned as an officer owing to acts of valor on the battlefield.

Although he portrayed a rather firm countenance, Marcel always dealt gently in matters concerning his family. Jim’s growing up years were spent in a structured environment with both parents united in their efforts concerning their family’s well-being.

Jim’s mother, Joyce, was a determined, sensitive woman, with a gracious and generous heart. Her home was always warm and inviting and there was never a problem with setting an extra plate. Jim loved and honored both parents; however, his mother was his most trusted confidant.

When Jim was 16, his mother died suddenly leaving a sorely grieving mate and creating a void in Jim’s life that would remain indefinitely. At age 18, Jim followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the navy as an ensign. One short year later, still grieving the loss of his life partner, Jim’s father had died. Margaret and Janet became Jim’s living link to the world he had known and loved so dearly and he spent as much time with his sisters as reasonably possible; as much as the navy would allow.

Jim was stationed at the Naval Base near Bremerton, Washington. Both Janet and Margaret resided in Boise, Idaho, scarcely more than an hour by air from Bremerton. Jim loved the flights into Boise. Looking down on the city, one could easily determine why it was named The City of Trees. Jim especially enjoyed the rolling hills backed by the rugged high country surrounding the area, and the incredible sunsets with the pink afterglow stretching across the heavens were, in Jim’s words, awesome.

On Wednesday, Jim received a phone call from Janet informing him that she and Margaret were planning to accompany their husbands on a trip to San Felipe, Baja, to visit an old friend who had recently acquired a hotel there and was in the process of refurbing the entire structure.

Janet and Margaret had married brothers who were co-owners and partners in a well established residential design and building firm. The pair had been invited in a professional capacity to inspect the premises in Baja, and offer their seasoned opinion regarding design, etc. Both girls had decided to tag along and enjoy the sun while their husbands were busy assessing the property. As always, Janet expressed her love for her younger sibling, and offered a sincere apology regarding their absence.

Since Jim had the week-end free, and had planned to spend a few enjoyable days in Boise, he was mildly disappointed.

None the less, he was excited for them all and expressed his enthusiasm concerning what the trip to Baja could mean for the brothers professionally.

With time on his hands and no plans in the making, Jim had hesitantly accepted an invitation from Jake, a navy buddy, to accompany Jake for a visit with his aunt and cousin in Santa Rosa. Jake had convinced Jim that his aunt Kristine was the greatest and that she would not be in the least put out by having an extra person in her home.

So the two young men had arrived in Santa Rosa early on Friday Morning and spent most of the day engaged in touring the countryside and visiting local points of interest.

On Friday evening they had enjoyed a wonderful, home-cooked meal and afterwards settled down to watch the tube and relax.

Jim had taken an instant liking to Kristine. He did indeed feel comfortable from the first moment of their meeting and he admired her warm and gracious hospitality.

At dinner, Kristine announced that she was hosting a local charity on Saturday evening and apologized for leaving her guests unattended. After a short discussion on the subject, both Jake and Jim willingly offered to accompany her and to assist in any way they could. When the telephone rang, Kristine answered the call and presently moved into the kitchen to continue the conversation. Upon returning to the living room, she spoke with Jake informing him that Anna would be home tomorrow after completion of an assignment, and since she would be arriving late, she would meet them at the charity location.

Hey, that’s super. Jake responded, and then turning to Jim he declared, "You’re gonna love my cousin, Anna. She’s great!!

She is great, isn’t she? smiled Kristine, Sometime she even amazes me.

During the remainder of the evening, Kristine spent a considerable amount of time talking on the phone, winding up the details concerning the event. Jake and Jim spent the evening chatting, flipping through the channels and just relaxing. Surprisingly, Jim felt totally at ease and comfortable in this home to which he had been so graciously welcomed.

"I want to thank you for inviting me to come along,

Jake. Jim spoke softly. I want to thank you for inviting me to come along. And I have to admit, I was a little reluctant about coming but somehow, it seems good to be here. Then, turning to face his buddy, he inquired. I hope you don’t mind my asking, or think that I’m being a bit too personal, but what is the deal here? Is Kristine divorced or widowed or what?

Actually, neither. replied Jake. Aunt Kristine is a single parent; she raised Anna on her own. According to mom, during Kristine’s last two years in high school, she dated a fellow student pretty consistently and they had become good friends. Later on, after graduation, they came to the realization they were more than friends; they loved each other.

By then the Vietnam War was in full swing and he felt a duty to serve, so he enlisted in the air force. He was trained as a helicopter rescue pilot and just before he was sent overseas, he went home on leave. I guess the little time they had together and the thought of maybe not seeing each other ever again was pretty emotional for them both. Anyway, when Aunt Kristine found out she was pregnant, they made arrangements to be married as soon as he returned to the states. But he didn’t return. His helicopter was shot down over enemy territory and he became a war casualty. So Aunt Kristine faced raising a child alone. From what I’m told, she never had an interest in anyone after that. Instead she pursued a career in interior design and became a very successful business woman.

"Aunt Kristine’s mother, Hattie, was my Grand-dad’s second wife and Kristine was their only child. Hattie was extremely wealthy when she married Grand-dad, and when Hattie died, she left Kristine her entire estate. Aunt Kristine would never have had to worry about an income at all, but it was her choice to pursue a career. She and Anna have always maintained a simple lifestyle and a uniqueness all their own.

There is a very special bond between the two of them. Anna is an interpreter for the deaf, and much like her mom, she has a caring heart. Jake paused and jokingly added, She’s