The Handy Helpers: Not a Happy Camper

By Rosemary Morgan Heddens

The Handy Helpers are excited about going to summer campthat is, everyone except Beth Anne. Her parents want her to go to a free camp for children with disabilities. Beth Anne begs them to let her go to camp with her friends. Finally, her parents admit they dont have enough money to pay the camp fees. With help from some of the seniors, the Handy Helpers are able to raise the money Beth Anne needs. So why has Beth Anne suddenly changed her mind and wants to go to the special camp after all?



I would give this book a five-star rating because the children are so kind and humble. I love how Beth Anne is generous and selfless to everyone. I would recommend this book to anyone. I love how each story has a moral to them, and shows you how to be a great friend.
- Morgan Damschen

I think its so sweet how they all really need each other, but some of them dont see it at first because they are afraid of being hurt. But it all works out in the end. I love all the funny little things that happen to all the kids while reading about their escapades. Once I start reading, I dont want to put the book down.
- Sadie Mullins

I like Spike because hes a lot like me. I think hes funny, and I like how when he does do something he shouldnt, he gets it and makes it right.
- Wylie Mullins


Its cool to see the way they help each other and have fun doing it. I also like that this series brings up going to church, and that God plays an important role in their lives. Ive grown up going to church, and I can relate to the Handy Helpers making church a part of their lives. I think Handy Helpers is a great series to read and reread.
- Sierra Mullins

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543455977

Rosemary Morgan Heddens

Rosemary Morgan Heddens recently retired after thirty years as a high school special education teacher. Her characters face many of the same challenges as her former students. Just like her students, her characters don’t let those challenges keep them from doing what they believe in. Mrs. Heddens is a native of Arizona and lives in Chino Valley with her husband, Craig. Together, they enjoy hiking, biking, and kayaking. She has two grown children and three grandchildren. She is the author of This Little Light of Mine, a book she wrote with her daughter, Kirstin, who has Down syndrome. Kirstin, an avid reader, was her advisor on this book.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Rosemary Morgan Heddens.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5434-5598-4

      eBook         978-1-5434-5597-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/06/2017

Xlibris

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Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

To my readers:

I am so excited to share with you the latest adventures of the Handy Helpers. It has been fun getting to know them, and they have all become my friends. I hope you feel the same way. Just like the Handy Helpers, I’m sure you care about your community and try to help whenever you can. I am so impressed with your generation. Young people today aren’t waiting until they are grown up to change the world. If you see someone who needs help, you go ahead and help them. That’s just the way you are. I always hope that my books are inspiring, but the truth is that you inspire me.

Rosemary Heddens

To parents:

I just love how the Handy Helpers get to experience all the things that kids their age experience. When they make wrong choices, they have to suffer the consequences. When they make the right choice, they get the good rewards that come with making good choices. It is so neat to see them learning and growing with each new turn in their lives. I also love that their parents play a big role. I believe the author wisely depicts the role that God meant for parents to have in training and guiding children to do and make right choices. As an adoptive parent I relate to Gus and his heart to help these three children, who so greatly need him, to become a whole family. I highly recommend the whole series of the Handy Helpers.

Teresa Mullins

In memory of my mother, Lorene, who helped develop my great love of the outdoors.

Chapter One

Beth Anne sat on the front steps of her house, elbows on knees, chin resting in her hands. I’m not a baby! she said to no one. Mom thinks I’m a baby, but I’m not!

Standing up, Beth Anne watched a large black beetle as it seemed to fall off the edge of the driveway, landing on its side. The beetle wiggled its legs in the air, trying to right itself. Beth Anne picked up a small stick and flipped the beetle back on its feet. Go on, she said to the beetle. Go home to your babies.

Beth Anne continued to watch the beetle as it crawled across the flower bed and into the lawn. Then she strolled to the sidewalk and stared down the street. Not a soul could be seen in either direction. She let out a long, loud sigh. When she felt sad like this, Beth Anne liked to talk to her friend, Agnes Henry. But this time she couldn’t. Agnes was in Phoenix visiting her grandchildren.

My friends are having fun today, Beth Anne said to the empty street. Not me though.

Beth Anne had wanted to go on a hike in the forest. Her friend, Spike, had been helping two forest rangers, Frank and Terry, build a trail on Granger Mountain when a forest fire started there. Now that the fire was out, Spike wanted to go back and see if there was any damage to the trail. He invited all the Handy Helpers to go. When Beth Anne told her mom about it, she said no, it was too dangerous. There weren’t any adults going along—only teenagers and kids. Besides, the trail might be in bad shape. She could fall down and get hurt.

It’s not fair! Beth Anne stomped her foot. I’m ten years old. I’m not a baby!

The next time Beth Anne looked down the street, she saw what appeared to be three people riding bikes. As they came closer, she saw that it was her friends—Laura, Melissa, and Amber.

What are you doing here? Beth Anne asked, surprised.

That’s a nice greeting, Melissa said. We thought you’d be happy to see us.

I am happy, Beth Anne told her. I thought you went to the forest.

Our moms wouldn’t let us, Laura explained. They said we couldn’t go because no adults would be there and the trail might not be safe.

We’re not babies, Beth Anne said to her friends.

No, we’re not, Amber agreed, but our moms want to make sure we don’t get hurt.

It’s okay then. Beth Anne smiled. I’ll tell my mom that she was right.

We’re headed to the pool, Amber told Beth Anne. Wanna come with?

I’ll go ask my mom. Beth Anne beamed with joy.

Of course, her friends said together.

Beth Anne and her friends were all part of a group called the Handy Helpers. Together with three boys, Spike, Logan, and Chris, they helped out at the senior center in the community of Bluesky. Sometimes they even helped seniors in their homes. On most summer days, they would all go to the pool, but on this day, the boys were hiking in the woods.

Melissa was the first one in the water at the Bluesky Aquatic Center. She dove right in, her long, tan legs disappearing gracefully into the water. Laura and Amber liked to get in gradually in case the water was a little cool. Beth Anne took longer getting into her swimsuit and hadn’t come out of the women’s shower room yet.

Come on in! Melissa yelled to her friends. "The water feels so good!"

I’ll just sit here on the steps a little longer, Amber told her, and then I’ll get in.

Laura plunged into the pool and swam to where Melissa was treading water at the deep end. Beth Anne joined Amber on the steps. After a few minutes, they both got into the water and swam out to meet their friends.

Wanna go down the slide? Amber asked Beth Anne.

Okay, Beth Anne said. I like the slide.

The girls walked quickly to the steps and started up. It was a fun slide that spiraled around three times before dumping the swimmers back into the pool. The line for the slide was short, and they were quickly at the top. Melissa went down first, then Beth Anne. Laura and Amber were last. As their heads came up out of water at the end of the slide, Melissa and Beth Anne splashed them in the face.

Hey, stop that! a lifeguard yelled. No horseplay in the pool!

The girls were giggling as they returned to the main pool. Melissa spotted a plastic ball under a lounge chair. Hopping out of the pool, she picked up the ball. Let’s play keep away, she yelled. "Laura, you’re it. We’re keeping the ball away from you." Melissa threw the ball to Amber and then jumped back into the water.

Want it? Amber asked Laura, holding the ball out in Laura’s direction.

Sure! Laura dove at the ball just as Amber swam away with it.

Here! Amber threw the ball to Beth Anne, but it went high over her head. Laura raced Beth Anne to get the ball. She was just reaching out to take it when she pretended to have a cramp.

Got it! Beth Anne yelled. Then she threw the ball back to Melissa.

The game continued until everyone had a chance to be it. Beth Anne grabbed the ball when Melissa was throwing it to Amber. "I’m not it anymore!" Beth Anne said, excited.

Let’s rest for a while, Melissa suggested, getting out of the pool and grabbing her towel. It takes forever to dry my hair, Melissa said, wrapping the towel around her long blond hair.

Mine too. Amber patted the towel over her thick, bronze-colored hair.

That’s why I like my hair short. Laura ran her fingers through her cropped brown hair.

I like my hair long, Beth Anne said, flipping her straight, dark-blond hair. But my mom won’t let me have it as long as Melissa’s.

Why not? Melissa asked.

She said I get too many tangles.

How’s Special Olympics practice going? Laura asked Melissa and Beth Anne.

Pretty good, Melissa said. Beth Anne’s swimming faster and faster.

Way to go! Amber gave Beth Anne a knuckle bump.

Willy’s getting faster too, Beth Anne added. He’s almost fast as me.

Beth Anne and Melissa were part of a Special Olympics unified swim team. It was made up of two Special Olympics athletes, Beth Anne and Willy, along with two partners, Melissa and a girl named Brianna. They would all be competing at the area games in September. Melissa’s grandmother, Sarah, was the coach. Every Wednesday morning the team practiced at the Bluesky pool. Between practices, the members of the relay team tried to get to the pool as often as they could. Their friends were usually there to challenge and encourage them.

Have fun at the pool? Lisa asked her daughter when Beth Anne returned home on her bike.

Yes, I did, Beth Anne said.

This day didn’t turn out so bad after all, did it? Lisa smiled.

I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean what I said. You don’t treat me like a baby.

I try to treat you like a ten-year-old, but it’s my job to make sure you’re safe. That’s what parents do. It’s our most important job.

I know, Mom. Beth Anne hung her head.

Andy opened the passenger door of Todd’s Bronco and pulled back the seat to let Chase, Logan, and Chris out. Thanks for bringing us here, Spike said to Todd as he slid across the front seat and climbed out. Frank and Terry told me the trail was okay, but I’ve been wanting to see it for myself.

No sweat, Todd said. Jennifer’s working today so I didn’t have much to do anyway. Jennifer was Spike’s oldest sister and Todd’s girlfriend. Like Todd, she had a summer job at the Pizza Pan, a restaurant in Bluesky. Chase and Andy were Todd’s friends. They had only been on the trail at night and were eager to see what it looked like in the daylight.

Once they reached the Rancho Vista trailhead, Spike took point, leading his friends up the trail that he knew so well.

Are they still working on the trail? Logan asked Spike.

Not right now. Frank and Terry are busy with the other forest rangers cleaning up from the fire. But when that’s over, they’ll get back to finishing the trail.

When it’s done, Chris said, we should hike it all the way from the Sidewinder Trail like we did the night we rescued Daniel and Rachel.

That’s a great idea! Spike exclaimed. We should totally do that!

The trail looked much the same as it did when Spike was hiking it every day with Gus. Spike had been assigned trail work as community service by the juvenile court judge after an incident involving Mayor Goodwin. Gus, along with his friends Bert and Norman, helped the forest service build trails. They called themselves the Over-the-Hill Gang. Gus had taken responsibility for supervising Spike’s community service.

Wanna see something cool Gus showed me? Spike asked, running ahead.

Sure! His friends hurried to catch up.

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Spike led them to a spot where sticks and debris were piled up in what looked like a giant trash heap. What’s that? Logan asked.

It’s a pack rat nest, Spike grinned. Isn’t that something?

Sure is, Chris laughed. There must be hundreds of rats in there.

Nope, just one. Gus said that inside it’s like a real house. It has a living room and a bedroom and a kitchen.

You’ve gotta be kidding! Andy stared at the mound of twigs and leaves. I wonder what he keeps in there.

All the stuff he’s collected. He’s a hoarder. Spike laughed.

The hikers continued on as the trail became steeper. The chaparral gave way to forest—oak and juniper trees at first, and as they climbed higher, tall ponderosa pines. Spike led the way up the switchbacks to the part of the trail that he had helped build.

Trail looks okay so far, Spike said to his companions. That’s a relief.

Maybe we can help finish it when Frank and Terry start working on it again, Todd suggested.

That sounds like a great idea, Andy agreed, if we’re not back in school by then.

Let’s go up here, Spike said, pointing to a game trail barely visible through the trees. You won’t believe the view from there! His friends followed as he led the way up the steep trail to the top of the mountain.

We’re above the trees! Chris gasped.

That’s what I said when I first came up here, Spike said, laughing.

Spike pointed to the east at Pine Lake. It looked just as it had the day Gus had shown it to him. Some of the houses in Pinecone Ranch were visible through the trees. I’m sure glad the fire didn’t burn any of the homes, Spike said. Then he turned with his friends and looked toward the north. A silence fell over the little group as they surveyed the damage from the fire. Charred trees covering hundreds of acres were visible. The fire had burned up the side of the mountain, destroying shrubs and small trees in its path. Even the giant ponderosa pines had been scorched or burned. Some of them lay like dead soldiers, cut down by the raging fire. But among the fallen and still-standing dead were ponderosas that had only received burns near the bottom—their green needles glistening in the sun—proof of their resiliency against a mighty enemy.

Terry said that the ponderosa have thick trunks that protect the trees from fire, Spike told his friends, and they drop their lower branches so if the fire doesn’t burn too high, the trees don’t catch fire.

That’s why some of the trees survived, Logan nodded. That should help the forest recover quicker.

It could have been worse, Todd added, a lot worse.

Back on the trail, Spike led his friends to the end where Terry and Frank had rolled a large log. Stepping over the log, he continued along the edge of a steep ravine. At last, Spike guided his friends down into the ravine. Look familiar? he asked everyone.

Not really, Chase said. It was pretty dark when we were here before.

Reaching the bottom of the ravine, Spike followed the path he had forged through the dry creek bed, past the large boulders and broken tree trunks into a clearing. Those bushes over there are where we found Daniel.

I remember that, Chris said. He sounded like a scared little mouse.

He was scared, Andy added. It was a frightening experience being here in the dark with the red glow from the forest fire over the horizon.

Spike led his friends toward a stand of trees—ponderosa, oak, and juniper. As they approached, they noticed the bottoms of the ponderosas were charred and the oak and juniper were nothing but burned skeletons.

The fire did get this far! Spike gasped.

It’s all burned up! Todd said in shock.

What about the lean-to? Logan asked. Is it still here?

I don’t see it, Chase said. Where was it exactly?

There! Spike pointed at a pile of ashes and blackened branches. That’s all that’s left of it.

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The hikers stood in silence for a moment, taking in the scene. Thoughts of a tragedy that could have happened lay heavy on their minds. At last, Logan spoke.

You saved their lives—Rachel and Daniel would have died here.

We all saved them, Spike told him, his voice shaking. We hiked in here together.

I know, Chris said, seriously. But it was you who convinced us to do it. You were the one, Spike, who got Todd to bring us here.

Don’t I get any credit? A grin spread across Todd’s face as he tried to lighten the mood. I drove on that crazy dirt road.

And how about me? Chase added. I almost died of an asthma attack getting Daniel out of here.

I carried Rachel the whole way, Andy said. She might be small but she’s heavy—especially when she’s asleep.

Sure. Spike smiled a little. We all saved their lives. We make a good team.

What do you think will happen to Rachel and Daniel now—and Jeremiah, of course? Logan asked.

Gus said they can stay with him as long as they want, Spike told him. Maybe Gus’ll be their foster parent.

Do you think he will? Todd looked surprised. That would be great for them, but that’s a lot for Gus to take on at his age. He must be at least eighty years old!

He’s only sixty-nine, and he’s in great shape! Spike said, seriously. You should have seen him hike these trails. I could hardly keep up with him.

I just meant that he probably wouldn’t want to take on a family at his age, Todd explained.

Gus doesn’t have any family left. He lost his only son in Vietnam, and his wife passed away a few years ago. Gus only had one brother and he’s gone too. Spike looked around at his friends before he continued. They have no one, and neither does Gus. I think it’s perfect that they found each other.

Climbing out of the ravine, the hikers retraced their path back along the Rancho Vista Trail. Thanks for bringing us here, Spike said to Todd. I’m glad the trail was okay.

No problem, Todd threw back casually. It was fun.

Jennifer was watching television in the family room when Todd brought Spike home. As they came through the door, they were jostling each other. Todd grabbed Spike around the shoulders and pretended to mess up his hair. I know, Todd laughed, don’t mess with the do.

That’s right, Spike shot back, my hair’s my trademark.

Spike, whose real name was Michael, got his nickname by spiking his hair and holding it in place with plenty of gel. Sometimes he liked to spray the spike with red or purple hair spray. Being shorter than his friends, Spike tried to find ways to stand out in a crowd. He usually wore shirts with sayings. Today he wore a shirt the forest rangers had given him. It said, Carelessness destroys tomorrow’s trees. Prevent forest fires.

Would you like to stay for dinner? Spike’s mom, Carolyn, asked Todd. We’re having meat loaf and mashed potatoes.

Sure would, Mrs. S. I just need to clean up a little.

How was the trail? David asked his son at dinner.

Trail’s fine, Spike said between bites of food. It looks just the same. But when we climbed up to the top of the mountain, we could see the burn area. It was sad looking at it. But you know what? The ponderosa pine trees didn’t all burn. A lot of them are still standing there on the mountainside.

That’s good to hear, David said. The fire could have been so much worse than it was.

Yeah, Spike agreed. It could have burned up people’s homes or the campgrounds.

Not to mention the two kids in the woods, or the boys who went in there and rescued them, Carolyn added.

We’re lucky to be safe, aren’t we?

Yes, you sure are. David patted his son on the back. Very lucky.

Chapter Two

Do it again, Gus! Do it again! Rachel shouted, excitedly.

Gus looked over the top of his newspaper. He used his tongue to push his bottom dentures out of place until they rested on his lower lip. Rachel giggled and jumped up and down, clapping her hands. Gus popped his teeth back in place and went back to reading the paper.

Stop bugging Gus! Jeremiah scolded. And pick up that mess! He was referring to the crayons and coloring book Rachel had abandoned on the carpet in front of the television.

Okay, Jeremiah. Rachel collected the coloring supplies and placed them on the desk.

She’s not bothering me, Gus said, laying down the paper. I love to hear her laugh.

She needs to behave properly, Jeremiah insisted. She can’t go around annoying people.

Daniel was working on a jigsaw puzzle Gus had given him. It was a picture of a farm with a big red barn and lots of animals. Occasionally little squeaking sounds came from Daniel and his head jerked. Go sweep the front porch, Jeremiah told him in a harsh tone. You’ve gotta pull your weight around here.

The dust on the front porch can wait, Gus smiled at Jeremiah. Let your brother finish his puzzle.

We don’t expect something for nothing! Our parents raised us to pay our own way. As soon as I can get a job, I’m gonna pay you back every cent you spent on us.

I’ve told you, Jeremiah, that you don’t owe me anything. I’m happy to help you kids. You’ve been taking care of Rachel and Daniel on your own, and you’ve done your best. There’s no shame in accepting help. Besides, having you around brightens up my life. You’re paying me back just by being here.

Before the forest fire, Jeremiah had been living with his brother and sister in a little lean-to he had built in the woods. He fished and trapped to feed them. After Spike discovered their hiding place, he began bringing them food. When the fire changed directions and headed toward their lean-to, Spike and his friends hiked into the forest