The Ghost in Walnut Hollow

By Xlibris US

A young doe nudges her small fawn toward tall reeds that line the creek banks. She has been feeding on sweet clovers thru the early morning hours. Soon, she and other night creatures will return to the woods. There, they will remain until darkness returns once more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499060065

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Mary Nell Farmer. 633523

ISBN:   Softcover   978-1-4990-6007-2

             EBook       978-1-4990-6006-5

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.

Rev. date: 08/25/2014

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 - Baby CoCo meets Mikes’ Friends

Chapter 2 - Billy the Little Pig goes Fishing

Chapter 3 - Little Farmer goes Visiting

Chapter 4 - The Baby Gosling learns a Lesson

Chapter 5 - Four Baby Robins

Chapter 6 - The Ghost in Walnut Hollow

Chapter 7 - One Blustery Cold Night

Chapter 8 - Ryens’ Tiny Rabbit

Chapter 9 - Little Maxwell goes to the White House

Chapter 10 - The Wild Cat

Chapter 11 - Playing Cat and Mouse

Chapter 12 - The Children’s Pet Parade

Chapter 13 - Millie the Lamb Rescues a Baby Lightning Bug

Chapter 14 - Hide-and-Seek and Peekaboo

Chapter 15 - Twinkles the Baby Deer, Mr. Snowshoe Hare, and the Big Gray Wolf

Chapter 16 - Mikie and Baby CoCo

Dedicated to my parents, Dick and Rita Pendarvis, whose memory is forever in my heart and soul.

I dedicate these stories to my siblings—Ruby, Billy, Mikie, and Lou Lou—and to our childhood.

chapter 1

Baby CoCo Meets Mikes’ Friends

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T he sun was rising over the gently rolling countryside of Charles Dobbins’ dairy farm. Charles and Emily Dobbins’ freckle-faced son, Mikie, was about to be awakened. The gray kitten was just waking up in his warm kitten bed. Stretching and yawning, Baby CoCo looked for Mikie. He saw tousled yellow hair sticking out from under a blue blanket. In one swift jump, Baby CoCo landed in the middle of Mike’s tummy, waking him instantly.

Sounds of sleepy laughter filled the room as Mikie reached for Baby CoCo. Mikie loves it when Baby CoCo wakes him each morning. The kitten snuggled close to Mikie. His sleepy little eyes and soft purring sounds made Mikie feel safe and loved.

Just as Baby CoCo began to frolic through the covers, they heard Mike’s mother calling them to breakfast. With a challenging glance between boy and kitten, they raced downstairs. As usual, Baby CoCo won the race; and as usual, Mikie tried to correct the little kitten. Baby CoCo, you are supposed to wait until I say ready-set-go. Mike’s words went unacknowledged, with a flip of his tail; Baby CoCo made a beeline for his saucer of milk beside the cupboard.

The delicious smell of blueberry hotcakes and warm maple syrup stirred a hunger in Mike’s tummy. He grabbed his fork and dove into the stack of hotcakes his mother had prepared.

Mike’s mother smiled. Someone has a birthday today? she teased.

Mike’s laughter rang out gleefully. Yes, I am five years old today, and Baby CoCo is five months old today. Today we are the same number. I will put Baby CoCo in my red wagon so he can meet all my friends on the farm.

Mikie, you have planned a very exciting adventure, his mother cheerfully replied. Why not begin your adventure meeting the cows? Your father is in the dairy barn. He would enjoy introducing Baby CoCo to them. Baby CoCo will love the cows, knowing they give him sweet, warm milk.

Oh yes, giggled Mikie, Baby CoCo loves milk. He will be very happy to meet the cows.

Baby CoCo licked the last drop of milk from his chin as Mikie gobbled down the last bite of hotcakes. Hurry, Baby CoCo, we must get dressed to go visiting.

Mikie was soon running up the stairs. He jumped into his overalls, accidentally leaving one strap dangling down the back of his T-shirt. He grabbed his boots and little cap, then went down the stairs and out the door, running toward his little red wagon.

At first, Baby CoCo was afraid of the red wagon. Mikie gently picked up the frightened kitten and explained to him, Baby CoCo, you must sit still. If you sit still, you will not fall out. Mikie then placed Baby CoCo in the wagon. Hearing a soft meowing sound, Mikie knew the kitten felt safe. The two were off, headed toward the dairy barn. Baby CoCo was sitting very still and very much enjoying the ride.

The dairy barn was a short distance from the house. Trouble and Daisy, the farm dogs, ran to greet Mikie and Baby CoCo. Hi, Trouble, hi, Daisy, said Mikie. The dogs quickly surrounded the young travelers, wagging their tails and squirming in as close as possible. Mikie laughed as he pet the dogs. I have lots of friends on the farm. Baby CoCo can meet them today, Mikie was saying.

Both dogs sensed the joy in Mike’s voice. They knew today was going to be a very special day on the Dobbinses’ farm.

Mikie’s father was opening the big door of the dairy barn. Good morning, son, and happy birthday.

Thank you, Father. Baby CoCo is five months old today, and he would like to meet the cows. Mikie stopped the wagon and turned to Baby CoCo. Baby CoCo, the cows are your best friend next to me. They give you milk you love so much.

Baby CoCo’s eyes lit up thinking of sweet, warm milk. Mikie quickly scooped Baby CoCo up in his arms, and inside the barn they went.

I have someone you will be happy to meet, said Mikie’s dad. Mikie and Baby CoCo followed Mike’s father down the aisle to a large black-and-white cow. She was standing with her head in a manger, eating a sweet-smelling feed. Mikie, Baby CoCo, this is Maggie, the mother cow, Mikie’s dad declared. And this is her baby calf, Minnie. Minnie is five months old today. Mikie’s and Baby CoCo’s eyes opened wide as they gazed at a small black-and-white calf nursing the mother cow.

The baby calf stopped nursing her mother long enough to give Mikie and Baby CoCo a quick look, then began nursing again.

Baby Minnie, Baby CoCo and I are five today too! exclaimed Mikie. "Baby CoCo is happy to meet you, and I am too! We are meeting all my friends on the farm today to celebrate