Whispering Waters

By Sarah Murrey

Summary (A Historical Fiction Novelette)
History/Mystery/Wholesome Family Goodness - A story longing to be told

A fun intertwining of stories, past and present! A sweet family-orientated tale of perseverance through the roughest of times, with a touch of the area's history to enrich the experience. This story takes us from the 1930s into the future.

Anna's family has a history with the land under the lake she loves. Part of that past is now on the ranch where she lives with her husband, James, and son Kyle in present-day Arboles, Colorado. The land they live on has been in the family since the lake began to fill.

Anna and James spend most of their free time with their dog, River, on Navajo Lake. They go camping and exploring on a pontoon houseboat. Her boating adventures lead Anna on a mission to learn more about her family's past.

Maria lives in the 1930s in the town of Los Arboles. Her family built a homestead for themselves here a few years back. She falls in love with the area and her future husband. Her life is full of love, joy, hard times, and tears. We join her through them all!

Cozy up and enjoy the mystery and history as these stories unfold in an enchanting tale of a family's lasting love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781667897295

Book preview

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Whispering Waters

©2023 Sarah Murrey

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN: 978-1-66789-729-5

Contents

Prelude

Chapter 1: Anna

Chapter 2: Maria

Chapter 3: The Dock

Chapter 4: Married Life

Chapter 5: Whispers of the lake

Chapter 6: Stirrings from within

Chapter 7: Illusions

Chapter 8: Celebrations

Chapter 9: Message in a bottle

Chapter 10: Heartbreak

Chapter 11: What happened to Rosa?

Chapter 12: Passage of time

Chapter 13: Historic Cabin

Chapter 14: Joy and Growth

Chapter 15: Bats

Chapter 16: Rumors and Reality

Chapter 17: The Journal

Chapter 18: Antonio

Chapter 19: Whispering Waters

Chapter 20: Kyle

Whispering Waters Family Tree

Whispering Waters Timeline and Notes:

References:

Author’s Note of Thanks

Prelude

A mysterious story that spans generations and follows the adventure-filled lives of the characters from the 1930s to the present day and beyond.

This story has dates and events roughly based on historical events and real locations. If you wish to learn more, check out some of the area’s histories, which are far more extensive than I could touch on in this tale.

I want to share the incredible past and present of a place I hold dear. I hope to honor the land and the many souls affected by sharing and remembering what lies below the water.

Although the present-day storyline is also fictional, there is a touch of my life on the lake intertwined. I have been fascinated by this place since I was a child. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I loved writing Whispering Waters.

Love, Sarah

Chapter 1:

Anna

A ranch layered with history graces the land with a feeling of home. It is nestled near Arboles, Colorado, on the banks of the San Juan River. Pastures and fields show hard work and love in their abundance. The way time is cherished here allows the ranch to be seen as held in place and moving forward.

Anna opens her back door to be welcomed by spring’s fresh scent and the melody of the river’s rushing waters. The water seems to whisper to her as it finds its way to Navajo Lake. Though the whispers have secrets for her, Anna’s consciousness floods with a desire to be on her boat. A passion that is so strong it drowns out any other details awaiting discovery in the river’s whisperings.

The call of the water reminds Anna of how it feels when she is on the lake. It feels almost primal as it surges through her veins. She longs for the way nature speaks to her when she is there. The way nature’s laws command your attention and respect. That is what she understands and where she feels at home. Anna feels out of place around too many people and their multiplying rules. Rules caused people who don’t bother to listen to nature, she often huffed.

Enjoying how the land shines in the morning dew, Anna feels a strong connection again. Her family has been here since 1956; this place truly is a part of her. Anna and her husband, James, have recently added sheds to the property. She can also see corrals built by her grandpa and barns raised by her dad. Beyond all this, next to the river where the tallest cottonwoods live—if you look close enough—you see sprinkles of a few apple trees and a peach tree near an eighty-year-old cabin. Behind it, her grandma’s kitchen garden still grows rhubarb and other delicious treats.

Anna’s focus back on the now, she quickly glances over the horses and cows in the fields, noting they look well. Her eyes follow fence lines and pass over hay fields until the sound of her coffee pot beeping suddenly grabs her attention.

Anna prepares her coffee, enjoying the aroma as she stirs in cream.