Road to Avonlea: Friends and Relations

By Heather Conkie

WHILE THE LADIES GO INTO TOWN FOR AN AUCTION AND the men set off for a day of ice-fishing, Sara and her cousin Felicity King are left to mind the children. But the pleasant day is nearly ruined when petty arguments break out over past wrongs. It is not until Aunt Abigail’s little boy goes missing that the family is drawn back together in desperate search to find him before it’s too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Davenport Press
• Release date: May 8, 2012
• ISBN: 9781926978079

Book preview

ROAD TO AVONLEA

Friends and Relations

By: Gail Hamilton

Based on Sullivan Films Production written by Heather Conkie adapted from the novels of Lucy Maud Montgomery

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*****

PUBLISHED BY: Davenport Press

Copyright © 2012 Sullivan Entertainment Inc.

Image Copyright © 2012 Sullivan Entertainment Inc.

Road to Avonlea is a trademark of Sullivan Entertainment, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except for reviewers who may quote brief passages.

*****

Chapter One

The snow had fallen softly and silently in the night, covering the little village of Avonlea and the surrounding hills and valleys with a blanket of sparkling white. By morning the blustery winds from the sea had carried the storm westward to the mainland, and dawn rose frosty and clear on Prince Edward Island.

The early-morning silence was broken by the faint, silvery tinkling of bells as a horsedrawn sleigh appeared over the hill from the King barn, its runners squeaking and scrunching in the fresh snow. Pulling it briskly with a sense of promised adventure, the gold-afld white palomino made his way between the rows of apple trees, their ice coated winter branches dazzling in the sunlight.

Just as radiant as they are in full spring blossom, thought Alec King to himself as he pulled on the reins and came to a halt in front of the frame farmhouse.

Now, as a rule, Alec King wasn’t given to poetic musings, but on this particular morning, he was in a frame of mind that prompted him to breathe deeply of the winter beauty that surrounded him. He was looking forward to a change in his routine of chores and family life. He was contemplating the mysterious magnetic pull between man and nature. He was going ice fishing!

Caesar shook his golden mane and snorted in anticipation, his breath in the air like twin puffs from a steam engine. Alec jumped spryly down from the sleigh and headed towards the back door, whistling, his own breath like smoke in the wind.

The cozy farm kitchen was already warm from the fire in the wood stove as Janet King bustled around. Her eldest daughter, Felicity, was busy helping to fill a large wicker hamper with supplies as baby Daniel watched all the action from his little high chair, every once in a while chortling his approval or uttering bird-like calls—anything that would cause his mother or his big sister to look up and smile at him, which of course they did, without fail.

Felicity enjoyed working alongside her mother. Even though she was only fourteen— going on fifteen, she always hastened to add— she prided herself on being an expert housekeeper... and cook! She breathed in deeply the heavenly aroma that filled the kitchen and turned her attention to the loaves of fresh bread standing in a neat row on the cooling rack, every one a perfect golden brown. She had been baking since before dawn, and just looking at the results filled her with a sense of smug satisfaction. Although Felicity would never say it, in her heart she felt that anything her mother could do, she could do better.

The back door squeaked open and closed with a bang, and a chill of cold air rushed into the room.

Ooh, she is brisk out there! declared Alec heartily as he took off his wool coat and hat and clapped his hands together for warmth.

Janet turned and looked at her husband wryly. His eyes sparkled and danced; he could barely stand still for excitement. For a moment, he was the image of their son, Felix. Alec was still boyish in many ways, she thought, smiling to herself. He really hadn’t changed much over the years ... except perhaps his hairline!

Janet continued to fill the large basket with a fully cooked pork tenderloin, two raspberry pies, three dozen eggs, bacon, beef stew, ham, vegetables, four loaves of Felicity’s bread, lard and potatoes. Alec hung over his wife’s shoulder and examined the contents, wrapping another loaf of bread that Felicity handed to him.

Ah yes! he expounded. There’s nothing like the great outdoors—the backwoods—to give a man—

An appetite? finished his daughter, surveying the mounds of food on the table.

Janet put her fingers to her lips and stifled a giggle as she made yet another trip to the pantry for more supplies.

No! exclaimed Alec. A sense of what life is all about, girl! Freedom! Being one with nature. Survival! Right, Daniel? He turned and tickled the baby, who crowed with absolute delight.

Janet winked at Felicity, her arms full of preserves. Well, I think it’s safe to say you’ll survive overnight. Did you remember to pack an extra sweater?

Alec’s eyes widened in amazement. Janet! You don’t pack to go ice fishing! You wear the clothes on your back. You travel light!

Felix emerged from the back stairway and smirked as his father attempted to pick up the food basket from the table and was barely able to budge it.

Yeah, real light, his son commented dryly before disappearing into the summer kitchen.

Well, just make sure you and Felix don’t catch cold, chided Janet, tucking an errant strand of honey-blond hair behind her ear.

Mother! We’re men! Felix exclaimed as he came back into the room carrying his fishing tackle, his chest puffed out self-importantly. We like to rough it!

It’s in our nature, finished Alec, ruffling Felix’s hair.

In your nature? Roughing it, indeed! chuckled Janet. She covered the basket with a fresh cloth and turned back to the stove to pour out a steaming cup of tea for her husband.

When his wife’s back was turned, Alec surreptitiously placed a flask under the gingham covering. You never knew when something a little stronger than tea might come in handy. For medicinal reasons only, of course.

Janet looked up at the clock on the wall. Oh, my goodness! She gasped and hastily undid her apron. Hetty and Olivia will be here any minute and I’m not ready.

Alec looked at her in surprise. Hetty and Olivia? I thought you and Abigail were going on your own.

Janet’s cheeks reddened slightly and she bustled around, trying to hide her obvious discomfort. Well, we were ... she muttered, not looking Alec in the eye. "But you know how much Olivia loves an auction, and