Wellmington's Cove: A Novel

By Lynn Cooper

- God invites all people everywhere to come to Jesus Christ his Son and be saved: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) - Eternal life is given to all those that receive Jesus as Saviour: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12) - God's Holy word assures us that when sorrows and disappointments come, we are never alone. He is always there with us, and will carry us through: "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." (Isaiah 43:2) - Come to Jesus and find peace and rest for your soul. Receive him today as your personal Lord and Saviour. "Dear Jesus, come into my heart; forgive my sins, and save my soul. I am trusting in your shed blood at Calvary, and your death, burial and resurrection to give me eternal life. In Jesus name, Amen."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9781098009489

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Wellmington's Cove

A Novel

Alton Lynn Cooper

ISBN 978-1-0980-0947-2 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-0980-1180-2 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-0980-0948-9 (digital)

Copyright © 2019 by Alton Lynn Cooper

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

Epilogue

About the Author

Books by Alton Lynn Cooper

Introduction

Frank Reynolds had moved his family many times in the past years as one job after another had come to an end. He brought his wife, Mary, and their two boys, Eric and Danny, to W ellmington's Cove on the coast of the North Pacific Ocean in Central California. The family arrived in the cove, exhausted and almost broke, trusting God to be with them in a strange new place, and to help them through the disappointment of yet another failed job and shattered dreams. Frank Reynolds was a loving husband and father, and a very dedicated Christian man. It burdened his heart to see his family struggling through one hardship after another. They all came to the Cove , hoping and praying that this would be home at last, and their days of wandering would be over. Little did they know they were entering into a web of destruction that would challenge their faith and threaten their very existence. The family would suffer one tragedy after another and only be sustained by God's amazing grace and His watch care over them. Through it all, they remained grounded in their faith in God, and overcame the enemy's attacks, to stand strong and victorious in the end. The book is filled with God's Holy Word, and the reader will find that God never fails to honor His word, and bless those whose faith and trust is in Him.

Frank Reynolds pulled the car onto the shoulder of the road turning into the overlook area and shut off the engine. The last few miles had been a steady climb up the two lane that ran along the ocean. The old Pontiac had done a heroic job but desperately needed a rest as they arrived at the top of the mountain before beginning their descent down the other side. They were traveling, yet again, to another new start in an unfamiliar place.

Frank's wife, Mary, exited the car heading for the trunk to retrieve the small wicker basket holding her family's last remaining lunch supplies. Frank came around and opened up the trunk putting one arm around Mary's shoulder. He could see the strain on her face and knew that the last few years had taken their toll on her. She was a fighter and a soldier, sharing her life with him and their two boys, but the broken dreams of the past weighed heavy on her, even as she tried to keep up a strong front for her family.

Their two boys exited the backseat and raced to the side of the overlook to get the first view of their future home. Mary called out for Danny to return and get the old orange crate out of the backseat to let the newest member of the family out to have a run and do his business before their trip resumed.

Danny came running and pulled the small crate out of the car, setting it on the ground. He untwisted the wire that held the flap shut and released the prisoner from his cell. The small dog came charging out, yelping and barking as he raced around the open area, happy to be free at last. His coat looked like a medium-sized dust mop and was stained and dirty from neglect of a good bath and grooming.

Danny Reynolds was twelve years old and had never had a pet to call his own. His father had always said no, because it was hard enough to keep the family fed, let alone adding another mouth to take care of. Finally, his father had relented, when they stopped at the Sunoco station a few miles back down the road and saw the sad little animal locked in the crate sitting by the door as they entered to pay for the gas and get a quart of oil.

At first, it was hard to tell exactly what the animal was until he began to bark and peer out of the crate, hoping that just maybe these new visitors would set him free. Don't mind that thing, growled the station attendant. He showed up here a few days back and has been bothering the customers ever since. He seems to think that all of them were bringing food or a handout. I've called animal control, and he will be on his way soon, and good riddance to him and his kind.

Immediately, Danny kneeled down by the crate, sticking one finger through the opening between the slates. What followed started a bond between a young boy and a dirty little forsaken animal needing someone to love and care for him. Out of the mop of hair hanging over his eyes, nose, and mouth, a little pink tongue came out and began to lick and caress Danny's outstretched hand.

What will the animal control people do with him mister? Danny called out to the man behind the counter.

For something that small, dirty, and useless, they will dispatch him soon enough. The sooner the better. The man's gruffness and dislike for the small animal was plain to see.

As his father paid for the gas and oil, Danny continued to bond with the little guy in the crate. Dad, can we please keep him? I will take care of him, and he can have some of my food, I promise.

As his father turned from the counter, he called for Danny to follow him out the door and leave the crate behind. As they got back in the car, Danny had tears in his eyes as he asked his father, Why should the little dog be left behind to a certain death?

Frank reached for the key and started the engine, preparing to continue up the mountain. Mary reached a hand over and touched his arm before he pulled the gearshift out of park. Frank, do you think maybe it's time to let the boys have one thing that would ease their starting over again in a new town and school with no friends? Remember all they have been through in these last few years. We've moved constantly, chasing one job after another, and haven't been in one place long enough to let them settle in and have a normal child's life with a home and friends to develop relationships with.

Mary, you know how hard it is to just survive ourselves and keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. It's not the time to get softhearted over another living thing that needs to be taken care of. After we've settled and the job works out, then maybe we could consider taking on more responsibilities, but now is not the time. Frank's heart immediately hurt him as he saw the look on Mary's face and heard the soft sobs coming from his youngest son in the backseat.

Eric, Danny's older brother, stared out the back window of the car, watching people come and go at the station's gas pumps. Eric was the silent one of the family and spent most of his time watching life go on around him, wondering what it would be like if he was in one of the other families that always seemed to be laughing and going through life, without the burdens that weighed down his fifteen-year-old mind.

It seemed like forever to Danny, but his father reached and turned off the ignition, got out of the car, and headed to the door of the station. He was gone only for a short time, and as Danny watched eagerly, he saw his father come out, carrying the old orange crate with a barking excited little life inside.

Danny opened the door and jumped out, running to receive the crate from his father, hardly being able to believe that at last, he would enter a new place, bringing a good friend with him. He raced back to the car, climbed in, and set the crate on the seat between him and his brother.

What is it? Eric asked, peering down through the opening of the slates into the hair-covered face of their newest family member.

It's a dog, cried Danny. A very sweet, loving little guy who needs us as much as we need him.

As Danny watched him bounding around the overlook area, Mary called out, What are you going to name the little mop?

Danny thought for only a few moments before announcing, Bo Jangles! His name is Bo Jangles.

Eric asked, Why would you give a dog a name like Bo Jangles? Why not a name like Rover, Max or, Buddy?

Danny, without hesitation, stated that Bo Jangles was a perfect fit for a little guy who was happy and alive, excited to start on his new journey the same as they were in the cove below.

The boys went back over to peer down the mountain. The mist coming in off the ocean in the midafternoon shielded the town below and revealed only the snake-like path of the two-lane as it wound its way lower into the valley until it passed out of sight through the forest of trees toward the base of the mountain. It was not truly a mountain as mountain's go, but it was the last remaining high point before descending down the steep road running along the North Pacific shoreline.

Frank called to the boys to come and eat. They had to move along quickly now to the cove and find the house before dark. They all sat down on the rock outcropping at the edge of the open area and bowed their heads as Frank prayed for God's blessing on the food and for His care of them as they entered into their new life.

Danny pinched off small pieces of his peanut butter and jelly sandwich and shoved it through the hair covering Bo Jangles' small mouth. His little pink tongue come shooting out, and the food disappeared in a flash. He continued to sit with his head tilted toward his new master, waiting for the next bite to be offered up.

Make sure you have some yourself, son. That's about all we have left until we get settled and your father can get to the store for more supplies. Mary knew that the family's small savings had all but been exhausted just getting this far and that everything would be stretched thin until Frank's new job at the marina provided their first income.

Frank Reynolds was bringing his family to the cove from Washington State where his last job had been lost to a slowing economy and a need for his previous employer to quickly downsize to avoid closing completely. Frank had worked in marinas for about the last fourteen years putting boats in and out of dry dock, performing small engine repairs, cleaning, painting, and overseeing the docking slips and the adjoining facilities. He was a stout man with salt and pepper hair graying at the temples.

His wife, Mary, was a petite attractive woman who had recently celebrated her forty-fourth birthday. She had long auburn hair and deep hazel eyes that almost gave her an oriental look.

Frank's old boss had made him aware of the marina in the cove and had sent a letter of recommendation to them, hoping to help him get a new start. Frank Reynolds was only in his late forties, but he already felt older than his years as he struggled to take care of Mary and his boys. One job after another had dried up, causing them to always move from place to place, seeking a new beginning. Frank prayed and hoped that, finally, this time would be different, the job would provide a steady paycheck, and the schools would be a friendly experience for Eric and Danny, and that Mary would have a home that she could care for, knowing that they were there to stay.

As they had all finished the small meal and gotten back on the road, Frank nursed the car down the steep decline. He had all of the family's earthly possessions in the U-Haul trailer behind them and realized caution needed to be taken to assure a good landing at the base of the mountain as they made the last curve into town.

Danny cried out from the backseat, There it is! as they nosed their way into the village ahead.

Mary mouthed the words as they passed the sign on the right side of the road, announcing Wellmington's Cove: Population 738. She wondered if along with her family's arrival, they would change it to read 742 or 743, including Bo Jangles. They would come to realize later that many of the residents actually lived between the cove and Glendale and other outlying areas.

Frank carefully watched for the sign indicating Shore Line Drive that would take them to Marsh Lane where their small rented house was located. He had worked with the local realtor to find the rental and ready it for his family's arrival. Harvey Simpson had assured him that everything would be in order and that he would check in with them Friday morning after their Thursday night arrival in the cove.

Dusk was just beginning to settle in when Frank saw the sign and turned right onto a curving blacktop road, just barely wide enough to allow two cars to pass without damage. He had hoped to arrive earlier in the day so that they could explore the village before dark to locate the food store, pharmacy, post office, and maybe even a passing look at Wellmington's marina, his new place of employment. This would have to wait until tomorrow with night quickly falling around them.

After about three quarters of a mile, the sign appeared announcing Marsh Lane. Frank swung the car to the right and onto what changed into a dirt track leading along a marshland on his left, with an occasional house along the right side of the road. Frank slowed the car to avoid the water-filled mudholes that evidently had come after recent rains.

As the light now was quickly fading, the weary travelers kept watching for the 923 on a mailbox, which would identify their destination. Frank could see the concern on Mary's face as they passed two older trailers on the right side of the road that obviously were either unoccupied or had not been taken care of for a very long time. Mr. Simpson assured me that our rental was clean and, even though small, would be a comfortable place to live. Frank wanted to hopefully encourage his family and himself.

They continued down the road, slowly passing small houses, some with yards recently mowed, while others looked like they seriously needed a lot of attention. When Frank spotted the old mailbox leaning on its post, they pulled up in front of a small house which sat forlorn in the approaching darkness. It was just light enough to see that it had a small front porch with railings that were missing posts in various spots. The lawn matched those up the road that had not seen a mowing for several weeks or months.

Frank hoped that this was not an indication of things to come as he nudged the car into the dirt driveway that was as hole-infested as the road itself. Mary strained to keep an even voice as she announced to the boys they needed to help their father unload the trailer quickly as a distant roll of thunder could be heard from out over the ocean beyond the marshlands.

Frank made his way through the tall grass, and some occasional weeds, up to the porch. As he turned the key Simpson had mailed him, the lock released reluctantly, and the door swung open, sending out a stale draft of air that signaled the house had not been occupied for an extended period of time. Frank felt on the inside wall and found the light switch, turning it on, while the room remained shrouded in darkness. It became obvious that not only had Harvey Simpson not had the lawn mowed nor aired the place out, he also evidently forgot to have the power company turn on the electrical service.

Frank's heart began to sink as he knew this was not the way to introduce his family to their new home. He returned to the car and encouraged Mary and the boys to unload and start the task of unpacking in the dark. There was a period of silence as each took their turn at the back of the trailer, removing items and making their way into the darkened interior. Danny had placed Bo Jangles, still in his crate, in one corner of the small front room to keep him from getting underfoot as they moved in. With the possessions of the family being as modest as they were, the unpacking was completed just as the first drops of rain began to fall and the thunder drew closer, coming over the marshland toward them.

Mary had found the small battery lantern and switched it on to help unpack the bedding and toilet necessities for the night, announcing that everything else could wait until morning. Frank tried to keep his voice calm as he assured everyone that they would settle in and that he would go into the village early tomorrow and have Harvey Simpson perform his duties as they had agreed through letters and one final phone call.

The house was indeed small as Simpson had said. Frank and Mary took the smaller of the two bedrooms and left the slightly larger one for Eric and Danny. Now that Eric had turned fifteen three weeks ago, Mary had hoped that each boy could have had their own bedroom. That was not to be, but they would make do. If Frank's new job panned out, perhaps this was only a starter home with better to come. Mary had placed the mattresses directly on the wood floors of the bedrooms and put the pillows and covers in place. The metal frames would be easier to assemble the next day, especially when the battery was beginning to give out on the small lantern.

Frank called them together as he had removed his well-worn Bible from its case for the bedtime scripture reading and prayer before lying down for the night. Frank and Mary had met many years ago at an adult church camp and had faithfully sought God's Word throughout their marriage of eighteen years. God and His Word had sustained them through many difficult times, especially when the boys came along and the weight of parenthood rested heavy upon their hearts. They wanted their boys to grow up loving God and live clean and faithful lives serving Him.

Frank opened to one of his favorite verses and read a message that all of them needed this night as the rain pounded the roof and the thunder gave out rumbles that shook the small dark house. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. As Frank ended the reading, he closed the book and asked God to watch over them in this strange place with the storm raging over the marshlands and blowing hard against the little house on Marsh Lane.

Mary instructed Danny to let Bo Jangles out of his crate and take him to the back door to go out one more time to assure no messes would be found in the morning. As Danny opened the kitchen door, Bo Jangles ran to the edge of the small back porch but spun around quickly and ran back into the house when a loud crack of thunder sounded just above their roof. He would get him back in his crate for the night and hope that all would be well the next morning.

Danny felt his lungs burning as he tried to pull in the air surrounding him. As he rolled back and forth on the bed, terrified, he could feel the searing heat pouring in from the living room beyond his bedroom door. He realized that he must stay as low as possible to the floor to avoid the acid smoke boiling down upon him from the ceiling. Above the roar of the fire, he could hear his father's voice, screaming, Get out! Get out! Break the window and get out! He was on his knees with his head bent low, desperately scrambling across the floor, trying to find the outer wall of the bedroom and the window that would free him and Eric from the burning inferno.

As his hands crashed into the baseboard of the wall, he immediately leapt up and frantically scratched at the wall, trying to locate the window frame. In horror, he realized that he had gone to the side wall of the room instead of the back wall leading to escape and life beyond the fire. Danny was trying to scream, but no sound came from his throat. It's too late, the window is not there. He realized that he was perishing in the flames licking their way through the small wooden house.

Suddenly, Danny felt powerful hands grabbing him by both shoulders and calling to him. How could his father have gotten through the fire into his room? Danny's eyes flew open to peer into his brother Eric's face as he was shaking him up and down on the mattress, wet with sweat. Eric let go of his shoulders, reassuring him he had escaped whatever nightmare he was in. Calm down and go back to sleep before you wake up Mom and Dad.

As Eric returned to his own mattress across the room, Danny lay breathing heavily from the horror of the dream that had gripped him. He had an overwhelming sense of loss as he lay there, still shaken, listening to the rain tapping against the window pane. Feeling around, he realized that he had torn the bed coverings from off the mattress and had dispatched his pillow into the corner next to Bo Jangles' crate. It was then that he heard the whining coming out of the little dog inside, who no doubt was also terrified from what he had been through with Danny's thrashing about.

He went to the crate, sticking his fingers sideways through the slates to touch his small friend and let him know that everything was all right. The whining slowly stopped as he lay back down on the old towel at the bottom of his crate.

As Danny put the covers back over the mattress and retrieved his pillow, he was still shaking inside and felt a dread come upon him that clung to him for the rest of the night. As his eyes flicked open, he could see the sun coming up behind the house and touching the tops of the trees outside the naked window of his bedroom.

* * * * *

The storms of the night before had passed, and a brilliant new day was dawning. His memory of the fire was fleeting away from his mind, and a new excitement was building in Danny to explore the cove where God had landed him and his family.

Frank had promised the family that today they would go into the village and do a driving tour of their new location and get a first look at Wellmington's Cove. Mary had been up for some time and had prepared the last of the breakfast food consisting of a piece of bread, each spread with butter and a smattering of strawberry jam. There were also exactly four bananas left that looked suspiciously brown speckled and slightly mushy from being moved around in the car during the drive from Washington State.

For Danny, a fresh or an old banana made no difference; his mind was filled with the adventure of the day. His father came in, announcing that he and Eric would go into town to pick up a few grocery items and drop off the U-Haul trailer. Danny's protest was immediate. You said all of us would explore the new town today and see the marina and the school before we go on Monday.

Frank assured his son that, indeed, before this day was over, they all would become familiar with their new surroundings, and especially the place of his new job and their beginning again at another new school. It is better that you stay here this morning to help your mother continue the unpacking, and also, you have the ‘responsibility' of the little dust mop in the crate.

Danny rushed back to the bedroom, realizing that, in his excitement, he had completely forgotten about Bo Jangles still wired shut in his little prison. As Danny entered the room and looked in the corner, he realized that a spreading wet pool was ebbing its way out of the orange crate. He quickly untwisted the wire and released the flap.

Bo Jangles raced from the opening, yelping, barking, and sliding his way across the bare wood floor and out of the bedroom door. Before Danny could catch up, Bo was jumping on his father's pant legs, up and down, welcoming his new family to his world.

Frank reached to pet Bo's side and noticed that his coat was wet. Get him outside now and find an old towel to wipe him down with warm water. We will pick up some shampoo at the store, and you have a special chore to do before our afternoon town tour.

Mary called them to the little square table in the kitchen for the small amount of food awaiting them. Frank always went for bacon and eggs, a nice pile of hash browns, and toast with two or three cups of freshly brewed coffee. Today, however, he would have to be satisfied with the meager fixings and water in place of the cups of coffee. The last of the coffee had vanished two towns ago before reaching the cove.

Mary had made a short list of only the necessary items to get them through to Frank's first paycheck from the marina. They had not found out yet if they would hold back one week's work and pay him in two weeks or pay him at the end of the next week on Friday. She was praying for the latter, along with Frank, realizing that her family only had twenty-three dollars to their name.

They had arrived at the cove on a shoestring, and even it was beginning to fray. They never discussed finances in front of the boys, and so Eric and Danny were oblivious to the family's plight. Mary's list had been planned well to get the least expensive food items to hopefully leave Frank at least five dollars, in case the old Pontiac needed more quarts of oil before payday. It was either leaking more or burning more, but the oil had become a frequent budget item.

As they were all seated, Frank asked God again to bless the food and the day that lay ahead of them. Even with all the stress of what lay in the unknown days ahead, there was a peace in the little house with them safely gathered around the small table. With God's blessing, Frank knew that the days ahead would be both difficult and sometimes filled with disappointment but that God would always lead them, step by step, as they continued to seek His face and will in their lives.

Well, Eric, we need to make tracks to town so that we can get back in time for lunch and our outing this afternoon.

Frank backed the car out of the driveway with the U-Haul attached. He only had to shift forward and straighten the rig one time before easing it out onto a very muddy Marsh Lane. The rains from the night before had left the dirt track filled with large water holes and a soft splashing of mud as he pointed the car back toward town.

As they made their way out to the main road that ran through the cove, Eric watched out the side window as the store fronts started passing by. It soon became obvious that whoever George Wellmington was, he had to be a very wealthy man. It seemed that about every third business in town had a large sweeping "W on the door or window, with the smaller letters of ellmington's following it. Eric watched as the gas station, pharmacy, food market, and even a gift shop passed by, clothed in the flowing W" sign.

Frank was searching for the U-Haul drop station to rid them of the trailer bumping along behind. He saw the faded sign and pulled the car into the lot in front of the darkened building. Frank didn't see the notice that was taped to the front door as he walked up and tried the knob. When it didn't budge, Frank dropped his eyes to the handwritten note on the inside of the glass—Closed: Please drop all equipment at the branch location in Glendale.

Frank felt the agitation rising up in him as he realized that the information that Harvey Simpson had given him was as faulty as the house preparation for their arrival. He returned to the car with the determination of finding Mr. Simpson and clearly letting him know of his performance failures. He pulled the paper from his shirt pocket and scanned down his pencil notes until he came to Harvey Simpson Realtors and noted the address.

The office was located just beyond the laundromat at 1401 Ocean View which was the main street running through the village. Frank pulled into the small parking lot in front of the real estate office, bouncing the car and trailer through some rather sizable potholes that appeared to have been there long before last night's storm. To his relief, he could see the lights on and some activity going on inside the building.

Frank made his way to the door and pressed down the thumb latch on the old handle. It was heavy wood framed with a three-quarter length beveled glass and was certainly a historic part of the older building. The hinges sang as the door swung inward to announce to anyone interested that a potential customer had arrived. To Frank's right, an older, well-worn oak desk was occupied by a fairly large woman with a tall pile of graying red hair gathered on top of her head, anchored in place by a long shiny hatpin. The name plate sitting prominently in front of the inbox read: Ms. Jennie Simpson—Receptionist.

Jennie Simpson was the lone employee for Harvey Simpson Realtors and Associates. Looking behind the receptionist's desk, he could see a glass windowed office with the door closed and two men in a very animated and sometimes loud discussion. The large man seated at the desk with his shirt unbuttoned at the collar and tie pulled loose was lifting both hands, palms up, clearly signaling that whatever had occurred was certainly not his fault.

The older man stood up quickly, knocking over the plastic chair in front of the desk, and yelled loud enough for Frank to hear, "This will not happen! No one can take away what has been in my family for three generations without coming through me first!" The short