Summer at Stillwater Lake

By Jeanne Linton

Amy Anderson takes us on a journey into Northern Michigan where she spends her summer working at a remote fishing lodge for her aunt and uncle. In the company of her cousin, Paul, they ride the bus as far as Cheboygan only to find no one waiting to meet them. This is only the beginning of their troubled journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeanne Linton
• Release date: May 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224856053

Jeanne Linton

I was born in Vancouver, B.C. Married when I was 22 and moved to the midwest with my husband. While living in Michigan I had four children. Although I liked living in the U.S. after I was divorced, I returned to B.C. with two of my children where I have lived ever since, only returning to visit my family still in the U.S. I am retired now, enjoying my life, and continuing to write stories.I have written three young adult novels, a book where the main character is a chicken, but mostly science fiction novels. The science fiction novels ;'Seeds of the Galaxy' deals with the roots of humanity as they are forced from their world because of a changing environment and migrate across the cosmos.My books are listed on Smashwords under Jeannelinton.

Book preview

SUMMER

AT STILLWATER LAKE

By

Jeanne Linton

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Copyright 2023 Jeanne Linton

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, descriptions, entities and incidents included in the story are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events and entities is entirely coincidental.

The opinions expressed by the author are hers alone.

READER’S COMMENTS

The story has a captivating theme about what goes on at a summer resort in the northern woods among a group of teenagers. I liked the many interesting facts about nature and farm life.

---Nicole, Coquitlam, British Columbia

I enjoyed the comical story about the young boys who take their imaginations to the limits and the relationship they create with their new friend, Twinkles, who transforms himself from a pampered pooch into a playmate. One of the heroes of the story, Gilbert, shows how intelligent a pig actually is.

---Ruth, Howell, Michigan

"I like the win, win story where people come to terms with themselves. I appreciated not only the personal growth but the information about wildlife and farm animals.

---Keri, Fenton, Michigan

DEDICATION

To my daughter LINDA

You have always been a candle in the gloom

Whether near or far, you are the pillar of my heart

Funny, sweet, and wise,

Your loving kindness lights my way through life’s darkest hours

PREFACE

Amy Anderson takes us on a journey into Northern Michigan where she spends her summer working at a remote fishing lodge for her aunt and uncle. In the company of her cousin, Paul, they ride the bus as far as Cheboygan only to find no one waiting to meet them. This is only the beginning of their troubled journey.

Along the way, they meet Pete and his load of feeder pigs. The story builds when the cousins run into Billy, Pete’s grandson. Billy is on a quest to win the pig race at the county fair in August. Intrigue tightens when they come up against Billy’s archrival, who is bent on winning the race at all costs. Join us on this adventure and find out how Billy meets the challenge.

A sub-story emerges as Amy witnesses the development of a bond between two young pirates, a dog, and a litter of kittens. Mrs. Farley, a visitor to the resort, comes to understand the meaning of compassion when she encounters the pirates. How this all plays out is not only heart-warming but an example of karma at work.

As you leaf through the story, you will discover the author has woven the thread of adventure, intrigue, deception and mystery into the story.

Into the North

As I pass through the turnstile, Aren’t you excited Paul? Think about it: lazy summer’s days fishing for northern pike, trout and walleye, toasting marshmallows around the campfire, canoeing around Stillwater Lake, and meeting so many new and interesting people. Could there be a better way to spend the summer?

Don’t lose your head, Amy. It’s a summer job.

Less than impressed with Paul’s lack of enthusiasm, I give him a sinister glance, I know it’s a summer job but how much work’s involved in cleaning a few cabins? After all, the lodge is Aunt Peggy and Uncle John's home and not only is Aunt Peggy a fabulous cook; she’s a neat freak as well. All we have to do is the initial cabin cleaning, cut the grass once a week, look after the boats, and rinse out the fish buckets after the fish are cleaned. We may have to carry firewood for the cabin’s wood stoves and the campfires, but nothing else. The rest of the time is ours to fish or hike or just hang out on the beach. We can use the canoes in the afternoon when the guests are off doing other things.

You have to help Aunt Peggy in the kitchen. Did you forget about that?

That’s not a big deal, I respond.

Exhaling deeply, Do you ever stop talking?

It was late in the evening when Daddy dropped us off at the terminal in Ann Arbor. After waving goodbye, we board the bus and settled into the back row of seats so we can sleep without being disturbed. As the bus enters the expressway, I stare out the window into the darkness watching the traffic weaving in and out. With the hypnotic lights, the swaying of the bus, and the humming of the tires, I’m soon lulled to sleep.

Much later, its Paul turning over that wakes me in the predawn hours. My gaze is drawn to the eastern horizon where the dark sky is turning soft amber. Gazing down the aisle, I see we’ve picked up numerous passengers during the night. With Paul still asleep, I leaned back and close my eyes. With the mesmerizing humming of the tires, my mind wanders to thoughts of the coming adventure.

Before long we reach the city of Cheboygan and enter the terminal. The bus stops in front of Gate 2 and we get off. Tracing the crowd, He’s late, I suggest. He said he’d be waiting in front of Gate 2.

It’s a long drive from the resort, Amy, anything could have happened. Paul sets his suitcase on the pavement and sits on it. I do the same. Before long the terminal empties and we find ourselves alone.

After a long hour of anxious waiting, Paul searches his pockets looking for Uncle John’s letter. It’s here, pointing to the letter, pick you up on the 17th in front of Gate 2 in Cheboygan.

But the letter’s not clear. It doesn’t say which month.

Furrowing his brow, I came in May last year.

Maybe we should call. Do you have the number?

No, but I can get it from information. If he doesn’t answer, we’ll take the bus to Marquette and then another to Copper Harbor and hitch a ride to the resort.

Nice plan, I scoff. What if they’re on the road?

How long are you prepared to wait? he scowls. If they’re still at home, I’ll tell Uncle John to pick us up in Copper Harbor. Paul stomps off.

I fight the urge to cry. I’m hungry and stressed, and as I suck back my emotions, I’m wondering if turning fifteen last month and taking this job was a good idea.

When Paul reappears, They didn’t answer so I left a message. I told him to meet us at the bus stop in Copper Harbor. The Copper Harbor bus doesn’t leave for another two hours so let’s have breakfast because I’m starving, and you must be too.

* * *

I know something’s amiss because Uncle John never did show up in Cheboygan and we were still there two hours later. It’s well past two in the afternoon by the time we reach Copper Harbor. When we get off the bus in front of the service station, Uncle John is still nowhere to be seen. A sinking feeling wells up in the pit of my stomach as Paul disappears into the general store. He returns wearing a scowl. There’s still no answer. Giving me a disgruntled look, Its five miles down the road. We’ll have to walk.

How do you know its five miles and what if they’re not home? I snap.

I know how to get into the lodge without a key, he answers abruptly, and are you forgetting, I’ve spent the last four summers working at the Angler’s Arm? I know Copper Harbor, the road, and where the lodge is. If you’d rather camp out here, be my guest but I’m going to the lodge.

I follow my fearless leader at a safe distance knowing he’s in a worse mood than I am. If the truth be known, he’s already sick of me and it’s only the beginning of summer.

Following the winding gravel road through the stunted forest as the sun warms us and a gentle breeze out of the west makes the journey tolerable. Except for my suitcase getting heavier and heavier, the walk is spiritually calming.

Suddenly, a distant rattling catches my attention as a dilapidated truck comes our way. When the truck pulls beside us, a midget of a man asks, Need a lift?

The sound from the back of the truck indicates he’s a pig farmer. I cringe at the very thought of riding in the smelly broken-down wreck. Besides, the old man appears to be a hundred and four and is as filthy as his truck.

How far are you going? Paul asks.

Up the road a piece, the man answers.

Do you have room for us? as Paul’s eyes turn to our bags.

Tight, but we can manage, the old man answers. Throw your bags behind the seats."

Pete’s the name, he announces as I slide into the cab beside Paul. I picked up the feeders at the auction in Houghton early this morning. Looks like a good lot except for the runt. He’ll be the Labor Day barbecue.

We had only gone a short distance when Pete slammed on the