Missing: One Junior Ranger - Part 1

Hello FFFs,

Yes, I have a fiction story for you. Well, part of one anyway. I can't give you the entire thing all at once, you know.

How has your week been? Mine is busy, like usual. I've gotten some writing in, some reading in, and whole lot of other things done. I've been trying to work on blog posts for Read Another Page since I was pretty much doing them right before they needed to post instead of getting them scheduled ahead of time. I have done some test writing for someone who wants me to "ghost write" something for him. He made a DVD, got the transcript, and now wants the transcript turned into a book. No, it's not fiction. That would be fun. ;)

Last evening my nieces and nephews were all over and it was crazy. They were all a bit on the wound-up side except Busters. He was just tired. All the kids except 2 are going to be here again this evening. Political events.

This month has not been a very good writing month so far. I'm really hoping next month will be better. Oh, did you know Kate and I have started planning for our annual Five Fall Favorites blog party? Well, we did! And if you aren't on Goodreads, I'll have a link on my Read Another Page blog, on Tuesday, that you can sign up to be considered for a host in the party if you are interested. It isn't committing you to be a part, and it doesn't promise you a place either. It is just to see who might be interested in doing the party with us. So, if you have a blog, and want to be a part, don't forget to sign up.

And now, here's the first part of this story. Enjoy!

Missing: One Junior Ranger

Part 1

    Sharon wiggled her toes inside her shoes and tried to sit still. It was difficult, for the sun was shining brightly, the birds were all twittering and singing, and June’s warm weather had the flowers blooming in every direction across the meadow. Sharon knew that the shady forests would be cool and pleasant, and she could hardly wait until she was allowed to go.

    “Say to them that are or a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold your God will come . . . He will come and save you.” Uncle Ken continued reading, his glasses on the edge of his nose as he peered through them to see the fine print of his Bible. “No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there.”

    Why did Uncle Ken have to read something so solemn this morning? Sharon wondered, swinging her legs a little. The book of Isaiah always seemed dull to her. She much preferred Esther, Ruth, or Samuel. Who wanted to think about being afraid today? What was there to be afraid of? Oh, she knew in a general sort of way that there were wild animals in the national forest, but she’d never seen any in the two weeks since she had come out to spend the summer with her aunt and uncle.

    Already she felt at home among the inhabitants of the small town of Little Falls where the population was sixty-three. The children had welcomed Sharon warmly, and in a matter of days she had become a member of the Junior Rangers. Smiling slightly, she glanced down at the image of Smoky Bear on the front of her teeshirt.

    “Sharon,” Aunt Penny’s soft voice brought Sharon back from her dreams with a guilty start.

    Glancing quickly from her aunt to her uncle, Sharon folded her hands and bowed her head as her uncle prayed. He thanked the Lord for the day and asked a blessing on each member of the family, adding, “And Lord, please keep the Junior Rangers safe on their camping trip, and may they walk with You. In Jesus Name, amen.”

    “Amen,” Sharon echoed. She was free! Her eyes sparkled with eagerness. “Can I go to the fort now?”

    The children of Little Falls had converted the old stockade into their special clubhouse. In it they held meetings, planned outings, kept their camping gear and canoes, and even stabled the horses there during the summer months when they used them the most. The adults of Little Falls and of the few houses surrounding the town smiled and treated the Junior Rangers and their fort with respect, for they all worked hard, followed the rules, and had a radio if they needed to call for help.

    “Can I go now?” Sharon asked again.

    Aunt Penny laughed. “Not yet, dear, it’s still early. You all aren’t supposed to leave until after lunch, are you?”

    “No, but we have to get ready. Tessie, Angie, and I are going to share a tent, and I don’t want to be late.”

    Uncle Ken rose from his chair. “What about your chores, Sharon?”

    “I already made my bed and picked up my clothes.”

    “Right after lunch you may leave,” Aunt Penny said. “I’ll even drive you over to the fort if you want.”

    Sharon shook her head. “No, thanks. I can walk.”

    “Listen, Sharon,” Aunt Penny laid a hand on her niece’s shoulder, “I’ll tell you what. If you’ll water the flowers in the flowerbeds for me, I’ll fix you an early lunch and then you can be on your way.”

    A smile brightened Sharon’s face. “All right.” At least she was going to be outside. And she really didn’t mind watering the flowers.

    At last lunch was over, and Sharon was free to go. Her things for the overnight trip were already at the fort, and all Sharon had to take was her canteen full of water. With a goodbye hug to her aunt, Sharon hurried out of the door.

    “Are you sure you know the way to the fort from here, Sharon? You’ve never gone alone before.”

    “I’m sure, Aunt Penny. I just have to follow the road, then take the trail where the large rocks are and follow it to the other side of the forest. Then it’s an easy walk over the hill, back to the road, and then to the fort. See, I know.”

    “All right, but be careful. And have fun, Sharon!”

    “I will! See you tomorrow!” With a wave, Sharon started off down the rutted path which marked the road, leaving her aunt behind on the stoop. Uncle Ken had left while Sharon was watering the flowers. “If Mom and Dad could see me now,” Sharon thought, turning off the road to the forest trail, “they probably wouldn’t recognize me. I don’t feel shy here like I do back in the city. Maybe that’s because there aren’t as many people out here.” She gave a little skip of pleasure.

    The leaves of the towering trees provided a pleasant shade from the summer sun, and Sharon stopped now and then to look around or to stroke the needles of the pines and smell their enchanting aroma. It was the first time Sharon had ever been completely alone in the forest before, and it gave her a queer feeling of daring and bravery.

Have you ever gone to stay with relatives for the summer?

Have you ever been alone in the woods or forest?

Are you excited about the Five Fall Favorites party?