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These Haunted Hills: Book 2
Por JanCarol
Acciones del libro
Comenzar a leerLongitud: 109 página1 hora
- Editorial:
- Mountain Girl Press
- Publicado:
- Aug 20, 2020
- ISBN:
- 9781950895786
- Formato:
- Libro
Descripción
These Haunted Hills is a collection of short stories that tease the readers' curiosity of the supernatural. With the Appalachian region as a backdrop, each story brings fictional characters to life with intertwining moments of mystery, humor, and a reality check of the beating heart. A group of talented authors has created a delightful, haunting read in a non-cookie cutter, invigorating style that each reader will enjoy! Each story brings its own intriguing and engaging moment of excitement and thoughtfulness.
Acciones del libro
Comenzar a leerInformación sobre el libro
These Haunted Hills: Book 2
Por JanCarol
Longitud: 109 página1 hora
Descripción
These Haunted Hills is a collection of short stories that tease the readers' curiosity of the supernatural. With the Appalachian region as a backdrop, each story brings fictional characters to life with intertwining moments of mystery, humor, and a reality check of the beating heart. A group of talented authors has created a delightful, haunting read in a non-cookie cutter, invigorating style that each reader will enjoy! Each story brings its own intriguing and engaging moment of excitement and thoughtfulness.
- Editorial:
- Mountain Girl Press
- Publicado:
- Aug 20, 2020
- ISBN:
- 9781950895786
- Formato:
- Libro
Acerca del autor
JC![]()
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Vista previa del libro
These Haunted Hills - JanCarol
books.
5
The Straight Back Chair
Jan Howery
(While this story is fiction, the tale is based on an actual event.)
It was beginning to snow as Pa snapped the whip high in the air toward the harnessed horses. They jumped forward, pulling the wagon along. I won’t be long!
Pa yelled to Ma.
Ma stood in the doorway of their old farmhouse. Be careful, and don’t forget the coffee and sugar. And it may turn bad with this snow, so hurry along,
she answered.
Their farm was only three miles outside town. Pa was making his usual weekly run to the store, but this trip was special. Pa needed to buy Ma a birthday gift.
It wasn’t just Ma’s birthday; Christmas was in the air. With Christmas only five days away, the tree was already decorated. Ma and Pa had agreed to buy an award-winning cow for their Christmas gift to each other, so there were just a few gifts under the tree. But Ma’s birthday was the next day. Ma was always agreeable to buying gifts for the farm for Christmas gifts to each other, but she expected something personal for her birthday.
The horses didn’t need guidance to know the way to town. With each clip-a-clop of the horse’s hoofs, Pa got more lost in thought. With their finances so tight, Pa didn’t know what to buy Ma for her birthday. He wanted to get her something for the house and make it special, but he didn’t have much money.
He was deep in thought when the horses and the wagon rounded a curve and came to a sudden stop. Whoa! What’s the problem?
Pa yelled.
Pa looked around the horses, and to his amazement, he saw a straight back wooden chair in the middle of the road. Even with the gentle snowing falling, there were no tracks on the road, and it didn’t appear that it had been dropped by another traveler.
Pa jumped off the wagon and walked over to the chair, brushed off the snow, and saw a beautiful red velvet cushion seat. The chair was made of solid walnut, with ornate carvings in the back. It looked brand new. Pa looked around, but didn’t see anyone or any indication of how it was possible that the chair had been dropped. It was just there.
Pa continued to brush off the snow and dirt, and realized that this chair was an answer to his dilemma. This is the perfect gift for Ma for her birthday, he thought. But first, I’ll have to make sure it doesn’t belong to anyone.
As Pa ran his errands in town, he asked folks about the chair. No one claimed it. When he stopped to buy the coffee, sugar, and other things at the local store, the store owner saw it and said, That’s sure a good-looking straight back chair you got in your wagon. Where did you buy it?
I found it,
Pa answered.
Found it? Well, it looks like you got yourself a nice chair!
Pa was so proud. Sure do! Do you have a red bow? I want to give it to Ma,
Pa asked the store owner.
The store owner went to the back of the store and returned with a big red bow. This matches its red velvet.
Yup. Sure does!
Pa said. How much do I owe you?
Oh, nothing! Merry Christmas!
the store owner said with a smile.
Pa thanked him and headed home. Ma’s going to be so surprised, Pa thought.
The snow had accumulated by the time Pa got home. He unhooked the harnesses and put the horses and the wagon in the barn. He took the wagon’s canvas cover and pulled it over the chair. I’ll surprise her in the morning, he thought with a smile.
The next morning, Ma and Pa awoke to see a deep snow, getting deeper; the snow was still falling. Looks like we’re in for a big snow this Christmas,
Pa said. Sure hope the neighbors, Mary Lou and Kent, are going to be able to be here Christmas Eve.
Well, I sure hope so,
Ma said. I’m fixin’ enough food for the whole town.
I guess I better go out and check on all the lanterns to be sure we will have lots of light,
Pa said.
Make sure we have enough wood for the fireplaces,
Ma reminded him as he headed out the door.
Ma figured that Pa had forgotten her birthday since he left without saying anything about it. She felt sort of sad, but she knew that he had been busy trying to get an additional stall built in the barn for the new cow.
Ma was putting a cake in the oven when there was a knock at the door. She quickly wiped her hands on her apron and walked over to answer it. Ma opened the door and to her surprise, there sat a beautiful straight back wooden chair, with a big red bow.
Oh, my word!
Ma said loudly. Where did this come from?
She picked up the chair and carried it into the living room. She ran back to the door, looked out and yelled, Pa?! You there?!
Pa stepped out from around the corner of the house and yelled, Happy birthday!
Thank you! I love it!
Ma screamed.
Both walked back inside to the living room. The chair seemed to glow, it was so beautiful. I love this chair,
Ma said. I’m not sure where I’m going to put it. It’s so beautiful. Are you sure we can afford this?
Ma asked.
Now, Ma. Don’t you worry! It’s your birthday!
Pa proudly said.
Ma loved the chair. She set it in the living room, then the bedroom, and then moved it back to the living room. She couldn’t make up her mind where to place it.
The morning of Christmas Eve, Ma was busy in the kitchen preparing food when she turned around and almost fell over the straight back chair. What! What are you doing in here?
she asked. Pa, did you bring this chair in here? I set it in the living room. Pa? Did you hear me?
What did you say?
Pa asked. I just walked in.
Well, how many times do I have to ask you the same question?
Ma asked.
They heard a faint knock. *tap, tap* Pa, there’s someone at the door. Go see who it is,
Ma instructed.
Pa walked to the front door and opened it wide, but there was no one. Pa stepped outside, looked around, and quickly turned back inside. It’s cold out there. I didn’t see anyone. It must have been the wind,
Pa said.
Ma asked, What time is it, Pa?
There was another knock, three taps this time. *tap, tap, tap*
Pa answered, Ma, it’s three o’clock. Guests will be arriving in about an hour.
Pa, I heard another knock at the door. Are you sure there’s no one there?
Ma asked.
Pa went back to the door, and this time he saw the neighbors arriving in their horse-drawn sleigh. They and their four children had arrived early.
Ma, Mary Lou, Kent, and the kids are here,
Pa announced.
Well, tell ’em to come on in, and I’ll go get changed into my dress,
Ma said. Ma noticed that the chair was no longer in the kitchen. Pa must have put the chair back in the living room, she thought.
Christmas Eve was a joyful time for Ma and Pa, with singing, opening gifts, and eating. More neighbors stopped by, bringing cakes, candies, and homemade gifts, and the celebration lasted well into the morning of Christmas Day. It had stopped snowing and the sun was shining brightly by the time Ma and Pa went to bed. They slept until almost 2:00 p.m., when Ma awoke. Pa, it’s late afternoon. It’s time we get out of bed. There’re chores to be done,
Ma said.
That was one of the best Christmases we’ve ever had,
Pa said as he stirred. He stepped out of bed and tripped over the straight back chair, somehow sitting next to the bed. Did you put that chair there?
Pa asked.
Ma sat up in
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