River's Song - The Inn at Shining Waters Series

by Melody Carlson

  Anna hugged him. "I feel like the luckiest woman in the world right now."

  "Looks like that's it for now." Henry was getting back on his boat, while the other guests gathered their bags.

  "You won't be late for the wedding, will you, Henry?"

  He winked at her. "You know I won't, Anna."

  As Henry's boat pulled out, Hazel introduced Anna to the other members of their party, a small combination of family friends and relatives. Everyone seemed happy and congenial and Anna, delighted to play hostess, showed them to their rooms.

  By noon, the skies, as Babette and Henry had predicted, began to clear. It was around one when Anna put out a simple buffet lunch for the guests. It was the only thing that Babette had allowed Anna to do, and when it was time to clean it up, others jumped in and told Anna to go take a nap. Of course, Anna felt anything but sleepy today. Plus she was anxious to see Lauren. But after Babette promised to get her when Lauren arrived, Anna agreed to retire to her room, where she dozed off.

  The wedding was scheduled for five and Lauren arrived with the last group at a little past four. "I can't believe how much this place has changed," Lauren told Anna as they dressed for the wedding in Anna's room. The plan was for Lauren to be Anna's maid of honor. Marshall would stand with Clark. "It's really nice now, Mom."

  Anna beamed at her daughter. "I'm so glad you like it—and so glad you made it finally."

  "Grandmother wasn't too pleased," Lauren said as she pulled layers of pale blue taffeta over her head and into place.

  "Yes, she communicated that to me." Anna helped fasten the back of Lauren's gown.

  "No talk of that woman," Babette said firmly. "This day ees for happy only."

  "Oh, you look beautiful,"Anna told Lauren. "That color is lovely with your eyes."

  Lauren smiled. "Donald likes me in blue, too."

  Anna just nodded.

  Now Babette insisted that Anna tell Lauren the story about her great-grandparents and the pearl. And after Anna finished the tale and showed her daughter the ring Clark had given her, Babette pulled out a lovely strand of pearls and matching earrings—ones that Anna had seen her wear off and on over the years.

  "Oh, Babette!"Anna shook her head. "No, no—I can't wear your pearls!"

  "Oh, Mom, they're so perfect with your dress," Lauren told her as she admired the pearls. "You have to wear them."

  "Remember they say something old, something new," Babette told her. "The pearls will be something borrowed . . .at least for today."

  So Anna agreed and Babette fastened them around her neck.

  "But what about something blue?" Lauren asked.

  Anna hugged her daughter. "You are my blue. Your eyes and your dress." And, Anna thought, she also had the river for blue . . . and Clark's eyes.

  "Perfect!" Babette proclaimed.

  The wedding ceremony was perfect too. Anna knew it wouldn't be everyone's ideal of perfect. Someone like Eunice would surely turn up her nose at the homey gathering alongside the Siuslaw, the string quartet of high school kids playing slightly off-key, the flowers from local gardens along the river, or old Henry Ackerman wearing a crooked bowtie walking Anna down the "Aisle."

  But to Anna everything was absolute perfection. And when she and Clark exchanged vows, with the sparkling river stretching out beyond them, they both had tears of joy in their eyes. The dinner of salmon and roast beef was delicious and the wedding cake, baked by Dorothy's mother, was a bit lopsided, but very tasty. Everything about the wedding and reception was so delightful and so wonderful that Anna felt slightly guilty for not enjoying it more.

  However, all she could think about on this special day was that she had just become Mrs. Clark Richards—a man she loved with every fiber of her being. A man who loved her equally—perhaps even more than equally. Clark loved her so much—and he loved her river so much—that he had chosen to relocate his life to her river. Their river now. And he'd assured her, again and again, that he was thrilled to do so.

  After guests made a final toast to the happy wedding couple and after the couple changed into traveling clothes, they were paraded by their guests down to the motorboat, which Lauren and some of the others had decorated with streamers and balloons, and Henry, acting as their captain, welcomed them aboard. Waving goodbye to their family and friends, the couple was now transported down the shining river as the sun slowly set, painting the sky in shades of pink and coral and lavender.

  "Thank you for sharing your life and your river with me," Clark told her as he held her close in the back of the boat.

  "Thank you," she told him, "for being the man I wanted to share it with."

  "You know that you've made me the happiest man in the world, my Anna Pearl."

  "That makes us a perfectly matched pair."

  "Listen," she quietly told him, "And you can hear the river singing its song."

  He pulled her closer.

  He paused to listen, then smiled. "I think the river is happy too."

  Discussion Questions

  Anna's story begins on a somber note. Not much is going right in her life. And yet she still seems to have a smidgen of hope. Why do you think that is? Can you relate?

  Not uncommon in Native American philosophy, the river is almost like a character in this story. Describe why you think Anna was so moved by it. Have you ever been moved by a geographical location? Explain.

  Like many Americans in this melting-pot country, Anna's heritage is diverse. How do you think that was helpful or harmful to her?

  Describe what you think Marion (Anna's mother) and Pearl's (Anna's grandmother) relationship was like when Marion was younger.

  Anna remembers how her family had to "make do" during the Depression, lamenting that it's too bad people don't live like that today. What is something you'd like to "return" to if you could?

  It required a full cast of friends to help Anna heal and take a proactive role in her own life. Which relationships did you think were most valuable and why?

  Not much is mentioned about why Eunice is Eunice, but we know she has a story too (which you'll hear more about in book 2). Why do you think she was so bitter and bigoted and hateful?

  Racial divisions aren't uncommon in our country (especially historically). So what was it that helped Anna, and those around her, to knock down those walls?

  Lauren comes across as somewhat frothy and superficial. Why do you think she's like this? Do you think it's possible that she'll change? Explain.

  In some ways, Clark is Anna's knight in shining armor. How did you react when he proposed to her? Do you think he should've done it differently?

  Anna believes the river has healing properties. Some say Anna has a healing touch too. This is understandable in Native American culture, but what is your reaction to it?

  Grandma Pearl's stories (which are compilations of the writer's imagination as well as some elements of authentic Native American stories) sometimes seemed relevant to the story. Could you relate to any of them? Which one and why?

  Ultimately, Anna finds herself by returning to the river. Do you think there are reasons that we learn more about ourselves when we return to the places of our youth? Why or why not?

  Bonus Chapter from Book 2 of

  The Inn at Shining Waters Series

  River's Call

  1

  Anna's dugout canoe sliced a quiet path through the glasslike surface of the river. Today the Siuslaw was the color of topaz, reflecting the autumnal shades of trees along its edges. The maple leaves fluctuated from green to gold to rusty red. Anna had just turned the canoe around, paddling back to the inn where she would start breakfast, when the silvery form of a good-sized fish shot out of the water. Soaring more than a foot up, it arched, gracefully coming down with a quiet splash. The third one she'd seen this morning.

  Spawning season had begun. The salmon were beginning their annual migration upriver, and in a day or two the whole river would be hopping with them, with fishermen not far behind. Gr
andma Pearl used to say that the salmon were practicing their jumping skills, getting strong enough to make it up mountain streams and small waterfalls so that they could lay their eggs in the same spots their ancestors had been procreating their young for hundreds of years.

  October had always been Anna's favorite month on the river. With mild weather, good fishing, harvest moons, and gorgeous sunsets, it was hard to beat. And this year—her first October back on the Siuslaw in twenty years—she was sharing this time with Clark. Only two weeks since returning from their honeymoon, Anna and Clark had already fallen into a comfortable pattern. He was nearly finished with the first cabin and she was enjoying puttering around, putting up garden produce, visiting with neighbors, and being a wife again.

  She had just come into the house when she heard the phone ringing. Surprised that someone would call this early in the morning, she hurried to answer it. Perhaps it was a guest wanting to book a room. So far the guests had been few, but both she and Clark agreed that was a blessing in disguise because it allowed them more time to enjoy being newlyweds.

  "Mom?" It was Lauren and she sounded upset.

  "Yes, dear, it's me. How are you?"

  "Not good, Mom. Not good at all."

  "Oh, dear, are you sick?"Anna had heard there was a bad case of influenza going around in the cities. Lauren had been on campus less than a month; surely she wasn't sick.

  "I don't know . . . maybe."

  A wave of worry washed over Anna. She remembered the time when Lauren had been seriously ill with scarlet fever as a young child. "Tell me what's wrong, Lauren. What are your symptoms?"

  "I've been throwing up and I just feel awful."

  "Oh, dear, that sounds like influenza. Do other students have it too?"

  "I don't know."

  "Maybe you should go to the doctor."

  "I don't know who to go to here."

  "What about your sorority mother, can she help you?"

  "Mrs. Ellis is just horrible, Mom. She's a real witch. Everyone hates her."

  Anna controlled herself from correcting her daughter. "Well, is there a clinic on campus you can go to?"

  "I don't know, Mom." Now Lauren was starting to cry.

  "I'll talk to Clark,"Anna said quickly. "Maybe he can bring me up there and we'll figure out what's going on with you."

  "OK." Lauren's voice sounded weak now.

  "You'll be all right until I get there?"

  "Yeah, I'm going back to bed."

  "Good. Stay warm. And I'll call your dorm and leave a message about when we'll arrive." As soon as she hung up, Anna ran outside to where Clark was just coming up the stairs.

  "Good morn—" He stopped, studying her closely. "What's wrong?"

  She quickly explained and Clark, without questioning her, said he'd be ready to go as soon as they had some breakfast. As she hurried to cook eggs and toast, she told Clark about the time Lauren had been sick with scarlet fever. "She was so little and so ill." Anna set his plate in front of him. "And her fever was so high I really thought we were going to lose her." She sighed as she went for her own plate. "Even after she recovered there was some concern about heart problems. Although she's been fairly healthy since then. Until now."

  "Don't worry, honey." He patted her hand. "We'll be there by this afternoon and we'll stay as long as you like."

  "Or maybe we can bring her home with us."

  "Sure. If you think she'll be comfortable in the pickup." He frowned. "Times like this make me wish I had a car instead."

  Now Anna thought hard. "I wonder if Dorothy might be able to help. She lives near the college. If she could bring Lauren here in her car." Already Anna was heading for the phone.

  "If Dorothy can bring her, Lauren could be here by this afternoon," Clark pointed out. "Then you could nurse her back to health."

  "Yes,"Anna said eagerly. She was already dialing the operator. Before long, Dorothy was on the other end of the line and Anna explained the dilemma. "I hate to bother you, but—"

  "It's no bother," Dorothy told her.

  "But I hadn't considered—what if she has something contagious."

  Dorothy laughed. "Don't you worry. I'm strong as a horse. My girls come home sick with illnesses every year and I never seem to catch a thing."

  "OK . . . if you're sure."

  "You just give me the details of where she's at and I'll head over there straightaway. I'll pack blankets and pillows and maybe a thermos of tea. My girls are in school. And even if they get home before I do, they're capable of being by themselves for a few hours. And Ralph gets home by six. Really, I'd enjoy the drive, Anna. Don't give it another thought. I might even stay into the weekend, if you have the room."

  "Of course. You know you're always welcome here." Now Anna told Dorothy the address on campus and they estimated the time she'd arrive in town. "I'll meet you at the grocery store,"Anna promised. "I need to get some things anyway."

  Next, Anna called Lauren's sorority and explained to Mrs.Ellis that Lauren was ill and that her friend Dorothy would arrive there soon to pick her up.

  "She's sick?" Mrs. Ellis sounded surprised as well as a bit grumpy.

  "Yes. I think it may be influenza. She's been vomiting."

  "This is the first I've heard of it."

  "Yes, well, it may have just come on her this morning. She can stay with us through the weekend and we'll see how it goes. Perhaps she'll be well enough to return to classes sometime next week. But if she's contagious, it might be best if she's not there."

  "Yes, that sounds wise. I'll let Lauren know your friend is coming."

  Anna hung up the phone and returned to the table where Clark was just filling her coffee cup. "Sounds like you've got it all worked out."

  "Yes." She sighed and sat down. "Thank goodness for Dorothy."

  "I wouldn't mind driving up there, but for Lauren's sake, I'm glad Dorothy can transport her." He patted Anna's hand." Now, try not to worry."

  "Yes . . . you're right. Worrying doesn't help anything."

  "But this does make me wonder if now that I'm a married man, I should consider getting us a car."

  "But the road is so terrible, Clark."

  He nodded. "We could keep the car parked in town. That way if there was an emergency, we'd zip down in the boat and have a car to use."

  "Oh, I don't think we really need a car."

  "But what about when you have guests at the inn. Perhaps you'll want a car if you want to pick them up or take them somewhere, Anna. You never know."

  Anna was embarrassed now. "I don't even know how to drive, Clark."

  He chuckled. "Well, I've seen you handle a boat. I'm sure you'd be just fine behind the wheel of a car too."

  She smiled. "It might be nice to know how to drive."

  "Then we will see that you do."

  "I just hope I don't put you through too much stress. I remember how Eunice complained when Lauren was learning to drive."

  Now he told her about teaching Marshall to drive a couple of years ago. "And that boy had a lead foot and an attitude to go with it. I'm sure teaching you will be a piece of cake."

  After the breakfast things were cleaned up, Anna went to work getting things ready for Lauren. Although the weather had been temperate, she decided to put a heating pad in the bed for her, as well as an extra quilt. She also put a water pitcher and glass on the bedside table, as well as a small vase of garden flowers. Then she made a grocery list and called in her order, saying she would pick them up around two.

  To keep herself from worrying about Lauren, she decided to make some of Lauren's favorite childhood foods, including baked custard and snickerdoodle cookies. Staying busy was good medicine for her, because she began to look forward to Lauren's visit—focusing more on the time they'd get to spend together—rather than fretting over her being sick. She was so thankful that Lauren had called her—not her paternal grandmother, Eunice. That alone gave Anna great hope that their relationship was already much improved. What Anna's est
ranged mother-in-law would have to say about this when she found out (and knowing Eunice she would find out) was beyond Anna's control.

  As Anna removed the last batch of cookies from the oven, she mentally compared Clark's mother, Hazel, to Eunice. Could two women be more different? Strangely, Anna never met Adam's mother until after they had married—against his mother's will. But she had met Hazel even before she met Clark. Perhaps that was a better way to plan a successful marriage— meet the mother-in-law-to-be first.

  "Hello, darling!" Clark came up from behind her, slipping his arms around her waist and hugging her. "Smells good in here."

  "I'm keeping myself distracted by cooking." She turned around, kissed him, then handed him a warm cookie.

  "Am I a lucky man or am I a lucky man?" He grinned and took a bite. "Yummy."

  "They're Lauren's favorites. I hope she'll feel up to having one."

  "Poor girl. I hope their trip is going smoothly."

  "I hope Dorothy thought to bring a bucket." Anna made a face. "In case Lauren gets sick, you know."

  He made a face. "Oh, I didn't even think of that. Anyway, if you like, I can pick them up in town. I put the full cover on the boat so it'll be warmer for the patient."

  "I planned to go,"Anna told him. "I've got groceries to pick up."

  "You want a hand?"

  She smiled. "I'd love it."

  "We could put a cot in the boat if you think she'll need to lie down."

  Anna nodded. "That's a good idea. And I'll get some blankets and things. And I already called Dr. Robertson. I explained that I wasn't sure what was wrong and he actually offered to come out and look at her."

  "A doctor who makes house calls?"

  She smiled. "He said he saw the article in the newspaper about our wedding. And he was so impressed with what he read about the inn that he's been wanting to come out and see it."

  "Aha! So an inn comes in handy for lots of things."