The Hollow Tree at Dead Mule Swamp (7 page)

"Maybe," Jimmie admitted
reluctantly.

"Well, here's my good
news," Adele said.

"Yes?"

"I've been talking with Glenn
Erickson."

"The Habitat for Humanity guy?"
I asked.

"Exactly. He thinks this will
be one of their most worthy projects ever. They are going to fix up that old
house at 714 N. Dogwood Street for Dee and Jimmie. It's right on the edge of
town."

"I know where it is!"
Jimmie exclaimed. "I already cleaned up the empty cans there. It's got
woods in back and a big yard. We could have chickens and a pony."

"What would you do with a
pony? You're going to be too big for one before long," Adele said.

"Beth and Lindsey will come,
at least for the summers, and we will be the Three Branch Ranch."

"I hope so," I replied.
"I hope so."

Adele had just one more topic on
her mind. "Ana, you really will call Jerry Caulfield, won't you?"

"Oh, all right. I suppose it
will be better than having someone make up a story about what happened."

"You know, he likes you."

"Adele, for heaven's
sake!"

"Just promise me that if he
asks you on a date, you'll go."

This was really too much to take,
especially with Jimmie there. I said, "I'll think about it."

"Ana," Adele warned,
"you are thinking about way too many things. It's time to do
something."

About the Author

Joan Young has enjoyed the
out-of-doors her entire life. Highlights of her outdoor adventures include Girl
Scouting, which provided yearly training in camp skills, the opportunity to
engage in a ten-day canoe trip, and numerous short backpacking excursions. She
was selected to attend the 1965 Senior Scout Roundup in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, an international event to which 10,000 girls were invited. She has ridden a bicycle
from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean in 1986, and on August 3, 2010 became
the first woman to complete the North Country National Scenic Trail on foot.
Her mileage totaled 4395 miles. She often writes about her outdoor experiences.

Recently, she has begun
writing more fiction, with several award-winning short stories awaiting
publication at
Twin Trinity Media
.
News
from Dead Mule Swamp
was her debut novel of the Anastasia Raven mystery
series.