The Secret of Sentinel Rock (16 page)

“Watch your manners, young lady,” she said as Emily felt her face turn hot with embarrassment. “Oh, go on. Take it, now that you’ve touched it.”

Then Emily saw the twinkle in the older lady’s ­eyes.

“I was young once too,” she observed with a wry ­smile.

Emily snatched it up again and turned to the window at the sound of a vehicle driving into the yard. Gerald Ferguson stepped out of his ­half-­ton and sauntered over to the door. He never seemed to be in a ­hurry.

“Good day,” he said, removing his cap and stepping inside when he found his knock answered immediately. “I’m glad to see you’re all here. I wanted to talk a little business.”

He settled into a chair and sat silent for a few moments as if collecting his thoughts. Then in his slow, purposeful manner, he told them he’d been talking to the manager at the Credit Union the day before. “I thought about what you suggested, Kate,” he nodded at her, “and I talked it over with the wife – and if you people could hold off until fall, I’d like to buy the farm.”

Emily widened her eyes and stared at her mother as Mr. Ferguson continued. A faint smile crossed Kate’s face, and Aunt Liz winked at Emily. When Emily started to say something to her mother, Kate held a finger up to her ­lips.

Listening quietly, Emily felt relief flood through her. Although the aunts and Emily’s mother would have to check with the other family members who had inherited it jointly, they were sure this would be ­agreeable.

Emily barely took note of the discussion that followed between her mother and aunts. But she did hear them mention something about saving a great deal in advertising and inconvenience, even though they would still go ahead with the auction. It seemed Gerald Ferguson didn’t need any of the ­equipment.

Nor would he and his family take over the old stone house, because they’d just built a new one on their home place. Emily was ecstatic when he proposed that any time any of Mary Renfrew’s family wanted, they were welcome to come and stay at their old ­home.

Emily would still be able to visit the farm and wander over the prairie to her favourite rock! She felt a smile break out on her face. She darted across the room to hug her mother. Kate smiled and hugged her back. Emily’s heart lightened as she bounced out the door and headed to the ­pasture.

The sun streamed through wisps of clouds illuminating the meadow in brilliant colours. A scattering of crocuses still dotted the landscape amid hundreds of dandelions and the small white flowers of early field chickweed. As she strolled along her favourite grassy path, Emily tried imitating the songs of the ­red-­winged blackbirds and yellow warblers that flitted past her. She stopped often, wanting to remember every moment of this walk. She couldn’t believe her good fortune. Although she was devastated because Emma had died and there was no longer any reason to shift back to the past, Emily was thrilled that she’d still be able to visit the ­farm.

Once she arrived at the rock, Emily stood back and gazed at its grandeur for a few moments. Carefully she scaled the back side and tiptoed across the top ledge. She sat, allowing her legs to dangle over the side, and felt the wind gently lift her hair. Then she closed her eyes until she felt an inner ­calm.

Around her she sensed the warm presence of a smiling older woman and a laughing young girl, together for all time. And Emily knew that if the farm was gone for good some day, the memories and feelings she had experienced here were locked forever in her heart. And if she ever felt lonely or needed solace, all she had to do was return to her beloved ­prairie.

Slipping back down, Emily hugged the rock one last time. Then she headed for home as a meadowlark sang its ­flute-­like tune nearby. And the wind sighed as if it too were saying good-­bye.

About the Author

Judith Silverthorne
is the author of five previous books, including the sequel to this one,
The Secret of the Stone House
, which was a finalist for the Saskatchewan Book Award for Children’s Literature in 2005. The books in her Dinosaur series,
Dinosaur Hideout,
Dinosaur Breakout,
and
Dinosaur Steakout,
have also been listed for several awards.

Judith Silverthorne works as a writer, film producer, and cultural administrator in Regina. For more information on Judith and her work, consult her Web site at:
www.judithsilverthorne.ca.

Coteau Books began to develop the
From Many Peoples
series of novels for young readers over a year ago, as a celebration of Saskatchewan’s Centennial. We looked for stories that would illuminate life in the province from the viewpoints of young people from different cultural groups and we’re delighted with the stories we found.

We’re especially happy with the unique partnership we have been able to form with the LaVonne Black Memorial Fund in support of
From Many Peoples
. The Fund was looking for projects it could support to honour a woman who had a strong interest in children and their education, and decided that the series was a good choice. With their help, we are able to provide free books to every school in the province, tour the authors across the province, and develop additional materials to support schools in using
From Many Peoples
titles.

This partnership will bring terrific stories to young readers all over Saskatchewan, honour LaVonne Black and her dedication to the children of this province, and help us celebrate Saskatchewan’s Centennial. Thank you to everyone involved.

Nik Burton

Managing Editor, Coteau Books

Lavonne Black

My sister LaVonne was born in Oxbow, Saskatchewan, and grew up on a small ranch near Northgate. She spent a lot of time riding horses and always had a dog or a cat in her life. LaVonne’s favourite holiday was Christmas. She loved to sing carols and spoil children with gifts. People were of genuine interest to her. She didn’t care what you did for a living, or how much money you made. What she did care about was learning as much about you as she could in the time she had with you.

We are proud of our LaVonne, a farm girl who started school in a one-room schoolhouse and later presented a case to the Supreme Court of Canada. Her work took her all over Saskatchewan, and she once said that she didn’t know why some people felt they had to go other places, because there is so much beauty here. LaVonne’s love and wisdom will always be with me. She
taught me that what you give of yourself will be
returned to you, and that you should love, play, and live with all your heart.

LaVonne felt very strongly about reading and education, and the LaVonne Black Memorial Fund and her family hope that you enjoy this series of books.

Trevor L. Black, little brother

Chair, LaVonne Black Memorial Fund

LaVonne Black was a tireless advocate for children in her years with the Saskatchewan School Boards Associa-tion. Her dedication, passion, and commitment were best summed up in a letter she wrote to boards of education one month before her death, when she announced her decision to retire:

“I thank the Association for providing me with twenty-three years of work and people that I loved. I was blessed to have all that amid an organization with a mission and values in which I believed. School trustees and the administrators who work for them are special people in their commitment, their integrity, and their caring. I was truly blessed and am extremely grateful for the opportunities and experiences I was given.”

LaVonne was killed in a car accident on July 19, 2003. She is survived by her daughter, Jasmine, and her fiancé, Richard. We want so much to thank her for all she gave us. Our support for this book series,
From Many Peoples,
is one way to do this. Thank you to everyone who has donated to her Memorial Fund and made this project possible.

Executive, Staff, and member boards of
The Saskatchewan School Boards Association