The Edenbury Chronicles - Vol 2 - Chapter 23

Friday night, Bruce Davies pulled the RV into the parking lot of the Ames Hill Motel. Lucy had called ahead to see if they could park overnight, and before long, Mr. Barney knocked on the door of the motorhome. Lucy greeted him.

“It’s so good to see you again,” she said. “Thank you for allowing us to park here.”

“And for sending the helpful letters in the mail,” added Zeke. 

Zeke went around the camper and introduced everyone to Mr. Barney.

“Folks, there are some executives here from The Winholder Group, and they’re not too happy about everything going on in the press,” announced Mr. Barney. “They are prepared to wrap things up this weekend and be done with Ames Hill for good.”

“You’ve taken a great risk by helping our group, Mr. Barney,” said Stephanie. “We don’t know how this is going to end, but we are thankful for you and the information.”

Mr. Barney looked around at the group from Edenbury. “Thank you for what you are doing,” he replied. “I hope there is a positive outcome.”

Zeke opened the door for Mr. Barney and shook his hand. “We’ll be leaving early in the morning, but we hope to see you again.”

Before they settled down for the night, the group spent time passing around Olivia’s notes from all the phone calls taken at the Chronicle.

“I put them all in a spreadsheet,” she explained. “They are organized alphabetically by topic with a separate list by town.”

“How many calls did you end up taking this week?” asked Father Vance.

Olivia looked over her work. “Including messages, seventy-four in total.”

Stephanie handed one of the papers to Eric. “Other news networks are now talking about your article,” she said. “How do you feel about that?”

“It’s rewarding,” Eric replied. “They all want to interview me.”

“Are you going to talk to them?”

Eric turned to Zeke. “Just what Zeke recommended. I told them to meet me in Ames Hill tomorrow.”

“Speaking of tomorrow, let’s review the plan,” Zeke suggested. “We’ll need to split up in the morning. Mr. Davies will drop me, Lucy, and Eric in the center of town near the old Ames Hill nursing home. We’ll stay there while the mayor takes everyone else on to the festival at the paper mill.” 

“I’m here to help however I can,” Mr. Davies replied. “Even if it is just to drive. Plus, it feels great to get out of the house.”

Zeke continued. “I’m not entirely sure what we’re going to run into, so stay alert. Lord willing, we’ll be on our way back home tomorrow evening.”

—

June the fifth had finally arrived. As Mayor Davies drove the RV into Ames Hill, it seemed the rest of town was heading in the opposite direction. They pulled into a nearly abandoned main street near the bottom of the hill, where Zeke, Lucy, and Eric got out.

They watched as the motorhome turned around and headed off to the mill festival.

Lucy turned to Eric. “Last time we were here, we ended up in jail.”

“After taking all those calls this week, I would venture to say the political climate around here may be changing,” he replied. “But it would make for a good story, so count me in for whatever.”

The group found a bench in front of a shoe store. A sign hung in the window. 

Closed for Mill Festival. See You There!

“I feel a little silly sitting here,” said Zeke. “But if we’re right, a convoy of demolition vehicles will be arriving soon.”

Lucy looked down at the leather satchel next to Zeke.

“You haven’t used that in months,” she reported. “Special occasion?”

“Something like that.”

After about thirty minutes of sitting on the silent street, the sound of diesel trucks could be heard in the distance.

“This is it,” declared Zeke.

They watched as several flatbeds carrying bulldozers and backhoes came to a stop at the bottom of the hill. These were followed by two dump trucks.

From the other direction, a convoy of a different kind appeared. Several news vans and equipment trucks made the turn onto the main street. 

“This may be the first time I am excited to see them,” said Lucy.

Zeke, Lucy, and Eric rose from the bench and headed to the first tractor-trailer truck. Some of the men were already making their way to the front of the convoy, where they gathered around a man in a white hardhat labeled FOREMAN. Others stayed at the flatbeds removing chains from demolition vehicles.

When the leader spotted the group from Edenbury, he broke away from his meeting.

“We were told to expect some resistance. Are you the resistance?” the foreman asked. “How cute.” 

The other workers chuckled. 

Just then, three black sedans sped around the line of tractor-trailers. Everyone watched as security guards in riot gear exited the vehicles. 

The foreman turned back to Zeke, Lucy, and Eric. 

“Not that we’ll need it, but we brought some help,” he said. “And we have the permits and work orders to demolish the old mansion on that hill there. After that, we’ll be leveling the place for a new shopping center. There’s nothing to see here. You’re wasting your time.” 

As he talked, the news vans had parked on the street nearby, and technicians were starting to set up their equipment.

The foreman continued. “You’re not going to stop us, and neither are these news crews.”

Andrea Glenn stepped out of her van and waved to the group from Edenbury.

“We go live in five minutes, boys,” she said.

Andrea was joined by Dave Jenkins, and they both walked toward the front of the tractor-trailer convoy. Reporters from other networks followed them.

Zeke opened his satchel and handed a stack of papers to Eric. “Can you hand these out?” he asked. “There’s enough for everyone.”

Eric looked at the copies, then at the growing group of people now assembled at the foot of the hill.

“Certainly,” he replied.

The foreman stood next to the head of security.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, We understand you are wanted people around here,” he said as he watched Eric hand out papers. “But just who is that guy?”

“You don’t want to mess with him,” said Zeke.

“He has a typewriter,” Added Lucy.

Zeke handed copies to the foreman and head of security. He waited until the reporters all had copies as well.

“This property is listed as a federally protected historical landmark,” announced Zeke. 

“This is bogus,” declared the man, who then spoke into his two-way radio. “We have our orders and won’t be standing down.”

“The document on the back,” Zeke said as he turned his paper over, “shows the deed information associated with this property, prohibiting the alteration of the landscape.”

The foreman finally glanced down at the paper in his hand and then looked at the head of security.

“Gentlemen, I believe the group that hired you and your crews don’t know these documents exist, or they believe they can ignore them. Either way, you’re about to commit a serious felony. On national television.” 

As Zeke talked, crews began driving bulldozers off the flatbed trucks. The ground rumbled. 

“Get a picture of this,” yelled the foreman as he held the paper in the air.

Everyone watched as the man tore the paper in half. 

“We proceed!” he yelled and returned to his group of men. The head of security and several of his men positioned themselves between Zeke and the workers.

When the first bulldozer was about to ascend the driveway up the hill, a fine haze began to move over the ground. Accompanied by a distinct breeze, the gentle fog rolled over the entire area. It seemingly came out of nowhere but was quickly everywhere.

Zeke and Lucy exchanged a glance and a smile. 

Eric knelt down and reached his hand into the cloud forming around his ankles. His hand disappeared. “Is this what I think it is?” he asked.

“Yes, Eric,” replied Lucy. “It’s the mist.” 

“Turn that camera on,” Andrea said to one of her crew as she scanned the ground. “Are you getting this?”

As the anomaly around their feet thickened, demolition crews stopped to watch what was happening. The entire street was slowly filling with a dense, white mist. 

The foreman barked into his radio. “Get back to work!”

All six news crews scrambled to broadcast live on television. Reporters composed themselves as nationally televised programs were interrupted on all major networks and news outlets.

Demolition workers began tripping over curbs and other unseen obstacles. Laughter could be heard from more than one source submerged in the mist.

“I’m glad we brought a change of clothes,” said Lucy. 

Halfway up the hill to the old nursing home, the bulldozer came to a stop along with the backhoe behind it. The drivers stepped out to survey the situation. The foreman stepped away and muttered something into his two-way radio.

Now knee-high, waves of mist continued to roll in as reporters struggled to explain what was happening. They would alternate between the mansion on the hill being threatened and the mist, which was impeding the crews from proceeding. Reading the handout given to them by Eric, they tried to make sense of the historical landmark and deed documents. 

Eric began to make the rounds to answer questions posed by the various network reporters. Andrea Glenn was first, of course. By this time, only their upper torsos were visible. 

Up to their waists in what could be best described as a cloud.

Andrea smiled at the camera. “Ladies and gentlemen, we brought you exclusive coverage this week of the story of Edenbury, Kansas. We’re in Ames Hill today with a related story.” 

“Eric, this past week, you published a heartfelt piece about living in a miracle town,” Andrea said, looking down at the mist. “Is this what it's like?”

“You’re all getting to see it with me,” Eric replied. “We haven’t seen this since last fall. These men were sent here to destroy a place that has a miraculous background. I don’t think the mist is going to allow it.”

As the interview continued, the foreman and head of security waded through the mist in the background, complaining their pants were getting wet. 

Zeke and Lucy watched as Eric made the rounds with each of the news stations. The mist hovered just below the height of the cameras.

Zeke approached Andrea when she finished her broadcast.

“There’s somewhere else we need to be,” he said.

“You’re not concerned they might come back?” asked Andrea. 

“By the time the mist disappears, they’ll get confirmation about the historic register and the deed,” replied Zeke. “But there’s other news you’ll want to cover.”

“I’m all ears.”

“I’ll tell you about it, but you’ll have to give us a ride,” said Zeke. “We have a festival to catch.”

—

“Where do we park this thing, Mr. Davies?” asked Olivia as they turned into the fairgrounds.

“I’ve been here before,” he replied. “There’s an area for campers right in the middle of the action.”

The mill festival was in full swing by mid-morning with carnival rides, games, and agricultural competitions. The paper mill complex consisted of a series of buildings surrounding a large open area. A grandstand sat at one end of an open field where two trees stood on either side.

Once parked, Mr. Davies walked to the back of the motorhome, climbed a small ladder, and opened a hatch to the roof.

He called down to Olivia. “Young lady, please hand me one of those folding chairs.”

Father Vance and Stephanie watched as Olivia and the former mayor worked together to lift a stack of chairs to the roof. 

“I’ve never done anything like this,” claimed Olivia as her head popped through the opening of the camper. “Look at all these people!”

Stephanie and Father Vance followed behind with a cooler of drinks. They all stood on the roof and took in the view. To their left, a calf-roping exhibition was in full swing. On the right, small children rode carnival rides while parents stood in line for tickets.  

“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this,” Mr. Davies said to Sheriff Stephanie as he pointed to the grandstand. “I’m not sure what we are looking for, but we can sit and watch from up here. That’s the mayor over there. He’s the one that put Zeke and Lucy in jail.”

From the roof of the RV, the group had a clear view of the festival grandstand. The mayor of Ames Hill had the seat of honor. Beside Mayor Jenkins were several men in suits.

After about an hour of watching the festivities, Olivia spotted the others arriving in the news van. She stood and waved her arms. 

Soon after, Andrea appeared through the hatch in the roof. Olivia ran to greet her. 

“You must be Olivia,” said Andrea.

“Oh, Miss Glenn, I am so excited to meet you finally!”

Olivia gave her a big hug.

“You all did so well the other day at the Chronicle,” said Andrea. “It was an amazing news story, and you were a big part of that. Many people heard about Eric’s article and all the miracle towns that have surfaced.”

“Thank you,” replied Olivia as she looked at Zeke and Eric, now on the roof. “But why are your pants all wet? What part of the plan included you all going for a swim?”

Eric told the others what had taken place in town with the old nursing home property. The others sat in awe as they listened to how the mist thwarted the plans of the demolition crew.

Once the calf-roping exhibition ended, the microphone on the grandstand screeched to life. Mayor Jenkins thumped the microphone several times and smiled at the crowd.

“Hello, everyone, and welcome to our annual festival at the mill!”

The crowd cheered.

Andrea looked around and then at Zeke. “So what’s the story here?” she asked. 

“The Winholder Group has been threatening to close this paper mill for years,” he replied. “They have held it over the heads of the local leaders and townspeople, many of whom work here or retired from the mill. As Heathrow did in Edenbury, they wanted to monitor and control what took place in this miracle town. And they used the mill as leverage. What I believe you’re about to hear is their announcement to liquidate assets and get out of Ames Hill altogether.”

Andrea called down to her crew.

“Let’s get ready to roll on this, guys,” she said, pointing at the platform.

“These gentlemen here have an important announcement to make. I know this is a departure from our usual program, and I’m not sure what it is about, but these men are board members of the parent company that owns the paper mill. They have asked to say a few words.”

One of the three men stepped up to the microphone as the mayor got out of the way.

“Good day and greetings from The Winholder Group,” the man said. “I’ll keep this short. After much consideration, it has been decided that effective next week, this paper mill will be closed permanently. For those employed here and to all retirees, we thank you. That is all.”

The man turned and joined the others.

The townspeople were stunned. What was a joyful celebration minutes before was now a silent crowd.

On top of the RV, Eric broke the silence. “Zeke, do you have anything in your satchel to help these people this time?” he asked.

“As a matter of fact, I do,” replied Zeke as he nodded to Andrea. 

Andrea climbed down through the hatch. Zeke began to follow her. 

“What are you going to do?” asked Lucy.

“We’re going to interview those men,” he replied.

“In front of all these people?” she asked.

Zeke grabbed her hand. “In front of all these people.”

Within minutes, Andrea rushed onto the stage. Close behind, two cameramen carried equipment. They were followed by Zeke and Lucy. 

By this time, the entire crowd was either crying or shouting. 

Andrea spoke into the microphone but looked at the man who made the announcement.

“Sir, my name is Andrea Glenn,” she said. “And I have some questions for you.”

The crowd cheered.

The TWG man sneered. “We know who you are,” he said, looking at Zeke and Lucy and then to the RV. “All of you.”

“What you may not know is we just met your demolition crews back in town,” said Andrea.

The crowd grew silent, and the men on stage nervously stepped back.

“It’s all over the news, by the way,” Andrea continued. “As we speak, programming all over the country is being interrupted with breaking news of The Winholder Group’s attempt to destroy property listed as a federally protected landmark in order to create a shopping center.”

A man shouted from the crowd. “We don’t need a shopping center!”

Just then, the other news trucks pulled into the camper lot. The men on the stage all watched. 

Andrea continued as she held a paper in the air. “The foreman there gave us this work order to demolish the old nursing home and level the hill.”

Gasps from the crowd were followed by more shouting as one of the men approached the microphone. Andrea stepped back.

The man held his hand up to the microphone. “Alright,” he said, “what do we have to do to avoid more bad press here?”

Zeke delivered the man a document. “Simple,” he replied. “Sign this paper.”

The man looked over the document.

“Turn off the cameras,” he said.

Zeke nodded to Andrea, and she instructed her cameramen to turn them off. 

As the man returned to his group, Zeke stepped up to the microphone for everyone to hear. The entire complex was dead silent.

“That is a letter of intent,” Zeke began as he looked at the Winholder men. “You agree to consider an offer from the people of Ames Hill to purchase the paper mill complex and all of its assets. They also have the first right of refusal. That’s where—”

“We know what that is, Mr. Hughes,” said one of the men.

The three men stepped aside and reviewed the papers. They periodically glanced back at the television cameras.

Zeke turned to the Mayor of Ames Hill while still speaking into the microphone.

“Mr. Mayor, I put together a packet for you on how your town can come together and buy the paper mill. It’s feasible, but there will be some sacrifice involved. You’ll be able to grow it, and Ames Hill will prosper under the new ownership.”

After a brief moment of silence, a tremendous cheer erupted from the crowd.

From the side of the stage, the Ames Hill Mayor came forward.

“Why would you do this?” he asked Zeke over the applause. “I put you in jail.”

Zeke stepped away from the microphone. “My wife Lucy and I would like to pay the legal fees to get this process started,” he replied. “After all, it was her ancestor who started this town, and we don’t want to see it die. I have already contacted an experienced legal team who is ready to move the transaction forward. Everything you need is in here.” 

Zeke handed over an envelope.

The mayor took it and began to weep.

Andrea got her cameramen ready to go live and stepped up to the microphone. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, and everyone watching at home, we’re back with another story from this miracle town called Ames Hill.” 

The crowd erupted again, with babies and animals being raised in the air. 

The men from TWG nodded to Zeke and Andrea.

Andrea spoke up as she looked into the camera. “What we witnessed this morning was not the only miracle to happen here today. This paper mill is the largest employer in the area, and it was about to be shut down by The Winholder Group. In a sudden change of heart, these board members have decided to allow the town to purchase it and run it themselves, securing futures for these fine people and for generations to come.”

Somehow, even more babies and animals were found and raised in the air as the cheering continued.

Back at the motorhome, the remainder of the Edenbury group celebrated as they watched Zeke and Lucy embrace on the platform in the midst of what was now a full-blown party.

—

A week later, Rebecca and Anne sat at the counter in the diner with their frosty glasses of chocolate milk. Exhausted from the play, their big day was finally behind them.

“Can you believe all the people there today?” asked Anne.

“The town square was packed,” replied Rebecca.

“I’m glad Eric let us borrow the name for the play,” said Anne.

As she finished her glass of chocolate milk, Rebecca nodded her head. “I agree,” she said. “Living in a Miracle Town is a good title.”

  That evening, the Famous Four reclined on the balcony outside Zeke and Lucy’s library, drinking iced tea.

“With all this behind us, what will become of the Miracle Council?” asked Stephanie.

“I wondered that myself,” added Lucy. “Everything is being documented in the press, and those trying to silence creation and hinder the coming kingdom are being exposed. What’s left to do?”

“We could go overseas,” replied Zeke.

“What else could we do?” asked all the others.

“There’s just one thing I don’t understand,” said Lucy, changing the subject. “It has to do with the map left here by Father Gregory.”

“The one that led us to the graveyard?” asked Zeke.

“The graveyard that told us about June fifth?” asked Stephanie.

Yes,” Lucy replied. “But why a graveyard? It’s a place of death and endings.”

“On the contrary,” said Father Vance, smiling. “It can be a place of great beginnings.” 

In the coming weeks and months, Eric Finch would often be seen and heard typing at his Warren wood desk. He had much to write about after the adventures in Ames Hill, and with every article he published, miracle towns from all over continued to call the Chronicle and report supernatural acts of nature. In order to have more time outside with Rascal Rock, Eric allowed Anne and Rebecca to answer the phone from time to time. The girls loved to hear stories from other miracle towns, and they shared many of their own with the callers as well.

Olivia was hired on permanently at the Chronicle, and she moved into Cheryl’s apartment, which had previously been occupied by Lucy. Cheryl was excited to have a new roommate, and the two soon became known as the Sarcasm Sisters. 

Olivia’s mother, Loretta, announced plans to move to Edenbury to be closer to her daughter and to retire.

A federal investigation was launched into the crimes committed by The Winholder Group. Among other acts, these included the Ames Hill library fire, the death of the reporter who wrote about the nursing home, and threats against Father Gregory, which contributed to his death. Jack and Craig agreed to testify against TWG in exchange for lighter sentencing.

When the dust settled in Ames Hill, the paper mill was transferred to its residents through an employee stock ownership deal. 

Zeke and Lucy purchased the old mansion on Ames Hill. After it was restored, they hired Mr. Barney from the motel to manage it as a bed and breakfast. Mr. Barney loved to tell stories to guests who came to stay, and more than a few would report miraculous stays on the hill. 

The End.

Authors Note:

I am so grateful to all of you for reading along. It is encouraging to hear feedback from readers on a weekly basis who are following this adventure.

Stay tuned for what is next for this series!

-BJ Emerson