And so, the real story begins :). Enjoy!
"Moonlight what say we all go for a jolly summer break this year? I think I've found the place that has our name stamped all over it." Barney claimed, one evening early spring while they were resting after a busy day enjoying one of the rare spring days around Mistawis where the whole world seemed alive again.
"Away for the summer Barney? Where could possibly be better than here?" Valancy questioned.
"Ah, I think I have found a place." Barney winked. "None other than Prince Edward Island. An old friend Perkins is renting out his place this summer and I think we should go for a spell. We shall live as though it is our homeland and we'll get a lovely feel for the place."
"Perry Kent from school says his grandparents grew up there and he goes back all the time. He's shown me pictures Mother, it's really pretty and he always has the best stories to tell! Oh can we go Dad?" Cissy exclaimed listening in on her parents discussion.
"I must admit, it does sound just like a place I would like." Valancy said.
"What say you John? Think it sounds like a good place for a Summer adventure?"
"Sure. Perry raves about the place. Dad think we could go hunting round the woods you were telling me about?"
Barney chuckled before agreeing. "Well that's settled then. I'll make the arrangements tomorrow."
It was a warm spring afternoon in Glen St Mary where three women were sitting in the parlour enjoying a rare day together. For Mrs Marshall Elliott seldom made it down now from Four Winds to visit her old friends. "My old body isn't what it used to be Anne dearie." She was won't to say. Anne merely smiled and hugged her old friend always claiming "Why Miss Cornelia you still don't look a day older than when we first met all those years ago when Gil brought me home as a new bride!" But even Anne couldn't deny that she didn't feel a little older herself. Although most would admit that Anne Blythe held her age well. Her hair still as red as ever, although perhaps with a few more grey hairs than before. Her grey-green eyes still sparkled as they did when she first arrived at the Bright River train station all those years ago. Although now with a hint of sadness behind them that only could come from losing those close and dear to you.
"It's still hard to believe that I'm a grandmother and all the children of Ingleside are grown." Anne claimed reflectively.
"But Mrs Dr Dear, think of all the fine matches they all made. And Ingleside, still full of children running about!" consoled Susan who still couldn't bare anyone saying anything ill of any of the children, or grandchildren of Ingleside.
"Yes, it certainly is nice to have them all so close and visiting often. All except my ambitious little Di, who seems as settled in Toronto as she was here in PEI."
"My it's been a while since we've seen her. Is she planning a trip home anytime soon?"
"I'm not sure; it all depends on Alonzo's schedule really. I still can't believe that she married one of Phil Gordon's boys. Isn't it funny how all the things come together?" Anne commented.
"Yes well they all made good matches Anne- dearie. Jem with Faith, Nan with Jerry, Di with Alonzo, Shirley with Una and of course Rilla and Ken."
"I'm just glad they all married islanders Mrs Dr Dear. None of these off-shore folk. Never know what their family type is like" Susan said matter of factly.
"Couldn't agree more. Say, has anyone heard from Carl and Persis lately?"
"Not for a while now. I think last I heard they were adventuring in Egypt or somewhere just as extravagant." Anne replied.
"It's not safe to go traipsing around the world as though it was only a mile long" Susan argued. "They'll catch their death with all this exploring. Why imagine all the diseases they could catch!"
"I assure you its quite safe Susan. And even you enjoy all the post cards and stories they have to tell when they return back home." Anne chuckled.
"Did you hear who is renting the old Perkins place for the summer?" Mrs Marshall Elliott asked while sitting in the Ingleside parlour catching up with old friends.
"Gilbert told me it was someone Redfern?" Anne replied non-plussed.
"Some Redfern! Why Anne-dearie really I thought you were better at keeping up with news events these days!" Mrs Marshall Elliott scolded. "He's none other than Bernard Redfern, the son of Doc Redfern of the Purple Pills and Hair Tonic. Half of Glen St. Mary swears by them."
Anne laughed lightly "Oh those silly things. Gilbert thinks it's a great big money-making machine. Pills do nothing as far as he can see. Mind you we could just be getting cynical in our old age!"
"Money spinner or not Mrs Dr Dear, I can't believe they are coming to PEI. Just think millionaires on our island!" Susan said reeling at the thought.
"I wonder why they are not staying at White Sands?" Anne mused.
"Oh something about wanting to get a 'feel' for the island I heard." Mrs Marshall Elliott commented. "The whole family is coming I believe. Bernard Redfern, son of the Old Doc, his wife Valancy and their two children John and Cissy. I think they're aged around the same as all of the little Blythe's, Ford's and Meredith's."
"I must tell the children to introduce the young ones to Rainbow Valley when they come. That is if they want to associate with us country folk. No doubt they are probably all dolled up and too fancy for us down here."
"Oh Mrs Dr Dear, I hear their boy is quite the nature type. Always traipsing about the woods. Have you ever heard Mrs Dr Dear of a millionaire family living in the woods? Apparently they live 'out back' in country Ontario. Far away from any significant social setting."
"It sounds as though they will fit right in here! Although, I still hold onto the hope that one day that John Foster will come and visit and write about good old PEI. Why he has such a way of writing about the woods and nature that just makes the world come to life again!" Anne sighed.
"Ah I see your husband coming rattling along that path now Anne dearie, which means that he'll soon be ready to drive me home. Guess we better get moving then." Mrs Marshall Elliott commented.
"Has the afternoon past by so fast already? It seems like summer can't come along fast enough" Anne sighed.
"Oh Barney, this place is just perfect. You thought the Alhambra was closest to my Blue Castle, but that was the old pipe dream... this, this is the closest to our Blue castle. Why have you ever seen cliffs so red?"
Barney chuckled at his wife's reaction "And what of the house?"
"Perfect and homely, just as we like it! And you can see the shore from the parlour window. I could sit there and watch the waves break all day!"
"I see the children have disappeared already" Barney teased.
"Of course, off to explore their surroundings no doubt!" Valancy laughed light heartedly.
"Your mother will be disappointed once more that her attempts at 'reigning them in' have failed once more"
"Oh Mother would be shocked at it all. Olive couldn't understand why we would traipse to 'dreary old PEI' when we could just head to any extravagant country in the world."
"Are you happy with our choice Moonlight?"
"More than happy" Valancy exclaimed folding her arms around Barney's waist.
John and Cissy were wondering around the woods of their new Summer house, acquainting themselves with the PEI rolling hills and shoreline. John took much pleasure in stopping along the way to explain to his younger sister all the little treasures he found along the way, for the many walks he spent with his father had not gone on deaf ears.
John wondered ahead of Cissy who was stopping to make herself a necklace out of flowers. Ahead he found a lovely spot with a brook running along and a lovely bed of mossy grass, perfect for reading a book, thinking or just enjoying watching all of nature wonder past. Ahead of him he saw a young dog bound up to him. Bending down, smiling, John greeted the dog with pats.
After a moment past, John heard a man's voice behind him saying "He likes you"
Instantly he looked behind him to see a distinguished looking man, rusty red hair with soft curls, hints of grey and a crooked smile. As he stepped forward, there was a faint limp to his gait. John sized him up and liked the gentleman instantly.
"What's his name?" John asked.
"Sunny. His real name's Sunday, though we all call him Sunny. Long standing tradition in our family to name our dogs after days of the week" the man chuckled and instantly John liked him more.
"We used to have a dog" John said matter of factly. But the gentleman didn't miss the hint of sadness in his eyes. "His name was Gem. He was my dearest friend. Best friend a boy could have" John said, now looking at the ground. Sunny came up to John once more and nudged his hands to which he involuntarily responded by patting the dog once more. The kind-faced gentleman came closer to the boy, listening intently, for John knew that he wanted to hear the story.
"We found him just before last winter real sick. Dad says he'd been poisoned, but Gem and I, we knew those woods better than anyone, other than Mother and Dad of course. He only lived a few days more." The gentleman patted John's shoulder sympathetically.
"I had a dog just like that when I was a boy. I never have forgotten about dear old Gyp. Nothing quite like a dogs love."
"How did you ever get another? Mother says I can, but I don't want to. Not yet."
"Can't say Son. You'll know when the right one comes along."
John smiled and looked up once more at the man. He could see in his eyes that this man understood. "My name's John Redfern."
"Ah, moved into the old Perkins house for the summer?"
"Yes. Do you come here often?"
"Quite often. Used to play here as a boy. We call it Rainbow Valley. You'll often find myself, Sunny or some kids about your age playing around here. You'll be most welcome to join in the fun."
"It's a nice place. Rainbow Valley… the name suits. How did it come by such a name?"
"We thought of the name as kids. Well, my brother Walter did anyway. My name's Dr Blythe by the way. Jem blythe."
"Nice to meet you."
And the two continued to talk and aquaint themselves with each other, until such time had passed that Jem had to leave to continue on his duties.
"Must go Son. Swing by again sometime, No doubt everyone will be wondering where I am" Jem chuckled.
John watched his new friend go and waved farewell, before racing off to find his sister and tell her all about the new acquaintance he had just made.
"What say you and I do a little bit of exploring by ourselves?" Valancy asked her husband later that day after they had settled into their new place.
"I must admit, I'm curious to see more of that shoreline myself" Barney assented.
And so the two walked on enjoying the scenery around them, enjoying the fresh sea air and breeze.
"I can feel it's going to be a wonderful summer Barney" said Valancy prophetically. "I feel young again! This wind makes me want to run and be a girl once more!"
Barney laughed at his wife's antics. "I daresay, I can never quite picture you as one 'old' dearest. But surely a woman of your stature wouldn't want to be seen running out in public" he teased.
"Barney, I was never allowed to do such a scandalous thing as a child, do give me this one opportunity where I can throw caution to the wind and be frivolous just this once. Look, nobody is around, they'll never know that a Redfern all the way from Ontario did such a scandalous thing!"
With that Barney laughed once more "Who am I to refuse a woman such a request!"
Anne and Gilbert were out on a late evening stroll along the banks of four winds shoreline after visiting Mrs Marshall Elliott. They were both discussing recent events and the latest news and happenings.
"Did you hear that Charlie Sloane took ill last winter Anne-Girl? Just found out this morning. It doesn't seem like we are of the age to be the ones getting ill and suffering back pain!"
"Don't remind me Gilbert! Please. I don't want to think of being old! Why, I still feel sprightly enough that if Josie Pye dared me to walk on a roof top again I would!" Anne laughed. "But Alas, it can't be so. Davy wrote to me last week to tell me that he is now a grandfather for the first time. To think of Davy a grandfather! Why, I still feel as though he's the incorrigible six year old child who locked his sister in the chicken coup!"
Gilbert laughed at his wife and gently slipped his hand through hers as they continued to walk. For time had not changed their love, which was as strong as it was that day long ago Anne heard that Gilbert had "got de turn."
As they walked on, they began to talk of the new family that was to be staying at the Perkins' residence.
"I rather like the sound of this Valancy girl Gilbert. She sounds like such a free spirit and good company. Why Susan told me the other day that she asked this Redfern man to marry her. Fancy waltzing up to a millionaire and proposing marriage!"
Gilbert chuckled at the idea. "Takes the romance out of it I say Anne-Girl. Now where's the fun in that!"
"I'm sure it's just some rumour that Susan has picked up. After all, for all the way our world has changed, I can't imagine that changing!"
"I believe I see our couple in question right now." Gilbert claimed, pointing below along the shoreline to a younger couple strolling along arm in arm.
Anne and Gilbert continued to watch as the couple talked, smiled and laughed.
"They look so happy and in love" Anne sighed.
"Ah but nobody could be as happy as us Annest of Anne's could they?" Anne smiled, and leaned into Gilbert's strong arms as they continued to walk. She watched as the younger couple began to talk and jest, and later, the woman squealed delight and began to run full pelt along the shoreline, dress flying behind her and leaving her husband laughing quietly and holding her shoes. She stopped, red faced, hair disheveled and beckoned for her husband to join her before taking off for a run again.
Anne laughed a little and said to Gilbert, "I think I'm going to like these Redferns."
"You would!" Gilbert chuckled.
