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    Just Plain Nora
    Just Plain Nora
    Just Plain Nora
    Ebook73 pages57 minutes

    Just Plain Nora

    By Jennifer J. Hutchins

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    About this ebook

    EASTERN COLORADO, 1881:

    Nora Smith is growing up as a middle child in a frontier family. She struggles with feeling insignificant and just plain ordinary . If only she can win the Mountain Springs spelling bee, her problems will disappear! Nora prepares for her moment to shine as champion of the bee. However, other circumstances prevail, proving to Nora the importance of just being herself. Just Plain Nora is recommended for children, age eight to twelve.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWestBow Press
    Release dateJan 4, 2012
    ISBN9781449733162
    Just Plain Nora
    Author

    Jennifer J. Hutchins

    Using her background in education and speech/language development, Jennifer Hutchins has taught oral and written language skills to children and young adults since 1996. She began a writing career at the age of ten by shutting herself in the garage and “banging out” stories on an old typewriter. Her love for writing was born at that time and continues today with the publication of her first children’s book. Currently, Jennifer and her family live in an old farmhouse nestled in a valley between the foothills of the Ozarks and the wide rolling plains. She and her husband enjoy exploring the natural beauty and diversity of the outdoors, remodeling, traveling, and homeschooling their two daughters.

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      Book preview

      Just Plain Nora - Jennifer J. Hutchins

      Contents

      Chapter One

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Epilogue

      About the Author

      Author’s Note

      Chapter One

      For Abby

      Thank you for your inspiration and encouragement. You are truly a blessing to our family and we love you.

      I will praise thee;

      for I am fearfully

      and wonderfully made…

      Psalm 139:14

      Chapter One

      Nora’s News

      A cloud of dust trailed behind Nora Smith as she ran down the well-worn dirt road from the Mountain Springs School to her home. Nora slowed her pace slightly as she crossed the rickety bridge that spanned Spring Creek, but she picked up speed again as her family’s log cabin came into view. Knowing that Mama would be baking in the kitchen, Nora bypassed the front door and sprinted around the house to the lean-to out back. She dropped her lunch pail and books on the bench beside the back door before thrusting it open.

      Disappointment quickly registered as Nora noticed that Mama wasn’t at her usual place in the kitchen. The rich, buttery smell of freshly baked shortbread wafted through the air, so Mama hadn’t gone far. Nora stopped just a moment to savor the delicious aroma of her favorite treat before letting the back door slam behind her as she stepped into the kitchen and shouted, Mama!

      Nora, please, her mother admonished as she poked her head out of the small pantry, Young ladies close every door without slamming, and they never raise their voices. Though Mama’s girls were being raised in the rough wilderness of eastern Colorado, she expected them to behave as genteel ladies. In spite of her reproof, however, Mama came out of the pantry smiling gently at Nora.

      Yes, Mama, I know, but you won’t believe my wonderful news, Nora’s response to Mama was not apologetic in the least. She couldn’t possibly show regret for her unladylike behavior when she felt like a bubbling pot of water about to boil over.

      Well, out with it young lady for you’re fairly bursting at the seams! Mama exclaimed as she dusted floured hands on her gingham apron. Mama looked amused rather than scornful, and Nora detected a hint of curiosity in her dancing green eyes.

      Before Nora could catch her breath to share her announcement, muffled voices and thumping footsteps sounded just outside. Nora’s twin brothers stomped into the room and headed straight to the sideboard in search of an afternoon treat. Mama stopped them, reminding the boys to clean their hands first. As they raced each other to the pitcher and basin, Nora took a deep breath. She’d have to hurry with her news before the rambunctious boys demanded any more of Mama’s attention. Yet, just as Mama turned expectantly back to Nora, Nettie sailed into the room.

      "Oh, mother! You must speak to Nora about her disdainful behavior. Why she ran all the way home!" Nora caught her older sister’s reproachful glare as Nettie removed her bonnet and smoothed her perfect golden curls.

      Nora’s heart sank. Her siblings were ruining everything. All she wanted was a moment of Mama’s undivided attention. That’s why she’d run home to begin with. Just a brief moment alone with Mama had been her motivation.

      Nora stared at the rough planks of the wooden floor, tracing the uneven groove between two boards with the toe of her dusty boot. Mama would certainly scold her now for her unladylike behavior; a young lady of eleven should know better than to run all the way home from school, slam a door, and raise her voice.

      But Mama said only, Thank you, Nettie. Please put water on for tea and see to it that the twins take only two cookies each. Then she took Nora’s hand and led her back outside. As Nora obediently followed Mama, she couldn’t help sneaking a peek at her sister’s face. Nettie looked disappointed at the fact that she might miss being a witness to Nora’s scolding, while Nora was relieved to be out from under her meddlesome sister’s scrutiny. She resisted the urge to stick out her tongue at Nettie but only because she didn’t want to further upset Mama.

      Mama led Nora to the kitchen garden, where she leaned against the top rail of the fence that Papa and the boys had built. The sun shone on Mama’s auburn hair as her kind eyes looked down at her wayward daughter. Now tell me, dear, what is this exciting news? It must be very important if you felt the need to run all the way home.

      A very surprised Nora then dared to glance full into Mama’s face to see the hint of a smile on her lips rather than the tight-lipped expression that belied a scolding. Why Mama wasn’t going to scold her after all! Maybe she remembered what it

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