eBook Summary:
Celia Applegate had always tried to be a good girl and do what was expected of her. At age seven, she lost her mother when her baby brother was born. She had picked up domestic duties as soon as she was able, taking care of her father and two brothers. Now she lost her father, after he had extracted a difficult promise from her.

Applegate's Mill is Book 7 of the Happenings in River Bend Series

A small town developed along the banks of the river where the current was caught between Rock Mountain and a deposit of volcanic stone. The fast-moving river had rushed through the mountains of central Arkansas, barreling through Jacksonville, the county seat, and coursing rapidly through a deep channel for the next twelve miles. There remnants of an ancient volcano turned the river in upon itself, creating a twisting current which circled the mountain. That became the site of the town of River Bend. It began as an overnight camp for those travelers who could not manage the last twelve miles into town. It gradually grew to feature a general store, The Mercantile, a Pharmacy operated by the Markham's, a cafe, a church and several other business establishments, including the male hangout and loafer's club, the River Bend Livery Stable.

Residential cabins were build along the river banks, and later were sprinkled about the mountains on either side. The central focus points of the town were the church, and its weekly gathering of ladies who met under the guise of 'quilting', the livery stable, where every man could feel welcome, and perhaps pick up a scrap of information (not gossip!) before the ladies did, and the other focus was the school.

Built by the townsfolk on donated land, the school enjoyed a reverence which was begun by parents who had no schooling themselves, and, along with the preacher, the school teacher was one of the most respected members of the community. The city fathers knew they were lucky to get 21 year old Mr. Wilson to replace their revered Mr. Campbell who taught for more than thirty years before retiring. But Mr. Wilson had his problems, and they had nothing to do with the teaching of the children.

Each book in the series stands alone, but they all share their setting, and their association with others of the town.

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