Beyond These Hills (17 page)

His eyes widened in surprise. “Do you mean it?”

“Yes, I do.”

His arm slipped behind her shoulders, and he drew her closer. “I've never felt so drawn to anyone in my life as I do to you.”

Her gaze didn't waver from his. “Neither have I.”

He lowered his head, and his lips sought hers. She pressed closer and welcomed his hesitant kiss. At her acceptance, his arms tightened, and the kiss deepened. She drew back and gently pressed her hands against his chest. “We don't need to move too fast, Andrew.”

He swallowed and nodded. “You're right. I'm sorry.”

She pulled out of his embrace and smiled. “Don't be sorry. Let's just save this for another time.”

His eyes lit up, and he laughed. “You can count on that, Miss Jackson.”

At that moment the grandfather clock in the corner chimed the hour, and he frowned. “I'd better be going. I need to be at camp before lights-out.” He smiled at her. “Want to walk me to the door?”

She looped her arm through his and smiled. “I would be glad to.” When they got to the door, he started to open the screen, but she stopped him. “Do you have plans for Saturday?”

“No. Why?”

“Poppa has a group of tourists coming to the lodge for the weekend. He's taking them on a hike up to Gregory's Bald. I'm planning on going with them to take some pictures. Would you like to go with us? It'll give you a chance to see one of the most beautiful spots in the Cove.”

“I'd love to go. What time should I be here?”

“Come about eight and wear comfortable shoes. It's a long walk up there.”

“I'll see you then.” She followed him onto the porch and watched as he walked to his car. Before he got in, he looked back at her and smiled. “I enjoyed being with you, Laurel.”

“I enjoyed it too.”

She stood on the porch until the car's taillights had disappeared into the night. Then she closed her eyes and let the sounds of the Cove seep into her. An owl's hoot drifted on the night, and in the distance a dog barked. Frogs croaked down at the pond near the barn. The sounds in a city couldn't be nearly as relaxing and peaceful as what she'd known all her life. How could she live somewhere else amid strangers with a different kind of life from hers?

She didn't think she could do it, but the reality remained that before long that was exactly what would happen.

Chapter 9

A
ndrew had never seen a day more perfect for a hike. The warm sun penetrated the hazy mists of the mountain peaks this morning to provide one of the most breathtaking sights he'd ever encountered. Every day he spent in the Smokies brought a new love for his surroundings and a fascination for the wonders of nature. The temperature hadn't reached its high yet, and he wore a jacket. No doubt it would wind up in his backpack as the day wore on.

He leaned against the side of Matthew's truck and waited for him and Laurel to bring the last of the hiking gear from the house. The screen door banged open, and Laurel emerged on the front porch. A camera dangled from a strap around her neck and six canteens hung from her shoulders. She smiled as she came down the steps.

He rushed to help her, and she slid three canteens down her arm. “Where do you want to put these?” he asked.

“We'll put them in the back of the truck for now. Poppa's coming with the lunches. Then we'll drive down to the lodge and pick up the guests.”

As she dropped the remaining three canteens in the truck, the screen door opened again. Andrew glanced up to see a tall young man standing on the porch. His short blond hair and his lean body reminded Andrew of the men he saw every day at the CCC camp.
Whistling a tune, the young man hopped down the steps, jogged over to Laurel, and draped an arm around her shoulders.

Andrew's eyes narrowed. The man's relaxed attitude toward Laurel infuriated Andrew. What did this guy mean by touching her in such a friendly way? He glowered at him, but the man didn't acknowledge his presence. “I wish you weren't going on this hike, Laurel,” he said. “I don't get to see you much and then when I come to visit, you run off.”

As if Laurel sensed Andrew's discomfort, she wiggled out of the man's grasp and swatted at his arm. “Quit trying to make me feel guilty, Jimmy. You had a chance to come with us, and you chose not to.”

“Only because I hiked up there last weekend with some fellows from the camp, and I didn't want to make that climb again. I thought you and I would have some time today to be together.”

“We will. At supper tonight. In the meantime you can spend the day entertaining our mothers.”

He arched his eyebrows and groaned. “Oh, when those two get together I run and hide. They're like two jaybirds trying to see who can chatter the loudest.”

Laurel laughed and turned to Andrew. “I suppose you've guessed that this is my friend Jimmy Ferguson. His mother arrived from Tremont yesterday morning, and Jimmy got here last night from the CCC camp.” She pointed to Andrew. “Jimmy, this is Andrew Brady. He's staying at the camp while he's in the Cove.”

So this man with the smug grin on his face was the one Laurel's mother had mentioned, her
special friend
. He would like to wipe that cocky grin off Jimmy's face to let him know that Laurel was off-limits to him.

Jimmy stuck out his hand. “I've seen you in the mess hall at the camp, but you're usually with the officers. It's good to meet you, Andrew. I understand you're here to finish stealing the land from the folks in the Cove.”

The grin hadn't disappeared from Jimmy's face, but the tone of his words grated on Andrew's nerves. He crooked his mouth in what he hoped was a nonchalant smile, grasped Jimmy's hand, and squeezed as tight as he could. “Steal? I thought I was here to help them get the most for their land they could.”

The pressure from Jimmy's grip increased. “I reckon I ain't heard of anybody gettin' what their land's worth. You must have been talkin' to the wrong people.”

Andrew struggled to keep from wincing and forced his hand to respond. “Oh? And who are the right people I should talk to?”

Jimmy's mouth hardened. “My grandparents would be a good start. My pa's folks sold out, and there's not a trace left that they ever lived there. The money they got for their land wasn't near enough to pay them for all the work and sweat they put into that place. Then my ma's folks are another story. They didn't get much for their farm, but they put what they got in the bank. Next thing they know, the bank's failed and all the money is gone. Now they're living with my ma at the hotel she runs in Tremont.”

Andrew's knuckles were turning white. It felt as if the bones in his fingers would crack any moment. “I'm sorry to hear that. In case you haven't heard, we're in a depression, and banks everywhere are failing. Perhaps your grandfather should have chosen a better place to put his money.”

Tension crackled in the air, and they stepped closer until they stood toe-to-toe. Jimmy gritted his teeth. “Are you saying my grandpa's not smart enough to handle his own affairs?”

“No, I'm saying…”

Laurel grabbed their interlocked hands and shook them. “Jimmy, Andrew, quit acting like two little boys engaged in a war of wills.”

Andrew glanced at her and loosened his grip. Jimmy let go of Andrew's hand and frowned. He raked his hand through his hair and let out a long breath. “I'm sorry, Laurel. I guess I got carried away. I just get so mad when I think about what the government
has done to the folks I love. Now they're going to do it to your family too.”

She propped her hands on her hips and glared from one to the other. “We live with the threat every day, Jimmy, but none of what's happened here is Andrew's fault. He was young when all this started, and he doesn't know what we've lived with for the past few years.” Before Andrew could feel relief at her defense of him, she turned on him and glared. “And Andrew, you shouldn't be so quick to pass judgment on Jimmy's grandfather. He thought the bank was stable, but he was wrong.”

Andrew let his arm dangle to his side, and he flexed his fingers. He dropped his gaze to the ground and dug his toe in the dirt. “I'm sorry for losing my temper, Laurel.” He looked back up at Jimmy. “And I didn't mean to sound like I was judging your grandfather. I'm really sorry that happened to him.”

Jimmy exhaled and took a step back from Andrew. “I am too. It seems he's always had a tough way to go in life, but there's not a better man anywhere. My other grandfather had one of the best farms in the Cove. I had this dream that someday I'd come back and help him farm it. Now he and my grandmother are living in a little house that's rammed right up to their neighbor. It's a far cry from the open spaces they've always known. It's about to kill them.”

Andrew's anger at Jimmy vanished, and his heart pricked at the thought of what his family had suffered. “I'm really sorry for what your family has faced. I wish I could change things, but it's gone too far now. The park is a reality, and everybody who's left in the Cove is going to have to come to grips with that.” He glanced at Laurel. “Even your family.”

She lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. “We know that, Andrew. But we don't have to do it today. Now, why don't we forget this silly wrestling contest the two of you had and try to enjoy this beautiful day? I'm looking forward to the hike, and I don't want anything to ruin it.”

“Neither do I,” Andrew said.

Jimmy rammed his hands in his pockets, tilted his head to one side, and looked at Andrew. “Have you done much hiking in the mountains?”

“Not much. Why?”

A wicked gleam flashed in Jimmy's eye, and he smiled. “I just wondered. Better take it easy, city boy. That climb's been known to lay a lot of folks low. I'd just hate to see it happen to you.”

Andrew returned Jimmy's somber stare. “I just bet you would. But thanks for the warning anyway.”

The screen door slammed and Matthew stepped onto the porch. The box he carried contained the lunches Rani had made for the hikers and two more canteens dangled from his shoulders. Jimmy dashed back up the steps to him. “You need any help, Matthew?”

He nodded. “I left the first aid kit in the kitchen. I'd appreciate it if you'd get it for me.”

“Anything to help out.” He glanced at Andrew over his shoulder before he disappeared into the house.

Matthew stopped beside the truck and set the box in the back. “I think we're about ready to go. When Jimmy gets back with the first aid kit we'll drive down and get the guests at the lodge. There are five going on the hike, so they can ride in the back of the truck to the trail. You two can ride up front with me. I hope you're ready for a long hike, Andrew.”

“I am. Thanks for letting me come along today, Matthew. I'm looking forward to it.”

“It's something you won't ever forget. You two go on and get in the truck.”

Andrew followed Laurel to the front of the truck, opened the door, and stepped back for her to get in. Before she stepped on the running board, she looked up at him and smiled. “Don't worry about the climb. Jimmy was getting his last jab at you, and Poppa just wanted to make you feel comfortable about the climb. It's really
not as bad as they're making it seem. We always take our time with the guests. You'll make it fine.”

He smiled at her. “Thanks, Laurel. I'm glad you invited me.” He leaned forward and spoke softly. “And just between the two of us, I'm glad Jimmy isn't coming along. I couldn't stand it if I had to share your attention with him today.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she dropped her gaze before she climbed in the truck. He inhaled a breath of fresh mountain air and hopped in beside her. It was a beautiful day, and he intended to enjoy every minute of it with the woman next to him.

The group of hikers stood beside the truck that her father had parked at the entrance to the Gregory's Bald Trail. As he did every time he guided their guests up the mountain, Poppa was acquainting them with what to expect today. Laurel let her gaze drift over the three people from Knoxville—a man, his wife, and teenage son—and the two brothers from the Asheville area. The Morris brothers had hiked several mountain trails with them before, but this was the first time for the family from Knoxville. It was also Andrew's first time. It would be interesting to see how he fared today on the climb.