Mountain Homecoming (20 page)

Anna laughed and walked to the front door. “I don't know, Granny. Uncle Charles told me in his last letter that his train got into Townsend before Stephen's. He was going to have the horse and buggy rented and waiting by the time Stephen arrived. I hope their trains were on time.”

Simon ambled over to stand behind her. “I do too. But I felt better knowing Stephen could drive Doc here. A man sixty-five years old doesn't need to be making that trip by himself.”

Anna turned to him and arched an eyebrow. “Tell that to him. He still insists he had to retire because his horse Toby, not him, wasn't able to make it over the mountain roads anymore.”

Simon and Granny both laughed. “I've heard him say it many times, but we all know…”

Before he could finish, Anna whirled back to stare out the door. “They're here!” she cried as she rushed onto the front porch and down the steps.

Simon ran after her, and they came to a stop just as the buggy rolled into the yard. Stephen pulled the horse to a stop, handed the reins to his uncle, and jumped to the ground. He ran to them, wrapped his arms around his mother, and lifted her in the air.

She squealed in delight just as she'd done ever since Stephen had gotten big enough to pick her up. She hugged him, and he set her down on the ground. “Mama, you're prettier than you were when I left last fall.”

Tears of happiness filled her eyes, and she patted his cheek. “And you look more like my father every day. I'm so glad I gave you his name. He'd be so proud of you.”

Stephen glanced at Simon and swallowed before he stuck out his hand. “Hello, Poppa. It's good to see you.”

Simon stared at his son, and Anna wondered how he had ever allowed the gulf to develop between them. Had he been so grief-stricken over Willie that he had ignored the boy who was growing into a man right before his eyes? Tears glistened in his eyes, and he pushed the outstretched hand away and pulled Stephen into a bear hug. “It's good to have you home, son. I think we have a lot to talk about while you're here.”

Stephen's arms encircled his shoulders, and Anna felt as if her heart would explode with joy at the sight of her husband and son embracing. “I have a lot I want to tell you, Poppa. I've missed you.”

“I've missed you too.”

“Well, land's sakes,” Granny called out from the porch. “Are you gonna keep Doc a-sittin' in that buggy all day, or are you gonna help him down?” She held out her arms. “Come here, boy, and give your ole Granny a hug.”

Stephen pulled away from Simon and smiled. “Granny, did you make me a jam cake?”

She propped a hand on her hip and sniffed. “You think I'd let you come all the way home and not have your fav'rite cake a-waitin'?”

He laughed and rushed up the steps to Granny. Anna turned back to Simon, but he was already on the other side of the buggy helping her uncle climb down. “Wait a minute, Doc,” he said. “I'll help you.”

Simon held the reins in one hand and the other gripped her uncle's arm. Anna reached for his other arm and helped him step to the ground. When he steadied himself, she put her arms around his shoulders and gave him a hug. “Uncle Charles, I'm so glad you're here. It seems like ages since I've seen you.”

His mouth curled down in the familiar smile that reminded her of her father, and he pushed his spectacles up on his nose. “I've missed all of you and couldn't pass up this opportunity to come back to the place I love.”

Simon stepped around him and climbed into the buggy. “And we're glad you did. Now I'm going to take care of your horse. You go on inside with Anna and Granny, and I'll be back shortly.”

Anna looped her arm through her uncle's and guided him to the porch where Stephen and Granny still stood. As they approached the steps, he frowned and glanced down at her. “Where's Rani?”

“Probably out at the fire pit getting ready to fire her next batch of bricks. She's making them for the chimney at Matthew's cabin.”

Uncle Charles chuckled. “That girl never ceases to amaze me.” He reached over and chucked Anna under the chin. “But with the mother she has I shouldn't be surprised.”

Anna stared up into the faded eyes of the man who had brought her to Cades Cove all those years ago, and her heart filled with gratitude. “I was lucky. I had a wonderful uncle to guide me after my father died. Sometimes I shudder when I think what my life might have been like if I'd been accepted to nursing school the first time I applied. You never would have brought me here, and I never would have experienced the happiness I found in these mountains.”

He smiled. “I was only God's instrument to let you find out the plan He had for you. I'm thankful you listened to Him.”

“I am too, Uncle Charles. I am too.”

S
imon leaned back in his chair and smiled. The buzz of conversation drifted through the room and filled him with a contentment he hadn't felt in a long time. Besides Stephen and Uncle Charles, John, Martha, and two of their children had joined them for supper.

He studied the faces of each person seated around the table tonight. Rani was laughing as Matthew leaned over and whispered something in her ear. A rosy glow covered her face tonight, and he wondered if it was because her brother was home or if it was something else. After Stephen's visit, he needed to find out what had caused her newfound happiness.

Then there was Stephen, the son who had stayed away from home this past year because of heated words between the two of them. No one would ever know how he regretted the words he'd spoken and how much grief it had caused Anna. It was time to do something about it.

He cleared his throat. “Could I have your attention for a moment?”

The conversation halted, and everyone turned their heads to stare as Simon rose to his feet. He let his gaze drift over each one. When he didn't speak, Anna frowned. “What is it, Simon?”

He cleared his throat and tried again to speak. “All the people I love most in the world are seated at this table tonight. I'm thankful for Anna and my two children, for my brother and his family, for Doc who brought Anna to me years ago, for Granny who's taken care of all of us, and for Matthew—who returned just as he promised.”

He paused and blinked back the tears filling his eyes. “I've tried to be the kind of man God wanted me to be, but sometimes I've failed. All of you know how hard I've been on Stephen about wanting him to follow me in the ministry.”

Stephen's eyes grew wide, and he leaned forward. “Poppa, we don't need to talk about this in front of everybody.”

Simon shook his head. “No, I have to say this, Stephen. After much soul-searching and prayer, I have realized what I should have known all along. God's plans for Stephen don't lie in guiding people in their spiritual lives. The gifts God gave him are for a different ministry, for helping heal their bodies. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, son, and I want you to know I support your decision to pursue medicine.”

Stephen's eyes grew even wider. “You…you do?”

“Yes. You did what I asked and completed a year at Milligan College. Now if you still want to go to Vanderbilt, I'll help you get there.”

Stephen pushed to his feet and rushed toward Simon. He grabbed him and hugged him, then held him at arm's length and stared into his eyes. “Poppa, thank you so much. I'll work hard and make you proud of me.”

Simon squeezed his son's arms. “I've always been proud of you. All I want is for you to be the best doctor you can be and take care of me when I'm old and sick.”

Laughter echoed around the room, and Simon glanced at Anna. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and smiled. Her mouth formed the words
I love you
, and he let out a deep breath.
I love you too
, he mouthed before he released his son and glanced at Granny.

“Now how about some of that jam cake, Granny, and maybe a helping of Martha's blackberry cobbler? I feel like celebrating tonight.”

Granny chuckled as Anna and Martha rose and began to clear away the plates and prepare for dessert. “When it comes to eatin', preacher boy, you celebrate ev'ry night. But I always liked to see a man with a healthy appetite, and yours is 'bout the healthiest I ever seen.”

He laughed and clutched at his heart. “Wounded again by one of the women in my house. I don't know if I'll survive to old age.”

He rose, picked up some of the plates, and carried them to the dry sink where Anna stood. When he set them down, Anna reached out and squeezed his arm. “Thank you for doing that in front of everyone, Simon. You've made Stephen very happy. Uncle Charles says he's going to make a great doctor.”

He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Never let it be said I doubted Doc. After all, I wouldn't have you if he hadn't talked you into staying with me.”

She laughed and punched him playfully on the arm. “He didn't talk me into it. I decided on my own because I loved you so much.” She glanced over her shoulder at the people gathered around their table. “And God has really blessed us, Simon.”

He followed her gaze and nodded. “Yes, He has.”

When Stephen returned to his seat, Rani leaned across the table and stuck out her hand. Stephen grabbed it, and they squeezed their hands tight together.

“I can't believe Poppa did that in front of everybody, Stephen, but I'm glad he did.”

“I am too,” he said. “I had come home intending to tell him that I had already been accepted at Vanderbilt for the fall. Uncle Charles had promised to help me with the expenses, but we were afraid of how Poppa would react.”

She smiled. “It doesn't look like you have to worry anymore.”

Uncle Charles laughed and slapped Stephen on the back. “I told you that God would work it all out, and He did.”

Stephen nodded. “He sure did.”

Uncle Charles glanced at Matthew and smiled. “Matthew, how's the rebuilding coming along?”

Matthew shifted in his chair. “It's slower than I'd like. But Simon thinks in the next few weeks he'll be able to get a group of men together to come and help me. Cecil Davis is going to build the fireplace.”

Uncle Charles's eyebrows arched. “And I hear Rani is making the bricks for it. How's that going?”

“I'm just about finished,” Rani said. “I dug an extra pit so I can bake more at a time. I'll have them ready by the time Mr. Davis comes to Matthew's farm.”

Uncle Charles shook his head. “Your brother has a gift for medicine, and you have a gift for making pottery. I'm very proud of you both.”

Matthew glanced at her, and the smile on his lips made her pulse race. “She's quite a woman all right. I've never seen anything like the pottery she makes.”

“Which reminds me,” Uncle Charles said. “I wish you'd come to Maryville and visit me soon. The grandson of an old friend of mine has moved to town and opened a studio. He makes pottery and fires it in a kiln he built in the back yard. He's making quite a name for himself at the resorts in the mountains.”

Rani's mouth widened. “He has a kiln? I've read about them and wished that I could see one.”

“Well, come visit me, and I'll take you to his studio.”

Matthew swiveled in his seat. “I told you there were people who wanted to buy mountain-made crafts. Maybe you should go to Maryville and meet him. You might be able to sell some of your pottery through him.”

She waved her hand in dismissal. “I've told you mine aren't good enough to sell.”

“Well, I think they are,” Matthew said.

A slight smile pulled at the doctor's mouth. He looked from Rani to Matthew before he pushed his spectacles up on his nose. “Well, if you ever come to see me, I'll take you to his studio.”

She nodded. “All right, but I don't know when I'll be able to get away. I have too much going on here right now.”

Uncle Charles's mouth twitched. “That's what I thought.”

She started to ask him what he meant, but her mother's voice caught her attention. “Rani, come help us serve dessert.”