Mountain Homecoming (23 page)

Rani frowned and inched closer to him. “Do you hate him?”

He shook his head. “I don't hate him. It's my father I hate, and everything he put our family through. Wade just did what I wanted to do many times.”

Her breath caught in her throat, and she flinched at the anger lining his face. “You can't mean that, Matthew.”

“Oh, but I do,” he snarled. “You have no idea how it feels to have your mother put herself in front of you and take the blows your drunken father meant for you. My mother did that so many times I lost count. I would try to pull him off her, but he was too strong. After he'd finished, he'd pass out, and I'd think how easy it would be to shoot him.”

She reached for his hand and cupped it in both of hers. “My parents have always told me you endured a lot from your father, but all of that made you into the man you are today. The man who kissed me doesn't have it in him to kill anyone.”

He looked down at the hands covering his and let out a ragged breath before he pulled free. “You don't know me at all, Rani. And I guess it's better if you never do.”

Before she could respond, Anna and Noah rushed from the house and toward the waiting buggy. Matthew helped Anna climb into the front seat before he turned to her daughter. When he clasped Rani's hand to help her into the buggy, his fingers tightened around hers, and she glanced up at him. The anger she'd seen earlier was gone, and in its place sorrow clouded his eyes.

Noah jumped in next to Rani, and Matthew grabbed the reins and wrapped them around his hands. “Everybody ready?”

Rani nodded, and he flicked the reins across the horse's back. As they headed onto the road that led toward the Campbell's cabin, Rani stared at Matthew's rigid back. Gone was the warmhearted man who had comforted her at Willie's grave. The man who had kissed her and spoken with excitement about his dreams had also disappeared. Instead she saw the tormented face of a stranger.

She had witnessed the first glimpse of how past events had affected Matthew, and she realized he was right—she didn't know him at all. It appeared there were many different aspects of Matthew's personality she didn't understand. But much to her surprise, they didn't frighten her. Instead she felt protective of him. He needed someone to help him face the memories that still haunted him. She could be that someone.

She closed her eyes and prayed for Bertha Campbell, praying that her mother would be able to help her. And she prayed that nothing would happen at the Campbell cabin to awaken Matthew's dark memories.

When they pulled off the road and onto the trail leading to the Campbell cabin, Matthew's hands tightened on the reins. It had been twenty years since he'd come down this path, but he remembered it as if it were yesterday.

He still recalled how his shoes and pants were wet from running through the dew that sparkled on the grass that morning, but he didn't mind. He only had one thought in his head. Find his father, who had left home three days ago to go hunting for some game to feed the family. Now with all the food gone and his mother nearly exhausted from tending his sick brother, Matthew had slipped away to come to the home of Ben and Virgie Campbell, Wade's parents.

They had been cordial, but they didn't know if his father was off with Wade or not. Mrs. Campbell had even offered him a biscuit and a cup of milk, but he had refused. He didn't have time to eat when his mother and Eli were hungry. He had run most of the way home and had arrived just as the sheriff rode his horse into their yard.

Matthew heard his mother's scream at the sight of his father's body draped over the back of another horse the sheriff led, but he couldn't move. He stood still and stared at the man who had caused their family so much pain. His mother wouldn't receive any more beatings from his father, and relief had coursed through Matthew's body. But then he'd looked at his mother, and he'd regretted his thoughts.

In a few minutes time, her appearance had changed. Grief had carved hollowed-out lines in her face, and she looked like an old woman. Her wail split the air, and she fell to her knees, her hands lifted toward heaven as she cried out her agony to God. He'd never been able to rid himself of that picture. It had been seared in his mind. Every time he thought of his mother, he remembered how she'd looked the day the sheriff brought his father's body home.

Then resilience born of the hard life she'd endured took control. She pushed to her feet and pulled her apron up to wipe away her tears. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders, and her features melted into the impassive look she would bear until her death five years later. She turned to him, and in that mountain twang he loved she said, “Son, I reckon you better be a-goin' for Miss Anna and Granny.”

And that journey had now brought him to the one he was making today. Back to the place he'd come twenty years ago looking for his missing father, because today another young boy had come in search of help for his mother.

Matthew pulled the horse to a stop at the front of the cabin and climbed down. Anna and Rani were out of the buggy and rushing through the front door before he could walk around to help them down.

He tied the horse to a tree at the side of the yard and turned back toward the cabin. Noah stood facing the door on the front porch. His arms dangled at his sides, and his small fingers flexed. Matthew stepped up next to him and touched his shoulder. “Noah, do you want me to take you inside?”

The boy stared up at him, and his eyes filled with tears. “I'm a-feared to go in. My ma is mighty sick. What if she dies?”

Matthew started to assure him that his mother was going to be all right, but he thought better of it. He had no idea how sick Noah's mother was, and the last thing he wanted was to offer him false hope. He put his hand on the boy's shoulder. “Let's not think like that right now. Miss Anna will let us know something before long. In the meantime, how about if we sit down here on the steps and get better acquainted.”

Noah nodded and took a seat on the top step. He tilted his head to one side and squinted up at Matthew. “I seen you in church.”

Matthew dropped down beside the boy, stretched his legs out, and crossed his right foot over the left. “I remember that. You're the boy who ate my cookie. My name's Matthew Jackson. I used to live in the Cove, but I moved away. Now I've come back.”

“Do you know my pa?”

“Yeah, I know him, and I knew your grandparents. Your grandpa was a mighty fine man.”

Noah shrugged. “I don't remember him. I kinda have a picture in my head of my granny, but I'm not sure.” They sat in silence for a moment before Noah spoke again. “I sure wish Miss Anna would come let me know about my ma.”

“She will. Give her time.”

The words were barely out of his mouth before the door opened, and Anna stepped onto the porch. Noah jumped to his feet and ran to stand in front of her. “How's my ma, Miss Anna?”

Anna knelt down and placed her hand on Noah's shoulder. She smiled and stared into his eyes. “Your mother is very sick, Noah. But she is so proud of you because you came to get me. She told me you are the best son any mother could ever have.”

Noah frowned and stared past Anna to the door. “When can I go in and see her?”

“She's resting now and doesn't need to be disturbed. But I need to ask you some questions about your mother's illness. So I want you to think real hard before you answer. Do you understand?”

Noah nodded. “Yes'm.”

Anna smiled. “You told me your mother got sick about the time your father left three days ago. Do you remember if she said anything before that about not feeling well?”

He twisted his mouth to one side and thought for a moment before he answered. “I came inside the other day, and she was bent over and a-holdin' her stomach. When I asked her what was wrong, she said she had a pain. My pa come home that night, and I heard her tell him she'd been hurtin' for a few days and needed to go see Dr. Harrison. Pa told her he was tired of her complainin' and layin' around all the time and he didn't have money to pay no doctor.”

Anna's lips pulled into a straight line. “Do you remember what day that was?”

“It was the day we got the big rain that afternoon.”

Anna smiled. “Thank you, Noah. That helps me a lot. Now I need you to do something else to help your mother.”

His eyes grew large in his small face. “Tell me what you want, Miss Anna, and I'll do it.”

She stood, placed her hands on his shoulders, and turned him to face Matthew. “We need to get Dr. Harrison for your mother, and Matthew doesn't know where he lives. It's way on the other side of the Cove. I want you to go with Matthew and show him where Dr. Harrison lives so he can come help her. Can you do that?”

Noah nodded. “Yes'm. I reckon I know where he lives. It won't take us long.”

He turned, dashed down the steps, and headed to the buggy. Matthew stepped closer to Anna. “How bad is it?”

She bit down on her lip and shook her head. “Very bad. Tell Dr. Harrison to hurry. If Noah's right about his mother being sick the day of the big rain, then she's been ill for over a week. If Bertha has appendicitis like I suspect, it may have already abscessed and burst.”

Matthew glanced at the boy seated in the buggy and then back to Anna. “Is there anything you can do for her?”

“No, I'm not qualified to operate. And I'm afraid that's all that will save her life at this point. Get Dr. Harrison back here as quickly as you can.”

“I will.” He jumped down the steps and ran to untie the horse.

Within minutes the buggy was bouncing over the ruts left in the road from the winter storms. Noah didn't speak but stared straight ahead as if he were willing the horse to go faster. When the turn-off to Dr. Harrison's home finally came into sight, Noah pointed to his right. “The doctor's house is down this here path.”

Matthew turned the horse into the narrow lane leading to a cabin at the end. Noah was out of the buggy and onto the porch before he had pulled the buggy to a complete stop. Matthew tied the reins to a hitching post in front of the house and bounded up the steps. Noah doubled up his fist and pounded on the door.

The door opened, and a young woman holding a baby in her arms stood before them. “May I help you?” The baby gurgled, and she bounced him in her arms.

Matthew removed his hat. “Morning, ma'am. I'm Matthew Jackson. I'm sorry we had to come banging on your door so early.”

The woman smiled. “That's not unusual, Mr. Jackson. I'm Lettie Harrison. How can I help you?”

“Anna Martin sent us for Dr. Harrison.” He glanced down at Noah and grasped his shoulder. “This is Noah Campbell, and his mother is very sick. Miss Anna says she needs a doctor right away.”

A frown creased her forehead. “Oh, I'm sorry. My husband isn't here right now. He left yesterday to go over to Gatlinburg.”

“Do you know what time he'll be back?”

She shook her head. “I'm not sure, but he should be home sometime this afternoon.” She stepped back and motioned for them to come inside. “You're welcome to wait if you'd like.”

Noah looked up. Big tears filled his eyes.

Matthew put his hand on the boy's shoulder and smiled. “Noah, I'd better get on back and let Anna know the doctor's coming later. But you can stay here and bring him to your cabin when he gets back.”

Noah's lips trembled, and he shook his head. “I 'spect I need to git on back home too. My ma might need me to do something for her.”

Matthew nodded. “I understand.” He turned to Mrs. Harrison. “When your husband returns, please tell him to come to Wade Campbell's cabin. Anna says it's urgent.”

Mrs. Harrison bent over and looked into Noah's face. “I will send my husband the minute he gets home. And I'll pray that Anna will be able to help your mother in the meantime.”

Noah clamped his lips together and took a deep breath. “Thank you kindly, ma'am. We'll be a-lookin' for the doctor.”

Noah turned and ran down the steps to the buggy. Matthew watched him climb in before he leaned closer and whispered. “Tell your husband Anna thinks it's appendicitis, and she believes it may have already abscessed.”