Mountain Homecoming (7 page)

Matthew glanced around to see Rani standing in the kitchen door. A dishtowel dangled from her hands. The look George had flashed at Anna intensified as he stared at Rani. “I thought I'd come by and set for a spell.”

The meaning behind his words hit Matthew like a brick. The real meaning of George's visit wasn't to visit with Simon and Anna. He was here to see Rani. He had come to court her.

Matthew clenched his fists at his side and bit down on his lip. Suddenly he felt like an outsider. He'd been gone for years and knew nothing about what had happened in the Cove during his absence. People had lived and died here. Those he'd known had married and had babies that were now grown. He'd missed being a part of life in the Cove. So why did he care that a young man had come to court a woman he hadn't even known existed until today? He might not understand why it bothered him, but he knew it did.

As he stared at her a slight flush colored Rani's cheeks, and she darted a quick glance in his direction. Before he could say anything, Anna motioned to Simon. “Come help me finish the dishes so Rani can visit with George.”

Granny reached for her cane and grasped the handle. “And I reckon it's time I was a-gettin' to bed.” Anna and Simon helped Granny to her feet and held to her for a moment as she struggled to get her balance. When she'd steadied herself, she smiled at George. “It's good to see you, boy. Tell your folks hello for me.”

He nodded. “I'll do it, Granny.”

Anna glanced over her shoulder at Matthew as she and Simon led Granny toward the kitchen. “Come with us, Matthew. I'll show you to Stephen's room. It's in the addition Simon built on the back of the cabin.”

Matthew nodded and glanced at George. “It was good meeting you, George. I hope I'll see you again soon.”

George grinned again, and Matthew was struck by the young man's friendly manner. “Me too. If'n you need any help a-gettin' your cabin and barn rebuilt, let me and Pa know. We'd be glad to give you a hand.”

“Thanks. I'll remember that.” He turned and followed Simon and Anna. Rani had stepped into the room and stood next to the kitchen door. As he approached she backed away, her hands clasped behind her back, and stared at the floor. He stopped beside her. “Goodnight, Rani.”

“Goodnight, Matthew.” Her icy words sent a chill down his spine.

He'd hoped she'd say something else. When she didn't, he hurried into the kitchen and followed Simon and Anna down a narrow hallway to the left of the back door. Simon, who'd picked up the oil lamp from the kitchen table, held it high to light their way.

“John and I built this addition when Stephen and Rani were born,” Simon was saying. “We built four rooms back here in hopes we'd have a larger family.” His voice cracked on the last words, and he and Anna exchanged quick glances. After a moment he continued. “Anyway, Rani and Stephen each had a room, and Anna uses one for all her herbs and medical supplies. And now Granny has the other one.”

An awkward silence followed Simon's words, and Matthew cleared his throat. “I'm sorry I haven't asked you about your brother and his family. Do they still live in the Cove?”

Simon nodded. “Yes. Besides my duties at the church, I help John farm the land our parents left us. He and Martha have three children. Annie married and moved to Townsend where her husband got a job. Rachel and Daniel are still at home.”

Matthew chuckled. “I guess I have a lot of catching up to do. But for now I really appreciate you letting me stay in Stephen's room.”

“You're welcome as long as you need a place,” Simon said. He and Anna came to a stop, and he leaned over and kissed Granny on the cheek. “Goodnight. I hope you have sweet dreams.”

A soft chuckle rumbled in her throat. She turned and patted Matthew's arm. “I reckon I will. Having this boy back is some of the best medicine I've had in years.”

Matthew's eyes burned, but he forced the tears back. He swallowed, leaned forward, and hugged Granny. “This is the best day I've had since I lost my ma and Eli.”

“And we's got lots of good times a-comin'. I know the Lord's gonna bless you, Matthew.”

“He already has just letting me be here with all of you.”

She smiled again and hobbled into her room. The light from an oil lamp on a table by her bed sent a soft glow across the room and cast her shadow on the far wall. His heart pricked at her stooped shoulders. Granny had always seemed invincible to him, able to tackle any task and be successful. But the years of hard living in the Cove had taken their toll, and even she wasn't immune to their effect.

Anna closed the door and pointed to the room across the hall. “This is where you'll sleep. Rani's room is on the other side of Granny's, and my herb room is next to yours. I think you'll find everything you need, but let me know if you don't.” She turned to Simon. “Why don't you light the lamp on the bedside table for Matthew?”

Simon nodded, walked into the room, and pulled the chimney from the lamp. Within moments, light filtered across the room. “There you go, Matthew.”

Matthew glanced through the doorway at the bed covered with a patchwork quilt. He could see some books on a shelf on one wall and a hunting rifle hanging on another. He couldn't help feeling a little envious of the boy who'd been lucky enough to grow up here. He shook the thought from his head and smiled. “Thank you both for letting me stay in your son's room. I'll try not to be a bother while I'm here.”

Simon waved his hand in dismissal. “You're always welcome here. It's like having long-lost family return.” He reached for Anna's hand and started to walk back to the kitchen, but he paused at the doorway. “I may not see you in the morning. John and I are going to cut wood for the cook stoves. I should be back by noon, but you may be gone by then.”

Matthew nodded. “I'm going back to my farm in the morning and look things over. I've got a lot to do there, and I have to figure out where the best place is to start. After I do, I plan on going back to Townsend to buy what I need.”

“But you'll be here tomorrow night?”

“I doubt it. I may leave tomorrow.”

“How many days you think you'll be gone?” Simon asked.

“About three, I guess. I want to be back by Saturday so I can be here for Granny's birthday.”

Anna smiled. “Good. And try to get back in time to help us celebrate her family birthday Saturday night.”

He nodded. “I will.”

They turned and disappeared through the doorway that led into the kitchen. After a moment Matthew entered the room. He walked to the shelf and trailed his fingers across the books' spines as he read the titles.
The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, Moby Dick
.

Matthew smiled. So Simon and Anna had a son who liked adventure and read about what was happening in other parts of the world. But their daughter seemed very different. She appeared to be more concerned about what was happening to the valley she'd lived in all her life.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and let his gaze travel over the small room. It came to rest on the lamp Simon had lit. A round, clay bowl streaked with orange and black sat on the table next to it. He picked up the container and stared at the arrowheads it held inside. He could imagine Simon taking his son on a walk through the fields as they searched for remnants of the Cherokee people who had once lived in this valley.

He held up one of the arrowheads to the light and studied it before he placed it back in the bowl and set it on the table. There was no doubt in his mind that Simon and Anna's son had lived a happy life here with his parents. Nothing like what he had endured at the hands of his father.

He undressed, lay down on top of the patchwork quilt, and put his hands behind his head. As he stared up at the ceiling, Rani's face drifted into his mind. Ever since he'd encountered her at his farm, he hadn't been able to get her out of his mind. It was as if she had some kind of hold on him, and he didn't understand it.

Maybe what he needed was a good night's sleep. He might feel differently in the morning. Like his mother always said, you never could tell what a new day would bring.

A
nna read back over her journal entry for today. She closed the book and rubbed her hands over the smooth leather cover. How many journals had she filled with her thoughts since coming to Cades Cove over twenty years ago? She smiled as she remembered how the first one had contained Granny's instructions about the medicinal uses of herbs. In the years since, she'd written of her life with Simon and their children. Someday she would pass them all to her grandchildren.

Smiling, she laid the book in the desk drawer and pushed herself up from her chair. She walked to the bedroom door and peeked out to see if Rani and George were still talking. The low buzz of their voices drifted from the front room. Smiling, she closed the door and walked back to sit on the edge of the bed. As she pulled the brush she held through her long hair, her gaze traveled over Simon in the chair next to the lamp table.

For the last fifteen minutes, he'd been absorbed in the Scripture passage he was reading. She liked this time of night when they could be alone in their bedroom without the normal distractions of family life.

The muscle in her husband's jaw flexed as it did whenever he was concentrating, and a slight frown puckered his brow every so often. Through the years she'd come to know and love all his little mannerisms. His facial expression told her that he was committing something to memory. Probably a passage he'd use in his sermon next Sunday.

Her gaze traveled to the gray streaks in the hair around his ears. She smiled softly in spite of herself. He had been concerned when the first ones had appeared, but she assured him it gave him a more distinguished look. To her he would always be the young man whose laughing eyes had captured her heart the day she arrived in Cades Cove and stepped from her uncle's buggy.

After a minute he shut his Bible and placed it on the table. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose before he looked up at her. “Is George still here?”

She nodded. “I could hear them talking in the front room.”

Simon picked up his pocket watch he'd placed on the table beside him, looked at it, and frowned. “Doesn't that boy ever know when to go home?”

Anna laughed and laid her brush on the bedside table. “I'm sure he'll leave in a little while.” She stood up, stretched her arms over her head, and yawned. “I wonder if he's going to propose soon?”

Simon's eyebrows arched, and his eyes widened. “Propose? Why would you think such a thing? Rani's not old enough to get married.”

A laugh rumbled in her throat, and she ran to him and settled herself in his lap. His arms encircled her, and she leaned her head against his shoulder. He tightened his embrace and nuzzled her ear.

She reached up and stroked his cheek. “So you think Rani's too young to think about marriage. Did you ever consider the fact that she's the same age I was when we married?”

His lips grazed her cheek. “That was different. You were more mature.”

She pulled away from him and stared into his face. “Why, Simon Martin, I didn't have any idea what life was all about until I came to the Cove and fell in love with you.”

His eyes lit up with a teasing glint. “Yes, I did have a time persuading you that you could be happier living in a cabin in the mountains than you could be in a bustling city.”

She swatted at his arm. “You make it sound like I was a spoiled girl.”

His dark eyes narrowed. “Have you ever been sorry you stayed instead of going to New York to nursing school?”

Her hand cupped his cheek, and she leaned forward and brushed his lips with hers. “How could I be sorry? I found the greatest love any woman could ever have, and you've made me happier than I could ever have thought possible.”

He swallowed, and his Adam's apple bobbed. “The first time I saw you I knew God had sent you here for me. I love you more today than I did the day we married.”

“And I love you too.” She smiled and settled back against him. “Life hasn't been easy here, but God has gotten us through some rough times.”

They were both silent for a moment before he whispered, “I saw you staring at Willie's picture tonight. It doesn't get any easier, does it?”

“Easier? I don't think it ever will.” Tears filled her eyes, and she shook her head. “I try not to question why God took him, but sometimes I do anyway.”

Simon let out a long sigh. “So do I. Some days I wake up hoping I dreamed he's gone, then I know it's real.” He was silent for a moment. “A preacher is supposed to be a man of faith, and I pray every day God will give me strength to bear that great loss. Then it's as if God speaks to me and says His Son died too, and I realize He knows how I feel. That helps.”

She cuddled closer to him. “One of my sweetest memories is how quickly Willie could memorize a Bible verse you taught him.”

Simon chuckled. “Yes. I told him he was going to know the whole Bible before he was grown. I thought God had given me a son to follow me in the ministry.”