Mountain Homecoming

by Sandra Robbins

  “Fine.”

  “Good.” Simon directed his attention back to Rani. “It’s almost time to start. You need to get the children back inside.”

  She clapped her hands, and the children grew still. “It’s time to go inside.” A groan arose from the group, and she saw Matthew cover his mouth with his hand. She propped her hands on her hips and frowned. “None of that. Now swallow your last bite of cookie, and go inside and find your folks.”

  With a whoop the children jumped up and ran into the church. Noah stopped before entering and looked back at her. “Miss Rani, will you bring some more of them cookies next time?”

  She smiled. “I will, but I have a secret just for you.”

  His eyes grew wide, and he hopped back down the steps to where she stood. “What is it?” he whispered.

  She leaned forward and stared into his face. “I brought an extra batch of cookies for you to take home today. When you and your ma get ready to leave, let me know, and I’ll get them for you.”

  His mouth gaped open, and he shook his head in disbelief. “Honest, Miss Rani? You brought some just for me?”

  “Just for you, Noah. But don’t tell the other children. I don’t have any for them.”

  He threw his arms around Rani and hugged her before he charged up the steps and into the church. When the door closed behind him, Matthew touched her arm. “That was mighty nice of you, Rani. You sure made him happy.”

  She didn’t know if her skin warmed from his touch or for her concern over Noah. The child had been on her mind a lot lately, and she prayed for him and his mother every day. “Noah has a hard time. His father doesn’t stay home much, and his mother struggles. I wish I could have brought them more food, but his mother’s too proud to accept it. But she won’t turn down anything I bake if I say it’s for Noah.”

  He exhaled and withdrew his hand. “Sounds like Noah and his mother have a lot in common with my family.”

  “I’ve never thought about it before, but I suppose they do.” She glanced back at the church door. “We’d better get inside before Poppa comes looking for us.”

  Matthew laughed and swept his arm toward the door. “Then let’s go. I’ll follow you inside.”

  Matthew stopped inside the door of the church and stared at the people already seated. Before he could take a step down the aisle, John Martin, Simon’s brother, jumped up from his seat and headed toward him.

  He grabbed Matthew’s hand and pumped it up and down. “Simon told me you was gonna be here today. We sure are glad to have you back home, Matthew. I’ll be over in a few days to see how I can help you out gettin’ your farm up and running again.” He motioned to a man sitting in the back row. “Hey, Joshua, do you remember Matthew Jackson?”

  The man rose and extended his hand. “It’s been a long time. He may not remember me. I’m Joshua Whitson.”

  Matthew nodded. “I do remember you. My mother often spoke of your wife.”

  “Yeah, your ma was a good woman. We missed her after she moved away. Let me know if you need any help at your farm,” he said as he headed back to his seat.

  “We’ll talk later,” John said, and walked back to the pew where his wife Martha sat. She smiled and waved at Matthew before she scooted down to make room for her husband.

  Matthew glanced down at Rani, who’d been silent during the exchange. A satisfied expression covered her face, and she leaned forward. “Now you see that folks are going to be friendly with you.”

  He was about to agree until he looked past her to where George Ferguson sat beside his father. George glared at him before he leaned over and whispered something to his father. Pete darted a glance at Matthew before he frowned and looked away.

  The old feeling of being the outsider washed over him, and he almost turned and left the church. Then he took a deep breath and forced a smile to his face. “At least some people seem glad to see me.”

  When they entered the church, Rani’s mother was already at the pump organ. Her father bent over her as they discussed the songs the congregation would sing today. The sight of them together always filled Rani with happiness, but today she held her head a little higher—Matthew walked down the aisle behind her.

  She stopped at the pew near the front where Granny sat and dropped down next to her. Matthew followed, and before she realized it, she sat wedged between Granny and Matthew. He was so close their shoulders touched.

  Her father strode to the pulpit. “Everybody, get a hymnal and turn to one of our favorites, number fifteen.”

  The congregation rose as her mother began to play the opening chords of Old Time Religion. Rani grabbed a hymnal, opened it to the page, and held it up so Matthew could see it. He spread his fingers across the back of the book, his fingers brushing hers. Her hand tingled. She knew she should pull it away, but instead she inched her fingers closer until they rested next to his.

  He didn’t look up, but his fingers lifted and slowly descended to settle atop hers. The movement sucked the breath from her, and she almost gasped aloud. One gentle touch was all she felt before his fingers relaxed and moved away. Had the caress been accidental or intentional? The stony look on his face betrayed nothing. In confusion, she let go of the hymnal and dropped her hand to her side.

  Rani had no understanding of the words she sang or those spoken by her father in his sermon. All she could think about for the next hour was how she had felt when Matthew’s hand touched hers.

  When the last song was sung and the benediction complete, Matthew stepped into the aisle and waited for her to follow before he moved back to Granny and helped her to her feet. She patted his arm and smiled, “How did it feel to be back in your home church today?”

  “It felt mighty good, Granny. Now I’m ready to enjoy your birthday shindig.”

  Rani felt a hand tugging at her arm, and she turned to see Lavinia Davis beside her. “Come on, Rani,” she said. “I need you out to where we’re gonna spread dinner. There’s lots to do, and I have a job for you.”

  “I’ll be right there, Mrs. Davis.” She glanced back at Matthew, but he appeared to be occupied with assisting Granny.

  Her mother hurried over from the organ and grabbed Rani by the arm. “Come on, Rani. Lavinia needs us. Matthew can help Granny outside.”

  Matthew glanced up at the sound of Anna’s voice and nodded. “You two go on. I’ll bring the birthday girl.”

  He didn’t look at Rani, and her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. She’d been foolish to read too much into what had happened earlier. She whirled and followed her mother from the church.

  Outside women carried large baskets of food toward the tables that had been set up under the trees. Rani and her mother joined them, and before long platters and bowls filled with the Cove’s bounty lined the tables. Out of the corner of her eye, Rani caught sight of Matthew easing Granny into a chair one of the men brought for her, and then her father called out for everyone to be quiet.

  Simon stood next to Granny’s chair and laid his hand on her shoulder. “We’ve come together today to honor one of the most beloved women in our community. Matilda Lawson, better known to all of us as Granny, was born in this valley seventy years ago yesterday. Her mother taught her how to be a midwife as her mother had done before her. I’d like for you to raise your hand if Granny delivered you into this world.”

  All around, hands shot into the air. Rani held hers up. So did Matthew and her father.

  “I thought so,” Simon continued. “Granny has been more than a midwife to us, though. She’s been a doctor when we didn’t have one, a mother when ours was gone, and a spiritual advisor in our lives when we needed her. Because of her, I’ve been the pastor at this church for going on twenty-five years, and it’s because of her that I have my wonderful wife and family.”

  Her father choked up, raised his hand to his mouth, and coughed. “Before we eat, I want to say a prayer of thanks for this woman who has meant so much to us.” The gathered friends bowed their heads. “
Father, You know all that Granny has meant to the people of Cades Cove. I thank You for her, for the healing hands You gave her, for the dedication to Your work she’s taken with her into every home where she was needed, and for the influence she’s had on all our lives. I pray You will continue to bless her and give her many more years with the people who love her. Amen.”

  Amens rang out across the group as they raised their heads. Then one after another they came forward to hug her or to shake her hand. Most of them whispered to her, and Granny’s eyes glistened with tears. After they spoke with her, they stepped to the tables and piled their plates with food.

  By the time Rani finished serving, most of the crowd had scattered across the churchyard in small groups. Matthew sat on the ground next to Granny, his full plate on his lap. Granny balanced her plate on her legs and laughed from time to time at something Matthew had said.

  Although she didn’t feel as if she could eat anything, Rani put a piece of ham, some corn bread, and a spoonful of peas on her plate. Before she could decide where to settle, a familiar voice beside her interrupted her thoughts.

  “Hello, Rani. I ain’t had a chance to talk to you today. How about us settin’ under that tree over yonder and eatin’ together?”

  Rani turned to face the man beside her. George. She started to excuse herself, but the hopeful look on his face made her feel guilty. She glanced at Matthew once more in hopes he’d look her way, but he didn’t.

  She forced a smile to her face. “I’d like that, George.”

  Matthew’s mind had been in turmoil ever since he’d entered the church earlier today. Besides his fears about how the people who’d known his father would accept him, he’d worried about what Anna had said last night about introducing him to some young women. He didn’t want that, but he didn’t want to hurt Anna either.

  “What you thinkin’ ’bout, Matthew?” Granny’s voice startled him.

  He shook his head and chuckled. “Just about coming home, I guess. And about how good your birthday party’s turned out. I haven’t eaten this much in years.” He set his plate on the ground beside him.

  Granny put her fork in her plate and leaned forward in the chair where she’d sat since they came out of the church. “I guess you was a-feared of seeing folks today who knew your pa.”

  He shook his head in amazement. “Granny, how do you know exactly what’s on my mind? It was that way when I was a boy too.”

  She laughed. “I guess I’m just an old woman who pays attention to what’s a-goin’ on around me.”

  He reached for her plate and set it on top of his. “Well, I’d better be careful when I’m near you. You might not like reading some of my thoughts.”

  She swatted at his arm. “I don’t have no fear ’bout that. But I thought ev’rybody acted real friendly to you.”

  “They did. A few people didn’t remember me, but most did. Do you think I was wrong to worry about folks holding a grudge against me because of my pa?”

  Granny’s eyes clouded. “It’s hard to know how folks are gonna think, but there ain’t no need to go a-worryin’ about things like that. Most of the Cove folks know you ain’t like your daddy.” She leaned over and patted his arm. “Fact is, you more like your mother than anybody. She was a sweet woman, and I thought a lot of her.”

  His eyes misted, and he blinked. “She loved you, Granny.”

  Granny straightened in her chair and smoothed her dress over her lap. “But it’s too purty a day to be a-talkin’ ’bout such sad things. Why don’t you take our plates back over to Lavinia before she has a conniption? That woman shore do like for things to run on schedule.”

  He grinned. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  As he rose, he glanced around for Rani. He hadn’t seen her since she’d finished serving. His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach when he spied her and George together some distance from the group. He gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on the plates when she laughed at something George was saying.

  The thought of their fingers touching in church returned, and he wondered if she’d been offended. He hoped not.

  “Matthew?” Granny said.

  He pulled his attention back to her. “Yes, Granny.”

  She pointed toward the table. “The plates. Remember you supposed to be a-takin’ ’em back.”

  He nodded. “Sorry, Granny. I’m on my way.”

  He hurried to the table and handed the plates to Mrs. Davis. As he turned back to Granny, he swallowed back the panic rising in his throat. Anna, her arm around the waist of a young woman, stood beside Granny. The moment he’d dreaded had arrived. He cast another glance in Rani’s direction, but she still seemed intent on what George was saying.

  Anna waved to him. “Matthew, come here. I want you to meet somebody.”

  “Coming, Anna.” He forced himself to smile and trudged back to stand beside her.

  A slight smile pulled at Granny’s lips, but Anna beamed as he came to a stop. She nudged the girl a little closer to him. “Matthew, this is Becky Ledbetter. You may remember her father, Howard Ledbetter. Their farm is on the west end of the Cove.”

  Matthew nodded. “I do remember.” He smiled at the young woman. “It’s nice to meet you, Becky. I spoke to your pa earlier. He remembered me too.”

  The young woman smiled and ducked her head. “It’s right nice a-meetin’ you, Matthew. Welcome back to the Cove.”

  “Thanks.”

  Matthew’s mind went blank, and he suddenly felt tongue-tied. He shot Anna a pleading look to fill the awkward silence. Becky glanced from Anna to him and shifted her weight from one foot to another for a moment before she wiggled from Anna’s grasp and backed away. “I better be goin’ now. I think my ma needs me to help her git our basket to the buggy.” She glanced down at Granny. “Happy birthday, Granny. I had a fun time.”

  Granny nodded. “Me too, Becky. Tell your ma I shore did like that strawberry cake she baked.”

  “I’ll tell her.” Becky turned and hurried away.

  A pleased expression on her face, Anna turned to Matthew. “Well?”

  He arched his eyebrows. “What?”

  “How did you like her?”

  Perspiration popped out on Matthew’s forehead, and he tugged at the collar of his shirt. “I liked her fine, Anna. I’m sure she’s a nice young woman.”

  Anna sighed and glanced at Granny. “He didn’t like her, did he?” She narrowed her eyes and let her gaze drift over the people scattered across the grounds. Her eyes widened, and she snapped her fingers. “I know. Charity Hopkins. I need to find her. I’ll be right back.”

  “Anna, please don’t…” But before he could finish his sentence, Anna had already left in search of the girl.

  Ever since they’d sat down under the tree, George had droned on and on about what he’d done on the farm for the last three days. Rani tried to appear interested, but she felt as if she’d been right there with him from sunup until sundown every day. When he finally paused for breath, she spoke. “It sounds like you’ve been busy.”

  “I have been, but I’ve been thinking ’bout you too. I hope you did the same for me.”

  “I have,” she said. “In fact just this morning I was wondering if your family had heard anything from Ted and Josie since they moved.”

  “That ain’t what I meant, Rani, and you know it,” he snarled. “I don’t know why all of a sudden you done started actin’ like some stranger who don’t have time for me.”

  “George, please…”

  His eyes narrowed, and he held up his hand to stop her. “Don’t say nothin’ else right now.” He glanced back toward the tables. Lavinia was motioning for everyone to bring their plates back. He reached over, took her plate, and stood. “I’m gonna take these back, then I’m a-comin’ back to have a real important talk with you. It’s time you started takin’ me serious.”

  The anger on his face alarmed Rani, and she jumped to her feet as he strode away. She looked around for her mother a
nd caught sight of her standing next to Matthew, her arm around Becky Ledbetter’s waist.

  Her mother had carried through on her promise. Rani’s eyes filled with tears when Matthew said something to Becky. The smile on Becky’s face probably meant she already had her sights set on snaring Matthew. And who could blame him for being interested in Becky? After all, she was known as the prettiest girl in the Cove. But Rani didn’t think she could stand it if Matthew thought so too. She didn’t want to watch them laughing and talking together, and she didn’t want to have the conversation George had just mentioned. All she wanted was to get away and be alone for a while.

  Before George could turn and come back, she ran around the church and into the cemetery in the field next to it. She raced to the far side as fast as she could and stopped at the place she’d come many times in the past few years. She dropped to her knees beside the small headstone and balled her fists. For a moment all she could do was stare at the name etched into the stone. William Prentiss Martin.

  She crossed her arms, hugged her body, and toppled forward. She landed face-down on the grave. Her fingers dug into the hard earth, and she sobbed.

  Matthew didn’t want to meet any more young women, but he didn’t know how to tell Anna. He pulled his attention away from her retreating figure and cast a glance in the direction of Rani and George, but they no longer sat where they had a few minutes before. He searched the crowd, but they were nowhere to be seen. He glanced at Granny, and a smile curled her lips.

  “You ain’t interested in meetin’ no girls, are you?” she said.

  He started to deny Granny’s accusation, but he couldn’t meet her steady gaze. He looked down at his feet and shook his head. “No.”

  Granny straightened in her chair. “Well, in case you’re interested in where Rani went, I saw her run around behind the church when George took their plates back to the table. I ’spect he’s a-lookin’ for her right now, but you might find her first if you’d go to the back of the cemetery.”