Mountain Homecoming

by Sandra Robbins

  Rani nodded, leaned back, and closed her eyes. Her lips moved, but Matthew couldn’t make out the words she prayed. He wondered how Laura’s words about George had affected her. He’d tried to tell her George’s choices weren’t her fault, but he didn’t think she had accepted that yet.

  After a moment he closed his eyes and offered his own prayer for Pete Ferguson’s well-being. As always he ended with the words he’d prayed every day since childhood. Don’t let me be like my father. Make me a better man.

  Matthew opened his eyes a few minutes later and smiled at the steady gaze Rani directed at him. Laura still sat with her eyes closed, and neither he nor Rani spoke. They didn’t have to. She stared at him with an intensity like he’d never experienced. And in her gaze he recognized what he’d been missing in his life. Rani loved him, and the thought almost took his breath away. He hoped she could see the same in his eyes.

  He smiled, and she nodded. Their silent communication confirmed what he’d known was taking place in their lives. Now he just had to figure out what they were going to do about it.

  Laura opened her eyes and sat up straight. “How long has it been since they carried Pete inside?”

  With the moment shattered, Matthew turned his attention back to Laura. “They haven’t had time to finish yet. We’ll just have to be patient.”

  An hour later, Matthew didn’t know how much more patient he could be. He had paced up and down the porch for the last fifteen minutes and paused at the door from time to time to listen for sounds from inside the house. So far he hadn’t been able to make out anything.

  He walked to the opposite end of the porch from where Rani and Laura sat and had just turned to walk back when Doc stepped out of the house. All three of them hurried to him before he could take a second step.

  Laura clutched at Doc’s arm. “How is he?”

  Doc smiled and patted her hand. “He’s doing fine, Laura. The cut wasn’t nearly as bad as the blood made it look. We were able to stop the bleeding and sew up the wound. He’s going to have to stay off his feet for a few weeks, but I think he’ll be back to normal before you know it.”

  Laura’s body sagged, and Matthew slipped an arm around her waist to steady her. “Thank You, Lord, thank You for sparing Pete’s life.”

  “I don’t want to move Pete today,” Doc continued. “We’ve got him settled in the bed in Stephen’s room. You can go in and see him, and you can stay in there with him tonight. If he does all right by tomorrow, we’ll help you get him home. I’ll be leaving for Maryville in a few days, but Anna will continue to come each day and check on him.”

  Laura wiped at the tears on her face and smiled. “I reckon there ain’t nowhere on earth folks would be so good as they are in the Cove. The Lord sure blessed me to put me among such friends.” Her brow wrinkled into a frown. “I reckon as soon as I see Pete I need to go home and tend to our livestock. Then I’ll come back.”

  Matthew shook his head. “I’ll do that for you, Mrs. Ferguson. In fact, while Pete’s laid up I’ll come by in the mornings and afternoons to take care of your animals. And I can chop wood for you and, well, do anything else you need.”

  Laura turned her head and stared at him. “That’s real kind of you, Matthew. Your ma had a good heart, and I reckon she’d be real proud of you for offerin’ to help me. You must be a lot like her.”

  Matthew couldn’t speak as Laura followed Doc into the house. When they’d disappeared inside, he turned back to Rani. A slight smile pulled at her lips. He swallowed hard. “Did you hear what she said, Rani? She said I was a lot like my mother.”

  She smiled. “I heard, and I think she’s right. Your offer to Laura meant a lot to her. I think you’re a very good man, Matthew Jackson. Now you have to believe it too.”

  “I’m trying,” he murmured. “But it sure is nice having someone believe in me.”

  “I’ll always believe in you.”

  The look she had directed at him earlier returned to her eyes, and it filled him with a renewed hope for his future. Now all he had to do was convince the rest of the people in the Cove he was more like his mother than his father.

  Chapter 11

  A week later Matthew emerged from the Martins’ barn and headed toward the fire pit in the field. Life had returned to normal at the Martin cabin. Pete had gone home two days after his accident, and Doc and Stephen had left a few days later.

  Matthew had done as promised and had gone by the Ferguson farm every day to do what he could to help. Pete, true to his mountain-bred nature, was determined to return the favor by helping to rebuild Matthew’s cabin.

  As Matthew approached the fire pit, he could see Rani sitting beside it. He dropped down beside her and grinned. “How’s the latest batch coming?”

  She glanced up from studying the glowing embers in the shallow pit and brushed her hair back over her shoulders. “They’re fine. We’re getting closer to having enough for the chimney.” She picked up a stick and stirred the coals in the bottom of the pit. “I didn’t expect to see you this morning. I thought you’d already left for the Fergusons when I came out here.”

  He shook his head. “No, I was in the barn getting ready to leave when I saw you come out of the cabin. I thought I’d see if the latest bricks fired all right.”

  She let her gaze drift over the charred bricks for a moment before she sat back on her heels. “They look fine. They should be cooled down enough by the time Poppa and I get back with the clay this afternoon. By tonight I’ll have the new ones ready to fire. Do you want to help me put them in and get the fire going?”

  He chuckled and nodded. “Haven’t I helped you every night for the last week? I think I’ve become an expert at pit firing.”

  She laughed and gave him a playful punch on the arm. “I’ll remember that. I can always use a good assistant.”

  He rose, reached down, and pulled her to her feet. “Anytime, ma’am. I’m at your service.”

  She stood so close he could easily wrap his arms around her, but he hesitated. He had kissed her, but he hadn’t spoken of a commitment. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but something kept him from speaking the words. There were still too many unanswered questions about his past that he had to resolve, and it was unfair of him to keep those things hidden from her.

  He took a deep breath. “You’d better get back to the house, and I need to get over to the Fergusons. I’ll see you at supper.”

  She frowned and shook her head. “You’re not leaving here without breakfast. I’m going to be too busy today to bring you anything to eat, so you’d better let us feed you and send something with you for later.” Her frown changed to a smile. “Besides I want you to stay for a while longer. I miss having breakfast with you when you leave early.”

  His heart kicked against his chest at the glint in her eye. “Then you’ve talked me into it. I can’t think of a better way to start the day than having breakfast with you and your family.”

  She smiled. “Good. I’ll tell Mama you’re staying after all. She was in the kitchen when I left, and Poppa was getting ready to go over to Uncle John’s.”

  He rubbed his hand over the stubble on his chin. “I guess I do need to wash up some and shave before I go back inside. I wouldn’t want you to regret asking me to stay.”

  “That would never happen.”

  She turned and headed back to the house. He watched her go and chuckled at how easy it had been for her to talk him into staying this morning. The truth was, though, he treasured every minute he spent with her.

  Thirty minutes later, even though Simon had already left for his brother’s house, Matthew couldn’t tear himself away. He knew he had a full day’s work waiting for him, but he was enjoying being with Anna and Granny and Rani this morning.

  With one piece of ham and a few biscuits left on the table, Matthew drained his coffee cup and set it down. “I’ve been leaving so early every morning to go over to the Fergusons that I’ve missed this time with all of you.” He glanced
over at Rani. “But Rani has been good about bringing me something to eat later in the day.”

  Granny covered her mouth with her hand and coughed. “I reckon Rani has been right good ’bout takin’ care of you, Matthew.”

  “She sure has, and I’ve enjoyed her company.” He leaned back in his chair and patted his stomach. “I don’t have to worry about being hungry here, that’s for sure. It’s been a long time since I’ve had cooking like this, Anna. With all the good eating you and Granny put out, I may decide I want to live here instead of at my farm.”

  Anna chuckled and rose. “Like we said, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. We think…” She hesitated and frowned. “Was that someone at the front door?” She rose to go to the door.

  Granny sighed. “I don’t think there’s a baby due. I shore hope nobody else is sick or hurt. We’ve had ’bout all the excitement we need for a while.”

  Matthew could hear Anna’s voice, but he couldn’t tell what she was saying. Within moments she hurried back into the kitchen. Matthew glanced at Rani in surprise. The boy Rani had given the cookies to at church trailed behind Anna.

  Rani jumped up and stared at the boy. “Noah, what are you doing here?”

  Noah’s blond hair looked as if it hadn’t been combed in days and the cowlick at the back of his head stuck straight up. He wore no shoes and his feet and ankles were covered in dirt. But it wasn’t his appearance that concerned Matthew as much as the fear in his blue eyes. His lips trembled as if he was trying to keep from crying.

  Rani glanced at her mother. “What’s the matter?”

  “Noah’s mother is very ill. From what he tells me, she’s been sick for several days, but she wouldn’t let him come for me. This morning he couldn’t wake her up, so he came anyway.”

  Granny pushed to her feet. “Child, where’s your pa?”

  Noah wiped his nose on his sleeve and shook his head. “Don’t know, Granny. He’s been gone a long time. He come home one day last week, but he took off ag’in ’bout three days ago—right after Ma got sick. Said he’d be back, but we ain’t seen him.”

  Anna pulled her apron off and hung it on a peg by the stove. “I have to go check on her, and Rani, I may need you to go for Dr. Harrison.” She turned toward him. “Matthew, can you hitch the horse to the buggy for us?”

  He nodded and jumped to his feet. “Of course, and I’ll go with you.”

  Granny and Anna exchanged quick glances, and Anna shook her head. “You don’t have to do that. You have a lot to do at your farm. I can manage the buggy on my own.”

  Matthew shook his head. “I don’t mind. If you need the doctor, I’ll be glad to go for you.”

  Anna placed her hand on Noah’s shoulder. “You may not want to accompany us. We’re going to Wade Campbell’s place. This is his son.”

  Matthew’s eyes grew wide, and he grasped the back of the chair. Memories of years ago tumbled through his head. Just like Noah, he had run to Anna when his mother needed help. He stared into the boy’s frightened eyes, and his heart dropped to the bottom of his stomach. He understood exactly what Noah was feeling. He swallowed hard. “Do Mr. Ben and Miss Virgie still live there?”

  Anna shook her head. “No, they both died some years ago. Now Wade and his family live in his parents’ cabin.”

  “Then I’m going, Anna. I don’t want you and Rani there alone.”

  He turned and rushed out the back door toward the barn. Halfway there he stopped and raised a trembling hand to rub his eyes. Of all the people in the Cove, he had hoped he could avoid seeing Wade Campbell, but his hopes had just been dashed.

  With a shake of his head, he inhaled and ran toward the barn. It didn’t make any difference if he saw Wade today or not. The past couldn’t be changed, and it did no good to dwell on it. All he needed to think about now was helping a young boy get help for his sick mother. If he encountered Wade in the process, he’d just have to deal with it.

  Rani had no idea what had just taken place between her mother and Matthew in the kitchen, but she knew it had upset Matthew. She directed a questioning look at her mother, but she just frowned and held out a chair for Noah. “Sit down, Noah, and Granny will get you some breakfast while Rani and I are getting ready.”

  The boy eyed the ham and biscuits on the table. “Thank you, Miss Anna. I ain’t had anything since yesterday when I ate the last of the biscuits Ma made ’fore she got so sick.”

  Granny hobbled over to the cabinet and pulled a plate out. “Well, you gonna eat now. How ’bout some milk to go with that there ham?”

  Before Rani could question her mother about Matthew’s reaction to Wade Campbell’s name, she rushed from the kitchen toward the room where her medical supplies were stored. Rani hurried after her and entered to find her mother already inspecting the contents of her medical bag.

  “Mama, what did Noah say is wrong with his mother?”

  Anna rifled through the bag for a moment before she looked up. “He just said she had pains in her side and has been vomiting. He also said her skin was very hot.”

  “Do you have any idea what it might be?”

  Her mother shook her head. “There’s no need to guess at this point. But we do need to hurry.”

  Rani nodded and took a step closer. “Mama, why did Matthew get upset when you mentioned Noah’s father?”

  Her mother closed the medical bag and picked it up. “Twenty years ago Wade Campbell was about the age you are now. His parents tried to keep a rein on him, but they couldn’t. He drank and gambled and was always into some kind of trouble. And he thought he could best any man in the Cove when it came to a fight.”

  Rani bristled at the memory from her Sunday school class a few months earlier. Noah had flinched when he sat down, and he had confided in her that his pa had whipped him with a razor strap. “Well, he hasn’t changed much. I’ve often wondered how his wife lives with him.”

  “Yes, Bertha has had a hard time, but she’s stayed because she had nowhere else to go. And she loves Noah.”

  Rani crossed her arms and frowned. “Well, his father must not or he wouldn’t beat him so. But I still don’t understand about Matthew.”

  Her mother sighed. “Like I said—Wade thought he could beat any man in a fight. One night he was in a tavern over in Wear’s Valley. He was drinking with Luke Jackson. They got into an argument, and when it was over, Luke was dead of a gunshot wound.”

  Rani’s eyes widened, and she gasped in surprise. “Wade Campbell is the man who killed Matthew’s father?”

  “Yes. All the witnesses said Luke drew his gun first, so Wade wasn’t charged with murder. I’d hoped Matthew would have some time to adjust to life here before he had to see Wade. And I hope he doesn’t come home while we’re there.”

  Rani turned her head at the rattle of the buggy drawing to a stop beside the house. “Matthew’s outside,” she said.

  Anna hurried from the room with Rani close behind. They stepped into the kitchen just as Matthew appeared at the door. “I’m ready whenever you are,” he said.

  Her mother motioned to Noah before she headed to her bedroom. “Noah, finish eating while I get something from my room.” She glanced over her shoulder at Matthew. “I won’t be but a minute.”

  Noah jammed the last bite of biscuit in his mouth and picked up the glass of milk. Rani looked around for Matthew, but he had disappeared back outside. She hesitated before she hurried to catch up with him.

  Matthew waited for them beside the buggy. He stared at the ground but looked up when she approached. She stopped in front of him and stared into his eyes. “Mama told me about Wade. Are you sure you’re all right?”

  The muscle in his jaw twitched, and his dark eyes reminded her of angry storm clouds. He looked very different from the man who had been laughing with her at the kitchen table just moments before. “I’ll be okay, Rani. I guess I was foolish to think I could avoid seeing Wade. I know I’ll have to see him sometime.”

  Rani frowned and inc
hed 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.