Beyond These Hills

by Sandra Robbins

  Her father shook his head. “You’re not intruding. From what Laurel’s said, you’ve been a big help to our family today. I’d like for you to join us.”

  Laurel held out her hand. “Besides, I want you with me.”

  He smiled at her father, stepped forward, and grabbed Laurel’s hand. “Thank you, Matthew. I’d be honored to be with all of you at this time.”

  Laurel clenched his hand tighter as they stepped into the bedroom. Granny lay with the quilt she’d always loved pulled up over her body. The doctor, a somber expression on his face, stood at the foot of the bed.

  Anna picked up the rocker that Granny had spent many hours in, set it next to the bed, and motioned for her husband to take a seat. She reached for Granny’s Bible and began flipping through the pages. A serene expression covered her face as she leaned forward and handed the Bible to her husband.

  He gazed up into her eyes, and the look that passed between them made Laurel’s breath hitch in her throat. They had shared more than a love for each other. Theirs had been a divine calling to minister to the people of the Cove, and Granny had been the one who had shared their journey with them all these years. Now they were about to lose her.

  Laurel stifled the sob that rose in her throat as her grandparents clasped hands and covered Granny’s with theirs. Her grandmother cleared her throat.

  “Granny, I thought you might like for Simon to read your favorite chapter from the Bible to you. I couldn’t start to count the number of times we’ve read this together through the years, and yet every time it blesses me more than it did the time before. I want it to give you peace now.”

  A sweet comfort filled Laurel at the sound of her grandmother’s voice. That hypnotic tone had soothed her many times when she was a child and suffering from an illness. In her role as a midwife and nurse to the people of the Cove, Nana had seen her share of death and had perfected the lilting voice that always comforted her patients. But Laurel suspected there was a reason the timbre of her spoken words was different today. It was the love she had for Granny that made her truly sound like an angel at this moment.

  Laurel closed her eyes and said a prayer of thanks for Granny’s life and how she’d influenced their family. And she also thanked God for allowing her to be the granddaughter of this wonderful couple who had served the people they loved.

  To Laurel they had always just been her grandparents, a man who ministered to everyone he came in contact with and a woman who’d delivered babies and treated the sick. They had served when there was no one else to do it, and they had earned the love and respect of the people of the Cove. Friends who were now gone.

  For the first time the enormity of her grandparents’ service to the people they loved washed over her, and she was humbled at their godly spirit. She bowed her head and prayed to be worthy of their legacy.

  Andrew let his gaze drift over Granny as he stood by her bedside. It didn’t seem possible that just a few hours ago they had sat on the front porch talking. Now she lay near death with nothing to be done for her.

  He heard Anna speaking to Granny about Simon reading to her from the Bible, and he shifted his attention to her. Andrew bowed his head in respect and waited for Simon to begin.

  “I’m going to read you Psalm Twenty-three.”

  Andrew’s head jerked up, and he directed a wide-eyed stare to Simon. Psalm Twenty-three? That was the chapter Granny had asked him to read tonight. Now he would hear it for the first time as he stood beside her deathbed.

  Simon began to read, his voice slow but sure.

  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

  Andrew couldn’t take his eyes off Granny’s face as Simon read to her. When he reached the part about the valley of the shadow of death, Granny’s face seemed to glow. Her breathing grew shallower as Simon continued, and by the end of the passage Granny’s chest barely moved.

  Anna leaned past her husband and squeezed Granny’s hand. “You’ve always told me how God has always filled your cup with blessings even when times were bad. Now don’t be afraid. You’re walking out of this valley through the shadow of death into a new place, but He’s right there with you. He’s holding out His arms and telling you it’s time to leave the Cove and live in His house forever. I love you, and I’ll miss you. But I know you’re going to a much better place. Just reach out for Him.”

  Her voice cracked on the last words, and she pressed her hand against her mouth. Simon pushed up from the chair and glanced over his shoulder at his family. “Let’s join hands in a circle around Granny’s bed.”

  Laurel pulled Andrew forward, and he responded without thinking. Matthew grasped his other hand as the family members positioned themselves around the bed. When everyone was in place, they bowed their heads, and Andrew followed their cue.

  Simon’s deep voice filled the room as he began to pray. “Dear God, we come to You today to thank You for the life of Your servant Matilda Lawson. She’s been known only as Granny in these mountains for years, and during that time she’s served You well. Each of us gathered here has been blessed because we knew her, and we thank You for bringing her into our lives. I pray that You’ll give her peace now and strengthen her to face what lies ahead. And we ask You to be with each of us who must stay behind right now that we will always remember the lessons she’s taught us and will serve You as she would have us do. Thank You for what she’s meant to all of us. Amen.”

  No one spoke as they opened their eyes, then beside him Laurel began to sing. Her voice, so pure and clear, touched his soul as the others joined her in singing about God’s amazing grace and how sweet it was. He didn’t know the words, but as they sang, he closed his eyes and longed to know more about the love of God they sang about. When they reached the part about being blind, he wondered if that’s what he’d been all his life. Was he blind to a God who loved him so much that it could change his life forever?

  He glanced down at Granny on the bed and the family who stood around her singing, and he wanted what they shared. Was it possible he could find the peace in God’s love they had?

  The song ended, and no one spoke. They continued to stand with their hands clasped. Suddenly Granny’s body twitched, and Dr. Atkinson stepped between Simon and Anna to reach her side. He pressed his stethoscope to her chest as one last breath trickled from Granny’s mouth and her body grew still. Dr. Atkinson frowned as he listened intently before he pulled the eartips free and looped the tubing around the back of his neck.

  “I’m sorry, Reverend Martin,” he said. “She’s gone.”

  No one said anything for a moment. A soft cry drifted up from Rani and Matthew wrapped his arms around her and Willie. Simon placed his arm around Anna’s shoulders, and she sagged against him. Next to Andrew Laurel straightened her back and grasped his hand tighter. Tears ran down her face.

  Dr. Atkinson placed his fingertips on Granny’s eyelids and closed her eyes. Then he turned to face Simon. “Is there anyone you’d like for us to let know about this? Andrew and I can stop at any of your neighbors’ homes on the way back to the camp.”

  He shook his head. “No, there’s no need for that. All our friends are gone. In times past when there was a death in a family, word would spread quickly in the Cove, and folks would rush to the house to make sure that there was food to eat and the chores were done. Some would stay and keep an all-night vigil so that the family could sleep. Now everybody’s gone
. There’s no one left to honor the woman who dedicated her life to serving the people she loved. It’s too sad to think about.”

  Dr. Atkinson pulled the stethoscope from around his neck and dropped it into his medical bag. “I understand, Reverend Martin, and I’m sorry. I wish there was something more I could do.”

  Simon extended his hand. “You’ve done quite a bit for us today, and our family appreciates it. Thank you for coming.”

  Matthew stepped forward and nodded. “Yes, thank you, Dr. Atkinson.”

  “It was my pleasure.” The doctor glanced at Andrew. “I suppose we should be going now.”

  Andrew searched his mind for some excuse that would allow him to return after taking Dr. Atkinson back. “I can come back and help with anything you need.”

  Simon shook his head. “Thank you, Andrew. We appreciate everything you’ve done today, but Matthew and I can take care of everything. Since there are so few people left in the Cove, there probably won’t even be a wake. I imagine we’ll have her funeral tomorrow.”

  “I would like to come to the funeral if that’s all right.”

  A startled expression covered Anna’s face. “Of course it’s all right. Granny would want you there. You know Granny liked you since that first Sunday you came to dinner.”

  “I liked her too. She told me today that she had prayed for me every night since that day. That really surprised me.”

  Anna chuckled. “It wouldn’t if you’d known her better. She prayed for everyone she came in contact with.” She hesitated and stared up at him. “But I believe she had a special reason for praying for you. She told me once that you seemed sad, like you didn’t know what to do with your life. She wanted you to find direction with God’s help.”

  He tried to swallow, but it felt as if his throat had closed. “I hope I can.” He sniffed and straightened his shoulders. “If you’re sure there’s nothing else I can do for you, I’ll take Dr. Atkinson to the camp now.”

  “There is something you can do tomorrow to help us,” Simon said.

  “What is it?”

  “We should probably move Granny’s body to the church early in case anybody happens to hear and wants to come to the funeral. Could you come over in the morning and help Matthew and me move her?”

  Andrew nodded. “Of course. I’ll be here early.”

  Laurel stepped up beside him. “If you’re ready to go, I’ll see you to the front door.”

  Andrew and Dr. Atkinson followed her from the room into the kitchen. She stopped beside the table, extended her hand to Dr. Atkinson, and forced her lips into a weak smile. “Let me echo my family’s thanks and tell you again how much we appreciate you coming, Dr. Atkinson.”

  “I wish I could have done something more.” When the doctor released her hand, he backed away and nodded to Andrew. “I’ll wait in the car for you. I know you’d like to spend a few minutes with your friend alone.”

  Andrew glanced down at Laurel, and his heart pricked at the tears rolling unchecked down her face. “I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

  Neither of them said anything as Dr. Atkinson’s footsteps tapped across the floor. When the door closed behind him, Andrew reached for Laurel and curled his hand around hers. She slid her fingers between his and squeezed as if he were her lifeline. He glanced over his shoulders to see if any of her family had come out of Granny’s bedroom. When he didn’t see anyone, he pulled her into the front room.

  The minute they entered the room she fell against him, and he wrapped his arms around her. Great choking sobs wracked her body as she laid her cheek against his chest and cried out her grief. He held her with one arm around her waist and the other stroking her hair. “I’m here, Laurel,” he whispered. “I’ll help you through this terrible time.”

  The only answer was a slight nod as her shoulders continued to shake. He stood there rocking her in his arms until her sobs began to subside. When she finally pulled back, he held her at arms’ length and studied her face. Even with her red eyes and wet cheeks she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He leaned down and planted a chaste kiss on her forehead. “I hate leaving you like this, but I think your family needs some time together without anyone else around. I’ll be back in the morning.”

  Her body jerked in a hiccup, and she nodded. “We’ll be fine. Go on.”

  “I’ll think about you every minute.” He put his fingers under her chin and tilted her head up so that he could stare into her eyes. “I love you, Laurel Jackson.”

  “I love you too,” she whispered.

  He pulled her to him and lowered his mouth to her. Her lips met his, and he held her close as they kissed. After a moment he pulled away and took a deep breath. “That gives me something to hold onto until tomorrow.”

  He was still reeling from the contact with her as he jumped in the car and headed back to the camp. It wasn’t the kiss alone that occupied his thoughts, though. He couldn’t forget the love that had been shown as the family prayed and sang around Granny’s bed. Nothing in his life had ever affected him as that had. He wondered what Dr. Atkinson thought, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask. Someone used to facing death all the time must have learned how to cope, but this had been Andrew’s first time. He didn’t think he’d ever forget what he’d seen.

  For some reason, though, he couldn’t put into words how he felt. It had been upsetting for everyone to be sure, and yet there had been something else in that room, a feeling that had to do with the Martins’ and Jacksons’ faith. It was almost as if a veil of peace descended as Granny took her last breaths. He’d first noticed it when Simon read about walking through the shadow of death and had continued through the singing of the hymn about God’s amazing grace.

  The memory of sitting with Granny earlier on the porch and what she had asked flashed in his mind. She had asked him to read Psalm Twenty-three tonight, and that was what he intended to do. He still had the Bible Matthew had given him so he could look it up. He needed to understand what gave Laurel’s family the strength they demonstrated even when bad things happened in their lives. If they found that in their faith, then he needed to understand it more because he wanted what they had. He wanted to be able to face life and deal with it the way they did.

  Chapter 13

  Today had to be the most beautiful day of the summer. A perfect day for saying goodbye to Granny. Anna let her gaze wander over the faces gathered around Granny’s grave and then stared down at the wooden coffin resting in the hole in front of her. She was supposed to feel happy for Granny today. She, like Paul in the Bible, had fought a good fight, finished her course, and kept the faith. Her reward waited for her in heaven. But Anna was still on earth, and she missed the woman who had been by her side for the last forty years.

  She closed her eyes, inhaled the sweet mountain air Granny had loved, and lifted her face to the sun that filtered through the branches of the sugar maple tree Granny had planted next to her daughter’s grave years ago. She’d often told Anna the sugar maple was Deborah’s favorite tree because of its brilliant colors in the fall, and Granny had thought it appropriate that they rest side by side underneath one.

  Simon opened his Bible and stepped to the edge of the grave. He began to read the description of a virtuous woman from Proverbs, and Anna let her mind drift. If there ever was a virtuous woman, Granny had been one.

  The memory of seeing Granny for the first time forty years ago flashed into her mind, and she smiled. She had been such a naïve young woman when she’d come to the Cove. She thought she was ready to face the world, but thank the Lord her brother had known better and sent her to study with Granny.

  That first summer had been an endless routine of caring for the sick, delivering babies, learning about the herbs used for medicinal purposes, and preserving food for the coming winter. By the time fall had arrived, Anna had come to understand life in the Cove and knew it was where God wanted her to stay. Every day since then Granny had been with her.

  Anna gla
nced at those around the grave. Just as Simon had suspected, very few came today. Even though Ezra and Susie Nash and Thomas and Minerva Bennett had sold their farms, they hadn’t moved yet and were joined by Nate Hopkins, who still hadn’t given in. Names of friends drifted through her head, and she choked back a sob. Ferguson, Davis, Whitson, Long, Adams, Carter, Simmons, and of course John and Martha Martin—all gone now from the Cove and scattered like ashes in the wind. Soon their family would join them, but Granny would be staying behind.

  She took a deep breath and stared across the cemetery. There were others who would be staying behind too. Uncle Charles, who had brought her to this beautiful valley, had asked to be buried here. Toward the back of the cemetery was her son Willie’s grave. Not a day went by that she didn’t think of that little boy and the joy he’d brought her during his short life. George Ferguson, the first baby she’d helped Granny deliver, was buried just past Willie’s grave. He’d been killed a few years ago in a logging accident near Tremont.

  Her gaze went to Jimmy Ferguson, George’s nephew, who stood across the grave from her. He glanced at Laurel from time to time, but she didn’t appear to notice. She had eyes only for Andrew, and Jimmy didn’t look too happy about that. Contrary to what Laurel said, Jimmy’s feelings for her were deeper than a brother for a sister. It troubled Anna to think how he must be hurting.

  Andrew seemed like a nice young man, and he’d never done anything to offend any of them. In fact, he’d bent over backward to make them comfortable even though the government increased the pressure on them to sell every day. And she had to give Andrew credit—he had been respectful enough of their love for Jimmy to tell him about Granny’s death.

  “And so we come today to celebrate Granny’s life.” Simon’s words pulled her from her thoughts, and she directed her attention back to him. “Let us pray.”

  Everyone bowed their heads, but Anna kept her eyes open and stared straight ahead. All those she’d thought about as she stood beside the grave reemerged in her mind, and she thanked God for each of them and for what they’d meant in her life. Then she thanked God for what Granny had meant to them and all the people of the Cove she’d served so faithfully.