Beyond These Hills

by Sandra Robbins

  She prayed silently until she heard Simon say his amen. As her family raised their heads, she looked at each one and asked God to meet the special needs in their lives. For Rani to cope with leaving the valley she loved so dearly, for Matthew to deal with the shadow of pain that crossed his face from time to time, for Laurel to make the right choices in the bloom of first love, and for Willie—named for the little boy buried nearby—to grow into a man with character like his father and grandfather. And she prayed for those not present. Her son Stephen, who worked as a doctor in a remote African village, her grandson Charlie, who may well have been lost to them forever, her adopted son, Noah, who preached God’s Word to his congregation, and her brother, Robert, who had been God’s messenger to send her to the Cove.

  As the mourners started to disperse, Laurel and Andrew walked around the grave and stopped next to her. Laurel hugged her and held her at arm’s length. “Nana, you looked like you were a hundred miles away during the graveside service. What were you thinking about?”

  Anna reached up and patted her granddaughter’s cheek. “I was reminiscing about the life I’ve had here in the Cove and all the people who helped make it so wonderful for me. Granny was the first to welcome me, and I owe her so much.”

  “We all do,” Laurel said.

  Anna moved away from the grave as some of the men picked up their shovels and began to fill it in. “Let’s go wait in the church until they’re finished. Then I want to place some flowers on the grave.”

  Andrew touched Laurel’s arm. “You go with your mother and grandmother. I’ll see if I can help your father and grandfather, and then I’ll come inside.”

  Anna motioned for Rani to join them. When she stopped beside her, Anna reached up and touched both Rani’s and Laurel’s cheeks. “I hope I’ve told both of you how much I love you. We get so busy with our everyday lives that we often forget to say it to those who mean the most to us. I’m afraid I didn’t say it enough to Granny.”

  Rani threw her arms around her and hugged Anna. “Mama, you’ve always shown us how much you love us, and you showed Granny too. I’m so thankful I have you in my life. I love you so much.”

  Laurel kissed her on the cheek. “And I love you too, Nana. Now let’s go inside and wait for them to finish with the grave.”

  Anna nodded and allowed them to lead her up the steps of the church. She glanced over her shoulder once more before entering and bit her lip. She felt as if a big part of her heart lay underneath the dirt that was being shoveled into the grave. After a moment she inhaled and walked into the church where Granny had first brought her over forty years ago.

  Andrew hadn’t expected to be invited to supper with Laurel’s family after the funeral, but Anna had insisted he join them. He didn’t know if Laurel had put the idea in her head or not, but he was happy to receive the invitation. The more he was with the Martins and the Jacksons the more he realized how different their lives were from the one he’d always known. Their behavior tonight at supper had proven that to him more than ever.

  He had wondered how they would react after the funeral and had come to the Martins half expecting the evening to be filled with tearful stories. Instead the conversation at supper had been cheerful as they related one incident after another of happy memories with Granny. Fits of laughter, sometimes almost uncontrollable, had punctuated each story.

  One of the stories that had gotten the loudest response was Anna’s account of Simon falling off the roof of Granny’s house years ago when he climbed up to lay out apples to dry. Her description of Granny’s skirts flopping around her legs and chickens scattering as she ran to see if he was dead or alive had all of them nearly falling out of their chairs.

  There was no doubt about it. He had enjoyed the evening more than any he could ever remember. It felt so comfortable to sit with Simon and Matthew on the porch of the Martins’ cabin as he was doing now. The only problem was that Jimmy Ferguson had also enjoyed the evening, and it was plain to see he had a special place in this family.

  He kept reminding himself that Jimmy’s ties with them went back years. There had been lots of stories about his family and Granny at supper, too. The only time the conversation had gotten serious was when Jimmy thanked Anna and Simon for saving his mother’s life when she was a small child. The love that shone in his eyes for Anna when he told her he wouldn’t be here today if not for her had even touched Andrew’s heart.

  But that didn’t change the fact that Jimmy made no secret that he didn’t like Andrew. Even now in the evening twilight Jimmy watched him like a hawk circling his prey. He wondered what Jimmy was planning next to keep him away from Laurel.

  As if he could read Andrew’s thoughts, Jimmy cleared his throat and leaned forward in his chair. “I want to thank you for backing me up with Lieutenant Gray about taking the day off for Granny’s funeral and for letting me ride with you.”

  Andrew’s eyebrows arched at the sincere tone of Jimmy’s voice. “No problem, Jimmy. I was glad to do it. I knew you’d want to be here.”

  Jimmy nodded. “Yeah, I reckon the rest of my family would have liked to come. Of course none of them know about it yet. My pa’s folks moved over to Oak Ridge when they sold out, and my ma’s are with her and my pa over at Tremont.” He stared into the distance for a few moments. “Yeah, they’re all gone, and I reckon I’ll be leaving next week too.”

  Matthew swiveled in his chair to face Jimmy. “Where are you going?”

  “Back to Tremont, I guess. When I signed my Oath of Enrollment for the CCC, I enrolled for six months. That time’s up next week, so I’ve got to leave. I’ll head on back home and see if Pa can get me a job in the lumber camp up there.”

  Simon frowned. “But I thought the camps were closing down now that the government’s bought their land back.”

  “They’re winding down, that’s for sure. But Pa says they’ll still be able to operate for a few more years. After that, I don’t know what we’ll do.” He glanced from Simon to Matthew. “What are you going to do?”

  Matthew settled back in his chair and stared out toward the mountains that were now barely visible in the gathering darkness. “Simon and Rani and I were on our way home from Gatlinburg when Granny had the stroke. We’d been there to sign the papers for some land we bought and to arrange with a carpenter to start building a house for us. The house ought to be ready for us to move into by spring.” He glanced at Andrew. “Do you think they’ll give us that much time before we have to leave?”

  Andrew nodded. “I’m sure it can be arranged. I hadn’t heard you mention this. Does Laurel know about it?”

  “She does. We’re going to build a studio for Rani with our house right behind it. It won’t be the same as living in the Cove, but at least we’ll all be together.”

  “I hope you know I wish you the best. I know this isn’t easy for you.”

  Before anyone could answer, the front door opened and Laurel stepped onto the front porch. A shaft of light from inside the house framed her in the doorway. Andrew jumped to his feet and pointed to his chair. “Take my seat, Laurel.”

  “Thanks, Andrew.” She turned her attention to her father. “Poppa, Mama and Nana want you and Grandpa to come help them. They need to decide what to do with some of Granny’s belongings.”

  Matthew pushed to his feet and sighed. “Let’s go see what they’re up to now, Simon.”

  Simon laughed and stood. Before he could take a step, Andrew spoke up. “Jimmy and I need to get back to camp soon. I enjoyed the evening. Please thank your wife for inviting me. It’s always a pleasure to visit here.”

  Simon’s gaze darted to Laurel and back to him. “We’re glad to have you anytime.”

  Laurel waited beside the door until her father and grandfather had entered before she smiled at Andrew and walked toward him. Andrew stuck his hands in his pocket and leaned against the railing around the porch until she stopped in front of him. “So you need to get back to camp?”

  “Yes. Jimmy
and I need to get back before lights-out.”

  Jimmy’s chair squeaked as he pushed to his feet. “If we’re leaving soon, I’d better go tell Anna and Rani goodbye. I may not see them again before I leave for home.”

  A look of surprise flashed across Laurel’s face. “You’re going home?”

  He nodded. “My time’s up next week, and I’m going back to Tremont. I sure would like it if you came to visit us after I get there. Ma would like it too. What do you say?”

  “I’ll think about it, Jimmy, but I doubt if I can. We’re going to be busy closing down the lodge. Not to mention getting ready to move. I’ll let you know.”

  Jimmy pursed his lips and nodded. “All right.”

  He strode to the door, jerked it open, and entered the house. Andrew tried to hide his smile, but he didn’t succeed. “Jimmy doesn’t like having me around.”

  She stared into his eyes. “I’ve told you how I feel about him.”

  He put his arm around her waist and drew her closer. “You have, but Jimmy doesn’t seem to be getting the message. I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

  She arched an eyebrow and directed a coy look at him. “Then you need to learn to deal with your emotions better.”

  His hand tightened on her waist. He put a finger under her chin and tilted her face up. “I’ll try, but it’s hard to do when I think about you all the time.”

  She smiled. “I’m glad you think about me. Can you come to our house tomorrow night?”

  He shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Superintendent Eakin wants me to come to Gatlinburg. I’ll probably be there for a week, but I’ll come by as soon as I get back.”

  “We have to go to Gatlinburg next week to take some of Mama’s pottery to Mr. Bryan’s store. Maybe I can see you then.”

  “That would be great. I’ll be staying at the Mountain View Hotel while I’m there. That’s where the Park offices are too. While you’re there, come over to the hotel. The secretary in the office will be able to tell you if I’m in town or if I’m out in the Park somewhere with the Superintendent.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  He pulled her closer until their lips almost touched. “I’ll think about you every minute I’m away.”

  “And I’ll do the same.”

  She moved toward him, and it took his breath away that she initiated their contact. When her lips covered his, he groaned as her scent filled his nostrils. He’d never been drunk before, but the intoxicating feeling that assaulted him dulled all his senses and left him reeling in her wake.

  “I love you,” he whispered against her lips.

  “I love you too,” she echoed.

  The sound of someone’s throat being cleared startled him, and he abruptly released her. He turned to see Jimmy standing just outside the door. His hands were clenched at his sides, and his body shook with repressed anger. “Laurel, you’re making a big mistake. This guy’s not for you.”

  “Please, Jimmy, let’s not argue.” She tried to step past Andrew, but his hand on her arm stopped her.

  “Look, Ferguson,” Andrew said, “this has nothing to do with you. This is between Laurel and me, and I’d appreciate it if you’d let us decide if we’re right for each other or not.”

  Jimmy directed his attention back to Laurel, and his body sagged as he exhaled. “I guess you’re right. I’m sorry, Laurel. I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble.”

  She pushed past Andrew this time and ran to Jimmy. “You’re not causing me any trouble, Jimmy. We’ve been best friends since we were children, and I value your opinion. But I can’t help how I feel.”

  He stared at her for a moment before he took a deep breath. “I know you can’t. Take care of your folks, and don’t forget I’ve invited you to come to Tremont.”

  “I won’t, Jimmy.”

  “Then I guess that’s it for now.” He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead before he nodded to Andrew. “I’ll wait in the car while you tell Laurel goodnight.”

  He hurried down the steps and climbed into Andrew’s car. Laurel turned back to Andrew. “I hate hurting him.”

  Andrew walked over to her and put his arms around her. She leaned forward and let her head rest on his chest. “Don’t worry about it. You were honest with him.”

  “Yes, but that doesn’t make me feel any better.”

  He kissed the top of her head and released her. “I’ll miss you while I’m gone, but I’ll look forward to seeing you in Gatlinburg.”

  “We’ll be there sometime next week.”

  He squeezed her hand once more before he hopped down the steps and jogged to his car. The minute he climbed in he knew it was going to be a chilly ride back to the CCC camp. Jimmy looked as if he was frozen to his seat, and he didn’t move or say a single word the whole trip. When they arrived at camp, Jimmy mumbled his sullen thanks and jumped out of the car almost before it stopped. He had disappeared into his barracks by the time Andrew parked.

  Andrew climbed from the car, leaned against the fender, and thought about Jimmy’s reaction when he’d seen Andrew with his arms around Laurel. Given the close friendship between Laurel’s and Jimmy’s families, it was understandable. He tried to imagine how he would feel if Laurel preferred Jimmy to him.

  Not too long ago he’d been certain he’d never marry, but that all changed the minute she said she loved him. Suddenly marriage appealed to him, especially if Laurel was his bride. Whistling a jaunty tune, he ambled to the barracks. No doubt about it. His life sure had changed since he came to Cades Cove.

  Laurel walked to the window in her bedroom and stared out at the night. She’d thought she was tired when she and her family arrived home from Nana and Grandpa’s, but now she felt wide awake. She pulled the brush through her hair again and smiled at the way Andrew had touched her braid yesterday when he found her at the barn. They had shared some magical moments together until Willie had found them and led them back to the house.

  She held the brush close to her chest and closed her eyes as she remembered the way she’d felt when Andrew kissed her. Not too long ago she’d wondered what it would feel like to be kissed. Now she knew, and it was more thrilling than she could have imagined. Perhaps it was the fact that it was Andrew who’d delivered that first kiss and not someone else.

  A sudden thought struck her, and she walked over to the table by her bed and picked up her Bible. She dropped down in the rocker next to the table and flipped through the pages until she found what she wanted. The picture she’d taken of Andrew on Gregory’s Bald lay between the pages of her favorite Psalms, and she picked it up and studied it.

  She remembered how he’d looked that day as he stared out over the mountain ridges that rippled across the landscape in a washboard effect. The sight had been as overwhelming to him as it was to her every time she saw it. The pensive look on his face let her know he was in deep thought. Sitting beside him and sharing the moment had been one of her favorite times with him.

  A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. “Yes?”

  “Laurel,” her mother called out, “your father and I would like to talk to you if you’re not too tired.”

  She stuck the picture back into the Bible and replaced the book on the table beside the bed. “No, it’s fine. Come on in.”

  Her mother, followed by her father, stepped into the room. The expressions on their faces caused her heartbeat to quicken. They weren’t here to wish her sweet dreams. There was something more serious on their minds, and she knew there could only be one subject that they wanted to talk with her about—Andrew.

  She sighed and sat down on the edge of her bed as they settled on either side of her. Neither spoke for a moment, but finally her father reached over and grasped her hand in his. “Laurel, your mother and I are concerned about you.” When she didn’t answer, he continued. “From the moment we returned from Gatlinburg and found that Andrew had been to see you, we’ve sensed a change in your relationship with him.”

  Laurel had k
nown this time would come, and she’d dreaded it. Now she had to be honest with her parents. But the big question still hovered in her mind. Could she be honest with herself? She still had no idea where her relationship with Andrew was headed, but she wanted to find out.

  She nodded and looked from her mother to her father. “It has changed. Andrew had told me the last time he came to church that he thought we shouldn’t see each other again, but he changed his mind. He came by Nana’s to ask Grandpa some questions about the Bible verses he’d been reading. He didn’t know I was there until Granny told him.”

  “And so the two of you talked?” Her father’s hand tightened on hers.

  The words she wanted to say to make them understand evaded her, and she pushed to her feet. It was impossible to talk with them sitting on either side of her. She turned and faced them. “We did, and we decided we had to know what the feelings we have for each other mean.”

  Her mother’s forehead wrinkled in a frown. “You have feelings for each other?”

  “Yes, Mama. We do. Andrew says he loves me, and I love him.”

  Her father shook his head and rose to face her. “Laurel, you don’t know anything about this man except what you’ve seen since he’s been in the Cove. He comes from a different world than you do.”

  “I know that, Poppa. That’s why we’re taking our time to see where our relationship goes.”

  A horrified expression crossed her mother’s face, and she bounded to her feet. “See where it goes? That sounds like you’re considering marrying this boy. You can’t do that.”

  Laurel clenched her fists and raised her chin as she glared at her mother. “I didn’t say anything about marriage. But what if I do decide he’s the man I want to marry? I’ve always thought that decision belonged to me alone.”