Beyond These Hills

by Sandra Robbins

  “I’ll always love you too, Andrew.”

  He pressed his lips to hers, and she said a silent prayer thanking God for sending this man into her life and prayed she would be worthy of his love.

  Chapter 21

  June 1, 1936

  Andrew didn’t think he’d ever seen a more beautiful day. The mountain peaks might be shrouded in their hazy fog, but the spring sunshine found its way to the valley below. He’d waited months for this day, and it had finally arrived. Soon he would exit the room where he waited and walk to the front of the church with Simon. Together they would watch Laurel enter on the arm of her father and join him for her grandfather to speak the words that would bind them together for the rest of their lives.

  The door to the room opened, and he glanced around to see Jimmy Ferguson entering. He grinned and closed the door behind him. “I didn’t mean to be gone so long, but I got to talking to some of the folks coming in. Finally I had to tell them I was neglecting my duties as best man and needed to see how you were holding up. I’m glad to see you didn’t lose your nerve and run off while I’ve been gone.”

  Andrew ran his finger between his neck and shirt collar and frowned. “I didn’t expect to be this nervous. How long is it now until we start?”

  Jimmy laughed and slapped him on the back. “You got a few more minutes of single life left.”

  Andrew grinned and nodded at the man who had become his best friend over the last eight months. “Jimmy, I want to thank you for standing up with me today. There isn’t anybody I’d rather have beside me when I marry Laurel.”

  Jimmy’s smile dissolved into a somber expression. “And I want to thank you for asking me and for gettin’ me a job with the Park Service. I’m glad I could stay in Gatlinburg when my folks moved to Oak Ridge.”

  Andrew shook his head. “No need to thank me. You earned that job by helping with the fire at Thunderhead.”

  Jimmy stared at him for a moment and then chuckled. “Who would’ve thought we’d end up friends? We sure got off on the wrong foot when we first met. I’m sorry about that. I guess it took a fire to show me your good qualities. I’ve always been protective of Laurel, and I know you’re going to make her a good husband.”

  “Thanks, Jimmy. I’m sure if I mess up you’ll be right there to tell me.”

  He laughed. “You got that right, buddy.”

  The door opened again and Simon walked into the room. He glanced from Andrew to Jimmy and smiled. “It’s almost time. Are you ready?”

  Perspiration trickled from Andrew’s forehead, and he wiped at it. “How many people are out there?”

  Simon shook his head. “Not many, I’m afraid. Jimmy’s folks are here, and some of the men from the Park Service.” He grinned at Jimmy. “And there’s a pretty redheaded young woman from Gatlinburg. Am I going to be performing another wedding soon?’

  Jimmy’s face turned crimson and he glanced down at his feet. “You never can tell.”

  Andrew hesitated before he asked the question that had been rolling around in his head all day. “Is my father here?”

  Sorrow flickered in Simon’s eyes, and he placed his hand on Andrew’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, but he’s not.” Then a smile pulled at his lips. “But Nate Hopkins walked in right before I came in here.”

  Andrew pushed the hope that his father would come from his mind and smiled at the memory of the first time he encountered Nate. “Did he bring his shotgun with him?”

  Simon laughed. “No. I was over at his place a few days ago, and he told me he’d come to think a lot of you. That’s why he finally signed the papers to sell his farm. He’s leaving for Maryville next week.”

  Andrew turned back to the window and stared at the mountains once more. He’d come to this valley a year ago to do a job. The boy he’d been then had come with the expectation that he could work wonders where others had failed. He would be the one who would convince the stubborn mountain people to accept the fact that their lives were about to change. Instead he was the one whose life had changed.

  Soon there would be no one living in this remote valley. Nature would reclaim land that had once been rich farmland, and names of those who had resided here would be forgotten in time. But he knew as long as he lived he would always be thankful to God for bringing him to a place where he had learned what it meant to live and love in the security of God’s love.

  Laurel stepped from her father’s truck and glanced around at the vehicles parked in the churchyard. She recognized Ted and Josie’s truck and the car her grandfather had finally broken down and bought two months ago, but there were several she’d never seen before. They probably belonged to some of Andrew’s friends from Gatlinburg.

  Her father came around the truck, glanced down at the bouquet of mountain laurel blooms she held, and smiled at her. “Are you ready, darling? I imagine that boy’s waiting to see if you’re really going to show up.”

  She laughed and gave him a playful punch on the arm. “Oh, Poppa, I’m so glad Mama and Willie came with Grandpa and Nana today. I enjoyed my last few minutes as a single woman just being with you.”

  Moisture flooded his eyes, and he sniffed. “I’m glad too. I can’t believe my little girl’s getting married. But I really like Andrew. He’s a good man, and he’s going to make you a good husband.”

  “He is.” She looked around the yard and sighed. “I had hoped Andrew’s father would come today. Andrew’s written him every week since the fire, but he hasn’t heard from him. He invited him to the wedding. I’ve been praying he’d come, but it doesn’t look like he’s here.”

  Her father took her hand in his big, work-roughened one and smiled. “Keep praying. Maybe he’ll come around.”

  “Maybe so.” She took a deep breath and slipped her hand through the crook of her father’s arm. “I’m ready if you are.”

  They were about to mount the steps to the porch when the sound of an approaching automobile caught their attention. Superintendent Eakin drove his car to a stop a few feet away from them and stopped. He climbed out and smiled. “I was afraid I was going to be late. I had something come up and didn’t get away as soon as I expected.”

  Laurel shook her head. “No, you’re just in time. Go on in.”

  The passenger door of the car opened, and Laurel glanced at the man who got out and stared at her over the roof of the car. “Do you mind if I come to your wedding, Laurel?”

  Her mouth dropped open and she tightened her grip on her bouquet. “Mr. Brady?” she gasped. “Is it really you?”

  He walked around the car and stopped in front of her. “I know the last time we met I said some unkind things to you. I hope someday you’ll be able to forgive me. Andrew’s letters have made me do a lot of soul searching, and I realize I don’t want to lose the only son I have left. I asked Ross if I could come with him because I want to be here today. But I’ll understand if you’d rather I not attend.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Of course I want you here. I’ve prayed for weeks that you would come.”

  He cleared his throat and frowned. “Why would you want me here after the way I talked to you?”

  She reached out and took his hand. “Because I love Andrew, and I want us to be a family. I hope you can come to accept me not only as Andrew’s wife, but as your daughter.”

  He stared at her for a moment before he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “I don’t think that’s going to be hard to do.” He straightened and stuck out his hand to her father. “I assume you’re Mr. Jackson, Laurel’s father. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  Her father shook his hand. “We’re glad you’re here. Go on in and take a seat. I know Andrew is going to be happy to see you.”

  As Mr. Brady and Superintendent Eakin disappeared into the church, Laurel turned to her father and smiled. “I can’t wait to see Andrew’s face. Let’s go.”

  Her father leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Be happy, darling. I love you.”

  “I love you t
oo, Poppa.”

  They climbed the steps to the church she’d attended all her life and stopped at the door. After today there would be no more services in this place. This door would no longer welcome those who wanted to worship. But the spirit of love and selflessness the church had demonstrated in their lives would illuminate her for as long as she lived. She closed her eyes and said a prayer of thanks to God for allowing her to be a child of the Cove. Then she walked in the church toward the man who waited at the front for her to join him.

  The wedding was over, the guests had left, and Laurel was alone with her husband in the church. He took her hand and pulled her over to the pew where he’d sat with her the first Sunday he’d come to the Cove. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She snuggled against him and rested her head on his shoulder.

  “Are you happy, Mrs. Brady?”

  She sighed with contentment. “Ecstatic, Mr. Brady. I’m still excited because your father came. I know you’re going to have the relationship with him you’ve always wanted.”

  “It’s all because of you,” he whispered in her ear. “All I am is because of you.”

  She smiled and snuggled closer. “God has been good to us, Andrew.”

  “He has, and I believe He’s going to bless us even more.”

  They sat beside each other without speaking for a few minutes before he pulled out his watch and looked at it. “We need to be going. The trucks left with your parents’ and grandparents’ furniture and belongings this morning. I’m sure they’re ready to go to Gatlinburg.”

  She pushed to her feet. “And for us to get to our house. I can hardly wait.”

  He wrapped his hand around hers and they walked from the church together. As they came down the steps, her grandfather motioned for them to follow him. “We’re going to Granny’s grave before we leave.”

  Together they walked to the cemetery and joined the rest of the family beside Granny’s grave. Laurel surveyed her family, all present except one. At least they’d received a letter from Charlie. He was living in Florida, working on a fishing boat. Her father doubted he’d stay there long. Charlie was too much like Grandpa Jackson, he said. She wondered if they’d ever see him again.

  She directed her attention back to her grandfather when he cleared his throat and spoke. “It’s time for us to say goodbye to Cades Cove, the place we’ve lived and worked for years, but we can’t go without paying homage to the woman we loved. Let’s pray.” They bowed their heads as Simon began to speak. “Oh, God, You know how our hearts are breaking today as we leave our homes and begin life in a new community. But we can’t leave this place without thanking You for the privilege of living in this beautiful valley and for putting the influence of Granny Lawson in our lives. We pray the lessons she taught us will not be forgotten but will pass to the new generations that will come from our family. Thank You for her life, Lord, because we realize without her prayers, we wouldn’t be standing here as a family today. Help us to always be worthy of the prayers she prayed for each of us. Amen.”

  No one spoke for a moment, and then Anna looked across Granny’s grave to Laurel. “I don’t want the story of this valley forgotten, Laurel. I want you to tell it.”

  Laurel’s eyes grew wide as she stared at her grandmother. “Me? How can I tell the story?”

  She glanced down at the grave once more. “Since the day I arrived at Granny’s house over forty years ago I’ve kept a journal about life in the Cove. The first one contained all the things I was learning from Granny. Then I began to write about our lives and our family. You have a gift for photography, and you’ve created a visual history of the Cove. I’m giving you my journals and I want you to put our story in a book. We can’t let our way of life here be forgotten. You have to record it for future generations.”

  Laurel glanced at Andrew, and he smiled and squeezed her hand. “You can do it, Laurel.”

  She turned back to her grandmother. “I will, Nana. I’ll put it all down on paper so people will remember us and know how we lived.” She glanced at her new husband. “But Andrew has some news he’s been waiting to share with you.”

  They turned to stare at him, and he smiled. “The Park Service has decided they made a mistake in wanting the Cove to return to a wild state. They’re going to reconstruct some of the cabins that were torn down and preserve the ones left, as well as the churches. Generations to come will understand how the folks in Cades Cove lived in days gone by.”

  “That’s good news indeed,” Simon said. “I think we can leave happier knowing a symbol remains of those who called this valley home for generations.”

  Silently, they filed by and placed their hands on Granny’s tombstone before they trudged to the vehicles parked at the front of the church. Matthew, who looked as if he was about to burst into tears, took one last look at the church before he got into the truck. Her mother grabbed Willie’s hand and they got in beside him.

  Andrew held their car door open for Laurel, but she stopped and glanced back at her grandparents as, hand in hand, they climbed the steps to the church once more. She moved back to the bottom of the steps so she could see what they were about to do.

  They stopped at the door, and each placed their free palm against the wood and bowed their heads. After a moment she heard her grandfather speak. “Anna, before we married you told me God wanted to give us one heart to serve the people in the Cove, and we’ve done that for over forty years. Now they’re all gone, but my prayer is that our ministry will have touched their lives and they’ll pass it on to others.”

  Her grandmother smiled, leaned over, and kissed his cheek. “Simon, we’ve done what God asked us to do here, but our ministry’s not over. There are people outside this valley who don’t know the peace God can give them. Now we have to serve Him somewhere else.”

  He smiled at her. “We promised Him as long as we’re together that’s what we’d do.”

  They turned, and Laurel almost gasped at the happiness that radiated on their faces. She backed away as they walked down the steps. With their heads held high, they got into their car and her grandfather drove away from the church. Her parents’ truck followed.

  “Are you ready to leave, Laurel?”

  She smiled at her husband and nodded. It was time for a new life in a new place. She climbed in the car, and Andrew drove away to join the little caravan that headed to new beginnings.

  About the Author

  Sandra Robbins and her husband live in the small college town in Tennessee where she grew up. They count their four children and five grandchildren as the greatest blessings in their lives. Her published books include stories in historical romance and romantic suspense. When not writing or spending time with her family, Sandra enjoys reading, collecting flow blue china, and playing the piano.

  To learn more about books by Sandra Robbins or to read sample chapters, log on to our website:

  www.harvesthousepublishers.com

  ANGEL OF THE COVE

  By Sandra Robbins

  In the first book in the Smoky Mountain Dreams series, acclaimed author Sandra Robbins weaves a tale of love, loss, and God’s faithfulness in every circumstance.

  Anna Prentiss has never wanted to be anything but a nurse. Before she can start school in New York, however, her brother sends her to Cades Cove, deep in the Smoky Mountains, to spend a summer apprenticing to the local midwife. Anna is determined to prove herself and then head to the big city.

  But nothing could have prepared Anna for the beauty of the Cove, or the community and friendships she finds there. And she certainly wasn’t prepared for Simon Martin, the handsome young minister, or the feelings he arouses in her. Has God’s plan for Anna changed? Or is she just starting to hear Him clearly?

  MOUNTAIN HOMECOMING

  By Sandra Robbins

  In the second book in the Smoky Mountain Dreams series, acclaimed author Sandra Robbins spins a tender tale of God’s faithfulness throughout the generations.

 
Rani Martin, Simon and Anna’s only daughter, is a beautiful and spirited young woman living deep in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. She has plenty of ideas about the man she’ll marry someday, but none of them could have prepared her for the return of Matthew Jackson.

  Matthew left Cades Cove as a child after his father’s death. Now he’s come back to build a new life for himself, and it’s his dearest wish that Rani be a part of that life. But the people of the Cove won’t let him forget the sins of his father, and Matthew can’t forget the darkness of his own past.

  Is there a place for Matthew in the Cove? And can the light of Rani’s love overcome his pain?