Guide Me Home
Page 36
A mysterious half smile curved her rosy lips. “Well, if Daddy has his way, we’ll be saying hello again soon.”
Devlin’s pulse sped into hopeful double beats. “Do you mean he— You— It’s true?”
She laughed, the delightful sound creating a web of joy around them. “Yes, I’m going to enroll at the University of Kentucky for their fall semester.”
How had she made sense of his stammering? Probably the same way Mother always understood Father’s enigmatic statements. Love put them in tune with each other.
“But I’ll need your help finding my way around the campus and securing a job.”
“Of course. Whatever you need. I’ll show you the university, the city of Lexington, the world if you want me to.”
She laughed again. “The world? Really?”
He curled his hands around her upper arms, his thumbs tracing light circles on the soft sleeve of her lovely new frock that brought out the flecks of gold in her brown eyes. “It’s the least I can do for the woman I love.” He’d said it out loud. He held his breath and searched her face for signs of rejection.
She tipped her head. “You love me, Devlin?” Wonder colored her tone.
He nodded, and his breath whooshed out. “I do. I love you, my beautiful hills girl.” He leaned forward slightly, his gaze locked on hers. “Does that frighten you?”
A slow smile curved her sweet lips upward. She rested her hands lightly on his waist, her eyes turning moist. “I think it’s a good thing. Because I love you, too, city boy.”
He pulled her into his arms and pressed his cheek to her warm hair, releasing a sigh of pure bliss. “Ah, then, I won’t tell you good-bye this evening. I’ll only say”—he drew back slightly and smiled—“see you soon, Reb.”
Letter to the Reader
In April 2014 on our way home from a visit with friends in Cynthiana, Kentucky, the Hubs and I stumbled upon Mammoth Cave National Park. Curious, we decided to investigate, but we arrived too late in the afternoon to tour the cave. So I toured the gift shop instead. I came home with a stack of books and a deep fascination for Mammoth Cave. I had the pleasure of revisiting the cave in May 2015 and experienced the majesty of the United States’ longest cave system firsthand.
As Tolly explained to Devlin, slaves mined saltpeter from the cave to manufacture gunpowder. The owners of the land were savvy enough to realize the cave could serve other purposes as well, and in 1816 guides—mostly slaves who had helped retrieve the saltpeter—began taking groups for paid underground tours. Thus the cave was one of America’s first tourist attractions, preceded only by Niagara Falls.
In the earliest years, guests were allowed to break delicate crystals from the walls and carry them away as souvenirs or to singe their names into the ceiling using the soot from candles. Fortunately these practices were largely stopped when Dr. John Croghan purchased the property in 1839. It became his goal to preserve the cave while making its wonders available to as many visitors as possible. Croghan’s family kept control of the cave for more than eighty-five years.
The first map of Mammoth Cave was drawn by a slave, Stephen Bishop, in 1845. Bishop, a popular guide at the estate, penned the map by memory. The first accurate instrumental survey of the cave system was performed in 1908 by a German geologist and cartographer, Max Kämper, who was guided by Stephen Bishop’s great-nephew. (Of course, if Devlin were a real person, he would have been given credit for the first instrumental survey since he arrived at the estate a year ahead of Kämper.)
Many communities of people lived around the cave, carving out their living from the hillsides. A few took advantage of the influx of tourists by inviting people to visit small caves on their properties. Others merely tolerated the constant flow of people.
As the last of the Croghan heirs died, momentum grew to take the cave from private ownership and make it a national park. Wealthy citizens of Kentucky formed the Mammoth Cave National Park Association in 1926 and began accepting donations to purchase farmsteads in the region. Other tracts within the proposed boundaries for the park were acquired by right of eminent domain. Hundreds of people who had called the hills their home for several generations were forcibly relocated in the process of forming Mammoth Cave National Park. The state of Kentucky made the land a gift to the national government, and the park was officially dedicated on July 1, 1941.
The cabins and homesteads of those who once called the area home have been absorbed by the forests with only a few stone foundations or rock fireplaces remaining. The cemeteries, both those near churches and on private family plots, are maintained by the park officials, just as Devlin presumed they would be.
I tried to stay as true to fact as possible, but I’m sure there are places where story won out over accuracy. I ask any Kentucky historians to forgive me for taking creative liberties while I brought my make-believe characters to life. I truly loved my time at Mammoth Cave, one of God’s most glorious creations, and I hope you’ve enjoyed your time in the story world.
May God bless you muchly as you journey with Him,
Kim
Readers Guide
1. In a moment of frustration, Rebekah told her pesky brother to get lost, and the command created a burden of guilt. Have you spoken impulsively and later regretted the words? How did you make amends? How can we keep from creating these kinds of regretful situations?
2. Because Rebekah had been reading when she lost patience with her brother, she punished herself by giving up the pleasure of reading after his death. She also pushed aside her own dreams for the future to see her father’s dream to completion. Were these reasonable actions? Why or why not? How would you have advised Rebekah?
3. Nell Hardin wanted her son to have a permanent grave marker to prove that he once lived. Festus Hardin wanted a fence and stone markers so his children and grandchildren would know the names of their ancestors. Both viewed the cemetery as a legacy. How was their legacy similar to the rock altar God instructed Joshua to build as a reminder to the children of Israel? How did it differ? Have you ever considered leaving a legacy? Was it something tangible (able to be held in your hands) or intangible (held in your heart)? Which is of greater value: a tangible legacy or an intangible legacy? Why?
4. Tolly told Rebekah, “Sacrifice is a hon’rable thing unless it’s done fo’ the wrong reasons.” What is a right reason to sacrifice something of value? What is a wrong reason to sacrifice? What did Tolly sacrifice in the story? Was he right or wrong? Why?
5. Devlin wanted to help his father receive credit for turning the Mammoth Cave estate into a state or national park to further his political career. Was this a selfish or selfless goal? Why? Eventually Devlin changed his mind about the government gaining control of Mammoth Cave and the surrounding properties. What brought about the change?
6. Cissy was dissatisfied with her simple, poor lifestyle and longed for excitement and wealth. What were the blessings in Cissy’s life that she overlooked? How does satisfaction with one’s self make a difference in attitude and action? Why do some young people view what they have as insignificant or lacking? How can we help our children be content rather than always thinking they need something more to be happy?
7. Tolly, speaking of God, told Devlin, “He knowed we’d be here on this very day an’ time.” Tolly believed God has a plan for every part of creation. Do you believe God is involved in every facet of creation, including you? Take a moment to examine your life and search for God’s fingerprints guiding, molding, and protecting you. Give Him thanks for His care and concern for you.
Acknowledgments
Chester and Rose McCauley—thank you for the invitation to your home that led to my encounter with Mammoth Cave. It was a God incident for sure!
Mom and Daddy—thank you for returning to Kentucky with me to explore the cave and the surrounding areas. What a wonderful time we shared! I treasure the memories.
The staff at Mammoth Cave National Park—thank you for pointing me toward helpful boo
ks, letting me examine cemetery documents, and answering my questions. I appreciate your help very much.
Nathan and Mallea—thank you for your willingness to “fill in” as Devlin and Rebekah. You two are so cute. Especially together. Love you both!
Don and my girls—as always, thanks for your continued support and encouragement.
My posse—my cheerleaders, my prayer warriors, my sisters-of-the-heart—thanks for being part of this journey.
Shannon, Amy, Kelly, Julee, Carol, and the entire fiction staff at WaterBrook—thank you for everything you do to help bring these stories to life. You are a blessing to me.
Finally, and most important, God—thank You for being my Light, my Song, my Strength, my Guide. You work all things together for good when we place our lives in Your capable, loving hands. May any praise or glory be reflected directly back to You.