Anna stepped down from the porch and flashed a smile of gratitude at Martha before she turned to the two women who eased up beside her. She held out her hand. “I’m Anna Prentiss. I’m spending the summer with Granny Lawson, and I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you. I’ve never been anywhere as beautiful as your valley, and I received a great blessing from your church service today.”
The older woman studied her as if she was trying to decide if there was a hint of untruth in Anna’s words. After a moment she held out her hand. “I’m Sadie Carter. I enjoyed havin’ the organ to sing with today. You did a right good job.”
Anna smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Carter. I consider that a great compliment.”
The other woman, who appeared to be in her twenties, held out her hand. “And I’s Louise Adams.”
“I’m so glad to meet you, Mrs. Adams. I hope to see both of you again soon.”
Mrs. Carter nodded. “We ’spect we’ll see you at church next Sunday.” She turned and headed toward a buggy parked at the side of the yard.
A shy smile pulled at Louise’s face. “Goodbye, Miss Anna. It was nice meetin’ you.”
Anna watched the two women hurry away before she turned back to Martha. “Thank you for introducing me.”
Martha grabbed her hands and smiled. “I know it’s gonna be hard gettin’ to know everybody, but you will. In the meantime you got Simon and Granny and me and John to help you. I want to git to know you better while you’re here.”
Anna smiled and squeezed the woman’s hand. “I want that too, Martha. I think we’ll be great friends. Maybe we’ll see each other soon.”
Martha looked at her husband, and he winked at her. They glanced toward Granny’s buggy where Simon stood talking to her. “I ’spect we’ll be a-seein’ you. Sooner than you think.”
They walked toward their wagon, and Anna hurried to where Granny waited beside the buggy. “Go on and climb in,” Granny said. “I’ll jest check on Jim ’fore we head home.”
Simon hustled to take the reins from her. “Let me do that, Granny.”
She waved him away with a flutter of her hands. “Nonsense. You talk to Anna. This ole horse and I won’t be half a minute.”
Simon turned to her, and Anna’s breath caught in her throat. His gaze drifted over her face. “So what did you think of our church?”
“I enjoyed the service very much, Simon. Your message was one I’ll think about for a long time.”
His face flushed, and he cleared his throat. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“I liked your brother and sister-in-law too. They’re a lovely couple.”
He smiled. “I’m glad. They mean a lot to me.”
He reached for her hand and helped her into the buggy, his fingers holding hers a bit longer than necessary. When she was settled in the seat, he leaned against the side of the buggy and stared up at her. “You made quite an impression on the folks here today, Anna.”
Her eyes grew wide and she shook her head. “How can you say that? Hardly anyone even spoke to me—except the children, I suppose.”
Simon propped his foot on the buggy step and leaned closer. “The Cove people appear reserved, and you have to prove yourself to them before they will accept you. I could see how they appreciated you playing the organ for them to sing, and then there was something more.”
Puzzled, she looked at him. “What?”
“It was how you treated their children. I saw it in the way you tamed the Ferguson children, and I saw it in the faces of the mothers who stood at the back of the church and watched their children singing with you after services. You were patient and kind, and everybody appreciated that. I think you’ve won the hearts of the Cove people.”
“But I don’t understand. What am I to do when no one speaks to me or seems to want to talk to me?”
“Just remember, they’re as afraid of not being accepted by you as you are of them. Don’t be afraid to make the first move toward friendship, and they’ll respond.”
In that moment Anna realized she had entered the church expecting the people to distrust her, and that’s what she had seen. She had misjudged them just as she had misjudged Ted and Lucy at first. From now on, she decided, she would make every effort to get to know the people who inhabited this beautiful valley.
She glanced at Simon, and her faced warmed as it so often seemed to do when Simon was around. “I’ve liked everyone I’ve met. I hope I can become a part of this community while I’m here.”
His gaze flitted across her face before he glanced back at the church. “Well, I guess I’d better close the church up. I’ll see you later.”
Granny stepped back to the side of the buggy, and Simon helped her climb in before he turned and walked back toward the church. Anna studied his retreating figure and thought of how handsome he’d looked standing in the pulpit earlier. She’d only known Simon for a few weeks, but for some reason she felt as if she’d known him all her life. There was kindness in his heart and concern for everyone he met.
Anna suddenly realized Granny was talking, and she pulled her attention back to the present. “I’m sorry—What did you say?”
“I said I need to git home and git dinner ready. Simon and John and Martha are a-comin’ to eat with us.”
“I’m glad you invited them. It’ll give me a chance to get to know Martha better.”
Anna closed her eyes and thought about Simon’s words today and the voices of the people as they sang. Her fears about fitting into life in the Cove dissolved as she recalled the friendly manner of John and Martha and Simon’s reassuring words. She might still be considered an outsider by some in the Cove, but something she didn’t understand was drawing her to the people and their way of life here. She smiled as she realized the thought made her happy.
Chapter 9
Sunday dinner at Granny’s house proved to be very different from the meals Anna’s family had shared together. Her parents had insisted that Sunday was a time for reflection about the blessings God had provided the week before, and conversation at the dinner table was discouraged. Not so around Granny’s kitchen table.
Simon and John talked and laughed throughout the meal. She didn’t think she’d ever seen two brothers who were closer, and it made Anna wish she’d had the same kind of relationship with her brother. Now too much had passed between them, and it was too late to forget the angry words that had been spoken, or the heartbreak they’d produced.
She glanced at Granny, who was shaking with laughter over something Simon had just said. Contentment welled up in her. It had been a long time since she felt such peace. Coming to Cades Cove had been one of the best decisions she’d ever made.
Anna swallowed her last bite of the apple pie Granny had baked before leaving for church and sighed contentedly. Across the table Simon grinned. “I hope you like your pie, Anna. I almost lost my life trying to provide you with the apples.”
Anna laid her fork on her plate and laughed. “I’m sure Granny will think of you every time she bakes an apple pie from now on.”
Martha giggled and wagged a finger at her brother-in-law. “It’s a good thing you weren’t killed. Granny might never have wanted to bake an apple pie again.”
A little shiver raced up Anna’s spine at the memory of how scared she’d been that day. She clasped her hands in her lap. “Simon tried to make out like it was nothing more than falling down and skinning his knee. But when he was lying on the ground, I thought he was dead. I don’t think I’ll ever forget how he looked.”
Simon smiled. “I do have to say your face was rather pale.”
“I’m just glad it ended well.” She picked up the bowl of potatoes and spooned some into her plate. “Even if I have finished, I need another bite of these potatoes. They’re the best I’ve ever eaten. What did you put in them, Granny?”
Granny chuckled and glanced at the others seated at the table. “Think we need to let Anna in on our mountain secret?”
John and Si
mon put their forks down and leaned forward, frowns pulling at their brows. Simon propped his elbows on the table and tented his fingers. “I don’t know, Granny. You think we can trust Anna to guard the secret of the hills?”
Anna sat back in her chair and sighed. “Martha, I believe Simon takes great delight in teasing me. If I encourage him, he’ll only tease me more about the big secret of the hills. If John’s as bad as his brother, I don’t know how you stand being around these two all the time.”
Martha laughed. “It can git mighty rough at times, but I guess I’m used to it.” She put her fork down and pushed her plate away. “But don’t pay no mind to them, Anna. I’ll tell you what the secret is. It’s ramps.”
“What’s ramps?”
“Kinda like an onion,” Granny said. “Better get used to the taste, Anna. We use ’em in ev’rything in the hills—taters, eggs, seasonin’ for peas and beans. We like our ramps.”
Martha twisted to face Anna. “I wish you was gonna be here next spring. You could go with us to the ramp patch.” She directed a scowl at John. “Maybe you won’t make me sit out and miss all the fun like you did this year.”
Anna looked from Martha to Granny. “What happens at the ramp patch?”
Across the table Simon laughed. “It’s a big day for us. All the families go to the place in the Cove where our little delicacy grows. We take a shovel and a flour sack, and we dig ramps to put in our root cellars. After we’ve dug all we can use, the women put out all the food they’ve brought, and we eat ’til we’re about to bust.”
Anna winked at Martha before she faced Simon. “Considering the way you eat every time you come to Granny’s, I can’t imagine you getting enough to make you bust.”
Martha laughed and grasped Anna’s arm. “Good for you, Anna. Don’t let him git away with nothing.” She glanced down at the last bite of pie on her plate. “Granny, that was good, but I’m full. You make the best apple pie of anybody in the Cove.”
Granny hopped up from the table and grabbed the coffeepot from the stove. She held it aloft. “Go on, now. It’s the coffee what makes it so good. Anybody want more?”
Martha held up her cup for a refill. “Have you noticed, Anna, that Granny don’t like to be complimented?”
Anna nodded. “Like it or not, I’m sure it’s the truth. But I suppose Simon could be a good judge of who makes the best pie in the Cove. If he eats everywhere else like he does here, he should be able to tell us.”
Simon shoveled the last bite in his mouth and grinned. “I have to say Granny and Martha are tied for the winner.”
John shook his head. “Maybe you shoulda been a politician ’stead of a preacher.”
Granny set the coffeepot back on the stove and surveyed the group. “Can I git anythang else for you?”
From across the table Simon grinned and gazed at Anna in a way that made her heart flutter. She’d never met anyone like Simon. One minute she could be laughing at his teasing, and the next her pulse would race at the way he stared at her. The fork dropped from her hand and clattered against the plate.
Granny looked up, surprise on her face. “What’s the matter, Anna?”
“Just clumsy,” she said, blushing. She pushed her chair back from the table and reached across to stack Simon’s plate on top of hers. He grabbed her hand just before she pulled it away. “Wait, Anna. I want some more of Granny’s apple pie.”
“More? But you’ve already had two pieces.”
John slapped Simon on the back. “Well, brother, I’d say this little gal has you pegged.” He pointed to Anna. “Let ’im have it, Anna. Ma never could teach him any manners. Maybe you can.”
Simon glanced at his brother. “Now that’s an idea. Maybe I need to take lessons in how to act in company.” He looked up at Anna. “You willing to teach me?”
She opened her mouth to make a retort, but the words wouldn’t come. She felt as if they were the only two people in the room. Her heart pounded in her ears as she broke into a grin. “Anytime, Simon,” she smiled.
The muscle in the side of his jaw twitched. “I guess you’re right. Two pieces is enough for anybody.” He cleared his throat, and a crooked smile pulled at his lips. “I don’t want to make it hard on my poor old horse.”
John scooted his plate from in front of him. “Yeah, me neither. I better quit.”
Martha reached over and grabbed John’s plate. “Good. Granny won’t invite us back if you and Simon eat up all her food.” She shook her finger at her husband and brother-in-law. “And you two leave Anna alone. She’s not used to your shenanigans.” She patted Anna’s arm. “Don’t let ’em bother you. They do this to me all the time. You just gotta ignore ’em.”
Granny chuckled and stood up. “This here’s been ’bout the best Sunday I’ve had in years. It’s good to have friends to share the day with. Now why don’t you young folks go on outside and set under the tree? Enjoy this beautiful Lord’s day in the mountains. I’ll come out after a while.”
Martha stood and headed to the dry sink. “I’ll help you clean up.”
Granny put her hand on Martha’s arm. “Naw, I kin do it. Go on and enjoy the sunshine.”
Martha put her hand to her abdomen and grasped the back of her chair. “If’n you don’t mind then, Granny, I think we best go home. I need to rest some this afternoon.”
Fear prickled up Anna’s spine. “Are you all right? Do we need to do anything?”
“No, I’ll be fine.”
A worried expression clouded Granny’s features, and she stepped next to Martha. “You havin’ any pains, Martha?”
“No, nothing like that. Just tired after the long morning.” She darted a glance at Simon. “And the long sermon.”
Anna burst out laughing and put her arm around Martha’s shoulder. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
John, who’d suddenly gone mute, came around the table. His dark eyes that had laughed just minutes ago now appeared veiled. Anna wondered if Martha had been having problems they hadn’t shared. He put his arms around his wife’s shoulders. “Come on, Martha. Let me get you home.”
As John propelled her toward the door, Martha turned back to Anna. “Come visit me, Anna.”
“I will.”
She and Granny walked to the front porch and watched as Simon escorted John and Martha to the wagon. When John had lifted her up, he climbed beside her. Simon stood in the yard until they disappeared down the road.
When he returned to the porch, all the good humor of earlier had disappeared. A frown wrinkled his forehead. “Granny, you think Martha’s all right?”
Granny waved her hand in dismissal and held the door for them to reenter the house. “Women go through all kinds of thangs when they waiting for a baby. Now don’t fret about Martha. We gonna take good care of her.”
Simon stopped by the fireplace in the sitting room and bit his lip. “I don’t know what John would do if something happened to her. Or to the baby.”
Granny patted his shoulder. “Now don’t go lookin’ for trouble. You two go on outside and enjoy the day like I told you.”
Despite her words, a troubled frown creased her face as Granny turned back to the kitchen. Anna longed to return the afternoon to the lighthearted chatter of minutes before. She couldn’t bear to see Simon so concerned. She stepped up beside him.
“Well, sir, if you’ve finally filled your belly, why don’t we take a walk around the yard?”
A transformation took place at her words, and the Simon she knew reappeared. He chuckled, grabbed her hand, and pulled her toward the back door. With a bow he opened the door and motioned outside. He cleared his throat and spoke in a deep voice. “After you, Miss Prentiss.”
Anna lifted her chin and walked past him. “Thank you, Reverend Martin.”
In the sunshine she lifted her face toward the sky and closed her eyes. “Oh, that feels good. It is a beautiful day.”
“It is,” he murmured.
Thoughts of her mother and
brother back home flickered in her mind, and she wondered if the day was as gorgeous there as it was in the mountains. She doubted it. The clover blossoms in the field behind the house waved in the afternoon breeze. “Did I tell you about Granny teaching me to make whooping cough syrup?”
“I knew Granny made some each year when the clover’s blooming.”
Anna walked to the edge of the field, plucked a bloom, and sniffed it. “It’s amazing that this sweet flower can be used for medicine.”
The teasing smile she’d come to know pulled at Simon’s mouth. “Say, that clover sure does look inviting.”
Her eyebrows arched. “What do you mean?”
“Well, it looks like it’s just waiting for two people to have a race through it.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Simon Martin, have you lost your mind?”
He grinned at her. “You may think so when I tell you I like to run barefoot.”
She crossed her arms and regarded him with a skeptical look. “Are you suggesting that I take off my shoes and run a footrace with you?”
Simon plopped down on the ground and pulled off one of his shoes. He sat there holding the shoe, his sock still on. “Come on, Anna. It’s a lot of fun.”
Anna remembered how she and her brother had raced through the meadows back home when they were children. Suddenly she was filled with a longing for days gone by. Days when the innocence of childhood had not yet turned to the disappointments in adulthood. Back then her father always told her she could hold her own with any boy. Maybe she could recapture a bit of those moments with Simon.
His toes twitched, and his grin grew larger. “Afraid to race me?”
She shook her head. “No, but I don’t think I want to run barefoot. I think I’ll just keep my shoes on.” She whirled and dashed toward the field. “Catch me if you can…just as soon as you get your shoes off!”
“What? No fair!” Simon yelled as she sped away.
She glanced over her shoulder and giggled at the sight of him struggling to get his other shoe off. Then he was on his feet and flying after her. She squealed and ran faster, but she knew he was gaining on her. Just as she reached the far edge of the field, she felt him grab her arm.
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