“Simon, what are you doing?”
He didn’t look up as she approached. “I needed to be alone.”
“But it’s about to become a downpour. You need to come back to the church.”
He shook his head. “I’ll be all right. You go on before you get wet.”
Anna dropped to her knees. Raindrops leaked through the rotting wood overhead and dripped onto her face. “Tell me what’s troubling you.”
He glanced up, and she gasped at the tortured look in his eyes. She’d seen it once before, the day he’d learned of Luke’s death. “Leave me alone, Anna.”
His raspy voice shocked her, and she grasped his hand. “Simon, you’re scaring me. Please tell me what’s the matter. I want to help you.”
He stared at her for a moment as if debating whether or not to allow her to see into his soul. He reached up with his free hand and brushed away a raindrop that had landed on her cheek. “I wonder if God is crying today.”
Surprised, Anna sat back on her heels. “What do you mean?”
He tilted his head to one side and narrowed his eyes. “God wants everyone to accept Him, and I’m supposed to be doing His work. But I failed with Luke. I told him time after time about how much God loved him, but he wouldn’t listen. He got to where he wouldn’t even talk to me when I went by his house.”
Anna rubbed his hand. “That wasn’t your fault. You tried.”
He sat up straighter and glared at her. “Oh, I tried all right, but I won’t anymore. I’ve failed again.”
“You haven’t failed anybody, Simon. Everybody loves you.”
A sarcastic chuckle escaped his mouth. “Oh, sure, they love me. Everybody in the Cove loves me so much they made me feel guilty about going back to school. They needed me here, they said, and I believed them.”
“But it’s true. They do need you.”
He shook his head. “No, I was supposed to do God’s work. I was supposed to lead lots of people to Christ. After I told them I’d stay here, I realized they were nearly all Christians. All except Luke.”
Understanding dawned on Anna. “And you thought it was your mission to bring him to Christ?”
“Yes. That’s why God brought me back. Now I’ve failed in what He wanted me to do.”
The agony Anna saw in his face scared her. The Simon she knew had a joy for life and loved to tease and laugh. The brooding man before her didn’t resemble that person at all. There had to be something she could do to ease his pain.
Before she realized what she was doing, Anna lifted Simon’s hand to her mouth and kissed it. “Simon, you’re one of the best men I’ve ever known. You take your calling seriously, and you try to follow God’s will. But you can’t take responsibility for other people’s actions.”
He swallowed. “What do you mean?”
“God expects us to tell the people around us about His love, but He’s also given everybody the choice to either accept Him or not. Luke chose to ignore what you told him of his own free will. That’s not your fault. You did what was expected of you.”
He glanced down at his hand she still held. “I would like to believe you.”
She smiled. “Simon, you’re a man of faith. You have to understand you can’t take the sins of the world on your shoulders. Jesus has already done that. He just wants you to tell the people around you about Him and let them make their own choices. It doesn’t matter if you do that in Cades Cove or in a big city somewhere.”
“But on top of the tragedy of Luke, there’s Naomi and the boys,” said Simon. “I don’t know how she’ll make it without a husband. Luke may not have been the best one in the world, but at least he kept some food on their table.”
Anna smiled. “You don’t have to worry about that either.” She shifted from her heels to sit on the ground. “Before Sheriff Wade left Naomi’s house the day before yesterday, I asked him to take a note back to Uncle Charles for me.”
“What did it say?”
She settled her skirts around her. “When Uncle Charles was bringing me to the Cove we stopped at Mrs. Johnson’s inn over at Pigeon Forge. She kept complaining about not having anybody to help her do the work. I asked Uncle Charles if he would talk to Mrs. Johnson about the possibility of Naomi coming to work for her.”
Simon sat up straight, his eyes wide. “You what?”
“Well, it seemed like a good idea. Mrs. Johnson needs a worker, and Naomi needs a place to go. She and Matthew can’t work that farm. I really didn’t expect Uncle Charles to get over there right away, but he made a quick trip to Pigeon Forge and then came on over here for the funeral.”
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense. What did she say?”
Anna smiled. “She thought it was a wonderful idea. She has a little cabin out behind the inn where Naomi and the children can live, and Naomi will help her with the cleaning and cooking. Matthew will do odd jobs like chopping wood and drawing water, but the best part is he’ll also get to go to school.”
Simon stared at her for a moment before he leaned forward and kissed Anna on the cheek. “Thank you, Anna. You’re wonderful. Not only have you helped Naomi, but you’ve given me a lot to think about too.” Her skin tingled with pleasure where his lips had grazed her face.
From the edge of the field John’s voice rang out. “Simon, Anna, it’s ’bout to become a downpour. You’re gonna drown if you don’t git inside.”
For a moment Anna felt as if their souls had connected, but John’s words brought her back to the reality of rain pouring from the sky. They laughed and jumped to their feet. Simon grabbed her hand and pulled her out from underneath the barn’s overhang into the drenching rain. In surprise she looked down at her wet dress and Simon’s shirt clinging to his body.
Anna turned her face up to the rain and let the water trickle down her face. Simon smiled at her, and the look in his eyes sent a thrill through her. “Want to race me back to the church?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No. You might beat me again, and I don’t want anything to spoil this moment with you.”
Chapter 20
Simon latched the tailgate on the wagon and studied the items Naomi was taking to Pigeon Forge. Anna’s uncle had returned as he promised, and now they were about to send the family to a new life outside the Cove.
Anna walked from the house. She’d never looked lovelier than she did today. The gingham dress she wore rustled against her legs as she hurried toward him. “Simon, is there room for this box? I found it in the kitchen.”
He leaned against the back of the wagon and watched her move toward him, her slight figure swaying as she walked. Her hair sparkled in the sun, but it was the happiness on her face that ignited his spirit. It was the joy he often saw on the face of someone who’d given of their time to help someone.
“I think it’ll fit in the space beside the cedar chest.” He pushed a quilt aside and took the box from her hands. Their fingers touched, and he felt a tingle all the way to his elbow. Her expression didn’t change and he wondered if she felt anything.
Anna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “The world smells so good today, doesn’t it?”
Simon chuckled. “I guess I never thought about that.”
She laughed. “It’s such a beautiful day in the Cove.” She cocked her head to one side. “Say, when are you going to take Granny and me fishing? You promised, but you haven’t done it yet.”
“We’ll do it soon.”
She grinned and wagged a finger at him. “I’m not going to let you forget.”
Her uncle stepped to the door at that moment. “Anna, Granny needs you in here for a moment.”
She spun around and ran for the door. “Coming, Uncle Charles.” Simon watched her go and sighed before he turned back to securing Naomi’s belongings in the wagon.
Anna’s uncle walked from the house and stopped beside him. He studied the furniture and clothes piled in the wagon. “How’s it goin’, Simon?”
Simon tugged on the rope holding the
tailgate in place. “Fine. I think it’s about ready to go. Everything loaded?”
Doc Prentiss nodded. “Granny wanted Anna to help her check the rooms one more time before we left. Naomi seems to be having some last-minute problems. She’s gone out back to be by herself.”
Simon nodded. “I can understand. She’s starting a new life, and no one can promise her it’s going to be easy.”
Doc Prentiss glanced back at the house and then to Simon. “And how about you, Simon? How are you doing?”
Simon felt his eyebrows arch. “I’m fine. Why—have you heard otherwise?”
Doc Prentiss put his hand on Simon’s shoulder. “Anna is my niece, and I love her like a daughter. Granny tells me there seems to be a problem between the two of you. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Simon shook his head. “Only God can take care of that situation.” Suddenly the day seemed hot, and he pulled his hat from his head. Wiping his shirtsleeve across his forehead, he managed a weak smile. “I guess I fell in love with Anna the day she jumped out of your buggy at Granny’s. A lot of folks would say that doesn’t make sense, but I knew she was the one I’d been waiting for.” He paused a moment, then gritted his teeth. “I knew, Doc. Can you understand that?”
Doc Prentiss nodded. “I can. But how does Anna feel?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like she loves me, but she won’t give up on going to New York.” He paused and slapped his hat across his leg. “And I’d be doing wrong if I encouraged her to forget her dream. I lost mine, and I don’t want that to happen to her.”
Sadness flickered in Doc Prentiss’s eyes. “It’ll be hard for her to put the dream of nursing school aside. She’s wanted it since she was a little girl.”
“Are you telling me to give up? That it’s hopeless?” The old fear of failure reared its head inside him.
Doc Prentiss stared at the house. “I don’t know. I think you and the Cove have had a big influence on Anna, but I don’t know if it’s enough to make her change her mind.”
Simon sagged against the back of the wagon. “I thought she might stay here, but I’m beginning to have my doubts.”
“All I want is for both of you to be happy. I’ll pray for you.”
The door of the house opened and Anna, holding Eli, walked outside. Granny followed her and Matthew and Naomi brought up the rear. A mountain laurel bloom stuck up above the rim of a tin can in Naomi’s hand. Simon and Doc Prentiss met them as they approached the wagon.
Simon held out his hand. “Let me help you up, Naomi.”
Matthew stepped in front of him. “I kin do it.”
He took the tin can from his mother and set it on the ground, then grasped her arm and helped her climb into the wagon. When she was seated he picked up the can, handed it back to her, and glanced at Simon. “Ma cut a twig offa that bush out back. Maybe it’ll grow in the ground over to Miz Johnson’s place,” he said.
A sad smile pulled at Anna’s lips. “I know it will grow, Matthew.”
He nodded and reached for his brother. When he had handed Eli to his mother, Matthew turned to face them. He took off the hat he wore and held it in his hands. “I want to thank you kindly for yer help with my fam’ly. We won’t never forgit what you done for us.” He glanced at Anna and Granny. “Specia’ly the two of you. You been right at my ma’s side a-takin’ kere of her. Miss Anna, I reckon you bin our special angel.”
Anna dabbed at her eyes. “Thank you, Matthew.”
He turned to Simon. “And, Preacher, I won’t never forgit you neither. You were the only man in the Cove who tried to help my pa. It warn’t your fault he wouldn’t listen. Me and ma thank you for tryin’.”
Simon cleared his throat. “I’m sorry I didn’t succeed, Matthew.”
“Don’t make no diff’rence now, I ’spect.” The boy’s gaze traveled over the house. “This always gonna be home to me. I ain’t never gonna forgit it.”
A sob escaped Naomi’s mouth, and she buried her face in Eli’s curls. Anna stepped forward, reached up, and grasped her hand. “Take care of yourself. I hope to see you soon.” She turned back to Matthew and held out her hand. “You’re a good boy, Matthew. I’m glad your mother has you to watch out for her.”
Matthew glanced down at her outstretched hand. The muscle in his jaw twitched, and then he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Anna. After a moment he loosened his grip and took a step away from her. His steady gaze didn’t waver from her face. “Don’t know when, but I’ll be back someday.”
He glanced at the house once more, stepped onto the wagon’s wheel, and hoisted himself into the back of the wagon. Doc Prentiss shook Simon’s hand, hugged Granny, and kissed Anna’s cheek before he climbed onto the seat. “Simon, Granny, I’ll leave you today with the same words I said the day Anna came to the Cove. Take care of my girl.”
The wagon pulled out onto the road, and Anna waved as it drove away. Simon gazed at her and wished with all his might she would let him take care of her forever.
A week after Naomi left the Cove Granny pulled the buggy to a halt at John and Martha’s house. Anna glanced around the yard but didn’t see anyone.
Granny jumped from the buggy, tied the horse to a tree at the edge of the yard, and called out. “Anybody home?”
“Granny! Anna! Come in and set awhile.” Martha Martin, wiping her hands on her apron, walked around the house from the direction of the backyard.
“We wondered if’n you were gone.”
Martha placed her hands in the small of her back and stretched. “Not like this, Granny. I ’spect I won’t be goin’ nowhere ’til this baby gets here.”
Anna grabbed Granny’s bag and hopped from the buggy. “We wanted to check on you. How have you been feeling, Martha?”
Martha rubbed her hands over her abdomen and frowned. “I know I’ve got another month, but I declare I do believe this little one is ’bout ready to come.” Her hands stilled, and she winced. “He’s a kicker. You think he’ll come early, Granny?”
Granny chuckled. “Land’s sakes, Martha, the good Lord don’t tell me that. I jest show up when the time comes.” She put her arm around Martha’s shoulders. “But why don’t we go inside and check you over? I’d like to know how the little feller is doin’.”
As Anna followed Granny and Martha into the house, a sweet aroma of something baking tickled her nose. Martha turned before they entered the bedroom. “Anna, I have a blackberry pie bakin’. Will you keep an eye on it while Granny’s a-checkin’ me over? Then we can eat some of it.”
Anna handed the bag to Granny. “I’ll do it. Come into the kitchen when you get through.”
Anna stopped at the kitchen door and inhaled. Blackberry pie—it had become one of her favorites since coming to the Cove. She wondered how many blackberries she’d picked in the time since she’d been here. Every one of them had either found their way into one of Granny’s cobblers or were canned and sitting in the root cellar waiting for the coming winter.
Anna grabbed a dishcloth and opened the oven door a crack, then closed it to allow more baking time. She sank down in a chair at the table to wait and found her gaze drifting around the room.
This was her first time in John and Martha’s home—the house where Simon had grown up. She rubbed her fingers across the smooth wood of the table. Perhaps he’d sat in one of the chairs to eat with his family. How she wished she could peer into the past and see what his parents were like, how he and his brother had played together.
His face flashed into her mind and she smiled. What did he look like when he was a little boy? Did his hair tumble over his forehead like it did now? Did his dark eyes sparkle with the laughter that sent a thrill through her?
Simon occupied her thoughts more and more. Sometimes it was difficult to believe that he hadn’t been a part of her life forever. Her face warmed and she pressed her fingers to her cheeks. Being in the house where Simon grew up had triggered some emotions better left undisturbed. She glanced arou
nd for a distraction and thought of the pie.
Jumping up from her chair she hurried to the oven and peered inside. Dark juice bubbled at the edges of the brown crust covering the top. Anna eased the pan out of the oven and set it on the table.
A cow mooed in the distance and she moved to the back door. A smile tugged at her lips as she surveyed the cantilever barn—a structure she once thought so strange. But she had come to understand that life in the Cove, just like the barns, followed an orderly tradition set years before.
The longer she stayed, the harder it was going to be to leave.
Simon pushed his way through the dried cornstalks in the field beside John’s house. “You behind me, John?”
Brittle leaves rustled behind him. “I’m a-comin’, Simon. Jest checking some of the corn.”
At the end of the row Simon stepped from the field. A horse nickered, and he glanced toward John’s front yard and spied Granny’s buggy. If Granny was here, then Anna must be with her. He scanned the yard but didn’t see them. They had to be inside the house.
“Hey, John. Granny and Anna are here.”
John stopped beside him and chuckled. “Brother, don’t go actin’ like you’re surprised. You told me this mornin’ Anna said they was comin’ by for Granny to check Martha today. I figured that’s why you been ridin’ my coattails all day.”
Simon laughed. “I still can’t put anything over on you, can I?”
John shook his head. “Not where that pretty girl is concerned. Why don’t you go on in and see her?”
There was nothing he’d like better, but he’d told John he’d help with feeding the livestock. “Well, maybe after we’re through at the barn.”
John slapped him on the back. “Oh, go on. I reckon I can feed my own cows. Do it most of the time by myself anyhow.”
Simon hesitated, then grinned at his brother. “Well, if you’re sure.”
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