Angel of the Cove (42 page)

Simon pushed up from the chair and steadied himself on trembling legs. He wondered if Moses had experienced the same feeling when God spoke to him from the burning bush. God had a message for Moses that day, and He'd given one to him today.

Simon fell to his knees. “God, I'm Yours. I surrender my will to You. Wherever You want me to go, I will go. From this day forward I will serve You with my whole heart.”

Simon stayed on his knees for long minutes. Gone were the dreams of yesterday. His heart was filled with love for the people of the Cove and how God wanted to use him to serve them. If only everyone could know the peace that he had found!

Anna. If only Anna could know that peace.

She was leaving today. He had to go to her and tell her what had happened to him. If she told him it was God's will for her to go to New York, he wouldn't try to persuade her differently. He only wanted her to be at peace about her decision.

The clock on the mantel in the parlor chimed twelve. It was already noon, and Doc Prentiss had said she was leaving today.

He rushed out of the house and toward the barn. Within minutes he had saddled his horse and was racing toward Granny's house. He prayed he wouldn't be too late.

Anna stood at the back door, the dishes she had been washing forgotten, and looked across the fields behind Granny's house to the mountains. A hawk was circling up above. How she would miss this
view—the trees that sloped up the hillsides, the early afternoon sunlight, the blue haze that hung over the low mountains.

Robert would be here any minute now. Her trunk was packed and waiting in her room. Granny had been quiet all morning as she bustled about, and now she had disappeared. A squawk came from the direction of the henhouse, and Anna recognized the familiar protest of Jezebel, the new hen Cecil had given Granny. Granny emerged from the small building, her apron bundled up in front of her to form a pouch for the eggs resting inside.

Uncle Charles stepped up behind her. “Is your trunk packed?”

“Yes.” She nodded without turning. “I missed you this morning. Where did you go?”

“I had to make a call, but I made it back in time to eat. I don't pass up an invitation to sit at Granny's table when I'm in these parts.”

She took a deep breath. Granny's cooking was just one of the things she was going to miss. “I know what you mean.”

“What are you doing?”

She smiled and turned to face him. “Just making some memories.”

“Anna, it's not too late…”

Anna pushed past him and returned to the task she had abandoned earlier. She plunged her hands into the soapy water and began to scrub the plates from their noon meal. “Did you sleep well? I didn't ask you this morning.”

Her uncle sat down at the table. “I've slept in some mighty strange places in these mountains. A quilt spread on Granny's floor is almost like sleeping in luxury. I don't think I stirred once I settled down.” He regarded her for a moment. “What about you?”

She finished drying the cup she was holding and stacked the clean dishes on the shelf on the wall. “Oh, I slept off and on. I was up early to pack.” She untied the apron from around her waist, folded it, and hung it on the back of the chair. “When are you leaving?”

He stood up and stretched. “I'll head out as soon as you and Robert get on the road.” He pulled the watch out of his pocket and looked at it. “Robert said in my letter he would be staying in Pigeon Forge the night before he got here. He should be here soon.”

“I suppose we'll stay at Mrs. Johnson's inn tonight. At least I'll get to see Naomi.”

Her uncle nodded. “I saw her a few days ago. She and the boys are doing fine. She sends her love.”

Anna tilted her head and listened for a moment. “I think I heard a horse. Maybe that's him now.”

Together they walked out of the house into the front yard. Robert climbed from the buggy and smiled at her. He pushed his hat to the back of his head, stepped forward, and planted a kiss on her cheek.

“Anna, you sure are a sight for sore eyes. I've really missed my little sister.”

Anna smile and hugged him. “I've missed you too. How is Mama?”

The corners of his blue eyes crinkled. “She can't wait to see you.” He turned to his uncle and grabbed his hand. “Good to see you, Uncle Charles. Thanks for taking care of Anna while she's been here.”

Uncle Charles pumped his nephew's hand. “Oh, she's had a lot of folks looking after her. Anna's come to mean a lot to the people in the Cove.”

Robert looked back at her. “That's my little sister. She takes after Ma.”

Uncle Charles nodded. “Yes, she does.”

Robert's gaze drifted over the cabin before he glanced at Anna. “So this is where you've been living all summer? Where is Mrs. Lawson? I want to meet her and thank her for all she's done for you.”

“She should be out in a minute. She saved some food from the noon meal for you.”

Robert followed her to the front porch. “That's kind of her, but we need to leave soon.”

Anna whirled to face her brother before stepping through the front door. Panic boiled up in her. It was really going to happen. She was about to leave. “When?”

Robert glanced at their uncle. “As soon as the horse is watered and has rested some. We need to get to Pigeon Forge before dark. Mrs. Johnson is expecting us.”

Anna nodded and led him into the cabin. Granny was standing before the fireplace.

Anna pulled Robert toward her. “Granny, I'd like you to meet my brother, Robert.”

Granny held out her hand, and he grasped it. “Thank you for your hospitality to Anna, Mrs. Lawson. Our family is very grateful for the time you spent with her. I know this has been a rewarding experience for her.”

Granny's gaze flitted to her. “Not as much as for me. She's a smart woman, and I hate to be losin' her.”

Robert nodded. “From what you wrote me, I believe she's going to be a good nurse.”

“She already is.” Granny glanced at Anna. “Take Robert into the kitchen and git that plate of food I saved him out of the pie safe. He's traveled a long way today and must be powerful hungry.”

Robert grinned. “To tell the truth, I'm starved. I haven't had anything since breakfast.”

Granny propped her hands on her hips. “You mean Miz Johnson didn't fix you no basket of food?”

“No ma'am.”

Granny sniffed, her hands planted firmly on her hips. “Well, then you done come to the right place. There's nothing I like better'n feedin' a hungry man.”

Anna trudged after her brother and Granny as they entered the kitchen. What was the matter with her? This was the moment she'd been waiting for all summer. As soon as Robert ate, they would climb in the buggy and begin the first step of the adventure she'd planned for years. She just wished she could be happier about it.

Simon urged the horse to move faster. The sun was getting high in the sky, and he hoped he wouldn't be too late.

Granny's house came into view, and he heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the buggy parked there. A man was holding a bucket up for the horses to drink from. If this was Anna's brother, then they hadn't left yet.

The horse trotted into the yard, and he jumped down just as Doc Prentiss came out the door with Anna's trunk on his shoulder. He looked up and nodded to Simon.

“Glad to see you, Simon. Come over here and meet Anna's brother.”

Simon dismounted and tied his horse to the tree. The young man with the horse smiled as he approached. Simon could see the resemblance to Anna. He stuck out his hand. “I'm Simon Martin. I came to see Anna before she left.”

The young man shook his hand. “Ah. Good. I'm Robert Prentiss, her brother.”

Doc Prentiss settled the trunk in the buggy. “Simon's the preacher here in the Cove.”

Robert's face broke into a big smile. “Oh, the preacher.” He nodded toward the house. “Anna's inside getting the rest of her things. Just go on in and see her.”

Simon swallowed and glanced at Doc Prentiss. “I think I'll do that.”

He forced himself not to bolt up the steps as he approached the front porch. He had to be calm and composed when he talked with Anna. He walked through the open door and stopped at the sight before him. Granny stood with her back to the fireplace, Anna tight in her arms. Tears streaked Granny's face, and Anna's shoulders shook. Granny glanced over Anna's shoulder and saw him first. She gently pushed Anna away.

“There's somebody else here to tell you goodbye.”

Anna turned, her eyes growing wide at the sight of him. She pressed her hand to her mouth. “Wh-why d-did you c-come?”

He stepped forward and glanced at Granny. She cleared her throat. “If'n you two will excuse me, I got somethin' to take care of in the kitchen.”

He waited until she was gone before he stepped closer and spoke. “Anna, I had to come. There's something I have to tell you before you leave.”

She shook her head. “No. There's nothing else to say.”

He touched her arm and stopped her. “I have to tell you what has happened to me this morning. It's very important. Please hear me out.”

She gazed up into his eyes, and he thought his heart would burst from the love he felt for her. She nodded, and he began.

“Your uncle came to my house this morning.”

“My uncle?”

“Yes.” He spoke slowly as he related the events of the morning, but he became more excited when he came to the part of how God had spoken to him. He ended by telling her of the peace that now filled his soul. “I owe your uncle a great debt for helping me see how I needed to let God direct my life instead of trying to do it myself.”

Anna had not moved since he began speaking. After a moment she took a deep breath. “I'm happy for you, Simon. I know God is going to use you to do great things wherever He takes you.”

“I think so too. But I wanted to tell you this because I want to make sure you're following what is God's will for you. Have you prayed about this, Anna? Or have you based your decision to go to New York on a childhood dream? If you can tell me this is God's will, I can be happy for you. I'll miss you, but I can let you go.”

Tears trickled down her cheeks. “Simon, I…”

He took her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes. “I love you with all my heart, Anna. And there's nothing more I want for you than to know that you're right where God wants you to be.”

She gazed up at him, and without warning she leaned close and pressed her lips to his. Before he could react, she pulled away and whispered, “I love you, Simon.”

With that she ran for the door and out of his life. He'd never hurt so. He turned toward the fireplace and leaned forward. His hand clutched the mantel and his forehead rested on his fingers. “God, help me!” he cried. “I can't bear this alone.”

Even as he said it, he knew he wasn't alone. The days ahead would be difficult, but God would be walking beside him every step he took.