Guide Me Home (44 page)
Authors: Kim Vogel Sawyer
He turned onto the lane leading to the cabin, and as he cleared the trees, his stomach gave a flip of happiness that rolled every bit of sadness from his being. Because there she was with her hand curled around one of the rough-hewn porch posts, watching, waiting. For him.
Dear God in heaven, I love this womanâ¦
Reb stepped off the porch and moved across the lawn as he drew the mule to a stop. She appeared to glide, the sweeping skirt of her pale-yellow dress barely gracing the tips of the freshly cut grass.
He pushed his ivy cap to the back of his head and gave her a thorough perusal, whistling through his teeth. “If I'd known this was going to be a formal affair, I would have dressed more appropriately. Reb, you look wonderful.”
She fingered the end of her customary braid and glanced down the length of her dress. “Cissy bought it for me, and she insisted I wear it tonight. She has us all decked out like we're going to a banquet.” Her gaze flicked to the back of the cart, and she gave a little start. “Oh, Mr. Temperance, I didn't see you there.”
The man winked. “No doubt because you have eyes only for the young man holding the reins.”
A delightful blush stole across her cheeks.
Hiding a smile, Devlin leaped out of the cart and reached for the photographer's stand. He aimed a grin at Reb. “I think you're about to discover why Cissy wanted you all gussied up. Would you call your family out to the porch? Mr. Temperance needs to catch this image before the sun goes completely behind the trees.”
Her mouth dropped open in an O of wonder, and then she turned and darted inside, giving Devlin a glimpse of her bare soles as she went.
He helped the photographer set up his camera while Cissy bossed her family into position on the porch steps. He grinned at the girl's endless stream of excited chatter.
“No, Little Nellie, Daddy can't hold you. You're gonna stand right down here in front where ever'body can see your purty new dress. An' don't suck your thumb! You ain't a baby anymore. Della, quit scrunching your nose. You look like a rabbit eatin' clover. An', Trudy, for goodness' sake, put your skirt down. You think Mr. Temperance an' Devlin need to see your underthings?”
Finally the camera was set, the family was in position, and Mr. Temperance curled his hand around the bulb. “Ready, everyone? All right, look here, smile, andâ” He frowned. “Cissy, something's missing.”
The girl gave a jolt. “Oh! I forgot!” She broke through the group and clattered into the house.
Mr. Temperance offered Devlin a wry look. “And she accused me of being forgetful.”
Devlin chuckled. Cissy would likely always be flighty, but since she'd left her selfishness behind in the cave, the characteristic seemed more endearing than annoying.
Moments later Cissy emerged with a pair of worn brown boots, the laces snarled and broken. She held them hesitantly toward her parents. “Mama an' Daddy, is it all right if Andy's boots are in the picture, too?”
When Mr. Temperance took the photograph, several pairs of eyes were shiny from tears, but Devlin believed the shimmer would add sweetness to the finished image.
Mrs. Hardin bade the girls to change out of their fancy clothes before sitting down to supper. They thundered inside, pushing at one another good-naturedly. Reb turned to follow them, but Mr. Hardin caught her arm and whispered something to her. She nodded and came down the steps and across the grass, her movement as graceful as a swan floating on a pond. She stopped in front of Devlin with her hands locked behind her back and her head held at a prim angle.
“Before we eat, may I speak with you?” She flicked a look at the photographer and added softly, “Alone?”
Devlin nodded and offered his elbow. She took hold, and they moved together to the side yard where a gap in the trees allowed the evening sun to paint a golden carpet on the grass. She turned her face up to him, her brown eyes shimmering.
“You're going back to Lexington tomorrow?”
How beautiful she looked bathed in pale sunlight, her hair caught in its beguiling braid and her slender fingers resting at her throat. “Yes. I have to take the earliest stage since my train leaves the Lincoln station at noon.” His throat went tight. “It's not going to be easy for me to tell you good-bye.”
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 heâ Youâ 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”âhe drew back slightly and smiledâ“see you soon, Reb.”
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 guidesâmostly slaves who had helped retrieve the saltpeterâbegan 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
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.
Chester and Rose McCauleyâthank you for the invitation to your home that led to my encounter with Mammoth Cave. It was a God incident for sure!
Mom and Daddyâthank 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 Parkâthank you for pointing me toward helpful books, letting me examine cemetery documents, and answering my questions. I appreciate your help very much.
Nathan and Malleaâthank you for your willingness to “fill in” as Devlin and Rebekah. You two are so cute. Especially together. Love you both!
Don and my girlsâas always, thanks for your continued support and encouragement.
My posseâmy cheerleaders, my prayer warriors, my sisters-of-the-heartâthanks for being part of this journey.
Shannon, Amy, Kelly, Julee, Carol, and the entire fiction staff at WaterBrookâthank you for everything you do to help bring these stories to life. You are a blessing to me.
Finally, and most important, Godâthank 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.
