Mountain Homecoming (18 page)

He clasped her hand in his and led her past the barn and across the field behind it. He stopped before they reached the trees that grew across the back of the field. The mountains rose in the distance, and the sight thrilled him as it had since he was a child.

He tightened his fingers around Rani's and stared down at her. “When I was a child, I explored the woods at the back of our farm and thought it was some kind of magical forest. Then when I worked for Little River, I saw all the tourists who are beginning to flock to the Smokies. But none of them were coming to Cades Cove. I had an idea, and for years I've been working on a plan for bringing visitors here.”

A frown puckered Rani's brow, and she stared from the woods to him. “I don't understand.”

He took a deep breath. “I haven't told anybody this, but I want to build a small lodge here at the edge of the woods for visitors.”

“But why would they want to come here?”

“For the same reason we love living here. The mountains, the wildflowers in the spring and summer, the leaves in the fall, the fish in the stream, the wildlife.”

Understanding dawned, and her eyes grew wide. “You want to share your love of the Cove with other people, don't you?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me more about this plan. What will you do once people come?”

He smiled and shrugged. “It depends on what they want. For fishing, I can take them to Abrams Creek and any of the other streams that are filled with rainbow trout. For hiking, there are trails all over the Cove that offer some of the most beautiful sights in the Smokies. I could take groups on short or longer hiking trips—whichever they chose. For longer trips we could go up the Anthony Creek trail to Spence Field, set up a campsite there, and spend days hiking all the trails in the area. Then there're places to explore like Gregory's Cave. I think it could really open the Cove up to visitors who are willing to pay for such trips.”

Her eyes danced with excitement. “Oh, this sounds wonderful—but how will you get them to come in the first place?”

His heart raced at the realization that she shared his excitement of the idea. “I'll advertise in Knoxville or Asheville or newspapers all over. The beauty of the Cove and the seclusion will be a draw for people wanting that kind of vacation. Once they come, they'll tell their friends, and word will spread.”

He still held her hand, and she covered his with her free one. “Oh, Matthew, this sounds wonderful, and maybe I can help you with it. If we could attract enough visitors, then they might see what the lumber companies are doing to the forests and help us put a stop to it.”

“Maybe so.”

“But you have a lot of work to do before that can happen. Have you thought about how many people you'll have to hire to make this work? You'll need a cook and someone to clean the lodge, and you'll need someone to help you lead fishing or hiking trips. How long will it be before you'll be ready for this?”

He laughed and shook his head. “Whoa. You make it sound like it's going to happen overnight. I need money, and right now I have very little left. I'll have to put in a few crops first so I can get some money to build the lodge. I'm giving myself five years before I start building the lodge.”

She stared at the woods as she was envisioning the lodge he'd described. “I see the perfect spot for the lodge. And maybe you should build a separate cabin for the kitchen and dining room.” Her voice grew more animated. “And maybe you could have a spot in the dining hall where I could sell my bowls and vases.” She stopped, clamped her lips together, and turned to him. “I'm sorry. This is your dream. I didn't mean to take over.”

In that moment, he knew why he'd told her what he'd kept hidden from everyone else. He wanted more than anything he'd ever desired to share it with her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. She stared up at him, and the mountain laurel blooms in her hair filled him with a longing like he'd never known.

“You're not interfering,” he whispered.

With a groan he lowered his mouth and pressed it against her trembling lips. His heart pumped, and he tightened his hold on her when her arms encircled his shoulders and her fingers caressed the back of his neck.

He released her mouth and pressed his cheek next to hers. “Oh, Rani,” he murmured, “I never dreamed I'd meet anyone like you when I came back here.”

“And I never thought someone like you would enter my life.” She pulled back and stared up at him. “But I'm glad you did.”

He swallowed hard. “I'm glad I did too. There's still a lot you don't know about me, though. And I'm so much older than you. I want to take this slow and see where it leads us. I don't want you to be hurt.”

She smiled, reached up, and stroked his cheek. “The difference in our ages makes no difference to me, and I know you could never hurt me.”

He didn't respond but clasped her hand and led her back toward the barn. He hoped she was right, but in his heart he feared she was wrong. Rani was still young, and the years he'd been gone were filled with too many mistakes—ones that might make it impossible for him to ever have a normal life. If that proved to be true, he would never allow Rani to be hurt because of it.

I
n the days following the kiss Matthew and Rani had spent every spare minute together. So far she didn't think her parents had noticed, but Granny had. One morning a week after Matthew told her of his plan for his farm she was busy packing their noon meal in a basket when Granny hobbled into the kitchen.

Her eyebrows arched when she saw what Rani was doing. She dropped into a chair at the table. “Are you goin' over to Matthew's again today?”

Rani didn't glance up, but nodded. “Yes. He works so hard, and I can't stand to think of him being hungry. It's really no problem for me to take him some food.”

Granny snorted. “I reckon it ain't no problem except that you been mighty hush-mouthed about it, and you've gone over there for the last three days. Do your ma and pa know what you been a-doin'?”

Rani gave a nervous laugh and tucked the cloth around the food she placed in a basket. “No, but I'm sure they wouldn't mind. Both of them have been gone every morning this week either visiting or waiting for a baby to be born.”

“Well, they been here at night, and I ain't noticed you and Matthew a-tellin' them about all your private time together.” Granny crossed her arms and snorted. “'Course I don't know why they so blind. Anybody with good sense can see the way you and that boy look at each other. I ain't never seen nobody as lovesick you two.”

Rani's face burned, and she glanced up at Granny. “We aren't lovesick, and there's nothing wrong with us having some private time, as you call it. We've just become good friends.”

Granny shook her head. “Good friends, huh? That's not what it looks like to me. And if you're sure that's all it is, then you need to let your folks know.” Granny was quiet for a moment before she spoke again. “Tell me one thing, though. Have you and Matthew talked about marriage?”

Rani shot a surprised look in her direction. “No. I told you we're just getting to know each other.”

“Well, I don't feel good keepin' this from your ma and pa. If Matthew has any intentions toward you, he needs to tell Simon.”

“Intentions?” Rani dropped to her knees beside Granny's chair and grasped her hand. “Please don't say anything to Mama and Poppa yet. I don't know what's going to happen between us. I just know I'm happier than I've ever been in my life.”

Granny reached down with her other hand and caressed Rani's cheek. “Darling, I want you and Matthew both to be happy, but this all happened so sudden. You ain't lived out in the world like Matthew has, and you don't understand how different it is from life here. I worry because I don't want you to get hurt.”

“I know you do.” She took a deep breath. “But, Granny, I think I'm falling in love with Matthew. All I want is to be with him.”

Granny tilted her head to one side and smiled. “Back when your ma come to this valley, she was full of life just like you are now. The only dif'rence is she had her heart set on going to New York. Didn't want to fall in love, but she did. With you it's not the same. I know you been lookin' for somebody to love ever since Josie got married, but you ain't found him. Now this handsome man who's lots older than you and has seen lots more than you'll ever see comes along, and you fall head over heels. Maybe you need to get out of the Cove and see what's out there in the rest of the world before you make any big decisions.”

“I don't want to leave home. Besides, where would I go?”

“You can always go visit your Uncle Charles over to Maryville. He'd love to have some comp'ny.”

Rani shook her head. “I love him and enjoy seeing him, but I don't want to go right now. Maybe this winter I will.”

Granny snorted. “By this winter you'll change your mind. You need to go before you git more involved with Matthew.”

“Please understand, Granny. I'm making the bricks for Matthew's chimney, and I want to help him any way I can. I know you worry about me. And I also understand there's a lot about him I don't know, but he's a good man. And he has big dreams for his farm. I want to be a part of it with him.”

Granny squeezed her hand. “Yeah, I reckon he is a good man, but I don't want either one of you to git hurt. I 'spect all I can do now is pray for both of you, but I don't want you to keep your folks in the dark about this much longer. When you planning on telling them?”

“I wanted to wait until Stephen got home so he could meet Matthew.”

Granny nodded. “Well, Stephen will be here next week.” She glanced at the basket and smiled. “Now get on out of here before that boy wonders what's keeping you. And remember I'm a-prayin' for you both.”

Rani jumped to her feet and hugged Granny. “Thank you. I should be back before Mama and Poppa get home.”

“You be careful now.”

“I will,” Rani called over her shoulder, and she ran out the back door.

As she headed toward the road that ran in front of their cabin she glanced around for Scout, but he was nowhere in sight. He was probably off on one of his rambling trips. He'd just have to miss going with her to Matthew's today.

Humming a song they'd sung in church the Sunday before, she stepped into the dirt road and began the mile-and-a-half trip to Matthew's farm. She'd come to look forward to the time they spent talking about his plans for the farm. At night when she was in bed, she would recall all the things Matthew had told her about his plans, and she could see herself as having a major role in his dream.

About halfway to the farm, she was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice a horse and rider in the thick forest on the right side of the road until they emerged and blocked her path. The man reined the horse to a stop and leaned on the saddle pommel.

“What you doin' out here, Rani?”

She shaded her eyes with her hand and stared in surprise at the sight of George Ferguson trying to keep his balance on the horse. She didn't know which shocked her more, the fact that George had deliberately blocked her way or his slurred speech. She narrowed her eyes and stared at him weaving back and forth in the saddle.

She lowered her hand and took a hesitant step forward. “George, are you all right?”

A shrill laugh erupted from his throat. “That's a good question. I thought I was last night until I woke up with this headache this mornin'.”

Her mouth gaped open, and she sucked in her breath. “Have you been drinking?”

He laughed again and started to dismount, but his foot slipped, and he tumbled to the ground. Before Rani could reach him, he pushed himself to his feet and laughed. “I guess I missed the step.”

Rani stopped in front of him and almost gagged. The stench of liquor and perfume combined with the smell from his vomit-stained shirt sent her reeling backwards. “You smell like you've spent the night in a tavern. Where have you been?”

A silly grin covered George's face, and he swayed on his feet. “Over to Wear's Valley, if it's any of your business. I found out there was some women in the world who like me even if you don't.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “You
have
been in a tavern!” She shook her head in disgust. “Those women over there only like you for what you spend on them, George. I can't imagine what your pa is going to say when you get home. And your mother. Did you stop to think how this behavior is going to hurt her?”

He took a step toward her, but his legs wobbled so she feared they would collapse. “Don't you say nothing about my folks,” he snarled. “They always treated you nice.”

“I know they did, but I doubt if they'll be happy with you when you get home.” Her gaze raked him once more and she took a step forward. “I can't stand to see you like this. Now get out of my path so I can be on my way.”

He grabbed her arm and clamped his fingers around it. “You ain't walkin' away from me, Rani. Not until I say you can.”