Beyond These Hills Page 11

  All day he hoped to see Charlie with a contrite look on his face walk back down the road to their house and act as if nothing had happened. But Charlie didn’t come home. By supper time they had all arrived at the same conclusion. Charlie was gone and wasn’t coming back.

  Chapter 8

  The house had been like a tomb all day long. Nobody spoke as they went about their chores. Every once in a while Laurel caught a glimmer of tears in her mother’s eyes, and her heart pricked for the pain she had to be feeling.

  How could Charlie hurt their parents so? And what about her and Willie? Did he care so little for them that he could leave without telling them goodbye?

  Now with supper over she and her parents sat in the parlor, and the thick silence that covered the room threatened to crawl into her body and squeeze the life from her. She glanced at her parents and blinked back tears.

  Her father sat in his favorite chair, his Bible open in front of him. Laurel was sure he hadn’t turned a page since he’d first opened the book. Her mother sat across from him in another chair. She’d been mending the same sock for the last twenty minutes. Willie had slunk off to his room soon after supper, and she had no idea what he was up to. He seemed to be taking Charlie’s departure harder than anyone else in the family.

  Just when she thought she could bear the silence no longer, the roar of a car engine broke the silence. She jumped to her feet and ran to the open front door. Her heart pounded at the sight of Andrew’s car approaching the house. She didn’t move until the car had stopped and Andrew had climbed the steps to the front porch.

  He smiled at her, and for the first time she noticed a dimple in his cheek. It winked at her, and her chest tightened. A sweet smell tickled her nose, a result of the pomade that gave a damp look to his slicked-back dark hair. She let her gaze travel to his broad shoulders and down his arms to the rolled-up sleeves below his elbows. His fingers flexed, a hint that he was as nervous about his visit as she was.

  His gaze raked over her before he swallowed and spoke. “Hello, Laurel. I hope this is a good time for a visit.”

  She pushed the screen door open and smiled at him. “Good evening, Andrew. Come on inside. Mama and Poppa are right here.”

  Her parents rose from their chairs as he entered the room, and Andrew stepped over to shake her father’s hand. “Good evening, sir.” He turned to her mother. “Good evening, Mrs. Jackson. It’s good to see you again.”

  Her mother smiled. “Welcome to our home, Andrew.” She motioned toward the sofa. “Have a seat.”

  He glanced around for Laurel, and with a smile she eased down on the sofa and patted the cushion next to her. “Yes, have a seat, Andrew.”

  He waited for her parents to be reseated before he dropped down beside her and cast a nervous glance in her direction. She almost laughed when he swallowed and his Adam’s apple bobbed. He certainly didn’t look like a confident government employee tonight. He looked more like a scared schoolboy. His gaze drifted around the room, and his eyes widened in surprise. “I really like your house. We have electricity at the CCC camp, but I didn’t realize the homes in the Cove did.”

  Her father nodded. “I put in a Delco battery system when we opened the lodge. I thought that would make our guest rooms more comfortable. Of course we have tents for those who really want to rough it.”

  “I see.” Andrew started to say something else, but he stopped and pointed toward a framed picture of a mountain covered with fall foliage. “That’s a beautiful photograph.”

  “It’s Mount Guyot, the second highest peak in the park. Laurel made that picture a few years ago,” her father said.

  Andrew stared at her, his eyes wide. “You made it?”

  Her face grew warm, and she ducked her head. “Yes, one afternoon at sunset. It’s one of my favorite photographs.”

  He stood up and walked over to study it more carefully. When he turned, he smiled and shook his head in disbelief. “It’s absolutely amazing, Laurel. It looks so professional. Do you have more?”

  She waved her hand in dismissal. “Lots of them. It’s my hobby.”

  “It’s more than a hobby,” her mother said. “I’ve tried to get her to sell some of her photographs to our tourists, but I haven’t been able to convince her.”

  Laurel shook her head. “I’m really not good enough for that.”

  “You know what your father and I think. You should…Well, never mind what we think.” Her mother picked up her mending and then appeared to have second thoughts. She dropped the sock into her lap and straightened in her chair. “Have you had supper, Andrew? I can get you something to eat if you’d like.”

  He shook his head and returned to the sofa. “No, ma’am. Thank you. I ate with the men at the CCC camp.”

  “Maybe you’ll want something later. Laurel made some delicious tea cakes earlier today. It’s one of Granny’s recipes.”

  He glanced at Laurel. “That sounds good. Maybe she’ll let me have one later.”

  Her father closed his Bible and set it on the table next to his chair. “She might even let you have a glass of grape juice too.”

  Andrew’s face turned red, and Laurel darted an angry glare at her father. She started to scold him, but the teasing glint in his eyes made her laugh instead. “Poppa, Andrew’s not used to your joshing. You’ll have him running back to the camp if you don’t watch out.”

  Her father laughed. “I couldn’t resist. It appears he’s not yet over ruining your dress yesterday.”

  Andrew’s shoulders relaxed, and he smiled. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget that awful experience. I was sure Laurel was going to pick up a pan and whack me on the head.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “I thought about it, but you were too remorseful for me to stay angry with you for long.”

  “I’m glad.”

  They sat in silence for a long minute before her father cleared his throat. “How was your day today, Andrew? Did anybody threaten you with a shotgun?”

  Andrew laughed and shook his head. “Not today. I visited with Will Connor over on the far side of the Cove. He signed the paper to sell, so he’ll be leaving in the next few weeks. And I talked with Bruce Jenkins. I think he’s about ready to sell.”

  Her father exhaled, and Laurel winced at the momentary look of sorrow that flashed on his face. “So another one’s given in. I should have expected it, though. Will’s wife isn’t well, and he wants to be nearer a doctor. Bruce’s children have all left home, and he and his wife want to go over to Townsend to live near one of them.” He sighed. “So the list of holdouts is getting shorter.”

  “Yes, sir. That leaves twenty-two families, but I hear Wayne Henderson is thinking about leaving.”

  A frown puckered her father’s forehead. “If he sells, that will leave the core group who has been the most outspoken about selling. You’ll have a hard time with all of us.”

  Andrew met her father’s steady gaze. “I know that, sir.”

  No one spoke for a moment, and then her mother coughed. “How are things going for you over at the CCC camp, Andrew? Are they taking care of you?”

  He leaned back on the sofa and smiled. “Yes, ma’am. Everybody has been very nice. The food’s good, the people are nice, and the camp has a beautiful setting.”

  “Yes, it does,” she said. “Have you met many people there?”

  “A few. Mostly the people in charge, like Lieutenant Gray.”

  Her mother nodded. “He’s a nice man. I also know a young man who’s stationed at the camp. Have you met Jimmy Ferguson, by any chance?”

  “The name’s not familiar, but I haven’t met many of the men.”

  Her mother smiled at Laurel. “Jimmy is the son of my best friend, and he’s a special friend of Laurel’s.”

  Andrew’s face paled, and he turned a wide-eyed stare at Laurel. “A special friend?”

  Laurel shook her head. “More like an older brother. We’ve been friends all our lives.”

  Her mother stood
. “Josie, his mother, is coming tomorrow to spend a week with us. We haven’t been together in quite a while so I’m looking forward to having her here. Jimmy will be here for the weekend too.”

  “Is that so?” Andrew muttered.

  Laurel glared at her mother, who had pasted a sweet smile on her face. She might as well have said that she and Jimmy were engaged. Why did she do that? Before Laurel could speak, her father rose to his feet.

  “Rani, I have some paperwork to do for the lodge and I could use your help. Why don’t we let Laurel and Andrew visit in here?” He grabbed his wife’s arm and steered her toward the kitchen door. “It’s good to see you, Andrew. Come again.”

  Andrew rose from his seat. “Thank you, Mr. Jackson. And you too, Mrs. Jackson.”

  When they had disappeared into the other room, Andrew sat back down and turned to her. “Is there something wrong? Your parents were friendly enough, but I sensed something when I came in.”

  She clasped her hands in her lap and wiggled her nose in an effort to keep the tears in her eyes from spilling down her cheeks. “It has nothing to do with you, Andrew. We’ve had something happen that has upset our family.”

  He scooted closer to her and took one of her hands in his. “I’m sorry, Laurel. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “I don’t think anybody can help with this.” She looked up into his face. “My brother Charlie has run away from home.”

  “What?” His mouth gaped open as if he couldn’t believe what she’d just said. “When?”

  “Sometime last night. Mama discovered him missing this morning when she went to wake him up. Mama and Poppa are both frantic, but they’re trying to act as if nothing has happened. But I can tell.”

  He squeezed her hand. “Oh, Laurel. I’m so sorry. Did your father go look for him today?”

  “No. He has no idea which way to go. Charlie’s been telling Mama he wants to join the navy. If he tries that, he’ll have to go to Sevierville. But he could have gone to Townsend and caught a train to anywhere.”

  “He can’t join the military. He’s not old enough. He’d have to have his parents’ permission.”

  “Unless he lied about his age.”

  “Do you think he’d do that?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. Charlie’s always had a hard time sticking to the truth. It’s nearly driven Poppa crazy at times. If there’s one thing Poppa expects from his family, it’s honesty. He can’t abide someone who lies, and neither can I.”

  “Maybe he’ll see that being away from home isn’t as exciting as it seems, and he’ll come back.”

  “I hope so.”

  Laurel glanced down at his hand covering hers. His thumb rubbed back and forth across her knuckles. A warm rush spread through her body. She swallowed hard and straightened her back. “I wanted to explain about Jimmy Ferguson. Mama made it sound like there’s something between us. That’s not true, Andrew. Jimmy and I’ve known each other all our lives. Mama and Josie would like for it to be more, but it’s not.”

  “I’m glad. I know we’ve only known each other for a few days, but I can’t stand to think about you being interested in another man.”

  Her heart raced at the way his eyes bored into hers. “And what about you? Is there a woman in your life?”

  He released her hand and sighed. “Yes, there is.”

  When she’d asked the question, she hadn’t expected that answer. She struggled to keep the shock from showing on her face, but she could see it reflected in the expression on his. She pushed to her feet and walked to the fireplace. She heard the sofa squeak as he rose to his feet, but she didn’t turn around.

  He walked over and stood behind her so close that she could feel his breath on her neck. “The minute I laid eyes on you I knew I had to know you better. You’re in my thoughts all the time, and that’s never happened to me before. I don’t know what’s going to happen between us, Laurel. Maybe nothing and then maybe something special. But you said a few minutes ago that you can’t stand liars. So we can’t begin any kind of relationship unless we’re honest with each other. That’s why I need to tell you about Lucy.”

  She straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Her name is Lucy? Are you in love with her?”

  He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “No, I’m not in love with her any more than you are with Jimmy. Come sit down on the sofa and let me tell you about her.” She hesitated, and his fingers tightened on her shoulders. “Please.”

  “All right,” she said, and allowed him to lead her back to the sofa.

  When they were settled again, he turned to her. “You don’t know much about me, Laurel, but you need to. My father is a congressman in Virginia, and I’ve grown up in the world of politics. My father decided when I was a young boy that I would also enter that world when I grew up. But he doesn’t have his sights set on my being a congressman. He wants me to go all the way to the White House. He’s had a plan for my life since the day I was born—the schools I would attend, the philanthropic endeavors that would later earn me public support, the jobs I would need to give me experience. A good resume and background is needed to run for public office, you know.”

  His last words held a sarcastic tone, and she frowned. “You sound like it’s not what you want.”

  He shook his head. “It’s not, but that doesn’t matter. It’s what my father wants, and I’ve always known the course of my life was set.”

  “I don’t understand. If he wants you in politics, why are you here?”

  Andrew chuckled. “Are you kidding? Roosevelt is trying to get the country out of the depression and back on its feet. And he wants to preserve this country’s natural beauty and create places for families to visit. Right now the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a big priority in Washington, but as you know there are a few people who are standing in the way of the park completion.”

  She swallowed. “The people who live in Cades Cove.”

  He nodded. “Yes. I’m here now because my father was able to get me a job in the Park Service and pull some strings to get me this assignment. Just think how good it will look in years to come for me to be known as the one who was able to persuade the holdouts in Cades Cove to sell their land when others couldn’t.”

  She let out a shaky breath. “I must say you’ve given me quite an interesting look at your background, Andrew. But what does that have to do with a woman named Lucy?”

  His shoulders sagged. “My father expects me to come back home in the fall and begin making plans for my campaign for a seat in the Virginia statehouse next year, the next step in the plan. Lucy is part of the plan too. Her father is a senator from Virginia, and he knows all the right people who can help me. My father and hers expect us to announce our engagement at Christmas.”

  Laurel’s head whirled from all Andrew had said. She felt like she had the day Grandpa’s mule had kicked her in the stomach. Somehow, though, the pain she was feeling now was even worse than that had been.

  “Then I suppose I should congratulate you on your upcoming marriage.”

  He shook his head. “No. I told you all that is my father’s plan. Since I graduated from college, I’ve come to realize that’s not what I want.”

  “What do you want?”

  “The truth is I don’t know what I want.” He raked his hand through his hair. “In fact it makes me sick to think about running for office, but I can’t make my father understand. And I don’t love Lucy. I’ve never kissed her or even held her hand. Lucy has been raised with the thought that her role in life is to be the woman behind the man. She wants to be the wife of a powerful politician, and my father wants her for my wife.”

  “Then what are you going to do about it?”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out for months.” He stood up and walked back to the fireplace. He braced his hand on the mantel and stared down at the blackened bricks. “My father’s reasons for wanting me to come to the Smokies we
ren’t the same as mine. I came because I wanted to be a part of preserving this great wilderness for generations to come. And I thought while I was here I could figure out what I wanted to do with my life.”

  She rose and stood beside him. “And what about your father and Lucy?”

  “I’ve got to find a way to make my father understand, and I have to put a stop to any notions Lucy might have about us.” He stared at Laurel a moment and then put his hands on her shoulders. “Right now all I know is that I’m here with you, and you make me happy when you smile at me. I want to know you better. I know I’ve run the risk of you telling me to get out of your house and never come back, but I hope you won’t do that. I had to be honest with you.”

  For her own sake she needed to tell him to leave. There was no way a simple mountain girl like her could compete with a sophisticated woman who’d grown up in a senator’s home. It would be painful not to see Andrew again, but a broken heart would be worse. As she debated what to do, the only answer she could give came to mind. “Thank you for being honest with me. I hope you’ll keep coming to see me. I want to spend time with you and get to know you better.”

  His eyes widened in surprise. “Do you mean it?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  His arm slipped behind her shoulders, and he drew her closer. “I’ve never felt so drawn to anyone in my life as I do to you.”

  Her gaze didn’t waver from his. “Neither have I.”

  He lowered his head, and his lips sought hers. She pressed closer and welcomed his hesitant kiss. At her acceptance, his arms tightened, and the kiss deepened. She drew back and gently pressed her hands against his chest. “We don’t need to move too fast, Andrew.”

  He swallowed and nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  She pulled out of his embrace and smiled. “Don’t be sorry. Let’s just save this for another time.”

  His eyes lit up, and he laughed. “You can count on that, Miss Jackson.”

  At that moment the grandfather clock in the corner chimed the hour, and he frowned. “I’d better be going. I need to be at camp before lights-out.” He smiled at her. “Want to walk me to the door?”