Beyond These Hills (18 page)

Her father's voice drifted to her ears, and she directed her attention back to him. “I thought I would give you some information about this mountain before we start out. A bald is a type of mountain whose peak is covered with wild grass instead of trees like the other peaks in the range. It occurs naturally and stands out in the midst of other forested peaks. Gregory's Bald is named after one of the early settlers in the Cove, Russell Gregory. During the last century the farmers in the Cove sent their cattle up this mountain to graze in the spring and summer when the fields were needed for planting. The summit has an elevation of just under five thousand
feet, and we're going to climb three thousand of those feet today for five and a half miles from where we're standing now. Do you have any questions before we start?”

The woman from Knoxville raised her hand. “How long will it take us to reach the summit?”

Her father slid the hat he wore back on his head. “I'm not going to push you. If I was with an experienced group, I'd say about two hours, but today I expect to make it in about three and a half hours. I have rest stops scheduled, but if you need one before I call it, let me know. This is your trip, and I want you to enjoy it.”

The woman nodded. “Thanks.”

Her father glanced around. “Each of you has a canteen, and you're carrying your lunch in your backpack. We'll eat at the summit, which is covered at this time of year with blooming flame azaleas. You'll think it's the most beautiful dining room you've ever had. Any more questions? If not, I'll take the lead. My daughter will bring up the rear. Let us know if you need anything.”

He stepped onto the trail, and the hikers fell into step behind him. Laurel smiled at Andrew. “Are you ready?”

He nodded. “I can't wait. Let's go.”

An hour later they stopped for the first rest period. After checking with their guests to see if there were any problems, Laurel dropped down to sit next to Andrew on a large rock that jutted out from the ground.

“Are you making it okay?” she asked.

He took a drink from his canteen and nodded. “I'm fine. The climb hasn't been too hard, and the changing scenery along the trail is gorgeous. Sometimes there are trees all around, and then the trail cuts through wild grass that's almost knee-high. And the colors of the azaleas are amazing.”

“Wait until you see them at the summit. You've never seen anything like it.”

He didn't answer right away. Instead he took another drink of
water and swallowed. “I had a brother who died. My parents brought us to the Smokies when we were children. I've always remembered how beautiful it was, but my memories haven't done these mountains justice. Every day I see something else that makes me realize what a treasure this mountain range is, and I want to see it protected and preserved for future generations.”

“I want that too, Andrew.”

A pained look crossed his face. “But that comes with a price, Laurel. And your family and others like Jimmy's grandparents have to pay a big part of that price by leaving the only homes you've ever known. I truly am sorry about that.”

She blinked back tears. “I am too.”

He reached for her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “Please don't hate me because of that.”

“I don't.”

“Can you accept me for who I am and not as an agent of the department that wants to take your home away from your family?”

“I try not to blame you for what we're facing, but sometimes it's hard to do.” They stared at each other for a moment before she pulled free and sighed. “I think Poppa is ready to move on. We'd better join the group.”

He didn't speak as they fell into line with the other hikers and continued their climb up the mountain. As the trail grew steeper, Laurel tried to concentrate on each step, but her thoughts kept returning to Andrew and her conflicting emotions.

No other man had ever excited her like Andrew did. Just one glance from him had the power to make her knees grow weak and her heart flutter like the wings of a butterfly about to take flight. From the minute he carried those crates into Mr. Bryan's store she had been helpless to resist his smile.

On the other hand, she'd never felt such a need to distance herself from anyone as she did with him. He might not have started the exodus from the Cove, but he had come to make sure it was completed.
For that reason alone she couldn't let her emotions get the better of her good judgment. He might not be her enemy, but he had allied himself with them. Besides, he would be going back to Virginia when his work was completed, and she had no idea where her family would be then.

Maybe Mama was right. She needed to find someone like Jimmy who shared her background and family values. Andrew certainly didn't possess either of those characteristics, and yet she couldn't forget the thrill of their brief kiss. Her warring emotions were keeping her awake at night, and she didn't know which one to embrace.

When they stopped for a second rest an hour later, she kept her distance from Andrew. Instead she sat next to the woman from Knoxville and listened to her talk about her older son, who was a student at the University of Tennessee.

Laurel tried to listen, but she couldn't help glancing at Andrew from time to time. He'd stretched out beside the path and had his eyes closed. When her father called out it was time to go, Andrew fell into step beside him as they pushed for the summit. She wondered if Andrew, too, had concerns about their friendship.

She shook her head to rid it of her troubling thoughts. Today wasn't the time to think about this. They had guests to entertain, and if her family was forced to leave the Cove, she might never have another opportunity to photograph the blooming azaleas on Gregory's Bald.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to focus on the steep trail in front of her.

Only a few more steps and he'd be at the summit. Andrew pushed his aching body up the last incline and emerged into a large, grassy meadow that stretched across the top of the mountain. White, red,
yellow, coral, and pink azalea bushes dotted the area in the biggest burst of color he'd ever seen. For a moment all he could do was stand still and breathe in the cool mountain air and absorb the vibrant landscape. He'd made it to the top, a feat he'd wondered earlier today if he would be able to accomplish.

Matthew walked to the middle of the meadow and stared toward the horizon. Andrew stumbled to a stop beside him and sucked in his breath at the sight of the rolling mountain range that seemed to go on forever.

“I've never seen anything as beautiful in my life.”

Matthew flexed his right arm and winced before he answered. “I remember the first time I came up here. I was just a boy, but I was almost struck dumb by the sight. I didn't think I'd ever feel that way again, but it's the same every time I make that climb. I can't get enough of looking at God's creation.”

A slight frown pulled at Andrew's brow as he gazed out across the mountain range. “I've never thought much about God, but seeing this makes me wonder if He really does exist after all.”

Matthew turned and gave him a startled look. “He knows you exist. Why would you doubt that He does?”

Andrew shrugged. “I don't know. I've just never seen any evidence that makes me believe He's real.”

Matthew stared at Andrew with unblinking eyes, then pointed into the distance. “Look around you, Andrew. We're standing on a high peak in the middle of the Smoky Mountains. In that direction you can see North Carolina.” He turned and looked into the distance behind him. “Over there is Cades Cove. Do you think all of this just happened? I don't. I believe that God knew exactly what He was doing when He created the earth and man to enjoy it.”

Andrew let his gaze drift over the mountains again. “It's beautiful, that's for sure. But that still doesn't prove to me that it was all created by something that I can't see.”

“No, you can't see Him. No one can, but if you believe, you can feel Him. I know I do.” He was silent for a moment before he spoke
again. “I had a rough start in life. My father was a drunk and an abuser of his family. When I was nine, he was killed in a tavern brawl. Then when I was fifteen, my mother and brother died. For years I was so filled with hate and anger that all I wanted to do was strike out at everybody in my path. I left a lot of injured and maybe a few dead men behind as I roamed around the country.”

Andrew's body stiffened. “I can't believe that.”

Matthew closed his eyes and swallowed hard. “I wish it wasn't true, but it is. I thought if I could get back to the Cove I would be all right. The problem was that trouble followed me back here too. It took Simon to make me understand that even when I'd turned my back on God, God hadn't forgotten about me. When I finally gave up all the pride and hurt in my life and humbled myself to God, He made me a new creature. He'll do the same for anybody who accepts Him. He can give you the strength to face every problem that comes your way.”

Andrew thought about Matthew's words for a moment. “That sounds good, Matthew, but there's a problem with what you're telling me. You're a smart man. You know you're going to have to leave the Cove sooner or later. If God takes care of your problems, why hasn't He worked out a way for you to stay?”

Matthew chuckled and shook his head. “God never promised He'd give us everything we want. But He did promise He would be with us when we were going through the tough times. I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but I do know one thing. God will take care of me and my family no matter where we are, and that gives me the peace and strength to face each day that I live.”

Andrew had never heard anyone speak with such conviction before, and certainly not a man who spoke of having a dark past. A new respect for Matthew flowed through him, and he shook his head in amazement. “I've never known anyone like you, Matthew. I've had some things happen in my life that cause me to lose sleep at night. I wish I had a little of the peace you talk about.”

“You can. All you have to do is ask Jesus to come into your heart.
You'll be surprised how He can change your life. But He's given you the choice to decide which you want—a life filled with uncertainty or a life lived with faith in Him.”

“I wouldn't know where to start to change my way of thinking.”

“You have to start with the Bible. I have an extra one. Are you coming to church tomorrow?”

Andrew nodded. “Yes, Simon is going to make an announcement about the meeting for me to address the people who still haven't sold their farms.”

“Then I'll mark some places for you to read and give you the Bible. It can change your life, Andrew.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“Just read it with an open mind and allow the truth in its pages to fill your heart.”

Matthew turned and walked back to the group of hikers that had settled beside a large azalea bush to eat their lunches. Andrew watched for a moment before he ambled across the meadow to a small outcropping of rock and sat down.

He wrapped his arms around his knees as he sat staring across the rolling mountains in the distance. A click sounded beside him, and he glanced around to see Laurel. Her camera rested in her hands.

He grinned at her. “Did you just take my picture?”

She dropped down beside him. “I did. You looked like you were deep in thought, and I couldn't resist capturing the moment on film.”

“I could tell from the picture I saw at your house that you really have a gift for photography. How long have you been interested in it?”

She shrugged. “Ever since I can remember. I even have my own dark room. It's just a small closet that Poppa converted for me, but it fits my needs just fine. But I've taken so many pictures lately that I've gotten behind with my developing.”

“Why?”

A faraway look flickered in her eyes. “Because I may not be in the
Cove much longer, and I want to have the memories from my years here. When I'm an old woman, I want to show my grandchildren what my life was like growing up here.”

“It's nice to have good memories.” He reached down and, as was his habit when he was deep in thought, rubbed the burn scar on the inside of his left arm.