Beyond These Hills (5 page)

She was quiet for a moment, then she pulled back to stare into his eyes. “Ten years ago the park supporters assured us that the people in Cades Cove would be allowed to keep their farms and we could live within the park. Were we foolish to believe them?”

Matthew sighed. “It looks like we were.”

Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she smiled. “Do you remember how we thanked God on our wedding day for the blessings He was already sending our way?”

He smiled. “I do.”

“Then I guess we'll just have to continue to do that. No matter what happens, He's going to take care of us.”

He pulled her close again, and his lips brushed hers. “You always help me see what's important in life. Thank you for that.”

She laughed and kissed his cheek. “I thought you did that for me. Now why don't we go round up our children and get ready for supper?”

He smiled and released her. “That's the best idea I've heard all day long.”

Hand in hand they exited the small cabin and headed toward the house in the distance. As they passed the mountain laurel bush his father had planted, Matthew pulled Rani to a stop and gazed into the distance. The setting sun's rays cast a warm glow over the house he'd built for his family. To its left some distance away stood the lodge he and Simon had constructed.

He circled her shoulder with his arm. “Do you remember the first day we stood here? I told you I had a dream to build a lodge for tourists who wanted to come to Cades Cove to hike and fish and just enjoy the beauty of the mountains.”

She snuggled closer. “I do. That was the day you kissed me for the first time.”

He smiled at the memory. “I know. All I ever wanted was to come back to the Cove and live among people I knew. Then I met you, and I wanted you more than anything else I'd ever dreamed of.” He glanced down at her. “God gave us what we wanted, but it may be time for us to pass on this beautiful place to other generations.”

“I think that sometimes too, but then I push the thought out of my head,” she whispered.

Matthew sighed and hugged her closer. “I guess time will tell.”

They gazed out for a few more moments before they trudged toward the house they'd shared for years. Matthew tried to shake the thought from his head, but something told him that the way of life he'd known for decades was slipping through his fingers. Trying to be brave for Rani and his children was beginning to wear on him. If the government did take their land, he didn't know whether or not he could survive somewhere else. And would he be a failure to his family if he let their home slip through his fingers—just as Pete and Laura had?

That question kept him awake many nights, and he doubted if
tonight would be any different. In the meantime, he wanted to enjoy every moment with his family here in the place that had sheltered them for years.

Andrew chewed the last bite of his roast beef and studied the man sitting across the table from him: J. Ross Eakin, the man who'd been chosen to be the first superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With his short, stocky build, round face, and bushy eyebrows, Superintendent Eakin looked like he would be more comfortable hiking through the mountains instead of having the responsibility of shaping a wilderness for others to enjoy. But in the hour since Andrew had first sat down with him in the Mountain View Hotel's dining room, he had discovered that a sharp mind resided behind the man's quiet façade.

Superintendent Eakin glanced up at him. “I'm sorry I wasn't here to welcome you when you arrived. I've been at several of the work sites in the park for the last few days and couldn't get back until this afternoon.”

“I understand, sir. I took advantage of the time to hike some of the trails around here and introduce myself to the area.”

“Good. I've been a lot of places, but I must say I've never seen anything to equal the beauty of the Smokies.”

Andrew nodded. “I agree. But I wanted to ask you about something. What's the story of the buildings on the property next to the hotel? The first time I went down the footpath that runs from the hotel to it, I was amazed to find a school and a clinic and all kinds of other buildings.”

Superintendent Eakin smiled. “That's a settlement school. It was founded as a literacy project in 1912 by Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women. The organization started Gatlinburg's first school there, but
they also wanted to make an economic impact on the mountain people. For years they've been helping the people get their crafts to markets outside the mountains, and they started Gatlinburg's first hospital too. Their nurses have done a great service to the people in this area. Now doctors and dentists come from Knoxville regularly to help them out. That group has been a real blessing to these mountains.”

Andrew shook his head in amazement. “I knew from all the activity I saw over there it had to be something important. And you say there's a hospital there too?”

Superintendent Eakin laughed. “Well, I'm sure the Jennie Nichol Health Center isn't as well-equipped as the hospitals in Washington, but it serves its purpose here in the mountains.”

Andrew dropped his gaze to his plate and laid his fork down. “There's so much history in this area, and I can't wait to learn more about life here. But I know you'd rather be home tonight after returning from your trip than having dinner with me and orienting me to my new surroundings. I do appreciate your meeting with me before I head out to Cades Cove.”

Superintendent Eakin wiped his mouth on his napkin and cocked his head to one side. “No problem. I thought it important that we get together. Everything's arranged for your assignment here. You're to stay at the CCC camp in the Cove. Lieutenant Gray, the superintendent there, will help you with any needs you have.”

Andrew smiled and nodded. “Thank you. I'm sure I'll make it fine. From what I've heard around town, the men at the camp are doing a great job.”

“They are.” Superintendent Eakin pushed his plate away and leaned back in his chair. “They've been working on constructing hiking trails, especially the one up to Gregory's Bald, and they've also cleared and built some fire control roads. Fires are one of the things that we have to be very watchful for. Even though the land has been bought from the lumber companies, they're still logging in certain
areas. That, along with the increased tourist traffic, makes fires more likely to occur.”

“We're fortunate to have the CCC workforce to help with the park construction.”

The superintendent nodded. “That's right. But I didn't meet with you to talk about park construction. I'm more concerned right now with the assignment you've been given. Do you think you can handle it?”

Even though the room was warm, a slight chill rippled down Andrew's spine at the unexpected question. His eyes grew wide, and his throat constricted. “That sounds like you may have some doubts about my abilities. Is that right?”

Mr. Eakin studied Andrew's face for a moment as his fingers tapped on the white tablecloth. “Let me be honest with you, Andrew. Right now the government has bought up nearly all the land needed for the park with the exception of the holdouts in Cades Cove. When we requested a new negotiator to come here and convince the Cove residents to sell their land, I never dreamed it would be somebody just out of college. You're young, and rumor is you got this job because your congressman father pushed for you to have it.”

“But, sir…”

Superintendent Eakin held up his hand to stop him. “I want you to understand that this project is important to me. We've accepted the challenge of taking on an 816-square-mile wilderness in Tennessee and North Carolina to preserve it for generations to come. I can't afford to let anything endanger what has taken us years to get approved. Now I'll ask you again. Can you handle this job?”

Andrew's face burned with embarrassment, and he balled his hands into fists to keep Mr. Eakin from seeing how they shook. After a moment he cleared his throat. “I understand how you could be concerned about me. You're right. I'm young. I graduated from Virginia Military Institute a year ago and went to work with the National Park Service. And you're also right in thinking my father pushed for me to
get this assignment. He did.” Andrew swallowed before he continued. “He thinks if I can convince the Cove people to sell when others couldn't, it will give me the experience I need to convince voters to elect me when I run for public office. That's what he wants.”

“I see.” Mr. Eakin sighed and glanced down at the tabletop. His fingers curled into his palms. Disappointment flashed across his face.

Andrew leaned closer. “But that's not what I want. You're wrong if you judge me on my age and my father's influence. From the minute I heard about this assignment, I wanted it with all my heart. I've come to the Smokies prepared to do whatever I have to do to be successful. I know I'll make mistakes from time to time. If I do, I won't make excuses or hide behind my father's influence. But the fact is, I didn't come here to fail.”

A slight smile pulled at Mr. Eakin's mouth. “And how can you be certain you won't?”

Andrew took a deep breath. “I may have grown up in an affluent home, but please don't judge me on that alone. I graduated from VMI. If you know anything about the school, then you know life there is tough. The deprivations students endure are designed to instill pride, discipline, and confidence. I've come here with the belief that I can succeed where others haven't, and I don't intend to fail. My father's actions tend to focus on pleasing voters. That's not my reason for coming here.”

“Why did you want this job, Andrew?”

He took a deep breath and stared at Mr. Eakin. “My parents brought me to the Smokies on vacation when I was a boy. My brother and I loved the mountain streams and the scenery. But one day while we were here, my father took us out to one of the Little River Lumber camps. I have never forgotten how barren those hillsides looked stripped of their timber. When I heard about the park, I knew I wanted to be part of preserving this beautiful wilderness. If we don't it's going to vanish, and future generations won't get the chance to see what I did.”

Superintendent Eakin stared at him without speaking for what seemed like an eternity before he extended his hand. “You haven't completely convinced me yet, but I hope you'll be successful.”

His words disappointed Andrew. But who could blame him? The only thing the people working for the Park Service knew about him was that he was the son of a congressman who'd pushed for his son to have this assignment.

Andrew squared his shoulders and grasped Superintendent Eakin's hand. “I'll work hard, sir. Before I leave here, I hope you'll be able to call me a member of the team with more conviction in your voice.”

A look of surprise flashed on the man's face, but before he could reply a waiter appeared with a pot of coffee. They remained silent as he poured the steaming liquid in their cups. When he walked away, Mr. Eakin picked up a small pitcher and poured some cream in his cup. As he stirred, he glanced up. “I hope so too, Andrew.” He stared into his coffee cup a moment before he continued. “Have you thought about how you'll approach the people still living in the Cove?”

“I want to get to know them first. I know this is difficult for them. They don't want to give up their homes. Some of those families have lived on the same land for generations.”

Mr. Eakin sighed. “And they're good people. Two of the leaders in the community are some of the finest men you'll ever meet. Simon Martin's family goes back for generations. He's still preaching at the church where he started in 1891. His wife is a legendary midwife in the Cove, and his son-in-law, Matthew Jackson, owns a lodge that attracts tourists from all over the country. Salt of the earth, as my mother used to say, but they can't win against the United States government. They know that, but they can't bring themselves to give up.”

“How do you suggest I approach them, sir?”

“Go to see them. Get to know them, and try to help them understand it's only a matter of time before the courts are going to force them to move. They're law-abiding folks, so they'll be civil to you
even if they disagree with you. My friendship with them has taught me a lot about how to treat other people. But the end for them is coming, and they're going to need friends on the other side of this situation when it does. Help them to accept the inevitable, Andrew.” His eyes lit up with a sudden thought. “Since you're going to the Cove tomorrow, why don't you head out there early and stop at Simon's church for their service?”