“You can do your visiting however it suits you, but I can’t drive you and Nellie from house to house. The folks I’m going to talk to asked for a private visit with me.” Kirby pushed up from the pew. “Just take along a few extra flyers to pass out, and maybe you and Nellie can find someplace to sit under a tree near the side of the road until I return.”
His inconsiderate attitude surprised her. Surely he must have known of this meeting before tonight. Would he have even mentioned the additional stop if she hadn’t approached him? She certainly didn’t like his suggestion that she and Nellie sit by the side of the road in Hopkins Fork, yet the folks in Denton and Muskrat Creek were expecting their weekly visit and she didn’t want to disappoint them.
He stepped toward the door of the chapel car. “I’m planning on leaving at the same time in the morning.”
She nodded. “I’ll be there.”
She offered up a silent prayer that Luke didn’t have to work at the mine tomorrow. If she and Nellie had to sit by the roadside, she’d feel much better if Luke were there.
The following morning, Luke descended the hill alongside his sister. His shotgun rested on his shoulder as they approached the truck. Hope greeted him with a bright smile, and Kirby pinned him with his usual scowl. The first morning he’d joined Kirby and the two girls on their run, Kirby had been clear about not wanting Luke with them. Since then his attitude hadn’t changed, but he’d been unsuccessful in his attempts to control Luke’s work hours without raising suspicion with Mr. Daniels and the other miners. He constantly brushed aside Luke’s worries over danger lurking on the road, but Luke was undeterred. He’d lived in these parts all his life and he knew trouble could appear when it was least expected.
Luke hoisted himself into the rear of the truck and whistled for Blue. The dog leaped in and settled between Luke and the crates of flyers, Bibles, and Sunday-school papers. Kirby shook his head and directed a disgusted look at the dog before opening the door for Hope and Nellie.
The stop in Muskrat Creek had gone as usual. Once the girls and Luke had unloaded their supplies, Kirby disappeared on his mission of mercy delivering sacks of supplies. Luke remained baffled by a man who could extend generosity to the people of these outlying areas, yet ignore the needs of the families who worked for his family’s mining business. He had asked God to reveal Kirby’s reasoning, but that hadn’t happened. He then asked God to stir Luke’s sense of right and wrong, but that hadn’t occurred, either. Desperate for answers, Luke went to Hope’s father seeking answers.
“I’ll do my best to answer your questions, Luke, but I’m not sure the answer will satisfy you.” The preacher had sat opposite Luke with his Bible open on his lap. “We may not understand anything that happens on this earth until we get to heaven, but don’t become bitter over what Kirby is doing. You must remember that the people Kirby is helping may not be as important to you as the folks who live on the hill, but we are all important to God. Don’t begrudge the good work Kirby is doing. We have to trust he is doing what God has called him to do. If he isn’t, we need to let God take care of that, as well. Trust is a difficult thing, but God has a plan. Of that you can be sure.”
In spite of his misgivings about Kirby, Luke had listened to the preacher. He tried to believe that Kirby’s intentions were good and that God would provide for the people of Finch, even if Kirby didn’t.
Kirby was leaning alongside his truck when they completed their meetings in Muskrat Creek. Luke carried several boxes that had contained Sunday-school materials back to the truck while Nellie and Hope packed some of the remaining papers and then bid the children and their mothers good-bye.
With a loud grunt, Kirby pushed away from the side of the truck and glowered at them. “We need to get moving. Tell the girls to hurry up. I told Hope I was making three stops today. She should know I don’t have time to wait around.”
His tone grated on Luke, but upon his return inside, he passed along Kirby’s message, then looked directly at his sister. “He’s got his dander up, so don’t say anything that’s gonna make matters worse.”
Nellie frowned and dropped a pile of papers into one of the boxes. “Why you lookin’ at me? Kirby don’t pay me no mind.”
“Because you forget to mind your tongue no matter what anyone tells you.” He lifted the crates, looked around the room, and gave a nod. “Looks like this is the last of it. Go untie Blue while I load these up, Nellie.”
His sister wrinkled her nose at him, but she did as he asked. Hope matched Luke’s stride as he walked toward the truck. “He said he told you we’d be making three stops today. Why’s that?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t tell me until last night, but he did tell me we’d need to cut short our time in Denton.”
Luke lowered his voice as they neared the truck. “Did he say where else we’re stopping?”
“Yes. Hopkins Fork.” She looked up at him. “Do you know it?”
“About as well as I know Muskrat Creek or any of these other outlyin’ areas. Not much there. As I recall, there’s a one-room schoolhouse and a small general store. That pretty much makes up the town. Just like here, folks live in the hills that surround the school and the store.”
Blue loped past them and buffeted Kirby. The dog hurtled into the back of the truck, unaware that Kirby had almost landed in the dirt. Kirby’s lip curled. Keeping his voice low, he leaned close to Luke’s ear. “Don’t keep bringing that animal with you, or the first chance I get I’m going to run him over with this truck.”
Luke glared at him. “You so much as harm a hair on that dog’s head and you’ll be facing the wrong end of my shotgun. We clear on that?”
Kirby wheeled around, jumped into the truck, and slammed the door. Without another word, he took off with a jolt that nearly caused Luke to come unseated. When they arrived in Denton, Kirby sat in the driver’s seat and rushed them to unload the truck. “Don’t forget to be out here a half hour early.”
“We’ll try our best, Kirby.” Nellie’s tone was syrupy sweet. She glanced over her shoulder. “And you try to be on time, too.”
Kirby leaned toward the open window. “Unless you plan on walking home, Nellie, you best not use that tone with me.”
Luke glared at his sister. “I told you not to do anything to cause a ruckus with him.”
Nellie squared her shoulders. “I’m not afeared of Kirby Finch, and I don’t need you tellin’ me what to do.” She marched off with a crate held tight beneath her arm.
Hope went to the back of the truck to help Luke unload. “Don’t be too hard on her. I think Nellie is finally accepting the fact that Kirby isn’t the kind of man she had hoped.”
Luke frowned. He didn’t know how his sister could have overlooked Kirby’s many faults for so long, but he’d learned that women sometimes view things different from men. Then, as if someone had jerked him to attention, his eyes opened wide and he stared at Hope. “Are you tellin’ me that Nellie thought Kirby might ask to court her?”
“She never said as much, but I got the idea she would be happy if he did. Now that we’ve been traveling with him, I think she’s seeing the real Kirby with all his shortcomings, and what she sees doesn’t please her.” Hope lightly grasped Luke’s arm. “Don’t tease her. She’s unhappy enough.”
“I won’t tease her, but if she thought I’d ever agree Kirby was a good match for her, she’s dumber than a coal bucket.”
“Luke! That’s not—”
“I know, I know, but it’s the truth. Kirby isn’t good enough to clean the mud off my sister’s shoes.”
“Well, I can agree with that much.” A group of children ran toward them, and Hope enlisted their help carrying the supplies inside. She looked at Luke as they neared the church door. “Remember—don’t say anything more.”
He nodded, and the three of them fell into their usual routine. Luke was careful to watch the time, making certain everything was packed and they were waiting by the road when Kirby returned.
“You’re the one who wasn’t here on time, so don’t yell at us.” Nellie shoved a box onto the truck bed and glared at him. “If you’re so worried about the time, put that watch away and help us load.”
Luke stepped close to his sister’s side. “Stop it, Nellie. Don’t be cuttin’ off your nose to spite your face. You keep it up and he won’t be willing to bring the two of you along to hold your meetings.” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded. “I don’t mean to be harsh with you, but that’s what big brothers are for.” He winked at her.
Once they’d finished loading, they climbed into their respective positions. Kirby shifted into gear and steered the truck out of the small town. Once they were a short distance away, the truck picked up speed. Luke’s chest tightened as Kirby pushed the truck faster. He tapped on the rear window and shouted for Kirby to slow down, but Kirby ignored him. Instead of slowing the truck, he tromped on the gas pedal, and Luke grabbed for the wood side rails that surrounded the truck bed. His back slammed against the cab of the truck, then slid in the other direction as Kirby attempted to navigate a sharp curve.
A horn blared from an oncoming vehicle, and Kirby swerved. The tires spun, loose gravel and dirt flying in all directions. The back end of the truck veered out of control, which caused it to careen toward a ditch beside the road. Blue jumped from the truck. Luke followed, his landing softened by the thick undergrowth and bushes. The side of the truck struck an oak tree, swung around and came to a halt with its front in the ditch.
Unharmed, Kirby jumped from the truck and rushed toward the rear. “Look at what you’ve done!” He glowered at Luke. “If you hadn’t distracted me, this never would have happened.”
Nellie and Hope had climbed out the driver’s side of the truck and rushed to Luke’s side. “You have a cut on your forehead. Did you break any bones?” Hope knelt on one side of Luke with Nellie on the other.
“I’m fine. If I hadn’t jumped, it might be a different story.” He pushed to his feet and leaned against a nearby tree to gain his balance. “Appears I’m in better shape than the truck.”
“I’m not so sure that’s true.” Hope yanked a handkerchief from her skirt and dabbed at the blood trickling down the side of his head.
Kirby had retrieved a crowbar that was thrown from the truck and was frantically yanking at the truck fender with it. “I’ve got to get this fender off the tire or I won’t be able to drive the truck.”
“Looks like you’re doing a good job,” Nellie said, “and there’s only the one crowbar. Besides, Luke’s got a cut on his head so he shouldn’t lean over. Let us know when you’re ready to leave.”
Kirby glowered in their direction, but he continued to work on the fender. A short time later, he rounded the truck and opened the door. “If you’re coming with me, you better get in.”
He stood by the open door. Blue jumped into the rear of the truck while Hope helped get Luke settled into position. She paused and sniffed the air, then looked around. “Whatever is—?” Before she could finish the question, Luke pulled her close and kissed her on the lips.
He backed away ever so slightly. “Don’t say anything more. I’ll explain later.” He kissed her once more before releasing her.
“I said you need to get in the truck, Hope.” Kirby glared at Luke as Hope scurried around the side of the truck and got in. The truck swayed when he slammed the door.
There was no doubt Luke’s brash behavior had increased Kirby’s fury, but it was the only way he could quiet her. He smiled. Yet what a lovely way to gain her silence.
CHAPTER
22
When they arrived at a fork in the road, Kirby turned the truck toward Finch. There would be no stop at Hopkins Fork today. With all that had happened, he couldn’t take the risk. Jimmy Ray was always careful to pack straw around the jars of moonshine to keep them from rattling or breaking if Kirby hit a deep rut in the road, but he worried that some of the jars had at least cracked in the accident. He needed to get Luke out of the truck before he suspected anything.
Nellie leaned forward as they made the turn. “We could still stop in Hopkins Fork long enough to tell folks—”
Kirby lifted his hand from the wheel and quickly waved the girl to silence. “We’re not going to Hopkins Fork. I’ve already made the decision, so just be quiet.”
“Kirby! There’s no call to be rude.” Hope crossed her arms tight around her waist. “I understand you’re upset about the accident, but that wasn’t Nellie’s fault. If you hadn’t been driving so fast, it wouldn’t have happened.”
Her criticism was like salt in a wound and further ignited his anger. “I don’t need nosy Nellie telling me what I should or shouldn’t do, and I sure don’t need a bossy woman telling me how to drive my truck. I don’t need an opinion from either of you.”
Hope stiffened beside him. “Fine.”
He stared straight ahead, his hands tight around the steering wheel. For the remainder of the ride, Hope leaned away from him at every turn. When they finally neared town, he gave her a sideways glance. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so abrupt, but I’m concerned about the damage to the truck. My father is going to want an explanation as to why I’m driving you to these meetings during work hours and using the company truck. Especially since the company will need to pay to have it repaired.”
Nellie shifted toward him. “It still drives just fine, so it shouldn’t cost much to fix that dented fender. Luke can probably use a mallet to pound it out. With a little paint, it should be fit as a fiddle.”
Kirby swallowed back his frustration. He didn’t want Nellie’s opinions, and he certainly didn’t want Luke’s help repairing the truck. He had hoped his apology would melt Hope’s icy behavior, but her arms remained frozen around her waist.
When she didn’t respond, Kirby searched for something that might break the barrier between them. “I can’t take back what I said. All I can do is tell you I’m sorry and hope that you’ll show me some of the grace your father is always preaching about.” He needed to keep her as an ally for as long as possible.
She sighed, and the tightness in her shoulders eased. “I accept your apology. In the future, I hope you’ll remember to think before you speak. You can’t take back hurtful words after they’ve been spoken. Painful words can remain etched on a heart forever. They can do irreparable harm.”
Kirby nodded. “I’ll remember that.” While he might need a reminder to think before he spoke, he’d need more than a minute or two if he was going to win Hope’s favor. After all, he’d been given little opportunity to exhibit his courting demeanor. Either Nellie, Luke, or both of them appeared every time he might have had a few minutes alone with her. Even after the late-night meetings at the chapel car, the railroaders or her father were close at hand. Maybe if she’d give him a few minutes alone, he could change her mind about him.
He pulled the truck to a stop near the path leading up the hillside. Nellie had opened the door and jumped down when Kirby touched Hope’s hand. Maybe he could use this time to his advantage. “I thought I could walk you back to the chapel car.”
She frowned and shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly leave Luke. I’m sure that cut on his forehead should be seen by the doctor. It may require stitches. You go on back to work. I know you have a great deal that requires your attention.” She slid across the seat, stepped down, and quickly rounded the truck.
He didn’t move. Every muscle in his body turned taut. He angled the mirror attached to the dashboard and watched Hope and Nellie position themselves on either side of Luke once he had wriggled from the back of the truck. Blue edged between Nellie and Luke and whined at his master.
Luke p
atted the dog’s head. “I’m okay, Blue.”
Hope reached for the handkerchief she’d placed on his forehead and lifted a corner. “You should let the doctor see if this needs stitches.” When Luke hesitated, she grasped his arm. “I insist.”
Nellie pointed toward the path. “I’m gonna go back up the hill and let Ma know what happened while you go see the doc.” She snapped her fingers. “Come on, Blue. You can’t be in the doc’s office.”
When Blue refused to leave, Luke said, “Go on, Blue. Go home with Nellie.” The hound whined and nudged Luke’s leg before he trotted off toward Nellie. “Don’t get Ma all riled up. Be sure you tell her I’m fine. I don’t want her comin’ down the hill to check on me.”
Kirby remained in the truck as the twosome walked toward the doctor’s office, then shifted the truck into gear and hit the gas pedal. He roared past them, leaving a cloud of dust and flying gravel in his wake.
Hope turned sideways to avoid the dust and gravel. “I don’t know what’s gotten into Kirby. That was downright rude. He had to know we’d be covered in dust.” She swiped her hand down the front of her dress.
“I’m guessin’ the green-eyed monster has got ahold of him. He was mad as a hornet when I kissed you.” He grinned. “And you looked mighty surprised, too. I know it wasn’t proper, but I needed to keep you from saying anything about the smell in the back of the truck.”
She cocked her head and smiled. “So you really didn’t want to steal a kiss. You just kissed me so I’d be quiet. Is that right?”
“Well, I sure enjoyed the kiss, but I wouldn’t have done it in front of Kirby except that I was afraid you’d give it away.”
“Give what away?”
“The smell. I’m sure he’s haulin’ moonshine in the truck. When we wrecked, I think some of the bottles either broke or leaked. I know the smell of shine and that’s what I smelled in the back of that truck.”
The Chapel Car Bride Page 22
