Angel of the Cove

by Sandra Robbins

  Granny nodded. “That it is, William.”

  William reached for Granny’s reins. “Let me git this for you.”

  Granny smiled. “That’s right kind of you, William.” She leaned over and whispered to Anna. “That there’s Sadie Carter’s son William. You remember meeting Sadie at church?”

  “Yes.”

  William walked back to the side of the buggy and extended his hand. “Let me help you down, Granny.” When Granny stood beside him, he smiled up at Anna. “And now you, Miss Anna.”

  Anna clasped his outstretched hand and jumped to the ground. “Thank you so much, Mr. Carter.”

  His face flushed. “You know my name?”

  Anna tilted her head to one side. “I’ve seen you with your mother at church. She was one of the first ladies to introduce herself to me.”

  A big smile curled his lips. “That’s right nice to hear, Miss Anna.” He reached for the basket in the back of the buggy. “Let me carry this for you.”

  Granny’s eyebrows arched. “You see? Guess I was right.”

  William’s forehead wrinkled. “Huh?”

  Anna pasted a smile on her face and tilted her head to stare up at William. “Granny said I would meet a lot of nice people today. I’m glad you were the first.”

  “So am I, Miss Anna. Maybe we can eat together.”

  “I would like that very much, Mr. Carter.”

  Granny shook her head and chuckled. She turned to walk toward the tables where the women were setting the food but stopped. “William, did you think to bring your silver dollars?”

  William patted his pants pocket. “Have ’em right here.”

  “Silver dollars? What for?” Anna turned a questioning glance to Granny.

  Granny waved her hands in dismissal and chuckled. “Oh, it’s one of them man things. It’s kind ’uv a Fourth of July tradition.”

  “Yeah, we wouldn’t want to miss that.” A shy grin wrinkled William’s mouth. “Maybe you’ll cheer for me.”

  “I would be honored, Mr. Carter.”

  They didn’t speak again until William had set the basket beside one of the tables underneath the trees next to the church. He tipped his hat and backed away. “I’ll see you later, Miss Anna.”

  “Thank you for your help.”

  Anna tried to concentrate on following William’s departure, but all she wanted was to find Simon in the crowd. After a moment, she spied Martha waving at her from the end of the table.

  Anna hurried over. “With your time so near, I didn’t know if you’d be here.”

  Martha reached out and hugged her. “Wouldn’t have missed it. Good to see you, Anna.”

  Anna drew back and mentally calculated how much longer Martha had before the baby would arrive. “How’re you doing?”

  Martha, a grimace on her face, placed her hand in the small of her back. “It won’t be much longer. I cain’t hardly wait, Anna.”

  “Maybe I’ll still be here to help you through it.”

  “That would be a great comfort to me.” She glanced behind her and grabbed Anna by the hand. “But come say hello to the other women.”

  Sadie Carter and several other women stepped away from the table and hurried toward her. “Anna, we’s glad you come today.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Carter. It’s good to see you.”

  “I seen William a-totin’ your basket.”

  The women facing her exchanged glances before they smiled at Anna. Her face warmed, and she looked around for Granny. She had stepped to the other end of the table and didn’t notice the exchange.

  Anna’s face warmed. “Uh, yes, he did. He’s very courteous…which I’m sure is a tribute to his mother.”

  Sadie cast a pleased smile at all her friends. “Thank you kindly, Miss Anna. Now we’d better get this here food ready.”

  She and the other women turned back to the table. Anna glanced at Martha, who was grinning. “You sure got a way with words, Anna.”

  Anna shook her head and frowned. “I meant it. William seemed very nice.”

  “Oh, he is. Fact is, there’s lots of girls in the Cove got their eyes on him. You best not make any of them mad.”

  “Quit teasing, Martha.”

  “I’m just sayin’…Oh, look who just turned up.”

  Anna turned in the direction Martha stared. A woman with a small child in her arms and the young boy who had come to Granny’s cabin on her second day in the Cove walked toward the assembled group. Her brown hair was pulled back in a tight bun at the back of her neck, and her tanned skin told of long hours of working in the sun. Dark circles ringed her eyes, and the dress she wore appeared frayed.

  She stopped a few feet away from the table, but Martha drew Anna toward the woman. “Anna, I don’t think you’ve met Naomi Jackson. Naomi, this is Anna Prentiss. She’s livin’ at Granny’s and helpin’ her out this summer.”

  “Hello, Naomi. I’m so glad to meet you. And Matthew—we’ve already met.” She smiled at the boy and stuck out her hand to Naomi.

  Naomi stared at Anna’s hand for a moment before she grasped it. “You the one helped Granny with my man Luke when he got hurt.” Naomi’s smile revealed several rotten teeth.

  Anna struggled to keep her face from revealing the revulsion she felt at the mention of his name. “I wasn’t much help to Granny that night, I’m afraid. I hope I’ve improved since then.”

  “I thank you for it.”

  “There’s no need to thank me. I really didn’t do anything.” She shifted her attention to the child Naomi held and reached out to stroke his blond hair. “And you have another little boy. What’s his name?”

  “We call ’im Eli.”

  “Oh, that’s a beautiful name.” She bent down and looked in the child’s face. “And you’re a handsome little fellow too, Eli.”

  Naomi turned to Matthew, who had been standing silently by her side. “Why don’t you go on and play with the other boys? I’ll git along all right.”

  He glanced at a group of boys who were running races in the field beside the church. “You sure you can handle Eli by yourself?”

  She prodded his shoulder with her hand. “Go on now.”

  He glanced at the boys but hesitated. Anna gestured toward the group. “Go on, Matthew. I’ll help your mother with Eli. It’s the Fourth of July, and you need to have a good time.” A smile flitted across his face before he turned and ran across the field toward the boys. Anna wondered what kind of life Naomi and her sons must endure with Luke. “You have two mighty fine sons, Naomi. I was quite taken with Matthew the morning he came to Granny’s house.”

  Naomi smiled again. “I heared some of the women say you was nice. I reckon they was right.”

  Anna laughed. “I think that would probably depend on who you ask.” She glanced back at the table and took Naomi by the arm. “But what are you doing standing over here? Let’s get up here so we can help with the food.”

  She drew Naomi along with her as she and Martha walked back to the table where Granny stood slicing the tomatoes she’d brought. “Granny, look who’s here!”

  Granny looked up and smiled, then stepped away from her tomatoes, wiped her hands on her dress, and enveloped Naomi and her child in a warm embrace. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Naomi. It’s shore good to see you here today. And you brought that sweet Eli with you! One of the easiest babies I ever delivered.”

  Anna laughed. “I don’t suppose there’s a baby in the Cove Granny didn’t deliver.”

  Naomi nodded. “Reckon not.”

  Warm laughter rippled across the grounds. Anna let her gaze wander over the groups of men lounging under the trees. She tried to concentrate on talking with Martha and Naomi instead of looking for Simon, but she couldn’t help casting her eyes about for a glimpse of him.

  Then she saw him. He stood at the end of the table, a tall young woman by his side. Anna’s heart plummeted to the pit of her stomach as the girl raked her long brown hair back from her eyes and smiled up at Sim
on. He smiled at her, then turned when Mrs. Carter said something to him.

  He nodded and faced the people gathered around the table. “May I have your attention everyone?” He waited as the laughter and eager chatter died down and all eyes turned to him. “The ladies tell me we’re ready to eat. Before we do, I’m gonna voice our thanks for this food and God’s blessings on us.” The crowd stilled as everyone bowed their heads. “Our Father,” prayed Simon, “we come to You on this day thanking You for the blessings You’ve given us. Today we celebrate the birth of our nation, and we thank You for this great land. We thank You for placing us here in the mountains You made and in the land You provided for us. Now we gather to eat, and we give thanks for the abundance of our harvests and the food You provided. And we pray for guidance to serve You in all areas of our lives. Amen.”

  Amens echoed from the crowd. Simon opened his eyes and stared straight at Anna. For a moment they stood still, as if daring the other to break the contact. She smiled and raised her hand to wave, but the young woman beside him touched his arm and he glanced away.

  Martha’s mouth pulled down into a frown, and she shot a quick look in Anna’s direction. Shaking off the rebuff, Anna turned to Naomi and reached out to pat Eli’s head.

  Simon picked up a plate and progressed through the food line. When he moved close to Anna, she took a deep breath and prepared to speak to him. But the young woman, still at his side, stepped between them and pointed to a dish on the table.

  “Simon, would you like to have some of these here fried green tomatoes I fixed?”

  “Why thank you, Linda Mae. They look real good.”

  Anna forced a smile to her face and reached for Eli. “Let me hold him while you fix your plate, Naomi.”

  Naomi smiled and handed her child to Anna. “That shore is nice of you, Anna.”

  Anna glanced back at Simon and the young woman as they headed away from the table. Her throat constricted, and she hugged Naomi’s son tighter. “Thank you for being so kind to me, Naomi.”

  Naomi walked to the table, leaving Anna alone with the child. Martha touched her arm. “That’s nice of you to hold Eli so’s Naomi can eat. Most of the women don’t have much to do with her.”

  Anna turned to Martha in surprise. “Why not?”

  “Her husband drinks a lot, and she has a right hard time livin’ with ’im. She works right hard.” Martha snorted. “More than Luke does.”

  Anna heard what Martha was saying, but she was unable to take her eyes off Simon. “Martha, who’s that girl Simon’s sitting with?”

  Martha gave a little grunt of disgust. “That’s Linda Mae Simmons. She’s had her eye on Simon for quite a spell now. For a while I thought she’d given up on him and set her sights on William Carter, but I guess I was wrong.”

  Anna’s chest tightened, and she laid her cheek against Eli’s soft hair. “She’s very pretty,” she whispered.

  “Excuse me, Miss Anna.”

  Anna and Martha turned at the deep voice. William Carter, holding a plate loaded with food, stood on the other side of the table. He shifted from foot to foot.

  “Yes, William?”

  “I wondered if I might have the pleasure of your company whilst we’re eating?”

  Anna glanced down at Eli. “I’m sorry, Mr. Carter. I told Mrs. Jackson I’d hold her son.”

  Martha reached over and pulled Eli from Anna’s arms. “No need to miss out on gettin’ to know William better. I’ll hold Eli. You go fix your plate and eat with him.”

  Anna started to refuse, but at that moment she caught a glimpse of Simon and Linda Mae sitting together. Anger boiled up inside her and she clenched her fists. She took a deep breath and smiled at William.

  “All right. Let me get my plate and I’ll join you…on one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “If you’ll call me Anna and allow me to call you William. Is that all right with you?”

  He smiled. “I’ll wait right here for you, Anna.”

  She mouthed a thank-you to Martha and strode toward the table. If Simon Martin had decided that their friendship was over, there was nothing she could do about it. From now on she wouldn’t think about him again. She would concentrate on helping Granny and getting to know the people in the Cove. Then when September came, she would be off to New York and away from Simon forever.

  Before she left, though, she was going to show him she wasn’t sitting around worrying over him and their lost friendship. William Carter appeared to be a likeable young man, and he wanted her company.

  She finished filling her plate, walked back to where William waited, and tilted her head to one side. “I hope you’ve picked out a quiet spot for us to sit, William. I can hardly wait to get to know you better.”

  His face flushed and his Adam’s apple bobbed. He nodded toward a tree near the creek bank. “How ’bout right over yonder?”

  She glanced past William to where Simon sat with Linda Mae. Her heart lurched, but she lifted her chin and smiled at William. “That’s a wonderful spot.” She fought the urge to look at Simon again. Instead, she trudged after William toward the tree by the creek.

  Chapter 14

  What was I thinking? Simon asked himself. He should never have stopped for supper at the Simmons’ farm. Now he had Linda Mae thinking he was interested in her and he didn’t know how to get out of the situation. In the past when he’d had a problem Granny had been the one he’d go to, but not anymore—not with the root of his problem living under Granny’s roof.

  Linda Mae’s relentless chatter drummed in his ears. He’d never intended to spend the picnic visiting with her. But when he saw Anna approaching the picnic area with William Carter holding her basket, he decided he would show her how two could play that game.

  While Linda Mae talked, he kept glancing to where Anna and William sat together. From time to time she would laugh, and he thought she’d never looked more beautiful. If he had any sense, he could be the one sitting with her. Then he remembered her words the day they raced through the clover, and his heart shriveled. He jumped to his feet and brushed off his pants.

  “It’s been good talking to you, Linda Mae. I think I’ll go on over and get ready to pitch silver dollars.”

  She looked up at him, her lips curling in a coy smile. “Would you help me up, Simon?”

  “Sure, give me your hand.”

  He grabbed her arm and pulled her up. She wobbled on her feet and swayed towards him. “I saw how good you was at pitchin’ silver dollars last Fourth of July. I think I’ll jest go on over and watch.”

  He glanced around and saw the men all assembling. He didn’t want to miss the beginning of the game. “Well, I need to hurry.”

  She looped her arm through his and pulled him closer to her side. “I’m right with you, Simon.”

  The men who’d gathered for the contest laughed and punched each other in the ribs as he and Linda Mae walked toward them. Simon felt a warmth slowly spread from the base of his neck to the top of his head. What had he gotten himself into?

  Anna set her plate on the table and turned to Granny and Martha, who were busy stacking dirty dishes. “Let me help.”

  Granny shook her head. “No need for that. Me and Martha got this under control. We thought you was still busy talkin’ to William.”

  “No, he went over to pitch silver dollars. He wants me…” Her throat constricted at the sight of Simon with Linda Mae hanging onto his arm and walking toward the assembled men where the contest was to take place. “Well, of all the…”

  Granny glanced in the direction she stared. A gasp escaped her lips, and she frowned. “What’s got into that boy? I’m gonna have to have me a talk with him.”

  Anger flared on Martha’s face and she banged a pan down on the table. “I ’spect I’ll git to him first, Granny.”

  Anna grabbed Martha’s arm. “No, it’s all right. Simon can be friends with whomever he wants.”

  Martha frowned. “But he ain’t actin
’ like hisself.”

  Anna picked up her plate and stacked it on top of the others. “Why don’t we go over and watch the silver dollar games?”

  Martha glared in Simon’s direction once more before she glanced back at Anna. “Are you sure you all right? If’n you want me to, I’ll take him down a peg or two.”

  “Really it’s all right.” Anna took Martha’s hand and pulled her forward. “Let’s go. We’re going to miss the game.”

  They made their way slowly across the picnic grove to the area where everyone was gathering. Anna came to a stop next to Linda Mae and watched as Simon, a penknife in his hand, knelt on the ground. He scratched away the dirt with the knife until he had a shallow hole. He laid down a silver dollar, and the coin fit perfectly in the bottom of it.

  When he’d finished, he stood, faced in the opposite direction, and counted as he stepped away from the hole. He halted, looked over his shoulder, and addressed the gathered men. “Think that’s about twenty-one feet?”

  “That’s good,” William called out.

  Simon dropped to his knees again and dug another hole, the same size as the first one. When he completed the task, he rose and headed back.

  “All right, Ed, you partner with me, and we’ll show William and Charlie here how to pitch silver dollars.”

  John, who’d just joined the group, stopped next to Martha and cupped his hands around his mouth. “Come on, Simon. Show these fellers how the Martin boys can pitch.”

  Simon grinned and nodded toward his brother.

  “You ain’t pitched against me yet.” William glanced over his shoulder and smiled at Anna before he took his place next to Simon. Charlie and Ed walked to the far hole and faced Simon and William.

  From behind, Granny bent over and spoke into Anna’s ear. “The partners pitch from opp’site holes.”

  “I wondered about that.” Out of the corner of her eye, Anna studied the girl beside her, then leaned closer. “You’re Linda Mae Simmons, aren’t you? I’m Anna Prentiss. I don’t think we’ve met.”

  Linda Mae twisted from the waist and settled a contemptuous glare on Anna. In all her life, Anna had never encountered such open hostility, and her breath caught in her throat. “I know who you be. I seen you at church playin’ the organ.” Linda Mae muttered something under her breath before she turned back to gaze at Simon.