Angel of the Cove

by Sandra Robbins

  He motioned for Anna. “Follow me.”

  They walked a short distance up the creek bank until they came to a spot where the limestone formations branched out into the water. The trail climbed at this point across the rocks, and Anna viewed the path with uncertainty.

  Simon reached his hand out toward Anna. “Come on. There’s a great view of the creek from up here.”

  Anna hesitated. “It’s too steep. I don’t think I can make it.”

  He continued to hold his hand out to her. “I’ll pull you up, but be careful. The moss on the rocks makes it slippery.”

  She grabbed his hand, and he gripped her fingers. With careful steps he guided her to the top of the outcropping until they stood looking down to the water eight feet below. He released her as she looked around, her eyes wide.

  “It feels like we’re alone in the world, doesn’t it?”

  He stared at her, unable to make himself look away. “I wanted to bring you here to see this, Anna.” She tilted her head and looked into his eyes. He swallowed. “I told you about my parents the day you were at John and Martha’s, how my grandfather didn’t want my mother to stay in the Cove. She wanted to stay, but she hated to defy her father. My father brought her here to see Abram’s Creek. He thought if she fell in love with the beauty of the Cove, she’d never leave him.”

  Anna let her gaze drift over the rocks and the tumbling water below them. “It worked because you and John are still here.”

  “Yes, we’re still here.”

  She turned to him. “Thank you for bringing me to see a place so special to your parents. I think this is my favorite place in the Cove too. I’ll never forget it.”

  He’d failed again. He thought maybe the magic that Abram’s Creek had worked on his mother would also work on Anna, but it hadn’t. His chest tightened at the thought that he probably would never be here with her again. He had nothing left to convince her to stay.

  “We’d better go,” he said.

  She nodded and turned to leave. Without warning her foot slipped on the wet rock and she lurched forward. He grabbed her and jerked her back before she toppled over the edge to the creek below.

  He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her shaking body. His heart pounded in his chest and he tightened the embrace. Her cheek lay next to his mouth, and he whispered in her ear. “You scared me.”

  Her shaking arms went up to encircle his neck. “Thank you, Simon. I would have gone over if you hadn’t caught me.”

  He pulled back from her and gazed down into her face. She returned his stare with unblinking eyes. Suddenly he didn’t care if she was leaving or not. This was the woman he loved, and he wanted her to return his love.

  “Anna, I’ve tried to just be your friend, but I don’t think I can.”

  Her lips trembled. “Simon…”

  He tightened his arms around her. “Anna, you belong here in Cades Cove with me. I can’t believe God brought you here without there being a purpose in it.”

  Tears stood in her eyes. “Simon…”

  He clenched his teeth. “You don’t want to go to New York, and you know it. You’re committed to something you decided when you were a child. Well, you’re a woman now. You can make your own decisions, Anna.”

  She closed her eyes and a tear trickled out of the side. Then she took a deep breath and stared up at him. Her arms tightened around his neck.

  His eyes went to her mouth, and his lips descended toward hers. She lifted her head, welcoming his kiss. But just before their lips met, he hesitated and pulled back. A frown creased his forehead.

  “Did you hear that?”

  She stared up at him. “What?”

  “I thought I heard someone.”

  They stood still for a moment, still wrapped in each other’s arms. “I don’t hear anything,” Anna said.

  He stared back at the way they had come. “There it goes again. It sounds like Granny.”

  Anna stiffened and released him. “Granny? Oh, Simon, what if something’s happened to her? We have to go back right away.”

  He grabbed her hand and began to descend the rocky ledge. “Be careful. Hold onto me until we get down.”

  Once they reached the level trail below the rocks, they ran along the creek until they arrived at the spot where they’d fished and eaten earlier. Granny sat on the bank, her hands rubbing her ankle.

  Anna dropped down beside her. “Granny, what happened?”

  Granny looked up at them, her face flushed. “I guess I’s jest gittin’ old. I never seen that big rock ’til I stepped on it. My foot turned, and I reckon I got me a bad sprain.”

  Anna ran her hands over the injury. “Are you sure it’s not broken?”

  “Naw, it ain’t broke, but I guess I cain’t walk. Think you two can he’p this old lady back to the buggy?”

  Simon dropped to his knees beside Granny. “Now you just take it easy for a few minutes. Anna and I will gather up everything and I’ll put it in the buggy. Then we’ll get you. I expect you need to get home and in bed.”

  Anna looked up at him. “Simon, do you think you need to go for Uncle Charles?”

  Granny sat up straight. “Land’s sakes, no. I treated worse than this for years, and I ’spect I can take care of my own ankle without botherin’ Doc. Now you two get everything loaded, and I’ll jest set here ’til you do.”

  Simon and Anna ran back and forth to the buggy until everything was loaded. As Simon laid the fishing poles in the back his hand brushed against Anna’s. They both stood still as if frozen in place. His thoughts returned to how close he’d come earlier to kissing her. He wondered if she was thinking about it. At the time she had pulled him closer, but now he wondered if she regretted what had almost happened between them.

  She swallowed, glanced down at the ground, and turned to run back to Granny. He stood there a moment, remembering how she’d looked up at him on the ledge. He knew she loved him. What was he going to have to do to make her admit it?

  Then he remembered Granny, and he ran to help her to the buggy.

  Chapter 22

  Anna bent over Granny and tied the poultice around her ankle. She straightened and stared out the bedroom window, surprised at how dark it had gotten. It seemed like it hadn’t been that long since she and Simon helped Granny into the house from the picnic, but it must have been several hours ago.

  Ever since they got home, she’d been busy getting Granny settled and following her instructions about what to do for her sprained ankle. Anna had mentioned sending for her uncle again, but Granny had refused. Even though Anna was concerned over Granny’s injury, she had learned a lot about treating such a sprain.

  “There now,” Anna said as she straightened up. “How does that feel?”

  Granny smiled. “Cain’t say as how I could’ve done better. You gonna make a good nurse, darlin’.”

  Anna smiled. “Thank you, but I don’t like practicing on you.” She stepped back and propped her hands on her hips. “Now, what can I get you to eat?”

  Granny shook her head. “Nary a thing. I ’spect a good night’s sleep is gonna he’p a lot.”

  Anna leaned over and kissed Granny on the forehead. “If you need anything, call out for me. I’ll come right away.”

  “I’ll do it. Now you go on and fix yourself somethin’ to eat. I’ll prob’ly be able to walk some in the mornin’.”

  “Goodnight.” Anna slipped out of the room and closed the door.

  She trudged to the kitchen table and sank down in one of the chairs. For the first time she let herself think back to what had occurred on the rocky ledge. Her heart sank as she remembered the feeling she’d had when Simon’s arms held her and how she’d pulled his head down to receive his kiss.

  Tears flowed down her cheeks and she wiped at them with her fingers. Ever since she’d come to Cades Cove she’d enjoyed being with Simon, and today she had wanted him to kiss her. The truth hit her, and she almost doubled over in shock. She loved Simon. The th
ought made her heart sing and brought a smile to her face. Her lips might say one thing, but she knew the truth—never in her life would she feel for any man what she felt for Simon.

  Of course that made no difference. She was committed to going to school in New York. That had been her plan for years, and she wasn’t going to change it now.

  Tears welled in her eyes. Was beating Robert worth giving up Simon? She sank back into the chair and buried her face in her hands. What was she going to do?

  A pounding knock at the front door interrupted her thoughts, and she jumped up from the chair. Could it be Simon returning? She couldn’t face him again tonight. She was afraid she might lose control and tell him the secret of her heart.

  Slowly she made her way to the door and opened it. Her eyes widened at the sight of John Martin standing on the front porch.

  “John, what is it?”

  He pushed his way into the house, his eyes filled with fear. “Martha’s havin’ the baby. Granny needs to come right away.”

  Anna glanced back to the room where Granny lay and swallowed. She took a deep breath and turned back to John. “Granny’s been hurt and can’t walk. I reckon I’m the one who’s gonna have to deliver this baby.”

  John’s face turned pale. “Miss Anna, I know you been a-helpin’ Granny, but do you think you can do it by yoreself?”

  She reached out and touched his arm. “Don’t you worry about a thing, John. I’ll get my things, and we’ll leave in a few minutes.”

  He nodded and sat down in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. Anna ran from the room, grabbed an oil lamp off the kitchen table, and stopped at Granny’s bedroom. She inched the door open a little and whispered into the room. “Granny, are you awake?”

  The bed creaked. “What is it, Anna?” The glow from the lamp lit the room, and Anna saw Granny wince in pain as she sat up in bed. “You all right?”

  Anna set the lamp on the table next to the bed and knelt beside it. “John is here. Martha’s having her baby. What should I do?”

  Granny sighed and tried to push out of bed, but she fell back in pain. “I cain’t do it, Anna. You gonna have to take care of this ’un yourself. Jest remember ever’thing I tole you and you’ll be fine.”

  A fear nagged at Anna’s mind. “But you told me when you examined Martha, her baby hadn’t turned. What will I do if it still hasn’t?”

  Granny patted her hand. “We talked ’bout this. You know what you gotta do. I’ll be here prayin’ for you, child.”

  Anna leaned closer. “Are you sure I can do this?”

  “You can.”

  “But, Granny, this is Simon’s family. What if something goes wrong?”

  Granny raised up on her elbows. “Don’t go a-borrowin’ trouble ’fore you even got some. Now go on. Martha’s a-needin’ you, and I’ll keep a-prayin’ for you.”

  Anna got up and headed for the door. “Anna…”

  She stopped and turned back to Granny. “Yes.”

  Her eyes held a sad look. “Don’t forget to take the hook.”

  Anna’s stomach roiled, and her arms crossed over her abdomen at the reminder. She didn’t think she would ever be able to use that horrible instrument. And certainly not on a member of Simon’s family.

  She stared upward. “Oh, God,” she whispered, “give me the strength to deal with this birth.”

  As soon as John pulled the wagon to a stop in front of his home, he jumped down and helped Anna out. He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the house. “Hurry. Martha’s been alone too long.”

  The frightened look he’d had on his face back at Granny’s was still present. Anna reached back into the wagon for the baskets she’d brought. “Help me with these, John. I’m going to need all this later.”

  He picked up the box containing the hook and turned questioning eyes to her. “What’s in here?”

  She reached out and took it from him. “Oh, just something else Granny carries with her. If you’ll get the other basket, I’ll take this.”

  Anna turned toward the house and hurried to the front porch. It would never do for John to see what was in the box. He was already so scared she wondered if he would last through the long night.

  John opened the door and followed her inside the house, then led her to the bedroom. He rushed into the room and dropped down beside the bed. “Martha, Granny cain’t come. She got hurt today, but Anna’s here.”

  Martha’s face glistened with perspiration. She looked up at Anna and smiled. “Thank you for coming, Anna.”

  Anna set her instruments down and turned back to John. “Now I want you to do two things for me while I’m getting started here.”

  John jumped to his feet. “Give me anything you want done, and I’ll take care of it.”

  “First, I want you to put a big pot of water on to boil. Then I want you to go get Simon.”

  John frowned at her. “Why you want Simon here?”

  Anna smiled. “Because you’re going to need somebody to keep you company through the night, and your brother is the one to do that.”

  John nodded. “I ’spect yer right.” He leaned back over Martha. “I’m gonna git that water to boilin’, then I’m gonna go after Simon. You mind me leavin’, Martha?”

  She reached up and stroked his cheek. “I think Anna’s right. You’re gonna need him tonight. Now don’t worry ’bout me. Anna will take care of me. You go get Simon.”

  John kissed his wife on the forehead and rushed from the room. Anna pulled an apron from one of the baskets and tied it around her waist. “Is there any hot water in the kettle, Martha?”

  Martha groaned as another pain hit her. She waited for it to pass before she answered. “There should be some left.”

  “Then I’m going to the kitchen to wash my hands. I’ll be back in just a minute—I promise.”

  In the kitchen John finished putting the water in the pot and turned to Anna. “I’m a-leavin’ now. You need anything else ’fore I go?”

  She shook her head. “No, I’m just going to wash my hands before I examine Martha. Now you go on.”

  John rushed out of the house before Anna had finished pouring water from the kettle into the wash pan. She picked up the homemade soap that lay beside the pan and began to scrub her hands. She wished she could prolong the moment of examining Martha, but she knew she could not.

  She dried her hands and carried the wash pan to the back door. After throwing the water into the yard, she turned back to the stove and poured clean water in the pan before she walked back toward the bedroom. Martha smiled and held out her hand as she walked in. “Anna?”

  “What is it?”

  She grabbed the side of the bed as another pain hit her. “I’m glad you’re the one here with me.”

  Anna forced a smile to her face as she set the pan on a table across the room from the bed. She walked back to the bed, reached for Martha’s hand, and covered it with both of hers. “I’m sorry Granny couldn’t be here, but I don’t want you to worry. We’re going to work together to bring this baby into the world.”

  “I ain’t worried. I feel like I have family with me.”

  Anna felt her heart constrict. “What do you mean?”

  “I already think of you as family ’cause Simon loves you, and I know you’ll do everythin’ possible for his brother’s child.”

  Anna’s lips trembled. She patted Martha’s hand and pressed her arm back down to the bed. “I promise you I’ll do the best I can. Now don’t you worry. God’s gonna help us get through this together.”

  Martha nodded and closed her eyes. “Thank you, Anna.”

  Anna reached down and grasped the hem of Martha’s gown. “I have to raise your gown so I can examine you, Martha. I don’t mean to hurt you, so just relax. And don’t worry about being embarrassed. Before tonight’s over, I’m going to know your body very well.”

  Martha’s chest rose with heavy spurts of breathing. “I know. You do whatever you need.”

  Anna pulled
the gown up until Martha’s abdomen was completely exposed. Gently, she began to press her fingers across the surface in an effort to determine where the baby’s head was. It only took a moment before she knew. She forced a smile to her lips and looked up at Martha.

  “Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?”

  Martha shook her head.

  How could she tell her? She leaned over Martha and pressed a cool hand to her forehead. “Now you rest for a minute,” she said.

  Martha looked up at her, fear in her eyes. “Something’s wrong. I kin tell. What is it?”

  Anna remembered what Granny had told her. “Always be honest with a woman, child. Tell her what’s what.” Still, she dreaded what she must say. She sat down beside the bed and took Martha’s hand in hers. “The baby is in a breech position, Martha. That means he’s not in the head-down position to be born. I’m going to put one hand on the top of your stomach and one underneath. I’ll try to rotate him into the head-down position, but I’m afraid he’s settled and this won’t work. Still, we need to try.”

  “All right.”

  God, help me, Anna prayed as she began.

  Simon followed as John opened the door to his house and rushed in. He’d never seen his brother so upset, and he was glad Anna had suggested John come for him. John stopped at the closed door to the bedroom and turned back to Simon. “Anna’s in there with her. You think I need to let ’er know we’re back?”

  Simon put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Don’t interrupt Anna. She’ll come out and let you know when there’s any news. We just need to settle down and wait. That’s gonna be the hard part.”

  John nodded and sank down in one of the kitchen chairs. His hands shook as he laced his fingers together and rested them on top of the table. He turned frightened eyes to Simon. “I just got this real bad feelin’, Simon. I don’t know why, but I do.”

  Simon walked over and gripped his brother’s shoulder. “We’ll pray through this night, John. Martha and the baby will be all right.”

  At that moment the door to the bedroom opened, and Anna emerged. John was out of his seat in a flash and ran toward Anna. “Miss Anna, how’s Martha? Can I see her?”