Angel of the Cove

by Sandra Robbins

  They walked into the front room where her uncle and Granny waited. She glanced around for her brother. “Where’s Robert?”

  Uncle Charles laughed. “He went to keep Simon company. He said he couldn’t have the groom getting cold feet and leaving his little sister at the altar.”

  Anna laughed and turned to her mother. “He likes Simon, doesn’t he?”

  Her mother patted her arm. “He’s welcomed Simon like the brother he always wanted. I think they really got to know each other the night they waited for that baby to be born.”

  Anna smiled at the memory of the two of them keeping Joshua occupied while she and Granny helped usher his daughter into the world. “I think so too.”

  Granny cleared her throat. “Well, I ’spect we better git the bride to the church, or the groom may think she’s not a-comin’.”

  Anna looped her arm through her uncle’s and smiled up at him. “Let’s go, Uncle Charles. I can’t wait to walk down the aisle on the arm of my second father.”

  His eyes misted, and he glanced at her mother, who smiled back at him. He squeezed Anna’s hand. “This is the happiest day of my life.”

  Simon stood at the front of the church, his eyes unwavering as he watched the church entry. John and Martha stood with him at the altar as they waited for Anna’s entrance. In the front row Anna’s mother and brother beamed, and the preacher from Strawberry Plains waited behind him to administer the marriage vows. The organist Uncle Charles had brought from Tuckaleechee touched the keys of the organ, and its sweet strains drifted across the gathered audience.

  Sometimes he almost had to pinch himself to believe this was really happening. Anna was going to be his wife. What had seemed like a dream a month ago was coming true today.

  The door opened, and there she stood on her uncle’s arm. They hesitated for a moment before they began the journey down the aisle. Her eyes locked with his as she approached, and his heart almost jumped out of his chest.

  They stopped beside him, and he turned to face the preacher. Her uncle stood between them, her arm still in his. The congregation who’d risen as Anna entered sat down, and Anna’s pastor from Strawberry Plains stepped forward.

  “Dearly beloved,” he began. Simon thought of all the times he’d stood before young couples and pronounced those words. Had the grooms been as excited as he was now? He hoped so. Anyone getting married should know the thrill of finally being joined to the one you love.

  “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” the preacher said.

  “I do,” her uncle said. He glanced down at Anna, kissed her on the cheek, then took her hand and placed it in Simon’s.

  Simon swallowed and closed the gap between them as Doc Prentiss went to sit next to Anna’s mother. The words the preacher spoke drifted into his ears, and he concentrated as the ceremony progressed.

  Finally came the words he’d been waiting to hear—“I now pronounce you man and wife”—and he thought he would explode with happiness. The preacher instructed him to kiss his bride, and he leaned forward to brush her lips with his. As he straightened, he caught a glimpse of the gold ring he’d placed on her finger. His finger rubbed the band as he smiled at his bride. She was his for always, and he was hers. The thought brought him the greatest pleasure he’d ever known.

  Anna had tried to concentrate on the preacher’s words throughout the ceremony, but she found it impossible. All she could think about was that she was about to become Anna Martin. Now she was someone’s wife, and maybe someday she’d be someone’s mother. But for now she basked in the glow of the love she felt for Simon.

  Their kiss ended, and the preacher spoke out to the congregation. “Mrs. Martin’s family is hosting a reception for all of you to wish the bride and groom good luck. Cake and cider will be served on the tables under the trees just outside the church. The couple hopes all of you will stay and celebrate their wedding with them.”

  The organ began the recessional, and Simon and Anna hurried up the aisle, their hands clasped tight together. They burst through the door and into the warm September sunshine. At the bottom of the church steps, Simon pulled her into his arms. “Hello, Mrs. Martin. I love you.”

  She wrapped her arms around him. “I love you too, Mr. Martin.”

  From behind them John nudged them forward. “This is no time to be stoppin’. The folks’ll be comin’ out any minute. Git out there and cut the cake so’s you can visit with them.”

  Simon and Anna laughed and ran across the yard toward a table where sat the cake that Anna’s mother had brought all the way from Strawberry Plains. Simon grabbed the knife, and together they cut the first piece just before the crowd descended upon them.

  “Let me have that,” Martha said, taking the knife. “Go meet your guests, and I’ll serve the cake.”

  They moved away from the table and shook the hands of their friends as they filed by. Anna was struck by the smiles and happiness that were plain on the faces of Simon’s congregation. She hoped she would be the kind of wife a preacher needed. That had been her prayer ever since she’d agreed to marry him.

  After everyone had been served Anna and Simon moved among the people, stopping to talk to different groups. Suddenly John’s voice boomed out above the crowd. “Folks, could I have your attention, please?”

  Everyone quieted and turned to face John. “I been asked to get everybody quiet, so’s a special weddin’ gift can be given to my brother’s new wife.”

  Anna looked at Simon, who shrugged his shoulders. She turned back to John. “Something for me?”

  John motioned for her to join him. “Come on over here, Anna.”

  With a smile she left Simon’s side and moved to stand beside her new brother-in-law. He pointed to his wife. “Martha’s gonna tell you what it is.”

  Martha approached her, a coy smile on her lips. The other women of the church gathered in a tight group behind her. Anna let her gaze wander over the women.

  There was Laura Ferguson, the first woman she had aided in childbirth, Gracie Long and Nellie Whitson with their babies, Pearl Davis holding Josie, Lavinia, Naomi Jackson and Mrs. Johnson who’d come from Pigeon Forge, and all the others standing behind Martha. Even Linda Mae Simmons’s smile hinted at a promised friendship. Anna’s gaze came to rest on Granny in the middle of the group, her back straight and her smile wide.

  Martha stepped forward. “Anna, I won’t never forget what you did for me when my little Anna was born. You saved her life and mine and gave me the sweetest little one I could ever have. I cain’t never thank you enough for that.”

  All the women nodded their heads. Martha pointed to the women behind her. “Only a woman can know what it’s like to enter that valley and come out alive. Ever since you been here, you’ve gone right there with us and brought us back. And we’re not forgettin’ what you’ve done.”

  Tears stood in Anna’s eyes. “It’s been my pleasure. I’ve been right where I wanted to be with the people I’ve come to love. I just thank you for letting me be a part of your community.”

  Martha took a deep breath. “Well, we all got together and made you a little present. We had to do it in a hurry, ’cause you and Simon didn’t give us much warning. But anyway this is for you.”

  The women parted, making a path for Lucy and Ted Ferguson to walk through. A brown package rested in their outstretched arms. “This here’s for you, Miss Anna,” Lucy said.

  “From all the women,” Ted added.

  Anna reached out and took the gift. She touched the cheek of both children and then glanced up at Martha. “Well, open it,” she said.

  With a laugh Anna tore the paper away and gasped at the sight of a patchwork quilt that lay within. She picked it up and unfolded it to get a better view of the workmanship. The squares embellished with embroidery and crewel each contained the name of the woman who’d sewn it.

  Anna’s heart filled with thanks for the women she’d come to love. “Thank you so much,” she whispered.

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nbsp; Granny stepped forward and pointed to the center square. “Did you see this one, Anna?”

  The words Angel of the Cove emblazoned in bold script leaped from the center of the quilt. Tears filled her eyes, and she clutched the quilt to her chest and buried her face in it. Granny’s strong arms encircled her shoulders. “That’s what the folks here call you, Anna. You done found a place in their hearts.”

  Anna raised her head and stared at Simon. His dark eyes held hers. I love you, he mouthed. The sweetest peace she’d ever known filled her. This was where she belonged. This was home. She smiled and walked toward her husband.

  Discussion Questions

  1. When Anna came to Cades Cove, she feared the people wouldn’t accept her in their community. Have you ever felt like an outsider in a group? How did you cope with that feeling?

  2. Simon questioned God about why he wasn’t allowed to pastor a large church. How do you react when circumstances in your life prevent you from attaining what you wanted?

  3. Although Anna wanted to become a nurse, at times she doubted if she had the courage and determination to acquire the skills needed in the job. What can you do when fear of the unknown makes you reluctant to work toward something you desire?

  4. Even when Granny disapproved of a person’s actions, she showed God’s love for them by ministering to their needs. How do you react to the needs of the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the unlovable in your community? What did Jesus say about helping these people?

  5. Anna didn’t trust Cecil Davis and thought him to be a cold, uncaring man. Are you quick to judge people before getting to know what they are really like? What does the Bible teach about judging others?

  6. Anna and Simon became jealous when they each showed attention to another person. How can jealousy ruin relationships? How do you keep jealousy from taking root in your heart?

  7. Anna feared she wasn’t skilled enough to cope with a situation like the birth of Martha’s baby. Have you ever been placed in an emergency situation that called for you to provide help for someone suffering? How did you react?

  8. Anna and her brother had suffered a broken relationship because of angry words and actions. Have disputes caused problems in your family? If so, what can you do to heal relationships?

  9. Anna and Simon found their fears and doubts vanished when they yielded their hearts to God’s will. Have you put your faith in Him, and do you allow Him to guide you in all aspects of your life?

  About the Author

  Sandra Robbins and her husband live in the small college town in Tennessee where she grew up. They count their four children and five grandchildren as the greatest blessings in their lives. Her published books include stories in historical romance and romantic suspense. When not writing or spending time with her family, Sandra enjoys reading, collecting flow blue china, and playing the piano.

  To learn more about books by Sandra Robbins or to read sample chapters, log on to our website:

  www.harvesthousepublishers.com