Free Beyond These Hills by Sandra Robbins

I’m sorry. But now we have to deal with the present. That’s why I’m here, to help the last of the people in the Cove do that.”
    Matthew snorted. “I don’t think we’ll ever be able to deal with it.”
    Andrew glanced toward the truck, where Laurel’s straight back was visible through the window between the cab and the bed. “I’m glad I came to church today and met all of you. I want you to know I didn’t come to Cades Cove to cause any problems, especially in your family. I liked Laurel when I met her yesterday. When I saw her today, I hoped we might be friends. That doesn’t seem too likely now. Maybe I shouldn’t go to the Martins for dinner. Will you make my apologies to Mrs. Martin and to your wife?” He swallowed. “And to Laurel?”
    Matthew opened his mouth to tell Andrew he agreed it would be better for him to go on to the CCC camp instead of coming to Simon and Anna’s home, but the way Andrew’s glance darted to the truck window where Laurel was visible stopped him.
    The day he had ridden into Cades Cove over twenty years ago popped into his mind. It had been a June day then, and he had returned with the fear that the son of one of the most notorious men who had ever lived in the valley wouldn’t be welcomed. Simon,Anna, and Rani had helped him to face the problems he’d encountered. They’d been his friends even when he hadn’t deserved them. Now another young man had arrived in the Cove, and he faced an even greater chance of being despised. What would God have him do about this unhappy-looking boy standing in front of him?
    The answer rang clear in his mind. He took a deep breath and shook his head. “If you give up that easy when a young woman gets upset with you, what are you going to do when an angry farmer threatens to blow your head off if you don’t get off his porch?”
    Andrew’s face paled. “Well, I guess I never thought…”
    Matthew laughed and slapped Andrew on the shoulder. “Well, son, you’d better start thinking or you’re gonna have a mighty tough time in the Cove. Now you get in your car and follow me all the way to Simon’s house. Today we won’t talk business. It’ll just be a time for us all to get acquainted. There’s time for you to worry about your job this coming week.”
    Andrew grinned and glanced toward Laurel once more before he stuck out his hand. “Thank you, Mr. Jackson. I’d like to get to know your family better.”
    Matthew shook his hand. “Then let’s go.”
    He watched as Andrew hurried back to his car and climbed in before he got into the truck. Rani studied his profile as he started the engine. “Well?” she said, her eyebrows raised.
    Matthew faced her. “Well, what?”
    â€œDid you tell that boy not to come to Mama’s house for dinner?”
    Matthew frowned. “Now why would I do that? Just because we disagree on what the government’s trying to do to us is no reason not to be neighborly. Lots of folks with strange ideas have stayed at our lodge, and we treated them like they were friends.”
    â€œBut this is different, Matthew. He’s a…”
    Matthew held up his hand to stop his wife. “He’s a boy who’s come here not knowing how folks are going to treat him. But he’s come anyway. I remember another boy who came to the Covewanting folks to give him a chance. I guess it’s time for me to return the favor. He’s got a hard road to hoe if he’s going to try and persuade the folks still here that they have to leave.”
    Rani’s eyes glistened with moisture and a smile pulled at her lips. She squeezed his arm. “You’re a good man, Matthew Jackson.”
    He covered her hand with his. “It’s because I had a good teacher.”
    â€œHey, Poppa, are we gonna sit here all day, or are we going to