Free Mountain Homecoming by Sandra Robbins

ridiculous, George. I’m a little tired after going over to Josie and Ted’s cabin today.”
    His eyebrows arched. “Did you walk over there and back?”
    â€œI did. You know I walk everywhere I go. It gives me time to think.”
    The pout disappeared and was replaced by a big grin. He propped an elbow on his knee and leaned forward. “I hope you was thinkin’ about me.”
    â€œI had a lot on my mind. You know, like Little River Lumber and what they’re doing to the Cove. And Ted and Josie moving away. I still can’t believe he’s gone to work for that company.”
    He slapped his knee and jumped to his feet. “I declare, Rani,” he snarled, “I don’t understand you at all. Most girls your age are thinkin’ about gettin’ married and settlin’ down, but not you. All you think about is takin’ on the biggest company in this part of the country and runnin’ ’em out of the mountains.”
    Rani bristled at his words, and her eyes narrowed. “And why shouldn’t I want them to leave? They’re stripping our hills of trees that have been growing here for hundreds of years. And they’re not replacing them. We won’t live to see those hillsides covered in trees again.”
    â€œWell, what’s that to me? By that time we’ll all be dead and gone. All we can do is live for the right now, and I want to do that.” He paused, straightening up and adjusting his posture. “And I want you to do it with me,” he declared.
    His words infuriated her. How could anyone who’d grown up in the Cove be so uncaring about its future? She stood up and faced him, her hands clenched at her sides. “George, you’ve been my good friend ever since we were children, but we think differently about a lot of things. I know you’re going to find a girl who wants the same things from life that you do.”
    He took a step back from her and let his gaze rove over her face as if he couldn’t believe what she’d just said. “Are you sayin’ that you’re not that girl?”
    She took a deep breath. “I’m saying we’re never going to be anything but friends. You need someone who loves you and wants to share her life with you.”
    He nodded. “I see.” He turned his back and faced the fireplace. He stood there a moment before he turned and stared at her. The anger she’d seen before when he’d been denied something lined his face. “I’ve been callin’ on you for months, Rani, and you ain’t never said nothin’ like this before. Why did you wait until tonight?”
    She frowned and started to protest that she’d tried to tell him for weeks. But before she could speak, Matthew Jackson’s face flashed in her mind, and she remembered how her heart had pumped when he’d stared at her across the table at supper. She shook the thought from her head and lifted her chin. “It’s time we got on with our lives, George. You’ll always be one of my best friends, but you need to look somewhere else for a woman who will love you.”
    His face grew red, and he raked his hand through his hair. “I cain’t believe you’re turnin’ me down.” He pointed a finger at her. “I’m warning you, though, I ain’t givin’ up. I’ll keep comin’ back until you change your mind.” He rammed his hat on his head. “Now I guess I’d better be gettin’ on home. It’s late.”
    Rani followed him out the door and stopped at the bottom of the front porch steps. George strode to the horse he’d tied to a small tree in their yard and grabbed the reins. He was about to climb into the saddle when he shook his head and led his horse back to where she stood. He raised an arm and gripped her shoulder.
    â€œI reckon I ain’t ever come out and said the words, Rani, but I want you to know I