CHAPTER
21

Hope stepped down the narrow aisle to the last pew, where Kirby sat after the late-evening meeting. His attendance had become sporadic over the past weeks. When she questioned him about his absence, he mentioned the need to keep late hours at the mining office. By the time he finished his work each day, he was just too weary to attend chapel meetings.

She’d considered his response and drawn the conclusion that their daytime runs to surrounding communities must be the cause of his late office hours. With that in mind, she presented him with a solution. Since her father was making good progress, she suggested Kirby teach him to drive the truck. That way he could deliver the supplies and also minister to any in need in the surrounding towns.

Kirby’s refusal had been immediate and abrupt, but he’d returned the next day to explain and apologize. His father, Kirby lamented, wouldn’t grant permission to drive the truck to anyone except Mr. Daniels, Mr. Farragut, or him. His apology was profuse, though she somehow felt he hadn’t been completely honest with her. Still, she accepted his apology. Since then, he’d been present every night. Each evening she wondered if he appeared at the church service in order to prove he didn’t need help or desire her interference.

He smiled when she approached. “Good evening. I thought your singing exceptional this evening.”

“Thank you. That hymn is special to me.” She’d sung “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” a hymn that had been one of her mother’s favorites.

He glanced toward the front of the chapel car, where her father was deep in conversation with several of the railroaders, then gestured to the pew opposite him. “Please, sit down. We seldom get a chance to visit without anyone else around.”

“That’s true, but I do enjoy Nellie’s company, and she’s a great help to me. If she’s not handing out tracts and Bibles, she’s helping with the younger children. I don’t know what I’d do without her.” Kirby had been quite clear about the fact that he didn’t particularly enjoy Nellie’s company, and so she felt the need to defend the girl. In truth, Nellie had taken a bit of a liking to Kirby, yet he rebuffed her every time she attempted to gain his attention. “Besides, if Nellie hadn’t agreed to make these trips, I wouldn’t be able to travel with you.”

“I know.” He scooted to the end of the pew, closing the distance between them, and tipped his head to the side. “I was wondering if you’d heard any more about the possibility of a strike? The other day I was sure I overheard some of the men talking about a union meeting. Ever since the cave-in, the men seem to be gathering in groups and whispering among themselves. I feel certain they’re planning something and I’d like to avoid a strike. The day after the cave-in, you said the women on the hill had been talking about encouraging their husbands to strike. Have you heard anything more? Surely Luke has said something to you. I see the two of you together all the time.”

“That’s not true, Kirby, but even if it were, who I spend my time with isn’t any of your concern. And if you’re worried about a strike, I suggest you talk to the miners. I’m not going to carry tales for you or anyone else. It simply isn’t proper.” She’d maintained an even but firm tone. She wanted to put an end to his questions about strikes and unions.

He’d been somewhat distant on their most recent trips, and this latest disagreement might create an even greater chasm. At times she thought it was because she hadn’t given him information about rumors of a walkout, but at other times she thought he was angry that Luke continued to travel with them—at least most of the time. Luke was certain that Kirby did his best to juggle shifts at the mine so Luke couldn’t come with them. Hope remained uncertain why Kirby had become so aloof, but even Nellie had mentioned his lack of affability.

He nodded. “Well, I wouldn’t want you to do anything that wasn’t proper.” His words came out stilted.

“Are you still planning on going tomorrow?” Hope asked.

He tucked the hymnal in the metal rack beneath the pew, then looked up at her. “I am, but you may need to adjust a little. I want to make a stop at Hopkins Fork, as well as Muskrat Creek and Denton.”

“Three stops?” Her breath caught as she considered the number of supplies she’d need to pack. “Two is the most we’ve made in the past, and you always let me know in advance.”

He shrugged. “We can cut down on the amount of time while we’re in Denton if we need to. I don’t think folks will complain if you let them know we’re trying to help as many folks as we can.”

“I’ve never heard you mention Hopkins Fork. How did you happen to decide to make a stop there?” Truth be told, she’d never heard of the place and had no idea how many people might live in the area or even where it was located. “And where is it?”

He appeared to study the pew in front of him for a moment. “One of the families in Muskrat Creek has relatives in Hopkins Fork. They said folks were in need of help and asked if we’d stop over there.”

“But they won’t know we’re coming, and we don’t even know if there’s a church or school where we can meet with them. Maybe we should stop at a few houses and pass out some tracts and see about setting up for a regular teaching visit in a couple of weeks.”

“You can do your visiting however it suits you, but I can’t drive you and Nellie from house to house. The folks I’m going to talk to asked for a private visit with me.” Kirby pushed up from the pew. “Just take along a few extra flyers to pass out, and maybe you and Nellie can find someplace to sit under a tree near the side of the road until I return.”

His inconsiderate attitude surprised her. Surely he must have known of this meeting before tonight. Would he have even mentioned the additional stop if she hadn’t approached him? She certainly didn’t like his suggestion that she and Nellie sit by the side of the road in Hopkins Fork, yet the folks in Denton and Muskrat Creek were expecting their weekly visit and she didn’t want to disappoint them.

He stepped toward the door of the chapel car. “I’m planning on leaving at the same time in the morning.”

She nodded. “I’ll be there.”

She offered up a silent prayer that Luke didn’t have to work at the mine tomorrow. If she and Nellie had to sit by the roadside, she’d feel much better if Luke were there.

The following morning, Luke descended the hill alongside his sister. His shotgun rested on his shoulder as they approached the truck. Hope greeted him with a bright smile, and Kirby pinned him with his usual scowl. The first morning he’d joined Kirby and the two girls on their run, Kirby had been clear about not wanting Luke with them. Since then his attitude hadn’t changed, but he’d been unsuccessful in his attempts to control Luke’s work hours without raising suspicion with Mr. Daniels and the other miners. He constantly brushed aside Luke’s worries over danger lurking on the road, but Luke was undeterred. He’d lived in these parts all his life and he knew trouble could appear when it was least expected.

Luke hoisted himself into the rear of the truck and whistled for Blue. The dog leaped in and settled between Luke and the crates of flyers, Bibles, and Sunday-school papers. Kirby shook his head and directed a disgusted look at the dog before opening the door for Hope and Nellie.

The stop in Muskrat Creek had gone as usual. Once the girls and Luke had unloaded their supplies, Kirby disappeared on his mission of mercy delivering sacks of supplies. Luke remained baffled by a man who could extend generosity to the people of these outlying areas, yet ignore the needs of the families who worked for his family’s mining business. He had asked God to reveal Kirby’s reasoning, but that hadn’t happened. He then asked God to stir Luke’s sense of right and wrong, but that hadn’t occurred, either. Desperate for answers, Luke went to Hope’s father seeking answers.

“I’ll do my best to answer your questions, Luke, but I’m not sure the answer will satisfy you.” The preacher had sat opposite Luke with his Bible open on his lap. “We may not understand anything that happens on this earth until we get to heaven, but don’t become bitter over what Kirby is doing. You must remember that the people Kirby is helping may not be as important to you as the folks who live on the hill, but we are all important to God. Don’t begrudge the good work Kirby is doing. We have to trust he is doing what God has called him to do. If he isn’t, we need to let God take care of that, as well. Trust is a difficult thing, but God has a plan. Of that you can be sure.”

In spite of his misgivings about Kirby, Luke had listened to the preacher. He tried to believe that Kirby’s intentions were good and that God would provide for the people of Finch, even if Kirby didn’t.

Kirby was leaning alongside his truck when they completed their meetings in Muskrat Creek. Luke carried several boxes that had contained Sunday-school materials back to the truck while Nellie and Hope packed some of the remaining papers and then bid the children and their mothers good-bye.

With a loud grunt, Kirby pushed away from the side of the truck and glowered at them. “We need to get moving. Tell the girls to hurry up. I told Hope I was making three stops today. She should know I don’t have time to wait around.”

His tone grated on Luke, but upon his return inside, he passed along Kirby’s message, then looked directly at his sister. “He’s got his dander up, so don’t say anything that’s gonna make matters worse.”

Nellie frowned and dropped a pile of papers into one of the boxes. “Why you lookin’ at me? Kirby don’t pay me no mind.”

“Because you forget to mind your tongue no matter what anyone tells you.” He lifted the crates, looked around the room, and gave a nod. “Looks like this is the last of it. Go untie Blue while I load these up, Nellie.”

His sister wrinkled her nose at him, but she did as he asked. Hope matched Luke’s stride as he walked toward the truck. “He said he told you we’d be making three stops today. Why’s that?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t tell me until last night, but he did tell me we’d need to cut short our time in Denton.”

Luke lowered his voice as they neared the truck. “Did he say where else we’re stopping?”

“Yes. Hopkins Fork.” She looked up at him. “Do you know it?”

“About as well as I know Muskrat Creek or any of these other outlyin’ areas. Not much there. As I recall, there’s a one-room schoolhouse and a small general store. That pretty much makes up the town. Just like here, folks live in the hills that surround the school and the store.”

Blue loped past them and buffeted Kirby. The dog hurtled into the back of the truck, unaware that Kirby had almost landed in the dirt. Kirby’s lip curled. Keeping his voice low, he leaned close to Luke’s ear. “Don’t keep bringing that animal with you, or the first chance I get I’m going to run him over with this truck.”

Luke glared at him. “You so much as harm a hair on that dog’s head and you’ll be facing the wrong end of my shotgun. We clear on that?”

Kirby wheeled around, jumped into the truck, and slammed the door. Without another word, he took off with a jolt that nearly caused Luke to come unseated. When they arrived in Denton, Kirby sat in the driver’s seat and rushed them to unload the truck. “Don’t forget to be out here a half hour early.”

“We’ll try our best, Kirby.” Nellie’s tone was syrupy sweet. She glanced over her shoulder. “And you try to be on time, too.”

Kirby leaned toward the open window. “Unless you plan on walking home, Nellie, you best not use that tone with me.”

Luke glared at his sister. “I told you not to do anything to cause a ruckus with him.”

Nellie squared her shoulders. “I’m not afeared of Kirby Finch, and I don’t need you tellin’ me what to do.” She marched off with a crate held tight beneath her arm.

Hope went to the back of the truck to help Luke unload. “Don’t be too hard on her. I think Nellie is finally accepting the fact that Kirby isn’t the kind of man she had hoped.”

Luke frowned. He didn’t know how his sister could have overlooked Kirby’s many faults for so long, but he’d learned that women sometimes view things different from men. Then, as if someone had jerked him to attention, his eyes opened wide and he stared at Hope. “Are you tellin’ me that Nellie thought Kirby might ask to court her?”

“She never said as much, but I got the idea she would be happy if he did. Now that we’ve been traveling with him, I think she’s seeing the real Kirby with all his shortcomings, and what she sees doesn’t please her.” Hope lightly grasped Luke’s arm. “Don’t tease her. She’s unhappy enough.”

“I won’t tease her, but if she thought I’d ever agree Kirby was a good match for her, she’s dumber than a coal bucket.”

“Luke! That’s not—”

“I know, I know, but it’s the truth. Kirby isn’t good enough to clean the mud off my sister’s shoes.”

“Well, I can agree with that much.” A group of children ran toward them, and Hope enlisted their help carrying the supplies inside. She looked at Luke as they neared the church door. “Remember—don’t say anything more.”

He nodded, and the three of them fell into their usual routine. Luke was careful to watch the time, making certain everything was packed and they were waiting by the road when Kirby returned.

Kirby had remained inside the truck while the three of them began to load. Moments later, he stepped out, removed his pocket watch and clicked open the gold case. “We’re running late. Hurry up!” He stood by the truck door and barked the order, but made no move to help load the remaining boxes.

“You’re the one who wasn’t here on time, so don’t yell at us.” Nellie shoved a box onto the truck bed and glared at him. “If you’re so worried about the time, put that watch away and help us load.”

Luke stepped close to his sister’s side. “Stop it, Nellie. Don’t be cuttin’ off your nose to spite your face. You keep it up and he won’t be willing to bring the two of you along to hold your meetings.” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded. “I don’t mean to be harsh with you, but that’s what big brothers are for.” He winked at her.

Once they’d finished loading, they climbed into their respective positions. Kirby shifted into gear and steered the truck out of the small town. Once they were a short distance away, the truck picked up speed. Luke’s chest tightened as Kirby pushed the truck faster. He tapped on the rear window and shouted for Kirby to slow down, but Kirby ignored him. Instead of slowing the truck, he tromped on the gas pedal, and Luke grabbed for the wood side rails that surrounded the truck bed. His back slammed against the cab of the truck, then slid in the other direction as Kirby attempted to navigate a sharp curve.

A horn blared from an oncoming vehicle, and Kirby swerved. The tires spun, loose gravel and dirt flying in all directions. The back end of the truck veered out of control, which caused it to careen toward a ditch beside the road. Blue jumped from the truck. Luke followed, his landing softened by the thick undergrowth and bushes. The side of the truck struck an oak tree, swung around and came to a halt with its front in the ditch.

Unharmed, Kirby jumped from the truck and rushed toward the rear. “Look at what you’ve done!” He glowered at Luke. “If you hadn’t distracted me, this never would have happened.”

Nellie and Hope had climbed out the driver’s side of the truck and rushed to Luke’s side. “You have a cut on your forehead. Did you break any bones?” Hope knelt on one side of Luke with Nellie on the other.

“I’m fine. If I hadn’t jumped, it might be a different story.” He pushed to his feet and leaned against a nearby tree to gain his balance. “Appears I’m in better shape than the truck.”

“I’m not so sure that’s true.” Hope yanked a handkerchief from her skirt and dabbed at the blood trickling down the side of his head.

Kirby had retrieved a crowbar that was thrown from the truck and was frantically yanking at the truck fender with it. “I’ve got to get this fender off the tire or I won’t be able to drive the truck.”

“Looks like you’re doing a good job,” Nellie said, “and there’s only the one crowbar. Besides, Luke’s got a cut on his head so he shouldn’t lean over. Let us know when you’re ready to leave.”

Kirby glowered in their direction, but he continued to work on the fender. A short time later, he rounded the truck and opened the door. “If you’re coming with me, you better get in.”

He stood by the open door. Blue jumped into the rear of the truck while Hope helped get Luke settled into position. She paused and sniffed the air, then looked around. “Whatever is—?” Before she could finish the question, Luke pulled her close and kissed her on the lips.

He backed away ever so slightly. “Don’t say anything more. I’ll explain later.” He kissed her once more before releasing her.

“I said you need to get in the truck, Hope.” Kirby glared at Luke as Hope scurried around the side of the truck and got in. The truck swayed when he slammed the door.

There was no doubt Luke’s brash behavior had increased Kirby’s fury, but it was the only way he could quiet her. He smiled. Yet what a lovely way to gain her silence.