CHAPTER
26

Luke stepped inside the small jail cell and leaned against the thick sandstone wall. Jimmy Ray sat huddled on the unforgiving metal cot attached to one wall of the six-by-six room. It was good the boy hadn’t reached full height yet. Any taller and he would have had to sleep curled up like a dog. While Luke understood the purpose of jail was punishment, he feared this small, dank room with only a cot and a slop jar might be Jimmy Ray’s ruination.

Along with Kirby and Carl Lee, Jimmy Ray had been jailed until the circuit judge came through Finch a couple of weeks ago. The revenue agents had visited the town and destroyed the still. They’d been delighted to testify that they were certain the moonshine had been sold at surrounding speakeasies. Along with testimony from the estranged wife of a speakeasy owner, there had been enough evidence to secure convictions. Neither Carl Lee nor Kirby would say where either of them had sold the shine. Carl Lee’s refusal to provide any names or places didn’t surprise anyone, but most of the locals, Luke included, had expected Kirby to disclose everything he knew to gain favor from the judge.

Soon after Jimmy’s confinement, Hope’s father had encouraged Luke to visit the boy in jail. “It’s important Jimmy doesn’t feel he’s been forgotten. The Bible instructs us to care for those in need and those who have been imprisoned. I think you’re better equipped to help the boy than I am.” The affirming words had inspired Luke, and he’d visited the boy each day. He prayed he could make a difference in Jimmy’s life, both while he was in jail and upon his release. “How you doing today, Jimmy?” Luke’s words echoed in the musty stone cell.

The boy shrugged and peered up at him. “Not so good. This place is awful.”

Luke nodded. “Sure is, but it’s lots better than the place where Kirby and Carl Lee will be spending the next five years. The judge was kind to you because of your age, Jimmy. He realized a young fella like you is easy to influence.” Luke squatted down in front of the boy. “I brought you a Bible and some of the papers Miss Hope uses when she teaches. You need to use this time to think about the future and decide what you want to do when you get out. The judge is giving you a chance to change things around.”

“I dunno. Sittin’ in this place for four months is a long time. I think I’m gonna lose my mind in here.”

Luke shook his head. “Not unless you keep telling yourself that’s what’s going to happen.” He placed his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. “Look at me, Jimmy. I care about you. I’ve been praying for you and so have the preacher and Miss Hope, and we’re going to keep praying for you. God loves and forgives you for what you’ve done, and just like we want the best for you, He wants it even more. The thing is, you’re the one who has to decide. Are you going to let what happened in the past control your future, or are you going to read the Good Book and make changes in your life? You can sit in here and wallow around about how hard you got it, or you can be thankful you got only four months and you’ve got time to pray and spend time with the Lord.” Luke tapped his chest. “His Spirit’s right there inside of you.”

“Yeah, well that sounds mighty fine when you can walk out that door, but I’m in here by myself.”

“There you go, heading back down that path of feeling sorry for yourself. I know Kirby led you astray, but you could have said no. You trying to convince me you don’t know right from wrong?”

“Naw. The schoolteacher always said I was as dull as ditchwater, but my ma taught me right from wrong. I was jest tryin’ to make enuf money so’s my ma could get by a little better.”

Luke nodded. “What you wanted was honorable, but the way you went about it was all wrong.”

“I know, but how come Kirby’s pa is such a bad sort and nothing happens to him?”

“Most would agree that the way Mr. Finch operates the mine and treats his workers is both dreadful and immoral, but it isn’t illegal. You broke the law, and now you’re paying for the choice you made.” Luke sat down beside him on the narrow bunk. “Mr. Finch arrived in town yesterday. He says he’s going to make some changes. We’ll see what he does about the mine, but I have a feeling he’s got some real regrets about sending his son down here.”

Jimmy nodded. “My ma says she’s got her some real regrets about not askin’ me more questions ’bout the money I was bringing home. She said she shoulda knowed I wouldn’t make that much money working at the mine.” His lips drooped. “It was nice seeing Ma so happy when I’d hand her that money.”

Luke smiled at the boy. “I know, Jimmy, but you’ve got to find ways to help that won’t cause you to end up in here again.”

“You think Mr. Daniels will give me a job back at the mine when I get outta here?”

“I can’t speak for Mr. Daniels, but I’ll put in a good word for you.”

“Thanks, Luke. I promise I’ll start doing some reading and praying on my own. Maybe you’re right. The time will pass quicker if I keep myself busy and remember I’m not in here alone.” He smiled. “I got Jesus right here with me.”

“You certainly do, Jimmy.” Luke stepped out of the cell and reached for the barred door.

“Will you come back and see me?”

“Every day.” Luke stepped aside when the sheriff approached. The cell door clanged shut, and the sheriff turned the key in the lock. “And remember, you’re not alone. You have your family, you have us, and you have Jesus.”

Luke and Nellie walked up the hill after the evening meeting, him carrying his Bible, and Nellie tucking her old umbrella beneath her arm. He gave his sister a sideways glance. “You might as well say whatever it is you’ve got on your mind. I can tell you’ve been itching to say something for the last couple of days.”

Nellie paused a moment, then looked up at him and said, “Appears to me that you and Hope are moving past friendship into something more serious.”

He grinned and blushed like a schoolboy caught stealing a kiss. “I’d say that’s a pretty good guess. The fact is, I love her.” He pulled a long breath. “And believe it or not, she loves me.”

Nellie gasped. “She told you that she loves you?”

Luke chuckled. “I know it’s hard to believe anyone could love your brother, but it’s true.”

She shook her head. “It’s not hard for me to believe a girl would fall in love with you, Luke, but, well, I mean, Hope? She’s used to a different kind of life than we have. It’s one thing for her to come here for a time and help her pa with the music and teachin’ the young’uns, but I don’t know if she’s the type of gal who’d find it easy living back here in the hills. And when her pa gets orders from his church to move on, what then? She couldn’t stay behind. Where would she live?”

“I’d like to think she’d be living with me.” Luke’s smile broadened.

“W-what? You ain’t jest talking about courtin’ kind of love. You’re talking ’bout marrying kind of love?”

“I didn’t know there was a difference, Nellie. I thought when a man courted a woman and told her he loved her, it was because he planned on marrying her.”

“Well, yeah, but you know, sometimes it’s jest sweetheartin’ and not the real kind of courting where you plan on getting hitched.”

“If you’re set on making a distinction, then you can be sure that this is courting. I love Hope and want to take her as my wife. My feelings for her go way beyond what you call sweetheartin’.” He frowned at his sister. “I thought you’d be happy. Way back you told me Hope was like the older sister you always wanted but didn’t have. When we get married, she’ll be just that, your older sister.”

“I know what I told you and I do think of her like a sister, but . . .”

“But what?” He hadn’t meant to shout.

Her features hardened and she stared at him like he was a dropped stitch that needed to be pulled back in place. “What about us, Luke?”

“Who is us? What are you talking about?”

Nellie stared at him and tapped her fingers to her chest. “Us! Your family! Me, ma, the other kids. Who’s gonna take care of us? I can’t go down in the mines, and Joey can’t even work as a picker for two more years. How are we gonna get by without your pay and all the work you do in the fields? We need that food to get by, Luke.”

His sister wasn’t saying anything he hadn’t already thought about. While he hadn’t asked Hope if she’d consider living in Finch for the rest of her life, he was certain she loved him. And wouldn’t she realize that they would remain here if she agreed to marry him? He’d even gone to Uncle Frank with a few of the same concerns Nellie had set forth.

“I know about my responsibility, Nellie. Truth is, all those same things worry me too, so I talked to Uncle Frank. Figured maybe he could give me a bit of advice about the future.”

Nellie’s eyes took on a glint of hopefulness. “What’d he say? Bet he thinks just like me.”

Luke shook his head. “Not exactly. He said, ‘You know I would never let your ma or the young’uns go without.’” Those words had soothed Luke. They’d been what he wanted to hear, but he doubted they’d be enough for Nellie. “He said I had those same thoughts when Pa died, but the family was still doing fine. He said he wouldn’t let any of you do without.” He shot her a reassuring smile. At least he hoped it would relieve some of Nellie’s concerns.

“But we’re not Uncle Frank’s responsibility. Sure, he’s family, but what if he goes off and gets married? There’s always a chance some widow will snag him. Besides, you need to remember that Hope didn’t grow up in these parts. I love Hope, but this ain’t her true home. If her pa had to leave, I reckon she’d be aching to go, too.”

He didn’t want to admit it, but Nellie’s words struck a chord deep within. He hadn’t asked Hope if she thought she could live out her years in these hills.

Nellie placed her hand on his arm. “Any gal from up here on the hill would understand our ways and would be willing to move in with the family, if need be. We’re all used to living cramped in tight quarters and feeling a gnaw in our stomachs from time to time. Hope’s different. I’m not saying she wouldn’t try to make do, but in the end I think you’d both be miserable. You because you couldn’t give her the life she’s used to, and her because she couldn’t be happy with the life you could provide.” She offered him a weak smile. “I don’t mean to be hurtful, but truth is truth and you need to accept it.”

Overhead, the skies had darkened, and a clap of thunder threatened a coming storm. They were almost home when thick gray clouds descended and a soft rain began to fall. Nellie opened her spindly black umbrella and held it toward him. Rain dripped down the side of the slick fabric and onto his shoulder.

He pushed the umbrella back toward her. “Use it to cover yourself. Otherwise we’ll both get wet.”

She turned to meet his gaze. “I’m sorry, Luke, but . . .”

“You don’t need to say any more.” He clamped his mouth shut as they stepped onto the porch.

Luke dropped into one of the damp chairs on the porch. He couldn’t go inside just yet. He needed time alone to pray. He needed time to adjust his thinking. He needed God to reveal exactly what he should do.

Maybe Nellie was right.

Hope trekked the distance between the railroad station and chapel car with her thoughts tossing about like leaves in a breeze. She’d spent the afternoon on the hill, helping the children with their reading while their mothers stringed, snapped, and canned green beans. She’d been thankful to gather them under a shade tree rather than bear the heat inside one of the cabins where wood stoves burned hot and jars of green beans immersed in boiling water produced enough steam to wilt spinach.

Hope had planned to spend some time with Luke, but when she stopped by the cabin, his uncle Frank said he was working at the mine the next couple of days. She’d been careful to watch the time and had departed before the men would leave the mine. Knowing the miners would pass by the railroad station, she’d waited outside on one of the wooden benches. When she finally caught sight of Luke, she stood and waved. Her spirits plummeted when instead of coming over to talk, he merely waved and continued walking. For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him. If she didn’t firmly believe he cared for her, she’d think he was trying to avoid her.

She trudged up the steps of the railcar and stepped inside. Her father was inside washing up and turned when she entered. He smiled and nodded toward the basin of water. “I thought I’d be finished before you returned. I’ll be out of here in a minute and you can start supper.” He picked up a cotton towel and dried off his face and hands before raking a comb through his hair. “We accomplished quite a bit over at the church today. If some of the men continue to help, I think we can have it completed before the weather turns cold. What a blessing that will be.” When he turned to face her, his smile faded. “Why so sad? Are there problems up on the hill?”

She tucked a loose curl behind one ear. “No. The children are doing well with their reading, and their mothers, especially Mrs. Fisher, are thankful to have me helping them. Little Celia has truly blossomed and now loves to read. When school begins in a few more weeks, I think their teacher will discover the children can recollect most of what they were taught last year. At least that’s been my goal.” She forced a smile. “I’ve tried to make it fun so they don’t feel like it’s a classroom. I’ve been using lots of games to help them with their arithmetic, too. They beg to play the games. Probably because the winner gets a piece of candy.”

“There’s nothing better than sweets to inspire youngsters to listen and learn.” Her father chuckled. “So if all is going well with the children and their mothers, what’s the cause of your gloom?”

She picked at a nonexistent piece of lint on her sleeve. “Luke.”

“Luke? What could that fine young fella do to cause you such misery?”

A long sigh escaped her. Given different circumstances, Hope would have chosen to discuss matters of the heart with Nellie rather than her father, but that was impossible. Over the past months, the two of them had become dear friends, but Nellie was Luke’s sister. And Nellie had great difficulty keeping her lips sealed. She wasn’t a girl who repeated secrets out of spite or to hurt anyone. Instead it seemed words slipped out of her mouth before she could think to stop them, especially when the secret included a family member.

Hope had become acquainted with many of the young ladies in town and considered them friends, yet she and Nellie had formed a special bond that linked them together like sisters. Hope had never shared any of her innermost thoughts with any of those other girls, nor had they with her. They would think her daft if she suddenly appeared at their doorstep and divulged her worries that Luke’s attention had strayed. Besides, what if one of them secretly cared for him? Even worse, what if one of them was the reason he no longer cared for her? What if, unbeknownst to her, he’d begun courting one of the local girls? A lump formed in her throat. Could she bear to see another woman on his arm?

“Well? Are you going to tell me what Luke’s done that has caused your usual smile to disappear?”

Her father’s question interrupted her thoughts. “I think he cares for someone else.” She’d blurted out the remark without giving it great thought.

“Cares for someone else?” He cleared his throat. “Has Luke declared his love for you?”

She caught her lower lip between her teeth and nodded. “And I have done the same.”

Her father raked his fingers through his damp hair and mussed the careful combing he’d performed only minutes ago. “I realized the two of you were more than friends, but I didn’t know it had gone this far. And he’s asked you to marry him?”

Hope gasped. “Oh, no! I don’t think he would be so bold without first gaining your permission.” She turned away. “Given his recent behavior, I doubt either of us need concern ourselves about a marriage proposal.” Tears threatened, and she swallowed hard. “I simply don’t understand. I don’t think I’ve done or said anything that would cause such a change in him. If I have, I don’t know what it would be. I praised him for his visits to Jimmy Ray and even provided reading materials for Luke to give the boy. I’ve included his younger brothers and sisters in all the activities I’ve been conducting on the hill, and when I had some free time, I helped Nellie and his mother pick beans and shuck corn. I even worked alongside his uncle Frank when he was finishing up some painting inside the house.” She removed a potato from the small bin and picked up her paring knife. “I truly don’t know what has caused this change in him.”

Her father settled in one of the chairs and watched her peel the dense potato skin. “I think that instead of talking to me or one of your friends, you need to ask Luke. He may be struggling with something that has nothing to do with you.”

She peeled the last potato and began to cut them into thin slices. “I tried that before I came home today, but it didn’t work. He wouldn’t even cross the road to the railroad station and talk to me.”

“Hmm.” Her father stroked his jaw. “He’ll be preaching this evening. I wouldn’t try to talk to him before the meeting. He still gets a little nervous before he preaches. But afterward—that would be your best opportunity, I think.”

She slid the potato slices into the hot grease, leaned down and kissed her father’s cheek. She’d try to summon her courage and speak to Luke this evening.

But what if it confirmed her greatest fear?