Beyond the Quiet Hills Read Online Free Page B

argue about that again. This is Hawk’s day.”
    â€œI wish you’d ask around in Williamsburg when you go with Miss Rhoda to get married,” Stevens said. “Maybe you can find us a preacher there.”
    â€œI’ll ask around,” Paul agreed.
    â€œIt’s not fair,” Hawk complained. “I’ve had to take all the ragging from every man in Watauga about getting married, and you’re sneaking off to Williamsburg. We won’t even be able to give you a shiveree.”
    â€œThat’s why I did it,” Paul grinned. “I hate those things.” He grew serious then. “It’s almost time. Hawk, you’re new in your walk with the Lord. Would it be all right with you if we prayed for you to be the best husband”—his eyes then fell on Andrew and he smiled—“and the best father in all of Watauga?”
    â€œI need it,” Hawk said.
    He stood there quietly while the men gathered around him. They put their hands on his shoulders, and Paul Anderson prayed a fervent prayer that Hawk would find the way of the Lord in raising his family on the frontier. After the amen, Paul took a deep breath and said, “Are you ready, Hawk?”
    Hawk rubbed his chin and managed a slight grin. “Well, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Come on.” The men left as Hawk plunged out of the door, and William Bean said to his neighbor, “George, that’s going to be a good family.”
    As soon as he was outside, Paul said to Andrew, “You go get your mother and bring her to her bridegroom.”
    â€œSure, Mr. Paul.” Andrew darted off, and the men made their way to the stream where the wedding was to take place.
    ****
    Elizabeth’s cabin swarmed with women. Her daughter, Sarah, was there, her eyes bright with excitement. Sarah stood by Rhoda Harper, Paul Anderson’s bride-to-be. Deborah and Abigail Stevens were there, as were Lydia Bean and Charlotte Robertson, the wife of James Robertson.
    The room was filled with laughter, and Elizabeth stood in the center of it, somewhat nervous but happy that she had such good friends. She had on a dress she had made herself out of a homespun wool dyed a very light misty green color. The square neckline had white ruching along the edges, the sleeves ended at the wrist with a small ruffle, and the tight-fitting bodice with embroidered white flowers decorating the front ended at the waist in a “V.” The skirt was very full and also had white ruching and embroidery along the bottom edge.
    â€œRhoda, you’re going to stand up with me,” she said, reaching out to grab the woman’s arm. “If I faint, you’ll have to hold me up.”
    Rhoda Harper was, in one sense, completely different from any of the other women in the room. She was now thirty-six and had led a very difficult life, but her years as a tavern woman had not hardened her. She was very attractive with her dark brown hair and striking dark eyes, and now she reached over and hugged Elizabeth, saying, “You won’t faint. You’ll be just fine.”
    â€œWhat about your wedding, Rhoda?” Deborah Stevens asked. She was a shorter woman with thick sandy brown hair and greenish eyes. She and her husband, George, were leaders in the settlement, and Deborah had grown to love Elizabeth MacNeal and her children deeply. She had also learned to accept Rhoda, although the young woman’s background had been a shock to her at first.
    Rhoda turned to Mrs. Stevens and said quietly, “I wish you could all be there. I’ll be a little bit lonely.”
    â€œDon’t say that,” Elizabeth warned, “or we’ll all go back to Williamsburg with you.” She knew this was impossible, of course, for the journey was long and arduous. “I wish we could go, Rhoda, but you’ll soon be back with a brand-new husband.” She giggled and put her hand over her lips, whispering,