Angel of the Cove Read Online Free PDF Page A

I’m here. And after I graduate, I would love to work in the maternity ward at Bellevue.”
    The muscle in Simon’s jaw twitched as his fingers tightened around the fruit in his hand. “It seems you have your life planned out.”
    Her eyes narrowed as she stared toward the mountains in the distance. “I do. I’m going to show my brother he’s wrong about me. I do have what it takes to be a nurse. I’ve known it ever since I was a little girl.” After a moment, she took a deep breath and directed a smile at him. “And what about you? How long are you going to stay in Cades Cove?”
    The question surprised him, but it was the answer that rankled his spirit. “I doubt I’ll ever leave.”
    She looked at him in surprise. “You don’t sound too happy about that.”
    His face grew warm, and he directed his attention back to the apple he held. “I didn’t mean to sound that way. You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful place to live.”
    â€œYou’re right about that. Where’s your home?”
    â€œAbout a mile from here. My brother and I both have homes on the farm our parents left us. John and his wife live in the house where we grew up, and I live in what was supposed to be John’s honeymoon cabin.”
    Her eyes grew wide. “Honeymoon cabin? What’s that?”
    The shocked expression on her face made Simon laugh. “It’s been a tradition in the Cove for families to build a cabin near their house for their children to live in when they get married. They’re called honeymoon cabins, and Pa had just finished one for my brother when he and Ma died. After John and Martha married, they took the main house and I moved into the cabin. I expect you’ll be meeting my brother’s wife soon. Granny’s been tending her, and her time’s coming up in about two months. Maybe you’ll get to help when their baby is born.”
    Anna dropped another peeled apple in the pan. “Maybe so. Your family must be excited about the arrival of a new baby. But tell me about your wife.”
    Simon swallowed and glanced away. “I don’t have one.”
    She let out a choked cackle before she dissolved into giggles. He stared into eyes that sparkled with a mischievous glint. “An unmarriedman living alone in a honeymoon cabin? That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.”
    A sheepish grin pulled at his lips. “I suppose it is.” He debated on whether to ask the question that had been in his mind since he first saw her. Licking his lips, he spoke. “And you? Is there someone special in your life?”
    Anna wiped at the tears of laughter at the corners of her eyes and shook her head. “No. My brother and mother wanted me to marry the boy who lived on the next farm. He practically grew up at our house, but I knew I wasn’t cut out to spend my days on another farm. New York is where I want to be. They have electric streetlights and there are people everywhere. I want to be able to choose which store I shop in and which restaurant I eat in. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
    He had never heard such determination in anyone’s voice before, and he hoped she would be as happy in the city as she thought she’d be. But experience had taught him reality didn’t always live up to expectations. He’d wanted to pastor a church in a city, but God had brought him back to Cades Cove. In so doing, his dream of preaching to large congregations and bringing many souls to God had vanished. “I hope it works out for you.”
    Anna opened her mouth to speak, but before she could respond Granny Lawson appeared at the back door. “You two got enough ready so I can cook some pan-fried apples for supper?”
    Anna grabbed the pan and jumped to her feet. “Sure, Granny. I’ll bring them.”
    Simon watched her run toward the house and struggled to calm