Tennessee Bride

Emma lay staring at the stars, which seemed to dance as the branches of trees swayed gently with a night breeze.

In one tiny corner of her mind she knew by instinct that there were such things as peace and love and that the song of birds and the brilliance of spring flowers were things of beauty.

In stolen quiet moments alone she had allowed the sweet air of the Tennessee mountains to renew her spirit; let the soft swish of the rushing waters of the Hiwassee River soothe her soul; let the sight of a bird in flight give her dreams of going away and finding a better life;

Emma considered the raft, the wildflowers, and mountain laurel that bloomed all around as her own secret retreat; the only place where she could go to dream a young girl’s dreams