Redemption was sleepy little town where most folk knew a little something about everyone, even about new people moving in. It was mostly comprised of small businesses, farms and especially tobacco farming, which was big business. There were people living in the mountains and valleys, owning between eight and ten acres apiece, sometimes more. The people living in the lower parts of the mountain were law-abiding, God fearing, decent people. The higher up the mountain, the stranger people got. These people, “hard-core” mountaineers, had their own secret society. They stuck to themselves and took care of their own. Even their babies were born in their homes and home-schooled; at least, that was the rumor anyway.
Reverend Dean King, his wife Lisa, Cassandra, Mary, Mikey and their dog Rocky, a german-shepard/golden retriever mix, were driving northwest on State Road 421 to State Road 194, about to arrive in the small town, of Redemption, North Carolina. Reverend King had recently accepted a position as Pastor for the growing, Faith Presbyterian Church of Redemption.
The Kings, originally from Clearwater, Florida, were both excited and somewhat sad to start their new life. They had packed up all their belongings nearly a week ago, rented a Ryder truck, and started their journey to their new life.
Real Estate had skyrocketed in Clearwater, so they were paid a handsome sum for the small home they owned. As a result, they were able to afford a beautiful home on the side of an enormous mountain. It had three levels, one of which was a finished basement, where the kids could entertain themselves in the long winter months ahead. The inside of the home was done in Pine, very warm, rustic and inviting. The kitchen was a Dream for Lisa. The numerous cabinets were pine, with brushed bronze hardware. Double ovens gleamed from the far wall, which led to a
huge walk-in pantry. The design was all open with a spectacular view of the mountain slopes out of the bay window in the sunny breakfast room. The rest of the house, excluding the bedrooms, centered on a stunning fireplace with a stone and slate hearth and mantle. The master bedroom was downstairs to the left of the living area. Outside, the generous porches wrapped around the entire house, perfect for spending quality time appreciating the beautiful world God created.
Dean looked over at Lisa who was soaking in the splendor of the rolling mountains and the sloping valleys, and thought about how much he loved her. She always approached life in child-like wonder, and the little things in life were what pleased her most. They were married nearly seventeen years ago…. Man, seventeen years! “Dean”, Lisa sighed, “ Isn’t it magnificent? I am going to love having my coffee on the porch in the morning with the birds chirping and all the critters running around. I think we made the right decision!”
