'Smiles': A Rose of the Cumberlands

In the opening pages we meet Donald MacDonald, a robust physician whose Scottish‑American roots give him a fierce pride in both his physical strength and his medical calling. While on a hunting trip in the tangled hills of the Cumberland border, he finds himself hopelessly lost, his confidence shaken as he navigates a labyrinth of ancient trees, laurel thickets and craggy rocks. His loyal dog, Mike, offers quiet companionship, and together they push through the growing dusk, each step a test of Donald’s resolve and humility.

Beyond the forest’s shadowy beauty, the story hints at the contradictions that shape Donald’s life—a city‑born doctor drawn to the rugged outdoors, a muscular figure with a gentle heart, and a specialist devoted to caring for children. As he climbs toward a clearing that might restore his bearings, readers are invited to explore the clash between his outward toughness and the compassionate core that drives his vocation.