Title: A Promise Not Kept
Author: Jessica H.

Disclaimer: the Marshall-LeSourd Family, L.L.C, owns
Catherine Marshall’s beautiful story of Christy. We
are in no way seeking profit or credit for her story.
We are continuing the story of Christy for our own
amusement only. The writers of the alt.tv.christy
Round Robin and the Christy Mailing List invented any
additions in story line and characters. The content of
each story is the responsibility of the individual
writer. The fanfic here is being posted as a service
to the Christy mailing list, Pax Christy Forum and
alt.tv.christy News Group. 

A Promise Not Kept

        The melody from the mountain men’s makeshift
band floated through the canopy of maple trees that
surrounded the Spencer’s cabin.  
        “I can hear the party from here!”  Christy smiled as
she walked down the path.  She and Alice were still a
few minutes away.
        “The jollification has probably been in full swing
for a good hour, thee didn’t need to wait for me.” 
Alice glanced at her young friend.
        “I wanted to Miss Alice!  We weren’t sure what time
you would be back from Low Gap, and I didn’t want you
to miss the party.”
        “There are such things as notes.”  Alice teased her.
        “Oh, I know I could have left a note.  To be honest I
wanted to see you.  David tried to yank me out the
door but I stood firm!”
        “All one hundred pounds of thee?” Alice laughed.
        “All one hundred and seven pounds thank you!”
Christy’s giggles soon grew serious, “Why do they get
married so young?  The people here, why do John and
Bessie feel they need to be married right now?  I’m
happy to be going to their engagement party but I just
wish it was three years in the future.”  
        “Well child, the people here don’t have much else to
live for.  They live fine lives yes, but all their
plans are the same.  Get married and do what dad did. 
They are just living as best they know; we can’t shun
them for that.”
        “Well Alice you have no need to worry about me ever
doing a thing like that!  I’m not getting married for
years to come, if I’ll ever get married.  Maybe I’ll
just stay here and teach for the rest of my years.  I
promise you that there will have plenty more years of
me single.”  Christy swung the basket of desserts she
was carrying.
        Alice turned so Christy couldn’t see her laughing, “I
know of a young doctor who would beg to differ!”
        “Alice!  Not you too!  Neil MacNeill and I have
nothing but friendship and respect for each other.”
        “Oh, yes...of course,” Alice and Christy walked up
the path and into the Spencer’s yard.  Christy scanned
the sea of faces as she set her basket down on a
table.
        “And why are your cheeks crimson Miss Huddleston?  Ye
can’t tell me the walk from the Mission is so
exhausting?” a man with a thick Scottish brogue spoke,
Christy didn’t need to turn around to see who it was.
        “Alice and I were just having a talk.”  Christy
turned to face Neil.
        “A talk that made ye blush?  I’d like to know the
content of such a talk!” 
        “Nothing...really” Christy brushed her cheek with her
hand as if to make herself stop blushing.
        “Nothing, tis very interesting.  I was beginning to
think ye weren’t going to make it.”  
        “You’ve been watching for me Doctor MacNeill?” She
raised her eyebrows.
        “That I was.  If ye hadn’t of come I’d have no one to
dance with.”  The mischievous sparkle in Neil’s eyes
could have been seen clear to Cataleechee. 
        “Come now.  There are plenty of girls to dance with
here.  I bet Ruby Mae would have danced with you if
you were really in a pinch.” 
        “Plenty of girls, but there is only one lady for me. 
Come on, oblige me here, Miss Huddleston may I have
this dance?”  Neil held out his hand and she instantly
took it.
        “I might step on your feet!”
        “Aye lass, I remembered to wear my boots tonight.”
Neil led Christy over to where other couples were
dancing, “just be loose, I’ll turn you where ye need
to be.”  
        The music picked up and Neil was true to his word. 
He was a masterful dancer and spun Christy around just
as if she knew the dance (which she did not!).  As the
song came to an end Christy let go of Neil’s hands and
walked to the edge of the Spencer property.  Neil
followed her, unknowingly.
        Christy stood looking up at the stars as Neil came up
behind her and drew his arms around her.  “Neil!  You
scared me.  What are you doing?”  Christy faced him
but his arms still lingered around her. 
        “Claiming my partner for the next dance.” He entwined
his fingers in her hair.
        “We can’t be partners for every dance!  Someone might
think we were courting!” Christy leaned her hands
against his chest.
        “And if they did?”  He slowly drew her closer.  She
automatically slipped her arms around his waist. 
        “Neil, I don’t know what’s going on.”
        “I can give you a clue.”  Neil raised his eyebrows
and gently bent down and kissed her lightly.  Christy
let out a satisfied sigh.  “Will ye be my dance
partner?” Neil asked again.
        “Neil MacNeill I will be your partner for this dance
and every other dance after this!”  Neil embraced her,
and Christy laid her cheek against his chest as they
began to sway to the soft notes the band were playing
back at the jollification.
        “Every dance after this?” Neil murmured and Christy
nodded her reply.
        All was peaceful and right until suddenly Christy
broke into a fit of giggles.  Neil placed his hands on
her shoulders so he could get a better look at her.
        “Why are ye giggling Miss Huddleston?!” He was amused
but curious.
        “I was just thinking that I might have to break a
promise I just made to Alice.” 
        “And what might this promise be?” Neil smirked.
        “I’ll tell you when it happens.” Christy snuggled
back up to him, “for now let’s just dance.”