Title: "A Twist of Fate" Author: Rebecca B. Just let me say beforehand that I know this one will disappoint all of you David Dames. It is definitely a Neil story. I also want to add that this role of David was written with the old David (R Batinkoff) in mind. I cannot see the new David (from COTH) doing this... A Twist of Fate Chapter One Christy Huddleston stood poised between two men; one she loved and admired, the other she admired and was in love with. She knew what was right. She turned to David and handed him the small velvet box. "David, I love you and you are very dear to me, but a life built on friendship alone is not what I want. You deserve to be adored as well as admired. Though I do love you, I do not feel that I could do you justice. I'm sorry if you feel deceived by me, David, but I think that I was deceiving myself too." She leaned in close so that only David could hear and whispered, "I know now that I am in love with Neil and even though he cannot return my love, I will not hurt anyone else by pretending that it isn't there. I hope that you can understand that I never meant to hurt you." She hugged David warmly. As she released him she turned toward Neil and nodded with a slight smile on her face. With a shrug of her shoulders she began toward the mission house. David turned his back to the schoolhouse and took hold of Prince's reins. He was too deep in thought to even remember the children in the doorway of the school. He had felt so sure that she would say yes. How could any well-bred girl refuse his charm? After all he had spent quite a bit of money on that engagement ring. "What on earth does Christy Huddleston see in Neil McNeill?" he mumbled. "He is more than ten years her senior, married, and a rough hill bred to boot. Well, if Christy can't appreciate a good thing when it's standing in front of her, then I know plenty who can!" David shocked himself by nearly yelling out loud. "Doc McNeill," asked Creed Allen, "what'r we supposed ta do now?" "If'n Miss Christy or Preacher don't come back, kin we'uns leave school early t'day?" asked Ruby Mae. "Yes, you children had better head on home now. I don't think that Miss. Huddleston or the Reverend will be back today." Neil shook his head and called out, "And be careful along the way, there's a storm brewing to the west." With that he turned Charlie around and rode back toward his cabin. Chapter Two Christy mounted the hill between the school and the mission house and when she knew that she was no longer in sight of the school she began to run toward the woods. She ran to Fairlight's cabin hoping to find her friend there. She definitely needed someone to talk to now. Fairlight was in the yard with Least 'un. They were practicing their letters by scratching a stick in the dirt. Least 'uns eyes lit up at the sight of Miss Christy. He was fond of her. "Mith Chwisty!" he shouted. As he hugged her he covered her tan linen skirt with the dirt they had been scratching in. "I been mithen ya Mith Chwisty," he told her. "I've been missing you too," Christy said as she managed a smile. "You been cwyin Mith Chwisty, how cum?" "Least 'un, why don't you go back round to the pump and start washin' them apples for yer Mama? I'll be round thar in a minute to help ya out," Fairlight instructed. Least 'un paused as if to say something but thought better of it and headed toward the back of the cabin. "That's a good boy," praised his Mama. She turned back to Christy and took her into her arms. "Now Miss Christy, what's eating away at you? When we left each other earlier you were happier than a pig in a mud puddle. Come sit down girl and tell me what happened." "Oh, Fairlight. I've made such a fool of myself. I believed that Neil loved me too. When I left you earlier I took Prince and road out to his cabin ready to profess my love for him. I found him there in front of the house in the arms of Margaret," she paused to catch her breath. "I told her he was worth fighting for. Now I wish I hadn't. She came back and he was there holding her. I feel like my heart has broken into a million pieces. I finally discovered that I love Neil. I love him, and he loves her." She buried her head in Fairlight's shoulder and began to sob. "Now girl, you cain't fool me nor anybody else in these here mountains. Neil McNeill don't no more love her than Birdseye Taylor. That man's only got eyes fer you and not fer anybody else. I known him all my life and cain't nobody tell Doc like I can. Now I don't know what you think you saw, but if he were in her arms, it ain't cause he wanted to be," Fairlight said with certainty. "Did he see you and Prince?" "Yes, he did. He even followed me back to the mission. I wish I hadn't gone there," Christy lamented. "You wanted ta tell him?" Fairlight asked. "Yes, I wanted to tell him. That's not what I mean though. I wish I hadn't gone to the mission either. When I road into the yard David came running out of the school. I ran to him, just needing something to hold on to, to steady my head. He asked me to marry him, again. He pulled out a beautiful ring. He must have saved forever for that ring. I told him no. I couldn't. I can't. I don't love David. He deserves better than me. Look at me; I'm in love with a married man. Oh, what would my mother say! She would disown me or worse. She would send me to a convent. I'm such a horrible sinner." "Listen to me!" Fairlight shook Christy trying to get some sense back into her. "You ain't no sinner just for lovin' Doc McNeill. You didn't know he was married when you fell in love. You thought he were widered. If'n Margaret hadn't ever come back you two'd be hitched by now, and none the wiser. She always was an evil one that Margaret. Had her hooks in him so deep they tore him in two. When she left, he finally started seein' her fer what she was. When she come back the way she did he finally saw the true side of her. That ain't something a body's likely to forget, and Neil McNeill's as stubborn a body as I ever seen. He loves you, and he knows it. Why do you think he was so dead set against the Reverend?" "It doesn't matter anyway, Fairlight. Even if Neil does love me nothing can come of it. He is married to Margaret. She is his wife. Even a divorce couldn't bring about a marriage between Neil and me. The people here don't accept divorce. We could be considered living in sin. Our children would be considered bast." Christy couldn't bring herself to say the word. "The only possible way is if Neil were a widower and even I can't wish for Margaret to die." "No I reckon we cain't do that," was Fairlight's response. "Maybe it would be best for me to go back home for a while, just for the planting holiday. That would give Neil and Margaret time alone to sort things out between them. Maybe she has changed. Maybe she can really make him happy this time." "You're the only one to do that Miss Christy. If'n you feel you need to take some time away, then your entitled to that. But, you'd best come back to us, ye hear. I would miss you somethin fierce. You're the best gal women I ever known. You've done so much for me and my youngens. Maybe you'd just best think on it awhile. This here coves your home now. Don't go lettin Miss Fancy Pants run you off. Don't nobody know about your true feelings for Neil but me and Jeb, and it'll stay betwixt us. It's for you to decide, but I'm all for you stayin." Fairlight gave Christy a gently, reassuring squeeze and then a warm smile. Christy nodded her head and turned to go. "Thank you, Fairlight. I will think about what you said. You'll be the first to know what I decide," she called back over her shoulder. Chapter Three "Well, I guess I am truly on my own now," Margaret lamented as she absently poked around the cabin. "Neil ran off after Pollyanna. My own mother disowned me. I guess that I really can't blame them. What was I thinking, that I would just come back and they would welcome me with open arms? I'm not a lost puppy dog." "No, you're not," scolded Neil. "Mac! I didn't hear you come in. How long have you been standing there?" "Not long, I came in at the part about your mother disowning you. What do you mean by that? For as long as I've known your mother she has been a forgiving woman. You know as well as I do that she always welcomes you back with open arms," Neil countered. "Not this time. I've insulted her pride and her God. She'll not have me back. My soul is lost forever and she's not willing to beg God for my pardon any more. She even struck me," Margaret said with a smirk. "And you feel you didn't deserve that. I heard what you did at the church. Your mother was there and you burst through the doors, in all your glory, singing church hymns like a showgirl. The El Pano tea house is one thing, Margaret, but God's house is another matter." "Don't tell me that little Miss Christy Huddleston has brought you around to the Almighty," Margaret laughed. "Don't you bring Christy into this, Margaret Seebohn Henderson. You did this to yourself. It has nothing to do with Miss Huddleston." "I never thought I'd see the day," Margaret continued, "when Neil McNeill would believe in another God. A God greater than medicine. A God greater than science and research. A God greater than Neil McNeill." "Well, Margaret, this is one of those times that I would like to strike you myself. My mother raised me above that. I was told never to strike a lady. Not that you're a lady. My mother was a God fearing woman, and she raised me to be a God fearing man. It is not Miss Huddleston who has brought some sense into my head, but the teachings of my mother." "Now, Mac, you had your mother's teachings long ago. You've only recently been in love with a supposed Christian woman. It is kind of convenient wouldn't you say. Or maybe ironic, you becoming a Christian to please Pollyanna and her being a sinner for you. It is a sin you know, to covet another woman's husband," she cackled. "That's your own doing Margaret. If Miss Huddleston does indeed love me, then it happened while you were thought to be dead. I was after all a widower until you came back to haunt me," Neil snapped. "Though you have nothing to worry about from Christy. If she does love me, she'll never let anyone know. Only it is worse for you, because I do love her, and now you know it. You may be my wife. You may live in this cabin because you are my wife. You will never, I repeat never, live in my heart, because I love Christy Huddleston and not you. Because of your hatefulness I have grown to love her, thinking that I was free to love her. What is the irony of the situation is that do to your heathen ways I may soon be free to love her. Your wild ride through the past years has brought about your impending death, Margaret. You've damaged your lungs beyond repair. As a physician I can tell you, it won't be long now woman!" At that Neil turned and stomped out of the cabin feeling half jubilant at the victory and half ashamed at being so cold hearted. Margaret sank to the couch and began to sob. Chapter Four Christy walked slowly back to the mission. She was sure that there would be too many questions to face right now. She reluctantly climbed the steps to the front door and went inside. Ruby Mae and Miss Alice were in the kitchen preparing the evening meal. Ruby Mae began to say something, but Miss Alice grabbed her upper arm and said, "Good afternoon, Miss Huddleston. Supper will be ready shortly. If thee feels like eating perhaps thee should go upstairs and wash thy face before joining us. There is a letter for the on the foot of the bed. I believe it is from thy mother and father. There should be plenty of time to read it before dinner." She nodded her head and offered a soft, knowing smile. Though Christy doubted if she even knew the half of the story. "I could play the whole thing off to David's proposal, I suppose," she thought. "But surely Ruby Mae has told Alice about Neil chasing after me on Charlie. She must be trying to make something of that, as must the rest of the cove by now." She quickly climbed the stairs and shut the door of her room behind her. She rinsed her face as Miss Alice had instructed and noticed that there had been a few smudges of dirt run through by the tracks of her tears. She had so many thing to cry about today, or did she? She had thought about the day on her way back from Fairlight's. She realized that there was only one thing that made her feel like crying, the picture of Neil in Margaret's arms. She was not upset about refusing David's proposal. As she walked she began to think less and less of running home and more of staying in Cutter Gap to show Margaret that she could not have everything. She may have Neil, but she would not have Christy's home. Christy Rudd Huddleston would stay and fight for her pride! She flopped down on the bed feeling a bit better and opened the letter from Asheville. Her mother had written to inform her of the impending birth of another young Huddleston. Her cousin Thomas and his wife Beth were expecting their first child in about five months. The letter went on to state how much Julia had hoped to have a grandchild of her own by now. That she felt it quite unfair for her sister-in-law, who was five years her junior, to be the first with a grandchild. "You may never have a grandchild from me, mother," Christy thought. Her brother George had included a brief color commentary of the most recent baseball game. He was the star first baseman and scored one home run (which was nearly a grand slam). He had a new girl he was seeing, Emily Parker. Christy thought she remembered Emily. She was sure that Emily's older brother had been two years above her in school. Her father was doing well. He was continuing the physical exercise that Neil had prescribed and was almost as good as new. As well as the exercise he had drastically changed his eating habits and was now 15 to 20 pounds lighter. He wrote that he might begin taking on more cases now that the lighter workload was no longer necessary. Christy began to make a mental note to ask Neil if that was ok. Then she realized that she probably wouldn't be asking Neil much of anything in the near future. At most she would likely only see him when he came to restock the mission, or when he and Margaret came to visit Miss Alice. It suddenly dawned on Christy that Miss Alice probably didn't know that Margaret had returned to Neil's cabin. Christy splashed more cold water on her face and began downstairs. Maybe her problems weren't so bad after all and besides, there wasn't time to dwell on them. Miss Alice was going to need her love and support. Chapter Five Dinner was a quiet one. Even Ruby Mae held her tongue through the meal, probably from fear of the Reverend Grantland. His mood was very sour and it wasn't hard to tell that his proposal had been denied. The children had not been able to hear the conversation between Miss Christy and the Preacher. They had all speculated on what was being said and what Miss Christy's answer had been. A few of the sillier girls, like Betsy, had wanted the Miss Christy to marry the Preacher. Ruby Mae could remember the debate they had that afternoon. "Imagine what a fancy fine weddin' that would be. We hain't never had no fancy fine weddin' here in the cove," Betsy had exclaimed. "Betsy, you lunkhead," said Rob Allen, "if Miss Christy and Preacher get married, they shore ain't gonna do it here. Shoot no, they'd go back ta Boston or Asheville, someplace high and mighty. You don't think the Preacher'd be getting married here do ya?" "Yeah," said Sam Houston, "the pretty soon after that he'd be takin' Miss Christy off fer good." That was the feeling of most of the students. None of them wanted Miss Christy to go off, so the majority was rooting for her to say no. "Well, if'n she don't marry the preacher, you still don't think she'll be wantin' ta stay here forever," Betsy came back. "She'll be wantin' ta get married sometime. She'll be a wantin' babies of her own." Mountie whispered from the back of the crowd. "What's that Mountie?" Rob Allen asked. "I-I said, she could marry Doc Mc-McNeill." "Mountie, Doc's already got a wife," answered Rob. "Well, they still-still love each other. He loves Miss Christy a whole bunch more than that ghost lady," Mountie said. The children all shook their head in agreement. They could tell that there had been something akin to love between their teacher and Doctor McNeill. They all made a pact to hope that if Miss Christy did say no to Preacher, she would one day marry the doctor and stay in the cove. Miss Alice's voice snapped Ruby Mae back to the present. "Ruby Mae, I asked if you were done eating yet child. You have hardly touched your plate. Get your head out of the clouds and eat. I'd like to get these dishes done before bedtime." Ruby Mae quickly swallowed the rest of her meal and helped Miss Alice clear the table. Christy rose to help them. "Ruby Mae, why don't you go and take this time to read your lessons. I'll help Miss Alice with the dishes tonight," she instructed, taking the opportunity to talk to Miss Alice alone. Alice Henderson had dreaded this moment. She felt that the recent events were more than the young schoolteacher could take and that Miss Christy would be informing her that she would return to Asheville. Alice was sorely disappointed. She had come to think of Christy as the daughter she never had in Margaret. Christy was what Alice thought Margaret would have been had her life not begun in such circumstances. "Miss Alice, I wished to speak to you alone," Christy said. "I have to tell you something and I'm not sure how you are going to take it, especially coming from me." Alice interrupted her, "Miss Huddleston, I think I know what you are going to tell me. I cannot blame you for wanting to return to your home. In light of recent events perhaps it would do you some good. I think I see that you refused David's proposal yet again. I knew it was coming Christy. I must say that if you do not love David I am glad you finally saw it. You have my blessing to return to Asheville. I hope it won't be for long. The children and I will miss you." "That's not it at all," Christy clarified. "I won't be returning to Asheville. I will not run away from my problems and my home is here in Cutter Gap. What I would like to discuss with you has to do with Margaret." "Margaret! I have nothing to talk about concerning Margaret. I'll tell you as I told her; she is no longer my daughter. I have left her life to God, because I can no longer deal with it. She is a grown woman and is responsible for herself and her own actions. I'll not spend the rest of my life taking the blame for hers." "Oh dear!" exclaimed Christy. "That will make this more difficult. This afternoon, before I came back, before David's..proposal, I saw Margaret. She was at Dr. McNeill's cabin. I believe she was there to stay." Alice's face took on a look of surprise and then another look all together, "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. If I wouldn't help her she was bound to turn to Neil. I'd not be surprised if Neil let her stay. He always upholds his obligations. He would make a wonderful Christian if he weren't so pig-headed about things." Alice noticed the glum look that crossed Christy's face. "It must hurt thee, Christy. I am not blind. I have noticed the connection between thee and Neil. I imagine that you must have fallen in love with him somewhere along the past year. If I know you, it was before Margaret came back. The Christian side of you would never have allowed it to happen had you known he was still married." Alice chuckled at Christy's gaping mouth. "You are quite transparent Miss Huddleston, when you feel something deeply. I sometimes like to think of you as my daughter, so I was, of course, watching you closely and concerned for your best interest. I've read the thoughts that have crossed your mind. If Neil weren't married.If Neil were a Christian.. Would the same thing happen to you that happened to Margaret? Let me tell you, Christy, what happened between Margaret and Neil was not Neil's fault. Yes, he was lax in paying attention to Margaret, but no one, man or mother, could ever pay enough attention to Margaret. I could see from the beginning that it would not work for the two of them. She is too selfish and he is too stubborn. With the right person Neil would have been a wonderful partner. I believe that given the opportunity thee and Neil would have been very happy. Unfortunately, he was foolish in his younger years and now must pay the price for that." "Miss Alice, I don't want you to think about those things. It concerns me that you have dismissed Margaret. She has been a driving force in your life for so many years. I hate to see a void there now." "Christy, I agree that Margaret was a driving force in my life, but God has always been the most powerful force in my life. What void Margaret has left was put there eight years ago when I thought she was dead. To me, she died on that day. I will try to remember Margaret the way she was then, instead of the way she really was. I would rather not think of her and the things she did while she was away. I am sure that the El Pano Tea House was the least of these. She has by no means been a devoted daughter or a faithful wife. I have made a choice to dismiss Margaret. I only wish that Neil could find such strength. But, I'm afraid that Neil is too aware of his duties as a husband to send her on her way. I suppose now the best we can hope for is for him to send Margaret away to a clinic somewhere." At that Alice rose from her seat on the bench and moved toward her cabin. "Now if you'll excuse me Miss Huddleston, I think I'll retire for the evening." Christy was left with many things to ponder. Chapter Six Neil rose early in the morning to head out on his medical calls. The first of these was to head to Raven's Gap to check on a young boy who had suffered from a dog bite. There were several other stops along the way. After much thinking through the night, Neil decided that he would make the mission his last stop. He hoped to get well after school, but well before dinner. He was sure that Christy would still be in the schoolhouse preparing for the next lesson. He felt that he owed her some kind of explanation. He had tried to imagine what she must think after seeing him and Margaret by the river and he didn't like what his own mind was coming up with. She needed to know that it was not a gesture of love or even affection. He also wanted to know why she had refused David's proposal and hoped that she would open up and tell him. He longed to hear her say that she loved him, but he knew that she was too respectable for that. Frankly, he didn't have enough faith in himself to believe that she could love an old hillbilly. He wished that he had found the courage long ago to tell her how he felt about her. He had considered it before, but always wound up feeling like an old fool. Even with the benefit of his education, he couldn't expect a well-bred girl like Christy Huddleston to love him. Though Christy wasn't like most of the city women he had met. She had a down home quality to her. Anyone, rich or poor, well bred or backwoods would most likely find Christy endearing and she would most likely feel the same for them. In fact, the only person he had ever know Christy not to like was Birdseye Taylor, but that was more out of fear than dislike. He was sure of it. "Why, oh why was I so foolish? Why couldn't I see Margaret for who she really was? God, what I wouldn't give to turn back time!" Neal shouted out loud, startling himself. He quickly looked around hoping that no one had heard him. Why exactly was he calling out to God? He had tried to explain to Margaret that it was his mother's teaching that was pulling him back to Christianity, but he wasn't even sure himself. Perhaps it did have something to do with Christy. Is it possible that he was feeling and doing these things for her? "So what if that is the reason," thought Neil, "I think that I am truly beginning to believe in God again, despite the unbearable situation I have been placed in. I don't suppose God would mind how it happened, so long as it did happen." Of that Neil was fairly positive. God only wanted his people to believe in and obey him. He didn't care how the belief came about. Neil plodded on a little more cheerful than when he had first started out. He was sure that God has his reasons for doing things this way. It may be only to point out how stupid Neil McNeill could be when his faith, trust and belief were not in God. If he had been living in God's light those years ago, he never would have fallen in with the likes of Margaret. Of that he was sure. Chapter Seven Christy gave the days lessons like any other day. She did her best to ignore the whispering that continued to flow from the student around the room. She wasn't sure whether or not she should address the matter with them. She knew what they were whispering about. She was sure that the story had already made it around the room and now the children were speculating as to why she refused David's proposal. Maybe she should just bring it out into the open and get it over with. "Children, I believe I know what has caused all of the whispering today. I would like to talk it over with you. I believe that you deserve some sort of explanation and I would like to give it before the rumors get too far out of hand." Several of the children in the room look towards Betsy. Betsy in turn blushed and exchanged a few sarcastic looks. "As you all know, and witnessed, yesterday, Reverend Grantland asked me to marry him. Also, I'm sure that you all understand that I turned down his proposal and gave him back his ring," Christy began. Ruby Mae quickly interrupted, "I saw that ring, Miss Christy. I surely don't know how you could turn down a fella with such a beautiful ring and all. I ain't never seen a ring that sparkled so much." "Ruby Mae, it has nothing to do with the ring. It was very beautiful, but I can't marry Reverend Grantland just because I like the ring he bought. You have to really love someone to marry them. If I loved the Reverend like a wife should love a husband, then it wouldn't matter if I had no ring. I have come to realize that though I do love David, Reverend Grantland, I don't love him as a husband. I think of him more as a friend, or a brother if you will." "Miss Christy, we all thought you was kinda sweet on the Preacher," said John Spencer. "After he tried sticken up for ya and all when everyone said that they was something betwixt you and me. We all reckoned you'd be marryin him and moving off to Boston or somewhere's." "Well, John, that's just part of it. Though the Reverend does a fine job of preaching to the cove, he belongs most in the city. He was raised there, as I was, but he still feels most comfortable there. I, on the other hand, don't want to leave the cove. I believe I may just stay here until I'm old and gray. If I were to marry David, I would be obligated, as his wife, to make my home wherever he went. That would cause me a great deal of pain and I do not want to leave." "So you told the preacher-parson no on a count of us here in the cove, Miss Christy?" asked Creed Allen. "Partially, yes, Creed. There are other reasons too. But remaining in Cutter Gap played a big part in the matter." "What were the other reason, Miss Christy?" asked Lizette Holcomb. Her eyes had taken on a romantic, dreamy look. "There were several other reason's. Some that I do not wish to discuss with my class. Let's just leave it at not wanting to leave Cutter Gap." Christy took out her watch and noticed that it was already several minutes past school time. Hoping to end all of this discussion she announced that it was time to go home and that school was dismissed for the day. She expected to hear books and papers rustling and feet shuffling out the door, but it didn't happen. A few of the younger students began getting their things together, but most just sat looking at her. "You're all dismissed," Christy repeated and turned to go back to her desk. Still there was no movement. Chapter Eight "Children," came a deep, Scottish brogue "I believe Miss Huddleston has dismissed you." The sight of Doctor McNeill caused all of the children to scurry. They hurried out into the schoolyard and headed toward their homes. They walked in little groups quietly discussing and confirming what they had thought about their teacher and their doctor. "Dr. McNeill!" exclaimed Christy. "How long have you been here?" Her face took on an ashen hue and Neil was afraid that she might faint. "Only a short time, Miss Huddleston," he said as he moved forward to steady her. "I had hoped to discuss a few things with you before I headed back to my cabin. I also had hoped to arrive after the children had left. It seems that you were running a bit late today." "Yes, I had to take a bit of time to explain some things to them," Christy said with a blush. "Yes, the same things I had hoped you would discuss with me, though I did hear part of your conversation with the children. So you refused Grantland's proposal to stay here in Cutter Gap? Does that mean he plans on leaving soon?" "I'm not sure. I know that he is not particularly happy here. He doesn't feel as if he belongs. He thinks that he can reach his full potential better in the city. But, I'm not sure he was planning on leaving anytime soon." "What about you, I understood you to say that you don't want to leave. Does that mean for now, or forever?" "I can't say for sure, but I can't see me ever wanting to leave Cutter Gap. I love it here. My mother would like for me to move back to Asheville and provide her with multitudes of grandchildren. Right now, I feel like my pupils are my children. As much as I long to have a family, I can't do that right now. Things aren't right for me to marry and the students need me so much. They are making such progress this year." "You said that Cutter Gap was the main reason, but there are other reasons. Could I get you to tell me about the other reasons, Christy?" "I, I don't think it's something I wish to discuss with you Doctor. I don't think it would be..proper," Christy stuttered. "You are always proper, aren't you Christy? Well, I think that I need to say a few things to you. You may not like them, but they need to be said." "First of all, I am glad that you refused Grantland's proposal. He does not cherish you enough to have the pleasure of your hand. He treats you like a student instead of a lover. You deserve a man who respects you, Christy." "Second, I hope that you have not misinterpreted what you saw at my cabin yesterday. I would like to explain to you and ask why you encouraged Margaret to come back. I have no need for her, nor do I want her there. I came home yesterday to find the victrola playing on the porch. My first thought was of you, I remembered our dance by the river and how badly it went. I thought that perhaps you had come to visit. You can imagine my surprise when I bounded up the stairs only to find Margaret there. She told me that you said I was worth fighting for. I wish that were true, but I never know when to believe Margaret. She also told me that you were going to marry Grantland. I came after you hoping to talk you out of it, only to find out that she had lied to me yet again. "Lastly, I hope that you do intend to stay here in Cutter Gap until you're old and gray. I can't imagine my life without you in it, Christy. You add a spark that was never there before. I cherish you as a dear friend and I hope to see you happy someday. That is something that Grantland could never do. I feel that God is calling me back to him; Christy, and I will need help with that calling. It will be hard for me and I have much reassociating to do with the Lord. I hope to find help from Alice, but with her situation with Margaret, I don't know what to expect. Grantland has never been fond of me, I don't feel I could trust him. That leaves only you, and Fairlight and Jeb." "Neil, you know I will always be here to help you. I thought this day would never come! Anything you need just let me know. You know, you didn't think of Dan. I'm sure he would gladly stand by you now." "Yes, I'm sure he would. Wouldn't that be a switch? The student teaching the instructor." Neil and Christy both laughed. The room grew silent and Neil thought that maybe that was too easy. Was he really going to escape without Christy interrogating him? "Neil, was their something else?" Christy asked. "Well, I was wondering if you really told Margaret I was worth fighting for? Is that true, Christy?" "Yes, Neil. It's true. I went into El Pano to catch her before she left. It seems that once again I was minding other people's business. I thought that by keeping Margaret here I could make you happy.. and Miss Alice. I've only broken Miss Alice's heart again. I guess that I haven't made you very happy either. I've hurt many people by doing this. If I had only known before I went, I think I never would have gone." "I'm not angry with you. She would have eventually returned again anyway. Margaret lives off of people. She had nowhere else to turn. Why do you think she so conveniently showed up in El Pano. It benefited her two-fold. She would be near her mother and I when she decided to need us, and she could humiliate us at the same time. Imagine how humiliating it must be for Alice to know that the men of the Cove have seen her daughter prancing around half naked. I can live with it. I am used to the hateful things Margaret does, but Alice still wants to believe that there is good in her." "Not any more," Christy replied. "Alice has disowned Margaret. She says that she wants to remember Margaret the way she was before she ran away. Not the way she has become." "I wish that it were that easy for me. I have a legal and moral obligation to Margaret. I cannot just dismiss her. I'm afraid that I have to let her stay. My only comfort is that it probably won't be for long. I'm sure she will run off again." "Yes, Miss Alice said that you would feel obliged to care for Margaret. I hope that she will make you happy Neil." "Damn it, Christy!" Neil's temper flared. "I don't want her to make me happy. I don't want her anywhere near me. She ran away! She left me believing she was dead. I mourned her for eight long years. When I finally felt like life could move on, she came back! It was as if she knew that I was beginning to love someone else and she couldn't stand it. She came back to throw it in my face. To say to me, 'there she is and you can't have her because you belong to me!'" Neil calmed his temper and look at Christy. "Of all the things she's done to hurt me, Christy. This hurts the worst. I have to tell you, I don't love her. I never will again, because I know what love is now. Love is feeling like you could never live another day without someone. Love is being excited just to catch glimpse of someone. I can't help shaking the feeling that if I had been following the path that God wanted for me, I would never have been interested in Margaret. I would be free to love you instead of having to hide my feelings from you!" Christy stood stunned by what Neil had just told her. Did she hear him right? Did he really love her? Tears began to flow down her face. It felt as though a huge boulder had been lifted from her chest. "Christy, I didn't mean to upset you. I understand that you can't possibly love me. I'm so much older than you, and married to boot. But when you turned down Grantland's proposal it gave me hope, so much hope. I hoped that maybe you did love me and realized it. My hope was crushed when I finally saw that even if you do love me, nothing could be done about it. I am bound to Margaret. I suppose I could obtain a divorce, but I don't think that would do. No one here believes in divorce. They would still consider our love a sin. Honestly, Christy, I don't know how it can be considered a sin when we both thought Margaret was dead." "Neil, I have been through all of this in my mind. I do love you! It hurts. I want to be there for you, but I see myself in the position now that I cannot even be a close friend to you. I can only hope to meet you at church, the mission, and other people's weddings. If I die an old maid, I know that I will never love anyone as much as I love you. I vowed to myself, when I refused David's proposal, that is exactly what I would do." Christy spun around and grabbed her satchel. "I love you, Neil, but I can't do anything about it. I can't stop it and I can't let it go. I've thought about leaving to give you and Margaret a chance, but I can't bear the thought of never seeing you again!" Christy ran from the building and straight for the mission. Neil stood for a minute. He wished that he could take back everything he just said. How could he and Christy possibly face each other again knowing that they love each other? He ran his hands through his hair and sat down at one of the desks. Chapter Nine "You just couldn't wait, could you?" Neil's head snapped up from it's resting spot. "Grantland!" he sputtered. "You just had to tell her, didn't you? You didn't even stop to think about what it would do to her, or you. Don't you realize that now you won't be able to be seen near her? People are already talking about the two of you. They're saying that you're the reason she wouldn't marry me and then you come traipsing up here to talk to her, alone. Well, if it's true, I guess that the two of you have gotten what you deserve. The only way you'll ever have her is with Margaret truly out of the picture and that won't happen for a long time yet. It serves you both right!" At that David swiftly turned on his heels and left the school. Chapter Ten David passed by the mission house and went into the barn. After saddling Prince and heading off toward the river David had calmed down a little. "Perhaps I shouldn't have been so hard on him," thought David. "After all, I couldn't help falling in love with her either. She is only one girl. When I return to Boston next week there will be plenty of women there who are worthy of me." As David rounded the bend he came upon Margaret. "Good afternoon, Mrs. McNeill," said David. "It was until you called me that, Preacher. I never did like the name. Please call me Margaret." "All right then, Margaret. Are you out enjoying our fine river today?" "Don't you mean God's fine river, Reverend?" "Yes, ma'am. I suppose it is indeed God's river," responded David. "I'm beginning to think that you don't like me. First you called me Mrs. McNeill, and then you call me by the same name you address my mother by. What have I done to you, . David, isn't it?" Margaret asked in a sultry voice. David was beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable. Margaret was a very beautiful woman and here he was, alone, in the woods with her. "You've done nothing at all, Margaret. I was only trying to show a little respect for you." "Ha!" Margaret laughed. "Respect for me? Who ever heard of such a thing? Certainly not my mother, or Neil, or your precious Christy Huddleston. I understand, David, that Miss Pollyanna has refused your proposal?" she said with a hint of inquisitiveness. "Yes, she has," David responded. "Well, I could have guessed. It must really make your blood boil to know you've lost out to the likes of Mac. What would a pretty young thing like that want with a shriveled up old has-been like Mac? Well, I of all people should be able to answer that, but I can't. I guess I never really wanted him. Not until I couldn't have him. But, what do I need him for anyway? Surely there are better men around than that stubborn old fool. You must be ten times the man that he is, right David?" Margaret began to close the distance between David and her. She moved in closer to him and placed her hand upon his knee. David jumped and hurriedly dismounted Prince. "Margaret, you are a married woman and I am a preacher. We should not be alone in the woods here." "Why not, Reverend. Are you afraid that people would talk if they knew? People are already talking about me. 'Poor Mac, they say.' What's so poor about him? He could have me if he wanted!" "Or are you afraid of what you might do?" With that Margaret pressed close against David. "Did I hear you say that you would be returning to Boston? You could take me with you. It would be the ultimate slap in the face to both Neil and Christy. I would be gone and Neil would never know whether I was dead or alive. He would never be free to marry his Pollyanna. If you can't have her, why should he?" She wrapped her hands behind David's head and pressed her mouth close to his. "Why don't you think about it, David? I've always been more comfortable in the big city and I could show you life like Christy Huddleston never could have. No one needs to know. We could have the best of both worlds and our revenge to boot!" Margaret turned to walk away. "You let me know what you decide, okay?" She had certainly left David with a lot to think about. He was after all a man with wants. Margaret had certainly stirred inside of him something that Christy never had. He was a Christian, a preacher for crying out loud. How could he even contemplate what Margaret had suggested? But then his faith had been wavering and he had never really wanted to be a preacher. Perhaps he could find another, more suitable profession in the city, not Boston, but maybe Philadelphia or New York. He definitely had something to ponder. Chapter Eleven "Miss Christy!" shouted Fairlight as she hopped out of Jeb's wagon. "How've you been girl, I hadn't heard from ye for the past few days. Are ye feeling better?" "Yes, Fairlight. I am feeling much better thank you. How are you, and the children? I understand that Lulu has a bit of a cough. Has Dr. McNeill been to see her?" "No ma'am. He ain't been by yet. I told him that it were just a small cough and when he gits a chance he can stop by to see her. If'n I know the Doc, it'll be right around vittle time when he does stop by." Fairlight said with a chuckle. "I'm glad she's only got a slight cough. I'd hate to see her coming down with something serious. I'm sure it's nothing that your chicken and herb soup won't cure." "Speaking of my soup. I was wondering if ye might want ta join us for lunch today. I got me a peach cobbler cooling in the winder at the cabin. I know how much ye like my cobbler. What do you sa." Fairlight's voice trailed off as she stared ahead in disbelief. "Surely that ain't Doc McNeill. In all my born days I never thought I'd be seeing him here. And boy if he don't look spiffy!" Ruby Mae interrupted. Christy had nearly forgotten that Ruby Mae was by her side. The past week had brought a peculiar silence to the redhead. "Darned if it ain't," exclaimed Fairlight. "Jeb! You get over thar and make Neil feel welcome. If'n he wants to come to church we sure want to make him feel at home. He kin set by you and John this morning. I'll be, this is a miracle if I ever saw one!" Fairlight shook her head in disbelief and looked at the young schoolteacher. Christy couldn't mask the pride or the love that she felt for Neil. It glittered in her eyes. "Miss Christy," she whispered, "you knew he'd be coming today, didn't you?" "I did. Neil and I talked about it the other day." Suddenly the light was gone from her eyes and was replaced by a look of despair. As soon as Ruby Mae ran off to gossip about Neil with the other girls Fairlight confronted Christy "I see by your face that I was right. You love Neil, and Neil loves you. There ain't a thing can be done for ye now. You're both hopeless. Well, it couldn't happen to two better people." "I only wish it could happen, Fairlight. I'm afraid I'll be waiting forever," was Christy's response. "Not forever, girl. You know how I sometimes know things? Well, I get me a feeling that your waiting won't be near as long as yer thinking. That Margaret is some piece of work, but even she cain't stop the Lords doing!" Fairlight moved toward the church with the rest of the congregation. Throughout the service Christy could hear the ladies whispering about Neil and his presence at church. Each time she caught a mention of her own name Fairlight would reach over and squeeze her hand. Fairlight was certainly a reassuring friend and a great support system as well. David's sermon was a little lacking in its usual umph. Christy hoped that it had nothing to do with her decision about marrying him. She hoped that he was only feeling a little under the weather. Though he had been cordial to her these past few days, he did seem a bit preoccupied. He must certainly have had a lot on his mind. She had caught him a few times mumbling to himself. It had sounded as thought he were mumbling the names of cities. She was sure that one time she had heard him say something about New Orleans being far enough and big enough." She hoped that he wasn't planning to leave, but surely if he did he would go home to Boston. Fairlight leaned over and quietly whispered, "Preacher ain't quite up ta his usual today. It's a shame that this is Neil's first sermon ta sit in on." Christy just nodded her head in agreement. She noticed that Miss Alice was beginning to take in all of the talk around her. She had already scolded Ruby Mae twice for talking to Lizette. The service ended right on schedule and Christy rose to let Miss Alice know that she would be going to Fairlight's for lunch. Alice in turn let Christy know that she would be leaving in the morning to go to Raven's Gap. The mission there was in need of her help and she expected to be gone a little over a week. Chapter Twelve Christy set off for the Spencer cabin after going back to the mission to change out of her Sunday clothes. The day was sunny and not too warm. In her mind it was rather perfect. As she topped the hill to the Spencer's she noticed that Charlie was tethered out front. "I should have known," she whispered. "Fairlight Spencer, you were up to no good!" Fairlight met her about halfway through the yard. "Now, Miss Christy, I know what your thinkin, but if'n somebody don't do somethin' you and Neil be avoidin' each other forever. This way, the two of you can spend a little time in the company of other friends, and not nobody can say a thing about it. I'll just tell 'em that Neil stopped in to check on Lulu and I couldn't let him get away without a decent meal. Everybody knows that Margaret ain't gonna see to his meals. I simply invited you a' fore I knew Doc'd be stoppin' by. But, I doubt that anybody'll question it." "You certainly are being sneaky. I don't guess you stopped to think how it would make Neil and I feel?" "Oh, you two'll get over it!" Fairlight said with a smile. Christy chuckled. "Yes, I'm sure we will." The two climbed through the yard and up the cabin steps. Neil rose from his chair with a look of shock. "Christy, I - I didn't know you would be coming by. I just stopped in to check on Lulu and Fairlight invited me to stay for lunch." He still had not gotten over his shock. "I know you are surprised to see me, Doctor. Fairlight invited me to lunch as well." She raised her eyes to meet his. "I am glad to see you though. I wanted to talk to you after the service, but well, you know, I had to get home to change and well, I had things to do. I was very happy you made it to the church this morning though!" Christy thought she must sound like a real fool, especially to the Spencer children. "I was glad to make it as well. It was my first service in years. It was good to be back in the fellowship of my friends and neighbors." "How is Lulu, Doctor?" Christy asked. She was trying to think of something to say. "She's doing fine. I don't believe it's a cold. It's probably allergies to some the leaves that are beginning to fall. Jeb's honey seems to be helping her and as long as Fairlight keeps her coughing to a minimum she should have no complications. How is everyone at the mission? Is Alice doing alright?" "Yes, Miss Alice is just fine. As a matter of fact, she headed out to Raven's Gap this afternoon. She should be there for a week, maybe a little more. They needed a bit of help with things there." "This here supper's just about ready. Ya'll youngin's go an wash yer hands out at the pump. Specially you Zady, I seen you handling them dawgs of yer Pa's." Murmurs of acceptance came from the children as they headed out to wash their hands. "I'd best wash my hands too. Doctor, if you'll excuse me," said Christy. "Of course, Miss Huddleston." Chapter Thirteen The lunch went well, considering there was an air of tension in the room. Afterward Jeb pulled out his fiddle and offered to play a few tunes. The children were delighted to dance and jig around the yard. The weather was cool and crisp, just the kind that gives the body a bit of spunk. Fairlight took Neil by the arm and began to swing around with him. Young John Spencer approach Christy, "Miss Christy, could I have the pleasure of this here dance?" He asked. "Why certainly, John. I'd be delighted to dance with you," she replied. They spun around in the little bare area near the porch of the cabin. John leading Christy and Neil leading Fairlight. They were laughing and enjoying themselves. "I reckon I'd like to play my new song fer ya, Miss Christy. Ma says it's a right pretty one. Pa says it reminds him of Ma." Fairlight pushed at Neil, "Why don't you ask Miss Christy ta dance this one with ya." He walked across the yard and made the customary bow. Christy took his hand in hers with a slight smile. With Jeb's accompaniment on the fiddle John began singing: Over the mountains Where the laurel grows There dwells a lady Bright as a rose The first time a saw her My heart skipped a beat Standing before me Pretty and sweet Lord, how I love her If she only knew But I cannot tell her Lord, what can I do I watch her in Springtime The sun in her hair I think every evening And wish I were there There in her arms So gentle and kind There in her heart Her soul and her mind Over the mountains Where the laurel grows There dwells a lady Bright as a rose. At the beginning of the dance Neil and Christy had kept a safe and respectable distance from one another. By the time the song was over they had become so enthralled and comfortable with one another that the didn't notice their closeness. Christy found the touch of Neil nearly overwhelming. She suddenly realized that her head was resting against his chest. She suddenly jumped back and felt her face flush hot. She looked up at Neil and noticed that he had a tear in the corner of him eye. He softly brushed her cheek with the back of his hand and leaned down to kiss her forehead just at the hairline. "I must go now, Christy. I thank you for the dance, but I really must go," he said without explanation. "John, twas a lovely song, truly. It does bring to mind ones true love. I can see why it makes your Pa think of your Mama." "Fairlight, lunch was wonderful. Thank you for inviting me. It has been a beautiful day spent in beautiful company. If you'll excuse me, I need to check in on Dan before I head home." Jeb jumped up from his stool, "I'll walk ye over ta Charlie, Doc. We was mighty glad ta have ya today and thank ye for looking in on Lulu. We'll take right good care of her like you said." Christy looked at Fairlight and could see the look of bewilderment in her eyes. "That man is hurtin' for you something fierce, Miss Christy. I don't know if he's gonna be able to stand the pain much longer." Christy only nodded. She didn't know how to answer Fairlight. She watched as Neil road out of sight and then turned back to the Spencer family and bid her own farewell. Chapter Fourteen On her walk home Christy wondered about Neil and the meaning of the tear that was building in the corner of his eye. She also wondered about Fairlight. "What was she thinking?" thought Christy. "Surely she must know that it's not right for Neil and I to be together like that. In company or not, he is married and I am a single woman. And what on earth was I thinking, dancing so close to Neil! In front of the children, no less!" She bemoaned herself the rest of the way home. She had already forgiven Fairlight and moved on to being puzzled by her own feelings, thoughts and emotions. She could pretend all she wanted to be prim and proper, but she knew what her thoughts had been while she danced in Neil's arms. She had thought of how wonderful it would be to spend every night wrapped in those arms. She had thought of what it must feel like to be held next to his bare chest with those strong arms around her. She longed to nuzzle her face onto his chest and breathe in the scent of flannel and pipe tobacco. Prim and proper she had not been. She ended her thoughts with a prayer to God for strength of her own. Chapter Fifteen The days passed by slowly. The mission house was quiet. No one knew what to say to each other. As long as David wasn't around Ruby Mae had plenty to talk about. It seemed that the girl had grown afraid of him after last week. To give her credit, he had become rather gruff and snippy. He had even begun to neglect himself this past week, as if he were on holiday or something. He was beginning to look quite scraggly. With Miss Alice gone Christy was helping Ruby Mae with the cooking. She had been a ball of nerves hoping not to spoil anything and bring about David's spiny comments. She also didn't want Ruby Mae to take the brunt of his wrath, so she took on the harder items herself. She could hold up better against him than the young girl. Besides, she thought of Ruby Mae as a younger sister and felt a need to protect her as such. He had snapped at the two of them a few times, saying things about how shabby the food was when Miss Alice wasn't around. He brought Ruby Mae on the verge of tears more than once and appeared to get more satisfaction than remorse from her anguish. Christy sought him out on Thursday evening to finally get to the bottom of things. She found him in his bunkhouse and knocked gently upon the door. "David," she called, "it's Christy." "I know it's you. I can tell by your knock," he snapped. "Just give me a minute." Christy could hear rustling inside the cabin. It sounded as though David were sliding boxes around the floor. He few minutes later he stepped outside. "What do you want, Miss Huddleston?" He asked with a sneer. "I'd like to talk to you, David. Could I come in for a minute?" She asked. "Well, that wouldn't be proper now, would it?" He glanced back into the cabin and pulled the door closed behind him. "We'd probably better go to the porch, or perhaps the gazebo. That is if you're not afraid to be alone with me?" he said with a questioning air. "I'm not afraid of you, David," Christy said softly. "I'll choose the gazebo. I don't want to disturb Ruby Mae's studies." The two of them walked toward the gazebo, keeping a good distance from one another. David reached the platform first and with none of his usual chivalry. He didn't even extend a hand to help Christy up the steps. "What did you want? I have a few things to wrap up before I go to bed," he said. "I really don't mean to disturb you. I just thought that we needed to talk things out before we had gone too far to salvage a friendship," she replied. "Friendship? I really don't think there is much hope of that! I love you. Don't you understand that? I can't be happy with a friendship! I need you to be my wife. To love and comfort me all the rest of our days. You can't very well do that with only a friendship." "Being friends still means supporting one another, David. It means being there to hold one another up through our low times." "Like now?" David interrupted. "This is about as low as I've ever felt. And I don't think I've ever seen you this low." "I'd like to know what you mean by that!" Christy exclaimed. "Well, I'd say loving a married man is pretty low. Especially the likes of McNeill. He's not even city bred. He was born in that dirty old cabin of his. What it is about him I'll never understand. He must have something to have attracted first Margaret and now you. Oh well, you know what they say.. birds of a feather and all." "I'll thank you not to bring Dr. McNeill into this. He has nothing to do with the two of us. As for Margaret, I am far from being the other pea in her pod!" "Oh, but doesn't he have everything to do with this? He is the reason you won't marry me. Isn't that it?" David asked. "No, absolutely not! I won't marry you because I don't love you that way. Especially not after seeing the little fits you can throw when you don't get your way! How can I look up to my husband when he acts worse than my pupils?" "Don't worry about it. It will all work itself out soon, Christy. I don't think you'll be comparing me to a schoolboy much longer. One day soon you'll realize how hopeless your love in McNeill is. You'll start longing for love, marriage and babies of your own. Then, you'll wish you had married me. But, I'm sure that I will have already found someone who can appreciate me more!" David turned to head back to the mission. "It's been nice talking to you, Christy!" Christy sat out in the gazebo and cried for nearly thirty minutes. She didn't know how to handle David's hatred of her. He had always been so loving and kind. He had been her knight in armor in her times of need. She couldn't help the way she felt, and he wasn't making it any better. Chapter Sixteen It wasn't until Saturday afternoon that Christy realized how David could brush her off so callously. Ruby Mae went out to his bunkhouse to change the sheets on his bed. Neither she nor Christy had seen the preacher all day. They figured he had probably gone off to work on his sermon for the following day. Ruby Mae entered the bunkhouse with her hands full of linens. She was so shocked by what she saw that she dropped the clean sheets all over the floor. "Miss Christy, Miss Christy," she yelled as she ran back to the mission house. Christy caught up with her just as she bounded up the stairs. "Lordy Miss Christy, what we gonna do now? Preacher done left us. It's just me and you here with no man person to protect us. Who's gonna preach the lesson tomorrow? Who's gonna give bible lessons at school. Oh, Miss Christy!" She wailed. "Ruby Mae," Christy voice registered a bit of shock, "calm down. How do you know that Reverend Grantland has left?" She asked. "Oh, Lordy, he done clean out his bunk. Ain't nothin in thar but dust." Christy ran to David's bunkhouse to confirm her fears. David had indeed left. What were they going to do now? She was in charge, but she needed to get control. She had to come up with a quick plan. "Ruby Mae, I want you to go out to Doctor McNeill's and ask him to come back here to the mission. Tell him it's an emergency." She hesitated and then went on, "Tell him that we're going to need him to fetch Miss Alice for us. I'm going to run over and get Fairlight. I think we'll be needing her help here today. Now, hurry up and fetch the doctor." Christy knew that Jeb was off hunting today and that Fairlight would be at home with the children. She hoped that she could convince her to bring them to the mission tonight. She didn't like the thought of staying there just her and Ruby Mae. Fairlight's cabin was quiet. Just as she approached the steps she heard a whiney and noticed Neil's horse Charlie tethered to the back fence. "Well, I've sent Ruby Mae into the hornets nest alone," she thought. "Margaret is sure to eat her alive without Neil there." Christy felt badly for putting Ruby Mae in such a position, but it couldn't be helped now. At least she could be sure of obtaining Neil's help without Margaret's interference. She knocked lightly on the door. "Fairlight," she called out. "It's Christy." The door was answered by Lulu. "Hello, Lulu. Can I talk to your Mama for a minute?" Christy asked. "Sure kin, Miss Christy. Come on in. Mama's in thar with Doc and Least 'un. He's got a right powerful tummy ache and fever. Mama sent John to fetch the doctor for him," explained Lulu. "He's sick?" Christy said with some concern. She hoped that it was nothing threatening, but she also realized that she couldn't ask Fairlight to move Least 'un over to the mission while he was sick. "Yep, he been up most of the night. Doc thinks maybe it's his apen..apen." "Appendix," Christy interrupted. "Yeah, that's it. Says Mama has to keep a real close eye on him ta make sure he don't get really sick." "Lulu, I don't want to bother your Mama since she's so busy. Could you please ask Doctor McNeill to come by the mission as soon as he's done here? If he's staying tonight, please ask him to send John to let me know." "Oh surely, Miss Christy!" Christy turned back toward the mission. She hoped that Ruby Mae would be there when she got back. She began thinking of what she should do about tomorrow's service. It was too late to call Dr. Ferrand and request a substitute minister for tomorrow. Also, she wanted Miss Alice to be the one to make that decision. She wasn't sure if Alice would want her calling Dr. Ferrand on the matter. "Well, I guess that leaves me," thought Christy. "I'm no minister, but I'm sure if I approach it the right way, I'll be able to teach a sermon tomorrow." The first thing she did when she got home was to pull out her Bible and begin a lesson for the next day. She was having a lot of difficulty until she realized that she needed her own style of sermon. She couldn't preach the way David had, or even the way the preacher back in Asheville had. She decided the best thing she could do was to speak from experience. "I'll start out with my own testimonial," thought Christy. Chapter Seventeen Neil arrived at the mission about an hour after Christy. She still had not seen Ruby Mae. She figured that the young girl was off alone somewhere sulking over what Margaret might have said to her. Christy met Neil at the front door. "Miss Huddleston, Lulu says that you wanted to see me?" Neil questioned. "Yes, Neil. I need your help. Please come in and take a seat. Would you like some coffee or tea or perhaps something to eat?" "No, Christy, thank you. Fairlight fed me quite well. I can tell that you're upset. What is the matter?" Neil asked. "Oh Neil, David has left. He must have run off early this morning or late last night. I don't know what to do. I need someone to go and get Miss Alice in Raven's Gap. She's not due back until tomorrow or the next day. I don't want to call Dr. Ferrand without her permission, so I'm trying to prepare a short sermon for tomorrow, but I don't know if I can get up in front of everyone to talk about God." She continued to rattle on until Neil interrupted. "Christy, I don't think calling Dr. Ferrand would do you any good right now. Not with things the way they are. If I were to go after Alice, I couldn't bring her back any quicker than if she were to come on her own. We might as well wait for her to return, Christy. If you do not wish to give a sermon tomorrow, we can cancel church for one Sunday." He paused, "What concerns me the most is the safety of you and Ruby Mae. You shouldn't be left here alone." "I thought of that, but the only person who could stay here is Fairlight, and she's got her hands full with Least 'un." "Dan could stay here, Christy. I'll go ask him. I would stay myself; you know I would, if I could. But, I can't just leave Margaret home alone to stay with you. You know how the talk would go. There are others here who can watch over the two of you." "Of course, Neil! I never thought of Daniel. He could stay in David's bunkhouse. Oh thank you! I was so scared, I mean worried, of staying here alone." "Don't worry, Christy. I will take care of you. I would never let anything happen to you. I'll go over to Dan's and ask him to stay here with you. I'm sure he wouldn't mind a break from sleeping in a cabin with no roof." Neil stood to leave, but turned back to get a last look at Christy. He was worried. Her confusion showed in her face. If life didn't get better soon, he was sure that her immunities would begin to break down. Just as Neil reached Charlie he heard gibbering. "Goodness Ruby Mae! If you don't stop yelling like that you're liable to loose your voice. Now, slow down and tell me what's the matter." Ruby Mae stopped and took several deep breaths. "Doc McNeill, I been lookin' for ya everywhere. I went out to yer cabin, but weren't nobody there. I reckoned maybe you was out lookin after folks. Miss Margaret didn't answer the door, but it were opened. I went in to leave you a note and to make sure that weren't nothin wrong with her. She weren't there, but this here note was already sittin on yer table. I think maybe somebody took 'er, cause your place sure did look tore up." Christy could see the panicked look that crossed Neil's face. He grabbed the letter from Ruby Mae and tore open the seal, but not before he noticed that it was Margaret's handwriting. My Dearest Neil (boy, that's a laugh), I'm sure you won't be surprised to find out that I am once again gone. Only this time I can guarantee you it is for good. You don't want me and neither does mother. What's the point of staying around when I can be someplace where I am wanted? The irony of it is, you will never know whether I am dead or alive, so you will never get what you want. You're precious Pollyanna will have given up on you by the time my fate is discovered! She should thank me really. Life with you is dull and boring. It's not the life for a lady. How would she ever bring her hillbilly children home to her own refined family? Perhaps now she can move on and find a more suitable person. You belong to me and always will. She should have given up long ago and it never would have come to this. Don't bother trying to find me, not that you would anyway. I will be in a big city somewhere far enough and big enough. You'll never dream what I am going to become! Yours truly, Mrs. X Neil wadded the paper into a ball and threw it toward the fireplace. "I don't think you need to worry about Margaret's safety, Ruby Mae. She's just run off again. Well, good riddance to bad rubbish!" He proclaimed. "Neil." Christy tried to comfort him. "No, Christy, I don't want nor need your pity. I'd just as soon not have her here anyway." But Christy could tell that something in the letter had hurt him. "I'm going to go and get Dan now." He said as he stomped out the door. "Ruby Mae, why don't you go upstairs and freshen up a bit. You've gotten awful sweaty out looking for Neil." Ruby Mae shrugged her shoulders and headed up the stairs. As soon as she was out of sight, Christ went to the fireplace and dug the letter out of the ashes. "It's a good thing there wasn't a fire burning," she whispered. She uncrumpled the letter and spread it open to read. Just as she was finishing the letter, she heard the front screen open. She looked up to see Neil staring at her. "Miss Huddleston, I should have know you couldn't resist," he chuckled. He stopped as he saw her blanche. He had expected her to blush, but got exactly the opposite result. "I'm not upset, Christy. Though I would have preferred you never know her sarcastic remarks about you. I'm used to them. Are you alright?" He was beginning to worry. "It's not the part about our children is it? It wouldn't be that way, Christy. You have to know that." "No Neil, it's not that." Christy looked at the letter again. "I know where Margaret is," she said. "What?" Neil demanded, "How could you know." "She says here that she is going somewhere far away and big enough. I overheard David use those same words when he was muttering to himself one night. He said that New Orleans was far enough and big enough. Neil, you don't suppose she's left with David, do you? It is odd for them both to disappear on the same day." "I'd say it's probably likely, Christy. I have seen her headed out into the woods a couple of times this week. I know that she would never wander off alone. She must have been meeting someone there, but I couldn't imagine whom. Now I can." "Oh, Neil. What could possibly have brought this about?" She cried. "Margaret," he responded. "She could charm anyone, including Grantland. It seems she means to bring him down with her. It seems that Grantland is a weaker man than I thought. He is giving up the ministry for the likes of Margaret." "You don't mean they are going to travel together, as, well, together, do you?" She stuttered. "I'm sure that's exactly what they intend. I've no doubt that Margaret proposed the idea to him! She seems to know the right things to say in order to get her way with men. You see, she and Grantland get their revenge on you and me. They will be together and we won't. But, don't you pay heed to her words, Christy. It's not forever. Margaret is very sick. She won't live much longer and though it isn't very Christian of me, I'm not sorry. She has haunted me enough. The only thing to do is find out were they are at so that you and I will know when she is gone." "Neil, that's a horrible thing to say. I wouldn't wish Margaret dead just so I could be happy." "Ney, neither would I, Lass. But it's going to happen, we might as well have our happiness instead of letting Margaret ruin us too." "Christy, I'm going to go and get Dan. I'll be back shortly. You should go and clean up too. There is still supper to be cooked and Ruby Mae will need all the help she can get. There are going to be two hungry men here tonight." He noticed the look of confusion on her face. "Aye, lass. I'll be staying as well. I don't intend to leave you here alone just now. And besides, I might be needing your help with Least 'un. The mission is closer to Fairlight's than my cabin and it will save me a trip coming to get you. I'll drop by and let them know where I'll be. Now go and get my dinner cooking woman!" He chuckled as he stooped to kiss her forehead. Chapter Nineteen Christy and Ruby Mae had prepared a fine supper of roast possum and mashed potatoes. Christy had also made up a quick batch of sugar cookies. The four mission inhabitants ate well and enjoyed each other's company. After cleaning up the kitchen they sat around the living room reading from and discussing the Bible. Christy had determined that she would take advantage of the company to get help with tomorrow church lesson. By 10:30 they were all worn out. Ruby Mae had dosed off on the living room floor. They tried to wake her to send her to bed, but she wouldn't budge. Neil gently lifted her and carried her up the stairs to her room. Christy led the way so she could turn down Ruby Mae's covers. Just as Neil leaned over to lay her down Ruby Mae called out, "Oh, Rob Allen. You're so strong." Christy and Neil both suppressed giggles as they made their way out of the room. As soon as the door was closed behind them the laughter burst forth. Christy was laughing so hard she had a small tear streaming from her eye. Neil reached over and wiped it away with the tip if his thumb. He let his fingers dig into Christy's hair as he gently stroked the tear away. He couldn't help himself. He reached his free arm around behind her and pulled her close to him. As he stood there holding her he whispered, "I'm sorry love, I could not resist. I wanted to hold you close to me and smell your hair." Then he let her go and kissed her cheek. Christy blushed a bit and then smiled a cautious smile at Neil. She knew they shouldn't be doing this, but she couldn't seem to help herself either. "Christy," Neil said," I pray to God that he makes a way for us to be together. I know that you were meant to be my wife. God sent you here to Cutter Gap for more reasons than teaching. I love you, Lass." He leaned over and kissed her cheek once more. "We'd better head back down before Dan falls asleep too. I don't think I want to be carrying him to a bed." They both laughed once more as they headed down the stairs. They had a good time relating Ruby Mae's outburst to Dan. Then they all three shared a good laugh. It wasn't long before Christy, too, decided to retire for the night. Dan made his bed on the couch. He and Neil had argued over the floor. Neither wanted to make the other sleep there. In the end, Neil had one. "After all," he argued, "any sleep is a blessing to me. I'm so used to getting no sleep that I've learned to sleep in Charlie's saddle." With a last laugh Christy headed up the stairs to her room. Her dreams were full of peace and love. She felt safer than she had felt in a long time and she knew it was because Neil slept downstairs. Chapter Twenty Christy awoke the next morning to a wonderful smell, coffee. "It doesn't even smell burnt," she thought. That ruled out Ruby Mae as the cook. She could also smell bacon and pancakes. Then she remembered that they had guests downstairs. She jumped out of bed and quickly put on her Sunday clothes. She slipped her stockings on and got in such a hurry that she put a run in one of them. "Oh, foot!" She exclaimed. "There I've gone and ruined another pair." She hurriedly changed them with another and put her shoes on. She couldn't wait to get downstairs. She should be down there cooking for Neil, not the other way around. "Of course, it could be Dan," she thought. As she reached the bottom of the stairs she was surprised to see Miss Alice in the kitchen. She looked over into the living room and noticed that Dan was still fast asleep. Neil was nowhere in sight. She hoped that he hadn't gone home yet. "Good morning, Miss Huddleston," Alice greeted. Christy startled and jumped. "I didn't mean to scare thee," Alice chuckled. "I see thee are looking for our other guest this morning. He is out back washing up." I noticed him out there when I came in this morning. The mention of Neil washing up caused Christy's face to blush. She would never forget the sight of him washing in the river. That had been so distracting that she burned the first meal she ever cooked for Neil. "I am so glad to see you, Miss Alice! How was Raven's Gap? I hope that everyone is well there. We really weren't expecting you home today." "I finished up a bit early yesterday and decided to head back. I couldn't help feeling like I was needed here for some reason. I arrived around 11:30 last night. I didn't want to wake Dan or Neil, so I snuck in the back door. Is everything ok here, Christy? Why were Neil and Dan staying here?" "Oh Miss Alice, it's a long story and not very pleasant I'm afraid. Dan came to stay so Ruby Mae and I wouldn't be alone. Neil wanted to be within easy access of me in case he needed to operate on Least 'un Spencer. He thought the boy might have an appendicitis, but he wasn't sure." "Why are you and Ruby Mae alone? Where is David?" she questioned, but she wasn't sure she wanted to here the answer. "He left. We think sometime very early yesterday morning. I tried to get Neil to go and get you, but he said there wasn't a whole lot that could be done and that you would probably get here just as quickly as if he were to fetch you. I guess he was right." "I had a feeling that David was going to go. Did he leave a note or anything? Did he go home to Boston?" "No, he didn't leave a note and I don't think he went to Boston, though I'm not certain. I overheard him mumbling something about New Orleans the other day. He said that it would be far enough and big enough. Actually, there is something else to tell you," Christy paused to muster up some courage. "Margaret left yesterday too. She did leave a note for Neil. She said that she was going to go away somewhere far and big enough. We think that she and David ran off together." The shock on Alice Henderson's face nearly made Christy cry. She hated to be the one to break that news to Alice. "Does anyone else know about this?" Alice asked. "No, Neil and I are the only ones to read the letter. He still has it if you would like to see it. Ruby Mae knows that both are gone, but she doesn't know about the connection to the two." "That is good. We need to keep it that way. If what you surmise is true, David won't be coming back, not that we could have him here. Still, it's best not to sully his reputation with half-truths. We need to be certain that is what happened." "She wrote that Neil would never know where or how she was. He said that he is going to locate her and keep up with her whereabouts this time. Perhaps you should talk to him about that," Christy suggested. "Miss Alice, I'm glad you're here. I was going to try and muddle my way through today's sermon, but now you can deliver it. I am so grateful. I didn't know what to do and I was sure we wouldn't be able to get a new preacher in one day. Actually, I didn't even call Dr. Ferrand. I thought that was a decision you should make." "Thank you, Christy. That was very thoughtful of you. He will have to be told in a delicate way. Now, why don't you go and wake Ruby Mae. Breakfast is almost ready. Then, if you wouldn't mind would you please set the table."? Christy smiled, nodded and headed up the stairs. "So, Margaret and David have run away," Alice thought. "I certainly wouldn't put it past Margaret to do such a thing." Chapter Twenty-one "Nor would I," said Neil as he reentered the mission house. "When did you get back, Alice?" "I arrived last night, Doctor, while everyone was sleeping. I saw you and Dan lying in the living room and I didn't want to disturb you, so I snuck in the back door. I trust you had a good night's rest?" She replied. "Yes, I slept well. I stayed to help keep an eye on Ruby Mae and Christy, and to be closer to the Spencer cabin in case they needed me. The youngest boy his running a fairly high fever and having some abdominal pain. I'm not sure what it is. I can't say for sure that it was his appendix. I told John to come here and get me if I was needed. I'm guessing now that it wasn't his appendix after all." "God be praised," Alice said. "I don't know if Christy could have withstood an operation on one of Fairlight's children. You know how fond she is of that family?" "Aye," he replied, "but she'd have pulled through just fine. I've no doubt of that." Alice smiled at him and said, "I'm sure she would have. She makes a quite capable helper for you when I'm away. Of course you also would have had Dan to assist." "Yes, I know, but he was staying here as well. It put me closer to both of them. Alice, are you upset that I stayed here?" he asked. "No, no, Neil. I think I am just trying to get the whole thing clear in my head. I guess there's nothing to be done about it. Christy says you propose to track Margaret down and keep an eye on her. How do you plan on doing that?" "Actually, we are pretty sure where they've gone. New Orleans is a big city, but there are investigators everywhere. Especially in a region so high on crime. I'm sure I'll have no problem locating a top-notch investigator to find her. Margaret never was one to keep a low profile." "I never thought of that. Will you keep me updated, Neil? I know I told her that I don't have a daughter any more, but I do still worry about her. I'm sorry for all the pain she's caused you. I wish I had been a better mother to her," Alice apologized. "It has nothing to do with you, Alice. You were a fine mother, one of the best. You take care of everyone here with such love and understanding. I've no doubt you were the same with Margaret. She only thinks of herself. She doesn't care who she steps on to get what she wants. She told me that she was just going to disappear and I would never know whether she were dead or alive. I've got to keep up with her. I can't live the rest of my life never knowing." "I understand, Neil. You hope to move on with your life one day. Probably sooner than you had planned. I know you love Christy. I can see it in your eyes and in the way you want to protect her. You know what's funny. You are my son-in-law and Christy is like the daughter I always hoped Margaret would be. I guess that you and I will always be a family," she smiled a crooked smile and tried to squeeze a chuckle out. She just didn't feel like laughing right now. "I have a great deal of respect for you Alice. I know that you are hurting right now. Please know, if there is anything you need, I'll be here for you. I can probably relate to you better than anyone else in this world right now." Neil walked over and gave Alice a hug. "I really needed that," Alice said. Chapter Twenty-two Alice preached a wonderful sermon. Christy was sure that it was much better than she could have done. The people of the cove may like her, but they had great respect for Miss Alice. Fairlight had been to church. Zady stayed home with Least 'un. "I'm right grateful to ya for coming over yesterday, Neil. I'm just sorry to have taken so much of yer time fer nothin. I found out this morning that Least 'un had got inta a batch of my apples and ate pert near all of 'em. He was too scared to tell us for fear of getting a woopin'. All he had was a too many apple, tummy ache." Neil laughed, "I've had plenty of those myself." After the service Neil and Dan joined the mission folk for lunch then each went back to their own cabins. They felt that with Alice home Christy and Ruby Mae had protection enough. Actually, Neil would like to have stayed, but he knew it would not be appropriate. He went back to his cabin slowly to see what damage Margaret had left behind this time. He also had to compose a letter to send out to an investigator in New Orleans. He was sure that is where David and Margaret had gone. "I'll be darned if she gets the best of me again!" He thought. "I'll know her every move if that's what it takes. It's got to be easy to track down a preacher and a showgirl. I'll keep tabs on her through Grantland. That is, if she even stays with Grantland," he rattled on to himself. Neil found that the cabin was not in too much disarray, though Margaret had found the money Neil had hidden. He had expected that. In fact, he had moved the majority of the money into his lab. He was sure that Margaret had not found that money. He had the key. He quickly composed a telegram to the investigator and headed for El Pano. He would have placed a call on the mission's phone, but he didn't want everyone knowing the details. He had telegraphed a time and place that he would place a call. It was conveniently during school hours. Chapter Twenty-three David Grantland had arranged to pick up Margaret very early on Saturday morning. The two met about a half mile from the McNeill cabin. After David had decided to take Margaret with him, the two had met frequently. They had planned their escape to the last detail and would go to great extremes to throw everyone off of their trail. from El Pano they were going to board a train headed for Boston. Once they arrived in Boston they introduce themselves to a few people at the train station. As soon as they met someone, with a common last name, going to another large city they would buy their tickets under that last name. From Boston they were traveling to New Orleans. David had returned Christy's ring to the mercantile. The owner was good enough to take it back, at a 5% discount David knew the man would return it for the original price, but he didn't care. He just needed the money and the ring was of no use to him. Margaret already had a ring. The money for the ring was funding their multi-destination excursion. Once in New Orleans, the two would both assume the name Grantland. No one needed to know that the two weren't married and both would get what they wanted. Margaret sold herself to David for a ticket out of Cutter Gap. David sold his salvation for revenge on Christy and McNeill. Getting the companionship of the good doctors wife was just an added bonus to David. He would have done it just so that Neil would never know where she was and could never marry Christy, but Margaret didn't have to know that. The two had gotten along very well on their journey, so far. Margaret was proving to be an attentive companion. She had David feeling like a king. Christy had never treated him with this much warmth. David had fought with himself about taking up with another man's wife, but the temptation was winning him over and crowding out the guilt he had felt. He was beginning to look forward to their arrival in New Orleans. Chapter Twenty-four Christy dreaded what she had to do. She would rather Miss Alice had made the phone calls, but Alice was too busy with other things and had instructed Christy on how to do it. She took a deep breath as she approached the telephone. Ruby Mae sat in the living room pretending to read a book, but Christy knew that she would be listening. Ida and Christy had never really gotten along, though there was a bit of mutual respect between the two women. Christy knew that Ida had been jealous of her friendship with David. Christy also knew that Ida was going to blame Christy for David's leaving. "Well, it has to be done," thought Christy. "I'd better get it over with." She picked up the receiver and requested the operator to dial the line. "Hello," came a voice from the other line, "Sweetwater residence." "Hello," replied Christy, "is this Clarence Sweetwater?" "Yes," answered the person on the other end. "Mr. Sweetwater, this is Christy Huddleston in Cutter Gap. I would like to speak with Ida please." "Just a moment," replied the man. Christy could hear the mouthpiece clanging against the wall as it dangled. She could also hear Mr. Sweetwater's footsteps across the floor. She heard muffled voices and then the sound of Ida's feet approaching. "Christy, is everything okay?" Questioned Ida. "David isn't hurt is he?" Christy took a deep breath. "That clears up any questions I may have had about David and Margaret going to California," thought Christy. "No, Ida, he isn't hurt, but I'm afraid I do have some bad news. I was hoping that you had heard from David," she paused. "You see, he's left the mission and did not leave word of where he was going. We're pretty sure he is not coming back. We were hoping he had gone to see you." "So, I take it you turned down his final proposal?" Ida said with a smirk. "I tried to tell him you would. I always told him you weren't good enough for him." "Ida," Christy interrupted, "it has nothing to do with whether or not you think I'm good enough for David. We are all concerned about him. He has done a couple of things that are totally out of character for him." "And just what has he done, aside from leaving you in the God forsaken mountains to live your life in poverty? You should have accepted his offer." Christy was never thick on patience and Ida's last sentence was the final straw. "I'll tell you why I didn't accept his proposal. I don't want to live my life with a man who always treats me like a child! I want someone who loves me for who I am, not what I look like! I want someone who makes my blood boil, not just the most convenient person around! I'll tell you something else too! Why would I want to marry a man who could run off with another mans wife? That's right Ida, he ran off with Margaret McNeill!" Christy hung the phone up and quickly ran upstairs. "What in tarnation is goin' on in here?" Fairlight's voice came through the door. "It sounds like a house full of lickered up menfolk." Ruby Mae set at the table with her mouth open. She looked from Fairlight to the stairs and back. "Miz Christy done gone crazy!" she exaggerated. "She pert near yelled Miz Ida's ear of'n the phone and then she took up the stairs like sumpin was after 'er." Fairlight slowly climbed the stairs with Ruby Mae close on her heals. "Miz Christy?" Fairlight called quietly. "Miz Christy, are you ok in thar?" "I'm fine, Fairlight," came Christy's reply. Fairlight could hear her sobbing through the door. "I'll be out in just a minute." "Miz Christy, I reckon maybe I better cum in thar and just see if'n you need some holp or sompthin." Fairlight responded. She slowly opened the door and found Christy lying face down on her bed. "I meant to keep my head about me, Fairlight, but she just set me off so badly. First she said that David left because I wouldn't marry him." Christy paused. "Well, I guess that is probably true, but I never meant to hurt him. He's been such a dear friend to me, and there was a short time that I thought I would love him. I meant to calmly tell Ida what had happened, but she started throwing out her accusations and made me so mad that I just blurted it out to her. She has never been my favorite person, but hearing the news that way had to hurt!" "Well, Miz Christy, if'n you feel that sore about it, why don'tcha just go down there and call her back and tell her yer sorry." "I guess you're right. I should call her back," said Christy. She slowly rose off the bed and made her way downstairs. "That's one confused girl," Fairlight said. "She needs to sort her mind out." Ruby Mae just nodded. She wasn't sure if Fairlight was talking to her or just talking out loud. Chapter Twenty-five Alice knew that Neil would want his privacy while he made the call to the investigator. She decided to take Goldie out for an afternoon stroll. "I'll give you the privacy thee needs, Neil. I know that thou would not want me overhearing everything thee will be saying," she said, as she headed toward the door. Neil watched her go and said a silent thanks that she understood his need for privacy. Alice Henderson was proving to be a very strong and admirable woman in Neil's mind. He was sure that she was having some difficulty coming to terms with Margaret's latest action, but he was also sure that her faith would help her overcome. He only hoped that his new faith in God would help see him through also. He had spent some time last night reading through his mother's old bible. He knew that God loved him and Christy. He had prayed for a way to find Margaret and keep track of her so that he could eventually marry Christy. He confessed that it was a selfish prayer. He didn't want Margaret to die so that he and Christy could be together. He only wanted to know when she did, so that he could make an honorable union with Christy. For so many years he thought he was a widower. He never sought out female companionship, in any way. Truth be told, he hadn't actually sought out Christy, but God had built their love and he was sure that it was not all for nothing. Neil took a deep breath and walked over to the receiver to place his call. "Operator, please connect me with Mr. Henry Walker in New Orleans, Louisiana, please. Yes, I'll hold." It took a little time for the connection to go through, but it was a fairly clear connection and it shouldn't take much time to convey the information that was needed. "Henry Walker, Private Detective, what can I do for you today?" came the voice from the other end of the line. "Mr. Walker, this is Dr. Neil McNeill, from Cutter Gap, Tennessee. I have a job proposal for you and I'm hoping you'll accept. It is a rather unusual assignment, but shouldn't be too hard." Neil went on to tell Mr. Walker the details of the request. "Sounds like a good challenge." Mr. Walker answered after the entire story had been related. "You say they left on Saturday from Tennessee?" "That is correct," Neil answered, "we believe they were headed to New Orleans, but made a stop over in Boston first." "And you just want them located, correct?" "Yes, no contact needs to be made. We would just like to know where they are and to keep an eye on them. To be honest, Mr. Walker. Margaret is very ill with tuberculosis, and I don't expect her to live much longer. Her running off was her twisted way of getting the better of me. She thinks that I'll never know whether she is alive or dead, but hopefully, you can help me with that." After short consideration Mr. Walker did accept the proposal and set up a time to call Neil back with what details he could find on Margaret and David. Neil hung up the phone and made himself comfortable while he waited for Alice to return. It didn't take long. He heard Goldie's hoof beats within a few minutes. He rose to greet Alice at the door. "Well, he's taken up my offer Alice. We'll be able to keep tabs on her soon enough," he said. "That's good," replied Alice. "I know I've disowned her, but she is still my daughter and I do still worry." Neil replied, "I know you do, Alice. That's part of the reason I'm doing this." "I think I'll be going back to my cabin now, Alice. I'm not sure I should see anyone in the state of mind I'm in right now," Neil explained. "I understand, Neil. I'll let Christy know you stopped by and that you said hello." Alice smiled at him. "You go back and try to get some rest. All this stress can't be good for you. I'll talk to Christy and explain why you left." Alice smiled as Neil left. She could understand that Neil and Christy were in love. She could also understand the stress that each was under. There were so many limitations on their relationship that caused stress for each. Alice had always believed that love should be expressed, but under the circumstances she understood that it could not. It pained her to know that Margaret, the child she had nurtured and loved, could cause this pain to two people who did so much good for everyone else. "Margaret," she whispered to herself, "where ever you are, I hope that God finds his way into your heart. I hope that you understand all the pain you have cause and ask God's forgiveness." A tear rolled down her cheek as she thought of her daughter's latest scheme. Chapter Twenty-six "You know Margaret," David broke the quiet of their small train cabin, "this will be your greatest acting role yet. Playing the part of a Preacher's wife. Won't that be something? I have written to that small parish I was telling you about just outside of the city. They have agreed to interview me for their pastor position. Mind, it won't be a full time job. I'll get a job as a clerk somewhere in the city. The church position will only be on Sunday's and a few odd things during the week. No one could ever doubt us if we put up a front as a highly respectable married couple, could they?" Margaret laughed at his plan, "Why of course not dear," she said in her most pleasant, demure voice, "I'm sure they can't possibly question the good Reverend or his lovely little wife." She snorted. We could give the appearance of a happy little couple. I don't care what it takes so long as Mac never knows where I am. They don't deserve the happiness they've stolen from us." David was almost afraid of the look Margaret got in her eye when she talked of Neil and Christy. Something in him was still Christian and he could detect the evilness of her schemes. He just hadn't the strength to resist her seductions. His heart had been truly broken by Christy, even if his motives for wanting her were selfish. He had never been rejected and had grown up much like Margaret when it came to getting his own way. He sat and watched Margaret as she slept. He always wondered what her next adventure would be when she finished with him. He was sure she wouldn't stay long once they arrived in New Orleans. He only hoped she would let him get his feet on the ground there before she disappeared. The old David Grantland would have been sure he could change her and keep hold of her with his charms. Christy had worn that side of him down. He had been sure she would rejoice at his proposal and see how foolish her fancy of the Doctor had been. He was no longer so sure of himself, and after all, Margaret was more street smart than even him. He was sure of one thing. What he was doing was very wrong. He was breaking several Commandments with Margaret and if he didn't turn things around he would surely burn in Hell. He just couldn't find the strength to resist her. Chapter Twenty-seven Neil had volunteered to accompany Alice to pick up the new preacher. Jeb Spencer had once again agreed to lend his wagon. The previous night they all had a good chuckle at Neil's suggestion that the new preacher could prove himself a real man by taking Christy's route into the cove. Christy blushed crimson and turned away hoping no one would see. "Come now, Miss Huddleston, you should be proud of yourself at showing such gumption. Not many young women would brave such conditions to reach their destination." Neil loved to see her blush. It was even better when he could take the credit for it. Now, as Neil and Alice stood at the train station waiting for the new preacher they spent a few moments reflecting about Margaret and David. "I wonder where they are right now," said Alice. "Do you think they've arrived in New Orleans yet?" "I'm not sure Alice. They could have. We know they went to Boston first. They bought those tickets in El Pano, but we weren't able to find which name they went by after that. Christy and I are both sure they went to New Orleans. I think the only thing we can do now is wait for Mr. Walker to let us know. The last I've heard is that he had a few of his boys watching the train station and the local boarding houses." "Here's the train," exclaimed Alice. "I hope that our new preacher is a down to earth man." Neil chuckled and whispered, "I hope he's an older man." "I heard that, Neil," Alice chuckled back. "Oh, that must be him." Neil looked to see a young man somewhere between the age of David and he step off the train. His heart sunk. Then he saw the man turn and reach up for the hand of a young woman. Neil bounded over to the steps to retrieve their luggage. "You must be Reverend McGee! I'm pleased to meet you. I'm Neil McNeil, the Cove's physician. This is Alice Henderson. She runs the Mission here in Cutter Gap." Neil paused hoping that the preacher would introduce his companion, preferably as his wife and not his sister. "Please to meet you Doctor. Please, call me Pete. This is my wife Cora." Neil held his hand out to the young woman. "Please to meet you Ma'am. We're glad to have you here." Alice interrupted, "Yes, we certainly are. Most people in the cove just call me Alice, or Miss Alice if you please. As for Neil, most call him Doc. Neil, help the Reverend with their trunks please." Turning to Mrs. McGee she said, "We've brought the wagon to take you to the mission." As they loaded the wagon Neil began telling them the story of the young schoolteacher and her journey into the cove. "She was a sight! When I saw her, she must have been on the trail for 5 hours or so. Mr. Pentland was good enough to carry her satchel, but she still trudged through snow and mud to get here. Yes, I'd have to say that Christy, I mean Miss Huddleston, is very dedicated to her work," he chuckled to himself. Cora and Pete gave a knowing look to one another. It seems that the doctor had more admiration for the teacher than just her dedication to her work. The tone of his voice seemed to lilt when he spoke of her. "Well, I for one am glad for the wagon, and I can't wait to meet Miss Huddleston. She must be a wonder to behold!" cried Cora. "Indeed she is," said Miss Alice. "But beware, her enthusiasm can be contagious!" They all shared a good laugh. It seemed that the new pastor and his wife would fit in well at the Mission. Chapter Twenty-eight Christy was around the back of the Mission when the wagon arrived. She was so busy scrubbing out the laundry that she didn't even hear Ruby Mae hollering, "The new preacher's here!" "Laws, Miss Christy! Ain't ya comin' in?" hollered Ruby Mae. "What is that girl hollering about now!"? Christy muttered to herself. "I guess I'd better go check." She dropped the pillowcase down into the washtub, but it splash water and soap up in her eyes. "Ow!" she cried, squeezing both eyes shut. "Ruby Mae!" She waited to see if the girl would respond. No response came. "Ruby Mae!" Again she waited with no response. "Great! I've got to find my way over to the creek to rinse this soap out of my eyes, but I can't see," she thought. "Ruby Mae is constantly at my feet unless I actually need her." She chuckled. Ruby Mae had run to the wagon to greet the new comers. "Howdy! Ya'll must be plenty tuckered. I've got some victuals a cookin' on the stove fer lunch. Me and Miss Christy was a finishin' up the cleanin' fer ya!" She paused as they heard Christy calling from behind the house. "That thar's Miss Christy now. She sounds ta be in a heap o' trouble. I'd best get back ta helpin' her." "Never mind, Ruby Mae," said Neil. "I'll go and help her as soon as I've unloaded the Reverend and Mrs. McGee's bags." "Don't bother with those McNeil, we can get the big ones later," said Pete. "Let's just go and make sure Miss Huddleston is ok. Besides, I think Cora would like to meet her, would you dear?" He turned to his wife. "Of course I would!" "Well then, Doctor, lead the way." They all followed Neil around to the back of the cabin where they saw Christy crawling on the ground toward the creek. Neil couldn't resist an opportunity to see Christy blush. "Why, Miss Huddleston, Ruby Mae said you were cleaning, but it looks to me like your just getting dirty," he chuckled. "Ha, ha, very funny Neil! As if I'd crawl around in the dirt on purpose," she said as she reached the creek. She splashed a bit of water onto her face. Cupping it in her hands she plunged her face in and opened her eyes to rinse them out. Pausing between handfuls she responded to Neil, "It just so happens that I splashed soap in my eyes. It burns worse than Birdseye's moonshine warshin' down a hot pepper!" she said with a shake of her head and her best mountain accent. Neil suddenly got very serious and rushed to her side. The other's struggled to stifle their chuckles. "Christy, lass, let me see. I need to make sure the lye didn't damage your eyes." He knelt beside her and grabbed her shoulders. "I'm fine, Doctor McNeil, just let me get it rinsed out. It just burns is all and I couldn't see to get to the creek so I had to crawl in the dirt. Now, not only am I dirty, but I'm humiliated as well." "Don't worry about the dirt, Christy. Let me check your eyes." He tugged her shoulders and pulled her up to kneel beside him. The others in the group watched as he tenderly took her face in his hands and examined her eyes. "They seem to be alright," he finally said as he released her face. "I tried to tell you, but you wou.." It was at that point that Christy noticed everyone standing back watching them. She turned a violent shade of red. Looking back at Neil she whispered, "Neil, why didn't you tell me everyone was watching? I was talking about moonshine. Why didn't you stop me?" "I didn't see any need to, Lass," he whispered back. "Considering the situation, I was more concerned about your eyes." Realizing exactly what situation they were in, Christy's expression turned from embarrassment to horror at being caught in a somewhat private moment with Neil. She jumped to her feet. "Thank you, Doctor McNeil, for checking my eyes. I think they're fine now," she hurriedly said. Walking toward the group she extended her hand to Adam. "You must be the new pastor," she greeted, "I'm Christy Huddleston." She turned to Cora and could almost read the amusement in her eyes. "You must be Mrs. McGee. I'm very pleased to meet you, though I wish I could have done so in a more dignified manner," she glared at Neil as though everything were his fault. He just shrugged his shoulders and smiled sweetly at her. Chapter Twenty-nine It didn't take more than two days for Ruby Mae to tell Miss Cora the details of the resent events at the Mission and the developing feelings between Christy and Neil. Cora had already guessed a lot of what was happening between them. She had understood that the Doctor was married and that his wife had run off, not once, but now three times. The last preacher, David Grantland, had been rejected by Christy and had simply left the Mission without giving anyone notice. From what she was hearing of David, he really hadn't fit into the cove anyway. Her heart went out to Neil and Christy. She had watched them together that first day and had seen the sparks that were between them. She too knew how it was to love a man she couldn't have. When she and Pete had first met he was married. Her aunt and uncle had attended the same church as Pete. She had gone to stay with them to help care for her young cousins while Aunt Laura was having a hard pregnancy with little Imogene. She had seen Pete among the member of the congregation and thought him the handsomest of men. Then she had met his beautiful wife, Sara. Sara and Cora became fast friends and soon began spending a lot of time together. As she spent more and more time with Sara, she also began to know Pete better. She felt strange whenever she was around him. She always seemed to put her foot in her mouth somehow and they always seemed to argue over the silliest things. She and Sara used to joke about how much Pete disliked her. Inside, though, she couldn't help shaking the feeling that he was important somehow. Sara got sick only a few months after they had met. She never had been a very strong person and her kidneys were beginning to fail. Sara and Cora had become such dear friends that she had staid on with her aunt and uncle, even after the baby was born, to help care for Sara. Pete began to appreciate the things that Cora did to make Sara happy and comfortable. He and Cora also began to get along better. It wasn't long before they both found their friendship turning into something deeper. It caused each of them pain, because they each loved Sara so much and couldn't bear to hurt her. Chapter Twenty-nine The doctors had given Sara only a few weeks to live, but she held on for a few month. She may have been sick, but she wasn't blind. She could see that Cora and Pete had great admiration for one another. She wanted each of them to be happy and sat them down one evening shortly before she went for her final stay in the hospital. "Pete, Cora, I sat you both down here to discuss a few things with you. I know that you all haven't always gotten along and that you differ in opinions frequently, but you are both very dear to me. Cora, you are like a little sister to me. Though I've only known you these past six months, I've come to know you as the best friend I could ever have. You have done so much for me, to make me comfortable. You've done a lot for Pete too. You've taken some of this off of his shoulders. I couldn't ask for a better friend." She continued, "Pete, I love you more than anything in this world. You have always stood by me and been a wonderful husband. I couldn't ask for a better mate. I want you to be happy and know that whatever you choose in life, I wish the best for you." "I think we have to realize that my time on earth is through." Both Cora and Pete started to argue, but Sara interrupted them by raising her hand. "There's no point in arguing, I've accepted it. There is only one thing left for me to see to, and that is the happiness of the two most beloved people in my life. As I said before, you haven't always agreed, but I think your contrasts suit each other well. You've learned to rely on one another for friendship and trust. Those are two important things in a relationship." "I will not push the two of you, but I needed to tell you this. After I am gone, if the two of you find that you have something more than friendship and trust. Please know that you have my sincerest wishes of happiness. It would please me to no end to know that the two of you would care for one another and keep one another. I love you, both of you." As Cora watched Christy and Neil they reminded her more and more of Pete and herself when they first fell in love. A love that was forbidden by so many things, but in time came to fruit. She hoped that Neil and Christy would be as blessed. Chapter Thirty Startled by the ringing of the telephone, the inhabitants of the Mission house all jumped. Ruby Mae, being superstitious as well as fearful let out a small cry. "Don't think I never will get used ta that thar thing!" she exclaimed. "I'll get it," said Cora, as she rose from the dinner table. "Cutter Gap Mission," she answered. "Yes, sir...No, sir...No, sir, I don't think that will be necessary. Doctor McNeil is right here," she said as she motioned for Neil to come to the phone. "Hallo," rang Neil's deep baritone. "Mr. Walker, how are you?" Neil questioned. "Good, good.. No sir, now is fine.. Yes, I know we had agreed upon day after tomorrow, but if you felt you needed to call, it must be important," Neil paused. "Ruby Mae, why don't you and I go out and feed the pig now," suggested Christy. "That way Dr. McNeil can have a bit of privacy for his conversation." "But, Miss Christy, don't ya wanna know what he be talkin' about?" "If we need to know the details of the conversation, then Dr. McNeil will share them with us. Now come on, let's get the swill bucket." Ruby Mae sighed a deep sigh, but she did as Miss Christy instructed. "I never get ta know 'bout nothin' round here," she said under her breath. "No, and you don't need to know this time either," Christy startled her. Ruby Mae hadn't meant for Miss Christy to hear her. "Yes 'em. I'm sorry," she replied. "It's okay, Ruby Mae. Now that we're out of earshot, I'll share a little something with you. I want to know about the conversation so bad my stomach hurts. I had to get out of there or I think I'd probably throw up," she giggled. She sometimes shared these little things with Ruby Mae because she though of her as a little sister. They made their way out to the pigpen and dumped the swill into the trough. "Miss Christy," questioned Ruby Mae, "don't ya wish you could just marry the Doc right now?" "Ruby Mae," Christy scolded. "Wall, why cain't he just get one of them deevorces I heard about. Some folks does that ya know." "Yes, Ruby Mae, I know, but I don't think it would do any good in this situation. Unlike people in the city, the folks here in Cutter Gap don't really approve of divorces. If Neil were to just divorce Margaret and then marry me some people would look at our marriage like it wasn't morally right, even though it may be legally alright," she paused. "I wouldn't be able to teach school here anymore, because people wouldn't want an immoral teacher. Just look at what happened with the whole John Spencer episode. As much as I'd like to, I can't even hold Neil's hand in public." Christy let out a deep breath and sighed. "It's just a little too complicated. The only thing that could possibly bring Neil and I together now is.Margaret's death." "It sounds lak one of them Shakespeare plays. It's a tragedy!" Ruby Mae exclaimed. "It's not as bad as that Ruby Mae, who knows, maybe God will find a way for us to work it out the way you hoped." "Miss Christy, can I ask ya another question?" asked Ruby Mae. "Of course you may," replied Christy. "Wall," Ruby Mae's hesitation made Christy suddenly uncomfortable, "I was wonderin' if what I heard 'bout the Preacher an Miss Margaret be true. Did Preacher run off ta Boston with her after she bewitched 'em?" "Ruby Mae," Christy sighed trying to think about what to say, " well. I think you listen to too many rumors and you know there is no such thing as bewitching someone, but I think you are old enough to hear the truth. First, I want your promise that what you hear will not leave your lips. I will be very upset if I find out you have gossiped this all around the Cove. I don't think I'd ever be able to trust you again, and trust between sisters is important." Christy threw in the part about sisters to reinforce Ruby Mae's desire not to tell. She also wanted Ruby Mae to understand what kind of responsibility comes with knowing other peoples secrets. "We are pretty sure that Reverend Grantland and Margaret did leave together. Though we do know that they did not go to Boston. We think that they have gone to New Orleans in Louisiana," she paused. "Now you know if I hear anyone talking about them being in Louisiana, I'll know you told." "No m'am, I ain't gonna tell. Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye! If'n I was ta tell yer secret, the ghost of Granny Gosner would rise up from the grave ta hant me." "Ok, ok, I know you wont tell," Christy giggled. She was beginning to feel like a schoolgirl again. As Ruby Mae grew older, it made Christy feel younger. "Let me finish, we're pretty sure they have gone to New Orleans. Neil, I mean Doctor McNeil, has hired a private detective to find them. A private detective is someone who people hire to find out things they can't find out for themselves. In this case, since the Doctor is so far away, he needed someone close by to find them. That's who was calling on the telephone." "Oooo!" exclaimed Ruby Mae, "How kin you stand ta be out here jabberin' with me when sumthin lak that's goin' on in thar?" "I can't," cried Christy, "let's go back in." With that the two young women giggled and trotted back up to the house. They could see that Neil was finished with his phone call. Christy knew he wouldn't say anything in front of Ruby Mae or the others, so she'd have to wait. Chapter Thirty-one As soon as the opportunity arose Neil took her aside. "Christy, Mr. Walker has found them," Neil sighed. "They are together." He hung his head, "I guess I was hoping that somehow Grantland would be a stronger man than I was. I was hoping Margaret wouldn't corrupt him like she's done so many others." He looked up to see how Christy was reacting to the news. She seemed to be taking it all pretty well. "Tis just as we expected. They ran off together. They arrived in New Orleans today and checked into a boarding house near the train depot. Mr. Walker observed them having lunch together. From the way he describes the two, they are caring on like a married couple." He saw the shock in her eyes as the meaning of his words registered to her. "Neil, surely their not..well..you know," she blushed. "Aye, Lass, they surely are." "Mr. Walker said that they were checked in as Reverend and Mrs. Grantland. Tis a shame, but not a surprise," he muttered. "What happens now, Neil?" She asked. "Well, he will keep an eye on them and keep me informed of their whereabouts. I'm not sure that anything else can be done at this time. I suppose I could march down their and put the fear of God in both of them, but that wouldn't do any good, would it?" He and Christy both chuckled at the thought. "Neil, do you think this will ever work itself out? Everything seems so out of control right now. I wonder if it will ever be set right." "In God's hands I'm sure it will Christy. We just have to let him work in his own way. That doesn't mean that we can't keep an eye on things though," he paused. "Now, we'd better get back in there before they begin to worry about us." He took Christy by the elbow and led her back into the house. Chapter Thirty-two David and Margaret had arrived in New Orleans with no major complications. David had obtained an interview with the church he had mentioned to Margaret, as well as two other small churches nearer to where they were staying. "It seems there are many vacancies for Preachers in New Orleans," David mentioned to Margaret. "That makes sense," she replied, "after all, it isn't called 'sin city' for nothing!" she snorted. The two shared a good laugh until David corrected her, "Margaret, I don't think it's New Orleans that's called 'sin city'. I believe that it's somewhere in the West. Really, Margaret, you'd think you would know a thing like that!" David snickered. Margaret's temper began to flare. "Is that all you think I am, some stupid trollup?" she demanded. "N..n..no, Margaret," David stuttered, "it's just that you've traveled so much and all." He hated this side of her. She could be so warm and tempting, until this temper arose. "Well," snorted Margaret, "I guess that's one thing, but you know, I never really traveled to that many places. Going to Atlanta with the other girls would have been a real adventure for me. Actually, I was never far from Cutter Gap." She paused, "Why to you think I really came back. It wasn't because I love Mac. In fact, I loathe him. I had heard that the Doctor was falling in love with the new schoolteacher. I couldn't let that happen, could I? How could Mac be happy when I'm so miserable." David noticed that her eyes nearly glowed as she recounted her story. At times like this he wondered how she could ever be Alice Henderson's daughter and not really spawned from Satan himself. She snorted under her breath, "Looking back now, I wish I'd have let them get married and have a few kids before I came back. A few bastard children would put little Miss Huddleston in her place quite nicely." "That's it, Margaret!" David flared. He still had a soft spot in his heart for Christy and could not tolerate Margaret's thoughts toward her. "Christy never did anything to hurt you! You did all that to yourself. All she ever did was to fall in love with a good man. Neil McNeill may be my worst enemy, but he is a good man. Christy Huddleston is one of the most well-deserving people I have ever met! You, you are nothing buy evil personified!" With that he stormed out of the room. "So now it has finally happened," Margaret sputtered under her breath. "I thought I'd never be rid of him!" Margaret smiled to herself in the mirror as she fixed her lipstick. "Well, now that I'm no longer a preacher's wife, I think I could do with a little excitement!" She left the boarding house and headed into the heart of the town. She purposely followed the noise. She didn't even notice the large man behind her. He had been following her for days now. Chapter Thirty-Three Christy's day began like any ordinary day. She woke early to the smell of bacon on the stove. She wanted to have a moment with God before her day began in earnest. She knelt down beside her bed and began her prayer. "Dear Heavenly Father, I've knelt here to give praise to you, Lord. I acknowledge that your hand is guiding my life at every turn. Thank you, God, for helping me to get through the hard times and for providing the wonderful times as well. Amen," she spoke from her heart. She longed to ask God to make a way for Neil and her to be together, but she was afraid of how he might do it. She wanted to start her relationship with Neil on a pure basis. She was afraid that if something bad happened to Margaret, she could never forgive herself for asking God to make a way. After she dressed she headed outside to milk the cow. As she walked out the Mission door she was startled by something in the yard. "Oh, Mr. Scott, I'm afraid I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't see you there," she stopped to catch her breath. "I'm glad to see you here though. To what do we owe the pleasure?" Dan was smiling ear to ear. "Miss Christy, I just couldn't stand it any more. I had to tell someone. I'm heading back home to Kentucky." Christy interrupted before he could finish, "Dan, no! You have to stay. You're doing so well." Dan threw his hand up in front of her, "Just let me finish, Miss Christy. Cecile and I are going to be married sooner than we thought. They've found a good replacement teacher for her and she wants to come here to be with me." Christy promptly hugged him and began to express her own excitement. "I'm so happy for you, Dan and for Cecile too. I'll be so glad to have another woman around to talk to and I'm sure if she wants to she can have a hand in teaching our children here," Christy invited. "I'm sure she'd love that Miss Christy. We can't have youngen's of our own you know. Cecile had an accident when she was little. Several of her....well....reproductive organs were damaged. The doctors say she'll never be able to conceive a child." He paused, "I love her just the same, though. I have ever since I first laid eyes on her. Kind of like you and the Doc!" Christy blushed at his last comment, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up. "I'll be looking forward to it!" From the barn they could both hear the wailing of the Mission's milk cow, Daisy. "Well, it looks like I'd better be going. I don't want to keep Daisy waiting too long. You go and share your new with Miss Alice. I'm sure she'll be happy to hear it!" As Christy turned to go, Dan entered the Mission. Chapter 34 David was looking out the window of the boarding house watching for Margaret to return. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Who is it?" he said as he turned the latch. "Reverend, I hate to interrupt you, but there's a call for you on the line down in the kitchen," responded the voice. "Thank you, I'll be right down." "Must be a call on an assignment somewhere,"he mumbled. "No one else could possibly know I'm here." He stumbled down the stairs and took the mouthpiece in his hand. "This is David Grantland," he spoke into the telephone. "No, oh no," he exclaimed. "I'll be right there!" He turned to see the bewildered look on the innkeepers face. "It's Margaret," he stuttered. "You're wife?" asked the innkeeper. "No, I mean Yes. She's been attacked. I have to get the St. John's hospital. Can you give me directions?" "Well, of course I can. Can I get one of the fellows in the yard to give you a ride over. It's in the worse part of town," she asked. "It would be," David thought to himself, while he quietly cursed Margaret for going to that area of town. He arrived at the hospital nearly thirty minutes later and spoke to the front desk attendant, "Could you please tell me where I might find my wife? She was brought in here not too long ago. Her name is Margaret Mc.., I mean Grantland." He followed the receptionists instructions and found Margaret on the second level of the hospital. She was in a private room and as he tried to enter he was pushed back out the door by a police officer. "Excuse me, Sir, but you can't go in there right now. Sarge is doing some questioning," the officer barked. "But, I would like to see Margaret. Is she alright?" David questioned. "She's had a pretty rough experience," replied the man. "He beat her something fierce. Her face is pretty torn up. I imagine he thought he had killed her. By the look of her he was definitely trying to." "Is she going to survive?" David said as he was really beginning to worry. He hadn't expected anything quite this bad. "The doctor says she should, though he don't know how. She should have been already dead." "What exactly happened?" asked David. "Well, we haven't quite put that all together yet. We don't think she's be all truthful with us. She said he dragged her down the alley way, but we think maybe she knew him, or something. She must have been meeting somebody to have been on that side of town by herself." "Are you sure? I mean, we haven't been in New Orleans for very long. She doesn't know the area very well. She probably just got lost along the way or something. Did she say she recognized him?" "No, she didn't say. She just keeps saying that he jumped out and drug her back there. But, there didn't seem to be much of a struggle to take place. Looks like he had his way with her and then when he was done beat her near to death." "What do you mean, 'had his way with her'. He didn't..." David agonized. "I'm afraid he did. Sorry to have to tell you," the officer was having trouble looking David in the eye. "Thank you officer, I appreciate the information. When can I see Margaret?" David asked. "As soon as we're done taking down the information." A thousand thoughts were running through his head. He and Margaret had had a fight earlier in the day. He was angry with her, but even he wouldn't wish this to happen. What would they do now? When he was finally allowed in to see Margaret she was sleeping. "She's been given a sedative to calm her nerves and take away some of the pain," the doctor explained. She has two cracked ribs, a broken jaw and a broken arm. She really put up a good fight with him, didn't she?" The doctor left David alone in the room with Margaret, and his thoughts. "What kind of attitude will she have when she awakens?" David thought. He hoped she would be able to overcome the attack and be her old vibrant self, but that maybe it would have put some sense into her too. "What was she thinking going off to that part of town by herself?" he mumbled. David waited nervously for Margaret to awaken. Chapter 35 Christy always did love Saturdays and this one was no different. She had decided to take a walk down to the creek. Perhaps she would meet Neil their and they could fish together. If not, she could use the time to reflect upon the past several months. Pete and Cora had fit nicely into the Cutter Gap community. The highlanders were really beginning to accept them as members of the community. The Reverend and his wife loved the Cove just as much as Christy did, and were planning on building a house near the Mission. "It'll be a home, where we can start a family of our own," Cora had confided in Christy just a few days before. Christy didn't think the couple would ever leave Cutter Gap. It was their home now, too. She smiled as she thought of her new friends and how much joy she had felt at the new that Cora was indeed expecting a baby. Dan Scott and his new wife Cecile had also made a home in the cove. Christy could remember her conversation with Dan when he talked about going back to Freedom to bring Cecile "home". It had been nearly seven months ago, but she could still picture the twinkle in his eye. Christy reached the edge of the creek. Neil was not here, though she didn't mind that much. She had only hoped to catch a little time with him today. She would just sit on here in her favorite spot and watch the river flow by. Her thoughts turned to Neil and the struggle he had been dealing with this past month. He kept weekly contact with Mr. Walker in New Orleans, and he knew that David and Margaret were still there. Shortly after the two had arrived in the city, Margaret had been hospitalized. Neil assumed that it was a relapse of her tuberculosis, but Mr. Walker soon let him know that she had been attacked and beaten. They had not yet apprehended the assailant, but Margaret would live. Neil took the information with a bit of shock, but soon recovered. Mr. Walker kept Neil up-to-date on the couples whereabouts and what they were doing. He updated Neil on the progress of Margaret's recovery, and assured him that she was doing well. The real shock came last month, when Mr. Walker informed Neil that Margaret, by all appearances, was very happy and very pregnant. Christy new that Neil was a strong man, but it must have hurt to know that his wife was pregnant, and the child was not his. He and Christy had discussed the matter one evening last week. "I don't love her, Christy. I think that's what makes the pain so hard to understand. If I loved her I would be angry, angry that she betrayed my love. I think the pain comes from the fact that Margaret never wanted to have my child. She always denied me that. Yet now, she can give that to David. I don't suppose it even bothers her that the child is illegitimate." Christy new how deeply Neil was hurt by Margaret's actions. She also told him that if ever she were to become his wife she would provide him with a dozen children, God willing. He had smiled, but she knew that her words had not eased his pain. Christy had been troubled with these thoughts for the past few days. She longed to ease Neil's pain, but didn't see anyway to do so. "Penny for your thoughts, Lass," came the deep Scottish brogue that she knew so well. She turned and smiled at him. "Hello, Neil," she greeted. "You weren't looking for me were you, Christy?" he questioned. "No, not exactly, but if I happened to find you I wouldn't be disappointed," she countered. "And if you hadn't found me?" Neil cocked his left eyebrow. "I would have been devastated," she feigned distress. "You're my bonnie lass today, aren't you? So what has you so deep in thought?" He looked to her for an answer. "Nothing much, I was just reflecting over the past few months," she answered. "Oh," he responded. She could tell by the drop in his voice that her thoughts were conveyed to him through her eyes. "Blast that man!" she thought. "Oh, well, I've had no news from Mr. Walker, if that's what you're wondering," he said. "No, Neil, I was just sort of reflecting. I wasn't only thinking of Margaret and David. I was also thinking of Pete and Cora, and the Scotts," she explained. "Did you know that Cecile wants to help out at the school. She says she's finally gotten settled in well enough that the people here shouldn't have any qualms about her teaching." Neil recognized Christy's poor attempt to change the subject. Chapter 36 "Margaret, it's been nearly nine months! Won't you even talk to me about it?" David begged. We have a lot of things to talk about, and to decide," he said. "I don't want to talk about this again!" she shouted. "Look, David, I know there are only two things keeping you here with me; pity and curiosity," she smirked. "I don't need your pity. Do you think it was the first time a man has attacked me? Hardly, so! As for curiosity, we'll the answer to your question will soon be revealed. I'm sure we'll know whether or not you father this bastard!" "Don't call the child a bastard, Margaret. It's cruel!" David pled. "Don't you think it's a big enough scandal as it is?" Margaret just rolled her eyes. "Margaret, we really do need to talk about it. What do we do once the child is here?" "What, you mean if it's not yours? I've told you, we'll decide that when the time comes!" Margaret rose to her feet and stomped out of the boarding room. "Margaret, where are you going?" David called after her. He opened the door just in time to see Margaret double over at the top of the stairs. "Margaret, are you alright?" She turned to look at him, with pleading in her eyes as if to beg for mercy. As she swung her head she lost her balance and toppled down the stairs to the next landing. David was quickly by her side. " We have to get you to the hospital, just hold still," he cried. Chapter 37 "Orter Ball O'Teele, you give that thar marble ta me! I wonned it faer and square!" cried Creed Allen. "Ain't doin' it!" replied Orter Ball. "Sides I was a crossin' my fingers when we made that thar bet. Ye shuld know better than ta make a bet a'fore lookin' ta a bodies hands!" It didn't take long for the argument to escalate into a brawl. Christy ran out of the school as soon as she heard the shouts from the children. "Boys! Boys!" she yelled to be heard above the chanting crowd. "Boys, stop this right now!" She reached down to grab Orter Ball, as once he was restrained she was sure she could control Creed. Just as she grabbed him by the elbow a pain ripped through her jaw and everything went black. The next thing she remembered was someone calling her, "Teacher? Lordy, Teacher, I be mighty sorry fer that. I weren't aimin' at ya! I were aiming fer him!." It was Creed Allen. Her eyes were beginning to focus now. "Creed, what happened?" she asked. "Wall, Teacher, it's like this. Me an' Orter Ball was fightin' and you stepped in ta middle. I didn't mean ta hit ye. Ye just was kind'a thar." "It's alright, Creed," she said as she tried to sit up, "I know you weren't aiming for me. I should have known better than to get between the two of you. But, you should have known better than to start a fight with Orter Ball! I want the two of you to go inside and sit at your seats." "John Spencer, would you please go in and keep an eye on the two of them?" she requested. "Yes ma'am," replied John as he turned toward the school house. "Miss Christy, Ruby Mae's done gone ta fetch Miss Alice at the mission," he said over his shoulder. "Thank you, John," she replied. She managed to get up off the ground and over to the porch steps. She could feel the bruise starting on her cheek bone. "Neil will definitely need to take a look at that," she thought. "Miss Christy!" Ruby Mae came sprinting over the hill from the Mission. "Mr. Dan's coming to help you back up ta tha Mission. Miss Cecile's gonna finish out tha day a teachin' fer ya!" she chattered. " I think I'm alright to teach, Ruby Mae," said Christy. "No Ma'am, Miss Alice wants ya ta come back. I think it's fer somethin' real important." Ruby Mae's face clouded over causing Christy to wonder what was going on at the house. "Children, you all head back inside. Miss Cecile will be here in a minute," she instructed. As the pairs of feet shuffled up the steps she turned to Ruby Mae. "What's going on Ruby Mae?" she quizzed. "Wall, I don't rightly know if I's the one ta be tellin' ya, but..... The Preacher's up ta tha house," replied Ruby Mae. Christy got a confused look on her face and then understanding what Ruby Mae had meant, she her face blanched. "Is he alone," she asked the girl. "Wall, not zactly," replied Ruby Mae, "but Miss Margaret ain't with em." Chapter 38 Christy met Dan and Cecile on her was to the Mission. "Dan, what's going on?" she asked. "I'll head on out to the schoolhouse," said Cecile. "I think you'll want to get to the Mission, Christy." Christy thanked Cecile and then turned to Dan. He could read a million questions in her eyes. "You just head on up to the house, Miss Christy," he said. "I'm headed over to fetch Doc McNeil. He'll be wanted there too." Then as an afterthought, "You might want to have him take a look at that cheek bone. I don't think Creed could have broken it. It's a little bruised, but it looks ta be okay ta me." "Dan, please tell me what's going on. Ruby Mae says that David is at the Mission, but not with Margaret," her pleading eyes finally broke through to him. "Miss Christy, Margaret passed away a couple of weeks back. Reverend Grantland's just here to drop something off to Miss Alice, then he's leaving. I heard him say he wasn't staying, but he wanted to talk to you and Doc before he left." "Thank you, Daniel. I'll hurry to Miss Alice. I'm sure she'll need someone to comfort her for her loss," Christy said before she took off at a run for the Mission. Chapter 39 Christy didn't know what to expect when she entered the house. She knew that Alice must be distraught about Margaret's death. She was, after all, her mother. She was taken aback by what she saw. Alice Henderson sat on the bench by the piano. Christy could tell that she had been crying. She was softly cooing to the bundle in her arms. She and David both looked up when they heard the screen door open. "Miss Alice?" came Christy's question-filled voice. "Christy, come and meet my Granddaughter," Alice said as she rose to meet Christy half-way. Christy drew closer to take a peek inside the blanket. She was shocked at what met her eyes. Alice Henderson chuckled at the expression on the young teacher's face. "She, she's just beautiful," Christy stammered. Alice snorted trying to hold back her laughter, "As you can see, this child is obviously not Mr. Grantland's." Christy's mouth gaped open at the comment. Her eyes searched David's for an answer. "The baby is the child of Margaret's attacker. She never wanted to talk about it to me, but, I can only assume he was a colored man." David shrugged, " Obviously, I can't raise this child as my own, so I brought her here to Alice. I knew that Alice would love her, regardless of her coloring." Christy's eyes still searched for answers. "I'd rather just explain it all once, Christy. Can't we wait until McNeill arrives." Christy nodded her head in response. She quickly turned her attention back to Alice and the babe in her arms. "What is her name, David?" she asked as she reached out to hold the baby. "She doesn't have a name. I thought I'd leave that up to Alice." "Margaret..... died during the birthing. She had taken a fall down the stairs at the boarding house. They thought at first that the baby wouldn't survive either." David paused for the right words to explain. "When they realized she wasn't my child, they started papers to put her in the orphanage. They assumed I wouldn't want her. After all I've done, I couldn't let something so innocent go to waste. I knew that Alice at least had the right to know her granddaughter." "I won't be keeping her. I simply explained to the hospital that she would be going to Margaret's mother. They gave me her birth certificate and let me take her. I think they were a little relieved. They'd never dealt with something this complicated before. Of course, they did think that I was Margaret's husband." "Well Christy, what shall we call her?" asked Alice. "I would say that is entirely your decision Alice," replied Christy. "Then, I think she shall be named Hannah," exclaimed Alice The three occupants of the room looked up as they heard the door open again. Daniel Scott entered the room followed by Neil McNeill. "Christy?" Neil's expression mirrored that of Christy's when she first entered the room. Christy slowly walked toward Neil. She hadn't had a lot of experience carrying a baby until young Iris McHone had been left at the Mission. She didn't want to stumble with her precious bundle. "Neil, meet Hannah," Christy whispered. "She is Alice's new granddaughter." Neil's eyes shot up before he even looked at the child. It was at that moment that he finally noticed David. He quickly searched the room for Margaret. When he didn't find her, he once again let his eyes fall on David. "Grantland, what's the meaning of this?" he bellowed. "Neil, Margaret died during the birth," Christy explained. "Hannah is Margaret's child. I believe that David is going to explain everything to us. But first, why don't you look after Hannah. Just to make sure she's healthy from the journey." She gently slid the baby girl into Neil's arms and headed back to Alice. "Well, let me have a look at her." Neil looked down at the baby for the first time. "Christy, she's.... Margaret's child, are you sure?" "I'm positive Doctor," came David's embarrassed reply. "Well, then," stumbled Neil, "let's give her the wants-over." He gently carried the baby back into a bedroom to lay her on a bed. David and Dan both followed closely behind him. Chapter 40 "Miss Alice, you have a granddaughter!" exclaimed Christy as the men left the room. "Indeed I do," beamed Alice. "Hannah! What a beautiful name," said Christy. Alice's face became serious. "Christy, how am I to raise a child at my age? I'm not exactly a young woman. I am nearing sixty you know?" "Alice, you have plenty of helping hands around the Mission. I'm here to help you," replied Christy. "Yes, but you won't be here much longer," claimed Alice. Christy gasped, not catching the meaning of Miss Alice's words. "Christy, you and Neil are free to marry now. Had thee not realized that yet?" She could tell by the shocked expression on Christy's face that she had indeed not realized this fact. "Alice, I.... I'm so sorry," cried Christy. "Christy, my child, don't be sorry. Thee have done nothing wrong. I have come to grips with the fact that Margaret was not long for this world. I must say, I was prepared for her passing. I was not, however, prepared for Hannah." "As much as I would love to keep thee here with me to help me raise Hannah, I wouldn't dream of keeping you from your own children," said Alice as she placed her palm against Christy's cheek. "However, it wouldn't be fair to Hannah to be raised by an old woman. No, we can surely find a suitable home for her here in the cove. Here, she will be close to me and I can watch her grow." "Alice, perhaps Neil and I could...." Christy began, but was quickly interrupted by Alice. "Christy Huddleston, I wouldn't dream of asking Neil to raise her. He is indeed a loving man, but the strain of raising Margaret's child, who is not his own, would be just too much," explained Alice. "But, Miss Alice, you wont find many in the cove who would be willing to raise a, well, colored child," Christy was trying to be as gentle as possible. "Besides, you and Neil will be having children of your own. Maybe, we could entrust Hannah to a couple whom could love her as their own, a couple who cannot have children of their own." With that, Alice nodded her head toward the bedroom where Dan Scott had ventured with Neil and David. "Oh Alice, do you think Dan and Cecile would take her. I know they would love her. You could still be close enough to enjoy her as a Grandmother should!" Christy grew more and more excited. "I think it would be an answer to their prayers and mine. You see, I have been praying to God to bless them with a child of their own. I know they want one." Alice smiled sweetly. "The only question now is, how to present the idea to them. We will of course need to wait until David has gone. As Hannah is not his child, he will have no say over what I choose for her, but knowing David, as we do, he would feel he deserves a say. No, we'll just wait until Mr. Grantland leaves this evening." To be Continued.......