Title: Every Time You Go Away Author: Kimberly H. Okay, the usual disclaimer applies: I do not own these characters, nor intend any infringement by using them. This is for entertainment purposes only, and anyone caught trying anything else with them will receive a sound thrashing! ****************** Also, for the sake of my sanity, grant me artistic license and take the following things as true without reason: 1) Margaret is out of the picture (dead--I'll deal with it later) 2) Christy has refused David (like I'd let him have her!) Note: I am not even going to attempt Neil's accent. Hear it in your head, kind folks. I'm not that good. ****************** Every Time You Go Away Chapter 1 Christy stood on the schoolhouse steps, looking out over the fields towards the most distant ridge. The late afternoon sun was reflecting off clouds that were rapidly spilling over the mountaintops. As the breeze picked up, she wrapped her coat more closely about her small form. She never looked away from the horizon, compelled to watch. She felt it. Something was coming. ***** Alice watched her from the mission-house doorway. Concern lined her features. There was something troubling the young schoolteacher, but any attempts to find out the root of her unrest had been met with a feigned look of confusion and a shrug. Both Alice and David had resigned themselves to her silence and put it in God's hands. But Alice suspected that it had something to do with Neil. He had been absent from the Cove for three months now, having traveled to Baltimore for research purposes. He was to be away only temporarily, but Alice sensed that his presence was sorely missed. Reaching for her coat, she pushed open the door. ***** "God's hand is evident here in these mountains, is it not?" Christy started at the words, dragging her eyes away from the scene to her mentor. "Yes, it is. The beauty of these mountains is indescribable. Every day brings something new." She smiled. "You'd think that after living here so long, you'd get tired of looking at them. But I never do." Alice looked out at the mountains, their peaks fading into the twilight purple of oncoming night. "I believe that Heaven cannot be much lovelier." She paused, her face becoming stern. "Miss Huddleston--what troubles thee?" "Nothing, Miss Alice. I'm fine." Alice climbed the steps, taking Christy's hand and leading her to a pew. "Christy--I have told thee that thee may confide in me anything--why dost thou hold back thy feelings?" Christy sighed. "I don't know, Miss Alice. I just feel--hollow. Like there's nothing left in me." "Why does thee feel so empty?" "I'm not sure. I feel lonely." She spun around to meet Alice's eyes. "Why? Why would I feel lonely? I have the children, Fairlight, you--what else could I need?" "Perhaps thee misses thy family?" "No--it's not that. Oh, Miss Alice--what's wrong with me?" Alice stared up the aisle to the pulpit. Silently seeking God out, she said a quick prayer for guidance. She knew that this was treacherous ground. "Christy--perhaps thee feels hollow because thy heart is not with thee, but somewhere else." "I don't understand--what do you mean? Where else would my heart be, but in these mountains?" Alice breathed deeply. "Perhaps, Miss Huddleston--thy heart is in Baltimore?" ************************** Chapter 2 Christy stormed past David, barely registering his quick sidestep to aviod her obvious fury. As her door slammed upstairs, Alice stepped in the kitchen. "What'd you say to her, Alice?" He received no reply. Alice brushed past him, heading up the stairs to Christy's room. She rapped softly on the door. "Christy? May I speak with thee?" Silence. "Miss Huddleston--you cannot hide forever. Thee must face what thee knows to be true." The door opened suddenly. Christy's red-rimmed eyes were testimony to her emotional state. "Miss Alice--please--leave me alone..." Alice ignored her plea, stepping in the dimly lit room, the door clicking shut softly behind her. She reached out for the girl before her, and Christy rushed forward, once more bursting into tears. "Hush, now...t'will be all right...there is no need to cry..." Between sobs, Alice could make out Christy's words. "He's been gone...so long...I miss him so much...but I...don't understand--why..." Alice held her as she had a good long cry, then pulled her down to sit beside her on the bed. "Miss Huddleston, thee thinks highly of Neil. It is only right that thee should miss thy friend." "No, Miss Alice--he's not just my friend..." "I know, Christy. Thee feels--much--for Neil. I suspect thee has felt so for some time." Christy wiped her eyes and looked at Miss Alice. "How--" "A mother knows, Christy." She touched the girl's cheek. "Thou art like a daughter to me. I feel thy pain, thy joys, and know thy heart well enough to see thy love." She smiled sadly. "Since Margaret--left us--I have allowed myself to see the good in what Neil and thee share. Thee must not feel guilt, Christy. Thee has done no wrong." She tilted up Christy's chin, smiling. "Thee loves bacause God wills it--not by thine own choice. Who am I to judge God's work?" ***** David eased away from the door as quietly as he could. His head was spinning from what he'd just overheard. It was true. He'd suspected for months, but now it was confirmed. Not only had he been wrong about Christy's feelings for him, he'd been wrong about the doctor stealing her heart. David realized that he'd never had it to begin with--not really. He retired to the bunkhouse in silence. ************************** Chapter 3 Three weeks later... "Miz Christy, wake up!" Christy turned over, pulling the blankets higher over her head. "Miz Christy, ya gotta git up..." Christy fought valiantly against the urge to stuff a rag in Ruby Mae's mouth. Surrendering, she threw back the covers and got out of bed. "What is it, Ruby Mae?" "Hit's Doc MacNeil..." Christy's eyes flew opn. "What? Did something happen? Is he hurt?" Ruby Mae giggled. "Naw, Miz Christy--Doc's fine--but he's on his way frum El Pano!" "What? When did you find out?" She looked frantically around the room. "When will he be here? I have to get dressed..." "Lordy, Miz Christy--yore askin' more questions than I do..." She giggled again. "Doc's sposed to be here this mornin'...didn't Miz Alice tell ya?" "No, she did not. Ruby Mae, I'll ask you again--when did you find out?" "Yesterdy. He called--asked bout ya, but you wuz out visitin' the Spencer's. Said he wuz in El Pano, but wuz gonna wait til today--said he had sumpin' to take keer of..." Ruby Mae's last words were muffled as Christy pushed her out the door so she could dress. Neil was coming home! ***** As Christy came down to breakfast, she found Miss Alice waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. Stopping on the bottom step, she smiled. "Good morning, Miss Alice!" "Good morning, Miss Huddleston. Thee seems in high spirits today--what has created this change in thy demeanor?" "Oh, Miss Alice. You don't have to pretend--Ruby Mae told me everything..." As soon as the words fell from her lips, Alice's smile disappeared. "Miss Alice? Is something wrong?" Alice turned away and headed for the door. Pausing to get her things, she looked back at Christy. "Thee was not supposed to know, Miss Huddleston. It was Neil's request that it be kept secret." "I'm confused, Miss Alice--why would he not want me to know?" "He's not coming home, Miss Huddleston. He's only coming back to get his belongings." "What do you mean?" "He's going back to Baltimore. And he's going to stay." ************************* Chapter 4 Sitting alone in the empty schoolroom, Christy struggled with her thoughts. *Why wouldn't he want me to know? Is he hiding something? Does he think he's protecting me? Does he think it's unimportant? Does he think I won't care? Does he not care?* Tears welled up in her eyes, and she surrendered to her own pain. For once, she was glad the children were far away from her--she didn't want them to see her cry. ***** Alice saw the smoke spiraling up from the MacNeil chimney long before the cabin came into view. Her heart was heavy, knowing the task that lay ahead, but she was determined. Some things needed to be said, and they were going to be said now. ***** She knocked loudly on the door, and only a moment later it swung open to reveal a very different Neil MacNeil. His hair was cropped short--gone were the scraggly curls that so often fell down over his eyes. He was clean shaven, and gone, too, were the flannel shirts. His clothes were neat and pressed, very "city-fied"--as the Cove residents would say. All in all, when Alice looked at him it was as though she were looking at a stranger. "Alice? What are you doing here? Is there an emergency at the mission?" "No, Neil. I rode out here to discuss something with thee. May I come in?" "Certainly, Alice." He stepped aside to allow her in, closing the door against the cold. His eyes drifted to the mantel clock. "It's not even noon yet, Alice. What brings you out here so early?" "She knows, Neil. Ruby Mae told her this morning." "What? Blast that girl--" "Don't blame Ruby Mae, Neil. Thee should not have tried to keep it from Miss Huddleston." She paused. "Why did thee, Neil?" "It's none of her concern, Alice! Since when have I been required to tell every detail of my life to the mission schoolteacher? I'm hardly one of her students!" Alice remained motionless, frozen in place throughout Neil's tirade. "She deserves that much. She is thy friend, Neil. Don't turn her away because thee is afraid to tell her." "I'm not afraid of Christy Huddleston, Alice. For God's sake woman--I'm nearly old enough to be her father!" Alice's eyes blazed. "Do not use God's name in such a fashion, Neil MacNeil! Christy Huddleston is not simply thy friend--she cares for thee much more than that. Though for the life of me I cannot see why. Thou art a stubborn man--you cannot look past your own anger to see how deeply Christy is hurting because of your selfishness!" Alice raged, storming through the room. "Do you know anything of how she has suffered during your absence? She has missed thee terribly, Neil. She needs thee. Do not shut her out. Thee believes thee needs no one--thou art sorely mistaken. I have watched thee, Neil. I have have seen thy pleasure at meeting with her, at teaching the children with her." A tear slipped down her cheek. "I felt that Margaret's passing--my own daughter's death, Neil--might bring with it a blessing. I prayed that thee would find happiness again. I prayed that thee would see into Christy's heart and find the love she holds for thee. But thou art a blind man." She fell silent, meeting Neil's gaze for a tense moment before walking out. ************************ Chapter 5 Alice avoided Christy for the rest of the day. Her heart told her to speak to the young woman, but her brain told her to keep her distance. After all, it would do no good whatsoever if Christy discovered exactly what she had revealed to Neil that morning. It was a secret Christy had entrusted to her in the strictest of confidences--learning that she had been betrayed would deal a crushing blow, and Alice didn't believe Christy could handle much more. When night finally fell in Cutter Gap, the souls of the two mission women were not the only ones in turmoil. ***** Neil sat alone in the darkness of his cabin, thinking about Alice's revelation. The mere thought of Miss Huddleston's suffering at his hands turned his stomach. He ran one hand through his hair--what was left of it. He mentally cursed himself for having it cut so short, then his thoughts returned to Christy. He rose from his seat by the fire and climbed the stairs to his bedroom. There in the semi-darkness, he looked at the empty bed for the thousandth time. And thought of big blue eyes for what must have been the millionth. He cursed himself again. ***** The next morning found David on his way to Lufty Branch for a funeral. He talked in hushed tones to Miss Alice in the parlor, casting occasional glances at the quiet figure standing alone on the front porch. "Alice, I think it's the best thing for her..." "David, how can thee say such a thing? Miss Huddleston is in pain. Can'st thou not see that?" "Yes, Alice, I can--but it'll pass. She'll get over it..." "One cannot simply 'get over it' Reverend. Thine own jealousy is clouding thy judgment." "I've got no reason to be jealous, Alice. She chose MacNeil--and now she's hurting because of it. Why should I feel sorry for her when she brought this on herself? She should've known what kind of man he is..." "Thee should not pity her, but be there as her friend, David. If thee has ever truly cared for Miss Huddleston, thee will put aside thy hard feelings against Neil and comfort her..." David sighed. "Alice, I'm needed in Lufty Branch, so I'd better be going." He stepped out onto the porch, placing a hand on Christy's shoulder. "I hope you're feeling better when I get back, Christy...I--I'll be back in a few days. The family wants me to stay for a little while and speak with them." He looked back to Miss Alice. "I figured I'd stay through Sunday and preach the sermon. I'm sure the folks here can manage this time without me." "We will manage, David. Give my condolences to the family." He nodded his assent as he mounted Prince and rode away. ***** "Afternoon, Miz Christy!" Fairlight's clear voice rang out over the mission yard. Looking up from her lesson plans, Christy smiled for the first time in three days. "Hello, Fairlight! What brings you out here?" "I figgered you might be wantin' some comp'ny since Miss Alice left. I heered she had to go to Cataleechie to see about that Wallace baby." Christy nodded. "Yes, she left this morning, and David won't be back for two more days. It's quiet around here with Ruby Mae off doing who-knows-what." "Prob'ly over there visitin' Lizette. You know them two cain't be busted apart with a wood-axe." She sat down on the porch steps beside Christy. "Kinda like us, I reckon." Her eyes were sparkling. ***** "So the Doc's leavin' to go back to Baltimore--fer good--and he didn't want ya t'know?" "That seems to be what's going on--but I can't figure out why." Fairlight nodded. "I known Doc MacNeil all my life, and I'll tell ya what he's up to. He's plumb skeered to tell ya." Christy's puzzled expression said enough. "What I'm tellin' ya is he's skeered to tell ya he's leavin' 'cause he knows that if he talks with ya--he won't go." "Why?" Fairlight laughed. "'Cause the Doc's been sweet on ya for nigh on two years. Yore the only woman in this whole Cove that can tell 'im what ta do." So if you say 'stay' he will. But he's a stubborn fool, and has ta prove he can do what he wants ta." Fairlight smiled again. "He just ain't figgered out yet what he wants ta do. 'Course, now he thinks he wants ta go live in Baltimore--but with the right kinda convincin', he'll stay here in Cutter Gap." "What kind of convincing do you mean?" "The kind only a woman kin offer a man." Christy's mouth fell open. "Fairlight!" "Now, that ain't what I mean, Miz Christy. That ain't what I mean a'tall. I'm meanin' that ya need ta tell 'im. Tell 'im ya want him ta stay. That ya won't be happy with nobody else but 'im." She wrapped Christy up in an embrace and kissed the top of her head. "Ya gotta give 'im a reason ta stay. "Sumpin' better'n work--a good woman." *********************** Chapter 6 Riding up the trail to the mission, Neil held Charlie's reins in a white-knuckled grip. He was berating himself for his nervousness. *Why? What is there to be afraid of? This is my choice--Christy has no right to ask anything of me. It's not like we ever had an 'understanding.'* He stiffened. Remembering his lost opportunities did not sit easily in his mind. As the mission came within sight, he saw Christy crossing the property, heading for the schoolhouse. "Why must we have every conversation in that building..." he grumbled to himself as the distance between them closed. ***** Hearing hoofbeats, Christy looked up to see Doctor MacNeil riding across the yard to where she stood. A sudden fear gripped her body, and she bolted for the schoolhouse. In her haste, she underestimated the height of one of the school's steps, thus scraping her shin and causing what would become a doozy of a bruise on her knee. As she rocked back and forth on the step, holding her leg, trying to ease the pain, she looked heavenward and muttered under her breath. "Why? Why now? Why do I always have to get hurt whenever I'm trying to get away from him?" Neil tied Charlie's reins by the steps and climbed slowly to where she sat, saddlebags in hand. He knelt down beside her. "You're hurt, Miss Huddleston. Let me have a look at that." She glared at him. "I'm fine, Doctor. I scraped my knee as a child more times than I can count, and I'm still living. So I seriously doubt that this time will be any different." And as if trying to prove her point, she stood up quickly--too quickly, in fact. The pain that shot up her leg made her gasp and pitch forward--right into Neil's waiting arms. "Here..." he whispered, "sit down and let me have a look..." He guided her to her desk at the front of the room and eased her into the chair. Pushing up the hem of her skirt, he let out a low whistle. Hearing it, Christy jerked and dropped her skirt back down to cover herself. Her actions were met with a sharp look. "Miss Huddleston--may I remind you that I am a doctor. I have seen more women's legs than I care to recall. Believe me when I say that yours hold no special charm for me." He smirked. "At least not while they're all bloody and scratched like they are now." He looked up to gauge her reaction, only to find that she wasn't even looking at him--she was staring at the blackboard. Ignoring him. A spark of anger flashed through him and he finished his ministrations as quickly as he could. *What was I thinking? Christy Huddleston in love with me--Alice is a fool. And I'm a bigger fool for believing her.* He stood up and threw his bags over his shoulder. "Keep it clean, watch for infection, and if it gets any worse, send for me." With that, he turned and walked to the doorway. "When did you plan on telling me?" Her words were soft, almost inaudible. He hesitated, unsure if he really heard them. "Or did you plan on telling me at all?" She spoke more loudly the second time--she knew she had his attention. He didn't turn around, just let his bags slide from his shoulder and land with a soft thud on the floor. He again ran his fingers through what little hair he had left (cursed again) and turned around. She sat immobile at her desk, eyes locked on his. ***** "Christy--" "Don't 'Christy' me, Doctor. I thought you were my friend. But friends don't hide from one another and keep it a secret when one decides to move away." She used the desk for leverage as she stood, never breaking eye contact. "Why? Why didn't you want me to know?" He shrugged. "I didn't think it mattered." She felt her cheeks grow hot. "Really? That's an interesting conclusion, Doctor. If it dodn't matter, then why hide it from me?" "Because it's none of your business, Miss Huddleston." "None of my business? The Cove's only doctor is leaving and it's none of my business?" Her voice was rising in pitch. "My friend is leaving me and it's none of my business?" "You have Dan Scott." "No, Neil. He's not a doctor. Yes, you've been training him, and yes, he's taken excellent care of us these past four months--but he's not a doctor. He's not enough." She sank back into the chair. "He's not you, Neil." A thick silence hung between them for some time--Christy at her desk, and Neil standing in the aisle. Christy was the first to speak again. "What's in Baltimore, Neil? What's so important there that you would leave these people behind?" "My research, Christy. I've made tremendous progress in the past four months. I have access to the newest equipment, the latest findings. I'm able to share what I learn with my collegues, get a fresh opinion on my work." He fumbled for words. "I--I'm--making a difference, Christy. Here I am constantly battling--for sanitation, for tolerance, for acceptance of my abilities. In Baltimore, there's none of that. I work in a hospital. I can help people all over the world by doing this research--many more than I could help by staying here. It's where I should be." Christy didn't move. She only stared at him--no, past him. She was looking through the doorway behind him at the mountains outside. She gave no sign that she'd heard a word he'd said. Furious, he spun on his heel and walked out, snatching his bags up as he went by. "NEIL!" Her scream stopped him dead in his tracks. He turned to see her in the doorway, looking down at him. Her eyes were shining with tears, glowing with anger. "Go then. Go to Baltimore. Do your research. Forget about the Cove. These people." She half-choked on her words. "Forget about me." She stumbled down the steps and tried to run away, but her injured leg slowed her down, and Neil grabbed her arm roughly, spinning her around. "What's wrong with you, woman? You're cold as ice then you're breathing fire." He released her arm with a shove. "I don't understand what you want. You've always said that you supported me, but now--when I can make the most difference--you're punishing me! What do you want from me?" he bellowed. "Nothing! I want nothing from you! I want you to go--get away from me." "That I can do." He threw the saddlebags across Charlie's back and put one foot in the stirrup. "Yes, Neil--go. Go. But I hope you always remember that every time you go, you take part of me with you--and one day you're going to come back, and there's not going to be anything left." She punctuated her confession with an uncontrolled sob and ran for the mission. Her words echoed in his ears--and he realized how much they sounded like Margaret's. Looping Charlie's reins back around the railing, he jogged down the hill to the mission and pounded on the door. ********************************** Chapter 7 "Christy! Let me in!" He pounded on the door again. There was no response. "Christy! I know you can hear me. Just let me in. We need to talk." Still she would not open up to him. Neil rested his head against the door. *Not again. This happened with Margaret. I cannot allow it to happen with Christy...* His frustration won out over his better judgement and he threw his shoulder into the door. It creaked loudly. He crashed into it again. The door began to buckle. Finally he stepped back and kicked it open, oblivious to the splintered wood littering the floor. He bounded up the stairs, instictively knowing that she would take refuge in her room. The door there was shut as well. He clencehed his fists and called out to her. "Christy--please--let me in..." He waited, listening for any sounds of stirring from within. Nothing. "Christy. Hear me out. I need to talk to you. Face to face." He paused. "Christy. Listen to me--unless you want your door to end up like the one downstairs, you'll open up now." He heard movement. "Christy, you know I'm of the mind to do it." The door opened. ***** "What do you want, Neil?" She stood across the room from him, refusing to come any closer. She'd backed herself up against the wall, leaving herself no where else to go. She was trapped. She would have to listen to him. "Christy--I'm sorry." "Don't apologize to me--but you'll have a lot to explain to Miss Alice and David when they come home and find the door in that condition." "Christy--I'm not talking about the door! I'll have it replaced--there, will that make you happy?" She shrugged, looking away from him and out the window. He crossed the room suddenly and grabbed her arms. "Listen to me, Christy. Stop being so distant." He cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her face to his. "Come back to me. Hear me." She nodded slightly. "Good." He released her arms, rubbing them gently. "Christy, answer something for me." "Of course, Doctor." Her voice was low. He sighed. "First, cease the professional detachment. I want to talk to the Christy I used to know. The one that told me exactly what she thought, regardless of my opinion. Can you do that?" "Yes, Neil." He smiled. "Christy, I need you to tell me something--why have you been so concerned about my leaving Cutter Gap?" "I told you, Neil--these people need you. They have no one else to go to that understands them the way you do." "No, Christy. That's why the people of the Cove should be concerned. I want you to tell me why YOU are concerned." She remained silent. Desperate for an answer, Neil threw in his trump card. "Christy, Alice said something the other day..." He heard her gasp and caught her by the arm before she could slip away. "Christy--please--" His voice dropped down. "Christy--is it true? You have to tell me, Christy--I need to know..." She sobbed and crumpled to the floor. He kneeled in front of her. "Christy--" His voice cracked. "Christy...please...tell me, lass..." She could only nod. ***** He pulled her to him roughly, chanting something she could not understand. It sounded like "...never again...never again...dear God...never again..." He kissed her hair, her forehead...he kissed her eyelids and her cheeks--even her nose. He pulled away from her, looking into her eyes. "Christy--you would never lie to me?" She shook her head. "Do you believe what I tell you?" She nodded. "Good, lass. Listen to me--are you?" She nodded again. "Christy, I have loved you for so long I cannot remeber not loving you. I have dreamed of you, of holding you in my arms. I'm sorry this had to happen like it did. If I could change it, I would--but I cannot. Will you forgive me?" "Yes, Neil..." He pulled her close again. "Oh, my love..." He chuckled softly, looking down into her eyes. "I'll call the hospital tomorrow. Tell them that I can't be coming back." Christy's eyes went wide. "Now, Christy--you know very well that the people of Cutter Gap need me. How can I leave them?" She laughed softly and buried her face in his jacket. "Neil..." "What, Christy?" She remained quiet a moment. "I love you..." He lifted her chin again, looking into her eyes. Neither spoke. Neil leaned in closer, and when she didn't shrink back, he closed the distance and kissed her softly. He felt her flinch and pulled away. "I'm sorry, Christy..." "No--Neil..." She placed her hand against his cheek and smiled again--a smile of reassurance. He released a haggard breath and leaned forward again, meeting her halfway. His kiss was gentle, but more insistent. She snaked her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercly, clinging to him. Neil pulled her onto his lap and cradled her against his chest. Twining his fingers in Christy's hair, he felt that he could never let her up from that spot. Without warning, he felt a tremor pass through her body. Puzzled, Neil grew still. Then he recognized it. *She's laughing.* "What, may I ask, is so funny, Miss Huddleston?" She blushed furiously. "I'm sorry, Neil--it's nothing you did..." "Then what is it?" She giggled. "It's your hair, Neil." He cursed himself again. "What about it?" She looked at him very seriously. "Let it grow back--please? For me?" She heard a growl-like sound in the back of his throat as he kissed his reply. *I guess that means yes!* ******************************** Chapter 8 Alice and David rode into the mission yard together silently, each too tired to carry on a conversation. The Wallace baby was fine, but staying up to care for the ailing infant had left Alice beyond drained. She longed for a warm meal and soft bed. David was exhausted from his ministry time in Lufty Branch. Never before had he seen the members of a community so intent on *each* having their turn with him to discuss the departed. He'd barely slept in the last five days. Like Alice, he craved food and his own bed. Alice saw MacNeil's horse tied at the schoolhouse before David--likewise, she noticed the open door at the mission before he did. Taking a chance, she pointed to the schoolhouse. "David, would thee go to the schoolhouse and fetch Christy and Doctor MacNeil? Perhaps they are as hungry as we. I will go on inside and find us something to eat." Without a sound, David turned Prince and galloped to the schoolhouse. As soon as she was close enough, Alice slid off her horse's back and dashed into the mission, pausing long enough to note the destroyed door as she rushed up the stairs. The door to Christy's room was open, and the sight that greeted her made her gasp, blush, and smile all at once. There in the floor sat Doctor MacNeil, holding a very happy-looking Christy Huddleston in his lap as he kissed her passionately. Trying to appear calm, Alice cleared her throat. Then she did it again, more loudly. And again, louder still. They still had not noticed her presence. She heard David's exclamation at the damage downstairs. Practicality overcame politeness at that instant and she spoke. "Neil! Christy!" The pair leapt apart and scrambled to their feet, looking very guilty--at least Christy did. Neil was smiling too broadly to be considered meek. Neither offered any explanation. At that moment, David appeared by Alice's side in the doorway. "What's going on here?" Neil met his eyes and said nothing, Christy only stared at the floor. Suddenly Alice spoke up. "Neil just finished telling me that he'd heard Miss Huddleston take a fall down the stairs, and had to break the door down to get inside to assist her. It seems that the door locked inadvertantly when Christy came back into the mission. Neil had no other choice, David, if he wanted to be of any help to Miss Huddleston. In fact, he's just finished bandaging her up. Isn't that right Neil?" "Yes, Alice. It was a nasty fall." David looked from Neil to Alice and back again. Something wasn't right. "Christy? Is that what happened?" She raised her eyes to his and smiled sweetly. "Yes, David. I hurt my leg. I scraped it pretty badly and bumped my knee. Neil was kind enough to help me." David looked around at the trio again and sighed. He knew better than to question them. It would get him nowhere. He shrugged and walked away, mentally going over the fact of Neil's horse being at the schoolhouse, along with his saddlebags--which held his supplies. ***** Upstairs, Alice stood smiling at the couple. "I imagine congratulations are in order?" Neil laughed. "Yes, Alice. I should say so. We finally caught up with one another." Christy took Alice by the hand. "Miss Alice--thank you. For accidentally telling him, I mean. I guess that was what God wanted to happen to begin with." "Thee is probably right, Miss Huddleston. But thee must excuse me. I am very tired and wish to turn in. Perhaps we can talk more tomorrow." As she walked out, Neil called her name. "Alice?" She turned. "Yes, Neil?" "How did you know that Christy fell?" She smiled. "I didn't. But I've noticed that whenever the two of thee are disagreeing, Neil, Miss Huddleston seems to have some sort of accident. I took a chance on that being true of today as well. Good night!" *********** A short time later, Neil was mounting Charlie and heading for home. Christy placed her hand on his leg. "I love you, Neil MacNeil." He leaned over to touch her face. "As I love you, Christy Huddleston." He sat upright again and nudged Charlie's flanks. "Neil!" Christy called out. "Yes, lass?" She smiled at him. "Remember, Neil--every time you go, you take a piece of me." He grinned down at her. "So does that mean I have to bring it back, or can I keep taking you away piece by piece until all of you is in my house?" She laughed merrily. "We'll see, Doctor. But first, you'll have to do something about your hair..." ******************************** Sequel to come...thanks for reading!