Title: Love Endures Author: Barbara D. Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: This is the sequel to Love Believeth All Things. Christy and Neil have been married for exactly six months. Part/Chapter: Chapter 1 February 15, 1915 The walls of the small cabin seemed to close in on Christy as she paced from window to window trying to see through the swirl of white. "This must be how Margaret felt." She spoke to herself out loud, the sound of her own voice echoing in the silence and startling her. "Just wait until you've spent a winter snowed in with no one to talk to." Margaret's words to her rang true in her heart. "Oh, Neil, where are you!" Christy cried out to the walls. If Christy had admitted it she would have known that she was rarely alone. Dan Scott had been taking an almost equal share of Neil's calls. Alice and Fairlight came to visit whenever the weather was good and, of course, Christy still taught school. Unfortunately, the snows had been so deep this winter that the mission had decided to close the school from the middle of December until the middle of March after a couple of children had gotten mild frostbite. The distance sound of a horse's whinny caused Christy to dash again to the window. Through the blur she could see a hunched figure riding toward the cabin. As they drew nearer she could see that it was Neil. She grabbed her wrap and dashed onto the porch. "Neil!" Neil sat stiffly in the saddle, his left arm held close to him by a blood soaked sling. He led Charlie to the porch and slid out of the saddle and on to the ground. "Go to the stable, boy. I'll come see to ya soon." With great effort he lifted the saddlebags over his right shoulder. He was going to try to make it to Alice at the mission, but the storm was just too much. He hoped that Christy could deal with this. "Oh, Neil. I was so worried." She placed her hands on his shoulders and kissed him unaware of the blood soaked bandages. Neil winced in pain. "Neil! Oh, God help us, you're hurt!" Christy's eyes took in his pained look and the combination of fresh and dried blood that stained his clothes. "Help me inside, love." Neil spoke weakly. It had taken all of his energy and more than a few miracles for him to make it home. The couple went straight to Neil's exam room that the community had built for him last September. Christy helped him onto the table and began gently removing his clothing. She gasped when she found the ragged hole of a bullet wound in his left shoulder. The flesh on his back was smooth and unmarked by the exit wound she had hoped to find. The bullet was still inside. "Oh, God please help me." "Christy." Neil voice was full of pain; his teeth were clenched in his effort to speak. "You've got to clean it. I cannot do it myself." Christy backed away in her horror. She had assisted Neil plenty of times. "Neil, I don't know what to do." "I will tell you." Neil prayed for strength for him and Christy. "I've lost a lot of blood. I need your help. I believe in you." "I can ride for Miss Alice. She can do it. She can take the bullet out." Christy spoke in a panic. "The storm is getting worse. You'd never make it love. You have to do it!" Neil reached for her but she continued to pull away. "We can wait till morning. I can't do this, Neil." Christy buried her face in her hands and cried. She couldn't, she wasn't a real nurse like Alice. What if he… She couldn't think about that now. She couldn't, she'd go crazy if she did. "If we wait gangrene will set in. The wound is already twenty-four hours old. We're not alone, Christy. God is here." Neil's faith had grown so strong in the last few months. Once he would have laughed at the thought that God even existed, now he clung to the knowledge that God not only existed but also was with them. "Take my saddle bags and boil the instruments. Bring some warm water for me to clean up with." Christy obeyed woodenly. Why had this happened? She could hear the weakness in his voice. How long could he stay conscious? Christy returned with a basin of warm water and began cleaning his wound with clean clothes. She could see the by the look on his face that the pain was nearly unbearable. Already she could see the redness and swelling that could indicate infection. "That's good, Christy." Neil used all of his reserve to speak to her. How he wanted to lie down and fall into a painless sleep! "Now take the antiseptic and pour it over the wound. When you are done go get the instruments and bring them here." Christy held his hand and helped him to lie down on the wooden table. His hand gripped hers as she dumped the bottle of liquid across his shoulder. For a moment Christy wasn't sure if he was going to remain on the table, his back arched and twisted as he tried to endure the pain. "That's good. Now go and get a sheet and drape it across my chest. Get the instruments and wash your hands. We are going to do this just like we did Nathan O'Teale's wound last year." Neil spoke calmly, trying to reassure her. "Neil, I… What about the ether?" Christy asked. "I need to stay awake to help you. I don't know if I will be able to do it but I have to try." Neil grabbed her hand in his before she left for the kitchen. "Pray with me." They bowed their heads together just like they always did before Neil operated on a patient. After a prayer seeking God's healing power and strength for Christy they looked into each other's eyes. Neil winked at her and mouthed, "I love you, " just as he always did before surgery. Christy gathered the instruments and washed her hands, rinsing them in the antiseptic. She took the prepared tray to the table at the bedside. "Okay, Christy. Here we go. If I become unconscious you will be on your own. So let me explain it step by step. First, take the spreader and open up the bullet hole. It shouldn't be too deep; I was wearing a lot of clothes that would have slowed it down. My shoulder isn't broken so I know that it didn't reach the collarbone depth. Next, take the clamp and carefully dig around in the hole until you find the bullet. When you have found it, open up the clamp and grasp it and pull it out." Neil struggled to remain professional, as though he were giving a lecture to a group of medical students. "Once the bullet is out, dump more antiseptic into the wound and then you can sew me up. Go slowly inside the wound so that you don't hit any veins or arteries that would start bleeding. Any questions?" "Neil, what if I do hit a vein and it bleeds?" Christy's hand shook as she laid out the instruments. "If that happens, pack the wound with all of the bandages you can and then put a pressure bandage on. Wait until the storm breaks and then go for Alice." Neil didn't tell her that if that happened it wouldn't make a difference how much padding she used on the dressing. He had lost a lot of blood already and any more would probably be the death of him. "Let's get started." Christy brought the spreader to his shoulder and opened up the wound. Neil jerked at the intense pain. "Neil, I can't do this. I'm hurting you." "You can Christy! You have to!" Neil shouted through his clenched teeth. The room was beginning to blur around him as the pain assaulted his senses. Christy held the spreader in place with her right hand and picked up the clamp in her left and began to probe gingerly inside the wound. Neil grunted with the pain and tears flowed down his cheeks. Urging the tool deeply inside the wound, she realized that Neil was no longer fighting the pain. "Neil! Neil!" Christy called to him but he did not answer. She was relieved to see his chest rising and falling steadily. The pain must have caused him to pass out, she thought to herself. "God, thank you that he is out of pain, but I really am alone now. Please guide me." Christy prayed out loud as she continued to probe the gash. Her instrument hit something hard. She tapped at it again. "Is that it?" She opened the clamp as Neil had told her and wrapped it around the foreign object. Carefully, she pulled it out of his body and dropped it into the basin. He stomach rolled and threatened to heave; she pushed away her nausea and looked closely at the basin. "Thank you, God. It is the bullet!" Christy opened the bottle of antiseptic and poured a liberal amount into the wound. With a clean rag she washed the edges of the wound and tried to see inside for excess bleeding. The bleeding seemed normal and she breathed an audible sigh of relief. Carefully she sewed him up, her stitches not nearly as neat as her husbands. Again she cleaned the wound and bandaged it well. She covered him with a blanket and gathered up the instruments and placed them in the kitchen, she would clean them later. Again her stomach rolled and she raced to the porch and leaned over the railing as she wretched. For the first time she allowed herself to cry. The bullet was out, but the danger was just beginning. Part/Chapter: Chapter 2 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: Neil has arrived home from a call with a bullet in his shoulder that Christy had to remove. When the contents of Christy's stomach had been emptied she went quickly to the small barn and took care of Charlie. She spoke to him as she removed his saddle and covered him with a blanket. "Thank you, Charlie, for bringing Neil home." She gave him an extra measure of oats before rushing back to the cabin. She washed her hands in the basin by the stove and rubbed them briskly with the rough towel, hoping to restore circulation. It was cold and Christy chided herself for not grabbing her gloves. She made herself a cup of tea, to settle her stomach, and returned to the office. "Neil." She brushed the hair away from his face. It frightened her to feel how his skin was already becoming warm with fever. "Neil, please wake up." Christy knew that he would need anti-tetanus toxin, but she didn't know how much to give. "Please, God, I need him to wake up!" Christy cried. "Christy." Neil started weakly. He felt like he had been run over. "Neil, thank God." Christy leaned over him so he could see her face. "You need a tetanus shot. You are getting a fever. How much do I give you?" "The bottle is in my bag. Fill the syringe about a quarter of the way full. Then help me to sit up." Neil felt the dizziness of the fever and the blood loss washing over him. "I don't know how to give the injection." Christy mumbled as she dug through his bag and found a needle and syringe and the dark bottle of medicine. "I can do it. I just need your help." Neil forced himself upright, praying that God would uphold him. While they prepared for surgery Christy had helped him out of his wet pants, so all he had to do was have her cut a hole in his long johns to expose the fleshy part of his thigh. "Okay, Christy. Now pass the needle through the lamp flame." Christy did as she was told and handed him the medicine. He injected himself and passed her the empty syringe. "Neil, do you want some tea?" Christy asked. "No, love. Did you get the bullet?" He looked at the neat bandage on his shoulder. "Yes. The wound was red and swollen, I think it is becoming infected." Christy held his hand close to her heart. "If the weather breaks, you'll have to go for Alice." Neil looked deeply into her eyes; her ordeal of the past few hours was taking it toll on her soft features. Her face was lined with worry and dark circles were appearing under her eyes. "I have to sleep, can you mix me a pain reliever? Do you remember the dose?" Christy thought of the green bottle full of morphine. "One teaspoon in a cup of water." "That's right." Neil winced with the pain as he tried to lie down. His shoulder felt like it was on fire. "Could you do it now, love?" Christy hurried away and mixed the medicine and brought it to his bedside. She helped to raise him up and drink the bitter liquid. He coughed and sputtered a little bit. "Next time I tell one of my patients that the this stuff doesn't taste THAT bad, remind me of this moment." Neil tried to joke, trying to ease his wife's worry. "Do you think you can move to the spare bed?" Christy knew that the hard wooden table had to be terribly uncomfortable. With some effort she helped Neil into the extra bed that he kept downstairs for patients needing long term care. She pulled the blankets up around him and tried to make him comfortable, placing an extra pillow under his arm for support. "You are a wonder, love." Neil smiled at her. His pain was beginning to ease. "Would you read to me, I think I'd like to hear something from the Father's words." Christy picked up her Bible and allowed the pages to turn to the Psalms. She chose one and began to read. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust. Let me never be ashamed, deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, a house of defense to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress…"Psalm 31. Christy continued reading long after Neil's steady breathing told her that he was asleep. Christy awoke with a start. Light poured through the window and across her husband's sleeping form on the bed. His skin was hot to the touch. She uncovered him to cool him and he began to shiver. "Christy, please cover me up. I'm so cold." Neil's teeth chattered and his mouth was parched. "I can't Neil, you have a fever. I've got to cool you down." Christy knelt on the floor beside him and placed a cloth on his head from the basin beside her. "I have to look at the wound, Neil." Her hands shook as she unwrapped his bandages. She gasped at the angry red flesh that met her eyes. She stood up and found the bottle of disinfectant and a clean cloth. Pouring a liberal amount on the cloth she touched it gently to his skin. "Christy, not so hard." Neil snapped at her. "I'm sorry. I'm being as gentle as I can." Tears coursed down her cheeks. She couldn't do this alone. She had to go for Miss Alice. "Neil, I am going to ride to the mission, I need help. I don't know what to do." "The storm. You'll get lost in it." He said absently. The fever was making it hard to think. "It stopped snowing. I'll take Charlie; I think I can make it all right. I don't want to leave you alone but I have no choice." Christy kissed his forehead; it felt so very hot against her lips. "I love you, Neil. I couldn't bear it if anything happened." "Be careful and let Charlie lead you." Neil knew the wisdom in her going for Alice. "I love you too." Christy went upstairs and dressed warmly before going to the barn and saddling Charlie. Nearly exhausted with the effort she climbed into the saddle. She turned Charlie toward the mission and prayed for guidance. The words of the Psalms repeated themselves over and over: Thou art my rock and my fortress. Part/Chapter: Chapter 3 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: Neil has spiked a very high fever and Christy has ridden for Miss Alice. The air was savage as Christy rode Charlie up the trail. The wind blew in furious gusts that drove the cold in through her clothes. She leaned close to Charlie for his warmth and mostly for his companionship. The faithful horse seemed to understand the desperation of the situation and took the trail to the mission with no direction from Christy. Christy thanked God for his strength that would take her to Miss Alice and to the help that Neil so desperately needed. The stillness of the morning seemed at odds with the constant barrage of thoughts and half remembered conversations that assaulted her brain. Her first six months of marriage to Neil had been pure bliss. Sure they had their occasional disagreement, but to Neil's credit he always listened to her, even if he didn't always agree. Christy had spent more and more time alone in the cabin with the coming of winter. She still occasionally accompanied him on calls, trying to be of some assistance, but this winter was uncommonly bad for the cove. During the month of December it seemed to do nothing but snow and by Christmas they had four feet of snow on the ground. Neil had decided that Christy would not being going on any more calls with him until the weather broke. Christy smiled to herself as she remembered the argument that had occurred over that decision. "What do you mean you won't let me go with you?" Christy stomped her foot and crossed her arms in front of her. She knew at the time that it must have looked incredibly childish. "Christy, the snow is to Charlie's flanks in places. He has enough trouble carrying me right now." Neil ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "Some of the areas in the cove and nearly impassible. I still have to get to my patients. I can't expect you to walk with me. Yesterday I had to walk the last half mile to the Coburn's because Charlie couldn't get up the ridge to their cabin." "You're out their walking!" Christy was more worried than angry. She knew that Neil would go to any length to see to his patients. "Bessie has a terrible respiratory infection. I had to get through to her with the medicine and I had to convince her father that she needed rest." Kyle was a stubborn man. He believed that with his wife gone, Bessie was responsible to take over all of her duties. Christy turned away from him and stared out the window at the snow that was falling again. The cold was creeping up the windows of the well-built cabin and forming ice across the windowpanes. She prayed that Neil wouldn't be called out tonight. She couldn't help the tears that slipped down her cheeks. The terrible fear that Neil might not come home to her one day wrapped itself around her heart and squeezed it until she wasn't sure that it was even beating. She felt Neil stand behind her and place his strong hands on her arms. Christy could not resist as he gently pulled her back to rest against his chest. He wrapped his long arms around her and nuzzled her neck. "I'm sorry, love." He whispered into her ear. "I know you're frightened that I won't come home. All we can do is trust in God's promises. I can't think of a better place to lay my trust, or my love for you." "Oh, Neil." She turned in his arms and buried her face in his chest. Once again amazed that he seemed to know her very thoughts. Was this what God had intended when he said that the two shall become one. "I just love you so much. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm acting like such a baby." The feel of his warm arms around her and the steady sound of his heartbeat filled her ears. Neil lifted her eyes to meet his. He gently brushed away her tears and claimed her lips with his own. The passion of their argument exploded in Christy's head as the passion rose between them. Neil pulled her closer to him as his kisses increased in intensity. He lifted her easily into his arms and up stairs to their bedroom. There he loved away her fears and quieted her soul. ****************************************************************************** ********** Christy flushed at the memory, despite the cold. The mission was almost in site, and she urged Charlie to hurry faster. She arrived at the mission steps and with great difficulty dismounted. The long, frigid ride had caused her legs to feel stiff. "Miss Alice!" Christy cried as she opened the door. "Miss Alice!" Her teeth were chattering from the cold that had seeped into her very bones. "Christy! What's wrong?" Pete came in from the kitchen. He took in her harried appearance and the dark circles under her eyes. "Neil's been shot. I got the bullet out but he has a high fever. I need Alice desperately, I don't know what else to do." Christy cried into her hands. "She's at her cabin. You stay here, there is a fire in the parlor." Pete grabbed his coat and ran out into the cold. Christy went and sat by the fire. Her body was feeling as numb as her mind. Alice returned quickly with Pete and sat pulling on a pair of extra socks while Christy explained the situation to her. "And you gave him the tetanus anti-toxin?" Alice confirmed. She wasn't sure if she'd find Neil conscious or not and she didn't want to give him medicine that had already been administered. "Yes." Christy shook her head in affirmation. Pete had brought her a hot cup of coffee and she warmed her hands on it. "Christy, you stay here until thee art warmer. Take off thy shoes and stockings and check thy feet well for white patches." Alice pulled her gloves on as she spoke. Christy stood up to protest. "Miss Alice, I…" "When was the last time thy slept?" Miss Alice spoke soothingly. "Stay here for a short while. Once thou has rested, Reverend Adams will gladly assist thee in going home." "Of course I will. In fact, I'll go out and put Charlie in the stable so that he stays warm while you check yourself for frostbite. Then we'll settle you on the couch and you can rest a bit." Pete knelt beside her and held her hands. In the time he had been in Cutter Gap he had come to see why David had fallen so head over heels in love for this girl. Pete had continued to correspond with David and it often troubled him to hear David's continued bitterness over Christy. Many times it seemed to Pete that his good friend was wishing her and the doctor unhappiness. "But, Neil." Christy protested groggily. She had to admit that a short rested sounded wonderful. The ride had been long and cold and the warmth of the fire was so comforting. "I will see to thy husband." Alice laid her hand on Christy's shoulder. "Seek faith, Mrs. MacNeill." ****************************************************************************** ****** Alice arrived at the cabin as quickly as the snow bound trails would allow. She led her horse directly into the stable and then entered the house through the lean to. Neil was lying on the downstairs bed. His skin was hot to the touch and flushed a deep crimson. Despite the blankets he had pulled over himself he shivered. "Neil." Alice shook him gently, hoping to illicit a response. "Christy?!" His eyes were glazed with the fever and infection that was attacking his body and confusing his mind. "No, it's Alice." She pulled the covers off of him and began washing his arms and legs with the cool water in the basin. The fever had to come down. "That's cold." Neil protested quietly and shivered violently. "I know. But I have to stop the fever." Alice continued to place cool towels on his hot skin. Sitting him up she began forcing aspirin powder mixed with aspirin down his parched throat. He coughed and choked, but was finally able to swallow most of the bitter powder. Alice prepared the onions that she had brought with her into a poultice for the fever. When that was completed she spread it across his chest and covered it with a cool towel. Neil wrinkled his nose at the smell and tried to push her hands away. "Neil MacNeill, I need thee to be a cooperative patient." She chastised him sternly, but the harsh edges of her voice were full of love. "Besides, if thee thinks that this has an unpleasant smell, just wait until I apply the mustard poultice to thy wound." Alice examined his arm, removing each bandage carefully. It was incredibly hot to the touch and was surrounded by angry red streaks. All signs that a serious infection was attacking Neil's wounds. Alice had given Neil another dose of morphine before she reopened Christy's sutures and cleaned the wound again. Despite the pain relieving drugs, Neil still cried out in pain. "I'm sorry, Neil. But thy arm is badly infected." "Gangrene?" Neil asked in a haze. What good would a one armed doctor be to anybody? Alice took a deep breath, asking God to bring her the right words before answering him. Part/Chapter: Chapter 4 Summary: Miss Alice and Dr. MacNeill were talking about his infection. "Alice! Tell me. Is it gangrene?" Despite the pain and confusion Neil attempted to set up. "I don't know." Alice looked intently at the wound again. She poked at the crimson flesh and pulled at the wound. "We will just have to wait. And pray." "Where's Christy?" Neil lay back down exhausted. "She's at the mission. The reverend is seeing to her." Alice continued applying a fresh layer of mustard poultice and reapplying fresh bandages. "I'm going to leave this open to drain." "Is she all right?" He asked hoarsely. "Cold and tired. She is resting and having a hot meal." Alice helped him up and put a cup to his lips. The cold water felt heavenly sliding down his parched throat. "Pete will be bringing her home." While she spoke Alice prepared a second cup of water with a teaspoon full of amber liquid. "Drink this, Neil." "What is it?" He asked absently. All of his thoughts were of Christy and with her. He couldn't even imagine what she had suffered through while waiting for the storm to break. He knew well enough the proper sequence of the surgery and how it always made him feel. Still, Christy had never been trained and she was forced to work on her own husband. She must be terrified and sick with worry. "Water." Alice spoke as she brought the cup to his lips. She waited to finish her statement until he had prepared to take his first swallow. "And Morphine." "No, I don't need it. I want to be awake when Christy arrives." Neil pushed the cup away from his mouth. "Thee must sleep, Neil, if thee is to heal." "Christy needs me." Neil continued his protests. "Yes, Neil. She does. She needs you well and whole as soon as possible. The sooner thy body heals thy wife's heart will heal." ****************************************************************** Christy slowly became aware of her surroundings. She felt very warm and yet something wasn't quite right. The light that had been shining so brightly through the windows was now much dimmer. Looking around she realized that she was not in the bed that she shared with Neil, but on a couch in the mission parlor. She sat up with a start and threw off the covers. The events of the last twenty-four hours flooded her senses with the smell of blood and the feel of her husband's broken flesh beneath her hands as she removed the bullet. "Good morning, sleepyhead." Pete's voice was pleasant as he greeted her. "How long have I slept?" Christy asked with confusion in her voice. She began pulling on her shoes and coat. "Only about six hours, but you look like you could use much more." Pete handed her a cup of coffee and smiled at her. He reminded her so much of her little brother George at times. Teasing and yet caring at the same time. "It's about three o'clock." Christy took a quick drink of the bitter liquid trying to clear her mind. "I have to get home, Neil needs me." "Don't you worry about Neil, he has been in Miss Alice's capable hands." Pete sat down and tapped the couch next to him. "You have been through quite an ordeal. Would you like to talk about it with a reverend." Pete always referred to himself that way when he was offering council. He often made jokes about being a man with two personalities. One was Pete and the other was the Reverend. "Christy, sometimes people just need a friend, and sometimes they need a preacher. I'm not trying to pressure you, but I think you could use a little of both right now." "Oh, Pete. I just don't know what to do. I did everything that I could to get the bullet out of Neil's shoulder. I don't even know who fired it. I know that it is a miracle that Neil made it home alive. Even more of one that I was able to do the surgery, but I can't help but feel that somehow God has…I don't know." Christy cried into her hands. She couldn't believe that she was even thinking these horrible thoughts. "That God has forgotten you?" Pete handed her a handkerchief. "No, Christy. God hasn't forgotten you or Neil, and he isn't the least bit bothered that you are having these thoughts. Everybody at one time or another wonders where God is. I think that it is these thoughts that cause us to reach out to him even more. You know that I'm not one for quoting scripture; I'd rather talk about what God is saying. Remember, he was with Jonah in the belly of the whale, he was with the three Hebrew children in the furnace and he was with Moses and his people when they were seeking their release from Egypt. You can believe that he won't abandon you now." "I know, it's just… I was so scared last night. And I was having some thoughts about being angry with Neil because I was alone in the cabin. And some things that Margaret had said to me once just came back to hit me full force." Christy was crying out her soul to Pete and to God. She had held these feelings for so long, the hurt for so long. "David said some things in…" Christy stopped suddenly. There was no way she could talk to Pete about David; they were close friends. "Go ahead, Christy. Don't let my friendship with David stop you. I know all about his anger and bitterness about you and Neil." Pete put his hand on her shoulder to reassure her. "David gave me a letter. It was horrible. He said that I was allowing my feelings for Neil to come between the marriage that God had ordained for him and I. He said that I would regret my decision. He told me, to my face, that I was just like Margaret." She spoke hurriedly, as though it would all be lost if she didn't get it out. "Seriously, you can't believe that." Pete couldn't believe his dear friend would do that to Christy. Of course, the bitterness of the letters regarding her was all the proof he needed to believe her. "But I have had thoughts just like Margaret." Christy cried. "I get feeling so alone in the cabin and like I've been abandoned. I worry so much about Neil." "Oh, Christy. Don't receive David's angry words to your heart." Pete shook his head. "Neil loves you and I know you love him." "Is love enough?" Christy asked. "Especially in such a harsh and unforgiving place as Cutter Gap." "Christy. Give me your wedding band." Christy was shocked and stunned. She obeyed reluctantly; she had not taken it off since Neil placed it there. "Read the Bible reference that is written inside." Pete handed it back to her and picked up his Bible from the table. "I don't need to look at it. It is first Corinthians, chapter thirteen." Christ stared at him oddly. "Now read it to me." Pete handed her his Bible, which was opened to the verse. Christy obediently read the chapter out loud. She arrived at verse seven and her voice broke slightly. "Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopes all things and endures all things. Love never fails…" "Christy, you gotta take that into your heart and hold on to it for all that you are worth." Pete gently closed the Bible and took it from her hands. "You bore the burden of prayer for Neil. You believed that Neil would find Christ and he did. You hoped that Neil would love you, and he did. Now you have to endure. And to endure you need more than hope and belief, you need faith. You have gotta have faith in God, in Neil and in yourself. I don't know what is going to happen with Neil. I won't lie to you and tell you that he is fine, because I don't know. But you have got to use everything in you to endure what is to come." "What if…" Christy still couldn't voice her deepest fears. "If that happens then you have to believe that love never fails. Not the love of man but the love of the Father. His love is perfect and will never, ever fail us." Pete put his strong hands over her trembling ones. "Let's pray, before we head for the cabin." Christy was too moved to trust her voice. She nodded and allowed Pete to lead her in a prayer of hope, belief and endurance. Part/Chapter: Chapter 5 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: Neil's fever is still up, Alice isn't sure if he has gangrene or not. Christy and Pete have talked about Christy's negative feelings. Christy's heart felt somewhat lighter after her and Pete talked and spent time in prayer. She was eager to be home to her husband. The idea of not knowing how he was doing was wearing on her already thin nerves. Christy and Pete bundled up well against the increasing cold and rode in silence, their faces covered by their thick wool mufflers. "You go on in." Pete called to Christy over the rising wind. "I'll see to the horses." Christy didn't protest and ran up the stairs and into the cabin. Alice put her fingers to her lips to silence her as she slammed the door against the blowing wind. Alice poured her a steaming cup of tea as she pealed off her wraps. "How is he?" Christy asked in fear as she noticed the bed downstairs was empty. "Better." Alice pulled Christy's rocking chair closer to the fire and motioned her young friend to sit. "Although, thy husband was not very happy with me over the onion poultice. I gave him a cup of laudanum water to help him sleep and moved him upstairs to the bedroom." "Thank God." Christy breathed as she sipped at her tea. "The infection, is it bad?" "I do not believe so. Either way, Neil is in God's hands, not ours." Alice touched the cheek of the girl she could only think of as her own daughter. Neil and Christy's marriage had, in many ways, been the way she had hoped that Margaret and Neil's would have been. In the months since Neil's conversion and their marriage, Neil had truly become a son to her. They enjoyed each other's company and found a new level of respect and friendship. "I'm going to go sit with him. He'll be worried about me." Christy really wanted to just see him; his physical presence alone could reassure her that everything would be all right. Christy climbed the stairs slowly. Even though she had slept soundly at the mission, she still felt exhausted. Neil's form was so still on the bed, she couldn't resist the urge to put her hand on his chest to make sure he was breathing. She was pleased to feel that the intense heat that had radiated from his skin this morning was now dissipating. Christy knelt down beside the bed, her hand resting lightly on his chest. "Lord, please…" She was unable to continue with her prayer as violent sobs shook her form. "Don't cry, love." Neil covered her hand lightly with his. "You know I can't bear to see you cry." "Neil?" Christy sat on the edge of the bed and tried to wipe away her tears. "How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?" "I'm fine, Christy. I'm more worried about you." Christy helped him to sit up and rest his back against the headboard. "I'm just frightened." "Please don't be." Neil pulled her head down onto his good shoulder and held her there as she cried. Carefully he pulled the pins and combs from her hair and let it hang loose around them. Nothing felt more like home to him than the rose fragrance her hair carried or the way the strands slipped through his fingers like finely woven silk. "I won't let anything happen to you." "I'm not worried about me!" Christy shook her head against his chest. "You're fever was so high this morning, I thought I had…" "Shhhh. Love. I'm fine." Neil stroked her hair, soothing her. With great difficulty Neil moved over on the bed. His shoulder felt like it was tearing with every movement. Christy pulled away from him as he settled himself on her side of the bed. Lying down on his left side he made room for her to join him. "Lay with me, Christy. I missed you so much. We'll rest better together than apart." "Neil, Alice and Pete are downstairs." "Please. I want to have you close to me. I need you." Christy couldn't resist Neil's heartfelt plea. She removed her shoes and curled up on the bed close to his chest. Careful to avoid his injured shoulder, she moved as close to him as was possible. Neil leaned over and kissed her deeply, feeling as though his young wife carried inside her the strength he needed to heal. "How is he, Alice?" Pete came in from caring for the horses and poured himself a cup of hot coffee. "His fever is slowly going down. I am praying that the danger is over. It is with Mrs. MacNeill that my concern lies." "This has been very hard on her. I know that her and Neil are very happy together but she is carrying a great deal of hurt around inside her." Pete reflected on their conversation of that morning. "Unnnitttedd States Maiill!" Ben Pentland's signature cry echoed from outside the cabin. Alice hurried onto the porch. "Good afternoon, Mr. Pentland." Alice greeted him warmly. "This is a terrible day for thee to be out." "Yes, ma'am. But you knows the motto of the United States Mail." With all the seriousness he could muster he placed his hand to his heart. "Neither rain nor snow.." "Thank you, Mr. Pentland." Alice stopped him before he could finish. "Do you have a letter for the MacNeill's." "Shorely do, one for the missus." He handed Alice the thick yellow envelope. "I reckon it come from her pa, seein' as how it come from Asheville way. I gots one here for the preacher too." "I thank thee, Mr. Pentland. I will be happy to take those." He eyed her suspiciously as she held her hand out for the letters. "Can I offer thee a cup of coffee?" "Nope, no thank ya'!" Ben said starting on his way. "This bodacious bad weather done got the mail all backed up. I got me five more letters to deliver 'afore I can head home!" Alice stepped back inside the warm cabin. She handed the letter to Pete. "It's from David." He spoke absently before slitting the edge of the envelope and reading its contents. Alice continued upstairs, to give Christy her letter. By its size she guessed that it was important. She knocked softly, and opened the door. Neil and Christy were laying together on the bed sound asleep. Not having the heart to disturb them, Alice slipped back downstairs and joining Pete at the table. "I trust you have good news there?" Alice asked. "No, it's not. Miss Alice, I think that it is time that I spoke to you about David." Part/Chapter: Chapter 6 Summary: Pete and Alice were just about to discuss David. "Miss Alice, I think that it is time that we discuss David." Pete scanned the letter again before sliding it across the table to her. "Read it." "I am not sure that would be proper." Alice looked at the letter that had been placed in front of her. "That letter was privately written to thee, I don't believe David had the intentions of anyone else reading it. Certainly not me, we had a bit of a disagreement the night he left." "I need you advice, Miss Alice. I am trapped in a situation that I am unsure how to handle." Pete pleaded with her. "David and I have been good friends for a long time, but there comes a time when one's relationship with God must bypass a friendship." Alice was stunned by the seriousness with which the light-hearted man spoke. She had adored him only moments after she met him. He was so easy going and adapted so quickly to cove life. She picked up the neatly folded piece of crčme stationary and began to read. Everything seemed perfectly fine until she reached the third paragraph. I am sure that by the time this reaches you the dear and beloved Mrs. MacNeill will have gotten herself with child. I still cannot believe that she chose to ignore God's will in her life by marrying that heathen. There is so much good that she could have accomplished here in Asheville if she had just made the right choice. As we have discussed previously, I warned her that she was just like Margaret. I am quite sure that the good Doctor has noticed her similarities to her as well. Especially now that Christy has spent a winter cooped up alone in his cabin. Alice dropped the letter and brought her hands to her face. "Oh, Pete." She sighed, the tears threatening to fall. "I had no idea that David felt this way. Surely he did not tell Christy these things." "Yes, he did." Pete stood up and refilled his coffee cup. "I spoke with her today. As you know, I am not supposed to repeat what I am told in confidence. I just don't know what to do." "Thee has a heavy burden to bear." Alice placed her hand on his, hoping to convey some understanding of the difficulty of this situation. "I can tell you that the things in this letter reflect what Christy is feeling. She has taken words spoken by David to heart. I need your help, I don't know how to council her. I didn't know Margaret, but I do know David. Or at least I thought I did." "I think that I can fill in some of the missing gaps for thee. Perhaps a greater understanding will help you to seek God in dealing with David, and Mrs. MacNeill." Alice and Pete talked about Margaret until the coffee pot was empty. Pete's tender heart was touched by the tragedy that had touched their lives before he arrived. It was so obvious to everyone who knew the MacNeill's that God was working continuously in their lives. How could David be so blind? The sound of Christy descending the steps ended their conversation. She wiped the sleep out of her eyes and gladly accepted the chair that Pete pulled out for her. Miss Alice sat a steaming cup of coffee in front of her. "Thank you, both, for staying. I can't tell you what a comfort you are to me." "How is thy husband? I checked on you earlier, but I didn't want to disturb you." Alice placed a plate of rabbit stew in front of her. Christy flushed red with embarrassment at the thought of Alice seeing them in their intimate positions. "Oh, Miss Alice. I'm sorry, I…" Alice couldn't help but laugh at her reaction. "Oh, Christy. Thou art a married woman. I dare say that thy presence did more for Neil than all the pills I could give him. The peace on thy faces was more than evident." "I'm sorry, Alice. I suppose I should be used to being married by now." Christy enjoyed the moment of laughter. The spontaneous mirth was like water to her dry soul. "I think he is doing better. His skin seems to be much cooler to the touch." "Eat something, then we shall go see to him." Alice added a piece of cornbread to her plate and sat down and passed her the large envelope. "Ben Pentland came by while thee was resting. He left a package for thee." "It's from my father." Christy opened the envelope with excitement. "Oh, Miss Alice. He managed to sell a couple of Rob's stories. The one about the Bonny Prince Charles was sold to the Asheville paper. The Leaf Chronicle in Clarksville, Tennessee picked up the story and so have three other papers." Christy shook with excitement as she pulled another small envelope. Inside was a receipt for services rendered and several pieces of paper money. "Miss Alice! There's forty-dollars here!" "NO! Surely not that much?" Miss Alice looked at the money. She marveled at how Christy's father had managed to bring so much from one story. "Thy father is truly a wonderful man!" "Best of all, it's not charity. And the Leaf-Chronicle is requesting more stories by Rob!" Christy turned the pages of the newspaper that her father had sent. There was Rob's story, on the back page. His name was written below the title in strong, bold type. " I don't want to leave Neil but I have to take this to Rob right away! I know that Charlie can make it." "Why don't you let me take it to him?" Pete knew how important that money would be to Rob's family. It would provide not only food and sturdy shoes, but also a much-needed boost for Rob's confidence. "I suppose that would be better." Christy was still tired and sore from her journey to the mission that morning and her ordeal from the night before. "I don't really want to leave Neil." Pete warmed his coat and muffler by the stove and prepared to go to the Allen's. Christy continued to read her father's letter. Alice noticed the look of loneliness and longing in her eyes. "What is it, Christy?" "It's my parents. They desperately want me to come home for a visit." Christy brushed away a tear. The winter had been so long and now with Neil injured, she so wanted to leave the cove, if only for a while. "When thy husband is ready to travel, perhaps thee can." Alice couldn't help but notice the troubled look on her face. She had seen that same look on Margaret's face not long before she faked her own death. If Christy left the cove would she come back? Part/Chapter: Chapter 7 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: David and Alice have discussed David. Christy has received a letter from home including money for Rob Allen. "Neil?" Christy sat gently on the bed and put her hand to his cheeks. She was pleased to see that they were much cooler than they had been. Neil stirred on the bed, his shoulder still hurt him terribly, but his mind felt much clearer. He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it tenderly. "G'morning, love. I dreamed I had an angel lying beside me." He winked at her and her cheeks flushed crimson. "Doctor MacNeill, thee is obviously feeling better." Alice repressed a grin behind her professional manner. "I am." He pushed himself up into a sitting position so that Alice could remove his bandages and check his arm. "Will you unwrap me, so I can get a look at this shoulder?" "I will be happy to look at thy shoulder." Alice countered. "You're not planning on being a difficult patient?" Alice unwrapped his bandages. The sickly sweet smell of the mustard poultice filled the room. With the basin and cloth that Christy handed her she cleaned away the remaining yellow film so she could see the ugly gash left by the bullet. "Darling, could I see your mirror." Neil asked Christy, his voice was heavy with emotion. He couldn't help but notice how tired she looked. He wondered again if he had made a mistake coming home instead of going on to the mission. "It looks like the infection has drained well." Alice smiled as she held the mirror for Neil. "Shall we sew thee up?" Neil inspected it closely, the red streaks were gone and the swelling had reduced considerably. Thankfully, the skin was no longer hot to the touch around the wound. "I think we can do it safely without the risk of further complications." "Then I shall prepare the instruments." Alice smiled as she stepped out of the room. She knew that the rapid disappearance of his raging infection could only be God. "Christy, are you all right?" Neil looked at her with concern. She kept her back to him as she stared out the window. "Christy, please, I'm going to be fine." "How did it happen?" Christy asked without turning around. She remained intently focused on the winter white outside the window. "I don't know. I never even saw who fired the shot." Neil shook his head, trying to remember exactly where it had been. He had been half asleep in the saddle, allowing Charlie to have his head when it happened. "It could be that I got too close to somebody's still, or a hunter mistook me for a deer. Christy, please. I know I have been gone a lot this winter and I know you are frightened. Please, don't shut me out." "I don't know what to say, Neil." She turned to face him. "I love you, I don't want to lose you." "Come here." Neil patted the spot next to him on the bed that she had only recently left. Christy sat down and he pulled her head against his good shoulder and kissed her hair. "You're not going to lose me. I'm fine. I love you." Christy allowed the tears that she had kept inside her to be released. Neil whispered comforting words against her hair as he held her close. "It's going to be all right, love. I promise." By the next morning Neil felt well enough to join Christy at the table for breakfast. Alice had returned home, quite certain that Neil was on the road to a remarkably fast recovery. "I got a letter from Daddy yesterday." Christy said as she poured the coffee. "He sent forty-dollars to Rob Allen for the story of The Bonnie Prince." "That's terrific." Neil smiled to see her old enthusiasm return. He had been missing it the last couple of days. "He also said that they were hoping we could come for a visit." Christy was praying that he would say yes. It seemed that it had been so long since she had been home, to Asheville. "Well, I'm not really much use to anybody until this arm heals." Neil debated with himself; the trip would cost money, something that always seemed to be in short supply. Still, it would be good for Christy to get away for a while. He could feel the mounting tension that she was holding inside. He had been away, a lot more than he had hoped he would. "Please say, yes." Christy could see that he was torn. "It could be like a second honeymoon. Dan Scott and Alice could handle the calls and school doesn't start for almost a month." Neil couldn't bring himself to deny her. "Well, I guess we are going to Asheville." Part/Chapter: Chapter 8 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: Christy and Neil are going to visit her family in Asheville. Entering her parents' home in Asheville brought a flood of memories back to Christy. She was so glad to be home. Only moments after arriving she dashed upstairs to her old room and threw herself across the bed and buried her face in the thick, feather down comforter. She heard Neil and George coming up the stairs with their luggage. She couldn't hide her slight surprise when George set her and Neil's bags on the bed. "What's wrong, sis?" George asked as he noticed the confused expression on her face. "Nothing, George." Christy looked away slightly embarrassed. "All right." George laughed at her flushed cheeks. "Mother has refreshments ready when you two are settled." "Thanks, George." Neil shut the door behind him and turned to face Christy. "What's wrong, love?" "It's nothing, Neil…" Christy wasn't sure what to say. It had never occurred to her that they would be sharing her old room. She knew it was silly, but she felt funny somehow. "Christy." He crossed the room to her and sat on her bed next to her. Neil attempted to pull her into his embrace but to his amazement she stiffened. "What *is* wrong?" He stood up and faced her, unsure why she was suddenly cold. "I'm sorry." Christy stood up and embraced him. She could see the veiled hurt in his eyes. "I just feel kind of strange sharing a room with you in my parents' house. I know it's silly…" "Yes, Christy, it is silly. I do understand, this is the room you grew up in, but you are not a child anymore. You are my wife and there is nothing wrong with it!" He could feel his agitation rising. "I'm sorry! I didn't say there was anything wrong with it. It's just that it feels strange! We have never been to Asheville, to my parents' house together!" He's doing it again, she thought to herself. He's treating me like a child! "I know, but this *was* your idea!" "I thought you wanted to come to Asheville?" Christy asked, hurt that he was suddenly upset that they were there. "Yes, but as a vacation with my *wife*! Not to sleep in separate bedrooms as though we aren't married." Neil hissed at her, trying to keep his voice quiet. They had only been in Asheville an hour. "I never said we anything about separate bedrooms!" Christy growled back to him. "I only said that it felt strange! Why can't you understand that?" "Neil? Christy?" Julia Huddleston knocked on the door, ending their discussion. "Come in, mother." Christy could feel the panic rising inside of her. How much had her mother heard? "Cook has set out the tea and cakes. You both must be famished." Julia stood tall and graceful in the doorway. "Thank you, Mrs. Huddleston." Neil offered his arm to Christy and she took it. He was determined to set aside their disagreement. He had promised her father that he would be a good husband and do what was in Christy's best interest. He was not about to break that promise, even if he couldn't help but think she was acting like a child. "Oh, Christy. I almost forgot to give you the best news!" Mrs. Huddleston smiled at them both. "What is it, mother?" Christy asked as she sipped her tea. She had almost forgotten how to handle the dainty china cups. She turned to look at Neil and gave him a smile. She hoped that it told him how sorry she was for their argument. By the time they made it into the parlor she had realized how silly she had been. Christy hoped she would get a chance for a private moment with Neil very soon. "I have decided that while you and Neil are visiting, we should have a small wedding reception for you. It took some doing but I finally have everything ready for Friday evening. It will mostly be family and close friends." Julia smiled at her husband and took his hand. "Nothing overly fancy, I know how you hate to over do these things. Just a simple dinner party." "Thank you." Neil smiled graciously. He really didn't want a dinner party, but he hoped that it would help Christy to feel better. She had been increasingly moody and upset since his accident two weeks ago. "I can't wait to meet all of Christy's friends." "Oh, but Neil. That is the best news!" Mrs. Huddleston gushed. "There will be some friends that you know as well." "Really, mother." Christy asked with mock interest in her voice. She really just wanted some time alone with Neil. "Who?" "Well, that nice young preacher friend of yours from Cutter Gap!" Julia was so pleased that she had thought to invite him she didn't notice the look of horror that crossed Christy's soft features. "David Grantland has graciously agreed to be our guest for dinner!" "Mother." Christy wasn't sure how to explain this. She shot a pleading look at her father and reached over to take Neil's hand. Christy wanted the comfort as much as she wanted to give it. "Oh, but that's not even the best news." Julia was just sure that all of her plans would come together perfectly. "Christy, when you told us about Neil's accident in the telegram I was so frightened for you both. Your father has arranged for Joseph Richards to be here." "Who is Joseph Richards?" Christy couldn't recognize the name or place a face to this person. It had been a long time since she had run in the Asheville social circle. "Why, dear! I can't believe you don't remember. He is the head of Ophthalmology at the hospital your father does some legal work for. Your father told him all about your husband's work with that dreadful eye disease and he wants to talk to Neil about a job." Mrs. Huddleston was oblivious to the accusatory look that Neil was giving Christy, or that he deliberately pulled his hand out of her gentle grasp. "Isn't it wonderful! You can stay right here in Asheville and you won't ever have to return to the hardships of the mission. It is time you took your rightful place, dear." Neil took extreme care as he placed his cup on the tray. Standing up, he excused himself and quickly excused himself before the rage inside of him spilled out. He quietly closed the front door behind him and breathed in the crisp, cold air. "How dare she?" He spoke out loud to himself. "Her moodiness, her indifference, her sudden desire to come to Asheville all suddenly made sense! She is trying to force me to move out of Cutter Gap and back to the city!" Part/Chapter: Chapter 9 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: Christy and Neil have arrived in Asheville. Mrs. Huddleston made some startling invitations and Neil believes that Christy led him to Asheville with the purpose of them staying. Christy took a deep breath and tried to steady her rising temper. She did not miss the look of accusation that was reflected in Neil's eyes when her mother announced the job possibilities. As if inviting David to dinner wasn't enough? Now her mother had taken steps to encourage Neil and Christy to leave Cutter Gap. "Darling, is something wrong?" William looked at Christy and heard the front door close quietly. There was a look of repressed anger on his daughter's face, he recognized that look and it always made him a bit nervous. He was afraid that perhaps his wife's good intentions had pushed the limits this time. "Mother, Daddy." Christy took a deep breath before speaking. She didn't want to come across as angry or ungrateful. "I really wish that you would not have invited David without asking us first." "Why?" Julia questioned. "I thought that you would be happy to see Reverend Grantland again? He is such a kind man and he was so much help to us during your father's illness." "It's a very long story, mother." Christy wasn't sure how much to tell her parents about the falling out they had. "I will tell you that neither Neil nor I has any desire to see him again. I appreciate you trying to think of us, but the only people that Neil and I wanted to see in Asheville are family." "Nonsense, Christy." Julia waved her hand in the air to quiet her daughter's protest. "Besides, once Neil hears about Dr. Richard's and the job offer that he has for him you will both be living in Asheville again." "No, mother, we won't." Christy toyed with her napkin, twirling it in her hands. She hated arguing with her mother. "Neil and I love Cutter Gap, we love the people and our work there. We are only here for a visit, not to stay." "But I thought that after Neil's accident you would finally see…" Julia continued with her protest. "No, mother. Yes, I admit that I was distraught after Neil's accident. Digging that bullet out of his shoulder was the hardest thing I have ever done." Christy watched the color drain from her mother's face; she had not meant to give her that much detail. "But one set back doesn't mean that we are going to walk away from God's plan for our lives!" "Christy, now be reasonable!" Julia's voice rose in intensity. "Your place is here, in Asheville." "Julia." William leaned over and put her hand on his wife's arm. He wanted his daughter back as much as she did, but not at the risk of having his girlie unhappy. "Christy's place is with her husband, wherever that may be." Christy gave her father a look of gratitude. "I know that it breaks your heart to have me so far away. I miss you both, everyday. But I am happy in Cutter Gap. I'm sorry, mother, but I am not you, I am not like you. I can't spend my life drinking tea and gossiping about what everybody wore to the ball on Saturday night. I don't want to live in a society where I put a dress or two into the mission barrel once a year because it was last year's fashion anyway." "Are you saying that is the kind of person I am?" Julia was crushed that her daughter could think that she was so shallow. "No, mother, I don't." Christy could feel tears pressing at the corners of her eyes. The realization that she had hurt her mother again was almost too much. She just couldn't express what was in her heart. "But that is the life that I will lead if I come back to Asheville. You are a giving, loving person and I can't tell you how much I love you, but I love the Cove, too. I love my husband and to bring him back here would destroy us both. I wish I could make you understand." "I wish that I could understand." Julia came over to the settee and hugged her daughter. "You always were too much like your father! Much to independent for a girl!" Julia smiled lovingly at her husband and a knowing look crossed both of their faces. "Will you forgive my meddling?" "Oh, mother, yes!" Christy cried against her mother's shoulder. She pulled away and wiped at her eyes. "But I had best go find Neil. I need to clear up this misunderstanding, and a couple others." "Would you like me to talk to him?" William asked. "No, Daddy. I am a big girl now; I can't have you fighting all my battles. Besides, he needs a wife, not a lawyer." Christy winked at him and smiled. She knew that sending her father out to talk to Neil would only make things worse. "I know you are, baby." Her father kissed her gently on the head as he passed by her on his way to his study. How he wished she were still a little girl who needed him to make everything right for her. As soon as the thought crossed his mind he couldn't help but chuckle. Christy never needed anybody to fight her battles, but he always wanted to try. Neil walked aimlessly allowing some of his anger to abate. He mumbled to God underneath his breath as he walked down the smooth sidewalks past manicured lawns and magnolia trees. He couldn't believe that Christy would bring him here as a means of using her parents to convince him to stay in Asheville. He seethed with the very thought of her manipulation. How he longed for the river and the woods around their cabin. The city was no place to clear his head or to think clearly. He felt smothered, claustrophobic and caged like a poor dumb critter that had been trapped and awaited the slaughter. His mind reeled with every conversation he had ever had with Christy about the cove. "The cove is my home, Neil." She had pleaded with him, trying to reassure him of her desires to stay. "I promised God that I would do anything to make you happy, love." Neil kissed her hair and cheeks. "If I have to leave, I will." "As long as we are together, I am happy." Christy had kissed him deeply trying to convince him of her desire to remain at his ancestral home. "You care more about these wretched mountain people than you do your own wife!" It was Margaret's angry, bitter voice that began to flow into his brain. "You leave me alone in this cabin for days at a time while you play hero doctor to their bastard children in their filthy cabins!" "Cabins so filthy that I lost my supper after my first visit." Neil remembered the first conversation he had really had with his Christy. She was attacking his worth to the cove's people and questioning his commitment to their welfare. "I helped lay her out." Neil closed his eyes as he remembered the argument he had with Christy the day Opal McHone's baby girl died because of the superstition of liver growed. "Babies dying because of superstition and ignorance!" Even now he could clearly see the pain that had been on her delicate features that day. "Bear your child!" Margaret's voice of anger and vengeance filled his mind. "Bring up a baby into this world that you love, the ignorance and filth. Not me, and not your child! Never again Mac! Don't you ever touch me again!" She had cursed him and refused any more intimacy with him after she had suffered a miscarriage in the first months since he brought her to Cutter Gap. Neil leaned against a tree and tried to calm his rapid breathing. The faces of Margaret and Christy swirled in his head, combining and separating only to combine again. Their voices became confusing. One voice was angry and bitter at her life and her circumstance. One voice frustrated and hurt by her lack of ability to fix the problems around her. "Oh Father!" Neil whispered to himself. "I promised you that I would make Christy happy, that I would trust you to help me to be a Godly husband. I need your help to do this, now more than ever. I need your help, please." Neil turned around and began walking back to the Huddleston home. His wife was waiting for him and they would need to begin looking for a home in Asheville. If Asheville would give her joy, then Neil would give her Asheville. Part/Chapter: Chapter 10 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: Neil has decided to take a job in Asheville believing that Christy would be happier. "William?" Neil knocked on the door to his father-in-law's study. "Neil. What can I do for you? Did Christy find you?" "No, she didn't. But I wanted to talk to you." He ran his fingers through his hair and cursed the troubled feeling in the pit of his stomach. "I was hoping that Christy and I could depend on your help in securing a home here in Asheville." "I'd be happy to help, but don't you think you should talk to Christy first?" William motioned for Neil to sit in the chair next to him. "I promised you that I would make Christy happy." Neil could see the questioning look in William's eyes. It was stupid of him to walk out on the earlier conversation. Christy must be terribly hurt by his unwillingness to listen. She could have very well ended up a widow last month. "So long as we are together I will live anywhere that suits her." A look of understanding passed between the men, each of who loved Christy with every part of their being. "Neil, my wife has a tendency to be over enthusiastic in some things. She also forgets that Christy is a grown woman. I read the letter that Christy sent about your injury the week before you arrived here. She was incredibly frightened. She has been looking for you all afternoon and I think that she is upstairs in her room now." "It was an ordeal for her, that is why I am more than willing to bring her back here where she will be safe." Neil sensed that her father was holding something back. "Before you make any plans to move, I believe Christy has been looking for you. Go speak to her and then we can talk later." Neil stepped out of the study and mounted the staircase up to the bedrooms on the second floor. He tried to brush aside his confusion and the feelings that he had been manipulated. "Christy is not Margaret." He reminded himself as he knocked softly on the door. "Yes?" Christy's soft voice questioned as she opened the door. The moment she saw him she turned her back and walked to the window wiping furiously at the tears she had been crying. "Christy?" Neil stepped up behind her at the window and wrapped his arms around her. She stiffened at his intimate contact. "Why are you crying, love?" Neil knew the tears had to do with his hasty departure and the fact that he had taken the news of their move to Asheville very poorly. He kicked himself again for not putting her needs first. "I'm sorry. I've spoken to your father and he said he would be happy to help us find a house here. I can take the job that Dr. Richards offers and maybe even continue my trachoma research. It's not like I've never considered this option." Christy pulled out of his embrace and turned to face him. "NO!" He was taken aback at her angry tone. "Why do you think I want to live in Asheville? I love the cove!" "But, Christy, I thought..." What did he think? He had assumed that her mother's suggestion of the job in Asheville had been Christy's doing. That it had been Christy's way of getting Neil to relent and leave the mountains. Had he been wrong? "I'm sorry for what my mother said. I'm sorry I sent her that stupid letter." Christy paced around the bed, a combination of anger and regret flowed down her cheeks. "I don't want to leave Cutter Gap. I love the children, Miss Alice, our cabin. I never said anything to my mother about wanting to leave, I just told her about your accident." "Oh, Christy!" He took her in his arms and tried to draw her to him. Her body was stiff and unresponsive to his. His mind turned unwillingly to Margaret. Was Christy rejecting his touch just as she once had? He tried to push the thought from his mind, it was too frightening to even consider. "I'm sorry, love. Please forgive me." "Why did you leave me, Neil?" Christy remained stoic in his arms. The silly notion of moving had been resolved, but the fact that he had been gone all afternoon was not. He had kept secrets from her; he promised that he would never do that. He had made a decision for their life without her, and she was crushed. "I'm not Margaret!" She looked up at him and spoke defiantly. Christy's words cut to his very soul. He had been comparing her to Margaret. He had judged this situation based on what Margaret would have done. Oh, Father, please teach me what to say to undo all of this. "Oh, Christy. I am so sorry, love. You are right, please forgive me. I did judge you based on the hurt that Margaret caused me." Neil reached for her and this time she did not stiffen, but melted into his arms, molding her body into his. "I love you so much. You are the world to me. I've been such a fool these past couple of days." He kissed her hair and her forehead as he spoke. "So many things have happened I guess I have tried to find my own way out of it instead of seeking God's way." "Neil." Christy touched his face and was surprised to find her fingers dampened by his own tears. "It's my fault too, I'm sorry. I know how badly Margaret hurt you and that we would have things to overcome because of it. It couldn't have helped that we argued over the sleeping arrangements. It was just a shock to me. I grew up in this bed and I know that it sounds silly but in this house I still feel like a child. I have been trying to deal with the fear of your injury on my own too, instead of bringing it to you and God. I just wanted to be so strong for you, but I'm not. I was afraid that I would disappoint you." "You are the strongest person I know." Neil brushed her tears away and kissed her cheeks. "You could never disappoint me." Neil reached down and took her left hand and fingered the pearl engagement ring he had given her. "You are *my* pearl of great price, remember?" Christy's heart soared at his words. He always knew how to calm her and she cursed herself for doubting him. She pulled him closer and wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing her lips to his. She allowed her heart and body to express things that her words could not. Her hands ran down his back, across his chest and down his arms as she pushed her body closer to his. She needed to feel him and to allow his physical presence to give her the strength she needed to face whatever may be yet to come. Neil returned her kisses with delight and unrestrained passion; she always seemed to surprise him. He couldn't express the well of joy that sprung up inside of him and Christy pulled away as he laughed low in his throat. "What is so funny, doctor?" Christy teased with a look of love and mirth in her deep blue eyes. "I'm sorry, love." Neil pulled her close to him and laughed even more richly. "I couldn't help but think about the innocent and naďve schoolteacher who was so nervous about our wedding night." "I thought a woman was supposed to desire her husband's touch?" Christy blushed as she slipped out of his arms and turned the key in the door and set it on the nightstand. Neil laughed again and his he thought for a moment that his heart would explode with joy at his wife's obvious intentions. She gave him a coy and flirtatious look as she sat on the edge of the bed and patted the spot next to her with his hand. He joined her and took her hands in his and brought them to his lips. "Ah, love. Even if all I do is hold you I will be completely fulfilled." Christy's very soul smiled as he repeated the words he had spoken to her the night before their wedding. She reached up and brushed away the lock of hair that had fallen across his forehead. Putting her lips to his she whispered against them, "I love you so much." Neil pulled her closer to him and their lips met in a deep kiss, their mouths hungrily searching for the physical melding that their hearts already held. Neil leaned against her and guided her gently onto the bed, their hurt and arguments of the day forgotten as their love for one another took control. Part/Chapter: Chapter 11 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: Neil and Christy have resolved their differences regarding Asheville. Christy couldn't help but feel slightly self-conscious as her and Neil left the comfort of their room just before dinnertime. Hand in hand they walked toward the staircase and down into the dining room. Before they entered Neil pulled Christy to him, his body pressed against hers, his love and passion for her radiating from his eyes. "I love you, Mrs. MacNeill." His voice was full of emotion as he kissed her deeply. Christy's head spun as he pulled away from her and she steadied herself on his strong arms. "I love you." She whispered and leaned into his chest with a contented sigh. She would have been happy just to spend the rest of their visit wrapped in his arms, just as she was now. His strength filled her with so much peace. Reluctantly she slipped out of his embrace and they made their way to the table where the rest of her family was already gathered. "Sorry we're late." Christy stated quietly as pulled her chair out for her. She could feel Neil's eyes on her and she was trying very hard not to blush. The family joined hands around the table and Christy's father blessed their meal. The delicious smells of roast beef with the rich brown gravy made her mouth water. She couldn't believe how hungry she was! Christy wasn't sure if it was the abundance of food or the lack of possum that had spurred her appetite. "We were afraid we were going to have to start dinner without you." George commented innocently around a piece of fried okra. "Yes, where were you two all afternoon?" Julia asked, curious at their absence since the afternoon tea a few hours ago. "I really needed to discuss this fiasco of a dinner party with you. Neil, Christy explained it all to me this afternoon and I need to know if I should cancel or not. Christy, dear, are you all right?" Christy couldn't help but choke on the drink of water she was trying to swallow just before her mother's question. She had never considered that they might be missed. "Yes, mother." Christy recovered and looked to Neil with pleading eyes for assistance. "I'm fine, it just went down the wrong way." Her desperate gaze was met only with a slightly wicked grin and a twinkle in Neil's eyes. She kicked him gently under the table. William did not miss the flush that spread across his daughter's cheeks or the knowing look that passed between his daughter and son-in-law. He looked gently at his wife, would she ever accept that her daughter was a grown woman? "I assume that Christy and Neil were out for a walk. If you remember, Christy said she was going to sort things out with Neil about the foolish notion that they move back to Asheville." Julia didn't miss her husband's gentle gaze. She was unsure what it meant, but she felt that she shouldn't push the situation any further. "Well, that still leaves the issue of this dinner party. I could always send word that we are not feeling well. I hate to be untruthful, but Christy tells me that perhaps the Reverend Grantland's presence would not be welcome. Of course, that still leaves Dr. Richards, and since you won't be seeking a job here, there is really no sense in going through with the gathering. Still, I would think that you would want to see some of your old friends, dear." "Mother, how many people did you invite?" Christy tried not to glare, but the last thing Christy wanted to do was spend an evening with people she no longer had anything in common with. "Well, Reverend Grantland and Dr. Richards and his wife. Your dearest friends from school, Sylvia McIntyre and Rachel Walters, and of course their escorts. I also invite Robert Bellingham and his fiancée, Leslie. Including us that will be fourteen people. So, as you can see, if we are going to cancel it will have to be immediately." "I thought you said this would be a small gathering?" Christy asked in disbelief. Not only would she have to deal with David, but also with childhood friends she really had nothing in common with anymore. Rob Bellingham was a completely different issue; he had once considered himself quite a proper choice as a husband for Christy. Her mother had planned things quite well; two old boyfriends, two old girlfriends and five strangers! Neil carefully reached under the table and put his hand over the hand that Christy held in her lap. He squeezed it gently as he spoke. "Julia, it was kind of you to think of Christy and I. You have gone to so much work it seems foolish to cancel now." "Neil's right, mother." Christy was surprised at how easily her polite and fake Asheville society could be applied to her face again. "We appreciate the effort you have gone too. "Christy told us that she would prefer not to see Reverend Grantland again. He seems so very kind. Why he called on us not long after he arrived in Asheville." Julia shot her daughter a questioning look. She knew her daughter was not pleased that the party was going on as planned. "Whatever happened between you two?" "I would really prefer not to talk about it." Christy sighed. She definitely did not want to rehash the ugliness of her and David's last confrontation. "I'm sorry, dear." William chimed in. He was slightly taken aback by his daughter's obvious distaste for the young preacher. They had seemed very close when he visited Cutter Gap. He was quite sure that it would be the preacher that Christy would marry. "When David asked if he could call on us he said that you had encouraged him to drop by for a visit when he arrived in Asheville. He told us that you and he were corresponding with one another quite regularly." Neil looked up quickly from his plate. This was certainly news to him. Why on earth would Christy be writing to David? He could feel the anger rising inside of him again. Would they exchange letters behind his back? If so, why would Christy lie about it? The more sensible part of his brain immediately stopped these ugly thoughts. He had already made several mistakes by jumping to conclusions. He looked to Christy for an explanation. He promised himself he would listen to *her* this time and to his heart. "Daddy, I haven't spoken to David in over a year." Christy looked at her mother and father and noticed the stunned expressions on their faces. She was more concerned with the look on Neil's face, would he believe her? Especially after all the misunderstandings they had had today. Christy forced herself to look into his eyes. He squeezed her hand again and she breathed a deep sigh of relief at the deep love and trust she saw in his eyes. Thank God he believed her. However, she knew that the moment they were alone she would have to tell him the truth. Part/Chapter: Chapter 12 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: David has been spending time with Christy's family under the assumption that Christy encouraged him to do so. Christy needs to speak to Neil about the truth regarding David's correspondence with her. Despite Christy's reservations, the dinner party would be going on as planned. She dreaded Friday night with every part of her being. Thankfully, the supper conversation turned away from these matters and they found more comfortable subjects to talk about. Immediately after supper the family retired to the parlor for the usual evening activities and Christy began earnestly seeking an opportunity to speak with Neil. The sooner she explained the letters to Neil, the better she would feel. "Neil." Christy took him by the hand just before they reached the parlor. "Can we take a walk?" "Sure, but it is awfully cold outside, lass." Neil had known that something wasn't quite right. Christy had seemed preoccupied during the rest of the evening meal. "We don't have to go out." Christy replied. "I just want to talk to you, alone." Christy led him to the small library that her father kept. It was a cozy room that was probably her favorite in the house. The stone fireplace that nearly consumed one wall was flanked on each side by great mahogany bookshelves. A dark burgundy velvet settee and the matching high backed chairs stood in front of the fireplace with highly polished tables with exquisite cut glass lamps gracing each one. As a child Christy had spent hours curled up on the settee reading. Neil began laying a fire and they watched spellbound as the flames consumed the kindling and licked at the larger logs. It's glowing warmth enveloped them with a deep sense of peace. They sat together on the settee and Neil drew Christy into his arms. "Christy." Neil whispered into her hair. "What is bothering you?" "Oh, Neil. I should have told you a long time ago, but I didn't know how." Christy pulled herself even closer into his embrace. "I have been receiving letters from David." Neil straightened his back and looked down into her eyes. He could see the pain that was written in their depths and the small well of tears that threatened to flow. He now understood her silence at the dinner table. He squeezed her gently, trying to comfort her. The distraught look on her sweet features assured him that these letters were not her doing. "What does he say, lass?" "He is still very angry. I didn't show them to you because I knew that you would just get angry and there was really nothing you could do about it. I wanted to handle this on my own. I always hoped that perhaps in one of his letters he would have a change of heart, so I read them. Then I burned them. I never wrote back." Christy could hear his heartbeat becoming more rapid; she knew he was angry, though not with her. "Oh, Christy." Neil kissed her forehead and then turned her face upwards and gently met her lips. "I wish you had told me. You know that you never have to keep anything from me. Now tell me what his letters said, specifically." "They were so hateful." The burden of her secret finally caused her eyes to spill over and she cried into Neil's strong shoulder. "He kept telling me that I would regret marrying you. That I would see that he was right and that I was just like Margaret. To make matters worse, this winter has been so hard and you have been gone on calls and I have missed you so much. Then I start to thinking that maybe David is right, maybe I am like Margaret. David said terrible things about me being out of the will of God and that our marriage could never be anything but a disaster." "Do you?" Neil asked apprehensively. He had been gone more than he had hoped. The harshness of this year's snows had kept him away treating the diseases that swept into the cove with the cold winter winds. He wasn't sure he wanted to know Christy's answer. "Do you regret marrying me?" "No! Oh no, Neil!! Not for even one moment. You have made me so happy. I knew that you would be away, that your work was important to you. It's just…" Christy didn't know how to explain this. "Do you remember the conversation we had in your lab when Becky O'Teale had trachoma? I said that I felt that you weren't speaking to me, but to someone else. You said that I reminded you of her. Do I, Neil? Do I remind you of her still? She hurt you so badly." "No, Christy. You did, once, but you are a totally different person from Margaret. Yes, you have the same enthusiasm that she had, the same joy of living that she had once possessed." Neil suddenly recalled ever conversation they had had regarding Margaret. There are so many things that he never told her. Even Alice once told him that Christy reminded her of Margaret. Is it possible that Christy took these things to her heart and assumed that she *was* like Margaret? "Margaret's heart was cold and she was a bitter and selfish woman. I have never known you to be selfish. You are the most giving person I know. I hate having to leave you, even for a moment. I take great comfort in the fact that I know that you will have something warm to eat sitting on the back of the stove for me. That when I crawl in bed next to you at night, after a long and cold ride back home, you curl your body against me and hold me so close and warm me both inside and out. You always let me ramble on about the calls I made and the people I see and the things that are in my heart. When I am on the road I always know when you have been praying for me, I can feel the Holy Spirit descending on me and I can almost see you sitting in front of the fire, your Bible on your lap, your hands raised in prayer. You give me so much I can't even begin to tell you. First you gave me your friendship and then your trust. You told me you believed in me and helped me to believe in myself. Then you gave me God and showed me all the wonderful ways that he loves me. Finally you gave me your heart. All the little things that you do, everyday, show me that you love me. Yet, I know that you do them because you want to, not because it is expected of you. That means the world to me." Christy lifted her face to his and brought her lips to his. How she wanted to kiss away any hurt he had ever felt. He pulled her onto his lap and returned her kisses. She laid her head against his chest as he cradled her to him. "I'm sorry." "Don't be, lass, don't be." Neil ran his hands gently along her arm and across her back. He loved to touch her, to be near her. With Margaret he had raced into the physical act of marriage without any of the emotional intimacy. There was never any gentle caressing or holding. Neil realized for the first time that he had never made love to Margaret. They had enjoyed the sexual relationship but it always felt as though something were missing. If he had known that this is the way love and making love is really supposed to be, he would have waited for Christy forever. His mind shifted again to Margaret, how she had spurned even the most innocent physical contact after she had lost the baby. He knew now that he needed to tell Christy everything about Margaret, about all the things she had done. His silence had caused Christy pain by allowing her to believe that she might be just one little bit like Margaret. "Would you like to hear about Margaret now? I haven't told you so many things. I have kept them from you hoping to avoid hurting you, just as you kept the letters from David from me. I don't want to hide my heart from you anymore." "Yes, Neil, please. If you are ready to tell me I am ready to listen." Christy had been praying that Neil would open up to her about Margaret. It seemed rather morbid to hear the details of her husband's dead wife, but she truly wished that he would talk to her about the pain he still felt. She knew that Margaret had left deep wounds in his heart and his soul. Christy snuggled even closer to Neil as he began to speak. Part/Chapter: Chapter 13 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: Christy has told Neil that she has been receiving letters from David. Christy and Neil talked long into the night about Margaret. For the first time Christy was truly beginning to understand all of the hurt that Neil had endured because of Margaret. She couldn't help but cry when Neil told her about the child that Margaret had lost and the fact that she had refused all contact with him after that. It was late when they finally slipped upstairs to their room and fell asleep in the comforting embrace of one another's arms. "Christy." Neil brushed he hair away from her face as she stirred in her sleep. The morning light came through the lace curtains at the window and bathed his wife in an almost heavenly glow. "Are you awake?" She turned in the bed in an attempt to fight of the morning. She was so tired. She could feel Neil kiss the sensitive skin on her neck and his warm breath on her ear. She couldn't resist snuggling against him again, he back resting against the strong wall of his chest. "It's getting late." Neil whispered into her ear and kissed her cheek. "If we don't go to breakfast soon we are going to have to explain our whereabouts to your mother again." Christy shifted slightly as the familiar wave of dizziness hit her stomach. It wasn't over powering, just dreadfully uncomfortable. "I'm not hungry." Christy stretched against him and pulled the covers up under her chin. "I would love to sleep in, just this once." Christy sounded so tired that Neil decided not to push the breakfast issue. They were, after all, on vacation. In fact, he would love to just curl up beside her for the rest of the day. If not for his rumbling stomach and the rich smell of fresh drifting up from downstairs he would have. "You go back to sleep, lass. I love you." Neil kissed her on the nose as he slipped from the bed. Neil dressed quickly and shaved before making his way to the dining room. "Good morning." Neil smiled at his father-in-law as he sat down at the table. "Good morning, Neil." William returned warmly. "Where is Christy?" "She's still asleep." Neil laughed. "She has decided to sleep in on our vacation." "I can certainly understand that. Julia used to have the worst trouble getting her out of bed." He laughed at the memory of his wife tromping up the stairs to wake up their daughter each morning. "She's definitely not that way anymore, more often she is up before I am." Neil wondered for a moment if he hadn't said too much. For all of her maturity, Christy was still very young and very much her father's little girl. It had to be difficult for William to think of his little girl as someone's wife. He was relieved to see the smile on William's face. "Well, I guess we are on our own for breakfast, Julia is sleeping in this morning and so is George. I remember when I first married Julia. I was finally getting established in my own law office and it was difficult for Julia that she had to get up and cook breakfast. I couldn't afford to hire any help until we had been married for almost a year. She was raised very comfortably, like Christy." William smiled warmly at the memory of his wife's first breakfast, burned toast and coffee that was so weak it looked like dirty water. "Are you sure about this dinner party tomorrow night?" "I don't foresee any problems. It was kind of you and Julia to go to all of that trouble." Neil sipped his coffee and started in on the plate of bacon, eggs and toast that the Huddleston's cook had placed in front of him. "I have the feeling that there is more to this Reverend Grantland situation that you are letting on. Call it my lawyer's sense that something more is going on." William had hoped he would have an opportunity for a private conversation with Neil. He had the feeling that he had been mislead by David. "Aye, there is." Neil set his plate aside and refilled his coffee cup from the china pot left on the table. "Christy had once accepted David's proposal of marriage. The engagement didn't last long. David announced that they were leaving the cove and Christy didn't take the news very well. She loves those children and their families. Apparently they had some very harsh words about the whole situation and Christy broke the engagement. When David learned that Christy and I had married he began sending her hurtful letters." "So, David's claims that he was corresponding with Christy were false. It seems that we have been entertaining the young reverend under false pretenses. I think I would like to have a long talk with the young man." William rubbed his chin, angered that David Grantland had lied to him and deceived his family. "Maybe we should cancel this dinner party after all." "No, I don't think we should. I would very much like to have a few words with David Grantland." Neil stated. "Maybe, we should both have a few words with him." William smiled at Neil and a plan was hatched. They would find ample opportunity at the dinner party to have a conversation with David. "I think I will take Christy up some tea. She really seems more tired than usual and it has been a long time since I brought her breakfast in bed." Neil excused himself and went to the kitchen. The Huddleston's cook was more than happy to prepare a tray for Mrs. MacNeill and so Neil returned to his coffee while he waited. "Are you spoiling my daughter, doctor?" William asked with mock seriousness in his voice. "Doing my best, sir." Neil returned the smile, enjoying the banter. "Good to hear it. I knew she'd pick the right man." William excused himself and gave a gentle slap on Neil's back. Neil picked up the tray of eggs, bacon, muffins and tea and carried it up to his sleeping wife. "Christy." He opened the door and set the tray on the bedside table. Sitting on the bed next to her he gently stroked her cheek. "Love, are you awake? I brought you some breakfast." The greasy rich smell of the bacon reached Christy's nose and she immediately pulled the pillow over her head to avoid it. "Neil, please take the plate out. I don't feel well this morning." Neil complied immediately, setting the tray in the hallway and returned to his wife's bedside. Concern was written across his features as he sat down next to Christy. "What's wrong, lass?" He felt her skin and was relieved to feel there was no fever. "My stomach is upset. Neil, please don't worry I'm fine." Christy reached for his hand and held it tight. She really did feel terrible. "Maybe a cup of tea would help?" "Let me look at you." Neil pulled the pillow away from his wife's face. She appeared normal, perhaps a little more tired than she usually was. "Show me where it hurts." Christy sighed, she didn't want a doctor at this moment she wanted a husband. For apparently no reason at all, Christy burst into tears. Neil drew back slightly, stunned at his wife's reaction. "Christy, what's wrong? Please tell me, love. You know I can't bear to see you cry." "I don't know what's wrong!" Christy cried with irritation in her voice. "You're the doctor!" "Why are you crying?" Neil sat closer to her and cupped her tiny hands in his large ones, kissing them gently. "I don't know." Christy pulled her hands away and sat up in bed. Doing so was a huge mistake. The nausea she had been fighting all morning caused her to leap from the bed and make a dash for the bathroom. Neil followed her, now more worried than ever. He knew that the last month had been incredibly stressful for her, but he was now afraid that the stress had made her sick. Christy slammed the bathroom door almost in Neil's face and turned the lock. He sat helpless on the other side of the door listening to his beloved wife's empty stomach trying to force any remaining contents upward in wretches that broke his heart. Part/Chapter: Chapter 14 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: Neil and William have talked about David. Christy is in the bathroom throwing up. (I knew sooner or later this story would go right into the sewer [;-)] Neil could hear Christy vomiting violently on the other side of the door. She was crying and he couldn't do a single thing to help her. The myriad of possibilities ran through his mind. It could be anything, an ulcer that was bleeding, influenza, food poisoning. Each medical diagnosis that crossed his brain only made him more frightened. "Christy, please. Open the door! Christy!" Neil pleaded with her. He paused for a moment, wondering what Christy's parents would think if he broke their bathroom door down. "Neil." William hurried up the stairs to his son-in-laws side. "What's going on?" "Christy's sick. She's locked herself in the bathroom." Neil looked frantically at the bathroom door. Christy wretched again and groaned in pain as her stomach had nothing left in it to bring up. "I have to get into her, do you have a key?" William looked from his terrified son-in-law to the bathroom door. Could it really be possible that Neil didn't know? William had suspected the moment his daughter got off the train. She had reminded him so much of Julia. The pretty flush to her cheeks and the way every ounce of her seemed to glow. Neil was a doctor; surely he could guess what was going on. "I've seen this before, Neil. It's nothing to worry about Julia was the same way." "Julia?" Neil questioned. "Is it hereditary? What is it? If you know something about Christy that I don't…" Neil began to pace in front of the door. His eyes shot fire at William. Had Christy kept something from him? Was she dreadfully ill and was he so caught up in his own thoughts that he had missed it? William couldn't help but laugh at Neil's obvious distress. "Neil." "Blast it, man, what is wrong with my wife?" Neil roared. "Neil, calm down." William fought his irresistible urge to keep laughing. "Christy's mother was exactly the same away about eight months before Christy was born." Neil stared at his father-in-law. What was he saying? Nothing seemed to register for him at this moment, his only concern was his wife still locked behind the bathroom door. "What?" "I think you're going to be a father." William was stunned by the shocked look on Neil's face. He was sure that Neil knew Christy was pregnant and that they were saving the announcement for a more appropriate time. "Christy is pregnant." "Pregnant?" Neil sank down on the deacon's bench in the hallway. He felt as though his legs could no longer hold his weight. "Did she tell you that?" Surely Christy wouldn't have kept such special news from him. "No, but I can't help but notice the way she glows, the flush to her cheeks. The way she attacks her dinner plate and now she is having morning sickness." William sat next to him and put his hand on his shoulder. "I'm a doctor, you would think…" "Neil, you are too close to the situation, and with everything you and Christy have been through I am not surprised that you didn't know." William and Neil looked up as Christy opened the door and leaned against it weakly. Neil crossed to her in a single step and lifted her into his arms and carried her back to their room. "Christy." Neil tucked her gently into bed. Could she really be carrying his child? "Are you feeling better?" "Some. I'm sorry, I don't know what is wrong with me this morning." Christy held his hand to her flushed cheeks. The coolness of his skin was refreshing. "William, will you excuse us for a moment." Neil asked and with a nod he left the room. "Christy, when was the last time you had your cycle?" Christy leaned her head back on the pillow and tried to think. She couldn't remember. She had been due the day that Neil came home injured. So much had happened since then. "I don't remember. I have never been regular." Christy couldn't help but blush at the questions. Neil was her husband but there were still things she didn't feel comfortable talking about. "Why?" "Christy, your father said something to me a few minutes ago in the hall. I am going to look at your stomach and see if he may be right." Neil pulled the covers back gently and lifted her nightgown. What met his eyes caused his whole body to tremble. A faint brown line that ran down her creamy skin from her belly button to her pubic symphysis led him to believe that maybe, just maybe. Very carefully he pressed on her lower abdomen. She moaned slightly with the discomfort. "Christy, does that hurt?" "No, it just feels uncomfortable. I think I have been making to much of a pig of myself at dinner, my corset has been feeling tighter than normal." Christy smiled. "It's time for me to go on a diet." Neil smiled down at her gently the deep love that he felt for her now stabbed even deeper into his heart. It was true. "Christy, no diets and no more corsets." "Neil, I can't run around without a corset." Christy blushed at the very thought. She knew that many of the mountain women didn't wear them but she still couldn't break herself away from the restraining garment. "You can and you will. Look Christy." Neil gently traced the barely visible line on her stomach. "Do you know what this is?" Christy leaned up on her pillows and looked. "No, what is it?" "It's called linear gravida. It is very common in pregnancy." Neil placed his hand over her womb and held it there. He could feel a slight rounding of her normally flat abdomen. He left his hand there, imagining the tiny life that lay beneath her warm skin. "How long have you been feeling sick in the mornings?" "I don't know. It's not every morning, just sometimes." Christy looked at the tears in the corner of Neil's eyes. Was it true? Was she going to give Neil a child? She had been praying for God to bless them with a child. Had he answered her prayers? "Do you have a family doctor here? We need to see him, but I think your father is right. Christy, we are going to have a baby!" Part/Chapter: Chapter 15 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: It would appear that Christy's moodiness, nausea, increased appetite and desire to sleep in may be because she is pregnant. Did you all see that one coming a mile away?? Christy and Neil spent the morning relaxing in their room. Christy felt some better after some chamomile tea with honey and dry toast. "Neil." Christy couldn't help but notice that he kept staring at her. She was used to his lingering gazes but this was beginning to make her nervous. Was it possible that he wasn't happy at the prospect of being a father? "Why are you looking at me that way?" Neil studied her up and down for a moment before answering. She was sitting at her vanity, pinning up her hair. He joined her on the small seat and his eyes were pulled once again to her abdomen. "I just can't believe that you may be carrying our child inside of you." Neil placed his large hand gently across her womb. Christy couldn't help but laugh. They had been married for six months and she had certainly enjoyed the passion and intimacy that Neil had held back while they were courting. "Sweetheart, it's not as if it is an impossibility." Christy could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. Would she ever learn to discuss intimate matters without blushing? "Ah, lass. You are correct there." Neil's smile lit up his eyes. "It's not that, it's kind of hard to describe." "Are you unhappy, about the baby?" Christy asked nervously, she knew that the loss of the child that he had fathered with Margaret still weighed heavy on his mind at times. He had wanted that child, wanted to be a father. "No, oh, Christy. Is that what you are thinking?" Neil drew his hand away and pulled her onto his lap. "I couldn't be happier about this baby! It's just all so much that I am trying to absorb it all." Christy lifted her face to his and met his lips in a gentle kiss. She pulled him even closer, allowing his strong, full lips on hers to guide their passion for one another. Insistently he urged her lips to part to his and she obeyed until he left her head spinning and her pulse fluttering wildly in her throat. "I love you, so much." Neil whispered into her ear as he pulled away. "Are you feeling better?" "Much." She nodded her head against his shoulder. "I love you, too. I hope it's true, that I am carrying your son." "A boy, love?" Neil pressed his lips to her forehead. "Or a girl. Maybe it will be a daughter with her mother's beautiful blue eyes. However, we still need to see the doctor and, if you are pregnant, it will be some time before we know if the baby is a boy or a girl." "I want you to be my doctor." Christy didn't really want to have her family doctor attending to her, even for a short time. "Can't you just examine me?" "I know that you are nervous, lass. I know that I am way to nervous to make an objective diagnosis." Neil stroked her cheek before gently setting her back down on the bench. "I don't want to be a doctor at this moment, the very thought that we may be parents. I just want to be your husband today." Christy nodded her head and pulled on her shoes. Her father had kindly telephoned Dr. Schultice and they were able to get in to his office that afternoon. "I understand. If you are nervous today, what will you be like in a few months?" Christy wasn't sure she was ready to think about the labor and delivery process. She hoped that she would do as well against the pain that the mountain women did. "I fully intend to have Alice Henderson there to do the honors. It would be awful for me to pass out at my own child's delivery." He teased and kissed her on the nose. "Bundle up good and warm." Neil helped her into her coat and wrapped her scarf warmly around her neck. Once he was sure that she wouldn't be chilled on the ride to the doctor's office, he took notice of her shoes. Since they returned to Asheville, Christy had taken to wearing her fancy, high-heeled society shoes. "Lass, are you sure you don't want to wear your lower heeled shoes. You might slip." "Is this what the next months are going to be like?" Christy teased him gently. "What do you mean?" "Are you going to fuss over me every instant?" She slipped her hand into his as he led her out the door into the waiting motorcar. "I thought I already fussed over you ever minute?" Neil wrapped his arm tight around her waist as she walked down the stairs. Christy laughed and shook her head. Christy trembled nervously in Dr. Schultice's office. She wasn't sure if she was ready to discuss womanly topics with him, like childbearing. "Mrs. MacNeill, I presume." Dr. Schultice smiled at her. "Dr. Schultice, how have you been?" Christy smiled and she felt instantly more at ease. In all the years he had been her doctor he had hardly changed. The rim of hair that circled his head was now completely white and it offset his hazel eyes, his glasses making them seem even larger. "Very well." He looked at the chart in front of him. "I understand that I may have some good news for you and your husband today." Christy blushed. "Neil thinks it may be a possibility. I haven't been feeling well in the mornings." "When was the last time you had a normal female cycle?" "So much has been going on that I really don't remember. The last one that I can remember was in the beginning of December, but I have been under a lot of stress." Christy was excited that it might be a baby, but she didn't want to be disappointed either. "I have never been regular." "Why don't you lie back and relax and we will try to find out." Dr. Schultice patted her gently on her shoulder. Christy complied but her stomach was fluttering something terrible. She closed her eyes and tried to think of other things. "Well, Christy. Let's have you get dressed and you can meet me in my office. I think that it is time that we talked with your husband in." The kind elderly doctor left the room with his nurse in tow as Christy dressed as quickly as possible. "Dr. MacNeill." Dr. Schultice addressed the nervous man sitting in the waiting room. "I'm Christy's doctor." "It's a pleasure, doctor." Neil stood up and shook his hand. "How is she?" "She's fine." The older doctor smiled at him. "Let's talk in my office." Only moments after they had settled themselves in the office, Christy arrived and reached out for Neil's hand. He returned her gentle squeeze and reminded himself to breath. "Well, I would say that everything is absolutely fine. I would also agree that you two are due to be parents." Dr. Schultice loved to deliver such good news and his smile was as wide as the handsome young couple that sat before his desk. "How far along is she?" Neil tried to sound calm, but inside he was shouting for joy. "I would say that she is about three and one half months pregnant. I can't be exactly sure since there is some question about Christy's cycles. I would say that you two can expect a baby some time around the middle of September or early October." Neil's excitement had gotten the better of him. Christy looked so very young and small her delicate hand resting comfortably in his. He was sure that Christy would flush crimson but he didn't care about propriety at this moment. It was true. She was carrying his child. He lifted her hand to his lips, the one that wore his wedding band and the delicate pearl engagement ring, tenderly he kissed it and Christy looked at him. "I love you." He whispered, completely oblivious to the elderly doctor on the other side of the desk. Part/Chapter: Chapter 16 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: Christy is pregnant! Neil is ecstatic! Christy floated through the rest of the week. Neil seemed to dote on her constantly, and she decided just to give in and enjoy it. They spent the evenings curled up together with their hands laced together across her lower abdomen talking about the new life growing there. The dreaded party was far from her mind when her mother broached the subject at breakfast on Friday morning. "I know that it has been a busy week, but have you thought about what you are going to wear tonight?" Julia asked. "Probably just one of the evening dresses left in my closet. They have plenty of wear left in them." Christy chewed her toast slowly. She was nauseated again this morning and Neil had prescribed tea and toast to fight off her urge to vomit. "They are terribly out of date." Julia responded thoughtfully. "There certainly hasn't been time to have anything made. We could go to one of the boutiques downtown." "Truly, mother. I don't feel like going shopping. It seems foolish to buy something new for just one evening." Only two short years ago Christy would never have considered wearing a dress from 'last year' but after her life in the cove the idea of such outlandish things as fashion were foreign to her. "I suppose you are right, dear. Besides, we have got to start making purchases for the baby." Julia had initially been shocked at the idea that her baby was having a baby. Now she was beginning to like the idea. Christy got up from the table and stepped away. She was truly feeling exhausted this morning. The preparations for the party were the last thing that she wanted to deal with. How she wished it were over! "I think I will go lay down." "Are you not feeling well?" Julia's brow wrinkled with concern. "I feel fine, just tired." Christy attempted a weak smile. Christy escaped from the dining room and lay down on her bed. Neil was out with her father and she was missing him. They had both relished the uninterrupted time they were getting to spend together. She took the book from her nightstand and read until she fell into a peaceful sleep. Neil slipped quietly into the room, careful not to wake his wife. Her sweet features drew him to the bed and he sat carefully on the side and watched her sleep. Christy's face was a mask of peace and contentment and he was drawn to his knees beside her. "Oh Father," he prayed in a hoarse whisper. "Thank you, thank you for the desire of my heart. Thank you for the child that she carries. Please protect her and keep her and our child safe." Neil paused in his prayer. In his heart he could hear the still small voice, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to listen. How could he pray for a man who had been so cruel to his wife? He knew that the David Grantland who had been so viciously cruel to Christy wasn't the real David, but that didn't change the fact that he had hurt her. The anger and hatred he felt for David grew up inside of him and seemed to choke him. It was easy for him to say to himself that he forgives David; it was another thing entirely to take it to God to find real forgiveness. Neil remembered the conversation he had had with Fairlight after their dream of Zady. Was it really true that God knew the hatred that he held in his heart for that man? Of course, God knew, but would voicing it do any good. Deciding to respond to the small voice inside of him he lifted his voice again to God. "Please help David. I don't know what to say other than that, Father. You know that I despise him for what he has done. Forgive me for my anger." "Neil?" Christy rolled over in the bed and scooted closer to him. "I didn't mean to wake you, lass." Neil stroked her hair away from her face. "You were praying for David?" Christy asked. "Yes." He admitted as he covered her hands with his own. "And for you, and the wee babe." "I have been praying for David, too." Christy felt the tears coming to her eyes. She had loved David once, even though it wasn't the kind of love shared between a husband and wife, it was still love. "I have something for you." Neil stood up and walked to the large package on the table and placed it on Christy's lap. "I know that I am in a hurry, but I couldn't resist." Christy lifted herself up against the pillows and pulled gently on the royal blue bow that held the box. Inside was the most beautiful christening gown she had ever seen. Layers of pure white silk were covered with exquisitely crocheted lace. "Oh, Neil. It's beautiful." Christy felt as though every ounce of love she had ever felt was coursing through her body and it caused tears to flow down her face. "So are you, darling." Neil wiped them away with his hand. He was pleased that her gift had brought her joy. Something tangible to hold on to while they waited. "I love you, so much." Again Neil allowed his hand to rest on her womb. "And I love you too, wee one." Christy and Neil had managed to avoid the frantic preparations for the dinner party. Christy was slightly disappointed to see that the stylish gown she had chosen from her closet no longer fit quite as smoothly as it did two years ago. It had been her favorite, her father had said that it's royal blue layers exactly matched the blue in her eyes. However, in true fashion, Neil had come to the rescue. "You are so beautiful." Neil stood at the door his obvious admiration for her reflecting in his eyes. "It doesn't fit like it used to." Christy looked at her reflection closely. She had grown more muscular in the two years she had been in the cove. The dress that had been tailored to fit her just perfectly was now a little tight in the shoulders and in the waist. It would have to do, especially since Neil would worry if she laced her corset as tightly as she normally would. "It's perfect." Neil smiled as he crossed to kiss her on the neck. "Shall we go?" Christy and Neil walked downstairs and into the parlor. Most of the guests had already arrived and Christy introduced everybody to her husband. She did not miss the coy looks Sylvia gave her Neil and Christy slipped her hand possessively into his. As if reading his wife's thoughts he loosed his hand from hers and laid it around her waist, placing a gentle kiss on her ear. "Doctor and Mrs. MacNeill." David stood up from the chair he had been sitting in that was out of their line of site. "I have missed you both so much." "Reverend Grantland." Neil tried to hold back the rage that he felt growing inside of him at the sight of David. He outstretched his hand in a gesture of friendship, even though his current thought was to wipe the false grin off David's face. He could feel Christy tense in his gentle grasp and Neil pulled her closer to him. Neil turned his heart to God to push away his violent desires. "Please, Father, I need you now." Part/Chapter: Chapter 17 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: David has greeted the couple at the dinner party. The dinner party progressed slowly and time seemed to drag. If Neil had his way in things he would have simply taken Christy's hand and led her to the solitude of the small library and shut out the rest of the world. He could tell that Christy was not enjoying herself. She had spent most of the evening trapped with her friends listening absently to discussions of fashion and society. Neil couldn't help but grin a little bit at the obvious jealousy she had expressed in her eyes when Sylvia had tried to flirt with him. For a moment Neil wondered if Christy might just scratch her eyes out. Things had at least been interesting for him; he found that he was getting along famously with Doctor Richards. Their common interest in trachoma had pulled the conversation along throughout the evening. Neil wished that David were not there, it was a distraction to him to keep one ear in the discussion and an eye on David. He was pleased to see that David had not once tried to speak to Christy alone. Perhaps his prayer had been answered. The last thing Neil wanted was to have Christy upset! It was not good for the baby. He had also spent the evening watching William. The two of them had created a plan to have some personal time with David in William's study. It was important that this ugliness get cleared up as soon as possible. Finally, after many of the guests were beginning to depart, William stepped over to David and invited him into the study; Neil exhaled deeply and joined them. A prayer for guidance and patience was resting on his lips. "David, please sit down." William motioned him into one of the overstuffed wing back chairs in the room. David glanced around nervously. He realized when Neil stepped through the door that he had been set up. This is what he had been waiting for. "Neil, it has been some time." "It has." Neil took the chair opposite him and William sat comfortably on the edge of his desk. "I hope that Asheville is all that you had hoped it would be." "Oh, it is." David spoke with ease but his features were cold and hard. "Of course, I do miss Christy something terrible." William tensed as he referred to his daughter in such an intimate way. He shifted his position and tried to remind himself to relax. Christy was a big girl, but that didn't stop him from wanting to defend his daughter. "It has come to my attention, David, that you were not completely above board with us." "How so?" David glanced from William to Neil and licked his lips nervously. "David, Christy explained everything." Neil spoke gently; he hoped to end all of this with an understanding. "I know about the letters and so does Mr. Huddleston." "I also know that you came into my home under false pretenses." William stood up and paced about the room. "Not only have you hurt Christy, but you have hurt my wife. You are not the man we thought you to be." "I am not allowed to write an old friend." David smirked. "Blast it man!" Neil couldn't hold onto his agitation any longer. He was worried about Christy and the baby. "Can't you see how much you have hurt her, and yet you claim to have loved her! I want you to apologize to Christy, and mean it. Then I want you to stay out of our lives. She should not be put under this kind of strain." "Ah, yes! I have heard that Mrs. MacNeill is with child." David allowed all of the bitterness and hurt inside him to come out. His hatred at this moment for Neil MacNeill was even a surprise to himself. He had loved her so much and she rejected him. She had chosen an old country doctor and a cabin in the mountains over all of the wonderful things he could have given her. Christy had married Neil out of pity and some day she would regret it. He was quite sure of it. He wanted to hurt Neil and he knew just how to do it. "So who is the father?" He snarled with hatred. The moment the words left his mouth he knew that he had gone too far. Christy was relaxing in the parlor with her mother, enjoying a cup of tea. The evening had been draining. She was just glad that no confrontations had occurred with David. Her stomach had been so upset all evening she had hardly eaten. She could feel Neil watching her, worrying about her. Christy hated to make Neil worry about her, but somehow it made her feel so loved and safe when he did. "I hope the evening didn't wear you out too much." Julia asked as she poured her daughter more tea from the tray on the table. "No, it was nice to see my friends again, even if we no longer have anything in common." Christy hoped with all her heart that she had never been as shallow as her friends were tonight. "Please believe me when I say that I am sorry. I should have talked to you and Neil before I planned this party. It is just hard for me to remember that you are all grown up now." Julia smiled at her daughter. She was proud of the woman who had once been her little girl. "I am just sorry that I was so angry with you for putting this all together. I know that you did it with our best interest at heart. Right now I just want to finish my tea and go to bed." Christy laughed, she was glad to have the strain between her and her mother lifting. "Have you seen Neil and Daddy?" "They went into the study with Mr. Grantland." Julia replied. "Oh, no!" Christy moaned as she felt her stomach leap into her throat. She thought it had been for the best that her mother did not know about the letters that David had sent to her or the lies he had told. It had been kept a secret, but now she realized that may have been a very bad idea. Christy's fears were confirmed by the sound of shattering glass from the direction of her father's study. Christy jumped to her feet and her mother trailed behind. Without knocking she pushed open the doors to the room and stared at the scene before her. The first thing to catch her eye was the large amount of blood pouring from David's nose and the broken vase that lay in pieces around him. The room was absolutely silent as her father and Neil both stared in shock at one another. Christy broke the silence. She couldn't believe that Neil would do such a thing. What had happened to cause her gentle loving husband to resort to such violence? "Neil, what have you done?" Christy stared at him in disbelief as she knelt beside David and handed him her delicate handkerchief in an attempt to stop the flow of blood from his nose. Part/Chapter: Chapter 18 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: A nasty little confrontation has taken place in the study. Christy has selected that it was Neil in the Study with the Vase, let's check the cards. (Whoa! Sorry about the CLUE reference folks…I think I am starting to get crazy.) William watched the scene in front of him as though it were a moving picture show. He shook his hand in front of him. "Christy, it wasn't Neil." He stepped up to David's other side and laid his hand on the stunned man's arm. "I did it." "Daddy?" Christy asked in disbelief. What on earth had happened to cause her father to strike David? David looked at Christy's blue eyes so full of concern. He felt her soft hands press the handkerchief into his and as he placed it to his nose be could smell the rose scent that lingered on it. What have I done? He thought to himself. The events of the last two years and his reprehensible behavior flooded into his brain and raced through his memory. The conversation that he had had with Neil at the river that day so long ago, what was it that he had said. "It's called compassion and that's a powerful feeling for a young woman like Christy." Everything was becoming incredibly clear. It wasn't concern he saw in Christy's eyes. It was compassion. David felt something stir deep inside of him, something he had not felt for a very long time. It was God. The hand of God was reaching deep inside of him and bringing him understanding and enlightenment. It caught David off guard and pulled at his heart. When was the last time he had felt the touch of God in his life? David didn't remember. When Christy had turned from David, David had turned from God. Suddenly the dark glass cleared for David and he saw the hurt he had caused everyone. Weakly he got to his feet, the blood from his nose was slowly stopping but his tears were beginning. "Thank you, Mr. Huddleston, I deserved that." The silence in the room exploded in their ears. No one had expected his response. "David?" Christy was the first one to speak, she felt Neil slip up behind her and place his hand comfortingly on her shoulder. "Oh, Christy. I am so sorry. I'm sorry about the letters, I'm sorry for the awful things that I said. I'm sorry that I tried to pressure you into marrying me." David wept openly. The more he spoke the more the cold hard wall he had built around his heart began to crack. "I had no right. I just wanted so much for you to love me the way that you love Neil. I knew, you know, I knew all along. I could see so clearly, the looks on your face, how you took problems to him. How often you depended on him. I wanted you to feel that way about me. I figured I could force the issue. When Pete wrote me that Neil had accepted Christ into his life I guess I just lost it. I knew that once Neil found God that His true plan for the two of you would be marriage. I could see it coming, even when I was still in the cove. The few times that Neil lingered on the porch steps during the sermon. I tried to tell myself that he was just there for you, but he wasn't. You were looking for God and I was too angry and bitter and jealous to show you His love." David addressed Neil. "Please forgive me. Forgive me for all the hurt that I have caused. Mr. and Mrs. Huddleston, please forgive me for coming to your home under false pretenses." Neil knew without a shadow of a doubt that his prayer had been answered. "I doubted you, Father." Neil prayed as he stepped forward and offered his hand to David. "Forgive me and show me what to do." David took the outstretched hand that Neil offered. It was clear that God had truly changed Neil. He noticed the way that Christy's eyes shown when she looked at her husband and the way he kept an arm protectively around her waist. That was love, the kind of love that Christy deserved. "I am so sorry, Neil. Please forgive me." Neil wasn't sure what to say. It wasn't exactly like David had made a small error; he had caused a great deal of pain. He wondered what the Father would do at this moment. David had truly laid out his heart and repented. Neil could clearly see the true David coming to the surface. In his heart Neil heard the still small voice and he acted upon it. Releasing David's hand he stepped closer to him. He could see David visibly stiffen, waiting for the possibility of another blow. Neil wrapped his arms around David and gave him a manly and awkward hug. "All is forgiven. We are glad you are back." Christy stepped up beside the two men just as Neil stepped away. "I'm so sorry, David. I never meant to hurt you." Christy felt the tears welling in her eyes. She knew that her husband's actions came directly from God and the profound affect that Neil's forgiveness had on David. "It was me that hurt you, Mrs. MacNeill." David held his hand out to her and she took it. At the same time David reached for Mr. Huddleston's hand. "Would you pray with me? I feel a deep urge to talk to God." The small circle gathered around him and each one prayed in turn. There hearts were open to Him and to one another and their Father honored that. Healing waters seemed to flow from heaven into each one of them. "Would you join us, David, for some tea?" Mrs. Huddleston asked when their prayers had grown quiet. "I should be leaving." David was still embarrassed about the trouble he had caused. "Please, don't." Neil asked. There were still many things to discuss. David couldn't resist the gentle pleas. For the first time in a long time he felt that he had returned to God's loving embrace. He had continued with his duties as a minister, but separate from God. He had depended on his own strength instead of turning to God. "I think I would like that very much." The group spent the rest of the evening and late into the night deep in conversation around the dining room table. The conversation had covered so many topics. David was truly thrilled to catch up with all the families in the cove. He had come to love them, although his heart had been too hard to feel that love for a long time. He wept and rejoiced over Zady's death, sorry he had not been there to bring comfort. Jeb had been a true friend. Julia had requested that their cook bring some food to the table and Neil had made sure that Christy finally ate something. She could feel his eyes on her and see the worried expression. She smiled at him and happily consumed the succulent roast pork and sweet potatoes. After she had finished eating he slipped his hand under the table and linked it with hers. "Again, I have to say that I am so sorry for the hurt that I have caused. I believe that what I really need to do now is seek counseling from my head pastor at the church. Perhaps I should even step down from my duties for a while." David was becoming overwhelmed by the joy that he was suddenly feeling in his heart as he looked at Christy and Neil. She was happy, truly and completely happy. "If there is anything that I can ever do to make things up to you…" "You already have, David." Christy smiled at him and the light shown in her eyes. "I was so concerned for you, your letters were evidence of how far you had traveled from God. We prayed for you." "You did?" David looked from Christy to Neil. Had Neil honestly prayed for him? He could see by the look in his eyes that he had. "Thank you, both of you." Christy tried to stifle a yawn. The hour was growing late and the evening had been exhausting. "Looks like somebody needs to rest." David looked closely at Christy then to Neil. "I had best be going myself." David excused himself from the table and they all shook hands before he took his leave. Christy slipped her hand from Neil's and gave David a gentle hug before he departed. "I'm very glad that you are back, David." This time David understood that she cared for him deeply, in a Christian way. Her love was from God and it was different than the love that a husband and a wife should share. Her embrace brought him great joy. He could see that same love was all of those around him, the one's that he had done so terribly wrong, and he was blessed to feel their love and forgiveness. "It's good to be back. I can't even begin to tell you. All I can say is thank you." Part/Chapter: Chapter 19 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: Neil and Christy are returning to Cutter Gap. Christy waved at the dear people who stood and watched the train pull away from the depot. David had joined her parents and brother and it had been a hard goodbye for her. She was glad that David had found his way back to God and she prayed that he would continue to renew himself. "Lass." Neil stroked her hand as they sat together in the soft velvet seats. "When we get back we need to start looking at building plans." "Building plans?" Christy asked. "I think that it would be best if I moved my lab upstairs. We could put our room in there and add on a nursery." Neil smiled. He was trying to be patient but his heart sang every time he thought about the baby. Their baby. Christy could see the wisdom in his plans. In time the climb upstairs would be dreadfully uncomfortable. "Are you sure?" She asked. Neil had been out of commission for almost a month with his injury and their visit to Asheville. She knew he needed to catch up on his patients in the cove. "I'm sure. I can lock the upstairs and fashion a gate for the stairs. Once the wee one starts toddling we can't have him falling down the stairs." Christy laid her head on his shoulder while he talked. She loved the rhythmic rise and fall of his deeply accented brogue. "You said 'he', Neil." "I'm sorry, yes I did. It just doesn't seem right to call the baby an it." Neil laughed with her. In truth he didn't care if she was carrying a boy or a girl, just so both mother and child were healthy and safe. He had considered having Christy remain in Asheville, where she would be assured of plenty of rest and both the benefits of a hospital and a doctor. Of course, he knew the foolishness of the suggestion and that Christy would never agree to it. "I hope it's a boy." Christy admitted. She had tried very hard not to be too excited, not to allow it to become too real. Her time in the cove had shown her that women lost babies all the time. Margaret had lost her and Neil's child. How would Christy cope with it if she lost the baby she was carrying? "A boy would be nice." Neil smiled at the thought of a son. "Or a girl." "Is it too early to talk about names?" Neil's confidence and enthusiasm were contagious for Christy. The beautiful christening gown was just part of the special joy she knew that their developing child was bringing them. "No, not at all. Any names in mind?" Neil asked; a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I kind of thought we could name the first one after your father." Christy looked up into his rugged features and her breath seemed to catch in her throat. She thanked God again for her gentle loving husband. "If you'd like." Neil's eyes sparkled with humor. "But I think Robert would be a funny name for a girl." Christy elbowed him in the ribs. "If it is a boy!" "Oh, that would be nice. William Robert of Robert William?" Neil would also like to include Christy's father in the child's name. He had been so kind to Neil. "What about, Robert Neil William MacNeill?" Christy asked. She liked the way it sounded in her ears. "That's an awful big name for such a little baby." Neil felt the name wrap its fingers around his heart. It was a good name. They talked for a long time about names for boys and girls. Finally, Christy laid her head against Neil's shoulder and they slept the rest of the way home. She dreamed of a beautiful little boy with red curly hair and big blue eyes that held a mischievous twinkle. Christy had enjoyed her time in Asheville but she was incredibly happy to be home. Neil was pleased to know that Dan Scott and Miss Alice had enjoyed a very quiet week and there had been no need for their medical skills. Spring was trying very hard to come to Cutter Gap and the crocus bulbs were in bloom. Christy couldn't wait to give Miss Alice the news. She had planned an afternoon tea where she would share her coming baby and also ask her a special favor. "Miss Alice." Christy hugged the older woman in a warm embrace. "How I have missed thee." Alice could see the joy that was in Christy's eyes. "I have so much to tell you." Christy took her coat and settled her dear friend into the comfortable chairs in the living room. They could hear Neil working busily in his lab, preparing for the move. "We saw David." Alice looked at Christy with concern. She knew that David had been horribly cruel to Christy. "How is he?" "Very well. I am so happy, our prayers have been answered." Christy went on to tell Alice of the wonderful things that God did in Asheville. "Thee has something more to tell me." Alice looked at Christy; it was obvious that her joy was not only as a result of her reconciliation with David. As if on cue, Neil stepped out of the lab and joined his wife. "We do, Alice." Neil smiled. "We are going to have a baby." Christy smiled. "How wonderful. Surely God's blessings are on thee." Alice clasped her hands together in front of her. "We have a favor to ask of you." Neil knelt down on the floor between Christy and Alice. "You have been like a second mother to Christy, and you have become very special to me as well. We would like you to be another grandmother to this child." Alice could feel her heart stop beating. After Margaret's death she had given up the idea of ever being a grandmother. Although her relationship with Neil and Margaret had been strained she had prayed for children for them. God had answered prayers that she had long ago stopped praying. Part/Chapter: Chapter 20 Disclaimer: the LeSourd Family owns Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Summary: Christy and Neil have asked Alice to act as a grandmother to the child Christy is carrying. April 1915 Neil leaned against the framing of the new room that he was adding to the cabin and breathed in the sweet spring air. It had been a long, hard winter, but the warmth of the sun served to remind him that spring was truly a time of promise. Dan Scott had been a true blessing, the people of the cove had finally accepted him and he often took the lighter calls leaving Neil more time with Christy. Christy. His thoughts drifted to her. He didn't think he could ever imagine her being more beautiful than she was right now. She had taken time in the warm afternoon sun to rest and was relaxing on the swing Neil had constructed for her in the back yard. Her expanding stomach seemed almost in juxtaposition to the smallness of her stature. As she read she pushed away the lock of hair that seemed to refuse to remain in place. He couldn't believe the blessings that God had seen fit to give him. For what seemed like the hundredth time today, he lifted his voice in thanks again to his Father. Neil crossed the yard to where she sat; he felt a deep need to feel her hands in his. "Christy." Neil knelt beside her and took her hands in his own. "I love you." Christy looked up, slightly shocked by the deep emotions etched across his handsome features. Her heart swelled, how like him to just tell her what was in his heart. She leaned into him and kissed him deeply, choosing to show her love rather than just tell it. "I love you, too." While Neil returned to his work, Christy decided to go and enjoy an afternoon nap. Neil had insisted on helping with many of the chores she normally saw to so that she could get extra rest. She hated being treated like a child but she really was feeling incredibly tired today. She wasn't sure if it was the sudden warm spell or her expanding stomach. Her pregnancy had been progressing normally and she looked at the calendar again. She was half way there. Wearily Christy climbed the stairs and pulled back the blankets and lay down on their bed. A nap would do wonders. When Christy finally awoke she could see that the afternoon sun was fading into a beautiful twilight. Lighting the lamp on the table beside her she prepared to go downstairs to fix supper. She sat up quickly, too quickly and felt her head spin with the effort. At the same time abdomen contracted and the pain took her breath away. Falling back onto the bed she screamed when she saw the crimson stain of drying blood on the sheet that she had napped on. Neil heard Christy's scream and he bounded up the stairs two at a time. He had looked in on her only a few minutes ago and she had been fine. He felt the blood pounding in his ears as he rushed to their room. "Christy, what's wrong?" "Neil." Tears poured down her cheeks. "I'm bleeding, please help me." Neil moved her gently and looked at the blood that had stained her skirt and the bed. He began undressing her gently. "Do you hurt anywhere?" Neil prayed silently, he didn't want to watch this happen again. The memory of the child he had lost with Margaret flooded his brain and threatened to steal away all reason. "Not now, when I stood up I hurt terribly." Christy tried to hide the terror she knew was written across her face. This was in God's hands, she reminded herself. There's nothing I can do. I'm helpless. The thought kept running through his mind as he gently examined his wife. He thought about the growing child whose life was in danger. He turned his heart to God as he worked doing the best he could to push away the fear in his heart. "No pain, now?" Christy couldn't answer. She bit her lip trying to fight the tears and shook her head 'no'. "That's a good thing, love." Neil tried to comfort her. He cleaned her up and helped her into a soft flannel nightgown. Lifting her off the bed he sat her gently on the chair. Working quickly he put clean sheets on their bed and lifted her back into it. He had to do his best to keep her still and calm. "What's wrong, Neil?" Christy couldn't bring herself to think that she might actually be losing their child. Neil sat beside her after he had settled her into bed and covered her gently. "The bleeding is not heavy, it's really very light. It could be nothing at all. Some women have light bleeding during pregnancy." He held her hand in his and tried very hard to sound confident. "We will just have to wait and see. Have you felt him move today?" Neil placed his hands gently on her stomach and tried to feel their child's movements. "Yes, he was kicking while I was out reading." Christy tried to relax as she remembered his soft movements inside of her. "That's good." Neil moved his hands to hold hers again. "I need to go downstairs and call the mission. I want Alice here." After returning from Asheville, Pete had helped Neil to install a phone line from their cabin directly to the mission. It had been a pleasant surprise from both Christy's parents and he thanked God that he didn't have to leave Christy. "Neil, if this baby comes…" Christy couldn't finish her question. She knew it was too early. "If this baby comes..." Neil didn't know how to answer her question. He knew she wanted to be comforted, but he didn't have the words. For the first time in his life he felt that the medical understanding and knowledge that he had was a curse. He didn't want to lie to her, but he didn't want to frighten her. Christy didn't need to hear his answer. She knew in her heart that the baby would die if it were born today. Tears fell down her cheeks and she began to sob. "I'm so sorry." Neil didn't mean for his silence to cause her to feel like she had done something wrong. "Oh, darling, this isn't your fault." He kissed her hands and brushed the tears away from her eyes. "We just have to pray and trust God. There is nothing that you or I can do except to pray." He looked at the wedding ring on her left hand. The promise written inside filled his heart. "God has taught us to believe and to endure, now we have to look to him for hope." Neil and Christy laid their hands across the baby that rested inside of her. They bowed their heads and lifted their prayers to the loving Father who was the only one who could answer the desires of their hearts. THE END