Disclaimer: Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy is owned by the Marshall-LeSourd Family, L.L.C. We are in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. We are continuing the story of Christy for our own amusement only. Any additions in story line and character were invented by the writers of the alt.tv.christy Round Robin and the Christy MailingList. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer. The fanfic here is being posted as a service to the Christy mailing list, Pax Christy Forum and Alt.tv.christy News Group. Any additions in story line and characters were invented by the writer. Any similarities to other works of fan fiction are purely coincidental. Title: Memories Author: Sarah J. lilangel678@yahoo.com Disclaimer: See Prologue Authors Note: Thank You: I want to say thank you to LadySEWalton for giving me suggestions on this story, along with the other people who read and critiqued it for me! Thank you all! Prologue Summary: Christy tells of her life in Cutter Gap to her granddaughter,Melissa on the eve of her wedding. *~Prologue~* The sun was shining in the cloudless blue sky over the Smoky Mountains in Eastern Tennessee, the warmth of the upcoming summer fighting the briskness of the winter that didn't seem to want to leave. Any other day, Christy would want to be outside, enjoying the spring weather. Taking a walk up to her "secret places" to think, or draw. But not today. Today, Christy was too busy with last minute arrangments for her granddaughter, Melissa's wedding the next day. Her granddaughter, getting married! Why, the thought of it shocked Christy more then words could say. To think that her daughter Catherine had a daughter of marrying age! And that Melissa was a grown women, getting ready to take on the duties of a wife. Could that many years really have passed since the day Melissa was born? Yes, 20 years. Melissa had grown, and aged, into a beautiful young women, and even Christy had to admit that at 67 she had aged quiet a bit, though her husband was! q! uick to remind her that she was just a beautiful today as the day he married her. Christy stifled a yawn as Catherine and Melissa entered the room. "Mother, I was just thinking now may be a good time to tell Melissa about when you were her age. Marrying Father.. and everything" Catherine said, folding up a quilt that was laying on the bed. "Everything?" Melissa asked, perplexed. "I think you may be right. I had wanted to do it sooner but with all the wedding preparations, and everyone being so busy, I got sidetracked. Do you have time Melissa?" Christy asked "Of course Grandma, I always have time for a story from you!" Melissa said, smiling at her grandmother, who had been like a second mother to her. "Alright, come then, we'll sit on the porch. Maybe your mother will bring us a pitcher of lemonade?" Christy said, looking over a Catherine. "A whole pitcher? This must be a long story!" Melissa said with a laugh. "Long indeed, full of joys and sorrows, laughter and tears." Christy said as they walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs. They situated themselves in their rocking chairs on the porch as Catherine brought out the lemonade. "I made it just the way you like it, Mother." Catherine said with a smile. Christy looked down and saw the sprigs of mint floating in the drink. "Just the way Fairlight used to!" "Fairlight... you mean your friend from the mission you taught at?" Melissa asked. "Yes, she taught me many things about life in the time I knew her... Fairlight, dear Fairlight" Christy said as her thoughts traveled back to that day almost three decades ago. "It was a beautiful day Melissa, just like today. Not a cloud in the sky, and my mountains were as beautiful as ever..." *~* *~* *~* End of Prologue "And this, this here is sassafrass. You can tell by its leaves. The only tree I've ever seen with three different shapes of leaves." Fairlight told Christy, her hand cradling one of the saplings leaves. "It makes good tea too." "Fairlight, you never cease to amaze me. You have such a wealth of knowledge on herbs and plants. I don't know how I'll ever remember all you've told me today." Christy said smiling at her friend. "Oh, don't worry about hit teacher, I didn't think I'd remember it... but it sorta grows on ya afterwhile." Zady Spencer told Christy. Zady had come along for a lesson on herbs herself. The likeness between Zady and Fairlight never ceased to amaze Christy. Not just in looks, but in attitude. They were both always willing to help, never thinking about themselves. And they were such quick learners! Zady was one of the fastest in sums in the school, and Fairlight had learned to read in record time! "Zady's right, Miz. Christy. Don't worry yerself on learnin' hit all today. We have plenty of time to have lessons." Fairlight said, and then looked up at the sun for a moment. 'She must be telling the time' Christy thought. "Is it time for you to leave?" Christy asked Fairlight nodded. "This sun's right straight up in the sky. Means my young'ins will be wantin' their lunch meal real soon. So's Zady n' me' better be getting on home." "I still can't figure out how you can tell the time by the sun! I guess that's just another thing that I'll have to learn from you... but another time. Is Jeb back from Lyleton yet?" Fairlight sighed, "Not yet, he's been gone on 'bout 3 weeks now, he must be doing real good sellin' the honey." "Well, I'm sure he'll be back soon. Thank you for the lesson, see you tomorrow at church." "Bye Miz. Christy" Zady said as they walked away. Christy waved back at her. She should be getting on back to the mission herself, Ruby Mae and Alice would have lunch ready and they hated it when anyone was late! She wasn't really in a rush, and loved taking walks... it was one time when she could let her mind wander wherever it wanted to go, so it surprised her when she heard a horse galloping behind her. "Miss Huddleston, out for a walk on this lovely day?" Christy turned around to see Neil smiling, atop his horse Charlie. "As a matter of fact, I was Dr. MacNeill. And what may I ask is making you so happy on this 'lovely day!' " Christy said quoting him with laughter in her voice. "The miracle of life!" Neil answered with exuberance. "I just came from delivering the Holt baby girl. No matter how many times deliver a wee one, I am always amazed at life." Christy had to admit, she was surprised at Neil's outright display of emotion. It wasn't often that he gave her a glimpse into his thoughts and heart. "A miracle it is. How innocent they are. Not knowing at all the life that they were born into, or the hardships that they will have to face. How are Rebecca and the baby?" Christy asked. "Lily Grace Holt is doing just fine. A little on the small side, but very strong willed, I can see it already. Rebecca is doing fine. Everything went like bookwork. Are you headed back to the mission?" "I am, I just finished my lesson on herbs and plants with Fairlight and Zady. I expect Ruby Mae is exasperated with me for being this late already! Where are you headed?" Christy asked, looking up at him on Charlie. "Back home, to scrounge up whatever is left of the food Fairlight brought over for me 2 days ago, for lunch." Neil said with a half smile. "Instead of scrounging, why not come to the mission? I'm sure you could persuade Ruby Mae into making a basket of her 'Possum Surprise' for you to take back home." Christy said teasingly. "I will take you up on lunch, but may have to decline on the possum delicacy." Neil replied with a smile. "How about a ride there? Care to join me and Charlie?" "I thought you'd never ask!" Christy said as Neil gave her an arm up behind him on Charlie. *~* *~* *~* "John Spencer! I told you not to go splashin' me!" Zady Spencer called to her brother as they waded in the pond behind their house. "Yes she did John-John! You list'in ta her!" Clara Spencer added from behind Zady. "Aww, stop being such sissy's. I was just havin' fun" John answered, kicking the water once more in their direction. "If you don't stop John, I'm gonna tell Pa!" Zady said walking over to him. "Me too!" Clara added, hands on her hips. "Alright.. if'n you two's gonna be such--" John started to say, when a gun shot pierced through the air, followed by some shuffling of feet, like someone was running away. John froze. Nobody spoke for a moment. "What was that?" Zady whispered, fear in her voice. "I don't know... you stay here with Clara, I'll go look" John directed his younger sisters, who were only too eager to comply. John slowly walked out of the water, and over to the bushes where the shot was heard. Looking down the small hill he could see the form of a body lying near a tree. He could see where the shot had hit them, right in the shoulder. He looked around, making sure the people responsible for this were not waiting around to strike again. Then he walked back to the girls. "Come on! We need to get Pa!" He told them, lifting Clara out of the water and carrying her to the bank, with Zady at his heels. "What was it?" Zady asked as they half walked, half ran back to their cabin. "Someone got shot... in thar shoulder. Don't know who... didn't look like anyone from the Cove." John replied as the came to the cabin. "Pa! Pa!!" John yelled as they ran into the house. "What is it boy? Why 'er you hollerin' at me?" Jeb asked him. "Pa, someone got shot..." John said breathlessly. "While we was playin' in the crik" Zady said, finishing John's sentence. "You gotta come now Pa! They're hit in the shoulder and wern't movin'. We need ta take em' to the Doc's" John told him. "Come on, we'll take em' to the mission, it's closer" Jeb said running out the door with John close behind. "Be careful!" Fairlight called out the door. *~* *~* ~*~ *~Chapter 2*~ "Thanks for the meal Mrs. Tatum. It was delicious, as always" David said standing up from the table at Mrs. Tatum's boarding house in El Pano. "How much do I owe you?" "Not a penny Reverend, this meal's on the house!" Mrs. Tatum replied, "It's always a pleasure when ya stop by. The Cove's blessed ta have ya" David smiled warmly at the older women standing in front of him. "Well, thank you. Have you heard any news that Christy might be interested in? She doesn't get down here much, and she always is interested in the happenings around town" David had said the right words. Mrs. Tatum was always looking to share the bit of gossip that she'd heard from someone that day. While it was a good thing in some cases, it had been known to get her and others around her in hot water on more then one occasion! "Actually,there was a bit of news that ya'll at the mission, Doc and Mi! z.! Alice in per'ticular 'ill find inter'sting. You'll never guess who Miz. Brady spotted in town earlier today....." *~* *~* *~* "Ruby Mae, has thee set the table yet?" Miss Alice asked, walking down the stairs and into the kitchen at the mission. "Yes'm.. I even got the food all set out purty like" answered the fiery red-head. "When'! sthe Rev'rand gonna be gettin' back? I didn't set him no place, cuz I wasn't sure iffin' he'd be here for lunch, and iffin' he wasn't and I'd set him a place, I'd just have to--" "No, Ruby Mae" Alice said cutting the talkative teenager off, Ruby Mae could ramble on about the tiniest issues, like they were first class news! "I don't expect Mr. Grantland to be back until later this afternoon. He had alot of things to do in El Pano" Before Ruby Mae could answer, there was banging on the front door. "I'll get it!!" Ruby Mae said running towards the door. "That's alright, I'll get it. You go wash up for lunch" Miss Alice said catching up to her before she opened it. "I never get ta answer the door! It jest ain't fair.. I'm good at answerin' doors, jest nobody'll let--" Ruby Mae muttered under her breath as she walked out of the room. As Alice opened the door, Jeb and John walked in carry! in! g a person lying on a makeshift stretcher. Before Alice could get a word out Jeb was already explaining. "John heard a gunshot while the young'ins were playin' in the crick, they's shot in the shoulder. Someone needs to get the Doc" Jeb explained as he and John carried the person up the stairs and into Alice's bedroom in the back. "Easy now, lay 'em down." "Why--" Alice started to say as she walked behind them into the bedroom. Then she looked down at the person laying on the bed and her breath caught in her throat. "Oh my goodness!" She said, her knees felt weak, she wasn't sure if she would be able to hold herself up. "It can't be!" she whispered. She walked over to the bed and looked more closely at the person. The blood covering their upper body and bruises on their face and neck made them almost unrecognizable. "Who, ma'm?" John asked, helping her into a chair. "It's Margaret, my daughter." *~* *~* *~* "I wonder why Jeb Spencer's wagon is here? I didn't think he was back from Lufty Branch yet" Christy mused as she and Neil rode up to the mission yard. "Maybe he had something to drop off from someone in Lufty Branch, or maybe he had some of the sourwood honey leftover to give to the mission?" Neil reasoned. "Well, I guess w! e'! ll find out..." Christy replied as Ruby Mae ran out the mission door yelling something and flailing her arms about crazily. "Doc!!!! Come quick!!" they heard her say when they came to a stop. Neil jumped off Charlie, following Christy. "What is it Ruby Mae?" he asked getting his saddlebags down of Charlie's back. "Someone, hurt bad... upstairs" Ruby Mae said breathlessly. "Miz Alice said ta wait fer Miz Christy to come back, cuz maybe you'd be with her. You better come quick, they's bad off" "Who, Ruby Mae?" Christy asked as the went inside. "I dunno, some lady I think, done nevah seen her b'fore" Ruby Mae said as they went up the stairs. "They're in Miz Alice's room" Neil and Christy came to her door and opened it up. They saw Alice standing over someone, ringing out a rag to put on their forehead. "Alice, what is it?" Neil said, as he looked at the woman lying below him. He stopped dead in his tracks, his face going pale. "Who is it Neil? Christy asked, walking over to him. Then she looked at the woman. She knew before Neil even replied that it was Margaret though she had never met her. She bore a striking rese! mb! lance to Christy, as Neil and Alice had said before. Her dark auburn hair lay matted on her pillow, her face black and blue from the neck up, blood covering her chest and shoulders. "What happened?" Neil asked, shaking his head as if clearing his thoughts and bending down to examine his wife. "John and his sister's was playin' in the crick behind our cabin when they's heard a gun shot. John went to see what happend, found Miz. Margret laying there and ran back ta get me. I'd just got back from Lufty Branch, so's I had the wagon out and we brought her here." Jeb explained "She's shot in the shoulder" John said "And burning up with fever, I can tell already that she has penumonia and a bad case of it." He said, listening to her heartbeat. He moved his way down to the gunshot wound, and examined it. "It's a good thing you both brought her in as fast as you did. This wound is already starting to get in! fe! cted." Neil said to Jeb and John. "I'm going to have to operate to get the bullet out, though" "Neil, I know thee needs assistance, but I don't think I could assist thee." Alice told him. She was pale, and visibly shaken. "I understand Alice. Why don't you and John and Jeb just boil my instruments, and bring me up some rags." He said to Alice, who nodded. Jeb and John left the room with her, shutting the door quietly behind them. "Christy, would you-" Neil started to say but Christy cut him off. "Of course, just tell me what to do." Neil smiled, but Christy saw the pain that had clouded his eyes. How hard it must be for him to see Margaret ,after thinking for so long she was dead? How could he bare it? "Could you cut her clothes off around her shoulder, then apply these compresses, like Alice was doing, to stop some of the bleeding" he instructed her, handing her the scissors. She started cutting away lay! er! s of blood soaked garments. Finally, Alice returned with the instruments and cloths and Neil began the operation. It was slow and tedious work, at some points, Christy wasn't sure if her stomach could take it. But she set her mind on helping Neil. She needed to be strong for him. He needed her, and that was a wonderful feeling. *~* *~* *~* Chapter: 3 Authors notes: I forogt to tell you all in the first chapter that I made Neil already "saved". Since I already had the plot in my head and I had forgotten to add a place for Neil to pray ect. I just thought I'd make it so that he already had. Oh and one other thing.. was there a fanfic already written with the name Memories of the Heart? For some reason the title sounded familiar, if there isn't I will be changing my title to that, if there is I'm leaving it Memories. Could someone tell me if there is? Chapter 3 *~* *~* *~* "Well, that should do it" Neil said as he cut the thread he had used to stitch up Margaret's head wound. He examined her shoulder, making sure no infection had set in after he removed the bullet, and turned to Christy. "Is she alright?" Christy asked. It had been a long process, removing the bullet and stitching up the gash above Margaret's right eyebrow. But Neil had finally finished, clearly exhausted. "She'll be fine" He answered shortly. He picked up his instruments an! d ! put them in the pot of water, and then walked over to the basin to wash his hands. Christy pulled the blanket up to the still unconscious Margaret's shoulders and then picked up the blood stained cloths that had fallen off the bed and onto the floor. "You don't have to do that." Neil said turning around. "It's alright. Someone needs to" Neil sighed as he put his supplies back in his saddle bags. "I guess we'd better go down to Alice. She'll be wanting to come up I assume" "Yes, I'm sure she will" Christy nodded standing up and placing the soiled cloths in a basket to take downstairs. The room was eerily quiet. Christy could tell Neil was in no mood to have a conversation, so she respected that and followed Neil out the door and down the stairs. "I really appreciate your assistance, Christy. I could not have done it without you" Neil said once they reached the bottom of the stairs. He looked at her, and! t! he pain and exhaustion in his eyes was clearly evident to Christy. "Of course, Neil. I am glad I could help" she said giving him a small smile. The continued walking into the kitchen, when Christy stopped and put her hand on Neil's arm. "Neil, you know I am always here for you. If you need someone to talk to, or just to listen" He gave her a small smile, "Thank you Christy. I will remember that" They walked into the kitchen to find David, Alice and Ruby Mae sitting around the table eating their dinner. "I'm finished Alice. She is still unconscious, but it is probably just from the ether. You can go on up if you'd like" Alice nodded, "Thank thee Neil. I will go up now" Neil sat down at the table, and Christy went to the kitchen to dish up their plates. "How is she, Doctor?" David asked, turning towards Neil. "She is as good as can be expected. She has a bad case of pneumonia but I can't do anything ! ab! out that until she wakes up." "Have any idea as to how this happened?" David said as Christy came back in the room setting down Neil's plate in front of him. "Thank you" He said looking up at her. Their eyes locked for a moment, and Christy felt a blush rising up her neck. She quickly looked away. "Jeb didn't know anything, but from her injuries I would say that it was someone from the tea house. Margaret didn't give them what they wanted, and the followed her up the mountain" Neil told David. "The beat her, then when she still wouldn't do what they wanted her to, they shot her in the shoulder" "That is terrible" Christy said, pouring herself and Neil some coffee and refilling David's cup. "It is, but that comes with the territory I expect, with working at the tea house" Neil said. "I wish I knew why she wanted to come back. What could she possibly need from me? For the past 2 years I have thought of her as dead...! I ! just don't know why." *~* *~* *~* Later that night, Christy lay in bed unable to fall asleep. There were too many thoughts running through her head. Too many things had happened that day. So many things altered by the return of one woman. So many lives changed. She finally gave in to being awake, and put her legs over the side of her bed and got up. Putting on her robe, she walked to the door and quietly walked down the stairs. When she got dow! n,! she was surprised to see a light on. She walked into the parlor to see Neil sitting in a chair, staring into the fire. She knew he was staying the night, incase Margaret woke up, but she thought he had gone to bed long ago. She quietly walked over to him and sat down on the chair next to him. "Nickel for your thoughts" she asked Startled, Neil turned to her. "Nickle? Wasn't it a penny?" Neil asked "Well, I figure they've got to be worth more then a penny" "You'd be getting the bad end of the bargain" "Oh, I don't know...So the mission doesn't pay as well, as say as school in Asheville, but I'd wager a month's salary that anything on your mind would be fascinating." Neil laughed. Christy blushed at her last statement. She didn't mean to sound that way. Well, maybe she did just a bit, but this wasn't the time for that. Neil was a married man afterall. "Well shouldn't you be asleep?" "Shouldn't you?"! C! hristy countered "Couldn't... " Neil replied "Well, me either. So it looks like we'll just have to put up with each other until we get so exhausted that we can't say another word" Christy said with a smile. "That shouldn't be too hard, I mean talking with you" Neil replied, looking at her that way that made Christy's knees go weak. She blushed, then recovered quickly. "Well, how are you doing?" she asked him "How am I doing? Well, I must say I've been better" "You must be exhausted, with delivering the baby and then the operation..." "Amazingly enough I'm not... I don't know why" "Maybe because there are too many things floating around in that mind of yours, and too many things that have transpired today for you to settle those thoughts" Christy said Neil was silent. "Your right. I just can't settle my mind." "Do you want to talk about it?" He sighed. "Things were going so well. I felt like my life was sta! rt! ing to fall into place. My new spirituality was opening my eyes to things I never knew existed. And if it wasn't for you, and David and Alice I know I wouldn't be where I am today. Then Margaret comes back, and suddenly I feel like I did 2 years ago. Everything I had worked towards personally, the things I had planned to accomplish, just disappeared into thin air. And I still don't know why she came back" Christy just let him talk; he needed to get this off his chest. She ached for him, she wished she could hold him in her arms and tell him everything would be alright. That this too would pass and things would go back to normal, like they were before. But she couldn't. She couldn't tell him that he would wake up tomorrow and everything would be fine again. Because Margaret would still be lying in the bed upstairs. "Does that make any sense?" Neil asked her Christy was silent for a moment, "Yes. It does. I ca! n'! t tell you I know how you feel, not really. But I can tell you that even though it may not seem this way now, everything is for a purpose. Our lives can't go along perfectly, like something out of a storybook. We need little bumps and sometimes not so little ones, along the way to make us stronger and to show us things that we never would have seen before. I don't know why Margaret came back. I don't know why she faked her death. I don't know the circumstances surrounding her return. But whatever it is, and whatever you will find out, remember that everything is for a purpose. That once a door closes, another one will open. But you have to be strong, and holdfast to your faith and know that there is a higher power in control over your life" Christy told him. She had never said anything like that to anyone before, and she really surprised herself. "Thank you Christy. You don't know how much your words mean to me. I needed to ! he! ar that." Neil told her. Just then the clock chimed, telling them it was 11:00. "Your welcome, Neil. I'd better be going back to bed. School tomorrow." Christy told him. "Me too. Goodnight, Christy." Christy stood up. "Goodnight, Neil." *~* *~* *~* Chapter: 4 (yes, this is the correct chapter this time) Author: Sarah Disclaimer: See prologue ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ The next morning, Christy awoke to dark clouds and a gray sky. Thunder rolled in the distance and not a single bird was singing their morning song. She lay in bed for a moment, thinking over the past days events. Margaret's return, the operation, her talk with Neil. She sighed as she got out of bed and walked over to her balcony. She looked out and saw the almost black clouds looming in the distance. The wind was picking up fast, and it was only a matter of time before the rain came. "How perfect," She said sarcastically under her breath. "Just what we need, a storm on top of everything else" She sighed again and walked to her wardrobe and looked inside, trying to decide what to wear that day. She looked towards the back and came upon the dress she had worn just a week ago on the day she had ridden to El Pano with Neil to pick! ! up some supplies. It had been a wonderful day, not a cloud in the sky. Everything seemed perfect. Neil had surprised her by bringing a picnic lunch for them to have on their way down, and they stopped by a little stream to eat it. They talked and talked, about everything. It had been wonderful to be with a good friend whom Christy felt she could say almost anything to. A much needed break from the every day grind of living and working in the Cove. She pulled the dress out, and an envelope fell to the floor. She bent down and picked it up, reading her name written on the front. "What in the world could this be?" she said to herself. She didn't remember getting a letter that day, and there was no address on it. She turned it over and lifted the seal and pulled out the letter. "Dear Christy," it read "You’re prob!! ably wondering how I possibly got this to you without you knowing it. Well I'll tell you it was a hard process, but I have my ways! I have had a wonderful day with you, and I just want to let you know how much it has meant to me. As I write this, you are probably over in the general store picking up some school supplies, and you think I am in the post office sending off a package. Well I am at the post office sending a package, but I am also picking one up. Why aren't I getting it from Ben Pentland? Good question and that is one that will have to be answered after you read this letter. So as soon as you read it, I'll need to know because.. well, you'll find out. Now if your time runs out and you haven't read this, I guess it won't really matter. Now you are probably confused, don't be. I hope you like what I will give you, I know it i! s! something you have wanted for a while now, seeing as it has been a long time since you had it last. I only hope is that it gives you as much pleasure as this day has given me. Ok, I see you walking out of the store now, so I'll close. Always, Neil" Christy stood there staring at the letter. "How did he possibly get this to me without me knowing?" she asked herself. "I'll just have to be more perceptive next time!" she said setting the letter down on her bed. She would have to remember to tell Neil she had read the letter, but now was not a good time. Christy changed from her nightgown to the dress and picked up her blue ribbon from the top of the dresser. She didn't feel like pinning her hair up today, so she just pulled half of it back and tied it securely with the ribbon. As she sat on the edge &am! p;nb! sp;of her bed putting on her shoes, she heard yelling in the hall. "Neil! Come quick! It's Margaret!" Alice called from her bedroom. She heard the scurry of feet as she stood up and almost ran out of her room and down the hall. She stopped in the doorway looking at the scene. Miss Alice was sitting next to a very pale Margaret, her lips were a light blue color and Christy immediately thought they had lost her. Neil was kneeling down next to her bed, listening to her heartbeat and taking her pulse. "It’s the pneumonia. She can't get enough air to her lungs" Neil said as he worked on her. Christy walked in the room and stood next to Alice. Moments passed and the color slowly returned to Margaret's face. "What happened?" Neil asked "She had opened her eyes, so I went over to her and when she open! ed! her mouth to speak she gasped for air and lost consciousness" Miss Alice explained "I thought it was the pneumonia, is there anything we can do?" "I have some medication I can give her when she wakes up again, which should be soon, but I must tell you plainly Alice. She has a bad case of it, and there isn't much I can do with the limited supplies I have here. She needs a bigger town, like Asheville, where she can be in a good hospital. But I don't know if she did wake up if she could make the trip" Neil said looking up for the first time at Christy. Their eyes locked for a moment, and unspoken words and emotions passed through each other’s eyes. The spell was broken with a moan coming from Margaret. "Mac" she whispered. "What-" she said when Neil stopped her. "Don't speak yet Margaret, you ! ! will need to save your strength to talk to us later. First, take the medicine." He said as he poured a reddish liquid into a tiny cup and helped her swallow it. "Margaret, how does thee feel?" Alice said, tears in her eyes. Christy thought how many emotions her mentor must be feeling right now. Relief, joy, sorrows. "I've been better" she managed to get out. She turned her head and looked at Christy and then looked back at Neil. "That's Christy. The school teacher at the mission" Margaret nodded and closed her eyes again. "Let's let her rest. Alice you can stay with her, call me if you need me" Neil told Miss Alice. She nodded. He looked back at Margaret and said nothing, then turned back and walked out of the room. Christy followed him. She hadn't said a word through the whole ordeal but felt as though she had said a thousand. The walked downstairs and sat down at the kitchen table. David walked in the back door as Christy set to making breakfast. They had sent Ruby Mae to stay with the Colburn's. She was the last person they needed running around under foot. "Morning Christy, Doctor" David said sitting down. "Good morning David" Christy said as she poured the two men their coffee and continued making their breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast.&nb!! sp; "How is she?" David asked. "She's awake" Neil replied "Woke up earlier and tried to talk, ended up loosing her breath and passing out. It’s the pneumonia. Nothing I can do really" Neil really didn't look good. He had dark circles under his eyes, and his eyes were red and blood shot from lack of sleep. He was wearing the same clothes he had on the night before and his hair was as unruly as ever. Christy knew how exhausted he was. Then she looked at David. The immaculate outfit and hair though she knew he too had been busy the past few days, helping with a cabin raising in Lufy Branch, as many of the men of the Cove had been doing the past couple days. "I'm sorry... about everything" David told Neil. Neil nodded. "Me too" Christy brought over their plates and set them on the table. "Well I hope t! h! is is palatable. We all know I'm not exactly a gourmet chef" "Well, just as long as it isn't possum" David said with a grin "Anything at this point would be great, I'm starved" Neil said. They paused as David prayed, and then began to eat. Little conversation was had during the meal, so it was almost a relief when Alice came down stairs. "Neil, Margaret is ready to speak with thee," She said sitting down. "Alright," Neil said standing up and picking up his plate to take over to the sink. "Thanks for the meal Christy" "Your welcome, and leave your plate, I'll take care of it" Neil nodded and walked up stairs. He knocked on the door. "Come in Mac" He took a deep breath preparing him for whatever he was about to hear and turned the knob. ~*~ Chapter 5 "Come in, Mac" the voice said from behind the closed door. Neil took a deep breath as he turned the knob and pushed open the heavy oak door with his other hand. "How did you know it was me?" He asked Margaret shut her eyes and chuckled. "You mean other then the fact that I asked Mother to send you up?" She said with a smile "Even so, Mac. I know you. I know your knock, your voice, your walk. I am your wife, remember?" "Are you my wife Margaret? Are you really my wife?" Neil asked. "Because I didn't think that a wife just wakes up one morning, and decides that she is going to fake her death and then magicly reappear out of, seemingly nowhere over two years later and expect things to be just the same as they were before. I didn't think it worked that way Margaret" Margaret sighed, "I know what I did wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done, nor was it what I should have done, necessarily. But you have to put yourself in my place," Margaret told him "I was dying her, Mac. Here I was stuck in a rickety hundred-and-something year old cabin in the middle of nowhere while you were off gallivanting in these godforsaken mountains. I just couldn't live like that. ! And I knew you would never get a divorce. That was my only option" The pain and anger was now evident in Neil's eyes. "Gallivanting. So that's what you call it. You call riding miles on end all over these mountains, taking care of sick and dying people gallivanting? When you made the decision to marry me you knew I was, not only a doctor, but also the only doctor for miles around. You knew I would be gone more then I was home. Why didn't you tell me you felt this way?" "When I made the decision to marry you?" She retorted "If I remember correctly, you were the one who asked me to get married. You wanted to get back at your mother for all the things you thought she had ever done against you. I don't think you ever really loved me, I was just accessible. I was a 'heathen' and you thought that you could spite your mother by marrying me. Well let me tell you, Margaret, I am not one to be thrown around and then dropped at yours or anybody else’s convenience" Neil told him, fire in his eyes. These were things he had wanted to say since yesterday. Questions that had to be answered. "Don't you see? I mourned for you. I mourned for my wife. Your mother mourned for you. You have to realize that I wasn't the only person you hurt. You also hurt your mother" "I realize that Neil, but can't you forgive me? I know what I did wasn't right. And I am sorry for it" Margaret said. "Margaret, I can forgive you because it is the right thing to do. But I can't forget. Not now, maybe not ever.! " They were both quiet for a moment, thinking what to say next. "Mac, there's one more thing......" *~* *~* *~* Downstairs, Miss Alice had excused herself to go rest in her cabin, and David and Christy were cleaning up breakfast dishes when the sound of a horse whinny floated inside the kitchen. "I wonder who that could be" David asked as he set the clean plates on the table and walked out the door. Christy wiped her hands on the dishtowel and followed him out. Downstairs, Miss Alice had excused herself to go rest in her cabin, and David and Christy were cleaning up breakfast dishes when the sound of a horse whinny floated inside the kitchen. "I wonder who that could be" David asked as he set the clean plates on the table and walked out the door. Christy wiped her hands on the dishtowel and followed him out. "Can I help you, sir?" David asked, walking over to the man who was tying his horse to the rail. The man looked to be in his late 30s to early 40s. Tall, dark hair and wearing a suit. "Yes, is this the Cutter Gap mission?" the man asked "Yes it is" David replied "Good, I am John Hinley and I am looking for a-" he paused as he looked down at the paper he held in his hands "a Miss Alice Henderson" "You've come to the right place, Mr. Hinley. I'm David Grantland the minister at the mission, and this is Miss. Christy Huddleston the schoolteacher. But I am sorry to say, Miss Alice is resting right now. I'm afraid she was up most of the night with her ill daughter" David told him. "Her daughter Margaret?" Mr. Hinley asked "Yes, do you know her?" Christy asked, speaking for the first time "Accually, I know her quite well. Or atleast I thought I did" Mr. Hinley replied "Where do you know her from?" Christy asked hoping to find out where Margaret had been at least some of the time she had been gone. "Margaret didn't tell you about me?" "No, I'm afraid not" David replied "Why, I'm her husband" he replied "Your her what?" Christy asked, not sure if she had heard correctly. If he claimed to be her husband, what did that make Neil? "Her husband, I'm surprised she didn't tell you about me. We've been married about a year but Maggie ran off 2 weeks ago while I was in Boston giving a lecture. I just got back 2 days ago and found her gone and remembered she had told me her mother ran a mission in Cutter Gap, Tennessee so I took the train from Knoxville to here to see if I could find her" Mr. Hinley explained "This just keeps getting better and better" David mumbled "Well that story sounds amazingly familiar" "What do you mean?" Mr. Hinley asked "He means Margaret did the same thing to her other husband.." Christy replied. "Her other what?" He asked "Margaret's husband, Neil. The doctor in the Gap. He's up talking with her right now" Christy told him "I don't believe it," Mr. Hinley muttered "And you said she was ill?" "Yes, someone from the Cove found her lying in the woods yesterday morning. She was beaten and shot in the shoulder" Christy said "Dr. MacNeill operated and took out the bullet. She has some minor cuts and bruises and she does have a pretty bad case of pneumonia but Neil is doing his best to take care of that" "Well, I guess I'd better speak with her" Mr. Hinley said after a moment. He looked about as shocked as everyone else felt since yesterday. "Yes, I'm sure your exhausted from your trip. And I'm sure this wasn't quite the news you were expecting" Christy told him as they walked towards the mission "I'll take your horse to the barn, and be right in" David said "Thank you, Reverand" Mr. Hinley replied Just then, Miss Alice walked out of her cabin towards the mission "That's Miss Alice. I expect you'll want to talk to her also" Christy said as she pointed in the direction of Miss Alice "Yes, I will definatly need to do that" Mr Hinley replied as they walked to the door of the mission. "Miss Alice!" Christy called as she motioned for Miss Alice to come over to where they were. "Hello Christy" Alice said. Then looking over there visitor, "I'm Alice Henderson, may I ask who you are?" "Of course Miss Henderson. I've heard so much about you. I'm John Hinley from Knoxville.. your daughter Margaret's husband" "Excuse me?" Alice asked shocked "I seem to get that reaction alot.." Mr. Hinley replied "I haven't any idea what has been going on here with Margaret, but I do know that I married her a year ago" "Well, it looks like we have some talking to do with her then, doesn't it?" Miss Alice asked. "Let's all go in and sort all this out" Christy said opening the door. "I'll get some coffee for us" Christy said walking into the kitchen. "Bring plenty of it, Christy" Miss Alice said "We'll need it" *~* *~* *~* Chapter: 6 Disclaimer: See prologue ~*~ *~* *~* "Your what!?" Neil asked, a little too loudly. He was sure anyone outside the mission must have heard him, but he really didn't care. He was in so much shock and pure disbelief that he was beyond caring. "I said I am married" Margaret told him again "This is just too much Margaret. Even for you" "And what is that supposed to mean?" She retorted "Of all the things that you are capable of, you pull this stunt. How did you manage this one? Because wasn't there the minor detail of already being married?!" Neil asked her. He wasn't sitting any longer, by now he was up and pacing the floor in front of the bed. He was trying hard to keep his composure, but try as he might he couldn't completly contain the fury that he was feeling. The Scottish blood racing through his veins didn't help matters. "Well it wasn't easy, I had to change my last name from MacNeill to Henderson again, and since they had no records of a Margaret Henderson, I was basically a free woman" She explained to him. "A free woman? But you were still married to me!!" Neil exclaimed. "Technically Margaret MacNeill was married to you, Margaret Henderson was a free woman" "So what happend to this poor soul?" Neil asked sarcastically. "Things didn't really work out between us..." Margaret started to say when a fit of coughing came over her. She took a moment to catch her breath as Neil continued to talk. "So did you divorce him? Or did you change your name again, leaving the poor man to think you were dead. Because we all know how very good you are at that" "Very funny Mac, you always did have that dry sense of humor" Margaret said lightly "Answer the question, Margaret" "I left him. Ran off a couple weeks ago while he was in Boston giving a lecture. He's a cardiologist" "You do seem to have a thing for poor unsuspecting doctors don't you?" Neil asked her "Where did you go?" "Came back to El Pano, to the Tea House. That's where I've been working before..." "Let me guess, you were working at the Tea House, got involved with someone and didn't give them what they wanted. So you left and headed up here for safety, but they followed you and this is what happened" He said indicating the bruises on her arms and face. "Basically, yes. I knew I could come here and at least Mother wouldn't turn me away. I always knew there had to be something good about her being Quaker" She added dryly. Before Neil could answer, there was a knock on the door. "Come in" Neil called out The door opened and there was Alice, Christy and David with a man Neil had never seen. "John..." Margaret said "Is this-?" Neil asked Margaret nodded. "Neil, this is Mr. John Hinley. Margaret's husband" Miss Alice told him "I gathered that...I'm Neil MacNeill, Margaret's other husband" Neil said, trying to push down all his anger and extending his hand to Mr. Hinley Mr. Hinley shook it and replied "Yes, I guess we have some talking to do" "I think I've heard all I can take from Margaret today. It seems every time I turn around the story just keeps getting better and better" Neil told them all "But I'm sure you and Alice need to talk to her" "Yes, we do. Are you sure thee doesn't want to stay, Neil?" Alice asked "I'm sure, I think I've heard everything I can handle right now. I'll be back later. I have some thinking to do" Alice nodded as Neil walked out of the door with Christy and David behind him. "What a day. And it's only 11:30" Neil said as he sat down at the table. Christy poured them some coffee and sat down across from David and Neil. "I'm sure it has been quite a day for you Doctor. It's been quite a day for everyone" David said as he picked up his cup and took a drink from it. "The story is just what we thought. She was beaten by an unhappy comstomer from the Tea House. She said she thought she could come here and at least her mother would welcome her" Neil told them "Then she told me she was married" "How is that possible, Neil? I mean I am not very knowledgable when it comes to legal matters, I always went to my father for that, but I know that it isn't possible to be married to two men at once" Christy asked. "Your right, it's not legal. But when you change your name, I guess it is" "She changed her name?" David asked "She went from MacNeill to Henderson again" "So now she is Margaret Henderson MacNeill Henderson Hinley?" David asked "Something like that.." Neil replied with a small smile. When you stepped away from the situation, it all was rather funny in a strange way. Who would possibly think anything like this was possible? "Well I'd better get to my cabin. I need a change of clothes and I'm sure a bath. I haven't been home in 3 nights, but I'll be back later. Around dinner I expect" Neil told them standing up "If you need anything Neil, anything at all.. we're here" Christy told him "Thank you Christy, I'll see you both later" Neil said and walked out the door *~* *~* *~* Authors Note: After reading this you may be a bit confused.. I hope me writing this chapter at about midnight didn't hurt it too much! But don't worry I plan to get everything straightened out soon! It may not be until Monday or Tuesday that you get the next chapter though... been a busy little bee for the past week and it doesn't look like that's going to change any time soon! I love everyones comments, so keep um' coming and thanks to everyone who has replied! =) Ok, I'm finished.. you can read now. *~* *~* *~* On his ride home, Neil decided to stop off at God's Fist. It was where Christy had said she always went when she needed to pray, or just to be quiet. Neil definatly needed to do both. When he got there, he got off Charlie and tied him to a tree nearby and walked over to the ledge. He sat down, looking at the valley below and all the emotions of the past 2 days overcame him and he started to cry almost uncontrolably. He didn't feel ashamed, he really didn't care. He just knew that he needed to put into practice things he had heard for a long time. He closed his eyes and prayed the most honest prayer he had ever prayed. "Dear God, I don't know why this has happened. I don't know why you brought Margaret back right now. With her return, all my hopes for the future were shattered. Whatever I had hoped there to be with Christy is gone. I mourned for her for over a year, and then Christy came and emotions I thought were gone forever came back, stronger than ever before. I know there is always a purpose in everything you do, but right now I can't see the purpose in this. I also know you never give us more then we can handle, but I'm almost at the breaking point. Right now, I want to give up everything to you. Margaret, Christy, all my hopes, dreams and fears I give to you. Do with me what you will" Neil prayed. He put his head in his hands as the tears fell down his cheeks. *~* *~* *~* "I just can't believe this" John Hinley said to his wife. Was she his wife? He didn't know what she was anymore. Margaret had just finished explaining everything to him and Alice and he didn't know what to say. "I had to leave. I don't know why, but I did. When I left Neil I wanted to start over. So I changed my last name back to Henderson. Then I met you and it just sort of happened... I never told you because I didn't want to hurt you" Margaret told him "I've got to go. I need some time to think.." John told her "Maybe I'll go riding.. I'll be back later" he said as he walked out the door. Alice was quiet.. she had nothing to say to Neil,Margaret or John. She had thought that there might have been a chance for Neil and Margaret. But you had to be blind to not see the way that Neil looked at Christy. And the way she looked at him. They had something special. Something that Margaret and Neil never had. As much as she wanted her daughter to be happy, she knew that she had made unwise decisions in the past, and now was reaping what she had sewn. "Is this one of your Quaker silences, Mother?" Margaret finally asked. "I suppose thee could call it that. I just don't have much to say" Alice started to say "I feel partly responsible for thee leaving in the first place. I've wanted to apologize to thee since thee left. I thought I had lost that chance, but now... I want to apologize to thee Margaret. For anything I ever did to hurt thee in the past. I hope thee can find it in thy heart to forgive me" Alice told her, tears in her eyes. "I do mother.. I know I hurt people when I left. I also know I don't have much time left. Between this pneumonia and tuberculosis.. I've been to all the doctors in Boston and Knoxville and they can't do anything for me. It's only a matter of time now. I don't know why I came back... not really, it wouldn't have made any difference if I hadn't-" She said when a spasm of coughs overtook her frail body. "Shhh" Alice said "No... I need to tell you this." Margaret said "Mother, I- I want what you have. I want your peace" tears were in her eyes, threatening to spill. Alice let her tears fall freely. She never thought she would hear those words coming from her daughter. "Thee does not know how long I've wanted to hear thee say that. So many many nights I layed awake wondering what I had done wrong with thee. What I could have done differently. Why, maybe if I hadn't followed you and Neil to the Cove after your marrige, how we may have had a relationship. I thought I had lost any chance of ever hearing thee say those words. If it is alright, we can pray now" Margaret nodded. Alice took her hands and bowed her head. "Dear Almighty Father, I have waited so long to say this prayer for my daughter. She was lost, but now is found, was blind but now shall see. Give her thy love and power to change her life. Show her your amazing love, and let thy light shine through her. In your powerful name we pray, Amen" Alice finished her prayer and looked at her daughter. Already she sensed a difference in her. "Thank you Mother" Margaret said. The tears running down her cheeks. She was like a new person. It seemed as though all the hatered had left her, leaving behind a little girl, just wanting love. A little girl who need her Almighty Father's love to heal her broken heart and soul, and now she had it. There was nothing more Alice could do for her except pray for her, the rest was up to her. "Now thee needs to rest. And think about what this prayer has done to change thy life. We can talk later" Alice instructed. She walked to the door and walked downstairs. Once downstairs, she stood in the hallway overcome by emotions. "Thank thee Father! Thank thee for answering my greatest prayer" When she walked into the dining room, the tears were still flowing freely. "What is it, what's wrong?" Christy asked with concern as she walked over to Miss Alice. "Margaret has just prayed with me-" She said, unable to say anything more then that. Christy's own eyes welled up with tears as she opened up her arms to Alice. She knew how much this meant to her mentor. She knew that Margaret didn't have much longer on this earth, but now, hopefully she could be at peace now. "That is wonderful, Alice" David said after the women had parted. "It truly is. I am so happy for you, and her" Christy told her. "I don't know what brought this about, but as soon as she asked for the peace I had it seemed as though the wall that Margaret had built around herself fell and there sat a vulnerable woman, who only need love. But not just the love that I could give her, or that a husband could give her. But love from her Father..the only thing that could give her the peace she needed" "I wonder what Neil will say" Christy stated after a while. "I know he is in so much pain right now. I just wish there was more I could do for him" "I'm sure he appriciates your prayers Christy, but sometimes people need to walk these roads alone. He just needs time, I'm sure" David told her "I know. But so much has happened to him. I just don't know, things are so much different now. I hope he knows how much we care" "He does, Christy. He does" Alice told her as she sipped her tea. "This is a trying time for him, but as David said, it is a time that will make him grow, and all of us. It won't be easy, for anyone. But somehow I know that everything is going to work out. How, I'm not sure. But it will." *~* *~* *~* Back at his cabin, Neil dismounted Charlie and put him in the barn. "You've been a good boy, Charlie. I don't know what I'd do without you" he said as he put some hay into Charlie's stall. He set down the shovel, and walked out of the barn and into his cabin. All he wanted to do right now was sleep. He felt so much better since praying. Like a weight had been lifted from him. He knew everything would work out. Margaret didn't have much time left, and they needed to settle things. He didn't want her to go before he could tell her that he had forgiven her for everything. Not just for her peace of mind, but for him. To close this chapter in the book of life and open a new one. He didn't know how, but somehow there would be a way. "U-NITED STATES MAAILL!" Ben Pentland called out as he walked up to Neil's cabin. "Hello Ben, do you have something for me today" Neil asked him, walking down the steps on his porch. "Howdy Doc, yep. Shore do. First class mail. Must be mighty im'pertant" Ben said taking a long letter out of his mailbag and handing it to Neil. "Thank you Ben, How've you been? Is your cold gone?" Neil asked "Yep, that medy'cin ya gave me shore licked the little devil" "Thats good" "Whal, I'ze got more mail ta drop off, so's I'd best be goin' " "Alright Ben, Thanks again" Neil said as Ben walked off. "Bye, Doc!" Ben called back Neil looked at the letter in his hands. It was from a former collegue of his, Patrick Denton from Savannah, Georgia. "I wonder what he would be writing me about" Neil asked himself as he walked inside. He opened the letter and let his eyes scan it. "Dear Neil, "You must be wondering what I am doing writing you. It has been a long time since we've seen each other or spoke. About a week ago, I found out that my collegue here at the clinic, Timothy Martin, was relocating to Asheville to start his own practice. I need someone with me in my practice because I have so many patients and just not enough hours in the day to take care of them all. Well, your name came to mind about the position. I know your the only doctor in the mountains you live in, but this is a once in a lifetime position. I'm getting up their in age, and I'll be needing someone to take over for me soon. I had planned for Timothy to, but now, obviously he won't be. There would be no one else I would want in the position then you. I know this will be a hard decision, and it is asking alot of you, but I need your answer as soon as possible. Think on it and get back to me. We can set up a date for you to come up here, whenev! er! your available. Sincerely, Patrick Denton" Neil closed the letter. He had never seriously thought of leaving the Cove, he had had thoughts of going of course, when things seemed to be too much for him to handle, but he had never accually had an offer to go anywhere else and practice. This was an amazing opportunity for him, Patrick was a world renound surgon and taking over his practice would be everything Neil had ever dreamed of. He would have to give this serious thought. Could it be time for him to move on? "What timing Patrick, what timing" *~* *~* *~* Chapter: 8 Author: Sarah Disclaimer: See Prologue Authors Note: Sorry it took so long to get this next chapter out! Enjoy!! ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Chapter 8 Neil was just as preoccupied on his way back to the mission later that evening as he was when he had left hours before. He couldn't believe that there was not a reason for him receiving the letter from Patrick Denton right now, today. Then a thought came to him, he pulled the letter from his pocket and slowed Charlie down to a walk. He opened the letter and looked for the date in the upper right corner. "April 15, 1912" he read.. "It is April 31" He said to himself... "There is no way it took the letter over two weeks to get to me from Georgia" It had to mean something. Why did the letter come today, out of all days? Was he supposed to go to Savannah? He had to admit it was what he had always wanted. To have his own or even to co-own a practice like this. And to have Patrick Denton personally ask him, well that was a true honor! "I can't make my decision yet, I have to pray about it. To make sure I am doing the ri! ! ght thing" he told himself as he came upon the mission. If only there was someone he could tell. As much as he wanted to he couldn't bring it up with Christy. Something in him just wouldn't let him. Alice was out of the question. She had too much on her mind to have to take in his problems. Then there was David. They had really never been "close". Especially since Christy came. It was like there was an unspoken vow between them to make Christy one of theirs. He still hadn't figured out anything as he walked into the mission. From the sounds coming from the kitchen, Neil assumed Christy, David, Alice John and Ruby Mae were having dinner. But he walked straight up the stairs anyway, without letting anyone even know he was there. He had to talk to Margaret first thing. It was like he felt this was his only chance. He stood outside her door and knocked. "Come in, Mac" "How did you-?" Neil asked walking into the room and shutting the door behind him. "I know your knock, remember? I have this strange feeling we've been this road before though.." Margaret replied "Yes, we have. Listen Margaret, I need to talk to you" She motioned for him to sit down on the chair next to her bed. "I need to talk to you too, I have news that you will most likely be surprised to hear" "I doubt much could surprise me right now, but I know if there would be anyone to surprise me, you would be the one" He said with a grin. "Very funny, ha ha" Neil smiled. This was just like old times. Times when he and Margaret got along, and agreed. Which happened more then he had given her credit for now that he thought back on it. "Anyway, this afternoon on my way back to my cabin I stopped to think, to pray. I know that sounds shocking. Me praying. But I do and I can't believe I was so stubborn not to do it sooner. But then sitting on the ledge at God's Fist I realized that it wasn't your fault that I was so angry and upset. It was my fault. I have the choice whether or not I want to let something anger me. And earlier, I chose to blame you and be mad for all the pain I had basically caused myself over the past years. Yes you caused pain when you left, but it was my decision to stay in that 'rut' so to speak for so long. It was my decision to be mad at you when you came back, and to not want to forgive you" He told her. "I said earlier I could forgive you, but not forget, but now I have to take that back. I can forgive you and while I can't forget the past two years, I can forget the way you and I acted. I am a stubborn old Scot, but I want to apologize for the way I treated you. I f! ! orgive you, for everything. You were, or maybe you still are, my wife. And while I don't love you like a husband should love a wife anymore, I love you as a friend. And I hope that you hold no hard feelings toward me" "I do forgive you Mac. I can only hope, and pray that you will know and understand that I and truly sorry for what I did to you. It hurt you, and now I realize the mistake I made. Mac, today I prayed with mother. I've realized that my actions were wrong, and I didn't want to live the way I've been living for the short time I have left on earth" "That is wonderful news Margaret. I really am happy for you" Neil replied. Clearly surprised at what she had just told him, but so happy for her. "I know that there is nothing more you or any other doctors can do for me, but that's okay. My time here is almost through, and I've made my peace with you, Mother and John. Almost everyone" "Who else is there?" Neil asked "Christy" "Why-?" Neil asked questioningly. Margaret had just met Christy the day before, what could there be to apologize for already? "It's a women thing. But from what I've picked up, mostly from Ruby Mae who has been up here dozens of times today, she cares for you. And I don't want to stand in either of your ways" "I don't understand.." Neil asked. Could she really be saying what he thought she was? Did she tell him that Christy loved him? She had hardly even talked to Christy, once, maybe twice and she had already picked this up when Neil had seen Christy almost everyday for a year and had no idea? "You will. One day. I just hope you two have better luck then we did" Margaret said with a smile. "Now how about helping me downstairs. I am stick and tired of being cooped up in this bed. I just can't take it any longer" "Do you feel up to it?" Neil asked. "I feel as good as I ever will. Now help me up" she replied as she held her arms up. Neil helped her out of the bed and slowly guided her down the stairs and into the kitchen. It seemed every time he left Margaret's room he went to the kitchen because everyone was always there. "Margaret! Is thee feeling well enough to be down here?" Alice asked from her seat. David, Ruby Mae, John, Christy and Alice were all eating their dessert of apple pie just as Neil had thought. "I'm fine Mother" Margaret replied as Neil helped her into her chair. He looked over at Christy and caught her eyes on him. She looked away, but not before Neil flashed her a smile that made her blush. ”Now, how about a plate of that wonderful smelling food?” Neil asked sitting down himself. “I’ll get it Doc, watcha want? Thars Miz Christy’s pot roast, or my possum pie” Ruby Mae said standing up. “I think I’ll try that pot roast” Ruby Mae turned around and walked into the kitchen “I don’t know why nobody wants none of my pie, it’s the best I’ve ever made!” she said. “It is wonderful to see you up, Margaret” Christy told her setting her fork on her plate. “Thank you Christy, if possible, I would like to talk to you sometime soon.. ” Margaret asked. ”Of course,” Christy replied, a bit surprised. Why could Margaret want to talk to her? They really didn't know each other, and certinaly came from different worlds. ”How are you feeling Maggie?” John asked for the first time. There was concern in his voice. The sound of a husband who was truly worried about his wife. ”I’m feeling better, I just couldn’t stand another moment in that bed up there” "Well, this has been some day. Long, but it has been wonderful” Alice said after a moment. “A life changing day” ”Amen to that!” David said with a smile. ”Always the preacher, eh Reverend?” Neil asked with a smile. “Well, you know what they say.. You can take the preacher out of the church, but you can’t take the church out of the preacher” David replied, and everyone laughed. "Here ya go, Doc" Ruby Mae said as she set down Neil's plate in front of him. "Mmmm, smells wonderful Christy. I didn't know you could cook pot roast..I thought your specialty was charbroiled chicken. You surprise me" Neil said with a grin. "Yes, well, I'm no chef. bu I do know my way around kitchens. At least well stocked kitchens.." She said with a sideways glance at him. "Am I to think you are referring to the way my kitchen is stocked?" Neil asked in mock surprise. "Oh Mac, we all know you were never one to cook. If they left you alone, you probably would starve to death" Margaret said sarcastically. "You are absolutely right Margaret. I can't tell thee how many times I have gone to Neil's and found his cabinets bare. If it wasn't for Opal and Christy I think he would have starved long ago. And what good is a starving doctor?" Miss Alice asked. "Alright, enough, enough. I promise to start stocking my cabinets to your satisfactions. You make me a list and I'll buy it" Neil said "Anyway, why are we speaking of this now? If I'm not mistaken, this mission is well stocked with food.. I can always come over here for a meal if I find I am starving half to death, which is something that I haven't gotten to yet, mind you" "Are you all finished with your dishes?" Christy asked standing up and taking her plate with her. She was met with nods all around. She walked around everyone, clearing their plates and carrying them into the kitchen. "Christy, do you think we could speak now?" Margaret asked when she came back in the room. "Go ahead Christy, Ruby Mae and I will finish the dishes" Alice told her "Well, alright. If you’re sure you want to do it" Christy asked Alice. "It's fine. Go" she replied Christy set down the plate that was in her hand on the table and followed John, who was helping Margaret outside. He helped her into the rocking chair and Christy sat across from her in the swing. Once they were comfortable, John left them to talk. It was a beautiful evening. The sun was just beginning to set over the mountains and the breeze was blowing. Just warm enough to let them know that summer was on it's way, but cool enough to let them know that winter hadn't forgotten about them yet. "I suppose you are wondering why I asked to talk with you" Margaret started off saying, her hands folded in her lap. "Well, I guess. Only because we have only talked once or twice before.." Christy replied. "I felt like I needed to apologize to you, and I needed to do it soon. Before it was too late" "Apologize to me? Why?" "For ruining what you had with Neil" "What do I have with Neil that you ruined?" Christy asked completely bewildered. "Don't tell me you don't see it, Christy. The way he looks at you when he thinks nobody is watching, the little smiles, gestures, and compliments. His feelings are all very evident to everyone" Margaret explained to a very confused Christy. "I don't know what your talking about Margaret, really" Christy replied. What could she mean? Did Neil actually have feelings for her that went beyond just friendship? Was she so blind to miss it completely when everyone else seemed to know? And what about David.. didn't she have feelings for him? "Are you saying Neil is in love with me?" "I'm saying Neil has feelings for you that are more then just friendly feelings. The way he looks at you, speaks to you.. He never spoke to me that way. We may have been married, legally, but the emotions, the love just wasn't there. I think we fooled ourselves into it for a while; we never were really in love. He never looked at me the way he looks at you. Your something special" Margaret told her, "If I hadn't returned now, I have a feeling it wouldn't have been long before you became Mrs. Neil MacNeill. I'm not sure that still won't happen" "Are you saying that I'm going to marry Neil?" Christy asked shocked. "Why that is unbelievable. I mean Neil is so, so- stubborn and thick headed and, and-" "Handsome, and dashing, and any other verb you want to use to describe him. He would be a catch for any woman, and you know it" Christy couldn't believe that Margaret was sitting here telling her this. Why the whole idea of Neil wanting to marry her was almost laughable! But the question still stayed in the back of her mind, could it be true? "Margaret, I have to tell you that the thought never crossed my mind" "Alright, but be a little more perceptive okay? You just may be surprised at what you find" Margaret told her. "I'm glad we got to have this talk. I feel much better now, but it is getting dark and I am getting tired so I think I should go back to my cave upstairs and settle in for the night" "I'm glad we did too, let me get one of the men to help you up. Just wait here" Christy turned and walked inside. "David, could you help Margaret upstairs? She said she is ready to go back" she asked him as he passed her in the hall. "Sure," David said turning back around and walking outside with Christy behind him. "Did you two have a nice chat?" David asked helping Margaret from her seat. "Oh yes, quite nice" Margaret replied with a sideways glance at Christy "Yes, uh- very nice" Christy replied. As David helped Margaret inside he turned to Christy. "Neil said he wanted to know when Margaret was back upstairs so you may want to go tell him. I think he's in the parlor" Christy nodded and walked to the parlor. She found Neil sitting on the couch in front of the fire smoking his pipe."Um, Neil? David said you wanted to know when Margaret was back upstairs. Well, she is" Christy said.. She wasn't sure how to speak to him now, after her conversation with Margaret. "Thanks, you two had a productive conversation I trust?" he asked her pulling the pipe from his mouth and turning towards her. "Oh yes, very ah- productive". An uncomfortable silence followed. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Neil spoke. "Well, ah I guess I should go up now" "Yes, you probably should" Christy replied. Neil stood up and walked to the doorway then turned back to Christy as if he was going to say something to her. He stared at her for a moment, and then turned back around and walked up the stairs. Christy closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer. "Oh Lord help me know what to do about Neil!" *~* *~* *~* Chapter: 9 Disclaimer: See prologue Authors note: Enjoy!!! ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Chapter 9 Chapter 9 A week had gone by, with Margaret still at the mission. Her health had been slowly deteriorating and everyone knew she didn't have much time left. John was still at the mission, and things had begun to be settled with them, which brought much relief to Miss Alice. Neil still hadn't decided what to do about the letter from Savannah. He felt he just couldn't make a decision at this time and told Patrick so. Patrick had given him all the time he needed to make up his mind, as he knew what a large change it would mean for Neil if he chose to come. "Alright children, you may go out to recess now" Christy instructed her class on that warm and beautiful spring day. As the children filed out, Christy sat back down at her desk to grade history papers. She was so engrossed she didn't notice the footsteps of a person walking up to her desk. "Christy, may I speak with you?" the voice said. Christy turned her head up and looked at the figure of Neil standing in front of her desk. The light shining in from the open door behind him made it almost impossible for her to see his features, but she knew his voice immediately. "Neil could you sit down, I can't see you that well with the light shining in behind you" Christy asked him. "I would, but I don't have the time. Mary Allen is in labor and need your assistance. Alice is in Low Gap and you’re the only other person able to help me. Can you leave now?" "Of course, let me see if I can get David to come and teach math and bible class now and I'll be ready" Christy replied standing up and getting her shall from the peg next to her desk. It was cool that day and with riding on a horse she was sure to need it. "I'll be out on Charlie, you can ride with me" Neil told her following her out "To save time" She knew that it wouldn't save any time her riding with him rather then riding on Prince, but she nodded her head in agreement anyway as she half walked half ran to the mission. "David!" She called once she got through the door. "David!" David ran down the stairs like lightening. "What is it Christy, what's wrong?" "Mary Allen is in labor and Neil needs me to help him, can you teach bible and math early today?" she asked him. "Sure, I was just finishing up fixing the window Sam Huston broke with his baseball earlier, let me put my tools away and I'll go right over" "They are having recess. If I'm not back after you finish with them, dismiss them for the day" Christy said turning to the door. "You've got it," David replied "Oh and David?" Christy said turning around "Thank you" ~*~~*~~*~ The ride to the Allen's cabin was unusually quiet. Christy still didn't no quite how to act around Neil, and he seemed to sense that. "Christy, what's wrong?" he asked finally. The question brought her back to reality. "Nothings wrong, what would give you that idea?" "You just seem more quiet then usual. And when a women gets unusually quiet, you know something has to be wrong" Neil replied "And since when are you an expert on women's feelings and actions, Doctor?" Christy asked him. "Didn't say I was, but really Christy. You know you can't hide anything from me" "I noticed" She mumbled under her breath. "What was that?" Neil asked "I said I noticed" "So there IS something after all?" he chided. "It's nothing really.." she started and then trailed off. She didn't know how to tell him, or even if she should. He soon cleared that up though. "No, it is something. And I plan to get it out of you before we get to the Allen's" "Alright, alright. I've just been thinking about my conversation with Margaret last week" Christy finally told him. "Must have made quite a mark for you to still be thinking about it over a week and a half after the fact" Neil stated "I guess it did" Christy replied. To her relief, they came upon the Allen's before she could explain just WHY it was troubling her so. "Aren't you the lucky one. Don't think I'll forget about this little conversation" Neil told her after she dismounted. "Remember we have the whole ride back to the mission, and I can take as long as I want" he said with a smile. They were met at the door by Bob, who's arm was in the sling that Neil had made him from 2 weeks ago when his horse threw him on his way to El Pano. "Thanks for comin' Doc. Mary's in a bad way. Seems this young'un jest don't wanna come" Bob told them, ushering them inside. "Well that's what I'm here for Bob" Neil said walking over to the bed that Mary was laying in, with Christy following. "How are you feeling Mary?" Neil asked, opening up his saddlebag and getting the stethoscope to check the baby's heartbeat. "I'm ailin' some Doc. This young'un must be a stubb'rn one ta be acting this a'way” Mary replied. Perspiration was forming on her brow, and she looked exhausted. "Christy, have Bob boil some water and get plenty of clean rags. Then take the children outside and have Bob stay with them" Neil instructed "Oh and don't forget a blanket to rap the baby in" Christy nodded and did the task at hand. Returning minutes later with the hot water, she set it on the chair next to the bed along side the clean rags and blanket. Neil was examining Mary. "Mary, you rest for a minute while I talk to Christy" Neil told her, Mary nodded. Neil took Christy aside,” It’s a breech Christy" he said under his breath "I think we may have to operate to get the baby out. It's heartbeat is strong, but I'm afraid too much longer inside and it may start to fall" Neil told her. "How is Mary?" Christy asked him. "She's fine. As strong as an ox those Allen women are. Don't worry about her, we need to focus on the baby" They walked back over to Mary's bedside and Neil explained what they would have to do. "Mary, the baby seems to be in a breech position, the only option we have for delivering it as I see it is to operate and take the baby. Christy will give you some ether, and the next thing you'll know you'll be holding your wee one in your arms" Neil told her in a soothing tone. At Mary's worried expression Neil said "Don't worry, everything will be fine. I promise" she nodded her head and closed her eyes. Christy got the ether from Neil and put a bit on the cloth and held it over Mary's nose. "Ok Mary, just breathe this in alright?" Christy told her. She nodded in response as she took some deep breaths. Before long she was asleep and Neil began the surgery. Christy had never witnessed this kind of operation before, and wasn't quite sure what to expect. "How many times have you done this Neil?" she asked him, as he was getting ready to make the incision in Mary's lower abdomen. "I've never done one myself, but I've seen it done countless times" Neil told her. That was when Christy realized how nervous Neil was. He was trying his best not to let it show, but deep down inside she knew he wasn't sure if he could do this or not. "Don't worry, Neil. If anyone can do this operation, you can. Relax" Christy said as she touched his arm. He looked up at her for a brief moment and Christy really saw for one of the first times's the man behind the mask. For that brief moment he had let her see a part of him he tried to keep hidden. A part that she had only seen once before, when Margaret returned. He turned back to Mary and made the incision. Before Christy knew it, he was pulling up a squalling baby girl. "She's a fiery wee one, isn't she lass?" Neil asked Christy. Christy blushed at his nickname for her. He rarely said it, but every time he did Christy felt a rush she couldn't explain. "She sure is, do you want me to clean her up?" "That would be wonderful, Mary should be waking up any time now and we want a clean baby for her, don't we?" Neil said as if talking to the baby. Christy saw such love in his eyes, even though the baby was not his. He handed Christy the little one and she cleaned her off with the warm water and wrapped her in a blanket just as Mary woke up. "Mary, let me be the first to congratulate you on your new baby girl" Neil said with a big grin. Christy carried the little bundle over and handed it to Mary as Neil went and got Bob. "She's beautiful Mary" Christy told her. Mary seemed to beam with pride at the newest addition to her family. "Ain't she perty Bob?" Mary asked her husband after he had entered the room. Neil and Christy stepped back to let the family have a moment. "She shore is, Mary. Looks jest like her ma" "Have you two decided on a name?" Neil asked after a moment. "How 'bout Abigail Louise?" Mary said. "Abigail after my ma, and Louise after yers, Bob" "Sounds right fine ta me" "It is a beautiful name" Christy agreed. A little while later, after making sure that Mary and Abby were fine Neil and Christy left to go back to the mission. They rode along in silence, much like the ride there. "Isn't life amazing?" Christy asked after a moment of thought. "Think about it Neil, you just brought a new life into the world. A baby" "I know, it amazes me every time" Neil said. Christy could tell something was troubling him."What's wrong, Neil? And don't tell me nothing" "It is a times like this, when I deliver a baby, that I think of what I could have had. And how much I wish I had it" Neil said softly. Tears welled up in Christy's eyes. She knew how much he wanted children, and knew how hard it must be for him right now. "You will be a wonderful father Neil" Christy said "You mean I would have been. It would be a little hard to have children without a wife, now wouldn't it?" "Someday you may meet the women who is perfect for you. Who you can love with all your heart" Christy told him, completely oblivious to how it may have sounded. And Neil replied so softly that not even Christy could hear him, "I already have" ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Chapter 10 Neil and Christy were met with an eerie silence that covered the whole house when they arrived at the mission later after returning from the Allen's. "I wonder where everyone could be?" Christy asked. "The horses are here, they couldn't have left" Neil stated walking around downstairs, with Christy following. Other than a candle burning on the kitchen table, there was no sign of life at all. "Let's check upstairs" she whispered. Neil nodded and they walked up quietly, as though not to disturb the silence. Then they saw Ruby Mae standing in the hall quietly crying. "Why Ruby Mae, what is the matter?" Christy asked walking over to the girl. "It's Miz. Margaret. She's mighty bad off.. Miz Alice said she don't have much mer time" Ruby Mae managed to say. With that statement, Neil walked through the closed door, with Christy not far behind. Their eyes were met with Alice softly crying standing by Margaret's bedside, John too had tears in his eyes as he held the hand of his wife, who's eyes were close. Her face was pale, she looked like death itself. David was standing by Alice with his hand on her shoulder, bible in the other. At the sound of the door closing, Alice looked up to Neil's questioning eyes. "Not long after thee left she started coughing. She couldn't stop, and couldn't breathe. She turned blue, but John was able to revive her. I think she is waiting for thee, Neil" Alice said tears running down here cheeks. She had just gotten her daughter back, only to have her taken away again. "How hard it must be for her" Christy thought. Neil walked over to Margaret, and John stepped back. "Margaret, can you hear me?" he asked her. Her eyes fluttered a little and slowly opened. "Mac-" she whispered. "It's my time" "I know" he replied. "I'm glad I came back" she could hardly make out the words. "Thank you, for forgiving me” Neil nodded, and Christy saw a tear in his own eyes. "I am glad you came back too, I'll never forget you Margaret. My life will be so dull without you surprising me every couple of years" Neil said, jokingly. She smiled. "John" she whispered. "I am so sorry" "Don't be, all is forgiven Maggie" he replied huskily, now standing at her side. "I will always love you" "I too" she replied. "Christy, remember what I told you" Margaret said. Christy walked up to her, her tears flowing also. "I will" Christy replied. Then Margaret looked over to Alice. "Oh Margaret, how I love thee" Alice said taking her hand. "I love you too, Mother" and those were the last words Margaret Henderson MacNeill Hinley spoke on this earth. *~**~**~* -Present Day- "That is so sad, Grandma" Melissa said, wiping a tear from her eye. "It was a very sad moment for us all. Especially for Alice. I can hardly imagine what she must have been going through" the older Christy replied. "I can't believe all you went through. I had no idea that Margaret came back, and that she was married to John! That sounds like something you would see in a soap opera of today" Melissa stated. Christy chuckled at her granddaughter’s analogy. "It does now, doesn't it? But it really did happen" "What you and Grandpa went through! But now that Margaret was gone, Grandpa was single and you and he married right?" Melissa guessed. "It didn't quite happen that way, dear. We went through many more trials before our wedding day. And I still didn't know I loved your grandfather. I was so stubborn, and naive at the same time, that I didn't realize my true feelings" "How are you liking the story Melissa" Catherine said as she walked out onto the porch, carrying with her some more lemonade and some fresh chocolate chip cookies. "It is amazing! I can't believe I didn't hear about any of this sooner!' "I thought you'd like it" her mother replied with a smile towards Christy. "Now I'll leave you two alone, I just thought you'd like some more refreshments" "Thank you Catherine" Christy replied "Yes, thank you mom!" Melissa called as Catherine walked back into the house. Turning back to her grandma, she asked, "So what happened next?" "Well, then my parents came for a visit, with my brother George. It was always an interesting time when they came to the Cove...But even more so when they decide to surprise me!" Melissa smiled. "I can't wait to hear this!" *~**~**~* Chapter 11 It had been two in a half weeks since Margaret's death. John Hinley left after the funeral, and Miss Alice had heard from him twice since then. Things had slowly gotten back to normal, but Alice still worried about Neil. He had been very sullen and quiet in the last month. He had hardly come to the mission at all, other then when necessary. It was almost as if he was avoiding something, what Alice couldn't tell. She knew the past few months had been hard one's for him, it had been hard for everyone. But she did know that she wasn't going to sit around watching Neil act this way. She was going to do something about it. "David, would thee do me a favor?"Alice asked as David walked pass her in the hallway. "Of course" he answered with a smile. "What do you need?" "Could thee get my horse from the barn please? I have to make a trip to Neil's" "Sure can" David replied as he turned and walked outside. Alice got her hat and followed him out. Minutes later, the horse was ready and she was on her way. As she rode, she thought of what she could say to Neil. Nothing entered her mind, no matter how hard she thought. "I'll just have to let thee tell me when it is time, Father" she silently prayed. After dismounting when she reached Neils, she walked up the front steps and firmly rapped on the door. Seconds went by, and finally she heard the sound of heavy footsteps. "Why Alice, your the last person I expected to see here" Neil said as he opened the door. "Why, yes. I suppose I am" she replied. They both stood there, staring at one another for what seemed like hours. "Isn't thee going to ask me in?" she finally asked. "Oh, yes" Neil said almost as an afterthought, opening the door for her to enter. She walked in and took off her hat. "Can I get you some coffee? I just made some" he asked walking over to his stove. "Yes, coffee would be wonderful" she replied sitting down at his table. "I suppose thee is wondering why I am here" "Yes, the thought crossed my mind, since we've never really been ah, well the best of friends"he answered as he poured her coffee. "Milk or sugar?" he asked "Neither, thank thee" she replied. He walked over and set coffee on the table in front of her.She took it in her hands and looked at him. "Neil, I've noticed that over the past weeks thee has been, different" He didn't respond, just looked down as he stirred his coffee. "I know that it hasn't been easy for thee as of late, but.." "I appreciate your concern, Alice, but I have nothing to discuss" he replied with a hint of gruffness in his tone. "Neil, I've sat back and watched thee be in agony for too long. We may not be friends, but we are related whether we want to be or not, and I think that thee should be able to tell me what is wrong" she said, almost demandingly. "Margaret was my daughter too, and it hurt me too when she left, and came back and died, but we must move on-" "Alice, it isn't Margaret's return or death that has been bothering me" he finally interrupted. "At least that isn't all it is" She looked up, surprised. "Then what is it Neil?" He faltered, not knowing if he should tell her or not. "I'm actually glad you came and asked. It gives me a reason to tell you now instead of prolonging the situation" he told her "I received a letter from a friend. Patrick Denton, who has a practice in Savannah. His colleague who also co-owned the practice is leaving; I'm assuming he was offered another position somewhere else. Patrick has asked me to come and replace him" Alice sat in silence. It wasn't the first time Neil had considered leaving the Cove, but he never had a reason as good as this. "Hast thou made a decision yet?" He sighed, stood up and began to pace the floor. "Yes, I have" Again, there was silence. "Thee is leaving us, aren't thou?" Alice finally asked. "Yes, you don't realize how hard the decision was for me. But since Margaret came back, and then died.. I don't know. I just think I need to go" "Hast thou prayed about this?" "Oh yes, I've done more praying then I ever thought I would" Neil replied "And thee feels this is the Lords direction in thy life" Alice asked him "Yes, I do" "Well then, thee must go" Neil was shocked at what she had said. "You sound like you want me to leave" "It would not be right, or good for thee to be here if thee thought thou needed to be somewhere else" Alice told him, taking her first sip of coffee. "Thee will be missed, Christy in particular will miss thee. We all will" Neil tried to ignore her statement about Christy and moved on. "There is a doctor in El Pano who has agreed to come up here once a week until you can find a permanent one. I've already contacted him" "When will thee be leaving" "I need to write Patrick, and I hope to leave in a week, maybe a week and a half" Neil replied walking over to the sink and setting his cup down. Alice stood up and walked over to him. "I don't know what we will do without thee" she said looking in his eyes. He turned away, trying to hide the tear that was starting to fall down his face. "I should go" Alice told him picking up her hat. "Could you tell everyone for me? Maybe have the Preach make an announcement on Sunday" Neil asked her. "I think thee should tell Christy" Alice said putting her hand on the doorknob and opening it. Neil nodded, as she walked out. "Then I guess I will be stopping by the mission later"Neil said as she mounted her horse outside. "That will be fine" she replied, Neil handed her the reins. She turned the horse around and galloped off and Neil walked back inside. ~*~~*~ ~*~ Chapter 12 It was after dinner, dusk was beginning to settle over the mountains. The crickets were starting their evening serenade and the birds were singing their goodnight song. After helping Ruby Mae clean the kitchen after dinner, Christy decided to take a walk. She didn't know why but she felt something almost pulling her down to the stream that ran through Neil's property and the Spencer cabin. She followed it down stream just thinking about how the past year and a half had changed her. There was no doubt in her mind that she was a different person then she was when she first stepped off the train in El Pano. She would never fit into the city scene again. Not like all her friends back in Asheville, who lived for the parties, and balls and teas and going shopping and to the theater and opera. How could she go back to that life after living here and knowing the life that these people lived? If only other "city folk" as the highlanders called them, could come to the Cove and expe! ri! ence the life that is being lived here. "Am I disturbing anything" a husky voice asked from behind her. She whirled around and faced the tall form. "Oh Neil, it's just you. You startled me. No you're not bothering anything" "Sorry to shock you. I was hoping to find you here. I need to talk to you" he replied. "Alright, should we sit down?" she asked him motioning to the rocks on the bank. He nodded his replied and sat next to her. He took a deep breath, not sure where to begin. "What is the matter, Neil?" she asked him. "If it is about Margaret-" "No, it's not about her.. It is about a decision I made" "Well, what is it?" she asked. As he looked up at her, that one stubborn curl fell down his forehead. She lifted her hand to brush it away, and then realized what she was doing and quickly pulled it back down. "Christy, about three weeks ago I received a letter from a former colleague named Patrick Denton in Savannah. He asked me to replace his co-owner and join his practice" Neil told her. He watched her expression of happiness turn downcast. "What did you tell him?" she asked softly. "I wrote him a letter today and accepted the position" Neil told her. She said nothing as tears lightly fell down her cheek. "Please don't cry lass" he told her, wiping the tear away with his thumb. She took a deep breath and looked up at him. "Neil, how could you leave?" she asked. "We need you here, I need you here, you're the only doctor for miles.." she said. "There is a doctor in El Pano that has offered to come up once or twice a week until Dr Ferrand can get a replacement" Christy nodded. "I wish you didn't have to leave" "I have to, I don't know why, but it is for the best" he took a breath and looked up at the evening sky. "You'll write me?" he asked "Of course, if you'll answer" she said with a smile. "And of course I will" he replied as the curl fell back over his forehead. "Did anyone ever tell you, you have stubborn hair?" Christy asked, wanting to change the subject if only for a moment. Neil laughed. "No, but it must have something to do with my personality" Christy laughed, "Well your finally admitting it!" they were silent again. Then Christy remembered the letter that she found in her pocket over a month before. "Neil, what about the letter?" she asked "What letter?" "Do you remember the day we went to El Pano, you somehow put a letter in my pocket and I found it about a month ago. With everything that has been going on, I completly forgot about it" she told him. "Well that makes two of us, I suppose you're wondering what I was meaning aren't you?" he asked her with a smile. "Well yes," she replied. "Well I can't tell you now," he started to say "What do you mean you can't tell me? Neil MacNeill, at this point I think it is the LEAST you can do" she retorted. "Give me a few days, then you'll know" "Alright, if you say so. But you'd better not forget this time" she said wagging her finger at him. "I won't, I promise, not that you'd let me though" he said with a smile. They were silent again. "Neil, when are you leaving?" She asked after a moment. "In about a week. I've already begun packing" "What about your cabin?" she asked. "I'd been thinking about that.. and I thought that maybe I could leave some of my supplies that I won't be needing in Savannah and you can bring some of the children over for science lessons, if you wanted to that is" "That sounds wonderful, the children will love it" Christy replied. "You know they are going to miss you so much. Especially the boys" Neil nodded. "It won't be easy leaving them" "You'll just have to write the class too you know" she said "Just to let them know you haven't forgotten about them" she said, trying to mask the feelings that she didn't understand. "I'll do that" he replied, swatting away a mosquito with his hand. "You know, if we don't go inside soon, we're going to be eaten alive" "I think your right, are you coming in the mission?" "I think I will, just for a few minutes" he replied standing up then extending his hand to her to help her up from the rock she was seated on. She took it and said, "Thank you" "My pleasure" he said. They stood there for a while, looking at each other. The realization of what Neil had told Christy was sinking in. He was leaving, and there was nothing she could do to stop him. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Chapter 13 "But how could he leave, Grandma? He was meant to be in the Cove. It was his home, everything and everyone he loved was there" Melissa asked her Grandmother. "Right then, he felt that is what he needed to do, for whatever reason. And you know your grandfather, once he's set his mind to something, your hardpressed to change it" ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ A week had gone by since the night by the river when Neil told Christy he was leaving the Cove and he was preparing to leave the next day for Savannah. Christy still hadn't heard a word about the letter, so she was hoping he hadn't forgotten and would tell her today. When the Cove heard the news of his leaving, Fairlight, Jeb, Opal and Tom had arranged, along with Miss Alice, Christy and David, a surprise going away party for him and invited the whole Cove. "Ya know, it ain't gonna be easy ta get the Doc down here and be sa'prized. He ain't one ta be sa'prized easy like" Tom told David they set up tables and benches outside the mission and school house. David set his end down, and replied "Well, I for one never thought the Doctor was one to like surprises very much" "Wall, I guess we'uns will find out soon" Tom replied. Christy and Opal and Fairlight were tying streamers onto the tables, while Jeb, Bob and Alt Allen were setting up the tables. "Now then, that looks wonderful" Christy said stepping back from the table and admiring their handywork. "That shore does" Opal replied. "How are you gonna keep Doc away until the right time, Christy?" Fairlight asked hammering in the last end of her side of the streamer. "I had him give the children their science lesson out at the river, Ruby Mae promised to bring him back in time" Christy told them. "Speaking of time, we only have about 45 minutes left" she said looking at her watch pin. "And we still need to get the food out!" Opal replied. "Well then lets stop flappin' our gums and get the women ta'gether and get this food out" Fairlight told them. And they did just that. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ "Doc, this be a mighty fine lesson, but I think we'uns should be gettin' on back ta tha mission now" Ruby Mae told Neil trying to get them back in time for the party. "Well Ruby Mae, I'm not quite finished with the science lesson but when I am we'll go back. Besides, I think Miss Christy needs a bit more time to finish grading all your papers, don't you?" Neil, who was holding Mountie while showing the class pictures of the eye, replied. "Whal, yes.. I guess so.." Ruby Mae said, not knowing what else to say. "Then, what do you say we continue our lesson?" She nodded in reply. "Alright then, Creed, can you tell me what the black part of the eye is called?" Neil said pointing to the picture he was holding. Creed nodded his head, "Yes, sir.. that be the people" Neil tried his best not to laugh, but when a few of the other children started laughing he couldn't hold it in. "No silly, it be the pupil, not people!" Zady corrected him. "Thats right, Zady. You were pretty close though, Creed" Neil told him trying not to make him feel to bad. How he was going to miss these children. He had to admit to being surprised when Christy had asked him to teach them one more lesson before he left. Since he was finished packing, and all of his belongings that he was taking with him were already on their way to Savannah, he gladly complied. "Alright, who knows what the name of the part of the eye that is colored?" he asked. Looking around for raised hands, he spotted Sam Houston sitting in the corner, a tear running down his cheek. "Lizette?" he asked noticing her rasied hand. "That be the iris, right Doc?" she asked him. "That is right, now how about you all get out your slates and chalk and draw me a picture of some eyes, and you older children lable the parts" he instructed, sitting Mountie back down. When the children were busy drawing, he walked back to Sam Houston. "What's the matter?" he asked, crouching down beside the little boy. Sam Houston sniffed and looked up at Neil. "I jest wish ya didn't have ta go, Doc" he said, new tears forming in his eyes. "I'm gonna miss ya somethin' aweful" Neil looked down at him, "I'm going to miss you to, Sam" he said. Neil was one of the only people that Sam Houston let him call him Sam. "But if you promise to write me back, I'll write you letters" Sam's eyes brightened. "Letters just ta me?" Neil nodded. "Yes, just to you. If you'll write me back" Sam smiled and nodded vigorously. "Ya bet I will! I ain't never got a letter of my own!" Neil smiled, "Now, how about drawing me a picture of your eyes?" he asked. Sam nodded and pulled out his slate. Neil patted him on the head as he stood up. Seeing Ruby Mae's raised hand, he walked over to her. "Yes?" he asked. "Doc, I think we'uns had better be gettin' back to the mission now. This has been a mightly long lesson" she said, again trying to get him to leave. "Ruby Mae, you seem to be in a rush to get back, is there any reason for that?" he asked her, bewildered at her wanting to get back there so much. She shook her head hard, "No sir, I just was thinkin' that it's gettin' kinda late, and whal, we'uns had better be gettin' back" Neil looked at his watch, it was a quarter to three. "Well, if you insist. I was finished with the lesson anyway. As soon as everyone finishes their pictures we'll head back, alright?" Ruby Mae nodded then turned to the class, "Alright all ya slow pokes. Finish those pictures and give 'um back ta Doc so's we can go ta the mission" Neil smiled as the children accually obeyed Ruby Mae and brought him their pictures. "Wonderful, you all are some mighty fine artists" he said after looking at the pictures. "Now, lets all get together and head back" he said opening the door of his cabin for them, waiting for each of them to file out. When everyone was on out he closed the door and followed them back. Once they got about five minutes from the mission ,Ruby Mae said "Come on, Doc. Hurry up" and ran ahead, all the children following her lead. Neil had no choice but to run and follow them. Once he got to the top of the hill, knowing he wouldn't catch up with them, he stopped to get his breath. He looked up at the mission yard shocked. "Well, I'll be-" he said noticing everyone stand about and a big banner reading: "Goodbye Doc! We'll Miss You!" hanging up over the schoolhouse door. With tears blurrying his vision, he heard everyone yell "SURPRISE!!" ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Chapter 14 "I can't believe you people!" Neil exclaimed as he walked up and saw the highlanders that had gathered in the mission yard. "I had no idea!" "Well that was the point! It was mainly Fairlight, Opal, Jeb and Tom's idea" Christy pointed out as she walked towards him. She took his arm and led him up to the head of the table. "Now, sit here. The children have put together a small presentation in your honor" she told him, then louder so all could hear her "and I will point out I had nothing at all to do with this, the children did it on their own with the help of some of the older students" Neil took his seat as the curtain over the makeshift stage opened up. "Ladies and Gen'elmen" Creed Allen said "This is a play 'bout our very own Doc MacNeill. So sit yourselves back and enjoy the show!" he finished with small bow and a smile that lit up his whole face. The curtain was closed again and shuffling could be heard "backstage". Finally, all was quiet and the curtains opened back up. Zady Spencer could be seen laying on a cot with John Spencer, acting as Neil, sitting next to her, with an open medicine bag to his side. "Now Zady, have you been takin' the medicine like I told ya to?" he asked her. "I tried aweful hard to take that stuff Doc, but it tates mighty bad!" Zady replied, her face scrunching up in disgust. "I know it does, but ya got to take it ta feel better" John replied, pretending to pour some liquid into a spoon. So started the play marking some of the most memorable moments and experiences with Neil as doctor in the Cove. Everything from Little Burl's surgery, to Becky O'Teale's eyes, even to Mr. Huddlestons stroke at Thanksgiving. All in all it was a wonderful play, with only a handful of small mistakes. Then at the end, all the children that participated in the play lined up on stage and Creed spoke. "So all's we want ta say, is we're gonna miss ya Doc!" "And there'll never be a better Doc anywhere in the world" Zady said. "And even though we wish ya didn't have ta leave, we're really glad ta have had ya this long" John finished. The each child held up a sign with a letter on it spelling out "Goodbye Doc!" Applause followed, and as Christy looked over at Neil, she thought she saw a tear in his eye. *~* *~* *~* It had been a wonderful evening, everyone seemed to have a good time and even Christy had to admit to being exhausted by the time the last person had left. "Well, Miz Christy.. everythin' seems ta be cleaned up. I guess me and Jeb and the young'uns will head on home" Fairlight said as Christy put away the last bowl of food in the ice box. "Alright, Fairlight. Thank you for all your help. This was a wonderful idea and I know Neil enjoyed it very much" Christy replied looking at her friend. After saying goodbye, Christy walked outside and sat down on the swing on the mission porch not noticing the figure standing in the darkness. "Beautiful night isn't it?" a voice said startling Christy. She looked up as the figure walked into the light. "How do you never cease to startle me, Neil?" she asked him. "Oh I don't know.. you're pretty easy to sneak up on" he said with a smile. "Mind if I sit down?" he asked motioning to the spot next to Christy on the swing. "Not at all" she replied. They sat in a contented silence for a while, enjoying each other's company. "Thank you for tonight. I was really surprised but very very touched" he finally said. "I really didn't do much at all. The Cove just pulled together and made everything happen wonderfully" Christy replied. "And I know the children had a great time setting up the play" "Well, thank you still. And yes, that was some play. You've really come a long way with them" he told her. Then he looked at her face, staring right into her eyes, piercing her very soul "Christy, I am going to miss you" She looked back up at him, knowing he was saying the truth. "And I will miss you too, Neil. We all will" "Christy, I almost forgot" he said taking a small package from his pocket. "Here, this is your surprise. A bit later then I had intended, but here just the same" He handed her the brown paper covered package, and she took it, unrapping it quickly. Then, down fell a long thin piece of paper. She bent down to retrieve it, reading the words on it. 'Good for one two way ticket to Asheville, North Carolina' she read to herself. "Oh Neil!" She said grabbing him in a hug. "How did you manage this?" "I have my ways. Do you like it?" he asked her. "I love it. It has been so long since I've seen my family. I didn't think I would be able to see them again until Christmas! Thank you so much" she said sincerely. "I'm glad you like it. I cleared everything with Alice and whenever you are ready to leave, just call the station. Everything has been arranged" "Thank you" she said again. She wasn't sure if the tears in her eyes were of joy, shock, or sadness. "I'd better be going home, have to be in El Pano by 10 in the morning" Neil told her standing up. "I've already said my goodbyes to David, Alice and Ruby Mae" She stood up and faced him. "Then I guess I'm the only one left" she said. He bent down a hugged her, placing a light kiss in her rose scented hair. "You have been a wonderful friend" she told him when they parted. "Don't forget to write now," he told her "I won't" she replied. He walked down the stairs and mounted Charlie. "Take Care, Neil" she called out to him as he rode off. He stopped at the edge of the mission property and turned to look at her one last time. And then he was gone. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Chapter 15 "Next stop, Savannah! Ten more minutes!" the conductor called out across the train. Neil's eyes opened and he yawned as he collected his bags. Bending over, a letter fell out of his coat pocket. He bent over and picked it up reading the neat handwriting on the outside. "To Neil" was all it said. He opened it up and began to read. "Neil," "I don't know when thee will receive this letter. It may be days after thee leaves, it may be as soon as thee gets home tonight. All I really want to say is thank thee. I know we've had our differences in the past, but thee has always been a good son-in-law, even when I'm sure thee wished thee weren’t. So many things have transpired in the past months, and I know it hasn't been easy for thee. Now thou are leaving us, and I don't know what we'll do without thee. "Thee will never know the difference thou has made in all of us in the Cove. Thee have made a special place in all of our hearts. Especially Christy's. "I hope thee gets everything thou desires in Savannah. Please keep in touch. No matter what thee will always be like a son to me. God Speed, Neil." "Alice" Neil refolded the letter and put it back in the envelope as the train pulled to a stop in the Savannah train station. "Savannah, Georgia! All out for Savannah!" the conductor called. Neil picked up his bags and walked down the isle of the train. As soon as he stepped outside he heard his name being called. "Neil MacNeill!" Neil turned towards the sound, and his eyes met those of a stranger. The man walked over to him, and Neil set down his bags. "You must be Doctor MacNeill" the young man said extending his hand. He couldn't have been much over 20. Tall, with blonde hair and brown eyes. "Yes I am, and who, may I ask are you?" Neil replied, shaking the extended hand. "I'm Peter Denton, Patrick's son. He wanted me to tell you how sorry he was not to be here, but there was an unexpected emergency at the clinic and he couldn't get away" Peter told him, helping Neil with his bags. "Our auto is over here, let me help you with your bags" "Thank you" Neil said following the young man. "So this is Savannah" Neil stated, surveying the area around him. The hustle bustle was a shock to Neil after being in the Cove for so long. It had been many months since his last excursion outside of the Cove. The automobiles driving up and down the streets, the men and women walking to and fro were something he would have to get used to again. "Yes sir, this sure is. Have you ever been here?" "Well I came many years ago, when I was a lad like yourself. But it has changed greatly since then" Neil replied. "Will your wife be joining you later?" Peter asked him. "Uh, no. My wife died a few months back" Neil told him. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. My father made the impression that your wife would be coming with you" "That’s alright. It really is a rather long story. But no, nobody will be joining me" Neil replied as the rode down the street. After a few minutes went by, they pulled up to a large brick house overlooking Main Street. "Well, this is it. Home sweet home" Peter told him, stopping the car and stepping out. Neil followed suit, and with Peter's help, picked up the bags and walked up the front steps. Patrick met them at the door. "Well Neil, my boy. Great to see you" Patrick said giving Neil a firm pat on the back. "Great to see you too, Patrick" Neil replied. "You had a good trip, I trust?" "Wonderful, everything went fine" When they walked inside, Neil looked at his new environment. In the hall was a spectacular oak grandfather clock with brass trim lining its base and head. Thick oriental rugs lined the wood floor and stairs. Large paintings of men and women in colonial garb graced the walls. And huge ornate chandeliers hung from the high ceilings. "Maggie, Melissa, Neil's here" Patrick called when they entered. "Liza, will you take Dr. MacNeill's bags up to his room?" Patrick asked the women standing in the doorway. It was the first time he had noticed her. "That is Liza our housekeeper. I honestly don't know what we'd do without her" Patrick informed Neil. Just then two women entered through the parlor. "Neil, I would like you to meet my wife Margaret, and my daughter Melissa" Patrick said, motioning to the women. "We have twins, Rose and Andrew, who are still at school" "Pleasure to meet you Mrs. Denton, Miss Denton" he said shaking their hands. Neil couldn't help but let his eyes linger on Melissa. She couldn't be over 25, and she had stunning green eyes and wavy strawberry blonde hair that was tied back with a ribbon. "Melissa is the teacher at the private school down the street. She teaches the fourth grade" Patrick informed Neil. Neil couldn't help but wonder why someone as old as Melissa must be was not only unmarried, but also still living at home. "It is none of my concern" he told himself. "A very good friend of mine back in Tennessee was a teacher at the mission. She taught all 12 grades in one room. How are you enjoying your teaching?" Neil asked her. "I love it. The children are wonderful. But I can hardly imagine teaching all the grades in one room. Your friend must be very talented" Melissa remarked. "That she is, Christy is an extraordinary person" "Well Neil, Liza has your bags upstairs. You must be exhausted from your long trip, why don't you go on upstairs and take a rest before dinner? You'll have a good hour" Margaret said after Liza had come back downstairs. "I think I'll do that, Mrs. Denton" Neil replied. "Margaret, please" she instructed him. "Only if you'll call me Neil. All of you" Neil said to them. They nodded. "Good, now I won't feel like an old man, you all calling me Mr MacNeill or Dr MacNeill" They laughed at his remark and Neil went upstairs. His room was very handsome. The walls were dark wood with maroon tapestries hanging around the windows. His large four-poster bed was covered in a maroon down comforter with matching pillows. He found his suitcases sitting next to the wardrobe, so he proceeded to unpack. After finally finishing, he decided to write a letter to the mission, letting them know he arrived safely. "Dear Alice," "I thought I would send you a quick note to let you know that I arrived in Savannah with no troubles. While being rather long, the train ride was uneventful and went smoothly. The Denton's are wonderful people, with a gorgeous home. Patrick has a wife and four children. Melissa is around 22 or 25 I would think, Peter around 19 or 20 and Rose and Andrew are still in school, they are twins. I hope to be living on my own soon, though the family is wonderful it will be nice to have a place of my own again. I'm sure they won't want a slob of a bachelor living with them for too long. I'm sure Christy can vouch for my messiness. Give everyone my best, the children too. I'll be writing again soon. Take Care. "Neil" *~* *~* *~* Chapter 16 "Alright class, take your seats" Christy instructed her students as she walked up to the table. It had been two weeks since Neil had left the Cove, and Christy decided that today would be a good day to take them to his cabin for their science lesson. "Now, today we will be finishing your lesson on the eye that you started with Doctor MacNeill a couple weeks ago. Who can tell me a little about the eye?" Immediately many little hands were raised. "Zach, what can you tell me about the eye?" Christy asked the little boy. He pulled his hand down and stood up off of the floor and looked at his teacher. "Well, the eye lets us see. The colored part in the eye is called the, the-" "Iris" Christy said helping him out. "Yeah, that be it. The iris. And the black part is called the pupil" "Very good, Zach. You may take your seat" Christy told the boy. "If you didn't have eyes, you wouldn't be able to see. And if you couldn't see, you wouldn't be able to do a lot of things. Can any of you give me an example of what you wouldn't be able to do?" "I know, Miz Christy" Becky O'Teale said "Yes, Becky?" "When my eye was hurtin' me, I couldn't see some stuff. Like the words on yer big black board in school. I couldn't read my sums or nothin', until Doc fixed 'um" "Your right Becky. And if Doctor MacNeill hadn't fixed your eyes, what might have happened?" Christy asked her. "I would have been blind" Becky told her. "That's right. Now there are different kinds of blindness class. People who are totally blind cannot tell light from dark like Miss Hattie, people who are partially blind like Becky was have some sight but still not much, people who are congenitally blind were blind at birth. That means they never could see. And other people can get hurt and their injury could cause blindness. That is called acquired blindness" Christy told her class. Before she could continue, she heard Ben Pentland outside. "UU-NITED STATES MAAAIL!" "You all stay here, I'll go see what Mr. Pentland has. While I'm gone please pick one thing that you can see and write why you're thankful that you can see it" Christy instructed her class. When they got to work, she weaved her way outside through the many children's bodies and opened the door. "Why hello Mr. Pentland, what brings you here today?" she asked him, wondering why he would be coming to Neil's cabin since nobody lived here. "Miz Alice told me you'uns were here t'day and since I had a letter from Doc I thought on bringing it over here fer ya" Ben said handing Christy a bulky letter. "Well, thank you for being so thoughtful. I know the children will be thrilled to hear from Neil" "Yes'm. Whal I best be goin' got me lots more letters ta give" "Alright, have a nice day then" Christy said waving as he walked off. Immediately she tore the envelope open and two letters fell out. She picked them up and noticed one was for the children, and one addressed to her. As she walked inside, Christy said "Class, guess who I have a letter from?" *~* *~* *~* "So you see, all you have is a little fracture. I will rap it and it will be as good as new in no time" Neil MacNeill said to the little boy sitting on his examining table. "Thanks Doctor, it didn't even hurt" the little boy said, smiling up at Neil. "See, I told you. Now you be careful for the next few days. No running around or playing baseball until I say, alright?" Neil instructed him. "And no more jumping off the wall alright?" The little boy nodded. "Here is some pain medication, should Joshua need it. If there are any complications come to me immediately" Neil told the boys mother, handing her a bottle of pills. "Thank you Doctor MacNeill. Everything should be just fine" the woman replied taking the bottle and slipping it into her handbag. "Alright, down you go" Neil said picking the little boy up and setting him on the floor. "I'll see you in three weeks" he said as they walked out the door. Once they were gone, he turned around to put away his instruments. "Knock, knock" a voice said from the doorway. Neil turned around, still rolling up the remainder of the gauze, and looked at the person in the doorway. "Well hello, Melissa. I wasn't expecting to see you today" as he set down the gauze, one of his syringes rolled off the side of the table, and onto the floor right at Melissa's feet. She bent down and picked it up. "I think you'll be needing this" she said handing it to him. Her hair was all down, with not even a ribbon to keep it back. It fell over her eye and she tucked it back with her fingers as she stood waiting for him to take what was in her hand. "Oh yes, I probably will won't I?" he replied, removing it from her open palm. He set it on the table and finished putting everything back. "Joshua was my last appointment of the day, would you like to go for some coffee or tea or something on our way home?" "I would love to. What I came by to tell you was that a few of my friends were going to the opera tonight, and had two extra tickets.." she began to say. She knew it wasn't proper for the female to be asking the male out, but she decided Neil wouldn't mind too much. "Of course" he replied to her unasked question. "Of course what?" she asked, surprised. "Of course I'll come to the opera with you. It has been a long time since I went" She smiled. "Well in that case, I will be happy to go for coffee with you. The opera starts at eight, we should probably leave at seven thirty to be there in time" "That sounds fine," he said putting the last of his instruments away. "Shall we be going?" he asked extending his arm to her. "We shall" she said with a smile and they walked out the door. Later as they sat with drinks, coffee for Neil, tea for Melissa, they talked. "You miss the mountains don't you?" she asked him. He looked over her shoulder to the hills, out beyond the city. He didn't speak for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. "I miss the sereneness of the mountains, the silence, the people.. my people" he replied. "As a boy, I always longed for the city. I wasn't always content to be out in the woods. I yearned for the life I read about in books. So when I was given the opportunity to go to Scotland for medical training, I rather jumped on it" "Scotland, so that is where you get your accent" she commented. "Yes. Though born in a cabin in Tennessee, I am Scottish through and through. As was my father, grandfather and his father before him and on and on. When I went to Scotland, it was as if I gained a part of me I never knew I lost" "What made you come back?" she asked. Neil took a sip of his coffee before answering. "The mountains were calling me. I had been in Scotland for four years, living in the city, experiencing things I never thought I'd get to. But still, I yearned for the solitude of the mountains. And I misse