Disclaimer: The LeSourd Family owns Catharine Marshall’s “Christy.”  I am continuing
the story for my own amusement and am in no way seeking profit or credit. 

Title: “Promises”
Author: Emma O.
Summary:  This fanfic is an attempt to finish up the television series that ended with
Christy poised between David and Neil, trying to come up with an answer to David’s
proposal.


Chapter 1

The box in Christy’s hand got heavier and heavier as she struggled to keep her emotions
in check.  She looked from David to Neil and back again, only to see the children over
David’s shoulder.  The children!  She had to think of them!  Christy squeezed her eyes
tightly shut in an attempt to will the world away.  So many thoughts.  So many
questions.  The silence of those around her proved only to mock the voices screaming
inside her head.  They got louder and louder and jumbled together until Christy thought
she, herself, would scream.

And then there was quiet and her mind cleared as she felt a tug on her sleeve.
Christy’s eyes opened to reveal Mountie O’Teale looking up at her, curiosity
illuminating her large eyes.  Christy bent down to brush a stray wisp of hair out of
Mountie’s face.  “Teacher,” Mountie said, barely above a whisper.  “Are you okay?”
Christy nodded and smiled, deeply touched by the concern of the little girl.  Bolstered
by the positive response she received, Mountie worked up the courage to ask, “Ya’ gonna
marry the preacher?”

“Are you going to marry him?” echoed Margaret’s voice inside Christy’s own head as she
was instantly transported back to a similar conversation they had had only days ago.
“The preacher, I mean.  You should, you know.”

“I know,” Christy replied aloud to Margaret, still lost in her memory.

“You know what, Teacher?” asked a confused Mountie.

Christy shook her head quickly to get rid of the image of Margaret in front of the El
Pano Teahouse.  “I know,” Christy recovered, “that you are so dear to be worried about
me.  But I am fine!”  She looked up at the rest of her students.  “And if I’m not
mistaken,” she continued as she stood up and took Mountie’s hand in hers, “the school
day is not over quite yet.  I believe Reverend Grantland was going to give you a math
test this afternoon.  Have you taken it?”

“No ‘um,” Mountie replied, prompting groans from the children on the steps.

“Christy,” implored David, finding his voice at last.  “The math test can wait.  We
need to talk.”

“Ruby Mae,” Christy called out, stepping past David and putting his request on hold.
“Could you please gather everyone back inside?  Reverend Grantland will be along in
just a moment.”  Ruby Mae nodded eagerly, proud to be put in charge, and began herding
the children to their seats.  At the same time, Christy gently sent Mountie on her way.
When they were all safely inside the school house, Christy turned to see David just
inches from her and Neil, further beyond, still on his horse at the edge of the school
yard.  What was she going to do?

** ** **

“David,” Christy said as she smiled up into his gentle face.  What a wonderful man he
was!  Good.  God-fearing.  Strong.  A wealth of promises shone from his eyes as he
anticipated her affirmative answer to his proposal.  She knew she needed to handle this
situation as carefully as possible to keep from hurting the man she knew she would call
husband.  “Please trust me and go to the children,” Christy beseeched him as she closed
the ring box, slipped it into her pocket and stepped past him once more to confront
Neil.

David felt like he had been slapped.  “But!” he nearly shouted, causing Christy to turn
back to him.

Christy stopped his protests by placing a finger to his lips.  “David, if you love me
you will let me handle this the best way I know how.  Please see to the children and I
will be ready to answer you when they go home for the day.”  David nodded, his lips
pursed together in frustration.

“Fine,” he muttered angrily.  Then, softening when a look of hurt crossed Christy’s
face, he continued, “I do love you, Christy Huddleston.  Don’t forget that.”

“I won’t,” she whispered as he turned away and jogged toward the school.

Neil sat in turmoil while the events in front of him unfolded.  What would her answer
to Grantland be?  Why was she sending the preacher away?  Could it be she was feeling
what he was too and needed to speak with him?  Neil winced as Christy gently placed her
fingers on David’s lips.  It was so personal.  So loving.  “No,” he thought as he
jerked involuntarily in pain.  “She can’t love him.”

The whinny of Neil’s horse as his master shifted in the saddle reminded Christy of his
presence.  Why was he here?  Why wasn’t he with Margaret?  Margaret.  The hurt she had
felt at seeing them in each other’s arms welled up inside her again and threatened to
erupt.  She turned on her heel to face him, ready to tell him to go back to his wife.
But the agony on his face stopped her before she could form the words.

“Christy,” he whispered in a husky voice.  His eyes looked through hers into her very
soul, as she stood paralyzed before him.  All thought left her mind and all resolve
abandoned her as his hypnotic stare communicated with a place deep inside her.
“Please,” he pleaded.  “We need to talk.  Away from here.  Come with me, lass.  Ride
away with me, my love.”

“My love…my love…” his voice echoed through her body and made her heart sing.  How she
had longed to hear him utter those words!

Finding release, Christy ran to Neil as if her life depended on it.  Without thinking
she reached out to him and he easily swung her up behind him.  His smile was as bright
as the sun and she clung to him as he turned the horse to run.  “It’s just like my
dream,” she thought curiously.  But Christy remembered the rest of her dream and
sobered as she looked over her shoulder to see David staring after them as if his world
was about to end.

Chapter 2

Hot tears of shame coursed down Christy’s cheeks as she and Neil sped along.  What was
she thinking?  Had she abandoned all sense and decorum?  How could she do this to
David?  Neil was a married man who could offer her no future!  She had to go back.

“Stop, Neil!” Christy shouted over the thundering of hoof beats.  “Stop, please,” she
implored him.  Neil slowed Charlie quickly to a walk and Christy jumped off before they
had come to a complete stop.  Losing her balance when she reached the ground, Christy
fell into an ungraceful heap on the trail.

“What in the blazes are you doing, Christy?” Neil shouted in concern as he climbed down
from Charlie and ran back to her.

“I’m going back to the Mission,” she retorted as she tried to stand.  But a firm hand
kept her on the ground.  Neil crouched down beside her and she dropped her head to hide
her tears.

“Let me look at you and make sure you’re okay before you try to stand,” he said with a
sigh of exasperation.  What a mystery this woman was to him!  Hadn’t she just happily
sped away with him?  What had happened in the few minutes they had been riding to cause
her to change her attitude like this?  He checked her ankles and wrists for mobility.
Everything seemed to be in good working order.  Noticing her bowed head he reached up
to brush a hand across her cheek and she stiffened.  “Christy?” he asked in a confused
voice.  

She was torturing herself.  He was torturing her.  His very presence was ripping at her
heart.  Why wouldn’t he just go away?  “Please God,” she thought, “Just let him go
away.  Make me forget about Neil McNeill altogether!”

“Christy?” he asked again.

Christy, who had been silent since he began his exam, shook her head and whispered
“No.”  

“Look at me, Christy,” Neil said gently.  When she didn’t respond he took her face in
his hands and lifted her eyes to his.  “Christy, what is wrong, lass?”  Her
tear-streaked face continued to shake slowly from side to side as her haunted eyes
searched his for the answer to a question she dared not ask.  And then they went stony
as she stilled.  Always able to read her like a book, Neil felt as though she had built
a wall between them.  But why?  “Christy, please?”

“This is wrong, Neil,” Christy said plainly.  “I was wrong to ride away with you.  I
must go back.”

“Wrong?” cried Neil.  “But why?”

“You are a married man, Doctor!” Christy reverted to a more formal mode of address as
she struggled to her feet.  “Have you forgotten how tongues wagged after Bessie saw us
at the river?  What will people say when their children go home and tell them that I
rode off with you after David asked me to marry him?”  She shook her head again and
turned away from Neil.  “What an utter fool I am.”

“Christy, wait,” cried Neil as he walked after her.  “We still need to talk.  Turning
your back on me will not make that fact go away.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Christy said coolly as she continued back up the path.

“And I say that there is,” Neil huffed as he ran to block her way.

Christy tried to maneuver around him to no avail.  “I need to get back to David.  I
promised him I’d be there when the children left.”

“Not until we sort this out,” exclaimed Neil in a firm tone.  He took Christy’s arm and
led her to a fallen log at the side of the path.  “Please sit,” he offered.  Christy
straightened her back, removed her arm from his grasp and lowered herself onto the log.
Neil ran a hand through his unruly curls and sat down next to her.  “Why did you come
by my cabin today?” he inquired.  “And why did you leave before we could talk?”
Christy did not reply.  

“Why did you hesitate to accept Grantland’s proposal back there?”  And why did you
agree to ride off with me?  What happened during our short journey to change your mind?
And why are you running away now?”  The questions flowed from Neil’s mouth like a
river.  He couldn’t seem to stop himself.

“I am not running away,” countered Christy, looking straight ahead.  “I’m here, aren’t
I?”

“I’ll give you that much,” Neil sighed.  But what about the other questions, Christy?
Can you answer me, please?

“Fine, Neil,” Christy said curtly as she steeled her heart and steadied her voice.  “I
came by your cabin today to ask you to teach the children one day next week.  I left
because I saw you with Margaret and I didn’t want to interrupt your personal moment.  I
didn’t accept David right away because it wasn’t right to disrupt the children’s school
day so.  I rode off with you so we could have the pointless talk we are having right
now.  I changed my mind because in the heat of the moment I made a horrible error in
judgment.  And if you are done interrogating me, I would like to return to the
Mission.”

Neil stared, mouth agape, at the woman next to him.  Pointless talk?  She sounded like
a stranger.  Interrogation?  Never before had she been so detached from him.  Never
before had she tried to wound him with her words.  “I see,” was all he could mutter.

Taking that as her cue to go, Christy rose.  But as she took her first step away from
Neil toward the comfort of the Mission house, she heard a sound that made her turn.  A
small sob escaped Neil’s throat.  “Why?” he whispered in a small voice.  “Why are you
trying to hurt me so?  I thought you were my best friend.”

Christy’s cool façade was betrayed by her heart as she whispered in reply, “I am.”

“No, you are not the Christy Huddleston I know,” Neil said hotly as he stood.  “The
Christy I know is honest and open.  She challenges me.  She talks through her problems
with me.  And heaven knows why, she believes in me and supports me.  But never would
she turn her back on me after making cowardly remarks.”  Neil spun and walked toward
Charlie.

This time it was Christy’s turn to stare in stunned awe.  Had she really been that
hateful?  Was she taking the cowardly way out?  She had only been trying to do what was
right.  Instead, she made a horrible mess of things.  As usual, he had seen right
through her.  But instead of vexing her as his insight usually did, it merely defeated
her.  “You’re right,” she admitted, feeling shame for the second time that afternoon.

“What?” asked Neil as he turned to face her once more.

“You’re right.  You are.”  Christy took a deep breath and continued.  “I haven’t been
honest with you today, Neil.  But it’s a long story.  Do you have the time?”

“What about your appointment with Grantland?” asked Neil as he considered her offer.

“David will understand.”  Christy walked toward him and extended her hand.  “I have a
dear friend I need to talk with.”

** ** **

“Where is he?” wondered Margaret aloud for what seemed like the hundredth time in the
past half hour.  After watching in misery as Neil chased after the schoolteacher
Margaret had started to pace by the river.  Up and down she walked as the events of the
last few days ran through her head.  The women showing up at the teahouse.  The awful
confrontation with her mother.  Christy’s strange visit to convince her to try again
with her family.  Neil tearing from her embrace at the sight of Christy leaving.

What a dreamer the teacher was!  What a naïve little girl!  And to think that Margaret
had let herself get sucked into Christy’s fairytale!  “I come back, Mac opens his arms
to me and Mother forgives me.”  Margaret brushed the tears away that had begun to roll
down her cheeks.  “Hah!  What a laugh!” she thought as she splashed a handful of cool
water on her warm cheeks.  But as she stood up she reconsidered Christy’s words.  “It
may be hard, but she was right.  Mac is worth fighting for.  And I won’t give him up.”
With that she set off up the path to the Mission in search of her husband.


Chapter 3

Neil and Christy walked alongside Charlie all the way to the river in silence.  Once
the horse was watered and resting, Neil joined Christy on the grassy bank.  “Where have
you gone, lass?” Neil inquired, noting her faraway look.

“I was just thinking about the last time you brought me to the river.”  Neil smiled at
the memory of teaching her to fly fish.  “You were so patient as you waited for a tug
on the line,” she continued.  “But when you finally caught the fish you let it go
again, saying that the dance was more important than the frying pan.”

Neil nodded in amusement as she went on.  “You may think you were being clever, Neil,
but I understood perfectly what you meant.  Our whole relationship has been a dance.”
She paused and looked into his eyes.  “The others dancing with us have been slowly
dropping out and the circles are getting smaller and smaller, bringing us closer
together.  But now it seems that we’re down to four in the innermost circle:  Margaret,
you, David and me.”  Neil’s brow furrowed as he concentrated on her metaphor.

“Can I tell you about our dance, Neil?  I want to tell you about our dance.  But I have
to go farther back.”  She turned from him again and stared at the river.  “It began the
day I first saw you.  You frightened me.  You embarrassed me.  Everything around us was
so new to me and you wanted so much from me at our first meeting.  With the long walk
from El Pano before the surgery on Bob Allen, I just didn’t have it in me.  We were
like strangers passing on the dance floor in search of other partners.

“And we stayed as strangers until that night in your cabin with Becky O’Teale.  Your
struggle with the decision to operate on Becky was obviously hard on you.  But I kept
pushing.  And you really looked at me that night for the first time as someone with
whom you could dance.  But I didn’t see it until the next day when you told me you
would not be going to Baltimore.  How my heart leapt for joy in that instant!

“And so the dance began.  Like a promenade we would dance together and then with
others.  Parting company only to come back to each other once more.  We drifted so far
apart when Margaret came back the first time.  And yet, when you helped my father
through his recovery we seemed to be so close.  We flirted with the destiny of the
dance right here next to this very river.  For just a moment everything was right.  But
our discussion of Dan Scott tore us apart again.  You risked your reputation for me
after Bessie spread that awful lie and yet you closed yourself off to me when Nathan
Stone was visiting.”

“Christy,” Neil began.  But Christy silenced him with a look as she finished her tale.

“I turned to David as my partner after that.  We nearly married when baby Iris was
found at the Mission, you know.  But with the confusion at the Teahouse in El Pano, it
was you, not David, who comforted me.  It was with you I wanted to dance.  But now
there is Margaret, again.  And still there is David.”  She reached up to brush a lock
of hair back from his eyes.  “Here we are, the four of us.  The music is about to
begin.  It’s time to choose partners.”

Neil broke from Christy’s gaze and stood to walk to the edge of the riverbank.  He was
afraid he would drown in her beautiful blue eyes and needed to catch his breath.  He
picked up a few flat round stones and began to skip them.  “You asked me to be honest
with you, Neil,” Christy continued to Neil’s back.  “Here is honest.  I came to your
cabin today because I wanted to tell you that I love you.  I’ve loved you since we
started this crazy waltz.  I just didn’t realize it until the music came to an abrupt
end at the Teahouse.”  Neil froze mid-way through a skip at her revelation and the rock
in his hand plopped into the water in front of him.

“Seeing Margaret in your arms today was more than I could take.  I felt like such a
fool.  Just because I loved you didn’t mean you’d love me back.  And after all, it was
I who told Margaret you were worth fighting for.  Obviously she took my advice and
rekindled the love you once shared.  I rode off to keep from embarrassing myself or
either of you any further.”

Neil turned to look at Christy in amazement.  She loved him!  Had he heard her
correctly?  Neil felt struck dumb.  Even if he could think of the right words to share
with her he wouldn’t be physically able to utter them.

Afraid she wouldn’t be able to go on if Neil spoke, Christy plunged ahead to keep from
losing her nerve.  “I hesitated in accepting David’s proposal today for the simple
reason that you appeared.  I was confused and hurt.  But I foolishly hoped against
reason that you had come because you loved me too.  And then I thought again of
Margaret in your arms.  

“That’s when I came to my senses and asked David to go inside with the children.  I was
going to send you away.  I was going to put you out of my heart forever.  But then you
asked me to ride with you.  I was so overcome by the feelings I was trying to hide that
I tricked myself into hearing you call me your love.  I had wanted you to love me for
so long that I read more into your words than you meant.  And for just a moment I lived
out my girlish fantasy of riding off into the sunset with my prince…my bonnie prince.”

Neil took a step toward her, prompting her to talk even faster.  “But as we rode away I
realized I was making a huge mistake.  Your place is with Margaret and mine with David.
She has come back, Neil and she wants to work things out.  You can be happy with
Margaret again.  I know you can.  And I can be happy with David.  He is a good man.  He
loves me and I love him.  We will find fulfillment together in God’s mission for us
here in the Cove.

“I’m so sorry I made a fool of myself to you,” she apologized.  “I know you look on me
as a dear friend and nothing more.  I don’t ever want to lose you as my friend, Neil.
I hope you know that you will always find friendship in me.”  She dropped her gaze to
study the pattern of her skirt.  She breathed deeply and exhaled a cleansing sigh.
There!  She had been honest.  In unburdening her heart she had lifted a crushing
weight.  Now she needed only to get back to David.  She owed him an explanation and an
answer.  She pulled her legs under her and gathered her skirt in preparation to stand.

Watching Christy ready herself to leave, Neil snapped out of his stupor and rushed
forward.  He fell to his knees in front of her, evoking a small cry of shock.  Her eyes
flew open wide as she met his gaze.  “I cannot fathom how you came into my life,
Christy Huddleston.”  Neil’s brogue was thick as he took her hands in his.  “Nor can I
fathom the depth of the emotion I feel when I am around you.  I know I haven’t the
right, but so help me, I love you with my whole being.”  He pulled her closer toward
him, causing Christy’s heart to skip a beat.  “I have loved you since the moment I set
eyes on you.” As Christy’s eyes pooled with confused tears he leaned forward to whisper
in her ear.  “And you didn’t trick your mind into anything, lass.  I did call you my
love!”

Neil’s hot breath on Christy’s cheek caused her to shudder as her own breathing
quickened to match the pace of his.  For an eternal moment they sat perfectly still,
clinging to one another.  And then, in movements so slow they evoked pain from longing,
Neil carefully pulled Christy up to stand before him.  He released her hands and gently
cupped her face.  He drank in the sweetness of her mouth, still slightly parted in
surprise, before he raised his gaze to meet hers again.  He saw Christy close her eyes
and heard her sigh as he brushed her bottom lip with his thumb.  How he longed to kiss
her!  How he wanted to take her in his arms and hold her as his own for all eternity.

Christy trembled as her heart threatened to defeat her head.  How she wanted him to
kiss her!  How she wanted to feel his strong arms enfold her in a passionate embrace!
How she longed to be with him forever as his friend, his helpmate and his wife.  His
wife…

Margaret!

Christy’s eyes flew open and with a cry she pushed against the doctor’s chest.  The
warmth of their embrace was suddenly replaced by the chill of loneliness as their
bodies parted.  “No,” Christy cried as she raised her hands to her flaming face.  “We
can’t!  Oh God, what did I almost do?”

“Christy, don’t!”  Neil reached out to her in desperation.

Christy retreated a step, just out of his grasp.  “I’m so sorry, Neil,” Christy bit
back a sob as she took another step back.  “I’m sorry I let it get this far.  I didn’t
mean for it to go this far.”

“But, Christy, you’ve done nothing…” Neil broke off as she burst into tears.

“Margaret is waiting for you, Doctor.  And David is waiting for me.  Please, go to her.
Love her and make a life with her as I intend to do with David.”  Christy turned to
flee but felt her energy leave her in a rush and she dropped to her knees.  Neil was at
her side in an instant, enveloping her in a comforting embrace.  Her body wracked with
sobs as she cried from the depths of her soul.  Neil held her and rocked her gently,
his own tears freely flowing, until her crying slowed and finally ceased.

“Please, Christy,” Neil implored.  “You cannot marry David.  You do not love him as you
do me.  I know it to be true.  Don’t make a decision you’ll come to regret.  Don’t hurt
us both so.”

Christy felt instantly enraged as she disentangled herself from his embrace.  “How dare
you ask that of me?  You are a married man, Doctor.  You have a whole life ahead of you
than can never include me.  How can you ask me to throw my life away for something that
can never be?”  She ignored his look of anguish as she stood, leaving him on the
ground.  She didn’t care if she hurt him now.  He had hurt her immeasurably by
intimating dreams that would never come true.  “You don’t know what I feel for David!
Don’t pretend to know what’s best for me.  You have no right!  Go home to your wife,
Doctor,” she said coldly and she turned to walk away.

“And what about us?” Neil asked flatly, thoroughly defeated.

Christy stopped and whirled on her heel.  “There can never be any ‘us,’” she said with
finality as she retrieved the small box from her pocket.  And as Neil watched in
despair, she slipped David’s ring on her finger and marched purposefully away.




Chapter 4

“All right, children,” David announced in his loud pastoral voice.  “School is
adjourned!  Have a good afternoon.”  The whoop of the students as they fled from their
posts was nearly deafening.  David was glad for the noise.  It temporarily filled the
void left in his chest when Christy rode away with McNeill.  

What had happened?  She had looked at him with such feeling only moments before.  She
had touched his lips so gently and asked him to trust her.  He had believed in her.  He
had believed in them.  And then she ran toward the doctor as if Satan himself was
chasing her.  He felt so betrayed.  But then…she had looked sad when she turned to see
him on the steps.  That had to mean something, didn’t it?  David clung to that small
thread of hope.

“Preacher,” came a voice from behind him.  David turned to see Creed Allen standing in
the aisle, his stance full of fire and his voice full of purpose.  “We need ta have us
a talk.  Man to man-like.”  

David grinned in spite of himself.  “Alright, Creed.”  David ushered the boy to the
front of the schoolhouse and they sat on the steps.  “What can I do for you?”

“Oh no, Preacher,” Creed nodded firmly.  “It’s what I kin do fer you!”  Creed puffed up
his chest as he continued.  “Now we ‘uns know what happened t’day with Teacher.  And I
got me some thoughts on that fer ya.”

“Creed, I don’t think we should be discussing…”

“Shoot, fire, Preacher!” exclaimed Creed, cutting David off.  “Now are ya gonna listen
quiet-like or am I gonna have ta take my wisdom home with me?”  David bit his lip hard
to keep from laughing at the lad.  A good belly laugh would do him good about now.  But
he could see that Creed was in earnest.

“Now!” Creed sighed, sure the preacher would keep silent.  “I kin tell yer feelin a
might poorly over the fact that Miz Christy didn’t answer ya right away.  But,
Preacher, ya ain’t got nothin to worry about!”

“Is that a fact, Creed?” asked David in the most serious tone he could muster.

“Yes sir!”  Creed replied with all the certainty he had in him.  “Now iffin you
remember, Miz Christy sure was in a state when Miz Sissel came a visitin.  Why, I ain’t
never seen the green-eyed monster so big-like in Miz Christy afore.  That’s gotta mean
that she loves ya.  Me?  I was so sure of it that I snuck ol’ Scalawag into Miz
Sissel’s bath to skeer her off from the Cove.”

“Creed!” David cried in dismay.

Unwilling to be derailed from his track, Creed held up a hand and continued.  “Now we
kin sit here and argue ‘bout Miz Sissel or we can figure on what ta do ‘bout Miz
Christy.  Now, like I see it, she done went with the Doc t’day to help him on an
emergency or somethin like that.  You know they be friends.  Maybe she wanted ta find
ya a nice, shiny arrowhead ta bring ya after school and he was helpin her.

“I can see yer ailin from a pinin after her.  It’s plain ta anyone got eyes that you
love Miz Christy.  But don’t fret yerself none.  She’ll come back.  Wait and see.  And
iffin I was you, I’d have my hair brushed proper and maybe some flowers to give her.
You know how she likes ‘em and all.

“Yep,” said Creed as he stood to leave.  “You’ll see, Preacher.  I be right about this.
And like ya always say, you gotta have faith!”

David watched the young sage walk away.  “Creed!”  David waited until the boy had
turned around.  “How is it that you know so much about love?”

“Shoot, Preacher,” Creed merely shrugged.  “When ya got a aunt an’ uncle like Fairlight
and Jeb, you cain’t help but notice some things.  Now don’t ya go tellin’ no one we had
this here talk.  I don’t want no yucky girls thinkin I’m a wantin to court ‘em.”  Creed
turned and ran down the hill as David shook his head with mirth.

“I’ll never understand that young man,” thought David to himself as he rose.  “But he’s
right.  I need to have faith.  And,” he decided as he looked at his wrinkled clothes,
“I need to clean up before Christy comes back.”  David turned to stare at the horizon.
“Please Christy,” he whispered.  “Come back.”

** ** **

Neil remained on the ground watching the empty path long after Christy disappeared.
Why was this happening to him?  Why, after all these years had Margaret come back to
destroy his life once more?  What had he done to deserve this pain?  Neil lowered his
head and beat his fists against the ground.  “Why?” he muttered to no one as loneliness
threatened to smother him like a heavy woolen blanket.

A rustling in the brush brought him out of his contemplation and he looked behind him
to see Margaret coming up the path from his cabin.  “Oh, Neil!  Here you are,” Margaret
tried to sound casual as she caught her breath.  “I was hoping to find you along my
walk.  I was thinking…”  She stopped when she got close enough to see his face.
Compassion for him she hadn’t felt in a long while stirred within her and her heart
went out to him.  “Mac?”  She held out her hand.  “What’s wrong?  Can I help you?”

Neil wiped his face on his shirtsleeve and stood without taking her hand.  Looking at
the woman in front of him he fought the anger that churned in the pit of his stomach.
“Why are you still here?” he asked in a dangerously low voice.

Margaret’s concern for Neil was replaced by fear and immediately she went on the
attack.  “I’m still here because this is my home.  And just in case you’ve forgotten,
you are still my husband.”

“You walked out on me, Margaret.  I believed you dead!  How dare you come back now and
expect me to pick up where we left off?”

“Mac, we’ve been through all of this!  You know why I left.  And you know why I came
back.”  Margaret stared deeply into the eyes of the man in front of her.  “But this
isn’t even about me…is it?” she whispered in revelation.  “You’re mad at me because of
her…aren’t you?”

Neil swallowed the bile rising in his throat and stepped around his wife.  “You don’t
know what you’re talking about,” he snapped miserably.

“Don’t I?”  Margaret caught up with Neil and turned him to face her.  “Do you think I’m
a fool, Neil?  Don’t you think I notice the way you look at her?  I know you went after
her, Mac!  I know you left my arms to stop her from accepting the preacher’s proposal!”
Margaret’s voice was rising in pitch with every exclamation.  “But it didn’t work, did
it?  She told me she was going to marry him.  I tried to make you see that she was
going to marry him.”

Neil struggled against her grasp, her words cutting him deeply.  But she held onto him
with a grip of iron.  “Don’t you see, Mac?  You are mine and I am yours!  Christy has
her own life with the preacher.  You need to forget about her and move on!  These silly
feelings you have for her will only bring you more pain!”  Margaret reached up to touch
Neil’s cheek.  Her eyes pooled with tears and her voice choked with emotion as she
spoke again.  “I’m begging you, Neil.  We loved one another once.  We made promises to
each other.  Vows.  I know I haven’t honored those commitments to you in a long time,
but you can’t deny that they still bond us together.  Please, Mac.  I want to come home
and make things right.  Let me come home?”

Neil studied Margaret’s face with resignation.  He didn’t have the energy to fight her.
With one last look up the path toward the love he knew he could not have, he nodded
silently.  “Thank you,” was all she whispered as they turned together to fetch Charlie.

** ** **

When she was sure she had marched out of Neil’s sight with control, Christy ran for the
Mission.  Tears of confusion, embarrassment and loss mingled in twisting rivulets down
her cheeks.  She ran harder and faster, matching each tear with another step to take
her farther away from Neil McNeill.  Seeking redemption she ran until her lungs nearly
gave out and she had to stop for breath.

What a mess she had made of things!  First with David and then with Neil.  She wiped
haphazardly at the tears beginning to dry on her cheeks.  What had she been thinking
when she told Neil the truth?  Never had she expected that he would return her
feelings.  She had hoped, perhaps.  But never expected.  And yet, what good were silly
girlish hopes?  She had nearly kissed a married man!  What if she had?  Could she have
lived with the guilt?  How could she have faced David again?  Could she have even
stayed in the Cove?  Luckily, good sense had intervened.  She needed to put Neil out of
her mind and heart.  Now she had to focus on her life with David.  After all, she did
love David.  She had just been too distracted by her feelings for Neil to give David a
real chance.

As Christy’s heart beat wildly in her chest she closed her eyes to concentrate on the
task of breathing.  “Dear Lord,” she found herself praying.  “I’ve always looked to You
for direction in my life.  You led me to this Cove.  You brought me to these children.
Lord, I thought I knew which direction You wanted my heart to go, but now I see that I
was trying to make the decision for You.  Please, help me to put my faith in You once
again.  You have given me a wonderful man in David.  Help him to forgive me for my
heedless actions today.  Help me to be a good wife to him.  Help us to serve You
together for the good of Your people.  Amen.”

A peace Christy hadn’t felt all day passed through her.  How good it felt to place her
burdens and her trust in the Lord!  She took a deep easy breath and exhaled as she
looked up into the trees above her.  “Oh!” she exclaimed, noting how low the sun was
getting in the sky.  She needed to get back to the Mission.  She had to talk to David
right away.  She knew she wouldn’t make it back by the time school was out, but she had
to try to catch him before dinner.

As she walked on she looked at the ring on her left hand.  It was a beautiful little
diamond.  David must have worked so hard and saved so much to be able to afford it.  He
really was a good man.  Completely absorbed in her own thoughts, Christy rounded a
corner in the path only to run headlong into Creed Allen!  “Why, Creed Allen!” she
exclaimed once she had recovered her balance.  “Where in the world are you off to so
quickly?”

“Actually, Teacher,” laughed Creed, “I was lookin fer you!”

“Really!” Christy exclaimed.  “And why is that?”

“Well, ma’am,” Creed got down to serious business.  “It’s about today.  Ya see, after
ya done left this afternoon with the Doc, I got ta thinkin’.”

Christy groaned internally.  What had she done?  What did her students think of her and
her behavior?  “Yes, Creed?” she asked weakly.

“It’s like this.  I know ya love the Preacher, see.”

“And how do you know that, Creed?”

“Shoot, Teacher, it be obvious.  You and Preacher are ‘zactly alike.  Yer both trying
to help us an’ save our souls an’ such.  Yer both believers.  I see how ya smile at
each other.  And accordin’ to Ruby Mae, any gal would like to git a ring from a fella’
like you got from Preacher.”

“Well, Creed,” Christy was cut off as Creed continued.

“I had me a talk with the Preacher and I know he feels the same way about you!”
Christy grinned at the boy’s enthusiasm.  “An’ I happen to know that he be awful
anxious to see ya.”  Now Christy’s face fell.  Would David be upset with her?  “Now,
don’t ya fret none, ma’am,” Creed consoled her.  “He was a smilin when we talked about
ya.”

Christy grinned once more and tousled Creed’s hair.  “Creed Allen, you must be one of
the sweetest boys on the Earth.  Thank you for this little pep talk, but I’d best be on
my way.  It seems I need to meet with a Preacher!”  Creed grinned and puffed up his
chest in pride.  He’d done a good deed for a man he really liked…a man who loved his
teacher very much.

Creed turned to head home but all of a sudden his eyes got big as he remembered the
finishing touch.  “Miz Christy,” he cried as he sprinted back up the path to her.  “I
almost fergot,” he said as he fished a shiny perfectly formed arrowhead from his
pocket.  “I need ya to give this to the Preacher.  But don’t tell him it’s from me!” 

“Why ever not, Creed?” asked Christy suspiciously.

“Well,” Creed crossed his fingers behind his back.  “Ya see we got this here game we
play.  It’s a secret and I cain’t be tellin’ none of the rules.  But ya just gotta tell
him you found it for him!”  Christy narrowed her gaze at the mischievous boy in front
of her.

“I can’t lie to him, Creed,” said Christy with a firm nod of her head.

“But it ain’t a lie, Teacher,” Creed implored.  “It only be part of the game!  Please,
Teacher?”

Creed looked so pitifully hopeful that Christy promised she would deliver the trinket
as her own and started once more for the Mission.  Once she was out of sight, Creed
uncrossed his fingers.  “Sure hope the Almighty will fergive me this once!” he said
impishly and grinned as he skipped down the path for home.


Chapter 5

Alice Henderson was taking clothes off the line when David rounded the mission in
search of the small washbasin.  “Hello, Alice,” he greeted her loudly, prompting the
need to dodge a flying clothespin.

“Goodness me!” exclaimed Alice, her hand over her heart.  “Forgive me, David, but thy
voice startled me.”

“You seem to have just come back from a million miles away.  Are you alright?”

Alice continued to fold the sheet she had just taken off the line.  “Actually, David, I
was rather deep in my own thoughts.  You see,” she began as she dropped the sheet into
the basket, “Daniel has decided to return home for a visit.  With his cabin gone he is
quite saddened.  I suggested that some time with his mother and with Cecile might do
him good.  A retreat of sorts.”  Alice reached for the last pillowcase on the line.

“And he agreed?” asked David, taking the clothespins from her outstretched hand.

“Immediately, in fact.  Furthermore, he has asked me to accompany him on his journey to
Freedom.  Despite everything that has happened here, I believe he will want to return.
After all, we have the promise of the men of the Cove to help him rebuild should he
continue his medical residency with Dr. McNeill.  I feel he has asked me along to help
convince Cecile to come back with him.”

“Alice, that’s wonderful news!”

“Indeed it is,” agreed Alice enthusiastically.  “However, I feel a bit distracted as he
would like to leave on the first train out of El Pano tomorrow morning.  I have so much
to do before I can go.”

“Well, I’m sure Ruby Mae can help you with whatever you need,” David tried to be
helpful.

“It is that very thing which has me worried.”  Alice grinned at the thought of the
precocious red head.  “Well, I’d better get supper started if we are to eat before
breakfast tomorrow.”  Alice picked up the laundry basket and started back inside.  “Oh,
David,” called Alice as he started off toward the pump with the washbasin.  “Has thee
seen Christy this afternoon?”

“Actually, Alice, I’m expecting her to arrive here soon.  We have an appointment of
sorts.”  David grinned and disappeared.

“Please tell her I would like to speak with her…” Alice trailed off to speak only to
herself as she realized David was no longer listening.  “I need to tell her of my
plans.”  With a small laugh in wonder at David’s strange behavior, she went inside to
begin dinner.

** ** **

The afternoon had given way to early evening when Christy finally made it back to
Mission property.  She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she nearly passed the
schoolhouse altogether in her haste to get to the Mission.  But a flicker of motion out
of the corner of her eye grabbed her attention.  The front doors were standing wide
open!  Christy turned back and cautiously ascended the front steps.  Who could be here?
David surely wouldn’t have left the building without locking up!

Stepping cautiously through the open doors, Christy stopped short in awe.  The main
aisle was covered in a carpet of brilliantly colored fall leaves.  And her desk, or
what she could see of it, was overflowing with late wildflowers.  Giggling, Christy
made her way quickly forward to gather some of the fragrant blooms up to her nose.  She
spun around expecting to see David, but no one was there.  “How odd,” she mused to
herself as she sifted through the treasures on her desk.  “Aha,” she thought
triumphantly when the note tucked among the offerings was discovered.  She opened it
and began to read aloud.

“My dearest Christy,
I’d lay the world at your feet and hand to you all of its possessions.  I hope this
will do for now.  Hurry behind the Mission for your next surprise.
Yours,
David.”

“So, Mr. Grantland,” laughed Christy as she gathered up all the flowers she could hold.
“What an intriguing invitation.  I wonder what you have in store for me next!”  Never
one to pass up a good mystery, she quickly closed and locked the doors and headed to
the back of the house.

The waning sunlight cast a golden glow over the land.  A gentle breeze accompanied
Christy as she set out to look for her next clue.  There was no one in the barn.  She
couldn’t seem to find anything in the chicken coop or near the clothesline.  Christy
was perplexed.  She reread the note in her hand.  “Hmm,” she mused.  “I guess I must
have missed something along the way.  I wonder what I was supposed to find?”  

She reached up to brush a piece of hair out of her eyes and realized that most of it
had come lose from her pins.  “I must look a fright,” she thought as she walked with
purpose toward the back entrance to the Mission.  “Perhaps I’ll just freshen up a bit
before I continue on this hunt.”  Christy trailed off as she was about to pass the deep
bathtub near the back steps.  It was filled with steaming water!  And there, next to
the tub, were her toiletries, her robe and another note!  “What in the world?”  Shaking
her head in amusement, Christy reached for the second message.

“My dearest Christy,
The finest marble and gold should adorn your bubble bath.  But rosewater in a metal tub
might feel just as heavenly on an evening such as this.
Yours,
David.
p.s. Ruby Mae collected your personal belongings on my behalf.”

Not needing a second invitation, Christy deposited the flowers on the ground, closed
the curtains around her and proceeded to take a luxurious bath.  After washing her hair
and soaking indulgently for just a little while, she made her way up the stairs to her
room.  She dressed quickly and sat at her dressing table to work on her hair.  As she
brushed through the tangles, she realized that she didn’t know where to go next.  There
had been no further directions in the note by her bath.

Just then, a third note appeared under her door.  Christy jumped from her chair and
threw open the door.  No one!  Evidently her delivery person was speedy as well as
quiet.  She closed the door once more and laughed as she picked up the note.  “How I am
enjoying this little game,” she thought.  “Oh! That remind me,” she said aloud as she
dug through the pockets of the dress she had worn earlier.  She pulled out the
arrowhead Creed had given her and squeezed it in her palm.  “It seems I am destined to
play games all night long!”  

She sat on her bed to open the envelope in her hand.

“Dearest Christy,
You are always taking care of others.  If I know you, and I think that I do, you
haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.  I would guess you probably gave your lunch to
one of the children.  Dinner waits for you.  Step out on the balcony.
Yours,
David.”

Christy hastily finished pulling the front of her hair up.  She replaced her brush and
gave herself one last check in the mirror.  Quietly she opened her balcony doors and
stepped out into the fragrant night.  From her vantage point she could see mountain
after mountain, one folding in behind the other until the darkness enveloped them.  The
moon shone brilliantly above her.  How it brought her comfort.  As she stared at it she
was reminded of another night on the river when she had sought the comfort it gave.
That was the night she had run into Neil.  Never would she have guessed as she consoled
him about his wife that Margaret would return again to turn their worlds upside down.
Her face fell as she thought once again of the turn of events earlier in the day.

Christy shook her head to erase the memory.  There was no room in her head for Doctor
McNeill anymore.  She looked back to the face of the moon before following the
spotlight it cast below.  And as she traced its glow downward she saw David in the
gazebo.  He was smiling up at her.

** ** **

The dance of the flames was mirrored in Neil’s eyes as he stared blankly into the
fireplace.  “Ironic,” he thought.  His mind drifted back a few hours.  “She spoke to me
of our dance and now my heart burns just like this flame.”  He shifted his eyes ever so
slightly to glance at Margaret who was bustling around the kitchen.  It had been a
tense and extremely quiet walk home.  He hadn’t spoken to her and she seemed to sense
that he didn’t want to be disturbed.

He closed his eyes.  Now he willed himself to be anywhere but here.  How many night
calls had he made last year alone?  Surely one would save him from this so-called
domestic bliss.  “Stupid, selfish man,” he silently cursed himself.  “Wishing another
to be ill or hurt just for an excuse to leave.”

“Neil?”  Margaret’s voice interrupted his thoughts.  “I’ve made us some dinner.  Would
you like to sit and eat with me?”  Her voice was timid but full of hope.

“Hope?” thought Neil.  “Hope for what?  My hopes are gone.  I cannot be responsible for
the hopes of another.  Not tonight.”  Aloud he said, “I’m not hungry.  But thank you
just the same.”

“Mac,” she tried to reason.  “You need to eat to keep up your strength.  I remember how
often you get called away at night.  If you don’t eat something you won’t be any good
to these people.”

Neil stared open-mouthed at Margaret.  It was if she had read his thoughts. “I’d
forgotten,” he muttered to her as if in a trance.

“You’d forgotten what, Mac?”

“How you always seemed to know what I was thinking without me ever saying a word.”

Taking this as a good sign Margaret stepped to the table and sat down.  “Maybe,” she
tried to humor him, “you’ve forgotten that I’m a horrible cook, too.  It isn’t much.
Just some sandwiches from side meat and some sliced apples.  But it’s been so long
since I’ve been in this kitchen.  I’m not sure where to find everything.”

“It’s just that I live so much on the road,” Neil found himself apologizing.  “The
families usually pay me with food.  I rarely cook for myself anymore.”  They fell into
a strained silence.

“Mac,” Margaret tried again.  “Please come eat something.”

Neil rose, walked to the table and sat across from Margaret.  She began to pass him a
tray when he stopped her with a gesture.  Something seemed wrong somehow.  What was
missing?  Prayer, Neil realized.  Christy always insisted on praying before they ate
together.  Neil was surprised with himself.  What had made him think of that?  Neil
looked around uncomfortably.  He had the strangest feeling.  It was as if his mother
was looking over his shoulder to scold him for eating before saying grace.

“Mac, what is it?” asked Margaret.

Neil tried in vain to shrug the ghosts away.  “Nothing.  Go ahead.”

Margaret passed him the tray in her hands and stared at him.  He was so detached from
her.  Would she ever get through to him?  Could she make him love her again?  They had
been so close once.  But of course, she had destroyed it all in one hurtful night.  How
could she go back?

They ate the remainder of their meal in silence, each lost in memories.

Chapter 6 

David watched Christy approach.  She seemed to float across the yard.  How beautiful
she was!  He felt the breath catch in his chest as the vice of love squeezed his heart.
He’d waited for this moment for so long.  After all, he had loved her since she’d
fallen into his arms her first night at the mission.  She was so strong, so pure and so
beautiful.  It was obvious to him from the first time he looked into her eyes that God
had sent her to Cutter Gap for him.  Oh how he wanted her to be his.

Christy stepped shyly into the gazebo, her hands laced behind her.  “Good evening,
David,” she smiled up at him.  As he was met with the fragrance of rosewater he had to
muster every ounce of strength he had to keep from pulling her into his arms.  “You
look very handsome this evening,” she said, noting the care he had taken to put on a
suit and comb his hair neatly.  She looked around at the table spread before them.
“Chicken, potatoes, greens, cornbread, pie.  Why, David, you’ve thought of everything.”
She looked back up to him.  “Thank you.”

“It was nothing.  Truth be told, Alice cooked tonight.”  He paused awkwardly.  She was
breathtaking!  “At least we avoided an evening of Ruby Mae’s opossum surprise!”  Such
silly small talk.  He felt like a tongue-tied teenager.  He desperately wanted to know
her answer but he held himself in check.  “Did you enjoy your little treasure hunt
today?” he asked with a large smile on his face.

“David, I don’t know how you managed to pull it all off.  I was only gone a few hours…”
She trailed off and her smile faltered as she thought about what she had been doing in
those few hours.

Sensing her discomfort, David tried to put her at ease.  “Actually, Ruby Mae was only
too eager to help me.  In fact, it was all I could do to keep her from chaperoning us
at dinner this evening!”  Christy’s bright smile returned.  David wiped his hands on
his trousers.  He was so nervous!  “Christy,” he began as she spoke at the same time.
“You first,” he allowed.

“David, I can’t believe you went to so much trouble for me.  Especially after I left
this afternoon.”  David stood up a little straighter in nervous anticipation.  “We need
to talk,” she said quietly.  “And I’d like to tell you everything before we sit down to
dinner.”

David nodded.  Why did she sound so serious?  Was she trying to let him down easily?
Was she going to return his ring?  Surely not.  Not after all he had done for her.  She
was here with him after all.  But she had been away with the doctor most of the
afternoon.  David’s thoughts whirled in circles.

Christy tilted her head to one side.  “Can we take a walk around the pond?”  She
extended her hands to him and he eagerly accepted them into his own.  It was then he
saw his ring on her finger.

“Christy?” he asked in elation as he looked into her eyes.

“David, please don’t say another word.”  The strange look in her eyes gave him pause.
What could be bothering her?  “By wearing your ring I have given you my answer.  But,”
she emphasized, “I need to tell you some things before you give me yours.”

“My answer?” David asked.  He was thoroughly confused.  “I don’t understand.”

“You will,” she said.

They stepped out of the gazebo and began their journey.  They walked slowly.  David
began to worry.  Why wasn’t she saying anything?  What could be so bad she didn’t want
to tell him?  “Christy?” he asked after a near eternity of silence.  

Christy did not answer right away, but looked up into the face of the moon again.  She
recalled another evening spent with David under such a moon.  They had nearly shared
their first kiss that night.  David had spoken of passion in the moonlight and she’d
been swayed by his words.  But she had avoided his bold advance.  And as he left her to
stand on the schoolhouse steps, she recalled feeling a strange mix of loneliness,
longing and hope.

Now, here they were.  It seemed like a lifetime had passed.  They were under yet
another full moon.  She wore his engagement ring.  And still she felt loneliness,
longing and hope.  The hope she understood.  But why did the loneliness and longing
remain?

Christy took a deep breath and looked up into David’s eyes.  “I need to tell you the
truth about what happened today.”  She felt David stiffen at her words and gave his
hand a little squeeze of reassurance.  She couldn’t bear to hurt David but she owed him
an explanation.  She turned and they walked on.  “Fairlight and I had a long talk early
this afternoon.  She asked me some questions about my heart that confused me deeply.  I
was trying to work out my feelings for you…and for Dr. McNeill.”

David inhaled sharply.  McNeill?  What could the doctor have to do with this?

Hearing David suck in a breath, Christy expected him to say something.  A myriad of
expressions played across his face but he held his tongue.  Seizing the opportunity she
continued.  “I expected to find the definitive answer to my heart but all I found was a
paradox.  I was in love with two men.”

David’s mind reeled.  “I knew it,” he thought to himself.  “I told McNeill that she
felt more for him than pity!”  But the victory of being right was tainted by the sorrow
of not being the sole object of her affections.  He sighed aloud as a slow ache began
to form behind his temples.

Christy squeezed his hand again.  “I returned from my talk with Fairlight knowing that
I needed to talk with both of you.  And since you were teaching the children I took
Prince and headed for Dr. McNeill’s.  When I got there I found him in Margaret’s arms.”
She took a quick silent breath to steady her voice.  She couldn’t let David know that
she was still shaken over the scene.  “My head knew they were meant to be like that.
But my heart wasn’t quite ready to accept it.

“I left before they saw me.  I ran away.”  David looked crestfallen.  She rushed on.
“But I ran away from them only to find I was running to you.  You were the first one I
saw when I returned.  You held me and comforted me.  You gave me your ring.  In that
instant I felt I should be with you.”

David’s brow furrowed in confusion.  Christy sensed the battle he was waging.  “Why
didn’t I say yes right away?” she asked for him.  David nodded.  “Neil,” she stated
simply.  “His appearance startled me but, David, I asked you to take the children
inside so I could tell him to go back to Margaret.”

“But you left with him,” David whispered.

“I know,” she said with sadness in her voice.  “I am so sorry if I hurt you.”  They
were half way around the pond now.  She needed to hurry.  “When you went inside, Neil
asked me to talk with him away from the Mission.  I can’t tell you why I went.  I
realize now that my actions were questionable.  I don’t believe that I was thinking
clearly.  But we were only just over the ridge when I asked him to stop.  I knew I had
to get back to you.”

“But you were away so long,” David said.  “What kept you?”

“I tried to avoid talking with him by being cruel.  But it didn’t work.  Well, not the
cruelty.  That part worked.”  David tried not to smile.  “But I couldn’t walk away and
leave things unresolved.  I needed to tell him the truth, just as I need to tell you.”

Christy fell again into silence as she remembered her talk with Neil.  She knew she
needed to share her side of the conversation with David.  But she decided to keep
Neil’s revelation tucked away in her secret heart.

At her silence, David’s heart tripped and fell with a thud in his chest.  Had Christy
told Neil she loved him?  He rubbed a temple with his free hand.

Christy took a deep breath.  “We talked about our friendship.  We talked about how our
relationship had evolved.  And, yes,” she read the expression of worry on his face, “I
did tell him that I loved him.  But,” she hurried on as David tensed, “I told him that
his place was with Margaret and mine was with you.”

David stopped walking and turned to look down at her.  “What did you say?”

Christy smiled up at him.  “I said that my place is with you.  I know that I’ve been
confusing, David.  I guess that’s because I’ve been so confused.  I won’t lie to you
and tell you that I understand my heart clearly.  But I can promise you that if you
give me a chance I will concentrate on you…on us.”  She looked earnestly up at him.  

David couldn’t think.  His head hurt too badly.  He stared deeply into Christy’s eyes.
He loved her.  He wanted her.  He needed her.  But she loved Neil McNeill.  She had
told him so.  More importantly, she had told McNeill so.  And yet she was wearing his
ring.  She did love him, after all.  But she hadn’t said she loved him…not directly.
It didn’t make sense.

“Please, David,” Christy whispered.  “Say something.”

“I don’t know what to say,” he admitted.  David wrestled with his feelings.  Christy
was here in front of him, his for the asking.  It was what he’d wanted, what he’d
prayed for.  And yet, “I don’t want to be your second choice, Christy,” he said softly,
surprising both of them.

“But, David,” Christy began.

“I don’t want you to marry me because you can’t have him.  I don’t want you to wake up
one day and realize you made the biggest mistake of your life.”  His voice broke in
tandem with his heart.  His face reflected his inner pain as he dropped her hands.  “I
can’t be anything but the world to you, as you are to me, Christy.  I won’t settle for
less.”

He stepped away from her then, causing her to shed silent tears.  “I need time to think
about what you’ve told me,” he said.  “And you need time to be sure you’ve made the
right decision.”  He watched her face fall.  They stood there for what seemed a
lifetime, not moving, barely breathing.  And then she reached into her pocket and
pulled something out.

“Here,” she said softly as she pressed the object into his hand.  “This is for you.”
She looked up at him one more time.  “I’m so sorry that I hurt you, David.”  With a
small sob she turned to walk away.

Loneliness like none other he’d ever experienced before in his life settled around him.
He couldn’t move or think.  He was empty, standing frozen like a statue as she slowly
walked away from him.  And when the inky blackness had swallowed her form he looked
down to see a perfectly shaped arrowhead in his palm.

** ** **

The silence of the meal was little compared to the deafening roar of nothingness that
passed between Neil and Margaret as she cleaned the kitchen and he resumed staring into
the fire.  “Why did I even come back?” Margaret thought to herself.  “I was a fool to
think it would be any different this time.  He didn’t talk to me then.  Why would he
talk to me now?”  Margaret scrubbed the table with her dishrag until she’d nearly
rubbed the wood grain away.  How frustrating that man could be to her sometimes!  But
she loved him.

“…worth fighting for…” came Christy’s words into Margaret’s head once more.  It
bothered her to no end that Christy had been right.  That could only mean that she had
spent a lot of time with him.  Jealousy welled up inside her.  Well, Margaret might not
be as pure, as innocent or as optimistic as little miss Pollyanna.  But, she had fight
left in her.  And she wasn’t afraid to use it.  She would win Neil back.

“I’m going out,” came Neil’s voice to startle Margaret out of her thoughts.

“Where are you going, Mac?”

“To sit by the river, alone,” he muttered resolutely as he headed for the door.

“But I thought tonight we would talk…about us.”

“Well you thought wrong.”  Neil was out the door in a flash.

Margaret’s blood boiled instantly.  “How dare he treat me like this?” she fumed.  She
picked up the nearest breakable item she could reach and hauled it at the door in fury.
The crash it made as it hit the wood and splintered into a million tiny fragments was
like a healing balm to a nasty wound.  Margaret straightened her shoulders and lifted
her chin high.

“You may think you can ignore me forever but I won’t let you,” she spat with feminine
pride at the door.  Margaret felt the phantom tickle rumble in her chest as she tried
to be strong.  “No!” she thought as she wrung her hands nervously.  She desperately
wanted a cigarette.  But she’d given them up as part of her last treatment program.
She let out a bitter laugh, punctuated by a small cough.  She swallowed quickly and
took a deep breath in denial.  “I’m fine,” she reassured herself.  “I’m fine.”

She refocused her energies on the door.  “I left here because you wouldn’t pay any
attention to me.  And after all the attention I got from other men over the years, I
found that all I want, all I ever wanted, was yours.”  Margaret harnessed her anger and
channeled it as she picked up the broom.  “Well this time I intend to get it.  You will
not ignore me tonight!”  She began to sweep furiously.  “Oh, no, Mac,” she said with
determination.  “I most definitely will not let you ignore me tonight!”

** ** **

Neil slammed the front door behind him.  Without even thinking he opened the cabinet to
his right and retrieved a jug of moonshine given to him as payment for one service or
another.  He stumbled away from the cabin down the path.  He needed the peace of the
river.  He craved the comfort of the moonlight.  But more than anything, he longed for
the warmth of Christy’s arms.  Why did he keep thinking about her?  He could hear her
laugh in the rushing water.  He could feel her touch in the gentle breeze.  And he
could see her, in his mind, as she looked disapprovingly at the liquor in his hands.

He uncorked the jug and took a large swig before the sense of her could turn into a
full-fledged haunting.  He was hurting, plain and simple.  And he didn’t want to hurt
anymore.  If he had been a boy he would have sought comfort in his mother’s arms.  But
he was a man.  And she was long gone.  So he turned to the liquor instead.  He reached
the water’s edge, sat on a thick piece of driftwood and lifted the jug to his lips
again.

Questions with no answers rolled through his mind.  He drank until they disappeared.
Waves of nausea gripped his stomach as the ache of his heart threatened to overwhelm
him.  He drank until the tide had ebbed.  The alcohol-induced heat in his belly spread
to his toes as the dizziness began to creep into his brain.  He drank until both body
and mind were numb.  He didn’t want to think.  He didn’t want to feel.  And he didn’t
want to hurt.  Above all he didn’t want to hurt anymore.


Chapter 7

Margaret grabbed her bag and ran up the stairs to the bedroom.  "Hmm, hasn't
changed much," she thought as she stepped through the open door.  "It could
use a woman's touch again, though."  She smiled wryly and closed the door
behind her.  She had to work quickly if she was to be ready when Neil
returned. 

She turned down the bed and fluffed up the meager pillows.  How she wished
they could have afforded a down comforter and bolsters when they had
married.  She slid a stray medical journal under the bed along with a pair
of dirty socks.  "He's still messy as ever," she grinned as she remembered.
She threw open a window to air out the room and then emptied pipe ash from a
small bowl onto the ground below.  She gave their dresser a quick dusting
and straightened a crooked picture on the wall.

When she was certain the room was relatively tidy she turned her attention
to her appearance.  She needed to freshen up a bit.  She grabbed the pitcher
from the washstand and ran downstairs to fill it with water.  She silently
berated herself as she realized she hadn't started any water to warm.  A
cold sponge bath was definitely not appealing.  But it was necessary.  She
poured the remaining unused water for the supper dishes into the pitcher and
carried it back upstairs.

After dumping the water into the basin, Margaret sat on the edge of the bed
to twist up her hair.  A wave of nostalgia overtook her as she recalled her
first night here with Neil.  She had sat in this very spot, taking in her
new surroundings as she pulled her hair up in preparation for bed.  "No,
leave it down," Neil's voice had interrupted her.  He was standing in the
doorway, gazing down at his young bride.  "I like the way it swirls around
me when we embrace."  His eyes had smoked over with passion as he came to
her.

Margaret sighed at the memory.  Neil had loved her once.  He could love her
again.  She might not have much working in her favor.  But she had felt his
resolve weaken when she held him by the river earlier.  She stood to look at
herself in the mirror.  Such a small mirror it was.  She would have to get a
bigger one soon.  But even in the small glass she could see that she was
beautiful.  Her hair still had its shine and she had been blessed with
mysterious brown eyes and good coloring.  All in all, she knew she still had
power over her husband through physical attraction.  And she intended to
make the most out of that power. 

She bent down to retrieve her valise and put in on the bed.  "All I own, in
one bag," she sighed with frustration.  "But at least," she grinned as she
opened it up, "Twyla was kind enough to let me keep this."  Margaret
extracted a red nightgown from among her few belongings.  It was cut high to
reveal her slender legs.  And the thin straps barely held up the plunging
neckline.  It was made of silk and felt sinful to the touch.  Twyla claimed
a Frenchman she'd met up in a teahouse in New York had given it to her to
repay her for a 'kindness.'  Margaret had never seen anything like it and
Twyla told her to keep it.  She laughed as she said she could get another
one once she got back to New York!

Margaret laid it on the bed along with a bottle of heavy perfume she'd
purchased in Atlanta and nodded her head in satisfaction.  She turned back
to the washstand to ready herself.  "Mac won't be able to resist me!" she
smiled in delight.  She barely noticed the cool water as her skin warmed in
anticipation.  "He may not know it yet," she thought.  "But this is exactly
what the doctor ordered!"

** ** **

Neil dropped the empty jug onto the ground and struggled to stand.  He was a
fool to think he could drink his pain away.  Not only was he still in agony,
he was sure to have a pounding headache the next morning.  Looking up at the
moon above he cursed himself.  "I am worthless," he muttered in disgust.
"She was right to leave me.  They both were.  Margaret because I wasn't here
for her and Christy because I can never be."  The moon remained steadfast
and silent.  "I don't deserve to be loved by anyone.  Not Margaret.  Not
Christy.  Not God."

Neil spun about at his last thought and felt an overwhelming sense of
dizziness.  God?  That was twice in one night.  What did God have to do with
Neil McNeill, M.D.?  "Nothing," said Neil aloud as he blocked the thought
from his mind, planted his feet and closed his eyes.  "Nothing..."

The memory of Nathan Stone's party came flooding back to him.  "Neil, what
is wrong with you?" Christy had asked him that day.  He'd been too drunk to
notice the concern in her face.  He'd only been thinking of himself.

"Nothing a dance can't fix," he'd said to her in angry reply.  Having heard
from Margaret he turned to the drink and then turned his anger on Christy.
He hadn't stopped to think of her feelings.  He'd only wanted to dance with
her to forget.  But they'd never had that dance.  His drunken ranting
stopped the music and shortly thereafter Grantland had knocked him out cold.
"Strange," Neil muttered.  "I can still hear it."

Neil came back to the present.  He still felt dizzy and he could swear he
heard music.  The shine must be working its crazy magic.  His mind was
playing tricks on him.  But as he opened his eyes he realized that the music
was real.  And it was coming from his cabin.  Unsteadily, but with purpose,
Neil made his way back up the path to investigate.

** ** **

Christy walked slowly to the Mission house.  The silent tears of moments
before continued to fall.  The day had been so exhausting, both physically
and emotionally.  She couldn't remember a time she had cried more.  Why did
she always hurt those she loved?  The memory of the pain on Neil and David's
faces was overwhelming.  She wanted nothing more than to crawl under her
covers and wish the day away.  But as she climbed the porch steps she could
see Miss Alice and Ruby Mae finishing up their chores.  

Christy stopped.  She just couldn't face either of them right now.  She
didn't have the energy to explain.  Quietly, she made her way back down the
steps and set her course for the church.  The strength she didn't have to
face her friends she knew she would find from God.  She needed to pray about
the day's events.

Christy entered the church and lit a solitary lantern.  Carrying it up the
aisle she ruefully looked around her at the leaves and flowers.  They had
been such precious gifts to her a few hours earlier.  Now, they were symbols
of the pain she had caused David.  Christy stopped at the front desk and
sat.  After situating the lantern she folded her hands, rested her elbows on
the desk and bowed her head.

She sat in complete silence and stillness for a few moments in an effort to
organize her scattered thoughts.  Then she took a deep breath and poured out
her heart.  "Dear Lord," she began.  "You know what happened today.  I made
the wonderful and horrible discovery that I love two very different men.
First I listened to my heart.  And then I listened to my head.  But I should
have been listening to You.  I tried to do what I thought was best and ended
up hurting both of them.  Lord, I thought I knew what You wanted me to do
but it's so clear that I don't.  Please forgive me for the pain I have
caused to Neil and to David.  Help me to make things right with them.  I
couldn't stand to lose the friendship of either of them."  Christy paused to
wipe away the tears sliding over her nose and her clasped hands.

"Lord, I thought earlier today that You were showing me that I belonged with
David and not Neil.  But then everything went so wrong tonight.  Everything
that seemed so obvious to me was of an imagination of my own making.  I
couldn't have been more blind.  I don't know what to do next.  Only You can
show me the path I should take.  So, I give up.  I give up and I give my
future wholly over to You.  Please lead me to do Your work and to follow
Your will.  And please, help me to be patient.  I know that You have perfect
timing in everything.  Amen."  Christy lapsed again into silence and
stillness.  But this time she was listening.  Her spirit was listening to
the Lord.  And He was giving her comfort and peace.  When she raised her
head she felt a joy and a hope she had been without for a while.

Instantly she rededicated herself to her service in Christ.  Looking around
she decided that she could ready the church for service on Sunday.  It was a
task she normally did on Saturday, but she felt inspired to begin
immediately.  She began by brushing the rest of the flowers from her desk.
Then she grabbed the broom and swept and swept until all of the flowers and
leaves had been cleared from the building.  She pushed the school desks away
from the church benches and pulled out David's pulpit.  Then she took a rag
and wiped down every piece of furniture in sight.  And when she was
completely satisfied with the results of her efforts, Christy gratefully
thanked God, extinguished the lantern and exited the church.

It was dark as pitch, save for the light of the moon.  The autumn night was
getting very cool.  Christy was glad she only had a short distance to walk
since she had no wrap to keep out the chill.  The house was dark when she
entered.  "Everyone is in bed.  I guess I was over there for quite a while,"
she thought as she wearily climbed the steps to her room.  "It's just as
well.  I'll get a good night's sleep and speak with Ms. Alice in the
morning."  She entered her room and closed the door behind her, not even
bothering to light a candle.  A deep yawn erupted from her mouth as she
removed her shoes.  "I can't remember when I've been so tired," she mused as
she crawled into bed without changing into her nightgown.  She pulled the
comforter up to her chin and immediately a deep dreamless sleep sucked her
into its comforting embrace.

** ** **

David squeezed his palm shut around the arrowhead.  What had he done?  Had
he really just sent Christy away?  What was he thinking?  "That's the
problem," he said aloud.  "I can't think.  Not here.  I need to get away."
He pocketed the arrowhead and sprinted to the gazebo.  He packed up as much
of the food as he could and stacked the dishes neatly.  He knew he should
take them into the Mission but he didn't want to face anyone tonight.
Someone would get them tomorrow.

He quickly continued on to his bunkhouse where he grabbed his canteen,
rifle, bedroll and a change of clothes.  He was about to leave again when he
remembered that Christy didn't know about Ms. Alice's trip.  Hastily he
scrawled a message to Christy about his and Alice's whereabouts and left it
on his bed.  Then he made his way to the barn.

David led Prince from his stall and talked soothingly to him as he saddled
him up.  "I know, boy.  It is a little late for one of our jaunts.  But just
this once, okay?"  Prince nickered softly in response as David finished his
task.  Then they quietly made their way out of the barn and past the Mission
house.  He wanted to escape undetected.  

Once he was a safe distance away, David climbed into the saddle and began
his journey.  A retreat.  Miss Alice always said it helped her.  Well help
was exactly what he needed.  Unfortunately, he wasn't allowed the time he
thought he might need.  He had to be back to preach on Sunday.  He only
prayed that 36 hours would be enough time to get the answers he so
desperately sought.

** ** **

Neil tripped up the front steps of his cabin to stare at the phonograph.
That song.  He knew that song.  It was one of Margaret's favorites.  She
used to sing it around the cabin all of the time.  What was she pulling now?
Neil looked up.  And why was the front door wide open?  He made his way
angrily inside to find her.  "She may be back," he thought as he slammed the
door, "but I'll have none of her foolishness."

The slam of the door alerted Margaret to Neil's presence.  "This is it," she
thought as she listened to him ascend the stairs.  She had taken special
care to extinguish all of the lamps in the house.  Now only the moon pouring
through the open window illuminated her frame as she let the occasional
breeze blow her hair around her.  The cool air sent a tickle into her chest
but she attributed it to the excitement she was feeling.  She licked her
lips and tried to steady her breathing as she waited for him to arrive.

Neil's angry face froze as he rounded the corner into his room.  The sight
of Margaret at the window sent a flood of memories to wash over him.  Their
eyes met and he was swept away.  He remembered everything.  The way her eyes
would sparkle when she laughed at his jokes.  The way their hands seemed to
interlock perfectly when they walked through the mountains.  The grand
stories she would make up to entertain him by the fire each night.  The way
her hair tickled his face and shoulders when they would embrace.  Their
first night together in this room...in this bed.  How he had loved her once!


"Mac," Margaret whispered to him and held out a hand.  As if in a trance
Neil walked slowly toward her, his eyes never leaving her own.  When he was
close enough to take her hand he paused.  Margaret felt his hesitation and
knew she needed only to give him one final push.  "We were so good together,
Mac," she cooed.  "Don't you remember?  Let me help you to remember."
Something flickered behind his eyes and he reached out and took her hand
into his.

Margaret smiled in triumph. 


Chapter 8

The wind was fiercer up on the mountaintop than down at the Mission.  And it
was cold!  David had forgotten.  He burrowed deeper into his bedding and
continued to stare in awe at the stars above.  The handiwork of God was
truly magnificent!  As an owl softly called out to the night sky, David was
surrounded by a sense of calm.  "How long has it been since I've been here?"
he wondered.  "I'm just so busy these days I never seem to take any time to
enjoy the beauty of these mountains."

David sighed as he tore his gaze from the heavens.  "God's Fist," he said to
the breeze as he looked around him.  Nearest to him was a wall of trees.
Various shapes, various sizes, all banded together with one purpose - to
reach for the heavens.  Underneath him was the rock of the mountain.
Steadfast, sure.  And beyond the shelf lay an endless abyss of nothingness
stretching into forever.  In the daylight there would be gloriously colored
trees and a clear cool river below with range after range of mountains
beyond.  What history.  What strength.  What majesty.  "Appropriately named
I'd say."  David closed his eyes and turned his voice to God.  "Lord,
earlier today I felt like I was falling without a bottom to hit.  But now,
here, I feel Your strength lifting me back up."  He was silent for a few
moments and then whispered to his Comforter, "Thank you."

David had so much to think about.  But he was exhausted.  He would work
everything out tomorrow.  Sleep crept around him like a thief.  He didn't
mind.  It had been a hard day filled with bad memories he wouldn't mind
having stolen from him.  He gave himself up to it gladly.  And as he drifted
away his last thoughts were not of Christy or of his proposal or even of
Neil McNeill, but of little Creed Allen and his earnest speech.  He fell
asleep with a smile on his face.

** ** **

When Neil awoke in the early hours of the next morning he couldn't determine
what pulled him from his slumber.  Was it the ungodly pounding in his head
or the harsh raspy noise from his dream?  Neil allowed his eyes to focus and
felt momentarily disoriented.  He hadn't remembered coming to bed last
night.  The last thing he could recollect was drinking down by the river.
He tried to move and found himself tangled up in a light blanket.  "What the
devil?" he thought as he realized he was fully clothed underneath it.  "I
must have been out of my head to crawl in bed without at least removing my
boots."  He began to sit up but the hammering pain forced him back to his
pillow.  How his head hurt!  "Maybe if I just close my eyes and sleep a bit
more," he thought as his lids began to droop.

The noise he thought was from his dreaming sounded again and Neil snapped to
full attention.  What was that?  He sat bolt upright, ignoring the pain, and
noticed Margaret curled into a tiny ball on the other side of the bed.  Her
hair was spread out around her and she was nearly fully uncovered.  What in
the world was she wearing?  Thoughts of finding the source of the strange
noise were abandoned as fleeting memories of last night began to creep into
his brain.  There had been music.  And Margaret had been by the window.  She
had beckoned to him.  He had walked toward her.  And then...he couldn't
remember.  It was obvious from his current state of dress that nothing had
transpired between them.  It was also obvious from his wife's state of
dress, or near undress, that she had anticipated the very opposite.

Neil blushed as he looked again at Margaret's attire.  It wasn't that he was
a prude.  He was married to the woman after all.  And there had been a time
when they had enjoyed each other fully in the physical relationship their
marriage provided.  But never before had he seen her in such a garment.  His
stomach rolled as he realized it must be one of her get-ups from the
teahouse.  "A pity," he murmured.  "She probably wanted nothing more than to
bring me closer to her by wearing this.  And the only thing it does is drive
me farther away."

Margaret hadn't moved since Neil had awakened.  She had always been a sound
sleeper.  "Well," he thought as he pulled the blanket off of himself and
gingerly covered her up, "perhaps I shall just get up and find something for
this headache." As Neil stood and stretched to his fullest a blast of cold
air came through the window.  "What in the blazes?" he exclaimed as he
stepped around the bed to shut the window.  How could Margaret have left it
open all night?  It was freezing in the room!

As Neil shook his head in exasperation, the noise from earlier sounded
again.  A silent curse threatened to escape his lips as he realized it was
coming from Margaret herself.  As she coughed again he marveled that she
managed to sleep through it.  It sounded so painful.  He returned to the
bedside and immediately pulled the heavy blankets upon which he had been
sleeping to cover her.  When his hand brushed her shoulder he shuddered.
She was so cold to the touch.

"Margaret," he gently tried to wake her.  "Margaret, wake up, now."  She
stirred ever so slightly and mumbled about being cold.

"I know you're cold, Margaret.  That's why I need you to wake up."

Margaret's eyes fluttered open then and she tried to focus through the sleep
at her husband.  "Good morning, Neil," she said as she smiled up at him.

"Your skin is like ice," he said with concern.  "Do you feel alright?  Why
did you sleep uncovered all night with the window open?"

"I'm fine, Mac," she assured him.  Truth be told she was freezing, dizzy and
felt absolutely awful.  But she didn't want to let him get away.  "I slept
uncovered all night because you hogged all of the covers, darling," she
teased him.  "And as for that silly old window...I just forgot."  She
stretched then, allowing the covers Neil had placed on her to slip down to
her waist for Neil's benefit.  "Oh, it's still so early," she yawned as she
looked toward the window.  It was barely even light outside.  She looked
back again to him and dropped her voice to a sultry whisper.  "Come back to
bed, Mac.  Maybe we can warm each other up."

Neil stood up quickly.  In bed with her was the last place he wanted to be
at the moment.  "I need to start the fire downstairs," he said in an attempt
to change the subject.  "I'll make some coffee.  Perhaps you could change
and have some with me before I make my rounds."

"But, Mac," Margaret sputtered, hurt by his rebuff of her advance.

"I think we need to talk," he said before he disappeared, leaving her alone.

Margaret felt the anger of last night well up inside again.  She was so
tired of him walking away from her!  She had humbled herself before him.
She had begged him.  She had been kind to him.  She had thrown herself at
him.  What would it take to get through to him?  She sat up in a huff and
threw off the covers.  Locating her undergarments she dressed hurriedly in
the only other clean dress she had left in her valise.  "I don't need to
take this," she said to herself as she attempted to make the bed.  "Lots of
other men would be perfectly happy to have me around."  She tucked the
sheets under the feather mattress and angrily beat the pillows.  "He should
be grateful I even came back," she soothed herself.  "I could have stayed
away forever.  He wouldn't know if I was alive or dead!"

She bent down quickly to pick up her discarded nightie and found herself
dizzy and completely out of breath.  She felt her forehead and realized she
must be running a fever.  Beads of cold perspiration slicked down her back
and a shiver ran through her as she sat on the floor.  She began to shake as
she feared the worst.  She closed her eyes.  "I'm fine.  I'm fine."  She
repeated the mantra over and over in her head.  But as she tried to regain
control of her breathing her chest convulsed and she began to cough.  "No!"
she desperately thought as she tried to muffle the sound with the edge of
the blanket.  "I can't be sick again!  I just can't!"  Margaret's anger
turned to panic as the coughing continued.  

They had told her at the clinic that the remission would only be temporary.
They had warned her that she would soon succumb.  But she hadn't wanted to
listen, hadn't wanted to believe.  The tears she had been holding inside
began to pour forth as she buried her head deeper into the blanket.  "No
matter what, I can't let Neil know that I'm sick again.  He'll never want me
if I'm sick.  And it won't be enough if I only have his pity."  One last
violent cough ended the spell.  She looked quickly up over the bed to see if
Neil had noticed.  She could still hear him clattering around below.
"Thank, God!" she said as she wiped the tears from her eyes.  "He'll never
have to know about this.  I'm strong.  I can beat it this time!"  But
Margaret's faith in herself was shaken to the core as she looked down to
straighten the bedcover only to find the corner of it spotted with blood.

Downstairs, Neil mixed some aspirin powder in water for his headache.  He
cursed his foolish behavior.  Not only would he have been unable to help if
an emergency had arisen last night, but the medicine he was giving himself
now could very well be needed for someone else later if supplies ran low.
He needed to pull himself together.

He sat next to the fire and stared deeply into the flames.  What was he to
do about Margaret?  He no longer loved her, of that he was sure.  But he was
legally bound to her until death chose to part them.  Neil's face contorted
as he remembered the sound of her cough.  Could the tuberculosis have
returned?  She seemed so sure in the teahouse that she was in remission.
And yet, so few people actually survived the disease.  Was she aware that
she was fighting a losing battle?  Neil felt an odd pang of sorrow as he
realized that death might not indeed be far from Margaret.  Love her or not
he had to help her.  But how?

He lifted his eyes as she descended the stairs.  She looked flushed, almost
feverish.  Her eyes appeared puffy and were rimmed with dark circles.  He
realized he should have checked her more carefully for symptoms earlier.
But she was smiling.  He raked his hands through his curls.  He was still
suffering the after-effects of the moonshine and his judgment was definitely
impaired.  Perhaps he was just making a mountain out of a molehill.

"Mac," Margaret began as she crossed the room.

"I have to go out for a while today," he interrupted as he stood.  "I've got
patients to see.  I had a full list yesterday but with everything that
happened..."  He trailed off as their eyes met.

"Mac, we need to spend some time together and really talk, don't you think?"
Margaret implored him as she changed the subject.  She didn't want him to
think about Christy just now.  "Please, I just got back and..."

"We'll talk tonight, Margaret," he said quietly but firmly.

"But you said upstairs that we needed to talk now.  You suggested I dress
and come down so we could."  She stamped her foot in a childish display of
anger.

"You forget that you planned to come back," he snapped.  "You've probably
worked out in your mind everything you want to say to me.  But I was
surprised by your return.  I need time to gather my own thoughts."  He
turned back to the fire and calculated how to broach the next subject.
"There is one thing I need to mention to you before I go."

"Yes?" Margaret asked cautiously.

"This morning, when I awoke, I heard you coughing in your sleep."

Margaret's face paled at his words and Neil noticed.  The physician in him
cautioned against plunging ahead.  He wanted to make sure she got the help
she needed.  He didn't want to scare her.  And yet, the man in him set sense
aside and charged ahead with compassion.  "You said at the teahouse that you
were in remission.  But, Margaret, your coughing concerns me.  I want you to
tell me how you really feel.  Has the tuberculosis returned?"

The room threatened to spin out from underneath her at any moment.  This was
what she feared most.  She couldn't let him know what had happened upstairs.
She flipped her hair carelessly over her shoulder, put on her most carefree
grin and laughed.  "Oh, Mac," she said.  "You always worry so much.  Twyla
and some of the other girls were passing around a bit of a cold before they
left El Pano.  I'm sure that's all I have."  She turned away from him then
to make her way to the kitchen.  "I'm fine," she tossed over her shoulder.
"I'm just fine."

Neil didn't know what to say.  Was Margaret in denial or was it really
nothing at all?  He wasn't sure.  But he was determined to find out later
that night.  "Fine," he muttered as he picked up his saddlebags and walked
toward the door.  "There's coffee on the stove."

Margaret whirled to look at him.  "Aren't you staying for breakfast?"

"No, I must go.  I've got a lot to do.  And by the way," he nodded toward
his locked laboratory.  I dug your old trunk out this morning.  You'll find
some of your things in it."

Margaret's hurt was momentarily replaced by the joy of knowing that he had
kept her clothing for her all of this time.  Perhaps there was hope after
all.  "Don't you want to stay and see me try some of my things on?" she
asked coyly.  "I could give you a private fashion show with all of the
perks!"

"No," he replied as he reached for the handle.  He could barely hide the
disgust in his voice.

"Are you just going to leave me here?" she asked.  He froze in mid-stride.
"I've been back for less than twenty-four hours and you're walking out on me
already?  Typical," she exclaimed in a heated voice.  "Something happens to
put the great Neil McNeill on edge and he runs away to hide behind his job.
Heaven forbid the almighty doctor has to face any real problems in his own
family.  My God, Mac, aren't we even going to talk about last night?"

Neil held his breath as her barrage of insults attacked his very soul.  For
so long after he thought she had drowned he had beaten himself up with the
knowledge that she wasn't happy in Cutter Gap.  Why hadn't he taken her
away?  Maybe if he had he would have saved her life.  And then, when he
found out that she was alive and had merely abandoned him, he realized that
she had never been happy with him.  He had questioned himself repeatedly,
constantly, day after day.  Wasn't he good enough for her?  Wasn't he worthy
of her love?  Had he left her behind one time too many in order to help his
people?  He had worked hard to exorcise these self-doubts.  And here she was
dragging them back to the forefront of his mind once more.  He had to get
away.

He kept his back to her and tried to maintain his composure.  "What is there
to talk about?"

"You know perfectly well what I mean," she said heatedly as she crossed the
room to him.

"Indeed, I don't," he lied as he turned to look down at her.  He wasn't
prepared to face this issue yet.  He wasn't ready to meet her fury when he
set her straight about her unwanted advances.

"Liar," she rightfully accused him.  "Last night you wanted me."  Her eyes
probed his for an admission.  "You looked at me with hunger in your eyes and
you came to me."  She reached up to touch his face.

He recoiled as if he'd been slapped.  "I don't know what you think you saw
last night, Margaret," he said as he took a step back from her.  "But I was
a drunken man lost in memories.  If I had had my wits about me I never would
have allowed you to think I wanted you in that way."

"Don't blame this on the liquor, Neil," she spat as she closed the distance
between them once more.  "You wanted me then.  You want me still.  Don't try
to deny it."  She reached out to hold him passionately.  "Drop the cool
detached doctor act.  It's only you and me here.  For God's sake, Mac, be a
man and admit what you feel!"

Neil lost what little self-control he still had in him and he turned his
fury on her.  "Admit what I feel?  Is that what you want?" he hollered as he
pried himself from her grasp.  "I do not love you, Margaret!  And I never
will again!"  His heated admission caused her to step backwards.  "And if
you are willing to admit it, you'll find that you don't love me either!  We
made a mistake when we married.  We were young and foolish.  Our love wasn't
the kind to last.  I was never good enough for you.  You made it quite clear
to me.  You weren't happy with me.  In fact, you despised me.  And yet, for
all of your rejection, I mourned you when I thought you were gone.  I
searched and searched..."  His voice broke as his emotion got the better of
him.

"You made my life a living hell!  Don't you understand that?  I beat myself
up over and over about my shortcomings until I finally came to a tenuous
peace with myself."  He took a deep breath and turned his sorrow back into
anger.  "And now that you are back I finally understand.  I was never going
to be good enough for you!  And you were never going to be good enough for
me.  We're all wrong for one another.  We're too different!  I am dedicated
to these people and to these mountains.  The only one you are dedicated to
is yourself, Margaret.  And I pity you for it!"  Without waiting for her
reply, Neil left her alone in the cabin.  He slammed the door with all of
his might and the very foundation of the cabin rattled in response.

Margaret stood stunned for a moment and then tripped to the door and threw
it open in time to see Neil ride away on Charlie.  The sharp blast of cold
air she inhaled as she was about to call his name seemed to freeze her
lungs.  The coughing began again.  Harder and harder she convulsed as the
spasm grew in intensity.  And when it was over her hands and dress were
spattered with her blood.  She managed to stand only for a moment more
before collapsing onto the floor.  She was choked for air.  Neil didn't love
her.  Worse still, he pitied her!  Her dreams of reconciliation were over.
The world began to swim as Margaret fought for air.  She felt as if she were
dying.  "What does it matter, anyway?" she thought as the world went black.
"Without Mother or Mac I have no reason to live."

** ** **

"Wake up, Miz Christy!" Ruby Mae pleaded for the fifth time.  "Miz Christy!"
Ruby Mae shook her teacher with a little more force.  Christy moaned and
slowly opened her eyes.  "Oh, Lordy, Miz Christy," exclaimed Ruby Mae with
her hands fluttering nervously about her.  "I thought fer sure when ya
didn't come down fer breakfast that ya was sick."  Christy rolled her eyes
and willed Ruby Mae to silence.  "But then Preacher didn't come neither and
I thought maybe you two was out on a early mornin jaunt or somethin.
Christy allowed herself to focus in on the girl's pleading.  "So I just went
about my usual chores for the day and I come up here to fetch yer laundry
and I seen ya lying so still like and still in yer dress from yesterday I
thought ya might be...

"Oh, Miz Christy!" Ruby Mae's tone changed to pure delight as she spied the
ring on her teacher's finger.  "That be the Preacher's ring?  Are ya goin ta
get married?"  Christy shook her head at the fiery redhead.  She could
change directions faster than a jackrabbit!

"Ruby Mae, calm down," Christy said gently.

"Oh, Miz Christy, a body cain't mortally calm down after knowin yer
engaged!"

Christy gave the young girl her most stern teacher look and waited for the
precocious girl to gain control of her faculties.  Realizing finally what
Ruby Mae had just told her, Christy asked, "Ruby Mae, what time is it?"

"It shorely be nigh on lunch time, ma'am."

"Nearly lunch time!  Ruby Mae, why didn't you or Miss Alice wake me sooner?"
She started to scramble out of bed.  "I can't believe I slept so long.  I've
got so much to do today."  Ruby Mae watched in fascination as Christy flew
around like a crazed bird.  "Ruby Mae, would you be so kind as to fetch me
some water in my pitcher?  I've got to get cleaned up so I can speak with
Ms. Alice."

"But, Miz Christy," Ruby Mae tried to explain.

"Ruby Mae, I don't have time right now," Christy admonished as she thrust
the pitcher at Ruby Mae and shoved her toward the door.  "We'll talk later."

Ruby Mae simply shook her head as the door shut behind her.  "Land sakes,"
she sighed, "Miz Christy shore has a bee in her bonnet this mornin.  Just
wait til I tell her that Miz Alice left for Kentucky this mornin."

Christy bustled around her room making her bed and pulling out clean clothes
for the day.  First, she needed to talk to Ms. Alice.  She desperately
wanted her mentor's advice.  Then, she had some tests to grade that she had
been neglecting for a while.  A visit to Fairlight was definitely in order.
Then, after supper perhaps, she would try to speak with David.  She only
hoped things wouldn't be too awkward between them.  She paused to sit on the
bed at the thought.  Dear David.  What was she going to say?  What was he
going to say?  She honestly didn't know.

Her thoughts shifted too easily then to Neil.  She sighed.  How had his
evening gone with Margaret?  Had they talked things through?  Had they
reconciled?  Christy recalled the embrace she had witnessed between husband
and wife by the river and squeezed her eyes tightly shut.  The gnawing ache
at her heart came back as she thought about what could never be.  Lost in
her thoughts, she stared longingly at the mountains through her window until
she was interrupted by Ruby Mae's ungraceful entrance.  "Oh, I'm so sorry
Miz Christy," she exclaimed as she spilled some of the water from the
pitcher onto the floor.  "Ya just got me all in a tizzy so I felt like I had
ta hurry for ya.  I'll clean this up real quick like."  

Christy just shook her head and gave a small laugh.  "Thank you, Ruby Mae,"
she said with a smile.  She hadn't realized until this moment how
off-putting her mood must have seemed to Ruby Mae.  "I'm sorry for scurrying
about so," she apologized.  "It's just that I'm anxious to speak with Ms.
Alice."

"But," Ruby Mae attempted again.

"I know, Ruby Mae," said Christy gently as she steered the excitable girl
toward the door once more.  "I'm sure you want to discuss what happened last
night with the Reverend and me but you'll just have to wait until I've
readied myself for the day."

"But," Ruby Mae needlessly tried one last time.

"I promise, Ruby Mae," Christy began to shut the door.  "I'll find you just
as soon as I am ready."

"Honestly!" Ruby Mae sighed in exasperation, mimicking her teacher to a "t"
as the door was shut upon her again.  "A girl cain't get a word in edgewise
'round here!"

"Honestly!" laughed Christy on the other side of the door as she turned back
to the washstand.  "She talked so much I don't think I got a word in
edgewise!"

Chapter 9

David decided that the best way to handle his retreat was to spill out his
heart to the Lord, sit in silence to hear His reply and then study His Word.
And so he started at the break of day.  He began with Christy and his
proposal.  He talked; he cried; he even shouted aloud.  His confusion gave
way to hurt and anger and wrapped itself back into confusion.  Why did he
love her so?  Why didn't she love him in the same way?  Could she?  Were
they meant to be together?  Was it God's plan?  If not, why had she come to
the Cove?  Could it have been for Neil?  Was it just for the children?

After he thoroughly covered the subject of Christy he turned his focus to
Neil McNeill.  The transition was easy.  He was bitter about the doctor and
everything he stood for.  Why was he such a staunch opposer of God?  Why did
he always confuse Christy so?  Why did he challenge the work of the Mission
at every turn?  David ranted about Neil's shortcomings for quite a while
before coming to a terrible personal revelation.  He didn't like the man.
The doctor didn't deserve his compassion.  It was that simple.  Or was it?
David was crushed when he really thought about it and realized that his
relationship with Neil was merely indicative of a larger problem; he didn't
love all men as God instructed him to.  Deserving or not, God expected him
to love others as God Himself loved him.  And he didn't.

This opened the gates to a flood of misgivings about himself.  Too often he
talked poorly of the mountain families because their views did not match his
own.  Too often he condemned them for not matching his priorities with their
own.  Was he too harsh with them?  Was he too judgmental?  Worse yet, was he
unforgiving?  Who was he to impose his views and his rules on others?

David broke into tears at this final round of thoughts.  He wasn't fit to be
a minister.  It was a feeling he had always carried with him.  The
self-doubts he had long ago buried when his mother had pressured him into
the ministry were coming back in full force.  He wasn't good or pure in
spirit.  His passion often overthrew his ability to be rational.  He had no
patience for others.  He wasn't a minister but a taskmaster!  He lacked the
necessary compassion.  Worse, he didn't really know God's plan.  How could
he instruct and shield his congregation if he, himself, had no idea what he
was talking about?

Finally, hours after the sun had burned the cool air away from the heights,
David lay on the warm rock of the cliff and wept bitterly.  He was a beaten
man.  He had emptied his heart only to find an empty soul as well.  He was
merely a shell of a man.  And he didn't know what to do.  Rolling over to
stare at the blinding sun he surrendered himself fully for the first time in
his life to his Creator.  "Help me, Lord," he cried out.  "Help me."

A cloud passed in front of the sun then and the temporary shade cooled
David's fevered brow.  As his eyes readjusted to the change in light he
heard a dove coo from the brush.  Realizing that he was incredibly thirsty,
David stood and walked to the shade of a grove of trees to retrieve his
canteen.  Lifting it to his lips he felt a faint breeze blow.  And in that
breeze he heard the voice of the Lord.  David felt the Holy Sprit enter into
his soul and he was once again filled by the grace of God.  "I'm ready to
hear You, Lord," he said to the sky with outstretched arms.  And he sat
under the shade of the trees and listened.  

** ** **

Neil had been making his rounds for hours and still he couldn't shake the
awful feeling he had carried with him since his argument with Margaret that
morning.  "I was so cruel," he said to Charlie.  "She was wrong for what she
did.  And I am completely overthrown by her return.  But despite the fact
that I do not love her, I must take care of her.  I made promises to her
when we were wed.  I cannot forsake her, no matter how deeply she has hurt
me.  I owe her that."

Now that his headache was gone and he could think more clearly, he was
almost positive that Margaret's tuberculosis had come back.  He also knew
that he had precious little time to convince her to return to the treatment
facility in Asheville.  But how was he going to convince her to go?

Neil sighed with relief as he saw the Holt cabin looming ahead through the
trees.  He flipped his collar up to the cool breeze.  The sun was bright
above and it promised to be a lovely autumn day, but the cold of the night
was still settled in the valley.  He hoped there might be some coffee
warming over the fire when he got there.  Determined to apologize this
evening to Margaret for his behavior and to speak with her about seeking
treatment again, he pushed all thoughts of her to the back of his mind so he
could give his next
patient his full attention. 

** ** **

Christy skipped down the stairs with mixed emotions.  She was anxious to see
Ms. Alice but afraid to see David.  She hoped she ran into her mentor first.
Pausing by the kitchen only long enough to grab an apple, she marveled at
the stillness in the Mission.  It was so quiet.  "I wonder where everyone
is," she thought as she wandered into the parlor.  "I can't hear David
banging away at some sort of repair."  She glanced out the window.  "And Ms.
Alice isn't tending to the garden like normal."  She grinned as she
remembered her friend's last battle with the weeds.  When Christy had asked
why she was so upset she had merely mumbled that she couldn't translate her
thoughts into words because she was a Christian woman and the Lord would not
appreciate what she had to say.

"Ruby Mae," Christy called.  She wanted to keep her promise to find the
young girl as soon as possible.  Besides, she needed to explain what had
transpired between David and her before Ruby Mae blabbed to the whole Cove
the news of their engagement.  She was sure David wouldn't be amused.  Not
after their uncertain parting.  "Ruby Mae," she called again as she made her
way onto the front porch.

"Over here, Miz Christy," Ruby Mae called as she rounded the corner.

"Ruby Mae, I'd like to talk to you about something very important.  Do you
have a moment?"

"You wanna talk to me about somethin important, Miz Christy?"  Ruby Mae's
eyes nearly popped out of her head at the thought of being her teacher's
confidante.

"Yes I do.  Please, come sit down."  When they were settled Christy got
straight to the point.  "I need you to keep my engagement to Reverend
Grantland a secret for just a little while."

"Oh, but, Teacher," she pleaded with wounded eyes, "you cain't expect me to
keep nothin that good to myself.  I just gotta be sharin the news!"

"Ruby Mae," Christy paused.  She wasn't sure how much she should tell about
her evening with David.  "I know that you helped Reverend Grantland prepare
quite a surprise for me yesterday and I enjoyed it very much."  Ruby Mae
beamed with pride.  "After my treasure hunt was over we met by the pond for
dinner."

"I know, Miz Christy," Ruby Mae broke in.  "And you must've liked it an
awful lot.  'Cause there weren't a crumb left on yer plates this mornin.
But I'm surprised that ya left all yer dishes on the gazebo all night.
After all, Miz Alice says that's the best way to attract critters ya don't
want hangin around.  But, seein that ya got engaged, I guess ya had more
important things on yer mind."

Christy digested this little nugget of information.  She had left David
alone before they had even eaten.  How could the food have disappeared?  And
why would David have left the dishes out all night?  She decided to figure
out those mysteries later and got back to the task at hand.  "Ruby Mae,
about my request.  You see, relationships are complicated matters.
Sometimes people have trouble understanding if what they think they want is
really what is best for them.  Do you understand?"  Ruby Mae shook her head
in confusion.  "You see, Ruby Mae, last evening Reverend Grantland and I
decided to get engaged.  But after a long talk, we decided that we needed
just a little bit more time to make sure that the decision we had made was
truly right for us."

"I don't get it, ma'am," she said.  "Who needs time?  Ya either love a body
or ya don't."

"I know it doesn't make much sense to you now," she said as she found
herself inclined to agree, "but I am asking you as a friend not to say
anything about this until we are ready.  Okay?"

Ruby Mae nodded enthusiastically.  "It shore will be hard to keep to myself
but I'll do it cause you asked me to!"  She rose from her chair after
receiving hearty thanks from Christy.  "I'd best get back to ma chores.  I
done put near all the washin into the big kettle out back, although there
weren't much as Miz Alice did some of it yesterday, and I was just headin to
get Preacher's.  You don't think he'll mind iffin I just go on into his
bunkhouse and fetch it do ya?  He didn't leave it out like he usually does."

"Did you ask him?" Christy asked as she scanned the yard for David.

"He ain't around," she said in response.  "Like I told ya this mornin I
ain't seen him all day."

Christy breathed a sigh of relief.  At least there wasn't any chance she'd
run into David before she'd had a chance to speak with Ms. Alice.  But she
wondered where he might be.  "I suppose that would be fine, Ruby Mae."

"Ruby Mae?" Christy asked again as her charge turned to enter the bunkhouse.
"Do you know where Ms. Alice is?  I really need to speak with her."

"She ain't here."

"Well, do you know when she'll be back?"

"Near about two weeks I reckon."

"Two weeks?" Christy cried out in dismay as she leapt from her chair.  "But
she just returned from Sand Mountain not long ago and I know she wasn't
going to Cataleechie until next month!"  This was indeed unwelcome news.
"Where in the world did she go?"

"I done tried to tell you when you first got up that she left for Kentucky
with Mr. Dan on the first train out of El Pano this mornin.  She went to see
his ma and to help him convince Miz Cecile to move back to the Cove with
him."  At Ruby Mae's words Christy sat with a thud.  "Are ya alright, Miz
Christy?  Yer lookin a might pale."

Christy took a deep breath and sighed.  She had just turned her future over
to the Lord last night.  Now she needed to be patient and to have faith in
His ability to work everything out in His own way.  "I'm fine, Ruby Mae.
Thank you."  She stood once more.  "I tell you what.  You run on and fetch
Reverend Grantland's washing and I'll meet you by the kettle.  Since Ms.
Alice is away I'd be happy to help you with the laundry."

"Oh, would ya, Miz Christy?  That'd be right nice of ya!"

"Run along now," Christy instructed.  She stood as the redhead disappeared
into the bunkhouse.  "Well, I guess I'll have to rearrange my schedule now
that Ms. Alice has gone to Kentucky.  After the laundry I'll need to tend to
the garden and get started on supper.  I'll put off my visit to Fairlight
until tomorrow after church and I'll grade the children's papers tonight.
That will still leave me free to speak with David after supper if he wants."
She paused to look over at the horizon.  "I wonder where he is today," she
thought.

Just then Ruby Mae came out of the bunkhouse with laundry in one hand and a
folded piece of paper in the other.  "Miz Christy!" she hollered.  "I found
a note in Preacher's bunkhouse and it's got yer name on it!"




Chapter 10 

The darkness was closing in on John Spencer and he ran with all of his might. 
 He had to get to the Mission.  Still damp from crossing the river the cool 
breeze that had begun to blow sent chills up his spine equal to those induced 
by the knot of fear in his belly.  He couldn't be slow.  He couldn't fail.   
He had to get to Ms. Henderson.  The lives of two people depended on him. 

He sprinted up the hill and past the old cemetery.  His shortcut through the 
woods earlier had brought him out too close.  "It's a bad omen," he thought 
as he willed the death away.  "Mama would say that my travels tonight have 
been cursed and someone ain't gonna make it."  He rounded the Charter Oak and 
continued at full speed.  He could see the Mission now.  Ignoring the pain in 
his lungs he raced toward the finish line. 

** ** ** 

Christy sat by the table grading her papers.  Ruby Mae sat opposite her, 
darning a pair of socks.  Usually Christy would have retreated to the solace 
of her room after dinner to do her work, but with David and Ms. Alice away 
she felt an odd need to be around another human being.  She was quickly 
regretting her decision, however, as she found Ruby Mae interrupting her 
thoughts again with another question. 

"Miz Christy, what do ya s'pose Preacher is doin on his retreat?" Ruby Mae 
put down her darning and looked thoughtfully off into space.  "Miz Alice says 
she prays and listens to the Lord, but Preacher don't strike me as the type 
to sit still for too long.  He's always movin or buildin or haulin or some 
such business.  I just cain't rightly imagine him sittin somewhere just a 
listenin to the Lord for two whole days." 

Christy sighed.  She, too, had wondered about David's retreat.  His note had 
said he was going to God's Fist and he would be back by the time service 
started on Sunday.  She was as curious as Ruby Mae to know what was happening 
up there but she was also thankful for the added time before she saw him 
again.  "The Lord is very powerful, Ruby Mae," she stated simply.  "If He 
wants the Reverend to listen, he will." 

Christy returned to her papers in a vain attempt to concentrate again.  She 
reread the first chapter of Becky O'Teale's essay for what must have been the 
fourth time when she realized it was no use.  Her train of thought had been 
derailed for good this time.  Letting her mind wander she thought not of 
David, but of Neil.  The all too familiar pang of loneliness tugged at her 
heart as she conjured him in her mind.  "I've got to stop this," she thought 
to herself.  She had imagined him on his rounds while she was hanging the 
laundry to dry.  She had pictured him fly fishing in the river while she 
weeded the garden.  She had remembered him bathing in the river while she 
burned the dinner.  And she had pictured him in his laboratory while she 
cleaned up her mess.  She sighed.  She knew she hadn't the right to think 
about him so, but she couldn't help but wonder what he might be doing this 
very moment. 

A sharp pounding at the front door tore her from her thoughts.  Ruby Mae let 
out a scream and Christy started with fright.  "Miz Henderson?  Preacher?   
Miz Christy?" John hollered.  "Anyone here?  Open up!  It's John Spencer!" 

At the sound of his voice Christy jumped to her feet and ran to the front 
door.  Throwing it open she nearly caught John in her arms as he fell through 
and gasped for breath.  "Ruby Mae, go get me some water," Christy commanded. 

"Yes'm," she said and was off in a flash. 

"John, are you alright?" Christy asked.  "What's wrong?  Are you hurt?" 

"I'm fine, ma'am," he said as he gulped in the air.  "But Miz Henderson's 
gotta come quick.  It's an emergency." 

"John, Ms. Alice isn't here.  She left town this morning." 

"But with Mr. Dan gone Doc McNeill said he needs Miz Henderson to come." 

"Dr. McNeill?" Christy asked in panic.  "Is he hurt?  Oh, John, you must tell 
me if he is okay." 

Ruby Mae entered with the water and handed it to John.  The few seconds he 
took to drink felt like an eternity to Christy.  Had something happened to 
Neil?  She was gripped with fear. 

"He's alright," John said as he handed the cup back to Ruby Mae.  Christy 
breathed a prayer of thanks. 

"John, you must tell me what's going on." 

"I cain't be wastin no more time, ma'am.  Two people's lives are dependin on 
me." 

"John, just tell me quickly," Christy instructed.  "Ms. Alice is with Dan in 
Kentucky.  They won't be back for two weeks or so.  But I'm here now and I 
can help." 

"It's Creed," he said forlornly.  "Mama's kin was around for a spell today 
and we went traipsin a bit.  And while we was out Creed fell and hit his 
head.  He said he felt fine and all but later he started gettin sick and 
complainin that his head hurt real bad.  Next thing we knowed he wasn't 
conscious.  He's laying all still-like in mama's bed." 

"Dear Lord, Creed," Christy gasped.  She wanted to go to him at once but she 
needed to know the rest.  "John, you said two people.  Who else?" 

"Well, ma'am, mama sent me for the Doc but when I got there he was already 
tendin to that woman at his place." 

"That woman?" asked Christy.  "John, do you mean Margaret?" 

"Yes'm.  Doc said she's real sick and he cain't leave her to take care of 
Creed until Miz Henderson comes ta stay with her." 

Christy knew what she had to do.  "Ruby Mae," she instructed, springing into 
action.  "Go see if Ms. Alice left her medical bag behind.  If so, bring it 
to me along with some extra bedding and food.  Then pack some things for 
yourself for an overnight."  Ruby Mae was already on her way up the stairs.   
"John, Reverend Grantland is away for the night and I'm going to tend to 
Margaret at Dr. McNeill's in Ms. Alice's place.  I don't want Ruby Mae to 
stay alone.  I need you to take her to Bessie's cabin before you return home. 
 If you beat Doctor McNeill there tell your family to hang on.  He'll be 
there soon." 

Ruby Mae ran back into the room with the articles her teacher had asked for.   
"Here ya go, Miz Christy." 

"Thank you, Ruby Mae.  Please extinguish the fire in the hearth and wrap up 
the berry pie we made earlier today.  John will be taking you to Bessie's for 
the night.  Offer the pie to Mr. Coburn with my thanks.  I'm going to Dr. 
McNeill's.  Be careful."  Ruby Mae nodded.   

"You too, ma'am," said John.  "And thank ya." 

Christy grabbed the lantern and her Bible and ran quickly to the barn to 
ready Theo.  She led him from the barn and climbed up.  "Dear Lord," she 
prayed.  "Please help me get to Neil's quickly.  Please keep Creed and 
Margaret in your care.  Amen."   Willing him to move quickly on the journey, 
Christy turned Theo towards Neil's cabin and urged him forward into the 
darkness. 

** ** ** 

"Where is she?" Neil snarled in loud frustration.  It was taking Alice an 
eternity to arrive at his cabin and he was losing precious time!  If John's 
description of Creed was accurate he had suffered a concussion.  What John 
couldn't tell him was just how severe it was.  Neil looked out the window 
again.  He had to get to Creed and soon.  Back up the stairs he flew, two at 
a time.  He bent over the still form in his bed.  "Oh, Margaret," he sighed.   
"Why didn't I pay better attention this morning?"  He checked her vital signs 
again and made sure she was resting as comfortably as possible.  Her fever 
was still high and her breathing was labored.  He sat down on the stool next 
to the bed and covered her icy hands with his. 

"Margaret, can you hear me?" he asked.  "Margaret, I need you to wake up 
now."  The sense of de ja vu was overwhelming.  "Margaret?" he asked again.   
She didn't respond.  He began to rub her hands between his own to warm them.   
"I'm so sorry," he whispered as he looked into her ashen face.  "I knew the 
tuberculosis had returned.  But I was too concerned with myself this morning 
to see that something else was going on.  If only I would have followed my 
instincts I would have seen how sick you really were.  I'm so sorry." 

A brief pounding at his door broke him from his confessional.  When he heard 
the door open he hollered, "Up here, Alice!"  He turned back to Margaret.   
Keeping both of her hands in his right one to keep them warm, he placed his 
left palm on her forehead to monitor the fever.  "Come on," he whispered, 
willing the medicine he had been forcing down his wife's throat to do its 
job.  "Please."  The anguish in his voice at his inability to do more was 
apparent.  And Christy picked up on it. 

She had been standing in the doorway to Neil's bedroom for only a moment but 
it was long enough to take in the picture in front of her.  Margaret was 
obviously very ill.  And Neil was obviously very upset over that fact.  He 
held her hands in his own.  He stroked her brow.  He still loved her.   
Christy swallowed hard against the knot that formed quickly in her throat.   
She hadn't the right.  She hadn't the right...but that didn't make it any 
easier to bear. 

"Ahem," she cleared her throat as she blinked back the brightness of unshed 
tears.  "I came as quickly as I could.  But you know how slow Theo is." 

Neil whirled about at the sound of Christy's voice.  He had to be dreaming.   
In amazement he took in the sight of her.  Wind-whipped hair fell from its 
combs.  Concerned blue eyes bored into his own.  A deep blush of crimson from 
the cool evening colored her nose and cheeks.  Her coat was unbuttoned and 
one glove was already off, the other forgotten on her hand.  She wore his 
favorite blue dress.  It was girlish in style but womanly in effect.  He 
closed his eyes, knowing that Alice Henderson would be standing there when he 
opened them again.  He shouldn't be thinking of Christy.  He didn't have the 
right and he didn't have the time.  But when he opened his eyes, it was 
Christy before him still. 

Christy rushed around to the other side of the bed as she finished removing 
her coat and gloves.  "John came to the Mission and said you needed help.  I 
understand Creed is hurt.  He also told me that Margaret was ill.  Please, 
tell me what to do to help you."  She placed Ms. Alice's medical bag on the 
bed.  "I brought this in case you were running low on anything." 

Neil merely continued to stare.  What was Christy doing here?  And why was 
she taking such charge?  In the classroom he had seen this side of her to be 
sure.  But in medical matters she was never one to eagerly participate. 

"Doctor?" Christy asked him when he did not reply.  "John said it was an 
emergency.  Shouldn't we be doing something?" 

The urgency in her voice shook him from his contemplation.  He frowned.   
Where was Alice?  Christy wasn't part of his plan.  "What are you doing 
here?"  His voice was harsher than he wanted.  "I asked for Alice." 

Trying to hide her hurt she lifted her chin in defiance.  "I am fully aware 
of whom you wanted, Doctor.  But as Ms. Alice left with Dan for Kentucky this 
morning I came in her place.  I'm not trained like she is, but I'm willing to 
help." 

"Why didn't Grantland come instead of you?" he asked out of self-pity as her 
ring caught the lamplight.  "I can't imagine he's too happy about you being 
here." 

Christy didn't want to enter into a sparring match with Neil at this 
particular moment.  Too much was at stake.  But he got her back up just the 
same.  "Not that it matters at a critical time such as this, Doctor, but 
David is away until tomorrow.  And before you ask, Ruby Mae was at home but I 
didn't think she could be of much use to you given her need to flutter and 
carry on so.  And as we don't expect to see Dr. Ferrand for quite some time, 
it seems your only option is me.  Now, kindly tell me how I can be of help." 

Neil grinned at her fire in spite of himself.  "Very well, Ms. Huddleston."   
He sobered as he gestured to Margaret.  "Her tuberculosis has returned." 

Christy gasped.  "Oh, Neil, I'm so sorry." 

"That's not the worst of it, Christy."  He sighed and sat down next to 
Margaret again.  "Last night she was exposed for a prolonged period to the 
cool air.  This morning I thought I saw signs of fever.  She claimed to be 
feeling fine.  But when I returned from my rounds this evening I found her 
lying in the open doorway.  God alone knows how long she had lain there.  I 
cannot say how long she has been suffering from it, but she has contracted 
pneumonia."  Neil looked up to Christy once more.  "I fear for her life, 
Christy.  Her lungs are filled with fluid, her breathing is labored and 
although her fever is going down I haven't been able to break it completely.   
Due to her weakened state from the tuberculosis, she may not be able to fight 
this infection.  I only wish she would wake up." 

Christy looked with compassion from Neil to Margaret and back again.  "Neil, 
I know it must be extremely difficult for you to accept my help."  Neil's 
eyebrows rose in question and Christy tried to ignore the awkwardness of the 
situation.  "Well, given what happened between us.  I know it might be 
uncomfortable for Margaret to wake to my presence but from the sound of 
things, I don't think I can be of any help to Creed myself.  So, please, if 
there is anything I can do for Margaret, let me do it so you can be on your 
way." 

Neil looked deeply into Christy's eyes.  "I'm not sure if you can be of any 
help to her."  He looked back to Margaret.  "I'm not sure if anyone can.  All 
I can do now is wait." 

Christy walked swiftly around the bed and crouched down next to Neil.  "Neil, 
if waiting with her is all that can be done, then let me wait.  If you have 
instructions, then give them to me now.  Creed needs you.  Go to him.  And 
when you get there send John back to me.  That way I can send for you if 
Margaret gets worse and you won't have to worry about us being here alone.   
Alright?"  She looked into his worried face.  Moved by the piteous look in 
his eyes she reached up and touched his cheek.  "Neil, go!  I promise to take 
good care of her." 

"I know you will," he whispered.  The nearness of her stirred a need deep in 
his heart and the feeling shook him from his stupor.  He rose quickly and 
helped Christy into the stool.  He looked through Alice's medical bag and 
pulled out a few bottles.  "I've given her some of this already," he said, 
indicating powdered aspirin.  "If I have not returned in two hours give her a 
teaspoon more.  Mix it in some water, lean her up and force as much as you 
can into her if she hasn't regained consciousness.  In the meantime, continue 
to place cool compresses on her head.  If she should begin another coughing 
fit, roll her onto her side.  She must be helped to pass the clots in her 
lungs.  If she lays flat she may choke."  He held up the remaining bottles.   
"These others she shouldn't need.  If her breathing becomes too labored, you 
can make a mustard poultice and apply it to her chest as we did with the 
onions for the scarlet fever epidemic.  All of the supplies are already 
gathered in the kitchen." 

Christy nodded as she wrapped her mind around what Neil was saying.  For the 
first time since she left the Mission earlier, she was beginning to feel real 
fear.  Her facade of calm threatened to break under the thoughts swirling 
about in her head.  What if Margaret got worse?  What if John couldn't get to 
Neil in time?  What if Margaret actually woke up and ordered Christy from the 
cabin?  If she refused, would her presence upset Margaret to the point of a 
relapse? 

"Christy?"  Neil's voice focused her once more.  "Do you understand?" 

"Yes, I think so." 

"Good. I'll be back as soon as I can."  Neil turned and ran down the stairs.   
He retrieved his saddlebags and raced toward the door.   

"Neil!"  Christy's pleading stopped him in mid-stride. 

He turned quickly to see her standing on the staircase.  The panic in her 
eyes was barely masked by the determination on her face.  "It will be 
alright, Christy."  She nodded.  "I'll be back soon and I'll send John right 
away."  When he noticed her shoulders relax ever so slightly he added, "Thank 
you." 

Christy watched the door close behind him.  She prayed that Neil would reach 
Creed quickly, that Margaret would wake up soon and that she would have the 
strength to face whatever came.  Then she turned and ascended the stairs.

Chapter 11 (All Biblical quotations are taken from the King James Version.) 

David lay in his bedroll once more.  It had been a long day.  But instead of 
feeling drained, he felt rejuvenated.  Never before had his purpose been so 
clear.  Never before had his Lord's desire for him been so easy to 
understand.  David smiled at the irony of his last thoughts.  No, he knew his 
life as a minister would never be easy.  But the rewards of Heaven would be 
bountiful.  And his path would not be lonely.  He would never want for sheep 
to shepherd.  He would be blessed with friendships and helpers aplenty.  He 
would relish his theological discussions with Ms. Alice.  He would welcome 
the mentor-like input from Dr. Ferrand.  And there was Christy.  His heart 
had decided.  He couldn't wait to see her again to tell her about his 
retreat.  He had so many wonderful revelations to share.  David smiled at the 
moon above, squeezed the arrowhead in his palm and slowly drifted off to 
sleep. 

** ** ** 

Maintaining a constant state of watch and worry made the time drag on 
endlessly for Christy.  During the first hour she sponged Margaret's head 
continuously with cool water, the whole time wondering about the woman 
herself, her past life away from Cutter Gap and her future back in it.   
Although she hated to admit it, Christy was deeply troubled by Margaret.  She 
was angry with her for the pain she had caused to Neil and to Ms. Alice.  And 
upon reflection, more worrisome to Christy was the fact that she was 
resentful of Margaret's return into their lives. 

The second hour, after Margaret's fever broke, Christy tried to divert her 
mind from sour thoughts of her patient by passing the time telling the 
unconscious woman stories about her school children.  When that hour was up 
she mixed the aspirin and water as Neil had instructed.  After a couple of 
awkward attempts to prop Margaret up, Christy had managed to get part of the 
liquid into her. 

Christy was thankful as she thought back over the past few hours.  So far, 
Margaret had only had two coughing spells.  The first one frightened her 
badly.  Margaret had expelled quite a bit of blood and Christy nearly sent 
John for Doctor McNeill.  But when it passed quickly, Christy relented.  John 
had been sleeping peacefully near the fire downstairs for only an hour or so. 
 She was sure that he was exhausted from all of his running and she wanted to 
let him sleep.  And in truth, the spell hadn't seemed to worsen Margaret's 
condition in the slightest.  And so, she had faced the second spell with more 
confidence.  Thankfully, it too had passed quickly. 

Now well into the third hour of her watch, Christy felt drained and anxious.   
Margaret had still not awakened and Christy was tired of telling stories.  So 
she picked up her Bible and opened to her marker.  After finding her place 
she began to read aloud.  "Here we go.  1 Corinthians.  Chapter 12.  Verse 12. 
      For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the 
      members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also 
      is Christ.  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, 
      whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; 
      and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  For the body 
      is not one member but many.  If the foot shall say, Because I 
      am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the 
      body?  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I 
      am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  If the 
      whole body were an eye, where were the hearing?  If the whole 
      were hearing, where were the smelling?  But now hath God 
      set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath 
      pleased him." 

Margaret stirred on the bed ever so slightly and her eyes opened.   
Disoriented, she let her vision and mind clear before turning her head to 
look at Christy.  "What is she doing here?" Margaret thought to herself.   
"And what is she reading to me?" 

     "...that there should be no schism in the body; but that the 
      members should have the same care one for another.  And 
      whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; 
      or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it." 

Christy paused in her reading.  There was a message here for her.  She 
recalled her earlier thoughts of Margaret and felt ashamed.  "Dear Lord," she 
silently prayed.  "Forgive me for my hard feelings.  Margaret is a child of 
Yours just like I am.  If she is hurt I need to help her because we are both 
part of Your family; we are both members of Your church body.  Even if she 
has turned her back on You and hurt those around her, You would want me to be 
healing, forgiving and kind.  Please help me to sweep my bad thoughts away 
and be here for her.  Help me to love her as You love us both." 

"If you're trying to finish the job by killing me with boredom, you're 
succeeding," stated Margaret simply.  Christy jerked her head up, her eyes 
wide.  "I mean really, Christy, a medical text?  Parts of the body?  Tedious 
really.  Couldn't you have at least picked a fabulous adventure novel?" 

Too nervous to say much more, Christy muttered.  "You're awake." 

"Yes, I'm awake," Margaret said patronizingly.  "Now kindly tell me what in 
the world you are doing here.  Where is Mac?" 

Christy sat rigid in the chair.  She wasn't feeling disposed to return 
Margaret's barbs with kindness but she placed her trust in the Lord and took 
a deep breath.  "You're incredibly ill, Margaret." 

"Tell me something I don't know," she retorted harshly. 

"You have pneumonia." 

"Liar!" she hissed. 

Ignoring her tone, Christy continued.  "Dr. McNeill found you when he 
returned to your cabin this evening.  He carried you up here and tended to 
your needs.  You've been feverish and unconscious most of the evening."  She 
noticed Margaret look around for Neil.  "He wanted to stay but he had to go.   
Creed Allen had an accident.  He injured his head somehow." 

"Ah, yes," Margaret said quietly with harshness to shadow her hurt.  "Always 
rushing off to play the hero with others." 

"Margaret, you're not being fair." 

"Fair?  What do you know of fair, Pollyanna?  Here I am, lying on my deathbed 
and not only does my husband leave me but he sends a teacher instead of 
another doctor to help me." 

Brushing aside the insult, Christy forged ahead.  "What you haven't given me 
the chance to tell you, Margaret, is that Neil put his treatment of Creed on 
hold so he could send for Ms. Alice to stay with you." 

Margaret balked at Christy's familiar use of her husband's first name.  Then 
she looked around the room again.  "I see Mother didn't feel the need to 
come." 

Christy saw the sadness in Margaret's eyes.  "Ms. Alice left for Kentucky 
with Dan Scott this morning, Margaret.  And that is why he isn't here instead 
of me.  Your mother doesn't know that you are ill.  I came in her place so 
Dr. McNeill could tend to Creed." 

Margaret looked down at her hands as she tried to fight off the tickle in her 
chest.  "How long have you been here?" 

"About three hours or so I'd say." 

Margaret fitfully pulled at her covers.  "When will Mac be back?" 

"I don't know.  But he said he would come as soon as he could."  Christy 
poured a glass of water and Margaret sipped at it tentatively.  After 
muttering a grudging 'thank you,' Margaret fell silent.  Christy looked back 
down to her Bible.  That was when Margaret's assumption about her choice of 
reading material made her smile.  She stifled a giggle.  And then she choked 
on a laugh. 

"And what, may I ask, is so amusing about my situation?" Margaret asked 
heatedly. 

Christy looked up with a gleam in her eye.  "Oh, Margaret, I'm not laughing 
at you."  She reconsidered her words when Margaret looked at her accusingly.   
"I mean, I'm laughing at something you said.  About my reading." 

"I don't see anything comical," Margaret huffed.  "Here I am, probably dying, 
and the best you can do to amuse me is read one of Mac's medical journals to 
me." 

Christy's laughter intensified.  "I'm not reading a medical text, Margaret," 
Christy said with a somewhat straight face in an attempt to retain her 
composure.  "I'm reading to you from the Bible!"  At the look on Margaret's 
face Christy dissolved into giggles once more, glad for a release of the 
tension she had been carrying. 

"But I heard you reading about body parts.  I thought..."  Margaret smiled in 
spite of herself. 

"No.  No."  Christy calmed herself and continued.  "You did hear me reading 
about those things but you misunderstood.  God is describing the members of 
His church as parts of the body.  It's an analogy to help us understand that 
we need one another, that we can't do without each other.  We each have our 
own special gifts.  It's our differences that make us integral parts of life 
together.  God says we are all different but together we are to all earnestly 
desire higher gifts.  Listen.  Chapter 13. 
      Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and 
      have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling 
      cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and 
      understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I 
      have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not 
      love, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed 
      the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have 
      not love, it profiteth me nothing." 

Christy stopped when she realized Margaret was softly crying.  "Can I help 
you?" she asked softly as she put a hand over Margaret's. 

Margaret pulled away quickly.  "Love," she snorted, "is overrated." 

"How can you say that?" Christy asked.  "Love endures!  You and I, we will 
pass away from this earth.  But the love others feel for us, the love we give 
them, will last." 

"You sound so sure of yourself," Margaret sniffed.  "But if no one loves you 
there is nothing to last." 

"But you are loved, Margaret!" Christy said earnestly. 

"By whom?" she asked bitterly.  "Mother?  Did she tell you that she disowned 
me the last time we spoke?  And Mac!  Well..."  Margaret trailed away.   

Christy took a moment to collect her thoughts before speaking.  "Margaret, 
you may have had words with Ms. Alice, but I know, deep in her heart, that 
she loves you still.  You mustn't let go of that knowledge.  And as for Dr. 
McNeill..."  Margaret's eyes shot daggers.  "Well, I don't know what's 
between you, but I feel that he still cares for you."  Christy fought off a 
strangling mix of embarrassment and sorrow before finding the words to 
continue.  "And most of all, Margaret, God cares for you very deeply!" 

"God?" Margaret asked.  "You sound like Mother.  God doesn't love me." 

"But you're wrong!" Christy implored. 

"Am I?  Where has God been all of these years?  Where is God now?  I listened 
to my mother's teachings when I was little.  I went to church and followed 
the Quaker ideals.  But it didn't change the fact that I was born a bastard 
child, did it?"  Christy winced.  "And when I left the Circle, I married a 
man I thought loved me with his whole being.  But that didn't prevent him 
from leaving me to endless weeks of loneliness and worry.  And so I left to 
pursue a better life.  But that didn't stop the tuberculosis, or the poverty, 
or the string of men who tossed me aside."  Margaret closed her eyes tightly 
to stop the tears. 

Christy didn't know what to say to Margaret.  And so she decided to talk with 
the Lord instead.  She knelt by the bed and prayed aloud.  "Dear Father in 
Heaven, please be with Margaret.  She is hurting, Lord, for so many reasons.   
Please heal her physically.  Defeat the tuberculosis and the pneumonia that 
now war over her body.  You are the Great Physician who alone can restore 
her.  And, Lord, please heal Margaret spiritually.  She feels abandoned and 
hopeless.  Lord, please show her that You are Love.  Bring her comfort in the 
knowledge that You care for her and will never leave her alone.  In Jesus 
name, Amen." 

Christy remained kneeling with her head bowed.  The bravery of moments 
earlier gave way to trepidation as she pictured Margaret readying a harsh and 
demeaning reply to her prayer.  But when she heard no noise she returned to 
her chair and lifted her eyes to Margaret's tearstained face. 

"Why, Christy?" she asked in amazement.  "Why would you care about me?   
Without me here Mac would be a free man.  Why would you care if I lived or 
died?  After all the pain I've caused to my mother and to Neil, why would you 
care about my soul?" 

Christy didn't answer Margaret's questions, but merely smiled and picked up 
her Bible again. 
      "Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; 
      it is not arrogant or rude.  Love does not insist on its own 
      way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, 
      but rejoices in the right.  Love bears all things, believes all 
      things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends. 
You see, Margaret, you are loved." 

Margaret was quiet for a moment when Christy finished.  Then she raised her 
chin defiantly.  "I don't know what you think that's supposed to mean to me." 
 She tossed her hair over he shoulder in feigned apathy.  "Mother doesn't 
love me.  Mac doesn't love me.  No one loves me.  Ha!" she snorted as she 
looked back to Christy.  "Unless that's supposed to be your way of telling me 
that you love me?"  She laughed through her tears at the hilarity of the 
thought. 

"Yes, Margaret," Christy said with assurance, astonishing Margaret into 
silence.  "It is


Chapter 12

Neil trudged wearily up the porch steps.  It was early morning and he felt
all too well the effects of having been awake for nearly twenty-four hours.
As he opened the door the strong aroma of coffee filled his nostrils.
"Thank you, Christy," he thought gratefully as he made his way to the
steaming pot.  He poured a cup and drank heartily, ignoring the heat of the
brew.  After placing his cup in the sink he headed for the stairs.  He
paused to place a quilt over John Spencer when he noticed the young man was
on the floor in front of the fireplace without any kind of cover.  "What a
good lad," he thought and he crept up the stairs quietly. 

Not sure what he would find when he entered his bedroom, Neil was transfixed
by the site in front of him.  Margaret lay asleep in the bed and Christy,
still in the chair, had fallen asleep with her head on the bed.  What made
the picture so extraordinary was the fact that one of Margaret's hands lay
across a book on her chest and the other lay over Christy's as if they had
fallen asleep sharing some wonderful secret.  Happy that Margaret had
obviously awakened and intrigued by what they might have shared, Neil
stepped forward to see what they had been reading.  He stopped short in
amazement when he realized it was The Bible. 

"Will wonders never cease?" he asked himself as his gaze shifted to Christy.
She must have worked some kind of miracle to get Margaret to accept both her
help and a Bible lesson all in one night!  He smiled as he watched her
sleep.  She seemed so peaceful.  "What a harsh life she has chosen for
herself," he thought.  "She appears so young and so fragile and yet she is
wiser and stronger than almost anyone I know."  Admiration for the woman he
truly loved welled up in him and he smiled at her tenderly as he leaned over
to brush a wisp of hair from her face.  He allowed himself only a moment
more to gaze at her before straightening and turning back to check on
Margaret.  He was startled to see that she was awake.  And the tears in her
eyes told him that she hadn't just awakened.

Not knowing what to say, Neil stared at Margaret guiltily.  "Oh, Mac,"
Margaret tried to smile through her tears.  "You look like the little boy
who just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar!" 

Out of fear that Margaret would cause a scene, Neil cleared his throat and
changed the subject.  "How are you feeling?"  He placed his hand on her
forehead to gauge her temperature. 

"Terrible," she admitted as she let him become all doctor.  "But I guess
that's pretty obvious."  She observed him keenly.  She knew he was expecting
her to throw a fit over his admiration of Christy.  But she was resigned to
the facts that he was in love with the school teacher and that she herself
was going to die soon.

"When did you awaken?" 

"I don't know exactly.  Christy said she had been here for about three
hours." 

"Your fever seems to have gone down, but with an infection like yours it
could easily come back," he said as he retrieved his stethoscope.  He leaned
over and listened to her chest.  "Your lungs are still quite full of fluid.
How are you breathing?" 

"Oh, I'm so much better, Mac."  Margaret tried to sound unconcerned but the
look on her face betrayed her.  Seeing her fears reflected on Neil's face
she closed her eyes and admitted the truth.  "I'm not breathing easily at
all.  I only nap for short periods of time before the next coughing spell.
And I've coughed up quite a lot of blood tonight."  She opened her eyes to
look at Neil once more.  "It will be soon, won't it?" 

"I don't know," he whispered as he stood.  "But it doesn't look good."

Margaret took his hand in hers as he turned to go.  "Stay with me for just a
while, Neil," she pleaded.  Surprised that she wasn't upset with him, he
nodded and sat again, covering their clasped hands with his free one.
Knowing in her heart of hearts that her time with him would be brief, she
committed herself to making up for everything she had done.  "Thank you,
Neil," she said as she smiled. 

It was to Margaret's last words that Christy opened her eyes.  Not moving
for fear of being caught spying, Christy took in the peace on Margaret's
face as Neil held her hands.  And although she could not see his face from
her vantage point, Christy imagined that Neil smiled just as happily.  She
knew she should be glad that they were reconciling.  But the confusion their
reconciliation brought her heart was overwhelming.  She closed her eyes once
more, praying that it was only a dream.  But as she allowed herself to drift
back to sleep, she knew all too well that it wasn't.

** ** ** **

It was a new coughing spasm that woke Christy a little later.  Automatically
she reached for a cloth to catch the blood and helped Margaret roll her to
her side.  She looked around for Neil but she didn't see him.  As she held
the convulsing Margaret close to her, she wondered if she really had been
dreaming earlier.  But then he entered the room at a dead sprint.  Christy's
disappointment when he didn't acknowledge her was immediately replaced by
extreme concern when Margaret's spasm didn't end.  Great shudders began to
rack her ailing body and her face contorted in pain.

"Neil?" Christy asked in desperation.

"Quickly, Christy," Neil replied, as he grabbed Margaret and nodded toward
his medical bag.  Christy retrieved it and handed it to him.  "Stand with
her, just like this," he commanded.  When she took her place next to
Margaret she watched as Neil withdrew a bottle and a syringe.  Focusing all
of her energy into talking reassuringly to Margaret, Christy ignored the
frightening sight of the needle entering Margaret's arm.  Neil administered
the drug as quickly as possible.  And then Margaret was still.

"Neil, what happened?" Christy asked in alarm.

Neil methodically checked Margaret's vital signs.  "I gave her a sedative,"
he replied.  "Veronal.  She had worked herself into such a state of coughing
that she began to experience minor convulsions.  She'll sleep deeply for a
little while now."

"But I don't understand," Christy said.  "Her fever broke earlier in the
night.  I thought that meant she would get well."

"Even if she managed to beat the pneumonia she would still die, Christy."

Christy looked up into Neil's eyes with confusion.  "But why?  She got
better in the tuberculosis clinic once.  She could do it again."

"No, Christy," Neil sighed in resignation as he dropped into the chair.  "I
don't think she's got another fight in her."

"There's no chance for her?" Christy asked once more.  

"No," was Neil's definitive reply.

"How long does she have?" Christy asked.

"I cannot say, but it won't be long at all."

"But," she began, only to stop at the look on Neil's face.  He dropped his
head into his hands.  He was weary to the bone and so tired of thinking.
The last thing he wanted was to receive a lecture from her.

Christy watched as he dropped his head into his hands in sorrow.  "How he
must still love her," she thought sadly.  Her heart went out to him.
Immediately her thoughts shifted to Ms. Alice.  "Oh no!" she gasped.  "Ms.
Alice!  Neil, we have to get word to Ms. Alice!"

"Yes," he sighed with his head still bowed.  "We do."

Christy longed to throw her arms around Neil and comfort him.  He looked so
forlorn and alone.  Aloud she asked, "Neil?  How do you do it?"

"Do what?" he asked without looking up.

"Your work.  It's so hard," Christy stated.  "How can you feel so
responsible for so many people?  How can you begin to administer healing
when death is always so near?  How can you give of yourself over and over
without giving it all away?"  Her soul ached for him and she longed to take
away his pain. 

Neil recalled a similar conversation with Margaret when she accused him of
giving everything to others and having nothing left for her.  Afraid that
this line of discussion with Christy would eventually go down the same path
he merely sighed, raised his head once more and nodded toward the window.
"It's almost daylight.  I'll have John walk you back to the Mission now."

"Neil?"  Christy's voice became soft with compassion.  "How long has it been
since you've slept?"  She noticed the deep lines etched in his face and the
dark circles under his eyes.  "Why don't you lie down on the couch?  I'll
stay with Margaret for a while longer."

Touched by her kindness he gently shook his head.  "I'd hazard a guess that
you didn't sleep much yourself last night," he said.  "I think it would be
best if you went back to the Mission to get some sleep."

"Nonsense," she said with authority as she took control of the situation.
She may not be able to soothe his spirit but she could certainly minister to
his physical well-being.  "I got a few hours, which is ten times more than
you, I'll bet.  You won't be any good to Margaret if you get sick yourself.
Now I'm going down to wake John.  I'll send him home to wash up and he can
tell David where Ruby Mae and I are when he gets to church.  I'll ask him to
send Fairlight to sit with Margaret after service and to have David try to
telephone Ms. Alice.  In the meantime, I'll get something for you to eat and
then you need to get some sleep."

Neil opened his mouth to argue but one look from Christy changed his mind.
"You win," he said, trying to contain his amusement.

"Very good," she replied and started to walk past him.

"But," he said as he gently stopped her.  "I just had a little something to
eat.  I was in the kitchen when Margaret's last spell began.  I'll wake John
and send him with the messages before I lie down.  Can I get you anything?"

Christy smiled at Neil.  "No, thank you.  I'll just read here next to
Margaret until she needs me."

Neil turned to go but Christy's surprising question stopped him.  "Wasn't
veronal what you told Dan you used on Creed when he had Scarlet Fever?"
Neil turned to look at her in wonder.  How had she remembered that?  "I've
been so focused on Margaret I'd nearly forgotten about Creed.  How is he?"
she asked with great concern.

"Not to worry," he said soothingly.  "He had a concussion.  It was bad but
not fatal.  We made it through the rough part during the wee hours of this
morning.  He'll be fine in about a week or so.  I'm afraid," he said as he
winked and headed out the door, "that he'll have to miss some school."

"I'm not worried, Doctor," Christy called after him.  "I'm sure I can send
his studies home!"  Christy smiled as she turned back to Margaret.  She
found her Bible, discarded on the floor during Margaret's last attack.  She
sat in the chair, opened to their marker and continued to read aloud.

** ** ** **

Christy had only read for about twenty minutes when a deep yawn escaped her
lips.  After a quick check of Margaret, Christy put her Bible down and
closed her eyes.  She wanted to rest for just a moment.  She fell asleep
quickly and she dreamed she stood at God's Fist with Fairlight. "Have ya
answered them questions I asked ya?" her friend grinned.  When Christy
started to shake her head "no," Fairlight stopped her with a laugh.  "You
cain't lie to me, Christy.  Yer actin just like Ruby Mae over Rob Allen.
Don't tell me ya ain't made up yer mind 'cause yer heart done decided."

Fairlight vanished and suddenly a man stood next to her.  She couldn't see
his face but she knew he was her husband.  They looked out onto the mountain
ranges in awe.  "They're so beautiful," she sighed as she leaned on his
shoulder.  "No matter how many times I look at them I see something new."
At his gentle laugh she turned to him and reached up to touch his cheek.  He
leaned down to kiss her and a complete joy like none other passed through
her heart.

Gently her husband took her hand to lead her down the mountain.  "Come
along, children," he called.  His voice seemed so familiar, but she couldn't
quite place it.  At the sound of laughter, Christy looked over her shoulder
to see a little boy and a little girl flying down behind them.  And as they
swarmed around her legs her husband lifted the girl up and spun her in the
air.  She held back and watched as he walked away, one child on his hip and
another holding his free hand.  What a beautiful picture they made.  And
then he stopped and turned.  "Christy," he called.  Suddenly she knew his
voice!  "Christy!"

Christy snapped from her dream.  "Christy?" Margaret called again.

Christy shook the sleep from her head and the identity of her husband along
with it.  "Oh, Margaret, I'm sorry," she said, even as she longed to return
once more to her dream. " I must have dozed off."

"Don't apologize," Margaret smiled.  "I didn't want to wake you, but I'm
terribly thirsty.  Do you think you could get me some water, please?"

"Of course," Christy replied as she stood.  "I'm so glad to see you awake
again.  You gave us quite a scare earlier."  Christy moved to the foot of
the bed and placed her Bible on the dresser.  "Dr. McNeill is sleeping on
the couch right now.  He was up all night with Creed."

"How is he?" Margaret asked with genuine concern.

"Well, you know Dr. McNeill.  He's completely overworked himself.  But he's
had something to eat and after some sleep I think he'll be alright."

Margaret giggled.  "No, Christy.  I meant Creed."

"Oh," Christy said with a slight blush of embarrassment.  Touched that
Margaret would think to ask after Creed, Christy smiled back.  "Dr. McNeill
says that he'll be just fine.  But I'm hoping to stop by to see him later
for myself."

As they looked at one another in silence, Margaret realized what she had to
do, both for herself and for Mac.  "Christy?" Margaret asked as she turned
to go.

"Hmm?"

"Will you help me when you get back?  There's something I really want to
know about God."

"Of course," Christy said in surprised happiness.  "I'll do my best."  When
Margaret nodded, Christy left her alone in the room.  As she descended the
stairs she thought about the progressing change in Margaret.  The hand of
the Lord was mysterious and mighty!  If only God could work through her to
help Margaret fully back into His fold!  What a miracle it would be!

Christy paused as she reached the bottom step.  She could see Neil asleep on
the couch.  He hadn't even taken off his boots!  Quietly she crept past him
to stoke the fire.  When she was finished she returned to him.  Deftly she
unlaced his heavy boots and slipped them from his feet.  She set them on the
floor and stood to look at him.  His clothes were a mess of wrinkles,
testaments of his long day of travel and work.  His pipe and tobacco lay on
the floor next to him, discarded in favor of a few hours of sleep.  His
breathing was deep and even.  But his brow was furrowed as if he were
concentrating on a case in his sleep.  "Does he not even rest in his
dreams?" Christy mused.

Christy straightened the cover over him, tucking it under his feet and
pulling it up over his chest.  She looked once more at his face and on
impulse found herself reaching out to smooth the worry lines away.  Gingerly
she touched his forehead with her fingertips until he relaxed.  Glad that he
hadn't awakened she couldn't resist softly brushing her palm against his
stubbly cheek before her dream raced back into her mind.  With a gasp of
realization she tried to remove her hand and flee from what she had just
discovered but she was too late.  Neil had awakened and had covered her hand
with his own.

"Christy?" he asked.  "Is everything alright?  Is it Margaret?"

"Yes," she blushed to her roots.  "I mean no.  I mean, everything is fine
Doctor."  Christy tried to remove her hand from his grasp but he held it
firmly.  "I simply came down for some water for Margaret," she tried to
explain.  "I saw you asleep and thought I'd check on you."  Neil's smile
made Christy's blush deepen.  "I, um," she stammered as she tried to explain
her behavior.  "I covered you up and then..."  Christy prayed for the right
words to get herself out of the situation but she found that her tongue
failed her.

Sensitive to her obvious discomfort, Neil graciously let go of her hand.
"Not to worry, Miss Huddleston," he teased.  "If you wish, I'd be happy to
give you more time to think of a good excuse for your behavior."  Mortified
by her actions and enraged by his words, Christy was about to give him a
piece of her mind when a thud from above changed her mind and had them both
running back up the stairs.

Margaret lay in a heap on the floor.  "What in the blazes are you doing,
woman?" Neil asked in a fury.  He picked her up quickly and deposited her
back in bed.  "Are you trying to kill yourself?"  He began to check her
quickly for signs of injury.

Christy saw that Margaret's face was set in earnest.  "Neil," Christy said
and touched his arm gently.  Neil stopped what he was doing and stepped
back.  "Margaret?" Christy asked as she stepped forward.  "Is everything
okay?  Why did you get up?  Do you need something?"

Margaret smiled at Christy's kindness.  "The Bible," she said as she nodded.
"I needed to know."

"Know what, woman?" Neil asked still frustrated.  "What is so bloody
important that you couldn't have waited for someone to come back?"

"Neil," Christy turned to him.  "In all of the commotion I seem to have left
Margaret's water downstairs.  Could you go get it for us, please?"  Knowing
he was being handled but grateful to be out of an awkward situation, Neil
did as he was asked.  Christy turned back to Margaret and waited.

Margaret gestured toward the chair and Christy sat.  "My time here is short,
Christy.  I understand that.  My mother and Mac despise me.  I understand
that too.  But somehow, despite the fact that I resented your very
existence, you reminded me that I am still loved.  That I don't understand
at all.  Can you help me?"

"I don't need to tell you anything you don't already know, Margaret,"
Christy said with compassion.  "You grew up in the Faith.  You know that
Christ died on the cross to forgive us of our sins."

"But, Christy, why would He want to forgive me after everything I have
done?"

"Margaret, do you remember when we were talking about Christians being
members of the Church body?  Well that means we're members of Christ's
family as well.  Doesn't it only make sense that God would want to forgive
you if you were a member of His family?"

Margaret nodded but then shook her head.  "But Mother won't forgive me and
Mac won't forgive me.  Why should God?"

"Margaret, I'm surprised at you," Christy admonished gently.  "Have you
asked them to forgive you?"

"Well, no," she admitted.  "But if they don't love me..."

"Margaret, you have to think about all that the three of you have been
through.  Feelings have been hurt, deeply, for all of you.  Just because
harsh words have been exchanged doesn't mean that they can't be undone.  You
feel hurt by them, am I right?"  Margaret nodded.  "But you don't want to
hate them forever, do you?"  Margaret shook her head.  "And wouldn't you
forgive them if they simply asked?"  Margaret nodded once more.  "Margaret,
it's the same with them, I guarantee it.  They both love you, I'm sure of
it.  You need only ask them to forgive you and they will.  Ms. Alice and Dr.
McNeill are good people just like you.  They don't want to hate you forever
either."

"So all I have to do is ask?" she asked incredulously.

"Yes," replied Christy with a smile.  "And God is the same way.  All you
have to do is ask Him to forgive you and He will."

Margaret misted with tears.  "Thank you, Christy," she said gratefully.
"Thank you for showing me what I've been missing for so long."  She closed
her eyes.  "I think I need to pray now."

"Shall I leave you alone, Margaret?" Christy asked.

"No, please stay," Margaret pleaded as her eyes opened.  "I know what I have
to do but I'd feel better if you helped me."

"Of course, I'll stay," she said as she kneeled next to Margaret's bed.
They clasped hands and bowed their heads.

"Dear Lord," Margaret began.  "I haven't turned to You in so long.  I pray
that you'll listen to me now.  Lord, I've not lived my life in the best way.
I've done some horrible things, some hurtful things.  Lord, Christy has
shown me that You will forgive me if I only ask.  So I beg You of Your
forgiveness.  I am so sorry for everything I've done.  Please forgive me.
And help me to ask Mother and Mac for their forgiveness as well.  Lord,
thank you for my new friend, Christy.  I'm not sure why she decided to help
me but I thank you that she did.  Amen."

Christy opened her eyes to see Margaret's filled with tears of happiness.
"That was so easy, Christy," Margaret said joyfully.  "Thank you."

"You did it all yourself, Margaret," Christy said.  "I'm just glad I could
be here for you."  At Christy's words Margaret grew sober.  "What is it,
Margaret?" Christy asked.

"I was just thinking about Mac," Margaret replied.  "You see, I have found
this wonderful peace from God.  I know you have it and I know Mother has it.
But Mac isn't a Christian.  In fact, he would probably scorn me if he knew
that I had just found my way back to God."  She sat in silence for a moment
and then continued.  "Christy, I'm just so worried for him.  He's such a
good man.  He deserves God's love and forgiveness too.  But I don't know if
he'll ever ask for it.  I feel like I owe him so much for taking me back in
after all I've done.  I want to help him get to God too.  How do I do that
Christy?  How?"

"I've agonized over that question myself," Christy admitted.  "And the only
thing I can suggest is to do what I do, what God wants us to do.  Pray for
him every day."

"Yes," said Margaret tears streaming down her face.  "I think I will."  They
bowed their heads once more to offer up their prayers to the Lord.  And as
Neil slipped away from the doorway, which he had been haunting for their
entire conversation, he was overcome by a feeling so strong he began to
weep. 


Chapter 13 (All Biblical quotations are taken from the King James Version.)

Margaret and Christy finished their prayers.  "Christy?" Margaret asked.
"Can we keep reading from the Bible now?"

"Of course," Christy said as she returned to the chair.  "I believe we made
it to the last chapter of Ephesians."  She opened the Bible.  "Here we are.
Verse 10."  Neil paused just outside the door and took a deep breath.  He
hoped he had erased the signs of his tears with the quick splash of water
he'd thrown on his face downstairs.  He was still shaken by what he had
overheard earlier.  And, truth be told, he was curious about what he'd been
feeling the past few days and how God might enter into all of it.  He
slipped into the room quietly as Christy began to read.
    "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power
of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be 
able to stand against the wiles of the devil..."

Neil handed the water to Margaret and began to check her pulse and
temperature once more.  She accepted the water gratefully and took small
sips, all the while listening to Christy.  Neil watched as Margaret's eyes
grew more focused.  She was enraptured by what Christy was reading.  He
wondered at Margaret's new faith in Christy's God.  Why had she turned to
Him after all of this time?  After all of the years of fighting Him?  What
could God have to offer that would turn Margaret around?  Neil continued his
exam and pretended not to listen as he hung on Christy's words.

"...Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, 
and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your 
feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above 
all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to 
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the 
helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the 
word of God.  Praying always..."

Prayer.  He remembered his mother used to pray with him when he was a child.
But now?  Neil hadn't prayed in so long he doubted he could remember how.

    "...that he might comfort your hearts.  Peace be to the 
brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the 
Lord Jesus Christ.  Grace be with all them that love our Lord 
Jesus Christ in sincerity.  Amen."

Comfort.  Peace.  Love.  Grace.  The words seemed too good to be true.  Neil
so much desired all of those things.  But they weren't tangible.  He
couldn't measure them.  He couldn't study them.  And he certainly couldn't
explain them or God.  A plethora of questions began to take shape in his
mind but he found he couldn't form them into words.  He wasn't ready.  

Christy closed her Bible and looked up to find two sets of eyes staring at
her intently.  She held her breath as she realized that Neil had been paying
attention to their reading.  Would he make fun?  Would he contradict what he
had heard with some scientific or philosophical remark?  Christy noticed the
confusion on his face.  Could it be he was truly considering God's Word?

Margaret digested what Christy had read.  She thought about putting on the
armor of God and paled with shame to think about what she had really been
putting on all of the years gone by.  She closed her eyes and offered up
another silent prayer for forgiveness.  Suddenly, she was tired.  "Mac?" she
whispered.

"Yes, Margaret?" Neil answered, glad for the diversion.

"I don't feel very well.  I think perhaps I need to sleep."

"That's a good idea," he said as he took the cup from her hands.

She settled back as Christy fluffed her pillows and she looked up at her
with gratitude.  "Thank you, Christy," she whispered, "for everything."
Christy smiled and took her hand.  Just then, Margaret began to cough once
more.  Without a moment's hesitation, Christy jumped into action with Neil
at her side.  The spell escalated as they expected and together they
completed all the steps necessary to see Margaret through it as quickly and
comfortably as possible.

So focused were they on their work that they did not hear David and
Fairlight enter the cabin and come up the stairs.  Standing in the doorway
to the bedroom, they watched as the pair worked side by side in a rhythm as
steady as if Christy had been Neil's assistant for years.  Recording the
observation on his heart, David decided to talk with Christy about it later.
When Margaret was settled once more into sleep, Neil gave a sigh of
resignation.  "It won't be long for her, I fear.  I hope Grantland was able
to reach Alice."

"Actually, I wasn't," David replied.  Neil and Christy spun about at the
sound of his voice.

"David!"  Christy rushed to his side.  She was exhausted and had never been
more glad to see him.  "Thank God you are here."  Neil turned from them as
pain ripped at his heart.  He couldn't stand to see the lovers embrace.
Christy, he reminded himself, was still engaged to the Reverend after all.

But Christy did not embrace David.  Rather, she grasped Fairlight's hand and
whispered her thanks before turning back to David.  She touched his arm and
looked into his eyes pleadingly.  "Why weren't you able to reach Ms. Alice?"

"From what I could tell the phone lines were down out there," he replied.
"No one could tell me when they would be back up." 

"But, David, we've got to get word to her.  Margaret is so sick and..."

"I'll go for her by train today," he said as took in the gravity of the
situation.  Christy threw her arms around him gratefully.

Neil turned to David and wished he hadn't when he saw Christy in his arms.
"I'd be beholden if you could," he said humbly.  "I'd go for her myself if
Margaret wasn't in such desperate condition.  At least let me pay your
fare."

"There's no need for that, Doctor," David said.  "Alice is my friend."

Neil nodded to David and then turned his attention to Fairlight.  "Thank you
for coming, Fairlight.  I appreciate the help and the opportunity to rest a
bit.  And Miss Huddleston could use some sleep herself."

"No need to thank me," Fairlight replied.  "I'm happy to help ya.  Just show
me what to do and then scoot off to get some rest."

David released Christy and started for the door.  To Neil he said, "As soon
as I get Christy back to the Mission I'll grab a few supplies and head to El
Pano.  I'll wire ahead before I board the train so Ms. Alice will have some
warning."  He paused to look at Margaret before addressing Neil again.
"I'll bring Alice back as quickly as possible," he promised the doctor.
Then he turned his attention to Christy.  "I'm going to water Prince and
saddle Theo.  I saw some of your things downstairs.  I'll go ahead and pack
them up.  Take your time."  Christy smiled at him with admiration.  His
selflessness and concern was deeper somehow, more genuine.  Her respect for
him grew and she gave his hand a parting squeeze of thanks.

Neil pretended not to have noticed Christy's intimate contact with David as
he turned his attention to giving instructions to Fairlight.  Christy
lingered and listened.  When she was satisfied that she was no longer
needed, she asked Fairlight about Creed.  "Oh, he's gonna be just fine,"
Fairlight answered.  "Ya know Doc here says we cain't move him for a spell.
He's lovin bunkin at our place.  With all the attention he's gettin, he
prob'ly won't ever want ta go home!"

"I'd like to stop by later this afternoon to see him if that's okay."

"Surely," she replied.  "Creed'll like that very much."

With parting thanks, Christy left her friend to watch after Margaret.  When
she reached the doorway she paused to look back at Neil.  The concern in her
eyes was evident and he felt compelled to see her out.  He followed her
quietly down the stairs.  When she reached the door she turned to him, her
eyes searching his once more.  "Please take care of yourself, Neil," she
requested simply.

"I will, Christy," he replied quietly.  "Thank you for everything you did to
help Margaret and me.  Your kindness has meant so much."

"You're welcome," she smiled up at him.  "May I come back this evening with
dinner for you both?" she asked.

"You needn't trouble yourself," he began but stopped at the crestfallen look
on her face.  "Thank you," he said firmly.  "It would be very kind of you.
Besides," he said with a smile, "Margaret truly seems to treasure your
company.  I think she would enjoy a visit."

"Then I'll be back later," Christy said.  "Sleep now," she commanded gently.
He smiled as he closed the door behind her.

** ** ** **

The ride back to the Mission was a quiet one.  Christy was incredibly tired
and David was processing his thoughts about what he had seen earlier between
Christy and McNeill.  They were nearly back before Christy spoke.  "I'm glad
you're back, David.  I'm so sorry I've been quiet.  I'm just worn out.  How
was your retreat?"

David reflected quietly for a moment before answering.  "Never before have I
experienced anything like it.  Ms. Alice was right.  God is up there."  

Christy smiled and waited for him to continue.  When he didn't, she pressed
him.  "David, aren't you going to tell me anything else about it?"

"Not right now," he said with a grin.  They had reached the Mission.  "I'll
take care of Theo for you, Christy," he said.  "You go on to bed."

"Why don't I pack up some food for your trip while you do that?" she
offered.  David gratefully accepted her kind offer.

When he was done with Theo David returned to the Mission.  "Here you are,
David," Christy said as she handed him the food bundle.  She turned serious
as their hands brushed.  "David, we need to talk about the other night."

"Yes, Christy," he agreed.  "We do."  He smiled at her.  "But right now I
need to get to Alice and you need to get to sleep!"  He gently tapped her on
the nose and scooted her up the stairs.  "I'll call if I can," he reassured
her.  "And I'll be back as soon as possible with Alice."

As Christy climbed the stairs she mused at David's behavior.  Was it her
imagination or had David treated her as more of a friend than a love
interest?  She wondered again about what David wouldn't tell her of his
retreat.  Had he made up his mind about their relationship?  As she reached
her room she thought again about her dream.  She had a lot to ponder herself
before they spoke again about that night.  Too sleepy to work it all out at
the moment, however, she stretched out on her bed and fell deeply asleep.

** ** ** **

The sun was dropping in the afternoon sky as Christy walked to the McNeill's
cabin.  As promised, she had visited with Creed as soon as she had awakened
from her nap.  Christy reflected on how much Creed had come to mean to her.
He had a wild spirit but a gentle heart.  And although she would never admit
it to him, in him she saw many qualities she longed for in a child of her
own one day.

Their visit had been very pleasant.  They had chatted and laughed.  Creed
had regaled her with tales of his adventure leading up to his fall.  And
John, Zady, Clara and Lulu had been sure to let her know when he was
exaggerating!  Jeb had invited her to stay for dinner.  But she had given
him a better offer by promising to send Fairlight home when she got to the
McNeill's herself.  When she had been ready to leave, Creed had put on a
great act about being sorry to miss school.  Christy had barely been able to
contain her amusement as she assured him that he wouldn't fall behind in his
schoolwork, as Doctor McNeill had raised no objection to her sending his
work home!  Even though Creed had grimaced, she knew he was glad she would
take special care for him.

A quick check of her basket reassured Christy that she had packed everything
she needed to feed Neil and Margaret.  For Neil she had made a heavy venison
stew and for Margaret she had prepared a lighter vegetable broth.  She knew
that Neil wouldn't let Margaret eat anything more in her present condition.
But she did hope that he might allow Margaret a small slice from her fresh
loaf of bread!

Christy knocked on the front door of the cabin and waited.  Fairlight opened
the door, worry lines etched around here eyes.  "Oh, Christy, I'm so glad
you've come," she said.

"Fairlight, what's wrong?"

"It's Ms. Margaret.  You'd best go on upstairs."  Fairlight took the basket
from Christy's arm.  "I'll look after this here food."  She nodded toward
the stairway again.  "Neil'll be needin ya."

Christy told Fairlight of her promise to Jeb and quickly went upstairs.
Margaret lay asleep in the bed and Neil stood at the window, staring out at
the mountains.  Margaret didn't look any different to Christy.  Confused by
Fairlight's concern, Christy walked quietly up to Neil and placed a hand on
the back of his arm.  "Neil?" she asked.  He turned to her with a look of
anguish so pitiable that Christy pulled him into her arms without a thought
and consoled him like one of her schoolchildren.  "It will be alright," she
promised him.  "Everything will be alright; you'll see."  His sobs of
heartbreak tore at her own heart as she held him.  "Shhh," she soothed over
and over until his crying had ceased.  She pulled back from him and looked
up into his eyes.  "Neil, is Margaret...?"  She couldn't bring herself to
ask the question.

"No, Christy," Neil said sadly as he turned away from her.  Embarrassed by
his behavior he wiped at his tear-stained face and walked to Margaret's
bedside.  "She's in a coma.  And I don't know if she'll come out of it."

Christy's heart went out to Neil.  She could see how much he was suffering.
"Neil, is there anything I can do for you?" she asked with compassion.

"No," he replied.  He was in anguish.  He had known Margaret was going to
die.  He had merely hoped for a little more time.  They had never really had
an opportunity to talk.  There were so many things he still wanted to say to
her.  He needed to ask for her forgiveness.  He longed to ask her about her
conversion.  And now he wasn't sure he would get the chance.

Christy approached Neil once more.  "I brought some food for you.  Fairlight
was going to unpack it before going home.  Can I bring something up to you?"
When he did not respond, Christy touched his arm again.  "Neil, why don't
you let me get you some stew?  You need to keep up your strength."  Gently
she tried to move him toward the door.

"No, Christy," he said as he pulled from her grasp.  "You don't understand."

"Then tell me, Neil," she pleaded with him.

"I can't," he admitted in defeat as he sank into the chair.  "I can't talk
about this with you right now."

Neil's rejection stung Christy to the core.  But she was determined not to
give up on him in his time of sorrow.  "Neil, I want you to remember that I
am your friend.  Please know that you can tell me anything and I will listen
and help you if I can."  Neil merely shook his head at her words.  He felt
so lost.  

Still determined to get through to him, Christy knelt in front of Neil and
forced him to look at her.  "I also know that some things are just too
painful or too confusing to share with your friends.  But, Neil, you don't
have anything to say that can't be discussed with God."  She rushed on.
"Now I know that you say you don't believe that God has anything to do with
you.  But you've seen the change in Margaret, haven't you?  She's found
peace through Him and all she had to do was ask and believe that He would
give it to her.  Neil, take your cares to Him.  I know He will listen and
will help you."

Neil searched Christy's face.  She had them...all of them.  Comfort.  Peace.
Love.  And Grace.  He could see them shining in her eyes.  Now, more than
ever, he wanted those things too.  He sighed.  Christy made it sound so
easy.  If only he could believe her.  And yet, a part of him still fought
against the notion of God.  He closed his eyes and stood up abruptly,
sending Christy falling backward.  "I'm sorry," he said as he helped her up.
"I just don't seem to be up for this discussion.  I think I'll go down and
get something to eat."  He nearly ran for the door.  "Do you think you could
sit with Margaret?" he asked, making sure that he would be alone.

"Of course," Christy replied to his back as he fled.  She stood facing the
empty doorway until she heard Neil in the kitchen below.  Then she turned
and knelt by the bed.  She felt an overwhelming need to pray.  "Dear Lord,"
she began.  "We need you now.  Please hear my prayers.  Lord, Margaret has
slipped into a coma and Neil feels that she may not wake up again.  Please
be with Margaret.  If it is your will, please heal her and restore her to
health.  Lord, surely you've seen the budding faith that has begun to grow
in her again.  She has turned to You after such a long time.  Please help
her to completely find her way into Your gracious and loving arms once more.

Lord, I ask you to watch over David and Ms. Alice as they travel.  Please
bless them with safety and speed.  Lord, Ms. Alice and Margaret had words at
their last parting.  Please allow them to reconcile.  They are both
desperate to know the forgiveness and the love of the other.  Please allow
them the time and the way to find those things once more.  It would mean
everything to them.

And, Lord, finally I pray for Neil.  He is in such agony right now.  He is
facing the loss of his wife, which is going to be hard enough.  But, Lord,
he also wants to shut everyone out.  I don't want him to go through this
alone.  Please let him open up to me.  And more importantly, please help him
to seek Your strength.  I saw something today when I was reading, Lord.  I
think maybe Neil's heart is ready for You.  I just think he doesn't know how
to ask.  Please, Lord, help him find You.  In Your name, Amen."

Christy got up from her knees and sat next to Margaret.  She looked in
sorrow at the woman in the bed.  From enemies to friends, Christy marveled
at the change in their relationship.  She only wished it could have happened
with more time left for Margaret.  "Don't give up, Margaret," she found
herself saying.  "You have so much to live for.  You've come back to mend
fences.  Neil has taken you back and Ms. Alice is on her way home to see
you.  You have a real chance to make things right with her as well.  Please
don't give up."  Margaret did not stir.  But Christy felt she had heard her
plea.  "Don't give up," she whispered once more before lapsing into a
meditative silence.


Chapter 14

Christy sat at her desk and watched the tall grass outside of the school
sway in the breeze.  The afternoon was warm, but the morning chill had hung
on harder than usual.  The days were getting shorter.  Winter would soon be
here.

"Miz Christy?" Little Burl called.

She turned to him.  "Yes, Burl?"

"How do you spell 'searly?" he asked as he scratched his head.

"What, Little Burl?" she asked in amusement.

"Ya know," he said.  "Fer my letter fer Miz McNeill.  I wants to sign it
'searly Burl Allen."

Christy smiled at the boy.  "You mean 'sincerely,' Burl," she corrected him
gently.

"That's what I said, Teacher!"  Christy smiled as she assisted Burl with his
spelling.  She looked around her.  All of the children were intent on their
cards for Margaret and for Neil.  

She had wondered how much to tell the children this morning about the
situation, but the Cutter Gap "gossip chain" had taken care of that.
Everyone knew about what was happening at Neil's cabin and about her
engagement to David.  But it hadn't taken much convincing to turn the whole
of the children's attention back to the McNeills.  Neil was their beloved
doctor and what happened to him affected them as well.  So her understanding
with David was not discussed and when Christy was finished leading the
prayers for Neil and Margaret, the children had come up with the idea to
cheer them with cards.  She had been only too happy to supply them with the
needed writing paper from her personal supply.

Now, as the school day ended, the children were finishing their handiwork
and filtering slowly toward her to deliver their masterpieces.  Christy
smiled as she looked them over.  Some of the children had written get-well
messages to Margaret.  Others had tried to lift Neil's spirits with jokes
and riddles.  Rob Allen had written a beautiful poem about the mountains and
Mountie O'Teale had drawn a simple, but beautiful picture of the river.
Christy thanked each and every child as he or she passed by her desk.  As
always, she was struck by the fierce loyalty of the Cove.  And she was
touched by the depth of emotion it wrought in its children.

As she watched the last child scamper down the steps, Christy gathered the
cards and her books in her arms.  She wanted to stop by the Mission to grab
a few things before heading to see Margaret.  But as she exited the
schoolhouse she was met by David, charging up to her on Prince like a
madman.  

"Christy!" he shouted as he neared her.  She raced down the steps into the
schoolyard.  How had he gotten back from Kentucky so quickly?  And where was
Ms. Alice?  She frowned, afraid David hadn't been able to get to her mentor
at all.  "They need you," was all he had to say.  And then he was scooping
Christy up to sit behind him.  She wrapped her arms around David tightly and
they galloped away quickly.  "Ms. Alice got my telegram and was ready when I
got to the station in Kentucky," he said above the thundering of the hoof
beats.  "We returned immediately and got into El Pano at dawn.  Since Alice
had left Goldie at the El Pano Stables we rode straight to the McNeill's.
She's there now."

"And Margaret?" Christy managed to ask.

"She woke up just after Alice got back.  It had to be nothing short of a
miracle.  Doctor McNeill can't explain why.  He says she won't be with us
long.  She asked for you, Christy.  She wants to talk to you before," David
broke off.  "And Ms. Alice will need you too."

Christy squeezed tighter as they began their descent toward the river.
"Thank you, David," she said.  Then they both lapsed into silent prayer.

** ** ** **

It had been a wonderful morning of confessions, forgiveness and remembrance.
Alice held her daughter's hand and looked into her tired eyes.  "I cannot
tell thee how much it has meant to have a second chance with thee."  The
tears pooled in her own eyes as she noticed Margaret's weariness.  She knew
the time would not be long.  "I have loved thee with all of my heart since
the moment thee were born.  And I feared that I would never see thee again
to tell thee so."

"I love you, too, Mother," whispered Margaret.  "I'm so glad that you were
able to make it back here.  It seems I'm always causing trouble for you."

"Nonsense," Alice replied.  "There is no trouble where thee is concerned."
Margaret laughed at the untruth of her mother's words.  But she smiled
gratefully up at her anyway.  Alice smiled back.  "I'll be forever thankful
to the Lord for giving us a chance to reconcile."

Margaret nodded in agreement.  "So will I.  Christy said it would be easy.
I'm so glad that she was right."

Alice marveled at the change in her daughter.  Margaret claimed that Christy
was to thank.  And while Alice fully intended to do just that, she couldn't
help but offer up unhampered prayers of joy and thankfulness for the part
her Creator had played in Margaret's transformation.

"Ahem."  Neil cleared his throat as he entered the room.  Alice turned
around.

"Are they here?" she inquired after Christy and David.

"Not yet," he replied.

"Mother?" asked Margaret as she squeezed Alice's hand.

"Yes?" she replied with a smile as she squeezed back.

"Could you get me some tea, please?  I'm so thirsty.  And I'd like a moment
with Mac."  Alice understood the motivation behind her daughter's request
and rose with a nod.  She patted Neil's arm as she passed him and silently
prayed that husband and wife would find a way to fully reconcile as well.

Margaret gestured to the chair.  "Please sit, Mac."  When he didn't move she
added, "I promise I won't bite."

Neil's expression of anxiety softened as he attempted to smile at his frail
wife.  There was so much to say!

"I need to tell you some things, Mac."  She took a deep breath, whispered a
prayer and continued.  "I need to tell you again how sorry I am for
everything.  I caused you unbearable stress in our marriage and unfathomable
pain when I staged my death.  I was never a happy person and because of that
I made you as miserable as I was.  I'm so sorry."

"It wasn't entirely your fault, Margaret," Neil said.  "I was never easy to
live with either."

"I'll give you that," she joked as she reached for his hand.  He laughed in
return.  "Mac, I need you to do something for me.  I need to know that you
accept my apology and will remove the sorrow I've placed on your soul by
giving it away as forgiveness."

"Why is this so important to you?" asked Mac.  He hoped she would reveal the
source of her new faith and strength.

"Oh, Mac," she sighed as her face became more peaceful.  "I've found God
again.  And He is gracious and merciful.  Although I'll never know why He
does, I know that He loves me and forgives me.  And Christy reminded me that
He wants us to love each other and forgive each other as He does us."  She
rubbed his hand fervently with hers.  "Please, Mac, I need us to forgive
each other.  I want you to know the love I've found through Him."

Neil nodded soberly.  "I do forgive you, Margaret.  And I ask you to forgive
me as well."

"I already have, Mac," she replied with a smile.  "I already have."

"Margaret?" Neil asked hesitantly.  "Would you tell me why you turned back
to God?  After all of this time?"

Margaret's heart fluttered.  She had prayed for this moment.  She hoped she
wouldn't mess it up.  "Nearly all of my life I've been running, Mac.  I ran
away from Mother.  I ran away from you.  I ran from each teahouse and each
relationship.  And I finally stopped to ask myself why I had to keep
running.  Why wasn't I finding what I wanted?  Why wasn't I happy in any
situation?  And then I finally realized that it was with me that I wasn't
happy.  I was a selfish, hurtful person who couldn't be happy.  And I
couldn't make anyone else happy either, not without changing.  And so I
turned back to God.  I asked Him to transform my heart and He did."

"But how did you find your way back?"

"It was Christy."

"Christy?" he asked.  "I heard her reading to you a bit, but how did that
help you turn back to God?"

Margaret smiled as she began what may have been her first and, sadly, her
last completely selfless act.  "Mac, Christy has this inner light I couldn't
explain when I first met her.  I thought it was naivety, but now I know it
is God.  She has committed herself to Him so strongly that she puts all
others before herself."  She saw that Neil understood what she meant.
"You've seen it, Mac.  I know you have.  She loves God and because of that
she helps everyone who needs it.  She has supported Mother through my
antics.  She has helped the Preacher with his ministry.  She has nurtured
the school children.  She has helped me through my sickness.  And, most of
all," she paused to make sure she had his full attention, "she has loved
you."

Neil's eyes widened and his back stiffened, startled by his wife's words.
He almost opened his mouth to stop her but changed his mind when he realized
that she was in earnest and not upset.

"Mac, I want you to find happiness again.  Promise me that you will go after
it, before it slips away."

A single tear rolled down Neil's cheek as he thought of the depth of the
love Margaret had found in God.  Nothing else could have given her the
courage or the care to say these words.  How he longed to know that love.
"I don't know that I deserve it, Margaret," he said.

"Nonsense," she replied.  "You deserve happiness more than anyone I know."

"But I'm not worthy," he began.

"Mac, stop making excuses.  None of us is worthy of anything.  But turn to
Him," she pointed to the heavens.  "Ask His forgiveness and live a new life,
one with Him and one with..."  She broke off at the noise on the stairs.
Christy and David entered then.

Christy rushed to Margaret's bedside.  "You're awake!" she smiled with
delight.  She held out her bundle.  "The children made cards for you today.
I brought them along to cheer you."

"For me?" Margaret asked in disbelief.

Christy nodded.  "And for Dr. McNeill," she said, not daring to raise her
eyes to his.

Margaret smiled and thanked God that Christy would be here for Mac when she
was gone.  "Mac," she asked.  "Would you take Reverend Grantland down for
some tea and check on Mother?  I'd like a few moments alone with Christy."

** ** **

The mood in the kitchen was tense.  Neil paced while David prayed and Alice
busied herself with tea preparations.  When Christy called them to return,
they filed up the stairs quickly.  Alice walked to the far side of the bed
and took Margaret's hand.  Neil stepped up to the closest side of the bed
and began to check her vital signs.  David slipped to the foot of the bed
and stood next to Christy.  They had both been crying, he noticed.  But they
looked peaceful.  He wondered what they had talked about.

"Preacher?"  Margaret's weakened voice pulled David from his reverie.

"Yes, Margaret?" he asked with compassion.

"It's time for me to go now," she said.  Alice began to weep silent tears.
"I have taken God into my heart again and I know that He forgives me and
loves me.  So I'm not scared to die any more."

"Praise, God," David said softly.

"I do," she said with a smile.  "I was wondering if you would be kind enough
to say a prayer for me as I pass.  I'm not scared of where I'm going, but
knowing you were praying for me would help me along, I think."

"Of course I will," David reassured her.

"Mac," Margaret turned to her husband.  "Remember what I said."  He nodded.
"Christy," she changed her focus to her friend.  "Remember your promise."
Christy too nodded.  "Mother," she finally focused on Alice.  "I love you so
much.  Don't worry about me any more.  I'm happy now and I'm going home."
Alice squeezed her hand more tightly.

"I'll see you there one day, my daughter," she whispered.

Christy and Alice bowed their heads as David began to pray.  Neil stood,
staring at his wife, lost.  Margaret smiled up at him.  "Remember," she
mouthed to him before she closed her eyes and a peace settled on his soul.

Chapter 15

Christy moved methodically around Neil's cabin as she thought about
Margaret's peaceful passing.  Christy had embraced Alice when it was over
and had touched Neil gently on the sleeve.  But then she had left them to
their grief and had come downstairs to make herself useful.  David would
comfort them, she knew.  So now she stoked the fire, warmed some coffee and
food, and cleaned.  She wanted to keep busy until she was needed in another
way.

"Christy."  David's gentle voice turned her from her tasks.  "It's already
supper time.  Darkness will soon be coming."  Christy nodded.  "What I mean
is, we've got a lot to do in a very short period of time this evening.  I'd
like you to help Alice lay Margaret out and then take her back to the
Mission.  She hasn't slept in nearly twenty-four hours and she'll need her
strength for the funeral activities tomorrow.  I'll get Jeb's wagon and help
Neil load Margaret into it.  Then I'll bring her back to the church."

"Of course," Christy responded quietly.  She looked toward the stairs as
Neil appeared.

"Neil?" Christy asked carefully.  "Can I get you anything?  Coffee?
Supper?"

"No, thank you," he replied before turning his attention quickly to David.
"Reverend, may I accompany you to get Jeb's wagon?  I need to speak with
you."

"Of course," David consented.

Christy sensed the awkwardness in the room and decided to dispel it herself.
"I'll go help Alice," she said as she turned to go.  "It's getting cool out
there," she said over her shoulder.  "If we're gone before you return I'll
leave the coffee warming for you."

** ** **

It had taken some doing, but Christy had finally gotten Alice to sleep.
Nearly despondent, Alice had been of little help in the preparation of
Margaret's body, save for small instructions here and there.  Convincing her
to leave her daughter behind, even for an hour or so was difficult.  Getting
her to eat something was a Herculean task.  And now, as she shut the door to
Alice's room behind her, Christy felt drained of all physical energy.  But
she still had work to do.

Entering the kitchen once more, Christy began preparing dough for piecrust.
Fairlight had promised her help with the food for the funeral celebration
once Margaret had passed on.  But, if Christy were guessing correctly, there
would be countless people in attendance tomorrow.  She knew she needed to
get started on the food now.

She poured herself into her work because she didn't want to think.  But
keeping her hands busy couldn't keep her mind subdued.  As she finished the
first pies for the oven she thought about her talks with Margaret.  Christy
was sure she'd never been witness to a conversion before.  What a blessed
miracle!  As she finished her cookies she considered Margaret's last request
of her.  Did she have the strength to see to it that it happened?  And as
she iced her cakes she decided that she needed to seek the Lord without the
distractions of the kitchen.  Stretching, she surveyed her work.  "Good,"
she said in tired satisfaction.  She covered the goodies and grabbed her
coat.  

Noting the height of the moon in the sky, Christy determined it to be quite
late.  "I wonder what's keeping David," she thought as she made her way to
the church.  "At least I can light some lanterns for his return."  She
stepped into the church and shivered as she lit the first lantern.  She
longed to get the fire in the stove going, but she knew it would be better
to keep it cold in the church overnight for Margaret's body.  She picked up
remnants of the day's activities with the children: a forgotten slate, an
open book.  "How I love them all," she whispered to herself as she passed by
each desk.  When she got to the front she sat at last, overcome by the
emotions of the past few days.

She looked up at the cross on the back wall of the church and began to speak
with her Lord.  "Dear God," she began.  "I humbly ask You to bless Ms. Alice
and Neil as they mourn the loss of Margaret.  Fill them with Your peace and
lift them with Your comfort.  Please give David the right words for the
funeral and me the strength to help Alice through this hard time."  

She paused as a smile chased the fatigue from her face.  "Thank You, Lord,
for giving Margaret the time she needed to reconcile with Ms. Alice and with
Neil.  Thank You for allowing me to be a part of her life, to be her friend,
even if it was only for a little while.  Lord, You brought her back to Your
fold and blessed her so much before she passed on to be with You.  Thank You
for helping her to reach out to You.  And thank You for reaching back!"
Tears of happiness streamed down her cold cheeks.  "Lord, I have witnessed a
miracle.  Your miracle.  I know that You are all-powerful and can work
another miracle if only I ask it in Your name.  So, Lord, please extend Your
reach to Neil as well."  

She bowed her head as the fervor of her prayer increased.  "Lord, Margaret
made me promise something before she died.  She made me promise to take care
of Neil.  But I don't know how to do that.  She said that he is lost but so
close to accepting You.  I don't know how to teach him.  She said that he is
lonely but so close to finding love again.  I don't know how to lead him.
I'm just so confused, Lord," Christy's voice thickened with her emotion.  

"You have given me so much.  This Mission.  These children.  Ms. Alice.
David.  God, I don't know how I'm supposed to help Neil when I'm bound to
David.  It isn't right!"  She choked back a sob.  "And it isn't fair," she
whispered as she confessed her true feelings aloud.  "Forgive me, God, but I
haven't been fair to David.  I don't love him as I should love a husband.
The truth is, I love Neil.  But it isn't right!"  She squeezed her eyes more
tightly.  "Until only hours ago he was a married man.  And I saw him, Lord.
He cared for Margaret so much.  I didn't have the right to love him then.
And now that she is gone, I don't feel I have the right to love him still.
I just don't know what to do next."

David's warm hand closed over Christy's and she started with surprise.
"David," she gasped when she realized he must have overheard her prayer.  "I
didn't hear you come in.  I didn't hear the wagon pull up.  Where is
Margaret?  How long have you...?"  Christy blushed bright red with
embarrassment and guilt.

"I want to tell you about my retreat," David said with a smile.

"Your retreat?" Christy asked.  "Now?  I don't understand."

David stood and walked to the platform in front of Christy.  "I told you God
was up there," he said.  "But I didn't tell you what He said."  He turned to
her then and he seemed to glow.  Christy nearly gasped at the sight.  "I was
a hollow shell of a man before I allowed the Lord to fill me up, Christy.
And now that He has, I have so much to do.  I realize that my place in God's
work is indeed here in the Cove.  I know that I have friends and helpers to
assist me with my work."  He looked her in the eyes.  "And I know that one
of those friends will be you."

"But, David," Christy faltered.

"I learned that God has special plans for each of us.  And though I can't
reveal everything I learned," he winked at Christy teasingly, "I will tell
you what I learned about you."  He walked back to her and took her hands.
"God intends for you to teach these children for many years to come.  He
plans for you to spend your life here in fruitful happiness.  You will marry
and have many children.  And you will have all of these blessings with a
certain doctor we both know."

Christy stared at him in astonishment.  "David, how can you say that God
told you these things?"  David's grin widened.  "Are you pulling my leg,
David Grantland?"

"Somewhat!" he said as he began to giggle, obviously amused with himself.
Christy joined in the laughter until they had to wipe tears from their eyes.
"But, Christy," David said as they calmed themselves, "I'm still sure of
what I said.  I do know that God intended for us to be very good friends and
nothing more."  His faced sobered as he fingered his ring on her hand.  "I
thought we were meant to be together.  But God will bless us both in other
ways."

Christy removed the ring and placed it in David's palm.  "You are an amazing
man, David Grantland.  I'm so blessed to have you as my friend."

"I know," David said, teasing her again.  "But about your prayer..."

"Oh, David, I'm sorry you had to hear that.  I was just trying to sort
through my feelings and..."

"Christy, you don't need to apologize.  You were right to take your thoughts
to God.  And, now that you have, would you mind if I gave you my thoughts?"
Christy shook her head.  "There is no 'right' when it comes to love.  You
love Neil and I know that he loves you.  You see yourself as a bad person
for loving him while he was married.  But, Christy, no one knew Margaret was
still alive.  God didn't let you fall in love with Neil despite the fact
that he was married.  I believe that God led you to fall in love with Neil
to help him through this time, now.  He needs you, Christy."

"But, David, even if we were in love with each other, Neil isn't a
Christian.  I cannot be with him if he continues to spurn God.  Margaret
told me that all he needed was a good push but," she broke off.  "David
Grantland, are you laughing at me?"

"No!" David denied vehemently.

"Then why are you grinning like a cat?"

"Christy, God works in amazing ways.  Tonight, when Neil asked to ride along
for the wagon, he asked me about Margaret's conversion and about God.  We
talked all the way to Jeb's and back.  And then we talked some more.  That's
why I'm so late.  Christy, Neil has taken some very strong steps toward
accepting the Lord into his heart.  I think it is only a matter of time
before we will celebrate one more soul at services!"

"Oh, David!"  Christy leapt to her feet and pulled David with her.  "What
wonderful news!  Thank you!"  She threw her arms around David then and
laughed aloud.  David returned her hug and silently thanked God for letting
him keep Christy as a close friend.

Neil climbed the steps of the church just in time to see Grantland put his
arms around Christy.  He stood in anguish as he watched his dreams of a life
with Christy slip through his fingers.  "Margaret must have been wrong," he
thought as he stared at Christy.  "She might have loved me once, but she
only has eyes for Grantland now."  Rubbing his face with his hands he
resolved to support her decision, but he'd not stand by to watch.  "Ahem,"
he cleared his throat.  David and Christy stepped apart.  "I've come to help
move Margaret into the church."  David nodded and walked the aisle to assist
the Doctor.

Christy stayed out of the way as the men brought Margaret's body into the
church and laid her out in front.  Quietly she extinguished the lanterns as
David left to take Jeb's team to the stable.  Neil remained at Margaret's
side.  "I know you meant well," he whispered to her still form.  "But it's
too late.  It's too late."  Neil brushed at the tears, which threatened to
spill as he felt Christy by his side.

"I'm so sorry, Neil," she said tenderly.  He nodded.  "Is there anything I
can do for you now?"

Neil shook his head.  "No, thank you, Christy," he whispered.

"Neil," Christy touched his sleeve in a habitual gesture of compassion.
"I'm here for you."

Neil looked into her beautiful eyes then.  How much he loved her.  But she
could never be his.  "If only you were," he thought to himself before he
fled, not knowing that he had uttered the words aloud.

Stunned, she watched him go.  "But I am," she whispered to the emptiness.


Chapter 16

The morning of the funeral was gray and foggy.  Fairlight came before dawn,
as promised, to help with the food preparation.  She and Christy cooked
stews and soups, meats and greens, and more pies while Ruby Mae tidied up
the Mission.  Christy took breakfast to Alice in her room and prayed with
her before leaving her to her daily toiletries.  Jeb and David set tables
out in the yard to hold all of the food.  And John Spencer was kind enough
to help the men dig the gravesite for Margaret.  Neil and Alice were truly
loved and the people of the Cove didn't mind showing it.

As the crowd began to gather, Christy feared that they hadn't made enough
food.  But the families brought more to contribute.  Most of the people who
arrived early were from the Cove, but as the morning wore on, people from
all over appeared to pay their respects.  Christy marveled at how many lives
Neil and Alice touched outside of the Cove.  Looking around, she was sure
that if news traveled quickly, then these people traveled more so.  Some
appeared as though they had walked all night just to get here in time.
Christy went around to each person offering water before the service.

The church was full, which was a blessing because of the cold.  Mourners and
general onlookers spilled down the steps and out into the yard while Neil
and Alice sat together near Margaret.  Christy was grateful to David for
delivering an uplifting sermon.  Yes, as he pointed out, it was a sad
occasion, but a joyous celebration as well.  Margaret had found her way back
to the Lord and she delighted with Him in eternity!

After the service, Christy and Fairlight busied themselves with serving the
food.  Despite the cool day, the meal seemed to last an eternity.  No one
wanted to leave.  Then again, it was a site to behold.  Not even at her
first Thanksgiving here had she seen so much food in one place in the Cove!
She couldn't seem to cut pies quickly enough or ladle soup fast enough.
When she could, through the course of the day, Christy took time to check on
Alice and Neil.  Alice seemed to be responding to the well-wishers, which
made Christy glad.  But Neil remained stoic.  He would not look at Christy
as he repeatedly refused her offers of food and drink.  But she did not lose
heart.  She felt sure she could speak with him once everyone had gone home.

And so she tried.  As the crowd dispersed and David and Jeb concentrated on
putting the tables away, Christy sent Alice off for a nap and went in search
of Neil.  She found him standing at the pond, staring into the murky water.
"Neil," she said as she came up behind him.  "Can I get you anything?"

"No.  I think I'll be going now."

"Neil, wait," she stopped him with a touch.  "Please come to the Mission and
let me pack up some food for you.  Despite all the people here today we have
a lot left over."

"I don't think," he began.

"Come along," she used her teacherly voice.  "It will only take a moment.
You can warm up with a cup of coffee while I pack up a hearty supper for you
to take home.  It won't be any trouble."

He felt trapped.  He hadn't wanted it to go this way.  His plan had been so
much better.  But he nodded and followed her up the hill.  Perhaps he could
still find a way.

They entered the Mission and Christy pointed to a chair by the fire.  "Why
don't you have a seat while I get you that coffee?"

"I can't stay," he said gruffly.

Christy pretended not to notice.  "It's already made.  I'll have it right
out to you."  And so Neil sat by the fire.  He reached into his coat pocket
and rubbed his fingers over the two items it contained.  How could he make
sure she got them?  He had been planning to give them to Alice to give to
her later but now time was running out.  And Alice was nowhere to be seen.
Just then, Christy materialized with his coffee.  "If you give me just a
minute, I'll have something packed up for you."

Neil stood to stop her as she turned to leave.  "Christy?"  She turned back.
"Thank you," he said with all of the feeling he could impart.  "Thank you
for everything."

"You're welcome Neil," she said with a smile and a small shake of her head.
Then she turned for the kitchen.

As soon as she had disappeared through the door, Neil laid his coffee on the
dining room table.  Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out the note
he had carefully scripted in the early hours of the morning along with her
Bible.  He tucked the note into the Bible, set it next to his coffee and
turned to leave.  "Good bye, Christy," he whispered as he closed the door
behind him.

Christy hummed to herself as she packed up the food.  She thought again
about what Neil had said before fleeing the church last night.  She had been
afraid he wouldn't speak to her today.  "His thanks must be a good sign,"
she mused.  "Now, I need to help him through his mourning and then keep my
promise to Margaret."  She smiled as she wrapped the bundle and headed back
to Neil.

"Here we go," she said airily as she exited the kitchen and headed for the
sitting room.  But Neil was not there as she expected.  "Neil?" she asked.
When she got no answer a strange feeling settled in her stomach.  "Don't be
silly," she told herself as she headed for the dining room to set his bundle
down.  "He probably went outside to help the men before he left," she
thought.  But then she saw the gift left behind.  "My Bible!" she exclaimed.
"I thought I had left that in Margaret's room."  She picked it up nervously
as fear clutched her heart.  Neil's note fell out onto the table.  Christy
picked it up and read.


"My Darling Christy,

I hope you will forgive me for calling you my 'darling,' but that is how I
shall always think of you.  

I owe you an apology for the way I handled our conversation the other day by
the river.  It was wrong of me to let you tell me how you felt about me.
But it was more wrong of me to admit my feelings for you.  To know that you
loved me as I loved you, while knowing I could never have you ripped at my
heart.  I wanted so desperately to ignore our situations that I acted rashly
by trying to kiss you.  I put you in a compromising position and for that I
will always be sorry.  I never meant to pressure you to go against your
belief, against God.

You notice I didn't say 'your God' as I often do.  That is because I want to
take God into my heart once more.  Hearing you speak of Him and seeing
Margaret turn back to Him affected me deeply.  I began to read your Bible
when no one was watching.  And then I spoke with the Reverend.  He answered
my questions and calmed my spirit.  After he left me last night, I prayed.
Honestly, it wasn't much of a prayer.  It was more of a conversation.  But I
am headed on the right path now.  It's only a matter of time before I figure
out how to ask Him to be my Savior once more.

You are an amazing woman, Christy Huddleston.  Margaret was right.  You do
put everyone else first.  I'm so glad that you are finally doing something
for yourself.  Marrying the Reverend will be the best thing for you.  You
are both wonderful people and will serve the Cove well.  Do you remember our
conversation about our dance?  With Margaret gone, it seems we are down to
three.  But, as I witnessed again and again, you desire none other than the
Reverend for your partner.  And so I shall leave you to the joyous waltz of
marriage together.  Be happy.

Alice tells me that Dan will arrive soon with Cecile so I have no regrets
about my decision.  Please keep me in your prayers as I will keep you.  By
the way, I opened to your marker in the Bible just before I began this
letter.  You left off at Philippians, I believe.  I hope you will understand
when I paraphrase His words to tell you how much you mean to me.  "I thank
my God when I remember you.  You are always in every prayer of
mine...because I have you in my heart."  

You have changed my life, Christy.  I pray that God will bless yours in all
of the days to come.  Thank you.

Your friend,

Neil McNeill"

"No!" Christy shouted as she finished the letter.  He didn't understand!
Her mouth dried up and she felt lightheaded.  She had to get to him!  She
had to tell him!

"Christy?" David had entered the Mission and turned to the sound of her cry.
He found her in the dining room pale as a ghost, her eyes glassy with shock.

"David, did you see Neil leave?" she pleaded.

"Yes, a few moments ago."  He eyed her with concern.  "Christy, is something
wrong?"

"Which way did he go, David?  Was he going home?"  Tears pooled in her eyes
as she thought of the alternative.

"Actually, now that you mention it, he was headed in the direction of El
Pano."

"No!" Christy gasped again.  Dropping the letter on the table she flew
toward the door.

"Christy, where are you going?" David asked with great concern.

"I have to stop him," was all she said as she grabbed her coat.  "I have
to."  

David turned from the door to the table and picked up the letter.  And after
taking a peek at its contents, he dropped into a chair and prayed.

** ** **

Never before had Christy pushed Prince to such speeds.  But then, the fear
of losing Neil was greater than the fear of the beast that carried her to
him.  The fog of the morning hours was long gone but the cloudy skies and
biting cold remained to accompany Christy on her journey.  She stopped only
once to rest Prince by a stream.  She was asking everything from him.  The
least she could do was let him drink.  But with every moment she stood there
she felt Neil slip further and further away.  Hearing the low rumble of
thunder in the distance, Christy remounted Prince once more and rode even
faster for El Pano.  She prayed that she would find Neil before he got on
the train.

Just outside of El Pano the rain began.  She was reminded of her arrival in
this small town for the first time.  She had been young, hopeful,
idealistic, standing on the platform under dark skies, rain soaking her and
everything around her.  But this time the rain wasn't warm and she wasn't
excited.  It was menacingly cold and she was scared.  Each drop felt like a
pinprick on her icy skin.  She had to hurry.

As she raced to the train station she saw a handful of people on the
platform waiting to board.  "Please don't let me be too late," she prayed.
She craned her neck to find him among those who pushed their way onto the
cars and out of the rain but she did not see him.  She looked toward the
train windows at those who had already boarded but she did not see him.
"Dear, God, where is he?" she implored as she looked about frantically.

And then she saw him, coming from the ticket counter.  Relief flooded her
soul and she took a deep breath.  "Neil!" she called as the thunder clapped
once more.  Prince danced nervously under her, spooked by the noise and the
harsh elements.  "Steady," she whispered to her mount as she tried to brush
her dripping hair away from her face.  Neil seemed to pause.  Had he heard
her?  She was crushed to see him resume his walk toward the train.  She had
to make him hear her this time.  "Neil!" she hollered again, without regard
for propriety.  "Neil!"

Lost in his own world of thoughts, Neil could have sworn he heard his name
on the wind.  He paused for a moment, allowing himself to dream it would be
Christy.  "Stupid man," he cursed himself.  "You cannot continue to torture
yourself in this way.  Let her go!"  He began toward the train once more.
But then a second time he heard his name.  Could it really be?  He stopped
and strained to hear.  And then it came again.  This time he turned, inner
demons be damned.

Frozen in time, the two stared into one another's eyes.  "Why is she here?"
he wondered.  His heart began to race as she smiled at him and reached out
her hand.  Ignoring the call of the conductor Neil smiled back and took a
step toward her.  He wasn't dreaming, he told himself.  He couldn't be
dreaming.  "Christy?" he asked aloud.  Her smile widened at the sound of his
voice and she nodded to him.

The conductor called to him again.  Torn between the past he thought he'd
left behind and the future he wasn't sure he wanted, he took one more step
toward Christy.  He had to know.  "Why?" was all he asked of her.

"Because I love you," Christy mouthed in return.  Overcome with emotion,
Neil threw his ticket to the ground and ran toward his soul mate.  She sat
atop Prince, soaked to the bone, but she had never looked more wonderful to
him.  She was his world and he couldn't wait to tell her so.

Just before he reached her side a bolt of lightening lit up the darkening
sky.  Neil felt the heat as it ripped through the air and he fell to his
knees and watched in horror as Prince reared in response.  For one moment
horse and rider appeared majestic, powerful.  But when the light faded, the
horse turned to run leaving his rider discarded on the ground, unmoving.
"Christy!" her name tore from his throat as he scrambled to his feet.  He
prayed that she would be all right but when he reached her side she was pale
as death, cold and unresponsive.


Chapter 17

"Christy!" Neil called her name again as he ran his hands over her face.
"Christy, love, can you hear me?"  His tears splashed on her with the rain.
Another flash of lightening illuminated the moisture on her still face and
made it appear to glow.  "Christy?" he cried.  Still there was no response.

The conductor appeared at Neil's side.  "Can I do something to help you,
sir?"  

Fearful of causing possible further damage to Christy's back and neck, but
needing to get her out of the rain, Neil nodded.  "Thank you.  Can you help
me move her across the road there?  To the boarding house?"  With an
affirmative dip of his head, the conductor crouched by Christy's legs as
Neil situated himself above her head.  "When I count three we lift her
together.  It's imperative we keep her back as straight as possible!  Do you
understand?"  The conductor nodded once more.  "Here we go, then."  Neil
took a deep breath.  "One, two, three!"

Together the men gingerly lifted Christy and carried her swiftly to the
boarding house.  Having seen the commotion through the windows, the
proprietor had already opened her doors.  "Bring her in here," she raised
her voice to be heard over the gale of the storm, pointing to a sitting
room.  "Will the couch, do?"  Neil thanked her as they headed toward the
cozy room, warm with a fire's glow.  They lay Christy down and Neil began
his examination.

"I'm sorry, but I must go," the conductor apologized.  "I cannot hold up the
train schedule."

"Thank you," Neil said to the kind stranger.  "Could I ask one more favor of
you?" he stopped him as he fished some coins from his vest pocket.  "Would
you be so kind as to ask the boy in the stables where I boarded my horse to
try to catch the dark beauty she was riding?"

"Certainly," said the conductor.  Then, with a tip of his hat, he was off.

"And what can I do?" the kindly woman asked with concern.

"Could I have some blankets to cover her?"  She nodded.  "Some cool water in
a basin, some soap and some hot tea?"  She nodded again.  "Thank you," he
said gratefully to her as she slipped from the room.  

Neil turned his attention back to Christy.  He brushed her wet hair back
from her face and then gently checked her temples and the rest of her head
for bumps or bruises.  Thankfully, he found none.  Tenderly he reached
beneath her to check her back.  Again, he found nothing.  Relieved that she
didn't have a spinal injury, he deftly checked her limbs for broken bones
before removing her wet coat.  He took her temperature and checked her
pulse.  Both seemed normal.  He took a deep breath to relieve the growing
knot of concern in his chest.  There were no signs of external injuries at
all, not even a cut or a scratch.  And yet she was still unresponsive.  He
needed to give her a more thorough examination to determine if she had
suffered any internal injuries.

"Here we are," the woman re-entered the room with the requested supplies.

Neil took the proffered items gratefully.  "I've done a cursory examination
and I cannot find any signs of external injuries," he said to her.  "But now
I must look her over more thoroughly to make sure she didn't suffer any
internal damage from the fall.  I need to take off her dress and I would
feel more comfortable if I could do so with you in the room.  Can you stay?"
The woman nodded and turned to close the door.

"Forgive me for the familiarity, Christy, love," he whispered into her ear
before continuing with his task.  The next half of an hour was filled with
gentle probing and prodding.  Again he saw no signs of damage and Christy
never jerked or moaned in response to his touch.  Methodically Neil
redressed her in her gingham, which had been drying by the fire.  "I just
don't understand," he said aloud.  "Her fall caused no damage at all that I
can find.  Her vital signs are strong.  And yet, I cannot waken her."  He
began to sponge her face with the soap and water to remove the dirt left
behind from her ordeal.  "Why won't you come back to me?" he whispered to
Christy fervently.

"Perhaps she's resting," commented his hostess.

"I don't understand how she could sleep through what I've been doing to
her," responded Neil dryly.

"Oh, I didn't mean that she was sleeping," she replied soothingly.  "What I
mean is that perhaps her soul might be resting a bit."  Neil turned to look
at her in confusion.  "Maybe the poor dear's been through a great emotional
upheaval and merely needs to escape for a while.  And so her body is giving
her the chance to rest."  Neil pursed his brow.  He could find no medical
explanation for Christy's current state.  Maybe what he was hearing was true
somehow.  "Now, don't you fret none," she said with a smile as she handed
him a steaming cup of tea.  "You know just what to do to bring her back to
you."  And with those words she turned to go.

** ** **

Christy wandered through the forest.  How she loved her daily walks on these
beautiful mountains.  Ever since she arrived in Cutter Gap she found peace
and solace in them.  She most especially enjoyed her walks with Fairlight.
She was sure they had more fun than the children.  But her solitary walks
were almost sacred.  On them she could think about the events of the day.
She could dream about her future.  And she could talk with God.   

Oftentimes she would get wrapped up in her thoughts and in the beauty around
her and end up going farther than she meant to.  But she never got lost.
Not any more.  But for some reason this time the trees were getting thicker,
choking out the daylight.  She turned this way and that, filled with growing
confusion.  "I don't understand," she thought.  "Which way do I go?"
Strangely, she wasn't panicked.  She was merely confused.  Suddenly, a light
appeared in the distance.  It was brilliant with oranges, golds and reds.
"The sun!" she thought.  If I can get to the top of the mountain before
sunset I'll find my way home!  And so she began her climb toward the light.

** ** **

Neil stroked Christy's face lovingly.  "Please, Christy, come back to me,"
he pleaded.  Despite the parting words of the woman who ran the house, he
couldn't figure out what to do next.  The tears he'd bottled up during
Christy's examination flowed freely once more.  "I don't know what to do for
you."  He dropped to his knees next to her and laid his head in his hands.
"Oh, God, I don't know what to do."

"Ask," a Voice seemed to say.  And he didn't have to think again.

"Dear God," he heard himself begin.  "In all of Your infinite wisdom, You
alone know what is wrong with Christy.  Please, God, I cannot do anything
else for her.  I'm so frightened, Lord.  I cannot bear the thought of losing
her and yet I cannot do anything to help her."

** ** **

Christy breathed heavily with the exhaustion of the climb.  But the light
was so beautiful.  And she knew it would take her home.  Happily, she
pressed on.

** ** **

"God, in all of my years I have boasted that I have power over life and
death and that You have had no place in my work or my life.  But I was
wrong.  Please, God, forgive me for my pride and stubbornness.  You alone
give and You alone can take away.  I ask You into my heart now.  I do not
deserve Your graciousness, but I beg You to bestow Your love on me and Your
healing hand on Christy.  I am powerless to help her now.  I am powerless as
I always have been.  Please, God.  Heal her.  I turn her over to You and beg
You to restore her once more to health.  Please bring her back to me.  Thank
you.

In Jesus Name,
Amen."

** ** **

She'd made it!  Just as she thought, Christy was standing on the
mountaintop, looking out onto the mountain ranges in awe.  "They're so
beautiful," she sighed.  "No matter how many times I look at them I see
something new."  The sound of his voice stirred her from her reverie then
and she turned.  He was here with her!  The impulse to reach up to touch his
cheek was overwhelming.  But he leaned down before she could move and kissed
her.  A complete joy like none other passed through her heart.

** ** **

Neil kissed Christy tenderly, hesitantly.  How long he had desired to touch
her sweet lips with his, and yet he had still received no response.
Embarrassed by his foolish attempt to revive her with the power of his love,
he put his lips to her ear and whispered to her soul.  "Forgive me, Christy.
But I only hoped to show you how much I care for you and need you.  Please
come back to me!  I need you to be here with me.  I love you Christy, with
all of my heart and I cannot live without you."  He took her hand and began
to pray again.

** ** **

Gently he took her hand to lead her down the mountain.  "Come along,
children," he called.  At the sound of laughter, Christy looked over her
shoulder to see a little boy and a little girl flying down behind them.  And
as they swarmed around her legs he lifted their daughter up and spun her in
the air.  Christy held back and watched as he walked away, one child on his
hip and another holding his free hand.  What a beautiful picture they made.
And then he stopped and turned.  "Christy," he called.  How she loved the
sound of his voice!  "Christy!"

** ** **

"Christy!" he begged her through his tears as he laid his head on her heart.
"Christy!"

** ** **

A great happiness swelled in her heart as he said her name.  How she loved
him.  She couldn't wait to continue her life...her life with him.  And so
she stepped toward him and reached out her hand.  "Neil," she said happily.

** ** **

As Neil continued to weep and pray, he suddenly felt Christy touch his head.
Quickly rising up, he found her eyes open and a smile on her face.  "Neil,"
she said happily.

"Christy!" he cried with every ounce of joy in him.  "You're awake!  You've
come back to me!  Thank you," he lifted his eyes to Heaven.  "Thank you."

Christy reached up then and touched Neil's face tenderly.  "You've been
crying," she whispered as she wiped the rest of the tears from his face.

"That I have," he replied, calmed and thrilled by her gentle touch.

"But why?" she asked with concern.

"Because I thought I'd lost you."  His brow furrowed deeply as he spoke.
"When you got to the station I thought you were a figment of my imagination.
But when you reached out to me, I knew you were my dream come true.  And
then Prince threw you and you were so still..." Neil choked on his words.

Christy smiled.  "I've never been much of a horsewoman, I guess."

He clasped her hands tightly.  "Don't you understand?" he cried.  "I thought
I'd lost you.  I'd loved you for so long.  It seemed impossibly cruel that
you could finally love me too only to be taken away from me."

"You love me?" she asked as tears pooled in her eyes.

"Oh, Christy," he sighed.  "You know I do, with all my heart."

"Yes, I suppose I do.  I just want to hear you say it again."  She smiled
angelically up at him and he laughed in spite of himself.

"I love you," he said as he touched her face.

"And I love you," she responded as she turned her cheek to kiss his palm.
She sighed and closed her eyes for only a moment before opening them to
stare up at him once more.  "Our dance," she whispered.  "Promise me."

"Promise what?" he asked as he looked into her beautiful blue eyes.

"Promise that you'll never let the music end on our dance?"

He smiled and took her hands in his.  "Only if you make a promise in return,
love," he asked of her.

"And what promise would that be?" she smiled in response.

He leaned his face down until they were nose to nose.  "That you will marry
me and be my partner for the rest of our days."

"I promise," she said, her breath catching in her throat at the look of love
in his eyes.

"As do I," he replied, thrilled to see his love reflected back in her eyes.

"I love you," she whispered quietly.

"And I love you," he whispered back as he closed the gap between them with
promise's first kiss.

The End!
~ ~  ~ ~  ~ ~  ~ ~  ~ ~
Author's Note:  Thank you to my fellow Christy-Listers who share in my love
of the wonderful story of Christy.  "Promises" has been a labor of love and
I'm sad to see it end.  Thank you for the encouragement you all gave to me
while I crafted this ending!  I dedicate this story to my husband who has
been incredibly supportive and helpful during this long process.  Long live
the spirit of Christy! ~Emma O.