Title: Rings and Things

  By:  Michelle W.

  Note:  This story takes place approximately one year after the novel, give or take 
  a few months!

  Disclaimer: Catherine Marshall’s story of "Christy" belongs to the Marshall and 
  LeSourd families. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for the story of "Christy" 
  and its characters as portrayed in the novel, series, or movies. Any additional 
  characters or story lines are the invention of the author. This is written for 
  entertainment only.

  *~*~*~*~*~*~*~

      "Opal, may I see your ring?" 

      The mountain woman looked up from the book before her, a slightly bewildered 
  look crossing her face.

      "I’m sorry – I didn’t mean to startle you," I said while refilling my guest’s 
  teacup. I hoped I had not been too forward in my request. "It’s just I have never 
  seen you or any of the women here wear any kind of jewelry before and --" Opal 
  smiled as she laid a reassuring hand on my arm.

      "Tis alright, Miss Christy. I don’t mind none a’ tall if you want to see it. Besides, 
  I shouldn’t be reading while we’re visiting." Carefully she slid the ring from the 
  middle finger of her right hand and handed it to me, watching as I examined it. 

      The ring was unlike any design I had seen before. A tarnished silver, it consisted 
  of a heart cradled by two hands with a crown on top of the heart. 

      "It’s beautiful, Opal," I said as I returned the ring to her. "Wherever did you get 
  it?" I questioned teasingly, for I knew she and Jeb had recently begun courting. I 
  smiled as a rosy hue crept up her cheeks.

      "Would you like to know what hit means?" she asked suddenly, with the 
  eagerness of a young girl with a treasured secret to share. I nodded my head 
  grateful once again for the dear friend God had blessed me with in these recent 
  months.

      "The hands are for friendship, the crown for loyalty, ‘n’ the heart . . ." she 
  leaned in close as we heard Neil’s and Isaak’s voices from outside. "That’s the 
  easy one." We shared a small laugh but managed to compose ourselves as the 
  cabin door swung open.

      "Hey, Ma!" Isaac was brimming over with excitement as he hurried to his 
  mother’s side. "Look here at this fine new coat! Doc said it be for all the work I 
  done for him last week!" Opal cast a wary glance in Neil’s direction. 

      "Opal," Neil said without a hint of condescension, "Isaak worked mighty hard to 
  help me get the cabin ready for winter; this coat is payment he earned fair and 
  square." Opal seemed reassured by Neil’s words, and she relaxed again.

      "Thank ye, Doc," she replied as she stood to go. Turning her attention to me, 
  she said, "And thank ye, Miss Christy for the tea and for this book. I’m obleeged 
  to you." Opal tucked her arm into Isaak’s as he opened the door. "Now we best 
  be hurrying home – Zady will be needing a rest from Toot and Vincent. Must be a 
  fierce storm on the way with how those two have been carrying on." As if in 
  confirmation of her prediction, a cool breeze began to move through the bare 
  trees.

      "Thanks, Doc," Isaak threw over his shoulder as he and his mother made their 
  way down the porch steps. Neil waved in response.

  "Do you think Jeb and Opal will marry, Neil?" I asked as he shut the door.

      "Quite possibly," he answered. "By the way, which way was the heart on 
  Opal’s ring facing? Now don’t look so surprised, Christy – as a physician I am 
  trained to observe for any sign of sickness and, in this case, impending marriage 
  proposals." Playfully I slapped his arm before beginning to clear the table.

      "It was upside down," I said, "which I thought was rather odd." Picking up the 
  teapot, I turned to face him. "What does that mean?"

      "Well, traditionally with Claddagh rings the heart faces outwards or away from 
  the person wearing it if they are unattached. That is, the top of the heart would 
  face away from their wrist. But if they are spoken for it would then face inwards or 
  towards the wrist." 

      "You’re not saying that Jeb has already asked Opal? "

      "I’m not sure," Neil lowered his voice, "but I have it on good authority she has 
  been spoken for."

      "Did Isaak --?" Picking up the cups and saucers, Neil nodded his head in 
  affirmation. "Oh my." Neil’s eyebrows arched quizzically in response.

      "That means there’ll be another shivaree. . ." My voice trailed off as I felt heat 
  creeping up my neck and cheeks. There were some mountain customs I would 
  never adjust to, and this was one of them. Neil’s laughter boomed throughout the 
  room. He stopped quickly upon catching sight of my withering glare.

      "I’m sorry, Christy," he replied as he followed me into the kitchen. "I just 
  thought that now you were married –" 

      "Without a shivaree," I interjected as we set the china beside the wash basin. 
  Folding my arms across my chest, I fixed what I hoped to be an even more severe 
  gaze on the man before me. However he seemed to find this only added to the 
  humor of the situation.

      "I’m glad you find this amusing, doctor." I could barely contain the smile tugging 
  at the corners of my mouth. Neil looked so impishly handsome when he was in a 
  teasing mood.

      "Oh, Christy," he said at last, his hazel eyes twinkling. "Do I have to explain it to 
  you yet again?" 

      Sighing in mock frustration, I rolled my eyes as I replied "Yes, dear husband, 
  please do."