DISCLAIMER: The story and characters of Christy are the property of the LeSourd family. This work of fan fiction is for personal amusement only, and no infringement of their rights is intended. The writer seeks no profit or credit from this story. Any additions of story line and characters were invented by the writer. Title: Snowed In Author: Ann E. Snowed In "I'm so sorry, Daddy!" Christy hugged the earpiece of the telephone and spoke quietly into the receiver. To hide her tears, she kept her back to the parlor, where Ruby Mae and Miss Alice were sitting near the fireplace. "If only I'd left a day earlier--" "Now darlin', you couldn't have known the snow would be this deep. You wanted to be in Cutter Gap for the children's party, didn't you?" She imagined her father standing in the hallway as he spoke, leaning on the wall and looking into the kitchen, where her mother was probably seated at the table. "As long as we know you're safe at the Mission, we can wait to celebrate Christmas with you." "The stationmaster at El Pano says the trains won't be running for at least two more days." "I know. There's a lot of track to be cleared." "I wanted so much to be with you all." "Well, here we are, talking to each other on Christmas morning. That's something to be thankful for." Even with the distortion of the telephone, his voice sounded cheerful. "George is groaning about having to wait to open his presents, but--" "Oh, don't make him wait!" "Your mother already told him we're opening presents with you, Little Miss, and that's that. He doesn't really mind, you know. How could it be Christmas without you?" Christy finally smiled, though she sighed. "Thanks, Daddy. I love you." When she'd hung up the telephone and dried her eyes, she peeked over her shoulder into the parlor. Miss Alice and Ruby Mae were looking intently at a cookbook that the young woman had received as a present. Of course they'd heard her conversation. It made her feel a little guilty, but at this moment she wished she could be alone. Unfortunately, her bedroom was much too cold, and the only other room that was warm was the kitchen. She took a deep breath and tried to make her smile seem genuine. As she joined them, Ruby Mae asked, "Miss Christy, did you tell your folks I said Merry Christmas?" "Yes I did, and they send their love to both of you." "Thee must not be too disappointed, Miss Huddleston," said Alice. "Thee could have been in El Pano when the blizzard hit, or even in the train, stopped on the tracks. Thee has food, shelter, a good fire, and good friends here." "You're right, and I am glad to be here with you. It's just that I've never been away from my family at Christmas before. I miss all the things we do together, all our traditions." She felt her throat tighten. "Well, perhaps we can--" A heavy stomping of feet on the porch interrupted Alice's suggestion. "Could someone get the door?" came David's shout. Ruby Mae rushed to open it, and he entered with a huge armload of firewood. Snow clung to his pants and the edge of his coat. "It's finally stopped snowing," he told the women. "I think it's over two feet deep, and the drifts are up to my waist in places." The logs clattered down as he knelt to release them. Ruby Mae helped him stack them beside the fireplace. Christy stood at the window and looked at the clean, smooth blanket of snow. The cloud covering looked lighter than it had for three days. She thought she could see a brightening where the sun was. The scene was beautiful, but right now bare branches and dusty ground would look good to her. Even better, the view from her parents' parlor window would be the most welcome sight. She stared out the window for some time, ignoring the conversation among the others. Finally she heard her name mentioned, and she turned with a curious look. "Sorry, I guess I wasn't paying attention." David smiled teasingly. "I said I trampled down a path to the barn. I thought you might go with Ruby Mae when she feeds the animals and milks the cow." Christy didn't want to go anywhere, unless it was to the train station, but she forced a smile and said, "Of course." "And when you're done with that," said Alice, holding up the cookbook, "perhaps we can try one of these recipes. The Irish stew looks interesting." "Oh could we, Miss Christy? I'd sure love to!" Even if Ruby Mae hadn't told her several times, Christy knew how happy the girl was to have her teacher here for Christmas. Undoubtedly Ruby Mae's memories of the holiday were much humbler than her own. Another pang of guilt stung Christy's heart. They were cold and wet when they returned from the barn, but the heat of the stove in the kitchen soon dried their damp skirts and warmed their faces, hands, and feet. Miss Alice had cleaned all the breakfast things, and Ruby Mae enthusiastically began gathering the ingredients for the stew. "What's rosemary, Miss Alice?" She pointed to the open cookbook. "It's a spice -- an herb." "Funny name for a spice. Do we have any?" "No, but I believe it's a little bit like mint. Why don't we use just one mint leaf, and see how it turns out?" "If you say so, Miss Alice. It says we need lamb, but we got no meat besides a couple o' rabbits and a possum." Alice tapped her fingers on the table for a moment. "What about the venison from Mr. Holt?" "Don't think there's any left, ma'am, but I'll check the smokehouse. Umm, Miss Christy? Christy had been staring absent-mindedly at the cookbook, letting the other two do most of the work. She looked up with a slight start. "What is it, Ruby Mae?" "I remember how you said we could grow spices and herbs and such in our garden." Ruby Mae clasped her hands together. "Did I?" "Yes'm. You think we could do that come springtime? Maybe plant us some of that rosemary?" Alice placed her hand on Christy's shoulder. "That is a wonderful idea, Ruby Mae. Perhaps when Miss Huddleston finally makes it to Asheville, she will look about for the seeds." A gentle pressure on her shoulder prompted Christy to agree. *** *** *** The sun still had not broken through the clouds by mid-afternoon. In fact, it looked as though it might snow again, and Christy began to fear that she'd be spending New Year's Day at the Mission as well. The stew was simmering on the stove, and the women were preparing cornbread and greens for supper when a call from the yard made them all look up. "Hello! Anybody home?" Christy recognized Neil MacNeill's voice, and quickly opened the kitchen door to see him climbing the steps to the porch. His entire body seemed to be caked with snow. David, who'd been working on his sermon in the parlor, appeared a moment later. David spoke first. "Merry Christmas, Doc. We thought you were snowed in at Low Gap. You look as though you walked all the way back." "Are you all right, Neil?" Alice spoke from behind Christy. "I'm fine. I was already traveling when the snow started, and I made it to the Allens' two nights ago." "It must have taken you hours to get here through all this snow," said David, looking at the path into the yard cut by the doctor and his horse. "Did you really walk?" "Only where it drifted deep. I took the liberty of putting my horse in your barn, and I thought I might warm myself at your fire." "You know you're always welcome," Christy said. "I suppose you missed your train?" Neil raised his eyebrows at her. He looked pleased to see her, and she felt the warmth of a blush on her cheeks. "The trains are stopped because of the blizzard," she said as she took his arm and pulled gently toward the kitchen. She felt the wetness of his sleeve, and looked more closely at him. "You're soaked. Come inside before you freeze." Christy helped Neil out of his coat and pointed him to a chair near the stove. Ruby Mae took his boots, promising to brush off the snow and pack loose newspapers and rags inside them. Christy smiled when she saw the royal blue scarf around his neck -- it had been her present to him, given before he went to Low Gap. The sight of it lifted her spirits. He noticed her glance and unwound the scarf, shaking off the clinging bits of snow, which evaporated with a crackling sound as they fell on the hot stove. "This certainly came in handy. Thank you, Christy -- it kept me warm. This, too." He plucked off the matching knit cap from his head, and sniffed appreciatively. "Something smells very good." Christy stared at his hair, which was pressed flat in some places, sticking out crazily in others, and damp all over. She was used to his untamed curls, but this was by far the wildest she'd ever seen them. The moisture began to steam off of him. Her fingers curled into fists as she fought the urge to try to smooth his tangled mane. "What?" he said, running his hand through his hair. It made no difference. "What's wrong with it?" Alice's hand hid her mouth. "Doctor, I believe thy hair has achieved a new state of confusion. Perhaps thee would like to change out of thy wet clothes, and apply a comb to thy hair," she said, pointing toward David's bunkhouse. At that moment, David entered with a load of firewood; he quickly gave his consent. Neil grabbed his leather saddle bags and other bundles from the floor and escaped from the women's scrutiny. After the door closed behind the doctor, Christy let out a short laugh. She took a rope from a drawer and began to fasten one end to make a clothesline for Neil's coat and other wet things. The image of his fantastical hair brought another chuckle. "What's so funny?" asked David. "Did thee not notice anything different about Doctor MacNeill?" Alice swept the small puddles of melted snow from the floor. Christy saw a twinkle in her eyes. David had lifted the lid on the firebox to drop in a log. He paused as he thought. "Well, of course he was wet from all the snow. You don't mean that?" Both women laughed this time. *** *** *** "Ruby Mae," said the doctor, "take very good care of that cookbook Miss Christy gave you. This stew is delicious." He accepted another helping from the beaming girl. "Well sir, I didn't really make it all by myself, but they did let me do most of it." "Thee is becoming a fine cook," said Alice. For this special Christmas meal, Ruby Mae had been persuaded to join the adults at the table, and the conversation was lively. Neil had agreed to stay the night. He entertained them with stories of Christmas Eve at the Allen home. Only Christy was subdued. She kept thinking of the Christmas dinners her mother always prepared: glazed ham, with course after course, right through the special chocolate cake with whipped cream icing. She stopped herself from sighing, but realized that Neil and Miss Alice were studying her. "If we're all finished," Alice said, "I suggest we clear the table quickly, and gather in the parlor. Miss Huddleston, thee did a fine job playing Christmas carols last night." "Oh no, I wasn't--" "You were good, Christy," said David. She gave him a hard look. Though she'd taken piano lessons as a girl, Christy knew she could barely pick out melodies. "Perhaps we can persuade you to sit at the piano again tonight." Alice's tone and her face warned Christy that she must not refuse. In spite of her reluctance, Christy found herself enjoying the songs. Neil stood just beside her, with a hand resting lightly on her shoulder. His voice was a welcome addition, and she felt a little more confident at the keyboard. For the first time since the snow had started to fall three nights ago, she was happy to be right where she was. In fact, she was sorry when there were no more carols in the songbook. Hot tea and shortbread cookies were served, and then David brought out his Bible to read the story of the wise men from the gospel of Matthew. Christy sat comfortably between Neil and Ruby Mae on the sofa, listening to David's clear voice. The characters and events were real to her tonight. She peeked at Neil's face during the Bible reading, not sure what to expect. He was looking into the fire with a far-away look in his eyes. Christy longed to know what memories had been stirred in his mind. She shifted slightly, and he glanced down at her with a quink wink and a hint of a smile, then stretched his arm across the back of the sofa. When Alice declared it was time for bed, Christy felt as disappointed as the girl beside her, who begged to stay up just a little longer. "Come on, Ruby Mae," said David, rising and stretching his arms. "I'll help you fill the hot water bottles." "Wait, Preacher, I got to say somethin' to all of you. Today's been the most wondrous Christmas I ever had in my whole life. I won't never forget this day, and I want to thank you all for bein' so good to me." Christy brushed a tear from her eye. It had turned into a wonderful day for her as well. Ruby Mae hugged each of the adults in turn, and then grinned coyly. "Oh Miss Alice," Ruby Mae said, "it's a shame you took down the mistletoe already. Wouldn't that be just perfect now?" David had kissed Christy under the sprig of leaves last night, but now the girl's mischievous glance was at the doctor. Christy heard Neil's low chuckle, but she didn't dare to look at him. David took Ruby Mae's elbow and pulled her toward the kitchen. "Say good night, Ruby Mae." "I'll get your blankets, Neil," said Christy, dashing up the stairs. On her way back down, she passed Alice and Ruby Mae, who bid her good night. Neil was alone at the parlor fireplace, gazing at the flames. She dropped the pillow and blankets on a chair and sat beside him on the sofa. "Will you be comfortable, Neil?" "Oh yes. This is better than I get at most cabins." "I'm glad you're here." He turned his eyes from the fire to her face. "You were feeling sorry to miss Christmas with your family, weren't you?" She was ashamed of her earlier selfishness, and looked down at her lap as she nodded. "What changed your mind?" "I don't know exactly. I think it started when I saw your hair all mussed this afternoon. I'd hardly smiled for two days, and suddenly I felt like giggling." "It's neat now, isn't it?" He must have taken pains to make it so. She reached up to touch his long, curling hair, slowly tracing it back over his ear. "Yes, it's very nice." Her eyes opened wide as she realized what she was doing, and she rose with a little jump, clearing her throat. "I'll say good night, Neil." His soft voice stopped her. "Do you mean I have to wait until next Christmas?" "Next Christmas?" "When you hang the mistletoe again. Do I have to wait that long?" He was standing beside her before she understood what he meant. She couldn't think of a reply. "I'm very glad I was here, Christy. This was the happiest Christmas in many years, and it's because I spent it with you." Neil's hands were warm as he held hers, and though she was surprised, she felt calm and relaxed. He leaned down to touch his lips to hers, and Christy closed her eyes. All too soon he pulled back, and then turned her toward the stairs. She felt a gentle push. "Good night, Christy. Sweet dreams." The End!