Note to reader: This story is written as a continuation of the novel Christy, rather than as a continuation of the television series. The story takes a leap from Christy discovering that Neil "loved her like that" while she was sick with typhoid, to them already being married. I feel this is written in completely good taste and stays true to the spirit of Christy, although many parts do have a mature theme. This is a work of fanfiction, and I in no way am seeking to profit from the writing of it. The story of Christy belongs to the LeSourd family. Title: Stay 'til the Sun Goes Down Author: Angela Chapter One "Whoa..." Neil uttered in a low tone to Charlie, stopping him short of his usual jaunt to the barn. He dismounted and took Charlie's reins in one hand, then reached up to help Christy down with the other. "Why are you stopping here, Neil?" Christy lifted up the trailing part of her wedding gown over her arm. "Look up into that sky," he answered. "Have you ever seen anything quite so incredible? I think there might have been a few more stars created for this occasion." "Neil," Christy half-laughed. He pressed her against him and continued to gaze up at the heavens. "I want to remember this forever, Christy. You and me here in the moonlight, on this incredible April night, with about a million stars shining." "I know. I do, too. I don't want it to ever end." Neil breathed in the night air deeply, feeling the most privileged of all men because he was Christy's husband. His cabin loomed out of the darkness a hundred feet away, and leaning down to kiss his wife, Neil spoke softly. "It isn't over yet. Not nearly." They both laughed heartily as Neil carried Christy over the threshold to the cabin. She struggled to keep her gown from dragging the rough wooden planks of the porch. "Be careful, Neil," she had cautioned him. "I won't ever wear this dress again, but someday..." "Someday?" Neil let Christy stand. "Well, someday our daughter might," Christy told him, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. "Our daughter." Neil smiled largely. "I like the sound of that." Christy continued to blush, surprising herself. She had often wondered about this night, even before she had met Neil. As their wedding had drawn nearer, she had begun thinking more and more about it, and now that it was at hand, she found herself almost in a state of disbelief. "You're so sweet, Neil." "That's a word not too many people use in describing me." "That's because they don't know you like I do." "I've never seen you as lovely as you are tonight, Christy. It was a beautiful wedding." "It was, wasn't it?" Christy again saw all the faces of those she had come to love since coming to Cutter Gap, everyone dressed in their Sunday best, surrounding them at the reception held outside in the mission house yard. The entire Cove must have been in attendance! She was surprised at how quickly the whole event had seemed to pass. For all the planning that had gone into it, the wedding had been so short. And as much as she had looked forward to becoming Neil's wife, Christy now wished that they were still dancing at the reception. "Christy? What is it?" Neil lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry, Neil. I was just thinking." "Of?" She hesitated before answering. "This night." A smile crossed his lips again, and passed when he saw the solemn look in her eyes. "Tell me." "Well," she began, her heart pounding in her chest. Neil remained quiet, waiting for her to talk. But she didn't. Instead she looked down at the satiny white boots peeking out from under her gown, then stepped away from him, stopping in front of the clock on the mantel. She stared at it and crossed her arms. The hands marked the hour as ten o'clock. By now, everyone at the wedding would have missed their presence. Neil had arranged for Rob Allen to have Charlie ready behind the mission house so that he and Christy could escape any attempts at a shivaree. He followed Christy to the fireplace and stood beside her. "Christy, it's okay. Please tell me." "It's just that...I can't believe I'm really standing here in this cabin with you. As your wife." Neil picked up her hands and held them in his, noticing a small tear slide down her cheek. "I'm sorry, Neil. I'm ruining everything." Neil tossed back his head and laughed. "No, Christy, you could never..." "Neil, don't laugh at me!" "I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing at your remark." Christy looked at him quizzically, unable to find the humor in the situation. "Don't you know, Christy? Don't you know just by being here, you make me a complete man? You could never ruin a moment of my life." Now a few more tears made their way down Christy's cheeks, and Neil tenderly wiped them away. Christy stared up into his blue eyes and felt the lump in her throat grow smaller. "You always know just what to say to me." Neil drew her to him. "You're only tired, Christy, what with teaching and planning the wedding, too..." Christy nodded, knowing he was right. She reached up and gently touched his reddish-golden curls. "What we need right now is a little warmth," Neil told her. "This cabin is much too cold." For the first time, Christy allowed herself to really look around the cabin. It felt familiar to her, yet different at the same time. Neil had obviously put forth some effort at cleaning. The usual stacks of books and papers had been cleared away, the floor swept clean, and even the luster jug on the table had fresh flowers in it. Neil spread a blanket on the hearth, where Christy sat while he began to stoke the coals in the fireplace. Soon, he had kindled a small flame, and in no time it had grown enough to take some of the chill out of the cabin air. Neil stood up, holding his hand out to Christy. "Come and sit beside me, Mrs. MacNeill." Christy smiled and followed him to the double rocker. He pulled her into his embrace, and Christy imagined the picture that the two of them must have made, rocking together in their wedding clothes in front of the fire. "Is there..." Neil paused, wondering how to state what he wanted to ask. He remembered his conversation with Christy on the night of Ruby Mae's wedding like it had happened the day before. He had found her innocence as charming then as he did now. "Is there anything you wanted to talk about, Christy?" Christy looked up at Neil and shook her head, their lips brushing together in a soft kiss. She rested against him, her head on his chest, and felt her eyelids growing heavier as he gently stroked her back. She couldn't fall asleep on her wedding night, she told herself. But soon she did. ~*~*~*~ When she awoke, Christy found that Neil was still holding her in his arms. "Oh, you're back with me, I see." "I'm sorry, Neil, I didn't mean..." "Shhh...no apologizing. You're exhausted and I don't blame you." Christy smiled contentedly, glad that her earlier nervousness had been replaced with calmness her brief nap had provided her. She reached up and touched Neil's face lightly, and Neil responded by leaning down to her, kissing her with a gentle passion. "I take it you're feeling better now." Christy nodded. "Except for one thing." The seriousness in her voice caught her husband's attention, and Neil raised his brow questioningly. "What is it, Christy?" "Are you sure you want to know?" she asked. "Christy! Of course I do." "All right then. It's these boots. They're killing my feet." A teasing smile that Christy could no longer hold back broke forth, and Neil shook his head at her. "Well, now we can't have that, can we?" He rose and pulled a small stool in front of the rocker. He sat down and lifted one of Christy's feet onto his leg, slowly unlacing the boots. Christy watched as his hands worked the intricate strings and eyelets, thinking that the deftness with which he did this was the same that allowed him to do his work so well as a surgeon. When he removed the boot, he lovingly massaged her foot for a few moments, then repeated the whole process with the other foot. When he had finished, Neil sat down next to Christy again. She lifted her arms above her head and removed the mother-of-pearl combs which held up her hair. It cascaded around her shoulders, and Neil pushed it away from her face. "You are a beautiful bride, Christy." "You make me feel that I am." Neil took the combs from her, and stood up. "You know, I don't believe I got to dance with you quite enough this evening. Will you dance with me again, Christy?" Christy took his hand and stood. "Why, certainly, Neil. Are you going to play the Victrola?" "I had something else in mind, actually," Neil answered, a grin spreading across his face. As they began to dance, he softly began humming a tune she didn't recognize. Christy listened, trying to identify the song, but couldn't quite place it. "Neil, what is that?" "What's what?" he asked, his eyes smiling. "The song. I don't know it." "It's one I've made up, I suppose. I don't know the words, either. In fact, it doesn't have any." "Neil..." Christy seemed surprised. "It's a song I would hum to myself after I'd been to the mission to visit you. It's your song, Christy." Neil wrapped his arms about her waist, and Christy reached up and took his face in her hands. The sight of his strong, chiseled features made her knees feel weak, but even so, as she felt his lips meet with hers, she no longer felt so scared. When they drew apart, Christy whispered, "I love you, Neil." "And I love you." The moonlight and trees waving in the wind combined to form a mesmerizing dance of their own on the cabin walls. Neil had said that he wanted to remember this night forever. Christy knew, no matter the number of years she lived nor any other thing that might happen to her in her life, there was no way this evening would ever escape her memory. Gently, Neil took her small hand in his and led her toward the stairs. CHAPTER TWO "Hellooooooo!" The voice bellowed from the newly-budding trees in the distance. Christy could not see to whom it belonged at first, but there was no mistaking who was shouting. Standing up, she closed her journal and placed it on the seat of the rocking chair, then wrapped the shawl more tightly about her shoulders. Although sunny, the early spring morning was a cool one to be sitting on the front porch. As Ben approached the cabin, Christy remembered that day not so very long ago when she had walked with him into the Cove for the first time. Could that have really only been some fifteen months ago? So much had happened since then. "Mornin'," the mailman called out to her as he climbed the steps. "Good morning, Mr. Pentland." "Don't think anyone else in the Cove has had three letters at a time afore, 'sides the Mission, that is." Christy smiled at him, amused at his wonderment. " 'Course, I reckon some of them's got to do with you and Doc gettin' married and all. Noticed a couple of them come from Asheville-way." Christy nodded, looking down at the envelopes. "Yes, they are. Thank you." "Guess I'll be headin' off now. Got two more letters to deliver. Tell Doc I said howdy." The sound of horse hooves clopping down the path toward the cabin diverted both of their attention. "Looks like you'll be able to tell him yourself," Christy said, smiling at the sight of her husband. Neil held up his hand in greeting when he saw the two of them. Reaching the cabin, he dismounted Charlie and tethered the horse to the stair railing. "Ben." "Howdy, Doc." "How are the Campbells?" Christy asked as Neil joined them on the porch. "Well, it's definitely influenza. William and Sarah are the only ones ill. I took the children to the mission. Alice said she would care for them until their parents were better." "When I stopped by the McHone cabin earlier, Opal told me she'd been checkin' in on them," Ben added. "Her cabin's not too far from theirs." "Yes, she stopped by while I was there to bring them some of her sage tea with pine needles." "Tea with pine needles?" Christy asked, her nose wrinkling up. "Mountain cure for the 'flu." Neil smiled at Christy's reaction. He noticed a red hue to her cheeks and nose, and removing one of his gloves, touched his hand to her face. "You haven't been out here the whole time I've been gone, have you? You're cold as ice!" "Not the whole time. Just a while, for some fresh air." "Wal-l, I'd best be on my way." Ben started towards the stairs. Christy turned from her husband's attention. "Mr. Pentland, if you'd like, I've got some stew simmering on the stove for lunch. You're welcome to join us." The man stopped and turned around. "You sure 'bout that?" "Of course I am. Have lunch and warm up a bit." Christy thought she detected a momentary look of disappointment pass across Neil's face. Since their wedding, he had been called away several times to attend to medical situations. It hadn't been the ideal honeymoon with him having to leave so often, but so far none of the calls had kept him gone too long. She gave Neil a bit of her schoolteacher look that reminded him to be hospitable. "Come in, Ben," Neil said, entering the cabin first. "Pull up a chair." ~*~*~*~ "Opal's boys need her well." Christy cut the fresh cornbread and lifted out a piece from the iron skillet, placing it on Ben's plate. "If she's over at the Campbell's all the time, she'll probably end up getting sick herself." Neil nodded. "I tried to convince her it wasn't a good idea, but she insisted. The Campbells live just across the creek, and she said it wouldn't be any bother to check in on them during the day." "But Neil, I could go over with you to help out." "It's probably best if you don't, Christy. You're about to go back to school, and if you get sick, just think of all the children who will be exposed. We could have a real epidemic on our hands." "That Opal, she's a feisty one," Ben added. "If'n she does take sick, she'll manage somehow. I cain't see her givin' in to no 'flu." Neil spooned some of the stew to his mouth. The slight frown Christy wore told him that she was not happy that he did not want her going with him to the Campbells. He decided to change the subject. "Well, Ben, I think you should know, you're the first guest Christy and I have had as a married couple." " 'Zat so?" Ben answered. "I'm awful sorry I couldn't be at the weddin'. I was in bed with a case of the 'flu myself. It's mean stuff." "I didn't know you'd been ill, Ben," Neil remarked. "Yessir, nigh on three days I could barely make it out of bed to get to the privy. Why, I was so sick..." Ben stopped himself short, looking at Christy. "I guess such talk's not fittin' for a meal. But I'm feelin' a far sight better these days." Christy smiled, grateful to hear no further details. "Well, I'm glad you're over it now, anyway. We did miss you at the wedding, though." "Been two weeks now, since the wedding?" "Well, it will be on Saturday," Christy told him. Neil and Christy exchanged glances, looks that caused Ben to shift uncomfortably in his chair and stare intently at his stew. Taking a bite and swallowing it quickly, he said, without looking back up, "I think they're missing you over to the schoolhouse. Some of the young'uns been askin' me if I seen you." "They have?" "You didn't hear it from me, but I don't think the reverend's cut out to be with all them children the whole day long." Christy chuckled softly, knowing well the feeling of running out of patience before the end of the school day was anywhere in sight. She imagined David was ready for her to return to teaching even more than the children were. "I'm sure Reverend Grantland will be quite happy to go back to teaching just the mathematics and Bible classes. He's been very generous to agree to take over my teaching duties in addition to his usual responsibilities." "Wal-l, I'm not so sure gen'rous would be the word he'd pick, but..." Footsteps on the porch followed by a rapid knocking at the front door caused everyone to look up from their food. Neil pushed away from the table and strode toward the door. "John! Is there something the matter?" Neil asked, ushering the boy inside. John Spencer was out of breath, and it was a few moments before he could speak. Christy got up and went to his side. "John? Are you okay?" He nodded, then managed, "Yes, ma'am. I just ran all the way over here from the schoolhouse. Preacher said to give you this." He took a folded up paper from the pocket of his overalls and handed it to her. "Is someone ill?" Neil questioned him. Christy unfolded the paper and read while John continued. "Yessir. Miss Alice said to send for you, Doc. It's the preacher." "When did he write this, John?" Christy asked, handing the note to Neil. "Just a while back, right after he dismissed classes for the day. Tol' me to stay while he wrote this out. Said he was feeling peaked. Almos' didn't make it acrost the way to his bunkhouse. I think he's ailin' pretty bad." Neil reached for his saddlebags on the chair where he had placed them earlier. "I'm going with you, Neil," Christy told him, taking her coat off the peg by the door. "I suppose it would be all but pointless to argue with you, wouldn't it?" Neil asked her. Christy pulled on her coat, a smile lighting up her face and a glint of stubbornness in her eyes. "Yes, I suppose it would be." Neil grinned slightly and said, "I thought as much." Both remembered Ben's presence when he stood up, his chair scooting across the floorboards. "Obleeged to ya for sharin' your noon meal with me," he said, wiping a few stray crumbs from his shirt. "Of course," Christy told him. "I'm glad you could visit with us." "Reckon the preacher's gonna be okay?" John asked Neil. "I ain't seen anyone so sick since..." His voice trailed off, and Christy knew his thoughts were of his mother. "Sounds as if he's the latest to come down with the 'flu. It seems to be making its way through the Cove." Neil opened the front door and walked outside, waiting for everyone else to follow. Christy took one of John's hands in hers. "I'm sure Reverend Grantland's going to be just fine, John. Why don't you say a prayer for him?" John nodded, "Yes, ma'am. I'll surely do that." Then, as an afterthought, he added, "Maybe I should follow behind you and the Doc back to the mission. Miss Alice'll need an extra hand around the mission with the preacher in bed." "That's sweet of you, John, but you should probably get home to your own family." "She's right, John," Neil added. "They need you more." He made his way down the porch steps. Still John's eyes held a worried look. Christy went back to the table, replaced the lid on the Dutch oven, and took it to John. "Would you take this? We've had our fill, and there's probably enough here to feed your family." "Oh, no ma'am. I can't be takin' you and Doc's food." "Why not? There's too much left over, and it will just spoil before we could eat it all." "It's mighty sumpshious, boy," Ben commented, placing his hat on his head and making his way out the door. Slowly, John nodded his head and took the pot from Christy. "Thank you, Miss Christy. I s'pect I oughta be callin' you Missus MacNeill now." Christy smiled softly. John's fair features, as well as those of his siblings, reminded her so much of Fairlight. Seeing any of the Spencer children brought to Christy's mind their mother's image. A few times since Fairlight's death, Christy had started toward the Spencer cabin, forgetting that she could not call on her friend to go on one of their "traipsin' trips" to go "a-berryin'." She had revelled in their friendship on these walks, soaking in the nature all about them and learning as much as Fairlight could teach her. These were the most poignant memories for Christy now. "Christy, are you coming?" Neil called as he mounted Charlie. "Yes! John, you go on home to your family now, all right?" "Yes'm." Christy rushed down the steps and took hold of Neil's hand as he helped her climb atop the horse. Within moments they were off toward the mission. Christy looked back to see John walking behind them, holding the big black vessel before him. She wished that she could do more for the Spencers. A pot of stew would fill hungry bellies for only an evening. Maybe the next day she would stop by their cabin to see the other children. She could sit with them a while, just to talk and laugh. She'd ask Jeb if there was anything that needed done - mending or cleaning, things that probably went undone at times. But the one thing the Spencers wanted most, Christy could not give them. Turning back around, Christy rested her cheek against the soft leather of Neil's coat. Chapter Three Subject: Stay 'til the Sun Goes Down, chapter 3 Resent-Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2000 00:09:45 +0800 Resent-From: christy@gospel.iinet.net.au Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2000 12:09:33 EDT From: MilSprings@aol.com Reply-To: christy@gospel.iinet.net.au To: christy@gospel.iinet.net.au For those of you who didn't want to read the poorly formatted version of this chapter last weekend, here is a cleaned-up chapter 3. Disclaimer: This fanfiction follows the story line of the novel Christy rather than the CBS television series. In no way am I seeing to profit from the writing of it. The story of Christy belongs to the LeSourd family. Author: Angela In chapter two: Neil takes the Campbell children, William and Virginia, to the mission to stay with Alice and Ida while their parents are ill with influenza. Ben Pentland arrives with mail and stays for lunch as Neil and Christy's first guest since their wedding. John Spencer arrives to tell Neil that Reverend Grantland is ill. Christy considers what she can do to help the Spencer family and leaves with Neil as he goes to check on David. Chapter Three A strange, unexpected twinge of homesickness overcame Christy when she saw the weathered mission house, standing large and quiet against the backdrop of the mountain that rose up steeply behind it. This had been her home for over a year, and being here again made her realize how much she had missed being out of the mainstream of Cutter Gap life since the wedding. Time alone with Neil at the start of their marriage had been marvelous and important -- she wouldn't have changed a moment of their time together. But her heart beat just a bit faster now. Something about this mission made her feel as if she made a difference, and she knew she was ready to go back to the work that waited for her at the school. As they neared the mission and Charlie's gait slowed to a trot, the door to David's bunkhouse swung open. Alice appeared on the porch, watching as they approached. "Alice," Neil's voice rang out. "I hear the reverend's taken ill." He reached his arm back to Christy when they'd come to a stop and helped her dismount. Alice spoke in her usual calm manner. "Yes, he certainly is. I am glad you could come so quickly." " 'Flu?" Neil climbed down from the horse and took up his saddlebags. Christy looped Charlie's reins around the post, the horse nuzzling her hand when she had finished. "It appears to be. He's running a high temperature and is achy and dizzy." Alice held out her hands to Christy as she climbed up the porch steps. "Christy, child, how has thee been?" The Quaker woman's deep gray eyes shone. Christy took Alice's hands. "Wonderful," she answered with a glance toward Neil. She felt heat rise in her cheeks as she watched him walk to the door of the bunkhouse. Neil sent a wink in her direction when he realized she was watching him. "Why don't you and I go inside the mission and visit while Neil sees to David?" A warm smile lit up Alice's clear-cut features. "William and Virginia were both napping when I last checked, and I believe Ida has a peach cobbler cooling." Christy nodded and followed after her. ~*~*~*~ The sound of a baby's cry met Alice and Christy as they opened the door to the mission. Ida, wisps of hair plastered to her forehead, stood in the parlor rocking a wailing infant in her arms. The baby's older sister clung to Ida's skirts, whimpering. Ida looked relieved to see Alice enter the parlor. "I've got a bottle warming for him in the kitchen, if you can hold him." Alice took the baby from Ida, who then picked up Virginia and took her to Christy, almost thrusting the girl into Christy's arms. "Hello, Christy. Sorry your honeymoon was interrupted." Before Christy could respond, Ida hurried from the room. The little girl rested her head against Christy as she sat down on the davenport. "There, there now," Alice cooed to the baby. She walked him over to the window, and he quieted some. Christy looked about the parlor. Why did it feel as if she'd been gone from the mission house for so long, when in reality it had only been a little less than two weeks? So many fond memories came floating back into her mind: happy evenings spent laughing over supper, singing around the Lyon and Healy, sneaking into the kitchen to wash out clothes when Ida wasn't in there, even grading papers and planning lessons propped up in bed in the small, sparse room that had been hers. Of course, not all of the memories were so pleasant. Only five months had passed since the typhoid epidemic had reached the peak of its rampage through the Cove. The back room of the mission had looked like a hospital ward with all of the patients, their beds set apart from each other by hanging sheets. Thankfully, the dead mouse smell of typhoid combined with that of carbolic acid and alcohol had at last dissipated, although she had wondered at times if it ever would. Christy's reverie was broken by Ida rushing back into the room. "Here," she said, giving the bottle to Alice. "This should quiet him down a bit." "Thank you, Ida." "I'm going out to see if Dr. MacNeill needs me to do anything for David." Ida looked at Christy and gave one of her forced smiles before leaving the room. Alice sat down with William, who readily accepted the bottle. "It's so good to see thee again, Christy. It has taken some getting used to, not having you here with us." "I've missed you, too, Miss Alice." "I miss Ma and Pa," Virginia said softly, almost crying. "They's sick." "And you and your brother are going to stay here with Miss Alice and Miss Ida while they get better, aren't you?" Christy asked. Virginia nodded her head and curled up against Christy. "Tell me -- did you get to take a ride on Dr. MacNeill's horse today?" She nodded her head. "And Doc walk-ded in front, holdin' Will." Christy wished she could have seen Neil guiding Charlie toward the mission with the two children. How he'd managed to juggle a squirming baby in his arms while leading his horse by the reins, all the while making sure the four-year-old stayed firmly in the saddle, she didn't know. "How old are you, Virginia?" Christy asked. "Fo-wa," she answered, holding up four chubby fingers. "Will is just this many." This time she joined her fingers together in a circle. Christy laughed and smoothed the young girl's strawberry blonde hair. "That's right," Alice answered. "Your brother hasn't even had his first birthday, has he?" "No'm. That's why he's always a-cryin'." Both women had to suppress their laughs, and Alice answered, "Babies do cry a lot, don't they? That's their way of telling us that they need something. Just now Will was telling us he was very hungry." Christy thought of how Alice seemed at home in almost any situation, at peace with herself and everyone else. No matter what was happening around her, Alice seemed to greet everything life handed her with the same quiet confidence. It was this trait of Alice's she admired the most. Alice broke into Christy's thoughts. "Speaking of needing something, Christy, do you think you might be willing to go back to teaching tomorrow? I know you didn't plan on returning until Monday, but with David sick..." "Of course I will. I'm eager to see the children again." "I know they are ready to see you again, too. Perhaps you should ask Neil, though." "Ask me what?" Neil entered the parlor through the opened door, followed by Ida. He strode over to Christy and sat beside her. "Your wife has offered to step in for David." "Of course she has." Neil grinned. "So, is that all right with you, then?" The expectant look on her face told him how ready Christy was to be with the children again. "Well, David's certainly not going to be up to the task. It's influenza for certain. He's going to need someone checking in on him frequently, Alice. Can you and Ida manage him and these two as well?" Alice nodded her head. "I'm sure that we can." She touched the tip of William's nose with her finger and asked, "Neil, does thee think we might have another epidemic on our hands?" "So far, no. The number of sick people is still relatively low, but it's a situation that could turn on us at any minute. You know how quickly influenza strikes." Alice spoke softly. "Maybe we should just close the school. The spring planting holiday starts the week after next. We could just dismiss the children a week sooner." Neil nodded his head in agreement. "It's probably best." "We can hold classes briefly tomorrow and explain to the children," Alice said. Neil patted Virginia's back, and she in turn reached out for the curly strand of hair that hung across his brow. "Doesn't seem right, having to deal with more sickness sweeping through the Cove, right on the heels of the typhoid." Ida's tone was bitter. "No," Neil answered. "Unfortunately, diseases don't consider these things." ~*~*~*~ Stifling a yawn, Christy looked up at the empty desks and benches. She'd left for school that morning much earlier than she was accustomed to even waking, no longer being within a minute's walk of the schoolhouse. The children were outside now, having a brief midmorning recess before she called them back inside to tell them that they would start their vacation a week early. With the sun shining down warmly on their faces as they played, the fear of another epidemic overtaking Cutter Gap seemed as if it should be the last thing on any of their minds that day. Christy knew, however, the decision to close the school early was the right one. She watched as Zady and Clara Spencer turned the jump rope for Bessie Coburn. The two older girls had survived their bouts with typhoid, but so many others had not. According to Neil, influenza was spread much easier than typhoid. Continuing with school while new cases of the 'flu were still appearing was a chance that could not be taken. Several of the boys had lined up and were racing down the meadow in front of the school. Creed Allen held the lead, followed closely by Zach Holt. Some of the other children sat talking in small groups. Becky Holt and Mountie O'Teale were sitting under a small shade tree, playing with cornhusk dolls. Mountie was not the same child that Christy had encountered her first day of teaching school, although she would probably always be shy. She had blossomed, soaking up every bit of learning that she could. If Mountie had been the only child that Christy had helped so far, it would have all been worth it. Christy's attention turned when several of the children began to call out "Miss Alice!" She smiled to see many of the children run to join Alice as she walked up the hill to the school. The children's faces beamed as she spoke to each of them. Christy stood up from her seat on the schoolhouse steps as Alice approached, brushing off the back of her dark blue skirt. "Miss Alice," Christy greeted the woman. "How is David today?" "He seems to be doing relatively well. Ida is taking quite good care of him." "That's good. Did Neil stop by yet?" "Yes, a while back. He left right before the phone call from Dr. Ferrand." "Dr. Ferrand called?" "Yes." Alice looked at the children still clinging to her side, and said, "Why don't you all go see how many different kinds of wildflowers you can find while I talk to your teacher?" They watched the children scurry off into the field. Christy asked, "What did Dr. Ferrand have to say?" "It seems he just found out about your recent marriage to Neil." "My mother sent wedding announcements to my friends and family who couldn't attend the wedding. I asked her to send one to Dr. Ferrand, too." Alice nodded understandingly. "Christy, let's go inside." "Miss Alice? Is everything all right?" Alice led Christy inside the building and sat down with her at the nearest bench. "I know that, when you first agreed to come teach school here in Cutter Gap, you had no idea that you would be marrying so soon." Christy shook her head. "No, of course not." "And I cannot begin to tell thee how much your work here matters to these children and their parents. You are a true godsend." "Miss Alice? What is it?" Even though Alice's manner was as gracious as always, Christy felt a tight knot forming in her throat before Alice had even spoken the words. "I'm afraid that Dr. Ferrand gave me some rather bad news today. It would seem that he does not believe that any schoolteacher working at the mission should be married." Alice looked up from her folded hands into Christy's eyes. They were full of questions and disbelief. "I don't understand." Christy spoke almost in a whisper. "I'm not sure I do, either, Christy. I tried to reason with him. It's fine and well for some schools to insist that their teachers be unmarried, I suppose, but in Cutter Gap..." Alice's voice trailed off. Christy's lip began to tremble. "Miss Alice, are you saying that, because I'm married now, I can't teach here any longer?" Alice searched for the words to answer Christy, and finding none, took her in her arms. Christy breathed in a great gulp of air and wondered if she would be able to manage drawing in the next. Her mind was still trying to digest her mentor's words when hot, heavy tears began to form in her eyes, blurring her view of the children at play as she laid her head on Alice's shoulder. How would she ever be able to tell them that she could no longer be their teacher? She wasn't sure she could. The children had been the reason Christy came to Cutter Gap, and before she married Neil, they had been the reason she stayed. Her life was here now, and nothing could change that. The joyous laughter of the children rang upward into the school, and Christy felt the first tear slip down her cheek. Chapter Three A strange, unexpected twinge of homesickness overcame Christy when she saw the weathered mission house, standing large and quiet against the backdrop of the mountain that rose up steeply behind it. This had been her home for over a year, and being here again made her realize how much she had missed being out of the mainstream of Cutter Gap life since the wedding. Time alone with Neil at the start of their marriage had been marvelous and important -- she wouldn't have changed a moment of their time together. But her heart beat just a bit faster now. Something about this mission made her feel as if she made a difference, and she knew she was ready to go back to the work that waited for her at the school. As the neared the mission and Charlie's gait slowed to a trot, the door to David's bunkhouse swung open. Alice appeared on the porch, watching as they approached. "Alice," Neil's voice rang out. "I hear the reverend's taken ill." He reached his arm back to Christy when they'd come to a stop and helped her dismount. Alice spoke in her usual calm manner. "Yes, he certainly is. I am glad you could come so quickly." " 'Flu?" Neil climbed down from the horse and took up his saddlebags. Christy looped Charlie's reins around the post, the horse nuzzling her hand when she had finished. "It appears to be. He's running a high temperature and is achy and dizzy." Alice held out her hands to Christy as she climbed up the porch steps. "Christy, child, how has thee been?" The Quaker woman's deep gray eyes shone. Christy took Alice's hands. "Wonderful," she answered with a glance toward Neil. She felt heat rise in her cheeks as she watched him walk to the door of the bunkhouse. Neil sent a wink in her direction when he realized she was watching him. "Why don't you and I go inside the mission and visit while Neil sees to David?" A warm smile lit up Alice's clear-cut features. "William and Virginia were both napping when I last checked, and I believe Ida has a peach cobbler cooling." Christy nodded and followed after her. ~*~*~*~ The sound of a baby's cry met Alice and Christy as they opened the door to the mission. Ida, wisps of hair plastered to her forehead, stood in the parlor rocking a wailing infant in her arms. The baby's older sister clung to Ida's skirts, whimpering. Ida looked relieved to see Alice enter the parlor. "I've got a bottle warming for him in the kitchen, if you can hold him." Alice took the baby from Ida, who then picked up Virginia and took her to Christy, almost thrusting the girl into Christy's arms. "Hello, Christy. Sorry your honeymoon was interrupted." Before Christy could respond, Ida hurried from the room. The little girl rested her head against Christy as she sat down on the davenport. "There, there now," Alice cooed to the baby. She walked him over to the window, and he quieted some. Christy looked about the parlor. Why did it feel as if she'd been gone from the mission house for so long, when in reality it had only been a little less than two weeks? So many fond memories came floating back into her mind: happy evenings spent laughing over supper, singing around the Lyon and Healy, sneaking into the kitchen to wash out clothes when Ida wasn't in there, even grading papers and planning lessons propped up in bed in the small, sparse room that had been hers. Of course, not all of the memories were so pleasant. Only five months had passed since the typhoid epidemic had reached the peak of its rampage through the Cove. The back room of the mission had looked like a hospital ward with all of the patients, their beds set apart from each other by hanging sheets. Thankfully, the dead mouse smell of typhoid combined with that of carbolic acid and alcohol had at last dissipated, although she had wondered at times if it ever would. Christy's reverie was broken by Ida rushing back into the room. "Here," she said, giving the bottle to Alice. "This should quiet him down a bit." "Thank you, Ida." "I'm going out to see if Dr. MacNeill needs me to do anything for David." Ida looked at Christy and gave one of her forced smiles before leaving the room. Alice sat down with William, who readily accepted the bottle. "It's so good to see thee again, Christy. It has taken some getting used to, not having you here with us." "I've missed you, too, Miss Alice." "I miss Ma and Pa," Virginia said softly, almost crying. "They's sick." "And you and your brother are going to stay here with Miss Alice and Miss Ida while they get better, aren't you?" Christy asked. Virginia nodded her head and curled up against Christy. "Tell me -- did you get to take a ride on Dr. MacNeill's horse today?" She nodded her head. "And Doc walk-ded in front, holdin' Will." Christy wished she could have seen Neil guiding Charlie toward the mission with the two children. How he'd managed to juggle a squirming baby in his arms while leading his horse by the reins, all the while making sure the four-year-old stayed firmly in the saddle, she didn't know. "How old are you, Virginia?" Christy asked. "Fo-wa," she answered, holding up four chubby fingers. "Will is just this many." This time she joined her fingers together in a circle. Christy laughed and smoothed the young girl's strawberry blonde hair. "That's right," Alice answered. "Your brother hasn't even had his first birthday, has he?" "No'm. That's why he's always a-cryin'." Both women had to suppress their laughs, and Alice answered, "Babies do cry a lot, don't they? That's their way of telling us that they need something. Just now will was telling us he was very hungry." Christy thought of how Alice seemed at home in almost any situation, at peace with herself and everyone else. No matter what was happening around her, Alice seemed to greet everything life handed her with the same quiet confidence. It was this trait of Alice's she admired the most. Alice broke into Christy's thoughts. "Speaking of needing something, Christy, do you think you might be willing to go back to teaching tomorrow? I know you didn't plan on returning until Monday, but with David sick..." "Of course I will. I'm eager to see the children again." "I know they are ready to see you again, too. Perhaps you should ask Neil, though." "Ask me what?" he asked, entering the parlor through the opened door, followed by Ida. He strode over to Christy and sat beside her. "Your wife has offered to step in for David." "Of course she has." Neil grinned. "So, is that all right with you, then?" The expectant look on her face told him how ready Christy was to be with the children again. "Well, David's certainly not going to be up to the task. It's influenza for certain. He's going to need someone checking in on him frequently, Alice. Can you and Ida manage him and these two as well?" Alice nodded her head. "I'm sure that we can." She touched the tip of William's nose with her finger and asked, "Neil, does thee think we might have another epidemic on our hands?" "So far, no. The number of sick people is still relatively low, but it's a situation that could turn on us at any minute. You know how quickly influenza strikes." Alice spoke softly. "Maybe we should just close the school. The spring planting holiday starts the week after next. We could just dismiss the children a week sooner." Neil nodded his head in agreement. "It's probably best." "We can hold classes briefly tomorrow and explain to the children," Alice said. Neil reached out a hand and stroked Virginia's arm, and she in turn reached out for the curly strand of hair that hung across his brow. "Doesn't seem right, having to deal with more sickness sweeping through the Cove, right on the heels of the typhoid." Ida's tone was bitter. "No," Neil answered. "Unfortunately, diseases don't consider these things." ~*~*~*~ Stifling a yawn, Christy looked up at the empty desks and benches. She'd left for school that morning much earlier than she was accustomed to even waking, no longer being within a minute's walk to the schoolhouse. The children were outside now, having a brief midmorning recess before Christy called them back inside to tell them that they would start their vacation a week early. With the sun shining down warmly on their faces as they played, the fear of another epidemic overtaking Cutter Gap seemed as if it should be the last thing on any of their minds that day. Christy knew, however, the decision to close the school a week earlier was the right one. She watched as Zady and Clara Spencer turned the jump rope for Bessie Coburn. The two older girls had survived their bouts with typhoid, but so many others had not. According to Neil, influenza was spread much easier than typhoid. Continuing with school while new cases of the 'flu were still appearing was a chance that could not be taken. Several of the boys had lined up and were racing down the meadow in front of the school. Creed Allen held the lead, followed closely by Zach Holt. Some of the other children sat talking in small groups. Becky Holt and Mountie O'Teale were sitting under a small shade tree, playing with cornhusk dolls. Mountie was not the same child that Christy had encountered her first day of teaching school, although she would probably always be shy. She had blossomed, soaking up every bit of learning that she could. If Mountie had been the only child that Christy had helped so far, it would have all been worth it. Christy's attention turned when several of the children began to call out "Miss Alice!" She smiled to see many of the children run to join Alice as she walked up the hill to the school. The children's faces beamed as she reached out to them, touching their cheeks or patting their arms, speaking to each one. Christy stood up from her seat on the schoolhouse steps as Alice approached, brushing off the back of her dark blue skirt. "Miss Alice," Christy greeted the woman. "How is David today?" "He seems to be doing relatively well. Ida is taking quite good care of him." "That's good. Did Neil stop by yet?" "Yes, a while back. He left right before the phone call from Dr. Ferrand." "Dr. Ferrand called?" "Yes." Alice looked at the children still clinging to her side, and said, "Why don't you all go see how many different kinds of wildflowers you can find while I talk to your teacher?" They watched the children scurry off into the field. Christy asked, "What did Dr. Ferrand have to say?" "It seems he just found out about your recent marriage to Neil." "My mother sent wedding announcements to my friends and family who couldn't attend the wedding. I asked her to send one to Dr. Ferrand, too." Alice nodded understandingly. "Christy, let's go inside." "Miss Alice? Is everything all right?" Alice led Christy inside the building and sat down with her at the nearest bench. "I know that, when you first agreed to come teach school here in Cutter Gap, you had no idea that you would be marrying so soon." Christy shook her head. "No, of course not." "And I cannot begin to tell thee how much your work here matters to these children and their parents. You are a true godsend." "Miss Alice? What is it?" Even though Alice's manner was as gracious as always, Christy felt a tight knot forming in her throat before Alice had even spoken the words. "I'm afraid that Dr. Ferrand gave me some rather bad news today. It would seem that he does not believe that any schoolteacher working at the mission should be married." Alice looked up from her folded hands into Christy's eyes. They were full of questions and disbelief. "I don't understand." Christy spoke almost in a whisper. "I'm not sure I do, either, Christy. I tried to reason with him. It's fine and well for some schools to insist that their teachers be unmarried, I suppose, but in Cutter Gap..." Alice's voice trailed off. Christy's lip began to tremble. "Miss Alice, are you saying that, because I'm married now, I can't teach here any longer?" Alice searched for the words to answer Christy, and finding none, took her in her arms. Christy breathed in a great gulp of air and wondered if she would be able to manage drawing in the next. Her mind was still trying to digest her mentor's words when hot, heavy tears began to form in her eyes, blurring her view of the children at play as she laid her head on Alice's shoulder. How would she ever be able to tell them that she could no longer be their teacher? She wasn't sure she could. The children had been the reason Christy came to Cutter Gap, and before she married Neil, they had been the reason she stayed. Her life was here now, and nothing could change that. The joyous laughter of the children rang upward into the school, and Christy felt the first tear slip down her cheek. Stay 'til the Sun Goes Down, ch.4 In chapter four: Neil checks on David, who is ill with influenza. Christy visits with Alice, who is helping Ida take care of four-year-old Virginia Campbell and her infant brother William since their parents are also sick. Wary that another epidemic could strike, Neil and Alice decide it is best for the spring planting holiday to begin a week earlier than planned. With David sick, Christy returns to her teaching duties, planning to tell the children that their vacation will start that day. Alice arrives at the schoolhouse during recess to tell Christy that Dr. Ferrand has telephoned the mission with the news that Christy will no longer be allowed to teach at the mission school since she is now married. Chapter Four Christy gently cradled the delicate china cup between her hands, letting the hot tea that Alice had just poured warm her icy hands. She was staring out the bank of windows that lined one of the walls of the Quaker woman's cabin. It was a peaceful place, this cabin, and her mind returned to a few of the other times she had been there. Most of those visits had been to discuss important matters, it seemed, starting with that first morning after her arrival in Cutter Gap when Alice had asked Christy why she'd come to teach school there. And there had been the time when Alice had told the story of her daughter Margaret -- how could she ever forget that day? Most recently, Christy remembered her brief visit with Alice in the yard of the cabin while Alice saddled Goldie, preparing to leave for a week in Big Lick. It was then that Christy, grieving fiercely and so full of questions over her friend's death, began to feel less lonely. Alice spoke, jarring Christy back to the present. "Christy, I've sent for Neil. John Spencer is going after him." "It's the second time in as many days. Poor John's going to be worn out going to our place so often." Alice sat down in the red wing chair. "We can try talking to Dr. Ferrand again, Christy." Christy nodded her head slightly. "He's a busy man with many things to attend to, but I wish he'd come to visit the school and see you with the children." "Did..." Christy asked hesitantly, "did he say anything about hiring a new teacher?" "He did mention it, yes. But I would like for you to speak with him before we think about that. I would like to speak with him again, too." "It sounds as if his mind is already made up, though." "Dr. Ferrand is a man of staunch convictions. In all honesty, it is very unlikely that he will change his mind -- on his own, anyway. We both know that prayer is an awesome thing, Christy, and I believe that we need to spend much time talking to God about this." Christy brought the teacup to her mouth and sipped gingerly. The initial shock at hearing the news had abated. She had gone through the rest of the morning numbly, each moment surrounded by an air of unreality. "I couldn't tell the children. Some of them were disappointed enough by the announcement that we were going to end the school session a week early." Alice nodded. "It's just as well. This way, they won't have to be concerned about it over their vacation." "I don't want it to end this way, Miss Alice. I said good-bye to them like it was any normal day." "Christy, you're not saying good-bye to these children. You aren't going anywhere, and neither are they. Even if it turns out that you don't return to teaching, you will still see each other. You will still be here in Cutter Gap for them." A pounding at the door startled both women, and before Alice could get up from her seat, Neil had let himself in. "Christy..." Neil walked straight toward her and bent down, peering in her face. "Are you all right? What's happened? Are you ill?" "I'm okay," Christy answered feebly. Neil stared up at Alice questioningly. "John found me on the way home from the Campbell's. He said I was needed at your cabin, that something seemed to be wrong with Christy." "I'm sorry to have frightened you, Neil," Alice spoke. "I only told John to find you and tell you that you should meet us here." "He seemed to think that you were sick, Christy. He said you had the same paleness about you as David did yesterday." Neil placed his hand on Christy's brow. Christy looked up at Neil, taking his hand from her head. "I'm not sick, Neil. I just found out some very bad news." "What is it?" Her blue eyes clouded over again as she prepared to speak the words. "Dr. Ferrand seems to think that only unmarried women should teach at the mission school. He called and spoke with Miss Alice." Neil stared unblinkingly at Christy, trying to fathom her words. "He called just this morning, Neil," Alice explained. "The children don't know yet. With prayer, perhaps there is some way we can persuade Dr. Ferrand to change his mind." Neil shook his head and took Christy's hands in his own. "Christy..." "It will all work out, Neil. You have enough to think about without this. Please don't worry." "How can I not, Christy?" A look of disbelief mixed with anger was written across his face. She leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead. "I'm fine, Neil. It's going to be okay." Neil stood up and looked to Alice. "What exactly did Ferrand say?" "Just as Christy said. Our conversation was brief, I'm afraid. He received your wedding announcement in the mail and called to tell me that it was unacceptable to have a married schoolteacher at the mission." "Unacceptable..." Neil muttered. "What is the man thinking?" "He means well, Neil. I tried to tell him that it didn't matter that Christy had married -- that the children of Cutter Gap need her, regardless of that fact." "It doesn't make sense. Does he know what kind of teacher he is sending away from these children?" "I agree with you. Unfortunately, the final decision is his." Christy set her teacup down, rose from her chair, and walked to the bank of windows, both Neil and Alice watching her for a reaction of some sort. Instead, she stood, arms folded, staring out at the lush greenness of the mountains in early spring. No matter what life handed her, she knew the mountains would always be there to provide her with calmness and a sense of perspective. Was it the sheer beauty of them that spoke to something deep inside of her? Or was it that they made her feel closer to God? She wasn't sure, but she was utterly thankful for those soft, rounded peaks enveloped by the smoky mist. They were soothing to the spirit. "Neil," she said at last. "I want to go home now." ~*~*~*~ Christy turned over, feeling the coolness of Neil's pillow beneath her cheek. The afternoon sunlight streaming through the bedroom window had warmed the room too much, and sleeping was no longer comfortable. But she fought against waking, burying her face in Neil's pillow and breathing in the smell of him. Something -- what was it now? -- would have to be dealt with when she fully awoke. It made her wish she could drift back to sleep. And then she remembered. The image of Dr. Ferrand -- a small man with a white goatee -- flooded her mind. She pictured him the day at Montreat when she'd volunteered to teach school, but somehow couldn't reconcile that man with the one who had called Alice with such terrible news. If he was truly desperate for teachers, then what difference should it have made that she was now married to Neil? Christy forced her eyes open and looked at the room about her, trying to rid herself of all thoughts of that morning. Even though she'd been living in what she still thought of as "Neil's cabin" for almost two weeks, there was very little trace of anything feminine there. Only her nightgown hanging on the back of the door and her hairbrush and mirror on the bureau seemed out of place in the otherwise manly bedroom. The sight of one of Neil's flannel shirts draped on the back of a chair caused her to remember that he had left again shortly after bringing her back home from Alice's cabin. He had gone to check on Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, as well as Burl and Creed Allen, who were the latest stricken with influenza. He had put on a clean cotton shirt, kissed Christy and apologized to her that he had to leave once more. She had nodded understandingly and found herself lying on their bed moments after he'd gone. A nap would let her forget for just a while, anyway, and by the time Neil returned from visiting patients, she would be up and preparing supper. But now, going to the kitchen and cooking the evening meal was the last thing that she wanted to do. Food did not appeal to her in the lest, although Neil would want to eat when he returned. Sitting up and moving her feet over the side of the bed, she pulled on her shoes and decided that cooking could wait for a while. Something in her cried to escape the confines of the cabin. An ache as strong as hunger compelled her to be outside, in her mountains, among the rocks and trees and breathing in the cool, clean air. Downstairs, she took a piece of paper from Neil's desk and wrote out a hurried note. When she had finished, she placed it on the kitchen table, held down at the top by a book so no draft could sweep it to the floor, and walked out the front door, headed toward the place where she had sought refuge so many times before. ~*~*~*~ Neil gave Charlie some oats before going inside the cabin. Hopefully, he wouldn't be called away again that evening, and both horse and rider would be allowed to get some rest. Neil had hated leaving Christy earlier, and wanted nothing more than to be with her tonight. She was acting brave about the whole situation, but he could tell that she'd been hurt to the core by Dr. Ferrand's proclamation. Being a schoolteacher meant far more to her than just helping children learn to read and write. Teaching the children of the Cove was an integral part of who she was, and not being allowed to continue would be a small death for her. "Christy?" Neil stood in the doorway of the cabin, then walked toward the table when he saw the note fluttering lightly. Snatching it up and quickly reading it, he let it fall to the floor behind him as once again he headed to the barn to saddle the horse. ~*~*~*~ Christy sat on a moss-covered outcropping of flat rock, lightly touching the leaves of the pink rhododendron flower she had picked as she entered her woodland room. The sun had begun its steady descent, and she knew she should get up from her place and begin the walk back home. If she didn't leave soon, it would mean she would have to walk most of the way back to the cabin in the dark, and traversing the mountains on foot at nighttime was never a good idea. Still, something kept her seated upon the rock, and she closed her eyes, recalling the last time she had been there. It had been only a week after her temperature had returned to normal after the typhoid fever, and Neil was finally allowing her to get out of bed for longer than a few minutes. On his next visit to check on her, Christy had asked him if they could go for a ride on his horse, planning to share with him her secret retreat. He'd agreed, and it had felt so wonderful to be out of the mission house at last, even though she was still quite weak. Neil had lifted her up onto the horse, handling her as if she were a fragile doll, and Christy had shown him the way to the place that before had been her private haven. Now, the soft crunching sound of footsteps nearby caused her to raise her head. She listened carefully and wondered what person -- or animal -- was making all the noise. Never before had she been afraid to be here alone. Alice's cabin was close, and she could run there if she needed to. As Christy started to rise from her place on the rock, the branches of trees that enclosed her little room were swept back and Neil stood before her. Neither said anything, but Neil went to her and sat down, drawing her into his embrace. Christy put her arms around him and sighed heavily, letting lose a torrent of tears that she had held back all day. He held her as her body shook with sobs, feeling the shoulder of his shirt grow damp with her tears. The best thing he could do for her, he knew, was not to offer any words of consolation, but just to let her cry. And so he did. When her weeping at last subsided, Christy managed, "I'm sorry you had to come after me. I was praying and didn't mean to stay quite so long, but..." "Shhh," Neil interrupted her. "I wanted to come here to be with you." "Every time I think about being back in the schoolhouse with the children and try to absorb the idea that I won't be going back there to teach them anymore...it's like there's a huge gaping hole in me. Like part of me is missing." "I know, Christy," he answered softly. "I know." Neil stood up from his place on the rock and held out his hands to Christy, pulling her up alongside him. He parted the laurel and rhododendron branches that formed the walls of the room so they could look out over the Cove. The setting sun was melting into the distant ridges, its golden glow beautifully contrasted by the blues, purples, and greens of the mountains. "I know you came here for the children," he spoke to her. "And you will still be a part of their lives, Christy. I know you." A slight smile formed on his lips, and he wiped a tear from her cheek. "But God didn't bring you here just for them. He brought you to me, too." Lightly he kissed each of Christy's eyelids, then picked up her left hand, kissing her ring finger. "I love you, Neil," she whispered to him. Then she took his face in her hands and her lips found his. When they parted at last, Neil scooped Christy up in his arms and took her out to Charlie, whose reins had been tethered to a tree. On the way home, Neil began to hum softly. Christy recognized the song as "Shady Grove," a favorite among the mountain people. After a while, the humming stopped, and Neil quietly began to sing, the words of the song airily escaping his throat. "Do you remember the first time that you sang that song to me?" Christy asked him. "Yes, I do. Ruby Mae's wedding." "I didn't think you'd remember." "Of course I do. It was the first time I knew that I was in love with you, Christy," Neil answered and continued to sing, letting Charlie slowly find his way back to their cabin. "Cheeks as red as a bloomin' rose Eyes of the deepest brown You are the darlin' of my heart Stay 'til the sun goes down..." Part 5 coming soon!