Title: Stranded in the Valley
Author (including e-mail address): Rebekkah Crim sombrero_49@hotmail.com
Part/Chapter: Chapter 1, Part 1
Summary: This part opens with the scene between Chrsty, David and Neil at 
the end of the 'old' series. The second half of this part is a dream.
Disclaimer:Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy is owned by the 
LeSourd Family.  I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story.  I 
am continuing the story of Christy for our own amusement only.

Stranded in the Valley


       Christy Rudd Huddleston stood between the two men in her life, two 
men who had greatly impacted and influenced her in the past months. Two men 
who were waiting for an answer… one that Christy could not give.
Recently, Christy had begun to see who she really was and could be. Her 
experiences in the cove had presented her with a harsh new life that was 
entirely unexpected when she left her childhood home in Asheville. Every day 
in Cutter Gap had nurtured an awakening of her spirit and of the joy and 
harmony in the people around her. She had come to realize also that God was 
working in her and through those around her that loved Him, even when she 
was faced with the poverty, feuding and moonshine that was ever-present.
Today had been a disaster in her attempt to right the wrongs in her life and 
become trusting to those who she loved and respected the most. Her faith in 
the goodness of other people’s hearts and the truth of their words and 
actions had been shaken. She’d experienced a revelation in her soul, only to 
have it torn to pieces minutes later. She thought she had finally begun to 
grow up. She prided herself in no longer being the confused and 
inexperienced girl who had stepped off a train in El Pano months ago, unsure 
and wary of what the future might hold.
But as a ring enclosed in a small velvet box that contained a question which 
could determine the rest of her life glimmered up at her, she realized that 
her confusion had only just begun. And no experience in the cove could have 
prepared her for this moment.

**********************

“Christy?” David queried. His voice sounded distant and hollow.
I looked up at him, noticing the eerie silence of the school yard. The sound 
of a horses’ hooves pawing the ground reached my ears. My eyes widened in 
shock as I realized that Dr. MacNeill was present, and, along with the 
silent children, was awaiting my response. My vision blurred as I finally 
admitted to myself that I could never give David the answer he wanted for 
while the confusion that gripped my heart like a vise still remained. A 
deep, shuddering breath wracked my body. What was I to say to this man, who 
was still a boy? How could I end the silence that threatened to go on for 
eternity?
“I - ” My voice cracked, as though overused and weary.
“I can’t do this.”
“What?” David whispered.
“I, I can’t do this, I need time, David…”
“Time? Time, Christy? How much time do you want? I want an answer, Christy!”
I stepped back, surprised.
“Yes, Miss Huddleston, why don’t you give the good preacher an answer?”
I whirled around, only to come face to face with Doctor MacNeill.
“I can’t-”
“Sure you can, Christy.”
“Give the boy an answer.”
“Say yes, Christy.” Their voices raced at me, pummeling me from all 
directions.
“Don’t do it, Miz Christy!” Ruby Mae shouted at me from the schoolhouse.
“Give me an answer.”
“Marry the preacher, lass, it’s the right thing to do.”
“Say yes, Christy!”
“Nooooooo!!!!”