Title: Sunrise Dreams
Author: Jessica K.




        All right here is my stab at a fanfic.  Remember I
don't claim to be an exquisite writer.  As usual this
story isn't my brainwork but that of Catherine
Marshal.  My fanfic follows the book not the
television show. 
 It's been two months since Christy was sick.  Her and
Neil are not 'together,' they are still like always. 
Christy remembers that Neil said "I love you," but
it's murky more like from a dream then reality, and
Neil hasn't mentioned it either.  (My title has
nothing to do with the story but it sounds nice.) 
Here it goes….

_______________________________________________________
 


Sunrise Dreams 1


        Christy crawled out of bed and slipped out the
mission's front door quietly.  The morning air was
crisp with the scent of a new promise.  Her bare feet
squished on the dewy ground.
        "I will never understand how these people go barefoot
everywhere.."She wondered to herself out loud.
        Steering herself to one of Fairlight's old secret
places she noticed the new leaves budding out from
every tree and bush.  Spring had always been her
favorite season.  It was a time that reminded her that
everything could always have a fresh start no matter
what.  
        Climbing up the pebble hill her thoughts drifted to
Fairlight.  Fairlight; the first woman from Cutter Gap
to befriend her, the one who meant so much to her. 
Christy missed her dearly and this spot was sacred to
her memory.     Looking out across the vast horizon
Christy was mesmerized by it's enormity.
        "This is a favorite spot of mine, I didn't know thee
shared it." Miss Alice emerged from once dense woods.
        "Miss Alice, I didn't know I would find you here."
Christy cast her gaze back out at the land, "I never
grow tired of it.  This land amazes me everyday.  How
can something so beautiful and awe inspiring at the
same time be so horrible and deadly."
        "Christy, look at that sunrise.  I have seen it rise
and set everyday here for many years now.  Yet still
this one is different, they are always different.  I
believe God likes it to be that way.  Sometimes the
sky is cloudy in the morning, but I can always see
that sun's light poking through, even if I can't see
the sun."
        Sunshine dripped through the valley and soaking it. 
It touched every rotting log and every mossy rock. 
Christy held her hands out to let the sun's power warm
her.  
        "How I do enjoy thee." Miss Alice continued.  "I do
believe I will always remember thee this way.  Hands
stretched out ready to receive anything: joy,
challenge, or hardship."
        "That sounds much more like you then me Miss Alice. 
I fear sometimes I try to give challenges and
hardships back.  It is you that takes them on
fearlessly."  Alice laughed at the comment.
        "You always pull through though.  Once you have
thought about it, you can conquer anything."  Alice
reassured her.  "Now let us see if you can conquer
this day of school!"  
        "I should go.  The children will be arriving soon." 
Christy left Alice shimmering in a sprinkle of
sunshine.  
**********************************
        "Okay boys and girls, go home, but make sure to study
those papers tonight!  I will test everyone on them
tomorrow."  Christy smiled at her class as the filed
out and headed off in every imaginable direction for
home.
        "Miz Christy?" Little Burl was at her side, his hair
ever to be mangled, and his face ever to be dirty.    
    "Yes Little Burl?"
        "My mom's been a wanting to do some talkin' with you.
 She asked if I wuld ask you to come on by today and
give her un Howdy."
        "Little Burl tell you mom I'll be by later today." 
He bobbed his head in agreement.  
Standing alone in the room she realized how hot she
was.  She was sweating just standing there.  "I need
to get to the mission and lay down for a while." She
reassured herself.  Following Little Burl's steps she
began to make her way for the mission, but she felt
lightheaded.  "Little Burl!" Christy called out, but
she was only standing long enough to see him turn
around.  
        The same sun that had warmed her this morning was now
pouring out its wrath on her body.
        **************************
"I dunno Doctor.  She was a standing there and then
she just right fell over.  I checked her but she was
down right sleeping."  Little Burl hovered momentarily
over Neil's wide shoulders before he headed home.
        "Common lass, wake up!" The Doctor talked to her in a
lighthearted, singsongy voice.  Christy's eyes
flickered.
        "What?" She began but Neil put a finger to her lips
to silence her.  Placing his strong arm about her
shoulders he pulled her up so she was sitting next to
him.  
        "It's a good thing I was headed for the mission when
Little Burl found me.  You've only been out a couple
minutes Christy." Neil spoke softly as if to comfort a
scared child.
        "Christy are you okay, what happened?" the sound of
David's voice made Christy look up.  She squinted into
the light only to see his tall outline against the
sun.  Christy felt weak again and leaned against Neil.
 She breathed him in.  He smelled like a mingling of
woodchips, sweat, and the brown soap that he always
ordered from El Pano.  Christy gave a light chuckle as
she recalled the time she had seen him bathing in the
river.
        "Christy.  You aren't as strong as you think you
are." Neil began.
        "Neil I hardly believe that my strength has anything
to do with this." Christy grew hot, how could he say
she wasn't strong.  Oh he still irritated her so
sometimes, but then other times…
        "You have spunk, but not strength.  You fainted
because you push yourself too hard.  You almost died
two months ago lass, and you aren't fully recovered."
        "But everyone else who had it is back to working.  I
don't understand why it's different with me?"
        "But it is.  These people grew up being use to
hardship, life taught them strength.  You are just
learning, but you cannot make yourself work so hard. 
You'll run yourself ragged.  I don't want you fainting
anymore." He spoke authoritatively.
        "Neil I can't just stop doing things.  My work can't
just stop because  you think I'm a weakling, which I'm
not!  If I push myself enough I'll just.."
        "Christy you aren't listening to me!  Who knows when
or where you'll faint next.  This time you were lucky,
what if you faint in a river next time?"
        "Oh no! Whom will you be left for you to argue with
then?" She chided. 
        "You are such a stubborn girl Christy Huddelson!  But
I wouldn't have it any other way."  Neil lifted
Christy up and began the walk to the mission with her
securely pressed close to his chest.  David lagged at
a distance, his presence seemingly forgotten by the
other two. 

Sunrise Dreams 2

        David stood in front of the Mission leaning against
the chipping paint of a windowpane.  He watched
Christy who was a distance away gathering flowers in
the open field beyond the quaint schoolhouse. She was
wearing her deep blue skirt, the one that danced about
her ankles when she walked.  David loved her in blue
it made her eyes so bright and vibrant.  He sighed
heavily as thoughts skipped threw his mind.  Why
couldn't he make her love him?  And why couldn't he
stop loving her? 
   Many months ago he had asked her a simple question,
"will you marry me."  Her answer had not been so
simple.  In fact he still didn't quite understand it
all.  She hadn't said no, just that she had to think. 
Months had passed and he took that as an answer.  Now
she seemed so enthralled with the doctor.  'How could
she be?'  He wondered.  'He can't love her like I do!'
His thoughts were stopped by Christy's calling.
   "David!  Oh David come here."  She was excited
about something, like the children on Christmas Eve
back in the cities.  Of course the children here don't
get like that, there are no gifts at Christmas, but
they seemed to have something more, David recalled,
something better.  They had family, love, and
strength.  
Upon reaching her he saw what had delighted her so.  A
fawn stood not ten feet away munching on the velvety
purple flowers that Christy had recently been picking.
   "Oh David isn't she precious!" Christy spoke at a
whisper as not to frighten the baby deer.
   "It probably won't live long.  These people will
just shoot it without a thought.  They can't
appreciate beauty like this, like we can."  David
spoke looking at Christy and not the deer, what he had
said was more with a secret jab to the doctor then
anything.  
   "David how can you say that?" Christy was stern and
enraged.  She had had many discussions with him.  They
had been at odds many times over their views on the
people of Cutter Gap.  David had often been
discouraged and had said things he didn't mean, but
any time he spoke against the people Christy couldn't
take it. "Granted yes this fawn probably wont live a
long life, but to what avail?  Would you rather these
people starve?  I don't understand you David.  Why are
you here if you don't think that they can change; that
you can make a difference?  You are so confusing."
Christy turned and walked off towards the schoolhouse
leaving David alone with the silence of the meadow.
   "I believe you are the one that's so confusing."
David whispered after her.  He plunked down onto the
hard earth causing the fawn to scare and run off. He
sat with his elbows on his knees and face in his
hands. Why did he always mess things up?  He
remembered the time when she had come to his
bunkhouse, and he had made a snide comment about her
always being alone with Neil in his house.  She had
left then too.
   What made her so deeply attached to this land? 
Sure David liked it here, and the people were good as
any, but he didn't want to stay here forever.  He
wanted to do good in Cutter's Gap but leave
afterwards.  It was an assignment, not a home.  
******************************
   "Alice?" David knocked on her door.  She opened the
door and smiled at him good-naturedly.  Without a word
he filed into her house and took a seat on the comfy
chair.  It was soft and welcoming, the stuffing
enveloped him encouraging relaxation.
   "What can I thank this visit for?" Alice began.
   "I need advice.  Well actually I feel really weird
with what I'm going to tell you." He stuttered, a
little self-conscience of himself.
   "Go on, thee must have a good reason to ask."
   "Alice simply put, I like Christy, love Christy.  I
asked her to marry me earlier but that didn't work
out." He winced a little but continued, "She drives me
crazy, but in a good way I mean.  Maybe I was sent
here to meet her.  I've got to make her love me Alice.
 I know she likes the doctor but I have to change
that.  How can I change that?" He was desperate, and
tense in the once comforting chair.  His eyes were
searching, begging.
   "I think you have a couple things wrong there.  But
first let me ask you this.  Does Christy love thee?"
   "I don't know.  Sometimes I'm sure that she does,
other times I'm not sure." Alice nodded and then
began.
   "David thee was not sent here to meet a girl, thee
was sent here to serve God and the people here of
Cutter's Gap.  That is Christy's reason to be here
too. Also you cannot make her love you.  There is no
wooing Christy, and if you know her well then you
would realize that she is strong willed and is going
to make up her own mind.  She will not be made to do
anything." Alice spoke gently but with the force of a
concerned mother.  "And about Neil, I do not know. 
But you must let Christy decide, not you, no matter
how much you like her David."
   "But Neil's not right for her Alice."
   "And you are David?  Who are you to make that call?
When did thee become the chief of choices?"  She saw
his hurt, his agony and began once more, "David I do
not say this to discourage you.  This will all work
out in time and that is the best advice I can give. 
Patience David.  Continue serving these people for
that is thee's mission here David, not to find love,
but to serve Love."
   David left Alice's house and pondered her advice as
he headed for his bunkhouse to work on next Sunday's
sermon.  
************************************


Part 3

        Christy strolled down the muddy path leading
to the doctor's cabin, she wondered if her reason from
coming was foolish.  What if he was gone?  It was
always so hard to catch him.
        Neil's cabin loomed before her.  The surroundings
consumed her.  She smiled at the roughness of this
place; you could tell a woman's hand had not touched
this land in a long time.  Weeds grew up attacking the
sides of his cabin, and there was no garden to speak
of.  She listened as the little river gossiped quietly
behind her.
        Delicately placing her tiny feet upon his steps she
move to the front door.  It stood a jar, probably to
let the cool breeze into the cabin.  She proceeded
into the house, and walked straight to the mantel and
examined the clock with the inscription on it.
        "Thought you would just stand out there all day!"
came a hearty voice to her left.  She gave a jump, but
turned now aware of his presence.  Neil sat by the
window in his spindly backed chair sipping from a
shiny tin mug.
        "Have you been watching me out there?" Christy raised
her eyebrows.
        "Seems so." His eyes danced with a hidden secret. 
"So Miss Huddleson what do I owe the pleasure of this
visit?" Christy blushed, feeling hot under his gaze
and also feeling sheepish for her reason.  Neil
noticed it and his smiled widened.
        "I embarrass you Miss Huddleson?  Go on, go on.  You
usually don't stop by to just hear me talk."  His
voice, so rustic, how she adored that accent.
        "It's kind of foolish now that I think about it. 
Maybe it's best I go."  Christy turned towards the
doorway but Neil grabbed her arm; stopping her in her
tracks.  He pulled her towards him, her slender elbows
cupped in his hands.
        "Christy don't go." It was a gentle whisper.  She
could feel his breath on her cheek as she rested her
hands on his chest.
        "I wanted to give you a haircut, that's all.  See?  I
feel stupid now.  I mean that's your business not
mine." She cast her gaze to the floor.  Neil tried to
suppress a grin as he lifted her chin up with his
fingers to look into her eyes once more.
        "Not foolish at all lass.  Who do you suggest cut my
hair?" Christy beamed with newfound excitement. 
Months ago she had rode behind him on a horse.  She
had studied his hair and noticed how lengthy it was;
from then on she had promised herself someday she
would suggest the idea to him.  She had felt that she
had not known him well enough before, but now was
different, for some reason it was much different.
        "Oh Neil!" She began.  Braking away from his grasp
she began pacing.  "I could!  I use to cut my brother
George's hair!  Oh it's not hard at all!  I was petty
good at it."
        "Let's start then!" Neil gave a mischievous grin, and
Christy shot one right back.
*************************************************** 
        David sat in his bunkhouse wadding up a piece of
paper.  He tossed it onto a forming mountain of
discarded paper.  He couldn't find the right things to
say.  Why was this so hard for him?  Sermons use to be
easy, he could whip one out in a day, then have the
rest of the week to fix stuff around the cove. 
Placing his elbow onto the table he rested his
forehead in his hand.  
        "Think!  Think." He shouted into the silence of the
room.  Nothing came to him.  It's not that he had
taught these people all that they needed to know, far
from that.  And it wasn't that he couldn't think of a
topic, there was a plethora to choose from.  He had
learned it all…everything he needed to know in
seminary.  They had prepared him for preaching, had
filled his brain with ideas but they had forgotten one
thing.  They told him what to tell people, how to
reassure them, but no one had been there to answer his
questions, to encourage him, and to reassure him of
things.  Now when he needed those foundations they
were gone like a sandcastle after the tide comes in.  
        How could he teach a people what he didn't
know?  Granted yes he was a Christian, he had all the
facts, had memorized the scripture…but had he applied
it?  David threw his notebook, aggravated at himself
for his doubts.  
        He strolled outside and sipped in the spring air. 
Nothing felt right anymore, why was he tormented so? 
How could he expect a people to follow him, his light,
if he couldn't see it himself?

     
Part 4


        "Mounty!" Swany called into the yard where her
children were playing.  The O'teal's lived under the
worst conditions.  Even after all the improvements
that the mission had tried to make for these people,
they were stubborn and would not change the old ways
that had suited their forefathers in past years. 
Squalor oppressed the O'teal's land and home, the
stench reached fifty feet up the path.  It wasn't
there fault, nothing could be done to help it, they
were still good people.
        "Yes mama?" Mounty called back from where her brother
was chasing her.  Mounty; so small and innocent.  Her
big puppy dog eyes which always looked sad and
searching, and her tiny feet that were almost always
bare, and if not bare were adorned with shoes too big
for her; probably hand-me-downs from her older
siblings.  She was such a scared child and no one knew
why, maybe because of her brother Wilmer.  But she had
learned to speak, love had taught her to speak, but
still her words were few and carefully chosen. 
        "I've been a wanting to speak with Miz Christy about
some of my quiltin'.  I remembers when Fairlight was
still livin' that Miz Christy done right sold her
quilt.  I've been wantin' to see if she could do the
same for me." Swany told her daughter careful to put
in every detail.  "So willin you talk with Miz
Christy?"
        "Yes mama." Mounty's voice was soft, her words the
same as before.  A twinge of excitement ran up
Mounty's back.  Teacher was her hero, Mounty wanted to
be just like Christy in everyway.  Teacher was
beautiful, but that didn't stop her from loving
Mounty's people.  
******************************************************

        Christy examined Neil's hair, it had grown quite long
from when Christy had first seen him.  It was so wild
and unkempt.  A thought crossed her mind, what if I
mess it up?  
        "Well it'll need to be wet." Neil began.
        "Doctor.." She started but was interrupted by him.
        "Christy always call me Neil, I'm not your doctor
right now."
        "Neil, are you sure about it, I mean what if I really
wreak your hair?" Neil gave his hearty joking smile.
        "Well then I'll have to wear a hat for a long time,
wont I?" Christy shook her head, he joked her so much.
 Was it so hard for him to be serious about anything? 
But she stopped herself, he could be serious, very
serious.  He was the one who had challenged her to
grow stronger, this man before her had taught her more
about God then any clergy in her whole life.  
        Christy searched for a pitcher amongst all the things
in Neil's cupboards.  You would think a doctor would
be very organized, but he certainly wasn't, at least
not with things that didn't have to do with his job.  
        "What are you trifling about in that cabinet for?"
Neil was inquisitive, close behind her.
        "Where do you keep you pitcher?"
        "Pitcher?  I have a bucket, no pitcher lass.  My last
one broke a while ago and I never bothered getting
another one.  We could just go outside, there is a
river in my front yard, right?" 
        "Oh, yes.  That'll work to." Christy began. "Well you
go in there then, get your hair wet, and I'll bring
out a chair."
        "Common Miss Huddleston, it's a fine day for a swim."
 As much as Christy wanted to, she thought it might be
a little improper if someone found just her and the
doctor swimming together.  She shook her head for an
answer. "Suit yourself then."  He shrugged and started
out the door.  
        After persuading Neil to come out of the river she
finally got him to stop squirming and sit in the
chair.  
        "Neil, your acting like a little kid." She laughed
feeling his hair to see  where exactly she would cut
it.  In no way did she want it short, his hair was
great, and suit him so well, it just needed a trim.  
        "How can you sit still on a day like this!"  Neil
exclaimed as she began snipping.  "It's gorgeous out! 
Look at that sky, I bet you don't see sky's like that
in the city!"
        "No we don't, the factory's smoke blocks that."
        "That's such a shame.  I missed all this when I left.
 You know I wasn't going to come back?  How foolish of
me!  I belong here."
        "I think I do to." Christy added quietly.  "You know
I feel closer to God here, in the beauty of his
creation.  Does that sound foolish to you?"
        "No, I feel closer to God here too.  In fact it was
the beauty of this land, well among other things, 
that made me think about God more."  Christy felt a
little excited, Neil had told her that he had decided
to follow God, but there had been no more talk of it. 
"I still cannot understand some of it, about God, but
we aren't suppose to are we?  That's why it's hard for
me I guess, science explains everything and God asked
for my trust.  You know Christy every time I've given
away my trust it's ended up hurting me."
        "Neil, I'm so glad you're talking about all this,
maybe you should talk to David." She placed her hand
on his shoulder.
        "No, I wanted to talk to you.  You know sometimes I
go out to this one place on the ridge at sunrise and,
well talk to God, I guess you would call it praying,
but I see it more as a conversation." He stopped
suddenly, took a breath, changed his tone and began
again, "Are you done yet lass?  I don't know if I can
sit still much longer!"
        "Yes you're done!  Turn now, let me see you!"  He
turned and she smiled, he looked just like he had when
she had first seen him that fateful day she had walked
here with Ben.  "Oh it looks good, Neil go look!"
        "No I trust you.  I'm sure it looks good." 
        "Gosh, well I should probably head back to the
mission." 
        "Yes, you probably should."
*******************************************************
        Mounty headed up the path towards Doc MacNeil's
house, that's where Alice had told her she might find
Christy.  Mounty was in a bit of a hurry, she wanted
to get home before supper so she could go to the river
with her siblings to catch frogs.  Mounty reached
Doctor Neil's house just as Christy was leaving.
        "Well hello Mounty!  What brings you here?  No one's
sick are they?" Neil stood to greet her.
        "No, mama wants teacher." Mounty looked towards
Christy.  Christy reached for Mounty's hand a gave it
a quick squeeze.  
        "I was just leaving Doctor MacNeil's, Mounty, so I'll
go to your house now with you.  Good-bye Doctor." 
        "Good-bye Mounty.  Bye teacher!" He gave a laugh at
himself.  If she was always to call him doctor he
might as well call her teacher.

*******************************************************
        Alice kneeled on her porch.  For some reason she felt
an overwhelming need to pray.  She asked the Lord to
be with Christy and the children of the Gap.  She
asked for guidance with David, and growth with Neil. 
She didn't know what else to say so she remained quiet
in prayer, listening for something her Father must
want to tell her.

Part : 5

Summary : Christy "trimmed" Neil's locks during so   
they talked about Neil's Christian growth.  Swany   
has sent Mounty to get Christy; Mounty found her and  
 they are on their way to the O'teal's.  Meanwhile   
Alice feels something impending her, so without   
knowing what to say she prays.  (we could all learn   
from her!)
-Disclaimer : The story and characters of "Christy"   
were written by Catherine Marshal and are owned by   
the LeSourd family.  In no way am I seeking profit   
for this, it is only for the amusement of the   
Christy list.

_______________________________________________________
   Mounty clench Christy's warm, soft hand with her
tiny fingers.  Christ chatted away about her old home,
the Magnolia tree, and her brother George.  Mounty
shook her head without speaking, all she wanted was to
here Christy speak, and she adored and looked up to
her teacher so much.  
   Christy looked down at silent Mounty.  She caught
the child's nervous gaze.  It was adorable.  Mounty
had changed so much since Christy had first come. 
This once shy, solemn child now smiled, spoke and
laughed.  Her thoughts were interrupted by a smell
tugging on her nose.  The smell was unmistakable, the
smell of the O'teal cabin.  Christy chided herself for
the petty thoughts that still loomed in her brain
about the stench.  
   Mounty tugged on Christy's hand, "Teacher can you
tell my mama I'll be a down at the rivers with the
others." It was just a whisper that Christy had to
strain to her.  Christy shook her head to answer as
Mounty scurried down between trees where only the feet
of children could run.  
   "Hello!  Swany!" Christy had grown accustom to
calling out before approaching these cabins, these
people still wielded rifles and were ready to shoot
anything that might threaten their families.  
   "Oh, Miz Christy I'm a yonder up this way!"   Swany
said from the left side of the cabin where she was
presently soaking some blankets.  Pulling her apron up
she used it to dry her hands.
   "Hello Swany, Mounty told me you wanted to talk
with me.  Mounty went down by the river with the other
kids." 
   "Them youngins be trying to catch some frog
creatures.  But I've been a wantin you to look at my
quilts.  I's remember that you been wantin to sell 'em
to some of the city folk you know.  Now I don't sew as
good as the rest of them women folk, but I want you to
take a look."  Swany rustled through a pile and pulled
out a green quilt. Christy felt the quilt, it was
beautiful.  No one in the city could have even sewn
this well.  On the quilt Swany had sewn a meadow, much
like all of the meadows in front of the mission.  The
intricate details of it amazed her.  The colors for
the flowers on the quilt were probably made out of
those same flowers.  
   "Swany this is stunning.  My friends back home
would love this, oh Swany how long did it take to make
this, you all must teach me to sew like this!"  
   "Oh!  Miz Christy I could give you some tips on
quilten, oh I could." Swany clasped her hands in
excitement, she could teach this city woman something
that she didn't know.  
   "MAMA!" A frantic voice came from behind them. 
Both women spun around because of the urgency in the
voice.  Becky ran to them, out of breath.  "Mama, it's
Mounty!" She shrieked.  "Mounty's hurt real bad.  She
was aft'r a frog and just right fell down, mama she
cracked her head on 'un rock."  She turned to Miss
Christy, "Her blood is a comin' out Mix Christy."  
   Christy had heard enough she took off; not waiting
for the others.  Her feet carried her swiftly down the
narrow path.  It was slippery from light showers
they've been having lately.  Christy banged her foot
on a tree stump, but she kept running, she had to get
to Mounty.  Mounty meant so much to her.  Suddenly
Christy lost her footing, she toppled onto the ground,
scrapping up her arms and knees.  Mud covered her, but
she pulled her aching body up and pushed on.
   "Mounty!!" She yelled.  Finally she reached the
river, with one less shoe then she stared with,
covered in wet dirt, and bleeding from cuts on her
knees and elbows.  Mounty lay on the shore, her little
feet still in the cool river.  Her siblings surrounded
her small body.     "Oh Mounty!"  Christy moved to her
side, and drew in breath out of horror.  Mounty was in
pain, her eyes tightly closed.  There was blood
everywhere, she had obviously done some damage to her
head, but Christy couldn't see the cut.  "Mounty you
are going to be fine."  
   "My baby!" Swany howled when she saw her child. 
Becky and Swany had finally made it there.  Swany move
to the side of Mounty that Christy didn't occupy and
scooped up her child in her arms.  Swany sobbed and
heaved, she could speak.  
   "Becky you must run and get Doctor MacNeil.  You
have to run fast and tell him it's an emergency!" 
Becky took off, Neil's cabin wasn't that far, and Neil
would take Charlie, they would be here in no time.
   "Mounty, Doctor MacNeil will be here soon." Christy
grabbed hold of Mounty's tiny hand.  
********************************
   "Let me through, let me through!" Neil commanded. 
The children moved back into the forming shadows of
evening.  Swany and Christy stayed Near to Mounty,
Neil tried to work around them.  "What happened?" Neil
asked.  He checked her vital signs and gently rolled
her to her side to examine the wound.  
   "The youngins were catching frogs, Becky says she
hit her head on a rock." Neil nodded but didn't look
up from his work.  His eyes were studying, tense, and
squinted.  He didn't say anything for a moment.  Then
he turned to Christy. "I think I need to talk to you
quickly." He was very serious.  She nodded and
followed him into the wood a ways.
   "What do you need to do?" Christy asked.
   "Nothing Christy, I can't do anything myself." He
was aggravated, not with Christy but himself and his
lack of knowledge.  "That's just it, I can not do
anything for the child.  She's going to die Christy." 
Christy looked up at him, but she couldn't believe his
words.  
   "I don't believe it."  She turned swiftly back,
kneeling on the ground next to Mounty.  She clasped
her hand and squeezed it tightly.  Mounty couldn't
die.  Mounty's eyes fluttered, she opened them half
way.  Her bright eyes were dim.
   "Teacher?" It was only a breath.
   "Yes Mounty.  Mounty I'm here." Christy leaned
close and kissed her forehead.
   "I caught the frog teacher."
   "I'm sure you did." Christy chocked back her tears,
Mounty couldn't see her worried.
   "Teacher, teacher I love you." Christy shook her
head, she didn't trust herself speaking.  
   'I know' Christy mouthed but nothing came out. 
Mounty smiled and closed her eyes.  Christy bit her
quivering lip.  Mounty's tiny hand fell limp in
Christy's hand.  Christy laid her head upon Mounty's
stomach.  Swany jumped up shrieking.
   "I have to go tell my man!" She sobbed and ran back
towards her house.
   "Christy," Neil pulled on Christy's shoulders,
"Christy she's gone." 
***********************************
   Miss Alice still sat on her porch, where she had
spent most of the day.  It's not that she didn't have
things to do, but the need to pray still had not
subsided.     


Part : 6

-Summary : Mounty died, but Christy cannot accept it
-Disclaimer : The story and characters of "Christy"
were written by Catherine Marshal and are owned by the
LeSourd family.  In no way am I seeking profit for
this, it is only for the amusement of the Christy
list.

_______________________________________________________
 
Christy clung desperately to Mountie's cold body.  The
O'teal's had headed home to grieve, Mr. O'teal was on
his way to pick up the lifeless body.  Christy had
stayed in the same position, lying on Mountie's
stomach, not wanting to accept the truth, Mountie
couldn't be dead.  Mountie had grown/changed so much
since Christy's arrival, but Christy still had so much
to teach her, so much to tell her.  Christy's tears
made wet marks on Mountie, she though of things she
could have said, should have said while the girl was
still alive, and maybe just maybe she was.  Neil stood
behind her utterly crushed by the seine before him.
"Christy," he tugged lightly on her shoulders once
more.  She yanked herself away.  Neil dropped to his
knees beside her.  Clutching her right arm  "Lass
you're bleeding?" he examined her elbows.  "What
happened to you Christy?"  
She glanced down at herself for a moment.  In the rush
of the event she had forgotten the state of herself. 
Now Christy felt the throbbing of her foot, saw the
loss of her shoe, the cuts on her body and that she
was covered almost completely in now caked on mud.
"Christy let me check you, it's not good that there is
dirt in you cuts." Neil was concerned, his voice ached
with the severity of everything that had happened.
"No Neil, help Mountie." She shoved him away and
turned back to Mountie.
"Christy!" Neil grabbed her wrists and shook her.
"Mountie is dead!  I cannot do anything for the girl. 
Christy I tried."  His voice was quieter at the end he
was desperate.  Christy wasn't normally like this, she
was always the calm in the storm, not the storm.   
"Why did she have to die." Christy moaned, then
looking directly into his eyes, 
"Neil why did she have to die?" Christy's voice
cracked.  She shook her head and let the tears come
out, let them flood forward.  Mr. O'teal came without
a word and scooped up his dead daughter in his arms. 
He grimly nodded at Neil and Christy without a word
then turned and left.  Christy and Neil sat silently
for a moment watching Mr. O'teal disappear.   
"Christy let me look at you." Neil began.
"Shouldn't you be with the family?" Christy shot at
him.
"No, lass I'm worried about you."  Neil was still
holding her arms, Christy was exhausted, and she now
realized that Neil had been right.  She was not as
strong as she thought that she was.  The typhoid had
taken a toll on her and she still was paying it.  Half
conscienceless she fell into his embrace, needing
comfort.  Her shoulders heaved with every loud sobs,
soaking the shoulder of his shirt with salty tears.  
"Neil.." She whispered, but he shushed her.
"Don't say anything lass, no need to say anything." 
She thought about what he had just said, 'no need to
say anything.'  That described her relationship with
Neil completely.  He pulled her closer to himself, as
if to protect her with his body.  How he would have
done anything to make her feel better, to she a
glimmer of a smile.  "Now lass, everything will work
out, you'll see."  He slowly stroked her hair twice to
console her.
"Neil, I really loved her.  It's not fair that she had
to die, she had changed so much, she was getting
better you know.  More outgoing.  Neil she talked for
me.  Now all I can think of are things I could and
should have said to her.  I've been a horrible
teacher.  I could have shown her I cared so much more,
I could have reached out to her more, I could have,
and I could have…" Christy began to cry again.
"Christy you cannot be so hard on yourself.  You are a
wonderful teacher, and a gift from God to these
children, and me." Christy made no reply, but
tightened her grip on his shirt.  She felt safe with
him, nothing could harm her while he was near. 
Without a word he scooped her up and began to carry
her.
"It's time for you to be getting to the mission." He
finally said.  
"You aren't going to carry me all the way there are
you?" It was only a murmur in his ear as she laid her
head upon his broad  shoulder.
"No lass." He laughed.  "I'll only carry you to
Charlie, then he can carry the both of us, I'm bushed
too."  Christy hadn't even thought that he might be
exhausted too.
"Neil, I'm sorry, I'm…" He shushed her again, and told
her to rest, and she did until they reached Charlie. 
He set her onto the ground and hurdled onto his steed.
 Extending his arm he lifted Christy onto the horse,
she was weary and snuggled up behind him resting her
dizzy head on his back.
**********************************
"I don't know where she could be!  Alice are you sure
you don't know where she is?" David paced in font of
the mission.  It was not the first time David was
worried about Christy not returning.  More then once
he had rushed out to search the mountain for her,
worried weather she was lying hurt somewhere.  He had
always played the fool though, Christy had almost
always been fine when he caught up with her.
"I do not know where Miss Huddleston is.  Maybe thee
should go and look for her.  I will wait her, I will
admit that I am worried.  No one has heard from her
all day." Miss Alice wrung her hat in her hands with
worry.  David nodded and took off towards the shed
that Prince called home, with in moments he was off at
a gallop down the path that lead to the heart of the
cove.  Miss Alice looked at the dim moonlight painting
stripes in the sky.  Did her urgent need to pray today
have something to do with Christy?  "Lord please let
her be safe, I cannot lose another daughter." She
yelled into the air overwhelmed with feelings.
*********************************
Neil's back stiffened as the beating of hooves came
towards them on the path.  With the moonshine business
in these mountains it wasn't safe to be wandering
around at night.  
"Christy!" A quivering voice called from the back of
the pounding hooves.
"David, is that you?" Neil called.  The hooves moved
quickly closer.  The rider wasn't visible until he
stepped into a shower of moonlight dripping down
through the canopy of trees. It was David, his face
clinched with fret.
"Neil, have you seen Christy." David was frantic.
"Don't worry David." Neil turned his horse so that
David could see Christy seated safely behind him, "I
think the lass is sleeping.  She's exhausted." 
David's anger began to grow, he was about to make a
comment when the doctor continued, "Mountie is dead
David, Christy is taking it harder then I expected. 
I'm worried about her."  David came closer and looked
at the sleeping girl hanging onto Neil.
"What happened to her?  She looks horrible." David saw
the dirt and blood, and the absence of a shoe.
"Oh, I don't think so," the doctor smiled. "Christy is
stunning to me no matter how the lass looks, don't you
agree Mr. Grantland." David opened his mouth to speak
but didn't.  "David, could you run ahead to the
mission and have Alice draw a hot bath, she'll
probably need some food too.  I know I will."  David
nodded and took off  his horse flinging dirt up behind
him.


Part : 7

-Summary : Christy is devastated after Mountie's
death, which leads her into Neil's arms, David goes
out to search for Christ but finds her safe of the way
to the mission with Neil.  
___________________________________________________

        Christy lay, hot bubbles swirling about her.  The
bath was enjoyable, and she let the steaming water
relax her aching body.  The sky was beautiful, clear,
the star's beams creating spotlights in the shadows of
the night.  Crickets sang to her as she fought sleep. 
Miss Alice would stop right outside the curtains that
formed the makeshift outside washroom.  She would
stand there for a moment, Christy would intently watch
her outline for a moment, to tired to speak much.
        "Christy?" Alice's sleepy vice would call to her. 
"Are thee still awake?"
        "Umhm." Christy would murmur.
        "I just wanted to make sure thee didn't fall to sleep
in that water." Alice laughed, but wasn't
lighthearted.  "Are thee almost done?"
        "Yes, I'm trying to get myself out of here." Christy
wearily answered.
        "Does thee need help?"
        "No."  Christy answered.  Alice stood outside the
curtain in silence for another moment before going
back into the mission.  Closing her eyes Christy
rested her head uncomfortably on the edge of the metal
basin.  So much had happened that day.  Christy would
never again see Mountie's face, or hear her little
voice.  She opened her eyes again, startled by a
boisterous deep laugh danced in the air.  It was Neil
of course, he was inside the mission but was audible
outside.  
*****************************
        Christy stumbled into the mission, hair dripping, but
clean and feeling a little refreshed.  Neil and David
both turned, smelling her lilac perfume before ever
hearing her.  Both men rose at the same time.  David
stood unmoved, but Neil walk to where she stood a
little disoriented. 
        "Ya look a wee bit lost Christy."  He slipped his arm
around her shoulders to steady her and brought her to
the room where Alice and David had seated themselves
again.  "I'm going to need to check you Christy, those
cuts on you don't look good."
        "There just a couple scrapes Neil, I'll be fine."
Christy looked to Miss Alice.
        "How did you get like that?" David spoke up.
        "I fell on the path that's all." Christy couldn't
understand why they were all so concerned, she had
fallen down all the time when she was little and no
one had made a fuss, so why now.  It frustrated her
that they all treated her still like a delicate
flower.  It struck her that she still had not been
fully accepted into this culture.  She had truly
though that she was months ago, but now it was
different.  They still wanted to treat her like a city
girl who didn't know what was going on. 
        "Christy I do think that thee should allow Doctor
MacNeil to examine those cuts."  Christy wouldn't
argue with Miss Alice, with out a word she submitted
her arm to Neil.  He looked at them carefully, then
looked up at her.
        "Christy I'm going to put some hydrogen peroxide on
them, it's going to sting a wee bit."  Reaching into
his doctor's bag he pulled out a brown bottle. 
Christy grabbed Neil's left hand and squeezed it hard
clinching her teeth as he poured the liquid into her
cuts.  "You have yourself a fine grip there."  He
smiled up at her from where he kneeled beside her. 
"You have cuts on your legs too don't you?"  Christy
looked unsure, a little embarrassed at the prospect of
showing Neil her legs all the way up to her knees. 
Reading her mind Neil reassured her, "Christy, I help
women give birth, I've seen legs before, now your
preacher here hasn't though." 
        "That's my queue," He pulled himself onto his feet. 
"I'm heading to my bunkhouse."  Turning Christy he
gave a swooping bow, "Sleep tight Christy, I'll talk
with you in the morning."  Then he was gone.  Neil
turned back to her and administered the peroxide to
her torn legs.  
        "Miss Huddleston I will be off to bed as well." Alice
started. "You need your sleep, do you need help up to
bed."  Christy nodded, but before Alice could move
closer Neil picked Christy up.
        "I've got her Alice, you need your sleep as well." 
Alice gave a sleepy smile then turned to leave.  Neil
scaled the stairs and placed Christy gentling into the
security of her bed.  He pulled the sheets up to her
chin then leaned close and kissed her forehead.  She
smiled and closed her eyes as Neil put his hand on the
door to leave.
        "Neil?" Her eyelids came open, he came back and sat
on the edge of the bed.  It was silent in the room for
a while.  She seemed to need him there, feel better if
he was there.  Of course she told herself it was only
because he was her closest friend.  She felt
comfortable with him.  "Neil," He turned his head
sideways to meet her eyes.  
        "Yes lass?" His voice was tender but his rouge was
thick.
        "Why does everyone around me seem to die?" Her voice
soft, and shacking.  The color in his face faded.
        "What are ye talking about lass?  That's crazy talk."
 He had turned so he was facing her.  Christy raised
herself, and leaned against the bedposts.  
        "Fairlight died and she was my best friend.  Lundy
died under my care, I found the candy Neil, and I had
known he had eaten some!  And now Mountie." Her lips
trembled.
        "Christy no." He didn't know what to say.  He placed
his hands on her shoulders, "None of those death's
have to do with ya lass.  Did you give Fairlight and
Lundy typhoid?  Did you push Mountie down in the
river?  Christy death is a big part of life in these
mountains.  You cannot blame yourself, it'll do no
good."
        "It's not fair, that they're all dieing.  Fairlight
had children to watch grow up, and Mountie had a life
ahead of her." Christy continued.
        "Christy they are somewhere far better, and far more
beautiful then these here mountains." He whispered,
unable to see her face in the dark of the room. 
Christy pulled up her knees and laid her head upon it.
 This man who she had always tried to give direction
to was teaching her.  Once again she found herself
amazed by the way God worked.  She wouldn't have
guessed a year ago that those words would have left
the mouth of Neil MacNeil.  "Christy are you okay
lass?"  He said after the pause.
        "Yes."  Neil rose to his feet and move toward the
door again, "Thank you." She whispered. 
        "You bet." Neil closed the door and pattered down the
stairs and out of the mission.  Christy curled up in
her bed and quickly sleep overcame her thoughts.

**********************************
        Yards away from the mission David paced back and
forth in his bunkhouse.  He spoke out loud trying to
find just the right words to say.
  

Part : 8
-Summary : After a hot bath and her wounds attended
too         Christy feels much better.  She talks with
Neil         about some doubts she is having, but her 
       reassures her.  David is planning something.
_______________________________________________________

        Neil pushed open his heavy wooden door unable to
sleep.  His thoughts and his need for sleep waging
war, and it seemed that his thought were winning. 
Stepping out into the dawn Neil began to walk, but to
no place in particular.  The exploding sunrise looked
as if someone had taken a paintbrush and wiped hues of
pink and orange across the early morning sky.  His
feet lead him down a path as if on some mission known
by them but not to the owner of those feet.  

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


        David sat motionless in a chair his eyes fixed
on something unseen in a trance.  He had been up all
night, rewording things all night.  Fatigue was
pulling at him, made his legs feel just like one of
the younger Cove children were hanging on to them. 
His head fell forward in momentary sleep, but he
pulled it back up, he would not allow himself to
sleep, not now, not yet.

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

        
        Stopping on the path Neil looked around him. 
He had been here, at the place where Mountie had died,
only hours ago, but it looked like a brand new
location.  The river that Neil had grown up on gurgled
happily, budding flowers showed that new life was
growing, that life moved on.  Squatting down Neil
selected a smooth rock about the size of his palm. 
Standing up he cast it into the lively little river
that had tried for so many years to carve a great path
through the mountains, the rock skipped twice before
sinking.  Neil thought of it as symbolic, but then
shrugged away the thought.  It was symbolic for too
many things in his life.  
        Choosing a narrower path to follow he set out again,
but only a minute down the path he stopped to look
onto the ground.  There before him covering in muck
but still recognizable lay Christy's lost shoe. 
Scooping it happily up in his hand he wiped off the
excess mud.  It was blue, he remembered that she had
worn this pair of shoes when he had danced with her at
Ruby May's wedding.  How wonderful was that memory, he
thought of it often.  
        Trudging back towards the river he thought about the
shoe.  What should he do with it?  He dipped it
carefully into the clear river, the dirt making small
brown swirls in the water but quickly vanishing
downstream.  The shoes produced their bright sky blue
once again.  A color that could only be described as
Cutter's Gap morning.  The color belonged to Cutter's
Gap just as Christy did, and the shoe belonged to
Christy just as Cutter's Gap now belonged to her.
        With newly found energy Neil bounded quickly back to
his cabin whistling a tune that he only sang when his
mind slipped to thoughts of Christy.

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

        Alice knocked none too quietly on Christy's door
before proceeding in.  She walked straight to the
balcony and flung open the doors letting sunshine
illumination the dark room.  Christy moved in her bed,
moaning as she covered her blinded eyes with a
slightly bruised arm.  
        "How are thee this morning?" Miss Alice spoke
excitedly from the side of Christy's bed.  Finally
un-sheilding her eyes Christy smiled looking at Alice.
 She stood radiant in the newborn light of morning. 
Just as Christy had always pictured as an angel
looked.  The strains of hair that fell from Miss
Alice's neat bun glowed like a halo.  Alice stood
smiling, her hands clasped together.
        "Tired." Was all Christy answered.
        "As thou should be.  I know that I should have let
you sleep the day away, everyone knows that you need
it.  The doctor would not agree with me waking you,
but I wanted to see thee Christy, talk with thee." 
Christy smiled back at Alice as she slowly raised
herself from the bed.  She was Miss Alice's daughter,
maybe not in blood but in every other way.  Miss Alice
had probably been up worried about her, just as a
mother would do for her child, and now  she wanted to
be with her child for no reason at all.
        "Oh no, it is time for me to get up.  I would never
want to waist a day sleeping.  I need to change, but
I'll be down in a moment."  Miss Alice was beaming as
she left the room and quietly closed the door after
her.
        Lifting her brush to her hair Christy thought of all
that had happened.   She was still shaken up about the
whole event.  How could she go to Mountie's funeral? 
She knew that it would crush her, she wouldn't be able
to handle it, she would crumble.  But if she didn't
go, how would that look to these people? She was the
teacher who had shared so much of her own life with
the child there was no way she could not go. The
people in the cove would take the death better, as mad
as it made her Neil was right, they were so use to
death, and she was not and would never be.  How could
people be desensitized to death?
        Gathering up the dress that she had picked to wear
Christy stumbled upon a shoe.  Picking it up she saw
that it was her favorite light blue one.  There was a
little mud caked to the bottom and crawling up the
sides but it was still a delightful shoe.  Her father
had bought her them only weeks before she had left
Ashville.  She searched for it's match but suddenly
remembered she had lost it last night.  Oh last night
seemed so far in the past, that's where she wanted it
to be.  Deciding she would go out and search for the
shoe later she headed downstairs to where Miss Alice
waited for her.

*******************************************************
        
        David rose from his seat, his legs aching from
sitting so long.  He ran his long, thin fingers
through  dark tousled hair.  Pulling his suspenders up
over his shoulder he walked outside; determination set
in his brow.        


Part : 9
-Summary : Neil finds Christy's shoe.  Alice wakes    
    Christy up early.  David has been up all night    
    planning something, but we don't know what.
_______________________________________________________

        "U - nited States mail!" Ben's voices sounded a
distance from Neil's house.  Neil had always been one
of the only members to receive a steady flow of mail
in the cove, well that us until Christy Huddleston
showed up, now she was the big receiver.  Ben was
always hauling something to her, if not a letter
everyday there was a package of some sort, but this
very important letter was addressed to a Mr. Neil
MacNeil, and as Ben is a postman of incredible
dedication it would get there unharmed.  
        "Hello there Ben.  Do ye have something for me?" 
Neil stood in front of his house. 
        "Why I sure do Doc MacNeil.  I have here a right
important envelope for you."  Handing Neil the manila
envelope Ben didn't move as if to wait to see the
inside of the envelope.  "That there's a mighty big
envelope, what do you think might be in there?  It
says important on it even.  I'm plum worn out figuring
on it."
        "Do not worry yourself on my behalf Ben." Neil gave a
knowing smile. "I wouldn't want to hold you up now,
I'm sure you have other things to deliver."  Ben
'catching Neil's drift' gave a silent wave and was
off. 
        Flipping the envelope over and over in his hands Neil
studied it.  The name was that of a man he owed his
life to.  One of the doctor's who had given him a
chance at the age of 16, but it was the return address
that made him wonder.  This doctor lived northeast
from Cutter's Gap, the return address came from the
west.  Surely this man would have informed Neil
earlier?   Finally overcoming his wondering he ripped
open the letter.  Reading the words carefully he felt
his mouth drop open.  
        Neil sat down on his porch steps, he had to reread
it, maybe he was mistaken.  But after rereading it
over and over again it was still the same.  Neil set
the letter down next to him and reached into his back
pocket where Christ's shoe was tucked.  He held the
shoe out, cupped in his hands.  It was so tiny, how
could the owner of this shoe be so strong?  Holding
the shoe in his left hand and the letter in his right
Neil looked back and forth; from shoe to letter,
letter to shoe.  How was he supposed to choose between
the woman he loved and the man he owed his life to?

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

        Christy sat at the breakfast table where she had
joined Alice.  Ida complained in the kitchen about
waking up too late to be eating.  
        "Christy I know that I asked thee this morning but
how are you feeling?" Alice's eyes were on Christy and
suddenly she felt uncomfortable.  Why was Alice
treating her so softly again? 
        "I'm fine, a little sore but fine." Christy answered.
        "Does thee need to talk about anything?" Alice saw
Christy shift her weight uneasily in her chair, there
was something on Christy's mind.
        "Well," Christy began, but stopped as David staggered
through the door.
        "Good morning ladies.  What a fine day the Lord has
created for us, right Miss Huddleston?"  David's eyes
were sagging, his words were cheerful but it was
discounted by everything his body was saying.
        "David, are thee alright?" 
        "Oh, fine, fine.  Perhaps even delightful."  Christy
and Alice gave each other a quick sideways glance, but
by then Ida was in the room with their breakfasts in
hand.  The room was silent besides the occasional
clanging of a fork on a plate.  Hot billows of steam
poured off of Christy's eggs, she was starving but
could not eat.  Something didn't feel right, in fact
nothing felt right.  Without a word Christy stood up,
pushed in her chair and walked out the door.  The last
thing she heard was Ida making a comment about slaving
over food and then the ungrateful not eating it. 
Christy didn't care, something was amiss.  
        She stood next to the little stream.  It reminded her
of herself sometimes.  Always different and yet always
the same.  It's the same river, but always-new water. 
She scanned the horizon as she had done so many times
to try to gather strength from creation.  It came, but
she still felt lost.  Why was she having these
feelings now?  

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

        "I'm going after her."  David stood up from the
table.
        "David I don't know if that is best.  Christy
sometimes does better if she has time to herself."
Alice warned him, knowing David was not in his best
mind either.
        "Alice you're wrong." David raised his voice a
little, "You may not always know what's best for
Christy."
        "And thee does?"
        "Yes I think that I do."
        "Such a bold statement David, one I'm not sure that
you should make."
        "I'm going to go out there Alice, and tell her
everything.  Mark my words she does love me Alice, and
she will tell me now or I'm leaving Cutter's Gap!" 
With that he turned and bolted out the door in the
direction where he saw Christy.  Alice stood at the
end of the table.  Her hand out, as if to grasp
something that wasn't there.  She was solemn for a
moment, but then her face crumbled in anguish.   

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

        "Christy?" David was a few feet behind her. 
        "Yes David?" Christy turned, her thoughts
interrupted.  
        "I know that things have been weird for you lately. 
I just wanted you to know that I'm here for you
Christy and I want to help you just as you have helped
me all this time.  You have taught me so much, and you
were right to reject my first marriage proposal, I
wasn't ready and I needed to grow, because of you
Christy I have."  He tried to remember his rehearsed
lines, "I'm here for you Christy," It was only a
whisper.  He opened his arms and Christy came into
them.  How she needed a friend right now.  Alice was a
friend, but she was more of a mentor then a peer. 
Christy needed a peer.  She was so thankful that David
had thought to come out to her now, to help her now.  
        "Thank you so much David, you don't know how much I
need you."  Her cheek was on his chest, his arms
tightly around her.  She couldn't see his face, but he
was smiling, almost smirking with satisfaction. 
        "Christy I knew that you loved me." He said the words
and Christy's heart stopped.  Was that what this was
all about?  Christy needed a friend, she thought David
was coming to her as a friend, not as another marriage
proposal.  She pulled away from him.
        "David not now, please not now."
        "If not now then when Christy, tell me when.  I think
now is the perfect time.  I love you Christy, and I
know that you love me."  She looked away.  "Does this
have to do with Neil?"  Christy straightened, why was
he bringing Neil into this?
        "Neil has nothing to do with this!"
        "Christy, Neil has everything to do with this."      
  "Doctor MacNeil is a good friend who I respect,
other then that do not let your imagination carry you
away David.  I'm surprised by you."  As she said the
words she tried to shoo away a memory, or was it a
dream, 'I love you Christ, God don't let her die…' 
        "Forget him Christy, he isn't right for you.  I have
so many places to take you, show you."
        "David I am not leaving the cove anytime soon."  Now
it was David's turn to straighten himself, he grasped
for words, his memorized words running away from him.
        "Christy Huddleston if you cannot marry me then I
might just have to leave this cove."  David crossed
his arms across his chest.  The thought infuriated
her, he was trying to manipulate her into marriage. 
If he did leave it would set the mission work back so
far, he meant so much to the people.  If she did marry
him then what, would that be so bad? 
        "David that's not right." 
        "Neither is your mooning over MacNeil."  Christy took
off and left, it's a good thing too because she didn't
think she could restrain herself from slapping him one
moment more. 

Part : 10
Summary : Neil receives a mysterious letter that is  
      going to force him to make the choice of a      
  lifetime.  David tried to persuade Christy to       
 marry him again, his ultimatum was 'marry me or      
  I leave.'  Christy stormed off. 
_______________________________________________________

        Christy didn't even stop at the mission, she needed
to talk to someone.  She thought of Miss Alice, so
serious, so wise, but for the first time Christy
didn't feel she should go to Alice with this.  Alice
was David's superior; Christy shouldn't burden her
with this.  The only other person that came to mind
was Neil so she took off in his direction.
        
******************************************************

        Neil closed the top on the tiny wooden chest that had
been passed down in his family for generations.  He
had placed Christy's 'Cutter's Gap morning blue' shoe
inside of it.  He had not yet decided what to do with
it.  He knew that he should probably give it back, it
belonged to her, but that made him want to keep it
even more.  To have something that was hers, to look
at it when he couldn't gaze upon her.
        Turning about he heard footsteps on his porch.  They
were footsteps so soft that they could only belong to
one person.
        "Christy…"  He stopped to admire her in his doorway. 
It was a bright day and sunlight glowed all around
her.  Her face was flush from obvious running, she was
still in the process of catching her breath.  Taking a
step closer he also saw streaks on her face where
tears had ran only moments ago.  The confusion in her
eyes was unmistakable.  Growing concerned for her he
continued, "Lass is something wrong?"
        Sipping in the sweet moist air of spring she stared
at him.  The cabin he stood in was dark, but sunbeams
danced around his firm figure, just as bugs dance
around a fire.
        "I don't know where to start."
        "Well come'ar lass, sit yourself down.  You look as
if you've ran here all the way from El Pano."  She
immediately sat in the offered chair.
        "Neil; David asked me to marry him again."
        "And that's a problem?"  Neil's back was to her; he
spoke unaffected as he filled his pipe.
        "Yes, why yes there is.  I am so confused right now,
not only about David, but everything.  I really have
needed someone to talk to, someone just to listen, to
be my friend.  David came to me, offered me support
than in the middle of it all he wormed back to
marriage, it's as if he had it all planned Neil!" 
Neil smiled at her, she was adorable when angry.  He
nostrils flared and wrinkles formed on her forehead,
he big eyes tried to force the seriousness, oh those
eyes aloud her to be read like a book.
        "Oh Christy do not be so hard on our preacher.  I'm
sure he means well.  Lass he's only frustrating you
because he believes that he loves you."  Neil pulled a
chair a couple feet from where Christy sat.  He
extended his long legs.
        "I'm surprised with you Neil, never would I have
guessed you would take his side, well not in this
matter." 
        "Why not?" Christy was silent for a moment, her mind
drifted off to a past dream, 'I love you Christy..' it
had seemed so real, she had wished it were real,
obviously it wasn't.
        "I don't know, you and the preacher have always been
at odds."
        "We don't see eye to eye yes, but that really has
nothing to do with who he marries, does it Christy?" 
He seemed to want he to say something, but she
remained quiet, "I'm not taking sides, but I do think
you should see them all.  And about needing a friend
to listen to you Christy, you know I'm always here.  I
hope you consider me your friend Christy."  Christy
was still uneasy, why did the doctor do this to her?
        "Yes, of course, I just don't always want to bug
you."  He laughed at her words, but grew serious
quickly.
        "Do you love him?" The question stunned Christy,  he
might as well have thrown a pumpkin at her head.  
        "I don't know, that's more complicated then it
sounds."
        "No, it really isn't.  It's not a multiple choice
question, Christy do you love David?"  Neil set his
finished pipe on the table then folded his arms to
wait for a reply.
        "David is a nice guy, a great preacher, he helps
these people a lot and I admire that.." Neil shook his
head.
        "I am quite well acquainted with the man, I know much
about him.  I didn't ask of a synopses of everything
he's ever done, just do you love him?"  Why was he
being so push about it, this situation needed
explaining, not yes and no answers.
        "Neil that really isn't the question, the question is
do I love the people of the cove.  David said that he
would leave if I didn't marry him.  Neil these people
need a minister, David can't leave."
        "Why that fool!"  Neil stood up pounding his hand on
his table.  Christy watched his pipe spring into the
air and tumble onto the dust of  the cabin floor. 
"Now I question the man's motives."  Neil looked down
at Christy, she looked a little frightened, so he sat
down on the floor next to her, leaning the weight of
his body on the leg of his table.  "He shouldn't have
said that."
        "I told him that."
        "And what did he say in reply?"  Christy opened her
mouth to speak, but then remembered what David had
said in reply, that it was wrong for her to moon of
McNeil.  There was no way she could tell the doctor
that.
        "I don't remember."
        "Or you don't want to say."  How could he see right
through her?  "No matter, still the question is do you
love him?"
        "Not like that, not for marriage.  He is like a
brother, or a good friend.  But maybe I could love
him, marry him for these people.  I do love the cove
enough to do that."  Neil sat up kneeling next to her.
 He took one of her hands inside his and with his
other hand he blushed some hair back behind her ear. 
He let his hand hold the side of her face.
        "I know you love these people enough lass, but if
your heart is saying no then don't.  Christy, do not
marry him if you don't love him, it'll do him more
harm then you know.  Christy, I had a wife that didn't
love me and it tore me to pieces please don't do the
same to the preacher."  

******************************************************
        
        "David what is thee doing?"  Alice was at her wits
end.  David seemed not to notice as he gathered a
couple books that belong to him from the mission. 
"What are you doing with all this stuff David?"  
        "Packing!" He gave her a momentary glance and then
walked out of the room in search of anything he could
pick up forcefully to show how upset he was.
        "What?  Why are thou leaving?"  Alice followed him
into the sitting room, which housed the piano.  David
set the books on top of it and set his fingers down on
a couple keys.
        "Do you remember when the piano first arrived?  We
all thought Christy was crazy.  She's brought so much
joy through all of this, through everything she does. 
Remember when she would play this at first, it wasn't
very good but she loved to play it.  To make the piano
sing.  I would come in just to watch her eyes glow. 
Christy sings beautifully."  David ran his hand gently
down the ivory keys.
        "Christy is a horrible singer." Alice commented.
        "Not to me.  It made her so happy to sing, I loved to
listen.  Christy is so full of life Miss Alice." 
David looked up, his eyes ready to overflow at any
moment.
        "So your leaving has to do with Christy."
        "Yes.  I can not look at her and know that I can't
have her."  He seat his gaze back at the piano keys
for a second, then sighed remembering his task of
collecting things he scooped his books back up and
moved to the next room.  
        "David thee is needed here."
        "You can always have another seminary student come."
He shrugged scanning the kitchen cupboards.  
        "Oh I know, but you aren't the average, David these
people don't need a minister, what they need is thee,
David Grantland."  
        "I think I need them too." He whispered, and then
turned steadily out of the mission in the direction of
his bunkhouse.   

Part : 11      
-Summary : Christy went to Neil to seek advice about
David's proposal.  David was packing to leave the
mission, but then was struck by just how much he needs
the people of Cutter Gap.
_______________________________________________________


        Sitting up in bed Christy was amazed that she had
been waking up so early in the past couple days. 
Everything had been so confusing lately.  People in
the cove were solemn over Mountie, Miss Alice seemed
troubled, David hadn't talked to her in days, and Neil
… He was her same friend but the other day when she
spoke with him, his mind seemed miles away.
        Squinting her eyes into the darkness of her room
Christy tugged a large shawl on over her tiny
shoulders, and slipped shoes on.  She made her way out
of the mission and into the brisk morning air.
        It was a little overcast and the sun still had a
couple minutes before it would try to slice through
the ominous clouds that hugged the top of the hills. 
The air was thick with the smell of ran, a lite fog
settled in the air.
        Christy began to walk.  Being out in the morning was
glorious.  Seeing the birth of each new day brought
her so much hope.  Walking absently down a damp path
Christy froze after hearing a twig crunch only feet
off the path.  It probably wasn't the smartest thing;
being out all alone while no one else was awake.  
        "Oh, do not ye be afraid Miss Huddleston, it's just
me."  A hearty ruff voice came from beside her.  She
sighed when she saw that it was only Neil at her side.
 "What brings ye out so early this morning?"  He
leaned against a nearby mossy tree, she noticed a
rather large envelope clinched in his hand.
        "Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing,
might it have something to do with a certain
envelope?" Christy was only teasing but she saw Neil
immediately grow tense.  "Neil you don't have to tell
me about the envelope, it was just a joke."  He
relaxed a bit, ran his work worn hand through tussled
curls. 
        "I've been up a while, I think better outside.  I
wanted to find the most beautiful spot in Cutter Gap
to think, and why look now I've found myself the most
beautiful place in the world."  His eyes were on
Christy, she noticed and her cheeks grew hot.
        "This old path?  Neil I could show you twenty places
more beautiful." She let out a nervous laugh.
        "If you were there they would be." His eyes were
still on her.  She looked away bashfully.  Why did he
do this to her?  She use to blush over boys in school,
but she wasn't a child anymore.  She didn't do this
with David either and she liked David.  Why was Neil
so different?  Neil was just a good friend, right? 
        "I was out thinking as well." She changed the
subject.  "Just as you said I think better out here,
walking in nature gives me such peace.   That's what I
need now, peace."
        "Well Miss Huddleston, I would be honored we could
walk and think together."  He offered her his arm and
she took it.  "So what's on your mind?"
        "A lot."  She took a deep breath, Neil noticed and
smiled, "The people have been acting very solemn since
Mountie's death."
        "As they should be." Neil nodded his head for her to
continue.
        "And Alice has seemed troubled lately."
        "Christy you have to remember that Alice also has a
lot on her mind.  Just think she is probably worried
about you and you about her, if you both gave that up
there would be one less thing to think about."
        "Your wit amazes me Neil MacNeil."
        "Seriously, Alice will tell you if see really needs
to be worried over.  I think it's a mix of things.  Do
you know that this is the month that Margaret died in?
 That could be it."
        "Neil, I'm so sorry."  
        "And she's probably worried about David, I know you
didn't tell her, but I bet she knows.  Anything else?"
 
        "Well David still isn't talking to me." Christy
looked over a Neil as he walked, he caught her glance,
but she quickly looked away.
        "Give the preacher time.  He'll come to in time." 
        "Neil you amaze me, you have an answer for
everything.  And for once I don't mean that in a bad
egotistical way.  I mean you have such a level head
about everything."
        "Not everything." He looked at her as he spoke.
        "Well then there is you; I'm also worried about you."
        "Me Miss Huddleston?  Do not trouble yourself on my
behalf."
        "Neil I'm trying to be serious."  She kicked a rock
that was on the path and it bumbled through some dirt
before rolling off the path. "The other day you seemed
to have something on your mind, now I know that it was
probably Margaret.  I know it's not my right to ask,
but is that what it is, do you miss her?"  Christy's
voice was quiet.
        "Christy; Margaret died a long time ago.  I do think
of her for time to time, especially now, this time of
year.  But that's not what was troubling me lass.  Do
you want to know what it was?"  He led her off the
path they took steps into a field now.
        "It's not my place." She said solemnly, but she did
want to know.
        "I'll tell you anyway.  It is this envelope.  See my
old doctor friends, the ones that helped me.  Christy
those men gave me my life.  Well one of them moved out
west.  There are a lot of poor people in the west but
they deserve medical help just the same.  My friend
offered me a position.  Not really as a doctor, but as
a teacher, not unlike yourself.  But I would be
teaching lots of folks about medicine, that way they
could all go and help people.  It would be multiplying
me by a hundred."
        "I don't think I could handle more then one of you."
Christy gave a weak upset grin.
        "I'm really considering the position.  I could do a
lot of good, Christy you understand that right?  I
would be helping more people then I would ever have a
chance to here in Cutter Gap."  Christy was silent, 
the doctor couldn't leave.  This cove needed him, the
people needed him.  
        "These people need you." She tried to fight him.
        "What makes those in the west less deserving?  These
people lived with out me for many years, besides they
trust their superstitions more then they put trust in
me." 
        "But you have made strides with them." Christy raked
her brains for anything she could say to convince him
not to go.
        "Lass." He stopped walking and pulled her so she
faced him, "I know all the arguments, and don't you
think I've been going over them in my head for days
now."  His eyes moved back and forth a bit, searching
hers for some unknown answer. "Christy could you give
me one sure reason for me to stay, one that might
convince me this is the place for me?"  His eyes
looked hopeful.  She thought for a moment, a hundred
things rushed in her head.  What did he want to hear?
        "Neil, this is your home.  You said to me just a week
ago that you belong to these mountains and.." He
rested one of his fingers on her lips and shook his
head.
        "That wont work, don't try to guilt me Christy. 
Didn't you leave your home to come here?  I am going
Christy, in two days I'll have to leave." He spoke
slowly.  When he finished he picked up her hand and
brought it too his lips.  He gave her a smile and
turned, he walked a few paces then stopped.  His back
was turned to her, but he was there.  He seemed to be
waiting for something, but she didn't know what. 
Christy didn't wait instead she turned in the opposite
direction and took off running.  She couldn't let him
see her sobbing over this.   But if only she had
waited a moment longer she would have seen a powerful
man crumble to his knees, bang on the ground and heave
with tears.


Part : 12      
Summary : Neil told Christy about his leaving the
Gap.
_______________________________________________________


        Christy ran as the downpour began to fall.  She
couldn't tell the difference between the rain on her
face or the tears streaking them.  How could Neil
MacNeil, her only friend be leaving her?  Everything
seemed to be going wrong.  She asked herself why she
was so upset, why did it bother her so much that Neil
wanted to help people elsewhere?  She told herself
that it was because the people of the cove needed him,
especially since Neil became a Christian now.  Since
Neil had the ability to save lives he had made more of
a spiritual impacted on these people than anyone in
the cove, but that wasn't it.  Something else was
tugged at Christy, but she didn't understand it; she
didn't want to understand it.
        The sun never got its chance to pierce through the
gloomy sky, clouds won the battle this morning.  The
ominous storm rolled in, concealing the mountains in
darkness.  Christy made her way back to the mission as
quickly as possible, but she still had a way to go
before she got there.  A lightening bolt ripped
through the sky like a whip in the night.  Thunder
sounded like a wild pack of horses were chasing her.
Christy let out a terrified scream.  More lightening
spewed forth from the clouds; they would light up the
sky for a couple brief moments, just enough for
Christy to make her way through the  dark woods.  The
rain became harder, there was no way the children
would be coming to school today.  Christy pressed on,
just a little while longer now until she reached the
mission.
        "Christy!"  David stood out in the downpour in front
of the mission.  When he saw her coming he running,
forgetting all about the anger he was supposed to
have.
        "David." She was exhausted and fell into his arms. 
He swept her up.
        "We've got to get you inside, you're soaked through. 
Christy you're shivering.  What were you doing out
there?" David poured out questions that he knew she
was too tired to answer.  He set her down once safely
inside.  Christy was on the wood floor surrounded in
her own pool of rain.  David stood dripping beside
her, together they were making a small lake on the
floor.  
        "Thank you David." Looking up at him Christy wrung
out her hair.
        "Before you say anything else, I want to apologize to
you.  I have been doing a lot of thinking and praying
lately.  It was wrong of me to treat you so badly, I
have been selfish these last couple days.  Also it was
wrong of me to try to threaten you into marrying me,
and just so you know, I will be staying." He gave a
quick smile to her, which she returned.  "The truth is
that I can't just stop loving you, maybe I never will,
but I can let you go, and I want you to know that I
have.  I'm happy with whatever you do, I want you and
I to still be friends."
        "I'd like that too David." She rose to hug him, but
stopped because she was so wet. "I'd hug you but I'm
soaked through."
        "And I'm not?  Do you realize that this is the first
time I saved you and you actually needed it?" His wet
hair clung to his forehead, his shirt to his body. 
She laughed and gave him a tight hug.  He studied her
for a second, "Christy you look upset, do you want to
talk about it?"
        "David, Doctor MacNeil is leaving Cutter Gap.  He's
going to move out west and teach other people to be
doctors, I'm upset because this cove really needs
him."  She bit her lip as emotions flooded back into
mind.
        "Are you sure he's going?"
        "Yes, he'll be gone in two days." Wiping away tears
from her face, "I'm so wet.  I better dry off before I
catch a cold.  Before long we wont have a doctor to
take care of us." 
        "Did I just hear thee right?"  Alice descended the
stairs to sit next to Christy on the floor.  She saw
the devastation in Christy's big eyes, there was more
in those eyes then she let on.  "David thee should get
to thy bunkhouse and change before you really do catch
cold."  He nodded before bolting out the door and
attempted to dodge the buckets of water as they came
down.  "Christy does thee want to talk about
anything."
        "There is nothing to talk about.  The doctor has made
up his mind Alice, I can't believe he's leaving, Alice
these people need him!"  Christy grew firm as she
spoke.
        "Christy thee dose not need to convince me."
        "Alice I really did try to talk him out of it, but
his mind is made up.  Does he know what that'll do to
the people here?"  Christy began to talk with her
hands as emotions led her.
        "And to thee." Miss Alice raised a knowing eyebrow.
        "Yes, Doctor MacNeil is my friend and I will miss
him.  That is all Alice."
        "Christy I know thee well, and love thee as a
daughter.  I have stayed up late some nights thinking
of you, praying for you.  You are the daughter I
always wanted and the one that I am so proud of.  Tell
me the truth dear, do you love him?"
        "Miss Alice, well I..I" Christy's mind spun quickly,
her eyes moved to the side in thought.  "Miss Alice I
don't think I know what love is." She sidestepped the
question.
        "Foolishness Christy!  You are a Christian, you are
in the only group of people who truly know what love
is!"
        "Miss Alice Neil infuriates me.  We are always in an
argument, we are both stubborn.  Even if I did, it
would never work.  He's leaving Alice, leaving for
good."  Christy picked herself up.  "I need to change,
I soaked to the bone."  Alice nodded with a smile as
Christy slowly made her way up the stairs.  
        "Miss Huddleston?" Alice called up after her, "It is
no sin to love a man who isn't a preacher."  Alice
tapped the railing once before making her way quickly
out the door and braving her way to her own cabin.

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

        Water ran down Neil's face as it dripped from long
drenched curls.  He stood in his cabin, unmoving.  Was
this all real?  Did he really just tell Christy that
he was leaving for good?  His mind hadn't been made up
before then, something in him, his pride had moved him
to finally say it.  
        "I'm leaving." Neil whispered.  He didn't want to
leave, but how could he go back on it now?  Two days. 
Only two days!  The monotonous sound of rain falling
constantly on the roof grew into torture.  Why hadn't
she said something?  In a quick moment of anger Neil
took his arms and violently sent everything that had
been resting on his table crashing to the wooden floor
boards.  Then he crumbled again.  His elbows on his
table, his knees on the ground and wet curls clenched
in his strong hands.  Hands that had once been sturdy
were shaking.  How could one little woman do this too
him?
Part : 13      
-Summary : Christy and David reconciled, Alice talked
to Christy about feelings for Neil, but Christy didn't
say anything.  Neil is as shocked as everyone else is
about his leaving.
_______________________________________________________

        The children had been somber all morning.  Even
Creed, for the most part, had behaved himself.  The
world around them smelled like worms and mud; the
after rain scent.  The sun shone brightly today,
spilling forth through the tiny windows of the
schoolroom.  The storm from yesterday had devastated
the cove.  Trees littered paths, the stream was
gorged, boards from some of the people's homes could
be found all over Cutter Gap.  Many of the older
children had stayed home today to help their fathers
repair; David was also out helping people.
        "That wind ser blew something mighty fierce." Sam
Houston came up to his teacher's desk were she was
overlooking the children's math examines during the
noontime brake.  
        "It sure did Sam Houston." Christy smiled at him.  
        "Teacher?" Sam Houston straightened his slender body
uneasily.  "Is it right truth that Doc MacNeil is a
leave'n us tomorrow?"  All throughout  the break
children had come up to her one by one and asked her
about Neil.  They all knew about it, but it seemed
they had to ask just in case, on some hope, it wasn't
true.  Christy was amazed at how the news had traveled
so quickly.  Neil had only told her yesterday, she
didn't know of anyone else that had known but it was
now common knowledge.
        "Yes Sam Houston, I believe that he his."  Sam
Houston kicked his little foot at the ground.
        "I'm gonna miss him something fierce." His voice was
filled with gloom, just as the other children. 
Christy took her hand up and ran it over Sam Houston's
small head, letting it rest on his neck.  She looked
him in the eye.
        "I will too." It was so softly, so meaningfully said
that Sam Houston felt sorry for his teacher.  He gave
her a big smile and leapt towards her.  He gave her
his best bear hug and didn't let go.  Christy thought
about this for a moment.  These children had taught
her so much more then she had taught them.  This child
who had nothing to give had just given her the world. 
 She had so often sensed their unhappiness and been
there to comfort them, but now they were here for her.
 "Thank you Sam Houston." 
        "I say we send him off with a down right
jollification!  We could have dancing, and Jeb Spencer
could play the music.  Miss Hattie could sing one of
them purty songs for us."  Creed grew excited as he
paced in the room.  The other children joined in;
yelling out ideas.  
        "Thank you Creed, it's nice of you but I don't want a
jollification." Neil stood in the doorway of the
schoolhouse and the room fell to a hush.  Christy
lifted her eyes to look at him,  her eyes met his. 
She wanted to look away, to ignore him, get up and
start teaching the class.  But she couldn't break
gazes with him.  His eyes were intense,  they were
trying to speak to her, tell her a shared secret but
she couldn't read them.  She realized that it had been
silent for a while, but she didn't say anything to
break it.  Something compelled her to run to him, let
his arms contain her, rest in his arms, but she didn't
move, couldn't more.  Those eyes.  
        "Doc MacNeil is it truth that you'll be a leaving us
tomorrow?" John Spencer spoke up.  Neil blinked,
seemingly waking up out of a daze, then turned his
attention to John.  Christy slumped back into her
chair suddenly feeling cold.  How come his stare made
her warm?
        "That's right John.  Tomorrow morning, right about
when schools starting I'll be heading off." 
        "Why are you leaving us?" Rebecca Holt joined in.
        "Yeah, we'll be needing you Doc." Little Burl stood
up.
        "Children you don't need me.  Miss Alice knows a lot
about doctoring.  I'm going to go someplace where
there is no one like Miss Alice to take care of
people." Neil answered them easily.
        "Will we ever see you again Doc?" Creed turned in his
seat as the doctor paced around the room.
        "Well I'll come by tomorrow to say good-bye.  I can't
say though if I'll ever some back to the cove.  I will
write.  How's this I'll write your teacher here, and
she can tell you how I'm doing." Neil gave a wink to
Christy who had stayed silent through everything. 
Christy was swept up in her own thoughts.  Never see
Neil again?  Could she be happy if those intense eyes
never again drank from her gaze?  If she never touched
his curls again?  Would she forget that perfect
reddish sandy brown hair?  Could she forget this man
before her that could act so much like a boy and again
be so much of a man at the same time?  It was almost
too much for her.  Never was a long time, too long.
        "That sounds like a right fine idea Doctor MacNeil."
John nodded his head in his own thoughts.
        "Well that is if Miss Huddleston doesn't mind my
writing to her." Neil turned his attention to her and
once again, just like a wind his presence sent her
mind spinning.  For a moment she couldn't think to
answer, all she could do was stare at him. "Miss
Huddleston?  Are you alright lass?" He moved to come
to her side but she lifted her hand and ran in through
her hair that she had left down today.  
        "No, I'm fine Doctor MacNeil." Christy felt strength
whelming up inside her.  She could stand up, she could
brush pass him, she could overcome these feelings that
were confusing her.  "You may write me, for the sake
of the children.   And it will be awful nice of you to
stop by and say good-bye to the children tomorrow."
She gave a big, forced smile and did as planned:
Christy rose to her feet, sidestepped walking right
past him and to the board.  "Now children these math
examines were disappointing.  Let's talk about
exponents again."        
        Neil returned a force smile.  Why was she torturing
him so!  He came down the schoolhouse steps and leapt
onto Charlie.  He chided himself over and over.  What
did he expect her to do; run to him with open arms? 
Who was he kidding.  He had hope that she would give
him a clue to this puzzle of life he was trying to put
together.  For a moment he thought his answer had
come, that moment when he had held her eyes there was
something.  Wasn't there?  Neil squeezed Charlie
lightly with his heels.   Tomorrow he would be leaving
Cutter Gap maybe for good, but his heart would always
remain here. 
        Christy talked to the children but really wasn't
focusing her attention on them.  As she craned her
neck, her eyes held on to a man riding a horse slowly
away from the schoolhouse, slowly away from her life.
_______________________________________________________

Part : 14      

-Summary : The children are upset by Neil's leaving. 
Neil came to the schoolhouse for seemingly no reason,
he left disappointed.


        Christy lay awake most of the night.  Neil
leaving?  The thought of receiving letters from him
would be a joy and a torture mixed together.  But why?
 The sky was clear tonight.  You could almost hear the
stars singing.  Dim light from the moon cast tiny
shadows all around her room.  The smell of a
honeysuckle tree poured into her room tickling her
nose.  The drapes on the window she had left open
would get up and dance whenever enchanted by the light
breeze.  Christy attempted to sleep, begged for sleep,
but she could do nothing but stare at the ceiling. 
There was far too much to think about tonight.

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

        Everyone from the cove stood, they gathered around
the schoolhouse long before sunup.  Doctor MacNeil's
departure would be witnessed by all.  Christy silently
carted all the children into the schoolroom.
        "Just because Doctor MacNeil is leaving does not mean
we aren't going to learn today.  When he comes we'll
stop to say good-bye.  Now we've been talking about
Throe, John what would you say about the poem I had
you read last night.  Explain it to the class for me."
She sat on top of her desk.
        "Well teacher, it was a little confusing. I would
guess he was.." John stopped as Jeb came running into
the building.
        "Why the Doctor is here!" Jeb waved his arms in
excitement.  Christy's heart stopped for a moment. 
Neil was here, here to say good-bye and then leave
them all.  She could hear his ruff voice outside, it
was so ruff, but yet so gentle.  Everything about Neil
was a contrast, he could be anything, and he was
everything.  
        "Aye Jeb!" Neil's voice boomed from outside the
schoolhouse, but then he scaled the small stairs and
he was there.  Jeb gave him a sturdy handshake.
        "We all do wish ya sure well Doctor." Jeb patted Neil
on the back.  Turning to the children Neil
surprisingly out of character, squatted on the ground
and opened his arms to them.  The young ones ran to
him.  Neil couldn't be seen through the swarm of
children all trying to hug him at once.  He whispered
little things to each of them.  
        "Can I swap a far'well with un you Doc?" Little
Burl's voice was loud.  The doctor rose to his feet
and held out his hand.  Man to man they shook hands. 
Then alone once again Neil looked towards Christy. 
She hadn't talk to him in days and now there was so
much to say, but not enough time to say it. 
        "Well Christy.." Neil took two strides in her
direction, they were standing but feet apart. "I guess
this'll be good-bye." Neil swallowed hard.  Christy
wanted to say something, anything, but she couldn't. 
Her heart had leapt into her throat and she couldn't
talk.  He moved towards her and gave her a quick hug;
his lips less then an inch from her ear he whispered,
"I'll write to you lass, and think of you every
minute.  I wish things could have worked out
differently."  Then he stepped back.
        "Good-bye Neil.  You will write?"  Christy's voice
broke.
        "Yes, but only for the sake of the children." He gave
a quick wink, echoing her own words from yesterday. 
He gave a final wave, turned and walked out of the
schoolhouse.  Christy's mind raced.  It hit her that
she would never see him again, never smell him, never
hear his voice.  He said things should have worked out
differently, what had he meant?  She blinked and felt
a little dizzy.  Grasping her hand to her desk to
steady herself she looked out of the building, Neil
was saying his last good-byes to a couple people.
        "Ye alright teacher?" Creed spoke up from the front
of the room.
        "No Creed I'm not, but I will be." With that she
walked to the door and carried her self down the steps
quickly.  She opened her mouth to yell his name but no
words came out.  The children followed her outside. 
Neil was walking alone now, he was feet away from
Charlie.  If she let him get to his horse Neil would
be gone forever.  
        Christy picked up the sides of her skirt and ran. 
"Neil!" She called after him, but it was too soft. 
Tears streamed down her cheeks, the crowd parted for
her to get to him. "Neil!!" She called out louder.  He
had reached Charlie,  his hands fiddling with the
saddle.  "Neil!" She called out once more, this time
he heard her.  Neil turned and walked a couple paces
back to her.  "You can't leave."
        "Christy please don't make this harder then it is."
Neil turned around to walk back to Charlie.  Christy
followed him, grabbed his arm and tugged on it.  He
tried to brush her off.
        "Neil, no!" She was sobbing. "Neil you can't leave
Neil.  I need you."  She began tugging harder.  "Neil,
Neil I love you." He stopped abruptly, it sent Christy
falling to the ground. "I love you." She called out
again.  Neil turned, his own eyes filling with tears. 
Kneeling down next to her he grabbed her elbows firmly
and looked her directly in the eyes.  "I love you."
She whispered.
        "Oh lass." His voice was gentle.  "Christy you don't
know how long I've waited to hear those words."  
        "I'm sorry it took me so long."
        "Shh. None of that.  It doesn't matter anymore."  He
took hold of her soft hands to led her to stand. 
"I've told you before, but I'll say it too you a
hundred more times, I love you too Christy.  More than
anything lass."
        "You've said it before?" Christy lifted her eyebrows.
        "Yes, I told you when you had typhoid, but I didn't
know if ye remembered."
        "Then it wasn't a dream.  Oh Neil it wasn't a dream!"
 She trough her arms around his neck.  He pulled her
close, his lips needed to taste hers.  He kissed her
once, and then again.
        "Neil I have to go with you." He wiped the tears from
her cheeks with his thumb.
        "No ye don't my lass.  I'm not going to leave.  I can
not leave now."  When he said this Christy clinched
his shirt in her fists leaned her head on his broad
chest and began sobbing.  "Christy what's wrong?  Did
I saw something wrong love?"  He had her by the
shoulders.  Her face was beaming through tears.
        "No nothing is wrong.  They are happy tears.  I just
love you so much."  She began crying again.  Neil
pulled her to him again then held her face in his
hands.  Their noses were touching, lips inches apart,
Neil said something to her softly, then kissed her
passionately.  Her hands found there way to his head,
her fingers in his curls.  
        "Teacher does this mean we don't have any classes
today?"  Creed Allen's voice chirped from feet away. 
Christy and Neil both jumped.  They had forgotten all
about the crowd of onlookers.  All the women were in
tears.  Christy saw Miss Alice in the crowd and
winked.  David gave Christy a little nod then put his
arm around Alice.  
        "Creed I don't believe we'll have classes today." 
Christy laughed.  Neil slipped his arm about her
shoulders.  
        "Are you two gonna get married?" Little Burl tugged
at Christy's skirt.  Neil smiled at Little Burl.
        "That depends on if she'll have me!" His rouge made
her tingle, she gave his hand a quick squeeze.
        "Of course I'll have you Neil."  
        "Then that is a yes?" Neil raised his eyebrows.
        "Yes, and yes, and yes a million times over." Christy
smiled at him and thought of how her new life would
be.  Neil did love her, and she him.  Looking into the
still, bright morning sky everything seemed perfect. 
All her confusion and doubts faded.  She looked at
Neil and he smiled.  There is so much good in this
world; love doesn't hide, kindness doesn't run-away. 
It was always there she just had to open her eyes.

___________THE END!_____