Title: The Christmas That Almost Wasn't 
Author:  Anne B.
E-Mail:  anneb_neilmacneill@hotmail.com

Summary:  This takes place at the end of the book “Christy” by Catherine 
Marshall.  I have quoted some parts from the book and please forgive me for 
paraphrasing a few sections from the book to tie this story and the book 
together.  I have used a couple of segments from the CBS Series and possibly 
the PAX-TV Mini-series to bring out something’s that readers might be more 
familiar with.

Disclaimer: the Marshall-LeSourd Family, L.L.C, owns Catherine Marshall’s 
beautiful story of Christy.  I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her 
story.  I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement; and 
hopefully yours as well. The writer of this story has invented any additions 
in story line and characters. The content of this story is the 
responsibility of the writer.  Any similarities between this and other Fan 
fiction are purely coincidental.

The Christmas that Almost Wasn’t


   Shortly after celebrating their first anniversary, Neil MacNeill 
reluctantly left his wife to make his rounds of the backwoods mountain 
families.  As much as he hated to go alone, he knew that Christy would be 
finishing the final days of school for this term and she couldn’t possibly 
accompany him at this point in time.
   Taking his medical bag in hand he reluctantly kissed his lovely wife and 
mounted his horse Charlie.  Turning to leave he raised his characteristic 
gloved hand toward his wife with a broad smile and solemn promise that he 
would be home in a few weeks.
   For days, since Neil had announced that he was going to make this trek, 
Christy had felt ill at ease with this decision.  But she had married him 
know that he was a Doctor and as such she could not stand in the way of his 
medical duties.  So she resigned herself to sit back patiently and allow 
Neil to do what he thought was best.  She prayed that if there was anything 
that Neil needed to know that God Himself would place the same burden upon 
his heart as she had.
   As he left, Christy decided that there was nothing to this intuition that 
she was having and that since Neil had no burden to remain home, everything 
was going to work out fine.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Once Neil had ridden out of sight, Christy turned on her heel and strode 
back into their cabin.  There were a lot of finals to prepare for, and she 
was sure, at least a *ton* on papers to correct before the end of the school 
term.  These would keep her busy for most of the time that Neil would be 
away from home.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Neil had visited families up and down the mountains and in the coves 
twice a year, every year, since he had come back to Cutter Gap to Doctor.  
It used to be a somewhat welcome change from the feuding and hatred of the 
Cove itself and the incidents that he treated there.  But now that he was a 
happily married man, the trips had become more arduous.  The only joy he had 
in these trips now was the solitude with the Lord that accompanied the long 
hours on the trail.  No longer was it just Neil and Charlie, but Neil, 
Charlie and the Lord.  He had to admit that he returned spiritually 
refreshed, but the long days…and nights, away from his beautiful bride were 
sometimes more then he thought he could endure.
   This excursion was certainly no exception!  He wanted desperately for 
this tour to be over!  Everyone, it seemed was unhappy to see him this time 
around.  They were all healthy and therefore in no need of Neil’s medical 
services, so his appearance only proved to be an intrusion in their lives.  
Which was the last thing that he wanted to be, but still, as often as not, 
these same people would sit around waiting for him to show-up when they were 
ailing, instead of coming to him, or ‘fetching’ him when he was needed.  It 
would almost be funny if so many of them didn’t die waiting for ’Doc’ 
MacNeill to show up, when he had no plans for a tour just then.  Even though 
many of those deaths could have been prevented if they were not so 
stiff-necked and proud, Neil took each death seriously.  In becoming a 
Physician he harbored a secret wish that he could some how stave off death 
completely.  But that was impossible, and with each death Neil was becoming 
more and more aware of his short-comings!  Or short-comings as he saw, no 
one else thought of them that way, they admitted that death was an 
inevitable part of life and no one but God could put an end to it 
completely.
   As he made more of these trips and spent more time in God’s Word, Neil 
himself was becoming increasingly aware of that fact himself, accepting it 
reluctantly as progressed in his faith.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Christy spent days and nights with her nose stuck in her schoolbooks and 
papers.  There were so many papers to grade with twelve grades in one 
classroom and five subjects for each grade!  Daily work was arduous, but 
finals were by far the worst of the lot!  David graciously corrected the 
Bible and Arithmetic finals.  Neil often did the Science papers for her, 
when he had the time, but Neil was away right now and unable to help her.
   She missed his presence in the cabin.  Often times as she sat at the 
table correcting papers, or preparing for the following school day, Neil 
would sit at the other end of the table, studying his Medical Journal, or an 
article that one of his physician-friends from medical school or an old 
professor, thought would intrigue him.
   Many times he’d work in his laboratory, occasionally coming to the door 
just to look at Christy, she’d look up at him and smile.  Or she’d come to 
him with a problem and together they’d work out a solution.
   If nothing else she’d smell his pipe smoke, or hear him walking around, 
often talking to himself as he read or worked.  But the weeks that he was 
away from home were maddening, not angry-maddening, but crazy-maddening!  
The silence was so loud it was deafening.  Often Christy would slam her book 
closed, or read out loud to herself just to be sure that it was only the 
solitude that made it so quiet and not the fact that she had gone completely 
deaf as she sat at the table!
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
      Neil approached a small cabin that stood back quite a way from the 
path.  He had called out a few times, but there was no answer.  This cabin 
seemed to be a fairly new cabin, least wises he couldn’t remember ever 
seeing it here before.  Wondering why someone would build a new cabin then 
just up and leave it, Neil was intrigued by this and approached despite his 
gut-feeling to do otherwise, curiosity got the better of him.  Still calling 
out as he neared the cabin Neil thought for a moment that if the cabin was 
indeed deserted he might find a warm place to spend the night with a roof 
over his head for a change.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   A mountain man all his life, Royce Campbell and his son were traveling 
along the path near their cabin early in the morning, when their old hound 
dog Blue noticed something in the brush along the side of the trail.  The 
boy, Seth, who was just ten years old called out to Blue, but the dog was so 
intent on his find that he would listen neither to Seth nor to Royce.  Out 
of frustration Royce finally decided to drag the hound away from his 
discovery and head him off in the proper direction once again…
   Royce was little prepared for what the hound dog had hit upon.  There 
lying along the side of the road was a man, obviously wounded in the head.  
“Seth, you high-tail it back to the house.  Have yer ma boil water and tear 
me some bandages.  Then head on over to the McNair’s.  Tell em what I found 
and that I’m a gonna need to use their wagon.  Bring em back here with the 
wagon boy.  Hurry along now!  I don’t know how bad off this here feller is!”
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Royce did what he could for the man but there was little he could do for 
a head wound and he knew it.  So he and Josh McNair loaded him into the 
wagon and took him to the nearest hospital, in Knoxville, once they had the 
wound bandaged.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Waking in a hospital room the man looked around at the strange 
surroundings, a bewildered look spread across his face.  Closing his eyes he 
pressed his hands to his eyes trying to stop the pain in his head.  
Desperately trying to form a clear thought.
   Outside the window to the man's room a doctor in a long white coat had 
been waiting days for him to awaken.  Movement out of the corner of the 
doctor’s eye caught his attention.  Racing to the man’s side the doctor 
said, “I can’t tell you how please we are to see you awake and moving!”
   The man looked at him with confusion.  “Where am I?”
   “You’re in the hospital.  A man by the name of Campbell found you along 
the side of the road.  He brought you in about four days ago.”
   “What happened to me?”
   “That’s what we were hoping you could tell us!  You’ve suffered a severe 
head injury.  No one seems to know how you got it.”
   “I’m sorry, Doctor…?”
   “Murphy.”
   “I’m sorry Dr. Murphy, but I can’t tell you the answer to that either.”  
The man said sorrowfully.
   “Well, that’s fine.  How you got the head injury doesn’t really matter at 
this point.  It’s the fact that you are getting better that is most 
important anyway.  Why don’t you start by telling us your name for our paper 
work.”
   The man frowned at Dr. Murphy.  “My name?”  He paused as he looked away.  
“My name…”  He shook his head sadly.  “I can’t remember my name.”
   “What about where you live?”
   The man thought again.  Shaking his head once more. “No.  I can’t 
remember that either.”
   “What do you remember?”
   Thinking made his head hurt.  But he tried to concentrate on the answer 
to the question.  Unfortunately there was no answer.  “Nothing, but waking 
up in this room.”  He admitted with a sorrowful sigh.
   “Your memory may just be slow in returning.  Be patient and we’ll see 
what only time can tell us.”  The Doctor clapped the man on the shoulder.  
“I’ll be back in later, for now I want you to rest.”
   The man nodded his head as the Doctor turned and left.
   Lying in the bed the man stared up at the ceiling.  His mind may have 
betrayed him, but the Lord had not.  In his spirit he still knew that he was 
a Christian and that the Lord was with him, even now.  Although for the life 
of him, he could not understand why the Lord was allowing this to happen.  
“Dear God, I know you promised to never leave us nor forsake us.  Some how I 
still know that in the deepest part of me.  But I can’t help but feel that 
you have forsaken me.  I need your strength to get me through this crisis.  
Please help me, God!  Please!”  The man begged as he sobbed in his bed.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
Chapter Two

   David had married Rebecca St. Cloud shortly after Neil and Christy had 
wed.  Rebecca had been a high school friend that David hadn’t kept in touch 
with much since graduation, but when he had returned to Boston after Neil 
and Christy’s wedding, to get away from the cove and the pain for a few 
months, his mother had invited Rebecca for dinner one evening.
   Rebecca wanted to be a missionary to the mountain people.  Having served 
a short-term in the mission field that lasted less then a year, Rebecca had 
hated to leave.  When David told her where he was the pastor there was an 
instant attraction between the two that had never been there before.
   When David returned to the mission four months later, he brought his 
wife, Rebecca, back with him.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   As time went on and the man began to feel better he sat up in bed, then 
he was allowed to get out of bed and sit in the chair, followed by walking 
the halls.
   Dr. Murphy contacted the newspaper to gain sympathy for the man's plight. 
  A reporter was sent to the hospital and asked questions of the man.  In 
the paper was written a description of the man, “…between thirty-five and 
forty years of age, big-boned, a large frame even for a man…  Reddish hair, 
tousled and curly…  Rugged features, and hazel-eyes…”  And so the 
description went on.  Dr. Murphy asked that the description be sent out to 
newspapers all around the area to see if they could find someone… anyone 
that even knew the name of this mystery man.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   The man was becoming quite close to the hospital chaplain.  They visited 
daily and had long theological discussions.  One particular day as they were 
reading in Jeremiah the Chaplain, Pastor Thompson, read “Before I formed 
thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb 
I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations…” 
(Jeremiah 1:5 KJV)
   “If God knows us before we’re born how come he won’t tell me who I am?”  
The man asked with frustration.
   “I don’t know why God has allowed this to happen to you, my friend.  All 
I know is that God’s ways are higher then our ways.  He has a purpose for 
everything that happens in the world, including this.  ‘There is a season 
for every purpose under Heaven…‘  I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know the 
answer, to your question, but good will come out of this I know it will for 
God said in his Word, that ‘all things work together for good to them that 
love God‘.  You love God, it’s evident in the way you still remember Him 
even though you may have forgotten nearly everything else.  Good will come, 
you must have faith that God will work everything out toward that end.”
   The man rose up from his chair and paced.  “Alright, but you don’t know 
what it’s like to be a… a… nobody!  I don’t have any idea who I am, where I 
belong.  I may have a family out there that is worried sick about me!  But I 
can’t contact them because I don’t know who they are or where to find them!! 
  No one knows what this feels like but *me*!  It’s like I don’t exist!  I 
feel like a ghost, a shell of a man with nothing inside!”
   “God knows how you feel.”  Pastor Thompson thought for a moment.  “Maybe 
you’d feel better if you gave yourself a name?”
   The man sighed deeply.  “Maybe…”  The man thought.  “How do you think of 
a name for yourself?”
   “May I make a suggestion?  Now remember, this is only a suggestion, but 
since you discovered all of these feelings while we were reading in 
Jeremiah, why not use the name Jeremiah?  Perhaps God wants you to be like 
him.”
   Thoughtfully the man pondered this idea.  Perhaps God did have a purpose 
in all of this, although what that purpose was, he had absolutely no idea 
whatsoever!
   “I’ll leave you to think about it.  I’ll see you again tomorrow.  If you 
don’t like Jeremiah, there are plenty of names to choose from in the Bible.  
Page through it and see what strikes you.”  Pastor Thompson shook the man’s 
hand and turned to leave.
   “Thank-you Pastor.  You’ve given me a lot to think about today.”
   “I haven’t, my friend, God has.”  Pastor Thompson said as he walked out 
the door.
   Perhaps it was God that brought all of these feelings to mind today.  
There had to be some meaning behind all of this.  Even if he had no idea 
what God intended at least he would be obedient and would allow God to work 
His Will in his life.  What other choice did he have?  He was between a rock 
and a hard place; there was nowhere to look but up to God for the answers in 
this matter…
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Christy finished the finals and all the grading.  She had hoped that Neil 
would be back in time for ‘Recitation Day’ at the end of the school term, 
but he didn’t make it.
   Proud parents lined the mission house after the recitation at the school. 
  Miss Alice wanted to make this final day of the school year extra-special. 
  She had planned and prepared this after-recitation ‘reception’, hoping 
that the ‘party-like’ atmosphere would help to cheer Christy a bit.
   Alice was worried, she watched as Christy seemed to become more and more 
rundown with Neil’s rounds taking longer then usual.  Though Christy was 
cordial and seemed to enjoy herself, the usual ‘spark’ was gone from her 
eyes.  A melancholy look of despair seemed to be taking its place.
   Alice was glad when David insisted that Christy remain with them for the 
evening.  She prayed she would find an opportunity with Christy before she 
decided to return to their cabin the following day.
   Christy spent that night at the mission because David wouldn’t hear of 
her traveling home in the dark by herself.  He felt a certain responsibility 
to care for Christy in Neil’s absence.
   There was no reason for her to be home this evening anyway so staying a 
night at the mission would be no hardship on anyone.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Pastor Thompson knocked on the door, and opened it slowly.  The man on 
the other side of the door was on his knees beside the bed sobbing and 
crying out to God for the answers to his questions.  The turmoil he was 
forced to endure was great, but the seasoned Pastor also knew that sometimes 
we have to let go of our desires and allow God to have His way with us.  
More and more he was seeing that was how this young man would need to deal 
with his dilemma.
   Joining the man on the floor on his knees, Pastor Thompson added his 
prayers to the man’s prayers.

   When they were finished praying they stood, the man looked shyly at 
Pastor Thompson.  “Thank-you.”  He began.  “I’ve decided that I’m going to 
call myself Jeremiah after all.”
   “Wonderful!  At least we can call you something besides the man in room 
201!”  Pastor Thompson stifled a laugh as he noticed Jeremiah saw nothing 
humorous in the situation.
   “I feel a heavy burden on my heart to pray for my family.”  The man 
began.  “I only wish I could remember who it was that I’m praying for!  I’ve 
been on my knees for hours praying for them, whoever they are.”
   “Possibly God is trying to bring something back to you.  Or maybe there 
is something going on with your family that the Lord wants you to pray 
about.  I don’t have all the answers, but I can tell you to follow the 
leading of God.  If you think He is leading you to pray, then by all means 
pray!”
   “I have been.  And I will continue to do so for as long as I feel this 
burden.”
   Pastor Thompson surveyed the room thoughtfully.  “Next, I suggest that we 
began the process of getting you out of this hospital and find you a job 
somewhere.  Is there anything that you feel you should be doing?  Or a 
career that you feel you‘d like to look into?”
   “I have no idea what I’m supposed to do with my life from here on.  I 
feel at home right here in the hospital!”  Jeremiah admitted.
  “Let’s see,” Pastor Thompson said.  “A man of your size and build, perhaps 
you’d be interested in becoming a Blacksmith?”
   “Anything you say.  I’m not sure what I’d like to do.  At this point in 
time one job is the same as any other to me.  Part of me wants to get out of 
this place, but yet I feel secure here.  This is the only home I can 
remember ever having.  Truth be known, I’m terrified to leave.  I feel 
foolish.  I don’t know how to do *anything*!  I only hope I can be worthy of 
any position I’m given…”
   “I’ll look around beginning tomorrow to see if I can find an 
apprenticeship position for you.”
   “Thank-you pastor.  Pray that I’ll learn quickly!  Please!”
   “I will, Jeremiah.  I will.”
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   In the morning Alice knocked on Christy’s door as soon as she heard 
footsteps.
   “Come in.”  Christy called softly.
   “I hope I’m not intruding.”  Miss Alice stated as she poked her head 
around the corner of the door.
   “No, of course not.  I’m glad to see you.  Please come in.”
   “I’ve been worried about thee, Christy.  Would thee like someone to talk 
to, or a shoulder to cry on perhaps?”
   “I’m fine Miss Alice, really I am.”  Christy said weakly.
   “How come thee do not sound fine?”  Miss Alice smiled slightly.
   “I don’t know what you’re talking about Miss Alice?”
   “Thee have been doing too much, with taking care of thy home and the 
school.  Thee are exhausted.  Plus the worry about thy husband does not help 
matters in the least.”
   “I’m not worried about Neil!”
  “Christy!  Thy husband should have been home four weeks ago.  No one had 
seen or heard anything from him for weeks prior to that!  I, myself, am 
worried about Neil!  Thee cannot tell me that thee are not worried about his 
welfare also!”
   “Alright, you found me out.  I *am* worried about Neil.  But he can take 
care of himself.  He grew up in these mountains…”  Her voice caught in her 
throat as tears began to form in her eyes.
   “But…”  Miss Alice prodded.
   “But like he said, there is a world full of hatred out there and only one 
Neil…”  Her voice trailed off and she began to sob.  “Oh Miss Alice!  What 
if the hatred won out this time?”
   “I cannot give thee any answers Christy.  I know, no more then thee about 
what has happened to thy husband, but I can be thy friend and a shoulder for 
thee when thee need one.”
   “Thank-you.”  Christy sniffed.
   “David has been searching whenever he possibly can.  Asking people all 
around if they have seen or heard anything of Neil in the past month or so.  
He is planning to search deeper into the woods and mountains now that school 
is over for a while.  I will do my best to help as well.  I’ll be making my 
rounds soon and I will spread the word of thy husband as I go.”
   “Thank-you Miss Alice.  I’ll have to thank David also.”  Christy said.
   “Christy, I am worried about thy health.  Your face looks drawn and thee 
have dark circles under thy eyes.  I’ve noticed thee only picking at thy 
food as well.  Is there anything thee would like me to do for thee?  
Anything thee thinks thee should tell me, woman to woman… or as a nurse?”
   “I’m fine Miss Alice, really I am.  I’ve just been doing too much, as you 
said.  I’ve let myself rundown I suppose.  I’m tired all the time, no matter 
how long I sleep, of course when Neil is away I can‘t rest properly either  
I keep listening for him to return home.  Or I’m listening to hear him begin 
snoring!  With school out, maybe I’ll be able to sleep and rest more during 
the day.”
   “If thee does not feel better soon, I suggest that thee ask David to 
drive thee to El Pano to visit Dr. Davis.  That is, if thy husband does not 
show up in the next few days.”  Miss Alice smiled, hoping and praying that 
he would.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
Chapter Three

   Pastor Thompson offered his home for Jeremiah until he could afford a 
place of his own.  Knowing also that he was the only friend that Jeremiah 
had at the moment, he did his best to help him become acclimated to living 
life outside of the hospital.  It was a process, but the more Jeremiah could 
find to do, the more useful and fulfilled he felt.
   Leaving the hospital the first day, Jeremiah felt a stranger in this 
city.  As though he had never seen it before in his life.  Riding in an 
automobile was awkward.  He felt clumsy and awkward.  Knowing that he should 
be able to recognize something, anything, but he did not.
   The Doctor’s told him they had no idea whether his memory would return or 
not.  Only time would tell.  Dr. Murphy hoped that sometime soon, someone 
would recognize Jeremiah’s description in the newspaper and would come 
forward with some information for them.  Any kind of recognition could be 
the spark that would rekindle Jeremiah’s memory.  Hearing his true name, or 
seeing a family member might be all it would take to remember everything.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   David returned from his search for Neil, but found nothing.  As did Miss 
Alice as well.  But the word was out that Doc MacNeill was missing and all 
should be on the lookout for him.  Now they would pray and wait.  Hoping 
that soon, someone would receive word that all was well and Neil would be on 
his way home.
      Alice was told that a bear had probably attacked Neil and that the 
chances of ever finding him, or his body were slim to none.
   In her prayers Christy kept feeling the leading of God to pray for her 
husband.  In case there was any chance that he could still be alive she 
prayed fervently for Neil, not knowing how to pray specifically she would 
pray that God’s Will would be done in Neil’s life.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Jeremiah was taking long walks, trying to find some sliver of his former 
self in this city.  But there was none to be found, or at least none that he 
knew of.
   Pastor Thompson came in contact with a Blacksmith on the outskirts of the 
city by the name of Lucas Simmons.  Lucas offered to meet with Neil.  He 
admitted he was getting up in years and would welcome an apprentice.  
Jeremiah was excited to meet with Lucas, but also confused and a little 
apprehensive about leaving Pastor Thompson’s home.  It seemed every time he 
turned around he had to leave everything that was finally familiar to him 
and turn to do something completely out of his element.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Alice visited Christy every other day when she was home and she didn’t 
like what she saw.  During one visit she found Christy chopping and stacking 
firewood, her face was drawn with deep lines etched into it.  Right then 
Alice decided this young wife could no longer stay in this cabin alone!  
First she insisted that Christy put the axe away and go into the house.  It 
was all Christy could do to ascend the stairs she was so worn out.
   “Christy, I will have David come tomorrow to chop and stack thy wood for 
thee.  Or even Rob Allen or John Spencer!  Someone has to help thee here.  
Thee cannot keep up the way thee are going, it is just too much for one 
person to handle alone, especially a woman.  Now don’t get me wrong Christy, 
thee were called to be here and to be Neil’s wife, but as long as he is not 
here, thee cannot continue on like this!
   “The children of the Cove are especially fond of thee.  I know that Rob 
and John both have a special place in their hearts for thee because of all 
that thee has done for them.  They would be more then willing to help repay 
the debt by helping thee with thy chores.”
   “But I feel like I’m leaving Neil down!  He left me in charge!  I told 
him I can take care of myself.  What if he comes back and finds someone 
doing his work for him?”
   “I am more worried that Neil will return home and find that his young 
wife has worked herself to death trying to do his chores as well as her own!
   “I will have David and Rebecca take you to El Pano to visit Dr. Davis 
tomorrow morning.  We’ll see what he has to say about thy condition.  If he 
tells us that thee are healthy and that it is alright for thee to carry on 
the way thee are going, then I will  allow thee to continue on as thee have 
been, but I am a registered nurse and not a blind one either.  I can see 
that thee are working thyself into exhaustion.”  Miss Alice looked at 
Christy a moment, thinking.  “Come with me Christy.”  Alice took Christy’s 
hand and led her upstairs to her bedroom and set her on the chair in front 
of her dressing table.
   “Look at the woman in that mirror Christy and tell me *exactly* what thee 
sees?”
   Christy complied.  Her mouth dropped open.  No words would come out.  She 
knew in that instance that Miss Alice was correct.  Her eyes were sunken, 
her skin rather ashen, the deep lines that Alice had noted earlier were 
evident to Christy now as well.  “What have I done to myself, Miss Alice?”  
Christy began to sob.
   “There, there, child.  Thee has been trying to do too much.  Thee must 
accept help from others if thee are going to continue to live out here by 
thyself.”
   “I suppose I do.”  Christy admitted, in a rather defeated tone.  “I want 
to be one of the mountain women.  I want to be what Neil expects me to be.”
   “Christy, if Neil wanted to marry a mountain woman he would have done so. 
  But he didn’t want one, he fell in love thee.  He married thee for love 
not because of what thee would become!  He married the school teacher, not a 
mountain woman.  He will think no less of thee because thee asked for help.  
He will think that thee are a smart young woman who was using the wisdom 
that God blessed her with to help her through a difficult situation.”
   Then Alice took Christy in her arms and hugged her tight.  Alice knew the 
chances were great that Neil would never return again, but at this moment, 
Christy did not need to hear such news as that.  There was enough pressure 
on the heart of this young wife at the moment, telling her such a thing 
would only add to it and it was unnecessary.  If Christy wanted to hold onto 
hope then Alice was not going to try to pry it away from her.  The truth 
would be known in the end and that would be soon enough.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Lucas took an immediate liking to Jeremiah.  They decided that day that 
Jeremiah would become Lucas’s apprentice.
   It was a red letter day in Jeremiah life.  For the first time since he 
woke up in the hospital he felt he had a purpose in life, even if it didn’t 
seem to be what he was called to do at least he had a reason to go on with 
his life, empty though it may seem.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   David and Rebecca took Christy to visit Dr. Davis just as Alice had 
requested.  Christy felt foolish going to the Doctor over such a stupid move 
on her part, trying to do the work of two people.  But Alice insisted as did 
David and Rebecca when they came to pick her up.  Christy rode in the back 
of the wagon.
   Rebecca looked at David with extreme concern as she viewed Christy.  
Watching her walk on unsteady legs, looking as though someone had beat her.  
Even though no one had.

   Dr. Davis spent a long while with Christy.  David and Rebecca sat in the 
outer room awaiting word on the prognosis.  The Doctor called them into his 
office after he was finished.  Christy met them in there after she was 
dressed once again.
   “Mrs. MacNeill.  Alice Henderson was correct, you are exhausted.  I am 
prescribing complete bed rest.”  Looking to David and Rebecca he said, “I 
want her to move into the mission house.  There is no way that she can 
maintain that cabin all alone.  A cabin that old requires more upkeep then 
one pregnant woman can possibly maintain alone…”
    “Pregnant!?!”  Christy announced.
   “Yes, I’d say you’re about four and a half months along.  I thought you 
already knew that?”
   “No I didn’t!”  Christy announced.  Her face awash with surprise and a 
little terror as well.
   “I’ll admit Mrs. MacNeill that I’m worried about you, but even more so 
about the baby.  If you don’t change your ways immediately you *will* lose 
this child.  I can almost guarantee it.  Your body is so rundown already 
that I’m surprised the baby has hung on this long.  You are blessed to still 
have this child.  I couldn’t be more serious about you getting complete and 
total bed rest.  That means that you allow people to bring you your meals 
and wait on you!”  Dr. Davis smiled, but it faded almost immediately.  “Mrs. 
MacNeill, I realize what you have been going through with your husband’s 
disappearance.  But you do realize that he may not return.  This could be 
the only child he will ever have.  Don’t you think it’s worth a little 
embarrassment to allow people to wait on you so that you can insure that 
Neil has a well-born child?”
   Christy gazed down at her feet ashamed she hadn’t thought of that 
herself.  As much as she hated to admit it, there was that very real 
possibility that Neil would not return.  This child could be all that she 
would have to remember Neil by.  That and of course his belongings, but this 
child’s life was far more important then any belongs that Neil ever owned.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
Chapter Four

   Jeremiah had awakened in the hospital over four months ago.  He was no 
closer now to realizing who he was now, then he was when he first awoke.  
But what tormented him the most was concern over whether he had a family 
somewhere that was worried about him, and he could not contact them to let 
them know he was all right.
   Trying desperately to remember where he belonged Jeremiah spent the past 
four months under the care of physicians who tried to help him.
   His job at a Livery Stable was coming along nicely.  He learned how to 
shoe horses, hand forge, as well as fix bridles, wagon wheels and more.  In 
his heart he knew that this was not where he belonged, but where he truly 
did belong, he had no idea!!
  He was becoming fast friends with Lucas Simmons, the Blacksmith.  They 
even shared a love of God, which was a big help for Jeremiah, who needed the 
strength that having a good Christian friend afforded him on the deep, dark 
and depressing days when having no identity got the better of him.
   Jeremiah did not see Pastor Thompson as often, but he did stop by 
occasionally to see how things were progressing.
   There had still been no news from anyone about the article that was being 
circulated among the newspapers.  They had been assured that the article was 
still being printed and that the circulation of it was widening to the far 
reaches of the country.  Hopefully someone somewhere would recognize the 
description soon and would telephone the newspaper office that would in turn 
contact the hospital.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Christy had dutifully followed Dr. Davis’s instructions and was allowing 
everyone at the mission to wait on her.  Rebecca, who was now the Cove 
midwife, made sure that Christy received the best possible diet and care.  
Miss Alice made sure that Christy got her proper rest often sitting at her 
side making her rest.  David had taken over the position of Schoolteacher.  
While Ruby Mae made sure that Christy was well versed in the latest gossip 
from around the Cove!
   In no time at all Christy was on her feet, which was becoming 
increasingly difficult to accomplish as her tummy swelled with ‘baby 
MacNeill’ inside.  Nothing would spoil her joy in this new life growing 
inside of her, though thoughts of Neil often came close.  Reminding herself 
often of why she was not to allow herself to become upset, she would calm 
down and think of the baby.  Pushing the worry over Neil from her mind.  
There would be time enough to worry about, or even mourn for Neil, after the 
birth of their precious baby.

   As the time neared for the baby’s birth Christy wanted more then anything 
for the baby to be born in their cabin, the cabin that Neil had been born in 
as well as his father and his grandfather.
   David and Rebecca took her out to the cabin one day and she saw for the 
first time how fast a cabin could become rundown when no one was there to 
care for the daily upkeep of it.
   As they looked over the cabin, David said, “At least the foundation and 
walls are still solid.”
   Christy sighed as she looked at him out of the corner of her eye in 
frustration.  That was hope… but not much!
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   “Hey look out!!”  Jeremiah and Lucas heard someone scream outside of the 
Livery Stable.  A team of horses whinnied loudly and then a loud crash was 
heard.  They ran out front to see what had happened.  The sight of an 
overturned wagon met them with a young boy trapped beneath it.
   Jeremiah was the first to reach the boy knowing if he were still alive 
the boy would need to be removed from under the wagon as soon as possible.  
He checked the boy’s breathing, his pulse and the pupils of his eyes.
   Lifting the wagon would be difficult, but not impossible.  People were 
gathering around the wagon.
   Jeremiah looked to Lucas and said, “If he’s got internal injuries he’ll 
need surgery immediately, I’ll need a sharp knife…” he rattled off a list of 
‘instruments’ he would need.  Lucas stared at him in disbelief.  “Boil all 
of those for at least five minutes to sterilize them.  Hurry!”
   Then Jeremiah gathered all the men around and they tipped the wagon back 
onto its wheels.  The boy screamed as the wagon was removed from him.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Jeremiah knelt down beside the boy.  After an examination he said, “He’s 
got internal injuries.  I’ll need to operate if I’m to save his life.”  
Carrying the boy inside Jeremiah laid him on a table.
   Lucas had done as Jeremiah had asked, although not quite sure what to 
think of the whole scene.   Jeremiah spoke with such authority as though he 
knew exactly what he was speaking of, that everyone around him did exactly 
as he told them without question.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Rebecca was sweeping floors, and Christy was hanging curtains that she 
made, white curtains with MacNeill Tartan Ruffles, while David was fixing 
the roof of the MacNeill cabin.  There was a great deal of work that needed 
to be done.  But not so much that it seemed overwhelming mostly cleaning, 
dusting and scrubbing.
   David’s first job had been to rehang the front door.  Then there were 
windows that needed replacing, and now he was on the roof.
   Christy was enjoying being at home again.  This is the place that always 
seemed like home!  The only place that she and Neil had ever been together.
   She giggled as she hung the curtains in the window by the stove.  This is 
where she had nearly burned the cabin down while watching Neil take a bath 
in the river!
   “Christy, what’s so funny?”  Rebecca asked, not seeing anything humorous 
in hanging curtains.
   “I was just thinking of memories from this cabin, that’s all.  The fun 
times we had here!”  She hung her head sadly.  “Apparently they’re all over 
now though…”  Christy voice trailed off.  She looked out the window again, 
picturing Neil out there in the river that day, as well as watching him 
fish, how she had joined him out there in the stream the day after they were 
married…  Things had changed so drastically in such a short period of time.  
Once again she prayed a silent prayer that Neil would come back to her 
again.  As the baby began to kick, Christy placed her hand on the expansion 
of her tummy, reminding herself once again of this new life she was bringing 
into the world and how important it was for her to put the baby’s life 
first.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   When the operation was over and the boy was on his way to the hospital, 
Lucas turned to Jeremiah.  “Where did you learn to do *that*!?!”
   “I don’t know.”  Jeremiah said as he sat down on the nearest stool with a 
sigh.  “I honestly don’t know.”
   “I’m impressed.”  Lucas said.  “I think that boy is going to be alright, 
thanks to you and your skill.”
   “Lucas, I wish I knew where I got that from!  I’m flabbergasted.  Where 
on earth did I draw that information from?”
   “No one can answer that question unless you get your memory back, or God 
reveals something to you.  Of course there‘s always the possibility that 
someone from your past will show up and explain everything to you.”
   Jeremiah sat for the longest while grasping at a memory that was just 
outside of his reach!  It was right in front of him, but he could not quite 
draw it out from the depths of his lost memory.  Desperately he prayed for 
God to reveal something, anything about this situation to him!  This wasn’t 
just a bit of information that one picked up somewhere as a person went 
along through life.  This was a deep knowledge that was engrained into his 
being so acutely that although he could not pull the memory from his brain, 
his response to a boy in trouble was automatic, he didn‘t even need to think 
about what to do or how to do it.   It came naturally to him, as natural as 
breathing.
   Lucas watched his new friend while he worked on a bridle.  He knew in his 
heart that there was more to this young man then met the eye.  Inside of him 
was intelligence, an astuteness that Lucas as well as others around the area 
could never understand.  His ‘operation’ on the boy was proof of that.  He 
prayed that God would lead Jeremiah back to where he belonged.  He was 
obviously a complex fraction of life somewhere that needed to reestablish 
that connection.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   A month later, Rebecca Grantland looked up at Christy from the foot end 
of the bed holding up a pudgy, red-faced, reddish-blond-curly-headed, 
wailing baby boy!!  Christy thought he was the most beautiful sight she had 
ever seen in her life, even before he was cleaned up.  Rebecca hurriedly 
wrapped him in a flannel blanket and handed him to his mother.  Christy 
nursed her son immediately.  He was eager for his first meal!  Christy 
rocked him from side to side talking to him.  He opened his eyes just a 
sliver and Christy could see Neil’s hazel eyes peering through the small 
opening.  He had his daddy’s rugged, chiseled features as well.
   When Christy and her son were both cleaned up, Rebecca allowed David into 
the room.  “Well, Christy?  How did everything go?”  David asked.
   “Wonderful David!  Isn’t he handsome?”  She asked, as she held up her son 
for David to see.
  “Yes he is!  He looks exactly like…”  David’s eyes grew wide as his words 
trailed off not wanting to hurt Christy’s feelings.
   “It’s alright David, you can say it.  He looks exactly like Neil.  I 
know.  I have to get used to speaking his name around here because this boy 
is going to want to know all about his daddy as he grows up.”
   “Yes, I suppose he will.”  David replied, placing his finger into the 
baby‘s hand.
   After everything was settled and Rebecca had made some food to tide 
Christy over until she would return in the morning, they left Christy and 
her son alone for the evening.
   “Well, ‘wee’ one?  What do you think we should name you?”  Christy asked 
her son, who was up on her shoulder having his back patted softly.  “I know 
daddy likes the name Charles Edward, after the Bonnie Prince.”  Just then 
the baby sneezed.  Christy chuckled as she looked at him smiling.  “God 
Bless You!!  I take that to mean you don’t like that one, huh?”  Christy 
giggled.
   “Alright then.  How about Neil MacNeill II?”  He cooed at the sound of 
that.  “I like that one as well.  So Neil MacNeill II, you shall be!  And 
someday I hope someone will be able to tell you the story of your ancestor, 
Neil MacNeill of Barra!  And also the story of your daddy, Neil MacNeill of 
Cutter Gap!”  Christy‘s smile faded immediately.  ‘Yes, someone to tell him 
the story of his daddy… If only his daddy could, do it himself!’  She held 
baby Neil close as the tears began to flow.  ‘If only Neil could be here!’
   In the dim light of morning Christy sat feeding her son for the third 
time since David and Rebecca left last evening.  It was exhausting, but 
Christy wouldn’t trade it for the world!  This was the baby that she wanted 
more then anything!  Well, that wasn‘t quite true…  She wanted Neil back 
more then anything to share in her joy over this wee person in her arms.
   Nothing, not even total exhaustion was going to ruin this time with their 
baby!  He was just too precious to her, for Christy to complain about a 
little thing like sleep!!   ‘Babies are a gift from God and they are his 
reward‘, Christy recalled that from the Bible.  This was her special gift 
from God her reward, for something.  The sleep would come, with time.  The 
night feedings would become less and less until he fit into a schedule.
   One of baby Neil’s curls fell down over his forehead and as Christy 
brushed it back she was reminded of the times that she had done that for 
Neil.  The first time being when they met by accident at the river, the 
night Bessie Coburn had seen them.  Regardless of the outcome Christy had 
fond memories of that evening.  Seeing Neil approach in the moonlight had 
made her heart beat faster.  It still did!!  How he reached out and softly 
grasped her arm as he told her ‘just when I thought there was some life in 
me…I find I’m still a married man.’  Then she had reached up and pushed the 
curl back from his face.’  She sighed deeply at the memory.  If only they 
could do things like that now…minus the announcement by Bessie in church on 
Sunday morning, that is!  But if that were what she had to endure to get 
Neil back, she would do it in an instant without even thinking twice about 
it!  Being with Neil was far too important to forfeit over something as 
trivial as a little embarrassment!!
   Christy laid back and dozed off with baby Neil tucked securely in her 
arms.  Dreaming of the wonderful times she and Neil had, had together!!
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
Chapter Five

   Jeremiah looked on as a young boy came running into the Livery Stable one 
day and spoke with Lucas.  He didn’t seem to be in too much of a hurry, at 
least not in the way he spoke to Lucas.  Jeremiah assumed this was no 
emergency, just a neighbor who needed a helping hand.

   When the boy had left, Lucas turned to Jeremiah.
   “Seems there’s a need for a blacksmith out at the Campbell place.”  Lucas 
said to Jeremiah.  “Say, why don’t you come with me?  You been workin so 
hard here for months.  Yah need some time away from here.  There ain’t much 
needs tah be done right now anyway.  Yah might as well git tah know some of 
the people here bouts.
   He leaned-in toward Jeremiah nudging him with his elbow he spoke softly.  
“I hear tell the Campbell’s got a daughter that’s really somethin!  You best 
git yourself out there and stake yer claim a fore someone beats yah to ‘er!” 
  Lucas chuckled.
   Jeremiah was opposed to going, but Lucas was right, he did need to get to 
know more of the neighbors.  Possibly drum up business for them if nothing 
else.  “Alright Lucas, I’ll go.  But not for a  woman, but to get to know 
more of the people in these parts.”  Lucas smiled a knowing smile, as though 
he understood the true reason why Jeremiah was going out to the Campbell’s.

   Lucas wanted Jeremiah to take over the business eventually.  *A big 
strong young man like Jeremiah would make an wonderful Blacksmith one day.* 
he thought as they rode out toward the Campbell‘s.

   Little did either of them know that this particular call would change 
both of their lives…
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   As the two blacksmith’s rode toward the Campbell’s, a rider approached 
them from the opposite direction.  Jeremiah noticed the riders long curly 
hair and black felt hat.  The man reined in his horse and stared at Jeremiah 
rather puzzled.  “Doc!?!”  The man said in his soft-spoken manner.
   “Who’re you talking to mister?”  Jeremiah said.
   “I’m talkin tah you, Doc MacNeill!  I’ve known yah since we were both 
knee-high to a grasshopper!”  The corners of the man’s mouth curled into a 
slight grin.
   Jeremiah looked confused at the stranger.  Studying the man from head to 
foot examining everything about him.  The knee-high ‘Indian’ moccasins on 
the man’s feet seemed out of character with the rest of his person.
   Pointing to himself he said, “It’s Billy!  Billy Long… well, Billy 
Longfeather actually.  Don’t yah remember me Doc?”
   Jeremiah looked sullenly at Billy.  “My name is *DOC*?”
   “Well no, your name’s Neil MacNeill.  Yer the only Doctor for fifty 
miles, least wise you were, up till El Pano got their new Doc.  Ev’ry one 
just calls yah Doc, cause yer the Doctor.”
   “Neil…?”  Jeremiah frowned, Billy nodded his head.  “Neil MacNeill…?  
Sounds kinda funny doesn’t it?”  Jeremiah said.
  Billy grinned again, “Well, from what I heard from your Grandfather when 
we was young‘uns together you was named after an ancestor of yours by that 
name.  Saved a bunch a people from death in the Scottish Highlands back in 
the seventeen hundreds some time if I recollect it rightly.”
   Billy frowned looking at Jeremiah/Neil.  “What happened to you, man?”
   “I wish I knew.”  Jeremiah/Neil admitted.  “I can’t remember anything 
before I woke up in the hospital in Knoxville months ago.”
   “You mean, you ain’t seen your wife in months!?!?!”
   “I’ve got a wife!?!”  Jeremiah/Neil declared with astonishment.
   “Course yah do!  Her name’s Christy.  I was at your wedding.  Yah got 
married at the mission over in Cutter Gap.”
   “Christy…?  Christy…”  Jeremiah/Neil looked away thoughtfully.  A look of 
recognition soon spread across his face, “Christy!!  Long brown hair… blue 
eyes…” a smile spread across his face with a dreamy expression.  “Stunning 
blue eyes!!  Beautiful woman too!  Am I right?”
   “So far so good, Neil!  What else do you remember?”
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Neil, Lucas and Billy rode on to the Campbell place.  Royce met them out 
front of the cabin after Lucas called out to the house.  Billy and Neil had 
been discussing Cutter Gap, the people there, what Billy knew of Neil’s 
ancestry… everything Neil asked about and Billy knew the answers to.

   Mrs. Campbell came running out as Lucas was shoeing the horse.  “Royce 
the boy’s takin a bad turn!  He’s breathin funny like!  I don’t rightly know 
what to do!”
   Royce ran for the cabin followed by his wife.  Billy grabbed Neil’s arm 
and dragged him toward the cabin as well.  Standing in the doorway Neil and 
Billy surveyed the emergency.  Seth was lying in the bed, half-propped up by 
pillows.  Neil somehow knew that this boy needed his help.  “May I?”  He 
offered the parents.
   “What’s a smithy know bout Doctorin folks?”  Royce said with a scowl in 
Neil’s direction.
   Billy placed his hand on Royce’s shoulder.  “Trust him.  He’s a Doctor.”  
He said with confidence, nodding his head in Neil’s direction.
   Royce frowned deeper as he looked at Billy.  Then Seth’s breathing became 
even worse.  Royce looked rather defeated at his ill son, then up at, Neil 
he whispered, “Alright.”
   “Fry up some onions quickly!  As much as you can.  We need to apply a 
poultice, probably lots of them.”  Neil announced.  “Hurry!”
   Royce, his wife, Billy and even Lucas began peeling onions.  Mrs. 
Campbell fried them and mashed them.  The pungent scent of onions permeated 
the air of the small cabin.  Everyone had tears in their eyes including Neil 
and Seth.
   Neil applied poultice after poultice.  They worked feverishly for the 
remainder of the afternoon and throughout the evening.
   In the wee hours of the morning Seth was breathing easily.  Neil said the 
crisis was over.  All who had worked zealously to save Seth’s life were near 
exhaustion by the time Neil made the announcement that no more poultice’s 
would be required.
    Royce offered Billy and Lucas the barn to sleep in.  They readily 
accepted.  Neil stayed up with Seth to be sure he didn‘t take another bad 
turn.
   All the while he sat watching the boy in his sleep, Neil wondered if 
maybe he and Christy had a son, yet Billy had only mentioned Christy.
   Now that he remembered his wife he was anxious to return to her.  *How 
she must have worried all this time I’ve been away!*  Neil thought.
   “Dear God, please comfort Christy.  If it be Your Will please tell her 
that I’m on my way home!  I’ll leave as soon as I can, I promise.  I’ll be 
on the next train home, if I can get a train to Cutter Gap…”
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   That same evening Christy dreamed she was standing at the front window of 
the cabin; her heart was racing faster and faster as she kept looking back 
at the clock on the mantle.  *But why?*
   She was awaiting something… or someone… yet she had no idea who or what 
she was looking for, but, her heart seemed to know somehow.  She watched on, 
glancing occasionally over her shoulder at  the clock on the mantle.  
Suddenly the clock chimed the hour of four and Christy’s heart beat all the 
faster!
   Her mind trying to sort things out, but not quite able to…*who, or what 
was she expecting to come down the path?  Was it a stranger or a friend?*
   She could hardly contain her joy as she began to rock back and forth, 
watching for, whoever it was.  She was fairly sure in her mind that it was a 
person that she was awaiting.
   When suddenly she saw a lone rider on horseback coming up the path.  The 
horse stopped at the bottom of the hill below the cabin entrance.  Christy 
studied the figure…*could it be!?!  Yes!!!  It was Neil!!*  He was staring 
up at the cabin entrance concern etched in his face.  Maybe even a look of 
fear as well.
   Christy flung the door open with a bang and raced across the porch and 
down the stairs a broad smile spread across her face!
   Neil dismounted immediately from the horse and raced toward his 
approaching wife.  She flew into his waiting arms and he drew her into him, 
kissing her face all over.  She sighed at the feel of his embrace.  It felt 
so good to be together again!!  “Oh Neil!!  You’re here!  You’re really 
here!!”  She kept saying over and over again!  ………

   Then a voice spoke to her heart and told her that Neil was coming home, 
and on which date…

   Christy awoke with a start.  Baby Neil was beginning to whimper.  Almost 
too excited to move, Christy rose from the bed to tend to her son.

   As the baby was eating Christy spoke to him.  “Well, Neil, it seems that 
you’re going to see your daddy soon!  I can hardly wait for him to meet 
you!!  It’s going to be a while before he gets here, but we’ll be ready and 
waiting for him when he does!!”
   Christy thought for a moment then realized that Neil would be coming home 
two days before Christmas.  He was coming home on Friday and the following 
Sunday would be Christmas day!!  Oh!  That made his homecoming even more 
special!!  ‘Thank you Lord!!  I can hardly wait for Neil to arrive!  This 
will be the best Christmas I’ve ever had!’  Christy prayed softly.  ‘Please 
help him to be happy with us again!  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen’
   In her heart she knew that everything was going to be all right!  The joy 
in her heart knew no limits!  She could hardly wait to see him again and to 
be in his arms once more!
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Hesitantly, Christy told David and Rebecca about the vision that she had 
of Neil riding up the path and standing at the bottom of the hill.  They 
looked at each other as though they thought she were crazy.
   “How can you even think of welcoming Neil back with open arms after he 
left you like this?”  David chided her.  “He left you months ago without 
saying a word and he‘s been away all this time without contacting you.  How 
do you know what he’s been doing in the time that he’s been away!?!”
   “David, I know what I saw, and heard in my dream.  I know in my heart 
that this is what I am required to do.  I have no animosity toward Neil!  
All I feel for him is deep love and compassion!  He could be a tortured 
soul; he has been one quite often in his life.  You know that as well, if 
not better, then I do!!  I can’t turn my back on him in his hour of need!!
   “Besides I want Little Neil to grow up with his daddy and enjoying him!  
I know Neil will be a wonderful father, he’s always been so good with 
everyone else’s children!!”
   “I know Christy, but I don’t want you to be hurt anymore then you already 
have!  You are my good friend and you have been for a long while.”  He 
paused for a long while.  “I have to say this, even though it may hurt 
you……… what if Neil doesn’t show up?  You know the chances are that he’s 
dead.  Don’t get your hopes up too high.  He may never come home again…  I’m 
only trying to protect you!”
   “I know you are and I thank-you for it David, but the Lord has given me a 
confidence.  I have *got* to believe that Neil is coming home again.
   “I can’t thank-you enough for your concern, David, and I would like you 
to continue to watch ‘prayerfully’ over us, alright?”
   David heaved a deep sigh, “Alright.”  He said reluctantly.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Christy was convinced that the dream she had was a vision from God that 
Neil was, in fact, coming home.  Nothing would dissuade her from her 
conviction.  In her heart of heart’s Christy knew, beyond any doubt, ‘Neil 
was coming home, and that he was coming home on Friday, December 23rd at 
four O’clock PM.’ So she set about making everything perfect for Neil’s 
homecoming.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Before leaving the Campbell cabin Jeremiah was introduced to a lovely 
young lady with long brown hair and blue eyes, their daughter Sarah.  Lucas 
was about to nudge Jeremiah again when he remembered what Billy had said 
about ‘Doc’ having a wife.  He wouldn’t flirt with danger and try to 
encourage a romance that was never meant to be.
   “Doc,”  Royce began.  “Yah may not believe this, I been thinkin on it all 
day, yesterday as well.  I looked at yah, and thought ‘I knows him from 
somewhere?  Now where that be?’  Wall, sir, as I’s ah settin here ponderin 
that it came tah me.  Were that dog over thar, Blue, what found yah on the 
side of the path, in the brush when yah was hurt something fierce-like in 
the head.  I brung yah back here, but weren’t nuttin nobody could do fer yah 
here, so me an McNair, took yah tah that thar  hospital over Knoxville way.  
Never did hear what happened tah yah.  Glad tah see yer feelin chipper 
again.”
   “So you’re the man that brought me to the hospital!”  Neil said, a bit 
taken aback.  “I can’t thank-you enough Mr. Campbell for all you did for me! 
  I’m beholden to you.”
   “Tis I that’s beholden tah you, Doc.  For given my boy back tah me!”
   “Well, if you hadn’t saved my life Mr. Campbell, I wouldn’t have been 
here to help your boy.  I owe you my life and I will feel eternally indebted 
to you for all that you did for me.”
   Royce looked away a bit shyly.  Neil knew that he had said enough.  He 
didn’t want to embarrass the poor man either.  Maybe some day he would have 
another opportunity to thank Mr. Campbell.  Until then he could always pray 
for him and his family.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Neil had finally found his identity again and he was on his way home.  
Now he could return to his wife and start life over again with her!  It 
would be like the days when they were first married, or at least he hoped it 
would.  Excitement overwhelmed him as he first left the Livery.  But as the 
time came nearer for him to leave on the train, he became increasingly 
frightened.
   Speaking to Lucas about it before the train arrived, “Lucas, I’m positive 
that the Lord told me to go.  I don’t want to have any doubts in my mind or 
my heart, but what if I heard wrong?  What if I get there and Christy 
doesn’t want me back?”
   “Neil, what’s the worst thing that can happen?”  Lucas paused as he 
looked intently at his friend.  “If she tells you to leave, then you are in 
the same position that you are in right at this moment.  You can always come 
back, you will still have friends who want you here!  The church will 
welcome you with open arms I guarantee it.
   “You have nothing to fear, but fear itself!  If you don’t go and face 
your wife, then what?  You may never know what happiness the two of you 
could have had together!”
   “Alright, Lucas.  I’ll go.  Keep praying for me though!”
   “I will Neil and so will the church!  I promise.”  Lucas said.
   Neil looked away from Lucas toward the ground.  “I want to thank you for 
helping me.  Thank-you for taking me in and teaching me your trade.  If I 
don’t get my memory back fully I may be back again…  Or if Christy won’t 
take me back…  Maybe she’s even gotten remarried, thinking I’m dead.  I 
don’t know…  But just in case I don’t make it back here again Lucas, I want 
to thank-you for all you’ve done and for welcoming me when I had no where 
else to go.”
   “It’s been my pleasure Neil.  I’m gonna miss yah.  But I’m glad yah got 
yer memory back, even if yah don’t remember yer doctorin it’s wonderful yah 
remember yer wife.”
   “Yeah, I know it is.  At least I hope so.  I want her to be happy, even 
if that means I have to leave her with her new husband.”
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
The Christmas that Almost Wasn’t
Chapter Six

      Christy spent the day of Neil’s impending arrival, cleaning, cooking… 
and praying!  She wanted to have Neil’s favorite foods for Supper this 
evening.  Even going so far as to set the table the way she had planned to 
do the day she would have announced that they were expecting their baby; 
only Neil wasn’t here when she found out.   Surveying the table one last 
time she thought, ‘Lace tablecloth, china, our best silverware from mother, 
grandmother Rudd‘s silver candlesticks, flowers (dried, but that’s all there 
is in December!), and candles.  Perfect!’
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Neil sat nervously watching the scenery roll past the train window.  
There had been a little snow, but not much to speak of yet.  ‘Thank God,’ he 
thought.  ‘That would make traveling easier.’  The trees were ominous 
looking, void of all of their leaves.  He was trying his best to be 
optimistic about this venture, but the dismal landscape and the storm clouds 
in the far western sky certainly did not help in the least!
   Excited to see his beautiful wife again, but somewhat afraid that she 
might be angry with him for having been away all these months without a 
word.  He bent forward, his elbows on his knees, holding his head in his 
hands.  Palms covering his face.  And what if she had remarried while he was 
missing?  There was a very real possibility that she assumed he had died!
   Tears slid from his eyes and into his hands covering his face.  ‘Lord, 
how can she ever forgive me for what I’ve done!?!’  He prayed just under his 
breath.  ‘I don’t understand how she can ever forgive me!!’  But the still 
small voice of God spoke to his heart once again the same words he had heard 
before, ‘*I* have given you favor in her eyes.’
   ‘Alright Lord,’ Neil conceded.  ‘I’m leaving it all up to you.  But I 
still have butterflies in my stomach!”  Neil smiled faintly.
   Neil felt uneasy about returning to his *wife* when he couldn’t even 
remember getting married!  Although he remembered his wife ‘per se’ he 
didn’t remember their marriage.  So he felt that although he knew he loved 
Christy and he knew in his head that they had already been married, he 
wouldn’t feel at ease until they were ‘remarried‘.  He hoped to do that on 
Sunday after church.  If he remembered correctly, there was a church in the 
area!
   ‘I forgot to ask you, Lord, if you wanted me to spend my nights elsewhere 
until after we are remarried on Sunday?’  Neil prayed under his breath.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Billy Longfeather promised to meet Neil at the train and show him where 
his cabin was located.  There were some rather vague memories in Neil’s 
mind, but until he could test them to be sure, he didn’t know whether they 
were real or just something he had heard people speaking of, or maybe he 
made it up in his own mind somehow.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Christy fidgeted nervously all day!  She wasn’t sure how things were 
going to go today, but beyond that she wasn’t even positive that the Lord 
had truly spoken to her about the events of today.  Something inside of her 
said that what she was believing for was the truth and that she would see 
Neil again today and that everything was going to work out all right.
   An hour before the time that was on the clock in her vision Christy was 
already nervously watching from the window!  Baby Neil was fussy, but in her 
vision he had fallen asleep just before the clock struck four, so she would 
just have to wait and see what happened.  She was sure that it was her own 
nervous-tension and fidgetiness that was making the baby fussy in the first 
place, which only made her more nervous, which in turn only made the baby 
would fuss even more ~ “A vicious cycle I’ve had begun here today to be 
sure!!”  She muttered sadly to herself, knowing that there was no way that 
she would *not* be anxious on this day.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Christy put the baby down for his nap…*finally* at five minutes to four.  
Then she returned to her window to continue her vigil. Just as in her 
dream/vision her heart was beating wildly in her chest!  Trying as hard as 
she could to contain herself she bounced up and down slightly with her arms 
crossed in front of her, nearly hugging herself in a vain attempt to calm 
her nerves.  She kept looking back over her shoulder at the clock she had on 
the mantle, praying for wisdom.
  Looking over the cabin for a final assessment… ‘the table looks perfect, 
the fire in the fireplace is burning nicely, the food is cooking and will be 
ready to serve about the time Neil should be ready to eat…’
   Racing upstairs quickly, she looked at her reflection in the mirror one 
last time.  She brushed her hair once more then tried to pin it up in her 
‘teacherly‘ hairdo, but her hands were shaking so badly that she couldn’t 
hold the hairpins or combs.  “Oh well,”  she sighed.  “Neil likes my hair 
better when it’s down anyway.”  She tried to giggle but the effort was too 
great at the moment.  She smoothed down the dress she was wearing, Neil had 
bought her this dress with the pink roses on it because he said it reminded 
him of her Rosewater and his Aunt Hattie’s song.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Billy had gotten a horse for Neil.  So Billy and two horses were waiting 
as the train pulled into the station.  Stepping off the train Neil looked 
skyward breathing deeply of the fresh mountain air and  praying that the 
weather would hold out until he got home and that Billy would be safe.  He 
didn’t want to miss out on any time with Christy now that he was this close.
   “Billy.”  Neil said as he extended his hand to his friend.  “I can’t 
thank you enough for coming here today to help me.”
   “Think nothing of it Neil.  We’ve been friends a long time.  I don’t mind 
helping you out when you need it.  You know that.”
   “At least I *should*.”  Neil added sadly.

   They rode as quickly as they possibly could without harming the horses.  
‘Dear God, please hold off the snow!’  Neil prayed again and again as he 
watched the sky.

   Billy was a comfort, allowing Neil to ramble on in his tension.  Smiling 
occasionally at his friend’s nervousness.
   “Billy, can you answer a question for me?”
   “If I can.”
   “Is Christy remarried?  Or is she engaged to someone else?”
   “Neil, I wish I could find a woman as devoted to me as your wife is to 
you!  She wouldn’t give up on you.  I’ve been lookin in on her now and then, 
mostly from a distance.  But she’s never given up hope on yah, I can tell 
yah that.”  He reached over and placed his hand on Neil’s shoulder.  “Don’t 
worry about your wife, Neil.  Your marriage is as solid as any I‘ve ever 
seen.”
   Neil let out a huge sigh of relief finding out that Christy was not 
remarried or even engaged, was like receiving a reprieve!  He felt badly 
that she had waited all this time for him and hadn’t given up on him.  But 
yet it felt wonderful to know that she had.  Praying silently he asked God 
to show him a way to make up for some of the pain and anguish that Christy 
must have suffered over the past months without him.
   “Can you answer another question for me Billy?”
   “There’s not much else for me to do at the moment Neil!”  Billy chuckled. 
  “Ask away man!”
   “What were you doing on the road to Knoxville the other day when I met 
you?”
   “I knew you was missin.  Been lookin for yah quite a spell now.  Last 
week I heard bout a piece in the newspaper bout a man in Knoxville.  I got a 
chance to read it, sounded to me like it was you, so I went to find out.  
That’s when I seen yah on the road.”
   “That *was* my description in the newspaper Billy!  Dr. Murphy placed it 
in the paper right after I woke up and couldn’t remember anything.  We were 
hoping that someone who knew me would read it and would either contact the 
newspaper, or would come looking for me.
   “I can’t tell you how glad I am that you did!  Just remembering Christy 
is like a light shining in the darkness for me!  Thank-you my friend!  
Thank-you!!  I am indebted to you.”
   “You don’t owe me nothing.  We’ve been doing things for each other all 
our lives.  Someday you’ll do something for me and we’ll be even again.  I 
only did what any ’true’ friend would do for another.”
   “Well, it still means the world to me, I can tell you that!”
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Christy noticed the sky as well and prayed also that the weather would 
hold out.  She couldn’t stand the thought of Neil being caught in a 
snowstorm!!
   The clock ticked mercilessly on as Christy waited, occasionally counting 
the seconds as they ticked by.   Glancing back at the antique clock on the 
mantle once again, this time it was nearly four!
   She checked her meal once last time and slipped into her coat.  She went 
into the room that used to be Neil’s lab, now nursery, and checked on the 
baby.  The woodstove was heating the room adequately; he was plenty warm and 
sleeping like… like… well, like a baby!!  Crouching down beside the cradle, 
Christy brushed back a curl from his forehead and smiled!  “You’re so like 
your daddy, wee one!”  She whispered as she rose from her position.  
Tiptoeing back out to her post at the front window; closing the door to the 
’nursery’ securely behind her as she left the room to keep the heat from the 
woodburner in by the baby.
   The clock struck four.  In her vision Neil had come riding up just after 
the clock struck.  She grew increasingly restless, her heartbeating faster 
still as she watched from the window…

   Suddenly, there he was!!  He was actually home!!  Looking stern-faced at 
the cabin entrance.  Maybe even a look of fear on his face as well.  Just as 
in her vision.
   Christy flung the door open with a bang and raced across the porch and 
down the stairs a broad smile spread across her face.
   Neil studied her, to be sure first, that she was real, and, second, to 
see if she were angry, sad or happy to see him.
   He was ecstatic to see the sheer joy on her face at observing him.  He 
dismounted immediately from the horse and raced toward his approaching wife 
wearing the broadest smile she had ever seen on his face.  She flew into his 
waiting arms and he drew her into him, kissing her face all over!  She 
sighed at the feel of his embrace.  It felt wonderful to be together again!! 
  “Oh Neil!!  You’re here!  You’re actually here!!  It‘s really you!!  
You‘re alive!!  I *knew* you were!!”  She kept saying over and over again!  
He laid her head on his chest and kissed the top of her head as he inhaled 
deeply, holding her as close to him as he could without hurting her.
   “Ah Christy!  I‘m so glad to be home again!”  Then he paused.  Looking 
seriously for the first time, “I’m sorry for everything…”  She stopped him 
by claiming his lips in a profound kiss, not allowing him the chance to 
finish what he was about to say, none of that mattered anyhow.  They were 
here, together, and that was all that concerned her right now!
   He clung to her as though he would never allow himself to let her go 
again.
   When they finally parted, Neil slipped his arm around Christy and 
together they walked to the barn and Neil put the horse up.  “David made 
sure that everything you would need for your horse was in here before you 
came home, Neil.  So I hope it’s satisfactory.”  Christy said with her arms 
resting on the top rail of the stall and her chin resting on her hands.
   Neil looked up at her and smiled, she looked beautiful, even in the 
barn!!  It had been so long since he had looked into those blue eyes.  
“Everything’s fine, Christy.  Just fine.”
   He brought the saddle over and set in on the rail beside his wife, he 
couldn’t resist the urge to kiss her tenderly.  She reached up and brushed 
the curl from his forehead and smiled warmly remembering when she had done 
that for their son in his sleep only a short time ago.  They didn’t need 
words right now.  Being together was enough for either of them at the 
moment.  Neil finished up with the horse and walked over to Christy, taking 
her hand.
   “I’ve made your favorite meal; when you’re hungry, Neil.”  Christy said 
softly.
   “Sounds wonderful Christy!”  Neil said.  “Shall we go inside where it’s 
warmer?”  He said as he brushed the top of her fingers with his thumb.  He 
had forgotten how soft, and small her hands were.  Now that he was here and 
he saw his wife he realized how many things he had forgotten.

   Neil and Christy walked hand in hand back to the cabin.  It was snowing 
harder outside now.  Neil looked up at the sky and commented, “Look’s like 
we’re going to get snowed in tonight!”
   “That sounds wonderful to me!“  Christy said looking up at him with a big 
smile and he chuckled as he glanced at her.  He placed his hand on the side 
of her cheek and just gazed back into her eyes.
   Walking back to the cabin they ascended the stairs and Neil opened the 
door allowing Christy to enter first.  He bowed slightly as she entered 
which made her giggle.  “Why Neil, you’re so gallant this evening!”
   “I’m practicing being a gentlemen again.  It’s been so long since I’ve 
acted like one that I’ve nearly forgotten how.  Please forgive me if I 
forget myself now and again.”  Neil said as he closed the door firmly behind 
him as he entered the cabin.

   “I want you to know something.“  Christy said as she turned to face Neil, 
standing directly in front of him.  “I still love *you* Neil MacNeill!  No 
matter what has happened, I will *always* love you!  Nothing you’ve done 
will ever change that fact.  *Please* believe that!”
   He looked at her seriously, gazing deeply into her eyes to view what was 
going on within her heart.  “You really mean that don’t you, Christy?”
   “Have I ever lied to you Neil?”
   “No…you have *never* lied to me, but I feel as though I’ve lied to you.  
Christy…”  Neil began.  “I wish I could tell you what happened to me months 
ago but I can’t.  I don’ know what happened to me, I don’t know how I wound 
up where I did.  But here’s what I do know,” He paused for just a moment 
before continuing.
   Taking both of her hands in his he looked into her eyes, “I woke-up in a 
hospital room in Knoxville.   With a bandage around my head and a terrible 
headache.  Somebody, I think it was a Doctor, told me that I hit my head.  
When he asked me for my name, I told him I didn’t know it.  I gave the same 
answer to the questions of where I came from and if I had any family, etc.
   “I’ll tell you right now, *you* are all I can remember at the moment.  I 
met Billy Longfeather on the road a few days ago.  He told me my name and 
that I’m a Doctor.  He also told me about you.  When he mentioned ‘Christy’ 
I realized who you were and what you look like.  He said my name is Neil…  
Neil?  Neil?  I can’t remember the rest!”
   “Neil *MacNeill*.”  Christy said sadly.  “You don’t remember *anything* 
at all?”
   “Nothing.  I’m not even sure what a Doctor does!  Only that I had one in 
the hospital while I was there.  Something about this cabin is familiar 
though.”
   “This cabin belonged to you, your father and your grandfather before him. 
  You grew up here as did they.”
   “I did?”  Neil said as he glanced around at everything in the cabin.  “I 
seem to remember some thing’s about this place.  But maybe those memories 
aren’t real either.  I have a wagonload of questions running through my 
mind!”
   “Tell me what they are and I’ll answer the best I can.”
   Neil proceeded to tell Christy what he thought he remembered…
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
Chapter Seven

   Some of what Neil remembered was correct others were not, and still 
others Christy admitted were things before she had met him and that he 
should speak with Miss Alice about those for she had known him longer and 
was better able to answer those questions.
~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   David and Rebecca knew that this was the day that Neil was to be coming 
home.  They spent the day, or the better part of it anyway, in prayer.  
Christy had told them what time she expected Neil to be home and they were 
most assuredly on their knees praying most fervently for them all at four 
O’clock.
~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Christy and Neil spent the next couple of hours discussing things that 
Neil could not remember.  They walked around the parlor area and Neil looked 
at all his pictures that were hung over his desk.  He looked at his precious 
antiques that had belonged to Neil MacNeill of Barra and most likely his 
ancestor’s before him.
   She showed him their wedding portrait, but Neil couldn’t remember it.  He 
felt terrible for not being able to remember anything!  He looked at his 
beautiful wife and wonder how on earth any man could forget marrying such an 
attractive woman as she?
   Secretly, Christy, set her meal aside so it wouldn’t be ruined.  She 
realized that food was the last thing on her husband’s mind this evening.

   Christy then took his arm and led him to his favorite chair.  Kneeling 
down beside him she took him into her arms.  “I don’t mind that you don’t 
remember anything.  I’m just glad you’re home.”
   Neil drew Christy onto his lap and buried his face in her neck and hair.  
Then he prayed, “Dear God, you were right!  You have given me favor in her 
eyes!”  He laughed and cried at the same time.  Christy had to smile 
herself.  Neil looked up to see her smile.  “I love you Christy MacNeill!”
   “I love you Neil MacNeill!”  Christy said as she wiped the tears away 
with her hand and brushed the hair from his face.  Looking intently at each 
other, Neil’s gaze dropped from her eyes to her mouth, as he was giving her 
an affectionate kiss, baby Neil began to fuss a ’wee bit’ in the Nursery.
   “What’s that noise?”  Neil asked with an extremely puzzled look on his 
face.
   “That’s a surprise for you, my love.”  Christy began with a silent prayer 
being sent up from deep within her heart!  “Close your eyes and I’ll bring 
in your surprise.”
   “Christy!  What is it?”  Neil asked without closing his eyes, as Christy 
rose from his lap.
   Trying to look sternly at him, she placed her hands on her hips; “You 
won’t find out if you don’t close your eyes, Neil, so if you want your 
surprise, I suggest closing your eyes and not opening them until I tell you 
to!!”  Christy teased with a smile as she placed her hand over Neil’s eyes.  
He took her hand from his eyes and kissed it, but kept his eyes closed.  
“That’s better!  I’ll be right back.”  Neil nodded his head, his puzzled 
expression unwavering.
   Christy walked into the laboratory, heading straight to the cradle and 
whispered softly to their son, “Well, Neil, now’s your chance to impress 
your daddy!  Put on your cutest demeanor right now and prove to him that 
you’re the son that he always wanted!”  She scooped the baby up in her arms 
and carried him out to the chair where daddy was seated.  Baby Neil cooed 
quietly.
   “What’s that sound, Christy?”  Neil asked.
   “Your surprise!”  She teased again.  “Now hold out your arms.”  He 
complied, still looking puzzled, his brow furrowed.  Christy set his left 
elbow on the chair and bent his arm to support the baby’s head, then as she 
set baby Neil into his daddy’s arm she brought his other arm underneath to 
support the baby’s back.  As she released her grip she said, “There, now you 
may open your eyes, Mr. MacNeill!”  As he did so, he was greeted by baby 
Neil’s first big smile!! (‘Thank-you God!’  Christy prayed silently.)  “Or 
should I say, *Daddy* MacNeill!”
   Neil sat stiffly holding his son in his arms.  “Neil MacNeill, meet Neil 
MacNeill II!!”  Christy said nervously.
   Son and Daddy sat for a long while looking at each other.  Baby Neil was 
cooing and smiling, holding tightly to Neil’s vest.  He was kicking his feet 
and talking to his daddy.  Christy thought they looked wonderful together; 
only Neil was deafeningly quiet!
   She knelt before Neil so she could see his face.  Then she noticed tears 
streaming from his eyes.  “Neil?  What’s wrong!?  Don’t you like him?”  
Christy asked.
   Looking into his wife’s eyes Neil replied, “It’s not that love!  I think 
he’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen!  I feel so badly that I can’t 
remember anything about him is all!!”  Neil said desperately, grasping for a 
memory that wasn’t there.
   Christy reached over and touched Neil’s cheek with her hand brushing the 
tears away.  “Oh!  Don’t feel badly about not remembering you were going to 
be a daddy, Neil!  You didn’t know anything about the baby until just a few 
moments ago.  I found out I was expecting after you went on your rounds.  I 
never got a chance to tell you I was expecting!  That’s why you can’t 
remember anything about him!”
   Neil’s countenance lifted as he heard those words.  Finally something 
that he was on even ground with!  He couldn’t remember the baby because he 
didn’t know anything about the baby in the first place!  That was a good 
thing; at least he thought it must be!
  Christy brushed the stubborn curl from baby Neil’s forehead.  “He’s your 
son alright Neil!”
   “Yes, there’s no denying that Christy!”
~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Christy put the meal on the table.  Neil walked over to the table holding 
the baby.  She had to smile at the sight of Neil and his son together.  He 
was cooing and talking sweetly to his son.
   “Well, Neil, do you like your son?”  Christy asked.
   Neil came over and placed his arm around Christy shoulders.  “Oh yes!  
Unquestionably, Christy!!”          Then he kissed her sweetly.  
“Thank-you!”

   They sat down to eat and Neil took Christy’s hand in his while holding 
the baby with his other arm.  “I can’t thank-you enough for *everything*!  
You’ve made me so very happy today Christy.  Even if I can’t remember things 
I still remember *you* and I know that I love you very much!”
   “I love you very much also, Neil.  And I pray that your memory will 
return fully!”
   “Amen!”  Neil exclaimed.
   As they began to eat baby Neil began to cry.  “What did I do wrong?”  
Neil asked with concern.
   “Nothing!  He’s just getting hungry daddy!”  Christy smiled.  “I’ll have 
to take over for awhile!”  She said as she reached for the baby.  Neil 
handed him over reluctantly.  “I’ll give him back to you when he’s finished 
eating, I promise!”  She smiled again.
   “Well, as long as you *promise* to give him back.”
   Christy laughed as she walked over to the settee and began to nurse the 
baby.  Neil cleaned off the table for her then he stoked the fire and came 
over to sit next to them.  Wrapping his arm around his wife, Neil drew 
Christy into him and held her close.  “I need you Mrs. MacNeill!”  He said 
as he stroked her cheek and her hair.  “Thank-you so much for all that 
you’ve done for me!  Most especially for forgiving me!”
   “You’re very welcome Mr. MacNeill!  But there is really nothing to 
forgive.  You‘ve done nothing wrong!  You couldn‘t help it if you had an 
accident that caused you to lose your memory!”  Christy said.
   Neil lifted Christy’s face toward him; he leaned his face in to hers and 
kissed her affectionately.
~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
      The wind was blowing fiercely outside, but the MacNeill Family was 
safe and warm inside the cabin.   When Christy put the baby back into Neil’s 
arms, she went out to the kitchen and began the after meal clean-up.  While 
she was washing the dishes the two Neil’s came walking into the room.  She 
turned slightly and peered at them over her shoulder, laughing lightly, 
“Well I’m so glad to see that you two gentlemen are getting along so well!”  
Christy said as a broad smile swept across her face.  “I’ve been praying for 
months that you would return so you could enjoy your son.”
   Neil came over to her and rested his hand on her cheek, “I love you 
Christy!  You did a wonderful job!  He’s a beautiful baby boy!”
   “I think he’s asleep now Neil!  Why don’t you put him to bed?”  Neil 
looked forlorn.  “He’ll be right here when you wake up in the morning.  
Believe me, he’s got a healthy pair of lungs!  You won’t miss him when he 
wakes up!”  Christy said.
   “I suppose, I could use a little quiet time with my Lass before retiring 
for the evening.”
   “Neil?  Do you know what you just did?”
   “What?”
   “You called me Lass!  Do you remember calling me that?”
   He thought for a few moments.  “Yes!  Yes, I do remember calling you 
that, come to think of it!”
   “Wonderful!!”  Christy exclaimed.
   “I’ll put the baby down, Christy.“  Neil smiled a beautiful smile at his 
wife.
   Christy smiled.
~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Neil put the baby down for the evening and stood back watching his son as 
he slept, with tears in his own eyes remembering how he had looked at Seth 
Campbell and wondered if he had a son of his own.  Neil stood there gazing 
at his son until Christy called him that she had dessert and coffee ready 
for them in the parlor.
   Before leaving the nursery Neil made sure the woodburner had sufficient 
wood to heat the the room until he got up during the night to replenish it.  
With one last look back at the son that only a few hours ago he didn’t even 
know he had, Neil walked out to the parlor closing the door behind him.
   “Christy!  That is the most handsome boy I have ever seen!”  Neil 
declared as he entered the parlor and immediately caught his wife’s gaze, 
both were wearing broad happy smiles.
   “Of course he is Neil!  He looks like his daddy!!”  Christy remarked.  As 
she held out a cup of coffee for Neil.  He came closer to where she was 
seated on the settee in front of the fireplace.
   “Thank-you Christy.”  Neil said as he accepted the cup and sat beside 
her.  “Not just for the coffee either, but for *everything* today, most 
especially for our son.  I know I‘m saying that too often today, but I can‘t 
think of anything to say that seems good enough for you.  Thank-you is the 
best I can come up with at the moment.”  He placed his hand on her cheek and 
looked into her eyes.  “I can’t think of words that seem good enough for 
you, and all you’ve done for me.  Please believe me that I am extremely 
grateful for it all!
  “You mean more to me then anything in the world Christy.  I intend to be a 
proper daddy to Neil and the best possible husband I can be to you.”  He 
gazed into her eyes and stroked her cheek.  “Thank-you for giving me a 
second chance.  I know I don’t deserve it, but you’ve given it to me anyway. 
  That means the world to me!”
   Christy had tears streaming down her cheeks now.  “I’ve only done this 
because I love you so much.  I can’t bear to be without you.  When I’m with 
you I feel complete, Neil!  I *need* to be with you.  My heart is one with 
yours and when we’re apart the pain is more then I can bear.”  She began to 
sob.  Neil reached over and took the coffee cup from her hand and set it as 
well as his own on the table, drawing her into him and holding her close 
with the tears streaming down his face as well.
   “I feel the same about you Christy.”  Neil admitted.  He sat back on the 
settee and Christy curled up in his arms with her head on his chest.  He 
sighed at the nearness of her.  It seemed like forever since she had been 
this close to him.  “I have to tell you something though.  I can’t remember 
our wedding, at least not yet.  So, I want to be remarried.  I was hoping to 
be married after church on Sunday.  There is a church here, isn‘t there?”
   “Yes, there’s a church at the mission where I used to work.“  Christy 
looked up into his eyes and whispered, “That sounds wonderful Neil!  I wish 
it were Sunday already.”  Christy paused a moment sitting up to look Neil in 
the eyes.  “Our new anniversary will be Christmas Day!!  That makes it even 
better!!
   “This feels like our first Christmas together, Neil!  Even better it’s 
also baby Neil’s first Christmas!”
   Neil brushed the stray hairs back from her face and smiled sweetly at 
her.  He cupped her chin in his hand and leaned forward kissing her 
tenderly.  “I love you Christy MacNeill, with my whole heart!!”  Then he 
drew her near and hugged her again as she curled up in his arms once more.
   “I feel like I’ve come home all over again, Neil!  I never want to leave 
this spot as long as I live!”
   “ I don’t want you to either.”
   “Can we stay right here like this all night?”  Christy asked.
   “I’d like nothing better Christy!”  Neil said as he held her ever nearer. 
  “I’ll never let you go again!”
   “Neil… do you still… want… *me*?”  Christy asked softly.
   “More then anything Christy!  But we should wait until we’re remarried.  
At least I’d feel better about it.”  Neil confessed.  “I believe it’s the 
right thing to do.  I know you’ve had my child, and you’re wearing my 
wedding ring, but I can’t for the life of me remember the wedding, so I’d 
feel better if we waited until we were remarried.”
   “As long as I know how you feel I can wait!”  Christy said with a big 
yawn.  She quickly clapped her hand over her mouth.  “I’m sorry Neil!  I 
didn’t mean to do that!  Please forgive me.”
   Neil placed his hand on her head and kissed the top of her head sweetly.  
“Of course I forgive you!  We all get tired, Christy!  You’ve had a rough 
time these past months!  I’m surprised you’ve made it through looking more 
beautiful then ever!!”
   “Oh Neil!  You always know how to make me feel better, don‘t you?!”
   “Well, it’s all coming back to me again!!”  Neil said, as he felt Christy 
relax in his arms her breath becoming slow and even, he knew that she had 
fallen asleep in his arms.  He settled back on the settee with his lovely 
wife asleep on his chest, he sighed deeply as he said a prayer of 
thanksgiving for Christy and the baby and everything that had transpired 
today.  He laid his head back and relaxed, enjoying being with his family 
again.
   He looked down at Christy sleeping and kissed the top of her head once 
again, holding her ever nearer.  She snuggled up closer to him, burying her 
face in his neck, she sighed deeply.  Neil smiled sweetly at his wife, 
feeling so blessed to be back home again.  He rested his head on his wife’s, 
her scent made him feel safe and secure as he drifted off into the most 
peaceful slumber he had experienced in months…
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
Chapter Eight

      In the wee hours of the morning baby Neil began to cry.  Christy awoke 
at the sound of his cry, not quite remembering where she was.  Rubbing the 
sleep from her eyes she looked up to see Neil sound asleep.  She smiled 
broadly remembering his homecoming.  Giggling quietly over how he could 
possibly sleep through his son’s wailing!  But, he had been through a lot 
these past months and was no doubt exhausted, not to mention the tension and 
the long train trip home.
   She rose from her position next to Neil and went to the nursery to 
collect the baby.  He was crying quite loudly now.  “I’m sorry wee one!”  
Christy soothed.  “I’ve fallen fast asleep and didn’t hear when you woke up, 
I’m terribly sorry Neil!  As soon as I have you changed you’ll get your 
meal, I promise!”
   After she had the baby changed.  She walked out to the parlor and sat in 
the rocking chair by the fire to nurse him.  Smiling down at her son she 
once again brushed the stubborn curl from his forehead, chuckling out loud 
as she looked over at Neil and saw the same curl hanging down on his 
forehead just aching to be brushed aside.  “I’m out numbered here!”  Christy 
thought to herself with a giggle.  “If these two were any more alike I 
wouldn’t be able tell them apart!!”  She looked over at Neil and smiled 
broadly, so happy to have them all together and happy.  A smile played on 
the corner of Neil‘s mouth.  Christy noticed immediately.  “You’re awake my 
Love!”
   “Aye, that I am Lass!  I’ve been admiring the sight before me.”  He sat 
up slowly, smiling at his family.  He slid down and knelt beside his wife, 
placing his hand on his son’s head.  Kissing Christy tenderly, “I’ve never 
seen a more breathtaking sight in my life, then you, nursing my son in the 
firelight.  I’ve missed you, Lass.  I’m so glad to be back here with you.  
With both of you.”  Neil said as he kissed his son on the forehead.  “I love 
you both so much.”
   “We love you also, Neil.  We both do.”

   Christy’s eyelids were heavy as the baby finished eating.  Neil’s heart 
ached for his wife.  He noticed that the baby seemed to be falling asleep 
also, he scooped up both Christy and the baby and carried them up the stairs 
to the bedroom and set them on the bed, Christy with the baby in her arms.
   “I’ll take care of the baby, Christy.  You lay down and sleep well.”  He 
lifted the baby from Christy’s weary arms then with his free arm he reached 
down and tucked his wife in snuggly, leaning down and kissing her gently, he 
whispered,  “I love you Christy.  Sleep well Lass.”
   Seeing that Christy was set to sleep soundly Neil snuggled his son closer 
and crept quietly down the stairs with him.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   In the soft light of the rising sun Christy gingerly roused from her 
sleep, while stretching she remembered baby Neil, her eyes sprang open, ‘she 
hadn’t fed him in quite awhile‘!  Leaping from bed she raced down the stairs 
and into the nursery.  She slid to a halt as she raced into the room.  The 
sight before her eyes took her breath away!  Neil was lying on the bed that 
he always kept in this room for patients.  Snuggled securely in his arm was 
their son!  Both of them sound asleep facing each other, their faces only 
inches apart.  Christy was so happy there were tears in her eyes.  Next to 
Neil’s other hand was the remains of a baby bottle of milk.  He must have 
fed the baby a bottle when he awakened earlier.
   Christy couldn’t allow this moment to pass by!  She grabbed her 
sketchbook and sketched her husband and son asleep together this way.  It 
would be a keepsake that she would treasure for the rest of her life!
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Christy finished her sketch and left her two ‘men’ to sleep, most likely 
until the younger Neil became hungry again.  Looking at the clock on the 
mantle she realized that it wouldn’t be that long before he awoke, so she 
set about making Breakfast for Neil and herself.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Right on schedule baby Neil awoke, Christy debated whether or not to go 
in and pick him up or allow the baby to wake Neil.  At this point she was 
positive that Neil would much prefer to be awakened by his son!
   By the time the baby was crying enough to awaken his daddy, Christy had 
their breakfast on the table and waiting for them to eat.  Neil walked out 
cooing and speaking in baby talk.  Christy had to smile, placing her fingers 
to her mouth trying to suppress the giggle rising inside of her at the 
sounds he was making to their son!  Looking up toward heaven she said a 
quick prayer of thanksgiving to God for answering her prayers so completely 
where Neil and the baby were concerned!
   Neil was smiling from ear to ear as he gazed at his wife.  “Good morning 
Mrs. MacNeill!!  You’re a lovely sight on this fine winter morning!  How are 
you feeling today?”
   Christy came and wrapped her arms around Neil and stood beside the baby, 
with Neil‘s free arm around her waist.  “I’m doing wonderful this morning!  
Thank-you for the rest!  That’s one thing that I can’t seem to give myself.  
When I’m the only one to feed and care for baby Neil, I’ve got to get up 
every time he needs me.”
   Neil kissed his wife softly.  “Well Lass, you’ll not need to worry about 
that any longer.  I have every intention of remaining here with you and 
helping you care for the baby.”
   Christy laid her head on Neil’s shoulder.  “I love you, Neil!”
   “I love you too, Christy!”  Neil said as he laid his head on top of 
Christy’s.  “I’ll do whatever I need to, to help you out.”
   “Your breakfast is getting cold Mr. MacNeill, and you, young Master 
MacNeill, need to eat your breakfast as well!  Mama’s feeling miserable 
after missing your last meal young man!!”
   Christy took their son from his daddy’s arms.  “I’ll join you for 
breakfast as soon as I’ve changed the baby, Neil, you get started.  I have a 
surprise for you waiting on the table by your plate.  Why don’t you go see 
it while I’m in the nursery?”  Christy winked and smiled broadly at her 
little secret!
   She went to change the baby and Neil went to the table.  His mouth 
dropped open as he saw the sketch lying on the table waiting by his place 
setting.  It was wonderful!  He picked up Christy’s sketchbook and strode 
into the nursery with it.  “Christy!  This is amazing!  I love it!”
   “So do I Neil.  I think it’s precious.  I’m going to get a frame for this 
and hang it in here over Neil’s cradle.  I am going to treasure that 
picture!”
   “Thank-you for sketching it, so I’ll never forget this first evening with 
our son.”
   “You’re very welcome Neil.  I want to always remember this night as 
well.”  Neil came over and gave Christy a gentle kiss and a hug.  But baby 
Neil let his parents know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there was no way 
on this earth he was going to watch any more of this ‘mushy stuff’ before he 
received his breakfast!
   Christy smiled at his protests.  Even at this age he was complaining 
about mama and daddy *kissing*!

   The three MacNeill’s sat at the table and Neil said grace.  Christy 
nursed the baby while she ate.
   After Christy put the baby down for his morning nap she cleared the table 
looking a little downcast this morning.
   “What’s wrong Christy?”  Neil asked.
   “I’m just feeling a bit lonely again I suppose.  Waking up in our bed 
alone always makes me feel that way…  I miss you Neil.”
   “I’m sorry Christy.”  Neil apologized as he came over to his wife and put 
his arms around her.  “I haven’t been thinking about you as much as I should 
since I’ve come back.  It’s not that I don’t want to, I’m trying to avoid 
temptation.”  He set his forehead against Christy’s, “Being near you is more 
then I can bear at times!  We have to wait until we’re remarried; I’m 
keeping my distance so that I won’t do anything wrong.  If it will make you 
feel any better I’ll tell you this much, it’s all I can do to keep from 
carrying you up those stairs right now!”  He smiled a sly smile at her.
   She smiled back.  “Alright Neil, I’ll be good, and I’ll to be patient.  
I’ll try to make things easier for you.  Should I wear a gunny sack until 
then?”  She giggled.
   “It wouldn’t help Christy!!”  Neil exclaimed.  “Besides, I’ve got things 
I have to do outside today.  First I have to check on the horse, and then if 
you’ll tell me which direction the mission is, I have to walk the trail and 
check the condition it’s in, see if we can even make it to church in the 
morning.  Then I have a surprise for you later!”  Neil smiled as he tapped 
the end of her nose with his finger.
   “Intriguing Neil!  I wonder what it could be?”
   “I’m not telling!”  He said as he walked over and removed his snowshoes 
from the hook on the wall.  “You’ll just have to wait until later my Love!  
Right now, I’ve got work to do and so do you!”  He put on his jacket and 
hat.
   “Wait!”  Christy called, as he was about to open the front door.  “I’ve 
got something for you that you’ll probably need more right now.  It was 
meant to be a Christmas present, but I think you’ll appreciate them when you 
go outside.”  She brought over a blue muffler and mittens that she had 
knitted for him.  Wrapping the muffler around his neck she found that it was 
indeed long enough and the mittens were just the right size as well.
   “Thank-you Christy!  These will keep me warm outside!”  Neil leaned 
forward and kissed her sweetly.  “Did you make it yourself?”  Christy nodded 
her head shyly.  “Well then I will treasure them all the more!”

   Christy watched Neil from the window as he strapped on his snowshoes and 
head toward the barn.  It felt wonderful to have him home, but yet she 
worried a little also.  What were they going to do now that Neil didn’t have 
a job?  Was there any kind of future in Cutter Gap, since Neil couldn‘t 
remember being a physician?
   She noticed Neil look back at the cabin from the barn, seeing her in the 
window he waved to her and she waved back.  He had the muffler bundled up 
across his face; all she could see were his twinkling eyes.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Hours later, Neil came in to warm up and eat lunch.  He said that the 
trail didn’t look too bad and that they should be able to make it to church 
in the morning barring any more snow or heavy cross winds.  Whether or not 
they’d be coming back to the cabin later tomorrow, remained to be seen, but 
they would probably be able to make it to church.
   After they were finished with lunch, Neil bundled up again and headed 
back outside.  He said “this time I’m going to get your surprise!”
   She watched him until he disappeared around the back of the cabin where 
there were no windows-- for protection in the winter no windows on the North 
side, meant a warmer cabin.  ‘What kind of a surprise was he going to get 
back there?’  Christy wondered.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~

The Christmas that Almost Wasn’t
Chapter Nine

   When Neil returned a little over an hour later he was dragging something 
large behind him.  Christy strained to see that he was dragging a tree.  
“Look Neil!”  She exclaimed to the baby in her arms.  “Daddy’s brought us a 
Christmas tree!!”
   Christy put the baby down in his cradle in the nursery and closed the 
door securely to keep him warm.  Then grabbed her coat and went out to help 
Neil.
   “It’s beautiful Neil!!  Thank-you.”  Christy beamed as she caught up with 
her husband at the bottom of the stairs.
   They brought the tree up onto the porch and brushed off as much snow as 
they could.  Then they hauled it into the cabin.

   Setting up that tree would be one of Christy’s sweetest memories.  She 
made steaming mugs of hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick in each to warm 
them after their trek outdoors.
   They laughed and sang Christmas carols.  Baby Neil was enjoying 
everything from his blanket on the floor as well as in the security of his 
daddy‘s strong arms.
   Christy found a pair of baby Neil’s first booties and hung them near the 
top of the tree as an ornament for baby’s first Christmas.
   They made ornaments out of anything that they could find.  Together they 
found things around the house to hang on the tree, Christy cut pictures from 
Christmas cards sent to them the previous year and used thread to hang them 
from the tree.  They used lace to make cones then strung them upside down 
with ribbon adding dried flowers to the center of each.  Christy stuck 
bunches of dried flowers between the boughs of the tree.  They took dried 
apple slices and tied them to cinnamon sticks with dried grass.  Christy 
found some of the flowers that Neil had given her when they were courting 
and tied ribbons around them, hanging them in the tree.
   Neil found the boutonnière from their wedding and his family clan crest, 
hanging them as well.

   Neil was happy and laughing, singing merrily in his rich baritone voice.  
Christy had hoped that he would be happy here at home with them again, and 
he was far happier then she ever dreamed he could be!!
   When they felt the decorating was over, Christy put a piece of MacNeill 
Tartan fabric left over from the curtains, around the base of the tree as a 
skirt.  Neil liked the added touch of the fabric.  With other, left over 
pieces of the tartan, they tore smaller strips and tied bows to the ends of 
the tree branches.
   When Neil wasn’t looking Christy tied one bow in her hair, to see if he 
would notice.  It wasn’t long before she heard, “Ah, Mrs. MacNeill!  Now 
you’re official I see!”  Christy giggled at his remark.  She looked up at 
him and smiled.  He was grinning from ear to ear.  He came up to Christy and 
whispered “I wish I could ‘unwrap’ *this* Christmas present right now!”  
Christy blushed.
   “That’s not exactly what I had in mind when I put the bow in my hair, but 
I guess it would look that way.  I’m sorry.”  She said quickly removing the 
bow from her hair.
   “I love it Christy.”  Neil said as he took the ribbon from her hand.  He 
kissed her sweetly to the shrieks of baby Neil on the floor behind them.  
“See even our son approves Christy.”
   Neil reached down and scooped up his son.  The baby was giggling, and 
squealing.  “Christy?”  Neil began.  “I know I should have some idea of 
this, but I honestly don’t.  Can I trouble you to tell me how old baby Neil 
is?”
   “Of course you can Neil.  I’m sorry I didn’t volunteer that information 
myself.  He’s twelve weeks old.  He weighed seven pounds ten ounces and he 
was twenty-one inches long.  David Grantland the pastor at the mission.  His 
wife, Rebecca, delivered him she‘s a midwife.  He came into the world 
kicking and screaming at ten twenty-five in the evening.  He had a head full 
of your hair, I knew immediately that he was going to look just like you.  
He‘s only grown to look more like you with each passing day.”  Christy 
smiled at the pair again.

   Neil looked at the baby in his arms and told him, “Well, Neil, Santa 
Claus comes tonight!”  Neil said as he sat on the floor and began to play 
with his son.
   Christy felt tears stinging her eyes as she watched Neil and their son.  
Everything that she had prayed for all these months was actually coming to 
pass before her very eyes.
   “What’s wrong Love?”  Neil asked as he noticed the tears in Christy’s 
eyes.
   “I was thinking how completely my prayers are being answered today.”  She 
looked sadly away.  “I only wish I had been more resolute about not wanting 
you to go on your rounds last spring.  It’s entirely my fault that this 
happened to you!  I had a feeling; a ‘knowing’ you might say, that told me 
something was going to happen to you.  I wanted to tell you what I was 
feeling that I didn’t want you to go.  I knew I shouldn’t get in the way of 
your medical duties.  I feel terrible that I wasn’t more adamant about it at 
the time.  You‘ve lost everything because of me!!”  She began to cry 
uncontrollably.
      Neil drew Christy down onto her knees on the floor in front of him.  
He cradled her in his arms rocking her back and forth.  He placed one hand 
on the side of her head and kissed the top of her head.  “Shhh, Christy.  
It’s all right.  I haven‘t lost anything.  I still have you, the love of my 
life, and we have a wonderful son that we can raise together.”  Neil paused. 
  “Don’t blame yourself for what happened.  I couldn’t be happier then I am 
right now.  The longer I’m here with you the more things are coming back to 
me.  I love you more then anything and I wouldn’t trade places with any one 
on earth.  I remember you and as long as I have that I don‘t need anything 
more.”
   Christy smiled weakly.  Looking up at Neil with tears still on her 
cheeks.  Feeling a little better, if not completely.  Neil brushed the tears 
off of her cheeks and bent to kiss her sweetly.  Then he drew her in even 
closer to him.  “Please don’t let this eat away at you any longer.  
*Please*!  I need *you*.  I want my Christy with me always… and any other 
little MacNeill’s that come along.”  He flashed a sly smile in her 
direction.  “I wish you could see into my heart to find out how much I need 
you.”  He drew Christy’s chin up until she was looking at him.  Then he 
kissed her softly, she returned the kiss with more fervency then she 
intended.  Reaching up and running her fingers though his hair.  Drawing him 
closer to her.  Neil clutched her to him returning her fervency.
   Baby Neil hated being ignored!  He let out a scream that would have 
frighten even Bird’s Eye Taylor!  Christy and Neil both jumped and turned 
toward their son who was looking at them with a smile on his face, both 
fists in his mouth, drooling all over himself, happy as a lark.
   They looked at each other, neither knowing what to say to the other.  
They smiled at the baby and shook their heads.
   Neil was the first to rise to his feet and reached his hands out to help 
his wife up from the floor.  Once Christy was on her feet Neil bent over the 
baby and picked him up off of the blanket.  He whispered into the baby’s ear 
“Thank-you Neil.  I needed that.”
   “I’m sorry, Neil.  I shouldn‘t have gotten carried away like that.“  
Christy said, “I should see to supper.”  She said softly as she quickly 
exited the room.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   That evening when baby Neil was in bed Christy brought out the Christmas 
presents that she had bought or made for Neil and the baby.  As she was 
placing them under the tree she felt a presence behind her, knowing 
immediately who it was of course.  She turned to see Neil standing behind 
her a wide grin on his face.  “Is anything there for me?”  He asked.
   “Of course there is, Neil!”
   “But how can there be?  You didn’t know I was coming home; and you 
already gave me that lovely scarf and mittens.”
   “I had a vision of your homecoming Neil.  I knew you were coming, the 
day, and the time.  But I didn’t know for sure if you’d be happy and I 
didn’t know if you’d want to stay.  I prayed long and hard that you would!  
These presents are my ‘Acts of Faith’ that you were going to come back to us 
to stay and that you would be happy, that way you would still be here on 
Christmas Day.”
   “Do you mind if I add a few ‘Acts of Faith’ of my own?”  Neil asked 
softly as he knelt beside Christy on the floor in front of the tree and put 
four presents under the tree for her.  Then turning to Christy he placed the 
back of his fingers against her cheek as he liked to do when she was 
troubled about something.  “I’ve got the very best gift anyone could ever 
receive sitting beside me right now, regardless of everything, she still 
loves me.”  He opened his hand and placed it on the side of her face, 
smiling at her, he leaned forward to kiss her tenderly.  “I’ll never take 
for granted all that you are to me and do for me Christy.”
   When he noticed the tears forming in her eyes, he knew it was time to 
stop before he was forced to take her into his arms again.  He didn’t know 
if he could stop on his own, and their son wasn’t here to bale him out this 
time.  “I want you to march up those stairs and get some sleep woman!”  He 
sounded, mock-demandingly.  Rising to his feet bringing Christy along with 
him.  He then pointed her in the direction of the stairs and gave her a 
gentle nudge toward them.
   Being an obedient wife, she did as she was told, but stopped halfway up 
the stairs to turn around and say, “Good night Neil.  I love you.”  Then she 
blew him a kiss and turned to go the rest of the way back up the stairs.
   Once Christy was out of sight Neil walked into the nursery and made sure 
there was plenty of wood in the wood burner.  Then he stoked the fire in the 
fireplace, lit the lantern and sat down in the rocker to read and study his 
Bible.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Christy rose early the following morning because she wanted to make a 
special breakfast and she wanted to wake Neil so they could open their 
presents before going to church.
   In the kitchen Christy set about making Apple pancakes with cinnamon 
sauce.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
   Now if the way to a man’s heart is truly through his stomach this morning 
certainly proved that point, because the moment that Neil smelled the 
pancakes cooking he was out of the nursery in a flash with his nose in the 
air taking in the scent.
   “Christy what is that?  It smells absolutely scrumptious!!”
   “Good morning to you also Neil.“  Christy teased.
   “I’m sorry Christy.  I forgot myself there for a moment.  Good morning 
Lass.”
   “This recipe is something special that I learned from Rebecca right after 
I moved back to the mission.  She thought my arrival was a special occasion 
so she made these pancakes the morning after I got there.”
   “You’re being there was a special occasion my Love.”  Neil said as he 
looked over Christy’s shoulder and slid his arms around her waist as she 
prepared breakfast.  “Merry Christmas Love.”  He whispered softly into her 
ear then kissed her neck.
   “Merry Christmas Neil.”  Christy replied.  “Now, if you don’t want burnt 
pancakes like the burnt chicken, then you’re going to have to let me finish 
cooking, and stop distracting me again!”
   Neil put up his arms in mock surrender and backed away from the stove.  
“Once in a lifetime is all I need to eat burnt food to learn my lesson.”  He 
sat at the table and watched from a distance.
   Christy’s eyes opened wide at the realization of what she had just said!  
She crossed her fingers hoping this was one thing that Neil *wouldn‘t* 
remember.  But he did.
   “Christy?  How could I have caused the burnt chicken?  I didn’t put my 
arms around you, you told me to go pick some flowers, but what you meant was 
I needed a bath… That’s right!  I was outside in the stream.  How could I 
have distracted you?”  He paused a moment, thinking…”Wait a minute!!  Were 
you?”  Christy blushed so bright that Neil could tell by looking at her from 
behind that she was blushing!  “Christy MacNeill!!!!!  You were watching me 
out that window, weren’t you!?!”  He walked over to the stove and turned his 
wife around gently to look at him.  “You did!  I can tell by the blush on 
your face.”
   “Yes, you’ve found me out, finally.”  Christy admitted shyly.  “But I 
only saw you after you got into the water.”
   “You realize that we should have had a wedding here that very afternoon.  
By mountain standards you were to marry me immediately.”
   “I’m sorry I didn’t say something sooner then Neil.”  Christy said as she 
slid her arms around his neck.  “Then I could have Christy MacNeill sooner. 
”  Then with a broad smile Neil leaned forward and kissed his wife sweetly.
   “I wish you had too.”  Neil whispered softly.  “You could have been mine 
even longer!”

   “Neil!?!  Do you realize what just happened?  You remembered that 
incident!!”
   “I did, didn’t I?”  Neil said with astonishment.
   “Now, you had better let me get back to this food, or this time it will 
truly be your fault that it’s burnt! ”  Christy teased.  Once again, Neil 
surrendered and backed off, sitting dutifully in his chair at the table.
   “But you know Christy, it’s all I can do to sit here quietly while you’re 
cooking.  I love to hold you by the stove and watch over your shoulder.”
   Christy giggled.

   After Breakfast was on the table. Neil led Christy over to the chair 
setting her in his lap.  He placed her head on his shoulder.  “More and more 
of my life is coming back to me while I’m here with you.  Thank-you for 
taking me back.”  He paused.  “Christy, how have you been taking care of 
yourself since I’ve been gone?”
   “Up until a month before Neil was born I was living at the mission and 
teaching.  But I wanted him to be born here in the same cabin as you and 
your father and grandfather.  But that’s a time that I would just as soon 
forget about.  Now can we stop talking about this?”
   Neil didn’t want to stop, but he realized that she had, had enough for 
now and he would leave things alone until she was ready to talk some more.
   Besides, today was to be a day of joy for them.  They were going to be 
remarried and it was their sons first Christmas.
   Neil lifted Christy up with him as he stood.  Carrying his wife over to 
the table he set her in her chair.  He got her plate and served her 
breakfast.  “This breakfast looks and smells fabulous Christy!!  Thank-you.”
   Then he went to the nursery and retrieved their son.  He came out cooing 
and talking to the baby.  Christy had to giggle.  He handed baby Neil to 
Christy and sat down at the table himself.
   “Good morning sweetheart!”  Christy cooed.  “I missed you last night!  
Daddy’s spoiling me, but I don’t get to see enough of you this way.”
   Baby Neil ate his breakfast with his parents.
   When they were done eating Neil cleaned off the table, then he took 
Christy’s hand and led her over to the Christmas tree.  He sat down in front 
of the tree and drew Christy with the baby down beside him on the floor.  He 
reached under the tree and lifted out a gift that he had placed there for 
Christy.  Taking the baby from her, he handed Christy his gift.
   “Oh Neil.  You didn’t have to do this.”
   “I know, but I wanted to, now open it.”
   Christy untied the ribbon on the package then, unwrapped the blue tissue 
paper carefully.  Inside the box was a beautiful blue dress with velvet 
trim.  She stood up and held the dress in front of her.  “Oh Neil!!  It’s 
the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen!!  Thank-you!!  I’m going to wear it 
today!”
   “I was hoping you’d say that.”  Neil admitted.  “When I saw that hanging 
in the window of the dress shop I thought it would make a perfect dress for 
you to wear when we get remarried today.  That was if you agreed to remarry 
me.”
   Christy knelt down beside Neil and kissed him softly resting her hand on 
his neck and cheek.  “I love you Neil MacNeill!!  There was never a question 
in my mind that I would agree to remarry you today.  In my heart we have 
always been married, and we always will be!!”
   “I love you too Christy MacNeill.”  He paused as he looked down at the 
baby in his arms.  “Now do we have anything for this wee lad?”
   “Oh yes!!  Of course, we can’t forget him!!”  Christy reached under the 
tree and removed a gift for the baby.  Daddy helped him open his gift.  His 
first gift was a sweater that Christy had knitted for him.
   Then it was Neil’s turn, he opened a black suede vest.
   Christy got a lovely gold bracelet, a sapphire necklace and a white shawl 
with embroidered roses on it.  Baby Neil got toys and booties.  Neil also 
got new riding boots and a pocket watch engraved with ‘Yours Forevermore, 
Christy’.  “It’s beautiful Christy.  But having it engraved you couldn’t 
have returned it if you had been wrong about my return.”
   “I wasn’t wrong Neil.  I knew I wouldn’t be.  This was my ‘Act of Faith’ 
that you were truly going to come back to us, to stay.”
   Neil looked down at the baby in his arms and told him, “I’m sorry I 
didn’t get you anything son.  But I didn’t know about you until yesterday.  
I’ll make it up to you in time.”
   Christy took Neil’s hand.  “Neil, you’ve already given him the one thing 
that he has wanted desperately…*you*!!  Believe it or not, he was a fussy 
baby before.  I always had a difficult time trying to get him to take naps, 
to nurse; to go to bed at night, even changing him was difficult.  But since 
you’ve been here he’s a totally different person.  When he sees you he’s all 
smiles.  He wanted his daddy, and now that you’re here, he’s happy!!”
   Neil had a tear in his eye as he smiled down at his son with joy.  Baby 
Neil responded with a big smile of his own just for his daddy!
   After all of the presents were opened everyone got dressed and ready to 
go to church.  Christy put on the new blue dress from Neil, which 
accentuated the color of her eyes.  Neil put the sapphire necklace on his 
wife’s neck and kissed her softly.
   Outside they were met with the cold crisp winter air that often follows a 
large snowstorm.  Snow and icicles hung from the eaves.  All around them was 
blanketed in a covering of white snow.
   Neil mounted the horse first, then Christy handed him the baby.  Neil 
tucked his son into his large jacket and buttoned it up securely, and then 
he reached down and helped Christy to mount the horse behind him.  With 
everyone comfortable they left for church on this crisp, yet sunny Christmas 
morning.
   Everything was breathtaking in its winter splendor!   Sparkling like 
jewels in the sunlight.  Snow covered trees hanging low from the weight on 
their branches.  The pine trees were of course the most magnificent in all 
of their snowy grandeur; branches snow packed and bending toward the earth, 
yet with such beauty and poise, only a touch of green showing, the perfect 
resting place for cold birds and small animals.   The sun on the snow made 
it glitter like the glass ornaments that Christy mother had sent her from 
Asheville.
   The ride to church was a bit difficult in places, but the Lord’s hand was 
seen in this journey everywhere they went.  Snow that should have kept them 
from getting through simply didn’t.
   Arriving at the church about fifteen minutes early gave Neil the chance 
he needed to speak with David about remarrying them before everyone else 
arrived and it would be too late to talk.
        ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~     ~*~
Chapter Ten

The ceremony was short and sweet, but proper. Both Neil and Christy were
grateful to feel as though they were married again. Neil
was relieved that Christy said ‘I do’! And when David said ‘You may now
kiss the bride.’ Neil had a sly smile on his face and Christy
worried for a second. But he was every bit the gentleman, besides Neil
was afraid their son may have screamed at him again if he
got too carried away!

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

The sky looked threatening in the far west as Neil looked out the window
shortly after the ceremony was over. He knew full well
that they had better get home before the storm hit. There should be just
enough time to make it to the cabin before the storm
reached the Cove, if they left immediately, Neil knew all too well how
difficult and dangerous travel was in the snow and wind.

“Christy, I know you’d like to visit longer, but we need to leave
immediately or we’re not going to be able to get home before a snow
storm hits.” Neil announced.

“Alright Neil. I’m ready when you are!” Christy said as she and the baby
rose from their seat in the rocking chair.

David and Rebecca helped them get ready. Rebecca gave Christy a hug
before they left.

Neil pushed the horse to the limit to keep ahead of the storm. Knowing
that there would probably be days for him to rest up in the
barn before he would be needed again.

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

David and Rebecca turned and walked back into the mission house. David
didn’t like the looks of the impending storm so he,
Rebecca and Alice knelt in prayer, for Neil, Christy and their baby’s
protection as well as the people of the cove and surrounding
areas. This looked to be quite a big storm.

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

Christy and the two Neil’s arrived back at their cabin just before the
storm hit. Neil put Christy and the baby inside the cabin then
went to take care of the horse. Christy watched him as he went to the
barn; the snow was already so thick that she couldn’t see
neither the barn nor Neil and the horse walking to it.

Afraid that Neil might not be able to find his way back to the house in
the snow, Christy put the baby down in his cradle and closed
the nursery door, making sure that he would remain warm from the
woodburner while she was gone.

She retrieved a rope that Neil kept in the storage room and went out to
the front porch. Tying one end of the rope securely around
a pole on the porch and the other end around her waist she set out for
the barn.

It was difficult to navigate in the blowing snow. It was so thick that
she could hardly see her own hands, let alone the barn that
was, who knows how many feet away from the house.

With a rope this length Christy knew there was no way that she wouldn’t
make it to the barn with room to spare. She walked in what
she thought was a straight line, but when she reached the end of the
rope she realized that she hadn’t walked directly to the barn!
But which direction was the barn? Was it now to her left or her right?
She said a quick prayer for guidance and took off walking
to her left. Stumbling in the snow and wind she walked until the rope
caught on something. She walked back following the rope and
found the corner of the barn.

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

At the same time Neil had put the horse in the barn and taken care of
him. Opening the barn door he couldn’t see the cabin, but
knew that Christy would be worried about him if he did not return.
Waiting a few moments he finally decided to brave the weather
and head for the cabin. In the blinding snow it was hard to fathom which
was north, south, east or west. He stumbled along trying
to walk in as straight a line as was humanly possible in the wind and
swirling snow. At one point he tripped and fell against
something solid. Reaching out he realized that it was the corner of the
porch. Pulling himself along the rail and into the cabin. He
flung open the door and called for Christy. But there was no answer.
Baby Neil was now crying in the nursery and Neil wondered
where his wife had gone?

Stepping back out onto the porch Neil called for Christy as loudly as he
possibly could, but knew in his mind that the wind would
carry his words away without her hearing them. He tried to stare through
the whirling snow, but could see nothing. Panic gripped
his chest as he realized that not only was this a blinding storm, but in
a short while it would be dark as well. Not to mention that
these storm clouds would make it appear darker then it truly was
already! Once again, realizing how futile his efforts were, he
stood one last time at the edge of the porch and yelled, “Christy!!!”

As he called his wife this time he noticed the rope tied to the porch
and knew it had not been tied there earlier today, so Christy
must have tied it there as she went out into the storm. He quickly
descended the stairs, took a solid hold on the rope, looking back
once more at the cabin, realizing that their baby son was all alone
inside, and Christy was out in the storm! He looked out at the
snow in front of him then back at the cabin once more, saying a quick
prayer for Christy and the baby, he begged God to not allow
him to let go of the rope and that the rope would stay firmly attached
to the pole, for it was his only link to both Christy and their
son!

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

Christy found the barn door and quickly untied the rope from her waist
as she entered the barn, tying the rope to the opposite barn
door so that they would be able to find their way directly to the door
from the porch.

She noticed that there was no lantern lit in the barn, so Neil had left
the barn without anything to lead his way back to the cabin!
Looking back out the door, knowing she could find *her* way back to the
house as long as she didn’t let loose of the rope on the
way back, but what about Neil? How was she supposed to find him in this?

She closed the barn door and sat down in the hay to think, pray and
hopefully thaw out her hands a bit.

How was she going to find Neil? God knew where he was, and only God
could lead her to him again.

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

Neil followed the rope all the way back to the barn. He opened the barn
door and called, “Christy!?!”

“I’m here Neil!!” Christy said with relief as she flew to his side. He
threw his arms around her and held her close.

“We have to get back to the cabin. Neil was crying when I left. Put your
arms around me and hold on as tight as you possibly can!
I’ll take hold of the rope and lead us back.”

Christy did as she was asked. This might have actually been a pleasant
task if it wasn’t for the awful snow! Clinging to Neil she
buried her face in his jacket as the swirling snow stung her eyes and
face.

Reaching the porch Neil took Christy’s arm and led her to the cabin
door. He flung open the door once again this time the force of
the wind nearly blew them both over as the door opened.

Neil’s face was red as he turned to Christy, and she knew immediately
that the look on his face meant that he was not only cold, but
angry as well. “Christy what were you doing out there!?! Do you realize
what could have happened to you? What if you had gotten
lost in that storm?”

“I was trying to help you, Neil!” Christy declared. “I tied the rope to
the porch and I tied the other end to my waist. I wasn’t going
to get lost! I could always have found my way back to the cabin!”

“What if the rope had slipped?” Neil questioned.

“It didn’t!!”

“It could have!!” Neil yelled. “What if neither of us had made it back
to the cabin? Then what would have happened to the baby?”

“I wasn’t going to get lost Neil! And I wasn’t going to go on without
*you*!” Christy declared as she finally acknowledged the baby’s
cries from the nursery. She stomped her way into the nursery throwing
her coat on a chair as she passed.

Picking up the baby, she realized what she had done. She had not only
put her life in danger but his as well. The things that Neil
said could very well have happened and then baby Neil would have been
left in the cabin all alone and frightened, not to mention
starving! Tears flowed down her cheeks, as she thought about baby Neil
alone. “Oh God! I’m sorry! It’s so difficult to chose
between two people that you love!” She paused and looked down at the
baby in her arms. “I’m sorry Neil! I should have thought of
you first. I put daddy first and I shouldn’t have! Please forgive me!”

Watching their son she realized he wasn’t going to quiet down without
something to eat, so she sat on the bed in the nursery and
fed him. Thinking about everything that had transpired this afternoon…

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

Chapter Eleven

“Some wedding night, you’ve turned this into, MacNeill!?!” Neil chided himself as he 
ran his fingers through his hair. Pulling
nervously at the ends as he did so often when he was worried, or thinking intensely. 

He lit a fire in the fireplace and started a fire in the stove. He paced back and forth in 
the cabin, not sure what he should do next. 

He walked over to the nursery door. Standing there for a few moments with his head 
bowed. He put his hand on the latch and
opened the door slowly. Noticing Christy on the bed with the baby. He went over to 
them and sat on the edge of the bed near the
foot end. Christy turned her head away.

Neil turned his face toward the floor. At least they were all safe and sound in the 
cabin now even if they weren’t speaking to each
other. 

Christy put the baby down, all of his crying before had thoroughly worn him out. He 
looked so sweet when he was sound asleep. She
placed him in his cradle, tucked him in and practically stomped out of the nursery!

Neil found her in the kitchen. 

“I was only trying to help you!!” Christy yelled.

“I know that Christy, but you forgot about the baby when you went out into this 
storm!”

“I did *not* forget about the baby!! I made sure he was safe in his cradle and that 
there was a fire in the woodburner to keep him
warm before I left. I even made sure that the door was closed securely before I went 
outside! I’ve been taking care of him for
three months without any help from you! I think I know how to care for my own 
child better then you do!”

Neil looked sadly away. “I’m aware of that Christy. It wasn’t my fault that I wasn’t 
here to help you. Besides, Neil is *our* child,
not just *yours*! You didn’t think of what might have happened to him if you went 
out into this storm and got lost!!”

“I did think of the baby!” Christy began to sob. “I was worried about *you*! I love 
you and I care about what happens to you, Neil,
whether you want me to or not!!” She threw herself on the settee to cry. 

Neil looked at the snowstorm raging outside the window. 

He turned and looked at his wife. They were remarried only a few hours, and they 
were arguing already! He walked over to where
Christy was seated and sat down beside her. She moved to the other side, away 
from him.

Neil reached over and put his arms around her. She showed very little resistance. He 
put his lips to her ear and began whispering. “I
love you Mrs. MacNeill. Thank-you for worrying about me!”

She turned cautiously and looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “Thank-you for 
worrying about me also, I suppose.” Christy
got up from the settee. “Good night, Neil.” She said tersely as she turned and 
flounced up the stairs to the bedroom, slamming the
door behind her. Leaving Neil alone. 

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

Neil sat in the rocking chair staring into the fire, once again pulling on his hair, not 
exactly sure where things had gone wrong this
evening, but never the less they had!! 

He took out his Bible and began to read, deep down in his heart he knew what he 
was supposed to do was to make up with his wife.
How was he to do that when she didn’t seem the least bit interested? He prayed for 
an answer, but the answer he received was far
more then he bargained for!!

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

Christy sat angrily on the edge of the bed, she knew she had done wrong by coming 
up here *and* slamming the door. But she just
couldn’t go downstairs and apologize to Neil now!! …maybe in the morning…

She got undressed and put on her nightgown. ‘Some wedding night this turned out to 
be!’ Christy thought to herself. ‘You looked
forward to Neil’s arrival, spent months without him, only to argue with him on your 
first night as a ‘remarried’ couple!’

She walked over to the window and looked out as the blizzard raged on. She had 
done wrong to go out into this storm and leave
baby Neil alone in the cabin. She could admit it only to herself at the moment, 
though.

She walked to the bed and crawled inside. It was cold and lonely, which was not the 
way it was supposed to be this evening… None
the less, that’s the way it was!!

Christy laid there, for…………… she didn’t know how long before finally falling 
into a fitful sleep. All she could think about was the
snowstorm outside… and Neil!! 

In the wee hours of the morning Christy was awakened suddenly as she heard Neil 
yelling. He was out in the blizzard, calling her
name! She could hear it and he was calling for her to help him! He couldn’t find his 
way back to the cabin! She would hold on to the
rope she had put up and she wouldn’t get lost! But she had to get out to Neil! He 
needed her before he froze to death in the
blizzard!! She sat up straight in bed and noticed that Neil was not beside her. It had 
to be him that she heard calling from outside.
She raced for the window and threw it open. Sticking her head out into the storm. 
“Neil!!!” She screamed out to him from the
window pausing for a few moments she strained her ears to hear if he was calling 
again. “Neil!!!” He couldn’t hear her from this far
away; she would have to go outside, into the midst of the storm for him to hear her. 
She drew her head in, snow dotted her hair,
eyebrows and eyelashes. Cheeks reddened from the cold and wind. 

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

Neil had fallen asleep while he was praying. He was jolted awake by Christy’s 
screaming of his name from upstairs, glancing at the
clock he noted that it was nearly two in the morning. At first he wasn’t sure what 
was going on, she seemed to be some distance
away, but when the second scream sounded Neil leaped to his feet, the Medical 
Journal on his lap falling in a heap on the floor. 

The storm outside was worse now then it had been before, the wind blowing fiercer 
then it had all evening. The snow pelting the
glass on the windows. 

As Neil proceeded toward the stairs, Christy came dashing down the stairs, heading 
straight for the front door, reaching for the
latch on the door to open it. 

Neil yelled, “Don’t open that Christy!” As he rushed forward toward his wife. 

But she opened the door, and the wind pushed the door back against the wall 
knocking Christy off her feet. Blowing snow and
freezing wind swept into the cabin. She was back up on her feet in no time, with Neil 
close behind her. She headed out the door, as
Neil grabbed her around the waist and dragged her back inside. “I have to find 
Neil!” Christy screamed as she wiggled free from
Neil’s arms and headed back out the door again! “He’s lost in the storm!” Once 
more Neil drew her back in, but this time with more
force, to keep her from running out into the blizzard in her nightgown and bare feet! 
He got between Christy and the door, lifting
her off of her feet and swinging her up onto his shoulder, while at the same time, he 
kicked the door with his heel and leaned his
back into it. Closing it only after fighting Christy’s hands from tugging it open again! 

Christy still had no idea what she was doing and fought Neil tooth and nail to open 
the door again. Neil yelled to her, “Christy! No
one’s out there!” 

“Yes there is! I have to find Neil! He’s lost in the storm! I have to find him before it’s 
too late!!”

“Christy I’m right here! I came into the cabin with you hours ago! I’m not out in the 
storm anymore!”

“No! You’re lying to me! You’re not Neil! I have to find him!!”

Neil picked Christy up and sat down on the floor with her to help control her before 
she walked out into the storm. “Christy! It’s me!
It’s Neil! I’m right here!” Neil held her close. But in the faint light from the fireplace 
she couldn’t distinguish his face and therefore
disprove her nightmare. Still she continued to fight. She rose to her feet once again 
and Neil caught her just before she reached
the door latch again! 

This time he lifted her off of her feet and carried her kicking and fighting over to the 
desk where he held her with one arm and
did his best to light a lantern with the other. 

Once the lantern was lit he sat on the floor once again with Christy to help him 
control her wiggling and squirming, as she tried her
best to get away again. “Christy!” Neil called. “Christy! Look at me!!” 

“NO!! I have to find Neil! He’s out there somewhere, I heard him calling my name! I 
have to find him before it’s too late!!” Christy
cried with the tears streaming down her face. “Don’t you understand? I have to find 
him! I have to apologize!! I was wrong for all
the things I said and did! I can‘t let anything happen to him! I need him desperately! I 
told him I cared for the baby just fine
without him, but I was wrong! It‘s so much better now that he‘s here! I can‘t let him 
die in this blizzard!” Christy screamed and
sobbed. 

Neil took her arms, folded them across her body, then he enfolded her in his arms 
turning her body so that she had to look him in
the face. He held her tightly to him with her arms folded in front of her, pinned 
between them. She tried to kick with her legs so
Neil caught them under his arm and held them at his side with his elbow as he lifted 
her chin to look at him. “Christy! It’s me! It’s
Neil! I’m all right Christy! I’m right here!”

“Neil? Is that really you?” Christy finally seemed to realize where she was and what 
was going on around her. She relaxed in his
arms and Neil felt safe to release her. She lifted her hand to the side of his face then 
with the other hand, did the same on the
other side of his face, as though checking to be sure he was real. She pushed the hair 
back from his face and ran her fingers
across his face to be sure that he wasn’t just a vision invading her nightmare. She 
placed her cheek against his, “Oh Neil! It’s you!”
She sighed a deep heart cleansing sigh from deep with in her being. “You’re safe and 
sound!” 

“Yes, Christy! I’ve been asleep down here in the rocking chair. You didn’t seem to 
want me to come upstairs with you, so I remained
down here. But I’ve not gone outside since I came in with you before!” 

“I had a horrible nightmare! You were lost in the blizzard!! I couldn’t find you 
anywhere! I woke up… or at least I thought I did…
and you weren’t there beside me! I thought my nightmare was indeed true! I had to 
find you! I was so scared!” She looked up and
ran the fingers of both hands through the entire length of his hair. She placed her 
cheek against his again, as though making sure
that he was real, then lifted her head to look at his face again, she touched his lips 
with her fingers. 

He sighed at her touch; it had been quite some time since he could remember her 
touching him like this. 

One last time she touched her other cheek to his and as she backed away her lips 
brushed his and her breath caught, she gazed
first into his eyes then at his mouth. Brushing his lips again with hers, she gasped then 
softly pressed her lips against his. She
allowed all the months of loneliness, solitude, the desolate feelings, the fear… all the 
emotions and traumatic experiences of the
past months to melt away in his arms and in that kiss.

Neil drew her as close as he could without hurting her. She clung to him as she 
kissed him again. Her hands found the sides of his
face again as his found hers they held fast to each other as they kissed once more. 

“Christy?” Neil began. “Are you still angry with me?”

“I’m no longer angry with you Neil! I’m just so glad you’re safe!! Besides I was 
wrong to ever have carried on the way I did and I
should have apologizing for leaving Neil in the cabin by himself.”

“We were both wrong Christy and both of us should have done some things 
differently. But what’s done is done now. I’ve already
forgiven you. Will you forgive me?”

“Of course Neil.” 

He placed his hand on her cheek, “Thank-you for everything Lass!” 

“It has been my pleasure Neil.”

“I’m coming upstairs with you if for no other reason then to keep from fighting you 
about going out the front door in your
nightgown again! For a tiny thing you sure are strong when he want to be!”

“Only because I thought you were in trouble and you needed me. I thought you were 
trying to stop me from rescuing you!” Christy
giggled. 

Neil chuckled as he rose from his seat on the floor, he walked to his desk and came 
back with the tartan ribbon Christy had in her
hair the day before. He stooped down beside her; sliding his arms around her neck 
and with the fingers of the skilled surgeon that
he was, he tied the ribbon in his wife’s hair. 

She smiled up at him shyly, he reached for her hands and helped her up off the floor. 
“Merry Christmas, Lass.” Neil said as he took
her into his arms.

“Merry Christmas, Neil.” Christy countered just before Neil kissed her intently. Then 
taking her hand he led her back up the stairs. 

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

Chapter Twelve

In the faint light of morning, Christy found herself asleep in Neil‘s arms. Looking up 
at his face she wondered when he had come to
bed? She couldn’t remember hearing him come upstairs. 

A flash of realization spread across her face as she remembered the dream she had 
last night. Or was it a dream? Had Neil really
been caught in the blizzard? No, that wasn‘t the way it happened… Was it? 
Someone (But who?) had stopped her from even going
out to find him. She would have to discuss the details with Neil after he awakened. 

Rising from the bed she went to the cold frosty window and scraped some of ‘Jack 
Frost’s’ etchings from the pane of glass to look
out. The blizzard was still raging, as the wind was no doubt trying to tell her. 

Reaching for her robe and spied Neil’s shirt hanging from a peg on the wall. Walking 
over to it and removing it from the peg she slid
into it. It felt wonderful and it smelled of Neil. She looked at her handsome sleeping 
husband on the bed. Admiring him--and
wondered if she should go down and start breakfast, or crawl back into bed and 
snuggle against Neil. As she looked at him,
admiringly, with a playful smile on her face, she noticed his eyes were open. “Neil! 
How long have you been awake?”

“Oh, since you were walking from the window and putting on my shirt. I think it 
looks better on you then it does on me!” He smiled a
sly smile as he sat up on his elbow! “Come over here Mrs. MacNeill!!” He 
beckoned her with his eyes. 

Christy walked over to the bed and Neil pulled the bedclothes back. She climbed in 
beside him. “Neil? I have a question for you.”

“What is it Lass?” Neil asked as he slid his arms around his wife. 

“What did I do in my sleep last night?”

Neil chuckled warmly as he proceeded to relay the events of last night to her in 
detail. 

“I can’t believe I did all that in my sleep!” Christy declared.

“You must have been sound asleep. You didn’t believe a word I said to you. You 
were convinced that I was lost in the storm and that
you were going to go out into it and rescue me in your nightgown and bare feet!!” 
Neil chuckled again. “It does my heart good to
know that you feel that strongly about me. Although I don’t want you to do anything 
like that, it makes me feel good to know that
you were at least willing to do so, if I needed you.” He kissed his wife sweetly. 
“Don’t you remember *anything* about last night?
Or should I say early this morning?”

“I’m afraid not. All I remember is thinking that I heard you calling my name while you 
were out in the blizzard. I don‘t remember
any details.”

“Well, then!” Neil exclaimed. “I’ll have to catch you up on some of the more 
’personal’ details!” He whispered into her ear.

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

Over Breakfast that morning Christy could contain the question that had been 
plaguing her no longer. “Neil… My Love, what do you
plan to do now? I mean, do you remember being a Doctor? Do you even remember 
Medical School? Or anything about it?”

“I remember bits and pieces. More and more is coming back to me as time goes on. 
Not as quickly as I would like, but slowly and
steadily all the same. I’ll go back to being a blacksmith if I have to. That could mean 
moving to Knoxville, but I’ll do whatever I have
to do to support my family, the two of you are far more important then anything else 
to me. Please believe that. 

“It’s been difficult for you, I realize that and I’m sorry, but I would never have 
chosen to do things this way, you have got to know
that, Christy. I had no idea who I was, where I was, what I was doing or where I 
came from. I lost my entire identity. I would
never have treated you that way.”

“I know that Neil. I don’t blame you for anything. I’m just curious as to what’s going 
to happen to us now. Do you want me to go back
to teaching school? I could do that if you like. But that would mean that little Neil 
and I would have to move back to the mission.
Especially with the snow and the possibility that I wouldn’t be able to make it in to 
the mission some days otherwise. We might be
able to come home on the weekends.”

“No, Christy. I don’t want to be separated like that again. Besides, it’s my job is to 
support our family, and support it I will, one way
or another. I only hope you’re willing to go along with whatever I decide.”

“I’ll follow you anywhere! I know what it’s like to live without you, I never want to 
do that again!” Christy said with assurance. 

“I’m glad to hear that, Lass. But for now, let’s just enjoy our day snowed in and 
forget about tomorrow, at least for as long as we
can.” Neil chuckled.

Christy smiled. “That sounds wonderful to me!”

“Christy, I’ve been wanting to ask you something.” Neil began.

“What is it?”

“How come you didn’t find another husband while I was gone?”

“Well, for a number of reasons. First I was expecting you to come home any 
moment. Second, I was having *your* baby! Third, I
don’t want anyone else. Fourth, I knew down deep in my heart that you were alive 
and that you were coming home again I‘ve never
stopped praying for you. Maybe I didn’t know quite when you would be home; at 
least not up until a while ago when I had that vision
of your homecoming. But I knew you’d be back. I could feel it inside of me that you 
were alive and well. I also knew that God was
going to bring you back to me again, somehow, sometime. I love you more then 
anything on this earth! I don‘t want another man! No
matter what, *ever*!”

“Thank-you for having faith in me, Christy.”

“I knew you better then what people were saying about you, you would never leave 
me on purpose. 

“I had ‘faith’ in God that *He* would bring you back to us safe and sound again. I 
had ‘confidence’ in *you* that you wouldn’t leave
me.”

Neil rose from his seat to give his wife a hug. “I can’t thank-you enough for the best 
Christmas I’ve ever had!!” 

Christy and Neil gazed into each other’s eyes as the tears formed on both of their 
cheeks…

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

Neil spent the day getting to know his son better and becoming “reacquainted” with 
his wife. All the months of wondering if he had
a family “out there somewhere” that was worrying about him had taken a toll on him. 
There wasn’t a day that had gone by that Neil
hadn’t worried and prayed for Christy and the baby, although he had no idea who he 
was praying for exactly, something inside of
him told him that they were out here and needed him. It kept him going when 
circumstances tried to get the better of him. 

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

As Neil lay with his wife’s sleeping head on his shoulder that evening, he looked 
intently at her for the longest time in the moonlight.
There would never be a time again in his life when he was going to forget even the 
minutest detail of her beautiful face! He would
carry it in his heart for the rest of his life. Over and over he studied every single detail 
about her so that he would never again
forget. 

He thought of the months that he had spent praying for a wife he didn’t know he had, 
all the times that he had prayed desperately
for just a glimpse of her face to remind himself if only for a brief moment. He 
wouldn’t allow himself to let the sight of her pass
from his memory ever again! 

Resting his head against hers, Neil finally drifted off into a deep sleep. 

Unbelievable as it seemed to him it was Neil that was awakened by the baby in the 
early morning. Christy stirred almost
imperceptibly as Neil rose from the bed to tend their son. He smiled at her as he 
thought to himself, ‘Her excursion of yesterday
morning must have taken more out of her then I thought!’ 

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

With the baby fed, changed and back in his bed, Neil climbed back into his own. 
Christy instinctively curled up in his arms, laying
her head on his chest, without waking. He smiled as he kissed her on the top of her 
head. At that she snuggled closer. Soon they
were both asleep once more. 

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

When the baby woke in the early morning, Neil smiled that Christy was still sound 
asleep. She had a certain “look” about her when
she was truly asleep that she didn’t have when she was only pretending. Therefore 
Neil knew that she was indeed asleep. 

After the baby was fed he was wide-awake, so the two Neil’s made breakfast. The 
elder Neil working at the stove, the younger
Neil on his blanket near the hearth, was playing with his blanket while talking to it. 
Occasionally looking up to speak with his daddy.
Neil smiled as he watched their son! The baby was everything he had ever hoped for 
in a child, and more.

With breakfast on the table and his son asleep on the blanket in the warmth Neil 
ascended the stairs. Christy was just beginning to
rouse from her slumber. She looked up as the door opened. “Neil?” She asked.

“Yes, Lass, it’s me.” Neil chuckled, thinking to himself, ‘Who else would it be?’ But 
he said nothing of that to his wife.

“What time is it?” Christy asked groggily as she swung her legs out from under the 
covers.

“It’s nine o’clock.” Neil stated looking at his pocket watch.

“Nine!!” Christy exclaimed. “I’ve slept half the day away! Why didn’t you wake 
me?”

“I knew you needed the rest, so I let you.” Neil said matter-of-factly. “Neil’s been 
fed, changed and he’s now taking a nap
downstairs on his blanket by the hearth.”

“Neil MacNeill, you amaze me!”

“How so, Mrs. MacNeill?” He asked as he sat on the bed next to her.

“Amnesia for six months… becoming a Blacksmith… returning home… you fit right 
in as though you never left the cove! How can that
be?”

Taking his wife in his arms he stated. “It’s because of the love of a wonderful young 
woman that I married only the day before
yesterday!”

“Wonderful?” 

“Extremely!” Neil declared. “Without her I would be nothing! Nothing at all!!”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that!” Christy said.

“Remember when you first told me that you loved me?” Christy nodded slowly. “Do 
you remember the man that I was then?” She
nodded once again, this time with a puzzled expression. “I know that *I* can tell the 
difference between the person that I was
then, and the person that I am now. You can’t tell me that *you* can’t!”

“Yes, but…” Neil placed his finger on her lips.

“You taught me how to believe in God. You taught me how to deal with things by 
allowing God to do His will in my life. Watching
you… Listening to you… Following your example… They’ve all led me into a closer 
walk with God. Sure it was He who did the work,
but it was through you that he did most of it. You have been a willing vessel that God 
can use. Not only for me, but the children,
Alice… even David. Don’t underestimate yourself Christy! You’ve accomplished so 
much, most especially in my life. Please don’t act
ask as though it’s ‘nothing’ because it is considerably more then that!

“Before you came into my life I was a miserable mountain Doctor. Just like the other 
mountain men, I was, obstinate, prideful, and
in some ways worse then they, for I was arrogant as well. Thought I was better then 
everyone, including God Himself! If that’s not
the pinnacle of arrogance I don’t know what is!” Neil chuckled softly. Drawing 
Christy closer he said, “But through this ‘willing
vessel’ here in my arms, the Lord has done mighty things in the life of this arrogant, 
self-righteous Doctor.” He cleared his throat,
trying not to get emotional. “Without you in my life I would be a lonely, miserable 
man. If that accident had happened to me before
I met you, I doubt that my memories would ever return for there was really nothing, 
and no one that would have drew me back here
again. Sure Billy would still probably have looked for me. He may even have found 
me. But it was at the mention of *your* name that
my memories began to return! I pictured this beautiful, God-fearing w! ! oman in my 
mind, with the lovely blue eyes and though I
could remember *nothing* else, I could remember *Christy*! *My* Christy! All the 
while I knew you were out here somewhere
waiting for me to return! I wasn’t absolutely sure of it, but in the back of my mind, or 
maybe it was in my heart, something was
telling me that you were here… waiting… worrying… watching, for my return! I 
knew that you needed me and that I needed you… I
still do.” Noticing the tears in Christy’s eyes, Neil knew he had better lighten the 
mood quickly, so he scooped her up in his arms and
carried her down the stairs. “Your breakfast is getting cold!” 

“Breakfast!?!”

He sat her down in her chair at the table. Glanced over at baby Neil who had done 
little more then turn his head from the right to
the left, then back to his wife. 

Filling her plate with food, Neil then sat down to eat his breakfast as well.

“I will never forget all that you have done for me! And all that you are to me, 
Christy.” Neil exclaimed as he took her hands to pray.

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

 Chapter Thirteen

Over the ensuing months Neil’s memory returned as he read his medical journals and 
went on calls with Alice. Soon Neil was
practicing medicine again in the Cove. 

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

Neil had originally planned to take his family to Knoxville for a visit in the spring, but 
he wouldn’t allow Christy to travel in her
‘condition’. For in September Neil himself delivered their beautiful baby girl. They 
named her Lucinda Murphy MacNeill, after
Lucas Simmons and Dr. Murphy. 

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

Out of gratitude for all that they had done for him; the following autumn Neil took his 
family to meet Lucas Simmons, Dr. Murphy
and Pastor Thompson. 

Visiting Lucas Simmons, Neil said, “I know everyone told me a year ago that God 
had a purpose for me in this, but I honestly don’t
know what that purpose was!” 

“Neil, do you remember those two boys whose lives you saved while you were 
working here?”

“Yes.”

“Well, you were here because you had lost your memory. You saved two boy’s 
lives because you were here at the time that they
needed you the most. You couldn’t even remember being a Doctor, yet you could 
treat them! You’ll never know what those boys may
become, Neil. God has a special purpose for those young’uns. I’m sure of it. If you 
weren’t here when they needed you, they would
have died. You said so yourself.”

“Yes, I suppose. I only wish I wouldn’t have had to do so at the expense of my own 
family.”

“Neil.” Christy said as she laid her hand on his arm, squeezing it softly for 
reassurance. “We were well taken care of. Miss Alice,
Rebecca and David took excellent care of us. I know you would love to have been 
there, but God had a bigger plan in mind. And my
getting rundown wasn’t your fault but my own. I should have known better then to 
try to do your work as well as my own. I would
have loved to have you there with us, but God‘s plans are bigger then our plans. He 
knew what was best for everyone. He didn‘t
allow anything to happen that wasn‘t supposed to, I‘m sure of it.”

Neil took his wife and hugged her close.

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

After visiting Knoxville, Neil took his family to visit Royce Campbell and his family. 
Neil could think of nothing that seemed good
enough for Royce for helping him and not allowing him to die on the side of that road 
over a year ago! 

Royce, being a mountain man would accept nothing, for he would be beholden to no 
one. Neil was the one who felt beholden to
Royce, but there was nothing that the stubborn mountain man would allow Neil to 
do. He had only done what the Lord tells everyone
to do, when they find someone in trouble. “It’s like that ’Good Samaritan’ I heared 
tell of. He didn’t take nothin from that thar
injured man, he only holped him, ’n’ that’s what I done fer you!” 

“I owe you my life!” Neil declared. “If you hadn’t rescued me, I would never have 
even known that I had a son. We would never
have had our beautiful daughter!”

“I never did nothin fer you that I wouldn’t ah done fer anyone else. I’d ah done the 
same for anyone who got hurt jest like you did.”

“Well, anyway, Royce, thank-you for being a Godly man! Without your help I would 
not have made it. I still feel that anything I did
from that point on, and anything I continue to do, I owe to you. If there is anything 
that you or your family ever needs, please feel
free to call on us and we will do whatever we have to do to get you what you need!”

Royce looked down at the ground. He wasn’t going to argue any longer. 

Sarah Campbell took an instant liking to Christy. They talked of all kinds of “womin 
things” that afternoon. Sarah had so many
questions about “citified ladies“, bombarding Christy with question after question! 
This girl was, by mountain standards, old enough
to be married, in fact she would soon be considered an “old maid” by their way of 
thinking. But yet, she knew there was so much
more to life then getting married and having babies. There was more she wanted 
from her life. Christy suggested that Sarah visit
the mission at Cutter Gap and speak with Miss Alice. They were always looking to 
help others. Maybe Sarah could work there, or
one for Dr. Ferrand at one of his other missions. 

As they spoke, Christy looked at Neil with a playful smile on her face, remembering 
when she had felt as Sarah did, that there was
more to life then getting married and having babies… But she had gone to this same 
mission she was sending Sarah to and had found
true happiness in those things that she thought she would avoid by traveling there. 
Gazing at her “true-love”, as he held their son on
his lap, she knew she would *never* exchange any of it were she offered the entire 
world on a silver platter!! 

Neil looked over and found his wife looking at him. The mischievous smile on her 
face made him wonder what she was thinking
about. He smiled a warm smile at his wife tilting his head slightly in a questioning 
manner. He knew Christy would explain everything
to him later. 

As they left Sarah begged Christy and Neil to take her with them, back to the 
mission. Christy looked at Neil. It was a decision to
be made between Sarah and her parents of course, but they wouldn’t mind her riding 
along if it were all right with her parents. 

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

The ride back to the mission was… “interesting”! Sarah could talk a mile a minute! 
She sat in the back of the wagon with Christy and
the children. Neil wore a huge smile on his face! His poor wife was going to be 
hoarse by the time they arrived at the mission house!
The ride home would be rather silent, he was sure of that! Christy would have little 
left to say. Although the one’s that he felt
sorriest for were Alice, David and Rebecca! They would now have to *live* with 
Rebecca! But Alice had a way of letting people
know what she wanted, or in this case, *needed*. 

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

The MacNeill’s stopped at the mission with Sarah. David, but mostly Rebecca were 
happy to see Sarah! Rebecca had been needed
help around the mission for sometime now. The extra pair of hands would be a 
Godsend. 

Neil loaded Christy and the children into the wagon. With a sly smile on his face Neil 
walked around the wagon. He began speaking
to Christy of his plans to follow, only saying them at the same speed that Sarah had 
been speaking to her. He was waving his hands
as he spoke, just as Sarah had done. When he assumed Christy had, had enough he 
turned to look at her with a smile on his face. “I
thought you might miss that on the ride home so I’ll continue on the conversation 
*all* the way home just for you!!” He teased. 

Christy was not amused! She glared at Neil, her eyes narrowed to tiny slits. 

Coming around to the side of the wagon Neil kissed Christy’s cheek, “That look 
could put a wart on a gravestone, Lass!” He said
before he threw back his head and laughed. She glared at him yet again. But she too 
had to laugh at Neil’s comment. 

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

After arriving back in the Cove, Neil asked David and Billy to accompany him out to 
retrace the route he had traveled when on his
rounds a year and a half ago. The route itself and “the cabin” came to his 
remembrance but no details. 

Christy worried about him going out there again, but this time he was not alone. 

Neil insisted that this was something he had to do. This was a piece of his life that 
seemed blocked for some reason. He felt that by
retracing his steps he would be able to remember not only what had happened to 
him near that cabin, but *everything* else that had
happened before that as well. For some reason certain memories seemed to be 
lacking because of the events surrounding that cabin
in the woods.

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

The three men approached the cabin this time, more cautiously then Neil had done 
the first time, for Neil was not cold and hungry
now and anxious to rest. 

Looking up at this cabin, Neil stopped dead in his tracks. He felt as though he had 
hit a wall. There was a decision that needed to
be made right now… was he going to face the truth of the accident, or was he going 
to continue to ignore it and leave his memories
go along with it?

For several minutes Neil sat on his horse staring at the cabin weighing his choices. If 
he faced what had happened he would become
a whole man again, he’d be a better Doctor a better friend… a better husband… but 
if he didn’t face what happened he wouldn’t
have to look the truth in the face and he wouldn’t remember the pain of that 
‘accident’ again… 

‘No.’ he thought. There was too much at stake for him *not* to face the truth.

Meanwhile Billy and David sat staring at Neil. Both could see the tension in his face. 
They realized how difficult it was for Neil to
face what lie ahead. They said nothing, allowing Neil to make up his own mind. For 
only he knew what was at stake here, and not
them. 

Finally, Neil set his mind to the task before him. He would face what happened, no 
matter what that may be. He owed it to himself,
to Christy, to their children… to everyone. Cupping his hands to his mouth he yelled 
out, “Hello in the house!!”

David looked at him reassuringly. 

Billy looked at Neil with a sense of pride as he nodded his head. He believed Neil 
had made the right choice. 

Staying a ways back from the cabin this time, Neil watched. He called out a second 
time as he had the last time he was here.
Suddenly Neil’s eyes grew wide as he turned to David and Billy. “We’ve got to take 
cover!” He yelled, remember the shot that had
rang out just before everything went black last time. 

David, Billy and Neil dismounted immediately and ran for the cover of the trees, as a 
shot rang out…

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

I realize that this is not the best I've ever written, but I wanted to get it out for 
Christmas.  I hope you like it and that it all makes sense!!
*******************************************************************************

Chapter Fourteen and Final

Neil, Billy and David each stood behind a tree which hid them from the sight of 
whomever was in the house. Prince reared up on his
hind legs. Neil stared at him as the memory of Charlie doing the same thing flooded 
his memory. He pictured himself slipping from
the horse’s back and onto the ground. But he hadn’t lost consciousness then… He 
saw himself sitting up and telling the horse,
“Charlie! What’s gotten into you fella?” As he tried to work the kinks out of his 
back. Charlie had turned to nuzzle Neil when the
horse startled and Neil felt a terrible pain in the back of his head. It was then that 
everything had gone black. The next thing he
remembered was waking in the hospital in Knoxville with Dr. Murphy coming in to 
see him. 

Sitting back against a tree Neil said, “Charlie…”

“What did yah say Neil?” Billy asked.

“I was just remembering. Charlie… I wonder what happened to my horse, Charlie?”

“Neil don’t you think being shot at is more important then what happened to your 
*horse*!?” David exclaimed with fear in his voice.

“I know David, it’s just that everything is coming back to me all of a sudden!” Neil 
exclaimed. “I remember!! I think I remember
*everything*! …My medical bags… He must have taken my saddle bags with all my 
medical supplies in them.”

Billy sat with a half grin on his face. “What’s so funny?” David remarked, with fear in 
his voice.

“I know this fella is all. Ornery cuss, he is! We best be leavin‘.” Billy said. “No need 
to stick around her anymore.” 

“What about justice?” David asked. “Remember what he did to Neil!”

“David,” Neil said. “It’s my life. God had other plans for me. Don’t get upset over 
*me*.”

“But…” David began, but Neil held his finger to his mouth reminding David that he 
had said enough. 

David had learned a lot from Neil about the mountain people and their way of life. It 
was not for him to question this mountain man
about the ways of his people. So reluctantly he quieted. 

As David, Neil and Billy snuck around the property to get out of the range of gunfire 
Neil noticed the corral. In the center
munching on sweet green grass was… Charlie! He nudged Billy and pointed toward 
the horse. 

Billy nodded slightly toward Neil. Knowing exactly what Neil meant. Billy and David 
kept a lookout as Neil went toward the corral.
Remembering once again the tracking techniques taught to him by Billy’s 
Grandfather. In fact he crept up so silently that even
Charlie did not hear him coming! Neil reached the fence and softly said, “Charlie?”

The horse startled at first, but his ears pricked up and he nickered with delight at the 
familiar sound of his master’s voice! Charlie
looked up in the direction of Neil. “Charlie!” Neil called to his old friend. This time 
the horse raced for the fence immediately
nuzzling Neil as he had so often in the past. “I’m happy to see you again too fella!” 
Neil said. On Charlie’s body he could see scars
left from beatings that Charlie had received at the hands of this man. Neil felt the 
tears in his eyes at having left Charlie here for
so long. But there was no other way. He led Charlie to the gate as Billy set up a 
distraction on the hill to divert the man’s attention
away from Neil and onto something else. As gunshots went off, Neil noticed that 
they were aimed toward the diversion and not him.
At that, he knew it was his cue to rescue Charlie and high tail it out of there as 
quickly as he possibly could! With no reins or rope,
Neil prayed that Charlie wouldn’t be spooked by the ! ! gunfire and take off running. 
But Charlie was obviously too excited to be
together with Neil again that he noticed nothing else! For this Neil was grateful.

Once Neil and Charlie were out of sight Billy gave up his diversion and joined the 
rest. Charlie followed Neil like a little lost puppy.
He had, had a rough life this past year and a half. He knew where the good-life was 
and that was with Neil! 

Stopping as he was about to mount his horse, Neil looked from David on his horse, 
to Billy who was about to mount his horse as well.
“What’s wrong Neil?” Billy asked.

“I have to go back.”

“What if they start shooting at you again?” David asked.

“I don’t know why, but I need to go back.”

Neil crept back to the cabin. For the first time Billy removed his rifle and loaded it. 
Keeping it ready in case it was needed.

Neil knocked on the door, once, twice… slowly the door opened and a boy peered 
out. “What cha want?” The boy asked.

“Is your pa here?” 

“My pa done died last year.” He disappeared back into the cabin and Neil 
wondered if he would be back. Once again he reappeared
in the door. Handing Neil his saddlebags he said, “He drank some of these here 
bottles and never woke up agin.”

Neil felt his heart sink. Someone had died from his medicine. He had always been 
carefully to keep them under lock and key. He
had never left his saddlebags in the cabin with these people because they would try 
out his medications. This time he couldn’t watch
over it and his worst fears had been realized.

“Ain’t you the man my pa drug outta here just before he died?” 

“Yes, I suppose I am.”

“I thought you was dead. Specially after pa hit yah in the head with that there branch. 
You was bleedin something awful! I ain’t
never seen nobody bleedin like that what lived to tell about it.”

Neil felt his heart stop. He had been closer to death then he realized. Turning his 
thoughts to the boy he asked. “Are you living here
alone?”

“Yes, um.” He added matter-of-factly. 

“How do you care for yourself?”

“I make due.”

Neil knew he shouldn’t allow this child to remain here all alone. He needed care, that 
was obvious in the way he looked. He was
pale, his face thin and drawn, obviously weak. 

Knowing he should exam the boy as well, Neil convinced the boy that he was a 
Doctor and that he was there to help him. Reluctantly
the boy allowed Neil into the house. 

Finding the boy to be extremely malnourished Neil explained things to him and told 
him that if he kept up the way he had been he
would die. 

“there’s a special place that I want to take you to. It’s quite a way from here, but I 
know you’ll like it, and the people as well. Just a
moment, son.” Neil said as he went to the door. Opening it he motioned for David to 
come inside.

David entered a few moments later. Neil explained the situation to him. David took a 
liking to the boy and the boy to David as well.
Neil thought to himself, not only would David have Isaak McHone with him but now 
this boy as well. 

“What’s your name?” David asked tenderly.

“Don’t have one. Pa said I didn’t need one. My Ma died ah bornin. Pa’s been mad 
at me ever since cuz I did that tah mah ma. I didn’t
mean tah do it! Pa said I was worthless, didn’t need no name for such as me.” Tears 
formed in the boys eyes. 

David took the boy in his arms. “Everyone is worthwhile! All people deserve a 
name!” David soothed.

After a quite lengthy discussion, David and Neil convinced the boy to come back 
with them to the mission. He rode with David on
Prince and was happy to do so. He didn’t seem to notice that Charlie was following 
Neil back as well. 

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

At the mission Christy sat nervously pacing, chewing her fingernails and twisting her 
hair. Alice and Rebecca had long since taken
over the care of the children because Christy’s nervousness only made them upset. 

On the front porch she paced, like a caged animal, from morning until dusk, for that 
is when Alice insisted that Christy come into
the house. Although her pacing did not end there, she was at least out of the damp 
evening air.

“Thy husband is not alone this time, Christy!” Alice said reassuringly. “David and 
Billy will watch over him. Three heads are better
then one you know.” Alice chuckled.

“I suppose they are, but I just can’t help but remember what happened the last 
time…”

“I know! I know, Christy. But thee must also trust in God to keep Neil safe this time. 
This is something that thy husband needs to do.
This is a part of his life that he needs to recollect. It seems the only way for him to do 
that, is to retrace his steps. He can only
remember approaching that cabin, not what happened once he was there. That is 
something he feels he needs to do. And if he feels
that strongly about it, I suggest thee pray for him to be safe and allow God to handle 
the rest.”

“Alright, Miss Alice, I’ll do my best. I promise.”

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

As David, the boy, Billy and Neil approached the mission house, Christy who was 
waiting on the porch, but no longer pacing, noticed
them off in the distance, when they were scarcely more then a speck on the horizon, 
she rose from her seat and began running
toward the approaching figures. 

Neil noticed his wife as she approached. He urged his horse into a gallop, with 
Charlie following close behind. He skidded to a haul
just before reaching Christy. Leaping from the horse before it came to a complete 
stop, Christy leapt into Neil’s arms. Although he
had only been away for a little over a day and a half, Christy had relived the entire 
time he had been away with amnesia, over and
over in her mind, worrying that the same thing would happen all over again. Seeing 
Neil today she realized that it hadn’t and that he
was safe once more!

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

Neil put the horses in the barn as they arrived home. Christy and the children were in 
the house. Charlie had been abused it was
obvious. But the way he acted being home again, made Neil’s heart sing. He felt 
wonderful that he could give Charlie a good home
once again. 

Caring for Charlie had always been a joy for Neil. They were good friends. Seeing 
the scars closer up brought tears afresh to
Neil’s eyes. He had all but forgotten Charlie this past year and a half. Now that he 
saw the pain that his dear friend had endured
while they were separated tore at his heart. Charlie was the first horse that Neil had 
ever truly owned, not only that, he was as
close to Charlie as he had ever been to anyone, with the exception of Christy 
naturally. At times when they made rounds, or when
they went for long travels, Charlie was the only one that Neil had to talk to, other 
then God that is. He had often confided in
Charlie when he was feeling blue. This horse had carried him back home many a 
night when Neil was too exhausted to do it himself.
He gave Charlie an extra treat before leaving the barn that evening. 

Neil looked downcast as he came into the cabin. “What’s wrong?” Christy asked as 
she viewed her husband.

“It’s Charlie.”

“Is there something wrong with him?”

“Well, there’s nothing *wrong* with him, but he’s been badly abused. Charlie’s 
never been a plow horse! But someone obviously
wanted to make him into one and when Charlie didn’t understand… he was beaten 
for it.”

Christy gasped as she clasped her hand over her mouth. Tears sprang to her eyes. 
Thinking of all the times that she and Neil had
shared rides on Charlie’s back. Dear, sweet Charlie! “How could anyone do such a 
thing!?!”

“I don’t know. I can’t understand people like that.” Neil said. “Christy, I don’t know 
if Charlie will ever be strong enough to carry
me again. I realize that he’ll be an expense to us, but I just can’t bring myself to put 
him down!” 

Christy grew stern. “Don’t you *ever* think of doing such a thing, Neil MacNeill!!” 
She loved Charlie as much as Neil did. “We will
give Charlie the best possible life that we can!”

Neil took his wife in his arms and kissed her tenderly. “Thank-you, Christy!” 

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

Conclusion:

There were many more happy Christmases for the MacNeill’s. Over the next four 
years they celebrated the “First Christmas” of
their next four children, first Lucinda, then Charles Thompson (named after Pastor 
Thompson and Bonnie prince Charlie), then Julia
Christy, followed by Eoghan Seth (named for Neil’s grandfather and the Campbell’s 
son whom he watched that night long ago
wondering if he had a son of his own somewhere) who was born on Christmas Day. 

Being back with Neil was all that Charlie needed. He grew strong and healthy once 
again. Neil was sure that it was jealousy that
drove Charlie to begin eating more and exercising! The sight of Neil atop another 
horse was more then Charlie could bear! That was
his rightful place and that other horse could find his own master! Which he did, for he 
soon became Christy’s horse.

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

Several years after they had first met, Seth Campbell became Neil’s apprentice 
going on to be a fine Doctor. Neil was very proud
of him, as were his parents and sister. Sarah met her true love at the mission just as 
Christy had years before only in the form of
Billy Longfeather! Neil never found out what became of the boy who had been 
trapped under the wagon, but in his heart he had an
assurance that the boy had grown up just fine!! 

And Neil and Christy? Well of course they lived “Happily ever after”!! Would I 
write anything else!?! :0) 

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

                                       MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

                                         From Anne B. and Family

I know it’s not the best ending, but I didn’t want it to continue on past Christmas! 
Sorry!

THE END