-------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of
Christy is owned by the LeSourd Family. I am in no way
seking profit or credit for her story. I am merely
continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement
only. Anyadditions to the storyline were invented by
me.


Title: "The Heart Knows Its Home"

Author: irish_rose71@yahoo.com

Author's Note: This story will only be a few chapters
long, and takes place a few months after Christy's
arrival in Cutter Gap.  I'm not sure how the season
[Spring] fits in to the series, if it does, but it's
Spring in the story!  David is definitely already
interested in Christy.  Neil is beginning to get
flirty, but Christy is still a bit naive and clueless
about Neil!  No one knows Margaret is alive.  Miss
Alice isn't yet bothered that Christy and Neil are
getting chummy.  So, enjoy!  And let me know what you
think!  
PS.  Just "hear" Neil's great Scottish accent!  I
didn't even try to write it.


Chapter 1

The day dawned bright and crisp, and was surprisingly
warm for the first day of Spring in the Tennessee
mountains.  Christy had been at the mission at Cutter
Gap for a few short months now and she was looking
forward to this particular day with excited
anticipation.

She was up with the sun, as were Ruby Mae and Alice,
preparing food for the day's celebration.

As the women worked on cutting up dried apples for
pies, they chatted about the day's planned
festivities.  Christy's mind wandered as she pondered
last night's conversation at the supper table.

*flashback*

"It's a heathen custom!" David was clear in his
feelings about the planned upcoming celebration.

"David, thee knows the people of Cutter Gap worked
hard to store up provisions so that they could make it
through the winter. This is their way to celebrate
their survival and to greet Spring's promise of new
growth."  Alice Henderson pushed herself up from the
table and began to clear away the dirty dishes.  She
looked sternly into David Grantland's face.  "Thee
must not deny them their festivities."

"As if anything I say to them would matter anyway." 
David muttered.

David always seemed to doubt his influence over the
people of Cutter Gap, and his own doubts were what
kept him from really understanding the people and
their way of life.

*end flashback*


"Teacher!  I'm so ‘cited for it to be a celebratin'
day!"  Christy shook herself out of her musings, and
turned to help Ruby Mae gather up the apples.  The
fruit was placed into the prepared crusts, then
sprinkled with cinnamon and drizzled with some of
Jeb's honey, all ready for the oven.

"Yes, and I'm excited to be able to share it with you
this year, Ruby Mae."  Christy touched Ruby Mae's
shoulder with fondness.  The girl sometimes
exasperated Christy with her constant chattering, but
Christy felt a true affection for Ruby Mae.  It
certainly had been a challenge to teach the benefits
of hygiene to Ruby Mae, but now she was showing that
she was beginning to learn some things.  The teacher's
fondness for neatness and sweet-smelling perfume was
beginning to rub off on the young mountain girl.

An hour or so later, the women of the mission had made
numerous trips outside to carry their contributions to
the expanded serving table which Jeb and David had
erected early that morning.  The rest of the Spencer
family arrived with howdies and hellos all around. 
Other people of the cove continued to arrive in a
constant stream.  They were happy to be together, with
games for the children and a community meal planned. 
This was going to be such a fine day of celebration
for them.

Christy took time to greet each of her excited
students.  How she had come to love these children in
such a short time truly amazed her.  She seated
herself on a large rock, and was immediately
surrounded by her beloved students, chattering about
the fun they expected to have that day.  

Suddenly, hoof beats were heard coming from the far
end of the schoolyard, and a few of the younger
children looked towards the horseman, squealed, jumped
up and scampered off towards him.  Christy shaded her
eyes with her hand to see who it was that had
generated such a fond greeting from the children.

"Hey, Doc!"  "Doc McNeill!"  "Howdy, Doc!"  The little
ones surrounded him as he dismounted.  They were
tugging at his trousers, wrapping their thin arms
around his legs, laughing up into his rugged face.  

‘They certainly are affectionate towards their
doctor,' thought Christy.  Then she saw  the doctor
reach into his pocket and press something small into
each youngster's hand, which they immediately popped
into their mouths as they skipped away.  Doctor Neil
McNeill looked up, smiled, and made his way towards
Christy.

"Ahh.  I've been found out, I see.  I've discovered
that the children have a fondness for butterscotch,
and that I have a fondness for providing it to them. 
They have little enough treats in their lives.  Will
you be keeping my secret for me, Miss Huddleston?" 
The doctor cocked an eyebrow then flashed her a grin. 
His smile was so endearing that Christy couldn't help
but return it with a blushing smile of her own.

But before Christy could answer him, Neil turned
towards the children who were scattered over the
school yard, clapped his hands and called with a
booming voice, "Boys and girls!  Come see what I have
brought for you today!"


Chapter 2

The children ran and followed their doctor back to his
horse, where he removed a large and bulky burlap bag. 
He tossed the bag onto the ground, and a number of
boys elbowed their way through the crowd of children
so that they could open the sack.

"Hey Doc.  This is just a big ole rope."  Sam Houston
looked up at the doctor with a questioning look on his
face.  "What're we gonna do with this big ole rope?"

"We," the doctor replied, as he swung his arms out to
include all of the children, "are going to have a
tug-of-war!  And I think we'll have the boys pull
against the girls!"

With this, the boys cheered as the girls groaned
aloud. 

"How're we ever gonna have a chance, Doc?" grumbled
Zady Spencer.  "Ever'one knows them boys're stronger
and'll beat us girls."

"Well, to make it even, I'll pull with the girls'
team," Neil turned to send a challenging look to
Christy as he continued, "As long as your teacher
pulls with the boys.  Well, Miss Huddleston?  Care for
a contest?"   Neil's eyebrow lifted in a challenge.

Neil had no way of knowing that while growing up
Christy's undoing had been her keen sense of
competition.  More than once she'd gotten a scolding
from her mother for joining into games not fitting for
proper young misses, just because one of her male
schoolmates had flung a challenge at her.  She
couldn't resist this one either!

"I accept your challenge, Doctor.  Prepare to be
beaten!"  

The doctor chuckled as he watched Christy's diminutive
figure saunter over to where the boys had gathered
and, smiling, place her arms over the shoulders of two
of the smaller boys.

The boys cheered their teacher, believing the contest
would be over in no time flat.

Neil measured the rope to find its center, then tied a
bright kerchief at that mark.  He drew two lines in
the dirt, about six feet on either side of the center
mark.  He stretched out the rope and invited the
children to take hold, boys on one side and girls on
the other.  Neil and Christy faced off at the head of
their lines.

Neil grinned as he looked into Christy's determined
face.  She certainly was a spirited lass!  "How about
a little side bet, Miss Huddleston?  Loser serves
supper to the winner?"  Neil kept his eyes on the
teacher as he rolled up his shirt sleeves above his
elbows, readying himself for the contest.

"Wager accepted, Doctor MacNeill."  Christy gazed back
into Neil's eyes with a confident smile of her own,
then was momentarily set off guard when he winked at
her.  They both took hold of the rope and prepared to
begin pulling.

"Ready, set, pull!"  Jeb announced from the sidelines,
where the younger children and their parents had
gathered to watch and cheer.

The rope went taut as boys and girls strained against
each other.  Neil and Christy's eyes remained locked,
Neil with an easy smile and Christy with an
ever-increasingly determined look on her face.

The boys were giving it their all, and the kerchief
was slowly inching towards their line. Christy put her
head down as she concentrated.  She planted her feet
more securely and pulled as hard as she could.  Then
Christy felt a sudden tug at the rope.  Surprised, she
looked up into the doctor's face.  Neil gave her a
teasing grin as he gave the rope another jerk.  The
kerchief was going back towards the center!

Laughing and cheering, the people of the cove watched
the kerchief move from the boys' side to the girls'.

"There you go, Doc," Swannie O'Teale called out. 
"Show them boys that the gals'll win!"

Beads of perspiration appeared on the boys' foreheads.
 They couldn't believe it when they saw that the
kerchief was inching towards the girls' line.  The
boys dug in their heels and pulled with all their
might.  But the girls, too, gave it their all, and
were spurred on when they realized the doctor's great
strength might win this contest for them.

Christy was pulling as hard as she could, and then
again glanced up at Neil.  Her cheeks warmed when she
realized that he hadn't taken his eyes off her face
the entire time of the game.  Then Christy became
aware that, although the girls really were trying
their best, this was basically a contest of the
doctor's strength against that of all the boys, and
the doctor was winning!  She glanced down as Neil's
strong hands tightened over the rope, and saw the
muscles of his forearms ripple beneath the
reddish-golden haired skin.

Christy's thoughts swirled in her head: "My, the
doctor is certainly strong...his arms are so
muscular."  She looked up into Neil's eyes again and
blushed as she saw him grin.  He must have had read
her thoughts!

"Miss Huddleston, you're supposed to be pulling," 
Neil teased.  Then as irritation flashed across
Christy's face, Neil grinned again, gave one last
yank, and brought the kerchief over the girls' finish
line.  The watching family members cheered and
clapped.  The girls tumbled backwards, the boys
tumbled forwards, and Christy tumbled into Neil's arms
as the two went down together.  

"Well, Christy lass," Neil had his strong arms around
Christy, steadying her atop his broad chest.  He spoke
quietly as he looked up into her face, "When do we
eat?"  

Then time stood still as Christy remained in Neil's
arms, and both gazed deeply into each other's eyes, so
close that their breath was felt on each other's face.

"Christy!" David bellowed as he rushed towards her
from the crowd.  

Suddenly aware they were in a somewhat compromising
position, Christy's cheeks flamed as Neil rolled her
to the side, jumped up, then reached down to take hold
of both her hands.  Strong arms pulled Christy to her
feet, and she quickly turned away so that no one could
see her blazing face.

"Sorry, Grantland."  Neil turned to David with an easy
smile.  "We all fell down in a heap when the girls won
the contest.  It just couldn't be helped!"  Neil
lifted his hands and shrugged his shoulders.  Neil
always enjoyed goading the preacher.

Christy, her back to the people,  tried calming
herself by placing cool hands to her warm cheeks. 
"What just happened?" she thought.  "Why am I so
befuddled?"

Ruby Mae ran up to Christy.  "Teacher, you sure was
laying there on the ground a long time.  Did ye get
hurt, fallin' down on the doc so hard?"  Then Ruby Mae
laughed when she noticed Christy's red cheeks. 
"Golly, Teacher, yur as red as a new union suit! 
What's gotcha so riled?"

"Ruby Mae!"  Fairlight hurried to Christy's side to
rescue her friend from Ruby Mae's embarrassing
questions.  "Please go with the older girls ‘n' wash
up ‘n' help get the food ready ta serve."

As Ruby Mae wandered away, Fairlight turned to her
friend and touched her arm lightly. "Miz Christy?  Are
ya alright?"

"Oh...yes, Fairlight, thanks."  Christy felt the
tell-tale heat leaving her face.  "I think that game
just got me all hot and sweaty.  I...I think I'll go
and wash up, too."  Christy turned and followed Ruby
Mae to the yard pump.

Fairlight watched Christy's retreating back, then
smiled a knowing smile as she said under her breath, 
"I think, Christy, it was the ‘end' of the game that
gotcha so hot ‘n' sweaty."

__________________________________________________


Chapter 3

Christy arrived at the pump just as Ruby Mae and her
friends had finished washing their hands.  The girls
skipped off to help Fairlight as Christy began to
struggle with the pump handle.  She was just too short
to do it easily.

"Here, Lass, let me do that for you," a deep voice
came from behind her.  Two strong arms reached around
her and Neil's large, calloused hands grasped the pump
handle over Christy's smaller hands.  He effortlessly
worked the handle up and down until the water streamed
out of the spigot.  Then he stepped back so that
Christy could cup the cool water to wash her face. 

Christy, drying her face and hands on the edge of her
skirt, turned and moved aside to give the doctor
access to the pump.  She blushed crimson when she
noticed that Neil had unbuttoned his shirt halfway
down to his waist.

Her heart pounded and Christy was unable to take her
eyes from the doctor as he bent down, cupped water and
poured it over the back of his neck.  Droplets clung
to the tiny curls at the nape of his neck.  Then,
straightening, Neil used a second handful of cooling
water to rub over his face. She watched the little
trail of water trickle down his neck then down his
chest to disappear into his shirt.

Neil backed away from the pump and reached down to
fasten his buttons.  Although his face was down, Neil
was aware that Christy was watching him closely.  He
took his time buttoning up his shirt, a slow smile
spreading across his face.  Finally, he up looked into
Christy's eyes, and, grinning, said, "Well, that
little rinse will have to do for now, but there's
nothing quite as refreshing as a dip in the stream
near my cabin."

Christy, face flaming because he had caught her
staring at his chest, tried to turn and flee.  Neil's
hand reached out to grasp hers and, with a small pull,
turned her around to face him.

He smiled into her eyes.  "I'm ready for dinner now,
Miss Huddleston.  Of course, you remember our wager,
so I believe you are to serve me?  As Little Burl
would say, ‘I'm pow'rful hongry!'  The tug-of-war has
brought out a particularly strong appetite in me.  I
just might need you to make two or three trips to the
table before my hunger is satisfied," Neil teased.

Christy, speechless, allowed Neil to tuck her hand
into his arm.  Covering her hand with his, Neil led
her towards the mission yard.  As they made their way
down the hill, Neil's hand tightened over hers to
steady her on the uneven ground.  Christy was aware of
a fluttering in her chest.  ‘There it is again.'  She
had this feeling a few times during the tug-of-war but
had written it off to the straining exercise, and
again while Neil was rinsing off.

She thought, ‘Why, whatever is the matter with me
today?  I cannot seem to catch my breath or calm
myself.'  She placed her other hand to the base of her
throat as she cautiously slowed her steps.

Neil, noticing, paused, then spoke his concern.  "Are
you feeling unwell?  Is it the heat?  We can just sit
awhile in the shade if you're in need of a rest, Miss
Huddleston.  I'm really not all that hungry."

"No...no, I'm fine.  Just a strange little pounding
inside.  Really, I'm alright."  Christy's words rushed
out.  The last thing she needed right now was Neil
wanting to examine her.  But as they continued down
the hill Christy stumbled.  Thanks to Neil's steady
arms she didn't fall.  Neil immediately changed
direction and began leading Christy towards the
mission house.

"Alice," Neil called over to the group at the table. 
"I'm taking Christy inside where it's cooler.  I think
the sun may be having an adverse affect on her and I'd
like to check her out."

Passing his tethered horse, Neil grabbed his medical
bags.  Alice joined them and put her arm around
Christy's waist to help her inside.  David rushed to
follow them into the mission house, but Alice turned
and shook her head.  "No, David, thee must stay
outside.  Neil will need to examine Christy.  I will
assist him, but it would not be proper for thee to be
present.  Don't worry...I'm sure Christy will be
feeling better soon.  Thee must stay with our guests."

David stood on the porch and fumed as he watched Neil
sweep Christy into his arms and carry her upstairs to
her bedroom.  

__________________________________________________


Chapter 4

"Neil!  Put me down...now!"  They were halfway up the
stairs, Christy being held tightly in the doctor's
strong arms.

"No, Christy.  Until I'm sure there's nothing wrong,
I'm carrying you.  Now stop your blasted struggling."

Neil pushed her bedroom door open with his booted
foot, took three strides across the room, and gently
placed her on the bed.  Then he dragged a chair up
close to the bedside.  Alice remained behind in the
doorway, watching, ready to assist the doctor if
needed.

Christy continued to insist that she was feeling
alright as the doctor removed his stethoscope and
instruments from his bag.  "I'm fine.  I don't need to
be checked out."  Christy was beginning to become
irritated at the doctor's insistence that he examine
her.

"Christy.  Let Neil look thee over...just in case." 
Alice's firm words were the final say.  Laying on the
coverlet, Christy sighed, quieted, and nodded.

Neil helped raise her to a sitting position, then
placed a steadying hand on her back as he listened
through the stethoscope that he positioned against her
chest.  Christy gasped.  She was totally unprepared
for her reaction to Neil's closeness as he examined
her.

"Did I hurt you, Christy?  I'm sorry.  I'm trying to
be as gentle as possible."  His clear, blue eyes,
watchful of her face, were considerate.

"No.  You're not hurting me at all," Christy managed
to squeak.

Neil's brow furrowed as his concentration returned to
the erratic pounding he heard in Christy's chest.  

His head bent before her, Christy watched a single
golden curl fall across Neil's forehead.  The sun
shone through her window and reflected on a few bright
strands.  She had the oddest impulse to reach out and
touch the curly lock.

His deep voice intruded on her thoughts.  "Well, your
heart rate is a bit elevated, although not dangerously
so.  Christy, have you ever experienced the racing of
your heart before?"  Neil looked questioningly into
her face.

Thickly-lashed blue eyes widened in alarm.  "M-my
heart?"  she stammered.

"Tis alright, Christy.  Tis just a slight elevation. 
Has it happened to you before?"

"No, never."  Christy was absolutely sure she had
never experienced this sensation before.  Neil helped
lower her to a relaxed position on the bed.

Thoughtful, Neil began to pack his instruments back
into his bag.  "In that case, I think you'll just need
to rest a bit today, and all will be well.  I'll come
by to check you again tomorrow.  Until then, you
remain in this bed."  Eyes intent on her face, Neil's
hand closed over her arm and his fingers slowly
stroked her inner wrist, meaning to comfort her. 
Instead of comforting her, his touch caused Christy's
heart to hammer in her chest.  Christy concentrated on
trying to breathe slowly and evenly.

"But you will not be serving dinner to the victor
today.  Instead, the good Doctor MacNeill will serve
dinner to his favorite patient," he finished with a
caring smile.  He patted her arm and stood.  "You just
rest right there and soon I will be back with
something for you to eat.  I'm sure I noticed some of
Fairlight's berry pies on the table.  That sounds
tasty, doesn't it?"

Christy nodded and thanked him with a weak smile. 
Neil turned to leave.  Alice moved aside so that Neil
could pass, then she continued across the room to
Christy's bedside.

As soon as Neil left, Christy frowned as she began to
fidget with the edge of the quilt.  Was there
something wrong with her?

__________________________________________________

Chapter 5

Neil hurried downstairs and flung open the front door,
coming close to knocking David off the porch where he
had waited.

"How is she, Doctor?  Can I see her?"  True concern
reflected from David's eyes.  He was almost
overwhelmed with worry.

Neil, realizing this, decided to forgo abruptly
brushing aside the preacher and opted for an honest
answer.  "Christy's heart rate is elevated and
erratic. Truthfully, I'm not sure what's causing this.
 It could be a number of things.  Some are serious. 
Some are unexplainable but inconsequential.  I won't
know until I see how long the condition continues, if
it does continue."

As Neil explained this to David, the concerned
mountain folk gathered around to listen.  Feeling a
tug at his pant leg Neil looked down into Mountie's
tearful eyes.  "Is Teacher feelin' better?"  she
whispered.

Neil squatted down so that he was eye level with the
little girl.  "Aye, wee one.  She's better now, but
tired.  Soon she'll be taking a wee nap.  Your teacher
will be just fine, Mountie."  He hugged the thin,
little girl, then stood and turned back to the crowd,
continuing his explanation.   

"Miss Christy needs her rest.  I'm going to take her a
bit to eat right now.  But she is to have no visitors.
 No one," Neil emphasized, the last sentence directed
towards David.  Then, seeing the concern in the young
preacher's eyes, Neil conceded, "Perhaps, if she's
feeling better, you could visit with her tomorrow.  A
short visit.  Excuse me, please, while I fill a
plate."

As the crowd dissolved into smaller groups, they
quietly continued voicing their concern for Christy. 
The children, especially, were more subdued.  David,
realizing he couldn't help Christy at that moment, saw
an opportunity to minister to his congregation.  The
joy in the celebration was over, but he could still
bring some fun back into the day.

Retrieving some articles from his bunkhouse, David
called to the children, "Who's up for a game of
baseball?"  The youngsters gathered around him, but
without much enthusiasm.  "I know you're all worried
about Miss Christy, but she would be the first one to
want all of you to continue having a good time here
today.  If we play a good game, and she hears us
cheering and laughing and having fun, then it will
make her feel better, too.  Now, let's divide into
teams."  David turned to invite the parents to play. 
"Would any of you fathers like to join us?"

"I reckon I'd like ta give it a try."  Jeb was the
first one to catch on to David's ploy to distract the
children from their concern for Christy.  A number of
other fathers wandered over, as mothers with babies
and younger children sat down together to watch the
game.  Soon the children were so involved in the game
they forgot their worry.

Meanwhile, Neil was at the serving table with
Fairlight.  "Neil, let me put a heap of coleslaw on
Christy's plate. You'd like some, too?  An' greens?  I
know Christy won't want the greens.  She wrinkles her
nose when I serve ‘em fer dinner.  You should see
her."

"Yes, I've seen her nose wrinkle on occasion."  Neil
pictured Christy at his cabin, that day she'd fallen
into the river.  He smiled at the memory of her little
nose wrinkling when she told him of her first visit to
the O'Teales'.  "Go ahead and put a little of the
greens on her plate, Fairlight...no, more than that. 
There.  I think this will do us both just fine."

"Neil, you are a scoundrel!  Taking Christy food you
know she won't eat just to see her squirm.  Ya never
change.  Nor Jeb neither."

"And what fun would that be, if we changed?  You
expect it from Jeb and I, Fairlight.  And you enjoy
it, too, I think.  Thank you for your help with the
food.  I'd best be getting back to Christy now."

Fairlight laid a hand on Neil's forearm to delay his
leaving.  "Neil, wait.  Christy is gonna be alright,
isn't she.  I mean, I thought she was just havin' a
little moment...er...well...I didn't think she was
really hurtin' or nothin'.  Now ya got me worried,
talkin' ‘bout her heart an' all."

"Fairlight, I cannot lie to you.  I don't know just
what's causing the change in her heart rate, but I'm
fairly confident that it isn't something serious.  
She assures me that there's not been any previous
occurrences of arrhythmic cardio..., that is, Christy
has never felt this way before today.  It may have
just been the physical exertion during the game. 
Perhaps she's a bit rundown.  But I'm certain that she
will be better, and up to her old tricks again soon. 
Alright, Fairlight?"

"Thank ya, Neil, fer taking time to tell me.  Please
tell Christy ta rest, and that I'll be prayin' fer her
recov'ry."

Neil nodded and turned towards the mission.  ‘Now,
back to my patient.'  He looked down at the pile of
boiled greens on Christy's plate and smiled rakishly.


__________________________________________________

Chapter 6

Alice sat on the edge of Christy's bed.  "Neil is a
good doctor, Christy.  He would know if there was
truly something to be concerned about.  Thee must do
as he says and rest now.  When he returns, thee must
eat and drink what he brings.  It will help thee to
feel better."  Alice smoothed Christy's hair back from
her forehead.

"Oh, Miss Alice!  I am so frightened!  My heart just
hammers away in my chest whenever he looks at me, or
touches me.  What is wrong with me?"  Christy's eyes
filled with tears of confusion.

Alice's eyes widened a bit as she began to understand
the meaning of Christy's words.  She phrased her
questions carefully, "Thee has this feeling only when
Doctor MacNeill is near thee?  At no other time?  Not
when anyone else is attentive to thee?"  

At Christy's nod or shake of her head after each
question, Alice smiled inwardly.  Christy was still
young and childlike in so many ways.  She really
didn't understand at all what was happening to her.

Alice patted Christy's trembling arm.  "Thee is just
fine. Thee is a young woman who is beginning to grow
up, that is all.  All women experience this at some
time in their life, if they are so blessed.  Do not
worry so, Christy. Thee is absolutely normal.  In
time, thee will understand perfectly."

Miss Alice words confused Christy.  She had faith in
the older woman's wisdom, but Christy still felt
uneasy.  She nervously touched her hair and realized
her chignon was lopsided and long strands had come
undone.  "Oh, Miss Alice.  I must look a fright! 
Could you hand me my hairbrush, please?  It's on the
dresser."

Christy removed her hairpins and began brushing out
the snarls.  Tendrils around her face were still damp
with sweat and wash water.

Alice reached for the hairbrush.  "Let me help thee,
child."  As she brushed Christy's long hair Alice
recounted to Christy how funny the face of each child
was during the game.  "Little Burl's cheeks were
puffed out, he was straining so at the rope.  Ruby
Mae's face was bright red from her pulling, the
freckles seemed as if they were ready to pop right off
the dear girl's face.  Thee would have laughed to see
her so!  And Little Mountie...I'm sure the rope pulled
her more than she pulled the rope! " Christy smiled at
Alice's descriptions of the children.

Finishing with the brush, Alice handed it back to
Christy.  She rose to leave as Neil returned with two
plates of food, followed by a helpful Creed Allen who
was carefully carrying two glasses of cider.  Plates
and glasses were deposited on a small table next to
the bed.  

As Alice exited with Creed she heard the doctor's deep
voice as he noticed Christy brushing her hair.

"Vanity, Miss Huddleston?"

__________________________________________________

Chapter 7

"No, Doctor, I am just tidying myself.  My hair was in
shambles from that game, and you, of course, were most
likely laughing at my unkempt appearance."

As Christy continued the stroking, Neil silently
watched her pull the brush through the silken tresses.
 Her hair spread like a cape over her shoulders and
back. The ends of each strand curled over the edge of
the brush.  

Neil wondered silently, ‘How silky her hair would feel
in my hand if I reached out and buried my fingers... 
Eee gods, man, what are you thinking?'

Unaware of Neil's musings, Christy gathered the
tresses at the nape of her neck and tied them with a
blue satin ribbon.  "It's not fancy, but it'll have to
do."  She smiled at the doctor as she finished.

Neil thought that it was ‘doing' very well, but he
missed the shimmering unbound locks.  Then suddenly he
realized that Christy had been speaking to him.

"...and every time I went to school those pesky boys
would pull out my hair ribbon.  After a while I
wondered why I even bothered to tie my hair back, but
my mother would have had the vapors to think I would
go out in public with my hair undone.  Thank God
that's all behind me now.  My students are much more
respectful.  They haven't pulled out my hair ribbon,
not even once,"  Christy finished her story with a
smile. Christy set aside her brush.

Once Christy was settled back comfortably against the
pillows, Neil reached for her plate.  "Now, my dear
girl, you are to eat this food that Fairlight has
fixed just for you.  I'll sit here and keep you
company.  But I'll warn you, Lass, you owe me some
special attention next time, since you are unable to
pay me my winnings today," he teased as he forked a
piece of meat then held it out towards her.  "Open
wide," he coaxed.

"I can feed myself, Doctor MacNeill."  Irritated,
Christy grabbed for the fork.

Neil pulled the fork away just before her fingertips
closed on it.  "I'm sure you can, Miss Huddleston. 
However, since I am the doctor and you are the
patient, today you will do as I say."  Neil grinned. 
"Now, open wide your pretty little pout of a mouth."

Christy's jaw dropped in surprise at his words, and
Neil used it to his advantage as he pushed the fork
into her open mouth.  "Chew.  Good.  Now for another
bite, Miss Huddleston."

Christy groaned, "Oh, Neil, not greens."  Neil wasn't
disappointed.  The sight of her nose wrinkling was
delightful!

"They're good for you, Miss Huddleston.  Lots of iron
and vitamins.  Just what you need for that heart
problem."  Neil definitely was a scoundrel.

"Oh...well, in that case..."  Christy eyed the greens
sorrowfully.  "...I guess I must."  Christy shuddered
as she took a bite.  Her nose wrinkled terribly.  Neil
fed her a few more bites of the greens.  It was all he
could do to keep from bursting out in laughter.  "I
suppose that's enough greens for today.  But you
really should eat more of them on a regular basis. 
They are full of..."

"I know, I know.  ‘Iron and vitamins'.  How could God
have created something that was good for you taste so
nasty.  Alright.  I'll eat more greens, even if I have
to gag them down, which I will."

Neil chuckled and forked some other vegetables.  He
continued to feed her dinner, now and then taking a
few bites for himself, sometimes mentioning a funny
story of one of her students when they were younger.

Christy dropped a few biscuit crumbs and looked down
at the quilt to be sure she brushed each crumb away.
While she was occupied, Neil's hand flashed out and
tugged the blue hair ribbon loose.  Christy's hair
spilled over her shoulders as her hands flew to the
back of her head.

"Neil!  Why... of all the...," Christy, wide-eyed,
sputtered.

"I'll just keep this as collateral until you pay me
the winnings you owe me, some day when you're feeling
better."  Neil teased as he tucked the bright blue
ribbon into his pocket.  Christy's heart thumped as a
pretty blush spread over her face.

"Ah yes, those rosy cheeks return.  Miss Huddleston,
you do blush ever so sweetly."  Neil loved to see the
pink color spread over her cheeks, and Christy did
blush quite a bit, he'd noticed.

Christy recovered from her surprise enough to try to
change the subject and also to tease Neil a bit
herself.  "Why, Doctor, I believe there is a piece of
pie on that plate.  If you are going to insist on
feeding me then let's finish the task at hand."  

"Spoken like a true schoolmarm!"

Christy was just beginning to relax and feel more like
her normal self when Neil leaned close to dab at some
crumbs at the side of her mouth with a napkin.  His
curls brushed the side of her cheek, and there went
her heart again, pounding as if trying to jump right
out of her chest.

Neil moved back slightly, just enough for his eyes to
be even with hers, noticing her alarm.

"It's happening again, Christy?"  He spoke his words
softly, "Don't worry.  I'm right here.  Nothing will
harm you."  His fingers softly smoothed wisps of
golden brown hair behind her ear.  Blue eyes locked on
blue eyes.

His whisper was a promise.  "All will be well, Lass."

His eyes held hers for long moments.  Slowly an
unshakable trust built in Christy's heart for Neil. 
She believed him and knew that she would always
believe him, and could always trust him.  Her
heartbeat slowed to a normal pace as her confidence in
Neil swelled.

Neil's eyes narrowed slightly.  He sensed a change in
her.  "Christy?"

Christy's blue eyes were shining as she gazed into his
eyes, and her smile was glowing.  "Oh, Neil.  Suddenly
my heart feels all better!  For some odd reason... I
don't know how to explain it...I'm not sure I even
understand it, but all of a sudden my heart feels
like... it's home."  Amazed at her feelings of peace,
she reached out to lay a soft hand on the side of his
cheek.

At Christy's gentle touch, Neil's heart began to
hammer in his chest.


The End

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