DISCLAIMER: Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy is owned by the LeSourd family. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Any additions in story line and characters were invented by the writer. ******************* What People Think by Annie ******************* It had been a mistake to invite Neil MacNeill to Asheville. Christy's eye moved around the Huddleston dining room table, from her mother to her brother, George, and then to her father. All through dinner they had been observing her and the doctor closely. She stole a glance at Neil, who sat beside her, adjusting his collar. He looked uncomfortable. How could she have been so blind, so completely naive? When she asked Neil to come to Asheville, her only thought had been to introduce him to her father's new physician, a man who had introduced new treatments for stroke victims. She never expected the sly winks and grins from Ruby Mae and Fairlight, the surprised silence of David, or the cryptic remarks from Miss Alice. Dr. MacNeill's visit to the Huddlestons became the talk of the entire Cove overnight. They didn't escape scrutiny in Asheville, either. All the neighbors came out to stare and wave as George drove them down the street in his Model T. Even her own family seemed to be speculating about a likely attachment. Christy cringed to realize that she'd thoughtlessly thrown Neil into the gossip mill with her impulsive actions. Although he'd said nothing about it, she knew he had to be upset. How many times had he criticized her for rashly imposing on other people? She tried to concentrate on the conversation around her. Her father mentioned his new physician. "... and the girl in the office told me that Doctor Spargel will be out of town for just one more day. I hope it's not too much of an inconvenience." "Not at all," said Neil. "I've read Spargel's article. I agree with his ideas about the retraining of muscles after a stroke. Your case must be of great interest to him, William." Mrs. Huddleston coughed gently. "I'm sure you'll have many things to discuss with Doctor Spargel. Until he returns, it's our pleasure to have you here as our guest." "Thank you." "Since we so rarely have Christy at home," Mrs. Huddleston continued, "I've taken advantage of the school's summer holiday. We have an appointment tomorrow for a family photograph. Of course, you're more than welcome to accompany us, Doctor." George grinned at Christy. "Maybe Doctor MacNeill can have his picture taken, too?" His teasing look brought a blush to her face. Did George imagine she was chasing the doctor? Neil touched his collar again, tugging at it for a moment. He seemed to be avoiding her eye. She was sure he'd never forgive her. \\\///\\\///\\\\/// After breakfast the next day, Mrs. Huddleston drew Christy aside. "Would you please bring down my fur stole from the attic and air it out?" "Fur, Mother? You can't want it on such a hot day!" "My dear, I want to wear it for the photograph -- no one will know the season when they look at it. Please do as I ask." "Yes, of course." Christy smiled at her mother's insistence. She might not look as elegant as she planned with the heavy fur in this heat. As soon as Mrs. Huddleston left, George was at her side, full of enthusiasm. "I'm coming, too. I haven't been up there for ages." Before Christy could answer, he swung open the door to the front parlor, where Neil stood at the window, gazing out at the yard. His hands were deep in his pockets. "Doctor MacNeill, can you come with us? I want to show you something." "George!" Christy pinched her brother's arm fiercely, but Neil joined them, and they were all ascending the stairs before she knew it. "I know where Christy's baby pictures are." George bounded ahead and began jumping to reach for the attic trap door. "We have an album full of her in lace and frilly things. Mother loved to dress her up like a doll." "Did she? Stand aside now." Neil stepped in front of George, raised himself on his toes, and easily caught the handle. Neil seemed to be enjoying her embarrassment. He probably felt she deserved it. "I'd like to see those pictures." Christy scowled at her brother, but he ignored her as he grinned at the doctor. She gathered her skirts and led the way upstairs, and then gasped as stuffy attic air enveloped her. It felt hot enough to bake bread. Neil pointed to the far side of the attic. "George, why don't you open that window." George dodged among the trunks and boxes, and Neil tugged on the sash closest to them. Soon a light breeze stirred the air, bringing a welcome freshness. Christy tried to peek into the containers as carefully as possible in her search for the fur stole, but her brother threw back trunk lids and flung open wardrobe doors until the dust hung thickly in the air. He even dug up a screw driver and used it to pry open a crate of old toys and clothes. "Oh, look! This was Christy's." George held up a girl's light blue dress, decorated with pink and white lace. He reached down again for a straw hat, trimmed with ribbon and silk flowers in the same shades. "Can't you just see little Christy in this, with her white gloves and shoes?" Christy remembered wearing that dress on Easter Sunday. She took it from George, and held it against herself. When she turned to look in the mirror, she met Neil's amused gaze and felt a rush of shyness. "It's the same blue as your eyes," he said quietly. "I'd -- I'd better find Mother's --" "Wow, look at this!" George stepped away from a large box, revealing a beautiful satin wedding gown. It was ivory colored, with delicate beadwork on the bodice and elegant lace trim on the skirt of the dress. He started to lift it, but Christy called out sharply. "No, George, don't. Mother doesn't want us touching her wedding dress." "She's right," said Neil. "Why don't you close it up again, and see if you can find those pictures." "Oh yes, the pictures." George was soon buried in another trunk, leaving Christy and Neil to repack the gown. "It's lovely, Christy. It's in beautiful condition." "Mother has it aired now and then. I love the feel of the satin, but we have to be careful to keep it clean." Christy stroked the shining fabric once before enclosing it in paper and sliding on the box lid. "Mother says she wants to keep it for my--" Christy stopped short, afraid to finish the sentence. If Neil hadn't thought she was scheming before, he would be sure of it now. How could she speak so thoughtlessly! "For your wedding someday," he said, finishing her sentence. "I'm sure it will look beautiful on you, too." He sounded calm, but she didn't dare face him. She kept her eyes down, and made a pretense of searching for the fur. This time Christy was thankful for George's interruption. He discovered their father's Santa suit, and lost no time in donning the red coat and hat, dancing around like a ridiculous clown. He finally located the picture albums, and settled with Neil in front of the window, eagerly describing each photo. Christy avoided the laughing pair as she straightened up the mess George had made. She found the stole and tiptoed downstairs alone. \\\///\\\///\\\\/// "Thank goodness that's over!" Mr. Huddleston was smiling, but Christy knew the photography session had tried his patience. Though the photographer had an electric fan to cool his studio, the heat had been oppressive. Even worse, they had to wait for the previous customer, a woman with a very fussy toddler. "At least Doctor MacNeill got the baby to stop screaming," said George. "I thought the mother was going to die of embarrassment." "It was a mercy, Doctor," said Mr. Huddleston. "I don't think I could have waited much longer for him to take a picture of that child." Neil nodded. "I felt the same way." Christy had been proud of the way Neil calmed the little girl. He'd carried her to the window, pointing out the horses and bright red wagon at the fire station across the street. He beguiled her with his pocket watch, swinging it until the child laughed. He even let her hold the watch as the picture was taken. Christy was glad that her mother had persuaded Neil to sit for a picture, but was mortified when the photographer looked at her as well, expecting them to pose together! She began to wonder if she had a sign on her back, or words printed on her forehead, announcing she was chasing after this man. George helped his mother into the car, and then cranked the engine. Once it was running, he held the door for Christy, but she felt a gentle touch on her arm. She turned in surprise to Neil. "Would you like to walk?" he asked. "Didn't we pass a park on the way here?" Christy nodded mutely, knowing that she was about to be lectured. In another minute the car was gone and they were walking side by side. "Neil, before you say anything, I want to apologize. When I invited you here, I never dreamed that people would think..." "Think what?" "That I was trying to -- that we were -- well, that there was an attachment between us." There was a long silence. "Yes, I did notice a few curious looks." "I'm so sorry! Now everyone must think I was scheming to..." "To catch me?" He stopped and faced her. "Well, what exactly did you have in mind?" "I wanted you to meet my father's doctor. That's all, Neil, honestly. You did so much for Daddy when he had the stroke, and I know Doctor Spargel will want to hear how you saved his life. You could have written that article for his journal, I know it. But it all seemed to come out wrong, and everyone must think I'm awful." Her hands were clenched in fists as she spoke. Neil took them in his hands. "Do you really care so much what people think?" "I care what you think," she said. "I don't want you to be embarrassed because of something I've done. I don't want you to be angry with me." "I'm not angry, Christy." "You're not?" "No. I'll admit I am a bit uncomfortable, but that's only because I'm not used to my city clothes. It's an honor to be invited to your home and welcomed by your family." As she met Neil's steady gaze she was finally able to return his smile. He released one hand and drew the other under his arm. "This is what I think," he said. "I'm proud to have you for a friend." After they had taken a few steps, he added softly, "And I'll not complain if people think I'm lucky enough to be more than a friend." A weight was lifted from Christy's shoulders as they strolled toward the park. \\\///\\\///\\\\/// As Christy and Neil neared the far side of the park, a weight of a very different sort lay on her shoulders: Neil's hand rested there comfortably. Their walking pace had become very slow -- in fact, they stopped and sat on a secluded bench in a shady lane. "Tell me, Christy, why were you so sure I'd be angry?" Neil lifted his arm from her shoulder and reached for her hand. In spite of the warmth of the day, Christy felt a shiver go up her spine as their fingers intertwined. "I wasn't sure how you felt... about me. I didn't want to pressure you. I know it seemed that way when I invited you to Asheville, but that wasn't what I meant, really." "I know, I know. But you tried so hard to convince me that you weren't interested in me, I started to wonder if you did care." Christy had been staring at their joined hands; now she let her eyes move upward until they met Neil's. "I've cared for you for a long time -- it happened so gradually that it was hard to realize." "Sometimes I thought you couldn't stand the sight of me," he said, "and sometimes I was sure you were my best friend. I always knew you were important to me." Christy couldn't keep her eyes locked on his for long. She thought he might kiss her, and though she desired the touch of his lips, she felt overwhelmed and a little nervous. The world seemed to have shifted beneath her feet. Neil must have realized her confusion, because he released her hand and turned slightly, sliding his arm across the back of the bench. "We can let this happen gradually, too. There's no rush." His gentle manner and words helped Christy to calm her thoughts. "I'd like that, Neil. It's not that I need to make up my mind -- I am sure." His fingers softly stroked her cheek. "So am I." Christy moved closer, leaning her head on his shoulder. Neil held her lightly against him, and they sat for a few minutes without needing to speak. Finally Neil checked his watch. He stood and held out his hand. "I'd better get you home before your parents wonder where we are." Christy twined her arm with his and smiled up at him. "I have a feeling they're not worried at all." The End ***********