Title: No Regrets
Author:Miss A.

DISCLAIMER: The story of Christy belongs to the
Marshall-LeSourd family. This fanfic was written for the
author's personal enjoyment. Any changes in the story or
characters are the responsiblity of said author.

You have to choose one of us. David's words played over
in my head, mocking me. How could I choose? I looked
at David, searching his face. For what? I didn't know -
whatever I was looking for wasn't there. I turned my eyes
to the children. If I married David, he'd eventually take
me away from them. I couldn't do that - I loved them as if
they were my own! Tears sprang to my eyes. I blinked them
away as I turned to Dr. MacNeill. The sun was at my back,
giving me a clear view of his face. There was something
in his eyes...but it disappeared as soon as I saw it.

Studying the ring, I considered my options. David was
single and obviously cared about me, whereas Dr. MacNeill
was married, and loved to make me angry. David was a
Christian; Dr. MacNeill was not. David wanted to leave
the Cove someday; the Cove was Dr. MacNeill's life. 'And
mine,' I added silently. My decision was made.

"David...no. I'm sorry." I thrust the box back in his
hands.

"What? You're not serious!"

"I am." I turned and began the walk back to the
mission. "Children, if Reverand Grantland is finished, you
are dismissed for the day. Oh, and David? I think Prince
picked up a stone on the way back. You may want to check
that out." A few seconds later the children rushed past
me. I watched as the two men exchanged words. Finally,
Dr. MacNeill wheeled Charlie around. "I'll be at Dan
Scott's if anyone needs me!" he called over his shoulder.

Dan came back to the mission for dinner that night, where
he explained Dr. MacNeill was leaving to take Margaret
to a treatment center in Baltimore. "He asked that I take
most of his rounds, but there's a list of families you'll
need to see, Miss Henderson."

"Any particular reason why?" I asked. The room went silent
as everyone paused and looked at me. Ruby Mae finally broke
into the awkward moment. "Why, 'cause he be colored, Miz
Christy! Thar's still folks aplenty who ain't about to
let a colored man touch their families!" I blushed. "Oh."

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

"Miz Alice! Miz Alice, thar's a tellyphone call fer
ya!" Ruby Mae's excited call carried across the yard to
where Miss Alice and I were standing. "Hit's come all
the way from Baltimore!" Miss Alice glanced at me, then
hurried inside. I followed.

"Hello, this is Alice Henderson speaking...Oh, hello
Neil...What?" The color drained from her face. "Oh,
dear Lord...Yes, I'll be on the next train out...No,
I'll be fine Neil. The Lord will keep me...All
right...Goodbye." Her hand shook as she hung up the
receiver, then sat at the table. I walked slowly to
her side.

"Miss Alice?" She took a deep breath.

"Margaret...she died last night."

"Oh, Miss Alice!"

Her voice shook. "Neil said she'd known for a few weeks
this was coming, but she refused to call me - didn't want
me to see her the way she was. Oh, my baby!" I wrapped my
arms around her, holding her as she cried. Ruby Mae ran
for David.

"Miss Alice, I'm going with you. You need someone to go
with you, and David can't leave right now." She nodded
gratefully.

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

Dr. MacNeill met us at the Baltimore station. He looked
like he hadn't slept in days. Taking care of Margaret had
taken its toll on him. Days passed in a blur. I did my
best to comfort Miss Alice, but it was Dr. MacNeill who
needed me most the day of the funeral.

"Neil?" I knocked timidly on his door. "Come in,"
was the muffled reply. I entered the room slowly,
leaving the door open. Clothes were strewn about on the
floor, and a half-full glass of brown liquid sat on the
bedtable. Whiskey? I shook my head and focused on the man
in front of me.

"Christy, if your god is so loving, why did he give me a
woman like Margaret? Why did he make life so hard?" There
was no animosity in his voice. "Why in all his supposed
love, would he let people kill themselves and each
other shamelessly and needlessly? Why?" His voice
broke. "Why?" he whispered, dropping to his knees. I
watched as the burly doctor wept, then sat on the bed
beside him and pulled his head into my lap.

"I don't know, Neil. I don't know." We sat that way for
an hour - he weeping and I praying for the man I called
friend.

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

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want..." The
reverand's wods rang in my ears during the long train ride
back to Cutter Gap. Only the three of us and the reverand
were there to pay our last respects to Margaret Henderson
MacNeill. And now we were going home. I wondered if things
would change.

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

For several weeks we sat very little of Dr. MacNeill. Dan
Scott, who continued his rounds of the Cove, brought us
messages now and again from the doctor. We weren't worried
about the doctor - more families accepted Dan now, so he
took over the care of many of the Cove folks, leaving
Dr. MacNeill more time to travel to the other areas he
cared for.

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

One day I released the children early, and as I came over
the hill I saw Dr. MacNeill riding away. Miss Alice stood
on the porch, waching.

"Miss Alice, has Dr. MacNeill been here often?" Her silence
spoke more than words could. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Mis Huddleston, I am not responsible for the lack of
communication between Dr. MacNeill and thyself. If thee
wishes to know the doctors reasons for not wishing to see
thee, thee should be spekaing to him, not me."

In my pride, I refused to talk to him. This went on for
several months, during which time Emma Smolt joined the
mission as a teacher's assistant and cook. Blonde and
petite, with a ready laugh and mischievous green eyes,
she captured David's heart. It was no surprise to anyone
when they announced their engagement six months later. I
was happy for Emma and David, but it made me realized how
much I wished for someone to share that happiness with.

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

My feelings for Dr. MacNeill had grown since that day in
the schoolyard, but I couldn't bring myself to admit it
to anyone. I became so intent on hiding my feelings for
Neil, that soon all I could think of was him. My work at
school began to suffer; I couldn't concentrate on what I
was teaching. Finally, I realized I needed to leave the
Cove - just for a time - so I could settle my heart once
and for all. Emma agreed to take over my classes, and
David promised to drive me to the train station, though
no one knew the reason why I was leaving.

"Christy, I would have an opprtunity with thee." It was
two days before I left. "Why did thee tell David no when
he proposed?"

"That's not quite the question I was expecting!" I
laughed. "It's simple, really. I didn't love him. I don't
love him; at least, not in that way. He's like an older
brother to me."

"Then who is it?" The question threw me off guard.

"What do you mean?" She leaned forward, eyes twinkling.

"David Grantland is quite the catch. Money, status, good
looks; a girl would either have to be crazy or in love to
refuse him."

I looked out over the mountain. "Well, I suppose you're
right. I'm in love wih these mountains - these people!"

"Or is it the doctor of these people?" she asked slyly.

"Miss Alice?"

"I've been watching thee for quite some time now. Thee
practically shines when Dr. MacNeill is around. Yes, I
know thee have tried to hide it, but Christy, everyone
but Dr. MacNeill knows."

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

The next afternoon Dr. MacNeill asked for me to meet him
at the McHones. He was going to give Iris her one-year
checkup, and thought I'd like to be there, Dan explained. I
was pleased he thought of me and hurried to the McHone
cabin as soon as I could.

The checkup was quick - Iris was "fine as frog's hair" -
and Dr. MacNeill offered me a ride to the mission, which I
accepted. The ride was uneventful until he stopped Charlie
dead on the trail.

"Christy."

"Doctor?"

"Why did you come to my cabin?"

"Excuse me?"

"The day David propsed, you came to my cabin. Why?"

I blushed, suddenly glad I was behind him. "Oh, well...I
needed to talk to you. But when I saw you were...busy,
I left."

He muttered under his breath, then got down and wrapped his
hands around my waist. Swinging me down, he asked, "Is that
why you were crying by the time you got to the school?" I
tried to get away, but he tightened his grip. "Christy, at
least five of the children told me you were crying before
Grantland proposed. Is what you saw by the river why?"

I grew frustrated. "Why should I care that you were letting
your wife come home? It's what I told her to do!"

He released his hold on me and backed up a step. "You
what?"

"I told her to go home - that you were worth fighting for."

He turned his back to me. "Isn't it ironic? Poor Margaret,
scared of dying alone, comes home to old reliable
Mac only because the mission teacher she's jealous of
tells her to." He laughed bitterly, then took a deep
breath. "Christy, I could never take Margaret back. Do you
really think I could forget all she did to me and let her
back in my house? She was the wife of my youth, yes, but
that person died years ago."

"Why are you telling me all this now?" I asked, sitting
on a nearby rock. He turned and looked at me.

"You were hurt. And I don't want you leaving because
of that."

My temper flared. The pride of this man! "Not everything
is about you. Believe me, Doctor, if that was my reason,
I would have left months ago!"

"Then why are you leaving?"

I turned away from him, playing with a stick I picked
up. "You wouldn't understand. You couldn't understand!"

"Make me understand, Christy! Blast it woman, you can't
just leave and not tell anyone why!"

I spun around, fire in my eyes. "I can and I will, Neil
MacNeill!" I ran toward the mission, but didn't get far. He
caught up to me in three strides, grabbed my shoulders,
and spun me around. The intensity in his eyes scared me.

"No - you - can't!" he whispered fiercely, then kissed me
long and hard, finally pulling away triumphantly.

"You...you..." I sputtered angrily, fighting the urge to
slap him. At last, I found my voice. "You are the reason
I'm leaving, Neil!If it weren't for your stupid Scottish
stubborness and pride that made oyu refuse to see God for
who He is, I wouldn't worry. But you won't believe, and I
can't continue my work until I deal with my divided heart."

His quiet reply broke into my tirade. "It doesn't have
to be."

I stared at him, not daring to believe I'd heard his
whisper. "What?" It didn't seem possible.

"I've been talking to David a lot lately, and a few weeks
ago, I finally prayed with him. I'm a Christian, lass."

"That...that's wonderful, Neil."

"Is that all?" He almost looked dissappointed.

"Neil, I need have a lot to think about right now. So
many things are rolling around inside. I need time to
take it all in."  He nodded, then helped me back up on
Charlie. Thankfully, he didn't try to talk on the way back.

When we arrived at the mission, I waited a moment before
sliding down. "Neil, I really am happy for you."

"I know Christy." Quickly, I leaned forward and kised him
on the cheek, then ran inside.

David drove me to the station the next morning. I studied
his face as he handled the team, feeling like I was seeing
him for the last time. I wanted to remember every detail.

"Christy, you haven't taken your eyes off me since we left
the mission. What is it?"

I shrugged. "I just can't help feeling I'm seeing you for
the last time." He glanced at me, surprised.

"Christy, I'm not going anywhere. If you don't see me
again, It's bacause you didn't come back." His reply
should have comforted me, but somehow it didn't. I let
the matter drop.

"Are you and Emma going to tell me when you finally pick
a date?"

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that. Emma wants
you to be her maid of honor, and she refuses to pick a
date until you come home!"

I smiled as a picture of Emma came to mind - her braid
flung over one shoulder, hands propped on her hips, and
her head tilted. Her eyes would be twinkling, yet sad at
the same time. The smile quickly gave way to a tear as
I remembered the same _expression no Neil's face when he
pleaded with me to explain my reasons for leaving.

"Christy?" I shook my head. It was in the past now.

"David, I would be honored to stand with Emma at our
wedding, but right now I don't know how long I'll be
staying. Tell her to pick a date - I'll do my best to
be there." I managed a wobbly smile, but I didn't fool
him. He stopped the team and faced me.

"Christy, you know you're like a sister to me. You can
trust me! What's wrong?" With that, the story literally
poured out of me. I told him everything I'd gone through
since Margaret's funeral - including yesterday's ride
with Neil. He took it all in stride, just listening and
being there.

"David, I want to believe him, but why wouldn't he tell me
before?" He sat for a moment, thinking about what I said.

"I don't know. But I think you're making a wise choice." He
started the team again and we rode the rest of the way in
silence, each thinking abuot what the other said.

The train made it on time, and before I boarded, David
stopped me. "Christy, if there's anything Emma or I
can do..."

"Pray for me. And keep an eye on Neil - make sure he takes
care of himself?"

He smiled knowingly. "I will." Suddenly I felt so grateful
for this man who was like a brother to me. I didn't know
what the future held, but I knew David - and Emma - would
be there to help me. He sensed how I was feeling and held
out his arms in invitation. As he hugged me, he whispered
softly, "I'll always be here if you need me" I tried not
to cry, and failed. "I loved you, my little sister."

"And I you, my brother!" With a kiss on his cheek, I ran
for the train. The tears poured down my cheeks as I took
a window seat. I didn't take my eyes from the window until
he was a speck on the horizon.

"Your fiance?" a voiec asked. I looked around and saw an
older gentleman watching me.

"No, a dear friend. He's the pastor of a nearby mission."

"Were you visiting?" I smiled at the thought of going to
Cutter Gap "just for a visit", as Cecil had done.

"No, I'm the schoolteacher. In fact, I'm on my way home for
a brief sabbatical."He nodded, then turned his attention
to the young woman beside him. I took out my sketchpad and
began to draw. The first was of David on the platform,
arm raised in salute. The second, Neil and the children
around his microscope.

Observing I was finished, the gentleman asked to see my
drawings. I willingly handed over the sketchpad, and he
flipped through it.

"You've drawn this man several times," he noted, handing
it back to me with Neil's picture on top.

"Another dear friend - Dr. Neil MacNeill." I blushed
a little, remembering the night before. "He's the only
Doctor within fifty miles of Cutter Gap."

"I see." Thankfully, the conductor announced Asheville
station just then. Excusing myself, I quickly gathered my
things and stepped off the train into my father's arms.

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

My first few days at home were spent calling on
friends. I would much rather have been at home, but Mother
insisted. My nights were not much better. Every time I
closed my eyes, I saw Neil's face.

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

I had been home for three days now, and Daddy was meeting
me at our favorite restaurant for lunch. When he arrived
fifteen minutes late, I wasn't really worried - he'd been
walking slower since his stroke. But when I saw his face,
I knew something was wrong.

"Daddy, what is it?" He sighed.

"Miss Henderson called not twenty minutes ago. There's
been some kind of accident and they need you as soon
as possible."

My knees went weak, and I sat down. "What...what kind of
accident?" My mind raced with possibilities. In Cutter Gap,
anything could happen. Daddy put his hand on my shoulder,
and looked me in th eye.

"I'm not sure Girlie. But it was something about David."

****correction to the last segment: Christy has been in
Asheville for three weeks - not three days. I forgot to
change it in the final copy.****

David. Oh, God, not David. It couldn't have been him! The
connection between Cutter Gap and Asheville was sometimes
bad - maybe Daddy heard wrong. But one look at his face
told me it was true.

My face crumpled, and I cried on my father's shoulder,
until finally he said, "Girlie, crying isn't going to
help David any. He's going to need you to be strong, and
so will Emma. Your mother's packing your bag. Let's get
you something to eat, and we'll pick up you bag on the
way to the station." I nodded, but it seemed an eternity
until I was on the train.

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

Neil met me at the station. No wagon, just him and
Charlie. It was faster that way.

"Neil, how is he?" He pulled me up behind his as I spoke.

"Resting now. He's hanging on, but barely."

The wind was in my face as we left town and "hit the trail"
to Cutter Gap.

"Neil, I have absolutely no idea what's going on. All
Miss Alice said was that there was an accident and he was
hurt. What happened?"

"Apparently, on his way back, he met two drunks fighting,
and one had a knife. He tried to get between them, so
the turned on him and left him lying in an alley. He was
there probably about two days before anyone realized he
was missing." He glanced over his shoulder. "Emma said
he was going to call on some folks in El Pano before
he returned." I nodded. That sounded like David. Neil
continued. "By the time Jeb found him, the wounds were
becoming infected. I did the best I could to clean them
out, but it spread. We didn't want to worry you, or make
you come home sooner, so we put off calling you. But
yesterday he took a turn for the worse, and Alice decided
it couldn't wait any longer." He glanced back at me again,
eyes weary. "It's just a matter of time, lass."

We reached the mission in record time, and I raced to
the sickroom. I saw Emma standing by the window, tears
flowing down her cheeks. I entered the room cautiously,
and whispered her name. "Emma?"

She turned and flew into my arms. "Christy - thank God
you're here. I...I think he's been wating for you."

I hugged her tightly, then held her at arm's length. "How
are you doing?"

She took a deep breath, then said in a shaky voice, "I'm
scared out of my whits. I can't lose him, Christy!" She
began crying.

"What are you crying for?" a weak voice came from the
bed. It was then that I noticed David lying in the bed
behind me. Emma hurried to his side, but I was rooted to my
spot. He looked terrible! Healing bruises still covered his
face, and I could see small cuts all over his face. I knew
the worst damage had been to his chest and sides, from them
stabbing and kicking him. It wasn't until he called my name
that I realized that I was staring. Emma had left the room.

"Christy, sit down." I quickly obeyed. "Neil told me I
might not...have long. I'm ready to go."

"But David, we ned you here!" He laughed, then wheezed.

"No you don't. Trust me...It'll be all right."

Emma soon returned with Miss Alice and Neil, and before I
knew what was happening, Emma and David were man and wife.

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

"Christy, David wants to see us...now." The urgency in
Miss Alice's voice told me what I feared.

"He's held on for two days, Miss Alice. Maybe he's getting
better." But I didn't need to see the doubt in her eyes
to know it wasn't so. Within minutes we were gathered in
David's room.

He looked around, hand in his bride's. "Neil...I'm sorry
I didn't...get to know you...very well...Alice...thank
you for...being there." His eyes brimmed with tears as he
looked at me and Emma. "Christy...please forgive me...last
September..."

"David, there's nothing left to forgive. I forgave you
long ago!"

He smiled. "Emma...I love you!" She was openly crying.

"I love you, too."

He closed his eyes. "Even, Neil?" I couldn't look at Neil,
or I feared I would cry.

"More than that, David." His brogue was
thick. "Brothers. Brothers in Christ."

David smiled weakly. "I like...the sound...of that...I
never...had...a brother..."

Neil sighed. Miss Alice stared blankly, tears rolling down
her face. I wrapped my arms around Emma, who was sobbing,
then leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Goodbye David."

"David Grantland - he followed his call," I read aloud. The
funeral had been a haze. I vaguely remembered Miss Alice
speaking, and Dr. Ferrand, but it wasn't until Emma and
Dr. Ferrand left on the next train that I realized it was
over. I had begged Emma to stay, but she explained the
memories were too hard to bear.

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

A few days later Neil found me in the bunkhouse, sorting
David's things. He sat on the bed and watched me a few
moments.

"Christy. Talk to me."

"I'm fine."

In response, he handed me a plate of turkey and gravy over
biscuits, a mug of tea, and a fork . "Eat." I did. Finally,
he sighed. "Christy..." The compasion in his voice did more
than any embrace could. The emotion I'd been holding in all
week let loose. Crumpling to the floor, I sobbed. I felt
Neil's strong arms wrap around me, holding me tightly;
his voice held the same soothing quality it had when he
spoke with the children as he murmerd words of comfort
to me. "Shhh...it's all right, Love; I'm here. Let it
all out."  Eventually the torrent of tears slowed, and I
reached for my handkerchief. "You want to talk?" I shook
my head. "all right, just listen then. Christy, sometimes
life isn't fair. Babies die because their mothers believe
a deadly superstition. An entire family dies of typhoid
- save a crippled child. Children go blind from a desease
that could have been prevented." He dropped his voice. "A
preacher is beaten to death for doing his job." He brushed
a hair off my face. "You can't spend your life being bitter
about it. You end up unlike and alone - like me."

I stared at him in shock. "Neil, you're not unliked! You're
the most respected man in the Cove!"

"Aye, but you don't see them lining up to marry me, now,
do you?" I smiled. We talked a long time about David. Some
things brought back bad memories (like the schoolhouse
incident), and others brought back good (like the love
he was learning to have for the Cove). I felt the tension
drain away as I leaned against Neil's chest and sighed.

"Neil, why did you wait so long before you told me about
your prayer?"

I felt his chest rumble as he spoke. "I don't know. Part of
me wanted to share it. But then there was another part that
was afraid." I turned to face him, wide eyed. "Aye. Strong
Doc MacNeill, afraid of a wee lass." Again his voice
dropped. "Afraid of her rejection."

I began feeling strange - almost sleepy. I stood and
walked out to the porch, hoping the breeze would wake me
up. Neil followed.

"I was so confused when I saw you and Margaret at the
river. I knew you should be together, yet at the same
time I was sad - almost jealous! I didn't want to admit
you were the reason. I wanted to think it was because
I wanted someone to love me enough to take me back, no
matter what - like I thought you had. But as time went on,
I realized how much I depended on you, especially after
Margaret died. That morning before the funeral, when you
asked me those questions, the only thing I knew for certain
was that I would pray as long as I needed to for you to
find your answers. I would worry about you constantly,
wondering if you were all right, praying you would open
your eyes to the truth. At the same time, I tried not to
care. Oh, how I tried. And yet, I couldn't help it; I was
- am - in love with you."

"And that's why you left?" I nodded, though I doubted he
could see it in the gathering darkness.

"I had to accept my feelings, get my priorities
straightened out. Then you took me to the McHones...can you
see why I doubted you? I couldn't understand why my best
friend didn't tell me about the most importent desicion
he'd ever made until weeks later, when he was afraid of
losing me." I faced him squarely and brushed a lock of
hair out of his eyes. "I wouldn't have rejected you, Neil."

His thick brogue betrayed the emotion that his face
didn't. "I know, Christy. I'm sorry." He wrapped his arms
around me and whispered, "I love you." I tried to answer
him, but my mouth wouldn't work. I felt myself falling
forward as blackness surrounded me.

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

I slowly opened my eyes to find I was in my bedroom, with
a light quilt covering me. Neil was fast asleep in the
chair beside my bed. He was so relaxed, I didn't want
to disturb him. However, I was grungy from working in
the bunkhouse the previous day, and I needed to at least
change my clothes before going downstairs! I sat up and
gently tapped his shoulder.

"Neil?" Slowly, he opened his eyes.

"Good morning!" he smiled, catching sight of my face.

"It's almost afternoon now!" I laughed. "Did you put
something in my dinner?"

He nodded. "That I did. I know how much you dislike
medicines, Lass, but it was only enough to make you
sleepy. Though you were so tense last night, I wondered
if it would be enough. But you needed it, Christy."

"Well, thank you. I haven't felt this good in...months. Now
go on. I need to get changed!"

He grinned as I pushed him towards the door, then softened
his gaze as he neared it. "I meant everything I said last
night, Christy." I nodded as he left the room, closing
the door behing him.

"I know," I whispered to the empty room.

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

I was greeted by silence when I finally emerged from
my room. Normally I would hear Ruby Mae chattering
incessantly, David teasing both her and Emma, or even Miss
Alice talking about her latest trip to Cataleechie or Big
Lick Springs. I made my way to the dining room, where I
found two notes.

"Christy and Neil,

Ruby Mae and I need to pick up some supplies in El Pano. We
should be back tomorrow evening, Lord willing.

Alice"

I smiled as I read the second note.

"Christy, I'm terribly sorry to leave you alone, but I
need to pick up a few things at my cabin. I'll be back as
soon as I can. Don't worry about me.

Love, Neil"

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

I wandered out to the kitchen where I found a pot of soup
on the back of the stove, but I didn't eat anything. I
decided to enjoy what was left of the day and went out to
the porch swing. It was quiet - too quiet for the mission.

"David should be coming in soon," I said aloud,
breaking the silence. With a shock, I realized what I
had said. No. David would not be coming in today, or
any other day. It finally became real to me. David was
gone. Forever. Sobs shook me.

I didn't hear Neil's approach until he was at my
side. "Christy, Love, what is it? Are you hurt?" I shook
my head. He continued questioning me. I knew he was getting
frustrated, but I couldn't stop crying. "Christy..."

"He's gone, and he's never coming back - and it's my
fault!" i finally cried out. "If I hadn't insisted on
going to Asheville when I had, he never would have met
those drunks!"

Neil sighed and put his arm around me, holding me
close. "Christy, it wasn't your fault. He chose to take
you to the station, just as he chose to get between those
drunks." His arm tightened a second. "Don't make yourself
guilty for that which you're innocent of."

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

I woke in the middle of the night to hear someone pounding
on the front door. Quickly throwing on a wrap, I tiptoed
downstairs and answered it. I was surprised to see a young
man - no more than twenty-four.

"Um, hello. Can I help you?"

His voice was low, with an accent I couldn't place. "I'm
looking for the Cutter Gap Mission. Is this it?"

"Yes." I suddenly realized I was leaving him on the
proch. "Please, come in. I'm afraid we weren't expecting
anyone at this time of night, but if you'll sit down, I'll
be with you in just a moment." He smiled his thanks, and
I flew upstairs, leaving him to shut the door.

*******************************************************
(Author's note: Neil was staying in Miss Ida's old room
while Alice and Ruby Mae were gone.)

"Neil. Neil!" I tapped on his door. A few moments later
itswing open, revealing a fully clothed Neil.

"What is it?"

"There's a man downstairs - said he's looking for the
mission. Culd youtalk to him a minute while I change?" I
spoke quickly.

He yawned, then nodded. "Where is he?"

"The parlor, I think."

"Five minutes?" I nodded, then ran to my room.

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

"So, Mr. Preston, what brings you to Cutter Gap?" Neil
asked. I could hear the men speaking before I got to
the parlor.

"Please, it's Mike. Actually, Doctor, I'm a
minister. Dr. Ferrand is a good friend of the family, and
he's asked me to come out to see Cutter Gap for some time
now. When I heard about Reverand Grantland's passing, I
knew this was where I needed to be."

I was halfway in the room by this time, but Reverand
Preston's words stopped me in my tracks. I felt the
blood drain fom my face. Both men stood, watching me with
concerned expressions.

"Christy?" I shook my head at Neil's questioning look.

"I'm fine. It's nothing." He didn't look convinced, but let
them matter drop. I felt the stranger's eyes on me as Neil
guided me to a nearby chair, then sat in the chair beside
me. I noticed the concerned look hadn't left his eyes.

"Christy," he began, "This is Reverand Michael
Preston. Mike, this is Miss Christy Huddleston - our
schoolteacher."

"It's nice to meet you, Reverand Preston." I said through
a plastic smile.

"Please, it's Mike. I could say the same Miss Huddleston. I
was just telling Dr. MacNeill that I heard about Reverand
Grantland's passing. I'm truly sorry. I hope you won't
see me as trying to take his place - merely continuing
his work." I nodded, but said nothing.

As Reverand Preston and Neil talked, I completed a mental
assesment of the stranger to our circle. He was about
the same height as David, but there the similarities
ended. Light grey eyes instead of brown, and his very
blonde hair was cropped short. One could tell he was
used to hard work by his large, calused hands and chipped
fingernails. But that voice!

"Excuse me, Reverand Preston," I interrupted. "But may I
ask where you're from? I mean..."

"My accent? Well, let's see. I was born in Ireland, but
when I was four we immigrated to Brooklyn. Five years later
we moved to a farm in the Birmingham area of Alabama,
where my parents still live. I only left the farm four
years ago for seminary in Philadelphia. So I've acquired
a bit of an accent, as you can tell." He grinned, and I
couldn't help smiling back.

"If I may, Mike, you seem a little young to be a
preacher. How old are you?"

His grin grew wider. "Twenty-eight last week, doctor."

I believe the conversation would have gone much later, but
an enormous yawn that threatened to split my jaw cut it
short. Neil offerd his room to the newcomer, saying he'd
sleep in Ruby Mae's room.

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

In my nightgown once again, I sat at my mirror and idly
brushed my hair as my thoughts ran. Why hadn't Dr. Ferrand
sent us a warning? We had nowhere to put him right now -
the bunkhouse was still full of David's things.

A sounded at my door. "Christy?" Neil called softly.

"Come in." He entered slowly. "I don't like it. How could
Dr. Ferrrand send someone without letting us know? I don't
like it, and I don't like him." I spun around and began
rearrainging things on my dressertop.

"What happened to your policy of giving people a
chance? How do you know you won't like him - you don't
know him!"

I faced him angrilly. "How can he just waltz in here and
expect to take David's place?"

He sighed. "Christy. He's not trying to take David's
place. Someone needs to feed these people the Word, and
in case you haven't noticed, we don't exactly have people
lining up to take the job." I had to admit he was right.

"All right. I will be polite, and I will try to be
friendly."

"That's better." He hugged me, then pressed a kiss to my
forehead. "Now, get some sleep."

I smiled. "I'll try."

"Goodnight, lass."

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

The next day passed slowly. I finished sorting David's
things, but, unwilling as I was to let the newcomer in
"David's" bunkhouse, I took as much time possible to clean
under the bed. I had often wondered why David never let
aanyone in the bunkhouse, and now I knew why. He was a
packrat! Every nook and cranny was filled with things he'd
acquired during his three years in the cove. Surprisingly,
though, there was only one thing under his bed - a large
steel box. I pulled it out and found another surprise -
it was unlocked. Inside were three lage journals - one for
each year he was in Cutter Gap. I found the first one and
began reading:

<"Arrived in CG today. When they said it was a backward
place, I had no idea they meant this! How will I make my
place here?">

I continued reading, blushing a little when I got to his
first impression of me:

<"The new teacher arrived today. The poor girl looked
like a drowned rat. I don't know what Ben Pentland was
thinking when he brought her up in the pouring rain! I
have to admit though - I admire her spunk!">

I read on, not noticing the time fly by. Finishing the
first journal, I picked up the second.

<"No one makes me smile or drives me mad like she does. Why
can't I get her to see we're perfect for each other? If
it wern't for MacNeill confusing her all the time, with
his moonlight rondevous and fishing lessons, she would
have said yes by now."

"MacNeill's wife is still alive. I almost feel bad for
the man - she's been running around with that Teddy
Harland. But at least now he doesn't have a chance with
Christy."

"I've made up my mind. MacNeill can't have her - his wife
is still alive. He's got to let her go, and I told him
so today.">

"So that's how David knew," I mused aloud.

"That's how he knew what?" a voice called from the doorway.

I looked up to see Reverand Preston watching me from the
doorway. "Reverand Preston...I didn't hear you come in! Can
I help you with something?"

He indicated the bed and asked, "Do you mind?"

"Not at all," I lied. He picked his way through the maze
of packing crates to the bed, and sat down.

"Dr. MacNeill had to leave - said he'd be back for dinner
though.

"Oh. Thank you." He watched me for a moment, then cleared
his throat.

"Miss Huddleston, is there something bothering you?"

'He's as observant as Neil,' I thought. "No, I'm fine,"
I lied again.

In response, he leaned closer to me and whispered, "You
shouldn't lie to a man of the cloth, Miss Huddleston." My
breath caught in my throat as I remembered reading those
very same words in David's journal. I stared at him, unable
to respond.

A noise in the yard finally broke whatever trance I had
been in, and I rushed outside to greet Miss Alice and Ruby
Mae. I quickly introduced the women to our new reverand,
then excused myself to start dinner. Ruby Mae followed
me, of course.

"Miz Christy, ain't it jes the most wondrous thing ya
ever heerd?"

Wondering what news the teenager held, I replied, "Isn't
what the most wonderful thing I've ever heard?"

"Why, thet - "

"Ruby Mae!" Miss Alice called, a tone of warning in her
voice. The redhead blushed.

"Sorry Miz Alice." After that, no matter how much I pried,
the girl's mouth stayed shut.

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

By the time dinner was ready, another wagon arrived. I
heard Neil's voice, then...Emma's! I burst out the door
and hugged her as tightly as I could.

"Emma!"

"I couldn't stay away!" she laughed. "I missed our
mountains - missed being close to David. It's silly, I
know, but he taught me to love the mountains, and I'm not
leaving here again until the day I die!"

Hugs and introductions were made, then the two men unloaded
the wagons. I recognised my satchel as one of the things
on Neil's wagon. In everything that had happened, I had
forgotten it at the station.

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

Later that night Emma and I were talking in my room. At
first, we discussed how long we would wait to open school
again, but then the conversation moved to other things.

"You really don't like him, do you?" she asked.

"Who?"

She tossed a wadded up piece of paper at me. "Mike."

I dodged, then sighed. "I don't know. Part of me wants to
give him a chance. But the other part says I hurt too much
to let him."

"And how do you think I feel, Christy? It was my husband
that died. And what about Alice? She helped him through
his struggles and doubts, helped him become the person he
ended up being. And Neil - he had two years of constant
competition and jealousy that he now regrets. Don't you
think we're hurting? Get off yourself, Christy - it's not
always about you!"

For the second time today, I sat stunned and unable to
respond. By the time I found my voice, Emma had left.

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