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.

 * * * * * *


TITLE: No Surprise
Author: # 4

* * * * * *


Neil kept his jaw clenched as he neatly folded his stethoscope
back on itself and tucked it into his saddle bags.  He was too
angry to look at Fairlight, so he fidgeted with the buckle while
he assured her that Clara's summer cold was completely gone. 
Fairlight sent her daughter skipping outside to play with the
other children.  Neither spoke for a long, uncomfortable moment. 
Finally she broke the silence, standing before him with her hands
on her hips.

"Neil MacNeill, you got no call to be so mad at me!  A body'd
think I killed your granny, the way you're takin' on."  Fairlight
spoke adamantly, but her lips betrayed a smile.

He remained seated at the table, tilting his eyes up at her
suspiciously.

"Why're you so hot and bothered?" she asked.  "'Tain't no secret
you two're sweet on each other, is it?"  Neil looked away.  "You
mean to tell me you don't even want Christy to know?"

"That's not the point!  How is it that you just happened to tell
her my birthday is next month?  Which one of you brought up the
subject in the first place?"

"I guess 'twas her.  She told me her momma had a birthday last
month, and then she talked about the play-parties she used to
have when she was livin' in Asheville.  She told me when her
daddy's and her brother's birthdays was."

"And then she very innocently asked about mine!  Fairlight, you
surely know her by now.  Don't you see how she manipulated the
whole conversation?"

"I see a man who's frettin' cause his sweetheart wanted to know
when his birthday was.  What're ya so worried about?"

She picked up a large bowl of string beans and headed out to the
porch, where she sat and began snapping off the stems. 
Frustrated, Neil followed her, with the saddle bags dangling from
his fingers.  Fairlight's amused grin proved to him that she and
Christy were plotting some kind of surprise.

"You don't know what city folk are like, Fairlight.  They make a
big fuss over birthdays.  I want none of it."

"Maybe she was just curious."

"Then why didn't she ask me?  You said she was here three days
ago, and I've seen her since then.  Why hasn't she said anything
about it?"

Fairlight's chuckle only served to convince Neil that the two
women had devised a plan.  It was useless to argue further.  His
feet landed heavily on the steps as he descended.

"You worry too much!"  The delight in her voice annoyed him even
more.

 * * *

Neil approached the school house quietly.  He'd just returned
after several days away, and Alice had told him Christy was
working at the school.  The children couldn't be more eager for
the coming year than their teacher.

The doors were wide open to let in the breeze.  Though the
morning had been pleasantly cool, the day was rapidly heating up
as noontime neared, and hogs had congregated beneath the building
to escape the bright August sunshine.  As Neil climbed the steps,
he heard Christy call out, "Hush, you hogs!"

He entered with a grin.  "I beg your pardon?"  Christy was
surrounded by stacks of books and supplies, and looked up with an
eager smile that made him catch his breath.  He'd only been gone
for a few days, but at this moment it seemed too long since he'd
seen her.

"Hello, Neil."  Her eyes fastened on his as he came down the
center aisle.  She stretched out her hand, but before he reached
her he heard quick footsteps behind him.  They both turned to
look as Zady and Clara Spencer bounded into view.  Their brother,
Least'un, was a few steps behind.

The three children stood panting in the doorway.  "Howdy,
Teacher.  Howdy, Doc MacNeill," said Zady.  "We finished all our
chores at home, and Mama's teachin' Lulu to quilt.  Can we help
ya get ready for school?"

"That would be very nice."  Christy moved toward them, letting
her skirts brush against Neil's high boots.  He inhaled the light
scent of her perfume.  She paused a few steps past him.  "Let me
see, I was going to wash all the desks and the blackboards. 
Would you like to do that for me?"

"Oh yes, ma'am!"

Christy sent them running to the house to gather buckets, brushes
and rags, and then turned to greet Neil again.

"I haven't seen you for a long time."  She reached for his hand,
and tilted her face up for a kiss.

"I missed you, too."  Neil gladly stooped to kiss her cheek, and
then kept his face against hers for a little longer.  As he
straightened up, Christy held his hand firmly, keeping him close.
 "I'd just come back from Lyleton," he said, "when I was called
to Lufty Branch for a boy who'd broken his leg.  I didn't get
home again until late last night  -- that's why I missed church."

Christy linked her fingers with Neil's and led him toward her
desk.  "I wondered if you were playing hooky.  I hope you can
stay for a while."

"I'll try.  You're busy here, I see."

"It's nearly September, Neil.  School begins in two days."  She
released his hand and began to transfer books to the shelves
along the wall.  He picked up a tall stack and followed her. 
"I'd love to have you give a lecture to the children sometime
soon."

"I'd be delighted, but I've been putting off a visit to Low Gap. 
I thought I might go there next week."

She paused as she reached for a book from his arms.  "How soon
will you be back?"

Something in her tone awoke his suspicion.  He answered slowly. 
"It's hard to say.  I usually stay a few days.  Why?"  He hadn't
spoken to Christy about his discussion with Fairlight, and now
all his apprehension came rushing back.

"I just wondered --"

"Christy, I want to ask you something.  Are you thinking of some
sort of birthday party for me?"

She didn't have time to mask her surprise; her wide eyes and open
mouth gave him an answer.  Neil felt a grim satisfaction.  He
shook his head sternly.

"Please," he said, "whatever you're planning -- don't."

He knew she was annoyed at being discovered.  She crossed her
arms and tried to reply innocently.  "What makes you think I'm
planning anything?"

"I heard it from the very person who told you my birthday in the
first place."  Neil set down the remaining books and rested his
hands on her shoulders.  Christy squirmed a little uncomfortably
under his steady gaze.  "I know you want to do something for me,
but I'd rather you didn't."

"Neil, what's so wrong about celebrating your birthday?  Were you
going to let the seventh pass by and never say a word to me?"

"To me it's just a day.  I don't want any fuss."  He slid his
hands to her arms, but she shrugged out of his grip and turned to
the desk, absently fingering the supplies there.  "I mean it,
Christy."  Why did she insist on having her way?

"I don't understand --"  Christy stopped short as they heard the
Spencer children returning.  After a severe glance, she left Neil
at the desk and briskly walked to the door.  Zady and Clara
lugged buckets of water, and Least'un's arms were loaded with
rags, brushes and soap.

Neil waited at the front of the room while she showed the three
children how to open each desk to scrub it inside and out, and
then watched as they began to work.  She wouldn't even look in
his direction as she slowly wound her way to the front and
continued shelving the text books.

Finally Neil caught her arm.  "Can we talk outside?" he
whispered.  Christy nodded without meeting his eye.

"Zady, will you watch the others while Dr. MacNeill and I step
out for a few minutes?"

"Yes ma'am, we can work just fine by ourselves."  Zady's head
bobbed, and the younger children looked up in agreement.  Neil
noticed the glances and grins between the sisters.

As soon as Neil and Christy reached the yard, they were met by
the intense heat of the sun.  Neil nodded toward the trees behind
the building, and she silently followed him into the shade.

They'd only gone a few steps into the woods when Christy
confronted him.  "Neil, why are you so set against any kind of
celebration?  I don't understand.  Can't your friends wish you
well on your birthday?"

"I hope they wish me well every day.  It's not our way to take
any special notice."  Christy met his eye without blinking as he
continued.  "I want you to promise me you won't have any kind of
surprise or party."

Christy set her jaw.  "Don't you trust me?"

"I know you."

"And what does that mean?"

Neil had kept his voice calm, but he couldn't avoid a hard edge
of annoyance now.  "When you get an idea in your head, it's
impossible to change your mind.  Everyone else has got to change
to do things your way."

"That's not true!"

"Isn't it?"

"You're the one who's stubborn, Neil MacNeill,"  she said,
pointing her finger at him.  "You're so sure I'm going to do
something terrible; you don't trust me.  I still don't know
what's wrong with celebrating your birthday."

"How can I say it any clearer -- I don't want a party!"

"Well that's fine, because you certainly don't deserve one!" 
Christy spun on her heel and headed further into the woods.

"Christy!"  Neil was right behind her.  When he touched her
shoulder she swirled to face him, with her hands on her hips.  He
turned up his palms, and tried to reason with her.

"Christy, I don't want to fight.  Can't we agree?"  His voice was
low again, but Christy was still breathless with anger.

"Of course!  We agree that a party would be the worst thing that
could happen on your birthday.  Maybe you should stay in Low Gap,
and we'll have a party without you."  Her eyes were bright with
tears, though she blinked them back.

Neil suddenly winced as he realized he'd hurt her.  She only
meant to please him, and he'd roughly stopped her.  Christy tried
to walk away again, but he caught one of her hands and pressed it
in both of his.

"I'm sorry, Christy, I'm sorry.  You wanted to do something nice
for me, and I didn't explain myself very well, did I?  It's just
that I'd much rather spend that day with you."

At first she resisted his gentle tug, but finally allowed Neil to
take both hands and draw her near.  She closed her eyes as he
leaned his forehead against hers.  They stood quietly.  A soft
breeze brushed over them.

It was a long time before he drew back.  "Friends?" he asked
softly.  She nodded, still solemn as she studied his face.  Their
eyes met and he knew her anger had evaporated, though her
disappointment was still painfully clear.

 * * *

"Anybody home?"  Neil tried to peek into the parlor windows of
the mission house as he tethered Charlie to the porch rail. 
Though classes had started nearly a week ago, the school and yard
were empty, and the house was still.

"In here!" came Christy's voice from the kitchen.  Neil leapt up
the stairs and leaned into the open doorway.  Fairlight and
Christy were busy at the table.

"Ladies."  His eyes roved over a mess of apple peels, flour dust,
bowls, and dirty utensils, and then came to rest on Christy as
she wiped her hands on her apron.  Fairlight was spreading a
cheesecloth across some pies.

"Hello, Doctor," said Christy.  She scanned the table with a
slight frown, as though she was searching, and then began to
collect the peels.

"The place is very quiet this afternoon."  Neil looked
questioningly at Christy.

"Dr. Ferrand is expected at El Pano," she replied.  "David and
Miss Alice went to meet him."  She moved around the table,
stacking bowls.

"Am I interrupting your work?" Neil asked.  When neither woman
would meet his eye, he guessed they were concealing something.

Fairlight's elbow poked into Christy's side.  "We're all done
here.  Why don't you two go on, and let me finish supper."  He
saw a glance pass between them, and then Fairlight gave Christy a
push with her hip.  Christy pulled off her apron and wiped her
hands once more.

"Thanks for your help, Fairlight," she said as Neil stood aside
for her to pass.  She turned once to glance back at Fairlight,
and then slipped her arm under Neil's, took a step toward the
yard and looked up with a smile.  She clearly wanted to keep him
away from the house.  The light touch of her hand and the promise
of her company were persuasion enough.  He bent his elbow to hold
her close and strolled toward the footbridge.

Though Christy had promised not to surprise him with a party,
Neil suspected she was still plotting something for his birthday,
which was tomorrow.  He had his own plan, and intended to
celebrate in his own way with her alone.  Neil resolved he
wouldn't lose his temper today, nor provoke Christy's, but she
must be persuaded to give up these plans, whatever they were.  It
was best to approach the subject gradually.

"I wondered why the school was so quiet," he said.  "You're
usually at your desk, or with the children, aren't you?"

"I let the children go home a little early."  Her answer sounded
rehearsed.  "Fairlight had some time today, and offered to help
me with my baking.  The pie crust always gives me trouble, but
little by little I'm improving."

"Don't underestimate yourself."

Christy playfully poked his arm.  "Thank you, Doctor.  Will you
put your faith to the test and stay for supper?"  Was she
planning a surprise for tonight?  Neil studied her face as he
replied.

"I've another call to make, and then I promised to eat with
Hattie.  In fact, I came to invite you, too."

Her disappointment was genuine.  "Oh, I wish I could go with you,
but I should be here for Dr. Ferrand."  They reached the
footbridge, but instead of continuing, Christy turned to face
Neil.  "You will come tomorrow, won't you?"

"For my surprise party?"

He hoped to catch her off guard, but Christy smiled sweetly,
deepening his suspicion.  "At least you can joke about it.  I
mean, will you be here to teach a lesson at school?  You told me
you'd come tomorrow."

"Yes, I'll be here."

"And supper?"  She lifted his hand and rubbed her cheek along the
back of it.

Neil kept his eyes on hers, but he felt his resolve weakening. 
Her skin was so soft.  "Christy, were you and Fairlight talking
about my birthday just now?"

"Maybe a little."  She rushed on before he could protest.  "Neil,
you have to trust me.  I know you don't want a party, but I'm not
going to ignore the fact that it's your birthday tomorrow.  I
can't."

This wasn't working out as he'd hoped.  "Why won't you tell me
what you're up to?"  He tried to speak as sternly as possible,
yet he felt himself yielding as she brushed her lips across his
fingers.

He stood passively as Christy's arms slid around his neck.  She
very slowly stretched up to kiss his chin, and then his lips. 
When she drew back, he must have stared stupidly, because she
laughed and gently patted his cheek.  "For a man who says he
doesn't want any fuss," she said, "you're very interested in my
surprise."

 * * *

The afternoon light framed Christy in the doorway.  Neil leaned
back against the desk and rolled up his sleeves as he answered
the questions of the children clustered around him.  He looked
over their heads and grinned at their teacher as she approached
the group.

His lesson to the children had been about debating.  It was
several weeks ago, searching through his library for lecture
ideas, when he'd been drawn to a book on logic and forensics. 
Notes in his own handwriting reminded him of intense debates in
which he and his classmates had taken part.  His recent sparring
with Christy reinforced the idea.

It didn't surprise him that Creed Allen was full of enthusiasm. 
"Can we git up our own debatin' team, Doc?  Let's make two teams
and debate each other.  Resolved, that coons are better pets than
hound dogs."  Sam Houston's mouth opened to protest, but Creed
ignored him and turned to Christy.  "Teacher, did you debate when
you was in school, like Doc MacNeill did?"

"No, but my brother is on a debating team in his school.  And
I've had plenty of experience debating with --"

"With the Doc?" asked Creed.  The other children giggled.  Neil
winked at Christy, and smiled as he saw her color rising.

"I was going to say with my father, who's a lawyer."  She mussed
the boy's hair, and then smoothed it down again.  The children
were energetic, but Christy kept them under control.  At her
bidding, they thanked Dr. MacNeill for the lesson, and then were
dismissed into the afternoon sunshine.

When they were alone, Neil helped her straighten the classroom. 
A glance at the sun showed he had plenty of time before supper. 
He wanted that time with Christy.

She slid a few books into her satchel.  "Thank you for coming
today, Neil.  I never know what you're going to talk about, but
it's always fascinating.  I wonder, were you thinking of us when
you chose this topic?  Do we debate or do we argue?"  She settled
the satchel's strap on her shoulder and looked sideways at him,
her eyes sparkling with mischief.  "Or do we fight?"

Neil chuckled and shook his head.  "Well, I don't recall that our
recent discussions were based on logic."

"And whose fault would that be?"

"Who said anything about fault?  In fact, I enjoy our
conversations, whether or not we agree.  Christy," he said,
reaching for his saddle bags, "do you have time for a walk with
me now, if you're not too busy with -- whatever it is you're
planning?"  The thought had been on his mind all day, and now
slipped out before he could stop.

Christy had begun strolling toward the door, but she turned to
face him, laughing.  "Neil MacNeill, you are positively terrified
that I might surprise you with a party!  I expect a full apology
when you see what --"

Her words were interrupted by a scream from outside.  Neil dashed
to the door, and scanned the yard.  He ran toward a rapidly
growing huddle of children.

"Stand aside!"  The crowd parted as he headed for the two boys
lying on the ground.  Creed Allen rose to his knees, while Zack
Holt writhed in pain, crying and clutching at his left shoulder.

"Hold still Zack, let me get a look."  The boy's arm was at a
crazy angle to the rest of his body, and Neil immediately saw
that he'd dislocated the shoulder.  Christy ordered the children
further back, and knelt on the other side of Zack.  A quick
examination and a few questions proved that no bones were broken.
 It wasn't too serious, though he had to act quickly before
swelling set in.  He met Christy's eyes briefly, and then
explained the situation to both her and the groaning boy.

"It's a simple dislocation of the shoulder -- the bones of the
joint have separated.  I need you to be brave, Zack.  I'm going
to push the bones back into place.  It'll hurt a lot, but once
it's done you'll feel much better.  Miss Huddleston, let's sit
him up, and you can stay by his side.  Good.  Just rest against
Miss Christy."

His eye caught the nervous movement of a very frightened and
guilty-looking Creed Allen.

"Doc, all we was doin' --"

"Save that for later."  Neil turned back to his patient.  Christy
was gently stroking the boy's hair and whispering encouragement
to him.  He'd stopped crying and was much calmer.  Neil could
tell Christy was worried, yet she'd given courage to Zack.  Neil
nodded his thanks to her.

"Ready?"  Zack squeezed his eyes shut and set his jaw.  Neil knew
it hurt like the devil, but the boy didn't cry out as Neil
carefully pushed the bone back into the socket.  What a relief to
feel and hear it slip into its normal place.  Zack's release of
his breath showed that he was relieved as well.

"You did very well, Zack, you'll be all right now.  Just relax." 
He gently bandaged the boy's shoulder, and then wrapped the arm
against his chest to immobilize it.  Christy used that time to
question Creed.

"Honest, Teacher, we was only wrastlin', jus' like we always do."
 Creed fidgeted and looked pleadingly at the other children, who
nodded in agreement.  "Then all of a sudden, I heerd a kinda pop,
and then Zack was yellin'.  I never meant for ta hurt him."

"I'm sure you didn't, Creed," she said.  "Thank God that Dr.
MacNeill was here, and knew just what to do."  Her confidence in
him had always been somewhat humbling, as well as uplifting. 
Neil held back a smile.

Creed was somber.  "Yes'm.  I'm real sorry, Zack.  Ya ain't mad
at me?"

"Naw, guess not."  Zack's voice was steady now, but Neil didn't
want him to move about too freely just yet.

While Christy sent the crowd of onlookers home, Neil turned to
the other Holt children hovering nearby.  "Becky, can you bring
my horse here?  Your brother's going to ride home."

Neil left Zack sitting on the ground, and stepped aside with
Christy.  "Miss Huddleston, will you ride with the lad on Charlie
to keep him steady?  I don't want him slipping around in the
saddle."  He also wanted to be assured of her company on the ride
back.

"Of course, Doctor."

She still looked worried, so Neil gently squeezed her shoulder
and said, "He'll be fine."  His voice dropped to a whisper.  "At
least I get to spend my birthday with you."

 * * *




"It couldn't be helped, Christy."  Neil craned his neck to
glimpse her face, but she was sitting too close behind him on the
horse.  "We had to move slowly to keep from jarring the lad's
shoulder.  And I had to be sure his mother knew what to do for
him."

"I know," came her quiet reply, "but I wanted -- I was hoping
to--"

Neil wanted to stop the horse, climb down, and take Christy in
his arms, but she was agitated about getting back to the mission
so late; he'd only cause her more distress by a further delay. 
"Can't you tell me what you've been planning?"  Neil lifted her
hand and kissed it.

She took several deep breaths.  "It wasn't a party -- honestly,
Neil, it wasn't."  The tightness in her voice stung his
conscience.

"I owe you an apology, love.  I've been an ogre, haven't I?"

She was silent for a while, and he thought he'd better stop after
all.  Christy's hands dropped from his waist and she sat up
straight, not touching him.  Neil braced himself for her tears or
anger.  "More like a troll," she said.

"A what!"  He swiftly twisted in the saddle.  She wasn't smiling,
but he caught a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"Or maybe I mean a gargoyle."

Neil let out a short laugh.  "How about a troglodyte?"

"That sounds perfect.  Dr. Troglodyte MacNeill."  She paused, and
then spoke seriously.  "Oh Neil, I'd never try to embarrass you. 
I only wanted to have dinner together, at the gazebo.  I -- I
made something special for you."

"Is that what you and Fairlight were so sly about yesterday?  Was
it the apple pie?"

She answered with pressure of her arms on his waist.  "I can't
tell you.  It's nearly dark, but maybe, could we --"

"Why don't we carry our supper out to the schoolhouse?  It's not
very romantic, but we'll light the lanterns, and have the whole
place to ourselves."  He reached for her hand.  "What do you
think?"

In reply, he felt a kiss on his neck.

 * * *

As they climbed the steps to the porch, Neil glimpsed Alice,
David, and Dr. Ferrand seated at the table inside.  The two men
rose as Christy entered the dining room.  Dirtied plates and
serving dishes were scattered about the table.  Supper was long
over.

"Please don't get up," said Christy.

"Miss Huddleston.  Dr. MacNeill."  Dr. Ferrand seemed to be in a
genial mood.  "Ruby Mae gave us a rather confusing account of the
accident at school, but I gathered that one of the children was
injured."

Neil nodded briefly.  "Yes, Zack Holt's shoulder was dislocated,
but the lad'll be all right.  He should be back at school in a
day or two."

Dr. Ferrand seated himself again.  "You've missed a delicious
meal.  Mrs. Spencer has outdone herself tonight, though I
understand that we must thank you, Miss Huddleston, for this
excellent pie."  He pulled a dish into view from behind the
flower vase.  About a third of a pie was left.

Christy's sharp gasp surprised Neil.  Her hand flew to her mouth,
and she stepped back, nearly tripping as she bumped into him.  He
steadied her, but she excused herself and was gone before anyone
could say a word.

"What happened to her?" asked David, staring after her.

Neil didn't answer.  He was already on his way out the door. 
She'd run across the breezeway into the kitchen, and slammed the
door behind her.  He opened it cautiously.  Christy's back was to
him, and Ruby Mae was in the midst of a tearful explanation.

"I tried, Miss Christy, Lord knows I tried to stop 'em.  I didn't
forget what you an' Mrs. Spencer told me 'bout that pie.  No one
was to have it but --"  She glanced guiltily at Neil, and her
voice dropped.  "-- but Doc MacNeill.  But the Preacher come in
here after Mrs. Spencer was gone, hungry as all get-out, and then
Dr. Ferrand, and they made me do it."  She backed away.  "Ya got
to believe me!  I couldn't mortally stop 'em."

Christy spun as Neil stepped into the kitchen.  His heart rose
into his throat when he saw her face.  That pie had been her
special gift for him.  After all his resistance, it must be a
bitter disappointment to see her one effort foiled.  He let her
pass as she ran out into the yard.

Neil whispered a few instructions to Ruby Mae, and then followed
Christy.  She stood at the fence of the vegetable garden, arms
crossed, staring into the darkness.  She tensed when he laid his
hand on her back, but gradually relaxed as he quietly stroked her
arms.  After a minute she leaned back against his chest.  He
settled his chin on her soft hair, waiting for her to speak.

"It's ruined, and I wanted it to be so nice for you."  There was
a tremor in her voice.

"Nothing's ruined, love.  Why don't you tell me about it."

She sighed heavily.  "It was a pecan pie that David and Dr.
Ferrand ate.  I made it for you."

"I love pecan pie."

"I know.  Fairlight told me it's your favorite, and I got the
pecans delivered specially.  We made the pie yesterday, with
Jeb's honey.  The apple pies were supposed to be for the others."

Neil stepped around Christy to face her.  Her arms were still
folded tightly, hugging herself sadly.  "Thank you, Christy.  I
can't imagine all the trouble you went to.  How did you ever find
pecans at this time of year?"  He finally saw the beginning of a
smile on her face.  "And you had to put up with my troglodyte
behavior."  Now she even laughed, though her smile faded quickly.

He held out his hand, and she readily placed hers in it.  "Don't
be sad, Christy.  I promise you the party's not ruined."

"But now I have no --"

"You didn't notice, but Ruby Mae and the Reverend carried out
some trays to the schoolhouse for us.  Wait a minute and you'll
see."  Soon they saw David holding a light high for Ruby Mae as
they came back toward the house.  The girl peeked timidly at
Christy as David handed the lantern to Neil.  Christy hugged her
in forgiveness, speaking quiet words that brought a smile back to
Ruby Mae's face.

When David and Ruby Mae had disappeared into the house, Neil
offered his arm to Christy.  "Shall we go to dinner?"

 * * *

"Ferrand was right; this is an excellent pie," said Neil as he
poked his fork at the last pecan in the pie plate.  "I only wish
the man had left more of it for us."

"More coffee?"

"Nothing, thank you.  Everything was delicious, Christy.  I
couldn't have asked for a lovelier evening."  Neil slid his chair
around the desk so that they were sitting together.  He stretched
his arm across the back of her chair, and she leaned comfortably
against him.  Neil savored the peace of their silence as much as
he had enjoyed their conversation during the meal.

"Neil."

"Mmm?"

"Will you tell me why you were so set against a birthday party?" 
There was no accusation in her voice -- only curiosity.  She
didn't look up at him, but nestled a little closer.  He let his
arm slip around her waist.

"This is the kind of celebration I prefer.  However, I'll be glad
to give you a party on March fourteenth if you want one."  Her
head snapped around and her mouth opened in surprise that he knew
her birthday.  "Besides," he continued with a grin, "don't I get
a wish on my birthday?"

Her voice was shy.  "You mean, to be here together?"

"That's your sweet present to me."  His heart was full as he
pressed his lips against her forehead.  "My wish is to give
something to you, and I don't want a crowd about us."

"But it's your birthday.  Why should I get a present?"  Though
she protested, she was clearly pleased.

"To make me happy."

Neil was enjoying the anticipation of his own surprise.  He held
her close for another moment, then rose and cleared a space on
the desk.  He forced himself to speak casually, pointing to the
bookshelf closest to them.  "I brought it with me this
afternoon," he said.  "You never noticed it there, did you?" 
Christy spun in her chair, and darted to the shelf to retrieve a
large object in a sack.  He smiled as she eagerly reached inside.

"I should have guessed from the fancy wrapping paper that this
was a present."  She inhaled sharply when the title of the book
was revealed.  "Audubon's 'Birds of America'," she whispered. 
Her fingers lightly touched the volume's cover, and then opened
it carefully.

Neil watched over her shoulder as she gazed at one illustration
after another.  Finally she turned to face him, beaming with
delight.  He'd known Christy would be pleased, but he was
surprised by his own joy.

"Oh Neil, it's beautiful.  The children will be thrilled."

He drew her closer and kissed the end of her nose.  Of course she
would think of the children.  "Almost as thrilled as you?"

"I love it.  Thank you, Neil."  She hugged him tightly, pressing
her cheek against his chest.  "I know this was very expensive. 
It's -- it's too much."

"It's not enough."  He kept an arm on her shoulder as he opened
the large book to the flyleaf and pointed to a few lines he'd
written.

She read aloud.  "To Christy Huddleston, with many thanks.  Neil
MacNeill."  He'd spent hours trying to decide on the inscription,
and worried now that it was all wrong, too brief.  But Christy's
finger traced slowly over the words, and smile grew on her lips. 
As she looked up, he understood the question in her eyes before
she spoke.  "Why?" she asked.  "I'm the one who owes you many
thanks."

He shook his head and smiled.  Didn't she realize how much he
needed her?  "Christy, I can't begin to tell you all the good
you've done me.  I thank God for you every day."

Though Christy's cheeks grew pink, her eyes held his steadily. 
Neil leaned down to meet her lips, pulling her close as they
extended their kiss.  When he released her, he kept hold of her
hands, linking their fingers.

"Thank you for a very happy birthday."

 * * *

The End