Quiet Thoughts by Deborah Part one The nights have turned cool in Cutter Gap. The bears are beginning to hibernate and the beavers are building their dams. Soon the whole mountainside will be blanket of snow white. God's gift of making everything new again. But why am I here sitting alone on this porch? thought Neil. I should go to the mission house and speak to her, tell her everything that she needs to know. ** The lantern burns bright through the balcony window. Shadows of the tress against the panes of glass. Standing there with her head pressed against the wall, Christy looks into the woods, wondering should she go down to his cabin and ask him to tell her everything she needs to know? She's been down that path before in the dark, nothing to be afraid of, she says to herself. If only.... ** Noticing the lamp light in the window David looks from his bunkhouse. He sees her shadow in the light, wanting to go to her. He knows that her heart is not his but someone else's. A married man, his mind shouted out to him, why him? I can't believe she would let her heart belong to someone who cannot return her love..... David slowly closes the door and sinks into his bunk and he begins to cry..... ** Oh Lord! Can I have an opportunity with Thee? Miss Alice cries as she sinks to her knees in prayer. Lord, I love my daughter, but she's gone, no one knows where. Then there is this child-like creature you have brought to us. I love her like my own. How can I help her? I know her heart and very soul loves Neil. This is not right, but Lord you created love and I know in thy own time we will see the light. ** Fairlight looks through her window and sees the first snowflake. She knows deep in her heart that there are troubled souls searching for answers tonight. Lord she says, "Thank ye for my life and family, Help them that are searching for love let them know what you would have them to do... " ** The snowflakes start to swirl as Christy walks down that path no moon light to guide her just her heart leading her on... ** Neil knows he has to see her, tell her, hold her and never let her go. He starts to slowly walk down the path to the mission. ** By this time the snow begins to fall, the ground is blanketed in white, the path is slowly disappearing under her feet. She stops and realizes that she can't make it. She faces in the direction on the cabin and says I love you, Neil MacNeill and I will wait forever. ** Dr. Neil stops in his tracks as he hears a faint whisper, Could it be? No, he thought, and slowly he goes back to the cabin and turns out the lantern. Part two The sun broke through the gray clouds announcing a start to a new day. Quiet were the mountains, no movement, just the wisp of the wind through the snow-covered trees. Christy silent prayed a prayer of strength and guidance through the day. "Lord," she whispered, "I know that you have a plan for me, and in my heart I know that he is the one. Help me oh Lord to know what to say and do. Amen." ** David groaned and rolled over on his back. The sun shining through the window. Another day to face alone. David started to think back on the night a small bundle shivering and crying stood at his door. Her face so pale and yet so beautiful. He folds his arms across his chest and relived the moment where he scooped her up in his arms and held her close. So close. And yet... ** Miss Alice sits alone at her table. Packing her bags, knowing that she must search and find her daughter. Bring her back to face whatever might happen. Lord, guide me in wisdom and protect me from harm. Guide me Lord, show me the light. Her thoughts break her heart as she relives the moment that Margaret left not saying a word or good-bye. ** Fairlight moves silently through the cabin. Careful not to wake the kids. I must go to the mountain and pray for their hearts to be lightened. Oh Lord, there is still heavy hearts in the cove. Ease their burdens. You brought these to people to Cutter Gap for a purpose. Help them. Fairlight walks softly through the snow knowing in her heart that by days in all will be well in the cove. ** Neil slowly awakens, was it a dream? Did she call out to me in the night or was it just..... Part three Quietly, Miss Alice slips into the mission to leave a note explaining her absence. Upon leaving a letter to Christy, she notices a letter addressed to her. When or where did it come from? She notices the letter came from Atlanta. Who could this be from? Slowly she opens the letter and as her eyes glance over the letter tears flow like rain. ** Christy slowly slips downs the stairs not to wake up anyone and notices Miss Alice clutching the letter to her chest. She looks into her eyes and wraps her arms around Alice. No words were every spoken; there was no need to. Both women knew that Margaret was dead. Alice handed the letter to Christy and she silently read and hung on to every word. She had not died from some disease, but by fire. The dance hall where her and several other women burned down in the night. No survivors they said..... Christy kissed Miss Alice's cheek and swiftly ran down the path to the cabin. She had only to show him the letter than maybe they can start a new life. Neil was not in the cabin, Christy was beginning to cry. Where is he? The thought pounded in her ears... I don't know where to go. Then, as the mist began to settle, she remembered the spot where he would go to be alone. There he stood. Shoulders sagging, head down. He was not fishing but praying. His lips were moving and silently he prayed that God would bring her to him. There was no sound but he could feel her presence. He turned and looked in her eyes. He knew. No words were ever spoken just quiet thoughts between two hearts. Part four Two weeks had passed since the death of Margaret. How strange it seems, thought Christy as she watched the Sun set behind the mountain ridge. Miss Alice was on her way to find her daughter and then finding a letter address to her. No survivors they said. Christy slowly closed the doors and began to write in her diary. ** Miss Alice stares at the fire. Watching the golden red flames jump like frogs in a lily pound. "Oh Margaret," she whispers, "Why did thee do it? Leave Cutter Gap? Make life miserable for Neil and I? I guess I will never know." Miss Alice slowly stokes the fire and sits in her chair and weeps. ** Neil wants to go to Christy, but yet knows that he has to keep his distance for a while. He had to respect the memory of Margaret. Why Lord do I have to wait? He prayed silently. I had no love for her, not a love of a husband. Teach me, Lord, to understand what you would have me to do... Neil reaches for the family bible and begins to read. A ribbon falls from it. A faded ribbon. Neil picks it up from the floor. Searching in his memory till he comes across a picture in his mind. They day he first saw the teacher. She was in the cabin when Bob Allen was brought in. He only had a glimpse of her that day but something had stirred in his heart anyway. She was so small and yet tried to have spunk. He laughed when he remembered she started to faint dead away from the smell. He remembers he thought then that she wouldn't make it. Too fragile, like fine china. After he was through with Bob Allen he was cleaning up. He looked at his feet and there laid the ribbon. He casually picked it up and placed it in his pocket. He told himself he would have to return it to her. But something made him hold on it. Something. ** David prepares for his sermon, slamming his fist against the table. Lord, I can't do this, go into the church preach about love and patience and forgiveness when all I have is hatred and malice in my heart. I must make her understand that it's I that wants her and loves her. I can give her what she wants. We can leave here find a church in the city and never come back to the cove again......