Silent Night by Rose "Ye should have summoned me sooner. I'm sorry, Christy. There will be no traveling to Asheville today. Had we caught it earlier, I think my elixir might have kept your cold from developing into bronchitis." I nodded silently and sadly wiped at the tears on my cheek. So, it was decided for me. I wouldn't be going home for the holidays. And it was my own fault, Neil was implying. Had I called the doctor to treat my head cold sooner, I wouldn't be confined to my bed the morning of Christmas Eve. "Sleep now. I'll check back later today." One calloused thumb gently wiped a stray tear from my cheek. "I know you're disappointed. I'm sorry, Christy." He tucked the bed covers around my neck and stole out of the room. When I awoke it was dusk. I'd slept away the day! From downstairs, I could hear the strains of "Silent Night," the voices softly blending in harmony. I picked out David's full tenor, Alice's steady alto. I smiled, then winced, at Ruby Mae's screeching soprano. And then I picked out another deeper voice - one that I hadn't heard singing before - that of Neil MacNeill. I rolled over and the bedsprings gave their telltale squeak. The voices fell silent and soon after, there were footfalls on the steps. My door opened. "You're awake? Rested well?" The mattress drooped and bedsprings groaned as Neil sat down next to me. His hand felt cool when he placed it against my forehead. "Ruby Mae will soon be bringing up some tea. I want you to drink it down - every last drop. Understand? The more you hydrate yourself, the more things will loosen up in that chest and you'll get to feeling better." I nodded. I would do as he said. Oh! There could be nothing worse than being sick on Christmas! Ruby Mae entered the room with a cup of steaming, fragrant tea. "I sweetened it up fer ye, Miz Christy. Figured it would taste right good to ye with some Spencer honey in it." I smiled my thanks and sipped the soothing brew. Then David poked his head into the room. "May I come in?" Neil nodded. "For a very short visit. Miss Huddleston still needs her sleep." I handed the teacup to Neil as David placed a small package into my hands. "I was going to save it for Christmas tomorrow, but thought you might need some early cheer. Merry Christmas, Christy." Smiling at David, I unwrapped the unexpected gift. Perfume! David knew me so well. "I sent to Boston for it. Mother found it, then sent it out to me. I hope you like it, Christy." I smiled into his hopeful face and tried to thank him, but went into a spasm of coughing. "Enough visiting. Miss Huddleston needs her rest." David squeezed my hand and left the room with Ruby Mae. Neil encouraged me to drink the last drops of tea, then placed my empty cup on the bedside table. "Can I get anything more for you, Christy? Something to make you feel better?" I croaked out a whisper, "Snow." "Beg pardon?" A little louder, "Snow." "Ah, Christy, I hate to disappoint you. You know it doesn't snow that much here in Cutter Gap, and I cannot remember it ever snowing on Christmas. I'm sorry." I nodded, then couldn't stifle a huge yawn. Neil stood and rearranged the blankets around me. "Tis back to sleep for you now. Alice invited me to stay overnight here at the mission. I'll be sleeping downstairs, if you need me for anything. Alright?" I nodded again, as my eyes fluttered shut. Whatever was in that tea that had made me so sleepy? Would Dr. MacNeill have given me a sleeping draught? I managed to open one eye to peek at the doctor, who looked rather satisfied with himself. Then I gave in to the lethargy and drifted back to sleep. It was much later when I awoke to a gentle caress to my cheek. A voice, deep with brogue and quiet as the night around us, whispered, "Shhh. 'Tis me, Neil. Don't say a word. Just let me..." Groggy, I didn't really realize Neil had swaddled me in a thick woolen blanket. I came fully awake, however, when I felt myself being easily lifted into his strong arms. He held me close to the warmth of his chest. Amazed, I realized Neil was opening the balcony doors and carrying me onto the upper porch. I tore my eyes from the silly grin on his face to look where he indicated with nod of his head - out towards the distant mountains. Subtle moonlight reflected through falling snow, brightening the landscape. My eyes drank in the beauty of fluffy flakes dancing on the gentle wind, falling ever so softly to frost the trees and blanket the ground. "It's beautiful!" I croaked into the silent night. "Beautiful" he murmured softly. I turned to see that his eyes were on my face, not on the winter wonderland before us. I worked to burrow one hand out from the toasty wrappings of the blanket, and tenderly touched Neil's stubbled cheek. "Merry Christmas."