++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Title: The Truth of Love Author: Jean B. Chapter: One Summary: This begins after the series ended. Disclaimer: Catherine Marshall's beautiful story Christy is owned by the LeSourd family and I am in now way seeking profit of credit for her story. This is for amusement only. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "The heart is a wild and wondrous thing Strong enough to survive death, Fragile enough to break over an unkind word. That year in Cutter Gap, I faced the most important decision of my life. My choice would forever change the course of my life And all those I loved." There are moments in life where everything rushes by. Those are usually filled with joy and happiness. There are other times when you can not seem to make the world move fast enough. And then, there are those times where life stands still, awaiting your next move, like the world is one big chess game and your playing against it. The world stood still for Christy now. Everyone was filled with anticipation, hope, questions, and desire, and all wondering her next step. David stood still, awaiting the anticipated "Yes!" from Christy's lips. He loved her. He was sure of it. He had made sure that she knew that too. They were perfect for each other, David thought. Who else could love her the way he did? No one. Not even the doctor. Surely she would see that in these mountains, there was no one else for them but each other. Neil sat on Charlie, wondering if he was loosing Christy. He battled with thoughts in his head. Something was stirred inside him when she was around. But did he have any right to feel this way? Why did he feel this possession over Christy? Why did he feel this sense of loss when he saw her with the preacher? There is nothing between Christy and me but friendship, Neil tried convinced himself. Then what was that spark in her eyes? The children stood, hoping for a romantic scene, and were keeping quiet till it happened. Occasionally they looked at each other with anticipation on their faces. Christy waited, hoping for something else to interrupt the moment. She couldn't think. With desperation for an answer, she looked around her. She saw that she was surround by beauty: the mountains. They had been such peace and comfort for Christy during her time there. She realized that she had grown to love not only those beloved mountain ranges, but all those who inhabited it as well. *The children!* The children were her focus and had provided such warmth to her. She glanced at them now and thought of how each were wonderful in their own way. But at this moment in time, each had a similar look on their face. *They are all silent*, Christy marvelled as she exhaled and smiled to them. *What would I do without them?* She turned once again and looked into the eyes of Neil MacNeil. *Why does he look at me like that? He looks like he know something I don't.* She looked down at the ring box in her hands. *Oh, what am I to decide?* She looked into the faces of both men. Then the children. Christy closed her eyes to stop the flow of inevitable tears. She knew that any decision made now would be in haste. She started walking towards the solace of the woods. "Christy?" She turned at the sound of David's question. She looked at them both once again. "I...I...I just need time. Yes. Some time to think; yes..." She turned again and walked away with the ring box still clutched in her hands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Title: The Truth of Love Chapter: Two Summary: Christy has walked away from the scene in front of the schoolhouse to clear her head. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Christy walked steadily until she was out of sight. She needed to think. Her mid was heavy, busy with thoughts and trying to comprehend all that had happened. Her feet moved without thought to where they were headed. Christy's head pounded with the thoughts of the inevitable decision. She found herself walking uphill, around trees and rocks, occasionally stumbling but picking herself up again. She walked until she found herself at Fairlight's special place. She sat down with a sigh and placed the ring box beside her. Christy rubbed her eyes as if to clear her head. She breathed deeply, trying to calm herself from the great stress she was feeling. Christy opened her eyes and saw the beautiful mountains before her. The sun beamed down on them, illuminating all their highlights. The mountains were a beautiful mix of purple, blue and gray with topes of white, all brushed softly by the fog. Christy stared at them for a long time, soaking in their presence of peace. She knew God was with her and she had to ask for help. "Lord," Christy prayed, closing her eyes, "Lord, I need your help. You are the only one who can help me. You have helped me before, and I really need you now. I am so confused." Tears started to well up in her eyes. "You know how much I love everyone here; all the children. They mean so much to me. Along with Miss Alice, Fairlight, and all the others. But Lord, You know of the decision I am forced to make, and the repercussions it will have. But how am I to decide? Do I truly love David, or do I love him as a good friend? Oh, but God, you know what I think when he is near me. I feel comfortable, like we could make a marriage work. He's kissed me Lord, and when he does, I feel that he loves me. He is proving so." "So why can't I fall in love with him? Am I already and do not know it? Or..." She took a few deep breaths, as if ashamed to admit to God what she felt. "Neil. Why do I care for him? Do I care for him? How can I care for him? He's married! To feel anything but friendship is going against your laws. But how do I know if I care for him? He makes me so confused. One moment, I feel like I could break your commandment "thou shalt not kill" when I am around him. He gets under my skin. David doesn't do that. He is always so kind. But other times, Neil says something so tender, so...so...I am afraid to say it but you know what I think any ways. Neil says thinks that are so loving sometimes that I feel this sensation I've never felt before. I've always put it away as confusion. But Lord, this is what I am here to ask: is it something more?" Christy stopped and waited, as if expecting to hear God's voice call down and answer her personally, right then and there. She sighed, knowing that that is not the way the Lord worked. She knew that God would tell her and lead her when it was time to do so. She finished her prayer. "I will wait for your answer, Lord. I resolve to be patient, but I also pray that you bless everyone else with that patience. I love you Lord, and will wait." Christy opened her eyes and found that she felt better. She stood up and breathed in the calmness around her. As she turned to go back to the mission, her foot hit something. The black velvet ring box skimmed across the rock platform and right over the edge. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Title: The Truth of Love Chapter: Three Summary: Christy has gone to think over her choice and has left David , Neil and the children at the schoolhouse. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ David looked on as he watched Christy leave. He wanted to go talk to her, convince her that he was the right choice, but didn't. He knew if he pushed too hard, she would go further away; into another man's arms. In the background, quiet whispers were beginning to emerge as the children tried to discuss what was going to happen and what just happened. David turned and looked at Neil. David felt jealousy rising in him. What did Neil have over Christy? Neil didn't let her go, and now Christy is having more heartache than was necessary. *But*, thought David, *she shouldn't be having heartache at all...* Neil watched Christy leave as well. He knew she was dealing with a mix of emotions, and needed to sort them out. He wanted to leave her be and come to her own conclusion. But he still felt that if she chose the preacher, something in him would be so hurt and violated. *But isn't that being selfish,* Neil thought. *What right do I have to claim any affection from Christy?* He sighed, for he did not know how to answer his own question. David heard Neil sigh and got angrier. What right did Neil have to sigh over his love? Neil turned Charlie away and prepared to leave for his cabin. David called after him. "MacNeil!" Neil turned around. The children made a quiet collective gasp. The same though buzzing through their heads: what did the preacher want? "Yes," Neil answered, slow but forcefully. He did not want to let the preacher know he was battling with himself. He did not want to show any sign of weakness to him. "You didn't take my advice, Doctor." David walked closer to the doctor so the he was right beside Charlie. "Advice...," Neil answered in thought, thinking back to their talk at the river. "To let her go," David said quietly so that only he and the doctor would here. There was a shuffle at the schoolhouse as the children strained forward to hear. They knew enough not to move off the schoolhouse steps though. "I am not holding anything against Christy." "You know perfectly well what I mean. You have been confusing her." "Have I now? And how is that a threat to you? If she loves you, there will be nothing else that could stop that." "She cares for you. Even I can see that. All I ask is that you put her mind at ease and let her make the right choice." He stood with his hands on his hips. Neil leaned down closer to David. "And are you sure that's you?" "It certainly isn't you, MacNeil." Neil chuckled. The children looked at each other wondering what could be funny at a time like this. Neil answered, "that may be true preacher, but that does not grant you her hand." "Good bye, Doctor," David replied. Neil turned Charlie back around and started home. David turned away and walked towards the schoolhouse. His face was hard as anger was boiling inside of him. He looked up into the face of the children. His face softened as he looked at their faces of bewilderment. Ruby Mae's eyes grew large as she shook her red head. "Lordy preacher, that thar was the most interesting thang that happened here in quite a spell!" David smiled at her and headed into the schoolhouse as the children followed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Title: The Truth of Love Chapter: Four Summary: Christy has dropped David's ring box over the edge of the cliff. David and Neil have gone their respective ways after having a few choice words with each other. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Christy crept over to the edge. "Oh no...oh no...oh no...," she repeated over and over. She got down on her hands an knees and peered over the edge of the big rock. She saw trees and more trees. She sat up and frowned, nervously and anxiously. *What if I don't find it? Oh, what will David say? Will he be angry? I would. Oh! Oh, why did I put it down? Oh why,* she thought. Christy then realized that frantically looking for the ring box would not produce it. She would have to be clever about this and calm down. She took a few deep breaths and the peered over the edge to take a longer look. She saw the abundant trees once again, but no ring box. She sighed. She had to go look for it though. There was a chance that it fell straight and could be directly underneath the rock platform. It was Christy's only chance. She scurried back through the woods and tried to navigate down the mountain. * * * Neil rode away from the schoolhouse and headed for his cabin. His emotions were eating away at him. He cared for Christy. He admitted that to himself before. But was it love? Neil laughed at himself. "Damn fool...what would a girl like that want with you, Neil MacNeil?" He gently spurred Charlie on, but did not have to direct him. Charlie knew the way home from anywhere on the mountain. Neil's thoughts were still weighing him down. Why did he care for her? There was something about Christy, her determination, her desire, what ever it was, it called to him. Should he care for her? Neil thought about this for a long time. He cared for Christy when she had been asked to marry someone else. His last few words hung in his head. Married to some one else. Margaret. He pulled Charlie to a halt. He had forgotten about Margaret. She was there, at his cabin. Waiting. Waiting for him. Or is she? *Margaret has always been unpredictable,* thought Neil. *She may not be there.* But he had to be prepared for if she was there. What would he say? He just left her by the river to go after Christy. Neil decided to go think for a while, before confronting his cabin. He turned Charlie and headed in a different direction. * * * David, after getting the children in their seats, was bombarded by their questions. "Are ya goin' to marry Miz Christy, preacher?" "What did ya speak to the Doc fur?" "Do ya love her?" "What ya goin' to do, preacher?" "Why did the Doc come a ridin' up?" "Where's Miz Christy go?" "Where'd ya get that purdy ring?" David just listened to all the children and watched their eyes implore for answers. Finally, they finished and he had a chance to speak. "I...think...," he said slowly, teasing them slightly. They all stretched their heads a little, straining to hear his next words. "I think that we all have had an interesting day. Go enjoy what's left of it, children. Leave me to think." David said this expecting a celebrated rush out the schoolhouse doors. Instead, they all sat there, in place, not moving a muscle. Now it was David's turn to look bewildered. "Did you all hear me? You have an early dismissal. Go home!" he rose his hands in the air with a smile. They just sat. David usually saw similar behaviour when it was winter as they did not want to make the hard trek home. But it was inching towards summer with every moment and usually, they ached to be outside at this time of year. Suddenly they all broke their silence and spoke at once. "Preacher, no," beckoned Lulu. "Yah," chorused the others. "I don't want this sittin' on me fur the night," Ruby Mae protested. Zady agreed, "it'll have us up till all hours just a wonderin'!" "Come now preacher, y'all can tell us here a little of what yur going to say to Miz Christy. Or what yur goin' to do," spoke Creed Allen. "We promise we won't tell no one," Becky said with her hand in the air and so solemly that David had to stifle a laugh. "Ya! We promise!" The others agreed with their hands flying into the air. "You promise, do you?" David looked Mountie straight in the eye with a smile. She stared at him seriously with he big eyes and shook head. "Or hope to die preacher," Creed gleefully added. David looked at them all with a smile. "Now that would be truly horrible. Who would be here to teach?" "Please preacher!" David shook his head. "I don't know myself, children. Enjoy this time your getting. Let's go." He waved his hands towards the door as the children sluggishly picked up their books in a chorused "aw!" He stood on the steps as he watched them turn from slugs to gossip machines, readly to tell everyone and everything what happened that day. He heard the giggles and voices of questions running off to the hills. "Alice was right," he said to himself. "We hardly need a telephone with all them running around." He picked up his things and headed to his bunk house. Ruby Mae would be starting diner shortly and Christy would be there. He had the think of how he was going to act, and what he would say. Chapter: Five Summary: David an Neil have gone their separate ways, Christy must search for the ring she accidentally pushed over the edge and Neil decides not to go home after remembering Margaret was there. Disclaimer: Catherine Marshal's beautiful story Christy is owned by the Lesourd family and I am in now way seeking profit or credit for her story. This is for entertainment only. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Christy scurried down the side of the mountain in search of David's ring. *I've got to find it,* she told herself. *Oh, oh...* She scowled as she hurried along. She eventually found herself directly under Fairlight's special place. Christy looked up for a moment and saw how high up it really was and also, how far down she had traveled. She turned to see if there was a view but soon realized, to her own silliness, that since the trees were abundant around her there would be no chance for a view. Christy turned around an looked up again. It was difficult sometimes, because a tree branch would block the view, carrying with it hundreds of layers of leaves accompanying the branch. She tried to walk until she was directly under the side where the ring box had fallen. Christy would be looking up, navigating her way, then trip over a broken branch and have to reposition herself. And then, with one glance down, she would loose her placement above. She would have to start all over again, moving miniscule amounts at a time. The layers of leaves made it difficult as well. There were breaks in some place but others blanketed the forest ground well. Christy finally discovered the edge of the rock where the ring box made it's unfortunate fall. She looked up and saw that this specific side of the mountain was clear along that side. On all other sides there were branches growing out of the mountain, protruding from the oddest places. *But not on this side,* thought Christy. *How funny.* She followed the most likely line of fall with her eyes and saw that nothing blocked its path. The first thing that would have hit it was a tree, full of branches and then a rock carpeted with thick green moss underneath the tree. She glanced at the tree first and saw that leaves and stems were broken in several layers of branches. *Like something had fallen,* contemplated Christy. *Funny, again. Is it coincidence now?* But she had to remind herself not to get too excited, for it could have been an animal or something else that had fallen. She looked down and saw the rock with the thick moss growing around it. Her heart dropped. There were no marks, no ring box, nothing around that would suggest anything had fallen recently. She walked closer to it, hoping that receiving a better look would produce the ring. She looked at all sides of the rock, and started to look in another bed of thick tall, grassy, moss that grew next to the rock. But it was a mark on the rock that caught her eye. She saw that a small scuff mark went down the side of the rock, as if something had brushed it harshly. She followed it gently with her fingertips. Her pulse raced with anticipation and hope. *Was it there?* Christy's hands continued through the moss and she gently tore through the grassy moss with both hands. Her hands found nothing. Nothing but dirt and moss. Christy felt her fingernails fill up with dirt and she began to search desperately again. *It has to be here! If not, there is no where else I can look!* She plumped down on her feet and sighed, letting her hands fall loosely to the ground. She felt something brush up against her left hand. She would have brushed it off as nothing, but something told her to see what it was. Christy turned and held her breath as she pulled back some long stems of grass to uncover the ring box. It was here! She had found it! It was a miracle! It could've fallen off the other side, hit a tree and bounced to some unknown corner of the mountain. But instead, it falls on this side where there was nothing to misdirect it. It fell gently, after the tree broke much of its fall, to this mossy area which cushioned the box tremendously. Christy opened it again, and looked at the lovely ring. It was still there. That's all that mattered. She stood up and realized that darkness was creeping upon her with every moment. Christy happily ran towards the mission for dinner, for now she did not have to tell David she lost his ring. She picked up her skirts and traversed across the mountain, the ring box clutched safely in her other hand. * * * Neil was allowing Charlie to walk at his own pace, stopping here and there as the horse pleased. Neil didn't care where he went as long as it wasn't to his cabin at the present time. He didn't know what to say to Margaret and he didn't want to face her harsh tongue. He had been through enough today and needed time to clear his head. Charlie stopped near some grass and began to eat. Neil hopped off and pet the horse gently. *You've been a good friend, old boy. Take your time and eat.* Neil loosely wrapped the reins around a nearby tree and continued on. He ran his fingers through his hair as he always did when he needed to think. He kept his face to the ground and soon found himself leaning beside another tree. *Margaret.* He could think of nothing else. His thoughts were consumed of what to do with Margaret. *Should I allow her to stay? I am married. It is the right thing to do. But it is Margaret, when has the right thing to do ever worked between us? We were both running away, that's why we got married in the first place. But do I want to stay married? Is there something else for me out there?* He closed his eyes tightly and he held his hands at the sides fo his head. He sighed in pain for all he had to think about. It was too much. Neil had to get away. He had to get away and think. Walking around here would do no good. He needed a trip to himself, to figure everything out. He lifted his head ready to go back to Charlie, when he heard a noise. Christy ran quickly through the woods with a huge smile over her face. He could hear her speaking out loud, repeating a few phrases over and over. "I've got the ring! Oh, David will be happy!" Christy scurried by without seeing Neil. She was so overjoyed about her discovery, she could think and hear nothing else. Neil watched her fly by with David's ring. She was running to him. She had chosen. Neil heard her say David was going to be happy. She planned to marry him. Her decision was made. Neil turned his head away in such pain that even Chariled looked up to see what his master wanted. Neil undid the reigns and hopped up on Charlie. He hurried him into a gallop as tears started to well up in his eyes. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Chapter Six Summary: Neil just saw Christy running to the mission house with David's ring in her hand. Christy elated at finding the ring can think of nothing but going to the mission. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Lordy Miss Alice, I swear I just can't keep my mind on cooking just now!" Fairlight and Miss Alice shared a quick smile. Miss Alice spoke, "Well, hopefully, thy stomach will say otherwise." Ruby Mae turned to face the two women. Her eyes grew even larger in her head. "Now, don't ya'll get me wrong. I can still eat my fill, it's just with all the excitement happening around here lately...when is it ever going to end?" The three shook their heads, Ruby Mae's in wonder while Fairlight and Miss Alice shook theirs in the wonder of Ruby Mae. "I do believe dinner is coming soon," Fairlight announced. "Good. I could use some food." The deep voice from David startled the cooks. They all were stunned and did not say a word for they didn't know what to say. David looked puzzled. "Fairlight, you did say dinner was ready in just a moment, didn't you?" She stood looking at him for a while until she realized he asked her a question. She shook her head quickly as if to jar herself from her stare. "Yes. Right about now I do believe thar, preacher." "Wonderful. I'll wait at the table." He went into the dinning room and sat down. He heard questioning whispers and then Miss Alice's unmistakable voice stating that they should hush and not gossip. It was harmful to the soul. Once they placed all the dishes on the table, they all prepared to say grace. Dan Scott joined them at the table, invited earlier by Miss Alice. She thought that Dan needed as much support during this trying time rather than encouraging his seclusion. "Let us all bow our heads..." David began grace. "Father, we thank you for this food you have blessed with us. We ask that you bless this food to our bodies and bless those who prepared it. Amen." Ruby Mae, Miss Alice and Dan chorused their own 'amen.' Ruby Mae shot her head up and drew her breath to speak once more. "Golly preacher, I do reckon I get a good feelin' all inside when you speak thar saying 'those who prepared it'. It such a nice thing for you to do for us wimin folk." "Your welcome Ruby Mae. Please pass the meat." Ruby Mae's hands clutched the plate. "Do ya'll wanna know what it is tonight?" The rest of the table spoke a whole hearted "no!" "Wal, all right than. At least I know what it is, furry little thing." Miss Alice sighed and Dan smiled. There was no one quite like Ruby Mae. Dinner conversation was light and was just getting started when someone rushed through the mission door. Christ bounded into the dinning room. "Christy!" David looked at her in surprise. The rest of the table looked at her with wide eyes, surprised and waiting for an explanation. Christy had run far and hard so she was out of breath and trying to catch it. Her hair was all stringy and disheveled, sticking all around her face with perspiration. Miss Alice stood up. "Miss Huddleston. Sit. Take deep breaths." Christy obliged and she knew that Alice was not only allowing her the calm down, but allowing her time to think. David kept his eyes on her the entire time. He noticed when she came in that she had the ring. Was she going to give it back or ask to wear it? He would have to wait. To ask now would be inappropriate. But David was just like a little boy now, told to sit still. It would take all his strength not to take her outside right now. "Miz Christy! Where have you been? We've been a thinkin' of ye!" Ruby Mae looked at her hoping that she would announce her engagement. She didn't care to who, she just wanted to see what Christy would choose to wear at her wedding. "Sorry, sorry. I meant to be here in time for dinner. Sorry." She looks across the table and sees Dan for the first time. "Oh, hi Dan. How are you doing?" "I all right, Miss Christy. Thank you for asking." "I can't hold it in any more. Miz Christy, do ya got somethin' to speak to us about?" "Ruby Mae, Christy will speak when she is ready. Eat you food." Ruby Mae looked at Miss Alice sideways, for she had gotten the extra chair and brought it up to the table. Once Christy caught her breath, she began to tell her story. She told them how she had gone to the woods to find solace and had placed the ring box beside her. Christy went on to explain her whole trek down the mountain and the odd set of circumstances surrounding her finding the ring box again. All were captivated by her story and even Ruby Mae kept quite enough to listen to the whole thing. Miss Alice had filled a plate of food up for Christy and she ate it quickly. She hadn't eaten in a while. It had been a long day. When Christy finished her story, all sat back in their chairs and sighed. Ruby Mae spoke shaking her head. "Miz Christy! That thar shows ye! It was meant to be! Are you going to marry the preacher now?" Christy choked on the bit of food she was chewing at that time. "Ruby Mae," Miss Alice spoke with a calm voice that had a lot of force in it. "How about you clear the table." Ruby Mae obliged. She knew enough not to argue with Miss Alice when she spoke that way. Christy took some mouthfuls of water and recovered. Her redness now was that from her blushing, rather than her choking. "I think I am finished my meal for tonight." She pushed her chair back and got up to leave. David held his hand out as if to stall her. It was one of the first moves he had made since she appeared a while before. "May I talk with you outside, Miss Huddleston?" Christy stood still, then nodded slowly. She turned to the rest of the table. "Excuse me." David quickly excused himself as well and the two headed outside. Ruby Mae, once done the dishes would head upstairs to bed, more hoping for a better glimpse of Christy and David. AT the dinner table, Miss Alice turned to Dan Scott. "I must apologize. I did not know that this night was to provide so much entertainment and excitement." Dan shook his head, "oh that's all right, Miss Alice. It was kind of you to invite me for dinner." "I must confess. I was hoping thee would talk about what is troubling thee so." Dan rested his hands on the table and wrung them gently. "I figured as much, Alice. Oh, but you know why I am so troubled." "Daniel, God has forgiven you." "It's not that simple." "Sorry to contradict you, but it is. God is sometimes a lot more simple that you think." "Miss Henderson. I threatened another person's life. I held that shot gun to Bird's Eye's head. I would have pulled the trigger." He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. "It was done in such haste. Just think of what could have happened." "Dan, thee must focus on what did not happen. There is also a reason for this happening to you so. God has a plan for you." Dan shook his head in disbelief. "But what good can possibly come out of this?" "I am not the one to be asking that question to." Miss Alice said nothing, slipping into one of her Quaker silences. She let Dan's thoughts continue on. She knew he understood he had to ask God for forgiveness. Dan had to help himself if he was going to get help at all. "Well. Thank you for a lovely dinner." "Our pleasure." She walked Dan out and he made his way to his makeshift shelter. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Chapter: Chapter Eight Summary: Neil is discouraged after seeing her running happily to David with the found ring in her hands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Neil rode swiftly away, shaking his head, trying to figure out what to do. He needed to get away. Away from everything going on here. It was too much. Too much strain. He needed to clear his thoughts. But where would he go? Neil slowed Charlie down and contemplated this. Where ~would~ he go? Away? He had been away once. He knew that the mountains were the best place for him. Going away wouldn't settle it. Besides, Neil told himself, these people need me. Duty. The word rang over and over in his head. That is what he needed to focus on. His duty was to those of the cove and he could not desert them. He would be no better than Margaret if he ran away now. Margaret. Every time he spoke her name he felt another piece of his heart crumble. Every time he thought of what she had done, his heart sunk lower and lower. *I need to settle this,* he thought. *I can not keep going on like this. She has held me for so many years, but no longer.* He knew he had to go to her and figure out what they were to do now. He could run away from her no longer. Neil soon found himself at the cabin almost before he was ready. He dismounted and gently tied Charlie to the hitching post. He ran his fingers through his hair and headed to the cabin. As he walked up the steps he saw Margaret's bags. Everything is packed and ready to go. He looks up and sees that she is on the porch looking into the distance. Her arms are crossed in front of her, partly for she was in thought and the other because the weather was cooling. The sky loomed above as it foreshadowed a storm. Neil looked at her and quietly walked towards her. She turned around. Her face was a mixture of emotions. She had obviously been crying but Neil could not tell whether it was because she was angry or sad. With Margaret he had learnt not to predict and just let her true self shine through. Both looked at each other with knowing what needed to be said. Neil's eyes told what Margaret did not want to see. She looked down at her feet and took a deep breath. Neil said nothing hoping to avoid an argument. Margaret nodded her head. "I'll be gone by tomorrow, Mac." She looks at him waiting for a response. He sighs. She shakes her head in disbelief. "I thought you would be happily declaring it to these people," she said with hints of sarcasm surrounding every word, "the witch will be gone soon. No longer around to infect and hurt the proud persons of this God forsaken cove." Neil did not respond to her attack. "But am I wrong? Is Neil MacNeil upset that his horrible wife is leaving him?" "This is not a time to be overjoyed." Margaret exhaled with such determination it hurt as much as the harshest word. Neil waited for her to breathe again and took the time to choose his words carefully. "Are you sure about leaving?" Margaret held his gaze. "I have no home here." Her voice was shaky. Neil answered sympathetically. "You never really gave it a chance." "Never knew how." Both were silent listening to first drops of rain falling around them. Margaret soaked in the sound as if knowing she would never hear it again. She spoke again with sadness and knew that there was no point in starting an argument now. She wanted to remember her relationship with Neil on a high point: not with anger. Her voice was soft. "The only thing I am really good at is leaving. So that's what I am doing tomorrow." She reaches for Neil's hand. He feels the cold trembling of her fingers touch his hand as their wedding rings are placed down. He looks at them and gently touches them. He looks at her. He can tell that she is trying to hide her emotions. But even Margaret MacNeil could not stop the one tear that ran charging down her face. Neil reached over to her and placed both rings in her hand. "They will be more useful to you. Promise me you'll sell them. Sell them and use the money for your health. Promise me you'll do that. That's all I ask." She closes her hand over the rings and nods her head wearily. "I promise." He waits for her to look up at his face again. "Go get a good sleep, Margaret. You'll need strength for tomorrow." She nods her head and walks towards the cabin door. He stands still watching her walk into the house. Margaret stops and turns around. She opens her mouth, but no words come. She is debating whether to ask. The battle is decided as curiosity prevails. "Do you love her?" Neil looks at her, admiring her strength. They both stand still as the sound of rain comes faster and harder. Neil keeps his eyes on hers and speaks. He knows he should say something to comfort her, but he could not think of anything. He could only think of her question and the only answer that was floating around his head. "I think I might." Margaret closes her eyes. Neil watches the pain of his words go through her. She takes a deep breath and opens her eyes. Her mouth curls into a sad smile. "Good night, Neil." She spins around and closes the door behind her. Neil stands alone on the porch with the storm surrounding him. He looks at the door, realizing it closed much more than it ever had before. Part 8 coming soon!