Title: THE GREAT WILDFLOWER BLIZZARD OF 1913 Author: Sherry Disclaimer: The beautiful words, stories and characters of Christy, by Catherine Marshall, are owned by the Marshall-LeSourd families. This is just for fun. Disclaimer within a disclaimer: Don't check yer history books, this blizzard never happened. I am snowed in and bored so I sent some snow to the cove. THE GREAT WILDFLOWER BLIZZARD OF 1913 "Ya'll sit near the fire!" Jeb Spencer ordered. "Least 'Un, ya mind yer mama. Ah seen ya tryin' ta git outside." The cabin was so cold, even with the glowing fire that Jeb Spencer made for his family. He watched as his youngest child joined the rest of the family as they huddled close for warmth. Zady Spencer grabbed Least 'Un's hand. They sat near the fire, a worn quilt around their shoulders. Fairlight hugged her children close, but her mind was elsewhere. It was almost spring in the cove, but you would never know that by the blowing snow and icy winds. The grass that had been growing in green and lovely a few days before was now snow covered. The trees that should have been budding were covered with icicles and snow. The wildflowers would be late this year. "Mama, do ya want me ta read Treasure Island ta everyone? Miz Christy lent me her copy right before she and the doc got married. " "That would be fine, daughter." Fairlight replied distractedly. Zady started to read to the children. "Wommin, what is it?" Jeb asked his wife. "Yer not listenin' ta the story." "Ah'm worried about Bessie and John over et the Coburns, Jeb. Ah know the baby ain't comin' for a month, but Bessie looked so big... ah wonder iffen the doc and Miss Alice ain't wrong about their dates." Fairlight said anxiously. "Nah, that baby still has anotha month ta grow in its mama." Jeb said, hoping to comfort his wife. Fairlight stood and walked to the door. Jeb followed her and stood behind her. He gently put his arm around his wife's thin shoulders. "Fairlight... dontcha even think about gettin' ta the Coburns in this blizzard. John and Bessie will be fine, wommin." Jeb ordered. He steered his wife back to the fire, where the children were engrossed in Zady's reading. An hour later, Fairlight went to the stove to start preparing supper. She had a warm soup, some cornbread and she started frying up the squirrels that Jeb had brought home the night before. "Young'uns.. . it's time for supper." Fairlight called. Everyone gathered at the table to say grace and eat. Meanwhile at the MacNeills' cabin, Christy stood at the stove, stirring a pot of stew. Neil watched her from the table. He studied his surgical notes. He looked at his wife, noting the sweet swell of her stomach. Christy's pregnancy wouldn't be their special secret much longer. Neil smiled to himself. Soon the entire cove would know their happy news. Neil bent his head and said a fast prayer that all would be well with Christy and their baby. He put his papers aside and cleared the table so they could eat. Then Neil went to stand behind his wife, taking in her flowery scent. Neil looked over Christy's shoulder as she cooked. "Smells tasty, lass." he said, as he put his hands on Christy's waist. He kissed the nape of her neck. "Neil MacNeill! I'm trying to concentrate on my cooking! Do you want me to burn the house down?" Christy teased. Neil pulled one hairpin from Christy's sunstreaked brown hair. "Neil! Let me cook!" Christy said, feigning exasperation. She turned and put her arms around her husband. Then she looked up into his blue eyes. Neil bent his head and he kissed his wife thoroughly. They smiled at each other and Neil gently touched Christy's stomach. "It won't be a secret much longer, lass. You are starting to show, Christy." Neil said happily. "Am I ? Are you sure?" Christy asked excitedly. "Do I really look pregnant?' "In my best medical opinion, Mrs. MacNeill, you do look a wee bit pregnant." Neil pronounced. They smiled at each other. Neil helped Christy bring the food to the table and they began to eat. "It's really coming down, Christy, look at that snow." Neil said. "Well, I'm glad we are safe and sound in the cabin, with no place to go." Christy answered. Just then, they heard someone knocking at the door. Neil went to see who was there. Kyle Coburn stood at the MacNeills' cabin. His face was red and there was snow in his hair. "Ya gotta come, Doc, it's ma Bessie... she thinks that thar baby is a comin." Mr. Coburn said frantically. "It's too soon, Coburn. Bessie will be fine." Neil answered. "Step in for a moment." Christy walked to the doorway. "Mr. Coburn. What's wrong?" she asked. "Is it Bessie?" "Yes m'am... Bessie thinks the baby is a comin." Coburn said. "Christy, you stay here. I will ride to the Coburns." Neil said. "Neil, there's so much snow... I'm afraid for you." Christy said softly. "Then come with me, lass." Neil answered in a worried voice. Then he looked at Kyle Coburn. "You stay close to us, Coburn, it's just a short way to your place." They went out into the cold, icy, blowing, snowing air. Mr. Coburn mounted his horse and he waited while Neil jumped on Charlie. Neil held his hand out to Christy and she pulled herself up behind her husband. She put her arms around Neil and snuggled close to him, inhaling his masculine smell of tobacco and soap. "Dear G-d." Christy prayed aloud. "Please help us see the way to the Coburns so that Neil can help Bessie. Please, G-d, please watch over Bessie and the baby." "Amen. G-d will help us find the way in this blustery blizzard." Neil said, hoping to reassure his wife. "I pray that Bessie and the baby are fine." Soon the two horses and their riders reached the Coburn cabin. The men led the horses to the barn, and then they started walking to the cabin. Before they reached the cabin door, as they walked up the steps, they heard a newborn baby's loud cries. "Neil?" Christy asked. "It sounds like a healthy cry, lass. It sounds like G-d answered our prayers." Neil said as Kyle Coburn opened the door to his cabin. Bessie sat up on a bed, exhausted but smiling. John sat at her side and in his arms was a tiny, very loud baby, swaddled in the baby blanket Christy had seen Fairlight knitting. Mrs. Coburn stood proudly next to the bed. Christy, Neil and Mr. Coburn hurried to see the couple. They looked down at the newborn. John looked up at them. "I have a son. G-d has given Bessie and me our own little'un." John said. "Looky har, Miz Christy." Neil quickly looked at the baby. Christy looked down at Fairlight's first grandchild. Then she stroked Bessie's forehead. "You did fine, Bessie. Are you okay?" Christy asked. "Let me examine you, Bessie, and make sure you are okay. Then you must feed your son. He sounds hungry!" Neil ordered. An hour or so later, satisfied that mother and child were safe and sound, Neil and Christy mounted Charlie and headed home. It took longer than usual in the Great Wildflower Blizzard of 1914, because of the swirling snow, but they arrived home safely, under G-d's watch. And everyone in this story lived happily ever after... . Especially the author, who is counting the days until Spring. The End!