Title:  Awakenings
   Author: Betty 
   Email: JBKITT@email.msn.com
   Part: 1 
   Summary: Christy awakens from typhoid, and awakens to love.

   Disclaimer: Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy is owned 
by the LeSourd Family.  We are in no way seeking profit or credit for 
her story.We are continuing the story of Christy for our own amusement 
only. Any additions in story line and characters were invented by the 
writer.

  Awakenings.........

  I struggled to open my eyes. I could feel my lashes flutter, like the 
wings of the butterflies the children and I had chased across the 
meadows on those crisp spring afternoons. I heard his voice again, 
calling for me with more fervor.

"Christy.......CHRISTY......can you hear me? Squeeze my hand once more." 

I could feel his large gentle fingers pressing against the palm of my 
hand, urging me to give him a sign. My eyes were just beginning to 
focus. I could see his face; drawn, haggard, tired, desperately 
searching my face for more hope.  My heart skipped a beat as my eyes 
focused in on his bloodshot eyes. They mirrored the love I felt inside, 
a love for so long wanting to be acknowledged and set free. So it hadn't 
been just a dream! I really saw Fairlight, looking like the highland 
princess I knew her to be. And her babies, how beautiful and spirited 
and happy they were. And then Neil....Neil had actually prayed to God, 
and confessed his love for ME! 
 
I wanted to scream out at the top of my lungs, with all the joy of the 
children. If only I could let my heart speak for me! It would sing out 
and rise above the blue smoke that blanketed the rich green ridges. It 
would soar on the wings of a robin and ride swiftly with the wind, 
proclaiming to all, Dr. MacNeill loves me and I him! 

I had to tell him. He MUST know! I tried to clear my dry throat but only 
a whisper of air escaped. It was disheartening. I had to show him what 
my heart had longed to say.  I pulled my hand from his and smoothed it 
against his cheek, feeling the prickly hairs of his days unshaven beard 
brush against the palm of my hand. I somehow managed to whisper, 
".....Neil."

His face suddenly lightened, as if a great burden had been lifted from 
him. He pressed his strong hand against the hand I had placed on his 
cheek. As he closed his eyes, I could feel a few tear drops fall onto 
our hands and trickle through the gaps between our fingers. His head 
dropped for a moment. I wondered if he had heard me. Then I realized, he 
was praying, thanking our Lord for this miracle.

"Christy.... you're going to be all right," he pressed his lips to the 
palm of my hand and then repeated, as if trying to convince himself,  
"You're going to be all right!"

"....Ne-il..." My voice was hoarse and cracked but I wanted to tell him, 
tell him everything my heart felt.

"Don't try to speak," he placed his warm hand across my forehead as a 
smile spread across his face, "We have all the time in the world for 
words later."

That same curious expression came into his eyes, the one I had noticed 
during Tom McHone's surgery, again when I wore Margaret's dress, then 
again at Ruby Mae's wedding. Suddenly it dawned on me,  it wasn't a 
curious expression at all. It was something I had heard about all my 
life but never knew truly existed, the look of love! The same expression 
my father had in his eyes as he stood at his study window and watched my 
mother tend the garden. The same expression the elderly gentleman 
sitting in the pew in front of me would give his wife as he reached for 
her hand. It was love, an all-consuming, enduring love. 

My eyes grew heavy again. I tried with all my might to fight it off but 
fatigue won.

"That's right, " Neil spoke as he lightly brushed a few stray hairs from 
my face, "Sleep little one. We'll have many tomorrows to share."

My eyes closed and sleep drawing near, I reached for his hand and placed 
it across my heart.

He softly whispered, "I love you, too."

**********************************************************************
 Summary: Christy's musing; David, Ida and Miss Alice discover Christy's
 'awakening'.
 
 Awakenings: Part 2
 
 As the November sun peeked above the jagged mountain tops, I could feel
 it's warmth on my face and turned to it. How I longed to spring from the
 bed, throw open the double doors and drink in the view, my view. When
 poverty and despair were almost unbearable and the thought of returning
 to Asheville seemed my only recourse, all I had to do was stand at the
 open doors. The beauty, serenity and majesty of these mountains gave me
 the strength I needed to go on. It didn't take me long to discover the
 real strength of these mountains in the children and their families,
 these stubborn highlanders who fight against poverty with a pride as
 fierce as any I had ever seen. Amid their despair, they find beauty in
 the simplest pleasures of life; an orchard of persimmon, a lush tobacco
 field, a juicy green apple. I came to Cutter Gap believing I could
 change their lives for the better. I wonder if they know how much they
 have changed mine.
 
 The sun shone across my bed, highlighting a mound of tousled blond-red
 hair. I had to smile, knowing he must have slept there all night. He was
 a sight to behold! He smelled of a combination tobacco and formalin,
 which we used to disinfect the rooms of the sick. One of his legs jutted
 from the stool he had slept on, and I could see his boots were almost
 completely covered in dry mud.  And of course his clothes were
 dishevelled. Yet the sun glistened in his hair, turning it the shiny hue
 of cornsilk, and a peace encompassed his sleeping face, a peace he had
 not know since the epidemic. I can't recall a time when he looked more
 handsome! I reached to stroke his hair but paused, not wanting to
 disturb his sleep. Then I remembered the words he whispered to me before
 I drifted off into the most restful sleep I had in weeks, "I love you,
 too." My heart spoke to him last night, and he answered.
 
 My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a dish crashing to the
 floor. It startled me and caused Neil to jump to his feet from his
 slumber. I looked up to see Miss Ida, standing in my doorway with an
 empty tray in hand, the sugared milk and it's shattered bowl at her
 feet.
 
 "Christy," she first spoke softly then shouted in a fluster, "Christy!!
 Oh! David! Miss Alice, come quickly!"
 
 Neil and I exchanged smiles as he reached out for my hand. He
 repositioned the toppled stool next to my bed and took his seat.
 Slightly embarrassed,  he said, "I must have fallen asleep soon after
 you. Obviously the others don't know the good news."
 
 Neil placed a glass of water in my hand. I slowly put it to my parched
 lips, the first swallow not going down easily. But it was cool, fresh,
 and clean, and quenched my endless thirst.
 
 "Slowly now....slowly," Neil stated in the voice I had heard him use so
 many times for his patients. He took the glass from my lips, "Too much
 at once will make you nauseous."
 
 Before Neil had set the glass on the nightstand, Miss Alice, David, and
 Ida were standing in my doorway. Miss Alice rushed to my bedside and
 embraced me, "Thee gave us quite a scare Miss Huddleston," Her eyes
 glistened with fresh tears as the glory of the moment almost rendered
 her speechless, "Thy Lord has answered our prayers!"
 
 Ida busied herself picking up pieces of the broken dish off the floor. I
 could see her reach into her pocket, pull out her handkerchief, and
 inconspicuously dab the corners of her eyes. It spoke more to me than
 any words could ever convey.
 
 David still stood in the doorway, collecting himself.
 
 "David." I acknowledged him, hoping he would say something, anything. So
 much had happened between us in the year since I arrived. Our last few
 meetings had been so distressful; at his bunkhouse, when he jealously
 accused me of not worrying how it seemed to others when I went
 unaccompanied to Doctor MacNeill's cabin yet I could worry about being
 alone with him in his bunkhouse; then at the mission house, when he
 declared to Miss Alice and I that he was resigning from his post at the
 mission. I hoped he had put these issues behind him and we could start
 anew.
 
 Miss Alice rose to her feet as David strode to my bedside. He knelt on
 the floor next to me and held my hand in his. His voice choked with
 emotion as he said, "I thought I was going to lose you." Then he looked
 across to Neil, "How can I ever thank you?"
 
 Neil looked David square in the eyes and replied, "Reverend, it is not I
 you should be thanking."
 
 Miss Alice's eyes widened in surprise as she caught the meaning behind
 this remark.
**********************************************************************
 
Title: Awakening Part 3
Summary: More rejoicing


Part III

Like a child with a secret, I started to giggle. I placed my fingers to 
my lips, trying to compose myself, but it was no use. My laughter was 
infectious as smiles warmed the faces of the quartet gathered around my 
bed.

David looked at me with confusion, "Christy Huddleston, WHAT is so 
funny??"

"Oh, David," I managed to get out between giggles, "You....you didn't 
shoot Birds-Eye Taylor, did you?"

"Of course not! What makes you say that?"

I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head. I knew it had to be a figment 
of my imagination but it seemed so real.

Before I could reply, Miss Alice interjected, "I believe I can clear 
this up for thee, Miss Huddleston. It was a simple bout of delirium, 
brought on by the fever. I can assure thee, Birds-Eye Taylor is alive 
and well and...." she paused, searching for an appropriate word, "as 
'ornery' as ever! I'm sure thee had many vivid, imaginative visions 
while under the grip of typhoid, but do not fret over these. They were 
nothing more than simple dreams."

Maybe I was mistaken in believing David had shot Birds-Eye. I knew it 
sounded ludicrous. But I also knew Miss Alice wasn't completely correct. 
Deep in my heart, I had been with Fairlight, watching her walk along the 
bank of a stream, with her honeysuckle basket tucked under her arm. It 
filled my heart with joy knowing I had one last opportunity to see her. 
This is how I would always remember her, sauntering happily through a 
lush meadow as her children, Jeter and Ceclie playing merrily around 
her. And Neil. He had confessed his love for me before God. It wasn't a 
dream, something I imagined because I desperately wanted it. It 
happened.

After pondering on Miss Alice's statement, I smiled, hoping the others 
could not see the warmth I felt rush over my face. Although my comments 
were directed to Miss Alice, I locked my eyes on Neil, "It was more than 
my imagination. It was a dream come true."

Neil tried to suppress a smile as he stood and cleared his throat, "I 
believe this has been enough excitement for my patient in one morning. 
If you all will excuse us, I need to examine my patient more 
thoroughly."

Miss Alice smiled and reached for my hand, "I will see thee in a few 
moments, with liquid refreshment to strengthen thy body, and perhaps a 
parable from the Bible to strengthen thy soul."

"I'd like that," I replied. Miss Alice turned to leave but paused as I 
called for her, "Miss Alice. I want to thank you. I can only imagine how 
much you have done for me during all this."

"Child, seeing you recover has been my greatest reward." Having said 
this, she followed Miss Ida from the room. 

David rose to his feet, "Well, it's time I get back to my chores. So 
much has been neglected since the outbreak, I don't quite know where to 
begin." David's eyes filled with a longing and loneliness I had seen 
many times before, "I've been so worried about you, Christy," he 
continued, "But now that God has given you back to me, it's time I 
returned his blessing. I'll start with the church. This Sunday's sermon 
will surely express the joy I have in my heart. The church building 
should reflect my gratefulness to Him at your return." David placed a 
soft kiss on my forehead. I could see Neil look down at his feet, a 
slight twinge of jealousy coursing through him. David turned to him and 
said, "Take good care of her, Doctor."

As David walked away, Neil replied almost under his breath, "I always 
have."

David paused in the doorway for a second. Without acknowledging this 
reply, he continued on his way.
**********************************************************************
Title: Awakenings Part 4
Summary:Neil fills Christy in on the progress of the epidemic.

Awakenings PartIV

Part IV

As Doctor MacNeill busied himself removing medical instruments from his 
bag, I laid my head back on my pillow and closed my eyes for a short 
rest. So many questions raced through my mind. What was happening 
outside the walls of this mission? How were the children, my children? 
Had Lety Coburn made it through? Was Ruby Mae fully recovered? Had David 
continued my classes during my illness? Was Birds-Eye still evading the 
law? The questions were endless and dizzying. It felt good to close my 
eyes for a moment, just a moment.

"Christy." Neil's whisper jarred me from my half-sleep, "I know your 
exhausted but I must examine you. I need to assess your progress."

I smiled playfully, "I wasn't sleeping." But he knew otherwise.

Neil was all business as he listened to my heart, took my temperature, 
examined my mouth and took my pulse.  With all the questions swirling in 
my mind, I tried to be a good patient, and remained quiet until the 
examination was complete. Once I had heard Neil scold Ruby Mae for 
talking so much during her annual check-up.

"Ruby Mae!" His voice would bellow, "I can't hear a blasted thing 
through this stethoscope with all your jabbering! Now, if you don't 
remain quiet for a bit, I'll have to stuff cotton balls in your mouth!"
Then she would go on incessantly apologizing, saying she'd be quiet as a 
church mouse. The next thing I would hear come out of the closed room 
would be a loud groan, sounding more like a roar, from Neil. I didn't 
imagine that he would roar at me this way, but I was taking no chances.

"Your temperature is still up but it should be coming down in a few 
days," He scribbled something on a piece of paper. Was this my medical 
chart? He continued, "Nothing but liquids and soft foods for the next 
ten days." The same instructions he gave Lundy. Poor Lundy hadn't listen 
and lost his life because of it. Neil then wagged his pencil at me, "And 
no matter how well you feel, I don't want to see you out of this bed for 
any reason. Got it?"

I smiled at his seriousness and chimed in, "Yes Doctor."

Neil half smiled, knowing I was coying with him, but then saw the 
pensive look in my eyes. Hard as I try, I was never able to hide my 
emotions from him. He held my hand in his and lightly caressed my 
fingers, "What is it Christy?"

I didn't know how to word such a silly question so I blurted out, "What 
is today?" then continued, "How are the children? Lety? Ruby Mae? When 
will this crisis be over?..."

"Christy," Neil interrupted, "Ruby Mae is fine. Completely recovered and 
I'm positive busy trying to make babies with Will." This eased my mind. 
Although I had been her teacher, Ruby Mae seemed more like the little 
sister I had always wanted; nosey, bubbly, gossipy, always coming to me 
for advice. Neil continued, "Cutter Gap had this season's first freeze 
two days ago. The ground is beginning to freeze and the flies are dying. 
So far, you are the last one to come down with it. These are all good 
signs that the epidemic is breaking." He paused, a sudden solemnity 
glazing his eyes, "But I must tell you, Lety didn't make it."

"Oh no!" I gasped, "Poor Bessie!"

"There were others who lost loved ones as well; mothers, fathers, 
children- most families in the Cove were touched by this epidemic. In 
all, seventeen lives lost." Neil went on to tell me about the Mullin's 
family, who had a cabin on Raven Mountain. The entire family, both 
parents and their three children, lost to typhoid. I thought I had met 
most of the families in the area, yet never even heard the Mullins 
family mentioned. Neil explained that the Mullins were Melungeon, a 
group of people who were shunned by the highlanders for their mixed 
heritage and odd features. Unlike the light-skinned Scotch-Irish, 
Melungeons had blue eyes, shiny black hair, and dark skin that tanned 
easily. Some theorized that they were  Middle Easterners, mostly from 
Persia, who made their way from the Eastern seaboard into the mountains 
of Tennessee and North Carolina, along the way, mixing with American 
Indians and Negroes.  Because of their status as outcasts, they trusted 
no one and remained to themselves, not even allowing Doctor MacNeill or 
Miss Alice a visit. My heart ached for them as I recalled my arrival in 
the Cove and how I, an outsider, had to struggle to gain the 
highlander's trust.

"And today, Miss Huddleston," Neil's voice lifted as he changed the 
subject to lighten our mood, "is November 15th, exactly 6 days since 
your collapse. I must tell you, your delirium lasted longer than 
anyone's and I feared you would not recover."

"God must have had a good reason for allowing me to return." I squeezed 
his hands as we both smiled, "This is something we need to talk about."

Just then, Miss Alice arrived with my breakfast. Neil winked and 
whispered, "We'll talk later." Then turned to miss Alice, "Limit her 
visitors. She still needs her rest and I don't want anyone bothering her 
unnecessarily." I wondered if he meant David.

Miss Alice was surprised at Neil's specific order. Surely he knew she 
gave his patients her best care, "I assure thee, Doctor MacNeill, 
Christy is in good hands." She smiled, "And I will keep Reverend 
Grantland's visits down to the bare minimum." Her gift of perception 
caught Neil and I off guard as our only responses were slightly reddened 
cheeks.

**********************************************************************
Title: Awakenings Part 5
Summary: Christy has visitors, Neil goes to El Pano

Awakenings Part V

Within a few days, my fever had subsided and I was feeling like my old 
self again. True to Doctor MacNeill's orders, I stayed in bed, watching 
the sunrise and set without me, yearning to get outdoors to play with 
the children, who, throughout the days, I could hear laughing and 
singing under my bedroom window. The wait was agonizing. I wanted to get 
back into the classroom, where I belonged. For the first time in my 
life, I felt like I belonged. This was home. Even if the mountain people 
didn't trust me completely, their children embraced with me with open 
arms and open minds. They put a trust in me that can only be compared to 
the trust I have in Neil; unspoken, unwavering, complete.

Miss Alice carried out Doctor MacNeill's instructions almost to an 
extreme, at least was my opinion. She kept my visitors down to three a 
day, giving each only five minutes visitation time. In some ways, I was 
grateful. As much as I loved Ruby Mae, her endless chatter was enough to 
drain the last drop of strength out of anyone trying to listen. Most of 
the time, Miss Alice had to physically remove her from the room. Then 
there was David. How desperately I wanted to have a talk with him about 
the feelings awakened in me for Doctor MacNeill. Neil suggested I wait 
until I was physically ready to face this possible confrontation. I also 
knew that five minutes together was not enough time to say all I had to 
say, and it would be unfair of me to drop this bombshell on David only 
to have Miss Alice burst in on us declaring time was up. But it was 
getting more difficult putting David off. As the days passed, our time 
together was filled with less talk and more physical affection. He would 
start innocently by reading to me, usually romantic poetry. After one or 
two poems, he would set the book aside and whisper romantically as he 
caressed my hands. Twirling locks of my hair in his fingers, he'd place 
light kisses on my cheek then on my lips. Sometimes he'd get carried 
away in the moment and his kisses would become passionate. I'd pull away 
and he'd apologize, assuming I was getting fatigued.  He never noticed 
how I tried to steer the subjects away from (according to him) "how much 
he has missed my 'company'" to discussing the children and their 
schoolwork. As always, talking was the last thing on David's mind. I 
felt so guilty allowing him to kiss me this way, but why couldn't he see 
that I was not responding? 

>From the start, I was completely honest with Neil. He said he could bear 
David's advances towards me, for the time being, as long as they didn't 
interfere with my recovery. He understood that I tried my best to 
politely spurn David's affections while trying desperately not to reveal 
the true reasons behind my aloofness. I admired his patience with the 
situation. For a stubborn Scot with a temper that flared easily, I knew 
he must have dug deep into his soul to find such a great amount of 
patience. But with each passing day, I could feel his patience waning.

On the seventh night of my recovery, the full moon cast a glow across 
the Cove, illuminating the mountains and all their beauty. I felt 
somewhat melancholy as I laid in my bed, missing Neil. It had been two 
days since his last visit. The El Pano operator telephoned for him and 
described a terrible train accident; a few dead, many injured. They were 
in desperate need of doctors. After much contemplation on his part, 
assurance from Miss Alice, and urging from me, he hesitantly departed. 

Having all his attention this past week spoiled me, making it harder to 
be away from him. I missed the way his strong hands caressed my cheek, 
the way his rumpled sweaters fit across his muscular shoulders, and 
especially the way his eyes lit up when he laughed at something silly I 
said. But what I undeniably missed the most was the fact that he could 
just sit in the same room with me and want to listen to everything I had 
to say, without needing the constant physical attention David sought. 
Neil saw me as an equal and showed me the same respect. David saw me 
physically as a woman but emotionally and intellectually as a child. On 
many occasion, he'd use the same tone with me that I would use with my 
primary students. It got under my skin and was probably wrong of me to 
never correct him on it. 

My thoughts returned to Neil. I had to smile remembering him quickly 
whispering in my ear, "I'll miss you." I knew he meant it. He would miss 
me,  me in my entirety, not just my lips or my eyes as I had suspected 
were the only parts of me David ever missed.

Magically, large flakes of snow fell from the sky outside my window. 
It's beauty and wonder comforted me. Just as I was beginning to find 
solace in the new snow, I heard the creak of the stairs outside my 
bedroom door. Worry swept over me. It was late, too late for Miss Ida to 
be rummaging through the mission. David had retired to his bunkhouse 
early and this was Miss Alice's first night back in her cabin. Then my 
heart leaped. Could it be Neil?



**********************************************************************
Title: Awakenings Part 6
Summary: A person at the door enters and disrupts Christy's night.

Part VI

I listened intently now. It was unmistakable, the footsteps were coming 
towards my door. Fear of the unknown and exhilaration at the possibility 
it could be Neil swept through my body simultaneously. Whoever was there 
was trying to be quiet. I pulled the coverlet up to my chin. My eyes 
widened as I saw the door handle slowly turn. Fear gripped me as my door 
creaked open. Suddenly, a man's head appeared from behind the door. 
Fortunately, I was able to stop the shriek ready to erupt from within.  

"David!! You almost scared the life out of me!" I was furious...and 
relieved. What was he doing lurking around so late? And what made him 
think he could enter my room without knocking at anytime of the day or 
night? 

He smiled boyishly as he entered, "I'm sorry, Christy. I saw your light 
on and wondered if you had fallen asleep without putting it out."

"No," I stated flatly. I could feel my heartbeat returning to normal, "I 
was just lying here enjoying the snowfall."

David walked quickly over to the double doors and drew the long curtains 
open wider. He spun around to me quickly and smiled. He was behaving 
excitedly, constantly fidgeting with his seminary ring, "It's beautiful, 
isn't it? I love the first snowfall. It makes me feel like a young boy 
again. You know that feeling you get when your a child on the night 
before Christmas?" I nodded but he hadn't noticed and continued, "I 
don't know why but that's what the first snowfall is like for me." He 
ran his hands through his coal black hair, "Sounds crazy doesn't it?"

"No, not at all." I replied, wondering where all this was leading and 
why David was acting so strangely.

David startled me as he fell to his knees at my bedside. I could see the 
mischief in his eyes as he pleaded, "Come outside with me, Christy! You 
must be tired of staying couped up in here day in and day out, with only 
Miss Alice and Dr. MacNeill to keep you company. Share this moment with 
me, Christy. I promise not to keep you long." 

"But David, Dr. MacNeill said......."

David curtly interrupted in a voice bordering on a shout, "What makes 
Dr. MacNeill think he's the only one who knows what's best for you?" He 
lowered his voice and held my hand, "Christy, I would never put you in 
harm's way. Dr. MacNeill is going to give you a clean bill of health in 
three days anyway. What's three measly days?"

I wasn't comfortable with this at all. How could I go against Neil's 
wishes and risk my health simply because I hadn't been physically strong 
enough to confront David with the feelings I harbored for Neil? I didn't 
blame David for behaving as affectionately as always. He couldn't or 
didn't want to see the signs of my transferred feelings. This was 
getting out of hand. I couldn't postpone the inevitable any longer.

With the utmost seriousness, I stated, "David, we have to talk."

He rose to his feet. Wasn't he listening to me? How could I discuss this 
with him if he wouldn't remain still!?

"There's time to talk tomorrow. We must seize the moment now, before it 
passes us by." Before I could protest, David had the coverlet wrapped 
around me and scooped me into his arms.

"David! Put me down! I can't do this! Neil sa-..."

"Shhh," He whispered, "We don't want to wake Ida. You know how huffy she 
gets over romantic scenes."

I remained quiet as David carried me down the steps, out the front door, 
and onto the porch. I felt I had no choice but to go along with him. 
There was no need to get Miss Ida involved in my romantic entanglements. 
I was certain she would rest the entire senselessness of this display 
squarely on my shoulders. Although Miss Ida had been moderately polite 
to me since my arrival to Cutter Gap, I still felt she looked upon me as 
a threat to the plans she and her mother had so carefully laid out for 
David's life. I doubted she would ever see David for the man he is, with 
his own thoughts, goals, dreams, and even desires. Miss Ida treated him 
as an innocent child who needed her firm guidance, just as David treated 
me. Her world revolved around David. Unfortunately, sometimes David's 
world also revolved around David.

"I love the way the snow clings to the mountain tops." David commented 
as he set me on my feet. His brown eyes gleamed as he looked toward the 
moonlight. Although seven years older than me, I could see a childlike 
quality in his face, perhaps remnant of a life sheltered from 
disappointments. Was there some protective mechanism in his being which 
wouldn't allow him to be affected by all the disappointments we face 
everyday in the Cove? I felt as if I aged ten years by constantly facing 
the harsh realities of life in these mountains. How could he seem so 
unaffected?

"You're right. It's beautiful." I found it hard to speak. The rush of 
cold, winter air filled my lungs with sharp pain and stung my eyes to 
tears. My night clothes and bedspread were not enough to keep the wind 
from chilling me to the bone. I was tired and beginning to feel weak, 
not used to being back on my feet. A quiet ringing began in my ears and 
I thought I heard the sound of galloping horse hooves drawing near. 
Through my watery eyes, I could see a rider approach, and with lightning 
speed, dismount his horse and race towards us. Just as my legs buckled 
out from under me, strong arms swept me up as if I was light as a 
feather. A familiar voice bellowed out, "Blast you man! What have you 
done!?"

**********************************************************************
Title: Awakenings Part 7
Summary:Neil rushes Christy upstairs and has a few words for David.

Part VII

Awakened by the commotion, Miss Alice rushed towards us with a shotgun 
in one hand and a lantern in the other. The ringing in my ears subsided 
and the fog clouding my vision lifted. Neil rushed me into the mission 
house and up the stairs, Miss Alice and David following close behind.

"What has happened here?" Miss Alice asked desperately as Neil placed me 
on the bed.

A fury raged in Neil's eyes as he swung around to David, "That's exactly 
what I'd like to know! What was Christy doing out of bed, outside no 
less!?"

David kept his composure as he steadily replied, "I thought she might 
like to get outside and enjoy the snow. I assure you, Doctor, she was in 
no harm."

Neil inched towards David until they were nose to nose, "'I' am her 
Doctor, Reverend, not you. I specifically told everyone she was to stay 
in bed for ten days, TEN, not seven! If she has a relapse or catches 
pneumonia, her illness will rest on your head!" 

"Neil," I called from my bed, "I'm fine. I just got a little wobbly on 
my feet. David didn't know..."

Before I finished my sentence, Neil pointed to the door and glared at 
David, "Get out! I won't have you putting my patient in any more 
jeopardy."

David was beginning to lose his temper, "What right have you to tell me 
to leave the room of the woman I..." 

Neil shouted over David's words, "The woman who you what, Reverend 
Grantland? The woman who you LOVE? You don't know the meaning of the 
word love. Love to you is nothing more than a few stolen..."

Miss Alice had heard enough, "Dr. MacNeill!" She shouted to get his 
attention. Once she had it, she lowered her voice, "This conversation 
will hold. I think thee has a more pressing issue at the moment," She 
nodded in my direction, "Miss Huddleston's health."

Neil ran his hand through his wind-blown hair. He knew she was right, 
but he had one last word for David, "I will talk to you soon outside." 
then turned to Miss Alice, "About now I think a hot bowl of broth would 
be the best medicine for Miss Huddleston, if you will Alice."

"I'll return momentarily." Miss Alice gently guided David towards the 
door, "Let us go, David. Dr. MacNeill has work to attend to." Very 
reluctantly, David accompanied her.

The fire in Neil's eyes subsided as he placed his hand across my 
forehead then tucked the bedspread around me. He spoke softly, "Christy, 
what were you thinking going outside with him? Have we not see enough 
death in the Cove for you to realize you have to adhere to every one of 
my instructions? The slightest mistrust in my judgement could be fatal. 
I know I don't have to remind you about Lundy Taylor."

I'll never forget how well Lundy looked in the days before his death. He 
was such a handful, constantly wanting to get out of bed and eat 
anything he could get his hands on. I know how he felt! The smell of 
Miss Ida's cooking often wafted up the stairs and caused my mouth to 
water. I was sick of broth, sugared milk, and porridge. But I had seen 
the effects of solid foods eaten too soon. An ulcer hemorrhaged inside 
Lundy's intestines, causing his death. Lundy's thick-headedness and 
unwillingness to follow his instructions angered Neil. Lundy's death was 
so unnecessary. I then understood why Neil was so upset with David, and 
perhaps slightly with me.

"Neil, let me explain." I hated to see that worried look in his eyes, 
placed there by my actions, "I had no intention, nor desire, to go 
outside with David. He carried me out there! I wasn't about to protest 
and possibly cause a scene if Miss Ida woke up." I shook my head at the 
thought of David, "I don't know what's gotten into David. He was acting 
so strangely tonight. He said a few things about the snow but I think it 
was something else, but I have no idea what it could be." I placed my 
hand over Neil's and flashed him a reassuring smile, "As you can see, 
I'm fine. And I promise to never let anything like this happen again!"

The worry lines creasing across Neil's forehead didn't soften as I had 
hoped. Then he said something which surprised me, "Christy, I'm going to 
tell David tonight how we feel about each other."

His words hit me so hard that my head fell into my pillow. This was the 
dreaded moment. I wanted to be the one to tell David but putting it off 
had become too difficult. Neil convinced me that David's rash actions of 
this evening could have been life threatening. I agreed. It was time he 
knew.

Miss Alice entered as Neil exited without a word. She placed the bowl of 
steaming broth on the nightstand, cupped her hands together, then looked 
at me with those perceptive grey eyes, "You know, they often say 'boys 
will be boys' but I also agree that, at certain times, men must be men. 
This has been long in coming. I have seen it. Others have seen it. I 
only wonder why David has refused to see it." She placed a soft kiss on 
the top of my hair, "Don't worry, Christy. I will see that they behave 
themselves."

"Thank you Miss Alice." I watched her as she departed, knowing she was 
bracing herself for the imminent storm.

**********************************************************************
Title: Awakenings Part 8
Summary: Neil confronts David with his feelings for Christy.

Part VIII

My stomach tightened and a lump caught in my throat at the thought of 
what was happening outside. I couldn't stand not knowing! Would Neil 
break it to him gently? Remembering the look on his face as he left my 
room, I realized my answer to this question was a resounding no. It was 
a simply a wish on my part. Would David remain calm? Did I need to worry 
about it progressing to fisticuffs? The suspense overwhelmed me. I threw 
back the counterpane. Placing a stool next to the door of my porch, I 
slowly cracked the door open just wide enough for their voices to carry 
into my room. There was silence for a moment. Then a slamming of the 
front door. It startled me, like the unexpected shotgun blasts I hadn't 
quite gotten used to when I first arrived in Cutter Gap. I was surprised 
Miss Ida could sleep through all the ruckus. As if on cue, I heard her 
descend the stairs outside my room.

"Dr. MacNeill," David began. His voice sounded calm and I was thankful 
for this, "I apologize for putting Christy in harm's way. If anything 
happens to her, I won't be able to live with myself. I don't know what I 
was thinking..."

"That's just it.." Neil curtly interrupted him. I imagined he was trying 
to restrain his emotions, but I could hear the anger in his voice, "You 
weren't thinking! That's your problem, David, you never think about 
anyone but yourself. Have you ever thought about what's best for the 
people of this Cove? You preach sermons about the evils of moonshine but 
you don't realize the money they make is all these families have to get 
them through the winter. Were you thinking about what was best for Ida 
when you asked her to come to no-man's land to keep house for YOU, to 
cook for YOU? What chance does she have to find a decent man now, 
David?" There was silence for a moment, then Neil continued, "And what 
about Christy? Do you even know what her favorite book is....her 
favorite flower...song...that she's afraid of the dark? No, you don't 
know these things about her because you don't care to listen. You're too 
busy living under that umbrella your mother and sister hold for you!"

"NEIL!" It was Miss Alice. The fear in my mind was somewhat eased 
knowing she was there, "Thou has no need to bring others into this 
conversation."

"You're right, Alice. Forgive me Ida." 

Miss Ida must have stood there the entire time, listening silently to 
the berating David was receiving, "No need to apologize, Dr. MacNeill. I 
know the hand I played in all of this and I must confess, I'm ashamed 
for not standing up to my mother on behalf of my brother. David is not 
the only one who has a problem listening to the needs of others. If 
you'll excuse me, I think I'll return to my room and ask the good Lord 
for some guidance, now that I've faced my shortcomings." Within a 
minute, I heard Miss Ida slowly climb the stairs, softly sobbing. My 
heart ached for her.

With Miss Ida's departure, Neil composed himself and continued, 
"Reverend, there are things you must know. From the first day I set eyes 
on Christy, I..."

David finished Neil's sentence, "You've been in love with her," He began 
to sound agitated, "No matter how blind you think I am, Doctor, I have 
been aware of this. I've seen how you look at her. Everyone has seen how 
you look at her." David's voice steadily rose, "And, frankly, Doctor, 
you've made quite a fool of yourself these past months. What makes you 
think Christy would ever return your feelings?"

Neil's voiced carried above David's, "Because she all ready has! Christy 
Huddleston needs more than a man who wants nothing but to steal kisses 
under a full moon, a man who wants nothing more than what she can give 
him physically. She needs a man who wants her for all she has to offer; 
intelligence, compassion, friendship and love. She needs a man who loves 
and needs her to the core of his soul! So you see, you've been the fool, 
David, for thinking she could ever be happy with such a self-centered, 
hypocritic man as yourself!"

Miss Alice interrupted again, "Gentlemen! Let's not turn this into a 
shouting match. I'm sure Miss Huddleston wouldn't rest well if she knew 
the two men she cares a great deal about are quarrelling over her like 
two love-struck schoolboys. I must insist for her sake, lower your 
voices and try to remember you are gentlemen!"

"I'm sorry, Alice, but I will not hold my tongue any longer!" From my 
perch, I could see Neil step off the porch, raise his arms and look to 
the starry winter sky, "I've confessed to God and now I confess to these 
mountains. I love Christy Huddleston and she loves me!" He dropped his 
eyes towards David, "Do you hear me? She loves ME!"

David rushed off the porch and lunged towards Neil. In the excitement, I 
rose from my seat to get a better view. Without thinking, I shouted down 
to them, "David! Stop! Stop it!" But they continued to wrestle along the 
snowy ground, until Neil had David pinned beneath him.

"I'll not fight with you, Reverend! You've lost her. And I think it's 
time you faced this." Neil stood and extended a hand to David, but David 
just glared at him with eyes filled with anger and pain. Seeing this and 
having been rejected, Neil replied, "Have it your way then."

Neil walked away and into the mission house, leaving David to lie in the 
snow and his own self pity

**********************************************************************
Title:Awakenings Part 9
Summary: Miss Alice offers David some words of wisdom. David has an 
awakening.


Part IX

My heart tore in two as I could only imagine the pain David was feeling. 
I wanted to shout out, "I'm sorry, David! I'm so sorry!" But I remained 
silent, trying to choke back my tears. This was all my fault. I should 
have recognized my feelings for Neil long ago. But I had never felt such 
love for a man, never knew such powerful feelings existed within me. As 
I watched David stand and smooth his rumpled, wet clothes, I realized he 
couldn't understand my feelings for Neil. David had yet to find these 
emotions within himself. I prayed that someday he would find a woman who 
could awaken the power of love hidden deep inside his heart, someone he 
could feel more for than infatuation. Before returning to my bed, I saw 
Miss Alice walk towards David. I shouldn't have, but something made me 
stop to listen.

Resigned to the facts at hand, David stated, "I've lost her, Alice."

"Thou lost her long ago, David, but thine eyes refused to see." Even in 
the aftermath of this evenings events, Miss Alice was as cool and 
composed as always.

"You're wrong, Miss Alice. I saw it coming. But I thought I might have 
one last chance, one glimmer of hope." He ran his hands through his damp 
hair, "This past week, I pushed and pushed, hoping Christy could see how 
much I care for her. And with Neil away, I don't know, something snapped 
inside of me tonight. I had to reach out to her one last time, before 
Neil returned from El Pano. The thought of losing her to him drove me 
crazy! I guess I was acting out of desperation." David took a deep 
breath. With a twinge of anger in his voice, he continued, "I don't 
understand what she sees in him! What does he possibly have to offer 
her? A life in these mountains filled with poverty and hopelessness? 
Doesn't she understand? I could take her away from all of this, give her 
everything a woman like her deserves, a home with all the refineries a 
woman could wish for, a respectable standing in the church and 
community, life in a city where she wouldn't have to worry about hunger 
and disease."

Miss Alice interrupted, "Yes, any woman might seem out of her mind not 
to want those things. But thee must remember, Miss Huddleston had all 
those 'things' before she came to Cutter Gap. If she had truly been 
happy, do you think she would have left her comfortable home for a life 
in these backwoods?" Miss Alice paused but I don't think she was waiting 
for an answer. By the look of confusion on David's face, I could see he 
didn't know the answer. Miss Alice continued, "Thee has alot to learn 
about the nature of people, David. There are those in the world, not 
unlike yourself, who find pleasure in status in society, owning one of 
those fancy new motorcars, or attending an array of whirling social 
affairs with a long list of ladies and gentlemen of refinery listening 
breathlessly to your every word. Then there are those, like Miss 
Huddleston, who seek the peace and comfort of a glorious sunrise, or 
perhaps a newly discovered patch of violets, or the whisper in one's ear 
of an innocent child confessing her love for a woman she admires. If 
returned to a life in the city, Miss Huddleston would suffocate and 
wither away, much like a flower devoid of any sunlight and water." Miss 
Alice wondered if any of this made sense to David, "So you see, David, 
as hard as it it for thee to believe, this is Christy's home. She has 
found everything in Cutter Gap her heart as ever sought, including 
something thee forgot to list," David's eyes widened. He couldn't 
imagine a woman wanting for more than he had to offer. Miss Alice 
answered his unspoken question, "Love, David......love."

An awareness washed over David's face. All this time, it was as if he 
had been living in the dark, then suddenly, someone lit a lamp and 
showed him a glimpse into the light. Hard as I tried for so long, I 
failed. It took the words of an experienced, wise woman like Alice 
Henderson to awaken David to the endless possibilities of emotion lying 
deep within his heart.

There was a softness to David's smile as he reached for Miss Alice's 
hand, "Thank you, Alice. As always, your words give me great comfort and 
show me a new perspective on the situation at hand."

Before he turned to head towards his bunkhouse, he looked up to my room 
and caught me watching. I suddenly felt flustered at his discovery. Then 
the most amazing thing happened. David nodded and smiled at me, as if to 
convey what I had long been hoping.....he understood.

**********************************************************************
Title: Awakenings Part 10
Summary: A wrap up of Christy's life.

Part X

That evening, my life started on a new path. Miss Alice was correct in 
saying my heart had found what it had always sought, love. Neil and I 
were married on May 19, 1914 in a glorious ceremony attended by the 
entire Cove. With a new found peace in his heart, David officiated. I 
wore my great-grandmother's lace wedding gown (the one she brought all 
the way from England), my mother's pearls, and a ring of wildflowers in 
my hair. And on my left hand, next to my delicate diamond  engagement 
ring, Neil placed a band of gold. He looked very dapper in his white 
high collar suit. I could scarcely contain the emotions overflowing in 
my heart as I walked down the aisle on the arm of my father, and saw 
Neil, standing there under the gazebo, a solitary tear streaming down 
his cheek. It was the first day of our 42 years together in wedded 
bliss.

In the spring of 1915, Neil and I were blessed with the birth of our 
first child, Anna Elizabeth. She was a beautiful child, born with 
porcelain skin, curly strawberry blonde hair and big blue eyes.  
Strangers often commented that she should be in the moving picture 
shows. Instead, she followed in her father's footsteps and became a 
physician, specializing in pediatrics. Following her medical education, 
she returned to Cutter Gap, where she and Neil were partners in the 
first medical clinic of the Cove. Travelling through Cutter Gap on his 
way to Knoxville, a craftsman by the name of Jacob Ritter fell ill with 
pneumonia. While under the care of Neil and Anna, Jacob succumbed to the 
sting of Cupid's arrow. He and Anna exchanged letters often during 
Jacob's travels. Every possible chance, Jacob returned to the Cove. 
Within a year of their chance meeting, they were wed and settled in 
Cutter Gap. They gave Neil and I four grandchildren; Little Jake, Mary, 
Michael, and Josephine.

Our second child, Neal Roderick, was born in June of 1917. He was a 
freckled face, quiet child. His hazel eyes held the same depths as his 
father's. Neal was a boy full of wanderlust, always seeking out hiding 
places among the hills of these mountains. If I had a penny for every 
time Neal sent me into a panic searching for him, I might be a rich 
woman! It was that same adventurous spirit that lead him to join the 
United States Navy in 1938. I was so against it but Neil convinced me 
that a man has to find his own place in this world, just as I had found 
mine here in Cutter Gap. He was right. Neal found his heart in the Navy 
and all it's exotic travels. He promised his father if he ever made it 
to Scotland, he would look up some relatives. On November 1, 1943, in 
the midst of World War II, Neal died in a weapons explosion at the Naval 
Advanced Base, Noumea, New Caledonia. I thought it somewhat ironic. In 
Latin, Caledonia means Scotland. Neal never married, but left a 
sweetheart, Jenny Collins. We correspond to this day.

My last child, Charles Edward, named after the bonny Prince, was born in 
the Autumn of 1919. This towheaded child was full of spit and vinegar, 
inherited from me, according to Neil. But what he inherited most was his 
father's athleticism. In 1937, Charlie received a football scholarship 
from the University of Pittsburgh. During his junior year, at one of the 
few games Neil and I were able to attend, Charlie's calf was snapped in 
half, ending his football career. He was heartbroken and immediately 
returned to Cutter Gap with Neil and I. In the summer of 1940, Charlie 
married Peggy Ann, the youngest daughter of Liz Ann Robertson. Within a 
year, they moved to Harland, Kentucky, and through much hard work and 
determination, eventually accumulated 80 acres of prime tobacco land. 
They, too, had four children, all boys; Neal, James, Zachariah, and 
Dwight.

I continued to teach in Cutter Gap until 1943. The death of Neal weighed 
heavily on my heart. At the age of 50, mourning the loss of my eldest 
son, I decided I needed to retire. Neil was getting along in age. He and 
Anna had their hands full running the clinic and I needed something more 
to do than keep house, so I became the clinic recordkeeper. It was more 
joy than I imagined. It lightened Neil's burden and gave me the 
opportunity to continue to interact with the children. Neil remained the 
primary physician in the Cove until September 25, 1958. In the still of 
the night, as we lay in each others arms, his heart ceased, ending a 
romance that all started because in 1912, at the age of 19, I decided to 
leave my city home to be a schoolteacher at a backwoods mission.......

The End