Disclaimer: I don't own Christy.

A special thanks to hmweasley for beta reading this story. Thank you for all of your wonderful help and assistance.

Author's Note: This is my first Christy story. I hope you all enjoy it. Christy has been one of my favored televison programs, since I grew up with it, and the books. You'll notice some mention of the Titanic and the sinking in this story, much like it was on the television series.

Historical Notes: William Murdoch and James Moody are historical characters. These men both served on the RMS Titanic and died alongside 1500 souls that were lost at sea the night Titanic sank.

If an engagement was broken, a woman's reputation would be ruined. In history it was never the man's fault that it was broken. Society placed blame solely on the fiancee. The fiance could then sue the family over the broken engagement. Women were often advised to be careful what they wrote to their beau's in letters.

A woman could be told she's to marry a man she didn't love. Based on the fact it's what her family wanted and she had little or no choice in the matter. Men had a huge control on women in society. Rachel agreed in this story because it was what her family desired. Eventually, couples that were arranged found love in some cases, and they became best friends.

Author's Note: You'll notice a mention of horses; but like in the Christy series Rachel ends up walking to the mission due to a previous rainfall.

Part 1

April 1911

Dear Diary,

Little did I know at the time I left my home in England that I would be embarking on a journey of a lifetime. I come from a family of three generations of God-fearing missionries. My name is Rachel Henderson, and I've left my home to start over in America.

Upon word from my auntie as I call her. To others, Miss Alice Henderson is my aunt and godmother. When my parents died in South Africa, I was sent to England to live with my mother's family. My story begins there at my home where they expected me to marry a man I didn't love. Even though he is a kind man, I could never marry someone I would never love. This is my story of escape from an unwanted arranged marriage and my family's legacy that led me to the Tennessee mountains in Cutter Gap.

So much has happened since I left my home of ten years. I was orphaned in 1902. Both of my parents were killed by the deadly disease called Typhoid. I knew that family would never have premitted me to live with Auntie Alice several years earlier. Now this was my chance, and I was not going to allow anyone to stop my dreams and the legacy to become a missionary like two other generations of my family.

I left my home without a word to anyone. In the dead of night, I Ieft with the help and assistance of my childhood friend James Moody. James took me to Liverpool where he still wished I would change my mind. I knew I'd most likely never return to England. He knew this goodbye was forever unless he decided to take a trip across the pond. I truly hope I'll see my old chum again one day. I can only hope and pray that my family will forgive me for the choices I've made.

I'm now on the train in America. The land of the free as my aunt calls it. Cutter Gap Mission is my final destination. I know this is going to be the hardest test of my life. Now it's me who's the missionary that others will be relying on for help. I only hope they'll accept me and the help that's offered them. From what Auntie's told me it's not easy. I only hope I can make the same difference my family's made with helping the poor. The people I saw my parents help were the best friends they made until their untimely deaths.

Rachel Henderson

"El Paino ... Next stop El Paino," The train conductor called throughout the car.

Now this is the time where the mission and the dream my family's held for three generations.

When the train stopped and the young Rachel Henderson stepped foot off the train, the beauty that Alice Henderson described in her letters finally came to life for Rachel. The beauty of the mountains was all to surreal for this young woman.

Rachel picked up her bags and began to walk towards the telegraph office. Knowing that more than anything she needed to send word back to England. When Rachel made it to the telegraph office, she knew this was a world away from what she once knew. The world of paved streets and automobiles with drivers for the wealthy families.

"May I help you, ma'am?" Mr. Thompson said when he turned to face Rachel.

"Yes, please. I need to send a wire to Grisby," Rachel said in reply.

"Where would that be about's ma'am?" Mr. Thompson questioned, since he'd never heard of Grimsby.

"My apologies. Grimbsy, Lancashire, England," Rachel replied with a smile just like Miss Alice might have given.

Rachel turned back to the paper she had in front of her, chewing on the end of the pencil. Trying to send a wire that she knew would do more harm than good with family back home.

Rachel, finally, was able to come up with the words she dreaded giving to her family.

The words Rachel wrote read:

In America. Safe and going to help Auntie.

Rachel

"Thank you, sir," Rachel said while she handed the paper and money to the clerk.

"You're welcome," Mr. Thompson replied.

"Might I enquire where I might find a horse to rent?" Rachel asked before picking up her luggage.

"Livery, ma'am. Whereabout's you going?" Mr. Thompson asked.

"Cutter Gap Mission. I'm a new employee," Rachel responded with a smile for the first time since the hard departure.

"You'd find a Mr. Pentland at the livery stable. He'd be you only way to the cove," Mr. Thompson said before shaking his head.

"Thank you," Rachel replied before walking out the door and towards the livery.

Rachel Henderson walked the distance to the livery stables. Looking around, she then realized that she hadn't a single clue as to who was this 'Mr. Pentland'. Rachel knew the shock was setting in that this was far from her home life in England.

"Excuse me, sir," Rachel Henderson said after approaching a blacksmith.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'm looking for a Mr. Pentland. I was told I'd find him here," Rachel replied.

"Yes, ma'am. He'd be getting ready to leave for Cutter Gap," Mr. Smith told Rachel after pointing Mr. Pentland in her direction.

"Thank you," Rachel replied before walking over to Mr. Pentland.

"Mr. Pentland?" Rachel asked.

"Yes, ma'am,"

"May I go to Cutter Gap with you? I'm..." Rachel said before being interrupted by Mr. Pentland.

"Not again," Mr. Pentland said.

"Sir, I need to get there. My aunt is Miss Henderson," Rachel responded,

hoping she didn't sound nervous. In truth she was nervous, and it was quite evident in her tone.

"Alright. I just took a school teacher up that way not long ago," Mr. Pentland said before walking towards the exit of the livery stable.

"Thank you," Rachel replied.

"Come on then," Mr. Pentland said gesturing his hand towards the valley in front of them.

The walk was longer and harder than Rachel could have ever imagined in her life. Seeing how the people lived was quite different than life was in England. This was the one chance Rachel had to make a differance. She knew this was the path she wanted. Even with the risk of her family's rath and anger with her.

When Ben Pentland made the descent to the mission property, Rachel knew this was everything her aunt had promised and more. The mission school and church building looked to her much more than her parents ever had to work with.

Being pulled from her thoughts Rachel heard her guide yell once again.

"HELLO, UNITED STATES MAIL!"

Before long, Rachel saw the one person she missed more than ever start to walk rather slowly towards her. Rachel knew who it was.

"Auntie!" Rachel called as she dropped her bags and ran to Alice.

"Child, how I've missed thee," Miss Henderson said before hugging Rachel the only way her mother would have.

"And I you," Rachel said.

"Rachel, thee weren't expected until..." Miss Henderson said when she saw Mr. Pentland come to Alice with Rachel's belongings.

"Mr. Pentland. Did thee bring my sweet Rachel all this way?" Alice questioned the mail carrier.

"Yes um' that I did," Mr. Pentland replied.

"Did thee have any mail for the mission?" Miss Alice questioned the mail carrier.

"I got a letter for Miss Huddleston," Mr. Pentland informed Miss Alice, quite shocked at the likeness the two Henderson women shared in facial features.

"Would thee like to sit down at the mission for a while and rest, Mr. Pentland?" Miss Alice asked as the others as around her walked towards the mission.

"No, ma'am. I'd best be heading back. Good day ma'am," Mr. Pentland said, tipping his hat and then turning around and heading back towards El Pano.