Disclaimer: The story of Christy is owned the Marshall-LeSourd Family. I am in no way seeking profit

or credit for her story. This fiction is written for our own amusement only.

Chapter One

Staring at the two men, I felt my heart drop. I looked to David; his eyes weren't begging as I had expected. They were pleading—pleading a case he felt he should logically win. Slowly, I turned to Neil. I was shocked by what I saw. He looked how I felt, broken. It all made so little sense to me. What could I possibly do? Time slowed. I took in the details of my surroundings. The individual hairs on my arm, the warm breeze on my face, the slight sound of a gasp from the school. Oh God, I thought, the children. Maybe they don't understand what's happening. One look at their faces told me they did. That knowledge snapped me out of my trance.

"David, please finish the mathematics lesson, and then send the children home early. I need to go see Miss Alice."

"Christy, you have to choose—you can't seriously be considering—"

"Thank you, David. I will speak to you later." My tone was final.

I marched as normally as I could back to the Mission, sneaking one last glance at Neil once I heard the door to the school close. I wanted to cry and fought back such an incomprehensible impulse. He must have seen my lip quiver, because he leaned forward, preparing to dismount. I shook my head silently. Not now.

The walk back to Miss Alice's cabin was quick. I prayed she would be at home.

"Miss Alice! Miss Alice!" I entered without knocking.

"Why Christy Huddleston—thee look like thee has seen a ghost! What happened?"

I could feel the warm tears leaking down my face. I tried in vain to keep my voice steady. "As you might say: 'I seek an opportunity with thee.'" I heard myself force a laugh as her face drew tight in concern. "Miss Alice—I fear everything has gone wrong and it's all my fault! I don't know what to do. My heart seems torn in half and I can't mend it. I know there's nothing for it, but oh, the way he looked at me." The tears came freely now, and I choked back loud sobs.

"He?"

"Neil…David. I don't know. They both were there, and the children saw. And now David wants an answer and I told her to fight for Neil, and she is and…" More tears.

"She? Margaret's back?"

I nodded slowly. "I'm sorry Miss Alice. I really did mess it all up. I'm sorry." But she wasn't looking at me.

"And she's trying to reconcile with Neil?"

I nodded again. "She was…they were…embracing when I went to his cabin. I rode off. I don't know what came over me. It all seemed so clear for a moment, but now it's worse than ever. I'm sorry." I buried my face in my hands.

"Stop apologizing, Christy. Thee were not alone in this."

Over the next half hour, Alice slowly pieced together what happened in the schoolyard. Despite my desire for guidance, she firmly resisted to give any definite advice. There was none to give. Neil was still married, and my infatuation with David was drawing to a close. I had one last question though.

"Miss Alice?"

"Yes, Christy?" She looked so weary all of a sudden.

"Do you think it would be better for everyone if I left?"

She looked surprised by that, so I hastily continued.

"I've just hurt everyone. You, David, Neil…and the children will all be affected—they know what was going on. You were right before—I am not here to find a husband. I just can't stop…I don't want to make it all worse."

"And thee believe that running away will cure all ails?"

"Not my own. But other people's, those I care most about…"

"My pain lies with Margaret, not with thee."

"Even though I—"

"Have feelings you have not acted on? I'm afraid that's part of being human. We all share that burden in one way or another." She paused and her eyes glazed over. It was clear she was thinking of someone else, but who? "No, Christy, thee cannot control thy heart, just thy head. In time, the heart will catch up to the head." I considered this old adage, 'Time heals all wounds,' but the look on Miss Alice's face told me she did not entirely believe this saying herself.

"I am afraid I can only leave thee with two thoughts—neither a solution to your problem. First, you must talk to David. And secondly, know this, the children love thee, Christy, but more than that, they need thee."

With that, she left her cabin. I could hear the sound of retreating horse hooves and wondered where she was going.