-1A/N: This chapter is kind of short..sorry. Hope you enjoy and be sure to write a review!

Chapter II:

The sounds and smells of many hands making breakfast awoke Christy from a much welcomed dreamless sleep. She quietly dressed and walked slowly down the stairs, ready for a change. As she entered the dining room all eyes shot towards her, nobody had expected to see her this morning. She walked into the kitchen to Miss Alice and grabbed a spoon and began to stir the grits.

"Good morning Christy, I trust thee slept better?"

"I did, thank you Miss Alice. I am going to speak with Creed Allen today."

"Christy, are you sure you want to that right now?" Neil's concerned words spoke what everyone was thinking.

"Yes, Doctor MacNeill, I am sure. That is the one thing I am sure of. I think we should try to move on. I'm going to try to get my school plans re-organized this week……maybe in a couple of weeks we can try to re-open. I think we should talk to the kids in a group about the burning. I think it would be good for them to be able to talk to each other."

"I think that is a great idea, Christy. I'll ride with you if you like." David

quickly added.

"No, thank you David, but I need to do this alone."

"Ok……well can I at least tack up Prince for you?"

"Yes, thank you…Doctor MacNeill are you going on your rounds today?"

"I am…are you wanting to leave when I do?" Neil asked almost excitedly.

"Well, yes, that is if you don't mind the company for a while. I thought I'd

stop by and see the children that you visit today. Who were you planning to visit?"

"Hmmm, let's see…the Allen's, the O'Teale's, the Coburn's, and the Spencer's. And I won't mind the company at all, Miss Huddleston. We'll leave after breakfast then?"

"Thank you, Doctor, and I'm ready when you are." For the first time since before the attack, Christy smiled as she spoke.

"I'll go saddle Charlie. If you want we can leave Prince here, there's no point in tiring out two horses when only one is necessary." Neil concluded.

"Oh……alright. David, I guess you got out of tacking up Prince then." She laughed lightly. "Well, I am hungry so let's eat!" Christy announced.

As they ate there were annoyed looks passed back and forth from David to Neil. Miss Alice tried to keep Ruby Mae from asking too many questions, pretty much a lost cause. After the dishes were cleared and washed, Neil left to saddle Charlie, quite pleased with himself. Miss Alice pulled David aside while Christy ran to get something from her room before they left.

"David, I noticed that thee were angry that Christy chose to go with Neil over you. I just wanted thee to remember that this has been hard for Christy and she may feel the need to surround herself with people who have suffered this type of tragedy before. David……do you understand what I'm saying? Christy probably feels more connected to Neil than you right now."

"Thank you, Miss Alice, but I don't think this is just because of the accident

and I'm not happy about it. Christy and I belong together and she knows that. She's just stalling our engagement because she's nervous. She'll come back around in a few days." David's eyes never saw Miss Alice's, his mind was fixed on what he imagined to be the future.

"Are you ready Miss Huddleston?" Neil had a smile on his face that brought an equally large smile to Christy's.

"Yes, Dr. MacNeill, let's go."