I had been back teaching for three months. Neil and I had been officially courted since we were cleared of the charges of murder. During the past three months we spent every spare moment we could with each other. Neil had even taken to coming to teach a lesson at least twice a week if not more. I never put him on the schedule, he would just show up when he had the spare time, he knew I would reschedule whatever I had planned for later.

So when I heard Charlie ride up to the school I grinned knowing the children would love whatever Neil had planned for today. When I heard Neil's familiar steps coming into the school house I looked up at him and smiled.

"Why Dr. MacNeil, what a pleasant surprise."

"And a good day to you Miss Huddleston." Neil said in that sexy Scottish brogue of his.

The older children always got tickled at how formal we were in front of them; they all knew we were courting. Some of the younger ones like Creed Allen would just shake their heads. In Creed's opinion the doc done lost his mind, 'didn't he know gal folk were nuttin but trouble'.

Neil strode straight to the front of the school and was standing there in front of me and the Children. "I have something really special to share today". He said as he pulled a velvet bag from his pocket. From inside the bag he brought out a ring. My heart started pounding, was he really fixing to do what I that he was.

"This ring has been in my family for a very, very long time. It has been worn by a MacNeil bride for the past five generations. My mother was the last to wear it." Here he turned towards me and got down on one knee, the girls started giggling, and the boys were grinning. "Christy Rudd Huddleston, I love you more than anything in the world, would you do the honor of wearing my family's ring and becoming my bride?'

I bite my lower lip trying to keep the tears at bay but a few slipped down my cheek, I couldn't trust my voice so I just nodded. The children cheered. Neil slipped the ring on my finger, stood up and pulled me into his arms, just before his lips touched mine I managed to whisper a yes. I could feel the smile on Neil's face as his lips met mine.


Nobody seemed surprised when we announced our engagement. Ms. Alice just smiled. Dr. Ferrand, who had stayed on to preach until David could be replaced offered congratulations. Ruby Mae gushed over the ring and wondered when Rob would be giving her one. I told her to be patient that they were still young. She told me that he had already asked for permission, but Ms. Alice was making them what to get married until after they finished school. I just shook my head. Fairlight just said 'it shore took ye long enough'. When I called my parents to tell them, my mother was shocked and was not real happy about it. My father just said three months to the day. That comment had me curious so I asked Neil what he meant.

"Well Lass, when I got permission to court you, your father told me I also had his permission to ask you to be my bride, but I had to wait three months to ask." Neil said giving me a cheeky grin.

Finally understanding the comment that my father had made the day of the trail I just laughed.