Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. I do own my own words. This is fan fiction and for entertainment only.

Chapter Nine

One day after school I happened to overhear Miss Alice's 'phone conversation with Dr. Ferrand It sounded less than pleasant. I didn't want to eavesdrop, but really, when talking on the telephone it was hard no to listen.

"Yes, Jacob, he did hold a knife to Miss Huddleston's throat. Yes, she has not left us and continues on with us still. I don't think that's called for; Miss Huddleston did nothing wrong. Jacob, I have no idea why he did this, that's like asking me why the earth moves. Apparently, Miss Huddleston refused his proposal of marriage and he had not taken this well. No, I don't know for certain. I had been away for several days after this for personal reasons. I'd rather not discuss the matter now. If you find it absolutely necessary, then we shall await your arrival. Good bye Jacob."

I heard Miss Alice sigh as she hung up the receiver. Dr. Ferrand was difficult man, but I never thought he would have been difficult with Miss Alice. I entered the dining room from the parlor. Miss Alice had her hands to her head, massaging her temples.

"I swear that man can be ornery and contentious too much for his own good. Forgive me Christy, I do not mean to take my anger out on thee."

"Miss Alice, I understand. Dr. Ferrand can be too much to handle most of the time. Is he coming here?"

"Yes, I do believe he is coming soon."

My mouth went dry. I felt like I had finally gotten on his good side just as he left on his last visit here. The tone of Miss Alice's last statement finally struck me as being anxious. She would never get herself overwrought with emotion for a visit from Dr. Ferrand. There was more here and I could not help but press her for more information. If my position here at the mission was at stake, I needed to know.

"Miss Alice is there something else that he said that bothering you?" She looked down at her hands, which were now twined with each other in hesitation.

"Come, sit with me in the parlor. I have another story to tell thee." We sat down on the sofa.

"When I became affiliated with Dr. Ferrand's mission, I had already been in Cutter Gap a few years. I had set up some schools but knew the work was getting to be too much for one person to handle. About this time, Margaret left."

"Dr. Ferrand doesn't know about Margaret?"

"No, he does not. He didn't need to know, so I never told him."

"I'm sure he'll understand, when he gets here." Even saying the words, I knew that was asking for too much. Dr. Ferrand and understanding were not two words that linked in a sentence and a thought often or well.

"Christy, there's more. During his last visit, Jacob asked me to marry him."

"And?"

"I told him no for right now, but told him there was always hope."

This was not good, not good at all. This mission house seemed to be cursed with poorly worded declines of marriage proposals. It was just like David and I and that had not turned out well at all. I knew I was staring at Miss Alice with my mouth half opened, but I could not clamp it shut or form words to speak.

"What do I do, Christy?"

"Do you really have romantic feelings for him?"

"I'm not certain."

"I will say this, you need to be brutally honest with him, about everything. We can't hide Margaret from him. You told me your story without shame. You can do the same for Dr. Ferrand. It has to be done. Look at what happened when I told David I could never marry him." I pointed angrily to the rough scab on my neck. Though Dan had removed the stitches, it still served as a cruel reminder of what had transpired.

"Christy, Jacob could never act as David has."

"Then make sure you know the way of your heart and speak it clearly. There's no need to be afraid of Dr. Ferrand."

"What if he judges me by my past?"

"Since when have you been afraid of the judgment of others? You would have been driven from here long ago if you cared what others thought. You've got more courage in your right hand than I have in my whole being."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Christy."

"Well, what do we do until he gets here?"

"Carry on like always. Things are out of our hands, Christy."

Miss Alice rose and left the parlor. I stayed behind. Yes, things were out of our hands, but Dr. Ferrand was not God. He could not get rid of me if he wanted to because I belonged here. Anyone else would have tucked tail and ran for home, but I was still here. If he were the sort of man Miss Alice believed him to be, then he would not dare stand in judgment of her past. I prepared to stand my ground against Dr. Ferrand for the sake of this mission.

The next few days were very hard to get through. I was busy with school. I had to teach all subjects now that David was no longer part of the mission. I couldn't even count on Neil for a science or history lesson. No one had any idea where he had gone. On top of that hardship, was the general upkeep of the mission property, something Dr. Ferrand was a stickler for. The schoolhouse sprung a leak one rainy afternoon. Shingles were missing from the roof of the mission house. Fairlight was doing her best to help us out and care for her family, but it was not enough. Dan tried to help out whenever he could, but he was often called away since he was the closest thing to a doctor around. Jeb Spencer and John Holocombe stepped in to help us make the repairs needed just before Dr. Ferrand arrived. There was no one however to help me teach. I felt like I had stepped into quicksand and was sinking in up to my neck very slowly.

"Fairlight, this is the worst I've felt since I first came here. I feel like giving up, just like I did three days after I first started teaching. I almost left"

"What stopped ye then?"

"Mountie's coat. I couldn't leave without giving her just one thing that was good. I sewed some buttons on her forgotten coat."

"A coat? Air ye shore it was jest a coat that stopped ye?"

"No, it wasn't. I got a feeling that I was needed. That my students needed me and my love."

"Yer still needed, no two ways 'bout it Ye cain't give up the fight"

"I know, but it's just so hard."

"Recollect when I tole ye that God don't heap on troubles ye cain't handle?"

"Yes."

"Ask Him fer help then. And ye've got me ta holp too."

"Do you think God can teach reading and math for a day?"

"Don't know 'bout God teaching but I kin. I knows I ain't got a head like Zady for arithmetic, but I kin teach the little 'uns. An I kin holp with readin too. See, I had the best teacher in these parts show me how"

I didn't want to offend Fairlight by refusing her earnest offer of help so I accepted. It turned out to be the best idea. While I missed working with the younger students, I could concentrate better on the older students needs. Fairlight helped me in the mornings. But still the courage I had worked up to defend myself to Dr. Ferrand was slipping.

"Everybody stand up. It's time for the spelling bee. Burl, here's your word, reason. What is the reason for the answer? Reason."

"Reason is spelt r-e-a-z-o-n, Ma'am."

"No, sorry it's not. Have a seat Burl. Lulu, can you spell reason?"

"R-e-a-s-o-n. Reason."

"Very good, Lulu. Sam Houston, your word is remarkable. It is remarkable that-"

"-You are still here, Miss Huddleston, simply remarkable."

"Dr. Ferrand, how nice of you to stop by." I tried to make my words sound natural, but they came out sounding flat and maybe slightly insincere.

"I don't mean to interrupt, continue please. After you're finished with your spelling bee, dismiss the students early and walk with me to the mission house. We have much to discuss with Ms. Henderson."

"Yes. Go ahead Sam Houston." My mouth was dry and it was difficult to force out the words. It seemed like an eternity had passed before Zady Spencer was the last one standing in the spelling bee.

With forced enthusiasm, I dismissed my students who were eager to be out of school an hour early on a Friday. I pulled Ruby Mae from the door before she slipped out.

"Do you mind asking Bessie' parents if you can stay overnight."

"I will. Mrs. Coburn don't mind none most of the time. Do ye think Dr. Ferrand is gonna send you away?"

"I'm not sure Ruby Mae. I'll do my best to stay. If it doesn't suit Mrs. Coburn, then go to the Spencers."

"Yes'm." Ruby Mae gave me one last worried look and ran out the door to catch up to Bessie.

I returned to my desk and began to gather my normal things. I slipped my grade book and attendance roster into my satchel. My fingers hesitated over some of my personal belongings, but feeling Dr. Ferrand's eyes on me, I dropped my hands to my sides.

"Are you ready, Miss Huddleston?" I nodded mutely and walked to him.

As we approached the mission house steps, Dr. Ferrand stopped me. I turned to face him, pulling my shawl tighter around my shoulders. The November air was getting chillier than normal. It would snow sooner than last year.

"Miss Huddleston, I know we have had our differences in the past, but I do respect you for staying on. Now as the head of this mission, I do have to find out about this incident between David and yourself. I know already that you have the spiritual fortitude to stand up to the challenges here, but I need to make sure the moral conduct of my teachers is of the highest standards. Alice and I will have a lengthy discussion on this."

At his words, I felt that spark of fight glow into a steady flame. "Don't I get to say anything in this matter? I have every right to defend myself. I can assure you that there has been no moral misconduct on my part. Perhaps you are not the best judge of moral character since you're the one who selected David to be here." My voice started to raise into a pitched frenzy. Dr. Ferrand gave me a startled look.

'I suppose you're right. We all have our faults, but I need to know what went wrong with David at least. I don't have it in my heart to let you go from here. You bring this place a certain spirit, albeit a sparking one. You do remind me some of my late wife, Hanna. I'll let you stay, but you can't drive anymore preachers crazy with those wild blue eyes of yours. Let's get inside to Alice."

I let out a huge sigh of relief. My job was safe, but I wasn't sure how he would take Miss Alice's news. As I opened the door, I saw Miss Alice sitting in the parlor with Margaret. I was about to find out how Dr. Ferrand would take the news.

"Hello, Alice. And who is this lovely lady? Is she a friend of yours, Miss Huddleston?"

"Sort of." Miss Alice got up to greet us.

"Hello, Jacob. I would like to introduce you to my daughter, Margaret."

I saw a blank look cross Dr. Ferrand's face. "Your daughter." He repeated numbly.

"Sit down, Jacob. I want to explain all of this to you. Christy, perhaps you should take Margaret to Neil's cabin and spend the night there."

"But-"

"I need to do this on my own. I can't have either of you standing up for me. Margaret doesn't need the upset right now. I'll come by later."

I nodded and went to gather our things amid a frosty atmosphere. Dr. Ferrand had moved to sit in a chair in the parlor, but had not said a word. I went to Margaret's room and got several of her fancy scarves and shawls. She was going to have to bundle up to ride to Neil's cabin. I went back downstairs to Margaret who was waiting by the door.

"Here, put these on. It's getting cold outside." I handed Margaret the warm wrappings and shrugged on my own warm wool coat. I went to saddle Prince. It looked like Margaret would ride and I would lead. I went in and got Margaret. The air inside was still and silent in the parlor

I helped Margaret up into the saddle and we set off in the November twilight.

"So what exactly was going on back there, Christy?"

"Well, Dr. Ferrand is here to find a replacement for David and figure out why he acted the way he did. I think he entertained the idea of letting me go too. But the real trouble comes from the fact that Dr. Ferrand proposed to your Mother on his last visit here and he knows nothing about you."

"What is it with this place that makes men fall in love so easily?"

"I wonder sometimes too. Are you warm enough?"

"I'll be fine, we're almost there."

True to Margaret's words, we arrived at Neil's vacant cabin shortly after. Margaret and I carried our things inside and set about lighting a fire in the cold hearth. My fingers were so cold that every time I tried to light a match, I simply broke the head off of it.

"Give me the matches Christy. We'll be frostbitten by the time you get the fire started." Margaret took the matches and with a fluid motion got the match to light She tossed the flaming match into the pile of kindling and wood shavings. In a few minutes we had a nice little fire going. I went out to unsaddle Prince for the night and came back in to find Margaret looking through the cabinets for some food. I had forgotten to take any food with us.

"Just as I would have expected, nothing but cobwebs."

"I think there might be something on the back porch." I went and found a basket of apples and a crock of sauerkraut. "Apples or sauerkraut, Margaret?"

Margaret wrinkled her nose. "Apples, please. I hate sauerkraut." We both laughed and ate our fill of apples.

I placed a stone by the fire to warm up so Margaret could stay warm in the bed in the loft. I gathered up some quilts for me to make a bed on the floor downstairs.

"I can sleep downstairs, Christy. I don't mind, really."

"No, I'll stay down here and keep the fire going. I'd really feel more comfortable if you had the bed."

"All right if you insist. Good night then, and don't worry about Mother. She'll be fine."

"I hope you're right. Good night Margaret." I wrapped the warm stone in some muslin I found on a shelf near Neil's laboratory and handed it to Margaret.

After I was sure she settled in, did I try to curl up on my makeshift bed and sleep. Sleep was elusive. Eventually, I slipped into a fitful sleep wrought with fragments of hard memories. I woke up with a start after one of these dream-memories. I heard a noise on the front porch and something fumbling around in the dark near the door. Someone was trying to get in.

I jumped to my feet, looking around for something to defend myself with. The firelight flickered off of a rifle above the mantle. I grabbed it knowing full well I did not know how to use it It would work as a club, if nothing else. The door latch began to move. My heart was racing and my breath came in short gasps.

"Who's there!" I shouted as a figure appeared in the opening door. I hefted the rifle to my shoulder acting as if I knew how to use if.

"Well it's not everyday that the owner of the cabin is asked to identify himself at gunpoint by the intruder."

At the sound of the soothing Scottish brogue, I lowered the impotent rifle with heavy relief.