"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps"

~Proverbs 16:9

Chapter Five

The next time Neil stepped out of the Allen cabin and into the cool night air, Alice was pulling up on her horse. She looked as exhausted as he felt. He rubbed his roughened hand against his face to wake up a little. Little Burl had finally fallen back asleep. His pain had been worse than Neil would have expected and until the medicine had kicked in, he had told him stories to take his mind off the ache in his tummy.

"Well?" Alice asked.

"He's doing as well as I expected. Damn that Lundy, Alice. He should not be at that school."

"Who are you to be the judge?" she demanded. "You have taken no interest in the mission, Neil."

"He hit Mountie with a rock last week, and now he attacked Burl for getting too close to something hidden under the school. Just what do you think that might be?"

"What do you mean?" Alice asked, frowning.

Neil shook his head. "Christy said it was for you and Grantland to sort out." He grabbed the ends of his hair and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Neil?"

"Christy wouldn't say anymore. All I know is Lundy tackled Burl because he was going under the school to fetch a ball."

"You think there is something under the school Lundy was watching over?"

"I do." Neil nodded.

Alice sighed. "It would be just like Birdseye to stash his whiskey under the church." She shook her head.

"Alice, Christy blames herself for this, she doesn't think she can keep the children safe."

"This is not her fault!" Alice said, her tanned face screwed up in anger.

"I know that, but she is holding all this guilt because she's too small to stand up to Lundy. If John Spencer and Rob Allen had not been there, what would have happened to her?"

"Her?" Alice's brows flew up. "Well, finally thee admit it."

He sighed and looked off into the dark night, crossing his arms against his chest.

"It's pointless for me to hide my feelings anymore. I can't hide them anymore. She's opened my heart again, and although I fought it, I don't want to anymore."

Alice smiled. "I have known for some time." She chuckled. "I was waiting for that stubborn pride of yours to crack and admit it. I thought you might tell her first though. Perhaps you already have?"

He shook his head. "I needed to tell you first."

"Me?"

He nodded. "Margaret."

"What about her?" Alice always got a bit prickly when he brought up her daughter, his dead wife.

"She was my first love, Alice. She will always be part of me, but Christy..." He shook his head. "She caught me off-guard, somehow burrowed her way through all my defenses." He swallowed. "I had planned to die an old widower, but now I can't imagine not being near her. She has this light inside of her, a fire, this desire to do everything and help everyone. I was like that once, but somehow, I forgot. She's slowly bringing me back to life, like igniting a fire deep inside me."

"I see the light, too, Neil. She's full of life, willing to try everything, willing to fail as long as it will help someone." Alice laughed. "She needs your cautiousness and patience to curb her impulsiveness. The two of you are so similar yet so different." Alice grinned. "I've come to love her too, you know? She's been a gift us Neil, both of us. You don't believe in God, but I cannot deny praying for such a person to enter both our lives. I expected it to be two different people, though." She chuckled. "Does she know how you feel?"

"Maybe?" He grinned. "I'm a little rusty on the charm."

"What about Ida?"

"Ida?" His grin turned to a frown. "Ida Grantland?"

Alice nodded. "She made some comments the night before I left that made me think… She might think she has a chance with you."

He sighed with a grin. "She's a good cook."

"And?"

"I'm certain she is a fine woman," he said. "But I never gave her any indication that I was interested in her in any way. I think today was the first time I said more than ten words to her at a single time."

"Today?"

"I took Christy to see Aunt Hattie after school and Ida was hanging laundry and I said hello." He shrugged. "I couldn't pass without at least saying hello, could I?"

"No. But, I think thee must set things right with Ida before going any further with Christy."

"Ida? How in blazes did she think I was interested in courting her?"

"She can cook. The way to a man's heart… She's a lonely spinster, who may have attributed any attention to a…. love interest."

He ran his hand through his unruly hair. "Alright. I'll see to that soon. My concern right now is Burl and Lundy Taylor."

"There are two more things you must consider about Christy, Neil."

He raised his brows and waited for her to continue.

"You might want to prepare yourself that she might not stay here. I don't want you to wind up getting hurt. She would never intentionally hurt you, but she is young and life here… well, it's hard. You watched Margaret waste away here. Christy will not, she is made of stronger stuff, her heart reaches out to help other people. How did she do with the surgery?"

"Not as good as you." He laughed. "She didn't faint this time. I heard her praying. It was so quiet; I don't think she even knew she was speaking out loud."

"She also didn't walk seven miles in the wet snow this time." Alice laughed. "Do you doubt she prayed? I'd wager she prayed for guidance for you."

His eyes met hers and he nodded.

She shrugged. "It's what I pray for when we have surgeries."

"She might not stay, but then again, I might not either."

"Your research?"

"My trips to the eye clinic in Lyleton help, but until I'm at a research hospital I fear I'll always be held back from finding a cure. I can only do so much in my cabin."

She nodded. "You still have your heart set on Vienna?"

He nodded. "I think I would start in Baltimore, though."

"Have you received an offer?"

He nodded. "I have a standing offer. A research grant and a residency position at St. Timothy's. Once I got the State of Tennessee to set up the eye clinic at Lyleton, and I started sending research results and writing articles, offers for speaking engagements and employment started to come. I wasn't certain I was ready to leave here."

"And now you are considering it?"

"I'm not getting any younger." He felt about half-dead at the moment.

"There's another thing you need to consider, Neil. Christy loves God and is very committed to her faith. I never believed you were an atheist, but she won't accept a man in her life that doesn't at least try to understand the power of God. That is the only advantage Reverend Grantland has over you."

He did not want to consider Grantland having an advantage over him in anything, especially in winning Christy's heart. Alice did have a point, though. He could not pretend to be a Christian, but he had fought the Lord for so long was it too late to learn?

"Alice, you can go on home. I'll sit with Burl tonight. If you have time to come and check tomorrow, I'd appreciate it."

She nodded. "My trip was uneventful, just long."

He watched as she climbed on her horse and after exchanging a wave, he walked back into the Allen house, his mind full of questions and his heart full of uncertainties. How had Ida Grantland come to the idea he had any interest in her? Women flummoxed him more than anything. Give him a good math or chemistry problem to solve over women quandaries any day.

Burl was still sleeping when he went back in the cabin. Mary was sleeping in a chair next to the bed, but he noticed a pallet had been laid out near the fireplace for him. The Allens were good people, and just as Christy had said, they raised good children, even if Creed was ornerier than most. He kicked off his shoes and laid down, pleased to have saved another life.

It was mid-morning before Christy awoke. Her first thought was Little Burl, and then her mind shifted to Neil. If she would have told him about the whiskey would it have changed anything? David asked her not to, but what harm could it have done? At least he wouldn't be angry with her today if she had.

Last week was the first week she had not gotten a letter from home. Usually, both parents wrote her and Grandma Rudd, too. She frowned. Had Ben Pentland even come up the mountain last week?

She climbed to the edge of the bed and stretched. She had been too tired after reaching the mission near midnight with Mr. Allen, to even braid her hair. She must not have slept too fretfully as it was hardly tangled. She opened the balcony doors just a crack to get some fresh air and then set out to straighten the hair on her head.

David was pounding on something, as usual, but it was the sound of the birds chirping she chose to concentrate on. She opened the door a little wider, smiling at the feel of the warmth on her face. The chill of the February air forced her to close the doors after just a few minutes, but just that short time was enough to buoy her soul. Last week had been difficult.

She put on her robe and sat at her writing table. She wrote home every Saturday, as it was usually the only time she had to devote to such a task. Between lesson planning and keeping up on grading papers, there was never much time during the week.

Her letters to her father were always longer. He liked to hear about what she was teaching and always asked such thought provoking questions they took more room to answer. So, she decided to write her mother first.

Dearest Mother,

I did not receive any letters last week so forgive me if I am not

answering any questions you might have asked. I am not certain Mr. Pentland came up the mountain at all last week. I did not think about it until today when I sat down to write you.

I have encountered something I think I must tell you. I am not certain how you will receive this, but I thought it would be best to give you some warning. It seems I am falling in love. Now, please do not panic, Mother. I have written about him often enough that you and Daddy may have guessed that I was beginning to have feelings for him. And, no, he is not exactly the sort of man you likely had in mind for me to fall in love with, but as hard as I have tried to avoid it, I cannot. Rest assured there is no sort of understanding or commitment made between us, but I must tell you I have never felt this way before. I have never cared about anyone like this. You know I love you and Daddy and George, but this feeling is something quite… different. I shall write no more about this for now. It is possible nothing will come of it, but I would be lying if I said I did not wish for something to come of it.

Eileen has finally set her wedding date for April the thirteenth! It's likely been put in the newspaper already. I am still a bit surprised she and Stephen get along well enough to marry, but she seems excessively happy about it. As I expected, she asked me to be her maid of honor. She has picked out the dress already. She described it a soft lilac frothy layered gown. (haha- not certain what that even means?) It is at Mrs. Pickman's shop, and I was hoping you could take my measurements to her? I have noticed some of my dresses are getting a little tight in the shoulders. I suppose I am lifting more than I did at home. Carrying books will add muscle, or so Miss Alice says.

March 29th will be the final day of classes for the students before the planting break begins. I am hopeful to be on the Saturday train. I am homesick, but this place is so beautiful. I look out my window or go for a short walk and see God's hand in everything. I am so glad I was given the opportunity to come to Cutter Gap, but I will be glad to be home again with you all.

Much love,

Christy

That was easier to write than Christy had expected. Her mother would be worried, but the sooner she warned her about her feelings for Neil, the better it might be in the end.

Dear Daddy,

As I wrote to Mother, I did not receive any letters last week so forgive me if I am not answering any questions you might have asked. I am not certain Mr. Pentland came up the mountain at all last week. I did not think about it until today when I sat down to write you.

Last week was definitely the most challenging for me since the first week arrived. Mountie has suddenly stopped talking. We had made such wonderful progress and she was beginning to even read simple sentences, but something happened and she has simply stopped talking or even smiling. I am hoping she will be back to talking Monday, but if not, I think I will have to make a visit to her parents. Her sister and brother said there was nothing unusual at home, but I feel like I must get to the bottom of it.

The boys are reading David Copperfield, and as you can imagine, Rob Allen has already made his way through the whole book. I am thinking he would enjoy Treasure Island next? Could you send my copy please? He entered one of his stories in a writing contest. I can see that he is very passionate about his writing, and it seems he is just improving with every piece I read. I feel so honored that he shares his writing with me. His mother cannot read, and while his father is very good at numbers- he has to be running the mill- I'm not sure how literate he is.

Zady continues to shock me with her mathematical skills. She is flying through lessons. I love that she is hungry to learn. The three oldest girls are reading Little Women. They seem to enjoy it as much as the boys are enjoying their books. I am giving them about thirty minutes a day to talk about the story and characters. I give them a set of questions to guide their discussion. They talk just as much about boys as they do about the book, but at least they are reading!

I helped Dr. MacNeill with surgery yesterday. I prayed very hard, and I think God helped me through it. Maybe someday I will get used to the smell of blood, but I'm not sure! It was Little Burl. One of the older boys (I think I told you about Lundy?) tackled Burl and did something to cause an infection in Burl's tummy. Doctor MacNeill was able to remove the infection. He is so tiny I hope he recovers quickly. I feel very guilty, Daddy, that I'm not larger and able to intimidate Lundy. He is such a mean bully. I keep praying for him, and for me to help him be a better young man, but God hasn't answered just yet. Maybe, you could add a few prayers?

I will be home on the thirtieth of March for the planting break. Eileen's wedding is the thirteenth of April and I will be her maid of honor!

I hope you are not working too hard. I miss you very much, but I know I am where I belong… at least for now.

All my love,

Your Girlie

It was noon by the time she was done writing her letters. She should write George and her grandmother, but she would save those for after lunch. Her stomach was rumbling and she was ready to leave her room. She dressed quickly and stamped and addressed her sealed envelopes before going downstairs. Maybe Mr. Pentland would come today to pick up her letters before she had second thoughts about sending the one to her mother.

David was just walking in the back door as she set her letters in the usual pick-up spot.

"Was Little Burl better when you finally left last night?" he asked as a way of greeting.

"Yes, he was." She sat at her spot at the table. "Dr. MacNeill had to do surgery, and when I left, he was telling Burl a story."

"He is a wonderful storyteller, isn't he?" Ida asked, with a deep sigh. She set a plate of fried ham and a second one of mashed potatoes on the table.

"He is," Christy agreed. Ida had commented on Neil more in recent days than ever before. Had Christy missed something? Surely, he could not be interested in spending time with her if he was interested in Ida, could he? He was not that sort of man. At least she had no reason to believe it to be so. "Have you had a chance to tell Alice about Lundy?"

"Uh! That boy. Why must he be allowed to attend school?" Ida grumbled. "All he does is hurt the other students."

Christy filled her plate before answering. "I believe he has a right to learn, Miss Ida."

"But to what cost?"

"Well, he has not been at school the last two days so perhaps he will not return," Christy said.

"To answer your question, Christy," David said, "I have not seen Miss Alice yet today to discuss the whiskey."

"Mr. Allen and I passed her on the way home. I don't know when she may have come in. Perhaps she exchanged places with Dr. MacNeill?"

"No. Goldie is here," David said.

"I am certain she is tired from her travels this past week," Christy said. "Miss Ida did you see Mr. Pentland recently?"

"No." She shrugged. "I imagine there hasn't been enough mail to come to the mission. Were you expecting something?"

Christy shrugged and took a bite of her potatoes.

"For tomorrow, I have written a sermon about temperance and the evils of liquor," David said.

Miss Alice appeared at the door, looking refreshed. "Are you certain that is the best approach to the situation?" she asked.

David stood and pulled out the chair for Miss Alice. "Has Christy told you what she found?"

"No." Alice looked to Christy.

"On Wednesday there were," she turned to David, "what… a dozen or so jugs of moonshine hidden under the school. Have you checked if they are still there?"

"I emptied them all out," David said, "and broke the jugs into shards."

"Oh, dear," Christy whispered. "What do you think will happen when the person who put them there finds out?"

Alice sighed and reached for the ham to add to her plate. "Perhaps, David, it might be best to let it pass for now. I obviously cannot condone the storage of moonshine on mission grounds, but if you bring it up could it not make matters worse?"

"I disagree, Miss Alice. The sooner something is said about the situation, I believe the better," David answered.

"Be certain not to name names, or it could fuel the feud. We all know that the Taylors are likely involved. But there may be others that are involved without our knowledge. I suppose this would explain why Lundy attacked Little Burl."

"Yes, that is precisely what I thought," Christy said. "Was he better when you left the Allen's house?"

"Everyone was sleeping when I left. Dr. MacNeill was fortunate to have your help, Christy."

"I was visiting with Miss Hattie when Rob came to get him. She is quite a remarkable woman, Miss Alice. I must say I am in awe of her ability to live alone and blind in these mountains! I cannot understand how she does it."

"She is quite remarkable," Alice said. She took a long drink of coffee. "I am certain she will enjoy getting to know you."

"Ruby Mae said you went with Dr. MacNeill, Miss Christy?" Ida asked.

"I did." Christy nodded. "I did not wish to show up uninvited and even with directions, I would likely have become lost. I had never been to that section of the mountains."

"Do you think Dr. MacNeill will stop here today, Miss Alice, and update us on Burl?" Ida asked. "If so, I should bake a pie. We still have some canned peaches left. Perhaps a cobbler?"

Miss Alice glanced across the table at Christy, but she was not certain what the look meant.

"I am certain Dr. MacNeill would be pleased with either, but no, I do not expect him to make a trip here to update us on Little Burl. Of course, if he finds need for assistance, he may call upon us."

"Well, I hope he does come," Ida said.

"Ida, lunch was very good," Christy said, changing the subject. "Thank you."

Christy stood and took her plate to the kitchen. She washed it, and put it away. She straightened the leftovers and then with the remaining heated water, washed out the frying pan and potato pot. When she was done, she walked out the kitchen door for a quick breath of fresh air.

Ida spoke about Neil last week, but Christy thought it was just in passing. The fact that she continued to do so today was interesting and more than a little irritating. Of course, Ida and David were here many months before Christy arrived, and she and Neil could have formed a friendship just like she and Neil had. If that were the case, though, why was he spending time with Christy? Neil did not seem like the fools in Asheville that tried to juggle several girls at a time.

Ida was closer to his age, had much more world experience than Christy. She could cook and did a wonderful job caring for the mission house. She was surly, though, curt and abrasive. But then, so was he at times. Could Ida still have children at her age? It would be a shame for Neil not to have children, as much as he loved the ones in the Cove.

"Christy?" Alice called.

"Over here," Christy called back. She was resting against the tree by the pump. "I was just thinking this spot would make a nice vegetable garden," she said when Alice joined her.

"It would." Alice nodded. "I have not had a garden before, but I am certain with the help of our neighbors we could start one. Perhaps your students might even like to help plan it."

Christy smiled and nodded. "My Grandmother Rudd taught me how to can. She has so many fruit trees. Plums, peaches, apples, cherries, oh so many. We would spend weeks in the summer heat canning, but I loved every minute."

"Are you feeling homesick?" Alice asked. She rested her hand on Christy's shoulder.

"A little."

"Shall we walk to the Allens to check on Little Burl? I told Dr. MacNeill I would relieve him."

"Yes, I would like that," Christy answered.

"Other than Burl, did anything else happen while I was away?" Alice asked.

"I got a letter from my best friend. She set her wedding date. She's marrying my very first beau, Stephen Lambert."

"Is that acceptable to you or do you feel jealousy?"

"Oh, it's perfectly fine with me. Stephen and I…" she shrugged. "He was sort of always around. He played baseball with my brother, and I realized rather quickly, he felt like a brother, too." She laughed. "Sort of like David. He is actually a lot like David. He teases and never talks about anything of substance. If Eileen is happy, that is all that matters."

"It appears David intends to speak of substance tomorrow."

"I am so worried it will fuel the feud, Miss Alice," Christy said. "And… well, I blame myself for Burl's injury. I was looking at clouds with the little girls and missed the attack. And then when I reached the boys… Oh, I am just too small to keep them apart. Rob Allen is such a good young man, but if he would have kept fighting Lundy over Burl there could have been even more damage."

"It is not thy fault, Christy. You did not hurt Burl, Lundy did. He made the choice." Alice stopped walking. "Are you angrier with Lundy or yourself?"

"Myself. My limitations. Lundy is a bully, Miss Alice. That is who he is. I have been trying for weeks to change him, to make him see his behavior toward others is not Christian, and right. I have prayed for him, prayed that God would come into his heart, but it doesn't seem to be working yet. I cannot give up on him, though. I think that is why he is so mean, Miss Alice, people have given up on him." Christy started walking again.

"I understand he was a decent child until his mother left, then he became mean. Are you afraid of him?"

"Afraid?" She shook her head. "I am intimidated. I am more afraid of what he can do to the smaller children. I worry what might happen if John and Rob are not there to support me, and that is not fair to those boys to have to defend their teacher and fellow students."

"Shall we tell Mr. Taylor to keep Lundy home?" Alice asked.

Christy swallowed. Oh, how she wished she could say yes!

"Jesus loved everyone, even the Canaanite woman," Christy said. "Maybe I am being tested, Miss Alice. Maybe I need to look at Lundy and see that woman, and in turn hope Lundy will reach out for me, too. Not that I can perform miracles, but if Lundy would only reach out and ask for help, I would be so happy!"

Alice shook her head. "You have the greatest faith, child, I have ever witnessed in someone so young." She cupped Christy's cheek and shook her head, smiling.

The Allen's door was open, and Christy watched as Creed chased a rooster outside. Her heart dropped a little, when she realized Neil's horse was gone, but she had come to see Little Burl, not him. Neil was welcome to Ida, if that was what he wanted. Lord knew, Christy struggled in the kitchen, and he deserved someone who could at least keep him fed.

"Miz Christy's here with Miz Alice!" Creed yelled, running back in the house.

"I believe we have been announced, Miss Huddleston," Alice said with a chuckle.

Christy laughed. "Not much gets by Creed. Including frogs."

Little Burl was still in bed, but he was wide awake. Rob was reading to him from the "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and stopped when Christy came to the bed. She rested a hand on Rob's shoulder.

"You are a very good brother, Rob." She smiled at the older boy and then looked down at Little Burl. "How do you feel today?"

"Just fine, Teacher. You and Doc fixed me up right fine."

"I am so glad you feel better," Christy said. "I just wanted to come quick and look in on you."

"Thank you, Miss Christy, we're beholdin' to ya," Mary Allen said.

"Oh Mrs. Allen," Christy sighed. "It was my fault I couldn't defend him."

Rob stood up. "That ain't the truth, not one bit. That dang Lundy. He had no right to hurt Burl. Miss Christy, you didn't know what he could do."

Christy nodded, but she still knew the truth.

"I am just so glad you are feeling better, Little Burl." Christy brushed her fingers gently across his cheek. "I'll stop again tomorrow after church."

"Thank you, Teacher."

"I will stay here, Miss Huddleston," Miss Alice told her, taking the chair offered by Rob, "but do tell Miss Ida I will be home for supper."

Christy nodded and with one more look at the little boy and goodbyes to Rob and Creed and Mary, she slipped out the door around a small flock of chickens. Did Creed name them like his raccoon?

She needed to write her brother and grandmother yet today and finish grading the mathematics papers and get some assignments ready for the coming week. Her days off were never really free of work. The wind was picking up as she headed back toward the mission. She decided to go the shorter way. It was a little steeper, but it would take less time. She had learned to notice a change in weather and accommodate her trails accordingly.

In no time she was at the back on the mission. She climbed the back steps, but stopped when she saw two figures in the gazebo on the pond. The wind was whipping Neil's curly red hair in the air, making it even wilder than usual. The other figure had to be Ida. No one else in the area wore her hair pulled back so tight. Christy's stomach clenched. Then, she remembered what she had written to her mother and she quickly slipped inside the kitchen, unseen, hoping to grab the letter to her mother before Ben Pentland picked it up. She wouldn't want her mother to know her feelings if there was never a chance of them being returned by Neil.

"Fiddlesticks!" She sighed when she saw the letters were gone, replaced by a small pile addressed to her. She grabbed them and walked up the stairs to her room and closed the door behind her.

Ida and Neil?