"Some people go through life trying to find out what the world holds for them only to find out too late that it's what they bring to the world that really counts."
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Chapter Nine

Friday night, Christy was almost too excited to sleep. She would fall asleep for a short time and then wake up, anxious she would be late to get to Neil's cabin. Would he leave without her if she didn't arrive on time? She supposed he would have to, he had many people relying on him who were more important than her. She was just a tag-along today.

Finally, just after five o'clock, she gave up trying to sleep and got up. She lit her lamp and splashed cold water on her face. She had pulled out one of her nicer dresses for the day, let it hang free, hoping the wrinkles would be minor. She had never been to Lyleton, but the opportunity to go to a larger town was enough excitement to pull out one of her Sunday dresses.

The night before, she had packed activities to do with the children, and extra snacks. She wasn't certain where lunch and supper might come from, but with what she packed, she would be satisfied, even if there was nothing else to eat. She decided she might add some extras, just in case someone didn't bring food or Neil had been too busy to remember.

Miss Alice had told Christy that Lyleton was twelve miles just beyond El Pano. So, it would be almost twenty miles each way. Jeb would be with them the whole time, and if she were completely honest, she would rather be alone with Neil as much as she could.

She finished packing just after six and then headed toward Neil's cabin on Buttons. She had heard it said that it's always darkest before the dawn, but today she could see a sky so beautifully filled with stars, and as the moon was beginning to sink lower toward the horizon, she felt God's love surround her. Christy was so excited to be doing something to help Neil today, to show him that his work was important and interesting to her. She wanted to see him in action, as the ophthalmologist he was trained to be. She also wanted to tell him how honored she was that he was including her in this part of his life. Alice said except for Jeb, he had never taken anyone else with him. Jeb was his best friend, and the wagon driver, so his presence made sense. She wondered too, how long he had been doing this. Why had Margaret never gone along?

Jeb's wagon was already there. She pulled Buttons alongside and saw him adjusting the harness underneath one of the horses.

"Good morning," she called out.

"Well, don't you look right fine today, Miss Christy. Was sure glad when Doc said you was coming along."

She chuckled. "Does Dr. MacNeill not provide good company, Jed?" She hopped off Buttons and put her bag in the back of the wagon.

"Oh, the ride home is usually better than the ride there." Jed stood straight and leaned closer. He whispered, "You didn't hear this from me, but I reckon Doc gets a little nervous going to the clinic. He has to work with other doctors, you know, and sometimes he don't think he's good enough."

Oh, her heart went out to Neil. How could he think that? She moved away from Jeb when she heard the cabin door close. She smiled at Neil. He was wearing a suit and a tie. Lord, he was so handsome in such attire, she swallowed, her eyes appreciating how well the cut of the suit accentuated his muscular frame. She knew he could fit in with her Asheville set. Seeing him dressed as his was confirmed her belief.

"I came looking for Dr. MacNeill," she said, with a grin. She pretended to look around the area. "How you seen him, sir?"

"Cheeky, sassy young lady," he teased. "Just for that, I ought to leave you behind."

"You wouldn't." She shook her head. "You looking all citified today, Doc." She tried to imitate Little Burl's voice.

"So do you, Miss Huddleston." His voice was tense, short. "Are we ready, Jeb?"

"We are."

"Can I put Buttons in your shed with Charlie?" she asked.

Neil nodded. She was surprised he didn't offer to help her. He had a leather satchel similar to her own that he was shuffling through, and must have his mind on other things.

"I can see to that," Jeb grabbed Buttons' reigns and led her away.

"Thanks, Jeb," she called. Neil still didn't look up, so she stepped on a spoke of the wagon wheel and climbed in the bed of the wagon. She sat on the haybale closest to the back of the bench of the wagon.

"Christy, I would have helped you up. I'm sorry," he grimaced. "I get a little… unsettled on these trips."

"I'm glad I'm here then, to help… settle you." She grinned.

Tension did ease from his face, and he smiled. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I am very glad for your company today."

"Do you need your saddle bags?" She knew he kept all his medical equipment in them.

He nodded with a smile. "I would have forgotten. When I don't take Charlie, I forget sometimes." He left the bag he was sifting through and went to the shed where Jed leaving from.

"Buttons is all set," Jed told her, sauntering back in his usual, unhurried style. Quick as a whip he climbed up onto the bench.

Neil came out of the shed, his saddlebag over his shoulder. He dropped it on the floor of the bench, next to the other leather bag he had been shuffling through and then climbed up. He turned to her and she smiled. "Are you comfortable enough?"

"I am." She nodded. "Do you have everything you need?"

His eyes narrowed, but she held on to her smile. "I believe so. If not, I can pick it up in Lyleton." He turned back around. "Whenever you're ready Jed."

Jed slapped the horse's rumps and away they went. It was still not quite light enough for Christy to read, so instead, she listened half-heartedly as the men discussed the stops they would be making. It sounded like the wagon would be full of patients by the time they reached the clinic in Lyleton. Several people were picked up at El Pano and then more at Low Gap and one somewhere in between.

"We will get the two children at Low Gap," Neil called over his shoulder. "Donkin, the boy, is seven and Maybelle is just five. They both will be seen by Dr. Ted Wilson. He and I have been doing these clinics since we opened it about eight years ago already."

Eight years? Well, he was married to Margaret then. Why would she not have come with him? Christy wanted to know everything about Margaret. She did not want to make the mistakes the other woman had. She did not want to hurt Neil as Margaret had. She was so confused how to bring up the topic of his first wife. Even if Jeb wasn't there, she would not have said anything. Alice was likely correct. He would bring it up when he truly trusted her. She hoped that would be sooner than later

"Dr. Wilson is bringing another doctor with him today; Leon Greene is his name. He will be working between Ted and me. He's hoping to get funding from the state for another clinic around Gatlinburg."

"Are there that many eye problems?"

"You've seen it," he told her. "Crossed-eyes. Lazy eyes. Trachoma, pink eye and many other diseases. That's why I tell you to keep the children washing their hands."

Neil was gruff, all business, no hint of teasing or his usual easy-going self. If Jeb hadn't warned her about Neil's discomfort, she might have taken his behavior personally. Actually, she sort of did take it personally. But, she would not allow his attitude to dampen her high spirits. This was yet another adventure for her in the Great Smoky Mountains. She was going to new places and meeting new people. She would have quite a bit to write home about this week!

The ride was smooth. It had not rained or snowed for quite a few days, so the road was in fine shape. Jeb's wagon was newly built and with the haybales for seats, it really wasn't too bad. Neither man had spoken to her in quite some time when they made their first stop, not far from El Pano. A man, in his fifties was standing on the road, not far from a cabin set back in a hill.

"How you doin' Beckam?" Jeb called.

"Just fine today. Looks like we got ourselves a guest joining us." The man named Beckam easily vaulted into the back of the wagon.

Christy held out her hand and introduced herself.

"You're that new teacher at Cutter Gap, ain't ya? The one who walked all the way from El Pano in a snowstorm with Ben Pentland."

"Yes, I suppose I did." She chuckled. She thought everyone was done with that story already.

As Jeb pulled away, Beckam asked. "You got some eye problems, too?"

"No." She shook her head. "I just came to lend a hand today at the clinic."

"Oh." Beckam frowned. "Doc, ain't Gertie feelin' good?"

"Who's Gertie?" Christy asked.

"She's the secretary," Neil answered, turning slightly toward her. "She helps with registering patients and getting them where they need to go. She's fine Beckam, Miss Huddleston is coming to help with some children we're seeing for the first time."

"Ah, you being a teacher and all." Beckam nodded. "How many youngins you got up at that Cutter Gap school."

She smiled. "Between sixty and seventy."

Beckam whistled. "You got quite a way with you, then, to keep all of them in line every day."

"I do my best." She smiled, with a small shrug. It was the truth, she did ty her best every day. Even somedays when she felt low and inadequate, she still knew she was working as hard as she could. She wanted so much success and happiness for the children of Cutter Gap, and even if she were just a small help, she knew it was better than nothing.

The men began talking about the upcoming planting season. She learned Beckham had something called Glaucoma and November, the year before, Dr. Wilson had provided a specialized surgery. He was going for a check-up as he did every three months. By the time they reached El Pano, the men had ceased talking. Neil was looking over his files and Jeb was humming a tune she didn't recognize.

At El Pano, Jeb stopped near the train station to wait for another three people who would be joining them. He pulled out a basket and handed it to Christy.

"Fairlight made biscuits this morning for you."

"How kind of her. I bet you got a few yourself," she teased.

"Just two. My wife makes the finest, fluffiest biscuits you ever did taste. You want one Beckam?"

"Naw. I got my wife up to feed me bacon and eggs. I'll be good for the day."

"Well, I won't pass up Fairlight's biscuits." Christy took one and handed the basket back to Jeb. "Dr. MacNeill would you like one?"

"No, thank you."

She frowned at the back of his head. He was acting cold as ice and she hated it. Yes, he was concentrating on his work, but surely, he could at least try to be friendly. She bit her lip as she wondered if she could handle being around him when he was a mood like he was. Was that how he behaved in his secret lab, while he was doing research? She decided it was good to see him like this, to know all the moods of this very confusing, yet intriguing man.

Jeb suddenly jumped off the wagon bench. Christy watched him walk up to a group of three people. The woman in the group was on the larger side, and seemed to struggle walking without the aid of the older man on her left. There was also a younger man, perhaps thirty on her other side, guiding her.

"This here is the Truman family," Jeb said to Christy.

He pulled down the back gate of the wagon and then he and the younger man helped the woman crawl into the wagon bed. The younger man jumped up and led her to a spot on the hay next to Beckam and sat down himself.

"I'm Christy Huddleston, the teacher at Cutter Gap," she said.

"Pleased to meet you," the woman said. "I'm Rosemary, and this is my son Walter. Doc MacNeill is trying to fix our eyes."

"We've both got Glaucoma," Walter explained.

The Trumans said good-bye to the older man who Christy assumed was the husband and father to the people now on board. He waved to them and then turned away and headed in the opposite direction.

"Are you married Christy Huddleston?" Walter asked.

"No." She shook her head as she felt her face flush.

Beckam laughed. "Mighty forward ain't ya?"

"Well, I have to know if I am to call her Miss Huddleston or Mrs. Huddleston, don't I?"

Beckham laughed harder. "What husband in his right mind would let a wife as pert as her go with Jeb and Doc on a Saturday when she don't gotta be teaching no youngins'?"

"You make a fine point, there, Beckam," Walter agreed. He chuckled and turned his attention fully on her. "I'm the minister at the church here in El Pano," Walter continued. "I know you've got David Grantland up at Cutter Gap."

"Yes." She nodded, but avoided making eye contact. Was Neil even listening?

"You ought to come down on a Sunday and listen to one of Walter's sermons," his mother said. Her hand went to her chest in a gesture of pride. "I might be a bit biased but he does a fine job rousing the parishioners."

"Is it a Baptist church?" Christy asked.

"Yes ma'am. The first one in El Pano." Walter's voice was tinged with pride. "It's been around over a hundred years already, but since we arrived, it's grown even larger."

"And how long have you been in El Pano?" Christy asked.

"Almost three years already," Walter answered.

"Doc, you reckon we ought to be heading toward Low Gap?" Jeb asked. "It don't look like Lawrence is coming today."

Neil nodded. "If we want to get to Lyleton in good time, we had better." He glanced over his shoulder at her but his expression didn't change. She had gotten pretty good at reading his eyes, but today they might as well have curtains pulled across them.

Soon Jeb pulled the wagon away. Mrs. Truman chattered away with Beckam, occasionally drawing her son in to the conversation. Christy knew the next stop would be Low Gap, a place where Neil spent a lot of time.

"Dr. MacNeill," she started, leaning closer to his back so he could hear her, "is Low Gap as large as Cutter Gap?"

"Bigger," he answered. "Cutter Gap has maybe seventy families. Low Gap has closer to one hundred."

She did not need to ask why he stayed at Cutter Gap when there were more people who needed him elsewhere. His cabin, where he had been born and raised was in Cutter Gap, and she was certain he would never move anywhere else in the mountains. She could not imagine him being happier anywhere other than his old cabin with the beautiful trout stream meandering in front of it.

"Why do you ask?"

"Oh, just curious," she answered. "I have never been over this direction."

"Raven Gap has about forty families," Neil said. "Big Lick Springs maybe only twenty-five at most. Low Gap is definitely the largest, but it is also the youngest area. There are a lot of elderly folk who refuse to leave Big Lick Springs, so that is why Alice and I are there so often."

She wondered which his favorite was. Were there other single women he visited in those areas? She really knew so little about his life and, when she had tried to ask more personal questions days earlier, he had simply refused to answer and instead changed the subject.

"Miss Huddleston," Walter said, "which is your favorite subject to teach?"

"Reading and Literature," she answered promptly. "I have always had a fascination with books." She lifted the one she had pulled from her bag. "I've been very pleased with my students' progress in those areas."

"What do ya hate to teach?" Beckam asked.

"Latin." She laughed. "In the world today, outside of the mountains, most people no longer use Latin. Although, I know it is helpful in the medical field, it really does not help the common man as much as mathematics and reading does."

"Are you required to teach it?" Mrs. Truman asked.

Christy nodded. "Yes."

"Well, I am sure you are a very good teacher, dear." Mrs. Truman gave her a kind smile.

Christy was not drawn back into the conversation again, but the few times she did look up from the book she had opened, Walter Truman was staring at her. She would look away, right away, to avoid his getting any ideas that she might be interested in him. While she didn't want Neil to be overly possessive, she was hoping he might pipe in and say something about their courting, but he didn't. Instead, his eyes remained focused on the charts on his lap. She supposed this was the only time he really had to prepare for the appointments, having been in Raven Gap the past few days.

Maybe something had changed in his heart while he was gone? She frowned at the thought. Could he be so fickle or was he, as Jeb said, just nervous and worried about the day ahead of them? She had missed him while he had been away, but to look at him, to note his behavior, he seemed indifferent to her altogether.

Why did this man have to continually confuse her so much?

"Now entering Low Gap," Jeb announced. "I say that for you, Miss Christy since I know you ain't been here 'afore."

She smiled at Jeb. He always did make her smile. His carefree attitude was such a contrast to the man sitting next to him. She had seen him angry only one time, and that was when Fairlight refused to come home, and instead stayed at the mission to earn a little extra money to pay for new shoes for their children. Of course, with Fairlight's sweet disposition, she was able to finagle him to agree to her working at the mission. Christy was not certain what she would do without Fairlight in her life; she had become like an older sister, a confidant to provide guidance as Christy meandered through the barriers and oddities found in the mountains.

Low Gap looked similar to Cutter Gap except there were more cabins along the bumpy road and they were closer together. Although she was sure a river or stream had to run through the area, she could not see if from the well- rutted road. As they climbed a hill, she saw a woman standing with two small children on her side. Christy smiled, concerned that the little girl- Maybelle was crying.

Jeb stopped the horses and the woman walked forward.

"Mrs. Grant," Neil began, "This is Miss Huddleston, the teacher at Cutter Gap I told you about. Donkin and Maybelle, she came along just to spend the day with you."

"I did," Christy agreed. She stood so the children could see her fully.

Jeb jumped down and lifted Donkin into the wagon. Christy bent down to look him in the eyes with a huge smile on her face. "I'm so very happy to meet you, Donkin."

He nodded shyly and looked away.

"Go ahead and take a seat right behind Dr. MacNeill," she said. "I'll sit between you and Maybelle."

Maybelle was a blonde haired blue eyed tiny little girl. Jeb hoisted her up in the air, taking away her tears and replacing them with giggles.

"Maybelle," Christy began, "Mr. Spencer has a little girl just your age name Lulu. She is one of my very best students."

Jeb handed Maybelle to Christy who immediately put her on her lap.

"Mrs. Jones, there is just a few things you have to sign to give permission for the children to be seen," Neil said, pulling papers from his leather bag. "Dr. Wilson will likely put a patch on their eyes, but if he decides he needs to do anything else, we will see to it next month."

"Show me where to sign," Mrs. Jones said to Neil.

"I brought some fun things we can do together today." Christy pushed a stray blonde curl off of Maybelle's forehead. "Do you like to draw and color?"

Maybelle nodded. Christy had been in this same position with Mountie when they first met. At least she was now talking to Christy again. Christy still had no idea what had caused little Mountie to stop engaging with her. She might never know, she supposed.

Mrs. Jones said goodbye to the children. "Thank you, Miss Christy. Doc said you would take good care of youngins'"

"Yes, I will. We will have a good time today. Have you two ever been to Lyleton?" she whispered.

Both shook their heads. "I haven't either," she said. "Mr. Spencer, how much further do we have to travel?"

"Oh, about thirty minutes."

"Perfect," Christy said, smiling. "Do you two know how to play 'I spy'?"

They shook their heads no.

"No?" She acted extra surprised. "Do you want to learn?"

"Yes!" Maybelle said, with a clap.

"Alright, here's what you do. I'll go first and then we will each take a turn." She looked around. "What you will do is say 'I spy'…. And then you say whatever you see, then someone else has to point to what you saw. So, let me start." She looked around for something easy. There were purple flowers coming up on the side of the road, so that was what she chose.

"Maybelle, do you know your colors?"

"Yes 'um."

"That's wonderful!" Christy said. "Alright, I spy something purple!"

The children looked around in all directions, and then Donkin said, "There! The wildflowers!"

"Yes!" Christy laughed. "Very good. Now, Donkin it is your turn."

"Oh, this is mighty hard, ma'am." Donkin looked worried.

"Oh, don't fret now," Christy said. "Just look for something that pops out at you. You can say something starts with a letter or something you use the item for."

"Oh, well then… 'I spy something people live in.'"

"That cabin!" Maybelle yelled, bouncing on Christy's lap.

"Was that right Donkin?" Christy asked.

"Yes 'um," he answered.

"Well done, Maybelle! Now it's your turn to spy." She noticed everyone in the wagon was playing along although not calling out answers. "Should we let everyone play?"

"I reckon so," Donkin answered.

"Okay, Maybelle, go ahead." Christy smiled, opened her eyes wide, waiting to see what the girl discovered.

"I spy…. Hmmm Oh! Something that flies and is yellow!"

"Is it that pretty yellow finch up in that there tree, Miss Maybelle?" Jeb asked.

"Yes!" She giggled, and then rested her head on Christy's shoulder.

"Good job!" Christy squeezed the girl and took Donkin's little hand in hers. "Alright, Mr. Spencer, what do you spy?"

"I spy something that starts with the letter… 'H'."

"Horse!" Walter yelled.

"You got it," Jeb answered smiling over his shoulder.

"I spy…." Walter started, "The prettiest blues eyes I have ever seen."

"Maybelle's!' Christy called out. She knew he meant her, just by the way he was looking at her, but she wanted Maybelle to feel happy.

"You're right," Walter said, winking at her.

"I spy something red," Christy said.

"Doc's fancy tie," Beckam said.

From there it went around and around until they arrived in Lyleton. Neil had not participated a single time. Was he trying to separate himself from his patients? That seemed very unlike him, but this was a whole new experience for her.