"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
~Romans 12: 17-19
Chapter Twelve
When Chisty awoke the following morning, she was not certain what she expected to find. Neil, Jeb and John were gone. But, fortunately so were Bird's Eye and his friend, Terrance. Not seeing the moonshiners gave her a small measure of comfort, but where had the men gone?
Fairlight, her children and Christy ate a small breakfast and then headed toward the mission for church. Fairlight tried to act light hearted, likely realizing that Christy was nervous about what she might find when they arrived. Christy wanted to tell her friend about her day with Neil, but kept it to herself for now, knowing the little ears with them would likely spread any information they heard. She hoped it did not seem as if she and Neil had truly slept together, instead just next to each other by the fire.
As they climbed the hill, Christy was relieved the mission looked intact.
"Thank you, God," she whispered.
As they moved closer, however, the real damage became visible. Christy's mouth dropped open and she started running toward the church, or what was left of it. Crying, she stopped at the foot of the stairs that now led to an empty hole where the pigs had tormented her day after day. The building itself had been completely burned to the ground. She covered her mouth and started to walk up the stairs when a strong pair of arms pulled her back.
"It isn't safe up there," Neil whispered into her ear.
"It's horrible." She turned into his chest and wept as if a good friend had died.
"It's mountain justice, Sweetheart," he said into her hair. He pulled her close and let her cry. "It's an eye for an eye. Grantland ruined their business so now they have ruined his."
He had changed clothing, she realized, the flannel of his shirt was comforting against her wet cheeks. "It's a schoolhouse, too, Neil. Did they not realize how it would affect the children?"
"Someone pulled out all the books and maps and slates and other school supplies and put them on the mission porch before they set the place ablaze," he whispered against her ear. "It is not you they had an issue with, just as Birdseye said, but Grantland."
She pulled out of his arms and looked up at him, shaking her head. "Alice even warned David something bad would happen if he brought up the moonshine. That's why I couldn't say anything to you at the Allen place when we were in the mill together. David said he wanted to sort it out. I wanted to tell you, Neil. I do not want any secrets between us, but I couldn't."
He nodded. Cupping her cheek, he said, "I don't want secrets either, but if I knew what the situation was, I could have tried to reason with Grantland. You need to trust me. I have your best interest at heart." He caressed her cheek with his knuckles. "Always."
She nodded. "I know you do, Neil, but David didn't listen to Alice, who is his boss, I doubt he would have listened to you." She looked in the yard, surprised by all the people arriving. "Is he back from El Pano yet?"
Neil nodded. "He locked himself in the bunkhouse."
She took his hand. "Come on, we have to get him out of there."
He pulled back on her hand. "Why?"
"He has to preach today, of all days!" Christy said. She swiped the tears from her face. "We can't let the moonshiners win, Neil. God's word is just as powerful outside a building as it is inside."
Neil followed her as she made her way to the bunkhouse. She stopped several times to accept hugs from students and mothers, but thankfully he stood close to her, because she thought she might fall apart at any moment. She had expected something, but not this bad.
She pounded on the bunkhouse door. "David, it's Christy and Neil, open up!"
"No!" He sounded like a petulant boy.
"David Grantland, you have to preach today," she fumed. "Your congregation needs to hear God's word of comfort. We are all hurting."
The door flung open. "Where were you yesterday to stop this from happening?" he demanded. "If you would have been here it wouldn't have burned to the ground."
"Birdseye caught us at the Spencer road," Neil told him calmly. "With a gun to Jeb's head, I might add. It's good she wasn't here or she might have been hurt."
"This was tacked on the door of the mission." David thrust a piece of paper at Neil.
'I fer I,' was all that was written on the paper.
"Am I going to have to admit to these people what a mistake I made?" David asked. He was furious. "Was I wrong to say moonshining is a sin? Because you know it is, Christy." He was pointing at her, accusingly. "It's illegal and immoral."
"When you first got here," Neil started, patiently, "you and I spoke about keeping your nose in the bible and concentrating on helping people come to know God. Last week, you dared to call their very livelihoods a sin. You dumped their moonshine, their income, on the ground and broke their jugs, preventing them from refilling them to sell. Because you proclaimed war on them, they have retaliated."
She took Neil's hand to stop him. He was only making David more upset, even if he was being honest with him. "You should preach about how God is our refuge," Christy told David. "Psalm 46. The building is not what makes us a church, but it's the community."
Ida joined them. "Christy's right. If you don't preach today, they will know they beat you. Everyone is waiting for you. It's time." Ida handed Christy a quilt and walked toward the church yard.
"Fine," David said. "People are going to expect me to forgive and move on, but I can't Christy." He glared at her. His voice grew in volume and intensity, his voice cracking as he shouted. "I built that building myself, with no help from anyone in this Cove although they came here every Sunday and have been sending their children here, too. This is personal."
He stormed out of the bunkhouse and over toward the top of the hill. She knew he needed to vent the frustration and anger, she just hoped he could calm down before he began the service.
Christy watched David stalk away and turned to look up at Neil. "Will you stay today?" When he looked hesitant, she took his hand. "Just sit with me. Please? I need your strength, Neil."
He nodded and squeezed her hand. She found a spot on the ground and laid out the quilt. Immediately Ruby Mae came and sat with them. Lulu and Mountie cuddled close to her. Neil sat behind her, resting his weight on an outstretched arm. She did need him, not just today, but it seemed like every day, lately.
She grinned and looked over her shoulder at him. "I want my ribbon back," she whispered.
He gave her a slow sly grin and then winked.
She shook her head at him and looked up to David, thinking Neil behaved as badly as Creed some days.
"Dear friends," David began. He took a deep breath before continuing. "As you can likely imagine I was devasted when I arrived home to the mission this morning. Ida and I went to El Pano for supplies yesterday and decided it would be best to stay overnight at Mrs. Tatum's. Miss Alice is traveling, and Christy was intercepted at gunpoint by Birdseye Taylor. Luckily, she was coming back from Lyleton with Jeb and Dr. MacNeill and was safe with the Spencers last night. Ruby Mae was at the Holcolmes, so no one was injured. I have to believe it was divine providence that allowed for this, as it is rare that the mission house is empty."
He turned back to look at the building, collecting himself, Christy thought, before looking back at the assembled group. "This act was done in retribution for my sermon last week about moonshining. I was brought here to preach about God's love, about his understanding and his compassion for all of us. I overstepped my bounds when I began to speak on issues that are not within the commandments of Christ. No matter how I personally feel about an issue, it is my job to look at God's word, and not my own. This heinous act has humbled me to my very soul."
"Miss Huddleston suggested I read Psalm 46 and, so I shall." David opened his bible and after turning a few pages found the passage:
'God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge'
David closed his bible and continued. "For me, the church building has always been a place of refuge. It was quiet and peaceful, even when inside I was warring with myself. People do not need a building to seek refuge, but instead can take refuge in others. For example, a wife turns to her husband for support and guidance, and a husband looks to his wife to provide a loving home for him and their family. But God is our ultimate refuge. We can always rely on him when our concerns become too great, too powerful to overcome by ourselves. We are human, while He is divine. Looking at the remnants of the building, I realize just how little control I have over my own life. I may be able to control my own actions, but not those of others. So, today, friends, I encourage you to look to the Lord as your ultimate refuge in the inevitable storms life brings your way." He turned to the Spencers. "Jeb would you close with 'It is Well with my Soul'?"
Christy began to sing quietly, but was soon surprised by Neil's deep baritone voice behind her ear. Perhaps he had gotten something valuable from the service. She turned to smile at him, but his eyes were closed as if he was absorbing this moment in time. Her heart shifted again, as it was continually doing lately, and again, like the teeter-totter, from something bad, something good had emerged to balance her sails.
That teeter totter feeling had hit her the day before at the park. All was going well, she felt they were growing closer and then he closed up on her again. A short time ago they decided they would not have secrets with each other, but it seemed whenever Christy brought up certain things, he would change the subject or not say anything at all. She hoped this would eventually stop, that he would find he could trust in her as much as she did in him.
It was decided that school would continue, but outside, of course, and if happened to be raining, Christy told the parents and students they would not meet. Christy planned to teach every day until the 28th of the month. The 29th would be the final recitation for the year, and John, Rob Allen, Bessie Coburn and Lizette Holcolme would all be graduating. Then, on the 30th she would go to Asheville. The question remained: What would she do after that?
Faith tells me that no matter what lies ahead of me, God is already there.
Christy just wished God would clue her in on his plan for her future. This see-saw business was making her dizzy and incredibly frustrated. If God wanted to challenge her, He was doing a very fine job of it, but with challenges should come rewards or achievements and at the moment, she was feeling very lost.
Lunch at the mission was exceptionally quiet. Neil had left for his cabin, so it was Ida, David and Christy, each lost in their own thoughts and sadness.
"Mrs. Tatum sends her best," David said to Christy. "I also received word that Sissel would be coming on Friday. I will have to go to El Pano to pick her up."
"Her?" Christy asked. "I thought this was a childhood friend?"
"She is," David said with a grin. "I've asked her to come here so we might decide if there is more than friendship between us. But, now with the church…"
"Dr. Ferrand will allow you to rebuild, David," Ida said quietly. "He must. You have done such a wonderful job here with these mountain people."
They had placed calls to El Pano, in hopes of someone being able to track down Alice at Cataleechee and advise her to come home as soon as possible. They had also left a message at Dr. Ferrand's mission in Arkansas where he was scheduled to arrive that afternoon. Before they received word from either or both, they were all in a state of limbo.
"I am very happy for you, David," Christy said. "I will be glad to meet her and make her feel welcome. I know as well as you do how hard it can be to fit in here. Can you tell me about her? She is from Boston, I imagine?"
A smile crossed his face before he sipped his coffee, then he nodded.
"She grew up three houses away. She's tall, not as tall as I am, but about Ida's height. She's blonde with blue eyes." Christy glanced at Ida and noticed the other woman's perpetual scowl was deeper than usual. "She is a singer, professionally trained. She has been singing with the symphony, but they have started their spring recess, so she will have free time until August."
"I do hope she likes it here," Christy said with a smile. "It will be fun to have another woman our age here, Ida, don't you think?"
Ida shrugged. She and I never spent time together. She was with David and the other baseball boys while I was home tending to mother.
Poor Ida. "Well, now maybe you will have a chance to know her," Christy said. "We have so many beautiful places to show her! While David and some of the men start fixing the church, we can keep her busy." Christy turned to David. "I wonder if she would help with music classes while she is here? You know I croak like a frog. It would be such a wonderful opportunity to have a really talented singer. Oh! Maybe we could even have a musical!"
David laughed. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I hope she likes it enough to stay for awhile. Promise me, Christy and Ida, you will not take her to the O'Teales?"
Christy almost choked on her milk. "I promise. That is the last home I would take her to!"
"Good. Keep her away from Bird's Eye, too." David said. He pushed back from the table. "I forgot until just now. Ben Pentland gave us the mail yesterday." He stood up. "I'll go get your letters."
As soon as he left Ida perked up. She looked to make sure David was gone before she leaned forward.
"Christy, I have an enormous favor to ask of you," Ida whispered.
"Oh?"
"Yes." She looked down at her hands. "Could you… would you please do a… flattering… sketch of me?"
This was something she never would have expected Ida to request.
"Certainly," Christy answered, smiling. "May I ask why?"
Ida leaned closer. "I want to answer a mail-order-bride ad and don't have a very recent photograph."
"Ida! Is that safe?" Christy asked, astonished.
"As safe as you coming here unchaperoned, I imagine!" Ida snorted. "I am running out of choices. I thought Dr. MacNeill… but he is so obviously in love with you. Lord, I was blind to that, wasn't I? David will marry Sissel. He will probably be miserable but she is a beautiful woman, and they get along, but he'll have to be at a wealthy congregation somewhere to support her expectations. If I don't find a man, I'll be stuck going home to mother." Her face fell. Christy knew Mrs. Grantland could be very difficult. Poor Ida.
Christy chewed her bottom lip. Was it obvious that Neil was in love with her? She certainly thought so, sometimes. But other times, when he closed himself off to her, she could not tell.
"I will help however I can," Christy said. "Do you really think David and Sissel will wed?"
"I had expected it before he came here. In truth, I was surprised she had not been here to visit yet." Ida sighed. "They are very close."
"Do you like her?" Christy whispered.
Ida shrugged. "I will let you be the judge. I don't want to cloud your opinion with my own."
"Alice thinks his friend is a man." Christy suddenly laughed. "She'll be in for many shocks when she comes back."
"Might I also show you the ads before I answer them?" Ida asked, bringing them back to her request. "Just to see what you think?"
"How many are there?" Christy asked. She had heard men and women alike placed ads for a companion, but she had never seen one herself.
"There are many pages of them in the Boston Globe. The most recent edition was in the mail. As I read some of them, that's when I decided I might try to find a husband. Thank you so much." Ida touched Christy's hand with uncharacteristic friendliness.
"How about you teach me to make a chicken pot pie and biscuits in exchange?" Christy really did need to learn how to cook.
"Deal." Ida held out her hand and they shook on it, both smiling.
David came back with three envelopes in his hand and gave them to her. "Ben was happy he didn't have a load of stuff to come up this way."
"Well, my mother and grandmother know I will be home soon enough, so they likely won't be sending anything," she said quietly. She set the letters on the table and started cleaning up the lunch dishes.
"I'll wash." Ida said. "You go ahead and get your letters done. Can we meet later? Maybe around four or so?"
"Yes. Thank you, Ida."
If David found it odd that they were conspiring to meet later, he didn't comment. They were all waiting for the phone to ring, to give them some direction on what to do. David wanted to call the authorities. Christy wondered if Uncle Bogg, the only real official in the Cove, wasn't in on the whole thing himself. Who else could they turn to? He'd been at services that morning and hadn't said anything about finding the culprits.
Christy closed her bedroom door behind her. Neil had gone to services today, too. She decided before she read her letters, she would write out her list of ideas for changes in the Cove, just as he had asked the day before. Neil had intentionally detached himself from the work of the church and mission. She knew he did not think religion had a place in his life, but she also knew if he bought into, and accepted her ideas and vision, gave her some solid support and help, together they could make a difference- with or without the mission's involvement.
"One voice, one simple word/ Hearts know what to say/One dream can change the world/ Keep believing/ Till you find a way ~One Voice, Billy Gilham
She pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and took a deep breath. At the top, she wrote in large print "ideas," and then suddenly she was making a dot followed by each of her ideas. First, she wrote sanitation and wells. She figured that was self-explanatory.
Then, she wrote the need for another teacher. If enrollment continued to grow, she would never be able to keep up and once she hit the higher levels of math and science, she was not as effective as someone else trained to teach older children would be. There were too many young girls getting married and pregnant. Maybe the hygiene classes would lead to a decrease in that insanity.
Third, she wrote that they needed a spot for a lending library that the school children and their parents could use. If she continued to teach adults how to read, they would yearn for more than the bible stories.
Fourth, she wrote boarding school during winter months. Having a spot to sleep would allow children who lived further to still come to school from November to February and the continuity in lessons would improve their education. She put in parentheses Mission Loft.
The fifth point was entitled adult classes, including reading, basic mathematics and carpentry, cabinetry/ furniture making for profit. This could lead to extra income out of the Cove.
Her sixth dot was titled housekeeping guidance/womanly skills. Miss Alice had decorated her cabin beautifully. The Spencers had a warm, comfortable, but simple, clean home. There was no reason for the O'Teales to live as they did. She made dashes under the heading and added, herb gardens, veggie gardens, limit sauerkraut. She added dashes for weaving, quilting, canning, for profit. Christy chuckled, wondering if Neil would even read this far or if her ideas would overwhelm him. She just hoped they wouldn't offend him or people in the Cove.
She added another dot with a title hygiene classes. She did not want to write what she hoped these would cover. It was too embarrassing to think about much less write about, but her students, especially young people like Bessie and Ruby Mae and Lizette needed to be given some guidance about the changes to their bodies. There were so many babies in the area, and children getting married so young, even if she could delay a marriage two years, give the young people more time to mature and learn, it would make an enormous difference. This would involve discussion about sex, and Christy could barely look at her mother when they had discussed it, she doubted she would be able to talk to the students about it, but it had to be done. Perhaps Miss Alice would take on this task? She had been worried about Bessie and John especially, but was relieved when John said he wasn't ready to marry just yet. Bessie, on the other hand, was ready, made no secret of her interest in John.
The final idea was directed toward Neil alone. She made a large dot and titled it medical clinic. Under it she put dashes for trained nurse, maternity, baby check-ups, inoculations, office hours, less travel. If he could somehow get funding for the Lyleton clinic, why not here at Cutter Gap? He had mentioned a monthly maternity clinic in the areas he served. Perhaps vacant cabins could be converted into such a facility in each community? Maybe Alice could teach the hygiene classes for the younger girls, the baby classes for the pregnant mothers and Neil be available as needed.
How would Neil react to this craziness? Would he read it and laugh at her naiveté? Would he question her thoroughly, ask why it matters to her? She could almost hear him saying, "Why do you care, if you plan to leave here anyway?"
She had forgotten about the burned-out church for those few glorious minutes she had written down her ideas. Remembering the smell of scorched wood, and the sight of the swirls of smoke still coming off the smoldering wood, brought her back to reality. Dr. Ferrand would probably shut down the mission, anyway, and where would that leave her? He certainly couldn't afford to pay for supplies to rebuild. David would likely stay only until August and he and Sissel would return then to Boston. What about Miss Alice? What if Dr. Ferrand took away this mission? What would she do? Move back to Low Gap where she had started?
Christy set down her pen and re-read the page. It made sense, at least. She promised herself she would not be hurt or offended if he criticized her ideas or questioned her motives. This was just her opinion, what she saw the greatest needs to be. Maybe he could add to the list? The clinic might be at the top of his list. He didn't seem to be excited to have been called out one hundred and seventy-four nights in the last year. She grinned, imagining him marking on his calendar every night he was awoken in the middle of the night.
Her mind trailed ahead, as it did far too often, considering what it might be like to be married to Neil. He was almost the perfect gentleman as they slept next to each other on the floor of the Spencer's cabin. She grinned remembering waking up with her hair completely unbraided, her ribbon nowhere to be found. He was gone for days at a time, weeks if there was an epidemic nearby. What would she do alone in his cabin- their cabin? Would he allow her to teach until… she flushed. She could not even think about her own babies without becoming embarrassed. How did she expect to talk to her students about it?
She turned to her letters, each parent had written and her friend Eileen.
She opened Eileen's first. It had been some time since her best friend had written back to her. Christy had received the formal wedding invitation recently, but Eileen had been so busy with preparations she likely hadn't had time to write.
Dearest Christy,
As I write this, I am just forty days away from becoming Mrs. Lambert! Ah! I am so excited, I can hardly stand it. Stephen and I found a home we will rent until he becomes more settled into the bank. I do not doubt we will soon be in our very own home, but this will do for now. I definitely do not want to live with his parents or even with mine, so I must accept it for now. It's not in the most fashionable area, but it will be fine for a short time!
I wish you were here to help more, but your mother has been very helpful. She told me you will be in Asheville on the thirtieth. That will give us two weeks for all the last-minute details. She said she liked the dress I picked out for you, and has delivered measurements. Stephen does not want a formal wedding! Can you believe it? He is trying to get out of wearing a tuxedo! I simply told him he had no choice in the matter. It is just one day, and the photographs will look so much better if we are well-dressed. You have seen the ones where the groom barely looks dressed up at all, as if they simply wore their daily suit. I can't have that. I want to look back on that day fifty years from now and remember what a handsome couple we were!
Have you asked that doctor to join you yet? Christy, do you think he will fit in with our set? He's older, of course, but I am more concerned with his manners. Now don't get your feathers in a ruffle. I mean this is the best way. You know very well what is acceptable here in Asheville is likely very different from how the mountain people behave. You have a very important role to play that day, and I would not want anything to cause a distraction for you.
I cannot wait to see you! We should have lunch after church on the 31st. Plan to come to my house. Mother is hoping you will help her set up our new place while Stephen and I honeymoon in Charleston. Oh, this wait is killing me!
Hugs and kisses,
Eileen
This was her best friend. They had been close since they were tiny. Had Christy been like this before coming to Cutter Gap? Had she worried over what a beau might wear to an outing? Had she considered what sort of man her friends were interested in? It irked her that Eileen had judged Neil without even knowing him. Christy had written good things about him, of course she had. He was a doctor, a respected researcher in the optometry field. Why did it matter if he grew up here or in Asheville? He had lived in the city, and yes there were some remnants of the mountain culture in his personality, but that made him even more interesting to her.
No, she had not asked him to come with her to the wedding. She was afraid he would say no. Why would he come to Asheville to a wedding to be surrounded by people he did not know? She wanted to be with him, enjoy the day with him. She wanted him to see her house and meet her parents and brother and grandmother. She wanted him to be part of her life in every way, here and in Asheville.
She set Eileen's letter aside and decided to read her father's letter next.
Dearest Daughter,
So much happened in your last letter I don't even know where to start, so I will begin with myself. I am working entirely too hard. I need my girlie to pester me at lunch time to come eat with her so I take a break sometimes. I have a rather intense case I will have to defend in front a grand jury next week, and thus, much of my concentration has been centered on that. Your mother is irritated because I could not attend two of George's games, but there are only so many hours in the day. It sounds like you are realizing that as well. Teaching all those children every day, helping with operations on the side? My sweet daughter who could not even look at her own skinned knees when she was bleeding, actually helping with a doctor's surgery?
Speaking of which, your mother tells me you have begun to feel an attachment toward him. I am glad you have found someone you are happy to spend time with. I wonder if it is due to the location rather than the man? Forgive me, for being so blunt, but you know it's hard to separate my parenting from my attorney- ness. I love you very much, girlie. Tell me more about him, make me understand why he is better for you than any man you have ever met before. Lord knows your mother has introduced you to dozens of eligible men over the last three years, and you met some men at college. I realize you are no longer my little girl, but I still have to know this man, the best I can from a distance anyway. I understand from your previous letters, he is much older and a widower. Is he someone who will bring you happiness for your whole life, or are you simply caught up in the romance of the mountains?
So, my darling girl, make a case for Dr. Neil MacNeill. I know you don't do anything half-way, so if you mentioned this to your mother this is not a new attraction, but one that has firmly taken hold. Bring him home with you, or have him come for Eileen's wedding. She's making poor Stephen wear a tuxedo. I am very glad you passed on him, by the way. He whines like a little boy.
I look forward to your next letter. I am even more anxious to give you a tight hug. Pray that my case goes well.
Love always,
Your Daddy
This was the letter she had expected from her mother. She knew one of them would question her choice, attempt to understand why she would choose a mountain man, a quite a bit older man, instead of one of the many Asheville fellows who had taken her out. She was glad her father supported her decision to invite Neil to the wedding, but she was still uncertain how to go about that. She had never asked a man to a function before.
For a moment, she allowed Eileen's concerns to creep into her head. Neil hadn't been in city society in many years. Could he fit in? She frowned. Did he need to fit in? Did she want him to be anything different from the man he was?
The phone rang downstairs and she heard Ida pick up on the second ring. Christy tried to hear what was being said, but all she clearly heard was Ida calling for David. Ferrand or Alice? Christy hoped it was Alice. Ferrand had always intimidated her, and she knew he would be furious. Would Alice defend David's actions or see it as Ferrand likely would, as a willful disregard for Alice's specific instructions? Whose side should she take? She had disagreed with David about the theme and tone of his sermon, but now seeing him so miserable Christy could not help but feel sorry for him.
Her mother's letter was surprising. It was short and to the point.
Darling Christy,
You should give me a little credit, my dear. I have known for at least a month you had special feelings for Dr. MacNeill. Your admission is not cause for panic, but I would be lying were I to say (as your mother) I am not feeling some concern. He is a doctor, yes, but he lives in the mountains, a whole other world. He is older, by many years. He has already been married. I know you love the mountains, and the people in your Cove, but a commitment to him means a commitment to that place for your whole life, correct? He is not intending to leave any time is he? In your first letter home, you said you felt as though you had stepped back in time a hundred years, do you worry what you might miss out on living in the backwoods? If you are indeed interested in being with him for the future, it would please me to meet him- sooner than later. Perhaps you could invite him to be your guest at Eileen's wedding? The dress she chose for you is quite fetching. Let me know if I should reserve a tuxedo for Dr. MacNeil when I go for George's and your father's. That Stephen has been whining over everything Eileen wants for the wedding, even his tuxedo! I am so glad you did not hold any great affection for him.
Love,
Your Mother
Christy rubbed her face, overwhelmed by the concern of her parents. She supposed the only way to really explain the man was to have them meet him. That meant he would have to come to Asheville, because she was not going to have her parents come here. She did not even want to tell them about the church being burned down. If they knew she had been held at gunpoint by Birdseye? They would have her home on the next train!
A knock on her door drew her attention from the letters.
"Come in!" she said.
"May I speak with you?" David asked.
She nodded.
He sat on the edge of the bed, studying his hands. "Dr. Ferrand called. He is furious. He expects to be here in about three days. I admitted that I preached against the moonshine and that was likely why they burned the church. He said I overstepped. I explained that there was the moonshine under the church and he said I should have simply ignored it. He doesn't think I have a true understanding of the people in the congregation, that I have not opened my heart enough to their concerns. What do you think?"
"You are a fine man, David," she answered. "I believe from the bottom of my heart you have the best intentions for the mountain people. Moonshine is so vital to the survival of so many of these families, that to declare it a sin, or immoral is bound to cause an uproar. That does not justify the burning of the church, nothing could justify such a thing. Did he say anything about rebuilding?"
David shook his head. "I was too nervous to bring it up. I suppose when he gets here, he will have to decide. He did want to be certain you would continue school until the end of the month when the planting break is scheduled. I told him you would teach unless it rained. I even invited him to stay for the final recitation day."
"I hope he doesn't." She frowned. "He is such a harsh man; I wonder how God chose him to spread Christians missions?"
"I don't know," David admitted. "All I know is he will be here Wednesday or Thursday so we can relax until then. Ida is already irritated and upset. She started cleaning the parlor." David stood, shaking his head. "I suppose all we can do is pray that nothing else happens until he gets here."
"What do you mean? Surely they won't come back?"
"No, I think they made their point. Just pray, Christy. Pray."
