"When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

~Romans 6:20-23

Chapter Fifteen

Christy paced in front of the fireplace in the parlor for a while, wondering what had happened to Tom, and worried about Opal and the boys. How could they manage without him? Ida went to bed, leaving Christy alone to her worries. Christy rushed to the door when Ruby Mae finally came home with news.

"It's real bad, Miz Christy," Ruby Mae said. Her eyes were red from crying. "He be a goner fer sure."

"Where is he?" Christy asked, holding Ruby Mae's heaving shoulders.

"Doc operated at the McHone place. He got all shot up, Miz Christy." Ruby Mae started crying and flew into Christy's arms.

"Where are the boys and Opal?"

"Preacher took the boys somewhere," Ruby Mae said into Christy's shoulder. "Miz McHone wouldn't leave her man."

"Doctor MacNeil and Miss Alice stayed?"

"Yes 'um." Ruby Mae pulled away. "Said they wuz gonna stay there."

"Miss Alice will be a comfort to Opal." The mission door suddenly opened. "David!"

The three McHone boys followed behind him as he entered the mission house. It was obvious they had all, even David, been crying. She moved away from Ruby Mae and opened her arms for them to hug her. She liked the McHone boys, but they had always been a little hesitant to accept her hugs and praise. Tonight, it was obvious they needed her.

She met David's eyes over Isaak's head. He shook his head, sorrowfully and then walked toward the kitchen. Christy reluctantly pulled away and bent lower so she could see all their eyes. "Miss Ida made some cookies." She smiled. "I think that is where Reverend Grantland went, should we go get some?"

She herded them into the kitchen, smiling at David who had indeed snatched a cookie. She had the boys sit at the table, and then put the platter of cookies in front of them. She left the kitchen to fetch the milk from the spring house where it stayed cool, came back and poured everyone a glass. David didn't want any. He took some coffee instead.

"Reverend Grantland and I will be right back, boys. Eat as many as you would like." She faked a bright smile, hoping it would help them a little.

Ruby Mae had left the parlor, leaving the two of them alone to talk.

"Well?" Christy demanded.

"Tom isn't going to make it," David whispered.

"Oh, David!" Christy cried. "What happened?"

"He was shot multiple times. Through the gut, through the lungs, his legs. Doc thinks more than one person shot him."

"An ambush." She shook her head. "Could it be related to the church burning?"

David shrugged. He ran a hand through his unusually disheveled hair. He was usually so well groomed, but not tonight. "I don't know if anyone is safe right now. Alice is staying there with Opal tonight. She said she would stay at least until he passes, and then longer if Opal needs her. The boys are going to bunk with me. They'll go to school tomorrow," he said, glancing to the kitchen. "Miss Alice thinks it will keep their mind off their father."

Christy nodded. "Will you get them settled or do you need my help?"

"I'll see to them," he answered. "MacNeill did an incredible job. I don't know how he keeps his head in such situations." He shook his head. "Tom was likely shot a few days ago, so maybe it was part of the church burning? I'm glad they found him, but I am afraid it was too late." His eyes widened. "So much blood!"

She remembered Bob Allen's condition, and Little Burl. Both lost so much blood, but both of them recovered. Neil was an incredible doctor. He should be working in some big city being recognized and compensated for his skills. She still had no answer why he refused to follow his dream to research Trachoma, but she had also decided not to pry.

Tonight, she would have to pray for a miracle.

"Get me if you need help," she told him. "Maybe try to tell them a funny story about your childhood, David. Anything to keep their mind off Tom."

"Yes, that is a good idea, Christy. I'll think of something."

"Good night."

Christy left the parlor. She should have hugged him, she supposed. He looked so upset, but she couldn't bring herself to do that, to even hint at anything of a romantic nature would be a bad choice. Sissel would be here Friday, maybe then he would stop looking at her with his hurt, puppy-dog eyes. She could not help his attraction for her. She did nothing to deliberately catch his eye or encourage his interest.

She was on edge as she tried to sleep. Every sound she heard, every bump or thump woke her. She had no idea who shot Tom, but she prayed over and over that whoever it was would leave his boys alone. And Opal.

Dear God, please give Opal the strength she needs in the coming days and weeks.

Morning finally dawned. Christy felt wrung out, as though she had not slept a wink. She had worried about Miss Alice and especially about Neil. Had he kept vigil at Tom's bedside or had he gone out with Uncle Bogg and others to find the murderer? All she could do was pull herself out of bed, get dressed and pretend to be cheerful at school. She suddenly remembered she would be teaching outside again. How could she forget the fire?

Breakfast was quiet. The boys ate as though they had not had a meal in a week. David, too, ate half a dozen flapjacks on his own.

"Mr. Pentland will be coming for dinner tonight," Ida told her brother.

"Is that right?" David asked. Christy thought he looked displeased, but his demeanor could be the result of anything, including Tom's situation.

"Yes." Ida smiled at her. "Christy, I hoped you might chaperone later in the parlor while he and I share some conversation?"

"I would be happy to, Miss Ida." Christy smiled at her. Perhaps Mr. Pentland would have some information to give them by then. Christy prayed that Ben would be the answer to Miss Ida's need for a husband. The idea of her writing to some unknown men was unsettling.

"I plan to take the boys back to see their parents after school," David said. "They may stay another night here, depending on the circumstances."

"Maybe we should wait to hear from Miss Alice?" Christy suggested. "I am certain they would want Tom to have peace and quiet as he heals."

Ida agreed. "Should we prepare an extra room for the boys?"

"I think we did alright in the bunkhouse, didn't we, boys?" David smiled at them.

"Yes, sir," Isaak answered. "It was just fine."

Christy finished her oatmeal and then washed her bowl. She thanked Ida for breakfast and told the boys she would see them in a bit. She grabbed her packed schoolbag and headed to the school yard. Many students were already there, and before long they were saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

The day dragged even worse that Monday had. The children were wiggly, but Neil had been right, they were better behaved as they became accustomed to being outside. Christy worried about Tom all day, and found herself looking for Alice or Neil coming to see her. She supposed no news was good news. The McHone boys did well, though. Even Toots, who usually daydreamed more than concentrated, was focused that day. David came after lunch to teach both Bible and Latin, and while he was doing that, Christy went to the mission to see if she could help Ida get ready for her dinner with Ben.

"Ida! What in the world are you doing?" Christy sputtered, stopping short in the kitchen. Ida's hair was black, and there were wet trails of black coloring running down her face.

"I'm dying my hair," she said. "I ordered this weeks ago. Christy, I have so much gray hair popping out, I asked Miss Alice what to do and she told me about L'Oreal dye, so I ordered it."

"Oh." Christy frowned. "But, Ida, it's all over your face."

"I know." She snorted. "I'll wash that off once my hair dries. I was wondering if you would help me style it? I don't know why it should matter. I've known Ben Pentland since we came in August, why almost eight months already."

"It's different now, though. You are looking at him as a possible suitor, not as simply the mailman." Christy wiped some black off Ida's face. "I will be interested to see how fine he looks when he comes calling." Christy grinned.

"It doesn't seem to matter to you how crumpled and rumpled Dr. MacNeill is when he visits," Ida said snidely. "Poor man doesn't even know how to iron a shirt."

"It's likely he doesn't have enough time to bother," Christy answered with a chuckle. "Honestly, having been courted by fine men with exquisite manners and perfectly tailored clothing, I rather prefer Dr. MacNeill's real life attire. Men are not comfortable in suits, or so my father tells me. I want to know the real man, not one all fancied up."

"Well, that is one way you and I are different. I appreciate a man who takes pride in his appearance. I am always certain to press David's clothing as well as my own. That's why I was so disheartened about these gray hairs popping up. I couldn't pluck them all, or I would end up bald." She wrapped a towel around her head.

"I'm going back to help David now," Christy said. "I was just curious if Miss Alice had returned with news."

"Not yet," Ida said. "You will help me with my hair?"

"I will." Christy nodded. "You might choose to wear a dark blouse just in case the dye should run, and you look nice in darker colors. I have a brooch you might like and some matching earrings?"

"Why are you being so nice to me? Surely it's not just because I am teaching you to cook?"

"Ida, I think we got off on the wring foot. I think you worried I was not good enough for David, and then when you found about my… interest in Dr. MacNeill, you were angry with me again. I just want you happy, Ida. If I can help with that, please let me know how."

Ida smiled, and despite the black dye running down her cheeks she looked pretty. "Thank you. I will be glad to call you my friend."

Christy squeezed Ida's hand before she left the mission. She slowly walked back to the clump of children sitting near the burned-out schoolhouse. Christy wondered what Neil thought about her looks. He never said she was pretty, but his eyes often showed appreciation. What she had said about her opinion of Neil's clothing had been honest. He was a bachelor, well widower, who ran from injury to injury. His clothing was likely the last thing on his mind.

She caught the end of David's lesson. Easter was coming, just over a month away, and David was helping the children prepare their hearts for the story of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection. It was a difficult topic for her to fully appreciate as an adult, as a child, it had been almost impossible to comprehend.

Tom's death hit Neil harder than he expected. Although the two had never been true friends, his death left a wife without a husband, and three young boys without a father. Neil had never agreed with or participated in the moonshining business. His family had been careful to avoid that part of mountain life altogether, but he never spoke out against it like Grantland had. He didn't want to blame the preacher for Tom's death, but it was too much of a coincidence to be a matter of chance.

It was after two in the morning, on Wednesday, when Tom took his last breath. Neil closed Tom's eyes and pulled a clean sheet over him. Alice was comforting Opal, and Fairlight would be coming just after dawn to stay with grieving widow until the funeral was over. Grantland had taken the boys to the mission, knowing Opal was not capable of even caring for herself.

Neil sat on the rickety porch steps and filled his pipe. He had known Tom would not live. There was no way the man could have survived all those internal injuries, no matter how good of a surgeon Neil was. He had been shot at least six times, or that was the number of bullets Neil had found, and it had been at least two days since he'd been injured. Poor man had laid next to the river, fighting for his life for hours. Neil hoped he was unconscious for most of that time. It would be hell to known you were dying and couldn't do anything to save yourself.

He turned as Alice left the house, the screen door slamming behind her. She sat heavily next to him and allowed her head to fall into her hands. Neil rested a hand on her back. He didn't know what to say, nothing could be said that would help either one of them.

"Opal wanted to be alone with him," she said. "I will try to get her to sleep for a few hours. When Fairlight comes, we will prepare him for the showing."

"I will leave a sleeping draught for Opal," he said. "I am trying hard not to blame this on anyone other than the boys that took him down, but it's hard."

"You are thinking of David?"

Neil nodded. "When he first came here, I advised him to concentrate on the bible and people's love of the Lord. He went too far, Alice."

"He knows that, Neil," Alice told Neil. "He is the first to say it was his fault that the church was burned down, but to say it was his fault that Tom was murdered is reckless, Neil. Regardless of how you feel about David, he would never intentionally hurt anyone."

Neil nodded. He disagreed with Alice, but he would let it drop. David did not touch the gun or pull the trigger, and thus the only fellows to blame are the cowards that caught him from behind.

"How can I ever convince Christy to stay here, now? Good Lord!" He shook his head. "Burning churches, friends getting murdered in cold blood over moonshine. She was held by Birdseye at gunpoint." Neil shook his head. "Why am I even staying here?"

"Because you are part of the mountains and the mountains are part of you. Just as it is for me. You have to accept the bad with the good. Christy is strong, but you aren't wrong. It would be hard for her to accept this hatred and sadness. She is such a loving person, but I cannot say how much she can tolerate. Margaret couldn't stand it here, but she didn't really try, did she?"

Neil shook his head.

"Margaret was nothing like Christy," Alice said. "They may look similar, but Christy has the most beautiful heart I have ever experienced. You saw how she was after the O'Teales visit. She told me you found her."

"Yes, I did."

"Do you know what she said? She said she could not have stayed here had you not caught up to her that day. You gave her hope. You gave her strength and comfort. She realized she was here to help the children, to help them realize the life God wants them to have."

"I think she was sent here to bring me back to the Lord, also," he whispered. "Since Sunday, I've been constantly talking to the Lord in my head, almost having a running conversation." He chuckled. "I have never had that faith in Him before now. I saw him only as a punisher, not a healer."

"That's what he wants from you, the good, the bad, and the ugly. He wants to be part of it all. Perhaps when you two reunite for your bible studying you could look at Isiah 43 verse 2. It says, 'When you pass through water, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." And all you must do is receive Him into your heart, and glorify Him in your life through your actions. I do agree Christy was sent here for many reasons. I have told you this before. Christy gave me new perspective and regenerated my energy to tackle what I have been brought here to do. She was brought here to learn, as well, which she is doing daily, often wading through raging waters and burning buildings."

"And if she leaves?" he asked. His heart squeezed to even imagine a Cutter Gap without her.

"Then that is God's will, too," Alice answered, simply. "Then, it will be on your heart to decide where your place is."

"I know this may offend you, Alice, and I don't mean to. I would not have left my mountains and my people for Margaret. She was so miserable being with me, it would not have mattered where we lived, we still would have been unhappy. I expected her to sneak out of the Cove when I was out on rounds, and if she had not become pregnant, I think she may have."

A deep sigh escaped Alice. "I know, Neil. She was a different woman when I arrived here. Of course, she had been hiding from me for almost two years by the time I learned she had come here with you."

They had never talked so openly with each other. Perhaps, if they had when she first arrived, they could have helped Margaret adjust here. Alice was so angry with him for taking her daughter away from her, she wasn't willing to try. Added to her Quaker beliefs, which encouraged her to keep her feelings inside, it was difficult to know what she was thinking most of the time.

"Christy needs you as much as you need her," Alice said quietly. "I do not know what God has in store for either of you, but I do believe it is something important, and something He has planned for you to do as a couple." Alice stood up. "I shall go back to Opal. If you wish to give her a sleeping draught now might be the time."

He knocked the tobacco from his pipe bowl and stood. His back was sore, having stood so long operating on Tom and then pacing as his patient worsened throughout the day and night. Neil was torn, deciding if he should stay here to sleep or wander home to an empty cabin. The cabin had been empty for over three years now, and even when Margaret was alive, she hardly proved supportive and loving. Instead, she would rant and rave about his extended absences. Now, if Christy were waiting for him, he would be rushing home, because he knew her presence would somehow just make him feel better. Alice was right, of course. He needed Christy as much as she needed him, if not more.

Wednesday dawned sunny and warm. Christy was looking forward to a good day. She supposed not hearing anything about Tom was a good omen. She missed Neil. It had only been a single day, but he was becoming so important to her, she missed him when he was gone.

Alice came home just before Christy left for school. She looked exhausted and defeated, and Christy knew as soon as she looked in her mentor's dark eyes that Tom McHone had passed. Christy opened her arms for Alice to come for a hug. She held her tightly, squeezing, and then Christy heard her crying. Alice would not have shown her emotions to Opal, knowing how upset she was, but with Christy, she fell apart.

Christy did not know how long they stood in the parlor holding each other. Christy opened her eyes as she heard heavy footsteps, not surprised to see David. He nodded, in understanding and went back into the kitchen. Christy wasn't sure if the McHone boys would be at school, or if David would take them home to be with Opal.

"We dressed the body for the viewing," Alice said quietly. "He passed quietly in the middle of the night with Opal at his side."

"How is Opal?" Christy asked.

Alice smiled, despite her tears. "Neil has given her some medication to allow her to sleep. She is grieving, of course. She had not yet recovered from losing her baby girl."

"Should I go to her?" Christy asked. "After school?"

"Perhaps in a few days, after the funeral, when everything quiets down and she realizes just what has happened to their family."

"What will she do?" Christy asked, swiping at the tears falling from her eyes. "How will she manage without a man to hunt for her?"

Alice cupped Christy's cheek. "She will manage with the help of her brothers and Jeb. She has always lived here, understood how dangerous Tom's… choices… could be. We will help too, as needed. David is close to Isaak, and the other two boys are good children."

"They won't accept charity, Alice no matter how much they need help." Christy moaned as she covered her face.

Then she continued. "And then, what if Ferrand makes us close?" Christy cried. "Toot is sick all the time, and Opal won't even let Neil look at him. The mission could help with the medicine, right?"

"She won't let Neil look at Toot because she doesn't trust Neil's medicine. His skill removing bullets she allowed, but she thinks she can somehow fix Toot herself with her granny's herbs and tinctures. And yes, the mission could help with the medicine. Neil would not even charge for his services, but she is so proud, too proud to accept his help, especially if she believes she knows better than modern medicine."

Christy shook her head and then rubbed her eyes with heel of her palms. "Such ignorance. How can I fight it?"

"One day at a time, Christy. One child at a time. One subject at a time."

Christy nodded and then smiled softly. "I will do my best, Miss Alice."

"I know you will, my child." Miss Alice pulled her close. "I know you will. I must tell David to take the boys to his mother."

The telephone rang just as Miss Alice passed it. She backstepped and picked it up.

"Hello Dr. Ferrand," she said. "Tonight? Yes, of course, that will be fine. We will have your room ready for you. God be with you."

"Tonight?" Christy whispered, after Alice hung up.

Miss Alice nodded, a look of concern on her face. "He must have raced like the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels. I did not expect him until tomorrow at the earliest."

"Best to get it over with," Christy said. "The wait has been difficult."

"Yes, I agree. Waiting is always the hardest part!"

School that day was almost as challenging as the day before. Christy did not bring up the death of Tom, instead when they prayed to open class in the morning, she simply asked God to support and love anyone who was in need of extra love that day. The McHone boys were not in school, which was a constant reminder throughout the day of Tom's passing.

Alice came at lunchtime and sat with Christy, watching the children play.

"I went to the McHone's," Alice said, chewing on a piece of apple. "They will have the funeral tomorrow morning. Men are out at the cemetery digging the hole. We won't have school tomorrow so everyone can support the family. Opal is not doing well. Fairlight and Mary are staying with her."

Christy frowned. She pointed Alice toward the children's playing. "Are they playing funeral?"

Alice nodded, with a sad smile. "Is this the first time you have seen them do this?"

Christy nodded.

"It's a very common game amongst the children. Of course, no one has passed away except for Opal's baby, since you arrived, so perhaps the children have not thought about death as much as they often do, following an epidemic or widespread illness."

Christy frowned. "This is morbid, Miss Alice."

"This is the life here, Christy." She sighed deeply. "I know you are struggling to find your place here, to understand why you have come, and more so, if you can stay. Of course, I do hope you will. I am constantly impressed by your strength, dedication to the children, and your love for others. If you do leave, will you never wonder what could have been?"

Christy paused to collect her thoughts before answering.

"I feel very uncomfortable talking about Neil with you." She kept her eyes on her hands folded in her lap. "It shouldn't, because I know, you know, that I mean no ill will toward Margaret. I also realize what Neil and Margaret shared is different from what sort of relationship he and I have. I do not wish to simply be a replacement for her to him, and there are times I fear that I am not enough for him, or that I am not as good as she was or that I cannot make him as happy as she did. I have my doubts and I am not certain what can enable me to clear them up- if anything."

Alice patted Christy's hair and then slowly rubbed her back. "Christy, thee needs to know it does not upset me that you and Neil have love for each other. My daughter is gone, Christy, but you are here and he must move ahead! He is still a young, vibrant man full of dreams for himself and the people of Cutter Gap. He deserves happiness." Alice smiled. "Has he not spoken with you about their marriage?" Alice asked.

Christy shrugged. "Bits and pieces. I have not wanted to pry. That was his life before he met me, and while, yes, I do want to know about his time with your daughter, I don't feel comfortable asking."

"But you should know," Alice insisted. "You must understand why it is amazing that he is willing to take another chance with a woman. The two teachers that were here before you were both flirtatious toward him, but he showed no interest." Alice leaned over and whispered, "Perhaps that's why Ida thought she had a chance."

"But, I did not intentionally flirt with him," Christy said.

Alice patted her hand. "I know. Just you being yourself was more than enough for him."

Christy smiled. She turned at the sound of horse hooves, hoping it was Neil coming to see her. It was David, returning from the digging at the cemetery. He stopped Prince right in front of where they were sitting. Some of the younger children ran up to him, grabbing at his legs.

"Is it done?" Alice asked.

David nodded. "Bogg, Bob, Ault, Jeb, MacNeill and I saw to it. The older two boys helped, too. The ground is still pretty hard." He looked at the sky. "I'm praying it doesn't rain overnight."

"You need a bath," Alice said, smiling. She stood and rested her hand on his back. "It is good that thee helped."

"Do you need me to teach this afternoon?" he asked Christy.

She shook her head. "We'll be fine. Go clean up and rest."

"Get to it, child," Miss Alice told her.

Christy stood and shook the wrinkles out of her skirt and called the class back together.

How was she going to get Neil to tell her more about Margaret without being brazen? If Miss Alice believed Christy needed to know the whole story, then she probably needed to know. It was rare indeed when Alice Henderson was wrong.