Trust in the LORD with all your heart,on your own intelligence do not rely;

In all your ways be mindful of him,and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Chapter Seventeen

"Let's see, what's next," Christy said, looking down at the scribbles on the list.

She needed to focus on something other than Margaret. Why did he have to bring her up? Tonight, had been so perfect, and then, it had fallen flat, as if the air had been sucked out of the cabin. And so, the see-saw of emotions began inside her once again. She could not replace Margaret. She could not be like her. If that was what Neil was hoping for, he would be disappointed. She was so young, she did not have any idea what a man like Neil MacNeill needed or wanted from a wife. She had no right to even be thinking thoughts of a future with him, especially when she knew so little about his past.

"You didn't comment on the boarding of students?" she asked, trying to keep her emotions in check.

He shrugged. Had he not noticed the shift in her emotions? "I didn't have much to add to that," he admitted. "It is sensible, but, of course, if Ferrand doesn't rebuild, it will be irrelevant."

Christy nodded. She had tried to put that possibility out of her head. She would have to leave if there was no school. She missed home. She was looking forward to seeing her friends and family again, but there too, Neil seemed hesitant to come with her to Eileen's wedding. Why was that?

She stared at the list as if she were drowning and it was the only think keeping her head above the water. "I like that you added a few vegetables to the garden idea." She looked up at him, trying to smile.

"Those in particular are high in iron." He pointed with the tip of his pipe to the peas and spinach he had written on the margin of the paper. "That is something many people in the mountains seem to be deficient in. I thought some fruit trees might help as well. The climate might not be perfect for all kinds of fruit, but that is something we can research. Apples do well, and berries. I think we could find places for cherry trees, too. Small steps can lead to big changes, as you are learning… patiently."

She chuckled. "Patiently? Well, I am trying."

"I know you are. I am watching your progress with pleasure and satisfaction. When you first came, I didn't think you would last until Christmas." He took her hand and raised it to his lips. "You proved me wrong and continue to show your strength of character and love for the people here."

"Thank you," she whispered, meeting his eyes.

"That is something you must improve upon."

"What's that?" She frowned.

His face turned serious. He looked at her with tender eyes. "Accepting compliments when they are honestly given."

"It's just who I am," she said quietly. She shrugged. "I don't feel I deserve any praise for just being me."

He looked as if he wanted to say more, but instead, his gaze left hers for the paper in her hands. "Now, you listed classes for young mothers and mothers-to-be. I suppose you would like to focus on the young girls, who think they must marry young and have babies as soon as possible?"

She nodded, feeling a hot flush creep up her cheeks.

"That sort of ties into the hygiene classes, too," she said quietly.

"Oh?" he asked, sounding a bit skeptical. "You think that if the teenage children are clean, they will not have babies?"

"By hygiene," she cleared her throat and looked down at her hands, "I was thinking more in terms of behavior toward the opposite sex and understanding their own physical development."

She looked up after the silence of the cabin became uncomfortable. She had never seen Neil speechless, until that moment. Then he threw back his head and laughed.

Offended, she frowned at him. "I fail to see how this is humorous, Dr. MacNeill. For several weeks I have been worrying that John and Bessie would be forced to marry. The girl throws herself at him, and of course he responds how any young man would. How will they know when they have gone too far? Do they know when they have gone too far?"

He continued laughing, shaking his head. "Christy, why is this our business? John and Bessie are not our children, and while I know you care about all your students, they both have parents who should see to the concern."

"There are just… so many… babies, Neil." She shook her head.

"And what do you suggest?" he asked. "Shall I tell the men to keep their hands off their wives? Shall I ask Granny Barclay to teach women how to reject their husbands without them getting angry, especially after a few too many swigs of moonshine?"

"I don't know," she whispered, incredibly embarrassed.

He reached forward and took her hand again. "Sweetheart… I know this is hard for you to talk about, but this is how you and I must communicate. I know just the word sex makes you uncomfortable, but that is what we are speaking of. Sex can be a beautiful part of a marriage. For some couples, it is perhaps the only thing they enjoy with each other. Women are overworked, and yes, some women are worn to the bone by age thirty, with ten children clinging to them. Children die in the mountains and families know this, which is why they aren't so concerned about having large families. Family is everything in the mountains, Christy, it's all many people have."

"But why so young, Neil? Ruby Mae is so stuck on Will Beck I expect they will marry any day now. And again, they may be carried away with their…"

"Lovemaking?" Neil suggested.

"Yes," she whispered, "they, too, will find themselves in a predicament."

"But, is it not God's will that a baby be conceived?" he asked.

She studied his face, trying to see if he was mocking her, but his face was blank.

"I mean it," he continued. "I understand how a baby is conceived in the most scientific sense, but I cannot say why some women become pregnant and others do not. This has always been one of the uncertainties for me, regarding the existence of God, one thing that was not black and white, where the gray area was confusing to me."

"Perhaps Alice would be a better person to ask." Christy smiled wanly. "I believe God does have a hand in everything and that everything has a purpose and a reason, but as to the conception of a child?" She shrugged. "Worse yet, the death of a child? That I cannot answer."

They stared at each other in silence for several minutes. She finally looked down at her hands still holding her list.

"Christy, for these hygiene classes, perhaps we could focus on body development rather than baby development? We could explain what changes happen as boys and girls reach puberty?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes, that was really what I was hoping for, along with the suggestion that the children avoid becoming too…" she swallowed… "familiar with each other too quickly."

"I still maintain that is something the parents should discuss with the children. I will agree to help you with the body development part, after we explain to the parents what your intention is. We can tie it to a biology unit? Human anatomy."

"Would you talk to the boys and maybe Alice and I could talk to the girls?"

His brows raised. "Do you not know enough about a young woman's body to complete the lessons on your own?"

Again, she felt her face heat. "I know what happens, but I cannot explain why or precisely how."

"Would you be more comfortable having Alice teach you, or me?"

Her eyes shot up at him, then she covered her face with her hands. "I feel so naïve and foolish sometimes."

"You are an innocent." He chuckled. Standing, he took her hands and pulled her up, against him. He kissed her cheek and then held her close. "It is my fondest hope that you and I will spend the rest of our lives together. I know right now, this whole line of discussion embarrasses you, but it is human nature, and if you cannot be completely open with me, about everything, who can you share your concerns with? Every child goes through puberty. Every young boy wants to touch a young girl because their bodies are so different." He leaned down and tipped up her chin. "And, I admit, I very much want to touch you and make love to you. Unlike teenage boys, however, I have restraint and would never dishonor you."

"I know that, I trust you completely. I always have," she whispered. "Does it make me wanton to admit I want the same thing?"

"No." He smiled gently and caressed her cheek. "As long as it's only me you wish to touch." He cupped her cheek and then dropped his lips softly on hers.

When he pulled away, she wrapped her arms around his waist and held him close. "I love you, Neil."

"I love you, Christy Huddleston. I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to care for another person."

She pulled back, looked up at him, the question in her eyes.

"Margaret and I shared something that drew us to each other, but it was not love, not like what I feel for you, anyway."

"Then… Are you certain it's love you feel for me?" she asked.

"I am, Miss Huddleston. I am." He kissed her again, deeper this time, as deeply as he had in his lab when Ben Pentland interrupted them.

When he pulled away, her heart was banging against her ribcage, and she felt all fuzzy inside. She smiled dreamily and rested her head against his chest.

"As much as I would love to keep you here, it's getting dark." His fingers caressed the side of her neck. "If Ferrand is at the mission, the worst thing I could do is get you home after dark."

"Are we done with our discussion?" she asked.

"I think we've only begun." He leaned forward, his forehead resting against hers. "We have a world of time to work through your ideas, and I will be glad to help as much as you need me. Let us take our time, though, and slowly introduce your ideas. The garden, of course, we could start soon, perhaps even before the planting break, but the rest… well, it will take time for people to accept some of these changes and as for the cabin clinics, we will have to do that one at a time and learn through trial and error."

She nodded. "You know I'm excited to start." She smiled and rested her hands flat on his chest. "I will be patient, though, and try very hard to let you set the pace."

He chuckled. "I am certain you will tell me when I am moving too slowly." He took her hand and kissed it before dragging her toward the door. "We should be on our way."

She folded her note and put it in the pocket of her skirt and followed him toward the barn where he housed Charlie. He quickly saddled the horse and then lifted her up in the saddle. He climbed up behind her and held her tight. He admitted he loved her and she believed him. She wished she could be patient to watch their relationship unfold, but if she were honest with herself, she wanted it all right now; Neil, marriage and children. Patience, Christy, patience.

"Christy," he paused, wanting to word the next sentence just so. "Even if Ferrand closes the church and mission, I will want you stay here in Cutter Gap."

She looked over her shoulder at him and met his eyes.

"As my wife," he said quietly. He caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. Her skin was so smooth, so soft. "Much on your list can be accomplished without help of the mission. Alice will remain, so all we will lose is the school and church."

"That will be a huge loss." She sounded sad. "Do you think the community will be as stable if there is no church and school?"

"They… we… made it for a long time without them. It has been a blessing to have the mission, especially now that most of the people have learned to trust you and Grantland. If Ferrand allows the church to be rebuilt, who is to say the fools that burned it down once won't simply do it again?"

He watched a frown cross her face before she turned away from him.

She did not comment on his proposal. Perhaps she did not realize it was an actual proposal? He would have to try it again another day. He should probably go with her to Asheville and meet her family, properly ask for her hand before he asked her again. They rode in silence the rest of the way to the mission.

Dr. Ferrand, a small, elderly man with a neatly clipped white goatee, was standing on the mission step, smoking a pipe as they drew near. Neil felt Christy's body tense as she saw the mission leader.

"Sweetheart, relax." He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "Everything will work out as it should. Surely there is a verse in the bible that says not to worry? Isn't that what you quoted Fairlight the other day?"

She nodded. "Matthew writes that worry will not add a single day to our life. He's right. I need to trust in the Lord's plan for my life."

"Our life," he whispered before climbing off the horse.

Neil helped Christy to the ground and holding her hand, walked to where Ferrand stood, staring at them.

"Much has changed since I was last here," Ferrand said. He turned his gaze on Neil. "I understand you have accepted Christ in your life."

Neil nodded. "Aye, I have. Miss Huddleston has agreed to help me study the bible. I must admit I have not read it since my parents died many years ago."

Alice must have heard them and left the house to join them on the porch.

Ferrand looked over his shoulder before saying, "Alice also tells me the two of you are courting?" He turned back to them.

"Yes," Christy answered, with a nod.

"And what about your parents, Miss Huddleston?" Ferrand prodded. "What is their reaction to your relationship with Dr. MacNeill?"

"They are looking forward to meeting him," she said. "I expect they will approve."

Ferrand gave Neil a hard look and after tapping the tobacco from his pipe said, "We've been waiting for you, Miss Huddleston, to have a meeting. If you are ready?"

Christy nodded. She turned back to Neil and smiled softly. "I will see you at the funeral tomorrow."

He nodded. "Remember, I love you," he whispered in her ear as he passed her.

Her face glowed in the setting light of the sun. He knew then that she realized it would all be fine, and no matter what happened, he would be there for her.

In the parlor of the mission house, Ida, David, Alice and Christy sat as if on sharp pins and needles, waiting to hear what Dr. Ferrand would say. The first ten minutes after they all settled in their seats, Ferrand had paced the room. Christy had exchanged worried looks with the other three, but no one said a word. This was his meeting.

"I am conflicted," Ferrand finally said. "I believe we could rebuild the church. I am not certain it will be as large as the last one, and thus the altar area would have to be cut, perhaps removed all together. Lumber, while plentiful, is not inexpensive. I considered suggesting a log type of cabin, but that would only work if we had the help of the highlanders, and Alice had reported that they are less than eager to be of assistance."

"There are a few men, good men, that would help, but in general it seems the mountain men are less than willing to lend a hand," David told him.

"A second thought would be to move the church school closer to the people's homes. Perhaps even as far as Lufty Branch. That is about the same distance many children must walk here. The church at Lufty Branch could be updated to accommodate a school. It might be cheaper to purchase a horse for Miss Huddleston to travel the distance than rebuild the church here."

Christy looked at David, who was nodding.

"There are a few families who would not send their children. There are feuds between families in the Lufty Branch area and Cutter Gap," Alice said. "Of course, there are other children in that area that would begin to attend school."

"On your monthly visits there, you have likely seen the small cabin you could use as a vicarage, Reverend Grantland. I believe we could make it proper for you and Miss Ida." Ferrand nodded toward the woman.

"Miss Huddleston, perhaps you could stay with Alice?" Ferrand asked. "Then we can close the mission building and save money."

"If I did not need to travel so often, I think that would be a fine plan," Alice answered. "I cannot abide the idea of Christy being alone here. And, there is also Ruby Mae to consider."

Ferrand rubbed the back of his neck. "I imagine Miss Huddleston will marry Dr. MacNeill before the fall session begins. Am I wrong, Miss Huddleston?"

Christy flushed and then shifted in her chair. "We have not made any future plans."

"And, Miss Ida, is it true you and Mr. Pentland have begun to keep company?"

Ida flushed and looking at her hands, she nodded.

"So, it is quite possible, Miss Ida and Miss Huddleston would be settled. Reverend Grantland, I understand a woman from home will be coming to see you in a few days. Shall I assume she is coming not only to visit but to see if she will be able to live here until your placement is complete?"

"Yes." David nodded. "We are very close friends, and had talked about a future before I was assigned here. She is a professionally trained, classical singer, and will have to travel back and forth to Boston and Philadelphia. If she does accept my proposal, she will be gone quite a bit."

"And so," Ferrand continued, "David and his girl will wed, live in the vicarage at Lufty Branch, and she may travel as she needs to. Do you need to travel with her?"

"No," David said. "I will, of course, escort her to the train each time, but she will travel on her own. She is part of a musical company and has many friends who she can spend time with and share living quarters with while they are performing."

"Lufty Branch is actually closer to MacNeill's cabin, isn't it?

"It is," Alice answered with a curt not. "But nothing had been settled between them, any of them!" She popped off her seat and crossed the room and stood in front of him. "Thee are supposing this will unfold as you suggest, but no one has any set plans for marriage."

As if he had not even heard Alice, Dr. Ferrand turned to Christy. "Will MacNeill allow you to teach if you marry?"

Christy bristled at the word 'allow,' but if she married Neil, he would be the head of their household, decide what would be best for their family, even if it was only the two of them.

"We have not spoken about it. We have not spoken of a shared future at all." She sighed. Getting upset would not solve anything. She turned the question back on him. "Will it be acceptable to you, Dr. Ferrand, if I continue teaching as long as I am able to do so?"

"Yes, of course." He nodded. "I see no reason not to allow you to continue. But, of course at Lufty Branch, not here." Ferrand turned his gaze to Ida. "Miss Ida, if you and the mail carrier do decide to wed, you will likely move to his home in El Pano?"

"He doesn't have a home in El Pano," Miss Ida answered shyly. "He boards at Miss Tatum's place unless he visits his family near Lyleton. There is a home there he says he plans to fix up one day."

"There is much to consider," Dr. Ferrand said on a sigh. "We shall plan to continue as things are until the planting break at the end of the month. Perhaps certain things will be decided by then. I will stay on, and see what must be done at Lufty Branch to prepare it for school and church."

"There is no way to simply rebuild what is here?" Christy asked quietly.

"I believe, Miss Huddleston, it will be far less expensive to follow the Lufty Branch plan. However, I will not make a final decision in haste." Brows raised, he looked at her. "Will you be willing to teach there?" He turned to David. "I know it's not as fine as this church, but will it accommodate you for the time being? Perhaps next year we can rebuild here, but as funds are…"

"I haven't been to Lufty Branch," Christy said. "I would like to go when you do, Dr. Ferrand."

"Very well. We will leave early tomorrow morning." Ferrand turned to David. "Reverend Grantland, will you be able to cover the classes in the morning?

"Tom McHone's funeral is tomorrow," David said. "Perhaps we could go in the afternoon?"

"Does he leave a wife behind?" Ferrand asked. "Children?"

David nodded. "Opal was his wife. They have three sons."

Ferrand nodded thoughtfully. "They will need our support then."

"Opal has family here and they will support her. But, yes, she will benefit from our support." Alice smiled at Christy. "She especially respects Miss Huddleston."

Christy nodded. "Isaak, the eldest is close to David. Toot, the youngest is very sick. Doctor MacNeill thinks he has anemia. Maybe Opal will accept the proper foods now that Tom is gone?"

Alice nodded thoughtfully. "Approach it slowly, Christy. Maybe share some lunch times with her, and bring foods that will help Toot. Doctor MacNeill will tell you which might help."

Christy nodded. Neil had already added to her list of veggies high in iron.

"Dr. Ferrand, I do not think Doctor MacNeill and I will wed before the fall, if at all, but I will find a way to stay here in Cutter Gap to teach."

Ferrand nodded. "Perhaps Miss Huddleston and Miss Ida could occupy an empty cabin near the church. If there is one? When we go tomorrow, we should look for options."

The funeral was sad.

Christy stood between Neil and Opal, holding each of their hands. Opal stood silently, not even making a sound. Christy worried about her reaction, or lack of reaction, and knew that she would have to be with Opal more often in the coming days.

David had a wonderful, windy sermon that Uncle Bogg was particularly thankful for. Opal's brothers, Ault and Bob Allen each said something they liked about Tom and then after David's closing prayer they each took a scoop of dirt and shoveled into the hole in which they had lowered the casket.

Fairlight, Opal's younger sister, took Opal home, and Bogg took Toot and Vincent. Isaak stayed with David, following him like a lost puppy. Neil held Christy back.

"What?" she asked.

"Alice go on ahead," Neil said. "We'll be there shortly."

"Miss Huddleston," Ferrand frowned at her. "Don't dawdle. Remember, we are going to Lufty Branch to look at the church."

"I'll see she gets there," Neil said to Ferrand. He turned to Christy, "Do you need anything from the mission or can you leave from here?"

She shook her head. "I can leave from here," she said softly.

"Fine then, I will see you at the church in an hour or so." Ferrand pulled his leather gloves back on his hand and replaced his bowler style hat. "Alice and David will come with me."

Once they were alone, Neil took her hand and led her up the hill to a flat patch of ground, overlooking the valley. He stopped and turned toward her. He took both her hands in his and squeezed.

"Why am I taking you to Lufty Branch?" he asked.

Christy looked away, over the valley in the distance. From where they stood, a person could see the beauty of God; a waterfall, mountains and a valley covered in newly sprouting wildflowers.

She turned back to him. "Dr. Ferrand thinks it might be better to have church services and the school at Lufty. He believes it would be less expensive. There is a cabin which David would live in. He has a dear friend arriving from Boston Friday who he plans to marry, if she thinks she can live here at least until David's assignment is up."

"And what about you and Ida?"

"He think he will be able to find another empty cabin for us, near the church. We have to think of Ruby Mae, too. If this doesn't work out, she'll probably marry Will Beck just to have a place to live. Alice offered for me to stay with her, but because she travels so much, she's worried it wouldn't be safe for me."

"No, it wouldn't." He frowned. "And Ida?"

"She and Ben Pentland have been spending a lot of time together. If it doesn't work between them, you saw the mail order bride ads she has as a back-up." Christy chuckled. "If you saw Ben, you might not recognize him. He is clean shaven and neat and tidy in dress. Why, I think he even got a haircut!" She chuckled.

"When would you start at Lufty Branch?" he asked.

"The fall session is Ferrand's goal. I should be able to stick it out the few weeks left before planting holiday. Then," she sighed, "when I get back in May, it will be warm enough to teach outside. Rain and storms might get in the way, but the children will be accustomed to being outside be then."

"Will you have any say in this plan?" he asked.

She shrugged. "I suppose if I disagree, I just won't teach next year."

A shadow fell across his face and he looked away.

"We should be getting to your place," she said. "I don't want to make Ferrand wait for me again."

Neither moved away from each other.

"Was he difficult last night?" Neil asked.

She shook her head. "We are all just upset and frustrated. Alice told me he's never had this happen in any of his other missions."

He dropped her left hand, but still held on to her right. He gently pulled her up the hill, only just a bit further and then stopped under a huge sycamore tree. Difficult to miss, three rounded headstones stood in a row.

"This is why I brought you up here. I wanted to show you these." He pointed to the grave markers. "This is my father's grave." He pointed to the one on the left which read, Ed MacNeill. "And, my mother's grave." It was right next to his father's. It read Jean MacNeill. "And, here is Margaret's grave." He pointed to a grave that said only Margaret. There was no last name inscribed on the stone.

Christy looked up at him, with curiosity. Why was he showing her this?

She watched Neil lean over and pull some weeds growing in front of his mother's grave stone. "It's time I tell you about Margaret." He looked up at her and slowly stood up again. "If you want to know."

Did she want to know?

"If you feel comfortable telling me, I would like to know about your past."

He nodded. "I'll start telling you on the way back from Lufty Branch. We'll take it slow on Charlie so you can hear me."

She nodded, staring up at him. "Thank you for showing me your parents' graves. It's obvious you keep them neat."

Taking her hand, they walked back down the hill. "I come here to think, sometimes. I was young when my Pa died. I wish he would have lived longer to help me through some rough patches."

"I am often thankful both my parents are still alive. I'm closer to my father than my mother. And I've told you about George." She laughed. "He is a horrible letter writer, so I can't tell you what he's planning to do after he graduates high school."

"I'm certain your parents will guide him, just as they did you." He stopped walking as they neared Charlie. "I could not imagine you doing anything other than a teacher as a career. I have never seen anyone love children the way you do, Christy. You see beyond their faults, look at their strengths and build upon them."

She smiled. "I try. And, I think you are right. I can't imagine myself as anything other than a teacher."

He helped her up on the horse and then stared up at her.

"What?"

"How about a wife and mother?" he asked solemnly.

He climbed up behind her before she could answer, and turned Charlie toward Lufty Branch.

"I was speaking of a job," she said. "I see having a husband and children a blessing. Yes, I have seen the work Fairlight and Opal and the other women go through, but the only thing I would leave teaching for, is to have a family of my own."

He didn't say anything, so she remained quiet during the short trip to Lufty Branch. She wished she could climb in his head sometimes. Neil seemed to read her like an open book, but she did not have the same talent.

They all arrived at Lufty Branch at the same time. After Neil and Christy dismounted, he took Charlie down to the stream which ran behind the old wooden church. Neil had ridden by this church so many times over the years, and was often surprised it was maintained as well as it was, for as old as it was. He knew there were two particular families that looked over the place. They planted flowers and they all met as a congregation each Sunday, even though Grantland only visited once a month.

Once he had Charlie settled, he rejoined the group who had gone inside the church. There were only about ten pews. The church at Cutter Gap held about twice as many. It was dark inside, with only one window on each side of the building. Shelves would have to be built for Christy's books. A table or desk would have to be brought in for her. He looked up, curious if there were any leaks in the ceiling, but it seemed sound.

"Grantland, we should climb on the roof and see if any repairs are needed," Neil said.

Grantland frowned at him and straightened his shoulders. "Do you think to involve yourself in this?"

Neil frowned back at the other man. "I offered to help rebuild the Cutter Gap church. I will help you as needed here in Lufty Branch, too. I serve this community's medical needs, too. I know them better than you."

Neil stormed out of the church, angry that Grantland was questioning his commitment. Did the man not realize he was invested in the success of this church school? If Christy did not have a place to teach, she would leave. He wasn't sure he was ready to get married by the fall. Yes, he loved her. Yes, he wanted to be with he, but what if she decided she could not be happy here? She had not lived through a steamy, humid Appalachian summer. Asheville was probably just as hot, but at least there she had a home with running water. Here she would only be able to cool down in the rivers and streams.

He looked up at the roof, and what he could see as he walked around the building, it seemed fit. Of course, the only way to know for certain was to climb up there. Grantland seemed to claim authority over that, so Neil would back off and allow him to do so.

Neil knew which cabin Ferrand thought would work as a home for Grantland. He began his trek to the west. Neil had stayed there himself more than once, when caught in a storm. It was a sound building, but it would need a stove and a way to create some privacy for the newlyweds who would be living there. Neil imagined Grantland would do counseling and bible studies there, too and his new bride would likely appreciate a separate room for their bedroom.

He wondered where another open cabin was for Christy and Ida. This was the only open one he knew of. Grantland would want his sister close as she was a housekeeper for him. But, if Ida did marry Ben, then it would be Grantland, his fiancée and Christy out here. Christy would not want to interfere with Grantland's life, so unless he was ready to commit to her, to set himself up for heartbreak again, Christy would need a home.

He walked down the path toward the nearest neighbors, the Walker family. The Walkers were one of the families that kept the church maintained. Billy and Lena had six children still at home. Three had married already and were on their own, in the area. If anyone would know of a place for Christy and Ida, it would be Billy Walker.