Homecoming

She stepped out of the train looking on a place she had left long ago, but the memory of that day was as clear as it was then. She had been gone too long and it was finally time to come home. Life in the city was just not for her, her heart belonged to these mountains; they called to her. As she walked towards the station she noticed that many people were staring at her. They hadn't seen a young city girl come off the train since Christy Huddleston came to teach at the mission school in Cutter Gap. She was met with the same looks inside the station as she approached the clerk's desk. She rang the bell and the clerk turned to her.

"Afternoon, ma'am. Are you lookin' for the boarding house?"

"No, sir. I was wandering if I could have someone take me to Cutter Gap this afternoon."

"Cutter Gap! What you goin' there for? A fine lady like yourself has no business in Cutter Gap that's for sure. Are you another teacher?"

"No I am not a teacher. I was born in Cutter Gap." She said with a warm smile.

The man behind the desk was astonished. No child from Cutter Gap went away to the city. "Could you tell me if Neil MacNeil or Alice Henderson still live there?"

"They both do. Doc MacNeil lives up past the Allen place on the Big Spoon creek. And Ms. Henderson, well she lives at the mission with the preacher and that new teacher from over Asheville way."

"Thank you sir, now about traveling arrangements."

He led her outside the station and pointed to the blacksmith's shop. She thanked him and walked toward the shop.

"Excuse me, could one of you gentlemen tell me where Mr. Pentland is?

The rugged men look up at the young woman who was clearly out of place. They gave her a good look over and continued with their business.

"I be Ben Pentland. Can I help you miss?"

"Well, I certainly hope so Mr. Pentland. My name is Kathryn MacNeil and I was wondering if you would you take me to Cutter Gap this afternoon? "

Suddenly all in the blacksmith shop stopped what they were doing and looked up at her again. Kathryn was puzzled her bright smile disappeared and her brow furrowed. Had she done something wrong? She began to feel very uncomfortable as she looked around the room at men who looked as if they had seen a ghost.

"Uh, Miss, did you say that you were a MacNeil?"

"Why yes, Mr. Pentland. My father is Neil MacNeil."

"You're Doc MacNeil's daughter?" Mr. Pentland's face went white as he stared at her.

"Yes Mr. Pentland I am." She didn't know what to do.

"Beggin' your pardon miss, but we all thought you was dead."

"Dead? Why how ridiculous Mr. Pentland I'm not dead. Where on earth did you get an idea like that?" she laughed at the thought.

"Well the Doc said that you and your mother had drowned in the river. There was a service for the two of ya and everything. The whole cove knows about it."

Kathryn's heart sank. Her father didn't even know that she was alive. It had been another one of her mother's horrible lies.

"Mr. Pentland I think I need to go to Cutter Gap immediately."

"Yes ma'am I believe you do. This will shorely be exciting news in the cove."

Kathryn and Mr. Pentland left for Cutter Gap. What was she going to say to her father and grandmother now that they have believed she was dead for these past eight years? They walked the seven miles to Cutter Gap. Each step brought back memories of the cove. As they walked Mr. Pentland updated her on the families of the cove and the new additions to the mission. They finally arrived at the mission as the sun was beginning to set.

"Well, miss. This be the mission house. Reverend Grantland, Miss Huddleston, and Ms. Henderson should all be inside. I'm afraid I need to get goin before it gets any darker. Good luck to ya miss."

"Thank you Mr. Pentland. You have been very helpful." she smiled nervously.