Enjoy!

Chapter 3

The next morning, Christy awoke in her room to the in­viting sounds of bacon, eggs, sausage, and toast. It smelled so good to her, beating possum any day. Christy got dressed and looked around her room; it was quite messy. She tidied it up and unpacked her valise. Finally, the inviting smells overwhelmed her and she went down for breakfast.

The very sun itself couldn't have made Julia Huddleston's face glow more. She was overjoyed at her daughter's return. When Christy had said she was coming back to stay, William literally had to re­strain his wife from enclosing Christy in a bear hug. Though Julia was usually quite reserved, and very proper by society standards, her action towards Christy had not surprised William. He had been the one who was bombarded with the majority of his wife's worries about their daughter. So, of course, he knew better than anyone how happy Julia was.

Christy sat down at the table to her father reading his paper. She missed George, who was off at a pre-college clinic for the week. He had only one more year in high school before he graduated. Christy suddenly felt old, for her little brother was about to start college!

"Good morning, Mother, Daddy."

"Did you sleep well?" Julia asked as she put a heaping plate of sausage on the table and sat down.

"Yes, I certainly did. May I say the blessing?"

"Of course."

"Dear God, I thank you for letting me be here back with my family and for letting me have such memories in Cutter Gap. Bless this food and help our family to have a wonderful day. Amen." When Christy mentioned Cutter Gap, her eyes filled with tears. She kept see­ing Mountie's big blue eyes and Ruby Mae's bright red hair.

Why am I acting like this? She thought I did what was best. The children would not be done justice with a teacher who was tortured by personal matters!

"Amen," her parents said, interrupting her thoughts. Christy helped herself and began to eat. She was famished, for her last meal had been only a small lunch the previous day when she was on the train. Upon arriving in Asheville, Christy had been so exhausted that she merely told her parents she was there to stay, headed up to her room, and then fell asleep in her bed barely before changing into her nightgown. Christy had thought nothing of dinner.

"Christy, Thomas Livingston is having a grand party tomorrow tonight, and I would like to take you shopping for a dress today. You remember Lance Livingston, don't you?" Julia inquired of her daughter.

Christy groaned, for she was really in no mood for a party. After thinking about it for a few moments, she reconsidered. Christy had not been to a party for a long time. It might turn out to be fun. "All right, Mother. That would be nice."

"Good, then we will leave before lunch."

Christy turned her thoughts to Lance. He was her longtime friend and an accomplished horseman. She would try and remember to ask him if he could coach her. While living in Cutter Gap, she had needed horsemanship skills badly. Even though Christy thought it would be pointless to learn, since she wouldn't be returning to Cutter Gap, she had enjoyed riding while there.

Other memories of Lance flooded Christy's mind. She remem­bered when they were in the eighth grade how he had escorted her to her first dance. However, Christy was so nervous that when she tried to dance, she had stepped on her dress and ripped it. She ran off in tears. Lance had followed her and said, trying to comfort her, "It's all right, Christy. Don't cry. I think that you are a great dancer. Your dress was probably too long, anyway. That's why you stepped on it." Christy smiled. She had always thought that she would one day marry Lance. How things had changed!

A few hours later, Christy changed into one of her more elegant dresses and left with her mother to find a new dress for the party.

"Christy, you only told your father and I that you were back for good this time, but you never told us why. I am so overjoyed to have you back, but I cannot see someone as determined as you are just de­ciding to come home, especially after making it clear that you wanted to stay the last time we visited you. What is it Christy? Why did you come back?"

"Mother, I just decided that Cutter Gap was not working out for me," Christy said, not being able to look her mother in the eye.

"It's because of Neil and David, isn't it? You have still not decided?"

"Mother, it's nothing like that, I just—"

"Christy, dear. Please, I know what it's like to be torn between two men. Just listen to me, all right?" Christy nodded, intrigued. Had her mother faced a struggle similar to her own?

"Before I met your father, I had two suitors I could not choose between. I was young—your age—and in what would now be your high school. I know it may surprise you, but yes, even I wanted higher learning. In those days, women did not often complete high school, but I so desperately wanted to.

"Anyway, in my elevated math class, I met a very smart and charming young man. We soon started courting. I enjoyed being with him and he was from a wealthy family, which satisfied my parents. At the same time, I became good friends with another young man in my drama class who had a great passion for theater. He was from a very poor family and was only at school because of his wealthy cousins. We shared everything on our minds. I never thought of him as more than a good friend, but he stirred things deep inside me that the other young man never did." Christy was eerily shocked over how her mother's relationship with the poor man so closely matched her own relationship with Neil.

"It frightened me," Julia continued, "and I didn't know what to think, for the wealthy young man never made me feel that way. I started avoiding them both, and when the semester was up, I transferred to another school. In my parting words, I told them that the other school had more things to offer me. I have regretted that day often. However, I met your father and was given the most wonderful daughter ever," she smiled. "I have always wondered what might have happened if I had stayed."

"Mother, how come you never told me this?"

"I felt that I never needed to." Julia stopped in front of a dress shop. "Well, let's go in this store. You can tell me your story later."

Still turning over in her mind her mother's story, Christy stepped into a world of blinding colors and wonderful smells. She looked at each dress, finally coming upon a deeply colored cerulean dress that was made of the softest silk. It was very beautiful, and she knew that it was the perfect one for the party. After paying for it, with much protesting from Christy when she found out the price, they left for their favorite restau­rant to eat lunch.

"Mother, thank you so much for the dress. I've forgotten how much fun it can be to shop," Christy said as they left the restaurant, feeling very full. "Of course, one day is enough. In Cutter Gap, the only 'shopping' I do—did, was usually done in the woods, looking for materials to teach the children with."

"You miss them very much, don't you?" Julia inquired as they strolled down the streets.

"Yes, I suppose I do, but it was for the best."

"Why is that? Christy, you must tell me, or I will fear forever that something very bad and deadly happened to someone."

Christy took a deep breath and smiled a little, "It was nothing like that Mother. Well, you know that David proposed to me, and Neil and I had become very good friends. It was like you said earlier. Neil has stirred many feelings in me that I do not have with David," Christy fal­tered, "like—like the young man you regarded as your good friend, and only your good friend," she said, trying to cover up.

"Some­times, those feelings were ones of anger. Neil has made me so angry sometimes I was literally shaking," she said, smiling as she remembered their encounters. "On the other hand, he has not al­ways made me angry. He has opened my eyes to so many things. It was through him that I truly found my faith. He challenged me in what I believed, which I soon found out that I did not know. It was through those challenges that I became closer to God. Much as I wanted to bring Neil closer to God, it was just the other way around." Christy stopped, wondering if she could go on.

"It's all right, Christy. Keep going," Julia said softly.

"Well, David bought me a hard-earned ring and again asked me to marry him. I was more doubtful this time, because of Neil. I con­fronted my dearest friend, Fairlight, and she asked me these questions: 'Who do you think of when you first get up in the morning?' I an­swered David. 'Who is the last person you think of before you go to sleep?' I answered David. 'Who makes your blood boil?' It was to this question that I answered, 'Neil, MacNeill, but he has nothing to do with this,' I had said hastily. Finally she asked me, 'Who's your best friend, Christy? Who do you tell your deepest thoughts to?' It was to that question also that I answered Neil, and I knew that I could not marry David. I knew that I never told David my deepest thoughts, and even though I did love him, it was not enough. We did not have the friend­ship that Neil and I did. But—I—I do not love Neil; I just don't love David enough.

"I rode over to Neil's cabin, because I wanted to tell him how much I respected him and how much I cherished our friendship. I saw him and his wife, Margaret, who had come back for a second time, em­bracing by the river. I immediately took off and went back to the schoolhouse, I ran into David's arms and he held out the ring and asked me to marry him. Neil had followed me, and it was there that I stood, between the two of them. I decided to leave." Christy knew she had said too much about her true feelings, but by the time she had finished, they had reached the steps of their beautiful home. It felt good to be able to unload her bottled up feelings to someone that cared.

"Oh, Christy, I am so sorry. You love Neil, don't you? I sim­ply cannot bear the thought of my daughter in love with a mountain man, but I think that I truly did love John, even if he was poor."

"No, Mother, I don't love Neil. He is my good friend. I was—ah, just startled seeing him and his wife together, since she had been gone all this time. I merely ran off because I didn't want to interrupt them, and I knew if Margaret saw us talking, she would get the wrong idea," Christy finished lamely.

"Christy, it is not a sin to be in love."

"I am not in love!"

"Only you will know this Christy. We will discuss this later," Julia looked levelly at her daughter.

Christy sighed, and went to talk to her father. She guessed that he was in the library, reading. Her guess proved to be right, and she said, "Hello, Daddy. I'm sorry that I have not been able to talk to you and see how you have been doing since my last visit."

"That's all right, Little Miss," William said affectionately, look­ing up from his newspaper. "I am doing quite well. I owe my life to Doctor Neil MacNeill. I don't know how you convinced your mother to let him treat me," he chuckled. "Tell me, exactly how did you con­vince your mother?"

"Well," Christy said, taking a seat beside him, "it was not ex­actly me who did. You see, I took Mother over to see Swannie O'Teale. Mother wanted to help me convince Swannie to take the food we were giving her. Neil—Doctor MacNeill came with some gingerbread for the children. He had success­fully treated Becky O'Teale's trachoma, and she gave him a beautiful picture of the first thing she saw when she had been able to see again. It was then that Mother decided to let Doctor MacNeill examine you, and I am so glad that he did."

"Yes, I am glad to be here, but even more glad to see you. But Christy, I can see that this is no longer your home anymore. You are not happy here."

"Daddy, it just wasn't working out there for me. This is my home," Christy said, hiding her eyes.

"I know it might not seem to you this way, but I can see it in you that you are bound to Cutter Gap, even if you don't see it yourself. By the way," he asked with a sly smile, "how is Doctor MacNeill doing?"

Christy's head snapped up, "He—uh—is doing fine." Chang­ing the subject, she asked, "Have you been able to walk without your cane yet?"

"Yes, I am almost able to. I know heaven is to be a wonderful place, but I don't know what I would have done if I went to heaven knowing that I had hurt my Little Miss."

"Oh, Daddy, I'm so glad you are still here. You have to give me away at my wedding."

"And to whom will I give you away? Would it be Ne—"

"William, Christy! Dinner is ready."

"May I escort you, Christy Huddleston, to the finest dinner in Asheville?" he asked courtly-like, standing up.

Christy, still blushing from her father's almost made comment, replied, "Of course," and she took his arm and they went off to dinner.

Back at the mission, Miss Alice was cooking dinner, since she didn't want all of Keri's meals to consist of possum.

"Miss Alice, David said that there was a schoolteacher, Christy Huddleston who went away for awhile. Do you know when she will be back? I'd like to meet her," Keri asked, coming up beside Miss Alice with some potatoes.

Miss Alice turned and smiled at the young woman. She knew Keri was buzzing with curiosity after all that she had heard about the teacher "She went back to her home in Asheville for good, or so she thought. I do think she will be back, though. I believe that God has bound her forever to this place."

"Why in the world did she leave? How could anyone leave this place?" Keri asked as she peeled her potato.

"Ah, Miss Loving, there are a fair amount of things that are not good in these mountains."

"Yes, I have seen places like this, and I fear that I have not seen the worst yet, either. However, I would not describe this place as 'God forsaken,' as many people say, for I think that God has only been shut out by the fear and pride of these people. He is here. He just has yet to be accepted by the people as a kind, merciful, loving God."

Miss Alice brightened, "I could have not said it better myself, Miss Loving. It is our job here at the mission to open the people's eyes to the true God."

"If you don't mind my asking, then why did Miss Huddleston leave?" Keri queried once more.

"Miss Huddleston had some very overwhelming personal mat­ters that she needed to sort out." Suddenly, an idea dawned on Miss Alice, "Miss Loving, do thee have any experience in teaching chil­dren? I know that thou art merely passing through, but would thee mind teaching the children part time? Until Christy returns? I know they would love to have you. If desired, I would be happy to assist thee."

"Why yes, Miss Alice! I taught my sister's schoolchildren while she went on her honeymoon for a month. She went to Ireland. That is where our roots are," Keri said with a dreamy look on her face. "I would love to go there one day. But, yes, Miss Alice, I would be happy to. When would you like me to start?"

"It would probably be best if thee started the day after tomor­row. Do you have knowledge of higher math or science? There are a few students that are quite proficient in those areas."

"Yes, I know a bit about Earth Science, you know, the study of rocks and such."

Miss Alice nodded, "Good, I will have David tell the children tomorrow. Keri, I don't know how to thank thee. I know David will be glad to have some of the strain taken off of him."

"What will David be glad about?" David asked as he entered the mission house.

"Oh, David! Miss Loving has agreed to help teach the chil­dren. She knows of some higher science, and will be helping the older children," Miss Alice bubbled with a smile.

"You are a godsend, Keri. The students like Zady Spencer have been thirsting for more ever since Christy left for her retreat," David said as he strode over to Miss Alice.

"I am delighted, too, David. Well, shall we eat? And, by the way, where is Ruby Mae?" Miss Alice said.

David replied, "I sent her over to Bessie's house for dinner."

As they sat down, there was a knock on the door.

"I'll get it," David said as he stood up. He opened the door to find Uncle Bogg. "What can I do for you, Bogg?"

"Howdy, Preacher. I was in El Pano today and saw that good ol' Prince was in the Livery Stable. I figgered that Miss Christy had rode him there and would be wantin' someone to bring 'im back. So that's just what I done."

"Why, thank you. Do you want to join us for dinner?" David asked.

"I cain't tonight, but ya think I could take somethin' with me?"

"Sure, wait right here," and David went back into the mission house. Bogg stood there waiting, wondering if the Preacher would get him a pie. David then emerged with a large blueberry pie. "Here you go. Miss Alice just made this today." Bogg took the pie eagerly and handed Prince over to David.

"Thank ye kindly. I'll be seein' ya."

"Bye, Bogg. Thank you."

As Miss Alice and Keri waited for David to put Prince up, Miss Alice suddenly remembered the letter that she had found in her cabin when she had woken up that morning. "Will you excuse me? I will be right back. I have an important letter that I need to read."

"Of course, but hurry back. You don't want to miss the food that is not possum, do you?" Keri said with a smile.

"I will indeed hurry back, Miss Loving!"

"Say, Keri," David said as he came back into the mission, pon­dering something, "did Miss Alice happen to mention where Christy went for her retreat?"

"Yes, she did. Christy went to her home, to Asheville."

As Alice made her way to the piano bench in the parlor, she took out the letter and partially expected to find Christy's handwriting. However, this script was rather different. Quite puzzled, Miss Alice sat down on the piano bench and began to read:

September 19

Dear Mother,

By the time you read this, I will probably be in Knoxville. The Asheville clinic said I would receive the best treatment there for my tuberculosis. Don't worry, I am not running away this time. In fact, I am asking you to meet me in Knoxville in a week to accompany me. I know we ex­changed hateful words at our last meeting. Please, find it in yourself to give me one more chance. What I need to say can­not be expressed in this letter. Please come. I hope we can talk a bit.

It was Christy who made me decide to stop running. I know that I am your only daughter, but I am grateful that there is someone like Christy for you. She is the daughter you should have had. I know this will sadden you, but I have sent annulment papers to Neil. He should not be burdened by me when he is in love with someone else. There is no other way. Please, if you will, meet me in Knoxville in a week.

Your daughter,

Margaret

Miss Alice sat stunned. She was very shocked at Margaret's sudden change in the letter. After her talk with Christy, Miss Alice had been willing to give her daughter another chance, and had almost visited Margaret before going on her retreat. However, something had held her back. Fear, dread maybe? It had haunted Miss Alice during her retreat. But as always, God had comforted her. This letter was the answer to Miss Alice's prayers. "Thank thee, Lord. Thank thee so much."

Miss Alice read the letter again. She knew Margaret had a long ways to go before she would be completely new in spirit, but Christy had planted a seed. For that, Alice was eternally grateful. She was glad for the five days that she had before she would go to Margaret. It would take that long to get things in order. How she wished Christy were there! Alice sighed and then headed back to the table, to find Keri and David laughing. "What is so funny?"

"Oh, Miss Alice!" Keri said laughingly, "When I was peeling potatoes for the stew, I accidentally placed the peels in the pie. Oh, you should taste this pie! Cherries and potato peels do not exactly mix."

Miss Alice laughed joyously, partly because of the funny mis­take and partly because of her newfound joy that Margaret wanted to sort things out. "That is quite an interesting mixture, but I have a more serious announcement to make." Keri and David immediately sobered and Miss Alice continued, "I have a letter that Margaret left for me. She has gone to Knoxville for treatment and I must meet her there in five days. I am sorry to burden thee, David, but I must go. I will ask Fairlight to come back and help, and Christy should return before, if not soon, after I leave."

David's face was a mixture of joy and relief for Miss Alice and Margaret. He was so happy that Margaret had given Miss Alice another chance. Keri looked quite puzzled and turned to Miss Alice with ques­tions written all over her face. The Quaker briefly explained, and when she had finished, Keri sat there, shocked. "I—ah—I will be happy to help while you are away. My horse's injury will probably take its own sweet time to heal, so I will be here for awhile."

"Thou art a great relief, Keri. Is there anything the mission can do for you in return?"

"Actually, there is. Could I talk to you after dinner?"

"Of course. Well, I think now is a good time to eat the dinner, potato-cherry pie and all!" They all smiled and started to eat. After the dishes were cleared and everything cleaned up, Keri told Miss Alice of her dream to raise prize horses in the Smoky Mountains. After finish­ing, Keri said worriedly,

"I know this is probably not the right time to ask but. . . ."

"No, thou art right. This is very good horse country. I have an idea. This mission is not owned by myself, but by Dr. Jacob Ferrand. I don't think that he would be willing to sell the land. But, there is a fair amount of land over by Low Gap. I would be willing to see if thee would be able to claim that."

"Yes, Dr. MacNeill said the same thing. I think it would be great. I would love to stay in this area, and help with the mission, if that would be of any help to you."

"Oh, yes, Keri, it would. As soon as I have seen to it that my daughter is receiving treatment and I have reconciled with her, I would be happy to get the land for thee."

"Oh, thank you! I don't know how I could ever repay you!" Keri stood up and flung her arms around Miss Alice.

"Well, could you repay us by maybe playing a tune or two on the piano? I heard you playing this morning when I came up for break­fast."

Keri blushed. "Of course. It's the least that I can do." She sat down and began to play Beethoven's "Fur Elise". Through the night, the joyous playing of a piano accompanied by happy voices rang through the Cove.

Miss Alice only wished that Christy could be there to share the happy moment. David's mind was also on Christy. . .