As promised, Ruby Mae was taken shopping the next day. Since Julia, Miss Alice, and Margaret had other things to tend to, Christy alone was designated, well, rather left with, the responsibility of Ruby Mae. But, Christy supposed she didn't mind being with Ruby Mae, who had slowly become the little sister Christy had always wanted.
Christy smiled, remembering how when George was a baby, she had dressed him up in a dress, decorated him with jewelry, and then renamed him Georgia.
She was jerked out of her reminiscing when Ruby Mae pulled her into yet another store.
"Oh, Miss Christy! Ain't these the purdiest things ye ever did see?" Ruby Mae gushed.
Christy looked at the ball gowns that Ruby Mae was fingering.
"They are beautiful, but don't you think a simpler dress would be better to buy?"
Ruby Mae turned from the dresses, astounded. "Ye mean you was gonna buy me a whole brand new store-bought dress?"
Christy smiled. "Of course, Ruby Mae! When you go shopping, you buy clothes."
"But I got no money."
Christy stepped towards Ruby Mae. "Ruby Mae, I can pay for it. It's really not that much for a simple dress here, anyway."
Ruby Mae remained firm. "No ma'am, I won't be beholdin' to ye. Them other leetle things ye bought me; waal them's all right, cuz you say they pay fer my work at the mission," Ruby Mae said, once again reaching out and running her coarse hands across the beads and embroidery on the dresses.
"Jest lookin' at these dresses pleasures me right fine, Miss Christy. I don't need no one to wear."
Christy sighed, defeated. She had gotten Ruby Mae to accept the other gifts, necessities, really, and that was satisfying enough. Christy would just give Ruby Mae one of her own dresses. "All right, Ruby Mae, we don't have to get a dress."
Ruby Mae nodded with a pleased smile. "Thank ye. Can we still look 'round a spell?"
"Of course. There is something I have to find, anyway."
"What you be looking fer?" Ruby Mae asked.
"Oh, a Christmas gift for someone," Christy said absently, her eyes scanning every clothes rack in the store.
"Fer who?"
"Ruby Mae, would you go over to the shirtwaists and look for a dark green one? If you find one, come and tell me, all right?"
"Shore," and then she bounded off.
Christy groaned and wondered if Ruby Mae would get lost in the large store. She rubbed her temples; just one more gift to get. A special gift. Christy's eyes fell upon the bargain rack. Perfect.
There were dresses with rips, stains, and buttons missing, but Christy didn't care. With a little searching in all the nooks and crannies of the racks, she came upon the perfect dress. Steel-gray and long, it had once been covered with beads. The beads had been removed as well as the many layers of skirts that had went beneath the dress in order to make it elegant ballroom material. However, the dress's defects did not matter at all to Christy
She smiled, grabbed the dress, and went in search of Ruby Mae.
"Christy! Whatever did you buy all that for?" Julia Huddleston exclaimed as Christy and Ruby Mae entered the house with armloads of bags and boxes.
Christy sent her mother a look. "Christmas, Mother."
William, George, Neil, Margaret, and Miss Alice appeared in the doorway of the porch. They had heard the commotion and had come to investigate.
"Christy, if I'd known you were going to buy that much, I would have sent our carriage with you to carry it all!"
Everyone chuckled, and then started laughing. William's comment itself was not all that funny, but the fact that Christy and Ruby Mae had planned a simple shopping trip only to return with a large amount of goods was quite entertaining.
Christy was laughing so hard that she began to lose her balance. Margaret rushed over and took some of Christy's items, as well as Ruby Mae's. Still laughing, she asked, "Where do you want these?"
"Up in my room will be fine. Thank you," Christy replied. Margaret nodded and they started up to Christy's room.
After depositing her things, Ruby Mae left for a snack, parting with,
"Thank ye, Miss Christy. This was shorely the best day of my life."
"Your welcome. I enjoyed it, too," Christy smiled.
Margaret smiled and stood up from the bed. "Seems like. . . ." Suddenly, she appeared to be short of breath, and groped for something to steady herself. Christy rushed to her side.
"Margaret? Are you all right?"
Gasping, Margaret nodded, "Just . . . a . . . bit . . . short of . . . breath from those . . . stairs. Treatment does that to . . . to one."
"Do I need to get Miss Alice?" Christy asked concernedly; Margaret was extremely pale.
"Oh, no. I'll be . . . be fine. Please, don't tell Mother. It would only make her worry, and then she'll never make it back to Cutter Gap," Margaret said, but a small cough escaped her.
Christy wasn't convinced, but Margaret's color was slowly returning and she seemed to be breathing easier. Sighing, Christy nodded, "All right, I won't say anything."
Margaret grasped Christy's hand, "Thank you. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I just haven't taken my medication today yet."
Trying to lighten the mood, Christy grinned, "Well, then you'd best go down and take it."
Margaret smiled back. "Yes."
"Did you get everything put away?" Julia asked downstairs in the living room as Christy and Margaret walked in.
"Yes, of course," Christy replied to her mother, pasting on a smile to cover her worry for Margaret.
"Good. Lunch is ready. And, in honor of your last day, Christy, I have made your favorite meal: Great Aunt Louise's German Potato salad, steamed vegetables, chicken. . . ."
Christy's mind wandered to her favorite mouth watering dishes. She smiled. "Thank you, Mother. Thank you very much."
The good-byes at the train station the next morning were full of tears, promises, and hugs. Miss Alice and Margaret's parting was by far the most heart wrenching.
"Margaret, thou art on the right path. Please, please, do not lose faith. Rely on God in these upcoming times to bring you through thy treatment," Miss Alice said with firmness in her voice and tears in her eyes.
"Oh, Mother, thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me a second chance."
"Child, that is all I ever wanted for thee."
The whistle blew and Margaret stepped up to the train. "I will write, Mother, as soon as I get settled."
Miss Alice placed her clasped hands at her lips. "As will I, Daughter."
Margaret was ushered onto the train where she sat down and waved good-bye. The train pulled out of sight and Miss Alice proudly stood on the platform, with tears and a smile dancing across her face.
She grasped Neil and Christy's hands. "Let's go home."
With a final good-bye, Neil, Christy, Miss Alice, and Ruby Mae boarded their own train.
Ruby Mae, looking forlorn, sighed and placed her hand upon the window, looking back one last time.
Miss Alice, Neil, and Christy all gave a slight smile as Ruby Mae leaned back in her seat to sleep. It looked as if she wouldn't have much to say during this train ride.
Christy herself was just about to fall asleep when she remembered something. She reached down into her valise and pulled out the carved wooden cross for Miss Alice. For a moment, Christy gazed at the cross, allowing herself to be transported back to a time when she had been uncertain of her decision to return to Cutter Gap, and more than a bit uncertain of any feelings Neil harbored for her.
Breaking her trance, Christy smiled, holding out the gift to her mentor. "Miss Alice, I have something I've been wanting to give you."
Alice looked up, reached across the aisle, and took the cross.
"I bought this in Asheville when I visited there during the fall. I never had a chance to give it to you."
Miss Alice, staring at the article, didn't respond right away. She finally looked up.
"Christy, this is lovely. Thank you, thank you very much."
Neil, who was seated beside Christy, squeezed her hand and whispered,
"That cross brings memories for both you and Alice." It was a statement more than a question.
Christy shouldn't have been shocked by this comment; Neil could read her so well. She gazed up at him and said softly,
"Neil, you have no idea."
Miss Alice's long awaited return to the Cove was most certainly a happy one. People from all around came to the mission to welcome the Quaker missionary who had helped them in more ways than one could count.
Miss Alice's homecoming soon turned into an all-out, unscheduled jollification, complete with food, dancing, and, a jug. But, almost as traditional as the jollification festivities themselves, was the breakup of moonshine by Miss Alice.
Christy and Neil, watching the confrontation from a distance, listened to the quite audible flying comments.
"Awwww, ain't nuthin' wrong with a leetle bit 'a mountain dew," one of them said.
"Ain't no jollification fit without hit," another chimed in.
"There will be no spirits flowing at this mission. Now, get rid of it, or leave this party."
"Awwww. . . ."
But Miss Alice stood firm, and soon everything was peaceful once again.
"Ah, lass, 'tis good to be home, Neil said, taking Christy's hand.
Christy smiled. "There is no place I'd rather be."
Together they stood, looking out over the people of the Cove; their friends, their family. Neil broke the peace by saying,
"I'd best be getting on to my cabin, so I'll see you later."
"Must you?"
Neil smiled. "Yes, lass, I'm afraid I must. I need to catch up on my medical calls, and see if Dan Scott had any difficulties."
"All right."
Neil kissed her good-bye and then headed to Charlie, who eagerly nuzzled his master for treats.
Throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening, Neil only occupied Christy's thoughts for a few moments. Everyone wanted to talk to her, and marveled at the fantasy of Asheville.
Ruby Mae's friends were also mesmerized by the things that the redhead had brought back. Later, Christy found herself smothered by questions as how to acquire "them play-purty thangs."
As the sun set and the mountains cast their shadows upon the Cove, Christy found herself wishing for Neil to be there to share the evening with. The late November air was crisp and cold, but oh, so clear.
That night, Christy's head was spinning with ideas, worries, and happy thoughts. Christmas was just a month away. There was so much to be done, school would start up again in a few days. There would be a Christmas play to create, a party for the children to plan for, as well as a Christmas jollification that the mission would hold. On top of that, Christy's family would, true to their promise, be coming to the Cove to celebrate with Christy and her friends.
Finally, her anxieties were replaced by peaceful thoughts, snowy thoughts. The idea of riding through the powdery mountainside with Neil put a smile on Christy's face and sent her into a light slumber.
Christmas peeked around the corner and jumped out at Christy sooner than she ever expected. The month flew by, and Christy immersed herself in school and mission work. However, though working non-stop, her dreams that night of riding through the snow with Neil did come true, and quite often. Snow in the Cove had been plentiful, but light. Everyone enjoyed it.
Though the winter courting with Neil was wonderful, Christy wondered what being a wife to him would mean. They'd talked about marriage, but agreed that, even though they had loved each other for quite sometime, others might look upon their sudden marriage with disdain.
This was especially true with Margaret's reappearance and her and Neil's recent annulment. So, Neil and Christy would remain courting until the time was right.
The time Neil and Christy spent riding through the mountains was now, closer to Christmas, spent at the mission. They decorated and decorated, and even managed to get a small tree into the mission, which was decorated by the children one afternoon during recess.
Of course, Neil and Christy did not do all the Christmas work themselves, but they probably had the best time doing it.
They tried to include David as much as they could, for he seemed more than a bit lonely. Christy wondered if something hadn't happened to him in Boston over Thanksgiving.
Finally, two days before Christmas, it was time to go pick up Christy's family. The morning dawned clear, cold, and bright. Perfect weather, to travel to El Pano, at least for December.
As Christy, Neil, and Jeb bumped down the roughhewn road in Jeb's wagon, Christy found that she was completely and totally exhausted. She felt as if she had literally jumped from one holiday to the next, with nothing but a hazy blur in between.
But, everything was done. The decorations were up in both the school and mission house and both buildings were squeaky clean. The children were able to recite their Christmas play quite smoothly and had completely enjoyed their Christmas party on the last day before their vacation. And, finally, Christy had all of her presents ready.
Neil, who had been talking with Jeb, looked concernedly over to the corner of the wagon bed where Christy was huddled. He knew she had been working too hard, and was too tired to be doing anything other than resting. But, she had insisted on coming with them to get her parents.
"Christy, lass, you are too tired to do this."
Christy jolted out of her daze. "Neil, I'm fine."
Neil hopped over the wagon seat to sit beside her. "No, you are not. Why don't you try and sleep on the way there?"
"I'm not tired," Christy grumbled. Why did he have to treat her like such a child?
Neil sighed; he knew what was going through her mind. "Christy, I am not treating you like a child. I am treating you like a potential patient. My doctor's eyes see that you are overly tired, and are likely to get sick. Now, I think a good sleep would help you," he said gently.
Christy looked up at him and sighed, "I'm sorry, Neil. You're right. It's just that I—"
Neil put a finger to her lips. "Shhh . . . Just sleep."
Christy smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. A deep slumber awaited her.
Some hours later, Christy wakened to Neil's shaking. She looked around. Everything was white. She was white, and very cold. The wind was whistling loudly through the trees.
"Christy! Wake up!"
"What is it, Neil?" Christy asked groggily.
"We're not going to make it to El Pano."
"What?" Christy was awake now.
"The wagon might be able to make it, Christy, but we can't. We're in need of extra blankets, but we didn't pack any—"
"Because we assumed it was going to be a nice, relatively warm winter day," Christy finished, finally understanding the situation.
Neil nodded.
"So, what d-do we do?" Christy asked, shivering.
"There is a family not far from here, the MacManns. Hopefully they will let us stay there 'til the snow stops."
"Can't we just borrow some blankets and then continue on our way?"
"No, Christy. We'll have to stay there."
"But—"
"Christy, you are shivering like a leaf. If you don't get somewhere warm you'll catch your death. And, I'll wager you'll be sick as it is."
Christy gave in and nodded. Neil sighed. Christy was too stubborn for her own good.
They were soon close to the MacMann's cabin. Jeb called out, but there was no answer. He called out again, but was met with silence.
At the cabin, they got out of the wagon and Jeb knocked on the door. Again, there was no answer, or even any evidence of human inhabitance. Jeb tried the door. It was open, so they went inside. No one was there; it was as if the MacMann family had just vanished from the cabin in the middle of their life. Everything was extremely dusty, and there were several things that had been left in the middle of their use.
Christy walked softly to the table. There were dishes and silverware on it, and one bowl contained little pieces of dried food that appeared to be onions. Christy wondered why the mice had not nibbled on this food.
Christy was startled by Jeb's ringing call, "Helllooo!" However, she knew there would be no answer.
"Well," Neil said, "the MacManns aren't here, but I don't think they'd mind if we stayed here."
"Reckon not," Jeb said as he stepped over some discarded toys.
"What about my family, Neil? They will have no idea where we are."
"Christy," Neil replied, "they will surely see that the snow has delayed us."
"I can go fetch them, Miss Christy. I'll jest borrow some blankets. Look's like they'd have some here."
"Oh, no, Jeb. I didn't mean—"
Neil pulled Christy aside and gently said to her, "I know you want to go, Christy, but it would be too hard on you. Let Jeb go. He can make it and get to your family just fine. You do want to get them to the mission today, don't you?
Christy nodded slightly, looking away from him.
"Christy, I am only suggesting that you stay behind for your own health. If it wasn't snowing, we could all go."
"When will it stop snowing?"
"Hopefully before dark."
"What time is it now?"
Neil glanced at his pocket watch. "Noon."
Christy sighed. Neil was right. Having Jeb go get her family now was better than having them worry the whole day, perhaps even overnight. She didn't even want to think about that.
"All right, Jeb. Go ahead," she said.
Jeb nodded, and went of in search of some blankets. After gathering three or four, he paused before heading out the door. "Doc? You be stayin' here?"
"Yes, I'll stay with Christy until you return."
Jeb grinned and winked. "All right. Be seein' ya."
Christy turned to Neil, red-faced. "Neil! What will my parents think when they find me here—"
Neil laughed. "Your parents, lass, will be grateful that you are alive, well, and rested, not sick and frozen."
Christy smiled, despite herself. Suddenly feeling dizzy, she sank onto a vacant chair.
Neil eyed her suspiciously. "'Tis a good thing I have my medical bags. You look like you're getting sick, just as I expected. Let me start a fire, then I'll examine you."
A while later, Christy felt much warmer. Pulling the blanket tightly about her, she sipped the grog Neil had made for her and asked,
"How far from El Pano are we?"
"About three miles," Neil replied cautiously, awaiting a heated remark from Christy.
"Just three miles? Neil, surely we could have made it to El Pano!"
"But, could you have made it back?" Neil asked.
Christy half-glared at him. Why was he always right? Taking another sip, she attempted to change the subject.
"Where do you think the MacManns are?"
Neil chuckled at Christy's changing the subject. But a warning glance from her dared him to make a remark. "I cannot say. They kept to themselves while they were here. No one knows much about them."
"Did they have any children?" Christy queried.
"Just one that I know of. Robert E. I treated him for pneumonia as a small child."
"How long ago?"
"Thirteen years. First patient I ever had in the Cove."
"Was it very bad?" Christy asked, concerned for this child of the past.
"Not extremely. I'm sure he wouldn't have died from it, even though I only made one visit to treat him."
"No one knows why they left?" Christy was quite intrigued by the MacManns.
Neil shook his head. "Nope, no one knows why. In fact, I only just remembered that they had been gone!" He chuckled, then turned serious. "Ben Pentland told me one day that he'd stopped in on them and they weren't there. Course, no one paid attention to their disappearance, what with the—" he stopped. Neil didn't want to frighten Christy.
"What?"
"It's nothing, really, Christy," Neil said, already knowing full well that he had said too much to keep it a secret, especially from her.
What was Neil keeping from her? "Neil, did someone die or anything?"
He sighed. "It's like this. Two years ago, just before Grantland arrived, many people were reporting that they had seen a giant man, about seven or eight feet tall, living in the woods.
Christy half-laughed. "That's ridiculous. There's no such human, or thing. They probably just saw a bear or something."
Neil shook his head. "Christy, I saw it myself. I was riding Charlie and saw a flash of white in the trees. I got off and chased it and caught many good looks of the man. He was a giant, and he was real."
Christy shivered. Neil wouldn't lie to her. Could this be true?
Neil gave her a reassuring smile. "Enough stories. You look considerably better after getting warm. How do you feel?"
"Much better, but," Christy said, yawning, "I'm quite tired."
"Good, you need all the rest you can get. I found this cot for you to sleep on. Not the best, but better than sleeping on the floor," Neil said, dragging an old cot close to the fire.
Christy nodded and sank onto the makeshift bed. With one last look out the window at the falling snowflakes, Christy fell asleep.
Hours later, about half an hour before sundown, Christy was awakened by the sound of a slamming door. She sat up and looked around. The fire was still burning, but Neil was not there. Jeb must have arrived! She got up, fixed her hair and stepped outside.
The faces that met her wore the same shocked look as the faces that had found her at Neil's cabin, with Becky O'Teale that stormy night so long ago.