Disclaimer: I don't own Christy.

Part 4

March 1912

A sudden banging on the mission house door rattled the windows as Ruby May Morrison became rather desperate. Especially when Zachariah Holt and Creed Allen were laughing at the poor, helpless teen at this moment.

"What's going on here?" Rachel asked. She'd been overcome with the stench of a skunk.

"They gone and said it was a present for Miss Christy, Miss Rachel. It ain't funny," Ruby May yelled as Rachel covered her with a sheet.

"Miss Rachel, what ya gonna do?" Ruby May asked as

her teacher led her towards the bath tub.

"Oh, no. Please, Miss Rachel, please not a bath, I'll catch a death a chill," Ruby May begged.

"You, sit there," Rachel replied when she returned with a bucket of water and Miss Ida to help her.

"Oh, no, Miss Ida no," Ruby May screamed when the water was poured over her to try and get the stench out.

"Rachel, rround up the boys and take them to David," Miss Ida called over her shoulder.

"Of course," Rachel called out before running off to try and find her students.

"Creed Allen and Zachariah Holt, hault," Rachel said in her most authoritive tone of voice.

Both boys stopped dead in their tracks knowing that Miss Rachel meant business. They'd seen her pay a call on their parents when they both caused a bit of mischief months earlier.

"Yes, 'um," Creed Allen said when he turned to face his teacher.

"Zachariah Holt," Rachel called with the firmest voice she could muster at that given moment.

"Ah, shucks. We don't mean any harm, Miss Rachel," Zachariah told Rachel.

"I think a few chores around the mission will suit as a punishment. Didn't you all learn with Miss Christy and the garter snake you put in her bag when we were out on our nature walk last summer?" Rachel asked.

"I guess we didn't learn that well, Miss Rachel," Creed responded.

"Well then, you better start learning by cleaning the entire schoolhouse prior to services on Saturday for the next two weeks. That is, after you do your chores at home. You can forget about the drawing project I had planned for the both of you," Rachel told the two boys.

"What are we going to be doing instead?" Zacharish asked.

"White washing the outhouse on Monday after school. You may also apologize to Ruby May," Rachel told the boys of their added punishment.

"Anything else we'd be a doing, Miss Rachel?" Creed asked.

"No. I will be paying another visit to your parents to inform them of your misconduct," Rachel responded.

"Our what?" Creed asked, looking on at his teacher in confusion.

"Misbehavior, Creed. Now go home before I decide to add to that list," Rachel said before she let out a sigh.

"Rachel," Christy said when she came face-to-face with her frustrated colleague.

"Creed and Zachariah had a skunk," Rachel informed Christy as she walked forward with Christy following her.

"Is everything alright?" Christy asked when Rachel came to a stop.

"Not exactly," Rachel responded.

"What happened?" Christy asked Rachel.

"The letter I received last week from my mate has some bad news," Rachel informed Christy.

"I don't understand," Christy said.

"My mate said that my fiance is coming to America. Uncle Herbert told him where I was, and he's on his way to get me in April," Rachel replied.

"Have you told him that you want to stay here?" Christy asked.

"I've written him, and he wants me to come back to England. William said the choice was mine," Rachel told her friend.

"Do you want to go?" Christy asked.

"Well, not really. This place is where I belong. My fiance and my mate will be here in three weeks," Rachel announced.

"So that's why you have a sudden change in mood," Christy said.

"Yes. I'm torn on what to do, Christy, really I am," Rachel stated her fears, since she had her heart in two places.

"I can't imagine what type of pain that must feel like. Have you spoken to Miss Alice about this?" Christy asked.

"Yes."

"And?" Christy questioned as she saw Rachel begin to walk again.

"I want to go home, but this is also my home. I think I've become a bit attached to William through his letters," Rachel said.

"The choice is yours to make. I don't think it will be very easy," Rachel said.

"Pray, Rachel, and God will lead you to make the choice that's best for you," Christy said.

"I will,Christy. Thank you," Rachel replied. She let out a sigh, knowing this was going to be the hardest choice she'd ever have to make in her own life.