Chapter 2

I awoke early the next morning. I groaned as I looked at the clock and realized it was only 6:00am. It would be three hours before Neil would be by to pick me up. Who was I kidding, I knew that my nervousness had more to do with my growing feelings for Neil than anything else. Some of those feelings extended far beyond mere friendship, but I wasn't quite sure how far and I certainly wasn't sure whether or not he reciprocated those feelings. At one point I thought that it had been David who I loved, but I came to realize that David and I did not share the same goals in life and his inability to share those things with me made me realize that we could not get married. It was Fairlight who had first pointed out to me that my feelings for Neil MacNeill might be stronger then I had originally thought. I think that those feelings had made me even more confused about marrying David and now my confusion about Dr. MacNeill was even greater, especially after Margaret's death over the summer. I closed my eyes and tried to go back to sleep for a little while, but my adrenaline was pumping so hard that sleep eluded me.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my feet hitting the cold, hard, wooden planks beneath them. There was a frigid chill in the air that I had not noticed the previous few mornings. I stepped into my slippers and threw my robe around my shoulders. I then walked over to the doors leading out to the balcony and thrust them open to reveal a light powder dusted ground. I let out a sigh thinking that if it snowed anymore then I might not make it home for Christmas this year. The snow glistened like sugar crystals in the early morning rays of sun and barely covered the ground. In the distance the snow capped mountains were barely visible through the dark, lonely, clouds that engulfed their majestic peaks. Those foggy clouds were the reason why these mountains were named the Great Smoky Mountains. It was a beautiful day despite the frigid cold air that blew circles of chills up and down my spine. It was the perfect day to go searching for a Christmas tree and I felt a sense of giddiness about me that was usually only reserved for children as they waited in anticipation for something exciting to happen.

After reading for awhile I finally got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast. I could smell the scent of frying bacon wafting up the staircase and I was delighted to see that we would be having hotcakes for breakfast to go with that bacon.

"Good morning Miss Huddleston." Miss Alice greeted me cheerfully as she continued to flip the hotcakes. "I let Ruby Mae have the morning off."

"Good morning Miss Alice. The food smells delicious."

"I thought thou might appreciate a full hot meal this morning before thee goes out."

"Thank – you Miss Alice." I reached for a cup and poured myself some coffee. I savored the warmth and taste of it as it smoothly coated my insides. I looked up just in time to see the front door swing open and David's tall thin frame come walking through it. My heart skipped a beat thinking that it was Neil, but then quickly relaxed upon David's entrance.

"David," I courteously smiled at him. "We thought you wouldn't be back until later today."

"So did I, but when it started snowing I decided that I should probably try to come back early so I traveled most of the night."

"You must be cold and tired," Miss Alice said with some concern. "I have made coffee and pancakes so sit down and have some."

"Thank – you Alice, it does sound good."

"What sounds good?" Neil's booming Scottish voice echoed throughout the room.

"Neil," I said while restraining myself from jumping out of my seat, "we didn't hear you come in."

"Doctor MacNeill, sit down and have some breakfast with us before thee goes out." Miss Alice said it more to tell him to eat then as a request.

"Don't mind if I do Alice. It smells fantastic and the coffee is very inviting."

"So Doctor, what brings you here so early this morning," asked David.

"Well I promised Christy that I would find a Christmas tree today for the schoolhouse."

"Oh I think that's a wonderful idea. The schoolhouse could use some Christmas cheer," David replied through a muffled voice. He was stuffing pancakes into his mouth like they were the only meal he was going to have for the next few days and finishing them down with equal amounts of coffee. "If I wasn't so tired Doctor I would go with you. I do happen to have some experience in picking out trees."

"That's quite all right Reverend, Christy here as offered to help keep me company and pick one out." Neil smiled and winked at me and then added, "I much prefer her presence to yours Reverend." I could feel the warmth of my cheeks as they slowly turned red.

"I bet you do," I heard David say under his breath. A curtain of jealousy swept across David's face and clouded over his eyes. Even though I had rejected his proposal over a year ago, his feelings for me were still pretty evident and he was envious of the friendship that I had with Neil; a friendship that had grown even stronger after Margaret's death. At times the rivalry between the two for my affection was more then I could handle and sometimes even a bit comical.

"What was that Reverend?" I could see Neil's eyes daring David to repeat what he had just said.

David glared back at Neil, "I said I hope you have a good time. Now if you'll excuse me I am in much need of some sleep." David stood up, his tall lanky frame showing signs of fatigue. It was obvious he was too weary to protest any further so he turned and headed out the door while mumbling under his breath sentences that were not clearly audible.

Neil sat across the table with a mischievous grin which showed that he had won this small battle with David. "Shall we go," he asked.

"Certainly, let me grab my coat and I'll be ready."

To be continued……………