Chapter 3

The snow had stopped falling and it was turning out to be a gorgeous day. Neil had borrowed Jeb Spencer's wagon and I huddled close to him for warmth, my body relaxing against his and taking in the fresh smell of tobacco and lye soap. We rode in silence for quite some time taking in the beauty of the mountain winter scenery. The winters here, though cold and harsh, also provided brilliant displays of wintery paintings. The wind was gently blowing around us and pushing the snow laden trees branches up into the endless light blue sky. Little squirrels were scurrying about here and there obviously looking for food and shelter that they had no doubt already prepared. The birds were also out singing their winter songs while huddling close in groups of two to keep warm in the long tree branches. Through that blowing wind came the faint smell of wood burning in a nearby fireplace. 'Yes,' I thought, ' winter had finally come to Cutter Gap and it's quiet peaceful beauty along with it.'

Neil finally broke the silence, "How are you Christy, are you warm enough?"

"Yes, I'm fine," I replied, "I'm just marveling at the beauty that surrounds us, even at this time of the year."

"Aye, it tis beautiful, but with it comes a winter that can be extremely difficult for the people who live here. "Besides," he added, "the beauty that surrounds us is only enhanced by your presence on this trek with me today."

I was amazed at how Neil always knew what to say to make me blush and I was powerless to the effects of his charm. I leaned in slightly closer to his body for warmth and relaxed my head on his shoulder. The warmth of his body was very comforting and I felt his pulse rising slightly faster with my touch. I couldn't help but wonder if that meant I had the same effect on him that he had on me.

"We're almost to the grove of trees that I passed by yesterday. There were some nice ones there that I thought might work perfectly for your purposes." As he said this we entered into a grove of some beautiful smaller pine trees. I took a deep breath letting all of my senses drink in the wonderful treat. They smelled so good and it took me back to my parents house and how the pine scent of our trees always filled the house and permeated through everything from the floors to the ceilings. Neil hopped down from the wagon and then quickly assisted me down as well.

"Well, what do you think," he asked.

"It's beautiful and it smells so fresh. I'm sure we won't have a problem finding a tree at all." We started to look around, walking in and out of the spaces between the trees. Some of them I knew would be way to tall and others way to big around. Then I spotted it, the perfect tree for our little schoolhouse. It wasn't the tallest or the biggest around, but it was a cute little tree about four and half feet tall. It's branches were full and the perfect size for hanging ornaments on. This tree had character and I was sure the children would love it.

"Neil," I called out, "I think I found the one."

Neil peered around a slightly larger tree and looked at the one I was now standing at. "Are you sure Christy? It's not very big."

"Yes I'm sure, that's the one."

"Well, it might be small, but it is a pretty little tree. Stay right there and I'll be right back." I watched as Neil walked back to the wagon and got the axe out that he had brought with us. "Now stand back Christy, I don't want you getting hurt." Neil then began the process of cutting the tree down. I watched as he used practically every muscle in his body to chop that tree down for me. I marveled at how strong and muscular he was. Most doctor's would not even have as much as an inkling of how to chop down a Christmas tree, but Neil was different. He grew up in these mountains and though he was well educated, he was still as he would put it, a mountain man at heart. It took him no time at all to saw through the trunk of the tree.

"Well I don't know about you, but I've definitely worked up an appetite and I've brought us a picnic lunch like I said I would." Neil grabbed a blanket from one of his bags and carefully laid it down in the back of the wagon. "Up we go Miss Huddleston." Neil reached his hand out for me to grab and effortlessly hoisted me up into the back of the wagon. He then sat down himself and proceeded to pull item upon item of food out of his basket.

"We have two ham sandwiches, potato salad, pickles, sweet potato pie, hot coco, and a jug of water."

"Wow, I am impressed Doctor."

"Well I have to admit I did have a little bit of help from Fairlight," he flashed me a sheepish grin, "all right, all right, I had a lot of help from Fairlight, but I did make the sandwiches."

He handed me one of them and I eagerly bit into it, "hmmm," I said with a mouthful of food, "this is good." I didn't know if it was the sandwich itself or the fact that Neil prepared it that made it so good, but it was one of the best ham sandwiches I had ever ate.

"I'm glad you like it, it's one of my specialties."

"I don't think I have had this much fun in awhile. It was kind of a rough summer and fall and David barely talks to me since I rejected his proposal." I could see Neil's body physically tense up at the mention of David's name.

"you never told me why you turned down his proposal." I could hear the questions in his voice mounting with each word he spoke.

"I was confused about a lot of things and when you have that much confusion about whether or not you should marry someone then it's probably not a good idea to get married. I also care about the people in these mountains and I just wasn't ready to leave yet. Besides that, David has a way of treating me like a little sister at times."

"Ah, I see," Neil appeared to be deep in thought and for a moment I thought I almost saw a glimpse of disappointment spread across his face and just as quickly it was gone.

Eager to change the subject I said, "you know what I haven't done since I was a little girl?"

Neil shook his head, his eyes gleaming with curiosity, "What?"

"Snow Angels," I said smiling, "I want to make snow angels." I jumped out of the wagon and ran into a small clearing in the grove of trees.

"Snow Angels?" I could hear Neil's hearty laughter as he came running after me. "Christy Huddleston have you lost your mind?"

I laid down on the soft powder and began to wave my arms and legs up and down. "Now the trick is to be able to stand up without messing up your angel."

Neil reached his hands down and offered to help me up. I grabbed both of them with my own and he gently pulled me towards him. I stumbled forward a little almost knocking him over and then our eyes locked for just a minute. It looked as if he were contemplating something and the he took a step backwards and released my hands. I then saw his eyes shift upwards towards the taller trees behind me.

"What is it," I asked.

"Mistletoe Miss Huddleston. I think I'll get my shotgun and see if I can shoot it down."

"What exactly, Dr. MacNeill, are you going to do with mistletoe?"

"I guess we can hang it somewhere and then I'll wait for a pretty girl to catch standing underneath it."

"Well good luck with that."

"It's not luck that I'll be needing, it's in the planning."

I rolled my eyes and looked back down at my angel. "I had forgotten how beautiful snow angels can be."

"Aye, but none as beautiful as the one standing next to me right now."

"Doctor MacNeill don't thing for a second that you're going to catch me under that mistletoe!"

"Well then you better be careful where you stand Miss Huddleston." He turned around laughing heartily and headed back to the wagon for his shotgun. Secretly I thought that it might not be a bad thing to get caught under the mistletoe with Neil MacNeill, but I dismissed that thought just as quickly as it came.

He returned gun in hand and proceeded to try and shoot the stuff down. After the third attempt he was finally successful. He walked over and picked it up then returned with his prize possession in hand. "Should be able to hang this in a few places," he said with a sly grin . "Beware Miss Huddleston."

I could once again feel my cheeks turning red with giddiness. "I think we should start to head back before it gets dark."

"I think you're right. It looks like it's going to snow again and we do not want to be caught out here. I'll load up the tree and we'll start back."

The ride back to the mission was a cold one. I bundled myself up as bet as I could, but I was still shivering. I guess that Neil sensed this and he grabbed my hand with his and urged me to move closer. I was so cold that I didn't even argue with him about it. I wrapped my arm around his and relaxed against his warm body, the smell of pipe tobacco, lye soap, and pine sap once again filling my senses. I was suddenly aware that I was very much at ease being with Neil, it seemed so natural and I felt so protected when I was with him. I was enjoying being close to him. I must have fallen asleep because I soon found that we were back at the mission house.

"Don't move, let me help you down." Neil walked around to the other side of the wagon and gently helped me out. He held onto me for a few seconds and I saw that same longing and desire in his face that I had seen earlier. He released me and then smiling at me said, "Well I guess I'll go put the tree up for you and then be on my way. You should probably go inside and warm yourself up. No arguing now, go on with you."

"All right doctor, but you will be coming to the Christmas party next week?"

"I wouldn't miss it. It might be my chance to try out the mistletoe we just shot down." He winked at me and then turned to go take care of the tree.

To be continued……… (one more chapter)