Chapter 4

Saturday, the day of the Christmas party finally rolled around. The tree had been a success and David had moved it into the mission house so we could have the Cove Christmas party there, where there would be more room. The children had carefully decorated it with the ornaments they had made while at school on Monday and Tuesday. They were extremely proud of the tree, showing it off to their parents one by one. It had snowed the rest of the week making it difficult for the children to come to school and I had resigned to the fact that I would not be going home for Christmas this year. The snow had finally let up on Friday afternoon and the Christmas party went on as scheduled. I glanced around the room and most of the people had shown up. I still; however, did not see Dr. MacNeill and my heart sank a little when I realized that he might not be able to make it if he had an emergency to tend to. I silently prayed that he would be safe no matter where he was.

"He will be here." I turned around and saw David standing behind me.

"Who are you talking about?" I tried to play innocent, but I knew that David could see straight through me.

"Christy, don't play coy with me," he said, "you know that I am talking about Dr. MacNeill so don't pretend that that's not who you were looking for just now."

I couldn't deny it, not to David so I looked up at him searching for why he was so confident. "How do you know he will be here?"

He simply stated, "Because you're here."

"David…….," I began.

"Don't Christy," he cut me off. "It's ok. I just want for you to be happy. Now let's have a wonderful evening and some fun at this party. I know you only play piano a little, but maybe you can bang out a few carols for us to at least sing by."

"Oh David, I don't play the piano very well at all."

"I'm sure that it won't matter to anyone here. What do you say, come on?" He tilted his head toward the piano gesturing for me to give in.

"Ok," I said smiling at him, "I'll try." I sat down at the piano and began to play "Joy to the World." Soon everyone had joined in. We continued to sing carol after carol and for a few brief hours there were no differences among these cove families, no arguing, and no feuding. They were getting along for one peaceful evening out of the whole year. I did not understand how they could put aside their differences for one night, but could not do it for the rest of the year. I prayed that there would eventually be permanent peace in the cove and that these families would learn to live and work side by side with no fighting. I finally came to the last song, "Silent Night." I listened as everyone's voices sang in harmony and then I heard Neil's baritone voice melting into the night air and it brought a smile to my face. He had made it, David was right he had shown up.

As the caroling finished and people went back to eating and socializing I could see Neil approaching me out of the corner of my eye. "Miss Huddleston, would you like to get some fresh air with me?"

"Oh that would be wonderful, it's getting a little stuffy in here." With his hand placed at the small of my back he directed me to the front door and out onto the porch. As we exited the house I looked up just in time to see my parents standing in front of me.

"Miss Huddleston," Neil began, "my Christmas gift to you." I was stunned. I couldn't believe that my parents were here in Cutter Gap. As tears came to my eyes I rushed forward to embrace them.

"I don't understand," I said looking at them in bewilderment. "I thought the railroads were closed because of the snow."

"They were," my dad replied.

"Dr. MacNeill brought us up on Tuesday before the snow got really bad and allowed us to stay at his cabin so we could surprise you for Christmas," my mother explained. I wasn't sure if I was more amazed with my mother for staying in a rustic cabin or with Neil for putting up with her for a few days. "We would have been to the mission sooner, but snow prevented us from coming."

Neil let out a small chuckle, "I have to say Miss Huddleston that I think my cabin is the cleanest it's ever been."

I laughed. "I have no doubt doctor." I smiled back at my parents, "why don't you go inside and get something to eat. I'll be in soon." My parents looked at each other and then smiled at me with an all knowing look.

"Well Julia, I think that's a hint for us to leave these two alone for a minute." My father grabbed my mother's hand and they walked inside the house.

I looked up at Neil, " I don't know how to thank you."

"You don't have to Christy. It's my way of thanking you for standing by me throughout this past year and for showing me that God really does still care about Neil MacNeill."

"It still really is the most wonderful gift you could have given me."

"Well that's not all. I have one other gift for you." He pulled a box out from underneath the bench.

I shook my head, "Neil my parents were plenty enough of a gift…….."

"I knew you would say that," he said cutting me off, "but I still wanted you to have something else from me."

"Well I have something for you too. Hold on a second." I ran back inside and grabbed his present from under the tree. "Here this is to you from me."

We exchanged our gifts and opened them at the same time. My package revealed a beautiful carousel music box. I carefully wound it up and listened in awe as it played the same song that Neil and I had danced to when I was trying to get him to take on Dan Scott as his apprentice.

"Oh Neil," I exclaimed, "It's beautiful. I love it."

"Christy, this is wonderful. I'll cherish it always." He was staring at the drawing I had made of the two of us by the river. I had framed it for him so he could put it up in his cabin.

I heard Neil suddenly clear his voice and then he took my gift and his and put them carefully down on the bench. I looked at him quizzically, wondering what he was up to. I then saw his eyes move upward with a mischievous grin on his face. "I told you to be careful where you stand Miss Huddleston." I looked up to see mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. I looked back down at Neil, my eyes wide with anticipation. As he closed the gap between us I could feel myself being drawn to him. He reached down with his hand and gently lifting my chin upwards met his lips to mine in a brief, but gentle kiss that was sweeter than anything I had ever tasted before.

"I love you Christy Huddleston, I have for a very long time now."

"I love you too Neil." He smiled at me and embraced me with another kiss that sent chills coursing through my spine. I felt myself becoming lightheaded and I was thankful that he was holding onto me because I thought that at any moment my knees my buckle on me from the pure pleasure of that kiss.

He finally released me, "I've already asked your father for permission to court you."

"And," I asked eagerly.

"He said I had his blessing to do so and asked me what took so long, so now I'm asking you if you want to enter on this journey with me. I'll make it no secret that I intend to marry you one day Christy Huddleston."

"Of course I want to Neil. You are my best friend and I would love nothing more than to one day be your wife."

"Well then, I'm glad that's settled." He smiled at me and I couldn't help but return that smile with one of my own. I could see the love that he had for me shining brightly in those beautiful hazel eyes of his and I knew without any doubt that Neil MacNeill was the man that I was suppose to end up with in this life.

Neil bent down and picked up the music box and carefully wound it up. Bowing he asked, "May I have this dance Christy?"

Smiling I took his hand, "Why of course Neil." He spun me around on the front porch of the mission house. I was completely comfortable being held in Neil's arms and I found myself being very thankful for mistletoe confessions. Through all of the obstacles we were finally able to admit our feelings for one another. As we danced under the brightly lit starry night I knew that this was where I belonged, here in Cutter Gap with the man that I loved and the people that had woven their way into my heart.

The End