CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

THE BIRTH OF Esther Jean Beck was big news in the Cove – babies were always the cause of much fanfare and celebration in a community where the continuation of life was a primary focus.

Ruby Mae and Will could not have been prouder parents. Every time I saw the new papa, he was sporting a grin that spanned from ear to ear, and Ruby Mae, despite her exhaustion from early morning feedings, was glowing with triumph. She was sure that there had never been a better baby – Esther was prettier, smarter, and stronger than any other little girl in the Cove, or so she insisted.

I spent much of my free time over at the Becks' cabin to help with the housework when I could, but my real motivation was to see more of Esther. I couldn't believe how beautiful she was, and the more time I spent around her, the more I felt the stirrings of a new longing that I couldn't quite understand. When she cried, I felt a tug in my own heart.

The timing of Esther's arrival was particularly helpful to me – it diverted much of the attention that would have fallen on Neil and I. The engagement wasn't kept a secret for long, since I hadn't been able to resist telling Ruby Mae, and once word was slipped to her, it spread to all of Cutter Gap within a week. Her gossiping abilities were especially amazing in this instance, as she was still confined to bedrest.

Because there were other things to celebrate, the news had been received fairly quietly; my schoolchildren came on special visits to give me a hug and wish me joy, and their parents seemed equally pleased for both of us. It was encouraging – I had always wished for acceptance from these people, and in their own way, they had given it to me. There could be no more complete way of being taken into the community than to marry one of their own.

Acceptance was something which I hoped my family would extend to Neil in return. I was anxious -- as kindly as my father had viewed Neil, I doubted that he would as understanding when the situation involved marriage. My mother's response was not difficult to imagine either. George would probably be the only one who would honestly be happy for me.

I wanted to make the telephone call to Asheville by myself, but Neil insisted that he be there to talk to Father and ask for my hand properly. I admired his determination to do things the right way, but I much would have preferred to smooth over the situation first. Neil had been turned away too often simply because he lived in the mountains, and I didn't want him to receive the same treatment again. My parents were fine, decent people who loved me very much, but they weren't without prejudices too.

Nevertheless, I didn't think the matter was worth fighting over, so when I dialed the operator to connect to my parents' line, Neil was there standing next to me.

"John Huddleston, please," I told the operator. "Huddleston residence in Asheville."

A moment later my father came over the line, sounding tired. "Hello?"

"Daddy, it's me."

"Christy, how are you? What a pleasure it is to hear your voice – you haven't called in a while. Is something wrong?"

Since my illness, my father always assumed that a telephone call heralded news of the next catastrophe. I couldn't blame him, but I certainly hoped he wouldn't categorize my news today as a 'catastrophe' either.

"I'm fine, Daddy. In fact, I'm better than fine." I looked over at Neil, and he nodded. "Daddy, Dr. MacNeill is here, and he'd like to talk to you."

"Why...of course, Girlie." I could hear the confusion in Father's voice.

"Here he is," I said, handing the receiver to Neil.

"Good morning, Mr. Huddleston...Pardon? No, no – she's quite healthy. Nothing wrong in that respect...I wondered if I might have a word with you about something important." He shuffled from one foot to another, the only sign of nervousness he'd betrayed all morning. "No, sir....Actually, I do. I've asked your daughter to do me the honor of becoming my wife."

I sank into a nearby chair, my eyes glued to Neil's face. His expression, however, gave no hint as to what was being said on the other end.

"Of course, sir," he murmured. "No, I do understand....I can only promise you that I can provide for her...yes...and that she and – God willing – any children of ours will not suffer for the location of our home...Yes, I fully intend on having her participate in that decision. It will be her home as well as mine..."

There was a long pause. Neil's fingers gripped the telephone-box cord tightly. "Again, I can only assure you of my complete devotion to Christy...I know...She is old enough to choose her own husband without your consent, I believe, but neither of us wish to marry without your blessing. I respect your feelings on this issue, but I won't be convinced otherwise."

Another interminable pause.

"Yes, of course. You may ask her yourself if you're still concerned. Thank you, Mr. Huddleston. Good day." Neil stepped away from the telephone and held the receiver out to me; I took it with trembling hands.

"Daddy?"

"Are you quite sure that you're making a wise decision, Christy?" Father sounded grave and serious.

I didn't hesitate. "Yes. I love him very much – I can't even begin to describe how much. I know it's not what you or Mother want for me, but it's what I want."

Father cleared his throat. "You do understand what this means for you?"

"Of course I do. Daddy, I've lived in Cutter Gap for well over a year; I'm going into this marriage with open eyes. I know what I'm getting," I looked over pointedly at Neil, "and I love it all."

He was silent, and then I heard him sigh. "When were you thinking of having the wedding?"

My body was weak with relief. "Soon." I felt Neil's hands running up and down my arms in a soothing motion. "We want to be married as soon as we can."

"You do realize you'll have to tell your mother too, don't you?"

I laughed shakily. "I know. I'll talk to her now, if she's at home."

"She is." He took a deep breath. "Dr. MacNeill is a good man, and I do trust him. Congratulations, Girlie."

I blinked away tears. "Thank you, Daddy. I love you."

"Love you too," he said gruffly.

Mother was less gracious. At least a half-hour was wasted on her part as she tried to convince me that I was acting on a foolish impulse. I said everything I could to make her understand, but nothing could take away her anger or earnest distress. Finally, in exasperation, I said goodbye and hung up; it would be better to wait until we had calmed down.

Neil comforted me as best he could while I complained about my unrelenting mother. "Your father gave his blessing," he told me gently. "Give your mother a little more time and she'll come around."

"But she shouldn't have to 'come around,'" I said bitterly. "If you lived in Asheville and had a successful practice of your own, she wouldn't hesitate in giving us her blessing. It's not fair."

"It isn't, but when has that ever stopped you?" He bent down to kiss me sweetly. "It will be better soon, don't fret."

THAT NIGHT, BEFORE I went to bed, Miss Alice handed me a large package wrapped in brown paper.

"What is this?"

She smiled. "Open it."

I carefully slit open the flaps and pulled out a gorgeous white shawl, embroidered with lilies and crowned by a gold-thread fringe. "It's beautiful," I breathed, running my fingertips along the exquisite satin.

"It belonged to my grandmother. My mother wore it when she married my father, and it was given to me for my wedding day as well. Since that day never came, I've had it stored away for a special occasion.

"I offered it to Margaret after she married Neil, but she thought it too plain for her tastes. I hope you will accept it." Taking the shawl from my hands, she draped it delicately on my shoulders. "There. It looks lovely on thee."

I fought back a rush of emotion. "Miss Alice, I don't know what to say...Thank you so much."

"Thank you," she said, stroking the hair from my face. "What a gift you have been to this place. To Neil – to me. A shawl can't express my gratitude for what you have given us all. Welcome home, dear."

A/N: This was just a mini-chapter to push things along for Ch. 35. Squee! The wedding is fast approaching. Any speculation about what might happen? Do you think Bird's-Eye will show up again? How about David? Hmm. . . Tell me what you think, and if you guess right, you get a virtual cookie. ; )

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