Down in the Valley: Chapter 2
By the time the mission house came into view, dusk was rapidly descending upon the Cove. After their conversation by the stream, some of the awkwardness had dissipated, and both were far more relaxed.
"Christy, we're here."
There was no response from the young woman.
"Christy?" Neil glanced over his shoulder, and laughed softly as he realized that she had fallen asleep.
"Lass, come on. Wake up."
She sighed softly, and slowly roused.
"Come on, let's get you inside."
She nodded. He dismounted first, and then pulled her gently to the ground.
Still somewhat in a stupor from her nap, Christy followed the doctor up the stairs and into the dining room. Her eyes gradually adjusted to the brightly lit room; it was empty.
"Come on, they're probably in the parlor." As they approached the door to the sitting room, there was a light, feminine laugh, accompanied by a hearty, booming chuckle. Neil opened the door, and stepped back to allow her to pass through. Her eyes fell on the red hair of Ruby Mae first.
"Miz Christy!" Within moments, she was being hugged within an inch of her life by her former student.
"Ruby Mae, perhaps thee should allow Miss Huddleston to breathe." The warm voice of Alice Henderson brought a smile to Christy's lips. She'd dearly missed her mentor.
"Ms. Alice." The two women embraced.
"I was wondering when thee would arrive."
"You knew I was coming?"
The Quaker woman nodded.
"Thy father called and said thee had left home. He thought that perhaps thee had come here."
It was then Christy noticed the other two occupants of the room. Both were quite young, and both bore a striking resemblance to the other.
Following Christy's gaze, Neil stepped forward to introduce them.
"Christy, this is Hannah Jessup, the new school teacher, and her brother, Johnathan."
"Hello." Hannah stepped forward shyly. For a fleeting moment, Christy was left speechless. She was breathtaking; no wonder rumors were flying about her relationship with Neil. "I've heard so much about you from the children."
Christy smiled warmly. Johnathan rose from his seat in the arm chair by the fire and greeted her much in the same manner.
"Well, I should be heading home."
"Won't you stay the night, doctor? It's getting awfully dark outside." Hannah smiled so sweetly at the doctor that Christy wanted to retch. "I'll cook you breakfast before you go in the morning."
"Thank you for the offer, Miss Jessup, but I think I'd like to actually use the bed in my cabin for the first time in several weeks."
Christy couldn't help but feel a little smug at the crestfallen look on Hannah's face.
"Alright, then. I understand."
"Perhaps some other time?"
Hannah brightened instantly. "Anytime."
"Goodnight." Neil nodded and smiled at everyone. There was a chorus of goodbyes, followed by a whisper so soft that the doctor nearly missed it.
"Goodnight, Neil." The doctor lifted his gaze and smiled tenderly at Christy.
"Goodnight, Miss Huddleston."
Closing the door behind him, Neil MacNeil headed out into the night.
Ruby Mae began to chatter, asking questions and laughing to the point that it became almost obnoxious. Christy grinned and settled into an armchair. How she'd missed this! The conversation continued well into the night, and it was nearly eleven before Ms. Alice suggested that they all retire.
"Christy, thee will have to share with Ruby Mae for tonight. Hannah has taken thy old room." With an inward groan of dismay, Christy followed Ruby Mae out of the room and up the stairs. It was going to be a long night.
It was just before dawn when Christy awoke. She dressed quickly and quietly, doing her best not to disturb Ruby Mae. A quick glance down the hall as she stepped out of the bedroom confirmed that there would be no one to interrupt her early morning walk.
Stepping onto the porch, she inhaled the crisp, clear mountain air. Lord, she'd missed this place. There was no fog this morning, giving her and unhindered view to the mountains before her. They were bathed in shades of crimson, gold, a rich, russet brown. She turned slowly, enjoying all of the tiny things she'd missed since her return to Asheville; the rustle of dead leaves, the scent of pine that drifted on the breeze, and the lone cry of a mourning dove.
As the sun crested over the horizon, the light reflected off the bell in the church steeple, catching her eye. With a little over an hour until school started, she headed for the school house.
The doors were unlocked, and she quickly pulled them open and stepped inside. It was much as she had left it. Desks still lined the aisle, the chalkboard had been wiped clean, and the children's art still adorned the mud-chinked walls. Sinking onto one of the benches, she allowed her eyes to roam over all corners of the schoolroom. Memories flooded her; every touch, every smell, every sight, that had occurred in this room flashed before her eyes. She knew she'd missed the children, but hadn't realized how much until this moment. Tears filled her eyes, and she let her head sink onto the desk
Everything was wrong! She'd somehow managed to ruin her life in less than forty eight hours.
That was how Neil found her some five minutes later.
"Christy?" She hear the concern in her voice, and felt the tentative caress of his hand on her back. "Are you alright?"
Sniffling, she nodded. "I'm fine. Just memories, I suppose." Brushing the wetness from her, she rose to stand before him. "If you're looking for Hannah, she isn't up yet." Her words took on a bitter note, although she hadn't meant them too. He looked momentarily taken aback by her acerbic words.
"Actually, I was hoping to find you." Then almost as an afterthought, he queried "Why would I be looking for Miss Jessup?"
She shrugged.
" I was wondering if you were free this afternoon? There's something I'd like to show you.
"I'm free."
"Good, then I'll come by at lunch."
"That will be fine." She smiled at him, and he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Goodbye, Neil."
He grazed her cheek with the tips of his fingers, in a gesture that was familiar to both of them. "Goodbye..."
Whatever he was going to say next was cutoff by the clatter of books as someone dropped them just outside the doors. Both Neil and Christy whirled around to find a very startled Hannah on the porch.
"I'm...so...sorry," she stuttered. " I didn't know anyone...I had no idea."
Neil held up his hand to silence her.
"It's fine, Hannah. I was just leaving." The doctor paused to pick up the scattered books, and handed them back to the schoolteacher.
"Goodbye, Miss Jessup."
"Noon, Miss Huddleston?"
Christy nodded.
Both women stared after the retreating form of the doctor, before heading back inside the building.
"Christy, would you like to help me with an art project today? They were supposed to have a test today, but with you here..."
Christy laughed. "I'd love to!"
A/N: Christy's got some competition, or is there really anything to compete for? Has the doctor's heart already been claimed in her absence? What does Neil want to show Christy? How will other residents of the Cove react to her return? Reviews are the best!