"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood and sorry I could not travel both." ~ Robert Frost

When the sun crested over the mountains the following morning, it was a welcome sight. The restless noises of the night, the whistling wood, and the haunting cry of the owl, had left me unable sleep. Instead, I had lain awake; tossing and turning, trying to puzzle out everything. My resolution had come with the first rays of the November sun.

This cove was my home. No man, no one, would drive me from it as it had in the past. I would not stay for Neil MacNeil. I would stay for myself. The sudden change drew not from my fear that Neil would continue to reject me, but from my desire to continue to make a difference in the lives of the mountain people. If the O' Teale family had changed, then surely any family could.

Confident in my decision, I rose and readied myself for the day. The soft light that filtered through the lace curtains, though dim, warmed the room and warded off the chill from the night. I dressed in relative comfort, not yet forced by the cold to quickly shimmy into my warmest clothes.

Breakfast was a quiet affair, with everyone busied by their own tasks for the day. The children were testing this morning in preparation for their spelling bee. I thought it best not to disrupt their studies, and besides I was still wary of Hannah. Jealousy, unfounded as it was, still rolled through my veins any time I was in her presence. With her blonde curls, her lithe frame, and gentle voice, I found myself incredibly envious of her person; and her place amongst the mountain people.

By mid-morning I found myself meandering rather aimlessly through the woods, caught up in my thoughts. I'd missed the passing of the seasons. In the city, the temperature changed but there were no brightly colored trees to gaze at and no rushing creeks to splash in. It wasn't until I came upon a cabin that I snapped out of my hazy wonderings.

"Hello? Who's there?" The soft, sweet voice belonged to Hattie McCabe, Neil's aunt.

"Mrs. McCabe? It's Christy Huddleston."

The old woman came to the door, her clouded eyes seeking in vain to find me. I stepped forward and clasped her hand.

"Well child, I must say that's good to hear your voice. This cove isn't the same without you. Can you stay awhile? I've just put some cider on to heat. "

"I'd love to Hattie." Smiling, I follower her back into the warmth of her cabin.

"How have things been in the Cove? I've only been back for two days and haven't had a chance to really talk with anyone."

"Fair as can be expected I suppose. It was hard at first, after you left. The children were desolate. I've never heard so many sad voices in my life. Neil took it hardest though. It was like the first time Margaret died, but worse in some ways I suppose. Even his work couldn't console him after you left."

I swallowed thickly, tears biting at my eyes. Hattie reached for my hand. I grasped it within my own, grateful for the friend I had in her.

"Don't blame it on yourself child. You did what you had to do. No one thinks ill of you for it. Things healed with the passing of the seasons. When Miss Jessup came the children were happy again. Neil seemed happier too. The two of them spend a lot of time together. She makes him laugh. It warms me to see him like that again."

The pain that pierced my heart at her words was indescribable. Perhaps I was the one who was being foolish in seeking Neil's attentions, and not Hannah. Maybe my presence would do more harm than good.

"Will you be staying on for awhile?"

"I don't know Hattie. I don't know."

It was well past lunch when I finally left Hattie's cabin. My heart was heavy and I found myself reluctant to return to the mission. Instead, I continued down the path from which I had come, forgetting in my urge to wander that the path headed directly to Neil's cabin.

So it was quite a surprise to me to stumble upon him as he patched a hole in his roof.

"Christy?"

I mustered a smile and waved to him.

"What are you doing here?"He abandoned his task to stand beside me.

"I didn't mean to intrude. I was just walking-I guess I just kind of ended up here."

"I see." He pried off his gloves and shoved them into his pocket.

"Neil, I can go. I don't…" Feeling saddened by the truth that he loved Hannah, overwhelmed by the fact that what I had longed for would never be mine, and ashamed that I had allowed things to progress so far, I turned to go.

"Stay." His plea was quiet and was nearly lost among the rustle of leaves. I faced him, biting my lip in uncertainty. "Please stay."

I nodded and he grinned broadly. "Good. I was just about to head down to the river to fish. Want to try your hand at it?"

"Why not?" In spite of my melancholy mood I found myself giggling. "I'm not very good at it though."

"I know. I taught you. Remember?"

I'd forgotten what a thing of beauty it was to watch Neil fish. He seemed so at peace, so sure of his place in the world when he was on the river. He was stalwart as the river rushed around him, unmoving in the rapid current.

"Lass? Do you want to try?" He was wading towards the shore before I'd even agreed.

"Now, hold it like this, and flick your wrist like so."I attempted to mimic his movements, but my line made it no farther than the nearest rock.

His arms came round me, and briefly I wondered if he'd held Hannah in the same manner, here in this very spot. I shook away the notion. I'd think about that later. With his warm hands guiding me I quickly got the hang of it, but still he never relinquished his hold.

As the minutes ticked by, both of us grew less interested in the fish and more aware of the proximity of the other. It began innocently enough. I relaxed farther into his embrace, my back falling snuggly against his chest. His arms tightened in response, holding me closer. The pole slid from my hands, landing softly on the leaf carpeted bank with nary a sound. I turned in his embrace, freeing one hand from his grasp to touch his hair lightly. His eyes flickered closed for a brief moment, before snapping open again.

Harshly he drew a breath, and then all was lost. Our lips met and I knew in that moment that no matter what he said, no matter what I did, there was no way we could ever be apart.

Breathless, I broke away, my hands fisted tightly in his shirts, his arms holding me close.

"Lass, I…" he swallowed heavily, "I was wrong yesterday. I can't live a life without you in it. You and I, we need each other."

I clutched him tightly then, finally secure in the knowledge that there was hope for us.

"Neil, I know what I did was wrong, and there's truly no way I can ever atone for it. The only apology I can offer is this: I love you, Neil."

"Ah lass, why are we such stubborn people?"

I giggled at his question and shrugged my shoulders in response.

"Christy, promise me something."

"Anything."

"Don't ever leave again. The Cove is too dark a place without you."

"Never." I rose onto my toes and kissed him once more. "Never."