Down In The Valley: Chapter 6
The mission was a flurry of activity when Neil and I arrived later that evening. Ruby Mae stood on the porch, directing Rob Allen and some of the other boys as they hung garland on the porch. Through the kitchen window I could see Alice and Hannah busy at the stove, both dusted thoroughly with flour.
"What in the world?" I turned to Neil expectantly.
"They didn't tell you? Tomorrow's the winter festival at the school. It was Hannah's idea. There's to be a recitation by the children, a dinner for all, followed by dancing." Neil paused to tie his horse to the porch railing. "The whole Cove's excited for it. It was a rough harvest this year."
"Are you…" My question was cut off by a joyful shout from Ruby Mae.
"Miz Christy! Doc! What do ya think?" She gestured towards the multihued garland of leaves.
"It looks wonderful, Ruby Mae."
"Aye girl. You've outdone yourself this time."
Ruby Mae blushed at our praise, her cheeks nearly matching the fiery shade of her hair.
"Let's see what they're up to in the kitchen. Maybe Alice will take pity on me and ask me to stay for dinner."
I laughed. "Neil, you know you're always welcome at the mission."
He grinned. "Christy, Alice is a fickle woman. There are days when she's sweet as honey. Then the next her moods are as stinging as a hornet."
I entered the kitchen first, glad of the warmth that assaulted me. I was nearly half frozen from the chilly fall air. Neil filed in behind me, shutting the door against the wind.
"Hello ladies."
"Good evening, Doctor MacNeil. Miss Huddleston. I was beginning to wonder where you'd gotten off to." Alice filled two mugs with warm cider and handed us each one.
"I went to visit Ms. Hattie this morning, and then I ran into Neil. We got to talking and I suppose time just slipped away."
"Aye. Dinner smell's wonderful Alice. I don't suppose you'd have enough to spare for-"
"Neil MacNeil, you know good and well we always have enough for you."
"Thank you, Alice. I'd go hungry without you."
Alice harrumphed at his sarcastic comment and moved to busy herself with the bread rising on the counter.
Hannah, who'd remained silent during the exchange, turned away from the stove to face us.
"I swear I've made more pies today than I can count!" She made a show of wiping the flour from her hands onto her apron.
"Well, I'm sure they're all delicious as usual Hannah." Neil lifted a cloth from a pie that was resting on the shelf. Hannah smiled prettily and flushed to her roots.
"Thank you, doctor. But you'll have to come to the festival if you want a slice. You are still coming aren't you?"
Neil dropped the cloth back into place. "Of course."
"Good, because I believe you promised me several dances."
The small smile I'd been wearing faltered.
Neil seemed to not hear her comment and turned to me instead. "Miss Huddleston, I believe you promised to show me a book that you brought with you."
A book? What on earth was he talking about? I glanced up at him and was surprised to find that he'd moved and was now standing quite close to me. His expression was pleading and had it not been for the utterly devastated look on Hannah's face, I might have laughed.
"Of course doctor. Why don't you wait in the dining room while I fetch it from upstairs?"
He nodded and swung the door open for me. Skirts swishing, I started across the hall, heading for the stairs. He followed close behind.
Just as my foot reached the second stair, his hand grasped mine.
"What was that all about, Neil?"
"I'm sorry, Christy. I just needed to get out of there. She looks at me so sweetly and I feel like such a terrible person for leading her on as I have."
I snatched my hand from his. "You lead her on?"
"Well, I don't know…Maybe I did."
"Did you promise her dances? Take her on picnics?"
"Yes, but they didn't mean anything! I was lonely, Christy. You were gone and when I was with her the hurt was just a little bit less, if only for a little while. What am I supposed to do? Tell her it all meant nothing to me?"
"Are you sure she didn't mean anything Neil? Your aunt told me that you seemed like a new man when she was with you!"
"Don't be like this, Christy! You know she doesn't." He took my hand and tugged me down a step so that we were eye to eye. "How can she when you are everything to me?"
His free hand cupped my cheek and I smiled softly. "I love you, Neil."
"I love you too, lass."
"Are you really going to dance with her?"
"You know I won't."
I shook my head and stepped down to the floor. Now, I was good six inches shorter than him.
"Neil?"
"Hmmm?"
I placed my hands upon his chest and grinned up at him. "Will you dance with me?"
His laughter echoed about the mission house.
"I'll consider it, Miss Huddleston. I'll consider it."
"Why you -"
Any further rebuttal I had was cut off by the tender caress of his lips upon mine. In our sweet embrace, neither of us noticed the tearful blonde woman who slipped back into the kitchen.