The cove had finally begun to warm up to the idea of having Dan Scott in the community. Now that Dr. MacNeil had officially started training him, others were slowly beginning to accept his presence - and even medical attention. The fact that he had helped to save baby Iris, and then Lulu from her accident with the bees had helped to prove that he was worth having around. It was decided in June that everyone would get together for a workin' to help rebuild Dan's cabin after the fire. He was very pleased that the cove would do this for him, and was even planing on sending for Cecile once it was completed.
The morning of the work party dawned warm and sunny. The final vestiges of Spring were giving way to more balmy temperatures here in the mountains, where it often remained cooler for longer in the season. Spring planting was completed, so the families now had time for helping Dan.
Christy and David were still somewhat aloof towards each other, though David did seem to be gradually recovering from Christy's rejection. This morning they walked over to the cabin site with Alice after an early breakfast, ready for the full day ahead. Christy knew that Neil would be there as well, and secretly her heart soared at the thought of being with him again, even if it was a public event. They had kept quiet so far about their blossoming relationship, wanting to savour their privacy for just a little while. She had baked a blackberry cobbler especially for him that morning to bring along for lunch, knowing how much he was coming to enjoy her special dessert for him.
The trio were first to arrive, but other families soon began trickling into the clearing. The men quickly got to work felling trees and hewing logs. The women, happy to have each other's company, worked together on lunch preparations while chatting happily with one another. Neil arrived late, having been called away for a case of food poisoning earlier that morning. As he approached on Charlie, he searched for Christy in the group. Pleased to see her amongst the women, their gazes locked momentarily as he nodded to her, a subtle smile on his lips as he reigned his horse in. They hadn't seen each other in over a week, as Neil had been in Low Gap for a measles outbreak.
Christy blushed, and smiled up at him. Oh, how even the briefest of smiles from her beloved sent a rosy hue up her cheeks! Neil's heart swelled as her big blue eyes shone at him. He could always tell exactly what was on her mind and in her heart by looking into them. This interaction was not missed by David, who was watching the pair intently. He had begun suspecting that there were deepening feelings between them for a few weeks now.
By noon, the men already had the foundation logs in place and were beginning to notch the ends and build up the walls. They had worked up a hearty appetite by the time lunch was ready to be served, and they eagerly lined up at the loaded tables, where the women waited to serve them. Christy was cheerfully dishing out the deserts, until David passed through the line up. His anger had been simmering all morning after seeing that brief exchange she had with Neil. "Well, you certainly seem pleased to have the doctor here today," he muttered just loud enough for her to hear, "I had a feeling he's had a lot to do with your cheerful countenance lately." He turned and briskly walked away before Christy had a chance for rebuttal.
Christy was more annoyed than anything. 'Why can't he just let go?' She thought to herself. This sulking like a slighted schoolboy was getting old. She was preoccupied with her thoughts when Neil ambled over for dessert, having noticed the brief exchange that just happened.
"Well, I heard there was blackberry cobbler somewhere over here, and you know its my favourite," he said, giving Christy a quick wink. Noting that they were alone for the moment, he continued in a quieter tone, "What's Grantland's problem? You look troubled."
"Oh, it's nothing - he's just having some issues with jealousy it seems," she mused. "I believe I'm coming to the point where I don't care though... I don't feel like tiptoeing around his feelings anymore," she said as she handed Neil the dish of cobbler.
Neil's hand brushed hers as he took the proffered cobbler. "I happen to agree with you, Christy, I don't see the need to keep our relationship under wraps any longer. In fact, I would love nothing more that to shout it from the roof tops, my love..."
Christy beamed at him, placing her hand on his arm. "I agree."
Just then the call rang out for the men to get back to work. "We shall talk later then?" Neil said as he quickly finished off his dessert. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it as she smiled back, then strode over to to the timber stand where he had been working. Christy admired his broad shoulders as she watched him walk away. Those strong arms... How wonderful it felt to be enveloped in them when he embraced her...
As she daydreamed, she helped the ladies clean up. The walls of the cabin were now higher than her head; they were making excellent progress. Just then, the unexpected happened. Christy was walking past the back wall where David and Tom McHone were heaving a log up two skids with ropes. Suddenly, without warning David's rope snapped and the log came crashing back down the skids, pinning Christy to the ground.
She lay unconscious as a crowd rushed to pull the heavy log off of her small frame. David was frantic as he called to her, trying to rouse her back to consciousness. Zady Spencer had run to fetch Dr. MacNeil in the timber stand, and he got to Christy just as she was freed from the timber. "Christy!" He yelled in anguish as he came running to the scene.
Neil was used to seeing this sort of thing all the time, but when it was his Christy, a flood or emotion momentarily overtook him. He quickly recovered and went into full doctor mode. He ordered everyone to stand back as he ran his hands down her spine and checked for broken bones. Satisfied that her neck and back were not injured, he gently rolled her over into a supine position so that he could check for a concussion and internal injuries. It soon became apparent that Christy had suffered some cracked ribs, and likely a concussion.
Picking her her up gingerly, he explained to the watching crowd, "I'm taking her back to the mission - it's not far from here. Somebody bring Charlie and my medical bags." He started off immediately, holding her carefully so as not to injure her further.
When they arrived back at the mission house, Neil took Christy immediately up to her room and gently placed her on the bed. He checked her eyes again for concussion, and she was still out cold. Miss Alice carefully got her changed into a nightgown and into bed while he went down to Charlie to collect his saddle bags.
David was pacing on the front porch as Neil exited the door. "Doc, is she going to be okay?!" He asked, desperation in his voice. He felt so guilty about Christy's injury.
"I'm not certain. She doesn't seem to have internal injuries, but we won't know more until she comes to." He answered curtly. Grantland was the last person he felt like conversing at the moment. Retrieving his bags, he turned on his heel and rushed back into the house. David continued to pace outside, and began to pray.