Sorry about the delay! Life is a little crazy on my end! Ironically, I often find myself in the same predicaments as the characters I write about. Life right now has been no exception. I'm going to attempt to get a chapter out a week until I'm on Christmas break, and then we may have an explosion of chapters popping up everywhere. I apologize ahead of time for any errors! Enjoy and please R&R! Much love to you all!

"What about this one?" Christy asked, handing David another short story. She had asked each of the children to write a scene about Thanksgiving that they would attempt to incorporate into their Thanksgiving play for the large gathering at the mission on Thanksgiving day.

David skimmed over it from his spot beside her on the loveseat. He smiled and laughed softly as he read it. Christy watched him, noticing the way his eyes lit up when he laughed. Her heart soared with love for this man that she would call her husband on Christmas Eve. "Well, it has the pilgrims and Squanto. The use of Plymouth Rock in this story is quite a twist, but you may be able to use the rest of it. Who wrote this one?"

"Creed," Christy smiled.

"Ah. That explains a lot of this."

Christy laughed. "I don't know what possessed me to think this would work. I should have just used the script from last year."

"I suppose you still can, but the children will be disappointed," David said, reaching for some of the others that sat on her shrinking lap. Her belly had grown quite a lot in the past couple of weeks. It was strange to think that February was less than four months away, and then the baby would be joining them and making them into a family.

"We've got it narrowed down to ten," Christy said. "Surely we can find something salvageable in here."

"I liked Becky's the most," David informed her, his arm resting on the back of the loveseat behind her. His fingers rested on her shoulder, drawing patterns on the top of her sleeve. "It was least violent."

Christy nodded. "Creed and the other boys did get a little carried away. I'm having trouble reining them in most days."

David frowned softly. "I haven't noticed it."

"Well, no. When Preacher comes in, they're perfect little angels."

"You've never had any trouble disciplining them before. I've always been proud of you for that. It shocked me when you asked me to leave you alone with them on your first day here."

"I know. But everything's changing, David. They do little rebellious things all day long, just to test me. I have a feeling that their parents have likely said some things about me and you and this baby that are making them question whether or not they can respect me."

"That's ridiculous. I hope that's not what has happened. Parents should know not to discuss matters like that in front of their children, especially about people who are important in their children's lives."

"I agree. But we're talking about families in one room cabins. Nothing is private."

"That's true. I really thought that all of this was blowing over since we're getting married in a few weeks," David sighed.

"I overheard the boys talking the other day about how their parents said I had ruined myself and ruined you in the process. I know the boys didn't fully understand what that meant, but it hurt to know that they were even think such things about us."

"They'll always love you, Christy, regardless of what anyone says. They absolutely adore you," David reached for her hand and leaned toward her to kiss her forehead. "And at least we know the truth."

Christy smiled. "That doesn't quite feel like enough though, does it?"

"No. I'll have this all taken care of before Thanksgiving, Christy."

"How?" Christy asked.

"I'm going to visit Uncle Bogg. And I think I'm going to take Neil with me. Maybe then, they'll listen."

Christy smiled. "I hope you're right."

David leaned over to kiss her. "I usually am."

Christy giggled. "I don't know how that's possible. Both of us can't be right, and I know I always am."

David nodded. "I know you are. I figure I can be right for a few more weeks until I'm married to you and I'll never be right again."

Christy shrugged. "I might let you win a few times."

David laughed, a grin over his entire face. "I cannot wait to be married to you, Christy Huddleston."

"I can't wait to be married to you, David Grantland."

He kissed her soundly on the lips and then on the nose before finally settling one on her forehead. "I'll be home later to finish my sermon. Send Alice or Ruby Mae for me if you need me."

"Alright. Bye, David. Be careful."

"Bye, my love."

Christy smiled as he disappeared out the door and then she looked back to the stories with new determination to find one that would work.

"Hello, David," Margaret smiled as she opened the door to find David standing on their porch. "This is a surprise."

"Good morning, Margaret. I hope you are having a wonderful Saturday."

"We are. Neil just got back from hunting. We're going to be eating squirrel and rabbit for a few days," Margaret said as she moved aside to let him in.

David smiled, looking around the tidy cabin. "Hopefully you'll be able to enjoy it better than we do when Ruby Mae cooks it."

Margaret laughed. "The poor girl. She's really going to have to learn."

"Fairlight has been trying to teach her," David nodded. "May I speak with Neil?"

"Of course," She moved toward the back room and knocked softly on the door. "Neil? David's here to see you, darling."

David waited. "He still won't let you in there?"

"Not right now. He's working on some experiment and doesn't want me around the chemicals."

"I see," David nodded as the door opened.

"Good morning, Grantland," Neil said as he stepped out.

"Good morning," David shook his hand.

"Is everything alright?" Neil asked.

"Yes. But I was hoping if you aren't too busy, you wouldn't mind helping me out with something."

Neil nodded. "I'd be glad too."

"Do you want some coffee, David?" Margaret asked.

"Yes, thank you," David smiled.

They all sat at the table with coffee.

David cleared his throat. "Christy has been having trouble with the children at school."

"What kind of trouble?" Neil asked.

"She says she's having problems getting them to respect her because of what has happened. She overhears them talking about what their parents are saying about both of us, and they aren't pleasant. Unfortunately, most of the things are about her and not as much about me."

Margaret laughed sarcastically. "Isn't that how it always works? A woman is compromised and society calls her ruined. A man compromises a woman and is forgiven because he's a man."

Neil nodded. "Sadly, that's true."

"I feel awful. I know that a lot of this is my fault because of what happened at church that Sunday. I should have known people would assume that the baby was mine."

"Well, the children have returned to school and everyone to church, so things must be a little better," Margaret commented.

"Mostly because they're getting married," Neil told her. "But that doesn't clear their names or regain respect. They're guilty until proven innocent."

David nodded. "All I know is that this is very hard on Christy, and I want it stopped before Thanksgiving. If there is any kind of scene, I don't know what it would do to her."

"It wouldn't be good. What do you want to do about it?" Neil asked him.

"I was hoping you would go with me to talk to Uncle Bogg. If people will listen to anyone besides me, it's you and Bogg."

"I'd be happy to. It's Saturday morning, so he's probably fishing," Neil stood. "I think I know exactly where he'll be."

David stood with him. "Thank you, Neil."

"With everything you and Christy have done for this cove, you both deserve a lot more respect and trust than what you're getting. I think Bogg will see that too, with some persuasion."

"Hello, Bogg!" David greeted as he and Neil walked up behind Uncle Bogg who was fishing in the stream.

"Howtie, Preacher and Doc!"

"How's the fishing, Bogg?" Neil asked.

"Water's turnin' mighty cold," Bogg informed him. "Reckon' if I stand here much longer my toes will break right off."

"Looks like you've caught a few."

Bogg nodded. "A few. What are you two doing out together?"

"We came to speak with you," David said, sitting down on a fallen tree on the bank.

Bogg looked at them suspiciously. "About?"

"The situation with Miss Huddleston and myself," David explained.

Bogg shook his head. "Naw…I don't wanna have nothin' to do with that. That's your business between the two of ya."

"Unfortunately, it's not, Bogg," Neil said, sitting down on the log a couple of feet away from David. "Their personal matters are being discussed all over this cove. And lies and rumors are spreading and it's causing problems in the schoolhouse with the children."

"I don't have nothing to do with that," Bogg insisted again. "And in the case of matters of truth and lies, I don't know what to believe."

"What have you heard?" David asked.

Bogg hesitated. "Now, I ain't spreadin' false witness against ye. I'm just telling ya what others are sayin."

David nodded. "I understand."

"I've heard that every time Miss Henderson is gone from the mission, you and the teacher…well, you know; live the way married couples do."

David sighed as Bogg continued, reeling in his line. "And you've been that way since that whole business with Doc and the teacher."

"Which didn't happen," Neil said firmly.

"I'm not saying it did. I'm not saying any of it did…except well, now Miss Huddleston's expecting and so there is evidence to say otherwise. That baby didn't come from nowhere, and the people are sayin that the best bet is the Preacher, seeing as how he loves her and is marryin' her and all."

Bogg put down his fishing pole and went to sit between the two men on the log.

"You know that it isn't true, Bogg," David said. "Christy and I would never do anything like that."

"Well, maybe I could help you out some if you tell me what did happen," Bogg said, rubbing his beard. "It couldn't hurt none."

"That's exactly what we were hoping to do," Neil said. "If you and the Spencers and McHones are battling the lies with the truth, maybe we can get this whole thing settled."

"Didn't ya say in church that day that Mr. Stone raped Christy?"

"Yes," David nodded. "That's exactly what happened."

"Then why didn't nobody do nothing about it while he was here?" Bogg asked.

"No one knew. She was too afraid to tell anyone. She didn't know what he would do."

"Well, that's believable and all. But if that baby isn't yours, then why are you marrying her?"

David smiled. "Because I'm in love with her."

Uncle Bogg was quiet for a while, looking David over. Then he looked to Neil for reaffirmation, which he received. He looked off into the horizon and David watched him, waiting for his reaction.

"It makes sense, I suppose. I can tell that you're telling the truth about loving the teacher. It's all over your face when ya talk bout her."

David nodded.

"I reckon I can help ya out by makin sure that gets spread around the cove again."

"Thank you, Uncle Bogg," David grinned, shaking the older man's hand. Neil smiled triumphantly as well.

"Ya done an awful lot for this Cove, Preacher. The way I sees it, I owe it to ya to respect ya and believe ya, and to help ya out when ya need it. Ya got a friend here, ya understand?"

David nodded. He knew he had just received a high honor to be officially recognized by Uncle Bogg as a friend. Perhaps with a little help, his and Christy's reputations still had hope of being salvaged.