As soon as David and Neil left the cabin, Margaret set off for the mission. She felt in great need of a woman's companionship, and instead of feeling sorry for herself as she had done in the past, she decided to do something about it. A light smile settled on her lips as she walked along, crunching over leaves, and feeling the fresh cool air whip her hair around. Neil would scold her for not wearing more clothing, so in regard to his wishes, she unfolded her shawl and placed it up on top of her black curls, letting it drape down around her shoulders.

Their time together was endlessly good. In the mornings, he awakened her with a kiss and told her of his plans for the day while they went through their morning routines. Hearing about his day helped her to feel more involved and less alone while he was away. When he returned in the evenings, he listened to her account of her day with as much interest as if what she did was actually a great adventure. He valued her and what she did for him and for herself, and he made an effort to tell her so. Their nights were passionate and warm, and she always fell asleep in the safety of his arms. She felt truly loved and important for the first time in a very long time.

Of course they argued. They wouldn't be Neil and Margaret MacNeill if they didn't argue. But the arguments were resolved and forgiven. She found it nearly impossible to hold anything against him. He always made sure to calm himself down before they ended up in yelling matches, and she was making an equal effort to do so.

Margaret knew that he was concerned for her health. That was their biggest point of argument. She knew that she was not fully healed, but was beginning to accept that she would never be. This was her new life and she was learning to find a new normal. Her illness had weakened her, but she rarely let it bother her. But he of course noticed when she grew tired, or couldn't quite lift the water to fill the dishpan. Her breathing at times was hard to fully catch, and her hands were thin and frail. She could hide nothing from her husband, who was also her doctor, and she knew that she could ask no less of him.

The wind picked up, tossing a flurry of leaves around her skirts. She breathed in deeply of the fall air, or at least attempted to, before she fell into a coughing fit. At the end of it, she leaned against a tree, catching her breath. She refused to let fear take hold of her. It was just a simple cough, and her weak lungs had over reacted out of habit.

Margaret pushed herself onward, the mission coming into view. She could see Fairlight and Alice pulling down the last of the laundry from the lines, and Ruby Mae was sweeping the porch steps. They hadn't seen her yet, and she reveled in her undiscovered position for a few minutes. Her mother was listening to Fairlight talk about something, a smile on her face. She offered a few words to the other woman, and then threw her head back and laughed hard about something, her hand pressing her chest in the process. Fairlight's smile widened as she shook her head and bent to pick up her laundry basket. Fairlight saw her then, and Alice turned toward her with a hesitant smile.

Margaret resumed her approach, waving at them and smiling brightly.

"Hello, Mother," Margaret greeted her. "How are you, Fairlight and Ruby Mae?"

"Fine, thank you, Mrs. MacNeill," Fairlight nodded to her. "Are you and Doc doing alright?"

"Just perfect, thank you," Margaret smiled.

"I was not expecting to see you today," Alice greeted her. "What a pleasant surprise!"

Margaret let Alice hug her quickly. "Well, David came and stole Neil from me for a couple of hours, so I figured I would do the same to him. I need some female company anyway. Neil's a sweetheart, but he just doesn't understand the way I think sometimes."

Fairlight laughed softly. "No, and the men never will. Nor will we understand them, I suppose."

"We're just finishing the laundry," Alice smiled. "Why don't you come in and work on the quilt we are making for David and Christy with us? Opal should be here any moment to help too."

"Sounds wonderful. Is Christy here?"

"I'm right here," Christy smiled, coming out onto the porch.

Margaret smiled up at her new friend and moved toward her. When she reached the top steps, Christy reached for her hands.

"I'm so glad you're here, Margaret. I've been missing you, but David will not let me wander over to your cabin without him and he's been too busy for me to ask him."

"Well, I can understand his reasoning," Margaret laughed softly, looking down at Christy's expanding abdomen. "Look at you."

Christy grinned. "I look a little ridiculous, don't I?"

"Not at all," Margaret shook her head. "Motherhood suits you."

Christy smiled and wrapped her arm through Margaret's arm. "Come work on my quilt with us."

"Are you supposed to know about the quilt?" Margaret asked.

"No," Christy laughed and then looked around and lowered her voice to a whisper. "But we both know that if Ruby Mae knows about something it won't be a secret for long."

"That's very true," Margaret smiled as they made it into the living area. "What are all of these papers?"

Christy looked to her scattered stacks, giggling softly. "That is what David and I are attempting to form into the script for the Thanksgiving play."

"You're running out of time," Margaret warned her.

"Yes, I know. Don't remind me."

The other women joined them shortly after, Fairlight and Ruby Mae carrying in tea and cookies, and Opal arriving with a basket full of fabric.

"I gathered some more scraps from Aunt Hattie. Swannie sent over this blue cloth too. They should finish the last row just real pretty," Opal explained as she pulled out her fabric treasures.

Everyone "oohhed" and "ahhed" over the new pieces as Alice carried in the quilt.

"Oh, this is just lovely," Margaret smiled.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Christy smiled. "I feel so blessed. It's so wonderful to truly belong somewhere."

Margaret looked over at her, a light smile spreading across ever feature of her as an idea struck her. She would speak to Neil about it as soon as she returned home. Joy and excitement filled her heart with this new thought. God was blessing her heart beyond what she deserved. She looked around at the group of women, feeling like she belonged, and was nearly moved to tears when Alice reached over and squeezed her hand.

"We're glad you're here with us, Margaret," Alice assured her softly, and Margaret smiled at her mother.

"I'm glad I'm here too," Margaret said, squeezing her mother's hand in return.