On the second day she walked up to the mission.

"Morning teacher!" Cried Ruby Mae, running down the slope toward her.

Christy grinned and hugged the girl. "Good morning, Ruby Mae. How are you?"

"I'm jest fine, Miz Christy. How are you?"

"I was wondering if there had been any word from Low Gap – I know it's only been two days."

"Haven't heard nothing – and near as I can figure it, you're meant to miss yer man, even for two days."

Christy laughed. "Well, I might head up to the school and start getting ready for term."

"Alright, I gots a load a chores ta do. Will you come down for dinner?"

Christy held up a lunch pail. "Thank you, I'll come down and eat with you though."

Ruby Mae grinned and ran off.

Christy walked up to the school – which didn't look much like her classroom after two months of holidays. The seats were arranged for church services and her desk was against the wall.

She pulled it out just enough to sit at it, and found her planner. She made grade lists and spelling lists, scoured text books and planned assignments.

"I heard you were visiting." David walked up the aisle toward her.

"A little bird told you?" She looked up from her work.

"She did – and she'd like you to join us for dinner, if you dare."

"I brought mine," she stood up and grabbed her meal, "but I'll join you."

He considered her, while she walked toward him, then spoke, "It could be a few more days – you can always stay in your old room if you get tired of being alone."

She shook her head, "I don't mind. Might as well do something useful though."

Late that night her words came back to her. She did mind, who was she kidding? Eventually she slept, longing for Neil to magically appear beside her. She shrugged it off as her vivid imagination when she heard him arrive home, but her heart soared feeling his warm body sidle up to hers, surrounding her. She turned to face him, kissed him, hugged him tight.

"Low Gap's never been so far away." He held her tight, kissing her hair. "It's a strange and wonderful thing to know you'll always be here when I get home, warming the bed."

She kissed him, pushing him back, laughing all the while. "I always will."

He held her face between his hands, "Thank God."

She ran her fingers through his hair, "You should sleep."

"I really should." He pulled her on top of him and kissed her.

She watched him sleep in the morning light, his hair all mussed, the lines of his face soft. He probably hadn't had more than a few hours rest in days. She crept out of bed, afraid of waking him, and tiptoed downstairs.

Breakfast was almost ready, coffee steaming, it's mouth-watering aroma filling the cabin with warmth. He came up behind her, put his arms around her, nestled his face into her shoulder, inhaled and sighed.

"Good morning." She leaned back into his warm and solid frame.

"Indeed."

She shook her hands off and turned in his arms, kissed him. Her hands left flour on his face. She laughed and brushed it off, not very successfully.

"That smell – Mm. You're setting the bar very high, Christy. You'd better warn me now if I won't wake to this everyday."

"When I have to be at school by now? Bad news, Doc. It aint going to happen."

"Ah, we'll take it in turns. Fresh coffee and biscuits – there's a jar of Spencer honey here somewhere – a wedding gift."

Christy pointed out where she'd put it.

"You tidied up."

"Unpacking my things and putting away wedding presents kept me busy for less than a day."

"So what have you been doing with yourself – other than missing me?"

She grinned, poured the coffee, "I went up to the school, started planning the new term."

"Of course you did." He sat down and opened the honey.

"There's a lot to do – but I'll work away at it while you're working. I'm unlikely to get you to myself for rest of the summer with Influenza in the mix."

"Everyone seems to be on the mend. Alice stayed on to make sure it stays that way."

Christy nodded and they dug into breakfast.

It was their one perfect day. In the middle of the night someone banged on the door. Neil went down to see what they needed and returned to bid farewell. "Raven Gap." He kissed her, lingered.

Groggy from sleep she nodded, murmered, "I love you," and went back to sleep.