Title: The Absence of Fear

Author: Sarah 

Chapter: 1

Summary: This story begins at the end of the PAX
movies, with a few alterations. The main being I
didn't
want to deal with Margaret, so her fate is as in the
book. =) Christy and Neil have been married for 6
months and are living in Cutter Gap. 

DISCLAIMER: Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of
Christy is owned by the Marshall-LeSourd Family,
L.L.C. We are in no way seeking profit or credit for
her story. We are continuing the story of Christy for
our
own amusement only.

====---------==========---------========--------====


"What a glorious day!" Christy said as she took a deep
breath.

Standing on the peak of the mountain she felt like she
was on top of the world. Lover's Point, as she and
Neil had nicknamed it after discovering it when
returning from their honeymoon, was now one of her
most favorite places in the Cove. The only thing
better to Christy than being alone for her on "quiet
time" was being there with Neil. 
How her life changed once they married. She had never
expected to feel such an amazing joy all the time.
Everything seemed brighter, better. When she was in
Neil's arms, all was right with the world. Nothing
could hurt her there. 

"Yes, it is beautiful up here." Neil replied, putting
his arm around her, pulling her close. 

She sighed in contentment. This was the way true love
felt, she was sure of it. As a matter of fact, she
often said that there was only one thing in the world
she was totally and completely sure of. That was her
love for Neil and his love for her. 

"You know, I think we're up higher than I've ever been
with Fairlight. We must be well over 4,000 feet up
here." she said, leaning forward to look down the
ravine. 

"Well that's 4,000 feet too high for you to fall." He
said. Gently, but firmly pulling her back from the
edge. "Wouldn't do to loose my wife after only 6
months of marriage, now would it?" He said with a
grin. 
She smiled. They stood for a while longer, taking in
the sights.. breathing it all in, both still in awe of
the amazing view before them. 

"You know, even after living hear practically my whole
life, this" he said gesturing with his hand "never
ceases to amaze me" 

"It is just unbelievable to think that there could be
such beauty in the world, and yet still so much pain
and poverty." Christy replied. She was, of course,
thinking about some of the people in the Cove. Even
after being in Cutter Gap for almost 2 years, the
conditions were something she hadn't yet fully gotten
accustomed to. But she had finally come to the point
where she could be content with doing what she could
to help the mountain people, without forcing anything
on them. Neil turned and looked towards the west. 

"Looks like a storm's brewing" he looked back down a
Christy. "And knowing how much you love a good
thunderstorm when your all tucked away in the cabin,
we'd probably better get going. Something tells me you
might not like it as much if you get caught out here"
he said with a smile

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time, now would it?"
She said grinning. 

"Well now, that was entirely your fault now wasn't it?
I mean aren't you the one who ran off once the really
strong part hit?" he asked as they walked back to
their horses. 

"Yes, yes... I'll admit it. I did run off on my own
will. But, it wasn't that bad. I mean except for
falling down that ravine, all the care and
consideration you poured on me.. a girl could get used
to that kind of thing." She said giving him a peck on
his cheek after he helped her onto her horse. As a
wedding gift, Neil had surprised her with her very own
horse, Bonnie. So now they had Bonnie and Charlie.
Neil was always kidding her by saying all they needed
a child and his horse could be named Prince, also
after the horse at the mission, and they'd be a
regular Scottish family. 

Neil chuckled as they started the horses into a slow
walk down the mountain. He looked over his shoulder at
the beautiful, wonderful woman sitting behind him and
was amazed that he could actually call her his wife.
He knew that she was here, and very much real, but at
times he wondered if this was all a dream and he would
suddenly wake up to his previous life. Alone.

"What so solemn all of the sudden?" Christy asked him,
noticing the change in his facial expression.

"Oh, no reason in particular" he said, smiling at her.
"I was just thinking what my life would have been like
without you. Not really anything I'd like to think
about actually." 

"Well don't even think those thoughts. I'm quite
afraid your stuck with me Neil MacNeill." Christy said
with a grin.

"UUUUUNITED STATES MAILLLL" The sound of Ben
Pentland's voice broke the moment between them and
Neil chuckled.

 "I declare, that man wouldn't ever sneak up on
anyone. It just wouldn't be possible" 

"Howdy Doc, Miz. Doc" Ben said tipping his hat at
Christy.

"Ben, I've told you a hundred times. You don't have to
call me 'Miz. Doc' you can still call me Christy."
After their marriage, some of the people in the Cove
had started calling Christy "Miz. Doc" or "Miz.
McNeill" and no matter how many times Christy told
them not to, some of the more stubborn ones just
wouldn't give it up. 

"I know, I know. But it's a'seemin more fittin' iffen
I call you all respectful like now that you'n the Doc
are all hitched up." He replied. "Whar ya'll a'commin
from?" 

"Up the mountain a bit. Just out taking an afternoon
ride." Neil told him. "Now, did you have something for
us Ben?" 

"Whal I sure do, Doc. One 'specially fer Miz. McN-- I
mean Miz. Christy" he said giving a grin to Christy,
who smiled back at him for remembering. "and one
'specially fer ya too Doc" he said reaching into his
pack and pulling out the two letters. "Oh! It's from
Hazen L. Smith!" Christy exclaimed opening the letter
that Ben handed her. She quickly scanned the contents
of the letter. "Neil! You won't believe this!" Neil
put his letter in his pocket, only noticing it being
from his friend from medical school, Dr. Edward Hill,
and turning his attention to Christy. 

"Mr. Smith has sent along a check for $700 and let me
know that all the supplies needed to start the Folk
School are being shipped to El Pano as of....." she
scanned the letter again looking for the date "as of 2
days ago, why Neil, the could already be in El Pano!"
she exclaimed, talking a mile a minute.

"Woah, there. Slow down Christy. Did you say that
Hazen Smith sent you a check for $700 and wants you to
start the Folk School with it?" Neil asked
incredulously. 

"Yes, and he said that periodically he will be sending
more checks, as the money is donated through him for
the mission. He is also sending the books and supplies
we'll need to start out with." she could hardly
believe what she was reading. "And listen to this,
Neil. Mr. Smith said to tell you that any medical
supplies you need for treating trachoma, just to let
him know and he will take care of it." 

"How did he know I would be needed more medicine
soon?" Neil was amazed. He had noticed that in recent
days, medicine was starting to run short, and since
there had been more and more talk of boarding some
people who would need ongoing care for their eyes for
a time, he didn't know where he would get the funds to
supply the things they were going to be needing. This
was a miracle, no other way around it.

"All I mentioned to him was that we were also thinking
of boarding some people who needed eye care, that's
all. The rest was him."

"Well it is fantastic, I can hardly believe a man I
have never even met, is being so kind and generous to
me and my work."

"That's just the way he is, Neil. You'll love him, I
know you will." 


====----------============-----------=========-----====


End Chapter 1

Title: The Absence of Fear

Author: Sarah 

Chapter: 2

Summary: Neil and Christy have just spent an afternoon
 at their favorite spot in the Cove. Ben Pentland met
them on the way back to the mission with a letter for
Neil from his former collegue and Christy from Hazen
L. Smith, along with a check for $700 to start the
Folk School and offers of supplying any trachoma
medican Neil needs to treat the people of Cutter Gap.

DISCLAIMER: See Chapter 1


====----------============---------===========-----====

"I just don't understand!" David said, slamming the
bible he was holding shut and tossing it on the bed.
"Why can't I find the answers I need?" As he was
pacing back and forth across the bunkhouse floor, he
heard the knock on his door. 

"Come in."

"I hope I am not disturbing anything, David." Alice
Henderson said as she walked into the room. 

"Oh, nothing much. Was there something you needed?" he
asked, trying hard to change his disposition for
Alice's sake.

"I just got back from Cataleechee and wanted to pass
on to thee that they will be needing only 4 extra
desks rather than the original 6."

"Thanks, Alice. Jeb and I will get on them tomorrow."
Expecting her to turn and leave, David walked around
and sat on the side of his bed, putting his head in
his hands. 

"David.. I have noticed thee is having a rough time.
If there is anything thee wishes to discuss or need to
get off thy chest, I am always here." Alice offered.
He looked up and she saw in his eyes a man in agony.
She wondered if it had anything to do with Christy and
her marriage to Neil, but said nothing. 

"Oh, thanks Alice. Would you mind?" She shook her head
and he offered her the chair in the corner.

"I just... I just don't know what I am doing with my
life anymore. Everything I do seems to be in vain, and
I feel like I am running and running only to find
myself standing in the same place all the while."
Alice was quiet, knowing he may just need to talk, and
she may just be needed to listen.

"In the past weeks, maybe even months, I just feel
like my work here is completely pointless. I can stand
in the pulpit for hours every Sunday and talk to those
people until I'm blue in the face and nothing ever
changes. You never see the benefits of a changed life,
they go on living the same way as they always have. I
know I've talked to you about this before, but now I
just seem to be in a rut that I can't get out of."
Alice was silent, waiting for the right time to speak.
Waiting for words to say to him that would maybe shed
light on his situation. 

"David, thee is a wonderful person. You must not think
your work is in vain here in Cutter Gap. You have
changed so many people's lives for the better." she
started.

"But---?" he cued. 

"But..." she started to say slowly "Maybe you need to
not push your beliefs on the people so hard." 

"My beliefs? Aren't these the beliefs that everyone
should have?" he asked defensively. 

"David, has thee ever seen what happens to a child
when he is asked to do something over and over and
over again? In most cases, the more thee asks, the
more he wants to stay where he is and not do it. The
same goes for the people here. The more thee presses
these beliefs, as wonderful as they may be to thy
self, the more they want to stay the way they are. To
some, having a city preacher come in and bring with
him these new ideas of a loving and caring Father is
threatening, and even frightening." she said. 

"They have been brought up with the same convictions
and belief's for the past hundred years. Habits that
ingrained are hard to break in a matter of months,
even years." David was silent for a moment, thinking
about what she said.

"But, if we never push these things, and talk about
them consistantly, how will they ever know any other
way?" 

"By thy life, David. Do you remember the verse in the
bible where it says 'Let them see your good works, and
Glorify their Father who is in heaven'? Let them SEE
thy good works, not let them hear thee preach it and
press it into them week after week, let them SEE the
fruits of this wonderful life, THEN watch them glorify
their father." 

"I guess I can see where you are coming from, but
still I don't understand." he sighed. "Maybe I should
go away for a while. Get away from the Cove and
everyone for a time. I don't know."

"David, thee can only do what thee feel's the need to
do. I can not tell you what to do, nor can Christy, or
Neil or Dr. Ferrand. Only YOU can make the big
decisions in your life." and with that, she stood up,
patted him on the shoulders and walked out. </div>

====----------====---------====---------====------====

"Hello!" Neil called out as he galloped up on Charlie
to the Allen's place. 

"Howdy, Doc." Bob answered, meeting him halfway. 

"How is Mary doing?" Neil asked, dismounting from
Charlie and removing his saddle bag. 

"She's carrin' on somethin' fierce, Doc." Bob replied.


"You'd think after all the babes she's been bringin'
in ta the world, we'd not need ya nomore.."

"Well, each pregnancy is different. Mary isn't as
young as she was during her last pregnancy either."
Neil pointed out. 

It had come as a surprise when it was announced that
Mary Allen was expecting again. But this pergnancy
wasn't going as smoothly as Neil would have hoped.
Though she was only barely 7 months along, word had
been brought to Neil that she was already experiencing
brith pains. He had hoped that it was just a false
alarm, and told her to take to her bed for a while.
But that had been yesterday and it seemed as though
things were not getting any better, but were
progressing.

"Doc, is Ma gonna have that thar baby today?" Creed
asked, meeting Neil in the doorway, holding Scalawag
in his arms.

"I hope not, Creed. But it is a possibility." He
replied as he walked to Mary's bedside. 

"How are you feeling, Mary?" he asked to the pale and
tired woman, feeling her forehead. 

"I've never felt this bad with any other babes I've
born, Doc. But it's too soon.. it's jest too soon."
She said, as another contraction took ahold of her.

"Looks like this is the real deal, Bob. You'd best
send the children off and start boiling the water."
Neil instructed, already rolling up his sleeves and
washing his hands in the basin. 

Bob squeezed his wife's hand and Neil saw a look of
love pass between them. "It's gonna be fine, Mary.
Don't ya worry." he said, bending down and kissing her
on the forehead. She nodded and he walked away. Right
before Neil began his exam, Mary's water broke. 

"Alright Mary. Whatever you do, do not push until I
say so. No matter how much you want to." Neil
instructed. Mary nodded as another pain hit her. Mary
let out a wail. 

"Oh, Doc. I feel it comin, the baby's comin'!" Neil
finished looking her over and nodded. 

"Okay, Mary. It looks like we have no choice in the
matter, this wee one is coming now. So when you get
the next pain, I want you to take a deep breath and
push as hard as you can. We don't want to add any
additional pressure on the baby, so the sooner and
easier we get this done the better." He instructed. It
wasn't a minute later and Mary was pushing as hard as
she could and Neil was holding a squawling baby boy in
his arms. 

"Here he is Mary, you new son." Neil said, wrapping
the baby up in the clean blanket that Bob had handed
him. 


"How is he, Doc?" Bob asked. Mary nodded, to exhausted
to speak. 

"He's small, even for being 7 months along, but all in
all he looks like he'll be fine. I do want to keep an
eye on him for a while.. babies this young, and babies
in general are able to contract illness easier than us
adults." He explained. 

"Thank ye, Doc." Mary said. "Don't be knowin' what we
would have done iffen ya hadn't been here."

 "It's my pleausre, Mary. Now.. what about a name for
this little one?" He asked, handing the baby to Mary.

"We're were studyin' on them names and after all this
it jest seems a'fittin' ta call him Matthew Neil
Allen. Matthew, after Mary's grandpa, and Neil after
ya Doc. Iffen that be okey with you, 'course." Bob
explained. Neil was touched at this guesture. In all
the births he had attended, never had the parents
named a child after him. 

"I would count it an honor to share my name with this
wee one."

"Then there it be. Matthew Neil Allen." Mary said.
"Matt fer short." 

"A wonderful name, for a wonderful baby." Neil said
smiling as he put his instruments back in his saddle
bags. 

"Now, I will let you rest, Mary. But don't worry, I'll
be back tomorrow to check up on you." he explained,
standing up. "And if there are any problems,
whatsoever, I want you to send one of the boys to get
me immideatly." 

"We shore will Doc." Bob answered. As if on cue, when
Neil opened the door, there stood the Allen children. 

"We got us a new brother, Doc?" Little Burl asked. 

"You sure do, Burl. A fiesty little brother." Neil
answered, messing up the boys hair with his hand. 

"Now I want all of you children to take good care of
your little brother, ok?"

"You bet, Doc." Creed said as they all ran inside to
get a look at the newest addition to the Allen family.
As Neil rode off, he smiled to himself. "Another
miracle."

====----------====----------====-----------====

Title: The Absence of Fear

Author: Sarah

Chapter: 3

Summary: David is feeling as though his work at the
mission is in vain, Alice tries to comfort him, and
David thinks that maybe his time at the mission is up.
Neil delivers Mary Allen's new baby 2 months early.

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

====---------====----------====---------====

"You look 'specially happy today, Miz. Christy." Opal
said as she hung her laundry to dry, and Christy began
her last batch of wash. 
Over the past month, Christy and Opal had been getting
together once a week to do their laundry over at
Christy and Neil's cabin. Christy knew that with the
day to day trials that Opal had to go through, that
maybe just getting away from it all just once a week,
even if it was to do laundy in another setting, would
be nice for Opal and even for Christy.
Ever since Fairlight had passed away, Opal and Christy
had become much closer. Christy couldn't help but
notice all the smiliarities between Opal and her
sister, and it was so nice to be able to have another
friend to confide in. 

"Do I?" Christy asked.

"Yep, you shore do." Opal replied, taking a clothes
pin out of her pocket and clipping it to one of Toot's
shirts on the line.

"I guess that the newlywed bliss hasn't worn off yet."
She replied with a smile. 

"Well, you ain't the only one lookin' so happy every
single day. Doc's right purt all the time too." Opal
said with a grin. "Looks like ya both are doin'
somethin' right." 

Christy blushed. "You know, I guess I really didn't
expect too much to change after marrying Neil. But
everything has changed." Christy said, as she lifted
up a pair of Neil's pants to put into the steaming pot
of hot water. A letter fell out of the pocket,
addressed to him. She slipped it in her shirt waist
and made a mental note to ask him about it that night.


"Everything is so much better." She continued. "We're
still best friends, but now were even closer. Even
doing his laundry is fun for me. I don't ever mind
it." she smiled again. "But I suppose that sounds
silly." Opal shook her head. 

"No it don't Miz. Christy. When I married my Tom I was
the same way as you. I'd do anything fer that man,
jest anything, and it was pure joy fer me." she
smiled, looking out into the distance. "It's still
like that, but different now."

"How so?" Christy asked, pinning up her last
shirtwaist.

"Whal, then it was all new and excitin' fer me. Fer
both of us. But now, with the kids, it's more.." she
paused, trying to find the right words. "It's more..
lovin' like. Maybe it's 'cause we both know we don't
have to do them little things no more, but when we do
'em now, it's almost better 'cause of that. Do that
make any sense to ya?"

"Of course it does. You're saying that he's not
expected to do little things for you, but when he
does, it makes it that much better now because you
know he's doing it because he wants to. Not because
you expect him to." Opal nodded. 

"I can see that's the way tis fer you and Doc too. But
ya'll are still in the lovey dovey stage." Opal
laughed. "I'm not sayin' that will change'er nothin',
but you still give each other all those little looks,
and smiles. You shore can tell your newly hitched."

"Is it that obvious?" Christy asked. </div>

"Yeah, but we all expect it." Opal paused, and got a
serious tone in her voice.

"Christy, Doc's a new man 'cause of you. Nobody in the
Cove has seem him smile so much, or be so happy as
he's been in the past few months." She picked up her
now empty clothes basket. 

"Doc's had a rough time, what with Miz. Margaret and
all, and fer a while he got lots'a us real scared
like. But when ya came to teach here, it was like..."
Again, Opal paused, seemingly to look for the right
words."Like... like a light came on. Fer the first
time in two years, he really was alive."

A tear slid down Christy's cheek. She hadn't realized
she had been crying until then. 

"Aww, I didn't mean ta make ya cry, Miz. Christy."
Opal apologized. 

"No, no. It's fine." Christy said shaking her head. "I
just had no idea..." 

"Well Miz Christy, I ain't lying when I said ya saved
his life. Naw, he would not've died 'er nothin',
'least not his body. But on the inside, he was dyin'.
'Till you came along." 
====-----------===========--------------============

"So what you told me about last month.. is that option
still available?" David asked into the reciever of the
mission's telephone. Since he had wanted privacy, he
had had to wait all day to make this very important
phone call. Though it was only 7:30, Alice was in her
cabin for the night, and Ruby Mae was spending the
night with Zady Spencer, this had been the only time
to have the mission to himself. He wasn't ready for
anyone to know his tenitive plans just yet.

"Alright, I see. Well I've taken up enough of your
time for one night. I will call you back if I have any
other questions.... yes.. okay.. thank you..you too..
goodbye." He hung the reciever back up and sighed.
"The plan is now in motion."
--------============---------------================

End of Chapter 3

Title: The Absence of Fear

Author: Sarah

Chapter: 4

Summary: Christy and Opal were washing clothes and the
MacNeill's house, Opal opens up to Christy and tells
her how much her marriage to Neil has changed him for
the better. David makes an important phone call.

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

=====----------===========----------============



"So, how was your afternoon with Opal, Christy?" Neil
asked, taking a break from reading his medical
journals and looking up at his wife sitting at the
other end of the table, taking a break from writing up
all her ideas for the Folk School they hoped to open
since the arrival of Mr. Smith's donation. It was
still a ways off before they would be able to really
start, but Christy was already excited.

"It was wonderful. I know Opal needed a break today.
>From the way Toot and Vincent were acting in class
today, she must be worn out all the time." Christy
said with a chuckle. 

"Well, I know she is grateful for these afternoons."
Neil said, reaching out his hand and putting it on top
of her, giving it a squeeze.

Christy smiled. "I am too. Since Fairlight died, I've
really missed our conversations and just being with
someone who wasn't a child all of the time." she
grinned. "Along with you, that is." Neil chuckled. 

"And how was your day?" Christy asked him. It always
interested her to hear all about what Neil did that
day, in detail. She loved to hear about the house
calls he made, and the people he met.

"Well, Mary and Bob Allen are the proud parents of
Matthew Neil Allen, weighing in at about 5lbs of
wailing joy."

"Neil! They named him after you?" 

"Yes, believe it or not. Why they'd want to brand a
new baby boy with a middle name like Neil, I'll never
know but..." Neil smiled. Christy knew he was pleased
about it. 

"So he came early, obviously." Christy asked. 

"Yes, he did. About 2 months early." 

"And everything went fine?" Christy asked. 

"Actually, it went perfectly. I will admit to being
rather nervous. I mean if something had come up I
would have been there alone, not Alice or you could
have ever gotten there in time to help me."

"But everything went fine, that's what matters. I will
have to go see Mary soon. And dote on the little
Matthew. How wonderful they must feel." Christy
sighed. She sometimes wondered if Neil ever wished
that they would have a baby soon. By mountain
standards, going 6 months into your marriage and not
being pregnant was almost unheard of. She also knew
that Neil wasn't as young as she was, and that he had
always wanted a child. As if hearing her thoughts he
walked over to her and put his arms around her. 

"Christy, you know that I would never, ever want to
pressure you to have children before you were good and
ready, right?" he asked her. 

She nodded. "Of course, but Neil.. I know how you've
always wanted children, and I also know you are older
than me, and that children would just make you the
happiest man on the face of the earth. You will make
such a wonderful father." 

"I may want children, but I want you to know there is
no rush. I don't care if we wait 10 years.. I want you
to be ready." He said, kissing her forehead. "So don't
ever feel like you have to get pregnant to make me any
happier than I am right now. At the moment I am the
happiest man that ever walked the earth." 

She smiled. "I know." she stood up to hug him when
something fell out of her lap. She stopped, and bent
over, picking it up. It was the letter she found
today. She handed it to him.

"What's this?" he asked. 

"I found this in your pants pocket right before
washing them today." He looked at it and remembered.
This was the letter Ben Pentland gave him the other
day. In his excitement for Christy, he had completely
forgotten about it. He opened it up and began to read.
Suddenly, the expression in his face changed. He sat
down, laying the letter on the table. 

"What is it, Neil?" Christy asked. "It's a friend of
mine from medical school, Dr. Edward Hill." Neil said.
"He just basically offered me a position with him as
co-owner of his practice." Neil paused. "In
Philadelphia."

===-----=========----------===========---------=====

"Well! Mary, Bob, thou have yet another beautiful
child." Alice said looking down at the baby she was
hold in her arms. Once she heard that Mary had given
birth, she decided to come over and check on the
mother and baby and make sure all was still going
smoothly. Everything seemed to be, for which Alice was
thankful.

"Thank ya, Miz Alice. He shore is a looker, ain't he?"

Mary said with a proud smile.

"Doc shore did a good job birthin' him." Bob said,
sitting down at the their wooden table across the
room.

"Yes he did, Neil is wonderful with babies." Alice
said with a smile. She stood up and carried little
Matthew Neil back over to Mary, who was laying in bed,
still very tired from the delivery earlier that day.

"Well I won't disturb thy family any longer, I just
wanted to make sure all was well with the little one,
and Mary." 

"Thank ya fer comin' by, Miz Alice. We shore
appreciate hit." Bob said, standing up as Alice walked
to the door.

"My pleasure, Bob. Now you rest Mary, and if any of
you need anything, please don't hesitate to come to
the mission." 

"Thank ya, ma'am." Mary said sleepily. Alice said her
goodbye and let herself out with a smile. 

==========-------------====================-----------
End of Chapter 4

Title: The Absence of Fear

Author: Sarah

Chapter: 5

Summary: Neil and Christy discuss things together,
Neil puts Christy's mind at ease, telling her that he
doesn't want her to feel pressured into having a baby
before she is ready. Alice visits the Allens.

-------============-------------==============-------

The next morning, Sunday, dawned bright and clear. As
Alice stood looking out her front window at the
mountains, she let out a sigh. Not one of unhappiness,
but one of pure joy and contentment. Right now, all
was right in the Cove. The Allen's and their beautiful
son Matthew, Ruby Mae acting more mature than usual,
though Alice wondered if it was just because she was
still pining for Will Beck, Christy and Neil were both
doing wonderfully, which she was thankful for, and
Christy had just told her about the generous donation
from Hazen L. Smith for the start of the folk school.
All seemed to be wonderful. She had never seen Neil so
happy in all the years she had known him, and Christy
was beaming all the time. It never ceased to amaze
Alice at how God worked in "mysterious ways". 

The one dark cloud in Cove seemed to be David who, on
the other hand, seemed very unlike himself. She knew
he was going through a hard time, emotionally and
spiritually, one reason being the fact that Christy
had married Neil, but she had no idea it would last
this long. He seemed to be in a state of depression,
and she wished there was more she could do. But she
knew she could do no more than she had already done,
which was talk to him.. or let him talk rather. And to
wait. As she knew, everything would work out for the
betterment of everyone. That no matter how bad the
situation looked on the outside, everything that
happened was for our good. For David's good. 

For the first time, David had asked Alice to attend
church service that morning. He knew she didn't
usually attend because of her religious upbringing,
but he pleaded with her to do so, saying he had an
announcement to make and he wanted everyone to hear of
it at once. The announcement he had to make was not
one she was prepared for, but not one she was entirely
surprised with either.

--------================------------=========---------
"Neil!" Christy yelled out the front door of their
cabin.
"Breakfast is ready!" She saw Neil wave in
acknowledgment to her as he took a quick bath in the
creek, and she walked back inside chuckling to
herself. 

"See, Neil MacNeill? I didn't burn your meal at all,
this time." She said as she set the eating utensils on
the table, and poured their coffee. 

"Mmmmhmm," Neil said, standing in the doorway, still
drying off his hair. "Smell's wonderful." He walked
over to where Christy was standing at the table and
gave her a peck on the cheek.

"And, I see my bathe in the creek did not effect your
breakfast preparations this morning, now did it?" He
said with an impish grin, sitting down.

"No, it did not. I am learning to focus better now. I
think you'll find this to be the best eggs and grits
I've ever made for you." Christy said, as she sat
down. They bowed their heads, as Neil said a word of
grace, before beginning their meal. Christy glanced up
at the clock, noticing it was almost nine o'clock, she
sighed. She had overslept that morning. So many
different ideas for the Folk school were running
through her head that sleep just wouldn't come. She
wanted to have a meeting with Alice and David and Neil
to talk about what their next step should be.
She ate more hurriedly and hoped that her oversleeping
self did not make them late for church. As if reading
her mind, Neil replied.

"We still have plenty of time, Christy." 

"Good grief, Neil. I am beginning to think you are
becoming a mind reader. You say just what I am about
to say, ninety percent of the time now."

"Well, now that you've mentioned it, you have been
more quiet the usual." he said, grinning. 

"I hear Grantland's got some announcement to make this
morning." he noted. 

"Yes, that's what Ruby Mae told me. Wonder what it
could be.." Christy mused. 

"Funny, Ruby Mae announced that to me also.. hey,
maybe
old Grantlands got himself a bride.. I mean he did
just get back from Boston a few weeks ago.. maybe he
met someone?" Neil stated.

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate
us being late. So keep eating and stop talking."
Christy answered him standing up, already finished and
clearing her plate.

"Well, Yes ma'am." 

"Neil, have you thought much about the letter you
received yesterday?" She asked, as she washed their
dishes.

"Yes, very much. But I will not make and decisions
without you, Christy. I would never do that.

"I know.." she said.

"But let's wait and talk about this tonight. Okay?" he
asked. Christy nodded. Wondering what changes might be
in store.

======--------------=============-------------=======

"Okay, God. This is it." Daivd said as he stood in the
church, just as everyone started to arrive. 

"Give me the words to say to them this morning, and
the strength to do so." he prayed. He gave everyone a
few moments to say their hello's and be seated before
he walked up to the pulpit. That is when he saw Neil
walk in, his hand on Christy's arm. His breath caught
in his throat. 
As much as he tried, it still bothered him at times to
see Christy with Neil, especially at church. No matter
how happy he was that Neil had become a spiritual man,
he wished it didn't have to be all because of Christy.
 Then, he saw Alice enter and sit down on the second
row, next to Christy and Neil. She smiled to him, and
he smiled back quickly, before turning back to the
audience. When it looked like everyone was seated and
comfortable, he spoke. 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning." he started.
"This morning we have a slight change in the order of
the service. I have an announcement to make, and I
don't think I can wait much longer to say it." He took
a deep breath. 

"Over the past weeks, I have been going through quite
a change. Emotionally and spiritually. It has been
brought to my attention, through many hours of
meditation and prayer, that I needed to make some
major changes in my life." he paused, looking into
everyone's eyes. 

"Then, I received a phone call from my seminary. They
informed me of a position they had, in Boston, to be
the minister at a very large church there." He saw
some of the people's eyes grow large. He didn't wait
long to continue. "A position that, after much prayer,
I have decided to take."

=======-------------==========-----------==========
End of Chapter 5

Title: The Absence of Fear

Author: Sarah

Chapter: 6

Summary: Alice reflects on how everything seems to
be going so well in the Cove, and how David asked her
to attend Sunday services that day because he had an
announcement. Christy and Neil talked over breakfast,
which Christy did not burn even though Neil was outside
bathing in the river. David announces he is moving back
to Boston to accept a pastoral position in a church there.

=======-------------===========----------------======


The whole congregation was silent. What was there to
say? David had just stood up, and out of the blue announced
to everyone that he was leaving the Cove. No explanation,
no reasoning, just leaving. Even though David had closed
the service, seventy five percent of the congregation
still sat in their seats.

David stood at the black board, erasing the usual greeting
that was always there. His back was away from everyone,
but he was obviously uncomfortable. It was then that an
astonishing thing happened. Neil patted Christy's hand
and suddenly stood up and walked to the black board. He
picked up an extra eraser and began to help David erase
what was left of the words "Good Morning Everyone". David
glanced over at Neil, then back to what he was doing.

Christy sat there in astonishment. It wasn't that she
was surprised at Neil's kindness, not at all. There were
hundreds of things Neil did every day out of kindness,
to Christy and everyone else he came in contact with. It
was the principle behind it. Everyone in the Cove knew
the kind of relationship that Daivd and Neil had always
had, and especially knew it to be rather stressful in the
months since Neil and Christy married. It was like they
had come to an agreement, finally. Like they had resolved
an unspoken issue between each other.

Christy wiped a tear from her eye and got up herself.
She walked over and stood between two men whom she loved
dearly, in two entirely different ways. David turned around
and faced her, and Christy reached up and embraced him.

"You're sure?" she whispered as they hugged.

David replied quietly. "It's time."

======----------==========-----------=========

David's next days were busy ones spent packing and making
arrangements for leaving the Cove. He had to admit that
it was strange to be boxing everything up, not that it was
that much, after being in the Cove for over two years. He
didn't know how long he'd be gone, or if he'd ever come
back, but he knew this was the right decision for him
right now.

That afternoon Ruby Mae had announced to David that Christy
and Neil were coming over for a "farewell dinner", as she
had put it. So after David finished as much packing as he
could do for that night, he walked over to the mission. The
Cove had been going through a "wet spell" recently, and
it seemed as though the mud would never dry up.

"This is one thing I won't miss." David mumbled as he
tried to knock off as much mud as possible from his shoes
on the mission porch before going inside. When he cleaned
them off as good as possible, he opened the front door.

It was silent in the mission. The only lamps lit were in
the kitchen, dining room and parlor. He turned the corner
to the parlor and saw Neil sitting there.

"Good evening, Reverend." Neil said to him, sitting back
in the easy chair with the infamous pipe of his in his
hands. Christy had insisted on repairing the pipe after
he had broken it during her Typhoid bout that seemed to
change their lives, and insisted Neil keep it.

"'Evening, Doctor." David replied, sitting down on the
couch across from Neil.

"How's the packing coming along?"

"I just finished. Getting everything sent off to El
Pano tomorrow morning and then heading out myself a day
later." Daivd replied.

Neil nodded. The silence in the room was so thick you could
cut it with a knife. Clearing his throat, Neil spoke. "So,
this new development sounds interesting."

David nodded. "Yes.. it should be."

Again, silence filled the room. Moments went by,
each man looking down at one thing or another, clearly
uncomfortable. It was Neil who finally bit the bullet and
spoke again.

"David, Listen." Neil started. "I don't want you leaving
here with hard feelings towards each other. So I'm bringing
it out into the open right now."

David looked up, startled. Neil had hardly ever addressed
him by his first name. It had always been either 'Reverend'
or 'Grantland', but never hardly David.

"I don't hold any hard feelings against you, Doctor."
David replied. "Christy picked you, thats all there is to
it. I'm happy for both of you, end of story."

"Thank you." Neil sighed. "I feel like I need to apologize
to you though. I mean I did come waltzing back into the
Cove 2 weeks before you were supposed to marry Christy
announcing my love for her and my desire to marry her. I
don't care what you say, that has to be difficult and I
would understand completely if you did begrudge me for it."

"To tell you the truth, I did for a long time." David
replied. "It WAS hard to get over. I loved Christy with all
of my heart, and in some way still do, I'll not lie. But
recently I was shown that this was the way it was meant to
be. If it wasn't I  could never be leaving for Boston now."

"Yes, you're right. But I still apologize."

"You're forgiven, Doctor. No hard feelings, I assure
you." David replied, and he meant it. He knew that he no
longer felt any feelings of anger or hurt against Dr. Neil
MacNeill, and knew he never would again.

Just then, they heard Christy call them in for dinner.


"Well, with that said, I know I will be able to enjoy my
meal much more." Neil said as he stood up. David stood
up also, and extended his hand to Neil. They shook hands,
and made their way into the dining room.

 --------==========----------==============--------

Title: The Absence of Fear

Chapter: 7

Author: Sarah

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Summary: David announces his plans on leaving the Cove to
pastor in Boston. He goes to the mission house the night
before he leaves to have dinner with Christy, Neil and
Alice and he and Neil resolve all their issues.

--------===========-----------=================--------

"That was a wonderful meal. Thank you Alice, and
Christy." David said, sitting back in his chair, his empty
plate that once held fried chicken, collard greens, sweet
potatoes, and corn from the garden.

"I couldn't have imagined a better way to spend my next
to last evening in the Cove." he said with a grin.

"I am so glad thee enjoyed it, David. Now, how about some
of this apple pie that Opal brought over earlier?"

"Well is sure sounds good..I think I'd be crazy to turn
down any pie made by Opal McHone."

"Why don't we take dessert in the parlor, Miss Alice?"
Christy suggested, once she had cleared the table.

"That's fine, Christy. You all go on ahead, I am going
to start the coffee." she said, standing up. The rest of
the group headed into the parlor, and made themselves
comfortable. Christy and Neil on the small couch, and
David in the easy chair facing them. Once sitting side by
side, Neil took Christy's hand in his, rubbing it with his
thumb and forefinger. This was a habit that he had started
not long after they got married. Now, it was like second
nature to them both, so neither hardly noticed it anymore.

"So, you're finished packing David?" Christy asked.

David cleared his throat. "Ah, yes. Finished right before
coming over. Like I told the Doctor, everything is being
sent out tomorrow morning. Hopefully it will meet me there
on time, but you know how that goes."

"Well, you'll be sure to write everyone, won't you?"

"Of course I will." he replied.He knew there was no way he
could not keep in contact with the people that had become
like a family to him.

"I know that the children will miss you, especially the
older boys." All of the older boys really looked up to
David, especially John Spencer and Isaack McHone.

"I'll miss them too." he sighed. "I've really learned alot
since I've been in Cutter Gap." he said as Alice walked
into the room, carrying the coffee and cups and saucers
on a tray. "Especially from you three."

"We have all learned much from one another, I think."
Alice said handing out the cups of coffee.

"We have learned much from you too David. The whole
Cove has."

"And you even got to see me start coming to Sunday
services, Reverend. Probably something you never thought
possible." Neil said with a chuckle.

"Well I think I was hardly the one who got you to start
coming, Doctor. But you ARE coming, and that is an
improvement." David replied, smiling.

"I will really miss you all. You've changed my life. I am
honored and so happy to consider you all not just friends,
but a part of my family.

------==============--------------============--------


The morning David was to leave the Cove dawned rainy and
unseasonably cool. As promised, Jeb Spencer had taken
his bags to El Pano the day before while he was down
there picking something up, and was back the next morning
to take David down.  David stood in the doorway of his
bunkhouse. He glanced around the room that had become
his home, his place of solace. One of the only places he
could go to escape Ruby Mae's endless chattering to study
for his sermons. He smiled. He had surprised Ruby Mae the
day before with offering his bunkhouse to her. She was so
thrilled, and it really pleased David that he could do
something that meant so much to her. Even if he didn't
always admit it, he had come to love Ruby Mae like he
would a little sister, and had to admit he would miss her.

"Ya ready ta go, Preacher?" Jeb asked walking over to the
bunkhouse from the mission. David took one more look at
his bunkhouse and closed the door.

"Yes, Jeb. I am." he said walking down the stairs. He
hadn't wanted to make a big scene the morning he was
leaving, and since it was hardly much after dawn, he had
said his goodbyes to everyone the night before.  As he was
getting into Jeb's wagon, he heard his name being called
from behind him.

It was Alice.

"David, wait." she said as she walked over to him from her
cabin. Her hair was down in a braid and she was wearing
a housecoat over her nightgown.

"Alice, you shouldn't have gotten up. It's barely dawn." he
gently scolded her.

"I wanted to see thee one last time." She looked at
him. She knew, as hard as it was to see him go, that this
was the right thing. She didn't know how she knew, but she
felt a perfect peace about it. "David, I will miss thee."

"I will miss you too, Alice. So much."

"I could never have done this without you." She said,
waving her hand around her, indicating their surroundings.

"Without you, we would never have gotten the church built,
or that wonderful bell hung. We would never have made it
after the fire, we would never have made it without thee."

"Go in peace David. This is right."

David nodded. "I know, Alice. Thank you. You have been
like a second mother to me, and I will forever hold a
special place in my heart for you." With that they hugged
and David got into the wagon, next to Jeb.

As they drove away, David turned around to take one
last look at the place he had called home for the past
2 years. He looked at the mountains, the mission house,
school/church house, and the bunkhouse each in turn before
turning around and looking forward. To his future.


-------===========--------------============----------

Title: The Absence of Fear

Chapter: 8

Author: Sarah

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Summary: David, Alice, Neil, and Christy all talk
after dinner. David leaves the next morning and Alice
comes out to talk to him once more before he leaves.

-------==========-----------===========------------

--==--3 weeks later..--===--

The week had flew by for Christy. She didn't know if
it was the fact that, with David gone, there were more
things to be done involving the mission, like taking
over bible and mathematic classes, or the fact that
Neil had been out on calls for 4 days in a row,
without even a stop back at home, and was due home
sometime later tomorrow. When she thought about it,
she realized that with Neil being gone the week should
have been slow for her, but there were so many things
to do! She had missed Neil tremendously that week, it
being one of the longer periods of them being apart
since they married, but she seemed to have so many
things keeping her out and about, and then so many
things at the cabin to take care of.
She usually took her meals at the mission when Neil
was away,and until recently, she had stayed at the
mission also. But after 5 months of that, off and on,
Christy had put her foot down. She told Neil there was
no reason at all why she shouldn't stay at their home
while he was gone. She had lived in the Cove long
enough to feel comfortable being alone out there and
besides, she told him, when she wasn't there to clean
for days on end, the outcome was doing house chores
constantly for the next week to make up for it. 
 Finally, after much reasoning in vain on Neil's part,
he succumbed to her wishes. 
So there Christy sat, at home, eating her dinner
alone. She sat and listened to the constant rhythm of
the clock in the background, ticking away the moments
until Neil would be home, barring some unforeseen
emergency. The silence was deafening, but strangely
enough, she didn't mind it. She looked around her and
saw their cabin. She had made some changes to it,
while still trying to keep the essence of it there.
After all, the very last thing she wanted to do was to
barge in and completely change everything that Neil
had had in place for the past years. She really didn't
mind the "manly" decor of their cabin. It had such
charm, and it was such a reminder of Neil, that she
couldn't bare to change every aspect of it. Yes, she
had added some curtains in the windows, and some of
the
pieces of furniture that were given to them as wedding
gifts now graced the living room, but all in all, most
everything else stayed the same. Of course there
wasn't that layer of dust laying all over everything,
and the one thing that Christy couldn't stand and was
firm about changing was the deer head mounted on the
wall over their bed. Neil had shot that deer, by
accident, two years before, and had it mounted and
placed above his bed ever since. Christy knew there
was no way she could sleep knowing she had a deer
staring down at her, so she had him move it to his
laboratory. 

Standing up from the table, she took her dishes and
washed and dried them quickly. The clock chimed 7
o'clock when Christy realized she had neglected to
finish grading the rest of the papers from school that
day. Taking them out of her bag, she sat back down to
the table to finish the tedious work. 
 Before she knew it the clock was again chiming,
telling her that it was 9 o'clock. Not only was the
clock chiming, but Christy heard thunder in the
distance and knew that they would be getting a storm
that night. While she could hardly believe she had
been sitting there that long, when she yawned, she
realized it was time to put everything away.  After
checking on everything and blowing out a lamp, she
acended the stairs to the bedroom
--------============-------------===========----------

The rain was beating down on Neil when he made his way
up the last hill to his cabin. It had to be very late,
he reasoned, and not wanting to wake and frighten
Christy, or any critters sleeping nearby, he
dismounted a ways from the cabin and walked Charlie
the rest of the way to the barn. 

After bedding Charlie down for the night, Neil made
the run back to the cabin. The rain was harder now and
the lightning was lighting up the sky. 
"I don't remember us having a storm this bad in quite
a while.." he thought to himself as he quickly walked
up the porch steps. He was drenched and knew that if
Christy was awake, he would be in for quite the
scolding for coming inside in such a state, so he
glanced in the windows to make sure she was in bed.
When seeing no candle light downstairs, he tried to
quietly open the front door. A blast of wind hit and
sent the door flying open, and as quickly as possible
Neil got inside an pulled the door firmly behind him.
He removed his boots, and after some consideration,
decided it would be best for him to sleep on the cot
in his laboratory instead of trying to go upstairs,
dry off, and sleep in his own bed. He lit the lamp he
kept on the shelf directly inside the room, grabbed a
towel off a shelf and dried off as best as he could
before putting on a dry change of clothing and
crawling into bed. 
--------===========------------===============---------

Early, but not so brightly, Christy was up the next
morning. Neil would be home today, she told herself
with a smile. She had missed him so much. Since there
were some assignments to finish writing up for that
day, and breakfast to make, she tried not to dilly
dally in getting ready to go. She had never been a
morning person, unlike Neil who was up with the sun.
It was days like this she wished she could be up and
awake and ready for the day with the sun.

After dressing she went downstairs to prepare
breakfast. She laid out her assignments to be
completed on the table, hoping to finish those while
she was eating, and went over to the stove to fry up
some eggs. Between the noise of the pan on the stove,
and the many thoughts running through Christy's head,
she didn't hear the door of the laboratory open up
from behind her. 

Neil stood there for a moment, realizing that his wife
was unaware of his presence behind her. He had
completely forgotten she didn't expect him home until
late that afternoon or into the evening, and as he
watched her, he couldn't help but wonder what he ever
had done to deserve such a woman. 
Though young by age, she was wise beyond her years,
but it was the childlike quality that sometimes peaked
through her adult disguise that Neil loved most. At
the moment she was humming as she make her breakfast,
as if she had not a care in the world. He smiled as he
slowly and quietly walked up to where she was
standing, her back to him still. He gently placed his
arm around her waist and kissed her neck. The response
he received was not at all the one he had hoped for.
Christy screamed and turned around quickly. While
doing so, the large spoon she was holding preceded to
hit Neil right between the eyes. 

"Stop, stop it right-" Christy started to say, pushing
her "captor" away, until realizing that the man hold
his hand over his face was Neil.

"Oh my gosh! Neil!" She said rushing over to him. When
she saw he wasn't hurt at all, she immediately turned
her concern into slight anger. "How could you?!" 

Neil, though holding his throbbing head, still
couldn't hold back the laughter that was threatening
to erupt. His deep laughter filled the room, and even
in her anger, Christy too couldn't help but chuckle at
what had happened.

"I'm sorry, Christy." He said catching his breath. "I
had completely forgotten you didn't expect me home
until later today." That grin was still on his face,
and as much as Christy wanted to stay upset and him,
she couldn't. She threw her arms around him and
laughed.

"I missed you so much!" He held her, still chuckling.

"I missed you too, lass."  He placed a kiss on her
forehead when she jumped up and ran over to the stove.

"My eggs!" she cried. By now, the eggs were a burnt
mess, and all she could do was throw them out. Neil
walked up behind her again and wrapped his arms around
her. 

"You know, I should be very mad at you." She told him,
cleaning off the pan, no longer hungry. "You scared
the life out of me, Neil MacNeill." 

"I'm sorry, I promise not to do it again, but I think
it was worth it!" he chuckled.

"Oh you..." she said with a smile. 

"Do you still love me?" he asked her, kiddingly.

"Of course, you keep me on my toes."

"And that's the only way you like it too.." He said
smiling. But even through his smile, he knew that what
he had been thinking about for the past 3 weeks, was
going to have to be discussed. Would he or would he
not take the position in Philadelphia? He knew it
wasn't anything that could be put off any longer.

-----=========---------========---------========-------
Title: The Absense of Fear

Chapter: 10

Author: Sarah

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Summary: David gives his Sunday sermon and his mother
invites his old school friend Eva Jenning's home for
Sunday Dinner.

--------===========------------===========-------------

"Now, I would like you to take home you're copies of
'Huckleberry Finn' and read chapter 5 and 6 tonight,
tomorrow I'll be asking you questions on what you read
so try to really pay attention to the story." Christy
instructed her class. It was the end of the day, and
being such a gorgeous day, she knew it was hard for
the children to sit still in the classroom. 

"Okay, now you can all go home." She started to gether
her own things, as the children gathered their's and
ran outside when Alice came in. 

"Christy, may I have a word with thee?" Alice asked,
walking towards her desk. 

"Of course, Miss Alice." she said smiling. "We can sit
over here." She said, walking over to two desks in the
corner. 

"I noticed the children were especially excited to be
sent home today.." Alice said with a grin.

"I know, being such a beautiful day, I'm sure it was
hard for them to stay in their seats, and I couldn't
bare to keep them inside any longer." Christy replied.
"But I take it that you didn't come in here to discuss
the weather, did you?"

Alice shook her head slowly. "No, indeed I did not."
she paused. "I wanted to speak to thee about the
mission.." she started slowly.

Christy didn't say anything, just waited for her to
continue. "Since David left, having the minister from
El Pano coming up here every other Sunday, well it
hasn't been easy but we've managed." 

Christy nodded. Alice was right, it sure hadn't been
easy for anyone to get used to the new Reverand James
Cook from El Pano. It wasn't that he wasn't a nice
person, but his way in the pulpit was.. well, very
different from David's. More of a hell-fire and
damnation kind of preaching, one that Miss Alice, and
everyone else at the mission, wern't exactly ones to
care for very much.

"Reverand Cook has been very gracious to spare us two
Sunday mornings each month, but I've spoken to Dr.
Ferrand and we both feel it is time to look for a full
time replacment for David." Alice thought that at
least in hers, but most likely in the back of
everyone's mind they had hoped David would return, but
they knew now, that wouldn't be the case.

"What dose thou have to do with it? Well, as thee
knows, funds are tight right now.."  again Alice
paused again, taking a deep breath. "It pains me to
have to ask thee this, but would it be possible to-"

"Of course." Christy said, cutting Alice off. 

Alice paused.. "You mean-?" 

"Yes, I mean it. I understand the state of the funds
at the mission and I know that unfortunatly, not many
ministers would consider a non-paying job, especially
for the first months. So of course I will volunteer my
teaching services for as long as needed." Christy
smiled. 
"Miss Alice, I always have, and now even more so since
marrying Neil, felt as though I am not as much of an
employee of the mission, but more of a resident of
Cutter Gap. And as one, if there is a need to be met,
I want to meet it."

Alice smiled, a tear in her eye. She knew Christy
would be the first to turn down her salary, even
though she deserved as much as they could give her and
more. "Thank thee, Christy." Alice said. No more words
were needed

-------=============----------=============----------

That night, Christy and Neil decided to take a walk
along the stream lining their cabin. They knew that
they had some decisions to make and they couldn't put
them off any longer. 

It was Christy who brought the subject up first.
"Neil, about Philadelphia.." 

Neil sighed. "Yes, I know. We need to make a
decision." He put his arm around her as they walked
along. It was almost dusk, and they had just witnessed
one of the most beautiful sunsets either had ever
seen.

"What are you're feelings on it?" Christy asked him.

Neil didn't answer immideatly. "I know it is not
something I want to rush into. With Grantland leaving
the Cove.. well to think of Cutter Gap loosing a
minister and doctor in such a short period of time.. "


"I know.. But you feel to go on with it, don't you?"
She asked him. 

He nodded. "Something inside me tells me it is
something that I need to at least try, wheather or not
it is a permanent thing, who knows." 

"I had a feeling you would.." she said. The wind
picked up, and since she had fogotten her shawl, she
nestled in closer to him for warmth.

"You did? Well then why didn't you say something?" he
asked her.

"I knew you had to come to the realization of it
yourself. I couldn't influence you one way or the
other." 

He was silent. "Well, here is another thing I came to
conclude.." she started to say. "And you may not like
it, but I have to say it anyway."

She stopped and looked him in the eyes. Such amazing
eyes, he had. Deep hazel, eyes she could and would
look into forever. 

"I don't think I should come with you." She said
simply.

"What?" He asked, clearly surprised at that statement.


"Christy I could hardly leave you alone, I mean-" 

She put her hand to his mouth. "No, Neil. With the
state that the mission is in now, and my not getting
paid, they need me more than ever. I can't leave them
right now, and we both know this is the best
decision." 

He had to admit, it would almost ruin the mission to
loose Christy, Neil and David so close together. "It's
not that I don't want to be with you, Neil. This was
the hardest decision I've ever made, but I know in my
heart it's the right one." she said and smiled.
"Besides, there will be school breaks where I can come
up to Philadelphia for a while and we can be
together." 

"I know, but I don't know what I'm going to do without
you, Christy. You're my soul, my heart." 

"And I will always be with you." 

"Yes, you will. Oh Christy, I love you." he pulled her
to him and kissed her. He knew this wasn't an easy
decision for her, and he knew again how blessed he was
to have a person like this in his life. 

"I love you, Neil. So much."
---------==========------------==============--------
		
Title: The Absense of Fear

Chapter: 11

Author: Sarah

Summary: Alice speaks with Christy about the mission's
funds, and Christy volunteers to go without pay for an
undetermined amount of time to help out. Neil and
Christy decided that Neil will go to Philadelphia, but
Christy will stay in Cutter Gap.

--------=============--------=============------------

David fell onto his bed that night with a sigh. It had
been a long, and rather interesting evening. Eva had
stayed for lunch, and well into the night visiting
with both David and his mother. 
His mother. How he wished that she wouldn't do some of
the things she did. If his mother just kept a bit more
out of his business, especially his love life, it
would make things so much easier. He sighed again. He
knew he couldn't keep living in his childhood home
much longer. He was almost thirty years old, much to
old to be living with his mother. Now that he had a
secure position in Boston, he knew it was time to look
for a place of his own. But then there was the issue
of telling his mother. 

"Oh well, it has to be said" he said to himself.
"Tomorrow.. I will start looking tomorrow." and with
that, he went to bed

--------===========------------=============-----------

"How's the packin' comin', Doc?" Jeb Spencer asked
Neil as they stood in the mission yard teathering
their horses. Neil and Christy had made a formal
announcement of Neil's plans to leave the Cove last
Sunday in church, after conferring with Alice the
night before. Alice was very supportive, and though
Neil knew he was adding an extra burden onto her
already heavy shoulders, she never let it show. 

"It's coming very well, Jeb. It's hard to do though..
not just thinking of leaving the Cove, but of leaving
Christy.." Neil said as they walked towards the
mission. Neil was picking Christy up that afternoon
for a romantic picnic on their special rock. Jeb was
there, doing some handy-work for Alice. 

"Yeah, can't be easy." Jeb said.

Neil sighed. "No, it's not. But in my heart I know
this is the best decision. At least for now." 

"So when are ya leavin'?" Jeb asked as they walked up
the porch steps and through the door. 

"Three more days. Next Saturday morning." Neil
answered.

 "Well, iffin' ya don't have no ride to take ya to El
Pano, I'd be happy to, Doc." Jeb offered. 

"Thank you, Jeb. Your friendship is invaluable to me.
I'd love for you to take me."

"Why, hello Gentlemen. How are thee doing this fine
afternoon?" Alice asked the men, meeting them in the
hall.

"We're doing wonderfully, Alice. How are you?" Neil
said bending over to hug her. 

"Just fine, thank thee. Christy is in the dining room
finishing up helping Lulu Spencer with her
mathmatics." Alice said motioning to the room to her
right. 

"And you, Mr. Spencer, let me show thee what we need
done today." Alice said as she led Jeb upstairs to
look at one of the bedroom doors that needed fixing.

Neil walked into the parlor, waiting for Christy to
finish with Lulu. He could hear her voice explaining
the problem, and Lulu's excited response when she
figured it out. Neil smiled. He was going to miss all
of this so much.. especially his wife.

"Very good work today, Lulu! Before I know it you'll
be moving just as fast in math as Zady!" Christy said,
bending down to hug the little Spencer. 

"Thank ya, Teacher. See ya tomorrow!" Lulu said,
skipping through the parlor. "Hi, Doc!" she said
skipping through the room. 

"Hi Lulu! How are you?" Neil asked the little girl.

"I'm doin' jest fine.. I'll see ya later!" she said
already at the front door, ready to get home.

"Hello, Neil! I didn't expect you here today.."
Christy said walking over to her husband and giving
him a kiss.

"Well.. I thought I'd surprise my lovely wife with a
picnic dinner in our favorite spot." he said with a
twinkle in his eye.

Christy face glowed. "So thats what the picnic basket
was for. I saw it in the kitchen.." she smiled. "Well,
what are we waiting for?" she said gathering her
things.

"What are we waiting for, indeed Mrs. MacNeill." Neil
said with a smile.
------==========-----------==============-------------

They sat on the riverbank, Christy leaning back in
Neil's arms, lstening to the rushing water. It was
dusk, and they could hear the sounds of the night just
beginning. Neither talked, they didn't need to. Each
knew what the other was thinking. In just three short
days, Neil would board the train to Philadephia..
without her. They both knew it was the right decision
in their heart's, no matter how hard it felt letting
eachother go.

Neil leaned his head down to Christy, letting it rest
on the top of her's and sighed. "You are my life,
Christy. How will I ever be able to leave you on
Saturday?" Neil sighed and kissed her hair.

Christy didn't reply, but Neil knew her reply as he
felt her tears land on his hand, and his own on her
hair. 

---------===============--------===============---------

"This looks like it will be just fine." David said
looking around the room he was standing in on Friday
afternoon. It was modest, having only a bed, dresser
and desk, which was a must for preparing his sermons,
but then again- he didn't need much more. 

"So you'll take it?" the woman asked. 

"Yes, how much did you say the rent was again?" he
asked her.

"$35 a month for just the room, $45 with meals." the
woman told him. David could see she was a no-nonsense
person, but he also saw that below her tough exterior,
she had a soft heart and he smiled.

"I'll take it with the meals then, I think." he said
as they walked out and down the stairs. 

"Okay, breakfast is at 7:30, lunch 1:00 and dinner at
6:30. I don't serve much past those times so if you
aren't here then, I won't make any promises on there
being anything left for you." 

He nodded. "How many other people rent rooms from
you?" 

"Three. I have 4 extra bedrooms, and with you here now
I'm all full." she pointed to the rooms as she walked
by. "That one is Mr. Randall Jones- he is a professor
at the College. This one is Mr. and Mrs. Connor
Peterson, she's expecting, Lord knows what it will be
like once the baby is here." they walked a little
further down the hall. 
"And this one is Mr. Harrison Quincey." She offered no
more information about him, so David didn't ask. 

"Well thank you very much for your time. I will be
moving in on Monday, if that suits you." he said, once
they were back down at the front door.

"Monday is fine." She said and gave him a tight smile.
"Good afternoon." he said as he walked out. Once down
the street he stopped. "Thank you lord!" he said
smiling. 

He continued on down the street, lost in his thoughts,
wondering how he would tell him mother that he was
moving out. Even though his soon-to-be landlord wasn't
exactly the most outgoing person he'd ever met, he
knew this would meet his needs, and no matter what his
mother said, this is what he had to do.
---------============-----------============---------

Title: The Absence of Fear

Chapter: 12

Author: Sarah

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Summary: Neil and Christy have a picnic on the
riverbank, and prepares to leave the Cove, David finds
a room to rent and moves out of his mother's house.

----------=====----------=====----------=====----------
 
Saturday morning dawned clear and bright. Christy was
glad for it, knowing Neil would have good traveling
weather gave her a bit of comfort. 
She sighed as she busied herself with making his
breakfast and tidying up the cabin. She swept the
floor as the grits cooked on the stove and made her
way over to the front door where all of Neil's bags
were sitting, ready to be loaded onto Jeb's wagon for
the trip to the station. For a moment, she was sure
they were doing the wrong thing, having Neil go alone.
And she almost ran upstairs and packed her own bag to
go with him, but then she got ahold of her emotions.
She knew that no matter how difficult it was, they
were doing the right thing, and that doing the right
thing wasn't always easy. 
She stopped sweeping for a moment and leaned herself
on the broom handle. She hadn't been feeling well over
the past few days, and this morning seemed to be no
exception. 

"Are you okay, Christy?" Neil said as he walked down
the stairs, carrying his last bag in his hands. 
She stood straight up and went back to her sweeping at
the sound of his voice. "I'm fine." Not wanting him to
know that in reality, her head was huring her and she
was sure she wouldn't ever be able to eat breakfast
this morning.

For once, Neil didn't question her. He placed his bag
on the ground, and walked over to her, enclosing her
in his arms. "You don't need to sweep now, you know."
he said into her hair.

"I know, but it relaxes me. And it needs to be done
anyway." She gave herself a moment to relax next to
him, emmersing herself in the feel of his arms around
her, because she knew she wouldn't feel it again for
quite some time. 

"You are so strong, Christy. You always have been." He
said, turning her shoulders around so she faced him.
"That's one of the reasons I love you so much."

She smiled as he leaned down to kiss her, willing
herself not to cry. She was strong, and she needed to
remain so, mainly for Neil. 

"The grits.." she said, getting ready to pull away to
check the pot on the stove.

"Forget the grits, Christy. I just want to hold you
for a moment more.. I want to always remember how you
feel in my arms."  They stood like that for a moment
longer, neither wanting to pull away, but both knowing
they had to. 
Christy set down her broom and went and got the grits
off the stove and the fried eggs and buscuits that
were keeping warm in the oven and carried them both to
the table. Before either was ready for it to happen,
there was a knock on the door. 

Neil stood to answer it. "Good morning, Jeb, Alice" he
said, shaking his friend's hand and kissing Alice on
her cheek. Alice would be riding along to the station
with them to say goodbye. 

"Morning, Doc.. Miz Christy. Hope we're not too
early." he said, tipping his hat at Christy.

"Not at all, Jeb. You are right on time." Christy
replied, giving him a smile and walking over to hug
Alice.

"How art thou doing?" Alice whispered as they
embraced.
She noticed that Christy was a bit pale that morning,
but assumed it was because of Neil leaving.

"I'm fine.." Christy said, giving Alice a strong
smile.

"Well ya'll let me load these here bags, then we'll be
ready ta go." Jeb said, picking up the 3 bags and
walking out to the wagon. 

"Well I guess that's everything then.." Neil said
looking around his cabin. "Hope I didn't forget
anything." 

"If you realize you did, we'll have it sent to you
Neil." Christy told him, gathering her things to
leave. 

"Alrighty, all loaded up." Jeb announced from outside.
Christy and Neil followed Alice outside to the wagon,
walking slowly, holding hands. Once at the wagon, Jeb
helped Alice onto the makeshift bench in the back, and
Neil helped Christy, making sure they were both
comfortable. Once they assured him they were, he and
Jeb got on themselves and they were all on their way. 

The ride down the mountain was uneventful. Christy
noticed Neil looking back at her, or grasping her hand
more often than usual and once or twice had to fight
back tears when she thought of when she would see Neil
again. She knew she was being silly, but lately she
hadn't seemed to be able to control her emotions as
well as before. She knew he was just going to
Philadelphia for a little while, a few months at the
most, and if it turned out he would be there longer,
she planned on visiting him during summer break from
school, but the threat of those silly tears still
wouldn't go away. 

Once at the station, after getting Neil's ticket and
loading his bags, the four of them stood on the
platform waiting for the call for Neil to board the
train. 

"Thee make sure to call us as soon as thee arrives."
Alice instructed, once the call to board had been
issued and she was saying goodbye to him.

"I will, Alice." he leaned down to hug her and
whispered in her ear. "Keep an eye on Christy for me
Alice.. I know she's strong but.." 

Alice nodded. "Of course I will, Neil. God be with
you." 

"Goodbye, Doc. We shore are gonna miss you 'round the
Cove." Jeb said shaking Neil's hand. 

"I'll miss you all too.. give those kids of yours a
hug for me." 
Then Neil moved over to Christy. He saw Jeb and Alice
discreetly step away to give the still newlywed couple
a moment together.

Neil took her by the shoulders and looked into her
eyes. "I'll miss you, Christy." 

"I'll miss you too Neil.. " she smiled. "But it won't
be forever.. at least we both know that much."

Neil embraced her and they kissed.

"Last call! Last call!" the conductor yelled from a
distance.

"I'd better go.. I love you Christy." 

"I love you too, Neil." 

And with those parting words, he turned and boarded
the train. As the train pulled out of the station, the
tears that had been treatening to spill all day, did.
And Christy didn't stop them. 

-------============----------------============--------

Title: The Absence of Fear

Chapter: 13

Author: Sarah

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Summary: David rents a room in a boarding house, Neil
leave's for Philadelphia.

-------==========--------------==========----------

"We are so happy to have you here, Neil! It has been
much to long since we saw you last." Dr. Hill's wife
Carolynn said to Neil as they sat at dinner that
evening.
Neil had arrived in Philadelphia earlier that evening,
and was met by Edward and Carolynn. They brought him
back to their home, where Neil would be staying this
first visit. They had a beautiful, spawling estate
just outside of Philadephia. Neil didn't know how many
rooms it had, but he would guess no less than 6 or 7
bedrooms, and probably more. He knew this was their
family home, where they had raised their 3, now grown,
children. They were situated on over 7 acres of
rolling hills, and it really was quite lovely, but
very different from what Neil was used to in Cutter
Gap.

"Well, I am very happy to be with you all..it has been
a while since we've been together." Neil replied,
sipping his coffee.

"So do tell us, Neil, about your wife. Margaret,
correct? How is she?" Carolynn asked, stirring her own
cup of tea.

Neil shifted in his seat. He some sometimes forgot
that some people, that he knew when he was married to
Margaret, still didn't know of her death. 

"Well actually, Margaret passed away a number of years
ago, from typhoid complications following childbirth."

Neil realized that for the first time he was aware of,
he didn't feel the same feelings he had always felt
when he remembered Margaret and his son's passing. He
was glad of it, the pain had finally passed. 

"Oh dear, I am so sorry..." Carolynn said, covering
her mouth with her hand. 

"Yes Neil, we are sad to hear that." Edward said to
Neil. 

"Thank you, it was quite a while ago. Acutally, I
remarried 6 1/2 months ago. Her name is Christy.. she
teaches school at the mission."  

"Well then, congratualtions! Goodness, 6 months isn't
very long!" Edward smiled at his friend. "I'm
surprised you had it in you to leave her to come
here." 

"Well, it was very hard, but we made this decision
together and thought it was best she stayed at the
mission." Neil explained."Who knows, maybe she'll be
joining me here soon.." 
----------------------------------------------


The next two weeks flew by for David. He was so
enjoying the freedom of living on his own, and truly,
finally fully felt he had made the right decision in
leaving Cutter Gap. 

"Reverand Grantland, letters for you." his landlady
said from behind his closed door. 

David walked over to the door and opened it with a
smile. 

"Thank you Mrs. Kilcher.." David said taking the
letter from her extended hand. He noticed movement in
the background. It came from Harrison Quincey's room
across the hall. David had yet to even see the man,
let alone meet him. 

Elnora Kilcher grunted in reply and walked on to the
next room to pass out their mail. 

David smiled to himself. She was softening. It was
taking time, but she was coming along. He knew that
cold exterior she put up had to melt at some point,
and he was determined to be there when it did. 

He looked down at the letters in his hand. One from
Miss Alice and one from.. "Eva Jennings? What on earth
is she writing me for?" David asked himself aloud. Why
Eva Jennings didn't just speak with him at church that
Sunday he had no idea. 
He opened the one from Miss Alice first, setting Eva's
down on his bed, and read of the latest goings on in
Cutter Gap. He was glad to hear all was well. They
were still looking for a permanent minister, and a
doctor from El Pano was looking in once a week in
place of Neil now that he was away. 
David smiled. All was well back there, and he was
glad. "Now for you, Miss Jennings." He said picking up
the letter. 

"Dear Reverand Grantland,"

"Your presence is requested at the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Devon Jennings, for a party in honor of their
daughter Eva's 20th birthday. Dress is formal, time is
8:00pm Friday, July 20th. R.S.V.P. A.S.A.P."

"Sincerely,"
"Devon and Julianne Jennings"

"That's in four days.." David said to himself. He was
very pleased at his invitation, and had to admit to
looking forward to seeing Eva again. He couldn't deny
the sparks he felt when they were together during
Sunday dinner a couple of weeks back. 

"I doubt I could get a piece of mail to them in time,
so I guess I should telephone them." David said to
himself as he put his shoes on and got ready to go
downstairs. 

He was happy to see that the one telephone in the
house wasn't being used, so he walked over to the
table it was set on and dialed the operator.

"Yes, Devon Jennings of 4587 Rosewood Ave. please." he
said into the reciever. A moment later he heard a
voice on the other end. It was Eva.

"Eva? This is David Grantland." 

"Oh David! What a surprise." she replied.

"Yes, well I was just calling to R.S.V.P. to your
birthday celebration this Friday night. I didn't think
the mail would get there on time." 

"Wonderful. I am so glad you can make it, David.
Really, I am. There will be many of our old chums from
school there who I know are wanting to see you very
much." Eva said happily. 

"Well I am excited to come." Noticing one of the other
boarders was waiting behind him for the phone, he said
goodbye. After hanging up, he walked up the stairs,
and was surprised to find himself whistling.
------------------------------------------

Two weeks had gone by, since Neil left the Cove, and
Christy missed him more than she though possible. She
had recieved two letters from him, and by them, she
knew he was missing her just as much. 

School had just ended for the day, and Christy was
still wiping of the black board when she heard
screaming coming from the mission. Dropping the
eraser, she picked up her skirts and ran towards the
cries. 

Ruby Mae was running out the mission door just as
Christy was making her way up the stairs. The young
girl was frantic and was in such a state that Christy
could hardly get any words out of her.

"What is it, Ruby Mae?! What happened?" Christy said,
taking Ruby Mae by the shoulders. 

"It be Mr. McHone! He done fell from the balc'ny
upstairs! Mr. Spencer jest left to get some more wood
and I was up thar with Mr. McHone when he fell. Oh
lawdy Miz Christy, you gotta come quick!" Ruby Mae
said in a rush of words.

Then Christy remembered that Tom and Jeb had been at
the mission all day fixing the balcony in her room.
The wooden beams had been rotting and they had offered
to replace them for her. Without missing a beat,
Christy ran to the back of the mission. 

"Find Miss Alice, Ruby Mae. She's in her cabin. Get
her quick!" Ruby Mae nodded and took off towards
Alice's cabin across the lawn.

As Christy turned the corner, she saw Tom McHone's
still form lying on the ground under her bedroom
balcony. It looked as if he had just lost his footing,
and since there were no boards up in front, he fell
out. 

She rushed over to him and felt for a pulse. She found
one, but it was slow and faint. 

"Tom? Can you hear me? It's Chisty, Tom." she spoke to
him. She got no response.  She knew enough to know not
to try to move him, and she also knew there was
nothing she could do until Alice got over here.
Christy hoped she was in her cabin, if she wasn't,
Christy wasn't quite sure what she would do. 

Not knowing what else to do while she waited, she
prayed. Not longer later she heard people running
around the corner. Ruby Mae had found Alice and Jeb.

"Is he-??" Alice asked as she made her way over,
sitting her medical bag down next to her and taking
out her stethescope.

"He has a faint pulse, but he is not responding to
sound or touch." Christy said, moving out of the way
to let Alice look at Tom. 

"I shouldn't've left, I knew it." Jeb was saying over
and over, shaking his head.

"You wouldn't have been able to do anything if you'd
have been here, Jeb. It's not your fault." Christy
said, trying to comfort him. 

"Jeb, I need you to get a couple of men together and
make a makeshift stretcher. I think he is stable
enough to move into the mission, but no farther."
Alice said in a calm voice. "Christy, I need you to go
insde and call El Pano and get Dr. Graham to come here
as fast as he can. Tell him what happened." 

Christy and Jeb both nodded at Alice, before taking
off in different directions. 

"Dear Lord, please, keep Tom with us. And please let
Dr. Graham be there!" she said as she dialed the
telephone.

End of Chapter 13
-----===========----------===========------------

Title: The Absence of Fear

Chapter: 14

Author: Sarah

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Summary: Neil arrives in Philadelphia, David receives
an invitation to Eva Jenning's 20th birthday party.
Tom McHone falls off Christy's balcony while repairing
it and is unconcious and unresponsive.
---===========----------==========------------

"I need to speak with Dr. Graham. This is an
emergency!" Christy said into the telephone to the
operator in El Pano. 

"Dr. Graham? This is Christy MacNeill from the
Mission...there's been an accident. A man fell from a
balcony and is unconcious... not yet... okay.. as soon
as possible...yes, thank you!" 

Christy hung up the phone Christy back outside to
where Alice was kneeling next to Tom, keeping track of
his pulse and probing for broken bones.

"Well the good news is that his neck isn't broken, but
I am afraid that his leg is, and possibly a rib or
two." Alice explained, standing up. She rubbed her
head unconciously, and stared down at the man laying
before her. For the first time, she truly wished she
had more experience in the medical field. 

"I don't know wheather to be thankful or not." Christy
said, glancing at Tom. She felt so helpless, but there
really wasn't anything for them to do until the men
got there with the stretcher. 

"Doctor Graham is on his way, but it will take a
couple of hours, even by horse." Christy explained.
"He said if you thought it alright, to gently move him
to a bed and to keep him comfortable until he could
get here." 

Alice nodded. "His pulse has strengthened, so I think
it is fine to move him if we do it carefully, but..."
she sighed. "Christy, now more than ever we need to
pull together and know, not just hope or pray or
think, but KNOW that Tom will fully recover. There is
so much power in our words and thoughts, it is time to
use our power to help Tom." 

-------============-------------=============---------

Neil's first week in Philadelphia was a whirlwind. He
met so many different people; doctors, nurses, friends
of the Hill family. And the city! He had not been in a
city this booming in a while, and was still adjusting
to the speed and activness of everyone around him.
He had started a bit of work at Edward Hill's office,
seeing a few patients, testing the waters so to speak.
So far, everything was going wonderfully, and the
patients were all taken with him, especially the
women. 
Edward was constantly getting rave reports of how
fantastic Neil was as a doctor, and how comfortable
everyone felt with him. Edward was very glad for that.
Should all go as he hoped, Neil would take over for
him before the year was out, and his patients blessing
was the icing on the cake. He knew he could never turn
his practice over to a man that his patients didn't
approve of. 

Neil, though very happy to be in Philadelphia, missed
Christy more than he could ever have imagined. Being
gone almost a month, which was much longer than they
had ever been seperated since their marriage, was
almost more than Neil could take at times. But, he
knew he had to give this opportunity a chance. He had
to admit that so far he was enjoying everything. He
had begun to love the city, more than he thought he
would. 

"Okay Griffen, you, my friend, are all done." Neil
said, taking off the stethoscope he was just using on
the little boy in front of him. He smiled. "I'd say
you've got yourself a little virus. Probably it from
school.." Neil said looking up at his mother. "Just
let him rest, keep him home for a few days, then he
should be back to normal."  

"Thank you Doctor MacNeill. I just didn't know what
could possibly be wrong with him." the boy's mother
replied.

Neil picked up the little boy and sat him down on the
floor. Sticking his hand in his pocket and producing a
piece of butterscotch and handing it to the boy, "Here
you go, sir. You did great." Neil smiled at the boy.
Griffen smiled back. 

"Thank you, Doctor MacNeill!" 

"You're welcome. Now you go home and rest." He said,
opening the door and allowing the boy and his mother
to go out. 

After they left, Neil finished straightening the
office he had been using. Griffen was his last patient
of the day. Neil was ready to go back to the Hill's
home, have dinner, and make a call to the Mission to
speak with Christy. They had set up to speak with each
other once every two weeks on a specific night, this
time it was Friday, on the telephone. Neil always
wanted to make sure to call early enough so that
Christy wouldn't have to ride back to their cabin
after dark. With that thought in mind, he hurried
along. 
Dr. Hill's secretary had already left, so Neil locked
up the building. He hailed a cab and made his way back

to the home. Little did he know, the news that would
await him when he called Christy.

-----=======----------========------------========

It was Friday night, and that meant it was the night
of Eva Jenning's party. David couldn't beleive that he
was actually nervous to see her. For the first time
since Christy, David was seemingly having feelings for
another woman. The thought surprised him as he thought
about it, putting on his formal suit tying his bow
tie. He couldn't say he minded, and Eva was a
wonderful woman. He had known her for a very long
time, but until now, had never considered her has more
than a friend.

"Tonight should be interesting..." he said to himself
as he got ready to walk out the door. He had to admit
that he was excited to see where the next few months
would take him. He realized that, wheather he wanted
it to or not, it was becoming more and more of a
thought to him, which he found strange since he rarely
saw her other than on Sunday morning's at church. But
he knew that it was difinatly something he wanted to
pursue.

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