Disclaimer: The story of Christy belongs to the
Marshall-LeSourd Family. This fiction is written for my
own personal enjoyment. This story uses themes from the
book and the CBS series, and it follows the episode  "The
Road Home"

Title:  "The Prodigal Returns" Chapter One
.................................................................................................

The cabin door opened.  Christy's knees went weak.  It was
a good thing she had the broom to lean on for support.
She gasped, "Why did you stay away so long?"

"Well hello to you to, Miss Huddleston.  It is nice to
see you again, and a lovely surprise to find you here in
my cabin."

Her eyes flared at his light touch of sarcasm.  This was
not how she had dreamed their reunion would be at all.
She straightened up, and drew her shoulders back.
"Why hello, Doctor MacNeill.  Welcome home. You did not
answer my question."

"I thought I could forget you."

"Did you succeed?"

No, I failed miserabley at the task."

"It's been years, Neil."

"I know, you must forgive me."

"You are asking a lot of me right now."

"I expected you to marry Grantland."

"I did not love David the way I loved you."

"I did not know that."

"You never asked me."

"No, I never did."

"Why didn't you, Neil?"

"I feared your rejection, but more importantly, I did not
have the right to speak of such things to you.  I was a
married man.  It would have been morally wrong of me to
do so.

"Had Margaret poisoned your heart so much , that there
was no room for me in it?"

"That's what I thought, but you were there anyway, like
a beacon calling me home.  I finally saw your light and
came home."

"Perhaps you should have your eyes and your heart examined,
Doctor, if it took you this long to see it and come home."

"Did you miss me very much?"

"What do you think?"

"It's seems like it has been an eternity."

"I agree with you on that point."

"You were the last person I expected to see in my cabin."

"I clean it once a month."

"Why?"

"So that you would always have a clean cabin to come home
to, Neil."

"That's very thoughtful of you, Christy."

"I did it for me, more than for you.  I could feel you in
these rooms. You felt close by, here.  I only dust your
laboratory every few months, Neil.  It gives me a fright."

"I suppose some of the jars can be gruesome."

"Quite gruesome indeed, Neil."

"Well now that we have exchanged pleasantries, can I give
you a hug hello."

"Isn't this a bit sudden?"

"You've got to be kidding me, Lass.  Even the Prodigal
Son was met with open arms."

"Is that how you think of yourself, as the Prodigal Son
being welcomed back?"

"You are that unhappy to see me Christy?"

"No, but I don't want your ego to swell too much if I tell
you that I am overjoyed to see you."

"That's more like it, Lass."

"See, that's just what I mean.  Just look at the smile on
your face!"

"You'd smile too if the one person you could not wait to
see was standing in the middle of your cabin.  You are not
a mirage. You are real, as real as can be.  And I long to
sweep you into my arms and kiss you forever."

"It's taken you all these years to screw up your courage
and tell me this?"

He took a step forward.  She stepped back, still holding
the broom in her hand.  "Christy."

"I am not sure how I should react.  Part of me wants to
hit you over the head with  this broom to knock some sense
into you.  You are one long headed man."

"Christy, I was trapped in a loveless marriage.  I was
not free to tell you my feelings."

"I understand that, Neil.  Margaret died less than six
months after the Tea House scandal.  I thought that you
would come back, but you stayed in Baltimore.  Then I
thought, well he must be observing a period of mourning.
But you did not come back."

"I called the Mission."

"When?"

"Two years ago.  I asked to speak with Alice.  I was told
she was in Low Gap.  Then the person asked if I would like
to speak to Mrs. Grantland.  My worst fears were realized.
You had married Grantland."

"But I did not marry him, Neil.  I refused his proposal."

"Obviously, I know that now."

"So what brought you back to Cutter Gap, Neil?  What is
the real reason for your return to the Cove?"

"You."

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"You just told me that you believed that I had married
David.  What happened?"

"I was seeing a patient.  He had come to Baltimore for
eye surgery.  He was from Asheville.  I mentioned that I
knew of a family from there.  When I told him that their
name was Huddleston, he laughed.  He said that your father
was his lawyer and that he was a very good friend of the
family.  I asked him about you.  Christy is still teaching
her beloved children at the Mission school in Tennessee.
Then I said she finally married the minister and he told
me no.  No I asked in astonishment.  Absolutely not,
he said.  I would know because I am her godfather."

"Uncle Tyler?  You operated on my Uncle Tyler?"

"One of my best surgeries, Lass.  I took extra special
care of him, I can tell you.  He brought me the best news
of my  life.  You were not married to Grantland!"

"Neil!"

"I was elated.  My mind raced.  It took me almost two
months, but I cleared my schedule and decided to come home.
Christy, I am nearly thirty seven years old now.  I've been
gone for four years.   I want to come home and marry you.
I want to start a family.  I want to welcome love into
my life.  I have spoken to your father.  Tyler gave me your
family's address and telephone number.  I visited them in
Asheville before I came here.  I asked your parents not
to say anything to you before I had a chance to see you
and talk to you first."

"Oh Neil.  Four long years!"  Ruby Mae has two children and
another one on the way.  Rob Allen is writing stories and
is having them published, although he still works with
his father at the mill.  John Spencer married Bessie,
they have a baby now.   Zady is a beautiful young woman,
Jeb and Fairlight are so proud of her.  She is going to
attend college.  Hazen Smith is providing the funds.
Sam Houston, Creed and Burl are all young men now.
Their voices are deep, and Creed has started to shave.
Isaak is getting ready to set out on his own.  It will
break Opal's heart, but he wants to leave and find a job.
My fear is that he will join the army.  I hate what
is happening in Europe.  It is a nasty business.  I am
godmother to a few babies, Neil.  I long for the day when
I can hold our babies in my arms."

He took the broom from her hands and tossed it down by
the hearth.   He gently pulled her to him and kissed her.
Their first kiss was gentle, like the kiss of a butterfly.
She sighed.  He slowly, slowly deepened the next kiss, and
the heat between them began to build.  She broke contact
first.  Unsure and unsteady, her hand touched his chest.
She thought she felt a palpable shock.  "Neil, come
to the Mission.  I cannot stay here with you alone.
You understand that.  Even though almost everone here knows
of our unspoken love for one another, they would shun us
in a minute if they thought for a moment that my reputation
had been ruined.  I would be dismissed in a heartbeat."

"Some things never change, do they?"

"No they do not, and that is unfortunate."

"Well then, let us ride back to the Mission.  Do you
ride Charlie?"

"Yes, he's in the barn."

"I tied my horse up to the post.  I figured the barn
was empty."

"Jeb and I keep it stocked with hay and oats.  Charlie is
a wonderful horse, Neil.  I was honored when the livery
called the Mission and told us that you had left Charlie
for me.  He missed you.  He'll be happy to see you.
Did you buy a new horse or just rent one from the stable
in El Pano?"

"I bought a new horse.  His name is Moonshine."

"Moonshine?"

"He's the color of scotch, but I named him Moonshine,
after Bird's-Eye's finest.  Is he still running ‘shine?"

"The sun still shines every day, Neil."

He laughed.  "You can always count on Bird's-Eye."

"I agree."

"Oh Christy, how I missed  these colorful characters,
my people."

They walked to the barn.  If he didn't know any better, he
would swear that Charlie was overjoyed to see him again.
"Hidy, Charlie."  He slipped him a carrot. "This is
Moonshine, Charlie.  We will be riding together.  You will
carry Christy.  Be gentle with her."  Charlie nodded as
if he understood his former master.  Neil saddled him.

"Can I ask you a question, Neil?"

"I'm sure that you have many.  Fire away."

"Why didn't you write to Miss Alice?"

"I kept in touch with her."  Christy swatted him with her
leather ridiing glove.  "Why did you do that?"

"Birthday cards and Christmas cards signed Love Neil,
with no other news hardly constitutes our idea of keeping
in touch."

"I did not want to hear how happy you were with him or
how many children you'd borne him."

"His name is David, Neil MacNeill."

"I know that."

"Then say it."

"I do not care to choke on it."

"Neil!"

"That's how I felt," he said petulantly.

"Shame on you."

"We were unspoken rivals for your affection.  I got the
best of him once, much to my satisfaction."

"When was that?"

"He was not feeling well, so I gave him some tonic."

"Neil, what did you do? What was in the tonic?"

"Moonshine."

She swatted his arm with her glove again.  "Shame on you."

"All's fair in love and war, sweet Lass."  He stole a kiss
from her.  She did not protest.  "So tell me, Christy,
is  DAVID (and he emphasized the name with a wee touch of
sarcasm) happily married?"

She lifted her hand to swat him again, he clasped her wrist
and tugged the glove from her hand.  She looked up at him
and her blue eyes flared and flashed at the same time.
"Bully," she called him.

He could not reply at first.  He was lost in the sheer
beauty of her blue eyes.  He stared down at her.  He had
forgotten their intensity of color.  How could he have
forgotten that about her?  She looked up into his face.
Her hand moved instinctively to touch the errant  curls
that danced on his forehead.  "Christy," he whispered,
and he crushed her to him in a sweeping embrace.  She was
lost. Their kisses seemed to last for an eternity.

Finally, Charlie gave them a sign that broke them apart.
"Oh Charlie, how could you!" said Christy, wrinkling
her nose.  Neil roared with laughter.  Christy swatted
his arm with her other glove.  "Neil, how could you laugh?"

"Forgive me, it was the way that you wrinkled your nose."
As he said the words, they both remembered the occasion
when he'd first uttered those words to her.

She gently touched his lips.  "We'd better go, Neil.
To answer your  question, David is happily married to a
woman named Elizabeth Abbott.  They met at a religious
retreat that Doctor Ferrand encouraged David to attend,
about six months after you left.  He was gone for a month.
He knew Elizabeth's brother, Henry.  They were at the
seminary together.  She's a very nice lady, Neil, a
little on the meek and mild side.  She dotes on David.
They have a daughter, Hetty, named after her grandmother.
She is due to have another child in a few months.  David is
very happy."

"I am glad of it, Lass."

"I am Hetty's godmother, Neil."

"How nice."

"Do I detect a touch of sarcasm in your voice, Neil?"

"Just a wee bit, Lass."

"Why?"

"He found happiness, married, had a child, and let you
know that you gave all of that up for a dream that would
never come to fruition."

"I am not following your line of thinking, Neil."

"I was a married man, bound by my marriage vows, Christy.
Margaret was my wife.  I could never have you.  Grantland
proposed to you and you refused him.  He was hurt, angry
and his ego was bruised.  He met someone who from what you
have said, obviously adores him.  His ego is inflated.
You showed no signs of relenting from your decision, so
he married this adoring woman.  After their child was born
you were asked to be the godmother of  his child.  You are
alone, he is surrounded  by a loving wife and child.
You are a spinster in the eyes of the Cove."

"Neil, I  am only twenty four years old."

"You are an old maid by Cove standards.  No one thought I
would come back.  But I am here, Christy, to proclaim my
love for you.  Do not be stubborn and fight me.  Do not
deny  our hearts or our destiny to be together, my dearest
love.  That would only give the Reverend Grantland deep,
primal satisfaction."

"Neil do you hate him?"

"No Christy, I do not hate him.   But I am angry that he
would hurt you, and he has, I can see it in your eyes.
Remember Lass, my eyes observe all."

"Then you must observe that you have also hurt me, Neil.
Your silence was deafening and  it wounded me deeply."


End of Chapter One Disclaimer: The story of Christy belongs
to the Marshall-LeSourd Family. This fiction is written
for my own personal enjoyment. This story uses themes from
the book and the CBS series, and it follows the episode
"The Road Home"

Title:  "The Prodigal Returns" Chapter Two
.................................................................................................

Neil was stunned into silence by her declaration.
She mounted the horse with ease.  Obviously she was doing
more riding.  He also noticed that she wore a split skirt.
That was a practical addition to her wardrobe.  She began
to ride away down the slope towards the river.  He quickly
climbed on Moonshine and followed her.

"Christy, I told you I thought you were married to
Grantland.  To me that meant I did not have your love."

"At the very least, you had my friendship, Neil.  You could
have written to me as a friend.  You ignored me instead.
I was so hurt."

"No, I could not write, Lass.  My heart was broken,
Christy.  I immersed myself in my work."

Christy stopped Charlie and looked at Neil.  "Neil, life
goes on.  My heart was also broken.  I did not stop
living."

"I had an existance, Christy, not a life.  My world was
empty because you were not a part of it.  You were lost
to me because I thought that you were happily married."

"Oh Neil,"  she said as she shook her head.  "You are the
one who showed me how to embrace life  and take it one
day at a time."

"What can I say, Christy.  I felt lost without you."

"Well, now you have found me, Neil.  So take a deep
breath and let our beloved mountain air fill your lungs
and revitalize your spirit.  We have a lot of work ahead
of us."

"What kind of work?"

"Neil, you have to eat.  We'll have to restock your pantry
and plant a garden."

"Christy, I haven't planted a garden since Margaret left.
Why should I start one now?"

"If I am going to be your wife, Neil MacNeill, you will
plant a garden."

"Yes, ma'am."

"We have a wedding to plan."

"I suppose we do.  Do you want to be married in Asheville,
Christy?"

"Are you out of your cotton picking mind?  I think the city
had addled your brains for sure.  Neil, have you lost the
sense you were born with?"

"Asheville is your home."

"I have lived here for five years.  Cutter Gap is my home.
We'll be married here."

"We'll have the Reverend Grantland marry us," he said
with relish.

She watched his face.  "No, we will not."

"No?"

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Enough is enough.  David is happily married.  I will not
allow you to place a wedge between David and Elizabeth
by crowing your final victory over him in your so called
unspoken rivalry.  David loves his wife."

"Then I will ask him to be my best man."

"No."

"No?"

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Jeb Spencer is your best friend.  He should be your
best man.  I will ask Fairlight to be my matron of honor."

Neil watched her in amazement.  She was not meek and mild.
She turned from him and urged Charlie on ahead.  A small
smile appeared before she quickly quelled it, lest he
realize that she had gotten the better of him in this
round.

"Christy, before we ride to the Mission, I would like to
stop by and see Jeb and Fairlight.  Do you mind the detour?
I cannot explain it, I just feel the need to see my old
friends first."

"Not at all, Neil.  I would enjoy seeing Fairlight,
even though she and I had a very nice visit yesterday."
She laughed.

"What is so funny?"

"You are."

"Me?  Why?"

"I cannot explain it, you say.  I have a  need to see my
old friends first."

"Well I do, it is not something to laugh at, Christy."

"I agree, Neil.  It is just that you must have some kind
of homing instinct deep in your brain or stomach, because
Fairlight and I baked sweet potato pies yesterday and you
love sweet potato pies."

"Indeed I do, Lass.  You learned to make them, Christy?"

"Neil, I have been cooking at the Mission with Miss Alice
and Elizabeth for almost five years.  I am happy to say
that Possum Surprise is not my specialty, and I have become
a very good cook."

"I am glad to hear that.  What is your specialty?"

"Roast chicken."  Neil choked back laughter.  Christy
glared at him.  Don't you dare say another word.
You insulted my cooking that day."

"You hurt my feelings."

"I know, and I apologized to you for it many times over.
You never apologized for shouting that I was a lousy cook."

"Do you still make blackberry cobbler?"

"Yes."

"That pleases me."

They rode on in silence for a few minutes.

"Neil, are you back for good, or will you be returning
to Baltimore?"

"I'm home for good, Christy."

"I'm glad.  It would be hard to leave here."

"I have saved my money.  I have invested it wisely.  I am
no Scrooge, Lass.  My expenses in Baltimore were minimal.
We will be able to live in Cutter Gap, if that is what
you wish."

"I will have to stop teaching when we marry.  Dr. Ferrand
does not allow married women to teach."

"Will you be comfortable if you do not teach, Christy?"

"I want a family, Neil.  I am ready to be a wife and
a mother."

He smiled, pleased with her answer.  They arrived at
the Spencer's.  Fairlight was shelling dried beans.
She looked up when she heard them approach.  "Law, as I
live and breathe, look what the cat dragged in, Jeb."

Jeb turned.  "You riding with ghosts now, Miss Christy?"

"No ghost, Jeb, flesh and blood to be sure, " she answered
with a smile.

Neil dismounted first and helped Christy down off Charlie.
The sparks betweem them crackled.  Fairlight looked at Jeb
and smiled.  " 'Bout time," said Jeb softly to his wife.
She nodded.

Neil walked over to them.  He hugged and kissed Fairlight.
Jeb said," It's a good thing I know that you love Miss
Christy.  Otherwise I'd have to shoot you for kissing
my wife."

Neil laughed and shook Jeb's hand.  "I've missed you both
more than I can say."

"Welcome home, Neil," said Fairlight.

"Thank you, it's good to be home."

"Can you come inside and sit a spell?" asked Jeb.

"Yes Jeb.  I want to hear all about the family."

"Can I offer you a piece of pie and a cup of coffee?" asked
Fairlight.

"I would love it," said Neil.  "I am hungry."  She cut
generous slices of pie for the two men.  "Manna from
heaven."

"Amen," said Jeb.

Fairlight shook her head.  Some things never changed.

Neil looked around the cabin.  He spotted Fairlight's
Starry Lookout quilt on the bed.  "Fairlight, I though
you sold the quilt.  Did you make another?"

"No.  It was bought by a young lady from Asheville, who
happened to teach in Cutter Gap.  She gave it to me as
a Christmas present after John and Bessie were married.
She wanted me to be able to hand it down to the next
generation of Spencer's."

Neil approved of Christy's generosity.  Christy smiled
at Fairlight.

"Miss Christy has become a mighty fine quilter, Neil."

"Really?"

Christy blushed.  "i still have a lot to learn."

"You've made some very beautiful quilts," said Fairlight.

"Thank you."

"Where are your quilts, Christy?" asked Neil.

"In my despair chest."

 "What do you mean by despair chest?"

"Well, Neil, quite frankly, I despaired that you would
never come home.  There was no sense in calling it my
hope chest."

Everyone laughed.  "What brought you home, Neil?" asked
Fairlight.  "We thought you was never coming back.
Neil looked uncomfortable for a minute.  "Come clean, Doc."

He loved her like like a sister.  "I thought Christy had
married Grantland.  I found out two months ago that she
had not married him."

"You are as blind as a bat."  Neil looked sheepish.
"This girl has loved you forever.  There are none so blind
as those who will not see."

"Point taken, Fairlight."

Christy stayed silent.  Fairlight had always been in her
corner.  "I suppose you have to head back to the Mission
soon.  Word will spread like wildfire that you're back.
Folks wiil be glad of it.  You've been missed."

"That's a fact," said Jeb.

"Thanks.  Fairlight, your pie was delicious, ambrosia for
the gods."

"Pshaw, how you do run on," she said, inwardly pleased
with his compliment.

He hugged her, and again shook Jeb's hand.  "Thank you.
I missed your company."

"We'll make up for lost time," said Jeb.

"Yes, we will, my friend."

Neil and Christy began their trek back to the Mission.



End of Chapter Two

Title:  "The Prodigal Returns" Chapter Three
...........................

"I've missed my friends, Christy.  It is good to be finally
home," said Neil as they continued on their journey to
the Mission.

"You will have a big adjustment."

"I've done it before, I can do it again."

"You are older now."

"And wiser, perhaps."

"Miss Alice will be pleased to see you."

"Not Grantland?"  She did not rise to take the bait.
Christy  turned her head away instead.  Neil watched her.
She was so beautiful.  She had changed.  There was a
maturity about her.  His Lass had grown up.  Cutter Gap
had tested her mettle, and she survived.  They rode on
in silence for a few minutes.  "Christy, I promise I will
not make any more rude comments about the Preacher."

She turned and looked at him in exasperation.  "Neil,
there was no contest.  I realized I did not love David.
That was such a confusing time for me.  Fairlight and I had
a long talk one afternoon.  David was acting mysteriously.
I saw him talking to one of the tea house ladies.  I knew
I could not talk to him.  I came to you.  We stood by the
river and fished, remember?"

"Christy, that is one of the most precious memories I have
of you.  I will cherish it forever in my heart."

"Then the whole teahouse free-for-all occurred.
You took Margaret to Baltimore.  I was unsure of myself.
One thing I did know was that I could not marry David.
I had seen how trapped and unhappy you were.  I did not
want to make a similar mistake.   David was very hurt
by my rejection.  I will regret that to my dying day.
I am not the same person who was left feeling lost when
you went to Baltimore, Neil."

"Christy, I was bound by my vows and by my sense of duty."

"I admire your integrity, Neil.  It is one of your
character traits I love the most."

He smiled.  "Thank you."

"On the other hand," she said, "you have the very bad
habit of jumping to conclusions where I am concerned."

"Guilty as charged."

"Why is that?"

"Sometimes I do not understand how you could love me, a
backwoods doctor."

"Who has survived in Baltimore the last four years.
How many operas have you seen during that time, Neil?
Don't go hillbilly on me now, Doctor."

"Guilty as charged.  Feisty little thing, aren't you?"

"Do not  take issue with my height."

"It has never been an issue with me."

"I am glad to hear that."

"Truth be told, Christy, you have always had a special
place in my heart.  I am a man who does not like to
lose anything.  It eats away at me when I lose a patient.
I get upset when a treatment does not work the way I want
it to work.  I did not like the thought that I had lost you
to Grantland.  The thought angered me, even though I could
not blame you.  I was stuck in an unpleasant situation,
bound to Margaret.  I accepted my fate.  I believed that
I was like Heathcliff losing Cathy to Linton.  You would
haunt me forever, Lass."

"Shakespeare could not have written that declaration any
better, Neil.  I am so impressed."

"You cut me to the quick."

"Where's your medical satchel?  I can quilt now.  I'll bet
I could sew the wound closed with stitches as tiny as
yours."

"You've become sassy, Lass."

"I have always been sassy.  You just never noticed before
this.  I am not rug to be walked on, Neil."

"Ah, this is what I have missed the most."

"What are you talking about?"

"Our saucy bantering.  You serve it back to me like a lawn
tennis partner."

"You deserve every lob back into your court."

"Life with you will never be dull, Lass."

"I certainly hope not.  I would hate it if you became
bored with me."

"That will never happen, Christy.   I give you my word.
I find you utterly fascinating."

"Well, thank you for the compliment, Neil."

They were approaching the Mission.  David and Elizabeth
were sitting on the porch.  Hetty was playing with a
set of wooden blocks.  Christy had given them to her for
her birthday.

An array of emotions filtered through David's brain;
surprise at seeing MacNeill after all these years, thinking
that he looked well.  He noted the happiness in Christy's
expression.  He felt a little tense, but that feeling
passed as he looked at Elizabeth, glowing in her second
pregnancy.  He felt relief, he was past the jealousy.
David stood up, and gave his wife a hand as she stood up
as well.

Neil and Christy approached the porch.  He helped her
dismount.  "Welcome home, Doctor. "  They walked up
the stairs.  "Elizabeth, this is Doctor Neil MacNeill.
Neil, my wife Elizabeth."  Pleasantries were exchanged.

"Would you care for  some refreshment?" asked Elizabeth.

"Sit, Elizabeth, I will get them," said Christy cheerfully.

Elizabeth thanked her.  Neil caught a tiny change in the
woman's demeanor.  His hackles went up.  Why she looked
down at Christy!  No one treated his Christy with disdain,
not in front of him.  He scowled.  Hetty looked up at
him and saw his expression.  She got up and toddled to
her mother.  'I have a very discerning daughter,' thought
David.

There was an uncomfortable silence.  Neil was very aware of
this, and it pleased him.  Things were the same.  He took
comfort in that.  There would always be this difficulty
between the two of us.  Grantland had a look of happiness
about him and Neil did not begrudge him that at all.
Deep down he knew that Christy  had rejected David, and
waited until he was free to come home.  That fact gave
Neil a deep sense of satisfaction.  David had lost his
bid for Christy.

"You've been gone a long time," said Elizabeth, hoping to
bridge the uneasy silence.

"Four years, to be exact."

"Did you find it difficult to leave Baltimore, Doctor
MacNeill?"

"Please call me Neil," he said smiling.  "No not at all.
I was able to fulfill my medical obligations.  I will still
be conducting  my research here.  I will resume my duties
here in Cutter Gap."

"A far cry from city life."

"Mrs. Grantland, I was born in Cutter Gap.  My roots
are here.  This is my home."

"Please call me Elizabeth.  You are an educated man, Neil."

"From what Christy tells me, you are an educated woman.
What is the point of your statement?"

"That you would come back to practice in this place."

"You chose to live here."

"I followed where my husband works, Neil.  This is his
home, where he is needed, therefore I am here by his side."

"This is my home, Elizabeth, and I came back here to claim
the woman I love.  The woman who also loves me."

Christy was carrying the tray as she heard Neil's last
remark.  Elizabeth must have set him off.  She could
discern an edge in his voice.  She decided to add fuel to
the fire.  "Neil, darling, could you help me with the tray?
It is heavier than I thought."

He jumped up.  "Of course, Lass."  She smiled up at him
and her beauty radiated from her face.

 David could see it.  Elizabeth could see it as well.
She looked down at her burgeoning body.  She looked
at Chrity's petite frame.  Her mood changed, and David
sensed it.  They all sat down and sipped their lemonade.
Christy glanced down towards the gazebo.  Tom and Opal
were approaching with Iris in tow.  Neil followed her
gaze, and a broad smile lit his face.  He stood up and said
"Excuse me."  He left the porch. He gave Opal a hug and a
kiss, and a sturdy handshake to Tom.  Christy had followed
him, and Iris ran to her, giving her a big hug and kiss.

Elizabeth watched.  The McHone's had never been so
familiar with her.  They had always been reserved.
Alice heard the commotion and came out of her cabin.
When she saw Neil, she quickly walked to join the group.
Neil saw her approach and strode toward her.  He embraced
her warmly and kissed her.

She hugged him openly with love and joy for his return.
"It's about time," she said.

"That's what Jeb said, although he thinks I did not hear
him say that."  They both laughed.  Neil did not realize
that he had missed Jeb's point.

"It is good to have thee home, Neil."

"It is good to be home, Alice.  I have missed you so much."

"And Christy?"

"I found her cleaning my cabin, Alice."

"She had faith thee would return to her."

"I thought she married Grantland.  I called the Mission
to speak to you.  You were away.  Whoever answered asked
me if I wished to speak to Mrs.  Grantland.  I thought
she meant Christy."

"You must have spoken to Elizabeth's maid, Kitty."

"Maid?"

"Oh yes.  Elizabeth employs a personal maid and a nanny.
Her name is Irene."

"Ferrand allows this?"

"Elizabeth's parents pay for them.  They are horrified
that their daughter lives in the wild."

"And Christy?"

"She resides in the old bunkhouse.  Elizabeth tolerates
our presence at meals.  She felt that she and David needed
their privacy at the Mission house."

"I suppose then no students board here."

"Absolutely not.  I am so glad to see thee, my heart jumps
with joy.  If thee turns thy head slightly, thee will see
the look of jealousy on Elizabeth's face."

"I felt her dislike of Christy, Alice."

"David loves Elizabeth, and is blind to her faults.
The Cove has not embraced her presence here.  On the other
hand, Christy can do no wrong.  Her devotion to you is
apparent to everyone.  Elizabeth tried to humiliate her
at a working, by chastising her for loving a married man.
Before I could speak a word in her defense, Fairlight stood
up and gave her a piece of her mind.  She told her that
thee was a widower, not a married man.  She reminded her
that Margaret was my daughter, and shamed her for speaking
ill of the dead, and insulting Miss Christy.  There is
no love lost between these two women.  Too many people
in the Cove respect Fairlight's opinion.  Now that you
have returned to claim Christy, Elizabeth's discontented
nature will be even more evident.  She is jealous because
she knows David once loved Christy."

"I will protect Christy from her nastiness, Alice.  I will
allow no one to malign her."

"I agree with thee, Neil."

The group returned to the porch.  Alice and Christy brought
out refreshments for the McHone's.  Iris climbed on to
Christy's lap.  Her godmother's affection for her was
deeply rooted.  Tom and Opal watched their daughter's
obvious affection for Christy with pride.  She seemed
to have an endless surplus of love.  They also observed
Neil's unabashed adoration of her.

"Have you seen Jeb and Fairlight?" asked Opal, as she
watched Elizabeth's reaction to her sister's name.

"I've already had a piece of sweet potato pie," said Neil
smiling, patting his stomach.

Alice laughed at his reaction.  "It is one of your favorite
pies, Neil."

"It is much too heavy for me," said Elizabeth.

"It is ambrosia for an educated palate," said Neil, in
Fairlight's defense.  Opal silently cheered his remark.

Christy buried her face in Iris's hair, to hide her smile.
Neil would brook no criticism of his friends or family by
a flatlander.  Her champion had returned.  Elizabeth did
not stand a chance.

End of Chapter Three


Title:  "The Prodigal Returns" Chapter Four

Summary:  Neil has returned to the Cove from his
self imposed exile, after he learns that Christy
has not married David.  He has come to claim
Christy for himself.   David is happily married,
but his wife is extremely jealous of Christy.
........................................................................

"You lied to me, you know," said Neil.

"When?" asked Christy with a surprised tone in her voice.

"At the cabin.  You described Grantland's wife as meek
and mild.  You said she was a very nice lady."

"She can appear that way at times.  I did not want to
color your impression of her."

"Christy, how do you and Alice put up with that pious
witch?"

"Neil, I cannot imagine why you would say such a thing!"

"Christy, don't be cute."

"I am not trying to be cute. I am trying to keep harmony
here."

"Harmony, hell."

"Neil, watch your phraseology.  Hell is unacceptable."

"What does Ferrand think of her?"

"She has a name, Neil."

"Deja vu', Christy.  Her name is Harpy.  Am I correct?"

"Yes."

They both laughed together.  "Poor David."

"He does not see it, Neil.  That is what is so sad
about the entire situation.  If David asks for help,
little happens.  If Miss Alice or I ask for assistance to
help him, people will do anything to help us.  His wife
is resented.  And I do mean resented, almost hated.
It is all so sad.  He has done so much good here, Neil.
He works so hard.  But our people can be obstinate."

He smiled at her used of the term "our" people.

"In a way I am relieved that you have returned because
I can devote myself to you and if we are so blessed,
our children.  I will not have to listen to her insults,
veiled though they may be, to me."

She continued, "Neil, I have a special love for David.
He is like another brother to me.  That is the way our
relationship has developed.  Elizabeth does not see it that
way.  She resents me because David thought he loved me,
first.  Nothing I have said or done can change her mind.
She hates  the fact that David insisted that I should be
Hetty's godmother.  I realize that you have strong feelings
on that matter, but I disagree.  He came to me and told
me if something happened to the two of them, Hetty would
be left in loving hands.  He said he wanted his daughter
to be raised by someone with a kind and generous heart.
I was very touched.  Elizabeth hated his choice.  That is
how it has been since she arrived in Cutter Gap."

"You should not have to live under such stress."

"Either should Miss Alice."

"Christy, what have you done?"

"I wrote to Doctor Ferrand.  I explained how inhospitable
the Mission house has become.  Why the men are talking
about building me a small kitchen, so that Miss Alice and
I can take our meals in peace.  You do know that Doctor
Ferrand is in love with Miss Alice."

"I missed that one, Lass."

"He's loved her for years."

"Sounds like you and me."

"Longer than that, Neil.  It seems like forever."

"Well at least I can establish common ground with the
man now."

"Oh Neil, you are too funny."

"Well you know I never did like the man.  He seemed stiff
necked and proud, and a bit long headed. Not to mention
that the man is extremely opinionated."  Christy raised
her eyebrow at Neil.  "What?" he asked.

"Have you looked  in a mirror, lately?"

It took a moment for him to realize what she was inferring,
and he laughed out loud.  He had not laughed like that in
a long, long time.  She smiled at the sound of it because
it was music to her ears.

They finished their walk, arm in arm, around the pond.
Christy was right.  There was no feeling of warmth  or
welcome emanating from the Mission house.  He wondered
why Alice had allowed that to happen.  He would see what
he could find out and get to the bottom of this little
mystery.

They stood in front of the bunkhouse.  "We're being
watched, aren't we, Christy?"

"Oh yes, Neil.  I see you have not lost your survival
instincts."

"I plan on being a perfect gentleman, much to my dismay."

"Oh Neil, you are priceless."

"I will be busy the next week or so.  I am afraid that Ben
Pentland will be very annoyed with me as multiple shipments
arrive from El Pano with medicines and supplies.  I am
also going to getting a number of shipments from Baltimore.
Ben will be very busy."

"Will you need help, Neil?"

"Yes."

"I will be happy to assist you."

"Thank you, Lass.  I might need the Reverend's help
instead."

"Why?" she asked warily.

"He's had chemistry and physics and understands the
volatility of chemicals.  I might be able to enlighten
him about the situation here."

"The only volatility I worry about is your temper, Neil
MacNeill."

"I do not have a temper, Christy."

"And pigs fly."  She raised her eyebrow.

"Christy, where do you get this impression of me?"

"How quickly you forget.  But never mind, Neil.
Bid me adieu.  I cannot stand being stared at like this.
You would think the woman would have something better to
do with her life."

Neil took her hand and kissed it.  "I would rather swoop
you up into my arms and kiss you for hours, you know."

"I would love that as well, you know.  Then, I would be
dismissed in a heartbeat for my wanton behavior in public."
She touched his cheek in a loving gesture.  "Welcome home,
Neil."  She went inside the bunkhouse and closed the door.
She closed her eyes as she stood with her back against
the door.  "Welcome home my darling," she whispered.

Elizabeth's shadow left the window, but not before she
realized that Doctor MacNeill had seen her.  His scowling,
piercing eyes had fixed themselves on her window.  Alice
watched her leave her post by the window.  "This has gone
on long enough."  She turned to her desk and began a letter
to Jacob.

Alice Henderson had a temper.  She kept it reined
in as tightly as the stays of her corset.  It rarely
saw the light of day.  She loved Christy Huddleston
like a daughter.  She stood by as Neil took away her
dying Margaret for one last desperate treatment for her
tuberculosis.  Neil had honored his vows to his wife.
Most men would have ignored her or divorced her.  Neil did
none of those things.  For that alone, Alice would hold
him in her high esteem forever.  He was truly an honorable
and compassionate man.  His unspoken love for Christy kept
them apart.  His honor and his integrity would not allow
him to come back to his beloved home because he thought
Christy had married David.  Enough was enough.  Emotions
were roiling through her being.  Alice was unsettled and
not thinking clearly when she began her letter.

My dearest Jacob,

Thee must come to Cutter Gap as soon as thee are able to
do so.  Thy guidance is needed, my dear friend.  I need
thee to help sort out a difficult situation, that I have
ignored for far too long.

Elizabeth Grantland's hatred of Christy is eating at the
very fiber of this Mission.  It was never more apparent to
me than this afternoon.  Dr. MacNeill has returned, Jacob.
He stayed away because he thought that Christy had married
David.  Somehow he found out that she was not married, and
has come home once again to practice medicine in Cutter
Gap, and to formally court Christy.  That they will marry,
I have no doubt.  When that happens depends on how ornery
Christy chooses to be with him.  As you well know my dear
Jacob, the path to love never runs smooth.

David is oblivious to the behavior of his wife.  She has
managed to alienate many of the Cove's women.  As a result,
David has a very difficult time in getting any cooperation
at all.  Whatever headway we have made is being eroded
away by the actions of Mrs. Grantland.

I will not approach her, Jacob.  I feel unwelcome in the
very place I helped to establish.  Her behavior has nothing
to do with mood changes associated with being with child.
This has been going on for three years.  I feel enough
is enough.  I am growing weary of the challenge, Jacob.
Please come soon.

Warmest regards, Alice

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jacob Ferrand read Christy's letter.  He was concerned but
had faith that Alice would be able to set the Mission back
on course.

Two weeks later when Jacob read Alice's letter, his
brows furrowed with deep consternation.  Alice was
truly distressed.  Jealousy was always difficult to
eradicate.  Why couldn't Grantland keep his wife in line?
This situation would throw his schedule into total chaos.
He was not supposed to visit Cutter Gap for another few
months.  He reread the salutation.  My dearest Jacob.
He smiled, and thought, I am on my way, Alice dearest.
He decided not to give any advance warning of his visit.
He did not want any undue, or superfluous welcoming
preparations.  He would observe, gather facts, hear
what other people had to say for themselves, and make
a decision.  He would not allow a rich, over privileged
socialite to destroy his Mission or upset his Alice.
He left for Cutter Gap the next morning.

It seemed to do nothing but rain.  Crops were suffering
from too much water and lack of sun.  Everything was damp.
Christy's bunkhouse roof had a developed a leak.  She told
David about the problem.  In the meantime, she lived with
the sound of plop, plop, plop, as the drips fell into the
bucket.  She had not received a reply from Dr. Ferrand.
She hoped that the letter had not gotten lost.

Neil was conducting rounds in Low Gap.  Christy worried
about him.  Trails were muddy, soft and treacherous.
Moonshine was not as familiar with the terrain as Charlie
was for so many years.  She shivered, and added another
chunk of wood to the wood stove.  How she longed to sit in
front of the fireplace in the Mission parlor.  She rarely
got to see that room any more.  She could not understand
how David could not see how cold the Mission had become.
There was not a speck of dust or a cushion out of place.
It was cold and sterile.  Christy  felt like a prisoner
in the bunkhouse.  She had made it as warm and cozy as she
could for herself.  Unless it was mealtime, or her turn to
cook, she was not welcome in the Mission.  Elizabeth had
made that quite clear.

Jacob Ferrand was cold, and wet and hungry.  The trip from
El Pano had been slow because of the muddy trails.  He rode
into the Mission yard.  It looked deserted.  He took
the horse into the barn.  The barn was full of horses,
everyone was accounted for.  After he cared for and fed the
animal, he walked to the Mission.  It was mid-afternoon.
Mud clung to his boots.  He entered the parlor.  No one
was around.  There was no sign of life.  He walked through
the dining room and crossed over into the kitchen.  A pot
of soup simmered on the stove.  It smelled delicious.
His stomach grumbled.

He heard a scream.  He crossed back over into the main
house to hear Elizabeth Grantland ranting at David.
"One of your precious savages has muddied up my clean
floor.  They can clean it up.  I've had it with these
people tramping through our house."

"Elizabeth, no one comes here anymore," said David, finally
realizing the truth of his words.

"Well what do you call these tracks then?
An illusion?" she barked.

"They are the tracks of a cold, weary traveler who hoped
to find a warm, hospitable welcome at this Mission,"
said Jacob Ferrand, in his rich, stentorian voice.
"Instead, I find a cold, empty place, devoid of any
welcome or kindness.  I am appalled at your lack of
Christian spirit.  Is it any wonder no one ventures here?
David, how could you have allowed this to happen?"

"How dare you speak to us in that tone of voice?
David works very hard.  He cannot help if these people
are ungrateful wretches."

"Madame," said Jacob in a thundering tone, " my Mission
employs your husband.  These people are God's children.
It is no wonder most fail to come to Sunday service if they
are treated so badly by you.  David, a wife should be a
helpmate, not a hindrance."  Elizabeth spluttered at his
remarks.  "Cease and desist, woman.  I have heard enough
from you to last a lifetime.  You have all but destroyed
my Mission in three short years.  A lifetime of work has
been annihilated by your pettiness.  Now, where is Alice?"

"I am here, Jacob," she said, standing by the entrance
to the dining room.  "At first, I thought we were having
another thunderstorm, but then I realized that it was thy
sonorous voice echoing off the mountains.  Welcome, Jacob.
I have missed thee."

He could see that she was trying very hard to remain
serious.  He had hoped that he had put the fear of God
into Elizabeth Grantland.  "Alice, could I trouble you for
a cup of hot tea?  Hospitality seems to be lacking here."

"Of course, Jacob.  Let me take your coat and dry it by
the fire.  Oh, I see there is no fire.  That is a pity,
since it is so damp in here."

Elizabeth felt the sting of her criticism.  She turned in
a huff, and stomped up the stairs, and slammed the door
of her bedroom.

"I'll get your tea, Jacob."

David was torn, but decided to lay a fire in the fireplace,
and then tend to Elizabeth.  He knew whatever he chose to
do, would not sit well with his wife.


End of Chapter Four

Title:  "The Prodigal Returns" Chapter Five
.................................................................................................

David climbed the stairs slowly.  He dreaded this
confrontation.  Dr. Ferrand's accusations echoed in his
ears.  The Mission was cold and inhospitable.  How could
it be cold with a child growing up inside its walls?
Hetty was such a joy!  He loved his daughter with all
of the love a father can possess.  He loved Elizabeth.
Then he realized that they had allowed no one else in their
circle of love and family.  Christy and Alice only joined
them at meal times.  The house was quiet, too quiet.
Children never came trooping in as they had before.
No one was really welcome here.  The clarity of the
situation finally hit him.

He opened the door to the bedroom.  Elizabeth was sitting
in her chair, crying.  "Elizabeth, are you all right,
darling?"

"This is all her fault."

"Whose fault?"

"Your precious Christy."

"Elizabeth, Christy has nothing to do with this."

"See you defend her, not me.  I am your wife, David."

"Yes Elizabeth, you are my wife, and the mother of my
children.  I love you.  I do not love Christy."

"You did once before."

"I thought I loved her, but I realize now that it was an
infatuation, it was not true love.  You have no reason to
be jealous of Christy."

"Will she marry the doctor now?"

"Most likely."

"It will be a sinful union."

"Elizabeth, Neil is a widower.  There was no impropriety.
The people of Cutter Gap would not have tolerated improper
behavior."

"See David, you again rise to her defense."

"Elizabeth, you are being unreasonable."

"David, I have decided to go home to my parents.  I refuse
to live in this disgusting place any longer.  I will not
allow my children to grow up here.  The people are dirty
and illiterate.  Men and women do not know how to read
or write.  They sign their name with an  X.  What kind of
place is this, David?  If you truly loved me, you would
choose to minister somewhere else.  I have a headache now.
Please leave me alone.  I am too upset to talk anymore."
She put her hand on her extended abdomen.  "I have to put
my unborn child first."

David left the room and went downstairs.  "Come David,
have a cup of tea," said Alice.

Jacob said, " David, I did not mean to upset your wife.
I am afraid I was rather disgruntled and I took my
frustration out on her."

"I  won't deny that Elizabeth is upstairs crying.  But she
blames Christy for this.  Christy isn't even here.  I never
realized how much Elizabeth hates her."

"Jealousy eats at the goodness of one's heart."

"Dr. Ferrand, Elizabeth will not stay here any longer.
She is leaving me.  It is tearing me apart.  I cannot stop
her from this plan.  I am hoping if she has a visit with
her parents, she will come back, but deep in my heart,
I know that they will convince her to stay with them.
I cannot lose my wife and daughter.  I feel that I have
no other choice but to resign from my position here.
Elizabeth cannot be swayed.  I realize now how much of a
wedge she has placed between the Mission and the people
of Cutter Gap."

"David, I am sorry that it has come down to this."

"I have been blind, Dr. Ferrand.  When Dr.  MacNeill came
home we sat on the porch with Christy, MIss Alice, and
Tom and Opal McHone.  We drank lemonade and talked.
I thought to myself what a pleasant way to spend the
afternoon with friends.  Late in the evening when I
thanked Elizabeth for her  hospitality, all she did was
complain about Tom and Opal, criticizing Opal for having
dirt under her fingernails.  It hit me then that no one
ever comes here anymore.  Miss Hattie never comes to sing
on a Saturday afternoon.  Children visit Christy at the
bunkhouse, not here.  Elizabeth does not like dirt or
noise or any kind of excitement.  I never saw it before.
Why is that?"

"David, doctors are just beginning to study the human mind
and emotions.  Mental health is something that needs to
be researched and studies need to be conducted to find
out why people behave the way they do.  I do not have
answers for you.  But I think it best if your wife leaves
to visit her family.  I would ask that you stay at the
most, a month, so that I can find a replacement for you.
I will be sorry to see you leave, but your wife cannot
stay here, and you need to be with her."

"I agree with you, although it pains me to do so, sir.
I will have Kitty prepare a room for you."

"Do you mean to tell me that guest rooms are not prepared?"

"It's another one of Elizabeth's rules."

Jacob shook his head.  "David, it must be difficult
for you."

"I never saw it as a burden before."

"Rememeber David, the Lord's yoke is easy and His burden
is light."

Alice thought to herself, 'Fine words, Jacob, but has
the good Lord ever interacted with Elizabeth Grantland?'
Wisely she kept her silent counsel.  "Would anyone care
for some more tea?"

"Yes please, Alice."

"I must attend my wife, "  said David.

'Good luck,' thought Alice, as she entered the kitchen
to fetch the kettle for Jacob.  She took the soup off
the burner, lest it cook down too much.  She doubted
that Elizabeth would show her face at the dinner table.
'Thee should have gone on stage where thy histrionics would
be appreciated.' She immediately regretted her thoughts.
'Forgive me Lord.  I did not mean to be so petty.'
"Jacob, we are having soup and cornpone for dinner.
I know that we have some biscuits and sausage gravy left
over from breakfast.  Would thee like me to heat them up
to tide thee over until dinner?"

"Did you hear my stomach grumbling, Alice?"

"Was that the noise I heard.  I thought it was thunder  off
in the distance.  It will only take a few minutes, Jacob."

"I will not fade from hunger, Alice.Just seeing you has
made a difficult day brighter and easier to bear."

"Jacob, thy golden tongue can soothe the savage beast."

"My tongue was not so docile before, was it Alice?
I planned to come and make a logical decision after I
uncovered all of the facts.  I did not expect to hear the
rantings of an obviously irrational woman.  How was this
situation allowed to develop?"

"Oh Jacob, after Margaret died, I suppose I fell into
a depression.  I spent a lot of time in Cataleechie.
David married Elizabeth and brought her here to Cutter Gap.
Her parents came to visit a few weeks later and were
appalled at the conditions here.  Elizabeth made David
ask Christy to vacate her room and move to the bunkhouse."

"Alice, there are plenty of rooms for guests."

"Yes, Jacob, but Christy's had the better view."

"That is the most absurd reasoning I have ever heard."

"It gets better, Jacob.  The only furniture was a bed, a
small chiffarobe and a bedside table.  Christy wanted to
take her desk.  Elizabeth claimed her mother needed it to
write out her correspondence."

"Christy is a teacher.  Of course she needs a desk.
Didn't David say anything?"

"Not a word.  I came back for a few days, and then went
to Raven Gap. I was there for a few months.  When I came
back, Jeb and Tom had built Christy a desk, a closet  and
a chest.  Her father had a wood stove sent because the
one in the bunkhouse was inadequate.  David liked a cooler
room, but then, David only slept in the bunkhouse or used
it for a quiet place to write his sermons.  He lived in
the Mission  the rest of the time.  Elizabeth informed
Christy that the Mission building was not her home.
SInce the bunkhouse had no kitchen, she could take her
meals with them, as long as she helped in the kitchen."

"Alice, that is barbaric.  Christy is not a prisoner."

"The Cove folks rallied around her.  I got wind of the
problems while I was in Raven Gap.  I came home and was
treated the same way.  Elizabeth was eight months along
with her first child.  David thought her mood swings were
due to  her pregnancy.  The pattern had been established.
Now I could have prepared meals for us in my cabin, Jacob,
but I decided to be obstinate."

"You, my dear Alice, obstinate?  I cannot imagine such
behavior in you."  His eyes twinkled with merriment.

Christy came into the dining room and looked around
timidly.  "Come in Christy.  The storm has passed."

"What do you mean, Miss Alice?"

"Elizabeth's temper erupted earlier.  Enjoy the quiet
while it lasts."

Christy smiled.  "I need to find another bucket.  The roof
has sprung another leak."

"What roof, Christy?" asked Jacob.

"Dr. Ferrand, forgive me.  I do not know what has happened
to my manners.  It is good to see you again, Sir."

"So it would seem that my manners have flown the coop, as
they say.  It is nice to see you again, Christy.  I fear
this afternoon has thrown us all out of whack."

"To answer your question, the bunkhouse roof is leaking."

"Why hasn't David repaired it?"

"To be fair Jacob, it has been raining on and off for well
over a week. More on than off, I might add.  There hasn't
been a day dry enough for David to attempt repairs."

"Miss Alice, I asked Neil to join us for dinner."

"We have plenty, Christy.  I doubt that Elizabeth
will delight us with her presence at dinner tonight.
Dr. Ferrand put her soundly in her place this afternoon."

Jacob nodded.  "I said what needed to be said, Alice.
It will be pleasant to lock horns with Doctor MacNeill
again.  I have not had the pleasure of a good argument
with him in years."

Christy laughed.  " I am sure that he will be pleasantly
surprised, Dr. Ferrand."

Kitty appeard in the doorway.  "Your room is ready, sir."

"Thank you, young lady."  He smiled warmly.

"Jacob, thee has had a long journey.  Rest a while before
dinner."

"Trying to get rid of me, Alice?" he asked.

"If thee does not leave, Jacob, thee will have kitchen
duty with us.  Can thee make a decent cornpone?" she asked,
raising her eyebrow at him.

"Point taken, Alice my dear.  I feel a nap coming on very
soon as a matter of fact."  His eyes twinkled as he left
the two ladies to continue their work in the kitchen.

"Miss Alice, I have a confession to make.  I wrote to
Dr. Ferrand  about the conditions here at the Mission."

Alice put her hands on Christy's shoulders.  "I also put
a pen to paper, my dear.  Perhaps hearing from the two
of us spurred Jacob to come as soon as he could.  The die
is cast."


End of Chapter Five




Title:  "The Prodigal Returns" Chapter Six
.................................................................
Elizabeth telephoned her parents who then arranged to
have a carriage dispatched to pick up their daughter
and granddaughter.  They were relieved that Elizabeth had
finally come to her senses, to finally leave Cutter Gap.
They were pleased to know that within a month, David
would join his wife.  Their precious daughter doted on
her husband.  He had fulfilled his duty of working with
the poor.  He could now establish himself in a much more
respectable and prestigious parish.

By the following week word had traveled through the Cove
that Dr. Ferrand had delivered a stern comeuppance to the
Preacher's wife.  The Sunday service was packed, standing
room only.  Neil caused a stir by showing up, and then he
sat with Miss Christy and Miss Alice.  Jacob Ferrand led
the service, letting David off because he knew that David
was upset by recent events.

When the service was over, Elizabeth stood up and addressed
everyone.  "I would like to take this time to bid all of
you goodbye.  I will be leaving tomorrow and I will not
be coming back.  I am happy to go.  I will no longer be
trapped in a place as dispicable and deplorable as this.
Cutter Gap is no place to raise children."  She hesitated
for a moment.  Dr. Ferrand signaled David to take his wife
away, before she insulted too many people.  David stood
up and began to lead her down the aisle.  "I cannot wait
to leave," she said loudly.

Granny Barclay muttered, "Don't let the door hit you on
the way out.  Good riddance to ya.  Flatlanders are too
tetchy for me."

"Miss Christy is a flatlander," said Lulu Spencer.

"No she ain't," said Granny Barclay.  "She's one of us."
Tears pooled in Christy's eyes.

Neil stood up.  "I've come home to claim my bride."

"It's about time Doc!" said Jeb, Tom, Bob Allen and John
Holcombe.  Everyone laughed out loud, including Jacob
and Alice.

That laughter was heard by Elizabeth and David as they
walked toward the Mission.  Elizabeth was consumed
with resentment.  No one cared that they were leaving.
After all she had done and sacrificed for them, they were
laughing.  'Ungrateful wretches, all of them!'  She would
shake the dust from her shoes and move on just like Jesus
had told his apostles to do.  The folks of Cutter Gap
were nothing more than heathens.  David would be better
off leaving this horrid place.

Standing in the churchyard Jeb and Fairlight invited
Dr. Ferrand, Miss Alice, Neil and Christy to Sunday
dinner.  Alice was reluctant to accept, but Jacob offered
a hearty yes.  "Alice I would rather spend time in a happy
atmosphere instead of hours of gloom and doom.  She needs
time to pack, and we would be in the way.  We shall leave
Elizabeth in peace."  A pleasant afternoon was indeed
spent with the Spencer's.

The horse and carriage arrived the following morning.
It was not large enough to take all of Elizabeth's trunks.
Her petulant mood increased.  Hetty was being difficult.
She did not want to leave her Daddy.  David planned to ride
Prince and accompany them to  El Pano.  He would have to
arrange to have the other trunks shipped to his in-law's in
Pennsylvania.  When no one was looking, Hetty hid her doll.

In a brave show of unity, Alice, Jacob, Neil and Christy
stood on the porch to bid Elizabeth and Hetty goodbye
and a safe journey.  Hetty began to cry, which angered
her mother.  The young child kept crying that she wanted
her Daddy.  David was riding along side of them.  The four
watched, with Hetty screaming and crying.

"It will be a long trip to El Pano," said Jacob ruefully.
They  turned into the Mission.

Kitty and Irene were inside not sure of their roles in the
future.  "Our salaries are paid until the end of the month.
Mrs. Grantland did not tell us whether or not we still
had our jobs," said Kitty.

Alice knew that the Mission could not afford to employ
them.  "Let us wait until the Reverend Grantland returns
from El Pano.  Perhaps he knows what his wife wishes to
do about your employment."

About twenty minutes after the Grantland's departure,
Christy found Hetty's doll.  "Neil," she called, "Hetty
was crying for her dolly, not her daddy.  Can we catch up
with them?"

He nodded.  "We'll take Charlie.  He's more surefooted in
the mud."

"We'll be back soon,"  said Christy.  We have to give
Hetty her doll.  That's probably why she was crying."

They set off, following the path of the carriage.
Neil urged Charlie on, but the track was slow with all
the mud.  It took them almost twenty minutes to catch up
with the party.  As they rounded a curve on the road, time
stood still for the two of them.  The road was narrower,
so David was behind the carriage.  Hetty was crying, more
so than ever, because Elizabeth had slapped her, hoping
to discipline her daughter.

They heard a rifle shot in the distance.  It echoed off
the hillsides.  The horses reared.   The carriage wheel
slipped off the muddy embankment and the overloaded coach
began to fall down the hillside.  Christy and Elizabeth
screamed in unison.  Hetty was thrown from the coach as it
tumbled down the holller.  David flew off Prince screaming
"Noooooooooooooo" at the top of his lungs.

It only took seconds, but the tragedy would be with them
forever.  Neil jumped off Charlie and helped Christy down.
She ran to Hetty.  Neil grabbed his shotgun and his
satchel.  He ran to the bottom of the hill.  The driver
was dead.  The horses were writhing in agony.  He shot them
both and quickly fired off a third shot.  Three shots in
a row, in rapid succession .  It was a signal to the Cove
that there was trouble, and help would arrive soon.

David was kneeling over Elizabeth.  Neil came running
to them.  His quick assessment was not good.  Elizabeth
was dying.  Her back was broken, and she was bleeding
internally.  She was unconscious.  Neil placed his
stethoscope oh her abdomen.   "David."  Neil shook him to
focus the man's attention on what he was about to say.

"The babe is still alive.  I only have a few minutes.
Elizabeth is dying.  Let me save your baby.  If I do not
take the baby now, they will both die.  Do you understand
me?  This has been a terrible tragedy, but I can save
your baby.  Will you let me operate?"

It took a few seconds for what Neil said to penetrate
David's haze of grief.  Neil took Elizabeth's pulse.
"She is almost gone, David.  Say the prayers of the dying
for her.  Do I save your baby or not?"

David nodded.  Tears pouring down his face, he prayed for
his wife.

"Christy, I need you now."

She came running.  "Hetty is breathing, Neil.  I think
her arm is broken.  She has scrapes and bruises."

"Christy, I am going to perform a caesarian on Elizabeth
to save the baby.  I need your help.  I'll need your
slip to wrap the baby in it once we've delivered the
child."  She nodded.  Neil performed the surgery quickly.
Elizabeth died during the procedure.  She never regained
consciousness.  Neil cut the umbilical cord and cleaned the
baby's nose and mouth.  He wrapped the baby in Christy's
torn petticoat. David had a son, born six weeks early.
David was holding his wife's lifeless body, telling her how
much he loved her.  Christy was crying.  Neil handed her
the baby and then turned to check on Hetty's condition.
People began to arrive, stopping in horror as they took
in the tragic scene.

Alice and Jacob had heard the shots, as did the Spencer's,
the Allen's and the Holcombe's.  They all arrived within
twenty minutes of the accident.  Jacob and Alice tended
to Hetty.  Neil and Christy rushed back to the Mission
to keep the baby warm.  The bodies were carried  back to
the Mission by the menfolk.  David rode back on Prince,
in shock and silence, while Jacob and Alice rode along
side him.  Jacob was holding Hetty in his arms to keep
her splinted arm still.

The day had been a mightmare for everyone.  No one could
think straight.  Everyone was in shock.  Jacob had
set Helly's broken arm and addressed her scrapes and
bruises.  She'd been given a sedative to help her sleep.
David was shell shocked.  Elizabeth was dead.  Their tiny
son delivered prematurely, was being attended by Opal,
Fairlight and Alice.  The baby was being kept warm and
fed with cow's milk.  Neil and Jacob were monitoring the
baby constantly.

David was sitting in a chair, overwhelmed by the tragedy.
It had happened in the blink of an eye.  His wife was dead.
He began to sob.  Christy came to him and hugged him.
It was all she could do for him.  Words failed her, except
to say "I'm so sorry."  She did not like Elizabeth, and
felt she should say silent.  She would never tell David
about her feelings for his late wife.  So instead, she
let him cry in her arms, as she tried to give him comfort.

Neil witnessed the scene.  Compassionate Christy.
Giving her heart wherever needed.  Grantland was hurting;
Christy was there to give him comfort.  Comfort was
all right with him.  'Don't give him pity.  Don't allow
yourself to get sucked into something, so that you cannot
pull yourself away,' he thought.  'Don't promise love.
Don't promise loving his children.  Pity and self-sacrifice
are not love.'

Fairlight saw the distress in his face.  Neil stepped out
on to the porch.  The sky was clearing.  He walked away
from the Mission and up to the church.  He sat down on a
bench and tried to make sense of the last five hours.

Christy left David to check on Hetty.  The child was
sleeping.  She kissed her on the forehead, and left
the room.  She met Fairlight in the hall.  "Neil walked
up to the church, Christy.  He saw you comforting David."

"Oh Fairlight, is he all right?"

"It's hard to say.  I saw distress in his face, but that
might just be from all that has happened today.  I think
he needs you now."

Christy nodded and grabbed her shawl.  She walked up the
hill to the church.  She entered the room as quietly
as she could.  She heard Neil's anguish as he prayed.
"I cannot lose her now."  She sat down beside him.
She could tell he was distressed.  There were tears in
his eyes.  "Christy,"  he said haltingly, "I cannot lose
you to him, not now."

"Oh Neil, " she said softly, "you won't lose me."

"Christy, when I saw you comforting David, I was jealous.
I was afraid you would take pity on him and the children."

"Neil, I was hugging David because he was crying.  He is
distraught."

"I understand that, Christy."

"I am comforting you, Neil, but not hugging you in the
same manner.  Your head is against my heart.  You can hear
my heart beating.  My heart belongs to you.  Only to you."

He sat up and looked into her eyes.  The truth
was there, plain as day.  They stood up together.
As they walked to the door, Neil pulled her to him and
kissed her passionately.  He'd taken her by surprise.
She pushed away from him and tried to catch her breath.
"Neil, this is neither the time nor the place  for such a
display of emotion.  We'd better get back to the Mission.
There are many mouths to feed tonight, although I do not
think anyone will be particularly hungry."

"You are right, love.  This is neither the right time
nor the right place for me to kiss you like I just did.
This tragedy was one more example of how fleeting life
and happiness can be for us.  I just needed to reaffirm
my feelings.  I love you."  He stepped up to her again
and kissed her softly.  "Thank you for being such a
loving, compassionate woman."  He opened the doors and
they returned to the Mission.

"Neil, I have never experienced such pain and horror before
today.  A child lives, but his mother dies.  David is
devastated and in shock.  Hetty is hurt, and needs to heal.
Her father has to contend with the loss of his wife whom
he loved, his injured child and a premature baby who could
still die.  I cannot take it all in or fathom God's purpose
for destroying this family."

"Death is something we face every day, Christy.  Life is
not fair.  Who ever said life should be fair?  We came
into this world and we try to survive.  Elizabeth hated
Cutter Gap.  Margaret left, to escape the confines
of the Cove.  Elizabeth stayed, following her duty.
Jealousy, unhappiness and hatred drove her away.
Fate intervened and she died.  God called her home.
We can be sympathetic, we can grieve, we can feel the
sense of loss.  David has some decisions to make, soon.
His choice.  His decision.  I imagine Elizabeth's parents
will make a ruckous.  David is the father of these two
children.  He must choose what path to take, to guarantee
his children's future.  But first, we have another funeral
and burial at Persimmon Hill.  Jeb and Tom have brought
the lumber.  They'll be making a casket tonight."


End of Chapter Six 

Title:  "The Prodigal Returns" Chapter Seven
.....................................................................................

After the funeral, folks paid their respects to the
Preacher.  David was clearly still in shock, but he thanked
each family for coming and paying their last respects to
his wife.  Dr. Ferrand had delivered a stirring eulogy.
Ever the diplomat,  he had extolled Elizabeth's virtues as
a loving wife and mother.  His imagination left him high
and dry after that.  Knowing how people felt about her, he
did not try to paint  her any other way, thus he was able
to avoid describing her for more than she actually was.

Her parents had been notified and had tried to stop
David from having her buried in Cutter Gap.  David
prevailed.  Since he had never written a formal letter
of resignaiton, he was still the pastor of the Mission.
David did not depend solely on his income from the Mission.
The Grantland family was wealthy.  He was able to continue
to employ Kitty and Irene.  Hetty would need her nanny, and
so would his baby son.  He named the baby Michael Gabriel
and he was christened six weeks after he was born.  Dr.
MacNeill and Dr. Ferrand agreed that he was strong enough
to go through the ceremony.

During the past weeks, Neil watched Christy closely.
Emotions filtered through him.  Pity, jealousy, anger,
kindess, compassion roiled through him on a daily basis.
Christy had such a soft heart.  Would David's desperation
appeal to her?  Would she discard  him in favor of David?
His children needed a mother.  Would Christy sacrifice her
love for himself and give it to David?  Even though she had
reassured him the day of the accident, she'd given him no
indication since then.  He was like a caged mountain lion.
He would pace back and forth, wondering what Christy
would do.  He wanted her to make a decision, yet she seemed
to elude him.  He was getting quite desperate.

Jeb told Fairlight about Doc's uneasiness where Christy
was concerned.  After the christening was over, and Michael
Gabriel was taking a nap, Fairlight asked Christy to take
a walk with her.  "We haven't gone traipsing for ever so
long, Christy."

Christy smiled and agreed to go.

"So have you begun to make plans for your wedding yet,
Christy?"

"I haven't given them a thought, Fairlight."

"Why not?"

"Fairlight, with everything that has happened these past
six weeks, how could I?"

"Have you spent any time with Doc MacNeill?"

"He's at the Mission every day checking on the baby."

"That's not what I asked, Christy."

"No, not  really."

"Have you changed how you feel about him?"

"No, Fairlight.  I love him."

"Then perhaps you'd better get a move on and give that
poor man some idea of what is going on inside that head
and that heart of yours.  The man is at the end of his
rope as far as you are concerned."

"He hasn't said anything to me."

"He won't."

"Why not?"

"He's waiting for some sign from you."

"What kind of sign?"

"At this point anything would do.  Land sakes girl, you
could hit him over the head with a frying pan.  Just let
him know that you still love him."

"Of course I love him, Fairlight."

"When was the last time you told him?"

Christy hesitated.  "It was the afternoon of the accident.
He had gone to the church.    Remember, you had told
me that he saw me comforting David.  I went to find him
to reassure him that I loved him.  Just before we left
the building he kissed me Fairlight, with such violent
passion, but I admonished him.  I did not feel that it
was the proper time or place."

"Sometimes a man needs to show his woman that he's, well
Lordy, I just can't find the proper word to tell you what
I am trying to say.  It's like he has to take the lead,
be sure of himself and be sure of you.  Did he frighten
you with his kiss?"

"No, not really.  Neil has kissed me before and I thought
that they were passionate, and he was always gentle, but
that kiss............"

"Just about curled your toes."  Christy nodded.  Fairlight
smiled.  "Christy, a man's emotions can be like these
mountains up and down and up and down one right after the
other.  I get dizzy trying to keep up with Jeb sometimes.
Well Neil wants you to think that he is strong, but he has
a fragile side to him.  He doesn't show it very often.
That is why he gets hurt.  When he's hurtin' he's like
a wounded bear.  He doesn't want to scare you away.
So he's waiting for you to let him know how you feel.
The man wants to marry you.  He watches you every day
getting more and more involved with the Grantland children.
He's afraid, Christy."

"Oh Fairlight, I didn't realize how things must look
to him.  I just feel so sorry for David and his children."

"We all feel sorry for them.  Christy we have all lost
loved ones.  I miss my two babies even though it has
been years since they were taken from me.  As I have
told you before, it's today I must be living.  We don't
have a promise of tomorrow.  We can only hope for one."
Fairlight hugged her.  "Let's go back so you can find your
lucky doctor and put his heart at ease."

They walked up the hill to the school and down to the
Mission yard.  Neil was standing on the porch pacing.
"Just look at him pacing like a painter."  Christy gave
her a quizzical look.  " A mountain lion."

"Oh."  Christy looked at Neil.  She became serious.

Neil saw the change in her demeanor.  His shoulders
visibly sagged.

"Put the poor man out of his misery."  Fairlight waved
to Neil and turned up the road to walk home to Jeb.
Her mission was accomplished.  Neil waved back to her and
then looked at Christy.  He walked down the steps to meet
her and hear his fate.  He didn't know if her could stand
her rejection.

She walked into his arms and hugged him as hard as
she could.  "We have a wedding to plan, my dear Doctor."
He buried his face into her scented hair and breathed a
huge sigh of relief.  She felt him shudder.  "I'm sorry
that I have neglected you, us."  He kissed her temple.

"Let's walk, if you are up to one," he said.

"If I get too tired, I'll let you carry me."   He laughed.
"What's so funny?"

"Nothing."

"Then why are you laughing?" she asked.

"At the picture of me hauling you over my shoulder and
carrying you."

"That's not the kind of carry I meant."

"It's not?"

"No it is not."

"Describe your version of carry."

"You would pick me up in your arms, and I would put my arms
around your neck, and lay my head against your shoulder."

"You paint a pretty picture, Lass."

"I try my best."

"Indeed you do."  He proceeded to sweep her up into
his arms.

"Neil, I can walk."

"I know you can.  I just have a need to hold you close to
me for now.  I thought I had lost  you, Christy."

"Never, my dearest Neil.  I have waited a lifetime
for you."

He stopped and kissed her.  He carried her to one of his
favorite spots on the river.  The waters were rushing past
the boulder strewn stretch.  "It is wild here, the power
of white water never ceases to amaze me.  My emotions have
been raging inside me, Christy, like this water."

"I am sorry Neil.  I got so caught up in the aftermath
of the accident, I put my life on hold and yours as well.
Forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive, Christy."  She kissed him.
"So when do you want to get married?"

"I want to be married here."

"Not Asheville?"

"Here."

"What time of year?"

"October, if your don't mind."

"Nature's palatte is at its finest then."

"I agree, Neil."

"You'll have to work out your plans with your mother."

"I know.  If it weren't for the fact that I want Daddy
to walk me down the aisle,  I would suggest that we get
married on Sunday.  I cannot hurt my father."

"I understand, Lass.  Walking you down the aisle was one
of your father's goals during his recovery."  She nodded.

"Thank you for that."  She kissed him again.

Margaret and I eloped, Christy.  There was no fanfare.
Tell me what is involved in planning a wedding."

"How many hours do have we until dusk?"

"It will take that long to explain the process?"

"Well, since we are not taking the Asheville route, perhaps
not that long.  Mother and I will have to talk about what
to feed and serve everyone.  I have to find a wedding
dress, which means that I will have to go to Asaheville
for a while."

He nodded.  "Christy, when someone marries here, the entire
community gets involved.  Ask Fairlight for guidance,
but the ladies will want to help make our wedding a very
special day for us.  If you tell her what your ideas are,
they will do their best to carry them out.  Ladies do like
to fuss, you know.  A wedding will help lift the aura of
gloom that hangs over the Cove."

"You are absolutely right, Neil.  We need to hear laughter.
We must do something to make people want to celebrate life.
This christening was a start.  I hate funerals and dwelling
on the dead.  I want to hear, no I long to hear the joy of
the children.  Neil what can we do ot bring some sunshine
back into Cutter Gap?"

"In another week or so, we'll all gather to shell dried
corn for grinding into cornmeal.  Perhaps we can organize
games for the children and have music for dancing.
I'll talk to Jeb."

"Mabe a potluck supper, Neil.  Every family brings a dish
so that  everyone is fed and no one will go hungry."

"It can be done, Christy.  We'll have to get the word out.
We need to pull together as a community.  Everyone cares
about David and his children.  Many Cove families know what
it is like to lose a parent.  The children will receive the
love and affection of the Cove.  David will heal in time."

Christy hugged Neil.  He had referred to David by his front
name twice.  That was a record!  He spoke with compassion
and kindness not  anger or jealousy.  'Thank you, Lord,'
she thought, 'You do work miracles.'

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Christy called her parents the following day.  Her
father answered the telephone.  "Huddleston residence.
William speaking."

"Hello Daddy."

"Why Christy, what a wonderful surprise.  How are you
little miss?"

"I am fine daddy."

"How is David doing?  And his children?"

"He is coping, Daddy.  He still grieves for his wife.
He tries to keep himself busy.  Hetty is recuperating
nicely.  Her broken arm is almost healed.  She misses her
mother, and yet we have come to realize that her nanny
Irene spent the most time with her.  David never knew that.
Elizabeth had Irene give her detailed reports of what
Hetty did every day.  Then at dinner, she would paint him a
picture of being a devoted mother by describing everything
that Hetty had accomplished.  We were all fooled.  Heaven
knows what she did during the day.  Things have changed.
David has taken a even more active role as their father.
Hetty adores him and the baby is getting to be a real
butterball.  He is so adorable."

"A daughter should adore her father."

"I do, Daddy, I do."  They laughed together.  "Now my
reason for calling is that Neil and I have set a date.
We want to be married in October."

"Very good.  With this much advance notice I will clear
the entire month next year.  It will give you and your
mother plenty of time to plan."

"Uh, Daddy?"

"Yes sweetheart?"

"I meant this coming October."

"What?"

"Yes."

"Oh Christy, let me look at my calendar.  Hold on
sweetheart, let me check my schedule."  He returned a few
minutes later.  "Christy your mother will have a stroke."

"Daddy please do not joke.  Having one parent suffer a
stroke is more than enough for my lifetime."

"Christy, the Harvest Ball is on October twenty-ninth.
Your mother is the chairwoman."

"That is perfect Daddy.  She will be so preoccupied
with the Ball, that I will get to have my way planning
my wedding with Miss Alice and the ladies of the Cove.
It seems that a wedding is a community affair here.  I want
to get married on October fifteenth.  The mountains will
be wreathed in their Fall splendor by then."

"My calendar is clear, Christy.  Your mother will throw
a fit you know."

"Thank you, Daddy.  I adore you."

"As you should, little miss.  She's not home by the way.
She'll be sorry to have missed your call.  She's at her
monthly book discussion.  But you knew that, didn't you?"

"Yes Daddy."

"I deserve an extra hug for this."

"When I come home to find my wedding dress, I will hug
you ten times a day."

"Is that a promise?"

"Yes, sir."

"You have yourself a deal, daughter."

"I love you Daddy.  I'll be home soon."

"I love you too, Christy."


End of Chapter Seven

Disclaimer: The story of Christy belongs to the
Marshall-LeSourd Family. This fiction is written for my
own personal enjoyment. This story uses themes from the
book and the CBS series, and it follows the episode  "The
Road Home"

Title:  "The Prodigal Returns" Chapter Eight
................................................................................

"Miss Christy, the telephone is for you."

"Thank you Kitty."  She took the receiver from Kitty with
a smile.  "Christy Huddleston speaking."

"Christy Rudd Huddleston, how could you do this to me?"
Julia practically hissed at her daughter.

"Hello Mama.  How are you?"

"How am I?  I am extremely annoyed young lady.  How do
you expect me to plan a wedding with less than two months
notice?"

"Mother, I am going to be married here in Cutter Gap,
not Asheville.  I do not need the pomp and glitter of
an Asheville ceremony.  There is no one to impress here.
Some of my guests may not have clean clothing.  Some will
not be wearing shoes because they do not own a pair.
I need to choose a wedding dress and provide a meal for
our guests.  Either David or Dr. Ferrand will perform the
ceremony for us."

"This is not the wedding I wanted for you, Christy."

"I understand, Mother.  You once told me that my dreams
mattered to you.  This is my dream.  To marry Neil, in
Cutter Gap, surrounded by our dearest friends and family.
I want to walk down the aisle on Daddy's arm.  I want you
to be happy for me.  Is that too much to ask, Mama?"

Julia sighed.  "It's just an inconvenient time of year
for me."

"Mama, Cutter Gap will be beautiful.  The mountains will
be drenched in color.  I will be coming home next week
for a few days.  Have faith, Mama, it will be all right.
I will talk to you soon.  Give my love to Daddy.  Goodbye."
She hung up the telephone.  Julia listended to the buzz
of the disconnection.

"How did it go?" asked David.

"I am still in one piece, I think."  David smiled.  He was
holding Michael, who was pulling on his father's collar.
"She is upset with me for not giving her more time."

"That is my fault, Christy."

"No, it is not your fault, David Grantland.  Our world was
torn upside down by this tragedy, David.  We are all trying
to cope with it.  We have all been affected by Elizabeth's
death and the way in which she died."  David's eyes pooled
with tears.  "David, it is important for you to grieve.
I am your friend, and I want to help you.  If you want to
talk to me I will listen to you.  I am sorry that Elizabeth
saw me as a threat.  I wish that she had let me be her
friend.  She was content just to have you and Hetty."

"I know.  I did not see that at all."

"David you were so in love with her."  She laughed.
He looked at her strangely.  "Sometimes I think that you
were walking on air."  That made him laugh.  "It is good
to hear you laugh again.  You have a generous laugh.
It lightens the mood."

Michael began to fuss.  Irene appeared and took the baby
from him.  "Feeding time," said David smiling.  He watched
Irene cuddle the baby.

"Well, I have to find Fairlight and discuss food for
the wedding."

"Christy, the weather is getting cool enough.  Why don't
you have your parents buy a pig from one of the farmers
and have them roast the entire pig for your wedding.
There will be enough food to feed everyone.  There is
nothing this Cove enjoys more than a pig roast.  Coupled
with a wedding, why this place will be in hog heaven."
His eyes twinkled.

Christy groaned at his pun.  "I am leaving before you
think of another one," she said as she grabbed her shawl,
and ran out the door, smack into Neil.

"Where's the fire?"

"I am running from David's puns."

They stepped out on to the porch.  "That good?" he asked.

"Knowing you, you would probably be amused."

She kissed him.  "I'm on my way to Fairlight's  to discuss
wedding plans."

"A woman on a mission."  He kissed her soundly.  "Miss me
a little, Lass."

She kissed him.  "Yes indeed."  She turned to walk to
the Spencer's.

Neil walked into the Mission.  He found David sitting in
the parlor staring off into space.  He sat down in a chair,
quietly watching David.  Their solitude was shattered by
the sound of Hetty running in the upstairs hall, happily
giggling as she ran away from Kitty.

David was startled to see Neil sitting opposite him.
"I never heard you come into the room."

"You were deep in thought.  How are you doing, David?"

"I am fine."

"That's almost as good as one of Bogg's yarns.  Try again."

David looked at Neil and realized that he was truly
concerned.  "There are days when I do not want to get out
of bed."

"That is understandable."

"Is it?"

"Yes.  You are grieving and it is going to be quite some
time before you are willing to step back into the world."

"How do you know that?"

"It's how I felt when I believed that Margaret had drowned.
I was consumed with guilt because our parting words were
so vitriolic."

"I feel so guilty.  The accident happened so quickly.
There was nothing I could do."

"I know, David.  Nothing could have been done to stop the
tragedy.  You are not going to easily snap out of this.
Remember you are not alone.  There are people here who
will offer you a sympathetic ear or a shoulder to cry on."

"I shouldn't cry anymore."

"Don't keep your emotions locked up.  Crying is part
of grieving.  You should talk about her."

"No one liked her."

"Well I did not know her, David, having just come back from
being away for four years.  I understand that she could be
a wee bit pricklly.  But you loved her.  You recognized
something special about her that made you want to marry
her.  That is all that is important.  People will listen
to you.  Just don't put her on a pedestal.  Folks won't
abide that."

David smiled.  He felt comfortable with Neil's company
for the first time in years.

"What did you say to Christy to make her want to escape?"

"She just does not appreciate my brand of humor."

"I know what you mean."

"I suggested a pig roast for your wedding reception."

"It will provide enough food for everyone.  I do not
know if the suggestion will make it past Julia's delicate
sensibilities."

"You are so diplomatic."

"I amaze myself at times."

They both laughed.  "You know, Doc, this is the first time
that you and I have really talked without tension."

"Or rivalry between us."

"I suppose you are right.  Games of one-upmanship are
so lame."

"Be honest,  we secretly enjoyed every confrontation,
Reverend."  They laughed.  "It is good to hear you laugh.
It's a beginning step in the healing process."

"You were a little sneaky lacing my "tea" with moonshine."

"You pack a fair punch, David."

"I thought that I broke my knuckles.  You have an iron
jaw."

"You also have a good arm for casting.  We should go
fishing more often now."

That sounds fine, Neil."

"We're not used to calling each other by our front names,
are we?"

"It was definitely more impersonal, helped to fuel the
rivalry I suppose."

"I'd like to be your friend, David."

"Thank you, Neil.  It has helped me to talk to you.
You really did not know Elizabeth.  I would like to be
able to talk to you sometimes about her."

"I can offer a sympathetic ear now and then."

"Thank you."

"You are welcome.  I think that I will wend my way to
the Spencer's.  I can talk with Jeb and it will look as
if I am really interested in what the ladies are planning."

"Be careful.  Even though the wedding will not be an
Asheville extravaganza, it is still important to Christy."

"You are right, of course.  Will you feel comfortable
marrying us, David?"

"I would be honored."

"Thank you."

"Will you wear a suit?"

"No.  I plan to wear my tartan.  MacNeill of Barra."

'Does Christy know?"

"I haven't told her yet.  We're just beginning to plan
the wedding."

"Good luck."

"Thank you.  What did you do before your wedding?"

"I said yes to all of Elizabeth's ideas, showed up at the
altar and said I do."

"Sounds like sage advice."

"Trust me."

"I do."

They both laughed at his response.  "Yes, Neil.  Just
remember those two words at the right time.  I'll give
you a signal if you want."

"I thInk I can handle it, Preacher."

"Sounds good to me, Doc."  They both laughed.

"Well, let me head out to Jeb's.  I enjoyed the chat."

"So did I.  Thanks Doc.  I needed it."

Neil smiled as he left the room.  He too had enjoyed the
talk with David.


End of Chapter Eight Disclaimer: The story of Christy
 belongs to the Marshall-LeSourd Family. This fiction is
 written for my own personal enjoyment. This story uses
 themes from the book and the CBS series, and it follows
 the episode  "The Road Home"
Title:  "The Prodigal Returns" Chapter Nine
.................................................................................

Seven years
later.........................................................

"I wonder if she will show up for the funeral?"

"I heard that she has not spoken to her mother in years."

"She's written to William and Julia once a week.
Sam McCreedy told me he delivers a letter from Tennessee
every week, like clockwork.  But Julia never writes back."

"Well Julia never spoke about her.  After the wedding,
they came home, and she informed our Ladies Circle that
her daughter had a country wedding, whatever that means,
and was happily married.  She did not wish to discuss the
details, and she hoped that we would refrain from asking
intrusive questions."

"Do you think that it was a shotgun wedding?"

"What a question to ask!"

"Don't say it never crossed any of your minds!"

"Well I have it on good authority that her husband came
back that summer and proposed to her and they got married
in October."

"How old was she?"

"Going on twenty -four."

"Must have been desperate for a husband."

"What time does the train arrive?"

"At 3:09."

"I wonder if it will be on time?"

"We'll just have to wait and see."

The troop of well meaning ladies arrived at the Huddleston
doorstep.  Eula, the maid, answered and welcomed them.
They were led to the parlor where Julia was sitting.

"Oh Julia, I am so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you for coming, Cassandra."

"This must be terribly difficult for you, my dear."

"Yes it is, Louise."

"I will miss William so much."

"Yes, so will I, Emily."

"He was such a kind man."

"To a fault, Hester."

"I know how you feel."  (How could you?  You were never
married.)  "Thank you, Anne."

"He is in a better place."

Julia bristled.  She barely nodded.  "Ella."

Please be seated ladies.  Julia sat down and they followed
suite.

"How did it happen, Julia?"

"He died peacefully in his sleep.  Edward Brant said it
was a massive heart attack."

"At least he did not suffer," said Hester.  "Is George
coming home?"

"Yes.  He will be coming in from RIchmond.  Coming in
by train."

"And your daughter?"  Hester asked timidly.

Julia sighed.  "Christy will be coming this afternoon."
She stood up.  "Excuse me for a moment."  She left the room
and walked into William's study and shut the door. She
took a deep breath.  "Oh William, how I wish I didn't
have to face Christy without you.  Pride is a bitter pill.
She and I both swallowed it.  Dear Lord give me strength
to welcome my daughter after all these years."  She shook
her head.  "Oh William, I cut my nose to spite my face."
She dabbed her eyes.  "At least you went back, William,
and our grandchildren knew you."  She sighed deeply.
She left his study and turned back to the parlor.

The ladies were whispering among themselves, and the
silence was deafening when Julia returned.

Cassandra asked, "Julia is there anything we can do?"

Pastor Reese is coming this afternoon to discuss the
service.  I am not sure what I will need.  I appreciate
your offer of help.  I will let you know if I need
anything."  She stood up and the ladies took her hint.
WIth hugs and similar words of condolence, the ladies left
and Julia sighed a very big sigh of relief.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christy sat next to Neil.  They were surrounded by their
children.  They had been married seven years.  Six year old
Billy was reading about Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny to
his younger sister  Sariah.  Their two year old Alexander
was asleep in his father's lap.  Christy was four months
along with their next child.

Neil glanced at her.  She cried herself to sleep in his
arms last night.  Her eyes were red and puffy.

Billy was a good little boy.  His size made him look
older than his six years.  Neil suspected that one day he
would be looking up at his son.  It was amazing how his
son could resemble his mother -- same shape of nose, blue
eyes, brown hair, yet there was nothing feminine about him.
He was a tough one, and very protective of his sister.

Sariah reminded him of a fairy sprite.  Her hair was a
cascade of unruly curls, reddish gold in hue.  Her eyes
were blue, but lighter, not as intense as her mother's.
She was delicate in appearance, but tough as nails if she
had to be.  She was fearless and she had him wrapped around
her delicate pinkie, just like her mother.

Alexander was going to be a handful.  Christy had achieved
a major victory with him.  He no longer needed to wear
a diaper.  And in five months, there would be a new
addition to their family.  Christy's beauty never ceased
to amaze him.  When she was pregnant she became even
more beautiful to him.  He squeezed her hand in support.
She sighed, and put her head on his shoulder.

She thought to herself, the prodigal returns.  I pray
there is no confrontation.

                                           <Flashback>

Their estrangement occurred on her wedding day.  It should
have been the happiest day of her life.  Christy had gone
home to Asheville and found a wedding dress that she liked
and felt comfortable in, but Julia felt it was too plain.
Christy prevailed.

She spoke to her closest friends in the Cove about
David's suggestion for a pig roast and the idea was
met with great favor.  William agreed to buy the pig.
Jeb arranged the sale.  Julia was appalled.

It was a fairly sunny day on October fifteenth.
The mountains were colorful in their autumnal splendor.
The Huddleston's had arrived three days before the wedding.
Everything was in place.  David was going to perform the
ceremony.  Jeb, Tom, John Holcombe and Uncle Bogg were
in charge of the pig roast.  Fairlight, Opal, and Rebecca
were handling all of the other victuals.  The wedding cake
was a traditional fruitcake made with currants and other
dried fruits.  Julia wanted a tiered wedding cake.  By the
time it was Christy's wedding day, Julia's unhappiness
was apparent to everyone.

The ceremony went off without a hitch.  David was truly
happy for the couple.  When it was time to serve the
food, Julia broke down.  In her opinion, it was the
most disgusting  sight she had ever seen.  The food was
unappetizing and unappealing.  There were no special
place settings, no fine china.   She had been willing
to ship dishes, but Christy had said no.  There were no
fresh flowers on the tables.  Instead there were dried
flowers, but to Julia they looked like weeds.  There was
absolutely nothing romantic about this wedding at all.
As far as she was concerned it was a country spectacle.
She barely picked at her food.  She hardly spoke to anyone.
The one who was hurt the most was Christy, but Julia failed
to see that.  She was too caught up in her own unhappiness.

Julia got up and went into the Mission.  Jeb had started
plalying a tune.  Neil and Christy were dancing together.
Both noticed Julia's conspicuous absence.  Christy
took a break and followed her father into the house.
She overheard her mother complaining bitterly to William.
"I hate it here.  I don't ever want to come back."

"Then don't Mama.  But this is my home now.  Please don't
say anything that you will regret."

Julia held nothing back.  " I looked forward to this
day from the day that you were born.  I arrived here and
there was nothing for me to do.  Nothing for me to fuss
over the way a mother should when her daughter is about
to be married.  You didn't want my help.  You didn't need
my help.  I arrived here and you treated me like dirt."

"That's not true, Mama."

"This was a wedding for goodness sake.  Some guests
arrived unwashed, some with unclean clothes.  And the food?
Who ever heard of serving pig and saurkraut at a wedding?
What will people think?

"That's all you care about Mama.  What people think.
I don't care about what Asheville society thinks."

"That is quite obvious.  I'll be the laughing stock of
the Ladies Circle when I describe to them my daughter's
wedding to a groom wearing a kilt of all things!"  At this
point her voice was raised.

"Julia, enough," said William.

Christy looked at her mother and said quietly and sadly,
"Thank you for ruining my wedding day, Mama."

Julia felt as if she had slapped her.  "I'll not trouble
you ever again."

Christy looked at her mother.  "So be it."  She turned
and walked away.

Julia never came outside for the rest of the day.
The following morning, David drove them to El Pano in
Jeb's wagon.  Julia never came again.

                                     <End of Flashback>

"We are all grieving for Daddy," she whispered.
Steadfast Grampy, who came alone three or four times a
year to visit his daughter and her family.  'Oh Mother,'
she thought, ' how could we have allowed this chasm to
develop between us?  That you would deprive yourself
of seeing your grandchildren grow up before your eyes.'
She shook herself.  'Dear Lord, please give us the strength
not to hurt each other any more.  It is time to make peace.

They were approaching the Asheville station.  Neil felt
his beloved tense.  He smiled to give her confidence.
The older children understood that their beloved Grampy
was dead.  He had gone to heaven.  They had seen death
before in Cutter Gap.  Alexander was too young to really
remember his grandfather.  They disembarked.  Christy
kept the children close as Neil claimed their baggage.
He called for a taxicab.  The children had never been in
an automobile before.  They were mesmerized.  There were
no horses pulling it!

Julia watched them pull up.  She took a deep breath.
She could not decide whether or not to have Christy knock
and be admitted like a guest, or just to open the door
and meet her the way she used to do before the wedding.
At the last second she could swear that she heard William
say "Welcome our daughter with open arms.  She is finallly
coming home."  Julia hurried to the door and opened it.

Curious neighbors had their eyes glued to the windows.
Christy was coming home after all these years.
Neil stepped out of the taxi first.  He was so tall and
handsome.  He assisted Christy out.  Why she was in the
family way!  Neil picked up Alexander.  Sariah stepped
out like a fairy queen.  Billy followed his sister.
They turned as a unit and faced the front porch and Julia.

She put her hand to her throat as she watched the family
she had ignored for seven years.  Tears pooled in her
eyes as well as Christy's as mother and daughter beheld
each other.  Christy sobbed as she hurried to her mother.
Julia opened her arms and hugged Christy.  The neighbors
dabbed their eyes at the reunion.

Neil waited for a few moments to give them some privacy.
Then Alex whispered something in his ear.  Neil quickly
brought the children up to the porch.  "Christy, Alex has
an emergency.  Hello Julia.  I'll be right back."

"Third door on your left, Neil as you go up the stairs.
We've just got him potty trained, Mama."

Julia burst into tears.  "Let's go inside.  We've given
the neighbors enough of a spectacle."

The children had never seen a house so fine,  Sariah
felt that she has stepped through the looking glass.
Mommy had read her the book about Alice to her.  Eula, the
Huddleston's longtime, faithful maid came to take their
coats.

"Oh Eula, you haven't changed a bit," Christy said as she
hugged her.

"Welcome home, Miss Christy," she whispered.  Christy
nodded.

They went into the parlor.  "Children, I would like you to
meet your grandmother.  Mother, this is Billy and Sariah.
Neil has Alex in the bathroom."

Billy stepped up first.  "Hello Grammy.  Grampy said you
were as pretty as a peach on a fine summer's day."  Julia
bent down and he kissed her.  "It's about time we swapped
howdies."  Julia put her hand to her mouth in surprise.
William's private nickname for her had been Peach.

"Hello Grammy.  I'm Sariah.  Will you read to me?
Mommy said you were the best reader.  She always liked
to snuggle against you because you smelled so pretty."
Julia bent down to receive a kiss.  Sariah smiled an
angelic smile.  "Mommy was right.  You do smell pretty."

Neil hurried down the stairs with Alex.  "We made it
just in the nick of time.  You're a good boy Alex.  A big
boy now.  This is Alex the Terrible.  Hello again Julia."
He kissed her as if nothing had happened.  "How are you
holding up?"

"Barely."

"Then come, let us sit and you can tell us what you have
arranged."

"Your father was vey organized.  He had planned his entire
funeral.  I did  not know this.  When I went to find his
papers, I found a letter  with detailed instructions on
what he wanted me to do."

"About a year ago," Neil said, "he came to visit and told
me about some symptoms he was having.  I recommended that
he see his doctor."  (Neil, he said, you saved my life
ten years ago.  What am I facing?  Be honest with me.
Tell me the truth.)  "I told him that he had been lucky
to have had ten years.  He was still prone to danger.
He could have a heart attack or another stroke.  I warned
him if he did have a massive stroke, he would not survive.
His heart had been damaged by the first one."  (Then I
have been living on borrowed time he said.)   "I agreed."

Sariah climbed on to Julia's lap.  "Hug me, Grammy."
Instinctively, Julia did as she was asked.  "I love you
, Grammy."

"Why?"

"Because Mommy loves you."

"Christy?"

"It's all right, Mama.  She's our little hugger.  And she
climbs a mean tree."

"She's just like you."  That made Neil laugh.

Alex fell asleep.  "Mama, he needs his nap."

"Eula will show you."

"Come Sariah, nap time."

"I'm not sleepy."

"It's time to rest, Pixie.  Go with Mommy."

"Yes, Daddy."

"Billy you go too.  Read a book, but rest.  We have some
busy times ahead."

"Yes, Daddy."  They kissed their Grammy and  followed
their Mommy.

Neil came over and sat next to Julia.  He took her pulse.

"I have a doctor."

"You know my opinion of him."

Julia started to cry.  "You gave us ten more years."

Neil held his counsel and just comforted his mother-in-law
the best way he knew how. He let her cry.  Crying was
cathartic.  He held her as the years of pent up emotion
finally found an outlet in grief and in an outpouring of
unconditional love.

After settling the children in, Christy returned to the
parlor.  She sat next to Julia.  "Where is Daddy's body?"

"He wished to be laid out in the funeral parlor, in order
to spare us."  She dabbed her eyes.  "Oh Christy, what am
I going to do?"

"Mama, you live life one day at a time.  That is one thing
that life in Cutter Gap has taught me."

"Christy, we have to talk."

"We will, Mama.  But not right now.  Not about that.
You need to rest.  When is George arriving?"

"Tomorrow."

"Good."

"The viewing will be on Wednesday and Thursday.
The service and burial will be on Friday.  Will you have
to go back on Saturday?"

"No Julia.  We can stay for an extra few days."

"Thank you.  I am going to rely on your strength to help
me get through this."

"You will, Julia.  You have strong resolve."

"For the wrong things, I fear.  Christy, I would not even
allow your father to share your weekly letters.  I have
become a bitter, old woman."

"A few hugs and kisses from our Sariah will sweeten you
right up," Neil said with a smile.

Julia laughed.  "Does she like to get dressed up?"

"She loves ruffles."

"I'll be in my glory then, won't I?"

"Yes Mama."  Christy hugged her mother.  Perhaps the joy
of her children would help to heal the breach.

Later that night, Christy heard her mother sobbing.
"Neil, I have to go to her."

"I know," he whispered tenderly.  "Try not to stress
yourself."

"I understand.  I'll be careful.  I have the baby to
think about."  She put on her robe.  When she stepped
out into the hall, she realized that her mother was not
in her bedroom, but down in her father's study.  When she
walked into the room, she found Julia sitting on the floor
surrounded by her letters, crying as she read them.

"Oh, Mama."  Christy went to her and held her and cried
with her.  "I am so sorry that it took Daddy's death  to
bring us together.  Forgive me, Mama.  Please forgive me."

"You have to forgive me, Christy."  Christy nodded.

"I love you, Mama.  I didn't reallze how much I was hurting
you.  It's just my frame of mind back then was centered on
David's tragedy.  I saw a life snuffed out in the blink of
an eye.  I didn't want to waste a year with Neil just to
plan a wedding.  I wanted to marry him as soon as could.
I am sorry that I disappointed you, but I did not want a
lot of frills."

"You didn't have any frills."

"You are right.  I suppose I could have used a few,"  She
laughed through her tears.  "What matters most is that we
are here together now,"

Julia dabbed her eyes.  "I think your father knows."

"I think he does, too.  Mama, we'll face tomorrow together,
with George and Neil at our sides."

Julia nodded.  "I have missed you, daughter.  Welcome
home."

"My children need you, Mama, and I need you more than ever.
Will you come to Cutter Gap when the baby is born?"

"Yes."

They smiled together and held each other closely.
"Your prodigal  has returned, Mama."


The End