Disclaimer: the Marshall-LeSourd Family, L.L.C, owns Catherine Marshall’s beautiful story of Christy. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement and hopefully yours as well. The writer of this story has invented any additions in story line and characters. The content of this story is the responsibility of the writer. Any similarities between this and other Fan fiction are purely coincidental.

The Best Christmas Gift

By Anne B.

It was a fairly gloomy-looking Christmas Eve day outside the MacNeill familial cabin on the bank of Spoon Creek, But Christy MacNeill hardly noticed as she busily prepared dough for Christmas cookies in the kitchen of the cabin. Standing beside the table, her chestnut brown hair pinned up in a bun, she wore her favorite blue shirtwaist and skirt, a once crisp white apron tied about her waist, flour dotted her cheeks and pert little nose, her cheeks beneath the flour were rosy from the heat of the room and exertion of stirring the dough. But there was a smile on her lips and a song in her heart as she went about her task humming a favorite Christmas carol to herself.

As Christy reached into the newly blackened wood stove to remove a pan of cookies, her eyes glanced toward the window beside the stove. To her surprise she witnessed a solitary snowflake slowly meandering its way to the earth. “Maybe we’ll have a white Christmas after all!” Christy mused softly as she busied herself once again with the task at hand, pulling the finished cookies from the oven with her towel-draped right hand she slid a fresh pan in with her left.

Placing the hot cookie sheet on the counter she reached for the bowl of raisins Neil had purchased the last time he had traveled to El Pano for supplies. Careful not to burn her hands, Christy pressed the raisins into each of the spicy-sweet smelling gingerbread men she had created, making eyes, noses, mouths, buttons, shoes, hair, cufflinks and bellybuttons…whatever inspiration struck her with each delectable creation.

Once the decorating was complete she removed the men from the tray and slid them onto a cloth to cool completely. After replacing them with new “doughy men” Christy once again turned her attention to the oven and the tray, which was last placed inside. As she did so she glanced once again between the lace curtains covering the window to the right of the stove and this time witnessed two crystalline flakes floating lazily past the pane.

Smiling, Christy remarked lightly; “At this rate we may have a couple of dozen flakes on the ground by the time Christmas arrives tomorrow. I wonder if that’s what constitutes a white Christmas around here?” She grinned, shaking her head slightly as she once again removed a tray from the oven and replaced it with the last pan of gingerbread men to be baked today.

When the last pan had been removed from the oven Christy turned her attention to her rapidly growing mound of recipes. Since her marriage to Neil, a little less than three months previously, relatives and friends had been presenting her with their favorite recipes. Some had known of her kitchen prowess--or shall we say the lack there of?--and had taken compassion on Neil when they were informed of the pending nuptials and gifted his bride with the recipes and extremely descriptive instructions. Rather then feel hurt by their gifts Christy had decided to look upon them as that which they were, a generous donation toward the health and well-being of her new husband.

Since Neil had been given, as payment for ‘services rendered‘, a cleaned and dressed rabbit the day before, Christy decided rabbit stew would be in order for their Christmas Eve dinner, so she removed the card she had received from Miss Alice with instructions for its preparation.

There was already a ham awaiting their Christmas Day dinner to which were invited the residence of the mission--Miss Alice, David, and Ruby Mae--as well as select members of the Cove--The Spencer Family certainly for this was their first Christmas following the death of Fairlight the previous spring. They were doing better, though still hurting; they were no longer reeling from the shock. The McHone’s were also invited. David was to bring Neil’s Aunt Hattie with him on his way from the mission. Miss Alice would be arriving this evening and spending the night since she was in El Pano for the day visiting one of her young patients, a girl of fourteen who had just experienced an extremely difficult delivery of her first child following a harsh first year of marriage to a man twenty years her senior whom her father had forced her to marry.

On the table in the parlor were stacked presents for everyone awaiting their colorful Christmas wrappings, which Christy had spent the past several weeks creating with craft paper, pencils, paints and chalk. Christy had decided to put off this most joyous of tasks until she had her baking finished, the stew on the stove, and the tree trimmed. There had always been rather a ceremony about the whole process that she enjoyed year after year. This year however she would include Neil in her gift-wrapping custom.

Smiling she thought of the past three months since she had married Neil MacNeill. Their wedding night had been most unaccommodatingly interrupted by a gunshot wound received by a moonshiner in a drunken dispute over the ownership of a half-empty (or would that be half-full?) jug of “White Lightning“. That “house-call” had turned into a three-day ordeal as the rival moonshiner returned early the next morning to “finish the job” he had begun. Only he didn’t finish what he had come for, instead the son of the injured moonshiner sighted him coming and fired a slug into him before he could do any further damage. Though the boy had, most likely, saved his father’s life, to Neil it now meant he had two patients instead of the original one. And to top it off the families were feuding so Neil had to tend the two men at separate cabins simultaneously. Suffice it to say; by the time Neil arrived home he was weary to the bone. Christy had prepared him a hot meal and rubbed his aching shoulders while he ate.

Smiling up at his young wife Neil had commented, “Now this is what I’ve been looking forward to!” Then as his smile turned sly he winked at Christy and said, “Well, maybe not ALL I’ve looked forward to!” Christy blushed becomingly and Neil chuckled before adding, “But for now, I’m going to get some rest, then we can take up where we left off before I was so rudely called away three days ago.” He paused as he rose from the chair and took his wife in his arms, “That is, if that’s acceptable to you Mrs. MacNeill?”

Christy sighed as she put her head on his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. “That sounds wonderful, Mr. MacNeill.” Neil then kissed the top of her head and released her as he turned to ascend the stairs to the bedroom. As his foot fell on the first step, his hand on the rail he turned to Christy with an almost heartrending look on his face, “Christy, I’m sorry about all this.”

“I understand, Neil. I knew what you were when I married you. I’ll have to take the bad situations along with the good. I’ll be right here when you wake up, Neil. I promise.”

Neil smiled a radiant smile before turning and dashing up the stairs…

Beginning that very day Christy had begun to transform the cabin into an oasis for Neil to return to. She wanted to make it a place that not only showed forth the love she had for her husband and their new life together, but one which sparkled with contentment and a relaxed atmosphere. Homey touches were added such as the lace curtains at the windows in the kitchen area, knick-knacks, doilies, flowers, and drawings were added to every area of the cabin. The bed in their room was now covered with the quilt, which Fairlight had created, and Jeb had given them as a wedding present. Rag rugs now graced the floors. Each day after school Christy began their meal and picked up around the house. Neil had been amazed at the transformation of his “bachelor” cabin upon the arrival of his new wife.

Christy had been looking forward to the Christmas break from school and also to her first Christmas as a married woman. Their first Thanksgiving as man and wife had been spent in Asheville with her parents which had been fun, and yet Christy was looking forward to a holiday in her new home, with her husband, and hostess of her own party.

This holiday would be the most special of all. She had spent the past several weeks making unique decorations for the tree and they would, in a way, be part of Neil‘s “gift“ from her. As she had deliberated over what to get Neil for their first Christmas, the most special gift of all just happened to “come to her“--so to speak--one day about three weeks ago.

‘But for today‘, Christy shook her head to rid herself of the reverie, ‘there is work to be done‘, she thought as she turned back to the next batch of cookies she was stirring.

~*~

With the cabin filled with the sweet scent of freshly baked cookies lingering in the air, combined with the tang of evergreen, the spicy scent of pomander and the delectable scent of rabbit stew in the oven, Neil MacNeill arrived home. Stomping the new fallen snow from of his feet and wiping his boots on the now-present doormat outside the cabin door, Neil, with saddlebags draped over his shoulder, reached for the doorknob, a wide smile on his face.

Hearing the door open, Christy turned from her tree decorating to see her husband enter and with a smile of her own, greeted him warmly. “Neil! You’re home! I didn’t even hear Charlie outside.” Christy declared as she strode across the room to where her husband stood just inside the door.

Neil sobered quickly at his wife’s innocent statement. “That’s because I had to leave him at the mission.”

“Why did you have to do that?” Christy questioned seriously, for she understood that a Doctor in a place like this was lost without his horse.

“He slipped on some of the ice that’s forming. His leg is not broken, but he’ll have rest it for a few days, if not a week or more. I believe it to be a pretty bad sprain. Or the equine equivalent there of.”

“How will you get where you have to go?”

“Ruby Mae will ask David, when he returns this evening, if I may borrow one of the mission’s horses.” Neil offered with a note of sadness in his voice. “I hate to think of asking Grantland for a horse considering…everything.”

“I’m sure, once David realizes how much you need an animal he’ll allow you to use one of the mission’s without a fuss. Besides, I thought the two of you were getting along better now since you convinced David of your conversion?”

“Aye, we are, but I still hate to ask favors.”

“Ahem! Isn’t that your pride speaking now, Neil MacNeill?” Christy admonished delicately.

“I suppose it is.” Neil replied with a sly grin appearing on his lips. He reached for his bride and drew her to him. “Anyway, for the moment, horses are the farthest things from my mind.” He whispered as his lips claimed hers with a lingering kiss.

As Neil released her, Christy stepped back slightly, a smile gracing her sweet features, and Neil reflected once again on how blessed he was to have won the heart of his angel. “Now.” Christy began as she reached for the saddlebags upon her husband’s shoulder. “You’re going to take off these snowy things and take a nice hot bath!”

“Since you press me with such arguments woman, I believe I shall obey.” Neil agreed as he doffed his coat and hung it from the coat tree beside the door.

Fifteen minutes later Neil was in front of the fireplace chest-deep in a tub filled with hot water. As his wife worked on finishing the tree trimming softly humming Christmas carols. Neil had to smile at the “homey” atmosphere in the cabin. Not since he was a small boy, before his mother’s life had been claimed by Typhoid, had he experienced anything like this and it meant far more to him then his dear wife could ever understand.

As Neil soaked languidly in the tub his eyes focused on his wife as she maneuvered about the cabin pulling ornaments out of just about every nook and cranny imaginable. Her time as a teacher had taught her how to “make something out of nothing”. There were ornaments made from paper, string, dried flowers and miscellaneous household items. He smiled to himself at her resourcefulness. Christy’s time in the Cove had showed her how to live frugally. Gone completely now were the days of her need for the expensive gowns, teas and cotillions of her youth. Though, as Neil had learned from his father-in-law, she was never one to insist on the very finest of everything as many others of her sphere had done. There still had been much for her to learn of prudence when she had arrived to Cutter Gap but not nearly as much as some. Nothing in all of her previous life in Asheville could have prepared her for the hardships she would face from the very first moment she stepped foot outside the train in El Pano. None the less, she had faced it head-on with the determination of a woman dedicated to her chosen profession. She had come close to quitting on several occasions, but she toughed out the worst of times to come to where she was today. Neil admired her all the more for her tenacity and dedication to the people of the Cove. And now he found himself as the blessed recipient of that same tenacious spirit and dedication to him as her husband.

“You do realize, Neil MacNeill,” Christy began to speak as she stood over the tub in which sat her husband, jarring him from his daydreaming, “that you aren’t going to be allowed to wallow in that tub all evening. There is a tree to be trimmed, presents to be wrapped and a supper to be eaten. Not to mention that water must being getting pretty chilly by now.” She looked down at him, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

“Forgive me, my love. I was just thinking about…” Neil abruptly cut his sentence short.

Christy‘s brow furrowed slightly as she tipped her head somewhat to the side in a questioning fashion. “About what? Did something go wrong on your rounds today? Besides Charlie I mean.”

“Oh no, nothing like that. I was…actually, I was thinking about you.” Neil replied quietly.

“And just what were you thinking about me?” Christy asked equally as quiet as Neil’s reply had been.

“Oh, I was thinking of how proud I am of you. How much you’ve matured and grown since you arrived in the Cove.”

Blushing becomingly, Christy knelt beside the tub. “Are you really? Proud of me, I mean.”

Sitting up to face his wife Neil replied, “Of course I am. I thought you understood that.”

“I suppose I do.” Christy said as her gazed moved down to her hands, which were playing with an ornament in her lap. “It’s just that…” Her words trailed off for a moment. “I guess a wife just wants to here her husband tell her that once in a while is all.”

Taking his fingers and lifting her gaze up to meet his, Neil cupped her face in his hands and said, “Well, perhaps I do not say it as often as I should, my love. But I am extremely proud of you and the way you have adapted to life in the Cove. Not all women could accomplish what you have here, you know. I for one understand that better then anyone.” Christy knew he was thinking of his first wife Margaret who had never adjusted to life in the Cove. She had never learned to make a life for herself or to get on with the others living here. So to change the mood from the tears forming in both their eyes she teased him again.

“Is that…ALL, you were thinking about me then?” Christy asked coyly as she leaned her arms on the tubs edge.

“No, not ALL. But all I want to divulge to you at this present moment.” Neil chuckled as he gave his wife a peck on the end of her nose. “Now, Lass, if you wish my assistance this evening you’ll have to back away and allow me to rise from this tub.” He winked at Christy before continuing. “Unless you’d care to join me?”

“As inviting as that might sound Neil, I’m afraid I’ll have to decline…this time.” Handing her husband a towel, Christy blushed remembering a time when she hadn’t refused.

A few minutes later Neil was dried and freshly clothed when he descended the stairs once again. “What would you have me to do first Lass?” Neil exclaimed as he rubbed his hands together in eager anticipation.

“Well, I have the tree pretty well decorated. If you’d just check on the stew for me, I’ll finish up here and we can work together on the gifts after we eat.”

Neil turned toward the kitchen and after a few bumps, bangs, and one ‘ouch!’ Neil reappeared in the parlor with the side of his hand in his mouth. “Burn yourself, Darling?” Christy asked failing miserably at her attempt to disguise her humor.

“Yes, I did. And you find this amusing do you?” Neil attempted to scold Christy, but he also failed, the light in her eyes was his undoing.

“Let me see it?” Christy finally offered after her humor faded away some.

“I’m a physician, Christy, I can take care of it myself, you know.”

“I know, but I want to be certain that this little incident isn’t going to keep you from helping me wrap presents.”

“Wrap? Presents?” Neil exclaimed. “I’ve never wrapped a present in my life and I am not about to begin now!”

“Never? You‘ve NEVER wrapped a gift?” Christy asked incredulously.

“Never.” Neil declared obstinately, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Well, then I believe it’s time you learned!” Christy rejoined just as stubbornly.

“Why can’t we just hand the person whatever it is we got for them? That’s what I’ve always done.”

“Maybe you have, but that’s not the way my family…or shall I say, ‘I’ have always done.” Christy paused for a moment as she stepped to the settee and sat down motioning for Neil to sit beside her. She reached for his hands, gazing into her husband’s azure blue eyes as she continued. “You see, Neil, it’s like this. I believe that wrapping a gift before you give it to someone is like wrapping yourself, or more precisely, your ‘love’ around the package. It takes time and a certain degree of patience to wrap a gift just right. I put a little bit of myself into each present I wrap. When I hand you a gift that I wrapped myself I’m saying how much I love and care for you. It shows you I feel you are worth the time and energy it takes to wrap the gift for you. Perhaps the receiver of the gift doesn’t even realize these things, but God does and I feel that’s what truly matters in the end. Of course if one cannot afford wrapping that is a totally understandable situation, but at least the sentiment is there. Do you know what I’m trying to say, Sweetheart?”

“I think I do.” Neil answered. “I must admit I never looked at it from that perspective before. You’re right though.”

“Thank-you. So will you help me?”

“Of course I will.”

It was a joyous time. Christy sang carols as they labored over the gifts, with Neil joining in every now and again. The job didn’t get finished as quickly with Neil helping, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun without him. After all who would have accidentally gotten his finger tied to Miss Alice’s gift if he hadn’t assisted?

Smiling slyly at his wife, Neil spoke as he stood from his place beside the Christmas tree where he had just laid the final present. “I was just thinking about what you said earlier, about wrapping your love, or yourself around the package you’re giving?”

“What about it?” Christy asked with a sneaking suspicion she already knew where he was heading with this topic.

“Well…” He drawled out slowly as he approached, taking his wife in his arms. “Let’s just say you can wrap yourself around my Christmas present any time.” He finished in a whisper as he leaned his head down and kissed her with a passionate kiss. To which Christy gave herself completely.

Smiling inwardly, Christy thought of the ‘surprise’ she had for Neil and just how close he was to speaking the truth, for the tiny ‘gift’ from God growing within her womb would be the greatest gift of all and she would inform him of her resent discovery tomorrow evening after everyone was gone home. It would be a Christmas she was sure he would remember for the rest of his life.

~*~

Christmas morning dawned bright and beautiful with a full glorious sunrise. Christy awoke in her favorite spot, that is when Neil wasn’t away, tucked in the crook of his arm with her head on his shoulder. A smile graced her features at the sound of his heart beating beneath her ear, a sound she never tired of. There were so few mornings Neil was still at home that Christy cherished each and every one of them. So many nights Neil was called upon for his services somewhere in the Cove that it was a delight to awaken in his arms. It would seem the moonshiners in the Cove only came out at night because that was the time when Neil was most likely to be called away. Many were the times they awakened to the pounding on the front door by someone announcing some form of violence had taken place. Though it was obvious Neil hated to leave his wife his sense of duty called him to the door and out into the night. Many times it would be days later before Neil would wearily drag himself back home only to collapse into bed, if he even made it up the stairs.

Gazing up at her husband’s sleeping face, Christy thanked God the moonshiners had, it would appear, to have called a truce of sorts for the Christmas holiday. Of this she would be eternally grateful since it would most likely mean her husband could remain home on Christmas Day.

But there was work right here in the cabin to be done for which she would need Neil’s assistance downstairs. So she reluctantly left the warmth of Neil’s embrace and kissed him softly. This seemed to bring no reaction whatsoever so with a playful smile Christy began to tickle his ear with her hair to which Neil reached up and brushed it away only to have it return once again. Stifling a giggle Christy continued and Neil swatted until finally he opened his eyes to see what was happening. “Merry Christmas, Neil.” Christy spoke softly. “It’s time to get up and start the day.”

Closing his eyes again Neil groaned. “It can’t be morning already!” He announced with another groan.

“Of course it can be, and it is. You don’t think you’re going to sleep the day away do you?” Christy teased playfully.

Neil smiled up at his wife as he opened his eyes obviously struggling to adjust them to the light filtering in through the curtains. “I would think you would be just as tired as I am. Woman, you keep me up half the night and expect me to rise at the crack of dawn!” Neil teased as he tightened his grip on his wife.

“*I* kept *you* up half the night!” Christy declared incredulously. “I like that! It seems to me, if memory serves that it was *you* who kept me awake until the wee hours of the morning!” She announced as she playfully slapped him on the shoulder.

“Well, whoever it was it was worth it!” Neil declared as he drew Christy near kissing her thoroughly.

“Neil!” Christy exclaimed as Neil’s intentions drastically changed directions. “Behave yourself! Miss Alice is in the room just across the hall!”

“And you don’t think she knows that we do such things?” Neil asked, as he tried in vain to hide his amusement.

“Of course she does, but she doesn’t have to hear it.” Christy replied as she pushed herself up with her hand on Neil’s shoulder her countenance stern. With a resounding laugh Neil allowed his wife leave.

Both shivered as they readied themselves for the day. They had agreed by mutual consent that neither of them would not dress-up in formal clothing as they had on Thanksgiving Day in Asheville for many of the Cove residence who would be in attendance this day could scarcely afford food let alone formal clothing.

~*~

Miss Alice had arrived some time during the night. Christy had worried about her being injured, but since she hadn’t phoned them they assumed she would arrive at any moment. Neil had assured her of Alice’s well being and she most likely had a call to make that took longer then she expected.

Christy’s family had had a telephone installed for them shortly after their wedding so that they could speak to each other whenever the need arose. Julia Huddleston understood that, though Christy had been away from home for quite some time, she had never been a married woman before and as such she may feel the need to speak to her mother more often then she had in the past for sometimes after marriage motherly advice on some things is the only thing that will do. And in Christy’s case this had been true indeed, if for no other reason then for her mother’s cooking expertise.

Christmas Breakfast consisted of pancakes and sausages. Something filling to aid the three cabin occupants over until Christmas Dinner later in the afternoon. Christy placed the large delicious-looking ham in the oven, with her husband’s help, shortly after the Breakfast dishes were washed, dried and put away. They would feast today with ham, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, cornbread, biscuits, gravy and so much more for Christy knew that everyone who attended would feel obliged to bring a dish of some sort to share. She smiled at first at the thought of possibly having “Possum Surprise” for Christmas dinner but the smile quickly turned to a shiver and a scowl as the very thought brought on a fit of nausea for which she was completely prepared.

Noticing his wife’s change in countenance Neil placed his hand on her shoulder, “What’s wrong?”

“Oh nothing, really. I was just thinking about Ruby Mae bringing her favorite dish today, that’s all.” Christy answered as she exchanged a knowing look with her husband.

Neil laughed abruptly at the look on her face. “You don’t want “Possum Surprise” for Christmas, my love?” He said through his laughter.

“No I don’t!” Christy replied with a shiver that Neil felt through his hand. “I would think you wouldn’t be too crazy about the idea either, Neil!”

Sobering immediately Neil said, “Christy, many were the times my family was thankful to have that much for Christmas dinner.” As he finished with an extremely sober face he turned from his wife and strode back to the parlor and began speaking with Miss Alice.

Feeling absolutely ashamed Christy wanted to apologize but now was not the time to do so. Sometimes she forgot entirely where it was Neil came from, the background he had here in the Cove. He was so totally different then the other’s living here that it was easy to forget he was one of them, born and bred in these mountains. She could kick herself at times like this when she said things that were obviously hurtful to her husband. They were very much in love, but they were also two very different people with completely different backgrounds and this in and of itself was often the most cause of friction between them. Oh it didn’t last long and it was most often a piddling affair, but Christy wanted more then anything to keep this in mind without making it an issue between them for it was usually she who made the mistake of bringing up the past without intending to do so, just as she had now.

And yet, what she wouldn’t give some times to be able to travel back in time to see Neil as a child and the life he lived. The poverty he had lifted himself from to where he was today. That would be a dream come true she thought as she turned back to the potatoes she was washing.

~*~

Pine boughs and holly sprigs graced the door jams to welcome visitors to the MacNeill residence this glorious Christmas afternoon. The McHone’s were the first to arrive followed closely by the Spencer’s and last of all to arrive were the members of the Mission, David, Ruby Mae and with them came Neil’s Aunt Hattie. Aunt Hattie was given a place of honor beside the fireplace in Neil’s wooden rocking chair, with hand crocheted afghans padding the seat and back. As always she was full of the joy of the Lord. She had always been so, but it was far more prominent since hearing of Neil’s salvation. Often were the times Christy heard her say she could go home a happy woman knowing her only surviving relative would one day be there with her as well. She had worked hard all her life to bring the gospel to the people of the Cove and most especially her family. Neil had always been the stubborn one, never sensing a need for a savior, feeling as he did that he, in and of himself, was capable of taking care of anything in his life that needed caring for. But that had all changed when the woman he loved more then anything in the world had been at death’s door and there was nothing he could do to prevent her from entering. She had even explained to him after the fact that she wanted to go, but his voice, pleading with God and with her, was pulling her back. Now they and Aunt Hattie were sincerely happy with the results.

Soon after the arrival of the Mission folks, dinner was served and Neil was given the distinct honor of saying grace over the meal at their first gathering in their home.

All ate their fill and then some. Christy was still feeling a bit queasy, but refused to allow Neil to see her playing with her food rather than eating it. So she busied herself with helping the children and running for more coffee and milk as people ran low.

Miss Alice, Christy and Opal did the dishes as Aunt Hattie sang some favorite mountain songs and hymns for everyone in the parlor. When the final dish was placed in the cupboard the ladies joined the others and Aunt Hattie sang her first Christmas carol, “Silent Night”, after which there wasn’t a dry eye in the cabin.

When the song was finished David spoke up, “Neil, we’ve got a gift for you that we need to present before it gets dark out, so if you would follow me please.” His voice, to Christy, sounded almost somber, but the suppressed grin and the wink he flashed to Alice proved otherwise.

David, Neil, Alice and Christy threw their jackets on before exiting the cabin. The others watched from the cabin windows as they descended the stairs and traversed the yard, slogging through the snow, to the stable entrance. “Now, Neil I realize you asked to borrow a horse from the Mission, but if the truth be known we’ve realized for a long while now that Charlie is aging rapidly. So we decided months ago already to present you with this particular gift for Christmas.” David said as he reached for the door handle and pulled, swinging the stable entrance wide open.

Just inside the stable stood a beautiful buckskin mare. Neil gasped as his eyes caught sight of the animal. “Why she cannot be very old!” He exclaimed as he entered and put out a hand for the horse to sniff. After she seemed satisfied that he wasn’t about to harm her Neil reached up and softly patted her muzzle. “She’s beautiful, but…” Neil paused a moment. “I can’t accept such a gift as this. I’m sorry.” He backed away slowly, shaking his head.

“Neil,” David began as he placed his hand on the other man’s shoulder. “You’ve done more for the Cove and the Mission then you will ever realize. This is our gift to you for all the fine doctoring you’ve provided us over the years.”

Alice moved forward and placed her hand on his other shoulder, bending her head so she could look into his turned face. “That’s true Neil. We knew thee would never accept any other gift, but we knew thee would be requiring a new horse soon. This way we can also benefit from this gift as well because thee will be able to go out on calls when thee are needed and make thy rounds. So thee see, it is not just out of charity that we present this gift, but out of gratitude and a bit of selfishness as well.” She grinned at Neil as she patted his shoulder.

With a knowing look between them Alice and David strode back to the house, leaving Neil and Christy in the barn alone.

It was several moments before Neil spoke huskily. “How can I accept such a gift as this?”

“You tell them ’Thank-you’, Neil.” Christy replied.

“But I cannot take something like this. It’s like accepting charity!”

“It is not charity, Neil!” His wife exclaimed. “It is payment for all you’ve done for the Cove and the Mission! You work so very hard and they just want to show you how grateful they are to you for it.”

“I have not done so much as you think I have. Look at all the patients I have lost?”

“Perhaps, but look at all the patents you pulled through when others thought they were lost? Bob Allen, Little Burl, even me and that‘s just the beginning! As Miss Alice said, you‘ve done far more for the Cove then you realize.” She came near, slipping her arms about his waist.

“Well,” Neil began. “We could use another animal. Charlie’s leg should heal enough to carry you by the time you return to teaching after the Christmas break.”

Smiling to herself Christy tightened the hold she had on her husband, resting her head on his broad chest. He didn’t know, of course, that she would not be returning to school after the break. David had found a woman who would come and take her place.

It had been a dream of Neil’s for quite some time to have his precious wife at his side at all times. The time had now arrived for that to happen. On their rare nights alone Neil had been teaching her the names of the different surgical instruments and medical terminology. Plus she had been practicing giving injections and even practicing suturing. Once she had a taste of medicine it seemed to grow on her and she even proceeded to devour medical text books which Neil recommended. She may have been squeamish when she first arrived in the Cove but she had come a long way since those first days.

Miss Alice set the birth of their child at the mid to end of July. That would give her seven months to assist Neil unhindered. Afterward she would bring the baby with them when they were called away. Though it would be a trial, Christy wanted their child to grow up knowing what was expected of it’s parents when they went out on calls. And this in turn would be cause for them to have a second horse for her to ride.

This she thought to herself, but to Neil she merely said, “Whatever you think is best, my love. Though I agree we could use the extra animal.”

Smiling Neil as he slipped his arm around Christy’s waist as they turned back to the cabin.

~*~

Present opening began shortly after Neil and Christy returned to the cabin. When Christy had presented the final package she returned to the kitchen area to make hot cocoa and set out the Christmas cookies she had been laboring over for the past few days. When she had the last of the mugs set out and a platter of cookies in the center of the table Christy heard the sound of Lulu Spencer exclaiming that she had found yet another gift under the tree.

“It’s for you Doc!” The young girl exclaimed as she raced across the room toward Neil with the box in her hand extended toward him.

“Why thank-you Lulu!” Neil exclaimed as he reached out and took the gift from the child’s hand.

Hearing this exchange Christy’s heart began to beat faster. *I knew I should have hidden that up in our room! * She thought to herself as she dashed around the table nearly upsetting everything in her haste.

Reaching the parlor just as Neil was about to open the unwrapped box Christy began to exclaim, “Neil don’t open tha…” But her words fell dead as Neil opened the package to reveal two pair of baby booties, one pair pink, and the other blue.

With a look of confusion Neil turned his head toward his wife, the booties hanging from the tips of his fingers. “Christy what is this?”

“Oh!” David piped up immediately. “Now I know why you asked me to look for a new teacher, Christy!”

“That’s right!” Alice declared to David. “Christy came to me a few weeks ago with some concerns and asked me what I thought they might be…well that was our answer!”

“I had a peculiar feeling this news was forthcoming!” Aunt Hattie chimed in. “Congratulations! I just knew by the way Christy’s voice sounded lately that something wonderful was happening!”

“There was something’ in your eyes that told me, Miz Christy!” Opal added, what felt to Christy like fuel to the fire burning in Neil’s eyes.

“It seems everyone in the Cove knew of this but me.” Neil said, sounding sadly disappointed in his wife.

“Neil this isn’t the way I wanted to tell you.” Christy pleaded as she stepped toward Neil.

“Perhaps it would be best if the rest of us went home.” Miss Alice stated as she rose from her seat.

Both Neil and Christy heard nothing as David and Alice helped the others with their coats and showed themselves to the door.

When all was quiet Neil seemed to come to himself once again. “When were you planning to tell me then?”

“Tonight. After everyone had gone home. I wanted to tell you in a certain way. I never wished for you to find out in this manner, Neil. I promise you I didn’t!” Christy pled as she knelt beside Neil’s chair.

Just at that moment there was a loud pounding on the door to the cabin. Neil leapt to his feet as the door opened to a man, red-faced and puffing from physical exertion. “Doc, yah gotta come quick! It’s my boy! He done fell from cliff over the other side ah the Spoon! He’s hurtin’ something’ awful, Doc! Yah gotta come right away!” He exclaimed between gasps for air.

“I’ll be right there!” Neil replied as he raced toward his laboratory. “Saddle my horse!” He yelled back over his shoulder as he unlocked the door.

Within minutes Neil and the stranger were gone and Christy was left entirely alone. She had meant for this day to end happily. It had not turned out that way. Neil wasn’t supposed to be angry with her. They were supposed to be celebrating the upcoming birth of their first child.

Slowly she walked into the kitchen, methodically placing the mugs and utensils back into their proper places Christy couldn’t think of anything but the hurt and disappointment on Neil’s face as he looked at her just before he went out the door, without a word said to her.

~*~

It was two days later when Neil finally stumbled into the cabin, exhausted and heartbroken for the boy who had hung on for so long had died his injuries anyway in the end, Miss Alice had been by earlier and informed Christy that this was the case and Neil was remaining to help with the burial of the families only child.

Christy attempted to console her husband upon his arrival, but at times like this she knew he was inconsolable for these people were so very important to him. The thought of losing even one was more then his heart could endure. Silently he entered the door and stumbled to his laboratory where he promptly closed and locked the door behind him, as he had on many other occasions such as this. The Lord had not, it would appear, begun a work on Neil yet in this area.

Some hours later Christy sat in a chair before the fireplace her Bible in her lap, but her eyes were fixed on the glowing orange coals. After having eaten yet another meal alone, the remainder of which was in the warmer at the back of the stove awaiting Neil, when she heard the lock fall away on the inside of the laboratory and the hinges on the door creaked softly as Neil opened the door slowly. Holding the handle he stood with the door partially open as he and his wife only stared at each other, neither knowing what, if anything, was appropriate to say at this time.

Finally Christy broke the uncomfortable silence between them. “I had supper a few hours ago. There is a plate in the warmer for you, if you want I’ll get it ready for you.”

“I’d like that. Thank-you.” Neil countered softly.

Christy busied herself with the preparation of Neil’s supper, heating the food a little more, warming biscuits and setting a place for him at the table. Neil sat slowly and silently at the table as he watched his wife scurry about the kitchen making his meal. He understood--now--that she had not done anything to intentionally hurt him. It was merely that she wanted to keep the baby a secret until the “perfect” time came to inform him that had caused things to turn out as they had between them.

They sat once again staring at each other, only this time they were on opposite sides of the kitchen table. Neil trying, but not quite succeeding, to eat his meal and Christy watching her husband fork food into his mouth which he obviously didn‘t feel hungry for.

After several more uncomfortable minutes Christy spoke again more pleading then anything else this time. “Neil, you must understand that I never meant to hurt you.”

“I know you didn’t. It was just the ‘way’ I found out that…well, hurt, I guess is the word.” Neil rejoined as he reached across the table and placed his hand over that of his wife.

Tears sprang to Christy’s eyes before she could stay them. “I wanted it to be special. I had it all planned in my mind. The only reason the gift was even under the tree is because I wanted to ‘find’ it after everyone else had gone home. I wanted to watch your face. To see you look all confused at first and then watch as it dawned on you what the contents of the box truly meant.” She looked sadly down at the table. “But now…” The tears came unbidden once again as she released Neil’s hand and drew a napkin up to her face and began to weep.

Neil rose from his seat and came around the table to where Christy sat sobbing. There was more comfort to be found in the parlor so he lifted her into his arms and carried her to his chair by the fire. Sitting down in the chair he held Christy tightly in his lap until she ceased crying.

With her head on his shoulder she sniffed as she spoke. “It wasn’t only the baby I wanted to surprise you with. David found a lady to come and teach school, so I’ll be free to assist you on your rounds also.”

Placing his fingers under her chin Neil lifted Christy’s face until she was looking him in the eyes. “Are you joking?”

Shaking her head slowly, Christy smiled. “No, Neil, I’m not joking. I am completely in earnest. I asked him months ago to begin looking. I’ve been yearning to follow you on calls but felt I didn’t have the freedom to do so. Now I shall!”

“Oh Christy…” Neil sighed as he lowered his head to hers. After a lingering kiss Neil looked up with what appeared to be complete surprise written all over his face. “Christy! I’m going to be a father!” He exclaimed with a chuckle as he jumped up from the chair with his wife still in his arms, shouting praises to God.

Christy giggled as he swung her around in joyous abandon. That is until the thought struck him that he was swinging the woman who was carrying his child. “When, Christy? When will the baby be born?” He asked as he set her feet back on the floor.

“Miss Alice said the best she can predict is the middle to the end of July. I’m not certain of the dates because I have never been regular as you know.”

Nodding, Neil grabbed Christy and held her close. “I’ve always wanted a family of my own. Now I not only have you but we’ll soon have a child as well!” Looking down into her eyes, with tears brimming in his own he whispered, “Thank-you” so softly that had she not been looking directly at him Christy might have missed it. After yet another sweetly tender kiss Neil exclaimed as he tightened his grip on his wife once again, “This is certain the best Christmas gift I have ever had!”

THE END