52Disclaimer: Again I do not own the rights to Christy the novel, TV Series or Movies. This is a work of fan fiction and to be used for entertainment only. I seek no profit.
Chapter Two
Christy journey to Asheville
I could only watch helplessly from my bed as Ida and Miss Alice packed my things. I was still tired and weak from my latest bout of fever. I had to have another two weeks of rest until Dr. MacNeill declared me fit to travel. It would be the first of December when I got home. My birthday was the 4th. I had wondered what a birthday would be like in Cutter Gap, if anyone would remember. I did hope that Mother hadn't planned any festivities for that day. I didn't think I could stand a party in my honor so soon after my arrival. Dr. MacNeill hadn't even allowed me visitors before I left. That had left me heartbroken and angry with him. I longed to see at least the Spencer children, to give them some comfort for their mother's loss, but no my captor would not allow it.
Or rather, my captors, since David was equally stern about the visitor policy and Miss Ida and Miss Alice seemed to have little influence on the situation. My captors would be accompanying me back to Asheville. I did not relish this idea at all. At one time I could remember enjoying time alone with the Doctor, but ever since his bedside confession he had been acting so differently toward me. Not in the way I expected he would, anyway. I had envisioned him telling the world that he loved me and he found his way back to God, but, alas, nothing. I truly could not understand him at all. I found him to be more infuriating and difficult than I had before my illness. I thought I loved him too, but apparently I had no idea what love was. I … well, I was just a silly girl getting over her young heart's crushes, I supposed. Of course, there was David too. He was just as puzzling as the Doctor was, never acting the way I thought a man in love should act. Yes, I was not in love with anyone I assured myself. I knew nothing about love anyhow.
"Did we get everything, Christy, child?" Miss Alice asked tenderly. I knew she hated to see me go back to Asheville.
"Yes, I believe so. I will be coming back in January, that isn't so far off from now." I wasn't sure whose fears I was trying to soothe, Miss Alice's or mine.
"I'll tell David that you're ready." Ida turned and went down the stairs. I could hear their voices below. It seemed that David and Dr. MacNeill were in a deep conversation as it took Miss Ida several tries to interrupt them.
"Thee are not prepared to leave yet?" Miss Alice questioned lightly. She moved to set on the bed with me.
"Yes I know that I should be back in Asheville with my parents. I know they have been worried about me. But I know my work here is not finished yet and I'll come back soon. I'm just not looking forward to the trip, I guess." I finished softly.
" Well with those two arguing and bickering about your care, I can certainly understand why thee does not wish to be stuck on a train for six hours with them. I know thee will return to us, of that I have no doubt. Perhaps a prayer would be comforting?" I nodded and we joined hands and bowed our heads and prayed a silent prayer. David's footsteps stirred us from our position.
"Ready?" He had my trunk in hand. I reached to pick up my school satchel. I did have the strength to carry that at least. I nodded and David whisked my trunk down the stairs. Miss Alice led me down the stairs.
By the time I reached the porch, the wagon was already loaded and Dr. MacNeill and David were waiting. David was already in the driver's seat holding the reins to Prince and Buttons. I sighed, that meant that Dr. MacNeill would help me into the wagon. He lifted me into the wagon like I was a sack full of air. It didn't surprise me much. I had always been a little on the thin side, but the typhoid had left me painfully thin. Mother would be in a terror when she saw how thin I had become. Dr. MacNeill was wrapping layers of warm quilts around me. His hands lingered, but he still said nothing. And with a final wave good-bye to Alice and Ida, we were off.
The trip to El Pano was silent for the most part. I was more than happy to take in the winter scene unfolding all around me. The sky was a heavy gray that promised snow. The air held the scent of snow, a fresh cold nose tingling scent. It had to be one of my favorite smells I had discovered since coming to Cutter Gap and there were plenty of unpleasant ones I found as well. The smell of coming snow and the mountains after the rain were ones I could never get enough of. I must have sighed audibly just then for I was confronted by, "Are you well?" from either side of me.
"I'm fine." I replied as crispy as the air around us, rolling my eyes. I sighed again in frustration.
"Well she certainly hasn't lost any of that fire." Dr. MacNeill chuckled. He had pulled a pipe out of his coat and proceeded to fill and light it. This pipe was a comical looking corncob one. It looked ludicrous, not at all like something Dr. MacNeill should be using. I wondered what happened to his other one, the heirloom one that had survived centuries. With a start, I remember that it had broken during my illness. I hope he gets a new one in Ashville. He looks so out of character now.
A light snow flurry danced around our wagon as we proceeded down the mountains toward El Pano. I watched the snowflakes with glee, more than happy to ignore my travel companions. The closer we got to El Pano the snow began to taper off and was soon replaced by a light fine drizzle. It was like traveling into a different world. I was going to miss the mountains more than anything while in Asheville I thought.
By the time the train had arrived, I was exhausted. I tried hard to summon the strength to walk onto the train with my own power but failed heartily. David had boarded already to get our seats. With a swift certainty, Dr. MacNeill swept me off of my feet and carried me onto the train. My startled blue eyes met his sparkling hazel ones and for a moment I was lost. How interesting his eyes were. I mussed. They could be very expressive one minute then clouded the next. Conflicted, just like the color. Unsure of how to be and finally just were. I let out my breath not realizing I had held it in the first place.
"Did I hurt you?" Dr. MacNeill's eyes were now concerned. I broke our gaze and said absently, "No, just exhausted." We had reached our seat and he placed me gently on the worn velvet cushion and sat down beside me. David looked at us with trepidation.
"She's exhausted, she'll be fine. Do you have the food Ida sent with us? Perhaps we all should eat before we get underway." I was actually relieved that Dr. MacNeill deflected David's worry. David passed around the cold chicken and honey drenched biscuits as the train slowly chuffed its way from El Pano. I could almost feel my heart break pulling away from the mountains that I knew so well. I kept my head turned to the window so my companions could not see my eyes fill with tears. I laid my cheek to the chilly glass and closed my eyes, hoping for sleep.
I didn't flinch when I felt Dr. MacNeill's large hand touch the exposed flesh on the inward curve of my wrist. I was nearly asleep and didn't care to put up an argument over my health yet again. I continued to slide gratefully into a dream filled slumber with his warm hand over mine. I dreamed I was a snowflake dancing high above the mountains. Rising and falling, moving this way and that, it was a wonderful dream. While I dreamt, the train, picking up speed, moved on toward Asheville.