David Grantland was mentally rambling to himself. He missed Christy already. And she had been gone one day! How could he tolerate another three weeks of this? He kicked the ground like a little boy and sighed. He wished Christy had given him an answer before she left. But he had asked her repeatedly if she had an answer, only to be pushed off. She was peeved he asked so often, it was obvious. David had decided to not press his luck any more than he had.
Gazing at the sun set over the mountain range, he became thoughtful. Maybe he would go see her. Not immediately, of course. Just give her a little time to herself so she would receive him better. David did not know too much about her qualms, her preferences, but he did know she was not partial to surprise visitors after she had so firmly left them behind. She looked forward to seeing her parents, especially her father. He was certain Mr.Huddleston, William, knew of David's interest in his daughter. He hoped it would be acceptable he show up sometime.
Satisfied he would see her sooner than in three weeks, David moved at a more brisk pace to the mission house. Ruby Mae was cooking. David's patience with the girl was running thin. She could "talk water uphill." He had hardly believed she could be *this* talkative until he found Christy was not there to intercept the nearly pointless chatter.
"And I said, I said to 'im, he ain't a-worthy-a me," Ruby Mae was saying to Alice as David walked in. "Rob Allen ain't gonna be able to be swoonin' over no showgal then jest cum back ta me, 'swhat I told 'im."
Miss Alice's expression showed her surprise and how startled she was at how Ruby Mae implied she had been firm, maybe even cruel. "Ruby Mae, does thou not think thee might have been maybe just a little harsh on Rob Allen?" asked Miss Alice. "I do not approve of what he did to thee but thee must remember to keep thy temper in focus."
"Hain't takin' 'im back," Ruby Mae muttered resignedly.
"Good afternoon, ladies," David greeted cautiously.
"Reverend, good afternoon," Miss Alice greeted as Ruby Mae fairly shouted her greeting. Miss Alice calmed her before turning back to the handsome reverend. She had always been concerned such a beautiful young woman as Christy and an appealing young man as David being together in the mission house would force them to being a couple. Miss Alice was certain Christy was more reluctant to be in a serious relationship than David and the parson was pushing her. Maybe a little too much. "I trust thy walk was fulfilling and has settled thy soul."
David nodded. "It was, Miss Alice, thank you," David said, truly grateful for the older woman's sensitivity. "I'm just a little lonely."
"Thee misses Miss Huddleston?" Miss Alice made it sound like she was guessing but already knew he was moping because of the teacher's absence.
He nodded again. "Asheville is six hours away," David said. "But I still feel like she's across the country."
"Perhaps, Mr. Grantland, God does not wish for thee to be with Miss Huddleston at this time," Miss Alice said. She saw a plan brewing in his dark, deep eyes and felt she should subtly correct him. "Miss Huddleston would not have left here, and thee, so abruptly had she not needed time to herself. Maybe thee should take advantage of her absence to get together your own thoughts, Reverend."
"Preacher, be ye and Miz Christy gettin' hitched?" Ruby Mae interrupted, not the least bit shy.
"Ruby Mae!" Alice Henderson admonished quickly. "Such things are none of thy business. Nor anyone but Miss Huddleston's and Reverend Grantland's."
Ruby Mae looked let down. "I jest been wonderin'. Them others, they been pressurin' me ta ask ye, Preacher, if-n yer gonna be marryin' Miz Christy after that thar public 'prosal."
David inwardly moaned but a breath fled his lips. He had hoped stories and rumors would not fly around the Cove but should have known they would. Perhaps he had known. They loved butting into other people's business. But, then again, David did that every Sunday when he preached.
"She hasn't answered me yet, Ruby Mae," David answered simply.
Ruby Mae nodded her slowly, obviously in thought. "I tell ye this. I'm sayin' I won't never turn down an offer if-n one like that one ye gave her, Preacher," Ruby Mae complimented.
The young reverend with mixed emotions slightly smiled in appreciation. "Thanks, Ruby Mae."
David became more determined than ever to go see her. Christy could not possibly turn him down, could she? Two weeks. That was it. Two weeks and he would go see her in Asheville.
"Yo-o-o-o-o-o-onited States Ma-a-ail!"
David wondered if Ben Pentland planned to tell everyone in the Cove the mission was receiving mail. But he found the nosey man somewhat amusing and did not bother him about his characteristic call.
Miss Alice, apparently, did not share in his sentiment.
The three left at the mission went out to see him. "Mr.Pentland, must thee shout and holler as thee does?" asked Alice.
Ben Pentland scratched his head, a somehow even dumber look on his face. He had never had the looks of an intelligent man, though he could light up a room with his rumors and great stories. His scholastic history left much, much to be desired.
"Gots some mail fer yas," Ben Pentland said. "Don't never mean ta 'noy ya none, Miz Alice."
Seeing the injured look on his face, Miss Alice apologized. "I did not mean to insult thee, Mr. Pentland," she assured him quickly.
His face lit up again and Alice wondered if she would rather he be more quiet rather than be so happy and talkative. Everyone at the mission was on edge. Alice knew little, normal things would start getting on her nerves. "Wal, thankee, Miz Alice," Ben Pentland said energetically. "Gots a letter fer Miz Christy here and a telegram fer ye, Miz Alice."
"I shall take Miss Huddleston's letter," Alice said when David reached for it. She knew the preacher would be tempted to read it and decided to make him flee the temptation by denying him the object of desire. "Thanks to thee, Mr. Pentland."
The mailman bowed cordially and set away from the mission house, whistling "Sourwood Mountain." It was probably the first time he had forgotten to hint at sticking around to know what the news was.
"What is it, Miss Alice?" David asked.
Miss Alice was reading the telegram over. Her face had paled and she held her hand to her forehead, attempting to push away the dizziness. "Reverend Grantland?" she whispered.
David was immediately concerned while Ruby Mae's face contorted with her animated worry. "Miss Alice?"
"Reverend, I would greatly appreciate it if thee would tend to Ruby Mae," Miss Alice said. "I must leave at once."
"What's wrong?" David asked. "Is it Christy?"
Miss Alice then noticed Neil posted he was in Asheville with Margaret. Had Neil and Christy run into each other yet? "No, it is not," Alice said. "It is Margaret. She is sick. I must go."