Neil monitored her reaction closely out of the corner of his eyes. He saw her tense. Dr.MacNeill was unsure if that was a good or bad sign as to whether he should continue speaking or not.
"What about it?" Christy asked tersely.
It was then Neil knew for certain she was not going to give him an easy time. She rarely did. But this was no exception. And Christy was going to an extreme this time.
"I wanted to explain aboot-" Neil began.
"Christy, good, I'm glad I found you," David said, approaching from their side on Prince, the majestic, jet black stallion.
Neil reminded himself not to curse at the interruption. Grantland never had been a man he liked. This interruption when Neil was about to explain himself to Christy fueled that annoyance with the reverend. In Neil's opinion, and he had quite a few, David needed to learn more how to live life how he preached it should be lived before telling others. Neil felt David's hormones kicked in too much from being so young, when it came to Christy especially, and it peeved the doctor to no extent. Christy was not a pretty face to have hanging on a man's arm and dutifully follow him around wherever and whenever he said. Neil thought this was how David looked at the teacher. Neil respected Christy too much to even consider she would ever go along with that and he did want to warn her about how Grantland probably looked at her.
"David, hi," Christy said hesitantly. This is awkward! she thought.
"Doctor," David acknowledged slightly coldly once he realized who Christy's companion was.
Neil only nodded. This was not someone he wanted to see. David wanted to keep Christy as far away from Neil as he could and the doctor knew this. He hated it.
"What is it, David?" Christy asked quietly. She was torn between wanting to hear what the doctor had to say and fleeing the situation entirely. This was the first time in months Christy felt she needed a vacation. A *serious* vacation.
"Ruby Mae's upset," David replied, ignoring the doctor thoroughly now. "She's wailing for you and Alice has had no luck with her. She said she's got to talk to you."
Ruby Mae had followed Christy around like a loyal dog since the teacher's arrival and had often requested to talk only to her. But never had she been seriously upset as David now implied she was. Christy was relieved and agitated at the same time she would not hear what the doctor had to say. Not now, anyway.
"I'm sorry," Christy said to the doctor. "I should go."
Without waiting for a response, she quickened her pace to walk ahead of them. Neil turned to David. "I was talking t' her, yoo know," Neil said, his voice tinted with his veiled annoyance.
"I saw that," David replied. "I've already told you to let her go. You're only ruining her life."
Neil raised his eyebrows in interest. "I heard ye the first time ye said so. But I don't obey yoo and I'm allowed t' talk to who I want. Besides, who's to say I'm ruining her life? She's a mind of her own and can decide these things."
David was annoyed with MacNeill's cool response. "If you really cared about her you would stop confusing her."
"First, she's a big lass," Neil said sarcastically. "She doesna need either of us, or anyone, looking after she should t' think nor what t' do. And, second, if yoo really cared aboot her then ye wouldna put her in a position like ye did two days ago."
David had already wondered about that and hated the doctor saw it, too. So, because he knew the doctor was right, he became defensive. "You should mind your own business, MacNeill. And I don't believe ruining Christy's life is part of your business."
"I pity yoo, David," Neil said, surprising the preacher. "That yoo don na possess the wisdom Christy does to noot judge other people. She knows she canna tell people what to do and what noot to do. Maybe ye should learn the same lesson."
Neil continued down the hill, leading Charlie, his horse. He disappeared into the mission house, leaving a mortified David Grantland behind.
David jammed his hat back on his head in irritation. He knew MacNeill was right and it even angered him. David always wondered if he cramped Christy. She was such a free-spirited young woman. But she had never really complained except the one time she set him straight. And David felt he had stopped. The doctor, apparently, agreed with the reverend he was being too pushy.
David had often wondered if Christy's reason for such hesitancy went beyond the doctor to the public proposal. He had thought she would say 'yes', jump in his arms, and, perhaps, kiss him. But she had been torn. She had not known whether she wanted to love a married man from a distance or marry a man she felt compassion for.
David knew the children being on the steps watching added to her pressure and helped keep her eyes open. She knew David wanted to leave Cutter Gap. He knew he wanted to leave Cutter Gap. But she had grown deep roots in the Cove, something David could not explain rationally to himself. He had even prayed to know why she fit in so well, why they all loved her, welcomed her, and embraced her. Maybe it was just her natural charm. Whatever it was, it was a factor in her decision. Maybe David should tell her he was not going to leave. Would it be worth staying in Cutter Gap to marry her?
Of course it would. Christy was amazing. The most incredible woman he had ever met was worth anything.
David turned Prince sharply to the barn determinedly, much to the horse's grief. David mentally apologized to him and pat his neck. He seemed to be hurting everyone he cared for lately.
Christy had gone inside to find Ruby Mae weeping and wailing, just as David insinuated. Christy rushed forward and Alice relinquished the responsibility of the teenager more than willingly to the young teacher. "What happened?" Christy asked worriedly as she embraced Ruby Mae.
Ruby Mae wailed louder and Christy tried to hush the girl, looking at Miss Alice with great concern. Alice Henderson shook her head. "Thee must not think Ruby Mae will not get over it," Alice said. "And neither must thee, Ruby Mae," Miss Alice said pointedly. Ruby Mae sniffed and still sobbed. "Rob Allen does not wish to keep company with thee anymore, Ruby Mae, and thee must accept his wishes."
Ruby Mae began blubbering once again. Christy pitied the poor girl, who was a hopeless romantic. She had boasted about Rob Allen so often. She loved him.... in her own, special, way. But Ruby Mae truly was upset by Rob Allen's declaration and the crying testified to that point.
"Thank you for taking care of her, Miss Alice," Christy said cordially. She knew what it was like to not be with the one you felt so strongly for. She knew too well.
Miss Alice's look showed her immense gratitude for Christy taking over and the younger woman had to agree Christy had the harder job. Miss Alice all but fled the room.
Christy soothed the girl until she finally calmed. Ruby Mae's once bright red curls were yet to be free of the brown hair color she had used to try to win Rob Allen back with. Rob Allen was still mooning over a picture he had from the girls at a speak-easy in El Pano. It hurt Christy that Ruby Mae had to lose him this way. Rob Allen was a fool and the teacher honestly told the girl, who practically idolized her, so.
Ruby Mae sniffed again and stopped crying. "Ye really think he be a fool fer lettin' me go, Miz Christy?"
Christy knew she had to be very careful with her words. Even the slightest mishap and Ruby Mae would be off sobbing again. Christy smoothed back the girl's untamed curls. "Of course I do," she replied honestly. "And he had no right to do it to you. Especially not this way." Christy added strong conviction to her voice to show Ruby Mae she was sure of herself and her opinion, which she was. She just knew Rob Allen wanted someone he could settle down with quicker. Ruby Mae was still such a child inside. But he did love her, too, in his own way. Maybe they were really in love but Christy could not know. She only could dissect their relationship with what she was shown.
"Oh, thankee, Miz Christy!" Ruby Mae cried with animated appreciation. "I be mech obleeged ta ye!"
"It's my pleasure, Ruby Mae," Christy said with a gentle smile. "Now go on upstairs and wash your face until your pretty green eyes are no longer red."
There was teasing seriousness in her voice she hoped soothed the girl. It apparently did for Ruby Mae fairly skipped out of the room. Christy let out a small sigh and rose from her knees. The doctor entered the room. "Let me know if ye be needin' some medicine for the headache I'm sure she gave ye."
Christy's lips twitched with a hint of a smile. "Well, how kind of you."
Her slight sarcasm again caught him slightly off-guard. "I see we're still not up to being quite civil yet."
"I'm sorry," Christy immediately apologized. A sigh was evident in her voice and the doctor assumed it to be with either him or David. Or them both. "I've been a little stressed lately. I didn't mean to take it out on you."
"No apology necessary," Neil said. "I know ye have been under stress."
"What were you saying before?" Christy asked, daring to inquire about his previous statements.
"Oh, nothing," Neil said quickly. Christy's eyes showed her curiosity. "Forget it. Maybe we'll finish another time. I should go. I have to see the Spencers."
Christy was astounded that she was so reluctant to let the matter drop. She had been so uneasy about discussing it before. Why the sudden change of heart? she wondered to herself. "Oh, well, OK," Christy reluctantly released him.
The doctor felt something of relief and it surprised him he felt he would have explained himself to her had she ordered him to tell her. But Christy had always had an odd effect on him.
Neil nodded. "I'll see yoo later."
Christy matched his nod. "Yeah, sure," she agreed quietly.