Alice Henderson was terrified for her daughter's life. Neil's brief words by wire had frightened her. She had already lost Margaret once. Then a thought came to her, momentarily making Alice doubt herself. She suddenly realized she had never really *had* Margaret. Margaret had always been lost. The rebellious, illegitimate child wanted nothing to do with God or anything else her victimized mother cared about. Alice wondered fearfully if Margaret even knew she was a beloved, cherished daughter.
Alice was glad Christy would be there. Christy had always been a source of strength, a daughter she had never had. Alice was aware Neil drew strength and comfort from the teacher, too, though he would not admit it. Asheville was the perfect place for Alice to begin grieving the loss of a daughter she lost years ago.
Christy was faithfully waiting for her. Alice detected annoyance on the young woman's face. Then there was a maddening calm and serenity on her face after Christy shortly squeezed her eyes shut. Alice hoped the girl had been praying about whatever had been troubling her. Alice was aware Neil had not told Christy where he was going. That was probably Christy's trouble.
Alice was welcomed into the teacher's arms instead of the opposite. It felt nice to be the one comforted and not the comforter to the Quaker missionary woman.
Alice had a feeling they both needed that embrace.
"Dr.MacNeill is already at the house," Christy said after a short greeting. Alice noticed the woman still struggled. With what was still to be decided. She was more withdrawn. Distant. Christy did not freely express what was bothering her as she always had before. "We met up at the courthouse right before I received your telegram."
"I hope I have not put thee out," Alice said quickly. "I did not mean to impose upon thee or thy family."
"Nonsense," Christy said. "You're always welcome, Miss Alice." She turned to the older woman and Alice could see a reflection of the intense, deep feelings Christy was hiding. "I wanted to let you know, Miss Alice, that I'm really sorry about Margaret being so ill. And I'll be here for you if you want me, or need me."
Alice nodded thoughtfully. Christy was sincere. Alice just wondered how hard it was for Christy to say what she did. "Thanks to thee, Miss Huddleston," Alice said gently.
A veil dropped over the pretty, shapely face of the Huddleston daughter at hearing Alice's words. The blue eyes held no emotion to be dissected and analyzed. She left no room for Alice to probe through her mind.
Seeing this change in Christy startled Alice. It was so unlike Christy to struggle so much with something. There was something about her that had changed. Miss Henderson was unsure if it was a good thing. She was showing the uncaring, unfeeling Christy. Maybe it was just Christy altering to where she stayed. Alice planned to speak with her about it later.
Christy said very little on the way to the house. She was cordial and perfectly polite but was certainly not the warm young woman of Cutter Gap. Alice wondered what had happened to her.
Neil saw Christy and Alice arrive and dreaded going down to see Christy again. He knew she was still angry with him. But he also knew he had to see Alice. So Neil MacNeill went downstairs.
"Hi.... Alice," Neil said hesitantly.
Christy glanced up and saw him. Taking one of Alice's valises, she brushed past the doctor without meeting his eyes. Neil and Alice watched her go for a moment. The doctor anxiously turned the attention back to the Quaker woman standing before him.
"Margaret will be glad you came," Neil said. "I think she knows I wired you."
Alice wondered about Neil's statement. The last time Alice had seen her daughter she had been disowning her. The memory still made Alice's eyes jerk. Margaret had strode down the aisle casually, bumped her mother's shoulder, and continued down the moonlit path, singing. Did it really make so little difference to Margaret she was disowned?
Alice shook her head slightly to clear her mind. Alice was willing to return to her daughter's side and ask for a real relationship to exist between them.
"I should like to see her," Alice said quietly. Neil nodded as he carried her things.
They were able to leave moments later. Alice did not want to rest but to go straight to her daughter. Christy was, apparently, determinedly avoiding Neil. It pained him he upset her but could not dwell on it.
"She's not doing well, Alice," Neil said quietly as they walked to the hospital.
Alice's shoulders slightly slumped at hearing this news. "Really?" she asked in an almost whisper.
"Maybe you can help her," Neil suggested. "I know what happened last time you saw her, Alice, but things have changed. I'm not quite sure what it is but she seems like a different woman."
Alice looked at him with hope in her eyes. "Will thee be working things out with Margaret?"
Neil glanced at her. "No..... no, Alice, we aren't," Neil said slowly. "In fact, it was the courthouse where I ran into Christy and William." He paused. "I attained a divorce."
"A divorce!" Alice cried, startled. "Why?"
"Margaret and I are getting along," Neil began to explain. "I don't want to lose that. We're getting along as friends, as doctor and patient. But we can't get along as husband and wife. We never have. With this sickness, she and I agreed it would be easier on everyone if we finally got the divorce."
Alice was quiet. This new piece of news surprised her but it should not have. The divorce was long in coming. As a Christian, a Quaker, she did not believe in divorce, of course. She figured that, in this case, it was best but that did not mean she had to agree it was correct Biblically. Then again, neither of them were people of God.
"I see," Alice said quietly.
"I know you're against divorce, Alice," the doctor added. "I'm sorry. But it's best this way."
Alice paused a moment as he opened the door to the hospital for her. She stepped through and waited for Neil. "I know," she admitted.