Read Online Bridge to Cutter Gap / Silent Superstitions / The Angry Intruder by Catherine Marshall - Free Book Online Page B

shoof yoouf aroumf.”
    â€œAllow me to translate,” Mr. Grantland said. “I speak Ruby Mae. I believe she was offering to give you the royal tour of the mission.”
    Ruby Mae nodded enthusiastically.
    â€œWhich would probably be a fine idea,” he continued, “since I, unfortunately, cannot do the honors myself. I’ve got another load of school desks to pick up.”
    â€œI’d like that, Ruby Mae,” Christy said.
    Ruby Mae glowed, obviously thrilled at being assigned such an important duty.
    â€œI’m afraid it will be a rather brief tour,” Mr. Grantland said. “There’s not much to see, really.”
    â€œOh, yes, there is,” Christy replied. “When I looked out my window this morning, it practically took my breath away. The mountains, the sky . . . it’s amazing.”
    â€œYes,” Mr. Grantland gazed at her thoughtfully. “I’m glad you can see that, too.” His voice went soft. “Sometimes, with all the problems here in the Cove, it helps to see God’s beauty in His creation.” He smiled a little self-consciously. “Well, I must be off. Enjoy your tour. And enjoy your meeting with Miss Alice.”
    He gave a little wave and in a few long strides had disappeared out the door.
    Ruby Mae leaned across the table. Her mouth was still full of buckwheat cakes.
    â€œSwallow,” Miss Ida chided.
    Ruby Mae obeyed dutifully, but not without another roll of her lively brown eyes. “He’s not married, you know,” she confided to Christy in a loud whisper.
    â€œYou mean . . . Mr. Grantland?” Christy asked uncomfortably, noting Miss Ida’s grimace.
    â€œHe don’t even have a gal-friend, near as I can tell. And believe you me, I would know. I keep up on everybody’s comings and goings.”
    â€œDavid has his mind on far more important things than a gal-friend , Ruby Mae,” Miss Ida snapped. “He’s here to do the work of the Lord, not to fall in love.”
    â€œI reckon sometimes that’s sort of the same thing, ain’t it?” Ruby Mae asked thoughtfully.
    Christy tried very hard to hide her smile. It was clear that Miss Ida was not amused.
    â€œAnd this here’s the outhouse,” Ruby Mae said with a grin. “Reckon you ain’t seen nothing this fancy before.”
    Christy blinked. Actually, the outdoor toilet was more primitive than anything she’d ever seen. And drafty, too, in this January cold!
    It had not occurred to her how simple the mission buildings would be. She gazed back at the white three-story, frame building with a screened porch on either side. The mission house where she’d slept last night was a palace compared to the Spencer cabin, of course. But still, there was no electricity, no telephone, no plumbing. The house, along with the church-schoolhouse, a lattice-covered springhouse, the double outhouse, Mr. Grantland’s bunkhouse by the creek, and Miss Henderson’s cabin were the only buildings at the mission.
    â€œIt’s a fine outhouse,” Christy managed to say, and Ruby Mae beamed with pride, as if she’d built it herself.
    The girl had not stopped talking during Christy’s tour of the mission. One question, one smile from Christy was all it took for Ruby Mae to break into a beaming grin so full of excitement that Christy wondered when the last time was that anyone had really paid attention to the girl. Would all her students be this needy, this dying for affection? As Ruby Mae’s questions began to accumulate, so too did Christy’s. She was anxious to talk to Miss Alice and get some answers.
    â€œAnd now, for the finest part of my showin’,” Ruby Mae announced. “The school!” She took Christy’s hand and led her toward the simple church building. “I saved the best for very last.”
    Christy followed Ruby Mae up the wooden steps. As they entered the building, Ruby