Chapter 25

The thundering of approaching hooves on hard ground was deafening, reverberating in his brain until he thought his head would explode. He slowly backed away, instinctively aware that there was little distance between himself and the cliff’s edge, a sheer drop to the jagged rocks and raging torrent far below. He gasped as the horses and riders came into view – blue uniformed soldiers, crouched low over their mounts, digging their heels into their chargers’ bellies as they thundered forward. Then, from the other direction, painted and feathered indians on smaller, swifter, piebald horses, bows and rifles raised against the enemy. And he stood between them, helpless, alone and desperately afraid.

He took another step back and the ground began to crumble under his feet, loose stones bouncing off the cliff face to the waters below. His heart was pounding agonisingly. Then came the voices – the war cries of the indian braves and the answering whoops of the soldiers going into battle. No-one could win and so many would lose. He wanted to close his eyes against the impending tragedy, but they stubbornly refused to close as they swept from left to right and the thundering grew impossibly louder. He stepped back again and his heel came down on nothingness, leaving him balancing precariously on the very edge of the precipice, and still the horses and riders advanced.

He crouched down, wrapping his arms protectively around his head. He peered up to at last see the faces of the warriors – anger, hate, determination in their eyes – soldiers and indians alike. He gulped and held his breath. Surely they were close enough now to begin firing, but the thundering continued on.

Suddenly he felt something brush against his side and he looked up to see Michaela moving swiftly by him to stand in the middle of the path between the charging enemies. His heart leapt into his throat as she turned to face the advancing army and raised her arms into the air, halting them in their tracks. At her back the indian braves also pulled their horses to an abrupt halt and suddenly there was silence, though the pounding in his head continued relentlessly.

He couldn’t hear what she was saying, but he could see the distaste, even hate in the eyes of the grey-haired, ruddy-faced colonel who had been leading the charge. Taking a deep breath, he edged forward away from the cliff’s edge, stood and walked across to stand close beside her. Remarkably, the colonel suddenly snorted in disgust and then wheeled his horse around to signal that his men should retreat. He and Michaela stood close together as the army slowly receded into the distance. Then, as one, they turned to face the silent indians. He peered up into the face of the leader and recognised Cloud Dancing, his expression inscrutable. Then there was a hint of a smile, a barely perceptible nod of the head, and he too wheeled his horse around to lead his braves away.

And suddenly they were alone, he and Michaela, in the middle of the clearing, surrounded by towering, stalwart oaks. The pounding in his head was suddenly too intense to bear ….

He moaned and sat up, his body bathed in sweat, his hands held to his head against the fierce pain. He opened his eyes and then quickly closed them again, his agony exacerbated by the lace-filtered dawn light. He lay back down, not even the softness of the feather pillow alleviating the suffering. He still felt enmeshed in his dream, the fear, the wonder, the confusion. His head was whirling. He suddenly shivered as the chilly air hit his heated skin and, as he raised himself a little to pull the blanket up, he moaned once again.

Michaela stirred and opened one eye to see him with his hands clasped to his head, his skin beaded with sweat. She sat up immediately. "Sully?" she asked urgently and, as she observed his condition, added, "Another headache?"

"Mmmm …," he groaned. "A bad one …"

She rested her hand on his forehead and gently brushed back a lock of hair from over the scar. "It’ll be alright," she murmured soothingly. "I’ll make you some tea …." She slid out of bed, shivering in the bitter dawn air, pulled on her winter robe and headed downstairs.

When she returned Sully had hardly moved, except that again he was throwing the blanket back agitatedly. She placed the steaming cup on the night-stand and knelt up on the bed. "Here ..," she said softly. "Sit up a little." She gently eased him up and handed him the tea, which he drank gratefully. He handed the cup back to her and after placing it on the night-stand once more, she seated herself so she was leaning against the headboard. She gently clasped his hand. "Here …. lean back against me ….," she suggested quietly. When he had painfully moved across to sit between her legs, his head against her chest, she began to gently massage his scalp and temples. She continued her tender treatment and could feel the tension gradually leaving his body. As his breathing slowed and deepened, she bent down and lightly kissed the top of his head. "That’s it," she said lovingly. "Relax my love …."

She continued the gentle soothing touches, long after she knew he’d dropped off to sleep. The headaches worried her. This was at least the third episode since she’d discovered him in Paynesville, and yet he’d told her that the headaches had rarely occurred in the last couple of years. So why were they recurring now and with such violence? The first had been just after they’d met and he’d asked her to join him for a ride into the woods. Later he’d admitted that even at that early stage he already knew he loved her. Had her presence somehow triggered the recurrence? The second headache assailed him just after they arrived home. She knew he’d been feeling nervous and tense about this ‘return’ to a place he could not remember. Tension was often a cause of headaches wasn’t it? And now the third, occurring shortly after his disappointment and anger at not recalling anything of substance, and then the tension last night of having to meet a large number of people who knew more about him than he knew himself. Even though he’d been nervous, she thought he’d handled the difficult situation very well, and he’d seemed pleased with himself afterwards on the way back to the homestead. So were the headaches occurring as a result of tension? Or perhaps it was his mind straining to pierce the veil of fog which hid the key to his past?

Again she dipped her head to place her lips to his hair. She’d do anything to ease his pain, both physical and mental. In the past he’s always been her support, the one person she could trust to be honest with her and to challenge her when her stubbornness coloured her reasoning. She knew that was still the case, but now there was something else. *She* had to be *his* support, *his* rock, someone he could trust with his innermost thoughts and fears. As Teresa had said last night, they’d been given a second chance, and that meant being together in every sense of the word.

Lost in her reverie, she unconsciously ceased her gentle massaging, her hands sliding down to lay protectively against his chest in a tender loving embrace. How she loved this man! She rested her cheek on the top of his head, closed her eyes and sighed.

She was startled when his hand came up to enclose hers. "You’re awake," she said softly against his ear. "How’s the headache?"

"Not as bad as it was," he replied non-committally.

"What do you think caused it?" she asked with concern.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I … I …. was dreamin’ …. but I don’ know if the headache caused the dream or the dream caused the headache …."

She gently caressed the back of his hand with her thumb. "What was the dream about?" As soon as the question was uttered she could feel his body tense again. She tightened her hold on him a little and reassured him, "You don’t have to say if you don’t want to …"

"It aint that …. It was all mixed up …. confusin’ …," he replied. "I don’ understand any of it …"

"Do you think there was any element of your past mixed up in it?" she asked softly. "That might’ve brought on the headache."

He grimaced in pain. "That’s what makes it so confusin’," he admitted with frustration. "I can’t tell if its from my past or not …. It might just be somethin’ my mind’s makin’ up as it goes along …. Its like one of them puzzles you can buy …. I saw ‘em in a catalogue … A picture broken up into real small pieces an’ ya haveta fit all the pieces together ta make the picture whole …" He snorted in disgust. "Only I got some o’ the pieces …. an’ no picture to check ‘em against …"

"I might have the picture," offered Michaela in a small voice. "I know its not the same … but let me help you put the pieces together …"

There was a moment’s silence while Joseph considered her offer, and then suddenly he grasped her hands and wrapped himself tightly in her arms.

She again rested her cheek on the top of his head. "Let me help Sully …," she offered. "Please .."

Once more there was a long silence and then abruptly he began. "I was out in the woods …. I don’ know how I got there …. or where it was …"

"Uh huh …"

"There was the sound of horses ….. real loud …. comin’ from both directions …. An’ then there were soldiers …. lots of ‘em …. headin’ straight for a mob of indians …. an’ I was caught in the middle …" He shuddered. "It was the noise Michaela," he said soulfully. "Real loud …. the horses …. the soldiers an’ the indians cryin’ out … getting’ louder an’ louder the closer they got …." He paused and gulped. "I wanted ta run away …. but I couldn’ …. I stepped back …. but there was a cliff ….real steep … so’s I couldn’ go any further …. Ya shoulda seen their eyes … so much hate …." He shuddered again.

Behind him Michaela was fighting back tears. She’d been aware all along that if Sully ever did regain his memory, one of the most difficult aspects with which they would have to cope would be his past dealings with the army and the Cheyenne. No matter how many times she’d reassured him, he still considered his work with and for the indian tribes to have been worthless. She hugged him more securely but remained silent.

"I … I …. was so scared Michaela ….," admitted Joseph, his tone so low she could barely hear it.

"Its alright to be afraid Sully …," she said softly. "We all are at times …." She felt him take a deep breath.

"But then you were there …"

"I was!"

"Uh huh … not at first … but after …. The indians an’ soldiers just kept comin’ at each other …. but no-one fired a shot …. just the noise got louder …. an’ when I thought they were about to start fightin’ you were suddenly there …. An’ ya stopped ‘em …"

"I did!"

"Yeah …. you stood in the middle of the road in front of the army and held up your hands …. an’ they stopped …."

Michaela bit her lip. "They did?" she murmured in a strangled whisper.

"Mmm …. I couldn’ hear what you were sayin’ but the colonel looked real angry … he turned and led his soldiers off …"

"Oh God Sully!" sobbed Michaela behind him. "You just found one of those missing pieces to your puzzle."

He turned to look at her quizzically and then brushed away her tears with his thumb. "Whatdya mean?" he demanded, his brow creasing with pain.

She took a deep breath. "What did the colonel look like?" she asked unexpectedly.

Joseph frowned. "I dunno …grey hair …. ‘bout fifty …. light colour eyes …. sorta shifty …. red face like he maybe drank a bit …."

"That’s Chivington," Michaela interjected.

"The one in Dorothy’s book about the Cheyenne? …. Used ta lead the attacks against the indians?" asked Joseph incredulously.

"I’d swear it …"

"But …. but …. how do ya know? It couldna happened like in the dream …."

"No …. not exactly the same …. I’d say there are elements from several incidents from your past in your dream …. all mixed up together ….. but me standing in front the army …. *that* happened …."

He regarded her in amazement. "When? …. How? … You couldna done that …," he insisted.

Michaela shrugged her shoulders sheepishly. "I … I …. didn’t stop to think …. I only knew that if indians were killed it would be my fault …. so I stepped in front of Chivington and his men .…"

"And he stopped? …. When *was* this?"

"Not long after I arrived here. Brian ran away …. Cloud Dancing’s people offered to help me look for him …. I didn’t stop to think that they had to leave the reservation to do it ….," she explained quietly. "And that was against the rules. …. They were seen and the army arrived …. I had to stop them hurting the indians …"

"So ya just stepped out in front of ‘em?" he reiterated wryly.

She blushed. "As I said …. I just didn’t think …" She lowered her eyes and then raised them again defiantly. "But it worked!" she stated emphatically.

Joseph shook his head. "So many things ta find out …. an’ understand ….," he murmured, running his fingers through his hair uneasily.

Suddenly Michaela’s eyes lit up and catching him unawares, she bent down to kiss him soundly. When she pulled back he regarded her in puzzlement. "What was that for?" he asked. "Not that I mind …"

She smiled lovingly at him. "That was for your first memory of me," she said softly, looking deep into his eyes. "Its perhaps not the sort of memory I’d’ve expected …. but I’m very pleased …." She brushed his hair back and kissed the scar on his forehead. "Every day brings something new doesn’t it?" she murmured.

"Especially for me," agreed Joseph, relaxing back into her arms and closing his eyes. She smiled and began the gentle massaging again.

*********************

Katie pushed the door open and poked her head into her parents’ room. She was surprised to see ma awake and sitting up against the headboard, pa leaning back against her. Her pa’s eyes were closed and her ma was gently massaging his head. Ma smiled at her and held her finger up to her lips. She crept across and as quietly and gently as possible climbed up onto the bed to sit beside them. She leaned her head against her ma’s shoulder. "Has papa got another headache?" she whispered, recalling their trip out into the woods a few days back.

Michaela nodded and the little girl reached out to lay her hand gently on her father’s arm. "Can I help?" she asked softly.

"Is Brian up?" asked Michaela, her voice low.

"Uh huh .."

"Could you ask him to make me some more willow bark tea … it’ll help papa’s headache …"

Katie knelt up and kissed her ma’s cheek and headed downstairs.

Not too many minutes later she returned, carefully balancing a steaming hot cup of tea. She gingerly pushed the door open wide and carried the rattling cup of tea across to her ma. "Brian’s started breakfast," she whispered. "He said he’s makin’ somethin’ for you too …"

Michaela nodded gratefully and took the cup of tea. "Sully …. are you awake?" she asked softly.

"Uh huh," he replied, not opening his eyes.

"Katie brought you some more tea … it’ll do you some good," she recommended. "Can you sit up to drink?"

Joseph hauled himself upright and took the cup from Michaela. He looked across at his little daughter who was watching him anxiously. "Thanks honey," he said quietly, sipping at the soothing beverage. When he’d finished he turned to Michaela. "You’re goin’ inta the clinic this mornin’ aint ya? You’ll need ta be gittin’ ready …"

She shrugged her shoulders. "It can wait … I won’t go in if you’re unwell …."

"I’ll be fine in a little while …. Why don’ you go down an’ have breakfast …. by then, with the help of this tea, I should be feelin’ much better …," he suggested with a half smile.

She looked dubious.

"Go on Michaela," he urged. "I’ll be fine."

"I’ll stay here with him mama ….," offered Katie eagerly.

Both parents smiled. "See Michaela," said Joseph. "You’ll be leavin’ me in good hands …"

Michaela frowned and murmured, "Well ….."

Katie too frowned, unknowingly mirroring her mother. "I can do it ma," she insisted. "Pa knows … don’ ya pa?"

Michaela finally nodded resignedly and slid out of bed. As she pulled on her robe, she was amused to see Katie climb up to sit close to her father. "Lean back against the pillows papa," she instructed gently. After he’d done so, she began to massage his temples and scalp just as she’d seen Michaela do.

"See ma," said Joseph from his prone position, his eyes closed. "No need ta worry at all …"

Michaela smiled, shook her head and quietly went down to join Brian.

Chapter 26

Joseph walked out of the mercantile and headed down the road towards the livery. His head still felt a little fuzzy from his headache and vivid dreams but he’d decided to accompany Michaela into town rather that stay out at the homestead alone.

Aware of many inquisitive pairs of eyes fixed on him, he wondered how long it was going to take to become accustomed to the strange looks, or ‘welcome homes’, from people in the street who obviously knew him but he didn’t know at all. Back in Paynesville, when he’d recovered enough from his injuries to start getting out a little, he’d experienced similar reactions. Folks had heard about the fella who’d been brought into town injured and couldn’t even remember his own name, but of course, no-one there knew anything about him. It had taken a few weeks for them to get used to him, and then the strange looks and gossiping had ceased. The difference here was that these people *did* know about him, in fact they knew more about him that he did himself. The scales were balanced in their favour. He took a deep breath and continued on. He figured he’d just have to get used to it.

This morning, just before Brian left for the Gazette office, he suggested he might write a small piece for the paper about his pa’s return. Joseph wasn’t too sure about that. He didn’t feel comfortable as the centre of attention, and was worried that an article would only draw attention he could well do without. Brian argued that it would simply explain his return, so people would know about the amnesia and why he’d been missing for four years. He wasn’t convinced. There would still be the folks Michaela had warned him about - those who resented his past actions and relished this opportunity to further malign his character. He’d have to give it some more thought. Brian would expect an answer later today.

On the up side, he was actually enjoying familiarising himself with this town his family called home. He’d lingered in the mercantile for quite a while, feigning interest in a number of uninteresting items, in order to listen to the talk of the locals and to watch Loren and the Reverend interact with them.

He glanced up and down the bustling street. Michaela had shown him this part of town the other day, pointing out Matthew’s office, the livery, mercantile, sheriff’s office etcetera. It was a bigger town than Paynesville, and there was certainly a lot more people on the streets, but all in all, it wasn’t so different, and he kinda liked the feel of it. He peered up at the large clock set into the brick facade of the bank. An hour or so and Michaela would be ready to go to lunch. He liked that idea. Spending time with her was no chore at all, even if they drew more attention than he’d like at Grace’s. Until then he’d wile away the time with Robert E. He wanted some advice on setting up his carpentry business anyway.

As he passed the bank a grey-suited, fair-haired man emerged, a cup of steaming coffee in his hand. He stood on the sidewalk, one hand in his pocket, surveying the hustle and bustle. Then, much to Joseph’s surprise, the man hailed him, "Morning," he said with a smile, a smile which didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Joseph slowed and returned the greeting, wondering if this was yet another town resident he was supposed to remember. "Mornin’ …. wind’s cold aint it?" he replied.

"I’ve discovered that winter in Colorado Springs can be very bitter," acknowledged the man, his accent more refined than that of the locals. "This isn’t so bad …. at least the sun’s out." When Joseph nodded, the man stepped towards him, his hand held out. "Stephen Monroe, manager of the Second Bank of Denver," he said, a touch haughtily. When Joseph did not at first introduce himself he quirked an eyebrow questioningly.

"Ah … Jo …. Byron Sully," muttered Joseph, feeling strange introducing himself in this way. "You lived here long Mr Monroe?…."

"Oh … call me Stephen …. please," the bank manager insisted. "About two years …. I’m originally from Chicago …via Denver of course … and you?"

Joseph frowned. How was he to answer such a question? "Oh …. I bin around," he replied vaguely. "Spent a lot o’ time here though …."

Stephen’s lip turned up and he said wryly, "Actually I’m aware of that …. I was in the café last evening …. to observe your little reunion with your friends …."

There was something about the man’s attitude and tone of voice that made Joseph uneasy, but he was startled when he added, "Seems you’re Michaela’s husband hmmm?." The use of his wife’s first name, said in this familiar way, made his hairs stand on end. "That’s right," he said, as calmly as possible while looking the man directly in the eye as if to say ‘so what?’.

"You’ve been gone a long time I believe," Stephen commented, just a hint of accusation in his voice.

Joseph shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Couldn’ be helped …" He was beginning to resent this man’s tone and so was not going to give anything away.

Stephen tossed the dregs of his coffee into the street and then slowly and deliberately let his eyes roam over the town and its inhabitants, before saying casually, "I expect you’ll notice some changes …"

Joseph swallowed. "A few," he said reluctantly. "Can’t say as I remember much of it …"

"Katie must seem very grown up to you …. after …. what is it ….. *four* years?"

Joseph noted the same familiarity as before and regarded the dapper bank manager thoughtfully. There was something going on here he didn’t understand. "Kids grow up real quick," he said ambiguously, his eyes focussing on the man’s rather elaborate, blue brocade waistcoat.

Stephen’s eyes narrowed. He was not gaining the expected reaction from this somewhat rugged looking man who stood nonchalantly before him. "I had the impression last evening that you …. ah …. ah …. returned unexpectedly …. I presume Michaela was very surprised."

Joseph fought to hide a wry smile. This man was fishing. He didn’t know for what yet, but he was definitely after something. "Actually *I* was the one who was surprised," he remarked casually. "See …. she came an’ found me …. down south … outta Santa Fe …"

The bank manager’s eyes widened in surprise. "That’s where she went?" he asked.

"Uh huh …"

"She didn’t tell me where she was going …. just disappeared …. Colleen wouldn’t tell me either …. just said there was some urgent business …." Stephen trailed off, lost in his thoughts.

Joseph was regarding him warily. Seemed this fella was pretty close to the family, or at least that’s what he was trying to make out. "You’re a friend of Michaela’s huh?" he asked quietly.

Stephen shrugged a little self-consciously. "We’ve become friends the last couple of years," he said, striving to keep his tone even.

Joseph’s jaw involuntarily clenched, but observing the niceties, he said pseudo calmly, "I’m glad her friends looked out for her …. she woulda needed ‘em …. It musta bin hard for her …"

Again Stephen’s eyes narrowed. This fellow was much more astute than he’d given him credit for. "You’re right," he said quietly, his grey-blue eyes suddenly steely. "She did need her friends …. and it *was* hard for her …. I wasn’t around in the first couple of years … but I know how she felt …. we talked …"

Joseph’d had enough. If they kept on any longer this conversation could turn ugly. He was still wondering exactly what Michaela’s relationship with this man was, but he certainly wasn’t going to ask him. He’d wait and talk to her about it. "Like I said …. I’m glad she had someone to talk to … I owe ya," said Joseph coolly. "I’ll make sure I mention ya to her when we have lunch." He nodded to Horace who was entering the bank and then, meeting Stephen’s eye, said, "You got customers, so I better let ya git back to work …. I’ll be seein’ ya ‘round I expect ..…" He gave the man a half smile and nonchalantly continued on his way to the livery.

Stephen Monroe watched him go. He couldn’t understand how a beautiful, educated, refined woman like Michaela Quinn could be involved, even married, to a man like that! As he turned to re-enter the bank her beautiful face suddenly came to mind – the sad, tear-filled eyes, the trembling lip, as she reluctantly told him a little about the mysterious disappearance of her beloved husband. Then he recalled her vivacity of last evening, and suddenly his anger towards Byron Sully dissipated, to be replaced by pure, unadulterated envy. What he would give to have Michaela talk of him like that, love him like that! He shook his head and his face clouded over. As sure as he knew the sun would set tonight, he knew that his dreams would now never come true.

**************************

The sound of hammer smacking metal greeted Joseph as he strolled into the livery. This was swiftly followed by the hiss of hot metal meeting cold water. Robert E looked up and smiled as he hung the completed horse-shoe beside a line of others. "Does a heart good ta see ya wander in like that," he remarked. "Seems like old times …"

Joseph returned the blacksmith’s friendly smile and greeting. Then as Robert E picked up another curve of iron to heat and shape, he asked, "You busy? Cos if ya are … I can come back …"

Robert E chuckled, "I aint ever too busy ta talk …. I’ll just keep workin’ while I do …." He gave his friend a smile. "We useta talk a lot here …. an’ sometimes you’d give me a hand … when I had more business than I could handle ….."

"I’d be real happy ta help Robert E …. any time …. I need somethin’ ta keep me busy …. that’s one of the reasons I came ta see ya …." The blacksmith raised an inquiring eyebrow. Joseph explained, "Back in Paynesville I had a carpentry business … nothin’ big … but enough ta keep me busy an’ able ta eat …. Here I got a family …."

Robert E shook his head. "Don’ surprise me that’s what you’re thinkin’ of doin’ …. Folks around here bin askin’ ya ta make things for years …. Though ya didn’ often agree…"

"So you reckon I could make a go of it?"

"Sure I do … in fact I’ll be your first customer …. Grace’s bin askin’ me to make her a work bench … higher than a table …. so’s she don’ git a sore back when she works … an’ with cupboards underneath ….," suggested Robert E with a smile. "You’d git me off the hook if you’d take it on …"

Joseph regarded him with suspicion. "You aint just sayin’ that? …. She really needs the bench? …. I don’ want my friends helpin’ me out any more ‘an they already have …."

"I aint makin’ it up Sully …. Folks around here’ve admired the way you work with wood for years …. I know anythin’ you build’ll be better than anythin’ I’d ever make," Robert E assured him. He held up his tongs which securely held a red-hot horseshoe. "I’m better workin’ with this …." He dipped the metal in a bucket of cold water, sending steam wafting into the air. "You just see," he added. "You’ll git so many orders you’ll have plenty ta keep ya busy for months …. I know for a fact Hank’s bin lookin’ for someone to make a coupla things for the Nugget."

Joseph chuckled. "Ya reckon Hank’d hire me ta do some work …. I git the feelin’ he don’ think much of me …"

"Maybe …. maybe not …. but I reckon he’ll git ya to do it," remarked the blacksmith with an answering chuckle.

Joseph nodded. "I’ll haveta work out what I need an’ I got some tools out at the homestead that need cleanin’ an’ sharpenin’ …. I reckon they aint had too much work the last few years …."

"You’re probably right …. bring ‘em in here an’ we’ll take a look at ‘em … Most of ‘em’ll probably be alright ….," offered Robert E.

There was a long silence as Robert E continued his systematic molding of horseshoes and Joseph leaned back against the corral fence watching. There was something relaxing about spending time with this man who demanded nothing in return except friendship. In his presence Joseph felt no great expectations were being placed upon him. He could just be himself. He liked that.

At last Robert E placed the tongs down and mopped his sweating brow. "Phew …. ," he gasped. "Glad that job’s finished." He glanced up into the sky. "Just in time ta eat." He grinned across at Joseph. "You stayin’ in town for lunch?" he asked.

"Uh huh …. havin’ it with Michaela at Grace’s ….," replied Joseph.

The blacksmith gave him a wry smile. "Bet you’ll git some attention from folks who haven’ heard you’re back yet …"

Joseph chuckled. "Bin through that already …. went to Loren’s this mornin’."

"Got some strange looks?"

"Yeah … some friendly …. some not …."

"S’pose that’s to be expected …. Some folks didn’ like the way you stood up for the indians all those years …. They won’ be able to forget …," advised Robert E.

Joseph frowned and then said quietly, "Actually I had one strange reaction this mornin’ …. Manager at the bank introduced himself …"

"Stephen Monroe?"

"Uh huh …. what’s he like?"

Robert E appeared to consider this for a minute and then replied, "He aint so bad …. Only bin around a coupla years …. He’s a lot better than the fella had the bank here before him …."

"Whatdya mean?"

The blacksmith shook his head. "Preston A Lodge III," he drawled. "Now *there’s* someone I’m surprised ya don’ remember …. made your life a misery …"

"Why was that?" asked Joseph in surprise.

Robert E shrugged. "No-one ever really knew …. From the time he arrived in town on the same train as you an’ Dr Mike comin’ back from your honeymoon, he seemed ta have a set against ya …. no matter what you did, he tried to turn the town against ya …. Course it didn’ help that you refused ta build his house …."

"Why’d I do that?"

Robert E chuckled. "Reckon you didn’ take to him much either …."

"What happened to him?"

"Big market crash got him …. He had ta sell up an’ move on …. We’ve heard ‘bout him a few times since …. Still tryin’ ta interest folks in his schemes …. Folks around here were glad ta see the back of him …." He began to untie his leather apron. "So ya see why Monroe aint so bad …."

Joseph considered this information for a moment and then asked casually, "Folks like him huh?"

With a shrug of his shoulders, Robert E replied, "Long as he don’ swindle folks …. an’ look down his nose at ‘em … he’ll git on alright …."

"He made out this mornin’ he was a friend of Michaela’s," remarked Joseph, keeping his tone even.

"He did huh?" mused Robert E. "Guess you could say he’s right …. They talked some." He eyed his friend with interest. "Reckon you oughta ask her about it."

For just a moment Joseph looked a trifle sheepish. He shrugged his shoulders. "I will …. maybe," he said quietly. "What happened while I weren’t here aint really any of my business."

"It aint huh?"

"Well …. unless it somehow meant somethin’."

Robert E smirked. "Reckon ya got more ‘an enough evidence ta know that aint the case …"

Their eyes met and then they smiled simultaneously. Joseph nodded, "You’re right," he said wryly. "Time for lunch huh?"

Robert E clapped his friend good-naturedly on the back and chuckled. "I could eat a horse," he remarked, as they headed for the café.

*************************

Joseph hunkered down even further into the collar of his woollen jacket. Sitting opposite him, Michaela smiled and momentarily laid her hand over his in sympathy. Ever since their arrival at Grace’s for a late lunch they’d been drawing surprised looks, and several people had stopped by their table to check that their eyes weren’t deceiving them. In the main, the approaches had been friendly, but there was the occasional glare from diners at other tables. At present, he was being openly ogled by a man and a woman peering in through the café window, hence the slumping of his shoulders.

"Do you want to leave?" asked Michaela. "I’ll have to get back soon anyway …. my next appointment is at two …and with Colleen and Andrew out on rounds …."

Joseph shook his head. "Nah …. I figure the more people see me today, the less’ll stare tomorra …"

Michaela smiled and lovingly caressed his hand. "It’ll blow over soon …. something else will come up to direct people’s interest away for you …," she said consolingly.

"I know," he replied dejectedly. "But it don’ help when folks like them are bein’ nosy." He indicated the couple staring in the window. "Am I supposed to know ‘em anyways?"

Michaela swung around to glare at the inquisitive pair. "No," she said quickly. "*I* don’t even remember them …. that’s not to say I haven’t come across them some time …. but they’ve probably heard about Dr Quinn’s husband mysteriously reappearing and thought they’d take a look."

Joseph humphed and deliberately dropped his eyes to the red gingham tablecloth. "Think I’ll lay low at the clinic until ya finish this afternoon," he said wryly. "This aint my idea of fun."

"Remember what we said ….. we’ll get through this together Sully ….," murmured Michaela reassuringly. She stood. "Come on … we’ll go back to the clinic … Katie’ll be out of school in a few minutes … she’ll expect us to be there …."

At the mention of his daughter’s name, Sully’s eyes suddenly lost their hunted look. "We might go for a ride later …. Do ya reckon you could join us?" he asked hopefully, tossing his napkin onto the tabletop and preparing to follow Michaela out of the cafe.

"Well …. I have to keep the clinic open until four …. and it’ll be dark by five …. It’d have to be a short ride ..," she rejoined, her smile wide. She paused at the door. "I’d like to join you though …."

Joseph smiled. "Good …. Me an’ Katie’ll wait til then …" He opened the door and motioned for Michaela to precede him outside.

Suddenly a young voice could be heard urgently calling out. "Dr Mike! Dr Mike!" Both adults looked up to see young Ellen tearing across the meadow towards them.

As the little girl careered into the café grounds Michaela moved forward to crouch down and catch her. "Ellen … what is it?" she asked. "Is someone ill?"

The little girl’s big brown eyes were wide and frightened. "Dr Mike! Mr Sully! Ya gotta come …." She wriggled out of Michaela’s arms and turned back the way she’d come.

"What is it Ellen?!" asked Michaela urgently, her heart beginning to pound.

"Ya gotta come Dr Mike!" the little girl repeated compellingly. "Its Katie …. she falled …. she’s hurt."

Michaela blanched, but before she could recover her senses enough to move forward, Sully was off and charging towards the schoolhouse, this time totally oblivious to the curious stares of the townsfolk.

Chapter 27

His heart racing, Joseph neared the schoolhouse, repeatedly calling Katie’s name. A large bald-headed and bespectacled man appeared from amongst a bank of trees nearby and urgently beckoned to him. He rushed across, barely registering the close-knit group of children squatting on the ground around his beloved daughter. He was relieved to see she was conscious and sitting up, but her cheeks were red and tear-stained and she was holding her arm awkwardly against her chest. He fell to his knees beside her and she plaintively peered up at him, her lip trembling, the tears tumbling down her cheeks. "It hurts papa," she moaned, as he tentatively reached out for her. He barely managed to stifle his gasp as he observed her arm which was grotesquely bent into something resembling an S.

"Shh honey … you’re gonna be alright," he soothed, taking deep breaths to steady his own aching heart. As he reached down to lift her into his arms, Michaela arrived, out of breath and terrified. She too was relieved to see her daughter conscious, though was immediately cognisant of the serious injury to her arm. She rested her hand on his shoulder as he slid his arms in under Katie, saying, "Wait Sully …. is her arm the only injury?"

Joseph peered questioningly at his daughter.

The large man now spoke. "I checked her Dr Mike …. Its only her arm …. She’s going to have some bruises though I wager …," he said anxiously. "She was up the tree before all the children had even left the building."

Michaela glanced up at the branches high above their heads. "Up there?" she asked wonderingly of Patrick Hughes, the school-teacher, who nodded in the affirmative. She shook her head. Katie and her escapades!

Meanwhile Joseph was anxiously awaiting permission to take his distraught daughter into his arms. Michaela at last nodded and so he gently lifted her so that her arm and shoulder were cushioned and could not be hurt further as he carried her carefully back to the clinic.

Katie bit her lip and tried desperately not to cry on the way across the meadow, but occasionally a jolt would send razor sharp pangs of pain shooting up her arm and she would cry out or moan. Her papa would hold her tighter and kiss her forehead lovingly each time and her mama would gently wipe at her tears.

At last they arrived at the clinic and Joseph cautiously set her down on the examination table, stepping back so Michaela could examine her. He watched anxiously as she gently wiped away their daughter’s tears and then ever so tenderly examined the badly damaged arm. He stepped forward again for a better view when Michaela began to run her fingers delicately over every inch of the injury, obviously trying to ascertain the extent of the damage with her fingertips. He wrapped his arm around Katie’s shoulders when she whimpered in pain. At last he could contain himself no longer. "Why is it bent like that Michaela?" he asked softly, worriedly.

Michaela turned reassuring eyes on her husband. "It’s a compound fracture Sully …. The bone’s broken right through …. possibly even splintered in the process."

Joseph’s brow creased in pain. "Can ya fix it?" he asked in a strangled whisper.

"Yes …. I hope so …. I’ll have to put her to sleep …. make an incision …. realign the bones …. and check for bone fragments," she said softly. "I wish Colleen or Andrew was here."

"You want me ta go git ‘em?"

She shook her head ruefully. "I don’t know where they are …. They had a number of patients to visit …. and you don’t know the area well enough to find them in time." She deliberated for a moment and then added, "No …. it should be done as quickly as possible." She looked up into her husband’s troubled blue eyes. "Will you help?"

"Me? What can I do …. I don’ know anythin’ about it! I wouldn’ know what ta do! …" Joseph exclaimed, his stomach churning at the thought of Michaela, even though she was a doctor, cutting into his daughter’s flesh.

Michaela calmly replied. "Whether you remember or not …. you’ve helped me many times in the past …. here …. out at the reservation ….the homestead …. You’ll be fine …. I *need* you to help me ….."

Joseph took a deep breath. "Alright," he murmured resignedly. "Whatdya want me ta do?"

Michaela nodded gratefully, leant across to kiss her daughter’s forehead lovingly and then turned back to Sully. "Firstly …. we both wash our hands …. then you stay with Katie while I get the instruments ready."

At the sound of the word ‘instruments’ Katie began to whimper again. Joseph pulled her close. "Its alright honey," he said soothingly. "Mama’s gotta fix that arm … an’ I’ll be here with ya the whole time …."

"You’re gonna stay?" she asked anxiously.

"Uh huh …. I’ll be with ya right through …. an’ I’ll be here when ya wake up …. I promise …."

Katie nodded and then abruptly her skin paled to a ghastly shade of grey and she began to tremble. "Michaela?!" exclaimed Joseph in a panic. "Somethin’s happenin’ to her …"

Michaela turned quickly and rushed back to the table to observe their daughter. "She’s going into shock Sully …. It shouldn’t last long …. Its her body reacting to the trauma …. Lay her down and fetch a blanket from over there on the cot …," she instructed.

Joseph quickly did as he was bid, wrapping the blanket securely around Katie with Michaela’s help. "Pour a small glass of water …. She can have a few sips after the shock wears off …. She shouldn’t have too much before the anaesthetic," she explained.

Afterwards Joseph was to marvel at Michaela’s composure during the next hour or so. When the time came for her to make the incision she took a deep breath and, with a pained expression, admitted that the hardest thing a doctor ever had to do was to operate on a family member. But then, after a few reassuring words from him, she pulled herself together and proceeded.

Holding a lamp close to the site, he watched in awe as she methodically realigned the bone, checked for fragments and then used tiny stitches to close the wound, explaining that the smaller the stitches, the less noticeable the resultant scar. There was a minor setback when a small vein burst, flooding the incision with blood, but the flow was quickly stemmed and she continued. Lastly, she wrapped the arm in loose bandage and then molded a plaster cast around it to hold the arm in place while the bones healed.

It was only after it was all over that he looked into her face to see tears welling in her eyes. "Michaela?" he asked worriedly. "Somethin’ wrong? Aint it gonna heal right?" Michaela frowned, unable to speak. He reached for her and drew her into his arms. "Tell me," he implored softly, as she shook with sobs. He could feel her tense in his arms as she tried to compose herself.

At last she sobbed, "Its not me the doctor that’s crying Sully …. its me the mother …. She could’ve been killed falling from that height …."

He rubbed her back consolingly and murmured, "But she weren’t …. She’s gonna be alright ….. aint she?" When she nodded and buried her face against his chest he held her tightly. "So ya can stop cryin’ hmm …. What would Michaela the doctor like me ta do now huh?"

She pulled back, peered up into his face and smiled wanly through her tears. "We’ll wait until she comes round and then move her upstairs to one of the recovery rooms," she said softly. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him lovingly. "Thank-you for being here with me …."

Joseph smiled and rejoined, "You’re welcome …." He brushed her tears away with his thumb. "How long til she wakes?" he asked quietly.

"It won’t be long …. She didn’t have too much anaesthetic … maybe twenty minutes …"

Joseph nodded and then said, "Well … while she’s out I’m gonna go across ta Grace’s an’ git us some hot coffee an’ somethin’ ta eat …. I figure we both need it …"

When she nodded gratefully, he strode across to the door and flung it open. He was halted in his tracks by the sight of a number of people, including Brian, Matthew, Patrick Hughes, Loren, Robert E and Grace, waiting on the doorstep, their eyes fixing on him in concern.

"Sully …. how’s Katie? Is she alright?" demanded Brian anxiously. "Mr Hughes said she hurt her arm."

Joseph rested his hand on the young man’s shoulder. "She’s gonna be fine Brian …. everyone …. Michaela operated on the arm an’ it should be just fine …." There was a collective sigh of relief.

Little Ellen suddenly appeared, pushing through a sea of legs. She looked up at him fearfully. "Mr Sully," she said plaintively. "Is she hurt bad? Can I see ‘her? I told ‘er not ta climb that tree …. but she wouldn’ listen ta me …"

Joseph crouched down so he could look into her wide, frightened eyes. "Its alright sweetheart," he said softly. "You wouldn’ have a hope of stoppin’ Katie if she wanted ta do somethin’ …. She’s still asleep …so it’ll be quite a while before ya can see her …" When her eyes filled with tears, he added, "How ‘bout you come with me an’ ya ma …. Dr Mike an’ me need some hot coffee." He looked up to see Grace watching them indulgently, "An’ maybe a piece o’ pie," he added hopefully.

********************

"Papa?" murmured Katie from her reclining position in the middle of the large bed in the recovery room.

Joseph leaned forward and caressed her hand. "Yes honey?" he said lovingly.

"Is mama mad at me …. for climbin’ the tree?" she asked, her brow creased in consternation.

"Well …..," rejoined Joseph, thinking carefully about his reply. "I figure she aint real happy ‘bout it …. but I don’ reckon ya need ta worry yourself too much …"

"Ya sure?" she asked worriedly. "She always gits so mad when I do somethin’ like this …"

"Somethin’ like this?" queried Joseph in surprise. Katie lowered her eyes and clamped her mouth shut. Joseph chuckled. "I remember ya ma sayin’ somethin’ back in Paynesville ‘bout you bein’ a bit adventurous …. Guess she was right huh?" When the little girl blushed, he asked, "What were ya doin’ up there anyways?"

Katie bit her lip and eyed her father warily. "There was a nest papa …. I just wanted ta see if there were any eggs in it …"

Joseph shook his head. "What season is it Kates?" he asked with a smile.

"Winter," she replied sheepishly.

"Uh huh …. an’ are ya gonna find eggs in a nest in winter?"

"Nooo …. not usually …. but sometimes they git left behind …. I seen ‘em …. I know they aint live eggs …. but sometimes they’re there … aint they papa?" she rationalised.

"Guess you’re right …. sometimes eggs git left," replied Joseph. "An’ were there eggs in the nest today?"

Katie frowned. "I slipped before I could look," she said glumly.

"You did huh?"

She nodded.

"Well Kates …. ya gotta promise me somethin’ … alright?" requested Joseph, trying to look stern but not really succeeding.

"What?" she asked guilelessly.

He leant forward and took both her little hands in his own large one. "You were worried before that ya ma might be mad …. I figure she’d *really* be mad if she discovered you’d try ta climb that tree again …. don’ ya reckon?"

Katie nodded embarrassedly. "Uh huh …," she whispered.

"So we understand each other … right?" he continued. Again she nodded and tears welled in her eyes. "I’m sorry papa," she murmured soulfully.

"Hey hey …. its alright …. Just as long as ya learn from ya mistakes honey," consoled Joseph. He stood and then sat himself on the edge of the bed. "Come here," he said lovingly, lifting her onto his lap. "You’ve had quite a day huh," he said, rocking her gently. "We both have …." Gradually her breathing deepened, as she fell into a restful sleep held securely in her papa’s arms.

Some twenty minutes later Michaela entered the recovery room to find her husband seated up on the bed, their daughter sleeping peacefully cradled against him. His eyes were closed but his hold on Katie was secure. She took a step forward, his eyes flew open and he smiled at her. She tiptoed across to them and seated herself on the very edge of the bed. She reached out and lovingly caressed Katie’s cheek.

"She thought you were gonna be mad at her …. for climbin’ the tree …," whispered Joseph.

Michaela smiled wryly. "Maybe I would’ve been … a little ….," she rejoined softly. "But I think she’s had a big enough fright …."

Joseph chuckled. "We gonna take her home tonight …. or stay here?" he asked.

She leant over to kiss her daughter’s hand. "I think we’ll take her home …. She’ll have two doting parents to care for her there …"

"An’ a doctor," added Joseph with a knowing grin.

She nodded. "Yes …. and a doctor …. We have to be careful there’s no swelling … and that the fingers stay nice and pink …." She gently touched the fingers of Katie’s broken arm. "We’ll head for home as soon as she wakes."

************************

Michaela and Sully stood at the door of Katie’s room, watching her sleep. They’d finally arrived home to discover Brian busily preparing a hot supper, which Katie had insisted she be allowed to eat with them downstairs. Apart from frustration at not being able to use her hand, she’d eaten heartily, something which prompted Michaela to envy the resilience of youth. The little girl hadn’t lasted too long after supper though, and after several yawns, they’d all decided on an early night.

"She’s sure got spunk," murmured Joseph, drawing Michaela into his arms.

She leant back against him and replied softly, "Too much at times …"

"Seems she’s got inta scrapes like this before huh?"

Michaela smiled and unconsciously nestled into him. "Oh you mean the stitches on her knee? ….. or perhaps the ones on her thigh where she climbed over a fence and caught her leg on a rusty nail? …. Maybe you should ask her about the tiny scar on her forehead ….just near the hairline …. or the toe she broke last summer tripping over a wet rock down at the stream ….," she catalogued.

His arms came up to embrace her. "Bit of a handful huh?" he whispered against her ear.

"Sometimes," she replied ruefully. "But I wouldn’t change her for the world …. She’s ours Sully …. yours and mine …. we made her …. what she is came from us …." She stepped out of his embrace to pull the blankets a little further up over their daughter, and then took one last peek at her fingers.

"Alright?" asked Joseph anxiously.

She smiled and nodded. "Nice and pink," she advised. She stood upright, and tiptoed from the room, taking Sully’s hand as she did so. "We’ll leave the door open … in case she calls out," she suggested softly, leading him across the landing.

Inside their bedroom Michaela sat at her dresser to take down her hair, while Sully stoked the fire which was providing a welcoming warmth. Her silky hair tumbled down over her shoulders and she began the familiar routine of rhythmically brushing it until it shone. It was some minutes before she realised that Sully had said nothing since they’d entered. She turned to see him sitting up on their bed, fully clothed and lost in thought. She stood and made her way over to him. "You’re very quiet," she said softly, laying her hand tenderly over his.

Disturbed from his reverie, he smiled and entreated, "Sit up here with me huh?" and he edged back to lean against the pillows. She did so readily, and he immediately drew her into his embrace, her back against his chest, her head on his shoulder. They sat like that for some time, his hand gently caressing hers. Suddenly he brought it to his lips and proceeded to kiss each individual finger. When he’d finished he turned his hands up and rested her hands on them, palm to palm. "I saw these hands do somethin’ real special today Michaela," he whispered against her hair. He once again raised them to his lips. "I knew you were a doctor …. but today I found out why …. It’s a special gift," he mused softly.

She blushed. "Oh Sully," she murmured.

"Its true," he insisted. "I don’ think I’d fully realised how important ya work is … an’ I sure hadn’t realised how good you are at it …"

She turned her head and smiled up at him. "How can you know I’m good at it?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.

"It was the concentration …. an’ the way you could touch her arm like ya did … an’ know straight away what ya had ta do … an’ where ta cut," he responded immediately. "I’m right aint I? You *are* good at it …"

She shrugged her shoulders self-consciously, then murmured, "You always had such faith in me …. right from the beginning …. I love you for that …"

"Aint hard ta believe in somethin’ you’ve seen with your own eyes," he rejoined, lightly kissing her temple. "Its bin quite a day aint it? he said quietly.

"Mmmm …. but everything turned out alright in the end …."

"It sure did," he agreed. "I was thinkin’ while I was sittin’ with Katie in the clinic …." He trailed off.

"Thinking?" she prompted.

He suddenly held her tighter. "I was thinkin’ ‘bout her climbin’ that tree an’ I reckon I remembered somethin’ from when I was a kid …"

"You did?!" exclaimed Michaela excitedly.

"Well … it was too clear ta be somethin’ I dreamed up I reckon …"

"What was it?"

He swallowed and began. "I was ‘bout the same age as Katie …. playin’ with a lotta kids … most of ‘em older an’ bigger ‘an me … We were playin’ chicken … you know darin’ each other ta do somethin’ dangerous."

Michaela nodded.

"We were jumpin’ over this big open drain … at least the bigger kids were …. I can remember the awful stink o’ the mud an’ water …. then one of ‘em realised I hadn’ jumped yet …. They dared me ta do it …. it was awful wide Michaela …. an’ I couldn’ jump as far as the bigger kids …."

"But you did it anyway didn’t you?" she surmised.

"Uh huh …. or tried to …. I just about made it …. but my foot slipped on the edge an’ I fell in …. coupla big boys pulled me out but sent me packin’ cause I stank so bad …."

Michaela rubbed his arm consolingly. "Do you remember anything else? …. Like how your mother reacted when you arrived home?" she asked.

"Nah …. I was hopin’ to …. but after that’s a blank …"

"It doesn’t matter Sully …. eventually you’ll remember …," murmured Michaela, clasping his hand tightly. "Now I know where Katie gets her sense of adventure hmmm?" she smiled.

"Guess you’re right …. only I reckon you mighta bin a bit the same … am I right?"

Michaela nodded silently and Sully chuckled. Then she said quietly, "Its wonderful that you’re remembering things Sully …. it doesn’t matter if they’re random … one day they might all make up that puzzle we talked about this morning."

Joseph suddenly turned her so he could look into her eyes. "Reckon I remembered somethin’ else too," he said seriously.

"What?" asked Michaela eagerly.

"Brian had an accident too … didn’ he Michaela … when he was about Katie’s age? We looked after him at the clinic …. didn’ we … all of us? …," he recalled solemnly. "I remember sittin’ by his bed an’ talkin’ to him …. he was unconscious … an’ had a bandage ‘round his head …."

Michaela’s eyes suddenly welled with tears. "You’re right," she said softly. "We thought he might die …. but he pulled through …."

Joseph drew her close and rested his chin on the top of her head. "I want so bad ta remember more things about us …. our family ….," he murmured.

"You will … I’m sure of it now Sully …. with time."

"Mmmm … with time," he repeated. He suddenly drew back a little. "How’d Brian git hurt?" he asked.

Michaela chuckled wryly. "He fell …. well jumped actually … out of a tree …"

Joseph shook his head ruefully. "Like brother … like sister …," he remarked quietly. He leaned back against the headboard and let his mind wander. In his loving arms, Michaela too became lost in thought, contemplating their eventful past and potential future.