Chapter 27

"He said I could work at the Denver Post while I was studyin' at college," Brian informed Sully excitedly. He quickly set out plates, knives and forks on the dining room table and returned to the kitchen.

"Sounds like a good idea," responded Sully, flipping eggs in a large skillet.

"He liked my article about Red Fox too ... but he thought I'd maybe made some of it up .."

Sully paused and regarded his son quizzically. "He say that?' he asked.

"Sorta ... He couldn' believe it when I said it was all true ... an' then ma backed me up ..."

Sully shook his head ruefully. "I guess he needed ta check ... but ..."

"Its alright pa ... he knew I was tellin' the truth when we talked ... I can't believe he offered me a job ..."

"I'm proud of ya son ...Mr Proctor obviously recognised talent when he saw it ..."

The young man blushed a little, then walked to the table as Sully lifted the pan from the heat. Both looked up as Michaela came down the stairs carrying William. "Something smells good," she remarked with a smile.

"Pa's cookin' breakfast," said Brian, leaning back as Sully slid two fried eggs onto his plate. "An' we made biscuits ... they're just out o' the oven," he added.

"You two have been busy," she said, coming across to give each a kiss on the cheek.

"Me too mama," Katie piped up from her raised chair.

Michaela smiled indulgently and leaned down to her daughter. "And what have you been doing sweetheart?" she asked, also kissing her on the cheek.

The little one's brow creased and she looked pleadingly across at her pa.

He chuckled and replied, "She's been a good girl for papa an' Brian ... haven't ya Kates?"

The little girl beamed up at her mother. "I's been a good girl," she reiterated proudly.

As Sully walked by he lovingly ruffled his daughter's fair hair and said to Michaela, "You sit down ... I'll bring ya some eggs soon as they're done ..."

"I can do it Sully," she offered, placing William in his high chair.

He shook his head. "Nah ... I'll do it ... Try a biscuit before they all get cold ...," he suggested.

Instead of sitting down, she broke a warm biscuit and placed it in front of William, followed Sully out into the kitchen and watched as he broke four eggs into the frying pan. When he stood back from the pan a little she couldn't resist lovingly resting her hand at his waist. Without turning around he placed his hand over hers and squeezed. They didn't need to tell each other they were both thinking of the previous evening's delicious loving. At last she said quietly, "What are your plans for the day?"

"Gonna see Hank ... gotta get onto this house o' his," he replied. "Always seems like there's somethin' happenin' ta stop me ... just when I think I might get started ..."

"At least Hank was with you this time ... so you don't have to make excuses ..."

He nodded. "Didn' think I'd ever say this Michaela ... but he's changin' ... leastways he seems ta be ...," he remarked thoughtfully.

She moved around to stand at his side. "In what way?" she asked, her eyebrows raised.

"Hard ta put a finger on ... but ... well ... Oh I dunno ... maybe its my imagination ..."

She peered up at him. "Hank wanting to build a house is a change ... and the fact that he's considering something rather grand now is another one," she suggested.

"Yeah ... I guess ... but spendin' three days with him ... well ... he was different ... just can't tell ya exactly what way ...," Sully tried to explain.

"Well ... as long as its for the better I don't mind," commented Michaela with a smile.

He chuckled. "Guess you're right ... now you ready for these eggs?"

She nodded and headed for the table.

Some fifteen minutes later, Brian rose, his empty plate in his hand and said, "I gotta get inta town ... gotta print the next issue o' the Gazette tomorrow," he said. "You're gonna help me with it ... aint ya pa?"

Sully smiled wryly. "I guess," he conceded. "Thought ya mightn't want me there after last time ..."

"Ya just gotta get the hang of it," rejoined Brian, his smile broad. "I could sure do with the help .."

"Then I'll be there ... but I don' know how much help I'll be," concluded Sully.

"Thanks pa," said Brian, heading for the kitchen, then quickly leaving for town.

Michaela stood and picked up their plates. "You stay here ... I'll get some more coffee," she said. She returned moments later with the coffee pot and an envelope which she placed in front of Sully.

"What's this?" he asked, picking it up.

She swallowed. "It's a letter ... from Dorothy," she informed him soberly. "I thought you'd want to read it."

"I do," he said at once, withdrawing the folded paper from its envelope.

She silently poured coffee for each of them and then sat down beside him. At last he sat back, a frown creasing his brow. "What do you think?" she asked softly.

He shrugged. "Hard ta know what ta think .. Seems like the same thing as happened here is gonna happen up there I reckon ..."

"You think the army will try to move them on?"

"Uh huh ... We both saw that land ... an' knew the Cheyenne weren't gonna be allowed ta stay there when other folks saw it," he said a touch bitterly.

"I wonder how long it'll be before something happens ..."

Again he shrugged. "Could be any time I suppose ... but they'll have talks like they always do ... so's they can tell the people in Washington they tried ta solve the problem peacefully before the war broke out," he cynically remarked.

"Do you think Flying Hawk will fight?"

"He probably won't have much choice ... it aint in his nature ... just like it weren't in Black Kettle's ... but when ya tribe's dyin' around ya ... sometimes ya have ta put up a fight ..."

"Oh God ... I hope it doesn't come to that," said Michaela, biting her lip.  He did not respond but deliberately folded the letter, placed it in its envelope and handed it back to her. At last she reluctantly said, "If you want to go up there ..."

His jaw clenched, then he shook his head. "No ... not yet ... I know Cloud Dancin' an' Dorothy will do everythin' they can ... Dorothy'll get word to us if it looks like turnin' bad ... I might write ta the Department of Indian Affairs in Washington though ..."

"That's a good idea," returned Michaela trying not to let her relief show on her face. "You'll have to be careful though ... not to draw too much attention to the northern Cheyenne lands ... The last thing we need is for more people to become interested in that area than already are ..."

He nodded. "You're right," he said. "Maybe we could write it together huh?"

"Tonight" she promised, reaching across to grasp his hand reassuringly.

********************
"Wouldn' mind gettin' sick myself if Dr McLeod was gonna be the one lookin' after me," joked Loren who was sitting with Hank and Jake at the café for lunch.

Hank shrugged and then winced as pain shot through his upper arm. "She was there an' Michaela weren't," he said dismissively. "Guess anyone can stitch someone up ... Even you used ta do it didn' ya Jake?" he added with a good-natured sneer.

"Sure I did," returned Jake. "Was pretty good at it too ... then Dr Mike turned up an' my services weren't needed no more ..."

"Seems ta me you've done some stitchin' since she arrived in town ... Sometimes she even asks ya ta help ... like when the mine caved in ... an' that train crashed a few years back ...," Loren encouraged.

"She knows someone who's good at his job when she sees it," rejoined Jake confidently.

The two other men chuckled. "Well Dr McLeod seemed ta do a good enough job," said Hank. "Even if it hurts like hell ..."

"How long ya gotta wear that sling?" Jake inquired.

"A few days ... she says if I don't the stitches'll get pulled an' maybe break ... It stops the hurtin' a little too ..."

Loren shook his head. "I can't believe ya took on a fella with a knife," he averred.

"Didn' know he had a knife til it was too late," returned Hank derisively. "Besides ... I got him in the end ... Horace says the marshall's due today or tomorra ... Hope those two fellas swing from a rope ..."

While Hank and Jake continued to talk, Loren's attention was caught by young Brian who entered the café and immediately strode up to Grace. She handed him a covered plate of hot food and he rushed off, back towards the Gazette office. That boy was working too hard.

"Aint that right Loren?" said Jake loudly.

"Huh ... what?" said Loren who had not been listening.

Jake shook his head. "Pay attention man," he admonished. "What were you lookin' at anyways?" he added.

"Just young Brian ... He didn' even have time ta sit here an' eat his lunch ...collected it an' went back to the Gazette ...," replied Loren worriedly.

"I still don' know about a boy runnin' the town's only paper," mused Jake, assuming his mayoral role. "It just don' seem right ..."

"He's doin' a good job of it," defended Loren. "If he weren't here, we wouldn' have a paper at all ..."

"Just where is Dorothy anyway?" questioned Hank loudly. "She was gone all those weeks with Sully an' Michaela ... an' now she's gone again ... Either she wants ta run the town paper or she don't ..."

"Like I told ya," began Loren.

Hank held up his hand. "I know ... I know ... she's got some sick aunt ... Ya don't have ta tell us again ..."

"Anyone seen that indian, Cloud Dancing, around town?" asked a quiet, female voice from the next table. All eyes swung to Faith O'Connell and the Reverend who had just finished their meal. "He hasn't been in town either," Faith added insidiously.

"Come ta think of it, she's right," Hank agreed triumphantly. His speculative eyes landing on Loren.

"You aint bin around the last three days Hank," the shopkeeper expostulated. "I saw Cloud Dancing just the other day ... What's he got ta do with Dorothy bein' away anyway?"

"I dunno ... you tell us," returned the barkeep. "Those two've bin gettin' pretty close ..."

"Dorothy's bin writin' agin ... that's all," Loren defended. "An' like I said ... she's visitin' her aunt ..."

"Yeah well ... its seems mighty strange her disappearin' like that ... not tellin' anyone but you where she's goin' ... She has a job here in this town ..."

"An' you'd expect her ta forget a sick relative for that?" queried Loren in disbelief.

Hank shrugged, again forgetting his sore shoulder. "Just sayin' it sounds strange ta me is all ... If it did have somethin' ta do with Cloud Dancin ..."

"Well it don't," interjected Loren vehemently. "He's probably out at Palmer Creek ..."

"Maybe I'll go out there an' see," suggested Hank shrewdly.

"Alright ... go," returned Loren at once, calling his bluff. "He'll be where he always is ... or close by ... you'll see ..."

The barkeep's eyes narrowed. "Maybe I will," he reiterated less surely.

Any further speculation was stopped by the Reverend loudly sliding his chair back on the hard ground. "I better get back to work," he said grimly.

Faith immediately stood. "I'll take you back to the church," she offered.

"No ... that's not necessary," he rejoined coldly. "I have some things to do in town .."

"I don't mind helping," she offered again.

"I said its not necessary," he insisted. This time his tone was positively frosty. He clamped his hat upon his head, nodded in the direction of Loren, Jake and Hank, and with his cane held out in front,  set off for the alley between the clinic and the Gazette office.

Faith watched him go in dismay. She'd been enjoying their lunch at the café. The Reverend was good company and never made her feel as if she was just a member of his flock in need of counselling. Then that newspaper woman was mentioned. She could never think of Dorothy Jennings without Cloud Dancing coming to mind also. But what had she done to displease the Reverend? Perhaps it was something one of the others had said. Lost in thought, she frowned, also nodded towards the three men, and strolled away towards the church.

*******************
"Yeah ... this is more like I was thinkin'," said Hank. Hampered by his sling, he was awkwardly holding Sully's new sketch out in front of him. He then quickly rolled it up again before any of the saloon patrons passing them on the porch could see it.

"When can ya start?" he asked, handing it back to Sully.

"Soon as ya want I guess," Sully replied. "You don' want ta make any changes?"

Hank shrugged. "If I think of anythin' I'll tell ya," he replied. "Designing houses aint somethin' I've had a lot ta do with ... Figure that's your job ..."

Sully nodded in surprise and said, "I'll order the first lot o' timber from Loren first thing in the mornin' ... He'll be closin' up now ... What're ya gonna tell him about all this? He's sure ta ask when you pay the bills ..."

"It aint any o' his business ... an' I'll tell him so ..."

"That aint gonna stop Loren an' you know it ..."

"He aint gonna argue with me ... 'sides ... I got a right ta build a house if I want ...," finished Hank belligerently.

"I aint arguin' with that ... but ya know how Loren can be ...," responded Sully.

"Leave him ta me," exhorted Hank. He opened his mouth to say more, but then paused. Across the street at the clinic, Anna McLeod had just pulled up in a fully laden buggy. She clambered down, skipped up into the clinic porch and unlocked the door. She then returned to the buggy and lifted down two hefty packages and awkwardly took them inside.

Sully's eyes swung across the road to the clinic and then back to Hank and opened wide with surprise. It wasn't hard to ascertain the barkeep's feelings. They were written all over his face. Sully fought hard not to smile and said, "I'll be goin' then ..."

"Uh huh," rejoined Hank distractedly, his eyes never leaving the lovely doctor who had returned to the buggy to lift down another two parcels.

"See ya tomorra ...," said Sully.

"Uh huh," Hank muttered in reply. He suddenly straightened his tie and said, "Looks like Dr McLeod could do with some help."

This time Sully did smile.  "You aint gonna be much help to her with that arm," he remarked. "I'll give her a hand ..."

"I'll come too ... I got one good arm," said Hank, stepping off the saloon porch.

Sully bemusedly watched him cross the street. He'd never seen the barkeep like this before. Could he really be contemplating trying to win the heart of the new lady doctor? He knew from experience that courting a cultured educated lady from the east was not gong to be easy. He shook his head ruefully and followed Hank to the clinic.

*******************
"Michaela?" said Sully who was sitting in one of the wingback chairs.

She was sitting in the other chair and looked up from her book. "Mmmm?"

"Do you remember when ya first came here ... what ya thought?"

Her eyes opened in surprise at the unexpected question. "About what?" she questioned.

He lowered his eyes to his own book and muttered, "It don' matter ... I was only thinkin' ..."

She regarded him quizzically, then deliberately closed her book and came across to sit at his feet. "What were you thinking about?" she inquired.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno ... I ... I was just wonderin' what it was like for you ... comin' here ... not knowin' anyone ... meetin' people who were so different ta those ya knew in Boston ...," he suggested.

She smiled. "I'll admit it wasn't easy. If Charlotte hadn't helped me I don't know what I'd have done ... probably given up and headed home I suppose ..."

"No ya wouldn'," he said at once.

"You don't think so?" she rejoined.

"Uh uh ... you'd've stuck it out ..."

"But it didn't come to that because I had Charlotte ... and you ..."

"Yeah ... I guess ya did ... I musta seemed kinda strange to ya I reckon ..."

She pondered the pronouncement for a moment then said sincerely, "Not strange ... individual perhaps ... It didn't take me long to realise you were a unique individual who would do whatever was needed to right a wrong ... Remember that first time we met ... in the mercantile? ... You threw your tomahawk at the sign barring indians ..."

"You weren't put off by that?"

"I went with you out to your old homestead didn't I?"

"Uh huh ..."

"What made you think of all this?"

He shrugged. "I was watchin' someone today is all ... an' it made me realise how glad I am we managed ta work everythin' out in the end ... Woulda bin lots o' folks bettin' on us never makin' it this far ..."

She turned to peer up at him. "Serves them right if they lost everything," she said sincerely. "Those who knew us knew it would work ... *I* knew it would work ..."

He reached down to gently ruffle her hair. "Ya did?" he queried indulgently.

"Mmmm ... it might've taken me a while to come to that conclusion ... but when I did ..."

"You were sure," Sully concluded.

"Weren't you?" she asked confidently.

"Uh huh ... knew I loved ya ... that was all I needed ta be sure of," he replied. He reached for her hand which she instantly placed in his. "Let's go upstairs now," he suggested. "Bin a long day ..." She willingly let him draw her to her feet.

As they wandered arm in arm towards the staircase, she asked pensively, "Who were you watching today? ... Who made you think of us?"

He smiled. "Aint nothin'," he rejoined noncommittally. "Just my imagination I reckon ..."

"But who?' she urged as they began to mount the stairs.

"I better wait an' see before I say ... Like I said ... I coulda bin imaginin' things ..."

She shook her head ruefully. "Now you have me guessing Mr Sully," she said with a smile. She paused on the stairs and drew his head down to hers for a quick loving kiss. Then she said softly, "But enough about other people ... now its just us ..."

"Just the way I like it," he returned lovingly, before leading her down the landing to their room.

*********************
"Well ... you're good as new sweetheart," announced Michaela to Samantha. She straightened and smiled down on the little girl.

"That mean I can go home?" the youngster asked hopefully from her bed in the recovery room.

Michaela nodded. "Tonight ... as long as you're a good girl and rest all day," she replied. "I'll let your father know ... he might take you out to the Chateau after work ..."

Samantha beamed. "An' I can start school tomorrow?" she attempted to establish.

Michaela eyed her a touch worriedly. "Well ..."

"Please ...."

"You probably should have a couple of days at home ..."

"Please ...."

Michaela chuckled wryly. "You remind me of your mother when you look at me like that,' she remarked.

"I'll be real good ..."

"And you won't run around? ... You'll take it very quietly ... at least for the first week? ..."

Samantha gave an exaggerated nod. "Uh huh ... I promise ..."

"Then I suppose you can start school," concluded Michaela. "But if you don't feel well ... you're to tell Mrs Slicker right away and she can send someone over here for me ... alright?"

"I promise," Samantha adjured.

"Do you want me to tell Douglas if I see him?" asked Michaela, reaching down to brush a lock of light brown hair off the little one's forehead.

"Yes please Dr Mike ..."

Michaela smiled and said, "Why don't you get up and get dressed while I go down to the telegraph office to speak with your father?"

*******************
"Howdy Dr McLeod," greeted Hank as he stepped up onto the train station platform. She was standing impatiently staring down the tracks, her hands tightly clutching her small reticule. She barely acknowledged his arrival so intent was she on the vacant tracks. He frowned and turned to the window. "Any mail Horace?" he asked, his eyes returning to the seemingly nervous woman.

"Train's runnin' late Hank," replied Horace. "So the mail aint in yet ... should be here any minute though ..."

"Thanks Horace ... think I'll wait," said Hank, turning to lean on the window sill. That explained why the doc was peering down the tracks, but it didn't explain why she was so nervous, or perhaps even excited. Unable to contain his curiosity, he straightened and took a few steps toward her. "You goin' somewhere doc?" he asked casually, but actually dreading her answer.

She turned and regarded him as if she'd been unaware he was there. "Ah ... no," she replied a touch warily. Her eyes narrowed as she took in his appearance. "Where's your sling Mr Lawson?" she asked in a professional tone.

"Arm feels a lot better this mornin' doc ... left the sling back at the saloon ..."

"Its probably too soon," she advised. "Your wound will be even more painful if I have to restitch it ..."

"I'll be careful ... see ... got my hand in my pocket so's I don't move it around too much ..."

She smiled wryly. "Just remember that I warned you ... alright?" she said.

"I'll remember," he said with a nod. Again he observed her attention return to the railroad tracks. "Must be somethin' important arrivin' on that train," he remarked.

She took a deep breath and turned back to him. "Something *very* important," she rejoined, her eyes sparkling.

His heart skipped a beat. "New medicines?" he asked, then hastily added, "I don' wanna be nosey or anythin'."

She smiled. "No ... not medicines," she replied. She jumped when a train whistle blasted in the distance. Her eyes darted to the tracks and then back to him. "Actually its people I'm expecting," she said with excited anticipation, then announced, "The most important man in my life is on that train ..."

Hank struggled not to show his shock. She'd never mentioned a husband! He should have known she'd be taken, all the beautiful ones were. He was tempted to turn tail and head back to the saloon, but curiosity got the better of him. He took the couple of steps back up to the telegraph office and then leant with assumed nonchalance against the wall. He had a sudden need to see this mysterious man in Anna McLeod's life.

Chapter 28

As the morning train from Denver slowly drew to a halt at the Colorado Springs railway station, Anna couldn't contain her excitement. She ran alongside the passenger carriage, jumping up and down, peering in through the smeary windows. When she did spy the person she was seeking she waved excitedly and ran to the rear of the carriage to await their appearance.

Hank watched all this, his heart sinking. What a fool he'd been to think there was any chance of wooing the lovely lady doctor. She was obviously very much smitten by the mysterious train passenger. Again he almost left in disgust, but something held him back. He had to see for himself.

Passengers began to emerge from the train, taking the couple of steps to the ground to be met by excited relatives or friends or to search for their luggage being unloaded from the freight car.

In the midst of all this a small boy arrived at the top step, his smile broad. He uttered an excited "Mama" before leaping into Anna McLeod's eager arms.

As if discovering that Dr McLeod had a son wasn't a big enough shock for Hank, the boy's appearance was entirely another. He could have been anywhere from six to nine years of age. He was well dressed, sturdy, obviously healthy. His hair was jet black, cut very close to his scalp and his eyes were brown, huge and sparkling with life. It was his dusky skin that left Hank in no doubt as to the boy's parentage and the revelation took his breath away. Behind the boy stood a tall, somewhat elegantly dressed Negro woman watching on indulgently as mother and child were reunited. Although distracted by the happy reunion Hank's eyes continually returned to the train steps seeking the man of whom Anna had spoken. It took him only a short time to conclude there was no 'man', only the boy still held lovingly in her arms. Inexplicably, he felt duped on two counts. First to find she had a son of dubious parentage and second to learn that the 'man' in her life was that same son.

He abruptly pushed off from the station wall and headed away from the small, happy group. He felt cheated, even betrayed.

"I'm sortin' the mail now Hank," called Horace after him. "Won't be long ..."

The barkeep waved his arm dismissively and kept going.

Anna spun around when she heard Horace call out. She was in time to see Hank striding away, his body tense, his paces long, hurried. Her heart fell. She'd hoped *he* might give her the benefit of the doubt. She was well aware so many others wouldn't. She at least wanted him to hear her story before rejecting her outright. Her hold on her son's hand tightened, causing him to gaze up at her, perplexed. "We going to our new house now mama?" he asked. Her attention immediately returned to him and she nodded. "Of course," she said. She raised her eyes and addressed the woman who stood a little to the side, "I'll ask Horace, the telegraph operator, if he'll help us with the baggage Lucille ..." She paused and then smiled. "Ooh ... its so good to have you here at last ..."

"Its good to be here Anna," rejoined the woman. "I just hope you know what you're doing .."

Anna took a deep breath. "So do I," she returned. "So do I ..."

Michaela, making for the telegraph office, passed Hank as he strode determinedly down the street. "Morning Hank," she said with a smile. The barkeep did not even acknowledge her greeting. He seemed a million miles away. She hesitated, turned and watched him step up onto the saloon porch and angrily push through the swing doors. Sully had said he was changing, but it seemed something had upset him today. She frowned, then realising there was nothing she could do, once again set out for the train station.

Once there, she had to stop to let the southbound train pass, then she carefully crossed the tracks and headed for the office wanting to speak to Horace about Samantha going home. When she saw the office was empty she looked around and spied Anna and her family, aided by Horace, piling baggage into the buggy. For a moment she watched them unobserved. Anna's son was hopping around, obviously excited about seeing his mother again. She smiled and wandered towards them.

Anna noticed her heading their way and smiled broadly. "Michaela," she called, beckoning her across. She waited until Michaela had stopped and said proudly, "I'd like you to meet my son Jamie ... Jamie ... this is Dr Mike ... my new colleague ..."

Michaela held out her hand and the boy took it confidently. "You're a doctor too ... like my mother," he said, his voice light and melodic.

"That's right," she replied. "Welcome to Colorado Springs Jamie ..."

"And this is my sister-in-law Lucille Dolan," continued Anna, deferring to the tall Negro woman beside her.

Again Michaela held out her hand, "Pleased to meet you Miss Dolan," she said. "Anna's been so looking forward to  your arrival."

Lucille smiled. "Not half as much as Jamie has," she rejoined indulgently.

"I hope you'll find your quarters at the clinic to be comfortable," said Michaela. "My husband Sully will be happy to help you make any changes you deem necessary."

"I'm sure we'll be fine Michaela," said Anna at once. "Its just so wonderful to have my family with me again."

"I know how that feels," rejoined Michaela understandingly.

Horace had been listening to this exchange in increasing astonishment. He'd never dreamt that the little boy might actually be Dr McLeod's son, nor the black woman her sister-in-law. Truth to tell, he'd never come across such a situation before. Still, he was never one to worry too much about such things. "All finished Dr McLeod," he said. "Think everythin'll stay in place til ya get to the clinic .... Some of ya are gonna have ta walk though ..."

"Thanks Horace," Anna returned.

"Why don't you drive the buggy Anna and I'll walk with Miss Dolan and Jamie," offered Michaela. Anna nodded her thanks and climbed up into onto the seat of the buggy.

Loren looked up from where he was sweeping the mercantile porch when the buggy piled high with trunks and bags drew up in front of the clinic. He peered across the street and watched Dr McLeod clamber down then turn to apparently wait for someone. She didn't have to wait long as Dr Mike, a tall Negro woman and a small boy soon rounded the corner and made their way across to her. The boy immediately went to her side and her arm came round to embrace him. He'd been right! Dr McLeod *was* expecting guests, well maybe not guests. It looked like she might have brought out her maid from back east. The maid's little boy sure was familiar with her. The storekeeper's eyes narrowed. There wasn't anyone else in town had servants, not even Dr Mike. He wasn't sure how the rest of the townspeople might react to this. He liked Dr McLeod, but Dr Mike should have warned her people here wouldn't take to her putting on airs and graces. He shook his head ruefully and went inside.

**********************
Ambling away from the mercantile after ordering the first lot of lumber for Hank's house, Sully spied Matthew outside one of the unused buildings near the town's library. He smiled. Michaela had told him Matthew and Kathleen's news, but he hadn't had a chance to see Matthew since he'd returned with the posse.

He walked up behind the young man and clapped him on the back. "I hear congratulations are in order," he said with a grin.

Matthew spun around and beamed. "Uh huh," he returned.

"So you're gonna be a pa huh?"

"Yep ... around March .."

"Didn' take ya long ..."

Matthew shrugged. "No-one was more surprised 'an me an' Kathleen ... We wanted kids, but we didn' think it'd happen this fast ..," he replied.

"An' Kathleen's alright?'

Matthew chuckled. "She's better now she knows what's goin' on with her ... Seems she was feelin' poorly ... an' was worried about why she was always tired ... Now she knows about the baby she's feelin' a lot better ...," he explained.

Sully nodded in understanding. "You sure lookin' after the kids aint too much for her?" he queried.

"She says they aint ... She loves Katie an' William an Michael ... says they aint any trouble at all ..."

"You let me know if it gets too much for her ... alright?" advised Sully. "We'll organise somethin' else ..."

Matthew nodded and his eyes returned to the disused building he'd been examining when Sully arrived.

Sully watched him and asked, "What you got on your mind?"

Matthew shrugged. "I've been wonderin' whether its time I had an office in town ... somewhere I can work during the day and store all my law books ... I aint real busy yet ... but helpin' Mrs O'Connell like I did ... well it made me realise I'm doin' the right thing studyin' law ... Maybe if people saw I had an office they'd come ta me for advice ..."

"Sounds like a good plan ... Bank in Denver owns most o' these buildin's along here," said Sully thoughtfully. "Maybe ya should wire 'em ... find out what they're wantin' in rent ..."

"Or I could ask Jake what the town pays for the library next door," pondered Matthew.

"Uh huh ... but I reckon the rates might be different for public an' private use ... Only one way ta find out ..."

"You don' think I'm gettin' ahead o' myself?"

"Seems ta me like you're ready ta take on some clients ... an' folks'll find out about ya if you have an office with a shingle out front ..."

Matthew nodded. "I'm gonna head down to the telegraph office right now ... Horace'll know who to contact ...," he said determinedly.

"Good luck with it Matthew," said Sully genuinely.

The young man nodded his thanks and strode out towards the train station.

*********************
Sully knocked and poked his head around the door of the clinic to see Michaela alone, bent over paperwork at her desk. She smiled when she saw him and beckoned him in. He immediately came to her side. "Wondered if you have time ta have lunch with me?" he said lovingly as he draped his arms over her shoulders and bent to kiss the top of her head.

She dropped her pen and grasped his hand. "I'd love to," she said at once. "But I'm afraid we'll have company ... I told Anna I'd have lunch with them ..."

"So they arrived huh?"

She nodded. "On this morning's train ..."

"How'd it go?"

"Everything's fine so far ... Jamie's delightful and Miss Dolan seems very nice ..."

"Knowin' this town there's gonna be rough times ahead ..."

She turned to peer up at him. "I know," she rejoined sadly. "I just hope they're not too rough ..."

"Aint gonna be easy settlin' into a small town ..."

"But we'll be here for them ... won't we Sully?"

"Yeah ... of course ... Her life's bin hard enough already ... she needs friends ..."

Michaela stood and pivoted in his arms to face him. "That's why I love you Byron Sully," she said sincerely. "What's in a person's heart is all that matters to you ..."

He bent to give her a light kiss. "Don't you realise ... you're exactly the same ...," he murmured. "Guess there never really was any doubt we'd end up together ... even if it did take us a while ta realise it ..."

She smiled, glanced towards the closed door to Anna's quarters, then stood on tiptoes to give him a heartfelt kiss. At last he leaned back and whispered lovingly, "Hey .. hey ... keep doin' that an' I'll have more 'an lunch on my mind ..."

She blushed and lowered her eyes, although if anything her embrace tightened. He chuckled and, placing his hand under her chin, once again raised her eyes to meet his. "No reason ta feel shy about that Michaela," he said softly. He lovingly leant in to kiss first her brow, then each cheek.

Forgetting where she was, she closed her eyes and savoured his loving touch and gentle kisses. For long moments the only sound in the room was the ticking of the clock on the wall and their soft sighs. Subconsciously they both knew their tender loving could go no further, but it didn't stop them relishing this stolen moment.

They were suddenly startled from their own little world by the inner door being thrust open and Anna entering the room. They sprang apart and regarded her guiltily. Her step faltered when she spied them and she made to turn away. Michaela took a deep breath. "Ready for lunch?" she asked brightly.

Anna turned back, biting her lip. "I'm sorry ... I should have knocked," she said.

Michaela shook her head. "No you shouldn't," she said quietly. "This is your surgery too ... I ... ah ... we ..."

"We were just thinkin' o' goin' to the café if you're ready," finished Sully with a secretive smile.

Anna returned his smile. "I'll knock next time," she said, her eyes twinkling.

"You don't have to," protested Michaela. "This isn't ... I mean we don't ...."

Anna held up her hand. "Its alright Michaela ... I understand ... Now Jamie's starving ... let's go ..."

Michaela blushed, but acknowledged her new friend's understanding with a nod, then grasped Sully's hand and headed for the door.

*******************
"Howdy Dr Mike ... Dr McLeod ... Sully," said a cheery Grace as she approached their table at the café. Her curious eyes alighted on the two strangers sitting with them and then she stared pointedly at Michaela.

Anna, noting this, immediately introduced them, "Grace ... this is my son Jamie and my sister-in-law Lucille Dolan ... they've just arrived from Washington ..."

Grace's eyes opened wide and she was unable to disguise her shock. "Ah ... Jamie ... Miss Dolan ... ah ... welcome to Colorado Springs," she stammered. She turned to regard the new lady doctor in disbelief. At last she said, "You all ready to order yet? Got meatloaf an' fried chicken today ..." Her tone was remote, perhaps even a touch disdainful.

While everyone gave their orders, Michaela watched her old friend carefully. This was Anna's first real test and so far things did not appear to be going well.

"I'll bring your food soon as its ready," Grace informed them, her usual easy manner absent. With that she turned on her heel and headed back to her serving bench and stove.

As Grace walked away from the table, Sully felt a small hand on his sleeve. He looked down to see Jamie touching the leather of his jacket. "Its buckskin," said Sully quietly. "Comes from deer ..."

The boy looked up at him, his eyes huge. "I haven't seen a man wearing this before Mr Sully," he said ingenuously. "In Washington the men all wear wool suits."

"First Jamie ya gotta call me Sully ... cos I won't know who you're talkin' to if ya keep in callin' me Mr," said Sully with a smile. "Everyone calls me that .... You'll notice a few fellas wearin' buckskin around here ... not many though cos its what the indians wear ..."

"They do?" the small boy exclaimed with interest.

"Uh huh."

"You know some indians?"

"Some."

"You think maybe I could meet them?"

Sully leant towards him. "There aint many round here no more ... but if my friend Cloud Dancin' turns up ... I'll let ya know ..."

"Cloud Dancing?"

"Uh huh ... he's a Cheyenne medicine man ..."

The small boy's eyes opened even wider. "I'd sure like to meet him," he said in awe.

Sully smiled at the child's enthusiasm. "You remind me sometime an' I'll tell ya some indian stories ..."

The boy straightened in his chair and beamed. "I'd like that Mr ... ah ... Sully ..."

"I guess Colorado Springs is different to where you come from?" asked Sully, taken with the boy's easy charm.

"It sure is," he rejoined with another wide smile. "Its so small ..."

Sully chuckled. "Used ta be a lot smaller a while back ... but lots o' folks are movin' east now ..."

"Like ma an' me an' Aunt Lucille," Jamie returned.

"That's right ... you know Dr Mike came all the way from Boston?"

"Yes ... mama told me," the boy returned.

While this was happening and Anna and Lucille chatted, Michaela observed Robert E enter the café and Grace speak agitatedly with him, pointing in their direction. She seemed almost angry. For a moment Robert E stood hands on hips regarding the odd assortment of people at the table and then started towards them. Grace caught at his sleeve trying to hold him back but he pulled away and continued on. When he reached the table he regarded first Anna, then Jamie, then Lucille, his expression unreadable. At last he held out his hand to the new doctor. "Grace tells me your son's joined you in town Dr McLeod," he said, shaking her hand. "Maybe you could introduce me?"

"Of course Robert E," replied Anna at once. She rested her hand on her son's shoulder and said, "This is Jamie ... and opposite is Lucille Dolan ... my sister-in-law."

Robert E bent down so he was eye to eye with the small boy and said with a smile, "Howdy Jamie ..." Then he straightened and addressed Lucille. "Miss Dolan," he said. "Welcome to Colorado Springs ..."

Lucille smiled her gratitude and quietly replied, "Thank-you."

He nodded and said, "I better be gettin' back to the livery ... you need anythin' you just ask ... alright?"

"We will Robert E and thanks," said Anna, watching him stride away.

Michaela sighed with relief. It seemed Anna had one ally in town besides the Sully family. As Robert E passed the stove, Grace again caught at his sleeve. A few terse words were exchanged and he marched away towards the livery.

*****************
"You're kiddin' me!!" expostulated Loren, his mouthful of whisky spraying over the table.

"Nope," rejoined Horace, puffing on his cigar. "Heard her say it myself ... this is my son Jamie she said."

Loren shook his head. "Can't be," he denied. "It don' make sense ..."

"He aint adopted neither," added Horace, revelling in being the teller of gossip rather than the receiver. "Cos I heard her tell Dr Mike that the black lady was her sister-in-law ... that means she has to've bin married to a black man don' it ..."

"It aint moral," asserted Loren high-handedly, his voice rising.

"Oh ... I don' know about that," Horace protested. "You don' know her story ..."

"Don' have ta know," the storekeeper averred.

Hank leaned back tensely in his chair and tossed a slug of whisky down his throat. He took a deep breath as the fiery liquid burned a line all the way down his gullet. He was still having trouble coming to terms with Dr McLeod's news.

"Don't ya agree Hank? It aint right," Loren asserted again. "Dr Mike had no right ta ask her ta stay ... What're people gonna think?"

"Michaela's never worried about what other people think," Hank rejoined sullenly.

"Yeah well ... this time she's gone too far ... bringin' a boy like that here ..."

"A boy like what Loren?" Hank quietly challenged.

"You know what I mean ... he aint black an' he aint white ..."

"Seems ta me it aint any o' our business ..."

"Sure it is ... we're on the town council ... people rely on us ta make good decisions for 'em ... an' this sure aint a good decision ..."

"In your opinion ...," muttered Hank.

"I bet there'll be a lot o' others agree with me," Loren asserted smugly.

"I don't," said Horace unexpectedly. "He's just a little kid ... he deserves a home just like any other little kid ..."

"It aint the boy I'm worried about ... what about the doctor's morals huh? Bein' with a black man ... I know Jake'll agree with me ..."

Hank sniffed. "Yeah ... specially seein' he's married to a Mexican ..."

Loren faltered then said defensively, "That's different ..."

"How's it different?"

"It just is ... an' you know it ..."

"How much whisky you drunk tonight Loren?!" Hank sneered derisively.

"Enough ta know I'm right," Loren insisted, his voice growing louder. "I'm gonna call a town council meetin' ... town needs ta have a say in this ..."

"You wanna have a say is all," disputed Hank.

"You mark my words Hank ... an' you too Horace ... I know the folks around here ... an' they aint gonna like this I tell ya ..."

Both Horace and Hank leaned back in their chairs in disgust.

Meanwhile, Stu Burns who had been sitting at the next table since before sunset steadily drinking his way through a bottle of whisky, staggered to his feet, his chair crashing backwards onto the wooden floor. He tossed back the last dregs in his glass, clamped his hat on his head and made for the door. He'd heard what Bray had to say. Like so many other fellas in town he'd noticed the beautiful new lady doctor. Now he'd heard she didn't mind who she lay with. He felt like a bit of that. He pushed the swing doors open, staggered out onto the porch and peered up at the darkened windows of the clinic wondering exactly which room she might be in.

Continued...