Chapter 11

Faith O'Connell whisked her crying daughter up into her arms and cradled her protectively. It had all happened so fast, she still couldn't fathom how May was still alive with only a few grazes as evidence of the potentially tragic incident. "Its alright sweetie," she whispered over and over. "Its alright ..." Gradually May's crying subsided into sobs and Faith could finally pay some attention to what was going on around her. Only a few feet away a small crowd surrounded someone laying in the street. The Reverend hovered uncertainly a little back from the group, obviously wondering what was going on. She hurriedly moved across to him and grasped his arm. "Reverend," she said quietly.

"Mrs O'Connell ... you're alright? I heard you scream!" he exclaimed.

"Yes ... I'm alright ... It was May ... she ran into the street ... there was a wagon ..." She trailed off as tears of shock welled in her eyes.

"She's hurt!" he exclaimed with concern.

"No .. no ... she's fine ... She's right here in my arms," she explained. "Someone pushed her out of the way ..."

"Who?"

"I ... I ... don't know," she admitted guiltily, her eyes on the crowd that was now beginning to disperse a little. "I'll check ... I do hope he's not hurt," she said. She took a step forward just as the crowd parted and she could finally see her daughter's rescuer. She involuntarily gasped. The indian Cloud Dancing was being hauled to his feet, supported by Loren Bray and a tall, long haired man. He was in obvious pain and was unable to put his weight on his right leg. She frowned and her jaw clenched. Why did it have to be *that* man?

"We'll get ya over to Dr Mike Cloud Dancin'," Loren was saying. "That was a brave thing ya did ... You coulda bin killed ..."

Cloud Dancing did not reply, but winced as he inadvertently tried to put some weight on his injured leg. He slumped against Hank who strengthened his hold around his waist.

Disturbed by the commotion down the street, Michaela stepped out onto the clinic porch only to see Loren and Hank supporting an obviously injured Cloud Dancing. She rushed to them. "What happened?!" she exclaimed.

"Got in the way of a wagon," sniffed Hank.

"Saved that little girl from bein' run over," Loren expostulated, glaring at the barkeep. "Seems to've injured his leg ... wagon probably ran over it," he continued.

Michaela's brow creased with worry. "Please ... bring him inside ... as quickly as possible," she instructed, stepping back so they could pass.

Faith turned to the Reverend. "It ... it was that indian ... Cloud Dancing," she explained dully.

"I heard," said the Reverend.

"He's hurt ... they're taking him across to the clinic."

He nodded. "I heard that too," he said. Taking her arm, they trailed after the foursome.

Faith, with little May still cradled against her chest, felt guilty on two counts. First, because her daughter was the reason the man was hurt, and second because she just couldn't bring herself to thank him for what he'd done. After all, if it hadn't been for his kind, she and the children wouldn't even be in Colorado Springs.

*********************
Sully placed  the basket of still steaming biscuits on the dining room table and then returned to the kitchen to fetch the bowl into which Michaela was placing hot roasted potatoes. He picked up a cloth and then took the bowl from her. As he turned to leave, she said quietly, "You're very quiet this evening ... Don't worry ...Cloud Dancing's going to be fine ... his leg will be healed in no time ..."

He nodded. "I know it ... I saw him ... That aint it ...," he replied ambiguously.

She frowned. "What *is* worrying you then?" she asked with concern.

His eyes puzzled, he asked, "How'd he seem to you?"

"Cloud Dancing?"

"Uh huh?"

"He was in pain ... A little quiet perhaps ... Why?"

Sully shrugged. "We talked ... this mornin' ... I told him all about what had happened ... He knew a lot o' it ... from Dorothy ... but ... well ... he ..."

"He?" she prompted.

"He ... he weren't himself ..."

"He didn't blame you for what happened?" she asked incredulously.

He shook his head, though it was obvious he wasn't quite convinced. "No ...," he returned uncertainly. "He was just ... oh I dunno ... quiet ... He was the same when I visited with him at the clinic this afternoon ..."

"You were quiet too ... about what happened with Red Fox and his men ..."

He shook his head. "No ... I was angry ... but with Cloud Dancin' ... its like ... its like all the fight's gone out o' him ...," he assuaged.

"Perhaps he needs time to get over what happened ... It's the first time he's had to turn against a Cheyenne ... and in such a dramatic way ..."

Sully still looked doubtful. "I guess," he rejoined. "Don' like seein' him like this ..." He started to turn away again, then added unexpectedly. "An' I sure wish he didn' have ta stay at the clinic ..."

"Why? You know he couldn't put any weight on that leg ... there was no way he could get back out to Palmer Creek ...," she countered in surprise.

"Mrs O'Connell didn' like him bein' there ... I heard her tell the kids ta stay away from him ... like he was some kind o' leper or somethin'."

Michaela sighed. "She sees him only as a Cheyenne ... as the enemy ... despite what he's done ... and the kind of man he actually is ..."

Sully shook his head ruefully. "You'd think after what he did for May ..."

She took a deep breath. "She'll come around ... She'll recognise him for what he is ... eventually ...," she asserted.

His eyes narrowed doubtfully. "I sure hope so ... At least he's got Colleen an' Andrew there ... an' I guess Dorothy too ..."

She smiled. "Definitely ... Its not often Cloud Dancing can legitimately stay in town and Dorothy will want to be with him ..."

"She'll have ta be careful ... Mrs O'Connell could say somethin' ..."

Michaela grasped his arm. "She'll be careful ... they've got used to it by now ... I just wish there was a way they could be together always ..."

He dipped his head to kiss her lightly. "Me too," he rejoined. "Me too." He gave her a wry smile and took the plate of vegetables to the table.

********************
Bess sat back and wiped her mouth with her napkin. "That was delicious Michaela," she adjured.

"Sure was Dr Mike," Myra agreed. "Seems ta me your cookin's improved some since ya first arrived in town." Several people at the table tried hard to hide their smiles.

Samantha held up her empty plate. "More pie please Dr Mike?" she asked innocently.

"Samantha!" exclaimed Myra, embarrassed. "Ya don' ask for more when you're visitin'."

The little girl lowered her plate and eyes. "Sorry mama," she murmured.

Taking pity on the little girl, Michaela smiled. "That's alright sweetheart," she said amiably. "You can have another piece ... Perhaps there are others who would like seconds too?"

"Mmmm ... yes please," responded Sully immediately, also holding up his plate.  "Apple pie's my favourite."

There were chuckles around the table and then Brian also held out his plate. "I'll have another piece too thanks ma," he said., licking his lips.

At last everyone sat back, replete.

"New Chateau manager arrived yesterday," offered Myra by way of conversation.

Recalling the disaster of the last one, Michaela asked warily, "What's he like?"

Myra smiled. "He aint anytin' like Mr Tilson Dr Mike," she began. "His name's Mr Eades an' he comes from somewhere near Chicago ... He's sorta fillin' in he says ... he aint sure if he's gonna stay ... He smiles a lot an' he made sure ta tell me an' Charlie an' everyone else who works there our jobs are safe ..."

"I've only met him once, but I quite liked him," offered Bess. "He's rather large ... and his clothes are a little loud ... but he seems genuine."

Michaela gave a silent sigh of relief. Adrian Tilson had made her life miserable for months, and while it was highly unlikely anything like that could ever happen again, she couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. "That's good," she said benignly. "Perhaps we'll meet him on Sunday ... at church ..." There were nods around the table, then she mused thoughtfully, "Sometimes its hard to keep up with all the new people in town ... I used to know everyone ... most of them were my patients ... but there are so many new arrivals ... new settlers ..."

"Speaking of which Michaela," interjected Bess. "I'm afraid this is one new arrival who has decided she must return to her home ... on Friday in fact ...."

"So soon?!" exclaimed Michaela.

"I've been here a long time," she explained indulgently.  "And while I've enjoyed my stay, and your friendship immensely, I must return to St Louis ..."

Michaela swallowed and nodded. "I'll ... we'll miss you," she murmured plaintively.

Bess reached across and laid her hand over Michaela's. "And I'll miss you ... all of you ... very much ... I came here in the hope of improving my poor knees in the hot springs ... and yes ... because I wanted to meet a dear little baby boy I'd only read about in letters ... but I achieved so much more ... You have all offered me friendship I didn't expect and I had the honour to attend your eldest son's wedding and provide you both with an alibi when it was needed ... two incidents I will never forget ... And when I return home I hope to visit with Myra's sister Adele and her beau ..."

"Adele an' James are courtin' Dr Mike," interposed Myra with a smile. "Just like you thought they might ... She told me in her last letter ..."

"Oh ... I am pleased," rejoined Michaela with a wide smile. "He was such a nice young man ... He treated us very well at our St Louis hotel ... I suppose now you must give up on your plan to have Adele join you here one day hmmm?"

Myra gave her a wry smile. "I aint givin' up Dr Mike ... maybe they'll git married ... maybe they won't ... an' even if they do ... maybe one day they'll want a change o' scenery ..."

"So you're happy here then? Planning to stay?"

She nodded, and immediately returned, "I got a job I love ... Samantha's happy an' can see her pa any time ... an' she's so excited about startin' school with Mrs Slicker in a coupla weeks ... I got some good friends here ... so yeah ... I'm stayin' I reckon ..."

"That's wonderful Myra ... When we brought you back here to rehabilitate we never expected you might stay ... Now if we could only persuade the lady beside you to stay too ..."

Bess raised her hands and with a grateful smile, responded, "I still have a home in St Louis Michaela ... and that's where I must return ..."

Michaela nodded resignedly. "But you *will* write... won't you? Often?"

"I'll write," Bess agreed. "But you must write too."

"How 'bout I send you a copy of the Gazette every week Miss Bess?" offered Brian. "I'm gonna be workin' with Miss Dorothy a lot ... I could send ya one the day it comes out ..."

"I would love that Brian!" the elderly lady exclaimed. "It will make me feel like I never left ..."

***********************
Colleen stood and backed away to the recovery room door. "Me an' Andrew'll be going to bed now," she told Cloud Dancing. "But if you need anything ... just call."

The medicine man nodded. "Thank-you," he said simply. "I am sure I will be fine ..."

"There's plenty of willow bark tea there ... nice and hot," she said with a smile.

Again he nodded. "It is helping ..."

Dorothy also stood.  "I'll make sure he's got everythin' he needs before I go," she informed Colleen. "Don't often have the chance ta look after him ..."

The younger woman nodded, smiled her goodnight to the patient and left the room. After a moment's hesitation, Dorothy followed her. Once on the landing and the recovery room door was closed, Dorothy asked in hushed tones, "You sure he's alright? He seems ta be in a lot o' pain ..."

"Ma said he's gonna have a lot o' bruising an' be sore, but it'll heal pretty quick," replied Colleen reassuringly.

Dorothy still looked doubtful. "He aint himself," she murmured worriedly.

"The accident could have been a lot worse ... he's probably experiencing some shock ..."

"I guess," Dorothy rejoined uncertainly, shaking her head. "But well ... it aint like him ... usually he's not put out by such things ..."

Colleen reached out and placed her hand on Dorothy's arm comfortingly. "I'm sure he'll be fine in the morning ... He needs a good night's sleep ... and some tender loving care from his wife ...," she whispered.

Dorothy momentarily grasped the younger woman's hand gratefully. "Hope you're right," she said softly. She turned back towards Cloud Dancing's room. "I'll let myself out the back door when I go," she said in a low tone.

"You could stay you know ...," whispered Colleen with a conspiratorial smile.

Dorothy shook her head. "Too dangerous," she returned. "If there weren't others stayin' here ... then maybe ..." She glanced down the landing to the closed door behind which Faith O'Connell and her two children slept. She gave Colleen a rueful smile and returned to Cloud Dancing's room.

Colleen sighed and made her way down the stairs.

When Dorothy re-entered the room Cloud Dancing was laying back against the pillows, his eyes closed. She sat herself on the chair by the bed and observed him. He looked a little pale, even grey, and the lines around his eyes seemed to have deepened. She bit her lip. Something wasn't quite right. Just as she reached out to brush the hair back from his forehead, he opened his eyes, smiled and took her hand in his. 

"Thought you were sleepin'," she said tenderly.

He shook his head. "Just thinking ..."

"You sure you're alright ... I can pour ya some more tea ..."

"It does not hurt too much," he replied quietly.

Recalling the large swollen bruise in the shape of a horse's hoof and the other caused by the wagon wheel, Dorothy asked again doubtfully, "You sure?"

He nodded. "It will be fine," he assured her.

She raised his hand to rest it under her chin. "It was a brave thing you did," she said proudly.

He shrugged. "The spirits led me to be there when I was needed ..."

Her brow creased in puzzlement.

"I was coming to meet with you for lunch ... remember ... So I was there when the child needed my help ..."

"An' you think the spirits made that happen?"

"It is what I think you would call fate ..."

She nodded in understanding and then murmured wistfully, "I wish ..."

"You wish?"

"I wish her ma would understand you aint like Red Fox ..."

"She sees me only as Cheyenne ..."

"But that aint right ..."

He smiled at her ruefully. "Before you came to know me ... did you not also think all Cheyenne were the same?"

She lowered her eyes to the coverlet and nodded dolefully.

"Just as Hank sees all Chinese as frightening ... and Jake, the Jewish people ..."

She swallowed. "I've learnt so much from you Cloud Dancin'," she said, lovingly stroking his hand. "I wish other people could know ya like I do ..."

He took a deep soulful breath. "People will always be frightened of what they do not know ... It is only those whose minds are open to the new and different who will be willing to know the Cheyenne ..."

"People gotta learn ta be like that ... Like ya said ... I wasn't ... in the beginnin'."

"Then we will have to teach them hmmm?" returned Cloud Dancing with an indulgent smile.

She bent to kiss him tenderly. "I'm willin' if you are," she murmured sincerely.  "I'd like people ta learn what I've learnt ..."

**********************
Faith lay in the darkened recovery room and listened to the quiet footsteps and hushed talk of the two women as they departed the indian's room further down the landing. The steps halted and then one returned to the room while the other made their way quietly down the stairs. It didn't take much guessing as to who had gone back. He and Dorothy Jennings were thick as thieves. She'd seen them in her few lucid moments on the trail and then when Mrs Jennings had discovered he'd been hurt this afternoon. How could an intelligent woman of her background put such trust in a friendship with an indian?

She closed her eyes tight against the intense pain she suddenly felt run through her. The nights were the worst. When everything went quiet, the children were asleep and the lamps were lowered, the nightmares would start, even before she fell asleep. Over and over she would see Peter brought down before her eyes, one shot all that was needed. She'd see Hugh, so young, so brave, stand in front of his father protectively and then spin around as the shot rang out, only to be cut down by a long, shiny  knife.  It didn't help to know those savages were dead. Their death did not bring Peter and Hugh back. Their death did not provide for her and the children in a strange town. As happened every night, tears welled in her eyes. None of them had been afraid of indians when they first came west. They'd been told there were very few left. But it only took a few. Four, to be exact. And now she felt helpless, vulnerable, frightened and oh so angry. She'd do her best for little Douglas and May, but she'd never ever forget, or forgive, what those men had done to her.

Chapter 12

He couldn't take his eyes off the rifle barrel aimed directly at his heart. He could feel the perspiration trickling down his neck and back and his heart was pounding so hard he thought the indian could probably hear it. He was vaguely aware of the man's long jet black hair and dark brown eyes, the beads around his neck and the light coloured indian wedding shirt with the stones over the heart, but his gaze was fixed on the unwavering barrel. He couldn't remember a time he'd felt this scared!  They seemed to have been standing facing each other like this for hours. He struggled to control the shaking of his knees and the nervous pulse in his cheek. Why didn't the man just pull the trigger and put him out of his misery? Suddenly he did indeed cock the rifle and his forefinger tensed on the trigger. He closed his eyes and swiftly inhaled, holding the breath in his lungs as if that would somehow cushion the bullet when it inevitably blasted into his chest. Again the wait was interminable and when the blast did not come he half opened his eyes. The barrel was still aimed squarely at him. He was beginning to feel sick to his stomach. This was not the way he'd thought his life would end. Then suddenly the rifle barrel lowered to point to the ground, and in shock he finally raised his eyes to those of the indian. The man glared at him, his face reflecting a myriad of emotions, then, with one final glare, he abruptly turned on his heel and strode towards the dense woods in the distance. He stood rooted to the spot, shock rippling through his body. He realised who the man was! And the realisation was horrifying! He took a tentative step forward and then stopped as Cloud Dancing disappeared amongst the trees.

He gasped and sat bolt upright, the perspiration beading on his face and torso, his heart racing. Too disorientated to try to make any sense of the dream, he was only aware of the darkness surrounding him, the heat, and the pounding of his heart. He sprang out of bed and raced to the open window where he stood taking deep breaths, willing his pulse to slow. He was close to tears, uncertain of their cause, and he was unsure as to whether he could keep tonight's supper down as his stomach roiled. He clung to the window sill, his head slightly bowed.

"Sully ... you alright?" Michaela asked quietly, anxiously, from the bed.

Not trusting himself to speak he nodded.

"You sure?"

"Just hot," he managed in a strangled whisper.

She frowned and then edged out of the bed to come to his side. Concerned, she raised her hand to his forehead and was dismayed by the dampness of his skin. "Sully?" she whispered. "You're ill?"

He shook his head. "I'm alright," he murmured. Using every ounce of willpower, he straightened. "Gotta walk," he muttered, reaching for his buckskins.

"Now? It's the middle of the night!" she exclaimed, becoming more anxious by the second.

He nodded. "Gotta clear my head ..."

She grasped his arm and implored, "Let me come with you ..."

He took a deep breath, then shook his head. "I won't be long ... I promise," he said, pleading for her understanding. "Just gotta think ..."

She met his gaze and his eyes told her what she needed to know. This wasn't about her.  She nodded and then implored, "Not too far?"

He nodded also, grasped her hand gratefully and left the room.

********************
"Hold this steady for me will ya Robert E?" asked Sully, striving to line up two pieces of wood that would eventually be a section of a bed frame.

"Sure thing," rejoined the blacksmith, hurrying over from his forge and grasping the timber.

"A little higher," Sully instructed, as he ensured the boards were even and then, with three sure hits, hammered in one nail and then another. Three nails clasped between his teeth as he worked, Sully managed to ask, "How's that little fella o' yours?"

Robert E chuckled. "Keepin' us busy," he replied. "Since he got inta crawlin' we can't keep track o' him ..."

Sully smiled. "Was like that with Katie .. we lost her once ... found her curled up asleep under the stairs ..."

Robert E shook his head ruefully. "He's already pullin' himself up on the furniture ... I dunno how its gonna be when he's walkin' ...," he commented with a smile. "Me an' Grace are real pleased Kathleen's lookin' after him ... Grace was havin' trouble with him wantin' ta move around at the café ..."

Sully nodded. "Kathleen's lookin' after Katie an' William most days too ... Thought I'd finish up early an' pick 'em up ... give her a rest ..."

"She probably needs it ... looked real tired when I picked Michael up yesterday ...," agreed Robert E, handing Sully the planer.

The two men worked in silence for a few minutes as the frame took shape. After a while Robert E remarked, "Good idea this ... puttin' one bed on top o' the other ... I was wonderin' how we were gonna git three beds into that little room at back o' the church ..."

"Got the idea from the army," explained Sully, concentrating on his work. "Figure Douglas'll like climbin' up ta sleep ..."

Robert E chuckled. "He's quite a kid aint he? Got a lot o' spunk ..."

Sully nodded. "Sure has ... He's real good with his little sister too ..."

"Probably sees himself as the man o' the family now ...," commented Robert E, stooping to pick up a dropped nail.

Again they worked in silence until Robert E asked tentatively, "Can I ask ya somethin'?"

"Sure ... what?" replied Sully, his mind on the task at hand.

Robert E took a deep breath. "This Red Fox fella ... you met him huh?"

"Uh huh ..."

"Sounded pretty bad ..."

Sully stopped what he was doing and looked at his friend. "He was angry," he responded.

"Know how that feels ..."

Sully went back to his work, but added, "Thought he had a right ta take back the Cheyenne lands ..."

"You go along with that?" asked Robert E dubiously.

"Course I don' ... but I can understand it ... in a way ..."

Robert E shook his head. "Takin' back the Cheyenne lands an' killin' innocent folk while you're doin' it are two different things ... Just cos you're angry don' mean you can take it out on anyone gits in your way ..." Sully paused and thoughtfully regarded his friend who continued, "I was angry too ... real angry ... but it weren't about every white man I came across ... I coulda killed my boss a thousand times over ... but I would never've considered doin' somethin' to his wife ... or kids ... When I got away an' headed north I wanted ta put all that behind me ... not relive it by turnin' myself inta some kind o' criminal ..."

"Red Fox didn' think that way ... He saw every white man as the enemy ..."

Again Robert E shook his head. "I'm glad I didn' come across him ... I look at what he's done ta Mrs O'Connell an' her kids ... an' all I know is ... it aint right ..."

"He's dead now," responded Sully dismally.

"If he weren't gonna rethink what he was doin' ... maybe that's best ..."

Sully's eyes darted to his friend in surprise. "So you reckon the army shootin' him in the back like that was alright?" he asked, bewildered.

Robert E shrugged his shoulders. "He wasn't gonna surrender ... was he?"

Sully swallowed. "No ..."

"Then they didn' have much choice ..."

"An' what about the fellas ridin' with him? They strung 'em up without a trial ..."

"I guess they shoulda got a trial like ya wanted ... but it woulda come out the same in the end ..."

"Whatdya mean?"

"No matter how good their lawyer was ... *if* they could find one who'd defend 'em ... they were gonna be found guilty ..."

"You can say that just from readin' the newspaper reports?" asked Sully sceptically.

"An' from hearin' what happened ta the O'Connell family ... There aint a judge alive wouldna found 'em guilty ..." 

"So just cos everyone thinks they're guilty ... they don' git a trial?"

"I didn' say that ... Sure they shoulda had a trial ... but I aint cryin' cos they're dead before they got it ... Ended up like all those people they killed ..."

"I .. I ... thought you mighta seen it different ..."

"Why? Cos I'm black ..."

Sully immediately shook his head. "No ... cos you usually see things better 'an other folk ...," he explained.

Robert E stopped what he was doing and his dark brown eyes met those of his friend. "I guess this is one time when I don' feel much sympathy for the Cheyenne ... those four Cheyenne anyway ... They were destroyin' people's lives ... an' somethin' had ta be done about 'em ... Maybe they shoulda got a trial ... but it don' change what was gonna happen to 'em in the end ... You know I don' support lynchin's ... but the army did what they thought was right ... an' ... in this case ... I aint gonna argue with 'em ..."

His eyes clouded with doubts and puzzlement, Sully bent to his task once more.

*********************
"You're doing very well Teresa," said Michaela with a smile. "Over four months along ... and everything is going to plan ..."

Doing up the top buttons of her cotton blouse, the school teacher smiled. "Jacob will be pleased ... he is always anxious," she remarked.

"Well you can assure him everything is fine ... You were lucky that the summer break from school coincided with the early stages of your pregnancy ..."

"Yes ... but school restarts in only two weeks ..."

Michaela completed Teresa's file, placed the pen down and inquired, "Have you thought about what you're going to do then? From all accounts there'll be a number of new pupils this year ... Will you be able to cope on your own?"

"I ... I'm sure I will be fine," asserted Teresa, none too convincingly.

"Perhaps the town council should be looking for someone ..." When Teresa looked to be about to interject indignantly, Michaela hastened to add, "To assist you ... and then you'll need someone to take over when you have the baby ..."

The school teacher lowered her eyes "I suppose you are correct ...," she admitted. Then added wistfully,  "I enjoy teaching so ..."

"There's no reason why you should not go back ... after the baby ..."

Teresa's eyes narrowed and she shook her head. "It would not be right for me to continue teaching after the baby is born ... I have already told Jacob this ... and he agrees with me ..."

Recalling several testy discussions between them over the years regarding this issue, Michaela refrained from putting her point of view. Perhaps Teresa would come to realise she could be both a mother and a teacher. "Whatever you think is best," she conceded. She stood and began to walk towards the door. "Now ... as long as you continue to be as well as you are, I will not need to see you for another month ... But please ... if anything worries you at all ... you must come to see me straight away ..."

Teresa also stood, then nodded, acknowledging Michaela's advice. "Of course ... both Jacob and I want this baby very much ... I would not do anything to jeopardise its wellbeing,"  she rejoined sincerely.

"I know how that feels," Michaela agreed. "And I can recall saying the same thing myself ... but somehow you tend to believe you can do more than you actually can ..." When Teresa shook her head, rejecting the notion, Michaela quickly added, "All I'm suggesting is that you listen to your body carefully ... Children are the most precious of gifts ..."

Teresa's expression softened and she nodded, reluctantly recognising Michaela's experience in this matter. As she moved towards the door, she asked "Yours are not here at the clinic today?"

Michaela shook her head. "Kathleen is looking after them," she replied. Then, with a nod of her head, she indicated a package on the cupboard by the door. "That arrived for Matthew this morning ... so I thought I might finish early here and go over to deliver it and pick up the children ..."

Teresa nodded and pulled the door open. "Thankyou Dr Quinn," she said as she stepped out onto the porch. "I will see you again in a month ..."

**********************
"He asleep?" asked Sully in a low tone from the other wingback chair.

Michaela nodded and sighed. "At last," she replied. "Those teeth are breaking through ..." She dipped her head and kissed William's forehead. "Poor little thing," she murmured.

Sully edged forward in his chair and stood. "I'll put him in the cradle," he offered, reaching for the sleeping baby boy.  Michaela nodded and handed him over. As Sully put William down, he remarked in a hushed tone, "This is really too small for him now ... We'll soon haveta put blankets on the floor for him when we wanna stay downstairs ... like we did with Katie ..." He turned to regard Michaela who was solemnly staring into the cold fireplace.  He moved across, gently tugged her to her feet and then sat, pulling her down to sit in his lap, his arms around her. "Watcha thinkin'?" he asked softly against her ear.

She nestled down into his embrace and replied just as quietly, "Lots of things ..."

"Like what?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Oh .. I don't know ... they're all jumbled up ..."

"Tell me just one then ..."

"Well ... I was wondering whether you were alright ..."

"Me?"

"Mmmm ... you were awake a long time during the night ..."

He shrugged. "I'm alright ... nothin' ta worry about ..."

"I can't help worrying ... You're a part of me ... when you feel bad ... so do I.... Won't you tell me what happened?"

He gently caressed her arm. "Just  a bad dream is all ..."

"What about?"

He swallowed and then implored, "I ... I don' wanna talk about it ... please ..."

She lovingly ran her hand down the contours of his face. "Are you sure?" she asked. "I'm ready to listen ..."

He shook his head.. "Maybe another time," he offered quietly. "But not now ..." When she remained silent, he added, "Please don' be thinkin' I'm keepin' things to myself ... I just don' wanna think about it right now ..."

"It was that painful?"

"Uh huh ... Trust me?"

She clasped his hand and squeezed. "Of course," she returned. "But when you're ready to share ... I'll be ready to listen ..."

He nodded. "I know it," he responded sincerely. "Now tell me what else you were thinkin' about ..."

Respecting Sully's request, she decided to let the matter of the dream drop. At last she offered, "I wired the advertisement for Andrew's replacement to the eastern newspapers today ..."

"You did?"

She nodded. "I can't believe Colleen and Andrew will be leaving in a couple of weeks," she said with sadness.

"They'll be back ..."

"Perhaps they won't ... Perhaps they'll like living and working in the east ... Boston ... Washington ... or Pittsburgh ..."

"We knew if Colleen was gonna be a doctor she'd haveta study back east ... An' I got a feelin' they'll both come back ... The west has a way o' pullin' at ya ..."

"You think so?"

"Uh huh ... an' while she's studyin' they'll come back ... for Christmas an' the like ..."

"It just seems as if everyone is going away ..."

"Everyone?"

"Brian is going to Denver ..."

"For a coupla weeks ..."

"Bess is going to St Louis ..."

"That's where her home is ..."

"Even Matthew's moved out ..."

"He got married ... an' his homestead's only a coupla miles away ..."

She buried her head against his shoulder. "I know I'm being silly ... I can't help it," she murmured. "Everything's changing ... and the children are growing so fast ..." He reassuringly squeezed her a little tighter and then she unexpectedly giggled self-consciously.

"Now whatcha  thinkin'?" he asked in bemusement.

There was a long silence and then she said quietly, "You know I went to collect the children today?"

He nodded. "Uh huh ... an' I'd already done it ... They were here with me ..."

There was another long silence, so Sully prompted, "Michaela?"

She distractedly began to caress the back of his neck, under his hair, then finally murmured, "You remember ... not long after we were married ... Matthew came home unexpectedly ... with a load of lumber ..."

"Uh huh ..."

Again there was a long silence until Sully suddenly straightened in the chair and exclaimed, "You're kiddin' me?!"

She bit her lip and shook her head, her eyes twinkling.

"How'd ya know?" demanded Sully, his smile broad.

"I .. I ... mightn't have realised ... if I hadn't been through it myself," she chuckled. "But they took a long time to answer the door ... Matthew was still tucking his shirt into his waistband and Kathleen ... well ... she just looked ... um ... dishevelled ..."

Sully laughed out loud. "Guess that sorta answers your question about 'em likin' bein' married ..."

"I never doubted that ... I just wondered if they'd be as happy as we are ..."

He pushed back her hair and nibbled at her ear. "Don' think that's possible ...," he muttered between kisses.

Her body was stirring to his touch, but she ventured, "Sully?"

"Mmmm ..."

"Do you remember that day?"

"What day?" he murmured, his mouth busy.

"That day Matthew found us here ...," she reminded him, her hand creeping in between the buttons of his shirt.

"Sure I do," he replied softly. "What do *you* remember most about it?"

She bit her lip and then replied breathily, "I remember wondering why we'd decided to live so far out of town ..."

He stopped his loving ministrations and asked worriedly, "Why?"

She cupped his cheek and looked deeply into his blue eyes. "Because the wagon ride out here seemed to take so very long ... and I needed to be with you," she replied huskily. "I remember sitting as close to you as I could ... and you'd turn to me with the same look I imagine was in my eyes ... I'd never believed I could feel like that ..."

"It was the same for me," he murmured sincerely in return. "When you came lookin' for me that day ... I could hardly hold myself back ... Its always bin that way ..." 

"You still feel like that?"

"Oh God yes ... more an' ever ... sometimes you've only gotta look at me ..."

She smiled and tilted her head to kiss him long and deep. "I used to think there was something wrong with me ... and Grace told me it wouldn't last ... but we were both wrong ... weren't we Sully ... this is how its meant to be ...," she avowed lovingly. She sighed as, in response, he renewed the kiss, this time deeper, more urgent. At last, her body afire, she murmured, "There's no-one to interrupt us now ..."

He glanced across at their baby son sleeping peacefully. "Not right now," he rejoined softly. "Guess we got the time ... an' I sure got the enthusiasm ..."

She chuckled softly and resumed the oh so pleasurable loving.

Continued .....