Chapter 15

Sully completed the circle of stones in the clearing and, with a nod, indicated to Cloud Dancing that all was ready. It had not taken a great deal of persuasion to gain the medicine man's agreement to the ancient ritual, nor to Sully's participation. Stripped to the waist, both men stepped into the circle and sat on their heels facing each other. Now they would begin. They closed their eyes and the Palmer Creek clearing began to fill with a chanting that reverberated through unspoilt wilderness familiar with its centuries old patterns and rhythms.

********************
"I'm truly sorry Sully couldn't be here to say good-bye," repeated Michaela, as she grasped Bess's gloved hand in her own.  A train whistle sounded in the distance and several pairs of eyes peered down the railroad tracks and spied smoke pulsing into the air from the train's chimney stack.

"Its alright Michaela ... it really is," rejoined Bess yet again. "I understand completely ... I only hope Sully is able to help Cloud Dancing ..."

"So do I," agreed Michaela, her tone heartfelt. "I do wish we'd been able to spend even more time with you while you were here ... Life in Colorado Springs is not always quite so hectic ..."

Bess smiled wryly. "This from the woman who travelled all the way to St Louis to help a desperately ill friend ... while she was several months pregnant ... and responsible for a busy medical clinic?" she posed rhetorically. "Then spent months helping her rehabilitate at the Chateau?" Her arm went around the shoulders of Myra who was standing close beside her.

Michaela smiled embarrassedly. "Sometimes its very quiet here," she defended softly.

"Mmmm," chuckled Bess with disbelief. "Would you like me to outline what's happened in just the few short months I've been in Colorado Springs?"

Michaela shook her head, all too well aware. "You must come back ... and then you'll see what I mean," she returned with an answering smile.

"I would love to my dear ... but we shall have to wait and see ... I'm an old woman ... and we never know what is around the corner ..."

"Don' say that Bess," admonished Myra. "We all expect ta see ya agin ... real soon ..."

"I only wish that could be the case ... but with winter approaching ...." She trailed off and surveyed her new friends forlornly - Michaela and the children, Myra and Samantha, Colleen, Kathleen and Matthew, and Brian. "I will always have you all to remember ... and I expect to hear from you ... often ..." She bent to gently kiss Katie on the forehead. "You be good for your mama now," she said softly, swallowing the lump forming in her throat. Then she leant forward to place a gentle kiss on sleeping William's cheek. "Same goes for you young man," she whispered. She straightened and plastered on a smile.

Michaela, recognising the elderly woman's distress, handed William to Brian and enfolded her in her arms.  "You know you're more than welcome here any time," she said softly.

Bess stepped back a little and nodded. "You have all made me feel at home," she said, her shimmering eyes encompassing them all. "I will do my best to stay healthy ... well as healthy as a woman my age can be ... and come back to visit again."

She reached out her hand to Myra, whom she pulled away from the group a little. She had become very close to the young woman during her stay at the Chateau. "You look after yourself and that little girl you hear," she admonished lovingly. "You're a good girl ... and don't let anyone ever tell you any different ..." Unable to speak, Myra nodded as a tear ran silently down her cheek. "You look after them all for me ... until I get back," Bess continued. Then she nodded toward Michaela. "And don't you be afraid to tell her if she's working too hard ... She needs someone to do that ..." Again Myra nodded.  "And I want to hear how Samantha is doing at school ... and about the Chateau ..."

"I aint much of a writer Bess, I didn' git much schoolin'," warned Myra, shamefaced.

"You think I mind if the spelling's not quite right?" scoffed the elderly woman fondly. "I'll be wanting the news ... not looking for mistakes ...alright?"

Again Myra nodded, then her eyes darted to the tracks where the train was slowly pulling to a halt in a cloud of smoke and steam. "You are gonna hurry back aint ya?" she entreated tearfully. "I ... I .. aint ever had someone like you around ... someone I could talk things through with ..."

Bess pulled her into her embrace. "And I have never had anyone like you," she whispered. "If I'd had a daughter, I'd have wanted her to have a heart like yours ..." She at last stepped back and picked up her carpetbag. "We don't want the train leaving without me ... do we?" she said with false bravado. "Goodbye everyone ... don't forget those letters ... and Brian ... you promised to send me the Gazette ... every week ..."

"I won't forget Miss Bess," called Brian as Horace assisted her up the step and to the door of the train carriage. She turned for one last wave, then the whistle blew, stridently signalling the train's imminent departure, and she limped gingerly to a seat, still hampered by her arthritic knees.

Everyone continued to wave good-bye until the train rounded a bend far off in the distance. At last they stopped and stared wistfully down the tracks, until Myra shook herself and said with a wry smile, "I better be gettin' back to the Chateau ... Mr Eades only let me come inta town cos I promised ta meet the new arrivals ..." She grasped Samantha's hand. "Come on honey ... we gotta go ..." They all watched for a few moments as she bustled around, ensuring that the new guests and all their baggage were loaded onto the elegant Chateau buggy and then waved as they set off down the road out of town.

Kathleen reached for Katie's hand and Matthew took William into his arms. "We'll take the kids out to our place now Dr Mike," he said with a smile.

Michaela nodded. "As long as there are no emergencies, I won't be late today," she said.

"You have no idea how long Sully'll be out at Palmer Creek with Cloud Dancin'?" the young man asked.

She shook her head. "You know how it is Matthew ... You've been on a vision quest ... There's no saying how long it will take to help Cloud Dancing ..."

"Well if anyone can do it, Sully can," he assured her. She nodded gratefully, recalling her husband's self-doubts. Then he asked, "You want me ta come over tonight ... make sure everythin's alright at the homestead?"

Michaela glanced at Brian and shook her head. "No, thank-you Matthew ...  I think Brian and I can manage ..."

He nodded and offered, "You need any help with anythin' ... anythin' at all ... you just ask ... alright?" To which Kathleen added, "I'm happy to look after the children ... any time ..."

"Thank-you both," Michaela said with a smile. "But I'm sure Sully won't be away very long ... I'll see you later ... when I pick up the children ..."

When Matthew and Kathleen and the children had driven off in their wagon, Colleen linked her arm with her mother's as they made their way back to the clinic. "You think she'll be alright?" mused Colleen as they walked.

"Kathleen?"

She shook her head. "No .. Bess .... It's a long trip for an old lady ..."

Michaela smiled. "I have a feeling she'll be just fine ... I'm more worried about how she'll cope when she reaches home ..."

"Whatdya mean?"

"You wouldn't believe the difference in her Colleen ... When we first met her in St Louis she was very thin, lonely and unwilling to make friends ... I'm afraid she'll return to her lonely life again ..."

"She hasn't got any family? Friends?"

Michaela shook her head. "It seems when her husband died, she retreated from any friends they might have had ... She said they were not the sort of people whose company she could enjoy ..."

Colleen chuckled. "She seemed ta enjoy *our* company ... I don' really think she wanted to go ..."

"I think you're right ... perhaps she'll come back ..."

They continued in silence for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts, until Colleen mused, "I wonder how I'll feel?"

Michaela frowned. "About what sweetheart?" she asked, puzzled.

"About leavin' on that same train'," Colleen admitted. "I can't believe me an' Andrew'll be goin' in just a week ..."

Michaela swallowed. "Neither can I," she returned in a small voice. "I'll miss you ..."

"Pennsylvania's so far away ..."

"You'll come back ... when you can ... At least now there'll be no financial reasons to stay away ... now you have Mr Beauchamp's money ...," Michaela suggested hopefully.

"But Andrew'll be working ...

Michaela nodded resignedly. "Of course," she said in a small voice. "He won't be able to pack up and leave whenever you have a break from college ..."

They stepped up onto the clinic porch and Colleen's hold on her mother's arm tightened. "I'm sorta scared ma," she admitted softly. "What if I can't do it ..."

Michaela turned to face her daughter. "I remember you expressing the same doubts about college in Denver ... remember? And then you did very well ... I have every faith in you Colleen ... You're going to make a wonderful doctor ..."

The young woman took a deep breath and nodded. "But I wish I didn' have to go all the way to Pennsylvania to go to medical college ... What if I need to talk to you?"

Michaela drew her daughter into her embrace. "You'll have Andrew to talk to ... and there's always letters and telegrams ...," she said reassuringly.  "Once you arrive and start college you won't have time for misgivings ... but I do want to hear how your doing ...alright?"

Colleen nodded. "An' I want to hear how things are going here ... with Katie an' William, Matthew an' Kathleen ... Brian ... you an' Sully ... everyone ..."

"I promise I'll write as often as I can," rejoined Michaela lovingly. "But until I find a replacement for Andrew, I'm going to be very busy." Her brow furrowed as she contemplated running two clinics on her own.

"Ya haven't had any replies to your advertisement?"

Michaela shook her head. "Its only been a few days ... and you know how slow the mail is ...," she replied wistfully.

"I'm sure you'll hear soon ... probably from more 'an one," Colleen assured her. "Maybe someone young ... just outta college ... like Andrew was ..."

Michaela nodded. "We'll see," she said, doubt creeping into her voice. "I tend to forget that there are still many who refuse to work with a woman doctor ... Things are so different here now ..."

"You'll find someone ... someone who'll fit in just fine," said Colleen, pulling the clinic door open. "Now come on ... we gotta finish takin' inventory ... then maybe you could help me decide what I gotta take away ta college ..."

**********************
Reminiscent of a well-rehearsed ballet, the two men performed the rituals of the sweat lodge. While Sully slowly poured hot water over the heated rocks, Cloud Dancing sprinkled various herbs and chanted the ancient words of the ceremonial Cheyenne. Their near naked bodies gleaming with sweat, they sat cross-legged opposite each other, their minds focussed on calling to their ancestors and the Great Spirit in this cleansing ritual. Outside, the summer sun beamed relentlessly down on the leather shrouded sweat lodge. Inside, the steamy air was stifling and yet also therapeutic. Here there were no intruders, no foreign sounds, no potential menace to disturb the serenity or concentration. Here time had not moved on, progress had not wrought a path of destruction, the ways of the ancient Cheyenne had not been relegated to the past. Here there was no time, no day, no night. Here paths were sought, futures questioned and answers provided.

The two men continued their ritual, their physical capabilities stretched, their minds focussed on the healing, while the world around them undertook its daily struggle to survive.

**********************
"We're over here Dr Mike," called Matthew from beside the barn of his new homestead. "Me an' Katie are feedin' the chickens ..."

Michaela climbed down from the wagon and made her way across to her son and tiny daughter in time to see Katie swing herself around exuberantly, spraying seed in all directions and nearly stepping on one eager fowl. "Oh sweetheart," she exclaimed indulgently. "You must be careful ..."

Ignoring her mother, the little girl reached excitedly for the pan of seed Matthew was holding in his hand. "More Mattew," she implored.

He immediately lowered the pan to her reach and she grasped a handful of the slippery grains, then tossed them energetically towards the largest number of pecking hens. She giggled in delight, bringing wide smiles to the faces of her brother and mother.

"I see you've had your hands full," Michaela remarked wryly to Matthew.

He shook his head. "I don't mind," he returned watching the little girl with a smile. "She loves doin' the simplest things ..." He suddenly thrust the pan at Michaela and grabbed Katie just as she made a lunge for one of the hens. "Ya sure haveta keep your eyes on her though," he added ruefully. He swung her up into his arms and squeezed her playfully, eliciting a squeal.

As they turned toward the porch steps, Michaela asked, "Where's Kathleen ..."

He peered up at the front door.  "She's inside," he explained. "She sat on the bed with William til he fell asleep, an' then she fell asleep herself ... So I pulled a blanket up over 'em both an' me an' Katie came outside ..." He started up the steps. "Don' think she's used ta doin' everythin' herself ... This aint much like her fancy house in Charleston ..."

"It's a beautiful home Matthew!" Michaela assured him. "And Kathleen is very proud of it ... she's told me so ... many times ..."

"She has?"

"Definitely ..."

"But lookin' after a house ... chickens ... a cow ... Its all new to her .."

"Yes it is ... but I doubt its worrying her too much ... She's doing what she wants to do ... with the man she loves ..."

"But she gits so tired ... like today ..."

"Yes ... she does," mused Michaela thoughtfully. "Perhaps its too much for her ... looking after the house ... and the children ... at least while its all new to her ..."

Matthew glanced across at her in horror. "She'd never forgive me if ya stopped bringin' the kids here ta look after ... She loves 'em so much ... makes her feel like she's doin' somethin' worthwhile ...."

"Are you sure?"

"Uh huh ... she told me ... even before we were married ... You know she always wanted ta be a teacher ..."

Michaela nodded. "And she'd have been wonderful ... but her family wouldn't allow it ..."

"So we can't stop her lookin' after the kids ...," Matthew concluded. "I'll just have ta make sure I'm around more to help ..."

"And I'll try to work shorter hours," added Michaela, then raised her hand to her mouth when she realised what she'd said. "That's *if* I can find a replacement for Andrew ... I only have a short time ..."

"No inquiries?" queried Matthew with concern.

She shook her head.  "Not yet ... but it hasn't been long ... only a week ..."

"I guess," said Matthew doubtfully.  "Maybe ya should think about runnin' the advertisement agin? ... Or maybe in some other newspapers? ..."

As they reached the front door, she nodded and said, "I'll wait a little longer ... then perhaps you're right ... If I have to run two clinics on my own I'll be like Kathleen ... falling asleep during the day ... Come on ... let's wake that sleepyhead wife of yours, then I'll take the children home and leave you two in peace ..."

Chapter 16

Panting from the exertion, the two men at last reached the top of the craggy rise, one of the highest points on the Palmer Creek property. It had not been an easy climb. They'd started out just as the first rays of dawn appeared over the mountains, and finally made their objective nearly two hours later. Sully's muscles ached from the effort of assisting Cloud Dancing who was still severely impeded by his injured leg.

They paused and took deep, enervating breaths of the fresh, early morning air. Then Cloud Dancing laid his crude wooden crutch aside and, with his Sully's help, gingerly sat down on the ground to gaze out over the wooded vista. Sully unhooked the water canteen from where it hung on its leather strap over his shoulder and also sat down. He unstoppered it and handed it to his brother who gulped down several mouthfuls and then passed it back.

They sat silently, companionably, for a long time, absorbing their surroundings, their purpose in being in such a place.

At last Sully broke the silence. "You know ... when me an' Michaela were startin' ta court ... I took her to the top o' that ridge ... you know the one ... east o' Pikes Peak ... the one the Cheyenne call Tsehmamôhevo'ta  ... We watched the sun set behind the mountains ... It was the only way I could think of ta tell her that even though I knew it weren't gonna be easy ... we'd work through everythin' together ... She was the first person I ever took there ..." When Cloud Dancing did not reply, he continued, "That place always sorta calms me ... helps me sort out what I'm thinkin' an' find my way ... maybe I'll take Michaela back there soon ..."

Again there was a long silence until Cloud Dancing said thoughtfully, "Snowbird and I would go to the valley ... below Pike's Peak ... the one called Vohpoometaneno ... where the river tumbles southward ... There the rushing of water is so loud you cannot hear the other speak ... We would sit beside each other and talk for many hours ..."

"You just said you couldn' hear each other speak ..."

Cloud Dancing smiled. "We did not need to ... We understood each other perfectly ...," he returned.

"You miss her a lot huh?"

"There is much that I miss ..."

"I wish I could make it better for ya," muttered Sully, frustrated.  "But I aint sure we should keep goin' back to the past ... thinkin' how it used ta be ..."

Cloud Dancing nodded. "We have learnt that there is no going back  ... only forward ..."

"But I don' want ya ta ever think that just cos I got a good life with Michaela now I'd forget about you an' the Cheyenne ... an' how you're livin' ..."

Cloud Dancing shook his head. "I would never think this ... Have you not spent this time here with me?  Did you not spend many months away from your family because of me and my people? ... But you must also understand that I am not your responsibility ... We are brothers yes ... but you had nothing to do with what has happened to the Cheyenne ..."

Sully hung his head. "Sometimes it don' feel that way ...," he muttered. Then his brow furrowed, he raised his eyes to Cloud Dancing and stated assuredly, "Neither did you ... You couldn' stop what happened any more 'an I could ..."

Cloud Dancing swallowed. "I have watched my people suffer ... and I know from what I have seen that the suffering is not finished ... To stand by ... and watch ..." He trailed off and hung his head also.

Unconsciously echoing Michaela's words of the past, Sully said quietly, "You're just one man ... an' you've done a lot for your people ..."

"Not enough to stop the suffering ... I am a medicine man ... and as a medicine man I *am* responsible for my people ..."

"Uh huh ... to keep 'em healthy as much as ya can ... ta make sure they know the ways of the Cheyenne ... But no-one could be prepared for the comin' of the white man ... an' what that meant for the Cheyenne ... One man, indian or white, can't stop the army ... the government ... Red Fox had it all wrong ... Killin' only brings more killin' ... he found that out the hard way ..." Sully paused and then mused, "You an' me ... we've tried real hard ... We didn' wanna see innocent people die ... an' both of us wanted ta achieve a lot more 'an we have ... but we've done nothin' ta be ashamed of ..."

"But innocent people did die ... *my* people ..."

Sully swallowed. "Yeah, they did," he said sorrowfully. "But it weren't us brought it about ..."

"And so the fight is over?"

Sully shook his head vehemently. "Not by a long shot ... but like ya said ... we can't keep lookin' back ... we gotta look forward ... Michaela's bin tellin' me that for a long time ... but I weren't ready to listen ..."

Cloud Dancing leant forward to massage his sore leg, a myriad of emotions crossing his face. Then his face abruptly cleared and he turned to Sully "So we must find a new way to fight ... to help the Cheyenne?" he posed, a glimmer of hope appearing in his eyes.

"I ... I guess so," Sully agreed, his heart suddenly pounding a little harder.  "But how? What?"

Cloud Dancing's brow creased in thought, until he finally admitted, "I do not know ... but if there was a way we could make people understand what has happened ... what is happening ... so they become angry ..."

"Ashamed ...," added Sully pensively.

 Cloud Dancing nodded. "It must be something new ... Our visits and letters to the army and the government have done little ..."

"Yeah ... But this don' mean we give up helpin' the Cheyenne, like Flyin' Hawk's people, when they need it ..."

Cloud Dancing regarded him wryly. "Neither of us could do that ...," he stated unequivocally.  He abruptly started to edge forward in an attempt to stand. "Come ... it is time to return ...," he said, reaching for Sully's arm for support. Once Sully was upright, he hauled himself to his feet. "I must speak with Dorothy," he added, sliding his crutch in under his arm.  "And you must return to your family ..."

Before they set off, Sully, standing beside his brother, asked anxiously, "So ... Cloud Dancin' ... you're alright now?"

The medicine man gave him a half nod. "I have learnt that we cannot go back ... only forward ... that there is much to be done ... and I have a responsibility to do it ... A part of my heart is still heavy ... this will always be so ... but the other sees some hope for the future ... and tells me I still have a part to play ..."

Sully grasped Cloud Dancing's forearm. "Like Black Kettle used ta say ... we live in hopes huh?' he offered sincerely.

"Yes my brother ... we live in hopes," he responded with a nod. "Come .. let us return to our loved ones."

As one, the two men took one last look at the magnificent vista of unspoilt wilderness, then turned and retraced their slow and sometimes treacherous path to camp.

*********************
"Come in Mrs O'Connell," beckoned Michaela as she opened the door of the clinic. "This won't take long ... I just wanted to check your wound ... make sure there's no infection ..." The woman, stony faced, walked past her with barely a nod and stood by the examination table.  Michaela inwardly sighed and strode to the dresser where she carefully washed her hands. 

She turned back to regard her patient. Deciding to ignore the woman's animosity, she said with a smile, "How are you settling into your new quarters? From all accounts, the children seem happy ..."

"We're comfortable Dr Mike," Faith replied dully.

Michaela walked across and leaned close to peer at the healing wound. "And what about the piano lessons? Have you thought any more about those?"

"I've thought about it alright ... but I haven't come to any decision. I'm reluctant to start something I might not be able to finish," rejoined Faith.

Michaela stepped back a little and, puzzled, queried, "Not finish?"

"The truth is ... I don't know how long we'll be here ... There's still our property near Rawlins ... And while everyone has been very kind here ... I .. we ... can't rely on kindness ... I must find some way to support the children ..."

"But the piano lessons would do that wouldn't they?"

Faith shrugged. "We can't live in the room behind the church forever ... and I would have to conduct a lot of piano lessons to afford to live somewhere else ...," she explained ruefully.

"Perhaps you should think about selling your land?" suggested Michaela warily.

"I don't know how I feel about that," Faith responded truthfully. "It was supposed to be our future ... and now ..."

"It sounds to me like you should take some time before making such an important decision ... You know Sully would be more than happy to take you back up there ... any time you want ... even if its just to take a look ..."

Faith shuddered. "I ... I don't think I'm ready for that ... to see it all again ... destroyed ... Peter and Hugh gone ... I couldn't ..."

Michaela rested her hand comfortingly on Faith's arm. "Of course," she said softly. "But when you *are* ready ..." The woman nodded and fought the tears welling in her eyes. Michaela watched her with concern for a few minutes, then tentatively asked, "Was there no money? None at all?"

Faith frowned and then her shimmering eyes met Michaela's. "Truth is ... I don't know," she reluctantly admitted. "Peter always looked after the money ... He kept telling us there was little left ... The trip west ... then the building of the homestead ... it all cost so much ..."

"Perhaps you should find out?"

"How? Peter always signed at the bank ... and he's ... um ... gone ..."

Michaela thought for a few moments then suggested, "My eldest son Matthew ... he's been studying law ... I'm sure he'd be able to help you ... He could find out what the laws are ... and I can issue a death certificate for your husband ..."

A glimmer of hope crossed the woman's face before she rejoined dejectedly, I couldn't afford to pay him ..."

Michaela was about to wave her misgivings off, until she realised that for Faith, this was a matter of pride. "Perhaps ... if you find there is a little money in the bank ... you could pay him then ..."

"And if there's not?"

"I'm sure you can come to some arrangement ... some way to pay him back ... over time ... I know he wouldn't want much ..." Faith regarded her doubtfully, prompting her to add assuredly, "Talk to him ... he's a good man ... He won't do anything you don't want him to ... and he'll make sure no-one cheats you out of your due ... He could even handle the sale of your property if and when the time comes ..."

Faith still looked uncertain, but at last said, "I'll think about it Dr Mike ... If there really was a little money left ..." She trailed off, her expression wistful.

"You'll never know unless you go looking," said Michaela with a reassuring smile. "Now ... this wound of yours is healing nicely. The swelling is almost gone ... and I do believe its not as red now ..."

Faith self-consciously raised her hand to the ugly scar and nodded. "Its not as sore either," she conceded.

"Well that's good ...," said Michaela. "But remember to stay out of the sun ... and keep rubbing that ointment I gave you into it ..."

Faith nodded.  "I will Dr Mike," she said quietly, her fingers gently moving over the jagged scar. "I ... I ... hope it does fade a little ... Its so ..." She shook herself and then said, "I'd better get back to the children ... They're playing over by the school ... Thank-you ..." She moved toward the door.

"Don't forget about seeing Matthew ... I'm sure he can help you," counselled Michaela.

Again Faith nodded. "We'll see Dr Mike ... we'll see," she said as she pulled the door open and walked out into the street.

********************
Michaela exited the clinic and locked the door behind her. She momentarily surveyed the still busy street and then walked wearily to the wagon. It was later than she'd intended, she was tired and she still had to pick up the children from Matthew and Kathleen's before she could finally go home. She placed her medical bag on the wagon seat and lifted her foot to the wheel nut to give herself leverage, only to be arrested by a familiar voice calling, "Michaela ..." She spun around and suddenly all her tiredness disappeared. "Sully!" she called happily.

He quickened his steps and strode into Michaela's waiting arms. She hugged him enthusiastically and then becoming aware of their public location she tugged him back towards the clinic. Once the door was unlocked and they were inside, she gladly moved back into his arms. After several moments, she leaned back a little to survey the face she loved. "You're alright?" she asked softly. When he nodded, she asked tentatively, "And Cloud Dancing? He's better?"

"Better 'an he was," replied Sully honestly. "I did everythin' I could ... Its Dorothy's turn now ..." He gently ran his finger down her cheek. "I just finished tellin' her ... She's gonna head out there right away ..."

"So you think he'll be fine?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm hopin'," he replied. "He seems ta have more hope now ... an' he needs ta talk ta Dorothy ... That's a good sign aint it?"

"Yes ... that's a good sign," she agreed with a smile. She gently ran her fingers through the days old stubble on his face. "I haven't seen you with a beard like this for a long time," she mused.

He smirked self-consciously.  "Ah ... didn' have time ta shave," he muttered.

She smiled. "Nor the inclination I expect," she teased. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him lightly. "Welcome back," she said lovingly. "The children will be pleased to see you ... I was just going out to pick them up ..."

"I'll go with ya ... I'm lookin' forward ta seein' 'em ...," he said at once. His eyes quickly surveyed the clinic. "Colleen?" he asked.

"She and Andrew are out at the Chateau ... They're having supper there after they finish with the patients," she replied. She examined his face minutely, especially his eyes, and then frowned. "You seem different," she murmured pensively.

"Different?" he queried. "It's the beard," he suggested with another smirk.

"No." She shook her head. "Its something else ..."

"I dunno what," he rejoined, puzzled.

She again raised her hand to his face and then gently ran her fingers under his eyes. "Its here," she said softly. "I think the Cheyenne healing has helped you too ..."

"Whatdya mean?"

She bit her lip and then said quietly, "Cloud Dancing wasn't the only one in pain ... I was worried about you ..."

"An' you can tell there's a difference?"

She nodded. "Your eyes are clearer ... You're looking at me differently ...," she attempted.

He bent to kiss her softly. "Maybe you're right," he murmured. "The Red Fox thing was kinda hard ... I never thought I'd haveta turn in a Cheyenne ... or work with the army ..." He paused, then said, his eyes twinkling. "Never gonna agin neither ... if I can help it ..."

She smiled and, as she drew him into her embrace, she repeated softly, "Welcome home Sully."

********************
Flanked by two of his prettiest girls, Hank stepped up onto the station platform just as the four o'clock train from Denver pulled into Colorado Springs in a cloud of smoke and steam. Horace, who was just emerging from the office, sighed in exasperation. "Oh ... Hank ... why ya gotta bring 'em here ... I'm tryin' ta run a respectable business ...," he  groaned.

"It's a train station Horace ... not a church," Hank retorted sarcastically. "It's a public place an' anyone's allowed ... Besides ... I'm tryin' ta run a business too ..."

"Yeah ... well I wish ya wouldn' run it here," Horace rejoined, affronted.

Hank leant back against the office counter and observed the few passengers disembarking. He smiled with approval when young Carrie approached a travelling salesman who was a regular at the Gold Nugget. As Horace struggled back up the steps with the mailbag, Hank asked, "Got any telegrams or letters for me while I'm here ..."

The telegraph operator regarded him ruefully. "Can't ya see I got my hands full?" he queried rhetorically. He heaved the bag up the last step, carried it awkwardly into the office and dropped it just inside, then took several deep breaths. He cast his eyes about and, recalling a telegram he'd taken that morning, said, "Actually I have got somethin' ya might be interested in ..." He strode across to the counter and picked it up. "Here it is," he said, walking to the window. "Coupla fellas want ta book a room for two nights next week ... You interested?" He leaned forward on the counter and thrust the telegram out. Hank did not respond. "Hey Hank ... I'm talkin' to ya," he demanded a little louder. Again no response. It seemed the man had his eyes and concentration firmly fixed on something or someone down near the train.

Horace craned forward in the direction the barkeep was looking. His eyes opened wide in surprise and he glanced back at Hank who, it seemed, was thunderstruck. He smirked. He'd never seen him react this way before. He couldn't resist leaving the office and coming around to stand shoulder to shoulder with his oft time adversary. He was just about to make a smart remark when the barkeep stood upright, straightened his tie and jacket and headed down towards the tracks. Horace chuckled to himself. This might well be worth watching. Even from a distance he could see that this time Hank might just be out of his depth.

Continued .....