Chapter 9

"I ... I .... don' really know where ta start Dr Mike," muttered Jake, his eyes fixed on a knot in a clinic floorboard.

"Look .... if its something personal that's worrying you Jake .... I don't mind at all if you want to talk to Andrew about it," Michaela offered to the mayor of Colorado Springs who sat dejectedly before her.

He shook his head. "It *is* kinda personal Dr Mike .... but you an' me ... well we've bin through a lot .... an' I trust you to be honest ...," he remarked. "Besides Andrew's just got married ....," he added ambiguously.

Michaela nodded and smiled, grateful for his trust, but beginning to worry about what Jake's problem might actually be. When the troubled man sitting opposite remained silent she prompted, "Its not something to do with your drinking is it Jake?"

He turned startled eyes on her. "Course it aint," he exhorted. "I learnt my lesson ..... it was hard ... but I learnt it .... aint bin on a bender since before I married Teresa ..."

Michaela leant back in her chair. "Good," she replied. "Then what *is* the problem?"

Jake hunkered even further down into his coat, his shoulders slumped, his expression morose. "Its Teresa ...," he finally muttered.

"She's ill?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "No .... I don' suppose ya could say that .... but she reminds me o' how I used ta be before I'd take off drinkin' .... an' lose myself for a week or so," he replied worriedly.

"You mean she's melancholy .... depressed?"

He nodded. "Yeah .... that just about sums it up ...."

"How long has this been going on?"

He swallowed and frowned. "Its bin buildin' up for months I reckon ..."

"Do you have any idea why she's like this? Are you two not getting along?"

His eyes flew to meet hers and his jaw set. "We're doin' just fine Dr Mike ...," he retorted.

Michaela sighed. "Well ? ...." she prompted.

Jake turned a pained expression upon her. "Me an' Teresa've bin married for over a year now," he said quietly.

"Yes .... I'm aware of that ..."

"An' there aint no sign of a baby .... Every month its worse .... She keeps expectin' its gonna happen ... an' when it don't she gits more an' more unhappy .... I don' know what ta do Dr Mike ...." He paused briefly to run his fingers agitatedly through his hair, then continued, "Ya know she's Catholic .... well I reckon that's part of it ... far as she's concerned havin' kids is an important part of why she married me ... She hardly smiles anymore .... an' she's bin even worse since you had your baby," he explained in a rush, all his worries finally pouring out. "Only time I ever see her smile is when she's with the kids at the school .... Sometimes I go over an' watch her through the window .... She seems ta relax with 'em ... an' forget about it .... but with me at home she's sorta cold .... an' won' talk ta me about what's worryin' her ..."

Jake trailed off, his eyes reflecting a sadness that made Michaela's heart ache. At last she tentatively proposed, "Perhaps you could suggest she come in here to see me .... I could examine her .... see whether I can detect any physical reason."

He shook his head. "I tried that Dr Mike ... an' more 'an once .... but she won't listen ta me ... No offence, but I even suggested she could see Andrew if she didn' wanna see you ... She just clammed up on me .... turned her back ..."

Observing Jake and his obvious despair about his wife, Michaela was vividly reminded of herself more than three years back. She, like Teresa, had expected to conceive very soon after her marriage. As the months went by and there was no baby she'd felt her self-esteem plummeting. She'd begun to question her own worth and capabilities. "Jake .... I'd really like to talk to Teresa," she offered sincerely. "I can understand what she's going through .... She doesn't have too high an opinion of herself at the moment ...."

"Whatdya mean Dr Mike?" asked Jake in puzzlement.

"She's beginning to question a lot of things about herself and her life Jake .... If she's as desperate to have children as you say ... she's beginning to wonder what life actually holds for her if there are no children ... what her place in life is ...," she explained softly. "And unfortunately most of that has little to do with you ..." When he looked to interject she added quickly, "But she will be wondering whether you're disappointed in her .... whether you might view her as some kind of failure ..."

His brow creased and he took a deep breath. "I love her Dr Mike," he said quietly and somewhat abashedly.

Recognising how difficult this situation was for Jake, not just in having to admit their problems to her, but also in talking of his feelings for Teresa, Michaela said kindly, "You have to make a special effort to ensure she knows that Jake .... that you love her just as much whether there are children or not ..."

"She won't talk to me Dr Mike," he said dispiritedly.

"Then show her .... court her as you did before you were married ...."

He gave her a startled look. "Court her?" he asked in astonishment.

She smiled. "Mmm .... flowers can do wonders .... supper at Grace's or out at the Chateau .... perhaps a picnic .... Show her you want to spend time with her ... that you enjoy her company ...."

"I guess I have been spendin' a lot of time in town lately .... at the barber shop .... or in the saloon .... Home aint bin the happiest place ta be ...," he remarked thoughtfully.

"I realise that Jake .... but you spending more time away from home only convinces her further that you're not happy with her," advised Michaela. "Take it from me .... sometimes a husband has to make a point of ensuring his wife knows he loves her ..."

Jake gave her a considered look. "Sounds like you know what you're talkin' about Dr Mike," he said quietly. When she nodded, he added, "But I can't see all that helpin' much if there's no baby soon ....."

Michaela smiled. "You might be surprised Jake .... Some loving attention may achieve more than just making Teresa feel better about herself," she advised, her eyes twinkling.

Just for a moment Jake was taken aback by her boldness, but then smiled when he saw the friendly sympathy reflected in her eyes. He nodded and returned her smile. "I'll keep that in mind Dr Mike," he said wryly. As he stood to leave, he glanced across to where Katie was laying sound asleep on the floor amongst her toys. He shook his head. "Don' ever forget how lucky ya are Dr Mike," he said softly. He moved to the door and repeated, "Don' ever forget ..."

A thoughtful Michaela watched him from the doorway as he clamped his hat on his head, nodded his good-bye and strode purposefully up the street towards the barber shop. Recalling her jumbled thoughts and emotions in those months when she began to wonder if she was too old to conceive, she empathised greatly with Teresa. She wondered how she might encourage the proud woman to attend the clinic for an examination. It was not going to be easy.

She indicated to Mrs Coughlin who had been waiting patiently on the bench outside the door, that she should enter, and as she followed the elderly woman in, her eyes alighted on her tiny daughter peacefully sleeping in the corner. She took a deep breath and said a quick silent prayer for the Slickers, and then turned her attention to her patient who suffered particularly painful arthritis.

**********************
He took up his now customary position on the porch of the Gold Nugget, a shot glass of whisky in his hand. For Adrian this had become a habit. He'd taken to coming into town early most afternoons - after all it was the quietest time out at the Chateau as most of the guests were out walking or enjoying the hot springs. So the afternoons provided him with an opportunity to follow his own pursuits, and his desire to see Michaela again after so many years grew every day he resided in Colorado Springs. He'd resolved that even if she was taking time off from her medical practice, she must sometimes come into town to shop, see her friends, or visit her daughter and son in law. But he'd never managed to see her here, not once. It was if she was some sort of myth - he heard the townspeople speak of her, but she never materialised. He felt as if someone was playing a cruel trick on him.

He gazed across the road at her clinic and then to the faded sign above and once again mused upon the fact that she had not changed her name when she married. He'd come to the conclusion weeks ago that this was something in his favour and he smiled with satisfaction. After all, if she was totally committed to her marriage to the mountain man she'd have followed convention and taken his name, wouldn't she?

During the past few weeks he'd gradually discovered just how wide Michaela's sphere of influence was in Colorado Springs. From the outset he'd intended to avoid her family and friends. Developing any sort of relationship with them would only complicate matters, however he was finding it increasingly difficult to befriend anyone who was not somehow related to, friends with, or indebted to her. Since the mistake with young Dr Cook he'd been more wary, but he'd still erred, several times in fact. Why, only the other day Senator Dinston's aide, Thomas Enders, had arrived back in town. Confident that here was a person who would be outside Michaela's influence, he'd set out to cultivate an acquaintance with the young man. They'd enjoyed a couple of pleasant suppers in the Chateau dining-room and discussed the present state of American politics and the country's and territory's respective economies. He'd enjoyed the younger man's company, despite the fact that he tended to be a little pompous and reminded him of many of Miriam's conceited, society friends. However, in the course of their conversation in the Chateau foyer yesterday morning, he'd discovered quite by accident that Thomas's sister was engaged to marry Michaela's eldest son. He'd once again cursed his luck. Was there no-one in this town who remained aloof from the lady doctor?

He sighed as he gazed across the dusty street. One of these days he'd have to get lucky, wouldn't he? He'd seen that old goat Bray from the mercantile enter the clinic a short time before and wondered why he was there. Andrew Cook had been working out at the Chateau clinic when he left at lunchtime, so the storekeeper wasn't seeing a doctor. Perhaps Bray was visiting Colleen, Michaela's daughter. He shrugged his shoulders. It looked like it was going to be another afternoon of fruitless waiting.

He turned back to the saloon's swing doors just as Hank arrived with a bottle of whisky and, with an arching of an eyebrow, inquired whether he should refill the now empty shot glass. Adrian nodded and Hank poured a generous portion of the cheap liquor and then strode back into the dim, smoky confines of the saloon. Adrian tilted back his head and consumed the contents of the glass in one voracious swig. He wiped his mouth with his freshly laundered handkerchief and once more leant forward on the railing which bordered the saloon porch. He observed Loren Bray exit the clinic, turn and smile amicably at whomever he was addressing in the doorway, then hurry away towards the mercantile, his shoulders a little hunched over as was often the case with the elderly.

Adrian withdrew his pocket-watch from his vest and ascertained the time. He had to be back at the Chateau by three to ensure the staff were prepared for the few guests who were due to arrive on the afternoon train from Denver. He straightened, undecided as to whether he had the time or inclination for another drink before he left. Finally, determining that it would be inappropriate to welcome new guests while smelling strongly of cheap liquor, he turned back to the swing doors and handed his empty glass to Myrna, one of Hank's girls. She smiled sweetly at him and he nodded his head in agreement to her unasked question. He appreciated Myrna. She was never nosy or forward. She allowed him to make the running, and most importantly, she could keep her mouth shut.

He tamped his hat down more securely on his head and was preparing to step down from the saloon porch when the clinic door swung open again and a fair-haired toddler of about three years of age stepped out, her hand held securely in that of an adult. His footsteps stilled and he held his breath. Behind the little girl, a woman emerged holding a young baby protectively against her chest. He'd have recognised her anywhere, even after all these years. She hadn't changed at all! Her long coppery hair hung to her waist in shimmering waves, her figure was as slim and petite as it was when she was attending medical college and, as she smiled down at her young daughter, his breath caught. He'd seen her smile like that so many times in his dreams he had to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming again. His heart was pounding. Was this the time to make his presence known to her, or had her eldest daughter already told her of his job in Colorado Springs? His brow creased momentarily. If she *did* know he was here, why hadn't she come out to the Chateau to see him? Then he relaxed. When he gave it some thought, he surmised that Colleen hadn't mentioned him, for he was certain Michaela would be as pleased to see him as he was to see her. At that moment, almost as if she could sense he was watching her, Michaela glanced across to the saloon and their eyes met and held. For some moments, time seemed to stand still. Then he smiled, took a deep breath and stepped down from the porch towards her.

"Wait there Katie .... until I've put William in his basket," advised Michaela worriedly, fearful that Katie would run out onto the street and under the wheels of a wagon or buggy. The little girl gave her a rueful look as if to say, 'I know I'm not allowed out on the road'. Michaela smiled. "Good girl," she said lovingly, as she lifted her sleeping baby son into the basket on the floor at the front of the wagon. She turned back to her impatient daughter. "Time to go home hmmm.... You've been such a good girl this morning for mama," she murmured, lifting Katie, giving her a quick kiss and then placing her up on the seat. She ensured that the little girl was going to remain still until she joined her, and then circled the wagon, stepping out onto the street.

It was at that moment that she was overwhelmed by the feeling that she was being watched. She halted in her tracks and swallowed. Then she glanced across at the Gold Nugget and instantly knew. He was standing on the porch smiling delightedly at her. She recognised him immediately, although he'd changed a little. He now had a small, brown moustache and was more thickly built than she remembered, but the dark eyes and smile were unmistakable. She was at a loss to know what to do. She was aware that deep down she'd been avoiding this meeting. Her feelings about him were still so muddled, even after all these years. She'd never known for sure that it had been him, she'd only surmised .... She gulped and held her breath as he moved towards her.

"Michaela?!" called a familiar and welcome voice. Michaela's attention swung to Sully as he rode up on his horse from the direction of the meadow. "I was hopin' I'd catch ya headin' home," he called with a smile, sliding from his saddle and moving quickly towards her. He gave her a light kiss and then examined her critically. "You're lookin' tired," he said softly. "Must've had quite a mornin'."

Michaela gave him a wan smile. "I'm alright," she replied softly, trying to concentrate on what he was saying, but always aware of the man on the saloon steps. "It was a little busy ...."

"Yeah ... I can see that .... Ya look a little pale .... Thought I'd finish early at Matthew's an' come in ta make sure you weren't overdoin' it .... glad I did," he said tenderly, gently cupping her cheek. "Ya ready ta go?"

She nodded and then turned reluctantly towards the saloon, expecting Adrian to be on his way across the street. She frowned when he was nowhere to be seen. She squinted into the dimness of the Nugget's porch and realised that it was vacant. He seemed to have vanished into thin air. She swallowed, beginning to doubt her own eyes, but he *had* been there, she hadn't imagined it. So why had he disappeared when Sully arrived?

"You alright Michaela?" asked Sully with concern, his eyes following the direction of hers.

She shook herself and smiled up at him. "I'm fine .... especially now you're here .... Time to go home Mr Sully," she said determinedly. "Tie your horse to the back and ride with me .... us ...?" she asked flirtatiously.

He grinned. "I'd be honoured," he rejoined correspondingly, quickly doing as she requested. Then he clambered up into the wagon beside her and flicked the reins setting their horse off in the direction of home.

Adrian watched their departure from just inside the saloon swing doors. Well, he'd finally seen her, but his dream of surprising her by his presence had been foiled by the appearance of her somewhat uncouth husband. At least she now knew he was in town. She'd definitely recognised him, he'd seen it in her beautiful eyes. He hoped she might contrive to meet with him sometime soon. He'd have to ensure he came here to the saloon regularly the next few days. They'd have an opportunity to meet, to talk in private. He was sure of it.

He nodded to Myrna, confidently and light-heartedly exited the saloon, and headed for the livery to collect his horse.

Chapter 10

Sully dumped a load of firewood by the living-room fireplace and turned to face Michaela as she entered the larger room from the kitchen. "You gonna lie down for a bit?" he asked gently, concerned by her reticence since leaving the clinic just after lunch.

Michaela shrugged her shoulders. "Its probably not worth it," she rejoined. "William will wake any time now ..."

Sully nodded and then invited, "Sit here with me for a minute then." He slumped into one of the wingback chairs and patted his knees. "Come on ... we can git everythin' else done later .... after you've had a rest ..." Michaela smiled at her loving husband and then moved to join him in the chair. When she was seated comfortably on his lap, her head resting on his shoulder, his arms securely around her waist, he asked softly, "Busy mornin' huh?"

She nodded. "You could say that .... Sometimes it was difficult to tell whether the people who came to the clinic were patients or visitors ..."

Sully chuckled. "Guess they were glad ta see ya back ..."

"That part of it was nice," agreed Michaela. "And of course many of them wanted to see William ... but he slept most of the morning ..."

"That woulda bin a good thing too huh ?" he asked, gently caressing her back.

"Mmmm ... it made things easier ...," she replied, nestling further down into his arms.

"Did ya see Dorothy?"

"No .... like Brian, she seems to spending more and more time out at Palmer Creek ....," replied Michaela with a knowing smile.

Sully chuckled and then sobered to remark, "They make a good pair .... her an' Cloud Dancin' .... but I sometimes wonder if they're ever gonna be happy .... It aint easy if you've gotta keep things quiet .... stay outta sight so ya don' cause any trouble ...."

Michaela sighed. "I so desperately want to see them happy too," she said softly. "They deserve it .... They're both handling the situation remarkably well at the moment don't you think?"

"Yeah, now they've decided they belong together .... It was hard for Dorothy when Flyin' Hawk an' his band arrived ....," muttered Sully, thinking back to the winter and their dear friends' uncertainty about their relationship.

Michaela momentarily ran her fingers lovingly through his hair. "Making that decision is the hardest part," she said softly. "They'll be alright now ...."

Sully nodded in acknowledgment of her wisdom born of experience, and gently kissed her cheek. "So who *did* ya see this mornin'?" he asked.

"Loren .... some of my older patients .... Jake ..." Her voice lowered on the last.

"Somethin' wrong Michaela?" asked Sully with concern. "You've bin real quiet since we got home..."

"No .... nothing's wrong ....," replied Michaela slowly. "Well ... nothing I can talk about anyway ..., but I can say I was reminded this morning of just how lucky we are," she added softly.

"In what way?"

She smiled and gently stroked his chin with her thumb. "Our beautiful children .... You and me .... the way we can sit and talk like this .... about anything .... Some couples can't do that ...."

"We weren't always good at it ..."

"No that's true ...."

Sully squeezed her lovingly. "Like just before you found out you were havin' Katie ...."

"We were both keeping quiet then weren't we?" agreed Michaela softly. "But we worked it out ... and we've talked about it since then ... What about the time just before you helped Cloud Dancing escape from Palmer Creek? .... We ended up talking that through too ..... later ...."

"Yeah .... but that time it was just me keepin' things quiet ....," remarked Sully a little shame-facedly.

"We've learnt a lot over the years ... haven't we Sully?" murmured Michaela against his ear. "About talking things through ...."

"Uh huh .... the lesson weren't easy .... but the results've bin worth it ...." He turned his head to kiss her cheek. "I'm wonderin' what happened this mornin' ta make ya think like this," he added.

She shrugged her shoulders. "A couple of things I suppose ..." She took a deep breath and then said softly, "Do you remember when you arrived this afternoon I was looking over towards the saloon?"

"Uh huh .... Ya seemed far away ..."

"I'd just seen someone I used to know .... or at least I *think* I saw that someone ..."

"Michaela?" asked Sully in puzzlement. "Ya mean someone not from Colorado Springs?"

"Mmmm .... remember Miriam?"

"Course I do .... We've bin talkin' 'bout visitin' her in San Francisco for a couple of years now ... an' maybe takin' Brian to see his pa ...," replied Sully. "It wasn't Miriam ya saw?"

"No ... her brother ..."

"I didn' know she had a brother ...."

"Mmmm ..... Adrian .... a little younger than us .... Colleen and Myra told me the new manager of the Chateau was a Mr Tilson .... but the coincidence seemed to be too great .... that it would be the same Mr Tilson I knew ...."

"But ya saw him today .... at the saloon .... an' ya knew ....," he surmised. Michaela nodded in agreement. Then Sully added, "But he didn't come over ta speak with ya ..."

"No .... he didn't," she replied slowly, remembering that her old acquaintance had mysteriously disappeared when Sully arrived.

"You an' him not git along?"

She shrugged. "He was pleasant enough," she replied cautiously.

"But?"

"I didn't have much to do with him really," she rejoined evasively.

"There's somethin' ya aint tellin' me Michaela," muttered Sully immediately.

She shrugged her shoulders again. "There's not much to tell .... just impressions ...."

"What sorta impressions?"

"Oh ... I don't know," she rejoined frustratedly. "I can't put them into words ...."

"You have feelin's for this fella?" asked Sully with concern.

"No," came her vehement reply. "He's Miriam's brother .... I saw him a few times in my last year at medical college .... He'd been away at college himself before that ...."

"He make a nuisance of himself?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't want to talk about him anymore," she said quietly. "It was a long time ago ... and you know how memories change over time .... I daresay we'll meet him when we have supper out at the Chateau with Myra in a couple of days .... I'll introduce you ..." She wrapped her arms more firmly around his shoulders and closed her eyes.

The subject appeared to be closed. There were so many questions Sully wanted to ask. Michaela was acting most strangely. She usually didn't hesitate to talk of people and events in her past and he quite enjoyed listening. Her experiences in Boston and Philadelphia were so different to anything he'd ever been through that it was almost like listening to fairy tales. At last he settled upon, "You'd tell me if anythin' was wrong .... wouldn' ya Michaela? We were just talkin' 'bout being able to tell each other anythin' ..."

Michaela sighed. "I'd tell you if anything was wrong Sully .... but its not ...." She laid her head on his shoulder. She was beginning to rue the fact that she'd mentioned Adrian at all. He'd brought back memories of a time in her past she'd rather forget. However, she'd wanted Sully to know that he'd arrived in town. Otherwise, he'd have wondered why she hadn't mentioned Adrian when she first discovered he was the new Chateau manager. She relaxed down into Sully's loving arms and remained silent.

Sully held her close and promised himself he'd keep an eye on her, especially when they met up with this Adrian Tilson sometime in the next few days. He'd be able to tell by her demeanour whether there was anything to worry about. It was her beautiful, expressive eyes that always gave her away. They always told him so much. He sighed softly and just held her lovingly and protectively against his chest.

*********************
"I'm gonna take Katie up ta bed," said Sully quietly, his tiny, sleepy daughter nestled in his arms.

"An' I'm gonna settle the animals for the night an' close up the barn," added Matthew, making for the front door. Michaela nodded, her brow creased with worry. As Sully's footsteps could be heard mounting the stairs, Matthew paused. "Don' worry Dr Mike," he said reassuringly. "Brian'll be home any minute ...."

"He's never been as late as this before," she murmured anxiously.

"Ya know he's bin spendin' more an' more time out at Palmer Creek ..."

"I don't mind that so much .... as long as he remembers he has a family at home who worries about him," rejoined Michaela, once again glancing at the clock.

Matthew hesitated. At last he offered, "If Brian don' git home in the next hour or so .... I'll saddle my horse an' head out ta Palmer Creek .... alright?" Michaela smiled at him gratefully and he headed out the door to complete his chores.

Michaela wandered restlessly into the living-room and stood before the roaring fire. This wasn't the first time that Brian had been late home for supper. Sometimes she wondered if he hadn't somehow miraculously inherited Sully's tendency to lose track of time. She held her hands out to the flames and then rubbed them together. But he'd never been this late home before. The closer the time came to the Northern Cheyenne leaving Palmer Creek and heading home, the more worried she became for Brian. He seemed particularly restless lately, and on several occasions when she and Sully had attempted to discuss with him what he might do after he finished school in a couple of months time, he'd been evasive. She'd been perplexed by his lack of interest in his future. He'd always been an avid scholar, but even his studies were not holding his interest at the moment.

She spun around as she heard footsteps descending the stairs. Instead of her husband however, she observed Kathleen carefully picking her way down, her arms laden with several, large, thick books. As she set her foot on the floor of the living-room, she looked up at Michaela and smiled. "Mr Bray got these catalogues in for me .... from Denver ....," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. "I wondered if you'd look at them with me Michaela ....." Then she glanced across at the door. "Brian not home yet?" she asked gently. Michaela shook her head. The younger woman turned back towards the stairs. "We can look at these another time then," she said determinedly.

"No," rejoined Michaela, equally determinedly. "I'd love to look at them with you .... besides it will take my mind off worrying about Brian ..."

"You're sure?"

"Positive," replied Michaela. "Bring them over here .... into the lamplight ..."

Kathleen hurried across the room and placed the pile of catalogues on the small table between the two wingback chairs. "Thomas has offered to pay for my wedding dress," she said excitedly. "But I have no idea what I want. He suggested we find time to perhaps go to St Louis to buy what I might need .... but I don't really want to be away for that length of time .... I'm sure I can find what I need in Denver ..."

Michaela picked up the first of the heavy volumes and began to flick through the pages. "Oh my .... there's such a variety .... You really have no idea what you want?" she asked in awe.

Kathleen smiled. "I had a quick look at them upstairs," she replied, her brow creased. "I couldn't believe how many different styles there were myself ...." She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know where to start ..."

"Perhaps you could pick out features of gowns you like and then we could try to find something which has most of those features," suggested Michaela.

Kathleen looked a little dubious. "Well ....," she began. "I saw your wedding photograph .... and I loved the long train on your gown ...," she mused. "And the lace was pretty .... I think I'd like lace ...."

"Well that's a start .... Lets look through these and see if anything appeals ...."

Some twenty minutes later, Matthew entered the homestead and smiled when he saw the two woman he loved most in the world with their heads together over wedding catalogues. Snatches of conversation including mentions of necklines, hems, lace, satin etcetera reached his ears. His heart pounded just a little. He'd been having dreams about his summer wedding to Kathleen. His ma and his fiancee discussing it as they were now made the dream assume a reality which both excited and unnerved him. Deciding not to disturb them, he withdrew a couple of his law books from the sideboard and sat himself at the dining-room table to study.

At last Kathleen exclaimed, "I don't know if I can do this from a catalogue Michaela! Its too difficult to choose when one can only see sketches." She slumped back into her chair and then her face brightened. "Perhaps we could go to Denver .... you, me and Colleen? .... We could visit all the stores .... look at fabrics .... perhaps even find a seamstress who could make me what I want .... We could stay the night at a hotel and travel back on the next day's train .... It'd be fun wouldn't it?"

Michaela watched the excited young woman indulgently and couldn't help but smile. "Yes ... it would be fun," she replied. "But wouldn't you and Colleen like to go on your own? .... You wouldn't want me along too ..."

"Oh yes we would .... We can all go ...."

"I'd have to bring William ..."

Kathleen chuckled. "That's alright .... but he's the only man allowed .... Will you come?"

"I'd love to .... I ...." Michaela's further words were interrupted by sudden heavy footsteps on the front porch, then the door was thrust open and Brian appeared.

All eyes turned on him. "I ... I'm sorry I'm late .... Time got away from me," he said apologetically.

Michaela stood and regarded him sternly. "You've never been this late before Brian ... where have you been?"

"I was out at Palmer Creek .... talkin' ta Cloud Dancin'." He glanced across the room as Sully appeared from the direction of the stairs.

"Where ya bin son?" asked Sully quietly, his eyes narrowed.

"Out ... out ... at Palmer Creek," he replied, his eyes downcast.

"Sun's bin down for a few hours now .... Ya shoulda bin home before this .... Ya ma was startin' ta worry ...," reproved Sully. "We all were ..."

"I know .... but I said I was sorry," Brian rejoined.

"What were you an' Cloud Dancin' talkin' about that caused ya ta lose track of time?"

Brian reddened. "Well .... that's what I wanted ta talk to you about .... you an' ma ...." He walked across to the dining-room table and pulled out a chair. "I've bin thinkin' 'bout this all the way home ...."

Michaela walked across from the fireplace to stand at the table, but did not pull out a chair. Sully too moved across the room, seating himself beside Matthew. "Well ... what's on ya mind Brian?" he finally asked.

Brian took a deep breath. "Ya know Flyin' Hawk an' his people are headin' north in a coupla days?" he asked quietly. Everyone nodded. Again he took a deep breath and then finally said determinedly, "I wanna go with 'em ..."