Chapter 11

"Brian?!" gasped Michaela, clutching onto the back of a chair as if she was afraid her legs would buckle under her.

The young man gazed around at the stunned expressions on the faces of his family, then suddenly smiled. "I don' mean I wanna go livin' up there forever or anythin'," he explained, reassuringly. "Cloud Dancin's goin' with 'em ... he said I could go with 'em too ..."

"Oh he did ... did he?" muttered Michaela, her jaw set.

Oblivious to his mother's uncharacteristic sarcasm, Brian continued excitedly, "Yeah .... he says it'll take about two weeks ..... about seven or eight days gittin' there .... ya gotta travel slow cos of the women an' kids .... but only about four days gittin' back cos there'll only be the two of us .... He wants ta spend a coupla days up there with 'em ta make sure they're settled before he starts back .... I .... I ....." He trailed off as he realised that the faces around him were not brightening as he'd expected.

"Do you have any idea .... any idea at all .... of how dangerous that trip will be Brian?" asked Michaela, her tone a little shrill.

"Sure I do," he replied, his brow creasing in puzzlement.

"Well!!?? She demanded in return.

"They've got it planned out ma .... They're gonna stick ta the woods this time .... There aint no hurry like there was when they came south .... They aint starvin' or freezin' ta death like they were then .... They're gonna avoid the roads an' trails .... an' steer clear of the towns ....," explained Brian plaintively.

"That doesn't mean the army won't discover them anyway," rejoined Michaela, her tone cold. "You're not going Brian," she added incontrovertibly.

Brian's eyes widened in surprise. "But ma!" he exclaimed.

"I said you're not going Brian .... and that's final .... There's been enough trouble in this family caused by the war between the army and the Cheyenne ....," she exhorted.

Brian thrust back his chair and stood. When he received no friendly, reassuring look from his brother, he locked eyes with Sully sitting opposite. "Pa?!" he begged.

Sully frowned and bit his lip, torn as he'd been torn so many times in the past. At last he swallowed and said, "Now's not the right time Brian .... We all need time ta think about it .... Why don' you go on up ta bed .... We'll talk about it tomorra ..."

Michaela turned furious eyes on her husband. "We will *not* talk about it tomorrow," she expostulated. "The subject is closed ..... Brian is *not* going to risk his life when there is no need ..... There are still a couple of months until school finishes and home is where he's staying ...."

Sully knew that there was no use in pursuing the subject this evening. As she had done so many times in the past, Michaela, the mother hawk, was defending her chick and her family, and when she was in this sort of mood there was no changing her mind. He nodded to Brian. "Do as I said Brian .... go on up ta bed .... We'll talk later ..."

Brian looked to be about to interject, but one stern look from Sully silenced him. His shoulders slumped. For just a moment he gazed at Michaela, extreme disappointment written on his face. "I really wanna do this ma," he said softly. When he received no reply, he walked dejectedly across the room and up the stairs.

There was tense silence in the room after he'd gone. Finally Michaela nodded to Matthew and Kathleen and then gave Sully an angry, intent look. "I'm going to bed," she announced. "I'll take William up with me, that way when he wakes for a feed I'll nurse him up there ..." She strode across the living-room and picked up her sleeping son.

As she made for the stairs, Sully said quietly, "Michaela? ..."

She paused for a moment and gazed across the room at him. At last she said tonelessly, "I don't want to talk about it Sully ..... now *or* tomorrow .... He's not going ...." With that she turned on her heel and headed upstairs.

**********************
Sully tapped lightly on Brian's bedroom door and ignoring the fact that there was no reply, pushed it open and entered. The boy was sitting, still fully clothed, on the side of his bed, fingering a Cheyenne amulet Flying Hawk had given him a few months back. When he looked up, his expression pained, Sully's heart contracted. He quietly walked across and sat down beside his son.

There was a long silence and then Brian murmured plaintively, "I gotta do this pa .... I know its dangerous ..... but ....."

"But?"

"But .... well ...." He took a deep breath. "Ya know how you an' ma've bin wonderin' what I was gonna do when I leave school this summer?"

"Uh huh ..."

"Well ... ya won't be surprised when I tell ya I wanna write ...."

"Figured you'd probably do somethin' like that," replied Sully, keeping his tone even.

Brian nodded, and then explained, "I might be too young ta do it now .... but sometime in the future I'm gonna write about the Cheyenne .... I gotta ..... after spendin' all this time with 'em .... an' knowin' how you feel about 'em .... I wanna be able ta tell the world about 'em .... what they've bin through .... an' how they live ...."

Sully swallowed and rested his arm across his son's shoulders. "But what's that got ta do with makin' this trip with 'em?" he asked quietly.

Brian took a deep breath. "When I was little there were lotsa Cheyenne 'round here .... but I don' remember much of it clearly .... Then when you an' ma started courtin' .... well .... we'd go out to the reservation an' I'd play with the kids .... but the more important things didn' matter to me then .... so I don' remember them either .... Now I'm older an' understand more, the only Cheyenne I see is Cloud Dancin' ...." He paused as if collecting his thoughts. At last he continued, "When Flyin' Hawk's people came ta Palmer Creek I got a chance ta learn more about 'em .... their language ... customs ...." He looked up into Sully's eyes. "I wanna see how they live free pa .... in the north .... We dunno how many more chances I'll git .... An' if somethin' bad *does* happen on the way .... well I'll be there ta see it .... an' write about it later ...."

Sully drew the young man in close against his shoulder. "I understand son .... why ya need ta go .... but I dunno whether you realise what you'll be up against ..."

"Whatdya mean?"

"Ya know that a lot o' Flyin' Hawk's people were killed comin' south?" Brian nodded and so he continued, "If a contingent of soldiers does come across ya on the way north ... they aint gonna care that one of the group is a light haired, white boy .... They're gonna attack anyway .... an' if you're in their way they'll shoot you too .... leave ya ta die with the others ...."

"That's happened to you .... aint it pa?" asked Brian soulfully.

Sully gave him a wry smile. "Yeah ... more 'an once .... The army's aim is git rid of 'em any way they can .... It don' matter ta them if a white man's there too ....I've bin lucky ta stay alive .... much luckier than a lot o' the Cheyenne ...."

Brian suddenly swivelled around so that he could look into his pa's eyes. "So you agree with ma? That I can't go?"

Sully sighed and for once dropped his eyes from his son's direct gaze. "To be honest .... I got real mixed feelin's about it Brian .... I understand why ya wanna go .... but like ya ma said .... there's school .... an' if anythin' happened to ya ...." He trailed off.

"I'll be real careful .... an' I'd only miss a coupla weeks of school pa .... besides ... I'd learn an awful lot on the trip .... Will ya talk to ma for me .... please," begged Brian.

"I aint gonna take sides son ..... you know this family don' work like that .... I'll speak to your ma .... but if she still says no .... then ya gonna haveta accept it .... I aint gonna go behind her back ...," counselled Sully, his intense blue eyes now meeting his son's.

"So you agree with her," rejoined a dispirited Brian.

"Didn' say that .... I can see both sides .... an' understand 'em both too .... You an' her are gonna haveta work it out between ya ...."

The boy nodded resignedly and stood. "Thanks pa," he said, downcast.

"It aint gonna be the end of the world if ya don' go," remarked Sully with a compassionate smile.

"I know .... but I really feel like this is somethin' I gotta do ..."

Sully stood. "Well .... we aint gonna git any further on it tonight .... I'll see ya in the mornin' ...," he said, placing his hand on his son's shoulder and then giving him a reassuring squeeze.

Brian nodded and turned away to pull back his bedclothes. Sully watched him for a moment, recognising his son's pain and confusion, then pulled the door open and quietly walked out onto the landing.

**********************
Michaela stirred with the dawn and the small squeaking noises William was inclined to make prior to letting go with a gutsy bawl when he was hungry. She moaned softly and pushed back the bedclothes. It seemed only moments ago that she'd finally fallen asleep, and perhaps she was right. She'd lain awake for hours, her emotions jumbled, her imagination placing Brian in scenes she'd tried so desperately over the years to forget. The banks of the Washita, the rocky foothills where dog soldiers could hide and ambush at will, the carnage of soldiers embroiled in a battle they did not understand or chose not to understand - these were all images she'd hoped to push to the back of her mind and had certainly never associated with her beloved son. She and Brian had always been so close. He meant the world to her, and now the spectre of him embarking on a journey which could well turn tragic terrified her.

William suddenly wailed into the silence and she hastened barefooted across to his crib. The last thing she wanted was for Sully to wake. She'd feigned sleep when he'd finally come to bed last night. He'd undressed and climbed into bed, then spooned himself into her back as he always did, as if nothing was wrong. She had a feeling he knew she'd been awake, but he'd said nothing, just held her.

She sat in the rocker by the cold fireplace, wrapped a blanket around her legs and put William to her breast. Her anger had not dissipated overnight. She could feel it boiling away inside her. If she was to lose Brian .... She swallowed and tried to concentrate on feeding her tiny son, but the images kept returning, making her feel sick inside. She had this need to do something, and what she felt driven to do finally won over. As soon as William had finished nursing and fallen asleep again, she placed him back in his cradle, then quickly dressed and left the house. She estimated she had at least three hours before William needed her again - enough time to accomplish what she intended. She hurriedly saddled Flash, walked her quietly away from the homestead, and then, when they were out of earshot, mounted her and galloped away towards Palmer Creek.

Cloud Dancing was sitting with a small group of men cross-legged on the ground before a fire, his back to her, when she arrived at the small Cheyenne settlement. There was still a light early morning mist hanging in the surrounding trees and the smell of wood-smoke permeated the cold air. She slid from Flash's back and strode into the clearing. She took a deep breath, cleared her throat and then demanded somewhat stridently, "Cloud Dancing? ... Could I speak with you please?"

The medicine man swivelled around to face her and when he saw the fire in her eyes, quickly rose and made his way across to her. With that she abruptly turned on her heel and drew him away from the curious eyes of several Cheyenne men and women. At last she halted and spun around to face him. He waited in silence for her outburst. Finally it came. "How dare you tell my son that he can accompany you and Flying Hawk on the trip north!" she spat, her skin colouring, her eyes ablaze.

"I said he must have your permission," rejoined Cloud Dancing quietly.

"Yes .... which he naturally thought I would give!" exclaimed Michaela, beginning to pace agitatedly back and forth.

"You did not?"

She halted and glared at him. "No ... I did not!" she reiterated. "He's only a boy!"

"He is a man ..."

She scoffed. "He's not yet sixteen ..."

"Age does not determine what makes a man," replied Cloud Dancing levelly.

"To me he's a boy," rejoined Michaela stubbornly.

"To the Cheyenne here ... he is a man," the medicine man stressed.

Electing to take a different tack, Michaela argued, "The journey could be extremely dangerous. I don't want him placed in that position."

Cloud Dancing gave her a wry smile. "Yes," he agreed. "The journey could be dangerous .... but it also may not ...."

"Can you guarantee that Brian will be alright?" demanded Michaela, again pacing.

"You know I cannot ...."

She stopped and glowered. "Exactly!"

"But I can say that he is my brother's son .... and so he is my son .... and I will do everything I can to protect him," emphasised Cloud Dancing. "Brian is of an age when he wishes to be thought of as a man, trusted as a man .... Matthew undertook his vision quest at much the same age ..."

"He was older that Brian," Michaela retorted stubbornly. "He'd left school ... was making a life of his own ..." Her head flew up and her eyes challengingly met those of the medicine man. "And I didn't want him doing that either," she asserted angrily.

"But the vision quest was successful .... was it not? .... And no harm came to him ...."

Michaela sighed in exasperation. "That's not the point .... This journey is *not* a vision quest .... There's very real danger .... and that danger has little to do with the spirits .... and more to do with soldiers .... with guns ...."

"That is true .... but I believe the spirits will protect us," he offered.

Again Michaela sighed. "As I've told you on more than one occasion Cloud Dancing ... I'm not really sure I believe in the spirits ...."

"And yet you have experienced their help and protection yourself ...."

She shook her head. "I don't know what to believe," she muttered. Again her eyes met those of her Cheyenne friend. "I don't want to lose my son Cloud Dancing ..... I couldn't stand that ...." Her face suddenly crumpled and her shoulders slumped. "When I thought I'd lost Sully my world fell apart .... now to perhaps again lose a child ......" She trailed off and her eyes brimmed with tears.

Cloud Dancing quickly covered the small space between them and placed his hand tenderly on her shoulder. "The decision is yours Michaela," he said quietly. "I know it is a difficult one .... It is hard when one must recognise that the boy has become a man .... who wants to lead his own life ..."

"And who'll resent his mother if he's not allowed to make his own decisions," added Michaela in a low tone.

Cloud Dancing squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "If he comes on this journey .... I will protect him with my life .... you know that," he avowed compassionately. "Your son is my son ...."

Michaela nodded and then brushed at the few tears which had escaped and were silently rolling down her face. She peered up into the caring eyes of her friend. "I have to return home," she said softly. "William might need me ..."

Cloud Dancing stepped back. "Of course," he said with a smile.

Michaela couldn't bring herself to say anything more, her thoughts and emotions still in turmoil, but she did give his hand a quick squeeze before turning towards where Flash was tethered. It was then that she saw Sully standing silently some distance away, his intense blue eyes fixed on her. He lifted his arms invitingly and she rushed across the clearing into them, pressing herself against him, her head resting on his chest. His arms came up to encircle her and hold her close.

Sully could feel her rapid breathing and slight trembling, and so he gently, reassuringly, caressed her back and kissed the top of her head. He looked up into the compassionate eyes of his brother standing some yards away and nodded his thanks. Cloud Dancing returned the nod and then walked slowly away, back to his people still sitting passively around the fire.

Chapter 12

Why don' we stop here for a minute .... ," suggested Sully, as he and Michaela slowly wended their way back to the homestead from Palmer Creek. She nodded her agreement and climbed down from her saddle, making her way dejectedly across to the bank of a narrow but swiftly running stream. She stood pensively staring into the water, her shoulders slumped, as if bearing a great weight. Sully followed her across the clearing and stood behind her, waiting for her to speak. Finally she murmured, her voice so low it was difficult to hear over the rushing of the water as it tumbled over the smooth stones in the creek-bed, "I don't want him to go Sully ..."

He gently laid his hand on her shoulder. "I know," he replied quietly. "Part o' me feels the same way."

She turned to face him and placed her hand over his heart. "And the other part?" she asked softly, her eyes holding his.

He grasped her hand and held it to him. "Understands why he wants ta go," he completed, his eyes asking her to consider his reply.

"And why *does* he want to go?" she asked dispiritedly.

"Cos he wants ta see the Cheyenne livin' free .... He aint ever done that .... Even when he was a kid, Cloud Dancin's people were confined to the reservation. ....," he replied, keeping his tone level.

"He told you this?"

"Uh huh .... last night ...."

"There'll be other opportunities for him Sully .... when he's older ....," Michaela rationalised.

He shrugged and frowned. "We don' know that .... do we?"

Michaela swallowed and then bit her lip. "Its so dangerous .... I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to Brian ..."

"I know ... I feel the same way ...."

"But?'

"But .... he's growin' up Michaela ..... an' this is somethin' he really wants ta do ..."

"He's just a boy," she murmured, her eyes dropping to the dew-covered ground.

"When I was his age I'd bin livin' on my own for years ... fendin' for myself," Sully remarked, his tone persuasive.

Her eyes flew up to meet his. "But that was due to necessity .... Brian has a family .... who loves him .... and wants him safe," she immediately disputed. "And you didn't have to face armed soldiers who condemned you for the people you associated with ..."

Sully smiled wryly. "No ... that's true ... but I did have ta stay shy of folks whose greed for silver meant they'd let no-one stand in their way .... or before that, gangs of boys who'd have killed me rather 'an share a blanket or a scrap of food ...," he rejoined. "Brian's a sensible kid Michaela .... an' he'll have Cloud Dancin' lookin' out for him .... Besides if they don' meet up with the army, it's a real nice trip ta make ..."

Michaela's eyes narrowed. "You sound as if you'd like to go along," she suggested, a hint of anxiety in her tone.

"Part o' me probably does," he replied honestly. Then before she could interject he added, "But the biggest part o' me knows I gotta be with my wife and kids ..."

"Don't let us hold you back," retorted Michaela, an unusual touch of sarcasm in her tone.

Sully shook his head. "I *want* ta be here Michaela .... I'd like ta see the Cheyenne up north too .... but we'll wait ... until we can all visit 'em up there .... together ....," exhorted Sully adamantly. Then, in an aside, added, "That's if they're still around ta visit ..."

Michaela hung her head. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "That was uncalled for ..."

"You're worried .... same as me ... its alright," he responded with loving understanding. "But we aint solved what we're gonna do about Brian," he added.

She bit her lip. "I don't think we have a lot of choice," she replied in a whisper. "I guess we have to trust him .... and Cloud Dancing .... and the Cheyenne .... and God." Her eyes suddenly brimmed with tears.

Sully reached out and drew her close. "He'll be alright Michaela," he reassured her tenderly. "He'll be alright .... He can look after himself .... an' he'll have Cloud Dancin' an' Flyin' Hawk lookin' out for him too ..." He lovingly kissed the top of her head as she pressed herself up against his chest. "We better head home huh? We got two little kids need us too."

Michaela nodded but continued to remain steadfastly in his embrace. At last she took a deep breath. "Being a parent isn't easy," she said softly. "Now I know how mother felt when I announced at around Brian's age that was I was going to study medicine ..."

Sully gently caressed her back. "At least that weren't as dangerous," he said softly.

For the first time since Brian had made his pronouncement, Michaela smiled, albeit wryly, as she peered up onto her loving husband's face. "No," she admitted quietly. "But she also knew I was likely to be hurt in the process ..."

Sully returned her smile. "Yeah ... an' you were too stubborn ta listen to her arguments ... right?"

Michaela sighed. "Mmm .... just like Brian ......" She again peered up into his eyes. "Looks as if he's going on this trip .... doesn't it? ...."

Sully raised one eyebrow. "You can still say no ...."

Michaela shook her head. "No I can't," she replied, her tone serious. "I want to .... but I can't ...." She grasped his hand and then stood on her tiptoes to give him a loving kiss. "Come on," she said quietly, tugging at his hand. "Time we went home to our family ...."

**********************
Michaela rocked William from side to side and then giggled elatedly when he smiled up at her. "Good boy,' she exclaimed proudly. She lowered him to her knee and jiggled him gently so that again he smiled at her. "You ready to play?" she asked softly. She pulled the fronts of her blouse together, then stood and placed him down on the seat of the chair. She quickly retrieved the colourful blanket which hung on the back of the rocker and spread it on the floor in front of the fire. She glanced across at Katie who was watching her with intense interest. "Are you going to look after your baby brother for me?" she asked with a smile.

Katie clambered up and smiled with delight when her ma picked up William and placed him on the floor, loosening the baby blanket which had been covering him securely. The little girl immediately lay down on the floor next to the tiny baby and placed her hand gently on his stomach.

William, freed from the restricting blankets, momentarily lay on the floor looking up at his mother and sister, a little perplexed. Katie grasped his hand and gently shook it and his tiny fingers instantly encircled her thumb tightly. Katie giggled gleefully and exclaimed, "He's hangin' on mama." She wriggled her hand causing William to roll slightly from side to side. Again she giggled.

"You must be gentle sweetheart," advised Michaela softly. "He's still very little."

The little girl nodded and edged a little closer to her brother who began to kick his bootee clad feet in the air, his smile now broad. "He likes playin'!" she exclaimed, gently rubbing his stomach and making cooing noises which resulted in him kicking more vigorously.

Michaela edged back into the chair, content to let her two youngest children play together while ever they could do so happily. She delighted in seeing Katie's gentleness and her baby son's gradual recognition of the world and people around him. With her watchful eyes on her two tiny children as they played, she slowly buttoned her blouse and relaxed back into the large, comfortable chair. She was desperately tired, her brief and troubled night's sleep and then morning ride out to Palmer Creek had exhausted her, both physically and mentally, but this time she was determined not to doze while the children were in her care.

Since returning home, she'd doggedly tried to put out of her mind the thought that in a few short days, Brian would probably set out on an highly unpredictable journey. Several times, despite that determination, she'd found herself picturing him through the years - as a bewildered little boy who missed his mother and desperately needed holding; or an excited little boy as he set off for school for the first time; Brian playing tag with the indian children at the reservation, or sitting on her knee before the fire demanding story after story. He'd accepted her so readily as his new 'ma' and she had given him her love completely and unconditionally. Now there was a chance that he could be badly hurt or even worse and the notion made her heart pound and her stomach churn. And yet .... it had been a difficult lesson, but she'd learnt in a very short space of time that she could not, should not, hold him back. He was growing up and she'd have to accept that, no matter how reluctantly, along with all the traumas that growing up might bring.

At the excited giggles of her daughter, her attention returned to the present and she observed Katie making faces at her baby brother and tickling him on the stomach. William in turn was smiling broadly and blowing bubbles, his legs and arms waving vigorously in the air. Michaela was immediately aware of the vagaries of motherhood and smiled, despite the residue tears still gleaming in her eyes.

Deciding that the two children were alright for the moment, she reached across to the side table for a couple of letters Kathleen had earlier brought in from town before going off to visit Matthew and the others who were working on the new homestead. She flicked through them and then relaxed back to read a lengthy missive from Miriam in San Francisco.

Some minutes later, after reading the absorbing letter from her friend, she became aware of an unusual quietness in the room. She quickly glanced down to discover that William, tired out by his sister's antics, had fallen asleep, and Katie, her hand held protectively on his stomach, had settled down beside him. Michaela smiled indulgently and then edged forward from the chair to bring the end of the blanket up over the two children as they slept.

For some minutes Michaela fought the sleep that threatened to overcome her as the peaceful silence enveloped the homestead. At last she stood and stretched, deciding that she had to keep busy or succumb to her tiredness. She tucked the blanket in more securely around the little ones and then wandered across the living-room to the kitchen with the thought of making a start on supper. Within minutes she had all the makings for biscuits on the table and was about to start measuring out when there were heavy footsteps on the front porch and Brian entered the house.

"Hey ma," he said dispiritedly, heading straight for the stairs.

"Afternoon Brian," she responded. "You're home early ..."

The young man shrugged his shoulders. "Got things ta do," he said quietly, continuing across the room.

Michaela rounded the table and followed him. "Talk to me for a minute?" she asked tenderly.

"Got homework," he responded, though his steps faltered a little.

"I'd like to talk to you," she said quietly. "About the trip north ..."

He spun around to face her. "You don' want me ta go," he stated resentfully.

"No .... no ... I don't," she replied softly. His jaw clenched. Then she added quietly, "But I'm not going to stop you ..."

His eyes narrowed as if he was trying to work out the trick to her words. "You're not?" he asked disbelievingly. "You said last night I couldn' go ..."

"I know I did .... but a lot has happened since last night ..."

"It has?"

"Mmmm .... I talked to some wise people .... and had time to think about it myself ...," she replied with a reluctant smile.

"So I can go?!" he asked excitedly. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. He rushed across the short space between them and embraced her eagerly. "Thanks ma," he said happily. "I'll be real careful ...."

"I hope you will," she murmured tearfully against his ear. He stepped back from her and looked her directly in the eye. "I can look after myself ma .... an' I promise I won't do anythin' I shouldn't."

"You'll listen to Cloud Dancing ... and Flying Hawk?

"I promise," he avowed sincerely. "I know the trip could be dangerous .... Cloud Dancin's talked to me about it .... I won't take any risks ...."

Michaela nodded. "I think I'd forgotten you were growing up," she said soulfully. "I still think of you as the little boy who liked me to tell him stories ...."

Brian grinned. "I still like stories ma," he said quietly. "When I get back .... I'll be able ta tell you an' pa stories .... about the trip .... an' what its like up north ...." She nodded and swallowed. He added excitedly, "We'll be goin' day after tomorra ... so I better start workin' out what I gotta take ...."

A thought suddenly struck Michaela. "What are we going to tell Miss Teresa .... about you missing so much school .... You can't tell her you're going to travel with the Cheyenne ..."

Brian's brow creased. "I don' know ma .... I hadn't thought about that .... Maybe we could tell her I'm goin' ta check out colleges for the fall ...."

"On your own?"

He shrugged his shoulders and grinned. "We'll think o' somethin' .... I'm goin' up to my room ta work out what I'm takin' ..." He headed for the stairs.

"Don't forget your journal and pencils," called Michaela after him. "I want to read all about the trip when you get back ..."

"Sure thing ma," he rejoined happily as he reached the top of the stairs.

Her eyes brimming with tears, Michaela heard his bedroom door slam, and then she pensively walked over to where her two youngest children still slept peacefully on the floor by the fire. How quickly they grew .... and with that growing came independence. She sighed, stooped down to kiss each tiny child's cheek lovingly and then went back to her biscuit making.

****************************
"I put in a coupla tins of that soothing ointment ma .... an' a pair of bandage scissors .... What about chloroform?" asked Colleen, standing before one of the glass fronted cabinets in the clinic.

Michaela looked up from packing one side of a brand new set of leather saddle-bags and frowned. "No .... it shouldn't be used by a lay person," she rejoined thoughtfully. She tucked a roll of bandages into the side of the near full bag and then again glanced across to her daughter. "On second thoughts .... both Brian and Cloud Dancing have seen me use it often enough .... Put in a small bottle and make sure its clearly labelled," she instructed.

Colleen nodded and strode across the room, her hands containing the last of several small bottles and tins. "Is it all gonna fit ma?" she asked doubtfully, as Michaela wedged another of the bottles securely in between the bandages.

"It has to Colleen," replied Michaela matter-of-factly. "If Brian is going on this trip ... then at least he's going to be well equipped."

Colleen smiled. "He's gonna be real pleased with the saddle-bags ma ... he's never had his own before ..."

"I hope he likes them ... I was relieved when Loren had such a nice set in stock ....," replied Michaela. "There .... its all in .... and he has the other side for such things as his journal and a change of clothes ...."

"Have ya worked out what ya gonna tell Miss Teresa about Brian bein' away?" asked Colleen. "She's gonna think its kinda strange ..."

"Not really," replied Michaela. "Brian suggested something to do with colleges for the fall .... but he wouldn't normally do that on his own ..."

"You could say he's visiting family back east ...," suggested Colleen.

"In school time?"

"We went to Boston in school time ma," Colleen clarified.

"I suppose," rejoined Michaela doubtfully. "I hate having to lie."

"We've kept the presence of the northern Cheyenne at Palmer Creek quiet this long ma ... we have to ... so they can live peacefully," Colleen rationalised.

Michaela nodded. "You're right," she replied softly. She gave her daughter a wan smile. "We'll think of something." She strode over to the desk and placed the saddle-bags down beside it. "Now who's our first patient this morning Colleen?" she asked, adopting her doctor's persona.

Their heads bent over a patient file, both Michaela and Colleen jumped when there was a sudden pounding on the clinic door a few minutes later. Both rushed across to open it, only to discover Horace endeavouring to keep a pale and feverish Freddy upright. "He's got a fever Dr Mike .... He fainted down at the telegraph office," panted Horace.

Michaela pulled the door open wider. "Bring him in .... We'll help you get him up on the examination table," she rejoined immediately.