Chapter 15

Michaela quietly opened their bedroom door with the intention of not waking the baby whom Sully had brought upstairs a while back. She entered and smiled indulgently when she saw her husband and what he was doing. He was leaning forward, towards the mirror on the dresser, examining just how much of a mess his tiny daughter had made of his hair. He was presently lifting and peering at the jagged locks which the little one had deemed too long and therefore needed trimming. The problem was that her idea of a trim had been the wholesale cutting of at least two inches off the length with her mother's sewing scissors. As she'd only just begun when she was discovered, there was now a decided imbalance on the right side. It was clear that Sully was less than impressed.

"It'll grow back," remarked Michaela softly as she walked across the room towards him.

"Yeah .... but what do I do in the meantime," he bemoaned. He straightened and gave her a rueful look. "She asleep?"

"Mmmm .... she's very sorry ..."

"Aint like her ta do somethin' like this," he rejoined.

"She's of an age .... we have to be careful what we say .... She takes things so literally ..."

"An' what did she take so literally this time?"

Michaela reddened. "I'm afraid its my fault," she said quietly. "Remember when I was cutting her hair .... and suggested that it would be easier to do it if she was asleep?"

Sully's eyebrows rose in surprise and then realisation. "I fell asleep ... an' she thought it was the best chance ..." Michaela nodded and he protested, "But she had no right .... I didn' need a haircut ..." Michaela smiled but remained silent. He added, "I hope she knows now how naughty she was ..."

"Oh she knows alright .... I think she was quite surprised at how angry her father could actually get .... She doesn't see you like that very often," Michaela remarked, reaching out to tenderly cup his cheek.

Sully eyed her thoughtfully. "She weren't scared o' me or nothin'?"

She chuckled. "No ... she wasn't scared .... but she now knows her father can get angry when she does something silly ..." She stood on tiptoes to give him a light kiss. "Now *you* know how it feels to fall asleep and have our daughter do something entirely unexpected," she whispered against his ear.

He returned the kiss and then chuckled. "You're right," he agreed quietly, raising her hand to his lips.

"I'm sure there will be many more times when we will despair of our headstrong daughter .... and we're yet to see whether William has inherited the same traits," remarked Michaela, her eyes locking with his. "But I daresay we'll manage .... somehow," she added with a loving smile.

He nodded ruefully in agreement, then couldn't resist turning back to the mirror. "So what am I gonna do now?"

"You could tie it back .... the cut piece would be hidden ....," Michaela suggested.

"That aint gonna work ... this bit'll always be shorter 'an the rest," argued Sully. He turned to face her. "Can you fix it?"

"You mean cut the rest?"

"Uh huh ..."

Michaela shook her head. "I can trim bangs Sully .... but I'm afraid this job is beyond my capabilities .... You need a professional ..."

"You mean Jake?"

"Mmmm."

Sully shook his head ruefully. "He'll have a grand time with this one .... Besides ... he'll cut it too short ...," he exhorted.

"Not if you stipulate exactly what you want ..."

"He's gonna laugh ..."

"No more than others will if you don't have it properly evened up ... Remember we're going out to the Chateau for supper with Myra tomorrow evening ..."

Sully shook his head and again peered into the mirror. Michaela chuckled. "I do believe you're vain," she teased. He spun around to regard her, his expression hurt. "I'm sorry," she offered immediately. She reached up to tuck his hair back behind his ears and then cup his face. "I'm sorry," she repeated. "You're not vain .... proud perhaps ... You'll go into Jake's tomorrow?"

"I guess .... better git it over with ... I'll go first thing ..."

"We're going out to Palmer Creek early ... remember ...to see them all off on their journey north ..."

He shrugged. "I forgot," he said quietly, unconsciously fingering the cut hair. "After we git back then ... I'll go into town ...Gonna feel funny with it short."

"It won't be so short," Michaela reassured him. She too fingered his hair and then added, "It should sit just above your shoulders ... as long as you're stern with Jake and don't let him cut off more than is necessary ...."

"You like it long huh," chuckled Sully, wrapping his arms around her waist.. "Like ya said ... it'll soon grown I guess ..." He peered over at William sleeping soundly in his cradle. "How long before he wakes ya reckon?" he asked.

Sensing his mood, Michaela smiled. "Oh ... I'd say there's a good hour yet .... Is that long enough for what you have in mind?" she rejoined coquettishly.

"Depends ....," he replied, caressing her back.

She stepped in close against him. "On what?"

He brought his hands up under her hair and caressed the nape of her neck. "Whether I can satisfy my beautiful wife ..."

"Oh ... I'm sure you can," she assured him, also beginning to work some sensual magic with her hands.

"Lamps out downstairs?" he asked softly, nibbling on her neck and ear.

"No .... but Matthew'll put them out when he and Kathleen get home," replied Michaela distractedly, beginning to work on the buttons of his shirt.

"So there's no distractions?" concluded Sully, lifting her into his arms.

She grasped his nape and eagerly brought his mouth down to cover hers. "None at all," she whispered after the kiss, her body trembling with anticipation.

"Good ...." He walked slowly towards the bed, gently placed her down, then quickly extinguished the lamps in the room before joining her for some gentle, yet very enthusiastic loving.

**********************
Nearing town, Sully unconsciously slowed his horse to a walk as he became lost in his thoughts. It had been quite a day already and there were still Jake and his anticipated teasing, and then supper out at the Chateau to come.

He glanced up at the sky. It was getting late, but he hadn't wanted to leave Michaela until now. She'd taken the departure of the Cheyenne, along with Brian, Dorothy and Cloud Dancing, hard. She'd been almost inconsolable, and he had a feeling she was going to be on edge for the next few weeks, until their son and friends arrived back in town. Truth to tell - so was he.

Brian had been so excited about going on this trip. It was obvious that he was viewing it as some sort of voyage into manhood, or in Cheyenne terms, a vision quest. He'd approached everything very matter-of-factly in the end, making sure he had everything he needed packed away in his new saddle-bags. Sully smiled at the contrary, loving ways of his beautiful wife. She hadn't wanted Brian to go, but then when the decision was finally made in the positive, she'd bought him a gift which had thrilled him. Of course, the saddle-bags served a dual purpose as they also held what medical supplies she'd thought might be necessary during the trip.

Again he glanced up at the sky. He wondered where the travellers might be by now. It wouldn't be long and they'd be setting up camp for the night - deep in the woods and away from any known trails if he knew Cloud Dancing. He'd told Michaela that in some ways he wanted to go with them and it was the truth. It had been very difficult watching them leave this morning, knowing he couldn't go with them and that for the next few weeks he would be unaware of what was happening to them. There were so much uncertainties on such a trip, especially when some of the folk were elderly or little kids. He'd lain awake in bed thinking about it the other night, musing over whether he'd have gone if their kids were older, but he hadn't come to any decision. There were so many factors involved. Back before they were married, he might even have persuaded Michaela to go with them, but now, when there were two tiny children who needed them, there was no question as to where their duty lie.

As the noise of horses and wagons could be heard in the distance, and the smell of wood smoke filled his nostrils, his thoughts returned to the present. He'd been dreading this trip into town all day. He'd had another go after lunch at getting Michaela to fix his hair, but she'd refused. She'd argued that she didn't want to be the one he blamed when he saw the finished product. He suddenly chuckled. Katie had been so contrite this morning. On a number of occasions during the ride to Palmer Creek he'd felt a little hand gently pat his head as if reassuring him. She'd been unusually quiet, but had snuggled up against him and then smiled shyly up at him when he'd wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. He had a feeling she wouldn't be cutting anyone's hair again for a while. Laying in bed last night it had occurred to him what may have ensued if the one asleep in the chair had been Michaela and not him. His eyes had opened wide and his heart had pounded a little hard for a moment. He knew it was silly, but he'd decided he was glad it was *his* hair Katie had cut. It wasn't only Michaela who was proud of her long coppery locks.

He walked his horse into town, reluctantly nearing the barber shop. He'd just have to endure Jake's banter. He only hoped there were few others in the shop. He drew his horse to a halt in front of the clinic, slid from its back and strolled across the street to Jake's. As he approached, he peered in through the window and was relieved to see that the shop was empty. He took a deep breath and entered.

Jake emerged from the back of the shop when he heard footsteps and raised his eyebrows in surprise when he saw who his visitor was. "Hey Sully," he said with a bemused smile. "Don' often see you in here .... you want somethin'?"

"Hey Jake," Sully replied. Deciding not to prolong the moment, he quickly removed the leather thong with which he'd tied his hair back and waited for Jake's reaction.

The barber's eyes opened wide and he walked closer for a better look. "Injun try 'an scalp ya Sully," he grinned.

Sully rolled his eyes and replied, "Nah ... just a little girl who decided ta give her pa a trim ..."

"A trim?!" Jake reached out and held up the offending section of hair. "Looks more 'an a trim."

"Can ya fix it?" asked Sully.

"Course I can .... Your hair's gonna be a lot shorter though ..."

"Don' want it real short," adjured Sully, swallowing hard.

Jake walked around him, examining the situation from every angle, making Sully feel like an exhibit in a museum. At last the barber said, "Well .... a lot of its gonna haveta go .... but it'll still be a lot longer 'an most of the fellas in town .... alright?"

Sully shrugged his shoulders. "I guess so," he reluctantly replied. "But I'd appreciate it if you'd take off as little as ya can."

Jake nodded, beckoned to Sully to sit in the barber's chair and then placed a cotton cape around his shoulders to catch the hair as it fell. He worked in silence for a while, unaware that his client's heart was pounding. As he worked, his mind was whirling. At last he paused to peer out the windows to check that no-one was coming and then said quietly, "Sully .... I was wonderin' if I could ask ya somethin'."

"What's that?"

"Well .... I aint sure where ta start ...."

Sully's brow creased in puzzlement. Jake sounded troubled, but in the past he'd have been the last person the barber would confide in. "Somethin' worryin' ya Jake?" he asked.

"Yeah ... sorta ...," replied the barber. He took a deep breath. "You an' Dr Mike bin married quite a while now aint ya," he said at last.

Again Sully frowned. "Uh huh," he replied.

"Did Dr Mike talk much about havin' kids ... I mean before?" asked the barber nervously.

"Before?"

"Yeah ... before ya had 'em .... Did she talk about it much?"

"Yeah ... sure she did," replied Sully, still puzzled by Jake's strange line of questioning. He suddenly chuckled. "Fact is ... she even mentioned it once on our honeymoon ... said she'd had patients who'd conceived on their honeymoon ..."

Jake nodded, mulling over this disclosure, then remarked guardedly, "Didn' take ya long .... I mean for Katie ta come along ..."

"No ... I guess when ya look at it now you can say that," agreed Sully. "But at the time it seemed ta be takin' forever." Light suddenly dawned as to what Jake might be alluding. "Teresa's worried huh .... about not bein' in the family way yet?" he suggested.

Jake's shoulders slumped. "Uh huh ... she seems ta think about it the whole time .... I can't convince her it don' matter if kids don' come along ..."

"It matters to her Jake ... an' I reckon it probably matters to you too ... no matter what ya say," advised Sully. "Has she bin ta see Michaela?"

Jake shook his head. "She don' wanna .... Think she reckons its almost better not knowin' .... If Dr Mike finds somethin' that's stoppin' her from havin' kids, that'll be the end of it .... at least this way we can still hope ..."

"What if its somethin' Michaela can fix?"

Jake shrugged. "I've tried ta convince her .... nothin' works ..."

"Well ... I dunno if I can help ya Jake," Sully remarked. "I suppose I could talk ta Michaela .... She might be able ta think o' somethin'."

Jake suddenly looked a little sheepish. "Already done that," he said in a small voice, then added, "She suggested I *court* Teresa ..." He laughed a little derisively.

"Don' be so quick ta laugh Jake .... She's got a point ..."

"She has?" The barber shook his head. "Teresa's pullin' away from me Sully .... sorta closin' herself off ...."

"That aint gonna help much with the baby-makin'," Sully remarked wryly. When Jake remained silent, he asked, deciding to be blunt, "You ... ah ... spend much time with Teresa? An' I don't mean over supper at night?"

"We both work," replied Jake. "An' she's always busy plannin' somethin' new for her kids at the school ... so she's always tired ...."

Sully was uncertain how far he should go with this .... He was entering dangerous territory. He had an idea. "Ah .... you know a lotta women are brought up ta think they aint supposed ta enjoy bein' with their husband ..."

Jake paused in his trimming. "They are?"

"Uh huh .... Teresa ever mention that to ya?"

"Nah ... she wouldn'."

"Why not?"

"She don' talk 'bout anythin' like that .."

"You ever ask her what she's thinkin'?"

"Maybe ...," replied Jake noncommitally.

"Ya might be surprised what ya find out," counselled Sully. "Sometimes a woman's got things goin' round in her head ya'd never imagine ..."

Jake stopped working on his client's hair and leant back against the sideboard. "How do I get her ta talk about things?" he mused. "She don't like talkin' with me 'bout .... you know ...." He turned to face the wall momentarily, as if ashamed of his inability to understand his wife. "Truth is ... she acts like she don' like *bein'* with me ...."

"Like I said .... that's maybe not how she really feels .... just the way she thinks you expect her ta be," Sully advised. "An' that's where Michaela's idea of courtin' her comes in ..."

Jake turned to face him, his brow creased in thought. "I was thinkin' of takin' her ta supper at the Chateau later ...."

"Good start .... try an' get her ta talk to ya .... not about the baby .... but about you an' her ... that's if you're serious about makin' things better between ya ..."

"Course I'm serious .... but I aint ever bin any good at talkin' things through," remarked Jake ruefully.

"Ya just did .... an' ya talked to Michaela too .... You've had some practice now huh?" grinned Sully.

The barber reddened and then shrugged his shoulders. "Never thought I'd be askin' *you* for advice." He swallowed. "But I see ya with Dr Mike ... an' the two o' you seem real happy with each other .... Figure you're doin' somethin' right ..." He placed his scissors and comb down and removed the cape from Sully's shoulders.

Sully stood, stretched and then reluctantly walked across to where a large mirror hung on the wall. "Ya just gotta remember it aint all about you .... There's two o' you in your marriage ...." He peered into the mirror and tugged at his hair, seeming to try to lengthen it by force. He shrugged his shoulders and turned back to Jake. "Besides ... spendin' more time with her might just do the trick .... where a baby's concerned," he grinned. He delved into his pocket and withdrew some coins. "Thanks for the haircut Jake ... ya did good ... What do I owe ya?"

Jake waved his question away. "On the house ... just this once," he said. He straightened his shoulders. "If you're finished here I'd like ta lock up .... Figure Teresa might appreciate that supper at the Chateau."

Sully strode to the door, followed closely by Jake. He turned and held out his hand. "Good luck Jake .... An' speakin' from one who knows .... havin' kids is the best thing a man can do .... Its worth the wait ... an' the work ..." He reached up and fingered his now much shorter hair. "Even if they sometimes do things you'd rather they didn'." Jake nodded in understanding. As he exited, Sully added, "Oh ... an' just in case ya think me an' Michaela are spyin' on ya .... we're goin' out ta have supper with Myra tonight ... we'll see ya there." He took the steps to the street in one leap and headed towards his horse tethered by the clinic, watched by a thoughtful Jake.

Chapter 16

"How's that?" asked Sully, straightening his tie and then self-consciously fiddling with his newly shortened hair.

Michaela turned from the mirror where she'd been putting the finishing touches to her own hair, and smiled. "You look very handsome," she complimented. "You're wearing your best suit."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Havin' supper with two beautiful women .... Gotta look the part," he explained with a teasing smile. He again patted at his hair.

Michaela walked briskly over to him and grasped his hand. "It looks fine .... Jake did a good job," she reassured him. She reached up to run her fingers through the shortened hair herself. "I like it .... It suits you ..."

"I aint keepin' it like this," he immediately exhorted. "Sooner it grows the better ..."

Michaela chuckled and then stood on her tiptoes to give him a light kiss. "Whatever you want .... its fine with me .... Ready to go? I just have to finish my hair ..."

Sully watched indulgently as she returned to her seat by the mirror and continued with the more intricate hairstyle than usual she'd chosen. He hadn't told her that one of the reasons why he'd decided to wear his best suit was because he'd be meeting this Adrian Tilson for the first time. He always felt a little awkward in the presence of educated easterners, and especially those who'd known Michaela before he did. This time he wanted to make sure he was on an equal footing, even if it meant just in appearance. Besides, he'd concluded that there had to be something in their past - Michaela's and Tilson's - because she was certainly acting strangely about the man's arrival in town. He aimed to get to the bottom of it.

He sat himself on the edge of the bed to wait. Talking to Jake this afternoon had merely served to reinforce his love for Michaela. Some of the things Jake said about Teresa had reminded him of his own wife before they were married. She'd always kept things close to her chest and seemed unable to just enjoy being with him. He'd made a number of attempts at breaking through her reserve, but he hadn't often been successful. It was only after they were married, soon after in fact, that her reserve had finally crumbled. He wasn't going to try to guess the reason why. He did recognise the fact that they were good together, in more ways than one. During their courtship there'd been glimpses of the teasing, light-hearted, loving Michaela, but nothing had prepared him for the sensual woman she'd become. Just being alone with her in a room, without even touching, could arouse him, and he knew that she reacted in a similar way to him. A touch, a smile, a hug, a gentle caress created an electricity between them that left him breathless. He'd hoped, dreamed, that's the way it would be, but reality was even better, and the fact that it persisted, even after nearly four years of marriage, awed him. He reached out and gently caressed her shoulder and she turned to gaze up into his adoring blue eyes. "You becoming impatient with me?" she asked with a smile, knowing just by his look that it was not the case.

"Nah ... I was just thinkin' ..."

"What about," she asked, placing her comb and pins down and standing to face him.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Lotsa things," he replied pensively, then added, "About how much I love ya ..."

She walked in close and cupped his face, running her thumb lovingly across his cheekbone. "The feeling's mutual," she replied breathily. She stepped even closer and kissed him deeply. "You really do look very handsome," she reiterated softly, running her hands down under the lapels of his jacket. "Women will envy me tonight ..."

"If ya tryin' ta make me feel better 'bout the hair .... its workin'," chuckled Sully. He ran his hands lovingly up from her waist to her shoulders, brushing her breasts on the way. "Wish we weren't goin' out ...," he murmured seductively.

"Myra's expecting us," she rejoined winningly. "And actually I'm quite looking forward to it ... I get an opportunity to show off my handsome husband .... visit with a dear friend .... and I don't have to cook .... What more could a woman want ... hmmm?"

He shrugged. "I could think o' some things ....," he replied vaguely.

She smirked at him and then grasped his hand. "Come on Mr Sully ... let's enjoy this evening out together ..."

He reluctantly stood and then crooked his arm so she could link hers with his. When she did so, he lovingly caressed her hand. "Just as long as you remember where this was headin' when we get home tonight," he murmured against her ear.

She smiled up at him. "Oh I'll remember," she replied alluringly, as they stepped out onto the landing.

*********************
"Oohh .... Dr Mike ... Sully ... its so good ta see ya," exclaimed Myra, as the pair entered the lobby of the Chateau. "I've bin lookin' forward ta ya comin' out here." She took Sully's proffered arm. "Sarah's gonna sit with William an' Samantha for us so's we can talk ... an' I booked us a table in the dining-room ... come through ..."

After leaving a soundly sleeping William in the capable hands of Sarah, the trio walked through to the dining-room, where young Ben Matthews seated them at a table which in the daylight looked out on the mountains, but tonight was draped in heavy green velvet. The room was aglow with ornate lamps which made the silver and crystal tableware sparkle and a candle on each table gave an intimacy to the setting. Michaela and Sully exchanged knowing smiles when they noticed Jake and Teresa also being seated at a secluded table some distance from them.

"I got so much ta tell ya," stated Myra, as soon as they were settled. "But before that .... hope everythin's goin' alright with you .... an' the family?" When both assured her that all was well and that there had been no problem leaving Katie in Matthew and Kathleen's care, she sat back with an endearing sigh. "Good," she asserted. "I'm glad Sarah's sittin' with the kids ... it gives us a chance ta talk .... I'll check on 'em later though." She leant back as Ben filled each water glass at the table and then moved away. When he'd gone, she continued, "I almost don' know where ta start ..."

Myra's enthusiasm was infectious and Michaela reached out to momentarily lay her hand over the young woman's. "Its so wonderful to see you like this Myra," she said sincerely. "To see you so alive .... so full of life ...."

Myra blushed and then rejoined, "Thanks to you Dr Mike .... Sometimes I wonder what would've happened to me if ya hadn't come to St Louis an' found out what was wrong with me ..."

"You need to thank Horace for that," Michaela returned. "He was the one who persuaded me to go ..."

Myra nodded. "I got so many people ta thank .... for so many things ...."

"So what's got ya so excited Myra," entreated Sully, also gladdened by the young woman's enthusiasm.

She took a deep breath. "Well ... ya know I've bin helpin' Charlie with the book-keepin' here?" she posed. When both dinner companions nodded, she continued, "Mr Tilson found out ... We were kinda keepin' it quiet, cos we weren't too sure how he'd feel about it ... me bein' a Chateau guest an' all ..." She reached out and grasped each of their hands. "He was a little put out at first .... but then Charlie told him what I'd bin doin' an' that I usedta do the same thing at the Shaw Club Hotel in St Louis ... an' he offered me a job .... right there an' then ..."

Michaela was beaming. "So you're staying in Colorado Springs!" she exclaimed.

"Uh huh," replied Myra. "I hadta think about it for a while .... cos I miss Adele somethin' terrible ... she was so good ta me when I turned up on her doorstep with Samantha ... she's the only real family I got."

"But you've made your decision now," stated Sully quietly.

"Mmmm .... It was hard .... but here Samantha can see her pa all the time .... an' the job comes with livin' quarters .... out back with the rest of the staff ... The room's small ... but its clean .... an' Mr Tilson don' mind Samantha, long as she don' git in the way of the guests ... She'll be goin' ta school in the fall ... so that shouldn' be a problem anyway ...." She was smiling broadly. "An' Dr Mike, Mr Tilson said I can still use the hot springs ... long as its early in the mornin' .... or late in the day when everyone's gone in ta supper ... so I can keep up my exercises."

"That's wonderful Myra," exclaimed Michaela. "But I can understand that you're missing your sister ..."

The young woman gave her a sly smile. "I bin thinkin' about that .... I figure if everythin' works out with my job here ... when a vacancy comes up I'll ask Mr Tilson if maybe he could give Adele a try .... She's workin' at the Shaw Club too ... so he'll know she's good at her job ...," she eagerly outlined.

Michaela responded guardedly, "Perhaps Adele won't want to leave St Louis ... If I remember correctly .... there was a certain young man?"

Myra's face fell momentarily. "I never thought o' that," she said thoughtfully. "Still ... she hasn't mentioned him much in her letters ..." So, refusing to let the prospect of not seeing her sister again for some time dampen her spirits, her excited smile returned. "I feel so lucky already," she enthused. "I'm sure it'll all work out."

"And what does Samantha think of all this?" asked Michaela with an indulgent smile.

"Oh ... she's just as excited as me .... She likes spendin' time with her pa .... an' she's real excited about startin' school in the red schoolhouse .... She keeps askin' me questions about it every time we're in town ..." She lowered her eyes a moment, almost as if she was embarrassed. "She's got kinda fond of Hank too ... he's out here a lot ... an' treats her real good ...." Sully's eyes opened wide in surprise. Catching his expression, she assured him, "Yeah ... I know how ya feel ... an' maybe he's not the kinda person Samantha should be spendin' time with ... but he's bin so good ta me ... an' her ... since I've bin sick ...She don' know about what he does in town ... an' I aint tellin' her ..."

"She'll probably find out when she starts school Myra," counselled Michaela.

The young woman shrugged. "We'll see what happens then .... There's a lot o' good in Hank ... he's proved that to me over an' over the last few months ... Samantha sees the good in him too ..." She suddenly smiled wryly. "He weren't real polite though when I showed him where we were gonna be livin' when I start work here next week ..."

"He didn't approve?" asked Michaela, her curiosity piqued.

"Said the room was too small ... when there was a little one gonna be livin' in there with me ... I hadta stop him from going to speak ta Mr Tilson about it." She chuckled. "Never really expected ta have Hank lookin' out for me ... still its kinda nice ..."

Both dinner companions nodded in agreement with her sentiment and then turned their attention to Ben as he outlined what was on the menu for that evening.

*********************
Michaela sat back and daintily wiped her mouth with her napkin, feeling very replete. "That was excellent," she said of the recently consumed roasted beef and sauteed vegetables.

"You're right ... it were ...," agreed Sully, also wiping at his mouth. He looked up and immediately drew Michaela's attention to the dining-room doorway. She spun around to see Sarah with William in her arms. She smiled at Myra and her husband and quickly rose. "Seems a certain little one is also hungry. I won't be long." She placed her napkin on the table and walked quickly across the room, watched with admiration by several diners.

Some forty minutes later, Michaela emerged from Myra's room with a playful and decidedly awake William in her arms. "Why this evening?" she asked him softly. "You usually go straight off to sleep at this hour .." She kissed his forehead and he smiled up at her. "Alright ... if that's what you want ... you can join your father and Myra in the dining-room .... but if you cry I'll take you straight back ..." Absorbed in her one-sided conversation with her tiny son as she crossed the hotel lobby, she was startled when a hand was laid gently on her arm. She halted and looked up onto Adrian's brown eyes.

"Michaela ... how delightful to find you gracing our establishment with your presence," he enthused, his smile wide and welcoming. "I don't suppose you came out here to see me hmmm? We didn't have the opportunity to speak much the other day ... and after all ... its many years since we last spent some time together ..."

Michaela swallowed and instinctively pulled her baby son tighter in against herself. She forced herself to return his smile. "Good evening Adrian," she said somewhat formally, "Actually my husband and I came out here to have supper with Myra ..."

He gave her a wry grin. "Ah ... it was foolish of me to think you might want to visit with an old friend ..." He shrugged his shoulders and then remarked, "Did young Myra tell you she is starting work here next week?"

At last Michaela's smile was genuine. "Yes ... yes she did," she rejoined. "Thank-you for doing that for her .... She's been through so much ... and to know that someone has faith in her ..." She trailed off.

"I will have faith in her as long as she does her job well ... and behaves with decorum ... both of which I ask of every staff-member here ..."

"Of course," agreed Michaela. "But I'm sure you'll have no trouble with Myra ... she's a hard worker ... and worked alongside Preston Lodge in his bank for several months without complaint ..."

He nodded. "So I've heard ... and as I have ascertained that Mr Lodge was a hard taskmaster ... I can only believe that Myra is worth a try ..." He nodded at the baby in Michaela's arms who appeared to be watching him intently. "Your son?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

Michaela nodded. "Yes ... this is William," she replied. She took a step back. "Ah ... I better get back to the others .... They'll be wondering where I am ..."

Adrian put out a hand to stop her retreating and then thought better of it, letting it fall ineffectually to his side. "If you must," he said resignedly. "I was hoping we could talk ... you left Philadelphia so abruptly ... I had things I wanted to say to you ... especially under the circumstances ..."

"That was a *long* time ago Adrian ....," rejoined Michaela, her eyes becoming cold. "And I saw no need for any discussion ...."

"But ..."

"I'd better get back," she reiterated. She half-turned away from him and was more than happy to see Sully emerge from the dining-room, obviously looking for her. She smiled at him and he instantly came to her side, though was a little surprised when she grasped his hand tightly in hers before turning back to the Chateau manager. "Adrian .... this is my husband Byron Sully .... Sully this is Adrian Tilson .... Miriam's brother ...," she explained.

Sully immediately and politely held out his hand. "Pleased ta meet ya Mr Tilson," he returned, keeping his voice even.

Adrian nodded and half-heartedly shook Sully's hand. "I'm sure," he rejoined. There was a touch of disdain in his eyes and tone as he regarded the man he'd had no desire at all to meet. "Well ... as I believe Myra must be sitting in the dining-room alone .... and I have a number of things I must do before I can finally retire for the evening ... I must leave you ...." He bowed slightly, as he would to any influential guests of the Chateau. Then he looked directly at Michaela and smiled widely, "I look forward to speaking with you Michaela ... catching up on old times ..." He once again nodded to them both and then turned to walk briskly towards his office.

Michaela's grasp on Sully's hand noticeably eased and when he reached across to take William from her arms, she momentarily laid her head against his shoulder, before straightening, giving him a wan smile and preceding him back into the dining-room.

***********************
Sully watched Michaela as she sat at the dresser, rhythmically brushing her hair in her usual pre-bed routine. Occasionally she'd pause as if lost in thought and then she'd shake herself and the brushing would continue. He was worried about her. Ever since meeting up with Tilson, she'd been very quiet and even Myra's enthusiastic banter or William's antics hadn't raised her spirits. He wasn't one to pry, but he was desperate to know the history between Michaela and this man. She'd been fine when she went to nurse William, so what had Tilson said to cause the spirit to go out of her? Of course, discussion on the way home about where Brian might be by now and what he might be doing hadn't helped matters. He knew she hadn't let herself dwell on Brian's welfare this afternoon and during supper, but with the night the worries had returned.

At last she put the hairbrush down, blew out the lamp and stood, and he drew the covers back on the bed so she could slide in beside him. She lay down and he drew her close, pulling the covers up so they were cocooned in their own world. She immediately wrapped an arm around him and laid her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head and embraced her securely against himself. For a long time they lay there in silence, Sully aware of a certain tension in her body and that she had not yet fallen asleep. After a while, he carefully edged down to face her, their bodies so close from chest to knee that they could feel the heat radiating between them, and he tentatively, lovingly, kissed her. Her eyes flew open to meet his. He kissed her again and this time she responded with an urgency and a desperation which was foreign to them both. He drew back and brushed wisps of hair from her face which was unreadable in the moonlight filtering in through the bedroom window. "Michaela?" he whispered.

She squeezed her eyes shut and frowned, then implored softly, "Just hold me Sully please .... just hold me ...."