Chapter 13

Sully drew the wagon to a halt in the clearing at Palmer Creek, quickly clambered down and reached up to lift Dorothy down. Then they both turned to assist Cloud Dancing. Resting his hands across their shoulders, he gingerly eased himself to the ground and then Dorothy handed him the crudely made wooden crutch. They made their way across the clearing to Cloud Dancing's lean-to which offered a little respite from the hot summer sun.

The journey from town had been made in relative silence, except for Dorothy's occasional question as to her husband's comfort. Now also, there was little talk. Once Cloud Dancing was settled on the ground, his injured leg stretched out in front, Dorothy's and Sully's eyes met in a moment of understanding and she gave an almost imperceptible nod, then with a half-hearted smile, she said, "I'm gonna collect some kindling. We'll need a fire later if I'm gonna make some more willow bark tea an' cook you some supper ... You make sure he aint in any pain Sully ..." She walked quietly away, but couldn't help worriedly glancing back, just once, before disappearing amongst the trees.

Sully seated himself beside the man he considered his brother and asked with concern, "You aint in any pain are ya?"

The medicine man shook his head. "It is fine ... Dorothy likes to fuss ...," he replied dully.

Again there was a long silence until Sully could not stand it any longer. He turned a little to face Cloud Dancing. "You mad at me?" he asked abruptly.

Cloud Dancing's eyebrows rose in surprise. "No," he rejoined simply.

"Well somethin's eatin' at ya," Sully said purposefully. "I figured it had ta be me ..."

"Why would you think that?"

"We've always bin able ta talk to each other ... about anythin' ... but you've bin real quiet ... for days now ..."

"I have been injured ... and Michaela gave me laudanum ..."

Sully shook his head. "That aint it," he responded adamantly.  "I know you ... maybe better 'an anyone ... Somethin's eatin' at ya ... If it aint me ... what is it?"

"It is something I must work through myself ... If I had not been injured I would have gone away to seek the guidance of the spirits ..."

"Well ya haven't bin able to do that ... so maybe talkin' would help?"

"Until I understand what I am feeling ... I cannot talk with you ..."

"Michaela says sometimes talkin' can help ya understand ... whatever it is ..."

Cloud Dancing gave his brother a rueful smile and then once again turned to gaze into the distance. "You would not have always believed this," he remarked.

Sully hung his head a little. "No," he returned. "An' maybe sometimes it don' ... but her an' me've talked about a lot o' things ... helps clear the air ... So ... if there is somethin' worryin' ya ... an' its got somethin' ta do with me ... it might help ta clear the air ..."

After a long silence, Cloud Dancing surprised Sully by saying, "I am not angry with you ... but I *am* angry with myself ..."

"Why?" he demanded in astonishment.

"For more moons than I can count I have watched my people die ... killed by the army ... the white man's diseases ... starvation resulting from the white man's greed ... but I have never betrayed the Cheyenne ... I have never brought about a Cheyenne warrior's death ... until now ..."

"But we agreed ... it was the only way ..."

"And it was ..."

"So ya gotta know ya had no choice," argued Sully, suddenly realising he was echoing his wife's words.

"It does not help ... It does not take away my feelings of betrayal ..."

Sully suddenly dropped his head into his hands. "All this time *I've* been feelin' guilty ... worryin' whether there was some other way we didn' think of ... an' I never thought about how you might be feelin' ..." He ran his fingers agitatedly through his hair. "Michaela says we gotta forget Red Fox was Cheyenne an' just think about what he done ... all the pain he caused ..."

"That is why we went to the army ..."

"She said its like me an' the Currier brothers ... or O'Connor ..."

Cloud Dancing nodded.

"But deep down .. it don' help much ..."

Again Cloud Dancing nodded.

"I guess there are no easy answers ... huh?"

"No ... there are no easy answers ...," agreed Cloud Dancing, reaching down to massage his bruised leg. "You have always moved freely between the Cheyenne and white man's worlds ... while I am Cheyenne ... nothing else ...," he mused.

Sully's brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed as he considered the import of his brother's words. "I feel Cheyenne," he said defensively.

"I know this ..."

"But what you're sayin' is ... I'm not ..."

"I am saying the feeling is different ... You belong to both worlds ..."

Sully shook his head. "How can ya doubt me? ... After all this time?" he asked, disillusionment in his tone

"I do not doubt you ... you know that ...," rejoined Cloud Dancing calmly.

"Do I?! I've never heard ya talk like this before ..."

"Nothing has changed between us ..."

"Don' sound like it ta me ... We made a decision together ... we both agreed ... I didn' try ta persuade ya to go against what ya believed ... Maybe the army didn' act the way we wanted ... but when have we known any different? An' now you're usin' it ta put distance between us ... distance I didn' know could exist ...

"I do not mean to do this," returned Cloud Dancing wearily. "Much has happened ..."

"We've bin through some hard times before ... You're my family Cloud Dancin' ... I'd give my life for you ..."

"And I you ..."

Sully inwardly sighed with relief. "Then don' let what's happened come between us ... it was a terrible decision ta make ... but we had ta make it ... right?"

Cloud Dancing nodded and then reiterated, "Nothing has changed between us ..."

"So you're gonna be alright about this?"

Cloud Dancing nodded again.

Sully smiled. "Good ... Maybe Michaela's right ... talkin' about it does help ..."

"Perhaps," returned Cloud Dancing, his expression belying his words.

Not aware of this, Sully looked back for Dorothy who had been standing at the edge of the clearing awaiting his signal. He nodded and she started towards them, hoping that whatever had been troubling her husband so badly had been resolved and he would be feeling more like his old self.

*************************
"Well this is it," Hank explained proudly as they dismounted from their horses. He and Sully were viewing an unexceptional piece of land on the Colorado Springs Chateau road. "There are markers showin' the boundary  ... It aint big ... but its big enough for a small house an' barn ..."

Sully walked onto the property and then turned back to face the road. The land was almost flat, and apart from a couple of very large trees a long way back from the road, it was bare of anything except sun-dried grass.

"I figure it'll be better ta build back from the road a bit ... cos of the dust," Hank ventured as he too walked onto the land.

"What sorta house you wantin' Hank?" asked Sully speculatively.

The barkeep shrugged his shoulders casually. "Somethin' small ... not as fancy as your place ... one level ... two bedrooms ... kitchen ... livin' room ... oh an' a privy attached ta the back ... like you got ..."

"Sounds alright," commented Sully, surveying the land and in his mind picturing the type of house he could build.

"Its gotta have a porch of course," added Hank. "Right along the front ... An' they'll need a barn ... for the horses an' maybe a cow ..."

Sully smiled. "You think Myra knows how ta look after a cow?" he asked wryly.

Hank's eyebrows rose and he asserted, "She'll learn ... She's got a little kid ... an' a little kid needs milk don' she?"

Sully shrugged his shoulders in tacit agreement and went back to surveying the land.  "You thought about water?" he asked all of a sudden.

Hank frowned. "There's a stream back a coupla hundred yards ... or maybe we could sink a well."

Sully's brow creased in thought and then he turned his eyes to the road in the direction of the Chateau. "The hotel's maybe a mile away ... We could try sinkin' a well ... but there's a chance the water could be kinda hot if we happen on a hot spring ..."

"Good for washin'," quipped Hank.

"Ever tried drinkin' it?" queried Sully wryly. "Tastes kinda bad ..."

Hank shrugged. "We'll try for a fresh water well ... If that don' work we'll have ta pump it up from the stream ... I'd kinda like an indoor pump if it works out ... Course the well'll have ta be covered ... gonna be a little kid playin' round here .."

Sully regarded the barkeep in surprise. "Sounds like ya kinda like little Samantha?' he suggested.

"She's a good kid ... an' she's bin through a lot with Myra bein' sick ... Time she put down roots an' was happy ... That's alright aint it?" he challenged gruffly.

Sully gave a half-smile. "Sure it is ..." He gave one last glance around the land.  "How 'bout I draw up some plans? Then you can let me know what changes ya want ... an' I can get started ...," he suggested.

"Sounds good ta me," rejoined Hank with a smile. "You know I'll probably give ya a hand don' ya? ... I kinda enjoyed helpin' out with Matthew's place ..."

"That's fine by me ... ya did good work," said Sully sincerely, beginning to walk back towards the road.

Hank caught up and walked alongside. "You've surprised me lately Sully," he ventured unexpectedly.

"Why? Cos I agreed ta build your house?"

"Nah ... You told me you would ... an' I aint ever heard ya go back on your word ..."

"So why?" asked Sully again, reaching his horse and grasping the reins.

"That business up north," replied Hank. "I never expected ya to work with the army ... especially when it came ta killin' off more injuns ... but I'm sure glad ya did ..."

Sully's expression became stony. "Weren't no choice," he rejoined jadedly.

"Yeah ... well any time the red man's killed off is alright with me," asserted Hank, placing his foot in the stirrup.

"You an' me are never gonna agree on the indian problem," said Sully, anger in his tone. He hauled himself up onto his horse's bare back.

"Problem's right," the barkeep scoffed, as he too mounted. "Look what that O'Connell woman an' her kids've bin through ..."

"Red Fox an' his men were a problem ... but that aint the case with the others ...," declared Sully, turning in his saddle to face Hank who shrugged his shoulders dismissively, then said smugly, "Seems ta me there aint many others left ... an' that's how I like it ..."

"Like I said, you an' me are never gonna agree on the indians," asserted Sully, striving to keep his temper.

"You're right there," agreed the barkeep.

Sully dug his heels into his horse's ribs. "I'll get those  plans done an' get back to ya," he reiterated stonily, as his horse bounded into a gallop. He didn't look back. He and Hank had argued so many times before about the indian tribes, especially the Cheyenne. Every now and again he thought the barkeep's attitude might be softening a little, but then he'd go and say something like today.  The wind in his face and the exhilarating power of his horse beneath him, he endeavoured to put distance between the barkeep and himself, both physically and mentally, on the relatively short ride back into town.

***********************
"How's she doing?" asked Michaela as she and the Reverend made their way across to the church. She paused for a moment to lift Katie who was flagging under the hot summer sun. Their couple of days respite from the heat appeared to be over.

The Reverend shrugged his shoulders. "No change really ... She's grieving, but she's trying to hide it ... for the children ..."

Michaela nodded and then took a deep breath. "I can't even begin to imagine what it must feel like ... to lose your husband and son ... so suddenly ... and so violently ..," she said, her tone subdued.

The Reverend's steps faltered. "I think maybe ya can Dr Mike," he said quietly.

She swallowed deeply, then turned to regard him. "Perhaps you're right," she acknowledged softly. "But I got Sully back ... That's not going to happen for Mrs O'Connell ..." She held Katie a little closer. "The feelings of helplessness ... despair ..." She trailed off.

The Reverend's hold on her arm tightened a little.  "I remember," he said sincerely. "I didn' mean ta bring back painful memories ..."

"Its alright Reverend ... as much as I'd like to forget ... I never really do ... I just thank God I have Sully by my side today ..."

"How's he handlin' what went on with Red Fox an' his men ..."

"Not very well ... He sees it as his fault somehow ..."

The Reverend nodded. "Guess I'm not surprised about that ... but we gotta convince him he did the right thing ..."

"I think deep down he knows it ... but he feels such an affinity for the Cheyenne ..."

There was a short silence as they crossed the bridge over the stream, then Michaela asked with concern, "What about little May? How is she?"

"I still haven't heard her say a word," rejoined the Reverend.  "I always know she's around, but I sure wish she'd say somethin' ... then I'd know she was getting over what happened."

Michaela sighed. It was distressing to know a child was hurting and not be able to do anything about it. Her reverie was disturbed by Katie asking eagerly, "What's that mama?"

"What's what sweetheart?" rejoined Michaela.

"I think she means the sound coming from the church," interjected the Reverend with a smile of wonder and anticipation.

By now Michaela could also hear the melodious sound of the piano being played very well.

"I haven't heard the church piano sound as good as that since your uncle Teddy was here in town Dr Mike," he commented, quickening his pace and dragging Michaela along with him. "I wonder who it could be?"

As the threesome entered the church Faith O'Connell bounded up from the piano stool in embarrassment. "I'm ... I'm sorry Reverend ... I ... I know I shouldn't have ... but ...," she stammered. "I .... I couldn't resist ... Please forgive me ..."

Timothy held up his hand to stem her apologies.  "There is no reason to be feeling like that," he said with a smile. "That piano is rarely used ... It was wonderful to hear it played so well ..."

"But I shouldn't have," said Faith dully, as she slumped back onto the stool. "I had no right ..."

"Anyone who can play piano so beautifully has every right," the Reverend tried to reassure her again. "As long as you don't mind an audience ..."

She blushed, despite knowing he couldn't see her.

"Where did you learn to play so well Mrs O'Connell?" asked Michaela, her curiosity piqued.

Faith ran her hands tenderly over the ivory keys. "My father was an Irishman ... always smiling ... and always singing," she said unexpectedly. "There always had to be music in the house ... He played several instruments and he taught me piano from the time I could reach the keys ... I hoped to do the same with my children ..." She broke off and her eyes welled with tears, then she said softly, "Peter promised me that as soon as we could afford it ... we'd have a piano ... we had to sell ours when we moved west ..."

Douglas, who had been sitting quietly in a church pew behind her, rose and came across to rest his hand comfortingly on her shoulder, while little May walked across to the Reverend and trustingly took his hand.

He grasped it instantly and then offered sincerely, "You must teach the children on this piano ... for as long as you stay here ... Its wonderful to think it will be put to good use ..."

Faith shook her head. "No ... I couldn't," she protested. "I wouldn't feel right ... I'd feel like I was taking advantage .."

"But you must," insisted the Reverend.

Again she shook her head.

"Perhaps there are some parents in the town who would like their children to learn Mrs O'Connell ... you could teach them ...," Michaela suggested quietly, unsure what the woman's reaction would be.

"That's an excellent idea," Timothy announced. "I used to teach ... until I lost my sight ... You'd be doing me ... and the town ... a favour ..." She had been going to reject the idea, however now her resolve wavered. Her eyes raked the Reverend's face, seeking further reassurance that the suggestion was welcome. Before she could answer, he said sincerely, "You don't have to make a decision now ... but it would solve some problems ... for both of us ... Please ... consider it ..."

She took a deep breath and nodded. Then realising he couldn't see, she said quietly, "I'll think about it ..."

He nodded satisfied for now. Then much to her surprise, he made his way across to a pew and sat down, beckoning Michaela to do the same. "In the meantime, perhaps you could play something for us? ... We'd all enjoy it ..."

Again she wavered, but then turned back to the piano. "Just a little," she said so quietly they could barely hear her.

Michaela watched and listened as Mrs O'Connell played a lilting Irish tune, almost making the instrument sing. She had no sheet music in front of her, yet did not falter in her intricate fingering of the keys. The woman certainly had a wonderful gift. She also watched the Reverend, who sat with little May on his knee, his arm around her, and then responded to Katie's gentle tug of his pants leg, by lifting her up and placing her on his other knee. He appeared blissfully happy. She knew his love of children. She had evidenced it many times, and to have the two O'Connell children placing such trust in him obviously made him content. A glimmer of an idea came to mind, only to be dismissed immediately. She'd got ahead of herself way too many times in the past.

*********************
Michaela waited at the foot of the stairs for Sully, and when he was on the last step, indicated with a smile and a nod that he should take a look at their two youngest children playing by the cold fireplace.

Sully smiled indulgently when he heard William giggle loudly and observed Katie playing a game of hide and seek with her hands with her little brother. Every time she lowered her hands from her face, William would laugh again, clap his chubby little hands and reach out for her. She would immediately back away and cover her face again. They never seemed to tire of the repetitive game.

"Aren't they beautiful Sully?" whispered Michaela leaning in against him.

"Uh huh," he rejoined quietly.

"Sometimes I feel so blessed I wonder if its too good to be true," she mused.

"Its true alright," he said embracing her.

"The only problem is they grow too fast ..."

He kissed the top of her head lovingly. "But then there's more ta learn about 'em .. an' its fun watchin' 'em learn too ..."

She nodded and rested her cheek against his chest, her arms around his waist. At last she said, "I suppose I'd better start supper ..."

"I'll give ya a hand," he offered immediately.

She smiled up at him and they started towards the kitchen. As they passed by the front windows Sully stopped and peered out. "Someone's comin' ... a rider," he announced, striding to the door which he pulled open. "Its Dorothy," he informed Michaela who was right behind him. Together they watched their friend dismount and make her way up the porch steps. It was obvious from the look on her face that something was troubling her.  Michaela stepped forward. "Is something the matter?" she asked immediately.

Dorothy stopped and her eyes met her friend's. "Truth is ... I aint sure," she said, her tone pained.  Michaela and Sully stood back so she could enter the house and the three of them sat down at the dining room table. "Its ... its Cloud Dancin' ..." she began.

"Is he ill?" asked Michaela at once. "His leg?"

Dorothy swallowed and fought the tears that threatened to choke her. "Maybe he's sick Michaela ... but it aint the leg ..."

Sully, regarding their friend anxiously, said urgently, "Me an' Michaela'll head out there ..."

Dorothy shook her head. "No ... at least not now ... an' not expectin' him ta be sick ..."

Both Michaela and Sully frowned. "Perhaps you'd better explain Dorothy," urged Michaela.

The older woman took a deep breath. "I'm just comin' back from Palmer Creek now ... I told him I had ta write an article for the Gazette ... He didn' want me to come here ... ta worry ya ..."

"Why's that?" asked Sully, puzzled.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I don' know ... an' I don' know what's wrong with him neither ... One minute he's runnin' a fever ... the next he aint."

"A fever?!" exclaimed Michaela with concern.

"I aint never seen him so ... so ... Oh ... I don' know how ta explain it ...," groaned Dorothy worriedly. "He keeps tellin' me it aint anythin' ta worry about ... but ..."

"You can't help it," concluded Michaela.

Dorothy nodded. "What am I gonna do?" she asked plaintively. "He doesn' want me fussin' ... an' he won't like it I came here ... but I'd never forgive myself if somethin' was terribly wrong an' I just let it be ..."

Michaela reached over to place her hand over her friend's. "You did the right thing," she said sincerely. "We'll go out there tomorrow morning ..."

"But Michaela," interjected Sully, obviously very concerned for his friend.

"Dorothy would be able to tell if it was life threatening Sully ... and Cloud Dancing expressly said he didn't want her to come here ... We'll go out there in the morning ... take the children with us ... to visit ... and we'll try to discover what's wrong ... Alright?"

Sully frowned and then sighed while Dorothy nodded in agreement. "Tomorrow then," he muttered resignedly. He would get little rest until he knew his brother was going to be alright.

Chapter 14

Sully inwardly sighed with relief when they drove the wagon into the clearing at Palmer Creek the next morning and Cloud Dancing awkwardly rose from his lean-to in the shade to greet them. Throughout the night he'd lain awake in bed, fearful for his brother's future. Whatever the mysterious illness that had stricken the Cheyenne medicine man, he prayed Michaela would be able to cure it.

Dorothy had stayed late the night before, torn by her love for her husband and yet wanting to keep his confidence. She'd been worried he would resent her going behind his back, but she'd been too concerned to do nothing.  Sully knew she'd needed to be with friends who would understand.

When they'd woken this morning, shortly after dawn, he'd had difficulty containing his impatience. He'd wanted to leave for Palmer Creek there and then, but Michaela had insisted it must look like they were coming out for a visit and that they must leave at a more civilised hour. All Michaela's planning proved to be in vain however, when Cloud Dancing limped up to the wagon, ran his hand down the horse's mane and said quietly, "Dorothy has spoken with you then?"

Sully and Michaela glanced at each other, then Sully said quietly, "Uh huh ... She's worried about ya ..."

As he lifted Michaela down from the wagon, Cloud Dancing said dully, "I told her it was nothing ..."

"She didn't agree Cloud Dancing," said Michaela quietly, reaching up for William.

"While it is nice to see you all out here," said Cloud Dancing, tousling Katie's honey-blond curls. "There is no reason to be concerned ..."

According to a pre-arranged plan, Brian immediately took charge of both William and Katie while Sully and Michaela stayed by Cloud Dancing's side. "Dorothy mentioned a fever? ... that comes and goes?" queried Michaela with concern.

The proud Cheyenne peered up into the clear blue sky. "It has been very hot ... that is all ..."

"Reckon Dorothy would know the difference," remarked Sully wryly.

"There is nothing wrong with me," stressed Cloud Dancing, this time a little more sternly.

"Will you at least let me examine you ... for Dorothy?" Michaela requested quietly.

The medicine man's eyes narrowed and travelled from one friend to the other. At last he nodded in agreement, but couldn't resist adding, "You will find nothing wrong ..."

Michaela shrugged her shoulders and replied gratefully, "Thank-you ..." She turned to Sully. "Perhaps you should join Brian and the children ... we won't be long ...," she suggested.

He nodded, gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze and set out for the stream beside which he knew Brian would be sitting with the little ones.

*******************
Loren strode into the grounds of Grace's caf� and cast his eyes about for someone he knew. Time was he'd have known everyone, but the large number of new settlers in the territory meant that was now not often the case. He acknowledged Jake who was seated at a table with Teresa. He decided not to disturb them. With Teresa at home while the school was closed for the summer, Jake didn't often have the opportunity to have lunch with his pregnant wife. He had to admit, pregnancy seemed to agree with the woman. She was positively glowing.

A little further over Dorothy sat on her own at a table in the shade. Her fair complexion didn't take too well to the hot summer sun, and if she wasn't keeping to the shade, she'd be sure to have a parasol or such offering protection. There was something about the way she was sitting there, staring off into the distance, her coffee cup poised halfway between the table and her mouth that concerned him. She looked kind of upset, or worried. He and Dorothy went back a long ways, too long to count now. In fact he'd even asked her to marry him a couple of times. He was kind of glad now she'd said no. His brief time with Marjorie Quinn had convinced him what love really meant. He did still love Dorothy of course, but not in the way he'd thought in the past. She was a very dear friend and he'd do just about anything to see her happy. He'd proved that hadn't he, with lending her the money for the Gazette? Of course it was a good business decision too. He couldn't deny that. Circulation of the newspaper was growing every week with all the new settlers in town.

She was still sitting there, quiet, thoughtful. He straightened his tie and made his way across to her table. "Hey Dorothy," he said with a smile. "Mind if I join ya?"

She smiled up at him. "Course I don' mind Loren," she replied. "You know you don' haveta ask ..."

He nodded and pulled out the chair opposite her. "Aint had a chance to visit with ya lately ... You're always real busy ... or you're away ...," he commented, holding his coffee cup out to Grace for filling.

"Gazette's growin' Loren," she rejoined. "I'm kinda glad Brian decided not ta go to college this year ... I don' know how I'd manage without him now ..."

Loren nodded. "He's a good boy ..."

"Yeah ... he is ... an' he's gonna make a mighty fine newspaper man too ... He can do just about anythin' he sets his mind to ..."

"Town missed the paper when you were both away," Loren remarked. "Sounds like ya had quite a trip ..."

Dorothy nodded. That trip had been on her mind ever since they returned. The serenity and enjoyment of their time with the northern Cheyenne contrasted so sharply, so cruelly, with the brutality of the attack on the O'Connells. Her reverie was interrupted by Loren commenting, "Cloud Dancin' went with ya huh?"

She took a deep breath. Loren was her oldest and dearest friend and she so dearly wanted him to know of her relationship with Cloud Dancing, but she just couldn't be sure of his reaction, or his ability to keep it a secret. "We all went," she explained noncommittally. "Sully, Michaela, the kids, Cloud Dancin', me ..."

Loren nodded. "Hard travellin'?" he inquired.

"Not so hard ... ya git used to it after a while ..."

"Suppose ya got some more stuff for your book ..."

"I aint sure I'm ever gonna finish that book ... My heart aint in it after havin' ta burn the last one ...," Dorothy mused. She leant back a little as a plate of Grace's meatloaf was placed in front of her.

"But you'd have a lot ta write about now ... after seein' all them indians up there ..."

"I aint sure folks wanna read about indians ... Not yet anyways ... Cloud Dancin' says people'll only be interested once they've all died out ..."

Loren frowned. "That don' sound like him," he commented in a low tone.

"Its how he's feelin' lately," she explained sadly, then bit her lip when she realised she might have said too much. She couldn't resist adding a touch bitterly however, "That's what folks want ... ta see 'em all gone ... No matter they aint done anythin' wrong ..."

"Hey hey ... not everyone feels that way," Loren protested unexpectedly.

She looked at him in surprise. "*You* do ... I've heard ya say it ..."

"Not lately you aint," he rejoined. "Cloud Dancin's a good man ... I aint got anythin' against him ... if he keeps to himself ... An' those things he brings into the mercantile for sellin' ... well people've taken a shine to 'em ..."

Dorothy sat back in her chair and regarded him in astonishment. "Listen to yourself Loren," she chided. "Cloud Dancin's good for business so he can stay ... but the rest of  'em can go hang ..." When he looked about to interject she argued, "We lived with 'em up there in Montana ... they're just like you an' me ... When one of their kids gits sick ... they cry an' worry ... just like you an' me ... They fall in love an' git married ... just like you an' me ... They try ta live off the land ... peaceful like ... until the army turns up an' tells 'em they've gotta move on ... or be killed ... an' then they're confused ... just like you an' me would be ..." Her eyes welled with tears. "They're just people like you an' me Loren ... maybe they live a little different to you an' me ... and they believe in the Great Spirit instead o' the God we worship in church ... but they don' want war with the white man ... They just wanna live like they always have ..." She dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief and then prodded disinterestedly at her meatloaf with her fork.

"That aint exactly what I meant," muttered Loren, abashed.

"But it was somethin' like it ... weren't it?" she returned, dispirited.

"People in this town bin hurt by indians Dorothy, ya can't deny that," he dissented.

"No ... I can't deny that ... but I guess I wish people'd look at *why* the indians've done what they've done ..."

"Don' help Teresa none ... nor Matthew ... They lost their homesteads when the indians burnt 'em down ... Hank lost the front o' the saloon ... even Dr Mike's suffered cos o' indians ..."

"Matthew an' Michaela don't hold it against 'em ... haven't ya noticed? Cos they understand ..."

"What about that poor O'Connell woman, an her kids?"

"That was different ..."

"How?"

"Red Fox was so angry an' wanted revenge so bad, he'd got to enjoyin' killin' ... besides ... Sully an' Cloud Dancin' did somethin' about him ..."

Loren's brow furrowed in thought. "Yeah ... folks in town bin talkin' about that ... I was kinda surprised .."

Dorothy pushed her plate away, any pretence of interest in her lunch gone. "They were probably the only two who could bring him to justice ... They couldn' let him kill any more ..."

"Must've been hard for 'em," he mused.

"Yeah ... It was ... real hard ... They're both havin' trouble comin' ta terms with it ... I'm worried about 'em ..."

Loren's eyes met his dear friend's. "Cloud Dancin' means a lot to ya huh?" he asked bluntly. She blushed and lowered her eyes to the tablecloth, so he continued, "I know you Dorothy ... better 'an anyone I guess ... You didn' care half as much for the indians until ya started spendin' time with Cloud Dancin' ... a lot o' time ..."

She blushed further and then said very quietly, "He's a special man Loren ..."

"I said that before ..," he agreed.

"Cos he's good for your business ..."

"That aint what I meant ... Its obvious he means a lot to ya ... Its bin goin' on for a long time now ..."

She raised her eyes to his. "What's bin goin' on?" she asked warily.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno ... you tell me ..."

She took a deep breath and blurted out, "I care for him Loren ... very much ..."

He sighed. "Figured as much ...," he muttered sympathetically. "You're opening yourself up ta a lot o' trouble ..."

"You can't control who ya fall in love with ..."

He nodded in understanding. "I know it," he responded. "You think I wanted ta fall in love with that hot-tempered Marjorie Quinn? ... An' I thought *I* had troubles ..."

She smiled shyly. "You don't mind? You understand?" she implored.

He nodded and then warned, "You gotta be careful Dorothy ... There're a lot o' other folks in this town wouldn' understand ..."

Her eyes welled with tears once more. "I know it," she murmured. "I pray for the day when we can be together ... instead of havin' ta sneak around ..."

He regarded her wryly. "You are married then," he concluded smugly.

Startled, her eyes flew to his and then quickly glanced around to assure herself no-one was listening to their conversation. "How did you know?" she challenged.

He smiled. "I saw ya I reckon ... comin' out o' the church a few months back ... you an' Cloud Dancin', Dr Mike ... all of 'em ..."

"I thought we'd bin so careful ..."

"You were ... I was the only one saw ya ... I wish you'd've told me ..."

She again lowered her eyes, shamefaced. "I ... I ... didn' know how'd you'd feel about it," she muttered.

"Truth is ... I aint sure either," he declared abruptly.

Her hand went out to cover his. "You mustn't say anythin'," she urged fearfully.

He chuckled wryly. "Kept my mouth shut so far aint I?," he assured her. "So what makes ya think I'd say anythin' now? ..."

She smiled broadly. "Thank-you Loren," she said sincerely.

He shrugged his shoulders dismissively. "Like I said ... you just be careful," he counselled again. Then he frowned. "Might have somethin' ta say to the Reverend though .... Figure he performed the ceremony ... right?" he inquired, his eyes twinkling.

Dorothy smiled. "Don't be too hard on him ... he was sworn to secrecy ...," she admonished good-naturedly.

Loren covered her hand with his. "I don' wanna see you git hurt Dorothy," he advised. "So you've gotta be real careful .. people'll notice if you aint in town much ..."

She nodded. "I know ... I think some folks are already wonderin' ... but I gotta find ways for us ta be together ... A lot of 'em accept Cloud Dancin' ... now they know him ..."

"Not if they find out you're married to him .."

She nodded again, morosely. "I know it," she agreed resignedly.  She edged her chair back, preparatory to standing. "I better git back to the Gazette .. I wanna go back out to Palmer Creek later ... Cloud Dancin' aint bin well ..."

"That's what was worryin' ya when I came up, aint it?" queried Loren.

"Uh huh ... Michaela an' Sully are out there with him now ... Tryin' ta figure out what's wrong ...," she replied, standing.

"Nothin' serious?" quizzed Loren, memories of losing Marjorie flashing through his mind.

She shrugged her shoulders and unfurled her parasol. "I truly hope not," she said quietly.  "Thanks for visitin' with me Loren ... an' for understandin' ..."

He shrugged his shoulders embarrassedly. "Just remember everyone aint gonna see it the way I do," he cautioned. As she nodded and began to turn away, he added, "Say hey to him for me ... an' I hope he's feelin' better ... Oh ... an' Dorothy?" She paused and looked back. "That stuff you were tellin' me before ... about spendin' time with them indians up north? ... People would read about it ... if ya wrote it down ... the way ya told me ..."

She smiled gratefully, nodded, raised her parasol over her head and headed for the Gazette office, watched by a thoughtful, and perhaps even envious Loren.

************************
Sully glanced up as a twig snapped behind him and Michaela emerged from amongst the trees. She came straight to his side and then silently sat beside him on the bank of the stream. Brian immediately looked up from where he'd been entertaining Katie at the water's edge and asked anxiously, "He gonna be alright ma?"

She frowned and replied soberly, "I hope so Brian ..." When he looked to be about to ask another question she cajoled, "Perhaps you could take the children up to visit with him while I talk to Sully? Please?"

The young man eyed her first resentfully and then resignedly. "Alright ma," he replied, his tone dejected.

As he bent to take William from his father's arms, she said softly, "I promise I'll tell you everything on the way home ... alright?"

He nodded and headed for Cloud Dancing's camp, William in his arms, Katie toddling by his side.

Sully turned to Michaela and asked urgently, "Its bad ... aint it Michaela? Otherwise you wouldna sent Brian away .."

"I'm not sure how to explain it Sully," she rejoined calmly.

"Is he dyin'?"

She immediately shook her head. "No," she replied emphatically. "But I'm afraid he has something I can't cure ..."

Sully swallowed and looked aghast. "Ya can't?" he said in a strangled whisper.

"Its beyond me Sully ... but I believe *you* could help him ..."

"Me?! I aint a doctor ..."

"He doesn't need a doctor ... at least I don't believe he needs my kind of medicine ..."

"What're ya talkin' about Michaela? ... You're talkin' in riddles ..."

She took a deep breath. "While I examined him ... we talked ... I could find little wrong with him physically ... but ... well ... in my kind of medicine we'd suggest he ... he has melancholia ... I believe the Cheyenne would say he's in a dark place," she explained haltingly.

There was a long moment's silence while Sully digested her diagnosis, then he said quietly, "If that's true ... why didn' I notice?"

"Perhaps because you've been feeling the same way yourself ... not as severely though ..."

"That's cos you an' me talked it through ..." 

She nodded. "Perhaps .."

"Me an' Cloud Dancin've talked too ..."

"Remember me after Washita? How I was unable to talk things through with you? Cloud Dancing helped me then ..."

"He's a medicine man ..."

"And what does a medicine man do when he is the one who is suffering?"

Sully shrugged his shoulders. "I ... I ... dunno ... He said himself the other day ... if he hadn't bin hurt he woulda gone off ta seek the guidance of the spirits," he replied, uncertain. "This is different ... He can't go anywhere, an' there aint any other Cheyenne here ..."

"He has you ...."

Sully shook his head sadly. "Cloud Dancin' made it plain the other day ... I aint Cheyenne ..."

"You're all he has ... and I'm sure he didn't mean it the way it sounded ... He isn't himself at the moment ..."

Sully suddenly swivelled to face her, realisation dawning on his face. "No he aint," he replied. "I shoulda seen it ..." He grasped her hand. "You really think I can help him?"

"Yes," she replied simply. "He needs you Sully ... You've both told me - when something is out of balance ... you need to heal the whole person ... You could help him do that ... in the way of the Cheyenne ...."

He took a deep breath. "You think?... But I dunno if I can do it ..."

"I believe in you Sully ... Cloud Dancing needs you right now ..."

He bit his lip. "I dunno how long it'll take ... an' I'll haveta stay out here with him ...," he mused, his mind racing.

She nodded and smiled. "I know ... we'll miss you ... but I don't believe you have a choice ... I don't believe *we* have a choice ... He's a very special man Sully ... and we have to do everything we can to ensure he recovers from this ..."

He nodded and pulled her into his embrace. She wrapped her arms around him and rubbed his back comfortingly. "You can do this," she whispered against his ear. "I know you can ..."

He squeezed her harder in response.

She tenderly kissed his cheek. "The children and I will stay and have lunch with you and then we'll head back to town ... I have to speak with Dorothy ... She's not going to like being unable to come out here for a while ...," she outlined quietly.

He pulled back a little. "Tell her I'll do everythin' I can," he instructed sincerely.

She nodded. "We both know that," she rejoined. She stood. "Come ... We'll join the others ..."

He too stood and then couldn't resist drawing her into his arms. "Thank-you," he murmured. "For believin' in me ..."

"Don't ever doubt that Sully," she returned softly. She peered up into his eyes and then cupped his face, drawing his mouth down to hers. The kiss was not passionate, nor urgent, but it did reaffirm their deep, abiding love and belief in each other.

Continued ....