Chapter 1

Young Freddy McFarlane exited the rear door of the recently arrived train and stood on the top step surveying the small western town to which he'd spent the last three, dull days travelling. Tall, slim, twenty-one years old and college educated, there was an air about him which tended to attract attention. Of course, his expensive clothes worn casually - the tie not quite straight, his hat at a rakish angle - combined with his dark brown, wavy hair a little longer than was fashionable amongst his set, and striking green eyes, also turned heads, although the majority of that reaction came from the female half of the population.

As the smoke and steam cleared, he observed a relatively modern train station bathed in early April sunshine. It stood at the end of what appeared to be one of the main streets of Colorado Springs. His brow creased and he frowned. He had mixed feelings about this assignment. 'You must experience all aspects of the business, from the ground up' his father had told him imperiously, 'even the workings of one of our smaller offices.' And so here he was. On one hand, he'd almost been looking forward to the new experiences this six to eight months work would bring, and after the last six months spent cooped up in the dusty confines of the accounts department, he considered anything to be an improvement. However, the remoteness and primitiveness of this location, so far from his family and friends and the conveniences of his home town of St Louis, combined with his role yet again as a subordinate, had him feeling uneasy. Not that Freddy was inclined to attach much importance to his family's wealth or position. It was just that he was in a hurry, much as any other twenty-one year old. The gaining of his college degree was supposed to have been a forerunner to a position of responsibility in the family company, and yet here he was on his third assignment as an underling, learning the business from his father's employees. He sighed. Well, he'd make the best of it. He just hoped that the town and folk of Colorado Springs would provide some distractions from what was bound to be an unstimulating job.

He jumped down to the ground and then went in search of his travel bags which, along with those of his fellow passengers, had already been unloaded from the baggage car. He grasped one in each hand and then straightened his shoulders. Time to make a start on this new phase in his life. Spying the man he surmised was to be his new 'boss', he confidently stepped forward.

Horace had spied the young man on the train's steps and wondered if he might be his new assistant. He couldn't believe that after months of writing and wiring the main office, someone had finally heeded his calls for support. The Colorado Springs telegraph office business had grown so much during the past few years, it was now past being adequately handled by one man, well one man who had to sleep at night that is. He shook his head wryly. Although relieved to at last be getting some help, he had mixed feelings about an assistant, especially one he'd never met and who came all the way from St Louis. He couldn't understand why he hadn't been allowed to employ someone from here in town or even Denver.

During all these years, the only person who'd ever worked with him day by day in the office had been his wife Myra, and she'd done that just so they could spend more time together. She'd never been paid for anything she did. That's why she'd eventually taken the job with Preston in the bank. He frowned. That was a long time ago and Myra had moved on in her life. Not like him. He seemed to have stood still. He still did exactly what he'd been doing for nigh on ten years now, although the volume of work had increased alarmingly. He was as alone as he'd been when he first established the office here and he had a feeling the only way he'd ever leave was when they carried him out in a casket. He chuckled wryly to himself. He was getting maudlin again. That didn't happen so much any more. He'd kind of accepted his lot in life now. Myra and Samantha were back in Colorado Springs - at least for the present - and life went on around him. He straightened his shoulders and smiled as the young man approached.

Freddy surreptitiously eyed the tall, gawky telegraph operator up and down and then gave him a friendly smile. He held out his hand. "Mr Bing?" he asked. "Horace Bing?"

Horace nodded nervously and rubbed his sweaty hands on his trousers before taking Freddy's proffered hand. "Uh huh ....," he replied. "You'd be Frederick? Frederick McFarlane?"

"That's me," proclaimed the young man, his smile broadening. "Cept I'd appreciate it if you'd call me Freddy .... I've only ever been called Frederick when I was in trouble." He chuckled and added, "I'm not saying that's happened a lot .... I'd just be more comfortable if you'd call me Freddy."

Appreciating the young man's good humour and honesty, Horace smiled and then nodded. "And you'll call me Horace ..." He reached for one of Freddy's bags. "I organised a room for ya at the guesthouse. Its small but Mrs Bailey'll look after ya ... Guess you'd be pretty tired after the long trip?"

Freddy smiled ruefully. "You're right about it being *long*," he remarked. I've never been further west than Kansas City and while the mountains and plains are ... ah ... interesting ... they all start to look the same after a while ..." He squinted up at the sunlit mountain in the distance. "That's Pike's Peak isn't it? I was reading about it before I left home. Wanted to make sure I knew something about this town before I arrived."

"That's Pike's Peak alright," affirmed Horace. "You oughta go ridin' up there sometime while ya here .... The scenery's real pretty ...."

Freddy nodded. "I'll keep that in mind ..... though I doubt my riding skills could handle such a trip as yet ..."

"They will be after a while round here," advised Horace. "Only way ta get around ... unless ya can afford a horse an' buggy ..." They reached the door to the telegraph office and Horace turned to face the younger man. "I gotta sort the mail that's just arrived .... an' the window's gotta be open til five. Do you wanna wait here? .... Or I can direct ya to the guesthouse ... or Grace's Caf� if you're hungry?..."

Freddy turned to look out over the town from the station platform. "I think I might ...," he began, only to be arrested by the sight of the prettiest girl he'd ever seen approaching quickly from the street, her stride purposeful, her curly, auburn hair bouncing on her shoulders. She was tiny, slender and had sparkling eyes which reflected the friendly smile she now directed at Horace.

"Afternoon Horace," Colleen Cook greeted him affably. "Any mail for us today? We're expecting some medical supplies from Chicago ..."

Freddy couldn't take his eyes off her. She was standing only a few feet from him and he could have sworn he could smell her scent - sweet flowers and sunshine. He longed to reach out and touch her.

Horace was regarding her apologetically. "I aint sorted this afternoon's mail yet Colleen," he rejoined. "But there were a coupla things this mornin'." He began to methodically sort through the pile of mail.

'Colleen'. He should have known she'd have a pretty name like that. An Irish colleen - the soft pale skin, the rich red of her hair, the musical lilt to her voice ... Freddy felt positively poetic. He sighed.

Colleen turned while she waited for Horace and caught the stranger's eyes fixed on her. She smiled at him, but felt uncomfortable when he merely continued to stare. She quickly returned her attention to the telegraph operator, took the small pile of letters he held out to her, thanked him and headed back into town. Some twenty yards on she couldn't resist looking back and was startled to discover the handsome young man still watching her. She didn't know whether to be flattered or frightened. She blushed and hurriedly continued on her way.

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"Hush sweetheart .... its alright," crooned Michaela as she lifted a crying William from his cradle and held him securely against herself. "Its alright," she repeated softly against his ear. "Are you hungry? .... Or did you have a bad dream hmm?" she whispered lovingly, rocking him gently, before placing him in the soft leather sling she wore over her shoulder. When his crying did not abate she wandered into the living-room and across to the wingback chair before the fire.

"Weeyum hungwy agin mama?" asked Katie with a rueful shake of her head. She was seated before the fire playing with her father's latest gift - a set of building blocks of various shapes and colours. She was currently trying to reproduce the homestead but was having a little difficulty in putting the roof on without the whole building collapsing.

Michaela smiled. "Yes sweetheart .... it looks like it," agreed Michaela, seating herself in the chair and undoing the buttons down the front of her light blue blouse. She eased eight week old William up a little and then placed him to her breast. The crying abruptly ceased to be replaced by contented sighs and soft humming in the back of his throat. She gently stroked his head, marvelling at the change to the once thick shock of black hair with which he'd been born. His hair was much thinner now, finer, and seemed to have lightened in colour already. He was still definitely a brunette, compared to Katie's honey-blond colouring, but she could now see why mother had suggested he looked a little like Rebecca. She smiled and dipped her head to kiss his forehead lovingly. She felt so blessed. Yes, there were days when she felt so tired she thought she's drop off to sleep and not wake for a week, and yes, there were times when she had to be careful that she provided equal attention to her not quite three year old daughter, or there was hell to pay. But overall, she felt truly blessed. To be holding, nurturing, the son she'd once believed she and Sully would never have was fulfilling in itself, but add to that the love and help showered upon her, them, by their loving family and friends, and she thought her heart might burst with joy. Michaela glanced up at the clock. Kathleen would probably be back in a couple of hours. Time enough then to prepare supper. She once more turned her attention to her tiny son.

Katie clambered up and wandered over to where her ma and William sat. She watched them for a couple of minutes and then, losing interest, went back to her toys on the floor. At first Michaela had been a little embarrassed feeding William in front of her. She was so inquisitive, wanting to know the whys and wherefores of everything to do with her new baby brother. Michaela vividly remembered the first time Katie had watched her brother nurse. Her eyes had widened and then she'd ever so gently reached across to stroke the taut, soft skin of her ma's swollen breast. She hadn't said anything but had leaned in against Michaela and continued to watch him feed. It had been Sully to whom she'd directed her questions - what was ma doing? Is that how she'd been fed when she was a baby? Why wasn't she fed like that now? How did mama make milk like that? Sully had been so patient and loving with their curious little girl.

At the thought of Sully, Michaela's heart fluttered. One more day and he'd be home. She couldn't believe how much she'd missed him. It had been a joint decision that he should take Welland Smith's job offer, but she hadn't really wanted him to go and couldn't wait for his return. It wasn't his help with the children she missed, after all there were three young adults in the house always willing to assist in any way they could. It was *him* she missed - his gentleness, his loving ways, his support and most of all (if she was honest with herself) his loving, protective arms encircling her. They hadn't 'been together' since a month or so before William was born and she was eagerly anticipating his homecoming. She had a couple of surprises planned.

She gently lifted William and changed him to her other breast, kissing him on both rosy cheeks as she did so. As he settled down to nursing once more, she leaned back into the comfortable chair and closed her eyes, her thoughts centred on her dear husband.

Katie looked up from her toys to observe her mother apparently sleeping in the large chair. Again she stood and wandered across to observe that William had also fallen asleep. He did a lot of that - eating and sleeping! She'd begun to think that was all he'd *ever* do. She stood, hands on hips, wondering whether she should wake her ma. Her pa didn't like it when she did that, but she was tired of playing all by herself. She frowned as she contemplated her options. Perhaps there was something nice to eat in the kitchen. A cookie appealed. She tiptoed around her ma's legs and headed across the room. She only got as far as the front door as a thought struck her. She could go for a walk! Her pa had taken her down to the stream just the other day. It wasn't very far. She tiptoed across to the door and peered up at the brass handle. If she stood on the very tips of her toes ....

Wolf looked up from his customary position on the homestead porch to see Katie emerge and quietly pull the door shut behind her. She started carefully down the steps and then turned to beckon him. "Here Woof," she called, slapping her thigh as she'd seen her brothers and sister do when they wanted Wolf to follow them. He stood, stretched lazily and then followed dutifully after the tiny little girl as she strode determinedly down the road and away from the homestead.

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Sully slowed his horse to a loping walk and turned his face up to the sun just beginning its descent in the almost cloudless sky. At last there was a little warmth in the air after the bitterly cold winter. The breeze was still a little too cool to be called comfortable and the rough ground underfoot was still inclined to be damp from the overnight mist. He took a deep breath and then bent forward to give his fatigued horse a grateful slap on the neck. He'd been riding a little faster than he should, but when he'd had the opportunity to leave Rawlins a little early and head home he'd jumped at the chance. Throughout the past five days, while he was supposed to have been working, he'd found his mind wandering, constant thoughts of Michaela and the children superseding everything else.

He'd been reluctant to accept Welland Smith's offer of work so soon after the birth of the new baby however, with Michaela not currently working at the clinic, they needed the money. She'd assured him that they'd all be alright while he was gone, but he'd known from the lack of sparkle in her eyes that she was more concerned than she was letting on. He'd finally left the preceding Monday but was a little angry with himself as he hadn't been able to apply himself to the tasks at hand with the required concentration.

He nudged his horse in the ribs and they picked up the pace again. If he kept up a steady rate he could be home by late afternoon, a full day earlier than expected. Again his thoughts turned to his beautiful wife. During the past six weeks he'd observed a contrary Michaela, one of whom he was uncertain. One day she was revelling in being at the homestead with Katie and William, enjoying their antics and having nothing else to consume her thoughts, the next she was restless and anxious to return to the clinic and tend to her patients. He recalled how unsure of herself she'd been when Katie was tiny, and he smiled, however the smile quickly turned to a frown. He felt guilty leaving her alone with the children. Of course Kathleen and the boys would probably be insulted if he actually gave voice to that thought. They were particularly protective of Michaela at the moment, so much so that he knew she sometimes longed for some solitude, some time to become accustomed to being the new mother of two small children. Of course Brian had to attend school and Matthew had begun work on his new homestead. Again Sully felt a little guilty. He'd promised to help Matthew and then been called away. He'd try to make up for it as soon as he knew Michaela and the little ones were doing alright.

At the thought of soon seeing his wife and two tiny children again he unconsciously urged his horse into a gallop. He didn't want to miss a day of William's development and of course Katie, in her new role as older sister, was a delight to watch and spend time with.

At last the homestead came into view and he smiled with relief when he noticed the thin streams of smoke coming from the two chimneys, indicating there was someone at home. Realising that the children may be sleeping, he stilled his horse, slid from the saddle and walked it into the yard. He tied it to the corral railing and strode purposefully toward the ornate front door. Inside everything was as he'd imagined it, orderly (except for the collection of toys before the fireplace) and homely. The aroma of brewing coffee tantalised his nostrils and he walked into the kitchen to investigate, but then paused. The homestead was so quiet - no sounds of children's laughter or cries, no footsteps or conversation. He quickly mounted the stairs, assuming the children and Michaela were napping, but all the bedrooms were empty. Perhaps they'd gone for a walk. He recalled that when Katie was tiny they'd often put her in the carriage and gone walking. She seemed to settle to sleep much more quickly with the movement.

He descended the stairs again and immediately spied Michaela asleep in the wingback chair, William nestled in her arms. He smiled. He'd never tire of seeing his wife and children in repose. He walked quietly across the room and knelt at Michaela's feet. Her blouse was still undone after feeding the baby, but she'd pulled the edges together so that her white camisole just peeked through the narrow gap. She looked so defenceless and beautiful. He lowered his eyes to his baby son and reached out to lightly run the back of his finger down his chubby cheek. His skin was soft and pale, but he had a contented, healthy glow about him causing his pa to want to burst with pride. Sully peered up into Michaela's face. There were faint dark circles under her eyes, but she looked relaxed and there was a hint of a smile on her face. He silently knelt up and lovingly kissed her.

Michaela moaned softly as her dreams of Sully became more sensual, real. She leant forward a little and he kissed her again and she sighed softly in delight. As he tenderly cupped her cheek she opened her eyes, feeling slightly disoriented. When her dream did not dissipate, she smiled with the realisation and said softly, sleepily, "You're home ..... early ..."

He nodded. "Uh huh .... bin ridin' all day .... wanted ta git home to my family." He leant in and kissed her again, so lovingly she sighed once more.

"I'm glad," she whispered. "I missed you ..."

"I missed you too .... kept thinkin' about ya ...," he replied, his voice low and slightly husky.

"Did everything go alright?"

"Uh huh .... but my heart weren' in it .... wanted ta be here .... "

She smiled and clasped his hand in her own. "I'm glad you're here now." She leaned forward and placed a light kiss on his lips.

He gently traced her face with his fingertips. "Awful quiet," he said softly. "Where're the others?"

"Brian was going out to Palmer Creek after school, Matthew's working at his homestead and Kathleen went into town to look after Michael for Grace," replied Michaela, unable to take her eyes off his face.

"An' Katie?" he asked. "She with Kathleen too."

"No, she's here," responded Michaela immediately. She glanced across to the jumble of toys before the fireplace and her brow creased. "She was playing over there," she commented. "With those new blocks you made her."

Sully chuckled. "She's probably gone upstairs for somethin'," he said, and then frowned. "But I was just up there .... didn' see her."

Michaela looked around the quiet living-room. "Perhaps she's curled up under the stairs asleep ... she's done it before ..."

Sully clambered up from the floor and went across to investigate. He quickly reappeared from behind the central chimney. "She aint there Michaela .... She aint anywhere," he said quickly, beginning to sound a little anxious.

Chapter 2

"New load of lumber arrived from Denver today," remarked Matthew proudly to Kathleen who was sitting beside him in the wagon. "When Sully gits back we'll git a lot more done ... much easier when there's two workin' together ..."

"Don't push yourself too hard Matthew .... It doesn't matter if everything's not finished by summer ... we can finish it together," said Kathleen lovingly.

"I want everythin' ta be real nice for you .... that's all," rejoined Matthew, letting one hand go of the reins and taking her hand in his. "Sometimes summer seems such a long time away ... an' then I think of everythin' that has to be done .... an' it seems too close.

Kathleen lowered her eyes to their clasped hands. "I can't wait Matthew ....," she said softly, shyly. "I meant it about the house .... It doesn't matter if there's still work to do ... as long as there are walls and a roof we can make do ...."

"But you're used to a big fancy house ... an' servants ... wouldn' be right if you had to haul water from the stream or cook over an open fire." He raised her hand to his lips. "The homestead'll be finished ... if I haveta work nights to make sure ..."

Kathleen chuckled and protested impishly, "But then I wouldn't see you ..."

Again he kissed her hand. "There'll be plenty of time to make up for that after we're married," he said with a grin.

"Married! I still can't believe it," exclaimed Kathleen excitedly. "Little did Thomas know when he brought me out here what was going to come of it ..."

"Reckon your big brother wished he never set foot in Colorado Springs," humphed Matthew.

"Oh ... I don't know about that .... He loves the job with Senator Dinston .... He's doing much more enjoyable and challenging things here than he'd ever have done back east," rejoined Kathleen. "And we're nearby each other .... Truthfully that was the only misgiving I had about staying on here ... he's the only family I have and living so very far from him was going to be difficult."

Matthew nodded and then said with a smile, "You've got a much bigger family now - with me an' Dr Mike, Sully, Brian, Colleen an' Andrew, the kids ...."

She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Mmm .... and I love them all." She peered up at him. "But one in particular."

"An' who might that someone be," he teased.

"Oh ... a certain young man who's building me a new homestead ... with his own hands," she said softly.

"An' Sully's ... an' Brian's .... an' Robert E's," he added truthfully.

She chuckled. "It doesn't matter," she grinned. "I love him anyway."

Matthew flicked the reins and they picked up some pace as they neared home. The sun was very close to sinking behind the mountains and there was a yellowish tinge to the fading light. There was little wind, so even though it was a cool spring day, there was no need for gloves and scarves. The Sully homestead came into view, nestled into the hillside and Kathleen sighed. "It won't be too long and we'll be riding up to our own home," she said longingly.

"Uh huh," agreed Matthew. His eyes narrowed as he spied something in the homestead yard. "Looks like Sully's back," he remarked. "Reckon that's his horse tied to the railing."

Kathleen smiled. "Michaela will be pleased ... she's been missing him," she said delightedly.

As they pulled into the yard, Michaela, with William in her arms, appeared on the porch step. "Matthew! Kathleen!" she called anxiously. As soon as the wagon halted, she rushed down the steps and up to them. "Katie's missing," she said, very close to tears. "We've searched everywhere .... Sully's out looking for her. We thought she was in the house, but when we couldn't find her we came outside .... Sully realised Wolf's missing too .... He's probably with her ...."

Matthew jumped down to the ground and wrapped a comforting arm around Michaela's shoulders. "If Wolf's with her she'll be alright ma," he said reassuringly. "Which way did Sully head?"

She pointed to the north. "He thought she might be heading towards the thicket where he's taken her a couple of time to see the doe ...." Her eyes suddenly brimmed with tears. "I don't know what I'd do if something happened to her."

Kathleen hastened to Michaela's side and reached for the snoozing baby. "Here ... give William to me .... I don't know the area well enough .... but you do ... why don't you and Matthew join Sully in the search and I'll stay here ..."

Matthew frowned. "Maybe I oughta head into town .... git some others ta help ...," he mused worriedly.

Kathleen suddenly straightened and said sternly to a distraught Michaela, "How long do you think she's been missing?"

"Perhaps an hour or so before Sully arrived home .... I fell asleep," Michaela admitted guiltily.

"Well then," said Kathleen confidently. "How far can a toddler get in just an hour? Matthew ... go saddle your horse and then Flash for Michaela .... You'll find Katie ... just keep calling her name ..."

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Sully's heart was in his mouth. He'd been trying to track Katie, but she was so light and tiny she barely made any mark in the ground, except in those places where the overhanging trees ensured the ground had stayed dry and dusty. He was having better luck with Wolf's paw prints. He just prayed that the animal had stayed with the toddler and kept her out of any danger. He'd been surprised that their tracks were not leading him towards the thicket. He'd felt sure that's where she'd go. Instead, they were heading north east, downwards towards the stream. Then he remembered and swallowed. One afternoon, only a week or so ago, when Michaela and William had both slept during a sunny afternoon, he'd hoisted Katie onto his shoulders and taken her down to the stream. She'd been fascinated by the shallow, but fast flowing water sparkling over the smooth stones and the frogs jumping from rock to rock. He'd had to hold her back then, but there was no-one to hold her back now, to keep her from slipping into the water and perhaps hitting her head. He again yelled as loudly as he could, "Katie!! Wolf!!" Could a toddler remember how to find her way to the stream? He'd obviously underestimated her and her abilities. So it seemed had Michaela. She'd been positive that no door at the homestead had been left ajar, so how had Katie got out?

Again he called, "Katie .... Wolf!" and this time was almost certain he heard an answering bark further upstream. He quickened his pace. He'd chosen to go after Katie on foot, knowing that tracking her was going to be difficult, but now he wished he was on horseback. If she was to fall ... or be hurt .... be washed downstream ... he'd never forgive himself. He broke into a run, thrusting aside the overhanging branches and trampling the undergrowth beneath his booted feet. Suddenly he became conscious of horses' hooves pounding behind him and he turned in time to see Michaela appear on Flash some thirty yards back and up from his path along the bank of the stream. "Michaela!" he called anxiously. "Down here!" As she veered her horse to the right and downwards he called to her again. "Leave Flash there .... undergrowth's too thick down here ..." Anxious to continue on he couldn't stop himself adding, "An' hurry ..."

Michaela slid from Flash's back and began to scramble down the slope to where she could see Sully's tousled hair shining in the setting sun. Her heart was pounding and as she neared she called urgently, "Did you find her?"

Sully shook his head and began to move off again away from her. "Heard Wolf ... bit further on," he panted. "Come on," he added impatiently. Deciding that Michaela would follow him, he once again broke into a run and then called loudly, "Katie! Wolf!" Again an answering bark, this time considerably louder, was all he needed to urge him on. He was only dimly aware of Michaela doggedly following further and further behind, his thoughts were centred solely on his tiny daughter and her welfare.

Scratched and out of breath, Sully finally emerged into a small clearing and looked frantically around for his daughter. A sharp bark from Wolf and a wail from Katie brought his head up and he frowned. Much to his dismay both were seated on the other side of the stream - Wolf up close to the little girl who was very wet and crying uncontrollably. Sully immediately plunged into the freezing water to cross, the level barely reaching mid calf. He splashed out the other side and sank to his knees beside Katie. "Honey?" he said urgently, reaching out to her.

She looked up into his eyes as if only just realising he was there. "Papa!" she wailed, tears coursing down her cheeks.

He pulled her into his arms. "Its alright Kates," he said softly, rocking her gently. "Its alright ...." He pulled back a little. "You hurt?" Adding to his anxiety, she didn't reply, but her wails became louder and she grasped her soaked dress in her hands, flapping it agitatedly against her muddy legs. "Kates?" he murmured anxiously. She continued to wail.

Michaela suddenly appeared in the clearing on the opposite bank, brought up short by the sight of her daughter in Sully's arms and her distraught crying. As Sully had done before her, she waded straight into the water, almost slipping on the smooth stones, but making it across safely, though very wet. She too sank to the ground and reached out to Katie. "Sweetheart," she said softly.

Katie turned tear-filled eyes on her ma. "Mama," she wailed, again flapping the wet dress.

"Shhh .... shhh ... its alright," soothed Michaela reaching for her bedraggled daughter. To her consternation, Katie refused to budge from her pa's lap, and the tears increased. "Sweetheart?" whispered Michaela with concern.

Katie had begun to hiccup with her cries and Sully dabbed at her reddened eyes with his shirt sleeve. He looked across into Michaela's face for the first time. "Reckon she's just wet," he said with a frown. "Don' seem ta be hurt ..." Katie abruptly twisted around to bury her head against her pa's shoulder. "Better head home I guess .... get her outta these wet clothes ...," he suggested.

The little girl's wails grew louder and she turned resentful eyes on her pa, then her ma and then lastly Wolf. Almost as if on cue, the animal abruptly stood and shook himself vigorously, sending a fine spray of mist from his wet fur over the threesome. Again Katie wailed and frowned at the large dog. "Bad Woof!" she admonished. "Bad Woof!"

"Katie?" queried Sully, puzzled.

The toddler's crying abated a little and she reiterated vehemently, "Bad Woof papa!"

Michaela too, listened to her tiny daughter's declaration in puzzlement. "Why is he bad sweetheart?" she asked gently.

Tears again welled in the little girl's eyes and then she pulled up her dress and angrily displayed a large tear in the floral material near the hem. "Dwess bwoke mama .... Woof did ....," she explained tearfully. "Bad Woof ..."

Michaela bit her lip in consternation. "Wolf did this?" she asked.

Katie gave an exaggerated nod. "He pulled," she said angrily. "Dwess bwoke ..."

While Michaela remained puzzled, Sully suddenly lifted his eyes to the heavens in realisation. He abruptly set the toddler on her feet and turned her to face him. "Why did Wolf pull you Kates?" he asked, gently but firmly. Her crying abruptly ceased and she shrugged her shoulders, lowering her eyes to the ground. He rested his thumb under her chin and raised her eyes to meet his. He asked again, "Why was Wolf pulling you?" In a parody of her mother, Katie bit her lip and had difficulty meeting Sully's eyes. He tried a different tack. "Where were you when he pulled you?"

Her jaw clenched and she gave him a rueful look. "In the water," she answered sullenly, so softly he could barely hear. "I swipped ..."

"Uh huh," he rejoined. "So Wolf was takin' care o' you .... weren't he? Pulled ya outta the water ... where ya weren't supposed ta be"

Her eyes brimmed with tears. "I sowwy papa," she whimpered. "I swipped ...."

Sully abruptly stood and hoisted her into his arms. "But ya weren't supposed ta be out here at all .... right?"

She nodded contritely and then said defiantly, "Mama seepin' .... an' Weeyam ..."

Michaela gulped and turned away guiltily.

Sully admonished, "That don' mean ya can go off walkin' on ya own Kates ... What if somethin' had happened to ya?" He set her on her feet. "Reckon ya better say thank-you to Wolf for takin' care o' you ... alright?"

"But my dwess papa?" protested the little girl with spirit.

"Don' matter about the dress .... Mama can mend it ..... He was makin' sure you were safe .... Aint that right?"

Katie reluctantly nodded and as Wolf nudged her side with his wet nose, she wrapped her little arms around his furry neck. "I sowwy I mad at ya," she said softly against his ear. She looked back up at her pa. "We go home now?" she asked hopefully.