Chapter 19

Sully threw back the covers on the bed, and crawled in to lay on his back on Michaela's side. He bunched her pillow under his head. The missing her was bad enough when he was away for Welland Smith, but he was discovering it was worse when it was *she* who was away, and he who lay up here alone. He'd put Katie to bed a while back and Brian had gone to his room early, still trying to overcome his exhaustion suffered during the return journey north. There hadn't seemed much point to staying up after that. So he'd come up here, and changed for bed, for some unfathomable reason donning an unfamiliar nightshirt in the process. Now he lay staring up at the ceiling trying to imagine what she was doing right at this moment. It was comparatively early, so she might still be at supper in some fancy Denver hotel dining-room with Kathleen and Colleen. What a picture that would make - three beautiful women, outshining everyone else in the room. He sighed. He avoided big cities as often as he could, but he wouldn't mind being there if it meant sharing the experience with her.

He rolled onto his side. He'd intended reading, but somehow it didn't appeal now. Why did he have this restless feeling? They'd been apart before. He rolled onto his back again and determinedly picked up his book from the night-stand, only to rest it unopened on his chest and cross his hands behind his head. Perhaps it was the quiet that worried him. After all, he was used to Michaela being there beside him and William either in her arms or laying in the cradle at the foot of the bed. The room seemed kind of empty without them. He smiled ruefully. He felt like some lovesick youngster. He picked up his book and opened it, only to stare blankly at the page of small print. He couldn't concentrate. He snapped the book shut and dropped it with a thud back on the night-stand. He may as well be laying in the dark as wasting lamp oil by staring into space. He rolled over to extinguish the lamp, tilting it slightly, only to be stopped by a tentative knock on the bedroom door and a plaintive, "Papa?"

Sully immediately rolled out of bed and pulled the door open. His tiny daughter was standing barefoot on the threshold peering up at him. He squatted down beside her. "Kates?" he asked gently.

Her lip trembled. "I want mama ...," she murmured soulfully.

He instantly stood and then swept her up into his arms. "Its alright honey," he whispered against her ear. "I miss her too ... but she'll be back tomorra .."

Katie's arms encircled his neck and she rested her head on his shoulder. "Why she go papa?" she asked sadly.

He perched himself on the edge of the bed and sat her on his knee. "They're plannin' Matthew an' Kathleen's weddin' ..."

She looked up at him, her eyes swimming. "I help ...," she muttered hopefully.

"When they git back ya can help Kates," he offered, his eyes narrowing when he observed her shiver. "Here ... git in under the blankets ... you're cold ...," he instructed, throwing the covers back.

The little one crawled in and lay on her back, her head on her ma's pillow. "Weeyum with 'em," she muttered resentfully.

"Yeah ... he is ... but ya ma's gotta feed him ... he can't eat the kinda things you can," explained Sully.

"Ya take me ta mama?" she implored softly.

He shook his head. "We just gotta be patient honey," he advised. "Won't be long an' she'll be back ..."

Katie's eyes welled again. "Kafeen with mama ... an' Cowween ...." She eyed him defiantly. "Katie too!" she demanded.

Again he shook his head. "Ya gotta stay with papa," he explained. "Don' want all my girls in Denver ..."

The little girl's lip again trembled. "I want mama," she murmured, her voice so low he could barely hear it.

He quickly circled the bed and climbed in under the covers beside her. "I miss her too," he reiterated. "Maybe if ya stay here ya can keep me company huh?" He gently brushed her honey-blond hair back from her face and leant over to kiss her cheek.

She nodded and gave him a weak smile. "Tell me story papa," she implored softly. "Pease ..."

"What kinda story?"

"'Bout mama?" she suggested. Her face suddenly brightened. "'Bout mama an' papa ...," she clarified.

Sully smiled and rested back against his pillow. "Let's see," he mused. She turned onto her side to face him, waiting expectantly. He began, "Ya ma an' me used ta go out to the Cheyenne reservation ta visit Cloud Dancin' an' his wife Snow Bird ........"

**********************
Michaela lay back down in the large bed after settling William again, her mind spinning. From outside came the occasional hoot of a man who'd had a skin full, or the rumble of a buggy or a wagon, or even on the breeze the faint hint of music from one of the saloons down the street. In her silent room, the combined light of the moon and the street lamps streamed in through the lace curtains, creating strange, sometimes dancing shadows on the walls and across the bed.

She swallowed and fought back the tears which threatened to well up and roll down her face. The day had started out with such promise, and she and the girls had had a lovely afternoon visiting the best haberdasheries and dressmakers in Denver. Then, in a very short space of time her happiness had been dispelled, and her doubts and insecurities revived. The fact was, she'd discovered why there was no rose from Adrian this morning. Her jaw clenched in angry frustration.

It had been late in the afternoon. Kathleen had almost decided on a particular dressmaker - a Mrs Arthurson - for her wedding gown, and the three of them had congregated on the sidewalk outside the woman's shop to discuss the matter. In their hands they held various fabric swatches and design sketches. There was considerable giggling and ribbing along with serious discussion of the positives and negatives of having Mrs Arthurson make the gown. They'd been bent over the designs, their heads together, when they were unexpectedly hailed from behind. Each had spun around to discover Adrian standing regarding them indulgently. He'd greeted them effusively, explaining that he'd arrived in Denver the day before to select new napery for the Chateau, and then, much to her chagrin, insisting that he take them all to supper that evening.

Michaela sighed in exasperation. If past form was anything to go by, Adrian had *not* been in Denver just to select napery. It had been a pretext, as had so many other excuses he'd offered her all those years ago in Philadelphia. He'd known she and the two girls were going to Denver, word travelled fast in a small town. He could be so convincing though, and Colleen and Kathleen had obviously been flattered by his attention. Subsequently, there had been no way to refuse his invitation without evoking questions she'd rather not answer.

She turned onto her side and bunched the pillow under her head, then shuddered involuntarily. If only he knew that his unwanted attention made her skin crawl. For weeks she'd been hoping, praying, that it wasn't going to happen all over again, but today's events had proved that in all likelihood it was.

Michaela recalled her last four months at medical college as a nightmare. While the other women in her course had been excitedly looking forward to graduation and then beginning medical practice, she'd been counting the days to the time when she could return home to Boston, David and her family. It seemed that every time she turned around, he was there, despite knowing she had a beau back home. She'd finish her studies for the day and he'd be waiting for her on the sidewalk to accompany her back to the boarding house. She'd go for a walk in the park on a Sunday afternoon and he'd turn up, strolling nonchalantly alongside her. He contrived to attend the same soirees as she, the same at homes. She became tired of his 'I was just passing this way' excuses. She'd tried everything to dissuade him, every tactic available to a proper, educated, young woman, but he'd paid her efforts no mind. She had a feeling Miriam was aware that her brother's attention was not appreciated, but if she'd ever said anything to him, Michaela was unaware. Over the years she'd tried to convince herself she'd exaggerated the situation in her mind, the mind of a na�ve young woman, but now she knew that was not the case. The feelings were the same this time - helplessness, anger, frustration. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to banish the memories of her final meetings, or rather mishaps, even confrontations, with Adrian shortly before her graduation. They upset her still, the betrayal.

She took a deep consoling breath. She sincerely hoped the girls hadn't noticed Adrian's obvious ploys this evening. She'd be mortified if they thought she had in any way invited them. She wasn't a na�ve young woman any more and she'd been determined to beat him at his own game, and yet he'd won every time. She'd sat herself between the two girls, only to have him cordially ask Colleen if he could take her seat so that he could discuss some matters about the Chateau medical clinic with her mother. Of course Colleen had willingly obliged, taking his request at face value. Consequently, there had been the surreptitious brushing of knees under the table, no matter how many times she tried to edge away, or the seemingly concerned touching of her arm during conversation, all the while accompanied by his smooth manner and wide, convincing smile. Again she shuddered, then reached out to stroke the smooth white sheet beside her. She needed Sully so much right now! Her eyes again welled with tears.

She all at once *did* feel like a na�ve young woman, the same young woman who'd felt so alone in the big city of Philadelphia. She knew there was no reason to feel that way this time. She had Sully, their children, dear friends, and yet she felt so alone it seemed her heart was gradually constricting, making it difficult to breath.

She took a deep, slow breath. Tomorrow she would return home, back to the familiar surrounds of Colorado Springs, back to her family. Tomorrow, she would feel safe again. In Sully's arms Adrian couldn't hurt her.

********************
"Kathleen? You still awake?" whispered Colleen into the darkness.

"Uh huh," came a muffled reply, followed by a rustling of the bed-clothes as the young woman turned over to face the direction from whence her friend's voice came. When there was only silence in response, Kathleen prompted, "Something troubling you Colleen?"

"No ... not really ... I was just wondering .."

"Wondering?"

Colleen too turned onto her side, facing Kathleen in the darkness of their hotel room. "What do you think of Adrian Tilson?" she asked unexpectedly.

"He seems polite enough ... it was nice of him to take us to supper ..."

"Yeah ... it was ... but I aint sure it was us he was takin' ..."

Kathleen lifted her head. "What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled.

Colleen pulled her bedclothes up to her chin and mused, "I'm talkin' about ma ... I was watchin' her ... I don' reckon she likes him much ..."

"He seems to like her."

"Yeah ... he does ... maybe too much," remarked Colleen worriedly.

Kathleen sat up and wrapped her arms around her bent knees. "Too much?" she asked with concern.

Colleen also sat up. "When ma first found out he was in town, she acted real strange ... like she was worried ... then she wouldn' talk about him any more ... She told me she knew him years ago when she was at medical college ... I got a feelin' somethin' happened ..."

"You mean they were courting?"

Colleen chuckled wryly. "That's exactly what I asked ma ... an' she nearly bit my head off ... They sure weren't courtin' ... no ... I reckon there was somethin' else."

"Something else?"

There was silence for a moment and then Colleen asked, "Did you notice how ma kept edging away from him during supper?"

"I noticed how she seemed to be sitting closer to me as the night went on .."

"It was my fault ... remember she sat between us ... but I let Mr Tilson have my seat .."

"You weren't to know there was anything going on ..."

Colleen rested her chin on her knees and mused, "When ma first came ta Colorado Springs she was real prim an' proper ... she wouldn' even let Sully sit as close to her as Mr Tilson did tonight ... an' I don' know what she'd've done if he'd touched her ... She's changed some ... but I could see she didn't feel comfortable with him sitting close beside her like that ..."

"Mr Tilson didn't touch her ... did he?" asked Kathleen with concern.

"Not real obviously," replied Colleen. "But did ya notice how he'd brush her arm, or get up real close to her when he was talking ... an' ma would back away ..." She abruptly flopped back against her pillows. "Ma didn' like it when she heard he was in town ... an' I'm startin' to understand why ..."

Kathleen also lay down. "Well I don't," she remarked. "If she doesn't like his attention ... she should tell him so ..."

"That aint like ma," replied an astute Colleen. "She likes ta think the best of everyone ... an' she'd never do anythin' impolite ... I bet she's thinkin' that when we get home ... an' she's back with pa ... everythin'll be alright ..."

"And won't it?"

Colleen sighed. "I hope so ... but I'm gonna talk to Andrew ... I wonder if pa knows anything more about it ..."

"Surely Michaela would tell him if something was worrying her ..."

"Maybe ... maybe not," rejoined Colleen, yawning. She turned onto her side and said sleepily, "I'm gonna keep my eyes open from now on ... if he is worryin' her I'm gonna find out .."

Kathleen humphed in agreement and both girls drifted off to sleep after their busy day.

******************
Michaela settled herself into a seat by the window, William in her lap, while Colleen stowed much of the baby's paraphernalia away in the luggage rack at the front of the carriage. The train engine was beginning to rumble and wisps of white smoke could be seen puffing into the sky above the Denver train station. Although they had not crossed paths with Adrian this morning, Michaela was glad to be heading home. His appearance last evening, and subsequent attention at supper, had unnerved her. What should have been a pleasant sojourn with the two girls had been spoiled, at least for her.

Kathleen, seated one row ahead, turned back and asked with a smile, "Everything alright? Got everything?"

Michaela returned the smile. "I hope so ... though I'd never have managed on my own with the baby." she replied. "You and Colleen have been so thoughtful ..."

"Its been a pleasure Michaela," the young woman rejoined. "Hasn't it Colleen?" she asked as her friend walked down the aisle towards them.

"Hasn't what?" asked Colleen, removing her cape and preparing to sit beside Kathleen.

"We've had a good time here in Denver ... haven't we," commented Kathleen. "Your mother was worried about us having to look after William and his things."

Colleen smiled broadly. "Its been great ma for us ta spend some time together like this ... an' lookin' after William is fun ... especially when we can give him back to you when he cries ....," she replied with a chuckle. She handed Kathleen her cape and began to edge into the seat, when a movement further up the aisle caught her attention.

Adrian Tilson was making his way down the aisle towards them, relieved and delighted to see that the seat beside Michaela was empty. He smiled to himself. He couldn't have planned it better if he'd tried. He halted at the seat, smiled a greeting, and then lifted his carpetbag up into the metal baggage rack above their heads. It was then that he felt someone brush past him and the next minute Colleen Cook was sidling into the seat by her mother, exclaiming over some sketches in her hand. He cursed to himself. The young doctor's wife had ruined his day. He contemplated trying the same excuse he'd used last night and then thought better of it. It was wiser to be more circumspect. He gritted his teeth and dropped into the seat beside Kathleen Enders. Sometimes plans were successful, sometimes they were not. He'd have many more opportunities, of that he was certain. He gave the young woman a quick smile and flicked open the newspaper he'd bought at the station kiosk.

Michaela inwardly sighed with relief when her daughter unexpectedly sat herself in the seat beside her. It was done in such a way that she momentarily wondered if Colleen's action had been a deliberate ploy to keep Adrian at bay. If that was the case she silently blessed her daughter's astuteness. If it wasn't, she thanked God for her luck. She happily linked arms with Colleen as they excitedly talked of the impending wedding, all the while looking forward to arriving home to her family.

Chapter 20

Michaela tucked the blanket more securely around her baby boy lying asleep in his cradle and then drew the curtains a little against the late afternoon sun blazing in through the bedroom window. She gazed down on him, sleeping so peacefully, unaffected by anything going on around him. As long as he was fed, dry and warm, he was content. How life changed as a person grew older. She sighed softly.

A pair of large, loving hands silently and tenderly settled on her waist from behind and then slid forward to embrace her and she nestled back against Sully's muscled chest. She'd been fighting the need to fall into his arms since the train drew into the Colorado Springs train station a little over an hour ago, and now she was at last where she so desperately wanted, needed, to be. She took a deep breath and turned in his embrace to gaze longingly up into his loving, clear blue eyes. Giving way to her need, she reached to grasp his nape and draw his head down so that she could claim his lips with hers.

Surprised by Michaela's unexpected action at first, Sully quickly succumbed to her desire, the kiss deepening abruptly and urgently, an exhilarating interplay of lips and tongues. After some moments he made to pull back a little, but she urged him to continue the ardent kiss which was rapidly leading to something he wasn't sure he could stop. His heart beating at twice its normal speed, he finally managed to gain some control, straightening up and gazing down into her flushed face and smouldering eyes. "Michaela?" he asked with wonder.

She lowered her eyes embarrassedly and murmured, "I missed you ..."

He placed his hand under her chin and gently raised her eyes to meet his. "It was only one night," he teased lovingly, running his thumb over her full, reddened lips.

"I know," she replied softly. She moved in close to press up against him. "But that doesn't meant I can't miss you," she murmured, her voice muffled by his shirt which she was endeavouring to loosen from his buckskins so she could touch his bare skin.

"No ... I guess it don' ...," he rejoined, caressing her back through her travelling gown, his voice catching. He swallowed deeply as she continued to stir his senses. "Now I have a confession ta make too ...," he murmured breathily. She peered up into his eyes. "I missed you too," he admitted in a low tone. "Had trouble settlin' ta anythin'..." He bent to kiss her again.

"I felt the same way ..," she admitted finally, revelling in the feel of his skin under her hands and the warmth of his body against hers.

He lovingly rubbed her back and shoulders and kissed her temples. His body was afire, yet, although he longed to be swept away by her, he knew the time was inappropriate to take their loving any further. "Matthew, Brian an' Katie are fixin' supper," he explained in a low tone, unable to fully desist from caressing her womanly curves.

"Mmm," she acknowledged somewhat absent-mindedly, her hands also working an irresistible magic.

He grasped them and brought them to his mouth to kiss. "They'll be expectin' us downstairs," he tried again.

"Who will?" she muttered with a frown, turning his hand to rest her cheek on it.

"The kids," he explained again. "They're fixin' supper ..."

"They are?"

"Uh huh .... Katie too ..."

At the mention of their daughter's name she smiled. "She is? And the boys are letting her?"

"Uh huh ... I dunno what's she's doin' ... but she thinks she's helpin' ..."

Michaela giggled. "I can just imagine." She sighed. "Its so good to be home ... and this is from someone who used to love to travel and see new things ..." She peered up into his eyes. "It'd be different if you were with me though ..."

"We'll have ta see what we can do about that ...," replied Sully. "I was layin' in bed last night wonderin' what you were doin' an' thinkin' I'd kinda like ta be there with ya ... Did ya have a good time?" he asked with a smile, brushing back a wisp of hair from her cheek.

"Mmm ... for the most part," she replied, lowering her eyes.

"Did William cause ya trouble?" asked Sully with concern. "The girls helped ya with him didn' they?"

"The girls were wonderful," she replied softly.

Again he tilted her head up. "But?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "We had a lovely time organising Kathleen and Matthew's wedding," she replied evasively.

"But?" he prompted again.

She swallowed and took a deep breath.

"Michaela?" queried Sully with concern.

"Its nothing," she finally replied. Attempting to change the subject, she asked with a smile, "And how was Katie while I was away?"

"She missed ya," replied Sully instantly. "Tell me what's got ya so restless ... please ...," he implored.

Again she swallowed and then finally declared in a small voice, "Adrian Tilson was in Denver too ..."

"He was?" asked Sully warily, still confused by his wife's uncharacteristic attitude towards the man.

"Mmm ... met up with us in the street and then insisted on taking us all to supper last evening ...," she explained.

His eyes narrowed as he keenly watched Michaela's face while she spoke. "You didn' like that much huh?" he asked, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

She shook her head, looking a little shame-faced. "I ... I ... I'm not sure it was an accident ... that he was there ...," she disclosed, her voice so low he could barely hear her.

He frowned. "What do ya mean by that?" he asked. When she remained silent, he advised, "Wish you'd tell me about this fella ... cos I know there's somethin' ya aint sayin'."

She looked up into his eyes, her brow furrowed. "It was so long ago Sully ... and he's Miriam's brother ... please I'd rather not say ...."

He pulled her in close against his chest. "I dunno what I'd do if anythin' ever happened to ya Michaela," he said softly, fervently. "I promise that if ya ever wanna tell me ... I'll listen ... an' I won't do anythin' unless ya want me to ..."

Michaela bit her lip and opened her mouth to speak, but then thought better of it. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his chest. At last she said softly, "It doesn't matter Sully ... *this* is what matters ... this ... you and me ... our family ... its *all* that matters ..." She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him tenderly.

Before the kiss had time to escalate as it had earlier, Sully pulled back. "Supper's probably ready," he said quietly, reluctantly. "We better go ..."

Michaela, for just a moment, looked a little regretful, but then she smiled. "Of course," she said. "They'll be wondering where we are ... and what we're doing ..." She clasped her husband's hand. "Come on ... I'm feeling a little hungry." Her sultry look told him that perhaps her hunger was for more than just food.

He returned her smile, striving to conceal the twinge of concern he felt, and led her out of their room to sup with their family.

********************
"Mama ... mama ...," called Katie excitedly, as she tore across the church meadow as fast as her little legs would carry her. In her hands were a few wilting wildflowers, but to her they were the most elaborate bouquet. Michaela watched and grimaced as the little one stumbled and fell to her knees and then righted herself again and carried on as if nothing had happened. Finally she arrived, thrust the flowers at her mother and then collapsed into her lap, panting with the exertion.

Michaela laughed and embraced her lovingly. "They're beautiful sweetheart," she acknowledged, kissing her daughter's cheek. She looked up to see Kathleen following much more sedately behind, smiling indulgently.

"We went right over to the stream Michaela," she explained. "Didn't we Katie?" she added.

The little girl nodded and then peered up at her mother. "I'm hungry," she declared, before reaching across to delve into the picnic basket.

Michaela quickly whisked the basket back our of her tiny daughter's reach. "I'm not surprised you're hungry sweetie ... that was a long walk ... and I promise as soon as papa arrives back from the clinic we'll begin ... alright ...," she cajoled.

The little girl looked a little dubious for a moment but then was distracted when Colleen, seated beside her mother, reached out for her. She excitedly tumbled into her big sister's arms and began a garbled discussion of her new dress as compared to Colleen's. Around them many of the town's families were settling down on their own blankets to enjoy the church picnic on this bright, spring Sunday. Michaela's heart almost burst with love and pride to see her family seated around her as they were - Colleen and Andrew, Matthew and Kathleen, Brian and the children. Her smile broadened when she spied Sully striding across from the direction of the clinic, an extra blanket in his arms. She swallowed deeply when her mind turned to their passionate and prolonged loving the evening before, when they'd at last been able to return to their room. He'd joked that perhaps she should go away more often, but both recognised the fact that their desire for each other grew each day, whether they were together or not.

He arrived and quickly spread the blanket next to Michaela before taking a wide awake William from Brian's arms and gently placing him on it. He settled himself next to his wife and laid his hand protectively on his tiny son's stomach. He then gazed around at the gathering. "Lotta people decided ta stay today," he commented.

"Mmm ... must be this glorious spring weather," she surmised. She watched as Grace and Robert E and their six month old son Michael settled themselves close by. Michael was to the stage of being very active, rolling himself over and over or awkwardly pulling himself up onto his knees and sometimes causing some concern for his parents when he managed to do something of which they'd not thought him capable. Michaela smiled. They'd soon learn never to underestimate their child's wherewithal. She reached out to lovingly rub her youngest daughter's leg as she played with Colleen.

Only a few minutes later the whole Sully clan was enjoying their picnic. With contributions from Michaela, Kathleen and of course the redoubtable cook, Colleen, their were sighs of pleasure and contentment all round. "Mmm ... that egg and bacon pie was wonderful Colleen," remarked Michaela, wiping her mouth with her napkin.

"Sure was," sighed Sully with a smile. He reached over to wipe Katie's sticky mouth as she devoured the last morsel of pie.

Colleen smiled delightedly. "I brought cake for afters," she offered. "Chocolate," she added, well aware of the way to her pa's heart, or perhaps more correctly, his stomach. The answering gleam in his eye was all the response she needed. She reached into her picnic basket and lifted out a plate of cake, sliced and covered with a cloth which she removed with a flourish.

Meanwhile, Michaela was watching the approach of two familiar figures. "Horace ... Freddy," she acknowledged their greeting, as both doffed their hats to her. "Are you joining the picnic?" she asked, noting that their hands were empty.

"Uh huh Dr Mike," responded Horace with his usual eagerness. "The Matthews family invited us ta join 'em." He indicated the group some way over.

Michaela smiled. "Good," she said. "And Freddy ... how's that hand?"

The handsome young man stepped forward and stooped down to show his previously wounded hand to his physician. "Nearly all healed Dr Mike," he advised with satisfaction. He clenched and unclenched his fist. "No pain or anything," he added. His eyes fell on Colleen. "Thanks to you and your beautiful daughter, I'm feeling very well now ..."

Colleen blushed and dropped her eyes to the picnic blanket. Michaela smiled ruefully. "I'm glad to hear it," she rejoined. She nodded towards the pair's intended destination. "I believe the Matthews are waiting for you."

Freddy straightened and reluctantly dragged his eyes away from the blushing younger woman. "Ah .. we better go then ... hadn't we Horace," he muttered. He bowed slightly. "Dr Mike, Colleen ... everyone ..." He clamped his hat on his head and took off across the meadow, Horace trailing in his wake.

Michaela glanced across at her daughter with some misgiving when she noted her eyes following the two men. However, she was not the only one to notice where Colleen's attention was directed. Andrew frowned and then abruptly stood. Always polite, he bowed slightly to Michaela and announced, "I'm afraid that's the end of the visiting for me ... I have some letters to write ... I'll see you at home Colleen ... no need to hurry on my account ..." He picked up his hat from the picnic blanket, dusted off the brim with his sleeve and then tamped it on his head. "Good afternoon everyone," he said and then turned on his heel to stride purposefully towards the clinic.

Colleen's gaze abruptly flew from the Matthews party to her husband rapidly disappearing into the distance. Her brow creased and her jaw clenched.

Michaela reached out to lay her hand over her daughter's. "Do you think you should perhaps go after him," she suggested in a low tone.

Colleen turned angry eyes on her. "He knows there's nothin' between Freddy an' me ma ... he's just bein' silly ... I'm not going over there to sit on my own while he writes letters ..."

"Are you sure he knows you don't have feelings for Freddy?" counselled her mother.

"Of course he knows ... he's my husband for goodness sake ... Freddy is a friend ..."

"Mmm," responded Michaela, her eyebrows raised.

"Why is it a woman can't have a man friend without everyone thinkin' the worst ma ... its not fair," declared Colleen heatedly.

"As long as you know yourself Colleen ... and your husband is certain of your feelings for him ... there's no reason why Freddy can't be your friend ...," advised Michaela. "But Andrew may see it differently."

"But I don't see why he should," argued Colleen.

Michaela glanced across at Sully, who had been listening to the conversation, but remained silent. She appeared to consider something for a moment, then took a deep breath and turned back to her daughter. "Do you remember when Daniel first came to town?" she asked. Colleen nodded, and so she continued, "Because he was Sully's friend I was determined to make him mine also ... however ... along the way ... feelings got a little confused ... and the worst thing for me was that Sully misunderstood how I felt about Daniel. ... I never once thought of him as more than a friend ... but Sully couldn't see that ... and Daniel's actions didn't make it any better ..."

"Are you saying it's the same for me an' Andrew ... with Freddy ...?" asked Colleen with a frown.

"Let's just say that Freddy has difficulty hiding the fact that he's smitten with you ... You want him to be your friend ... and like a true gentleman he's trying to abide by that .... however Andrew perhaps sees the whole situation from a different angle," explained Michaela carefully.

Colleen regarded her ruefully. "If he really loves me he should trust me ma ...," she feebly protested.

Sully leant across and added quietly, "Men don' always think about thin's the same way as women."

Her shoulders slumped. "So you think I should go home and speak with him?" she asked of her parents.

"That's up to you sweetheart," advised Michaela. "Just don't take Andrew for granted." She inwardly winced when she noticed Colleen's tense reaction to her last statement. "Not that I'm saying you do ..," she added hastily.

There was a long silence while Colleen digested her parents' wisdom, but all were inwardly relieved when delighted squeals from Katie dispelled the tension. Having tired of sitting sedately with her family while they finished their meal, she'd persuaded Matthew and Kathleen to play with her. They were currently swinging her high off the ground between them while she continually begged then to go higher. While just a moment ago there had been serious faces and conversation, there were now wide smiles and laughter.

*****************
Michaela exited the clinic, baby William sleeping soundly in her arms and headed back towards the picnic in the meadow. Thankfully he'd nursed quickly today as if the fresh air had made him as hungry as the others, and then he'd fallen asleep without a fuss. She could already notice so many differences in him in the few short months he'd been alive. He was now much more aware of what was going on around him and seemed to be awake longer each day, and sometimes at night between feeds. She lifted him and gently kissed his forehead as she walked.

Across the meadow she could see that the young people were engaged in a lively game of baseball. Amidst calls and cheers, Brian was currently darting from base to base in his efforts to reach home plate. She chuckled as a ball was rocketed into the catcher by Matthew and Brian was declared out, much to his disgust. She quickened her step in her efforts to return to her family.

At that moment she spied Dorothy rise from the blanket beside Sully and hurry across the meadow towards her. She'd wondered where her friend had been today, though also spying Cloud Dancing with the family made it fairly obvious. She smiled a greeting as Dorothy approached. "I was thinking about you today ... and where you might be ...," she teased, as soon as the redhead was within hearing distance.

Dorothy immediately blushed, but continued on, reaching Michaela as she stepped onto the wooden bridge over the stream. She halted and then glanced back to the picnic. "I think you can work out where I've bin Michaela," she said with a smile.

"Mmm ... I think I can," replied Michaela, taking a step forward.

Dorothy reached out and clasped her friend's arm gently. "Michaela," she said quietly. "Sully told me you were feedin' William ...I was hopin' we could talk some ... before joinin' the others .."

Michaela immediately stopped and replied, "Of course ... if that's what you'd like ..." She leant back against the bridge railing. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Well ....," began Dorothy hesitantly. "Actually ... I .. I ... was wonderin' whether Brian mentioned why we were late gettin' back from the trip north ..."

Michaela shook her head. "No ... he said nothing about it," she rejoined. "I just assumed that the journey took longer than you expected ..."

Dorothy lowered her eyes to the wooden boards of the bridge, though there was a smile teasing her lips and a gleam in her eye. "It didn' take us longer 'an we expected Michaela," she began to explain. "But there was somethin' up north that kept us a coupla extra days ..."

*****************
"Every time I see the little one she has grown," mused Cloud Dancing as he and Sully watched Katie tear around after the older children as they played baseball.

"Its like that," replied Sully, his eyes fixed on his youngest daughter. "Seems no time since she was tiny an' helpless .. now look at her ..."

"Time passes quickly my friend ... especially if one's life is happy," rejoined the medicine man.

Sully nodded. "There's a lotta things I regret in my life," he admitted solemnly. "But marrying Michaela an' havin' the kids aint one of 'em ... I never knew I could feel this full ..."

"I too know this feeling," agreed Cloud Dancing.

Something in the man's tone made Sully swing around to face him. "You got somethin' ya wanna tell me Cloud Dancin'," he asked bluntly, a speculative look in his eye.

The medicine man smiled. "You know me too well my brother."

"Well ... out with it man," urged Sully with good-natured impatience.

Cloud Dancing nodded and then began, "You know that Dorothy and I have become very close during the past two years?"

"Uh huh."

"When she rode out to meet the soldiers ... to stop them finding our camp ... I was very worried ..."

"That's understandable ..."

"More worried than I expected ...," clarified Cloud Dancing. "I realised then ..."

"Realised?" asked Sully with an expectant smile.

"Realised that she had come to mean much to me ... that if something had happened to her I would have been lost ...," he explained.

"So what're ya gonna do about it Cloud Dancin'?" asked Sully.

The medicine man's eyes were fixed on Dorothy as she conversed with Michaela on the bridge. "We have taken the first step," he advised his friend quietly.

"The first step?"

"She is ts�v�stoemo," he explained, swallowing deeply.

"Ts�v�stoem�tse!" exclaimed Sully with both surprise and delight.

Cloud Dancing nodded. "I am he�h�me," he explained further. He turned to look into his friend's blue eyes. "But that is not enough when we come from two different worlds .... Dorothy wishes to do this the right way ... and we want you to be a part of it ... you and Michaela ..."