Sully, who was staggering through the front door with a cumbersome object draped in a white sheet, caught her chuckle and quickly asked, "What’s so funny?"

Michaela spun around, her eyes alight. "I was just recalling that when I arrived here in Colorado Springs just over seven years ago I was totally alone. I envisaged spending my first Christmas at the old homestead alone ….. until Charlotte gave me her children….." She paused, recalling that time with such mixed feelings. "And then you appeared in the midst of a blizzard ….." She swept her eyes over the stockings hanging in a line above the roaring fire. "And now look," she exclaimed wonderingly. When the family had been hanging them this afternoon Katie had insisted that there had to be a stocking for both Matthew and Kathleen, despite their protestations that they really were too old for such things; and then of course she decided that Colleen should also have a stocking, even though she didn’t live with them anymore …. and if there had to be a stocking for Colleen, there also had to be one for Andrew! Then at the last minute she’d remembered the baby! So, there were now *seven* stockings lined up, sagging under the weight of various Christmas delights.

Sully joined in her merriment and awkwardly made his way over to her as she stood lost in thought near the fireplace beside the large splendidly decorated Christmas tree. He placed down the strange shaped object he’d been carrying and asked, "Got any red ribbon left for this?"

Michaela, disturbed from her reveries of Christmas past, finally noticed the mystery ‘package’ to which Sully had referred. "What’s that?!" she exclaimed, reaching across to lift the drapery.

"It’s a surprise for the mornin’," explained Sully, grasping her hand and lifting it away from the gift. "But I will tell ya …. it aint for you ….. in case you’re inclined to peek …." He smiled slyly at her and lifted her hand to his lips. "Your present aint here yet ….. reckon I might haveta keep it hidden so’s you’re not tempted to check it out before the mornin’."

Michaela blushed and then giggled. She leaned closer to him and whispered, "You know me too well Byron Sully."

He smirked and then gave her a quick kiss. "Yeah … I reckon …. after all this time ….I oughta …." He turned to face the mantle and the stockings. "Looks real good Michaela ….. Katie’ll be excited in the mornin’ I reckon. Did ya find enough ta put in ‘em all?"

"Well that was a bit of a problem after Katie insisted on everyone having a stocking. I had to go back into town and see what Loren had left," chuckled Michaela. "Which reminds me ….. Loren said something strange while I was in the store ….. he said that Brian was waiting at the door when he opened up this morning …. He remarked on it because Brian bought a lot of similar things to my last minute purchases …. fruit, flour, salt, sugar. Why would he be buying those Sully? He didn’t bring them home."

Sully shrugged his shoulders. "I spoke to him late this afternoon when he got back …. He said he an’ Steven had a day in the woods ….. maybe they made themselves a picnic ….," he suggested, his mind working overtime.

"Well it must’ve been a very *large* picnic," replied Michaela dubiously. "You don’t think he’s up to something do you Sully? Its not like Brian to be secretive."

"I doubt it," replied Sully reassuringly, whilst making himself a silent promise to get to the bottom of the mystery after Christmas. "Maybe he’s plannin’ a Christmas surprise," he suggested with a chuckle. "You never know with Brian …. once he gets somethin’ in his head …."

"I suppose you’re right," acknowledged Michaela, her brow creased in thought. She suddenly yawned and then shook herself. "If we don’t hurry here, its going to be a *very* short night’s sleep. It must be after midnight. I have a feeling that despite her late night Katie’s going to be up very early."

"Yeah," chuckled Sully in anticipation. "Well like I said before ….. do ya have any ribbon left?"

"Yes of course, I’ll get it." Michaela scurried away towards the jumble of decorations and wrapping paper on the dining room table.

As she turned her back on him, Sully surreptitiously lowered a large, square, wrapped package from beneath the sheet and quickly tucked it away to the back of the tree, behind all the other parcels, almost out of sight.

"Will this do?" asked Michaela as she returned to his side, holding two pieces of ribbon, one red, one green.

"Perfect," he replied, taking the ribbon from her.

Michaela watched in bewilderment as he tied each end of the sheet together around the very oddly shaped present. "Aren’t you going to at least give me a hint?" she murmured.

"Nope."

"Or tell me who its for?"

"Nope."

"I bet its Katie’s …. You said you’d organised something …."

"Aint tellin’."

"Oohhh," she moaned in frustration.

"You’ll just haveta wait til mornin’ …. Now is everythin’ else done?" asked Sully, his eyes sweeping over the gaily decorated room and alighting on the jumble on the table. He walked across and began tidying it into neat piles. "We’re gonna have quite a houseful tomorra aint we …..I’m glad Dorothy an’ Cloud Dancin’ decided to stay the night and share Christmas with us."

As Michaela joined him she said softly, "Mmmm me too ….. they’re family ….. and this is a time for families to be together."

Sully reached across to grasp her hand for a moment and then they continued their tidying up.

Just after dawn Michaela was woken by a tiny, relatively gentle hand tapping her on the cheek. "Mama …… mama ….," a little voice kept repeating over and over until Michaela’s eye opened a little. Katie’s face broke into a wide smile. "Mornin’ mama," she whispered, and then quickly ran around the bed to do the same to her father.

As Sully too became aware of his tiny, excited daughter, he reached out and hauled her up onto the bed for a cuddle. "You’re up awful early," he whispered against her fair hair. "Oughta still be in bed."

Katie sat back and looked at him astonishment, then stubbornly shook her head. "Kismas …," she said excitedly in explanation. "Me git Bwian …." She wriggled out of Sully’s grasp and hit the floor running, chased by the laughter of her parents.

By seven o’clock all the Sully household was out of bed, if not fully awake, urged by an increasingly excited Katie. Brian had been dragged downstairs in his nightshirt and then was forced to restrain his delighted little sister from opening everything which lay under the tree. At last, after everyone had assembled in the living-room, Katie and Brian were permitted to take down and examine the contents of their Christmas stockings. The adults watched Katie indulgently, even Cloud Dancing having a chuckle over her antics. Soon, the stocking contents were strewn about the floor and she was happily sucking on a large piece of candy which she’d popped into her mouth when nobody was looking. She then insisted that Matthew and Kathleen also take down and investigate their stockings – under her supervision – drawing more good-natured laughter from the family. There were grizzles when her ma explained to her that there would be no more present opening until after church when Andrew, Colleen and Thomas would also be coming out to the homestead, but she finally agreed to going back up to her room to put on her best dress for church.

The heavy winter sky did little to dampen the spirits of the Sully clan as they returned to the homestead after a morning of Christmas carols, the Christmas story and best wishes from their friends. Throughout the short journey Sully had periodically peered up into the sky, expecting to see the first snowflakes of the season fall, and sure enough, just as he pulled the wagon to a halt in the yard, a few drifted down, melting almost as soon as they touched the skin.

Too young to remember last year’s few snowfalls, Katie eyed this strange, white occurrence in astonishment. "Wet!!" she exclaimed. "Ooohh …. cold."

Andrew and Colleen’s buggy, also bearing Thomas Enders, drew to a halt beside the Sullys’ in time to hear Katie’s exclamation. Colleen jumped down and lifted her bewildered sister into her arms. "Its just snow Katie …. sorta like rain …. ‘cept its …. ahh …. frozen …. like ice-cream."

Katie’s eyes lit up and she immediately raised her hand to her mouth, to suck at the wet spots. She looked at Colleen in disgust. "Not ice-cweam," she complained, squirming to be put down.

Everyone, entranced by her discovery and reaction laughed heartily. She eyed them all indignantly. "Not funny," she exclaimed, stamping her little foot on the damp ground and then running towards the porch steps. At the top of the steps she turned towards the crowd still chuckling beside the wagons. "Come on …," she demanded. "Kismas!" She turned and began to thump on the front door calling, "Cwoud Dancin’ ……. Cwoud Dancin’ ….. we’re home."

The tantalising smell of roasting turkey assailed their nostrils as they all traipsed into the warm homestead, to be greeted by a smiling Cloud Dancing who had been left in charge of the stove and roaring fires. He’d swung Katie up into his arms after opening the door to her demands and she was nestled comfortably into him, her fingers interweaved with the beads he wore around his neck.

"I think a hot drink might be in order," suggested Michaela jovially. "Everyone go and find yourselves a seat in the living room …. if you can ….."

Kathleen followed her into the kitchen. "How about you go and sit down while I fix the hot drinks," she said quietly. She glanced down at Michaela’s swollen stomach. "Its going to be a long day …. don’t want you getting too tired."

Michaela smiled at the young woman in grateful relief. "Thank-you," she said graciously. "Our early morning is already taking its toll I’m afraid …. just a little." She turned and joined the others in the living room, taking a seat in one of the wingback chairs. Sully immediately sat at her feet, leaning back against her knees, facing the fire. Dorothy was already seated in the other chair, Cloud Dancing sitting on the floor beside her.

Katie was by this time pacing up and down impatiently in front of the Christmas tree, her eyes drifting to the presents piled up beneath it. Then Matthew called softly to her and whispered something in her ear. Her face lit up and she scampered across to Colleen and Andrew, grasping their hands. She nodded towards the mantle. "Stockin’!" she said excitedly. Then pointing at each of them she explained, "One for you … an’ one for you …."

A little while later, the living room floor was no longer visible under a pile of wrapping paper, ribbons and various gifts which had been placed down carefully for later investigation. There were broad smiles all round as Katie paraded up and down in the new, blue, woollen coat her grandmother had sent her from Boston, Kathleen sat draped in the silk shawl Michaela and Sully had bought her in St Louis, Cloud Dancing unfolded a large, colourful wool blanket presented to him by the entire family, Brian carefully read the instructions for the model ship bought in St Louis, Colleen and Andrew examined the contents of a large box which bore a china dinner service, also from St Louis, and Thomas held a box of fine cotton, initialled handkerchiefs from his sister.

Sully was delving around under the tree pretending that there was nothing left and Katie and Michaela were becoming impatient. He gave them both a cheeky grin. "Alright … alright ..," he conceded. He grasped the large, oddly shaped present wrapped in a white sheet and ribbons. He pulled it forward and then nudged it toward Katie. "This one is from all of us to Kates," he announced proudly.

Katie’s eyes widened in wonder as she stood beside the object which came up to her chest in height. She tentatively reached out to the ribbons and pulled. The first bow came undone, so she moved to the next. When both ribbons were on the floor she tugged at the sheet and drew it away. There were gasps as she revealed a large, finely-crafted piebald rocking horse, complete with leather saddle and reins decorated with a feather.

"Sully!" exclaimed Michaela. "Its like the one we saw in St Louis …. only better!"

"Uh huh …," he replied, very pleased with himself.

"Horsey!" exclaimed Katie. "Up …. up…. pease …..," she demanded, realising she was unable to raise her leg quite high enough to straddle the new toy. Matthew reached across and gave her a gentle nudge and she abruptly sat up high in the saddle.

"Ya gotta rock yourself back an’ forward Kates," explained Sully, as he grasped the rocker and gently set it in motion. As she began to rock, the little girl squealed and giggled in delight, to the accompaniment of everyone else’s laughter.

Sully turned back to the tree and drew forward the parcel he’d so carefully hidden the night before. "An’ this is for Michaela …. from me ….," he said quietly, staring deep into her eyes.

Michaela blushed under his intense gaze and then reached across for the parcel which was surprisingly heavy. Sully sidled across to sit at her feet once more as she opened it. From beneath the red ribbon and brown paper emerged a large music box, its base highly polished walnut, its fittings gleaming brass. In awe, she ran her fingers experimentally over the silky finish of wood and metal.

"Crank the handle Michaela," Sully quietly instructed her.

She placed her hand at the side and turned the brass handle several times. When she let go the lilting melody of a slow waltz filled the room. Even Katie stopped her humming as she rocked back and forth and stared at the box in astonishment. The music was clear and pure and rich and seemed to soar to the homestead ceiling and resound off the walls.

"Oh Sully," whispered Michaela. "Its beautiful."

"Heard it when I was out walkin’ in St Louis …. Don’ know if its the same piece or not … but it reminded me of the first time we danced together …. Do ya remember?"

Michaela nodded and whispered, "Boston … the restaurant …. I wanted that waltz to go on forever …." The music ceased and she was suddenly aware of their surroundings and that everyone was watching them. She blushed and then smiled embarrassedly when she realised that they too were all smiling broadly, happy for the couple who meant so much to them.

In her turn Michaela reached behind herself into the gap between the cushion and the chair frame and withdrew a small, leather covered package. With a hesitant smile she held it out to Sully. "This is for you from Cloud Dancing and I."

Sully nodded his thanks and then slowly untied the leather strip which held the flaps together, to disclose his leather medicine pouch, the one he had always worn until plunging off the cliff with the soldier O’Connor some eighteen months before. He lowered his head and his hair fell forward to hide his face. Unable to see his eyes, Michaela waited with bated breath for his reaction. There appeared to be none.

Cloud Dancing stated quietly, "The spirits have told me it is time you again wore this my brother."

In response Sully’s hand clenched on the soft leather.

"I have mended the tear and added this." Cloud Dancing indicated the small indian talisman on one side. "The spirits have again blessed what it holds, it is time…. They tell me it is important that you wear it once more …."

Sully nodded, but the pouch remained clenched in his tense fist. Katie slid off her rocking horse and approached. "Pa … Katie see …. pease …," she asked, sliding onto her father’s knee. Sully’s arm went around his tiny daughter and his hand gradually relaxed. He held the pouch out to her. She took it and seemed to examine it minutely. "Oooh, pwetty," she said quietly, as she ran her fingers through the leather fringe and traced the talisman. She placed the pouch over her head, around her neck.

Michaela was tempted to reach over and take it off her but realised that Sully didn’t mind. She was baffled by his reaction to the ‘gift’. When she’d first met him, and for years after, the indian pouch and beads had seemed a part of him, as much as his long sun-bleached hair and clear blue eyes. There was obviously something going on here that she didn’t understand, something that she would discuss with him later, but for now she decided to lighten the moment. She signalled to a similarly perplexed Brian who stood and walked to the cabinet beside the fireplace. He opened the lower door and withdrew a large, square, flat package which he brought across to his father. "Pa … this is from all of us to you …," he said softly, clearly still worried by Sully’s silence.

Sully raised his eyes from the floor and gave his son a wan smile. "Thanks Brian," he said softly, taking the package. "Thanks everyone." He almost reluctantly tore off the wrapping paper and then, discovering its contents, smiled for the first time in some minutes. "Its beautiful Michaela …. everyone." He was staring down at a painting of open, unwooded, grassy plains, bordered by rugged hills and coloured by a vivid sunset which seemed to shine out of the scene and even effect the light in the room. He raised his eyes to Michaela and they once again shared a secretive smile. "Where I go when I lose my way …," he murmured ambiguously.

Michaela nodded and reached down to wrap her arm around his shoulders and lightly kiss his cheek.

Colleen and Kathleen, who had for some time been getting up and down to see to things in the kitchen, suddenly appeared behind everyone seated around the Christmas tree and the fire. Colleen announced, "Well …. if everyone would like to wash up ….. Christmas dinner is about ready."

There were instant sighs of anticipation and licking of lips as they all rose as one to move towards the laden dining room table.

Michaela stepped out onto the front porch, her woollen shawl pulled tightly around her against the bitter cold, and studied her husband as he leant against the railing, staring off into the distance. The medicine pouch which had caused such disquiet before lunch was again clenched tightly in his fist. She took a tentative step towards him. She was always unsure of where she stood when he retreated to somewhere inside himself, locking her out. "Sully …," she murmured softly. She took another step. "Sully …," she repeated.

His eyes slowly rose to meet hers and the pain reflected in them knocked the breath out of her. Tears sprang to her eyes and she took a few very deep breaths, willing them to subside. She walked to his side and clasped his hand in hers. "Tell me …," she implored gently.

Sully’s head dropped and his other hand seemed to clench impossibly harder on the leather.

Michaela was at a loss to understand. Cloud Dancing had taken her aside after lunch and once again urged her to help Sully through the darkness, but she needed to know its origin. She glanced down at his beads which she had brought out with her. "Sully …… why haven’t you worn your beads or the pouch for so long?" she asked straightforwardly. She thought he was going to ignore her but then his head came up again and his eyes focussed on something way off in the misty distance.

"I can’t Michaela …," he replied softly.

"Why?"

"I don’ deserve ‘em …. I let everyone down ……"

"No you didn’t," retorted Michaela immediately.

"I let everyone down ….. you ….. the kids ….. the indians ……. I look at this …." He held up the pouch. "An’ I remember all the ways ……How could Cloud Dancin’ bear to see me wearin’ this when I let his people down so badly …."

"Sully …. Cloud Dancing is *alive* and that’s due to you …. I wouldn’t call that letting him down …… You were one man … fighting an army of indian-fearing soldiers and a government determined to let nothing stand in the way of progress …."

"The indians trusted me an’ I let ‘em down Michaela …. not just at Palmer Creek …. in lotsa ways ….." He again held up the pouch. "This belongs around the neck of a *man* …. a man who’s proved himself …. who knows his path ….."

"Oh Sully …. if only you’d told me …. I’ve wondered about it all this time. I’d find the pouch put away and bring it out …. put it on your nightstand or hang it on the bedpost like you used to …. hoping that one day you’d put it on …. but you never did. The same with the beads ….." She held them out to him.

He took them but did not put them on, regarding them with something akin to distaste. He shivered and said wistfully, "These are what put you and the kids in such danger …. when I was stupid enough to hang ‘em around Katie’s neck ….when I was in hidin’."

"It wasn’t stupid Sully. They were a memento to your daughter at a time when you couldn’t give her much else ….Before that they were a gift from Cloud Dancing …. He wants you to always remember your kinship with the Cheyenne …. He knows that you’re a man …. that you know your path …. You heard him …. the spirits say its time for you to wear them again …. that its important …."

Sully at last turned to face her and shook his head guiltily. Then he suddenly demanded, "Do *you* think I know my path? ….. Have *you* forgiven me for all I put you through …. you an’ the kids ….."

Michaela gently removed the pouch from his hands and gazed into his eyes. "One of the things I most love about you Sully is your strength ….. that you have principles … good honest principles …. by which you live your life ….. and that you’re passing those principles on to our children. I see you with Brian and Katie and I thank God that you married me and that we have children together." She reached out and grasped his hand, pulling it forward to rest on the swell of her stomach. "You didn’t let the indians down….. nor will you ever let me or our children down …. because you will never compromise your principles …. never accede to pressure from those who exert it for power." She fingered the pouch and beads in her hand and then made a decision. She carefully straightened the leather thong on which the pouch hung and then stood on tiptoe to place it and the beads over his head. "Wear them proudly Sully," she said sincerely. "Wear them defiantly ….. and let them remind you of all you’ve done to help the indians, and all that you may well achieve in the future …."

Sully’s blue eyes filled with tears and he lifted the pouch to gaze upon it, before letting it drop back into its once familiar position against his chest. He took a few deep breaths and then drew her towards himself to hold her in a firm embrace, rocking her lovingly in his arms.

At last the house was quiet. Dorothy, Colleen, Andrew and Thomas had returned to town, Kathleen had retired to her room, Brian to his and Matthew to the barn. Although it had been a wonderful day Michaela sighed with relief, for it had also been a very long one. As she pulled her nightgown over her head the beautiful tones of her new music box filled the air. She walked towards the sound which she recognised was emanating from Katie’s room. She halted in the doorway, overwhelmed by the sight of her husband sitting in the rocking chair by the window, Katie nestled into his arms as she slowly drifted off to sleep. The most moving sight though was of Katie clutching at and playing with the beads he wore around his neck as she had been accustomed to doing since she was a very small baby.

Becoming aware of Michaela’s presence, Sully raised his eyes, which glimmered with tears, to hers and gave her a watery smile. There was a peace in his eyes which she realised had not been there for a long time. She smiled lovingly at him in return and quietly made her way back to their bedroom.

She was almost asleep by the time Sully entered the room. He bent and kissed her cheek and whispered, "Are you sleepin’?"

"Mmmm …. nearly …," she murmured, having difficulty keeping her eyes open. She heard him moving around the room, stoking the fire, hanging his beads and pouch on the bedpost, undressing, cupboard drawers opening and closing and then he slid into bed beside her. She felt his gentle hand on her waist and his warm breath against her ear.

"Was gonna let ya sleep an’ give this to ya in the mornin’," he said softly. "But after this afternoon …. I figure I should give it to ya now ….." He pressed a small, paper-wrapped object into her hand.

Michaela slowly opened her eyes and viewed this unexpected gift with amazement. "I …. I …. thought we’d shared our gifts this morning …..," she muttered in bewilderment.

"Yeah …. well …. this one is just from me to you …. sorta between us …..," replied Sully, a slightly embarrassed grin on his face.

Michaela pulled herself up a little and slowly unwrapped the gift. She gasped softly as a small, carved figure was revealed. It was an angel, only about six inches high, every detail carefully shaped, from full draped skirt to large, ornate wings. "Its beautiful Sully," she exclaimed softly. "Did you make this? …. It must’ve taken you hours …. days." She ran her fingertips over the finely sanded and polished wood.

Sully reached out and carefully turned the figure up so that she could see the base. Printed clearly on the raw wood was a simple message. "To my angel Michaela …. Love Sully."

"It snowed durin’ the night," murmured Sully, his breath ruffling her hair as it lay against his chest.

"Is there much?"

"Nah … only an inch or so ….. probably be gone by mid-mornin’," he replied, gently caressing her stomach and shoulders.

"The house is awfully quiet."

"Yeah …. everyone had a big day yesterday ….. takin’ the chance to sleep in a little an’ relax this mornin’ I expect ….. no need to be rushin’ about doin’ things ….. well not yet anyway …."

"Mmmm," murmured Michaela sleepily. "Even Katie hasn’t stirred."

"Yeah … well she had the biggest day of all I reckon."

Michaela sighed contentedly. "It was a wonderful Christmas Sully …. having all the family around us. Do you think Cloud Dancing enjoyed being with us? It must be difficult for him having no family to share special occasions with."

"I think he did ….. Maybe we can’t make up for all he’s lost, but I’m sure he appreciates it when we try ….. I’m sure Dorothy helps him like that too…."

Michaela rolled onto her back a little so that she could see his face and smiled. "Well I know *she* enjoyed it …. she told me so …. Since her family left she hasn’t had many opportunities to share in a family Christmas …. Sometimes I think we don’t realise how lucky we really are …."

"Oh … I realise it …. every day." Sully gently kissed her cheek and neck.

Michaela reached to grasp his hand and pull his arm forward securely around her once more. After a moment she continued, "Did you notice even Thomas was more amiable yesterday? He seemed a little preoccupied though."

Sully chuckled. "Maybe he was still recoverin’ from the Senator bashin’ his ear for so long at the dance Christmas Eve ….. He said somethin’ about goin’ out to the Chateau agin today …. the Senator wanted to talk to him about somethin’ …."

"Well its only a few days until he has to return to Charleston …. I dearly hope that he and Kathleen can work things out between them before he goes. Kathleen seems to have decided staying here with Matthew is important enough to risk her relationship with her brother ….. He’s the only family she has …. It would be sad if they became permanently estranged."

"Yeah well …. We’ll just haveta wait an’ see won’t we," mused Sully. He again rubbed her shoulder and then moved his hand lovingly down over the swell of her stomach. "Are ya warmer now?"

"Mmmmm ….. much ….. I could stay here like this all day." Her body suddenly jerked as the baby moved, catching her unawares. She giggled. "Think baby objected to that last suggestion ….. perhaps its laying in a funny position …."

Sully held his hand still on her stomach. "Feels likes its doin’ somersaults …. There it goes agin!" He chuckled and then assisted Michaela to roll onto her other side to face him. "Better? …. Quieter now?"

She wrapped her arm around his waist and again sighed. "Mmm … a little …… feel like I could go back to sleep …."

"Well … that’s alright …. you do that ……" He leaned across and tenderly kissed her forehead. As she snuggled in against him, Sully heard footsteps on the landing and then descending the stairs. Going by the heavy footfall it could only be Brian. He peered down at his beautiful, apparently sleeping wife. Now would be the ideal time to find out what their youngest son had been up to lately and yet he was reluctant to leave her, they so seldom had the opportunity to just lie together like this.

Michaela stirred a little. "Was that Brian?" she asked sleepily.

"Uh huh …. sounded like it …"

"I wonder if he’s going out again," she murmured.

"I was thinkin’ maybe I should find out," Sully tentatively suggested. "Would ya mind if I spent some time with him today? Do ya need me for anythin’ here?"

"You mean other than for holding me and keeping me warm?" teased Michaela with a chuckle. When Sully merely smiled indulgently and tightened his embrace, she continued, "No … you go …. Katie and I will have a lazy day at home. I’m just as curious as you about Brian ….." She grinned up at him. "You thought you had me fooled didn’t you? …. Being so casual about what Brian’s been doing."

Sully gave her a wry smile.

"Sully, please make sure he’s not in any trouble ….."

He nodded, gave her a quick kiss and reluctantly rolled away from her to stand in the bitter winter air.

Michaela lovingly observed him as he quickly donned warm underclothes before his familiar cotton shirt and buckskin pants. After pulling on his boots over warm woollen socks, he reached out and unhooked his beads and pouch from the bedpost and only hesitated a fraction of a second before placing them over his head. His eyes found her smiling ones and he reached down to ruffle her hair and then gave her a wink before quietly pulling the bedroom door open and departing. Her heart fluttered a little and she smiled to herself. How could a gentle caress and a wink from her husband stir her so? How could something as simple as seeing him come to terms with an aspect of the past make her feel so satisfied, content? She pulled his pillow towards herself and wrapped her arms around it. It still retained a little of his body heat and his scent. She sighed happily and drifted back off to sleep.

Brian had already left the homestead by the time Sully arrived downstairs. He hastily collected some of yesterday’s biscuits and an apple for breakfast before leaving, hoping to catch up with the boy in the barn.

The bitter air hit him as soon as he stepped out onto the porch. The heavy skies of yesterday and last night had disappeared and the sky was a watery blue, the air windless and icy. Just as he reached the corral gate Brian emerged from the barn leading a fully saddled Taffy by the bridle. "Hey Brian," he called, startling the boy who’d been peering up into the clear sky.

"Hey pa," replied Brian, loosely tethering Taffy to the railing so that he could check and tighten the girth.

"Goin’ out agin huh?"

"Yep …. Gotta go back to school in a few days …. Wanna make the most of it ….."

Sully leant nonchalantly against the railing. "Where ya headin’?"

Brian strained to tighten the leather and murmured, "Out into the woods ….. should be real pretty if the weather holds."

"Yeah I reckon …." Sully paused a moment and then casually suggested, "Thought maybe I’d tag along with ya ….. we don’ git much chance to spend time together these days."

Brian’s head flew up and he regarded Sully uneasily.

Sully added, "If that’s alright son …."

Brian couldn’t quite meet his pa’s eyes. "Um …. yeah ….. but I got things I wanna do …."

"Don’ wanna stop ya doin’ something you planned ….. but maybe we could do it together …. whatever it is."

By now Brian was looking decidedly torn and Sully was feeling a little guilty about it. "Look Brian …. if ya really don’t want me along …. that’s alright ….. you’re grown now ….. got a right to be alone if ya want …."

"It aint that pa ….. I like spendin’ time with you … but …. well ….. there’s somethin’ I need to do ….. an’ I’m not sure ….."

"Got somethin’ to do with them full saddlebags?" Sully chuckled good-naturedly. "You aint leavin’ home are ya?"

Brian joined in his laughter. "Course not," he chortled. He eyed the bulging saddlebags and then Sully, and suddenly seemed to make up his mind. "I don’ wanna worry you an’ ma ….. but ….. um …. maybe there’s somethin’ I oughta tell ya …."

Sully nodded, relieved that the boy was at last going to confide in him. "How ‘bout you tell me while we’re ridin’," he suggested. "Too cold to be standin’ around here much longer."

Brian nodded resignedly and waited restlessly while Sully strode towards the barn to fetch his horse.

Michaela straightened up and eyed the meat safe ruefully. Either Sully and Brian had *huge* appetites or Brian had once again helped himself to supplies without asking (the conclusion she’d finally reached about the missing medical supplies from her bag). She glanced down at Katie who’d been playing a game of running around and around her mother’s skirts for some minutes. "I do hope your father discovers what your brother’s been up to," she murmured with concern. "And that he’s not in any trouble."

At the sound of the word ‘trouble’ Katie halted and her eyes flew to her ma’s face. "Bwian naughty?" she asked anxiously.

"No sweetheart," replied Michaela with a smile, adding under her breath, "At least I hope not." As she turned back towards the sink, a movement out in the yard caught her eye. She peered out to see Kathleen and Matthew, thickly clad in warm coats, strolling hand in hand towards the big oak. She sighed, remembering hers and Sully’s courting days. Despite the fact that they were so young, there was something simple and easy about the way in which Matthew and Kathleen were going about their courting. There was also a confidence on both sides which she greatly admired, even envied, for nothing had been simple, easy or confident about her early days with Sully.

Hearing her sigh Katie tugged at her skirts, wanting to be lifted up.

Michaela bent down, took a deep breath and heaved her daughter up into her arms. She groaned a little. "I’m afraid you’re getting too big ….. we’re both getting too big …. for me to be lifting you little miss," she said softly. "At least until after the baby’s born."

Katie leaned in against her ma and gave her a big hug, perhaps picking up on the wistfulness in her tone. Then she, as Michaela had done, through the window noticed Kathleen and Matthew who were now seated beneath the oak, talking intently. She began to wave and call out, "Mattew …. Kafeen ……" When they did not hear her she called more loudly, "Mattew … Kafeen …."

"Sshhh sweetheart," urged Michaela. "Let them enjoy some time together … though it must be very cold out there …."

Katie looked at her ma perplexedly. "Jus’ talkin’," she said indignantly. "Wanna play"

"Well you’re just going to have to put up with me young lady," chuckled Michaela. She again glanced out at the young couple who were now sitting much closer, Matthew’s arm around Kathleen’s shoulders. She sighed and wandered into the living-room, Katie still in her arms. "Did I ever tell you about when your pa and I were courting and he was building this house?" she asked dreamily.

"Papa?" murmured Katie.

"Uh huh ….The first time we ever came here, just after he’d started, he talked about you. Back then there were only a few pegs in the ground ….. no floor, no walls, no roof …. but he told me where each room was going to be …. even your room …. We talked about having a beautiful baby girl." She paused to seat herself in one of the wingback chairs, Katie nestled in against her shoulder. "When he said that, well, I couldn’t believe it would ever happen …. I was so worried about being married ….. being a wife …. let alone a mother …. though I wanted you desperately ….. But your pa …. he was so gentle and loving ….and patient …. He made me feel special …. he still does." She cuddled her little girl close and lightly kissed her forehead. "We’re very lucky you know ….. your pa loves us both so very much …." She trailed off as her eyelids began to feel heavy. She forced them open to peer down at her daughter who had gone very quiet, the reason for which was simple - lulled by the gentle storytelling of her ma, she’d succumbed to her own tiredness. Michaela lovingly kissed her again and then shifted her slightly into a more comfortable position and relaxed into the depths of the chair. A few minutes sleep for her wouldn’t hurt either.

Sully stoppered the canteen, handed it to Brian and then stooped to fill the second at the icy stream deep in the woods. They’d been riding steadily for nearly two hours and Sully was beginning to wonder where this excursion was leading. For most of the time Brian had been very quiet, and at times had looked quite troubled.

As he hung the canteen over his saddle horn Brian suddenly asked into the silence, "Aint bin many soldiers round here the last few months …. most of this year really …. have there pa? Do ya think they’ll be back?"

Sully gave him a curious glance. "Dunno Brian … can never tell what the army might do …. though I reckon they probably think they’ve got rid of the indians from these parts …. Probably see no need ta come back …. at least for now ….."

"Would they be worried ‘bout Cloud Dancin’ livin’ at Palmer Creek?"

"One indian on his own …. away from his people? …. probably not ….. though Cloud Dancin’ aint a favourite with the army …"

Brian nodded and mounted Taffy to start off again, so Sully followed suit on his horse.

"How much further we goin’?" asked Sully.

"Not too far …. ‘nother few minutes is all ……," the boy murmured distractedly, then continued on his original course. "What would the army do if they found out you were mixin’ with indians agin? …. Would ya be in trouble?"

Sully shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno what they’d do …. that’s if they ever found out …. *and* if I ever *do* get involved with ‘em agin …. As I said … not too many indians left in these parts now…… an’ I aint goin’ too much further away … at least until ya ma’s had the new baby …."

"Yeah …. but if there were ….. would ya be in trouble if the army found ya with ‘em?’ Brian insisted.

"I reckon it’d depend on what we were doin’ … bit hard ta argue I’m doin’ anythin’ wrong if I’m sittin’ by a campfire sharin’ a meal …. Though probably the army wouldn’ see too kindly to me bein’ with dog soldiers agin. The ones in the most trouble would be the indians … they aint supposed to be roamin’ free ….. much as we’d like ‘em to …."

Brian nodded his head and then, as if Sully wasn’t there, quietly ruminated, "Don’ think I could go through that agin …. You bein’ in trouble an’ hidin’ out ….. ma worryin’ ‘bout ya all the time ….. sometimes cryin’ herself to sleep ….. I could hear her some nights …. when she thought I was sleepin’."

Sully’s brow creased in pain and regret. He knew what his family had endured all those months he’d been a fugitive. He and Michaela had talked about it since, though he was sure there were some things she hadn’t told him …. They’d all gone through such anguish …. in different ways …. and they’d all handled it differently. He couldn’t ever make it up to them …. except to love them and thank them in as many ways as he could …. for standing by him. "That aint ever gonna happen agin Brian," he said quietly and reassuringly. "I promise ya that …."

Brian gave him a loving, grateful smile but it was still tinged with uneasiness.

Noting this, Sully asked quietly, "Aint it time ya told me what this is all about?"

Brian nodded and then said in a low voice, "Don’ need ta tell ya now pa ….. just round that bend ya can see for yourself …. Hope ya not gonna be too upset with me ….."

Suddenly she was aware of muffled footsteps emanating from the other side of the room. Her eyes flew up to see Cloud Dancing moving slowly towards her, his arms outstretched, reaching for the indian child. Despite her friend’s gentle smile, she was reluctant to relinquish the bundle to him, now certain that there was something terribly wrong with the baby, something only she as a doctor could remedy. For the first time in their friendship she turned her back on the medicine man and moved away, all the while the baby continued howling in her arms. Again her feet felt heavy, as if they’d been weighted down or shackled, as she tried to put some distance between herself and the man advancing slowly towards her. Her heart pounded as she suddenly realised that the child was gasping for breath. She placed him down and peeled the blanket back to reveal his tiny emaciated body – swollen stomach and thin, feeble, waving limbs. Tears sprang to her eyes and she began to tenderly stroke his skin, trying to quieten him. As she gently touched his leg he recoiled and screamed, frightening her with the intensity of his reaction. Then abruptly he was quiet, his weak limbs no longer moving distressingly, his hollow chest no longer rising and falling. She took a horrified step backwards and felt Cloud Dancing’s gentle hands on her shoulders. His arms encircled her as she began to cry out, her hands cradling her swollen stomach and the much wanted child within. "No!! ….. No!!…..," she screamed, again, again, and again …..

"Michaela? Michaela?" a gentle, concerned voice repeated over and over, finally penetrating her consciousness.

She grasped at the hand resting on her arm and tried to stifle the sobbing, which was causing her breath to emerge in frantic gasps.

"Hush ….. its alright ….. you were only dreaming ….," Kathleen murmured soothingly.

Michaela peered teary-eyed at the concerned young woman and then down at Matthew’s hand clasped firmly in her own.

"Its alright ma," he said softly. "That musta bin some dream."

She nodded, not yet trusting herself to speak. She struggled to sit more upright in the wingback chair and gently rubbed her hand over the swell of her stomach. Finally, looking deep into her son’s eyes, she murmured embarrassedly, "I haven’t dreamt about the Cheyenne or Cloud Dancing for a long time …."

Recalling the tragic past and his mother’s once persistent nightmares, Matthew nodded in understanding. She continued uncertainly, "I’ve prayed so often for him and his people …..." She mentally shook herself as Katie suddenly poked her head around from behind Kathleen’s skirts, eyeing her ma timidly. Michaela reached out for the little girl who moved quickly into her mother’s arms and buried her tearful face against her neck. "Sshhh …. its alright sweetheart …. your ma just had a bad dream … that’s all .." she soothed.

Katie gradually relaxed in Michaela’s arms, then she pulled back and gently stroked her ma’s cheek before kissing it lovingly and once again wrapping her arms around her neck. "Dweam all gone mama ….," she murmured, "Bad dweam all gone…."; the child comforted the mother, as the mother had so often comforted the child…..

There were less than twenty in all, ranging in age from a babe in arms to an old woman who squatted silently by the fire, swaying slightly, watching Sully’s approach uneasily. The silence was unsettling - no voices, no footsteps other than his own, even the wind, the trees, the birds seemed to be holding their breath in anticipation.

Brian, anxiously watching Sully’s slow, steady approach towards the small band of alert indians, sprinted forward to walk close beside him. Having already gained their trust, he realised that it was important that they readily see the trust he had in his pa.

Sully was suddenly aware of Brian’s sleeve brushing his, their footsteps synchronised. He smiled, conscious of his son’s intention and proud of him for it. As they neared the fire, a tall, thin man of about Sully’s age slowly rose from his squatting position beside one of their makeshift shelters. Sully raised his hand in greeting. "Ha ho," he said quietly, gradually sweeping his eyes over all those fixed intently upon him.

The man responded in kind and then waited for Sully to make the next move, so he slowly squatted down to sit cross-legged on the cold ground, before the fire, gently pulling Brian down beside him. When the indian was also seated opposite them Sully grasped Brian’s sleeve and said, "Nae’ha ….. Brian" He then moved his open palm back to his heart and indicated, "Sully." The indian nodded solemnly in acknowledgment, held his hand over his own heart and said, "Aenoheeve’hatse". Sully nodded and then leaned across to quietly inform Brian, "They’re Cheyenne an’ his name is Flyin’ Hawk."

For the next several minutes Brian watched in fascination as his pa and Flying Hawk conversed in a mixture of hand gestures and Cheyenne. As time went on the tension in the bodies of the small band of indians seemed to ease, and gradually a number of them moved closer to listen and observe. When he was no longer worried about the indians’ acceptance of Sully’s presence, he rose and made his way across to one of the crude lean-tos. He squatted down and reached out to the take the hand of a young boy of about eleven years who was lying inert on a bed of furs. "Ha ho He’heenohkeso," he said softly.

His face etched with lines of pain, the boy’s solemn brown eyes met his and blinked silently. Brian carefully drew down the blanket with which the boy was covered and sighed when he saw the condition of He’heenohkeso’s leg. "Aint any better," he murmured under his breath. He nodded reassuringly to the boy and rose to walk back to where he’d tethered Taffy, quickly unloading his saddle-bags and carrying their contents back to the lean-to.

Brian was busily disinfecting the young boy’s leg when Sully wandered over to him. "Whatcha doin’ Brian?" he asked quietly, observing the pain on the indian boy’s face.

"His leg’s hurt real bad pa ….. I dunno how it happened cos I don’ understand anythin’ he says …. but I do know it aint gettin’ any better …," replied Brian worriedly. As he continued his gentle ministrations on the boy’s leg he informed Sully, "He’heenohkeso is the reason I found these people way up here. I was ridin’ Taffy … followin’ the stream, pretendin’ I was an explorer …. like Columbus …… an’ I came across He’heenohkeso and an older boy fishin’. They took off real fast when they saw me. I was so surprised to see ‘em I just sat there …. I didn’ chase ‘em or anythin’ ….. Then I heard him scream ….. it was awful …… I found him layin’ on the ground holdin’ his leg ….. the older boy had already gone ….. an’ left him behind …."

Picking up the tone of reproach in Brian’s voice, Sully said quietly, "The indians bin runnin’ for so long they’ll take off if they haveta …… leavin’ one behind to save all the others has become instinct."

"I know …. but he’s so little …. he didn’ have a chance …."

"Sure he did ….. you helped him …. right?"

"Yeah … well …… the other one didn’ know I was gonna do that….."

"How did ya persuade him to show ya where they were camped?" asked Sully, a little mystified.

Brian shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno …. gave him somethin’ to eat ….. tried ta fix his leg as best I could ….. put him up on my horse an’ then just waited ….. He wouldn’ do anythin’ at first but then just sorta seemed ta trust me an’ pointed up this way ….. It took a long time …. couldn’ travel too fast cos every time Taffy jolted him he cried out ….. that’s why I was so late that night when ma got upset ….. Ever since then I’ve bin wonderin’ whether I shoulda brought him home to ma rather than up here …. but it didn’ seem right to take him away from his people …. might never’ve found ‘em again."

Sully reached out and ruffled his son’s hair. "Ya did good Brian." His eyes alighted on the goods Brian had removed from his saddlebags and he smiled. "Aint too many indians dined on Christmas ham an’ turkey lately …. Wonder what ya ma’s thinkin’?"

Brian blushed. "I hope she don’ mind ….. they’re all so thin ….. an’ hungry ….. didn’ seem right us havin’ all this an’ them havin’ nothin’." He gazed around at the group and then looked up into his pa’s face. "Why are they back here Sully?….. aint many of ‘em …. an’ they’re so quiet …."

A flash of pain crossed Sully’s face. "Flyin’ Hawk told me their story," he replied softly. "I’ll tell it to ya on the way home …. It aint pretty …. but I guess its happenin’ in more places than just Colorado." He nodded towards the food. "We’ll eat with ‘em an’ then head back." He eyed the young, obviously ill boy thoughtfully. "Gotta come up with some way for ya ma to see him …. see if she can do anythin’ for his leg ….. but there’s no way we can git her all the way up here ….. Maybe we’ll stop off at Palmer Creek goin’ back an’ talk to Cloud Dancin’." He bent over to help Brian collect together the variety of food he’d brought with him, and they headed back to the main group clustered around the fire.

"Ma …. you should’ve seen her …. she stood up an’ I wasn’t hanging onto her or anything!" exclaimed Colleen. "Myra’ll be walkin’ in no time!"

Michaela smiled fondly at her eldest daughter. She and Andrew had come out to the homestead for a visit late in the afternoon and they were all now seated around a roaring fire sharing coffee and fresh cookies supplied by Colleen. "That’s wonderful Colleen," replied Michaela. "Now that she’s on her feet I’m sure Myra’s progress will be much more rapid."

"Hank was out there again today ma ….. he’s been at the Chateau every time I’ve gone out to work with Myra," said Colleen reflectively.

"Its the same when I go …. he’s always there ….every morning …. I’ve never known him to be so helpful ….. It seems to please Myra too that someone cares about her recovery that much … and so far there have been no altercations with Horace …. or none that I’m aware of …..," mused Michaela. Each time she saw Hank at the Chateau, willing to do anything he was asked, she wondered if she’d underestimated him all these years …. that perhaps his feelings for Myra went deeper than she’d given him credit for. She smiled to herself and turned back to her daughter to say gratefully, "Thank-you for offering to go out to the Chateau this morning …. I needed to take things slowly today."

"You look a little pale ma …. are you feelin’ alright?" asked Colleen with concern.

"I’m fine Colleen …. the activity of the last few days has just caught up with me that’s all," she replied reassuringly. "Not that I’d have changed it for the world …. Christmas was very enjoyable this year don’t you think? ….."

While Michaela recalled various incidents of the day before Colleen was aware of a concerned exchange of glances between Matthew and Kathleen and so she observed her ma’s wan face carefully. She seemed uneasy rather than tired, as if something had upset her. She was suddenly distracted from her observations when Katie grasped her hand and tugged her towards the stairs.

"Horsey …..!" the little girl exclaimed. "Ride horsey …"

Colleen chuckled. The mention of Christmas had obviously reminded Katie of her new piebald rocking horse sitting forlornly up in her room. Colleen glanced back and was reassured to see her ma and Andrew conversing. She followed her little sister up the stairs.

Sully and Brian rode into the yard as Colleen and Andrew were saying their goodbyes at the front door. They quickly dismounted, tethered their horses to the hitching post and bounded up the steps.

"Hey ma …. Andrew, Colleen," said Brian exuberantly. "Watcha bin doin’?"

"Just visitin’," replied Colleen with a smile. "More to the point …. what’ve you an’ Sully bin doin’? Ma said you’ve been gone since early this mornin’."

Brian glanced uneasily at his pa and then said quietly, "Rode up into the foothills …. it was cold … but real pretty."

Michaela waited for him to elucidate but he abruptly turned and headed back to the horses. "Better rub ‘em down before the night air gets to ‘em," he called, and led the horses towards the barn.

Sully leant against the kitchen table waiting for the kettle on the hob to boil and observed Michaela seated before the fire in a wingback chair. She’d been very quiet all evening, almost uneasy. There was a book on the table beside her but she hadn’t even bothered to pick it up – her eyes remained fixed on the leaping flames, but it was obvious her thoughts lay elsewhere.

A few minutes later Sully approached the fire, two steaming cups of tea in his hands. He held one out to Michaela but had to draw her attention to it before she noticed. She took it gratefully, wrapping her hands around the warm cup and returned her gaze to the blazing fire. Sully sat himself in the other chair and asked with concern, "You alright Michaela? Ya seem worried ‘bout somethin’."

Her eyes flew to his as if he’d startled her and then she shook her head slowly, "No …. I’m fine …. I guess Christmas took a little more out of me than I thought." She paused and then added, "It was nice that Colleen and Andrew came out to visit this afternoon."

"Yeah … it was …"

"I talked to Andrew about the clinic …."

"Ya did?"

"Uh huh …. as of next Monday I’m going to work only three mornings a week …. all of them out at the Chateau …. and Andrew will work full time at the clinic."

"Is that what’s upset ya?" asked Sully quietly. "Ya don’ haveta give up work if its gonna make ya unhappy ….. I just didn’ want ya to git so tired ….. like ya did with Katie."

"No …. its alright Sully …. you were right …. I need to slow down these next few weeks …. but I want to continue working with Myra, and if I’m already out there three mornings a week it won’t be as taxing …" She gave him a wry smile. "Of course I won’t be able to stop myself dropping into the clinic when I’m in town to reassure myself that everything is going as it should."

Sully chuckled, but then sobered and said quietly, "Well somethin’s upset ya today …. An’ if it aint the clinic … what is it? …."

Michaela reddened a little and hesitated before saying softly, "Its silly …. I just ….. just ….." She took a deep breath and then said quietly, "Its nothing …. really ….." She looked across at Sully and as he opened his mouth to probe a little further she quickly changed the subject. "Now tell me what you and Brian were doing today ….. you were both remarkably reticent about it over supper …. He’s not in any trouble is he? I noticed that he’d yet again helped himself to various supplies without asking."

Sully watched her with mixed feelings. Whatever had happened had unsettled her to the point where she’d not even asked before this about their whereabouts today. As she waited expectantly, he weighed up whether to question her further and then thought better of it. Instead he said quietly, "There’s indians back in the woods ….. Cheyenne …." Her reaction was definitely not what he’d expected. She visibly paled and the cup she held in her hand tilted alarmingly. "Michaela?" he asked with concern. "You alright?"

She ignored his question and asked one of her own. "Dog soldiers?"

"No."

"Who then? And why are they here? How many? Are they close to town?"

Puzzled by her barrage of questions, Sully quietly told their story as it had been told to him by Flying Hawk. "Ya know how winter set in real early this year …. mid October I reckon it was …?" When she nodded, he continued, "Well up north it set in so bad and so early that almost overnight the game disappeared …. the ground froze …. the streams too ….. The Cheyenne hadn’t had a chance to ready ‘emselves for the winter an’ so pretty soon they knew that if they didn’ make a move they’d starve before the winter was half over …. Some of ‘em decided to stay …. try to make do as best they could, but about eighty headed south …. whole families …. babies to old folks ….." He paused and took a deep breath before continuing, "Near Rawlins they came up against a small detachment of soldiers …. Didn’ have time to take cover …. lot of ‘em were gunned down …. Didn’ matter that a lot of ‘em were women n’ kids. A few got away and retreated back up north …. Some kept headin’ south ….. about twenty …. That’s all that made it down here…. Their leader’s a fella called Flyin’ Hawk….."

As he trailed off there was silence in the room except for the crackling of the fire. Then Michaela asked quietly, "Where are they?"

"They’ve set up a makeshift camp beyond Palmer Creek ….. good five miles further into the woods I reckon ….. miles from anywhere …. There’s no way anyone’ll find ‘em."

"Brian did …," murmured Michaela.

"Yeah well …. that was pure chance …. An’ if one of the kids out fishin’ hadn’t hurt his leg Brian probably wouldn’t’ve found the rest of ‘em."

"One of them’s hurt?"

"Yeah … two of ‘em actually ….. One of the men had a gunshot wound in his shoulder ….went clean through…. doesn’ seem too bad." Sully smiled wryly. "Brian made sure it was real clean and kept covered."

"My missing medical supplies?"

"Uh huh. The other one …. the boy …. he’s real bad though …. Its his leg ….. reminds me of when I broke mine an’ ya put the fracture box on it …. Only of course it aint bin set properly….. and maybe infection’s settin’ in …. Brian’s real worried about him …. Ya know how he gits involved with people …. cares about ‘em …. specially kids …."

Michaela nodded and then turned away from him, slumping down into the chair. Sully was baffled by her reaction to the news. "Was wonderin’ how I could git the boy down here …. close enough for you to look at his leg ……"

Michaela maintained her silence, her eyes fixed on the Cheyenne amulet hanging on the mantlepiece.

"Cloud Dancin’ suggested we persuade ‘em to bring him down as far as Palmer Creek …. You could make it that far couldn’ ya …. in the wagon ….. if I took ya? …"

"I suppose so …," she replied in a low tone, then asked suddenly, "Why didn’t Brian tell us about them when he first came across them …. Why the subterfuge?"

Sully eyed her with apprehension. "He had some notion that if I didn’ know anythin’ about ‘em …. I couldn’ git into trouble if the law found ‘em," he replied calmly. "Reckoned they weren’t gonna do anythin’ to a kid for aiding fugitives …. I told him there was no way I could git into that sorta trouble agin so long as they didn’ start raidin’ homesteads an’ such like the dog soldiers did ……"

Michaela murmured woodenly, "How do you know they won’t Sully? They’re hungry ….. hunger can make even the most law abiding disregard the rules when it means the difference between life or death …."

Startled by her out of character comment, Sully asked, a touch of ire in his tone, "Michaela …. are you upset the Cheyenne are back? They were our friends ….. my family …. You always did all you could for ‘em …. You supported me when I tried to help ‘em …"

She at last looked him fully in the eye. "You want the truth Sully?" He nodded and so she continued, "To be frank I don’t know how I feel …. I love the Cheyenne … I respect them as a people and I’ll fight to the death for them to be treated fairly …. you know that ….. But after the last few years ….." She trailed off and her eyes filled with tears. "I couldn’t bear to go through some of those times again Sully …. " She tenderly ran her hand over the swell of her stomach. "Especially not at the moment."

"So whatdya want me to do? …. Forget they’re out there? …. That they might need help? …. That one of ‘em needs medical attention …." His voice suddenly rose in outrage. "I can’t do that Michaela! Just as you couldn’ ignore a patient that needed your help!"

"I’m sorry Sully …. I’m trying to be honest …. and at the moment that’s how I feel ….. Of course I’ll see the injured boy …. but I have very mixed feelings about you being involved with them again …. or Brian for that matter ….. there’s too much at stake …."

Sully abruptly stood and began to pace agitatedly up and down in front of the fire. He stated ominously, "What’s at stake is the survival of my family Michaela ….. I aint gonna ignore them …. I can’t …. an’ ya can’t ask me to ….."

Michaela’s breath caught and she argued quietly, "We’re your family too Sully…. What if your passion for helping these people leads to someone getting hurt again …. What if I …. we …… lose you again …" Tears were now pouring down her cheeks and she was having difficulty stifling the sobbing.

"I told ya … that *aint* gonna happen ….." Seeing her tears, he sighed frustratedly and then suddenly made for the door.

Her head flew up and she watched in panic as he donned his coat and angrily pulled the door open. "Where are you going? Its late … you’ll freeze ….," she cried.