Hank nodded sheepishly. "Thanks Michaela …. feel kinda stupid … gettin’ cut by a broken glass like that. How long do the stitches stay in?"

"About a week …. Come and see me in a couple of days and I’ll check for infection. Meanwhile you’ll just have to be a little more careful."

The tall barkeep nodded ruefully again and rose from the examination table to begin rebuttoning his cuff. "What do I owe ya?"

"Fifty cents’ll be ……"

There was a sudden loud clatter of timber hitting the ground out behind the clinic, followed by a heavy thump. Michaela’s brow creased in puzzlement and she turned towards the back door. "I’ll be back in a moment," she said quickly.

Michaela’s heart jumped into her mouth at the sight she encountered out back. Sully was lying in a crumpled heap on the ground, blood pouring from a cut on his forehead, the upper part of his body twisted at a strange angle. A small boy, with tear-stained cheeks, stood silently by, just watching. "Hank," screamed Michaela, hoping the saloon owner had not left the clinic.

Hearing the terror in her voice Hank came running, his breath catching as he saw Sully unconscious on the ground. He looked wildly around and spied Robert E on his way back to the livery. "Robert E," he yelled urgently. "Here …. over here."

Robert E too came running, to stand over the crumpled body of his friend. He looked anxiously at Michaela whose face had paled and whose eyes were welling with tears. "Dr Mike … can we move him …inside ….. is it alright?" he asked quietly.

Michaela mentally shook herself and knelt down to feel for Sully’s pulse which was strong and steady, though perhaps a little fast. She ran her hands over his arms and shoulders. "He has a dislocated shoulder," she murmured. "And this cut," she added as she mopped at the blood on his brow with her apron. "You’ll have to be careful moving him because of the shoulder …. you’ll need help."

"I’ll git someone," said Hank and he rose from his haunches and ran through to the caf�. "Hey Aidan …. Aidan Darcy ….. we need ya help here," he yelled to the burly vegetable grower who’d just finished an early lunch. Aidan rose quickly and joined the small group behind the clinic.

Following Michaela’s instructions, the men slowly and carefully lifted Sully and carried him into the clinic, laying him on the examination table. Each of them stepped back as Michaela began to tend to his injuries. For a while she was unaware of their presence, until Hank said gently, "Anythin’ else we can do Michaela?"

She turned to face the three anxious men. "Um … would one of you be able to fetch Andrew from the Chateau? He’s due in a little later but I could use his help now."

"Sure … I’ll go Dr Mike," said Robert E, heading out the door.

Hank and Aidan hovered apprehensively behind her as she turned back to her unconscious husband. Both thought she had forgotten they were there, however suddenly she turned and said, "Hank, I need to get his shirt off without further damaging his shoulder … could you help?"

Both men immediately stepped forward, Hank circling the table to stand on Sully’s right side, Aidan quickly undoing the injured man’s leather belt to slide it out from under him. Hank watched as Michaela fumbled nervously with the buttons on Sully’s torn shirt.

"Hank pull the shirt off his right arm and then see if you can lift him enough to let me slip it off this side," ordered Michaela, worriedly aware that Sully had not yet regained consciousness and therefore she was not cognisant of all his injuries.

Hank did as he was asked and Michaela was able to eventually divest Sully of his shirt. She gasped when she saw the dark bruising already appearing across his ribs and left arm. "He must’ve landed fully on his left side," she mused out loud, running her fingertips gently over the discoloured skin. "Took most of his weight on his shoulder and arm."

"Are ya gonna be able to fix his shoulder Michaela," asked Hank with concern, having perceived its strange shape and angle.

"Mmm …. But I’ll wait until Andrew gets here," said Michaela, her lip quivering. "Might take two of us." She continued to mop at the gash on Sully’s forehead, the blood flow having slowed to a trickle.

At that moment two doors opened simultaneously behind the trio clustered around the examination table.

"Michaela!" a shocked Kathleen uttered, as she came through the door from the recovery rooms with Katie in her arms, and realised who was lying on the table.

At the same time Dorothy entered through the outside door and exclaimed, "Oh Michaela! Robert E told me what had happened. Can I do anythin’?"

Michaela was very near to breaking point. The doctor in her knew that the longer Sully remained unconscious, the more serious his injuries might be. The wife in her was praying with all her might that the only injuries he had sustained were those everyone in the room could readily see. Her eyes welled with tears as she looked from a worried Dorothy to her perplexed daughter held securely in Kathleen’s arms. "There’s not much more to be done until Andrew gets here … then we’ll reset his shoulder," she said tearfully. "Dorothy, could you air out the bed up in the front recovery room? And Kathleen, would you mind looking after Katie for a while longer?"

Both women nodded vigorously and made their way upstairs.

Michaela sat by the bed in the front upstairs recovery room, Sully’s hand firmly clasped in hers, silently praying. There had been no sign of him recovering consciousness, despite she and Andrew having to reset his shoulder without the aid of chloroform. Andrew had assured her that his vital signs were all strong, but the longer he was unconscious, the more worried she became. It was now late at night, which meant that he’d been unconscious for nearly twelve hours. She reached out to brush a wisp of his long sun-bleached hair back off his face. There was a strange sense of deja vu sitting here waiting for him to stir, knowing that anxious family and friends were outside, praying that he would be alright. She brought his hand up to her lips and then, with it clasped firmly in her own rested it lovingly under her chin.

She closed her eyes and saw him as Cloud Dancing carried him into the homestead, his face bruised, swollen and bloodied, his entire body a mass of contusions and lacerations, no sign of life except for his shallow, rapid breathing. She saw Matthew, Colleen and Brian hovering beside her, their eyes wide and frightened, as she tried to ascertain his injuries. The sadistic buffalo hunter had left him for dead and by rights he should have been, but he had survived this far and if she had anything to do with it he would fully recover. Then the endless hours of waiting, not knowing, through day and night, waiting for him to regain consciousness.

Her eyes filled with tears. Up until then she’d never acknowledged, even to herself, how important this enigmatic man had become to her in just a short space of time.

She remembered bathing his wounds, brushing his hair back from his sore face, away from the ugly, swollen bruises, rising at regular intervals during the night to check on him, not being able to sleep, praying that he would show some sign of recovery. She refused to let him die, she needed him in her life.

Again she reached out to run her fingers gently across his forehead. In all the years they’d been together since then, she’d never told him that she’d held his hand for hours and had even given in to the temptation to kiss him lightly and lovingly on his sore cheek and forehead during that endless waiting all those years ago.

And then, as if it were yesterday, she recalled walking in a field with Cloud Dancing as they collected herbs, and he asking her to affirm that she believed love could heal. She had replied vehemently in the positive, of course she believed love could heal!

She rested her cheek against the back of Sully’s hand and again closed her eyes, willing her health and strength to course from her veins into his, healing him.

She sat up straighter, as her back protested at the continual leaning forward over the bed, and the baby moved restlessly in its cramped space. Perhaps if she was to lie beside him? She would still know instantly when he woke. She stood and stretched, then walked around the bed, to carefully climb up and curl up on her side next to him, laying her open palm on the middle of his chest, again willing him to rouse.

Colleen stood in the open doorway of the recovery room observing her ma as she slept beside the injured Sully, her hand over his heart. She had no idea how long she’d been standing there. Occasionally tears would shimmer in her eyes as she contemplated the unimaginable - that something may be seriously wrong with Sully, that he may not recover. Suddenly two gentle hands clasped her waist from behind and two loving arms wrapped themselves around her in a secure embrace.

"Thought you were sleeping," whispered Andrew. "I’ll keep an eye on Sully, besides Michaela will let us know if there’s any change."

"Oh Andrew, I can’t sleep not knowing if he’s going to be alright," replied Colleen, tears again welling up in her eyes.

"I told you I’m very hopeful that he’ll be fine. He had a very heavy fall and hit his head hard, but there’s no sign of a skull fracture, or any pressure building up, and his pulse and blood pressure are normal ….. he just needs time to recover from the fall," rejoined Andrew, with as much reassurance as he could muster.

"I know that’s what you said, but you can’t know for sure …. no-one can …. I hate the waiting," murmured Colleen heart-wrenchingly , as she clasped his hands and leant back into him. She sighed. "I don’ know what ma would do if anything happened to Sully," she said softly and thoughtfully.

Michaela suddenly started in her sleep and then curled up tighter next to Sully, her hand never leaving its position over his heart.

Colleen moved forward out of Andrew’s embrace to tiptoe to the bed. She unfolded a blanket from its end and then gently laid it over her mother, before lightly kissing her cheek and tiptoeing back to once again stand enfolded in Andrew’s arms.

"They’ve been through so much," she whispered dreamily. "I remember a time not long after me an’ Matthew an’ Brian went to live with her. Sully was badly beaten by a buffalo hunter. Cloud Dancin’ found him an’ brought him to the old homestead ….for ma to look after. I thought he was gonna die. He was bruised black an’ blue, an’ unconscious for I don’t remember how long. Ma used to sit with him, hour after hour. Even when she came to bed …. she was sleepin’ with me cos Sully was in her bed ….. she was up an’ down to him. Sometimes I’d wake and peek around the curtain. She was so gentle …. I even saw her kiss him once …. just on the cheek …… *She* made him well …. I’m sure of it. Its like they can talk to each other without words ….. like their hearts reach out to each other." She trailed off, lost in memories and contemplation and then she suddenly reiterated, "I don’ know what she’d do if anythin’ happened to him."

"Sweetheart …. for the moment its up to Sully …. and God ….. and if you’re right …. Michaela …. as to his recovery. We just have to wait …. no matter how difficult that is …… Now come next door and at least lie down …. alright?" placated Andrew.

Colleen took one last wistful, loving look at Sully and her ma, nodded and followed Andrew down the hallway.

Sully was aware of a sickening, throbbing ache in behind his eyes, and a burning, piercing pain in his left shoulder and arm. He tried to open his eyes, but the resultant pain was unbearable. He gingerly moved his hands and fingers, and then his feet and toes, ensuring that they all still worked. He rolled slightly, sending another excruciating, shooting pain through his shoulder. Again he tried to open his eyes and this time succeeded in ascertaining that it was night and the room he was in was lit by just one lamp by the bed.

He took a few deep breaths and willed his muscles to release the tenseness which had built up from the moment he became aware of the pain. He licked his dry lips and again opened his eyes. He was in the recovery room at the clinic and suddenly he had an image of children and a dog running towards him. He closed his eyes tight against the sensation of falling, the thump and the agony as he hit the ground.

She reached across to slowly and lovingly run the fingertips of her free hand over his brow, and down the bridge of his nose to his lips. And suddenly she relaxed. Without knowing why, she knew that he was going to be alright. She leant across to place a soft kiss to his cheek and then once again lay down beside him, edging herself a little closer, to rest her cheek against the point of his shoulder.

Colleen again took up her post in the doorway of the recovery room. Since around midnight it had become an hourly ritual. Each time she would enter the room hoping to see an improvement in her pa’s condition and each time she’d been disappointed. This time, as she stood there, waiting, she became conscious of her ma’s eyes, open and watching her, and then, much to her surprise Michaela gave her a half smile. Colleen took a few tentative steps forward before circling the bed to stand beside Michaela, her brow creased in puzzlement.

"Ma?" she whispered.

In a light whisper, Michaela replied, "He’s going to be alright Colleen, I’m sure of it."

"How do you know?" murmured Colleen, raking Sully’s face with her eyes.

Michaela indicated her hand clasped tightly in his and raised it slightly. "See …. he’s grasped my hand during the night …. not the other way around …. He must’ve …."

"No need to be talkin’ ‘bout a man like he aint here," murmured a weakened, deep male voice from beside them.

Both women’s eyes flew to observe Sully, whose eyes remained closed but whose mouth was tilted up in a slight, pained smile. As Michaela gently raised their linked hands to kiss the back of his in relief, Colleen quickly walked around the bed to stand beside him.

"Oh pa …. ," she exclaimed. "We were all so worried ‘bout you …. How are ya feelin’?"

"Don’ know yet," muttered Sully. "Scared ta move …. or open my eyes ….. awful thirsty though."

Michaela sat up quickly. "I’ll get you some water," she said, beginning to edge across the bed away from him.

"You’re fine right where you are," ordered Sully, his voice a little croaky, as he gently tugged her back to her position beside him. "Colleen’ll git me somethin’ to drink, won’t ya Colleen?"

Michaela blushed and looked at him wonderingly.

Colleen smiled fondly at her adoptive parents. "Sure pa … I’ll be back in a minute," she said, as she moved across the room. "An’ I’ll tell Andrew you’re awake."

There was a moment’s silence after Colleen had left the room. Michaela was feeling a little overwhelmed. Then Sully muttered somewhat reluctantly, "Guess I better find out how I really am .. huh? Hope its a little better than when I woke durin’ the night." He slowly opened his eyes and then abruptly narrowed them against the harsh morning light which sent a sharp pain shooting through his head from one temple to the other. He moaned softly.

"Sully?" asked Michaela apprehensively.

"It’ll be alright …. aint as bad as earlier … sure hurts though."

"Let me look into your eyes …. I need to see whether the pupils are dilated," said Michaela worriedly as she struggled to sit up beside him. She leant across and gently lifted each eyelid to peer into his deep blue eyes. "Maybe just a little dilation, but they’re clear …. You’ll have to take it easy for a couple of days," she murmured.

"Keep looking into my eyes like that an’ I’ll find it real hard to take it easy," said Sully teasingly, despite the pain which thankfully seemed to be lessening by the minute.

Michaela smiled in return and leant across to place a loving kiss on his lips. "You had me worried Sully…. You had us all worried. What happened … what made you fall? …. I’ve not known you to lose your balance before … I’ve watched you walk surely along tree logs which were no thicker than my arm."

"Hey … I didn’ lose my balance," Sully protested. "It was a group of kids and a little frightened mutt that decided to run under my ladder, instead of ‘round it …. while I was high up ……….."

His explanation was cut short by the return of a smiling Colleen, a pitcher of cold water and a couple of glasses in her hands. She was followed closely by Andrew who immediately strode across to the bedside to take Sully’s wrist in his hand, checking his pulse. "Strong and steady, Sully ….. seems you’re going to live …. Though you had these two worried," he said, indicating Colleen and Michaela and then bending to carefully examine the bruising across Sully’s ribs.

Despite the fact the Andrew was now her son in law, Michaela was feeling decidedly embarrassed about sitting up in the bed next to Sully, her clothes and hair dishevelled, while another doctor examined him. She had yet to overcome her sense of failure at having fallen asleep while watching over him and now the doctoring was being undertaken by someone other than herself. "I can look after Sully now," she said softly to Andrew. "You probably have other things you should be doing."

"No problem Michaela," said Andrew with a smile. "Colleen and I will be available here for as long as you need us. Now Sully, how about that shoulder? How does it feel?"

Sensing Michaela’s discomfit and yet unaware of its cause, Sully murmured, "Haven’t had the courage or inclination to move it yet …. still …. here goes …." Maintaining his strong grasp of Michaela’s hand, he rolled slightly, lifting his shoulder from the surface of the bed. He grimaced and a faint sheen of sweat broke out across his brow. "Phew ….," he whispered through clenched teeth as he again lowered himself on to his back. "What did I do to it ….. is it broken?"

Gently rubbing her thumb across the back of Sully’s hand, Michaela explained, "It was badly dislocated Sully … Andrew and I had to reset it … there are probably torn muscles and tendons ….. you’ll have to rest it for at least four to five weeks."

If Michaela and Colleen had not been present Sully would probably have used an expletive at this point. He turned his head slightly to peer accusingly at his worried wife. "Four or five weeks," he said disbelievingly. "I got things I gotta do …. What about finishin’ the clinic for Colleen an’ Andrew?"

"I’m sorry, but the building work will just have to be postponed …. You’re not going to be in any fit state to go back to it for a few weeks," explained Michaela.

"But I promised ‘em they’d be in by Thanksgivin’," said Sully agitatedly.

Both young observers of this exchange spoke at once. "It doesn’t matter Sully …" Colleen continued, "We understand … you have to get well ….. we can wait."

Sully humphed irritably. "Aint good enough," he said under his breath. "Always bin a man of my word …."

Realising Sully’s exasperation, Michaela changed the subject. "Colleen, could you please fetch one of Sully’s nightshirts Matthew brought in from home, and then brew some willow bark tea?" In response, Colleen nodded and headed out the door. Michaela turned back to Sully. "I’m afraid we can’t give you anything stronger than the tea for the pain ….. we need to know that there are no after effects of the bump to your head."

"Uh huh," muttered Sully dejectedly.

"You just lie back there … and let us look after you for a while …" Michaela gently ordered.

"Can’t lie here much longer – nature’s gonna need answerin’," he replied gruffly, now determined to dislike everything about being unwell, and adding for good measure, "An’ ‘sides, you know I don’ like wearin’ a nightshirt."

Michaela smiled and began to rise from her side of the bed, however she leant across momentarily to whisper into his ear, "I don’t like you wearing one either." Then added for Andrew’s benefit, "I’m going to wash and tidy up a little. You better put that nightshirt on … I believe that there will be some people wanting to visit and see for themselves that you’re alright." She turned and gave him a loving look before exiting the recovery room, leaving him in the younger doctor’s capable hands.

"Kathleen …. Kathleen …. will you please hurry. We’re going to miss the train!" exclaimed Thomas Enders. The young man was impatiently pacing up and down the living room near the staircase of the Sully homestead. Again he called upstairs, "We have to leave *now*!"

Matthew was standing in the kitchen doorway, watching the young politician intently and with mixed feelings. Thomas was a difficult man to get to know. Even though he had relaxed a little since his unexpected and eventful arrival in Colorado Springs, he tended to be officious and demanding. Matthew glanced upwards. On the other hand, he was going to miss Kathleen. Although she’d only been around for a few days, he felt as though she was going to leave a void in his life, maybe all their lives. He’d taken to her infectious laughter, her thirst for knowledge of the town’s people and places, her delight in Colorado Spring’s more relaxed lifestyle, her acceptance of people’s differences, her obvious enjoyment in caring for Brian and Katie. He’d been left with a strong desire to know her better, to further develop the easy friendship which had sprung up between them.

The sound of footsteps approaching the stairs at the top of the landing and then descending slowly, caught their attention. Thomas sighed exasperatedly, "At last," he exclaimed loudly and pointedly. His eyes moved upwards and his self-satisfied smile abruptly turned to a look of dismay. "Kathleen, what’s the meaning of this?" he demanded irritably.

Matthew stepped forward and also raised his eyes to see a coatless and hatless Kathleen descending the stairs, Katie held tightly in her arms. She was followed closely by Brian who was smiling broadly.

Again Thomas demanded, "Kathleen ….. what *is * the meaning of this ….. where are your coat and hat? ….your bags?"

Resting Katie on her hip, Kathleen drew herself up to her full five feet three inches, looked her irate brother in the eyes and said quietly and unequivocally, "I’m not coming with you Thomas."

Thomas’s face assumed a florid, red shade and his hands clenched and unclenched by his sides. "Kathleen, I will have none of this nonsense. Please return to your room and fetch your bags." Then he added threateningly. "Or I will fetch them for you."

"Thomas, I am not going with you," reiterated Kathleen in the same quiet, calm tone. "I will not leave here without knowing that Sully is going to be alright and, besides, I’m needed." She kissed Katie lightly and reassuringly on the temple.

"Kathleen, I don’t like leaving here not knowing about Mr Sully either …. however I have a job to which I must return, and you, as my sister, must return also," postulated Thomas.

Matthew, who had been watching this exchange in both astonishment and elation suddenly interjected softly, "Why?"

Thomas’s eyes flew to Matthew. "Why? Because she is my sister, because I am responsible for her …. because …. because …. I say so."

"Thomas ….. I’m an adult now …. and here …. for the moment …. I can be useful ….. I’m needed …. it might be only for a few days …. or a few weeks …. But I appreciate feeling useful …. and so I’m staying," said Kathleen determinedly.

Thomas’s eyes flew from Brian to Matthew, seeking an ally but finding none. "Kathleen … I must insist …."

Suddenly Kathleen’s deep blue eyes changed to steel-grey. "Thomas, I am *not* returning to Charleston with you …. I will write and inform you of Sully’s condition and how long I will be remaining in Colorado Springs. Now if *you* don’t hurry you will miss your train."

"But …. but ….." Thomas was eyeing her with dismay and then, perceiving her steely expression, he abruptly shrugged his shoulders in defeat. "You *will* look after yourself?" he asked dispiritedly. "I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you …. life out here is not easy you know."

"I’ll be fine," replied Kathleen with a warm smile. "I meant it when I said that I feel like I can be of use here … Be happy for me …. I’ll write as soon as we know how Sully is."

Thomas gave his sister one more searching look and reached for his bags which were taken from him by Matthew.

"We’ll look after her Thomas," he reassured the now not so self-assured young man as they walked out of the front door and towards the wagon.

Despite feeling unaccountably tired, Michaela took a deep breath, assumed a wide smile and sailed into the recovery room. "Feeling any better?" she asked Sully as she walked to his side. He was now sitting up with his left arm secured against his chest in a white muslin sling, holding his shoulder in place. He was also wearing the despised nightshirt.

Forgetting his tender shoulder, Sully shrugged and then moaned in pain.

Michaela reached out and tenderly ran her fingers through his long hair in sympathy. She whispered, "It could have been a lot worse Sully …. Just a few weeks and you’ll be fine…"

Sully mumbled under his breath, "Don’ like havin’ to rely on anyone …."

"I know … I know …. I’m the same …… but the time will soon pass." She leant across to give him a loving kiss. "Grace and Robert E and Dorothy would like to see you …. if you’re up to it."

Sully gave a wry smile, nodded in resignation and then sat up a little taller as his visitors were beckoned in by Michaela, who then went downstairs to ascertain what had been happening in the clinic since lunchtime the day before.

As Michaela walked across the surgery and sat down at her desk, there was a brief knock on the door which then opened to reveal Matthew, Brian, and Kathleen holding Katie. Spying her ma, the little girl called out excitedly, "Mama …." And held out her arms.

With a smile, Michaela rose quickly and took her delighted daughter from Kathleen. Matthew and Brian were eyeing her anxiously.

"Ma?" whispered Brian. "Is he gonna be alright?"

Michaela lifted one arm inviting Brian to walk into her embrace which he did with alacrity. She ruffled his hair lovingly. "He’s going to be fine Brian. He has a slight concussion and a very sore shoulder but other than that he’s going to be alright." She heard Brian and then Matthew sigh in relief. She reached out to squeeze Matthew’s shoulder reassuringly.

"I’m so glad he’s recovering Michaela," said Kathleen quietly. "We were all so worried."

"Thank-you Kathleen," returned Michaela. "Especially for caring for Katie and Brian as you have. I knew I didn’t have to worry about them … they were in good hands."

Kathleen blushed and lowered her eyes to the floor.

"Where’s T …….." Michaela broke of in dismay as she realised the time and day. "You were supposed to return home to Charleston this morning Kathleen …. I’m so sorry …. I feel so selfish. Where’s Thomas? Is he very angry?"

"Thomas left on this morning’s train Michaela, he couldn’t wait. I hope you don’t mind …. I persuaded him to agree to me staying on for a while …. At least until you don’t need me to look after Katie any more ….." Kathleen trailed off, unsure as to what Michaela’s reaction would be.

Michaela was looking at the young woman with a mixture of delight and chagrin. "Kathleen …. of course I’m pleased that you’re prepared to stay and help me …. But if I thought that I, in any way, came between yourself and your brother …."

"Oh no …. He took some convincing … but I’m sure in the end Thomas realised that staying here was important to me. He *had* to return to work but I didn’t …. There was no reason at all for me to hurry back," Kathleen explained in a rush. "But I want you to know that I don’t expect to be treated as a guest. I want to do my fair share. I’m afraid my cooking skills are almost non-existent, but I’m prepared to do anything else to help and I love to mind this little one." She reached out and tickled a suddenly coy Katie under the chin.

Michaela chuckled. "You remind me in so many ways of myself, including the cooking part ….. thank-you for thinking of us as you have." She swept her eyes over her children. "I’m sure we are all happy to have you." She smiled. "Perhaps for differing reasons."

Matthew had been cheerfully watching this exchange between Kathleen and his ma and reddened as Michaela caught his eye. Brian too was grinning happily - today wasn’t turning out so badly after all. "Ma …. can we go up an’ see pa? Would it be alright?" he asked anxiously, wanting to see for himself that Sully was on the mend.

"Of course you can …. as long as you’re gentle and not too noisy. He has a frightful headache and is in a lot of pain from his shoulder," Michaela replied.

As Grace, Robert E and Dorothy exited Sully’s room, his family tiptoed in. Katie took one look at her pa sitting up in bed, his arm and shoulder bandaged and whined softly, "Pa …"

Sully smiled up at his tiny daughter and reached out for her.

Michaela whispered to her, "You have to very gentle Katie alright …. sit very still."

The little girl nodded meekly and as Michaela sat her in her father’s lap she leant in to him and rested her cheek against his chest. He embraced her tightly with his good arm and gently rocked her.

Michaela, Colleen, Matthew, Kathleen and the children sat at a table in Grace’s caf� having decided to partake of an early lunch. Around them tables were filling up fast. Grace was seated at her usual bench, supervising the service to her customers, baby Michael held securely in her arms. Periodically she would call one of her assistants over and explain something or draw their notice to a person or a task which required immediate attention.

As Kathleen and the children chattered away around her, Michaela was watching her friend intently. Grace looked heavy-eyed and every now and then her shoulders would sag and she’d close her eyes and take a deep breath. Michaela could identify. She made a mental note to make sure that she checked on Grace and the new baby this afternoon or tomorrow morning. She needed to know that her friend was coping with all that came with being a new mother.

But right now all Michaela felt like doing was curling up somewhere and sleeping, maybe for days. The baby was unusually restless, probably reacting to the change in routine during the past two days and also to her earlier worry and distress. In fact she felt a little queasy and her limbs seemed tired and heavy and when her attention was drawn to ordering lunch she realised that she was not at all hungry.

In turn Colleen was watching her ma anxiously. Something was not quite right. Her skin was an unusual colour – pale and yet flushed at the same time, her breathing was rapid and she was obviously having difficulty concentrating. "Ma?" she asked worriedly. "Are you feelin’ alright?"

"Of course I am Colleen, why wouldn’t I be, having my family around me and knowing that Sully is going to be fine? I’m just a little tired, that’s all," replied Michaela with a smile. She reached out and took Colleen’s hand in her own. "Thank-you for helping with Sully last night and this morning. I don’t know what I’d have done without you and Andrew."

"You’d have coped ma …. You always do …. but I’m glad we were able to help," replied Colleen with a smile. Again she noted Michaela’s flushed appearance and decided to mention it to Andrew as soon as they returned to the clinic.

Sully was leaning back against the headboard of the bed, his eyes closed, trying to ignore the burning pain in his shoulder and the throbbing ache in behind his eyes which periodically sharpened and made him wince. He was almost glad Michaela had taken the children to Grace’s for lunch. While he loved them all dearly, their chatter and conversation had left him feeling tired and out of sorts. Ever since Michaela had told him the extent of his injuries and suggested that several weeks’ rest would be in order, he’d been feeling despondent. It seemed that as soon as life settled down to some sort of normality, something else would occur to disrupt it. He moved slightly and a fierce pain shot through his shoulder again. He was sorely tempted to curse.

"Ah …. Sully ….. you awake?" came a tentative, low male voice from the recovery room doorway.

Sully lifted his eyelids enough to discern that Hank was hovering uncertainly half in and half out of the room. "I’m awake Hank …. come on in ….," said Sully, trying not to show his surprise at this unexpected visit.

"Thought you might need some company," muttered Hank as he sauntered slowly towards the bed. "Saw Michaela an’ the kids headin’ for Grace’s."

"Yeah …. I think she realised their talkin’ wasn’ helpin’ my head any," smiled Sully.

Hank took a couple of backward steps. "If you’d rather be on your own ……"

"Nah …. you aint a man who likes ta chatter …. Michaela tells me you helped her when she found me out back?" said Sully conversationally.

As he sat himself in a chair by the bed, Hank held up his bandaged hand and eyed it ruefully, "Yeah well …. I was with her in the clinic ….. cut my damn hand on a broken glass. She’d just finished stitchin’ it up …. did a fine job too …."

"Yeah …. well she’s had a lot of practice ….. she’s a good doctor ya know," rejoined Sully with a half smile.

"Aint ever said she weren’t," retorted Hank defensively. "How long ya gonna be laid up?"

Sully snorted derisively. "She says a few weeks …. doesn’ realise a man has things he’s gotta do …."

"Yeah, but Michaela’s usually pretty right when it comes to doctorin’ …. she’d know if you were gonna do some damage by takin’ things on too soon …. should listen to her," advised Hank with concern.

Sully eyed the rangy barkeep in amazement. Would wonders never cease?

Hank continued. "If ya worried …. I don’ mind callin’ out at the homestead a coupla times a week …. see if there’s anythin’ needs doin’. I know Matthew’s out there …. but he gits kinda busy with things."

Sully was still eyeing his former antagonist wonderingly. "Um ….. thanks for the offer Hank … I’m sorta hopin’ I won’t be outta action too long …. Wouldn’ wanna keep you from your work …."

"Aint no trouble I told ya ….. wouldn’ want Michaela or the kids wantin’ for anythin’ just cos you were injured," replied Hank sheepishly.

Sully smiled and decided to open up on a problem which had been worrying him. "Truth is Hank, I aint so much worried ‘bout home … Matthew *is* out there, like you said …. But I’m real disappointed that I can’t git the additions to the clinic finished for Colleen an’ Andrew like I promised … told ‘em they’d be in by Thanksgivin’."

Hank flicked a long lock of his fair, curly, hair back over his shoulder and smiled reassuringly. "They aint gonna be worried by a delay in movin’ in. Knowin’ those two they’ll just be glad you’re gonna be alright."

"That’s what they said …. But I can’t help but think I made ‘em a promise I can’t keep."

"There’s a difference between promises ya don’ keep and promises ya can’t keep you know …. those two know the difference," Hank advised him sincerely.

Sully nodded resignedly. "Guess you’re right ….. still it don’ sit with me too well …. don’ like lettin’ people down."

Hank nodded in sympathetic agreement and then offered, "Anythin’ ya need now …. before I go back …..?"

"Nah … thanks Hank, Andrew’s downstairs an’ Michaela’ll be back in a minute."

As Hank pushed back his chair and stood to leave, slightly raised voices could be heard in the hallway outside the room. Both men’s eyes flew to the doorway in time to see Andrew and Michaela halt and Michaela exclaim, "I’m fine Andrew … how many times do I have to tell you. I’ll just sit quietly here with Sully for a while."

Hank turned back to Sully and smiled conspiratorially. "Think I’ll be goin’," he said. He shook his head. "Headstrong women ….," he muttered as he excused himself to Andrew and Michaela and left.

Noting the concern on Andrew’s face, Sully’s eyes flew to Michaela. "Somethin’ wrong?" he asked anxiously.

"I’ve been telling Michaela that I believe that events of the past couple of days have caught up with her and she needs to lay down and rest but she won’t listen to me," explained Andrew exasperatedly.

Sully’s eyes raked Michaela’s tired features. One hand protectively cradled the weight of her swollen stomach, there were dark circles under her eyes, her skin was pale, too pale, and her beautiful eyes did not have their usual shine. "Perhaps you should listen to Andrew Michaela," he suggested hesitantly.

A familiar gleam of stubbornness appeared in Michaela’s eyes. "I told him that I want to sit here with you and that’s what I’m going to do," muttered Michaela defiantly.

Sully sighed. There was no moving Michaela when she was in this mood. With a spark of inspiration he suggested, "Then how ‘bout layin’ here with me, ‘stead of sittin’, then you’ll make both of us happy."

Michaela blushed and her eyes widened. "I can’t do that," she exclaimed. "It wouldn’t be proper … what if someone came to visit you?"

Recognising Sully’s strategy, Andrew interjected. "I’ll tell anyone who wants to see either of you that you’re both resting. I think Sully’s idea is excellent and so I’ll leave you both … I’ll ensure that you’re not disturbed." He turned and without further ado, departed, closing the door securely behind him.

Michaela’s blush renewed, but she refrained from protesting any further.

With his good arm, Sully threw back the bedclothes on the vacant side of the bed and invited, "Come on ….. off with the skirt an’ blouse an’ join me. Andrew’s right you know … you do need to rest."

Michaela glared at him angrily and then abruptly dropped her eyes to the floor. Without further words she began to fumble with the buttons on her blouse which she eventually drew back off her shoulders and dropped onto a chair and then she reached behind to unbutton her skirt.

Sully said wistfully, "Wish I could help ya with that …."

For the first time Michaela gave him a slight smile.

"Do ya think you could give me a hand slidin’ down before you climb in," asked Sully reluctantly.

"Of course," answered Michaela, quickly hurrying to his side of the bed.

Sully moaned as even Michaela’s gentle touch couldn’t stop fiery pain stabbing at his shoulder as she helped him lie down. At last he was laying on his back and she bent and lovingly kissed his damp forehead before once again circling the bed and climbing in beside him. She immediately curled up on her side facing him and he slid his arm in under her shoulder and drew her close. She shivered.

"You cold?" he asked with concern, noting that the afternoon sun on the window panes had warmed the room nicely.

"Mmmm …. a little," she replied, edging even closer.

He tightened his hold on her and gently rubbed her back. He felt the baby move against his hip and smiled. "Baby’s sure restless," he said softly.

"Uh huh …. has been all day …. makes me feel queasy," mumbled Michaela as she gradually relaxed against him.

"Well maybe it’ll sleep now …. if we keep real still," suggested Sully, as he lovingly brushed the silky hair back off her face with his fingertips.

"Mmmm …. that feels nice," whispered Michaela drowsily.

"Least I can do after you sittin’ up with me last night," he returned softly.

"But I fell asleep …. should’ve kept awake …. but I couldn’t," murmured Michaela sorrowfully.

Gently running his hand down her arm to her stomach, Sully remonstrated, "Hey maybe this little one had somethin’ to do with that …. can’t do everythin’ Michaela."

"But what if you’d needed me?" she gulped, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"You’da known …. like ya always do ….. like ya always have …." Sully reassured her.

Michaela looked up at him through tear-filled eyes and mused, "I was thinking about that last night while I was waiting… remembering that time years ago when you were unconsciousness at the old homestead … after Cloud Dancing brought you to me …." She trailed off. Then much to Sully’s surprise she began to fumble around under the blankets, grasping the hem of his nightshirt, to gradually bunch it up so that she could slide her hand in underneath. She gently caressed the bare skin of his thigh, stomach and chest. "A lot of things have changed in between …" she said softly. "I was frightened to touch you then."

"You were? Why? You were my doctor …"

"That’s just it. I was never just your doctor ….. and we both knew it," whispered Michaela as she lifted herself up high enough to kiss him tenderly and then settled down once more at his side.