"Hey …. Hey …" His gentle voice penetrated her consciousness. "Its alright …. its alright …. you were only dreamin’…."

Michaela peered up at him, bleary-eyed and disoriented. Her head felt heavy and muddled and she was hot. She swiped at her cheeks and forehead which were bathed in perspiration, and then threw the bedclothes back.

Sully was watching her with concern. He tried to unobtrusively pull the covers up over her again but she just as quickly pushed them back.

"I’m hot Sully …," she muttered. "Aren’t you?" She was suddenly struck with a paroxysm of coughing, her face flushing scarlet with the effort, her whole body breaking out in beads of perspiration.

Reaching out awkwardly with his good arm, Sully gently placed his open palm on her brow. "You’ve got a fever Michaela …" he muttered worriedly.

"I know ….. I feel hot and cold, both at the same time," murmured Michaela, as her voice broke and she coughed again. "I’m thirsty too … Its probably just a mild catarrh …. What a time to come down with something," she sighed exasperatedly.

"Well I’m gonna call Andrew … git him to check you over …. Don’ want it to git serious," Sully assured her determinedly.

"There’s no hurry Sully, there’s not much he can do …..," she stopped as her breath caught in her throat and she began to cough again. "Then again, maybe some willow bark tea would bring the fever down a little," she muttered between a spate of coughing.

Sully threw the bedclothes back on his side of the bed and swung his feet over the edge, rising warily as a wave of dizziness struck him. As the dizziness eased he turned back to Michaela and smiled wryly, "We make quite a pair …. you an’ me Michaela …. Me with a sore head an’ shoulder an’ you with a fever." Gaining little response from his wife except for a slight half smile, he walked gingerly to the door, pulled it open and called for Andrew.

"You’re probably right Michaela …. just a case of catarrh …..though hardly mild …. Your bronchial passages are definitely inflamed, hence the cough. I’d like to monitor your condition for twenty-four hours before we can be certain." Andrew stood up, slipped the stethoscope from his ears and sympathetically observed his esteemed colleague who was flushed and obviously experiencing difficulty breathing normally between bouts of coughing. "I suggest that we move you into the room next door, for both your’s and Sully’s comfort." As Sully made to object he added, "Until we know for sure that this is not something contagious, it may be wise to limit the visitors to myself and Colleen … just for a little while."

Michaela nodded and then a sudden thought struck her. "Andrew, don’t let Colleen in to see me …. I’d really like her to check on Grace and the new baby …. see how they’re doing … offer some help …. I’m worried about her, but I wouldn’t feel right if there was a chance Colleen could pass on something to either of them."

"Mmmm I agree Michaela …. alright … just me for now," acknowledged Andrew.

"I don’ understand why I can’t be with her ….. we’ve bin sleepin’ beside each other for the last few hours," objected Sully. "Even shared a little kiss before goin’ to sleep …." A comment which resulted in making Michaela look even more flushed. "Seems to me that if its somethin’ contagious, odds are I’ll probably git it anyway."

"You could well be right Sully," smiled Andrew understandingly. "However, we’ll try to avoid that by separating you two … just for now. Besides … the children will want to see one of you over the next couple of days … and at the moment you seem the most logical choice … though I would avoid physical contact if possible."

The thought of not holding Katie for a couple of days caused two faces to fall simultaneously. Observing this, Andrew began to move towards the door. "I’ll have Colleen make up the bed in the room next door Michaela and I’ll come and get you when its ready. Meanwhile you just lie there quietly."

As Andrew closed the door behind him Michaela muttered dispiritedly, "You’re right Sully …. We are indeed a pair …."

"Pa …. Ma’s gonna be alright isn’ she?" asked Brian anxiously, as he sat on a chair a few feet back from the bed in which Sully was sitting. Beside him Kathleen was holding on tightly to a squirming and whimpering Katie who couldn’t understand why she wasn’t allowed to cuddle with her pa.

"Sure she’s gonna be alright Brian," said Sully reassuringly. "Andrew thinks its just one of them infections like Katie an’ even you git now an’ then …. She’s just gotta ride it out … Andrew’s lookin’ after her."

Brian nodded understandingly and then asked, "Did Andrew say when you’d be able to come home?"

"Well ….. it’ll probably be a couple of days … gotta make sure I’m over the concussion." He swept his eyes over the four of them - Brian, Kathleen, Katie and Matthew. "I’m sorry ‘bout this …. Must be kinda hard for ya out there … with Katie an’ all …. We’ll haveta make it to ya when we git home … do somethin’ together …. as a whole family."

"We aint worried ‘bout that," Matthew assured him. "We just wanna know that you’re both gonna be fine .. that’s all …. We can cope at home alright … especially with Kathleen lookin’ after Katie." He turned admiring eyes on the young woman who blushed under his gaze.

Sully smiled slightly, noting the silent exchange between the two. "I know you’ll all do fine," he said quietly. "An’ thanks."

Sully stirred yet again as through the wooden walls of the recovery room came the sound of another bout of coughing from Michaela. His heart pounded. Sometimes lovin’ someone was real hard, when you had to listen to them suffer and could do nothing about it. He’d lost count of the number of times he’d woken to hear the same distressful sound. He glanced out the laced curtained window and guessed by the light that dawn was not far off. Again Michaela’s hacking cough could be heard. Surely she couldn’t sleep through that, and if so, then she’d be a long time getting better. And what about the baby? Maybe an illness like this might effect their unborn child and certainly Michaela’s lack of sleep wouldn’t be doing it any good.

He’d been fighting the urge to go to her all night. Mindful of Andrew’s worries about the possibility of her illness being contagious, he’d so far managed to resist the temptation, but he couldn’t just lie here in bed listening to her suffer. Suddenly his resolve melted away and he rose slowly, favouring his sore shoulder, grasped a blanket and the water pitcher from his night table and tiptoed out of his room towards hers.

Michaela didn’t hear him approach the bed as again she was struck with a vicious attack of coughing, coughing which seemed to originate all the way down in her feet and wracked her whole body.

"Hey," said Sully softly, as he sat himself by her bed. The room was illuminated by a single lamp on the night table, but that was enough to see that Michaela was nearing the end of her tether. She turned tear-filled eyes on him. "Sully!" she exclaimed, her voice raw from the coughing. "You’re not supposed to be in here …. Remember what Andrew said?"

"I know … I know ….. but I couldn’t lay there any longer listenin’ … had to be here with ya," whispered Sully lovingly, brushing the damp hair back off her forehead. He poured some fresh water into the bowl, dipped in a clean cloth, wrung it out and then gently laid it on her brow. "Its alright sweetheart ….," he reassured her.

Her eyes filled with tears. "I feel so awful Sully," she whispered despondently. "I can’t stop coughing, I’m hot …. and everything hurts …"

"Sshhh ….. its gonna be alright …. I’m here now," he soothed. "Where does it hurt?"

"From the coughing ….. all the muscles across my back and chest …. And I can’t lay down, because when I do I start to cough again, but I can’t sleep sitting up."

Sully nodded and took the cloth from her brow to rinse it again before replacing it. "Lets see if we can’t do somethin’ ta help …" he said quietly.

He rose and slowly transferred the cloths, water pitcher, bowl, and glass to the table on the right side of the bed. Then, with his good arm he helped her sit up and slide forward in the bed, before climbing in to sit behind her, his back against the headboard, stretching out his legs on either side of her. He then gently pulled her back to lean against his chest. "Now if ya can get comfortable ya might be able ta sleep if I’m holdin’ ya," he whispered against her ear. He reached across to rinse another cloth in the cool, clean water, then after undoing the buttons down the front of her nightgown, he began to gently wipe the cooling cloth over the fevered skin of her neck, breasts, and distended stomach. Michaela sighed in contentment at his ministrations and gradually relaxed against him. "That’s it," he whispered. "You just needed some holdin’ …. sleep now my love …. I’ll look after ya …."

For the next couple of hours, Sully alternatively wiped down her hot skin and gently rubbed her tired back muscles, all the while whispering soothing words of comfort. Gradually her coughing lessened and her skin cooled until he was able to draw the blankets up over her and hold her lovingly against his chest as she finally slept.

Andrew pushed the door of the recovery room open and was taken aback at the scene before him. Michaela was sleeping sitting up, leaning against a slumbering Sully who was holding her securely against his chest, his cheek resting on the top of her head.

He smiled and shook his head. Several times throughout the night he’d risen and tended to Michaela, placing cooling cloths across her brow and brewing willow bark tea for her to drink, however little had helped, and he’d begun to worry that her illness was more serious than they’d first thought. Her deep hacking cough, which had developed so quickly, was particularly worrying, and she had been quite distressed each time he’d seen to her. Now here she was, sleeping peacefully and, if he wasn’t mistaken, her fever may even have eased. He shook his head wonderingly.

Only one night ago he’d held Colleen in his arms as they’d observed Michaela keeping vigil over Sully. He remembered Colleen saying that there was something special, something extraordinary between this couple, something that could not be put into words, that did not need words. Was Colleen right? Was there an intangible bond between these two which could overcome anything put in its path? He remembered Michaela once saying that love could heal. Perhaps now he’d been given reason to believe the adage.

He smiled again, and silently backed out of the room, pulling the door shut behind him.

Two days later, Sully sat by Michaela who was perched up in the recovery room bed, dressed in a very becoming pale blue bedjacket over her nightgown. Although still afflicted with a bothersome cough, she was feeling much better, and was hoping that Andrew would say that it was alright for she and Sully to return home later this afternoon. They were eagerly waiting for the children to arrive for their visit before going to Grace’s for lunch.

Suddenly the door was pushed open a little and Katie skipped into the room to stand at the foot of the bed. She smiled delightedly at her parents and then did a little pirouette, showing off her new attire. She was dressed as a fairy, complete with pretty white dress, gauze wings, a crown of flowers perched on her blond head and a sparkling wand in her hand. Sully and Michaela applauded her entrance, then the little girl announced, "I’sa fairwy." She paused as if she’d forgotten what to say next. Her hand went to her mouth and she began to rock back and forwards on her heels. "Ummmm …." She looked towards the doorway.

A female voice from the hallway cued, "Magic …."

"I’sa fairwy ….," she repeated. "An’ …. an’ ….. magic.. ." She suddenly waved her wand extravagantly towards her parents. "Mama … papa…. all betta …" she finished with a flourish, as she ran forward and shyly buried her head in her pa’s lap.

Watched by four indulgent pairs of eyes in the doorway, Sully gently picked her up to sit her on his knee and kiss her cheek. "Pa’s feelin’ much better little Kates," he whispered with a wide, doting smile. Then he passed her across to Michaela who also gave her a loving kiss and a cuddle and said, "Mama’s feeling much better too …." The little girl beamed at the two of them. "Ma …pa …. home?" she asked eagerly.

"Now you two take it easy for a couple of days," instructed Andrew. "Everything’ll be fine here Michaela, you just make sure you’re fully recovered before you return to work."

"Don’t worry …. we’ll be fine … I’m just looking forward to going home. I know its only been a few days but it feels as though we’ve been away for weeks," said Michaela with a smile and a glance up into Sully’s face.

Andrew took a tentative step closer. "Ummm … Michaela," he began hesitantly. "I know you’ve never had much time for the Chateau ‘tonics’ and other so called ‘curatives’ but uh …… maybe you could think about trying this one." He handed her a small brown bottle. "I believe that taken in moderation, actually two teaspoons per dose, it may help that cough you have …. and help you sleep at night."

Michaela eyed him dubiously and then suddenly smiled. "Thank-you Andrew," she said sincerely and then added with a sparkle of amusement in her eyes, "Considering the alcohol content, I shall indeed remember to take it in moderation."

Later, seated comfortably side by side before the homestead fire, both Michaela and Sully sighed audibly.

"Good to be home hey ma ....pa?" asked Brian astutely, looking up from the lively and competitive game of draughts he was having with Matthew.

"Mmmm …. *very*," replied Michaela for both of them.

They’d been welcomed at the door of the homestead this afternoon by a slightly dishevelled Kathleen and the tantalising aroma of home cooking. Throughout supper the young woman had been apologetic about the quality of the meal, although it was obvious that she’d studiously followed all the instructions Colleen had jotted down for her and had succeeded in producing a very creditable repast as a result. This had prompted Sully to joke that it seemed she was going to learn the fine art a lot more quickly than Michaela. Despite an indignant look in his direction, Michaela had accepted the light-hearted comment in the way it was intended and consequently commended Kathleen on her efforts.

Ever since they’d arrived home the children had hovered around their parents, ensuring they did as little as possible and, for the moment, both Michaela and Sully were enjoying the attention. Now Katie lay asleep in Michaela’s arms, her hand clutching Sully’s thumb tightly, Kathleen was sitting in the wingback chair working diligently on her needle-point and the boys were squabbling over the legalities of a certain move on the draughts board. Again Michaela sighed in contentment and leaned back against Sully’s right shoulder.

As their game of draughts ended with a disgusted snort from Brian and a wide grin from Matthew, Sully addressed their eldest son. "Ah Matthew …. I was wonderin’ whether there’d be any chance of you helpin’ me at the clinic for the next coupla weeks … on the buildin’?"

Before Matthew had an opportunity to reply, Michaela turned to view Sully in astonishment. "Sully you know you can’t do anything with that shoulder … for at least another three to four weeks … you don’t want to damage it further!"

Sully sighed exasperatedly. "That’s why I’m askin’ Matthew to help me," he rationalised, as he once again turned his attention back to the young man.

"Ah …. Sully ….I’d really like to help ya," replied Matthew hesitantly. "But the truth is …. I’m gonna be kinda busy for at least the next two weeks …. gotta go to Denver for a few days ….. an’ I promised Robert E I’d do some work for him at the livery …. an’ …an’ there’ll be extra to do ‘round here …." He trailed off guiltily.

Sully momentarily looked a little puzzled and then nodded. "S’pose it was a bit much ta ask at short notice," he said quietly. "Just worried ‘bout disappointin’ Colleen an’ Andrew …. said they’d be able to move in by Thanksgivin’."

"There’s no need to worry about that ..," Matthew quickly assured him. "They both understand …. they told me …."

"Yeah … told *me* that too," added Brian, who’d been silently listening to this exchange.

Sully nodded resignedly. "Well maybe by Christmas then …."

Both young men silently sighed with relief and Kathleen smiled to herself, all unnoticed by either Sully or Michaela.

Matthew rose from the floor. "Well, guess I’ll be turnin’ in," he said as he stretched his muscles and yawned. "Night Sully …. night Dr Mike …. Kathleen …. Brian …." He reached down and flicked a wisp of blond hair back off Katie’s forehead adding quietly, "Little sister." And then, much to Michaela and Sully’s surprise, he made for the front door.

"Matthew?" queried Michaela. "Where are you going?"

The young man turned back towards them looking a little sheepish. "I’ve bin sleepin’ in the barn," he explained quietly.

"The barn?" exclaimed Michaela. "You’ll freeze to death … and why?"

Matthew’s eyes dropped to the floor. "I’m used to sleepin’ in the barn," he said in a low tone. "Did it all those years at the old homestead."

"Yes I know…. but why should you here?" asked Michaela, now completely baffled.

"Well …. I moved out there when Sully was injured an’ you were stayin’ at the clinic. Figured folks in town mightn’t think it was right …. me an’ Kathleen livin’ under the same roof an’ all ….. even with the kids," he mumbled.

Michaela and Sully both smiled at his embarrassed explanation, then Sully asked, "Have ya mentioned to anyone in town that those are the livin’ arrangements now?"

Matthew looked up at him in surprise. "No," he said indignantly "Aint nobody’s business but mine."

Sully smiled ironically. "Well then why not move back in …. seein’ nobody knows," he suggested, baiting the young man.

"Cos *I’ll* know," replied Matthew decisively, as he unhooked his coat from the peg beside the door, nodded a goodnight and walked out into the cold night air.

Michaela and Sully exchanged amused and yet proud glances.

Kathleen set aside her sewing and also stood. "Think I’ll head off to bed too," she said with a smile. "Would you like me to put Katie down?"

Both indulgent parents looked down at their sleeping daughter. "No … we’ll do it … haven’ had the chance for a few days," replied Sully. He looked up into the young woman’s deep blue eyes. "Thanks for all you’ve done the last few days Kathleen …. Must’ve bin real hard decidin’ to stay behind an’ then lookin’ after Katie like ya have … we really appreciate it."

The young woman blushed as Michaela added, "Especially her little fairy performance this afternoon. It really cheered us up and it was obvious Katie has been having an enjoyable time."

"I just thought you might appreciate something special from a very special little girl," Kathleen replied modestly, as she began to head towards the stairs. "Goodnight Michaela, Sully, Brian. See you in the morning …. Oh … and don’t you worry about rising early … I’ll make sure Katie and Brian get their breakfast and Brian leaves for school on time. Give yourselves some time to relax and get well."

Michaela entered their bedroom an hour or so later, after checking on Brian and ensuring that Katie was sleeping soundly, to discover Sully mumbling angrily under his breath as he tried to remove his shirt without hurting his injured shoulder.

"Here … let me help Sully," said Michaela, moving quickly to his side. "Now bend over and I’ll pull it off over your head." As he did so, she gently peeled the offending blue shirt up his back and over his head, casting it aside. She smiled at him and said wryly, "Perhaps tomorrow we’d better find your few button-through shirts and make sure they’re wearable, at least until your shoulder has healed."

Sully gave her a baleful look and slumped down on the edge of the bed to remove his boots. "Don’ like bein’ useless," he muttered despondently.

Michaela immediately desisted in unbuttoning her blouse and moved across to stand between his legs. "You’re not useless Sully … just in need of help for a little while ….we all are sometimes ….," she said softly and tenderly. She reached across to gently run her fingertips over the bare skin of his sore shoulder, then leant forward and lovingly kissed the trail of her fingers. As she began to straighten up, Sully placed his hand at her nape and slowly drew her head down for a kiss which deepened as he applied pressure. Michaela’s hands automatically came up to cup his face, to prolong the kiss, to lose herself in the sensations he so quickly aroused.

As the kiss broke off, Sully murmured, "You’ll never know how much I missed this."

Michaela gazed into his adoring blue eyes and whispered, "Its only been a few days …. And we’ve slept beside each other every night."

"Mmmm …. I know …. but I’ve missed this," he said softly, as he undid the remaining buttons on her blouse. "An’ this," as he leant forward to place tender kisses across the swell of each breast. "An’ I missed this," as he lifted her skirt so that he could slowly and lovingly run his hand up her leg to cup her buttocks and pull her in close.

Her eyes locking with his, Michaela began to caress the skin on his chest, running her fingers through the hair and teasing his nipples until they hardened. Then she moved downwards to slip her fingers inside the waistband of his buckskins, circling his waist from front to rear and back again. She leant forward and whispered in his ear, "You undo my skirt at the back and then I’ll help you with these."

Sully eagerly accepted her offer, spinning her around between his legs so that her back was to him. Soon her heavy, dark blue skirt lay in a heap at her feet and she turned and began to fumble with the fastenings at the front of his pants. After a struggle they joined her skirt on the floor. Sully again pulled her in close and, as he slowly drew the front of her bloomers down to expose her swollen stomach, he placed a trail of wet kisses over the taut skin.

Overwhelmed by his loving attention, Michaela lovingly pulled her fingers through his long sun-bleached hair and gently massaged the sensitive skin at the base of his neck. She moaned softly as Sully continued the gentle kissing and his hands moved up to gently cup her burgeoning breasts.

Suddenly he was taken unawares when she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and pulled him forward to cradle his head in the valley between her breasts. He could feel her heart pounding and her breathing quicken and then was surprised to hear a small sob escape and to feel a wet drop fall onto his cheek. He leant back a little to peer up into her tear-filled eyes. "Michaela?" he asked worriedly. He gently cupped her face with his right hand and wiped away the tears with his thumb. "What’s wrong?"

Michaela looked away momentarily and took a few deep, settling breaths.

"Michaela … tell me," implored Sully in a low voice.

She again breathed deeply and then whispered tearfully, "I …. I just remembered ….. only a few nights ago I was wondering whether I’d ever be with you like this … here …. again …."

"Hey ….. hey ….. we *are* here … together …. an’ we’re gonna be for many years to come …. lovin each other ….," soothed Sully as he drew her close and tenderly caressed her skin. "Here …. let’s finish undressin’ …. an’ climb in under the covers … I think we both need some holdin’."

Within minutes, Sully was laying on his back in their bed, Michaela cradled in his good arm, her head resting in the familiar hollow between his neck and the point of his shoulder. She began to gently run her fingertips over his chest and neck. In response Sully rolled her closer, as much as her distended belly would allow, and waited patiently for her to look up at him. When she did he captured her mouth with his in a long, arousing, exploratory kiss. As the kiss deepened Michaela gasped and raised herself up higher, moving her mouth with his in an intense rhythm which soon had them both breathing rapidly.

Hampered by his injured shoulder, Sully could only move his good hand up and down her back, pulling his fingers through her long, silky hair and then trailing them sensuously down her spine to her buttocks. As the kiss broke off for a moment he whispered with a sultry, wry smile, "Umm ….. between my sore shoulder an’ um …. baby here," indicating with a nod her swollen middle, "Um ….. lovin’ ya aint gonna be easy …."

Michaela blushed, but didn’t hesitate to raise herself up much higher and to once again lean across to enthusiastically claim his mouth with hers, taking up where they’d left off. A few seconds later she pulled back, ran her hand slowly and tantalisingly down his chest, across his flat stomach and then a little lower and whispered coquettishly in his ear, "I think we’ll manage ….."

And they did.

Michaela woke to the sound of a wagon pulling out of the yard. She rolled over to see Sully sitting up against his pillows, watching her. "Was that our wagon?" she asked as she awkwardly pulled herself up into a sitting position.

"Yep, probably find a note from Matthew or Kathleen downstairs …. Even had Katie with ‘em .. heard her gigglin’," he replied, as he leant across to kiss her good morning and to gently caress her bare stomach.

"What time is it? I can’t believe I slept through them all getting up and having breakfast. What must Kathleen think of us?" murmured Michaela in consternation.

"She aint gonna be worried …. Remember what she told us last night … said to take it easy … she’d look after the kids …. An’ that’s what she’s doin’," said Sully pacifyingly.

"Mmmm …… I must admit its nice to just lie here with you …. but it makes me feel very lazy," murmured Michaela as she slid down under the covers again and rested her head in his lap. She sighed in contentment and closed her eyes as Sully began to run his fingers through her hair and massage her skin.

Both lost track of time as they enjoyed this closeness, this being together time, however suddenly a noise in the distance brought both their heads up in dismay.

"Its a wagon Sully," exclaimed Michaela. "It can’t be Kathleen back already … there hasn’t been time."

As Michaela struggled to sit up, Sully swung his legs over the side of the bed and peered out the bedroom window. "Its Loren!" he said wonderingly. "Wonder what he’s doin’ out here?"

"Well whatever it is neither of us is in any fit state to greet him," said Michaela wryly as she too swung her legs over the side of the bed. "I haven’t time to dress … I’ll just have to pull on my robe …. and…. ah ….. I’ll give you a hand with the buttons on your buckskins."

As Michaela quickly pulled a brush through her long night-tangled hair, Sully struggled to drag on his pants, at last imploring, "Michaela?" She turned and, despite their rush, smiled. The right side of his pants was pulled up over his hip, while the left barely covered his muscled thigh. She walked across and gave the left side a hard tug, bringing it up to match the other, and then she quickly did up the buttons.

"Feel like a baby ….. havin’ someone help me dress …," muttered Sully frustratedly.

Michaela gave him a loving smile, stood up on her tiptoes to give him a quick kiss and then helped him into his shirt. By the time Loren had drawn his wagon to a halt, got down, and then climbed the steps to the Sully front door, Michaela and Sully were on their way downstairs.

Sully pulled the front door open in response to Loren’s knock and smiled a greeting. "Mornin’ Loren," he said. "What brings you out here?"

"Mornin’ Sully …. Dr Mike," replied Loren, and then seeing Michaela’s attire, he added quickly, "Hope it aint too early to be callin’ on ya."

Michaela stepped forward and attempted to put him at his ease. "No Loren …. Its not too early …. I’ve just been a little lazy this morning …. Please excuse me …. and come sit down."

As Loren made his way to one of the wooden dining chairs, he remarked, "Ah .. that’s good ….. meant ta see ya yesterday at the clinic…. before ya came home …. To see how you both were ….. but the store got busy an’ all ….."

"Thanks for thinkin’ of us Loren …. We’re both on the mend," returned Sully. "But ya didn’t haveta come all the way out here …. We’ll be back in town in a coupla days."

"Oh that’s alright …. Dorothy offered to mind the store for me this mornin’ when I said I wanted to see ya …. An’ truth is Sully, I wanted to talk to ya about what else ya gonna be needin’ for your work on the clinic," said Loren, finally arriving at the purpose for his visit.

"Well, as ya can see …..its gonna be a while before I can go back to workin’ on it … so there aint no urgency," Sully reassured the older man.

"Yeah … Andrew told me …. ‘bout five weeks heh? Nothin’ worse than not bein’ able to do what ya set ya mind on," sympathised Loren.

"You know how it feels?"

"Yeah … oughta ….. went through months of it after that stroke a few years back," mused Loren, who then appeared to give himself a mental shake and returned to his original topic. "I know it’ll be a while before you can finish the clinic," he said. "But the closer it gets to Christmas the more likely we’ll have some snowstorms which’ll push up the price of freight. So I was thinkin’ that it’d be better if we went ahead an’ ordered it, before any of that happens. You were gonna need it anyway ‘til ya hurt ya shoulder."

"Well … that’s true," murmured Sully as he considered the storekeeper’s proposition. Then his eyes narrowed and he said pointedly, "Ah …. somebody got a special goin’ at the moment Loren…. so’s you can make a profit?"

Loren gave him an indignant, hurt look. "Well if ya gonna be like that about it …. we can leave it til later an’ you can pay the extra freight charges if ya want."

"No I’m sorry Loren …. Shouldn’ve said that …..maybe it is a good idea to put the orders in now," said Sully contritely.

Loren pulled a pad and pencil from his coat pocket. "Right then … what’ll you be needin?"

"Well ….. there’s the boards for the inside wall linin’s, …. a stove - Colleen’ll want somethin’ like ours I expect, you better ask her, ….. lamps ….."

Chapter 27

He rose from his table at the caf� to greet her. "Hey, bin waitin’ for ya," he said softly, as he took her hand and then pulled out the bench so that she could sit down, which she did somewhat tiredly.

"I’m sorry I’m a little later that I said I’d be …. its been quite a morning," she said wearily.

"Trouble?" he asked with concern.

"No … not really …. Its just been very busy and I think the baby must be lying in a strange position …. making my back ache ….," replied Michaela as she sat up straighter and arched her back, trying to loosen the muscles.

Sully gave her a sympathetic smile and said quietly, "When we git home …. I’ll rub it for ya …."

Michaela blushed a little and then gently caressed the back of his hand laying on the table, before continuing, "Rachel Darcy came in today…"

"She did? How’s she doin’?"

"Well its going to be a long while before she’s fully healthy again … and I’m afraid she may be left with a limp …. But Aidan’s helping her with the exercises she needs to do to strengthen her leg and ankle again …. she’ll be alright," rejoined Michaela with good a deal of satisfaction.

"Good," murmured Sully. "Hard to believe she had such a bad accident out there, an’ is gonna be alright ….. you wouldn’ have thought it at the time …."

"Mmmm …. I suppose you’re right …… depends on how badly a person wants to live I guess ….." Michaela again caressed Sully’s hand.

"Or how badly those who love ‘em want ‘em to live."

They exchanged a long, meaningful, silent gaze and then Sully gestured towards Grace’s menu board. "Ya hungry?" he asked with a smile.

Michaela smiled in return and then said wryly, "Of course."

"Good. Where’re Katie an’ Kathleen?"

"They’ll be here in a minute. Kathleen took Katie for a walk. The two of them get on so well. I don’t know how Katie’s going to react when Kathleen returns to Charleston."

"Has she said she’s goin’?" asked Sully, obviously not having given that possibility a thought. Kathleen had settled so quickly and happily into their family that it would feel strange if she wasn’t there.

"No …. but I have a feeling her brother is not going to be happy about her staying too much longer."

"Well seein’ she hasn’t said anythin’, I’d say she’s gonna be with us for Thanksgivin’. ….. Speaking of which …. you aint said what ya wanna do this year …. turkey dinner at the homestead?" suggested Sully, aware that Michaela had been avoiding the topic for some days.

Michaela shrugged her shoulders disconsolately. "To tell you the truth Sully," she said in a low tone. "I …. I ….. I don’t feel the same about Thanksgiving this year. Remembering what went on around Thanksgiving last year makes me shiver …. Its made me think of it a little differently and I don’t think I feel like celebrating…. At least not this year."

"I know what ya mean …. But the kids’ll want to celebrate …. do somethin’ special …."

"Yes …. I suppose you’re right. Have you noticed that no-one in town has mentioned it either. The epidemic effected so many people ….. Loren, Colleen …..so many families lost loved ones." Her eyes welled with tears for a moment as she thought of her sister Marjorie. Then she seemed to pull herself together and said softly, "We’ve got a few more days …. I’ll order a turkey from Loren …. and we can decide as a family what we want to do."

Sully’s hand covered hers protectively. "That’s a good idea. We don’ have to have a big celebration …. just somethin’ quiet at the homestead if ya want …."

She nodded gratefully and then, spying someone over Sully’s shoulder, her face broke out into a wide grin. Sully spun around in time to see Kathleen and Katie approaching. Katie had one hand firmly in Kathleen’s and in the other was a bunch of wildflowers. When the little girl saw her ma and pa watching her, she broke away from Kathleen to run to them, thrusting the flowers under Michaela’s nose.

"For me?" exclaimed Michaela.

"For mama …" replied Katie excitedly and then she jumped in surprise when Michaela sneezed as the pollen tickled her nose.

Sully laughed and reached down to swing his tiny daughter up into his arms. "You had a nice mornin’?" he asked her, nodding a greeting to Kathleen as she sat down at their table.

Katie nodded delightedly and explained, "Saw twain ….. Mattew ….. Mr Bway …" She reached into the pocket of her pinafore and proudly drew out a lump of candy.

"Mmmm …. Mr Bray’s bin givin’ ya candy agin … huh ….," murmured Sully in amusement. "Hope ya gonna eat ya lunch …"

"Katie hungwy …." replied the little girl determinedly. "Kafeen hungwy too …."

"Good, well then let’s eat," said Sully, waving to a waitress.

Throughout the light-hearted meal Michaela was aware that something was troubling Kathleen. Despite her determined efforts to involve the younger woman, Kathleen was particularly quiet and tended to sit back, rather that join in the conversation. Then, as the meal neared an end, Grace arrived at their table, Michael cradled lovingly in her arms. "Mind if I visit for a minute?" asked Grace with her usual sunny smile, though it was obvious that she wasn’t feeling her usual, effervescent self.

"Of course," answered Michaela with alacrity, as she scooted along the bench to make room for her friend.

Grace sat down and then turned to Sully. "How’s that shoulder Sully? Still givin’ ya some pain?"

Sully smiled wryly. "More frustratin’ than painful now Grace …. its bin nearly three weeks an’ Michaela still won’ let me do things I’d normally do without even thinkin’."

Grace smiled sympathetically and said, "Won’t be too much longer …. you just listen to the doctor here."

Sully screwed up his face and nodded resignedly.

Making a conscious decision to change this rather contentious subject, Michaela asked her friend, "How’s Michael doing?"

"Oh he’s just fine," replied Grace, as she tilted him up a little so that they could see him better.

"He certainly looks well Grace …. putting on weight nicely I’d say," said Michaela with a smile, as she tickled him with her finger and the plump, brown-eyed baby grasped it in his tiny hand.

Grace smiled wearily. "He oughta be …. seem to be feedin’ him every other hour …. Don’ think I was prepared for all this gettin’ up in the middle of the night …. What I wouldn’t give for a full night’s sleep."

"You’ll get one eventually Grace …. and you’ll get used to the broken sleep … becomes a habit after a while," empathised Michaela.

Katie who had been sitting quietly on Michaela’s knee, could hardly contain herself when Grace tilted the bundle in her arms to reveal a tiny, beautiful, brown skinned baby. She stood up, her leather soled shoes digging into her ma’s thigh, and leant across to pull the blanket back a little and to coo. "Oooh …. pwetty baby." She reached out to gently stroke his soft skin and then suddenly turned confusedly to Michaela. "Mama’s baby?" she asked. "My baby?"

Michaela and Sully laughed softly. "No Katie ….. not our baby …. this is Grace’s baby …. his name is Michael," explained Michaela patiently.

It was obvious that Katie was still confused. She turned and slipped down so that she was once again sitting on her ma’s knee and then leant to place her ear against Michaela’s stomach. "Katie’s baby seepin’?" she asked, needing verification from her parents that nothing had changed.

Michaela blushed and replied softly, "Yes Katie …. our baby’s still sleeping."

Around her each adult bore a huge grin and then Grace said wryly. "I wish this little one would sleep more often. I didn’t realise how hard it was goin’ to be …. managin’ the caf� an’ lookin’ after a newborn."

Kathleen, who had been silently observing the goings-on at the table suddenly interjected. "Grace ….. I’d love to look after Michael for you …. perhaps in the mornings when I’m looking after Katie for Michaela …. ," she offered eagerly. Then her face fell a little and she added, "Well at least for as long as I stay in Colorado Springs."

Grace was eyeing her with a mixture of amazement and hope. "I dunno Kathleen," she said slowly. "I wouldn’ wanna put ya out ….. you’re a guest in this town …. an’ ….an’ what would people think?"

"But I’d love to do it Grace …. I adore children and I don’t care what people think," Kathleen reassured her. Then she turned to Katie. "We could take him for walks couldn’t we Katie …. in his pram … in the meadow?"

The little girl appeared to consider this new proposition with some seriousness and then grinned and exclaimed, "Yeah …. me an’ Kafeen an’ baby go for walks."

Kathleen turned back to Grace and smiled. "How about we try the mornings … it’ll give you a chance to get organised here at the caf� without having to worry about him …. As long as I can bring him back as soon as he gets hungry."

Grace laughed delightedly and reached out to squeeze Kathleen’s hand. "Well at the moment that seems to be all the time …. Thank you for offerin’. I’d love to give it a try …. if you’re willin’." When Kathleen again nodded reassuringly, Grace stood, her precious bundle in her arms, and said, "Well we’ll try it Monday then and thanks." She turned back to Michaela and Sully and added, "We’ll see you in church tomorrow won’t we …. an’ after for the church picnic?" Gaining a positive response from her friends, she nodded happily and wandered back to her bench to supervise her workers.

Michaela hung up the wet washcloth after completing the supper dishes and wandered into the living-room, undoing her apron as she went. She could hear Sully moving around upstairs as he put Katie to bed and she smiled contentedly. Kathleen was sitting in the rocking chair, her needlework in her lap, her eyes fixed on the leaping flames in the fireplace. Michaela sat herself in the wingback chair closest to the young woman and asked softly, "Is something wrong Kathleen?"

The young woman started as if she hadn’t heard Michaela come in and then shrugged her shoulders despondently. She reached into her skirt pocket to withdraw a crumpled piece of paper which she handed to Michaela.

Michaela scanned the paper quickly and then turned to the younger woman. "I wondered if this might happen," she said knowingly. "When did this arrive?"

"This morning," replied Kathleen despondently. "I don’t want to leave." She suddenly looked up into Michaela’s eyes, realising that she was considering only herself. "Of course, I don’t want to impose either," she added quickly.

"You’re certainly not imposing, we’ve all enjoyed your company and your help, but you must do what you think is best," advised Michaela.

"Even the way he’s worded it Michaela - ‘I insist that you return to Charleston immediately’. I’ll return to Charleston to behave prettily, and hostess for my politician brother. Here I feel as if I am doing something, that I can be *me*, that people respect me as Kathleen Enders and not Thomas Enders’ little sister," rejoined Kathleen passionately. "At least he had the good grace to say that he was pleased Sully had recovered," she added with a touch of cynicism and then blushed embarrassedly. "I’m sorry Michaela. I *do* love my brother. I just wish he’d realise that I’m a person too, with feelings and ambitions, just like himself."

"I sympathise with your frustration," said Michaela kindly, as she reached across to place her hand on Kathleen’s arm. "I went through years of it myself. But you also have to consider what you may be risking if you just ignore your brother’s wishes."

Kathleen eyes immediately flew to Michaela’s.

Recognising the young woman’s insecurity, Michaela quickly reassured her, "As I said, we love having you here and you are welcome to stay for as long as you wish, but you’re not going to be able to postpone your return forever without discussing your feelings in depth with your brother."

Kathleen nodded her head and her eyes dropped to the floor. "I know," she replied dejectedly. After a few moments she straightened her shoulders and turned to Michaela. "If its alright with you, I’ll wire him tomorrow that I intend to stay at least until after Thanksgiving …. Then I’ll write to him and tell him all about how I feel, and why I’m so enjoying staying in Colorado Springs and being a part of the life here."

Michaela gave the woman’s arm a gentle squeeze. "As Sully would say … that sounds like a plan," she said with a smile. "Now time for bed I think ….. church tomorrow."

The two women rose and walked arm in arm towards the stairs.

"And so I say to you all - Go in Peace," concluded the reverend the next morning to his congregation of churchgoers. There was the normal mumble as people readied themselves to depart, the normal shuffling of papers and booted feet, but then the reverend spoke again. "Though of course our business here today is not complete," he stated authoritatively but with a smile. Gradually the church quietened again.

Michaela, who had been busily collecting together all the bits and pieces dropped by Katie during the church service, stopped what she was doing and looked around in puzzlement.

The reverend continued. "As most of you know, there has been much talk of how we might celebrate Thanksgiving as a town this year. Its been the topic of many a conversation at Grace’s during the past weeks. Memories of loved ones lost last year have caused many of us to approach this year’s Thanksgiving a little differently. The general feeling has been that we wanted to do something together, as a town, and that a special project might be more suitable, rather than the usual form of celebration." He turned in the general direction of the Sully family. "Michaela …. Sully …. that’s where you come in."

Michaela’s eyes flew from the reverend’s face to those of her closest friends, while Sully looked as bewildered as she.

Reverend Johnson went on. "When most of us thought about the sentiment of Thanksgiving, especially what it means this year … we came round to the fact that without a town doctor, the effects of last year’s illness could have been even more dramatic …. that all of us here present have something to be very thankful for."

Michaela blushed self-consciously and her eyes dropped to the floor.

"And Sully, we know that you’ve been working on additions to the clinic so that Dr Cook and Colleen can live on the premises, so that there should always be medical assistance available when needed. Back a few weeks ago a little bird told us that you were disappointed that because you’d hurt your shoulder, you weren’t able to complete the clinic by Thanksgiving as planned."

Sully shrugged sheepishly and slumped down in the church pew, always uncomfortable when the centre of attention.

"And so, with your permission, the townspeople would like to help you complete the clinic for Thanksgiving, something we can all do together. What do you say? Loren has ensured that all the supplies are delivered and ready to be put to good use."

There was a long moment of silence, during which Sully and Michaela sat still, their minds racing, their hands tightly clasping each other’s.

The reverend suddenly spoke again, "Oh and Sully, in case you’re worried … We all know how proud you are of your craftsmanship …. and every man has agreed to work under your supervision, so you can be happy with the final product."

There was a small ripple of laughter amongst those present and then Sully spoke quietly. "We’d be honoured reverend," he said. His eyes flew around those assembled, seeing proud smiling faces, faces with a common purpose. "An’ thanks from both of us," he added.

"Good. We have just five days, so we propose to go on with our picnic lunch in the meadow, and then, although its the Sabbath, I’m sure the Lord will have no objection to us making our way over to the clinic and starting work … or at least planning where we’ll start," said the reverend. And then he added with a wry smile, "Or finding out what some of us who shouldn’t be let loose with a hammer can do to help."