Summary: What would have happened if Colleen had chosen to travel with Gilda St. Claire instead of becoming a doctor?

Chapter 1
The Letter

Colleen crossed the railroad tracks. She went up to the post office window.

"Dorothy told me you had a letter for me?" she said to Horace.

"Yeah, here it is," Horace handed her a letter.

"Thanks!" Colleen rushed back to the Clinic, where she opened the letter.

Dearest Colleen, the letter said.

I find myself able to perform again, and hope that you still wish to travel with me. If the answer is favorable, please write to me in San Francisco, and I will meet you in Denver.

Yours,

Gilda St. Claire

Colleen clutched the letter to her heart. This is what she had been waiting for since one year ago. She still recalled the day Gilda had left with perfect clarity.

"I'll miss you," Colleen told Gilda, as they stood at the train station.

"I'll miss you too. I'll send for you, when I'm well again," Gilda replied.

"Here's some laudanum, for the pain," Ma handed her a small bottle. "Make sure you see a doctor in San Francisco to make sure your throat is healing properly."

"I will. Thank you, for everything."

Gilda boarded the train. Colleen watched as the train rounded the bend. She felt happy, yet sad at the same time. She was giving up her dream of becoming a doctor, but she was excited to travel.

Colleen was drawn out of her reverie by a knock on the Clinic door. She opened it. Emma stood there, also holding a letter.

"Colleen, did you get a letter from Miss St. Claire?" Emma asked her.

"Yes. I told her I would travel with her, remember?"

"Well, I also got a letter from her. She wants me to travel around and sew her clothes for her."

"Oh that's wonderful!" Colleen squealed. "I was afraid to go by myself!"

"I'm not sure I should go," Emma told her. "Mr. Bray's grown used to me, he told me so himself. I don't think I could leave."

"Of course you can! This is a great honor! Just think of all the places we'll go!"

"Well, I suppose I can go. When do we leave?"

"Let's write a letter to Gilda. Then she'll tell us when to meet her in Denver."

Dear Gilda, Colleen wrote.

Emma and I both wish to travel with you. I will take care of correspondence, etc., and Emma will sew for you. I miss you very much, and can't wait to see you soon. Please write and tell us when to meet you in Denver.

Yours,

Colleen and Emma

P.S. Is there anything you would like from Dr. Mike?

"That should do it," Colleen said. "Let's mail it right now!"

She and Emma ran to the post office to mail the letter.

"I hope we get a reply soon," Emma said. "I can't wait to travel!"

"Me too." Colleen said, giving her a big hug.

I hope you liked it!

Please review for another chapter!

KT Lee :)