CHAPTER 1
Ellie Burton let her head rest against the wall as she sat inside the train car. Her long maple hair laid on her shoulders in a wavy mess. The skirt on her simple frock was wrinkled and her blue eyes were half covered by tired eye lids. The train was crowded. Ellie shared her compartment with four strangers. It had been a long few days. She had jumped on the train in Boston a few days ago in high spirits, full of courage, and excited for a new adventure. It was more then an adventure though; it was an escape. However, she now began to realize she had no real plan, and hardly any money. Still, she didn't regret leaving. She wasn't sure she could entirely escape from what she was running from but she was going to give it a good try. As the train rocked along, Ellie tried to concentrate on the view outside the window. She had felt increasingly closed in. The compartment was small and there were too many people. It was hot and uncomfortable. She tried to look at the open fields that rushed by to keep her calm. She made a conscious effort to breath slowly despite the slight difficulty of it. The conductor announced that Colorado Springs was only a couple of hours away. Taking heart that her journey was almost over, Ellie began to feel excited about being in a new place and meeting new people. She unconsciously tapped her long fingers against her leg. A favorite tune ran through her head as her fingers drummed it out.
A couple of hours later the train began to slow down as it reached the station. By this time she was increasingly short of breath and she could hear the air passing in and out of her lungs with a wheezy sound. The people in her compartment began to get up and reach overhead to grab luggage and gather belongings. Ellie peered out the window taking in the sight of the town in an attempt to distract herself with the fact that she was being squished by a large man who was reaching above her to get his suitcase. There were people coming and going. This was it. This was going to be the place to start fresh. Nervousness tugged at Ellie's insides which she quickly attempted to ignore.
Finally, Ellie had room to move about the compartment and grabbing her small bag stepped off the train. At first she just stood there taking it all in. She was unsure where to go. She would need a place to stay but first she needed to see a doctor. Despite the cool fresh air that came as such a relief compared to the hot train car, her chest still felt tight and she was a bit dizzy. She saw a nice looking man come out of the telegraph office. He was tall and lanky but seemed to have a kind disposition. Ellie watched as a few people approached him asking questions. He directed them accordingly and Ellie decided to talk to him first. She gingerly made her way toward him.
"Excuse me Sir?"
Horace turned and looked down at her. "Hello Miss. Welcome to Colorado Springs. I'm Horace Bing."
"Thank you Mr. Bing! I'm Ellie Burton." Ellie stuck out her hand warmly.
Horace was surprised by her forward and friendly introduction. He took her small hand and shook it lightly. He took in her rumpled appearance and said, "Looks like you've been traveling a long way."
"Look that good do I?" Ellie asked with a sarcastic smile.
"No! I didn't mean to imply that…" Horace stammered not wanting to insult her.
Ellie gave a musical laugh, "I'm only teasing Mr. Bing. I'm sorry." Horace sighed and returned her smile as she continued, "You are correct though. I feel like I've been traveling for ages."
"Did you travel all by yourself Miss?"
"Indeed I did! All the way from Boston." Ellie said proudly. She suspected that Mr. Bing didn't think her old enough to be traveling alone and it gave Ellie an uncomfortable feeling that perhaps her plan wouldn't work. She was relieved to find that Mr. Bing was gentlemanly enough not to inquire as to her age.
"Dr. Mike's from Boston too." Horace said.
" Doctor? That's just what I was going to ask you about actually. I was wondering if you might direct me to the hospital?"
Horace became alarmed by her inquiry. "You alright? Is something wrong? I can go get help if…?"
"No! No, nothing to worry about." Ellie blushed at having worried the man. She took a breath that rattled uncomfortably in her chest and continued, "I just don't feel quite myself after such a long journey."
"Oh, well, the clinic is just across the road down that way." Horace pointed in the general direction. "Dr. Mike is the best doctor you'll find.." Ellie stuck her hand out again and firmly shook Mr. Bing's hand, "Thank you very much! It was a pleasure to meet you. Have a nice day!" Ellie picked up her bag, turned and began walking in the direction of the clinic.
"You too Miss!" Horace said as she went.
Loren and Jake walked up to Horace just a few moments later.
"Did you see that pretty girl come off the train?" Loren asked.
"Yeah, got kind of friendly with Horace here." Jake elbowed Horace in the ribs. Horace turned a bright red and frowned at the two men.
"She was just asking about where the clinic was." Horace said.
"Sure she was!" Loren joked.
"Kind of young though for ya Horace." Jake jabbed.
Loren laughed.
"She did look young. Said she was traveling alone." Horace said almost concernedly.
"Ahhh, probably some problem kid who ran away from home and is going to end up working at the saloon for Hank!" Loren said derisively.
"Yeah, that's just what this town needs, more of Hanks kind of business. " Jake said sarcastically.
"Oh, you two keep quiet." Horace spoke up. "She's a sweet girl." Loren and Jake exchanged smirks. Horace continued, "Besides, she's probably just visiting. Only had a small bag."
"Well, you don't need a lot of clothes over at Hanks." Loren commented.
Horace gave him a sour look, "From Boston she says. You ain't gonna see a Boston girl end up at the saloon."
"Well, I ain't seen no Boston girl look like that before. She wasn't dressed nice enough." Jake said confidently.
"Sure was pretty enough though." Loren said. Jake nodded in agreement and Horace stepped back inside the office.
Ellie was about to knock on the door of the clinic when it came open and a man walked out followed by a very lovely woman.
The woman said, "Now use that paste once a day and it should help with the swelling."
"Ok, thanks!" The man left and the woman turned her attention to Ellie.
"Can I help you?" The woman smiled warmly at her.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I don't have an appointment. I just got to town and I was wondering if I could see the doctor." Ellie said.
"I'm the doctor! Dr. Michaela Quinn." Ellie took the hand that was extended to her.
"Hello. I'm sorry. I was told to see Dr. Mike?…"
"That is what most people in town call me. It's a kind of nick name. Please come in." Ellie followed her inside the clinic.
"What's your name?" Michaela asked.
"Elliena Burton, but most people call me Ellie." She pushed her self up onto the edge of the examine table that Dr. Mike had indicated. Ellie's fingers tapped lightly on the exam table, moving in a rhythmic pattern as she watched the doctor grabbed a few things from a nearby cabinet before returning to face her.
"It's nice to meet you. What seems to be the trouble?"
"Judging by the way you went right to that cabinet I'm sure you already have guessed it. I have asthma." Ellie said lightly heartedly with a roll of her eyes.
"Yes, I noticed your breathing was a little wheezy."
"It's not bad. Just annoying and slightly uncomfortable." Ellie said off handedly.
"How long have you had it?"
"Since I was young."
"And how old are you?"
Ellie knew it was a simple medical question but paused before answering as confidently as possible, "Twenty." Dr. Mike continued writing her notes and Ellie stifled a sigh. She wasn't used to lying. Dr. Mike didn't question her answer. Ellie knew that if anyone found out she was really only 17 there would probably be plenty of unwanted questions.
"Mind if I listen?" Michaela held up her stethoscope. Ellie nodded her consent and unbuttoned the first few buttons of her blouse to allow the doctor to listen to her heart and lungs more easily.
While Michaela pulled back the fabric of Ellie's shirt she noticed a large purple bruise on Ellie's shoulder that spread to her collar bone. Michaela continued with her examination. "Yes, there is slight swelling in your throat. Nothing to worry about though." Ellie watched as Dr. Mike poured some hot water in a cup and then put a leaf in it. Steam billowed out of the cup. "The steam is caused by the Tatura leaf. It will help relieve the swelling. Just take a few breaths. It will help."
Ellie did as she was told and felt the moist steam fill her lungs, helping her relax. "Thank you. It feels good."
"Your welcome." After a pause Michaela ventured to ask, "How is your shoulder? I noticed you have a pretty bad bruise."
Ellie stopped breathing in the steam. She had forgotten about the bruise and hadn't considered that Dr. Mike might have noticed it. Her mind began racing.
Michaela noticed the young woman's face pale a little and saw her hand move to her shoulder. She noticed Ellie's blue eyes dull; a cloud passing over the sea, as if she were thinking about something unpleasant. The girls fingers stopped their light rhythm on the table.
Without looking up Ellie said as nonchalantly as she could, "Oh, it's nothing. I just...I'm kind of clumsy and I lost my balance on the train and fell. I collided with the edge of a bench. Stupid really." Ellie gave Michaela a weak smile.
Michaela could see the young woman's jaw tighten and knew she wasn't going to get much more out of her. She wasn't completely convinced by Ellie's story but decided not to press the issue.
Ellie changed the subject, "It's so exciting to see a woman doctor! You don't see many in Boston." Ellie 's face was bright and cheerful again and Michaela wondered if she had only imagined the sadness there.
"I'm from Boston as well!" Dr. Mike said.
"Yes, Mr. Bing told me when I got off the train."
"What part of the city do you come from?" Michaela asked.
"My family was from the Beacon Hill area."
"I grew up there too!" Michaela said.
"Really? Did you ever go to the park near Colonial street?"
Ellie and Dr. Mike began a pleasant talk about places they both knew and liked to visit, and how Boston had changed since the last time Dr. Mike had been there. Ellie felt so glad to have someone who knew about her home. Despite all that had happened to her in Boston it would always have a special place in Ellie's heart. She enjoyed Dr. Mike's easy demeanor and kind understanding. They quickly became friends.
"Is your visit a short one?" Michaela asked noticing the lack of luggage the girl had.
"Umm, I'm not really sure to tell the truth." Ellie said raising her eyebrows. "Do you know a place to stay in town?"
"Well, usually people stay at the Château." Michaela offered.
"Oh,…." Ellie's head drooped and she couldn't control the look of concern on her face.
"Is something wrong?" Michaela asked, seeing the young woman's troubled look.
Ellie was startled by her question and quickly put on a smile. "Oh, no… it's just…well,…it sounds a little expensive. I confess that I spent most of my money on the train ticket here." Ellie said honestly with a furrowed brow. "I don't even know if I can pay you for your help." Ellie's cheeks flushed with child like embarrassment.
Michaela was somewhat shocked to hear this, considering most people that live on Beacon Hill have plenty of money. There was no time for her to consider this further as Ellie continued with down cast eyes, "I'm sorry."
"No need to worry about payment."
"No, I…" Ellie attempted to say.
Michaela cut her short. "Consider it a welcoming gift if you like."
Ellie humbly nodded her appreciation, "Thank you. Is there perhaps another place to say?"
"The only other place with rooms is the Gold Nugget and I'm not going to let you stay there." Michaela declared.
"Why?" Ellie asked intrigued.
"It's the saloon across the road. It's not exactly a quality establishment. Especially for a young woman such as yourself."
Ellie caught her meaning and began to laugh. "Oh, I see. So, if I don't intend on working there I probably won't get a room, huh?!"
Michaela joined her laughter, "Probably not! But you can stay with me and my family if you want?"
Ellie was taken back by her offer. "No, I couldn't!"
"I insist. Besides, we have an empty room now that my daughter Colleen is at college. And it's been a while since we've had the pleasure of a guest."
"You're sure you don't mind?"
"Not at all." Michaela gave her a warm smile.
"And your family won't mind?"
"I don't think so. My son Brian is sixteen and always enjoys meeting new people. Katie is our youngest and just turned five a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure she would love another girl in the house." Michaela watched as Ellie bit her bottom lip, considering the offer.
Ellie let her mouth turn up a little but was slightly uneasy. She really liked Dr. Mike but wasn't sure that staying with her was the best idea. If he found her she didn't want Dr. Mike's family to be in the middle of it. On the other hand, she didn't have much money and didn't want to stay at the saloon. Her mind was conflicted. Finally, pushing her worries away Ellie said, "Alright, as long as you're sure."
"Great! I get done here in a couple of hours and then we can head home. You can stay and wait if you like, or explore the town a bit if you want. We'll leave around five."
Ellie popped up from the exam table excitedly, "I think I'll go exploring." Ellie gave Michaela a quick, unexpected hug and said quietly, "Thank you."
Before Dr. Mike knew it Ellie had opened the clinic door, turning back to say, "See you in a couple of hours Dr. Mike." Then she was gone. Michaela stood looking at the closed clinic door. She couldn't help but chuckle at Ellie's charming enthusiasm. The girl certainly seemed full of energy.