The Grudge

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. The rights to those characters and to the show belong to the creators of the show, to CBS, The Sullivan Company and to A&E.

Notes: there has been a lot written after Abigail Sully tragically passed away with her still born child Hannah: How Sully felt guilty about being the cause and how he loved her in a different manner to Michaela. We witnessed how Loren's long held bitterness against his son-in-law moulded their relationship; these have been written about also. I wanted to explore the reasons before this all occurred and give it my interpretation on their history.

Chapter 1

Loren Bray roared out of the mercantile with poor Maud in his wake. He was fit to tie somebody, that Byron Sully if he ever got his hands on the young scoundrel.

…..

He had had a fitful sleep during the night due to his interjection and hence had slept in later than normal. Having come down to the shop already in a mood he called out to the sunshine in his life his daughter Abigail. She always managed to calm him with her bright and cheery nature; until just recently.

"Abigail!" he called softly knocking on her door.

There was not the normal response from within. Knocking again there was still this eerie silence from within the shop.

"Surly the whole household had not slept in," he was thinking. It was never this quiet on any morning, especially early on a working day.

He never went beyond the point of entering his daughter's room and so he stood undecided outside; but on the third attempt to get a response he decided that she must have been gravely ill to have not reacted. Pushing on the door he was astounded to discover that her bed was made and there was no sign of her. The room actually looked deserted but how could this be?

He was surprised to say the least as she was never an early riser since she was a little girl in his arms. He had been an indulgent father who doted on his only child. She had been the apple of his eye as was the case when an only child was involved. Maud didn't get tired of telling him not to spoil her but that always fell on deaf ears. He knew what was best for his little girl. He had taught her nearly all the things she needed to know over the years, her tables, how to read and write, why after she found a husband whom he could hand the business over too she'd be an asset, he'd make sure of that. There were not a lot of choice in the town as yet; but the frontier was opening up with more and more opportunities than ever before.

The silver mine over the ridge though had brought an influx of what Loren called undesirables into the town. As there was only one gal to twenty odd men; he was sure to keep a close eye on his daughter especially after their pay day; as he was convinced that each and every one of them made their way to the store on one pretence or other - just to gawk at his beautiful daughter. She had skin of ivory and curled hair the colour of ebony and those smouldering eyes of pure dark honey. She was a beauty that's for sure.

Maud was more tolerant than he as she liked especially one young lad with these crystal blue eyes, and if her husband wasn't around to shoo him off she'd allow them to chat awhile. So Loren would endeavour to be here on their pay day. The miner Byron Sully though seemed to be able to slip into town; more often than most, generally when he'd had to travel to Denver; in the wagon for the heavier supplies, that couldn't be delivered by the weekly coach or on horseback into the town.

….

Loren eventually found a note neatly folded on the bench top; the bench that she'd held onto when learning to walk, the bench that measured her height till about her sixth year when she was finally tall enough to look over the top.

Slowly unfolding it he saw that it was written in her stylish hand. "Why would she be writing to me?" he wondered.

It began

My dearest Papa,

I am sorry for this letter is going to disappoint you immensely I am afraid.

I know your heart is set on my marriage to Martin Anderson whom you have groomed to be your successor but I find I am unable to hold Martin in high esteem that would be required for me to become his wife.

I like Martin of cause but he isn't the man I wish as a husband. He is more like the brother whom I never had and I see him as the son you never had. One does not marry their brother and that is how I feel about Martin.

So it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to run away and marry the man I am in love with. Byron Sully and I have gone to Denver and when we return we will be married. I only pray that you will find it in your heart to forgive me as I have decided to follow my dreams.

Byron has built a small homestead on the land that Mama gave to me years ago and that's were we are going to live on our return.

Papa you are a man of high principles and I can only pray that you'll see it in your heart to forgive me. I love you Papa and am sorry for the disappointment I know I will have caused you in this decision. There was no choice really as I have followed my heart in this matter deciding whom it is I wish to live the rest of my life with.

Mama is the gentlest soul and she did not know of my decision so please do not blame her as this will be as big a shock to her as it is to you.

I love you Papa and I hope you will forgive me in your heart.

Yours ever your daughter

Abigail.

Throwing the note at his wife in disgust he stormed to the door bellowing for attention in the cold morning. Getting the immediate attention of a number of the men folk in the centre of town out stretching lazily so as to begin the day he summoned them to come here.

Quickly he filled them in on what had occurred during the night. Hank and Jake where all ears Hank patting the pistol at his hip saying he'd be delighted to accompany Loren on a posse to help drag his daughter back where she belonged. Jake didn't take long in joining the idea and a number of others as well: those who found the saloon an ideal watering hole and entertainment centre. Hank couldn't resist the comment that Loren's pretty young daughter must have had rocks in her head to fall for the non-drinking young miner Sully. Normally Loren would have immediately jumped down somebody's neck with any derogatory comment on his daughter but not this morning.

Horace and Robert E decided it really wasn't any of their business so they stayed quiet holding their peace. Slowly moving out of the already angry growing mob they went to their respective work places.

"Loren think about what ya' doin'," Maud pleaded grabbing hold of his braces in an attempt at getting his attention. She was determined to be listened too as she was Abigail's mother and had feelings as well.

"Woman ya' don' know what ya' sayin'! She's snuck off with that no good miner and she aint goin' to marry him if I can help it," he yelled at her. He'd never had much consideration for Maud over the years they'd been married. She was aware that he'd only courted her after her beautiful sister Dorothy turned him down because of that Marcus Jennings fella'. However it was Maud who had been in love with him from the moment she'd laid eyes on him.

"Man should hog tie that boy for brinin' shame to ya' daughter Loren," Hank drawled still hung over from the night before and not fully awake. He was never one to hold his tongue and think before insults spewed from his mouth, decorum was not one of Hanks finer points.

"Over my dead body will he marry her," Loren hissed between clenched teeth. His anger accelerated by the minute. "Who'll ride with me?" he yelled.

Immediately a chorus of "Ya's" filled the air.

"Meet here in fifteen minutes," Loren said loudly turning and stalking back into the mercantile with Maud meekly following in his wake.

Pleading Maud said, "Loren ya' can't do this to ya' own flesh and blood, ya' daughter, ya' little girl."

Loren looked directly at his wife and snarled "Just watch me".

Meanwhile Martin came into the front door having been informed by the gossiping towns-folk that his supposed intended had eloped with a miner. "I want to come too," he immediately informed Loren.

"NO!" Loren barked out. "I need ya' to watch the store till I get back."

"But Loren…". Maud feebly attempted again looking at Martin then shrugging her shoulders and walking meekly behind the counter.

Within minutes Loren was ready. The last thing he grabbed before heading to the front door was his rifle.

Maud stifled a gasp and her eyes grew large in her already paled face.