Chapter 2

It was a few days later when Constance was on her way to the café that she saw Sully entering the post-office. Quickly she decided to wait for him because she hadn't seen him in town for a few days. When she sat on the bench in front of the building, she heard Sully and Horace talking.

"All right, Sully. I'll immediately send the papers to the land registry and we'll get an answer back in a couple of days. Then the property will be yours. It's a lovely spot for a new home. Congratulation Sully."

"Thanks Horace. But please, I want you to keep this quiet."

"Of course, you know I took an oath."

Constance's heartbeat quickened about what she had heard. This could only mean one thing: Sully would build a new house because he wanted to have a new family and that meant he would marry again.

„I knew it!" she thought very pleased.

When Sully came out he met the waiting Constance.

„Hello Constance," he greeted her politely.

„Sully, nice to see you. Are you on your way to Grace?"

„Uhm, yes."

„Then I'll accompany you," and with that she hooked her arm through Sully's, guiding him toward the café. But this was unpleasant for him, so he caught her arm, stopping her.

"I walk by myself."

"Of course," she answered abashed and blushed, and both walked silently side by side through the alley toward Grace's café. Almost all of the tables were occupied when they entered, but Grace lead them to the last free table and took their order.

After Grace had brought the meal Constance asked Sully, "So, you've bought land?"

"What?" Sully thought he had misheard. "What do you mean?"

"Sorry, Sully, I didn't want to eavesdrop, but when I came to the telegraph office I heard Horace and you talking."

"You are wrong!"

"No, I've heard it exactly. You bought land and you'll build a new house. Does it mean you are no longer mourning and you want to marry again?" she asked him full of expectation. And when he didn't answer she continued, "Maybe you and I, sometimes…"

Sully's face and voice showed that he became short-tempered.

„Constance, we have to talk!" He grabbed her arm and led her out of the café while most of the people at the other tables turned to stare.

„Listen, you are a nice young woman, Constance. Everybody in town likes you and so do I, as a friend. In many things you remind me of Abagail, really." For a short moment his eyes went sad but then he turned back to her. „I know you figured we both could become a couple. But this will never happen. I'm sorry if you have false hopes; but I'm also sure you will acknowledge that they were not given to you by me!"

„But..." Constance replied.

„Listen, I know you want a family with a husband and children and you deserve it all, really. But I'm not the man who will give you all this. I'm not in love with you, Constance."

"But I've thought you were," Constance said tearfully.

„No, I'm not." And to leave no doubt Sully added, "I'll never marry again."

With this he left her behind and walked away.

--

In Boston Michaela's life was completely consumed by work. If she wasn't with her father at the practice, she took over volunteer shifts at the hospital. But at night when she lay in bed, she felt lonely. She was thirty-four years old and an unmarried woman. 'Old maid' the men called her when they thought she didn't listen. But she did. And it hurt a lot.
Despite her daily routine Michaela couldn't get Byron Sully out of her mind. Something like that had never happened before, not even with David. Almost every night she had the same dream: She saw Byron's face in a crowed place but he didn't see her. She called him but he couldn't hear her.
Even her father noticed that Michaela often mused when she felt unwatched. One day when she once again stood at the window and looked out on the street, he came to her side and placed his arms around her shoulder.

"You can't forget him, mmh?"

First she didn't answer but nodded. But then she said, "What's wrong with me? I know that I'll never see him again but he's still on my mind."

"I guess you are fond of him."

"But Father, how could I? I don't know this man. I only saw him for a few minutes."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Sometimes there is no explanation for such a thing."

--

About a month after Sully had bought his new property, a tall and sturdy man stepped out of the stagecoach that just had arrived.
Hank, the saloon owner, and Jake, the barber, who were on the porch of the saloon, watched him while he stood in front of the mercantile just as if he was searching for something or someone.

„Do you know him?" Hank asked Jake, with a cigar in the corner of his mouth.

„Never seen," Jake answered while the stranger now neared the saloon.

With a tip on his hat he asked „I'm looking for Byron Sully. Do you know where I can find him?"

„Mister, you won't find Sully, Sully will find you!" Jake told the stranger.

The man looked around, considering. "Is there a hotel in town?"

"No, Sir, but opposite the saloon," Jake told him with a nod, "is Widow Cooper's boarding house."

"Or you can get a room at my saloon," Hank offered, "with a lot of women for your entertainment, if you understand what I mean," Hank said with a grin.

"That sounds good to me!" The stranger answered with a wink and walked inside where Hank led him to a back room.

When the man came back after he had rested, he ordered a drink at the bar, where now Hank, Horace and Loren stood too, curiously watching the new customer.

"Where do you come from, Mister, and what do you want from Sully?" Loren asked.

"My name is Henry Sinclair and I know Sully from Denver. We worked together at the train station. He's a very good carpenter! And I came to offer him a new job." He took a slug of his whisky. "Now I only have to find him."

"That will be difficult, Sir, because he lives somewhere out in the woods. Nobody knows exactly where."

"In the woods?"

"Yes, he is Colorado Springs' lonesome mountain man," Hank told him with a smirk.

"I know where you can find him," Horace exclaimed, but immediately his face turned red when he recognized what he had said.

"You?" Hank asked with narrowed eyes.

"Uhm, yes." Horace nodded and turned to Mr. Sinclair. "I'll bring Sully to town."

"Hey Horace, are you sure you know where he is? No one knows the woods like Sully. At the end you get lost out there!" All men laughed.

"He'll be in town soon, trust me!"

"Thank you." Henry patted his shoulder. "Hank, two glasses of whisky for this kind gentleman and me."

--

The next morning Horace rented one of Richard E.'s horses and rode to Sully's new purchased property, where Sully had already set the base of his new homestead and now was going to construct the load bearing lumber walls.

"Morning Sully."

"Horace. What brings you out here?"

"There is a man in town looking for you," Horace told him.

"Me? Why?" asked Sully, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"He said something about a job."

"What's his name?"

"Sinclair."

"I don't know anyone called Sinclair," Sully murmured and kept on working.

"He said he knows you from work in Denver. I told him I'll get you."

Sully stopped working. "From Denver?" He pondered and then it occurred to him. "Henry Sinclair, the foreman!"

"You know him?"

"Yep." Sully put off his working gloves and took a slug from his canteen.

"Tell him, I'll meet him at Grace's at noon."

"Yes, Sully." Before Horace mounted his horse he informed Sully, "I haven't told anyone where you are."

"Thanks Horace, I know I can count on you."

"You're welcome. I'll see you in town," said Horace and rode away.

--

Sully entered the café and looked around to find Henry Sinclair when a voice called, "Sully, I'm here!"

Both men were pleased to meet again, shaking hands across the table.

"It's good to see you, Sully. Nice town this Colorado Springs. In particular some of the women in town." Henry told him, looking at a woman who sat at one of the tables, waving to Sully with a lovely smile. It was Constance.

"Yep," was Sully's brief answer.

"Your sweetheart, I guess," Sinclair winked and nodded in Constance' direcction. "Mr. Lawson told me that she only has eyes for you. What a pidy," he sighed.

Sully sat down on Sinclair's table. "Let's come straight to the point. Horace told me you came to offer me a job?"

"Yes, Sully. It's something special."

"I'm not interested in a job."

"What?"

"Like I said, I'm not interested."

"Why? Everyone needs a job to earn money"

"At the moment I have something else to do."

"You already have a new job?"

"Nope."

"Listen Sully, let me tell you the offer's details."

Sully leant back on his seat and nodded.

"You remember James Parker, our client in Denver? He told me he'd watched you at work and he was impressed by you. You're a good worker he said and I agree with him. Precise, accurate, hard-working. He also was fascinated by your carving talent."

Sully smiled. He was aware of his own talent. He liked working with wood since he was a kid.

"Well, James came to me last week with a job offer for you and me. His brother, Harvey Parker, is building a new hotel, a very elegant one, and because of your carving talent he told his brother that you are the right man."

Sinclair took a piece from his apple pie. "Mmh, it tastes good!" Then he continued. "Look, the job he offers to you is to make the furniture for a complete hotel. Wardrobes, cabinets, shelves, beds, tables, chairs. Everything."

"That sounds interesting, but I'm afraid I have to refuse."

"Sully, listen. You are quite the right man for this job. And you can make a lot of money. Harvey Parker pays three times more for a week than James Parker did for the work in Denver. And you have free board and loading. Don't refuse too quickly, Sully. First take a look at these plans. We can discuss after you have taken a look."

Now Sully grew curious. He would need a lot of money to build the new homestead the way he'd planned it. The money he'd saved didn't cover all the costs. But with the money he could earn with this job he wouldn't have to hold back with the expenses.

"How long will it take to finish the job?" Sully asked Sinclair after he had a long close look at the plans.

"You'll be away for a while."

"How long?"

"It's a contract with the Parker Company until december."

Sully took a deep breath. "That's a very long time. And where does he built this hotel? In Denver?"

"No, Sully, it's far from here, at the East Coast."

Sully pondered and then told him, "Like I said before, I refuse."

"What is it that keeps you from taking the job?" Sinclair looked at Constance with a grin. "I guess it's this beautiful lady over there!"

Sully ignored this words completely instead of he said, "Well, I know it's a lot of money I could make. But I need a job around here because I'm building a house. I can't go away." After his long period of mourning Sully would focus his attention on the new homestead he would build.

Sully stood up, "Sorry, Henry, I guess your trip was in vain."

"If you should change your mind, let me know. I'm staying at the saloon for two more days."

Sully walked away but then – he didn't know why – he turned around again.

"What did you say where this hotel will be built?"

"On the East Coast. In Boston."

Sully held his breath. "Boston?"

"Yes."

Suddenly thousand thoughts crossed his mind: multi-colored eyes, a face like an angel, a soft flower scent like roses…Dr. Michaela Quinn. Could this offer be the chance to see her again? He walked back to the table.

"Uhm,…have I time to think about it again?"

"Of course, but don't take too long. We have to catch the train in Denver in five days. All hired workers will meet in Boston in two weeks."

Sully nodded. "I'll tell you my decision tomorrow." And with that he walked away.

--

After he'd left the café Sully walked out of town, walked and walked and without thinking he suddenly stood in front of his old homestead. He wasn't there since he'd left the house after Abagail's death three years ago. Looking around he saw an abandoned run-down farm. The place was a wreck. Slowly he climbed up the steps to the porch and placed his hand on the doorknob but he wasn't able to open the door. He turned around and walked to the barn where he became aware of a chopping block with his old axe stuck in it and his gloves which lay beside it. He picked up the working gloves, took the axe and began to split firewood. And he hacked and hacked and it didn't occur to him to break off. His thoughts wandered around this job in Boston. Should he take it? Only when he had split the last piece of wood he stopped hacking. Then he piled the firewood under the porch of the homestead. Exhausted, soaked and tired he sat down on the chopping block and talked to himself.

"No one needs this firewood. No one will ever live in here."

He closed the door of the barn and walked away and while he glanced back at the homestead for the last time he came to a decision…

--

The next evening Sully was invited for supper at the boarding house. He was strangely quiet and Charlotte suspected something was bothering him more than usual. She knew it wasn't unusual for Sully to be quiet, but today it was different.

Sully picked at his food and finally he turned to Charlotte, saying,

"I'm leaving Colorado Springs at the end of the week."

A deep silence fell over the room. Colleen, Matthew and Brian looked at each other worriedly. The kids liked Sully very much and they couldn't imagine Colorado Springs without him. In particular Brian would miss him because both had spend a lot of time together fishing at Cripple Creek.

"What on earth are you talking about," asked Charlotte perplexed. "You sound like you are leaving for good."

"No, not for good but for eight month," he declared. "And besides, if anyone is interested in buying the old homestead - I'm going to sell it."

"I still don't understand. And why do you want to sell your homestead? I thought, maybe, you'll move there again, someday. And anyway, where are you going?"

"I got a job on the East Coast, in Boston, to make the furniture for an entire new hotel."

"But why on earth so far away? Are you running away from your past?" Charlotte asked him.

"No, no. It's rather a new beginning. I used a part of the money I earned in Denver and bought land outside town. And I've started building a new homestead. And with this job in Boston I can make a lot of money to finish it."

"I don't know what to say, Sully." Charlotte sank into the chair. Sully laid his hand upon her arm.

"Boston!" she sighed.

"What about your Wolf?" Brian asked him. "Will you take him with you?"

"Unfortunately, I can't take Wolf to Boston so Cloud Dancing will take care of him."

--

Until the day of his departure only Cloud Dancing, Charlotte and the kids knew about Sully's decision. But there was still one man he wanted to say good bye to. Loren.

Sully entered the mercantile where the first one he met was Constance.

"Hello Sully," she greeted him.

"Constance," he replied while he was looking for Loren.

"Where is Loren?" he asked her.

"Upstairs."

Then she became aware of his traveling bag.

"Do you make a journey?"

"Yep. I go away on a business trip."

"Again? You are barely home from that job in Denver!"

"Constance, that's none of your business!"

Constance blushed. "It seems to me like you are running away from me."

To Sully's relief Loren came back at this moment.

"Loren. I came to say good-bye. I got a job on the East Coast."

"And what about your plans to build a new homestead?" Constance interfered and Sully narrowed his eyes because of her talkativeness.

"New homestead?" Loren asked.

"Uhm, yes Loren, I'm building a new house."

"You want to forget her?"

"Oh no, Loren, never! I 'preciate the past and I'm thankful for the time I had with Abagail. But now it's time for me to go on with my life. I know this ain't easy for you."

Loren shook his head.

"I hope you'll understand," Sully held out his hand and Loren looked at it a beat before he grasped it.

"When will you be back?"

"At the end of the year."

"Good luck."

"Thanks." Then he turned to Constance who stood next to Loren with tears in her eyes.

"Good bye, Sully," she whispered and all of a sudden she kissed his cheek.

"Good bye, Constance."

--

After the train arrived in Boston, Harvey Parker welcomed Henry Sinclair and Sully and many other workers at the trainstation. Most of the men had never been in a city like Boston. Most of them were poor and they were glad to get this job to support their families back home. Parker accompanied the workers to their lodging and when they had moved in, Parker met Sinclair and Sully to talk about the job.

"Welcome to Boston, Mr. Sully. I'm glad you accepted my offer. My brother James, you know him from Denver, recommended you to me. Well, and my old friend Henry Sinclair," Parker patted Henry's shoulder, "is also convinced that you are the right man for the job. You've seen the building plans?"

"Yes, Sir. It will be a very impressive hotel."

"True! The first place in town! Like my hotels in Chicago, St. Louis and Cincinetti." He paused a moment. "Illinois, Missouri and Ohio. But now lets talk about the details. Henry is the foreman of the masons and I'd like you to be the foreman of the carpenters, Mr. Sully."

Sully was surprised. "Thanks for having trust in me, Sir."

"You can rely on him, Parker." Sinclair assured.

"I hope so," Parker answered and then continued, "A working day will last from 7 a. m. to 5 p. m., six days a week with an one-hour-break at noon. All workers get one day off and I'll pay the wages every Friday."

"That sounds fair to me," Sully nodded.

"And you Byron - I hope it's okay if I call you that -…"

"Please, Sir, it's only Sully."

"Well, Sully, you'll work with the finest materials. I'll spare no expense for the furniture."

Parker rose from his chair. "Well, I think there will be a good cooperation between us. Gentlemen, I'll see you tomorrow morning." With that Harvey Parker reached out his hand to Sully and Sinclair and left the room.

That first night in a new surrounding, Sully was long unable to fall asleep. It was hot in the bed room that he shared with nineteen other workers. He got up and went to the window to open it. The night was fresh, bright and he saw nothing but buildings outside. Only buildings. No trees, no shrubs, no bird was to hear. He knew he would miss Colorado. Today Parker had introduced him to his work and Sully knew it would be a hard time, but Parker paid a very fair wage for that. And every week he would have one day off. He went back to bed, crossed his arms behind his head and looked at the ceiling. His thoughts went away to Michaela. What if she was married and had children? Quickly he chased away these thoughts. He would find out. Next week.

--

Today was Thuesday and after six days in the new job Sully had his first day off. The last days he had considered whether he should visit Dr. Quinn or wait a little longer but in the end he decided to visit her today. Because he didn't know how to find the way to Beacon Hill he walked in the direction of the downtown area. On his way he passed a cafe shop and decied to buy a box of chocolate for Michaela. After he had paid and got the chocolate, he asked for the way to Beacon Hill.

"Beacon Hill?" The shop assistent eyed him from head to toe with big eyes, surely because of his strange clothes and long hair.

"Yes, Sir. Beacon Hill," Sully said determined.

"Well, it's eastern from here. Go left for about half a mile up to the train station, then you walk along the main street for about one miles. Beacon Hill is bordered on the west by the Charles River. You can't miss it because it's an exclusive residential area."

"Thank you." Sully left the shop with his present and walked down the street. However, when he reached the train station he was unsure where to go now. Among a crowd of newly arrived passengers, who pointed and stared at him, he spotted a policeman and neared him as to ask for the way. Like the assistant before, the policeman eyed him up and down because of his unusual appearance with buckskins and beads, yet he was kind enough to show him the way.

--

Today was Michaela's business day at the hospital and two hours after breakfast David arrived with his carriage to pick her up and accompany her there.

"Good morning, honey," he kissed the back of her hand and helped her to get in.

"Good morning, David."

He closed the door and told the coach driver to start. On their way to the hospital they passed the train station and when Michaela looked out of the carriage window she saw a crowd in front of the building and among that a man with shoulder length hair in a brown leather jacket. Suddenly her heart began to race.

"Byron!" she whispered and laid her hand on the window. Everything happened so fast and she couldn't spot that man again. That was why she turned her head to look out of the rear window. But at that moment the carriage turned off the main road.

"Honey, is something wrong?" David asked her. He had not failed to notice her restlessness.

"No, no." Michaela answered with a still racing heart, "Everything is fine."

"You've called a name. Have you seen someone outside?"

After the first shock she had her feelings under control now.

"No, David, you must have misheard," she told him and added, "And please, don't call me 'Honey'."

David just shook his head and became engrossed in his paper again.

Sully still stood among all those people in front of the train station, listening to the policeman when he suddenly heard a woman speaking his name.

"Byron!"

He looked around – but there wasn't any woman he know. At this moment a carriage passed by and turned into the main road. Sully's heart began to race. He was sure he had heard this voice before – it was HER voice.

All through the morning Michaela thought about this man at the train station. Could it really have been Mr. Sully? But why should he be here in Boston, far away from Denver? She intended to keep her eyes open when she would be in town, maybe she would see this man from the train station again.

When Sully reached Beacon Hill it was like entering a strange world. Stores on the main street showed fashion from France and England. Men were dressed in fine suits and hats and women carried parasols to screen their white faces from the sun. He spotted the Opera house, fine restaurants and a whole shop only selling candies and ice-cream. Immediately he thought of Brian home in Colorado Springs who liked candies so very much. This shop would give him so much pleasure! Sully looked around. The streets were filled with streetcars, carriages and a lot of people and Sully felt a little bit uneasy at this fancy place.
With the ripped calling card in his hand, shortly after noontime, Sully finally reached Mt. Vernon Street, the place where Michaela lived. When he stood in front of the house number 10 he was visibly impressed by the size and elegance of this white painted four-story-townhouse. Next to the huge entrance door which was made of massive shaped panels of oak, he recognized a sign "Joint practice J. Quinn M. D. / M. Quinn M. D." He plucked up the courage and knocked at the door which was opened by a butler in a black suit.

"Sir, may I help you?" If the butler was amazed about Sully's appearance he didn't let it show.

"Uhm, good afternoon. I'd like to talk to Dr. Quinn."

"I'm sorry, Sir, but consultationhour is already over. The practice will be open again from two to five this afternoon. Would you be so kind and come back then, please?."

"Oh, yes, of course. Sorry for disturbing you. I'll be back at 2 o'clock."

"Harrison, is there an emergency?" a voice called from behind.

"No Dr. Quinn, the man will come back at the consultationhour."

A man with white hair and white beard came to the door. He had a friendly face with a nice smile. It was the man who was with Michaela in Denver.

"Good afternoon, young man. Like Harrison had already told you, would you come back later, please?" Josef looked at the man on the threshold and thought that he had seen him before. But where?

"Have we met before, Mister…?"

"Sully, Sir. My name is Byron Sully."

Dr. Quinn reflected a moment. "Mr. Byron Sully? From Denver?"

"Yes, Sir." Sully nodded surprised.

"You are the man from the train station in Denver, I remember. I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Sully." Josef shook his hand heartily and Sully was amazed by this warm welcome.

"Would you like to come in?"

"Uhm, yes. Thank you, Sir."

He followed Josef into the entrance hall and when they entered the parlor, Sully looked around, impressed. There were a gallery of family portraits along the hallway, paintings, elegant furniture and precious carpets all around. It was obvious that the Quinn family belonged to the Boston upper class.

"Sit down Mr. Sully. Can I offer you something to drink? A cup of coffee, perhaps?"

"Yes, thank you."

"What brings you out here?"

"Well," Sully began, not sure if he would find the right words, "I came here to thank your wife in-person for treating me so well at the Denver train station."

"My wife?"

"Yes, Sir. Dr. Michaela Quinn."

Suddenly Josef began to laugh out loud.

"What's so funny?" Sully asked puzzled.

"She isn't my wife, Mr. Sully." Josef couldn't stop laughing, "she is my daughter!"

"Really?"

Josef could hardly speak, still chuckling, "She is really my daughter!"

Sully felt very relieved hearing this news and Josef recognized that.

After Josef calmed down he spoke to Sully again.

"Unfortunately, my daughter isn't here at the moment. Sometimes she volunteers to work at the hospital. Like today," Josef informed Sully.

"I see."

"Mr. Sully, would you mind if I asked a few questions?"

"That's all right with me, Sir," Sully agreed.

"Have you come all the way from Denver just to talk to my daughter?"

"No, Sir, that wasn't the only reason. I actually came here for a job."

"And what do you do?"

"I'm working for Harvey Parker. He's building a new hotel, maybe you've heard about it. It's called 'Parker House' in Back Bay and I'm one of the carpenters or better said I'm the foreman, in charge for making the entire furniture for the hotel."

"I've heard about this new hotel." Josef paused a moment. "Is that what you do in Colorado, too?"

"Sometimes." Sully answered truthfully.

Josef took another sip of his coffee and leaned back in the chair.

"You're wearing unusual clothes, Mr. Sully."

"Well, not for me but for many people, especially the people here in Boston, I guess. I've noticed how they eyed me. The clothes are what I am. At home they often call me 'mountain man'. These clothes and beads are made of buffalo skins and bones. It's a gift from my Indian friends, the Cheyenne."

"Indians? That sounds very interesting!" Josef exclaimed.

"Sometimes I act as a negotiator between the army and the Cheyenne Indians."

"Really interesting!"

Sully was amazed about himself: He answered all the questions Dr. Quinn asked him without hesitation. Normally he was very reserved in dealing with strangers.

"Then, Mr. Sully, here is my last question: Are you married?"

Sully was surprised about this question but he answered truthfully again.

"No, Sir. But I was once."

"You are divorced?"

"Widowed."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear about that."

Sully nodded. "Thanks." Then he took a deep breath and dared to ask Dr. Quinn, "Is your daughter married?"

"No, she isn't, my friend."

Josef got up from his chair and put his cup aside.

"That's the end of my interrogation!" Josef said with a friendly smile. "I hope you are not angry that I wanted to satisfy my curiosity!"

"No, Sir. Not at all."

"Well, Michaela isn't back from hospital yet." Josef pulled out his pocket watch. "I guess it will take at last three hours until she'll be here. Do you want to come back tomorrow to speak with her, Mr. Sully?"

"Mmh, unfortunately, I've to work tomorrow and my next day off is next Sunday."

Josef considered this for a moment.

"So, will you join us for supper tonight, Mr. Sully?"

Sully was astonished about this invitation but he accepted. "I'd be glad to. Thank you, Sir."

"I guess, my daughter will be glad, too. But I think we should surprise her with your coming, what do you think?" Josef asked Sully with a wink. "Then I'll expect you for supper at 7 o'clock."

When Josef accompanied Sully to the door, Elizabeth stood in the hallway upstairs and after he closed the door she came down.

"Oh, Goodness, Josef, who was this person? I don't like it when you see your patients in our parlor! Have you seen how outrageously he was dressed? And his hair! How inappropriate!"

"Elizabeth! Don't be so prejudiced. Mr. Sully is a very kind man. Besides, he wasn't a patient, he came to visit Michaela."

"I beg your pardon?"

"When we were in Denver last month she treated him after an accident. And now he's in Boston and he took the opportunity to come here and thank her. And because she is still at the hospital I invited him for supper tonight so he can say it to her in person."

"You did what?" Elizabeth thought she had misheard.

"I invited him for supper."

"Josef Quinn, he's a stranger!"

"Yes, I know, but a pleasant one."

Elizabeth shook her head and annoyed she walked back upstairs.

It was 6:30 p. m. when David and Michaela came back from the hospital. David stepped out of the carriage and helped Michaela down. At this moment Sully turned into Mt. Vernon Street and he saw Michaela and her companion. Quickly he walked back a few steps, watching them from a distance.

David, still holding Michaela's hand, asked her, "It's a long time ago since we had a game of chess, isn't it? What do you think about a game tonight?"

"Would you mind if we don't play tonight, David?"

"Michaela, is something wrong?" David noticed that she was as restless as she was in the morning when they had passed the train station.

"No, no, everything is fine. I'm tired, that's all." But Michaela wasn't tired, her thoughts were still with that man from the train station.

"Well, then I'll go now. Perhaps we'll play chess some other time."

"Yes, we will definitely do that. Good night, David."

"Good night, honey." David kissed Michaela's hand and after she had closed the front door he climbed back into the carriage. When the carriage turned around he saw a man with long hair, buckskins and a leather jacket, who approached the Quinn's house. In his hand he held a package and a bunch of flowers.

"Driver, stop!" David ordered and looked out the window, watching the man who now walked up and down in front of the building for almost ten minutes before he applied the door knocker. David was confused. Who was this man and why did he visit the Quinn's late in the evening? David decided to ask Michaela the next time he would meet her.

"Driver, go on!"

Michaela entered the parlor to greet her parents.

"Good evening mother, father."

"You are late, darling. There was a lot to do, mmh?" Josef asked her.

"Yes, absolute. A man with a broken leg, a woman with an appendicitis and just now when I was ready to go home, a mother brought her son who had put beans into his nose. Can you believe it? Beans!" While Michaela laughed she looked inside the dining room.

"Four places? Sorry, but David has already gone."

"The fourth plate isn't for David," Elizabeth explained with an angry look in Josef's direction.

"For whom is it?" Michaela asked curious.

"That's a surprise, Mike," Josef told her.

"So I better go upstairs to freshen up before our guest comes, whoever it will be." Then she hesitated a moment. "Father, today at the train station…"

"Yes, Mike?"

Michaela looked from her father to her mother who was listening.

"Uhm, it's nothing." Michaela decided not to say anything in the presence of her mother and left the room.

Sully, who was terribly nervous, knocked at the front door which was immediately opened by the butler. He stepped inside and Harrisson led him into the parlor to Josef and Elizabeth Quinn. Josef came toward him and shook Sully's hand and if Sully still had doubts whether he would be really welcome, they disappeared by the cordial welcome he received from Dr. Josef Quinn.

"Welcome to our home, Mr. Sully."

"Thanks for the invitation."

"Mr. Sully, let me introduce you to my wife, Elizabeth Quinn."

Elizabeth extended her hand only hesitantly to him and her look showed him that she wasn't pleased about his presence, that she in particular disliked his inappropriate clothes and long hair.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Quinn." Still nervous he presented the flowers he had brought along. "Thank you for the invitation."

She barely nodded and passed the flowers immediately to Harrisson as if they had thorns and with that Elizabeth turned around, disregarding Sully.

"Well, I hope you are hungry, young man. Let's go to the dining room." Josef who felt Sully's uneasiness patted his shoulder, "and don't worry about my wife."

A few minutes later Michaela hurried downstairs and was about to go in when she heard a voice that made her stop suddenly. This voice…No. it couldn't be. Her heart began to race when she slowly walked in.

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Let me know what you think of Chapter 2