They hadn't been very successful, a deer and some rabbits wouldn't last for the whole village. Cloud Dancing was worried. Then he spotted the group with the woman doctor, his brother and his wife. Coming closer he noticed a little girl clinging on Dr. Mikes neck. He could tell she didn't belong to his tribe. The look on Sully's face told him it had to be his daughter and that something was wrong. He dismounted his horse and joined the group. "Ha ho, my friend." He addressed his brother then he nodded to his wife. "It's good to see you." He shortly caressed her arm. When he turned to the doctor he carefully viewed her and the girl.
"You are raising the child?" Michaela nodded. "I am." The Cheyenne smiled at her. "Then she is lucky." The woman blushed. "I'm afraid Mr. Sully doesn't see it this way. He insists that she lives here with his family. But I believe there are some reasons why I can't allow that right now." Cloud Dancing frowned and turned to his friend. "You don't want her in your daughter's life?" But when he saw the expression of embarressment on the younger man's face he recognized Sully had done something he deeply regretted. Cloud Dancing smiled and suggested, "You should talk."
Still too angry with Hannah's father to speak reasonably she told them, "I think first a little nap is in order," and she pointed with her eyes to an almost sleeping girl on her shoulder. But the child was suddenly wide-eyed and her gaze was directed at the animal next to the stranger's feet. Nobody had noticed its arrival, even Sully saw it only now. He bent down to his companion and scratched him behind the ears. Michaela explained to the child, "This is a wolf, sweetheart. Wolf. Try it!" and she smiled encouragingly at Hannah. "Wo," the girl tried. "That's right, a wolf. He is very friendly I've already met him the day before yesterday." Sully thought he could finally do something good for his daughter. "Do you want to pet him? He would like that." Hannah instantly tightened her grasp around Michaela's neck again, looking away from the stranger. Though Michaela was wishing she didn't have to do this she tried to mediate. She bent her head back to look in the little face. "We could do it together. What do you think?" Suggestively she raised her eyebrows. Now Sully saw the first smile on his daughter's face. Michaela shortly looked at him searching for his permission. "Sure, he'd like that," he nodded.
Michaela squatted down and carefully placed the girl on the ground. Hannah tentatively touched the thick fur. Her smile broadened and without a warning she threw her little arms around the wolf's neck. "Wo!" she exclaimed. The wolf didn't move. He patiently put up with the attention. Michaela spoke to Hannah but glanced at Sully when she suggested, "Maybe he could help you taking a little nap. I even brought bunny for you."
For the first time since she woke up with the stranger yesterday Hannah thought all would be alright again. Dr. Mike was here, and she had known she would come to her, and now her bunny too and she had gained a new friend. When she had leaned into the wolf she had felt he did the same with her. With Dr. Mike, bunny and the wolf near she knew she would like to rest a little bit and then finally go home. So she nodded her head, propping her thumb in her mouth and mumbled, "Bun."
Michaela took the girl in her arms again and carried her towards the wagon. The right corner next to the driver's seat was always prepared for Hannah with blankets and a little pillow. Sully ordered Wolf with a gesture to follow the two women. He knew they would be the most important persons in his future life though he didn't even know if they lived alone and if they could forgive him for what he had done to them.
Sergeant McKay tried to make a decision. In the morning he had been informed about an Indian who had kidnapped the girl the woman doctor was raising. Some of his soldiers had heard it at the saloon. They also reported that some of the men from town considered going to the Indian village to rescue her. He knew he couldn't allow that but he also didn't want to go with his soldiers and start new fights. But he also couldn't ignore it. More information would be good and so he started walking to town. When he crossed the bridge he saw some men wearing rifles debating in front of the saloon. He went faster and when he reached the crowd he heard the bartender growl, "I don't care what this darn woman says. We are the men and I tell you we are going there and bring the girl back!" These words were met with approval. McKay knew he had to act fast now. "Hold on, men. It's not your business to take care of such matters. I want to know what happened and then I will tell you what should be done…" He couldn't finish because suddenly desperate screams were heard.
"Help! I need help! Dr. Mike!" Everybody turned towards the mercantile. Loren came running from there waving with both arms. "Hurry! It's Maude! Where is Dr. Mike? I need her!" Charlotte came rushing out her door, the children by her side. "She's not back yet. She's still out at the reservation." Hearing this Hank gave his opinion again, "That's it. Let's go, men. We fetch the doc and the girl right away!" But McKay lifted his arm, "Stop! Don't be stupid! If you go into the reservation just like that you will get shot before you even know it! I'll take some of the soldiers and go."
To everybody's surprise Matthew interfered, "I'll go. I was there, they've seen me already and no one has to shoot. Remember, Dr. Mike is there and maybe Hannah, too." Speaking this he stepped to his horse and untethered it from the clinic post. Before anyone could argue Loren told the young man, "Hurry! Tell her Maude fainted. She has to come quick!" Matthew only nodded and rode towards the woods.
At the reservation Sully couldn't stop watching the woman who took care of his daughter so tenderly and sincerely as if they had spent all their lives together. He heard her softly humming a lullaby and saw how she caressed the toddler's head. Her smile took his breath away and he was wondering how he could ever look her in the eyes without shame again.
While he was observing the white woman Snowbird and Flying Sun watched him. Both knew what was going on but each of them had different feelings about this. Snowbird was pleased, all she had ever hoped for was him finding happiness in his life again. Although she didn't know anything about Dr. Mike and wether she would respond to the obvious feelings of her husband's brother or not she knew he had begun to feel again and that was the important thing. Flying Sun was far away from being pleased. It should have been her who put that interest back in his eyes. She still believed she could offer him all the love he needed. A few minutes ago the doctor had spoken to her with respect. She hoped Sully had noticed that and he could see her in a new light. She wouldn't give up that easily.
Michaela sighed with relief after Hannah finally had fallen asleep. She carefully dismounted the wagon and looked out for Cloud Dancing. She had to tell him that she couldn't stay as long as she had intented to. But first her eyes met Mr. Sully's. She didn't know what to make of him. Yesterday he had frightened her, a few minutes ago he had tried again to take Hannah from her and now he stood there and seemed to be…shy. She knew they had to talk but now wasn't the time.
When the medicine man came back to her she told him, "Cloud Dancing, I'm afraid I have to tell you that I can't examine your children today." She saw a shadow fly over his face. "It's not what you think. I'll come back for this later, I promise. It is about Hannah and the townsfolk. I had to tell them yesterday that her father had taken her away without saying where he would go. He only told me he would take her to his family. Unfortunately Hank came to the conclusion, as to Mr. Sully's clothes, that he might have brought her in your village and they wanted to come here instantly with their rifles. They even considered asking the army for help." Alarmed the Indian looked for his men. "I made them promise to wait for me and the information I hoped you could give me. I didn't know Hannah was here. So I think it's best I go back to town as fast as possible to show them there is no need for guns. And I have to see after Maude, the girl's grandmother. She suffered a heart attack hearing the news." While the white woman explained the situation to him Cloud Dancing gave his friend an unbelieving look. Sully now was consumed with feelings of shame and guilt hearing all of the mess he had caused. He stared at the ground, uncomfortably shuffling his feet. The medicine man nodded in understanding, "Of course you should go back. We will see you another time." Michaela smiled at him. "I brought you something for Little Blackbird." She turned back to the wagon and lifted a can and a bag down. "It's milk and rolled oats so you can make her porridge." The Indian instantly stepped back. "I can't take this. We don't need no charity." But he hadn't known Michaela yet. "Of course you can take it. Why don't you see it as a medicine? In her state Little Blackbird needs all the good food she can get. It will help her staying strong." She could see that the medicine man still wasn't convinced. "The milk is from my own cow. Loren gave it to me so I would always have milk for Hannah. But even if I help her drinking the both of us still have too much. So I give Charlotte milk for her children. As an equivalent Matthew helps me with the animals and Colleen often watches Hannah. And you said you would teach me about your medicine, so it would be the same. You take the food and I can learn from you." She waited for his reaction. Cloud Dancing thought he shouldn't be surprised. Yesterday he had told Black Kettle he was convinced that she was a good doctor. He knew as a doctor one didn't only need skills in medicine but a strong will, too. He acknowledged this quality in her. So he finally gave his permission with a nod.
Snowbird had been standing with them all the time. When Dr. Mike had offered the food she had silently implored the spirits for help. She knew her husband's pride and she understood why he didn't want such a gift but she also knew they desperately needed it. Before Cloud Dancing could think otherwise she stepped to Michaela. She took the can and the bag from her. "Thank you, Dr. Mike. The mothers will use your medicine." She glanced at Cloud Dancing and gave him a thankful smile.
Before they could talk to each other again some Indians brought Matthew on his horse to them. Matthew was relieved to see the town's doctor and he spoke with urgency, "Dr. Mike, you must come quickly. It's Maude. She fainted. And I don't know how long the men will still wait, they're eager to come out here." Michaela instantly moved to the wagon to mount it but she stopped in the middle of her move. "Hannah is sleeping in the back, I don't know…" Without hesitation Sully stepped to her. "You go sit with her, I'll drive." She knew there was no time for arguing so she climbed the back of the wagon while he entered the driver's seat. They drove out of the Indian village with full speed.
