Chapter 9

The week after Josef's birthday had passed so fast and every night since then, when Michaela lay in her bed, she thought about that evening when she danced with Sully at the ball and how wonderful it felt to lay in his arms. Not to mention that incredible feeling she experienced, when they snuggled together in the darkness of the night during the firework! Never had she imagined that Sully's lips could initiate such incredible feelings. And with every day it became clearer to her, that she longed for his kisses, his lips. She pictured to herself how it would feel to be touched by his hands. An unknown passionate desire spread inside of her body and quickly she chased away these thoughts but the pictures returned again and again.
She was thirty-four, unmarried and had never been with a man. Other women at her age were already married for years and had children. Until she had met Sully she was barely interested in an own family because she was so involved in her profession as a doctor. But now…

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It was the following Sunday when Sully picked up Michaela after lunch. Rebecca and her husband had invited them for a walk at the Common and it was a lovely afternoon. In spite of the fact that Richard and Sully were so different and Richard was more than twenty years older than Sully, both men liked and respected each other. But today Sully wasn't himself. He was very quiet. Though, quietness wasn't unusual for him, he acted somehow absentmindedly today. Since he had witnessed David's proposal to Michaela he was afraid about the answer Michaela had given to him. Had she turned down the proposal? Or had she said "yes"? After all, David and Michaela came from the same world, shared the same interests and had the same profession.
And he himself? In the last few days it became absolute clear to him that he loved that woman so deeply and he had hoped that she also loved him. He couldn't imagine his life without her. They had kissed each other so tenderly and she stirred feelings inside him that Abagail never had. It was wonderful – but was this enough for a partnership and how should this partnership work? She had her own practice here in Boston and he was building a new house in Colorado Springs. And he also knew David was right, he could never give her what she was used to. Oh, how he missed his brother Cloud Dancing and his wisdom! What should he do?

"Michaela, Sully, would you like to join us for dinner tonight?" Rebecca asked.

Michaela looked at Sully. "I'd like to. What do you say, Sully?"

But she got no answer from him.

"Sully?" Michaela asked him again.

"Mmh?"

"Rebecca invited us for dinner. Would you like to go?"

He paused for a moment.

"Actually, Michaela, I wanted to go to the Charles this evening."

"But it's getting dark soon, Sully. We can go there next week."

"Please, Michaela." When his soft, pleading eyes looked at her she couldn't refuse his request.

"Allright," she said with a smile and then turned to Rebecca and shrugged her shoulders. "Sorry, Rebecca."

"No need to apologize. Enjoy your time with Sully. Maybe you both can join us another weekend."

"Thanks, Rebecca, for your understanding," Sully added with a smile. But Michaela and also Rebecca noticed that his eyes didn't smile. There was a kind of sadness in them.

Rebecca put her sister aside.

"What's wrong with Sully today?"

"I don't know. He acts really differently!"

"Last week at father's birthday he was so lovely, so charming. Has anything happened between you and him?"

"No," Michaela answered and blushed when she thought about the passionate kisses they had shared in the darkness of the hall. And suddenly she shivered. Maybe Sully regretted his kisses! Could this be the cause of his today's behavior? Oh my God!

A short time after they said good-bye to Rebecca and Richard, Sully and Michaela started for their place on the peninsula. Silently they walked side by side and when Sully reached for Michaela's hand she was relieved that he did it.
When they approached the hidden path, she discovered that the high grass that overgrew the way was trampled down. Obviously Sully had often visited the peninsula.
Once Sully and Michaela approached the river they stopped to stare at the water, that slapped against the bank in a steady rhythm. Both stood there and no one said a word, but Michaela couldn't enjoy the beauty around her because she was still worried about Sully's silence. And as Sully still starred into the water without saying a word, she turned around and began to collect wild flowers. What was wrong with him?

What she didn't know was that since last week Sully pondered about David's proposal to her. Why didn't she tell him about the proposal? Was it because she had said "yes"? And maybe, now she didn't know how to tell him the truth? He should have confessed his love to her in the evening of her father's birthday! Now it was too late, he was sure about that!

When Michaela came back to him after a while with a lovely bunch of wild flowers, he had squatted down and threw stones into the water. She was sure he hadn't even noticed her absence.
She was the first who broke the silence. "There is no place I'd rather be than here with you." She looked down to him with a pounding heart but instead of an answer he still threw stones into the water.

"Sully?" she tried it again.

"Mmh?" he answered absentmindedly.

"You aren't happy here in Boston, are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I suppose you didn't feel happy in our city."

Now he stood up. "Well, I never said I didn't like it here."

"But you don't look very happy," she clarified.

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Could you see yourself staying in a place like Boston?"

"You mean forever?"

"Well, you have to admit it's somehow nice. We have museums, a huge library, the opera, theaters, wonderful parks and not to mention this wonderful secret place here."

"Yes, it's nice, but…"

"But it's not for you. To live here forever, I mean."

"No I can't," he answered truthfully.

Now everything became clear to her. He behaved that strange because he wanted to get rid of her! Tears rose to her eyes and she fought to hold them back. She wouldn't cry in his presence. He shouldn't see how she suffered!

Then Sully asked her. "Could you imagine to leave Boston?"

"No," she said also truthfully but with a lump in her throat and shook her head. "You know I share a practice with my father. Since I was a little girl I wanted to be a doctor like him and this dream came true. It was a difficult way for me but now I'm happy with my work at the hospital and our joint practice. I could never leave my father. He has done so much for me."

"I understand."

In silence both thought about what they had just said to each other.

The atmosphere was somehow tense now and when the sun began to sink Sully was about to leave the peninsula.

"Uhm, I guess we should go now. Your parents will be concerned if you stay away for so long."

"Don't worry. My parents aren't at home. They are in Philadelphia until Friday to visit my mother's sister. I'd like to stay here a little longer. But if you want to go..."

"No, no, it's alright with me. Then I'll make a fire."

He began to collect branches and brought it to a fireplace that was in front of the old lean-to. That proved to her, that he often stayed here. He lit the fire and got a blanket from the lean-to and spread it out next to the fire.

Both sat down and watched the flames while Michaela nervously played with her hands.

"Sully, you know my family, in particular my mother and my sisters Marjorie, Claudette and Maureen. They don't think it's right that you and I spend so much time together. For them it's a scandal and they are worried about the gossip in town."

What would come next? Sully asked himself with a beating heart. Would she now tell him that she is going to marry David? He felt a big lump in his throat.

"But truth is," Michaela continued and blushed when she told him, "I enjoy spending time with you, our walks and especially the talks we have together. Very much."

"So do I, Michaela," he confessed and looked at her beautiful face that was illuminated by the glow of the fire.

Little by little the moon, which was almost a full moon, came out from behind a cloud and with the moon came the stars.

Sully looked up at the sky, watching the stars.

"Is there anything interesting up there?" Michaela asked him.

"Look," he pointed to the sky, "All these stars."

Michaela raised her head. "Oh, it's an incredible sight. It's wonderful how they shine!"

"Yes, it's beautiful," he said and lay down on the blanket, crossed his arms behind his head and looked into the sky, "But you've never seen the stars in the sky of Colorado Springs. There are thousands of them bright and clear. At home I often watch the stars. It's so peaceful. Come on," he invited her, "lay down, too."

"I've never done that before," Michaela stated while she sat down and lay back next to him.

"So you shouldn't let the chance slip now."

"Sully, look, a shooting star," she called excitedly and closed her eyes, "Make a wish!"

He turned on his left side and watched her. He took all of her in – her lovely face, the gentle curves of her body, her skin so smooth.
A voice inside his head spoke to him: Why don't you tell her, why don't you show her your true feelings? She'll never know if you never tell her how you feel.
But he was so afraid to make this step. Yes, they had kissed and it felt wonderful. And every time she was with him he didn't want to let her go. But he was afraid that she would turn him down if he showed her his true feelings, now that David wanted to marry her. Besides, they came from different worlds and he was sure that he didn't fit into her world. But then he took courage and began to speak.

"Michaela," he started hesitantly, "I've grown to care for you so deeply in the short time since we've met."

Michaela, who still had closed her eyes, held her breath and with pounding heart she didn't dare to move or open her eyes.

"My heart…my heart is yours. If you want it." He stopped talking and with a gentle gesture he touched her cheek and whispered, "I love you, Michaela."

With a rapidly beating heart he waited for her response to his declaration of love. The following seconds felt like eternity for him and when she didn't answer he felt like someone would rip out his heart.

After a long time of silence Michaela couldn't hide her feelings any longer and opened up her eyes. Strong emotions stormed her heart as she turned her face to him and looked tenderly in his deep blue eyes. And then he heard the words he had waited for.

"I love you, too, Byron Sully."

"Michaela." Happy and relieved he leaned forward and touched her lips. Timid first, but then the kiss deepened, became more demanding, more intimate after their confessions. It was a powerful kiss and it communicated all the things their hearts were feeling. When it was over he cupped her face in his hands and repeated his vow.

"I love you."

She rested her head against his shoulder and she could smell his male scent, a clean masculine odor. She liked the feeling of him so close to her. Michaela looked up at him, knowing she wanted to have this feeling forever.

"I dreamed about this, ever since that day in Denver," she sought and found his eyes.

"I know what you mean," he said quietly.

"You've felt it, too?" Her voice cracked by this realisation.

"Yes. There has been a special bond between us right at that moment when you laid your hand on my heart."

"I've never felt something like this before," she said and a teardrop slipped down her cheek.

"Sssh," he kissed the tear away, "There is no need to cry."

"Sully," she began to speak after a short break and she got nervous.

Sully noticed that something bothered her.

"Michaela, is something wrong?"

First she didn't answer.

"Sully, I have to tell you something," she began but didn't dare to look into his eyes.

"What is it?" he asked nervously.

"It's about David," she explained. "Last week on my father's birthday, after the firework, he asked me to marry him."

Now it was Sully who kept silent for a moment but then he unburdened himself to her.

"I know."

"You know? But how?"

"That evening, when I came back with your punch you had vanished. I looked for you and when I came to the library I heard David. Believe me, I wouldn't eavesdrop," he sighed. "And to be honest, his proposal didn't surprise me. Not after what he had said to me that evening."

Michaela looked at him questioningly. "What do you mean?"

"He told me that he is the only man who can give you the life you deserve and that I can't afford to give you all this, because I'm only a simple man from Colorado," he explained sadly. "And I guess he is right, I can't give you all of this," he sighed.

"Oh Sully, it's not the money that counts," she explained to him, "for me it's only the heart."

With a trembling voice he asked the question of which he feared the answer most.

"Will you accept his proposal?"

"No, Sully," she looked in his eyes, "Of course not."

"Good," he said relieved.

Silently they enjoyed their new nearness and all at once soft music could be heard.

"Listen, Michaela, do you hear that?"

"Do I hear what?"

"Music."

She raised her head and listened.

"Yes, you are right! Where does it come from?"

"I guess, from the other side of the river," Sully answered. "Do you want to dance with me, Michaela Quinn?"

She nodded and he helped her to stand. He put an arm around her waist and Michaela put her hand in Sully's and he laid it against his heart and so they danced a slow waltz, two lovers under a starry firmament with only the moon and the stars as viewers. Sully smelled the scent of her hair, brushing his lips gently across it. "You have beautiful hair," he whispered.

"Sssh." She pressed two fingers against his lips. "Please. Don't talk. Let's just dance," and she rested her head against his cheek.

When the music stopped they remained still in each other arms.

"Do you really love me?" she asked him.

"Yes, I do," and as aproof he kissed her and he knew this declaration of love for Michaela was like freeing him from the last of the strings which had bound him for so long.

"Will it always be so?" she wanted to know.

"Always and forever," he whispered and took her face in his strong hands and he kissed her again and she kissed him – and both couldn't get enough of it. He felt as if he were starving for the taste of her mouth. His tongue and lips traced Michaela's mouth as her hands slid into his hair. His fingertips trailed along her jaw down to the hollow of her throat and then, when she didn't pull away, his fingers moved along her neckline. Michaela moaned, her hands not leaving his hair. Her own breath was as fast as his now and desire swept through her body. It was Michaela who pulled away first, her breath coming in gasps.

"It's late, Sully. I…I think we should go home now."

"Yes, of course," he agreed. Avoiding to look into her eyes he began to extinguish the fire in the fire place. After that they walked back to town, silently and not mentioning what almost had happened, but holding hands, communicating without speaking.

When they reached the Quinn's house Michaela unlocked the door and opened it.

Sully, who was troubled because the house was completely dark, crabbed her wrist.

"Wait," he said and before she could stop him he went inside.

"Sully!"

He looked around the hall and let his eyes get used to the darkness. Then he struck a match and lit the lamps and soon the whole hall was bright. Sully turned around and took Michaela's hand.

"Come inside."

"Sully," Michaela laughed, "what's wrong?"

"Well, why is the house that dark? Is no one here?"

"Sully, I've told you that my parents are in Philadelphia."

"I know. But where is Harrison?" Sully wanted to know.

"I gave him a day off." Michaela told him.

"And the other servants?"

"I gave them a day off, too."

"That means you are all alone in this huge house tonight?"

"Yes, today and the next few days until my parents are back."

"Doesn't usually at least one of the servants stay here?"

"Yes," she sighed, "But I decided that, as long as my parents are away, they should spend their days with their own families."

"But what if you need anything?"

Michaela stroked his face and smiled, "Believe me, I'm able to provide for myself. Even though I can't cook a meal I'll not die from hunger. I can make coffee or tea, I can also prepare a sandwich and I can lay a fire."

Now it was Sully who smiled. This was typical for the headstrong Michaela.

"But I can relieve your mind, Sully. I couldn't discourage Harrison and Martha to be here with me from 7 a. m. to 5 p. m. when I run the practice," Michaela explained. "Remember, I've grown up here. I'm not afraid to be alone."

"Alright, alright, you've convinced me," he said and kissed her cheek. "Then I'll better go now, mmh?"

"Yes, because it's not proper for a respectable unmarried woman to stay alone with a man in an empty house!" She said seriously but Sully saw the impish expression in her eyes when she said that.

"No, I won't let you lose your good reputation, Dr. Quinn," he teased and made a step forward. "But I hope it's permitted to give a good-night kiss to that respectable woman I love that much?"

"Yes, of course, Mr. Sully!"

And with that Sully pulled her in his arms.

"Good night, Michaela."

"Good night, Sully. And thank you for this wonderful evening."

They kissed each other and when his tongue entered the sweetness of her mouth, their kiss deepened very quickly. He wanted to pick her up in his arms and carry her upstairs, but he knew this wouldn't be right. And even Michaela's thoughts went away, wanting more than only sweet kisses…

"I should go now, Michaela!"

"No," she whispered, pressed herself against him and kissed him again.

"Michaela…" he moaned.

"Mmh?"

"I should really go now!" His breath had become quickly because of her nearness.

"No…Yes, you should," she whispered, now aware what her body had done to him.

He reluctantly pulled away from her and when they finally had parted Michaela sighed.

"Please, lock the door when I'm gone. I'll wait outside until you have doused the lights," Sully told her. "Good night, Michaela. And don't forget that I love you!"

"I love you, too."

And after a last kiss he went outside and closed the door.

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Michaela was a little bit nervous the next morning because this was the first time she run the practice without her father. To make sure that everything was in order she checked the medical supplies in the cabinet and filled fresh water in a bowl. Then she lay out her stethoscope on the examination table and reviewed all the instruments and once again she checked the medical supplies. Then she went back to her desk to update a few patient charts and shortly after it was time to see her first patient for today. She opened the door to the waiting area, which was crowded.

"Good morning everyone. Who is the first?"

An older woman stood up and followed Dr. Mike into the practice.

The first hour of this morning had lapsed so fast and when Michaela said good-bye to a patient and invited in the next one in, an older man stood up but didn't follow her.

"Mr. Lawton, you are the next?"

"Uhm, Dr. Quinn," the man began to talk, "Is it right that your father isn't here today?"

"Yes, you are right, Mr. Lawton. Currently he isn't in town. He will be back next week."

A sudden murmur filled the room and some patients began to whisper.

"So, Mr. Lawton, would you come in with me?"

"Uhm, sorry, Miss Quinn," the man cleared his throat, "It just occured to me that I have forgotten something." He put on his hat and walked to the entrance door. "I'll be back….next week. Good bye, Miss Quinn."

Mr. Lawton wasn't the only one who left the practice. Two more patients, all men, followed him.

Michaela's heart pounded fast. She exactly knew why Mr. Lawton and the others had left the practice. Because she was a woman doctor. She was so disappointed about Mr. Lawton's behavior, particularly because he was her father's patient for so many years! And then it hit her: Her father's patient - not hers! All these years since she worked together with her father, the people came to Dr. Josef Quinn and not to her, Dr. Michaela Quinn. She was only accepted because she was his daughter.
But she would never give up! She was a strong woman! And never, never would she show her disappointment. So she straightened her back and lifted her chin.

"Well then, who is the next?"

"Is it you, Mr. Clarkson?" she asked a middle-aged man next to the door.

"No, no, Dr. Quinn. This woman here comes first," he answered and pointed to the woman next to him.

"Alright. Then it's you, Mrs. Lear."

After Michaela had closed the door behind her and Mrs. Lear, Mr. Clarkson and four more patients left the practice.

When Mrs. Lear's examination was finished, Michaela accompanied her to the door.

"Good bye, Mrs. Lear. And please, give your husband my regards."

She opened the door to the waiting room and found it almost empty. Only two people were still sitting there. Only two people who trusted her as a doctor.
After she had treated the last of them Michaela went back to the practice room, sat down on her desk and began to wait. Wait for new patients. And every time she thought she heard the door of the waiting room she peeked out of her door. But the waiting room was still empty. No patients. And it distressed her deeply.
While waiting for patients, she began to check her medical supplies, even though she had done it in the morning. And after that she shifted the medicine from the left cupboard to the right, but it didn't suit her and so she began to move it back.
And after a while when she looked at her watch, she noticed that it was almost 11:30 a. m. Again she opened the door to the waiting room, maybe there was still someone who needed her help. And yes indeed, there was someone! In the edge of the room sat a man, absorbed in a newspaper.

"Sir," she spoke to him, "You are the next."

And when the man lowered the newspaper she called amazed, "Sully! What are you doing here today?"

"Aren't you glad to see me?" he asked her.

"Sure. But are you ill?" she asked excited.

He put down the paper and stood up.

"Yes, I am, Dr. Quinn. I'm ill because I haven't seen you for…", he calculated, "mmh, for twelve hours now." He approached her and took her in his arms.

"I love you." He kissed her tenderly.

"Sully! A patient could see us!"

He looked around, "I see no patient." And he kissed her again.

"Yes, you are right. No patients." She sighed, broke from his embrance and hurried into the practice and Sully followed her.

"What's wrong Michaela?"

"You see no patients because no one wants to be treated by a woman doctor!"

"I don't think so. You…"

"No, Sully, that's the truth. This morning when I opened the practice, there were at least twenty people in the waiting area. But when they heard that father isn't here and they would be treated by me, almost all of them left the practice," she said with tears in her eyes.

"Sssh," he pulled her in his arms and comforted her. "Maybe you must be patient. You know how stubborn people can be. I suppose in the afternoon and tomorrow it will be much better."

"You think so?"

"Yes," he answered and kissed her cheek. "You are a good doctor, Michaela! You remember? I know it from my own experience."

"Thank you, Sully," she smiled at him and kissed him. "But tell me, why are you here today? What about your work at the hotel?"

"I don't know why, but Parker gave me three days off. He didn't allow me any questions. He only said I deserved it," he told her. "I have to be back at work on Thursday morning."

"And what will you do with your free time?" Michaela wanted to know.

"I'd like to stay here."

"Stay?" She asked with big eyes.

"Don't worry, Michaela," he laughed, "In the evening I'll go back to my lodging."

"Oh, sure," she answered and embarrassed she looked down to the bottom.

"Maybe I can do some reparations in the house. I think especially the sliding door in the library needs one. You remember, it doesn't close fully," he said with a grin. "And with me around, Harrison and Martha could take three days off to be with their own families."

"I don't know whether they will agree to that."

"You say, they don't trust me?" he grinned.

"No, of course not, Sully! I know both like you."

"So let's tell Harrison and Martha this suggestion."

And so it came, that Harrison and Martha got extra days off and Sully watched over Michaela.

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Please R&R. Thanks. - Chapter 10 is coming soon.