She was twenty-two again and she wore her nicest dress in anticipation of what was sure to be the happiest moment in her entire life. This evening David would ask her to marry him, she was sure of it. They had met each other during their work at the General Hospital three years ago. They even had made plans about what they would do after her final graduation this summer. Although David didn't possess enough money to open his own practice he had promised to make it possible that she could work with him. For the first time in her life her mother was satisfied with something she did. She met a handsome young man who adored her and whose father was a doctor, too.
And David had even started to show her a new world of feelings. She blushed with only the thought of the kisses he recently gave her. Though she had to admit she felt uncomfortable most of the time she trusted him when he told her nothing was wrong with that and she would enjoy it soon. She had no experiences in these matters but she was sure David would never do something to hurt her.
He had asked her to wait for him at their favorite restaurant and he had announced a surprise. And then he came, a stunning looking young woman on his arm.
"Michaela, I'd like to introduce you to Catherine, my fiancée."
She shot up from her bed and gasped for breath. Looking around she found herself at the homestead of Mr. Sully. Trying in vain to calm down her racing heartbeat she took her shawl and stepped out on the porch. She had survived the humiliation a long time ago. She had found out that these feelings weren't the worst because she could speak about them with her father. But she couldn't tell him that even after the engagement party David still assured her he loved her, tried to kiss her and didn't leave her alone. He still told her she was his true love and he only married Catherine because his and her father had made an agreement to open a new practice in Baltimore. He actually had made her the offer to come to Baltimore, too.
Michaela took a deep breath. She wasn't that young inexperiencend woman anymore. She knew her own mind. But one remnant was still there: aside from her father she had never ever trusted anybody again.
Michaela and Sully met each other at the clinic the next morning. This time they sat face to face at her desk and Michaela began, "Mr. Sully, there are some things we should make clear first if this can ever work at all." He had no objections.
"Hannah knows that everybody calls me Dr. Mike and it would confuse her if you further address me as Dr. Quinn." Sully nodded. "That ain't no problem. Go on." She continued, "I'm sure you noticed that your daughter immediatedly took your wolf to her heart. Having him with you would be a big help." He mutely nodded.
Straightening in her chair Michaela went on. "But what's most important," she slightly hesitated, "I have to be with her all the time. She fears nothing more at the moment than waking up somewhere and me not being there." Sully reddened. "I'm sorry I didn't think…" Michaela interrupted. "We don't have to discuss it, Mr. Sully." Now he finally could make a point. "It's just Sully, Dr. Mike."
She looked up at him and studied his face. She still didn't know what to make of him. Did he really know what he was about to get involved in? Well, it wasn't her choice, was it? She took a deep breath. "Sully, alright." She cleared her throat. "Colleen will bring Hannah when I call for her. When I explain who you are I have to ask you only to listen. Will you do that for your daughter?"
She pulled a framed photograph out of a calico bag. Sully instantly recognized his wedding picture. He swallowed and folded his arms in front of his chest. Michaela watched him and when she felt he was ready she rose from her chair, opened the door to the hallway and called for Charlotte's girl. Colleen came out of one of the rooms and carried Hannah down the stairs. Michaela took her in her arms and went back to her place behind the desk.
Recognizing the man Hannah tightened her grip on Dr. Mike but then she remembered. "Wo?" Sully smiled at her, "He is waiting outside." Satisfied the little girl relaxed a bit.
Michaela took the photograph and showed it to Hannah. "Do you remember this, sweetheart?" Instantly a little index finger pointed to the faces. "Ma. Pa." Michaela smiled at her. "That's right. And now I want you to look at the face of your pa in this picture again." Hannah nodded and did so. "Sweetheart, and now look at this man carefully." She pointed at Sully. "Don't look at the hair. It is longer now. Look at his eyes. Can you see it?" Hannah studied the picture and then the man again. She was astonished. "Pa?" Michaela gave her a hug. "That's right, this is your pa. He is here now and he wants to get to know you."
Hannah immediately tensed. "Don't worry, I'll be with you all the time, I promise." Hannah buried her face in Dr. Mike's shoulder and shook her head. Michaela cajolingly whispered, "And the wolf will be there, too. What do you say?" The girl lifted her head and searched for reassurance. "Mi? Wo?" When the answer was a nod she straightened and turned around to look at the man. She didn't speak to him but she watched his face. After a long silence she tried the new word, "Pa."
Sully had witnessed the talk in amazement. He hadn't expected the girl would even know about her parents. It was difficult for him to keep his emotions in check. So he only looked at Michaela and his voice cracked when he said, "Thank you."
During the next two weeks Sully made it a habit to start his day in the barn of his homestead. He did the chores without disturbing Michaela and Hannah. After that he brought the milk to the Cheyenne children and then he went to town. There he met his daughter at Grace's Café with Maude and the doctor or he sat with Charlotte and her children in the kitchen of the former boarding house. Sometimes he made odd jobs for Robert E. to kill the time till Dr. Mike would come out with Hannah. He would never forget how happy he felt after his daughter had given him the first shy smile. And he could not deny that urge to be near Dr. Mike. She made him want to show that he could do better than he did until now.
But he sensed that restless feeling beginning to surface again. He hadn't had looked after his traps for a while and he missed waking up at his lean-to without already having plans. He had become used to not being fenced in by anything or anybody. He still didn't want to think about what he would do after his daughter had got used to having him around. Maybe he should take his time to make some decisions. The only thing he knew was that he never again would abandon his daughter.
During the last two weeks Michaela had done her best to establish a relationship between Hannah and her father. All went well because the girl trusted her. That's why she watched Sully closely. Until now she had no reason to doubt him yet. Only during the last days she had felt something was bothering him. This afternoon they would go to the reservation together and take Hannah with them. She hoped for a possibility to talk to him.
"Be careful, sweetheart!" Michaela laughed watching Hannah on all fours in front of them. The girl giggled and sat back on her bottom clapping her hands to clean them from the dirt. Sully couldn't remember the last time he had felt so at peace. They were taking a break on their way to the Cheyenne village. They sat on the log he remembered all too well. She had just finished telling him about the operation. His remorse almost took his breath away. "I should have been here." Propping up his arms on his thighs he buried his face in his hands. "I should have been here." Michaela's heart went out to him. She tentatively touched his shoulder. "You are here now, that's all that matters."
They caught each other again, locking gazes, unshielded for a few seconds. In the sunlight he noticed for the first time that her eyes were different colours. He was speechless for a moment. He couldn't believe he was sitting next to her, even talking to her. This time she didn't recoil and his voice was low when he gently asked, "What is it that makes you so sad?" Instantly her guard was back. She hastily jumped up. "We should go."
In front of the teepee Michaela bent down explaining to Hannah, "I have to go into this tent. There is a little girl who is really sick. I'll try to help her. I want you to stay with your pa, alright?" The girl shook her head. "Sweetheart, please. It won't be for long, I promise. Look at your pa, he'll be sad if you don't stay with him. You don't want him to be sad, right?" Hannah hesitantly turned to her father. He had allowed her to play with Wolf and he knew exciting stories. He even made funny sounds telling them. Dr. Mike wouldn't be far away, so she finally nodded. "Good." Michaela patted the fair head and rose to look at Sully. Before she could speak he smilingly told her, "We'll manage, you go in."
After the doctor had entered the teepee Flying Sun stepped out. Spotting Sully and his daughter she came to them. "You finally brought your daughter. Can I hold her?" Hannah instantly disappeared behind her father. "We should give her time," Sully indulgently advised. The Indian woman nodded.
After a moment of silence she asked, "Can I speak to you?" Her brow was creased in sorrow. "Sure, what is it?" He gestured to sit down. "I need your help." Her pleading eyes captured him. "Anything, you just ask." This woman had helped him through the toughest time in his life. First she had helped nurse him back to health and when he finally could take care of himself again she had been his companion on countless walks. He really liked her and he thought he owed her every help she wanted. Flying Sun knew that. "I am scared about my sister. Soon we go to winter camp. She is weak. I think she could stay in your house. Ask Dr. Mike, please."
They hadn't noticed the doctor was already back. "Ask me what?" Her voice startled them and they simultaneously rose. Before Sully could speak Flying Sun blurted out, "I want take my sister to your house." Michaela paled. She had already thought about the possibility that Sully would want his house back; after all he recently had done all the chores there. And with the house of course he would want his daughter. It was inevitable. She only hadn't expected it to be so soon and she even had hoped for another solution, but…Making an effort to compose herself she answered, "Well, it is Sully's house and it's his decision." Her thoughts were clearly written on her face and Sully wanted to get it straight. "It's not what you think, Dr. Mike… " She interrupted, "It's alright, I understand. I only think it is too soon to…" He reached for her arm to stop her. "Listen to me. It is not for long, it is only…" He searched for her eyes. "Dr. Mike? What's wrong?"
And then he heard her whisper. "Where is Hannah, Sully?"