CHAPTER TEN

Sully worriedly dragged a chair up to the examination table, quietly observing as Michaela went about her work, gently cleansing the wound area, using instruments he knew nothing about.

Consumed as he was with the health of his daughter, he couldn't help but admire and be impressed with Michaela's abilities. Glancing up at her face, he noticed her lips were pursed in concentration as she tended to the little girl lying on the table between them.

"The bleeding is starting to subside," she murmured after a few minutes.

"That's good then...right?"

"Yes, it's good...unless..."

"...Unless? Unless what?" Sully asked, looking worriedly from Hannah to Michaela and back again.

Michaela went on with her procedures, not realizing she had spoken that thought out loud. Suturing the wound, she then gently released the braid in Hannah's hair, carefully rinsing the blood from it, making sure to keep the wound area dry.

"Dr. Mike? Unless what?"

She glanced at him quickly, "Nothing, I was just thinking out loud."

Sully studied her face, trying to figure out if she was keeping something from him or not.

Finally standing straight, Michaela wiped her hands on a nearby cloth, and then reached for Hannah's wrist to take her pulse. After this, she gently opened the little girl's eyes and peered in with a small flashlight type instrument.

"Do you think she needs to go to the hospital?" Sully asked quietly, still holding his daughter's hand, rubbing the back of it with his thumb.

He glanced up at Michaela again, finding her studying Hannah closely. "Mmmm. Not sure."

After observing the child for a few more moments, she decided, "If she doesn't regain consciousness in ten minutes, we'll take her on to Penrose ourselves."

"Penrose? But isn't Memorial closer?"

"Yes, but Penrose has a better trauma unit. I'd much rather have her there if there are any complications."

Sully felt his mouth go dryer, if that were possible. Complications? "Like what?"

Michaela glanced at him again and bit her lip, wishing she hadn't mentioned anything to make Sully more anxious.

"Let's just take one step at a time. She may awaken on her own."

At that moment, Colleen appeared at the connecting door. "Mama? Is Hannah gonna be alright?"

Michaela, glad for a moment's distraction, smiled at her daughter and walked to the door, drawing the little girl to her for a hug.

"I hope so, sweetheart."

"Is there anything I can do?" Her daughter asked, fearfully glancing in Hannah's direction.

Michaela bent down to her level to look her in the eye. "Yes. Something very important. You can pray for Hannah. You, Brian, Matthew...Cloud Dancing. Pray for her to wake up and for everything be alright."

Colleen's eyes lit up and she grinned for the first time since she had heard Mr. Sully screaming. "Yes, Mama! We'll do that right now!" With that, she ran back in the living quarters. As Michaela walked back to Hannah and Sully, she could hear the four begin to pray and ask God to help Hannah wake up.

After about five minutes, with Sully holding one hand and Michaela the other, the little girl's eyelids fluttered and she slowly opened her eyes, wondering where she was and what had happened to her.

Then she remembered. She remembered her "mama" pushing her and making her fall. She remembered the woman stealing her Daddy's money. "Daddy?" she cried out.

Sully had been sitting with his head bowed, silently joining in the prayer coming from the other room. His eyes flew open. "I'm here! I'm right here, sweet girl. You're awake! Are ya ok, honey?"

"Oh Daddy!" Hannah cried, trying to sit up and go into her father's arms.

"Whoa there, just lay still," Sully cautioned, gently holding her down and glancing quickly at Michaela for instructions.

Michaela, who had been watching their interactions with a sad smile, spoke up then, "Hannah, sweetheart, you must lie still until we determine the extent of your injury."

Sully reached out and wiped a tear from his daughter's temple with the back of his index finger, then leaned down and gently kissed her cheek. Hannah looked back and forth between her father and Dr. Mike, calming down a little when she realized the other woman was not in the room.

"Daddy...is she gone?"

Sully knew instantly whom she meant, "Yes, honey, she's gone. She won't hurt you again, I promise."

"She was taking the emergency money, Daddy. I told her not to, but she got real mad, and..."

"Shhh, honey. Everything's alright," Sully soothed. "Cloud Dancing got the money back. Everything's fine now."

By then Cloud Dancing and the children had heard the conversation and were gathering around the table.

"Hannah!" Colleen exclaimed as the others smiled and welcomed her back.

Cloud Dancing smiled happily as well. "It looks as though God heard our prayers, does it not?"

Everyone happily agreed.

Michaela still needed to do some further examining to make sure Hannah was going to be alright. Sully thought he could take a few moments to go get a clean shirt, and Cloud Dancing gently ushered the children back through the connecting door.

OOOOOO

Later that evening, everyone sat around living quarters of the clinic, eating ice cream and viewing the rest of the Disney/Pixar "Cars" DVD, Michaela having wanted to keep an eye on Hannah to watch for any signs of concussion.

She sat now on a chair across from the TV, Colleen and Brian reclining on the floor, Cloud Dancing and Sully on the couch with Hannah curled on Sully's lap.

Simultaneously glancing at each other, Michaela silently signaled Sully that she wanted to speak to him. Gently picking his daughter up, he turned and placed her on the couch. "Stay here, honey, I'll be right back."

As they moved into the clinic area, staying in sight of the couch and Hannah, Michaela softly remarked, "I think the danger has passed. It's been more than six hours and she shows no signs of concussion or complications."

Relieved, he nevertheless asked just above a whisper, "Is there still a chance for them? What should I look for?"

"I think it will be fine for you to take her home. Just be on the lookout for signs of sharp pain in her head, nausea or vomiting, fever, disorientation or confusion. But I don't think we have anything to worry about. She seems fine now."

They both smiled at that moment to hear Hannah laughing with the rest at something in the movie. Instantly turning to each other, Michaela smiled up into Sully's blue eyes and on impulse, he drew her into his arms and hugged her to him. "Thank you for taking care of my little girl," he whispered in her ear, the warmth of his breath causing a delicious quiver in her belly.

"You're welcome," she whispered back, her arms having gone around his back of their own volition. Both of them immediately realized how right and comfortable they felt in each other's arms and they prolonged the contact a few moments more.

Sully was amazed at this beautiful woman, so accomplished and professional, yet so warm and human at the same time. The kind of woman he had been looking for his whole life, without putting it in so many words, even in his own mind. Could she be the woman in Cloud Dancing's dreams? Could she be the one he and Hannah needed to make their lives complete?

Michaela reveled in the thought of the wonderful man and father Sully was, and she suddenly remembered the old waitress's prayer in the diner in Nebraska. New love. New love, Michaela thought. Am I falling in love with Sully? I barely know him. But even as that thought entered her mind, her heart already knew different.

Pulling back from one another, they shyly wandered together back to join the others, dreamy smiles on each of their faces.

OOOOOO

Several weeks went by in which the seven became inseparable.

Days were spent riding horses together and the children learning about caring for the animals. This, of course, was when Sully didn't have customers to attend to, and putting Hannah double with him for safety when they did ride. When Sully had customers, the kids all watched DVD's together at the clinic, while Michaela worked getting her files in order, inventorying supplies, and making dozens of small decisions as to the running of her new business.

The adults spent a good many evening hours in the living room of the homestead, the girls up in Hannah's room, Matthew sometimes back at the house listening to CD's in his room for some 'alone' time, and Brian seated somewhere near Sully, having become very attached to the man in a very short time.

In Brian's young mind, Sully was perfect. To Brian, Sully was everything a 'man' should be – handsome, strong, kind, smart, and he seemed to like Brian and paid individual attention to him. Brian was drinking it all in like a dry sponge in a puddle of water – he couldn't seem to get enough! All he talked about was Sully, Sully, Sully.

Meanwhile Michaela, Sully, and Cloud Dancing were quickly becoming very close friends. Many hours were spent sharing memories of childhood escapades, political views, spiritual awakenings, favorite books read, favorite television shows, favorite music, things learned from their parents, jobs they had worked, and more. Life was feeling near perfect for them all.

After ten days, Michaela removed Hannah's stitches and pronounced her completely well, to everyone's delight. The adults had discussed whether Sully should try and bring charges against his ex-wife, but in the end he decided against it, knowing what a long drawn-out process that would be. All were relieved that they had not seen or heard from her since that day.

The happy friends began making plans to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday together, joining in the neighborhood-wide cookout, which would include a dance with fireworks afterward.

Several days before the holiday, on a Wednesday morning, Michaela and the children were finishing up breakfast when they heard a knock on their back door. Sully saw them through the glass and walked in, greeting the kids as they were putting their dishes in the sink.

Brian moved close to Sully. "Sully, all Colleen and Hannah do is girly-stuff, Mama's busy, and Matthew don't want to play with me. Can I help you today?" he asked his hero, tugging on his hand and gazing rapturously up at him.

"Oh, I'm sorry, big guy, but I'm goin' to Denver and Cheyenne Mountain and I'll be gone for awhile," Sully apologized to the little boy as he ruffled his hair, watching as Brian hung his head and walked over to slump down in front of the TV.

Sully smiled and shook his head, then turned to Michaela. "You need anything I could pick up for you while I'm in Denver?" he asked, handing dishes to her as she loaded the dishwasher.

She hesitated for a moment to make sure, but then shook her head, "Nothing that I can think of. There were some things I needed for the clinic, but I ordered them from a wholesale website yesterday. Thanks anyway, though," she added with a smile.

Sully smiled back and nodded. "OK, just thought I'd check," he said as he briefly touched her hand and smiled down into her eyes, adding softly, "I'll be back sometime this afternoon." Michaela nodded, looking up into his eyes and wondering for a second if he was going to lean over and kiss her. But then the moment was over when Matthew and Colleen came running down the stairs arguing.

With a chuckle, Sully said goodbye to them all and headed out the door on his errands.

OOOOOO

Later on that day, Michaela was trying valiantly not to get aggravated with her youngest. All morning he had been trying his best to help her, but as little boys do, he would drop things, ask a million questions, or want to do something in a different way than she instructed. Finally Michaela told him to go find Colleen and do something with her, needing a little peace and quiet to finish labeling some patient files.

Hanging his head, Brian went in search of Colleen, finding her deep in Hannah Montana things with Hannah. They both shooed him away and told him to go find Matthew. When Brian found him, he was talking on the phone with a friend back in Boston and didn't have time to fool with him, telling Brian to go find Wolf and play with him. Brian searched the area for Wolf, calling and whistling repeatedly, but couldn't find him, not knowing he had gone with Cloud Dancing and a customer on a horse ride.

Feeling totally left out, the little boy made his way back to the house and went up to Matthew's room, finding him still on the phone.

After stewing about it all day, and coming to a decision, Brian asked, "Matthew where is Cheyenne Mountain?"

Distracted with his phone call, Matthew gestured in the general direction. "Over that way, now will ya leave me alone, Brian?"

With that, Brian went into his bedroom, took the pillowcase off his pillow, and put an odd assortment of little boy items in, including some toys, a coloring book, a pair of pants and a shirt, and a pair of clean socks. Then he went downstairs and silently tiptoed to the back door, Michaela not seeing him with her head turned toward the front window.

Once outside, he headed around the back of the clinic and down the road toward Cheyenne Mountain to find his friend, Sully.