Chapter 10

The terrain was stony and rough, and Michaela needed some time before she found a patch that she felt comfortable with for using it as a toilet. She couldn't help but wonder how this problem would be solved once the entire group was here. It wasn't only that; nothing at this place suggested that it would be a campsite for more than ten people in the evening. But she had really no idea about camping; she'd never slept in a tent before, or in a cave for that matter. However, Cloud Dancing had told her that she could trust Sully and Daniel's experience and so she tried her best to stop worrying.

More important was that she took care of her wrist. Back at the cave she unwrapped the bandage. Much to her relief the swelling was almost gone. After applying an ointment again she put on a wrist guard which was more comfortable but still supported the joint. Then she pulled her plait over her shoulder. Seeing it was still neatly braided, actually more neatly than she had ever done it herself, she threw it on her back again. If she was honest to herself she had to admit she regretted she wouldn't have to ask Sully for his help with her hair once more. Blushing at this thought she sighed. There was no use in reading more into his kindness than just that: kindness. She didn't even know if he was married or had a girlfriend or any other relationship.

Eventually she took a towel and carefully walked down the gentle slope to the creek. Sully was still there.

The small river didn't flow straight but in a sharp angle resembling the letter V. Sully stood some yards away at the angular point and looked along the creek that wasn't visible to her. He was obviously considering something. Not wanting to disturb him, she bent down to the water, splashing it at her face repeatedly. The cool liquid felt like heaven and she wished she could submerge herself in it. The creek was too shallow though and thus she was content with just washing her arms and neck.

"Once the camp is built we'll all go downstream and take a bath," she suddenly heard his deep voice right behind her.

Startled, she straightened to her feet and turned around. How could he know what she was thinking? Seeing amusement on his face she quickly caught herself.

"I'm looking forward to it," she responded, smiling with anticipation.

"Good," Sully said, his expression sobering again.

Michaela didn't understand this mood swing and followed his gaze across the water. Young head-high trees covered the hilly area opposite from them like freckles on a pale face, the ground shining through everywhere.

"How long will it take for them to get tall?" she wondered.

"The trees?" Sully asked, looking back at her. On her nod he answered, "'Bout seventy years. But it'll take a lot longer for the entire forest with all its wildlife and flora to fully recover. They say between three and four hundred years."

Seeing that she was shocked by these figures he explained, "It's been an exceptional hot and large fire. There had been only very little rain in the years before, and when the fire was set, a dry wind helped to spread it quickly over a large area. They needed three and a half weeks to contain it and then a bit more than two weeks to finally control it."

Michaela had read about that, but standing on the ground where it had happened was something completely different. Imagining the raging fire racing across the area sent a shiver through her body. That was when she remembered that Sully had told her he only moved to Colorado the year after the catastrophe.

In an attempt to distract herself from the disturbing thoughts she looked up at him. "Where did you live before?"

Sully hesitated with his response. He didn't want to talk about his life but knew he had to reply because anything else would simply be rude. So he said curtly, "New York."

"New York," she repeated, growing wistful.

She suddenly felt lost in this vast area of burnt forest that fought for its survival. She wasn't used to this silence that began to unnerve her and wondered if Sully missed city life, too.

"Do you ever get homesick?" she asked, glancing at him.

"Nope." Avoiding her gaze he kicked a pebble towards the water.

She wanted to ask what had happened to him that he didn't care about his hometown, but his expression kept her from doing so.

It wasn't so that Sully didn't want to talk to her; he rather feared he would tell her too much. There was something about the way she looked at him that told him that she didn't ask out of curiosity, but that she actually cared. However, he didn't need another one to fuss over him; he just wanted to be left alone.

She still studied his face, and so he changed the topic. "Wanna have breakfast?" he asked.

"Sure," Michaela agreed, and together they strolled back to the cave, each occupied by their own thoughts.

xxx

Sully had told Michaela he wanted to explore the surroundings and asked her to stay behind. Not because he didn't want her to be around but in case he wasn't back yet when the others arrived.

She didn't mind; who knew when she would have some time for herself again? After folding both blankets and putting her water bottle back into her backpack nothing was left for her to do. It promised to become a hot day again and so she changed into shorts. Then she went back to the creek. This time she pulled off her shoes and carefully ventured into the middle of the water.

First she turned left but soon big rocks blocked her way. She didn't want to climb over them and risk falling again on the slippery surface. It was easier to go into the other direction. Yet walking around the bend she realized that she couldn't go much further here either. The creek grew wider and deeper, and she remembered that Sully had told her that it flew into the lake not too far ahead.

Although the sensation of the water caressing her legs she felt kind of stupid just standing around. Thus she went back to the cave, pulled out her Kindle from her backpack and settled against one of the rocks. She would use the time and read a medical article she had downloaded when she was still in Boston.

As usual she was soon so absorbed in the text that she forgot everything around her, and the vehicles were quite close already when she finally heard them. She hadn't noticed Sully's return either and was surprised when he got to his feet only a few yards away from her.

She hurried to put her e-book into her backpack and joined Sully the moment the two vans pulled to halt one after another at the end of the forest road. They had barely stopped when the doors opened and young people jumped onto the ground. Instantly the air was filled with laughter and chatting that created an atmosphere of anticipation. Although it was contagious, Michaela grew self-conscious. They were all so young, and she couldn't help but wonder if they would accept her amongst them.

But then simultaneously both driver's doors opened, and Daniel jumped onto the ground from the first one. A smile of relief crossed her face; he'd already talked to her and seemed to be Sully's and her age. The second driver was an older African-American and Sully was already at his side to great him. They both began to talk and didn't turn when Daniel raised his voice, shouting, "Listen, folks! As I told ya back in town ya each gotta find a place for your tents. This here," and he gestured to the sandy area at his left, "will be the main place where ya can always find either Sully or me. Oh, and our guest, Michaela Quinn." He pointed at her, and she produced a smile. Turning to the group again Daniel continued, "Just make sure your tents will stand within hearing range, alright? We'll meet here again in two hours."

He had barely finished speaking when everyone went to the second van that Sully and the other man had already begun to unload. Daniel shook his head indulgently at the chaos the young people created.

Then he heard his name and turned around, finding himself across from Michaela.

"Hey," he said beaming at her, "great to see ya again."

Her smile was rather insecure when she admitted, "I didn't know I have to bring a tent. Cloud Dancing never mentioned…"

Seeing her embarrassment Daniel stopped her, "No worries. He said there's no need for ya to buy one only for this Occasion. He told us to bring one for ya."

Michaela instantly relaxed, but only for a moment. "I have no idea how to…"

"That's fine; Sully and I will build yours. But now I have to…" He gestured towards his van. Its backseats were still stuffed with backpacks.

Michaela nodded. "I could help unloading," she offered shyly.

Daniel wanted to tell her that he was able to manage it on his own but he understood that she wanted to do something. After all, everyone around was busy.

"Sure," he agreed, wanting for her to feel comfortable. Yet as she brushed a stray wisp of hair from her brow he saw the wrist guard.

"Wait," he said. "You're hurt. What happened?" Before even hearing her out he decided to have a word about that with Sully later.

Michaela shrugged dismissively, "I didn't watch my footing and fell. It's only a light strain. I'm fine, really."

Daniel didn't reply for he felt this was his fault. Sully had practically begged him to come with them but he had laughed at him because he thought Sully's fear of women ridiculous by now. He could very well imagine how his friend had dragged their guest across the area, hurrying along in front of her so he wouldn't have to talk. He should have thought of that and gone with them.

Looking as guilty as he felt Daniel apologized, "I'm sorry ya got hurt. We'll make sure that ain't gonna happen again."

"I'm fine, really," Michaela quickly repeated, not understanding the expression on his face. "Now, what can I do?"

Sully scowled at the bag he was getting out of the second van, giving it to a blonde girl.

"Somethin' wrong, Sully?" she asked, wondering what might have upset him.

"Nope," he replied curtly, "ya got another bag in here?"

From his vantage point he had seen how Daniel talked to Michaela, and he didn't like the way he devoured her with his eyes. He would need his friend's full attention and support for keeping this young folk under control, but if he flirted he would be distracted for sure.

Sully didn't have time to dwell on this thought because another blonde appeared next to the first one and he concentrated on his task again. He would have a word with Daniel as soon as they had a moment alone.