Chapter 11

The next trouble greeted them in the yard in the morning where Sully and Catherine still stood next to his SUV. It wasn't because Hannah wanted to go back to town in Michaela's car; they had done that before. Wolf wasn't the issue either. When Catherine told Sully she was a tad afraid of the dog, it was decided that he would ride in the Mini Cooper as well. The actual problem began only when everyone was eventually ready to head into the new working day. Before Sully could climb into his driver's seat, Catherine grabbed his arm, informing him she didn't feel well and asked if he could stay with her at the homestead.

Michaela, who'd already had the key in the ignition, opened her door again. With one foot still inside and twisting her body so she could look over the top of her car, she called, "Is something wrong? Do you need my help?"

She had a good guess what this was about but still hoped she was mistaken. She wasn't, and Sully, after briefly talking to Catherine, only requested that she take Hannah to the Brays' but leave Wolf behind. He didn't mention the need for her medical aid.

If Michaela hadn't been in a hurry because she wanted to open her practice on time, she would have suggested the little girl spend the day outside of town, too, but she refrained from that after seeing Sully's gaze warning her off. An argument in front of the child was out of the question. Thus she stayed silent, rounding the car to let out Wolf, not once looking at Sully again. Explaining Catherine's real problem to him became more urgent by the minute. It wouldn't be easy, not only because she had to respect the boundaries put upon her because of doctor-patient confidentiality, but also because she could tell that he was determined to do what he thought was right.

Sighing silently and wondering for the first time if they would be able to get through this, she closed the car door, ruffling the fur on Wolf's head before she sent him to his master. As she went back to her side of the car, she saw Hannah's disappointed expression and contemplated how to lighten up the little girl's day. After resuming her position behind the wheel she turned on her seat and smiled as she at last suggested, "How would you like to have lunch at Grace's?"

Hannah's face instantly lit up. "And dinner?" It wasn't often anymore that she had Dr. Mike to herself, and so she wanted to make the most of it.

Michaela chuckled. "I would like that, but we have to ask your grandma about that."

Strangely enough, the prospect of having a meal with a not even three-year-old gave her new energy as well. And an idea.

Initially, she had refrained from taking Cloud Dancing into her confidence. Now, however, she had to admit that she didn't understand Sully's behavior anymore, but it had become obvious he was the only one Catherine listened to.

Fortunately, this was one of the rare days when the medicine man was in his rooms at the clinic. On her way to her own practice she knocked on his door and was immediately invited in. Checking her wristwatch Michaela made sure she still had at least twenty minutes before she would see her first patient. She came right to the point after greeting her colleague.

"It is good to see you, Cloud Dancing," she greeted him, shaking his hand. "And not only because I need your help." Her smile was apologizing, but encouraged by his grin she went on, "I'm sure you are aware that Sully's friend Miss Wild is back in town." Seeing his affirmative nod she continued, "She has epilepsy and was treated with Klonopin. She stopped taking it after her pregnancy was confirmed. I talked to her neurologist yesterday. He told me that the last time he saw her he diagnosed her as slipping into anxiety disorder, consisting of social anxiety disorder with signs of post-traumatic stress syndrome. He urgently recommended she see a therapist."

Michaela paused and looked at the medicine man. They both still stood in the middle of his small office, and she had to remind herself there was no reason for her to be nervous under his knowing eyes. The problem was that they both knew she was personally involved in the case and was treading a very thin line.

Cloud Dancing understood her dilemma but said nevertheless, "Dr. Mike, you know I can only help her when she comes to me willing to solve her problems."

"I do," she replied and ran her hand across her brow as if trying to wipe away her worry. "That's why I hoped you would talk to Sully. He is overprotective towards her and he doesn't listen to me. He believes she only has to adjust to being in a new place. But besides the already affirmed symptoms, she's also acting like a patient with separation anxiety, and I fear Sully makes it worse. For instance this morning, he gave up his plan of going back to work and stayed with her at his house instead. She'd said she didn't feel well."

The medicine man studied the woman before him for a moment. His unreadable features didn't betray his thoughts, and Michaela needed all her willpower to appear calm, if only on the outside.

After a minute, which rather felt like an hour, Cloud Dancing eventually nodded. "I will talk to my brother as soon as I can, although it seems he needs help again, too. Normally I would wait until he acknowledged this fact, but I fear it would take too long this time."

Michaela had been relieved after the conversation with the medicine man, but that didn't last long despite the next few days going by uneventfully. In other circumstances this would have been a good thing, except in this case it wasn't. Sully still wasn't back at work, Catherine still clung to him like his shadow, and they left the homestead only to take Wolf for his walks.

In the mornings, Sully always waited for Michaela in the kitchen with a cup of strong, delicious-smelling coffee. As grateful as she was for that, she preferred talking to him. But as soon as she directed their conversation to the subject of Catherine, he simply stonewalled. On Friday morning, sitting with him at the breakfast table, she made a new attempt to explain the situation, but he insisted as he had the days before, "It ain't even a week since she arrived. What do you expect? She's been through a lot lately, and right now I'm just glad she's able to take a nap now and then. Abigail was tired all the time, too, at this stage of her pregnancy." He glared at Michaela across the table, growing impatient because she refused to see he was only trying to help.

This time, however, Michaela returned his glower although she'd finally got a glimpse of his motivation. "Your friend is not Abigail," she reminded him, her temper rising. "Catherine should have professional support and I simply don't get why you deny her that."

"She's seein' Dr. Bernard and Charlotte," Sully retorted stubbornly. "And I take care of the rest."

Michaela's anger wasn't soothed in the least, quite the contrary. Although her volume was low, the sharpness of her voice spoke its own language when she asked, "What about Hannah? She's missing her dad!"

A flash of guilt crossed his face, but he sounded undeterred when he replied, "You said you'd look after her."

"I do, but I'm running out of excuses. Why can't she stay with you?" She looked at him challengingly.

Frustrated, Sully got up from his chair. Crossing his arms before his chest he looked down at the woman he had fallen in love with, partly because she always showed compassion. He knew she loved and was concerned for his daughter, but why couldn't she feel for Catherine, too?

Taking in a deep breath he struggled to compose himself before he eventually responded to her question. "Hannah knows my friend still feels uncomfortable having other people around. All Catherine needs is some time to herself, and at least my daughter understands that." He pressed his lips together, wanting to take back his last words, but much to his surprise Michaela refrained from jumping at him again.

Instead, she got up from her chair as well. Carefully putting her now empty cup onto the kitchen counter, she was contemplating her reply. They were talking in circles, and she decided to slightly change the course of their conversation.

"What about tomorrow evening?" she asked neutrally. "I have to go to that fundraising."

"I got a plan." Sully actually winked at her. Although he hated wearing a suit, he was still looking forward to the event, knowing every man in the room would envy him for the woman by his side.

"Daniel's gonna stay with Catherine until we return home," he revealed, grinning now somewhat smugly.

Tentatively smiling in return, Michaela kept her doubts to herself.