Ch 14
Next morning, when the pale light was just kissing the horizon out in the mountains Sully stirred.
He had explained to Hanna that he'd be away some days. She had not been happy but he had said he'd ask Doctor Mike to take care of her. She had clung to his neck, shaking but was eventually happy that he would ask Michaela to look after her. She wondered smiling. "Will ya, Pa? She will look after me." He nodded and she hugged him tightly.
He had been happy about the outcome. Michaela had agreed to stay with his daughter. Rising on an elbow he now gazed at the woman who had been sleeping in his arms, each night since coming to the village. It had felt so natural like they had been meant to be. He knew she had changed his life; she had given back his most precious possession: his little girl. He had watched the child hang onto her every word like a piece of rag in water. He knew he could never give her enough thanks. Also he knew she would have to go back to her own life as soon as they could take her safely to Colorado Springs.
Suddenly he did not want to think about that. He wanted her to be part of their life. "But how?" Even if he survived the hunt he would be goaled for a very long time for kidnapping her and holding her hostage. Even worse he did not want to even consider that prospect. He had never intended to keep her, but the weather beat him. Now he had grown fond of her; it could be a lot worse.
Reluctantly he moved and hurried himself to get ready. Finally kneeling down on their bed he bent forward and ever so softly he brushed his lips over hers. She moaned smiling as if dreaming a beautiful dream. Suddenly her eyes opened and she threw her arms around his neck returning the kiss. Looking into his dark eyes she whispered, "Come back to us."
"Us?" He asked looking at her hoping he was right.
Nodding she responded. "Yes, *us,* Hanna and I. I love you Sully."
His mouth just dropped open; he had never thought that he would hear those words again. He bent down slowly and kissed her again, this time it ignited a fire within them.
"I will come back," he assured her, his voice a little husky as he backed out of the tepee, afraid to stay around for another minute to explore these words and feelings. Knowing if he didn't, he would not go at all. They knew of the enormous danger.
...
Michaela lay there, her colour slowly rising as she suddenly thought about what she had said. She had not intended to just blurt out her feelings for him. But she was so afraid he may not come back at all, or be a bit more reckless, with his life. She wanted him to have hope and to be more careful, not only for his daughter whom he adored but her, too.
Suddenly some time later the flap flew open and the cold air rushed in. She snuggled down a little and next there was a young child bouncing on her. "Doctor Mike, ya goin?" Hanna excitedly asked.
"No, I am not going." Michaela replied, although when the little girls face frowned like that she knew this wasn't what she wanted to hear.
"No, are ya gonna be my new Ma?" the child slowly stated, so the doctor understood what she was really asking. Hanna had always wanted a Ma, and being here and seeing all her friend with their mothers it now had become very important to her.
Watching the little girl Michaela realized this was a very important to the child. She wondered what Sully had said to make her think she was going to become her Ma.
Carefully she answered, "Hanna I am going to look after you, but you're Pa and I have not discussed me becoming your Ma." The child pouted and a tear ran unchecked down her cheek.
"No Ma... Aunty?" Hanna thought for a moment. "No aunty. I wanna a Ma." The little girl stood waving a large arch around herself, yelling angrily, "Lots Aunty, NO MA!" red faced she huffed and stormed out again.
Scrambling to stand Michaela tried to catch up with the child, but by the time she made it to the flap Hanna had disappeared and Michaela desperately called after her "Hanna!"
...
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