Back at the village about six hours earlier...
It was about 12 o'clock that afternoon. The squaws were busy tanning hides, and the braves had left earlier in the day to go on a hunting trip. Although everyone was busy, Cloud Dancing and Shining Star were in the forefront of their minds. The squaw nearest to the stand of trees behind the village, became alert as she heard the distinctive sound of a horse stepping on a tree branch. She called out to the women nearest to her. A few seconds later, the majestic unmistakeable Paint stallion of Cloud Dancing's emerged. Perched upon his back was Cloud Dancing. To the squaw's great relief, Shining Star was leaned up against him. Stream Jumping trailed him. Everyone quickly gathered around them. Cloud Dancing gingerly picked up Shining Star and handed her down to the women. She was delirious with fever and incredibly weak. Cloud Dancing spoke. "Take her to the Medicine Woman," he said in Cheyenne.
"She is not here. We will have to take care of her." A woman replied in the native tongue. Several of the squaws guided Shining Star back to her teepee so that they could take care of her.
"What do you mean she isn't here!" Cloud Dancing exclaimed. She explained to him that Michaela had left early that morning to go find Sully. Cloud Dancing spun his horse around and started to take off back into the trees, but the woman called out to him.
"I would not worry about them, they will come home soon. Besides, you need to ride into town to get their family." Cloud Dancing pulled his horse to a stop and turned him back towards the teepees. He halted in front of the largest teepee where the Sully family stayed. Katie and Brooke ran out to meet him, and after he dismounted his horse, he scooped them up in his arms.
"Where are Mama and Papa?" Katie asked.
"I'm not sure, but they will be back soon," answered Cloud Dancing.
"What about Leenie and Matthew, and Brian? When will they be here?"
"I'm going to go get them right now, okay? I need you to stay with Dew Drop until I get back." He said, motioning to the squaw who was standing in the doorway of the teepee.
"Okay," Katie replied. Cloud Dancing hurried to where the wagon was parked and quickly hitched the horses up. He made it to the station in record time, barely arriving before the train rolled up. He didn't have to wait long before the bustling Sully and Cook families emerged from the train. What a sight they were. Matthew and Andrew left to go make sure their bags were unloaded properly. Colleen had eleven-month-old Benjamin on her hip, and Mabel had Thomas, who was now five months old, on hers. Brian had Anna Rose on his shoulders. They quickly spotted him and started to make their way to him. He gave hugs to everyone. "Where's Ma and Pa?" Colleen asked.
"Ummm. I'll explain later. Let's get your bags loaded and get on our way. If we hurry we will be able to be home before nine tonight.
They were ten minutes into their journey before Cloud Dancing broached the subject. He quickly explained the events that had transpired in the past 48 hours.
"So when you left, they still hadn't returned?" asked Colleen.
"No. But do not worry. A brave escorted Michaela directly to Sully before following me. They are together. There was a storm coming, and my guess is that they hunkered down. If they are not back by noon tomorrow I will organize a search party."
"I'm not worried," Matthew said, "This is Michaela and Sully we are talking about. They will be fine."
"Yes. This isn't the first time something like this has happened." Brian agreed.
"Well, I still don't like the fact they haven't returned yet. Ma is due in a little over a month. She shouldn't be out there." Colleen countered.
"I'm sure everything will work out," Mabel said softly. They arrived back at the village just after nine o'clock. Cloud Dancing pulled the wagon right in front of the cluster of teepees. Hearing the wagons roll up outside, Katie and Brooke burst through the door of the largest teepee.
"Leenie, Matthew, Brian!" Katie yelled. Brian jumped down from the wagon seat and caught the girls in the air as they launched themselves at him. The rest of the family slowly unloaded the wagon, starting with the sleeping children. Cloud Dancing showed them who was sleeping in which teepee, before sneaking out to find and check on Shining Star. He found her in her own teepee. She was sitting by the fire with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Upon seeing Cloud Dancing enter the teepee, she stood up and ran into his arms.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered, "I'm fine. I took a nap and ate something. Now I just need you."
"I'm here," he said.