Sully hadn't found Dr. Mike and Hannah yet. The dining room was terribly crowded because everyone seemed to have been by the buffet, which had been built there, at the same time.
"You are looking lonely, do you want some company?" A young woman expectantly gazed at Sully.
He hadn't noticed her approaching him because he was still thinking about how to tell Dr.Mike that he had made a decision regarding Daniel's suggestion. So he was startled when he suddenly heard the strange voice. "Uhm, thank you ma'am. But there is no need for that." He tried to be polite.
Much to his relief he saw Michaela and his daughter appearing at the door. But that easy feeling was quickly replaced by a shyness and excitement he had never experienced before. He had met many pretty women in his life but what his eyes were seeing now took his breath away. Michaela looked gorgeous in her rich sky blue dress laced with a white collar. It fit like a glove and emphasized her body at the right places. Attempting to dismiss that thought Sully tentatively waved to them. Feeling like a tong-tied schoolboy he only smiled when they joined him.
Michaela had her difficulties as well. She had never seen him in a suit before and noticed for the first time that he was not only handsome but a strong man as well. He looked very impressive and his sight made her heart pound faster.
They stood in an awkward silence for a moment but Hannah saved them as she did quite often lately. She lifted up her little arms to hold her hands up to Sully, "'mell, Pa. Roses!"
Thankful for the distraction he bent down and sniffed at her palms. "Smells good, sweet girl, as if you've turned into a rose. But I hope you have no thorns." Tickling her sides he made Hannah giggle. Straightening again he looked at Michaela. "If you've got some time later I wanna talk to you."
She looked questioningly up at him. "Why don't we talk right now?"
He hesitated. Then he cleared his throat. "I'd rather talk to you alone, without little ears listening." He glanced down at his daughter.
Michaela was wondering what his topic would be but agreed. "Of course, we can talk after I have put her to bed."
Hannah instantly objected. "No bed. Ma 'n Pa dance!"
Blushing, Michaela glanced at Sully and then turned to the little girl, "First we have to eat something, alright?"
He had noticed that look and hoped it meant she wouldn't refuse if he asked her later.
The buffet had offered a wide selection and plenty of food and after tending to it, the crowd gradually moved into the large living room. The furniture had been rearranged so that the center of the room was now reserved for dancing. A string quartet took a seat on one end of the room. With a flourish from the violin and the viola the newlywed couple was called onto the dance floor. In front of all of their guests Daniel and Sophy looked radiant with happiness. At this sight Sully was almost wistfully thinking about his own lonely wedding day with only Maude and the Cooper's as the guests. Of course Abigail and him had been happy, but that feeling of acceptance by family and friends had been missed. But there was no use in thinking about that now, that's why he turned his attention back to the present. Next to him stood the most beautiful woman holding his sweet daughter balancing on her hips. That was another new aspect about Michaela he never had expected. She didn't care about her expensive dress, she only wanted for the child to feel fine.
Michaela was caught in her own thoughts. She had never troubled herself about getting married. Of course she believed in love. But to love someone wasn't only about feelings but trust as well. She almost had dared to trust again and where had that been leading her? After allowing her emotions to soar free a little bit she couldn't get them under control again now… The music of the first dance brought her mind back to the events around her.
The groom led the bride around the floor and for the first few turns they were alone. Then they were joined by some other couples. While Hannah was watching the dancing people wide-eyed, Michaela and Sully stood next to each other somewhat awkwardly. Neither dared to look at the other and both felt the tension between them.
"What if he won't ask me?" was all she thought.
"What if she says no?" was his fear.
When the orchestra began another tune Mr. Wilson stepped to them. "Mr. Sully, if you don't mind I would like to take Mike out to the dance floor."
"Of course I don't mind, Mr. Wilson." He kept his face impassive.
Carl's face lit up when he turned to Michaela. "May I?" He held his hand out to her.
After glancing at Sully, who still didn't show any sign of emotion, she glanced down at Hannah. "What do you think, should I?" The girl nodded eagerly, she wanted to see her Ma dance.
"Alright then." Michaela handed the child over to her father. Turning back to "Uncle" Carl she gave him her hand.
When they began to waltz, she did it tentatively at first. She hadn't danced in a while, not since she had left Boston to be precise. But when they fell in rhythm with one another it became obvious that they were both accomplished dancers. Carl attempted more complex moves and Michaela went right with him. They were dancing so brilliantly that other couples stopped to make more place for them. Soon they were the only dancers on the floor, surrounded by a circle of watching people.
Hannah was enthusiastic. She sure had the most beautiful Ma. But Sully felt his heart sink, he could never keep up with that. He was reminded once more that they came from completely different worlds. How could he ask her to dance with him now? He had only learned not to stumble too often when he silently counted one, two, three. He had been a fool when he had thought she might enjoy dancing with him.
When the music ended, Carl bowed slightly and Michaela gave him a small curtsy. People clapped and when the orchestra started another tune soon all were dancing again.
Coming back to Sully's side Michaela was still radiating. "I didn't know that I've missed dancing so much." She reached out to take Hannah in her arms. But the girl shook her head. "You dance with Pa now." When Sully saw the expectant look on the little face he cleared his throat. "Your Ma needs a break first." He put his daughter down and patted her head. Then he turned and quickly left the room.
Michaela was puzzled. Had she done something wrong? She didn't know what it could be and decided to dismiss any unpleasent thoughts to enjoy the evening.
During the next two hours Sully didn't come back. From time to time she was asked for a dance. First she hesitated to agree because it had been Sully who had invited her to the event. But when he didn't show up she accepted some of the offers when there was someone else to watch Hannah.
But now it was far beyond the toddler's bedtime. The little girl sat on a huge leather armchair and Michaela knelt down in front of her. "You have to go to bed, sweetheart."
For the first time in her life the child didn't want to obey. She shook her head. "Ma 'n Pa first dance." She crossed the arms in front of her chest and pouted.
Michaela sighed. "Hannah, maybe your Pa doesn't want to dance at all. I haven't seen him since he left. Have you?" The girl didn't budge. Her Ma tried again. "Sweetheart…"
Sully had spent the last couple of hours out on the porch. Occasionally he was joined by other men who came for smoking or getting fresh air. He had debated with himself if he should ask her or not. Feeling the cold drenching through his suit he finally admitted that he didn't only feel like a schoolboy but acted like one, too. It was time to show he was a man.
When he entered the living room he saw how Michaela and his daughter didn't agree about a topic. Curious what that could be he approached them.
Hannah spotted him first. "Pa!"
Reaching the chair he bent down to stroke the soft blond hair. "What is it, sweet girl?"
Now the first tears appeared in the girl's eyes. "No bed, dance!"
Puzzled he looked at Michaela. "What does that mean?"
She blushed in embarrassment. "Hannah doesn't want to go to bed until she had seen us dancing together."
Suddenly aware that he had left her alone all evening he silently scolded himself. She was only there because he had insisted. He was wondering if he would ever act like he should when it came to her. "Well, then why don't we do her that favor, what do you think?" He tried to make the situation easier and smiled at Michaela.
These pleading blue eyes were her undoing, so she just nodded and rose. Sully grinned in satisfaction. Straightening up as well he winked at his daughter. "Watch us, sweet girl. But stay in that chair, alright?" With a contented smile Hannah nodded and adjusted herself more comfortable.
Turning to the beautiful woman next to him he asked, "Shall we?" and without waiting for her response he laid his right hand on the small of her back, gently leading her towards the dance floor.
When they arrived there, another waltz began. Determined to ignore the returning inhibition Sully initiated the first steps, but it turned out a little bit stiff and he even stepped on her feet. Noticing his inexperience Michaela instantly felt better. For some reason she liked the fact that he didn't just swirl her around like the other men had. Bending her head back to look up in his face she whispered at him, "Try tofeel the music."
He didn't understand the words but he felt that she didn't mind him being clumsy. Smiling down at her, his nervousness left him and the magic between them was building again. He became fully aware of her small hand in his left one and the fabric of her dress beneath his right palm seemed to vanish.
Michaela felt how his strong muscles moved under her grip on his back. His suit still held the smell of the fresh air from the porch, but he had used an aftershave which made her senses reel. It was as if their bodies were magnets with different poles, unable to stop the mutual attraction. Acknowledging that feeling she gave in for a few beats. Sensing how she relaxed Sully pulled her even closer. Now the top of her head was almost under his chin and he couldn't resist bending his head to fully inhale the light smell of her perfume. Their bodies almost touched and both could feel the heat building between them. When his thumb began to caress the back of her hand, Michaela knew she had to do something or she would lay her head against his chest within the next moment. So she took a deep breath and looked up at him. When her gaze met his blue eyes she ran the risk to lose herself completely. She tried to compose herself, asking, "What was it you wanted to tell me?"
Snapping back into reality Sully knew he couldn't ignore that question. Tightening his grip on her he answered, "I've made a decision about Daniel's suggestion. I wanna stay…"
She immediately stopped dancing and let her hand fall down from his back. Freeing her other one from his grip, she took one step back.
He hastily assured, "I only wanna build his house and maybe the hotel. I can't deny him that. You know he saved my life back in that cave-in."
"Of course." She was back in her shell. "I understand. What about your daughter?"
He swallowed, knowing that part would be even harder. "Well, I don't wanna abandon her again and since we get along really well by now I thought…"
She took another step away from him. "I understand that, too. Then I think I should leave as soon as possible." She had to get out of here or she would break down in front of all the strangers.
When Sully saw her turn to leave he grasped for her arm to hold her back. "It ain't forever, just for a few weeks. Then we come back to Colorado Springs. My home is there, you know that."
"Sure."
He could tell that she didn't believe him one single word. "Michaela, please, I've made a promise to my friend, the only friend I had for a very long time. We'll come back as soon as I'm finished…"
A sudden burst of activity interrupted them. When Sandra's call was heard, "Dr. Mike, hurry!" she immediately left Sully to rush in the direction of her voice.
She grew even more concerned when she noticed she had to hurry towards the chair where they had left Hannah. Pushing people aside she reached Sandra who kneeled on the floor next to the unconscious child.
"What happened?" Michaela asked in her professional manner.
Still shocked Sandra answered, "It seems she had climbed on the armrest of the chair to have a better sight on you dancing and then she slipped down."
In the meantime Sully was there, too. He pushed the gaping people back. "Go back to dancing. There's nothing to stare at."
Going down on his knees next to Michaela he anxiously asked her, "What is it, is she…?"
The doctor was curt. "I have to examine her first."
It turned out that the girl had a broken leg and was in a state of shock. When she woke up again, Hannah called for her Ma and her Pa. Recognizing them next to her she smiled through the tears. "Ma 'n Pa dance."
Brushing back the hair from the child's forehead, Michaela assured her, "Yes, we did." She paused for a moment and then added, "Hannah, your leg is broken. I have to set it so we can take you upstairs to your bed. It will hurt, but your Pa is here and he will help you."
Without looking at Sully she told him, "Just hold her head."
Half an hour later Hannah lay in her bed both her parents next to her. Michaela had given her some laudanum and she soon drifted into a healing sleep. Sully looked at the doctor. "Will she be alright?"
"Of course, it will just need some time." The doctor was still curt.
Sully sighed in exasperation. "Michaela, I've told you we'll come back." When he didn't gain a reaction he changed the subject. "You ain't gonna leave now, are you? Because I could start with the plannings right now and get as much ready…"
She cut him off. "I'll stay as long as I'm needed, but Colorado Springs needs its doctor, too. As you know I have a contract there."
He stared at her, not wanting to believe what he'd just heard. "You're actually leaving her when she's sick?"
She shot a look at him. "I've said I will stay as long as she needs a doctor. And I'm not the one who leaves her. You wanted her to stay here anyway, remember?"
He raised his voice. "I've told you it's just for a few weeks…"
"Shhh!" She interrupted him. "You better go now. I don't want her to wake up again and I'm sure you don't want that either. And I suggest that we do not tell her about your plans yet. You can do that later, when she is out of the woods. Good night, Sully." She leaned back in her chair. She closed her eyes, refusing to look at him. Without another word, Sully left the room. When she heard the door shut, she allowed the tears, which were held behind her eyelids, to freely flow down.