Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. The rights to those characters and to the show belong to the creators of the show, to CBS, The Sullivan Company and to A&E.

Chapter Thirty-five

Cambridge, Maryland - June 16, 1847

Marjorie and Michaela sat on the deck of the sailboat watching as William and his crew including Sully practiced for the regatta. They had been at it for two hours now and Marjorie was bored to tears. Michaela on the other hand was enjoying being out on the water and had brought a book to keep her occupied.

"Are you going to keep your nose stuck in that book all day?" Marjorie asked.

Michaela lowered her book and looked at Marjorie. "So what if I do?"

"I'm bored. I want you to talk to me."

"You should have brought a book," Michaela informed her going back to her reading.

"I didn't think they would practice for this long. William promised to show me the Annapolis harbor," Marjorie whined.

"He promised to show all of us the harbor," Michaela reminded her.

"He couldn't very well just invite me, now could he? That would be improper and it would also be very rude to you and Sully."

"That never stopped him before," Michaela mumbled under her breath but Marjorie heard her anyway.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I think he's rude and obnoxious all the time," Michaela said a little louder than she meant to. Quickly she looked around to make sure William wasn't in earshot.

Marjorie cast her a disapproving look. "So I guess that means you aren't interested."

"In William?" Michaela asked incredulously. "You've got to be kidding. Besides Marjorie you know…" she hesitated not really wanting to address her relationship with Sully at this moment.

"Just making sure," Marjorie said smiling widely. "You never know when trouble in paradise may strike. Anyway you two need to be more careful. William was asking me all sorts of questions the other day."

"About Sully and me?" Marjorie nodded. "Tell him to keep his nose out of other people's business."

"Stop rolling around in the barn with Sully and I won't have to," Marjorie returned.

"We weren't rolling around in the barn," Michaela said her face blushing deeply. "We fell."

"Right," Marjorie said disbelievingly. "I'm not stupid Michaela. The way you both looked when you came out. The way you blushed when someone mentioned the barn. I must say I am surprised. I really thought you'd be a little more prudish."

Michaela began to grow angry, partly because Marjorie didn't believe her and partly because she had just called Michaela a prude. "First off, I don't see where it's any of your business. Then I want to make it very clear that we weren't doing anything wrong."

Marjorie smiled knowingly at her. "So is he a good kisser?" she couldn't resist asking.

"Marjorie!" Michaela exclaimed knowing that her cheeks were again turning a brilliant shade of red.

"He has kissed you, hasn't he?"

"That is none of your business!" Michaela huffed.

"Probably not, he is only twelve after all, and you are - well let's see how do I put this nicely - a little boyish," Marjorie teased knowing she was making Michaela angrier all the time.

"Just because I don't go around kissing every guy who smiles at me, doesn't mean…" Michaela stopped suddenly as she realized what Marjorie was up to.

"Doesn't mean what?" Marjorie smiled at her knowing Michaela had already incriminated herself more than she intended.

"Never mind," Michaela said as she got up and walked to the back of the boat ducking under the sail on her way. Marjorie watched her walk away and wondered exactly what had been going on with her and Sully the other day. Were they kissing? She looked over at Sully briefly and reminded herself that he was only twelve. Yet Marjorie had seen firsthand how much more mature he was then even boys her own age. What exactly had her and William almost walked in on? That thought would have probably kept her preoccupied for awhile if she hadn't noticed that William had made his way over to where Michaela was sitting in the back of the boat. Marjorie wasn't the only one watching though – Sully had also noticed.

"Are we boring you?" William asked Michaela as he sat down beside her on the deck.

"No," Michaela answered scooting herself away from him.

"We are going to bring her into dock now and then I can show you and Marjorie Annapolis."

"Good."

"Are you alright?"

"Fine."

"Are you going to speak more than one word at some point during this conversation?"

"Are you going to learn some manners at some point during this summer?"

William laughed. "You know I've never met a girl who makes me laugh half as much as you do." Michaela rolled her eyes. "Can I ask you something?" he said suddenly turning serious.

"I don't know- can you?" Michaela returned smiling smugly.

"Point taken," William said. "May I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Does your sister have a beau in Boston?"

"No and she likes you if you're thinking about courting her."

"Really?" William asked.

"Really," Michaela assured him. On the inside Michaela was really happy that William liked Marjorie and she hoped that meant he would stop annoying her. "Look she's already getting jealous because you're talking to me and not her," Michaela pointed over at her sister as she said this. William looked up just in time to see Marjorie glare at Michaela before turning her head.

"Thanks mademoiselle" William said as he grabbed her hand and gave it a little kiss teasingly. Michaela bristled at this small contact with him.

"Don't you have a crew to order about?" she said her annoyance with him shining through.

"Touchy," William said as he rose. Michaela looked around to see Sully staring at William and she realized he had seen the whole conversation including the brief kiss. She knew Sully was slightly jealous of William even though she had assured him there was no reason to be. The look on his face told her that he wasn't happy that William had kissed her hand. Purposely Michaela rose and strode across the deck. She needed to speak to Sully before he did or said something rash. Marjorie was right about one thing – they needed to be more careful and Sully assaulting William would be all too telling. Her mind was singly focus as she walked and she didn't hear the call of "ready to jibe" and then "jibe-ho" as the boat changed direction. The boom swung across the boat and Sully turned just in time to watch as it smacked Michaela in the back of the head.

For Sully the incident was in slow motion, the boom hit her and made a horrible sound as Michaela crumpled to the floor of the boat. Sully felt as if his feet were made of lead and he could not get to her fast enough. Though to him it felt like an eternity, he was the first at her side.

"Michaela," he called as he knelt beside her. Her eyes were shut. "Michaela," he called again hoping she was going to come around any moment. Someone secured the boom and William and Marjorie joined Sully at Michaela's side.

"She's out cold," William said.

"That's obvious," Sully replied feeling irritated at William's mere presence. Tears began to sting his eyes but he hastily wiped them away uttering a silent prayer to heaven.

"She's breathing," William said as he placed a hand in front of her nose. Gently he rolled her over onto her side. Blood could already be seen on the deck and Sully just knew it was bad. "We need to get her to a doctor," William stated. "And we need to stop the bleeding if we can."

Quickly Sully ran and retrieved a towel from the front of the deck. He returned and William helped to rest Michaela's head on his leg while he applied pressure to the wound on her head with the towel. "Where are we gonna take her?" Sully asked.

"My house," William said. "We live just off the Severn River. It won't take us long to get there. Just keep the pressure on there," Sully nodded at him. William stood giving directions to the rest of the crew that had now gathered. Marjorie stayed by Sully's side as tears began to leak down her own cheeks. She felt guilty for teasing her sister earlier and for being angry with her when she had seen William talking to her. What if Michaela was seriously injured?

Sully gently stroked Michaela's cheek as he continued to hold the towel to the back of her head. Even though he knew she probably couldn't hear him he also whispered to her. "Michaela, just hold on. We're gonna get ya help."

Marjorie looked over at him and saw the tears which now ran down his face dropping into Michaela's hair. Gently she laid her hand on his back trying to comfort him. Inside of her it felt like a war was going on. She was worried about Michaela but jealous of her all at the same time. Jealous of William's attention but also of the fact that Michaela had someone who adored her so much that he was crying over her injuries.

The ride to William's house felt like an eternity when in truth it was only about thirty minutes. The crew worked quickly to dock the boat while William ran to retrieve his father. Within moments Dr. Burke was bending over Sully and Michaela gently removing the towel that Sully held to her head. Michaela moaned and Sully looked down to see her eyelids flutter open.

"Sully," she called weakly.

"Michaela," Sully replied his voice thick with relief.

Michaela tried to move but her head felt heavy and ached terribly. "Don't try to move Michaela," said Dr. Burke. "Let's get her inside so I can assess her condition. William," Dr. Burke beckoned William over to carry her. Sully bristled at the thought of William carrying her into the house but he knew logically that it couldn't be helped. William leaned down and gently pulled Michaela into his arms cradling her injured head against his shoulder.

"Sully?" Michaela said drowsily.

"I'm right here," Sully reassured her.

"Michaela try to stay awake," Dr. Burke told her.

"But I'm so sleepy," she said.

"I know but try," he repeated. Slowly they made their way up from the dock to the lawn and finally to the house. Michaela was laid on a settee in the sitting room and Dr. Burke asked everyone to leave while he examined her. Sully wanted to stay but Marjorie grabbed his arm and directed him out of the room.

As with everything else that afternoon, waiting for Dr. Burke to emerge seemed to take forever. William paced back and forth in the hall muttering to himself. Sully sat on the stairs with his head leaning against the wall with Marjorie at his side. She was watching William as he muttered to himself under his breath. Marjorie had thought that William was interested in her but now she wasn't so sure. He seemed to be almost as upset as Sully. Marjorie felt disappointed at what she perceived as a rejection. Then she felt guilty for thinking about any of this while Michaela lay injured in the next room. In addition to that she knew that Michaela would have been safely in the front of the boat with her if she hadn't been teasing her. Marjorie couldn't help but feel this was her fault.

Sully was questioning why Michaela hadn't heard the commands. He knew William had called out "Ready to jib" loud and clear. Where was Michaela's mind that she hadn't been paying attention? Then Sully remembered – right before she had been hit, William had kissed her hand. Michaela was walking toward him – probably to reassure him. It was his fault she had been hit in the first place. Though Sully realized this thinking wasn't exactly logical he couldn't help but blame himself.

William was also feeling guilty but his guilt was mixed with fear. Things had been going so well this summer and he didn't want an incident like this to ruin it. He had hoped to make a good impression on Dr. Quinn. He knew that there was an internship available with Dr. Quinn and William had really hoped that this summer would help to land him that position. If William couldn't even prevent one of his daughters from being hurt, what hope would he have of impressing Josef? It was his fault this had happened. Why hadn't he looked around again before he had called "jib-ho".

They all held their breath as they heard the door to the sitting room open and Dr. Burke emerge. He looked around at the three anxious faces. "She is doing fine," he said trying to relieve some of their anxiety. "We need to observe her for the next few hours to make sure there is no internal bleeding but right now it looks like there isn't any. She has a slight concussion and so we need to keep her awake. You can help with that by sitting with her, though I suppose someone will need to go and tell Josef what has happened. I think it would be best if she stayed here for the night."

"My father returned to Boston, yesterday," Marjorie said. "Mother is at Anna's still."

Dr. Burke nodded. "There isn't any reason for her to come here, I don't believe. It's getting rather late in the day. I think maybe the best course of action would be to have William take Sully back to Cambridge so they can tell Elizabeth. Then William you stay there for the night. I don't want you sailing in the dark. Marjorie can stay here with Michaela."

The three of them looked at one another, each ready to protest the arrangements but each knowing that they didn't really have a valid reason for the protest.

"Can I see her before we leave?" Sully asked.

"Sure," Dr. Burke said moving to the side so Sully could enter the room.

Michaela brightened as soon as she saw him. "Sully," she said her voice like music to his ears.

"Michaela," he said kneeling down beside the settee. "I was so scared."

"Sorry," she said. "I didn't hear the commands. I was coming to tell you.."

"I know and I feel bad about that."

"Don't, William shouldn't have done that but he was just playing around like he always does. He told me he likes Marjorie."

"Really?" Sully said feeling completely relieved. Michaela started to nod her head but stopped as it throbbed with even the slightest movement. "Is it bad?" Sully asked as she winced in pain.

"It really hurts. Guess I'm lucky it wasn't worse."

"I guess so," Sully said smiling at her. Quickly he glanced over his shoulder and saw that Dr. Burke had closed the door after he entered. After ascertaining that they were alone, he took her hand in his. "William's going to take me back so we can tell Elizabeth what happened. Marjorie is going to stay here with you."

"Why can't you stay?"

"Michaela," Sully said giving her a look.

"I know," she sighed squeezing his hand. She looked over towards the door before she spoke again. "Maybe you could kiss it and make it better," she said teasingly.

Sully laughed. "I see your injury hasn't hurt your sense of humor." She smiled at him and closed her eyes. "Uh-uh," Sully said. "If ya close your eyes, ya might go to sleep and Dr. Burke said ya have to stay awake."

"I've never kissed you with my eyes open," she whispered feeling her face flush.

"I have," Sully said.

"When?"

"The first time we kissed on the Common. I was afraid ya were gonna move and I'd miss your lips so I kept my eyes open."

Michaela laughed. "I am always up for new experiences."

Sully glanced behind him once again and then quickly leaned down. Their eyes locked as their lips met and Michaela felt as if she had seen down into his soul. He pulled back quickly, afraid that at any moment someone would walk in.

"Any better?" Sully asked.

"I love you," Michaela said suddenly.

"Is that the head injury talkin'?"

Michaela sighed dreamily. "Probably." The door opened then and Sully hastily let go of Michaela's hand.

William crossed the room noticing how close Sully was to Michaela. "Michaela," he said tentatively as Sully backed away. "I'm real sorry you got hit."

"It's not your fault William," she said still looking at Sully wishing William wouldn't have barged in on their private moment.

"I didn't see you," he continued.

"And I didn't hear the call," Michaela said.

"I should have been more careful," William said as if he hadn't heard Michaela.

"How come it takes me getting almost killed for you to learn some manners?" Michaela asked as even his apology was getting annoying.

Michaela's comment startled William. "See you're still just as feisty as before," he commented. "On that note, are you ready to go Sully?"

"Sure," Sully said smiling at Michaela. William turned to leave as Sully moved closer to the settee again. "Take it easy," he said as his eyes roamed over her face memorizing every part.

"Hurry back," she returned then bit her bottom lip. Sully gulped at the feelings that raced through him. Somehow the fear from earlier had heightened everything he was feeling. "I have a feeling the rest of the family is as annoying as William." Sully laughed unwilling to look away from her eyes. "You better go," Michaela said.

"Right," Sully answered as he slowly got up from his position and walked backwards to the door. Marjorie had already entered the room and he ran into her. This finally broke their connection and Michaela at once felt cross with Marjorie though she hadn't really done anything. "Bye," Sully called again from the door before leaving.

The ride back to Cambridge with William was conducted in almost complete silence. It took William and Sully working together to manage the sails and steering. Sully felt utterly exhausted by the time they arrived at the dock at Anna's. John came out to help and Sully took the opportunity to run to the house and let everyone know what was happening. Anna sat on the porch in her wheelchair with Ida at her side.

"Sully," Ida said. "Where are the girls?"

"Michaela got hurt," he began.

"Michaela?" Anna said perfectly as concern clouded her face.

"She's okay Anna," Sully replied going to the older woman's side.

"What happened?" Ida asked.

"We were bringing the boat about and she didn't hear William call the command. The boom swung around and hit her on the back of the head."

"Oh my goodness," said Ida. "That poor child."

"She's at Dr. Burke's house. He wanted her to stay the night."

"Sully?" Elizabeth appeared at the door. "Why are you back so late?"

"Michaela got hurt," Sully started to explain again. By now William and John had arrived on the porch as well.

"What happened?" Elizabeth asked and Sully repeated the same answer he had given Ida and Anna.

"That girl's lucky," said John. "It's a wonder that boom didn't crack her head in two."

"Harrrd headed," Anna managed to get out and then a low laugh.

"She is rather hard headed," agreed Elizabeth as everyone joined in with the laughter.

"I'll say," William said. Sully made a face at him. Even if it was true, he didn't want William talking about Michaela like that. "I hope it won't be too big of an imposition but I will need to stay the night since it's so late."

"That'll be no problem at all," said Ida. "I'll just go get a room ready for ya." Ida rose and left the porch.

Later that evening, Sully sat on dock enjoying the night breeze and thinking about Michaela. The river's song mesmerized him and he laid on his stomach letting his hand hang over the edge of the pier as he reached for the water.

"That could dangerous," William's voice called breaking Sully's private thoughts.

"What?" Sully asked, sitting up suddenly.

"Hanging your hand over the dock," William said but with a mischievous look on his face.

"Why?" Sully asked.

"Don't you know about mermaids and how they try to lure sailors to their death?"

Sully rolled his eyes. "Sure," he said.

William sat down beside him. "It's awful quiet here without the girls, huh?"

"Yeah," Sully agreed.

"Do you mind if I ask you something?" William asked looking over at Sully.

"Depends on what it is," Sully returned wondering what was coming.

"Fair enough," William said. "Do you think Josef will be upset about what happened to Michaela today?"

"Worried but not upset. Why?"

"I was hoping to do an internship with him. I really wanted to make a good impression," William explained as he nervously played with a rope tied to the pier.

"He wouldn't blame ya for what happened today," Sully assured him.

"Do you think? He seems so protective of Michaela."

"He is. Michaela is gonna be a doctor just like him. She is like the son he never had," Sully explained.

"What about you?" William asked.

"What about me?"

"Isn't Josef going to adopt you?" Sully stayed silent as he considered how to answer William's question. "Sorry, I don't mean to be so curious. I can't help but wonder though."

"I don't wanna be adopted," Sully finally said.

"Why not?" William asked and then laughed. "See I just can't help myself."

"It's hard to explain," Sully returned looking up at the stars in the sky.

"Don't you want a family?"

"Just cause I'm not legally adopted, don't mean I'm not part of their family."

"I guess but as the only male you would stand to inherit everything," William pointed out.

"Some things are more important than money," Sully whispered as his thoughts drifted to Michaela. William looked over at Sully and saw the far away look in his eye. He had so many questions but he knew it would be useless asking Sully. The looks that had been exchanged by Michaela and him were magical – there was no other way to describe it. They spoke their own language to each other without even opening their mouths. How wrong he had been when he had assumed Michaela and Sully didn't get along. If they weren't so young he would have believed they were lovers. Today when he had disturbed them after Michaela's injury, he felt almost as if he was intruding on some private moment meant only for the two of them. There was something in the way that she smiled at him. This was silly he thought. Sully's only twelve – how could they possibly be in love?

After sometime, William broke the silence. "Sully how well do you know Marjorie?"

"She's kind of hard to know," Sully said honestly.

"Michaela told me today that she doesn't have a beau. I'm thinking of asking her to accompany me to the regatta party. Do you think she would come?"

"Yeah," Sully said. "She loves things like that."

"Good," William said smiling to himself. He did like Marjorie though he found her a little boring. Michaela wasn't certainly more interesting but she was too young for him. Yes, it would be Marjorie who would help him get into her father's good graces.

Cripple Creek Mine, Colorado – 1857

They walked along in silence holding hands. Sully enjoyed the warm sunshine and fresh air as well as Michaela's presence at his side.

"I still can't believe you're here," he said stopping to pull her close.

"I had to come. When I received the telegram from Daniel saying you were trapped. Oh Sully, I don't know what I would have done if anything had happened to you." Michaela laid her head on his shoulder.

"Don't think about that anymore. I'm safe and that's all that matters."

"Please promise me you won't go back to mining," Michaela whispered knowing that Sully already planned to return.

"Michaela, we've already discussed this." Sully released her now and turned his back towards her. "I'm never gonna get enough money if I don't."

"Enough money for what?" Michaela asked knowing the answer.

"For you and me to start our life together. We agreed – you'd finish medical school and I'd work and save. Then we could be together." Sully turned back around to look at her.

"Sully I have the money Anna left me."

"You know how I feel about that," Sully said angrily.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn?" Michaela shouted wondering how this peaceful walk had quickly gone so wrong. "There are things more important than money."

Michaela's words hit him right in the heart. She was right there were many things more important than money and the most important one was standing right in front of him. He stepped closer to her again. "Let's not talk about this," he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "We ain't gonna settle it right now. And I want to enjoy this walk with ya."

"Okay," Michaela consented though she knew they were just avoiding the issue. Lightly he began to stroke her back. Michaela felt weak in the knees and wrapped her own arms around his torso.

"I love you," he whispered kissing the sides of her mouth.

"I love you too," she returned as her desire to feel his lips on hers overtook her.

Cambridge, Maryland – July 6, 1847

It is amazing how quickly summers fly when they are spent in the sunshine with all the people you love. Michaela came home the day after the injury with no swelling, though she did have a bad headache for several days afterward. Sully was relieved to say the least. William asked if he could escort Marjorie to the party after the regatta and she was thrilled with the invitation. Just as promised, Josef returned from Boston at the beginning of July. He found Anna much improved and he couldn't help but marvel at her progress. Her speech was fairly clear and she was able to feed herself for the most part. There were still improvements to be made but Josef felt sure having the children here had helped immensely. Two days after Josef arrived, Elizabeth left for Boston to be with Maureen who was miserable in the summer heat and was making everyone else miserable as well.

The regatta was held the weekend after Josef arrived and everyone was excited about the race while Marjorie was excited about the party. The whole family had been invited but only Marjorie was going to attend. Josef had decided that they would take Anna to see the race and staying for the party would simply be too much for her. This meant Marjorie was not only staying for the party but as the Burke's house guest for the weekend which only added to her excitement.

The morning of the regatta was bright and clear. Everyone's spirits were up as they boarded the boat for Annapolis. Ida had packed enough food to feed a small army and Sully and Michaela were making trips back and forth from the house to finish loading it all. Marjorie was frustrated because she had to carry her own bags down to the boat but no one paid her any mind. Josef brought Anna down to the dock with John's help. They had decided that Anna's wheelchair wouldn't be much use today and so they had carried her onto the boat and situated her in the seats at the back.

"Sully would ya mind running back to the house," Ida asked, "I forgot to bring the tea. It's in a jar on the kitchen counter."

"Woman, don't ya think we got enough?" John asked getting a little exasperated.

"When the drinks get low it'll be you who doesn't get anything to drink," Ida snapped back but there was playfulness in her eyes.

John winked at her. "There's the little ray of sunshine I married." Everyone laughed as Sully returned to the house for the tea.

Finally everyone was loaded and they set off up the Choptank headed for the bay. Sully was sitting beside Michaela on the bow. John had told him to rest himself for the race but as they got closer Sully became antsy.

"Why don't you go help John," Michaela suggested.

"He said I should rest."

"I know but you are just making yourself sick with worry. It would be better to stay occupied."

Sully looked over at her and smiled. "I wish I could get a kiss for luck," he whispered.

"I bet you do. It seems that our exceptions are getting more and more frequent Master Sully," Michaela teased.

"I know," Sully said dropping his eyes to the floor of the boat. "Guess we aren't being very patient."

Sully raised a good point and though Michaela had been teasing she knew there was something else that needed to be said. "We haven't been very careful either."

"I know. People are startin' to be suspicious. William's always watchin' us."

Michaela sighed. "It's so hard sometimes. I don't even think about what I'm doing."

"Yeah," Sully agreed knowing that even now they sat too close together. "But we gotta make an effort."

"We will," Michaela said unable to resist smiling at him. "Now go help John before your nerves are totally frazzled." Sully returned the smile and went to help John.

There were four boats competing in the regatta and each was just as large as the Burkes. John had anchored their sailboat near the other spectator boats after dropping Sully at the dock. Michaela had joined the rest of the family in the stern of the boat as Ida started dishing out fried chicken and biscuits as a pre-regatta treat.

"When do we have to go back to Boston?" Marjorie asked her father in between bites of food.

"You can go back anytime you want," Josef returned. Elizabeth and he had already discussed the fact that Marjorie would probably want to come home earlier than Sully and Michaela.

"I don't want to go back," Marjorie replied. Josef gave her a confused look. "How long are Sully and Michaela going to stay?"

"Until they need to return for school," Josef said.

"Mother is okay with that?" Michaela asked really hoping that what her father had just said was going to come true.

"Your mother's only concern is that you would be a burden on Ida and John while they are caring for mother," Josef lied.

"Them children ain't never been a burden," Ida said looking over at Josef.

"I know but Elizabeth does worry so. Anyway, she wanted someone to stay with you. Rebecca is going to come and bring the children next week when I leave. She will probably stay two weeks. I will come again in August and then you will have a special visitor."

Marjorie and Michaela exchanged looks with each other before looking back at Josef. "Who father?" Michaela asked as the possibilities raced through her brain.

"Paul, Sully's art instructor." Now this name had a different effect on the two girls. Michaela was excited especially for Sully. She knew he had been missing his weekly lessons and this would be a great opportunity for some one on one time with Paul. Marjorie, who hadn't thought about Paul ever since William had asked her to the regatta, now, felt her heart racing. "Paul saw some of Sully's pictures of Maryland and he wanted to see it for himself. When he told me that, I asked if he would mind keeping an eye on you in return for a chance to see Maryland."

"And he agreed?" Michaela asked. Josef nodded. "And Anna agreed?" Michaela turned to look at her grandmother.

"Why wouldn't I?" she said with that old familiar sparkle in her eye. "I'm surprised Elizabeth agreed," Anna added.

"She seemed to think he qualified as a responsible adult," Josef said not bothering to mention the fight that Elizabeth and he had over this issue. Elizabeth had finally consented but only if Josef allowed her to warn Paul about watching Sully and Michaela. Seeing no other alternative, Josef had given in. "He will bring his daughter with him," Josef said.

"He has a daughter?" asked Marjorie.

"Yes. I believe she's eight. She was away at school when you and Sully visited his house but she stays with him in the summers."

"Race is startin y'all," John informed them.

Everyone turned to watch as two sailboats readied themselves. This was the first of two rounds. William's boat was scheduled for the second round. Then the winner of round one would race the winner of round two to decide the victor. Michaela thought about Sully as they watched the first round and worried that he was getting too nervous. Marjorie's mind was miles away from the race. Paul was going to come and stay with them. He would be sleeping right down the hall from her. Marjorie couldn't explain it but this news excited her and made her nervous all at the same time. As most young girls do when it comes to infatuation, she did not logically think about their age differences or about the fact that he had a daughter. Instead, she imagined Paul asking her to sit as a model for a painting; maybe in the moonlight down by the river. She imagined him confessing his undying love for her as they sat on the porch. She wouldn't have even noticed when William's boat came up to race if it hadn't been for Michaela's nudging her.

Everyone was on the edge of their seat but it was clear right from the beginning that William's boat would win. They took an early lead and managed to hold it throughout the race. Michaela clapped her hands and screamed loudly into the air as she watched them win the first round. The rest of the boat joined in cheering Sully and the rest of the crew.

Now it was time for the final race and Michaela felt her own nerves increase. Looking over at Marjorie she noticed the far off look in her eye and thought that she must be just as nervous for William.

"Do you think they can win?" she said nudging Marjorie again.

"What?" Marjorie asked as Michaela again brought her back to reality.

"Do you think William's boat is going to win?"

"I hope so," Marjorie said but it was clear to Michaela that she hadn't been thinking about the race.

A gunshot pierced the air and the boats were off again. This time William's boat fell behind early on and Michaela grew afraid that they would not be able to make up the difference. At this point the real waiting began because now the boats were too far to be seen by the spectators on the boats. As they rounded the turn, Michaela could tell that the other boat was still in the lead but not by much. Michaela smiled to herself as she remembered that Sully had told her that with the wind today the last part of the race would be the place to make up time. Quickly now the boats came, sails flapping in the wind as the invisible force pushed them on. William's boat pulled slightly ahead but then was overtaken again. They were closer now and she could see the crew scrambling on the deck as they adjusted the sail to catch more wind. Whatever they did worked for suddenly it was as if William's boat grew wings – they flew past the other boat. Cheers went up from the shore and from boats nearby as William's boat won the regatta. Michaela was jumping up and down before she ran to give everyone hugs. She couldn't wait to see Sully.

John brought their sailboat to the dock and Michaela was the first one off, fighting her way through the crowd to find Sully and the others. William spotted her first and gave her a quick hug.

"Where's Marjorie?" he asked expectantly.

"She's coming," Michaela said.

"Sully's over there," William informed her knowing that was who Michaela was looking for. Michaela ran off in the direction he pointed as a light blush settled on her cheeks. The crowd pressed in close and as she ascertained that no one was really watching, she greeted Sully with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"See you didn't need any luck," she said pulling back but grabbing his hand in the process.

This is my first fan fiction. Please review and let me know what you think! Thanks for reading.