CHAPTER 49
Both of the sisters were right about their mother – she most certainly had never understood her daughter's choice to travel on her own, first to a far flung military fort and then to a tiny town in the West, and to marry what amounted to an unemployed drifter, the only thing he owned being a tiny, rustic homestead. But, no matter - the plans for the wedding proceeded quite nicely.
The couple decided on a six month engagement, with the wedding to take place on the twentieth of May– a day that their friend, Cloud Dancing, declared to be their joining date ordained by the 'spirits,' as he explained to them the next time they visited the reservation.
"The spirits have given me a dream...a message...that I wish to impart to you," the Medicine Man intoned as the four settled comfortably around the fire ring in Cloud Dancing and Snowbird's teepee. The engaged couple sat close together, Sully's arm draped around his fiancée's shoulders.
They glanced at one another, and Sully smiled and gently lifted Michaela's left hand, bringing it to his lips for a quick kiss.
Switching his gaze back to his friend, he murmured, "Go on."
Cloud Dancing nodded and with furrowed brow, began to impart the account.
"The night after the storm, I dreamed I was on a vision quest. I did not know the reason for this quest; I had just obeyed the spirits. As I lay on the buffalo hide, staring up at the stars, my thoughts became filled with the two of you...your deep love...and the connection that allows each of you to feel when the other is in trouble, and I wondered when you would join in marriage. Suddenly, a shooting star streaked across the sky...then another, and another, until there were five. In my vision, as I pondered this, I went to sleep. The next morning I was awakened by the call of geese flying south for the winter. I watched as two small flocks merged into one and continued on their way. As the two of you...two separate lives joining as one. I counted the birds in the two flocks made one, and there were twenty."
He paused a moment, sharing a gaze with his wife as they both remembered he'd had a similar dream before their own joining.
"Then it became clear. The five shooting stars are months, and the two flocks coming together as one is your union, numbering twenty days in that month. I knew that the spirits had given me a message for you, my brother," he ended, meeting Sully's eyes.
"But why is that particular day so important?" Michaela wondered, exchanging glances with Snowbird and Sully.
Cloud Dancing shrugged unconcernedly as he leaned back and reached for a handful of seeds on which to munch. "I do not know. That is what the spirits said." Lifting a hand and thoughtfully pointing toward her for emphasis, he added, "Many times, we do not know the reason, only that we are to obey."
Michaela met Sully's eyes and both smiled and nodded, each completely at peace with the prospective date.
As soon as they came back from the reservation, Michaela wired the date to both her mother and eldest sister Rebecca. The former replied enthusiastically that she would be there without fail… however, the date happened to be set in the middle of the annual flower show, of which Elizabeth was the director, and she rather tersely sent her regrets.
Marjorie returned to Boston a week after the Treaty Council – with Michaela truly sad to see her go, as they had been enjoying a closer relationship lately than they ever had in their lives.
Life went on for the residents of Colorado Springs. More and more people began to see Michaela as their physician and to trust her opinion on various topics. Horace especially seemed to seek out her advice, or come down with some ailment or accidental injury, on almost a daily basis.
Daniel decided to settle down in Colorado Springs and work on his plans for the eventual building of the hospital. In spite of the fact that he first came up with the idea as a way to garner Michaela's attention, he soon came to realize it was a much-needed entity, and even perhaps his 'calling' in life. He did, however, wish for Marjorie's knowledgeable input, and deep in his heart he still harbored a dream that had a lot to do with the fiery redhead.
Thanksgiving came, with Charlotte, Colleen, and their 'apprentice' Michaela serving a scrumptious meal, attended by quite a few of the unmarried townsfolk. Grace had closed her café, with plans to open her new indoor establishment at the first of the year.
For the most part, in a room full of laughing, chattering people, Sully couldn't take his eyes off of his beautiful fiancée. She had curled her hair that morning and it fell down her back in large buoyant waves. Her eyes sparkled with life and joy as she interacted with those around her, and he wondered for the hundredth time how he had managed to win the heart – and hand – of a lady for whom any man with two eyes and any sense at all would lay down their life in a heartbeat. His heart swelled with love and pride as he noticed other men surreptitiously stealing glances at the lovely lady doc.
Michaela enjoyed the day, several times thinking it had been one of the most pleasant Thanksgivings she had ever experienced, so different from two years prior, which she had spent in Boston with David as her fiancé. That day had been a long, tension-filled day, after which she had gone to bed that night with a splitting headache. Now, spending the day with friends she loved...and her fiancé whom she adored...she never thought she could be that happy. Her gaze never strayed long from Sully...she found him absolutely gorgeous, and so alluringly virile, and was headily pleased at how the burgundy shirt he wore contrasted handsomely with his beads and smooth tanned skin.
More than once during the day, her eyes had fallen on her left hand, the polished bone heart on her engagement ring glinting in the lamplight, and she allowed herself a moment to picture and cherish the morning he had slipped it on her hand...the intense love and adoration in those azure blue eyes. The only thing that could possibly top that would be the moment he would slip a wedding band on that same finger, and the thought of that never failed to send a shiver of anticipation throughout her entire being.
Twice during the long afternoon, Sully had glanced her way and caught her staring at the ring he had lovingly crafted for her. Their eyes had met, and his twinkled knowingly. To say that it warmed his heart how much she loved and appreciated his gift would be an understatement. His arms ached to fold her into a passionate embrace.
After dinner, as Charlotte and Colleen began to clear the table, their family and guests milling about the room, Sully suddenly grasped his surprised intended by the hand and fairly dragged her out the door and down the hall.
"Sully!" Michaela squealed softly, though in truth her heart immediately began to pound with nervous anticipation.
He ducked into a shadowed spot under the interior stairs, and straight away backed her against the wall. Even in the dim light she could discern the intense expression in his eyes as he very boldly hovered close, his body almost touching hers, his hands resting on the wall next to her head.
"I been needin' somethin' all day. Can't wait no longer," he murmured, his voice low and raspy as he pinned her still by the piercing look in his eyes.
She swallowed, unconsciously wetting her lips, striving to remember to breathe as she gazed up at him, her hands rising to rest against his chest.
"What...do you need?" she whispered, her breath catching as his lips slowly formed a sensuous smile.
"This," he almost growled as he slowly descended, his lips touching hers briefly, instantly igniting the passion that always hovered just below the surface. A tiny sound escaped her throat as she instantly melted into him, surrendering her mouth to his loving onslaught as he immediately deepened the kiss. Her hands lovingly grasped his sides as his fingers moved to tangle themselves in her hair. Each one emitted a sigh of relief as their pent up longing was, at least in part, satisfied.
When the two later returned to the dining room hand in hand, no one in the room could possibly miss the radiant joy emanating from their countenances, nor their sparkling eyes and kiss-reddened lips. Charlotte grinned and shook her head, wondering silently if those two would make it another six months without running off to get married.
Indeed, the 'lovebirds' would have been extremely embarrassed to know that Hank had a running bet going with his regulars that the enamored couple would never wait out the full six months – although his bet had more to do with their physical relationship than their state of matrimony.
OOOOOOOO
Two weeks went by as life in the tiny town continued. Though he had not told her, Michaela managed to find out – through his one time mother-in-law - that Sully's birthday was the ninth of December. Wishing to honor the man she loved, she had made plans with Charlotte, Grace and Daniel to throw him a surprise party, which went off without a hitch. Sully had reacted with customary humbleness and vowed a reprisal on her special day, though she knew he was hiding the fact that her loving gesture had meant the world to him.
Michaela's happiness was short-lived, however, when the next day, she received yet another letter from her mother in Boston urging her to give up this 'lark' and return to where she belonged.
Regrettably, there had always been an unexplainable gulf between mother and daughter, so many things on which they could not seem to see eye to eye. Who she should choose to spend the rest of her life with had become yet another major bone of contention between them.
It never failed to amaze her – the difference between the two men with whom she had been engaged to marry. David, though at first attentive and sweet, had later merely seemed proud to be marrying a 'Boston Quinn', where Sully loved her so completely, she knew without a doubt that he would do anything within his power to make her happy. Her mother's letter, filled with her continued harping on finding another 'match' as good as David, had cut her to the quick. She just wished her mother would give Sully a chance.
Sully found her at her desk in the clinic, tears of frustration in her eyes as she stared unseeingly out the window.
"Hey," he murmured from the doorway.
She drew in a breath and looked over at him. Everything about him pleased her... his looks of course, but also his gentleness, his wisdom, his outlook on life...and his love for her – unfathomably deep, strong, and true.
"Hey," she answered his greeting, managing to smile at the love of her life, her reward being Sully flashing her one of his heart stopping grins.
He pushed off from leaning against the door jam and moved inside, stopping next to her chair. She gazed up at him, relishing in the warmth of his hand as he reached to caress her cheek. "Somethin' wrong?" he murmured.
A denial quickly rose to her tongue, but she paused as she caught the knowing look in his eyes. Huffing a sigh, she gestured to the letter on the table near her hand.
He glanced at it, noting the familiar handwriting. "Letter from your Ma?"
She nodded, her eyes cast down. He bent down and gently grasped her hands, pulling her to her feet and into his arms for a hug.
"Don't worry," he whispered against her hair. "There's still time for her to come around. And Marjorie and Rebecca said they'll come..."
She moved her hand to swipe at a stray tear, her eyes shut as she relished the warmth of his embrace. "You're right...I just wish...she would give you a chance," she murmured softly, pulling back enough to look into his eyes. "If she would just get to know you...know how wonderful you are..."
He grinned at her compliment. "Well...long as you think I'm wonderful...that's all that matters ta me."
She smiled into his eyes, being comforted as always by his calm assurances. Tilting her chin up a little, she invited his kiss, and he didn't disappoint her, his lips immediately descending to spend the next few minutes thoroughly enjoying the freedom to show the woman he loved just how wonderful he found her to be.
OOOOOOOOO
Later that day, the boarding house filled with a mass of emotion, as in the same post a letter had come for Dorothy from her oldest daughter, Mary. After many years of estrangement, the young woman had heard her abusive father had passed away and decided to reach out to her remaining parent and invite her to share in her life and happiness. To say the least, Dorothy was beside herself with joy and she immediately began making plans to travel to St. Louis to spend Christmas with her, as well as meet her daughter's husband and children. She could barely contain her excitement a week later as she boarded the stage laden with packages.
Daniel departed for Boston on the same stage, with the excuse of contacting architects about the building of the new hospital – but Michaela and Sully both suspected that he would at some point find his way to a particular mansion in Beacon Hill, to visit a certain redhead. Michaela almost wished she could be there to see the historic event.
The days went by, the weather steadily growing colder. Christmas Eve finally arrived, and along with it, a blizzard.
Michaela was beside herself with worry over Sully, who had driven his wagon to Denver nearly a week before to pick up building materials for a project he was working on at the homestead, leaving an injured Wolf in her care. He had telegrammed to say that the special shipment had been delayed, but he promised to be back in plenty of time to celebrate Christmas with her and their friends. A massive cold front had moved in without warning, however, and began dumping heavy, wet snow.
A very subdued Michaela spent the day in the parlor of the boarding house, striving to smile and interact with Charlotte and the children, but finding herself every few minutes standing at the front window gazing at the winter wonderland outside.
She was sure he was out there, somewhere in the driving snow, as she had sent a telegram, but received no reply. Over the months of getting to know her fiancé, Michaela had learned that Sully would absolutely do himself harm if need be, in order to keep a promise. Now, she feared he was setting aside good judgment and caution to keep his word of being with her on the holiday.
As she closed her eyes to silently pray for his safety, she felt Brian's little hand slide into hers. She opened her eyes to find the child gazing up at her. With childlike wisdom and pure faith in his hero, he murmured, "Don't worry, Dr. Mike. Sully'll be okay. You'll see. He can do anything."
Michaela smiled and reached down to lift the boy into her arms, giving him a heartfelt hug. Ever since she had taken up residence in the boarding house, she had grown to love him dearly, almost as if this child of her friend was her very own.
"Thank you, Brian. I'm sure you're right," she murmured, her cheek pressed to his.
As she put him back on his feet, he took her hand again, encouraging, "C'mon, help us string the popcorn."
She smiled again, looking over to catch Charlotte's gaze as the proud mother looked on. The two women exchanged understanding smiles and Charlotte nodded, letting Michaela know she agreed with her son's summation.
Michaela hoped and prayed they were right.
OOOOOOO
Sully ground his teeth together against the cold and turned his head from the onslaught of driving snow, wishing he had taken the time to put the wooden arches and canvas cover over the wagon. He had known snow was a possibility, but hadn't counted on having a five-day wait in Denver before the shipment of a special item for the homestead would arrive.
Then ignoring the warnings of several others about the very real possibility of snow, he had stubbornly set out for home, determined to get back to town and spend Christmas with Michaela. It's all he could think about.
"Yeeha!" he yelled to his horse, snapping the reins yet again against the steed's back, which was covered in a fine coat of the white powder. "Just 'nother mile, O'ham'é [Horse]," he encouraged. "We're almost there, just keep goin'!"
The horse shivered and shook his head vigorously, but then seemed to pull a little harder, as if it understood Sully's words.
Just a mile to the homestead, Sully mused, thankful he could still just make out the road. Then I gotta get ta town. I promised. Gotta keep my promise to her. She'll be worr...
Just then, O'ham'é stumbled in an unseen hole in the road hidden by the already four inch deep snow. The animal whinnied loudly and immediately began to limp a little on its right foreleg.
"Dangit!" Sully mumbled, pulling back on the reins and jumping down from the wagon. Rounding to the horse's head, Sully calmed the animal with soft words, then felt his way down, determining the leg to be sprained, but not broken.
Sully closed his eyes with a sigh, not wanting to admit defeat.
"Sorry, boy," he whispered, reaching up to brush snowflakes off the large face. The horse blinked long eyelashes sparkling with ice crystals and gave a soft snort; puffing out a small cloud of steam into the cold, damp air, as it seemed to regard him with an attitude of 'what now?'
Knowing it would do no good to beat himself up over his decision to try and outrun the storm, he looked around, considering his choices. Not knowing how long the blizzard would last, he couldn't just leave the horse there.
Sighing, he quickly set about removing the animal from the harness, dropping the tongue to the ground. Then stepping to the back of the wagon, he reached inside and retrieved an item, clamping it under one arm. Though it was doubtful anyone would come upon the unattended wagon before he could return, he wanted to take no chances.
Nothin' for it but to trudge the rest 'a the way home, he groused under his breath, grasping the reins and determinedly heading due north.
One lousy mile had never seemed so long.
AN - Thank you so much Audrey for your help on this chapter - and thanks Tess for the awesome idea for CD's vision! :) Love you guys!
