Chapter Nineteen

"Wow, it's beautiful," Michaela gushed as she held onto Sully's arm walking into the ballroom of the hotel.

"Let's check in," he nodded toward the table. "I asked them to sit us at the table with Robert E. and Grace."

"Sully," she stopped him. "I didn't make too much of a fool of myself that night at Astor's did I?"

"Nah," he shook his head. "They wanted to meet us again for dinner sometime. They had fun."

Taking a breath, she smiled. "Alright."

"Byron Sully and Dr. Michaela Quinn," Sully told the lady.

"You're at table four," she smiled. "Have a good time."

"Thanks," they both said.

"Are you going to dance with me tonight?" she asked, smiling at him.

"I might," he winked giving her hand a squeeze.

"So how was the opening today?"

"It was good, I just wish my mother could have seen it."

"Oh Sully, that's right your mother was suppose to be here for the opening. What happened?"

"I guess my aunt got sick and she wanted to stay with her. She's still planning on coming out though. She'll probably be here sometime next week."

"I'm glad. I would love to meet her."

"And she'd love you."

"Hey guys!" Grace and Robert E smiled looking up at the couple. "Glad you guys could make it. We thought we'd have another dance off tonight."

"Oh God," Michaela's covered her face. "I just want to let you know I'm not normally like that….at all!"

"Oh don't listen to him," Grace said. "Come sit down."

"This is a beautiful hotel," Michaela admired. And the view of the mountains must be amazing."

"Oh it is," Grace smiled. "Robert E. and I spent our honeymoon here."

"Really," she smiled. "That's romantic."

"Mmmm…" she nodded.

"Michaela you want something to drink? Robert E and I are going."

"A diet coke would be great," she eyed him.

"You want a little somethin' somethin' in it?" he joked.

"No thank you," she rolled her eyes.

Watching the men walk away Grace turned to Michaela. "I'm so glad you two could come. Robert E and I have been trying to get Sully to come out for sometime now. This children's ward has been his baby for so long."

"He does seem committed to it."

"Honey that ain't the half of it. I don't think Sully's been on a date in over three years since his wife left him."

"His wife left him?" she was stunned.

"That man did everything for her. And what did she do? Run around and get pregnant by his best friend."

"Oh my God," Michaela covered her mouth. "That's horrible."

"We've been tryin to get him to date again, to go out, but he didn't want nothin' of it. That's why we were so surprised when we saw the two of you over at Astor's. I don't know how you did it, but Robert E says you're all he talks about."

Blushing Michaela looked away not quite knowing what to say. "I…he was the one that came up to me."

"Let me just tell ya, you got yourself quite a catch. Half the women here would sink their claws into him if they could. You're probably the most envied woman here tonight. I can't wait to see Jolene Anderson's face when she sees you with Sully tonight!"

"Jolene Anderson?"

"Yeah, she's a nurse at the hospital in the children's ward. She's been trying to get Sully to notice her for years. He wants nothing to do with her and she just doesn't get it. And the worst part is she fixed it so she's the third party at our table tonight."

"Oh?"

"Well she's in for a surprise!" Grace giggled.

Not knowing quite what to say, Michaela turned and looked out on the dance floor. She noticed many of the doctors and some nurses talking amongst themselves and having fun. She couldn't believe she was actually going to start her job on Monday and she would be back to doing what she loved best—doctoring.

"Michaela?" Sully's voice broke her thoughts. "Here you go."

"Oh thank you," she took her glass.

"What were you thinking about?" he asked. "You looked a million miles away just now."

"Oh," she smiled. "I just saw some of the doctors out on the dance floor and I just can't believe I'm going to be working in just two days. I'm so excited!"

"I'm so happy for you," he kissed her cheek.

"Thank you."

"Sully!" a woman voice was heard. "Robert E, Grace!"

"Jolene!" Grace turned to Michaela and winked. "How are you!"

"Just great," she smiled. "How about yourself?"

"We're doing good."

Turning Michaela looked at the woman standing behind Sully. She was absolutely stunning. Her blonde hair was softly curled around her face and hung to her shoulders. She was wearing a red dress that looped around her neck and then draped out in the back. She was tall and tan and thin and to Michaela she was one of the most gorgeous people she had ever seen.

"So Sully," Jolene sat on the opposite side of him. "You must be so happy for the ward to finally be open."

"I'm happy to finally see my project be put to use," he nodded.

"I bet you are," she grinned ear to ear.

"Oh," Sully turned to Michaela. "Jolene I'd like you to meet Dr. Michaela Quinn. Michaela this is Jolene, she's a nurse at the hospital."

"Nice to meet you," Michaela held out her hand.

Jolene looked Michaela up and down before taking her hand. "Are you the new doctor on staff?"

"Yes, I start Monday," she nodded.

"I believe I'm in surgery with you on Tuesday."

"Really, well it will be nice to see a familiar face."

"Did you come with the other doctors?" she asked. "They're all over there in the front."

"No, she came with me," Sully spoke up.

"Oh," Jolene swallowed. Sitting back in her chair she eyed Michaela for a moment. "I came with Mark from accounting. He's getting us drinks. So Michaela where are you from?"

"Boston," she nodded. For some reason Michaela wasn't sure she wanted her to know she was from Mystic. That fear of Jack finding her was still fresh and in the front of her mind and the less that people knew about her the better. "I'm from Boston."

"Oooh," she pursued her lips. "How lovely."

"It's a very beautiful place."

Sully turned to Michaela, "I would love to see it some day."

"I would love to show you," she smiled.

Eyeing the couple Jolene gave an inpatient snort. "So Sully what's your next project? Any new plans?"

"Not right now," he shook his head. "I think I might be taking a little vacation. I got some time saved up." Turning to Michaela he smiled. "What do you think? Wanna go somewhere special?"

"Sully," she laughed. "I'm starting the day after tomorrow, I doubt I'm going to be able to get time off."

Moving in closer he whispered. "We could do a little mini vacation. Just you and me."

"Well maybe I could reserve some time for you on my day off."

"You better," he grinned.

"Oh Mark," Jolene spoke up. "Marks here! Oh, everyone look, Marks here!"

"Well hello to you too," he smiled. "Sully," he nodded. "Grace, Robert E. nice to you guys again, it's been a while."

"Mark, this is Dr. Quinn," she pointed nonchalantly toward Michaela.

"Doctor, huh," he looked around. "Aren't you at the wrong table? It's just us blue collar workers over here."

Not quite knowing what to say, Michaela looked down. "She's at the right table," Sully spoke up. "Just because she's a doctor doesn't mean she wants to sit with them."

"I didn't mean anything by it. I just don't know many doctors that pay us any mind. They think they're all high and mighty cause they save lives."

"I don't believe my profession puts me above anyone else," Michaela finally spoke. "The ability to save lives is a gift, but I don't feel that makes me better than anyone here."

"Well then," he smiled taking a drink. "Then I think we'll get along just fine."

After dinner the lights finally dimmed to create a dreamy like atmosphere and a glow on the dance floor. Sully, Robert E. Mark and Jolene went to the dessert table to pick out some treats leaving Michaela and Grace behind. Looking out onto the dance floor Michaela smiled hoping Sully would ask her to dance.

"Michaela," Grace smiled. "This seriously has to be the best night. Watching Jolene squirm every time Sully touches you is just ice cream on the cake!"

"Grace," Michaela smiled covering her face. "It makes me feel bad. She likes him and Sully isn't even paying any attention to her."

"You feel bad! Girl, that's your man! If some woman were making eyes at Robert E, she better watch out cause I'd be cannin' that before she knew what's up."

"Grace, Sully and I…well we haven't said we were….exclusive."

"Honey," Grace shook her head. "I told ya you're all he talks about. And I can tell by the way you're lookin' at him. You only have eyes for each other."

"I don't know," she blushed.

"Here ya go," Sully set a chocolaty dessert in front of her. "Last one left."

"I thought you wanted one too," she looked up.

"That's okay," he sat down next to her. "You have it."

Grabbing another fork from the table she handed it to Sully. "Here we'll share."

Looking like she was about to vomit, Jolene sat back in her chair and scooped up a giant piece of apple pie. Looking around the room she began to think of how she could get Sully to notice her. The doctor definitely wasn't his type and no matter what she was going to show him that.

"This is really good," Michaela smiled. "My mother makes a dessert just like this."

"Really," he took another bite. "You think she'd make it for me before she leaves?"

"She might, you'll have to stay on her good side."

Looking around the room Michaela caught the eye of Dr. Bernard. "Will you excuse me for a moment?" she set down her napkin. "I would like to talk to Dr. Bernard about Mondays case. I'll be back in a moment."

"Go ahead," he smiled. "I'll wait for ya."

"Okay, I'll just be a second."

"What do you say Robert E?" Grace looked to her husband. "Wanna show me what your two left feet can do?"

"My two left feet?" he pointed to himself. "You ain't no better than me."

"Hush up," she yanked him to his feet. "Let's go." Giving a knowing glace toward Jolene that didn't go unnoticed by her, Grace and Robert E headed toward the floor.

"So where's Mark?" Sully turned toward Jolene.

"Over there," she pointed across the room. "Talking with one of his friends from accounting." Moving her chair closer to Sully she sighed. "He's kinda of a dud. He doesn't know how to treat a lady, much less a real woman." Rubbing her leg against Sully's she smiled. "How about we get out of here for a bit. No one will miss us."

Moving his leg, Sully pushed his chair back from the table. "Look Jolene, I know what you're tryin to do and it ain't gonna work. You know I came here with Michaela."

"And look where she is," she pointed. "Over there with the doctors. She's one of them, and I know how you feel about doctors. Come on Sully, we all used to joke."

"She's different," he amended.

"Okay so she's different," Jolene started another tactic. "She's nice."

"She is nice."

Looking out on the dance floor, she took Sully's arm. "Let's dance," she tugged him upward.

"No," he shook his head. "I promised Michaela I would dance with her. She's been waiting all night."

"She's talking right now, come on."

"Jolene."

'Sully," she pulled him out of his seat. "Come on it'll be fun. Just one dance, then you can dance with Michaela."

Before he knew what was happening Jolene had dragged him out onto the floor. "I'm not a good dancer, Jolene."

"Hush," she smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck as a slow dance started.

Trying to catch a glance of Michaela he noticed her back was turned to him. He prayed that she wouldn't turn around.

"You know Sully, I have some vacation time coming up as well. Perhaps we could do something…together."

Trying to create some space between them he looked down at Jolene. "Listen," he spoke softly. "Michaela and I are together. I thought I was making myself obvious. I told you before that we can't be more than just friends."

"Oh Sully," she giggled, wrapping her arms back around him. "You know what kind of hours doctors keep. You know nothing like that would last."

"I was just telling Doctors Nelson and Cassidy that I saw you sitting across the room. We were wondering how you knew about the opening."

"I came with Sully."

"Byron Sully?" he lifted his brow. "The architect of the childrens ward?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"How did you meet him?" I thought you've only been here a few weeks."

"Actually he's my neighbor."

"I see," he nodded. "Well at any rate I'm glad you could make it. It gives you a chance to meet rest of the staff you'll be working with. Everyone is very excited you hopped on board."

"I'm very excited to start." Turning toward the dance floor Michaela caught a glimpse of Sully and Jolene dancing. Biting her lip she felt her stomach do a little flip. They were standing so close to one another and Jolene's head rested on his shoulder. She knew she told Sully to be a litter nicer to her but something didn't sit well with her. Especially now knowing how Jolene felt about him. "Dr. Barnard can you excuse me for one moment."

"Yes of course, but please do find me before you leave there are some doctors I would like to introduce you to."

"I will," she smiled.

Heading toward the bathroom Michaela felt the tears sting the back of her eyes. Why was she acting like this? Opening the door of the bathroom she quickly made her way over to the mirror. She hoped the entire night Sully would ask her to dance and to see him out on the floor with Jolene made her sad. What if he really did enjoy the attention Jolene gave him and Grace was wrong. God what was she doing? She was acting like she owned Sully and he shouldn't be allowed to like anyone else. He never came out to her and said they were a couple. Why should she expect anything from him?

Hearing voices coming toward the door Michaela hurried and locked herself in the stall. Putting the lid down on the toilet she quietly sat listening to a chattering bunch of women. Maybe her mother was right, it was too soon to be in a relationship—she was too vulnerable. Never in her life would she have felt this hopeless about a single man.

Looking through the slats of the door Michaela saw the women leave the bathroom and three more walk in. Sighing she felt a tear make its way down her cheek. Wiping it away she suddenly looked up hearing Jolene's voice.

"I saw you dancing with Sully out there," a woman said. "Don't tell me he's finally changing his mind."

Smiling Jolene looked in the mirror reapplying her lipstick. "Let's just say he had a change of heart after a few nights ago."

"What!" both women said in unison.

"Well, I'm not suppose to say anything but he came over the other night and we had dinner and one thing led to another."

"No!"

"Uh-huh," she smiled. "But we're keeping it quite. Sully doesn't like to talk about personal things."

"But wait," the woman stopped her. "Who is that woman he came with tonight?"

"Oooh," Jolene rolled her eyes. "Dr. Quinn. She's that new doctor on staff that everyone is just falling all over. Sully told me he just brought her to look good. You know, he's the top architect in the Colorado Springs area, he has to try and bring somebody important."

Michaela's breath caught in her throat at the sound of Jolene's declaration. Was she telling the truth? Was Sully just using her? The thought of it being true caused such a pain in Michaela's chest. At that moment she thought she might be sick.

"Well good for you," the woman said. "I always thought you and Sully would make such a good couple. So good job at getting that!"

"He is quite good if you know what I mean," she grinned.

"I bet!" the women cackled as they walked out of the restroom.

Michaela just stared at the back of the bathroom door frozen in shock. She felt hurt and betrayed in the worse possible way. He was the first person she opened up to since Jack. Wiping a few tears away she stood up. She wasn't going to let this happen to her again, she wasn't going to let some man walk all over her. She started a new life and she was going to be happy.

Walking out of the bathroom she headed toward her table when she felt someone grab her arm. "There you are," Sully smiled. Taking her by the waist he led her to the dance floor. "Let's dance."

Not moving she looked him in the eye. "I want to go home."

"Home?" he shook his head. "I thought you wanted to dance? You've been hinting at it all night."

"I want you to take me home. Or do I need to call a cab?"

Furling his brow Sully led her to an empty table. "Michaela what's wrong? I…I thought you were having fun."

"Why did you bring me here tonight?" she was direct. "And I want the truth."

"Why did I bring you here?" he questioned. "Michaela?"

"There are a hundred girls that would have loved to come with you. So why me?"

"I…I thought you would like to come," he was taken off guard. "I knew there was going to be a lot of doctors here, I thought you'd be comfortable. Michaela what happened?"

"Why didn't you just take Jolene?"

"Jolene," he laughed. "Is that what this is about? Michaela she pulled me out on the dance floor. I didn't want to dance with her. She has this crazy notion in her head that we're going to be together some day."

"Well she doesn't think it's so crazy."

"What are you talking about?"

"Where were you Thursday night?" she questioned.

"Thursday night?" he questioned. "I…I was with Robert E. We were at the hospital late putting finishing touches on the door and window frames. Why?"

Shaking her head Michaela got up from the table and walked across the ballroom to her table, picked up her purse and headed toward the door. "Michaela!" Sully called after her.

"What happened?" Both Grace and Robert E. stood.

"Jolene," Sully seethed.