Chapter 1
Colorado Springs
Monday 16th June, 1873
"Ma! Hurry Colleen's train is about to arrive" said Brian before exiting the clinic.
Michaela looked at the clock and realised he was right. So she left the clinic after Brian and went over to the train station, where her family was already reunited. Suddenly, the whistling of the train could be heard and soon a train appeared. After it stopped completely, passengers started getting off the train.
"Coween" shouted Katie upon seeing her older sister.
"Hey everybody" said Andrew as he and Colleen got off the train.
Colleen immediately went over and hugged Michaela while Andrew shook hands with Sully and Matthew.
"How are you" asked Sully.
"Oh we're fine thanks! Don't feel like going back to work actually" mumbled Andrew as they started moving away from the platform.
"Would you like to have something to eat at Grace's" offered Matthew.
"Oh thanks Matthew, but we've eaten on the train" replied Colleen"I'd prefer to go see the clinic and home before we go to the Château."
"Oh sure! Come on" said Michaela as she and colleen left the rest of the family.
"Let's help ya git the luggage" Matthew told Andrew and Sully followed.
Brian and Katie just stayed on the platform looking on at the activity that came with every train. Michaela and Colleen entered the clinic and sat down facing each other.
"So tell me. How did it go" asked Michaela to her blushing daughter.
"Oh Ma, it's embarrassing ta talk about it. "
"Oh but I'm not telling you to tell me all about it. Just tell me how you feel... and felt."
"It was the most fantastic time of my life. I had really fun, and ya know what I'm talking about"
"Of course I know" replied Michaela blushing.
"I just didn't imagine it would be like that. Oh well, it doesn't matter now. It was just the beginning" both women laughed at the last remark.
"Did you visit any interesting places while there"
"Well... not much..." thought Colleen.
"Don't tell me you spent all the time in the bedroom" teased Michaela.
"Oh come on Ma! It's just there were no such places one knows about if he doesn't go there! I mean, there were shops, a library, a hospital, school, and lots more, but they're not famous at all outside the town! It's rather quiet... and I enjoyed the bedroom" joked Colleen.
"I'm glad you had fun. We missed you here, even if you'll still be a little away" said Michaela sadly.
"We're a family ma, we can never be divided" said reassuringly Colleen.
At that moment the door opened and Sully popped his head in.
"We've loaded all luggage on the wagon. We can take ya to the Château... come on" he said.
Colorado Springs
Monday 1st September, 1873
Time flew. Nearly three months had already gone by from Colleen's wedding... and honeymoon. All the Sully... and Cook... family, had settled in their respective new lives.
Michaela, Sully and Brian sat at the table, having breakfast. Katie sat by the fire, playing with her toys. Matthew entered the house from the barn, straightening his back.
"Mornin" he said, as he sat down.
"Good morning Matthew" answered Brian.
"Matthew how many times do I have to tell you to stop sleeping in the barn. Colleen's room is empty now. You can sleep there. You are ruining your back sleeping like that" said his mother angrily as he sat down to have breakfast.
"I think I will listen to yer advice this time ma. Last night I really hurt my back."
"About time"
"Oh come on! It's better late than never" said Sully"By the way, good mornin' son" he added.
"Good mornin' Sully" answered Matthew, thanking him silently for stopping his mother's recommendations.
Brian stands up and heads upstairs saying"I have to get my books ready. With Colleen's wedding yesterday I didn't have time at all."
"It's ok sweetheart. Don't take long to get down. Don't want to be late for school" said Michaela.
"Yes Ma" shouted Brian behind his back as he went up the stairs.
"Are ya busy today Sully" asked Matthew.
"No I aint. Why do ya ask"
"Well, I need some help in building the new house, if the material I ordered at Loren's arrived."
"You want to start building it today" asked Michaela.
"Yes ma. In fact, I would like to finish it before I go ta University" he finished.
"University" asked his mother alarmingly.
At that moment Matthew realized he had left his secret slip from his own mouth. He would have to tell them everything now.
"What University is this son" asked Sully, concerned about the surprising news.
"Well, it's a long story" replied Matthew.
"Oh don't worry about that. We have the whole morning" stated his mother.
Matthew knew that he would not rise from his seat before having told his parents of his plans.
"Well..." he started "...I sent a letter to the University of Boston ta ask if I could study ta become a lawyer."
He looked up to see the expression on their faces. Michaela smiled on her face and Sully had a wide grin on his face, so he continued.
"They still haven't replied, but after seeing the results I got here at school when I was a kid, they should let me in. That's why I want to finish the house before I leave so as to find it ready when I come back."
There was silence in the room until Sully spoke.
"And when are ya supposed to receive an answer"
"Well soon since the lessons start in three weeks' time. If I'm accepted, they should inform me two weeks before, which means this week."
"But you don't have time to finish the house in three weeks Matthew" exclaimed his mother.
"No, but I could finish it for him if he went to University" interjected Sully.
"Thanks Sully. I really appreciate it. So I am going to town to see if my material has arrived. Where shall we meet Sully"
"Meet me at the clinic in about an hours time" replied the older man.
"Ok then. See you there" he said as he rose from the table"Bye ma. Bye Sully."
He took his hat and exited. When his horse could not be heard in the distance, Michaela looked at Sully who had risen and was clearing up.
"Are you happy about it" she asked him.
"Of course I am even if he still has to be answered. Ain't you"
"Of course I'm happy. It's a dream come true. I can't believe it. My eldest son going to University."
Just that moment Brian entered carrying his school books. Hearing the last part of the conversation he said alarmed"Matthew is going to University"
Michaela and Sully looked at each other. They didn't know what to say. Finally Sully went to stand in front of Brian and put his hands on his shoulders. He could see that his youngest son was about to cry.
"Listen son. Ya should be happy for your brother."
"Oh no I shouldn't" Brian said angrily. "they're all going away. Colleen married and lives in another house, Matthew leaves to live in another town, and they leave me here."
Michaela felt a little offended by the words and even Sully was taken aback. Seeing the tense expressions of his parents he tried to remedy.
"It's not that I don't want to stay here or that I don't love being here. But I will miss them terribly and feel a bit lonely."
"We will all miss them honey and you know that. One day you will leave too and we will be left alone. We will always be here for you, whatever you may need" finished Michaela standing up to hug her son, tears in her eyes. Brian hugged them both feeling better.
How difficult it was to accept new changes.
Matthew drew his horse up to a halt in front of Loren's emporium. He went in and looked for the owner of the shop, which was nowhere to be seen. Just then, Loren descended the stairs and greeted Matthew.
"Good morning Mat. What can I do for ya"
"Mornin' Loren. Last week I ordered some material from Denver. Have they arrived"
"They were supposed ta arrive with today's train of 8 in the morning, which is..." he looked up at the clock"... with the one just arrived. Better go an' check with Horace. Come and tell me if they arrived. Pay Horace and take them. He will then pay me later."
"Thanks Loren. I appreciate it" added the young man.
"Oh don't worry kid. How is your ma? And Brian? An' little Katie"
"We're all alright. Katie is as mischievous as ever, Brian is excited about his last year in school, and my parents are fine. Just missin' Colleen."
"It has to happen, one day or another" he reaches for something under his bench.
He hands Matthew a rectangular parcel, wrapped neatly.
"Give this ta Brian. It's my gift as good luck for his last year before College. This year is very important, cause he has ta decide what college he will go to, and what career he'll choose. Has he decided which college he'll attend? It seems yesterday when your sister went to college. Is she going to that University in Philadelphia"
"I don't know Mr. Bray, neither about Colleen nor about Brian. He hasn't decided an' she hasn't told us anything. I wish she went. After all it's her dream and we would all be very pleased. Now I have ta go. Thanks again."
"Look after yourself Matthew, an' don't forget ta give that to Brian"
"Ok Mr. Bray. Sure thing" he said, as he exited the store and headed towards the station.
He went to the telegraph office and found Horace, busy as ever.
"Mornin' Horace" he said greeting the older man.
"Ah good morning Matthew. I have a letter for you and some mail for your parents" Horace handed him the letters.
There was one addressed "Mr. Matthew Cooper" from the University of Boston. He was very excited as he opened the letter. Finally he let out a shout! He had been accepted!
"Hurray" he shouted, not caring of the passers by. Horace eyed him curiously.
"Good news Matthew" asked Horace.
"Of course Horace! I've been accepted in the University of Boston" he babbled, as he headed towards the clinic.
Michaela was getting down from the wagon, Katie in Sully's hands. Brian kissed them goodbye and went to school. They were about to enter the clinic when they heard Matthew shout at them.
"Ma! Sully! They've accepted me! I leave in two weeks" shouted Matthew.
Grace came out of her Café and Robert E did the same. Dorothy heard the shouting and went out of Loren's store, followed by Mr. Bray. They all gathered round Matthew and his parents. Michaela could not hold back her tears. She embraced Matthew and wouldn't let go. He was leaving as well! Sully stand at their side not wanting to interrupt them.
Dorothy was the one to speak first"What happened Matthew"
"Oh Ms. Dorothy. I've been accepted in the Boston University. I will leave in two weeks' time an' will study law"
"Oh that's great Matthew" exclaimed Dorothy and Grace together.
"Well done kid" said Robert E slapping him on the back.
"Well we have another one for university then" said Loren.
"Just like their mother" stated Grace, making Michaela blush.
Matthew hugged his mother again.
"I will never be as intelligent and wonderful as my mother" stated Matthew.
They all smiled and Michaela blushed even more.
"I think we all can go back to our work my friends" said Michaela, feeling shy with their remarks.
"Yeah, ma's right. I still have a house ta build an' a million things to discuss, so it's better get started" replied Matthew.
Said this, they all went back to their chores, each happy with the news. In a few minutes' time, all Colorado Springs knew about the news. Matthew accompanied his parents and little Katie inside the clinic and closed the door.
"Oh ma I'm so happy! I can't believe it"
"Ya deserve it son" said Sully, slapping him on the back.
"Thanks Sully. Now what about the house"
"Oh don't worry about that. Leave it in my hands."
"Thanks. I still have to go to talk to Horace and see if my material arrived. Oh by the way" he said searching in his pockets and taking out two letters, one for Sully and one for Michaela"These are for ya" he said giving them their letters.
Michaela looked at the address at the back of the letter and knew it was from her mother. She put it in her pocket, with the intention of reading it later. Sully looked at his letter. It was from a famous company producing furniture in Boston. He opened it. It said so:
'Furniture Specialists'
Main Street
Boston
Dear Mr. Sully,
We have heard from The Senator Grant that you have a remarkable skill in the art of craftsmanship. We would like you to work for us. You will be paid very well for the work you do. If you would like to work and remain in your own town, we would understand that and would have no objection.
The job consists of making furniture, mostly home furniture. We send you the designs and the material needed, and you do the piece of art. You would send us back the object ready, and we send you your payment.
If you are interested in the offer, please contact us. We would be honoured if you accepted.
PS- We could send some of our men to build you a workshop if required.
Yours Faithfully
Mr. J. Peterson
Owner of 'Furniture Specialists'
After reading the letter, Sully looked at his wife, who had read the letter as well. In her eyes he could read the joy she was feeling. He knew that at last he was going to have a fixed job.
Colleen knocked on the door of the chateau's clinic where her newly wed husband would be tending to some patients. Things were going on very well under the new director and owner of the Chateau. All could use the clinic now, not only the residents of the hotel, and Andrew was very pleased to work here. His earnings had increased with the new owner, and had decided not to throw all this away and start a new practice of his own. His wife had agreed, and so there was no problem. They just had to inform her family of their decision, of which he was sure, they would be very happy. He opened the door after the knock to reveal his wife, dressed in her riding clothes.
"Are ya busy" Colleen asked.
"No I'm not. Come on in my dear. I thought you would remain longer in bed after last night."
He opened the door for Colleen to enter and closed it behind her.
"Going to town" he asked her.
"Yeah, I want ta talk to ma an' pa about your decision an' about mine."
"And about which decision would you be speaking, if I may ask" asked Andrew curiously.
"Oh come on, I told ya. I want ta go in Philadelphia to study. Since ya told me we were remaining here, I decided now was the right time ta become a doctor. I could help both you an' my mother."
"Oh so you set your mind finally. I am pleased about that. So you will accept their offer"
"Yes I will. I will miss you all" she said rather sadly.
"We will miss you as well, me especially. You will come back on holidays and in summer. It will be only for some four years, and then you will be a doctor. Imagine it"
"It's like a dream come true! Thanks a lot for your support Andrew. I really appreciate it" she said, as he caught her lips in his in a passionate kiss.
They were interrupted as there was a knock at the door. Andrew wanted to burn the door with the angry look he had in his eyes. Colleen couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh come on, we had all the night" she said mischievously.
Andrew opened the door to reveal a man who wanted to see the doctor. Andrew tells him to accommodate himself in and turns to Colleen.
"Shall we meet at Grace's for lunch" he asks Colleen.
"Yes. I will be with ma an' pa. Find us at the usual table."
She gave him a quick kiss and left him to his patient. Her new life had started. She found her horse in the stables and galloped off to town.
End Of Chapter 1
