Chapter Three

Colleen slept in the back of the wagon as Michaela and Sully sat side by side in the driver's seat. Neither one of them could speak, because they were too focused on thinking about what they should say to break the silence. Finally, Michaela came up with something to talk about.

"I met Abagail Bray today," she spoke up. "As well as her father Loren."

"I figured you'd meet Abagail, seein' as Colleen was with her." Michaela nodded.

"She's a very nice girl," she commented. The tone of her voice seemed strange to Sully.

"But?"

"How did you know there was a 'but?'"

"I could hear it in the tone of your voice," he pointed out. "Somethin' sounded different." Michaela nodded. "What is it?"

"I don't know, exactly. I'm sure I'm being paranoid, but for some reason I think she felt . . ."

"Felt what?" Michaela shook her head, wanting to drop the subject completely.

"Oh nothing," she replied with a sigh. "I think she just didn't know whether or not she could trust me with Colleen."

"Well, that ain't her call to make, is it?" Michaela smiled a little, relaxing during the quiet journey into town.

"Mr. Sully?"

"Please. It's just Sully," Sully replied quickly. Michaela nodded.

"Sully," she started over. "May I ask you a question?"

"Depends on the question." Michaela watched him, and as he stared at the dark road ahead, a smile crept over his lips. She liked the fact that he had a sense of humor. "'Course. I don't really have no secrets to hide. None that you oughta worry 'bout anyway." Michaela relaxed even more. "What were ya wantin' to ask me?"

"It's rather silly," she pointed out.

"I doubt that."

"Why?"

"Ya don't look like the kinda woman who'd have a lot of silly questions."

"Really? Well, what kind of woman do I look like?" She immediately and silently scolded herself for asking such a bold question. But, Michaela wasn't one to hear a comment such as that and leave it alone. She was curious! The question didn't seem to be out of the ordinary for Sully, however. He smiled again and thought for a moment.

He wasn't sure what to say, because he knew for a fact what he thought of her, but he didn't want to seem to forward or judgmental. But then again, he felt like Michaela would know if he was holding back.

"Well?"

"Well," Sully began. He swallowed hard, trying to find the words to say. "Well, you look like the kind of woman who's got a lot of opinions about everything." Michaela listened as they rode along, and she crossed her arms against her chest. "Ya look like you'd rather earn somethin' than have it handed to ya on a silver platter. Let me guess. Ya offered to pay back the Reverend 'cause ya didn't feel right 'bout takin' the clinic as a gift." Michaela said nothing, but she blinked from surprise and looked straight ahead. "Am I right?"

"I'm impressed," she admitted.

"And," he continued, "ya don't look like someone who asks silly questions. Ya look like ya ask a question if there's one that needs to be asked. But, ya also seem like you'd ask a question if ya really want to know about it. Seems like ya might try to make other folks' business yours too. Does that make sense?" Michaela nodded thoughtfully. Somehow she knew he wasn't being rude by saying that. How had he understood her when they'd known each other for less than a day? Oh, there were so many things she figured he'd never know about her, but realizing that he could tell so much by just looking at her made her uneasy. He was very good at reading people.

"It makes sense," she replied quietly, swallowing hard.

"Didn't mean to offend ya."

"You didn't." She paused for a moment and chuckled a little. "My father always tells me that I poke my nose where it doesn't belong. I can't help it. I hate being left out of conversations, and I hate not being able to help people. If there is a situation I think I can do some good in, I want to at least try."

"Ain't nothin' wrong with that," Sully replied. "It's just that some folks can be real private even if they need the help." There was silence again for a few minutes, and Sully finally spoke up again. "The way you talk about him sounds like ya have a good relationship with him."

"Who?"

"Your Pa."

"Oh," Michaela said, nodding her head. "Yes. My father and I have always been close. My sisters were always closest with my mother, so perhaps that's why I always felt like an only child." She glanced at Sully. "Were you an only child?" He hesitated for a moment, and it became clear that his past wasn't something he really liked talking about. But nevertheless, he spoke up.

"Yep. I don't really remember my folks that much, but I do know I didn't have any brothers or sisters. I didn't 'til the Cheyenne took me in when I couldn't make it on my own anymore. Cloud Dancin' and me . . . we're brothers."

"You must love him very much." Sully said nothing, but he glanced at her, feeling like she understood him. The next few minutes were silent, but it wasn't an awkward silence. Both parties were thinking about how good it felt to have someone around that seemed to understand them. Michaela felt like she could say absolutely anything for the first time in her life and not have every word that came out of her mouth be scrutinized by one person or another. Growing up in Boston had always made her feel confined and claustrophobic. She felt like even breathing the wrong way in the presence of her mother would earn her a scolding look. Yes, her mother loved her, but she was so very proper and wanted her children to be that way as well. Michaela grew up to be quite a proper young woman, but sometimes she wished that she could run to the top of a mountain and scream out all of her frustrations at the top of her lungs. It was as if everything was under pressure inside of her and was begging to be let out. Being in Colorado Springs and away from all of the criticizing eyes in Boston seemed to be a huge relief.

But, all of those manners she'd learned so long ago were deeply integrated into her thoughts and mind, and she knew that she would probably come off as a bit of a prude to many people, but she couldn't help the way she was raised. She only hoped that she wouldn't be too intimidating to the citizens of Colorado Springs.

"What do ya think of it?" Sully asked after several long minutes. The only sound they'd been hearing was the creaking of the wagon, the spinning of the wheels, and the clopping of the horse hooves on the firm Colorado soil. Sully couldn't stand the silence any longer. He needed to have a conversation and keep his mind off of the thoughts he was having. He couldn't help but think about what it might feel like to hold her or to feel her skin against his. He knew he could never express these wonderings verbally, but even having them in the secret corners of his mind made him feel a little bit like a child being caught doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing.

"Colorado?"

"Hmm."

"It's beautiful," she whispered, looking up at the dark sky. "Everything is so peaceful here."

"Oh, this is just your first day."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sully chuckled a little.

"I'm just sayin' that it ain't always gonna be peaceful. Ya got soldiers comin' in and out all the time tryin' to keep order between the white folks and the Cheyenne." Michaela shook her head.

"I don't understand it. They were here long before any of us were."

"Guess that's the good that comes with progress," Sully pointed out. Michaela was a bit taken aback by this comment.

"Not all progress is bad, Sully. Progress can mean new vaccinations and cures for diseases that were once deadly. It can mean more education for children, and it can even quite possibility mean an entirely new society."

"And that's a good thing? Ya actually think the Cheyenne wanna become like everybody else, Dr. Mike? They're strugglin' hard enough as it is to keep their traditions alive with all this new progress. It ain't fair to 'em."

"I agree," she said quietly. "I just don't believe that ruling out all forms of progress is necessary or even possible." Sully was silent again, and Michaela feared that she had said something to upset him. But, in all fairness, she was only speaking her opinion, something she did quite frequently. If they were going to be friends, he was going to have to get used to it, and he knew it.

The wind began to pick up, and Michaela shivered. Sully felt her trembling beside him, and he stopped the wagon.

"What are you doing?" She hadn't meant for that to come off as paranoia. He didn't say anything, but he pulled his buckskin coat off and wrapped it around her shoulders. She could smell his scent on the coat, and she couldn't help but wonder if this was as close she'd ever get to having his arms around her.

"You're cold." Michaela smiled a little and simply nodded. Just as Sully was about to take control of the reigns, Colleen sat up in the back of the wagon and let out a shrill whimper.

"No!" she screamed. Sully was about to go back and comfort her, but the horses whinnied, threatening to continue on in a moment's notice. Michaela slipped her arms through Sully's coat and pulled it around herself tightly.

"I'll sit with her," she whispered. Sully glanced back at his little girl who was trembling with fright, and he nodded to Michaela. Once the young woman was in the back of the wagon with Colleen in her arms, Sully continued on toward town. Colleen dried her eyes and looked up at Michaela.

"Don't worry, Colleen," she whispered. "It was all a dream. You're safe now." Colleen looked around, and she saw her father in the driver's seat of the wagon.

"I dreamt that Papa had to go away," she cried. Sully swallowed hard and shook his head.

"I ain't gonna go nowhere. I'll always be here for ya when ya need me." He stopped the horses, and once he was sure they were calmed, he crawled into the back of the wagon to sit beside Michaela. He watched as she rocked the shaking girl.

"Don't go away, Pa," she whispered.

"I won't, Colleen. I ain't goin' nowhere." He reached out to stroke his little girl's cheek, and she closed her eyes. As she began to relax, Michaela began to hum a sweet lullaby. Sully watched her in amazement as she closed her eyes and rested her cheek against the top of Colleen's head. Her hand stroked the child's back and smoothed her hair. Her gentleness and caring shined through at that very moment, even on this dark night. It was at that moment that Sully realized he was falling in love.

Michaela opened her eyes and found Sully staring at her with a sweet look in his eyes. She smiled at him, and looked down at Colleen.

"I think she's sleeping," she whispered. Sully nodded.

"You're right. She goes right to sleep if somebody holds her after a bad dream. I'm afraid I ain't so good at singin' lullabies though." Michaela giggled a little, and Sully took Colleen out of Michaela's arms and lay her back down in the wagon. He helped Michaela back up into the front, and they continued on toward town once more.

They arrived about twenty minutes later, and Sully walked Michaela up to the door of the clinic.

"It's gonna be dark as a cave in there, so I'll walk ya in and make sure ya find the lamp." Michaela smiled, blushing a little in the darkness.

"Thank you, Sully, but I think I can manage."

"Hey, it's the least I can do. Ya helped me with Colleen, and ya took care of Brian."

"Hey, you said that supper was a 'thank you' for Brian."

"Well, this is a 'thank you' for Colleen then." He cleared his throat. "'Sides, I don't think it'd be a good thing if the new doctor broke her neck trippin' over a chair on her first night in town, do you?" Michaela had to admit that he had a point! She unlocked the clinic door, and they stepped inside. The room no longer had the smell of dust and dirt from sitting empty for so long. Now it carried the sweet smell of Michaela's soaps and perfumes. The smell was almost intoxicating to Sully, and as Michaela felt around the dark room for matches, he busied himself by gathering the nearest oil lamp into his hands.

"I found the matches." She shook the box. "The box is empty."

"I found the lamp," Sully replied. "Now, stay there, and I'll find you." Michaela heard his footsteps coming closer, and she swallowed hard as chills went up and down her spine. She felt his shoulder bump into hers. "There ya are." Michaela couldn't manage much more than a grunt of recognition. "You're tellin' me ya don't have any matches?"

"Apparently so," she replied. "I meant to pick some up at the mercantile today, but I suppose I forgot to write them on the list I gave to Mr. Bray."

"Hold on. Let me see if I have any in the wagon." Sully disappeared out the door, and when Michaela's eyes had adjusted, she made her way over to the window and watched as Sully carefully poked around in the back of the wagon, trying to avoid waking his sleeping daughter. She smiled as he moved her arm to the side ever so gently. He seemed happy when he pulled a box of matches out from underneath a pile of blankets.

Michaela made her way back over to the table as Sully re-entered the clinic. Soon, the clinic was brightened by the light of a single oil lamp.

"There ya go."

"Thank you," Michaela said gratefully. "It's getting late, and I'm rather tired."

"I bet," Sully replied, emptying out half of the box of matches into his hand and placing the half-full box on the table beside the lamp. He stuck the loose matches into a pocket and folded his arms across his chest. "I'm comin' into town early tomorrow to pick up the boys and take Matthew and Colleen to school. If ya want, I can come by and help ya fix the clinic up." Michaela thought for a moment, realizing that she'd love to have his help. But, she also knew it might be a good idea to have some time alone as well.

"That's a nice offer Sully, but I think I'm going to be rather busy all day."

"Well, just the more reason why I oughta help. Ya gotta be real tired after all that travellin'." How could she resist? He'd been so kind to her today, and he was offering to help. Perhaps while he was helping, she could meet new patients or even attempt a lesson in horse riding. She smiled a little.

"Alright. I usually wake early when I have a lot to do."

"Well, I'll stop by after I drop Matthew and Colleen off at school. That sound alright?"

"Sure. Thank you, Sully." Sully nodded.

"I best be getting home. See ya tomorrow." Michaela took Sully's coat off of herself and handed it to him.

"See you." Sully left, closing the door behind himself, and Michaela was engulfed in absolute silence. She looked around, realizing that she was alone for the first time since early that afternoon. She liked being alone, but somehow she found that spending time with Sully and his children was much better.


In the morning, Michaela woke just before the sun was up. The sky was a hazy dark blue, and that gloom was cast all throughout the clinic. She pulled herself out of one of the small beds, realizing that she'd rather be sleeping on the comfortable mattresses that she had in her room in Boston. However, waking up to a quiet little town in the morning was much better than a busy, bustling city with horses and carriages clamoring about at all hours of the morning.

She could hear a few horses, but she figured those were just the folks passing through town on their ways to their jobs. She realized that Sully would be coming to help her in an hour or so, so she decided it would be best to get cleaned up and dressed.

After she'd washed up, she went through her things, laying them out and separating them so she could put them into different drawers. She couldn't wait to have a real home of her own, but for now, until she was settled into life in Colorado Springs, she would do just fine living above the clinic.

She smiled as she pulled a beautiful blue dress out of her case. She hadn't worn that dress in two years, but she had worn it to a ball in honor of her father's birthday. She had had several offers to dance that evening, but the only person she really enjoyed dancing with was her father. He was the only one who wasn't looking for a kiss or something more. He was the man who helped give her life. He was her mentor.

To be brutally honest, she had never been interested in any of the young men in Boston. Her mother was deathly afraid that her youngest daughter would die an old maid, but Michaela didn't find romance and marriage to be at the top of her list now. She had a practice to run and a life as an independent woman in the West to think about. She had no time for fancy balls or suitors who did nothing but stare everywhere but into her eyes.

Then there was Sully. He'd been the only man she'd met in a long time that seemed to be interested in talking with and getting to know her. When he stared into her eyes, she felt connected to him. She barely knew him, but that connection had to be something special if she had felt it right away. She knew she'd told herself that she couldn't be feeling anything real for him considering the fact that they'd just met. But even as she slept the night before, she couldn't help but think about how amazing he was with his children and how caring he'd been with her. She hadn't even thought about her feelings or what feelings she secretly hoped he had for her. No. Those thoughts centered around how nice it was to find someone that was interesting to talk to and was interested in talking back.

Finishing getting ready and putting her clothes and undergarments away seemed to take longer than usual as thoughts filled her head. All kinds of thoughts were dancing on the edges of her mind, and she only wished that she could reach out and grasp one instead of becoming dizzy trying to follow them all at once. One moment she would be thinking about Sully and his children, and the next, she'd be thinking about her practice and whether or not she'd be able to make it out on the frontier. All of that thinking was making her exhausted already, so as she sat down on the edge of her bed, she closed her eyes and waited for the knot in her stomach to go away.

It wasn't long before she was feeling better, and she went ahead and brushed her hair out. She put two small pins to either side of her head and held the hair out of her face but let it fall beautifully down her back and shoulders.

After Michaela had splashed some cold water on her face, she made her way down the stairs. The first thing she noticed was the box of matches Sully had left the night before. She smiled and found it amazing that the smallest thing could send her thoughts toward Sully. She'd never felt this way before, and she realized that she needed to convince herself that things were probably going to change and her feelings would as well. But that was going to be quite difficult seeing as Sully was going to be around quite a bit during the day. On her journey toward Colorado Springs, she never would have thought that her first day would have been spent getting to know one family and starting to fall for a handsome man who just happened to be a very caring, supportive single father.

She needed some fresh air. The sun was up now, and she figured that some fresh mountain air would do her good. So, she unlocked the door, threw it open, and let a gentle breeze greet her. That was better!

As she stepped out onto the porch, she noticed a few of the townsfolk like Mr. Bray opening up shop for the day. She glanced over at the barbershop and saw no sign of Mr. Jake Slicker. Loren had said he was on a binge, so all she could assume was that he was drinking himself silly. She hadn't seen him at all since she'd arrived in Colorado Springs, and she hadn't once seen any movement from inside the barbershop. She could only assume he lived there.

"Mornin' Dr. Mike," Abagail Bray said with a smile as she walked past.

"Good morning, Abagail. How are you this morning?"

"Just fine. On my way to school."

"Did Sully already pick up the boys?"

"Yep. He's takin' Matthew and Colleen to school now."

"Alright. Thank you."

"Why? Were ya expectin' him?" she asked, that jealous tone ringing in her voice again. This went unnoticed to Michaela at the time, because her eyes kept darting back to the barbershop.

"Yes," she said slowly. "He's coming over to help me move things around and get settled in here."

"Get settled in? How might he go 'bout doin' that?" Abagail wondered, crossing her arms across her chest.

"I have a lot of furniture and a lot of things that I sent ahead while I was in Boston, but obviously I arrived before the items I sent ahead did. I'm sure they'll be here today on the next stagecoach." Abagail bit her bottom lip.

"Stagecoach don't run again 'til Monday."

"What?"

"Sometimes it only comes in once a week." Michaela sighed heavily. "'Sides, you'll have to pick up any big things at the post in Soda Springs, 'cause the stagecoach can only carry so much. I can tell Robert E. for ya, and I'm sure he'd be willin' to go with ya to pick 'em up."

"Well, thank you for letting me know." Abagail nodded and started back on her way. Michaela decided that it was time to meet Mr. Slicker. Remembering the fact that Loren said he was on a binge, she returned briefly to the clinic to get her medical bag.

If Mr. Slicker was conscious, she needed to talk to him about his use of non-sterilized barbering and suturing equipment.

As she was walking across the street, she noticed that same long-haired fellow sitting outside of the saloon. In one hand was a cigar, and in the other was a bottle of something that she could only guess was whiskey.

She turned her attention back to the closed up barbershop and stepped up onto the porch. As she knocked on the door, the man stood from his chair but remained on the saloon porch.

"Best leave 'im alone," he said in a low, gravelly voice. Michaela turned back to him.

"I need to speak with the barber," she called across the street, realizing that she'd never yell across the street in Boston just to speak with someone. The proper thing to do would be to catch their attention and cross the street to speak. But, she wasn't in Boston anymore, and that was as plain as day.

Instead, the stranger at the saloon began to make his way across the street, walking with a swagger that she could only assume was a display to show his masculinity. She fought off the strong urge to roll her eyes, so she crossed her arms across her chest instead.

"Heard you're the new doc," he said, stepping up to stand in front of her. Michaela was surprised at his height and build. He was obviously a very strong man by the look of the muscles that showed under his rolled up sleeves.

"That's right," she answered, feeling uneasy and almost crowded by his presence. "Dr. Michaela Quinn." She didn't extend a hand, because he didn't exactly look like he'd be willing to accept and shake it.

"Hank Lawson," he replied, flicking his cigar to get rid of the excess ashes. He smiled slyly and blew out a stream of smoke that made Michaela want to turn her head so she wouldn't choke on the overpowering haze. But, she resisted the urge and stared straight into his eyes. He was an intimidating-looking man, and she knew right away that having him so close to her clinic was going to prove to be somewhat of a problem if she didn't assert her independence and boldness right away. "Looks like ya got a lot of adjustin' to do." She realized that he was looking at the beautiful golden chain and locket around her neck. Her hand moved to grasp the locket with caution. "Best lock that up safe at night. Lots of folks would do just 'bout anything to get their hands on somethin' like that. It'd be worth a lot of money, ya know." Michaela swallowed hard. It hadn't sounded like a threat, but she was still uneasy.

"I'll keep that in mind," she answered.

"Don't bother with Jake. I checked on 'im this mornin', and he's passed out. He'll be up 'round noon. Usually is anyway." She was surprised by Hank's words now. He really didn't look like the kind of many who'd take the time to go check on someone to see if they were alright. But then again, as she had learned by meeting Sully, appearances could be deceiving. However, she didn't get that kind and trusting feeling around Hank that she felt when she was with Sully. She knew that she was going to have to keep an eye out for Hank, and she wasn't quite sure of what to make of him.

"I'd feel better if I checked on him now."

"Well, he ain't gonna want a woman doctor pokin' 'round on him, so I guess if ya do it while he's knocked out, it won't matter much to him." Hank moved to find Jake's hidden key, and he unlocked the door. As Michaela was moving past him to walk in, she stopped, feeling his eyes on her, and she looked up.

"Excuse me." He laughed dryly and moved to let her pass.

"Up the stairs," he directed, following her into the shop. Michaela realized that she would feel better if Hank stayed downstairs. She turned to glance at him, and he realized that she didn't want him going up. "I'll make sure nobody comes in." She nodded her thanks to him and started up to find Jake. The stairs led up to a single room where Jake was passed out across his bed. She shook her head, knowing that he was lucky to not have drunk himself to death. She'd seen several cases of alcohol poisoning before, and by examining Jake, she realized that he was in fact only passed out. He was lucky, but if he continued on like this, she figured he'd drink himself into a very early grave.

When she returned down into the main part of the shop, Hank was standing out on the porch, finishing off the last of his whiskey.

"How is he, doc?"

"He's lucky he didn't poison himself," she replied sternly, walking out of the shop. Hank followed and locked the doors behind her. Michaela decided to go back to the clinic to wait for Sully, so without another word, she turned in that direction. Hank watched her and thought for a moment before clearing his throat and moving to catch up with her.

"Wait a minute, doc," he said quickly. Michaela turned to him, wondering what he could possibly have to say now.

"I figured Jake wouldn't really know much 'bout a problem one of my girls is havin'. Seein' as you're a lady, I figured you might."

"Problem?" Michaela asked. Hank nodded.

"She's awful sick, and she's been runnin' off customers 'cause of it. Mind takin' a look?" Michaela nodded, not exactly wanting to step foot into a saloon. She also didn't really like the way he spoke of his girls and their problems as if they were broken axels on wagon.

Hank led her into his so-called establishment and pointed her back to one of the girls' rooms. She knocked on the door, and she heard someone scrambling around and the sound of a squeaky bed.

"Just a minute, Hank," came the soft voice of a young woman.

"It's not Hank," Michaela replied. "I'm Dr. Quinn, and I'm here to see if I can help." The door opened a minute later, and a pretty young woman with dark brown hair stood there in what Michaela could only guess was a nightgown or part of one anyway.

"Come on in," she said with a nervous but friendly smile. Michaela stepped foot into the tiny room, taking note of the small quarters and the worse-for-wear bed that stood shakily in the corner.

"Hank said you had a female problem," Michaela said slowly. The girl merely nodded. "What's your name?"

"Cassandra," she replied with a smile. "Everybody calls me Casey though."

"Casey, how old are you?" Michaela wondered. The girl hesitated.

"Twenty," she replied slowly. Michaela knew that was a lie.

"I can't help you if you can't be honest with me, Casey." They moved to sit down upon the girl's bed, and Michaela took a deep breath, knowing that she was probably about as nervous as the young girl was.

"I told Hank I was twenty so he'd hire me. He didn't question it. He said he needed new girls, and that I was one of the prettiest he'd seen in Manitou." Michaela nodded in understanding. "Nobody would hire me, and I needed money to send to my family. My ma's got two babies at home, and my Pa died. Ma don't know I'm doin' this, but I send money to 'em every week to help out." Tears formed in the girl's eyes. "I'm only fifteen." Michaela's heart practically broke in two for this young girl, and she found herself hugging her as the girl fought off tears. "I don't got a contract with 'im, so I can leave if I want, but I gotta have that money!"

"Alright," Michaela whispered softly. "Let's take care of treatments before anything else." The girl nodded, relaxing a bit in the company of the young doctor. Michaela hoped that she'd be able to do something to help this Cassandra, but the first thing she knew she had to do as soon as the examination was over was talk to Hank.