Chapter Eleven
The citizens of Colorado Springs waved as the wagon carrying newlyweds Martin and Abagail Johnson pulled away from the meadow to take them to their room at the new boarding house. Children pranced around throwing rice and flower petals, while the adults began to walk back toward the town to go about their daily lives.
Michaela and Sully were spending an increasing amount of time with one another, and the folks in town were already starting to realize that the two were perfect for one another. Though they had their differences, they seemed to make up for them in the way that they felt about one another. They did have a lot in common, and they were still just beginning to venture into the courting world.
The children were excited and secretly talking about what it would be like once their Pa and Dr. Mike got married. Of course they didn't have these conversations when the two were around, but they always urged their father to propose to the lady doctor. Sully knew it was too soon to do anything drastic yet. He didn't want to scare her or rush her. He wanted her to be happy and comfortable.
Michaela was walking with Grace on this afternoon, while Sully walked ahead with Robert E. Grace slipped her arm through Michaela's as they walked and held onto Anthony with her other arm.
"So, how are things between you and Sully?" Michaela was a bit caught off guard by Grace's question, but she couldn't help but grin happily. "I'll take that to mean that things are good?"
"Yes," Michaela said with a nod. "It's hard to believe that we're courting."
"Do you still feel uncomfortable 'round him?"
"No," Michaela said quietly. "We've come to an understanding about one another. He knows that I need time, and I know that he's not really shy." Grace and the lady doctor giggled together as others passed them on the way toward town. "I mean, he's not afraid to pull me into his arms and kiss me. He's the forward one, but I don't mind."
"Ya sure about that?"
"Of course I'm sure. It seems as if every time I'm with Sully, he ends up sweeping me off of my feet. He's quite romantic."
"Well, Robert E. ain't always been the romantic one. I ain't never gonna forget the way he proposed to me." Grace laughed at the memory. "I remember him getting down on one knee, pullin' the ring out, stumblin' over his words and finally sayin', 'so, ya wanna marry me?'" Michaela laughed aloud. "I knew he meant well, and he felt bad for sayin' it like that. He gave me a better proposal later, but I accepted the first time."
"It sounds like the two of you love each other very much."
"Sure do," Grace admitted. "Sometimes he's a pain in the . . . well, you know. But he makes me happy, and I like to think I do the same for him." Michaela smiled, envying how happy her friend was. "Don't worry, Dr. Mike. You and Sully will be happy too." Michaela's face blushed.
"Aren't you moving ahead a little?"
"C'mon, Dr. Mike. It's as plain as day that the two of ya are madly in love with each other. Now, I know neither of ya are gonna say so right now, but I see it." Just before Michaela could even attempt to reply to Grace's comments, RJ and Thomas came running over. Grace shifted little Anthony in her arms.
"Mama, can we go play with Colleen and Matthew?"
"Well, as long as you're back home in an hour, I don't see no problem with it."
"Thanks Ma!" RJ said with a grin, tugging on his little brother's hand. The two ran off toward Colleen and Matthew.
"They're a handful," Grace admitted. "But I wouldn't trade 'em for the world. I love 'em. I never thought I'd have a family when I was growin' up. Now look at me. I'm a workin' lady with a lovin' husband and three amazin' little boys."
"You have a lot to be thankful for." Grace put her free hand on Michaela's shoulder as her other arm supported Anthony.
"You do too," Grace said with a wink as she nodded in Sully's direction. The two began to talk quietly and grin as they passed Robert E. and Sully.
Sully shifted Brian onto his other hip while he walked along with Robert E. Both men glanced at their respective loves as they passed. Robert E. glanced at Sully as he smiled in Michaela's direction.
"Looks like things are movin' along nice for you and Dr. Mike," Robert E. commented. Sully only nodded slightly. He didn't know how to discuss his relationship with Michaela with anyone. He wasn't a man of many words, but he felt like he could say so many things about the woman he loved, though none of them seemed proper to say when he hadn't even divulged them to Michaela yet. "Ya don't gotta give me an answer. I see it in your eyes every time ya look at Dr. Mike. You're in over you're head, but ya don't seem to mind too much." Sully chuckled a bit and rubbed Brian's back as the boy fell asleep. "Grace is fixin' on askin' Dr. Mike, so I figured I'd ask ya if ya wanted to have supper with us tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Yeah. Things are gonna be real quiet with most folks helpin' Martin and Abagail take their things to the boardin' house. We thought ya might like to join us and Dr. Mike for supper at the café." Sully had to admit that sounded nice, but he really wished he could have some time alone with the lady doctor. The past couple of days had been hectic. She'd been busy with minor surgeries, and she'd had to go out to the reservation twice. Sully was thankful that the Cheyenne were starting to trust Michaela. She and Snow Bird were becoming fast friends!
"Well, I'll see if I can make it."
"C'mon. Ain't every day ya get to have a free meal that you don't gotta cook." Robert E. had a point!
"I'm sure the kids'll be hungry, so we'll be there."
"Good," Robert E. replied, patting his friend on the back. "Good."
"I don't know how I'm ever going to get all of this done," Michaela muttered to herself as she began to sort through the crates that had just been delivered. Grace had invited her to supper, and she was supposed to be there in a half an hour. But, now that some new medicines and equipment had arrived, Michaela felt overwhelmed and compelled to get it all sorted out.
She hardly had any room on her shelves for the medicines, considering the fact that some of the herbs Cloud Dancing had shown her had now taken up space. She had administered some of the remedies to a couple of her patients who had been deathly ill, and their fevers broke within an hour. They had survived, and she was quite certain that it was the leaves she'd brewed that saved their lives. She was grateful to Cloud Dancing for his generosity. Bringing Cheyenne medicine into the world was not something to be afraid of, though most folks would have rather taken their chances with fate.
She began to make room on her shelves and realized that she was going to need much more shelf space. Perhaps she could ask Sully or Robert E. to help her out with that.
A knock came to the door, and Myra stepped in with little Sam in her arms. Horace followed in right behind them.
"Good afternoon, Horace. Myra," Michaela said with a warm smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Better. He's sleepin' a little more."
"Good!" Michaela replied. "I'm happy to hear that." Myra had a concerned expression in her eyes.
"Dr. Mike? He's been feelin' poorly. I thought it was the milk, but it ain't. He feels bad all the time now. He sleeps more, but it seems like when he wakes up, he feels worse and worse." Michaela realized that this was much more important than unpacking now.
"Let me see him." Michaela took the little one into her arms and placed him on the examination table.
"He's alright, ain't he, Dr. Mike?" Horace wondered. Michaela swallowed hard and took out her stethoscope. She listened to his heart and lungs, and he seemed to be just fine. But it was obviously his stomach that was bothering him. She put the stethoscope to his stomach to listen to his bowels. Something wasn't right.
"I know this is an odd question," Michaela stated, "but how have his bowel movements been lately?"
"Huh?" Myra wondered. "Oh, uh, he hasn't gone since early yesterday, but it wasn't that much." Michaela's face grew even more serious.
"What's that mean, Dr. Mike?" Horace wondered.
"By the sound of it, I believe there is a blockage in Sam's intestine."
"Blockage?" Myra asked with horror in her eyes. "Oh, Dr. Mike, he's gonna be alright, ain't he?" Michaela looked uncertain.
"What are ya gonna have to do?"
"The only thing I can do is to operate and cut out the blockage in order to clear the intestinal passage."
"That sounds dangerous," Myra whispered. Michaela nodded slightly.
"It is." Horace looked at his son and shook his head.
"This can't happen."
"Horace, I'm sure everything will be fine," Michaela said quietly. "I've performed this surgery several times on infants in Boston, and the results have turned out well."
"For all of them?" Myra asked. Michaela nodded sadly.
"No. Some babies lost too much blood. Sometimes it depended on the sizes of the blockages. I can't tell from the external examination, but the blockage doesn't seem to be very large." She pressed slightly on the baby's belly, and he let out a cry. She felt bad to see the baby in such discomfort.
"When do ya gotta do the operation?" Myra asked.
"I'll need to do it immediately," Michaela said softly. "The longer we wait, the greater risk I'll be taking." Horace and Myra glanced worriedly at one another. Michaela didn't seem to look as if she believed the surgery would be a complete success.
"Myra, maybe we ought to talk 'bout this," Horace suggested. Myra's eyes widened.
"What's there to talk about?" She turned her attention back to Michaela. "If ya don't do this surgery, what'll happen? Will he live?" Michaela couldn't bring herself to say the words that mostly every parent dreaded to hear. She merely shook her head, letting them know that to do nothing would surely spell a quick death for baby Samuel Bing.
"I don't believe there is any chance for this to go away on its own."
"But it could?" Michaela's answer was grim.
"Do it," Myra urged. Michaela saw Horace grow tense behind his wife.
"Myra, honey, are ya sure?"
"Sure that I don't want my baby to die!" she cried. "I trust Dr. Mike. She'll save our little boy."
Sully, Robert E., and Grace sat with the children around a table at the café. Michaela wasn't there yet, and she was supposed to have arrived ten minutes ago.
"Maybe she lost track of time?" Grace suggested. Sully knew she wouldn't have been late without a good reason.
"I better go make sure she's alright," Sully said quietly. At that point, Abagail and Martin came running by. They had come from the boarding house after changing out of their wedding attire.
"What's goin' on?" Robert E. wondered. "Thought you two was s'posed to be movin' to the boardin' house."
"Everybody's gatherin' at the clinic, 'cause Myra and Horace's baby's sick," Abagail called as Martin took her hand and led her toward the clinic. A moment later, Sully, Robert E., and Grace were rushing toward the clinic with the children in tow.
It was dusk when Michaela finally emerged from the clinic with a relieved and triumphant smile upon her face. Horace and Myra stood quickly and rushed to her.
"How is he?" Horace asked.
"He pulled through in remarkable condition," she said softly. "Your little boy is resting upstairs. He'll be a bit groggy, but for a little one of such a young age, he did wonderfully."
"Oh, thank you, Dr. Mike! I knew you could fix him!" Myra wrapped her arms around her friend before hurrying into the clinic with Horace to see little Sam. The crowd began to break apart as folks took their children home to put them to bed. Abagail glanced at Dr. Mike, but this time, her eyes were full of relief and happiness that the doctor's efforts at saving the boy had paid off.
The newlyweds made their way to the boarding house, and soon, Sully and the children were left alone on the porch with an exhausted Michaela. Her smile had faded, however, and Sully knew that something was bothering her.
"Pa, I'm tired," Colleen said with a yawn. It was late, and Sully didn't want to have to go all the way out to the homestead with three tired children. It would be best for them to sleep in town tonight. Michaela could see that Brian was already sleeping in his father's arms, and Matthew's eyes were becoming heavy and tired.
"Sully, why don't you and the children sleep here tonight? It's been an exhausting day." Sully smiled at Michaela's offer of hospitality.
"Ya mean, you could use the company?" Michaela felt her cheeks grow hot. It was true. She didn't want to be alone right now. That surgery she had performed had taken all of her energy away. "I'll take the kids upstairs and tuck 'em in." Michaela nodded and sat down upon the bench on the clinic porch. She looked over toward the saloon to see Hank pushing Jake back with his hand. She sighed, knowing she should go help, but she knew Jake would only push her away. This wasn't the time. She didn't feel like getting further verbal abuse from someone with a problem such as Jake's.
"I told ya I ain't servin' ya no more, so get out," Hank said sternly. Just as Jake gave up and turned back to go to the barber shop, he turned in Michaela's direction. She wondered if he was finally going to give in and come talk to her, because she knew that going to talk with him got her nowhere. But, all she received from the barber was an angry, bitter gaze before he scooted into his shop.
Michaela sighed with disappointment. She'd almost been there two months, and she still hadn't been able to get through to him. It wasn't for her lack of trying, because she tried so hard to help him. He just didn't want to be helped.
"They're all tucked in," Sully said with a smile as he walked out onto the porch and shut the clinic door.
"Good," Michaela said with a yawn.
"Ya look like ya could use some holdin'." He sat down beside her and put his arms around her. Michaela fell into his embrace gratefully, not really caring what possible onlookers might have thought. It felt good to be held by the man she loved. Yes, she could even think it now. He'd been there for her so much, and he was here again, holding her and making her feel as if she mattered. There was no doubt about it. Michaela Quinn was head over heels in love with Sully.
"I almost lost that baby, Sully," she whispered.
"But ya didn't."
"I know I didn't, but that doesn't dismiss the fact that he nearly died on my table. He nearly lost too much blood."
"Ya gotta stop thinkin' about what almost happened or what coulda happened. What happened is that ya saved his life. Horace and Myra ain't never gonna forget what ya did."
"I suppose not," Michaela whispered. "I just can't bear to think what would have happened if I hadn't stopped the bleeding."
"But ya did," Sully whispered. "Ya stopped it, and that baby's alive 'cause of you. If ya hadn't been here, he woulda died." Michaela sniffled and wiped the tears from her eyes. She waited until the sun had completely set in the sky before she pulled out of Sully's arms. She smiled a little and walked into the clinic, not bothering to shut the door. Sully realized that she wanted him to follow her. So, he stood and walked inside, closing the door to the outside. Michaela was beginning to fold clean sheets and place them in their respective cabinets. Without a word, Sully began to help until the entire room was picked up and cleaned.
"Thank you," Michaela said gratefully as soon as the linens were folded. She looked out the window to see that it was rather dark outside. "Perhaps we should go to bed." Her eyes went wide as she turned to face the door that lead to the upstairs. Her face turned pink with embarrassment, but Sully didn't dare smile at her words, because he wanted to save her from feeling foolish. "I mean, we should both go get some sleep. It's been a tiring day." Sully came up behind her and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I know what ya meant," he replied. "It's gonna get better, Dr. Mike. Don't you worry." He softly kissed her cheek and started up the stairs. She waited until she heard the door shut upstairs before she even dared to move. Her heart was pounding so fast that she thought it would beat it's way through her chest. Once she'd calmed herself, she decided to retire to her own room.
A few days had passed, and AbagailJohnson was sitting at Grace's Café with a cup of tea in one hand and her diary in the other. She'd spent her first days as a married woman in the arms of her husband. He was gentle and patient with her, but he was just as inexperienced as she was. Martin was sweet, and Abagail loved him, but she was beginning to feel bad that she didn't love him in the way she loved Sully.
Michaela had sent little Samuel home with Horace and Myra just that morning. She had given them proper instructions for cleansing the area around his stitched incision, and she had made it perfectly clear that it needed to be cleaned frequently to prevent infection.
She was walking over to the café for some breakfast and decided to sit with Abagail. She hadn't spoken much with the girl lately, and she'd never known how to bring up the subject of Sully. She knew the girl had a crush on him, and Sully had said that that was probably all it was. He already figured she was over it by now, seeing as she was married, but Michaela wasn't so sure.
"Morning, Abagail. Do you mind if I join you?"
"Mornin', Dr. Mike," Abagail said cheerfully, feeling a bit better about the entire situation. At least she wasn't going to end up an old maid. At least she had a husband. But, her husband wasn't exactly the husband she would have chosen if she had had Sully as an option. Unfortunately, it appeared that Sully didn't have feelings for her and never had. She doubted he ever would, but that didn't stop her own feelings from creeping around in her innermost thoughts. "Go ahead." Michaela seated herself across from Abagail. "How's Sam doin'?"
"He's good. He was strong enough for Horace and Myra to take home today."
"I'm glad ya were able to help him. He's a sweet baby."
"That he is," Michaela agreed. She smiled at young Abagail. "How are you?"
"Fine," Abagail replied. "A bit tired. Martin woke me early, 'cause he had to go off to work on our homestead."
"I see," Michaela replied, blushing a bit. "Are you enjoying married life?"
"So far, yeah," Abagail said with a truthful smile. "I mean, it ain't what I thought it'd be like, but Martin is real sweet to me. I love him."
"It's good to hear that." Michaela didn't quite know how to get into the conversation she was so curious about without offending Abagail. That was the last thing she wanted to do, but she needed to make sure that Abagail was happy. "Abagail, I've been meaning to speak with you about something."
"What's that?" Abagail took the last sip of her tea and held her cup out to Grace, as the older woman came by with a teapot in her hand. Grace filled the cup with fresh tea and went on to her other customers.
"I figured out that you had feelings for Sully," she said softly. "This isn't at all the proper conversation to have . . ."
"No," Abagail said quickly. "It's alright." Abagail slowly placed her teacup aside and looked at the lady doctor. "I always looked up to Sully from the moment I met him. I always pictured myself bein' swept off my feet by him with the most romantic proposal ever. I always pictured him puttin' a ring on my finger and promisin' to love, honor, and cherish me for the rest of our lives. But, when you came along, I saw right away that Sully'd never love somebody so young as me. I mean, you're just a year younger than him, and here I am, seventeen and completely different from you."
"Abagail . . ."
"It's alright, Dr. Mike. Ma and Pa always said that it was puppy love. It wasn't. I loved him with my whole heart, but that's over now. I'm with Martin, and I couldn't be happier. I know you and Sully are together, and I hope you'll both be happy. I'm over Sully. I know now that Martin can give me a happy life. I'm lucky to have him." The look in Abagail's eyes was convincing enough for Michaela, but as Abagail sat in front of the lady doctor, the only feeling she could feel at the moment was shock. She couldn't believe how good she had become at lying. She wasn't over Sully, and she doubted she ever would be.
