Chapter 8

Michaela woke to the sound of thunder crashing in the early morning sky. It was followed promptly by the screams of Katie down the hall and the newborns in their cradle. Sully and Michaela sat up in bed and looked at one another.

"I'll get Katie," Sully said quickly as they heard footsteps rushing down the hallway. Sully pulled on his buckskins while Michaela sat down on the floor and rocked the cradle back and forth, hoping the little ones would go to sleep without much effort. Michaela was feeling bone tired, and she could barely keep her eyes open.

Matthew and Brian were already in Katie's room when Sully rushed in, and Katie was standing on the floor with Annie clutched to her chest. Matthew was pulling the sheets off of her bed.

"What happened, Kates?" Sully asked softly.

"She had an accident," Brian explained. In the darkness of the room, Sully could see Katie's lip sticking out and trembling. She had been doing so well, but the storm had probably frightened her. Sully couldn't blame her. It seemed that storms had bothered her ever since her first Thanksgiving after being born. She had survived a terrible storm with her mother and had most likely screamed all the way through it.

"Come on, Kates," Sully whispered, gently taking his little girl's hand and pulling a fresh night outfit from her drawers. "Let's go downstairs and get ya cleaned up."

"Kay," she said softly, chewing on the tip of her index finger. She followed her father down the hall and down the stairs while Matthew and Brian went to work at scrubbing the mattress, flipping it over, and replacing the wet sheets with fresh ones.

Meanwhile, Michaela had sang the little ones back to sleep, and she was surprised that the house was silent again. She made her way into the hallway and heard splashing coming from downstairs. She yawned, pulled her robe tightly around herself and padded down the stairs barefoot.

She was surprised to see Sully standing by the dinner table. A small washing bin was placed upon it, and Katie was sitting in it, splashing around to her heart's content. She didn't seem to realize that they were awake in the wee hours of the morning.
"Sully?" Michaela asked with a yawn. Sully glanced over his shoulder as Michaela made her way over to the scene. "What happened?"

"The storm scared Katie. The boys changed her bed sheets, and I figured she could use a bath." Michaela nodded and ran her fingers through Katie's soft blonde locks.

"Hi Mama," she said with a big grin. "I swim!" Michaela smiled softly and looked up at Sully.

"The girls are sleeping."

"Good. You should go on up to bed. I'll finish givin' Katie her bath and take her right back up."

"No, I'm up now. I'll help." She took the soap into her hands, lathered it and began to wash Katie's back. Sully smiled at his wife as they bathed Katie together, feeling more and more comfortable by the moment. It had been a long time since they'd done this together, because Sully had been doing most of the work during Michaela's pregnancy and after the birth. But now, they were working together, and it felt better than ever!

"You're beautiful when ya smile. We ain't had much of a reason to smile lately." Michaela nodded.

"It feels like the world is slowly coming back together, if that makes any sense."

"It makes a lot of sense," Sully replied as he leaned over the basin to kiss his wife. Katie giggled and made a splash. Michaela and Sully looked down to see her staring up at them. They laughed softly and continued to wash and play with their little girl.


It had been a month since Colleen had died, and Andrew hadn't slept more than two hours a night since he'd arrived home. Two hours was normal, because just as he'd start to drift into a dream, he'd see Colleen's lifeless body lying at the clinic, and he'd wake for fear of losing her all over again.

He had been occupying himself at the hospital, but his superiors had given him a vacation to rest. His performance at work was suffering, and he knew that if he didn't get his act together, his job would be terminated, and worse, his license to practice medicine could be suspended. He couldn't let that happen. He had to make a good life for himself and for his daughter.

Andrew hadn't been in contact with Sully and Michaela, though they were still sending him letters and telegrams to let him know Julia was alright. However, the correspondence was coming every few days or once a week now instead of every day, and Andrew knew that he was driving the wedge between himself and Colleen's family farther apart day by day.

"Sir?" Edward asked as he walked into Andrew's study. Andrew looked up from the medical journal he was reading. He had nothing better to do, and he was trying to keep his mind off of the child he had left behind and the wife he'd never see again.

"Yes, Edward?" Andrew asked, standing.

"There's a young woman and a small boy here to see you. Mrs. Thomas and a young James."

"Yes," Andrew said quietly. He was a bit surprised. He hadn't seen the two since he had released James from the hospital after his bout with chicken pox. "Send them in." Andrew waited until Molly and James appeared, and he smiled when they stepped into the room. "Mrs. Thomas."

"It's Molly, Dr. Cook," she said with a smile, moving across the room with her hand gently holding her son's.

"Then you may call me Andrew."

"Andy!" James said with a grin. Andrew was surprised when the boy ran to him, but he scooped the three-year-old up into his arms.

"How's my favorite patient?"

"No shots!" Andrew and Molly both laughed together.

"I can assure you that I won't give you anymore shots, young man." James giggled, and Andrew's eyes met Molly's. "What brings you here?"

"I need a favor," she said softly, ringing her hands together nervously. Andrew looked at her and saw the fear in her eyes. He knew that whatever was going on wasn't meant for a child's ears.

"Marie!" he called. The maid came in.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Would you please take James into the other room with you?"

"Yes, Sir. Come along, young James." She took the boy's hand, and he left the room with her. Andrew noticed that Molly was trembling. He gently took her by the arm and led her to a chair.

"Here, come sit down." She took a seat, and Andrew moved to pour her a glass of water. She accepted it gratefully and took a few sips. The diamond ring on her finger clinked against the glass as her fingers trembled. "Molly? What is it? What's wrong?" He saw fear in her eyes, and he wondered if she didn't trust him. But, why would she have come all the way to his home if she didn't trust him? "You can trust me." Molly nodded.

"I know," she whispered, placing the glass aside. "I didn't mean to come here, but you were the first person I thought of when I left my home."

"Why did you leave?" Andrew wondered. Molly's face was pale. "Please, tell me or else I won't be able to help." She merely nodded.

"Someone is trying to kill me." That definitely caught Andrew off guard!

"What! How do you know?"

"I'm from Boston," she explained, and I was on the train back to Boston, because I had gone West with my husband. He was offered a prestigious banking job, and he was told that he would be able to bring many settlers to a small town. He was told that he would become a wealthy man in a short amount of time. We didn't have a lot of money, so we went."

"And?"

"And he made a lot of money just as he was promised. My husband was in failing health, and he left all of his money to me and to our son."

"Was?"

"Yes," she said softly. "Before he could give his will to his lawyers, he was murdered in his sleep. The money was to be divided amongst his investors and partners, because they knew he was dying. Without a will, that was what was to happen. But, my husband penned out a will a few nights before he died, and then he was stabbed through the heart a few nights later."

"Molly," Andrew said quietly. "I'm very sorry."

"Thank you," she said sadly. She cleared her throat and continued. "My son and I came home shortly after my husband's death, but we haven't seen any of the money. It's being held by our bank, and in a few weeks, his partners and investors will be awarded all of my husband's finances."

"What about the will?"

"My husband's lawyers are here in Boston, and I brought the will home with me. If I turn in the will, the money goes to me, Andrew. Don't you see?"

"They're after you to get the will?"

"Andrew, they're going to kill me either way!" she exclaimed. "If I turn in the will, they will kill me and make it look like an accident. Then they will get the money, though some will be saved for my son, but they would probably go as far as to murder him too. And, if I don't turn in the will to my husband's lawyers, I'll be killed because I'll still have it. They don't want me to have that money, because my husband made so much of it." Andrew was shocked. "I'm so sorry I brought you into all of this! I needed someone to talk to, and it's been eating away at me since my husband died."

"You can talk to me," Andrew whispered softly. "I'm sorry this has happened to you."

"I only want to make a life for myself and my son. I don't want the money, but there is no other way. I've been a homemaker since I married my husband, and the only further education I've had is finishing school. There's absolutely no way I can support myself and my son. All of my family are gone, and my husband's parents passed on when he was very young." She shook her head. "Andrew, I'm frightened."
"You're sure you know who killed your husband?"

"Yes," she whispered. "I saw him lurking about our property for three nights before it happened. His name was Nicholas Hill, and he's a very powerful man. Just this morning I saw him walking past my home. I had to get out of there." Andrew nodded slowly. "He followed me all this way." She shook her head in disbelief.

"Well, we'll have to find a way to prove he did it."

"We? No! I don't want you to get involved. I only wanted someone to talk to that I could trust."

"I'm too involved to ignore this now, Molly. You don't deserve to be in danger, and neither does James. I want to help."

"How?" Molly asked, her eyes full of curiosity and worry. Andrew cleared his throat, and for the first time, his mind was completely free from the tragedy that had been weighing on it for the past month. All he was focused on was helping a friend in need.

"First we're going to see your husband's lawyers. Then we're going to the bank."


"Where's Julia? Where is she?" Michaela asked in a singsong voice as she stood inside the clinic with little Julia and Beth lying on the exam table. It was her first day back to work, and she couldn't have been happier. She felt more alive than she had in a long time, and she was happier than she had been in awhile.

Julia giggled as Michaela pulled her hands away from her eyes and made a silly face. Julia and Beth were growing like weeds, it seemed. Beth was a tiny bit larger than Julia, being a week older than her, but they were virtually at the same development level. They absolutely loved Sully and Michaela, and the children were wonderful with them. Katie enjoyed the fact that the girls were a little older. In a few months, they'd be old enough to play and laugh, and Michaela knew that time would fly by, and before they would know it, the girls would be toddling around the house and getting into everything!

"Mama!" Katie exclaimed from Michaela's desk chair. Katie was sitting there with Michaela's stethoscope around her neck. Michaela turned and went to pick up her daughter. "I doctor now!"

"Did Dr. Bernard tell you that?" Katie nodded. The older gentleman had boarded the train earlier that morning and was on his way back to Denver.

"Well, if you want to be a doctor one day, I won't stop you from being one. Just know that it is a lot of work, young lady."

"You good doctor, Mama!" Katie pointed out.

"Well, thank you, sweetheart. But, being a good doctor is still hard work, but it pays well."

"Money," Katie nodded.

"No, not just money. Healing people is something that pays the soul. It makes you feel good for making someone else feel better." Katie cocked her head to the side, not truly understanding what her mother was saying, but she smiled nonetheless.

Sully had gone out to meet with Cloud Dancing for a little while, and Michaela had decided to care for the little ones until he got back. He had offered to put off his visit in order to let her get back into the swing of things at work, but she knew he needed some time alone.

The boys were out fishing for the first time in a long time, and it truly felt as if June had been a million light years away. It was mid-July, and even the atmosphere in town was warmer and happier. There hadn't been a cloudy or rainy day since the night of the storm that had frightened Katie a few weeks ago.

A knock came to the door. Michaela hoisted Katie onto her hip and walked over to open the door. Horace was standing there with a package in his hands.

"Afternoon, Dr. Mike."

"Good afternoon, Horace," Michaela said with a smile. She hoped that the package in Horace's hands was from Andrew. She was worried that they hadn't heard from him yet.

"Package from Boston," he said.

"Andrew?"

"No. It's from your ma."
"Oh," Michaela said quietly, not even trying to hide her disappointment. "Well, thank you, Horace." He tipped his hat and went on his way. Michaela shut the door with her foot and carried Katie back over to her desk. She put her down and opened up the package. The first thing she spotted inside was a letter from her mother. She began to scan over the words.

Dearest Michaela,

My love goes out to you, Sully and the children. I've sent along two blankets; one for Julia and the other for little Beth. I know that it isn't much, and I would like to send money, but I know that sending money through the post is dangerous, and you are stubborn like me and will not accept it. I miss my granddaughter greatly. I miss all of my grandchildren, and I hope that the blanket I've made for Julia will give her comfort since her mother's arms cannot. I only wish I were there to comfort you in your time of need. I've tried to contact Andrew, but each time I've made an attempt to stop at his home, I've been sent away. He does not wish to keep in touch, and I'm concerned that he's slipping further and further away. I'm reminded of Marjorie's disposition after Everett abandoned her, though I know Andrew's condition is far worse, considering the circumstances. Please don't give up on him. He's still family, and he is Julia's father. But, if he does not come around soon, you may want to take legal action for the sake of your granddaughter and my great granddaughter. Remember to give my love to the family.

Elizabeth Quinn

Michaela took a deep breath as a tear fell onto the paper, wetting the ink and making a few words run together. She sighed and placed the piece of paper on the desk. Katie curiously looked on as Michaela pulled the two blankets out and held them close to her heart.

"Don't cry, Mama. Please don't cry," she whispered, crawling up onto the desk and standing to place her hand on her mother's cheek. "Don't be sad." Katie's lower lip stuck out, and Michaela placed the blankets down. She picked Katie up and held her close. "I wuv you, Mama."

"I love you too, sweetheart," Michaela whispered, closing her eyes and stroking the child's soft hair. Julia began to cry, and Katie squirmed in Michaela's arms.

"Juwee," she whispered. Michaela grinned and placed Katie down on the floor.

"Alright, I'm coming, sweetheart." She picked up the fresh white blanket with Julia's name embroidered in pink. She picked up the baby girl and wrapped her in it. "Your great-grandmother made this for you, sweetheart. She loves you very much, and someday you'll get to meet her." She wiped her own tears away.

Michaela began to pace back and forth with Julia as the little one's cries turned to whimpers. Once she'd fallen asleep, Michaela picked up Elizabeth's letter and read over the last couple of lines again. Take legal action? What was that supposed to mean? She wondered if her mother was advising her to file for custody of the little one. She didn't know if that was the right thing to do considering the fact that she knew Andrew intended to come back for her someday. Didn't he? Or had he said that in the letter just to put Michaela's fears to rest?

She would need to speak to Sully about this right away. She wasn't sure what to think. She loved her granddaughter as if she were her own, even though having another baby around the house was quite difficult. Julia and Beth loved each other so much, and Michaela knew that they'd be heartbroken if they had to give up their crib mate. She wanted them to be close, and if she and Sully continued to love, nurture and raise young Julia, they'd grow up as close as sisters could be.

She placed Julia down in the bassinet when Beth began to cry, so Michaela took her little one into her arms, knowing she needed a diaper change.

"Katie, do you wanna help Mama change Bethy's diaper?" Katie nodded, and Michaela lifted her up onto the table. Once the two were finished with Beth, the little one was in a much better mood. Beth took Katie's hand and began chewing on her fingers. Katie giggled.

"No chewing!" Katie exclaimed with a giggle. Michaela laughed as she watched her two girls, but something seemed out of place. She slowly brought a sleeping Julia over. Yes, the picture looked complete.