Chapter 9
Molly looked at Andrew from her seat in his study. She was blinking away the tears that had been falling since she told him of her husband's murder and the men who were coming after her. Andrew moved to stand by the window, and Molly's eyes followed him.
"You actually think I can get away with this? We can get away with this?" Molly asked softly.
"It's your money. And James'. The both of you need it, and there is nothing illegal about what we're doing. Of course we can get away with it."
"I don't want you involved." Molly stood and started for the door, quite sure that she didn't want to walk out on him now. He was being so helpful, and all she was doing was pushing him away. She didn't want him risking his life for hers.
"I am involved, Molly," Andrew called after her with worry and care in his voice. "I can't turn my back now. You're in danger, and I've got to step in. I'm a doctor, and my job is to save people, and I want to save you and James."
"And how do you propose that you save us after I take possession of my husband's assets?" Andrew swallowed hard. He couldn't believe he was thinking it. He couldn't keep her here, because he knew she'd be found. She couldn't stay in Boston, because she'd never be safe. She had to be somewhere that nobody would ever suspect, and she had to be in a place where there were people he trusted and knew well.
"You've seen Colorado Springs." His heart began to break again at the mere mention of his beloved wife's hometown.
"For a few minutes while we were waiting on passengers to board," Molly said with surprise, turning on her heels to face Andrew. "You want us to go there?" Andrew nodded slowly. "You'll come with us? To help us settle, that is?" Andrew couldn't go back there right now, and she saw his face cloud with mystery and guilt. "Alright." Andrew seemed a bit surprised that she had agreed so easily. She trusted him, and he was glad, but he was surprised that a person in her desperate situation was so trusting. It was a bit of a comfort, actually, because he hadn't truly trusted himself since he'd left Julia with Michaela and Sully.
"You'll go?"
"You think it will be safe, don't you?"
"Of course. I know the people there. They'll treat you right."
"What am I supposed to say? I'm not stupid, Andrew. People are going to talk. I'm a woman with a young son, money and no husband."
"Tell them what you want. You don't have to lie if you don't want to."
"I can tell them you sent me?" Andrew's face turned as pale as the fresh bed sheets in the hospital. Molly took his silence as a 'no' and went on. "I'll think of something." She moved toward the door again, and Andrew followed her. James was sitting on Marie's hip as she stirred sauce on the stove.
"Mama!" James held his arms out to his mother, and Molly carefully took her boy into her arms.
"Thank you, Marie."
"You're welcome, Ma'am." Marie went back to her chores, and Molly met Andrew out in the parlor.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"You have the papers?"
"I have them hidden with me, yes. I'm all set."
"Good," Andrew said with an awkward nod. Both reached for the doorknob, and Molly blushed. An awkward chuckle was shared between the two before Andrew finally stepped forward and opened the door for the lady. Molly started out with James, and before he followed behind, Andrew paused, feeling guilty and not knowing why.
Sully walked into the clinic to find Michaela slumped over a surgical textbook at her desk. She had such a look of concentration on her face, and he felt guilty about disturbing her. She looked beautiful when she was thinking so vigorously. He had come home early from his meeting with Cloud Dancing, and he wanted to treat his beautiful wife to a picnic. He knew what her reaction would be, and he had about seven-and-a-half different answers for each excuse she might have for not taking an hour out of her rather quiet day to have a picnic lunch with him by Willow Creek.
"Afternoon," he greeted her after he shut the door. Michaela looked up from her book, and Sully was pleased to see the sparkle in her eyes. She flashed him a smile and immediately closed her book. Sully wasn't used to her putting her reading away when he entered the clinic. He usually had to tear her away from her books for fear that her fingers would sprout roots and be forever planted within the pages.
"You're back early," she said quietly. "How was your visit with Cloud Dancing?"
"Good," Sully replied, walking over toward the desk. "Girls sleepin'?"
"Yes, and Katie was excited when I told her that her Poppy would be watching her for the remainder of the day."
"What if I told ya I got a baby-sitter for an hour so we could go have lunch? Alone." Michaela raised an eyebrow.
"Alone? No patients, wolves or crying children?"
"Nope. Completely alone. Just the two of us."
"Well, I think I'd tell you that you were dreaming."
"I did get a baby-sitter."
"Who?"
"Well, two baby-sitters. Matthew and Brian said they'd do it. Matthew ain't busy at the jail, and Mrs. Slicker let class out early 'cause the kids finished their work."
"I do have a lot of work to do here," Michaela explained, nodding toward the pile of unfolded linens on the examining table. Sully had to bite back saying 'Leave 'em. Colleen's always happy to help out.' He couldn't believe that he was still finding himself holding back from talking about Colleen as if she were still alive. It was hard to adjust, and he wasn't the only one who would slip up sometimes. Michaela had found herself commenting about Colleen making dinner on more than one occasion, but at least she was beginning to not cry every time she made that mistake.
"Can't it wait 'til ya get back? It's just an hour."
"But, what if there' s an emergency?" He had to keep himself from saying that Andrew would be around in case of an emergency.
"Michaela, the world ain't gonna fall apart if ya go away with your husband for just an hour." That seemed to do the trick! She smiled, and Sully extended his hand to her. She took it and stood. Matthew and Brian came walking in as if on cue, and Michaela gave the two of them specific instructions, though she did that every time she left the boys alone with the little ones for even five minutes.
Sully took Michaela's hand and led her out of the clinic. A picnic basket and blanket were waiting on the bench, and Sully picked them up in his free hand before leading his wife toward Willow Creek. They didn't speak for a good five minutes after they were out of town, but Michaela finally turned to her husband in the middle of a path and smiled up at him. He couldn't help but smile back. He hadn't seen her like this since the day Beth was born!
"Thank you." That was definitely out of the blue!
"For what?" Sully asked, his hands joining with his wife's before letting them swing at their sides, still linked together. "Michaela?" She pursed her lips together and let out a soft hum.
"For being there for me all of this time."
"You were there for me too. We helped each other," he explained.
"I know," she whispered. "But, you were the strongest one." She shook her head. "I'm afraid I wasn't so helpful."
"It ain't your fault. Somethin' terrible happened, and we were all dealin' with it in our own ways."
"But, you stayed strong."
"Maybe on the outside," Sully whispered. Michaela smiled softly. She loved the way Sully felt that he could say anything to her. She knew that he knew he wouldn't seem like any less of a man to her for crying or saying he was upset. He was the strongest and most courageous man she knew, and she felt lucky and honored to be his wife. "To tell ya the truth, Michaela, I think we make each other stronger. It's almost like we're one livin', beatin' heart, and when we're apart, our heart's divided and ain't whole 'til we're together again. We're stronger when we're together, and I'm the luckiest man on earth to share a heart with you."
Andrew and Molly walked out of the bank. Andrew was carrying a sleeping James', and Molly was walking with her hand nervously twitching against her money purse. Andrew tried not to look worried, but he couldn't help but wonder if any of the people they were passing were watching them and knowing they had a very large sum of money in their possession at that very moment.
"Papa," James whimpered in his sleep. Molly and Andrew exchanged concerned glances as they walked toward the nearest horse-drawn carriage. Andrew paid the driver, and Molly gave him directions to her townhouse. The two sat side-by-side in an uncomfortable silence as little James opened his sleepy eyes, popped his thumb into his mouth and fell back into a restful sleep.
"It's been a long time since he's seen his father," she whispered as the carriage rattled along the cobblestones. Andrew said nothing, knowing that someday, Michaela would be saying virtually the same thing to Sully about Julia. Andrew looked out as the summer sun lit up the rooftops of the business that lined the streets. He suddenly felt claustrophobic, as if each line of buildings was an army soldier about to march over him, trample him and leave him in the dirt to die. "Andrew? Is something the matter?" Molly asked, situating James' sleeping form in her arms. Andrew glanced up at the sky, wishing to God that the clouds would roll in and pour rain down on them to cause a distraction. He wished anything could keep him from answering her, and she knew he was reluctant.
Andrew couldn't look her in the eyes. "I'm fine." She knew he was lying for a reason, so she decided not to press him any further.
It wasn't long before the carriage stopped in front of Molly's home. Andrew noticed a man seated on a bench just down the block. He caught Molly's attention.
"Don't move quickly, but is that the man?" Andrew asked slowly. Molly's eyes slowly turned to the man that Andrew was trying to avoid staring at.
"That's him," she whispered.
"Getting out?" the carriage driver asked, obviously annoyed that his passengers were taking their time getting out. Didn't they know that he had better things to do?
"Sir, could you wait for us?" Andrew asked, handing him five dollars. The man counted his tip and nodded his head. Andrew helped Molly out of the carriage and took the boy into his arms again. "Only take what you need for yourself and James." Molly nodded. Andrew nervously glanced at the young woman. "Do you have a maid?"
"Yes," she said quietly. "Why?"
"What does she look like?" Molly rolled her eyes.
"Andrew, what are you talking about?"
"Please." She sighed heavily.
"She's about my build and maybe a little taller." Andrew nodded. "Why?"
"Alright. Here's the plan."
Molly's assassin watched as Andrew and Molly leaned closer together. What were they doing? Talking? Kissing? Well, Molly wouldn't be doing much of that for long. He watched as Molly and Andrew both disappeared into the house with the young boy. It wasn't twenty minutes later that they came out with luggage and James in tow. It was time to act. Nicholas Hill started off toward his private carriage.
He lost sight of Molly's buggy soon enough, but when he caught up, he found her alone with the driver. Thinking this was the perfect opportunity, he brought his horses to a quicker canter and began to catch up to the first carriage.
He drew his gun, holding it to his side as the carriage began to move beside Molly's. He could see that the driver hadn't noticed yet, and as Molly's carriage began to speed up, Nicholas brought his to exceed that speed. He pulled his gun as he passed by, but when he saw the woman in Molly's clothes, he was speechless. He brought his carriage to a halt, knowing that they had fooled him. This woman must have been Molly's maid, and that only meant that Molly was on her way in a different direction, and he was going to have to get to her before it was too late. He had to hand it to her. She and that young man were clever.
Molly and Andrew laughed freely as the carriage neared the train station. They kept looking behind to see if their assailant was catching up, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"I didn't actually think it would work! Poor Gertrude must have been frightened! You're sure she's safe?"
"He's only after money, so if he's got another murder to cover up, it not going to be easy for him." James bounced happily on Andrew's knee. He had slept through the entire ordeal, and now that the adrenaline rush was over, Molly was realizing that she was leaving her home once again.
"You seem to know a lot about criminals," Molly said with a raised eyebrow. Andrew nodded.
"My wife's brother is studying to be a lawyer." He had said it before he could stop himself, and now Molly was staring at him, trying not to let her mouth gape open. "I mean . . ."
"You're married?" she asked with surprise, feeling a little embarrassed. Andrew swallowed hard, not exactly sure of how to explain himself.
"I was."
"You were?"
"She died," he said softly.
"Oh, Andrew, I'm so sorry," Molly said gently, taking James into her arms. "I didn't know."
"How could you have known? I never told you." She eyed him.
"That's why you were leaving Colorado Springs." Andrew nodded.
"Yes."
"And that's why you can't come with us." He nodded again and was silent. "Don't worry, Andrew. I won't mention this to anyone. I'll go and start a new life for myself. Perhaps one day we'll see each other again? When it's safe?" Andrew said nothing, and the carriage stopped. He paid their new driver and helped Molly and James down. He carried their luggage into the station and waited to make sure it was safely put on board. When Molly stepped onto the train, she turned around, and her eyes were searching Andrew's. She was on the brink of tears, but she couldn't let herself cry over someone she barely knew.
"When it's safe," Andrew said quietly, reaching out to touch little James' hand. His eyes were locked on Molly's, and when she turned her back to find her seat, he turned back to leave the station, and he felt guiltier than ever.
The last of the picnic plates were placed in the basket, and Michaela watched as Sully moved it to the side. She smiled as he stared at her in the way she loved the most. His hand reached across to gently stroke her cheek, and they leaned in to press their lips together. Michaela felt more relaxed than she had in a very long time, and she let that feeling take control as Sully gently lay her down on the picnic blanket.
The feelings she had longed to feel for such a long time came rushing back to her, and she knew it was still a little too soon to be doing this. But, at the moment, she didn't really care. She needed to feel close to him. She needed to feel desirable again. She hadn't felt very desirable lately.
Sully pulled away and looked into his wife's beautiful, bright eyes.
"It's too soon?" Michaela nodded sadly.
"Yes," she breathed. Sully started to move, but she pulled him back to her. "No. Please, hold me." They relaxed together, side by side and holding one another. Sully's hand smoothed his wife's hair and softly massaged her back. Michaela's hands tenderly played with the hair at the back of Sully's neck, and they rested their foreheads together. They closed their eyes and listened to each other's breathing and to the sounds all around them.
A cool breeze blew past them, and Michaela found herself snuggling closer to her husband. Sully pulled her tighter and before they knew it, they started kissing again. Softly at first, but the passion mounted by the moment.
It wasn't until a hawk screeched in the distance that both Michaela and Sully realized that they were about to take things too far. So, Sully sat up and held his hand out to his wife. He helped her stand and moved his hand to pick out a blade of grass that had managed to stick in the hair near her ear. She laughed and stood on her toes to give her husband a peck on the lips. She took his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Soon," she whispered. They gathered their picnic items and started back toward town. Michaela's train of thought had shifted, however, and now she was chewing on her bottom lip. Sully noticed this and looked forward.
"Wanna tell me?"
"Tell what?" she asked innocently, looking ahead, searching for words. Sully gave her a skeptical look. She knew very well that she was fretting about something, and her small talk was only a way of beating around the bush. She needed to tell him what was on her mind, and she needed to pick through every possibility they had, though she could only think of one for the moment.
They walked in silence for a few moments, before Michaela finally opened her mouth to speak.
"I received a letter from mother today."
"Ya did? What'd it say?" he wondered, studying his wife's features.
"She sent blankets for Julia and Beth," she explained, "and she sends her love to you and the children."
"I'm sure that ain't all she said."
"No, it's not," Michaela breathed. "Sully, mother thinks that we should take legal action for Julia's sake." Sully took a deep breath, knowing where this conversation was going.
"Adoption?" Michaela nodded. "Andrew said he was comin' back."
"And we haven't heard from him since before he left, Sully. I believe he loves Julia, but I don't think he can care for her the way she needs to be cared for. He's so young and inexperienced."
"But, he's her Pa. And, what about you? When the children came along, you were raisin' 'em all by yourself. Ya did just fine."
"It was difficult, Sully, and the children were considerably older than Julia is." Sully nodded. "I didn't have much of a choice, though if I did, I wouldn't have given them up for the world." She shook her head. "Andrew has a choice, and I don't feel like he's ready for this responsibility. He's never seen her or held her, Sully. She needs a father who can hold her and love her and tell her stories before bedtime. She needs a mother who can do the same things and help her to learn and grow into a young woman! Colleen would want her to be happy and to have us in her life."
"You're sayin' she won't be happy if she's with Andrew?"
"No, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that I feel she has a home here, and though we're her grandparents, we love her as if she were our own." Sully nodded.
"That's true. I'd put my life on the line for her just like I would for you or the kids." Sully pulled Michaela into his arms. "Truth is that I want her safe, and I want her to know that her grandma and grandpa love her. I want her growin' up with playmates and knowin' we love her just like we were her real ma and pa. We can tell her stories 'bout when Colleen was younger and tell her how much she looks like her ma." Michaela had tears in her eyes. "But, I don't want her forgettin' 'bout her pa. I don't wanna get your hopes up, Michaela, because if we do this, Andrew's got a right to take her away from us." Michaela looked up to Sully with hope in her eyes.
"We'll wait a while longer," she whispered. "If we don't hear from him, I think it's safe to take action, Sully. I'm sure that by then, he'll feel that Julia is better off staying where she is." Sully nodded in agreement and continued on toward town with his wife's hand in his and hope filling his heart by the moment.
