Chapter 10
"Pa?" Brian walked into the barn with Katie holding his hand. Sully was saddling Flash for Michaela, because she needed to make a few house calls.
"What is it, Brian?"
"Ya think we can go into town?"
"What for?"
"Well, I forgot to give Miss Dorothy my article for the Gazette." Sully looked at Katie whose little eyelids were starting to droop. He gave the straps on Michaela's saddle one good tug to make sure they were secure, before he scooped his daughter up into his arms.
"Well, I don't think we ought to take the girls into town this late, but I'm sure Taffy wouldn't mind the exercise." Brian looked at his horse who whinnied from her stall. It was getting late, so he was surprised that he was being allowed to go out at this time of the evening.
"Really?"
"Sure. As long as ya go straight there and straight back, and stick to the main road."
"I will!" Brian rushed about to get his horse saddled, and Sully chuckled, carrying Katie out of the barn and toward the house. Michaela was just coming outside with her medical bag, and Sully watched as she put her riding hat on and let her hair fly loose beneath it.
"Flash is ready to go," he announced. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a loving kiss.
"Thank you."
"No problem," he chuckled against her lips. "Brian's goin' into town to give his article to Dorothy. I told him he could as long as he comes right back home. I figure he'll be home before sunset." Michaela nodded. He gave her a concerned glance. "You sure ya wanna ride today? You could take the wagon. I mean, it's been . . ."
"Five weeks since Beth, and I'm feeling fine," Michaela reminded him. She normally would have waited a little while longer, but a patient needed her, and Flash was the easiest and fastest way to get to her.
"Just be careful, alright?" Michaela nodded.
"I just fed the little ones, so they should be alright until I return." She gave him another quick kiss before she rushed into the barn so she wouldn't be late to Mrs. Anderson's house. Flash came prancing out of the barn a few moments later, and Michaela waved to her husband and sleepy daughter. Sully returned to the homestead after Brian left, and he put Katie down in her high chair.
"Well, Kates, it's just the two of us 'til your sisters wake up." He caught himself. He'd just referred to both Beth and Julia as his daughters. They'd been together since Julia's birth, and he had been caring for Julia with Michaela as if the little one were their own. Adoption seemed like a wonderful idea, but he knew that getting his hopes up was a bad idea.
Katie looked up at her father with bright eyes, and he smiled down at her, remembering the first time he peered into those beautiful eyes after her birth.
"Down, Poppy," she said quietly. "I'm not hungry." Sully pulled her into his arms and let her toddle about on the floor. He was amazed at how fast she was growing. At three years old, she was standing a little past his knees, and her feathery-blonde hair was past her shoulders and usually in a tangled mess before Michaela caught up to her with a brush.
"You look just like your Ma," he pointed out as she crawled into one of the wing-backed armchairs. At that moment, the door opened and both Michaela and Brian came in. "What's goin' on?"
"Storm's comin'," Brian pointed out.
"What about your article?" Sully asked.
"Miss Dorothy'll print it up with the next gazette." He shrugged and went up to his room to put his writing journal away. Sully helped Michaela with her coat and her medical bag. He could tell she was worried, but he was relieved that she had turned around and come back.
"I hope Mrs. Anderson will understand."
"I'm sure she will," Sully assured her, kissing the side of her head. The first rumble of thunder shook the house, and Katie froze in her seat.
"Storm," she murmured. Michaela knelt by the chair and touched her daughter's cheek.
"It's nothing to be afraid of, sweetheart. Your Poppy and I are right here. We won't let anything happen to you." Katie didn't look convinced, but she relaxed a little when her mother lifted her into her arms. "Let's get you up to bed."
"No! I stay with you and Poppy!" the little girl insisted. Michaela and Sully exchanged looks, and Beth began to cry upstairs.
"I'll get her," Sully offered. By the time he started up the stairs, Julia had started crying as well, and when Michaela settled down in the chair by the fire, Sully and Brian started down the stairs with both infants in tow.
Everyone settled down in front of the fire, and as Sully sat in the chair opposite of Michaela's with Beth in his arms, Brian sat Indian style with Julia. Michaela bounced Katie on her knee, and as little baby noises were spouted from the three young ones, Michaela truly felt as if the family fit perfectly together.
"What do you think about having Julia around, Brian?" Michaela asked casually, pulling a brush into her hands and gently running it through Katie's hair. Katie closed her eyes, hoping her mother's touch would be gentle, and it was. She settled in her mother's lap and let her continue brushing her hair.
"I dunno. I guess I don't think about it much anymore," he explained.
"Why's that?" Sully wondered.
"I dunno. I mean, I know she and Beth ain't twins, but they're so much alike that it seems like they've both been here all along." The door flew open, startling the family for a moment until they saw that it was Matthew.
"Sorry I'm late," he said, closing the door behind himself. "Mr. Saunders had some trouble out by his homestead, so I went out to check on things."
"And?" Michaela asked curiously.
"He thought somebody stole one of his horses. Turns out the horse jumped the fence, 'cause it was spooked by the comin' storm." Brian laughed a little and adjusted Julia in his arms.
"Would you like some coffee?" Michaela asked, starting to get up.
"Sure, but I'll get it," Matthew offered, going over to the stove to put on the kettle. Michaela smiled and settled back into her chair to finish brushing Katie's golden white locks. Sully and Michaela's eyes met as Matthew settled onto the floor beside Brian with a cup of coffee in his hands a few minutes later. They seem to be questioning one another without saying a word, but Sully finally nodded. Michaela turned her attention to her sons.
"Sully and I need to discuss something with the both of you."
"What's that?" Matthew asked quietly, taking a sip and placing the cup to the side to let the hot liquid cool. Michaela looked at Sully, and he reached out with his free hand to take hers.
"I received a letter from my mother today."
"What'd Grandma say?" Brian asked curiously.
"Well, first and foremost, she wanted me to tell you all that she loves you." Katie giggled as Michaela lightly tickled her foot. Matthew and Brian glanced at one another.
"I'm sure she didn't write just to say that. What else, Ma?" Matthew asked, taking another sip of coffee. Sully cleared his throat, and Michaela nodded to him.
"Your grandma thinks that we ought to do somethin' 'bout havin' Julia stayin' here." Brian swallowed hard.
"Ya mean, send her away? I thought ya wanted her here."
"Of course we do!" Michaela chimed in. "Sweetheart, your grandmother was only thinking that it might be best if we take legal action." Matthew understood now.
"She wants ya to adopt Julia?" Michaela nodded. "Are ya sure 'bout this?"
"We're gonna give it a month," Sully said quietly. "Andrew might come for her by then, but if he don't . . ."
"If he doesn't, we're going to pursue adoption," Michaela spoke up. Brian and Matthew looked at one another again. "We want to know what the two of you think of that." Brian was quiet.
"Well," Matthew said quietly, "I'm thinkin' I'll be goin' back to school as soon as things settle down 'round here, but I was also thinkin' of puttin' it off 'til next year. I wouldn't mind stayin' longer to help if ya need me."
"We don't want this to interfere with your schooling, Matthew," Michaela pointed out. "If this does happen, we'll continue as we are now, and we'll adjust once you move back to school." Brian looked down at Julia in his arms. "Brian? What do you think?"
"I think I've gotten used to havin' three little sisters 'round here, and I don't think I could get used to it if one of 'em went away."
"So, once a month passes, you can adopt Julia?" Matthew asked.
"No," Sully said quietly. "In a month or so, your Ma and me will contact Andrew to let him know 'bout what we wanna do. If he consents, we can go through with it. If he doesn't say anything in a month, we can go through with it anyway."
"Why not do it now?" Matthew asked. "I mean, I'm sure his mind's not gonna change in a month."
"You're probably right, Matthew, but we don't wanna rush. I'm sure that if Andrew ain't ready to take care of Julia, he'd want her to be happy. I don't think we're gonna have much of a problem."
The train pulled into Colorado Springs a few days later, and Molly took a breath of fresh air as she stepped off of the train with her young son sleeping in her arms. Though she'd only been in Colorado Springs for a few minutes the first time she'd been there, she remembered the place very well, and she felt the sun shining down on her in the hot July afternoon. She felt happy, though a piece of her was frightened to be alone in the middle of the rugged West with a lot of money in her money purse and a young son to care for.
"Your luggage, ma'am?" asked a tall, lanky sort of fellow as he stepped out of the depot. "Need some help?"
"Um, yes sir. Thank you." Horace nodded and helped the young woman who obviously had her arms full already. She pointed out which things were hers, and he brought them up and away from the train.
"Where ya headin'?"
"Um, are there rooms for rent?" Molly wondered.
"Sure are," Horace replied. "There's a boardin' house at the end of town near the mercantile. You can get set up right there."
"Thank you, sir."
"I can have somebody help ya take your things." Molly was about to decline, but she knew she couldn't handle a three year old and her luggage at the same time.
"Thank you very much." Matthew, who was picking up the post for his family walked over.
"I can help ya over to the boardin' house," he offered. "I was on my way to the general store anyway."
"If it isn't a bother," Molly replied. Matthew shook his head.
"Nope. No bother," he replied. He extended a hand. "Name's Matthew Cooper."
"Molly Thomas," she said quietly. Matthew judged by the black dress she wore that she was a young widow, and he figured he shouldn't pry. Horace and Matthew pulled the small amount of luggage that Molly had arrived with into the wagon, and soon, Matthew was driving the wagon through town toward the boarding house.
"Must've been a long trip," Matthew said, nodding toward young James.
"Yes. We've come from Boston." She hadn't meant to say it. She hadn't even meant to give her real name, but she had, and she hoped that Matthew wouldn't be able to connect her to Dr. Cook, because Andrew didn't seem to want people to know she knew him. But, somehow, words came out easier with this man she just met. He was a kind stranger.
"I've got family in Boston," Matthew said slowly, squinting into the hot July sun.
"Do you?"
"Yeah. My grandma, Elizabeth Quinn." Molly had heard of the Quinn family, and she had had no idea any of their relatives would have settled out West.
"Have you lived here all your life?"
"Yep," Matthew said casually. He smiled at the beautiful young woman. Molly felt her skin blushing, or was she merely hot from the sun? Her skin was pale from playing a housewife and mother for years, and now that she was under the hot sun, her skin seemed to be soaking in the sunrays, and her entire body felt hot. "You alright?"
"Yes. I think I'm just a bit thirsty."
"Here." Matthew stopped the wagon just in front of the livery. Normally, he wouldn't have done such a thing, but Molly was a beautiful woman, and he wanted to be hospitable to her.
"Where are you going!" she asked worriedly.
"I'll be right back." He got out and started over toward a small café near the livery. Molly situated James in her arms, and her eyes darted around nervously. A few men passed by and tipped their hats, and a few women walked by admiring the fancy black dress this young woman was wearing. She suddenly felt out of place.
"Here ya go. Miss Grace told ya to bring the cup back whenever ya get the chance." Matthew handed her a glass of lemonade and climbed back into the wagon. Molly was impressed by this handsome young man's chivalry. She couldn't help but admire the strong, bold features in his face. He couldn't have been much older than her.
She took a sip, and her eyes went wide.
"This is the best lemonade I've ever had," she said softly.
"Miss Grace is the best cook in town. That's why she runs the café." He smiled as Molly drank down some more of the cool liquid. James woke in his mother's arms and eagerly reached for the cup. She let him drink, and he finished it up.
"We're in Colorado Springs, James," she whispered. James looked around.
"Horses! Lots of horses!" Matthew chuckled.
"Mr. Cooper, I'd like to introduce you to my young son James. He's three."
"It's just Matthew." Molly smiled at him. "Nice to meet ya, James."
"Who are you?"
"This is the kind man who's showing us to the boarding house," she whispered. "Say hello to Matthew."
"Hi," he said shyly. Matthew smiled and pulled the wagon over in front of the boarding house. He helped Molly and James down.
"How long ya plannin' on stayin'?"
"Hopefully not very long," she said quietly, wishing she was back in Boston with Andrew. Matthew almost looked disappointed. "It's not that I don't find this town very charming. I do. I just hate being away from home."
"You got family there?"
"I did," she replied, looking down at her long, black dress. Matthew nodded in understanding.
"I'll go get Widow Johnson and see if we can get ya a room."
"Thank you." Matthew went into the boarding house, and a few minutes later, Molly was paying the Widow Johnson, and Matthew was hauling her luggage up to the room she'd been granted. "Thanks again, Mr. . . . I mean, Matthew."
"Miss . . ."
"If I'm calling you Matthew, you can call me Molly." Matthew swallowed hard.
"Alright. Well, ya gotta be hungry." Molly didn't answer, but it was obvious that she was. "Since ya don't know nobody here yet, would ya like to have lunch with me at Grace's?" Molly thought for a moment. She was nervous and didn't know what to do. She felt like she could trust this man, but she knew that she couldn't let him know why she was really there. She didn't want to risk anything for herself, her son and even for Andrew.
"I'd like that," she finally said, happy that she didn't have to feel quite so alone in this little town. She hooked her arm through Matthew's, adjusted James on her hip and walked toward Grace's Café.
Sully and Michaela,
I'm finding it difficult to get the words out that I need to say, but it has to be done. I know I haven't been a good father to Julia. I've never even let myself see her or touch her. I thought that spending some time away would do me good, but it hasn't. I realize now that I'm still not ready to be a part of my daughter's life. I know she's safe with the two of you, and I want her to have a good life. I don't know when I'll come for her, but I need time. Maybe I'll never be ready, but I have to keep thinking positively. I'm sorry for neglecting my correspondence and my responsibilities. Adjusting to life without Colleen and knowing that my daughter is out there without me isn't easy. I hope all is well in Colorado Springs.
Andrew Cook
Michaela stared at the telegram in her hands and brushed a tear away. She was holding Beth in one arm as she read, and she couldn't get past the fact that Andrew had finally responded to their several letters and telegrams.
She was confused though. Part of his telegram gave promise that he would come back for his daughter, but part of it showed that he wasn't ready to take on the responsibility of fatherhood. No, with Colleen gone, Andrew was completely lost.
"Michaela?" Sully knocked on the door and came walking in with Katie's hand in his. Michaela turned with Beth in one arm and the telegram in her free hand. "What's wrong?"
"Matthew dropped our mail off, and this was with it." She handed the telegram to her husband, and Katie wriggled from her father's grasp and walked over to sit in her mother's desk chair. Sully read the message, and when he was finished, he looked up at Michaela. He didn't know what to think either. Was Andrew going to come back, or was he just saying those words on paper, trying to see what they would look like and if they would come true? Andrew truly seemed concerned, but the tone of his letter didn't show much of an improvement on his part. Andrew still had a long way to go before he would be able to take responsibility for his daughter.
Michaela put Beth down in the bassinet beside Julia. She looked down at the little girls and all she saw were her daughters. HER daughters. She had not been a grandmother to Julia since she was born. She had been a mother who nursed and diapered her child and rocked her to sleep at night. Julia Michaela Cook deserved more than a home to sleep in. She deserved an official family.
"Sully, I don't want to wait. We need to petition for adoption right away."
"You're sure?"
"I am if you are. Sully, Julia needs us to be her family. I know it shouldn't matter what a piece of paper says, but without that piece of paper, Julia could be taken away in an instant."
"Doin' this is a gamble, Michaela," Sully warned nervously. "There's no tellin' what Andrew's gonna think?"
"But we have to try." Sully nodded, knowing there was no other choice. He pulled her into his arms.
"We're gonna try, Michaela. We're gonna give this little girl a family for real. She won't just be ours in our hearts. She'll be ours in every way that counts."
