Chapter Two
The bitter chill of the January morning was non-existent in the warm New York hospital, where Michaela sat nervously at Byron Sully's bedside. He was still sleeping, and she wondered if he was going to sleep until noon. She knew he was exhausted, and he deserved a good rest. But, part of her hoped he'd wake soon so she could break the news and no longer have the carry the burden of knowing that his parents were dead.
Their bodies had been brought into the hospital for a proper examination, though Michaela couldn't help but feel that they wouldn't be treated with much regard due to their positions in society and lack of family to pay for their burials. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose a parent, let alone both at the same time. She shook her head sadly and gently brushed the curls out of Sully's face.
His temperature was normal, which was a great thing, and he looked well rested. She, on the other hand, looked as if she was about to start climbing the walls. She was running different ways to tell Sully about his parents through her head. She knew she didn't need to treat him as a child and explain that they've gone away, because, well, it was much more than that. They were never coming back. He had given up everything to care for his parents, and now those who depended on him the most were dead, and he was penniless.
A young nurse named Samantha knocked on the door, and Michaela moved out into the hall.
"What is it, Samantha?"
"Your father sent me to check on you and your patient."
"We're both fine. Mr. Sully hasn't woken yet, but he's had a rough couple of days." Samantha nodded.
"He also sent me to tell you that he's secured an extra train ticket."
"Good, thank you," Michaela said with a hopeful smile. Samantha nodded and went on her way. Michaela heard Sully beginning to stir, and she slipped back into the room. He opened his eyes slowly, seeing her beautiful face again, and she was smiling down at him.
"Dr. Quinn," he whispered tiredly.
"Please, Dr. Quinn is my father," she laughed. "Well, it's my name too, of course, but you may call me something else as to not be confused." Sully sat up in bed a little. He looked around tiredly and yawned. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," he replied. "Did you find my parents?" Michaela looked away. "Dr. Quinn . . . Michaela?" Michaela. She loved the way he said her name. The name seemed to flutter off of his lips and perch on her heart like a little lovebird. Now wasn't the time to be thinking about this. She needed to focus on telling him that his parents were dead. "Doc? My ma and pa?" Michaela cleared her throat.
"I did find them."
"Did you bring 'em to the hospital?"
"I don't quite know how to tell you this," Michaela said softly. Her eyes couldn't meet his, but he was trying desperately to read the expression on her face.
"Just say it. What happened?" Michaela sighed heavily and swallowed hard. She finally looked him straight in the eye.
"I was too late," she said softly, tears stinging her eyes. She was angry with herself. She wasn't supposed to be this close to her patients. She wasn't supposed to let herself get attached, but she'd felt that attachment from the first time she'd seen him. Something was happening between them, but she couldn't explain it, nor could she even fathom what was going to become of her remarkably strong fascination with this man.
"Too late?"
"When I arrived at the house, your parents . . . they were . . ." She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. Your parents didn't make it." Sully stared at her for a moment, trying to let the words she'd just spoken sink in. Sully had known that his parents were terribly ill, but the thought of them dying hadn't been in his mind at all. His parents had been strong people up until they were no longer able to care for themselves.
"They're dead," he said quietly, looking into Michaela's eyes.
"I'm so sorry," she said softly. "They appeared to have been dead for at least a day. I arranged for their bodies to be brought here. They'll be prepared for burial."
"I can't pay for that," Sully said softly. "I'll find a way."
"Don't worry. The city will take care of it." Sully was about to protest, but Michaela continued on. "I'm afraid I have more bad news." She felt guilty, though she had done nothing wrong. "The city is condemning your home."
"What?"
"I have to say I can't blame them. It's not suitable for anyone to live in." Sully shook his head in disbelief.
"Where am I supposed to go now? Did ya think about that, doc?" Michaela looked away, Sully's words stinging her.
"You have every right to be upset. You've just lost . . . so much," she whispered. "That's why I have a plan." She knew he wasn't ready to hear this yet. "But we'll get to that later. Do you want to say goodbye to your parents?" Sully watched her for a moment, seeing how worried she was about him. He didn't want to frighten her by yelling or blaming, so he merely nodded and decided that if his parents were dead, he had to accept it, grieve and move on. They'd been incapable of caring for themselves for a long time now. At least they weren't suffering anymore. They were at peace.
Sully got out of bed and started for the door as Michaela stood in one spot. He turned to her and looked into her eyes.
"Come with me," he said quietly. He didn't seem frightened, but she knew he needed support, even if it was from a stranger. Michaela nodded.
"Of course." They started to walk down the hallway, side-by-side. Sully received strange looks from uptight doctors, but Michaela touched his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze as if to tell him that everything was okay. They made their way to the morgue, and Michaela opened the door.
"I'll wait out here," she whispered. Sully shook his head. His hand reached for Michaela's, and she was taken by surprise. But, she remained calm and followed Sully into the room to say goodbye to his parents. She stood with him for a good fifteen minutes. He was staring and nothing more. The tears were in his eyes, but had remained frozen for a good five minutes, and soon, a tear slipped out of its barrier and cascaded down his cheek, making way for the others to follow. Michaela felt awful. "I can leave . . ."
"No," he replied quietly. "I'm through here anyway."
"Are you sure about that?" she wondered, realizing that her hand was still in his. She casually pulled away from him and moved across the room. Sully stood for a few moments longer before he followed her. They walked in silence back to Sully's hospital room. "It's hard to say goodbye to the people we love." When Sully settled back down into his bed, he looked at Michaela.
"What have they told you about them?" he wondered. She looked at him with confusion for a moment. "I know a nurse came by once in awhile."
"Yes," Michaela said with a nod. "I've only been here a little while, myself. I'm from Boston." She cleared her throat, feeling stupid for talking about herself at a time like this. "They told me that you used to live alone and were saving for a trip out West." Sully nodded.
"It's what I wanted to do ever since I was a kid. I saved all the money my pa gave me for helpin' him with the farm. When he got hurt, I moved back home, and I started workin' the farm by myself. But, when Ma got sick, we had to sell the farm. Things got so expensive that we used all that money plus what I earned."
"That must have been difficult for you to give up your dream."
"I never gave up the dream. I mean, I started workin' the docks and makin' a little money here and there. I knew I'd never get enough to go on that trip, but it was somethin' to look forward to anyway." Michaela's heart began to break. She watched as Sully looked at nothing, reminiscing about his parents. He hated feeling sorry for himself, and he was determined not to do so.
"Where will you go?" she asked quietly. Sully shrugged.
"I dunno. I'll keep workin' here in New York and find a place." Michaela chewed on her bottom lip, and when Sully looked up at her, he knew she was thinking about something. "What?"
"I have an idea," she announced. Sully glanced into her eyes and saw that she was nervous.
"What is it?"
"I spoke with my father earlier, and he's arranged for an extra train ticket. We're leaving very soon, and we'd like for you to come back to Boston with us."
"Excuse me?" Sully asked incredulously. "What would I do in Boston?"
"For one? You could find a proper job, perhaps at our hospital, and you'd have shelter."
"Shelter?"
"You could stay in one of our guest rooms." Michaela realized how absurd that sounded.
"You mean, you're willin' to take a perfect stranger into your home, give him a warm bed, warm clothes and warm food to eat?" Sully shook his head. He'd never met anyone like her before besides his parents. They'd been very hospitable people when they'd had a home to share with others.
"The Quinn family isn't like your typical Boston family, Mr. Sully."
"It's just Sully," he reminded her.
"Sorry. Well, my father and I think a lot alike. We reach out to help someone if they need helping."
'I don't need your charity." Sully got out of bed and started for the door.
"Sully, wait!" Sully turned with a heavy sigh. "I know this sounds crazy."
"Michaela, I appreciate what you're tryin' to do, but I can't go someplace I don't belong. I've never been able to take charity from people I know let alone people I don't know."
"It's not charity."
"What?"
"You can pay my father back someday if it makes you feel better. You can pay him rent for staying at our home." Sully considered this. He could tell she really wanted him to go. He had to admit that staying in a home under the same roof as this beautiful woman sounded tempting. "Please, hear me out." Sully finally moved back toward the bed and sat down.
"If you stay here, you'll have no shelter or food. The job you have right now pays you next to nothing. I saw your pay ticket at your home." Sully looked away. "My father can get you a job at the hospital in Boston. Any job there will pay much better than what you were being paid for such a horrible job. You could save up enough money to get your own home and live your own life. I know you want to make an honest living by yourself. Sully, you're twenty-three years old, not much younger than me, and I know how difficult it is to try to strike out on your own. I haven't been able to do that yet. I'm still living with my family and working with my father."
"Ya don't seem to mind."
"Sometimes it's nice to not have to worry about some things for myself. But other times, I wish I could break away and start my own practice."
"Why don't ya?"
"I haven't had any reason to yet." She looked away.
"You do this for all of your patients?" Michaela chuckled and shook her head.
"Never before," she replied.
"Why me?" How was Michaela supposed to explain to him that she felt a connection to him? She couldn't say that. It wasn't proper, and besides, she didn't want him to think she was crazy. She merely smiled.
"I suppose it's because I know you're a good person."
"How do ya know that?" he asked. "I could be just as rotten as the next guy." She saw a twinkle in his eyes. She shook her head.
"I don't think you have it in you," she said. Was it a challenge? He didn't know, but she sure made him smile.
"You really want to do this? You really want me to come stay with you in Boston?" Michaela's cheeks flushed red. "With your family, I mean."
"I don't want you to be uncomfortable, Mr. Sully."
"Sully," he reminded her. She nodded.
"Sorry. I want you to be comfortable, and I know you're against charity, so don't think of it that way. I'll talk with father, and we'll arrange a payment plan. Would that make you feel better?"
"Don't do me any favors," he said quietly.
"It's not. Father's a reasonable man. He'll charge you a fair amount each month, and you should be able to pay it once you get a job." Sully nodded.
"Alright. That sounds fair," he replied. He swallowed hard. "It's gonna be hard leavin' my folks behind." Michaela nodded solemnly.
"It'll be alright," she promised. "I'll leave you to rest."
"How much longer do I gotta stay here?"
"A few more days," she replied. "I'll bring you something to eat later." Sully nodded. He watched her walk out of the room, and for the next several hours, the image of her beautiful face was running through his mind.
Michaela returned that evening with several boxes. Sully was completely surprised, but he didn't ask questions. She handed him one box, and he looked at her.
"What's this?" he asked.
"Open it," she said nervously. Sully quickly opened the box to find a nice suit coat. He looked up at her.
"You bought me clothes?" he asked.
"I thought you might need them." Sully sighed and placed the box aside.
"I can't take these," he said solemnly.
"Of course you can. You're going to pay us back, remember?" Michaela asked. Sully gave her an odd look and shook his head. "You can't very well go around Boston wearing patched trousers."
"Why not?" Michaela sighed. This man was stubborn! She liked it.
"Please don't argue. You're supposed to be resting."
"You're the doctor. You're not supposed to upset the patient." She saw him smile. Perhaps he was going to be more of a challenge than she thought he would be.
"I'm trying to do a nice thing for you."
"Just 'cause ya feel bad that my folks died don't mean ya gotta go 'round buyin' me stuff."
"I bought these, because I knew people would at least give you a chance in Boston if you looked presentable." Sully looked surprised.
"What are you sayin'?"
"I didn't mean that to sound as it did. I simply mean that you don't know the people in Boston like I do. They're . . ."
"No different than the doctors who look down at me when I'm out in the hall?" Sully wondered. "Don't worry. People have been lookin' at me like that most of my entire life. It ain't something I pay much attention to anyway."
"Will you at least accept these?" Sully finally nodded.
"Thank you," he said quietly. Michaela nodded her head at him and smiled. She hated seeing him swallow his pride, but she knew that he'd have to do that in order to survive in Boston.
The day finally arrived that Michaela, Josef, and Sully would be taking the train back to Boston. Josef had already explained to Michaela that her mother had no idea about Mr. Sully's living arrangements or the fact that he even existed.
Michaela and Josef were waiting in the lobby of the hospital, saying their goodbyes to their colleagues and patients they'd grown to enjoy as friends. Michaela was nervous, because over the last few days, Sully had grown stronger, and she knew that his strength was something she admired about him. He had lost so much, and he'd managed to maintain everything good about him.
She and Josef had accompanied him to his parents' burial the day before, and he'd been strong, though she knew he was upset. She knew he missed his parents, but that wasn't something a person got over in just a day.
"Mike? Mike?" Josef called for the fifth and sixth time. His voice finally broke through Michaela's clouded thoughts, and she blinked in recognition. She turned to him.
"Sorry, father," she said, blushing slightly.
"What on earth was on your mind? You seemed a million miles away," Josef said with concern. "Are you feeling well?"
"I'm fine," Michaela assured him, placing her hand on his arm. "What is it?"
"I'm going to go try to flag down a carriage to take us to the train station." Michaela nodded. "Would you mind waiting for Sully?"
"I don't mind at all," Michaela replied. She blushed again when her father gave her a knowing look. "Please, go on. Sully and I will meet you outside in a few minutes." Josef left, and Michaela stood in the lobby of the hospital. Sully was changing into one of the new suits that Michaela had picked out for him. She secretly couldn't wait to see him in it. He was already handsome enough, and she had picked out the suits she knew he'd look good in. She knew he didn't feel comfortable in them, but they were a lot nicer than the patched garments he had been wearing.
"Waitin' for me?" came his voice. Michaela turned, and her eyes widened as she saw him in his suit. It was a dark blue, and it fit him perfectly. She couldn't help but notice how his azure eyes seemed to be highlighted by his attire. His hair was brushed and still long, and the beard he'd grown was trimmed just right. He looked very handsome! "Somethin' wrong?"
"Hmm?" Sully gave her a strange look and stepped closer. Michaela felt her throat go dry. "Oh, no! My father's just outside finding a carriage to take us to the train station." Sully nodded slowly.
"Everything okay?" He looked into her hazel and green eyes. He smiled, seeing the way she seemed to tense up. He knew she wasn't frightened of him. He didn't know why she was so nervous around him though. She'd given him a sponge bath, for goodness sakes, and they'd gotten past that. This was the most uncomfortable he'd seen her.
"Everything's fine." She had to think of something quickly! "I'm just nervous about going home, I suppose."
"Why would ya be nervous? It's your home." Michaela chuckled softly.
"You don't know my mother."
"Should I be worried?" he wondered. She grinned.
"I don't think so. My mother is very opinionated, however."
"She does know I'm comin', right?" Michaela tensed up. "Michaela? Ya didn't tell her?"
"Correction. Father didn't tell her. I've been far too busy to get to the telegraph office," she excused. Sully shook his head.
"Michaela, if ya don't want me to go . . ."
"Of course I want you to go!" she said quickly. She felt her cheeks flush red. "Come on. Father is waiting." Sully watched her start for the exit and finally followed after her. They found Josef right away and piled into a carriage. It was freezing cold outside, and Sully wrapped an arm around her to try to keep her warm. Josef noticed his exchange but said nothing. Michaela looked up at him momentarily, but he was staring off at something else. She decided that it was just a gesture of friendship and a way to keep her warm and that she shouldn't think too much of it. He obviously wasn't.
Michaela placed her hands professionally on her medical bag, and Sully felt her stiffen in his arms. He looked down at her and saw that she was looking anywhere but at him. He smiled knowingly. He felt something for her, and he knew she was feeling something for him. He'd never felt this way about anyone before, and it was a new feeling. It was almost frightening, because his head was telling him to seriously think about it. How could something ever work out between them? She was an upper class Bostonian woman, and he was in the lowest rung of the societal ladder. But he couldn't help but wonder what it'd be like to be more than friends. They were friends weren't they? He silently hoped she didn't think of him only as a patient, because he was no longer in need of her services, medical, anyway.
Something about her stirred something in him, causing his dreams to be filled with thoughts of her gorgeous face and perfect shape. The first few times he'd dreamed of her, he had shrugged the thoughts of, excusing them as figments of his imagination drifting into his dreams. She'd been the first person he'd seen after collapsing on the steps of the hospital. She'd saved his life. He'd thought that it was only natural to feel connected. But, the dreams continued, and she made his heart flutter every time she stepped into the room.
The carriage arrived at the station, and their luggage was immediately taken to the platform. Sully lingered behind as Josef and Michaela lead the way to the train, and Michaela cast a glance back in Sully's direction. Their eyes met, and she saw him looking at her in a way that made her heart skip a beat and flutter wildly in her chest. She swallowed that feeling and smiled.
"Try to keep up!" she called back. "This is about as fast paced as it'll be in Boston." Sully quickened his pace, and when they arrived at their train, they showed their tickets to the conductor.
"Ah yes. The doctors Quinn," he said with a smile. "I'm sorry, but there has been a mix up. We were unable to save a compartment for three. Due to ticket sales, we've had to split you up. Two of you will have to share, and one will be placed in a single compartment. Both Michaela and Sully couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed. They had both wanted to talk on the way to Boston.
"Why don't you two share?" Sully asked. Michaela nodded hesitantly, and Josef caught the apprehension in both of their performances. Michaela nodded.
"Yes, that's probably the best solution." Sully caught the tone of her voice, and he wondered if she felt it was best for the same reasons he did. Josef stifled a yawn and shook his head.
"No, no. You two share. I'm going to get some rest." Michaela looked at her father with wide eyes. Just a few days ago, he was asking her why she felt compelled to trust this stranger. She took him aside as Sully slowly made his way into the car.
"I'll let you two talk about this," he called out. Michaela looked at her father.
"Father? Are you certain this is a good idea?" Michaela asked.
"To let two friends share a train compartment?" he wondered with a wink. Michaela shook her head. "Mike, I trust you. You're a headstrong woman who knows what she wants and doesn't want. I've come to trust Mr. Sully as well. I know I have nothing to worry about." Josef gave her a kiss upon the cheek and made his way into the train. Michaela held her breath for a moment.
"Well, I do," she whispered under her breath, afraid of fighting her confusing and growing feelings for Sully. She didn't know quite how to describe them, let alone think of them. She was confused, and she knew that it was entirely inappropriate to be having visions of herself in Sully's arms, but her dreams had been full of romantic moments with Sully for the past few nights. He had been her patient, and now he was going to be living with her family in Boston. This would be quite the scandal if anyone found out, she thought, but then again, who would really care? Michaela's mother would surely be grateful that her daughter had a suitor. Oh, what was she thinking! This relationship wasn't supposed to go anywhere beyond friendship. Originally, she hadn't intended for it to go beyond a doctor/patient relationship, but in the beginning, she'd seen no harm in having a friendship with this man. But, now she knew that having a friendship with him would mean spending more time with him! She hoped that he wouldn't be able to see through her calm exterior and into her inner thoughts, because she would certainly be most embarrassed!
Michaela found the compartment that Sully was seated in. She saw that he was looking out the window, staring at nothing in particular. She slid into the small compartment and took a seat across from him. Sully looked up when he heard her entrance.
"So ya finally settled on who'd sit where," he laughed. Michaela smiled a little.
"How are you feeling?" she wondered.
"Just fine," Sully promised. "You look cold." He started to remove his suit coat to give it to her, but she held a hand up.
"No, no, I'm fine," she said with a smile. They were silent until the train whistle sounded, and the locomotive shuddered and started off toward Boston. Sully glanced at Michaela. Her eyes glanced up and caught his gaze. He smiled, but she looked away.
"Somethin' the matter?" he wondered. She shook her head. "Okay. What should we talk about?"
"Talk?" she asked, her heart skipping a beat. She inwardly scolded herself for letting her stomach flutter and her heart pound by the mere sound of this man's voice. What was it about him that attracted her to him besides his handsome physique and his kind manners? Perhaps it was his eyes. He had the most pronounced blue eyes she'd ever seen. Or maybe it was something past that. She'd always heard that the eyes were the windows to the soul. Perhaps it really was true. When she looked into his eyes, she felt this profound sense of warmth and kindness coming from him.
"Michaela?" Michaela blushed and swallowed hard.
"Tell me about your parents." Sully searched her eyes.
"I already told ya about them."
"I know," she said quietly. Sully cleared his throat.
"Alright. Well, I remember wantin' to be just like them from the beginnin'. They were always openin' their door to somebody in need. 'Course that was 'til they were the ones in need. Even then, they'd still do somethin' now and then to help out a friend, even if that friend was more fortunate than they were." Michaela couldn't help but compare Sully's parents to her own. Her father was very compassionate and giving when it came to the needy, but then there was her mother. Her mother was a stark contrast to Sully's parents. She did what benefited her despite how it helped or harmed others. "They sure were two of a kind."
"They must have been wonderful people." Sully nodded.
"All my life I tried to make 'em proud of me." Michaela smiled.
"I'm sure they were proud. They raised gentleman." Sully gazed into Michaela's eyes, and she felt her skin growing hot.
"Tell me about yourself."
"What do you want to know?" she wondered.
"Anything," he said with a smile, when his heart told him he wanted to know everything about her. Michaela smiled at a particular memory. "What?"
"I was just remembering something from when I was about six years old." Sully smiled.
"Go on." Michaela laughed a little.
"I had just gone to the opera house with my family. I'm not even sure which show we saw, but when we returned, I swore to everyone that I was going to be a famous opera singer someday." She rolled her eyes. "By then, I knew I wanted to be a doctor like my father, but I gave that dream up for a while."
"How long did that last?" Sully wondered. Michaela grinned.
"About a day." They laughed together. "Everything was much simpler as a child. You could change your mind at the drop of a hat. Being an adult is different." Sully nodded.
"Sometimes ya can't change things no matter how hard ya want to." Those were some of the truest words Michaela Quinn had ever heard.
The rest of the trip toward Boston consisted of conversation about many things between Michaela and Sully. As the hours wore on, their friendship began to grow, and it wasn't long before either one of them knew that this was going to be one of the best friendships that either one of them had ever had.