Chapter 26
Abagail weaved through the dancing couples, who towered over her like willow trees in vicious storm. "Mama!" She yelled, but the dancers didn't hear her, so intoxicated with the melody and rhythm of the orchestra. "Papa! Wheh are ya?"
The music swelled in the ballroom, traveling through every corner, every room, and every heart in the house. Through his mask, David watched the couples dance without a care in the world. He didn't need to see their faces. Their smiles and laughter gave their joy away. He didn't belong with them. He never had.
She couldn't find them. They weren't here. They weren't where Mama said they would be. Her bottom lip trembled as the colorful dresses swirled around her, none of their faces familiar.
"Papa!" She called out helplessly. "Papa!"
David turned around, hearing her tiny, desperate voice. He pushed through the crowd, towards the center of the ballroom, and there she stood. Tears were rolling down her red cheeks, and he fell down to one knee in front of her. "I'm here, sweet girl, I'm here."
Abagail reached forward and pulled off his mask, looking into his glassy eyes. "Is she weally alive?"
"She is. She misses you so much." As David brushed the falling curls from her face, Abagail gripped his photograph in her hand.
"Can I see her?" Abagail searched his eyes, and he smiled, taking her small hand in his.
"Yes, yes you can." The photograph fell from her grasp, and she stepped closer to him, putting her hands on his shoulders.
He lifted her up in his arms, wiping away the stray tears on her cheeks. He touched the end of her nose, almost drawing out a small grin. "I always wanted to dance with my little girl."
David slowly held his right hand out, and Abagail cautiously placed her hand in his. He closed his hand over hers, and began to twirl her around the ballroom, eliciting a bright, surprised giggle as they disappeared into the other dancing couples.
With the last guests finally inside and the party a genuine success, Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. It was amazing what she did for that man. But she couldn't imagine doing anything less. He loved dancing and music and friends and family more than anything; and when she saw his smile, she knew it would be worth it all.
She looked around for his face, the only one that really understood her, but she didn't see it. She turned to Marjorie and Everett, who were attempting to whisper, but their heated tones could not be mistaken by anyone. She walked past them, and peered into the ballroom, but he was not in his usual position by the orchestra. She turned back into the Entrance Hall, her heart beginning to slow, where she could hear every beat pounding in her ear.
She turned towards the quiet hallway, where no music played. Slowly, she began to walk towards his office. She reached his doorway, still partly open.
Elizabeth peered inside, and her heart stopped.
"Sully…" Michaela crooned, as he scattered light kisses across her face and neck. She rested in between his legs as he leaned against the sofa. His arms perfectly encompassed her, their bodies soft and hot against each other, the fire not even necessary, despite the winter month.
"Hmm?" He barely responded, as he discovered a new, sensitive spot behind her ear. She shivered and ran her hands up his arms, tangling them into his hair.
"Do you think anyone would notice if we don't come back tonight?" His hands splayed across her stomach, holding her womb in his hands. He found her lips and kissed her soundly, breaking it with a warm chuckle.
"Yes, I do," he whispered into her lips.
Her face fell a little as she looked into his eyes. "But we'll come back, right?"
He kissed her again, making a promise. "The next time we come, you'll be my wife."
She nodded slowly and put her hand over his heart. "But in my heart, I already am. And no one can take that away from me."
They kissed once more, passion taking over time, as they fell back onto the palette and completely forgot about the party.
State Lunatic Hospital of South Boston—May 25, 1857
Michaela walked down the dingy corridors of the asylum, focusing only on her patient's chart. She was in the last week of her internship before she was to go work in her father's practice. It had been the most challenging and difficult work in her medical training. She looked at her pocket watch that actually belonged to her father. She only had five minutes left in her rounds before she could go home.
Suddenly a man stormed past her, knocking the chart from her hands. He turned around, shock and embarrassment across his face. "I'm sorry. I'm—just…let me…"
He kneeled down and quickly picked up the scattered papers. His hands shook as he made an effort. Michaela watched his movements, and she quickly put her hands over his. "I'll help you. It's all right."
The man finally looked at her, his eyes sad and haunted. "God bless you, child."
Michaela noticed the silver cross hanging from his neck. "It's good of you to come here. I feel so many patients are often neglected."
They gathered all of the papers and lifted them together. He narrowed his eyes, assessing her, as if he were trying to make a decision. "But it is your work that does the most good, miss."
Suddenly far down the long corridor, horrible crying and screaming echoed from one of the rooms. The man's eyes immediately went to the sounds, and he put his hands on Michaela's shoulders forcing a smile as best he could.
"You must be terribly tired after your long day's work, and I feel awful for making a mess of your work. How would you like to join my wife and me for dinner tonight?" Michaela smiled warmly at the preacher, not seeing any harm in it.
"I'd be honored, Reverend…?" The man let out a sigh of relief and stood taller, seemingly more in charge.
"Reverend Holland Lewis. I am originally from Cambridge, and my family just relocated."
"Welcome to Boston. I'm Michaela Quinn." He kissed her hand, his eyes glowing with new light. "If you will excuse me for a moment, I need to go file these papers."
"Why don't I meet you out front in the lobby, and then I can escort you to my home?" He smiled warmly.
"That sounds lovely. I'll see you in a few minutes." She quickly vanished down the hall, behind closed doors.
Reverend Lewis looked back in the other direction, behind closed doors. He could hear them. Every tear, every scratch, every pleading word. He couldn't watch his son behave so weakly. He had refused to leave that diseased thing, and the guards were still trying to pull him away from her.
Eventually they would. David didn't have the strength. Reverend Lewis looked back in the young lady's direction. That young, clean beautiful woman. He smiled resolutely.
He was right to do this. He knew he was right. It was God's Will.
"Lizzie," Josef whispered, his eyes half-opened.
He had collapsed against his desk. His breathing was shallow and slow, every beat of his heart ringing through his ears.
Elizabeth fell to her knees. She couldn't breathe. This wasn't happening.
"Josef… Don't you do this! I refuse to let you go! Do you hear me? I refuse!"
Josef laughed and reached for her hand. "You can't control my life, Lizzie. As much as you want to, this is out of your hands."
"I'll get Michaela—I'll—" She frantically grabbed her skirts, but he pulled her hand back.
"No Lizzie. If you ruin that party, I'll never forgive you. Come here and let me hold you." Elizabeth looked at him, flabbergasted, but when he raised his eyebrow, she quickly moved beside him.
He put his arm around her and smiled as she huffed, "I don't know why you have to be so stubborn!"
"Because I love you, and I want you with me. Not all the way across the house." Their eyes met as her stubborn tears begin to form.
"You aren't really going to leave me, are you?" Joseph leaned his forehead against hers as her voice cracked. It broke his heart to see this strong woman so fragile. "Because I don't think I would like that very much. I need you, old man."
"Lizzie, you can do anything. Don't you know that? When have you ever needed me?"
"Whose slippers am I going to put out every morning and whose tie am I going to straighten and who am I suppose to dance with?" Josef took her hand in his.
"Close your eyes." When she did, she could hear his labored breathing, and she could feel the slowness of his heart again. She opened her eyes immediately.
"I don't want to, Josef," she protested, reality too present.
"Just do it, Lizzie." She tried again, but still she heard such painful sounds.
Before she could open her eyes, she heard him begin to speak, and she stopped. "It's your fifteenth birthday party. And you're wearing that perfectly white dress with the pink roses around the collar. You walk into the ballroom, and your eyes are so blue and wide and innocent. The most beautiful creature I'd ever seen. I had to have a dance with you. So I asked you. And…"
"And I said no!" Elizabeth said, absolutely mortified at the memory.
"And I was absolutely heartbroken. I didn't ask another girl to dance the whole evening," Josef sighed, in good humor.
"And I'm watching you sit there all alone while these poor fools step on my toes because I'm not paying any attention to them. And finally, the last song of the evening begins to play. And…"
"And I asked you again. This time you said yes. I never met a girl like you in my life. I knew we would be together forever after that." He leaned his head on her shoulder, closing his eyes. "I'll always be there to dance with you. Just close your eyes and think of me."
As the music from the ballroom traveled down the hallway, Elizabeth whispered, "I'm dancing with you now."
As dawn crept in through the window, Michaela raised her head off of Sully chest, shutting her eyes against the light of day. They had never meant to fall asleep.
She looked at their strewn clothes about the room. Her dress was destroyed. She would have to be creative with her attire and hope that no one was awake yet. She shook Sully, and he quickly opened his eyes.
"Hey." He smiled widely and leaned up for a kiss.
She put her finger over his mouth, stopping him. "We have to get dressed now. We overslept, Sully."
He kissed her finger instead. "Understood. I wouldn't want to distract ya."
She shook her head playfully at him and pushed him back down on the floor as she got up to dress.
As they got dressed, they stole glances at each other, trying to hide their shrewd smiles now that they knew what was hidden under all of those stuffy clothes.
"So how do I look?" She turned around in her new attire.
Sully grinned slowly. "Wicked."
"Sully!" She tightened her grandmother's black shawl over her shoulders self-consciously. He reached for her, taking her into his arms.
"You look beautiful. They'll never know. No regrets?"
"None. I love you more than I can say."
"Words will never be enough."
He kissed her one last time, and hand in hand, they reluctantly walked towards the door, leaving their safe haven.
The house was dead quiet when they walked in the back door. Sully and Michaela walked around to the Entrance Hall. Suddenly they heard slow methodical footsteps coming from Josef's study.
It was Elizabeth.
She was still in her dress from the night before. Her face was white, like death. She gripped the banister as her legs gave out from beneath her. Sully and Michaela quickly ran to her, supporting her on either side.
"Mother?" Michaela asked urgently.
Elizabeth turned to her daughter, her eyes lost and alone. "He's gone, Michaela. He left me. He wasn't supposed to leave…"
Michaela gasped as her mother fell against her, crying deep, guttural tears. Sully stepped back as he watched two women break before him. He thought Michaela's pain was over, but he had never seen such sorrow on her face as she clung to her mother.
Abagail. She could help Michaela. Sully ran up the stairs and down the corridor towards Abagail's suite. He quietly opened the door and peered into the dark room.
"Abby?" He called out. He walked further into the room when she didn't answer.
She wasn't in the bed.
He looked under the bed. She wasn't there.
He turned around, and walked out into the hallway, looking in both his room and Michaela's room. She wasn't there.
"Abagail!" He screamed. "Answer Papa now!"
He ran back down the hallway, down the stairs. Michaela's bloodshot eyes met his and she knew. "What is it?"
"Abby's not in her room."
"What!" Michaela tried to control herself, but her emotions were not hers anymore.
"Who was watching her last night?" Sully asked urgently, his eyes on fire.
"Fiona—" Michaela's whole body was shaking, and Elizabeth was inconsolable on the stairs.
"Where is she?"
"The servants' quarters—" Sully and Michaela ran down to the basement of the house, ringing the morning bell for them to wake up.
Fiona came out of the second room, yawning, with sleep still in her eyes. "Yes sir?"
"Where is our daughter?" Sully asked forcefully, his temper uncontrolled.
Fiona's eyes widened stupidly, "I thought she was with you, sir! She said she was going to look for you on the dance floor last night—"
"Oh my God." Michaela covered her mouth guiltily, stepped back and ran back down the hallway and up the stairs.
Michaela ran into the ballroom, her eyes searching for anything, everything, and nothing… Finally landing on the crumbled picture in the center of the marble floors.
It was David.
She dropped the black shawl, falling to her knees in a tangle of white tatters. "Abagail!" She keeled over, curling into the fetal position. "Abagail!"
Colorado Springs—1873
"Mama!" Abagail sat up, drenched in a cold sweat. "Mama!"
But it wasn't Michaela who comforted her. It never was.
"Nahe," she would say, as if she were their mother. As if she knew who Michaela was. Her sadness was different though. She had never spoken a word of English.
She traced the tears away, holding Abagail's face in her hands. "Nemehotâtse, Abby."
Abagail lifted the sheets, and she climbed under the covers with her. "I love you too, Katie."
Chapter 27
Colorado Springs—1873
Loren jolted from his bed as harsh knocks on the front door woke him from his much needed slumber. His feet clunked on the hard wooden floor, and he cursed to himself as he shuffled down the stairs, "I swear, if that's you Jake Slicker…"
As he reached the last step, his eyes flew to the door, and he immediately stopped his tirade. He ran to the door, quickly unlocking it. Loren stared at him, restrained tears coming to his eyes.
"Sully."
"Loren," Sully said, equally held back. He swallowed as he stepped inside the old, familiar store. He looked towards the stairs, his heart immediately beginning to ache, knowing he was so close. "The girls?"
Loren walked in front of him, lighting a lantern on the counter. "They're sleepin'."
Sully nodded. He wanted more than anything to go wake them up and hold them in his arms, but with the way that Loren was looking at him, he knew it was best to wait a while. "Has Katie been doin' alright here?"
Loren sighed, shaking his head. "She only talks to Abby."
Sully stepped closer to the stairs, looking up. He closed his eyes, thinking about his baby girl. "Still?"
Loren watched him. He was angry. He felt sorry for the lot of them, but he would never get over what happened. "What do ya expect, Sully? Ya leave the poor thing hidden away half her life with those savages and ya expect the child to be normal?"
Sully turned to Loren, glaring at him. "It wasn't like that, Loren, and ya know it."
Loren backed down from Sully's piercing gaze. "Maybe not. No matter. Those girls have suffered long enough. Abby's at an age where… I don't do her any good. She needs her mother. And Katie—she's always needed her."
"I know. That's why I'm here."
"What happened?" Loren stepped forward, hope building inside of him as he looked into Sully's determined gaze.
"We got the second appeal."
Boston—1863
Michaela stared at the gray, massive mansion. She hadn't been there in over three years, since the day that David and she left Boston for Colorado Springs. She had never spent much time in the house, except for that first dinner with his family. David didn't like to spend much time with his father or mother, but they had adored Michaela, and had been completely supportive of the move to Colorado Springs.
Seeing them today would be very different.
She reached up to knock on the door, her arm faltering as she tried to make contact. Sully put his arm around her waist, supporting her. "Here. Let me."
He banged on the door, sending harsh reverberations throughout the entire structure. The house didn't respond for a moment, but soon, a lifeless servant came to the door, blocking the entrance.
"Yes, sir?"
"We need to see Reverend Lewis right now," Sully said, agitation clear in his voice.
"I'm sorry, sir, but he's writing his sermon for Sunday's service and won't be disturbed."
Michaela, filled with unbearable fear and grief, pushed past the corpse, nearly knocking him over. "He'll just have to make an exception this time."
As Michaela stormed into the house, the butler tried to stop her, but Sully immediately pushed him out of the way, and followed Michaela back to Reverend Lewis' office. Michaela slammed through the door, making Holland's cigar fall from his lips onto his papers.
"Michaela? My dear! I didn't know you were in town! I—"
Michaela leaned forward on his desk, not wasting anytime. "Where is your son, Holland?"
"What?" He asked, wide eyed and innocent.
"Is he here?" Michaela emphasized every word slowly, her nerves shot as she tried to focus on her task.
Holland laughed good naturedly, wariness in his eyes as his stared at the two fierce figures in front of him. "Michaela, I don't understand… The last letter we received from him said he was stationed in Virginia—"
"He deserted, Holland. It's nearly impossible to go back to Colorado. He would only come here. Where is he?"
Holland held up his hands, anxiety in his eyes. "David's not here. I'm so sorry, Michaela."
Michaela leaned her head over, before pushing back up, and saying with as much control as she could muster, "Would it make any difference if I told you he was sick?"
Holland's hand fell from his face. "Wh-what?"
Sully crossed his chest and stepped closer to the desk, watching every move Holland made. "You heard her."
"How do you know?" Holland asked suddenly.
"What?" Michaela looked at him, staggered.
"You knew he was sick?" Sully dropped his arms, knotting his fists.
"I—I—"
"How long, Holland?" Michaela asked, her voice cracking.
"I really couldn't say, I—" Like a flash, Sully was on the other side of the desk, lifting Holland by his shirt.
"How long!" Sully yelled, pushing Holland back against the bay window.
Holland looked at Sully, his heart pounding in his throat. "I don't know how long! He didn't show symptoms like Suzanne!"
Sully tightened his grip on his shirt. "Who's Suzanne?"
Holland shook his head rapidly. "It doesn't matter!"
Sully hit Holland's head against the window, sending a fissure down the middle of the glass. "Tell us now!"
"Alright! Alright! He was in love with her—and he wanted to marry her, but she got sick—she was crazy—she was destroying my son—he didn't even want to go to medical school anymore! My God! I had to do something! I forced David to put her in the Asylum. But he wouldn't do it. So I did it." Holland was sweating profusely as he wiggled in Sully's grasp.
Michaela stepped directly in front of him. "The day I met you—"
Holland looked in her eyes, guilt still not there. "It was the day we admitted her."
"Dear God." Michaela closed her eyes. "Holland. Is there anything else?"
"Why?"
Michaela took a deep breath. She was not going to lose control in front of this manipulative monster. "We have strong reason to believe that David has kidnapped our daughter."
"You…have a daughter?" Holland looked between Sully and Michaela. A slow, malicious glint sparked his eyes. "Isn't that ironic..."
May 25, 1857
"Dinner was lovely, Mrs. Lewis. Thank you for having me." Michaela took the small woman's hand in hers, who had talked constantly during dinner, peppering Michaela with questions, hardly letting her eat her meal.
"You must come again, dear. We wouldn't have it any other way." The slight woman smiled widely before looking to her husband.
"It was lovely to meet you, Michaela. It's rather late for Lina and me, so if you don't mind, my son will be escorting you home." Michaela turned to the quiet young man, who hadn't said a word during dinner. She supposed he was shy. He finally lifted his eyes to meet hers, and they were without a doubt, the saddest eyes she had ever seen.
David held his right arm for her. She gingerly took it. She turned around and smiled at the Lewis' again, and then proceeded towards the front door.
It was a warm night, perfect for strolling. Michaela looked at him through her lashes. She couldn't imagine life lacking words. But they traveled on in silence, until they reached her front steps.
Michaela turned to him, meeting his lost eyes. She found a glimmer of interest in them and held on to it as she whispered, "Whatever it is, you should write it down. It always helps me."
Michaela turned and began walking up her front steps. "Wait!" David called after her.
David quickly ran across the street into the Carter's garden. He picked a dozen lilacs and then ran back to Michaela. Michaela gasped at the outlandish arrangement. "Mrs. Carter might miss her flowers if you make a habit out of that."
David almost smiled. "Next time I'll buy you and Mrs. Carter a dozen lilacs… Thank you, Dr. Quinn. Goodnight."
Michaela smiled as he left, smelling the sweet flowers. Maybe he would go write it down. Maybe he would feel better. She hoped so.
State Lunatic Hospital of South Boston—1863
"Wheh are we?" Abagail whispered as she clung tighter to David's collar, the early morning sun casting strange shadows against the walls of the long, gray hallway.
"A sad, sad place, Caroline."
"Why is it sad?"
"Because it took your mommy away from us."
Abagail turned around and looked at the retreating sunlight. "I wanna go home."
"We will." He patted her back, smiling. "But don't you want to see your mother first?"
"Yeah," she said reluctantly. David walked further down the hall, turning into another corridor, finally stopping in front of a solid gray door.
He looked left and right, checking for any nurses or doctors, and quickly opened the door.
The room barely had any light in it, but Abagail could see the white form stretched along the bed, frail and week, her eyes closed. Her blonde hair was limp and ragged, and her face was iridescent, blue protruding through her skin. Her lips were scarred and chapped, from being bitten, and her eyes were dark holes that seemed to have no ending. She looked like a fallen angel.
But then her eyes opened. David and Abagail turned away in horror.
Suzanne had punctured her right eye. The violet-blue was replaced by a deep black hole.
"I did it for you, my love."
"For God's sakes, why?"
"To be like that pansy you left me for."
"I never left you—I—"
"You loved her."
"Suzanne—"
"You loved her! Don't deny it!"
"Yes! I loved her, but I loved you first, damn it!" David sat on the edge of the bed. "Look. Look who I brought back to you. Now do you believe me? Now do you see that I never stopped loving you?"
Finally realizing that someone else was in the room, Suzanne looked at the child sitting in David's lap, clinging to him.
"Who is she?" Suzanne whispered in confusion.
"Suzanne… Don't you recognize her? She's…she's Caroline." He caressed the shaking child's face as Suzanne watched them through one eye.
Suzanne suddenly began laughing shrilly, looking back and forth between David and Abagail. She calmed after a few moments and said stoically, as though she were just remembering it, "No she's not, David. I killed Caroline, remember?"
Chapter 28
State Lunatic Hospital of South Boston—1863
Never had a child's scream been more terrified or repulsed. Abagail pushed and kicked out of David's grasp, running as fast as her little legs could carry her.
"Caroline!" David called after her, but Abagail was already out of the sick room.
"That's not our daughter, David! She's gone!" Suzanne grabbed David's coat, pulling him back against her with unnatural force. "She's gone! Don't you remember? She's gone!"
David struggled against her hold, as she began to place soft, soothing kisses on his neck. Finally, he broke, his mind recovering for an instant, and he wailed as he remembered that lost time, "No!"
Suzanne ran her hands over her face, scratching her flaking skin as David cried. "I killed her…You killed her… God killed her… I heard him do it." David turned slowly, a chill running through him as her lethargic words hit him like bricks.
"You heard him?" Suzanne's eyes suddenly closed, and David shook her back into consciousness. "Suzanne! Stay with me… Stay with me! Who did it if it wasn't you?"
She leaned her head against his shoulder, her eyes drooping. She whispered like a prayer, "The father…the son…and the holy ghost…"
October 28, 1858
It was nearly eleven o'clock. Michaela sat beside Caroline, watching every breath she took. Her fever had dropped, but her condition was still very critical. A shadow suddenly passed over them, and Michaela looked up. It was David.
"How's she doing?" He whispered, as he sat down on the other side of Caroline.
"Her fever's down and she's sleeping soundly." Michaela answered as she caressed Caroline's hand.
David nodded, finally taking his eyes off of the sleeping child. He looked at Michaela and pushed back a fallen wisp of hair. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine. Tired, but fine."
"You should get some rest. What good are you to her if you're exhausted?"
Michaela shook her head. "I hate leaving her here alone. She doesn't have anyone."
David nodded and bit the inside of his cheek. "I'll…I'll come back and sit with her. Would that make you feel better?"
Michaela debated for a moment, nodded and stood up. "Thank you for understanding."
As David and Michaela walked out into the hallway, David stopped her and took her hand in his. "You're a wonderful doctor, Michaela, but you're also going to make a wonderful mother someday."
In that one moment, she could see the future in his eyes. His fingers faded into hers, and slowly, they leaned in, until their lips touched in a tentative first kiss. After a few brief, sweet moments, they pulled away. Michaela smiled shyly as David's face lit up completely.
"I haven't… It's been such a long time since…" David stammered. He finally looked at her with tears in his eyes. "You give me hope, you know that?"
"I…I…" Michaela blushed profusely, not knowing what to say to such a compliment. "Walk me home?"
"I'd be honored." He held his arm out for her, and she took it. When they got to the door, he stopped suddenly.
"David? What is it?" Michaela asked as she watched him close his eyes and shake his head.
He put his hand to his temple, recomposing himself. "I'm…I'm sorry Michaela. I just got dizzy for a moment."
"Has it happened before?" She asked.
"No, never." He stood up straight, clearing his throat self-consciously.
"When you come back, I want you to pull out one of the cots and get some sleep. Alright?" Michaela caressed his cheek, concerned.
"Doctor's orders?" He grinned at her, as they left the corridor. The door creaked behind them, and the sound of bare feet against the wooden floor reverberated through the wing.
"Why? Why why why why why?" She moaned over and over again as she watched them leave together, arm and arm. He had forgotten all about her. He hadn't even helped her escape. She had to do that all on her own.
Suzanne could hear the nurses coming, and she quickly ducked into Caroline's room, shutting the door behind her. They would be looking for her. She had to be careful. Very, very careful.
The noise jolted the little girl, and she slowly opened her blind eyes. "Dr. Mike?" She whispered. "Is that you?"
Suzanne turned to her little girl, speechless at the sight of her child. "No…No….No… Caroline, listen to me, it's your momma. Your momma's finally here, angel."
"Momma?" Caroline asked hopefully, her voice sweet and innocent, despite the illness.
Suzanne walked around the bed, sitting beside her. It had been too long. "Yes, it's me, baby."
Caroline felt around her mother's hands in her darkness. "Where did you go?"
Suzanne took Caroline's hands in hers. "A bad place. A place you'll never had to go."
"Don't leave me again," Caroline begged.
Suzanne kissed her little hands. "I won't. I promise I won't."
Suddenly commanding footsteps made their way down the hallway. Suzanne looked at Caroline and kissed her forehead before sliding to the floor and hiding under the bed.
The door slowly opened, and Suzanne could see black shoes and black pants hanging from the side of the bed.
"Hello Caroline," he said. "You've grown quite a bit from the last time we saw each other."
"Who are you?" Her voice was small compared to his.
"A friend." Suzanne froze. She knew his voice.
"Why are you here?"
Suzanne tried to move, but she couldn't. She was so scared. She didn't want to go back to that prison. She had to stay with her baby no matter what. "To make things right," he said.
"How?" Caroline asked curiously.
"You feel bad, don't you?" He asked, as though he were reading her mind.
"Yes."
"Wouldn't you like all that pain to go away?"
She hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Yes."
"Wouldn't you like to play all day long and never stop?"
"Yes."
"Then just close your eyes, and I'll make all your dreams come true."
"Like magic?" She said naively.
"Just like magic." There was completely silence in the room. Suzanne couldn't breath. Suddenly she heard Caroline gasp in pain.
"I commit your soul to Christ, in the name of the father, and the son, and the holy ghost. Amen. Sleep, Caroline, sleep." He quickly left the room, his footsteps fading further and further into the distance.
"Momma?" Caroline called weakly.
Suzanne scrambled out from underneath the bed, quickly examining her daughter's fragile form.
"What did he do, Caroline? What did he do?" Suzanne lifted the girl in her arms, her blue eyes wide in shock and her breath shallow.
Caroline tangled her hands in Suzanne's hair, bringing her face as close to her mother's face as she could. "I can see you, mama," she smiled, her body stilling, losing all feeling, all blood flow. "I can see you!"
The door suddenly opened, and David was standing there. Caroline's eyes met his. "Daddy! You were here! I knew you were here—"
She reached for his hand, and David quickly took it, only glancing at Suzanne briefly before he sat close to Caroline.
He looked at her dilated eyes, realizing that something was dreadfully wrong. "What did you give her?" He asked Suzanne urgently.
Suzanne's chin trembled like a little girl, and she cried helplessly, "It's like magic, David. She won't hurt anymore. She'll run and play forever and ever—"
His heart stopped as he stared at her in horror. He began to get up, but Caroline stopped him. "Don't leave me, Daddy!"
"I have to, sweetheart, there's something bad in your body, and I have to stop it—" David ran out of the room, running to the medical supply room down the hall. He scanned the various medicines, none offering any answers, since he didn't know what was given to Caroline.
He hit the wall and ran back into her room. Caroline was nestled into Suzanne's arms, and her eyes were fading. There was nothing he could do. He had failed them both.
"Daddy," Caroline whispered faintly, "Tell me a story."
He slowly went to the bed and put his arms around them both, holding them as closely as he could. Caroline put her head against his chest and looked up at him. He was at a loss for stories. He could only think of one. "Once upon a time…there was this lost little girl named Pearl… She wandered in the forest with her mother… but she was never scared because God's light would follow her no matter where she went… People were sometimes afraid of Pearl because she was different… But she was so loved by her mother and father… And one day, her father realized the hypocrisy of the town, and he went to join the woman he loved and his child in the forest… and they all lived together… and played together forever and ever in the light."
Caroline's breathing was faint, and her back arched as she reached up to touch her father's face. "I can see it, Daddy, I can see the light—I—"
All the tension in her body suddenly evaporated, and her head fell back on David's arm. She was gone.
David pulled her against him, holding her freed body one last time. Suzanne got up, wringing and shaking her hands until she collapsed on the floor, breaking down completely.
"It's my fault—it's my fault! I killed her! I killed my baby!" David and Suzanne looked at each other. His heart sank as he realized how lost she was to him—how far she had gone. They had lost all hope.
1863
The carriage spun through the streets of South Boston, quickly stopping in front of the Hospital as Sully and Michaela jumped out of it in a whirlwind. They mounted the steps and ran through the hallways of the asylum.
"Abagail!" Sully screamed, pushing through doors, looking through every dark passageway. "David! Be man enough to show ya face if ya here!"
Michaela turned to Sully, taking his hands in hers. "We should split up. They could be anywhere. I'm going to try Suzanne's room. You look down the rest of the wing."
"Alright. Be safe." He kissed her fully on the mouth before letting her go. "I love you."
"I love you more," she exhaled, gathering her strength before she set off down the long gray hall.
Her heart began to pound furiously as she came to large gray door. She could hear voices inside. Michaela leaned her head against the door, trying the grasp all that she hadn't seen, all that she had misjudged. It was all behind that door.
Suddenly a large hand came up from behind her and covered her mouth. A harsh, angry voice whispered in her ear, "I wouldn't let her ruin my son, and I won't let you do it either, Dr. Quinn!"
As the hand pulled her back in the hallway, Michaela bit his hand, screamed and pushed away.
The door flung open, and David stood on the other side. "Michaela!"
Taking advantage of their shock, Reverend Lewis grabbed Michaela again and pulled out a revolver, sticking next to her throat.
"Now. We're going to do this my way, son."
"Abagail!" Sully called out again, as he came to the end of the corridor. At his wits end, he began looking in the rooms, one at a time.
A nurse saw him at the top of the corridor and began watching him. "Excuse me! Sir! Just what do you think you're doing?"
"I'm sorry, m'am. But my daughter is missing."
"Those are private rooms, sir. You could be endangering the patients' health!" But Sully ignored the woman's protests and barged into the laundry room.
Several women looked up from their washing pans, and Sully stepped back. "Excuse me. I'm just lookin' for my little girl."
Just as Sully was about to shut the door, a small voice came from underneath a pile of laundry. "Papa! I'm undah heh, Papa!"
Sully quickly pushed back into the room and tore through the laundry until he found Abagail at the bottom of the mound.
"Thank God," Sully exhaled, as he lifted her into his arms.
"Let her go, you bastard." David took a step forward, but Holland pulled the gun on him.
"What a way to talk to your father. After all I've done for you, look how you repay me." He snarled as he tightened his hold around Michaela's neck.
David stared at his father, hate ruining through every fiber of his being. "You haven't done anything for me but ruin my life! Ruin theirs!"
A wave suddenly came over David and he stammered back, grabbing his head as he leaned against the door for support.
His father laughed as he began to fall under pressure. "Look at you! You can't even fight like a man without crumbling like the sick ingrate you are. I should have let you rot in this place with that whore of yours years ago."
David stood back up, his eyes going back and forth between his father's and Michaela's. "Let Michaela go! She didn't do anything!"
"She's going to tell the world about you, David. I can't have that. She's not even useful to me anymore. She's in love with another man. They've even got a child together—how's that for vengeful?" David swallowed and looked straight in Michaela's eyes.
"David—" Michaela began, but he held his hand up, his eyes pleading with so many things unsaid.
He quickly lifted his jacket and shook his head slowly, flashing his revolver in his belt. "No, Michaela. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I should have told you everything after Caroline died. It wasn't you. The medicine didn't have any affect—"
Holland growled and cocked the revolver. "If you say one more word—"
"I won't live by your hand anymore, father."
"Then you'll die by it."
As Sully ran down the hall with Abagail in his arms, four loud gun shots rang out in rapid succession.
When they turned down the corridor, Michaela was standing in the center of the floor holding David's revolver in her right hand. Reverend Lewis had been shot through the heart, dead. Suzanne was lying against David, shot in the head. Hot blood poured out of David's back as he looked up to Michaela.
"Michaela?" Sully whispered.
She turned to him, revealing a bullet wound in her shoulder. She looked back to David, and then the world went black.
Chapter 29
1863
His body quaked as he watched her body hit the floor, as the sensations and feelings left his, his eyes never left hers. Her face fell against his back, breaking her fall. His blood caressed her face, darkening her fair complexion forever.
"Michaela," David whispered, "Michaela…"
Sully left Abagail standing in the middle of the hallway as he ran to Michaela. He turned her over in his arms, applying pressure over the oozing wound. "Michaela!" Sully pleaded urgently, "Open your eyes, Michaela!"
Suddenly, David reached out and grabbed Sully's wrist. "Get…her out… of here…"
"What? Are you insane? She needs a doctor!" Sully tried to free himself from David's grasp, but David held him even tighter.
"Just do it. Get her out!" David's chest began to palpitate rapidly as a small pool of blood crept around him. "I'm trying to protect her, don't you see that?"
"But she didn't do anything wrong, David!" Sully finally turned David's hand around, dominating the hold. "Runnin' away will just make it worse for her—"
"Do you not see the gun in her hand! People don't care about the truth! They care about what makes a good story! A good trial! Three…bullets where fired…from that gun… Get her out of here. Give me the gun… I'll… take the blame…" Sully and David locked eyes for a brief moment. All Sully could see were years ahead of trials and misunderstandings and separations. He hated to admit it, but David was right. They had to leave. Tonight.
Deftly, Sully picked Michaela up in his arms as the gun dropped to the ground beside David. He turned back to Abagail, whose face was ashen with horror and fear. Sully met her eyes. He didn't know what to say to the little girl. "Let's go, Abby," was all he could manage.
Abagail looked at the pool of bodies and blood she had to walk through, and then she saw the eyes of the dying man, whom she now knew was David. She kept her eyes on her papa as she walked past him. But as she was about to leave, she turned around suddenly, and met David's eyes. "I sorry bout ya little girl."
David's eyes clouded over once more as he looked in Abagail's compassionate eyes and he smiled. "Goodbye Caroline."
As their footsteps faded, new footsteps seemed to approach, but David couldn't keep his eyes open any longer as he found comfort in the bed of crimson water.
As Dr. Hanson finished dressing her wound, he looked skeptically around the tension filled room. Being summoned to the Quinn's home in the middle of the day while he was preparing for surgery was strange, let alone unheard of, but when he saw the young daughter of his colleague with a bullet in her shoulder, he was filled with even more questions. Upon learning of Josef's death, he couldn't refuse Elizabeth anything, but now he wasn't as confident that he should be involved in a case where the victim couldn't even be admitted into the hospital. He couldn't help but feel that this was a matter for the authorities, but with that long-haired heathen afoot and the other well-toned slave man lurking around; it didn't seem the best ethical decision for the benefit of his own health and prosperity.
"When will she be ready to travel?" Sully asked, shaking Dr. Hanson from his thoughts.
"A good solid week. Her body needs to heal. Travel will do nothing but deter that process," Dr. Hanson answered matter-of-factly, not making eye contact with the man.
"Well, thank you so much, Dr. Hanson, for coming by," Elizabeth said, in the most upbeat tone imaginable.
He met her eyes and nodded. "May I speak with you out in the hall for a moment, Mrs. Quinn?"
She led the way, and they were soon alone in the dimly lit hallway. He took her hands in his, extreme concern and compassion lighting his face. "I know this hasn't been an easy day for you. And this incident with your daughter cannot be helping matters. I just wanted to tell you privately how terribly sorry I am for your loss, and if there is ever anything I can do for you, please let me know, and I will be at your service," Dr. Hanson said with great flare, sincerity not marking any of his gestures.
A small, confused smile sprung up on Elizabeth's face as she removed her hands from Dr. Hanson's. "I appreciate the sentiment, truly I do, Dr. Hanson. But if you'll forgive me, what loss are you referring to?"
Dr. Hanson frowned as reality did not register with Elizabeth, and he simply smiled again, patting her shoulder. "Never mind. I'll return tomorrow to check on your daughter."
Elizabeth's face lit once more, and she nodded. "I'll see you to the door, Dr. Hanson."
Sully stepped out into the doorway, having overheard the conversation. He hadn't liked a word he had heard.
1873
They were coming again, fast and furious, they didn't care who they killed, they didn't care who they shot, her navo'êstanemo! Where were they? And No Harm, did he get away? Did he get out? They were all gone, all scattered, screaming, shouting, crying—but wait…What are you doing here, little white girl? You don't belong here… Come here… Come here… Come here…
"Wake up, Kates, wake up!" Katie shook her head, keeping her eyes closed as she heard his voice calling her from her sleep. She was scared to open her eyes because every time she did, the people she loved vanished.
But strong arms surrounded her, holding her in their warm embrace, and she could smell his worn cotton shirt and buckskin, just as she remembered when she was a baby, and she clung to him fiercely, winding her arms around his neck, finally opening her eyes to see his long, golden hair. "Neho'e!" she exclaimed.
Sully kissed the top of her head and whispered, "Yeah, I'm back, sweet girl."
She turned to her right when she felt something tugging on her long blonde braids. She smiled at her sister, who finally had a big smile on her face. "Ehane."
Sully held his arm opened for Abagail and she went into it. "I'm so glad to see my girls again."
They sat together for a few moments, just holding each other. Finally Abagail pulled away and looked into Sully's eyes pensively, her voice very quiet, "How…how is she?"
Sully sighed deeply, looking down, letting go of both of them. "I won't lie to ya, Abby. She misses ya and Katie more than I can even tell ya. But we're fightin' this. We finally got the second appeal, and there's a very good chance we're goin' to win this one."
Abby nodded and stood from the bed, walking over to the window. "That's what ya said the last time."
Sully stood up and followed her. "We've got new evidence."
Abby crossed her arms, looking down into the streets of Colorado Springs. "Did David wake up?"
Sully was quiet for a few minutes before answering. She had asked this question many, many times, and the answer had always been the same. "No."
Abagail turned around, he temper finally sparked, her dark eyes blazing. "Then what the hell does it matter? The verdict will still be the same!"
Sully snapped, astonished she was speaking to him that way. "Abagail! I did not raise you to talk like that to me!"
Abby stepped up to him, her bare toes against his boots. "No ya didn't! Ya haven't raised me at all!"
"Abby—" He tried to reach out to her, but she shirked away from his touch.
Her fair face was three different shades of red as she screamed, pacing around the room furiously, "What are ya even doin' here? It doesn't do us any good for you to drop in for a few nights and then run out again!"
Sully dropped down on his knees and grabbed her shoulders. "Abby, look at me. We didn't think that Boston would be the right place for you to grow up, around the trials and everything else going on. Ya would have never had a normal life there. But there's people here that love ya so much and want the best for ya."
Abby's shoulder's slumped, her fire fading as her voice began to crack ever so slightly, "But we still didn't get to be with you. I didn't know what happened to Katie for the longest time. I thought she was dead. I thought—"
"Come here, babygirl. Come here." Sully held out his arms for Abagail, and she completely crumbled in them. Katie stepped up slowly behind them, and put her hand on Abagail's back.
She looked in Sully's eyes and whispered, "Hesta eonenêšeotse."
"How do I fix it?" He whispered back.
"Tosa'e netao'setsêhe'ohtse?" She answered simply.
Sully nodded, looking between his two girls. Loren was right. They needed their mother. They needed to be a family again, despite everything. They would leave for Boston tomorrow.
1863
Dr. Hanson stood on the doorstep of the Quinn's estate the next morning. He tried to find some measure of guilt in his heart for bringing the authorities with him, but truly, it wasn't there. Martha finally opened the door, and her face completely dropped when she saw the police with Dr. Hanson.
"May I help you, sir?" She asked nervously. After everything Dr. Mike had done for her sister, there was no way she would allow this man to hurt her beloved mistress now.
"I've come to check on a patient, your mistress, madam. If you will kindly step aside." Martha looked at Dr. Hanson wide eyed, not knowing what to do in this situation.
"Sir, I—I…"
"Step aside, madam, please!" Dr. Hanson barged through the door with two burly police officers by his side. They stormed the stairs and rounded the corner, pushing into Michaela's bedroom.
The bed was empty.
"Excuse me, sir!" Elizabeth Quinn bellowed from the hallway. "Just what do you think you are doing in my house?"
Dr. Hanson turned around, flabbergasted to see the matriarch looking so stately and in control. "Where did your daughter go, Mrs. Quinn?"
"I have no idea what you mean, Dr. Hanson."
"Your daughter! Your daughter! The one who was shot! The one who had that hooligan of a man hovering over her and that darky! You know the one!"
"Well, I can assure you, Dr. Hanson, that we entertain no such persons in this house. Now, if you will kindly leave, I have several things to attend to."
"Oh! So now you remember that your husband's dead! How very convenient!"
Elizabeth turned slowly and looked at him, tears grazing the corners of her eyes as she blinked several times, not quite grasping the meaning of his words. "What did you say?"
"I said your husband's dead! He's dead, Mrs. Quinn! You can stop putting on this ridiculous, phony act!" As Dr. Hanson began chuckling maliciously, one of the officers pulled him back slowly, once he noticed the lost expression on Elizabeth's face.
"Stop it, sir. Stop it now… She doesn't know…" He whispered vehemently. Elizabeth's face lost all color, and the light dropped from her eyes as her knees buckled out from under her. Dr. Hanson's laughter dissipated quickly as the policemen rushed to Elizabeth's side, trying to revive her, as the missing daughter was completely forgotten.
"Now, you two just rest here, and me and Miss Ab'gail are gonna take care of everythin', ain't that right?" Robert E said as optimistically as possible as he took Abby by the hand and walked towards the dining cart on the train.
As Robert E led the way, Abby looked back towards her parents, who were frighteningly quiet in the car. Had anything good come out of this trip? She didn't know the answer.
Michaela slowly opened her eyes and looked up to Sully. She swallowed hard. "I didn't get to say goodbye… After everything, I didn't even get the chance to tell him I loved him one last time."
He caressed the side of her face, comforting her. "He knew… After all, he gave us his blessing. It was one of the last things he did."
Michaela nodded, closing her eyes, thinking of their early morning departure, and the expression on Elizabeth's face. It was haunting. "I hate leaving mother now."
Sully leaned over and kissed her forehead, wishing there was something more he could do. "I know. But we couldn't stay. There was something not right about that doctor. I didn't trust him."
She found his hand and laced it through hers in the air. "I understand."
He looked down in her drooping eyes. "How do you feel?"
"Tired. Every time I move…" Michaela stopped speaking for a moment, grimaced and looked in Sully's eyes. "Sully?"
"Yeah?"
She paused, her eyes clouded and her voice searching, "Did David tell you what happened?"
Sully shook his head slowly. "No… He just said that three bullets were fired from the gun you were holding."
Michaela whispered nervously, "Oh."
"Michaela?"
His hand ran back and forth over her forehead, creating a gently, lulling sensation, searching, searching…"Do you want to tell me what happened?"
"Sully…"
He continued, reaching, searching, caressing, "It's ok… You can tell me anything."
Her voice was haunted, lost, so lost, searching for lost time, as she whispered, "Sully, it's not that. I… I just don't remember."
Cheyenne Translations: navo'êstanemofamily, Neho'e!My father, Ehaneour father, Hesta eonenêšeotse Her heart is broken, Tosa'e netao'setsêhe'ohtse Where are you going?
Chapter 30
1863
Days passed, and soon, January was a forgotten memory. With the wagon destroyed, and blockades surrounding the door into the frontier, they had no choice but to travel on foot. They moved cautiously, the beauty of the mid-west often clashing with the horror of war as they crawled across the plains. Despite weeks passing, Michaela did not improve. In fact, she seemed to be growing weaker. She was determined to make it back to Colorado Springs, but no one could ignore her ghostly pallor or the fine sheen of sweat splayed over her face.
Her head was heavy against Sully's shoulder as they neared the Kansas border, the February chill biting and unforgiving, as they clung to each other, as she tried to hold on to wakefulness.
But the ground beneath them began to shake, and she felt Sully pulling her off the main road as the sound of hooves amplified and became more pronounced, more foreboding. She held onto Sully's shirt as they ducked into the trees, and he pulled her closer to him. She had never felt like this before. The area around the bullet still ached, yes, but the rest of her body simply cried out for sleep. She nestled into Sully's neck as the riders' approached. Perhaps if she only closed her eyes for a little while…
As Michaela's body went limp in Sully's arms, he lost his footing, and slid down further into the ravine. Abagail gasped and gripped Robert E's shirt as her mother collapsed. He quickly put his hand over her mouth, muffling her noise.
But it was too late. Two horses stopped abruptly in the middle of the road, and suddenly a gun fired high in the sky.
"Alrighty!" Shouted a distinctly Southern female voice, "We know someone's out there! Now you just show ya faces before I make gravy stew out of ya insides, ya here!"
Relief swept over Sully. Thank God it wasn't the army or dog soldiers. Robert E and Sully looked at each other. Robert E slowly took his hand away from Abagail's mouth, and Sully proceeded to lift Michaela in his arms.
"We're comin' out!" Robert E called back.
"We don't gots guns!" Abagail echoed as they stepped up through the trees.
"Oh my word!" The second woman lifted her gun and peered closely at the fair skinned little girl clinging tightly to the black man. "You are the spittin' image of—"
She nearly dropped her reigns when Sully emerged from the trees with Michaela in his arms. She immediately jumped off her horse and went to them. "My God, Sully? Is it really you?"
Sully nodded as he looked into her questioning eyes, too worried about Michaela to offer any explanations at the moment. He dropped to his knees, cradling Michaela's head in his arms. "She needs help, Miss Olive."
Olive looked up to her companion. "Grace, get down here and give me a hand." Olive frowned, knowing there was more trouble here than she wanted, but she felt the young woman's pale face anyway. "She ain't runnin' a fever, Sully. How long has she been been out?"
"Just a minute or two." All of a sudden, Michaela moaned slightly, and her eyes fluttered.
"Sully?" She whispered softly, as she faded in and out of consciousness.
"Shhh…" Sully kissed her forehead, unaware of the raised brow of Miss Olive. "It's gonna be alright now. We're almost home."
"Is Mama gonna be k?" Abagail asked as she slid down from Robert E's arms. Olive's face dropped suddenly, remembering the last day she saw her niece, when Abagail told her that she was going to have a baby. She had been so happy, so hopeful. And now…?
"Miss Sully?" Michaela reached for Abagail's little hand and took it in hers. Abagail scooted close to Michaela, nestling by her side.
"I here, Mama," Abagail looked in Sully's eyes, smiling reassuringly. "Papa and I are gonna take good care of ya."
It was then that Miss Olive realized she was looking at a new family. It didn't seem right. Abagail was supposed to be in that picture, not this strange woman.
As Grace felt the tension radiating off of Miss Olive, she broke away from the group, moving back to her horse and supplies. As she began unloading her cooking supplies, she noticed the other man looking equally as awkward among the group. She caught his dark eyes and smiled saucily. He smiled back, and she could have sworn they were thinking the same exact thing.
He meandered over to her, holding her eyes across the horse. "Ya need any help, miss?"
"I was gonna make us all somethin' to eat, considerin' you have a fainter over there, and I suspect Miss Olive wants to catch up with her friends. There's nothin' like a good meal to get people talkin'."
Robert E nodded and raised his brows as well as his voice. "Oh, I suspect there's a wealth of information to be had 'bout Dr. Mike and Sully."
Grace took out a skillet as well as a small bag of flour. "A lady doctor? Really?"
"Yeah. Ain't that something?" They walked over to a small clearing by the side of the road. Robert E began to pick up small kindling all around while Grace assorted her cooking supplies.
"We just come from St. Louis, where I heard the most horrible story about a lady doctor." Grace said over her shoulder.
Robert E froze and stood up cautiously. "Ya did?"
"Oh, I can't even talk about it—it was just awful! I hardly believe it, to tell ya the truth." Grace shook her head, shivering at the thought of it.
Robert E stopped picking up sticks and stepped closer to her, his heart suddenly pounding and all of his senses on fire. "Do they know what happened to the doctor?"
Grace shrugged as she stirred a biscuit mixture in a bowl. "I suppose the authorities are after her. Who knows. It's probably just all talk and foolishness."
Robert E knew the discussion was over. He knew it would be risky to pry any further, so he dropped the sticks he had gathered in a pile and sat down beside her. "Well, why don't I help ya with dinner, miss?"
"I never let anyone touch my food," she said dryly, before a slow smile spread across her face, "but ya can certainly keep me company."
1873
The pink calico dress felt strange against her skin. She missed the soft, worn leather terribly, but she could never tell Abby that, after such generosity of spirit. Katie looked in the mirror, touching the soft blonde ringlets, no longer in straight braids. Her eyes were her father's, but she did not know who the rest of her face belonged to. She could not remember. What if her mother did not remember either?
She swallowed nervously and walked towards the bedroom door. She would know in seven days.
Abagail stood anxiously by the stagecoach as they loaded their luggage. She felt as if the whole town was watching.
Her grandfather stood on the store porch, watching with a disgruntled look on his face. She knew that he didn't want her to go. He never had.
And then there was another set of eyes that she didn't dare to look at. Brian was standing in front of the boarding house, watching her intently.
Charlotte stepped outside and stopped immediately when she saw her boy frozen in place and his eyes glued on the pretty young girl in the yellow taffeta dress whom she barely recognized as Abagail Sully, being so dressed up.
She had never seen such a hopeless expression on Brian's face before. She knew she shouldn't interfere, but she couldn't help herself. Slowly, she sashayed up behind him and leaned over his shoulder. "Ain't ya gonna say goodbye to Abby?"
"I don't think she wants me to," Brian said glumly.
"Brian, you two have been terrorizin' this town since ya were in diapers. Of course she wants to say goodbye to ya!"
"Ya don't understand, ma," Brian looked down, finally breaking his gaze from Abagail. All he could see was the expression on her face when she pushed away from him.
Charlotte put her hands on his shoulders, giving him a good squeeze. "Well, even if I don't understand, I certainly know this. Sometimes what a girl says don't give any indication of what really lies in her heart."
"Really?" Brian looked over his shoulder into her eyes. Charlotte grinned and winked quickly before walking back inside.
Katie walked down the stairs of the store, and she met her father's eyes with a wary uncertainty. A smile spread across Sully's face as he watched his baby girl come towards him. She smiled self-consciously at him, and he couldn't help but see Michaela in her shy gestures.
He held out his hand for her, and she took it. "Emo'onahe," he said softly to her. As he began to lead her towards the door, she froze, her eyes worried and bare to him. "Ee'tohtahe," she whispered.
Sully squeezed her hand and pulled her close to him. "It's gonna be alright, Kates. She knows your spirit. She'd know you anywhere."
Brian took a deep breath and walked across the street towards the stagecoach. He knew exactly what he needed to say. Hopefully he wouldn't lose his nerve.
"Now, I've made ya favorite for the trip. And in return, you better send Dr. Mike all our love, ya here?" Grace ordered bossily, trying to keep herself from getting emotional.
"What would I do without you and Robert E?" Abagail threw her arms around Robert E and Grace. Robert E squeezed her shoulder and their eyes met. He was more than just a friend—he was like a second father.
"I've got a feelin', Abby. You'll bring her home." She nodded. If she could believe anyone, it was Robert E.
Suddenly Grace cleared her throat and elbowed Robert E in the ribs. "Looks like someone else wants to say goodbye."
Abby frowned at their strange expressions and turned around quizzically. Brian was standing there with a wildflower in his hand. "I…um… just wanted to tell ya…I'm sorry bout the other day and…"
Brian glanced nervously to the store where Mr. Bray was eyeing them like a hawk. He could feel his ma's eyes behind him; he didn't even have to look. Robert E and Grace were trying to be discreet, but it was obvious they were staring too. And just his luck, Sully and Katie just walked out of the store.
"And what, Brian?" Abagail asked, her face blushing as she felt everyone's eyes surrounding her.
"And I just want ya to know…" Brian took a deep breath, forcing himself to stop staring at the hemline of her dress and look into her eyes. "I'll wait for ya."
Brian held out the flower for her, and she stared at it. Her hands slid down to the yellow taffeta, crinkling the fabric in her hand. A few seconds turned into a few moments, and eyes began flashing around the town, one more concerned than the next, none of them knowing how to save these children from such a crushing moment.
When Brian didn't lower his hand and when she didn't take the flower, Sully quickly stepped up to the stagecoach and helped Katie inside. He stood by the door, and glanced between the two young people guiltily. He never thought it would go this far. His daughter was afraid to love.
"Abby, it's time."
Abagail quickly moved away from her lock with Brian and rushed into the stagecoach. Sully looked at the boy. He finally lowered his hand.
"Goodbye Brian," Sully said as gently as he could. Brian only nodded. He didn't even look at Sully.
Sully jumped onto the stagecoach. Abagail had her face buried in Katie's lap, and Katie was gently rubbing her back. "Hey, hey…" Sully soothed as pent-up sobs escaped her lips. "It's gonna be alright, Abby."
"No it's not! I was so mean and nasty to him. Why did he have to go ruin everythin'?" Sully picked her off of Katie's lap as he smoothed her dark ringlets down.
"Brian likes ya, sweetheart. He's always liked ya. There's nothing wrong with that. And it's ok if you like him too."
"I don't wanna like him. Likin' people just makes ya miserable. Look at you and mama!"
"We've had some tough times… That's true, Abby. But I wouldn't know what happiness was if it wasn't for ya ma… I would have gone on bein' miserable the rest of my life, alone probably. Ya wanna let people in, even if ya might get hurt. Even if people ain't there sometimes, they can still love ya… like ya ma in heaven… I know she still loves us, even if she can't be with us anymore. It's worth it, Abby."
Abby sat in silence for a moment, taking in his words. Suddenly, they were jolted backwards, and the stage was off. When she leaned up again, she looked hesitantly between Katie and Sully but then made her decision. She suddenly screamed, "Stop the coach!"
But the coach didn't stop, despite the volume of her voice.
Sully suddenly banged on the side of the door as hard as he could. "Hey driver! We need to stop the coach!"
But the stage kept going and the buildings and stores kept passing them by. Abby looked panicked as she screamed again, and Sully opened the side door and leaned out, "Hey, ya gotta stop the coach for my girl!"
Suddenly out of nowhere, Katie let out the most high-pitched, piercing scream imaginable, like a Cheyenne warrior about to go into battle, and the stage came to an abrupt halt.
Abagail quickly jumped to her feet and scurried out of the stage coach. She looked back down the street and Brian was still standing there with the wildflower in his hand. He hadn't given up on her yet.
She looked back to Sully and said softly, "I'll just be a minute, Papa."
Sully nodded and smiled. He turned back to Katie, who was sitting calmly in the corner of the coach. She looked at him through the corner of her eye, and a faint grin appeared in the corner of her mouth. She had the soul of an Indian chief, but when she wanted something done, she fought like a warrior.
As Abagail ran the last few steps back to Brian, her bonnet flew off and sent her ringlets running wild again. She stood in front of him, out of breath and panting. Brian's eyes lit up again, and he held up the flower for her to take. Her hand lingered on his as she took it slowly.
Everybody was watching them again, but they didn't seem to notice this time.
"I should go," she said, as she finally took the wildflower.
"I meant it, Abby," Brian whispered, his blue eyes soft and open to her.
She frowned slightly at his lost, love-sick look. "You… want me to kiss ya, don't ya?"
Suddenly broken out of his haze, Brian couldn't help but smirk self-consciously. "I…um…told ya… I can wait."
She narrowed her eyes, hiding her knowing grin. "Can not."
He shook his head, trying not to give her the satisfaction of knowing. "Can too."
"Abby! This stage ain't gonna wait forever!" Sully called back down the road.
Brian sighed, knowing the moment was gone, and took her hand in his. "I guess I'll see ya when you get back."
"Ok…" She nearly pouted, knowing that time was slipping away. "Just don't go do anythin' fun while I'm gone."
"I'll try not too." Slowly, she let go of his hand, and ran back towards the stagecoach, trying not to look back, but doing it anyway. He was still standing there, watching her leave. Smiling. Waiting.
She looked at Sully as she got back in the coach. "Did I do ok?"
Sully sighed and put his arms around Abby and Katie. "Abby, it is safe to say that ya have that poor boy spinnin' in circles around ya."
Sully kissed the top of Abby's head and then Katie's. "Well, at least I don't have to worry about ya yet, Miss Katie."
Katie smiled slightly but looked away from her father's eyes. As the buildings of town began to disappear, she peered out the window, and looked towards the Colorado Mountains, wondering where he was, where he was, where he was…
1863
Olive watched Michaela and Abagail across the fire. Grace raised her eyebrows at her as she handed her friend a cup of coffee. "Ya might actually try speakin' to her, Miss Olive."
"What for?" Olive said as she took a sip of coffee.
"Well, seems to me… she loves that little girl an awful lot. That's somethin', ain't it?" Olive watched as Michaela crinkled up her nose as she said something to Abagail, and the little girl covered her mouth, burying her face in Michaela's shoulder in a fit of giggles.
"She's a stranger, Grace. And she's raisin' my niece's child. I just don't feel right about it." Olive took another sip of coffee and kept watching. She didn't know what, but something had to be done.
"So ya think they're after us?" Sully whispered to Robert E. They had walked deeper into the woods to gather more wood, while the ladies cleaned up after supper.
"I don't know if it could even be the same story, but it's awful coincidental, don't ya think?"
Sully stood still for a moment, looking at the giant trees surrounding them. "Then maybe goin' back to Colorado Springs ain't the best idea."
Robert E sighed, looking up at the starry night through the leaves. "Well, where else can ya go? Dr. Mike's ain't exactly the most inconspicuous woman I ever met in my life."
Sully almost smiled. "No she ain't. We'll have to come up with a plan. Tonight."
All of a sudden, the trees began to thrash around them and a piercing warrior cry burst through as an arrow sliced through Robert E's arm.
He dropped to the ground and Sully immediately gripped his tomahawk, turning in the darkness, looking for their predator.
And then the warrior stood before him, a single patch covering his eye. His name was One Eye.
Emo'onaheBeautiful, Ee'tohtaheform of afraid (I'm afraid)