She had tried to reason with Loren, she really had. But all he had said was, "Aw Dorothy, just leave them be. They are doing fine." After Loren didn't get ready to support her in bringing his grandchild back home, Dorothy decided to take matters in her own hands. The child should grow up in stable surroundings. Since she, Dorothy Jennings, was determined to stay with her brother-in-law, the mercantile would be the perfect place to raise the girl. Only God knew where Hannah's father was right now, after running away again. At Grace's Café, she had heard that he either lived with the Indians or in the woods. What a father, that poor child! She couldn't understand why Loren had agreed in letting the lady doctor take Hannah in. He had told her that Dr. Mike often gave his granddaughter away when she thought she'd rather work then be a mother. Finding the girl in the care of just another girl this morning, Dorothy knew she was right. Knowing by experience with her own three children how to treat a toddler, she would first spoil Hannah a little to make her feel at ease with her. Although only after a few hours with her niece's daughter, she had to admit that she was a well-bred cute little thing, but some improvements needed to be made . For example, something should be done about these wild curls bouncing around with every move of the child's little head. It must be quite a task to comb them out in the evening!
Dorothy placed Hannah on top of the counter. "You know what? We should do something with your hair. It is far too long to wear it the way you do."
Hannah was puzzled. First she had thought it was nice that the red-haired woman took her to the mercantile. She had told her that grandpa wanted her to come, though he wasn't there yet. Then the woman had said she could call her aunt Dorothy. Having a new aunt was nice as well, but she began to feel uncomfortable. She didn't want all that candy. Ma had explained that this wasn't good for her appetite right before lunch. And what was wrong with her hair? "I want hair like Ma."
Dorothy was surprised. They had told her about her mother? "Well, your Ma had beautiful long black hair when she was your age, but she didn't wear it open. Your grandma always plaited it. We should do that with your hair, too."
Hannah hesitantly nodded. If her Ma had it that way then it was alright with her. The only thing that didn't sound right was about the black hair. She didn't know all the colors yet, but wasn't her Ma's hair brown?
When Michaela and Sully entered the examining room, it was already steamy. Matthew had filled the bath tub with hot water. The doctor ordered, "Please, take off your clothes, and in the meantime I will add some herbs to the water."
Sully hesitated. Did she really want him to shed his entire garb? He was sure she hadn't thought about it carefully about what she'd just said, but since she was the doctor, he would gladly comply. Grinning to himself despite the still lingering headache, he began to take off his jacket and shirt.
After Michaela had mixed dried lavender into the water, she straightened and turned towards Sully. She didn't look at his face but noticed his bare chest. Having not seen the scar for a while, she stepped closer to him. She laid one hand lightly against his chest. Probing the almost white line with the fingertips of the other hand, the doctor was pleased. "It looks really good, Sully. I'm glad…"
Michaela was startled when he grasped her hands. "What…"
Sully cut her off. "It's not such a good idea when you touch me like that."
Michaela instantly protested, "I'm just examining your scar, Sully." But when she looked up at his face, she stopped talking. His blue eyes were burning with desire and she now noticed that his breathing had quickened. Blushing heavily, she took a step back. She suddenly became aware that she stood in front of the half-naked man who could arouse such feelings within her she'd never known before. And right now they all came back to her. For a few moments she couldn't help herself but stare at his broad chest that was covered with slightly curled fine hair. How would it feel to…Instantly forbidding herself such thoughts she stepped back from him further. "I'm …uh…Well…" She swallowed and averted her eyes. "Well, I hope you have everything you need, I better go now." Hastily, she left the room.
Sully heaved a sigh of relief. That was close. He didn't want to scare her. Their relationship was much too fragile for that at the moment. Taking a few deep breaths, he eventually continued taking off his clothes so he could finally take his bath.
After Michaela left Sully, she hurried towards the mercantile. Colleen had come back without Hannah, informing that Miss Dorothy said the child would now stay with her and Loren. "The child! And who did she think she was to make such a decision?" Although silently fuming about these words, Michaela tried to keep her anger under control.
Reaching the fire tower, she suddenly remembered that the stagecoach would be here any minute. Well, she was sure that Mr. James would wait if she didn't make it on time to meet him here. Finally entering the mercantile, she was stunned for a moment. Hannah sat on a chair behind the counter, her hands folded in her lap and her fair hair hanging down in neatly plaited braids on either side of her head. It was as if there sat a strange child.
That fleeting impression instantly vanished because now her little girl climbed down from her seat and rushed towards her. Michaela stooped down to pick her up. Hannah instantly buried her face in the crook of her Ma's neck, sighing contentedly. Michaela chuckled. "I'm glad to see you too, sweetheart."
Their moment was broken by Dorothy who indignantly stated, "That's hard to believe after you left her alone all morning."
The doctor knew she had to stay calm for Hannah's sake. "Well, I wouldn't call it alone when she is with her best friend in the clinic."
However, Dorothy was ready for the battle. "And I wouldn't say that a clinic is a proper place for a child to stay at all."
While attempting to keep her temper under control, Michaela suddenly became aware that Hannah held a strand of her almost coppery shimmering hair and intensely looked at it. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
The little girl frowned. "That no back, right?"
"No, it is rather brown. Why do you think it should be black?"
"Aunt Dorthy said."
Dorothy impatiently corrected. "I told you that you mother had black hair. Dr. Mike is not your mother, Hannah."
Instantly Michaela and the child in her arms tensed up. Because Michaela couldn't allow herself to speak out loud what she wanted to say right now, she just silenced Dorothy with a furious glare. Bending back she searched for her little girl's gaze. Seeing the frightened look in the blue eyes, she hastily assured, "Of course I am your Ma. I always will be. You know that, right?" She felt Hannah relax. Clutching her daughter against her chest she whispered, "And I have a surprise for you."
Leaning back to see her mother's face, the little girl asked expectantly, "Surpise for me? Is good?"
Michaela smiled. "Well, let's see. The surprise is in the clinic, taking a bath right now. Although he has a terrible headache he wants to see and hug you."
"Pa back!" Hannah squealed in excitement.
Her Ma laughed and added, "We will go to him right after we meet a new friend. How does that sound?" She had heard the stage coach arriving and knew it was time to go.
In the meantime Dorothy was ready to resume their argument. "What kind of mother would…"
But Michaela cut her off. "Do you really think we should discuss that at this moment? My daughter and I are going now." Kissing her little girl's temple she told her, "Say good by to aunt Dorothy, sweetheart."
The emphasis on the word aunt was only audible for the adults. Forcing a smile on her face when Hannah waved her greeting, Dorothy promised, "We are not done here, Dr. Quinn."
With Hannah still in her arms, Michaela stepped up to Mr. James. He looked exactly the way she remembered him, tall and handsome. His smile was kind as it was when they've met the last time. "It's very nice to see you again, Dr. Quinn." He didn't try to shake her hand but lightly tipped the little girl's nose. "And it's nice to meet you as well."
Putting her index finger in her mouth, Hannah shyly turned away. Chris laughed good-naturedly. "It seems she is careful with her acquaintances."
Michaela couldn't remember the last time when she had felt so relaxed in the presence of a man, maybe she never had before. Her eyes sparkled when she introduced, "This is my daughter Hannah." She still reveled in the sound of that word. "Unfortunately her father is sick. We have to return to the clinic as soon as possible and can't accompany you to the schoolhouse as I had planned. I will however come with you to Robert E. He will help you with your luggage."
After they had organized everything with the blacksmith, they headed towards the clinic. Stopping right in front of it, the doctor said her goodbye to the new teacher and apologized again for not having time at the moment.
Mr. James didn't mind. "I understand that you have a patient, and since he is family he is even more important. Please tell Mr. Quinn I hope he will feel better soon." Michaela was in bewilderment. "Mr. Quinn?"
Now the teacher was puzzled. "You said this is your daughter." He gave Hannah a wink which made the little girl giggle. Looking back at Michaela, he added, "And that her father is sick at the clinic. Since you are Dr. Quinn, I concluded that your husband's name is Mr. Quinn. If I'm wrong, I hope you overlook my mistake."
Michaela couldn't help but grin. "Well, I'm glad the teacher of this town is able to draw conclusions, but this time they are wrong. We are not married and the name of Hannah's father is Sully."
"Hmm." It was obvious that he was thinking hard now. Eventually he shrugged. "Okay, I'm giving up. Maybe you can tell me about your relationship later, only if you want of course." Michaela silently added for herself, "If there is one." Out loud she replied, "I hope we can all have dinner together soon."
Before Chris could respond, Hank's deep voice was heard from across the street. "Already a new suitor, Michaela? That's awful quick, all the more for you."
Michaela sighed in exasperation and explained, "This is Hank, he owns the saloon. He likes to be sarcastic, just ignore him."
Chris chuckled, "It rather looks as if he is sweet on you." Michaela's reaction to this was a loud amused laugh. "I've never heard anything more absurd!"
Inside the clinic Sully had heard every word of their talk. After the bath with all the herbs Michaela had added, he felt tired and needed fresh air. That's why he had opened the window. He had never before heard that Michaela called Hannah her daughter. Does that mean what he hoped it would? However, listening to her laughter now he asked himself when it has been the last time that she was cheerful in his presence. He couldn't remember. Maybe it would be better for her if he… Before Sully could finish that thought, the door was carefully opened. Sitting up, he saw his daughter tentatively entering the room. It hurt him to notice the almost apprehensive look on the little face. "Come here, sweet girl," he beckoned.
Hannah still hesitated. Ma had just explained to her that Pa had a terrible headache. That's why he had been in the woods, because it was always quiet there. She wished he had asked her to come with him. She would have helped him and he wouldn't have to be alone.
Hannah had often seen how her Ma straightened up before she started with a difficult task as kneading dough for bread or talking to Mister Hank. So she did the same now and marched to her father's side.
Sully couldn't help but grin when he saw his child walking like a small version of Michaela. Hannah was pleased. Her Pa already smiled. She climbed up the bed and sat down so she was facing him. Taking his large hand in hers she assured, "All be good. We here now."
Sully felt a growing lump in his throat. His voice cracked slightly when he stroke his girl's cheek with the back of his hand. "You sure make me feel better, thanks."
Hannah beamed. When her Pa was well again, they had to talk. It was not good for him to be alone so often. She slightly shook her head and then sighed. "What I do with you?"
When her Pa chuckled hearing her words, she grinned and slid towards him and made herself comfortable in his arms.
Eventually entering the recovery room as well, Michaela carried a cup of fresh made willow bark tea. Putting it down on the nightstand, she asked concerned, "How are you feeling?"
Before Sully could reply Hannah informed the doctor, "He better. He laughed."
Michaela smiled at her. "And I'm sure that has something to do with you."
Looking at Sully she raised her eyebrows expectantly. "Did the bath help?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I'm quite tired though."
Michaela was satisfied. "Well, actually this was the purpose. You were to relax and since it obviously worked, I suggest a nap is in order. And that little girl beside you can use one as well."
Father and daughter slid down until they lay together. Michaela covered them with the quilt and then she bent over Sully to give Hannah a goodnight kiss. She propped herself up with one hand next to his shoulder. Leaning down she gave her girl a peck and then she lost her balance. For a moment she lay on top of Sully. Hannah giggled delightedly, but Michaela's embarrassment knew no bounds. Hastily trying to get up again she murmured, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
Sully supported her with his hands on her waist. He let them linger there a moment, looking up into her eyes . His tone was soft when he assured her, "No harm done."
Once again unable to move because their eyes were locked, Michaela still hovered over Sully, now with her hands next to either side of his shoulders.
Still giggling, because she thought her Pa and her Ma were so funny, Hannah advised, "Pa need kiss, too."
With an almost cheeky grin Sully confirmed, "Without that kiss I can't go to sleep."
Michaela smiled despite herself and rolled her eyes. "Alright, I will look at it as a treatment."
She bent down to give him a peck on the cheek as well, but Sully turned his head slightly and their lips met. Instantly the already familiar avalanche of feelings engulfed them. Michaela felt his hands pulling her back against him and Sully sensed how her lips grew hungrier. Fortunately the laughter of their daughter brought them back to reality. Finally straightening Michaela said, "I have some cleaning up to do. Sleep well, both of you."
When she reached the door, she glanced back at Sully. He adoringly stared at her. She shyly smiled back and left the room.