Michaela cleaned and aired the examination room and then went back to look after Sully and Hannah. She tentatively opened the door. The little girl had fallen asleep in her father's arms. Sully's eyes were closed as well but it wasn't obvious if he slept or just rested. Michaela waited a moment and when he didn't stir, she decided she could leave them alone for some minutes. She had to talk to Dorothy Jennings.
When the doctor entered the mercantile a few moments later, she spotted the red-haired woman in the back behind the display of books. With determination Michaela went to her and began. "Mrs. Jennings, we have to set some things straight and I think Loren should be here, too. Where is he?"
Dorothy wasn't impressed in the least. "I won't speak about family affairs with a stranger, Dr. Quinn. And as for Loren, I haven't seen him down here for days. He said he wants to stay for himself for a while."
Instantly, Michaela was worried. That didn't sound like Loren. "How long has he been this way?"
But Dorothy cut her off. "That's his decision to handle his grief, nothing for you to be concerned about."
Michaela took a deep breath. This woman was starting to annoy her. "Well, I disagree. I will go and look after him." With that, she pivoted and started to walk up the stairs.
Putting her hand on top of Michaela's on the railing and looking up at her, Dorothy made clear what she meant. "A woman shouldn't tell a man what he has to do and what not."
In response, a frosty gaze shot from Michaela's two distinctly different coloured eyes. "Then we are lucky. I'm not here as a woman. I'm a doctor." Freeing her hand from the other woman's grasp, she continued to go up the stairs.
Since Dorothy still had some more steps to make before she could ascend as well, Michaela reached the bedroom of the storekeeper first. Lightly knocking on the door, she announced, "It's me, Loren. I'm coming in now."
Entering the room, the doctor was instantly alarmed. The curtains were closed and it was stuffy. Loren sat on a chair next to the bed and stared straight ahead without seeing anything. His breakfast was still on the nightstand, untouched. Michaela's heart went out to the old man. She sat down on the edge of the bed and took one of his hands in hers. "Loren…"
Hearing her soft voice, it was as if he woke up from a dream. He turned his head to look at her. "Dr. Mike, I..." His voice was hoarse. Averting his eyes, he fell silent again.
Michaela squeezed his hand. "What is it, Loren? Tell me." Her tone was soothing and that was his undoing. The tears he had held back all the days since the funeral finally found their way out. First they just rolled down his face, but then the dam burst and his whole body began to shake. Michaela pulled him into a comforting embrace and assured, "It is alright, Loren. Just let it out."
Between suppressed sobs, the widower said in a wavering voice, "She ain't… coming back… never…"
Michaela swayed back and forth with him. "I'm so sorry… I'm terribly sorry…"
Dorothy still stood on the treshold of the bedroom door, gaping at the scene before her. She had never seen her brother-in-law that way. What should she do? She couldn't let the doctor take over. This was her, Dorothy Jennings', home now. Clearing her throat she began, "Well, Dr. Quinn, I'm sure we can manage without you…" But neither the doctor nor her brother-in-law listened to her.
Eventually regaining his composure, Loren leant back. "I'm all alone, Dr. Mike. First Abigail and now my wife…"
Michaela smiled at him. "There is still a little girl who loves you very much. And she is eager to see her grandpa as soon as you are ready for it."
This was Dorothy's cue. "Speaking about the child, I would say she should come home to her real family now."
Michaela had enough. Giving Loren's hand a final gentle squeeze, she straightened. Looking the red-haired woman directly into the eyes, she didn't hold back with her opinion. "If you were her real family, Mrs. Jennings, you would care for more than just Hannah's appearance. You would consider her feelings and try to help her through life and not make it worse with thoughtless remarks about her mother. And what makes you think you are more of a family for her than her own father? He already built a home for his daughter, there is no need for a new one."
The women stared at each other, neither giving an inch. Eventually Dorothy replied, "Here the child would have a grandfather and an aunt who are always there for her. Always, Dr. Quinn. Not only during a break between two patients or when the father is not running away for once." With that, Dorothy stooped speaking, her expression triumphant. These were the arguments the doctor couldn't beat.
To both of the women's surprise Loren spoke. "Aw, Dorothy, leave her be. Dr. Mike is right. Hannah is doing fine where she is. And Sully just took off again because,"…He had to pause for a moment to find the strength for his next words. "Because he was reminded of Abby and that was too much…" The old man's tears came back. Michaela instantly stepped to him and laid her hand gently on his shoulder. "Loren, Hannah is in the clinic with Sully. I think it would be good if you came with me to see her. I know that she missed you terribly this morning when she was here. And the fresh air would be good for you as well. What do you think?"
Although Dorothy didn't like how the doctor took things in her hands again, she didn't say anything this time. Loren's words had given her an idea.
Sully sat on a chair on the porch of his homestead. With closed eyes he relished the warm sun on his face.
"Sully!" Her voice was soft, exactly the way he remembered it.
"Sully, wake up! We have to talk." Her tone became more insistent.
"Uhm…" He didn't dare to open his eyes. It couldn't be true, he had to be dreaming.
"You don't have to be afraid, just look at me." Sully sensed her impatience and eventually complied. His gaze fell right into a sea of sparkling blue. He immediately tensed up.
"Shh, there's nothing to worry about. You can have your family back, you know that." Her expression became seductive and she caressed his face.
Sully shook his head. Doing so, he looked over her shoulder and saw Michaela approaching. Panic began to rise inside of him and he tried to get rid of her hands. But the woman bent towards him and he felt a gentle peck on his lips.
"It's gonna be alright, you will see." She leant back and smiled at him.
But Sully's eyes searched for the woman he loved. He didn't have even the slightest doubt about his love for her anymore. When he saw her figure leave the yard, he called out, "Michaela!"
His face was showered with tiny kisses now and a little voice begged, "Pa, wake up! Papa!"
With great difficulty, Sully forced his eyes open and his gaze fell upon his daughter's face. A dream. It had been a dream. He took a deep breath to steady his heartbeat.
Hannah was frightened. Her Pa had started tossing and turning in bed a few minutes ago. She had tried to soothe him. Maybe her hands weren't big enough to stroke his cheeks because after she did so, it became even worse. When he had called for her Ma she had done what her Ma always did when she had a bad dream, she had given him a lot of kisses. Now her Pa was awake, but the way he stared at her made her wish her Ma was here.
At this moment the door was tentatively opened. Michaela's smile faded when she saw the confusion on the faces in front of her. She hurried towards the bed and took care of Hannah first. Lifting her into her arms, she asked, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
The first tears began to roll when she little girl answered, "Pa had bad deam." Burying her face in her mother's chest, she began to cry.
Sully felt terrible. After rising from the bed as well, he stroked his daughter's back and tried to calm her. "I'm sorry, sweet girl. I didn't mean to frighten you." His voice cracked.
Michaela knew she had to act quickly or they all would be in tears very soon. Turning towards the door, she called, "Loren, come in please. Here is a little girl that wants to see you!"
Seeing her grandpa, Hannah's face immediately lit up. "Go walk?"
Michaela was relieved that her daughter seemed to be alright again. "That is a splendid idea, sweetheart. Sunshine and the fresh air will be good for both of you."
Looking at her Pa, Hannah hesitated. Sensing her fear, Michaela assured, "I will take care of your Pa."
After Loren and Hannah had left for a stroll across the meadow, Michaela paid all her attention to Sully. He had leant back again and covered his eyes with one hand. His chest rose and fell far too quickly. She knew he was crying and didn't want her to see it. "Sully, I will leave you alone again. I'm in the examination room. If you want me to come back, just call."
"Please don't leave," he said, gripping her arm with his free hand. His voice was thick with emotion. "I'll be fine in a moment."
The doctor assured him. "It's alright, Sully. I'll make you some more tea and be back in a minute." He let go of her arm.
After Michaela had left the room, Sully rose from the bed. He stepped to the window and looked out without noticing what he saw. His heart still raced. Cloud Dancing had taught him that dreams were the spirits telling either of things from the past or the future. It must have been a future dream, but he didn't understand it. Abigail couldn't return to him, that's for sure. But Michaela had left. He couldn't let that happen. Whatever that dream wanted to tell him, he had to make sure that she stayed. But how? And then he knew it. If she agreed, they would have made a commitment to each other. She already knew that he never broke his word and she never would either.
The doctor returned from the examination room with a fresh cup of camomile tea. She hoped it would soothe Sully's nerves. When she entered, he was still standing at the window, but he immediately turned around when he heard her. Michaela placed the cup on top of the nightstand. "Do you want to lie down again, Sully? This tea could help…" She grew silent when she saw him shaking his head.
He stepped to her and took her hands in his. Looking down on them, Sully inhaled deeply. "Michaela, I know I've made many mistakes. I know I even hurt ya. But one's for sure…" He swallowed hard and lifted his head to look at her face. She averted her eyes but didn't move away from him. "Michaela, I never meant for those things to happen. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
Hearing that, she couldn't help but smile. "A promise?" Looking up at him, she raised an eyebrow. Encouraged by her almost playful gesture, his hopes rose that she wouldn't turn him down. Smiling back at her, Sully assured, "A promise. And there is more." Pausing again, he tried to pluck up the courage to ask the vital question. Beads of sweat were forming on his forehead and his hands began to shake.
Michaela grew concerned. "What is it, Sully? You can tell me."
Hearing her gentle voice he finally blurted it out, "I'd like to start courting. Would you?"
Michaela was stunned. What should she do? There were still a hundred of questions and problems. What about Flying Sun? What about Wells, would he go back? They still hadn't talked about any of it. But looking up at him again, she was mesmerized by what she saw. His eyes were shining in the purest blue she'd ever seen. His gaze penetrated hers and when he reached her soul, Michaela knew if she said yes, she would expose it to him. Was she ready for that step? When she watched his eyes darkening, she knew that he had given her his soul by asking this question as well. A smile lightened her face when she told him, "I would like that, too."
Sully heart skipped a beat. She had said yes! With a flowing move he pulled her into his arms. Now he could start his life again. Burying his face in her hair he whispered, "You ain't gonna regret that. I promise."
They stood for a while in a tight embrace, both of them lost in their own thoughts. He swore to himself to never let her go again and she prayed she had made the right decision. Bending back at the same moment to look at each other, their smiles met. Hers was shy and his was happy. Both knew they would kiss now. Although it wasn't for the first time, Sully's heart began to race again. They were courting and her lips were his! Michaela felt her knees wavering, but she could allow herself being weak because his strong hands were hers now! Sully bowed his head and Michaela lifted her face. They gazed at each other adoringly and when their lips finally touched, both closed their eyes and got carried away in the new feeling of oneness.
They didn't know yet that in just a few days Sully's nightmare would come true.