Michaela had joined Charlotte and her daughter at their table at Grace's Café a few minutes ago. After they had ordered their meals and got some coffee, the doctor looked expectantly at her friend. The midwife, however, averted her eyes. It was difficult for her to tell Dr. Mike the news. She felt as if she would let her down. Finally, she plucked up the courage and began. "Actually, there are two things, Dr. Mike. The first is that Matthew won't be able to help you at the homestead anymore. He's got a job on a ranch and can only visit us two or three times a month."
Michaela felt Charlotte's discomfort and placed her hand reassuringly on the older woman's hand that nervously clutched the coffee mug. "That's alright. Since Sully is here now, we can manage ourselves. There is no need to worry about that."
Charlotte took a deep breath. "I know. It's just…I don't know how to tell you..."
Sensing that her mother couldn't say it out loud, Colleen stepped in. "We're gonna lose our house, Dr. Mike." The girl's brown eyes were filling with tears when she broke the news.
Michaela was shocked. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Admittedly, she had noticed that her friend's demeanor had slightly changed during the last weeks, but she had thought it was because of the large amount of work the midwife had to manage; there had been a lot of new babies lately… Now that she thought carefully about it, she hadn't seen the Coopers at Grace's Café as often as usual. Michaela was angry with herself. Why hadn't she asked Charlotte about what was wrong earlier? Maybe she would have been able to help. Now a whole family would lose its home…And there was one thought she couldn't banish: What would that mean for her? However, seeing the desperation on the midwife's face, she immediately wanted to comfort her. "Please, tell me what happened, Charlotte, maybe I can help somehow."
While she spoke reassuringly to her friend, Michaela continued to try to digest the information that she'd just been given. As a doctor she needed a clinic, and without the rooms in the former boarding house, she wouldn't have a place to practise. She had to know exactly what was going on and so she reiterated, "Please, tell me. Maybe I can help."
But Charlotte knew that there wasn't any hope left for her. "I got a letter from the bank last week. It says that this time they will foreclose on the house."
Michaela's concern increased and she asked, "This time?"
Charlotte swallowed hard. "When you came into town, I was already struggling to pay the mortgage off. The bank threatened to take my house away for the first time then. Fortunately, the town rented the rooms downstairs for the clinic and that saved me for a while. But now, I'm some months behind again and the bank has demanded payment in full by May 1st or they will take the house back and it will be auctioned…," her voice trailed off.
At this moment Grace served their meals and the three of them began to eat in silence. Michaela's mind raced. If she lost the clinic rooms, it would be difficult for her to find another place for her practice. And what about the Coopers? Where would they live? Then an idea occurred to her and she instantly blurted it out. "I'll hire you as a nurse and give you a salary. So you can pay the mortgage and won't have to leave your home."
Charlotte smiled sadly. "I really appreciate that, Dr. Mike, but there are a few reasons why I can't take that offer. The first and most important one is that you can't pay me enough to help me keep my house. Second, I'm still the midwife for this territory. That means I might not even be at home when you need me. Actually, I've already found a new house at the end of the main street. It's just a small one but since it's only three of us now, that'll do it. And this one I can afford. So don't you worry about us, Dr. Mike. For once, you should think of yourself. I'm so sorry that this is happening, I only hope you can forgive me some time."
Michaela's instant reaction was to reassure her friend. "Oh Charlotte, that's not your fault. I should have paid attention to that problem earlier. It just never crossed my mind that I could lose the ability to practise in your house."
Although, that wasn't the whole truth. When David had come to town and kicked her out of the clinic, she had thought about finding her own rooms. But back then, she wasn't even sure if she would stay in Colorado Springs.
Michaela just picked at her food. She knew she had to make a decision. When she had gone out West one and a half years ago, she hadn't thought about how long she would stay here. They had offered her a job and she needed it, that's why she had come to Colorado. In the meantime, however, she had become very attached to this place. Of course it wasn't only the countryside with its gorgeous landscape. It were the people as well, in fact two very special people…She could try to buy the boarding house but that would mean a permanent decision to stay in Colorado Springs. Was she ready for that? Taking such a step shouldn't depend on feelings but rational thoughts. Well, she hadn't thought about going back to Boston once, now had she? And here she could have a whole building with several recovery rooms, even a separate operation room…she could stay with Hannah…Sully… Just remembering his name made her blush and she guiltily bowed her head. How could she feel happy, thinking about the improvement of her situation and the man she loved when the friend at her side had to endure just another catastrophe in her life?
Charlotte, however, misread the doctor's lowered eyes. Exchanging a concerned look with her daughter who had noticed Dr. Mike's movement as well, she tentatively asked, "Are you alright, Dr. Mike? I'm terribly sorry for doing that to you but I really have no choice."
Michaela instantly looked up in her friends face. "It's alright, Charlotte, really. I was just thinking about my options." She paused for a moment before her next hesitant question. "Are you positive about giving up your house?"
When Charlotte nodded and only said, "Absolutely," the doctor made her decision.
That evening, Michaela sat at her desk in the examination room. She had already finished two letters, the first to the National Bank of Denver and another one to Mr. Henry Goldt who had agreed to be her lawyer after David's death. The most difficult task though, she had kept till the end.
Michaela knew that her mother was still hoping she would "come to her senses" as she liked to write in every single letter. When she would receive Michaela's request to transfer a big part of her inheritance to her account in Denver, Elizabeth Quinn wouldn't just do it without another try to convince her daughter to come back to Boston. She had to make herself absolutely clear so her mother knew once and for all that she had found her new life in Colorado Springs. Michaela was half done with her letter when suddenly the door burst open and an excited Brian stopped in front of her desk, showing her a bunch of catfish. "Look, we were lucky, Dr. Mike!"
Michaela couldn't help but smile about the boy's antics. "Yes, you were; your mother will be pleased."
Brian didn't waste any more time talking to the docter, he wanted to sport his haul to his family and was already out of the back door when Sully and Hannah entered the room. The little girl proudly showed her mother the bunch of flowers she had picked for Mr. James. "Here Ma, for my fiend!"
Michaela got up from her chair and took her daughter from her father's arms into hers. "That's very nice of you, sweetheart. Let's see if he is awake."
Looking back at Sully, she asked expectantly, "Are you coming?"
Sully, however, had seen the started letter and curiosity got the better of him. "Who ya writing?"
Michaela halted in her tracks, explaining, "I need mother to transfer a part of my money so I can buy this building." Seeing the baffled look on his face, she put Hannah down and told her, "Sweetheart, please go to your cot and look and see if Bunny is still sleeping."
As the little girl eagerly complied, Michaela stepped back to Sully. Standing in front of him, she took his hands in hers and looked up in his face. "I'm sorry, I forgot you don't know. Charlotte told me today that the bank will foreclose on this house because she can't pay the loan anymore. She is positive that she doesn't want to do anything to keep the house. Actually, she said she would be happy if I bought it and so I will do that. This building is perfect as a clinic."
Sully couldn't respond right away. When he was with Michaela, he always forgot that she came from another world where people had enough money to just buy a house. He had had to build his homestead with his own hands. Looking down at her beautiful face he wondered again how she could want to be with him. He had nothing to offer but his love. Would that be enough in the long run?
Although Michaela hadn't expected him to fling his arms around her neck when he heard the news, she grew concerned when he didn't react at all. She even thought she could detect a trace of disapproval in his eyes and she didn't know what to think of it. "Sully?" When he didn't answer and looked away, her worry increased. "Sully, if I don't do anything, the bank will auction the house and I don't know if the new owner will continue to rent me my rooms. I need a place where I can practise." He still didn't budge.
Taking a step away from him and releasing his hands, she said quietly, "I had hoped you wanted me to stay here."
Instantly looking back at her, he pulled her into his arms. "Course I do. I'm just surprised, that's all." For a moment, he buried his face in her hair and closed his eyes. Of course he didn't want to lose her.
It was only when Hannah giggled that they finally broke their embrace.
When the family eventually entered his recovery room, Mr. James sat propped up against the pillows on the headboard and was wide awake. Seeing this, Hannah scampered to his bed and as she reached his side, she held the flowers out to him. "For you!"
Chris chuckled about the child's eagerness. "You and your Ma sure make me feel better. Thank you, Hannah." Hearing that she had made her friend happy, the little girl beamed.
"Well, the most of your healing is your doing, Mr. James," Michaela, who stood together with Sully at the end of the bed, pointed out. "In fact, I'm surprised that I could save your foot at all. However, we still have to wait until all the bruises and swellings are down to see if it will function as it should."
Chris looked anxiously at the doctor. "But I will be able to walk again, right?"
Michaela smiled reassuringly. "Even if there are some tendons and nerves destroyed irreparably, you should walk without greater discomfort soon. Well, maybe you won't be able to climb mountains but…"
Shocked when the teacher suddenly hit the quilt with his open palm, the doctor stopped. "What is it, Mr. James?"
Chris felt ashamed that he had startled everyone in the room. Little Hannah had rushed to her mother and was hiding behind her skirt, Dr. Mike gazed at him wide-eyed and Mr. Sully looked at him with raised eyebrows. The teacher swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, I apologize. It is just, well… Mandy will be terribly disappointed."
Michaela and Sully glanced at each other. Turning back to her patient, the doctor attempted to understand him and suggested, "Why don't you tell me what is bothering you, maybe I can allay your fears. And if you'll excuse the question, who is Mandy?"
Chris smiled. "Mandy is my fiancée and I'm the only one who is allowed to call her that. Her first name is Amanda." He paused momentarily and then added, "I'm missing her." Sighing, he turned his head to look out of the window and silence filled the room.
"Amanda is a beautiful name." Michaela tried to get back his attention. She had to know what it was that bothered him so much.
Hearing her voice, the teacher jolted out of his reverie and confirmed her remark. "Yes, it is. And she is a beautiful woman…" His voice trailed off again. He frowned and in an effort to regain his composure, he took a deep breath. "Well, being able to climb a mountain is literally what I'll have to do. Mandy will be here at Easter and she wants to climb Pike's Peak with me."
At this statement, Sully joined the conversation and remarked, "The mountain ain't gonna vanish. You just wait a little longer and…"
Chris interrupted him. "You don't understand, Mr. Sully. Mandy climbs a mountain every year at Easter. It started five years ago because of a bet and now she is determined to keep the tradition. She was so happy when I got the position here not only because I gained a job but also because of the prospect of climbing Pike's Peak. She will be devastated when I tell her that I can't take her up there."
Without even thinking twice, Sully told him, "I'll do it." Seeing the astonished look on the teacher's face, he added, "One good turn deserves another, it's the least I can do. You saved my daughter's life and now I save you from climbing a mountain with your hurt foot."
It was obvious that both men were very pleased with this arrangement. Chris was happy that he didn't have to disappoint Mandy and Sully was satisfied that he could finally do something for the teacher.
It was Michaela who couldn't hide that her joy was kept within limits. She bent down and picked Hannah up in an effort to chase away the uneasiness she felt about the prospect of Sully climbing Pike's Peak with a beautiful woman. They would be alone for several days… She knew she shouldn't think that way because Sully loved her and she trusted him by now, but…And there was something else… When Chris sensed her unease, he was instantly ready to dismiss the opportunity. "If you don't feel right about that, Dr. Quinn, you just have to say a word. I'm sure Mandy will understand…"
Blushing because she felt caught, Michaela hastily reassured, "No, it's not that, Mr. James, it's just that this year Easter Monday is also Hannah's birthday…"
Although Sully could tell this wasn't the only reason for her silent disapproval, he didn't want the opportunity to be helpful as well ruined. "I'll make sure that we're back in time. No need to worry about that."
Relieved, Chris asked, "So it's a deal?"
Sully went to the teacher's side and took his hand to shake it. "Deal."
Michaela and Sully hadn't sat on the porch steps for a while. It was Michaela's first night at home since the accident and the weather was wonderful. A soft breeze made it a little chilly though and as Sully felt her shivering, he put his arm around her shoulder. Snuggling even closer, Michaela wished she could shake off the sense of foreboding that had haunted her since the conversation with Mr. James.
Sully was caught up in his own fears. Could he give the woman at his side enough that she would stay with him? Why was he thinking that way? She never had asked him for anything but to be honest with her. She wanted to be safe with him, though not in the material sense. She needed reassurance that he truly loved her. All he could do for that now was to tell her how he felt as often as he could. Feeling her soft hair on his cheek Sully closed his eyes and savoured that moment.
They sat in silence for a while, both knowing that major problems stood right outside their door, but neither could bring themselves to talk about them. Instead, they reveled in the compassion of their closeness. Eventually, Sully said, "It's getting late, I should be going," Michaela lifted her head from his shoulder and turned her face towards him. Shyly smiling, she nodded at him. He gently stroked her cheek with his fingertips and whispered, "Night." Blushing by the tender contact, Michaela replied, "Good night, Sully." There was something about the way she breathed his name that made him want to hold her forever and Sully couldn't resist his urge to touch her lips with his any longer. Seeing the same desire burning in Michaela's eyes, he bent his head until he felt the warm, soft skin of her lips against his. Hearing her sigh in contentment he instantly intensified their contact by fully enveloping her mouth with his. As she gasped for air and parted her lips, he took the opportunity and slipped his tongue into her mouth to search for hers. This was both their undoing and they kissed as if it was the very last time in their life.