Chapter 15

The next week went by seemingly without major incidents; although it were the small ones that would show their effects only later.

First, Sully had to leave again on Friday; since the last hunting party had been so successful, the council of elders had decided to immediately send a new one out and for that they needed Sully as the third man again. Although there wasn't any doubt about him going, he talked to Michaela about his decision this time. Of course, she wasn't happy to hear the news, but she understood the desperate situation her Cheyenne friends were in, not to mention that she was aware of the fact that there had to be a solution for their providing in general very soon; there had recently been dog soldiers around…

When they said their good byes, Sully first took his daughter into his arms. "Listen to me, sweet girl, I'm sorry I have to leave again but my family needs my help. Do you understand?"

Hannah gazed at her father. No, she didn't understand. Wasn't a ma and pa and child a family? Knowing that her father still waited for a response, the little girl eventually asked in a small voice, "I no family?"

Instantly, Sully hugged his daughter tightly. "Course you are, sweet girl, but the Cheyenne are my family, too; they helped me when I was so sick after your other ma went to heaven so that I could come back to you at all. And now they need me, so I gotta go." He bent back to gauge his daughter's reaction. "This is really important, but I promise to be back as soon as I can. How does that sound?" Still no reaction, but Sully knew he had to hurry and so he just put her down and added, "I want ya to be a good girl for your ma, will ya do that for me?"

The little girl hesitantly nodded and took a step away. Her pa had only been home for a day and now he was leaving again; she didn't like that.

When Sully saw that Michaela was getting ready to pick Hannah up, he intercepted her and pulled her in an embrace. He allowed himself to relish the feeling of Michaela in his arms for a few moments before he loosened their contact. He needed to see in her eyes that she was alright, but Michaela's thoughts were with Hannah. The comment the little girl had made about her not being family worried the concerned mother deeply. However, captured by the blue intensity of Sully's eyes, she lost her train of thought momentarily. Him leaving was different this time. Not only that Sully had made sure that Robert E. would come and help if it was necessary, but they had talked all night as well. Still mesmerized gazing at him, Michaela said softly, "I'll miss you."

A fleeting smile crossed Sully's face as he replied, "I love you."

However, he had to go and so he only quickly pressed his lips tenderly against hers before he stroke her cheek affectionately with the back of his hand for the last time. When he finally mounted his horse, Michaela picked Hannah up and tried to reassure her, "Your pa will be back as soon as he can, sweetheart; but for now, it is important to him to help his Indian family."

Her daughter's reply, "I no potant?", made her heart break for the little girl. Hugging her tightly, Michaela instantly reacted. "Of course you are, Hannah; you are the most important person in your father's life!"

"But why he go way?" The child couldn't understand that. Her most favourite person was her ma and she always wanted to be close to her ma and so she wanted her pa to feel the same way about being with her as well; maybe she should… The little girl got an idea and she intended to carefully consider it.

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On Saturday, Amanda Miller decided that she had enough of her brothers. She had agreed to stay for the planting of the crops and they were done with that now. She was tired of being the mother for a bunch of grown-up men; she finally wanted her own life. For starters, she would leave the day after tomorrow to surprise her fiancé with her arrival a week early. She couldn't wait to lie in his arms again. Chris was different from all the men she'd met so far. Growing up in a small village full of men and being the only female in her family, she was used to harsh tones and the need to constantly stand up to six headstrong older brothers and a stubborn father. Chris, however, cared for her, he always considered her wishes and needs. They had met accidentally in town when a farmer in a store yelled at her and insisted on being served before "just a stupid woman". Instead using his fists to solve the problem as it usually happened when one of her brothers was with her, Chris had used words; she had been impressed by his gentle but determined manner. Of course it didn't hurt that he was extremely handsome, too. A few weeks ago, he had written to her about his accident and if she could have had it her way, she would have hurried to him immediately but, of course, she couldn't leave her family when they were in the middle of the spring sowing. Besides, Chris had told her that the town had a lady doctor who took really good care of him. That sounded interesting for sure, maybe this was a woman she could get along with, a woman who was used of hard work and not such a spoiled one that was running around in fancy clothes and with complicated hairstyle, unable to lift a pound of flour without twisting her back. And there was something else; she didn't have to give up her plan to climb Pike's Peak because there was a mountain man who had agreed to accompany her. A real mountain man, she couldn't wait!

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Dorothy had bought a book about all the things a journalist should know. It said if you have written something that had been proved wrong, the serious journalist would write a retraction. Well, since she was still convinced that her facts had been right, she didn't see a reason for doing that. What people made for themselves out of her words, was not in her hands. She was disappointed though that the impression of her article hadn't lasted for a longer period of time. Not that she was angry with Mr. James, he was a man and men had every right to give their opinion; she just couldn't stand it when a woman thwarted her plans. And that's what Dr. Quinn had done. What was it about this woman that made so many people admire her? If she actually was that good, then why was she here on the frontier? There must be a reason and she, Dorothy Jennings, was determined to find it out. Her new book also said that connections to other journalists were a great help and on Sunday she made up her mind: she would send her article to the Denver Post and maybe she should even contact one of the big newspapers in Boston…

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On Monday, Michaela agreed that Chris could move back into his flat in the schoolhouse. Though he still needed crutches, his leg had improved considerably and he would be able to manage daily life by himself again. Hannah was proud that she could help as well; Uncle Chris had allowed her to carry the book with the exciting tales and colored pictures he had often read her from. Her only concern was that he wouldn't do that anymore now that he was away from the clinic.

As they all entered the teacher's room, mother and daughter remained for a moment in common surprise before they were able to move again. Hannah had never thought that so many books existed at all and Michaela felt as if she were in a library. Chris had to grin to himself seeing the stunned expressions on their faces. "Dr. Mike, you are cordially invited to borrow every book you want to read."

Michaela's face lit up. "I might do just that, thank you." For the next few minutes, she was lost for her surroundings because she couldn't resist stepping closer to the back wall that was covered with shelves full of books all the way from the floor up to the ceiling.

Chris turned his attention to the little girl that still clutched the collection of Grimm's fairy tales to her chest and who was gazing in wide-eyed amazement at the sea of books in front of her. Crouching down next to her, he suggested with a wink, "We could check if we find another book for you and when you come and visit me, I could read some new stories to you."

Hannah grinned widely as she eagerly nodded. She was so happy to know that they still would meet for their reading hours and her plan returned into her mind. Maybe it could actually work, the child thought.

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On Tuesday, Michaela received a telegram from Mr. Goldt that they had to meet immediately. Since she couldn't leave Colorado Springs right now because she had to think of Hannah, she sent a wire back with an invitation for the lawyer.

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Wednesday and Thursday went by without any incidents that would matter later, and on Friday morning, Sully was back. He was early enough to catch Michaela and Hannah before they left the homestead. His two women were just leaving the house as Sully rode into the yard. Seeing them, a wide smile spread across his face and he dismounted his horse as soon as he reached the barn. He didn't bother to tether his horse, all he wanted was to feel Michaela in his arms and to hug his daughter.

Michaela's heart raced, she had so longed for him to be there! Actually, she had secretly counted on his return on Wednesday already and had grown concerned when Hannah had stopped asking for her pa. So she had made sure to tell the little girl every day a little about her father and had encouraged her to think about some things she wanted to do with him after he returned from the hunt. Finally, he was there and his joy at being home with them was clearly written on his face.

Sully had instantly noticed the lack of enthusiasm in his daughter's behavior. Questioningly, he directed his gaze at Michaela and since she didn't have an explanation either, she decided to solve the problem here and now. Picking up the little girl, she asked, "What's wrong, sweetheart; you can tell us, you know that, right?"

Hannah nodded slowly. It all depended on if her pa would leave again. Seeing the worry on her ma's face, she decided to give her a peck on the cheek first to make her smile again and so she did. Then she turned her head towards her pa and asked, "You stay home?"

Takinging his daughter from her mother's arms into his own and hugging her tightly, Sully's voice cracked when he replied, "Believe me, sweet girl, I only go away when I have to, and right now, I'm staying with you. When your ma's at the clinic we can go fishing again and we can look after the deer we saw the other day… how does that sound?"

For the moment, the little girl thought that this sounded good. She just had to wait and see if her pa kept his word and if not, she had her plan ready in her mind. So she nodded at her father and gave him a tentative smile. "Sound good."

After placing his daughter in the wagon, Sully turned his attention back to Michaela and recognized the concern still lingering in her eyes. Pulling her into his arms, he sighed contently; he was home. For a moment, he allowed himself to forget the world around him and just reveled in the feeling of her body. Closing his eyes and breathing in the scent of her hair, he suddenly noticed that there wasn't the usual soft fall of the coppery curtain but pins to keep the mass in a rather complicated hairstyle. Bending back he became aware that she wore one of her fancier dresses, too. Knowing that there had to be a special reason and seeing the worry in her eyes, he gently asked her, "What's wrong?"

Michaela avoided looking at him. Sully had just arrived, she couldn't burden him with her problems right away, now could she? Sensing her insecurity, Sully tenderly lifted her chin so he could lock their gazes again and smiled at her reassuringly. "Hey, it's me; tell me."

Relaxing as she remembered that she wasn't alone anymore, she took a deep breath. "Mr. Goldt will arrive on the morning coach. Mother didn't send my money yet. If I want to buy the boarding house, we have to find an interim solution because Hank has announced his interest in the building as well."

Sully made lazy circles with his hand on her back. "You have a plan?"

When Michaela nodded, he assured her, "Then there's nothing to worry about, it's gonna work, I know it."

Finally, he saw a carefree smile appearing on her beautiful face and her slightly mismatched eyes began to sparkle. Sully thought that a little kiss wouldn't hurt, and so he bent his head to claim her lips.

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The stagecoach hadn't arrived yet when the little family pulled up in front of the clinic. Astonished, they saw Chris pacing alongside the place where the vehicle would pull in any minute. After Michaela had unlocked the clinic door and put her medical bag on her desk, the three of them joined the teacher. Sully, who was carrying Hannah, couldn't suppress a smile. "Ya lookin' like a tiger in a cage."

The teacher couldn't contain his excitement. "I got a telegram an hour ago, Amanda wired me from Denver, she's coming today, I'm so…"

The rest of his words were swallowed by the noise of the arriving stagecoach. Amanda couldn't wait to finally step out and see the place she would live in. She hoped that Chris had received her message and would welcome her. As soon as the stage coach came to a halt, she opened the door to hop down on the street. Standing on the ground, she didn't have any time to look around because she immediately found herself pressed against a broad chest. "Oh Chris," she murmered and held tight onto his back.

Sully smiled to himself, he knew the feeling of having the need to be close to the person you love.

Michaela, however, was stunned by the sight of the young woman. She couldn't be much older than twenty and her appearance was breathtaking. She was at least 5 feet 8 inches tall, her curly blond hair bounced down beyond her shoulders and her almost green eyes spakled in a face with very fine features. Sensing Amanda's strong personality, Michaela instantly felt old and negligible next to her. With this woman, Sully would climb Pike's Peak… Glancing at the man on her side she tried to gauge his reaction, but Sully had found Mr. Goldt among the other passengers and had directed his attention to the lawyer. Recognizing the doctor, the young man stepped to her and took his hat down. "It's nice to see you again, Dr. Quinn."

Michaela shook his outstreched hand and replied, "Thank you, Mr. Goldt. Please give me a moment to greet Miss Miller and then I would suggest that we go straight to the clinic."

The young man nodded in agreement.

Hearing her name, Amanda let go of her fiancé and turned curiousely around. Her eyes fell onto a petitefigure in a fancy dress with carefully pinned up hair who looked like her personal nightmare of a woman. Now she held her hand out towards her with a plastered smile on her face while Chris introduced, "This is Dr. Mike, honey, I'm so glad that you finally meet each other."

For the first time since she had met Chris, Amanda questioned his ability to judge people. Of course she greeted the other woman properly with a shake of her hand and a light nod of her head, but then her attention instantly shifted to the other man in the group who carried a little girl in his arms. The young woman's face lit up when she turned towards him. "You have to be Mr. Sully, the mountain man. I can't wait to get to know you and then for our expedition."

Sully had to smile at the eagerness of the young woman. "It's just Sully and yes, I'm the one who promised to take you to Pike's Peak."

Then he looked back to Michaela and seeing her clenched jaws, he knew that there was something wrong. Well, maybe she was nervous because of her upcoming talk with the lawyer with whom she left their group at this moment.

Hannah had watched the adults carefully. She had seen how the strange woman narrowed her eyes when she had looked at her ma. Uncle Chris seemed to be happy to see the new lady though but she could read nothing on her father's face. When the woman, who wanted to be called Amanda as she was telling her pa now, stroke over Hannah's hair and smiled openly as she said, "My, are you cute, you look just like your pa." the little girl decided to wait a little while before deciding if she liked this woman or not.