Chapter 9

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Colleen was too stunned by Andrew's sudden appearance to say anything.

"Hello, Andrew," said an unflappable Elizabeth in response to his greeting. "Nice to see you again. I understand it's your birthday today. Happy birthday."

"Thank you."

He stood there awkwardly, and Colleen shook herself out of her stupor. "Happy birthday, Andrew."

He smiled his appreciation – that warm smile that used to make her insides melt and now felt like a cruel twist of the knife. "Well, uh, since you're here, Colleen, would you care to take a walk with me?"

Colleen was uncertain. Their parting the other day had seemed so final, and now he was here asking her to go on a walk? And why wasn't he here with Ruth Carrington? Did they have plans for this evening instead?

Seeing Colleen's hesitation, Andrew turned to Elizabeth. "If it's all right with you, Mrs. Quinn?"

"Certainly. As it happens, I was just about to speak with Mrs. Perkins. Excuse me." And with that she left the two of them alone.

Still somewhat in a daze, Colleen fell into step with Andrew as they headed away from the crowded bandstand area. He didn't offer his arm for her to take, which Colleen knew would have been inappropriate, since he was courting someone else. She was immensely curious about why Andrew was there at all, apparently alone, but felt it would be rude to pry. For the first time Colleen found herself tongue-tied with him, not knowing what to talk about, so she waited for him to broach a topic.

"Did you enjoy the concert?" he asked politely once they had cleared the main seating area and cluster of people.

"Yes. Mostly. Did you?"

"Yes. Mostly." He paused. "You've decided to remain in Boston?"

"Actually, I'll be going home at the end of the week," Colleen replied, now understanding why he wanted to walk with her. He had been wondering about her plans, concerned for her welfare. "I don't feel right staying here."

"Oh... Well, I guess that's understandable. I'm glad, then, that I have this opportunity to thank you for the card. I should have known you would remember my birthday."

"Of course, I remembered. I baked you a cake."

"Do you remember all the cakes you've baked?" he teased.

She shrugged indifferently. "The ones for special occasions."

"You must have baked a cake for Katie, then, before you came to Boston."

"Ma decided she wanted to make it. It turned out pretty good. I mean, pretty well."

He smiled. "A high compliment indeed, coming from a chef like you."

Colleen smiled softly at the praise. A couple walked past in the other direction, arm in arm, and she could contain her curiosity no longer. "How's Miss Carrington?"

Andrew's expression changed, became more serious. "That's kind of you to ask. I presume she's well."

His answer didn't make sense. "You don't know?"

He let out a deep breath before answering. "Ruth and I… well, we've decided not to see each other anymore."

"What?" Colleen blurted out, unable to help herself. She stopped in her tracks, forcing Andrew to do the same. "But I thought… I thought you and her..."

"I thought so, too. It turned out I was wrong."

"I'm sorry, Andrew." Colleen didn't know what else to say. In spite of everything she really did feel bad for him. She knew how unsettling heartbreak was from personal experience. From Jesse on the cattle drive. From Andrew himself.

He gave a small nod in acknowledgement and looked about. Spotting a nearby tree with a canopy of shade, Andrew headed towards it, resuming their walk.

"I realized that Ruth was everything my father could want for me. But she wasn't what I wanted. Not really." Before Colleen could fully digest that bit of information he went on. "Do you know you're the only person to ever ask me what I wanted? Last summer. When you asked if I wanted to work with my uncle. Do you remember my answer?"

"That you hadn't thought about it."

Andrew scoffed in irritation. "No, I hadn't thought about it. I'd never done much thinking about anything, really, except for my studies. I simply followed the path of least resistance, did what was expected of me."

They had reached the tree, and Andrew stopped beside the trunk. Colleen stopped beside him, fascinated. It was obvious now that he simply needed someone to unburden himself to, and knew that he'd find in Colleen a friendly, sympathetic ear. And if she could help him just by listening, she would.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. About what I want," said Andrew. Rather than continue, however, he fell silent, staring off into the distance.

When the silence had dragged on a bit too long, Colleen realized that he must be waiting for her to ask the question again, the one question that no one else seemed to ask him. "What do you want, Andrew?"

That was clearly the cue he'd been waiting for, for Andrew took a step closer to her and reached for her hand. Colleen's heart skipped a beat.

"This." His eyes focused on her small hand in his larger one. "I want… I want this." And upon repeating the word this, Andrew's thumb began lightly caressing her fingers. He raised his gaze then to look into her eyes, silently willing her to understand.

Colleen barely dared to breathe.

Andrew didn't want Ruth Carrington.

He wanted her!

He hadn't said it out loud, apparently unable to articulate exactly how he felt, or else feeling an outright declaration of affection might be improper just yet. He was from Boston after all. Thus, he was letting his eyes and fingers do the talking, telling her that his feelings for her had changed. From thinking of her as just a friend to wanting to be more than friends.

This was the moment Colleen had dreamt of, that he would admit to having feelings for her as she did him. She knew she ought to be happy at this turn of events, yet it was bittersweet. How could she stay here with him in Boston knowing what was taking place back home? "Andrew-"

"I've wired Preston," he interrupted, not letting her finish her thought, "Asking if the position at the hotel is still open. He said it is, and he's requested that I come as soon as possible. Do you think I should accept?"

Colleen was stunned. "You would leave Boston?"

"Well, that is why you came here, isn't it? To convince me to return with you to Colorado?"

"No… I mean, I hadn't really thought of it that way. I just wanted to find out if you might… care about me."

He looked again to their clasped hands. "I know it's a bit late, Colleen, but I hope today has answered your question."

"It has… But Andrew, what about medical school? If I'm accepted, I'd be here in the east while you're in Colorado Springs. We'd be apart again."

"Well… I've given that a lot of thought, too," Andrew admitted, "and I've decided that it doesn't matter where you are. Colorado Springs, Boston, Philadelphia… wherever you go, Colleen, I can be there, too. I can practice medicine anywhere. But I suppose this is a good time to tell you that once your studies are over, I wouldn't want you to practice medicine."

Colleen's heart sank at this pronouncement, that Andrew was the traditional type after all. Her rosy future with him abruptly looked less rosy. She withdrew her hand from his. "You wouldn't?" she repeated, crestfallen.

He hesitated before responding. "Unless it's with me. As my partner."

It took Colleen a second to register the twist, and when she did, an elated grin erupted on her face, matched by a warm smile of his own. Everything he was saying was everything she could possibly want. However, she still needed to tell him the truth – or as much of it as she was allowed. He would find out about it anyway if he was returning with her to Colorado Springs. Once again, her smile faded. "Andrew… there's something you need to know. Sully is missing."

"Missing?"

"It's a long story, but he's wanted for murder and treason for helping Cloud Dancing and the Indians escape from the reservation."

There was a pause. "I see." And then he was quiet for a bit, considering this development. "Sully must have had a good reason for doing what he did," Andrew said finally. "It doesn't change things, Colleen. I still want you." Realizing how improper that sounded, he quickly amended, "To be my partner one day. And you haven't answered my question. Should I take the position in Colorado Springs?"

She understood what he was really asking now, how much intent and meaning was behind the deceptively simple query. Should I give up my life in Boston for you? Does the future I've described sound agreeable to you? One day, when I propose, will the answer be 'yes'?

And there was only one answer to that. "Yes."

Andrew smiled again, a smile of relief and joy. "I'd be honored if you'd join me for supper tonight, Colleen. To celebrate my birthday."

"I'd love to. Oh! I don't have time to bake you a cake."

He laughed at that. "That's quite all right. Though I suppose you're right about the time, I should be getting you back."

This time Andrew offered his arm to Colleen to escort her back to the bandstand. She took it, and together they walked in companionable silence, content in their newfound understanding of the direction their lives were headed.

They found Elizabeth waiting for them, and she could clearly see the happy expression on both of their faces, not to mention the fact that they were now arm in arm. "I take it you enjoyed your stroll," she commented dryly.

"Yes, we did," Colleen replied, beaming.

"Mrs. Quinn, I've asked Colleen to dinner tonight, if that's all right."

"Why, yes. Certainly."

"And I'd like to invite you over as well, if you don't already have plans?" Seeing the look on Colleen's face, knowing she was expecting that they would be dining alone, Andrew explained, "Since it's my birthday, tonight's dinner is with my parents. I thought you might appreciate another familiar face at the table." It was partially true at any rate. He also wanted Mrs. Quinn there to help smooth things over with his father. Edward Cook might not approve of wives who work, or woman doctors, but he'd be hard-pressed to argue that the granddaughter of Josef Quinn wasn't worth his son leaving his life in Boston for – not while Josef's widow was in the room, anyway.

"I'd be delighted to join you," said Elizabeth, playing her role perfectly. For she had been part of Andrew's plan, informing him of where Colleen would be on this day so that Andrew could coincidentally run into her in the large city of Boston. It had taken all of Elizabeth's willpower not to say anything to a heartbroken Colleen at breakfast.

"I'll expect you both at half past six. Good day." And with a last smile at Colleen, Andrew headed off.

"Well, we should be going ourselves," said Elizabeth. "It seems we have a dinner engagement to prepare for."

Colleen left the Common with her grandmother, a swirl of emotions. In a few days she would be headed home to her family, to her friends – and to a new future.

A future with Andrew.

She had come to Boston looking for love – and her heart had found what it wanted.

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END

Thank you so much for reading! Hope you enjoyed it!