Part 2 -

Two days later…

As promised, Colleen rode out to the Springs Chateau to visit with Andrew. She wore her red dress, one of her nicer ones that she sometimes wore for traveling on the train. She styled her auburn hair up, to look more mature, rather than wear it tied back like she sometimes did when she was at home. She wanted to look nice for him today – especially following Dr. Mike's knowing comment after the party that Andrew had an interest in her.

It wasn't always so.

Colleen, however, had been sweet on Andrew almost from the day he arrived in town. Andrew was older than her, eight years her senior, but he didn't let their age difference get in the way of their friendship. He never treated her as a child and instead treated her as an adult, with respect. Andrew was a doctor, same as her mother, and Colleen had dreams of becoming a doctor one day herself – aspirations he supported and didn't disdain like so many other men did. And Andrew was from Boston. The city enthralled her - first from hearing her mother's stories of growing up there, and then from Colleen's own visit a few years ago. It was almost an afterthought that Andrew was also good looking, though not ruggedly so like Sully. With his clean-shaven face and unassuming demeanor Andrew had more of a boyish charm about him.

From the beginning Colleen and Andrew had gotten along, and they quickly became good friends.

Good friends… at first, it appeared that that was all they would ever be. Andrew had expressed an early preference for a traditional wife, and Colleen knew she would never be one of those with her dream of becoming a doctor. Yet, she couldn't stop thinking about him or caring about him, even though she knew he wasn't likely to return her feelings

Then things slowly began to change. Becky had said that he stopped asking her to breakfast after the Sweetheart's Dance. In the aftermath of the mysterious outbreak at Dr. Mike's clinic, Andrew had let slip that he found it "stimulating" being with her. Then last month, during the medical convention, Andrew had suddenly asked her to supper with him at the hotel. And now her mother's pronouncement that Andrew was "quite taken with" her.

Could something finally be happening between them?

If it was, Colleen wanted to be dressed for the occasion.

Upon her arrival at the hotel, Colleen shared her exciting news, that little Katie Sully, all of one-year old, had just said her first word that very morning: "Pa." Colleen had then lamented the fact that while she was away at college she was missing a lot of her baby sister's life. Andrew tried to cheer her up, noting that Colleen would be returning home to watch Katie grow up once her studies were completed in a few years.

During their talk they had made their way over to the bench in the hotel's rose garden, continuing their conversation there. Andrew floated possible options for Colleen once she was done with school - working with her mother or opening up her own medical practice.

Colleen wasn't too sure about either idea. Constantly being in her mother's shadow? Trying to strike out on her own and face all of the hardships her mother had – or worse, being in competition with her?

Observing Colleen's distinct lack of enthusiasm for his first two suggestions, Andrew then volunteered a third.

"Or you could work here."

Colleen's face lit up. "Here? You mean, work for you?"

"Not for me… with me. As a partner," he clarified. "Would you like that?"

"Partner," Colleen said, almost in awe, hardly believing her ears.

She found her emotions swirling, with Andrew's lips tantalizingly close. He leaned in, and Colleen's heart leaped with the thought that right now he was going to kiss her.

Colleen closed her eyes and felt the lightest pressure of his lips on hers. Tentatively, softly, she returned his kiss. That first kiss was quickly followed by another one, just as gentle.

She had wanted this so long…

All too soon Colleen sensed Andrew pulling back. She opened her eyes to see his bright expression.

"Partner," he repeated, looking directly into her eyes.

Colleen stared at him in wonder. The word "partner" could have more than one meaning. With his kiss, was Andrew asking her to be not just a work partner someday, but a life partner, too?

Colleen couldn't believe her good fortune, and she hardly dared breathe. To finally have him feel the same way about her as she did him... Colleen demurely looked down at her hands, not wanting to appear too eager.

"Andrew..."

He grew anxious. "Are you all right? I hope I didn't overstep-"

"You didn't," Colleen interrupted quickly, looking at him again.

"Are you sure? Because I'd never-"

"Really, Andrew," she interrupted again. "I'm fine. I… I'm glad you kissed me."

Seemingly reassured, he looked at her tenderly. "You're very special, Colleen. Things just aren't the same when you're not here."

That brought Colleen up short. Very special? Things just aren't the same? While a marriage proposal was a bit premature at this point, it would have at least been nice to hear that he was fond of her or cared about her, if he was truly indicating his future intentions with that kiss.

He hadn't even said 'you're very special to me.'

Was he just too shy to say the words?

"Well, I'm here for the whole summer," she reminded him.

He nodded. "I forgot to ask. Did Katie like her present?"

Andrew had steered them back to "good friends" territory, safe territory, where he didn't have to talk about feelings.

Colleen followed his lead. "Yes, she did. Half her presents were clothes. Guess everyone had the same idea."

"Well, it's a practical one. Children do grow very fast, as you were just pointing out."

Colleen nodded. "Now it's my turn to ask a question."

"Yes?"

"Would you write me a letter of recommendation?"

"For…?"

"For when I apply to medical school. I need a letter from a referring doctor. Ma will write one, but she's family. I think it would help if I had a second letter from someone who wasn't family, someone else familiar with my work at the clinic. I can't be your partner if I don't have a medical degree," she hinted.

He chuckled. "I'd be happy to write a letter on your behalf, Colleen. Though I can't say for certain it will be any less biased than the letter Michaela writes. You saved my life. I'll never forget that."

"I didn't do that by myself. Ma's the one who insisted you stay at the clinic and oversaw your care."

"You don't give yourself enough credit, Colleen. Looking back, I have no doubt that you had more to do with my recovery than she did. Even Michaela said so. I'm here today because of you."

He gazed at her again, with a mixture of appreciation and affection.

Colleen met his gaze with hope. Hope that his offer of "partners" meant more than just professionally. Hope that his kiss today would be followed by others in the future. Hope that during the course of this summer they would get the chance to grow closer, and that he'd be able to say the words she longed to hear.

I love you.

Colleen stood, and Andrew rose also.

"I should probably let you get back to work before Preston comes looking for you."

His face fell slightly, but whether that was from her leaving or from the reminder of Preston's oversight, Colleen couldn't say. Might it be a little of both?

"Yes, he does like to keep a close eye on things."

Andrew escorted her out of the garden to the front of the hotel and requested her horse from the attendant.

"I hope I'll see you again soon," he said.

"Soon," she promised.

They stood there awkwardly until her horse was brought out. Fortunately, Colleen was well-known to the hotel staff and they weren't left standing there long.

"Bye, Andrew."

"Good day, Colleen."

Colleen rode back to town, lost in thought. She would have a lot to share with Becky next time the two friends spoke. But should she share this with Dr. Mike? No, not yet, Colleen decided. If she told her mother, then she would tell Dorothy, and then it would be all over town. Better to keep it to herself, or, more precisely, better to keep it between herself and Andrew.

Until he had said the words.

But for now, she would have the memory of his lips on hers. The words would come someday.

She was sure of it.

END