Rescuing you
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in Dr Quinn Medicine Woman. The rights to those characters and the show belong to the creators not me. This is just a story for fun.
Chapter 15
The Quinn Residence
The next morning Michaela had Sully moved to one of the spare bedrooms in the enormous house so that he could rest in comfort.
Michaela leaned over Sully and fluffed his pillows. "How's that?" she questioned.
"Real good thanks," He smiled at her fussing over him.
"Now I need to go to the hospital for a little while. Will you be ok?" She worried. Not really wanting to leave him just yet but not wanting to admit to him how scared she had been.
"Yes...I'm sure your mother will take good care of me," He chuckled.
Michaela rolled her eyes and moved to the foot of the bed and clasped the bedpost. "I shall see you later then. I won't be late," she smiled.
Sully looked towards the door that was partially closed. "Do I not get a goodbye kiss?" His eyes shone with amusement.
Michaela also looked towards the door judging if her mother or a maid would walk through it at any minute. She made her way to Sully's side. "Just one," She whispered feeling wicked.
She leaned over the bed and sweetly touched her lips to his. Sully's hand crept up to her cheek and held her to him. He deepened the kiss a little. Michaela pulled back and looked at the door again. Sully could tell she wasn't overly comfortable with kissing him here so he let her go.
"See you later," she whispered. And with that she was gone. Sully looked around the room that was pleasantly decorated in tones of blue. The bed seemed to dominate the room with its heavily stained oak. The window was open a crack so that the sounds of the street could be heard breaking the silence of the room.
Sully sighed. What was he going to do with himself? Restlessly he tapped his fingers against the quilt covering his legs. He knew he needed to rest but he was never one to lie in bed all day. He was a fit man who worked on the docks and when in Colorado he worked wood, tended his traps, was a surveyor and helped the Indians when he could. Doing all of that left little time for lying in bed.
His thoughts turned to Michaela. He couldn't wait to show her Colorado Springs. He knew the town desperately needed a doctor but would the town readily accept a woman doctor? They would come around he thought. He would stand by her and support her he knew.
His mind turned to how he would support her. He needed to plan their home. He smiled at that, their home! He wanted to build a home for them. He had the land and now he had his money too. With this thought he scanned the room for anything he could use to sketch on.
A maid came to his door with a tea tray. "Sir, Mrs Quinn asked for me to bring you some tea,"
Sully sat up more and smiled. "Thanks..." realising he didn't know the girls name he asks "What's your name?" he wasn't used to be waited on anyone let alone maids.
"My name is May sir," She curtsied.
"Ya don't have to call me sir. My name is Sully," he watched her as she placed the tray on the bedside table.
"Oh but Mrs Quinn insists on a formal household Sir," She like this gentleman but still didn't want Mrs Quinn to fire her for not following orders.
"What Mrs Quinn doesn't know won't hurt her...and I'm not used to being waited on this is all new to me,"
May was smiling at him warmly. She could see why Dr Quinn was so taken with this man. "Ok Sully,"
"I was wondering if I could get something to sketch on?" He asked.
"Umm...sure I could get you a pad," She finished pouring the tea into a china cup and made her way to the door.
"Thank you May,"
Later Sully's bedroom
Sully had been working away on his drawings for most of the day then Elizabeth paid him a visit. She had been putting it off most of the day. She knocked on the doorframe.
Sully looked up as Elizabeth stood in the doorway. "Come in," He said and put down his drawings on the quilt beside him.
Elizabeth pulled over a chair and sat next to Sully's bed. "How are you feeling Mr Sully?" She stiffly sat in the chair.
"I'm feeling ok thanks Mrs Quinn...I want to say thanks for your hospitality,"
Elizabeth couldn't help but be impressed but his manners. "Well you welcome Mr Sully," He inclined her head.
"It's just Sully,"
"Excuse me?" Her brow wrinkled.
"My name...just call me Sully," he smiled.
Elizabeth watched him scrutinising him. He seemed sincere and had kind eyes. "Ok," She sighed. "Sully...Josef has informed me that you intend to marry my daughter?"
Sully's stomach tensed expecting Elizabeth to immediately object to the marriage. He also wondered how Josef knew that he intended to marry Michaela. He assumed that Michaela had already told him. He had wanted to ask Josef for Michaela's hand however he had already asked Michaela to marry him and she had already said yes.
"I have asked her to marry me and she has said yes,"
"I see...And where do you intend to live?" Elizabeth began her interrogation.
"Well I've asked Michaela to come to Colorado Springs with me. The town doesn't have a doctor and is in desperate need of one. People are dying of simple diseases; your daughter would do so much good out west,"
At first Elizabeth was horrified but listened to Sully's plight that the town needed a doctor and she softened slightly but not ready to let go of it yet.
"Colorado is a very long way from Boston," She stated.
"I understand," They both sat in silence.
"How do you intend to support my daughter?" She began her questioning again.
"I have savings and intend to build us a home. I survey the land and work with my hands mainly but I have never been without what I need," He asserted not sure if he liked being questioned like this but reminded himself that Elizabeth was concerned for her daughter and wanted to know she would be looked after. And that's what Sully intended to do for the rest of his days.
"Here...this is something I've been working on," He handed Elizabeth the drawing tablet.
Elizabeth studied the drawing. It was truly amazing. She raised her brow. "Can you build this?"
"Yeah sure, I reckon I could have it built by summer," He scratched his chin.
"You are truly talented Sully. I commend you," She admired the drawing once more. She sighed and handed it back to Sully. "I shall cut to the chase Sully, I am not happy that you will take my youngest daughter away to live in some uncivilised part of the country," Seeing that Sully was about to protest she held up her hand. "However, her father has been working tirelessly most of the night to convince me to let Michaela go. So I will support you both in your wish to marry,"
"Thank you," He said but didn't really know why he was saying thank you.
"When do you leave?" She sighed dejectedly.
"I haven't discussed timing with Michaela but I do need to go back soon. I've already stayed in Boston longer than I need to. I have a friend waiting on funds that I have secured," He really did need to speak to Michaela about the prospect of him leaving soon. But also he didn't want to leave her knowing that David was still out there and had not been brought to justice. This thought made him nervous, she was at the hospital where David worked. He knew Josef was there and wouldn't let anything happen. Still a sense of nervousness settled in the pit of his stomach.
"Sully are you ok? You look very pale?" Elizabeth worried and moved from the chair.
"I'm fine...just a little tired I suppose," he excused.
"Ok I shall leave you know. I enjoyed our talk Sully," She nodded her head and left.
He wouldn't have said he enjoyed their talk but it was nice to clear the air with Elizabeth. He glanced at the clock on the wall, not long now and she'll be home.
Later that evening
Michaela placed her medical bag next to her in the carriage. Her last patient had more complications that originally thought therefore she was now running behind. She knew she was already late for dinner. Her father had gone home ahead of her so now she was making her way home alone.
The carriage rolled towards Beacon Hill. Michaela rubbed her hands together it was a cold night. Michaela glanced out the window watching the passing landscape. The thought that David was responsible for Sully's injuries played on her mind all day. David was not at the hospital today which was odd and she also had the sense that someone was watching her. But every time she turned around there was no one there.
She rested against the cushions and willed the carriage to hurry home. She couldn't wait to see Sully.
The Quinn Residence
When Michaela entered the foyer of her home and set down her medical bag on the stand next to her fathers' bag.
The house was mostly dark. Dinner was finished long ago. She made her way to the kitchen hoping to find something to eat before she went to see Sully. She didn't know where everyone was.
As she approached the kitchen Michaela's favourite maid was there. Martha smiled warmly when she saw Michaela. "Oh Miss Michaela your mother told me to say to you that she was having dinner with your father at the Franklin's home tonight,"
"That explains why the house is so quiet," she grinned. "Is there anything to eat? I am starving,"
"I have prepared you a plate of cold meat and potatoes," She handed the china plate to Michaela.
"Thank you. Has Mr Sully eaten?"
"Yes he has. That man has a healthy appetite," Martha chuckled.
Michaela blushed slightly but didn't know why. "I shall eat this then go visit him,"
On the way to the warm sitting room. She placed her plate on the end table and ate a small piece of meat. She turned when she heard the front door open.
Harrison had admitted David! He stood in the doorway of the sitting room. Michaela felt a flash of rage. "How dare you show your face here?" She stood anger making her hands shake.
"Michaela...," He began.
"No! You could have killed him," She stepped toward him.
"I honestly don't know what you are on about," He looked away obviously hiding something.
"Don't lie to me David. You hired men to kill him!" She threw her hands in the air. She couldn't bear to look at him.
"Now Michaela they wouldn't have killed him..." David stopped but he realised it was too late. He had admitted what he had done.
"So it is true?" She took a step back in shock. He advanced on her.
"Don't you see Michaela he is no good for you? He would make your life miserable," He tried to reach for her.
"No David you would have made my life miserable," she moved out of the way of his grasp.
"What are you doing here?!" Sully's voice came from the doorway. Michaela looked in his direction. His face was set like stone. Fire shone the depths of his normally placid eyes.
"Why are you here?" David asked.
"He was beaten by your hired thugs and left on the street," Michaela said in disgust.
Sully advanced on David. His ribs hurt like hell but there was no way that David was going to get to him. He stood at his full height in front of David. David saw the fire in Sully's eyes, he took a step back.
"You stay away from me and Michaela," He spat out angrily.
"Or what?" David said a little nervously.
"I don't like making threats but I promise you'll regret you ever saw me,"
"I already do...," David muttered before Sully grabbed David's lapel.
Michaela made to move and break them up but got pushed back in the scuffle. Michaela heard the door open again and in walked her parents. Relief washed over her as her father rushed into the room and broke the two men apart.
Sully's breathing was laboured. The pain in his ribs was agony. Michaela rushed to his side and supported him. She eased him into the nearest chair.
"What is going on here?" Elizabeth said as she removed her gloves.
Josef still had hold of David when Michaela spoke. "David has admitted that he hired men to beat up Sully and leave him in the street!"
"Is that true?" Josef glared at David.
"Josef how can you let her marry him?" David squirmed.
"How can you be so un gentlemanly? I thought better of you David. You come from a respectable family. I would hate for your parents to know what you have been up to. It would break your mother's heart and ruin their reputation in Boston society. And on eve of your father's impressive financial news. Think of the scandal?" Elizabeth stepped closer to David speaking calmly but her words were hitting their target like arrows.
David's heart pounded and a film of sweat appeared on his forehead. "I...I don't want that,"
"I bet you don't," Josef said releasing him. "I suggest that you leave here David and leave my family alone. If I hear of any misconduct on your part we will not keep this quiet. Do you understand?"
David nodded knowing he had lost.
"Good now get out of here,"
With David gone Josef returned to the room. "Well I am ready for bed after all of that excitement," he linked arms with Elizabeth and escorted her up the stairs.
Michaela looked down at Sully tears in her eyes. "Are you ok? That wasn't the best thing to do for your ribs,"
Sully guided her to sit in his lap. She tensed slightly still getting accustomed to this level of intimacy. He rubbed her back and felt the tension ease. "I'm ok," He whispered "How are you?"
"My nerves are on edge," resting her head on his shoulder.
"He won't bother us again Michaela I'll protect you," He kissed her temple.
"Let's get you to bed, you still need to rest," She got up and helped him up and they made their way upstairs.
Once she had Sully situated back in bed she sat on the edge. Reaching up she removed the lock of hair that covered his brow. "I was so scared when I saw David in the hall. Then you were there..." she looked down. "But your safe now...We are safe now," she smiled.
He stroked her arm softly. "That we are," he looked into those mismatched eyes. They looked into his soul reading every thought before it was communicated. They had a connection that neither could describe.
Looking in to his blue orbs. She could see the love he held for her like he was looking into her soul. She then leaned down and rested her head on his chest and listened to his heart beat against her cheek. "I love you so much," She whispered.
His hand came up to caress the back of her head. "I love ya too,"
After sometime sat like this Sully broke the silence. "Your Mother visited me today. She was questioning my intentions," He grinned.
Michaela looked up at him. "Oh?"
"She gave her blessing that we could marry but she wanted to know how I would support you,"
"She knew that you asked me to marry you?" Her brow creased.
"I guessed your father told her," reaching for his drawing tablet he sat up a little. "I want to show you this," He handed her the tablet.
She gazed down at the drawing. It was beautiful she was amazed by the love that was detailed in every pencil line. Tears came to her eyes.
"I want to build it for you. For our family," He grinned thinking of their future.
Running her forefinger over the lines on the page love surged through her veins. "It's beautiful Sully. Thank you," She kissed him tenderly. Their kissed turned passionate, their lips melded as one. Michaela's breathing became laboured and her heart pounded in her chest. His hand held her near inching its way up her back pulling her closer.
Michaela pulled back and Sully planted a soft kiss to her forehead.
"When will that house be built?" She asked with a soft laugh.
"I was thinking by summer if I start on it as soon as I get back to Colorado,"
"When did you want to get back to Colorado?" her body tensed at the thought of him leaving.
"I was thinking as soon as I'm well enough. Daniel has been waiting for me to return with his money. I've already stayed in Boston a lot longer than I thought," Watching her look away he gently turned her face to him again. "But if I didn't I wouldn't have fallen in love with you," He kissed her softly.
Michaela sighed. "We haven't even set a date for the wedding?"
"I was thinking as soon as I get the house built?" he raised his eyebrow questionably.
Michaela smiled "Sounds wonderful to me. However I'll miss you so much when you leave,"
"Why don't you come with me?" he stroked the back of her hand.
"Sully I have so much to do here. I cannot come with you yet...and what will I do once I get to Colorado?" She flustered. She stood and began to pace wringing her hands together.
"I'd have to set up a practice...and where would I live while you build our home?" so many questions suddenly came to mind.
Sully felt warmth inside him when she said 'our home'.
"And what about my family and my patients at the hospital. I'd need money to set up my practice and that will take time to sort out,"
"Michaela come here," He reached out his hand towards her and she came to sit on the edge of the bed once again. Taking both her hands in his he fist kissed the back of the left then the right. "I'll go back first and start the homestead and then you can follow once you're ready. I can't say I'm happy about you coming all that way on your own but if it makes you feel better I'm all for that,"
Caressing his stubbled cheek she whispered "Thank you, I know it sounds foolish but I need to be prepared,"
"Once you are we can start our life together," he grinned.
"Our life together," repeating his words filled her with hope for the future. A future filled with love and happiness with the man she loved.
A month later
Sully had gone back to Colorado Springs and it was agony for Michaela not knowing how he was and not knowing what he was doing. She missed him terribly. Her days were lonely and long. The only thing that spurred her on was that Sully was building their home and that they would be together as soon as she had everything in order.
She now just needed to pack up her life here in Boston. Tomorrow she would pack up the office she shared with her father at the hospital. She didn't really have any more patients there now. She was still a female doctor in a male dominated field. And the hospital only really allowed her to work there because her father was chief of staff.
Sighing, she re read the last telegram from Sully. It said that he was well and that he missed her. She missed him terribly but soon they would be together again.
Colorado Springs
Sully made his way to the merchentile. The sun was warm on his back as he looked over his list one more time. Wood, nails and a new hammer were listed. As soon as he made it back to town he first made his way to see Daniel and gave him his half of the money. Daniel also wanted to know why he had been gone so long. After Sully told him about Michaela, Daniel couldn't wipe the silly grin from his face. He also offered to help Sully out digging the foundations for the homestead Sully wanted to build for Michaela. As soon as this was done Daniel left Colorado Springs heading for Virginia to set up his mine, he promised to come back and visit as soon as Michaela came. He wanted to be there for his best friend's wedding.
Now Sully was well on the way with the homestead. The foundations were done and the frame of the house was erected and he was almost done with the roof. Building it filled his days and exhaustedly he slept in his lean to at the edge of the property he had purchased for the homestead. His dreams were always of Michaela. Some were mundane things like her at the hospital helping a patient and other times he would dream of what it would be like after they were married. Those were his best dreams.
Sully mounted the steps of the merchentile distracted by his daydream he didn't see Abigail Bray replenishing the stock of apples in the barrel on the porch. However Abigail did not miss Sully. Whenever he was in town Abigail enjoyed watching him, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. She was so pleased when she saw him when he jumped off the stage. She had heard from her father that he was building a homestead south of town, she had already discovered where the homestead was and she often made sure she walked in that direction whenever she had time off from the merchentile just to watch Sully work.
"Hi Sully, How are you today?" She asked eagerly stepping in his path.
"Oh hey Abigail. How are you?" he instinctively took a step back.
"Oh I'm real good thanks. Are you here to pick up more supplies?"
"Yeah I am," He looked around her into the store. He made a move to step around her and she soon followed him.
"Hey Loren has that shipment of lumber come in?" Sully asked making his way to where Loren kept the nails. He picked up a couple of different lengths.
"Yeah it's round the back," The gruff shopkeeper grunted.
Sully placed a box of nails onto the counter. "Good I'll take these and this hammer,"
"I'll put it through the books for you Sully," Abigail grabbed the items and made notes in the ledger that her father kept on the counter.
"You picking up that lumber today cos I can't be having all that wood taking up space round the back," Loren moaned as he stuck his pencil behind his ear.
"Don't worry Loren I parked the wagon at Robert E's, I'll be picking up that lumber today," He shook his head knowing Loren was just being awkward as usual. Maybe now wasn't going to be the best time for him to enquire about the old homestead at the edge of town. He wanted to have somewhere Michaela could live while he finished their homestead.
He counted out his money then placing it on the counter. "This cover it?"
"Perfect," Abigail sent a sunny smile at Sully.
He weakly smiled back wondering why she was being so nice. He made his way round the counter making his way closer to Loren who had gone back to dusting the top shelf. "Could I talk to you for a minute?"
Loren didn't even look down at Sully. "And why would ya wanna do that?"
"I was wondering about that old homestead ya got just out of town,"
"And what do you want with it?" his interest got the better of him he got down from his stool and faced Sully.
Abigail was straining to hear what Sully was saying to her father.
"Well I was wondering if ya would rent it to me?"
"Why? You're building your own homestead south of town. What do ya wanna rent my old homestead for?"
"I got someone who is coming to town soon and their gonna need somewhere to stay," he hedged not wanting the biggest town gossip to get wind of Michaela. It wasn't any of their business.
Rubbing his chin knowing he wasn't going to get much more out of Sully about his visitor. "Why don't they just stay at the boarding house?"
"Are you gonna rent it to me or not?" Sully was growing impatient with Loren's endless questions.
"Alright alright...just wanted to know something about my tenant," He threw up his hands in surrender. He figured that it was more money coming in. And that place was only going to rot.
"I'm your tenant. How much a month?" Sully asked.
"2 dollars a month," Loren eyed him knowing the property wasn't worth that much.
"Sure whatever but I want to do some repairs," He stated his terms; he just wanted to get out of the merchentile. He didn't like how Abigail was staring at him.
"Do whatever you want to it as long as it's still standing when I get it back," Loren grumbled but felt pleased with himself for renting out the property at a high price.
"It's a deal," Sully shook Loren's hand then placed another 2 dollars on the counter. Loren went to his cash box and rooted around in there.
"Oh Sully that place could be so pretty. And I'm sure you could make it look lovely," Abigail fluttered her eyes at him.
Sully Knew he needed to get out of here fast.
"Ah here it is," Loren handed Sully a key.
"Thanks Loren, I'll pick up that lumber once I bring the wagon round," Sully made his way to the double doors.
"Bye Sully see you soon," Abigail made short work of running around the counter and waving Sully off.
Boston, Michaela's bedroom
Michaela lay on her bed looking up at the ceiling. The room was in semi darkness, the sun had almost set and twilight was making its way across the city.
This was her last night in Boston and she was feeling nerves get the better of her. Her heart raced every time she thought about leaving on the train in the morning. She was leaving one life and starting another. Another life with Sully she reminded herself.
She took a cleansing breath and sat up. She was dressed for her last evening meal with her family. Everyone was going to be there to see her off tonight and then in the morning her parents would take her to the train station. Elizabeth wasn't happy that Michaela was travelling across country on her own unchaperoned but there wasn't a lot that she could do about it.
Walking to the mirror Michaela smoothed the wrinkles out of her dress. She saw the trunk behind her in the reflection. She closed her eyes and imagined Sully's face; she imagined being held in his arms. Warmth came over her and a smile graced her lips. She opened her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror once more feeling reassured.
A quiet knock came from the door. "Come in," She replied.
Martha opened the door holding a note in her hand. "This just came for you Miss Michaela. I wanted to bring it to you in case I didn't get the opportunity to see you before you left," she smiled warmly.
"Oh Martha I shall miss you," Michaela threw her arms around the elderly maid.
Martha hugged Michaela tightly. "You say hello to that young man of yours Miss,"
"I will thank you Martha for taking care of me for all these years," she smiled a watery smile. It was not going to be a easy night and defiantly not a tear free one.
Martha took one more look at Michaela and made to leave. She turned around again. "Oh I almost forgot," She handed Michaela the folded note.
"Thank you," Michaela accepted the note then closed the door again after Martha was gone. Opening the note Michaela began to read.
Dearest Michaela {stop}
I miss you so much I cannot wait until you are finally here. {stop}
I have made good progress on the homestead. {stop}
Also I have found somewhere you can live before we marry and you can also practice medicine there too. {stop}
Looking forward to seeing you soon. {Stop}
Love Sully {stop}
Michaela held the note to her chest and smiled. She knew she was doing the right thing. She couldn't wait to be Sully's wife.
Colorado Springs
Michaela accepted the hand of the gentleman that helped her off the stagecoach. Curiously she looked up and down the dirt track street. She placed her heeled boot on the ground before her and encountered wet mud, her foot sank. Giving a rueful shake of her head she gestured to the stagecoach driver what trunk was hers.
Two men handed it down and placed it on the porch of the merchentile. Glancing up and down the street again Michaela took in the sights of the town. She had seen so much landscape on her journey here it was nice to see a town and people. She looked for Sully in the crowd and couldn't see him. She knew Sully wouldn't have known the exact day she would be arriving but her heart dropped knowing that he wasn't here to greet her.
She looked across a pretty meadow at the end of the street. There was a small church across the bridge. She opened her medical bag and pulled out a notice she had tore out of a newspaper. It was by chance she came across it, it was an advertisement for a Doctor in Colorado Springs. The contacts name was Reverend Johnson.
"Are ya a real doctor?" a young voice broke her concentration.
She looked up and saw a small blonde haired boy looking up at her. He tilted his head to the side studying her. She smiled back "Yes I am,"
"Your dressed all fancy," he said "And ya talk different,"
Michaela chuckled and looked down at her dress. She supposed she was a little over dressed for everyday town life. She looked at a group of women who were just walking by. Each of them were looking at the new arrival with great interest.
"Well I suppose your right young man. My name is Doctor Michaela Quinn but people call me Mike. I probably sound different to you because I am from Boston," She extended her hand towards the boy.
"Oh, I'm Brian Cooper. Nice to meet ya," He shook her hand. "Could I call ya Doctor Mike?" He asked.
"I suppose that would be fine,"
"Are ya gonna be the new doctor? Everyone has been talking about it," He liked this woman. Normally grownups would ignore him but this lady was happy to talk to him.
"Yes I am, I need to find the reverend though," She squinted in the sun light as she looked back up towards the church.
"Oh he's over by the church," Brian pointed in the direction of the meadow.
"Is my bag safe here?" Michaela asked.
"Yeah sure come on," Brain grabbed Michaela's hand and led the way to the church.
"Reverend!" Brian shouted as they neared the church.
Michaela looked at the town as Brian pulled her through the streets. It was a small rustic town but it had charm. This was to be her new home she thought.
"Hello Brian...," The Reverend waved and put down his wet rag he'd been using to wash the windows with. "Who is your friend?" He looked at the beautiful woman holding Brian's hand.
"Hello Reverend I am Doctor Michaela Quinn," She spoke before Brian and held out her gloved hand towards the reverend.
Timothy looked at Michaela in shock. This beautiful woman was a doctor?! He took her hand cautiously. "I'm the reverend Johnson," He said slowly.
"I hear you are looking for a doctor," She came straight to the point.
"Uh yes..." He ran his hand through his hair.
Michaela cut him off "Well here I am," she smiled.
"Yes but we...we were expecting a male doctor," He felt very uncomfortable.
"But she's a real doctor Reverend," Brian interrupted. "We've never had one of those,"
Timothy looked down at Brian. The boy had a point but he wasn't sure if the town was going to go for a female doctor.
"I have my credentials if you would like to see them. But I can assure you that you'll find I can do the job,"
"I'll need to speak to the congregation," He said.
"We'll I am not going anywhere," She nodded stubbornly. Brian chuckled behind his hand.
"We'll I'll inform the town that there will be a meeting tomorrow," He gave her a small smile.
"I shall see you there Reverend. It was nice to meet you," She shook his hand once more and turned to leave.
Brian looked up at the reverend and smiled. "See ya reverend,"
Timothy watched Michaela storm away and Brian running after her. He then saw her slip and fall in the mud just before the bridge. "Are you ok?" He shouted.
Brian helped Michaela back to her feet. She looked down at her dress feeling embarrassed and brushed some of the mud off. Looking back up towards the reverend she gave him a small wave to let him know she was fine.
"You're all dirty," Brian stated the obvious.
"It would appear so," she looked back down at her dress.
"My ma would let you clean up at the boarding house. She owns it," He said proudly.
"Umm yes thank you, that would be lovely," Brian took her hand once more and led her towards the boarding house.
Brian opened the front door of the boarding house. "Ma we have a visitor," he shouted.
"Brian, You'll wake the dead shouting like that," Charlotte looked up from plucking a chicken at the large wooden table next to the fire. She saw the lady Brain referred to as their guest. She wiped her hand on her apron and approached Michaela.
"This is Dr Mike Ma," Brian said quieter.
"Hi I'm Charlotte Cooper,"
Michaela instantly liked this woman; she had a warm kind face. Michaela extended her hand "Hello I'm Doctor Michaela Quinn," She smiled.
"Nice ta meet ya," Charlotte grinned taking in the doctors' fancy but muddy clothes. "Did you need a room?" She asked.
"I do need a place to clean up if you don't mind. I'm supposed to be meeting someone here. His name is Byron Sully,"
"Sully?" Charlotte questioned surprised. This must be the woman he had told her about. Occasionally Sully would stop by for a meal when invited and Charlotte would mother him.
"You know him?" Michaela was relieved.
"Sure do," Brian interrupted. Michaela smiled down at him and ruffled his hair. With that Colleen came through the back door carry a pitcher of water.
"Dr Mike this here is my daughter Colleen. Colleen this is Dr Mike," Charlotte introduced.
"Nice ta meet you," Colleen smiled shyly. She hadn't seen anyone look this fancy before except from in the books that Mr Bray had.
"It's lovely to meet you all," she genuinely meant it.
"Well now introductions are done let's get you cleaned up," Charlotte guided Michaela to the door on the right and led her upstairs.
On the Street
Sully walked towards town his wolf trotting alongside him. He reached down and petted the animal as they walked. Looking up he saw the stagecoach pass him by on its way out of town.
His first thought was of Michaela he quickened his pace. In front of the merchentile there was trunks piled up and crates that were due to be collected by their various owners.
He reached the area and looked up and down the street but couldn't see Michaela in the crowds. Maybe she hadn't made this stage he thought. He looked at the trunks in front of him. He recognised the burgundy one. Moving closer he read the embossed letters. DR Michaela A Quinn MD it read.
Sully's heart pounded in his chest, she was here in town. Whipped his head up once again looking for her but again no sign. Seeing Robert E approach. "Hey Robert E by any chance you see the lady who owns this trunk?"
Robert E scratched his chin "Yeah, dressed like she was going to a social," He commented.
"Which way did she go?" hope rose in his chest. He was going to finally lay his eyes on her after so long apart.
"She was talking to Brian then I don't know Sully, Sorry," Robert E patted Sully's arm and made his way into the merchentile.
Now looking for Brian Sully headed towards the boarding house. Knocking on the door Sully waited for it to be answered.
Brian opened the door and grinned broadly seeing his idol stood in front of him. "Sully,"
"Hey Brian, you wouldn't have happened to have met a lady doctor would ya?" he tussled Brian's golden hair.
"Dr Mike? Yeah she's upstairs,"
Sully's heart leapt. He moved into the room. "Hey Charlotte," Sully greeted "Is Michaela upstairs?"
"She sure is," She watched Sully rock back and forth on his heels nervously.
"Ya mind if I go up?" He asked he couldn't take it he needed to see her. He'd been waiting for weeks to see her and he was now only moments away.
"Be my guest," She gestured towards the door on the right grinning at the love sick pup in front of her.
Sully needed no more encouragement he practically ran to the door. He took the steps two at a time and called Michaela's name. She opened the first door on the right. She was just as beautiful as he remembered if not more. His heart almost beat out his chest. He closed the distance between them, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off her feet as their lips came crashing together.
Michaela wrapped her arms around his neck feeling giddy from the excitement of seeing him. Their mouths continued their dance of passion. Finally Sully set her back on her feet. And looked at her taking in her breathtaking features. As she reached up and stroked his cheek, tears formed in her eyes.
"Hey what's this?" He whispered stroking her cheek capturing a tear that rolled down the smooth skin.
"Its happy tears...I missed you so much and now we are finally together I can hardly believe it," she hugged him tightly burring her head in the crook of his neck.
Sully's hand came up to caress the back of her head. "We are together now," He kissed her temple.
Michaela pulled back and looked into his eyes once more. She couldn't get enough of looking at him. She fingered the soft wave in his hair next to his ear. She cupped his face in her hands and brought their lips together for a gentle kiss.
Sully was content to just hold her for the rest of the afternoon but she moved out of his embrace. His brow creased as she moved across the room.
"I'm sorry I'm not very clean right now," She looked down at her soiled dress "I was just cleaning up," She turned to the muddy jacket she had placed on the bed. Just as she turned Sully quickly came to her and wrapped his arms around her waist bringing her back flush against his chest. He needed to be near her. He had been waiting for this moment that seemed to have taken an eternity.
"I don't mind, you always look beautiful even if you are covered in mud," He joked.
Michaela could feel the heat of him behind her. She closed her eyes at the sensation, her heart beating wildly in her chest. Michaela felt herself letting go, passion taking hold of her. She needed to stop this now before things got out of hand.
"Sully I...," She was interrupted when Brian came crashing through the open door with Wolf. "Sully Ma wants to know if you wanna stay for dinner?"
Michaela and Sully broke apart as if they were scolded. A deep blush crept to Michaela's cheek and she brought her hand up to feel the warmth.
"Uh yeah sure Brian," He looked over at Michaela and grinned. She had turned her face away shyness taking its hold. He knew that Charlotte had sent Brian up to keep an eye on them. Reaching over he grabbed her hand stroking the back.
"Me and Michaela are gonna go for a walk before dinner ok?" He eyed the small boy.
"Sure," Brian shrugged and left them again.
Sully smiled and tugged Michaela's hand to follow him.
(A bit of a longer chapter for you)