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 16

The Meadow

Hand in hand Sully and Michaela walked in the meadow near the church.

"What do ya think of the town?" Sully asked.

"It's lovely Sully," She smiled at him "I'm so happy to be here with you," She squeezed his hand. "I've spoken to the Reverend already about the doctor's position. They are going to hold a meeting tomorrow about me taking up the position,"

"You've been busy already," he raised his eyebrow towards her.

"Well I'd like to get to work as soon as I can. I want the town's people to trust me. I know that because I am a woman that might not come as easily," She shrugged.

"You're a great doctor, this town is lucky to have ya...and so am I," he turned her to face him bringing her hand to his lips.

"I'm lucky to have you too," she rested her chin in their entwined hands looking into his eyes.

"I wanna show you the homestead tomorrow," Eager to show her the progress. "Also I've rented out a small homestead just outside of town where you could live while I complete the work,"

"What's wrong with me staying at the boarding house?"

"I didn't think it'll be any good for seeing patients there," he shrugged.

Realising he was right she nodded. The boarding house was lovely but it wasn't a medical practice it was a home.

"It'll need a little work on it before ya move in so you'll need to stay at the boarding house for a few days, but the work is almost done," he said.

"Looks like you have thought of everything," She up turned the corner of her mouth.

Sully couldn't resist lightly bringing his lips to hers in a chased kiss. "We had better return to the boarding house or Charlotte will send Brian after us again," Michaela teased.

Sully chuckled and they made their way back to the boarding house.

At the Mercantile

Abigail was sweeping the front porch as her father asked. It had been a slow day but she made the most of it by day dreaming. Looking up to push a stray lock of hair out of her eyes she saw Sully walking towards the boarding house with a smartly dressed woman. She lifted her brow quizzically. Who was that woman? She had never seen her in town before. She watched as Sully held the door open for the woman. Abigail considered Sully's attitude towards this woman. He looked lighter and was smiling at her. She wished that he would smile at her sometimes; he always seemed to be in a hurry.

Sighing Abigail returned to her work. There had to be some way that she could get Sully to notice her? She thought.

The Next Day

Sully had picked Michaela up in his wagon at lunchtime. He made his way to the new homestead, nerves building in his stomach the whole time. He couldn't eat anything this morning wondering what reaction Michaela was going to be about the homestead he was building her.

Michaela was enjoying the ride out of town. Everything was so new to her. She loved the terrain around Colorado Springs, the sun felt warm on her skin and the air smelt so sweet. She didn't even notice how Sully's leg kept bouncing up and down with nervous energy.

Sully held his breath as they crossed the bridge and rolled towards the wooden structure.

Michaela's eyes widened when they approached. Here was Sully's sketch brought to life and it looked more wonderful in real life. Her heart filled with love for this man beside her. He was building this home for her so they could live happily ever after.

Sully jumped off the wagon and came to Michaela's side. He hadn't looked at her face yet afraid that she might not like it considering the finery she was used to in Boston. Looking up at Michaela he could see her eyes were watery, reached up to help her down.

Holding her in his arms he set her on her feet. He held her nearer than was necessary but he needed to feel her close. Looking in her eyes he was still unsure of her feelings.

"What do you think?" He asked.

"Oh Sully...It's wonderful," She choked "I can't believe you have built this all by yourself," She was amazed by the craftsmanship.

"Truly?" He asked to be sure.

"Yes truly," She grinned. Sully lifted her off her feet again and spun her around. He brought his mouth to hers in an impassioned kiss. After he set her on her feet again.

Michaela felt giddy either on from the kiss or the spinning or both. She placed her hands on his shoulders. "It's a beautiful home for us. Thank you," She kissed him.

Smiling he pulled her hand to follow him to a small table he constructed nearby. He pointed out what work he still needed to do and what he wanted to add on some sketches he'd made. He lay out a floor plan out for Michaela. On it Sully had detailed the ground floor and the second floor.

"The ground floor is gonna be separated by this fireplace between the kitchen and living room..." he pointed out. "Then there will be stairs that go upstairs to four rooms...I thought you might like to use one as a study. Then there is two spare rooms and our room,"

"Our room?" She blushed deep red.

Sully looked up at her smiling. He took her hand and kissed the back. "Yeah our room,"

"I knew we would...well that we...," She flustered. She looked down at their joined hands.

Gently Sully smiled and lifted her chin. "It's ok Michaela...we'll take things slow,"

Caressing his cheek lovingly, she smiled grateful for this caring a loving man that was her fiancé.

"Come on I'm starving and that picnic is calling my name," Sully's stomach growled.

Michaela chuckled and helped Sully unpack their picnic lunch.

Michaela's boarding room

As she lay on her back in the dark she looked up at the ceiling. She listened to noises from the saloon from across the street they seemed to get louder each night she stayed here. Charlotte made the place so homely and warm but living right across the street from the saloon was disruptive at best. She was glad that Sully had built their homestead in such a beautiful quiet spot.

She sighed and rolled to her side bringing her hand up to rest under her pillow. Here she was. Ready to start her new life, her new life with Sully. Her heart fluttered at the thought of it.

The town had their meeting at the church this evening. They had decided that they would keep Michaela on as doctor, however she got the impression that they were only keeping her on because nobody else had applied and the town really did need a doctor. She had bumped into Jake Slicker who had been the town doctor even though he had no medical training and used procedures that were barbaric. This town needed her even if they weren't glad to have her yet, she would prove herself to them.

Snuggling down in her bed she closed her eyes. She knew she should get some rest as Sully was going to show her the homestead where she would be living until they were married. With a smile on her face she fell asleep.

The boarding house the next day

Sully knocked on the front door. Colleen opened it and smiled when she saw Sully.

"Hey Sully Dr Mike is almost ready. Do you want to come in?" She stepped back to allow him access.

"Sure,"

"Hey Sully, How are ya?" Charlotte looked up from kneading bread.

"Can't complain," He grinned. He'd felt like he was walking on air ever since Michaela came to town.

Charlotte shook her head knowingly. Every time she saw Michaela and Sully together she could tell that they were meant to be. They barely took their eyes off each other. Charlotte could tell why Sully was captivated by Michaela; she was a beautiful talented woman. She had a caring heart and warmth that made you feel instantly comfortable around her. They were fast becoming friends and Charlotte was happy to have a woman like Michaela in town, she sure knew how to shake things up.

At that moment Michaela opened the downstairs door and entered the room followed by Brian. Brian had been following Michaela around like a lost puppy since she arrived. He asked her endless questions about Boston and her family, he got her to read to her at night also. Michaela didn't mind one bit she liked having a little friend.

Michaela saw Sully and up turned the corner of her mouth. She approached him forgetting that everyone in the room was looking at her. She touched his arm running her hand up to his bicep. "Hello," She said sultry.

"Hi," He grinned his heart beating a little faster than normal.

Colleen giggled behind her hand at the couple. Charlotte coughed loudly making sure that Michaela and Sully knew that they were not alone.

Michaela looked over at Charlotte and blushed wildly. She moved away from Sully and came to Charlotte. "Sorry, do you have that picnic?" whispered.

Touching Michaela's arm she smiled. "It's alright darlin. Here you go," She handed Michaela the basket. "I put it in there for you," Charlotte winked.

"Thank –you," Michaela gave Charlotte a one armed hug before Sully opened the door for them. He was curious at what Michaela and Charlotte were referring to.

Sully walked with Michaela towards Robert E's.

"Hey Robert E do ya have those horse's ready?" Sully asked as he patted Robert E's shoulder.

Wiping his hands in his shammy Robert E smiled at his friend. "Yeah sure," He looked over at Michaela who was quietly looking around the blacksmiths.

"Oh Robert E this is Michaela Quinn," He introduced the two.

"Hey, so you're the new doctor?" he shook Michaela's hand.

"Yes I am," She smiled warmly at Sully's friend.

"Nice ta meet ya," He gestured to the horses. "These are the two I picked out for ya Sully,"

Sully patted the mane and smoothed the animals' neck. "Looks good,"

Michaela looked at Sully curiously. "I thought you were going to show me the homestead?"

"I am, by horseback," he revealed.

Michaela's eyes widened she hadn't ridden a horse in years. She wasn't sure she even remembered how too. "Uh Sully...wouldn't the wagon be easier?"

"Come on it'll be fun," Before Michaela could protest he helped her up on a horse and they were on their way. Michaela was extremely nervous.

The homestead

Sully stopped his horse and jumped off. Michaela approached, she had been very quiet for Michaela. She stopped her restless horse next to his. Michaela made to get down and her foot got caught in the stirrup and she began to fall. Sully was there to catch her in his arms.

"Ya ok?" He asked setting her back on her feet.

"Yes," She placed her palms on his chest. Sully could feel her shake a little.

Running his hands up and down her arms he looked concerned. "Ya sure you're ok?"

"I guess I'm a little shaken from riding the horse, I haven't done that in years," She confessed.

"Just takes some getting used to," He kissed her temple.

Michaela took a deep breath and smiled not letting the horse defeat her. "Ok show me the homestead,"

Sully showed her the homestead. He told her about the repairs he made to the house and the barn. It was a small homestead and simple, nothing like what Sully was building but it would be comfortable and there would be no noise from the saloon here.

"What do you think?" He turned to her and asked.

"It's lovely Sully, It might need a little cleaning but it'll do," She wrapped her arm around his waist.

Eyeing the picnic basket in her hand. "Shall we eat?" He moved to sit on the porch steps. Michaela sat next to him.

"I'm intrigued what you and Charlotte were whispering about before we left,"

"Well it was this," She reached into the picnic basket and held up an apple pie. "You have no idea how much flour I got down my blouse while making this for you," She upturned the corner of her mouth.

Sully chuckled touching her cheek. "I don't see any flour on you now?" He looked her up and down. Causing heat to ride in Michaela's cheeks.

"That is because I changed," She placed the pie next to her.

Sully moved closer bringing his lips an inch from hers. "Thank-you," The sound of his voice vibrated through her causing a shiver to run down her back.

"You're welcome," she said. With that their lips met. Sully wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. Michaela boldly opened her mouth a little and Sully to the opportunity to explore. He leaned back against the side of the house pulling her with him so that she was led on his chest. His hand went to her hair and removed the clip that held it up.

Her hair cascaded down her back as he ran his fingers through the silky strands. Michaela's hands lay against his chest feeling the beat of his heart under her. Warmth radiated from her stomach and moved throughout her body making her want him more and more.

Sully's hand stroked her back and began to move lower pressing her closer to him. Michaela pulled back slightly for air. She looked into his eyes and ran her finger over his lips. Sully was about to move in to kiss her again but she pulled back a little. "I love you," She whispered.

Smiling he uttered "I love you too," He kissed the tip of her nose knowing that she was nervous and not wanting to push her he sat up with her and took her hands. "I can't wait to marry you," He kissed each palm and then the backs of her hands.

Michaela caressed his cheek. "I can't wait to marry you either," She leaned into kiss him once more.

(Update again soon)