2. Realizations

Sully was a little afraid that if he pinched himself, he would wake up from this wonderful dream. When Michaela agreed to marry him, he knew that he would be happy for the rest of his life simply because she would be at his side from now on. He couldn't imagine that feeling to be topped but it happened. Their wedding night had already been incredible, yet when she still shyly but willingly followed his lead on Sunday afternoon and the two following nights as well, he was both, breathless and speechless afterwards. It wasn't only desire that drove him to her body. When he buried himself inside of her; a sense of security that he had never experienced before engulfed him, too. Her love made him feel as if he had grown and that he was stronger than ever. Adding to that they had spent the last two days in a way he could go on forever: they walked a lot, talked a little yet the best part was when they sat together without speaking one word just content with the other one's presence. They had brought a few books from her father's library and he had read her some poems by Walt Whitman by the fire in the evening. For Sully it was as if this man knew him and wrote the words he felt in his heart so he could now recite them to Michaela. She hadn't shied away when he read her The Body Electric yet she was still too timid to allow herself to live the words. Sully didn't mind though; they had all their lives ahead of them and he was willing to be a patient teacher.

Tuesday was the third day of their honeymoon and it looked as if it would be another beautiful one. Cloud Dancing had predicted Indian summer for the entire week and until now he was proved right.

They were still in bed. Michaela lay spooned to Sully's body and he waited for her to wake up. A loud birdcall from the outside made him lift his head and look to the window. Instinctively missing some of the warmth of his body Michaela stirred. Running her hand up and down his arm that held her tight, she smiled. Turning his attention back to her, Sully lovingly pressed his lips to her cheek. "Sun is up."

But she didn't want to open her eyes yet and snuggled closer into his embrace instead, still with her back to him, mumbling, "Mmmm."

Nuzzling her ear he whispered, "It's been up for a while," and kissed her bare shoulder.

However, this wasn't enough reason for her to leave this cozy place and she replied, "It's so nice and peaceful here…"

Sully grinned to himself. If someone had told him a year ago that Michaela would once lie in his arms, wanting to stretch the night they had together a little longer, he would have called them crazy. Yet it was true and when he started caressing her hair, running his hand over her body while holding her with the other one, Michaela turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. He didn't need further invitation and claimed her mouth hungrily.

……………………………………………………..

Sully had sensed Michaela tense when he wanted more than kissing. That was why he had immediately restrained himself from going further; there was no need to push her. Thus it was only half an hour later when they both entered the dining room.

The table was set as it had been the days before. Looking forward to another lazy meal together, they smiled at each other and were about to start talking through their plans for the day when suddenly Mr. Reed emerged on the threshold, a boy around twelve years old at his side. Until now, the groundskeeper and his family had been almost invisible for them and Sully still silently congratulated himself for his arrangement with the banker. Here it was far better than at a hotel; they had everything they needed for a honeymoon that they would remember all their lives: beautiful land around them, some luxury, too and all the privacy they needed.

Yet when Mr. Reed knocked at the doorframe and came in, not even waiting for them to invite him, the man's determined expression showed them that their time alone was over, at least for now.

Puzzled, Michaela and Sully glanced at each other, yet neither of them had a clue what this could be about. However, Nathan Reed didn't waste any time getting straight to the point. After shortly nodding at Michaela, greeting, "Good morning, Mrs. Sully," he turned toward Sully and she ceased to exist for him.

In his opinion, a wife's task was to take care of her husband's welfare and to raise their children. The man made all decisions and thus he had only to convince the architect of his plan. He had thought carefully about how to approach the subject and with the knowledge his boss had given him about the man before him, Nathan Reed knew how to start. "I wondered if you could help me, Mr. Sully."

Without hesitation, Sully replied, "Sure. What is it?"

This was the hoped-for response. Now it would be difficult for his boss' guest to go back on his word and thus Nathan came out with his request. "I've been Mr. Stones gamekeeper in England. I only arrived at this place a week ago. I'm neither familiar with the lay of the land nor the wildlife or plants here yet, but my boss told me that you know a great deal about it. I hoped that you could point out some of the specific things to me."

Seeing Mr. Sully glance at his wife, he hastily added, "It's kind of urgent. Mr. Stone wishes venison for dinner tomorrow night."

Waiting for these words to sink in, the English man didn't take his eyes from his vis-à-vis.

Sully was torn. On the one hand it sounded very tempting to spend some time hunting. He hadn't been aware of how much he missed it until now that the prospect of tracking down some deer became a distinct possibility. On the other hand he didn't know if he would ever have the opportunity again to spend so much time alone with Michaela as he could now. He loved to be with her all day and have her undivided attention.

It was as if Michaela read his mind. Looking at him she could tell that he wanted both, to go hunting and to be with her. For her this was a difficult situation as well. She had to go back to her childhood when she wanted to remember having such a wonderful relaxed time. She couldn't believe how much she enjoyed being lazy. Of course only with Sully at her side… Yet as always when she had to decide between her wishes and those of others, she put Sully first. Giving him a somewhat rueful smile, she encouraged him, "I could read; I brought some medical journals…"

Imagining her sitting alone somewhere while he was having a good time was the last thing Sully wanted and turning to her fully he instantly suggested, "Ya could come with us…"
"I don't think that's a good idea," the groundskeeper cut him off, determined to not take any woman with them, "We'll have already my son with us, that's more than enough…"

Against his usual manner, Sully's reply was a sharp one, "You wanna have my help? Then leave it to me who will come or not."

Nathan Reed had strict orders from his boss to make the best of Mr. Sully's presence and thus he immediately backed off, "Of course. We'll wait outside. C'mon, Will." With that he gave his son a pat on the back and they left without looking at the couple again.

…………………………………………..

Twenty minutes later, standing with Michaela next to his Indian pony, Sully wasn't sure if he had made the right decision. "Ya really don't mind?"

Holding her gaze, Sully searched for any sign of discomfort at being left behind.

After looking around to reassure that they weren't watched, Michaela wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted up on her tiptoes. "Nope," she imitated him, "Only hurry back."

"I will; shouldn't take us too long. I think we should be back around noon."

Pulling her even tighter, he nuzzled her hair and whispered into her ear, "I'll make it up to ya tonight."

Grinning cheekily, he watched the color rise on her cheeks knowing that she understood perfectly well what he was talking about.

Her chiding, "Sully!" he silenced with a tender kiss before he mounted his horse with a swift move, calling for Wolf to follow him.

Although Sully had worked here for some weeks, he hadn't had the opportunity to venture into the woods; his rare free hours didn't allow that. Yet of course he knew the Colorado land and its wildlife. Thus it wasn't difficult for him to point out the places where it would make sense to look for high game or for a spring in case the small creek would not have enough water during a drought. They even saw a brown bear family and actually it was this encounter that caused an unexpected realization inside of Sully. He felt as if he was coming home; only now did he become aware of how much he had missed being outside, not bound by a certain time or date; and on the spur of the moment he decided to never work as an architect again. All he ever wanted was a family, and he had his own now again. He had a beautiful, smart wife and a wonderful daughter. When they were lucky, they would even have more children some day…

However, teaching a stranger what he had learned from the Cheyenne, his thoughts drifted to his Indian family and guiltily he admitted that he had neglected them over the last months. As soon as they were back in town, he would go and see Cloud Dancing…

Slowly, Sully found the way back to reality when Mr. Reed's voice finally got through to him, "…I hoped you could tell me where."

Turning back his attention to the other man he reacted, "Where what? Sorry, I didn't listen."

Chuckling, Nathan replied, "I can tell… I was wondering if you knew where to buy some good iron traps. Back in England…"

"Ya used them before?" Sully couldn't conceal his displeasure and he suspiciously eyed his companion. Until now, it had looked as if he loved nature as much as he did.

Sensing the mistrust, Reed instantly assured, "Actually, I've never used traps before, Mr. Stone suggested them."

"I bet he'd never seen an animal caught in one." The disgust in Sully's tone was not to miss and in a moment of mutual understanding, the men glanced at each other.

They rode in silence for a while until the English man probed, "So, what do you take?"

"Snares." Reading the expression on the groundskeeper's face right, Sully promised without thinking, "I'll show ya."

They didn't have time to make an appointment because a sudden neigh and the sounds of a spooking horse startled them.

Turning around they watched in horror how Will flipped to the ground, landing with a sickening thud.

This trip into the woods was nothing of what the boy had expected. In the morning, he was puzzled when it turned out that they would only be the three of them. Hunting home in England always meant a big commotion with a lot of guests, a pack of dogs and racing horses. That was why he had been looking forward to today since the man in the strange clothes arrived. For the first time, he was invited to go with the men, searching for game but all that they had done so far was looking around and talking. And then they even let the bears go! He could have had a fur all for himself!

Since no one paid attention to him, the boy at last slowly let himself fall behind. Maybe he could spot another bear and then he wouldn't wait for his father but simply use his rifle; he knew how to shoot… He had no clue what was happening when his horse suddenly took fright and catapulted him out of his saddle.

When Sully and Nathan reached Will, they immediately crouched down next to him. While the concerned father asked, "What happened, son?" Sully tore up the bloody trouser leg, replying instead of the boy, "Probably a rattle snake. Here're a lot of them."

Seeing the bone of the shin looking through the skin, he sucked the air through his teeth. He was already calling for Wolf as Mr. Reed stated, "He needs a doctor and quickly."

"Yep." Sully went to his saddlebag, pulling out a cloth. It was one of Michaela's handkerchiefs and holding it in front of Wolf's nose, he pointed with his arm in the direction of the house, ordering, "Get her!"

The animal didn't need more and instantly ran away.

Although these actions didn't make any sense to him, Reed dismissed them. All he was interested in right now was, "What's the next town?"

Yet Sully's mind raced about what to do until Michaela would be here. Without looking at the other man he responded, "Colorado Springs. Three hours on horseback."

In an attempt to soothe the boy who was groaning loudly, he knelt down next to him again, assuring him, "Don't worry, my wife's a doctor. She'll help ya."

Reed thought he hadn't heard right. "You want your wife to take care of my son? Never! No woman will touch him apart from his mother."

Sully straightened hearing these words, his eyes holding a dangerous expression, but Nathan didn't back off. "I'll take him to Colorado Springs; they sure have a real doctor there."

"Yeah, they have." Sully started looking around for the necessary things to make something akin to a stretcher so they could carry Will; there would be no way for him to be able to ride home. However, Sully couldn't help but grin when he glanced at Mr. Reed, adding casually, "It's a good one. It's my wife."

……………………………………………………

After Sully was gone, Michaela decided to take her medical magazine and go down to the creek. Sitting near running water always had a calming effect on her. It wasn't so that she was anxious or even angry, but being alone at this place made her nervous. She was used to always having something to do; quiet hours alone with herself were rare occasions and mostly reserved for the evenings.

The last few days had rather felt like living in a dream. Being together with Sully even at night still was so new but exciting, too. Her days were still divided in two parts though; as long as there was daylight, she felt as comfortable as she ever had. Yet once it got dark, she grew insecure. Although she couldn't wait for them to go to bed, she feared it at the same time.

Now that Sully wasn't at her side and she had time to think about it, Michaela realized why she was somewhat frightened. Never in her life had she depended on anyone but this had changed now. Nothing could explain it better than this Indian tale Sully had told her: she needed him to be whole. She wasn't used to this thought yet and she didn't dare to explore it fully. However, even if she would have wanted to, a small hand on her shoulder suddenly threw her back to reality.

"Mrs. Sully, my mamma says you can join us." Astonished and a little startled, Michaela looked up and met the gaze of two curious brown eyes of a girl that was around ten years old.

Although Michaela rather wanted to stay where she was trying to sort her feelings, she wasn't able to resist the anticipation in the child's look.

A smile spread over her face when she replied, "I'd like that."

Adele Reed had watched the other woman for an hour. She was sure that Mrs. Sully was bored while she herself could use some help. Now that her family was here in this strange country, they couldn't afford to lose their posts. She had to be the perfect housekeeper and with Mr. Stone coming the next evening, the entire house had to be aired and dusted. Since Mrs. Sully's husband was with hers out in the woods for who knew how long she only waited for the right opportunity to offer the other woman some work so she could feel useful. Besides that, she longed for someone older than a nine-year-old to talk to and maybe she could even give some advice to the newlywed. Thus she sent Helen down to the creek where Mrs. Sully kept staring at the water, hugging her knees to her chest.

As her oldest daughter and the woman started ascending the meadow together, coming in her direction, Adele again was struck about how tiny this woman was. Maybe she wasn't much of a help…

However, planting a smile on her face as Mrs. Sully approached her, she greeted, "I'm Nathan's wife. I thought you might be tired of being alone and having nothing to do, and I could use a hand. There is still so much to prepare for tomorrow; although the house is new, there is dust everywhere..."

The thought that it was strange that a guest of Mr. Stone was asked to help clean the rooms didn't even occur to Michaela. She felt instantly guilty, realizing that this woman, surrounded by three little girls, had waited on her the last days. Though Mrs. Reed's physical constitution seemed to be a strong one, the dark rings under her eyes spoke their own language.

"Of course I'll help, just tell me what you'd like me to do." After Michaela had spoken these words, her solitude was over. From now on, she wasn't only surrounded by curious little girls but a never-ending flow of words from Mrs. Reed followed her everywhere as well. Usually she wouldn't have minded to have a little talk, she was always interested in getting to know new people. However, Mrs. Reed barely gave her the opportunity to respond let alone to ask a question. Apart from that, she didn't have the intention to discuss her personal life with a stranger. Thus she was more than a little relieved when she, while cleaning a window upstairs, saw Wolf heading over the meadow towards the house. Only when neither the men nor the boy emerged did it dawn on her that something was wrong.

She instantly reacted, knowing that Sully had sent his companion because he needed her to come. Dropping her cleansing cloth she asked Mrs. Reed, "Would you please saddle my horse while I go and get my bag?"

Adele had seen the animal but couldn't find a connection between its arrival and Mrs. Sully's words. In bewilderment, she watched the small figure hurry out of the room and didn't budge. The girl's still curious gazes wandered between their mother and the retreating strange woman with the kind voice and the beautiful hair. After a short hesitation they at last started leaving as well yet were stopped by a stern voice, "Don't you dare! Let her go and help me finish here!"

The children immediately obeyed; only when they heard a horse whinny did they rush to the open window, watching in awe how the stranger galloped across the meadow, her long tresses flying behind her, lead by a running wolf. And their imagination began to work… didn't she look like a princess on the run?

……………………………………………………

In the meantime the men had made out of two thicker branches and thin, pliable twigs which they had weaved between the longer sticks a stretcher to carry Will home. They had just put it down next to him when Sully heard faint hoof beats approaching. Straightening again he called, "Over here, Michaela!"

Yet it was Wolf who first emerged, hurrying to his master's side. Smiling, Sully crouched down, scratching his friend behind the ears praising him, "Good boy."

The animal didn't need more and lying down in the shadow of a tree, his tongue hanging out sideways and his breath coming in short gasps, he watched the woman on her horse approach.

Michaela quickly dismounted Flash and not wasting any time, she asked urgently, "What happened?"

Actually, she felt bad because she wasn't able to conceal her relief about seeing Sully being alright. All the way out here, she had feared he might be badly injured or even worse because he didn't come himself to fetch her. Seeing him healthy made her smile for a moment but as soon as she spotted the boy on the ground she hurried towards him while Sully explained, "His horse got spooked and he fell off. His leg's broken."

Yet Michaela already saw. "I'll need some sticks, Sully."

"Sure," he replied, instantly looking for some but he was halted in his search when suddenly Mr. Reed growled at Michaela, "You won't touch my son, is that clear?"

Realizing that she never had been introduced to him as Dr. Quinn, she assured him, "No need to worry, Mr. Reed. I'm a doctor and I know what…"

Yet she was cut off sharply, "I don't care what you are calling yourself! You are a woman and women are not supposed to…"

Mr. Reed hadn't expected for Michaela to contradict him let alone to not let him finish his speech; no woman had ever dared to do that since he was grown up. Thus he gaped at her as her fiery voice interrupted him mid-sentence, "And I don't care what you think about women! Your son needs to be treated immediately and I will do that now."

With that, Michaela turned as to bend down again yet an iron grip on her upper arm stopped her.

Up to now, Sully hadn't chimed in because he knew that Michaela wouldn't want him to; he recognized that angry fire that was burning in her eyes. As soon as Reed touched her though, he didn't hold back any longer. Before Nathan knew it, he found himself lying face down on the ground, his arm twisted on his back. Mr. Sully's tone was menacing when he spoke close to his ear. "Never touch my wife again! And now let her work."

As if nothing unusual had happened, Sully rose to his feet, starting to look for the right sticks while Michaela tried to sooth the boy, kneeling next to him and stroking his hair from his sweaty brow, "I'm Dr. Quinn. Your leg is broken and I have to set the bone right now so it can heal properly. It will hurt, so I'll give you something that will make you sleep. Don't worry, everything will be alright again."

Nearly fainting from the pain, Will could only nod as Michaela opened her bag.

…………………………………………..

After Sully assisted Michaela when she operated in the living room of the groundskeeper's house, Mr. Reed asked him, considerably more polite and careful now, whether he would come with him again, to try to catch a deer. Since Michaela didn't mind, reasoning that she needed to sit vigil anyway, he agreed. Apart from the accident and the short fight, the morning had been a pleasant one and Sully was always forgiving rather than dwelling on things and he didn't want to let go of the opportunity to be out hunting again.

When Michaela hugged him before he left, whispering, "Be careful, please," he grinned reassuringly.

"I'm always careful." Kissing her sweetly he promised, "I'll be back before nightfall." And cheekily winking he added, "Can't wait for it."

Michaela's cheeks were still red when she returned into the Reed's house to resume watching the injured boy.

Of course Mrs. Reed was thankful for everything the doctor had done for her son and knew how lucky her family was that she had been here. However, she didn't have twigs of remorse because she had made the other woman help her in the morning. For her it was clear that she would give up work anyway now, that she was a wife. Yet it couldn't hurt to benefit from Mrs. Sully's knowledge and thus she asked her whether she could look at her oldest, Helen, for she had always this strange cough. And Becky was often so tired and Mary used to limp from time to time…

When evening approached, Michaela had given each child and even Mrs. Reed a proper examination. Apart from the first signs of malnourishment everyone was alright and the smallest girl simply needed an insole because her left leg was somewhat shorter than the right one. Will was as well as he could be in his situation and when the men finally returned, proudly presenting a deer, she went back to the lodge with Sully.

They didn't talk much before they went to bed, yet it was a contented silence that engulfed them.

Their lovemaking held a new urgency that night. For Michaela it was because of the realization of how easily she could lose him when he was out in the woods; for Sully it was the reminder of how lucky he was that this beautiful, caring and smart woman in his arms had chosen him.

Thank you for your patience! This chapter grew larger than expected and thus I decided to finish it at this point and rather add one more chapter to the story.