Chapter 27
Warning: This chapter contains some adult (sexual) content that isn't suitable for kiddies.
December 1870 – Cheyenne Reservation
Without having had to stop, Michaela and Robert E. arrived at the Cheyenne Reservation within a half hour, and Michaela's stomach was twisting into knots, as she received her first glimpse of a true Native American…a true Cheyenne Indian.
She was in awe of them at her first glance, but she was too focused on getting to Sully and his son. They were her priority right now.
"Where's Sully?" Michaela asked Robert E., as he dismounted and helped her down.
"He's this way," Robert E. replied, quickly guiding her into the reservation. A few of the Indian elders watched them for a moment before going to back to their own chores. A few children stared in awe at the pretty lady with the black bag in her hands. "That's…that's Snow Bird. That's the woman Sully recognized." Michaela's eyes panned the crowd and came upon an Indian woman. "She speaks English." Michaela nodded thankfully to Robert E. "Dr. Mike, I gotta be getting back to Grace."
"That's fine, Robert E. Thank you for brining me out." Robert E. nodded and tipped his hat. "Sully, Johnny and I will hopefully be home by this evening."
"Good luck, Dr. Mike." He hurried off, and Michaela walked up to Snow Bird.
"I'm Dr. Michaela Quinn," she said nervously.
"You are the one Sully sent for. You are to be his wife."
"He told you?" Snow Bird smiled and shook her head.
"The Spirits told me. Come. The men are inside. My husband is a medicine man. Évovóhnêhešeho." Michaela's mouth gaped open for a moment. Just being in Snow Bird's presence made her feel as if she was with someone who deserved the utmost respect, and she was going to show that in the best way she could.
Snow Bird opened the flap to the teepee and led Michaela inside. Michaela was startled to see Johnny in such a fever. As Sully held the boy's head up, Cloud Dancing poured something down his throat.
"She is here," Snow Bird announced. Sully looked up, and his eyes immediately flooded with relief at the sight of his Michaela.
"You're here," he breathed, overcome with happiness at her being there. Michaela gave him a reassuring smile before moving to kneel beside Cloud Dancing. No introductions needed to be given. She knew who he was. He knew her. Their eyes met for a moment, before his eyes turned back down to the boy.
"What are you giving him?" Michaela asked, looking at the medicine man.
"White Willow Bark. It will help with his fever." Michaela looked at Sully, and he nodded.
"I seen it work before. He started getting worse, and Cloud Dancin' said we couldn't wait no longer." Michaela gripped her medical bag, ready to find her own medicines if necessary.
"Has he woken up?" Cloud Dancing shook his head.
"No. The fever is high. This will bring it down." Sully looked at Cloud Dancing.
"If it don't, ya gotta let her look at him."
"White man's medicine," Cloud Dancing said wearily. He had been the boy's healer for as long as Loren had let him. Without a doctor in town, any sniffle or cough the boy had received had been cured by herbs given to him by Cloud Dancing.
"She's a good doctor," Sully encouraged. "He'ôhma'heo'o." Michaela's fingers trembled nervously on the handle of her medical bag. All was silent for a few moments, and Snow Bird finally draped a warm blanket over Michaela's shoulders.
"Thank you," she said gratefully. Snow Bird smiled and nodded her head, but Michaela realized that the woman didn't have a blanket. "Oh. No, this is yours. I can't…"
"To refuse a gift is an insult," Cloud Dancing pointed out. Michaela glanced over at Snow Bird's saddened eyes, and she swallowed the lump in her throat.
"It's very warm. Thank you very much." Snow Bird smiled again, and she moved around to the other side, running a cloth over the boy's forehead, as she whispered something to her husband in Cheyenne. Michaela felt like an intruder again, watching this family care for this boy while she could do nothing. But when Sully looked up, she could see how grateful he was that she had come. She smiled at him with encouragement and pulled out a small bottle.
"What is that?" Cloud Dancing asked curiously.
"It's called Quinine. It also reduces fever," she pointed out. Cloud Dancing was silent for a moment, and he felt the boy's forehead.
"If his fever does not break soon, we will try your medicine." Michaela nodded gratefully.
"Thank you." She cleared her throat. "May I take a look at him?" Cloud Dancing nodded and backed away. As Michaela began examining the boy, Cloud Dancing looked to Sully. Johnny moaned softly in his sleep. In Cheyenne, Cloud Dancing said something to Sully that Michaela didn't recognize, and she was equally as baffled by Sully's response.
"Emo'onahe. Namehoto." Cloud Dancing replied, and Sully moved back toward Michaela. "How's he doin'?"
"His fever's breaking slowly," she said softly, brushing the hair out of the boy's eyes. "How are you?"
"I'm fine…just worried 'bout him." Michaela swallowed hard, choosing her words carefully.
"I heard what he said to you…I'm so sorry, Sully."
"He's hurtin', Michaela," Sully explained. "Boy's got a right to grieve."
"But you should be grieving together," she replied, frowning and looking down at the child.
"He is healing," Cloud Dancing spoke up. Michaela nodded.
"Yes. He is. What did you heal him with, again?"
"The bark of the willow tree," Cloud Dancing responded.
"It's amazing," Michaela breathed.
"You do not have such medicines."
"I'm afraid not, but…I would love to learn them." Sully smiled at her a little, and he looked at Cloud Dancing, who seemed surprised to hear her words.
"My brother trusts you," Cloud Dancing said with a nod. "I trust you. I will teach you." Michaela's eyes brightened, and she nodded her head.
"I would really like that." Johnny moaned again, and Michaela gently brushed her hand against his cheek. "It's alright, sweetheart. Rest now. You'll feel better when you wake." She pulled a blanket tightly around him, and a small child came rushing inside.
"Étséváno! Étséváno!" the little girl cried. Cloud Dancing and Sully immediately stood and hurried outside. Michaela and Snow Bird followed, and they saw the clouds rolling in, as the snow began to blanket down onto the earth.
"We have prepared a teepee," Cloud Dancing spoke. "You will not be leaving."
"What? Sully!"
"Blizzard's comin'. We ain't gonna make it back home tonight. Might be a few days 'fore the roads are clear to travel." Michaela shivered worriedly, and Sully pulled his arm tightly around her. "Don't worry. I been through this before. We'll just have to wait it out and try to keep warm."
December 1870 – St. Louis
"Why do ya wanna know so much about me?" Carrie asked quietly, yawning in her hospital bed. She knew he was trying to keep her mind on other things, but it was kind of difficult when she was in the very room she had lost her baby in.
"'Cause I like hearin' 'bout ya."
"I don't know why. My life ain't excitin' at all, Daniel. I've been livin' on a cattle drive most of my life. Been doin' the same thing all this time."
"That don't sound too bad. I been goin' from place to place most of my life. I do a little cattle drivin', some minin', and whatever odd jobs I can get. Bein' on the move like that ain't like the drive. Sure, you're goin' from place to place on the drive, but ya don't have the constant company like ya got out there with all them cowboys and…" Carrie looked away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
"I know. You're fine," she said quietly. "If there's anything I hate more, it's when people try to watch what they say in front of me. Life goes on, right?"
"Yeah, but ya still gotta find time to grieve."
"I have, Daniel. I will be for a while. I just…I can't stop livin' my life." She ran her fingers through her hair. "I ain't like many folks, Daniel. I can't sit here and cry and cry for days about somethin' I didn't have no control over. Does it hurt? More than you could ever know. But, if there's one thing I learned, it's that feelin' sorry for myself ain't gonna bring that baby back. I can love that baby and miss him, but I can't do nothin' to take back what happened." She sighed softly and leaned back in her bed. After a few moments, she spoke again. "Why'd ya stay?"
"Ya know why," he said quietly. "I'm your friend." Carrie smiled a little and shook her head.
"If we're such good friends ya gotta know by now that I ain't gonna buy that." Daniel laughed a little and tried to hide his feelings from her, but she could see them as plain as day. "I don't know what you see in me, Daniel Simon." Daniel scooted his chair up closer to her bed, and he bravely reached for her hand.
"Ya don't see a lot of the good in yourself, Carrie, but I do." He brought her hand to his lips and placed a small kiss there. She smiled and closed her eyes.
"Thanks for bein' here," she whispered.
"Ain't ya glad I didn't leave like ya told me to?" She smiled, letting herself drift off.
"I guess ya ain't so bad after all."
December 1870 – Cheyenne Reservation
"Thank you," Michaela said with a nod, as Snow Bird handed her a bundle of blankets to keep warm with for the night. Sully was holding Johnny, as they carried him to the newly built teepee. It was past dark already, and Michaela was feeling apprehensive about sleeping on the reservation during the storm. She had limited supplies on her, and if someone was to become ill, she wasn't sure she had enough to get them through it.
"He'll probably sleep through the night," Michaela said quietly, as Sully gently placed him down to one side of the small teepee, tucking blankets around him to keep him warm. "But that's good. The more he rests the better he'll feel." Sully nodded and helped Michaela in. They began to smooth out furs and blankets, piling them up to create a soft bed with plenty to keep warm with. Sully had entertained the idea of sharing a teepee with Cloud Dancing, but Cloud Dancing had advised him that the doctor would keep watch over his son, and he would need to be there if the boy woke. Sully knew his brother was right. He needed to be there if Johnny woke. He needed to prove to him that he would always be there.
"Ya warm enough?" Sully asked.
"I will be," Michaela said, pointing to the still-open flap of the teepee.
"Oh. Sorry," he said with a sheepish smile, closing the flap and securing it tightly to make sure the wind and snow didn't blow in.
"That's better," she said nervously, scooting to the other side of the teepee so Sully could sleep closer to his son. She bunched up one blanket to make a pillow, and she watched as Sully pulled something from around his waist. For the first time, she noticed his belt.
"When did you get this?" she asked, as he let the belt and the items fall to the floor of the teepee in a heavy thud.
"Long time ago," Sully said quietly.
"I've never seen you with it." Sully turned and situated himself between Michaela and Johnny. Michaela immediately tensed, but she didn't let Sully see it.
"I left it when Abagail and the girls died. I left the Cheyenne that night with the intention of comin' back once I knew everything was alright. But…" Michaela slowly nodded. "They saved it for me…my knife and tomahawk too." The sharp instrument made her shiver, and Sully pulled another blanket from the pile and wrapped it around Michaela's shoulders. "Nights get real cold here." Shivering, Michaela lay back.
"Do you think he's warm enough?" Sully nodded, but he draped another blanket over the boy for good measure. He settled back, and only a few inches of space remained between himself and his future wife. He couldn't move any farther away, because his son was so close beside him, sleeping peacefully under his blankets.
"Let's just try to get some sleep."
"What else is there to do during a blizzard?" Michaela asked with a soft chuckle. But, her cheeks immediately grew hot when she saw Sully staring at her, and she turned to her side, rolling her eyes at herself for her poor choice of words. "I mean…"
"It's alright, Michaela," Sully said with a yawn, gently touching her shoulder. "I know what ya meant." She slowly rolled onto her back, and their shoulders bumped. Sully chuckled, and Michaela tried to situate herself again.
"Well, if this is what I got to expect when we're married…" he teased. "If ya steal the covers too…"
"Very funny, Byron Sully," Michaela whispered. "I'm trying to find a comfortable position."
"Well, this ain't exactly comfortable for any of us," Sully pointed out, sitting up a little. Michaela sat up beside him, and Sully shook his head. "How can ya sleep with all them pins in your hair?"
"You get used to it after a while," Michaela replied dryly. She stifled a yawn, still exhausted and not completely caught up on her sleep.
"Well, maybe this'll work." Sully lay down and extended his arm out for her to lean her head on.
"Sully?"
"C'mon. My arm might get numb, but maybe we'll be more comfortable."
"I…" She studied him carefully, still so nervous.
"I ain't gonna hurt ya, Michaela," he said softly, touching her back and rubbing it gently. Michaela trembled. It wasn't him hurting her that she was afraid of.
"I know," she whispered softly.
"I wish ya'd show it then." Michaela sensed a little hurt in his voice, and she was stunned.
"Sully…I'm sorry. I'm just…I'm a bit frightened." Sully frowned guiltily.
"I know. I just wish it wasn't 'cause of me."
"Oh! No! It's not, Sully!" she exclaimed in a whisper, hoping that she wouldn't wake up Johnny. "It's not. I'm…I'm just frightened, because I've never felt…I've never been like this with anyone before."
"There's nothin' scary 'bout sleepin', is there?" He smiled at her reassuringly. "I know you're scared, but that's somethin' we'll work out when the time comes. Don't worry." He took her hand in his and kissed it softly. Finally, Michaela took a deep breath and let herself lie back against his arm. He pulled her close, and her hand fell onto his chest, as she rolled to her side. She was immediately filled with his warmth, and she timidly rested her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head, and she closed her eyes, letting herself feel comfortable with him. It wasn't as hard as she'd thought it would be.
"I love you," she breathed without a moment's thought. She paused, and she felt him exhale slowly.
"I love you too," he replied. She bravely lifted her head and looked into his eyes. Under the darkness of the night, their lips came together in a soft kiss, one that was a moment away from becoming passionate. But, Sully pulled away, gently running his thumb across her lips.
"Michaela…"
"He is very lucky to have her," Snow Bird said, pulling a blanket over herself, as she rolled onto her side to face her husband.
"Did the Spirits tell you this?"
"They did," she replied with a smile.
"What else did they tell you, Naevestoemose?" Snow Bird chuckled.
"Well, naevestoemose, they told me that a long journey is ahead of them." She looked into her husband's eyes.
"The Spirits tell me this too."
"You think this is a bad thing?" she wondered.
"They know what is in their hearts. They have a long journey, but it is one I think they are willing to take."
His hands buried in her hair, as he lowered her down into the pile of furs. She moaned, her passionately swollen lips seeking the flesh of his neck, as he removed the pins from her hair. She gasped, as his lips moved down her face to the hollow of her neck. Her own hands began fumbling with her buttons, and she moaned for him, wanting to feel his tongue against her.
"Sully," she breathed, feeling passion completely filling her soul and taking over. "Please." He didn't need any more affirmation, as he traced his hands down her body and touched her ankles and started to guide them up her legs, peeling off her shoes and stockings at the same time. "Yes." She was already starting to throb in places she hadn't known she could before. Her body was on fire, but she needed him to feed the flames.
His hands traveled up farther, pulling down her underclothes. She heard the fabric tear, but she didn't mind. Her hands moved up his shirt, feeling the hard muscles rippling underneath her touch. That pushed her onward, and she sat back a little, letting him lift his arms, so she could slide his shirt off. Her mouth instinctively contacted with his warm flesh, and her teeth grazed over a nipple, biting it gently at first, taking it between her teeth and running her tongue across it. She heard him hiss in pleasure, and she gave his other nipple the same sweet torture.
"Beautiful," he mumbled, kissing her hair, inhaling the intoxicating scents of her soaps. They were exotic, and she could feel that it spurred his desire for her.
His hands gently moved up her body, loosening the bodice of her dress and letting it slip down her arms. When he had loosened it enough, she sat back, letting him slip it over her head. His fingers began fumbling with the strings of her camisole, and he hungrily kissed her breasts through the fabric, and she tilted her head back, moaning in ecstasy.
"Sully," she whimpered, "please. Please. I need you."
She sat up gasping for breath, her entire body drenched in perspiration. Every part of her was tingling, and she had to remind herself that it was a dream.
"Michaela? What's the matter?" Sully asked quickly, sitting up and rubbing his tired eyes. It had to be past midnight already.
"I…" She searched for a reasonable explanation, but she felt foolish. Her entire body was burning up from that dream. It had been so real. It had felt so real. He gently touched her shoulder, but she pulled away quickly.
"Michaela?"
"I need fresh air," she whispered, practically lunging for the entrance flap. He gently pulled her back.
"It's snowin' like crazy out there, Michaela. You'll get sick." He gently cupped her face with his hand. "What's wrong? A nightmare?" She shook her head, but he reached into his pocket and brought out the dream catcher that Johnny had made him. "Here."
"No, Sully. I'm fine…"
"Take it. It'll make me feel better." Michaela smiled a little at his concern, and she nodded, accepting it gratefully. "Ya feelin' better?" he asked after a few moments.
"A little," she lied. Her body was still tingling and burning from that dream. She had never experienced anything like that before, and her heart was still pounding.
His hand cupped her face again.
"You're burnin' up. Maybe you're sick…"
"No. I'm just warm," she replied quickly. She threw one of the blankets off of her body and lay back down, turning her back to him and feeling cold without his arms around her. She bit back the urge to cry, but she was more focused on getting that dream out of her mind.
She was trembling, every part of herself wanting to go back to sleep and finish that dream. But she felt terribly embarrassed at the thought of herself enjoying it.
She clutched the dream catcher in her hand and silently prayed that she wouldn't remember her dreams in the morning. She was afraid that if she did, she wouldn't be able to look Sully in the eyes without blushing.
She felt Sully roll over to check on Johnny and roll back to resume his sleep, but his hand sought hers under the blankets, and finally, she let him touch her; hold her hand, and give her some of his warmth. Slowly, her racing heart calmed down, and they fell asleep, their hands clasped together, protecting the dream catcher and one another from the cold, dark night.
Word List:
Évovóhnêhešeho – He is taking care of him.
He'ôhma'heo'o – Medicine WomanEmo'onahe – She is beautiful.
Namehoto – I love her.
Naevestoemose – My husband/My wife