Chapter 42
January 1871 – Colorado Springs
The next morning, Michaela was up a little later than usual, but she managed to get dressed quickly, rearrange a few things in her main office, grab a bite to eat at Grace's, bring back breakfast for Daniel and Carrie and check on and feed the pups. She had yet to see Sully that morning, but she knew that he had business to attend to when it came to the land he was buying for the homestead.
The Reverend and his group of helpers had been a wonderful blessing the day before, and now that everything was unpacked, she was ready to organize her materials and equipment. Sully had promised to help her later on, but she figured she could get as much done as possible in the morning, and when he came by later, they would have more time to spend together not working on the clinic.
With a smile, she moved toward the window and pushed back the curtains. The sun filtered in, warming the room, though the scene outside seemed frightfully cold. Just looking at the townsfolk that passed by her window, clenching at the necks of their coats to keep the wind out made Michaela add a few logs to the stove fire, heating the room a little more within a few minutes.
The sound of the train arriving reminded her that she needed to go check for a telegram from her mother, so she reluctantly put on her coat and went outside to brave the fiercely cold wind in order to check if she'd received any word from Boston.
She was quickly coming to think of—not Boston—Colorado as her home. It was the one place that she felt like she was really, truly making a difference. Sully was there. Johnny was there. The Cooper family was there. She was already beginning to feel as if she belonged, though she knew it would be a while before she was fully accepted as the town doctor. It was going to take perseverance, but she knew that if she kept at it, she could gain their trust. She just knew it.
When she arrived at the depot, she smiled and walked up to the window.
"Well, good morning, Dr. Mike," Horace said with a nod. "What can I do for ya?"
"I came to see if I had any mail…or any telegrams," she replied with a hint of anxiety in her voice.
"Ya sure don't," Horace said with a shake of his head. "Sorry."
"That's alright. Thanks anyway, Horace." Horace nodded, and Michaela stepped out of the way to let the lady behind her get on with her business. With a sigh, she wondered why her mother had yet to reply to her last few telegrams. But a familiar voice that made her realize exactly what was going on.
"Aunt Michaela!" she squealed, hopping off of the back of the train and onto the platform with as much gusto as a puppy dog. Michaela's eyes went wide at the sight of little Mary, and she gently stooped down to her knees as the little girl ran over. "Aunt Michaela! There you are!"
"Mary!" Michaela exclaimed, picking up the child that had just thrown herself into her arms and proceeded to squeeze her neck snugly. "Mary, what are you doing here?"
"We rode the train all the way from Boston!" The next pair of eyes that Michaela's met were of her mother's, followed by her eldest sister.
"Mother! Rebecca? What on earth are the three of you doing here?"
"It's lovely to see you, Michaela," Rebecca said with a genuine smile and a twinkle in her eyes. Michaela held out an arm and half-hugged her sister, as her niece continued to hang tightly to her.
"I must say I'm surprised!" She felt Mary begin to shiver. "Goodness. Let's get out of the cold. I have a warm fire going at the clinic if you'll all just…"
"Clinic?" Elizabeth asked with surprise in her voice.
"Yes, Mother. I've purchased my very own clinic," she said with a smile on her lips.
"Purchased? That sounds so…so permanent?" Michaela eyed her mother strangely.
"Of course, Mother. This is my home now, after all." Elizabeth was about to speak up again, when Michaela turned around and ushered her family across town and out of the blistering cold.
Once at the clinic, Michaela put Mary down, and Rebecca and Elizabeth looked around curiously.
"What is this place, Aunt Michaela?" Mary asked with wide eyes.
"This is my office," Michaela said with a smile.
"This is where you work?"
"That's right." She smiled down at her only niece and patted her gently upon her bonneted head. Marr grinned up at her, and Michaela glanced at her still-curious family. "This certainly is a wonderful surprise." She swallowed hard, uncertain of how to welcome her family to her new home. "I hope you don't mind my asking why you've come."
"It's simple, really," Elizabeth said, not wasting any more time. Michaela cocked an eyebrow, and Rebecca gently took Mary's hand.
"Mary, dear, why don't we go exploring?" Rebecca asked, uncertain of where to go in the small town, but knowing that anyplace was better than in the middle of the lion's den.
"There's a small café just around the corner," Michaela said, pointing out the way for Rebecca.
"Oh, that sounds lovely. Come along, sweetheart."
"But we just got here!" Mary protested.
"We'll come back soon. I promise."
"But I wanna stay! I wanna know if Aunt Michaela's still going to marry…" Before she could finish her sentence, Rebecca clasped a hand over her eager daughter's mouth. Michaela's eyes shot up to peer into her mother's.
"Mother? What is she talking about?" Elizabeth cleared her throat.
"Go along, Rebecca. Take my chatterbox granddaughter with you," she said, waving little Mary off. Rebecca and Mary left quickly with Mary asking what she'd done wrong.
"What was that about?" Michaela asked, placing her hands on her hips. Elizabeth cleared her throat.
"My, my, Michaela," Elizabeth began, "you've certainly learned to dress down to suit your surroundings." Michaela decided not to play her mother's little games.
"Mother," she warned. Elizabeth sighed softly.
"Well." She smoothed out her skirts. "Where is that fiancée of yours?"
"He's running a few errands," Michaela said suspiciously. "Why?"
"Well, it would be easier if the both of you were here," Elizabeth pointed out, "but I've come to take you home." Michaela's eyes widened.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me, Michaela. It's time you come back to civilization. It's time that you made a life for yourself where you belong."
"I beg your pardon, Mother, but I am home. This is my home now, and I am perfectly busy and happy making a life for myself here." She stared into her eyes, wondering what had come over her. "And if I remember correctly, you told me before I left, and I quote, 'Whatever you decide, I'll be there for you. I believe in you.'" Elizabeth shifted slightly.
"I know what I said," she replied. "But I've had enough time to realize that you're making a terrible mistake."
"Am I?" Michaela shook her head and turned swiftly to dust off her oak desk. Elizabeth watched her work furiously, and she stiffened her posture.
"Mr. Sully is a perfectly respectable man, but he's not what you need, Michaela."
"When did you become the one who tells me what I need?" Michaela wondered, feeling more furious with her mother than ever. When Elizabeth said nothing, Michaela turned back to her desk. "I don't believe this, Mother. I thought things were better between us when I left for San Francisco."
"They were, Michaela. I'm only worried about you."
"No, Mother. You're only worried about telling the ladies you have tea with that your daughter has married someone who doesn't come from money!" Elizabeth froze in the midst of removing her travel coat.
"How dare you speak to me that way? I am still your mother, and I believe you owe me some respect."
"Like the respect you're showing me? Or Sully?" Michaela shook her head. "I won't stand here and listen to you telling me that my choice of a husband is of poor taste. I love him, Mother, and he is going to make me very happy. He does make me very happy." She quickly stopped herself from saying anything further. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have patients to see."
She started for the door, but Elizabeth called out to her again.
"I don't understand, Michaela. I thought for certain that if you did find him again, you would realize that you aren't meant for one another. He's been a wonderful friend to you, I realize, but a husband? A provider? Can you honestly say that you'll live a comfortable life with a man that doesn't have a steady job?"
"We will be fine, Mother," Michaela said coolly. "Now I'm going upstairs. We can speak further when I come back, but for right now, I need to focus on somebody who actually needs me." She left the room in a terrible mood, and Elizabeth shook her head and sighed. Round one was over, and Michaela seemed to have gotten the last word.
November 1870 - Boston
"He is a good man. I am proud to know him, because he has a good heart." She cleared her throat, searching her daughter's eyes and testing the waters. "You never used to be like this, Michaela. I know…I know what love is like, and this is it. I've never seen you so wrapped up in someone before. I can see it, Michaela. He does make you happy. I only wish he could support you."
"Money doesn't matter to me," Michaela pointed out. "Sully is my friend. He's my best friend, and that's grown somehow. I just know that I want a chance to experience love firsthand. You and father…you loved one another so much, and…"
"We did, and it was a wonderful life. But, we both had our fair share of money when we were married. You have money, Michaela, but what does he have?"
"What he has doesn't matter. Who he is…that's what matters to me." Elizabeth reached across the table and took her daughter's hand in hers.
"You're thirty-years-old. It's time I realized that, don't you think?" Michaela smiled a little. "Michaela, you know I love you."
"I love you too, Mother." Elizabeth nodded, squeezing her hand and feeling thirty years lift from her shoulders. She sat up a little straighter and smiled, giving her daughter's hand one more squeeze. Then she let go.
"Now go on…figure out a way to be happy. Whatever you decide, I'll be there for you. I believe in you."
January 1871 – Colorado Springs
Michaela returned several minutes later, and Elizabeth was seated stiffly in a chair near the door. She stood up when her daughter came back into sight.
"Mother," she said quickly, choosing her words wisely. "I apologize for snapping at you earlier, but I don't apologize for defending my right to choose the man I wish to marry." Elizabeth placed her hand to her forehead, feigning a headache.
"I hope you realize what you're sacrificing for this man."
"I'm not sacrificing anything, Mother. If you know anything about me, you'll know that I follow my heart." Her cheeks flushed a little. "Sully is my heart."
"Michaela!" Elizabeth said in astonishment. "It isn't proper to…"
"Father always told me to follow my heart. I truly believe that I can be happy for the rest of my life with Sully." She smiled a little. "We're getting married in May." The look on her mother's face almost amused her, but she stayed poised between stubbornness and certainty.
"May! That's barely…Michaela, you cannot do this!" Elizabeth seethed.
"Why not?"
"May! That's too soon! What on earth is your hurry? What's the emergency, Michaela? Why not wait a year or two or…unless…" Her eyes widened, and her nightmares flashed before her eyes. "Unless you have a good reason to rush. Oh, Michaela! Tell me you're not…"
"Mother!" Michaela gasped. Elizabeth covered her face.
"I knew that he was only going to hurt you. Michaela, how could you let this happen? How could I have been so stupid…letting you come out here after that savage?" Michaela's face was blood red, and she was shaking in anger. "How could you let him corrupt you and…?" Michaela stepped forward, her eyes flashing with years of pent up anger.
"You have no right, Mother! I will not allow you to speak that way about Sully. First of all, I came out here on my own free will. That was my decision, Mother! You had no part in it, but your blessing was something I needed…something I wanted. Second of all, Sully and I have no need to rush for a wedding." She swallowed hard, afraid of what her mother could see in her eyes. "We love one another, and nothing else matters. We're marrying in May, and…"
"Michaela," Elizabeth breathed, trying to gather her wits, "please tell me that you…" Elizabeth shook her head. Somehow, she knew the answer. "I should have known. I should have known! Where is he?"
"That is none of your business! My life is none of your concern, Mother! Not anymore!" Before Elizabeth could speak again, Daniel came rushing down the stairs. Michaela turned.
"Michaela?" he asked, startled. "What's goin' on?" Michaela's face flushed red with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Daniel. Did we upset Carrie?"
"No. She practically kicked me outta the room to come down here and see what was goin' on." He glanced at the older woman.
"Daniel, this is my mother. Elizabeth Quinn. Mother, this is Sully's friend. His name is Daniel Simon."
"Ma'am," he said with a slow nod.
"Mr. Simon," Elizabeth said quietly, looking him up in down while keeping her nose elevated the entire time.
"I'm sorry we disturbed you," Michaela said quietly. "Mother and I will be leaving now. I'll be at the church. If you need anything…"
"Alright," Daniel said with a nod. He gave another nod to Mrs. Quinn before retreating up the stairs. Elizabeth quickly grabbed her coat, as Michaela stormed out of the clinic. She normally wasn't one for public spectacles, but she was in no mood to care about the stares she was receiving, as she trudged across the town toward the church.
Elizabeth refused to run after her daughter, and when she lost sight of her, she merely asked for directions to the church.
Sully was the first to see his future wife, as he brushed snow and dirt off of Lily and Hannah's grave markers.
"Michaela?" he called to her, watching her disappear into the church with tears streaming down her face. Frantic, he rushed up to the porch steps and barged into the church, seeing Michaela sitting in a front pew with her head in her hands. "Michaela?" She stood at his voice and turned to him. "What's the matter? What happened?" Before Michaela could reply, he strode over to her, and she felt his arms fold around her. She sobbed against his chest, feeling like a fool. He gently rubbed her back. "What happened?"
"Mother," she replied quietly.
"Your ma? What about her? Did she send a telegram?" Concern dripped from his voice.
"No! Worse," she cried.
"What?" Michaela pulled away and brushed the tears from her eyes.
"Oh, Sully," she sniffled. "She's here." Sully's eyes widened.
"What?"
"She's here. She's…she's…" She dried her tears and swallowed the lump in her throat. It was only replaced by anger. "She's the most difficult woman I've ever known! She still feels that she can run my life. I'm thirty years old, for goodness sakes! I've made my choices, and I'm going to stick with them! She can't accept that." Sully sighed.
"This is about us getting married, ain't it?" Michaela nodded solemnly. "She was so supportive before I left Boston, Sully. Now she feels as if I'm making a terrible mistake."
"What do you think?" he asked, gently cupping her cheek with his hand.
"I think…I know, Sully. I know that she's wrong. We've waited so long to be happy, and we finally are. Now she wants to…to step in and ruin that."
"Well, we ain't gonna let that happen then," Sully replied, gently kissing her forehead. "Your ma can have her opinion, but that ain't gonna change the way we feel 'bout each other, is it?"
"Of course not," she said softly, "but I thought…I thought things were better. I thought I had her blessing. I thought we would have her blessing."
He pulled her into his arms again and gently kissed her lips.
"Don't you worry," he said softly. "Everything's gonna be alright." She rested her head against his shoulder, as he rocked her, and she let out a soft sight. She hoped he was right. She hoped that the wonderful future she was looking forward to wasn't about to be overshadowed by her mother's disapproval.
August 1850
"You're back," he said softly, standing in the doorway of the barn, as she slowly unsaddled her horse.
"I'm back," she replied with a nervous smile. "I said I was comin' didn't I?"
"Ya sure did. I was just startin' to think…maybe ya decided against it."
"I promised ya I was comin' home. I'm here." She stepped toward him.
"It's been a long time. I…" She nodded again, and tried not to think of her past and what she'd left behind for him.
"It has." Silence filled the barn, and she shifted nervously. "What now?"