Chapter 59

February 1871 – Colorado Springs

All sound ceased for several moments, as Michaela and Sully stared at one another with the little girl between them. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold, her eyes were sparkling, and her lips were twisted up into a knowing smile.

"You…you know?" Michaela asked quietly, moving backward a bit. Mary nodded excitedly. "He said that if I told he wouldn't talk to me tomorrow, but…but I couldn't help it! It's just so exciting!"

"I…" Sully attempted, but he came up with nothing.

"Mary, what exactly…did Johnny tell you?"

"He said that…that your family was getting bigger!" Michaela's throat clenched tightly.

"He…he did, did he?" she asked, gripping her skirts until her knuckles turned white.

"Yeah! By three!" Sully nearly fell over, but he kept his composure. "Isn't it true?"

"Well, I…I…" Michaela said quietly, "I'm certain that it won't be three, sweetheart. How on Earth did…"

"But? You're not keeping all of them? Johnny's going to be so sad! He said that he didn't want to get rid of any of them." Mary hung her head. "He said he heard you talking last night about keeping all three of the puppies, so…" Michaela and Sully quickly regained the color in their faces.

"Oh!" Michaela exclaimed. "Oh, Mary, you…you…"

"What'd I say?"

"Uh, ya didn't say nothin', Mary," Sully said, trying to calm his racing heart. "Well, Johnny was right 'bout that. We were gonna surprise him by tellin' him later, but now that he already knows, I guess that takes all the surprise out of it."

"I wasn't going to tell him either way. Honest. I just had to find out for sure! I wanted to make sure they all had good homes." She smiled and moved toward the door that led to the stairs. "I'm going to go play with them now." She hurried upstairs, and Michaela and Sully collapsed against one another with nervous laughter and heavy sighs of relief.

"Sully," Michaela said, shaking her head firmly. "We can't…do this forever. We're going to have to tell them soon." She swallowed hard and closed her eyes. "All of them."

"I know," he said quietly. "We will. Do ya honestly feel ready to do that yet?" Slowly, Michaela shook her head.

"I don't, Sully. I feel as if…as if telling them now would be…" Her voice trailed off.

"Bad luck?" he guessed. The worry in her eyes told him the truth.

"Pa! Pa, is Mary here?" Johnny burst through the door, and Sully quickly turned his attention to the by.

"Johnny, what'd I tell ya about knockin' first?" Johnny looked down.

"Sorry, Pa. But, is Mary here?"

"She is," Sully replied with an amused grin on his face. Johnny eyed him before realization struck his face.

"She told you, didn't she! Oh, I'm gonna push her in the mud next time I see her."

"Johnny Sully, you'll do no such thing," Michaela scolded. "But if you go upstairs, you can play with the pups with her."

"She's up there?"

"Yep," Sully chimed in. "Go on up. You just remember that they're your responsibility too." Johnny quickly hugged both Michaela and Sully.

"Thanks Pa! Thanks Dr. Mike!" Johnny hurried up the stairs, and Sully turned back to Michaela. He smiled a little and gently cupped her cheek.

"Ya ought to go upstairs and rest now, Michaela."

"I think I'll do just that," she replied quietly.

"Alright. I'm gonna head out to the homestead and do a little work. I'll stop by for supper, and no, ya ain't cookin'." Michaela raised an eyebrow.

"What's wrong with my cooking?" she asked.

"Well…" She playfully hit his arm, and he pulled her into a loving hug. "Nothin', but I wanna cook for you and Johnny tonight. That alright?" She smiled and gave him a nod.

"Thank you, Sully. Thank you for being here for me." Sully nodded, and he dipped down to claim her mouth with his own. When they parted, they smiled up at one another.

"I'll always be here. Never forget that," he whispered before kissing her again. "If ya need anything…"

"I know. I know," she said with a grin. "Go on. I'll see you at supper." He nodded and reluctantly left to go work on the future homestead.

"Thank you for lunch, Timothy," Rebecca said with a smile, as she and the Reverend strolled away from Grace's, arm in arm.

"It was my pleasure. I enjoyed the company," he said thoughtfully, shivering a little under the cold…or was he just nervous? The thought of courting such a beautiful woman made him weak in the knees, and he wasn't even certain that's what he had been doing. They had spent a lot of time together, yes, but courting? "Rebecca?"

"Yes?" she asked, not at all uncomfortable with his use of her first name, which surprised her. She wasn't used to men calling her by name.

"I just wanted to tell ya how…how wonderful you've been with the children. Oh, they love having you there in the mornings so much." Rebecca smiled.

"I'm happy to hear that, though I'm certain Mary would rather I not be there so much," she laughed.

"Mary is blossoming out here, Rebecca," Timothy noted with a slightly relaxing smile. She nodded.

"Yes she is," Rebecca said quietly. "She didn't have many friends in Boston. She never felt like she fit in there, but out here, she's made friends so quickly. I'm terrified of taking her away from all of it." Timothy perked up.

"You are?" She nodded.

"Of course I am," she explained. "She's going to miss Colorado Springs so much when it's time to go back to Boston."

"You…you are going back then?" he asked.

"Well, I'm…I do admit that I enjoy being here," she said thoughtfully. "Michaela is here, and…"

"Why don't you stay?"

"Stay?"

"Yes. Stay and help me teach the children. Stay on a…a permanent basis."

"Permanent?" She looked ahead, mentally examining her options. "Well, I don't know, Timothy. It's…it's a big change."

"The children love you, Rebecca. Just the other day, Becky Johansen asked how much longer you were staying, because her mother wants to plan a 'thank you' party for all of your help."

"She does?" He nodded vigorously.

"The parents really enjoy havin' a lady like you here to help teach their children. Adam Spellman's mathematics grade has gone up three percentages since you began tutoring him. Don't you see, Rebecca? You have a wonderful gift. You help people." He smiled. "It must run in your blood. You and that sister of yours have sure turned heads since you came here." Rebecca flushed, and Timothy cleared his throat. "Well…well, you know what I mean." They stepped onto the porch of the clinic in silence, and Timothy cleared his throat again. "Would you at least think about it?" She slowly nodded her head.

"I will. It's…it's a lot to think about." Timothy nodded his head.

"I know. But…there'd be a lot of grateful people if you did stay. I understand that…that you have to do what's best for you and for Mary." Rebecca nodded slowly, and she smiled a little.

"Thank you, Timothy. You've given me a wonderful opportunity to teach like I've always wanted to, and I…I can't thank you enough." Slowly, she turned toward the door, but he stepped toward her.

"Uh, Rebecca?"

"Yes?" she asked, turning back to him, her eyes searching his.

"Would you…join me for dinner tonight?"

"Tonight?"

"Yes. You and Mary?" Rebecca smiled, and she nodded.

"We'd like that."

"I'll…see you at seven thirty?"

"Seven thirty." Their eyes lingered upon one another for a few moments before the Reverend awkwardly parted company with her and started back toward the church. She watched him, surprised by herself. She hadn't felt this way in a long time. She felt as she had when she was first starting to court. Court? The last time she had courted had been with Mary's father, and now…what now?

With a shake of her head, she decided not to think about it now, and she tapped on the door. She poked her head inside to see Michaela hanging her apron on a hook on the far wall.

"Michaela? Are you busy?"

"Oh! Rebecca, come in," Michaela said with a smile. "Mary said you'd be along. She and Johnny are upstairs."

"Alright," Rebecca replied, her cheeks still glowing, as her eyes sparkled. Michaela eyed her curiously.

"Rebecca? Is something on your mind?" A smile spread across her face at her sister's awkward demeanor. She wasn't used to seeing her this way.

"What? Why? Why would there be, Michaela?" Rebecca quickly removed her coat and placed it on a hook by the door.

"Because I haven't seen you act this way since Vincent Parrish asked you to save all of your dances for him at your fifteenth birthday party."

"You remember that?" Rebecca asked, raising her eyebrows. She shook her head. "You remember too much!"

"Of course I do!" Michaela laughed. "I thought you were so silly for fawning over him like that." They both shared a laugh, and Rebecca rolled her eyes in amusement. "Rebecca? Is it…is it the Reverend?" Rebecca's eyes told the truth, and when she said nothing, Michaela giggled. "It is!"

"Shh! Michaela, now don't jump to conclusions," Rebecca scolded.

"Well?"

"Well? Well, what?"

"Why were you smiling like that, Rebecca Buchanan?" Rebecca sighed heavily and shook her head.

"Listen to us, Michaela. We're like silly girls."

"We're sisters, Rebecca. Now tell me or I'll have to go talk to Reverend Johnson."

"Do you always have to know everything, Michaela?" A moment later, they realized that they were bickering just like they had as children, though their bickering had always been in good humor. And, they began to laugh. Rebecca shook her head. "Oh, Michaela, I don't know what's happening."

"Are you…are you starting to care for him?"

"Well…I'm…I'm not certain. There are moments when I could see…well, I could see a lot of things. But, Michaela, he and I barely know one another, and…"

"Isn't that the point, Rebecca? You can't possibly know everything about a person in such a short period of time. Look at me…and Sully. It took us nearly ten years to get where we are." Rebecca nodded slowly and smiled a little.

"He's been so kind, Michaela. It's very charming, but I'm not certain what to make of it."

"What do you want to make of it?" Michaela and Rebecca moved into the side room and settled down across from one another at the table.

"Michaela…I don't know. I honestly don't know." She shook her head. "He's very charming and…and handsome, and…"

"And?" Michaela grinned at her older sister. "Rebecca, it's alright to care for him." Rebecca smiled a little, and she nodded. Michaela began to stand up. "I'll put on the kettle, and we'll discuss this over tea like we used to." They shared a knowing glance, both relieved to have their favorite sister there to talk to. But, as Michaela was standing, she was overcome with dizziness, and she gripped the sides of the table to keep her balance, groaning in discomfort.

"Michaela!" Rebecca stood and quickly went to her sister's side. "Michaela, are you alright, dear?"

"Oh…I'm fine. I just stood up too quickly," she said nervously, hating lying to her sister. "I'll be alright."

"Michaela," Rebecca warned, gently squeezing her arm and helping her sit down. This time, Rebecca sat directly beside her sister. "What's wrong? This isn't the first time I've seen you like this lately, Michaela. What's going on?"

"Nothing. Nothing, I…"

"Is this from your fall? Did Dr. Bernard have something else to say?" Rebecca wondered.

"It's nothing, Rebecca. I'm just…" Rebecca sighed in frustration. Her normally patient demeanor had faded away the moment she'd seen her sister's health falter.

"We've never kept things from one another before, Michaela. You…you're keeping something from me." Michaela closed her eyes, her heart tearing in two. She knew she should tell her. It had been killing her to keep such a secret from Rebecca. But she was terrified. She was terrified of seeing the look in her sister's eyes. Rebecca saw the apprehension, and she knew that there was so much more than just exhaustion. "Michaela, what is it? Whatever it is, you know you can tell me. You can trust me."

"I know," Michaela whispered, her voice trembling, as Rebecca clasped her hands. "It's just…it's not easy, Rebecca. There are so many things you couldn't begin to understand, and…"

"Try me," Rebecca said strongly, squeezing her little sister's hands. "I'm your sister, Michaela. I'll always be here to listen." Michaela looked up into her eyes, and she knew it was time. "What is it, Michaela? What's wrong? What are you hiding?"

Taking a deep breath, Michaela brushed her tears away, and she sat up, looking straight into her sister's questioning, worried eyes.

"Rebecca…I'm pregnant."

May 1831 – Boston

As the thunder rumbled in the distance, Elizabeth lay in the arms of her husband for the first time in their married life together. Her head rested against his beating heart, as he slept with ease and contentment. Her one hand was laced with his, as the other lay tucked between their bodies lazily. His free hand was pressed gently against her belly, protecting a life he'd sworn to forever.

As her eyes fluttered closed, her mind drifted to the night's events, and a smile spread across her face. For the first time since Stephen, she had let love guide her, and she had let herself let go of everything and just feel. She didn't feel guilty for loving him, but she wondered if Stephen had known it would happen. Had he known that the two of them would eventually marry and have a life together? Surely he had, if he'd asked Josef to care for her and for the child.

She took a deep breath, as lightning lit up the room for a split second, and her eyes flew open. She saw the ghosts of her past circling the bed. She gasped, but when the lightning flashed again, the room was merely bathed in whiteness that faded out just as quickly to dark.

"We'll be happy, Stephen," she said softly. "You can rest. We'll be happy." As she drifted off to sleep, she could almost see his smile and hear his voice whisper into her ears. She had made the right choice, and she was not going to live her life regretting it.

February 1871

"Why did ya insist we come out here, anyhow?"

"We need the money. We need to start a new life."

"Why here?"

"'Cause it's just 'bout the only place left you ain't gotten in trouble in."

"You're tryin' to keep me outta trouble then, huh?"

"Well, it ain't like it'll do any good, but ya saw that advertisement in Denver. Ya know they're lookin' for a sheriff."

"I ain't good at bein' on this side of the law."

"Well, it's about time you gave it a good try, 'cause this is the last straw. There ain't too many people that get this many second chances, honey, so let's make this one count."