Chapter 88

March 1871 – Boston

Later in the afternoon, the coroner arrived to help Dr. Burke prepare Sylvia Thompson's body for burial. Gabby hadn't burst into tears or acted irrational at all after losing her mother, and Timothy was concerned because she'd grown so quiet; she was only speaking when she was truly engaged in conversation. Even then, her voice was sad, and her words seemed empty. He didn't know what to say to her, so they both sat on the porch stoop, staring off into the street, where the light was fading slowly while the day wound down.

A few children ran past, laughing, as they chased one another. Gabby looked up for a moment, and Timothy noticed a flicker in her eyes, before she realized that she was supposed to be mourning, and her face grew grim again.

"It's alright to smile," he said quietly.

"No it isn't," she retorted. "My mother's dead. My grandmother would say I'm wicked for even thinking of having fun. I think I'm wicked for it. I miss her. I do. I want her back." He could see the turmoil the child was in already, and he gently reached out, afraid to touch her but finally putting his hand on her back.

"Your mother wants you to be happy. You heard her say it yourself."

"How can I be happy without her?" she asked, her big, sparkling eyes looking up into his. In that moment, she reminded him so much of Sylvia. Finally, he decided to tell her something that he'd told Sylvia a long time ago.

"Gabby, I lost my folks when I was a little older than you." Gabby looked up at him.

"You did?"

"I did. I went to live with some relatives, but I didn't settle there very well. I kinda lost my way."

"Your way?"

"Yeah," he said with a nod. "I didn't know where I belonged or what I was supposed to do, so I…I did some things I'm not real proud of."

"But you're a reverend now." Timothy nodded.

"That's right. Sometimes it takes bein' lost for a while for you to finally find your way." Gabby nodded, and she yawned tiredly.

"Mama was sick for a long time," she said quietly. "She always told me this would happen, but I didn't understand. I understand now, and it's not fair." Timothy shook his head.

"I know it isn't fair. But, God has a plan for her."

"She had a life here! She had me!" Gabby burst out. "How come God took away my mother, Timothy? How come I don't have parents anymore?" Timothy felt his chest tighten, and she sighed sadly.

"You've still got me," he offered, uncertain of whether or not she would accept him. "I know I haven't been here, but if I'd known, I'd have come the minute you were born." Gabby sniffled and wiped her nose.

"Really?" Timothy nodded.

"Really. I'd like to give us a chance to get to know each other. It might not be easy, but I think we need each other." Gabby nodded.

"Mother said the same thing once," she whispered. Timothy glanced at her, and she slowly stood. "Can we go somewhere?"

"What?" he asked, a little surprised.

"I don't want to be here."

"Where do you want to go?" he asked. Gabby looked up at the sky, searching the stars like she did every night. She smiled, and she wished she could go up there and see the world the way her mother would see it from Heaven.

"Anywhere but here," she begged, her eyes twinkling under the stars. Timothy sighed softly, and he nodded. He suddenly remembered his dinner plans with Rebecca, Michaela, and Sully. Though he didn't want to drag her into a situation she wasn't comfortable in, he figured a hot meal and being around Mary and maybe even Johnny might help to lighten her spirits, though he knew she had a long way to go.

"I have some friends…who live near here. There are children there you could play with. Would you like that?" Gabby looked at the house and then back at Timothy. She didn't feel like playing with any other kids, but that certainly sounded better than staying in that house for one moment longer. So she gave him a nod and took his hand.

"Let's go."

March 1871 – Colorado Springs

Carrie opened her eyes, feeling the light stinging her eyes, as she tried to focus them. She tried to clear her throat, but it was scratchy, and she realized her eyes were tender and sore from crying. Then she remembered. She'd lost her mother. Again. But she could barely remember anything that had happened afterward.

"How ya feelin'?" Daniel asked, gently putting his hand to Carrie's forehead. Carrie turned toward him, her eyes welling with tears again. She saw a relieved smile twitch up in the corners of his mouth.

"Daniel?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said with a shaky nod. "You fainted a little bit ago. We were afraid we lost ya for a second." He shook his head. "Don't go scarin' me like that again." Carrie frowned and looked up at him sadly.

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright. Ya just need to rest."

"No. I'm sorry for…for what I said to ya. I didn't mean to. I was just…I was scared, Daniel." Daniel shook his head.

"Shh, it's alright. I understand."

"No ya don't," she cried. "I shouldn't have…"

"You were hurtin'. Nobody's angry with ya, ok? You just rest and get better." Carrie sighed and she tried to relax against the pillow. "You want somethin' for the pain? I can ask Doc Cassidy…"

"Don't bother," she replied. "He's too busy polishing his medical instruments and decidin' how much he should charge us." Tommy cleared his throat nearby, and Carrie looked at him. "Pa…"

"Hey darlin'," he said quietly, his voice shaking and uncertain. "I…" He couldn't find the words to say to her. So much had happened so fast, but most importantly, she was alive and healing, and that was his main focus. But he knew she probably had a million and one questions for him regarding his relationship with Olive, and starting to answer them sooner rather than later seemed like a wise idea.

"It's ok, Pa," she replied.

"I don't think it is, Carrie," he said quietly. "You gotta be wonderin' why—"

"I know why," she breathed, the pain shooting through her body again. "Ya wanted to keep me safe. Ya wanted to give me a good home. That's what she wanted too. She didn't know your wife wasn't gonna make it much longer." She tried to suppress a painful groan.

"None of us did, Carrie. But Olive was a married woman, too. I…I didn't want that man to hurt her. If he knew she'd had a baby with another man, Lord knows what would've happened to her or…or to you." Carrie nodded. "We shoulda told ya sooner, Carrie. I'm sorry we didn't. I'll never forgive myself for…"

"Papa, please don't do that," Carrie begged. "It's over now. It's done."

"That don't make it right." She shook her head.

"No it don't, but ya can't change things now. It's best to leave it alone." Tommy looked down guiltily.

"I'm sorry. I am, darlin'." She didn't really want to think about it all right now. Instead, she decided to try to lift her own spirits.

"No wonder ya got so nervous every time I tried to fix that to of you up." She smiled a little, but before she could say another word, another memory popped into her head. This one was of Jake, and the pain grew more intense. She gasped, and both Tommy and Daniel startled.

"Carrie?" Daniel asked.

"It's…I'm fine," she replied. It seemed she'd spent most of the year in pain, so what was a few more minutes? "Jake. Where is he?"

"You don't have to worry about him no more," Tommy replied. "He's dead." Carrie's eyes widened.

"Dead?" The only thing she could think of was that she had killed him in her struggle. "Oh God. I…"

"It ain't your doin', Carrie," Tommy assured her quickly. "Thank God you're alive." Carrie was frozen. Dead? Jake was dead. It was something she'd thought about quite frequently, but she'd never imagined it would actually happen. She'd pictured herself killing him with her own two hands to make him pay for everything he'd done to her since she was thirteen years old. But now those thoughts had come to fruition. Jake Slicker was dead, and he was never going to hurt her again.

"He's dead," she said quietly.

"He ain't gonna hurt you no more," Tommy assured her. Carrie closed her eyes, and a sense of peace washed over her. Her heart was shattered, but she knew that if she let herself begin to heal, she would slowly begin to pick up the pieces.

The townsfolk had finally decided that the epidemic was over, and after Doc Cassidy assured them that the last patient had died and that he was certain the worst part was over, people were beginning to take their chances. Some were still terrified and were keeping themselves locked up, but for the most part, the town had gathered together in the church to pray for Olive's family.

Reverend Dalton was leading the prayers, and after he'd finished, he left the mourners to themselves and ventured out of the church. He was surprised to see Horace Bing follow him out.

"Mr. Bing? Was there something I left out?" he asked, always wanting to make sure Reverend Johnson's congregation was well taken care of.

"Huh?" he asked awkwardly? "Oh! No, nothin' like that. I was just gonna go see Kid Cole and Ruth. They're in town with the Cooper children. The young ones took losin' Miss Olive pretty hard. She was awful close to their ma." Reverend Dalton nodded, and he shook Horace's hand.

"Will I see you in church this Sunday?"

"Sure will, Reverend," he said with a smile. "I just feel lucky that I actually got through all this, ya know? Lots of folks weren't so lucky." He frowned. "I know it ain't really my business or anything, but is it true that Doc Cassidy turned some patients away durin' the epidemic?" Reverend Dalton shook his head and sighed.

"Unfortunately, I saw him turn away two Negro families and an immigrant. I rode over to Shantytown and out to the immigrant camp. Unfortunately, none of them made it, and a few other families came down with it."

"It don't seem right. If Dr. Mike was here, she coulda tried to help 'em. Maybe she coulda saved 'em."

"Hopefully your town doctor will return soon. That fellow doesn't seem to understand his patients. From what I've heard, the lady doctor certainly had a few marks against her, but she never refused a patient."

"She sure didn't. I just hope folks realize how much we need her, 'cause we can't afford to lose her." He cleared his throat. "I best be getting over to the café. Have a good day, Reverend." Reverend Dalton nodded, and he watched Horace walk away.

"When do ya think Johnny's gonna be home?" Brian asked, as he sat making different shapes with some of Grace's old baking dough.

"I'm sure they'll be home before ya know it," Ruth said with a smile, as she patted the top of the boy's head. "Right, Kid Cole?" Kid Cole looked up from the piece of wood he was whittling, and he grinned at her. He couldn't get enough of the way the sun shone down on her black hair, causing it to sparkle like her piercing eyes. She smiled widely at him. "What're you lookin' at?"

"The prettiest girl in town," he replied. She giggled, as Brian made a face. Colleen laughed, as she bounced her nephew Charlie on her knee.

"Thanks for sittin' with us," she said softly. "Matthew and Ingrid should be back soon. I don't know what's takin' 'em so long."

"Makin' these kinda arrangements can take a while sometimes." Matthew and Ingrid had promised to take care of the funeral preparations for Miss Olive, so Tommy and Carrie wouldn't have to worry about it.

"I still can't believe Miss Olive was Carrie's ma," Brian said with a shake of his head. "She never even told our ma." Colleen shook her head.

"Some folks keep secrets 'til they're ready to tell 'em," Colleen replied. Ruth looked up at that declaration, and she smiled at Kid Cole, who winked back at her. "Some folks ain't never ready, right Kid Cole?"

"Hmm?" he asked, startled from his thoughts. "Uh, yeah." Ruth giggled, shaking her head again.

"Down!" Charlie demanded, as Colleen bounced him on her knee one too many times. She sighed.

"I ain't lettin' you down. I do that, and you'll be halfway across the meadow before I even stand up!" Charlie giggled, as Colleen tickled him, and Brian sighed heavily.

"You think Miss Olive and Ma will find each other in Heaven?" he asked, looking at Colleen. Colleen's eyes glazed over with sad memories for a moment, before she swallowed hard and put a smile on. It had only been a month since their mother's passing, but it felt like a lifetime ago.

"I'm sure they will, Brian." Colleen looked up, when she spotted Horace heading into the café.

"Afternoon, Horace," Ruth said with a sweet smile.

"Mrs. Cole. Kid Cole. Kids," he said, nodding politely. "I came to talk to ya, Kid Cole."

"'Bout what?" the young man asked, glancing at his wife before looking back at the telegraph operator.

"Well, I heard a lot of the fellas in town talkin' about…about how they'd like to have somebody like you in the office of mayor." Kid Cole raised an eyebrow and wasn't sure whether to laugh or not.

"Mayor?"

"Mayor?" Ruth asked, her eyes widening.

"You should do it, Kid Cole!" Colleen exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Brian replied excitedly. "You'd make a good mayor!" Kid Cole didn't know what to say. He hadn't always been on this side of the law, and now he was being offered the position of Mayor?

"I don't know 'bout this. I…I don't know nothin' about bein' a mayor." Horace shook his head.

"Jake didn't either, rest his soul. He never did anything anyway. Maybe things'd change if you was in his place."

"It's a lot to think about," Kid Cole replied.

"Think hard about it," Horace replied. "So far, nobody else is speakin' up about wantin' the job. If nobody does, we won't even need an election."

"Well, I'd like to talk it over with my wife, if ya don't mind," he replied. Horace nodded slowly.

"Well, alright. Ya can still keep on bein' the sheriff too." Kid Cole chuckled.

"Well, that's mighty nice of ya. Just give me some time to think about it, alright?" Horace nodded.

"Sure thing. Afternoon." He tipped his hat and started off, leaving the group at the café.

"Mayor?" Ruth asked. "That sound like somethin' ya wanna do?" Colleen looked at Brian, realizing that the two needed to talk, so she nudged him and stood with Charlie in her arms.

"We're gonna go for a walk. We'll be back real quick." Ruth nodded, and the children headed off. Ruth turned her full attention back to her husband.

"Is this what ya want?" she asked.

"Well, I don't know much about bein' the mayor. Heck, I barely knew what to do when it came to bein' sheriff, but I figured I've been arrested enough times that I could learn that way." Ruth rolled her eyes. "Bein' mayor might not be so bad. It'd pay better, and if I was Sheriff too, I'd be makin' enough to save up to build us a new house."

"But we've got a house," Ruth reminded him.

"Yeah, but I wanna make one just for you." Ruth grinned.

"Honey, ya haven't built a house before."

"Well, I can get help." Ruth shook her head. She nodded her head, and she leaned in, kissing him softly.

"Who knew the famous gunfighter Kid Cole would be settlin' down with a wife…" she said gently, placing her hand upon her flat tummy, "and a baby." Kid Cole smiled, bringing her into another kiss. Normally, he wasn't one for public affection, but since Ruth had told him she might be pregnant, it seemed as if he'd received a new lease on life, and every moment he could touch her or kiss her, he took the opportunity.

"Seen the doc yet?" he asked. She made a face and shook her head.

"I was goin' to, but he was so rude to me when I got there that I decided to wait for Dr. Mike." Kid Cole sighed.

"So we still don't know," he replied. "Maybe we ought to go to Manitou or Soda Springs and see their doctor."

"No! I trust Dr. Mike more than any doctor. I'd rather have her examine me." Kid Cole nodded and took her hand in his.

"Alright, darlin'." Taking a deep breath, he continued, "I think I should probably take the job if we're gonna have ourselves a baby. Need to make sure he has a good future ahead of him." Ruth nodded.

"Our baby will so long as his papa stays out of trouble," she teased. Kid Cole grinned and kissed her hand.

"Alright, well, I guess I better go talk to Horace. You gonna be alright?"

"Yeah. I'll go track down the kids and make sure they don't get into any trouble." She smiled. "If things go our way, I might be needin' the practice." Kid Cole nodded and he kissed her cheek. She watched him walk off, and she sighed, looking down at her flat stomach. She prayed that she was pregnant, because she'd seen the way his eyes lit up when she'd first told him she might be. She couldn't bear to see that light go out with disappointing news.

March 1871 – Boston

Michaela smiled, when she heard that familiar tapping at her bedroom door. Giving herself a glance in the mirror and deciding that she had to accept that her belly was already beginning to expand, she smiled in approval and turned around.

"Come in," she called. The door opened, and Sully stepped in wearing his usual wear: his buckskins and a clean white shirt. His beaded necklaces were draped over his neck, and seeing him wear what he was comfortable in made Michaela happy.

"My you look handsome," she grinned, as he walked across the room, taking in the sight of the way her changing body looked in that dress. She was wearing a gorgeous pale green dress, and her hair was done up exquisitely. He couldn't get over how her dress brought out her beautifully mismatched eyes, while it also enhanced the curve of her breasts and hips, before flowing out to the floor.

"Thanks," he smiled, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," she replied, blushing appropriately. She giggled, as his lips met her hand again, lingering there long enough to make her pulse begin to race, before he began a trail of lingering kisses upward. "Sully!"

"Hmm?" He kissed his way up her arm, making her feel giddy and wanted at the same time. She sighed, as his lips caressed her soft neck, and he moaned softly, inhaling the scent of her perfume.

"Sully," she breathed. "The children."

"Downstairs," he muttered, continuing his ministrations.

"Dinner," she laughed, as he moved behind her, pulling his arm around her and continuing to suckle at her neck.

"Can't it wait?" Michaela shook her head.

"No it can't," she replied. "We have a dinner guest, remember?" Sully sighed, pulling her close against him. Her back leaned against his chest, and she trembled, as his mouth pressed a kiss to the back of her neck.

"I remember," he replied. "He might not be here for a while, and…" His following words were muffled, as he began to trail kisses down her back, until he reached the fabric of her dress.

"Sully! Stop it!" she exclaimed, surprising herself by her own harsh tone. He pulled back, moving around to face her, and he saw the blush creeping across her face again.

"I…I'm sorry. Did I do somethin'…"

"No," she said, shaking her head quickly. "I'm sorry, Sully. I didn't mean to snap. I didn't…" He eyed her curiously, as the tears welled up in her eyes. Wondering what he'd done wrong, Sully pulled her into his arms, holding her close, as she let out a weak sob.

"It's alright," he assured her. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed."

"You didn't," she cried. "I don't know what's the matter with me!" Suddenly, Sully realized exactly what was happening. Abagail had gone through the same thing with each of her pregnancies, except her mood swings had been even more severe.

"Nothin' is wrong with you, Michaela. Ya look beautiful, and I guess I just couldn't help myself. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," she assured him, pulling out of the hug. "I don't even see why you want me anyway. I'm getting fat and…"

"Michaela, you're not fat! You're pregnant, and ya can barely tell."

"But you can tell! I look awful, and…"

"Michaela," he said with exasperation, "I don't know what you're talkin' about. You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

"Thing? As in a noun? Like a house or a ship…or an elephant? In a few months, that's how big I'm going to be!" She let out another cry, and Sully raised his eyebrows. He was amazed at how quickly her emotions had escalated.

"Michaela! Calm down," he said quickly, suddenly realizing that was definitely not the right thing to say.

"Calm down? Calm down!"

"Ah," he said with a sigh, "I didn't mean that. I'm sorry, Michaela. Don't cry. Please." He dared to move closer to comfort her. Michaela sighed, and she shook her head, brushing her tears away. "Here. Let me do that." He brushed his hand across her cheek, and she smiled softly, as she nestled her cheek against the palm of his hand.

"Sometimes I think I don't deserve you," she whispered. Sully smiled and shook his head.

"It's me that doesn't deserve you." He held her again, and he could feel her beginning to relax. "Ya alright?" Finally, she nodded, and she took a deep breath.

"I don't know what got into me," she said quietly, smiling a little. "You must think I'm—"

"…the most gorgeous woman I ever laid eyes on," he finished. Michaela smiled, her heart warming at those words, and she felt an overwhelming feeling of happiness consume her. She wrapped her arms around him, surprising him with a passionate kiss, causing him to pause for a moment, but he was quickly swept up in the moment, pulling her as close as possible and deepening the kiss.

"I think…we should…ah, Michaela…dinner," he mumbled between kisses. Michaela's hand pressed against his chest, and she felt the beat of his heart against her palm. She moaned softly, and she sucked his bottom lip before exploring his mouth again.

Sully felt as if he couldn't breathe, but if a man could be kissed to death, it certainly wasn't the worst way to go.

"Michaela," he tried again, knowing they would have company at any minute. He gently pushed on her shoulders, but she didn't give up just yet. Her kisses grew more insistent, and it was becoming more and more difficult for him to keep his composure, because his desire was quickly climbing.

"Ma? Pa?" Hearing the sound of Johnny's voice caused them both to break apart with a gasp, and they turned toward the half-opened door to see a red-faced Johnny standing there with wide-eyes. "Uh, sorry!" He started to leave.

"It's alright, Johnny," Sully called out. "We were just…"

"Ya don't gotta explain," he said, holding his hands up in front of him. "Just wanted to tell ya that Aunt Rebecca and Mary are helpin' Martha set the table. Said Reverend Johnson ought to be here real soon. Oh, and Aunt Marjorie went ahead and went home. She said we wore her out today, but I know she had fun." Michaela's rosy cheeks brought out the color in her sparkling eyes, and she grinned sheepishly.

"Thank you, sweetheart. We'll be down in a moment." Johnny nodded awkwardly and started for the door, eager to make his escape. "Oh, Johnny! Wait a moment." Johnny turned back anxiously, and Michaela stepped toward him. "If something your Aunt Maureen might have said earlier…" Johnny shook his head.

"It don't matter what she said." Michaela smiled a little. Sully had informed her of what Maureen had said, and needless to say, she'd been worried that it might have hurt Johnny.

"Well, I just want you to know that…no matter what, I consider you my son, and…I love you very, very much." Johnny smiled, and he hurried over to hug her.

"I know, Ma. I love you too." He looked up at her. "Can I go downstairs now?" She grinned, and Sully chuckled. "Go on. We'll join you in a minute." He nodded and hurried out of the room. Sully turned to Michaela, a grin turning up both corners of his mouth, as he raised an eyebrow. "Sully," she said gently. He simply shook his head, deciding not to embarrass her by bringing up what had just happened before Johnny came in.

"Care to join me for dinner, Dr. Quinn?" Michaela smiled at his question, knowing he was trying to ease the previous situation for her.

"I'd be delighted, Mr. Sully," she replied, as she tucked her arm through his. "You wouldn't dare keep a pregnant lady waiting for her meal, would you?" Sully grinned.

"Not if I know what's good for me." They both laughed and shared a soft kiss before starting off to the dining room.

In the dining room, everyone was seated and waiting for Timothy to arrive, and soon enough, a sound came at the front door, causing Harrison to go greet the guest. Michaela caught Rebecca straightening up in her seat, and she couldn't help but smile.

"You look pretty," Mary whispered. Rebecca's eyes widened, and her daughter giggled.

"Mary!"

"What? You do! I bet Reverend Johnson will think so too." Johnny snickered and caught a glance from his father, so he tried to straighten up.

"Reverend Timothy Johnson," Harrison announced, stepping into the dining room first. Everyone watched, as Timothy walked in, and they were all surprised to see that he wasn't alone. A little girl with blonde hair done up in a blue ribbon came walking in, her dress pretty and blue. The brightness of her outfit sorely contrasted with the look of absolute despair on her face.

Johnny straightened up in his seat to get a better look at the young girl, and Mary noticed.

"Who is she, Ma?" Johnny whispered curiously. But Michaela was wondering the same thing.

"Welcome to our home, Reverend Johnson. It's lovely to see you," Michaela said with a sincere smile, as butterflies swarmed in her stomach at the prospect of hearing his apology after dinner.

"Dr. Mike, Sully," he said with a brief smile and a nod. "Rebecca, it's nice to see you again. Hello Mary…Johnny." Everyone said hello, and the little girl clung tightly to her father's hand. Mary glanced back over at Johnny, who still seemed to be captivated by the stranger. She felt a twinge in her chest, and she cleared her throat, reaching over to take a sip of water. "I hope you don't mind that I brought a guest along."

"'Course not," Sully spoke up. "There's plenty of room." He smiled at the little girl, who shifted uncomfortably next to Timothy. Mary glanced at her mother who was not only smiling at Timothy but at the little girl as well. Everybody else seemed to be just as intrigued. Mary was too, but she didn't understand Johnny's fascination with her. He'd never seemed so interested in another child before…except for her of course.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet someone very special. This is Gabrielle Thompson."

"Gabby," she said quietly. Timothy nodded.

"That's right. Gabby, these are people I know you'll see around plenty in Colorado Springs. This is Dr. Quinn."

"A woman doctor?" the girl asked. Michaela smiled.

"It's nice to meet you, Gabby. You may call me Dr. Mike," Michaela said with a nod.

"This is her fiancée, Byron Sully and his boy Johnny. Johnny's about your age." Mary made a face. "And this is Dr. Quinn's sister Rebecca and her daughter Mary."

"Hi," Gabby said plainly.

"Who is she, anyway?" Mary finally asked, getting a scolding glance from Rebecca due to her rude tone. Timothy took a deep breath. He had to say it sooner or later, so he figured it was now or never.

"Gabby is…" he said, clearing his throat. She looked up at him, and he found the courage in her eyes. He smiled at her and then looked up, his eyes meeting Rebecca's. "Gabby is my daughter." Everyone grew silent and stared at the Reverend, who was quickly wondering what he should say next, because either way, he had a lot of explaining to do.

"Thank you for dinner. It was delicious," Timothy said awkwardly, as Martha and Harrison began to clear the dinner table. Everyone had sat in an awkward silence, making small conversation in order to make the children feel more comfortable. Gabby had only eaten a few bites of food, but she had seemed grateful that she'd been offered a seat right away.

Rebecca had promptly offered the empty seat next to her to the little girl, which made Mary feel a little jealous.

"You're welcome, Reverend," Michaela said with a nod. She glanced at Mary and Johnny, knowing it was time for the adults to have a conversation that little ears shouldn't hear. "Johnny, why don't you and Mary take Gabby on a tour of the house?" Mary frowned, not wanting to go, but at the same time not wanting to let Johnny and Gabby be alone. She didn't want to lose his friendship, and she worried that he might like Gabby more than her.

"Can't we stay and talk?" Mary asked.

"C'mon," Johnny urged. "We'll show her around. I bet she'd like your room a lot." Mary stared at Johnny, feeling a little hurt. Of course he hadn't meant it the way it sounded, but it seemed as if this stranger was quickly beginning to take root into a family she wasn't even a part of.

"Alright," she finally said. "Come on, Gabby." Gabrielle glanced at Timothy who only nodded at her, letting her know it was alright. As soon as the children were out of earshot, Timothy turned back to the group.

"I'm sorry I didn't send warning that I was brining her. Her…her mother passed away this evening."

"Oh, Timothy. I'm so sorry," Rebecca said quietly.

"That's terrible to hear," Michaela said, shaking her head. Timothy nodded.

"I came here tonight with a purpose, and that's to tell you both how sorry I am for the way I behaved after the townsfolk found out about the pregnancy." Sully adjusted himself in his seat. "As ya can see, I made decisions in my own past that'll reflect on my position in town when I get back to Colorado Springs."

"How long've ya known about your daughter?" Sully asked.

"Just a few days," he admitted. "I came here to see an old friend. What I didn't expect was that that that old friend would remind me of the kind of man I was before I accepted God into my life." He glanced at Rebecca, who was gripping the edge of the table, hoping for the best. He could see that being torn between him and her family was killing her, and he also knew that he could very well end up losing her forever.

"Reverend, I didn't expect that you would accept the situation at all."

"But I should have stood up for you. You and Sully were the ones that needed defending."

"We did alright for ourselves," Sully replied. "But we were lucky to have folks who cared enough to stay by our side. I understand why ya did what ya did. Ya gotta look after everybody in the town. Not just a few people." Timothy felt guilt stabbing him in the gut.

"What I did was wrong. I know that now."

"Reverend," Michaela began, but he shook his head.

"I suppose it takes seeing the…consequences of your own past to make you realize how foolish you've been in the present."

"This is my room," Johnny said, opening the door.

"You both have very nice rooms," Gabby said, the emotion drained from her voice. Mary eyed her, but she gave her a warm smile.

"Do you like dolls?" Mary asked, hoping that maybe she and the girl could be friends and that this feeling in her chest, one that she couldn't explain, would go away.

"I do," she said with a smile. "I had one…my mother gave her to me when I was six. Her name was Sylvia. I named her after my mother." Mary smiled.

"I hadn't thought of that. I named my favorite one Elise."

"That's a pretty name," Gabby said sadly. Johnny sighed, closing his bedroom door, not exactly thrilled by the new topic of conversation.

"You want to see her?" Mary asked with a smile.

"Can't we get on with the tour?" Johnny asked. Mary furrowed her brow in frustration.

"Alright," she replied through semi-clenched teeth. They continued on toward the other wing of the house, and Mary noticed Johnny's eagerness to talk to the other girl.

"I think you'll like Colorado Springs. It's real pretty. Sometimes when it's warm, we get outta school early to go fishin' and swimmin'. Ya don't have to wear a suit to go swimmin'. Right, Mary?" Mary pretended not to hear that question.

"Swimming without a suit?" Gabby asked. "That doesn't sound…"

"It's a lot more comfortable. Seen some kids here swimmin' in their clothes, and it didn't look like much fun." Mary saw a grin spread across Gabby's face.

"I've always wanted to see the mountains out West," she said thoughtfully. "Mr. Johnson…I mean…my father…he said I'll get to see a lot of them." Johnny nodded.

"Sure ya will. And, you'll get to see Pike's Peak. It's real pretty. I'm gonna climb it one day. Maybe you can too." Mary felt like the stranger now, and she felt her lower lip trembling with jealousy. Johnny was her friend. Sure, he could have more than one friend, but they were best friends.

"I can climb too," Mary said with a proud nod. Johnny grinned.

"'Course ya can. But ya gotta grow a little more 'fore ya can do that." Mary put her hands on her hips and glared at him, as they kept walking.

"Yeah. So do you," she replied. Johnny laughed.

"Sure I do. That's why I said 'one day.'" They continued walking, and Mary looked on in exasperation for a moment. Johnny turned back to look at her. "You comin', Mary?" She nodded her head.

"Yeah. Just…uh…just a second." She bent down, pretending to pick up something. "Got it." She smiled, feeling her face burning hot, and she continued to walk with Johnny and Gabby, hoping that her best friend hadn't just found himself a new best friend.

"I know a few words can't make up for what you went through in Colorado Springs," Timothy continued, as he sat before Michaela, Sully, and Rebecca. "I wish it could, but I can't change that. But I want to offer you my support."

"That's very kind of you," Michaela said softly. "You don't have to—"

"Yes. I do. And, I want to. I want to start making my own decisions and not let the townspeople make 'em for me." Rebecca smiled a little, and she saw Michaela grab Sully's hand under the table. "I hope you can forgive me."

"It's funny the way having a child makes you look at things differently," Michaela said softly, her eyes meeting Sully's, as he squeezed her hand under the table. "When I found out I was going to have a baby, I didn't know what to think or feel, but when I realized that this was a child I was having with the man I loved more than any person on this earth, I knew it was meant to be. Before Sully and this child, I never would have thought of being in this position. But now, I'm happy. Despite everything, I'm happy."

"Reverend, are ya sure it ain't just 'cause of your daughter that you're doin' this? If ya didn't know about her, would ya have still come here like this?" Timothy frowned, and his shoulders slumped, as Rebecca gazed at him intently, waiting for his answer.

"I…"

"Ya gotta be sure, 'cause if you're just sayin' this in the moment, ya might feel different later." He shook his head.

"I won't. I thought about it before I found out she was mine. My past was coming back, and I realized what a…a fraud I'd been. I thought that because I left that life behind, I didn't have to worry about it anymore. I guess I was wrong, and I know what a fool I was." His voice was quaking now, and he took a sip of water to try to calm it. "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" His eyes were full of hope and guilt at the same time. Sully could see his intentions clearly now.

"What you did tonight—coming over here the way you did—it was very kind of you. Not many people would go out of their way like that to apologize to someone…especially after all you've been through lately," Michaela admitted.

"I meant every word of what I said. I wanna make this up to you." But as he said it, his eyes were locked on Rebecca's. She blushed, and she turned her gaze to her sister and future brother-in-law.

Michaela and Sully looked at one another, both knowing the answer without having to tell one another. They stood, their hands locked together, and Timothy looked up at them.

"If ya really wanna do somethin', Reverend, you can be there on May 20th to marry me and Michaela in front of God and the folks of Colorado Springs."