Chapter 95

April 14th 1871 – Colorado Springs

"I've missed the smell of fresh air," Michaela said with a smile, as the wagon bobbed along the worn path out to the site of the new homestead.

"There was fresh air in Boston," Johnny pointed out. Michaela grinned.

"Of course, but there's something different about the mountain air," Michaela said, a dreamy look upon her face. Johnny turned his attention back to his father.

"You're sure I get my own room?" Sully laughed at his son's question.

"Ya sure do. You get your own room, your ma and me get our own room, and there's two extra rooms for the baby and whoever else might come along."

"Ya mean like a visitor? Like Aunt Marjorie?" Johnny asked. Michaela and Sully looked at one another with amusement sparkling in their eyes.

"Sure…like a visitor," Sully said with an affirmative nod. Johnny seemed satisfied with the answer and sat back down in the back of the wagon. Sully reached over, putting his hand over Michaela's that rested on her knee. She looked over at him, smiling and leaning her head on his shoulder for a moment, feeling peaceful and warm. "Michaela?"

"Hmm?"

"I wanted to ask ya somethin'." Michaela sat up and looked at him.

"Yes?"

"Well, with Carrie runnin' the mercantile now, me and Johnny don't exactly have a place anymore. I was wonderin' if maybe Johnny could stay at the clinic 'til the weddin'?"

"Of course!" Michaela replied. "But where will you stay?"

"I was thinkin' of makin' a lean-to out by the homestead and workin' on it every chance I get. That way I know I'll get things done before the weddin' next month."

"Are you sure, Sully? It's a long way from town. If something happened…"

"If somethin' happened, you're in town, and…"

"I didn't mean to me! I meant to you," she replied.

"I know how to take care of myself, Michaela," Sully assured her, putting his arm around her.

"Pup!" Johnny exclaimed.

"What?" Michaela asked, caught off guard.

"We need to get the puppies from Matthew and Ingrid's," Johnny said sheepishly.

"Well, we'll stop by and get 'em on our way back to town," Sully said with a nod. Johnny smiled, and he couldn't wait to see the pups. He was certain they had grown a lot since he'd seen them last."

Meanwhile, Michaela turned her attention back to Sully, and she eyed him.

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

"Sure," he said with a smile. "I'm used to sleepin' outside, remember?" Michaela nodded, sighing softly.

"I suppose I'm just used to having you so close. It'll be strange with you sleeping so far away." Sully smiled, kissing her cheek and lowered his head to whisper so only she could hear.

"It'll be easier to keep our deal that way."

"Sully," she scolded, a giggle soon following.

"What deal?" Johnny asked. Sully and Michaela pulled apart, wondering how the boy had gotten such good hearing. Michaela looked at Sully with embarrassment, and Sully cleared his throat.

"Uh, deal?"

"Uh huh," he said with a certain nod. "Ya said, 'it'll be easier to keep our deal that way,' then Ma giggled." Sully and Michaela tried to keep straight faces, but it was difficult, as Johnny propped his elbows on the edge of the seat. "I didn't know ya made a deal." He looked back and forth between his parents. "How much is the bet for? Can I wager my allowance?" Sully eyed him. "I know, ya don't like gamblin', but…"

"Johnny," Sully laughed, "it ain't that kinda deal."

"What kinda deal is it?" Johnny asked curiously, shielding his eyes from the sun and biting his lower lip.

"It's a…" Michaela tried. "Well, we made a deal that…we'd…that we'd…uh…"

"Yeah," Sully said, clearing his throat. Johnny rolled his eyes. "Our deal is that we get everything done that we need done before the weddin' gets here." Johnny made a face.

"That's boring," he replied, sitting back down in the back of the wagon. Michaela and Sully exchanged amused glances and tried not to laugh, and they continued on toward the new homestead until the chimney came into view. Excitement built up in the pit of Michaela's stomach, thinking about the day she would be carried over the threshold and wouldn't be there just for a visit. She'd be there to stay.

Sully was surprised to see that the barn was already up and completely finished, and the corral was half-complete. The house still had work to be done, but he knew he had enough time to finish it, and even if he didn't, they could move in anyway, and he could do the finishing touches afterward.

"Sully, it looks beautiful," Michaela said with a smile.

"Whoa! This is gonna be our house?" Johnny asked, leaping out of the back of the moving wagon.

"Jonathan Sully! Don't you do that again," Michaela said sternly. "You could have hurt yourself!"

"Sorry Ma," Johnny said sheepishly, as he rushed up to the homestead. Michaela shook her head and put her hand on her belly and whispered.

"If you ever attempt what your brother just did, you'll be grounded for two months." Sully grinned when he heard her talking to the baby and rubbed her back.

"Baby ain't even born yet, and you're already settin' ground rules." She smiled up at him, as he put the wagon in park in front of the house. Michaela sighed, looking out at the beautiful place she would soon call home. "Welcome home, Michaela." She grinned, as he climbed out of the wagon and held his arms out to her. She let him help her down and held his hand, as they walked up the steps of the house.

"Sully, you have no idea how grateful I am to you for making such a beautiful home for our family."

"It's just a house," he reminded her, "and I had help. It's us livin' in it that's gonna make it a home." Michaela grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck, thanking him properly with a loving kiss. He then scooped her up into his arms, and she gasped.

"Sully!"

"Ain't no rules that say I can't carry ya across the threshold before we're married, are there?" Michaela shook her head.

"Not officially, Mr. Sully," she replied, "but we haven't exactly been known to follow those sorts of guidelines anyway." Sully smiled at her blushing expression, and he kissed her softly. She sighed in his arms, and he carried her through the door, placing her feet back down on the floor. She turned out of his arms and looked around, beaming in pride when her eyes scanned the place that was her home. The most beautiful home in Colorado Springs is what she'd heard it called, but she didn't care what kind of home she lived in as long as she was with her family.

"I'm gonna go see my room!" Johnny shouted from the stairs. Michaela and Sully waved him on, smiling at his excitement. Sully stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her and caressing her swelling belly with his hand. She smiled, as he nuzzled her hair with his nose, inhaling the sweet scent of her. A shiver ran up her spine, and she closed her eyes, as he swayed back and forth with her, and her hands softly rubbed his arms, feeling comforted and desirous at the same time.

"Ya like it?"

"I love it," she whispered, turning to him and seeing his smile widen. "You have no idea how happy you've made me, Sully." She sighed, as he kissed her neck, and she moaned softly, knowing that much more of this contact would leave them both quite frustrated.

"I think I kinda got the idea," he replied, as she turned in his arms. She sighed, feeling better than she had in a while, but being with him took away all of her worries and her anxieties. She couldn't help but feel as if everything was perfect when she was in his arms.

After leaving the homestead, Michaela and Sully stopped by Matthew and Ingrid Cooper's homestead. Brian and Colleen were outside playing with young Charlie when the wagon pulled up.

"Hi, Dr. Mike!" Colleen said with a smile. "I didn't know you were back."

"We just returned this morning," she replied. "How have you children been?"

"Good," Colleen said with a nod.

"Fine," Brian replied. He waved at Johnny, who jumped out of the back of the wagon for the second time that day, and Michaela was only thankful that they weren't moving for once.

"We came for the pups," Sully said with a smile. "They doin' alright?"

"They're real big now," Brian said with a nod. Sully handed down five dollars to the boy. "What's that for?"

"For watchin' the pups while we were gone. I'm sure that'll cover what ya spent to feed 'em." Brian nodded.

"Gee, thanks Sully!" he said with a grin. Michaela smiled and looked toward the barn, where three much larger versions of the pups she'd left in their care stood staring at the wagon curiously.

"They've grown so much!" Michaela exclaimed, as Johnny and Brian called the pups over. Snowball was the first one to run over. She yipped and jumped at Johnny, eager to see him, and the other pups followed suit. Sully climbed down and took Wolf up into his arms. The pup was getting too big to carry, but he hoisted him up into the back of the wagon. "I'm sure they'll be glad once we move to the homestead. They'll have plenty of room to run around there."

"They're real good pups, Dr. Mike," Brian assured her.

"Feel free to come see 'em anytime, Brian," Sully said with a smile, as he helped Johnny get Pup and Snowball into the back of the wagon. After saying their goodbyes, the family was setting off toward town again.

"Sully?"

"Hmm?"

"Why don't we stop by the reservation? I know it's out of the way and we could go tomorrow, but I'd really like to check in on Snow Bird now." Johnny perked up.

"Yeah! Can we, Pa? I wanna see Cloud Dancin' again. Please?" Sully nodded and turned the wagon in the opposite direction.

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I'm sure he's expectin' us." Michaela glanced at him, and he flashed a knowing smile in her direction. "The Spirits."

"Oh. Right. The Spirits," she grinned, as he took her hand, and they rode the rest of the way to the reservation in silence.

Back in town, it was growing later, but the town was still abuzz with people coming from and going to the train station, and Timothy was as busy as ever trying to make up a room for Gabby in the back of the church. It wasn't much, but it would do until he could afford to buy a home in town. But, he was grateful that Rebecca was helping him decorate her small room with things a little girl might like. He only hoped she'd feel comfortable there.

Meanwhile, Gabby and Mary were sitting outside on the porch steps. Mary was wearing the locket that Gabby and the Reverend had given to her, and she was holding the carved dove in her hands, tracing her fingertips along the smooth wood. She smiled, and Gabby caught a glimpse of her upturned mouth.

"What're you thinking about?" Mary froze, and she shook her head.

"Nothing. I was just admiring my dove," she whispered. "It's beautiful."

"He spent a lot of time making it for you. I saw him making it in Boston and on the train. He just finished it up the night before he gave it to you." Mary felt a familiar twinge at her heartstrings again.

"I didn't know you were spending so much time together."

"He's such a great friend. He's promised to show me Snow Creek sometime soon." Mary flinched.

"Oh?" she asked, trying not to let herself get worked up. He was just a boy. He was her friend, and as Gabby had said, three people could be friends.

"If that's not alright…"

"It's fine," Mary said with a forced smile. "I'm not his boss, you know."

"You could come too," Gabby offered. Mary shook her head and stood up from the church steps.

"I don't wanna intrude. I wasn't invited anyway." She turned to walk toward town.

"Mary, wait."

"I forgot I have something to do," she said quietly. "Tell my mother I'll be in my room at the clinic if she asks." With that, she turned around right before the tears could start and hurried across the meadow.

"Are you ok!" Gabby called after her.

"I'm fine! Don't worry!" Mary called as cheerfully as she could despite the tears streaming down her face that were invisible to Gabby. Gabby sighed and sat back down on the steps of the church, picking at the hem of her skirt.

Meanwhile, inside, Rebecca was finishing making up Gabby's bed. She stepped back, admiring her work. For someone who had grown up with servants to do these little jobs for them, she didn't think she'd done a bad job at all.

"What do you think?" Rebecca asked softly, stepping out of the way for Timothy to see.

"Hmm?" He turned, and his face lit up when he saw the bed. "It's perfect! Thank you, Rebecca. I think she's gonna love it."

"I'm glad," Rebecca beamed. "Most every little girl I've known has always enjoyed these frills and laces. Well, except for Michaela. She pretended that she wanted nothing to do with them for a while, but I knew differently. She simply wanted to prove that she wasn't like the other girls so someone would perhaps notice and treat her differently."

"So she could get into medical school."

"And she did," Rebecca finished. "My sister doesn't give up."

"I can see where she gets it from," Timothy replied, turning toward her. She looked up at him. "I wanted to thank you, Rebecca."

"You already thanked me, remember?" she asked, smiling. He grinned and shifted nervously where he stood.

"Well, yes, but I meant for earlier. You stood by me, and I know I didn't deserve it. I'm glad you did though." Rebecca took a deep breath, as her heart began to pound in her chest.

"Well, I certainly believe in forgiveness and tolerance, and I suppose while I was telling you that you should show that toward Michaela and Sully, I wasn't abiding by my own words. I'm sorry, Timothy. I was hurting, because my sister was hurting, but I see now how you truly feel. I've forgiven you, Timothy, and I think you're a wonderful father to Gabby."

"I don't know how ya can say that," he said quietly, shaking his head. "I don't know the first thing about bein' a pa."

"Of course you do," she said softly, the awkwardness beginning to fade away. "You know how to protect her and love her. You're doing everything right so far, but don't be so hard on yourself. Every parent makes a mistake now and again."

"You're so good with Mary," he said softly. "I can see how much she loves you." Rebecca grinned, as the small room behind the church began to feel a little smaller.

"I've had six years with her, Timothy. You'll learn, and I'm certain you'll pick up things about her quickly. I can see that your heart is in the right place. Not every father would go out of his way to make his little girl a special room all of her own in the limited space he has."

"You believe that?"

"Of course I do," she giggled. "I wouldn't have said it if I hadn't meant it." She sighed, and she noticed the clock on the wall. "Oh dear."

"What?"

"I didn't realize what time it was. I should probably be getting back… Michaela assured me that Mary and I could stay at the clinic until we get settled into a place of our own."

"Oh," Timothy said quietly. "Well, if you need any help getting settled in…I'd be happy to help."

"Thank you," Rebecca said with a smile. Slowly, she turned to leave, but she felt his hand grab hers. She didn't pull away however, but she turned back toward him, feeling her heart beginning to beat a mile a minute. She wasn't certain if she should be doing this, but when she looked into his eyes, she felt those familiar urges bubbling up, stronger than they'd ever been before, and when he leaned in to press his lips delicately upon hers, she didn't push him away or break contact with him. She squeezed his hand and let go, as he pulled his arms around her, deepening the kiss. Rebecca felt her heart racing faster and faster in her chest, and as she opened her mouth up to him, she began to come to her senses. Finally, she pulled back, her cheeks flushing crimson, as her eyes diverted to the floor. But Timothy raised her chin with his hand, and he smiled at her.

"Have dinner with me tomorrow night," he said quietly, his eyes almost willing her to say yes. But he didn't want to ruin the moment. He didn't want to frighten her. But he could see in her eyes that she wasn't frightened. She nodded, smiling.

"That would be nice," she said quietly. "I'd love to have dinner with you, Timothy." She saw a grin spread over his face, and when he leaned in to give her a swift peck upon the lips, she didn't deny him that, and she smiled too. "I'll see you tomorrow." She quickly stepped out of the back room and found Gabby pacing back and forth between the rows of pews. "Gabby? Where has Mary run off to?"

"She said she had something to do and that she'd be in her room at the clinic." Rebecca nodded slowly. "I think I might've upset her."

"Oh?"

"I'm not sure. I don't think she likes that I'm friends with Johnny, even though I talked to her about it." Rebecca smiled knowingly.

"I'll speak with her, Gabby. Thank you for letting me know." Gabby nodded, and she waved Rebecca goodbye. Rebecca left the church, and a cool breeze hit her, making her rosy cheeks pale again under its gentle caresses. Her lips tingled from that kiss, and her heart was fluttering in her chest. She knew what it was, but she wasn't entirely sure she was ready to admit it to herself again or to him. So, she straightened herself up, cleared her throat, and started her march across the meadow and toward the clinic.

"Mary?" Rebecca poked her head in each room above the clinic, searching for her daughter. When she finally arrived at the correct door, she heard stifled sobs emanating from the room. Her heart broke, and she tapped on the door quietly. "Mary, darling. It's Mother. May I come in?" When she didn't receive an answer, she turned the knob, and sure enough, it was unlocked. Once she pushed open the door, she set her sights upon Mary's pitiful form lying crumpled on the bed, her head buried in her arms. "Oh, sweetheart. What happened?"

"I don't wanna talk about it," she sniffled between choked sobs. Rebecca moved cautiously about the room and sat on the end of the bed, gently putting her hand on Mary's back. The little girl cried harder, and Rebecca sighed.

"It might help to talk about it."

"I don't want to," she insisted. "It's just not fair!"

"What isn't fair?" Mary shook her head and sat up, drying her tear-filled eyes.

"It's nothing."

"These tears don't look like nothing, sweetheart," Rebecca said softly, reaching out to touch the child's cheek. "You can talk to me about anything. You know that, right?" Mary nodded her head. "So come on…you know you'll feel better once you talk about it." Mary shook her head again. "Are Gabby and Johnny making you feel left out because they're older than you? I know you and Johnny are close, but sometimes when someone meets somebody their own age…" Mary felt fresh tears surfacing. "I'm sure you'll always be friends with Johnny, darling, but he can't have only one friend in the world."

"He doesn't have just one friend. He's got Brian too," Mary said with a nod. Rebecca grinned and nodded her head.

"Yes. Yes, he does, but Mary, children have to have more than one friend. I know you're feeling threatened by Gabby…"

"No I'm not!" she insisted almost too harshly. "Three people can be friends at the same time."

"That's right," Rebecca said slowly. "So why are you so upset?"

"I don't know," Mary whispered. Rebecca pulled her daughter close. "A boy Johnny's age could like a girl my age, couldn't he?" Rebecca's eyes widened.

"Sweetheart, you're far too young to be thinking about such things. Perhaps when you're fifteen or sixteen…"

"He could be married by then! But when Johnny's fifteen or sixteen, I'll still be…I'll be…" She burst into tears again, and Rebecca finally understood. The age difference was becoming apparent with Gabby now in the picture, and it was obvious that Mary was sweet on her best friend Johnny.

"Oh Mary," she whispered. "There are going to be a lot of boys who'll be sweet on you when the time comes. Right now, you're still a little girl. You have years ahead of you to play and have fun and not worry about boys or courting. Puppy love is very normal…"

"Puppy love?" Mary asked, sniffling and wiping her nose. "What's that?"

"Johnny's the first boy who you've ever really been friends with; the first boy who has paid so much attention to you. He's been your friend for a long time now, and you're both really close. But sweetheart, you'll realize in time that you care for him now, because he's nice and willing to play games with you."

"But isn't that what's important?" Rebecca grinned at her daughter's innocence.

"When you get a little older, you'll figure out what really matters to you about someone you care about."

"But Johnny is…he's my best friend. He…he…Namehoto." Rebecca looked up in surprise.

"What?"

"Nothing," she whispered, her cheeks blushing red at her declaration. "Johnny…he's teaching me Cheyenne words." She looked down into her hands.

"Why don't we go get something to eat at Grace's? I promised you something special when we returned to town…" Mary shook her head.

"I'm not hungry," she said quietly. "I'm going to try Elise's dress on her."

"Well, I'm going to go to the mercantile and pick up a few things. Will you be alright?"

"I'll be fine," Mary insisted. "Thank you, Mother." She gave her a smile, and Rebecca kissed her forehead. As soon as her mother had disappeared from the room and closed the door, she broke down into tears again. "Namehoto…I love him."

The tops of the teepees came into sight, filling both Michaela and Sully's hearts with relief and joy, knowing they were about to see their Cheyenne friends. Johnny excitedly leaned against the driver's seat, looking up at the swirls of smoke from the various campfires that darkened the air for a moment before disappearing out of eyesight.

"Look! There's Cloud Dancin'!" Johnny exclaimed excitedly, as Cloud Dancing stepped out of his teepee and surveyed the campsite. He smiled broadly when he saw his white friends approaching, and a moment later, Snow Bird joined him, her belly rounder than Michaela's, which was a good sign that meant she had been eating well and her pregnancy was progressing.

Sully halted the wagon and put the brakes on so it couldn't go anywhere, and he helped Michaela out, as Johnny jumped out of the back again, leaving the pups to curl up and sleep on the warm spot where he'd been sitting.

Michaela sighed happily, as she walked over to Cloud Dancing, hugging him.

"It is good to see you again, medicine woman," he said happily. "Snow Bird wishes to see you." Michaela nodded.

"I'll go to her now and let you catch up with Sully." Cloud Dancing nodded, and when Sully came to him, they met in a firm arm clasp and then a brotherly hug.

"It is good to see you, brother. How was your journey?"

"Long," Sully said with a chuckle and a twinkle in his eyes. "But we're home now, and we got a weddin' to plan." They began to walk along, as Johnny found a few Cheyenne children to play with. Michaela met Snow Bird with a warm hug, and when she pulled back, she put her hand upon her friend's tummy, feeling the baby moving strongly beneath her hand.

"He will not sit still long enough for me to get a decent night of sleep," Snow Bird said with a laugh, her eyes filled with lack of sleep but happiness at the same time.

"Would you like me to examine you and make sure everything is alright?" Snow Bird nodded eagerly.

"My husband wished to take over for you during your absence, but he does not understand as a woman does." Michaela smiled knowingly.

"Well, let's move inside, and we'll see how you're progressing."

"The wedding is soon."

"Just over a month away," Sully said quietly, his hands fidgeting with the beads around his neck.

"You look forward to this?"

"'Course I do." He looked at his Cheyenne brother. "I'm ready to start the rest of my life, ya know? I got a baby on the way, and I'm marryin' the woman I know I'm s'posed to spend the rest of my life with."

"Then why are you so troubled?"

"Troubled? I ain't…"

"You may be able to lie to me, but the Spirits know the truth," Cloud Dancing chuckled. "You do not like to admit your fears."

"I ain't scared. Not like that. It's…it's hard to explain." He cleared his throat and then continued on. "I guess I'm just worried that I ain't gonna be able to give her the kinda life she deserves."

"What kind of life do you think that is?"

"I…I guess…havin' anything she ever wanted or needed; havin' family at the dinner table every night and not havin' to worry about where folks are."

"Where you are, you mean?"

"I…I wanna spend the rest of my life with her, and I hate when she worries about me."

"She knows you love her, and wherever you are, you will come back to her."

"'Course I would. I ain't makin' the same mistakes I made with Abagail. I wasn't there enough…not when she really needed me. I shoulda made sure she got the help she needed when she started getting…well…when she really needed it." He shook his head. "I don't wanna see Michaela go through that, and I want her to know that I'll always be there."

"Does she not know this?"

"I've told her before. I guess…I just worry it's too good to be true."

"And the child? You worry about the child as well?" Sully nodded.

"Every minute," he said quietly. "I keep worryin' that somethin' bad is gonna happen. I keep worryin' about what'll happen after the baby gets here. Folks are mad, 'cause me and Michaela ain't pushin' the weddin' date up. They're mad 'cause she's pregnant, and we ain't married."

"You should not worry about what other people think. If you truly believe you have chosen the right path in your life, there is no one who can tell you differently."

"The baby don't know that," Sully replied.

"Maybe not, but you do not expect your child to be the soul focus of your town forever, do you?"

"Ya don't know these people. They can hold things against folks for a lifetime if they want."

"Then that is not your concern. Your concern is keeping your family together. By doing that, you prove that your decision was the right one."

"Everything seems fine, Snow Bird," Michaela said softly, cleaning off her hands. "The baby's heartbeat is strong, and you're very healthy. You've been eating properly each day?"

"There have been some days when the hunt was no good, but most days, there is plenty to feed our tribe." She smiled, putting her hand over her stomach. "The little one will live to be born, yes?"

"I don't see why not," Michaela replied. "By the end of August, you should have a healthy baby in your arms," she grinned. Snow Bird smiled proudly.

"Cloud Dancing will be pleased. I know he secretly prays for a son, but I secretly pray for a daughter. Am I selfish to want this?"

"Selfish?" Michaela asked softly.

"If she is a daughter, she will not have to worry about fighting, because the women in our tribe do not fight. If she is a girl, she will never ride with Dog Soldiers or be injured on the hunt." Michaela smiled fondly.

"I don't think that's selfish at all, Snow Bird. Every mother wants the best for their child, and even if your child is a boy, I'm certain he'll be raised up to be strong and proud."

"But he may die young," Snow Bird said sadly. "I do not wish to see another child of mine die in violence. If I had not prayed so strongly for a daughter, I would not have wished to have carried more children." Her eyes brimmed with tears. "I want safety and happiness for the little one." Michaela reached out and took her friend's hand, her own eyes filling with tears.

"I know exactly what you mean," she breathed. "Can you speak to Cloud Dancing about this?"

"I have tried, but I cannot deny him his pride and happiness. I will be happy with whatever this child may be, but I cannot lose another child to the white man's rifle." Michaela looked down, and she nodded, putting her own hand on her own stomach. "How is your little one, Dr. Mike?"

"I'm sure everything's fine," she said quietly. "The next time Dr. Bernard visits, he'll be able to tell me more." Snow Bird heard the slight hesitation in her voice.

"You are still worried?"

"How can I not be?" she asked, swallowing hard. "All this time, I've been telling myself that the worst part is over. The baby's fine, I'm fine, but…I can't help but think that maybe I'm getting my hopes up." Snow Bird eyed her.

"You believe something is wrong?"

"I…I don't know. I don't think so, but nothing has been easy so far, and I know it isn't going to get any easier once the baby's born. I feel as if I'm stuck in this…this rut where I can't stop thinking about the negative outcomes."

"You mustn't worry," Snow Bird assured her. "What is most important is your health and your baby's health. As a medicine woman, you should know this."

"I know," she whispered, blinking away tears. "I do know that, but the worry…"

"Do not worry," Snow Bird smiled. "The Spirits are watching over your family." Michaela closed her eyes, and she took a few deep breaths. "You have much to be happy about." Michaela nodded.

"I know," she whispered, taking her friend's hand. "And so do you."

At five minutes until nine, Carrie checked herself once over in the mirror. She hadn't been this dressed up since she and Daniel had gone out on the town in St. Louis. She felt almost foolish, but she knew that Daniel wanted to meet with her. She didn't know if they would make any decisions tonight, but she could at least enjoy a little alone time with the man she loved, couldn't she?

When she stepped out into the cool evening, she shut and locked the mercantile doors behind her and turned toward the deserted street. The breeze whipped against her skin, faded from its once sun-browned color to a much lighter shade. At a glance, one would never have suspected she had been raised on countless cattle drives, never really having a home. Not until now, that was. Colorado Springs was quickly becoming home, and she was beginning to feel more comfortable with the people there. She even felt closer to Dr. Mike, despite the fact that she had once tried to seduce the man the good doctor was engaged to marry.

She sighed despondently as she walked toward the bridge, seeing the shade of the man she was going to marry—or disappoint—standing there in the darkness, looking down into the dried creek bed that ran beneath it. She knew he probably couldn't see her yet.

The rattle of piano keys at the saloon caught her attention, and she glanced above the doors as she walked, seeing Hank pat Ellie's rear. At least she thought that was Ellie. All of the girls seemed to blur together, because they only came out to solicit business, and they weren't really a part of the town anyway. They stayed in the saloon and were rarely given time off to do much of anything, let alone break free of their contracts and actually start living a decent existence. Carrie shuddered at the thought that she'd once been no better than one of Hank's girls…maybe worse. She hadn't even earned a profit. She'd sold herself for free…and for the attentions of a bunch of drunken, smelly men who had nothing better to do that beat each other up and cheat on the wives they left back home with three or four kids. And to think…she'd been the one to ease their lonely nights.

Shaking the thoughts and miseries of her past from her head, she stepped onto the soft grass, feeling the coolness of the ground through the thin soles of her shoes. She found herself holding her breath, as she stepped closer toward the bridge, finally hearing it creak beneath her feet. At that moment, Daniel turned to see her, and she smiled, seeing him dressed in nothing but his normal, everyday clothes.

"Ya look beautiful," he said quietly.

"I didn't know if we were s'posed to dress up," she said quietly, feeling even more embarrassed now.

"Sorry I didn't say…" He reached for her hand, and he was relived when she placed hers in his. "You warm enough?"

"I'm fine," she assured him. "Where are we going?"

"Just down to the creek."

"It's muddy," she laughed.

"You're the one that dressed up," he teased, winking at her. "Besides, I never heard Carrie James say no to a little dirt."

"Well, normally I wouldn't, but since ya didn't say whether or not we should dress up, I ain't goin' to no muddy creek tonight, 'specially when it's a new moon, and we can't see anything." Daniel grinned, his eyes twinkling in the starlight like two glowing orbs in the darkness.

"Good, 'cause that ain't where we're going." Carrie rolled her eyes.

"Daniel Simon, you're one confusing…" He started to lead her off the bridge, and it wasn't long until she saw two flames glowing in the distance, candles upon a picnic blanket just off to the side of the schoolhouse. "You're awfully full of surprises." Daniel smiled, and he squeezed her hand. When they arrived at their candlelight picnic, they sat down and began to eat a delicious course of Grace's meat loaf with apple pie for desert. When they were finished, Daniel leaned back on his elbows, staring up at the stars. "Somethin' interesting up there?" He nodded, motioning for her to join him. She smiled, and she leaned back on the blanket, balancing herself on her elbows and looking up at the sky with him.

"There's thousands of 'em. Millions even." She nodded.

"When I was a little girl, my pa would tell me that each star was another little world where kids just like me were looking up at our world and wonderin' what it was like to live there." She smiled. "Sometimes I even thought that each star was a little house, and each house had a family inside with a ma, a pa, and a bunch of kids. Sounds silly, I know, but it's what I liked to believe. Funny how things change when ya grow up."

"You had to grow up too fast," he said softly, reaching over to touch her cheek with the backside of his hand. She closed her eyes, as the scars of her past burned against his gentle touch. "Maybe that's why you're afraid of marryin' me." She pulled away from him quickly and sat up.

"I'm not afraid to marry you," she replied. "I want to marry you." Her gaze bore into his. "I was givin' you some time to think about if ya really wanted to marry me or not."

"I didn't need any time, Carrie, but I did it for you. I wanna marry you even though we won't ever have a baby. Even if we never adopt one, I still wanna spend the rest of my life with you." Carrie watched him sit up to face her. "Bein' without ya these past few days has hurt me more than anything, and I hate not bein' with ya. You're more important to me than anything, Carrie, and the rest will work itself out in the end."

"But what if you change your mind?" she asked, shivering in the chill of the April night.

"I ain't gonna change my mind, Carrie. I ain't that kinda man. I know what I want, and that's a life with you. Ya gotta trust me."

"I do. I just don't want ya to hurt 'cause of me."

"You don't hurt me, Carrie. You make me happy. Maybe I do want children someday, but I want you more. When are ya gonna accept that?"

"If this is what you really want…"

"It is. Ya gotta believe me when I say that all I want is you." Carrie looked away.

"I guess it's hard to grasp…nobody's ever felt that way about me before."

"Well, I do. Please, Carrie. Say you'll marry me. Say you'll make me the happiest man in the world." Carrie smiled at his line, and she finally nodded.

"I'll marry you," she assured him, looking down at the ring that was already in place on her finger. "The rest will work itself out." Daniel nodded, and leaned in, brushing his lips across hers. Then the night was theirs, blanketing them in the darkness of the night and soothing them into a loving embrace, neither one willing to let go out of fear that they would wake and it would all have been a dream.

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who has read and left feedback so far! Please keep reading and letting me know what you think, because I really appreciate it!