Chapter 107

May 20, 1871 – Colorado Springs

"What's the matter, darlin'? Cat got your tongue?" Jim asked, placing his hand on Ruth's shoulder. Kid Cole stood up, knocking the man's hand off of his wife. "Easy there, fella. I don't mean no harm."

"You keep your hands on my wife."

"Your wife?" he asked. "Last I knew, she was walking toward me down that aisle."

"Stop it," Ruth finally spoke up, her voice flat and full of warning. "Let's not talk about this here." She looked directly at Jim, and he winked at her. She tasted bile. "Kid Cole, would ya please take me home?"

"I come all this way, darlin'. I'm takin' you back with me."

"Don't call me that," she warned. "I ain't your darlin'. Never was. Never will be. Stay away from me, Jim. I mean it." Both she and Kid Cole were well aware of the crowd that had stopped eating to turn their attention to the scene. "Kid Cole, let's go." Kid Cole's eyes never left Jim's, but he put his arm around his wife and led her off. When they were gone, Jim turned back to the crowd and snickered. It was obvious now that the town had found someone new to gossip about, and as he walked off, whispers began to circulate throughout the café, everyone knowing full well that what had just happened would be the talk of the town for the next several days.

May 21, 1871 – Colorado Springs

The sunrise woke Sully from his slumber, and the first thing he did after noticing a morning chill in the room was start a blazing fire for their first morning in their new house. He tiptoed down the stairs, not wanting to wake Michaela just yet, and he went about making tea and a big breakfast. Carrie and Grace had brought supplies out to the house before the wedding, and he was grateful, because having the support of friends was something he valued and knew that he and Michaela needed right now.

He looked out toward the barn and the empty corral. It wouldn't be long before horses and cattle roamed out there, and the wolf pups grew up into strong, healthy animals out there. He could almost picture it in his mind. He and Michaela sitting on the porch with a baby in each arm, as Johnny ran up and down the length of the lot with Wolf, Pup, and Snowball. For a moment, his mind flashed back to watching Hanna and Lily play on the front porch of their homestead, always looking up expectantly when their pa would return from a long day at the reservation. He remembered coming home to them and being thankful everyday for his blessings. Then they were taken away, and he'd never expected to have such joy again in his life.

Once breakfast was prepared, he placed everything on a tray and started up the stairs. When he arrived, Michaela was still sleeping in the same position he'd left her in, and he smiled, placing the tray down on the bedside table. He crawled into bed beside her and softly kissed her cheek, hoping to rouse her from her sleep. But she sighed in her sleep and continued sleeping. He smiled, liking the challenge, so he leaned forward, pressing his lips delicately against her forehead. He felt her stir, but she didn't wake. Next he tried kissing her eyelids, feeling her flinch under his touch, and when he pulled back, she moaned softly but rolled onto her back. Sully tried not to laugh at Michaela's stubbornness to wake, and he felt guilty about trying to. He knew she needed her rest, but she also needed her nourishment.

"Michaela," he whispered, pressing his lips against hers, waiting for a response. She moaned in her sleep, and he kissed her again, cupping her face in his hands. She began to stir again, and it wasn't long before her arms circled his neck, and her fingers delved into his hair. She giggled against his kisses, and when he finally pulled back, she saw the happiness reflecting in her eyes. "Mornin', beautiful."

"Good morning," she whispered. She sniffed the air, and her stomach grumbled. "Something smells wonderful."

"I made breakfast."

"You did?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It might not be as good as Grace's, but it ain't bad."

"It can't be worse than mine," she laughed. Sully kissed her again, helping her sit up.

"For the record, I like your cookin'." Michaela rolled her eyes, as Sully pulled the tray into the bed and laid it across their laps. Michaela's hunger let itself be known when her stomach growled so loud that Sully could hear it. They both laughed, and Sully put his hand on her stomach.

"Guess the babies are hungry too, hmm?" They began to eat, and Michaela savored the taste of her husband's cooking. She stole glances at him from time to time as he drank his tea.

"What?" he asked, when he finally noticed.

"Nothing."

"Michaela? Tell me." Michaela grinned and shook her head.

"I'm just thinking about what mother would say if she knew that you were the one doing all of the work. You're making dinner and taking care of me. She always told me that it was the woman's place to do such things." She let out a laugh. "But she had a maid." Sully smiled and squeezed her hand.

"Ya grew up different. Round here, it's pretty much the same, but I don't think a woman ought to work herself tired. I think that if a man wants a family and a home, he's gotta be a part of it. He's gotta do his part to keep up the place and raise the kids." He shook his head. "'Sides, you're a doctor, and you're a busy woman. And I wanna be there. I wanna do the things that most pa's don't normally do. I wanna get up with 'em at night and feed 'em and change 'em. I wanna spend as much time as I can with my family, 'cause I learned a lesson a long time ago that if ya take havin' a family for granted, ya don't realize how quick everything can change." Michaela saw the sadness in his eyes, and she put her arm around him, kissing his cheek.

"I'm glad you want to be there, Sully. You've always been there, and I trusted that you always would be. You're a wonderful father to Johnny, and I can't wait to see you with our own babies."

"I wanna make 'em proud. I don't wanna mess up this time."

"You didn't mess up before, Sully. There were a lot of things going on that you couldn't control. I'm confident that you're going to be just as wonderful with our children as you were with Hanna and Lily." She took his hand and held it in her own. Thankful for her kind heart and wonderful spirit, Sully leaned into her and kissed her.

"Thank you," he breathed. "I don't know what I'd do without ya." She winked at him.

"I think you'd manage. It might be difficult," she teased, "but you'd make it somehow." Sully laughed and kissed her again. Then they went back to finishing their breakfast in order to get a head start on preparing to head back into town.

Ruth walked out of her home and was greeted by the pleasant warmth of the sun. She was grateful that Kid Cole had left early to go to the Sheriff station, though the night before, they'd argued about him going in. She had told him that she'd be fine, and if Jim approached her, she could handle him. Plus, Jim wasn't stupid enough to try anything in public. At least he hadn't been before. So, she was going to spend the day shopping and talking with friends, because she refused to let herself get backed into a corner or alley with Jim, because the man didn't know when to give up.

When she walked into the mercantile, several pair of eyes were on her, but she decided that she had nothing to be worried about. After all, it was he that came looking for her. He was the one who had started the whole thing.

"Hey Ruth," Carrie greeted her, as she dusted off the front counter. "Everything ok today?"

"Just fine. How are you this mornin', Carrie? Any word from your pa?"

"Nothing yet," Carrie replied. "Saw Kid Cole goin' to work real early this mornin'. Everything alright between…"

"Everything's fine, Carrie," Ruth responded quickly, placing a bar of soap in beside the candles. "Not gonna let somebody come into town claimin' they own me take over my life. I ain't his wife. I ain't nothin' to him." Her eyes met Mrs. Barndollar's and Mrs. Leeds, as they did a good job of eavesdropping under the disguise of browsing through men's trousers. The snooping women cleared their throats and stuck their noses in the air before going back about their business. Carrie couldn't help but snicker. Ruth had fire, and it was starting to really show.

"If there's somethin' you wanna talk about…"

"I'll be alright. He ain't gonna intimidate me," she said with a shake of her head. "You got any flour?"

"Just got some in on the train," Carrie said with a nod, stepping into the back and returning with a bag of flour. She placed it in Ruth's basket and watched her continue to shop. Usually, Ruth was in and out rather quickly, eager to get back home and get a head start on the sewing she wanted to get done, but today, she was lingering, though she spoke quickly, as if nervous about something. Of course, it was rational for her to be nervous, considering a man came on the train just to claim her as his wife.

"You really ain't married to him, are ya?"

"Kid Cole is my husband. Jimmy never was. Not in that way." Carrie swallowed hard and nodded, deciding not to pry too much. When she looked up, she saw Jim swaggering toward the mercantile, and she groaned.

"Here he comes, Ruth." Ruth looked up quickly and then back down at her shopping basket. Carrie took the basket from her and touched her hand.

"You can go out the back. I'll put these on your account and send 'em home to ya later." Ruth gave her a thankful smile and nodded, turning and leaving out the back door, not in the mood to have a confrontation this early in the morning. When Jim stepped into the mercantile, Carrie's eyes set upon her other customer's, warning them not to say a thing.

"You were at the café yesterday, weren't ya? You were sittin' with my Ruth."

"I was sittin' with Ruth, yeah. She ain't yours though," Carrie said briskly, her voice cutting through clenched teeth. Jim looked a little taken aback, as if he wasn't used to a woman being so bold to him.

"Somebody ought to put you in your place, little lady." Carrie grimaced at the pet name he'd chosen for her. "But this ain't about you. This is about Ruth. Where's my wife?"

"If she's your wife, how could she be married to Kid Cole? I don't think that's legal, though I ain't very well versed in the laws 'round this place."

"She's my wife, 'cause she made vows to me. She promised to honor and obey me, and she ain't exactly doin' that."

"Maybe she got sick of obeyin' ya," Carrie replied. "Ever thought 'bout that? Not every woman wants to be their husband's little lap dog, Mr. Watkins." She saw the anger bubbling up inside him, but she wasn't backing down. She saw the jaws drop on all of her female customers, and a couple of gentlemen shook their heads as if they were ashamed that a lady in their town was behaving no better than a rowdy male. "Listen, I don't know if she was your wife or not. It ain't my business, but she sure as hell don't wanna be married to you. Ya got that?" She saw the look in his eyes. She'd seen it in Jake Slicker's eyes too. She'd seen it in several cowboys' eyes over the years, and she knew what it meant. But this time, she refused to be beaten down by it.

"You got a mouth on ya, girl. You ought to be taught how to keep it shut."

"Is there a problem here?" Jim turned at the sound of the other male voice, and when he came face to face with Daniel, he snickered.

"No problem. Who might you be?"

"I'm the deputy to Kid Cole. He's Sheriff around here. Name's Daniel." Jim looked him over, and he looked back at Carrie.

"The women in these parts need to be taught when to keep their mouths shut. Maybe they ought to be taught how to use him right too." He winked at Carrie, and she glared at him in disgust.

"I suggest you watch the way ya talk, fella. There are ladies in this establishment. I don't know where you come from, but we don't threaten women around here."

"I can tell," Jim replied. "They're all over the place. Hell, I heard talk of a woman. How pathetic. You're bein' overrun by women!" He laughed, his voice dry and sharp. "Tell ya what. If ya tell me where I can find my Ruth, I'll leave right now."

"Don't think that's gonna happen. If Ruth wants to see ya, she'll see ya, but I can see now why she got up and walked away yesterday. I wouldn't wanna talk to ya either if I knew you was the way you are. So I suggest you take yourself on out of here and find something else to do. Just know I got my eye on ya, and I ain't afraid to lock somebody up for slippin' up. You understand?" Jim shook his head and let out a laugh.

"I understand."

"Good. Now you calm yourself down, and maybe then Ruth'll see ya. But I suggest you don't go lookin' for her, 'cause if ya do, you're only lookin' for trouble."

"We ain't through yet," Jim grumbled, as he gave up for the moment and left the mercantile. Daniel turned toward Carrie, who looked as if at any moment she could spit venom.

"Carrie?"

"He's such a…a…"

"I know," Daniel replied.

"I'm worried about Ruth. She don't need this right now."

"Kid Cole already asked me if I'd keep an eye on her today. He said he's gonna do it too, but it'd be real obvious, so he sent me out to be his eyes, I guess." Carrie nodded.

"I don't like that man, Daniel. Kid Cole and Ruth…they'd been through a lot, and they've finally found a place to settle down. They don't need somebody comin' in and ruinin' it all for 'em."

"Don't worry. Ruth and Kid Cole are our friends, and we're gonna make sure nobody hurts either of 'em."

"How?"

"Well, first, I guess I better start by makin' sure Ruth's alright."

"She went out the back."

"Alright. I'll see ya at lunch, alright?"

"Yep," Carrie answered, leaning over, as Daniel leaned in to kiss her cheek. She smiled at him and warned him to be careful before she watched him slip out the back.

Michaela sighed, as she sat in the front of the wagon. Their wedding night had been as perfect as it could be giving the precautions they had to take, but she felt as if it had all happened too fast. Now she and Sully were on their way back to town. She hadn't wanted to leave, but she knew it was for the best. She and her babies needed the constant medical supervision for just a little while longer.

"Ready, Mrs. Sully?" Sully asked, as they rounded the bend and disappeared out of sight of their home. Michaela sighed despondently and nodded. Sully wrapped his free arm around her and pulled her close. "I promise ya, just as soon as Dr. Cook gives us the word, we'll get out of there and move in. It's just gonna be a little more time."

"I know," Michaela said with a nod. "I know it's what's best for all of us. I just hope that everything continues to go as it has. I haven't been in any pain, and I'm feeling so much better. I just don't want to get my hopes up."

"Everything's gonna be alright. You're doin' everything right for the babies and for you. Just a little while longer, and ya won't have to worry anymore."

"I'll always worry, Sully. It's a part of who I am." He nodded.

"I know. But my job's to make sure ya don't worry."

"You do a remarkable job most of the time," she grinned, placing her hand on her belly. "Oh!"

"What is it?"

"They're really kicking today," she laughed. "Give me your hand." He reached over, and she placed his hand on her belly right before one of the babies delivered a sharp knee kick to Michaela's insides.

"Hey, you take it easy on your ma, kids. She's goin' through an awful lot for the both of ya." Michaela smiled and leaned back against the backrest of the seat. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back, soaking in the warmth of the sun upon her face. She had missed this. She couldn't wait to take the children on picnics on the warm summer days. She couldn't wait to get on with her life. It was only a matter of months before their lives changed once again, and right now, while the babies were safe and sound inside of her, she wanted to take in as much as she could of this beautiful weather, because as soon as they got back into town, she'd be cooped up in that little room again for the next few weeks, and she was genuinely looking forward to receiving a clean bill of health.

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who is still reading this story! You have no idea how much I appreciate it! It's hard to believe I've been writing this story since January of this year. There's still so much I want to do with it. I'm just not ready to wrap it up, so to those who have stuck in there with me, you guys are awesome! I couldn't ask for better readers, because for someone to stick in there for going on 108 chapters and more, that's really dedicated! Thanks so much! Keep reading!