He cleared his throat to announce that he was in the room. Michaela spun around with tears in her eyes.
"Oh Sully, I am so thankful you were in the house, listening to us!"
"Think nothing of it," he replied, walking toward her and placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Would you like to get away from here for the day? Hannah and I are going to visit Cloud Dancing and Snow Bird out at their ranch tomorrow. I haven't been out to visit them in a while and thought that you and Katie might like to come with us."
Michaela's eyes lit up. She liked the Indian couple very much. They were very friendly to her and made her feel like she had known them forever.
"Yes, I would love to come along," she answered.
"Great, then it's settled, we were going to leave in the morning," Sully stated.
The drive out to Cloud Dancing's ranch was soothing to Michaela's nerves. They saw a family of deer playing out in the field. Hannah squealed with delight at the animals. Katie wasn't quite sure what to make of them yet.
Sully pulled the SUV up to a magnificent A-frame log cabin lodge nestled among several tall pine trees. Snow Bird heard them approach and met them on the expansive front porch.
"Hello, Sully, Michaela," she stated. "I trust you had a nice drive."
"Hi, Snow Bird, yes we sure did," Sully stated, hugging her.
"Hello, Snow Bird," Michaela greeted. "Your place is amazing."
"Thank you," she answered, "Once you have had a chance to freshen up, I can show you around. Cloud Dancing should be around here somewhere." She mentioned, looking around their front yard.
Snow Bird showed them into the large, two story living room. There was a massive stone fireplace in the corner, Native American prints hung over the mantle. There were floor to ceiling windows along the back of the house that showed the beautiful scenery of the acreage behind the house.
Michaela walked to the windows to get a closer look at their view. There was a deck immediately off the back of the house with a swimming pool.
"The bathrooms are to your left," Snowbird pointed toward the hallway to the left of the living room.
"Thank you," Sully stated.
They made their way to the bathroom to freshen up and put the girls down for a nap.
"I am going to find Cloud Dancing," Sully mentioned, after the girls were asleep.
"Okay, I am going to visit with Snow Bird for a while. I will join you later." Michaela replied, kissing him softly.
Sully saw Cloud Dancing leaning over the fence to the horse corral. He was watching his horse, Flash, trot around the ring.
"Cloud Dancing! It's good to see you," Sully announced, stopping at the fence next to him.
"It is good to see you too, Brother," he replied. "What is troubling you?"
"How did you know something was wrong?" Sully asked.
"The spirits told me," he answered.
"I have an issue with Daniel. He was Michaela's friend from Boston," he began. "He came by the other day to see her and Katie. He started talking about how Daniel has loved her since he's known her. We got into a bit of a confrontation."
"The spirits told me that there are two people who are coming between you and Michaela," Cloud Dancing mentioned.
"I believe the other person may be William," Sully reasoned.
"The spirits told me that they will come between you at a time that is very important to you and Michaela," Cloud Dancing warned.
"My intuition was right then. I have had a bad feeling about William and Daniel both from the beginning." Sully stated.
"My brother, the spirits will be there with you at that time. You will do what is right," Cloud Dancing encouraged.
"Thank you, I don't know what I would do without you," Sully mentioned. "I wonder what Snow Bird and Michaela are doing?"
"Let's go find them," Cloud Dancing replied. "Flash will be okay out here in her pin."
Michaela and Snow Bird were on the deck with Hannah and Katie. The girls were excitedly making babbling sounds. This scene warmed Sully's heart. He tried to put away the forewarning that Cloud Dancing gave him and enjoy the day. He would speak with Michaela about it when they arrived home.
Hannah squealed with delight at seeing Sully. She tried to wriggle her way free from Snow Bird. She was trying to walk but could only manage a quick toddle right now.
"There's one of my sweet girls!" he cried, picking Hannah up.
"Have you picked a date for your wedding yet?" Snow Bird asked.
Michaela and Sully looked at each other. They hadn't really discussed their wedding yet.
"We haven't given it much thought," Michaela answered. "I would like something small though."
"I agree," Sully answered, patting Hannah on the back.
"I think I would like something outdoors with just a few friends and family," Michaela said, dreamily.
"Cloud Dancing and I would be honored if you want to have your wedding here," Snow Bird offered.
"Thank you!" They both said in unison.
"I will get with you as soon as we have the details worked out." Sully stated.
"Would anyone like something cool to drink?" Snow Bird offered.
"Yes, please," Michaela answered. "I will help you."
"You have a very gracious and loving young man, Michaela," Snow Bird stated once they were in the kitchen.
"Thank you, he is very special and has helped me a great deal."
"He is very perceptive and is a sensitive soul. I can see that he loves you with everything that he is."
Michaela thought that Snow Bird really understood Sully. Her perception was very accurate.
"Yes, Katie and I are very lucky to have found him."
Snow Bird smiled and put the glasses and pitcher of lemonade on the tray. They spent the rest of their visit walking their ranch and Cloud Dancing pointing out the animals to the girls. Sully and Michaela bid farewell at sunset.
"Thank you for everything," Sully stated, shaking Cloud Dancing's hand. Michaela hugged Snow Bird and they set off for home.
Michaela awoke the next morning to the sound of rain hitting her bedroom windows. The day was starting out gray and dark. She didn't let this spoil her good mood. She still had lovely visions of Cloud Dancing and Snow Bird's ranch. She thought that it would be amazing to live in such peace and solitude.
She drew the blankets back and reached for her robe. She padded down the hallway to Katie's room. She was still sleeping peacefully.
Michaela quietly made her way down the stairs and out to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. She sat down at the table with a pad of paper to begin jotting down ideas for their wedding. She knew that she wanted a simple affair.
She began thinking back to her wedding with David and how elaborate it had been. While she had loved David and their life together, she never liked the high society feel of Boston. Colorado was a much different lifestyle, more relaxed. She truly felt at peace here.
As she was finishing up her very short list of wedding plans, she heard Katie beginning to stir.
"Good morning, sweet girl!" she greeted. Katie was growing so fast. She was pulling herself up on the crib rails, trying to stand up.
She picked her up and took her downstairs for breakfast. She put Katie in her high chair and began preparing her baby cereal. She stood at the kitchen window, watching the rain hit the window. She briefly wondered if Sully had any plans today.
Michaela was lost in a day dream as she was brought out of her reverie by Katie hitting the tray on her high chair, demanding breakfast.
"Oh, sweetie, Mommy's sorry," she apologized.
Katie quickly ate and then squirmed to get on the floor to play. Michaela placed her on her favorite blanket. She went to the kitchen to clean up and heard her phone ring. She dug it out of her handbag, briefly hoping it wasn't Daniel or William.
It was Sully! She breathed a sigh of relief. "Good morning!" she answered.
"Good morning, what do you think of this rainy day?"
"I don't mind the rain, I find it cleansing," Michaela answered.
"Do you and Katie have anything to do today?" he asked.
"No, I think we are going to stay home today. Why do you ask?"
"Would you like to watch some movies? I thought that maybe we could go over some wedding details." he mentioned.
"Yes, I would love that," she answered.