CHAPTER 23:

The evening had been quite… hectic in terms of discussions. Dinner had revolved only around that. It was an endless discussion between MacArthur, Sully and Conrad about the future of the Indians in Colorado. The general tried somehow to explain to them that the Indians were the least of the concerns of the American army and the government.

"Do you really think the government does not care about Indians?" Michaela suddenly spoke for the first time since all dinner, when they were now down to dessert.

General MacArthur slowly lifted his face towards her, his brow furrowed in contempt that a woman would even dare talk to him about business. But, having been invited to the Quinns' and knowing full well that the head of the family adored his daughter, he replied politely:

"I do think so, Miss Quinn."

"Doctor Quinn." she replied firmly.

She could feel her mother tense as she stood to her right and briefly met Sully's gaze who was seated across from her. But she could not read the young man's expression. She turned again to the general and continued:

"I wondered what President Grant would think of all this, knowing that he was the one who set up this department of Indian relief and conservation of the natural spaces of America."

"He did this after a vote of generals and…"

"Yet you know very well that one of his trusted men is an Indian. I had heard that he had set up this department partly for the people of this man to whom he is very attached." Michaela explained firmly as she saw Clarfield's mouth drop open in surprise. She did not know what this surprise was due to. To Michaela's revelations or to her temper?

"This is entirely false, miss!" the general could not help getting carried away, banging a fist on the table.

Michaela could see her father leaning over the table, ready at any moment to chase the man out of his house.

"Well, that is okay, I will ask Mrs. Grant then." Michaela gave the general a fake kind smile who broke into a metallic laugh.

"You?! Do you think President Grant and his wife will receive a person like you to discuss matters of state?" he continued to laugh as he leaned back in his chair, wiping his mouth with his white napkin which he put back on his lap.

"I was thinking of writing a letter to Mrs. Grant instead. Interestingly, I was lucky enough to be able to examine the President's wife when we were in Washington with my father. We attended a medical reception, she was sick and she wanted a lady doctor. Being the only female doctor, the president came to get me himself to come and examine his wife at the white house. We have kept in touch and we write to each other from time to time. It would be a shame if I had to bother her because you had trouble making simple efforts." Michaela spoke quietly, while folding her white briefcase on her knees, a sign that writing this letter would make her neither hot nor cold.

She looked up at the general, who now had a slightly red neck as he fiddled with the spoon he had eaten his dessert with. He cleared his throat and looked at Conrad, as if Michaela had never spoken.

"I think I can think about it. After all, I know we have enough bison now. Winter has already set in and my men have other things to do anyway…"

Michael had to hide her smirk behind her napkin as she admired the shocked faces of her parents and also Conrad and Sully.

Dinner finally over, General MacArthur escaped as quickly as possible from the Quinns' house, then shaking Conrad's hand in an oral agreement. The general had finally assured that he would withdraw his troops from Colorado, and that he would send it in writing to the government no later than the next day.

And, after his departure, Joseph Quinns had asked for glasses of champagne to celebrate this victory. Throughout the rest of the evening, Sully had been unable to take his eyes off of Michaela who, although she felt him perfectly, preferred not to look at him in turn. She did not want her mother to find it inappropriate...

Then, as the evening was well and truly over, Sully and Conrad greeted the Quinns and thanked them for the invitation and for the help provided. Clarfield paid particular attention to Michaela who was the one thanks to whom MacArthur had changed his mind.

Both were escorted by Harrison to the front door and as the young man was about to leave he heard a small voice calling him.

He turned and smiled admiringly when he saw Michaela standing in the doorway to the now empty dining room.

"I am waiting for you outside." Conrad smiled kindly before going out to give some privacy to the young people he knew were courting each other.

Sully smiled at his friend before turning back to Michaela who slowly approached him until she was right in front of him.

"You look beautiful..." Sully sighed, his eyes shining. "What you did... It was... I... I don't know..."

"Sully. Finally…" she laughed lightly, raising her hands to her jacket in order to put it back in place and smooth it out a little. She kept her hands hooked to the front of his jacket. "To begin with, you are really very beautiful too and… I am happy to have been able to help you." whispered the young woman.

Sully kept his eyes fixed on hers. "You have impressed me so much and...you know perfectly well that when the Indians and Wilderness Department finds out that MacArthur is going to withdraw his troops, they will order me back to Colorado..."

"I know Sully." Michaela replied sadly as the young man placed his hands on her lower back.

Sully wanted to ask her… He wanted so badly to ask her to come with him, but that would be unfair. It would be unfair to ask her such a thing when she did not allow herself to ask him to stay. But he could not help saying something to her anyway:

"If only I could ask you to come with me…"

"If only I could ask you to stay…" she replied immediately sadly, their faces so close together.

The young man was the first to move and hugged her as hard as he could, resting his head on hers as he sighed with difficulty. Since he had known her, he had tried to block his thoughts on a potential return. And although he had received several letters pressuring him and Conrad about the Indians and the American army, he had deep down hoped that he would never be able to make General MacArthur listen to reason so that he could stay.

As he lifted his head and Michaela moved away from the crook of his neck, they looked into each other's eyes. Sully and Michaela leaned in the same way and kissed each other softly and long. And as the kiss finally broke, they pulled away a little bit, their noses remaining slightly together, their eyes closed.

After a short while, they heard footsteps and a slight clearing of the throat coming from the dining room. They turned their heads towards the room and saw Michaela's parents enter. Initially, the young woman felt her heart beat faster, afraid that her parents would say or do a few things, but she only saw slightly smiling faces as they both approached the couple. Michaela and Sully pulled away for good sliding their hands that they had kept together.

"Mister Sully." Joseph stepped forward, extending a friendly hand, a smile on his face.

"Doctor Quinn." Sully smiled back before taking the hand he held out to him and shaking it firmly.

He then advanced towards Mrs. Quinn who, he felt, was still very suspicious of him, despite this evening where he thought he had demonstrated to be a good and cultured person, although lacking money and a stable situation.

"Mrs. Quinn." he greeted her, taking her hand to kiss it. "Thank you for the invitation and the wonderful dinner."

Michaela could see with amusement her mother blushing slightly. It was true that Sully could look downright intimidating when he stared into other with his blue eyes.

"Please, Mr. Sully. It was a pleasure." The hostess smiled quickly, under the surprised expressions of Michaela and Joseph.

Sully smiled as well and headed for the door. He smiled one last time at Michaela who sighed with love for this man, and went out to join Conrad.

Note : So what do you think of the dinner haha! Although Sully will probably have to return to Colorado, things seem to have calmed down with Michaela's parents.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your feedback! Thank you very much for the last two reviews! Thanks to taysnan, I thought I didn't hear from you anymore, glad you're still enjoying the story :)