People drug themselves into town. The grief was palpable.

Robert E drew his wagon to a halt in front of the boardinghouse; he helped Charlotte, Colleen and Michaela, who was still holding Hanna, down, handing their things to the mother and daughter.

The door of the building burst open and Brian came running out, Matthew right behind him. Charlotte knelt down, catching her youngest in a hug, for once saying nothing of the lateness of the hour.

Matthew came to a stop just in front of them; he seemed to be taking in the general sad air and Hanna in Michaela's arms. His eyes went to his mother's. "She didn't make it."

Charlotte swallowed and nodded; she glanced at Michaela, who was trying to remain impassive; then looked at Robert E. "Would ya like to come in for some coffee?"

The blacksmith paused; then nodded. "I'll just get Bear unhitched." He led his horse and wagon away.

Jake was dismounting from his horse; thinking all the while about one of the bottles he had hidden in his shop and home.

Charlotte stopped as she was heading to her home and turned to the barber. "Jake." He turned. "The invitation includes ya."

Jake stood stock-still, staring at her; finally he nodded, before leading his horse to get it to its stall.

Charlotte turned and continued into her home. Her eye was caught by Michaela's quiet form. The doctor hadn't let go of her Goddaughter since Sully had put her in her arms and she hadn't said anything since they left the homestead. She was now silently following them inside. Charlotte was worried about her.

They gathered in the kitchen; Colleen took a seat, Matthew sat down beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders comfortingly. Charlotte watched her daughter anxiously, worried about how she was going to deal with this. Colleen had been quiet and rather withdrawn but when Matthew wrapped his arm around her she leaned her face into his shoulder and began to cry, her sobs were muffled by his shirt.

Charlotte swallowed and held Brian tighter.

"Ma, what'th wrong? Why'th everyone tho thad?" The little boy's voice was confused.

Charlotte swallowed again pulling back slightly to look at him. "Because…Miss Abigail…she died."

Brian's lip trembled. "Ya mean – ya mean we ain't never gonna thee her again?"

"N-" Charlotte's voice hitched; she took a deep breath. "No. She's in heaven."

Brian whimpered and buried his face in the joint of her neck and shoulder. Charlotte held him closer and rubbed her hand over his back.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come on in!" Charlotte called at the door.

Robert E and Jake came in; they nodded their thanks to Charlotte as they sat down in chairs around the table. Charlotte started coffee, Brian still in her arms.

There was a whimper from one side of the room that quickly escalated to wails. All heads turned in Michaela's direction; she checked Hanna's diaper but shook her head; she looked up at Charlotte. "She needs to be fed."

Charlotte nodded; she went to one of her cabinets, she rummaged through it a bit before she finally emerged with a bottle. She retrieved what was left of the milk and filled the bottle. She reached out; offering to take Hanna, but Michaela shook her head and just took the bottle. At first Hanna whimpered and resisted, but Michaela was able to coax her to accept the bottle's nipple and began to nurse. Michaela glanced at everyone; then turned and headed toward the door.

"I'll be outside."

They watched her leave.

8

Michaela sat on the bench on the porch; she kept her eyes on the baby in her arms. Hanna had a dusting of dark curls on her head, like her mother's; Michaela ran her fingers over the downy strands. Hanna's eyes stared up at her, a deep blue that reflected her soul; her father's eyes. Michaela swallowed back a sob that attempted to work its way out.

Hanna finished the milk; she started fussing; Michaela gently shhed her, resting Hanna on her shoulder and patting her back. Michaela began to softly sing a lullaby.

Olive was heading down the street to Robert E's shop where she had left her wagon and horses while she attempted to comfort her brother and sister in-law; she was thoroughly worn out and her heart was aching.

A soft familiar tune floated toward her; she stopped and turned toward the sound. Michaela sat, cradling a tiny form she knew to be her great-niece in her arms; she hadn't seemed to have noticed Olive's presence; she stood there, and continued to watch her with Hanna.

"…All-" Michaela's voice broke, "th-the pretty – little" a sob escaped her, "hor-ses."

Olive swallowed, she slowly walked over to the boardinghouse; a few feet away she cleared her throat. Michaela's head shot up and Olive caught the tears that had started their journey from her eyes and down her cheeks before the younger woman quickly looked back down, wiping her eyes of the tears.

Olive stepped up onto the porch that she had spent so much time on throughout her life, but this time she had a different companion than usual. "Mind if I sit?" Michaela shook her head. Olive lowered herself slowly onto the bench next to the doctor; she nodded to the baby. "How's she doin'?"

"Fine…she was hungry; I-I decided to come sit out here while I fed her." She attempted to keep a detached front, but Olive had seen enough to know that she was hiding how she really felt.

The rancher nodded. "Looks a lot like her ma."

Michaela stiffened. "Yes. She does."

Olive carried on as if she hadn't noticed the reaction. "Got her pa's eyes though." She looked up at the other woman. "Probably'll be as stubborn as both of 'em."

A strangled sob escaped Michaela.

"Abigail told me she was real excited 'bout the quilt we're workin' on in quiltin' circle for the baby."

Michaela's form began to shake, rocking violently.

"She also told me she loved the christening dress ya gave the baby."

Michaela finally began to sob aloud.

Olive reached over, wrapping her arm around her shoulders and pulling the aggrieved woman into her embrace. "Shhhh…It's all right."

Michaela sobbed loudly. "Sh-she was my-my b-best friend…th-the first real fr-friend I ever had."

Olive swallowed, holding the woman tighter; tears of her own falling down her face.

"She-she died wh-while I-I w-as op-perat-ting on her…"

"Shh…It ain't your fault; we all know it ain't your fault."

Michaela sobbed harder. "I m-miss her-so-m-much."

"I know, I know." Olive reached a hand down and ran a finger gently along Hanna's cheek. "What'll we do 'bout this little one?" she mused aloud, watching her great-niece lovingly.

Michaela swallowed. "I-" her voice caught and she had to swallow again and take a deep breath. "She-she begged me to…promise her to – help Sully – take care of her."

Olive nodded thoughtfully. "That's good." She nodded more firmly. "I think that's real good."

Olive kept her arm around the younger woman; Michaela leaned less on her, but she didn't move far away from her; they both watched the infant in Michaela's arms, tears frequently flowing down their cheeks.

8

Inside the kitchen Brian had drifted asleep in one corner of the room; Colleen had brought blankets and pillows down to him.

Colleen was still quiet and sticking a little closer to her mother and brothers than usual, but she seemed to be feeling more at ease since Matthew comforted her.

Robert E repeatedly had rubbed a hand over his face, his eyes often ending up staring tearfully into space.

Jake had his elbows on the table; his hands clasped together and pressed against his forehead.

Matthew was sitting with his arm comfortingly wrapped around his sister once again; he had been as quiet as the rest of them; helping whenever his mother asked.

Charlotte was sitting at the table, mostly staring at nothing in particular but often looking up at her companions.

"Ya did all you could."

Those around her lifted their heads. "Dr. Mike told ya that ya'll everythin' ya could. There was too much damage."

There were nods, but she knew they still needed time before they really began to accept it, if ever.

Jake looked down at his mug before tossing back the rest of the coffee in it; he took a deep breath before looking up at Charlotte. "We'd best be goin'."

Robert E nodded, finishing his own coffee.

Jake stopped beside the door; he looked back at Charlotte. "Thank you."

Charlotte gave him a tired smile.

"Thank you for the coffee," Robert E said.

The door opened before either man had a chance to do so. Michaela stood on the other side holding Hanna; the men stood aside, allowing her to enter.

Jake reached out, touching Michaela's shoulder, causing her to stop and look at him. "I-I'm sorry."

Michaela gave him a weak smile; she nodded to Robert E before heading toward the door that led up to the rooms; everyone watched them leave.

8

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