Neither Michaela nor Charlotte was able to get to sleep after Sully's departure. Charlotte had attempted to keep Wolf outside, but he refused to leave Michaela and Hanna, seeming to take his charge seriously. The two women sat at the kitchen table, Hanna in Michaela's arms and Wolfe lying on the floor beside her. They discussed what they should do and finally came to the decision that Michaela would keep the room she had been renting as a "clinic", at least until she found larger accommodations, and would move out of the room she had been using as her bedroom. Charlotte offered hers and the children's help to move her things into the homestead the next day; Michaela told her that she didn't want to bother her, but Charlotte waved that off, telling her she and the children would be happy to help. Michaela accepted.

The next morning when the children came down for dinner and were informed that they would be helping Michaela and Hanna move into the homestead Brian was a little confused at first and Colleen asked why Hanna wasn't going to be living with Sully, Matthew didn't say anything, but Michaela could tell by the look on his face he probably had figured out why, though he had a dark look on his face, almost angry.

"Sully needs some time to grieve for his wife; once he's ready he'll be back," Charlotte told them.

Matthew frowned and muttered, "Sure he will…just like Pa."

"Matthew!" Charlotte looked at her son reprovingly.

Matthew got up from the table storming toward the door, muttering about hitching up the horse to the wagon.

Charlotte watched him go with a mixture of frustration and pain; she looked back at Michaela. "I'm sorry 'bout that, he's just –"

"Feeling betrayed," Michaela finished, nodding. She remembered when Charlotte had shared with her that her husband had run off and never returned.

Charlotte gave her a pained smile before turning to her two younger children. "Why don't ya go get things ready." They nodded, got up from the table and hurried off.

8

Michaela carried one of her bags outside to the porch; she set it down and turned to head inside.

"Dr. Mike!"

She turned to see Loren heading toward her, Maude a step behind, she gave Michaela an apologetic smile behind her husband's back.

"What's this I hear 'bout Sully runnin' off?" The man was scowling.

Michaela gritted her teeth, knowing that it would be best to just be civil to the man, though because of the way he treated Sully and Abigail he grated on her nerves. "He didn't 'run off', he needed time to grieve; he will be back as soon as he can."

Loren's scowl deepened. "Heh, grievin'. He runs off leavin' his daughter behind. Coward."

Michaela clenched her jaw.

"Well, I 'spose Maude and me'll be takin' Hanna now."

"No," Michaela grated out between her teeth.

"What!" Loren's jaw dropped. "We're her family! You ain't got no right –" His voice rose in volume.

"Yes! Yes I do!" Michaela's voice rose to meet his.

"An' how is that?" he snapped.

"Abigail and Sully asked me to take care of her! And I promised them both I would!" She looked at him defiantly.

"She's tellin' the truth, Loren."

The doctor and shopkeeper, turned at the drawling voice; Jake had stepped out of his shop and was standing not too far from where they were arguing.

"I heard Abigail ask her to promise."

"And Sully asked her last night before he left." Charlotte had stepped out of the house at some point during the argument; Colleen was holding Hanna and Wolf was standing beside her, a low growl emitting from his throat.

"Loren, she's the child's Godmother." Olive was leaning against her wagon over at Robert E's.

Loren looked as though he was going to argue further, but a quieter voice cut in.

"Let it go Loren. Hanna'll be fine."

Loren's face became one of pure shock as he turned and looked at his wife who was watching the argument tiredly.

"Just let them be and let's get back to the store."

Loren pursed his lips before turning on heel and heading to the mercantile.

Maude gave Michaela a tired smile, and turned to leave.

People began to clear out, the spectacle of the day over.

"Maude!" Michaela jogged a few steps over to the older woman, who stopped. "How are you feeling?"

Maude shrugged. "Tired. My heart has been actin' up more frequently since Abby died."

Michaela nodded. "I'd like to see you tomorrow if that's possible."

Maude nodded. "I'll come out."

"You don't have to –"

Maude waved her hand. "It's alright, ya need to get yourself and the baby settled; this'll be easier."

Michaela nodded a grateful smile on her face.

Maude turned to leave, but Michaela reached out a hand, stopping her.

"Maude…" The woman looked at her. "Thank you."

Maude smiled and nodded.

8

Michaela's hand rested on the handle of the door. She was terrified to go in. She just couldn't get the image of the last time she was here out of her head.

"Dr. Mike?"

She glanced over her shoulder at Charlotte; she gave her friend a tight smile. She faced the door once more, took a deep breath and pushed it open.

It was immaculate.

Everything had been scrubbed; there was a whole new mattress on the bed and Hanna's cradle sat on the floor near it.

Michaela moved into the room looking around; she noticed that many personal items were gone; then she saw a trunk at the foot of the bed. She opened it.

Abigail's hope chest.

Michaela lifted the top item: Sully and Abigail's wedding photo. She closed the chest, keeping her eyes on the photo; she didn't notice Charlotte and Colleen watching her as she moved over to the fireplace a set the photo on the mantle. She stared at it for a few moments before turning and heading out the door.

"We had best get everything unpacked."

8

Michaela was putting Shadow in a stall in the barn when she took a look at the cow. After Abigail's death and the cow's involvement she thought Sully would have gotten rid of the animal.

She wasn't really surprised to see a different cow, and she decided it was best not to think about what might have happened to the old animal.

Once she made sure Shadow was comfortable she headed back toward the house.

"She really misses them, don't she, Ma?"

Michaela paused at hearing Colleen's voice.

Charlotte sighed. "Yes, Colleen, Dr. Mike does. Abigail was and Sully is, her friends."

"I hope Mither Thully cometh back thoon," Brian lisped. "Tho Dr. Mike don't feel tho thad no more."

Michaela smiled softly at the little boy's comment.

There was a snort. "He ain't never comin' back, just like Pa."

"Yeth he ith!" Brian shot back indignantly.

"No he ain't!"

"Matthew!" Charlotte's voice was sharp. "Sully ain't your Pa! He left because he's hurtin' too bad and he didn't think he could properly take care of Hanna yet, so he made sure she was safe and loved and well cared for, before he went off to try and sort himself out. Now just stop sayin' such things and be nice to your brother."

Michaela took a deep breath trying to steady herself after hearing that conversation; then she stepped inside. "How is everything in here?"

8

Later that night Michaela sat in the rocking chair feeding Hanna, humming a lullaby. She looked around the room often.

She had expected to feel afraid or nervous…or something. But she felt at ease, welcome…at home.

"Thank you, Abigail," she whispered.

Michaela wasn't one to believe in ghosts, but she could have sworn she felt a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it comfortingly.

8

A little twist is going to come up in the next chapter! Good or bad...well...you'll just have to see... ;P

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!