Holy cow! 50 reviews! Gapes for quite a while then does a happy dance. Thank you very much!

I think that the writing frenzy has died down to a manageable level; I probably won't update as often as I did a couple of weeks ago, but I am hoping to update at least once a week and at most every other week. (You'll have to talk to the characters about the speed, because they're the ones telling the story; I'm just along for the ride.) Part of the reason I took a while to get this chapter out was because of school (I had a test, a bunch of reading journal entries, and a short paper due and I thought I was going to go insane.) Another thing was that this story wasn't cooperating; it just wouldn't come out right and I'm still not wholly happy with it, but it's the best I can do right now. I hope that it is still ok and that you – I don't know if saying "enjoy" or "like" is right, but anywho – find the twist I'm throwing in…interesting (shrugs it's the best way I can think to put it.)

8

Michaela was washing her dishes from breakfast, which she had managed not to burn and to actually have it taste pretty good; she often looked over smiling at Hanna, who was cooing in her cradle.

There was the sound of a wagon coming toward them. Michaela glanced at the door; wiping her hands on a cloth and headed over to it, Wolf stayed beside her. She opened it to find Maude being helped down by Robert E from his wagon.

"Good morning."

Maude glanced up at her. "Mornin'. I hope it's alright I came this early; it's the only time I could get away."

Michaela nodded. "It's fine." She glanced over at Robert E.

"Robert E offered me a ride here and back."

Robert E shrugged. "I needed to ask ya for some more of the medicine."

Michaela nodded. "Why don't you both come in?" She led them inside the house.

Michaela offered Robert E something to drink, which he accepted as he sat down at the table; Michaela poured him a cup of tea. She turned to Maude, who had been tickling Hanna, which delighted the infant to no end, and led her to the back area of the house where she had hung a cloth, which worked as a divider and lent some privacy.

Michaela checked Maude over thoroughly; when she was done she sighed.

"What's wrong?"

Michaela looked up at her. "Maude, I know you don't like hearing this, but you really need to take it easy for a while. Take a couple of weeks to mourn and rest or the pressure will be too much on your heart and you may have a heart attack." She placed a hand on the older woman's shoulder. "Please? I know Hanna would like to be able to grow up knowing her grandmother." She nodded in the direction of where Hanna lay.

Maude sighed but looked up and nodded. "I'll tell Loren something."

Michaela smiled and helped her down from the table she had been sitting on; they reentered the kitchen area to find Robert E gently rocking Hanna in his arms. He looked up, a small smile on his face. "She's a little fussy."

Michaela moved over to by the cradle, where a stuffed toy lay on the floor; she brought it back and tucked it into the blanket with Hanna, who began cooing. "Abigail made that for her; she's really attached to it already."

Sadness crossed all their faces.

Maude looked at her, managing a smile. "I'm glad she's got somethin' of Abby's to hold onto." She nodded in the direction of the fireplace mantle. "I noticed ya had Abby and Sully's wedding photo up."

Michaela nodded. "I wanted her to be able to see her parents whenever she wanted." She glanced at her hands. "Oh! I almost forgot." She extended a bottle to Robert E. "Your medicine."

Robert E took it gratefully. "Thanks, what do I owe ya?"

Michaela bit her lip. "Actually, I was hoping you might have time to teach me how to hitch up the wagon." She shrugged. "I don't know how and I can't really carry Hanna with me while I'm riding Shadow."

Robert E chuckled. "Be my pleasure." He glanced over at Maude. "Would ya like me to take ya back t' town first?"

Maude shook her head, smiling widely as she took Hanna from his arms. "No, I actually would like to stay and spend some time with my granddaughter."

Michaela and Robert E went out and got the wagon and Shadow out and Robert E began to show her how to hitch the horse to the wagon. Maude, meanwhile, took a seat on the bench on the porch, holding Hanna and watching Michaela struggle over the task. Wolf laid down next to the bench watching the attempt curiously. It was a couple of hours before Michaela could finally get the wagon hitched up.

She sighed and turned to Robert E, a triumphant smile on her face. "There, finally." He chuckled. "Thank you for helping me."

He laughed. "Well, it took a while, but ya did good." He rested his forearm on the wagon. "So, how are you going to carry Hanna? I mean ya can't exactly keep her in your arms."

"You could put her in a basket."

They looked over at Maude who was still holding Hanna.

Michaela nodded. "That's what I have been thinking of doing; there is one in the barn that's clean and should be a good size."

"That should do." Maude stepped down from the porch and up to Michaela, placing Hanna in her arms. "I had best be gettin' back; Loren'll be wonderin' where I've been."

Michaela stepped back watching as Robert E helped the older woman get on the wagon before climbing on himself.

"I'll be in town again tomorrow," Michaela told them.

Robert E nodded. "See ya then!"

Maude gave them a smile and wave.

The wagon turned and started off.

8

Michaela was quickly becoming accustomed to being woken during the night by Hanna's cries to be fed, though it was difficult since her Godchild was still only taking milk and it was difficult to keep the milk good for long.

Though even with these disruptions she found herself waking up early, just before Hanna's morning feeding.

But even with her being up early she still got into town later than she would have liked; she had had trouble hitching up the wagon by herself. When she finally pulled up in front of Robert E's he came out to meet her, chuckling as he took hold of Shadow's bridle.

"Little late start t' the day, Dr. Mike?"

Michaela threw him an annoyed look, though humor lurked in her eyes as she got down; Wolf hopping out of the back of the wagon. "I'm learning Robert E; just you wait; I'll get it eventually!"

The blacksmith laughed. "I'm sure ya will, Dr. Mike." He grinned at her. "Seems like anythin' ya put your mind to ya eventually are able t' do at least somewhat well."

She lifted her head high and nodded, before she joined him with a smile. She reached for the basket that was next to where she had been sitting on the seat of the wagon, and she carefully lowered it in her arms.

Robert E looked over her shoulder at the tiny bundle inside. "And how's little Miss Hanna today?"

Michaela smiled even wider. "Very well," her expression became slightly wry, "though she was very vocal about how she felt about the amount of time it took me to hitch up the wagon taking away from my time to pay all my attention to her."

He laughed. "She does enjoy the attention, don't she?" He reached out a large, calloused finger to gently run it along her cheek. Most children probably would have fussed at having something so rough against their skin, but Hanna just cooed delightedly.

Michaela smiled and nodded. "She is rarely happy unless someone is holding her or playing with her." She looked at Robert E. "Thank you for allowing Shadow to stay here while I'm working."

Robert E gave her a nod and a smile. "It's nothin'. I'll un hitch Shadow for ya and make sure he's all ready t' go this evenin' for ya since I doubt you'll be in much a mood t' do it yourself." He gave her a teasing grin.

She responded with a roll of her eyes and headed off to the boardinghouse. "Thank you, Robert E."

She could hear his chuckle following her.

8

Michaela hadn't had any patients so far; she was currently sitting in the kitchen with Charlotte, Maude and Colleen. Michaela and Colleen were helping Charlotte with the food while Maude was visiting with her granddaughter.

Michaela paused to wiggle a finger in front of Hanna's face. Then she stopped; her smile slipping slightly and her facial expression becoming rather fixed.

Colleen noticed the woman's sudden change. "Dr. Mike?"

The two other women fell silent watching the doctor.

Michaela slowly moved her finger back and forth across Hanna's eyes; then let her hand drop to her side.

"Colleen, could you go get me my medical bag and a candle?" Michaela never took her eyes off of the baby; her protégé ran to do as she was told.

Maude looked at her worriedly. "Dr. Mike, what's wrong?"

"Hopefully, nothing." Michaela swallowed. "I just pray that I am wrong."

8

Michaela blew out the candle and set it down; she stared off into space for several moments.

Charlotte laid a hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "Dr. Mike?"

Michaela glanced at her before looking at Hanna. "She –" She broke off, having to shut her eyes and take a deep breath. "I believe that Hanna is…she's blind."

There was a shocked silence.

"Are – are ya…sure?" Maude managed to get out.

Michaela shrugged helplessly, keeping her eyes on the child in question. "She's still very young, and I could be wrong – I hope I'm wrong – but I'm afraid that it is highly possible." She glanced at the two women and girl in the room with her. "It would probably explain why she is so much happier when she is being held and touched." Michaela pressed a hand to her mouth.

Colleen spoke up after a few moments of silence. "What're ya gonna do?"

Michaela glanced up at her; then shrugged. "Take care of her, just as I promised I would." She took a deep breath. "I'll just wire my father to ask if he has any advice on the care of blind children."

Maude spoke up. "I've heard of places people with problems like this can be sent –"

Michaela was shaking her head already. "Most of those are 'institutions' where they basically just lock these people away, since they don't know what else to do with them." She shook her head more firmly. "No, that's not what Hanna needs, and I know her parents wouldn't have wanted that for her and nor do I." Michaela took Hanna in her arms.

"How'd this happen?" Colleen looked to her mentor.

Michaela shrugged. "She hasn't had any injuries or illnesses to explain it, so all I can think is that this is either a result of the complications at her birth or that she was just always meant to be this way. Regardless, I will care for her; this has just slightly changed how I will do that."

8

Sooooooooo…thoughts? I was asked if the "twist" was good or bad, I'm not sure what this constitutes, but it is something that the characters were insistent on. I think I might actually get the next part up sooner than next week, but I can't make any promises, except that I'll try.