When I first stepped off the train in Colorado Springs, I could tell right away that it was different from Erie Pennsylvania, this town seemed to be a quiet peaceful town with law abiding citizens. It was a beautiful spring morning and the fresh crisp mountain air, it was hard to believe that Dr. Michela Quinn that mother had always spoken so fondly of and who after meeting me only a couple of time insisted, I call her aunt Michaela or Aunt Mike lived in such a little town. "Maria? Ha, little Maria Lin?" Shouted a voice that I could have picked out, out of a crowd of millions

"Aunty Michaela oh it so good to see you, oh my goodness look at you I bet it's a boy, oh yes a sweet little boy." I sighed wrapping her in a hug, "Oh Michaela I wish I was here under better circumstances I'm sorry to say that the reason for my visit is more than just the need for a break from city life." I stare at her a moment feeling the tears forming in my eyes. "Is there some place where we can sit and talk for a moment, Aunt Michaela? Maybe that clinic of yours that you wrote about?"

She stared at me a moment worry contorting her face before she finally nodded, "Let me ask Horace to watch your bags than we can head over to the clinic." She smiled and went to talk with a black-haired man who must have been Horace.

"Well hello madam my name is Preston A. Lodge III and it is a pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman." A tall man with a black suit and hat that barely showed his dark blond hair a smile planted on his face.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Lodge, my name is Maria Jamerson I'm here visiting a family friend perhaps you know her a Dr. Quinn?" as soon as I said her name his smile faltered, "Ah so you have heard of her just as I have heard of you, you're the town banker am I correct? Michaela wrote me about everyone in this town." The man simply tipped his hat and headed over to where Michaela still stood to talk with Horace.

"Alright, Horace says he will watch your bags for you until Sully or Matthew comes with the wagon to pick them up." Michaela said walking over to grab one of my bags.

"Aunt Michaela you don't have to do that these bags are a little heavy." but my protest fell on deaf ears as she grabbed one of the heaviest bags and proceeded to carry it into the telegram building. Once all the bags (minus my smallest bag which I kept on my person at all times) were in the building Aunt Michaela and I headed to her clinic.

Once inside she patted a bed "Sit and I'll start the examination while you tell me what is wrong."

"Michaela I'm not sick I'm here because of mother I didn't want to tell you through a letter. I think you better sit down for this." She sat on what I guessed was the couch she used as a waiting area for her patients I sat next to her tears forming in my eyes once again, "Mother... Mother passed away last month the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with her, hell she couldn't figure out what was wrong with her." Tears were now streaming down my face as sobbed, I felt Michaela's arms wrap around me, we sat there sobbing in each other's embrace for what seemed like hours when suddenly the door flew open and in came a young boy about ten or eleven.

"Ma! Who's this? Wait never mind that Anthony fell and I think he's hurt Robert E is bringing him over right now." The young man must have been little Brian.

"Alright Brain thank you for letting me know would you do me a favor and see if Sully's back yet?" Michaela said standing to wipe her eyes before going to wash her hands.

"Sure, ma but before I go who this?" he asked pointing at me with a confused look on his face.

"Remember when I told you that a friend of mines daughter was going to come to stay with us for a few weeks? Well, this is she her name is Maria."

"Hi, Maria wanna come to see if Sully's back with me? I'd love to get to know you." He asked holding out his hand.

I smiled as I took his hand "Why yes Brian I would love to come with you to see if Sully is back you are quite the gentleman maybe if he's not back you could take me on a tour of the town?" a smile bigger than any I've ever seen graced his face as he basically pulled me out of the clinic.

Next chapter tour of the town/meeting Sully