"Brian!Colleen!" Matthew shouted as he stopped his horse in front of the homestead.
"Matthew!"Brian shouted as he came running out of the homestead,"Did ya find ma"
Just then Colleen came up to the pair,but one look at Matthew's face told her everything she needed to know."Where's ma?" she asked,although she knew the answer.
"Matthew?" Robert E said as he and Grace,whom have been watching the homestead in Matthew's absence,walked up to him."Did ya' find Dr.Mike?" Grace asked, worry written on her face."Come on, let's sit down."Matthew said as he walked over to the porch carrying Brian.
"Is ma at the clinic? We should go and pick her up!" Brian said excitedly."Brian," Matthew said swallowing hard,"We couldn't find her."
Everyone looked down knowing that the good doctor was more than likely dead.
"Then ya' got to search farther out! She's out ther missing all of us and just can't find her way back home!"Brian reasoned,thinking if he could convince his brother they could find his ma.
"Brian,we searched for weeks.Dr.Mike's gone." Matthew stated."No!No!She ain't dead!"Brian shouted,before taking off,running for the woods."Brian"
Colleen shouted,starting to run after him,but was caught when Matthew grabbed her by the arm."Let him be.He needs some time.We all do."Matthew said quietly "We'll let the town know.Best be making plans for the service."Robert E said quietly,thinking back to all the times Dr.Mike helped him."Ya'll in our prayers.I'll come and check on ya' tomorrow," Grace said sadly.
"Thanks,Robert E,Grace.But I'll take care of us from now on."Matthew said.
It didn't occur to him until then what Dr.Mike did for them.How she turned her world upside down for them.
"Whatever ya' need,just ask."Robert E said.Matthew nodded his head as he closed the door behind them.
"She's really gone?"Colleen asked,silent tears sliding down her face.
"Yeah, she is."Matthew said,starting to tear up now.Telling his brother and sister was the hardest thing he ever had to do.But he knew the next few weeks,
months reaaly,was going to be the hardest of their young lives.
"Oh, Matthew!"Colleen cried,as she ran into the waiting arms of her brother.
This wasn't the first time she cried like this to Matthew.They both were took back in time to nearly two years ago,when they lost their real ma,Charloett.It was some time before Colleen and Matthew both stopped crying.
Matthew found Brian at his favorite fishing hole sobbing,with his knees tucked under his chin."Brian,"Matthew started,but was interrupted by Brian,"It's not fair!It's not fair to lose two mas!"Brian shouted,covering his head with his hands."I know little brother.I know"
Matthew said quietly."But Dr.Mike wouldn't want to see us like this Brian.She wouldn't want to see us so sad.She's in a better place than we are.She's at peace"
Matthew said,swallowing hard, trying to be strong for his brother.
"At peace!I don't want her to be at peace."Brian shouted standing up."I want her here with me!I want her to stay with me!"Brian said pounding his fists into Matthew's chest.
"That's it!Let it all out!"Matthew said,grabbing ahold of Brian."Let go of me!
Let me go!"Brian screamed."No,I love you and I ain't lrttin' go. Ever! You're stuck with me,kid."Matthew said lovingly.Instead of fighting with him.Brian wrapped his arms him and cried.Picking Brian up in his arms Matthew said,"Let's go home"
He didn't know how long he walked or even where he was going.It didn't matter.
All that matter is that the person he loved most in the world,the person he would've died for was gone.And he wished to God he was.
He bent down to get a drink from the river when something caught his eye.What is that,he wondered,as he picked it up.It was a piece of material,tannish in color,but it looked like the skirt Dr.Mike had on when he found her with the dog soldiers.It also had a blood stain on it."She's alive!I know it!She's alive!"he cried,as hope sparled in his blue eyes once again.
"Come on,boy!" he said,as he snapped his fingers at his ever faithful companion.
With renewed energy,he set out to find his heartsong.
"Sh's alive!I knew it!She's alive!" he cried as hope sparkled in his blue eyes.
"Come on ,boy!" he said, as he snapped his fingers at his ever faithful companion.
With renewed energy, he set out to find his heartsong.