Dorothy, Jake and Brian stood outside the Chateau clinic with several other townspeople. Loren came riding up and got off his horse as Jake walked over to him.
"Any word yet?"
"Nothing yet."
"I found Matthew. He said that Sully's up in the hills on a survey. He's ridden out after him."
"Anybody seen who shot her?" Jake asked.
"Yeah, Hank did." Loren replied with a sneer. "Horace gave Daniel the description. He's riding out to get the man." Just then, Cloud Dancing walked out of the clinic and over to them.
"She's survived the operation."
"She gonna live?" Jake asked.
"Andrew says it's too soon to know." Jake and Dorothy exchanged glances.
"Can I see her?" Brian asked.
"Yes, they are moving her to one of the rooms." Cloud Dancing replied and he walked into the clinic.
"Tell Horace to wire Colleen. She'll want to take the next train out." Loren nodded at Dorothy's statement.
"Alright." He motioned for Jake to come with him and they walked away. Cloud Dancing and Dorothy then walked into the clinic.
Sully was out surveying the land when Matthew rode up on his horse frantically.
"Sully!"
"What's wrong?" He turned to face him.
"It's Dr. Mike. She's been shot. They are taking her out to Andrew's clinic." Sully jumped on his horse and they headed out quickly to go back into town.
Andrew and Dorothy were in the room with Brian as Michaela lay on the bed.
"I'll be just outside if you need me." Dorothy told him in her usual quiet and gentle voice. Andrew walked her out of the room without saying anything. Brian rested on his knees with his elbows on the bed next to her.
"Ma? It's me, Brian. I'm here. Don't, don't leave us Ma, please. Don't leave us." Brian was crying as he spoke.
When Sully and Matthew got to the clinic, Brian was sitting outside with Dorothy. She was holding Katie with one hand and had her other arm around Brian.
"It's going to be okay, Brian. Your Ma's a strong person. She's going to make it through." Sully and Matthew walked up to them. Matthew hugged Brian and let his younger brother melt into his arms. Sully looked at Dorothy.
"Can I go in?" Dorothy nodded.
"Andrew's checking on her right now. You go on." Sully walked into the clinic and slipped into the room. Andrew looked up at him, but didn't say anything. When he left the room, Sully walked over and leaned on the bed next to her. He laid his head on her arm and cried quietly.
"Come on Michaela, wake up. You have to wake up. We have Katie and Brian; Colleen and Matthew. You have to wake up." Sully sat that for a long time crying on Michaela's shoulder. Eventually, he felt a hand on his shoulder and when he looked up, Brian was standing there.
"Pa?" Sully stood up and hugged Brian tightly. "She's going to be okay isn't she?" Sully nodded.
"She's going to be fine Brian." He tried to smile, but they both knew what could happen.
"I don't want her to die Pa." Brian started tearing up again. Sully nodded.
"I don't want her to either Brian." Sully responded. They walked out of the clinic, to find Matthew, Horace, and Dorothy, who was still holding Katie. Sully took Katie in his arms.
"I can watch her Sully," Dorothy started but he shook his head.
"I'm alright, but thanks Dorothy. She may be the only thing I have left of Michaela."
"Sully!" Dorothy scolded looking at Brian and Matthew."
"Has anybody told Colleen?" Sully asked and Horace nodded.
"I wired her a few hours ago. They said it would be best if she was on the next train." Sully nodded in agreement.
"We want to give her a chance to be here." Brian started crying, but he balled up his fists and his face got red.
"Would you quit saying that?!" He looked around at everybody. "She's not going to die! My ma is not going to die!" Brian exclaimed. "I already lost my Ma once! I'm not going to lose this Ma too!"
"Brian," Matthew called out, but Brian had already run away from the clinic. He turned to Sully. "I think Brian should stay with me at the homestead for a few days." Sully nodded. It felt like things were falling apart. Why would somebody shoot at Michaela? She had to be alright, didn't she?