"We will never understand why some people have to leave. Doctor Quinn was a wonderful doctor and a respectable person in this community. She was a wife and mother. I don't understand why God chose to take her, but I know that things will be alright. She's in heaven with many of the people we've lost over the years." Reverend Johnson paused. He had his hands clasped in front of him as he looked down at the casket of a friend and beloved doctor. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's , though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Dorothy looked around and saw the people who loved Michaela most. She missed her closest friend and grieved for the family. Sully and the children stood beside the casket Robert E. made. Colleen had on a black dress with her knitted shawl around her shoulders. Her long auburn hair was pulled into a bun on the top of her head. Sully as wearing a black suit as well as Matthew and Brian. Daniel stood behind him holding Katie. She was looking around and Dorothy thought she knew who Katie was looking for. Matthew put his hand on Colleen's shoulder and she shrugged it off. As soon as the funeral was over, she darted out of the cemetery. As she ran across the bridge and into the street, Colleen started gasping for air. She rushed into the private and quiet sanctuary of the clinic. Colleen collapsed into her Ma's chair and cried resting her head on the desk. It was an hour before Colleen heard footsteps in the doorway. The door was closed so she stood up and walked around the table and went through the medical supplies. She sat on the table and held her mother's stethoscope. The door opened, Colleen looked up to see Matthew standing there. He reached out for her, but she didn't move.

"Why'd she have to go Matthew? Ma was supposed to be fine, wasn't she? Andrew did the surgery. He told us she'd be okay."

"Why don't you come to the homestead? Brian and Daniel went home with Katie. Sully's in the cemetery." He paused. "You don't have to talk to me Colleen. Miss Dorothy, Grace, a lot of people are here for you. You can't go back to Denver this way. You can't keep your feelings to yourself."

"Back to Denver? I may never go back to school."

"Colleen."

"I need to be here for Brian, Matthew. Colleen and Brian need me to be here with them."

"You've wanted to be a doctor for years. You can't give that up Colleen." She looked up at him and gripped the stethoscope with both hands.

"My desire to be a doctor was related to ma. But she's gone and I don't want to have anything to do with it." Matthew nodded as he watched the tears forming in her eyes. The day of Dr. Mike's funeral was not the time to have any kind of rational discussion. She raised Brian and Colleen. They were taking it harder since she's the second Ma in ten years that they've lost. "I need to see Katie." Colleen finally spoke up after a long pause.

"What?"

'She's all we have left of Ma Matthew. I want to see Katie."

"I'll take you to the homestead, but don't say that. She's not all you have left." Colleen looked at him as she stood up and walked outside to the horse. Matthew helped her onto the horse and he climbed up and they headed towards the house. When they got there, Brian was sitting on the porch alone. The sun was going down and the golden sun was illuminating the sky.

"Colleen." Brian said standing up as Matthew helped her down. She walked over to him and he hugged her tightly. "Where were you?" He questioned. Colleen was quiet, before she looked at him.

"I wanted to remember Ma. I figured the place to do that was the clinic." She paused. "Where's Katie?"

"She's sleeping upstairs." He sighed. "She won't remember Ma, Colleen."

"I know." She replied.

"We'll be here to tell Katie all about her." Matthew interrupted.

"Where's Pa?"

"I'm sure he'll be home soon. But he needs to think and grieve Brian." Colleen pulled her shawl around her shoulders as the wind picked up. She put an arm around Brian and he rested against her shoulder.

"I really miss Ma."

"We all miss Dr. Mike, Brian." Matthew responded. The front door opened and they all saw Daniel standing there.

"Come on in you guys." He said. They walked up the stairs. It was time to prepare their minds to live a life without Dr. Mike. She took them in and raised them. Now it was time to take everything she had taught them and care for her daughter and their little sister Katie.