It took several weeks but the epidemic finally ended. And as the surviving sick got well again leaving the boarding house. The shadow of death seemed to evaporate from the town.
Michaela set the example by being stubborn enough to be out of bed in half the time.
As the days past nobody seemed to care that, she kept using the Boarding House as an improvised Clinic. Weather it was out of gratitude or just a new thing they got used to. But with the return of the supply wagon, it just seemed to pass out of people's minds.
In that time, Logan and Sully spent most of theirs either away from town or with the Cheyenne. Dr. Mike visiting often to the Cheyenne camp first to thank Cloud Dancing for helping save the town. Then after multiple requests to learn everything, she could from the man about the Cheyenne medicines. Logan also suspected it was also used to spend time with her Cheyenne sisters Snow Bird and Springs Dawn.
One day after Logan had meditated like he had been doing for the couple of months with no success. He left the village for the town with Sully who had to pick up a new tomahawk that Robert E had made for him. As he rode into town with Sully walking, as perusal, they spied Michaela and the children driving the wagon into town with the children and he frowned at the much older well-dressed woman sitting next to her.
"I'll meet you at Robert E's," Logan said, and urging Wildfire forward rode closer as the woman slipped from the wagon and walked away. "Morning Dr. Mike," he said, slipping from Wildfire.
"Morning Logan," she said, climbing down and started into the boarding house.
"Okay what's wrong?" he asked, following her inside.
"What makes you think something is wrong?" she asked, stopping in the main room fixing on her white apron over her dress.
"Because lately you only call me Logan when you're agitated most of the time you call me White Falcon," he said, and leaned against the doorframe. For a few seconds she looked at him before turning and began measuring medicine into bottles. "Does it have something to do with that woman that rode with you guy?" he asked, and she paused.
"That woman was my mother," she finally said, and he blinked taken aback. "Matthew sent her a telegram during the epidemic saying I was sick. She came in yesterday on the stage…," and she kept working.
"And I take it she never really approved of you moving out here?" he asked, stepping in to lean on the wall.
"She never approved of me going to Medical School," she said, not looking at him. "Now it seems she disapproves of where I live and that I intend to keep my children."
Sighing Logan shook his head. "she's only been here a day she can't be thinking that so quickly, besides at least she cares enough to come all the way out here from Boston to see you're okay," he said.
"Or just the Shepard me back to Boston."
"It's a mothers natural instinct to protect her cubs Michaela, besides wouldn't you be doing the same thing if it was Colleen?" and she paused. "And besides at least you got a mother to fight with," at that she turned to look at him. "I never knew mine I'm what most people in this town would call a bastard. So take my advice give her time…and if she doesn't turn around then at least you can say you met her half way."
For a few seconds she was silent before she smiled and nodded before returning to her work. For a little while, she worked then he turned as the sound of footsteps. A rather unpleasant older man that was well dressed in a stripped suit with a white hair, goatee, and large sideburns that stretched down to the base of his jaw stepped into the doorframe and knocked on it.
"Uh, Miss Quinn," he said, the loose skin under his jaw bobbing and she turned to look at him.
"Dr. Quinn," she corrected walking over to him with a smile.
"I'm Jedidieh Bancroft of First Nation Bank of Denver," he said, handing her his card.
"What can we do for you?" Logan asked, stepping next to her.
"Well, as you're well-aware, you're illegally occupying these premises. You'll have to vacate immediately," he said, looking around the room before looking at her again. At that, Logan blinked and the smile vanished from Dr. Mike's face. "Failure to do so will result in forcible removal," and with that he snatched his card from her limp fingers and left them where they were. Dr. Mike looking around her mouth moving but no words coming out before she followed with Logan.
When they caught up to him, he was nailing in a sign just outside the door, which said:
NO TRESPASSING
~PROPERTY OF~
THE FIRST NATIONAL
BANK OF DENVER
"Do you realize what you're doing?" Dr. Mike asked, leaning over to look him in the eye as he finished.
He jumped back slightly startled. "My job?" he answered tucking away his glasses an unpleasant look on his face. Like she and Logan were bugs beneath his well-polished shoes.
"Maybe so, but you're only closing down the only medical facility in this town," she protested.
"Well, with all due respect, that wasn't much of a facility," and jabbed inside with his thumb and waving his hammer. Then he turned to walk away.
"Wait, um…," and he turned back to her. "Perhaps I can rent it from you."
"You can't rent a foreclosed building. It's already set for auction."
"Well then I'll buy it."
"Fine, then I'll see you in Denver," and again he started to turn.
"Denver?"
"Well, that's where the auction is," he said, almost like he thought her dumb.
"How much is it?"
"Well bidding starts at 1500."
"I'll need a mortgage."
"What's your collateral?" he asked, in exasperation.
"My Medical Degree."
"Well, if you were a man, yes, but most people have no confidence in lady doctors," he said, waving it off.
"Not this town," and Jedidieh looked at Logan. "She saved it when we had a problem with influenza here a short while ago."
Looking back at Michaela, he continued as if Logan hadn't said, a word. "Now if you were married, maybe I could work out something with your husband," and he looked back at Logan.
Both their eyes going wide in realization they immediately protested. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, there pal, we're not married," Logan said, stepping back shaking his hands.
"We're just good friends," she instead.
"Any plans to get married?" he asked, leaning forward bushy eyebrows going up.
For a few seconds Michaela started at him in shocked amazement of the man's gall. "I really don't think that's any of your business!" she snapped.
"No plans eh," he said, then left.
For a few seconds Michaela started after him and Logan stepped closer. "You know something about that guy really rubs me raw," he muttered, and she looked at him. "So how about I hold him…and you punch," and he drove his fist into his palm.
For a few seconds she looked at him be she chuckled. "Tempting but no, but thanks anyway."
Smiling he rubbed her shoulder. "Anytime now I have to get to Robert Es," and with that he left her standing on the porch.
When he got there, Robert E was just unwrapping the new tomahawk to Sully. Leaning against a post Logan watched as Robert E handed it to him and Sully looked it over. "How much I owe you, Robert E?" Sully asked.
"Well, next time you go hunting for elk, bring me back the hide and we'll call it even," Robert E said, before taking a sip from his canteen.
After Sully tested the grip from various positions, tested the strength of the wooden handle, and tossed it from hand to hand he looked at the man. "You got yourself a deal," he said, and held his hand out and Robert E propyl shook it.
"Well aren't you going to try it out?" Robert E asked, slipping off his cap whipping his brow and bald spot.
"I know your work Robert E," Sully said, as he compared his new to his old.
"Go on," Robert E instead nodding to the post twenty feet from them and Logan moved aside.
After looking at him, Sully nodded and handed him his old one. Taking a stance, he faced the post and in one fluid motion threw it end over end. And with a thud, the blade sank an inch into the middle of the post where Logan's head had been.
As Sully stood straight, Grace came over carrying basket in the crook of her arm and started clapping. Sully seeing the look on her face and in her eye as she and Robert E looked at each other moved closer to where Logan watched a smile on his face.
As he wrenched the tomahawk free, they watched as Grace held out the basket. "Its cornbread. I hope you like it," she said, offering him the basket.
With a wide idiotic smile on his face, Robert E took the basket from her. "I love cornbread," he said, quietly and she beamed.
For a few seconds they stood looking at each other. "Well," Grace said.
"Well," Robert E said, still smiling.
"Well..."
"Well, um," Robert E said, he shifted too shy to say anything else.
"Well, good day, Robert E," Grace finally snapped her voice growing an edge and she briskly turning on her heal and started marching away. "Sully! White Falcon!" she snapped as she passed them.
"ma'am," Sully said, stunned watching her go.
"What did we do?" Logan asked, in the same stunned tone as he watched followed Sully's gaze before both of them moved to Robert E.
He didn't look at them as he started after Grace a look of longing in his eye. "Looks like you've got it bad, Robert E," Sully said, rubbing the blade of his tomahawk on his shirt.
"Yeah, that's the kind of woman a man could dream about his whole life," Robert E said, in an awe struck voice.
When he finally lowered his gaze and Sully took back, his old tomahawk Logan shook his shoulder. "There's an old saying Robert E, 'Live your dreams, don't let them pass you by,'" he said, and he Sully left followed by Wolf who had been sniffing the forge and giving a small howl.
As they were nearing Jake's barbershop Logan paused as a feeling came over him. Slowly he turned back to Robert E who was standing by his forge still looking where Grace had disappeared from sight. Then with a rush and roar of the fire the forge exploded with a great plum of fire and at once one of Robert E's sleeves and one side of his shirt lit up.
"ROBERT E!" Logan bellowed and he and Sully rushed back grabbing a blanket from a wagon. And shoving the contorting man to the ground put the fire out. Looking up the saw the rest of the town rush forward and Grace in the lead.
"Sully?" Dr. Mike barked pushing her way to the front.
"It's Robert E!" Logan said, as the man below him grimaced and breathing hard twisted on the ground from the pain of his burns.
"Oh my God!" she muttered, dropping down next to him and looked over the burns covering one side of his body. "Jake! Help me take him over to your place!" she barked.
"Maybe that's not such a good idea," Jake said, leaning close.
At those words Sully, Logan, and Dr. Mike glared at him with deep scowls. "What are you saying? Are you saying that Robert E. is good enough to shoe your horse but not good enough to be in your shop?" Michaela demanded.
"It's not me, you understand, it's my customers," he defended dropping down to one knee to look her in the face.
Just then, Robert E started speaking in a hysterical tone, "am I dying? I might die! Get the Reverend!"
After trying to reassure him, Sully turned. "Reverend!" he barked and the Reverend came over and knelt down next to him.
"I'm right here Robert E."
"Am I going to heaven?" Robert E demanded, grasping the man's hand with his unburned one. "Tell me am I going to heaven?"
"You're not going to heaven-not yet, anyway!" Michaela snapped at him. "Matthew get the wagon!" she said, and at once, the teen rushed to obey.
As quickly and as best they could, they got Robert E to the homestead. "Get him over here," Dr. Mike instructed drawing back the covers of her bed and Logan, Sully, and Matthew as gently as they could laid him on it.
Once he was settled Dr. Mike sat beside him, tore open his shirt, and froze. Across his chest on the skin that wasn't burned was covered by numerous lines of scars. "Whipping scars," Logan muttered, and Sully nodded as Mike looked at them horrified by the sight.
"Let me go!" Robert E barked in delirium as he tried to sit up. "Let me…let me go."
At once, they gently laid him back down. "You've been hurt Robert E," she said, rubbing his head.
"No, there's nothing wrong with me. Let me out of here!" and he tried to make a break for it again.
"You've been burned!" Michaela barked as they pushed him down.
As he looked at them, Logan saw the delirium leave his eyes. "Burned?"
"The forge exploded," Sully said, looking down at him.
After retrieving some scissors from her bag to cut away, the shirt Mike looked at them. "Get me some water lots of it!" she instructed.
"Okay, well get it, come on," Sully said, and in a rush of movement he, Logan, and Matthew left leaving Mike to clean the wounds.
The next day Logan and Sully woke from their improvised camp near the homestead. They had decided to stay close in case Dr. Mike needed help with Robert E during the night. As they rolled up their sleeping mats with Wolf next to them, they looked over. And saw Dr. Mike's mother come close in her nightgown. After laying a pitcher of water down on a barrel and began washing part of her chest that wasn't covered by her undergarment.
Looking away, uncomfortable Logan was grateful that Wolf whimpered. Looking back, she saw her looking at them and they finished what they were doing. Looking again Logan saw her walking back to the house at a brisk pace.
"That was awkward," Logan muttered, before they hopped down and started toward the house.
Just as they reached it they heard her say on the other side of the closed door, "…those savages?"
They looked at each other as Michaela said, "oh, those men. You mean Sully and White Falcon or Logan,"
"I mean Sully or…Logan."
"No, they don't live here. They're friends of mine and of Robert E., and like good friends they're concerned."
"Now we know where we rank with her mother," Logan muttered, before he wrapped the door with the back of his knuckles.
"Savages don't knock, Mother," and with that Dr. Mike opened the door in her nightdress and they stepped inside.
"Morning," Sully muttered.
"Come on in."
"Sorry if we startled you ma'am," Sully said looking over at Elizabeth.
"Especially since I usually greet a lovely lady like yourself with a… Enchanté Mademoiselle," Logan said, and with a sweep of his arm gave her a light bow.
Blinking she clutched the pitcher, she starring at them. "How's he doing?" Sully asked, motion toward Robert E who lay in the bed bandages across his chest and down one arm.
"No fever and no sign of infection," Mike said, as they looked at her.
"Good," and Sully looked back at Robert E. "You need anything, just ask."
"Thank you." In addition, with a 'bye' to her mother both of them left.
The next day Logan was just coming out of the forest thinking about how hurt Grace looked when he saw her on the road back to town after Robert E. had sent her away. He was just opening his mouth to call out to Michaela whose back was to him as she was peeling potatoes. When Elizabeth emerged from the barn. "Have you noticed Colleen acting oddly lately?" she asked walking up to her daughter who paused in her work to look at her.
"A little why?" she admitted before returning to her chore and Logan frowned in thought thinking back on Colleen's behavior in the last couple of days.
"Well two days ago she became a woman," Elizabeth revealed and Logan froze eyebrows going high. "She thought she was going to die."
"She's too young!" Michaela said stunned.
"Well, she's thirteen. That's how old you were."
"I should have realized."
Do we really have to be here for this? Red Dragon asked.
"Oh. Like father, like daughter. He never noticed anything that went on in his own home; he was so preoccupied with his profession."
Maybe for that but now maybe we could just slip away… Logan started as he started backing into the forest then froze as Michaela turned and paused seeing him. "Forget I was even here," he said waving his hands and disappeared into the woods.
A couple days' later Logan and Springs Dawn walked rode through the forest toward the homestead. At the sound of pounding hoof beats, they paused. After looking at each other they dismounted and led the horses forward and pulling back a branch Logan saw Hank ride up clutching a bloody rag to a cut on his arm his face bruised and battered.
They watched as he pulled his horse to a skidding stop before leaping off and darting up the steps to the front door. "Hey doc!" he called out pounding on the door and warping his knuckles on the window.
"What happened to you?" they heard Michaela ask after she opened the door.
"Some guy cut me. How much to sew me up?"
"I thought you preferred the expertise of Mr. Slicker in these matters," Logan heard Michaela say in a light voice and he grinned.
"Well, Jake's drunk. Now can we talk later when I'm not bleeding to death?"
For a second there was silence. "Dollar a stich."
"Well, that's robbery!"
"Then I invite you to take your business elsewhere," and he heard her start to close the door.
At once, he stopped her. "Will you do it already?"
"Go on in I gotta get some water," and they watched Dr. Mike step outside and to the water barrel.
They were about to emerge when Elizabeth stepped out after Hank stepped in. "Who is that?" she asked, Michaela.
"A patient," Mike answered facing Elizabeth.
"Well, at least your father didn't bring his patients into the parlor."
"You think I enjoy working under these conditions? I tried buying a boardinghouse for a clinic, but they wouldn't give me a mortgage!" and Mike's fisted hands went to her hips.
"I could have told you it was a waste of time to even discuss the matter."
"Just like you told me that they'd never accept me in Medical School?"
"Well, they didn't did they? You went to a ladies medical collage…"
"They taught me medicine!"
"But they didn't teach the people how to accept a woman doctor."
"The people of Colorado Springs accept me!"
"A few desperate souls. What you should be doing is dancing in Boston and meeting young, eligible men."
"I had a young man," and Logan remember the time she had mentioned her fiancé who had died in the war.
"Oh. David would never permit you to come to a place like this."
"David is dead, mother."
"Well, why don't you stop mourning him?"
"You brought his name up, not I! I made a new life for myself here!"
"Ah! And what a life."
"Why can't you accept me for what I am?"
"And what are you? You're an unmarried woman trying to raise three children in a shack in the middle of nowhere and offering your medical services to a bunch of backwoodsman who pays you in potatoes and in chickens!"
For a few seconds Michaela was silent. "That's right, mother, and one of them is in need of my medical services!" and with that she grabbed the bucket of water and with a "excuse me!" left Elizabeth where she was staring at the empty space that used to be occupied by her daughter.
"I never thought I would see the day…," Logan said, as they stopped into sight. At once Elizabeth jumped in surprise and turned to face them her eyes going wide at the sight of Springs Dawn. "…when a mother would discourage her child from following her dreams."
Before she could say anything Springs Dawn walked closer to look her in the face. "What is she doing? Is she thinking to take this?" and she covered the pin clasped to the neck of her shirt.
"She is wondering…," Springs Dawn said, and Elizabeth flinched in surprise that it was in English. "…is that in my village. Many mothers would be honored to have a daughter like my white sister Medicine Woman…and yet…you feel nothing but shame."
For a few seconds Logan looked at the two women before joining them. "Your daughter has done many important things since she's been here. And saved a lot of lives," he said, and Elizabeth looked at him.
"Please tell Medicine Woman we were here," Springs Dawn said, then both turned to leave.
"Who is Medicine Woman?"
Pausing Logan turned back then nodded to the porch. Frowning Elizabeth walked back and looking around paused when she saw the shingle Sully had made for her. "It's the name the people call her…since the day she saved my father…Chief Black Kettle. When he was wounded at Sand Creek," Springs Dawn explained and Elizabeth looked back at them.
"We'd better go…before Hank see her and starts shooting. Tell Medicine Woman I'll see her in town tomorrow," Logan said, and with that they returned to their horses and left Elizabeth in a stunned silence.
The next day Logan, Sully, and Michaela walked into the telegraph office where Jedidieh stood by the counter and upon seeing them, Horace greeted them with a smile. "This just came for you Dr. Mike," and ducking down retrieved a package of medical supplies, as Jedidieh hastened to leave.
"Thank you Horace," she said, taking the package.
"Would you get that telegram off right away?" Jedidieh said, to Horace taking his hat.
"Telegram? What telegram?" Mike asked, looking up from the label on the package to him.
Sighing he looked at her. "The telegram announcing the auction of the boarding house," he said, slowly like she didn't understand him. Behind her, Logan and Sully 's faces hardened. ""I told you all about that in real plain English. Or do you just understand Latin?"
"C'est un trou du cul n'est-il pas?" Logan said, to Dr. Mike snorted while Jedidieh stared at him.
"Good day, Miss Quinn," Jedidieh said, as he left.
"Hey! That's Dr. Quinn!" Horace said, after him.
When they got back to the homestead Elizabeth turned to look at them (Mike carrying a bucket of water) from where she sat next to Robert E. "He's developed a fever," she reported before turning to dab at his sweaty face some more.
Sighing Mike put the bucket down and covered her face with her hands. "This is no place to treat a patient," she said, shaker her head before lowering her hands. "He should be in a hospital. I have no place to isolate him, no place to bathe him properly."
"Then I guess we'd better go have a little heart to heart with Jedidieh…or at least see of the bastard has a heart," Logan said, and she turned to him.
As Mike prepared to leave Logan and Sully walked about outside discussing what was to come. At sound, they looked around the barn and saw Elizabeth walking around the house. Then pause when she came to Mike's newly planted garden.
"My wife had a garden. Exact spot," Sully said, as he walked around the barn and chicken coop coming close Wolf at his side.
"You lived here?" she asked, in a confused tone.
"This is my homestead. I built it."
"Well, why did you move?"
"My wife died...giving birth."
"Oh. And…the child?" she asked, walking close.
"She went with her."
"Oh, I can't imagine the pain of losing a child. I don't know how one would ever recover."
"You don't.," Sully said, and he turned back to where Logan stood watching.
"Oh, I want to thank you for letting my daughter live here," she said.
Slowly Sully stopped and looked at her. "You know, maybe if we would have had a doctor like your daughter before, my wife and baby would still be alive," he said, taking a step closer before turning again and rejoining Logan.
For few seconds both of them stood in silence as Elizabeth returned to the house. "You know Sully if you ever want to talk about it…," Logan said, and looked at him as he stared straight ahead. "My ear is always open."
For a few seconds Sully remained where he was not looking at him. "I appreciate it," he finally said, and placed a hand on his shoulder just as Michaela came out with Elizabeth and Colleen.
"Colleen you'll have to stay here and take care of Robert E," she was saying as she climbed down the steps and to the waiting wagon.
"But I need to go to town, to," Colleen protested following.
"I'm sorry."
"Well, can't the boys look after him?"
"They promised Olive to help out at the ranch," Mike explained as she climbed into the driver seat.
"They get to do everything," Colleen complained crossing her arms as Logan jumped onto Wildfire.
"I said, I'm sorry," Mike said, looking at her.
"'I'm sorry, I'm sorry,' that's all I ever hear."
"Well perhaps I could look after him," and everyone looked at Elizabeth.
"Thank you Mrs. Quinn," Colleen said, after a few seconds then eagerly climbed onto the wagon next to Mike. After Michaela and Elizabeth shared a glance, she gave a shake of the reins and the group was off. Sully and Wolf hopping onto the wagon as it passed.
When they reached town Colleen went her own way while the three of them made a b-line for the Saloon. With Logan and Sully, waiting outside across the street, she stepped inside alone and Logan focused to keep an eye on her. After glancing around, she made their way to the bar which Hank stood behind.
"Is Jedidieh Bancroft staying here?" he heard Dr. Mike asked, when she was close to Hank.
"Maybe," he said, taking his cigar from his mouth. "Maybe not," and he took another puff.
Sighing Logan rolled his eyes. "Hank, I suggest you tell me where he is, or I might not be so accommodating next time you need to be stitched up," she warned and Logan cocked a grin.
After he gestured to a table, she turned and walked over where the man in question was sitting working on some papers a shot of whisky before him. As she sat down putting her moneybag on the table next to her, Jedidieh looked up from his work and sighed shaking his head. "I have to buy that clinic," she stated firmly.
"It seems to me there is a big difference between the desire to buy and the ability to buy," Jedidieh said, jabbing his hand here and there a note of contentment in his tone. "Now, you got plenty of one but none of the other," and with that he went back to his papers.
"Don't you understand? People's lives are at stake."
"You're breaking my heart," and he started packing up his papers into his leather satchel.
"You don't have a heart, Mr. Bancroft."
Amen to that, Logan thought.
"Maybe not but I've got a brain, and it's telling me that you don't have enough money to buy that property."
At that, she took her moneybag in hand pulled out a wad of bills. "A thousand dollars down payment," she said, laying the bills before him and Logan saw a light of greed in his eye as he eyed the money.
"The price is still fifteen hundred," he said.
"But this is two thirds of the cost. You could give me a loan to cover the balance."
"I can't give a loan to a single woman," he said, slowly bobbing his hand with each word as if she was both deaf and dumb.
"Can't or won't?" Mike snapped.
"Both!"
"I'm good for the money."
"Not according to the First National Bank of Denver. To us, you're just another bad risk best shied away from."
At that, she took back her money and stuffed it into her moneybag. "I'm not through with you, Mr. Bancroft," she said, before standing and turning to leave.
"I didn't think you were…Miss Quinn."
"DR. QUINN!" she snapped facing him.
Then turning almost knocked Horace over as he marched to the bar holding up a gold coin. "That's a five dollar gold piece!" he said, then slammed it on the counter. "Go ahead count it if you want."
Logan blinked taken aback as Mike joined them. "Well that was a complete waste of time!" she snapped hot with temper. "But what was Horace doing in there he doesn't drink."
"Best guess I'd say he just paid for time to spend with Myra," Logan muttered, as he watched Horace go to her room and they both sat on the bed and started talking.
Not long after they met up with Colleen a couple hours later, they started back for the homestead. Sully leaving for one of his camps.
They were halfway back when Colleen suddenly said, "I wish I was a boy," and Logan and Mike looked at her. "Did you ever wish you were a boy?"
"Yes, yes I did. Especially when I was your age. I was expected to learn needlepoint and look pretty.
"All I ever wanted to do was see the world. The only ones that ever got to do that were the boys."
"Boys get to do everything."
"No. No, not everything," and Mike pulled the horse to a stop and stopping Wildfire Logan looked at them. "I was a little older than you when I first assisted my father during a birth," and Mike chuckled at the memory. "It was a little girl. Her mother named her Julia. It was nothing short of a miracle."
"And that's something a man will never be able to experience or understand Colleen," and she looked at Logan. "The magic of creating a life. Then feeling and watching it grow."
"I want to do more than get married and have babies," she said, and lowered her gaze.
"Well, there are no rules, Colleen," and she looked back at Dr. Mike. "Look at me. Never hide behind the fact that you're a girl…a woman. And don't give up on your dreams just because you're afraid you won't achieve them in a man's world."
"Especially when a man says you can't do it," Logan piped in and she looked at him.
"You'll just have to fight even harder to make them come true," Mike finished.
"You really think so?" she asked, looking form one to the other.
"If your mother were sitting here right now, she's say exactly the same thing," Mike insisted.
Beaming Colleen lowered her gaze. "You're lucky you still have your mother," she said, looking back at her.
For a few seconds they looked at each other then smiling Dr. Mike cupped her cheek. Then pulled her in for a hug.
Not wanting to ruin the moment Logan as quietly as possible turned his horse and headed back for camp. Wondering what Sully would be roasting over the fire for dinner.
The next day Logan was making his way through the woods to the homestead to check on Robert E. He was just one the edge of the bordering wood when he paused when he saw Michaela and Elizabeth taking down the laundry.
"There's something I have to ask you," Mike said, to her mother.
"I'm listening."
"I need that boarding house to use as a clinic if I'm to take proper care of the people here. Since the bank won't give me a mortgage, I need to pay cash."
"How much is it?"
"Fifteen hundred," and at that Elizabeth sighed in despair. "I still have a thousand left from my bequest."
"Michaela, a mother always wants to give her child everything she can, but I would be failing you if I encouraged you in this ridiculous scheme."
"I've never asked, you for anything, mother."
"Perhaps you should have. You always went to your father, and he gave you everything you wanted."
"What he gave me was the courage to follow my dreams. I never wanted a life of convention."
"You mean a life like mine."
"That's right. I never did, and I never will."
"It isn't any wonder. I was always a wife without a husband, and mother without a daughter."
"I'm begging you, mother. Please help me. I'll pay you back."
"That's not the point. I just don't want to help you ruin your life."
For a few seconds Mike stared at her mother. "Sometimes I think you must really hate me, mother," with that she picked up the now full basket of dry laundry and marched into the house.
Thinking it would be best to come back later, Logan turned and left.
A couple hours later, he came back this time with Springs Dawn (carrying a pack and some tea for Robert E) and Sully. All of them paused at the sound of a horse and wagon and watched as Loren's wagon came round the bend with Grace sitting next to Loren. When he pulled to a stop, Grace hopped off and immediately headed for the house.
"Oh, how is he?" she asked, when Mike opened the door and stepped out to meet her.
"I'm afraid he's taken a turn for the worse, Grace," and at those words Grace entered the house.
Sighing Logan shook his head then watched as Elizabeth walked up to Loren and greeted him. After returning the greeting, he handed her a package that came for Mike. After a few words were spoken, Loren agreed to take Elizabeth back into town and when they were gone; the group emerged and head for the homestead.
At the sound of voices, they paused outside the door. "…to hide the children…they'll be coming for 'em next," came Robert E's delirious voice.
"Robert E., you listen to me. You are not a slave anymore. Those days are gone forever," came Grace's voice.
"Dear God, please don't take my children," Robert E begged and Logan's jaw dropped as it went limp. Covering his mouth he held back a sob as he dropped down to sit on the steps as his legs gave way, fighting to hold back his tears. Beside him, Springs Dawn dropped down to hold him.
"Robert E., your children are safe. Everything's going to be all right. I'm here, and I'm not leaving," Grace said, as she soothed him.
Later that night Logan, Sully, and Springs Dawn slept on the floor by the fire in various positions. As Grace's watch over him came to an end Logan slightly pretending to sleep. With the light of the dying fire and lamp light burning beyond his eyelids. He heard someone pour water into a bowl.
"You got to save him," came Grace's voice.
"I'm trying Grace, I'm trying," Michaela said, softly.
"Oh…sorry, I…I know you are," there was a seconds silence then… "I-I lost my mother before I ever had a chance to tell her how much she meant to me, and I promised that it would never happen again," and Grace's voice became laced with her tears. "Sometimes people disappoint you, and you just have to let it go and, uh…love them anyway."
Again, there was silence for a few seconds. "Why don't you go lie down?" Mike urged her gently and a second later Logan heard her stand and move away.
For a few seconds all Logan heard was sound of Michaela's breathing as she started to fall asleep. Then came the sound of the curtain that separate the children's and Elizabeth's bed from the rest of the house. Soft footsteps moved across the floorboards approaching Mike's chair.
"Michaela? You should get some sleep," Elizabeth said, softly and he heard her wake up slightly.
Mike sighed before saying, "wake me if there's any change," she said, then moved away to where Elizabeth had slept.
After a little while, he heard small feet and dragging blanket approach where Elizabeth had sat. Then the sound of extra weight coming onto the chair. "Tell me a story," came Brian's voice.
"Well, I-I don't remember any stories."
"Can't you make one up from inside your head?"
"You mean, like, 'Once Upon a Time'?... well… once upon a time, there was a woman who had five daughters, and they all married very nice gentlemen. And they made their homes close to their mother—all but one and she was the youngest. And she left home and went to a very, very dangerous place…" and he heard Elizabeth go quite
"And her name was Dr. Mike," Brian picked up for her. "They thought she was going to be a boy when she was borned, only she wasn't. She was a girl. She was real pretty and real nice.
"After she grew up real good, she came to Colorado. That's where she saved my life.
"After my real ma went to heaven, Dr. Mike got to be my ma down here on Earth, and she loved me just the same. She told me so," and rolling over onto his side Logan opened his eyes to look into the dying fire.
After waiting for Brian to fall asleep again Logan turned around the other way and looked at Elizabeth who held Brian asleep in her arms. Sighing he climbed to his feet and she watched him as he walked over and knelt beside her chair.
For a few seconds they looked at each other before Logan whispered loud enough for her to hear but quite enough not to wake Brian, "I think I know why you've been so adamant on getting her back to Boston," and she frowned in puzzlement. "In blink of an eye while your back was turned…she grew up…and you're not ready to really let her go. Or miss anything else." For a few seconds she just looked at him before her eyes moved to where Michaela slept. Slowly he reached out to take her hand.
"But if you truly love her…you to do the hardest thing a mother can do…let her go, to chart her own course," he finished. Again, she didn't say anything as a tear shining in the lamplight rolled down her cheek. "give Brian to me, I'll put him to bed," he said, and standing gently took the sleeping boy in his arms and put him to bed beside Michaela before returning to his mat by the fire and went to sleep.
The next day Logan leaned against the wall of the house as he heard Robert E wake up. "Do you know who I am?" he heard Grace ask him.
He sighed, "I haven't lost my mind woman."
"Robert E., I didn't know you had any children," Grace said, hesitantly
After a few seconds silence. "I don't ever want you to speak of them ever again."
"I won't speak of them again if you promise never to send me away again."
Logan shook his head before resting it against the house. You and your pride Robert E.
"I didn't want you to see me like this. No reason for that."
"Only one I can think of," and silence fell over them.
Choosing that time, Logan stepped into the house and they turned to look at them. For a moment, they just looked at each other. Robert E knowing he had overheard them.
"All I'm going to say is that I know how you feel," Logan said.
At that, Robert E blinked drawing his head back. "How can you know how I feel?"
Sighing Logan looked away. "You're a father without his children…," and he looked at him again. "I'm a son…who never knew his father."
At that, Robert E.'s mouth opened slightly. They held each other gazes before Robert E closed his mouth and nodded.
Just then, Michaela walked over smiling. "His fever broke," Grace, said, beaming at her.
After smiling at Grace, she turned to Robert E. "Welcome back Robert E.," she said, taking his hand.
A couple hours later Logan watched as Mike stood with her mother, Colleen, Brian, and Brian's wolf Pup. All were facing Matthew who stood by a sheet draped over a line.
"Matthew hurry up!" Colleen urged eagerly.
"What's the big surprise?" Brian asked.
"She still has to pack," Mike said.
"Are you ready?" Matthew said, smiling then threw down one corner of the sheet revealing a tub filed with warm bathwater and soaps sitting on a small table next to it. At the sight of it, Elizabeth gasped in surprise. "It's for you I borrowed it from Jake's barbershop so you can take a bath."
"Well, a bath would be lovely," Elizabeth tearfully in gratitude.
Personally, I would prefer a shower, Logan thought as he turned and left.
The next day Logan and Sully met the family in town as they loaded all of Elizabeth's trunks on to the stage. "Are you sure you have everything mother?" Mike asked, as they approached.
"Yes, I have everything."
"Good."
Smiling when they were close enough Sully said, "we came to say goodbye, ma'am."
Slowly she faced them the smile still on her face. "Goodbye, Sully goodbye Logan," then slowly offered her hand and they shook it.
"Springs Dawn would have come to say goodbye as well but…," Logan said, then indicated some of the people like Jake watching them.
"I understand," she said, nodding and they moved off to the side. "I think I will pick up a tin of travel treats, if you don't mind. Excuse me," and picking up the edge of her dress walked over to Loren's store.
When she was gone, Jake came close. "How's Robert E.?" he asked, and Logan's face-hardened as he shook it.
Not looking at him Mike sighed looking at her hands as she brought her palms together. "A private expression of concern is appreciated Mr. Slicker, but a public stand would have done him more good," and his face fell slightly.
As she started to move away, he lightly took her by the arm and flinched it back as she turned. "But, um…how is he?"
"His fever's broken," she stated plainly then moved away.
"I'm glad to hear it," Logan heard him muttered, before he walked back to his shop.
Soon enough with Elizabeth inside the stage driver closed the door of the stage before climbing on. "Your father would be very proud of you," Elizabeth said, as Michaela came close.
"What about you mother?" Instead of answering, Elizabeth reached into her bag and pulling out an envelope handed it to Mike. "What's this?" Mike asked, taking it.
"Open it." Elizabeth urged and opening it Mike stared opened mouthed at the money inside. "A doctor needs a clinic," and Elizabeth took her daughter's hands and the envelope in both of hers and they slipped away as the driver urged his team forward.
Running after the stage Brian called out, "bye Mrs. Quinn!"
"You can call me Grandma!" Elizabeth's voice called out to him.
Beaming the boy called out, "goodbye Grandma!" and stopped as the stage picked up speed and his family joined him as they waved it off.
"Promise me one thing," Logan said, as he Sully came close to a practically glowing Dr. Mike. "When you buy the Clinic from the bank make sure I'm with you," and she looked at him frowning in curiosity a tear of happiness running down her cheek. "I would just love to see the sour look on his face," he explained and she roared with laughter before turning waving again at the parting stage.
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