Dr.

Quinn, Medicine Woman

A Fork in the Road
by Debby K

Warning: Chapter 1 contains graphic descriptions of an

amputation.

"Our journey had advanced--

Our feet were almost come
To that old Fork in Being's Road--
Eternity--by term."
Emily Dickinson

************ Sully's voice startled her, "Who's it from?"

Chapter 1
************ She glanced over her shoulder, "Someone upon
whom I performed surgery."
After a hectic evening with the children, Michaela
"They okay now?" he went to the sink to wash his
found a few minutes in which to open her mail. One
hands.
envelope in particular was a curiosity. She did not
recognize the name above the return address.
Opening it, she began to read: "Yes," she folded the letter. "He was a soldier,
injured at Gettysburg."
"Dear Dr. Quinn,
"That's a long time ago," he found it curious.
"Why's he writin' now?"
You may not remember me, but I shall never
forget you. After the battle of Gettysburg, you
amputated my leg and saved my life. I have "He's coming here to thank me for saving his life,"
searched for you all these many years in hopes she responded.
of thanking you. I was finally put in contact
with your mother, who informed me that you "Oh?" he raised an eyebrow.
reside in Colorado Springs. I have booked
passage to travel there and shall arrive on the "He's been looking for me," she rose from the table.
20th." "Mother told him where we live."

Michaela looked up, "That's tomorrow." He slipped his arm around her, "Ready for bed?"

Returning to the letter, she concluded, "Yes," she smiled.

"I hope this does not present an inconvenience ************

to you, but I pray you will indulge me in my
desire to properly express my gratitude for the
kindness you showed to a young and frightened
soldier.
With warm regards,
"Dr. Quinn," a voice boomed. "You have no choice!
Amputate! We have more soldiers to attend to."
She raised her head, "But perhaps I can save his leg
if you'll just..."

Frank Wellington" "Do it!" the voice returned.

1
She bit her lower lip. She had never performed an
amputation before. Observed it, yes. Thoroughly
read about it, yes. But now laying before her on the
make-shift operating table was a human being. A
human being who would never be whole again
because of her.
Beads of perspiration began to form on her
forehead.
"Dr. Quinn!" the voice returned. "I did not want a
female physician here to begin with, but your
father..."
"I can do it!" her voice was determined.
"There are dozens more awaiting our attention," he
pointed out. "You get fifteen minutes per patient."
She opened her instrument case. The local
Maryland school had been turned into a hospital to
receive the trainload of injured from the battle. Her
surgical table was a door, resting on student desks.
The new supply of chloroform had not arrived. A
rag soaked with the drug lay beside her.
Before anesthetizing the patient, she placed her
hand on his arm, "What's your name?"
"Frank, ma'am," his voice trembled.
"I'm Dr. Michaela Quinn," she prayed that her voice
would sound calm. "I'm sorry that I have to do this,
Frank, but..."
"I know," he closed his eyes as a tear trickled down
his cheek.
She wiped it with a clean portion of her apron, "I'm
going to help you rest so that you won't feel it."
"Okay," he took a deep breath.
Michaela placed the rag across his mouth and
nostrils. Soon the young soldier was unconscious.
She cut away the pant leg to clean the wound. Using
a probe, she searched for splinters and bullet
fragments, only to find that the Minie Ball had
shattered his bone, carrying skin and dirt into it. The
leg could not be saved. Taking a deep breath, she
2
applied a tourniquet to cut off the blood supply.
Then she steeled herself for what she must do.
She lifted her scalpel to make the incision through
the skin and muscle to the bone.
"NO!" she bolted up from her bed.
"Michaela?" Sully was there.
"Sully," she clutched his hand.
"Shhh," he stroked her moist hair. "What were ya
dreamin' about?"
"The operation," she attempted to focus her
thoughts. "On Frank Wellington. All of the
memories came flooding back to me."
"Must've been terrible," he sympathized. "Do ya
wanna tell me about it?"
"I... I don't know if I can," she felt a lump forming
in her throat.
"Then ya don't have to," his voice was soothing.
She was quiet for several minutes. Sully assumed
she had drifted off to sleep again, but then Michaela
spoke. She began to detail what was in her dream,
then stopped.
"Ya all right?" he was concerned.
She swallowed hard, "With my scalpel, I made the
incision above and below, leaving a flap of skin on
one side. Then I took the bonesaw into my hands..."
Her voice trailed off. Sully's reassuring arms held
her.
"I cut through the bone until the leg was severed
off," she filled with emotion at the memory. "Before
sutchering the skin, I had to scrape the end and
edges of the bone smooth, so they would not work
their way through."
"God, Michaela," he never realized what the
experience was like for her.
"The worst part was disposing of the severed leg,"
she closed her eyes tightly. "There was a stack of
limbs. Scores of them piled high. The incoming
wounded could see the pile and hear the screams of
those whose chloroform was wearing off. The next
day, Father and I returned to Boston. I'll never
forget that day. The sounds... the smell... the blood."
"I'm sorry," he pulled her closer. "Maybe ya
shouldn't see this fella t'morrow."
"No," she attempted to compose herself. "I... I owe
it to him."
"Ya saved a lot o' men that day," he spoke softly.
"I tried," she sighed.
"You always try your best," he lifted her chin. "An'
your best is better than anyone I know."
"Thank you," she smiled for the first time.
He kissed her sweetly, "Think ya can get some
sleep now?"
"Yes," she was not really certain.
************
As the sun rose, rays of red, yellow and orange
began to illuminate the gray sky. The first beams
filtered into the bedroom. Michaela had been awake
most of the night recalling further details of her day
at the temporary hospital in Maryland, set up to
receive the injured from Gettysburg.
She turned to look at her husband's handsome face.
She loved to watch him sleep. His mouth curled up
slightly at the side, almost as in a smile. Her heart
filled with love as she lightly touched his chest to
feel the up and down movement as he breathed.
At that instant, her mind drifted back to the most
terrifying day of her life. The day his chest no
longer moved. The day Sully died. She had
resuscitated him with her own breath. His poor
broken body, lifeless form trying to survive a fall
from a cliff. She shuddered.
Sully felt it, "How long ya been awake?"
3
"Not long," she fibbed.
He yawned and stretched his arms, a motion that
filled Michaela with longing. She smiled to herself
at her body's reaction to him.
He reached up and cupped her cheek to the palm of
his hand, "What ya thinkin' about?"
She paused, then spoke low, "You."
"What about me?" he grinned.
"How much I love you," her gaze penetrated to his
soul.
"I love you, too," he touched the tip of her nose.
"I... was remembering how I felt when I almost lost
you," she added.
"I'm right here," he stroked her arm.
She sighed.
"Ya sure you're okay, Michaela?" he became more
alert.
"Just feeling a bit emotional, I suppose," she
dismissed her mood.
"Ya got every right, after your dream last night," he
understood.
"You always manage to say just the right thing to
me, Mr. Sully," she ran her finger along his jaw.
"Ya sure look beautiful for not havin' much sleep,"
he whispered.
"How do you know I didn't get much sleep?" she
raised an eyebrow.
"I know," he replied. "Just like I know how
beautiful ya are."
"I was admiring your handsome looks a moment
ago," she felt his hand on her back.
She rolled over to look more fully into his eyes.
Lightly, she began to kiss his cheeks, his chin, then
his lips.
Sully was delighted at her initiative, "You wantin'
the same thing I am?"
"I believe so," her tone stirred him further.
His voice became raspy,
"So let us love, dear love,
Like as we ought."
"Sounds like Chaucer," she identified the poet.
"Right," he felt his pulse begin to race.
"When was the last time I told you how much I
need you?" her desire was awakening.
"It's been so long, I can't remember," he teased.
"Sully!" she tapped his side playfully.
"That's more like my Michaela," he relished her
expression.
"I do need you, you know," she became serious.
"I know," his eyes filled with the light of her face.
"And I need you. More than I could ever tell ya."
"I suppose I'll have to settle for your showing me
then," she invited.
"Umm," a dimple appeared on his cheek. "I love
showin' ya."
"I seem to recall that," she quipped.
"Where would ya like me t' begin?" he tempted.
She pointed to her earlobe, "Right here."
"Mmm," he nibbled where she directed.
His gesture sparked an immediate reaction in her.
4
"Guess that's workin'," he could see the effect.
"Where next?"
"Here," she pointed to her chin.
Sully's lips caressed her chin, prompting a tingling
sensation in them both.
"Where would you like for me to begin?" she asked
in a sultry voice.
"Right here," he pointed to his mouth. "I kinda like
a direct approach."
They commenced a kiss of a sweet and tender
nature. Then Sully began to caress her in the places
she craved.
"How's that?" he grinned.
"De... Delightful," she gasped. "And quite direct."
Soon the temptation to go beyond their playful
banter was too much to resist. Maneuvering and
moving their bodies, they joined together with all
the enthusiasm they possessed. With every fiber of
their beings, they committed to gratifying each
other's need. Loving touches and kisses followed as
their breathing calmed.
"Oh, Sully," she sighed in his arms.
He brushed back the hair from her eyes, "I sure do
love lovin' ya in the mornin'."
"I was thinking the same thing of you," she smiled.
"Think we got a little while before the kids are...."
his sentence was interrupted by a knock at the
bedroom door.
"Just a minute," Michaela rushed to straighten her
nightgown as Sully pulled on his buckskins.
"It's me," Katie's voice spoke. "Can I come in?"
"Come on in," Sully beckoned.
"Mornin'," the little girl entered and stepped closer
to kiss her parents. "You two have a good rest?"
"Good morning, Sweetheart," Michaela kissed her
forehead. "Yes, we rested just fine. And you?"
"Well, I gotta talk t' ya about that," her little brow
wrinkled.
"What's on your mind, Kates?" Sully settled his
daughter beside him.
"Joey," she shook her head.
"Is he awake?" Michaela wondered.
"Yep, he's awake," the child informed them. "An' I
want ya t' know he tried t' climb outa his crib. I told
him t' wait for me t' get you, an' he said a bad
word."
"Josef said a bad word?" Michaela's eyes widened.
"What was it?"
"I can't tell ya," Katie folded her hands. "I'm not
allowed t' say."
"Maybe he oughta tell us himself," Sully proposed.
"I'll go get him," Michaela rose from the bed and
donned her robe.
In a few moments, she returned with the little boy.
"Papa!" his arms reached for his father when they
entered the bedroom.
Sully greeted the youngster, "Mornin', Joe."
Michaela joined her family on the bed, "Josef, do
you have something you want to tell your father and
me?"
"Nope," he seemed unaware that there was a
problem.
"Did you say something to your sister this
morning?" Michaela prompted.
He tilted his head in a questioning manner,
"Mornin'."
5
Sully came to the point, "Did you use a bad word,
son?"
"Don' know," he looked away.
"Joey, ya know ya did," Katie insisted.
"Josef," Michaela explained. "If you did something
wrong, it's best to tell us."
"Tell Mama an' Poppy the truth," Katie said.
Josef contritely lowered his head and was barely
audible, "Darn."
"Where did you learn that word?" Michaela
questioned.
"Don' know," he shrugged.
"He heard if from Billy Wagner," Katie said. "He
uses lots o' bad words."
"Billy Wagner?" Michaela was horrified. "He's only
four years old. I'll speak with his mother."
"Josef, do ya know it's a bad word?" Sully lifted his
son's chin to look him in the eye.
The boy's lower lip began to quiver.
Michaela was upset, "The first thing you're going to
do, young man, is apologize for using that word in
front of your sister."
"I sowwy," his blue eyes saddened.
"And the second thing you're going to do is tell us
why you said it," she continued.
"I mad," he confessed.
"Why were ya mad?" Sully queried.
"Not like bed," he stated.
"There are many instances in our lives when we
don't like things, but that does not give us license to
use inappropriate language," Michaela avowed.
"Joey, now ya got Mama usin' big words," Katie
leaned closer to him.
"No son of mine is going to...." Michaela paused
when she saw her husband's expression.
Josef was on the verge of crying.
"I got an idea," Sully attempted to defuse the
situation. "How 'bout if we come up with a better
way for Josef t' handle things when he gets mad?"
"Good thinkin', Poppy," Katie agreed.
"How 'bout it, Joe?" Sully looked his son in the eye.
"'Kay," he agreed.
"Kates, do you remember what we taught ya t' do
when ya get mad?" he touched her cheek.
"Count t' ten," she knew.
"I count," Josef sat up straighter. "One, thoo,
thwee...."
"By the time ya get t' four or five, ya won't even
remember why you were upset," Sully counseled.
"He'll remember," Katie predicted. "He don't like
the railin's on his crib."
"Oh," Michaela understood. "He wants a big bed?"
"Yep," Josef's face lit up.
"Maybe ya could make him one, Poppy," Katie
suggested.
"I'll think about it," Sully nodded. "But I gotta be
real sure that my big boy's not gonna use bad words
anymore."
"'Kay, Papa," Josef pledged.
"I'm gonna take ya at your word, Joe," Sully
embraced him. "An' remember, big boy's don't go
back on their word."
"I big," he held out his arms.
6
"I think ya owe your Ma an apology, too," Sully
spoke low in his ear. "She wants her son t' behave
real good."
Josef crawled into his mother's lap and threw his
arms around her neck, "I sowwy, Mama. I good."
Michaela melted, "You're terribly hard to resist,
young man."
Katie leaned against her father's shoulder.
"You're a good sister," he kissed the top of her head.
"When's Bran comin' home?" the little girl
wondered.
"Later today," Michaela answered. "And I'm certain
he'll have all sorts of stories for you about his
camping trip. I do wish he would not have insisted
on doing this by himself."
"He'll be all right, Michaela," Sully's voice was
assuring. "He knows how t' take care of himself."
"I miss Bran," Josef spoke up.
"I bet he missed you, too," Sully winked. "Come on.
Let's go get some breakfast."
Michaela shook her head as they departed, "What's
the world coming to when children use such
language?"
************
Michaela sat at her desk in the Clinic, contentedly
gazing out the window at the bustling town of
Colorado Springs. She savored the rare quiet of her
office. She had no scheduled patients until later in
the day, and the children were with Sully.
"Sully," she smiled to herself, still warmed from
their dalliance at dawn.
Reliving each touch, each kiss, each electrifying
moment, she did not hear the first tentative knock at
her door. Then a louder one roused her from her
reverie.
"Come in," she called, uncertain if her face was
flushed.
The door opened. There stood a tall, well dressed
man in his mid thirties. His features were
handsome, highlighted by his piercing blue eyes and
dark wavy hair.
He removed his hat, "Dr. Quinn!"
She rose from her desk and extended her hand, "Mr.
Wellington?"
He shook her hand warmly, "I've looked forward to
this moment for such a long time."
"Won't you come in?" she invited.
With a slight limp, he walked into the room.
Michaela noticed, "How are you?"
"I've done very well, thanks to you," he grinned.
"Please, won't you sit down?" she pointed.
At opposite sides of her desk, the former patient and
doctor glanced at one another.
Frank could not contain his admiration, "Dr. Quinn,
I came here to thank you for saving my life. But
now that I'm here in person,... well, my words just
don't seem adequate."
Michaela appreciated his sincerity, "I'm very moved
that you would seek me out after all of these years.
You look well."
"I was an engineering student before the War," he
detailed. "When I went home after my amputation, I
refused to wallow in self-pity, so I set about to
develop an artificial leg."
"May I see?" her curiosity was peaked.
"Of course," he began to pull up his pant leg.
Michaela pointed, "Why don't you sit on my
examining table?"
7
Frank obliged, and soon had gathered the material
of his trousers up to explain, "I used a suction
socket, polycentric knee, and multiarticulated foot."
"Amazing," she marveled.
"I even started a company to manufacture them for
other amputees," he detailed. "The government
helps pay for them, thanks to the Great Civil War
Benefaction."
"I read about that," she nodded. "But I also
understand that it led to extraordinary claims by
makers of artificial legs in the name of attracting
business and veterans' money. Shysters and
charlatans have taken advantage."
"I can assure you that my company and product are
sound," he defended.
"I can see that," she was embarrassed. "I meant no
offense."
"None taken," he pulled down his pant leg.
A few moments of uncomfortable silence followed.
Frank opened the subject, "Your mother informs me
that you're married."
"Yes," Michaela returned to her desk. "With five
children."
"Five!" his eyes widened.
"Three are adopted," she qualified.
"Why did you move all the way out here?" he stood.
"A new beginning after my father's death," she
simply stated.
Frank glanced down shyly, "Do you think that I
might buy lunch for you? I have a proposal I'd like
to make to you."
"That would be very nice," she consented.
"Maybe your husband could join us," he added.
"He's spending the day with our children," she
noted.
"Where would you like to eat then?" Frank said.
"Grace's Cafe is the best place," she replied.
************
"I'm home!" Brian called when he entered the
homestead.
Sully descended the steps, "Hey, Brian. How'd it
go?"
"Pa," he was out of breath. "I got a lot t' tell ya. I
had the most unbelievable experience. I saw a
creature out there."
"Creature?" Sully was puzzled.
"Huge!" the young man extended his arms.
"What did it look like?" Sully poured a cup of
coffee.
"Before I describe it, where are the kids?" Brian
paused.
"Upstairs nappin'," he responded.
"Good," the son sat down. "What I saw was too
scary for them t' hear about."
"What are ya talkin' about, Brian?" Sully sensed his
son's fear.
"Part man, part beast," he replied.
************
Chapter 2
************
Dorothy sat at a large table at Grace's Cafe filling in
the townsfolk on Brian's adventure.
"Why was he out in the woods by himself?" Loren
wondered.
8
"He was writin' an article for the Gazette about the
Colorado wilderness," the redhead replied. "He was
hopin' t' help Sully by gettin' some articles
published in...."
"Sully and the cute little animals of the wild," Hank
interrupted.
"Well, what he saw wasn't so cute or little,"
Dorothy revealed. "He gave me his notes this
mornin', and what he came across will be the
biggest news story t' hit Colorado Springs in some
time."
************
"Calm down, Brian," Sully put his hand on his son's
arm. "Now, tell me what ya saw."
Brian began, "I was campin' out along the other side
o' Quail Lake. Around dusk, I heard a noise, like a
grunting sound. Then I caught sight o' the creature's
eyes through the bushes. I pulled out my rifle."
"Did ya shoot it?" Sully interjected.
"No," Brian shook his head. "It made no effort t'
come any closer. Naturally, I didn't fall asleep, an' I
kept the fire well stoked all night. I watched it, as it
watched me. Sometimes it would stand up, an' when
it did, it was at least eight feet tall."
"Ya sure it wasn't a bear?" Sully rubbed his chin.
"No, Pa," the young man was certain. "I've seen
bear before. An' there was somethin' even more
strange."
"What?" Sully was intrigued.
"The smell," Brian related. "It smelled like a cross
between a decaying carcass an' rotten garbage. I'll
never forget it."
"Sounds like a real frightenin' experience," Sully
sympathized.
"By sun up, it was gone," Brian concluded.
"I wonder...." Sully's expression changed.
"Wonder what?" Brian noticed.
"I wonder if it could've been the one the Indians call
Chiye-tanka, The Big Man," Sully stated.
************
"Brian prob'ly saw a bear," Loren dismissed
Dorothy's comment.
"No," the newspaper editor countered. "He
described it as part man, part beast. Said it smelled
real awful."
"Do ya think the town's in any danger?" Jake tilted
his head.
"Maybe we best go out an' kill it," Hank
recommended.
"Say, look there," Jake pointed to Michaela's arrival
at the Cafe with the handsome stranger. "Wonder
who that is?"
"None o' our business," Grace pointed out.
Hank raised his eyebrows, "Looks like Michaela's
havin' herself some fun."
"Will you stop it?" Dorothy scolded. "She's having
lunch with a man."
"We can see that," Loren chuckled. "Question is,
who is he?"
Grace left them to greet her friend, "Dr. Mike."
"Hello, Grace," the doctor smiled. "This is Frank
Wellington, a former patient."
"Nice t' meet ya," Grace welcomed him. "This table
all right?"
"Yes, fine, thank you," Michaela sat as Frank held
the chair for her.
"What brings ya t' Colorado Springs, Mr.
Wellington?" Grace set coffee cups before them.
9
"I'm here to thank Dr. Quinn," he looked admiringly
at the physician. "For saving my life."
"Most folks around here could make the same
claim," Grace poured the coffee. "So, what can I get
ya?"
************
Nearby, the gossip continued.
"Will ya look at that?" Hank chuckled. "He's got
manners, too. Held the chair for her."
"See how he's lookin' at her?" Jake smirked. "Don't
seem proper."
"Wonder if Sully knows?" Loren questioned.
"Just stop it!" Dorothy shook her head.
************
"The Big Man?" Brian's eyes widened.
Sully detailed, "There's different legends about him.
Some believe he's the husband of Unk-ksa, the
Earth. Others believe he's a kinda reptile from
ancient times who can take a big hairy form. He's
both spirit an' real being.
"He's real, all right," Brian swallowed hard.
"By some accounts, he can appear when he wants
to," Sully added. "He comes in times o' trouble t'
help communities return t' a balance with Mother
Earth."
"Do the Indians believe he has some kinda
powers?" Brian inquired.
"Accordin' t' the elders, he does," Sully rubbed his
upper lip. "That's how he's been able t' avoid
capture all this time.
"Is that what you believe, Pa?" the young man
asked.
Sully took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, "I ain't
sure."
************
"I'm delighted to see that you have been so
successful in your career, Mr. Wellington,"
Michaela dabbed the side of her mouth with a
napkin. "Have you someone special with whom to
share it?"
He glanced down shyly, "A wife? No. I'm afraid
I've let my career become my family."
She advised, "Perhaps the right woman has not
come along."
"To tell you the truth," he paused. "I... I have
always thought that my appearance would frighten a
woman."
"The right woman would see beyond your physical
circumstance," she commented. "I don't mean to
pry. You mentioned at my office that there was
something you wanted to propose to me."
Frank's eyes lit up. "In corresponding with your
mother, she informed me that your medical facilities
here in Colorado Springs are more primitive than
one would find in a larger city."
"That's true, but..." she stopped when he raised his
hand.
"And that gave me the idea of how I could repay
you," he went on. "I intend to furnish your Clinic
with whatever medical equipment and supplies you
need and want. I shall spare no expense."
"Your offer is very generous," she was moved. "But
I can't possibly accept."
"Dr. Quinn," he began to explain. "I have no wife,
no children. All I have is money, and what good is
it if I can't do something constructive with it?"
"But..." she tried again.
He interjected, "I'm not denying myself anything by
spending the money in this manner. And it will
enable you to improve the facility you have."
Michaela could think of no objections to his
generous offer. As they continued to converse, she
10
found Frank Wellington to be a well educated and
charming man. He entertained her with stories of
his travels, and soon, she lost track of time.
Matthew spotted his mother and the stranger, "Ma!"
"Matthew," she smiled.
"Ya got a patient waitin' for ya at the Clinic," he
informed her.
"Oh, my," she rose quickly. "Mr. Wellington, this is
my eldest son, Matthew."
"Pleased t' meet ya," Matthew shook his hand.
"Sorry if I interrupted."
"No," Michaela patted his arm. "I must be going
now." Then she paused, "Mr. Wellington, why don't
you join us for dinner this evening? We can further
discuss your offer."
"It would be my pleasure," he rose to his feet and
took her hand. "Thank you, Dr. Quinn."
"Matthew?" Michaela hoped her son would come,
too.
"Wouldn't miss it," he grinned.
************
"And Mr. Wellington's business is doing quite
well," Michaela stated to her family at the dinner
table.
"I owe it all to Dr. Quinn," Frank praised.
"Ma's the best doctor in the state," Brian asserted.
"I challenge anyone to dispute that," Frank smiled.
"I wanna be a doctor, too," Katie contributed.
Frank grinned, "A noble goal."
"Yesterday, she was going to be an artist," Michaela
beamed at her daughter. "It seems to change daily."
"A woman's prerogative," he winked at Katie.
"Mr. Wellington has offered to finance
improvements at the Clinic," Michaela told her
family.
"What kind o' financing?" Sully wondered.
"A gift of money for her to purchase whatever she
wants or needs," he vowed. "It's my way of
repaying her for what she did for me. I would not
have survived the War and lived to make the money
at all, if it had not been for her skill."
Sully grew quiet, assessing the man who was
making such a benevolent offer. Then he felt an
uneasiness at Michaela's attentiveness to him. Sully
had seen it before. A man might misinterpret her
nature.... mistake it for something else. He became
uncomfortable at the presence of Frank Wellington.
And he suddenly felt like an outsider.
"Up," Josef was tired of his family's attention going
to the stranger.
"What do you say, Sweetheart?" Michaela reminded
her son of his manners.
"'Cuse me, pwease," he restlessly tapped the tray.
Sully lifted his son into his arms and raised him up
high toward the ceiling.
"Sully!" Michaela feared the little hands would
leave a mark.
"We'll go wash up," he headed for the kitchen.
"May I be excused, too?" Katie requested.
"Certainly," Michaela smiled.
Katie rushed into the kitchen. Scooting a chair over
to the sink, she stood so that she could wash her
hands beside her father and brother.
"Poppy," she whispered. "Mr. Wellin'ton's nice,
don't ya think?"
"Um hum," he lathered Josef's hands.
"Mama likes him," the child observed.
11
"Yep," Sully answered.
They could hear the conversation continue into the
living room. Then Matthew entered the kitchen.
"I'll say good night now," he put on his hat. "Got a
busy day t'morrow. Brian's in there tellin' Mr.
Wellington about that monster he...."
Suddenly, he realized his comment might not be
suitable for his sister's ears.
"What monster?" Katie had heard.
"Uh," Matthew hesitated. "Somethin' Brian's writin'.
Ya know, a story. Night."
"Night, Matthew," Sully nodded.
"Poppy?" the little girl looked up.
"Mmm?" he finished drying the children's hands.
"Did Bran see a monster?" she asked.
"Nothin' t' worry about," he kissed her cheek. "Go
in with your Ma, now."
She dropped the subject and skipped into the living
room.
"Katie!" Josef called.
Sully set the little boy down so that he could follow
his sister. Then he began to clear away the dishes
from the table to wash them. When he was nearly
finished, he heard Michaela's voice.
"You didn't have to do those," she reached for some
clean cups.
"No problem," he rinsed the last dish.
"Ready to join us for some coffee?" she invited.
"I'll join ya, but no coffee, thanks," he smiled
uncomfortably.
Sully did not want Michaela to suspect his feelings,
so he accompanied her into the living room. Katie
and Josef both climbed into their father's lap, and
lulled by the voices of their mother and Mr.
Wellington, soon fell asleep.
Resting his chin lightly on the top of Katie's head,
Sully stared into the fireplace. The conversation
became merely background noise as he sorted
through his thoughts. Then he began to feel guilty.
Wellington was offering money to do something
grand and noble. Why did that make Sully feel
uncomfortable?
"Don't you think so, Sully?" Michaela's voice
brought him back to reality.
"Mmm?" he lifted his head. "Sorry. I was thinkin'
about somethin' else."
"I said that Mr. Wellington could stay with us this
evening," she said.
"Uh," he hesitated. "Sure. He's more than welcome
t' stay. We got a spare room."
"No," Frank protested. "I really can't. I have a room
at the Chateau. But I appreciate your hospitality. If
it's all right, I'll meet with you tomorrow at your
Clinic, Dr. Quinn, to discuss the details of my offer.
Would eleven o'clock be okay?"
"Yes," she agreed. "I'll see you then."
************
"An' I say we oughta go out an' find this beast,"
Hank spoke to a gathering of regular customers in
the Gold Nugget.
"I agree," Jake nodded. "Sooner or later, it could
end up in town or attack someone out there."
"My business is already droppin' off," Loren
commented. "Folks are afraid t' travel."
"We only heard about it this mornin'," Jake rolled
his eyes. "I can't see folks not...."
"Leave it to you gentlemen to not see the
opportunity in this," Preston made his presence
known.
12
"What opportunity?" Jake tipped his hat back.
"Money," Preston grinned. "You want to go out
there, guns blazing, to kill the poor creature, when
by capturing it, we could become rich."
"How ya figure?" Horace finally spoke.
"Think of the people who would travel here to see
such an oddity of nature," Preston detailed. "We
could charge admission."
"Like in a circus?" Jake compared.
"We could build it a special cage," Preston
envisioned.
"I... I don't know if it's such a good idea," Horace
balked at the idea. "Could be dangerous."
"Which is why we put it in a cage," Preston was
sarcastic.
"I hate t' admit it, but Preston here might have
somethin'," Hank pondered it.
"Why don't we go out t'morrow t' check things out?"
Jake suggested.
"Good idea," Loren nodded. "I'll talk t' Brian in the
mornin' t' get a better idea where t' look."
"Agreed?" Jake searched each face.
************
Sully pensively brushed Michaela's hair, relishing
the scent of her tresses.
"You're rather quiet," she noticed his reflection in
her mirror.
"Not much t' say, I guess," he replied, setting down
the brush and climbing into bed.
Michaela removed her robe and slippers, "Who
could have imagined that Mr. Wellington would
come here today with such a wonderful gift?"
"I know," he pulled back the covers for her.
She climbed into bed and snuggled close, "He was
fascinated by Brian's tale, too. But what a
dangerous predicament for him."
"Katie wondered about the monster," he informed
her.
"Oh, my," her brow wrinkled. "What did you tell
her?"
"I just said Brian was writin' a story," Sully rubbed
her arm.
She yawned, "I can't wait until tomorrow. There are
so many things I want to order for the Clinic."
"Michaela," he hesitated.
"Mmm?" she lay her hand against his shoulder.
"Never mind," he did not want to dampen her
spirits.
"What did you want to tell me, Sully?" she rubbed
his chest.
"How much I love ya," he smiled.
"I love you, too," she turned to gaze at his face.
"Good night."
"'Night," he sweetly kissed her.
Soon, he determined Michaela was asleep. Stroking
her back, he kissed the top of her head. Why was he
feeling this way, he wondered. It was not jealousy,
but... what? A gut instinct that this grant for her
Clinic would bring trouble.
And, he admitted to himself, he worried that Frank
Wellington might misread his wife's
accommodating nature. He noticed the way the man
had looked at his wife, as others had in the past.
Michaela did not realize the power she held over
men. Her beauty was part of it, but there was more
to it. It was her giving and open compassion, her
receptiveness to men who appreciated her talents
that could be perceived as flirtatious.
Sully sighed. He knew that Michaela's heart was
his, and no one but he knew the woman beneath the
13
facade of bravado. Taking a deep breath, he
enfolded her protectively in his arms. Then his jaw
tensed slightly. This Mr. Wellington seemed nice
enough, but if he ever did anything to hurt,
Michaela... He stopped himself.
"I ain't jealous," he spoke low.
"Mmm?" Michaela raised her head.
"Thought you were asleep," he ran his palm down
her arm.
"Not yet," she stirred slightly. "I thought I heard
you say something."
"Nothin' important," he answered.
"Can't you sleep?" she wondered.
"I will soon enough," he assured her.
"Sully," her voice filled with excitement. "Do you
realize that now I can turn my Clinic into one of the
finest hospitals in the state? Colleen and Andrew
might even be interested in practicing here."
"That would make ya real happy, wouldn't it?" he
smiled.
"Of course," she thought the answer obvious.
"But..."
"But what?" he noted her change of expression.
"Are you troubled by this?" she posed the question.
He thought carefully on how to word his response,
"I... I reckon I'm just a little leery about gettin'
money so easy."
"Leery?" she tilted her head. "Why?"
"Nothin' specific," he was vague. "But the most
important thing t' me is t' see you happy."
"Improving my medical facilities would be
professionally and personally rewarding," she
acknowledged.
"That mean it'd make ya happy?" he teased.
"I'm happy because you believe in me, Sully," she
stated.
"Always have," he kissed her lightly. "Always
will."
"But you question Mr. Wellington's motives?" she
wondered.
"He seems like a real fine man," he admitted. "I got
no reason t' question his motives."
She sought his assurance, "You're certain?"
"Yep," he nodded.
"Good," she lay her head against his chest.
His uneasy feeling persisted. Was it the fact that
another man was giving Michaela something that he
could not? Money. Was Frank Wellington's
motivation merely gratitude? What if...
"Mr. Sully," her voice halted his thoughts.
"Mmm?" he glanced down to see her beautiful eyes
peering up at him.
"Shall we get some sleep?" she rubbed his chest.
"You keep lookin' at me like that, an' I don't think
I'll be interested much in sleepin'," he cupped her
cheek in his hand.
Her heartbeat speeded, "Perhaps you'd rather
celebrate?"
"Celebrate?" he was puzzled.
"My good fortune," she reminded him.
"How 'bout in the morning?" he said.
"I shall look forward to that," she yawned.
This time, Sully was sure she was asleep. At that
moment he vowed to keep a close watch on Frank
Wellington. His instincts were rarely wrong.
14
************
Chapter 3
************
Sully was awakened by a sensation on his cheek. He
opened an eye. It was Michaela kissing him.
"Good morning," she ran her finger along his chin.
"'Mornin'," he stretched his arm and embraced her.
"It's late," she whispered. "Brian's already up and
gone. Katie and Josef are still asleep."
"Guess I was tired," he commented.
"I thought as much last night, when you did not
respond to my invitation," she smiled.
"Invitation?" he tried to focus.
"For this," she slid up to kiss him more fully.
"I didn't respond t' that?" he joked. "I must need a
doctor."
"It just so happens, I'm available," she teased.
Her wayward hand began to stir him. He gulped at
his body's sudden reaction to her overtures.
"I'm so happy, Sully," her face was radiant.
"I can see that," he rolled her over onto her back.
Lovingly, he trailed kisses across her throat and
shoulders. Her soft moan communicated her
pleasure.
"Celebrate with me?" she invited.
"Love to," his pulse raced.
Their passions ignited. Magically, their bodies were
united in a wondrous wave of warmth. Something
was different in her husband, Michaela noticed.
Subtle, but there.... an intensity that reached into her
soul and strove to claim it. Willingly, she gave it.
Clinging to one another, they prolonged their
pleasure as long as was physically possible.
"I love you so much," her heart was full.
He recited,
"We have seen thee, O Love
Thou art fair;
Thou art goodly,
O Love."
"Humm," she contemplated the poet. "Browning?"
"Algernon Swinburne," he identified. "Michaela..."
"Yes?" she anticipated a question.
"Ya know I'd give ya the world if I could, don't ya?"
he stroked her hair.
"You've already given me the world, Sully," she
avowed, "Is something bothering you?"
"No," he was less than truthful.
His mood seemed different, Michaela perceived.
Not brooding or sullen. But... more insecure. He
was still clinging to her.
"Are you free today to join me at the Clinic?" she
requested.
"When ya meet with Wellington?" he clarified.
"Yes," Michaela sat up. "But there are a few repairs
I'd like for you to make, as well."
"Sure," he rubbed her arm as if to invite her back to
him.
She turned to look at him, "Sully, the children will
be up soon."
"I know," he gently pulled her into his arms again.
"But I don't wanna let ya go yet."
"Are you certain that you're all right?" she
wondered.
"Uh...." he hesitated. "I think I'm sick."
"Sick?" she felt his forehead.
15
"Yep," he replied faintly.
"What are your symptoms?" she asked.
"I got an ache right here," he gestured toward his
heart.
"I'll get my stethoscope," she started to rise from the
bed.
"No," Sully pulled her back. "It ain't that kinda
ache."
"What kind of ache is it?" she was taking him
seriously.
"The kinda ache that makes me long for ya," he was
becoming melodramatic.
Finally, Michaela caught on to his act, "Oh, that
kind of ache."
Smiling, she rejoined him. Laying beside him, she
caressed his chest, then lightly kissed it. With a
sultry gaze, she playfully guided her hand to arouse
him.
Sully gulped.
"How's your heartache now?" she continued to
tantalize him.
"I think ya got the blood flowin' again," he quipped.
"Good," she felt his palm against her back, bidding
her to move even closer.
"They teach you this in medical school?" he joked.
"As a matter of fact..." she found a particularly
sensitive area. "My husband taught me what the
books could not."
"He seems like a lucky fella, your husband," Sully
spoke of himself in the third person.
"Oh, he is," she nodded. "But lately, he seems to
have an unquenchable appetite."
"Unquenchable?" his voice had a rasp. "Do you
mind?"
"No," she smiled. "But if he had his way, I would
never get any work done."
"If he had his way?" he repeated in a low voice. "Is
he forward with ya?"
"Quite," she smiled. "But I love him, nonetheless."
"How much do ya love him?" he grinned.
She became the one to quote poetry,
"I wonder, by my troth,
What thou and I did
'Til we loved."
"Mmm," he kissed her neck.
"Aren't you going to guess the poet?" she tapped his
shoulder.
"Not right now," he tilted her head toward his.
She felt herself melting in his arms, "Donne."
"No," he caressed her. "I'm just beginnin'."
She laughed, "No, Sully. John Donne was the poet."
"Oh," he grinned impishly. "Where was I?"
Before their banter could continue, they heard Katie
call.
"Mama! Poppy! Rise an' shine," the little girl stood
in the hallway.
"Now I'm done," Sully sighed.
************
"Brian, lad!" Loren called to the young man as he
passed the mercantile.
"Hey, Loren," he paused.
16
"Come here," the shopkeeper beckoned. "Wanna
talk to ya for a spell."
"How are ya?" Brian greeted him.
"Well, now," he grinned. "I'm doin' just fine."
"What did ya wanna talk about?" the young man
wondered.
"That creature ya saw," he responded.
"I never saw anythin' like it before," Brian's eyes
widened.
"Come on in, an' tell me all about it," Loren invited.
************
Sully set his tool box on the floor of the Clinic
examining room, "Okay, what do ya need fixed?"
Michaela lifted the list from her desk, "The first
recovery room bed has loose slats, the book shelf in
the children's room rattles, the door hinges all need
oil, and the window in the hallway sticks."
Sully took the list from her hands, "I'll start upstairs.
You kids be good for your Ma."
"Can we watch ya, Poppy?" Katie implored.
Michaela interjected, "It will take your father twice
as long to fix it if you two are with him."
"We'll be good," the little girl pledged.
"I know you will," she touched her daughter's nose.
"It's your Daddy who will want to play."
Sully winked and headed out. Michaela settled the
children into the anteroom, then began to inventory
her medical supplies. Periodically, she could hear
Sully's hammering upstairs. She smiled to herself,
warming at the thought that he was a man of so
many talents... carpenter, translator, negotiator...
There was a knock at the door.
Michaela opened it, "Mr. Wellington. You're early."
"I wanted to show you some plans I've drawn up,"
he removed his hat. "Is this an inconvenient time?"
"No," she brushed back a stray lock of hair. "Please,
come in. What plans do you have?"
"Plans for an expanded Clinic," his voice filled with
enthusiasm.
************
"So ya didn't see this creature close up?" Loren
concluded as Brian finished his tale.
"I was closer than I ever wanna be again," he shook
his head.
"Some o' us were thinkin' about goin' after it," the
storekeeper replied.
"T' kill it?" the young man was horrified.
"No," Loren asserted. "T' bring it back."
"Why?" Brian did not understand.
"So's folks can look at it," he put his fingers in his
vest pocket and leaned back. "We're gonna put it in
a cage an' have folks pay t' see it."
"That sounds cruel," Brian's brow wrinkled.
"Wouldn't be cruel," Loren countered. "We'd take
care of it. It wouldn't have t' scavenge for food
anymore."
"What if it has a mate an' young ones?" Brian
considered.
"If we find 'em, we'll bring 'em back, too," he
reasoned.
"I don't think Pa's gonna like this," Brian pondered
it.
"Who says he has t' know?" Loren shrugged.
************
17
Frank could not contain his enthusiasm, "Early this
morning, I came here to take some measurements of
your building. This is merely a rough drawing, but I
think that it will be to your liking."
"What will be to her liking?" Sully stood at the
doorway.
"Sully!" Frank smiled. "I was showing Dr. Quinn
the plans I've drawn up to expand her Clinic."
"Isn't it wonderful, Sully?" she pointed to the
sketch.
He stepped closer to assess the rendering, "I thought
you were only gonna buy medical equipment an'
supplies. Now you're plannin' on addin' floors t' the
buildin'?"
"Yes," Frank responded. "Three more. And an
elevator connecting them."
"An elevator!" Michaela's eyes widened.
"This buildin' can't support...." Sully was
interrupted.
"This building will be scrapped," Frank interjected.
"We'll use steel beams for the framing and
supports."
"I... I didn't realize you intended to destroy the
existing structure," Michaela hesitated.
"You're making a trade off for a much better
facility," Frank pointed out.
Sully folded his arms. Silently, he watched
Wellington sell his wife on his ideas. The man had
unlimited resources to provide the best for her.
Swallowing hard, Sully turned and went to the
anteroom. Opening the door, he observed his
sleeping children.
"Sully?" Michaela's voice was heard behind him.
He paused but did not turn around to face her.
She approached and spoke low, "What do you
think?"
"If it's what ya want..." his voice trailed off.
"This would be finer than any hospital in Denver,"
she said.
He forced a smile, "Wouldn't need t' have me
repairin' old worn out things."
"It would be the largest building in Colorado
Springs," she added.
Frank asked, "Is it all right if I begin organizing the
construction crews and materials?"
Sully felt awkward, "Could we think on it?"
"Of course," he answered. "In the meantime, I'll
bring some catalogs for Dr. Quinn to look at for
equipment."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Wellington," she
extended her hand.
He shook it, and in Sully's mind, clasped it a little
too long, "Won't you please call me Frank?"
"Frank," she nodded.
"May I call you Michaela?" he requested.
"Certainly," she consented.
Frank departed.
As the door closed behind him, Michaela turned to
her husband, "I feel like Cinderella at the ball."
"You're prettier than Cinderella," he put his arm
around her waist.
"And I already have my Prince Charming," she
kissed him lightly.
"So this'll be your happily ever after," he nodded.
"Does my Prince Charming has his doubts?" she
gazed into his eyes.
18
"Seems like it's all happenin' too fast," he stated.
"With a bigger buildin' will come bigger bills.
Maintainin' somethin like this will be expensive."
"I'll discuss that with Frank," she returned to her
desk.
Sully changed the subject, "I got a few more things
t' do upstairs."
At that moment, Brian entered the Clinic, "Pa, could
I talk with ya?"
"Sure, Brian. Come on up with me," Sully
motioned. "I got work t' do."
************
In front of the mercantile, a group of riders had
assembled to go in search of the creature.
"Brian said he saw it over near Quail Lake," Loren
revealed.
"He comin' with us?" Jake wondered.
"He went t' talk t' Sully," the shopkeeper replied.
"Said he'd be right back."
"That won't do," Preston shook his head. "Sully will
want to leave the little furry thing out in the woods."
Loren cautioned, "It may be furry, but it sure ain't
little."
"Sully'll prob'ly try t' talk us outa this," Hank
speculated.
"Well, if we leave now, he won't have the chance,"
Jake urged.
"If we leave without Brian, we might not find it,"
Hank countered. "He knows exactly where t' look."
"So what d' we do then?" Horace chimed in.
"I guess we wait," Jake frowned.
************
"An' they want me t' show 'em where I found it,"
Brian concluded. "What should I do, Pa?"
"Looks like you've come t' one o' those forks in the
road life sometimes puts before ya," Sully smiled.
"Well, you're real good at readin' maps," Brian
grinned. "What would you do?"
"What do ya think you should do?" Sully folded his
arms.
"I'm not sure. I guess I could lead them t' where I
saw it an' hope we don't find it," the young man
pondered.
"Maybe you could make sure they don't," Sully
raised an eyebrow. "Take 'em on a wild goose
chase."
"What?" Brian tilted his head.
"Just take 'em out there, but not t' the exact place
where ya saw the creature," Sully explained. "Once
they get their fill o' wanderin' around for a spell,
they'll lose interest an' come home."
Brian chuckled, "That sounds good. I could do
that."
"Did ya want me t' come with ya?" he offered.
"No, thanks," the young man replied. "You got your
hands full with all the things Mr. Wellington wants
t' do."
"What do ya mean?" Sully wondered.
"I mean he seems t' be takin' over things," Brian
was blunt.
Sully was relieved he was not the only one who felt
that way, "You could be right."
"He might be talkin' Ma int' things she don't really
want," Brian added. "I better be goin'. They're
waitin' for me."
"Be careful, son," Sully patted his shoulder.
19
"I will," he left.
Sully looked around the recovery room with its
wooden walls and floors. There were cracks and
creaks. It was here that Michaela had helped so
many people, and here that she had lost some
patients, as well. Maybe with a new facility, she
could help even more. But....
"Why don't this sit right?" he sighed to himself.
"Are you finished?" Michaela's voice startled him.
"Ah... not yet," he lifted his hammer.
"What did Brian want to discuss with you?" she was
curious. "He said goodbye and that he'd be home
tomorrow."
"He's goin' with some o' the men from town t' look
for the creature," he detailed.
"Sully..." she became concerned.
"Don't worry," he smiled. "Brian's gonna lead 'em
around 'til they get tired o' lookin'."
"Why do they want to find it?" she asked.
"T' capture it an' make it int' a tourist attraction or
somethin'," he glanced out the window and saw
Brian join the group.
She rested her hand on his shoulder, "I suppose I
have to learn to not worry over him so."
"He's a man now, Michaela," he turned back to her.
"It seems like only yesterday, I was rocking him to
sleep," her eyes reddened.
"Things change," he noticed. "Time passes."
"Soon, it will only be the two of us," she thought
about her children growing up.
"We still got Katie an' Josef for a while longer," he
embraced her.
She leaned her head against his chest and closed her
eyes.
"You okay?" he rubbed her back.
"I just thought I could use some holding," she said.
"Any time," he smiled.
************
As Michaela and Sully prepared dinner, there as a
knock at the homestead door. When Sully opened it,
there stood Frank Wellington.
"Good evening, Sully," he removed his hat. "Have I
come at a bad time?"
Before Sully could answer, Michaela greeted him,
"Frank, won't you come in? We're about to have
dinner. Please, join us."
"I'd love to," he stepped into the living room.
"Hello, Mr. Wellin'ton," Katie approached.
"I brought you and your brother something," he
leaned over. "A sketch pad for your drawing."
Josef quickly appeared, "Pwesent?"
"Yes," Frank grinned. "I brought you a whistle."
The little boy took the device in his hand and
examined it.
"You blow into it," Frank pointed.
Josef put it to his mouth, but it emitted no sound.
"Other end," Frank smiled.
Suddenly, the quiet of the home was shattered by
the piercingly shrill sound. Wolf began to whine.
"Perhaps, this wasn't such a good idea for a toy, but
it was all I could find at the Mercantile," Frank
commented.
Josef let forth another burst from the whistle.
20
"Here, Joe," Sully held out his hand. "Let's give that
a rest for a while. If ya blow int' it too much, it
makes folks upset."
"No, Papa," the little boy began to run toward the
steps.
"Josef," Sully's voice was suddenly firm.
The child stopped in his tracks and turned contritely
toward his father.
"Bring me the whistle," Sully beckoned in a serious
tone.
Josef scampered to his father and quickly placed it
in his hand.
"Thank you," Sully lightly patted his son's behind.
"I apologize," Frank was embarrassed. "I'm afraid I
don't have much experience with children."
"What brings ya here?" Sully put the whistle in his
pocket.
"Catalogs," Frank replied. "I brought them for
Michaela to look at. Then I thought we might
discuss details of the new Clinic."
"Thank you," Michaela took the books from his
hands. "Please come in and make yourself
comfortable. Dinner is almost ready.
************
"Good dinner," Jake complimented Brian.
"Thanks," the young man smiled. "It's snake meat."
Suddenly the contents of Jake's mouth sprayed
forth, "Snake?"
"Ain't ya never eaten snake?" Hank chuckled.
"No," the barber wiped his mouth. "An' I don't
intend t' start."
"Did you hear somethin'?" Horace's eyes grew
larger.
"Yea," Jake said. "That's my stomach growlin'
'cause it's empty."
"Stop complaining," Preston rolled his eyes. "What
did you hear, Horace?"
"Listen," the telegraph operator cautioned.
The camp grew still. In the distance, they could hear
coyotes yelping. Then came the sound of trees
crashing. All of the men raised their weapons. In the
light from the full moon, they could see the trees
swaying. Something of tremendous size was
approaching.
************
Chapter 4
************
Brian, Hank, Jake, Loren, Horace and Preston
listened intently as their adrenaline charged every
nerve in their bodies. Suddenly, the crashing sound
they had heard ceased. Then a shrill cry arose,
hushing the yelps of the coyotes.
"Let's get outa here!" Jake shouted.
"Hold it," Hank called. "We came t' find the
creature, an' I ain't leavin'."
"Well, I ain't stayin!" Jake headed for his horse.
************
With supper concluded, Frank spread his drawings
across the dining room table to show Michaela the
meticulous detail he had added to the Clinic
sketches since morning.
"It's quite impressive," she studied them.
Sully sat by the fireplace with the children. Katie
began to draw on her new sketch pad, while Josef,
on his father's lap, attempted unsuccessfully to
withdraw his new whistle from Sully's shirt pocket.
"Pwease, Papa," Josef became frustrated.
"Joe," Sully took the child's hands in his and spoke
low. "A whistle is not t' play with. It's t' warn folks."
21
"Warn?" Josef tilted his head.
Sully stroked his son's head, "T' let folks know
someone's in trouble, ya blow the whistle, an' help
will come."
"Not toy?" the little boy struggled to comprehend.
"Right," Sully kissed his cheek. "Now, ya got lots o'
toys in your box there. Why don't ya play with
them?"
"I hold wizzle?" the child requested.
"Yep," Sully lifted it from his pocket. "But
remember what it's for."
"'Kay," Josef reluctantly slid from his father's lap
with the whistle in his hand.
************
Frank concluded by showing Michaela the last
room, "And this is a lounge for your staff."
"A lounge?" she was uncertain.
"A room to which they can go to rest, consult one
another, even relax with a game of chess, my
personal favorite," he chuckled.
"You play chess?" she smiled.
"Indeed," he grinned. "In college, I won many
tournaments. Do you play?"
"When I have time," she nodded. "With a medical
practice and my two little ones, there's not much of
that."
"Do you have time right now?" he invited.
"I..." she hesitated. "I suppose so."
"Good," his eyes lit up. "I challenge you to a game.
I may even concede a move or two."
Michaela's back stiffened, "I can assure you, I do
not need special treatment."
"I'm only teasing," he laughed.
Michaela went into the living room and began to set
up the chess set.
"Playin' checkers, Mama?" Katie stood up.
"Chess," Michaela replied.
"Can I watch?" the little girl requested.
"Can?" the mother reminded.
"May I watch?" Katie amended.
"What time is it?" Michaela continued her task.
Katie glanced at the mantle clock, "Eight thirty.
Can... may I stay up a little later, please?"
"You heard your Ma, Kates," Sully stood up.
"Come on."
"Okay," her lower lip curled under.
"Frank," Michaela said. "Could you finish setting
up the board while I take my children...."
"I'll do it, Michaela," Sully cut in. "You go ahead
with your game."
"Thank you, Sully," she smiled. Lifting her
daughter, she kissed her forehead, "Good night,
Sweetheart. Don't forget your prayers."
"I won't," she pledged. "'Night, Mr. Wellin'ton."
"Good night," he responded.
"What else do you say?" Michaela whispered.
"Thanks for the drawin' tablet," Katie added.
"You're quite welcome," he acknowledged.
After setting Katie down, Michaela corralled Josef,
"Good night, young man."
He threw his arms around her neck and planted a
wet kiss on her cheek, "'Night, Mama."
22
"Where is the whistle?" Michaela feared a late night
burst.
"Here," he pointed to his pocket. "Papa say 'kay."
"He'll be good with it," Sully lifted the little boy
from his wife's arms.
"I love you, my darlings," Michaela spoke.
Sully escorted the children upstairs, and Michaela
joined Frank for the challenge of chess.
************
Jake quickly saddled, mounted and spurred his
horse, but the animal refused to budge. It's eyes
were wide with fear.
Then as a breeze kicked up, Brian smelled it. The
stench of the big creature was instantly
recognizable.
"It's here," Brian spoke low.
"I don't see anything," Preston nervously toyed with
the trigger of his rifle.
"That smell," Brian identified.
"Smells like somethin' dead, not somethin' alive,"
Horace's voice trembled.
"Keep your guns trained," Hank warned. "Jake, help
me get the net ready."
"You think a net is gonna hold somethin' that big?"
Jake doubted.
************
As Sully descended the stairs, he heard his wife's
voice.
"Checkmate," Michaela spoke with excitement.
"Amazing," Frank shook his head.
"Ya win already?" Sully placed his hand on her
shoulder.
"Yes," she smiled.
"Your wife is an incredible woman, Sully," Frank
stood up.
Sully agreed, "Ya get no argument from me on
that."
"I really should be going now, but I'll leave the
catalogs with you, Michaela," Frank donned his hat.
"Would it be all right if I stop by the Clinic
tomorrow to discuss your order?"
Imperceptibly, Sully sighed.
Michaela nodded, "Late afternoon would be best. I
have another commitment earlier in the day."
"Tomorrow afternoon, it is," he walked to the door.
Sully opened it for him, and after their goodbyes,
Frank departed. Michaela walked to the hearth and
pensively stared into the flames.
"What ya thinkin' about?" Sully went to her.
"Nothing in particular," she felt his hands slip
around her waist.
"What other commitment ya got early t'morrow?"
he spoke low in her ear.
"I have a consultation with another physician who
will be in town," she said.
"Oh," he began to lower the lamps. "Ready for
bed?"
"Let me get the catalogs," she lifted them from the
table.
"I'll carry them for ya," he took them from her
hands. "Plan on lookin' through these t'night?"
"I thought I might, yes," she followed him up the
stairs.
Quietly, they stopped at the nursery to check on
their sleeping children, then resumed their walk
down the hallway to their bedroom. Without
23
speaking, they began to change for bed. Each
perceived that something was on the other's mind,
yet they did not verbalize it.
While Michaela crawled into bed and began to leaf
through the catalogs, Sully added a large log to the
fire and stoked it. Then he joined her.
"How many rooms is the new Clinic gonna have?"
Sully looked over her shoulder.
She answered, "Ten recovery rooms, two surgical
rooms, three offices...."
"That all?" he joked.
"Several storage rooms, a room for the engine to
power the elevator..." she continued.
"An' you're plannin' on stayin' awake until ya pick
out enough for each room?" he was concerned.
She smiled at him, "You don't need to stay up with
me if you're tired."
"'Night then," he kissed her cheek.
"Good night," she stroked his hair. "I love you."
"Love you, too," he rolled onto his side away from
her.
He could hear her turning pages and making notes.
Soon his thoughts drifted, and he fell asleep.
************
"No sign of any creature now," Hank put his hands
on his hips. "Looks like we missed our chance."
"We could track him," Preston concluded.
"Something that big would leave monstrous
footprints. In the full moon, we might be able to
follow."
Loren's voice quaked, "I ain't so sure I wanna
follow it."
"Me either," Horace chimed in.
"I think we should wait 'til mornin'," Jake stated.
"By then, it could be miles away," Preston
countered.
"Then you go ahead an' track it," Jake folded his
arms.
"I'll come with ya," Hank volunteered.
"Be careful," Jake warned.
The two men set off to find the mysterious animal.
************
"Frank?" Michaela opened the homestead door.
"Michaela," he stepped inside. "I came back
because I forgot to leave one of the catalogs with
you."
"It could have waited until tomorrow," she pulled
her robe tighter.
"Is Sully asleep?" he noted his absence.
"Yes," she informed him. "I came down for a cup of
tea. Would you like to join me?"
"I'd love to," he removed his hat. "I'm still smarting
from my chess loss this evening. Where did you
learn to play so well?"
"My father taught me," she pumped water into the
kettle and placed it on the stove.
"Do you play much?" he wondered.
"Sully and I play on occasion," she noted.
"Do you beat him, too?" he grinned.
"Sometimes," she set the cups on the table.
"He's a very lucky man," Frank spoke wistfully.
"And I'm a very lucky woman," she turned it
around. "We've had our share of misfortune, but
because of our love, we came through it."
24
"I've known feelings of misfortune," he glanced
down. "I wish I would have had a woman's love to
help me."
Michaela encouraged, "Love may find you, yet."
"I know one thing," he paused. "If I ever do find the
woman for me, I'll never let her go."
************
Sully rolled over and noticed that Michaela's side of
the bed was vacant. He placed his hand where she
had once lain. The sheets were cold. He pulled
himself up and thought he could discern voices
downstairs. Who could be here at this hour, he
thought. Rising from the bed, he pulled on his
buckskins and headed for the door.
************
"Find anythin'?" Jake caught sight of Preston and
Hank returning.
"Nothing," the banker was disappointed. "The tree
growth was too thick and blocked the moonlight."
"Told ya we oughta wait 'til mornin'," Jake
reminded.
"Got no choice now," Hank sat down and poured a
cup of coffee. "I'll tell ya one thing. I ain't goin'
home without it."
************
"Sully," Michaela heard her husband descend the
steps. "Did we waken you?"
"No," he rubbed his hand across his stubbled face.
"What are you doin' here, Frank?"
"I got all the way to the Chateau and realized I
forgot to give Michaela this catalog," he indicated.
"I knew she would be busy in the morning, so I took
the chance you would still be up and brought it
over."
"I see," Sully eyed him skeptically.
"Would you like some tea, Sully?" Michaela poured
the water.
"No, thanks," he kept his eye on Frank.
The man perceived Sully's glare, "On second
thought, Michaela, I think I'd better leave now.
Thanks again for dinner earlier."
"You're welcome," she wondered why he was
abruptly departing.
"I'll stop by the Clinic in the afternoon," he walked
toward the door.
Sully opened it for him, "Good night, Frank."
He paused to look at the mountain man, then left.
Returning to his wife, Sully placed his hand on her
back, "Comin' up now?"
"Yes," she lifted the catalog in one hand and her tea
in the other.
************
A rooster's crow wakened Sully. He yawned and
rolled over. To his surprise, Michaela was not there.
Rising and dressing, he made his way down the
hallway. The children were still sleeping. He
continued down the steps. There was Michaela,
dressed and pouring over the catalogs.
He spoke, "Still lookin' at those?"
"Yes," she sighed. "And I have an appointment in
an hour."
"Michaela," he came around to face her. "Is this
what ya really want?"
"Of course," she found his question odd. "Why do
you ask?"
He debated whether to speak what was truly on his
mind.
25
"Please tell me what's bothering you," she noted his
expression. "You can tell me anything. You know
that."
He took a deep breath, "I... I think that it's all too
much."
"Too much?" she queried.
"Everythin' Frank is doin'," he revealed his feelings.
"This new Clinic, all the stuff he's buyin' for ya,
an'..."
"And what?" she probed.
"An' I don't like the way he looks at ya," he added.
"How he looks at me?" Michaela's brow wrinkled.
"Like he's lookin' for more than friendship," Sully
said.
"That's ridiculous," she became defensive. "He
merely considers me a friend."
"Michaela," Sully placed his hand atop hers. "I
know what it means when a man looks at a woman
the way he looks at you."
"I believe that you're misinterpreting...." she was cut
off.
"No," his voice rose slightly. "I don't want ya alone
with him anymore."
"What do you mean?" she pulled her hand from
under his.
"I mean just what I said," he met her gaze. "He's
fallin' in love with ya, Michaela."
"That's impossible," she shook her head. "I've done
nothing to encourage such a thing."
He paused, hoping to defuse the growing tension,
"You're a beautiful woman, caring, kind..."
"Sully, I resent your accusation," she interrupted.
"I ain't accusin' you of anythin'," he replied. "A
lonely man might misunderstand your friendly
ways."
"But you believe that I am encouraging some sort of
feelings on his part?" she was horrified.
He knew the argument was going nowhere, "I'm
goin' out t' milk the cow."
"But...." she stopped when the door slammed.
************
"I think we better get more supplies if we're gonna
stay out here lookin' for the creature," Hank
informed the group.
"I believe it would be more advantageous to send a
couple of men back to town, while the rest of us
resume the tracking," Preston contributed.
"Brian an' me can go," Loren replied.
"I can tell Ma I'll be gone for more than a day,"
Brian reasoned.
"We'll keep this as our base camp," Jake stated.
"When ya get back with the provisions, bring 'em
here."
************
"Dr. Bernard," Michaela opened the Clinic door and
greeted the physician. "I appreciate your coming
from Denver."
"I don't mind a bit, Dr. Quinn," he smiled. "Your
daughter and son-in-law send their regards. They
are developing quite a reputation in our capital."
Michaela's heart filled with pride, "I'm glad to hear
that."
The sound of Katie and Josef playing emanated
from behind the anteroom door.
"How are your young ones?" he smiled.
"Active as always," she noted.
26
"What can I do for you?" he removed his hat.
"There are several patients I would like to discuss
with you," she bid him to sit.
"Pregnancy cases?" he assumed.
"Yes," she answered as she opened the top file on
her desk.
Suddenly, she could not contain her tears.
Dr. Bernard was surprised, "Dr. Quinn?"
"I.... I'm sorry," she wiped away the moistness.
"Is there something particularly troubling about this
first patient?" he surmised.
"No..." she stood and went to the window to look
out. "I... I must apologize for asking you here under
these circumstances."
"Why?" he was puzzled. "We often consult on
cases."
"But in this instance, I didn't really ask you here
because of that," she revealed.
"Then why did you invite me?" he tilted his head.
"I wanted you to see me," she came out with it. "I'm
the patient."
************
Chapter 5
************
"You're the patient?" the older physician wondered.
"Have you been ill?"
Michaela folded her hands, "No. But..."
He could tell that she was struggling with
something, "Please, sit down, and tell me what's
wrong."
She returned to her desk and sat, "My husband and I
have been trying to have another baby. Since we
lost the child a year and a half ago, I have been
unable to conceive."
"I see," his tone was sympathetic. "Why don't I
examine you to see if there is any physical reason
for it?"
"I would appreciate it," she acknowledged. "I
realize at my age, another pregnancy might not be
possible."
"And you are aware of the risks," he interjected.
"Another pregnancy would mean that you should
greatly curtail your activities and your medical
practice."
Suddenly, Michaela considered the repercussions of
the new and expanded Clinic. She wanted another
baby more than anything in the world, and yet.... if
it were to happen, all of her professional plans
would be impossible.
"Dr. Quinn?" he noticed her distracted demeanor.
She came back to reality, "Ah, yes. I know the
risks."
"Let's begin your examination," he removed his
coat.
************
Sully looked over his sketch of a new bed for his
son. Two beds would be a tight squeeze in the
nursery. Then he sighed. It might be better to move
Katie into a room of her own. With Matthew no
longer living there, they had the space.
He stood up and walked to the kitchen window.
Glancing out, he spotted the tree they had planted
over the buried memorial box for their lost child.
His heart filled with sadness as he recalled the
terrifying day that Michaela miscarried the baby.
After their ordeal, his wife had not wanted to think
about more children. But since Katie's kidnapping
and Josef's trauma this year, they had contemplated
another baby more earnestly.
He folded his arms. She would not want another
child now, not with a new Clinic. He knew that
Michaela would throw herself so totally into the
27
project, she would never have time. She would
barely find moments for the children or him, once....
He crumpled the sketch up and tossed it aside.
************
"Well?" Michaela sat up.
Dr. Bernard told her, "Everything appears to be
quite normal."
"That is good news," she was relieved. "But it
doesn't provide a physical explanation for my
failure to become pregnant again."
"I'm sure you are aware that there may be other
factors preventing it, besides your age," he advised.
"Tell me about your monthly cycle."
"It has always been irregular," she sighed.
"How often are you and your husband intimate?" he
inquired.
She blushed slightly, "When he's home, rather
often, but sometimes he is away for a week or two
at a time."
"Healthy body, healthy relations with your
husband," he paused. "You went through quite a
trauma this year when your daughter was
kidnapped. That could be a factor. Perhaps a
reduction in your workload here at the Clinic would
help. Avoid stress. Spend more time with Mr.
Sully."
"I see," she considered. "I'll take that under
consideration. I appreciate your coming here,
Doctor."
"What about those other patients?" he turned his
attention to the folders on her desk.
************
Sully swung the ax to split a log. His mind
wandered to Michaela again. Then a thought
occurred to him. He was being selfish.... thinking
only of what he wanted and not what Michaela
might need. She had been so happy about the idea
of expanding the Clinic. And he put a damper on it.
Maybe he was reading too much into the attention
Frank Wellington was paying to her. He knew
Michaela would never consciously encourage such
feelings. It was foolish of him to concern her with
his unfounded suspicions.
"Selfish and foolish," he became frustrated with
himself as he split another log with a hack of the ax.
************
Michaela sat at her desk. The children had gone to
the Cafe. They loved visiting with their godmother,
who pampered their appetites and permitted them to
help with her cooking.
Glancing toward the clock, she knew that Frank
Wellington would soon arrive. The dilemma she
now faced filled her mind. How to divide her time.
Since her marriage and birth of her children, she
had somehow managed to achieve a balance
between the needs of her family and her career.
But now, the balance no longer seemed possible. In
the euphoria of contemplating a new Clinic, it had
not occurred to her how it would affect her family.
She had permitted Frank's take-charge attitude and
the lure of a new Clinic to obscure her
responsibilities to her husband and children.
Sliding her hands down to her abdomen, she sighed.
She wanted both another baby and a facility in
which she could treat patients much more
effectively, but it appeared that having one would
be at the expense of the other.
Then it occurred to her, "I'm being selfish....
thinking about what I want and not what Sully
wants.... And foolish. I'm foolish to think that I
could have it all and selfish to even want it."
Suddenly, she longed to be in her husband's arms....
seeking his counsel.... receiving his strength and
encouragement. She regretted their argument from
this morning. But it was completely unfounded.
How could Sully think that Frank Wellington was
interested in her? She had given him absolutely
no....
A knock at the door brought her thoughts to a halt.
28
"Michaela," Frank's eyes lit up when she opened the
door. "Are you free now?"
"Yes," she stepped back to invite him in.
"Do you have all of the Clinic orders ready?" he
queried.
"I... I wrote down what I think I'll need," she sat at
her desk.
"Is there a problem?" he picked up on her
hesitation.
She deliberated on how to tell him, "Frank, I
appreciate all that you have offered."
"I told you why I'm doing it," he related. "To thank
you. You're not having second thoughts, are you?"
"I... I believe I need more time to think about all of
this," she came out with it. "It's so overwhelming in
its scope, and it will have a tremendous impact on
my family."
His eyes softened, "I understand. I guess I'm just so
accustomed to working with deadlines and being
assertive in my company, I forgot that this is not
business. It will greatly impact your life."
"Thank you for understanding," she smiled.
"Of course," he nodded. "There is no need for
urgency, particularly since I've initiated some steps
to relocate here."
"You're moving to Colorado Springs?" she was
surprised. "What about your business?"
"I have people to run it for me," he indicated. "I
don't have to be in Chicago all of the time."
Michaela had a passing thought that Sully's
suspicions might be true, but she quickly dismissed
it, "Why would you want to move here, Frank?"
"I am impressed with the climate, the unspoiled
wilderness, and... the friendly people," he
responded.
Their conversation was interrupted by a loud knock
at the door.
"Come in," Michaela beckoned.
"Ma!" Brian rushed into her office. "Oh, hi, Mr.
Wellington."
"Hello, Brian," he grinned. "You look as if you've
seen a ghost."
"Somethin' just as scary," the young man stated.
"We had an encounter with the creature out there
last night."
"I thought Sully said you were going to avoid it,"
Michaela stood.
"I was," he was still out of breath. "But we came
across it anyway. Loren an' me came back for
supplies. Now they wanna stay out there 'til they
catch it."
"Brian," Michaela cast a disapproving glance. "I
don't want you..."
He interjected, "I'll be all right, Ma. An' I'm not
alone this time."
"I'm aware of that, but I'd feel much better if you
did not do this," she added.
"Don't worry," he kissed her cheek. "Don't know
when I'll be home, but I'll fill ya in on everythin'
when I get back."
"Be careful," she called after him as he left the
Clinic.
Her shoulders slumped. Frank stood up and went to
her.
Placing his hand on her arm, he counseled, "He'll be
fine, Michaela. You've raised him to be an
independent man."
She sighed and returned to her desk, "Sully taught
him that. I'm afraid if I had my way, he'd never
leave home."
29
Frank chuckled, "Spoken like a caring mother. I
must leave now. I have a meeting about purchasing
some land. I hope to build a home here."
"I see," she said.
"When you have decided what you want, you'll let
me know?" he walked to the door.
"Yes," she agreed.
************
At dinner that evening, Michaela and Sully made
small talk while Katie prattled on about Miss Grace
and the Cafe.
"Sully," Michaela's tone turned serious. "I'm
concerned about Brian. He's out there with those
men looking for... that thing. I believe it's entirely
too dangerous."
"We can't tell him what t' do anymore, Michaela,"
he reminded. "All we can do is hope that we raised
him t' make wise choices on his own."
"Well, I don't believe this is wise," she amended.
"He'll be okay," he attempted to allay her fears.
"Hank knows enough t' keep him safe."
She became silent. Sully assumed she was still
upset with him from this morning.
"How'd your appointment go?" he opened the topic.
She hedged giving a direct answer, "Fine."
"Anythin' interestin'?" he probed further.
"Joey an' me made meatloaf," Katie contributed.
"Joey and I," Michaela smiled.
"No, Mama," Katie shook her head. "It was when
we were at Miss Grace's. You weren't there."
Sighing in frustration, Michaela dropped the
attempt to correct her daughter's grammar.
"Josef," she noted that he was not eating. "Aren't
you hungry, Sweetheart?"
"Not feel good, Mama," he seemed listless.
She reached to feel his forehead, "He's a little
warm."
Lifting him into her arms, she kissed his cheek.
"Did ya talk t' Mrs. Wagner about the bad words
Billy uses, Mama?" Katie asked.
"No, I'm afraid I haven't had time," she carried Josef
to the rocking chair.
Tenderly, she held her son and began the back and
forth motion that had so often comforted her
children.
"Come on, Kates," Sully stood. "Let's clean up."
"I like helpin' ya, Poppy," she was eager.
"An' I like havin' ya," he grinned.
************
"Josef okay?" Sully looked up from the wing back
chair when Michaela descended the steps.
"I believe it's a slight cold," she ascertained.
"Poor fella," he sympathized.
Michaela sat in the chair opposite him and folded
her hands. She wanted to tell her husband all that
had happened today, and yet, for reasons she did not
understand herself, she hesitated doing so.
Sully assumed their morning argument was on her
mind, "Michaela...."
"What?" she turned her attention to him.
"About this mornin'," he broached the subject. "I
didn't mean t' upset ya about the new Clinic. If it's
what ya truly want, it ain't my right t' discourage
ya."
30
She closed her eyes, her heart filling with love for
this man who always put her needs and wants first.
A tear trickled down her cheek.
Sully saw it and quickly knelt at her feet, "Please,
don't cry."
She brought her hand to his face, "I love you,
Sully."
"I love you, too," he pulled her hand to his heart.
"An' I'd do anythin' t' make ya happy."
"You do make me happy," she brushed back a lock
of his hair.
"Then what's on your mind?" he wondered.
"I spoke with Frank this afternoon," she informed
him. "I told him that I need more time to think
about expanding the Clinic."
"But ya stayed up most o' the night lookin' at them
catalogs," he was puzzled. "I thought ya wanted him
t' move on things right away."
"I was not considering all of the ramifications," she
told him.
"What ramifications?" he wanted clarification.
"You," she smiled. "The children."
"We'll be behind ya whatever ya wanna do," he
spoke sincerely.
"I can't tell you how grateful I am to you, Sully,"
her eyes filled with moisture.
"How'd Frank take the news?" he questioned.
"He is moving to Colorado Springs," she divulged.
"Movin' here?" Sully was stunned. "Leavin' his
business?"
Suddenly, he filled with anxiety. With Wellington
living here, offering his support and money to
Michaela, where might it lead?
Sensing his mood, she pulled his hand into her lap,
"There's something else I need to discuss with you,
Sully."
************
"We found footprints," Jake's eyes were wide as he
described the day to Loren and Brian. "Human like
an' barefoot, this big," he held his hands 18 inches
apart.
"There's lots o' elk around here," Hank observed. "I
figure that's what it eats. We found a couple o'
carcasses."
"I don't much like goin' after a meat eater," Horace
voiced his fear.
"It's time we get some shuteye," Jake ordered.
"Hank, you an' Preston keep watch."
"I don't think I'll get any sleep," Horace stretched
out.
"I'll make that little tap, tap, tap sound like your
telegraph for ya," Hank quipped. "It'll put ya right
out."
"No, thanks," Horace did not appreciate his humor.
Suddenly, a loud noise echoed across the terrain.
The sound resembled the call of a man rising from a
low pitch to a higher pitch before ending,
"Uuuuhhhhaaaa - Uuuuhhhhaaaa!"
"What the hell..." Hank cocked his rifle.
The horses became restless and reared up on their
hind legs in fear.
The terrifying sound echoed again, "Ahhhh -
uuuhhhh" -- a diminutive, rhythmic, and almost
conversational form of the vocalization they heard
earlier. This call was repeated several times and was
followed by a pair of low, sharp clicks as if two
hard objects or rocks were being struck together.
The men in camp were paralyzed with fear.
31
"What should we do?" Loren held onto Brian's arm.
"Nothin' right now," Hank advised.
"Keep your guns ready," Jake added. "Sounds like
he's mad."
"Sounds like he's hungry," Horace interpreted.
"It just occurred to me how we can catch it,"
Preston revealed.
"You still wanna catch that thing?" Horace doubted.
"Think of how many people would pay to hear that
melodious tone," the banker grinned.
************
"What else did ya wanna discuss with me,
Michaela?" Sully wondered.
She paused, reflecting on her thoughts from earlier
in the day. He squeezed her hand for support.
"It's about something we've wanted for some time,"
she began.
"Mama!" Josef's little voice called from above.
Instinctively, Michaela rose and headed for the
steps. Sully quickly followed.
************
Chapter 6
************
Josef was standing, clutching the railing of his crib
when Michaela reached the nursery. Standing
beside him was Katie.
"He woke up, cryin', Mama," the little girl said as
Sully arrived.
Michaela lifted her feverish son into her arms, "It's
all right, Sweetheart. We're here."
"Ya gonna give him Willow Bark tea?" Katie
speculated.
"A little bit," Michaela replied.
"Come on, Kates," Sully placed his hand on his
daughter's back. "We'll heat the water, while your
Ma tends t' Josef."
"Papa," Josef reached his hand toward his father.
Sully paused and went to him. Embracing both his
wife and son, he kissed Josef's head.
"We're gonna make ya feel better, Joe," he smiled.
"Be right back."
Michaela sat down in the rocking chair with the
little boy, as Sully and Katie departed.
"Can you tell me where you hurt?" Michaela
encouraged.
"Here," he pointed to his stomach.
"Your tummy?" she rubbed it.
Josef turned his head against his mother's bosom
and nodded.
"I'll give you some medicine to make it better," she
rubbed his back.
"I love ya, Mama," his voice melted her heart.
"I love you, too, my darling," she hugged him.
"You're going to be fine."
As Michaela rocked her son, she thought back to the
many traumas the little boy had suffered. Even
before he was born, her pregnancy was endangered
by the madman who tried to poison her in
Washington. Then there was the tracheotomy when
he developed chicken pox, his coma after the fall
from a cliff, and more recently, the turmoil he
experienced when he was separated from his
parents as they searched for Katie.
Cradling him in her arms, she began to softly hum
to her precious son. She tilted his face up to look at
him more closely. His beautiful blue eyes were the
image of Sully's. With his playful manner and a
smile that charmed everyone, he was the delight of
his family.
32
"You've been through so much," she spoke low. "I
wish I could protect you from ever being hurt or
sick again, Josef."
He turned up the corner of his mouth in a smile.
************
"Poppy," Katie sat at the table. "Is Joey gonna be
okay?"
"Sure he is," he nodded. "He's just got a cold."
"I don't like it when he's sick," she leaned on her
elbows.
"You love your little brother a lot, don't ya, Kates,"
he grinned.
"Uh huh," she agreed. "He makes me laugh."
"He's got a way about him," Sully concurred.
"I don't know what he's gonna do when I start t'
school," the little girl pondered.
"What do ya mean?" he asked.
"Well," she sounded so grown up. "He'll be
lonesome. Joey don't like bein' by himself."
"Don't worry, Kates," he advised. "We'll see that he
doesn't get lonely."
************
"What's your plan for catchin' this thing?" Jake
looked at Preston skeptically.
"We bait him," the banker stated matter-of-factly.
"Usin' what?" Horace gulped.
"We kill an elk and put the body on the ground in
the middle of our net," Preston described. "When
the creature comes in range, we snare him."
"Seems simple enough," Jake nodded.
"First light, then," Hank tilted back his hat. "We kill
ourselves an elk."
Brian watched the men intently as they finalized
their plans. His heart grew heavy that the idea of
leading them on a wild goose chase did not work. It
was too late now. They had heard the creature.
Smelled it, too. What would Sully do if he were in
this situation? What would he advise?
************
With Katie following closely, Sully carried the tea
into the nursery. Michaela indicated that their son
was asleep in her lap. Setting the cup on the
nightstand, he lifted Katie and placed her in bed. He
kissed her forehead and stroked her hair. Then he
turned to his wife and son.
"I'm going to sleep in here tonight," Michaela
whispered. "He may waken again during the night."
"I sure will miss ya," Sully spoke low.
Michaela beckoned him to lean closer, then kissed
him tenderly.
"Good night," she let her palm linger at his cheek.
"'Night," he moved closer for another, deeper kiss.
Finally, they pulled apart, breathlessly.
"I guess what you were gonna tell me can wait 'til
mornin'," he recalled.
"Yes," she leaned her head against Josef's. "It can
wait."
************
As dawn broke across the landscape of the Rockies,
Jake focused on an approaching figure on
horseback.
"Wake up!" he called to the men.
Horace grabbed his rifle, "What is it?"
"Someone's comin'," he pointed.
33
"It's Cloud Dancin'," Brian recognized.
"What the hell's he doin' here?" Hank wondered.
************
Sully yawned and instinctively reached for his wife.
The empty space beside him in bed reminded him
of last night. Pulling on his clothing, he went to
check on his son.
Katie and Michaela were still sleeping in the little
girl's bed, but Josef was wide awake, playing
quietly in his crib with one of his stuffed animals.
"Papa," the little boy whispered.
"How ya feelin'?" Sully lifted him.
"Good," he smiled.
Sully felt his forehead. The fever was gone. The
recuperative powers of children never failed to
amaze him.
"Ya hungry?" he kissed Josef's cheek.
"Yep," the child nodded.
"Let's go fix breakfast then," Sully grinned. "The
girls will be up soon."
"They cute," Josef pointed.
Sully chuckled softly, "They sure are."
************
"What are you doin' here?" Jake asked the
Cheyenne Medicine man.
"I could ask you the same," Cloud Dancing
responded.
"We're lookin' for a giant creature that roams these
parts," Horace stated.
Cloud Dancing wondered, "Chiye-tanka?"
"Huh?" Jake folded his arms.
"The Big Man," Brian translated. "Pa told me about
the legend."
"We already come close t' seein' him a couple o'
times," Loren said. "Close enough t' smell him."
"You will not see him unless he wants you to see
him," the medicine man declared. "Do not
underestimate his powers."
"Did you ever see him, Cloud Dancin'?" Brian
asked.
"I have heard him," he noted. "I was bow hunting
many seasons ago with my son. A horrible gravelly
scream or yell of almost unbelievable volume came
from just inside the forest at about 150 to 200 yards
distance."
"That's like the scream we heard last night," Brian's
eyes widened.
Cloud Dancing continued, "I am familiar with all
manner of big game, and the sound was definitely
not an elk or bear. I noticed that a light breeze was
blowing from us toward the source of the sound. If
the creature had a good sense of smell, it was
probably smelling us. Bow hunting experience has
taught me that an elk would smell us under the same
conditions. The sound had a threatening essence to
it, louder than a man could possibly make.
Whatever made the two tone scream must have one
big set of lungs and a very large mouth."
"Did you see his footprints?" Preston was curious.
"At the time, I thought so," the medicine man
related. "I found some very old large tracks in soft
dirt on a flat area They were about 16 inches by 8
inches in size but too old to discern any toes or
other detail."
"Do you know anyone who actually saw the
creature?" Preston pursued.
"The elders told of his appearance," Cloud Dancing
remembered. "Black and furry, standing erect like a
man."
"Could you stay with us, Cloud Dancing?" Brian
requested.
34
"I will stay with my brother's son," he placed his
hand on the young man's shoulder.
************
"Not goin' int' the Clinic t'day?" Sully noticed his
wife, still in her robe, sitting by the living room
fireplace in the late morning.
"No, I was up rather late with Josef," she replied.
"Did you check on him?"
He glanced up, "Yep. He's playin' in the nursery
with Katie. That reminds me, I wanted t' talk with
ya about Josef's crib."
"Were you thinking of making him a new bed?" she
assumed.
"Not much room in the nursery for another bed," he
pointed out. "I was thinkin' that maybe we oughta
put Katie in Matthew's old room. There'd be more
room in the nursery for Josef."
"I suppose that would work," she did not seem
focused on his words.
"But then Katie told me somethin' that got me
thinkin'," he added.
"What?" she wondered.
"She said Josef don't like t' be alone," he said. "I
know he still has dreams sometimes, an'... well, I
guess we oughta keep the kids in the same room for
a little while longer."
"If you think that's best," she nodded absently.
Sully walked to the stool at her feet and sat down,
"You not feelin' good?"
"Just tired," she sighed.
"Why don't ya go back t' bed then?" he
recommended. "I'll try t' keep the kids quiet."
Michaela stared at him intently, "Sully, there's
something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Sure," he hoped she would talk about what was
troubling her.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the front door.
He took a deep breath, "Looks like there's always
somethin' t' interrupt us."
************
Brian and Cloud Dancing stayed at camp when the
others set out in search of an elk to use as bait for
capturing the great creature. The young man was
relieved to have his father's best friend there.
"You wish to tell me something," the medicine man
perceived.
"I don't want 'em t' catch this animal," Brian told
him. "They wanna put it in a cage an' sell tickets for
folks t' look at."
"I assumed there would be money in their scheme,"
Cloud Dancing nodded.
"I wanted t' lead 'em on a wild goose chase 'til they
got tired an' wanted t' go home," Brian folded his
arms.
"But instead, you came across Chiye-tanka," he
completed his thought.
"Nothin's gonna stop 'em now 'til they catch it,"
Brian became frustrated.
"Unless, when they catch him, he is not what they
thought," the medicine man smiled.
"What do ya mean?" Brian lifted his head.
"I have an idea, but I need your help," Cloud
Dancing requested.
************
"Frank?" Sully opened the front door.
"Hello, Sully," Wellington smiled. "I noticed that
Michaela was not at the Clinic this morning and
thought perhaps something was wrong."
35
Sully did not invite him in, "She was up late last
night with our boy. She's just tired, is all."
"Would you please give her my regards?" Frank
asked.
"Sure," Sully answered.
Wellington departed. Michaela had heard the
exchange from her seat in the living room. When
Sully approached her, he gently touched her
shoulder.
"Frank sends his regards," he hid the disdain he felt.
"That was nice of him," she commented.
"Now, before one o' the children needs ya or there's
a knock at the door again, ya wanna tell me what it
is ya been tryin' t' tell me?" he returned to the stool.
She looked him in the eye, "I... feel as if I've come
to a fork in the road."
"Funny," he smiled. "The other day, I told Brian
that life has a way o' puttin' those in front o' us."
"I don't know what to do, which way to go" she
hedged. "I'm torn."
He extended his hand, and she clasped it.
"Is it one o' those dilemmas where your heart tells
ya one thing, an' your head tells ya another?" Sully
queried.
"Not exactly," she shook her head. "It's one in
which my heart is involved no matter which path I
take."
"Maybe ya oughta stop an' sit a spell then," he
spoke softly.
"I am sitting," she took his statement literally.
He smiled, "I mean, don't take either road yet. Just
wait a while until ya work things through."
"But by waiting, opportunity could be lost," she
added.
"I'm assumin' your dilemma has somethin' t' do with
me since ya said yesterday it was about somethin'
we both want," he became more specific. "What is
it we both want?"
She peered into his eyes, and spoke almost in a
whisper, "Another child."
He stroked her abdomen, "Anythin' happen yet?"
"No," she rested her hand on his. "That was the
reason for my morning appointment yesterday. Dr.
Bernard was in town."
His forehead creased, "You okay?"
"Yes," she replied. "I'm fine, but I haven't conceived
yet."
"I don't want ya worryin' about that, Michaela," he
captured her heart with his eyes. "If it happens, it'll
be wonderful, but...."
"But you're going to tell me that you won't be
disappointed if we have no more children," she
interrupted. "An' I know otherwise."
"Ya shouldn't go tryin' t' read my mind," he grinned.
"It's a dangerous thing."
"I want for us to have another baby, Sully," her
voice choked slightly. "But my time is running out.
If you had married a younger woman...."
"Michaela," he was firm. "Don't say that. You're
who I wanted t' marry. You know that."
She raised his hand to her cheek. He softly caressed
it.
"If that's one o' the roads in the fork that's worryin'
ya, what's the other?" he probed.
"The new Clinic," she was relieved to finally
express her feelings to him.
"I see," he swallowed hard.
36
She toyed with the hair above his ear, "If I
concentrate on one possibility, I may lose the
opportunity for the other."
"I know the Clinic means an awful lot t' ya," he
linked his fingers in hers.
"But not more than our family," she qualified. "It's
just that Dr. Bernard advised if I hope to conceive, I
should avoid stress... work fewer hours... spend
more time with you."
"I like how he thinks," there was a gleam in Sully's
eye. "But that would mean no new Clinic."
"Right," she sat back.
He rubbed her leg, "This is somethin' ya gotta
decide for yourself, Michaela."
"I already know what you think I should do," she
noted.
"It's your body," he counseled. "An' it's your time.
Ya gotta think about what you're capable of doin'
an' what ya want in the end."
"Thank you for giving me the freedom to choose,"
she smiled.
He winked, "I learned a long time ago that Michaela
Quinn's a pretty powerful force t' reckon with.
Whatever ya decide, I'll support ya, an' I'll take that
road with ya."
************
Katie found her father sitting on the front porch
swing, "What ya doin', Poppy?"
"I was just thinkin' that I need another person on
this swing with me," he hoisted her into his lap and
kissed her cheek.
"Good thing I found ya, then," she giggled.
"You sure look beautiful t'day," he touched one of
her curls.
"Thanks," she glanced down shyly with an
expression that immediately reminded him of
Michaela. "Could ya answer a question for me?"
"I'll try," he determined.
"I'm havin' trouble decidin' what I wanna be when I
grow up," she sounded serious. "What do you
think?"
He grinned, "Kates, you're only six years old.
Seems like you're always in a hurry t' grow up."
"But I gotta think about it, Poppy," she folded her
hands on her lap. "I'm not gettin' any younger. What
did you wanna be when ya grew up?"
"I wanted t' be a longshoreman," he responded.
"What's that?" her eyes grew wide.
"It's someone who loads an' unloads cargo on
ships," Sully informed her.
"That's all?" she contemplated it.
"Yep," he nodded.
"We don't got any ships around here," she thought
about it. "But they do in Boston."
"When I was your age, I lived in New York City,"
he explained. "Do ya remember when we took ya
there on the grand tour?"
"Not a lot," she thought about it.
"It's a port city like Boston with lots o' ships comin'
an' goin'," he detailed.
"You must be sad," she leaned against his shoulder.
"Why would ya think that?" he stroked her hair.
"'Cause ya didn't get t' be a long short man when ya
grew up," she glanced up at him.
"Don't bother me at all," he kissed the top of her
head. "I got the best job in the world now."
37
"Ya do?" she was amazed.
"Yep," he tickled her side, "Bein' your Pa."
"That's not a job, Poppy!" she declared.
"It sure is," he made a face.
"I think bein' Joey's Pa must be your hardest job
then," she placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Well, you help me a lot," he expressed.
"I do?" she tilted her head. "How?"
"By bein' such a good example for your brother t'
follow," he hugged her. "But I want ya t' do
somethin' for me."
"What?" she raised her eyebrows.
He advised, "Don't worry too much right now about
what ya wanna do when ya grow up. Sometimes the
best things come along an' make ya forget what ya
planned when ya were little."
************
"Where's Cloud Dancin'?" Jake asked when the men
returned with the elk they had shot.
"He had t' leave," Brian was evasive.
"Come on, an' help us get this trap set," Jake
requested.
All afternoon, the men labored to prepare the net
and bait for the creature. Knowing that it would
most likely come at night, they wanted to be ready
by sunset.
When all was in readiness, they began their vigil.
Time passed with neither a sound nor a sighting.
************
Sully pulled his wife into his arms when she
climbed into bed beside him. As he stroked her hair
and kissed her forehead, he felt her muscles relax.
"I got an idea, Michaela," he whispered.
"What?" she glanced up.
"I think ya oughta get away by yourself for a day or
two," he advised. "Go somewhere t' think about
things without any distractions."
"Sully," she discounted his suggestion. "I can't do
that. I have too many things to do."
"I know ya got responsibilities here an' at the Clinic,
but nothin' that can't wait," he persisted. "You're not
gonna be happy 'til ya sort out your feelings, an' it's
hard t' do with us around."
"But I don't want to be away from the children or
you," she responded.
"Think about it," he encouraged.
Stroking his chest, she made lazy circles on his hair
with her finger. He felt his pulse quicken, but he
held back. She lifted up to kiss him. Again he
fought his feelings.
"Mr. Sully," her voice was tantalizing. "Are you
tired?"
He pulled back slightly, "Michaela..."
"Mmm?" she continued her enticing touches.
"I don't think this is such a good idea right now," he
felt his body temperature rise.
"Why not?" she plied kisses to his neck.
"It might make things harder for ya t' decide," he
swallowed hard.
"Sully," she uttered close to his ear. "I need you."
"I... I need you, too," his senses were filling with
longing for her. "But I don't wanna complicate
things."
"How could sharing our love complicate things?"
she fit her body snugly against his.
38
He was finding it more difficult to resist her
overtures, "'Cause we oughta not risk makin' a baby
until ya can think things through."
She stopped, "I.... I didn't consider that. I simply
wanted us to be together."
"I want that, too," he traced her jaw with his finger.
"But only when your path is certain."
"If I were to get away for a while, where should I
go?" she began to reconsider.
"How 'bout the old shack at the eastern edge of our
property?" he suggested. "It's not too far. It'll give
ya privacy, but you'd be close by if we need ya or
you need us."
"I suppose that would do," she pondered.
"I truly believe this will be good for ya, Michaela,"
he urged.
************
A monstrous scream shattered the quiet of camp.
The men bolted up from their bedrolls. Each one
grabbed his rifle and rushed to the net to wait for
the creature to take the bait.
************
Chapter 7
************
"Look!" Jake shouted. "Over there!"
The men trained their guns on the movement of
some bushes. The scream came again.
"It's comin' for the elk," Loren pointed.
"Sounds more like it's comin' for us!" Horace
trembled.
By the light of the moon, they made out a creature
slowly nearing the trap. When it stepped toward the
net, they swiftly raised the ropes and captured it.
"We caught it!" Jake yelled.
Carefully, the men approached the creature caught
in their net. It made no movement. Within a few
yards, they were stunned when the creature pealed
back its black fur. It was Cloud Dancing.
"What the hell are you doin' in there?" Hank
lowered his weapon.
The medicine man spoke, "If you lower me, I will
tell you."
"What's this?" Brian lifted a large gourd. "Looks
like it's been hollowed out."
"That is part of the ritual," Cloud Dancing dusted
himself off as he was released.
"What ritual?" Preston put his hands on his hips.
"The ritual... of the... uh, Bear Hunt," Cloud
Dancing came up with an answer.
"Never heard o' it," Jake was skeptical. "Must be
some kind o' Injun Mumbo Jumbo."
"No, the Ritual of the Mumbo Jumbo is entirely
different," Cloud Dancing maintained a deadpan
expression.
"Why ya all dressed up like that?" Loren demanded.
"I did not want to reveal to you my true reason for
being here, but it is to perform a sacred ceremony to
help in the hunt for bear," Cloud Dancing said.
"What do ya do in this ceremony?" Hank queried.
"I wear the skin of the bear, asking his spirit for
forgiveness," the medicine man stated. "And I chant
the sacred words."
"That was you screamin'?" Jake wondered.
"Using this?" Brian held up the gourd.
"Yes," the Cheyenne nodded. "I thought I could
frighten you into leaving, but now you have caught
me."
39
"Cloud Dancin' must be who we heard before, too,"
Brian contributed.
"That don't explain the smell," Hank countered.
The Cheyenne pulled a pouch from his garb.
Opening it, he held it before the men.
"Is this the smell of which you speak?" he knew
how they would react.
All of them stepped back at the repugnant odor
which came from the pouch.
"That's it all right," Jake held his nose. "What's that
for?"
"The bear find this odor to be attractive," Cloud
Dancing replied. "The scent of a mate."
"No accountin' for taste," Horace frowned.
"It still don't explain the footprints we saw," Hank
persisted.
"They were most likely bear tracks distorted and
enlarged by rains and time," the medicine man
offered.
"Why did you tell us those stories about Chiye-
tanka?" Preston searched for an explanation.
"I told you the bear hunt ceremony is sacred,"
Cloud Dancing sounded serious. "I hoped to
frighten you off if you thought this... monster was
real."
"So, we've been out here wastin' our time," Jake
concluded.
"Not t' mention scarin' ourselves t' death," Horace
clutched his shirt.
"I am sorry," Cloud Dancing apologized.
"Let's get some sleep," Jake rolled his eyes. "We're
headin' home t'morrow."
As the men returned to their bedrolls at the
campsite, Cloud Dancing lingered with Brian.
"Thanks," the young man smiled.
"They are gullible, these white men," the medicine
man grinned.
"And greedy," Brian acknowledged.
"I must go now," Cloud Dancing patted his back.
"But before I depart, I leave you this. You are to
give it to your mother."
"What is it?" Brian accepted the packet.
"It is medicine," he described. "Squawvine, cramp
bark, motherwort, and raspberry."
"For one o' her patients?" Brian was curious.
"No," Cloud Dancing smiled. "It is for her own use.
Tell her it will help with her decision. Goodbye, my
friend."
"Goodbye," Brian embraced him. "Thanks again."
************
Michaela sat at the breakfast table with her children.
Sully had gone out to the barn to tend to the
animals.
"Katie, Josef," she folded her hands. "There's
something I want to tell you."
"I better, Mama," Josef clapped his little hands.
"I know that, Sweetheart," she smiled. "What I
wanted to tell you is that I'm going away for a day
or two."
"Where ya goin'?" Katie felt a twinge of anxiety.
"Not very far," she took her daughter's hand. "I'm
going to stay in the old cabin down by the stream."
"Why?" the little girl was curious. "Are ya goin'
fishin'?"
"No," Michaela assured her. "I just need to go off
by myself for a little while. But if you need me, I
can be here quickly."
40
"I don't understand, Mama," Katie's voice quivered.
"Don't ya wanna be with us?"
"Of course I do. I love being with you," Michaela
leaned forward to kiss her. "Do you know how
sometimes you like to go to your room by yourself
to draw, with no distractions?"
"But I know you an' Poppy are still close," she
argued.
Michaela took a deep breath and sighed, "And I'll
be close, as well."
Sully entered with a pitcher of fresh milk.
"Poppy," Katie rushed to him. "Mama's goin'
away."
He lifted her into his arms, "It'll be good for your
Ma."
"It will?" she struggled to understand.
"Yep," he nodded. "I know when I go away, I
always look forward t' comin' home, 'cause o' how
much I missed ya."
"Is this t' make Mama love us more?" the child
reasoned.
"I already love you more than anything in the
world, Katie," Michaela was beginning to have
second thoughts.
Sully spoke low in his daughter's ear, "Kates, while
your Ma's gone, I was sorta hopin' you'd help take
care o' me."
"Ya did?" she whispered back.
"Yep," he smiled. "With your Ma gone, I'd be real
lonesome without ya."
"Okay," she acquiesced.
Josef had been very quiet through this exchange,
not fully comprehending what was happening.
"Are you all right, Joe?" Sully noticed.
"I go with Mama," he blurted out.
"Joey, ya can't go with Mama if she has t' be by
herself," Katie informed her brother.
"I have an idea," Michaela suggested. "Why don't
you come with me to the cabin and see that I'm
settled in? Then Papa can bring you home."
"That sounds good," Sully grinned.
"I'll help ya pack," Katie offered.
"That would be wonderful," Michaela agreed.
"Mama," Josef reached for her.
Michaela felt a tear as she enfolded her son in her
arms, "Shhh, everything will be fine. We'll go to the
Clinic this morning, and then you can help me
prepare for my stay in the cabin."
************
The dejected search party arrived back in town by
midday. Brian went straight to the Clinic to see his
mother.
She embraced him, "Are you all right? Did you find
the creature?"
"I'm okay," he nodded. "Just tired an' dirty. Cloud
Dancin' met up with us out there. He helped me
trick the men int' thinkin' he was the creature they
were lookin' for, so they finally gave up."
"Trick them?" she wondered.
"We set a trap t' catch it, an' Cloud Dancin' stepped
int' it," he chuckled. "T' tell ya the truth, Ma, there
really is somethin' out there, but at least now, they
won't be lookin' for it."
"Well, that's somewhat of a relief then," she rubbed
his arm. "It's good to have you home."
"How are Pa an' the kids?" he looked around.
41
"The children are napping in the anteroom," she
gestured. "Sully is preparing the old shack by the
stream."
"Why?" he inquired.
"I'm going to spend a little time to myself there,"
she was vague. "It's much easier than climbing
Pikes Peak."
"You an' Pa gettin' along okay?" he questioned.
"Yes," she sat down at her desk. "I merely want to
ponder all of the things that have been weighing
heavily on me."
"Oh, before I forget," he reached into his pocket.
"Cloud Dancin' told me t' give this to ya. Said it's
squawvine, cramp bark, motherwort, and
raspberry."
Michaela accepted the pouch and smiled in
recollection. The Cheyenne medicine man had
given these to her once before, when she hoped to
conceive her first child.
"He said it would help ya decide somethin'," the
young man added.
"Thank you," she set aside some of the herbs to give
to Grace.
Then she placed the remainder in her medical bag.
"Could you watch the children for a few minutes?"
she requested. "I need to see Grace."
"Sure," he kissed her. "It's good 't be home, Ma."
************
Grace poured coffee for the men who had returned
from their great adventure. Dorothy listened intently
as they relayed all that they had seen and heard.
When they revealed that it was all staged by Cloud
Dancing, she was skeptical, but said nothing of her
suspicions to them.
"Serves ya right," Grace stated.
"What makes ya say that?" Horace queried.
"Serves ya right that you were duped, since that's
what ya planned on doin' t' unsuspecting folks
around here," the cafe owner retorted.
"We weren't gonna dupe anyone," Loren defended.
"We was gonna give 'em their money's worth t' see
that thing."
"I'm glad we didn't catch anythin'," Horace
contributed.
"Why's that?" Jake turned to him.
"Who'd wanna pay money t' smell somethin' that
bad?" he replied.
"Another lucrative opportunity lost by our fair
town," Preston sighed.
"Maybe we could still have folks pay us t' take them
out there an' have Cloud Dancin' scare the tar out of
'em like he did us," Loren imagined.
"Can't see him doin' that," Hank leaned back.
"Maybe one o' us could pretend t' be the creature,"
Jake raised his eyebrows.
"That would be cheatin'," Horace reminded them.
"People expect a little of that for entertainment
purposes," Preston claimed. "Look at P.T. Barnum.
He said 'there's a sucker born every minute,' and
he's made a fortune off of them."
"You think you're gonna attract folks t' Colorado
Springs t' see some big, hairy creature that don't
really exist?" Hank was sarcastic.
"Why not?" Preston shrugged. "They already flock
here for the recuperative powers of hot water that
bubbles out of the ground."
"Always lookin' t' make money, ain't ya," Grace
folded her arms. "Well, so am I, an' I make mine by
feedin' folks. So, are ya gonna order lunch or sit
here an' take up space?"
42
************
As Michaela rounded the corner on her way to the
Cafe, she encountered Frank Wellington.
"Good afternoon," he tipped his hat. "You seem in
quite a hurry."
"I have an errand before I leave," she informed him.
"Leave?" he was surprised. "Where are you going?"
She hoped to conclude their discussion quickly,
"Not far."
"If it's not being forward of me to ask, have you
given any more thought to the new Clinic?" he
probed.
"That's part of why I'm getting away," she
answered. "I want to think about it. Now, if you'll
excuse me..."
"Certainly," he stepped back. "Good luck."
"Thank you," she replied over her shoulder.
************
Sully, Brian and the children accompanied
Michaela to the small framed structure. She could
tell that her husband had swept it, brought in
firewood and aired it out. He had even placed fresh
cut flowers around the room and brought provisions
for her stay.
"It looks...." she paused, searching for the right
word.
"Old," Katie finished her sentence.
"I used t' spend some time here in the winters before
we got married," Sully set down his wife's bag. "It's
quiet an' outa the way from the road."
"Thank you for readying it for my visit," Michaela
smiled.
He noticed her medical bag in her hand, "Ya
brought that, too?"
"I'd feel somewhat naked without it," she shrugged.
Sully set a canteen on the table, "Here's fresh water.
An' if ya need anythin' else...."
Michaela interrupted, "I know. Sully, you're
practically within shouting distance."
He handed her a book, "Brought ya this, too."
"Henry David Thoreau," she turned up the corner of
her mouth in a grin.
"Thought he might help," Sully winked. "Okay,
kids, say goodbye to your Ma."
He stepped over to light a fire on the hearth.
Michaela knelt down to be eye level with her
daughter, "I'll see you soon, Sweetheart. I love
you."
Katie embraced her, "I love you, too, Mama. I'll
take care o' Poppy while ya think."
"Thank you," she kissed her.
Josef approached his mother, his finger shyly in his
mouth. The little boy had great difficulty with
"goodbyes" and was bordering on crying. Michaela
reached for him, and he rushed to her arms.
"No bad words," she felt her eyes welling with
tears. "No throwing food, and...."
"I be good, Mama," he pledged. "Pwease, I stay
with ya?"
She felt a lump in her throat, "I think Papa, Katie
and Brian might need your help. Could you take
care of them while I'm here?"
He thought about it, "'Kay."
"I love you, my darling," she rubbed his back.
"Love you, Mama," he kissed her.
When she stood up, Brian came to her.
43
She hugged him and brushed back a lock of his hair,
"I'll see you soon."
"Don't worry about the kids, Ma," he smiled.
"Thank you, Brian," her eyes shone with love.
"Come on, Katie, Josef," the young man beckoned.
"I'll take ya int' town t' the church meadow t' play.
Race ya back t' the house first."
Josef bolted out the door before Brian could say,
"Ready, set, go!"
Sully lingered with his wife as the children
departed. He surveyed the room to make certain that
he had not neglected anything.
"Want Wolf t' stay here with ya?" he completed his
check.
"No, thank you," she placed her hand on his arm.
Sully drew her closer for a kiss. The moment their
lips met, there was a surge of energy through their
bodies. Breathlessly, they pulled apart.
"Think that'll hold ya?" he teased.
"Perhaps one more would," she placed her hand at
the base of his neck and pulled him closer.
When the kiss ended, they rested their foreheads
against one another.
"I love you, Michaela," he spoke earnestly.
"I love you, as well," she cupped her hand to his
cheek. "Better go now, before I lose my nerve."
He backed toward the door, then closed it. Michaela
stepped toward the small window to watch him run
to catch up with their family.
She picked up the book he had left, "'Walden.' I
haven't read this in a long time."
Scanning the text, a sentence caught her attention:
"I went to the woods because I wished to live
deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life,
and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and
not, when I came to die, discover that I had not
lived."
************
"Why didn't Poppy come with us t' the meadow?"
Katie asked her older brother.
"He's workin' on somethin' in the barn," Brian
gently tossed a baseball to her.
He applauded when Katie caught it.
"Trow me, Katie!" Josef called.
She lightly lobbed the ball to the little boy. He was
too slow in closing his hands, and it bounced off his
chest. He giggled and picked it up.
"Can I play?" it was Billy Wagner.
"Sure, Billy," Brian knelt down. "Stand over there
near Katie. Throw them the ball, Josef."
Josef wound up his arm and hurled the ball between
Katie and the little boy. Both children attempted to
catch it, and in the process toppled to the ground.
Katie reached it first, but Billy started hitting her to
wrestle it from her.
Running to his sister's defense, Josef jumped on
Billy. Though nearly half the Wagner boy's age and
a good deal shorter, Josef was unintimidated. With
both fists flailing, he struck Katie's attacker.
************
Chapter 8
************
"Don't huwt my sister!" Josef screamed at the little
boy atop Katie.
Billy began to cry, just as Brian reached them.
Pulling Josef up, he checked to see if the children
were all right. It appeared that they were.
"I'm gonna tell my Mama!" Billy dusted himself
off.
44
"Josef," Brian urged. "Tell him you're sorry."
"He hit Katie," Josef did not budge.
"Come on, then," Brian lifted his brother. "We're
goin' home. Billy, I'll take ya t' your Ma, too."
"She's in church," he pointed.
Brian escorted the children to the church.
Explaining to Mrs. Wagner what had transpired,
Brian apologized for the fracas.
She took her son by the arm, "Knowing him, he
started it. You're gonna get a whippin' when you get
home!"
"We'll be goin' now, ma'am," Brian started for the
door with his siblings.
************
Michaela closed the book. Each passage reminded
her of the beloved Massachusetts of her youth,
visiting Walden Pond with her father,
contemplating the ideas of the Transcendentalists.
"Oh, Father," she sighed aloud. "Those were such
grand times for us, escaping the frantic tempo of the
hospital. Just you and I communing with nature,
debating the merits of Transcendental thought.... but
it was so fleeting. If only I had that time back..."
It occurred to her at that moment that she held her
destiny in the palms of her hands. She could choose
the hectic pace of a hospital, as her Clinic would
surely become, or the slower tempo of a private
practice.
She thought about the things that her father had
missed in her formative years because of his
dedication to his profession. He once told her later
in life how he regretted not devoting more time to
his family, "Mike, I never did read a headstone that
said, 'I wish I would have spent more time at
work.'"
Yet still tugging at her was the notion that she could
do more good for a greater number of people if she
had an expanded and modernized Clinic.
She settled back and noted the quiet. No children
playing, no Sully and Brian discussing their day....
Only the sounds of nature.
Opening the knapsack of food that her husband had
prepared, she found a note from him.
"O love, what hours were thine and mine..."
"Tennyson," she folded it and held it against her
heart.
************
Brian finished explaining to Sully what had
happened in town, as Josef stood quietly near the
kitchen table.
"You okay, honey?" Sully placed his hand on
Katie's head.
"Yep," she nodded.
"Where did Billy hit ya?" he asked.
"Here," Katie pointed to her arm.
Sully examined it and saw the darkened area of a
bruise. He tenderly rubbed it and kissed her
forehead.
"Brian," Sully requested. "Would you take her up
an' get her ready for bed?"
"Sure, Pa," he nodded. "Come on, Katie."
When the two had ascended the steps, Sully turned
to his young son, "Come here, Joe."
"I get whippin'?" he feared.
"Why would ya ask that?" Sully was puzzled.
"Billy get whippin'," he repeated what the boy's
mother had said.
Sully lifted Josef. The child was dirty from rolling
on the ground in his scuffle.
"We gotta have a talk," Sully sighed.
45
************
Loren was closing his shop for the day. As he went
to the back door to lock up, he caught sight of a
large figure in the shadows. Quickly, he retrieved
his revolver from the drawer where he kept it. Then
slowly, he opened the door.
"Uuuuhhhhaaaa - Uuuuhhhhaaaa!" a loud scream
came from the shadows.
The shopkeeper panicked and fired his gun.
"Loren!" Jake's voice called. "Don't shoot! It's me!"
"What?" the older man felt as if his heart were
beating in his ears.
Jake stepped forward, at first unrecognizable under
a bearskin, "It's me! I was seein' if I could scare ya."
"Well, I reckon ya seen good then," he clutched his
chest.
Quickly, Hank and Preston were on the scene.
"What happened?" Hank had drawn his revolver.
"Jake here's gone crazy," Loren shook his head.
"I was just seein' if I could be convincin' as the big
creature," Jake raised his eyebrows.
"An' if Loren had a better aim, we could mention
that in your eulogy," Hank was sarcastic.
"Marvelous!" Preston applauded.
"Huh?" Hank turned to the banker.
"If Jake is convincing to Loren, imagine what he
could do to unsuspecting tourists whom we take out
there," Preston folded his arms.
"You're serious, ain't ya?" Hank tilted his hat back.
"Indeed I am," Preston grinned. "Why don't I have
some fliers printed up about the mysterious
creature? We can lead weekly expeditions out to see
him."
"I don't know if I wanna wear this getup every
week," Jake was perspiring.
"Then we can take turns," Preston replied. "But we
must agree to keep this only among the four of us."
They all nodded.
************
Michaela lit the lamp on the table, then walked to
the fire to stoke it. A memory crossed her mind of
another single room cabin to which Sully had taken
her when she suffered a blow to her head. She felt
her cheeks flush, recalling how they had made love
beside the fireplace when it was certain that she was
past the danger of a concussion.
Folding her arms, her mind turned to the children.
Sully and Brian would be preparing them for bed
right about now, she thought. Katie will want a
story, and Josef... She smiled, Josef will be asleep
before his father finishes.
She felt a pang of guilt at being absent from them.
Katie was becoming so self-reliant and independent
but still in need of her parent's assuring embraces.
Josef was.... hopelessly mischievous, playful,
daring, yet could turn instantly into the insecure
little boy who clung to his mother and father.
With Katie starting to school in the fall, what would
Josef do without his big sister to humor him, play
games with him, teach him?
It occurred to Michaela that most of her meditation
thus far during this time of reflection, had centered
around her children. Hardly once had she thought
about the Clinic.
************
"Bran," Katie played with the edge of her blanket.
"Do ya think Poppy's mad at Joey?"
"Not mad," he placed his hand atop hers.
"Is he gonna punish Joey?" the little girl voiced her
concern.
46
"I think he's gonna talk t' him about other ways t'
handle bein' upset," the older brother counseled.
"Like countin' t' ten?" she wondered.
"Sort o' like that," he smiled.
"Do ya think Poppy'll come up an' tell me a story?"
she hoped.
"I know he'll be up t' kiss ya good night, but I'm not
sure he'll be in the mood t' tell a story," Brian
advised.
"Would you tell me one then?" her brown eyes
implored.
"Sure," he grinned.
************
As Sully prepared a bath for Josef, the child sat
quietly observing his father. When it was ready,
Sully undressed his son and placed him in the tub.
Normally playful during a bath, both were subdued.
Finally, Sully lifted him into a towel and dried him
off. Then he took him into the living room by the
fireplace.
"We talk, Papa?" Josef was uncertain about his
father's mood.
Sully took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, "Joe,
hittin' people don't solve things."
He agreed, "Billy hit Katie."
"An' that was wrong o' him," Sully replied. "It's
good that ya wanted t' protect your sister," he
rubbed Josef's back. "But...."
"But what?" Josef waited.
"I wish your Ma was here t' help me with this,"
Sully sighed.
"Mama give me whippin'?" his lip curled under.
He chuckled, "Ya got your Ma wrapped around
your little finger."
"No, Papa," Josef held up his hands before his
father's face. "No Mama."
"I reckon I'll take ya up t' bed now," Sully stood.
"Done talkin'?" the little boy queried.
"For now," Sully said. "We'll talk about this more
when your Ma gets home."
Josef tilted his head against his father's shoulder and
hugged him.
************
Frank Wellington had much to consider. Though
darkness was approaching, he strolled along the
property which the bank had mentioned was for
sale. It bordered the Sully homestead, a
consideration that Frank found appealing.
His leg began to bother him from the trek, and he
wanted to rest before returning to the Chateau.
Ahead, along a steam, he saw a small framed
structure with smoke emanating from its chimney.
Wondering who might inhabit the tiny shack, he
headed for it.
************
Sully finished preparing Josef for bed. As he was
about to lift him into the crib, Katie spoke up.
"Could Joey sleep with me t'night?" she asked.
"I reckon that would be okay," Sully carried him to
the bed. "Let him sleep next t' the wall, Kates."
"I will," she pulled back the covers. Then she
whispered to her father, "I'll have a little chat with
him."
Sully maintained a serious expression, "Ya will?"
"Uh huh," she spoke low. "Don't worry, Poppy."
"What would I ever do without my sweet girl?" he
grinned.
47
"I don't know," she shrugged.
"Say your prayers now," Sully encouraged. "You,
too, Joe."
************
Michaela was startled by a knock at the door.
Then she relaxed, "Perhaps it's Sully checking on
me."
Her cheeks flushed at the notion.
When she opened the door, she was surprised to see
Frank Wellington.
"Michaela!" he was shocked. "I didn't expect to find
you here."
"Nor I to find you," she stated. "Are you lost?"
"No," he rubbed his thigh. "I was examining the
property next to yours, and my leg began to ache."
The doctor in her took over, "Come in. Let me
check it."
************
"Brian," Sully knocked on his son's bedroom door.
"Come in," the young man beckoned.
"I'm goin' out t' the barn t' work on Josef's bed,"
Sully informed him. "Could ya keep an ear open for
the kids?"
"Sure, Pa," he nodded.
"Thanks," Sully departed.
************
"Katie," Josef spoke.
"Shhh," she brought her finger to her lips. "Don't
talk loud, Joey."
"Papa not whip me," he revealed.
"Bran didn't think he would," Katie acknowledged.
"Mama might," the little boy feared.
"Why do ya think that?" she inquired.
"Papa wait for Mama," he said. "What mean
whippin'?" the little boy finally asked what was on
his mind.
"That's when they take somethin' hard like a stick
an' hit ya on your behind," she recalled. "One time I
saw Billy's mother whip him after church."
"That huwt!" Josef assumed.
"He was screamin' an' cryin' all the way home,"
Katie agreed. "I just thought o' somethin', Joey."
"What?" he pulled himself up into a sitting position.
"If Billy's mother an' father whip him 'cause he hits
kids, then...." she pondered.
"Mama an' Papa whip me!" he began to tear up.
"Maybe we can stop 'em," she held his hand. "Why
don't we go see Mama an' talk t' her? Tell her you're
real sorry."
His eyes widened, "Good thinkin'."
"I'll help ya get dressed," she slid from the bed.
"But we gotta be quiet."
************
"There is some chaffing," Michaela concluded her
examination of Frank's leg. "I have some salve in by
bag that should help."
"Thank you," he smiled. "It will be nice to have a
doctor for a neighbor."
"Neighbor?" Michaela looked up.
"I am considering buying the adjacent property," he
responded.
"I see," she closed her bag.
48
"Is something wrong?" he noted her reaction.
"No," she answered. "I'll make you some tea for
your pain."
"Thank you, Michaela," his eyes were tender. Then
he noticed what she had been reading, "Thoreau?"
"Yes," she set a pan of water on the fire.
"Our life is frittered away by detail...." he quoted.
"You've read 'Walden?'" she was amazed.
"Certainly," he grinned. "And, like Thoreau, you've
come to think in a secluded cabin?"
"Yes," she prepared the tea.
"Any decision about the new Clinic?" he
anticipated.
"Not yet," she poured the hot water into the cup.
"After I finish my tea, I'll leave you then," he
offered. "I wouldn't want to hinder the thinking
processes."
She handed him the cup, and he sipped.
"Curious flavor," he commented. "What is this?"
"Willow bark," she replied. "I learned of its curative
powers from the Indians."
"Indians?" he was surprised.
"I have found that the Cheyenne utilize herbs and
remedies that our trained physicians discount much
too readily," she articulated.
"Do you intend to use their medicine in your new
Clinic?" he sounded doubtful.
"Of course," she eyed him skeptically.
"I...." he set his cup on the table. "I appreciate your
hospitality, as always, but I'd better return to the
Chateau now. Thank you again."
"You're welcome," she opened the door for him.
"Goodbye."
Frank hastily exited, and Michaela began to wonder
about his reaction toward the type of medicine she
practiced.
************
There was sufficient moonlight for Katie and Josef
to begin their journey to their mother's locale. They
had managed to slip past Brian. Not even Wolf,
who was in the barn with Sully, followed them.
Katie held her brother's hand, as she could tell he
was nervous. She, too, found herself frightened at
the prospect of retracing the route to Michaela,
especially in the dark, but she was determined to
speak with her mother.
"Katie," Josef kept pace with her fast gait.
"What?" she responded.
"Mama be mad?" he began to have second doubts.
"'Course not," she assured him. "First thing we gotta
do is find the stream. Mama's right beside it."
************
Michaela returned to the book, but she could no
longer concentrate on its contents. Her mind was
full of thoughts of her family. Sully's warm embrace
and tender kisses, Brian's quest for knowledge and
love of learning, Katie's loving heart, and Josef's
captivating smile. Her grown children came to her
mind, as well. How proud she was of their careers.
How full of love her life was.
She pulled out Sully's note from her pocket and read
its contents aloud, "O love, what hours were thine
and mine."
Suddenly, all that was murky became clear to her.
She opened her medical bag again. There was the
pouch of herbs from Cloud Dancing. Taking the
still hot water, she added the mix. She sat down and
began to drink the brew.
49
The flavors triggered a recollection of what Cloud
Dancing had told her seven years go about the
herbs, "They will help you conceive a child."
"Oh, Sully," she said to herself as she drank. "For
our love, for our family, with all of my heart, I pray
that it works. I never want to regret that I didn't
spend enough time with you. I have a fulfilling
medical practice as it is, but... I'll let nothing come
before you and our life together."
Sipping the brew, she began to feel warm. It was a
strange sensation, not from the temperature of the
drink, but from the feelings she permitted herself to
experience out here alone. No one was with her, and
yet, she was filled with the presence of her husband
and children.
Glancing down, she placed her hand on her
abdomen. She closed her eyes and imagined what it
would be like again. To carry another baby. Sully's
baby. To nurture it and love it. Keeping her hand in
that same spot, she lay down on the makeshift bed
and allowed herself to fall asleep.
************
"Almost there, Joey," Katie spotted the stream. "We
can walk along the water an' follow it t' Mama."
"'Kay," he responded.
Suddenly, Katie slipped and toppled into the
rushing current of water. As she tried to climb out,
her foot lodged between two rocks, and her ankle
twisted. The cold water surged over her as she
struggled to keep her head above it.
Josef immediately began to wade into the water.
"No, Joey!" she shouted. "It's too deep for ya."
"Katie!" he cried.
"Go get Poppy!" she implored.
"I lost," he was distraught.
Katie made another attempt to release her foot, but
she slipped under the water. This time, she did not
come up.
************
Chapter 9
************
"Katie!" Josef repeatedly called for his sister.
When he saw her head emerge from the water, the
little boy was frozen with fear.
"Help!" Katie gasped for air.
Josef suddenly recalled what his father had taught
him about the whistle from Mr. Wellington. He dug
into his pocket, and amid the knickknacks, found it.
Taking a deep breath, Josef began to blow into it as
hard as he could.
************
Suddenly Wolf's ears perked up, and he whined.
"What's wrong, boy?" Sully stopped sanding the
wood.
With a yelp, Wolf bolted for the door. Sully
instinctively concluded that the animal was trying to
warn him of something.
"Michaela!" he feared.
When Wolf ran out the barn door, Sully followed.
************
Michaela was roused from her sleep by the shrill,
high-pitched sound.
"What on earth?" she sat up. "That sounds like
Josef's whistle. But.... it's coming from outside!"
She rushed to the door and exited the shack.
************
"Joey!" Katie's voice was sounding faint.
Continuing to blow the whistle, he fell to his knees
in exhaustion.
50
"Josef!" Michaela arrived on the scene.
"Mama!" he pointed into the water. "Katie!"
"What?" she strained to make out the figure. "My
God!"
She waded into the stream just as Wolf neared.
Sully followed quickly.
"Josef!" he lifted his son.
Then he saw Michaela.
"What's wrong?" he called to her.
"It's Katie," her voice trembled. "Her foot is stuck."
Sully set Josef on the ground, "Don't move!"
Jumping into the stream, he hurried to his wife and
daughter. Katie's head was just above the water
level as Michaela supported her.
Sully submerged himself and pulled with all of his
might on the rocks that trapped his daughter.
Finally, the little girl's foot was free, and Michaela
lifted her into her arms.
"Mama!" Katie hugged her.
"Oh, Katie," she held her tightly.
"Come on," Sully urged. "Let's get her t' the cabin."
Picking up Josef, Sully guided them back to the
small structure.
"Katie, Papa," Josef pointed to his sister, tears still
streaming down his cheeks.
"She's gonna be okay, Joe," Sully rubbed his back.
"Ya did real good by blowin' the whistle t' warn us."
They soon reached the shack.
"Clear the table so I can examine her," Michaela
directed her husband.
After wrapping Josef in a blanket, Sully removed
the lamp from the table. Then he lifted the cups of
partially consumed tea while Michaela laid Katie on
the table.
"Where does it hurt, Sweetheart?" she began to feel
her leg.
"All over," the little girl fought her tears.
Sully came to her side, "Is it broken?"
"I don't believe so," Michaela concluded. "A
sprain."
She removed a bandage from her medical bag and
began to wrap her daughter's ankle.
"What were you children doing out at this hour?"
Michaela asked.
"We wanted t' talk t' ya, Mama," Katie responded.
"Talk to me?" she glanced at her husband.
"I put 'em t' bed," Sully stated. "I was in the barn,
but Brian was listenin' for 'em."
"We snuck out," Katie spoke anxiously. "We
wanted t' tell Mama what happened so she wouldn't
whip Joey."
"Whip Josef?" Michaela was taken aback. "What on
earth happened?"
Sully explained, "Josef got int' a fight t'day."
"A fight!" she pivoted to look at her son.
"He hit Billy Wagner," Katie clarified.
"Josef!" Michaela was mortified. "Why would you
do that?"
The little boy finally spoke up, "He huwt Katie. No
whip me, Mama."
Michaela was overwhelmed at what she was
hearing, "I don't understand."
51
Sully explained, "Earlier t'day, Brian had the kids at
the meadow in town playin' with a ball. Billy
showed up, an' wanted t' play, too. When Brian
threw the ball, both Katie an' Billy tried t' catch it."
Katie interjected, "An' when I got it, Billy started
hittin' me."
"Hitting you!" Michaela's eyes widened. "Where?
Where did he hit you?"
Katie showed her mother the bruise, "I'm okay."
Michaela satisfied herself that her daughter was not
seriously hurt, then turned her attention to Josef,
"And you hit Billy?"
He looked down sadly, "Uh huh."
"Billy always gets a whippin' when he's bad," Katie
continued. "We wanted t' talk t' Mama so ya don't
whip Joey."
"I would never whip you, Josef," Michaela assured.
"Gotta wait for ya," his lower lip curled under.
"I told him we'd wait 'til you got home t' talk with
him about what he did," Sully shook his head. "He
must've thought we'd whip him."
"'Cause when Billy hits, that's what his mother an'
father do," Katie nodded.
"Josef," Michaela lifted Katie into her arms and
carried her to sit beside her son. "Papa meant that
we would discuss the proper way of behaving. We
would never hurt you, Sweetheart."
"No?" his eyes widened.
"Of course not," she kissed the top of his head. She
began to rub his back, "And I want to thank you for
something."
"Tank me?" he was curious.
"For saving Katie's life tonight," Michaela pulled
back a stray strand of his hair.
"I thank ya, too, Joey," Katie contributed.
"Ya used the whistle just like I said to," Sully
smiled, then realized the late hour. "I'll get the kids
back t' the house now, Michaela. You can get back
t' your thinkin'."
"Sully," she paused.
"Mmm?" he set the lamp back onto the table.
"I have something to tell you," she began.
As he returned the cups, he joked, "Can't decide
which tea ya like?"
"Pardon me?" she did not understand.
"Two cups," he indicated.
"Oh," she smiled. "I had a visitor."
"Who?" he was curious.
"Frank," Michaela identified. "He might be...."
"Frank was here with ya?" he interrupted.
"Yes," she replied. "His leg was...."
"He's got no business bein' out here alone with ya,"
his temper flared.
"Sully," she stood. "Please lower your voice in front
of the children."
He controlled his tone, "I don't like it that he came
here t' try t' sway ya t' do what he wants. I know I
don't have enough money t' offer ya the kinda...."
"You're jumping to conclusions," she interjected.
He would not listen, "I wanna get the children back
t' bed."
Her back stiffened, "If you would have kept a closer
watch on them, this wouldn't have happened."
He was stung, "Brian was upstairs close by in his
room."
52
"Obviously, that was not enough," she countered,
lashing back for his accusatory tone.
He took a deep breath, "Here, Kates. I'll carry ya."
"I believe it would be better for the children to
remain here tonight," Michaela was curt.
"What?" he put his hands on his hips.
"Josef is still recuperating from his cold, and I can
monitor Katie's condition better," she elaborated.
"Fine," he blurted out.
He kissed the children and abruptly left the cabin.
"Mama," Katie was startled by the slamming door.
"Is Poppy mad at us?"
"No," she forced a smile as her heart was breaking.
"Not at you."
************
Sully stewed as he headed back to the homestead,
Wolf following along with his head down. The
mountain man decided to finish working on Josef's
bed, so he entered the barn. There were his tools on
the ground, just as he left them when he ran out on
his rescue mission earlier.
Frustrated at himself for his reaction, he was even
more upset with Michaela for inviting Frank
Wellington into the cabin. He could picture her
offering him a cup of tea, and he could visualize the
wealthy man turning her head with his offers to
finance whatever her heart desired.
"I can't give her any o' that, boy," Sully glanced
down at his pet.
Wolf whimpered and came to his master. Sully ran
his hand across the animal's fur, then sat down on a
bale of hay. Folding his arms, he closed his eyes
and exhaled heavily. He could still feel his heart
beating rapidly, charged from fear for his children's
safety and anger over his argument with his wife.
Then it occurred to Sully, "Who am I really mad
at?"
Wolf tilted his head as if to wonder what Sully
meant.
"It's me," Sully determined. "I'm upset with myself
'cause I can't give her those things."
Wolf rested his paw on Sully's thigh.
"What she must think o' me," he thought aloud. "I
wouldn't blame her if she wanted t' build a new
Clinic an' move int' it."
Feeling defeated and alone, he stepped through the
barn door, secured it and walked toward the house.
"I'll talk t' her in the mornin'," he vowed. "I doubt if
she'll be in the mood t' listen t' me t'night."
************
Michaela tucked her children under the blanket and
ran her fingers through their hair. She placed their
wet clothing near the hearth to dry, then glanced
toward the table with its telltale cups.
She picked up the one containing the herbs from
Cloud Dancing. The liquid was cool, but she
consumed the remainder of it. Then she spread her
coat on the floor beside the children and laid down.
Tears began to overflow from her eyes and trail
down her cheeks. Why was Sully behaving this
way? It was as if he did not trust her, or... no, she
thought. Surely he doesn't think I would invite
Frank Wellington's attention!
"Oh, Sully," she sighed quietly.
************
"Pa!" Brian urgently knocked on his father's
bedroom door just after dawn.
"Come in," he sat up, still fully clothed.
"Katie an' Josef aren't in the nursery!" Brian's voice
had an air of panic.
"It's okay," Sully raised his hand to calm him.
"They're with your Ma."
53
"Why?" the young man was puzzled.
"Last night when I was in the barn, they wanted t'
see her so they up an' took off," he related.
"How'd they leave without me hearin' 'em?" Brian
wondered.
"I don't know," Sully continued. "Sometime after
they snuck out, I heard Josef blowin' his whistle.
Turned out Katie fell int' the stream an' got her foot
stuck between some rocks."
"I slept through all that?" Brian was amazed.
"Yep," Sully smiled slightly. "Anyway, Michaela
an' me reached 'em at about the same time. They're
okay, but your Ma wanted 'em t' spend the rest o'
the night with her."
"I see," he shook his head. "Pa, did this have
somethin' t' do with Josef's fight?"
"In a way," Sully nodded. "They went t' her 'cause
they thought we were gonna whip Josef."
"I'm real sorry for what happened," Brian's
shoulders slumped.
"Wasn't your fault," Sully replied. "Every boy's
gotta go through his first fight, I guess."
"Remember when you an' Ma found out I'd punched
Wendell Davenport?" Brian smiled.
"I remember," Sully grinned. "But you were a lot
older than Josef."
"Josef was intent on protectin' his sister," Brian
stated.
"As I recall, that's why ya hit Wendell," he thought
back. "He called Colleen a name."
"Yep," Brian answered. "An' I remember my
punishment."
"Ya had t' be in your room every night by six, up at
five for added chores," Sully listed.
"An' I wasn't allowed t' ride Taffy for a week,"
Brian added.
"Josef's only two an' a half," Sully sighed. "I reckon
that punishment won't work on him."
"He's so funny, Pa," Brian chuckled. "Always
makes me laugh."
"Which makes it even harder t' punish him," Sully
agreed.
"You're not really gonna do anythin' t' him, are ya?"
Brian queried.
Sully chuckled, "I think he's punished himself more
than we ever could just by worryin' he'll be
whipped. I best go down t' the cabin an' fetch the
kids. They'll be hungry."
"I'll see ya later," Brian paused at the door. "After
breakfast, I'm goin' in t' work on the Gazette most o'
the day."
Sully patted him on the back, "Don't work too
hard."
Brian raised his eyebrow, "I got good practice
thanks t' Wendell."
************
"Mama," Josef stared down at his mother on the
floor. "I wake up."
"Mmm?" she reached for her stiff back. "Well, good
morning, my darling."
"Mornin'," he smiled. "I hungwy."
"We'll have to go home for breakfast then," she sat
up. "I'm afraid I don't have enough food here for all
of us."
He playfully climbed down from the makeshift bed
and plopped into his mother's lap. Michaela pulled
him closer and kissed the top of his head.
"What am I going to do with you?" she held him up
to look in his eyes.
54
"I bad, Mama," he was remorseful.
"You're not bad," she embraced him. "You were
defending your sister because you feared for her
safety. But...."
He covered her mouth with his soft little hands,
"Not hit."
"Right," she held his fingers to her cheek. "Hitting
is only a last resort."
"What last rizzort?" he fidgeted.
"It means that there is no other way to stop
something bad from happening to someone," she
replied. "You thought that Katie needed help
immediately, and you acted. Do you believe now
that there might have been another way to help her
without hitting Billy?"
He pondered her question, then suggested, "Ask
Bran?"
"That's true," she was relieved at his perceptiveness.
"I'm proud of you, Josef. Proud that you love your
family. Proud that you're such a caring little boy,
and I love you for it."
"I love you, Mama," he hugged her.
"You understand that you should try other means
before resorting to hitting?" she reviewed.
"I un'stand," he pledged.
"Good," she smiled. "I believe it would be a good
idea for your Daddy and me to speak with Billy's
parents later, but for now, let's wake your sister, and
go eat."
Just as she stood up, there was a knock at the door.
"Oh, no," she sighed. "I hope that's not Fr...."
She stopped herself when she looked out the
window and saw Sully. Opening the door, she did
not speak to him.
"Papa!" Josef rushed to his father's arms.
Katie began to stir, and Michaela sat down beside
her to examine her injury.
"How does your ankle feel, Sweetheart?" Michaela
examined it.
"Better," she yawned.
"I figured the kids would be hungry," Sully said. "I
came t' get 'em."
"I'll take them back to the house," Michaela was
brusque. "Would you bring my things?"
"Sure," he felt awkward at her tone.
She finished dressing the children, then lifted Katie,
"Come on Josef. Let's go home."
Sully kissed the little ones, and she left with them.
He folded his arms and looked about the cabin.
Then he began to pack Michaela's belongings. He
became lost in thought, when a knock came at the
door.
He turned the handle, "Did ya forget someth..."
It was Frank Wellington, "Sully! What are you
doing here?"
"In case ya don't know it, this here's my property,"
the mountain man was in no mood for pleasantries.
"Of course," he regretted his question. "I meant that
I thought Michaela was staying here."
"Is that why you're here?" Sully rubbed his upper
lip. "Come t' see my wife?"
"I came to discuss the Clinic with her, yes," he
admitted.
"Why don't ya leave her be 'til she decides what she
wants t' do?" Sully demanded.
"Because the circumstances have changed," Frank
explained.
"What're ya talkin' about?" Sully questioned.
55
"Last night, Michaela gave me some Willow Bark
tea for the pain in my leg and told me that she often
uses medicine from the Indians," he stated.
"So?" Sully was growing impatient.
"So," Frank debated how to word his comments.
"I... I am not certain that I want to support a medical
practice or facility that utilizes such untested and
even primitive methods."
Sully's jaw tensed, "You questionin' the way my
wife doctors?"
"Not exactly," Frank hedged. "It's just that...."
"Seems t' me she saved your life under pretty
'primitive' circumstances," Sully declared. "Ya
didn't have any uncertainty then."
"That was during wartime," he reasoned. "Medicine
has advanced tremendously since then."
"Medicine's medicine," the mountain man asserted.
"If it heals ya, why does it matter where it came
from?"
"It matters," Frank was becoming agitated.
Sully approached him and glared, "I didn't like how
ya got my wife's hopes up with your grand promises
an' plans. I like it even less that you're pullin' out
now. It's breakin' your word."
"I'm sorry," the businessman lowered his gaze. "I
don't want to hurt Michaela."
"I think you'd best leave," Sully told him.
Frank stepped back, "Yes, well... Goodbye, Sully."
"Goodbye," he slammed the door.
Sully sighed, "How am I gonna tell Michaela this
news? It'll break her heart."
Rounding up the remainder of his wife's belongings,
he set out for the walk home.
************
Chapter 10
************
"Well?" Preston grinned. "What do you think of it?"
Jake held up the flier, "Tours to See the Mysterious
Monster of the Rockies?"
"At ten dollars for an overnight trip, it will be quite
profitable," the banker placed his hands on his hips.
"And I've already had three inquiries at the Chateau
this morning. I told them I would take them out
today."
"T'day?" Jake was surprised.
"When there's money to be made, carpe diem,"
Preston asserted.
"Carpe diem?" Jake was baffled. "We goin' fishin'?"
"Carpe, not carp!" Preston was becoming annoyed.
"Carpe diem is Latin. It means 'seize the day.'"
"Then why didn't ya say so?" the barber eyed him.
"Back to the subject," Preston glanced around slyly.
"I'll lead our three.... clients... to the campsite.
Tonight, you don your monster getup and...."
"An' we make sure they get their money's worth!"
Jake liked it.
"Good," Preston agreed.
************
"Where's your Ma an' the kids?" Sully saw Brian at
the kitchen table when he entered the homestead.
"She took 'em int' Miss Grace's for breakfast," the
young man answered. "Ya just missed 'em."
"Think I'll go finish up Josef's bed," Sully stated.
"You leavin' soon?"
"Uh huh," Brian stood.
56
"Could ya do me a favor, an' ask Matthew if he can
stop by this afternoon?" Sully requested. "I could
use his help movin' some furniture."
"Sure," he put on his hat. "See ya later.
************
"Michaela," Dorothy spotted her friend at the Cafe.
The children greeted her as she sat down.
"Mama, may we help Miss Grace?" Katie sought
permission.
"I don't want you moving around with your ankle
still tender," the concerned mother responded.
"I won't move around," the little girl smiled.
"All right," Michaela consented. "But behave
yourselves."
"We will," the child stood. "Come on, Joey."
"My land, Michaela," Dorothy noted her
appearance. "Ya look exhausted."
"I had a terrible night," she declared.
"What happened?" the redhead queried.
Michaela described the events that led up to her
fight with Sully. When she finished, her eyes had
become reddened.
Dorothy placed her hand on her friend's, "Sully
don't think ya did anythin' wrong, Michaela. Sounds
like it's just a little male pride gettin' in the way o'
seein' the truth."
"Male pride?" she wondered.
"I don't believe Sully's jealous o' Frank in the way
ya think," Dorothy speculated.
"What do you mean?" Michaela was puzzled.
"I think it might be that your husband's upset that he
can't offer ya the things that Frank can... money-
wise, that is," Dorothy conjectured.
"But that's ridiculous," Michaela dismissed the
notion. "I'm perfectly happy with...."
"Michaela," Dorothy stopped her. "Talk t' Sully."
"I shall," she knew her friend was right. "Oh, Brian
saw Cloud Dancing the other day. He's well."
"I heard," the editor nodded. "The menfolk said he
led 'em t' believe he was that creature."
Michaela glanced at her hands, "He sent me
something, too."
"What?" Dorothy was curious.
"I want to have another baby, Dorothy," Michaela's
cheeks blushed. "Cloud Dancing sent some herbs
that build up the female reproductive system,
particularly for women who have irregular
menstruation and difficulty conceiving."
Dorothy smiled, "Sounds like ya made up your
mind about the Clinic then."
"Yes," she nodded shyly. "I don't know if I have
many child bearing years remaining. Even if I were
to become pregnant now, I would be 45 years old
when I have the baby."
"Ya know the dangers, too," Dorothy searched her
face.
"Yes," Michaela felt a lump in her throat. "But, I
want this."
"Then I wish ya all the best," Dorothy felt a tear.
"It may not happen," Michaela sighed. "But I would
always regret it if I chose to concentrate on
expanding the Clinic rather than pursuing what
Sully and I want."
"I just thought o' somethin'," Dorothy chuckled.
"What?" Michaela noted the gleam in her eye.
57
"Colleen an' Andrew might be thinkin' about startin'
a family soon, too," she contemplated. "Be funny if
ya both had babies at the same time."
"I once had a dream about that," Michaela smiled.
"But I'm not prepared to be a grandmother quite
yet."
"I don't think that's in your hands," Dorothy raised
an eyebrow. Then she spotted a man approaching
their table, "Looks like your friend's comin' this
way."
"I'll tell him of my decision then," Michaela
revealed.
"Good morning, Michaela," he tipped his hat.
"Frank," she pointed. "This is Dorothy Jennings,
editor of the Colorado Springs Gazette."
"Pleased to meet you," he extended his hand.
Dorothy rose, "Nice t' meet you, too. If you'll
excuse me, I have a newspaper t' print. Goodbye,
Michaela."
"Goodbye," she smiled. "And thank you."
"May I join you?" Frank requested.
"Certainly," Michaela said. "How is your leg?"
"It's fine, thanks," he indicated. "I stopped by the
cabin this morning to see you, but Sully was there
instead."
"You spoke with Sully?" she could only imagine
what the conversation was like.
"Yes," he replied. "I told him what I'm about to tell
you. Michaela, I... I'm afraid I must withdraw my
offer to build a new Clinic."
"Withdraw?" she questioned. Then it occurred to
her, "It's because of my use of Indian medicine, isn't
it?"
He became uncomfortable, "I just don't think it's
appropriate to promote the use of...."
She interrupted him, "I have witnessed first hand
the effectiveness of Cheyenne medicine."
"I know that you believe in its powers," he
respected. "But, as I told your husband, I cannot
abide with supporting it."
"What was my husband's response?" she
questioned.
"I could tell that he was angry with me," he looked
down awkwardly. "He believes I've gotten your
hopes up, only to disappoint you."
Her heart softened, "My husband believes in
honoring commitments."
"So do I," Frank avowed. "Which is why I am
making an alternative offer."
************
Sully completed his work on Josef's bed. Possessing
the same meticulous craftsmanship illustrated in the
beds for Michaela and Katie, the furniture was a
work of art. He glanced down at his calloused
hands, then started for the door to quench his thirst
at the well.
Matthew appeared, "Hey, Sully. Brian said ya
needed some help."
"Good t' see ya," he patted his back. "I just finished
Josef's new bed."
"Looks good," Matthew noted.
"I was thinkin' o' puttin' the children in your old
room now," Sully stated. "The nursery's too small t'
hold both their beds."
"Where ya gonna put my old bed?" Matthew
inquired.
"We can store it in here," he glanced around the
barn.
"How 'bout I take it int' town?" the young man
offered. "Brian always has t' sleep on the floor when
he stays with me. He'd be more comfortable with a
bed."
58
"Sounds good," Sully agreed. "Let's get started."
************
"There is no need for you to make an alternative
offer," Michaela told Frank.
"I believe that there is," he countered. "What I
would like to do is establish a scholarship for
women who want to become physicians."
"A scholarship?" she warmed to the idea.
"An encouragement for females to pursue a career
in medicine," Frank explained. "And I'd like to
name it after you."
She considered his proposal, "I think a scholarship
is a wonderful idea, but may I ask that a different
name be given?"
"Certainly," he was interested.
"I would like to request that it be named after my
father, Josef Quinn," she suggested. "He's the
reason I became a doctor."
"He must have been quite a man," Frank spoke with
admiration.
"He was," she felt a lump in her throat.
"I hope this doesn't make you think less of me,
Michaela," he expressed.
"I must be honest with you," she conceded. "I made
up my mind about the Clinic when I was at the
cabin."
"And you decided to not accept my plan," he
surmised.
"How did you know?" she was surprised.
"I've gotten to know you well enough to realize that
running such a facility would take away time from
your beautiful family," Frank smiled. "I can see
how much they mean to you."
"They do," she looked toward her children.
He rose up, "I'm catching the afternoon train to
Denver. From there, I'll head back to Chicago. I'll
send you the information about your father's
scholarship when I have everything set up."
She smiled, "Thank you, Frank. It's a most generous
and thoughtful thing to do."
"Goodbye, Michaela," he shook her hand. "It was
nice seeing you."
"Good luck," she watched him depart.
************
Sully helped Matthew set up the old bed in the back
room of his son's law office. Then he headed toward
the Clinic. He paused when he noticed some wild
flowers growing on a patch of land near the livery.
After picking several fragrant blooms, he continued
on his way.
************
"We goin' home now, Mama?" Katie fidgeted.
"Very soon, Sweetheart," she looked up from her
desk. "I just have one more file to update, then...."
There was a knock at the door. Before she could
rise, the door opened slightly and a hand holding a
bouquet of flowers slid through.
"Mama!" Katie exclaimed. "Lookie!"
Michaela knew it was her husband, "I wonder who
that could be?"
"Looks like Poppy's jacket," the little girl pointed.
To satisfy his curiosity, Josef walked to the door
and peered through the opening.
Sully spotted his son's eyes glancing back at him,
and whispered, "Joe, ask your Ma if I can come in."
Josef turned toward Michaela, "Papa come in?"
"Tell him 'yes,'" she tried not to smile.
59
Josef spoke low to his father, "Yep."
Sully slowly opened the door and held the flowers
up for his wife, "Thought these might look nice on
your desk."
Without saying anything, she accepted the flowers
and poured water into a vase for them.
"We go home?" Josef looked up at his parents.
"First, we're paying a visit to the Wagners,"
Michaela said.
************
As Sully knocked on the door of the Wagner home,
they could faintly hear a little boy's cries. Soon
Sada Wagner pulled back a curtain to see who was
there, then opened it.
As she wiped her hands on her apron, she welcomed
them, "Dr. Mike, Sully? What can I do for ya?"
"We came t' discuss what happened with our
children yesterday," Sully announced.
"Don't worry 'bout that," Sada indicated. "Billy's
been punished for strikin' your little girl."
"Mrs. Wagner, we don't believe in corporal
punishment," Michaela gave her opinion. "Nor do
my husband and I believe that our son acted in the
best manner he could."
"Spare the rod, spoil the child," Sada countered.
"You raise your young'ns your way. I'll raise mine
the way I believe."
"I also wanted to relay to you that Billy has been
using inappropriate language in front of our son,"
Michaela added.
"What kinda inappropriate language?" Sada
questioned.
Michaela lowered her voice, "Darn."
The woman chuckled, "He's used worse than that,
Dr. Mike. Took us a month t' get him t' stop usin'
the word that sounds close t' that."
"At any rate," Michaela continued. "Josef has been
instructed that there are better ways to handle a
situation than to use force, and we simply wanted to
tell you that we do not condone what he did."
"Ya rode out here t' tell me that?" Sada was amazed.
"Yes," Michaela answered.
"Okay, then," Sada shrugged. "See ya in church."
As the woman shut the door, Michaela turned to her
husband, "What do you think?"
"I think you'll be talkin' a lot more t' her," he
responded.
************
Preston had his staff set up camp for the excited
tourists at the same spot where he had searched for
the creature earlier with the townsmen. He had
brought several servants and amenities to make
their stay comfortable. Once settled in, he began to
tell the wide-eyed seekers about the Indian legend
of Chiye-tanka, embellishing as he went.
Looking at his watch, he pronounced, "Gentlemen, I
recommend that you turn in early. When the
creature starts to prowl later, you'll not get much
sleep."
************
"Jacob," Teresa noticed her husband heading for the
door. "Where are you going?"
"Uh..." he stumbled. "I was just gonna go talk t'
Hank."
"Have you forgotten?" she placed her hands on her
hips.
"Forgotten what?" he gulped.
60
"Forgotten that you promised to watch Maria," she
shook her head. "I have to tutor some children at the
school this evening."
"But it's summer vacation," he pointed out.
"School will begin soon, and these young ones are
in need of some preparation," she began to pin her
hat on. "Besides, a teacher's work does not end in
June."
"But.... there's somethin' real important I gotta do,"
he became nervous.
"More important than your daughter?" she
chastised.
"Uh... no, but...." he was running out of ideas.
"Good," she smiled. "Have a nice evening. I'll be
home by eight."
"Eight o'clock?" he knew he would never be able to
reach Preston's campsite by the designated time.
"Yes," she looked at him with a curious expression.
"You seem nervous. Is there something you are not
telling me?"
"Me?" he raised his eyebrows. "No... nothin' at all."
************
"Dinner was real good, Ma," Brian noticed that his
parents were unusually quiet.
They had avoided the topics of Frank Wellington,
the new Clinic and their argument at the shack last
night, though each knew they would eventually
have to discuss it in private.
"Thank you," she began to clear the dishes.
"Why don't ya let me do that?" the young man
offered. "I think Pa has somethin' he wants t' show
you an' the kids."
"Oh?" she glanced at her husband.
"I finished that project I was workin' on," Sully was
vague. "I was wonderin' if I could get two little
children t' help me test it."
"I'm a little children," Katie pointed to herself.
"Could I test it?"
"That gives me one," Sully teased. "I still need
another."
"Joey," Katie turned to her brother. "Tell Poppy
you'll help him."
"I help," Josef got a serious expression on his face.
"Good," Sully lifted them into his arms. "Now, if
your Ma will come with us..."
"Mama," Katie encouraged.
"All right," she smiled.
"Where we goin'?" Katie was curious.
"Upstairs," Sully informed them.
With that, they climbed the stairs to the second
floor, past the darkened nursery and down the hall.
"We goin' t' Matthew's room?" Katie figured.
"Not his room anymore," Sully told them. Setting
them down, he opened the door, "It's yours now."
************
Pacing nervously, Jake looked at his pocket watch,
"Eight thirty, an' Teresa ain't home. What am I
gonna do?"
His mind raced nervously. If only Loren or Hank
would stop by. He could tell them to go to the
campsite in his place. Otherwise, with no creature to
show the tourists, Preston would be mad as a
hornet.
Stepping to the window, he looked out, "Oh, great.
Now it's startin' t' rain."
61
************
Chapter 11
************
"Poppy!" Katie marveled at the illuminated room.
"Ya put my bed in here now?"
"Yep," he patted Josef's behind. "There's somethin'
in there for you, too."
Katie took her brother by the hand, and into the
newly decorated room they stepped.
"Sully!" Michaela was impressed. "It's beautiful."
"Do ya see what's over there, Joe?" he pointed.
Josef went to the new bed, "For me?"
"Yep," he grinned. "All your own."
The child's eyes widened. On the headboard was an
intricately carved relief of a wolf.
Sully lifted him up and set him on the mattress,
"Gives ya room t' grow."
"What do you say to your father?" Michaela felt a
tear.
"Tanks, Papa," Josef was overwhelmed.
"Ya like it then?" Sully teased.
"Yep!" the little boy nodded enthusiastically.
"Where's Matthew's old bed?" Michaela asked.
"Took it int' town," he noted.
They heard Brian's footsteps, "Will ya look at this!"
"Bran," Katie rushed to him. "It's a big room for
Joey an' me!"
He picked her up and kissed her cheek, "I'd say we
got the best Ma an' Pa in the world."
"Yep," Katie smiled.
"Yep," Josef imitated.
"What ya gonna do with the nursery?" Brian
glanced at his parents.
"I thought maybe your Ma might like t' use it as an
office," Sully offered. "I'll take the crib out t' the
barn."
"I..." she hesitated. "I'll have to discuss that with
your father."
"Time for bed," Katie began to remove her shoes.
"Am I hearin' right?" Sully joked.
"Gota try out the new bedroom," Katie explained.
"Come on, let's get ready."
Michaela, Sully and Brian prepared the youngsters,
and soon, they were each tucked into their beds.
Sully put the footstool he made for Katie's first big
bed at the side of Josef's new one, "This'll help ya
get in an' out easier."
"I twy," Josef used it to climb down, then up again.
"Good, Papa."
"Glad ya like it," he pulled up the covers.
The children recited their prayers. Then, after kisses
from their parents and brother, they closed their
eyes. Sully and Michaela lowered the lamps and left
them.
"Think they'll fall asleep right away?" Brian
whispered in the hall.
"Not a chance," Sully quipped.
Sure enough, they could hear the little ones
whispering enthusiastically.
"Well," Brian sighed. "It's been a long day. Think
I'll go t' bed, too."
"Good night," Michaela kissed him.
"'Night," he smiled.
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"Don't let the whisperin' next door keep ya awake,"
Sully joked.
As Brian left them, an awkward silence fell upon
Sully and Michaela. Each wanted to express their
regret to the other, but neither knew quite how to
broach the subject.
"The bed is beautiful, Sully," she repeated her
earlier compliment.
"Thanks," he replied.
Again, there was uncomfortable quiet.
"Guess, I'll go lock up downstairs," he finally
spoke.
"I'll help you," Michaela followed.
Sully lowered the lamps in the living room as
Michaela did the same in the kitchen. The only light
came from the main fireplace, whose flickers
danced about the room. Pausing to watch the
flames, Sully's contemplated.
"How do I tell her about the Clinic?" he thought to
himself. "How can I crush her dream?"
Michaela stood and watched him from a few feet
away. His broad shoulders and handsome physique
made her long to run into his embrace, but she
averted her glance when he turned and walked
toward the front door.
"I'll do it," she reached for the lock.
He extended his hand to turn the key at the same
instant as she. Their hands met. Rather than pull
back, they continued their contact. He could feel her
trembling.
"Michaela/Sully," they spoke at the same moment.
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the palm.
She raised her free hand and ran her fingers through
his hair. Their pulses and breathing quickened.
"I..." again they both spoke simultaneously.
The longing they felt for one another, the need to
forgive and to be forgiven, overpowered them.
Michaela slid her hand beneath the material of his
shirt and rested it over his heart.
Sully swallowed hard, trying to control what his
body wanted to do. Then he read it in her eyes. She
wanted the same thing. They had communicated, as
so often they did, with a look, a breath, an upturn of
the lips.
With a subtle movement, he invited her into his
arms, and she rushed there willingly. They began to
kiss, triggering a powerfully surging hunger in them
both. Abandoning all hesitation, they clung to one
another and continued to kiss with all of the passion
they possessed. He began to gather up the material
of her skirt while she started to undo his buckskins.
Suddenly, Sully pulled back, "Wait, Michaela."
"Why?" her voice was eager.
"'Cause we shouldn't," his words were contrary to
his wants.
Again she questioned, as she relished the feel of his
body against hers, "Why?"
"We need t' make up with our hearts before we
make up with our bodies," he held her shoulders.
Then he gulped to control his need, "An'... we gotta
think o' the possible consequences if we..."
"I'm terribly sorry for what I said," her eyes
searched his. "It was cruel and unfounded."
"Me, too," he declared. "Ya didn't do anythin' t'
encourage Frank. I was feelin' insecure on account
o' all his money.... But there's somethin' else I have
t' tell ya.... about Frank. I talked t' him at the cabin
this mornin'."
"I know," she said. "I saw him at the Cafe. He told
me that he's withdrawn the offer for a new Clinic."
"I'm real sorry, Michaela," he stroked her hair. "I
know how much it meant t' ya."
"Sully," she confessed. "I had already made up my
mind about it before he told me."
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"Ya did?" he wondered.
"Yes," she smiled. "That's what I was trying to tell
you last night before our disagreement. I was going
to turn him down."
He rubbed her back, "I don't like his reason for
withdrawin' the offer."
"Nor do I," she revealed. "But another opportunity
came from it."
"Oh?" he was curious.
"I believe that after his conversation with you,
Frank felt guilty," she explained. "So he's putting
the money into a scholarship for women who intend
to go to medical school."
"That's real good," he assumed she would like the
idea.
"And he's agreed to name it after Father," she
added.
He nodded, "So Frank's thankin' you, an' you're
thankin' your Pa."
"And," she mentioned. "I'm thanking my husband."
"Me?" he pointed to himself. "Why?"
"For so many reasons," she paused. "For believing
in me. For supporting me and giving me time when
I needed to think. For being my best friend. For
loving me and being the father of my children."
"Most o' that ain't even work," he grinned.
"Which part is work?" she ran her hands up and
down his side.
"Bein' the father o' your children," he joked.
"Oh, Sully," she leaned her head against his chest.
"When I see you with them...."
Her voice trailed off.
With his finger he lifted her chin to gaze at her
countenance, "Mind if I ask ya somethin'?"
"What?" she was intrigued.
"What made ya decide t' turn down the offer for a
new Clinic?" he posed the question.
"Why don't we go upstairs, and I'll explain?" she
invited.
************
Preston was becoming more and more
uncomfortable. His clients were restless and unable
to sleep. Their questions about the creature and
whether it would be visible in the deluge of rain
made matters worse.
Then it came. The sound. The blood-curdling cry.
"Uuuuhhhhaaaa - Uuuuhhhhaaaa!"
"Ah," Preston's eyes lit up. "The sound of money."
The men cowered. Then came the repugnant odor.
Suddenly, the tent began to shake as if the creature
were standing outside and grabbing the canvas.
Preston thought to himself, "My, Jake is certainly
adding a creative touch. How unlike him. I'll have
to congratulate him tomorrow."
"Mr. Lodge!" one of the clients screamed. "What
are we going to do?"
"Well," he grinned. "I suppose we could go outside
to catch a glimpse."
"No!" they all shouted in unison.
"Then we'll just have to wait it out," Preston
visualized the word of mouth that this would stir.
************
"I am sorry to be late," Teresa attempted to dry
herself. "But in the rain, the road became more
difficult to travel."
64
"That's okay," Jake sounded depressed.
"What is the matter?" Teresa became concerned. "Is
Maria all right?"
"She's fine," he sighed.
"Is there something that you are not telling me,
Jacob?" she assumed.
"Nah," he shrugged. "But if I turn up dead in
t'morrow, consider Preston t' be the prime suspect."
************
Michaela took Sully's hand and led him upstairs.
When they reached the nursery, she paused.
"I'll get the crib outa there t'morrow," he informed
her. "Brian an' me can bring up your desk an'
books."
"But what if another little someone comes along?"
she whispered.
"Like who?" he did not understand.
"Like a little brother or sister for our children," she
speculated.
His heart leapt, "Is that the path you're thinkin'
about takin'?"
"I've thought of little else, of late," she touched his
cheek. "But in order for it to happen, my doctor has
instructed me to spend more time with my husband
when he's home. Timing is of utmost importance."
"I just happen t' have some free time in my
schedule," he winked.
"Do you have time for me?" she raised an eyebrow
temptingly.
He scooped her into his arms, carried her to their
room, and gently set her on the bed.
"I assume that's a 'yes,'" she smirked.
He sat on the edge of the bed and leaned closer,
"Definitely a 'yes.'"
Sully made no further overtures, but simply drank
in the beauty of his wife.
She finally asked, "What are you looking at?"
He kissed her sweetly, "I'm lookin' at the most
beautiful woman in the world."
As his wayward hand began to work its magic
across her chest, Michaela could feel the heat of his
body through their clothing. His intense gaze fueled
her ardor even further.
"Perhaps it will happen this time," she spoke low.
"Maybe," he lowered his kisses to her neck. "Or we
might just have t' keep practicin' that plantin' 'til we
get it right again."

"Sully," she slid her hands up his arms. "You know "You enjoy practicing, don't you?" she framed his
it might not happen. But..." face between her hands.

He gently stopped her by placing his finger to her "Only with you," he caressed her cheek.
lips, "But it might. We've had lots o' forks in the
road, Michaela. An' I haven't been afraid o' any of Words ended, and their journey commenced down
'em, even without a map, 'cause you've been right the path they had chosen at the fork in the road.
there with me."
THE END
"I'm not afraid either," she felt secure in his
embrace. "Our children are the seeds of eternity."

"An' you're the best gardener I know," he suggested.

She maintained the analogy, "Perhaps we could

plant some additional seeds?"

"Humm," he looked up. "Wonder how we should go

about doin' that?"

"Mr. Sully," she smiled. "Why don't we begin right

here?"

She pointed to her lips, prompting him to kiss her.

Then he whispered in her ear:

"Here, will I dwell,

For heaven be in these lips."

She guessed, "Was that Shakespeare?"

"Christopher Marlowe," he cited the poet.

She toyed with the hair at the base of his neck, "I
adore you."

"Just what I was thinkin' about you," he smiled.

65
EPILOGUE

A number of artificial limb companies came into

existence following the Civil War. Most were
started by amputee veterans who had made limbs
for themselves or improved on the limbs provided
to them. Some of these veterans found themselves
in the business when asked to make similar limbs
for other amputees.

One of the more famous of these was the J. E.

Hanger Company. Mr. Hanger, an engineering
student serving in the Confederate Army, lost his
leg to a rifle ball shortly after the war started.
Unhappy with the appliance provided him to
replace his amputated leg, he determined to improve
the function of his artificial leg. The leg he
developed was such an improvement over what was
available, in 1861, he was able to found a company,
which bears his name today. He secured an
exclusive contract to provide limbs to Confederate
amputee veterans.

The stories of encounters with Bigfoot (a name not

used until the 1950's) were from accounts of people
who experienced sightings in the Colorado Springs
area. Native American legends about the creature
extend back centuries throughout this continent.

66