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Chapter 2: Welcome to Colorado Springs
The stagecoach rolled into Colorado Springs like clockwork, bringing in dust from the prairie, and pulling up even more dust from the street. Michaela looked around at her surroundings before the stagecoach halted. She noticed that there were no tall buildings, but several small businesses, a saloon with two large swinging doors, and a church at the other end of town. “Welcome to your new home,” Sully whispered, leaning over to kiss his apprehensive Michaela. She put up a brave front, though Sully knew she was frightened and worried. The coachmen started to unload the luggage while Sully got out of the coach. “Hey Sully!” came the voice of a young blonde boy of around eight years of age. “Hey Brian,” Sully said, picking the boy up. “Did ya have fun in Boston?” the boy asked curiously, tugging gently at the beads around the older man’s neck. “More fun than I thought I’d have,” he said with a chuckle. He tousled Brian’s hair and put the boy down. Brian ran off yelling. “Matthew! Sully’s back!” Some of the townsfolk gathered around the stagecoach as Sully extended a hand. Everyone saw a lacy, white- gloved hand accept his. The contrast of the lacy white glove against Sully’s tanned hands had everyone whispering. “Who is she? Where did she come from? Isn’t she fancy!” were some of the whispers before anyone actually saw Michaela’s face. Brian came running back, tugging on a taller, older boy’s hand. A girl followed behind them. They were all three blonde and they had some of the same features. Michaela could conclude that the other two children were Matthew and Colleen Cooper, whom Brian had run off to drag back to the crowd. Matthew looked to be about fifteen while Colleen appeared a bit younger, possibly twelve. Michaela stepped out of the stagecoach, and Sully put his hands on her waist as she jumped down. To the townsfolk, she was the fanciest thing they’d ever seen. Most of them probably hadn’t been out of Colorado Springs in years, if ever. An older man was staring over in their direction, sweeping off the porch in front of a general store. Michaela realized that he was Loren Bray, the man who used to be Sully’s father-in-law. “Your dress sure is pretty,” the blonde Cooper girl said with a smile. “Thank you,” Michaela replied with a nod and a smile. “Who is she, Sully?” Brian asked, tugging on the handle of Sully’s tomahawk to get his attention. “This is Dr. Michaela Quinn,” he announced. Murmurs and gasps came from the crowd. None of them had heard of a lady doctor before. “Are you a real doctor?” Matthew asked with surprise. “Yes I am. I graduated from the Women’s Medical School of Pennsylvania. They said I was a doctor when they gave my diploma and a license to practice medicine.” She smiled warmly, hoping to make a good first impression. “I didn’t know ladies could be doctors,” Colleen replied curiously, her eyes lighting up with envy. “Dr. Mike, this is Brian, Colleen, and Matthew Cooper,” Sully said, pointing the children out. “Brian, will ya go fetch your ma?” “Sure!” he replied. He hurried off to do as Sully asked. From what Michaela could see, little Brian worshipped the ground Sully walked on. Sully picked up Michaela’s suitcases and carried them over toward the boarding house. Colleen and Matthew followed behind. Matthew took one of the cases from Sully, and as soon as they got to the porch, a middle-aged woman with dark hair came out drying her hands on her apron. “See ma! She came with Sully.” Brian looked up at Michaela. “You came back with Sully, so you’re from Boston?” “Yes I am,” she answered with a grin. “Well my lands!” Charlotte exclaimed with a chuckle. The crowd that had been standing around the stagecoach was now slowly making it’s way over toward Widow Cooper’s Boarding House. “We ain’t seen anyone like you ‘round here in a long time! It’s been at least ten years!” “I was wonderin’ if you had a spare room? Dr. Mike needs a place to stay while I fix up the old homestead.” Charlotte smiled warmly at Sully. “It’s about time you did somethin’ with that piece of land, Sully,” Charlotte said with a chuckle. “I’ve got a few rooms, so you’ve got a choice. So, Dr. Mike, is it?” “Yeah! I told ya she was a real doctor,” Brian said with a nod. Michaela grinned at the child’s excitement. “Well, you’re a breath of fresh air for me then. Everybody’s comin’ ‘round tryin’ to get me to treat ‘em for whoopin’ cough and such when Jake can’t fix ‘em. But I keep tellin’ ‘em that I ain’t a doctor, just a midwife.” “It’s nice to meet you, Widow Cooper,” Michaela said, extending her hand to shake the respectable midwife’s. “Please call me Charlotte.” Charlotte took Michaela’s hand and shook it. She smiled and looked at her boys. “Brian, help your brother take the doc’s luggage upstairs.” “You really think they’re gonna accept her as a doctor?” Matthew asked, gesturing toward the crowd outside. Michaela felt her nerves beginning to get the best of her, but she took a deep breath, and swallowed hard. “Well, they ain’t got much of a choice, now have they?” Charlotte asked, raising an eyebrow. Matthew shrugged and Brian helped him take Michaela’s suitcases upstairs. “I’m gonna go see Robert E. He’s been takin’ care of Wolf.” “Wolf?” Michaela asked. “You didn’t tell me you had a wolf.” She eyed him curiously, and he pondered her words for a moment. “I didn’t?” Michaela laughed and shook her head. “Well, he’s friendly, and he’ll like ya. He won’t hurt ya.” Michaela nodded slowly with a gleam in her eyes, and Sully walked off toward Robert E’s livery. As soon as Sully was out of earshot, Charlotte raised an eyebrow and shook her head. “You two are sweet on each other?” Charlotte studied Michaela’s expression. The young doctor smiled happily. “More than that,” she confessed, blushing wildly. “We’re in love.” “Well it’s about time! The man’s been all alone for a couple of years, and the first time he leaves, he comes back with a pretty girl who likes him back.” Michaela giggled with the Widow Cooper as they walked inside with Colleen. Colleen closed the door and Michaela took off her gloves. “But how can ya be in love when ya don’t know him very well?” Colleen asked. Michaela hadn’t expected so many questions, but she figured that the best thing she could do, would be to answer them to the best of her ability. “It all happened so fast,” Michaela replied. “But it’s an incredibly long story.” A knock came to the door and Colleen opened it. “Afternoon Horace,” she said with a smile. He tipped his hat to her. “Colleen.” “Come on in, Horace,” Charlotte invited. The tall man walked into the boarding house, temporarily eyeing the young doctor. He didn’t look threatening, but on the other hand, kind and caring. “Sorry to bother ya, ma’am. You got a package from Denver. It’s from the bank.” Horace handed the envelope over to Charlotte. “I’m afraid it ain’t good news.” “Oh, it seems that lots of things ain’t good news these days. Horace, I’d like ya to meet the new doctor, Michaela Quinn.” “Ma’am,” he said with a smile. “You’re really a doctor?” “Yes I am,” Michaela answered for what seemed like the millionth time. “Well, some folks don’t like the fact that you’re a doctor and a lady, but I say that as long as you can fix what needs fixin’, you’re a good enough doctor in my book.” Michaela felt as if she could breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank you Horace,” Michaela replied with a smile. Horace tipped his hat again and left the boarding house. Charlotte sat down at her dinner table and opened the package from the Bank of Denver. “Oh this couldn’t have happened at a worse time.” Michaela looked at Charlotte who stared at the documents before her. “They’re foreclosin’ on the boardin’ house. They say I got until the next stagecoach pulls into to town to find another place to live.” “What? That’s terrible!” “Well, I figured it’d be comin’ sooner or later. I’m gonna assume that Sully told you about my husband runnin’ out. Well, he took off with all the money I had ‘cept for the money I hid under the books on our bookshelf. That money’s gone now and I can’t pay the mortgage. They’re takin’ it away.” “Oh Charlotte. Maybe I could pay you rent for staying here?” “No. I don’t wanna do that. I don’t usually charge ladies to stay here. So, please just don’t nothin’ of it.” “But this is your home. You can just let the bank take it away from you.” Charlotte studied the younger woman for a moment, looking right into her eyes. “I can see why Sully likes you so much. We’ve only known each other for three minutes and you’re already offerin’ a helpin’ hand. Thanks, but I can handle this on my own.” Charlotte smiled at Michaela. Michaela wanted so much to be able to help, because from what Sully had told her, and from a first impression, she knew that this woman was a good person who didn’t deserve what was about to happen to her and her children. She figured there was no use sticking her nose into business where it didn’t belong just yet, especially since she was brand new to this small town. “Alright. I suppose I’ll go find Sully.” Michaela left and started off to find the man she loved. It didn’t take long, as she found him standing near the livery. A large gray and white wolf sat loyally beside his master. Michaela walked over and stood beside Sully. He smiled, and his eyes practically lit up when he saw her. “Hey,” he said gently. “Robert E., this is Dr. Mike. Dr. Mike, this is Robert E.” “Hello, Robert E.” Michaela smiled at the man. He seemed to be in his late thirties or so, and the look in his eyes told her that he was caring but had been through a lot. He was colored, and because the Negro world was only freed not long ago, she expected that he had been a victim of slavery, something that her family had been strongly opposed to. “Dr. Mike,” Robert E. said with a smile. “Ain’t heard of a woman doctor before. I went to Jake lots of times, but he can’t figure out what’s wrong with me.” “May I take a look at you?” She reached her hand out, and Robert E. drew back apprehensively. He looked at the very confident Sully and then back at Michaela. “You know what you’re doin’?” “The medical degree I have packed with my belongings says I do,” she replied with a chuckle. He looked nervously at Sully again. Sully nodded. “She’s a good doctor. She saved Cloud Dancin’s life.” “Well, alright,” Robert E. replied. “I think I’ve got a case of the lumbago.” “Ah, arthritis,” Michaela replied. She took Robert E.’s hands and nodded. “Your diagnosis is correct.” She pulled out her medical bag and retrieved a small vile, placing it in the blacksmith’s hand. “Take this a couple of times a day. It won’t cure your arthritis, but it’ll help with the pain.” “Thank you, ma’am. I’ll try that.” “Let me know how you feel in a few days?” she asked. Robert E. nodded. Sully put his hand on Michaela’s back. “Did you get everything taken care of at Widow Cooper’s?” “Yes.” She paused for a moment, letting out a heavy sigh. “She received bad news from the Bank of Denver. Apparently they’re foreclosing on the boarding house. I offered to help her, but she won’t take my money.” “First thing you gotta learn is that folks out here are more worried about pride than anything.” As they walked, Michaela breathed in the sweet mountain air. It was such a beautiful place. Sure, Boston was beautiful, but Boston didn’t have the mountains in its view. “That’s Pike’s Peak,” Sully pointed out. “Folks try to climb it once every few years, but most of ‘em never make it to the top.” “Have you ever tried?” “Nope,” Sully replied. “Maybe we can try it together someday.” “Maybe,” Sully replied with a nod. “But you gotta be in good health to even try it.” “Of course.” “Come on, let’s walk out to the homestead. When we get back to town, you should get a horse or a wagon.” “Why don’t we get the horse now?” “Because, one, I doubt you know how to ride, and two, you need to get experience walkin’ places.” Michaela sighed and walked off with Sully. Wolf followed behind, and Michaela felt safe. As they walked, Sully pointed out various things. Michaela listened intently, and she caught him staring at her often. She greatly appreciated the way he looked at her. He could make her feel wonderful with just one glance. After awhile, Sully held his hand out. “Stop here.” “What—“ “Shh . . .” Michaela listened and she could hear bird calls close by. “What’s that?” “The birds are doin’ their matin’ calls.” “Oh!” Michaela replied with a blush. She smiled and turned to Sully. “This place is beautiful, Sully.” She sucked in a deep breath, closed her eyes, and tilted her head up toward the sky. Sully took advantage of the moment to admire her beautiful skin, her bone structure, and the peaceful look upon her face. Colorado Springs seemed to make her blossom. “Just wait till you see the view from the homestead,” he replied. His arms snaked around her waist and pulled her close. Sully kissed her softly. Every time they kissed, Michaela would be surprised by herself. Usually she was uptight about things like that. It wasn’t as if she’d had experience with kissing before Sully came into her life, but she had always felt like there was a place and a time for it. It seemed that with Sully, everywhere and every time was right. Michaela’s arms folded around Sully’s neck, and he picked her up into her arms. She giggled with delight and stared into his eyes. “Sully!” “What?” “You aren’t carrying me all the way to the homestead, are you?” “Why not?” “I thought you wanted me to get used to walking everywhere.” Sully sighed and put her down. Michaela grinned at him and gave him a peck on the cheek. “I can’t wait to see it, Sully.” She took his hand in hers. “Well, it ain’t much, but it’ll do until I can build somethin’ bigger.” “And when you talk about building something bigger, do you mean for me . . . or for us?” “For us.” “But Sully, I don’t think that’s very appropriate.” “We won’t be livin’ in it together until we’re married.” Michaela was a bit taken aback, but in a good way. She loved Sully, and was fairly certain she had dreamed of him proposing during the trip back from Denver. “What makes you think we’re going to get married?” she asked, her cheeks blushing as they continued on toward the homestead. “Well, it’s a little soon, but someday I’m gonna propose to ya.” “Really?” Michaela raised an eyebrow. “Yep. I already know I wanna spend the rest of my life with ya. But I don’t wanna rush anymore. I wanna take it nice and easy.” Michaela grinned in appreciation. “Well, if we take it nice and easy, I’m sure I’ll be willing to say yes.” They walked on in silence, and Michaela was almost certain that she would say yes even if Sully decided not to wait. Their courtship was probably the most unorthodox Michaela had ever heard of, but she didn’t care. Being ordinary was boring. Her whole childhood had been ordinary, and now that she was a grown adult, she wanted to have adventures, and where better to start than with a handsome mountain man? After a few more minutes of walking, Sully and Michaela entered a clearing where they stood before a humble homestead. A board on the side wall was loose, and there was a broken window. The lock on the door also needed fixing, but Michaela immediately thought it was charming. “Sully, this is wonderful.” Sully glanced at her quickly, wondering if she was being sarcastic. But Michaela didn’t seem to be the sarcastic kind of lady. “You’re kiddin’?” “No. I’m not. This is the most charming place I’ve ever seen. I appreciate you wanting me to stay here.” She put an arm around his waist and smiled up at him. “Well, I’ll get it fixed up, and it’ll be almost as good as new. It ain’t much but it’s a place to sleep.” Michaela kissed Sully softly. “Will you show me around?” She held her hand out and Sully took it. They walked hand and hand around the land that Sully owned. It was a beautiful area, and Michaela couldn’t help but daydream about the future with Sully as her husband. Yes, that was going to be awhile off, but she had no doubt in her heart or mind that she wanted to be with him forever. |