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Chapter 5: First Impressions Michaela stared at Ethan Cooper for a long moment before she swallowed hard and looked over at the adoption papers on her desk. She looked back at Ethan who had his hat in his hand now as he stared the doctor down. “I believe you have it wrong, Mr. Cooper.” “Oh? Please tell me what part of that I got wrong.” “I’m not taking your children away. I’m going to raise them at Charlotte’s request. My husband and I will give them a wonderful home where they will never need for anything. We will keep them healthy, safe, and happy. From what I understand, that’s a lot more than you were ever able to give them.” “You don’t even know me, Ms. Quinn.” “That’s Dr. Quinn,” Michaela replied, her heart pounding as the anger rose inside of her. Ethan saw the fire in Michaela’s eyes and he chuckled a bit. Michaela wondered what he was pondering, and she took the adoption papers into her hands. “I believe that’s a matter of opinion. Those papers are nothing compared to blood. I am their father, and by right, they will come with me.” “You gave up your rights as a father when you abandoned your wife and children to go looking for money. I’m sure you never intended to return. But once you arrived and found out Charlotte was returning, you discovered that it was your big opportunity to break your children’s hearts all over again.” “You’ve got me all wrong.” He knew for a fact that she was right, but there was no way in Hell that he would ever admit that aloud. “My father always told me not to judge people without getting to know them first. But Charlotte is the most honest person I know, and I can see that her opinion of you is based on a lot of truth.” Before Michaela could go any further in her description of Ethan Cooper, the door opened and Matthew, Brian, and Colleen walked in. Matthew saw his father and he looked at Dr. Mike who’s face was about as pale as the new sheets Colleen had picked up for her. “Pa, you better leave,” Matthew said angrily. “You shouldn’t be here.” Ethan turned to look at his children. Colleen put a protective arm around Brian. Ethan could tell he wasn’t wanted, so he decided to leave. But he had made up his mind that he wasn’t going to give up so easily. As soon as Ethan had left and shut the door loudly behind himself, the children turned back to Michaela. “Did he upset you?” “I’m fine,” Michaela said with a reassuring smile. “Why does he gotta try to talk everyone out of lettin’ us stay here? You ain’t gonna let him take us to San Francisco, are ya Dr. Mike?” Brian asked. Michaela knelt down and smiled at Brian. “I’ve already signed the adoption papers. Sully’s going to sign them as soon as he gets back.” “Really?” Colleen asked with a smile. “Really,” Michaela replied with a nod. “So that’ll make it official? We won’t have to live with pa?” Matthew asked, just to make sure. “If you don’t want to live with Ethan, you don’t have to. Once Sully signs these papers and we send them in, the paperwork will be processed and hopefully we’ll hear good news.” “How’s ma?” Colleen asked. Michaela swallowed hard, her throat feeling dry and her heart starting to ache. “She’s getting weaker. You should go sit with her,” Michaela said. “I’m not sure how long she’s going to be able to hold on.” Colleen and Matthew started toward the door but Brian lingered. “Brian?” “Come with us,” he whispered. “You’re family too.” He held his hand out to her. Tears began to fall and Michaela couldn’t hide them. She simply took the little boy’s hand and led him upstairs after his older brother and sister. They crowded in Charlotte’s room where her breathing had become more shallow. Michaela could see that Charlotte was slipping away. Elizabeth walked into the room, not wanting to intrude, but Michaela was glad she was there. “Mother,” Michaela said softly. “Would you please go get Reverend Johnson?” Elizabeth looked around the room at the faces of the broken-hearted children. She simply nodded and turned out of the room. Colleen began to cry when she saw that the color was draining from her mother’s face. “Ma!” she exclaimed. She laid herself across her mother. Charlotte’s hand gently moved up to rub her daughter’s back. “Don’t cry, sweet heart,” she whispered. Colleen looked up into her mother’s eyes and she shook her head. “You can’t leave, ma,” she cried. “I need you! We all do!” “You’re gonna have a good life with Dr. Mike. I’ll be watchin’ over you, smilin’ proudly everyday.” Brian sniffled and the tears began to form in his eyes. Michaela put a hand on his shoulder and Charlotte smiled up at the both of them. “Dr. Mike, you’re going to be a good ma. They love you so much, and I know you love them.” “You’re right. I do.” “Come here, Brian,” Charlotte said with a smile. Brian climbed up onto the bed with his mother. “You’re my youngest, Brian, and someday we’ll be together again. I want you to start mindin’ what Dr. Mike says. That goes for all of you.” “I will, ma,” Brian replied, sobbing softly into his hands. “I love you, Brian.” “I love you too, ma.” Matthew walked over to give his mother a kiss on the cheek. “I know you’re fifteen, Matthew, and you think you get to be the man of the house,” Charlotte began, “but you need to mind Dr. Mike and Sully. Do you hear me?” Matthew brushed the tears out of his eyes and nodded. “I understand,” he replied. “Ma, you have to fight!” “It’s my time, sweet heart,” Charlotte replied. Michaela was trying not to sob for the children’s sake. She was biting on her bottom lip to keep from crying out. She couldn’t break down because the children needed her. “I love you all so much.” The Reverend came into the room with his Bible in his hand. “Charlotte,” he whispered. “It’s good to see you, Reverend,” Charlotte whispered back. Matthew made room for the Reverend to sit at Charlotte’s side. The Reverend took the dying woman’s hand in his own and began to pray. Brian began to sob and Matthew picked him up. The boy clung to his older brother and Colleen put her arms around him as well. Michaela stood next to the children, watching them grieve over the imminent passing of their mother. The only thing she could do was walk over to them and over a comforting shoulder. She expected them to draw away, but they did the exact opposite. They all clung to her, holding her as if they were holding on for dear life. They all began to cry together, even Michaela as Charlotte looked upon them with relief, exhaled her last breath, and passed on peacefully and painlessly. *~* The next afternoon, friends and loved ones of Charlotte Cooper gathered at Michaela and Sully’s homestead. Michaela was worried that when Charlotte passed, the children would pull away from her and Sully and refuse to live with them. But they hadn’t, and they were very appreciative for what Michaela and Sully were doing for them. Ethan had been at Charlotte’s funeral, and the children hadn’t dared to look him in the eyes. After the service, Sully had picked up and walked with him with Michaela, Matthew, and Colleen. The town was devastated at the passing of Widow Cooper, but they all knew it was going to happen eventually. Brian was sitting on the staircase with Sully’s Wolf at his feet. Wolf hadn’t left Brian’s side since he arrived at the house the day before. He sensed that the boy needed a friend, so Sully hadn’t minded when his loyal Wolf had decided to keep the young boy company. Colleen was helping Grace in the kitchen while Matthew was staring out the front window. He had helped Sully a many times with the house, and he had known that he would be living in it one day, but never once did he think about how hard this day was going to be. Ingrid walked up behind Matthew and put her hand on his shoulder. “I wish I knew her,” she said softly. Matthew turned around and drew Ingrid into his arms. “She would have loved you. I’m sorry I didn’t get to introduce the two of you.” “That is alright. She in Heaven with my mother.” Matthew kissed the top of Ingrid’s head. Ingrid’s English was improving more and more every day, and he found it endearing that she was trying so hard for his sake. Ingrid had been at his side since Matthew had left the boarding house after Charlotte’s passing. When the townsfolk had seen Elizabeth Quinn hurrying across town with the Reverend, they knew that Charlotte was passing. They had all gathered to await the news they had all expected. The only person that wasn’t there was Ethan, and he didn’t find out until later that evening. The children were angry with Ethan and growing attached to Michaela and Sully. After Charlotte’s passing, Sully arrived in town, even before Ethan Cooper heard the news, and he had signed the papers. Matthew had hand delivered the papers to Horace to send in, because he knew there was no way he wanted his pa to take them to San Francisco. Michaela was standing at the kitchen window with Sully’s arms wrapped around her, as Grace, Myra and Colleen prepared the food. The ladies had told Colleen she didn’t have to help, but she wanted to do something to keep her mind off of the day’s events. The front door had been opening and shutting, bringing in the freezing January air with those coming and going. Nobody had figured that the New Year would start with a death of a loved one. But, that was life, and they had to expect the unexpected. After awhile, guests started to leave, but the door opened bringing in air with an even bitterer chill when Ethan Cooper walked in. Those that were left stared at him and Michaela caught a glimpse of him at the door. She wanted to tell him to get out because this was a gathering to honor the memory of Charlotte, and he had done nothing to honor her in their entire marriage. Sully felt Michaela go rigid in his arms, and he kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry,” he whispered. “I’ll take care of it.” “Sully, we have to think of the children. We can’t just kick him out. He is their father.” “And they don’t want anything to do with ‘em.” “I know, but we can’t do anything, Sully. Trust me.” “I do,” Sully replied. “I’m just gonna talk to him before the kids see him.” Sully walked away and motioned for Ethan to join him outside. When the men were out on the porch, Sully folded his arms over his chest. “What are you doin’ here, Ethan?” “I came to pay my respects and to be with my children. They need me.” “They needed you for the past few years, but you weren’t there. They don’t need you anymore. They got a home now.” “I loved their mother!” “You sure didn’t act like it. You didn’t act like you loved anyone but yourself. Seein’ you would only upset the kids, and I’m here to make sure that don’t happen. So why don’t ya just leave?” “I won’t leave without my kids,” Ethan said, his lips twisted in a snarl. Sully stared into the eyes of the man who was threatening to take the children away from him and Michaela. “Don’t make me get the law involved in this.” “The law would turn you down. Charlotte signed those papers before she died, and that’s all that matters. You’d lose, Ethan, and you’d lose money by payin’ for a lawyer and a judge. It ain’t gonna do you any good to fight this. If the kids wanna see ya, they can, but right now they’re hurtin’ and don’t want you here. I’m gonna respect their wishes and ask ya kindly to leave.” Ethan was about to say something else when Hank, Jake, and Robert E. walked out to stand behind Sully. He decided it was best if he went back into town. He turned, mounted his horse, and rode off. Sully turned around to face the three men. “Thanks for bein’ here,” Sully said quietly. “Charlotte would have appreciated it.” “Widow Cooper was the only lady around that gave me the time of day,” Hank said with a shrug. “She didn’t exactly like me, but I respected her.” Jake and Robert E. went back inside to join the other guests. Hank lingered outside with Sully. “Ethan Cooper don’t deserve those kids.” “I don’t think so either,” Sully agreed. “I know we got our differences, Sully, but I know that you want the best for those kids. I think it’s awful nice of you and Michaela to take ‘em in.” “We love those kids as if they were our own.” “I know what it’s like to love a kid. I got a son.” “You?” Sully asked, surprised. “Yeah. His name’s Zach,” Hank replied with a fond smile on his face, something Sully rarely ever saw. “He lives in Denver at a special school. He’s draws real good, and I sent him there when he was real little. I couldn’t take care of him. I didn’t want him growin’ up around the life I got. He lived with his ma’s sister for awhile until I could pay enough money to send him to that school. But anyway, I think it’s good that you’re keepin’ the kids safe from Ethan, because I’m glad Zach’s got his aunt to keep him safe from me.” “But you ain’t wantin’ to be his pa just for money,” Sully pointed out. “No, but he wouldn’t have much of a life if he lived with me. He’s safer in Denver. Those kids are safer livin’ with you and Michaela.” Hank cleared his throat and walked back into the homestead. Sully was surprised that Hank had opened up to him. They usually never saw eye to eye, but the man had a side that was kind and thoughtful. He just didn’t show it very often. Michaela walked out onto the porch and Sully pulled her into his arms. “You should be inside, it’s freezing out here,” Michaela said softly. “Did Ethan leave?” “Yeah,” Sully replied with a nod. He kissed Michaela softly and they held one another. “How are the kids?” “They’re holding themselves together. Brian’s devastated. We all are, but he’s really needing a friend.” “He’s takin’ to Wolf,” Sully replied. “That’s alright, isn’t it?” “Of course it is,” Sully replied with a smile. “But I think I know what help him even more.” “What’s that?” “While I was out checkin’ traps the other day, there was an abandoned wolf pup. I took him somewhere to keep him safe and warm. What would you think of me givin’ him to Brian?” “I think that would be a wonderful idea,” Michaela replied with a grin. “I’ll ride out and get him later on. Let’s go inside where it’s warm for now.” Michaela nodded in agreement and they walked back into the homestead. *~* Horace was working late at the telegraph office, and he had broken their dinner plans. Myra was lonely at the clinic. The Quinn’s had gone to bed already, and Charlotte wasn’t there to talk to anymore. She was getting tired, but she couldn’t sleep, so she pulled on her coat and walked outside to sit on the bench outside of the clinic. She was surprised to see Hank outside of his saloon. He saw her and started walking over toward the clinic. Myra swallowed hard. Hank always made her nervous, but she also knew he had a soft side. She had actually seen him upset at Charlotte’s funeral. “Evenin’ Hank,” Myra said quietly, pulling her coat tighter around herself. “Myra,” he replied with a nod. “What are you doin’ out this late?” “I couldn’t sleep,” Myra answered. “I s’pose I was thinkin’ too much.” “Mind if I sit down?” Myra scooted over so Hank would have some room. “What are ya doin’, Hank?” she asked after a few moments of silence. “If you think this is a way to get me to work for ya, it ain’t. I won’t ever work for you.” “I don’t expect ya to. I know you ain’t cut out to be one of my girls. You’re too pretty and too smart.” Myra sighed and swallowed hard. She looked into his eyes and saw that he was being sincere. She wondered how someone like Hank could be so sweet when he also had a cruel, nasty, bitter side, which she had seen on several occasions. “You don’t gotta say that. You don’t mean it.” “’Course I do. I thought you were the prettiest thing I ever seen the moment I saw ya.” Myra closed her eyes and shook her head. She never saw herself as a pretty girl. She didn’t see how anyone, least of all Hank, could see her that way. “I ain’t pretty,” she whispered. “I don’t remember my parents much, but from the beginnin’ my pa was tellin’ me I wasn’t pretty and that no man would ever want me.” She couldn’t believe she had just divulged that information to Hank of all people, but he was easy to talk to, and for some reason, she felt like he would never repeat those words to a living soul. “Well your pa was wrong. You’re beautiful. You got a light in your eyes that I ain’t seen in many women.” “I don’t see it,” Myra replied. “’Course ya don’t. You been growin’ up with your pa’s words rollin’ ‘round in your head. Well, you’re pretty to me.” Tears had begun to fall from Myra’s cheeks, and she brushed them away. “I should get some sleep.” She walked inside and closed the door behind her. Hank continued to sit on the porch of the clinic, not believe the conversation he had just had. The only women he had ever called beautiful before was his son’s mother. He thought Dr. Mike was beautiful, and he had seen that right from the start. But Myra was someone he could talk to, and she seemed to have a beautiful spirit.” The howling of a wolf in the distance startled Hank out of his thoughts. He began to wonder if he was starting to fall for the young woman. He started back to the saloon and laughed to himself, pulling out his flask and taking a swig of the substance it contained. He decided to brush off that thought because he knew a woman like Myra could never love a man like him. He wasn’t meant to court, marry, or have children. He often cursed himself, thinking that Zach was born the way he was for a reason. Hank always thought Zach was born different from the other children because God didn’t want him to be a father. Zach’s mother had passed away, and Hank figured God was telling him he was never supposed to marry. With a heavy sigh, Hank walked into the saloon and closed the doors for the night before he went to bed to sleep off the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, hoping that in the morning, the whisky would wear off, and he would have all of that falling in love nonsense out of his head. |