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Chapter 3: Cassius Dorothy was taking over teaching the children until the town council could find a new teacher. Seeing as Horace and Jake were both on the town council, it wasn’t going to be easy to call a meeting to find someone to fill the job Holly once occupied. While Colleen, Brian, and Matthew had the day off of school, they rode into town with the Lawsons. Hank and Myra brought the boys into town, because Michaela was sure to come into the clinic today. Myra walked into the clinic with the boys while Hank went to open up the saloon. The clinic was cold and dark, so Myra put the boys down in their cradle in the next room. She started up the wood stove and opened up the curtains so some sunlight could come in. She yawned, tired from being woken up in the night by the babies. They had been missing their parents, but they had gone back to sleep after Myra sang a lullaby. She wasn’t the best singer in the world, and Hank agreed with that, but she did manage to lull them to sleep. The door to the clinic opened, and Michaela walked in with a bright smile on her face. Myra grinned. “Mornin’, Dr. Mike.” “Good morning, Myra,” Michaela replied. “Did you and Sully have a good evenin’?” “As a matter of face, we did,” Michaela replied, her eyes sparkling at the mention of her amazing evening. Myra laughed. “The boys are asleep in the next room. I best be getting over to see Grace.” “Alright. Thank you for watching the children last night. That was very thoughtful of you and Hank. How did Hank like having five children in the house?” “He got used to it,” Myra replied, rolling her eyes. Michaela laughed. “Myra, would you like to have lunch with me today? Sully’s going out to the reservation later on to pick up Snow Bird and Early Sun, and he’s going to bring them here to the clinic. I’m not feeling up to going all the way out there today.” “Your stomach’s upset?” “A little,” Michaela replied. “I suppose I’ve just been so busy lately that I haven’t had a moment to relax. I’ll probably feel better after some rest.” “I’m sure,” Myra replied, eyeing her suspiciously. “You sure you’re feelin’ alright, Dr. Mike? You’re lookin’ awful pale.” “I’m fine,” Michaela insisted. “Sully mentioned that to me this morning. I’m just tired, that’s all.” The door flew open and Mary rushed in with two large packages in her arms. “Mornin’ Mary,” Myra greeted her. “Mornin’ Myra!” Mary replied with a smile. She looked at Dr. Mike. “Dr. Mike, papa told me to bring these over to ya. You musta ordered lots of medicine.” Michaela smiled. “Thank you Mary,” she laughed, taking the packages from the little girl’s arms. “I’ll see ya for lunch, Dr. Mike.” Myra hurried out of the clinic to go check on Grace. “How do ya know what medicines to give all the sick people?” Mary wondered. Michaela scooted back in her chair and patted her lap. Mary climbed up to sit in her mother’s friend’s lap. She trusted Michaela, and was happy that she still had her to talk to. “I went to medical school.” “Like I get to go to school with the other kids?” “Well, sort of,” Michaela replied. “See, I was different like you.” “But you’re not colored.” “No, but ladies weren’t supposed to practice medicine, according to men. But I was determined, and I went to medical school to become what I wanted to be.” “You think I could be a doctor one day?” “Well, if that’s something you want to do, I’m sure it’s possible,” Michaela replied, pulling the little girl into a hug. She noticed the locket around Mary’s neck. She had never really seen it opened before. “May I?” Mary nodded and Michaela opened the locket to see a picture of Holly and Marcus. “That’s my real papa. I never got to meet him. Mama said he’s in Heaven. You think she’s with him now?” Michaela swallowed hard. “Yes sweetheart,” she whispered as tears began to form in her eyes. She cleared her throat. “Mary?” “Hmm?” “Are you happy living with Horace?” “Yeah. Papa is really nice. He takes good care of me.” “That’s good,” Michaela replied. “I know he loves you very much.” “Yeah?” “Yes. I’m sure your mother is very happy that you are living with him.” “Sometimes I hear papa cryin’ at night.” “He’s just grieving. He misses Holly.” “So do I.” “There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. A lot of people loved your mother. Me included.” Mary smiled and hugged Michaela again. “I better get back to papa.” “Alright. Tell him thank you for sending over the packages.” Mary nodded and hurried toward the door. She turned the knob, opened the door, and gasped when she ran into the tall stranger. He looked down at her as if she was a pile of horse biscuits which he needed to clean off of his shoe. Mary quickly scooted off toward the telegraph office, and Michaela stood. “May I help you?” “Yes, I was staying at the boarding house, and I heard there was a lady doctor. Now, my little girl is one for women’s liberation, so I figured I’d come to talk to you first, find out if you’ve seen her.” “Well,” Michaela replied a bit uneasily, “I’ll be happy to help you if I can.” Cassius removed his hat and closed the door to the clinic. He cleared his throat and walked over toward Michaela, making her feel very uneasy in his presence. “I’m looking for my daughter. Her name is Holly Tucker, and I heard she’d been seen ‘round these parts.” Michaela swallowed hard, looking into the eyes of the man she’d heard about from Holly. Everything that Holly had told her about him seemed to ring true as she stared into his cold eyes. “You’re Holly’s father?” “I just told you that. Where is she?” Michaela looked away. “You’re the man who killed her husband and sold her daughter into slavery.” “I don’t see how that’s any of your business, Miss Quinn.” “That’s Dr. Quinn,” Michaela replied coldly. She stared into his eyes as he edged closer to her. “You don’t scare me.” “That’s a shame,” Cassius replied. “You obviously know her if she’s told you those lies.” “Lies, Mr. Tucker? I believe you’re the one who is lying.” “You don’t know the first thing about me.” “I know you’re a cold, cruel man who would rather see his daughter suffer.” “I didn’t want her bringing that kind of blood into my house!” Cassius shouted. Michaela jumped a little at the volume of this large man’s voice. “So you killed the man she loved to stop it?” “I did what I had to do! Now tell me where my daughter is before this gets ugly!” A moment later, two strong hands landed on Cassius’ shoulders, pulling him back. The man turned abruptly to come face to face with Sully. “Who the hell are you?” “Name’s Sully,” he replied, “and if you ever threaten my wife again, you’ll have to deal with me.” Cassius stared down into Sully’s eyes. “Who are you?” “Name’s Cassius Tucker,” Cassius replied. “He’s Holly’s father,” Michaela replied, moving around to stand next to Sully. Sully began to recall everything he knew about Holly’s father, and he felt the urge to hit him across the face, but that wasn’t going to help matters any. Sully looked at Michaela and put his arm around her waist. “I don’t want to cause trouble right now,” Cassius explained, putting his hands up, but I will if someone doesn’t tell me where my little girl is right now.” “You want to see your daughter?” Michaela asked. “Then go down to the cemetery beside the church. You’ll find her there.” “What?” Cassius asked. “Your daughter is dead, Mr. Tucker. She died a couple weeks ago.” Cassius looked at Sully who swallowed hard and nodded his head slowly. “It’s true. Go see for yourself,” Sully offered. Cassius pushed past Michaela and Sully, stormed out of the clinic. Sully quickly turned to Michaela. “Did he hurt you?” “No. I’m fine. I’m just worried about Mary.” “Are ya gonna tell him that his granddaughter is here?” “After what Holly told me about him, I don’t think he should know. But he is her grandfather . . .” “Maybe you should talk to Horace first. Look, I was just getting ready to go out to the reservation, but I can do that later.” “No. Snow Bird and Early Sun are waiting for you. I’ll be fine,” Michaela replied. Sully noticed how pale Michaela looked. “Are ya sure you’re feelin’ alright?” “I’m fine,” Michaela promised. “Well, I’m gonna bring Cloud Dancin’ in just in case. Maybe he’ll have somethin’ to give ya.” “Sully . . .” “Hey, I’m worried about ya.” “I’m a doctor, Sully, if you’ve forgotten. I know how to take care of myself.” “But just because you’re a doctor don’t mean ya can’t get sick.” “Alright,” Michaela whispered. She gave Sully a kiss on the cheek, and he left the clinic. Michaela walked out to stand on the porch. She looked off toward the cemetery to see Cassius standing at Holly’s grave. She shook her head, feeling sickened by the thought of what that man had done. He had broken Holly’s heart, and now here he was at her grave. “Michaela?” Dorothy asked as she walked over to see her friend. Michaela turned in Dorothy’s direction and smiled. “Hello Dorothy.” “What’s on your mind?” “Nothing,” Michaela replied. “Don’t seem like nothin’. You don’t look like you’re feelin’ too good.” Michaela sighed heavily and shook her head. “I don’t know why everyone keeps saying that. The reason I don’t look well is probably due to the fact that I’ve been so busy lately. I know everyone is thinking that I’m pregnant.” “I wasn’t!” Dorothy exclaimed with wide eyes. “Oh Michaela!” Michaela sighed and shook her head. “You’re not pregnant, are you?” “No!” “Are you sure?” “Yes!” “How sure?” “Well, I got my monthly two weeks ago.” “That doesn’t mean anything. Even I know that, Michaela. You’re a doctor. When I was expectin’ my first, I got my monthly for a few days.” “Dorothy, I’m not pregnant! And please don’t say that so loud, because Sully might hear you.” “What’s so bad about that?” “Well,” Michaela replied, taking Dorothy by the arm and leading her into the clinic, “we both agreed that we want more children. But the fact of the matter is that the twins are just a few months old. I think it’s far too soon to be having another one.” “I became pregnant with my second just a couple of months after my first.” “Dorothy, you’re not helping!” “Well, won’t ya be happy if you are pregnant?” “Of course I will be! I just don’t think it’s a good idea to have another one so soon. If it happens I’ll be thrilled to have a new baby, but I would be concerned about the children. Daniel and Connor need me, and . . . oh what am I saying? I can’t think like this, Dorothy! I am not pregnant.” Dorothy shook her head and shrugged. “Alright, I’ll believe ya,” Dorothy replied. “You just get some rest.” Dorothy left and Michaela sat down at her desk, opened up her book, and began to read up on a few things. After a few minutes, she looked up. “I’m not pregnant.” She shook her head and put her hand on her stomach. Before too long, she began to actually count back the days, trying to remember how long her monthly had lasted, and before too long, the seed had been planted in her mind. She wasn’t so sure anymore. Somewhere in the corner of her mind, the memory of needing to talk to Horace surfaced. She took a deep breath, grabbed her coat, gathered up the boys, and hurried next door to the telegraph office. “Dr. Mike? What’s wrong?” Horace asked as Michaela hurried in with the bundled up babies. “Horace, I need to talk to you.” “About what?” “There’s a man who just came to town looking for his daughter. Well, his daughter was Holly.” “What?!” “His name is Cassius Tucker. He’s at her grave right now, and I wanted to let you know.” “He ain’t gonna take Mary is he?” Horace looked out to see Mary playing in the snow. “He doesn’t know she’s his granddaughter.” “You ain’t gonna tell him are ya?” Horace asked worriedly. “I don’t know, Horace. I don’t think he needs to know, but he is her grandfather.” “Her grandfather who sold her when she was born!” Horace exclaimed. “I’m not defending the man,” Michaela replied. “I don’t think he should know, because Mary is safe with you.” “Then keep it quiet, please?” “Mary’s in your care now,” Michaela replied. “So if anyone should tell him . . . it’s you.” Horace nodded and Michaela went back to the clinic with the boys. *~* Mary was soon bored with playing in the snow. She wanted to go visit with her mother at the graveyard. Michaela had told her that if she talked to her mother, maybe her mother would hear it, even if she didn’t answer back. She ran toward the graveyard, and felt her locket come loose from her neck. She caught it before it could fall to the ground, and she clasped it firmly in her hand, never wanting to let it go. Once she reached the graveyard, she stopped in her tracks when she saw the strange man standing at her mother’s grave. She gasped and the man turned to look down at the child as if she was in insignificant little bug. He had startled her so that she dropped the necklace her mother had given her on the night of her birth. Cassius’ eyes narrowed, and he looked to see what Mary had dropped. “What are you doin’ here?” Mary asked him suspiciously. She bent to get her locket, but Cassius scooped it up into his hand first. “Hey! That’s mine! Give it back! My ma gave me that!” “Well, I’m sure she won’t mind me looking at it.” “You don’t even know her!” Mary tried to get the locket out of the man’s hand, but she was too short once he raised his hands up. He studied the locket, and something familiar about that locket struck him. It was the same feeling he’d gotten when he saw Mary for the first time earlier that day. He slowly opened up the locket, and Mary began to cry. “No! Don’t! That’s not yours! It’s mine! Stop!” Matthew was standing at the livery with Robert E. when he heard the little girl’s cries. He looked toward the cemetery too see Mary standing with a strange man. He rushed off to help her. “Stop crying, child!” Cassius demanded. When he looked down into the pictures inside of Mary’s locket, he swallowed hard. He stared right into the faces of Holly and Marcus. “How do you know these people?” The little girl began to cry, and threw herself onto the ground above her mother’s grave. She sobbed uncontrollably, and Cassius growled angrily, pulling Mary roughly by the arm. She fought to catch her breath, and she looked up into his cold eyes. “How do you know them?” “They’re my ma and pa,” she sobbed, sniffling and wiping her nose as the sobs continued. “I didn’t know my pa. He died ‘fore I was born.” “This is your mother?” Cassius asked, his jaw dropping slightly. Mary nodded. “Can I have my locket back?” Cassius tossed the charm to his granddaughter, the child he’d sold at birth so Marcus’ blood would never touch their family again. But here she was, ten years later, beautiful just like her mother. But she also looked like her father, and Cassius couldn’t have that. Mary stood frozen in fear as soon as she saw the glint of Cassius Tucker’s silver-plated pistol. His hand reached for it, and he whistled for his horse. The stallion came galloping toward the graveyard, and stopped at Cassius’ command. “Who are you?” “I’m Cassius Tucker,” he replied. Mary’s eyes widened with fear. She knew this name as the name of the man who’d taken her away from her mother. Cassius mounted his horse, and pointed the pistol at Mary. “Can’t go havin’ my blood mixed with that of a worthless nigger.” Mary shut her eyes and held her locket close to her heart as Cassius pointed the gun at her. Just as his finger was moving to pull the trigger, a heavy force knocked him off of the stallion and onto the frozen ground with a painful thud. Mary screamed when she saw Matthew Sully wrestling the gun away from her grandfather. “Mary! Run back to town for help!” Mary didn’t hesitate, and she ran away from the graveyard with the speed of a baby deer. A gunshot rang out, and Cassius Tucker went limp underneath Matthew. Matthew stood, looking down at the man. Cassius was still alive, but the bullet in his abdomen wouldn’t keep him that way for long. The thought of just killing a man sickened Matthew, and he hoped to God that he’d pull through. He didn’t want that guilt on his conscience, but he had to do something to stop him from hurting little Mary Tucker. *~* Two hours later, a vigil was being held outside of the clinic while Michaela attempted to extract the bullet and Colleen assisted. Everyone wanted to know whether or not Cassius Tucker was going to pull through. Many folks didn’t know who he was, but those who were close to Holly knew he was her father. Very few knew the relationship between him and Holly, but Michaela knew every thing Cassius had done to make his daughter’s life miserable all of those years ago. Mary was sitting on Horace’s lap with her locket firmly secured around her neck. She was clutching the doll that Colleen had given her, but it didn’t seem to be much of a comfort. She was no longer struggling for breath, but the tears were still flowing. Horace tried to comfort her, but for now, she couldn’t speak out of sheer terror. Hank had offered to buy Matthew a drink for doing a good thing, but Matthew was too sick to drink anything, and he knew Michaela would have his hide. Besides, Matthew didn’t think alcohol did any good at all. He sighed heavily as he sat on the porch of the clinic, drawing circles in the snow with a stray twig. He wanted to do something to help out his fellow townsfolk, but there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t be sheriff. He’d thrown up right after shooting Cassius Tucker. The thought of killing another person shocked him and made him sick. The surgery wasn’t over yet, and Cassius still had a chance to die. At this point, the wheels inside Matthew’s head began to turn. He wanted to do something to help mankind, but he didn’t want to be a sheriff. He didn’t want to be a doctor either, because he knew that Michaela was at her patients’ beck and call every time there was trouble. He had to make a decision. He’d been playing with the idea of going to college in the fall after he turned seventeen, but now he was seriously considering it. Maybe Ingrid could wait for him. If he could go to school to become something that would help out his fellow man, he’d surely do it to make himself happy. He knew Michaela would be thrilled anyway if he decided to go. “Matthew?” Brian asked, breaking him out of his thoughts. “Yeah?” “You did the right thing,” he whispered. “I shot a man, Brian. How is that the right thing?” “If you hadn’t shot him, Mary would be dead,” Horace spoke up. “Don’t thank me for shooting him. I was glad to help out Mary, but I didn’t have to shoot him. It was an accident.” “Either way, you saved that little girl’s life, and that surly counts for somethin’,” Robert E. spoke up. “I ain’t sayin’ shootin’ a man’s right, and I know how ya feel about it, but you did save one life. She couldn’t protect herself, so you stepped in to do it for her.” Matthew stood up, not wanting to hear anymore. Yes, he’d saved that little girl’s life, but when it came right down to it, he shot a man, and that man was on the edge of death. Matthew stood and walked away, needing to be alone to think. While his brain was trying to tell him that he did the right thing, he heart was telling him that there could have been another way. They had struggled with the gun, and if that gun had been a centimeter off, he would have been shot and possibly killed instead. A few minutes after Matthew left, Michaela stepped out of the clinic, her white apron snow stained with Cassius’ blood. Horace stood and picked Mary up into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stared at Michaela. “Did he make it?” Horace asked. “Yes, but barely. He has lost a lot of blood, and he’s very week. I’ll have to monitor him very closely for signs of infection.” “What happens if he wakes up?” Loren asked. “Is he gonna take Mary away?” Brian wondered. “He ain’t takin’ her nowhere, Brian. I won’t let him,” Horace replied. He walked off with Mary in his arms. Michaela sighed heavily and looked for Matthew. “Brian, where’s your brother?” “He walked off toward the church,” Brian replied, pointing his finger in the church’s general direction. “Thank you Brian,” Michaela replied. The group outside began to scatter, and Michaela walked inside. Colleen was just finishing cleaning up after the surgery. Cassius hadn’t been moved to a bed upstairs yet, and Michaela knew that she’d have to get Hank and Jake to help her move him. He was a very large man in height, and she was sure he weighed well over two hundred pounds. “Ma? What are ya gonna do ‘bout Mr. Tucker?” “Horace wired a marshal shortly after Mr. Tucker was shot.” “Are they gonna take him to prison like they did pa?” “I don’t know, Brian. Technically, Mr. Tucker hasn’t done anything.” “But he tried to kill Mary.” “I know, but I’m not sure that a judge would see it that way. He never pulled the trigger.” “He should still pay.” “I agree.” She shook her head and pulled her apron off, putting it in the basket with the other bloody cloths. “I’ll get these over to Ingrid.” “Actually, will you wait for a few minutes? I need someone to be here incase Mr. Tucker wakes. I’m going to go check on Matthew.” “Okay. What should I do if he wakes up?” “He should be out, but just in case, you know the proper dosage of morphine.” Colleen nodded and Michaela washed her hands off thoroughly. She turned to Brian. “Sweetheart, will you watch your brothers in the other room?” “Sure, ma.” “Thank you.” Michaela pulled on her coat and started out of the clinic and toward the church. When she walked in, she found her son seated on the front pew. His head was bowed, and she could hear him whispering a quiet prayer. When all was quiet, she slowly made her way up the aisle to sit beside him. After several long moments of silence, Matthew spoke up. “Sorry if I disappointed you, ma.” Michaela looked at her oldest son. “Matthew, you didn’t disappoint me.” “You musta come here for a reason. He’s dead isn’t he?” “Not yet.” “He’s gonna die?” “There’s a chance,” Michaela replied, not wanting to sugarcoat Cassius’ condition for her upset son. Matthew took a shaky breath as his tears began to fill his eyes. “Matthew, you know how I feel about guns, but what you did today took courage. You threw yourself at a man who was about to kill a defenseless child. You protected her, Matthew. I’m not disappointed in you.” “Then why do I feel so guilty about doing a good thing?” “Shooting someone is never a good thing, but you did what you had to do to keep Mary safe. Everyone is grateful to you. I’m grateful you weren’t injured.” “Maybe it shoulda been me.” “Don’t ever say that!” Michaela exclaimed. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. For the rest of her life, Mary’s going to think of you as a hero.” She put her arm around her son. “Do ya know what Brian said to me? He told me I did the right thing.” “Well, you did save a little girl’s life.” “I don’t want Brian growin’ up thinkin’ of me as a hero for shootin’ a man.” “He doesn’t think of you as a hero for what you did to Cassius. He thinks of you as a hero for what you did for Mary.” Michaela hugged her son and left him alone to think. *~* “Snow Bird, you and Early Sun seem to be healthy, but I’m concerned about the both of you,” Michaela said as she bounced the six-month-old Cheyenne baby on her hip. “That is the news I expected to hear. Cloud Dancing knew you would speak of this.” “Where is Cloud Dancing?” “He is walking with Sully. Do all men avoid these visits?” “Oh, you mean when their wives and babies have check-ups? Some men do.” Snow Bird laughed and shook her head. “Has Early Sun been eating well?” “Yes, but I’m afraid I can’t care for her in the way she needs me to. Food is short, so I cannot nourish her.” Michaela frowned. “Cloud Dancing told me he will ask Sully to let you look after her.” Michaela nodded, knowing that Early Sun wasn’t as big as she should be due to lack of nutrition. Snow Bird was older and stronger, and she could survive with little food. But Early Sun needed her to eat or else she couldn’t eat. “Me?” Michaela asked. “You have two young sons, and your home is safe for my daughter. Two infants died at our reservation because their mothers could not feed them this winter. In the Spring, we will have more food. We will be able to provide for our little one.” Michaela felt her heart sinking. “You want me to take care of Early Sun the way I . . .” “I understand if you do not want to do this.” Michaela swallowed hard. Cloud Dancing and Snow Bird were amazing parents. She had observed them teaching their daughter things from the day she was born. They would do anything for her, including letting a white woman nurse her through the winter. Michaela wasn’t sure if that was the right thing to do for Early Sun, because she had spent the last six months bonding with her own mother. There had to be another way. “You could come live with us at the homestead. We could take care of you so you could take care of her.” “My tribe needs me. I must help them. I do not want to abandon my daughter, but she needs more care than Cloud Dancing or I can give her right now.” Michaela nodded slowly and swallowed hard. “I’ll do it.” She couldn’t refuse. A little girl needed her help, and she couldn’t refuse when she was their only option. |