Chapter 4: Welcome Back It had to end sometime. The honeymoon hadn’t ended, but the week of privacy sure had. The newlyweds couldn’t believe how fast time had gone by, and when they woke up at dawn, they didn’t want to get out of bed. Although the snow had pretty much melted away, it was freezing again and their bedroom was warm, and they were even warmer while wrapped in each other’s arms. Sully knew Michaela didn’t want to wake, but he could tell by her breathing that she was awake and not opening her eyes. He smiled and ran his hand up her leg under the blanket and kissed her bare shoulders and neck. She smiled and opened her eyes, turning to look at her husband. “Is it really over?” “It’ll never be over,” he replied. “But unfortunately a week has passed and we have to leave the house.” Michaela groaned and wished she could stay in bed an extra hour with her husband. It was so very tempting, but she knew that she had to get to the clinic and check on Charlotte. Sully’s lips claimed Michaela’s in a soft kiss, and when he pulled away, he left her wanting more. “I just want to stay here and be with you,” Michaela whispered. Sully smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. “We gotta go out there sometime, or they’re liable to send a search party lookin’ for us.” Michaela nodded thoughtfully. “I suppose,” she replied with a heavy sigh. Sully smiled at her and climbed out of bed. He pulled on his pants and his shirt. Next he put on the beaded necklace that Michaela had made for him. She beamed every time he wore it, because he wore it proudly. Michaela pulled the warm covers off of her and dressed quickly. She hadn’t really had much use for her clothes over the past week, and now it was going to drive her crazy being confined in them while keeping her mind on her husband all day. Sully went out to hitch up the wagon while Michaela sat down at her vanity mirror. She began running a brush through her hair. She smiled, thinking about the time Sully washed her hair. That had been a wonderful experience! She shivered, thinking about how warm his touch had been. It had sent shivers through every part of her body, something nobody had ever been able to do to her before. Being with Sully woke up emotions she never dared to let herself feel or express. She loved the person that she was when she was with her husband. He brought out the best in her, and she liked to think that she brought out the best in him. “Michaela?” she heard him call from downstairs. “I’m almost ready!” she called down. The simplest thing as saying her name could send her a memory of pleasure; Sully crying her name out in the midst of passion. She quickly braided her hair and tied it off at the end. With a last look in the mirror, she grabbed her medical bag and walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Sully was waiting with his coat on and Michaela’s coat in his arms. He helped her into it and helped her fasten it up. His eyes stayed on hers the whole time, and she felt as if her knees were made of water. She started to believe that if Sully continued to stare at her in that way, she’d melt in a puddle on the floor. He leaned in and kissed her with a promise of a wonderful reunion later that night. “We best get into town,” he whispered when they pulled away. Michaela nodded and they walked out of the homestead hand in hand. *~* Ethan Cooper walked into the mercantile. Loren was standing at the counter reading the Denver newspaper that had arrived with the stagecoach earlier that morning when the man came in. He gave him a disapproving look, knowing all too well what he had done to Charlotte. The only thing he was thinking now was when Ethan Cooper was going to leave town for good. Hank had been kind enough to set Ethan up with a room when Charlotte refused to let him stay at the clinic. He had come to Loren next who said that those rooms were for the children and Dorothy. Ethan’s last resort had been Hank, who wasn’t too keen on letting a man who abandoned his kids stay with him. But when Ethan waved ten dollars under his nose, Hank miraculously changed his tune. “Good morning, Mr. Bray,” Ethan said with a gentleman’s smile. Loren didn’t buy it. “What can I do for ya?” “I’d like to buy some candy for my youngest boy,” Ethan replied. Loran knew all too well what Ethan was doing. He was trying to win over Brian. How could this man be going against Charlotte’s wishes? The poor woman was on the brink of death and all this man cared about was money. Nobody had come right out and said it, but Loren knew. He could see it in Ethan’s eyes. “Do you have any licorice?” “Sure do. But that ain’t Brian’s favorite.” “Sure it is. I think I know what kind of candy my own son likes.” “Maybe it was before you left, but it ain’t now.” Ethan had a frustrated look about him and it amused Loren, but he kept a straight face. “What’s his favorite kind, then?” Ethan asked. “Gumdrops and taffy.” “I’ll take some gumdrops and taffy.” “We’re all out.” Loren knew darned well that he had a fresh supply of those things in the back, but he wasn’t going to let Ethan try to win the children over by sweets and presents. He did make a mental note to slip Brian some candy later while nobody was looking. “I’ll just take some tobacco then,” Ethan replied through clenched teeth. Loren nodded and grabbed a package of tobacco, wrapping it up for the man. Ethan left as Horace and Myra walked into the mercantile. “That man ain’t gonna take Charlotte’s kids is he?” Myra asked. “Nope. Charlotte’s lettin’ Dr. Mike and Sully adopt ‘em. And if he tries to take ‘em anyway, there’ll be a whole town there to stop him.” *~* Sully helped Michaela out of the wagon as soon as they arrived in town. He handed her the medical bag and gave her a kiss on the cheek. The two newlyweds kissed again, softly on the lips, and pulled one another into a warm embrace. “I don’t want to spend the day without you,” Michaela whispered. “I’ll come back around noon, alright? I gotta go check my traps.” “Be careful,” Michaela said with a worried look in her eyes. “You don’t have to worry ‘bout me.” He kissed her again and their noses rubbed a little. “I love you.” “I love you.” The door to the clinic flew open and the Cooper kids came running out. “Dr. Mike!” Colleen exclaimed. “You’re back!” Brian called. Brian jumped up and Sully pulled the boy into his arms. “Hey Brian,” he said with a laugh as Colleen hugged Michaela. Matthew greeted Sully with a handshake and hugged Dr. Mike. Everyone was very glad to see one another, but Michaela still wished that she and Sully were back home in the warmth and quiet of their bedroom. “Are you back for good?” Brian asked. “Yes,” Michaela replied. Sully laughed as Brian squirmed. He put the boy down and Michaela bent down a little. “Did you behave for your mother?” “We kept him in line,” Matthew replied with a laugh. “You’re gonna be our new ma,” Brian said. “Ma told us you and Sully are gonna adopt us.” “She talked to you about that?” Sully asked with surprise. “She said she figured we’d want to know,” Colleen replied with a nod. “Is it alright with the three of you?” “We talked about it,” Matthew replied with a nod. “We think it’s a good idea.” “But you gotta sign the papers and send ‘em in before pa takes us away.” “What?” Sully asked, glancing at Michaela who also looked concerned. “Our pa came back and he wants to take us to San Francisco. But ma already told him that you two are gonna adopt us,” Matthew explained. Michaela swallowed hard, the feelings she felt for a man she never met boiled up inside of her, leaving a disgusting taste in her mouth. The things that Charlotte had told her chilled her to the very core, and she knew that she couldn’t let Ethan Cooper take those children. She also knew she couldn’t alienate the children and speak ill of their father. “Children, why don’t you go see Mr. Bray and pick up some supplies?” Michaela suggested. “Do you need anything for the clinic?” Colleen asked. “Yes, could you pick up some new sheets?” “Sure,” Colleen replied. “Colleen sewed up pa’s hand. She did a real good job,” Brian said with a smile. Michaela grinned proudly at Colleen. “Colleen?” “I didn’t think it was worth mentionin’.” “I’m proud of you,” Michaela said with a smile. She hugged the girl and Colleen blushed and felt very proud of herself. She took her little brother’s hand and the three Cooper children went to the mercantile. Michaela and Sully turned to one another. “Ethan Cooper,” Michaela whispered under her breath. “He ain’t gonna take the kids. Charlotte’s already got the adoption papers ready.” “But he’s interested in money, and I know I shouldn’t judge people without getting to know them first, but I’ve heard everything I need to know about this man. He left Charlotte and those children, taking all of their money along with him. How am I supposed to trust that he’s going to bow out quietly?” “I’ll keep an eye on him.” Michaela nodded and Sully gave her a reassuring kiss. “I’m going to go speak with Charlotte.” Michaela walked into the clinic to find her mother folding blankets. “Michaela! Welcome back!” “Thank you, mother,” Michaela replied with a smile. She and her mother hugged warmly, and Michaela felt so happy to be able to feel close to her mother. “You just missed it. Your sisters left on the stagecoach earlier this morning.” “Oh,” Michaela replied with a disappointed frown. “It’s alright, they’ve promised to send word as soon as they arrive back home.” “Are you and father planning on staying long?” “Are you trying to get rid of us?” “No!” “Well, your father and I were hoping to stay an extra week. We’ve grown so close to the children, and with that Ethan Cooper fellow here, I’d feel better if we were here to spend time with them.” “That’s very thoughtful of you,” Michaela replied with a smile. “Um, how is Charlotte doing?” “She’s doing well. I prepared breakfast for her, and she’s upstairs eating right now.” “Thank you,” Michaela replied with a smile. “I’m going to go up to see her.” Elizabeth nodded and Michaela started up the stairs. She made her way to Charlotte’s room and found the woman sitting in bed with a full tray at her bedside. “Dr. Mike!” Charlotte said with a relieved grin on her face. “Welcome back.” “Thank you,” Michaela replied with a grin and a nod. “You’re not eating?” “I ain’t feelin’ up to it,” Charlotte replied with a sigh. “You should try to eat.” “There ya go tryin’ to be a doctor to me again. I just want ya to be my friend.” “If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been your doctor for the past couple of months. Just try to eat something. For me?” “I’ve tried, Dr. Mike,” Charlotte replied. “Honest I have. I just can’t seem to keep anything down. My nerves are about shot.” “Because of Ethan?” “You know, huh?” “The children informed me.” “Dr. Mike, I need you to do me a favor.” “Anything,” Michaela said with a nod. “I want you and Sully to sign the adoption papers and send them in.” “Charlotte, I don’t feel like that’s appropriate. It’s not time.” “Dr. Mike, I’ve been holdin’ on all week,” Charlotte admitted. “Sometimes I feel like I’m fightin’ God by keepin’ alive. My body’s weak and I ain’t even able to get outta bed to come see my children. They come in to see me.” “Charlotte, you could still have a lot more time left,” Michaela whispered. “Don’t give up.” “I’ve been holdin’ on,” Charlotte repeated. “I can’t do it much longer.” “Of course you can!” Michaela urged. Charlotte gave her friend a tired smile and shook her head. “I know you wanna believe that,” Charlotte whispered. “But I know my time’s comin’. I can feel it.” Tears began to fall from Michaela’s eyes. “Don’t go cryin’ over me. You knew this was comin’.” “It doesn’t make it any easier,” Michaela replied, wiping the tears from her eyes. Charlotte weakly took Michaela’s hand in hers and squeezed it as best she could. “Just promise me that you’ll get those papers signed and sent in before Ethan can take off with my children.” Michaela swallowed hard. “Promise me!” “I promise,” Michaela whispered. A serene smile replaced a worried frown on Charlotte’s face as she slowly drifted off to sleep. Michaela left her friend’s bedside, picking up the adoption papers and taking them with her. She was greeted by an empty exam room, so she sat down at her desk and looked at the bottom of the document. The line beside the X was for the adopting parents to sign. Michaela took a deep breath and signed Michaela Quinn on the line. She looked at her name and began to wonder if perhaps she should have taken Sully’s name. Dr. Michaela Sully didn’t have a bad ring to it at all, and the townsfolk called her Dr. Mike anyway. Michaela was snapped out of her thoughts when the door opened and a tall, older gentleman walked in and tipped his gray top hat. “Mornin’ ma’am,” he said with a smile. Michaela glanced at his bandaged hand, and she knew who he was. Ethan Cooper. “Mr. Cooper?” “I don’t believe we’ve met.” Michaela stood as Ethan extended a hand to her. She didn’t take it. “I’m Dr. Michaela Quinn.” Ethan nodded and a look of realization crossed his face. “You’re the woman who’s takin’ my kids away.” |