"No, nothing's wrong Jake. I'm glad you don't have any customers....", she said.
"Yeah, well I ain't", he responded.
"Oh, I didn't mean that, I just meant that it gives me a chance to talk to you".
"What about?", again on the defensive.
"I wanted to thank you for removing the bullet from Sully's shoulder", she looked up at him, "you saved his life".
"Ain't nothin'. Colleen was there.....I told her what to do....", he noticed Michaela's eyebrow raise, "actually we worked together......wasn't nothin'."
"I'd say it was something Jake. An act of compassion, wouldn't you say?"
"Sure. Me and Sully are even now".
"That's one way to look at it, but you should be proud that you've helped someone Jake", she touched his arm.
"It was nothing.....did he tell you the whole story?"
"He told me you helped him........"
"Yeah.......so that means you're still courtin' him?", Jake straightened his back.
Michaela took her hand from Jake's arm, "Well, .....why would you ask me that?", she was flustered.
"Just wonderin' is all. I mean you two ain't exactly a couple I'd picture", Jake smirked.
"He's a good person Jake. Haven't you ever loved someone Jake?"
"Sure......lots of times. Well, maybe only once or twice. Love's a lot of work is all", he folded the newspaper he had placed on the chair.
"Jake, love is work, but it's also worth the effort, you should try it", she saw him stop and stare at the wall, "this is an unusual conversation for us to be having, but I think we're speaking the truth".
He turned to face her, "I'm real glad I helped Sully. If there's anything else I can do for ya, you just ask".
"Jake, I'm sorry if I got too personal, I didn't mean to. You're not the first to wonder about me and Sully and you probably won't be the last. But I've discovered that love can be a wonderful, good thing and you deserve that too Jake", she started to turn away, but turned back, "thank you Jake, thank you for talking with me and for saving Sully". She looked at him for a moment and then left. Jake sat on the bench in front of the window, he was trying to comprehend what they had just said.
Once back at the homestead, Michaela filled the wash tub with water, deciding to wash a few things. As she placed the garments into the water, she was unaware of Sully walking up behind her. As she started to scrub, Sully grabbed her waist, "Oh! Sully! You frightened me!"
"Didn't want to frighten ya, just surprise ya", he said, still holding her.
She looked up into his playful eyes, "Surprise?", she said and she scooped some water out of the tub and flung it at Sully.
"Hey!", he yelled, and he released her from his hands. She scurried away, knowing he would retaliate.
He skimmed off the suds from the top of the water and chased her. "Ahh! No! Please don't!", she yelled, playfully. Sully was laughing as he cut her off each time she tried to run past him. He succeeded in dropping the suds onto her hair and shoulder. "Sully! That's not fair!"
"What ain't fair about it? I got wet, why not you?"
"Because.......", she scooped suds and water, "it's my water and my soap!", and she threw it at him, managing to get most of it on his shoulder and down his back as he turned away.
"I'll have to hide from you then, seein' it's your water, I suppose you'd throw the whole tub of water at me!", he ran to the barn door.
"Good idea!", she tried to lift the tub, but it was too heavy. She grabbed a bucket and dipped it into the tub, filling it with water. When she turned around, Sully was nowhere to be seen.
"Where are you? Are you afraid of a little water?", she giggled, knowing she had more than a little water. She moved quietly to the barn door, thinking he was just behind it. She pushed the door with her hand and Sully ran. She chased him and threw the entire contents of the bucket on him.
"I surrender!", he exclaimed, as he slumped into the hay, "that's not fair, I don't care if it's your water, that's just not fair".
She caught her breath and dropped the bucket, "You look like you took a bath!", she laughed.
"Oh yeah!" , he rose to his knees and pulled her down next to him, "you're not exactly dry yourself".
"Sully, now you're covered with straw! What a mess.......", she looked into his eyes, "you're just a mess", she whispered as he came closer and closer to her, his eyes locked on hers. She let him slowly lower her and soon he was inches from her. They stared at each other, both noticing their breathing changing and it was Michaela who reached her hands up around his back. That was all the invitation he needed. He kissed her passionately, completely. As he pulled back, she pulled him with her hands forcing his body to touch hers. She ran one hand through his hair, loving the silky feel of it, and his lips found her neck and ear. He couldn't control himself, he felt her hand in his hair and her other hand stroking his back. He slowly slid his hand under her, around her back. He could tell her heart was pounding and he listened to her deep breathing for a moment. He liked her like this, passionate about him, abandoning her shy, reserved way. He nestled his head to her neck and breathed deeply, taking in her sweet scent. He froze as he felt her lips on his ear and heard her moan softly.
"Oh, Michaela, I love you so...", he whispered into her ear. He heard her sigh with approval into his ear and then she reached for his face. He looked into her eyes as she ran her fingers across his lips, he kissed her fingers gently and then smiled at her.
He pushed himself up and then turned and sat up. He waited a moment and then looked down at her. She was turned away from him, her hand resting on her face. "Michaela?", he said softly.
"Hmm?", she replied, not turning.
"I got a little carried away......I hope you're not upset....", he said carefully.
She turned to him, "No", she sat up, looked into his eyes and put her hands on him, "that was..passionate......Sully", she blushed and looked down. He was startled to hear her say this, he had always hoped that she thought it, but thought he would never hear her say it. He put his hand under her chin, "Hey, that's good.......I love kissing you.....I always will", he kissed her nose softly.
She snuggled against his chest and they sat like that for a long time. "Sully? I'm not surprised that the town helped you. You are a part of this community and now you know and they know that caring about people is something we can all do. I care about you and I shouldn't be afraid of that. You've never given me any reason to be afraid of you", she giggled slightly, "seems foolish for me to be frightened."
"Ah huh", he nodded and kissed her forehead, "I'd never hurt you. You've helped me so much, helped me become part of the community........the community you're so passionate about..........."
She put her fingers to his lips, "I'm passionate about you." "Good", he whispered in his low deep voice that she loved. She snuggled against his chest and he held her tightly.......for a long time.