For personal use and select distribution only © August 1998 by S.L. Snyder

OLD AND NEW LOVE
by S. L. Snyder

Timeline: June 1873


Sully, Michaela and Katie were waiting for the train to pull in. The new owner of the Springs Chateau was arriving and he was bringing along the man who was going to manage the hotel. Senator Dinston had asked Sully and Michaela to help him out.

The train pulled into the station and two gentlemen and a young lady were the first ones off. One of the gentlemen walked up to Sully with his hand outstretched, "You must be Mr. Sully. I recognize you from John Dinston's description. I'm Robert Peterson, but please call me Bob."

"Glad to meet you, Bob. It's just Sully. This is my wife, Michaela, and our daughter, Katie," replied Sully.

"Yes...Dr. Quinn. John told me about you. It's a real pleasure to meet you and Katie, of course."

"Thank you, Bob. Please, call me Michaela or Dr. Mike."

Bob turned to the people standing beside him, "Sully, Michaela, I'd like you to meet the manager of my hotel, Colin Reilly, and his daughter Amanda."

They shook hands all around.

"I need to sign the final papers on the hotel and give Mr. Lodge the payment. Could you show me where the bank is?" asked Bob.

"I'll take you there," replied Sully. "Your luggage will be okay here until we head out to the hotel."

"I assume you won't need Amanda or me to go with you to the bank," Michaela said. "I'd like to give her a quick tour of the town."

"Why thank you, Michaela. I'm sure Amanda is tired of all our business talk," said Bob.

Amanda smiled and looked at Michaela, "Thank you, Dr. Mike. I sure would like to get away from all this serious talk for a little while."

They all laughed and Sully said to Michaela, "Why don't we meet you and Amanda at Grace's in about half an hour?"

"We'll be there."

Sully headed off to the bank with the men. Michaela, carrying Katie, took Amanda's arm with her free hand, and they headed down the street. "Where did you live before coming here, Amanda?"

"San Francisco. Father managed a hotel for Mr. Peterson. Father was ready for a change when Mr. Peterson told him about this new hotel."

"Colorado Springs is a wonderful town, but nothing like San Francisco. I'm originally from Boston, so I know what you will be missing. But I wouldn't trade my home here for Boston!" Michaela told Amanda. "It won't take us long to see the entire town!" Michaela laughed.

After showing Amanda the town and the clinic, Michaela took her to the café and introduced her to Grace. They sat down and Grace brought them some lemonade.


Matthew was headed for the clinic when he saw Michaela at Grace's. The next thing he saw was the girl sitting next to Michaela. He was struck by the girl's beauty; by her dark, almost black hair and her delicate features. He headed towards them. "Dr. Mike, I been looking for you."

"Matthew, please, come join us." As Matthew sat down, Michaela turned to Amanda, "Amanda, I'd like you to meet our oldest son, Matthew. Matthew, this is Amanda Reilly. Her father is the new manager of the Springs Chateau."

As Michaela was making the introductions, Katie held her arms out to Matthew. As he took Katie from Michaela, Matthew nodded at Amanda and said, "Welcome to Colorado Springs, Miss Reilly."

"Thank you. Your mother showed me the town. It's very nice. I think this will be a nice place to live."

"Now, Matthew, why were you looking for me?"

"Uh....I don't remember...it wasn't important."

Michaela saw that Matthew wasn't really paying attention to her, but was looking at Amanda. She smiled to herself as Sully, Bob and Colin walked up. They sat down at the table and Grace brought them drinks as Sully introduced them to Matthew.

"Mr. Lodge is not the most pleasant of folk, is he?" Bob said.

Sully smiled at Michaela and said, "Preston was not on his best behavior. He acted like he was doing Bob this great big favor and treated Colin like a servant."

"For a man in financial trouble, having to get rid of his holdings, he sure is arrogant," said Bob. "When I read the transfer of ownership papers, he had added some clauses in saying that we would provide rooms for guests of his when needed. And there was a clause about him retaining his room out there. That's what took us the extra time...had to remove those clauses. I don't want him in any way connected with the hotel."

"I'm surprised he had those clauses. He came to me a few days ago and asked me to help him write them up. I told him he had no legal ground to put them in the papers and I wouldn't help him," said Matthew.

"Are you a lawyer?" asked Bob.

"No, sir. Some things been happenin' here that made me interested in the law, so I been reading the law books in the town library. Folk have been asking me I to help them with a few things here and there."

"When Sully was having the problems with the Army, it was Matthew who found out the information that helped us get the charges dismissed," Michaela told them. "Then we had some civil law suits, where I was appointed a temporary judge. Matthew found the different rulings that applied to the situations we had and enabled me to make the proper rulings."

"Very impressive, young man. And do you charge for your services?"

"No, sir. I ain't a lawyer. I just like to find out about the rightness of things."

"You don't have to be a lawyer to charge for your services. In San Francisco we call young men like you legal assistants. They have their own offices. Lawyers hire them to do legal research and people hire them for help with minor cases. Since this town doesn't have a lawyer, Matthew, you could set up an office and handle all the legal matters here about for a fee. I'd even be willing to hire you to offer legal advice to Colin here if it was needed. I know in San Francisco there has been occasional need of legal aid. Why don't you think about it and let me know."

"Yes, sir, I will."

Brian arrived at the café as he had just gotten out of school, the last day before summer break.

"I would like you to meet our other son, Brian," said Sully. "We also have another daughter, Colleen, who got married a few days ago. She and her husband are on their honeymoon in Denver and are due back tomorrow. Brian, this is Mr. Peterson, the new owner of the Springs Chateau, his manager Mr. Reilly and Mr. Reilly's daughter Amanda."

Brian shook hands with the gentlemen.

"Michaela, I must commend you. Your sons are so polite," said Bob.

Michaela smiled, "I can't take all the credit for that. I've only had them about six years, since their real mother died from a rattlesnake bite. Charlotte was my best friend.....actually my only friend...... when I first moved to Colorado Springs. On her deathbed, she gave me her three children, Matthew, Colleen and Brian. We had a rough time in the beginning....I couldn't even cook! Thank goodness Colleen was a good cook. We all learned together."

"Ma's come a long way since we first met her," Brian said. "She didn't even know how to sweep the floor!"

"Brian!" Michaela said, laughing, "don't tell all my faults."

The others saw Sully and the boys smiling at her obvious pride in and love for her family.

"Well, however you came together, you have a very nice family," Colin said.

"Thank you. We're very proud of our children," Michaela replied. Sully nodded his head while both of them were smiling at the boys.

"Michaela, I'm going to take them out to the hotel now. I'll be back to take you home. Matthew, Brian, would you like to come with me and bring Katie?" Sully asked.

Matthew and Brian both replied, "Yes."

Sully kissed Michaela goodbye and they headed off for the wagon.


Michaela was brushing her hair as Sully came in their bedroom after checking on Katie. He came over to her, took the brush and started brushing her hair. They both loved this time together, with the children in bed and the house quiet.

"Was Katie asleep?" Michaela asked.

"Yes."

Sully finished her hair and Michaela went to their bed while Sully took his clothes off and then got in besides Michaela. They snuggled down in the bed, with their arms around each other. Sully kissed Michaela on her forehead and Michaela kissed him on the chest.

"Sully?"

"Mmmm?"

"Did you see the way Matthew was looking at Amanda?"

"Uh-huh. It was the same way at the hotel, but there Amanda was watching him, too."

"That's nice. She's the first girl he has looked at since Emma left, and with Emma, even when he said he loved her, he never seemed to really connect with her the way he did with Ingrid."

"True. But Michaela, don't get it into your head to 'help' things along!"

"Sully!"

"My love, ya always want the best for our family, but let things just happen without your help. Ya didn't get involved with Colleen and Andrew and that worked out."

"Well...sort of....until I suggested they wait."

"Yeah, but they already knew they loved each other. And ya didn't take long to realize your error and let them know it was okay to have the wedding now."

"Sully, my error?"

"Darlin', ya can't help wanting what ya think is the best for them. But ya just have to take a step back and let nature take it's course."

"Does that mean I can't ask Colin and Amanda to dinner once they get settled?" asked Michaela with a smile.

Sully laughed, "Ya know it don't. Dinner would be fine."


The next day, the family was at the train station to welcome Colleen and Andrew home. As Colleen got off the train and went to hug Michaela, Michaela looked into her eyes and knew Colleen was happy. Andrew was beaming from ear to ear as he shook hands with his new family.

"You will come out for dinner tonight, won't you?" Michaela asked them.

"Oh, ma, we'd love too," Colleen said. "We missed you all so much!"

"You bet," said Andrew.

"You mean you had time to miss us?" Matthew asked his sister.

Colleen blushed (and so did Andrew), "Of course we missed you, Matthew!"

Although she had a faint smile, Michaela gave Matthew a disapproving look. Matthew grinned at Michaela and said, "I meant with so many stores, and the Opera House and all in Denver, you must a been real busy."

Sully knew Michaela was anxious to talk to Colleen alone and make sure everything really was okay, so he said to Andrew, "Matthew, Brian and I will help you carry your luggage and packages to the boarding house. Michaela, why don't you and Colleen take Katie and meet us at Grace's."

Michaela nodded, and she headed toward the café with Colleen and Katie. "Colleen, is everything really okay?"

"Oh yes, ma, I'm so happy! The honeymoon was more than I ever expected and I really like being married. Thank you for telling me what to expect. I want to please Andrew as a wife. I would have been afraid of....well, you know.... if you hadn't talked to me. I like being alone with him and I think he wasn't prepared for a wife who wasn't afraid of the intimacy. I remembered what you said about grandma calling it a 'wifely duty' and making it sound bad...but, ma, it isn't!"

"No, it isn't, Colleen. I am so glad things worked out well for you."

"Ma, it just seems to get better!"

Michaela smiled at Colleen, "Yes, Colleen, it does...and it will continue to as the years go by. But there's more to your marriage than the intimacy. You need to talk and share feelings. The sharing of feelings was hard for me in the beginning. Thank goodness Sully is patient."

"Ma?"

"Yes?"

"Can I asked you something kinda intimate?"
"Certainly."

"Do you ever stop wanting to be with your husband in that way? I mean, I look at Andrew sometimes and want to be alone with him right away. Or he'll look at me and I get tingly all over. I get feelings I never knew were possible....I mean, he can touch me in certain places....and.....I don't know how to say it."

"You don't need to, Colleen, I know what you mean. And if you can stop wanting your husband, I don't know when it would be because I still feel the same about Sully. He can still make me blush!"

"I don't ever want to stop feelin' this way, ma! I love him so!"

"Colleen, I'm so happy for you!"


"Hey, Colleen, Andrew," Brian said as they all sat down to dinner, "did ya hear the new owner of the hotel is here? And the man that's gonna run it and the man's daughter."

"Is that so?" Andrew said.

"Yeh....and Amanda, that's her name, is real pretty....isn't she, Matthew?" Brian said.

"What?!....yeh....I guess so," Matthew stumbled over his words. Michaela and Sully noticed how uncomfortable Matthew had become and they smiled at each other.


"So how is Colleen?" Sully asked Michaela as they settled in bed.

"She's wonderful. She's so happy with Andrew. She asked some questions about when they're alone, if it should be so good."

"And what did you tell her?" he asked, grinning.

Michaela looked at him with love in her eyes, "I told her it was for me!"

Sully leaned over and said. "Would ya show me what ya meant?".

Michaela smiled, put her arms around his neck, pulled his face down to meet hers and gave him a very passionate kiss.

"Oh, that's what ya meant! And I sure am glad you have on a nightgown that buttons down the front, so much easier to get off."

"Sully!"

He laughed as he started unbuttoning the front of her gown. Michaela gazed in his eyes as he was handling the buttons. When he got it unbutton to her waist, he slipped his hand underneath the gown, cupped her breast and ran his thumb over her nipple. "And is this good, my love?" he whispered.

"Hmmm...yes," she whispered in reply.

Sully smiled and opened her nightgown all the way. "Well, if you think that's good, the rest will be even better!"


Colleen and Andrew arrived back at their room at the boarding house.

"Today, when you were with Michaela without us, did you tell her?" asked Andrew.

"No. I wasn't ready. She's gonna be so upset."

"You're going to have to tell her soon. She expects us to be leaving for Philadelphia in another week."

"I know. I promise, I'll talk to her tomorrow."

Andrew put his arms around Colleen, "She'll be okay with it once she adjusts. You'll see. Now, let's go to bed."

Colleen looked up at Andrew and smiled, "I love you so much."

"I love you too...always have."

He bent over and kissed her. She felt his hands unbuttoning her dress in the back and soon he was pulling it off her shoulders. She reached up and undid his shirt and helped him off with it. Soon all their clothes were gone and Andrew was running his hands over her body. This is what she had been thinking of when she had talked to Michaela. She never knew the touches of a man she loved could have this result. Andrew lifted Colleen up and carried her to the bed, all the while kissing her. He lay down besides her and started kissing her neck, then went lower. When he started kissing her breasts, waves of pleasure began washing over her body. As he entered her, Colleen knew she would never be able to get enough of Andrew.


Matthew was walking in the woods and couldn't stop thinking about Amanda. From the moment he first saw her sitting next to Dr. Mike, he felt his life had changed. He remembered what Sully had said about a second love coming along and being different from the first. Love...was that what he felt....he wasn't sure. He knew he felt something about Amanda. He knew he was very confused. He had liked Emma a lot, maybe even loved her, but it wasn't like what he felt now. When he was away from Emma, he hadn't thought about her all the time like he did with Ingrid. Now he found himself thinking about Amanda constantly. He could see Amanda's dark hair and green eyes, he could see her smile. He didn't know what to do; with Ingrid it had been easy...it had just happened. But he didn't know how to approach Amanda. Maybe she'd laugh at him. Maybe he was just being foolish. He realized he was at the creek, then he heard someone call his name.

"Matthew?"

He turned around and saw Sully. "Sully...I didn't see ya."

"Or hear me. That's the third time I've called ya. Are you okay?"

"Well...yeh...I guess..."

"Matthew? Is somethin' bothin' ya? Do you wanna talk?"

"I....I.....Sully, I'm confused, I'm not sure what I'm thinking."

"I'll listen, Matthew."

"Are you gonna tell Dr. Mike?"

"I don't like to keep secrets from her, but I won't if ya don't want me too."

Matthew thought a minute, then said, "Yeh...it's okay for her to know...she won't say anything."

They sat down on a log near the creek. Sully didn't say anything. He just waited for Matthew to gather his thoughts and talk.

"It's about Amanda.....no, it's about me and how I feel about her. I haven't stop thinking about her. It scares me...I thought Ingrid would be the only one I'd really care for this way....even though you said it could happen, I didn't really believe it.....not for me......I know it happened for you, I know how much you love ma. I thought I'd just be the older brother, the uncle, always there for the family, but after losing Ingrid, no one else to love that way. But when I saw Amanda, somethin' happened....I don't even know what happened. My thoughts are a jumble and I know I ain't makin' any sense!"

"Love ain't about makin' sense, Matthew. It's about feelin'. When I saw your ma for the first time, I forgot about everything for a minute and from then on, she was always in my thoughts. I tried to deny what I felt for her, but after you went to Boston, I knew I had to do somethin' or be lost forever. Don't be afraid to feel what ya feel."

"But what if she doesn't feel the same, or maybe she doesn't even like me?"

"Life's about takin' chances, Matthew. The only way to know what Amanda feels is to talk to her."

"I can't ask her what she thinks of me!"

"I didn't say that. I said talk to her. Go see her, ask her on a picnic, show her your world. Take her horse back ridin', get to know her and let her get to know you. Find out what's she interested in, ask her about living in San Francisco. Find some common ground."

"Did you and Dr. Mike find common ground in the beginning?"

"Yeh. Our concern for people, nature and you kids. It don't always happen fast, Matthew. It took Michaela and me some time and some heartache to get where we are now. But what I learned from loving her for so long is that it's all worth it. Everyday with Michaela is like a new day. The time I was in hiding was the hardest time I ever had, knowing I couldn't go to her whenever I wanted or when she needed me. But even the time away made us learn about how we feel and it made our bond even stronger. But if I'd never taken the chance and gone to Boston, I wouldn't have what I have now. So you gotta take a chance if ya wanna find out about Amanda, and your feelin's and hers."


Colleen went to see Michaela at the clinic. When she got there, Michaela was updating some patient records. "Ma, have you got a minute so we can talk?"

"Of course, Colleen."

"I don't want you to be upset, but I need to tell you something."

"Okay," Michaela said, although she had a feeling what was coming.

Colleen sat down, but she couldn't look at Michaela. She didn't want to see the disappointment in her eyes. "I thought a lot about this in the last weeks. I'm just not ready to go to medical school, so while I was in Denver, I wired the school and told them I wouldn't be coming this year. They wired back and said to let them know and I was still accepted as long as they had room when I was ready. I know this is why you wanted us to delay the wedding, and I'm not saying I'm never going, just not now." Colleen took a deep breath and waited for Michaela to speak.

Michaela was very mindful of the things she and Sully had talked about. She knew she had to be careful and not repeat her mother's mistakes. "In that case, do you think Andrew would like his job back at the hotel clinic?"

Colleen couldn't believe what she was hearing. She looked up at Michaela in amazement. "Ma, are you serious?"

"Yes, Colleen. Obviously I would like you to go to school and be a doctor. But more than that I want you to be happy. So if staying here for awhile, or forever, is what you want and makes you happy, then that's what I want for you."

Colleen jumped up and into Michaela arms. "I love you, ma!"

"And I love you, Colleen."

"Thank you. I'd still like to help you here in the clinic. I want to learn as much as I can."

"That's fine, but it wouldn't hurt to spend time helping Andrew too. Learning from both of us can only help you."

Colleen let go of Michaela. "Andrew's waiting in our room. He was really worried. He wanted to come with me, but I thought I should come alone."

"Why don't you go get him and we'll talk."

Michaela watched Colleen run across to get Andrew. She was proud of herself for handling it this way. She knew Sully would be proud of her too. This was one of the hardest things she had ever done, until she saw the joy in Colleen's face and then she knew it was the right thing to do.

Colleen and Andrew walked in the door. "Michaela...." said Andrew.

"It's okay, Andrew. I really do understand. I think if I'd met Sully before going to medical school, I might not be a doctor now. "

Andrew took Michaela's hand and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you....Ma."

Michaela laughed. "Now, about a job. It's up to me to find a doctor for the hotel clinic. The new owner is very different from Preston. He will hire whomever I recommend and I do feel you are right for the job. So if you want it, the job is yours."

"Yes, I do want it, but there are some conditions. I want to be able to treat any one, not just hotel guests."

"Mention it to them, but I can't see where it would be a problem. Now, about a place to live. This thought came to me while I was waiting for you to come over. Across the hall, we have those 3 downstairs rooms here that I don't use for clinic business. The only time I have ever used them was when we had the influenza epidemic and the dysentery. That's twice in six years. If you want to make them your home, we could redo them to make one a sitting room, one a bedroom and the smallest room a little kitchen. I know Sully, Brian, Matthew, Daniel and Robert E would help to fix them up. And you'd be doing me a favor. One of the things I worry about is someone coming here at night to find a doctor and not knowing where I live. You could handle any emergencies that came up and send for me if you needed me. That's all I'd ask in exchange for the rooms."

Colleen and Andrew glanced at each other and nodded, then Andrew said, "We'd really like to have the rooms here. Thanks."

"Well, I'm not busy right now, so why don't we ride out to the hotel and talk to the owner and manager."


Bob and Colin were in the manager's office when Michaela arrived with Colleen and Andrew. "Bob, Colin, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Colleen and her husband, Dr. Andrew Cook."

"Dr. and Mrs. Cook, glad to meet you," said Bob, shaking Andrew's hand, with Colin also shaking his hand.

"Colleen and Andrew have decided to make Colorado Springs their home for awhile. Before they were married, Andrew was the doctor out here at the clinic, but he quit over problems with Preston." said Michaela.

"Then he's just the doctor to run our clinic!" exclaimed Colin. Bob shook his head in agreement. "Dr. Cook, will you?"

Andrew smiled, "I'd appreciate it if you call me Andrew and I'd like very much to return to work here, however, one of the problems Preston and I had was that he didn't want me helping Dr. Mike when necessary, like during an epidemic. And he didn't like it when I treated sick patients out here. He only wanted the 'ailing' hotel customers and they usually had minor aches and pains. I want to be able to help anyone who needs me and help Dr. Mike if she asks me."

"We don't have any problem with that, Andrew," said Bob. "A doctor should help any one who needs help and helping Michaela is only right. We've met Preston and understand that he considered this hotel and it's facilities available only to the rich who would pay a lot. That's not our aim. We want to make rooms available to everyone and plan to price rooms and services accordingly. I think we'll all get along just fine." Bob put his hand out to Andrew to shake on the deal. "Did you and Mrs. Cook want to have quarters out here?"

"No, thank you. There are extra rooms attached to the clinic that Michaela has offered to us and we have accepted them."

"Why don't you plan to start work tomorrow morning. At that time, you and Colin can work out the details."


Matthew was riding up to the hotel when he saw Michaela, Colleen and Andrew coming down the stairs at the hotel. He reined his horse around and went behind some trees. He didn't know what to say to them....what reason to give for coming out here. He knew Sully wouldn't have seen and told Dr. Mike yet and he wasn't comfortable saying anything to them. He waited until they rode by and were far enough down the road not to see him go to the hotel.

He tied his horse and went into the hotel. He asked the desk clerk for Amanda, who sent one of the bellboys after her. A few minutes later he saw Amanda walking down the hall. For a minute, he felt like turning and running, but he stood his ground. As Amanda walked up to him, she smiled and he felt dizzy. This scared him....he was worried he'd say something dumb.

Amanda held out her hand, "Hello, Matthew, nice to see you."

Matthew took her hand and shook it, "Miss Reilly." In his mind he was thinking he should be kissing her hand, not shaking it! He'd have to ask Sully, or maybe even Dr. Mike.

"Please, call me Amanda. Miss Reilly is so formal."

"Amanda, then. I....I was wonderin' if you'd like to go for a ride sometime?.....Maybe tomorrow? I can borrow a buggy."

"I would love to and I'm sure we could use one of the hotel's buggies. So far what I have seen of this area is really magnificent and I would really love to see more."

"That's great...I mean, good....I, ah....I'll be here tomorrow....maybe around 10?"

"I'll be ready, Matthew, with a buggy."

Amanda smiled at him again and he was really uncomfortable...wondering if he'd make a mistake.


As Matthew walked away, Amanda could feel herself shaking inside. She hoped she had carried herself well in front of him. She hadn't stopped thinking about him since she had met him the other day. He was so handsome. But what if once she told him, he wouldn't want to be around her anymore? That scared her.....but, maybe....


Michaela had asked Colleen and Andrew for dinner again, and had also asked Daniel. When they were at the dinner table, she told everyone about their decision to stay in Colorado Springs. That brought smiles from everybody. Sully was looking at Michaela for her reaction. She looked up at him, smiled and nodded. Then Michaela told them about the clinic rooms and asked for their help in the remodeling, reminding them that Jake's house was still in the process of being build.

"And now, Andrew has some news to tell you," Michaela said, nodding at Andrew.

Andrew smiled and said, "Michaela recommended me for the job at the hotel clinic and I start tomorrow. I also told Bob and Colin I needed more freedom to work with patients and they agreed! It was great."

"We'll start on the rooms tomorrow," said Sully. "There's enough furniture from the old boarding house, including a stove, that I'm sure we can make the rooms comfortable for you. I'll talk to Jake tomorrow and make sure he don't mind if we get the clinic rooms ready before continuing on his house. The rooms shouldn't take too long." The others agreed.


Michaela and Sully were in bed, talking. "Are ya okay with Colleen's decision to delay medical school?" Sully asked Michaela.

"Yes. When she came to tell me, I was pretty sure I knew what it was and I remembered all the things you said. I didn't get upset, or mad, or anything. I just told her that Andrew could get on at the clinic. She was very surprised, and pleased, at my reaction. I have you to thank for that."

"My pleasure and I'm sure proud of ya! Now, about Matthew..."

"What's wrong with, Matthew?"

"Love. He said I could tell ya, but only you cause he knew ya wouldn't say anything to anyone else. I found him down by the creek lookin' very distressed. He told me he's very confused about Amanda..." Sully went on to tell Michaela of his conversation with Matthew.

Michaela smiled, "So Matthew thinks love should make sense?"

"Yeh....I told him it didn't!"

"Oh you did, did you? I'm not sure I agree with you, Mr. Byron Sully!" she said laughing.


They started working on the clinic rooms in the morning, after Sully talked to Jake and to get his agreement on the delay in building his house. Robert E came to help them also. About 9:30 in the morning, Matthew told the others he had some plans and would see them later.

"Where ya goin', Matthew?" asked Brian.

"I just have something to do."

"What?"

"Brian, that's your brother's business," said Sully.


Amanda was waiting on the front porch of the hotel when Matthew rode up. "Good morning, Matthew."

"Mornin' Amanda."

"Here's the buggy we can use."

Matthew helped Amanda into the buggy, got in and took the reins. He headed out toward the Red Rocks. Matthew thought the silence sure was loud. He didn't know what to say. He glanced at Amanda out of the corner of his eye. She was looking around at the scenery. Matthew was wondering if he made the right decision in asking her to go for a ride. Maybe she just said yes to be polite. Then he remembered what Sully said, about asking her about San Francisco.

"Dr. Mike said you are from San Francisco."

"Yes. We've lived there since I was three."

"I've never been there. My real father lives there, but I don't go see him."

"Why?"

"I don't really get along too well with him. He left our family years ago. 'Sides, I think of Sully as my pa."

"Would you like to hear about San Francisco?" Amanda asked.

"Yeh, I would." Matthew thought it would ease the tension.

Amanda started talking about the city. Matthew only heard part of what she said. He was very nervous. Finally they came over the rise and the Red Rocks were out in front of them.

"Oh, Matthew," Amanda exclaimed, "look at that. Oh, it's magnificent!"

"They're called the Red Rocks, or the Garden of the Gods. They ain't protected yet, but Sully is working toward that. Awhile back, the railroad wanted to lay tracks through there, but Sully did a survey and proved to them there was a route to lay their tracks that would be better. Sully works with people in Washington who want to save the land. They made a park out of some land up north and called it Yellowstone. Sully's hoping they'll protect the Red Rocks in the same way." Matthew felt comfortable talking about this, something he knew a lot about. He just didn't know what else to talk about.

"Your family's very nice, Matthew. I sure like your mother. She seems to be so caring."

"Thanks. She is. She's the reason I was sheriff for awhile. I wanted to help the people in the town."

"Why aren't you the sheriff still?"

"Sully had some problems and was missing. The Army was looking for him to arrest him and Dr. Mike was looking for him, too. I wanted to go out and help look, but a sergeant told me as sheriff I had to do what he said, which was staying in town and guarding the jail for Indians he was taking prisoner. I had to make a choice, guard Indians that I didn't think belonged in jail, or look for my pa. So I quit."

"Can I asked what the trouble was?"

"The Army was mistreatin' the Indians out at the Palmer Creek Reservation. Sully's best friend, Cloud Dancing, was beaten up by some soldiers for being an hour late from a pass off the reservation. He was hurt real bad. Dr. Mike had to operate to save him. So Sully helped them get away, but things went bad. Some of the Indians he helped, turned around and started attacking soldiers and civilians, but Sully and Cloud Dancing headed toward the northern Indian land. A sergeant who hated Sully for things that had happened before, followed them cause he wanted to catch Cloud Dancing. Cloud Dancing got away, but Sully and the sergeant fought and went over a cliff. The sergeant was killed when he fell on a rock. We found Sully badly injured, in the woods, a few weeks later. Dr. Mike fixed him up and we hid him in a cave. He was in hiding for 6 months until the Army made peace with the Indians and Sully was pardoned."

"This Cloud Dancing is a good friend of his?"

"Yeh, actually he's more like Sully's brother. And Sully was Indian Agent for awhile, but he tried too hard to help the Indians, which went against what the government really wanted, so he was fired. Cloud Dancing is a good friend to our family. The town passed a law that allows Cloud Dancing to be around, even though the other Indians are up on the Indian Lands in the north." Matthew felt on very safe ground, talking about the family, Cloud Dancing and all.

"Have I seen Cloud Dancing in town?"

"No. He went up to the Indian lands to get some stuff to sell for them. He'll be back soon."

"Are there still Indians at this Palmer Creek Reservation?"

"Not really. The government sold the land, but our friend, Daniel bought it. The banker wanted to buy it and cut down all the trees, but Daniel bought it to save it from Preston. That helped the Indians decide on peace. But Daniel has asked Cloud Dancing to share the land with him, so Cloud Dancing lives there when he's not up north. Would you like to go see it?"

"Yes, I would."

Matthew turned the buggy toward the reservation land. When they were almost there, he saw Cloud Dancing riding toward them.

"Cloud Dancing, you're back." Matthew said.

"A-ho, Matthew."

"Does Dorothy know you're back? She didn't say anything when I saw her in town."

"No. I just got back. I am a few days early. I was able to bring many goods down, as you can see," the two pack horses behind Cloud Dancing were piled high.

"Cloud Dancing, I'd like ya to meet Miss Amanda Reilly. Her pa is the new manager at the Springs Chateau. Amanda, this is Cloud Dancing, our friend."

Amanda nodded and smiled at Cloud Dancing.

"A-ho, Miss Reilly."

Amanda was uncomfortable the way he looked at her. It was like he knew.


Matthew returned to town after lunch and went to the clinic to talk to Michaela. She wasn't there, so he sat down to wait and to think. He'd had a good time with Amanda, but he hoped he hadn't scared her off with his stories about the Indians and the army. She hadn't talked much after they met up with Cloud Dancing. He wondered if she was uncomfortable around Indians. As he was thinking about this, Michaela walked in.

"Matthew?"

"Dr. Mike. Are you busy?"

"No. Do you need something?"

"To talk."

"Okay."

"Did Sully tell you about yesterday when I was with him down at the creek?"

"Yes."

"So you know how I feel.....I mean how I think I feel....I don't really know what I'm saying! Maybe this is stupid!"

"No, Matthew, it's not stupid. Being confused about your feelings is okay. You just have to work it out."

"Yeh, I know that, but Dr. Mike, I don't know how to talk to her. I feel like I'm saying the wrong thing. Sully said to ask her about San Francisco. I did and she talked, but I ain't sure what she said....I wasn't really listening.....I was trying to decide what to say. And before that, when I first picked her up at the hotel, she held out her hand. I shook it, but maybe I was suppose to kiss it! I'm not sure how to act, Dr. Mike!"

"Matthew, be yourself. You didn't put on an act for Ingrid and she loved you. You are smart and handsome and fun to be around. If it's to be, Amanda will see that."

"You're talking like a mother. Amanda may not think those things."

"Trust me when I tell you, Matthew, she does. A mother knows these things!"

He looked up at Michaela. "Ya think so?"

"Yes, I do. Just be yourself. Pretending to be someone you aren't doesn't work."

Matthew smiled at Michaela, stood up and kissed her on the cheek, "Thanks, ma."


As a few days passed, Colleen and Andrew's rooms started to look like a home. Matthew had been using Colleen's old bed, but he traded for one of the beds from the clinic as Colleen's was too fancy for him. The old stove Sully had mentioned was found and it worked fine. For a wedding present, Michaela and Sully ordered some living room furniture from Loren. Once the bedroom and kitchen were ready, Colleen and Andrew moved in. The living room had a few odds and ends of furniture, enough to work until the new furniture came.

When the rooms were done, the men went back to helping Jake with his house. Every few days, Matthew would excuse himself from helping and go off. Only Sully and Michaela knew he was going out to the hotel to see Amanda. Matthew managed it without Andrew seeing him. He still wasn't ready to talk about seeing Amanda. Matthew was beginning to really enjoy the visits with Amanda and he was becoming more comfortable in talking with her. She knew how to ride horses and he took her horseback riding often.


A few weeks later, on a beautiful day, Matthew and Amanda went riding into the foothills.

"Amanda, let's stop here for the picnic lunch I brought from Grace's," Matthew said to Amanda as she came riding up to him. Matthew was gazing at Amanda's attire. When she first had come to Colorado Springs, her clothes looked like Boston, which he knew meant like San Francisco, but she was beginning to look like she belonged in Colorado Springs. He thought these clothes looked much better on her than the fancy dresses she had been wearing.

They dismounted and set the picnic up under a tree. As they talked about the countryside, Matthew kept stealing glances of Amanda. As they cleaned up the picnic lunch, Matthew helped her to her feet. She was very close to him, and without thinking Matthew leaned over and kissed her. Startled, she took a step back after the kiss, which Matthew thought meant she didn't like it.

"I'm sorry, Amanda, I shouldn't have done that," Matthew said as he started to turn away.

"Why?"

He turned back, "Why what?"

"Why do you say you shouldn't have?"

"I....I.....well.....because you didn't want me too."

"I didn't say that. I was just startled. I liked it."

"You did?"

"Yes," she replied. Matthew came closer and Amanda reached up to touch his face. Then she leaned closer and kissed him. This kiss was longer than the last. Finally, they broke away.

"I like you, Amanda."

"I like you too, Matthew," Amanda whispered in reply. "But before things so any further, there's something you need to know. I couldn't bear to have you find out and be mad at me. I think your friend, Cloud Dancing, knows."

"Knows what?"

Amanda steeled herself for possible rejection. She knew it was something many couldn't handle, but she knew she had to tell Matthew. "Matthew, my father and I moved to San Francisco from Schenectady, New York. I was three and my mother had died having a baby, the baby died too."

"Amanda! I'm sorry!"

"Thank you. But that's not what I'm trying to tell you. This is very hard for me," she said with a pause. Then, "Father chose San Francisco because no one knew us there and wouldn't know about my mother. I'm not ashamed of her, but too many people would not treat us good if they knew."

"Knew what?"

"My mother's mother was a Huron Indian," Amanda paused for what she had said to sink in. Then she looked up at Matthew. The look on his face told her all she wanted to know. "You don't care, do you?"

"No. What people come from don't bother me. But I can understand your fear. People around here have a hard time excepting Cloud Dancing, but he's a very good man and a very good friend. Dr. Mike and Sully have taught us that what people are inside is what's important. And you met Dorothy Jennings, the paper's editor; well she and Cloud Dancing are in love and it's a good thing as far as I can see."

Matthew looked at Amanda and saw she was crying. "Amanda, did I say something to hurt you....you make you cry?!"

She smiled, "To make me cry, yes; to hurt me, no. I was so afraid you'd hate me and never speak to me again. That's what happened to my mother in New York. They called her names and spit at her because she was half-Indian. My father loved her so much and when she died, he almost died too. He said that he only made it because of me. I care so much for you, Matthew. I've never felt this way before." Amanda had her head down, she couldn't look him in the eyes.

Matthew put his arms around her and held her tight, "I care about you too, Amanda. More than I thought I ever could again."

"What do you mean, again?"

So Matthew told Amanda the story of Ingrid. When he was done, she hugged him tight and kissed him. "I love you, Matthew."

"I love you, too," and as Matthew said the words, he realized how true they were.


Dinner was over, Katie was in bed asleep and Brian had said goodnight to go up to his room and read. Sully and Michaela were sitting in the living room, reading, when Matthew came in.

"Sorry I wasn't here for dinner. Colin asked me to stay for dinner out at the hotel. I hope ya didn't worry?" said Matthew.

Michaela smiled, "We figured that's where you were." Sully nodded. They both could tell Matthew had changed since they saw him that morning. His eyes were shinning with joy.

Matthew walked over to the fireplace and sat down on the rug. Michaela and Sully were watching him. It was obvious he wanted to say something and was trying to find the words. They waited for him to talk. Finally, he turned around on the rug and faced them.

"Amanda...well.....she loves me," Matthew told them, smiling. "And I told her I love her. I couldn't believe I could be so lucky to have her feel this way. I just wanted to sit and look at her."

Michaela reached out and took Matthew's hand, "We're so happy for you, Matthew."

"Yeh," said Sully. "We really like Amanda."

"We talked a lot today. She told me a family secret. I asked her if I could tell you two, Cloud Dancing and Miss Dorothy, but no one else and she said I could. She thinks Cloud Dancing already knows. Her ma's mother was a Huron Indian." Matthew glanced at his folks and saw they were surprised, but he knew that it didn't bother them. "Her ma died having a baby when Amanda was three. She and her pa left New York and moved to San Francisco because of the way they were treated. At dinner, Colin told me he has been very careful about anyone knowing cause he didn't want Amanda to suffer. She already knows how our family feels. I happened to mention I use to be sheriff and she wanted to know why I wasn't anymore. I told her the whole story. She's even met Cloud Dancing. I thought at first she didn't like Indians because she acted funny. But today I found out it was because she felt he knew about her and it scared her. And, I also told her about Ingrid."

"Does she remember much about her grandmother's traditions?" Sully asked.

"No."

"Cloud Dancing might know some of the Huron traditions and he'd probably be glad to share them with ya. While she don't need to let others know, it would be good for her to know, and you if you want a future together."

"That's a good idea. Thanks, Sully."

"Welcome."

"I have somethin' else I want to ask ya," said Matthew. "I know we haven't known each other long, but I know I want to spend my life with her and she feels the same. We don't plan to get married too soon, but we did talk about it. I know I started that house for Ingrid, but I don't want to use it. I thought I'd try and sell it. I'd like to build a house on that hill behind the barn. It'd be far enough away from here so we'd all have privacy, but near enough to keep the family close. Da ya think that'd be okay?"

Sully saw that Michaela's eyes were shining with happiness and he knew what her answer would be. He looked at Matthew and said, "I'll help ya build if ya want, Matthew. And I don't think you have to ask your ma how she feels about you staying close. If it was up to her, all of ya would be living next door!"

Michaela nodded her head in agreement with Sully. "Why don't you ask Amanda and Colin to dinner one of these nights. It'll be nice to start to get to know our enlarging family."

"Thanks...Ma....Pa!"


Sully was in bed, waiting for Michaela to finish her nightly routine. He enjoyed watching her get ready for bed. She had on a pale pink nightgown that the children had given her last Christmas. While he liked anything she did with her hair, he liked it best when it was all hanging down. As Michaela moved toward their bed, she was caught in silhouette in front of the fireplace, a sight Sully truly enjoyed.

Michaela glanced at him and saw the smile. "What are you smiling at?" she asked.

"The view."

She smiled and completed the distance to their bed. Sully held the covers back for her and she snuggled up to him.

"Are ya happy about Matthew?" Sully asked.

"Yes...about him and for him. He's the happiest I've seen him since Ingrid died."

"Our family is doing well, Michaela. Colleen and Andrew seem happy. Matthew has found a new happiness. Brian and Katie are growing well and are happy. It's pleasin' to know."

"Life seems to keep getting better for us, Sully. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world."

"If you're the luckiest woman, I must be the luckiest man." Sully lowered his lips to Michaela's and kissed her lightly.

Michaela giggled, "Well, if you want to keep me happy, you have to do better than that!"

"Only if you help," he whispered as he unbuttoned her gown and pulled it over her head.

Their mouths met in wild abandon and passionate kisses. They each wanted to please the other through touch of hands and lips. They each knew the caresses that would bring the other the most enjoyment. Caressing their lover's body brought enjoyment to themselves as well. They both enjoyed the loving sounds, the sighs, the moans and groans of pleasure, they could draw forth from the other.

They both knew they would never tired of enjoying each other's bodies. This was their time, alone, together, of loving. Of finding both old and new love in each other.


The more I know you, the more I appreciate
the Spirit of Love within Your Being
----Chan Heawak


The End

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