DQMW Ch 15

Sorry to leave ya hangin. Had a bit of writers block, so I decided to write on something else a bit too to break things up. Also, I'm Sick… again! But, I got a break from the restaurant over the holidays and am feeling much more motivated.

I love writing little bits like that last chapter. Makes the series seem fuller.

Here we go again, so please Read & Review!

-Ash

Sully had tossed and turned all night envisioning the way her nightgown hugged her hips, or how the swell of her breast was almost revealed when she jumped out of bed. His buckskins grew increasingly uncomfortable and Sully's heart was racing. He had to stop. This line of thinking is going to get you in trouble. Think about something else… ANYTHING ELSE! I know! Hunting… Think about hunting with cloud dancing. Think about pulling back your bow and aiming it at a doe. Deep breathes. Close your eyes and calm your mind. Steady your hands. Open your eyes and aim… He was pulled from his thoughts by wolf whining. Unused to being indoors for long, he too was becoming restless. It was time to go. Cautiously, he rose and folded the blanket Michaela had given him. Would she be angry if he wasn't here in the morning? It was Christmas after all. No matter, he had to go. He was becoming far too attached and that was a bad idea on all fronts. Michaela had been through enough this year as well without him following after her like a lost puppy dog. She needed a friend and that's what he would be. Realizing that he had been standing and staring at her sleeping form, Sully snapped out of his trance and silently slipped out the side door and into the frozen morning.

Michaela finished clearing the table while the children inspected their presents further. With a sigh she stacked the plates and wondered what had chased Sully off. Things had seemed fine last night, and she was sure that he would want to enjoy Christmas morning with the children. Well, if she was honest she had hoped that he would want to spend Christmas morning with her and the children. Perhaps he felt he wouldn't be welcome? She allowed her thoughts to linger for a moment before realizing that the room was silent. She turned and all three children were staring at her like she was crazy. She looked down and realized that she was scrubbing the table with the dish brush. She smiled and went back to the wash basin to finish the dishes. Right then, Michaela decided not to dwell on what Sully did or did not do. He had no tie to her or her children. He was free to come and go as he pleased. If he didn't want to hang around then that was his loss.

With a new resolve Michaela settled back into routine. The children were settling in to life at the homestead, each with their own set of chores that made day to day life possible. Winter was hard, but with the children's help they had survived. The weather was breaking, and Michaela hoped that she would finally be able to start her practice.

Matthew seemed to thrive on the new responsibilities of caring for the animals, and took his responsibility as man of the house to heart. He was growing to respect Dr. Mike for how hard she worked and her willingness to learn. Matthew hitched the wagon in preparation for their weekly trip to town. Michaela, Colleen, and Brian exited the front door in a flurry.

"But ma, he's just a pup. He don't know why he can't come with me. Please ma. Please!" Brian was once again begging to bring wolf with them. The child, seeing how Sully's wolf was always at his heels wanted pup to do the same when they saw Sully again.

"Brian, I'm sorry, but it's just too hard to keep him contained right now. Perhaps when he is a bit older and will listen to you better." Michaela answered with a knowing smile. This would appease him for now.

Sorry this one's short. I wanted to get the fluff in before starting on the next episode.