Chapter 1

Dr. Michaela Quinn sat in the small office behind the examination room of her practice in Colorado Springs. In only twenty minutes she would close for the day, and she didn't expect any more patients. Thus she had some time for herself, and with her left elbow propped on top of her desk, chin resting in her palm, she looked out of the window. The heavy clouds that gave the day a grey hue weren't a pleasant sight, but she wasn't interested in the view anyway. She was, once again, trying to come to terms with her confused emotions.

It was only a few months since she had lost her father who'd been her best friend and mentor, and right afterwards she was fired from her position as a cardiologist at one of Boston's leading hospitals. It wasn't typical for her to jump at the first opportunity that was offered, but when the Cheyenne medicine man Cloud Dancing had asked her to work with Dr. Bernard and him in a small clinic in Colorado Springs, she had agreed without thinking twice.

Settling in this new town and becoming the partner in a joint practice had been a huge step for her since she really only knew the routine in a hospital. She was responsible for everything herself now, starting with buying the medicines and medical devices she needed as well as taking care of them and making sure that her two assistants had all the necessary forms that had to be filled out for the different health insurance companies.

Despite all of this, Michaela didn't regret leaving Boston for one second, not even after she had been attacked in her new rooms when two men broke in, searching for drugs. She had a comfortable number of regular patients by now and felt safe regarding running her own practice, especially since her pro bono work was financially supported by Daniel Simon, Sully's friend.

Sully… Just thinking his name made her squirm on her seat. It was because of him that she felt like a pilot who'd just touched the ground after a long time in a holding pattern – and then had instantly taken off again. They'd had a bumpy start after Cloud Dancing had asked her to accompany Sully when he went to check the progress of the saplings they'd planted in order to reforest the woods on the slopes of Pikes Peak. Unimaginably large areas had been burned in the Hayman fire nine years ago, and it had been hard to encounter dead trees as far as the eye could see.

But even back then, when they barely talked, they both couldn't deny the attraction they felt for each other. Neither of them acted on it though. Michaela assumed it was her diagnosing and treating Sully's little daughter Hannah that had eventually made him drop his reservation towards her. It had only been a few weeks since he had revealed his feelings for her at the top of Pikes Peak, and it had taken only the drive down to the foot of the mountain for her to tell him she felt the same about him.

Ever since then, her emotions seemed to ride on a pendulum. They went from being thrilled and feeling safe to being terrified of what he might expect of her. On the other hand, he appeared to be going on living just as he had before: she was still somewhat irritated that he had informed her only this morning he would leave with Cloud Dancing and some students at noon to spend the next three days at Cheesman Lake. If they had a relationship, shouldn't he have told her sooner? Maybe he didn't think it was a big deal…

"Dr. Mike?" Charlotte Cooper, Old Colorado Springs' midwife and Michaela's assistant during afternoon hours, opened the door after a light knock.

Startled out of her train of thought the young doctor looked at the woman she considered her friend. "Yes?" she responded, instantly alert and eager to take care of another patient.

"Sorry to disturb you," Charlotte apologized, "but Daisy just called. Her contractions have started and she is a bit anxious, so…" She shrugged, her gaze asking for understanding.

Getting up from her chair Michaela assured her, "That's alright. We're done for today anyway. I wish the two of you good luck." Her wide smile was sincere and infectious.

"Luck I will need," the midwife chuckled. They both knew Daisy had quite a temper, but what was worse was that she liked to play the misunderstood diva. No one could tell how she'd react to the pain she would have to endure.

"If I can help…" Michaela carefully suggested, knowing very well Charlotte wouldn't need her. However, assisting in the delivery of a baby was much more appealing than spending the rest of the afternoon unoccupied.

Seeing the almost pleading look on her younger friend's face Charlotte chuckled again.

"Actually, there is something you can do for me," she said. Turning her head she called over her shoulder, "Boys, come on in here!"

It was as if the children had hidden right behind the door to the waiting area because it was instantly thrown open. Without delay the two eight-year-olds crossed the examination room and small hallway and skidded to a halt next to Brian's mother. Yet they weren't looking at her but grinned excitedly at the doctor. "Thanks for takin' us, Dr. Mike," Anthony enthused, his eyes shining.

"You're welcome, sweetheart," Michaela replied uncertainly, returning the smile before she looked at Charlotte, hoping for an explanation.

The midwife sighed. "The two of them have pestered me for weeks that they wanted to go ridin' and we finally got an appointment. Their first lesson starts in an hour and if it weren't so difficult to get in… I wouldn't ask you 'cause I know -"

"Someone here? Dr. Mike?" The loudly asked questions from the entrance interrupted Charlotte.

"I'm coming!" Michaela shouted and added more quietly for the others, "We better go to the front rooms or my office will become very crowded."

She knew it wasn't a patient who had just joined them; she would recognize Miss Olive's voice anywhere. She hadn't detected any urgency in it either, and that meant there was no emergency with Maude, Olive's sister-in-law. That was why Michaela took the time and locked her office. Already worrying about how to get the two children to the riding stables, she was startled when she was suddenly hugged from behind. She hadn't heard any steps, yet the small arms thrown around her legs told her it was Hannah who'd sneaked up on her. And there it was: the giggle that betrayed the little girl.

"Well, hello sweetheart," Michaela exclaimed as she pivoted and lifted her into her arms.

"I stay with you," announced the child, beaming.

"You do?" wondered Michaela, looking at Olive as they'd joined the others.

Fearing this might be the end of their lesson at the stables Brian quickly chimed in and assured her, "Hannah loves horses."

"Horsees!" the little girl squealed and clapped her hands enthusiastically. "Can I ride?"

Olive frowned worriedly. She knew that Sully wouldn't approve, but he wasn't here, now was he? Deciding to leave the decision to the young doctor she straightened but didn't say anything.

Charlotte didn't have any objections either. "They accept two-year-olds there. They have ponies for the little ones," she told Michaela, relieved that this problem was settled. Her cell phone rang and looking at the screen she sighed.

"Daisy," she said, looking at her friend apologetically. "I better dash now."

"Wait!" Michaela reached for Charlotte's arm. "Where are the stables? And what's even more important: how do I get there? I can't go by car with three children."

Recognizing the slight panic in the doctor's voice Olive took over. "The Academic's?" she asked the midwife. Gaining a nod in response she assured Charlotte, "I'll take care of that. You go off."

As it turned out, the stables were only a few hundred yards down the street within walking distance, and soon Michaela was on her way with three children tagging along. She didn't mind taking care of them in the least; it wasn't the first time the four of them had an adventure together. None of the kids would create any problems, not only because they were well educated but also because the boys knew there wouldn't be a second lesson if they weren't on their best behavior. And Hannah? Most of the time Michaela would carry the little girl, and when she didn't, she wouldn't let her out of her sight. This had worked many times before and so it would today. They would have a great time together.

That's what Michaela thought.