Dorothy Jennings was a slender, red-haired woman in her fifties, full of common sense and tenacity. She pulled her wagon into a halt in front of Colorado Springs' general store. Her sister Maude had spent her whole life here, but now she was gone. The last time Dorothy was there it had been for the funeral of her niece Abigail. She had witnessed how Abby's husband Sully abandoned their newborn child and ran away. The latest she knew was that Loren and Maude raised the child. She didn't know about the current situation but she was determined to help. Her own children were grown up and since her husband had died last fall she was all by herself. So Dorothy had decided to move to her brother-in-law, run his household and raise her sister's grandchild.
The town was still sleeping when she knocked at the door of the mercantile. After some moments Loren's angry voice was heard from inside. "Can't you read? I'm not open! Won't be open all day!"
With that he reached the front door and opened it. "Dorothy!" he exclaimed surprised. "How did you get here? The stagecoach comes in only a few hours!"
"I came with the wagon to bring my things. If you don't mind, I'm staying with you, Loren. I wanna help."
Loren didn't answer and just stepped aside to let her in. He wasn't in the mood for arguing. Maude's funeral would be at noon and he had to prepare himself. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to have someone else in the house. He was about to go upstairs again when his sister-in-law asked the next question. "Where is your granddaughter?"
Loren wasn't in the mood for talking either and simply replied, "At the clinic with the doc."
Dorothy was puzzled for a moment. At the clinic? Since when did they have a clinic here? It seemed that pretty much had happened during the past two years. But if the child was sick, it was her turn to take care of her now. "Where is the clinic, Loren? I will go there and bring her home."
Loren called back from the top step of the stair, "Aw, no need for that. But if you wanna see her, the clinic is in Charlotte's boarding house."
Michaela woke up by a sunbeam that sneaked into the recovery room through a gap between the curtains. To her relief she felt no dizziness when she slowly sat up. It would be a difficult day and she didn't want to faint again. It had been embarrassing enough that it happened two days ago. She couldn't even remember it and only knew what Sully had told her. Sully…Thinking his name was enough to make her blush like a young girl that was sweet on a boy for the very first time. Although he had frightened her, yelled at her and even hurt her when he kissed another woman right in front of her, she couldn't help it. His touch made her feel alive and when he uttered her name, she just forgot all the doubts she still had.
Michaela felt a strange feeling growing inside of her when she remembered yesterday afternoon. She had told Sully that she loved him! At that moment it had felt natural to say it and deep down she knew it was true. But thinking about it right now made her worry what that meant for their further relationship. She wasn't sure at all why he had chosen her. Was it because his daughter Hannah considered her as her Ma? Michaela couldn't think of any other reason, they still didn't know each other well enough to…
A light knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. After she had covered herself with the quilt again, she called, "Come in!"
It was Sully, carrying his daughter. His voice was soft. "Here is a little girl that wants to say good morning to her Ma."
Michaela instantly stretched her arms out. "Oh sweetheart, come here!"
Hannah looked hesitantly at her father as if she wasn't sure if she was allowed to do so. But when her Pa nodded and stepped towards her Ma, the little face beamed. Instantly clinging on to Michaela's neck after Sully sat her down next to her, Hannah reveled in the feeling of finally being back with her Ma.
Sully seated himself on the edge of the bed, watching his two favourite women. When Michaela hugged his daughter close with one hand on the child's back and the other cupping the blond-haired head, Sully covered the hand on the back with his. Sensing his gentle touch, Michaela immediately felt heat rising inside of her. She was sure her cheeks had to be flushed heavily.
Bending back to relish her mother's sight Hannah noticed the blush. Had Paula been right? Did she make her Ma sick? Concerned she covered her Ma's cheeks with her little hands. Hmm, they felt warm. But there was still another way to find out if she had a temperature. Pouting her lips she touched her Ma's brow. It felt cool. With relief she turned to her Pa and informed him, "No fever."
Sully grinned. He hadn't been sure about Michaela's reaction when she saw him now for the first time after she confided her love to him. But seeing her blushing by his touch reassured him that it hadn't been a dream. He winked at his daughter and asked her, "Are you sure? Maybe I should check her by myself."
Bending towards Michaela he tenderly pressed his lips onto her forehead and lingered there for a moment. When he leant back again, he stared affectionately into those mismatched eyes, which didn't help to ease Michaela's blush.
Hannah giggled and covered her mouth with her hand. Her Ma and Pa looked like Matthew and Ingrid when they thought that no one was watching them. Oh, one moment, does that mean…? Now her Pa caressed her Ma's cheek with the back of his hand. Then the little girl knew it. Clapping her hands, she happily exclaimed, "Ma love Pa!"
If it was possible, Michaela's blush deepened even further and Sully chuckled, "That's right, sweet girl. She told me so."
Jake had helped Dorothy to bring her things from the wagon into the mercantile. Although Loren initially objected, she would live in Abigail's room for now. After she had already changed into the black dress for the upcoming funeral, she walked down the road towards the boarding house. She wanted to take the girl home to prepare her for the sad event.
Not paying attention to her surroundings, she stepped onto the clinic porch and almost bumped into Grace who was on her way to Dr. Mike, bringing her some breakfast. The two women weren't especially fond of each other and that's why they just greeted with a simple nod. Before either of them could knock, the clinic door opened and Colleen walked out. Dorothy immediately demanded, "I want to talk to the doctor, is he here?"
Colleen was too surprised at the harsh tone to correct the woman she hardly knew. Insecurely she looked at Grace for reassurance and replied looking back at the red-haired stranger, "I'm not sure if Dr. Mike is already awake. I can look if you want me to."
Dorothy was disgusted. "What kind of doctor is still sleeping at this time of the day? And who is looking after the child?"
Grace remembered why she didn't like Maude's sister. It seemed that woman had always an opinion about matters even if she didn't know the facts. "Dr. Mike has every right to sleep as long as she needs. Actually, she has saved so many lives during the last few weeks that she could stay in bed all day if she wanted to. And there is no need to worry about Hannah. Dr. Mike is practically her Ma by now and Sully tries hard to be a good Pa."
Dorothy tried to absorb what she just had heard. "So Dr. Mike is a woman?"
Colleen nodded eagerly, but before she could explain further, Michaela and Sully carrying Hannah in his arms, appeared from inside. "I heard my name, does anyone need my help?"
Dorothy looked at the petite woman in astonishment. "You are the doctor?"
Used to that reaction, Michaela smiled and held out her hand. "Dr. Michaela Quinn."
Trying to regain composure Dorothy replied, "Dorothy Jennings. I'm Maude's sister. I will be staying with Loren and I thought I could take care of the girl now."
"There is no need for that, Miss Dorothy." That was Sully speaking. "But thank you for the offer," he added. With that they left a stunned Dorothy behind and headed with Grace towards the livery to get the wagon.
On their way to the homestead, Hannah refused to let go of her Ma. It had been far too long since she had talked and snuggled up to her. That's why Michaela held her little girl on her lap. She knew she still had to explain to the child of what will come in only a few hours. "Sweetheart, you do know why you came back to Colorado Springs so suddenly, right?" Hannah nodded. "'ndma went to Heaven."
"That's right. We are going home now to change into black clothes because we will say good bye to your grandma in the churchyard at noon." Michaela waited and gave Hannah time to think about it. She knew there would be questions. And there came the first one.
"Why b…back?"
"People wear black clothes at a funeral to show that they are very sad."
A long moment of silence followed. Then the next question was asked, this time somewhat unsure. "'ndma want me sad?"
Michaela sighed. She had expected something like that. "Of course not, sweetheart. Your grandma wanted you to be a happy little girl."
Hannah nodded. Looking up at her Ma she said matter-of-factly, "Then I happy."
"What do you want to say, sweetheart?"
"I wear red dess." The little girl obviously knew what she wanted.
"Why's that?"
Hannah looked up at her Ma with confidence. "I love red dess. I be happy."
Michaela glanced at Sully who still hadn't said one word. "Well, that is alright with me. What do you say, Sully? Can she wear her favourite dress?"
Sully, who just became aware of the fact that he had to go to a funeral soon, didn't show any reaction and simply replied, "Sure."
They joined the other townsfolk on the churchyard an hour later and earned some odd looks because of Hannah's bright red dress. Dorothy couldn't understand why no one told the doctor that such a dress was more than out of place. She pulled at Loren's sleeve to gain his attention. "Loren, do you still have clothes for the girl in your house? I could look for something more appropriate. She can't be dressed like that at a funeral."
Loren glanced at his grandchild in her father's arm. She wore the gown that Maude had given her for Christmas. He knew that both Hannah and his wife loved the dress. "Aw, leave her be. Maude wouldn't mind…" Taking in a shaken breath, Loren tried to hold his composure. Dorothy shook her head and looked around if there was someone who could help her. But everyone avoided her gaze and so she gave in. Sighing silently, she promised herself that she would take care of the way the child was treated later.
Sully felt himself carried back to a similar day almost two years ago. He even stood at the same place because Maude's grave was right next to her daughter's. Staring down on Abigail's stone he wasn't aware that he pressed his daughter too tightly against his chest. He barely noticed that the Reverend had started his speech. Feeling transported to that terrible day when he had buried his wife, all the pain was back and he desperately tried to stop the tears in his eyes. He only noticed that Hannah spoke to him when she pulled with full force at his sleeve. "Pa, hurt me!" Sully looked around for Michaela and called her with his eyes. She immediately stepped closer and took his little girl from him. He thought that it was like a deja-vu, only the last time it had been Maude who took his daughter.
His mind was fixed on Abigail. There lay his young wife beneath the earth and would never see how their daughter grew up. And all that he had done the last several months was trying to win another woman's heart! Michaela stirred feelings inside of him he had never known before and that made him feel even guiltier. Sully didn't notice that the other mourners were about to leave the churchyard. He just needed to find a way to explain to Abigail that he still loved her and always would. He wanted to make it up to her that she hadn't been a part of his life during the past months. He should have been at her grave as often as possible to talk to her…
It was then that Michaela approached him tentatively. She had noticed the change in his mood and the look in his eyes frightened her. Now she only wanted to tell him that she and Hannah would be waiting for him at Grace's Café. When she lightly touched his arm, Sully's head shot up. There was the woman who had made him almost forget that he owed it to Abigail to carry her with him forever because she had made him the gift of his life sacrifying her own, Hannah. His voice was harsh as he snapped at her. "Can't you just leave me alone for once? I wanna be with my wife!"
Michaela was stunned. Recognizing the man full of pain and anger she had met more than half a year ago she knew that it would be a waste of time talking to him right now. Without speaking one word she turned and went away from him. Knowing that she hadn't done anything wrong to deserve his anger she straightened and raised her chin. She owed it to herself to not allow him to treat her that way. If he really wanted to be with her, he had to respect her. She didn't have to stand for a relationship that changed from one minute to another like the weather in April. She would rather bury her feelings for him than to be the ball of his emotions.
Although he instantly regretted his words by seeing the hurt he had put into her eyes, Sully remaind motionless without attempting to take back what he had said. He knew he had to sort out his feelings first. He needed time to think.