Disclaimer: This story is based on the general outline of 'Love Comes Softly' by Janette Oke, I do not claim these parts as my own, but I have changed it here and there. Also I do not own the characters of Dr Quinn.

Chapter 1

She had worked her entire life to obtain her medical degree, it was her passion since she was a child; and her father was her mentor. The difficult study program came easy to her but she worked harder than anyone, hoping that in the end she would live her dream of being a doctor, and working by her father's side.

The years she spent watching, learning and training had given her an exceptional foundation to begin her career. Her instructors always complimented her talent, aware she had the skills and knowledge that superseded most students and even some doctors that had practice medicine for years.

On the morning of her graduation her father had presented her with her own brass name plaque, the one she would hang below his at their joint medical practice. Her heart beamed with joy, knowing that she had finally achieved what she had so longed for. She stood on stage after having received her diploma and smiled widely at her father as he waved to her from the crowd. As if in slow motion she watched the smile on her father's face fall and his expression change to sudden surprise. She watched as he clutched at his chest and slowly slumped out of his chair to the floor; the people around him gasping in fear.

Michaela flew off the stage to his side, instantly jumping into action - yet even with the multitude of knowledge she had, the many other doctors in the room and the prayers she sent to heaven; it wasn't enough to save him. He left her.

Her faith was shaken, in herself, her abilities, her future, and though she retained the mental ability to practice, she had lost the heart and she couldn't bring herself to actually be a doctor anymore. Before she knew it her life had taken a turn she would never have imagined. She accepted the marriage proposal of Dr. David Lewis, a man she was endeared to in many ways, and together they left their homes in Boston and made their way across the country to begin a new life in the Colorado Territory.

David knew the West was in desperate need of doctors, and when he found an advertisement requesting a doctor in a place called Colorado Springs, they knew it was right. Though David was a successful doctor in his father's practice in Boston, and Michaela came from a wealthy family, they had little money to their name. Both families were surprised and disappointed at their announcement to leave, and threatened that if the couple were to go, they would do so without their support. So David and Michaela left without another thought; feeling unwelcome to stay any longer. After all they had each other.

And now here they were, with the few possessions they owned stacked high in the back of a wagon. They left behind their lives and joined a wagon train that was heading west. The stagecoach that serviced the new frontier hadn't yet reached Colorado Springs, though the government department promised its eventual route would pass through there. The wagon train journeyed through every couple of months, but never during the winter, as it was far too hazardous. Michaela and David had been fortunate enough to catch the last band travelling through before winter came and for that they were extremely grateful.

The little money they had would be used for food and supplies initially. They were sure when David began work again, they would earn enough to get them by in their new endeavour. It was an arduous trip, one that Michaela was wishing would be over sooner rather than later. As they rounded a final bend her wish became reality, as their eyes landed on their new home.

They parted from the remaining travellers and headed into town. Colorado Springs was set against the backdrop of the magnificent Pikes Peak, a mountain that seemed to stretch into the very heavens. Michaela's eyes squinted against the sun as she took in its wonder, breathing in its calming atmosphere. As they pulled into the main street in town they were more than happy to be able to leave the confines of the wagon, stretching their legs. The town mayor, who also happened to be the barber, Jake Slicker approached them from behind the wagon with a hearty welcome to David.

"Truth be told I'm glad to have ya here. I been helping most folks who need stitching and such, but lately seems to be gettin' more than I can tend to. Nice to have a doc with your reputation here," he said as he shook hands with David and nodded to Michaela. After a brief introduction to some lingering townspeople Jake set about filling them in on the details.

When it was revealed to them that there was no place for them to stay, they were unprepared. The army was in town and had taken over the boarding house, sure to be there until at least next spring. The town council had managed to set aside some land for them, but there was no building on it yet. To make matters worse the chill in the air revealed the impending winter would be a harsh one. David cast a glance at Michaela, both knowing the building they would need would use almost their entire savings.

Not willing to let this get them down they headed out to look at their new 'home'. It didn't matter that there wasn't anything there; the landscape itself was like a work of art and they were both thrilled to be a part of this town and everything it held. Their future had begun.

It took only a few minutes for them to unharness the horses, and they went about setting up camp as they had done so many times before on their long journey. Michaela prepared the food for supper while David collected wood for the fire. He looked back at his beautiful wife as she mixed a few ingredients together and called over to her. "Let's see if you can keep the biscuits a lighter shade of black tonight?" he played; a huge grin across his face.

Michaela shook her head in laughter and tossed some flour in his direction. "Just you wait, Dr. Lewis..." she smiled.

Michaela had little to no experience in cooking and it certainly showed, they had eaten more charred food in the last few weeks than they had in their entire lifetime, but David didn't mind and it made Michaela even more determined to try. As they both went about their tasks, neither of them noticed the grey clouds above slowly turn a menacing black. The loud clap of thunder roaring from above marked the beginning of an inward bound storm. It was the rumbling sound that caused one of the horses to jostle itself loose of its restraints and flee into the distance.

David hearing the horse gallop by, raced back to the camp, and jumped onto the back of their second horse. He called out as he rode away, "I'll be back as soon as I can!"

He soon disappeared in the same direction as the wayward horse, and Michaela was left alone to collect their belongings to keep them from the chilling rain that had begun to fall.

It was the sound of horse hooves that awakened her the following morning. Her face instantly brightened, knowing David had finally made it back. She had been up all night waiting for him to return, worrying that he was hurt, but realising later that he had probably taken shelter from the storm. She stepped down from the wagon ready to greet him, only to be met by a long haired man on a horse; he had a second horse in tow that carried oddly shaped cargo over the back.

His face showed little emotion, if anything it was sombre. He greeted her with a small nod, grasping the rim of his hat with the tip of his finger and thumb.

"Mornin' Mrs. Lewis," he drawled. He cleared his throat as she nodded in return waiting for him to go on. "I'm Hank Lawson, we met briefly in town yesterday with the mayor..." he trailed off, noticing her eyes lingering on the scene behind him. He exhaled loudly, not wanting to continue but knowing he had no choice. He could see in her eyes she already knew what was to come. "...I came across him about an hour ago," he confirmed.

Michaela moved across to the horse and lifted the blanket that loosely covered the unknown figure. She sank to her knees, instantly recognising the face of the man she loved. She sat still, too stunned to move. Her hands came up to her mouth in shock and disbelief. She glanced back at the man who had brought her husband back to her; Hank averted his eyes not wanting to see the hurt that was cast so clearly over her features. She broke down right there and then, clenching the soggy earth in her small hands, unable to contain her tears of sorrow any longer.

Hank moved slowly off his horse and stepped around to Michaela, though a rough looking man and quite often more trouble than he was worth; something stirred him about this woman and he felt drawn to help her. He bent down and gently scooped Michaela up into his arms, walking carefully over to the wagon and placing her inside. She continued her sorrowful cries as Hank explained that he had found him down in abandoned mine shaft. It seemed as though David had meant to take shelter in a rocky outcrop but hadn't realised in the darkness that the shaft was unstable. Hank had stumbled across the scene on his way out of town.

Another day broke through the darkness, the trills and calls of the birds a cruel reminder that life went on no matter what heart ache Michaela was going through. The reverend spoke gently of the man that was David Lewis; that his memory would live on, though his body would not. It had taken everything in her just to keep her legs from buckling underneath; she couldn't focus on the words, she didn't want to look at the faces of those that had chosen to attend the small funeral. She stood scared and alone.

Her world was again collapsing at her feet and she felt small and insignificant. Her only rock in this world was gone, how could she go on from here? She wasn't sure she could. An older woman had placed her hands on Michaela's arm and was speaking.

"Mrs Lewis, I'm Charlotte Cooper," she said softly. "I own the boardin' house in town... I sure do wish I could offer ya some place to stay..." her words trailed off, knowing they weren't really being taken in anyway. She gently squeezed Michaela's arm, and seeing her focus coming back she continued, "The wagon train won't be back through until spring, but if there's anything I can help with, you just let me know."

Michaela managed a nod in her direction, and turned back to the spot where her husband now lay buried. The crowd had dispersed, each making their way back to the town leaving her to grieve in peace. She was thankful for the silence; her thoughts wound themselves back to the times she had shared with David in Boston, then to the joyous moments with her father. It seemed she was destined to suffer. Her body shuddered in realisation, and she was brought back to reality by a deep voice behind her.

As she turned to the sound, she somehow managed to focus on the person quietly standing there. Her eyes locked with a pair of tranquil blue eyes as they stared back at her. She could almost feel the peace in them surround her.

"I'm real sorry to disturb ya," he began. "Name's Sully." He fidgeted and looked to the ground briefly. Michaela's entire being had been swept away in those eyes, they seemed to promise safety, security, a sense of peace. She felt herself succumbing to them, allowing herself to open up a little.

"Michaela," she whispered. She clasped his outstretched hand, before letting it drop numbly once again to its position by her side.

He continued on, "There's somethin' I wanted to ask ya." Again she nodded. "Winter's comin' real soon, and I know ya need a place to stay."

He paused to take in her reaction before quickly going on to the point of his conversation. It had taken everything in him to be able to say these words. Since hearing the news of the doctor's death, his heart and mind had been churning. He knew all about society's expectations. What should and shouldn't be done. A single man and a woman could not share a dwelling, unless they were related. For her comfort he would suggest what was to come.

"I was thinkin'... we could...if we were to marry... you'd have a place to stay, and my little girl... would have someone to watch her, care for her... learn from . She needs a woman's teachin', somethin' I can't give her. And it aint right for ya to struggle alone, but it aint right for me to offer ya our home without us being married."

He swallowed hard; this was for his little girl. He watched her expression as it changed from nothingness to disbelief, and so he quickly added the last of his offer.

"It'd only be 'til the spring, then I'd pay for ya to take the wagon train home."

This last comment rang loudly in Michaela's head. She could return home. Back to the life she knew...almost. She watched Sully walk away, leaving her to contemplate his proposal. She didn't know there could be so many thoughts running through her head all at once. She felt so overwhelmed, and she could feel the emotion bubbling up within her, threatening to escape her control once more; but she managed to focus herself enough for a moment.

She had no way of supporting herself here until the spring, and there was certainly no one else that could or was willing to do so. She understood this man, Sully, had asked her to marry him out of duty, out of decency, but could she do that? She knew she had no choice, she had to.