Part 50
Once inside the house, Jake and Loren paused to look around. Jake gave a low whistle. "Sure is somethin’" Loren said. They were standing in a large, open area and saw that there were rooms to the right and left and a hallway that seemed to lead to more rooms at the rear. On the right side of the hallway an ornate stairway wended its way upward. In the rooms on either side large windows admitted plenty of light.

Jake walked over to a table that was wet up in the middle of the foyer and picked up the set of plans that was lying there. "Looks like we need ta put them shelves up in that room over there" he pointed, an’ then there’s some cupboards to go up on that wall ..."

"Let me see that" Loren elbowed him aside impatiently and snatched at the plans. In a moment he looked up at Jake, an exasperated look on his face. "The shelves go over here and the cupboards there!" he cried, indicating opposite directions from the ones originally pointed out by Jake. "Ya had the plans upside down!"

"Gimme that" Jake grabbed the plans back and spread them out on the table. He pointed, "You’re wrong, Loren. Those cupboards are s’posed ta go right by the door!"

"What?" Loren peered at the plans then back at Jake. "That ain’t the door, that’s a winda!"

"What kinda winda goes all th’ way down t’ th’ floor?"

"Take a look!" Loren pointed. It was true. The windows began just inches from the floor, stretching halfway up the wall.

"Maybe we should start with paintin’, instead" Jake suggested.

"Does it say on here how he wants it done?" Loren consulted the plans again.

"Shouldn’t be too hard ta figure out. Paint’s paint!"

"Ahhh, that shows what you know ..."

The incipient argument was prevented from becoming an all-out brawl when a somber-looking Robert E poked his head in the door. "Uh ... could you folks step outside for a minute? There’s a bit of a problem ..."

When Preston and the soldier had departed, Grace sidled over to the table where Hank still sat, smoking his cigar. She leaned over and said in a low voice, "How come ya told Preston an’ that soldier fella where everyone was?"

Hank pulled the cigar from his mouth, examining it. "Never knew ya ta be one fer eavesdroppin’, Grace" he said, raising his eyebrows.

Grace tossed her head. "Couldn’t help but hear with all that yellin’ goin’ on! What was Preston so upset about?"

Hank shrugged. "How should I know? His house’s gettin’ built -- think he’d be happy."

"Still think ya shoulda kept quiet" Grace told him.

"Why? If Preston wants ta talk ta th’ mayor about havin’ a council meetin’, he’s got that right. ‘Sides, they’re all at his house. What’s th’ big secret?"

Grace couldn’t tell him, but she had an uneasy feeling as she went about serving her customers.

Brian had spent Sunday afternoon writing in his journal. He wrote about how Sully had given him the owl and how the owl had helped him to see what he could do for Sully. He wrote about what it was like camping out in the woods all alone and then he wrote another chapter of a story he’d been working on.

He’d planned to try fasting -- he knew that would be required on the vision quest -- but he was just so hungry all the time these days, especially since getting over being sick. Besides, he had gotten his answer about how to help Sully and he told himself he needed his strength for the day ahead.

He slept well that night and awoke the next morning full of confidence and excitement. He could tell by the light that he’d slept later than he’d intended. Well, it couldn’t be helped. He washed and breakfasted quickly and headed toward Preston’s homestead, his mind full of ideas of what he was going to do today. He was so lost in thought, he almost burst out of the woods without first checking to be sure it was clear. He was brought up short when he hard voices and hurriedly ducked back under cover, peering out to see what was going on. At first he was confused, wondering what all these people were doing here but as it began to dawn on him what was going on, his confusion was replaced by a surprising feeling of anger.

He hadn’t realised how proprietary he’d been feeling about the job until he realised these men were gathered to accomplish his mission, to work on his task. When he saw Matthew there (this was all probably his idea, Brian thought bitterly) he realised he couldn’t even pop out and join them -- no, Matthew would probably make him go home. He’d be angry with him for ‘running off’, that was for sure. Brian began to feel a little tug of doubt, wondering if this really was his mission -- he had been so sure. It didn’t make sense all these people showing up today of all days.

He watched as his brother walked around talking to the men, trying to get them to gather together. He saw Hank ride off toward town and he spotted Jake and Loren as they entered the house. Robert E was speaking now and shortly after he was done, the men broke up into groups, each going to a different part of the property and beginning a different task.

Brian kept vigil for awhile as he wondered what he should do next. He’d thought his course was set and now his plans were all messed up. He guessed he’d go back to his campsite to rethink things. With a sigh, he turned from his place of concealment. Then, hearing swift hoofbeats on the road, he turned back to see who else might be coming. The sight of Preston, accompanied by six soldiers on horseback, drew Brian back to his hiding place, curious as to what they were up to.

"What is it now, Robert E?" Loren asked in exasperation.

"Preston’s outside with some soldiers" Robert E explained. "Says we’re trespassin’ ..."

"Trespassin!" Loren expostulated.

"Sounds like Preston" Jake said dryly.

"We’re all gettin’ t’gether outside t’ see what’s gonna happen" Robert E went on.

"What’re those soldiers doin’ here?" Loren asked as they followed Robert E down the steps and into the yard.

Preston stood before the men gathered in the front yard and glanced up only briefly as Robert E, Jake and Loren joined the group. The soldier who seemed to be in charge stood beside him with his arms folded, the expression on his face daring anyone to put up an argument. Preston spread his arms and said loudly, "Now, you are all trespassing on my property but if you will all leave in a quiet and orderly manner, I will not seek to have you forcibly removed."

"You can’t do that, Preston!" Horace protested. "We’re all here ta help Sully finish your homestead!" He looked around at the others for confirmation and there were nods of assent and murmurs of "Tha’s right" and "We wasn’t doin’ nothin’ wrong!"

Preston smirked at Horace, "Where is Mr.. Sully, Horace?"

"I dunno! Takin’ care o’ Dr. Mike, I guess!"

"Well, as far as I know he is the only one with permission to be here. In fact, he is supposed to be here. The rest of you are trespassing and unless you all leave immediately I will ask Sgt. Tanner and his men" he inclined his head to the soldier standing nearest him, "to escort you off my property. I am within my rights!" he said a little more loudly. "Isn’t that right, Sheriff Cooper?"

Matthew looked uncomfortable as those around hollered, "Yeah, can he do this, Matthew?" "Are you gonna let him push us around?"

"I ... I don’t know for sure" he said at last, rubbing his hand over the back of his head. "I’d have ta check some things out, but, well, I think he’s within his rights. I guess we’d better all leave -- for now."

With a lot of grumbling the men began picking up their tools and heading off in various directions as Preston beamed. "Well done, sheriff. Now if I might have a word with you privately ..."

Sighing, Matthew waited as Preston approached. In a low voice Preston said, "You may be sure I will be inspecting carefully to be certain there were no damages to my property during this little illegal escapade. If there were, you and the others will be hearing from my attorney. I will be posting a guard here for the remainder of the day" he indicated the soldiers, "to see that no one comes sneaking back. Am I making myself clear?" Matthew just looked at him and Preston continued. "I am also very curious as to the whereabouts of Byron Sully".

Matthew gave him a level look. "I really don’t think that’s any of your business, Preston". His glance flicked to the sergeant and then back to Preston.

"It may not be my business" Preston hissed, ‘but it is your business. Under terms of his sentence, Sully was not to leave town for the tow years he was under ‘probation’ or whatever it was the judge sentenced him to. I have been all over this town and he is nowhere to be found. You were placed in charge of seeing that he was held to the terms of his sentence so it is up to you to see to it that he is found and brought back to town!"

Matthew, remaining calm in the face of Preston’s tirade, answered, "I do know where he is, Preston, and I gave him permission ta go there. You remember so much, you may also remember that the judge allowed me to use my discretion in allowing Sully to go further afield if necessary."

"I believe that was for hunting or other trips of a vital nature. Not little woodland trysts with his wife ..."

"If you gotta problem with it, then write to the judge" Matthew said tiredly. "It was my decision that this was ‘vital’" he emphasized the word, " to Dr. Mike’s health."

"You can be sure I will communicate with the judge. I knew all along it was a mistake to put someone in charge of the prisoner who was emotionally and familially involved. And, since you refuse to tell me where Sully is, I will have the Army begin searching for him immediately."

"Preston ..."

"It is my right as a citizen, Matthew! I cannot take the risk of Sully fleeing so close to the time that his trial is to resume."

Matthew sighed, straightened his hat, said, "Have it your way, Preston!" and stalked off.

Preston watched him go, then spoke to Sgt. Tanner who then called to his men, "Howe, McAllister -- you men stay here and guard the property. Don’t allow anyone on it. If Byron Sully returns (you’ll recognise him from my description) detain him. Stevens, Ketchum, Davidson, you come with me to search for the fugitive."

"Ya want us ta stay here all night, Sergeant?" protested one of the men assigned to the homestead.

"No. Come sundown you can return to our encampment. Not likely anyone’ll come sneakin’ back here tonight. Let’s go, Lodge. Where are the likely places this man might try hiding out?"

Brian watched in frustration, able to see and to hear voices but unable to pick out more than a few words. He gathered that Preston was chasing everyone off the property though why, he couldn’t imagine. The presence of soldiers worried him, especially when he saw two of them station themselves on the property, one at the back and one at the front. He heard one of them shouting to the soldier in charge about whether or not they were to stay the night. Straining his ears he heard, to his relief, the shouted reply that he was to return to their encampment (wherever that was) at sundown. Having heard enough, Brian quickly scuttled back into the woods to his campsite. He’d return tonight to see what he could accomplish.

Part 51
Michaela awoke late the next morning and snuggled closer to the warmth of Sully’s body. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and kissed her forehead. " ‘ mornin’," he said. "D’ ya sleep well?"

"Mmmmm" Michaela answered, a telling smile upon her face.

Sully disengaged himself and said softly, "Gotta get up a minute. Be right back." He walked away toward the woods and Michaela watched him, her heart pounding at the sight of him and the memories it stirred in her of last night. She closed her eyes and stretched luxuriously. Sully was back very quickly and tugging at her arm. "Michaela," he said in an urgent whisper, "Come quick! Ya gotta see this!"

"What is it, Sully?" she asked, sitting up and groping around for something to put on.

"Never mind that" he said, pulling her to her feet. "Ya gotta come now or you’ll miss it" Seeing her look he added, "There’s no one here ta see ya. Come on!" And he pulled her, protesting, into the woods, taking it carefully so she wouldn’t hurt her feet. Peering through the trees, he pointed.

A sleek young buck had wandered into the clearing. It was sporting a fine new set of antlers and it shook its head, as if still becoming accustomed to this new headgear. He began to prance and leap about, head thrown back in the joy of being alive. Suddenly he rushed head-down at the nearest tree, as if charging an enemy, then he leapt into the air again, coming down with four feet close together. The wind must have shifted, then, for he paused, suddenly alert, raised his head, sniffing the air, then bounded away into the woods.

They turned to each other, sharing a look of joy and understanding, then seeing that Michaela was shivering, Sully said, "You’re cold. Better get ya back t’ camp." He led her carefully back through the woods and when they reached the campsite he stooped to coax the embers of their fire back into flame. Then he walked back over to Michaela and took her in his arms.

They held each other silently for a moment, then Michaela said, "Thank you, Sully. That was beautiful!"

"I figured maybe you never see the buck dance before. That’s why I hurried ya so. Ya warm now?"

"Getting there" she said demurely, leaning against his chest..

He held her close for a moment, rocking her gently, then drew back, looking into her eyes and finding in them the answer he sought. "C’mon," he said, inclining his head to their sleeping area. Putting his mouth close to her ear he promised "I’ll get ya th’ resta th’ way warm". A smile played about his lips and, eyes sparkling, Michaela allowed him to help her down onto the bedroll where they began to kiss with more passion. Suddenly Sully raised his head, as alert as the young deer, and a moment later, Michaela heard the approaching hoofbeats.

Groaning, Sully grabbed the blanket and pulled it up to cover both of them, as they heard Matthew calling, "Sully! Dr. Mike!"

With an apologetic glance at Michaela, Sully pulled the blanket up tighter and called, "Over here, Matthew!"

Matthew rode into their campsite then pulled his mount up short. Blushing, he stammered, "Um ... sorry ta barge in on ya like this, but uh ... something’s come up ..." his voice trailed away. He was looking every which way but at them, which made it rather difficult for him to communicate.

Wanting to put him out of his misery, Sully glanced again at Michaela, who had totally disappeared under the blanket, then said to Matthew, "Could ya give us a couple of minutes?"

"Uh ... sure ...sure!" Matthew, looking relieved, turned his horse around. "I’ll just wait, um, over there" he pointed downstream. "Let me know when you’re, um, ready ta talk" And red-faced, he trotted away to a safe distance.

Sully stuck his face under the covers and intoned, "It’s safe. You can come out, now!" He was having trouble keeping from laughing.

"It’s not funny, Sully" Michaela insisted but then she made the mistake of meeting Sully’s eyes and they both began to laugh, clinging to each other as they dissolved in mirth.

Matthew stood at a safe distance, his back to the campsite just to be sure. He had a bad history of stumbling upon Dr. Mike and Sully at inopportune times. He shook his head ruefully. Each time it seemed to get progressively worse.

He recalled the cattle drive after Miss Olive had left him her cattle. He’s been dispatched to call Dr. Mike and Sully for supper and had come across them in a rather passionate moment. It had been embarrassing and he’d found himself rather nonplussed. Dr. Mike and Sully were engaged, of course, but she’d always seemed to hold back from any close physical contact, at least in front of him, Colleen and Brian. But there she was in just her camisole. Sully had evidently been helping her wash up and things had escalated and they were kissing quite enthusiastically. He was really happy for them, but it had been hard for him to think of Dr. Mike that way.

The next time was after the wedding at the new homestead. He guessed he should have knocked before going in. After all, he didn’t live there anymore. But he honestly thought Dr. Mike and Sully were both in town. It hadn’t occurred to him that they might have stolen home for a private moment together. So he’d barged right in and there they were by the fireplace, clinched together in a passionate embrace. They’d started as guiltily as he and Ingrid had the time Dr. Mike caught them in the barn. He’d felt the blood rush to his face as Dr. Mike had tried to stammer out an explanation, all the while fumbling to do up the buttons of her blouse. He shuddered to think what would have happened had he come by just a few minutes later.

And now this morning ... he shook his head to clear it. He just hoped he would never, ever surprise them again!

As he waited, Matthew turned his mind to what he was going to say to Sully. He agonized over whether or not to tell him about his plan to have the men work on Preston’s homestead and about how Preston had thrown them all off for trespassing. Sully would be upset, that much he knew, with him as much as with Preston. It was tempting not to say anything about it, especially since no real work had gotten done, to speak of. On the other hand, Sully was bound to find out sooner or later, from Preston if from no one else and it would go a lot harder for Matthew if Sully heard it from someone other than him. In the end he decided to take the consequences and tell Sully everything. He heard Sully calling to him, then , and squared his shoulders as he prepared to face him and Dr. Mike.

Sully sat by the fire holding a cup of coffee, but not drinking, a grim look on his face. Michaela stood before him hesitantly and he scooted over and patted the spot beside him for her to sit. "You’re upset" she said at last as she crouched down beside him.

Sully was silent a moment then his expression softened. "Not with you".

"Don’t you think you were a little hard on Matthew? I mean, even agreeing with Preston?"

"Michaela, he was trespassin’ - an’ so was everyone else!"

"They were trying to help you" she admonished gently.

Sully looked pained. "I know that, but Michaela, there’s forces at work here -- we just don’t know what they are. I don’t know who has it in for me -- could be Preston for all I know!"

"You think Preston would deliberately damage his own homestead?"

"No, not really. But he could have had all those people thrown in jail. An’ now he’s got the Army here ..." Sully shook his head. "Thought we’d seen th’ last of them."

"Why didn’t you tell Matthew we’d head right back to town?" Michaela wondered.

Sully turned, his eyes searching her face. He put his coffee cup down and took her hands in his. "Because, Michaela, I don’t wanta go back right now. I know ya miss the children an’ ya wanna get back ta the clinic an’ all, but I’d really planned on us stayin’ here just one more night". Sensing that he wasn’t finished, Michaela kept silent, meeting his eyes and gazing into their blue depths. Sully swallowed hard, looking down, and then up, as if searching for a way to express himself. "Michaela, we don’t know what’s gonna be waitin’ for us when we get back. Matthew said th’ judge should be here by the enda th’ week. I’m gonna be workin’ like crazy ta finish Preston’s homestead ..." he held up his hand when Michaela opened her mouth as if to speak. "Truth is, we don’t know what’s gonna happen with this new judge. And now the Army comin’ has added a whole new unknown to th’ situation. I know all this has been hard on ya an’ I suppose things could get harder still. We really don’t know. Thing is," here he reached out and cupped her cheek in his gentle hand, looking straight into her eyes again, "I’d like for us ta have this time together before we go back to all that. I’d really like to make today -- an’ tonight -- count." He raised his eyebrows and gave a slight nod, silently asking for her assent.

Michaela was breathless, transfixed by his loving gaze and she could only nod, her eyes filling with tears.

Sully’s smile grew into a full-fledged grin as he pulled her tightly to him.

Then Michaela stiffened, pulling back suddenly as a thought struck her. "But Sully, the Army ..." she began.

"Shhh" he held a finger to her lips. "I got a feelin’ Matthew knows how ta get them set off on th’ wrong track. There’s lotsa places they could look before finding us here. Besides, even if they do find us, there’s nothin’ they can do. I got permission ta be here from Matthew, who’d th’ overseer of my case." He peered into Michaela’s face to be sure she understood. "Y’ okay with this?"

Michaela relaxed at last and gave him the full blast of the smile she reserved for him. "Very okay, Sully" she assured him.

"Good. Then what say we go for a swim, and then maybe some poetry?" he grinned.

"And after that a ‘nap’?" Michaela added suggestively.

"Definitely" Sully agreed.

Part 52
As the train pulled away, Andrew stepped down from the platform and gazed about him. He’d hated to leave Philadelphia - and Colleen -- so soon, but it was good to be home. He crossed to the station house but the window was closed. Preston’s telegram had been cryptic, stating only that Michaela had ‘refused’ to come to the clinic as promised and that Andrew was needed right away. Knowing both parties, Andrew was sure there was more to it than that and he was concerned over what might really have happened to Michaela. Leaving his bag at the station, he hurried down the street surprised that there were almost no people around. He went right to the clinic and stared in perplexity at the ‘Closed’ sign. He knocked, and even tried the door but it remained shut up tight. Glancing across at the saloon, he saw no one lounging around outside.

He hurried on down the street to find the barber shop closed. Bray’s was closed, as well and there was no answer when he knocked. Becoming concerned, he hurried toward the cafe, visions of epidemics and natural disasters dancing in his head.

Trevor crouched in the brush near the road and watched his uncle throw everyone off the property. So much for their finishing up Sully’s work for him. He wondered how much Sully had planned on paying them. From what Brian said and what his uncle insinuated, they didn’t have a lot of money. Oh well, that wasn’t his concern. He watched the soldiers station themselves at the front and back of the house and, like Brian, he listened carefully to hear if they were going to be there all night. Pleased to hear that the property would be unguarded after sundown, Trevor slunk away toward town. He had plenty to do before returning here, tonight.

"Sully could be hiding anywhere" Preston told Sgt. Tanner. "He knows these woods and mountains inside out and he is very skilled at hiding so he cannot be found. He knows exactly how to disappear. I’m sure that is whey the judge mandated that he not be permitted to leave town as part of the terms of his sentence."

"If that’s the case, then he is in violation of his sentence. What steps is your sheriff taking to see that he’s brought back to town?"

"None" Preston smirked.

"None?"

"No, in fact it was he who gave Sully permission to leave town. You have to understand, Sergeant, that Sheriff Cooper and Sully are very close. He and his younger brother and sister have been raised by Dr. Quinn since their mother died several years ago so they are all part of the same family. Sheriff Cooper cannot be trusted to see that Byron Sully is brought to justice."

Sgt. Tanner looked thoughtful. "In that case, maybe the Army needs to take over law enforcement in this town until after the judge is finished with Mr.. Sully. Meanwhile, my men and I will begin searching. If he’s out there, we’ll find him. When you get back to town, send a wire to my superiors for reinforcements. Tell them I said the situation warrants it. We’ll set up a guard at Dr. Quinn’s clinic and the Sully home and we’ll be able to place a round the clock guard here, as well. He’ll turn up one way or another, and when he does ..." Tanner paused ominously.

"I’ll get right on it" Preston promised. He prepared to head into town as the Sgt. Gave final orders to the guard and made ready to depart with his other men to search for Sully.

Andrew sipped coffee as he sat across from Dorothy at the cafe. "I had no idea things had gotten so out of hand right after I left" he said. "I know Michaela was reluctant to take on the extra work at first, so when Preston wired me that she was refusing to go out to the chateau, I just assumed there had been a misunderstanding. I wasn’t aware that there had practically been an epidemic here ..."

"Well, you had no way of knowin’" Dorothy comforted. "It’s just a shame ya had ta leave your conference an’ come all th’ way back so soon"

"It is not as bad as it may seem" Andrew assured her. "I met with my uncle and I was able to attend many of the lectures ..." he paused and his face reddened.

"And ...?" Dorothy prompted, raising her eyebrows.

"And Colleen and I ... got together and ... attended a lecture or two ..." Andrew stammered as Dorothy smiled knowingly.

The road by the cafe suddenly became quite busy as a noisy group of men on horseback or in wagons began to troop by. Dorothy looked up, startled. "What on earth ...?" Seeing a familiar face she waved. "Loren? Loren! Over here!"

Loren looked as if he’d rather not stop but he finally shrugged resignedly, dismounted his horse and ambled into the cafe. "Who’s mindin’ the store?" he growled.

"I closed for lunch" Dorothy informed him. Seeing his look she added, "Well, no one was around, anyway. Th’ only one ta set foot in th’ store was Preston an’ he was lookin’ for you. I just told him you were gone - didn’t tell him where."

"Yeah, well, he found me all right. Me an’ all th’ rest of us. Chased us right off th’ property. Said we was trespassin’ ..."

"Trespassin’?" Dorothy was incredulous.

"Yes, trespassin’! An’ he had a buncha soldiers with him so don’t go sayin’ ‘s how we shoulda stood up to him!"

"I wouldn’t say that Loren. I’m just surprised that even Preston would stoop so low ..." Dorothy glanced suddenly at Andrew who had become very interested in his coffee. She had told him a little of what was going on to explain the absence of all the men of the town, but he was, after all, Preston’s employee. She sat up a little straighter. "Sit down, Loren - have some coffee and some lunch with us"

"Naw. I gotta get back ta th’ store. Might ‘s well make some good use of today. Andrew, good t’ see ya back!" He clapped the young doctor on the shoulder and took his leave.

Dorothy looked uncomfortable. "I’m sorry I said that about Preston" she began, "I had no call to ..."

Andrew raised a hand to silence her. "Say no more, Dorothy. I am as surprised as you are at Preston’s behaviour. My understanding was that he wanted his homestead completed as soon as possible, if not sooner" he grinned. "I certainly would not expect him to turn down any assistance toward that end, if offered." He paused a moment before changing the subject. "I believe Sully chose the right course of action in seeking to remove Michaela from the immediate environment for a few days. It is clear that her breakdown was caused by stress from overwork and too many demands upon her already limited time. A time away with Sully may be just what the doctor ordered" he chuckled at his own attempt at humor. He looked up, then, at something over Dorothy’s shoulder and his smile changed to a more professional one. He rose and held out his hand. "Preston!" he cried, "It’s good to see you!"

Preston nodded to Dorothy and reached impatiently for Andrew’s hand as Grace arrived at the table with plates for Andrew and Dorothy. She set them down and turned to Preston. "Can I bring ya anything?"

"No, thank you, Grace. We really don’t have time to eat" He emphasized the ‘we’ and gave Andrew a pointed look.

"Oh, have a heart, Preston" Dorothy intervened. "Andrew just got here and you know what that trip is like!"

"Very well" Preston sat down with a huff. "Bring me coffee!" he hollered to Grace.

Andrew began shoveling in Grace’s chicken and potatoes as if he hadn’t seen a meal for days. As he chewed, he leaned over and reached into his bag which he had picked up on his way to the cafe. He swallowed. "I took the liberty of picking up some of the eastern publications while I was in Philadelphia" he said, handing a sheaf of newspapers to Preston. "I know you receive many of these by mail but I thought you might appreciate seeing them in a more timely manner, " he smiled, "especially since a couple of your family members figure prominently in a couple of the stories"

Preston, who had been showing little interest in what Andrew had been saying , looked up suddenly. "What? Let me see those ..." he snatched at the papers.

Andrew forked in another mouthful before pointing helpfully. "See, there ... and there ... I made so bold as to circle the pertinent articles ..."

But Preston, now ignoring him, was reading furiously. When he had finished, he threw that papers down, a grim look upon his face.

"Not bad news, I hope" Dorothy spoke with concern.

Preston looked daggers at her, then he expelled a large breath and said, "On the contrary. My brother Walter’s shipping company in San Francisco has just bought into another, smaller company and acquired three more ships, making them one of the largest in the industry. They’re calling him ‘genius’ and ‘tycoon’. William, the lawyer, just traveled to New York to defend a notorious case. He won."

"Why, I’d think you’d be happy for their success!" Dorothy said, puzzled by his seeming anger.

"Oh I am, Dorothy, I am. The stories made the Philadelphia papers and no doubt the New York ones, too. And I’ll wager that within the next couple of weeks a letter will come from Father with clippings from the Boston papers. I can hardly wait! Their successes reflect well on the whole family!" Preston was bitterly sarcastic. Seeing Dorothy’s perplexed look he said, "What about my successes? I started the first bank here, I opened the finest resort in the territory - do any of my accomplishments get printed in anything other than our little penny paper? What do I have to do to get noticed by the press? Sometimes I think that even if I had been elected mayor, no one would have taken note ..." he paused, realising he was getting carried away.

Andrew, embarrassed, had nothing to say. He was sorry that his bringing the papers had been such a source of pain to Preston. He knew from talking to Preston that the rivalry between the brothers ran deep, but Preston had always seemed proud of their accomplishments, basking in the reflected glory. To hide his discomfiture, Andrew delved into the pie that Grace had brought to round off his meal.

Dorothy was amazed at how much Preston was letting himself go, and in public. She sensed the desperation in his demeanor and knew there had to be more to it than just whether or not the big eastern papers printed stories about him. Shrewdly she guessed that this youngest son was still fervently seeking recognition from his father. She could almost feel sorry for him. Almost. She thought about how he’d put her out of business, how he’d time and again tried to wrest their homestead from Sully and Michaela, how, even now, he was trying to make things go badly for Sully by preventing folks from helping him. She rose to leave, determined not to waste too much sympathy on Preston.

Preston, aware that he’d nearly caused a scene, collected himself and rising from the table said, "Andrew, if you’re finished we really need to get back to the chateau. You already have patients waiting. I’ll go summon the carriage" he strode off. Andrew, rising also, took a last gulp of coffee, place some money on the table, grabbed his bag and hurried after his employer.

Part 53
All was quiet when Brian awoke sometime after midnight. As he prepared to head back to Preston’s homestead, he was surprised by a nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach. He supposed it was the fact that it was night, and that Preston was keeping an eye on the property, accusing anyone who came near of trespass. He had crept to the edge of the woods toward sunset and had watched with satisfaction as the two guards had ridden away. So he needn’t worry about them. But he couldn’t shake a feeling of unease.

He had a lamp with him this time, but he was hoping to be able to get to the homestead in the dark, preferring to wait to light it until he was actually in the house. He stepped along slowly, starting at every little noise. He spoke to himself sternly, trying to get hold of himself and finally he reached the clearing. He looked all around, but there was no sign of life anywhere and he carefully crossed the yard and let himself into the house. He set the lamp down on the floor and lit it, and the room was immediately bathed in light, with weird shadows dancing upon the walls. Like Loren and Jake, he was impressed by the size of the place and the number of rooms. But this wasn’t a time to be gawking. It was time to get to work.

He saw the plans upon the table and taking them, sat on the floor by the lamp, examining them for the second time. He had in mind what he wanted to do and he looked around at the materials scattered about to see if what he needed was nearby. Walking over to where tins of paint were lined up, he pried their lids off to ascertain the colors. He was so intent on planning his strategy that he didn’t hear the door open, or the footsteps or anything else until a voice behind him said, "Well, well, well, fancy meeting you here!"

Brian bit his tongue in surprise and fright and, suppressing a scream, turned to see Trevor grinning over him. He carried a whiskey bottle and a paper sack with what looked like a bundle of colored tubes sticking out from it. Brian closed his eyes and let out a sigh of relief. "What are you doing here, Trevor?"

"I might ask you the same question!" Trevor stumbled a little and put down the bottle and sack and sat on the floor. "This is my uncle’s property -- he just got done removing half the town from here for trespassing. Has soldiers to back him up, too!" He grinned at Brian and his eyes glittered weirdly in the lamplight. "I’m glad you’re here. Now we can really have some fun". He uncorked the bottle and took a swig.

"I’m not here to have fun. I’m here to work" Brian muttered, feeling uncomfortable with Trevor and wishing he hadn’t shown up.

"Aw, c’mon, Bri" Trevor said, shaking him by the shoulder. "You need to have some fun! All work and no play make Brian a dull boy ... and I have just the ticket!" He held up a finger, then reached into the bag from which protruded the mysterious tubes. "Fireworks!" he cried, displaying them for Brian to see. "Uncle Preston’s got the only fireworks in town, ready for the 4th. He’s got more than he needs, so I borrowed some. I guess he won’t mind if I have my own celebration. You can join me! Unless ..." his voice dropped to a more threatening tone ... "unless you want me to report you to my uncle ... and the other authorities ..."

Brian sighed and guessing that Trevor had already been sampling the contents of the bottle he had brought, decided to ignore him. "I got work t’ do" he said, heading over to spread the plans out on the table.

Trevor was on his feet in a second, standing beside Brian. As he stood, he knocked over the bottle of whiskey which poured out in a puddle before he could right it. "Oopsie!" he said, watching in fascination as the pool of liquid spread across the floor. Then, turning to Brian he asked, "Why are you doing this?"

Brian, who had watched Trevor’s little accident with disgust, said crossly, "Doing what?"

Trevor nodded to the plans Brian was still holding. "You’re here to help Sully, aren’t you?"

"So?"

"So why would you want to help him?"

"‘cause he’s my Pa," Brian said, a bit defensively.

Trevor laughed. "He’s not your ‘Pa’, any more than Dr. Quinn is your real "Ma’! They just took you in because they felt sorry for you. Now that they have their own real kids, they don’t care about you anymore!"

This notion was so ridiculous that Brian didn’t even bother to answer. Ignoring Trevor, he perused the plans, comparing them to the work that had actually been done in the downstairs rooms.

"Listen, Brian" Trevor was next to him again, breathing heavily. A whiff of his breath confirmed Brian’s earlier surmise that Trevor had consumed a good deal of the bottle’s contents before it spilled. Wrinkling his nose, Brian moved away, but Trevor caught hold of his arm. "Listen -- the good doctor and Sully are worried about you -- about the way you’ve been behaving lately ..." he waggled his eyebrows meaningfully. "They’re afraid you’re becoming a bad influence on their kids ..."

Giving him a baleful look, Brian pulled away. "Leave me alone".

"Oughtn’t you to be the one to leave?" Trevor retorted. "This is my uncle’s property. I have a right to be here. You, on the other hand, are trespassing!"

Brian faced him. "What do you want?"

"Just some fun" Trevor widened his eyes. "Isn’t that why you’re really here? I mean, did you tell anyone in that ‘family’ you love so much that you were coming out here?"

After a second’s hesitation, Brian shook his head.

"I thought not. Just like you never told them about any of our other meetings -- did you?"

"No, but they -- they found out. Sam’s sister told them."

Trevor burst out laughing. "So that’s what happened! I saw Sam yesterday and he told me you tow weren’t allowed to be together, but he wouldn’t say why. Now it all makes sense."

Yay, Sam Brian silently congratulated his friend for his silence.

Trevor eyed him speculatively. "I think they want to send you to boarding school back East!"

Brian looked up at that. "What makes you think that?"

Trevor grinned. He had Brian’s attention, now. "Oh, nothing. Dr. Quinn was just asking my uncle about Andover -- he went there, too, you know. She wanted to know what it was like, what classes were available ..."

Brian dismissed this latest idea with a laugh. "Even if they wanted to, they could never afford it".

"You’re a bright boy -- maybe they think you could earn a scholarship -- that’s where the school pays for everything if you’re smart."

Brian thought about this, and then shook his head. "They would have told me if they were thinkin’ of somethin’ like that. They’da asked me" But for the first time he began to think about what Trevor was saying. Ma had wanted to send him away to school once before, back when she’d thought he’d done that drawing that Zach had done. She’d written to this special art school and was all set to send him there before she found out he wasn’t the artist after all. And there was that time she almost insisted on taking Matthew to St. Louis to look at colleges ... But this was different.

"You know they haven’t had much time for you lately and if Sully ends up in jail, Dr. Quinn will have even less time"

"He’s not going to jail" Brian said hotly.

"I wouldn’t be too sure ... if the judge gets here and this house isn’t done ..." Trevor looked around, then back at Brian and shrugged, leaving the sentence unfinished.

"That’s why I need t’ get t’ work" But Brian’s heart wasn’t in it the way it had been before. Trevor’s taunting had set his mind to thinking along lines he would have preferred to leave alone.

Trevor, determined to continue to stir up trouble crossed his arms, swayed a little and sneered, "What makes you think they really love you, anyway?"

If Trevor wanted Brian to question their devotion, it was the wrong thing to say. In the second it took for him to register the question, a flood of images invaded his brain. Sully -- who had been there for him ever since he could remember. There was only that brief time after the death of his wife and baby, when Brian had missed him sorely. Sully always made him feel special and important. He taught him to hunt and fish and survive in the woods. He was always ready with a hug, a story, a word of encouragement -- he didn’t put a lot of store in book-learnin’, but he helped build the schoolhouse because it was important to Brian -- he didn’t like the train, but he made Brian a train whistle, because Brian did ... He called Brian "son" and he meant it, of this Brian was sure. And Dr. Mike, who’d patiently answered his questions over the years, who’d taken them in when Ma died, who had truly become ‘Ma’ to him ... who’d read to him and nursed him through many illnesses, who listened to his writings and helped him with homework. All the things Sully and Ma had been and done for him came flooding into his mind making the other times - the times they seemed too strict, or forgot a promise, or seemed to be paying more attention to Katie and Gordon -- weigh much lighter in the balance. Of one thing he was rock-certain -- Sully and Ma loved him -- and wanted what was best for him.

Trevor watched Brian’s face and knew that he was losing him. "I was just teasing , Brian" he said quickly. "Come on, we’re still friends, aren’t we? We had a good time in the cave that time -- you liked my stories about all our escapades at school! Don’t you want to have a little excitement before you go back to work? We could go out and set some of these fireworks off, and then we’ll come back in and I’ll help you with some of the work here. I won’t even tell my uncle!" Trevor held up his right hand in a gesture of sincerity.

Brian just said, "I’m wasting time listening to you. I need to work" He walked over to the cupboards that were lying against the wall to see if he could lift one.

Trevor, holding one of the fireworks in his hand and producing a match in the other said, "Well, I guess I’ll just have to make my own fun"

Brian, turning, saw what he was up to and cried out, "No, don’t! Are you crazy?!"

Trevor had lit the match and was slowly, tauntingly moving it toward the wick of the firecracker. "Maybe I’ll just send this up the chimney. Make sure your ‘Pa’ built it strongly enough ..." He gestured toward the center fireplace.

Brian felt as if he were stepping in molasses as he moved toward Trevor. He was reaching for him, crying for him to stop when his foot knocked into something. Miraculously, he kept his balance as he felt a flash of heat. As he jumped back, he heard Trevor giggle, "Uh-oh" and he saw that he’d kicked the lamp over, right into the puddle of spilled whiskey.

He looked around quickly for a blanket or something to beat out the flames but there was nothing in sight. He vaguely remembered seeing blankets or something hanging on the porch railing outside. Seeing that Trevor had dropped the match and firecracker and was just standing there gazing stupidly at the flames, he grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the door. He shoved him outside, then turned to look back in. The flames were creeping inexorably toward the fireworks and Brian gave a little whimper of fright. Why hadn’t he grabbed the bag when he grabbed Trevor? He snatched a blanket from the railing and ran toward the door but it was already too late for that. It was too late for anything. Dropping the blanket he leaped down the steps in one jump and joined Trevor on the front lawn. He turned and faced the house and felt a sick feeling in his stomach as he heard the first sizzles and pops as the flames began to ignite the fireworks. FOOMP! FOOMP! Brian winced at each sound. He wanted to turn away but instead continued to stare, mesmerized as flashes of light and balls of colored fire whizzed past the front windows. FOOMP! Bang bang! Thud! Beside him, Trevor stood with his mouth open, staring at the display. Flames were now visible in the windows as a series of popping bangs was followed by a crash as one of the front windows blew out. Tears ran down Brian’s cheeks as he remembered the open paint cans lined up under the window. As if answering his thought, the flames leapt out the window in a sudden burst, licking up the side of the house in an angry orange and yellow wave, consuming the new wood of the construction like a ravenous monster. The sound of the fireworks had stopped, leaving only the dull roar and the crackling of the fire as it blazed bright, and brighter. Trevor, casting a nervous glance at Brian muttered, "Time to go" and straightening his hat, he staggered off into the woods.

Brian stumbled to his knees, his legs unable to support him. He was crying in earnest now, great sobs heaving hp from his very depths. As he knelt in the dirt he felt something digging into his hip. Reaching into his pocket he pulled forth the little wooden owl. Staring at it he felt an overwhelming range of emotions surge through him. Suddenly he rose and with an angry cry he flung the carved figure as hard as he could toward the blazing building, then he turned towards the woods and ran as if the flames themselves were chasing him.

Part 54
As Michaela lay nestled in Sully’s arms, there were tears in her eyes, but they were not tears of sorrow, or weariness or frustration. They were tears of joy and wonder, of overwhelming emotion at the depth of her feeling for this man holding her close, whose warm breath she could feel on the back of her neck. The guilt she had felt at first for ‘abandoning’ her children one more day had turned to a strong sense of confidence and certainty that she was now ready to go back to them, and to her patients, and to whatever else awaited her. If someone had asked her before this ‘get away’ time if she thought it were possible for her and Sully to become closer, she would have scoffed. But now she truly believed that in the last couple of days their bond had deepened more than she could have imagined. What amazed her even more was the realisation that she felt more than ever her own inner strength and individuality. She knew Sully must have felt some of this, too. Their lovemaking that night had been so very special. Sully, always so loving and considerate, had been especially tender, yet passionate, raising her to heights she hadn’t known existed. She felt herself blushing at these thoughts, wondering what Mother would say were she able to know of her youngest daughter’s reaction to the dread ‘wifely duty’ she had so often warned her about. It was just as well she didn’t. Michaela quietly wiped the tears from her eyes and was just drifting off when Sully let out a cry and pulled her tighter to him for a moment before suddenly sitting up. Before she could react, he had jumped to his feet and was looking all around.

"Sully, what is it?" she asked with concern.

He shook his head, looking at her apologetically. "Sorry. It was so real ..."

"A dream?" Michaela knew Sully shared the Cheyenne belief that dreams told a truth of either past or future.

"Not a dream, exactly ... at least not anything I can remember. More a sense of something..."

"Of what?" Michaela was sitting up now.

After a moment’s silence he replied, "Danger", looking at her with worried eyes. He began to pace about, looking here and there as if there were something lurking behind the nearby trees or in the stream.

Michaela rose and went to him, placing her hands on his shoulders and massaging the tension that had appeared there. Sully reached behind and grasped her hand, then turned to face her, looking into her eyes before pulling her close. They stood that way for a moment, then he drew back, his gaze compelling, his voice quiet. "Would you mind ... if we started to break camp now, t’ get ready t’ head back t’ town?"

"Now? In the dark?"

" ‘s gonna be light soon and it’ll take us some time t’ get ready"

"Sully, do you think it’s something with the children?"

"I don’t know. I ... I don’t think so, but I really can’t tell. I just think we need t’ get back right away" His blue eyes looked at her, but not at her, staring into distances she could not see.

With a last worried look at him, she stepped from his embrace and over to her pile of clothing. As she began to dress, she was grateful to feel that sense of inner strength and well-being she’d become aware of earlier surround her like a warm comforter. She had a feeling she might need it in the hours to come.

Hank stepped out onto the porch of the saloon and took a breath of fresh air. He hadn’t meant to let things go on so long tonight, but the card playing had, for some reason, been especially intense. He’d finally had to call a halt when one to the guests had come down -for the third time - and threatened to leave immediately, and without paying, if the noise didn’t stop. Now everyone was either gone or upstairs in their rooms and Hank was enjoying a final cigar before retiring, himself.

He chuckled, imagining what the confrontation must have been like out at Preston’s homestead when he threatened half the town with arrest for trespassing. He wondered what Sully would have to say when he found out about the whole thing. Not much, probably. He blew a smoke ring and reflected that Michaela would probably have enough to say for both of them, especially when she found out the Army was involved.

He tossed his cigar stub over the railing and was about to go back inside when a figure running and stumbling down the street caught his attention. He descended the steps and intercepted the figure as it lurched past the saloon. It was Trevor -- a dirty, disheveled, wide-eyed Trevor, out of breath, who struggled at first in Hank’s grasp, then, seeing who it was, gasped "Fire!"

"What? Where?" Hank gave him a little shake.

"My ... my uncle’s homestead!"

Hank loosened his hold on Trevor and strode toward the bell in the town center, rung for such emergencies. Before he could reach it, thought, Trevor caught up with him and put a hand on his arm. "No. Don’t bother. Too late. It’s gone. It has to be gone ..." He shook his head, remembering the intensity of the fire and he spoke so low he seemed almost to be speaking to himself.

Hank looked from Trevor to the bell, then shrugging, he took hold of Trevor and led him, still babbling about the fire, into the saloon. He poured Trevor a shot of whiskey and setting it in front of him commanded, "Drink!"

Trevor grabbed the glass as he would a lifeline and took a gulp. He choked and gasped for a moment ,m but the color returned to his pale cheeks and his breathing slowed. When Trevor had calmed a bit, Hank topped off his glass and said, "Wanna tell me what happened?"

Trevor’s eyes darted to Hank, then away, then down at his glass, then back to Hank. He took a cautious sip of his drink, then began, "I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to go for a walk ..."

"All the way out t’ your uncle’s place?" the skepticism was evident in Hank’s voice.

"I wanted to see what it was like" Trevor said defensively. "I wanted to see how close it was to being finished!"

"Go on" Hank said non-noncommittally.

"When I got there, I saw a light inside the house" as his tale progressed, Trevor’s voice grew stronger. "I knew my uncle had already had some people removed from the property earlier for trespassing, so I was going to investigate. Suddenly there was this huge explosion and next thing I knew the whole place was in flames. There wasn’t a thing I could do" he concluded sadly.

"Uh-huh. ‘D ya see anyone out there?"

After a moment’s hesitation, Trevor said, "I ... I saw someone running away ... I ... I’m not sure who it was -- I mean I really don’t want to say anything without proof ..." Trevor assumed a virtuous expression.

Hank, no stranger to prevarication himself, could usually tell when someone was lying -- or hiding part of the truth. He knew there was more to Trevor’s story than what he was telling. But right now it was none of his business. He corked the bottle and put it away. "C’mon, Trev" he said. " ‘ give ya a ride back t’ th’ Chateau. We’ll tell your uncle what happened, see what he wants ta do".

Nodding, Trevor drained his glass and followed Hank out the back of the saloon.

Brian ran and stumbled through the woods, tripping over rocks and roots, branches tearing at his clothing and slapping and scratching his face. He ran till he got a pain in his side and then he ran some more. Finally he fell flat on his face. He lay there for a moment, the wind knocked out of him, his cheek pressed to the cold earth. Finally he pushed himself to his knees, preparatory to rising, but when he did, his stomach lurched and he began to vomit, heaving until his whole body ached. He knelt on the ground, breathless, eyes closed, wishing he could turn back the clock, wondering what else he could have done. He had been so sure Ma and Sully didn’t want to send him away, but now it didn’t matter whether they did nor not. He wasn’t going to boarding school, he was going to jail. He remembered back a couple of years ago when he and Anthony had started a fire behind the mercantile using Grace’s magnifying glass. It had been successful way beyond their expectations -- almost tragic, in fact. Later, Mr. Lodge had made dire remarks to him about what happened to boys who set fires. And now it was Mr. Lodge’s house that had burned down and it was all Brian’s fault.

What had possessed him to think that he could help Sully, to think that he had a message from the spirits? What had made him think that a dumb carving had some kind of special powers? If anything, those powers were evil. Right after he’d carved it, Sully’s wife and baby had died and now, right after Brian found it, everything he was trying to do for Sully had gone terribly wrong. He pulled himself into a sitting position and tried to get his bearing. It would be daylight soon and he needed to find a place to hide. Sully’s treasure cave seemed a logical place, although he knew it was probably the first place anyone would look. He remembered the time, now so long ago, when Ma had to go away and Sully had looked after them. Little did they know they’d end up looking after Sully and hiding him in the cave he’d told Brian stories about only the night before. Since then the cave had been a special place for picnics and outings and, most recently, a secret meeting place for Sam, Brian -- and Trevor. At the thought of Trevor his stomach lurched again but he got hold of himself and rose, somewhat unsteadily, to his feet. He would go there, for a little while, anyway. Until he could pull himself together. Until he could decide what to do.

Part 55
Hank and Trevor arrived at Preston’s resort and entered the lobby. Trevor quietly led Hank up the ornate stairs to the second floor, then down a carpeted hallway to a room at the end. Hesitating a moment, Trevor glanced at Hank who nodded impatiently. Then he raised his hand and rapped lightly on the door. "Uncle Preston?" To his embarrassment his voice cracked and he tried again. "Uncle Preston?"

Hank shook his head in disgust. "He’s prob’ly asleep. Ya gotta wake him!" He pounded on the door. "Hey, Preston! Open up!"

The door flew open and a flushed, nightshirt-clad Preston appeared. "What is the meaning of this? What do you want? Don’t you realise I have guests here who are ..." he stopped when he saw it was Hank and Trevor and looked from one to the other. "What seems to be the trouble?" he continued in a more cautious voice.

Hank looked at Trevor and nodded for him to start talking. Clearing his throat, Trevor said, "I ... it’s just that ... well, I was going for a walk. A walk, yes, to clear my head. Because ... because I couldn’t sleep. And ... well..."

"I’m losing my patience" Preston growled, "What’s your point? What sort of trouble have you gotten yourself into, this time?"

"Nothing, nothing Uncle Preston! It’s just that while I was walking I saw ... I saw a fire. At your homestead" he finished in a barely audible voice.

Preston poked his head out the door and looked to right and left and seeing no one else around, said to Hank and Trevor, "Come in. I hope this isn’t your idea of a sick joke, Hank" Once inside with the door closed, he turned to Trevor. "I won’t even begin by asking what you were doing wandering around the homestead in the middle of the night. Just tell me what you saw burning -- lumber? Supplies? Scrap? I wouldn’t put it past Sully to be careless about the way he disposes of ..."

"Uncle Preston!" Trevor shrieked, at last finding his voice, "the fire was ... it was the house that was on fire!"

There was a moment’s silence as Preston digested this. His face paled visibly and he whispered "No ... no ... even he wouldn’t stoop so low as to ..." He grabbed a pair of trousers hanging over the back of a chair and began hauling them on. As he dressed, he asked Trevor, "What did you see?" Trevor haltingly related a tale similar to the one he’d told Hank. "Did you see anyone?" Preston demanded, "Anyone at all?"

"I ... I saw someone running away" Trevor answered at last.

"Who? Who was it?"

"I’m not sure. It kind of looked like ..." Trevor hesitated.

"WHO?"

"B ... Brian Cooper" Trevor said in a small voice. Anything to turn his uncle’s wrath from himself. Hank’s eyebrows went up but he remained silent.

Preston’s mouth tightened and he pointed a long finger at Trevor. "You stay here!" he ordered. To Hank he said, "Let’s go!"

"Go where?" Hank drawled.

"To the Army, of course" Preston said impatiently. "They’ll get to the bottom of this" His nostrils flared and his mouth was set in a grim line. "Apparently they were unsuccessful in locating Byron Sully yesterday. But reinforcements should be arriving this morning ..." He drew on his coat and strode out the door of his room. Turning back he said to Hank, "Are you coming?"

Hank looked amused. "Got nothin’ better ta do" he shrugged. As they exited the chateau, a faint line of light on the eastern horizon promised that daybreak was not far away.

Brian got his bearings and made his way to the cave. By the time he reached it the first fingers of dawn were reaching out to snatch the black curtain of night away. Brian didn’t care. He navigated a couple of twists and turns until he was deep into the cave. Once there, he allowed his legs to collapse under him and he fell to the ground, sitting back against the wall of the cave. He was entirely spent.

His thoughts began to whirl mercilessly in his head. He knew by the way the fire had been burning that there no hope for Preston’s homestead. He could only hope that drifting sparks did not carry to the outbuildings, but in the end he couldn’t see what difference that would make, anyway. Would Preston understand -- or believe -- that the fire was not Sully’s fault? Would the judge? Brian knew that if he had an ounce of courage or honor he would go back and own up to what he’d done and face the consequences, but he wasn’t sure he had the courage. Sully would hate him for making it impossible for him to complete the terms of his sentence. Ma would hate him because now Sully would probably go to jail -- or worse. Matthew, Colleen and even Katie and Gordon, once they were old enough to understand what he’d done, would hate him for being the cause of Sully’s trouble. And if he went back, would he have to go to jail, too, as Preston had threatened him and Anthony? He felt a stab of grief as he thought of this -- how he missed Anthony and how he wished he were here right now to talk with about this. Anthony always had good ideas. Suddenly he remembered Anthony telling him "I think you look like Sully" when he had been concerned about whether Ethan remembered him and whether he looked like him or Charlotte.

Ethan -- maybe he could run away to San Francisco and find his father. He’d always claimed to want him ... but then he’d always taken off again, too. Brian remembered how devastated he’d been each time and how it had hurt when he’d found out -- much later -- that even the good-bye letter Ethan had supposedly written had been composed by Sully. Sully ...

Brian put his head down on his knees and closed his eyes but when he did, he once again heard the roar of the fire, and saw the flames and smelled the smoke ... He felt sick again but there was nothing left in his stomach to bring up. Finally, no longer able to cope with the demands put upon it, Brian’s mind shut down and he fell into a deep and numbing sleep.

Preston allowed Hank to drive him to town, but kept urging him to go faster. When they reached the soldiers’ camp, he alighted almost before the wagon stopped moving. "Sergeant Tanner! Sergeant Tanner, are you here?" he called at the top of his lungs.

Sergeant Tanner appeared from one of the tents, trousers on, but shirtless. He appeared to be in the midst of getting dressed. "What do ..." he began, then seeing Preston, "Oh, it’s you."

Preston by this time was fairly bristling with rage. "I knew it was a mistake not to put a full-time guard on my homestead!"

"You also knew we didn’t yet have the manpower. Our reinforcements should be here this morning and then ..."

"It’s too late" Preston growled, "The only thing your reinforcements will be good for now is to go out there and find Byron Sully and bring him in for questioning!"

The sergeant was immediately alert. "What do you mean, Lodge? Questioning for what?"

"For putting a child up to doing his dirty work while he’s out of town!" Preston cried. "Last night his son, Brian Cooper, burned down my future home! It’s obvious Sully put him up to it to mask the fact that he was nowhere near done with it. Probably did it to spite me, too! No wonder he’s gone into hiding ..."

"We’ll find him today" the sergeant promised. "We’ll get to the bottom of this." He looked up as several soldiers on horseback rode into the camp. "Ah, here are our reinforcements, now. We’ll be able to guard both the clinic and the Sully homestead, as well as search for Sully. Were you able to save anything in the fire?"

Preston shook his head. "I don’t think so ... I haven’t been out there yet, but my nephew saw the fire and said there’s little chance it didn’t burn all the way to the ground"

"We’ll go take a look there, too" Tanner told him.

"I’m coming with you!" Preston insisted.

Tanner eyed him. "Just so you understand, this will be a military investigation. You are not to get in the way!"

"Of course not. I suppose I’ll have to notify the sheriff ..."

"There’s no need for that" Tanner held up a hand. "For now we are taking over law enforcement in this town"

For the first time since Preston had heard about the fire, he allowed a smile to cross his face. "Good" he said, "Good. It’s about time somebody did!"

Michaela sat up close to Sully in the driver’s box of the wagon, feeling anxiety come off him in almost palpable waves. He was driving much faster than he usually did, but she didn’t say anything, hoping to let him know by her silent presence how much she loved and supported him. The closer they got to town, the stronger the feelings became until she could stand it no longer. She put a hand on his arm and said anxiously, "Sully?" he slowed the wagon and turned to her. She was shocked by the pallor of his face and the sweat that had broken out on his brow. His eyes were wide with anxiety.

"Somethin’s wrong" he said.

She nodded because she could feel it, too, though she was unsure whether she was aware of it because she felt the same thing or because she was in tune with him and feeling what he was feeling. Whatever the reason, she felt a deep dread in the pit of her stomach. Her nose twitched as she inhaled a strange, yet familiar scent. "I smell smoke" she declared. "Do you suppose someone is camping out here?"

"That ain’t no campfire" Sully declared, speeding the horses once again.

"But there aren’t any homesteads near here except ..." she looked at Sully in dismay.

Face set, eyes fixed on the road ahead, Sully rounded a curve in the road as they came in sight of Preston’s homestead. Michaela gasped as Sully drew the wagon to a halt and sat staring. "Sully ..." Sully jumped down from the wagon and approached the wreckage as one sleepwalking. Michaela was by his side in an instant, near, but instinctively keeping a slight distance as he took it all in. Finally he turned to her and for a moment the doctor in her feared he was going into shock. She moved closer, putting a hand on his arm. "Sully?" she said again.

He shook his head, still speechless. They moved closer to the pile of smoking timbers that had once been Preston’s homestead, then Sully held out an arm in front of Michaela, halting her progress. "Not too close" he croaked. "Might still be smoldering" Indeed the strong smoky smell was threatening to choke her as it was and she had no desire to move any closer. But neither would she move from her husband’s side. Sully’s eyes were filled with tears and she knew it wasn’t just the smoke.

The questions hung in the air, How did this happen? Why did this happen? Was the fire set? If so, who would do such a thing? but neither of them uttered a word. Sully dropped to his knees and clutched the ground for a moment as if hoping to gain support from the earth. He closed his eyes, then opened them again, but the horror did not go away.

Michaela did not know how long they might have remained there like that, but the sound of rapid hoofbeats diverted her attention. The sight of the blue uniforms made her heart race and she nudged Sully who looked and then jumped to his feet. Together they stood, straight and sure, awaiting the soldiers’ approach. A cry from the leader and they all drew up in a showy cloud of dust, the horses snorting and prancing in place. One rider, not in uniform, who had been riding behind the others, now passed them, reined in his mount and flung himself from the horse crying, "There he is, there he is, Sergeant, returning to the scene of the crime, for once in his life seeing that a job was done right!" It was Preston.

The soldiers had dismounted and were standing in formation behind their leader, awaiting orders. Sgt. Tanner moved forward until he was standing face to face with Sully, steel-grey eyes looking into ice-blue ones. Tanner’s mouth twitched and his nostrils flared then, without a word, he jerked his head sharply toward Sully and two of his men stepped smartly forward and took hold of Sully’s arms. Michaela opened her mouth to protest as Sully wordlessly yanked his arms from the soldiers’ grasp, his eyes still locked with Tanner’s.

"I wouldn’t do that, if I were you," Preston said sharply. Stepping closer he said, "You are in very big trouble, Sully, and now you’re going to pay!"

"Sully hasn’t done anything" Michaela protested, finding her voice.

Preston actually laughed out loud. "Michaela," he said, "either you are outright lying or you are seriously deluded" He eyed her, then gave a mocking little bow, flicking a glance at Sully. "Excuse me, ‘Dr. Quinn’". Then, turning to Sgt. Tanner he said, "Let’s go. Let’s get this man to jail!"

"Matthew will never put Sully in jail!" Michaela said, "not without proof of wrongdoing!"

The sergeant reached past Michaela toward Sully and began tying his hands together with a length of rope. " ‘fraid Sheriff Cooper’s got no say in it now, ma’am" he said, not sounding a bit sorry, "Army’s taken over law enforcement in this town until further notice. This man is under arrest." He dragged Sully over to the horses and barking an order to his men, he quickly mounted his, still holding tightly to the rope which bound Sully.

Michaela hurried back to their wagon, so she could follow the procession into town. One of the soldiers, watching her, said something to one of his companions and , handing him the reins of his horse, walked over to the wagon. He heaved himself up into the wagon and reaching for the reins said, "I’ll drive you back to town, ma’am, seein’ as your husband’s unable ..." his voice trailed off at the sight of Michaela’s face.

Enunciating very carefully, she hissed, "If you do not get down from my wagon at once, I will throw you off" and the soldier quickly backed down, taking his own horse from his staring companion, shaking his head at the venom in the sweet-looking lady’s voice. Michaela cast a quick look at Sully, who was looking decidedly grim, trying to send him messages with her eyes to calm him.

Meanwhile, Sgt. Tanner ordered two of his men to remain on the premises to investigate the damage. "If you find anything ... anything at all ... bring it to me right away" he told them. Then he began to lead the procession back to town, dragging Sully behind him.

By the time they got back to town, word had evidently spread about the fire. Townspeople lined the road, staring, as if watching a parade. Hank, Jake and Loren stood with the rest, Loren shaking his head and clicking his tongue. "I can’t believe Sully set Preston’s homestead on fire!"

Jake made a face. "It’s not so hard to believe. I’m just glad we didn’t spend all day there workin’ only ta have it go up in smoke! Besides, I heard it was Brian did it. Least that’s what Hank told me" He turned to the barkeep, who shrugged.

"I said Trevor saw Brian runnin’ away from the fire" he said.

"Runnin’ away usually means you’re guilty" Jake said in a voice of doom.

"Yeah, but Charlie Smith said ‘t was Sully put him up to it!" Loren insisted. "He heard it from Widda Barnes!"

"And she was there, was she?" Hank cocked an eyebrow.

Michaela’s feelings bounced between worry and compassion for Sully and anger at the soldiers. She was glad to see the sheriff’s office come into view. She was still confident that Matthew would straighten things out, no matter what the sergeant with the loud voice said. As soon as the procession stopped she jumped down from the wagon and hurried over to Sully. "Are you all right?" she asked anxiously. She reached for his hands, which were still bound together. "Your wrists are bleeding! I’ll need to treat them right away ..." She stopped when a vicious jerk on the rope pulled Sully from her. Tanner had dismounted and was laughing as he reeled Sully in.

"Sully!" Michaela called, seeing he was aiming a kick at the soldier and knowing that it could only go worse for him if he followed through. Sully turned at the sound of her voice and restrained himself but he was breathing hard and she knew he was barely keeping himself in check. She drew herself up and was about to give the sergeant a piece of her mind when Matthew bounded out the door to the sheriff’s office, taking in the soldiers, the shackled Sully and the livid Michaela in one quick glance.

"Sheriff, ready a cell for this prisoner" Tanner ordered.

"I don’t think so" Matthew stated flatly.

"I’m afraid you don’t have any choice" Tanner replied. "This town is now under the jurisdiction of me and my men" Shoving Sully ahead of him he began to push past Matthew.

"I don’t think so" Matthew repeated and, to her surprise, he winked at Michaela.

Impatiently, Tanner hauled Sully through the door, followed by his men. As Michaela and Matthew followed quickly on their heels, she was surprised to hear a voice, seeming somewhat familiar, saying gruffly, "Here now, what is all this? Why are you here and why is this man tied up?"

She pushed into the building with a broadly grinning Matthew at her side. When she saw the owner of the voice, she started in surprise. "Judge Winthrop?" she cried incredulously.

Continue...