Over the next few days, I barely saw Sully. Once when I saw him walk by as I stood outside the clinic, he looked as if he were going to approach. I waited hopefully, but he simply stared at me silently and continued on. Meanwhile Hank had left with Myra to seek his fortune in Denver and there seemed to be little doubt that soon everyone might have to do the same. Loren and Jake however had devised a plan to remain in town and in fact to prosper.  I should have known any scheme involving those two would involve money- sure enough it did. They had quietly gone to find the 'hidden spring' which they believed was the real reason the Indians had been able to survive. They had returned announcing that they had water for anyone who could 'afford it'. My charges that it was immoral to charge for water in a time of draught seemed to have little effect. Perhaps, Sully had been right- maybe some people really couldn't change. A few days later, the results of Jake and Loren's greed, became apparent as one by one the townspeople came to the clinic all complaining of similar symptoms. The water it turned out had come from a pond that had been contaminated. I must admit I did enjoy a moment of satisfaction when I demanded payment for my services from Loren and Jake when they too appeared at the clinic moaning in distress.

The townsfolk recovered and things returned to normal, except of course we still had no water and Sully and I still hadn't spoken. And then one night, a thunderstorm hit, and our barn caught on fire. I was terrified. Thank goodness for Matthew. He and I worked furiously to put out the flames, and when Sully finally appeared, the fire had been all but extinguished. Somehow the sight of Sully at that moment was too much for me. I was exhausted and frightened and for the first time, he hadn't been there. I know I shouldn't have lashed out at him the way I did, but all the hurt and anguish I had been feeling since our quarrel suddenly just came pouring out. I told him that he was too late, that I didn't need him anymore. I'll never forget the look of hurt on his face when I said that.

I was beginning to feel as if everything I had returned to Colorado Springs for, was fading - Sully, the town. When Dorothy suggested we cancel the town thanksgiving supper, it just added to my feeling of loss. I was relieved when Grace pointed out that even without much food, we still should get together to give thanks for what we did have. Later, as I stood outside on the clinic porch to give Robert E and Grace some privacy, I couldn't help overhearing part of their conversation. It was Robert E's words that hit me hard, as he reminded Grace how lucky they were that they had found someone to love.

What had I done? Had I thrown away the same precious gift?

On one of our 'walks' Sully had taught me the basics of tracking. Now I put all he had taught me into use, I needed to find him, to tell him what was in my heart. I only prayed that it wasn't too late. He turned as he heard me approach. He didnt seem angry,  he just asked how I had found him. I replied that I had followed his tracks, he seemed pleased by that. So I had been listening! I went to him then, and I told him how sorry I was, that I hadn't meant any of the things that I had said. We did have a lot in common, the way we cared about people, about the children. I told him that I knew in my heart where I wanted us to be, but I had no idea how we would get there. That seemed to be enough for him. He took me to a special place where he came to find his way when he was lost.  It was so beautiful, we just stood there side by side watching the sun set in our own world. Sully confided that he had never even shown this spot to Abigail. Nothing he could have said could have touched me more than that. He had promised to show me his world and he had kept that promise.

Thanksgiving finally arrived, strangely with no sign of  Sully. We were in Grace's cafe trying to set the tables with what little food we had been able to pull together. It would be a meager feast certainly, but everyone, with the exception of Horace, felt grateful to be celebrating with those they loved. Suddenly, Brian called out 'Indians!". I looked up to see Sully and Cloud Dancing approaching on horseback. Like the first Thanksgiving, the Indians had come to share their food with us. Cloud Dancing simply explained that the spirits had told him that he needed to 'take the hand of the child, even if he did not want to go'. Over some minor grumbling, the Indians took their places at the table with us and the reverend invited Cloud Dancing to lead us in a prayer of thanks. Conversation at dinner was so lively that we didn't even realize someone else had come to join in the festivities. To Horaces' great joy, Hank had returned, and with him Myra. I was so happy for them. Finding the one you loved, was a gift; having almost lost that, I knew with new certainty just how precious that gift was. I glanced at Sully, the warmth in his gaze made my heart melt.

And then, it happened. First a few drops, then a few more and suddenly it began to pour. It seemed that Heaven wasn't finished showering us with gifts. What had looked as if it might be my last Thanksgiving in Colorado Springs, had turned into the most perfect one I could have imagined. I was with those I loved, we had food on the table... food! My goodness the food was going to be ruined. Desperately I searched for something to cover our dinner with, calling for someone, anyone to help me. I looked up and Sully was just standing there, rain soaked gazing at me. His eyes seemed to pierce right through to my soul , he opened his arms in invitation and I went to him . Whatever the future would bring, I knew we would find our way together.

Michaela Quinn

Download Video

special thanks to Debby for the use of her video for part of this presentation.

Back to DQ Folklore