After several long, delicious moments they forced themselves to part yet again.  Michaela sighed, and said regretfully, "As much as I'm  looking forward to that other type of 'food' you mentioned, I'm afraid that right now we need to concentrate on 'food for the body.'" She smiled and smoothed his hair back from his face.

     Sully grinned down at her.  "You're right," he acknowledged.  He gave her one last quick kiss and suggested, "How about you start the coffee and fetch some eggs from the coop?  I'll scramble 'em up and fry some bacon."  He went into the kitchen.

     "I didn't mean for you to do all the cooking," Michaela protested, following him.

     "It's about time I helped out around here," Sully answered, striking a match and lighting the stove.  "Besides," he added teasingly, "My eggs are better than yours."

     Michaela raised an eyebrow.  "Isn't it lucky for us that you learned to cook in the mining camps?" she said drily.

     "Sure is," Sully bantered, then dodged out of reach as she swatted at him with a dishtowel.

     Laughing together, they set about their respective tasks.  By the time Michaela returned from the barn with the eggs, the air was redolent with the mingled aromas of brewing coffee and bacon sizzling briskly on the stove.

     With practiced ease, Sully slid the hot bacon out of the skillet onto a plate.  He gingerly picked up a piece and broke it in two, feeding one half to his wife and popping the other half in his mouth.

     "Not bad, if I do say so myself," he grinned.

     "Mmm," Michaela agreed, "Lovely."  She got plates, cups and glasses down from a cupboard and placed them around the table.  Sully busied himself cracking eggs into a bowl.

     Michaela added forks, spoons and knives to the place settings.  Moving to the stove, she wrapped the dish towel around the handle of the steaming coffee pot and carried it to the table.  She poured a generous measure of coffee into two of the cups, and handed one of them to her husband.

     Sully sniffed the fragrant aroma appreciatively and took a sip.

     "Just what the 'doctor' ordered," he said, winking at her.  "You make a fine cup of coffee, Michaela."

     "It's good to know I've learned to make *something* well in the last five years," Michaela remarked.

     "Your pecan pie ain't too bad, either," he told her.

     "My, my, two compliments in a row," Michaela said, her eyes widening  in mock amazement  "Be careful, Sully, or you'll turn my head!"

     "I'll risk it," Sully chuckled.

     Michaela watched as Sully beat the eggs into a froth and then poured the mixture into another skillet.

     "Sully, I've been thinking," she said.  "Perhaps I should go up to Rosalind and tell her you're here.  I think it would be best to prepare her before she sees you for the first time."

     "Good idea," he replied.  "From what you say, she's had enough shocks.  I don't want to give her any more."

     "That's true," Michaela agreed.  "Rosalind is a vital woman with a strong constitution, but she's had quite a stressful twenty-four hours, and her first meeting with you is bound to be an emotional one.

     "I was also thinking that it might be best if we wait to tell everyone else about Rosalind being your aunt, until after the two of you have had a chance to talk alone.  I think you both need some private time to get acquainted and learn about each other.  We can share your news with the family tonight, at supper."

     "Sounds like a good plan," Sully answered as he stirred the eggs.  "But won't some of the family be here at the homestead during the day?"

     "Actually, no," she said.  "Brian will be at school, of course.  And Marjorie mentioned last night that she's anxious to go into town and see Loren again.  I can ask Matthew to drive her to town in the wagon when he takes Brian to school.  And if you like, I can go into the clinic for a few hours and take Katie with me.  You and Rosalind could have total privacy."

     Sully finished scrambling the eggs, and emptied them into a serving dish.  He covered the dish with a napkin and brought it to the table.  Sitting down across from her he asked, "Do you have to go to the clinic today?"

     "No, it's not necessary," she replied.  "I have no patients staying there at the moment, and if there's an emergency, someone can always come from town to fetch me.  Or I can have Matthew ride out to the Spa and ask Andrew to help out.  I'm sure he wouldn't mind—he knows that I'd return the favor for him another day."

     "Then I'd like you to stay," Sully told her, reaching over to take her hand.  "I think both me and Rosalind would feel more comfortable with each other if you were here.  Besides, I'm selfish—I want to spend as much time with you as I can.  And there's our 'nap' to think of," he added, looking at her significantly.

     Michaela's eyes kindled at the thought.   "You're right—how could I forget something so important?"

     They smiled at each other.

     Just then, they heard the sound of heavy boots descending the stairs.  They both looked toward the staircase as Matthew came into view.

     "Mornin', Dr, Mike," Matthew called out.  "Somethin' sure smells good—“ he froze at the bottom of the steps as his eyes fell on Sully.  "Sully!" he exclaimed in shock. "What are you doin' here?  Is eveythin' all right?"

     Sully smiled at his stepson.  "Mornin', Matthew.  Things are fine—or as fine as they can be, anyway."   He gave Matthew a crooked grin.  "I just decided to pay a surprise visit  to the homestead last night, and your ma persuaded me to stay."

     "What about the army?" Matthew asked as he walked over to the table.

     "There wasn't any sign of 'em when I snuck in last night," Sully told him, rising.  "I think I'll be safe here for the day.  I'll wait till after nightfall to leave."

     "Sounds good," Matthew said.  He reached out and shook Sully's hand.  "It's good to have you here," he added.  "Like old times."

     Sully clapped him on the back.  "I could say the same to you," he replied.  "How are the repairs comin' on your homestead?"

     Matthew shrugged philosophically.   "Slow," he answered.  "But I'll have it rebuilt eventually.  I just hope Dr. Mike can put up with me that long." He shot his stepmother an impish grin.

     Michaela smiled back at him.  "Matthew, you know you're welcome here for as long as you want to stay.  In fact, we'd all be delighted if you decided to move back permanently."

     "Thanks, Dr. Mike," Matthew said, pouring himself a cup of coffee.  "But I kinda got used to livin' on my own."

     Michaela sighed in resignation.  "I know," she said.  "You're a man now, and you need your independence.  It's just hard for me to stop thinking of you as the young boy you were when I came here."

     Sully's and Matthew's eyes met and they grinned at each other, both amused to see Michaela's "mother-hen" side coming out.  Matthew leaned down to plant a kiss on her cheek.

     "I may be a man, but I'll always need you, Ma," he assured her.  Michaela glowed with pleasure at his use of the name, since he called her that so rarely.  Matthew went to the front door, and took down his hat from its hook.  "Goin' out to the barn to do the milkin' and take care of the animals," he told them.  "Be sure to save me some breakfast!"  With a wave, he left.

     The door had no sooner closed behind Matthew than they heard the lighter tread of Brian's footsteps descending the stairs.  They waited expectantly, smiling at each other in anticipation of Brian's reaction to Sully's presence.  They weren't disappointed.

     Brian had reached the next to last step when his eyes fell on Sully.  "Pa!" he exclaimed joyfully.  He bounded off the stairs, missing the last one completely.  Sprinting across the room, he hurtled into his father's arms.

     Sully embraced him tightly, one hand reaching to ruffle Brian's hair.  "Hey Brian," he said, the huskiness of his voice betraying  his depth of emotion at being reunited with his younger son.  Michaela's eyes brimmed with tears once again as she watched them together.

     As they released each other, Brian looked up at Sully, his eyes shining.  "What are you doin' here?  Are you home for good?" he asked eagerly, the questions tumbling out of him in his excitement.

     Sully bent down so that his eyes were on a level with Brian's.  He grasped Brain's shoulders.  "I decided it was about  time I paid you all a visit, instead of you always havin' to come out to the woods to see me," he said cheerfully.

     "A visit?" Brian repeated slowly, the light starting to go out of his eyes.  "Does that mean . . . you ain't stayin' for good?"

     "I'm afraid not Brian—not this time," Sully replied gently.  "I still have to work things out with the army before I can come home to stay.  But I'm going to spend the day here, and have supper with you all.  I don't have to leave till after nightfall."  He spoke in an upbeat tone, trying as best he could to mitigate Brian's disappointment.

     Brian gave him a small, half-hearted smile in return.  "Then could I stay home today, and be with you?"   Sully looked at Michaela over Brian's head, his eyes silently asking for help.  Michaela looked back at him unhappily.  She knew Sully felt as badly as she did at having to refuse Brian's request.  But there was no help for it; Sully and Rosalind needed this time alone together.

     Brian turned to his mother.  "Please, Ma?" he implored.

     Michaela blinked back her tears, her throat aching.  She smiled at Brian.  "I understand how much you want to be with Sully," she began gently.  "Just as much as he wants to be with you."

     "That's true," Sully told his son.  "I've missed you so much Brian—nothin' would give me greater pleasure than for us to be together.  But—“

     "But didn't you tell me last night that you have a test today?"  Michaela asked, feeling like a traitor, but grateful that there was a valid excuse for him to be at school.

     "Yeah," Brian answered disconsolately.  "But Miss Teresa would let me make it up."

     "But what reason could we give for you not being there, Brian?  You're not sick, and we can't tell her about Sully," she reminded him.

     "I know," Brian said in a low voice.

     "Besides, I don't want to be the cause of you havin' any trouble at school," Sully told him.  "Your schoolin' is important, Brian.  I never had much book-learnin', so I know.  I want you to learn everythin' you can, so you can go on to college and be the best writer you can be someday."  He cupped Brian's chin in his hand, and gave him an encouraging smile.

     "We won't be apart that long," he said consolingly.  "When you get home from school, I'll be right here.  You an' me can play checkers together, or you can read me some more of HUCK FINN.  Or even better," he added with a burst of inspiration.  "You can read me your latest story.  I've really missed hearin' your stories.  I bet you've written a new one since I been gone.  Am I right?"

     Brian smiled reluctantly.  "Yeah," he admitted.

     "I knew it!" Sully declared.  "I'd really love it if you'd share it with me, Brian.  Will you do that for me?"

     Brian's smile grew wider.  "Sure, Pa," he answered.

     Sully ruffled his hair again.  "Thanks, Brian.  That sure means a lot to me.  And I'll make you a promise:  the next time you come out to the cave, you an' me will go fishin'—just the two of us.  How does that sound?"

     "Promise?" Brian said.

     "Promise," Sully repeated solemnly.

     "I love you, Pa!" Brian exclaimed, throwing his arms around Sully's neck.

     "I love you too, Brian," Sully said in a muffled voice, returning the hug.  Michaela could see a suspicious glimmer of tears in his eyes.  But the next moment, he was saying cheerfully, "Now how about we all have some breakfast?  I'm starvin'!  How about you?"

     "Yeah!" Brian answered.