Sully stood up, and putting his arm around Brian's shoulders, headed with him toward the table.   Leaning down, he whispered in Brian's ear, just loud enough for Michaela to hear, "And guess what?  *I* did all the cookin'—not your ma!"  Brian chuckled as Sully looked back over his shoulder and winked at his wife.

     "Very humorous, Mr. Byron Sully," Michaela commented, joining in the banter.  "Well, Brian, I admit I may not be as good a cook as Colleen, or Grace, or PERHAPS even your pa . . .  "  Her eyes twinkled.  "But you will be very happy that your ma is a doctor when Sully's cooking gives you indigestion—as it inevitably will!"  She stuck her tongue out at Sully, causing Brian to collapse in giggles.

     "Aw—she's just jealous!" Sully replied.  "Still, I guess she's good at some things.  I had some of her coffee and look—I'm still standin'!"

     "Sully!" Michaela exclaimed in mock indignation.  "You're absolutely shameless!"

     He gave her a wicked grin.  "And that's why you love me!"   Without warning, he came up behind her and grabbed her around the waist.  He started tickling her and kept it up until Michaela shrieked for mercy.

     "Sully stop!" she begged breathlessly, wiping  tears of laughter from her eyes.

     Brian, too, had been overcome by laughter.  Michaela and Sully stole a glance at each other, silently grateful that their foolishness had succeeded in taking Brian's mind off the fact that soon his pa would be gone again.

     Sully joined Brian at the table as Michaela dished eggs and bacon onto their plates.  "Let's eat before the food gets cold," he suggested to his son.  Brian nodded and began to dig in enthusiastically.

     "I believe I'll go up and fetch Katie now—and see to our guests," Michaela said, looking at Sully meaningfully.

     "Sounds good," he replied, nodding to her slightly.  "I can't wait to see my little 'Kates.'"

     "Did Ma tell ya about Aunt Marjorie and the English lady comin' ta stay?" Michaela heard Brian ask as she climbed the stairs.

     "She sure did," came Sully's reply.

     As Michaela reached the second floor, she saw Marjorie, Katie in her arms, coming down the hall.

     "Good morning Michaela," Marjorie greeted her cheerfully.

     "Good morning Marjorie," Michaela responded.  "Hello Katie!" she cooed to her daughter, kissing her on the cheek and breathing in her sweet, clean scent.

     "Mama!" Katie piped, thrusting her bunny at her mother.

     "For me?" Michaela smiled, reaching to accept the proffered toy.

     Immediately Katie snatched it back.  "No!" she declared, making her mother and aunt laugh.

     "Katie's gifts tend to be the temporary kind," Michaela remarked.

     "I hope you don't mind, Michaela—I took the liberty of getting Katie bathed and dressed," Marjorie told her.

     "I don't mind at all.  In fact, I appreciate the help.  I'm afraid I'm getting rather a late start this morning," Michaela answered apologetically.

     Marjorie looked at her more closely, noting the shadows under her sister's eyes, her disheveled hair, and the fact that Michaela still wore the clothing she'd had on the night before.

     "You look exhausted Michaela," she said in concern.  "You haven't been to bed at all, have you?"

     "I'm afraid not," Michaela admitted.  "But it was for a good cause.  Sully came to the homestead last night!" she confided.

     "How wonderful for you!" Marjorie exclaimed, pleased for her sister.  "But I thought it was too dangerous for him to come here."

     "It could be dangerous," confirmed Michaela.  "But Sully is very adept at traveling through the woods without being detected—just one of the many skills he learned from the Cheyenne.  And fortunately, there was no sign of soldiers watching the house last night.

     "Best of all, Marjorie—he's still here!  He's going to remain here through the day, and leave after nightfall."

     "How lovely that he'll be able to spend time with the children," said Marjorie.  "I'm sure he must miss them terribly."

     "Yes, very much."

     A look of concern suddenly clouded Marjorie's face.  "Michaela, I hope Sully doesn't mind that Rosalind  and I are here," she said.

     "Not at all," Michaela assured her.  "I explained the situation to him.  I know he'll be pleased to see you.   "However, there *is* a favor I need to ask of you Marjorie."

     "Anything," said her sister.

     "Well, Sully and I need some time alone—to . . . discuss certain matters."

    Marjorie gave her a knowing look, surmising that it was not "conversation"  that was on Michaela's mind.  "Of course you do," she said, smiling at her younger sister.

     Michaela reddened, but continued, "I recall you mentioning that you wanted to see Loren.  I was wondering if you would mind going into town early with Matthew, when he takes Brian to school?"

     "Of course," Marjorie said promptly.  "Whatever I can do to make things easier for you and Sully.  Loren and I will have a nice, long visit.  And perhaps I'll stop into the Gold Nugget and see Hank as well!"  Her eyes twinkled.

     "Thank you Marjorie—I appreciate it," Michaela said gratefully.  "Could you take Katie down to breakfast for me?" she added.  "Sully is so anxious to see her, and I need to freshen up and change."

     "Certainly," Marjorie agreed.
 
     "By the way," Michaela said casually.  "Is Rosalind awake yet?  I thought I'd stop in and have a word with her."

     "I believe I heard her stirring as I was going in to get Katie," Marjorie answered.  "You go on and get dressed, and take your time.  We'll be just fine—won't we Katie?"   Katie grinned.

     "Thanks again, Marjorie—I'll be down shortly," said Michaela, and the sisters parted.