The family wagon passed the outskirts of town and slowed as it approached the train station.  Michaela was driving.  Rosalind, Katie perched on her lap, sat beside Michaela, with Colleen, Marjorie and Brian crammed into the back amid a small mountain of Marjorie’s and Rosalind’s luggage.  Marjorie and Colleen sat on a narrow portion of the rough bench in the rear of the wagon, while Brian perched precariously on top of a rounded truck, Colleen’s carpet bag clutched in his lap.  Sully, on Bear, and Matthew, astride his own horse, rode along on either side.

     Michaela paralleled the train tracks, pulling back slightly on the reins and coming to a stop as they drew up to the depot.  She set the brake as Sully and Matthew dismounted and went to help the women down from the wagon and unload the luggage.  Brian jumped to the ground in relief, surreptitiously rubbing his posterior.   Sully lightly lifted Marjorie and Colleen from the wagon bed and set them on their feet, then came around to help Michaela, Rosalind and Katie descend as Matthew began piling the many bags on the station platform.  Michaela took Katie into her arms so Rosalind could go to the ticket window, while Sully aided Matthew with the last of the luggage.

     Colleen, who also was leaving on the train to return to school in Denver, accompanied Rosalind and Marjorie to purchase their tickets.  Horace, framed inside the window of the depot, gave the women a smile of greeting as they approached.  Within moments he had issued and stamped their tickets, sliding them out through the slot as he accepted the bills the women offered.

     “Help ya with your bags, Ladies?” he offered genially, then his eyes boggled as he caught sight of the numerous satchels and trunks crowding the platform.

     “Thank you, Mr. Bing, but I believe my nephews can manage,” Rosalind told him.

     “Uh—sure thing, Ma’am,” Horace responded politely, not quite able to disguise his look of relief.  Colleen caught his eye and gave him a brief smile of commiseration.

     “Train’s on time, Ladies,” Horace added helpfully.  Rosalind smiled in acknowledgement, but a shadow crossed her face as she thought of how soon she would have to say good-bye.

     The family members rejoined each other, then an awkward silence fell as they all contemplated their imminent separation.

     “Oh!” Rosalind said suddenly, opening her reticule and hunting through its crowded contents till she found and withdrew a slip of paper.  She held it out to Sully.  “Here are the addesses of the hotels where  we will be staying throughout the remainder of the tour,” she explained.  “From San Francisco we travel to Stockton, and then on to Sacramento.  From there we will return east, en route to Boston.  Perhaps you will find time to write to me?” she said to Sully hopefully.

     “Sully is not overly fond of corresponding,” Michaela commented, smiling at him indulgently.  “But I will be happy to write to you regularly and keep you informed of everything that’s happening with us all.”

     “Thank you, my dear,” Rosalind responded gratefully.

     “Michaela’s right—I ain’t much of a one for letter-writin’,” Sully conceded, also smiling a little.  “But I guess I could add a line or two, from time to time.”

     “I’ll treasure every word,” Rosalind told him.

     “Michaela!” they heard a feminine voice calling, and turned to see Dorothy waving at them as she rounded the corner of the livery.  She hastened up to them, cheeks flushed and flaming red hair slightly disheveled.

     “I’m so glad I caught you!” she exclaimed breathlessly.  “I wanted to give you copies of the Gazette to take with you.  It’s a special edition,” she added shyly to Rosalind, “coverin’ everythin’ that’s happened since you been here, and includin’ the interview you gave me after the trial.”

     “I’ll look forward to reading it,” Rosalind told her, accepting the slim copy of the newspaper and perusing the front page approvingly.  “Tell me, Dorothy—if I give you my address in England, would it be possible for you to send me copies of the Gazette each week?  I would very much enjoy having a subscription so that I can keep up with the news in Colorado Springs.”

     “Of—of course,” Dorothy answered, both flattered and a little overwhelmed at Rosalind’s request.  “But my tiny little paper is nothin’ compared to an important newspaper like the London Times.”

     “Yes, the London Times—large and influential and written by men,” said Rosalind.  “I much prefer a woman’s perspective,” she added, regarding Dorothy respectfully.

     “You’re very kind,” Dorothy answered, still somewhat flustered.

     “Don’t ever sell yourself short, my dear,” Rosalind told her earnestly.  “Writing, editing and publishing your own newspaper is a wonderful accomplishment.  You should be proud.”

     “Thank you,” Dorothy said sincerely.  “We’ll miss you, Lady Sutcliffe—I hope you can return for a visit real soon.”

     “That is my fervent wish, as well,” Rosalind responded.  She clasped Dorothy’s hand warmly.

     “Well, I got to order some supplies at the store.  Have a safe journey,” Dorothy said to Rosalind and Marjorie.  They nodded their thanks.  “I’ll see you later, Michaela,” she added over her shoulder, then recrossed  the train tracks, walking toward the mercantile.

     “That reminds me,” Michaela remarked to Marjorie.  “I would have thought Loren would come to see you off.”

     “He didn’t want to say good-bye in front of everyone at the station, so we exchanged our farewells last night,” Marjorie answered, coloring a little as she recalled hers and Loren’s interlude the past evening.  “I told him that perhaps I could return for Thanksgiving—if you wouldn’t mind having me as a houseguest again?” she added to her sister.

     “I think that’s a wonderful idea!” Michaela said warmly.  “Rosalind, is it possible that you would be able to come as well, since you’ll be returning east anyway?  I know you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in England, so I think you’d find it a very pleasant experience.”

     “I would love that—and I will certainly do everything in my power,” Rosalind said fervently.

     “Good,” Sully pronounced.  “See—knew we wouldn’t be apart for long,” he told Rosalind affectionately.

     “Too bad you can’t be here for Halloween,” Brian remarked.  “The town throws a big party, and there’s a costume contest and bobbin’ for apples.  I’m takin’ Sarah this year,” he announced importantly, and a trifle self-consciously.

     “Indeed?” Rosalind commented, impressed.  “Well I hope the two of you have a wonderful time, Brian.  Sarah is a sweet and lovely girl.  And clearly she is very fond of you.”

     “Yeah, she’s pretty special,” Brian agreed modestly, blushing a little.

     “Will you write to me and tell me all about the party?” Rosalind asked him.  “You write so well, it will make me feel as if I was there.”

     “Sure!” Brian said.

     “And I hope you will send me some of your stories, as well, Brian,” Rosalind went on.  “They’ll make a fine addition to the library at the Manor.  When I sit in my father’s chair and read them, it will seem as if we’re not so far apart.”

     “You have your own library?” Brian asked her, deeply impressed.

     “Yes I do,” Rosalind told him.  “I hope that you can come to visit soon and see it for yourself.”

     “Can we, Pa?” Brian asked Sully eagerly.

     “Maybe not right away, but we’ll definitely go someday,” Sully assured him.

     “I’ll miss you, Aunt Rosalind,” Brian told his great-aunt.

     “And I you, Brian,” Rosalind responded, drawing him into her arms for a hug.  As they parted, she turned her attention to Matthew.

     “Will you keep me aprised of how you are getting on with your legal studies?” she asked him.  “Your performance during the trial proves that you obviously have a gift for the law, my dear, and I know it will carry you far.”

     “I can’t take much credit for how things turned out,” Matthew answered modestly.  “We got Sgt. McKay to thank for bringin’ out the truth.”

     “I am profoundly grateful to the sergeant for rallying to Byron’s cause,” Rosalind conceded.  “But that does not take away from your sensitve and thought-provoking defense of both Byron and Cloud Dancing.  Follow your heart and your talents, Matthew.  And if there is any way I can ever assist you, do not hesitate to ask.”

     “I’ll remember that,” Matthew promised.  “Have a safe trip,” he added and kissed her cheek.

     Rosalind faced Colleen.  “I am so happy that we will be traveling companions for a short while,” she said.  “But while we are all here together, I wanted to say that though I know your studies do not permit much time for personal correspondence,  I will be very interested to know how your medical courses are progressing, whenever you have the time to write a line or two.  I am very impressed by your goal of becoming a physician, Colleen.  And just as I told Matthew, if there is anything I can do to help smooth the way for you, please let me know.”

     “Thank you, Aunt Rosalind,” Colleen answered sincerely.  “And I’ll be very happy to correspond with you.”

     “I’m delighted,” said Rosalind, smiling.  She embraced her great-niece.  “Now, Michaela,” she continued busily, turning to her niece by marriage.  “Byron tells me that you will be resuming your duties at the clinic tomorrow.  Promise me that you will not overdue,” she warned.

     Michaela smiled reassuringly.  “Not if Sully has anything to say about it!” she responded, her eyes twinkling.  “And you know your nephew!”

     “I’m happy to say that I do,” Rosalind answered, glancing at him lovingly.  She looked back at Michaela, who still held Katie.

     “Thank you for everything, my darling,” she whispered.  “Thank you for bringing my nephew back to me.”  Tears glimmered in her eyes.

     “Thank you,” Michaela said, equally moved.  “For your love and your support—and for saving my life.”

     “Byron did that,” Rosalind told her.  “I was merely his conduit.”  She reached out and caressed Katie’s downy blonde hair, then kissed the softness of her cheek.  “Good-bye my precious Katharine,” she said softly.  “Take good care of your mama and your papa.  And remember how much ‘Auntie Rosalind’ loves you!”  The women embraced, Katie captured snuggly between them.

     “Anny Woz,” Katie repeated, reaching out one small finger and touching Rosalind’s nose.  Rosalind beamed.

     “A genius!” she exclaimed, as everyone chuckled fondly.

     Finally, Rosalind turned to Sully.  “Well, my dear Byron, we come at last to the end of an eventful journey,” she said tremulously.

     “Not the end,” Sully said.  “Just—a stop along the way.”  He felt the emotion starting to stir in him again, and he took Rosalind’s hand and led her away from the others.  They stood apart, gazing at each other intensely, filling their eyes with each other’s image.  Sully took Rosalind’s other hand and folded them tightly within his own.

     “I can never tell you enough how much it meant to me, what you did for Michaela,” he began softly, tears hovering very close.  “I can’t tell you what it’s meant to me findin’ a part of my family again.  We’ve barely known each other two weeks, yet if feels like we’ve been together always.  In just a short time, I’ve come to love you just like my ma.  I think she’d be real happy to know we found each other.”

     “Ever since we met, I’ve felt her very close to me,” Rosalind whispered.  “I believe she has been watching over you, and that she was with us both when Michaela was so ill, sending her love and strength to sustain us, and to help Michaela recover.”

     “I think so too,” Sully told her, profoundly moved.  He slipped one hand from hers and grasped the cameo, which still hung from the strap of his medicine pouch.  “Every time I look at this, I’ll remember you both,” he said, swallowing over the lump in his throat.  After a moment he added, “You have a safe trip and take care of yourself, till you come back to us again.”

     “I will think of you every moment,” Rosalind declared.  Faintly they heard the blast of a train whistle.  It repeated at intervals, growing louder as the locomotive rapidly approached Colorado Springs.  Rosalind and Sully gazed at each other, aware that the moment of parting had come at last.  Quickly, fiercely, they hugged.

     “I love you, Byron,” Rosalind said.  “God bless you!”

     “I love you,” he said.

     The train pulled in, and reluctantly they rejoined the others as a flurry of good-byes and farewell embraces ensued.  Just minutes later, Rosalind, Marjorie and Colleen stood on the small platform at the rear of the train, waving over and over as the locomotive, belching clouds of steam, began to bear them away.

     Sully, Michaela and their sons waved back, their eyes straining to keep their loved ones in sight as they receded swiftly into the distance.  Even Katie, copying the behavior of her elders, waved “bye bye.”  Too soon, all that remained was a vapor of steam rising above the trees as the train rounded a bend and disappeared from view.

     Nonetheless, Sully continued to stare after the departed train.  Michaela, realizing that he needed a moment, gestured to Brian and Matthew to walk with her.  A few yards away they stopped and she reached into her coat pocket and withdrew a folded sheet of paper.
 
     Handing it to Brian, she said, “This is a note for Miss Teresa, explaining why you were late for school this morning.  Be sure to give it to her when you arrive, and extend my apologies and my thanks.”

     “All right, Ma,” Brian answered.  “I’ll see ya after school.  Say good-bye to Sully,” he added.

     “I will,” Michaela smiled.

     “See you later, little brother,” Matthew said, and Brian waved in response as he jogged away.  Matthew turned to his stepmother and little sister.

     “Guess I’ll head over to the library and get a little readin’ done,” he said.  “You and Sully have a nice day together—enjoy your last day off ‘fore you become a workin’ lady again.”  He grinned, and pecked her on the cheek, simultaneously chucking Katie under the chin.  The little girl giggled with pleasure.  Michaela smiled back at Matthew and watched as her son remounted his horse and moved off towards the town’s main street.

     Michaela glanced at her husband.  His back was to her and their daughter, as he continued to gaze at the empty tracks.  As she watched, however, she saw him toss the hair back from his face and straighten his shoulders.  She knew he was giving himself a little mental shake, trying to cast off the sorrow of Rosalind’s departure and readjust to normal day-to-day life again.  He turned slightly and caught her eye, then walked over to join them.  He gave them his slow, easy smile, but a hint of mournfulness lurked behind his eyes.

     “Well, that’s that,” Sully announced.  “Till next time, anyway.”

     “Thanksgiving isn’t that many weeks away—then we’ll all be together again,” Michaela reminded him.

     “That’s true,” Sully agreed.

     “I have strict instructions from Matthew to enjoy my last day off with you,” Michaela said lightly. “What would you like to do?”

     “Hm, good question,” Sully replied, visibly cheering as he contemplated a  pleasant day with his favorite girls.  Michaela waited, willing to join him in whatever activity he proposed.

     “How ‘bout we take a drive out to the Red Rocks?” Sully suggested finally.  “It’s real pretty out there this time of year.”

     “That sounds lovely,” Michaela agreed enthusiastically.  “Shall I ask Becky if she can watch Katie?”

     “No—let’s bring her with us,” Sully answered.  “It’s been way too long since I was able to spend a day alone with the two of you.”  He reached out and lifted Katie from Michaela’s arms, settling her snuggly in his own.  “What do you say, Kates?  Want to go for a ride with Mama and Papa and see the pretty red rocks?”

     “Pitty wed wocks!” Katie repeated happily.  Sully laughed and rubbed his nose against hers.  Katie reached up and pinched his nose between her small thumb and forefinger.

     “’Queak nose!” she said, referring to a favorite game Sully often played with her before bedtime.

     “You got my nose, all right!” Sully told her playfully.  He looked at his wife over Katie’s head.  “Guess it’s unanimous,” he said.  “My ladies want to go to the Red Rocks, so that’s what we’re gonna do.  Right, Kates?” he added, giving her an affectionate squeeze.

     “Wed wocks—go bye bye!” Katie agreed.

     “What about Bear?” Michaela asked.

     “We’ll drop him at Robert E.’s ‘fore we go,” Sully replied.  Michaela followed him and Katie over to the patiently waiting horse.  Sully set Katie on her feet.  With one hand, he took the horse’s reins, and with the other, he clasped his daughter’s fingers.  Michaela took Katie’s other hand, and the three of them, followed by Bear, strolled contentedly toward the livery.

* * * * * * * * * *

     Sully and Michaela reclined on a blanket, a basket containing the remains of one of Grace’s box lunches at their feet.   Katie, worn out from playing vigorously with her papa and with her stomach comfortably full, slept soundly, her head in her mother’s lap.  Michaela stroked her daughter’s hair as she and Sully gazed toward the stunning rock formations, their red-orange hue ablaze in the rays of the afternoon sun.

     “Any special reason why you wanted to come here?” Michaela asked after a while, suspecting that something more than the spectacular scenery had motivated Sully’s choice of destination.

     “Well, it’s quiet, and peaceful and beautiful,” Sully answered mildly.  “Ain’t that reason enough?”

     Michaela smiled.  “Of course,” she said.  “But I have a feeling there’s more on your mind.”

     Sully shook his head, grinning.  “When am I gonna learn I can’t hide my thoughts and feelins’ from you?” he asked ruefully.

     Michaela raised an eyebrow.  “When, indeed?” she responded, gently teasing.

     Sully shifted position so that he lay on his side, facing her and Katie.  He gazed at the precious sight of his wife and child curled up together.  Protectively he rested his hand on Katie’s back.

     “Well, you’re right,” he admitted presently.  “Guess this place was on my mind.”  He paused, then said unexpectedly, “I got a wire from Welland Smith yesterday.”

     Michaela’s heart skipped a beat.  “Really?” she responded, attempting to keep her tone light.  “What did he have to say?”

     “Seems news travels fast in Washington,” Sully replied.  “He’d heard about my trial and sent his congratulations on me bein’ set free.”

     “That was very kind of him,” Michaela remarked.  “Is that all he said?” she added guardedly.

     “Not quite,” Sully told her.  “He also—offered me a job.”  He glanced quickly at her face, gauging her reaction.

     Michaela felt a flutter of panic, but strove to stay calm.  “Yellowstone again?” she asked quietly.

     Sully squeezed her hand.  “No,” he said.  “I made it clear when I turned him down last time that our roots are here, and we ain’t willin’ to pull up stakes and leave a place we love.  But he’s in need of a someone who can serve as a guide for the politicians who’ll be visitin’ out here, and votin’ on what to do with the land when they get back to Washington.  I’d travel with them, take them to see the natural wonders—basically show them the beauty of the wilderness, and hopefully prove to them how important it is to save it.”

     “That sounds like a very noble goal,” Michaela responded honestly.

     “Yeah, it’s important,” Sully agreed.  “These senators and congressman need to see for themselves what’s at stake with the land.  And Welland Smith thinks I’m the best man for the job.”

     “He’s right about that,” Michaela said.  “How—how long would you be away?” she asked after a brief hesitation.

     “Anywhere from a few days . . . to a month,” Sully answered slowly.  “But no more than a month, Michaela.  Smith understands how important my family is to me, and how I want to be with you—*need* to be with you—‘specially now, after everythin’ we been through.  It’s a good opportunity, and the pay’s good too.  But I won’t even consider takin’ the job if you don’t agree.  From now on, we talk about everythin’ and share all our decisions.  And if one of us ain’t happy, then we just don’t do it.”

     “Sully, I know how important it’s been to you to preserve the land, and I know how disappointed you must have been to give up the job in Yellowstone—even though at the time you said you wanted to fight for *this* land,” Michaela said.  “After being the cause of you sacrificing Welland Smith’s offer the first time, how can I deny you this opportunity now?  Particularly when you’re being so considerate of my feelings?”

     “But are you sure you could live with this?” Sully asked her.  “Would you be willin’ for us to be separated from time to time, and not feel like I was desertin’ you again?”

     “I can live with whatever makes you happy,” Michaela told him.  “I’ll miss you terribly, of course, but I’ll be very proud of you as well.”

     “Are you positive?” Sully persisted.  “I admit I’d like to do this, but you and the family come first, Michaela.  Nothin’s more important.”

     Michaela gazed at him reassuringly.  “Just days ago I feared I’d have to say good-bye to you for years—perhaps forever,” she said fervently.  “Compared to that, the prospect of a month apart doesn’t frighten  me.  As long as you always come home again.”  She brushed his cheek with her fingertips and he captured her hand and pressed it to his lips.

     “There’s nowhere I’d rather be,” he said softly.  He was silent a few seconds, then said, “Can I ask you somethin’?”

     “Of course,” she said.

     “Were you disappointed with the answer I gave Rosalind?  Our lives woulda been so different.  We woulda been livin’ in high society, with all the comforts of life and more.  I been thinkin’ that maybe I was selfish, turnin’ all that down.  I remember how easy you slipped back into the way you used to live when you went back to Boston.  Maybe . . .”  He paused, then ventured hesitantly, “Maybe you miss livin’ that kind of life.”

     “You and the children, our friends and this town, are my life now,” Michaela said without hesitation, so that he had no doubt of her sincerity.  “I couldn’t imagine anything different, and I wouldn’t want to, Sully.  You’ve made me happier than I ever dreamed of being—and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

     “No happier than you made me,” he responded, kissing her tenderly.  There was a pause, then he said, “I would like to visit someday, though—see where my ma came from, what her life was like.”

     “And you should,” Michaela agreed.  “Everyone should know where they come from, the history that’s helped to shape them, and make them who they are.  I would love to see your mother’s home as well, and I think the children should too.”

     “Rosalind was hopin’ maybe we could come for the dedication of her home for women,” Sully remarked.  “She thinks it’ll take ‘bout a year till it’s complete and ready to open.”

     “With the income from your new job, and what I earn in my practice, I think it will take just about a year to save enough to make the journey,” Michaela said.  “I think you should write to Rosalind tonight, and tell her that we’ll be there.  I believe that would be a very happy piece of news for her to find waiting when she arrives in San Francisco.”  She smiled at him lovingly.

     “Definitely not just *any* woman,” Sully pronounced, and drew her into his arms.  They lay together—husband, wife and child—united in an unbreakable bond of love and devotion.

     As the shadows began to lengthen, Michaela  gazed around at the vistas surrounding them and said regretfully, “We should be starting back.  Brian will be getting out of school soon, and I wouldn’t want him to come home to an empty house.”

     “You’re right,” Sully acknowledged, sorry to see their afternoon come to an end, but agreeing with the wisdom of her suggestion.  “You wake Katie, while I pack up.”

     A short time later, the three of them sat together on the bench of the buckboard.  Sully glanced over at Katie.  “So, Princess Kates, where we goin’?” he asked, smiling.

     “Home!” Katie piped emphatically, pointing with one small, stubby finger from her “throne” in Michaela’s lap.  Her mother and father laughed indulgently.

     “That’s right, Kates—we’re goin’ home—the best place to be,” her papa told her.

    Michaela cuddled their daughter in the circle of her embrace, and laid her head on Sully’s shoulder.  He wrapped his free arm around her, drawing her close.

    Sully gathered up the reins, and turned the horse’s head in the direction in which they’d come.  He flicked the reins lightly, and the horse began to move, drawing the wagon and its passengers slowly along the dirt-packed, rutted road, on their journey home to Colorado Springs.
 

                                                                                    THE END