A guiding hand { Gameca

[KingCrowley]

Brian had been too excited to eat breakfast that morning, Sully was going to take him hunting like a real Cheyenne warrior, with a bow and arrow and everything. Sully was Brian's hero because he was so brave and he could do all these neat tricks with his tomahawk, the eight year old hoped he got to throw it one day.

"Bye Ma! I'm goin' huntin' with Sully now!" The boy said happily, hugging his adoptive Mother around the waist. He'd taken his shirt off and painted his chest and face in red and white paint, he even put a little feather in his hair.

"Brian, I would feel much more comfortable if you had some breakfast." Michaela said firmly, taking Brian by the arm gently.

"I aint hungry Ma, me an Sully are gonna kill a real big deer an feed everyone!" Brian pouted before running to the door when there was a knock, he opened it and beamed when he saw Sully, "Hiya Sully!" he threw his arms around the man affectionately.

"I still don't approve of this hunting trip, Sully. Brian's only eight after all." Michaela frowned a little, being the worried mother as per usual. "What if he gets hurt or...well...what if you lose him?"

"He aint gonna lose me, Ma. If he does then he can get Wolf to sniff me out!" Brian argued, he then looked at Sully, "Am I really gonna get to shoot a real arrow Sully? No foolin?" he asked hopefully.

"I'm done arguing about this." Michaela sighed and walked over to Colleen, "Colleen, the...well the annual dance is coming up soon, and I thought you'd like to go into town." she said and put a hand on her head, stroking her beautiful blonde hair. "You could pick out a pretty dress fabric and we could make it together." she suggested, she always enjoyed spending time with Colleen, she of course connected with her much more due to the fact they were both women.

"I have to forewarn you though, with the new Clinic supplies I'm a little short on money, so try not to pick out anything to expensive, alright?"

[Gameca]

As Sully arrived to the stead he could hear the happiness coming from Brian's voice, making the man smile. He never thought he would have the opportunity of having children in his life, not after his wife's and daughter's passing, but he was not blessed with these children.

He was about to knock when he heard Michaela's comment about breakfast. Shaking his head he knocked the door, and was not disapointed by being welcomed by an exited Brian.
"Hiya, Brian!" He greeted the little boy, taking him in his arms, "Doc, Colleen." He greeted the two ladies, placing an exited Brian on his own feet as he heard Michaela's concerns.

"I'll take care of him, Michaela, he won't get lost or hurt, Brian knows the rules and will follow 'em." He said, watching the exasperated woman. "Now, Brian, I sure hope you have had breakfast already, you will need your energy." He told the boy with a hidden smile, watching the doctor from the corner of his eye.

Colleen looked up from her chores when her adoptive mother talked to her, a glim in her eyes at the reminder of the annual dance. "I've been looking forward to that so much, Ma! And don't worry, I'll try to get one that is both, pretty and not too expensive. I heard some of the girls talking about how lavender and pink are the most used...maybe we could make it in those colors." She stated.

[KingCrowley]

Brian looked at Sully when he said he sure hoped he'd had breakfast already because he was going to need his energy. "Aw okay Sully." he answered, noticing Michaela's annoyed look at that. Brian headed to the table and sat down, getting himself some eggs and bacon to chew on. Michaela wasn't the best cook but Brian didn't mind, he liked his eggs chewy and his bacon soft.

"Why is it you'll listen to Sully and not me?" Michaela sighed but then smiled at Sully, "Thank you." she said gratefully and went to sit with Colleen, explaining about the dance and getting her a lovely dress. What mother didn't want her daughter to be the 'bell of the ball'? "Oh I had the prettiest lavender dress back in Boston, it had so many frills and a wonderful hat to match, I'm sure we could make something similar to it." she beamed and kissed Colleen's cheek fondly.

"I'm all done with breakfast Ma, can I go with Sully now?!" Brian asked impatiently, putting down his fork and getting up from the table.

"Well alright, please be good for Sully." Michaela smiled and kissed the top of his head. "And be careful, both of you."

"We will Ma!" Brian beamed, following Wolf out of the homestead with his bow and arrow in tow, he hoped they were going to catch plenty of animals. He did often wonder though, if he wasn't good for Sully what the man would do. Ma didn't spank him and he didn't think she would let Sully do that.

"Come on Colleen, before Loren's store gets too busy." Michaela prompted her young daughter, taking the dishes to the sink. "Have you finished all your chores, Colleen?"

[Gameca]

Sully smiled knowingly at Brian, but said nothing as he stood by the door where he could observe what happened inside and outside, waiting patiently for Brian to eat his food. He nodded his acknowledge at Michaela's gratitude and observed fondly as both girls bonded over a dress, of all things.

Colleen beamed at her Ma's promise of a pretty dress. "I'm sure it'll be the prettiest of all dresses at the dance, Ma!" She exclaimed, an idea of what she wanted already in her mind.

Once the boy was done and had said bye to his ma, he ran out of the homestead with Wolf, not noticing that Sully was still standing by the door. "We will, Doc. Don't fret, we'll be just fine. We'll try to arrive back before sunset." He promised, walking after an excited eight year old.

"Brian! Wait for me! Wolf, come here boy!" Sully decided to call both, having an incling that the dog would obey quicker than the boy.

Colleen was almost jumping with exitement at the idea of her dress and the sooner they got at Loren's store, the better. "Yes, Ma'am, all my chores are done!" She stated proudly, glad that she had done them promptly and efficiently.

[KingCrowley]

Brian wasn't the most obedient of children, especially when it came to folks who weren't his parents. He'd listened to his Mother Charlotte and his Pa Ethan but with Dr Mike and Sully he felt like sometimes he didn't have to. When Sully called out for him to wait, he didn't stop, however Wolf turned back to his master, sitting at his side.

"C'mon Sully! There aint gonna be no deer left!" Brian said impatiently, slowing down a bit when he realized Sully had stopped and so had Wolf. "I'll meet'cha there!" he called, picking up the pace a bit and running off down the dirt road. Wolf was eager to go after him but he always obeyed Sully.

"Alright, have fun you two." Michaela smiled and kissed Sully's cheek, seeing them both off and smiling a little when Brian didn't listen to Sully, maybe the man would appreciate how difficult it was to parent Brian sometimes. "And you will be the prettiest girl at the dance." Michaela beamed at Colleen, cupping her face in her hands.

"Sully's going to save a dance for you, and I know Matthew would like to dance with you too." She explained, she would like to dance with Colleen but it was more proper for a man to dance with a woman/girl. She checked to make sure Colleen had done her chores and nodded, "Good girl, come on then, get your shawl." she ushered her out of the stead and to the wagon waiting outside.

[Gameca]

Sully frowned slightly at the sight of Brian. He understood the boy was excited, but he also knew that he needed Brian's complete obedience so they could have a good hunting experience and for the child to be safe as well.

He knew before it happened that Brian would soon start running off, and when he did he gave quick chase, Wolf running happily besides him. No doubt the dog thought it was just a fun game.

In a few rapid strides Sully had not only caught up with the child but had a hold of him. He planted a mild swat on the boy's behind, before carrying him over his shoulder, face to face. "You need to listen, Brian. There'll be plenty of deer for us to catch." He told the boy, placing him back on his feet and giving him once more a slight pat on his bottom as they walked hand by hand towards the woods.

"You know, Brian, there was a boy once, a Cheyenne boy that had a wonderful experience, but it all came because he had patience and listened to what the nature wanted to tell him," he started telling im a story the Cheyenne usually told their children to enforce not only love and respect for nature, but also to make them obey and listen to adults.

Colleen smiled brightly, "Thank you, Ma! I know you'll look very pretty too!" She said, grabbing her shawl as quick as possible and almost hopping besides her adoptive Mama and up to the wagon so they could go to town, talking nonstop about the dance.

"You really think Sully will save a dance? Only for me?!" She said in exitement, she had never had the opportunity to have a dance with her Pa Ethan, and for a reason, the idea of having one with Sully made her all giddy inside.

[KingCrowley]

Brian whined in protest when Sully caught up to him and scooped him up, "Sully..." he pouted when he got a mild swat on the behind, nothing that could be considered punishment, it was more of a warning really. He looked into the man's deep blue eyes as he told him that he needed to listen, and that there would be plenty of deer to catch. He was soon righted on his feet and Sully took his hand. "I'm sorry Sully, I'm just real excited to go huntin' with ya!" the boy answered and laid a hand on Wolf's back as they walked along, patting him every now and again, of course Wolf loved the attention.

The eight year old looked up with immediate interest when Sully told him about a Cheyenne boy, the Cheyenne had always interested him, when he first went to live with Dr Mike, he wanted to run away and be Cheyenne like Sully. "So cause he listened to nature he got a whole lot of good stuff?" he asked, trying to understand.

"Cloud Dancin' says we can learn lots from nature, but all the folks back in town say it's all hog wash..." He paused when he saw something moving up ahead, and reached up to tug on Sully's jacket. "Sully, is it a deer?"


"Well thank you Colleen, I just hope I can find a dress pretty enough." Michaela answered and helped Colleen up and into the wagon, once she was sure that the girl was secure, she climbed up and took hold of the reins. Sully always complained about her driving because she didn't give the Horse enough rein, so it was nice to ride along with Colleen and without criticism. She did know Sully meant well though.

She listened intently as Colleen poured her heart out about the dance, saying how she had been looking forward to it since last Christmas, and that she hoped she would get a dance from a boy she liked. Michaela decided to mention that Sully and Matthew would be saving her a dance and she smiled brightly when Colleen got all excited about it.

"I believe so, he cares a lot about you Colleen." Michaela answered, "Whoa Bear." she ordered, tugging on the reins and making her Horse come to a stop when they got to Loren's store. Loren came out and helped both Michaela and Colleen down from the wagon, something Sully and Matthew always did. "Why don't you go on inside and pick a Fabric you like while I get Bear tied up?" she asked her daughter, giving her a little pat on the bottom to get her moving inside the store.

[Gameca]

Sully accepted Brian's appology, squeezing his hand slightly and smiling at his amp interest at anything to do with his Cheyenne family.

"Yes, he did, Brian," Sully kept tellilng the child the story he had heard countless of times being told to the younger children of the tribe, the boy's whose age always varied depending upon the listeners of it. The tale was one about a small child who always listened to his parents and the tribe's wise men, then one day a wild animal came to him, bringing him gifts of the forests, wild berries and such. Until one night, listening to the wild's call, he walked to the forest, and climbing a tree, the spirits of the forest, the moon, and those of the wind, granted him the wish of flying. And every night, being given the blessing of his parents, the little boy climbed the same tree and flew over the area, bringing great blessing to the tribe. It was so, that one day when the pale faced men came to attack, he was able to foresee so, and allert his people, saving them all.

Brian had soaked in every word, and when he complained about the town folk's, Sully could only smile., He knew better than any what they all said.

Looking over where Brian was pointing, "That's a raccoon. We need to go deeper into the woods to find the deer."

Taking the boy's hand once more, he kept on talking with the boy. "Cloud Dancin' is a wise man. Tell me, Brian, many folks thought your Ma would not be a good doc, 'cause she's a woman. What do you think about that? Would you say they are right?" He asked, knowing the boy was very smart and had a quick wit on him.

Colleen thanked Loren as he helped her down the wagon. She waited as Loren and her Ma talked a bit, until her Ma gave her the get go to go into the store. She smiled brightly, walking as fast as she could into the store.

"The prettiest fabrics are on the back of the store." Mr. Loren told her, giving her a slight wink just as a lady walked to the counter to set up everything she had on her basket.

Colleen looked at all the pretty fabrics, there were plenty to choose from. Pretty blues, yellows, and some light pinks. There were some browns, the same as the skirt she was wearing, and some plain blacks. And just as disappointment was taking over her at the lack of the colors she was looking, she found them, just on the back of it. A beautiful lavender color, which looked almost as if it was lace and just besides it was the brightest pink fabric she had seen.

She jumped up and down in excitment, her face lighting up as she looked towards the store's entrance for her Ma to come.

[KingCrowley]

Brian listened with great interest as Sully went on to tell him the story of the Cheyenne boy, and how the Spirits had granted him the gift of flight. His eyes went as wide as saucers, humans could fly? Maybe he could fly too! Yes, he just needed to find a really big tree! He glanced around for the perfect tree and then pointed out some rustling in the bushes, asking Sully if it was a Deer and he just nodded when told it was a Raccoon, "Are we gonna kill it?" he asked, following the man along deeper into the woods.

He told Sully that the townspeople thought Cloud Dancing's teachings were all hog wash and he looked up as Sully took his hand, asking if he thought they were right when they said his Ma couldn't be a doctor, "Nuh uh, Ma's real smart an she's the best Doctor ever!" he answered happily. "Ma did lots of book learnin' but I don't need book learnin' Sully, I wanna learn like the Cheyenne do."

Brian seized his moment when Sully was watching an Eagle soar over head, he started heading towards a large but climbable tree. The boy climbed up quite a height, looking out over the beautiful land before him. He then looked down at Sully who seemed much smaller now, "Sully!" he called down, "Look! I'm gonna fly jus' like the Cheyenne!" he beamed, with that he outstretched his arms, and jumped.


Michaela got Bear all secured and tied up, and was going to head inside the store when she was stopped by Dorothy, the woman telling her that the railroad would soon be coming to their little town. Michaela was very open to the idea but she knew Sully wasn't, and she didn't want her friend to feel down because of it, not to mention she knew it would likely run through Cheyenne land.

"Well, Good day Dorothy." Michaela said softly and headed into the store, she smiled brightly when she saw Colleen practically bursting with excitement, "Colleen, have you found a fabric you like?" she asked, making her way over. There It was, the perfect lilac and pink fabric Colleen had been dreaming about since Christmas. "Oh it's beautiful Colleen." she then called Loren over, "How much for a good length, Loren?" she asked.

"Well, that'd be ten dollars." Loren answered, grinning a bit, "Came all the way over from England."

"Ten dollars?" Michaela rose both eyebrows, she couldn't afford that right now. She turned back to Colleen and sighed, "I'm sorry sweetheart....it's a little too expensive." she said softly, hating to have to deny her anything, especially this fabric as the girl had set her heart on it so badly.

[Gameca]

Sully shook his head at Brian wanting to kill a racoon, explaining to the boy that the only thing they would hunt was deer, and to be more specific, a deer.

He listened to Brian's declaration of no need of education with a frown. "Your Ma is a smart woman, yes, and she has had lots of schooling, that makes her a fine doctor despite what many folks say. And Brian, you will need to have schooling too. You might not want to be a doctor, but you will need it. The Cheyenne are wise people, but even they have started to learn how to read and write the white men's language." He explained the boy, knowing that that was another battle Michaela would have to fight, and having a feeling he would have to fight it just along her.

Before Brian could answer to that, an eagle's cry took Sully's attention. He looked up at the majestic bird, letting go of Brian's hand as he watched it fly by. It was only a couple of minutes, and when he looked down at where Brian should have been, his heart did a summersault at the missing boy.
"Brian?!" he called, noticing Wolf was standing on two paws before one of the tallest trees around, whining and trying to climb himself up. He dashed to the tree just in time to hear Brian's call, and then, as if time was pausing, he saw Brian leap from one of the tallest branches and plunge into the ground.

On pure instinct, he was there to catch the boy, falling to the ground due to the force of impact. For a minute or two, all he could do was hug the boy to himself; calm in the knowledge that the boy was safe in his arms, but just as calmness had taken over him, soon, anger started boiling in him.

Standing, he looked at the beaming cherubic face before him. "How many times have I told you not to climb that high, Brian?!" He scolded the child, holding him by his arms. "You know better than to do such a dangerous thing, young man!"

Colleen was happy that her Ma had approved of the fabric she had chosen. It was beautiful, and it was just what she had wanted for months now.

However, all of that came tumbling down when she heard the price, she knew by the doctor's reaction that her wish would be denied.

"But...Ma...I have some savings that could help...and I could work for you at the clinic and maybe find some other way to earn some of the money!" She stated, though all she had saved was 15 cents she had been keeping to buy some candy or other trinkets.

She knew, though, that ten dollars was way more than anything she had ever had.