"A Silent Night"By:Natalie Lefholz
© December 1997
For select use and distribution only
Dr. Andrew Cook stood over the examination table organizing his medical bag. He opened up his pocket watch and saw it read 3:10. "Colleen will be here in 10 minutes," Andrew thought, "oh how I want to see her."
It was a fact in Colorado Springs that Andrew and Colleen were 'sweet' on each other. Though not much more than a kiss has happened in the past year they had known each other, Andrew and Colleen thought about each other often.
Time always seemed to be the problem for them.No matter how close they grew when she was home, the absence between them was a thick tension of awkwardness that always laid heavy on their relationship.
At the same time they were both thinking the exact same thing. Not only of each other but at how they wished the uneasiness between them would never show it's ugly face. Each one of them longed to touch, hold the other, but did the other one feel the same?
While Colleen sat on the train forcing itself towards Colorado Springs, she thought of when her and Andrew had first met. Andrew was to deliver Dr.Mike's baby but ended up doing an operatrion on Horace, with her, instead.She immediately thought he was attractive and wanted to get to know him better. She felt a little out of place around him at first but they fast became good friends, working side by side in the clinic. Colleen and Becky both wanted Andrew badly but Becky never really got to know him. That always angered Colleen but she soon got over it when she realized who Andrew's affections went to. Colleen smiled at the thought of their first and only kiss a few months ago at the beginning of summer. How she longed for another one.If he had kissed her in the first place then didn't he have feelings for her? Or did he loose them in the months she has been gone? Andrew felt the same about Colleen.
Colleen sat thinking over everything that had happened between them in the past year. Thanksgiving he came and ate supper with everyone.That made them both feel very special. The family had accepted him and he felt like one of them then.
"But does Andrew still feel that way or does he feel distant now that we haven't seen each other since Thanksgiving? I sure hope not."Colleen thought.


Andrew walked onto the sidewalk towards the train depot. There stood Michaela, Sully, Brian, and Katie. "Colleen is so lucky to have a family who cares and loves her like that," he thought.
It was Christmas break and Colleen got over two weeks off. It was a cold snowy Friday, and Colleen would return to school in two weeks from the upcoming Monday. Andrew was so excited.
As Andrew walked up to the platform beside Sully he pulled his jacket a little closer to his neck.
"Hello everyone!" Andrew said as he walked up to the Sully family stuffing his hands into his pockets.
"Andrew," Brian said, "we weren't expectin' you, this time."
"Well business is slow during the Holidays at the hotel so Preston let me off early today. I have to go and do rounds though, in about 2 hours."
The train pulled into the depot and the first person off was Colleen. She ran to her family, not caring how unladylike it was. "I have missed you all," she proclaimed as she was giving everyone of them a kiss on the cheek. She stopped at Andrew.She longed to kiss his cheek, his mouth...
"Merry Christmas Andrew," she said and gave him a hug.
"Merry Christmas Colleen," Andrew said, with shock from the embrace.
"I wasn't expectin' you to be here," she said.
"I got off early today but I have some rounds still tonight. Would you care to accompany me?" Andrew asked with pleading eyes.
Colleen had planned not to do anything that involved medicine for the rest of the holiday season but if Andrew found her competent enough to help she would. She also did not mind who she was helping with either!
She grinned, "Of course I would. When do you start?"
"Around 6:00."
"Good, then I have plenty of time to go home and get settled in."
She walked over to Dr.Mike and Sully. Andrew stood their awkwardly while the family whispered.
He had never gotten past Colleen's face when she first got off the train and was now looking at what she was wearing. She wore a deep green taffeta dress and a black hat to match. Her gloves and shoes were also black.The simple outfit looked very elegant on Colleen, especially with her red-brown hair.The dress fit perfect to her small but sturdy frame. She had her hair in combs behind her ears and the rest was gathered in a braided bun at the nape of her neck. She was thin but not delicate like most women of the day. At 6' Andrew did'nt tower over Colleen who was about four inches shorter.
She walked back over to Andrew. "After we are done Andrew, would you like to come to the homestead and eat supper with us? Dr.Mike is making my favorite. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread, green beans, and she some how got tomatoes! Can you believe it? Tomatoes in December!"
"I would love to Colleen. Thank you for the offer," Andrew said. He was very happy he would spend the evening with Colleen.
"I ain't goin' home yet," Colleen said. "Since I am going to go with you, Sully offered to take my stuff home. Would you like to do somethin' before we go?"
"It's kind of chilly for a walk,"Andrew said, always looking out for Colleen's welfare.

"We both have thick coats on Andrew, it will be exilaratin' after that long and stuffy train ride all the way from Denver."
"Ok, I don't mind it, I was just afraid you might get cold."
"I don't mind the cold. Be right back."
Colleen went back over to her patiently waiting family. She gave everyone another kiss on the cheek and left.
Andrew offered her his arm, like the gentleman he was. Colleen graciously excepted it. She tried to put her hand through his arm and into her coat pocket. She couldn't manage the stretch so Andrew offered his pocket. Colleen smiled.
"The only thing I dislike about wintertime is their are no flowers in sight!" Colleen boasted.
Andrew was silent.Colleen trying to break it said, "Did you have fun Thanksgiving, Andrew?"
"I was with you, of course I did," he thought. "Yes I did,"he replied, "I was glad your family trusted me. I was very fortunate not to be by myself on a special holiday."
Colleen then realized that Andrew was by himself Christmas! She had forgotten to invite him and it was only three days away!!!
"Andrew, I almost forgot. Would you like to come to our house for Christmas?"
"That is very gracious Colleen, but I would not want to impose on your family."
"Nonsense Andrew. Christmas is a very special holiday that you share with your loved ones. Please?"
"Loved ones? You consider me one of your love ones?" Andrew thought.
"I will accept only if you promise to accompany me to the church tree lighting and supper Christmas Eve," Andrew asked.
"I would be happy to Andrew! This will be the best Christmas ever!" Colleen said.
Andrew looked at Colleen. They had been outside for almost an hour and she was more than exhilarated. She was shivering.He looked at his pocket watch. 4:51. They had over an hour but he couldn't keep her out here any longer.
"Here take my coat," Andrew offered.
"No," Colleen pulled away. "I can manage. I don't want you to catch your death from cold!"
"Ok. We still have over an hour. Lets go to the hotel lobby and sit by the fire."


Andrew sat on a couch and Colleen sat on the same one, close beside him. He thought she might sit on the opposite facing one.Colleen, in an unladylike fashion tucked her right leg under her and turned toward Andrew.
There Andrew and Colleen sat, thinking of nothing but each other. Andrew was the hotel's doctor and his middle twentites. Preston thought he would be the ideal physician for the resort after Dr.Mike had recovered from having Katie. There wasn't much to talk about. Colleen saw a couple of old men sitting by the window playing a game of chess. One of the men made a move and the other stood up, said some curse words, shook his cane at the other man, and left. The other one soon followed.
"Let's play chess," Colleen said.
Andrew loved chess but not many people around the town could play it.
"I didn't know you knew how to play,"Andrew said.
"Ma taught me and Brian when we first came to live with her. After her and Sully got married sometimes we would make boys against girls teams or kids against parent teams and play."
This fascinated Andrew even more."What can't this girl do?" Andrew thought and smiled.
The game went on until it was time to start rounds. They never got to finish it. They were both equally as talented at it.
"You are very brilliant player," Andrew commended Colleen.
"Thanks. I had a very worthy opponent."


After the rounds were over Colleen and Andrew retired into the clinic. The clock chimed at 6:45.
"It seems the patients will never end," Andrew said.
"I know what you mean. Sometimes at college we have to go the local 'poor' hospital and work with the doctors. Some of the people there are dreadful."
"Yes, I remember that all to well," Andrew said with a smile.

C olleen and Andrew arrived at supper two minutes after seven.
"The snows really comin' down out there," Sully said as the two blew in from the door.
"Yes, and the chicken smells real good. I haven't eaten since breakfast."
"You must be starvin,' "Brian said.
Andrew took their coats and hung them up.Colleen walked into the kitchen to help with the cooking. When Colleen came back in, Andrew got up and pulled her chair out for her. Sully did the same for Michaela as she walked in.
They all sat and ate greedily. "This is real good Ma,"Brian assured.
"Yes Michaela, I haven't had a good meal since, well I sometimes cook my own supper and I am not the best cook in the world," Andrew stated.
When Andrew said this Michaela realized that Andrew had no where to go for Christmas. "Colleen, would you please come and help me with the dessert?"
"Sure," she said.
When they got in the kitchen Michaela asked, "Why don't you invite Andrew to Christmas supper?"
"I hoped you wouldn't mind. I asked this afternoon."
"Mind? Of course not! I am glad you did. I should have a long time ago!"
Colleen and Dr.Mike walked into the room caring a tray. Colleen had four steaming mugs of coffee and a mug with cocoa for Brian there was a creamer and sugar jar on the tray too. Michaela had five plates of steaming apple pie and cream.
"Thanks Colleen," Brian said as he took his cocoa and then reached for what looked like was the biggest piece of pie.
Michaela and Colleen sat on the couch, Andrew in a chair and Sully and Brian found their places on the floor.
"This is real good, Dr.Mike", Colleen assured her mother.
"Thanks dear."



After supper Michaela went to wash the dishes and Sully and Brian started to play some checkers. Colleen picked Katie up and began to play with her joyously.
"I'll be right back," Colleen told Andrew as she plopped the child into his lap.Andrew sat his mug down as Colleen went into the kitchen.
"How is my favorite little girl?" Andrew asked the blond infant on his lap.
She gooed.
Colleen walked back into the room jut in time to hear what Andrew was saying to her little sis. "Its about time for bed," Andrew said to Katie. She smiled again."You are as pretty as your big sis when you smile. Even though you aren't related both your noses crinkle up when you smile," he whispered in her ear not knowing everyone was listening.
Sully looked up and saw Colleen standing behind the chair Andrew was sitting in, her nose crinkled up. Sully began to laugh.
"Come here Katie, Colleen ordered in a sisterly voice." Katie almost jumped off Andrew's lap and ran over to her sister.
"You have a way with her," Andrew commented.
"I have been around children all my life. I don't see Katie much anymore but when I am home I rarely leave her side. I don't mind watching her."
Andrew reached over and pinched Katie's little chubby leg. She giggled. The clock on the wall chimed nine times.
"I can't believe the evening has gone by so quickly," Andrew commented, "I must go home now."He walked over to the door and put his jacket on. As he opened the door a burst of air gust through the door.
"Andrew are you sure you will make it home alright?" Colleen asked as he closed the door.
"I have my buggy, I think I'll manage."
Andrew bowed and said his goodbyes."I hope to see you tomorrow," he told Katie, but what he really meant was, "I hope your sister brings you by to see me tomorrow. " Colleen watched through the window as Andrew walked over to his carriage. The snow was falling steadily and the wind had picked up.
"I sure hope he makes it home ok," Colleen said as she plopped down onto the couch, pouring her third cup of coffee.
"If you drink anymore coffee Colleen you ain't gonna be able to sleep tonight," Sully laughed.
Colleen nervously put a lump of sugar in her coffee as she dazed out the window. Then another, then another, then another, then another.
"Colleen!" Sully yelped, "why don't you just eat the sugar!"
"Sorry, "she murmured, "I don't know where my mind is."
"It looks to me like it went with Andrew," Brian said under his breath. Colleen gave him a daring look.
She took a sip of her coffee and gave a disgusting look." I'm goin' to bed," she told them and walked up the stairs.
Colleen scrubbed her face and put her night dress on. After taking down her hair, she brushed it rapidly then tied a bow in the back of it. "I ain't ever gonna get any sleep tonight", she thought, "so I shouldn't try. " She wrapped a quilt around her, turned the lamp on, scooted her chair up to the window so she could watch the snow fall, and ripped open a book.
She started to read one of her favorite books, 'The Scarlett Letter' and dove in. Being one of her favorite books she thought she would get a good ways into it but something was on her mind and she couldn't get past the second page. There she sat for twenty minutes trying to read the first page she had read many times.
"What is wrong with me tonight?" she thought. "You know what it is, you can't help but think about Andrew." She finally gave up reading the book and went to bed. She slept better than she thought she would.
It was about 10:00 o'clock and Colleen finally drifted to sleep.

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