Andrew Cook carefully applied a clean bandage to David Grantland's burned arm. "I would like to see you in two days to check the burn and put on a new dressing."
"Thank you, doctor. I sure appreciate you doing this. I'll be sure to pay you as soon as I can."
"That's all right. I'm just glad to help you out. Good day."
"Thanks."
Andrew sighed as David left and ran his fingers through his sandy hair. He had been more distracted than ever lately. There were a number of things on his mind, but the one that stood out the most was the thought of Colleen. They had grown to be close friends as she helped him adjust to life in Colorado Springs. He hadn't known just how much he was attracted to her until they had kissed one day in June in the hotel garden. Just the thought of Colleen sent a flood of emotions through his mind. Andrew knew how he felt about Colleen, but did she feel the same way about him? After all, it was only a kiss. Well, Andrew thought, she's coming home to visit tomorrow. I'll talk to her then.
Micheala squinted in the dusty light as she leaned intently over her medical book. A new disease had been appearing in many of her patients. She had no idea what could be causing the swelling of joints and brain, rash covering the body, nausea, and high fever that could be potentially deadly. No patients had died yet, but she would still send a telegraph to Dr. Isaac Harvey in Boston for a consultation. Michaela decided to also inform Andrew about the disease and its symptoms. She didn't want this to be like the epidemic a few years ago, as it was easily spread by just breathing in a few of the infected germs.
Michaela sighed and turned her thoughts to Colleen. She was glad she was coming home to visit. Her adopted daughter had grown into a graceful young lady. Michaela remembered how ecstatic she was when Colleen expressed an interest in medicine. Colleen had excellent resources in town, with Michaela's practice and also Andrew's. She had noticed increasingly how much Andrew and Colleen doted on each other. From the looks she had seen Andrew give Colleen, Michaela had no doubt about his feelings for her. She was not as sure about Colleen, but only time would tell. Now, back to her book.
Later that day the black steam engine rumbled noisily into the train station. Michaela waited with Andrew and the train came to a stop. The door opened and Colleen stepped out. Dressed in rose satin, her eyes instantly met Andrew's. Colleen's heart instantly started to beat faster.
Michaela joined them and Andrew rushed to her side, helping her off the platform. "It's so nice to have you back home, Colleen."
"Thanks, Ma. Hello, Andrew."
"Hello, Colleen." A pause followed as they looked at each other awkwardly. Colleen blushed. Whenever she saw Andrew a storm of butterflies awoke inside of her. A warm tingling ran up her spine and she felt a little dizzy.
Glancing at the two of them, Michaela smiled and said, " I think Brian and Katie are waiting for you at the clinic."
"Well, let's go. I can't wait to see Katie." They started walking toward the clinic.
The next day Andrew knocked on the clinic door. Michaela opened it. He looked surprised. "Uh, hello Michaela. I was wondering if Colleen would, um, like to go for a walk with me while I'm not busy."
Michaela smiled at him. "I'll go get her. She's just putting Katie down for a nap. Just wait here. I'll be right back."
There was no need for her to go upstairs. Colleen met her on the way down.
"Colleen, Andrew's here. He wants you to go on a walk with him."
Colleen blushed. She glanced at Andrew and nodded her head. Michaela smiled again as they walked out the door.
"It really is a beautiful day," Andrew said, glancing over at Colleen as they walked through the woods bordering Colorado Springs. "I love walking in these woods." Especially with you, he thought.
"It's so nice to be back home. College is great, but I miss it here."
"I miss you, too." He paused.
"Really?" Looking up at his well chiselled features, Colleen desperately wanted to hold his hand, be close to him. There was a momentary pause.
Andrew felt himself falling into the depths of Colleen's liquid eyes. Shaking himself out of the daze, he broke the silence. "Are you enjoying your studies at school?" he asked.
"Oh yes. It's fascinating to learn new things about medicine. I think helping at ma's clinic and yours has given me an advantage. I--," she stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong? Are you all right?" Andrew asked quickly.
"I just feel a little dizzy. I'm okay."
He tucked her arm in his for support. "Shall we continue?" He gestured forward. "How are your professors at school?"
"Rather boring. Some are very odd and one looks like he's a hundred years old."
While she continued walking, Andrew stopped and quickly picked a daisy. He caught up with her and held out the flower. "Here," he said gently.
"Thank you." She gazed at him shyly. The two of them stood, their hands still clasped with the flower in between. Andrew reached for her other hand. They were so close, only a few inches separated their faces. Andrew had to restrain himself from kissing Colleen's rosy lips. He opened his mouth to say something but she spoke first. "Andrew?"
"Yes?"
"Do you remember that time when you said we could be partners at your clinic? You know, that time in the garden?" They were drifting closer together.
"Yes."
"I've been thinking about that a lot and I just wanted to tell you that I--." She wobbled and then grabbed his arm.
"Colleen? Are you feeling okay? Maybe we should go back."
"I'm fine. Please Andrew, don't worry."
"No, really. I insist we go back. Your mother can examine you at the clinic to make sure nothing's seriously wrong-- Colleen!" While he was talking Colleen's eyes had rolled back in her head and she collapsed in Andrew's arms. "Colleen?" He shook her to try and revive her. There was no response. He checked her breathing. God, she was burning up! Andrew wasted no time and picked Colleen up in his arms like an infant. He turned and started back towards the clinic as fast as he could.
"Michaela!" Andrew yelled as he burst into the clinic, the limp figure of Colleen in his arms.
"Dear God, what's wrong?" Michaela rose as Andrew gently laid Colleen on the examination table. She placed her stethoscope over Colleen's heart.
"I don't know. We were just walking when she collapsed and I carried her back. She's still breathing, but she's burning up with fever." Andrew looked concerned as he placed his hand on Colleen's feverish forehead.
"Did she say she felt sick?"
"Only that she was a little dizzy. And she was trembling. There are lots of possible illnesses like that, but you don't think it could be--."
"It is possible that she could have contracted the new disease that has been showing up. Her joints are swollen and-," she said, pulling up her dress sleeve, "she has a rash on her arms. See?"
"Yes."
"I can't confirm it, but she does have the symptoms," Michaela answered quietly.
"You mean she could--die?" Andrew looked at her, his brows furrowed.
"There's a chance."
"Is there anything we can do?"
"I don't know. All we can do is watch through the night and check on how she is in the morning."
"I'll stay. I'll help her get through this." Andrew tenderly stroked Colleen's cheek.
"Are you sure, Andrew? Maybe you should go back to the hotel."
"Preston will understand. Besides, if this disease is spread by air, I could already be infected. It would be of no use to infect people at the hotel."
"I suppose you're right. Would you carry her upstairs to the bedroom for me?"
Andrew carefully picked Colleen up in his arms and went upstairs. Michaela followed. After he had laid her on the cheerful coverlet of the bed, Michaela said to him, "Would you go and get some water and some old sheets from the linen closet? It would help me out a lot."
"Sure, Michaela." As he left she sat down on the edge of the bed and felt Colleen's forehead. Then slowly, a shining tear rolled down her cheek .
A shaft of light filtered into the bedroom. Michaela opened the door slowly and peered in. Andrew was leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed across his chest. He was sleeping. He must have been here all night, Michaela thought. She quietly walked over to Colleen and felt her forehead without waking Andrew up. Still hot. She gently shook Andrew's shoulder. He started awake. Rubbing his eyes he asked, "How is she?"
"The same. There seems to be no signs of improvement." She looked at him inquiringly. "Did you sleep here all night?"
"Yes. The thought that she was up here all alone made it unbearable. I just had to be here." Focussing his attention on Michaela, he asked, "How did you sleep?"
"It took me a while, but I managed a few hours"
A thought popped into his head. "What about Brian and Katie?"
"I thought about that last night after you brought Colleen here. Since this is a contagious disease, I feel we should be quarantined, or at least be separated from all those who are vulnerable. I told Brian to stay with Loren, and had Dorothy watch Katie. When Sully and Matthew get back from their expedition they will all go and stay at the homestead."
"I agree. We should be quarantined. If this disease gets out it could be a disaster."
While he said this Michaela checked Colleen's heart with her stethoscope. "Her breathing is shallow. I'm afraid she'll also become dehydrated if she can't keep any liquids down. All we can do is try to force her to drink as much water as possible."
Andrew looked worried. A thought had just popped into his head. "Michaela, what if we get sick? I mean, if we're under quarantine, how can anyone care of us?"
"That's just a chance we're taking. Hopefully our immune systems will fight this virus, and we won't get sick. Only time will tell, though."
A day and a night passed. Colleen did not improve, despite the efforts of Michaela and Andrew. On the contrary, she became worse. By now all of the town knew of the quarantine and refused to walk within twenty feet of the clinic for fear of catching the disease. As the town's fear grew, so did Michaela's. Peter Hatcher, a schoolboy, had come in with symptoms correlating with the new disease's. About three hours later, a local worker stumbled in, claiming to have stiff joints and a fever. When she felt his forehead, Michael's heart sank. There was almost no doubt that this would become another epidemic. More quinine would have to ordered from Boston and beds and cots would have to be set up. First, though, she would check on Colleen and Andrew.
Three days later Andrew felt Peter's forehead. It was hot to the touch. After administering some quinine to him, he tucked the coverlet around Peter and walked around to the next patient. The examination room was filled with makeshift beds and cots. Not all were occupied, but more were and more people were coming in, their bodies ravaged with the disease. Andrew looked down at the cot, on which was a little boy, his red face serene and calm. Andrew assumed that the woman sitting next to him was his mother. She looked at him pleadingly. "Is he going to die?"
"I don't know. All we can do is wait. Stay with him, though. And pray." He placed his hand on her head in a sign of comfort and then looked up as a cry burst out from across the room.
"No, no, no! It can't be! Not my little girl!" Andrew saw Michaela pulling a sheet over a little girl's head. Her mother was sobbing on Michaela's shoulder. She looked at Andrew. He gave her a look of condolence and continued on.
Michaela walked into Colleen's room. It was late but she couldn't sleep. Worry kept her awake, checking her patients every ten minutes. When she entered, Andrew looked up, surprised. He was sitting next to Colleen, holding her limp hand in his. "Andrew? I didn't realize you were still up."
"I can't sleep. How is everybody?" he asked her questioningly.
"One more dead. I'm afraid we've just entered the tempest. Who knows how many more will die before we get out of this storm."
Andrew stood up and placed a hand on Michaela's shoulder. "How are you holding up? I mean, you've been working for almost two days without any sleep."
"I'm fine. You should try to get a little more rest, too. Two tired doctors making bad decisions would be very bad for this epidemic." She walked to the other side of the bed and sat down next to Andrew. "You really do care for her, don't you?" she asked him.
"Of course I do. Who wouldn't?" His cheeks reddened.
"Do you love her?"
"I---I don't know. I really don't know what I'm feeling right now." He shook his head.
"When I'm with her, my heart skips a beat. You know what that's like, don't you? And then, when she got sick, when I realized that she could die, it was the worst thing in the world."
"You do love her. And she loves you. I can tell. You both blush when you see each other. There's a certain sparkle in your eye and an aura around you. Your hearts have grown together from friendship to love. Neither of you realize it yet, but I can tell. Trust me."
Andrew smiled at her. "I think you're right, Michaela."
"Our main concern right now though, is getting her well." Suddenly a clamor rose from downstairs. The door had burst open and Hank and Loren came in, holding an unconscious Jake in between them.
"Dr. Mike! Dr. Mike! Where are you?" Andrew and Michaela rushed down the stairs and met Hank and Jake.
"What happened?" She asked as they laid Jake on the examination table.
"We were at the saloon, havin' a good time, when all of a sudden he just fell flat on the table. We didn't notice anything wrong with him, 'cept he was shaking a little," Loren answered.
"Not that that's unusual for a man who's been drinkin'," Hank said with a smirk.
"Ah, Hank, this ain't the time to be joking," Loren scolded. Turning to Michaela, he asked, "So? What's wrong with him?"
She felt Jake's forehead and checked his joints. "He's got it. Help me carry him upstairs to one of the recovery rooms."
Jake's fever increased rapidly. Michaela laid a cool cloth on his forehead to try to bring his fever down. Teresa Morales was sitting across the bed from her. In her thick Spanish accent she said, "I will care for him."
"Are you sure, Mrs. Morales? There is a chance you could become infected if you stay with him for a long period of time."
"I realize that. But I am willing to take that chance. What do I need to do?" She looked at Jake.
"Keep this cloth cool with water and check his fever every twenty minutes. Come get me if you think there's something wrong."
"Gracias."
Michaela reached across and patted her shoulder. Glancing around the room, she thought how much her clinic had changed in the past four days. Cots were jammed in every possible space. There was so little room. Michaela and Andrew had to move her desk and examination table out onto the porch. She could see Andrew moving around the room, checking patients. Michaela felt pity for him. He had had a hard life, leaving his family in Boston, and now this. How horrible it would be if Colleen should die! Andrew would be heartbroken. Who knew how he would handle it?
"Michaela? Could you come over here?" She was jarred out of her thoughts. She walked over to where Andrew was standing, next to the bed of the worker who had come in three days ago. He looked at her grimly. Wordlessly she placed her stethoscope over the man's heart. Shaking her head she moved it to various parts of his chest. Michaela lifted his eyelids and then without saying a word, she pulled the sheet over the worker's head.
Andrew walked into Colleen's room and sat down in the chair where he had spent the last five nights. Colleen's hair was scattered on the pillow, framing her head. The soft glow of the lamp cast a yellow pallor on her sickly face. Andrew reached out and took her small hand in his large ones. Gently brushing away a curl from her forehead, he tenderly stroked her cheek. He thought of all the special times from when they had first met to their first kiss. They had never danced together, and he'd never held her close. I might never either, he thought. "I love you," he said softly, bringing her hand up to his cheek. He kissed it and slowly, a glistening tear made its way down his cheek.
"Andrew?" Colleen's voice was barely audible. Andrew lifted his head.
"Colleen?" he placed his hand on her forehead. It was cool. Colleen looked at him.
"Where am I?"
Andrew looked at their hands, still clasped. "You were very sick. We don't know what was wrong, but that doesn't matter now. All that matters is that you're going to be alright." He entwined their fingers and kissed her hand.
"All I remember was walking with you, and then it was black, and then I heard you talking to me."
Andrew blushed. Had she heard him confess his love to her? "Did you hear what I was saying to you when you woke up?"
"Yes," she smiled weakly at him. "I love you, too." Andrew smiled back at her. He leaned over and softly kissed her on the lips.
"I'll go get your ma."
"Your fever is gone," Michaela said, and then checked Colleen's pulse. "I think you're going to be fine. There shouldn't be any lasting effects, either." She smiled at Colleen, and then at Andrew, who was at her side, holding her hand. "We were so worried about you, Colleen. Andrew hardly ever left your bedroom."
"I know," Colleen answered, gazing at Andrew.
"We never did figure out what the disease was, though it must have been spread from the train to you, and the through the whole town. I'm just glad everything's going back to normal. Three more people are well. Everyone has to regain their strength, still, including you, but in a week you should be fine."
"Thank you, ma," Colleen said gratefully. Michaela nodded and went downstairs.
"And thank you, too, Andrew."
"It was the least I could do for you. I love you." He leaned over and kissed her softly. Their mouths mingled as they shared a moment of love.
As Michaela walked down the stairs she thought of how grateful she was that Colleen was well. Andrew had told her all about them, and she was so happy for the two of them. I guess the power of love does conquer all, she thought.
The End
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