I

It was a beautiful spring day in Colorado Springs. The sun was gleaming warm and bright high in the sky and the birds were gaily announcing the coming of summer. The inhabitants of the town were enjoying every bit of the glorious day as they conducted their daily business. Even Loren Brae was in an especially happy mood for a change. In fact, he promised Brian Cooper when he came into the store that morning that he would take him fishing later that afternoon after things slowed down a little and Brian was finished school. Brian was pleased and rushed back to the clinic to inform Dr. Mike that he would be late for supper. Dr. Mike smiled in approval and Brian took off at a run for the school house.

Dr. Mike watched him go and sighed as she realized how big her young son was getting. He'll soon be a man. She thought to herself. He's growing up so fast.

Then she started thinking about Colleen and Matthew. How much they've grown and changed in the years since their mother died. Matthew has become such a wonderful man. Kind and caring, always ready to put himself out for others, but also ready to fight for what he believes is right, even if it isn't widely accepted. But, Michaela has observed, that Matthew was also good at finding the legal ways of accomplishing his purpose. Using little legal loopholes or little known methods to do something. She was beginning to think that her older son would make a really great lawyer.

Then her thoughts turned to her older daughter, the one she missed so dreadfully. She was so proud that Colleen was accomplishing her dream of becoming a doctor, but she must admit that she missed her dreadfully. Even when she came home on visits, Michaela felt that she still didn't get to see enough of her. True, they worked in the clinic together and spent many nights up late talking, but Colleen's attention was divided. She no longer spent every moment with her family, but divided her time and attention between them and a certain young doctor. Michaela didn't begrudge the relationship, and she couldn't have wished for a better young man for her daughter than Andrew Cook, but even still, Michaela was finding it hard to share her with the young man. But she knew she must learn to let go. Colleen was growing up and she would someday be on her own, with her own practice, her own home, and her own family.

Michaela smiled again. At least she still had Katie for a few more years. She glanced over at her daughter who was contentedly playing in the corner of the room.

"Yes, dear sweet Katie," Dr. Mike said to the little girl. "I'll still have you for a few more years."

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Dr. Mike turned as a terrified young woman came rushing in.

"Dr. Quinn, you have to come quick!" the young girl admonished, gasping for air.

"What is it?" Dr. Mike asked in concern.

"M-my little brother fell off the barn roof. He's broken his arm really bad. He's in a lot of pain!"

"I'll get my bag." Dr. Mike grabbed her coat and rushed to get her bag and picked up Katie. "I have to take Katie over to the Gazette to give her to Dorothy. I'll be right with you." The girl nodded dumbly as Dr. Mike turned to head to the Gazette. Before she got there she met up with Matthew.

"Dr. Mike," He called. She stopped and turned to face him. He waved a piece of paper and said, "Colleen just wired she's coming home tomorrow afternoon. She says her exams are finished, so she's home for the summer."

"That's great." Dr. Mike replied distractedly. Matthew's face became serious. "What's wrong?"

"Morgan Truman broke his arm in a fall. I have to go with Connie and see to him. I was just taking Katie over to Dorothy."

"Why don't you leave her with me?" Matthew suggested, stuffing the telegram back in his pocket and reaching out for his sister.

"Are you sure?" Dr. Mike asked, handing her over.

"Sure. I have nothing pressing to do. I have to ride over to the Chateau. Horace asked me to deliver this letter from Colleen to Andrew." He smiled a little slyly. "And Colleen asked us to tell Andrew of her arrival tomorrow. Katie and I can take a little ride."

"Thanks Matthew." Dr. Mike said smiling gratefully at her son. "I'll see you later."

"We'll see you back at the homestead later." Matthew told her.

Dr. Mike nodded. "Okay. Oh, Brian's going fishing with Loren after school, so he'll be a little late coming home."

"Okay. See you later." Matthew and Katie waved good-bye to Michaela, then turned to head over to where Matthew had left his horse tied. "Want to go for a little ride, Katie? We're going to go out and see Andrew. Would you like that?" The little girl smiled at him and squealed in delight. Matthew felt his heart melt. He tightened his hold on the little girl and gave her a hug. Katie hugged him back. When they reached the train station where Matthew had left his horse the young man asked Horace if he'd come hold Katie for him while he mounted.

Just as Matthew had Katie securely seated in front of him on the saddle, a well dressed man came over to Horace and asked how one would get out to the Hot Springs Chateau.

"There's a wagon from the Chateau that takes people from town to the hotel." Horace informed the man. "It just left about five minutes ago."

"When does it come back into town?" The man asked.

"Usually when the next train comes in, occasionally before if some of the hotel guests want to come into town." Horace explained.

The man looked a little disappointed. Seeing his expression, Matthew offered, "I'm heading that way myself, sir. If you want I can take you out to the hotel."

The man eyed Matthew and Katie sitting on the horse and commented jokingly, "Do you think you have room up there for one more?" The man began to chuckle.

Matthew smiled at the comment then replied, "It may be a tight fit, but I think Dr. Mike's wagon is still at the clinic. We could borrow that."

"And what will he use?" The man asked. "A doctor needs some form of transportation."

"She can use my horse." Matthew replied.

"Very well then." The man agreed.

Matthew nodded, then leaned over and looked at Katie. "I guess, dear Katie, we'll have to take that ride later. We're going to take the wagon instead." Katie squealed and clapped her hands. Matthew looked at the two men and smiled. "I guess she's not too terribly disappointed." He lifted Katie up and handed her to Horace, then dismounted. Taking Katie he said, "I'll be right back. I'll go get the wagon."

"I might as well come with you." The man said. "I only have this one bag."

Matthew nodded then looked at Horace and asked. "If Dr. Mike comes looking for the wagon would you tell her if she needs to take my horse she's welcome to." Horace nodded.

"This way sir." Matthew lead the way to the clinic. Once they got there he put Katie down on the ground and tied the horse to the hitching rail. Katie reached over and clung to his leg and giggled. Matthew looked down at her and laughed.

"She's a real cutie." The man commented. "Is she your daughter?"

Matthew looked at the man in surprise, then smiled, "No, she's my baby sister."

"Sister?" The man looked equally surprised. "Why, there must be twenty years between you." The man exclaimed. "Your mother must be getting up there in years."

"My Ma died. Seven years ago." Matthew said bluntly.

The man's face looked sympathetic, but also confused. Matthew explained.

"When Ma died, she asked her good friend, Dr. Michaela Quinn to look after me, my sister and my little brother. About three and a half or four years ago, Dr. Mike and her husband, Sully, legally adopted us. Then almost two years ago, Katie joined the family."

"I see." The man nodded. "I wasn't trying to pry or anything though."

Matthew smiled, "It's okay. You're not the first person I've explained it to."

"What about your real father." The man asked.

Matthew's face clouded. "He ran off when my brother was a baby. He's a no good selfish man and I have no use for him and neither does the rest of my family. The best thing he ever did for us was give up custody to Dr. Mike and Sully."

The man's eyebrows raised in surprise but he didn't make a further comment. In fact before anything else could be said, Katie decided to stretch her legs and took off running across the dirt street.

"Katie!" Matthew cried in horror and took off after the little girl. He grabbed her just as a man came barreling out of Hank's saloon. Hank stood in the door angrily glaring at the man.

"I never want to see you around here again!" He yelled. Then he looked up into the terror stricken eyes of Katie Sully. The girl looked at the man on the ground then back at Hank and suddenly began to wail. She turned her face into Matthew's coat and sobbed from fright and confusion.

Hank, feeling sorry about frightening the poor little girl, walked over the man on the street and started talking softly to Katie.

"It's okay, Katie. I didn't mean to scare you. I was just mad at that man. It's okay."

Katie turned her head slightly to look at Hank. "Hey Katie look at this." Then Hank made a funny face. Matthew looked at the saloon operator in disbelief. Katie giggled, then hiccuped, then giggled again.

"That's better, Katie." Hank smiled. Then he patted her on the back, flashed a sheepish grin at Matthew and waved to the little girl. Katie waved back.

Matthew, still in slight shock over the behavior of the surly barkeep just watched Hank as he retreated back to the saloon.

"Are you ready to go, young man?" The man called, bringing Matthew back to reality.

Matthew turned and nodded. He walked back to the wagon and waited for the man to climb up, then handed Katie up to him. Once Matthew was settled, he put Katie on his knee and headed the wagon towards the hotel.

"Slight fever, headache, chills and sore throat." Andrew commented as he listed off his patients symptoms.

"And my whole body aches, too." The young woman added.

"It sounds like you have a catarrh." Andrew diagnosed.

"Is that serious?" The young woman asked concerned.

Andrew shook his head. "Bed rest is mostly what you need. Maybe a soak in the hot springs to help soothe the aches. And I'll give you some Willow Bark Tea to help with the fever and headache. He went over to the shelves that held his medicine and selected a bottle. He measured out some of the tea and then returned to the young woman.

"Brew these into a tea and drink it every few hours." Andrew instructed.

The young woman accepted the tea and stepped down off the examination table.

"Thank you very much, Dr. Cook."

"My pleasure." Andrew opened the door for the young woman. Just as she was about to step out a little girl came running into the clinic.

The young woman smiled in delight and bent over, "Oh, my how cute you are, little girl."

Andrew looked at the little girl and as he reached down to pick her up, exclaimed "Katie! What are you doing here?"

"You know this little girl?" The young woman asked.

"Yes, I do. She's my..." Andrew started to say, but then Katie put both of her hands on either side of his mouth and pushed the sides of his lips together. Andrew laughed and Katie squealed in delight, exclaiming "A'du, A'du!" as she impulsively threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.

"I'd say she likes you very much." The young woman commented.

"Oh, yeah, Katie and I are great friends." Andrew laughed, as he gave the little girl a kiss on the cheek. Afterwards he commented. "But what is she doing out here all by herself?" Suddenly heavy footsteps on the wooden walk outside announced the anxious arrival of Matthew. When he saw Katie in Andrew's arms he sighed in relief.

"You are going to give me a heart attack before the day is over, darling Katie." Matthew chided breathlessly. "I turn my back for one instance and she's gone."

"Well, she's fine." Andrew assured him, laughing again as Katie gave his neck another impulsive squeeze.

"Thank goodness. Wouldn't Dr. Mike have my hide if something happened to her." Matthew sighed, relief showing in his face. Then, after watching his baby sister for a moment, laughed and teasingly commented to Andrew, "Oh, dear, looks like both my little sisters have are crazy about you. I hope their won't be a fight!" Andrew blushed in embarrassment, but there was a pleased smile on his face.

"Sounds like you have a way with the young ladies, Dr. Cook." The young woman finally commented, a light teasingly tone in her voice.

Matthew looked at the young woman in surprise, as if noticing her for the first time and then smiled.

"Oh, Pardon me." Andrew flushed again, this time for his lack of manners. "Matthew, I'd like you to meet Miss. Douglas, she's a guest here at the hotel. Miss Douglas, I'd like you to meet my good friends, Matthew Cooper and this is his baby sister, Katie."

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Douglas." Matthew nodded.

"Likewise, Mr. Cooper." Miss Douglas smiled. Then, turning to Andrew, she reached out and took one of Katie's little hands, "And you too, Miss Katie." She glanced from Andrew to Matthew and then back again and, after a moments hesitation, said, "I'll just leave you two gentlemen alone. If you'll excuse me. Thanks again, Dr. Cook."

"My pleasure, Miss Douglas." Andrew smiled in return.

"Pretty little thing." Matthew commented, giving Andrew a sly look out of the corner of his eye after the door had closed behind her.

Andrew shrugged and replied, "I didn't notice."

Matthew smiled teasingly and said, "Boy, you must be in love."

Andrew blushed hotly and Matthew diverted his attention by reaching into his coat pocket. "I have a couple telegrams here for you." He handed him the pieces of paper. "And...a letter." He waved the envelope in front of his face. Andrew reached out and took it from him. After reading the return address his face broke out into a huge grin.

"One of the telegrams is from Colleen saying that she's coming home tomorrow afternoon, for the summer." Matthew said, taking Katie so Andrew could read the telegram.

Andrew's face broke into a huge smile. "That's wonderful!"

"Listen, why don't you come on over for supper tomorrow night, I'm sure the family would like to see you and I know Colleen would enjoy being able to spend the evening with you." Matthew invited.

Andrew smiled again, "I'd love to."

"Well, I'll leave you to read your letter." Matthew commented and smiled knowingly.

"Thanks again, Matthew."

"My pleasure. I'll see you later."

When Dr. Mike came back to the clinic a little later, she was surprised to see that the buggy was gone and that Matthew's horse stood tethered to the hitching rail. A few minutes later a knock on the door admitted Horace who explained the situation and that Matthew would be back sometime with the buggy. Dr. Mike nodded and went back to work updating her patient files. About half an hour later, Hank appeared at the clinic door. He had an awkwardly wrapped parcel in his hand.

"I, ah, I got this for Katie." He explained, embarrassment on his brow. "I gave her a bit of a scare earlier and I, ah, wanted to make up for it." He shoved the parcel into Michaela's hands.

"Thank you, Hank." Michaela replied in confusion. Hank nodded and then left the clinic. Michaela opened the gift and was surprised to find a little stuffed rabbit.

"I wonder how he ever explained his purchase to Loren." She smiled to herself.

About two o'clock Matthew came back with the wagon and a sleeping Katie. Matthew carried his little sister upstairs and deposited her on the bed. He covered her up and placed a kiss on her cheek. When he came downstairs Dr. Mike looked up from her files and smiled.

"Did you have a nice day?"

"Yes, it was very nice. After we went out to the hotel and dropped off our passenger and our mail, Katie and I had a picnic lunch out by Ouzel Lake. Then we did some hiking in the woods. I was very surprise at how much company Katie is. In fact we were gone longer than I planned. I guess I just lost track of time." Matthew admitted with a smile.

"I'm glad." Dr. Mike smiled. "I'm sure Katie was delighted to be able to spend so much time with her older brother."

"Dr. Mike." Matthew began after a couple moments of silence. Dr. Mike looked up again from her files. "I was doing some thinking today while I was with Katie. I know I probably don't say this often enough, but I want to thank you, and Sully, for everything you've done for me and Colleen and Brian. You've given us a real family and all the love and caring you could possibly give. You've encouraged us, you've guided us, you've trained us. And you've always treated us all equally. I mean, even though Katie is your child, you've never made us feel less loved or less wanted and I want to thank you for that."

"Matthew," Dr. Mike rose. "I want you to know something, you are all our children, you and Colleen and Brian and Katie. I don't think of any one of you as anybody else's child, even though my head tells me you are. In my heart, you are all mine, mine and Sully's." She reached over and hugged Matthew tightly. Matthew returned the hug. "I love you, Matthew." She informed him.

"I love you too, Ma." Matthew returned.

As soon as Matthew closed the door of Andrew's clinic, the young doctor immediately tore open the envelop that held Colleen's letter. Settling himself at his desk in the corner he began to eagerly read it.

The letter read:

My Dearest Andrew,

How are things going in Colorado Springs? Things are good here, but extremely busy. I have one more exam before the end of the semester. I'll be glad to have it finished and have the school year over for the summer. I miss everyone there so dreadfully, especially you.

Andrew felt his heart begin to beat a little faster.

I've really enjoyed the classes that I had this semester. The work has seemed fairly easy, thanks to the help I've had from you and Ma. Having doctors in the family and as close friends is an asset in attending Medical school I've found. Few of the other girls in my class have had the same advantage. I want to thank you for all your help, and your support. You've been a real source of strength and encouragement, Andrew. I really appreciate it.

Andrew smiled to himself.

There's a party next Saturday night to celebrate the end of the term. The girls in my boarding house are so excited about it. That's all they've been talking about for weeks. But I plan on coming home before then. My last exam in on Wednesday so I'm planning to leave for home by Friday or Saturday. I'll send a wire when I will be arriving.

Andrew picked up the telegram she'd sent. It read:

Coming home Saturday, May 23rd on the 12:30 train. Please inform Andrew. Love Colleen.

Andrew fingered the telegram, reading the last sentence a couple times. His heart beat quicker. Oh how he missed her!

Before he could resume his reading a knock came on the door and at his invitation, Miss Douglas stepped through the door.

"Miss Douglas?" Andrew questioned in surprise. "Is there something else I can help you with?"

Miss Douglas closed the door and smiled. "I was just planning on going for a little walk in the sunshine, but I seemed to have misplaced my parasol. I was wondering if I had left it here." Andrew scanned the room quickly and then spotted the item propped up by the window.

"Here it is." He commented as he walked over to retrieve the item.

"Thank you." The young lady smiled gratefully. Andrew nodded. Miss Douglas moved to leave the clinic, but before opening the door, turned and boldly inquired, "Would you care to join me for a little stroll around the hotel?"

Andrew smiled kindly, but replied, "Thank you for the offer, but I have important business to look into at the moment."

The young woman looked a little disappointed, but asked brightly, "Maybe another time?"

"Perhaps." Andrew stated with a friendly smile. The young woman smiled back and began to open the door. Just as she was about to exit, a man appeared in the clinic doorway. It was the man that Matthew had driven to the hotel. Miss Douglas jumped backwards in surprise, backing right into Andrew and nearly knocking him off balance. He grabbed Miss Douglas by the arms to try to steady himself. Fortunately neither one of them went down. Andrew's attention focused more closely on the man and suddenly he exclaimed in complete surprise.

"Father! W-What are you doing here?"

"I came to visit you, son." His father replied, a smile on his face. He took in the funny little scene before him, for Andrew, in surprise at seeing his father at the door, hadn't yet released his hold on Miss Douglas' arms. Miss Douglas didn't seem to be minding a bit, however, as soon as Andrew composed himself he released his grip with an apology.

"Father, I'd like you to meet Miss Douglas, she's a guest at the hotel. Miss Douglas, this is my father, Edward Cook."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Cook." Miss Douglas greeted friendly.

"Nice to meet you too, Miss Douglas." Edward Cook returned, tipping his hat.

"You must be really proud of your son, Mr. Cook, " Miss Douglas continued, "He's a wonderful doctor."

"Well, that's nice to hear." Mr. Cook smiled.

Miss Douglas paused, hoping to be included in the little group, but when she wasn't asked to stay she decided to take her leave.

"Pretty little thing." Mr. Cook commented as the door closed behind the young woman.

"You're the second person to make that comment to me today." Andrew laughed.

"Oh?" Mr. Cook raised his eyebrows, but refrained from further comment.

"So, what are you doing out here, Father?" Andrew asked. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming for a visit?"

"I sent you a telegram telling you I was coming. You didn't get it?" Mr. Cook asked.

Andrew shook his head. Then suddenly remembered that Matthew had dropped off two telegrams. He went over to his desk and picked up the other telegram. With a sheepish smile he showed it to his father.

"Matthew dropped it off earlier. I didn't get a chance to read it yet."

"Matthew? Matthew...Cooper?" The older man asked. Andrew nodded, but looked surprised. "Why Mr. Cooper dropped me off here at the hotel. He'd said he had a couple of deliveries to make here. He must have been dropping off some telegrams for the guests."

Andrew shook his head, "Preston has his own telegraph office for the hotel guests. Matthew was just dropping off my messages and letters."

"Oh, you have your own personal mail man do you?" Edward Cook teased his son.

"Matthew is a good friend of mine. In fact his whole family is." Andrew replied, a slight flush staining his cheeks at the thought of Colleen. His father either didn't notice or just didn't comment on it.

"Yes, Matthew was telling me a little bit about his family. He said that Michaela Quinn had adopted him and his younger brother and sister."

Andrew nodded. "Michaela and Sully have done a wonderful job raising them. They are such a wonderful family. In fact, I don't know what I would have done without them. Michaela has taught me so much."

"I'm looking forward to meeting them." Edward Cook replied.

"Matthew invited me over tomorrow night for supper, but I'm sure they'd be more than happy to have you too." Andrew informed him.

Mr. Cook hesitated, "Oh, I don't know. I don't want to intrude."

"You won't be intruding. Michaela and Sully would be please to have you. I can guarantee it." Andrew insisted.

"Well, if they don't mind, then I'd love to."

The next morning Andrew awoke in an extremely jovial mood. He washed and dressed for the day, taking extra pains with his appearance. Looking at his watch he sighed. 7:30. How would he ever make it through the next five hours before Colleen's train arrived! He went to the dresser beside his bed and pulled out a little box. Sitting on the bed he opened the lid to expose a beautiful locket. He had purchased it from a catalogue a few months back, but had never had the opportunity to give it to Colleen yet. He had been hoping that another piece of jewelry that he had ordered from Boston would have arrived by now, but it still hadn't come. So he would just give this necklace to Colleen for now, then present her with the other item when it arrived. After all, she was home for the summer. He had three glorious months to spend with her before she had to go back to college.

A knock on the door brought Andrew back to reality. Closing the box and stuffing it in his jacket pocket he went to open the door.

"Good morning, Dr. Cook." Miss Douglas greeted warmly when he opened the door.

"Miss Douglas?" He questioned in surprise. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"I was just wondering if I could interest you in joining me for breakfast." The young woman asked, smiling sweetly.

Andrew smiled kindly back, "That's very kind of you. But I'm joining my father for breakfast and I have something very important to discuss with him."

The young woman's smile faded slightly, but she nodded her head and said, "Maybe another time then."

"Maybe." Andrew replied kindly.

"Brian!" Dr. Mike called upstairs as she put Katie's coat on her. "Come on, its time to go. You'll be late for school."

"Coming, Ma." Brian called down as he headed for the stairs. He was carrying a parcel wrapped in brown paper. "I just wanted to make sure this was ready for when Colleen arrived. Do you think she'll like it?"

"I'm sure she'll love it." Dr. Mike assured him.

"I hope so. It took a while to save for it and then to get it here from Chicago."

"Well, I'm sure she'll approve of it." Dr. Mike reassured. Then added, "Now get your coat on. We've got to go." Putting the parcel down on the table Brian went to do as bidden.

Matthew already had the wagon hitched and ready to go when they went outside. He helped Dr. Mike and Katie into the wagon as Brian scrambled up on the other side. He handed the then reigns to Michaela and went and mounted his own horse. Then, as a group they made their way into town.

Andrew had a huge smile on his face when he joined his father for breakfast. Mr. Cook, seeing the happiness in his son's face, couldn't help but comment on it.

"You look like you're in an extremely happy mood this morning."

"I am." Andrew agreed as the waiter poured him a cup of coffee.

"May I ask the reason for this great joy?" His father inquired, a smile of his own creeping on his face.

"Because I'm picking up a very special person at the train station today." Andrew replied, looking his father directly in the face. "Someone I'm just dying for you to meet."

"'A very special person'? I see." the older man's smile grew. "And is this person also 'a very special lady'?"

Andrew's smile increased as well. "As a matter of fact she is."

Mr. Cook began to chuckle. "Well, I'll be. My son has himself a sweetheart." Andrew's face flushed slightly, but the smile didn't leave his face. "So, tell me all about her, son." Mr. Cook encouraged. "I want to know what kind of young lady puts such a smile on my son's face."

Andrew laughed and replied. "Well, her name is Colleen. Colleen Cooper."

"Cooper?" Edward Cook looked puzzled for a moment, then smiled. "Matthew Cooper's sister, right?"

Andrew nodded his head. "She's one of the children that Sully and Michaela adopted."

Mr. Cook suddenly smiled mischievously. "No wonder you were going on about how great the family is yesterday. I should have realized there was a special attraction there."

Andrew laughed good naturally but replied, "They are a special family. And I'm not just saying that because of Colleen. The way that family sticks together in face of any trouble is amazing. They love each other so much, even though they're not all flesh and blood."

"So, come on, tell me about this 'Colleen' of yours." His father pressed eagerly. "How long have you known her? How long have you been sweethearts?"

Andrew laughed and replied. "I met Colleen when I first came to Colorado Springs. If you remember, Mrs. Quinn asked me to come out here to help deliver Katie."

"The little girl that was with Matthew yesterday?"

Andrew nodded. "Anyway, I met Colleen then and we became friends immediately. She helped me in the clinic while Michaela was recovering. She and her bestfriend, Becky tried to teach me how to ride a horse." Andrew laughed. "I must admit, I wasn't a very good pupil. I eventually turned in my saddle for a buggy." Andrew thought back to the past. "After I was here for a few months, Colleen got accepted into a college in Denver. She's studying to be a doctor. She said its been her dream ever since Dr. Mike came to town and Colleen started helping her in the clinic."

"And how do you feel about her becoming a doctor?" Mr. Cook asked his son frankly.

"I am very proud of her. I admire her greatly for doing it." Andrew replied honestly, then upon reflection, added. "You know its funny. I use to think that I wanted a wife that did nothing but stay at home and look after the house and the children. In fact, for a while I was, well not courting, but spending time with Colleen's bestfriend, Becky. She was just the stay home type. But, funny enough, even though I liked Becky as a friend, I found Colleen and I had much more in common. We began discussing medical achievements and new theories and sharing our thoughts and opinions are different subjects. I helped her with whatever problems she was having with her studies, which I admit were very few and she helped me in the clinic. I think both of us have benefited greatly from the exchange. Then next thing I realized, I was in love with her."

"Have you told her how you feel?" Mr. Cook asked. Andrew nodded his head as he took a sip of his coffee. "And she feels the same way?" The big smile on Andrew's lips answered the question better than words could have. "Well, Andrew. I am looking forward to meeting this young lady of yours." his father acknowledged heartily. "When does her train arrive?"

"Not until 12:30." Andrew groaned, but when he checked his watch he was surprised to see that it was already 9:00.

"So what are your plans for the day?" the older man asked.

"I have a couple of patients this morning, but then I thought we'd head into town. I want to check Loren's store to see if something I ordered from Boston has arrived."

"Oh, what did you order?" the older man asked, his eyebrows lifting in curiosity.

"Just a little something for Colleen." Andrew replied, a sly smile on his face.

Edward Cook just smiled happily at his son.

At 12:00 Brian came running into the clinic, out of breath.

"Brian!" Dr. Mike exclaimed, "Whatever is the matter?"

"Nothing." Brian replied, "I just thought I'd come and see if you wanted to come to the cafe and eat lunch with me."

Michaela smiled affectionately at her young son. "I'd love to. Just let me get Katie."

"Michaela!" Andrew called as he pulled up in front of the clinic. Michaela, Katie and Brian were just leaving to head to Grace's.

"Good afternoon, Andrew." Michaela greeted as Andrew and his father descended from the wagon.

Katie, upon spotting her friend started clapping her hands excitedly and calling, "A'du, A'du!"

Andrew smiled at the young girl and reached out to take her from Michaela. "And how's my Katie-love this afternoon?" He asked the little girl affectionately. The little girl smiled and then put both hands on Andrew's cheeks, pushing the sides of his lips together. Andrew tried to laugh, but it sounded more like a funny sputter. Katie squealed in delight and threw her arms around Andrew's neck.

Everyone laughed then Andrew introduced his father to Dr. Mike and Brian.

"Its nice to see you again, Mr. Cook." Michaela smiled, shaking hands with the man.

"Likewise Dr. Quinn." The man smiled friendly. Then he turned to Brian and smiled, "And this is Brian Cooper. Its nice to finally meet you Brian. I've heard so much about you." Edward Cook greeted, shaking the young boy's hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Cook." Brian smiled warmly.

"And I believe you've already met this sweet little angel." Andrew commented, looking at the smiling Katie that he held in his arms.

"Yes, I have." Edward smiled, taking a finger and tickling Katie's bare leg. Katie laughed and wiggled, then pressed her head against Andrew's shoulder. Edward laughed and then remarked. "She seems very fond of you."

"Katie's fond of everybody." Andrew commented, smiling at the little tyke.

"We were just heading over to Grace's for a bite of lunch, would you care to join us?" Michaela invited warmly after a few moments pause.

Andrew looked at his watch. "I was planning to wait to eat lunch until after Colleen arrived." Then he suggested, "But I could have a cup of coffee while you eat your lunch."

"Shall we go then." Dr. Mike encouraged.

The group made their way over to Grace's and settle themselves down to eat.

"So, Dr. Quinn, I've heard from Andrew that you've been giving him a lot of help these last couple of years." Edward commented.

"I'd say the help has been mutual." Dr. Mike smiled, looking from Edward to Andrew and back again. "He's been a great help to me on a number of occasions. In fact I don't know how I would have gotten through it without him."

Andrew turned his attention to Katie, who he was bouncing on his knee, pleased but embarrassed.

Before anything else could be said, Sully and Matthew came up and joined the group. Andrew introduced Sully to his father and the two men shook hands. Matthew and Edward greeted each other also. After a few more minutes of conversation, the group heard the train whistle blow. Andrew rose to his feet immediately, picking Katie up with him.

"Andrew, why don't you go over and meet Colleen and then bring her back here for some lunch." Dr. Mike suggested.

Andrew smiled eagerly. "I will." Then he turned to walk the short distance to the train station.

"Andrew!" Dr. Mike called after him. Andrew turned and looked at her. "You can leave Katie here."

Andrew looked at the young girl he was still holding in his arms. With an embarrassed grin he handed her over to Michaela and turned back towards the station.

Colleen was very eager to get home after having been away for a whole month. With the stress and worry of exams she hadn't had the chance to go home recently. She missed everybody dreadfully, especially Andrew. She'd found it very hard to stay at school and not jump on the train for at least a weekend visit home. She would have given almost anything to do that. Almost anything except her Medical degree. So, she plugged away at school, counting the days until she could be home again.

When the train pulled into Colorado Springs station, Colleen glanced eagerly out the window to see who was waiting to meet her. She didn't see any of her family members or Andrew. Had they forgotten? With a disappointed sigh Colleen started making her way down the aisle of the train to the door. Just as she reached the platform she heard someone call her name. Looking down the station platform she saw Andrew hurrying toward her. A smile lit up her face as he reached her.

"I was beginning to wonder if everyone forgot I was coming home." Colleen scolded mildly.

"How could I possibly forget." Andrew assured her with a smile. "I've been dying for this moment since I got your telegram." Colleen smiled as Andrew held out his arms to give her a hug. Colleen went into them and sighed happily as she felt him press kisses into her hair. "I've missed you dreadfully." Andrew whispered into her auburn tresses.

Colleen lifted her head to look at him. She lifted her hand and touched his cheek and whispered back, "I've missed you too." Andrew leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

"Come on." Andrew invited. "I'm suppose to bring you over to the Cafe for lunch. Everyone's waiting for you there."

"What about my trunk?" Colleen asked.

"We'll come back for it later." Andrew told her. "I'll go ask Horace to hold it for you." He gave her hand a quick squeeze then went to the telegraph office to make the request. He came back a few moments later and said, "Shall we go?" Colleen accepted the arm that Andrew had offered her and they made their way towards the cafe.

"So, how's Mrs. Cook doing these days?" Dr. Mike asked as she took a drink of tea.

"She's doing fine. She's helping to organize a fund-raiser for an orphanage that's going up across town this year." Edward replied. "She's also doing volunteer work with the local hospital. She's trying to keep herself busy."

"Why didn't she come with you to Colorado Springs?" Dr. Mike commented.

"The fund-raiser is this weekend and my conference in Denver is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. So I decided to visit Andrew while I was so close. I thought I'd spend some time catching up on his latest doings." Then. Mr. Cook smiled, a little mischievously. "And I understand that my son's latest 'doings' is the courting of a young lady from these parts."

Everyone around the table smiled at each other. "Yes, that's right." Sully replied happily. "They've been courting for a couple of months now."

"And we couldn't be happier." Dr. Mike added. "They make such a nice couple."

"Well, I'm very eager to meet Colleen." Edward Cook admitted. "I've heard nothing but praises of her, but then I've been getting most of my information from Andrew, so that's no wonder." The group laughed just as Andrew and Colleen made an appearance.

"Colleen!" Brian jumped up excitedly and gave his sister a big hug.

"Brian!" Colleen greeted just as excited. "Oh, I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." Everyone took their turn greeting Colleen complete with hugs and kisses all round. After the excitement died down Andrew drew her attention to the stranger sitting beside Matthew.

"Colleen, there's somebody I'd like you to meet." Andrew said, drawing her a little closer to him. "Colleen this is my father, Edward Cook. Father, I'd like you to meet someone very special to me, Colleen Cooper."

"I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Cooper." Edward rose and extended his hand.

Colleen accepted his hand and, with a bright smile and rosy cheeks, replied. "I'm very pleased to meet you too, Mr. Cook. Andrew's told me alot about you."

"And I about you." Mr. Cook smiled, then added. "And none of it has been exaggerated I can assure you."

Colleen blushed deeper at the compliment as Edward gave her hand a final squeeze.

Andrew pulled two chairs up to the table and helped Colleen sit before claiming the one beside her. After they ordered their lunch Edward Cook turned to Colleen and teased,

"So, how did you ever end up with the likes of my son?"

Colleen flushed and smiled good-naturedly. "I don't know, just lucky I guess." She looked at Andrew with such love in her eyes that Andrew's father, who caught the look, thought her a very beautiful and charming young woman and warmed to her immediately. Andrew smiled at her and reached over impulsively to squeeze her hand.

"Shall we order?" he asked. Colleen smiled and nodded. Andrew and Colleen placed their order with one of Grace's waitresses and settle in for a nice long visit.

"So, how are your studies going Colleen?" Michaela asked as she tried to keep Katie from tipping her tea cup.

"Good, but tiring." Colleen sighed as she sipped on her lemonade. "These last four weeks have been nothing but study, study, study! I'm glad its over with for another semester. I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing break."

"Well, you worked hard, you deserve one." Matthew assured her.

"Did you get anytime for relaxation in the last month?" Sully asked, dipping a piece of bread in the gravy on his plate.

Colleen thought for a moment then shook her head. "The last time I did anything recreational was that weekend in late April that Andrew came to Denver to visit and we went to the theater and then the party that was held at the college the next evening."

"No wonder you long for relaxation." Michaela commented.

Colleen smiled as the waitress put her plate of food in front of her.

"So, Miss Cooper." Edward Cook began. "How do you like studying medicine?"

Colleen's eyes began to sparkle and she replied excitedly. "I love it. Studying ...and practicing...medicine is my second greatest love."

Edward's eyes sparkled as he pressed. "And what is your 'Greatest Love'?"

Colleen blushed as she put a piece of meat in her mouth. Glancing sideways at Andrew she slyly replied, "Colorado Springs."

Everyone around the table laughed as Andrew gave her a mock insulted look, causing Colleen to giggle. The giggle then turned into hiccups, which caused her to giggle even more. Eventually everyone at the table was laughing hysterically.

"Stop...hic...laughing...hic" Colleen tried to say between giggles and hiccups. "Its...hic...not...hic...funny!"

"Here, drink this." Andrew handed her a glass of water. Colleen obeyed, emptying the glass of its contents. "Any better?"

Colleen nodded after a few moments. "I think so...hic!"

"Miss Cooper, when was the last time you saw a white horse?" Edward Cook suddenly asked.

"Pardon me...hic?" Colleen asked in surprise.

"When was the last time you saw a white horse?" Edward repeated the question.

Colleen thought for a few moments. "I don't know. A few months ago. Probably the last time I was home."

"That's good, that's very good." He nodded his head.

"Why?" She asked, still puzzled.

"Oh, no particular reason." He smiled, then asked. "How are the hiccups?"

Colleen paused for a moment than smiled. "They're gone!" She breathed deeply and looked at Andrew's father gratefully. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"How did you do that?" Andrew asked, puzzled.

"It's a little trick I learned from your uncle." Edward explained. "If you get the person who has the hiccups to think of something else, then usually they'll go away."

"Interesting." Andrew said, smiling at Colleen.

"Well, as much as I hate to break up this wonderful lunch, I'm afraid I have to get back to the clinic." Dr. Mike commented with a sigh rising with Katie in her arms. Then she looked at Brian and said, "And you, my dear boy, had better get back to school before Miss Theresa starts classes."

"Yes, Ma." Brian rose with a sigh and walked over to Colleen. "I'm glad your back." he remarked as he gave her a big hug. Colleen reached up and hugged him back.

"I'm glad I'm back too." She smiled at him lovingly, then gently prodded. "You better get going."

Brian nodded and replied, "See you all later." Then he ran in the direction of the school house.

Edward Cook smiled as he watched him go. "He's a fine young man. You both must be very proud. You must be proud of all your family."

"Yes we are." Michaela smiled and deep love and pride reflected in her face. Sully's smile mirrored the same feelings. Then Michaela added, "Well, I'm sorry to have to leave, but I have some work to do at the clinic. It was nice to see you again, Mr. Cook."

"Likewise, Dr. Quinn." Edward smiled.

"Oh, I meant to ask you if you'd like to join us out at the homestead for supper. I believe Andrew is coming and we'd be pleased to have you join us too." Michaela invited warmly.

"Well, if its not too much of an inconvenience, I'd love to." he smiled gratefully.

"Great." Dr. Mike smiled back. "Then I'll see you later."

A few minutes after Michaela left, Sully rose to leave. "Well, I have to get back to the homestead. The Senator sent me a bunch of legal papers to fill out so they can put the request through for the National Park." he explained.

"Do you need any help, Sully?" Matthew offered.

"Well, I won't turn down any help that's cheerfully offered." Sully smiled at the young man who then rose and donned his hat. Then looking to Colleen and Andrew said, "See you back at the homestead."

"Bye Pa. Bye Matthew." Colleen smiled.

"So, what were your plans for the afternoon, Colleen?" Andrew asked after Sully and Matthew had left.

"I don't know." Colleen smiled and shrugged her shoulders, "I haven't really thought about it."

"Well, I have a few patients to see this afternoon." Andrew commented, "Would you like to join me at the clinic?"

Colleen's eyes began to sparkle. "I'd love to."

"How about you, Father?" Andrew looked at the older man. "Did you have anything you wanted to do?"

"I thought I might just take a nice soak in those hot springs I've heard so much about." He smiled. "But first I think I'm going to go see Dr. Quinn at her clinic."

"What for?" Andrew asked in surprise. "Is everything alright..." He looked anxiously from his father to Colleen and then back again. A few fearful thoughts running through his head.

Edward laughed, "Nothing serious. Mrs. Quinn heard I was coming to Colorado Springs, that woman seems to know everything about anything. Anyway, she asked me to deliver a few messages for Dr. Quinn. I forgot about it until after she'd left the table."

"Do you want us to wait for you?" Andrew asked but his father shook his head,

"No you go on ahead to the hotel. I'll find a way back later. The man from the train station told me yesterday that there's a wagon that goes out to the hotel every few hours. I'll just make sure to catch it."

"Are you sure?" Andrew insisted.

"Positive." his father assured him.

"Alright then, we'll see you back at the hotel then."

A little bit later Edward Cook knocked on the door of the medical clinic and was greeted by Dr. Mike.

"Mr. Cook" She smiled in surprise. "Please, come in." After she closed the door behind him she added, "I hope there's nothing wrong."

"No, nothing wrong. I just have a couple letters for you from your family." He produced a couple envelops out of his pocket. "Your mother heard that I was coming out here and insisted that I brings these out to you."

Michaela smiled somewhat sheepishly as she took the offered envelops. "That sounds like my mother. I hope she didn't bother you too much."

"No, no bother at all. I was happy to do it." Edward smiled kindly. After a moments pause he continued. "I also wanted to talk to you about my son."

"Oh?" Michaela looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I've heard Andrew's story of things, but I wanted your observations." He fingered his hat then continued to explain. "Not being close to my son here in Colorado Springs, I just wanted your opinion of how things are going with him. He seems to value your opinion very much."

Michaela smiled kindly and offered him a seat. "I think Andrew is a very fine young man and a very good doctor. As I told you earlier, he's helped me on numerous occasions. He even saved my life once."

"He did? How?" Edward asked in surprise.

Michaela explained about the man that had shot her because he had a vendetta against doctors and how if it hadn't been for Andrew's quick action and skillful hand, she would have bled to death. Edward smiled proudly at this.

"I've really enjoyed having him as a colleague these last two years. I know I can always count on him." Michaela stated, then flushed as she continued. "I must admit, it took me a little while to adjust to having him here. I found it hard at first when some of my patients kept going to him instead of me, even though I'd been treating them for years. I guess some of that prejudice against female doctors was still buried deep down. But eventually they started coming back to me, that's when Andrew decided to accept the position at Preston's hotel. By then I had gotten so use to having him around that I was very sorry to lose him, but we still help each other out. When there was an epidemic of diphtheria in town, Andrew gave up his position at the hotel so he could help me out."

"Why did he have to give up his position at the hotel?" Edward asked curiously

"Because Preston Lodge doesn't understand that there are people more important in this world then his hotel guests who come to Andrew with the most ridiculous ailments. When Andrew said he was going to help me with the epidemic Preston gave him an ultimatum, either the clinic or help me, he couldn't have both. Andrew quit then and there and came to town to help me."

"But he's still at the hotel?" Edward pointed out confusedly.

"Well, after Preston came down ill and Andrew cured him, then suddenly Andrew had a contract with Preston that said he worked for him. Its funny how the contract didn't come into things when he fired Andrew." Michaela mused with a smile.

"So, medical things aside, what's your opinion of Andrew." Edward asked, looking at her face.

"Well, I think he is a very caring, trustworthy and loyal person." Michaela began slowly, "He's gotten better at standing up for himself I've noticed. He doesn't let people intimidate him into doing things like he use to."

"What do you mean?" Edward asked, his brow furrowing.

"Well, Preston use to intimidate Andrew into doing his bidding, even if Andrew didn't agree with it. For example when Preston tried to prevent Andrew from helping me at the clinic. When Andrew first came here he would have given in to Preston's threat of losing his job. But now, he doesn't go in for such intimidation."

"Well, that's good." Edward nodded in approval.

"And he even stands up for others he cares about." Michaela smiled, almost mischievously.

"Like how?"

"Well, a few months ago. There was a young man who came from Denver to pay his respects to Colleen. It was kind of funny, once Andrew realized what this young man's intentions were, the two of them started vying for her attention."

"But I got the impression from Andrew, that they've loved each other for a long time." Edward commented

"They have, in fact I believe that Colleen has had a crush on Andrew ever since she first met him, and I think Andrew wasn't too much longer developing an attraction to her. But I guess he was just very shy about telling her his true feelings, even though everyone around them could see they were in love with each other. But they seemed to be unsure of each others true affections themselves."

"I see."

"Anyway, when Patrick Collins showed up and was trying to win Colleen's affections, Andrew tried to counter each move Mr. Collins made."

"How did he do that?"

"Well, Mr. Collins took Colleen on a picnic, so then Andrew took Colleen on a picnic, things like that." Michaela explained. "But then Mr. Collins ended up showing that he was not a gentleman and Colleen wanted nothing to do with him. She went out to the hotel where he was staying and asked him not to call on her anymore. He wasn't being very cooperative, so she turned to leave and he grabbed her by the arms and told her not to dare walk away from him like that. Then Andrew, who had been watching what was going on, came up behind him and told him to leave her alone. When Mr. Collins told him to stay out of it, Andrew grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him away from Colleen. Mr. Collins then threw a punch that caught Andrew square in the mouth. Then Andrew countered with a few good licks of his own."

"Andrew? My Andrew?" Edward smiled in pleasure mingled with disbelief. Michaela nodded. "Boy, he must really love her."

Michaela smiled, "Well according to the report Colleen gave me afterwards, it was just a few minutes later that he finally told her his true feelings for her. And that she admitted to him that she felt the same way."

"But, what if this Collins fellow hadn't turned out to be a bad sort?" Edward asked, his brow knit in thought, "Would she still have asked him not to call?"

"She'd already tried before then." Michaela nodded. "After Andrew took her on the picnic, she came back, fully convinced of her affections for Andrew, and ready to tell Patrick Collins not to see her anymore."

"And how do you and Sully feel about that ?" Edward asked her. "Truthfully."

"Well, truthfully, we couldn't be happier." Michaela replied. "We all love Andrew very much. He is a wonderful young man and we couldn't want anyone better for our daughter. And they are so happy together."

"I noticed that." Edward smiled. "They do seem to connect well don't they?"

"That they do." Michaela smiled.

Andrew and Colleen, completely oblivious of the discussion about them that was now taking place, enjoyed the buggy ride back to the hotel.

"It seems like years since I've been back." Colleen sighed delightedly as her big brown eyes took in the delightful scenery around her.

"I'll say it has." Andrew agreed, reaching his hand over to rub the small one that was linked through his arm. "I've missed you so much."

Colleen turned and looked into Andrew's eyes and smiled lovingly.

"You know who I was thinking of the other day." Andrew asked, squeezing her hand again.

"No, who." Colleen questioned curiously.

"Patrick Collins." Andrew replied.

"Patrick Collins!" Colleen exclaimed in surprise. "Why would you ever think about him. I'm trying to forget him."

"Actually, I consider myself completely indebted to Patrick Collins." Andrew confessed, glancing at Colleen.

The puzzled look on her face deepened as she exclaimed, "Why?"

Andrew smiled and explained, "Because if he hadn't have come to town and started trying to court you, then I probably would have taken a lot longer to confess my feelings for you. Just the thought that someone else might steal your heart first prompted me into action."

"But, I had already told Patrick to leave me alone, that I didn't want to see him again." Colleen pointed out.

"That's true." Andrew nodded, "but who knows about the next time. I'm sure there's been a few young fellows eager to pay you closer attention. I couldn't risk losing you to another fellow who was bolder at expressing his feelings. You might has well have ripped my heart out of my chest if that had of happened."

Colleen smiled at him and reached up with her other hand to gently touch his face. Andrew caught the hand and pressed it to his lips.

"I love you, Colleen Cooper." he whispered.

"I love you, too, Andrew Cook." she whispered back. Andrew leaned in and kissed her on the lips.

"I must admit," Colleen began, picking up the tail end of the last conversation after they had pulled back from the kiss. "That Patrick Collins did turn my head for a little while. But it was mostly because he had me so confused. I knew I had very strong feelings for you, and I missed you dreadfully when I was at school. Then when Patrick came and was showing me so much attention, not that I started feeling anything for him really, he just had me all jumbled up. But then after you took me on that picnic, everything cleared. It was as if I had been in a fog and couldn't see anything around me, but then we had that wonderful picnic and the fog cleared and then all I could see was you. After that I knew what I wanted, I wanted you."

Andrew smiled at her lovingly, then he exclaimed, as if suddenly remembering. "I have something for you." He fished into his pocket and pulled out the box. He handed it to her. "Open it."

Colleen smiled as she opened the box. Inside, nestled against the green velvet box, was a beautiful silver locket and chain. "Oh, Andrew. It's beautiful!" She exclaimed in delight.

"Look inside." He prompted. Colleen opened the locket. On the inside were two pictures, one of her family and one of Andrew. "Now you can take us with you wherever you go."

Colleen looked at him with tears in his eyes. "Its wonderful, Andrew. Thank you."

Andrew smiled back at her, "You're welcome."

When they arrived at the hotel, Andrew tied his horse and buggy to the hitching rail next to the clinic and helped Colleen down. Together they went into the clinic. A pair of curious eyes followed them from across the yard.

"Excuse me." the young woman asked the waiter who was pouring her a cup of tea. "Do you know who that is with Dr. Cook?"

The waiter turned and looked towards the clinic just as Colleen and Andrew were entering. Turning back to the young woman he smiled brightly. "That's Colleen Cooper."

Miss Douglas looked at him in surprise, "You don't mean to tell me that she's Matthew Cooper's 'little sister'?"

"I suppose you could say that. Both she and Katie are younger than Matthew and he only has two sisters." The waiter replied.

"Do you know the Cooper family well?" Miss Douglas pressed.

"Yes, miss." The waiter nodded.

"Tell me about them." Miss Douglas requested.

"Well, about seven years ago their real ma, Mrs. Charlotte Cooper died of a rattlesnake bite. Dr. Quinn, the doctor from town, tried to save her, but she didn't have the proper medicine or something. She had only just arrived in town a short time before and was just getting her practice established. After Mrs. Cooper died, Dr. Quinn took on the responsibility of raising the Cooper children."

"What did her husband think of that?" Miss Douglas asked curiously.

"At the time, Dr. Quinn wasn't married. In fact she had just recently lost her fiancee in the war. That's one of the things that prompted her to leave Boston, I believe." The waiter replied.

"But why would a single woman take on the responsibility of three children?" Miss Douglas mused, amazed.

"Apparently it was Mrs. Cooper's dying request that Dr. Quinn take in the children. Dr. Mike was very hesitant at first, but she's done such a wonderful job with them."

"What about their father?" The thought suddenly struck the young woman.

"Their father was a no good, selfish devil." The waiter replied, his face darkening at the thought of Ethan Cooper. "Anyway, about three years ago Dr. Mike and her new fiancee, Sully, legally adopted the Cooper children. Mr. Cooper, after trying to steal them away, finally agreed to giving up any custody to the Sullys."

"Do they have any contact with their father?" The young woman asked.

The waiter shook his head. "I don't believe so. I think they prefer it that way. They want nothing to do with the man that caused them so much hurt. I mean, you should have seen the looks on everyone's face when Ethan and his new wife tried to take them away. Colleen and Brian looked like they were going to their deaths and Matthew, Dr. Mike and Sully looked like they were about to be torn apart with the grief of losing them."

"How come Matthew didn't go too?" The young woman looked surprised.

"Matthew was old enough that he didn't have to go if he didn't want to, but Brian and Colleen were still too young to be allowed that decision." The waiter explained, then smiled, "Anyway, it worked out alright in the end. And the Cooper children are doing marvelously well. Matthew was the town's sheriff for a while until he gave it up to study law. His little brother, Brian still goes to school, but he writes articles for the town's paper in his spare time. He's a mighty fine writer if you ask me."

"And what about Miss Cooper?" Miss Douglas pressed, curious about her possible rival for Dr. Cook's attentions.

"Colleen, well, she's going to college right now. She's got her hopes set on going to Medical school like her adopted Ma." The waiter replied, smiling happily.

"She wants to be a doctor?" Miss Douglas exclaimed in surprise, a smile on her face. "That's why she spends time with Dr. Cook. He must be helping her with her studies."

The waiter nodded, but then smiled, "Oh, he does help her with her studies, alright enough, but that's not why she spends time with Dr. Cook. At least that's not the whole reason."

"Its not?" Miss Douglas looked at him questioningly.

"Nope. She spends time with him because she's Dr. Cook's sweetheart." The waiter smiled delightedly.

"Dr. Cook's sweetheart!" The young woman's heart sank to her stomach. "How long have they been sweethearts?"

"I don't rightly know." The waiter admitted, "Though I don't think I'd be too far off in saying that they've been sweet on each other ever since the day Dr. Cook arrived in Colorado Springs some two years ago."

"I see." Miss Douglas commented, her mood darkening.

"Will there be anything else, miss?" The waiter asked pleasantly.

"No, thank you." She smiled back tightly, then glanced back towards the clinic.

"So, who is your first patient?" Colleen asked as she took a seat beside Andrew's desk. Andrew, who was sitting at the chair in front of the desk looked at his schedule. Then he groaned.

"Miss Douglas." he replied, his face grimacing.

"Who's Miss Douglas?" Colleen asked, noting the reaction.

"She's the daughter of Owen Douglas, a rich business man from Boston." Andrew exclaimed. "She's been in here at least twice a day ever since she arrived, complaining of numerous different illnesses. Yesterday she came in with the symptoms of a catarrh, the first real sickness I could find since she came. Even then, it wasn't terribly severe because I notice she always seems to be up and about."

"You must find it very frustrating dealing with people who don't have real medical problems." Colleen commented, boldly laying her hand on the one Andrew had laying on the desk.

Andrew smiled and turned his hand to grasp hers. "If it wasn't for being able to help your mother at the clinic once in a while I'd start calling myself a baby-sitter instead of a doctor."

Colleen smiled sympathetically. Andrew, smiling back, leaned over to kiss her smiling lips. Colleen met him part way and the two became so lost in their kiss that they didn't hear the door open to admit their first patient.

"Ahem." Miss Douglas cleared her throat. They still didn't seem to hear her. "Ahem!" She said, louder. Andrew and Colleen separated and looked up at her in surprise.

"Oh, excuse me, Miss Douglas." Andrew apologized, his face flushing warmly as he stood to his feet. Colleen rose also, her face red from embarrassment. Andrew introduced the two ladies, "Miss Douglas, I'd like you to meet my colleague, Miss Colleen Cooper. Colleen, this is Miss Douglas."

"I'd say she's more than just your colleague, Dr. Cook." Miss Douglas smiled mischievously. Then looking at Colleen she held out her hand, "Patricia Douglas." Colleen accepted the hand and smiled in acknowledgment. "So, you're a doctor are you?"

Colleen blushed and replied, "Not yet. I still have another couple years of studies before I get my degree."

"So, you're just a medical student?" Patricia commented, eyeing Colleen carefully.

"Yes, I guess you could say that." Colleen nodded.

Andrew, not liking the way Patricia was treating Colleen, asked, "What seems to be the problem today?"

Patricia listed off a bunch of symptoms, Andrew listened carefully, then checked her pulse, her heart and her reflexes. Then he went to get a bottle of one of the many tonics that Preston insisted on stocking the clinic with. Andrew hated them, knowing they had no medical benefit, but when people came in with invisible sicknesses, he couldn't very well prescribe them real medicines.

"Take a teaspoon of this twice a day." Andrew instructed, "And you'll start to feel better."

"Thank you very much, Dr. Cook." Patricia gushed and clutched the bottle to her. She got down off the examination table and commented. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I've never had so many sicknesses in such a short time in my life."

"Well, hopefully this will cure it." Andrew replied.

"Good day, Dr. Cook." Miss Douglas smiled, then turning to Colleen she commented. "You can learn a lot from him. Men make such good doctors."

Colleen looked at Andrew in quiet disbelief after the door was closed. The two of them suddenly burst out laughing.

"You know for somebody with pneumonia she sure looks pretty lively." Colleen finally commented. Andrew nodded in agreement.

"Now you understand why she is such an annoying patient?" Andrew replied, "I mean, what does she do? Read the symptoms from a medical book then say she has them?"

Colleen shook her head, "I don't know."

"I mean look at this." Andrew laughed, picking up a medical file that was lying on his desk. "Since she arrived last Friday I've treated her for a strained back, malaria, sunstroke, measles, typhoid, influenza, diphtheria, catarrh, and now pneumonia."

"Maybe you should treat her for being medically insane!" Colleen laughed.

About five o'clock Andrew and Colleen finally closed up the clinic. It had been a pretty interesting afternoon. Colleen just shook her head after each patient left, unable to believe the reasons people came to see Andrew for.

"I can't believe that guy came to you because he insists that the hotel food is causing him to bloat, making his clothes way to tight." Colleen laughed. "I mean, I'm sorry, but that guy does not weigh 198 pounds normally. 298, maybe!"

Andrew laughed with her. It was so nice to have her there. He watched her as she made a couple of notations in the files on his desk. She looked completely at home working in his little clinic. Andrew thought again to the parcel from Boston that was taking so long to arrive. He thought for a moment about forgetting about waiting for it and just ask her the question that's been on the tip of his tongue for months.

"There," Colleen finally exclaimed as she set down her pen. "That's finished." She stood up from the desk and walked towards the filing cabinet. "So, are you about ready to leave?"

Andrew was still debating what to do. He took a deep breath, "In a minute." He finally said. "I want to talk to you about something first."

Colleen looked at him in surprise. "Is everything alright?" She asked as he walked towards her.

"Everything's fine." Andrew smiled. "I just have something I want to say, that's all." He stepped closer to her and gently put his hands on her arms. "I-I want to tell you how much I-I care about you. You mean everything to me." Colleen smiled happily.

"You mean everything to me, too, Andrew." Colleen returned the sentiment.

Andrew reached up with one hand and touched her face. "My darling sweet Colleen. I was such a fool to wait so long to tell you my true feelings. A fool to ever doubt that you felt the same. I thought I could see it in yours eyes, but then I would begin thinking I had only imagined it."

"I thought the same about you." Colleen told him. "I was afraid I was only dreaming it."

"I love you so much my darling Colleen." Andrew told her.

"I love you too, Andrew." Then Andrew leaned forward and kissed her. They parted, smiling lovingly at each other and then leaned in for another.

Just then the door opened and in walked Preston Lodge. Andrew and Colleen looked up in surprise and Andrew pulled back from Colleen.

"Ah, Preston...what can I...we...do for you?" He stammered, his face flushing in embarrassment.

Preston, his face locked in a grim expression and asked sarcastically, "Are you feeling better now, Miss Cooper?"

"Better, Mr. Lodge?" Colleen asked in a puzzled tone.

"Well, I assumed you must have been ill, or stopped breathing since Dr. Cook here seemed to be attempting to breath air into your lungs." Mr. Lodge commented crisply.

"I-I'm fine, sir." Colleen stammered, blushing hotly.

Andrew, feeling dreadfully sorry for her, looked at Preston and inquired firmly. "What would you like, Preston?"

"I wanted to warn you that I will not tolerate such conduct in my clinic." Preston informed him. "I had one guest come in and complain to me already today about a little scene she walked in on earlier this afternoon."

Miss Douglas! Andrew thought bitterly.

"Now, I think it might be a good idea if Colleen didn't come by and help you in the clinic. I hired you to be the hotel doctor. She was not part of the bargain." Preston informed him.

Andrew looked at Colleen apologetically, but then looked at Preston and said, "I'm sorry, Preston, but I can't agree to that. Colleen is of invaluable use to me here and I am more than happy to have her assistance. Now, if you don't want Colleen here, then you don't want me here either. Because I won't work without her being able to help from time to time."

Preston looked at Andrew and was going to argue, but seeing, with much surprise, the determination in Andrew's manner he nodded reluctantly. "Alright, she can help." Then he pointed a finger at Andrew, "But if I hear one more complaint of inappropriate conduct here in the clinic, then she's banned from coming here, understand?"

"I understand." Andrew nodded his head.

Preston gave the two of them one more harsh look and then turned and left the clinic.

"Woo!" Andrew breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Colleen. Apologetically he said, "I'm terribly sorry about that."

Colleen shook her head. "It's not your fault."

"Sure it is." Andrew said. "I'm the one that kissed you."

"Yeah, but you didn't know Preston or Miss Douglas were going to walk in a see you." Colleen smiled kindly. Andrew looked at her gratefully. She wasn't going to hold it against him. "And besides," her eyes took on a mischievous sparkle, "I didn't exactly stop you now did I?"

"Come on, lets get out of here." Andrew smiled, picking up her shawl and draping it over her shoulders, and unable to resist, placed a lingering kiss on the top of her head.

The two of them didn't notice the pair of dark eyes that followed them from the clinic to Andrew's waiting buggy where Andrew helped Colleen up and then climbed in beside her. The two were oblivious of the anger that was directed towards Colleen as the young woman observed her loop her arm through Andrew's and settle in for a nice ride home.

"So, you finally decided to make it home did you." Sully teased as Colleen and Andrew came in the front door of the homestead.

Colleen smiled brightly, "Yeah, we got tired of listening to whiny old rich folk."

"Did you bring your father with you Andrew?" Michaela asked as she set a fork on the table.

"Father!" Andrew exclaimed, striking his forehead with his palm as Colleen looked at him in horror. "Oh, no!"

A gay laugh behind them caused both to turn around. There, standing behind one of the chairs by the fireplace stood a chuckling Edward Cook.

"It's a good job I have other people to rely on." He quipped good naturedly.

Andrew blushed and said apologetically. "Sorry Father, I guess it just slipped my mind. With everything going on at the clinic..."

"...and a sweet little lady taking most of your attention." Finished Mr. Cook mischievously.

Andrew and Colleen looked at each other and blushed. But then Andrew boldly put his arm around Colleen's shoulders and hugged her to him, saying, "Well, do you blame me?"

Everyone laughed heartily and then Michaela invited everyone to sit down to eat.

The evening went by well. Colleen was happy for the chance to get to know Andrew's father a little better. She was very conscious of the desire she had to be approved by him.

"So, how much longer are you staying at the hotel, Mr. Cook?" Colleen asked as she past around pieces of pie and cups of tea.

"I leave tomorrow afternoon. I have to be in Denver by Monday for the conference and I would like to have a chance to get familiar with the area and where the conference is being held in relation to where I'm staying." Edward replied, taking the offered dessert from Colleen's hands.

"It's a shame you haven't had much of a chance to visit with Andrew." Colleen commented, taking a seat beside her sweetheart on the rug before the fire.

Edward watched Andrew and Colleen for a moment before he replied, "Well, that may be true, but I have spent enough time with him to see how truly happy my son is with his new life here in Colorado Springs. And I am very pleased to see that he has found such a wonderful young lady to share it with." Colleen blushed hotly and lowered her gaze as Andrew proudly put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

When the clock announced it to be ten o'clock Andrew and his father rose to take their leave.

"Thank you so much, Michaela for the wonderful meal." Edward Cook thanked pleasantly. "It was a great evening."

"Your very welcome, Edward." She smiled and shook hands friendly with him.

"Sully, it was a pleasure to meet you." He extended his hand to the other man kindly.

"Come again. You're always welcome, anytime your in town." Sully offered.

"Thank you. Matthew, Brian, you take care of that adorable little sister of yours." He smiled, tickling the little girl that lay on Matthew's shoulder, half asleep.

Both Matthew and Brian smiled and nodded as they shook hands with the kindly man.

Edward then turned to speak to Colleen, but found she was not where she had been a few moments before. Surprise washed over his face as he looked at Michaela and Sully.

"She went out to say 'good-night' to Andrew." Sully explained with a smile.

Edward smiled knowingly. "Well, then, maybe I should give them a few minutes then."

Mr. Cook remained inside and talked further with Dr. Mike and Sully while Andrew and Colleen wandered arm-in-arm towards where Andrew's buggy was tied.

"It was a wonderful day." Colleen smiled, looking up at the star filled sky.

"Yes it was." Andrew agreed, looking only at Colleen. "I can't tell you how happy I am to have you home with me." Colleen looked at him and blushed. "I have missed you...more than I could ever express."

"I've missed you too, Andrew." Colleen admitted, looking up into Andrew's dark eyes.

Andrew stopped walking and turned to face her. He reached around and wrapped his arms about her slender waist and pulled her to him. "I love you, Colleen." He whispered to her.

"I love you too, Andrew." She whispered back, her lips breaking in a smile as she said the words. Then, he leaned forward and gave her a kiss. It lasted for several moments as he willed her to feel all the love he possessed for her. When they pulled away Colleen's eyes were sparkling like the thousands of stars that were shinning above their heads.

"You certainly know how to take a girl's breath away, Dr. Cook." She smiled teasingly. Andrew smiled back and leaned in for another kiss.

It was then, with the two young lovers locked in a loving embrace, that Edward Cook opened the door of the Sully homestead. Andrew and Colleen were completely oblivious to the five pairs of eyes that were watching them curiously from the front porch, until a few moments later when they pulled away from each other. Colleen was the first to notice them and at first her instinct was to jump away from Andrew. But then she decided that there was nothing to be embarrassed about. She and Andrew were in love and they were showing each other that love in a perfectly respectful way. They didn't have to hide it, especially not from their families. So, she stood there, smiling, perfectly happy in Andrew's warm embrace.

Andrew sighed happily as Colleen leaned her head against his chest. When he'd noticed Michaela, Sully, Brian, Matthew and his father standing on the porch watching them, he wasn't sure how Colleen would react. He expected her to pull away from him, embarrassed. But when she didn't and instead pressed herself a little closer to him, he couldn't help but smile. It overjoyed him that she was no longer embarrassed by a public display of their affection, at least in front of their families. To him it meant that their love for each other was getting stronger and stronger, even though they spent a lot of time miles apart.

"Well, son." Edward Cook smiled as he descended the stairs off the front porch of the Sully home. "I hate to break up this touching little scene, but I am ready to go to sleep."

"Yes, Father." Andrew nodded and hugged Colleen one more time before pushing her from him.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, my dear." Edward said, taking her hand in his. "You take care of yourself and make sure this son of mine behaves himself. If he gives you any trouble, you let me know."

Colleen laughed gaily and wrapped her free arm around Andrew's waist affectionately. "I can't imagine him being too much trouble."

"Well, one never can tell." He teased, looking at the two of them, their arms wrapped lovingly around each other. Dr. Quinn was right. They do make a wonderful couple. After pressing Colleen's hand one more time, he turned and climbed into Andrew's buggy. Colleen walked Andrew over to the other side of the wagon and waited while he climbed in.

"How about a picnic tomorrow afternoon?" Andrew asked her as he picked up the reigns.

Colleen smiled brightly. "I'd love to."

"Great!" Andrew smiled back. "I'll pick you up at the clinic after the train leaves." After reaching down and touching Colleen's face lightly, Andrew hit the reigns on the back of the horse and headed back to the hotel.

"So, what did you think of Colleen?" Andrew asked his father as they followed the road that lead them from the Sully homestead to the Chateau.

"I think she is a very fine young lady." Edward Cook replied enthusiastically. "And I think she is well suited for you. I think your mother will be so proud when I convey the good news to her."

"Good, I'm glad you approve." Andrew smiled delightedly. "Because I'm planning on asking Colleen to be my wife."

Edward grin turned mischievous. "And what if she doesn't accept."

Andrew looked at him through the darkness with a horrified expression on his face. Mr. Cook, catching the look by moonlight laughed heartily. "I'm only teasing, son." He assured his shocked offspring. "I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that your young lady will whole-heartedly except your proposal. So, should I convey the engagement to your mother as well?"

"You'd better wait until its official. I don't want to risk something going wrong." Andrew replied. "I'll send a telegram after she accepts."

Mr. Cook laughed but nodded his consent.

At twelve-thirty the next afternoon, Andrew stood on the train platform wishing his father a safe trip.

"Well be expecting to hear from you very soon." Mr. Cook laughed joyously as he shook Andrew's hand.

"You will." Andrew smiled. "Give my love to Mother."

"I will." Mr. Cook nodded and turned to board the train.

"Mr. Cook!" A voice suddenly shouted causing him to turn around again. His face broke into a huge smile as he saw Colleen rushing across the platform towards him.

"Colleen!" He greeted warmly. Colleen returned the greeting with a warm smile of her own.

"I just wanted to say good-bye." She said, extending her hand towards the older gentleman. The man took the hand and shook it. "I..." She paused and blushed. "I also want to thank you for allowing Andrew to come out here to Colorado Springs. I will always be deeply indebted to you for it."

Mr. Cook's eyes softened and his smile became even warmer then before. "And I am deeply indebted to you, Miss Cooper, for seeing that my son is so well taken care of. Knowing that he has you in his life could bring me no greater joy." And with that he impulsively gave Colleen a warm, fatherly embrace. Colleen, surprised, but delighted to be so warmly welcomed by Andrew's father, returned the embrace. Mr. Cook released her with a quick peck on the cheek. Andrew, also surprised by his father's sudden display of affection, stepped closer to the two and placed his hands lovingly on Colleen's shoulders. Edward Cook looked at the two of them and smiled.

"You take care of each other, you hear." He admonished.

Colleen, tilting her head back so she could see Andrew's face, reached up and put her hand over one of the one's resting on her shoulders. "We will." She promised.

Edward smiled and said, "I'm sure you will." With a final smile he turned and boarded the train.

After they watched the train pull out of the station, Andrew leaned down and whispered in Colleen's ear.

"Shall we go on our little outing?"

Colleen turned her face up to see him and smiled her agreement. Andrew, surprising both himself and Colleen, bent down and kissed the upturned face. When they parted, Colleen's smile grew even wider than before.

"Let's go then." They turned and walked arm-in-arm towards Andrew's buggy.

Preston walked along the wooden boardwalk towards the clinic. In his hand he clutched a parcel addressed to Dr. Andrew Cook at the Hot Springs Chateau and Health Resort, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The return address was a jewelry store in Boston, a very expensive jewelry store in Boston as Preston's memory served him. Curiosity as to the contents of the box caused Preston to deliver the package personally.

When he reached the clinic door and opened it he found a sole young lady sitting on the examination table, apparently waiting.

"Miss Douglas?" Preston stated in surprise. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize Dr. Cook had any patients yet. He doesn't usually schedule afternoon patients until about 2 o'clock."

"I didn't make an appointment." Miss Douglas admitted. "I just dropped by hoping to catch him between patients. I just had something I wished to discuss with him."

"He's not here?" Preston asked, looking around the room after finally stepping inside the room.

"No, not yet. But I thought I'd wait for him to return. It shouldn't be long." Miss Douglas commented then explained, "I overheard him telling a waiter in the restaurant this morning that he was taking someone to the train station for the 12:30 train and then coming back for lunch. He wanted the waiter to have a lunch made up, I gather so he could eat it here."

Preston nodded, "Could be." Then he sighed, a little disappointedly.

"Did you want to see Dr. Cook for something?" The young lady asked after hearing the sigh.

"Oh, nothing important. This package was delivered for him and I wanted to give it to him." Preston explained, holding up the parcel.

"If you want to leave it on his desk, I'll see to it that he gets it." Miss Douglas offered. Preston hesitated, then nodded. He'd just come back later and find out what was in it. He walked over to the desk and place the box on top of a stack of patient files.

"If I see Andrew I'll tell him you're waiting to see him, Miss Douglas." Preston commented before exiting the clinic.

After Preston had been gone a few moments, Miss Douglas got down off the examination table and wandered over to the doctor's desk. She casually fingered papers, then noticed telegrams tacked on the edge of the shelves that stood on top of the desk. Curiously she read them, noting that they were all from this 'Colleen Cooper' she'd met yesterday. She then spied a framed photograph of Colleen sitting on Andrew's desk. Picking it up she noticed that Colleen had signed it, My darling Andrew, you're always in my heart. Your loving, Colleen. Setting the picture down, the young woman brushed her fingers lightly against the desks contents until they reached the parcel Preston had delivered. Then, boldly she picked it up and read the return address. 'Wescott Jewelers, Boston.'

"Wow, that's a pretty fancy store." she commented aloud. She turned the package over and over, trying to figure out what it was. Then, curiosity getting the better of her, she finally ripped open the brown paper and discarded it back onto the desk. However, the paper, hitting the corner of the desk, fell onto the floor, landing beside the waste basket. Carefully, she opened the lid and gasped at what she saw. It was a ring. A beautiful ring. It was a gold band with three stones set into it. The center on was a diamond, its brilliance dancing merrily in the sunlight the clinic windows were admitting. The other two stones were gorgeous emeralds. It was a spectacular ring.

"This must be Colleen's engagement ring!" she realized, her heart sinking to the pit of her stomach. Ever since Patricia Douglas had arrived at the Hot Springs Chateau and had first seen Dr. Andrew Cook she had been infatuated with him. He was so handsome, so mannerly, and so very kind. She had been trying to do everything she could think of to get his attention. But, his attention was not easy to attract. She had wondered deeply about this. Back home in Boston, she had had very little trouble attracting any young man's attention. Usually they were falling all over themselves to please her. But after a week of trying, and failing, to claim Dr. Cook's undivided attention, she began to fear she was loosing her touch. But then yesterday she had learned that the reason this handsome young doctor had been paying her no mind was that he already had a sweetheart. A sweetheart that, as far as Patricia could see, had captured not only his attention, but also his heart, soul and mind. And now, as Patricia looked down again at the ring she held in her hand, she realized that this 'Colleen' was also going to have his hand - his hand in marriage. Suddenly bitter jealousy reared its ugly head and Patricia firmly and selfishly decided not to let that happen. If she couldn't have Dr. Andrew Cook, then neither could Colleen Cooper. Shoving the ring into her handbag and grabbing up her parasol, she marched firmly and determinedly out the clinic door.

"I'll just quickly run inside and get a blanket from the clinic and the lunch from the kitchen and I'll be right back." Andrew explained as he helped Colleen out of the buggy.

Colleen laughed at his excitement and nodded. As Andrew went inside to do as he said, Colleen wandered the gardens to the side of the chateau. She sat down on a bench and realized that this was the bench where she and Andrew had shared their first kiss. She remembered the way her heart beat so quickly as he had asked her to be partners with him at the clinic and how she thought it was going to come right through her chest when he leaned towards her to kiss her. She wished she could have told him then how much she loved him. She wished the two of them hadn't been so shy about their feelings for each other.

Oh, well. She smiled happily. At least we know now. She started thinking of all the little ways Andrew had shown his love for her over the last year. When the Dog Soldiers had come through the town, shooting it up, Andrew held her and Katie tightly until the shooting stopped. Then, after checking one of the army's Indian spies and finding him dead, rushed back to her and held her and a crying Katie close to him, as if afraid that something horrible would happen to them if he let go. Then he offered to stay with her at the clinic to make sure that she and Katie would be alright. Colleen could tell he had a strong desire to protect her from the harms of the world. Then, during the diphtheria epidemic and Colleen had lost her best friend, Becky and then her Aunt Marjorie, it was Andrew's arms she found comfort in. Andrew who had let her weep against him. Showing his love with every soft word, with every gentle touch.

And then when Patrick Collins had arrived and caused her world to spin out of control, it was Andrew that gave her back her equilibrium; Andrew who made her whole turmoiled world calm again. Then when Patrick realized where her affections lied and had treated her in the most ungentlemanly way, it was Andrew who had defended her. Andrew who had saved her from harm. Colleen smiled as she realized how lucky she was to have him, and how much she loved him.

"Good-afternoon, Miss Cooper." a voice brought her out of her revelry with a start. Looking up she saw Miss Douglas standing in front of her.

"Miss Douglas, hello." She greeted with a smile, then patting the place beside her on the bench, added, "Please, have a seat."

Miss Douglas obeyed. "I noticed you out here alone and almost sad looking. I wondered if there was something wrong."

Colleen blushed, her past thinking catching up with her. "No, I was just thinking. Daydreaming actually."

"Oh, I see. Good dreams I hope." She commented, eyeing the other girl curiously.

Colleen blushed again and nodded.

"Well, that's good." Miss Douglas smiled. Then, spying Andrew coming out of the kitchen with a picnic basket and then turn and head for the clinic, lowered her voice and finally got to her point. "Miss Cooper, I know that you are sweet on Dr. Cook, I've heard it said that the two of you are sweethearts." Colleen was too startled at the girls demeanor to blush, "Well, I just want to give you fair warning that I also think your doctor friend is very charming and that I intend to claim him for my own. I intend to battle you for his affections and show him that I am the better prize." She eyed Colleen from head to foot. "A much better prize."

Colleen's chocolate eyes went very wide and her voice caught in her throat. "But...but...he doesn't love you." She finally blurted out.

"What does love have to do with it?" Patricia commented, fluttering her eyelashes coquettishly. Colleen couldn't even think of how to reply, she was in such shock. "I'll bet you that I can get him to kiss me."

"N-Never...he would never..." Colleen stuttered angrily.

Miss Douglas looked up and spotted Andrew coming towards them. "Here comes that handsome doctor now. Let the games begin." And with that she was gone. Colleen stared after her, her eyes still wide in shock and sparking with anger.

"Colleen!" Andrew called for the third time, finally he reached over and shook her shoulder.

Colleen jumped and looked at him in surprise. "Oh, Andrew. I'm sorry. I guess I didn't hear you coming."

He looked down into Colleen's white face, confusion and fear showing in her wide eyes. Concerned, he put the basket and the blanket down and joined her on the bench. He took her hands in his. They were cold and trembling. "Are you alright? What's happened?"

Colleen, shaking her head in disbelief, "I'm not sure. I don't understand it myself."

"Are you ill?" Andrew asked, examining her face carefully.

Colleen shook her head again. "No, I'm just in shock."

"About what?" Andrew pressed, his brow creasing in concern.

"I can't tell you here. Lets go on our picnic and I'll tell you there." Colleen promised.

"Okay." Andrew agreed, raising up from the bench and pulling Colleen up with him. He grabbed the basket and she picked up the blanket.

They started walking towards the trail at the side of the hotel that lead to the woods, when Colleen suddenly stopped and requested, "Can we go to that spot where we had that picnic where you read me Shakespeare."

Andrew looked at her in mild surprise, then nodded. They loaded the basket and the blanket into his buggy and then climbed in.

"So, can you tell me what this is all about now?" Andrew asked as they sat on the blanket in the warm afternoon sun.

"Patricia Douglas." Colleen replied, unpacking the basket.

"Patricia Douglas?" Andrew raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Colleen nodded. "She came over to me while you were in the hotel and told me that she's heard it said that we are sweethearts." Andrew smiled and reached out to grasp her hand. "But that she wanted to give me fair warning that she thinks you are very charming and that she intends to claim you as her own. She said she intends to battle me for your affections and show you that she's a much better prize than I am."

"What did you say?" Andrew asked, grasping her hand tighter.

"I was so shocked that I could hardly speak. Finally I blurted out that you don't love her."

"What did she say?"

"She said, What does love have to do with it? Then she fluttered her eyelashes and added, I'll bet you that I can get him to kiss me."

"Never! I would never kiss her!" Andrew exclaimed angrily.

"That's what I said, but she looked very sure of herself." Colleen commented, her eyes filled with distress.

Andrew moved closer to her on the blanket. "Colleen, you have my promise that I will never kiss anyone but you. I love you far too much to risk losing you in such a hurtful way." Colleen smiled into Andrew's eyes.

"I love you too, Dr. Andrew Cook. I don't know what I'd ever do if I lost you."

Andrew leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. When they pulled away Andrew whispered softly. "I'm not going anywhere."

It was a little after two o'clock when Andrew finally arrived back at the clinic. He whistled happily as he climbed the steps and entered the clinic. He had dropped Colleen off in town so she could check on Dr. Mike and see if she needed any help at the clinic.

He sat at his desk to see if any patient files needed updating, then smiled contentedly when he noticed they were all completed in Colleen's neat penmanship. He picked up the files and put them in the file drawer at the back of the room. Then he turned around and tried to figure out what to do next. He decided to take a few minutes and clean the instruments. He always gave them a wash after using them, but every so often he liked to give them a more through disinfecting.

Andrew was cleaning the last of his instruments when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in." he invited. The door opened and Preston walked into the room. The smell of the disinfectant Andrew was using hit his nose as he entered, causing it to wrinkle in disgust.

"What is that offensive smell?" he demanded, closing the door behind him.

"Disinfectant." Andrew replied simply.

"What for?" Preston inquired sharply.

"For cleaning the medical instruments." Andrew explained, picking up the tray and putting it away.

"Well, try not to do it before any patients come in." Preston ordered, "It's a horrible smell."

"What can I do for you, Preston?" Andrew inquired, turning toward the man.

Preston smiled and confessed, "I must admit that curiosity got the better of me and I had to find out what was in that parcel that you received earlier."

Andrew looked at him puzzled. "Parcel? What parcel? I didn't get any parcel."

"Yes you did. I dropped it off for you just after it arrived." Preston insisted.

Andrew looked at his desk and then on the other shelves and counters in the room. "I don't see it." He replied.

"I left it on your desk. You hadn't returned yet from taking your father to the train station. Miss Douglas was sitting on the examination table waiting for you." Preston told him.

Suddenly a thought struck Andrew. "This parcel, how big was it?"

"Oh, not very big. Maybe this size." Preston showed him how large with his fingers.

Suddenly fear seized Andrew. "Colleen's ring! She took Colleen's ring!"

"Colleen's ring?" Preston repeated aghast. "Andrew what are you talking about?" But by then Andrew had already flung open the clinic door and was making his way along the verandah. Seething with anger Andrew spotted Patricia Douglas enjoying tea at one of the outdoor tables.

"Miss Douglas." He said as he approached her.

"Dr. Cook." She greeted and smiled, obviously delighted. "Would you care to join me for a cup of tea?"

Andrew shook his head and replied impatiently. "Do you happen to know what happened to the little package that Preston left at the clinic for me?"

"Package?" She repeated in a puzzled tone. "What package?"

"The small package that Preston dropped off earlier this afternoon." Andrew stated tersely. "He told me you were in the clinic when he dropped it off and now its nowhere to be seen."

"Dr. Cook, I'm afraid I have no idea what your talking about." She replied hautily as she took a sip of her tea.

Frustrated, Andrew ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck. He was about to insist further when he noticed something on the young lady's hand. He grabbed her hand, causing her to drop her tea cup on the ground, smashing it into millions of pieces.

"Dr. Cook!" She exclaimed in surprise.

"Where did you get this ring?" He demanded angrily.

Fear flickered momentarily in the young woman's eyes, but that fear quickly turned to hauty anger. "My sweetheart gave it to me." She replied, trying to remove her hand from Andrew's firm grip. Suddenly Andrew grabbed the ring and forced it off her finger. "Ow!" She cried, standing to her feet in her anger. "How dare you!"

Andrew ignored her and quickly examined the ring more closely. On the inside of the band was inscribed, just as he had requested, For my dearest Colleen. Andrew looked at the young woman with such anger and disgust that she almost shrank back in fear.

"How could you?" He snarled rudely. "How could you steal and lie like that?"

"I did it for your own good!" She defended, lifting her chin defiantly.

"For my own good?" Andrew exclaimed in shock.

"I was trying to save you from making a dreadful mistake." Miss Douglas explained. "That Colleen is nowhere near good enough for you. She's just a country hayseed. She's ill-mannered and unrefined. She's more concerned about her medical studies and becoming a doctor than she is in being a good wife and mother. She's nowhere near your class. I mean come on, even her father abandoned her when she was young. Even he could tell she wasn't going to amount to much. You deserve someone that is of your class, someone with the same type of background and social standing. Someone who will devote their full attention to making you happy and providing you with a happy home and a wonderful life. Someone who is refined and elegant. Someone...someone like me."

"Someone like you?" Andrew spat in disbelief. "Well, I'll be...I never thought that there was anyone in this world more obnoxious and conceited then Preston Lodge, but I do believe he has met his match. You are really something you know that Miss Douglas. You think that just because you have money and that your family has influence in certain areas that you are the most refined and elegant young lady in the world. Well, let me tell you something Miss Patricia Douglas, I loath your ideas of elegance and refinement. And I have no use for people who put such importance on background and social standing."

"Well I never..." Miss Douglas began as she turned to walk away. Andrew, however was not finished and grabbed her arms to keep her from going.

"Now, ever since you got here you've been trying to get to me. You may think I didn't notice, but I'm not that naive. I've seen the little games young woman play to attract a man's attention. But, let me tell you here and now, its not going to work. Now my Colleen may not have grown up in Boston and may not have the background and social standing that you deem so important. But she has much more elegance and refinement then you'll ever have. I love Colleen, I love her with all my heart. I love everything about her, including her love of medicine. And I am looking forward to when she and I will be colleagues in the profession that we both hold dear. And I am also looking forward to making her my partner, not only at the clinic, but my partner in life." Miss Douglas' eyes darkened as he said this. "That's right, Miss Douglas, I'm going to marry Colleen and there's nothing you can do or say that is going to change that!"

Miss Douglas stared silently at him, her eyes wide, then she looked away into the wide open space behind him. Suddenly her eyes seemed to focus on something and her face twisted in hatred. Andrew noticed the change, but before he could see what had caught her attention she suddenly wrenched her arms out of his grip and flung them around his neck, planting a firm kiss on his lips.

"What the...!" He sputtered, pulling back in shock. Shoving her away he demanded angrily, "What do you think your doing?"

"I'm sorry, forgive me." She said in an insincere apology. She glanced back over Andrew's shoulder for a brief moment before adding. "I don't know what came over me." Then picking up her gloves and parasol she turned to Andrew and smiled sweetly. "Good afternoon, Dr. Cook."

Andrew watched her leave, relief mingled with revulsion sweeping over him.

Since Dr. Mike didn't need her at the clinic, Colleen had decided to try to talk to Miss Douglas, to try to make her realize that she was wasting her time trying to get Andrew's affections. That only she, Colleen, held the key to his heart. She hoped that the young woman would be reasonable to deal with.

When she reached the hotel, she dismounted her horse and surrendered it to the man that took the reigns.

"Good day, Miss Cooper." he greeted with a knowing smile.

"Good day, Mr. Larkin." She smiled back before turning to head for the hotel. As she reached the walkway that lead up the front steps she spotted Andrew talking to Patricia Douglas over by the outdoor dinning tables. She noticed Andrew was holding Miss Douglas by the arms, as if trying to prevent her from leaving, and he seemed to be speaking very intently with her. Because Andrew's back was to her, Colleen couldn't see the expression on Andrew's face and she could barely make out the expression on Miss Douglas'. She could make out the murmur of their voices, but couldn't decipher the words. She was about to edge closer when suddenly she saw Patricia fling her arms around Andrew's neck and kiss him intently. At the sight of this Colleen's breath caught in her throat and her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. Then filled with anger and feeling hurt and betrayed she turned on her heels and fled, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks.

Colleen's eyes were puffy and red when she reached her Ma's clinic in town. She jumped from her horse before it had come to a complete stop and threw the reigns over the hitching rail. Then she ran into the clinic, slamming the door behind her.

Two pairs of extremely startled eyes looked over at her. Michaela and Dorothy had been sharing a quiet cup of tea together.

"Colleen, whatever is the matter?" Dr. Mike asked in concern, looking at her teary eyed daughter.

Colleen just continued to sob uncontrollably. Michaela got up and put her arms around the distressed girl. "Come. Come and sit down." She lead her over to the chair she had just vacated and eased her into it. Colleen clung to her mother, tears streaming down her cheeks soaking Michaela's blouse. Michaela and Dorothy looked at each other desperately, neither knowing what to say or do to comfort the grieving girl.

"Colleen, honey." Dorothy began, stroking the girl's shoulder tenderly. "What's happened? What can we do to help?"

Colleen sniffled a couple of times and then between sobs tried to explain. "I...sniff....caught Andrew...sniff...sniff...kissing...Miss Douglas..." The tears then began to flow again.

"You caught Andrew kissing Miss Douglas!?" Michaela exclaimed in complete shock. Colleen nodded her head and wept more profoundly. "Oh, my poor Colleen." Michaela hugged her daughter tighter to her.

Dorothy looked at Michaela, "Who is 'Miss Douglas'?" Michaela shrugged.

Colleen hoarsely replied. "She's a guest...sniff...at the hotel...sniff... sniff...She's from Boston. Her father's a wealthy businessman. Miss Douglas ...sniff...sniff...has been after Andrew's attention ..sniff...sniff... since she got her...sniff...She even told me she was...sniff...going to battle...sniff...sniff...me for his affection....sniff...sniff...Looks like she won!" Colleen started weeping uncontrollably again.

Dorothy shook her head in disbelief. "Are you sure, Colleen? Are you sure it didn't just look like he was kissing her?"

Colleen took a deep breath and sat up. Shaking her head, she explained, "I saw Andrew talking to Miss Douglas outside the hotel." She blew her nose on her handkerchief and continued. "Andrew was saying something to her, I couldn't hear what, but he was holding her by the arms, as if trying to prevent her from leaving." Tears started to trickle down Colleen's cheeks as she finished. "Then, Miss Douglas threw her arms around his neck and they kissed." Colleen looked at her mother with such broken hearted eyes that Michaela felt her own heart breaking for her daughter. "How could he do this to me, Ma? How could he hurt me like this?"

"I don't know, Colleen." Dr. Mike shook her head in confusion. "But it doesn't sound like Andrew. He's not the type to do such a thing. He loves you, of that I have no doubt. There's got to be more to this then there appears."

"Well, I never want to see him again!" Colleen announced, flinging herself into Michaela's arms and crying her heart out. "I hate him! If he loves me, than how could he betray me so!"

Michaela looked at Dorothy over her daughters shaking form. Neither woman knew what to say. Suddenly the door opened and in walked Matthew followed by Brian who was toting a sleeping Katie. Seeing Colleen weeping so desperately in Michaela's arms, Matthew looked at the two older woman with great alarm in his dark eyes.

"What's wrong with Colleen?" Brian asked, concern written all over his young face.

Colleen's only response was more heart wrenching tears.

"Ma?" Brian prompted.

Dr. Mike sighed deeply and replied, "Colleen caught Andrew kissing a Miss Douglas outside the hotel. She's apparently a guest there."

"I met her." Matthew replied, then the situation sunk in and he raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Andrew?" Michaela nodded. The young man knelt by his broken hearted sister and stroked her auburn hair. He shook his head in disbelief and said, "I can't believe Andrew would do this to Colleen. He loves her so much." This statement brought more sobs from Colleen.

"What are we going to do?" Brian asked, coming closer to the group, wanting to help console his beloved sister.

"Were going to get to the bottom of this." Matthew replied angrily. "Nobody is going to get away with hurting my sister." He gave Colleen a kiss on her hair and rose to leave.

"Where are you going, Matthew?" Michaela asked concerned, observing the anger filling her oldest sons being.

"To find Andrew." Matthew replied, donning his hat. "And he'd better have a mighty good explanation for breaking Colleen's heart the way he did."

"Wait Matthew!" Brian stopped him. Matthew turned to look at his young brother. "I'm coming with you." Before Matthew could object he added, "Colleen's my sister too." Matthew nodded and Brian handed Katie to Dorothy and then turned to follow his older brother out. As Matthew opened the door to leave he came face to face with Andrew, who had his hand raised to knock on the door.

"Oh, Matthew." Andrew smiled happily, "you scared me."

"Oh, you haven't seen nothing yet." Matthew replied angrily as he took a determined step towards Andrew.

The young doctor, who was taken aback by Matthew's tone, just gapped at him in surprise.

Suddenly Matthew shoved Andrew backwards by the shoulders and snarled at him. "How could you?" Andrew, fighting to keep his balance, just starred at the other man. "How could you go and break Colleen's heart like that? We trusted you. We took you in like a member of the family and gave you all the trust and respect in the world and this is how you repay us? By betraying my sister? She loved you, she trusted you and then you go and do something like this to her."

"M-Matthew, what are you talking about?" Andrew stuttered in complete shock.

"I'm talking about betraying my sister's trust by kissing another woman in her face!" Matthew replied, shoving Andrew again. Andrew teetered precariously on the edge of the porch. Grabbing the wooden beam beside him he managed to stay upright. He caught a glimpse of Colleen inside the clinic, sobbing uncontrollably in Michaela's arms.

"Matthew, stop it!" Andrew cried in sheer terror and confusion. "I didn't kiss anybody!"

"Oh, come on, don't bother lying. Colleen saw you with her own two eyes." Matthew spat enraged, pointing to the hysterical young woman with her face buried in Dr. Mike's arms. "Are you telling me she just imagined it."

"I don't know!" Andrew exclaimed, looking in the clinic at Colleen, then into the fury filled eyes of her enraged brother. "But I have no idea what your talking about."

"I'm talking about Colleen catching you kissing Patricia Douglas outside the hotel this afternoon." Matthew replied, shoving his finger into Andrew's chest with her word.

Suddenly Andrew's face went white and a realization donned on him. Then his own face grew red with anger. "That little hussy!" He spat angrily. "She did it on purpose! Wait 'till I get my hands on her!" He looked up to see Matthew's face purple with anger.

"How dare you call my sister a 'little hussy'!" Matthew roared, murderous rage showing on his face. Before Andrew could reply Matthew leaped at him and pushed him to the ground.

"Matthew!" Brian screamed in horror as he watched Matthew strike Andrew a couple hard blows to the face. He ran to try to pull his brother off the young doctor. "Matthew stop! Ma! Ma, help, come quick!" Michaela, Dorothy and Colleen came running out of the clinic.

"Matthew!!" They all yelled in horror. As they watched Andrew struggling to keep Matthew from hitting him again.

Colleen put her hands to her face and turned to Dorothy who was standing behind her. Dorothy held the girl close as Michaela tried to help Brian pull Matthew off. But the enraged Matthew paid them no mind. Fortunately Sully, Cloud Dancing and Daniel came around the corner of the clinic and heard the others shouting. Without taking time to assess the situation Sully and Daniel grabbed Matthew and pulled him off Andrew just after Andrew managed to get a slug in to Matthew's jaw.

"Come on!" Matthew yelled, straining against Sully and Daniel as Cloud Dancing helped the young doctor to his feet.

"What on earth is going on here?" Daniel asked, eyeing Matthew and Andrew in confusion.

"Andrew is a lowlife scum. That's what's going on here." Matthew replied vehemently.

"Matthew, what are you talking about?" Sully asked.

"Colleen caught Andrew kissing Patricia Douglas outside the hotel. Out in the open, for the whole world to see." Matthew informed him, taking another step towards Andrew, hatred seeping out of every pore. Daniel and Sully grabbed him before he could lung for Andrew again.

Sully looked at Andrew in surprise, but replied, "There has to be some logical explanation. Why don't we go into the clinic and discuss this reasonably."

Matthew glared at Andrew, wanting nothing else but to lay a punch on Andrew's jaw. But he nodded resignedly. "He'd better have more than a logical explanation."

The whole party filed back into the clinic. Dr. Mike insisted that Andrew and Matthew have their wounds looked after first before anything else was discussed. Colleen watched as Dr. Mike put disinfectant on Andrew's cut and then tears formed again in her eyes. She remembered the last time Andrew had gotten into a fight. It had been for her. He was protecting her from the ungentlemanly advances of Patrick Collins. After the fight, she had taken Andrew into the hotel clinic and cleaned his wound. It was then that Andrew had told her his true feelings for her. She turned and hid her face in Dorothy's chest, tears flowing down her cheeks again. Dorothy put her arms around the distraught girl, having already surrendered Katie back to Brian.

"Okay, now lets find out what happened here." Sully began, slowly and calmly, though he watched the young doctor closely. "I'm sure this is all just a big misunderstanding."

"It had better be." Matthew exclaimed, folding his arms across his chest.

"Andrew, why don't you tell us your version of what happened outside the hotel." Sully prompted, standing directly in front of the young man.

Andrew cleared his throat nervously and cast a glance over at Colleen, who was still clinging to Dorothy. "It all began earlier this afternoon." Andrew began to explain. "A parcel had arrived at the hotel for me, it was something that I had sent to Boston for...a present...for Colleen." He blushed slightly then continued. "Well, when Preston dropped it off at the clinic I wasn't there, but Miss Douglas was. She was supposedly waiting for me to come back for lunch. Anyway, I didn't know that the parcel had arrived until later this afternoon when Preston came in bursting with curiosity to find out what it was. After searching the clinic and not finding any trace of the package I decided to confront Miss Douglas as to its whereabouts. I found her having tea outside in the outdoor dinning area. I went over and confronted her about the missing package. She denied knowing anything about the parcel, until I noticed she was wearing the present I had ordered for Colleen. I became incensed that someone would do such a thing and we got into an argument. She said some very unflattering things about Colleen and I said some very unflattering things about her. I told her that I loved Colleen and that there was nothing that she could say or do to change that."

Andrew cast another glance over at Colleen. She still was not looking his way. "Then, completely out of the blue, she flung her arms around my neck and kissed me."

"She kissed you?" Sully questioned, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Andrew nodded, "I was so shocked. I asked her what she thought she was doing, then she said, very unconvincingly, that she didn't know what came over her. Then she picked up her gloves and parasol and left."

"And that's what happened." Sully stated forcefully. "Truthfully?"

"Truthfully." Andrew assured, then looked straight into Sully's face and added. "I swear to you, Sully." He looked around the room to each and every face. "I swear to all of you, nothing else happened." He got down off the examination table and walked over to Colleen. He put his hand on her shoulder and turned her towards him. "Colleen," he said softly, he put his finger under her chin and lifted her head so she would look at him. "Colleen, I love you. I would never do anything like that to hurt you, I promised you that, remember. I swear to you, I didn't kiss her. And if I had of realized that you had been there when it happened I would have set you straight right then and there. I'm sorry if I broke your heart, but I didn't mean to. Please, don't hate me. Please forgive me."

Tears streamed down Colleen's cheeks again, but this time they were tears of joy. She flung her arms around Andrew's neck and hugged him tightly. "I forgive you." She whispered. Andrew reached up and stroked her soft hair.

"I love you so much." he whispered back.

Everyone else in the room sighed in relief. Matthew, with a very sheepish look on his face moved over to the young couple.

"I owe you a huge apology." He said to Andrew, extending his hand.

"Don't worry about it, Matthew," Andrew replied with a smile, "I don't blame you for wanting to protect her. But I want you to know, for future reference, I'm one of the good guys."

Matthew laughed, "No hard feelings?"

"No hard feelings." Andrew agreed as they shook hands.

Colleen was physically and emotionally drained after her trying afternoon. She went home and after eating supper went directly up to bed.

"I'm so glad to see Colleen happy again." Michaela commented as she took a seat by the fireplace. Sully was sitting in the chair opposite and Brian and Katie were playing on the floor in front of them.

"I tell you, when I came around the corner and saw Matthew on top of Andrew like that I didn't know what was going on." Sully admitted. "Then when I heard what had happened I had to hold back from pouncing on Andrew myself. But I'm glad it was all just a misunderstanding."

"I couldn't see how Andrew could have done something like that to Colleen." Michaela stated. "It just didn't sound like him. He's not like that."

"I know." Sully agreed. "And I think deep down Colleen knew it too, but sometimes the heart gets rule over the head. I'm just glad they've worked it out."

Before either one could make another comment the door opened admitting Matthew and Andrew.

"Andrew!" Michaela exclaimed in surprise. "We didn't expect to see you tonight. I'm afraid Colleen has gone to bed early. She was completely exhausted after this afternoon."

Andrew smiled sadly and replied, "I still feel awful about that. I never meant to hurt her so deeply. I was hoping this afternoon would be joyous, not sorrowful."

"What do you mean?" Michaela asked, gesturing for Andrew to sit down. After Matthew and Andrew had claimed seats across from Sully and Michaela and he explained.

"The present that I received today for Colleen was this." He dug into his pocket and retrieved the ring, which was now nestled in its original box. Miss Douglas had left the box and a very terse note at the clinic for him when he returned. The note only said that she was returning to Boston and that she hoped that he didn't regret the decision that he had made. Andrew, after reading the heartless note, tore it up into a million pieces and scattered them to the wind.

"Oh, Andrew, its beautiful." Michaela admired eagerly.

"You thing she'll like it?" He asked hopefully.

"I'm sure she'll love it." Michaela assured him.

"Good," Andrew smiled, then took a deep breath and added, "because I'd like to ask your permission to ask Colleen to marry me."

Sully and Michaela looked at each other and smiled. They knew that this moment was coming.

"Well, Andrew," Sully began, "Michaela and I are very fond of you, and we think you have been a very good friend to Colleen these last couple years." Sully looked at Michaela and winked slyly. "But Michaela and I think that maybe you should keep your relationship as just very good friends..." Andrew's face dropped in surprise and disappointment, but Sully went on, "...at least until you have a chance to show Colleen that ring."

Andrew starred at Sully, not comprehending, then suddenly a smile crept across his face. "Thank you, Sully." He stood up and shook the older man's hand. Then he turned to Michaela and extended his. Michaela took it, then rose and gave the younger man a motherly hug. Andrew flushed with embarrassment, but hugged his friend back eagerly.

"Welcome to the family, Andrew." Brian smiled, offering his hand.

"Don't welcome me yet, Brian." Andrew laughed, as he accepted Brian's hand and felt Matthew's enthusiastic pat on the back. "Your sister hasn't said 'yes' yet. And that's kind of important."

"Don't worry, Andrew." Brian smiled, "She will."

The whole family managed to keep the knowledge that Andrew was waiting to propose from Colleen for a whole week. Andrew wanted to let the whole affair with Patricia Douglas settle down first before he asked his important question. He decided to wait until the day of the town picnic. He had it all planned, what he would say, how he would say it. Everything was going to be perfect.

The day of the picnic was absolutely gorgeous. The sun was shinning brightly, the birds were singing gaily and the temperature was warm and inviting. Andrew smiled delightedly as the Sully wagon pulled to a stop at the clinic.

"Good day everyone." He greeted cheerfully.

"Hello Andrew." Dr. Mike greeted in return as Sully jumped out of the wagon and helped her down. Andrew placed himself by the wagon and offered Colleen his hand to help her down. She smiled at him and accepted the hand. Things were back to normal between them.

"May I escort you to the picnic, Miss Cooper?" he asked with a slight bow. Colleen surpressed a giggle and nodded readily. Andrew offered her his arm and the two walked through the town, towards the meadow where the rest of the town had already gathered.

"They make such a sweet couple." Michaela commented.

"They do." Sully agreed. "They remind me of us." Michaela smiled up at him as he bent over to kiss her. "Shall we join them?"

"Lets go."

The picnic was a delightful affair, everyone visited and laughed. There were games for the children. Brian took first place in the potato sack race. And Michaela and Colleen cheered and laughed as Matthew, Sully, Daniel and Andrew joined in the tug of war against Loren, Jake, Hank and Horace. Later in the evening, after everyone had had their dessert and were loitering around on the grass waiting for the band to start the dancing, Andrew turned to Colleen and asked if she'd care to take a stroll. Eagerly she accepted. Michaela, Sully and Matthew all exchanged a look as the pair walked away from the other picnickers.

"Dr. Colleen Cook." Michaela suddenly pronounced. "It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?" Sully and Matthew both smiled.

Andrew and Colleen wandered arm-in-arm towards the edge of the meadow. A few curious eyes followed them, complete with knowing smiles.

"This has been a wonderful day!" Colleen exclaimed happily, leaning against one of the trees that lined the edge of the meadow. "I wish it would never end!"

Andrew smiled and nodded in agreement. "It has been a wonderful day." He paused, then went on. "And I hope to make it even more wonderful."

"What do you mean?" Colleen asked perplexed. Without answering, Andrew took both her hands in his, looked deep into her eyes, then, after taking a deep breath, bent down on one knee and said,

"Colleen Cooper, I love you very much. Will you promise that you'll be my wife?"

Colleen's eyes filled with tears as she smiled happily and replied, "Yes...yes, I will...I will be your wife."

Andrew stood up then and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her with so much love and devotion. When the kiss finally ended both were a little breathless.

"I have been waiting to ask you that question for months." Andrew told her, as he hugged her to him. "I would have gladly asked you right after I first told you that I loved you."

"And I would have said 'yes' then too." Colleen told him.

"That'll teach me to wait to ask you something then." Andrew laughed. Then he released her and dug into his jacket pocket. "This is for you. I hope you like it." He opened it up and revealed the engagement ring he had bought for her.

"Oh, Andrew, its gorgeous. I love it." He took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger then gave her hand a squeeze. They looked into each others eyes, then leaned in for another kiss.

"Shall we go tell everyone the good news?" Andrew asked excitedly.

Colleen blushed but nodded. Andrew led her back toward the picnic area.

"Here they come." Michaela whispered to Sully excitedly. Then when the couple reached the family she asked, "So, how was the walk?"

Colleen blushed and smiled, "Very interesting."

"Interesting?" Dr. Mike prompted, trying to hide her smile.

"Yes, I found something interesting along the way." Colleen teased lightly.

"What did you find?" Dr. Mike bantered back.

"This." Colleen held out her hand for her family to see.

"Oh, congratulations Colleen!" Dr. Mike rose quickly and pulled her daughter to her hugging her tightly. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks Ma." Colleen hugged her mother back. "I'm so happy for me too."

After Michaela released her, Sully, who had also risen, gave her a big hug. "I'm proud of you Colleen." he whispered.

"Thanks, Pa." Colleen said, returning his embrace.

After Matthew and Brian had their turn hugging and congratulating the pair, a curious Dorothy joined the group followed by Cloud Dancing.

"I couldn't help but notice all the hugging and smiles going on over here." She confessed, then looked at Colleen. "Am I correct in assuming that congratulations are in order?"

Colleen blushed and nodded.

"Oh, my dear Colleen." Dorothy exclaimed hugging the smiling girl to her. "I'm so happy for you." Then she turned to Andrew and said, "You're a very lucky fellow."

"I know." Andrew smiled.

"Many congratulations, Colleen." Cloud Dancing said, embracing the young girl he'd known for many years now.

"So when's the wedding?" Dorothy asked, sitting down on the blanket beside Michaela. Colleen sat down and Andrew settled down next to her.

"Well, we haven't discussed it yet." Colleen said, looking at Andrew for confirmation.

"It probably won't be until after Colleen gets her Medical degree." Andrew replied, looking at Colleen to see if she agreed.

"But that's not for another two years." Dorothy commented.

"I know, but I'd rather wait until after she gets her degree then to lose a wife so soon after getting one." Andrew smiled, looking at Colleen lovingly.

"I guess that makes sense." Dorothy finally agreed. "That'll give you more time to make plans for the wedding."

"Wedding? What wedding?" a voice from behind Dorothy asked. She turned to see Jake, Teresa and Loren coming up behind them. The voice belonged to Loren.

"Who's getting married?" Jake pressed.

"Andrew and Colleen." Dorothy announced proudly.

"Really?" Jake asked, looking at Andrew. Andrew smiled broadly and tightened his arm that was wrapped around Colleen. "Congratulations!" Jake reached down to shake Andrew's hand. Andrew excepted the hand, his smile widening.

"This calls for a celebration!" Loren cried, shaking Andrew's hand after Jake had finished.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Jake turned to face the town's inhabitants. "May I have your attention please." Everyone stopped talking and looked at Jake. Some got up from their places on blankets and came closer to hear what Jake had to say. Andrew and Colleen looked at each other and blushed slightly. Jake continued, "I have a wonderful announcement to make. There's going to be a very exciting event in our town, one that we've been waiting for for a while now." Jake stepped to one side so that everyone could see Colleen and Andrew sitting on the grass. "Dr. Andrew Cook has just asked soon-to- be Dr. Colleen Cooper to marry him, and she's said 'yes'!" A big cheer went up from the town, followed by hearty applause. After that everyone took an opportunity to congratulate the young couple. Men slapped Andrew on the back and women gave Colleen big smiles and warm hugs.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the band started the music for the dancing. Jake got up and announced, "In honor of the special event that took place today, this first dance should be started off by our newly engaged couple, Andrew and Colleen." Everyone applauded in agreement.

Andrew looked at Colleen and smiled nervously. "I'm not a very good dancer." He whispered to her in alarm.

"You'll do fine." She encouraged as she let him lead her by the hand to the dancing area. The music began and the couple started waltzing around the dance floor. Soon they forgot that there was anyone else around them. They soon were the only two people in their own little world.

"I love you, my future Dr. Colleen Cook." Andrew whispered to her as they moved with the music.

"I love you, too, my current Dr. Andrew Cook." Colleen whispered back, looking into his dark eyes. They smiled lovingly at each other as other people began joining them on the dance floor, completely unseen by the young lovers who were completely wrapped up in each other and in their happy, bright future to come.