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.

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....caught Andrew....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....at the hotel....She's from Boston. Her father's a wealthy businessman. Miss Douglas....has been after Andrew's attention....since she got here....She even told me she was....going to battle....me for his affection....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 too 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 son's 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 startled 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 gaped 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 stared 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 every 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 tended, 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, 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 stared 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.