Crossing a New Bridge
by Rachel
In a crowded train station in Philadelphia, a couple hurriedly pushed their way toward their train.
The wife was just barely out of medical school. The husband had been a doctor for several years. They had finally achieved their dream: they were partners in every sense of the word.
“Come on, Andrew, we’re going to be late!” Colleen called, grabbing his hand and forcing him to quicken his pace.
“No, we’re not,” Andrew answered his wife. “We still have plenty of time. The train won’t leave for at least another five minutes.”
Colleen slowed slightly. “I know, but I’m just a little nervous.” They arrived at their train and boarded quickly.
“What have you got to be nervous about?” Andrew questioned, bringing the subject back to Colleen’s attention.
“I don’t know. I guess going back home and facing everyone I grew up around. I’m not the same person I was then.” She sat down, and he took the aisle seat beside her.
“Sure you’ve changed, and they know that, but you’re still Colleen.”
“Maybe you’re right,” she said uncertainly, still unconvinced.
“Of course I’m right. Have I ever been wrong?” he teased, lightening the mood somewhat.
“Well...” she began, playing along.
“None of that!” he told her sternly. The train jerked into motion, and the couple watched the busy city of Philadelphia fade behind them.
“You know what?” Colleen asked.
“Hmmm?”
“I think I’m going to miss Philadelphia. It was my first home with you.”
“Me too,” he agreed. She leaned her head against his shoulder and fell into a much-needed sleep.
A week later in Colorado Springs the homestead was a flurry of activity.
Michaela hurried around, cleaning and picking at everything. Colleen and Andrew were arriving that day, and Michaela wanted everything to be perfect. After all, she hadn’t seen Colleen since her last break from school a year ago.
Colleen and Andrew would be staying at the homestead until Sully, Matthew, Brian, and Andrew finished building the Cooks’ home.
“Michaela, what are you doing?” Sully asked from the corner where he was occupying five-year-old Katie.
“I’m tidying up,” she replied.
“You’ve been cleaning this house for three days now,” he reminded her.
“I know, but I can’t help it. I really should go to the Chateau and make sure the clinic is ready for Colleen and Andrew, though,” she decided, heading for the door.
Sully intercepted her before she could open it. “You don’t have time. The train’s due in a half hour. Besides, they can take care of their own clinic.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?” he asked, confused.
“For acting like this. I’m just nervous; I’m not sure what to expect. Will we be able to talk like we used to? And will she feel at home here after being away for so long?”
“Sure she will. Remember what I told you when Ethan tried to take her and Brian away?”
She thought for a moment. “No, what did you say?”
“You always come back to those you love. Colleen’s family is here. Don’t worry, she’s here to stay.”
“I suppose that’s true, but I can’t help thinking-”
“Shhh...” He put his finger to her lips to quiet her. “Everything will be fine, you’ll see. Now we’d better get going or we’re gonna miss the train.”
“Yes, it’s getting late,” she agreed. She collected Katie, who had been playing quietly with her rag dolls, and followed Sully outside.
Brian had hitched up the wagon and was waiting for them with Matthew. Sully helped Michaela onto the bench and lifted Katie into the back with Brian. Sully climbed up beside his wife and clucked to the horses. The wagon started toward town with Matthew following it on his horse.
“Colorado Springs, next stop!” the conductor called, startling Colleen. She and Andrew had moved from their private section of the train to the passenger car to get a better view of the approaching town.
“Are you ready?” he asked her, gathering their smaller baggages.
“Definitely. I’m finally home, Andrew. I can hardly believe it,” she answered, looking eagerly through the window at the nearing train station.
Their train slowed to a stop, and they jumped up and hurried down the aisle. Andrew exited first and turned to help his wife. She looked around quickly and spotted her family stepping onto the platform. She grabbed Andrew’s hand and pulled him to the little group.
“Ma!” Colleen exclaimed as she jumped into Michaela’s arms. Everyone began talking at once as Colleen and Andrew were passed around for hugs and handshakes.
“I’m so glad you’re home, Colleen,” Michaela told her as the men went to pick up the rest on the luggage.
“Me too. I can’t believe I’m already finished with college. I’m a doctor, Ma!” Colleen replied.
“I told you it would go by fast.”
“You’re right; it did.”
Sully walked past them with an armful of baggage. “Come on, doctors, let’s go home.”
Colleen and Michaela laughed and gladly followed Sully to the wagon. They all chatted while the men loaded the luggage.
“So, what’s been happening here while we were gone?” Colleen asked, eager for news of the home she had been missing.
Michaela thought for a moment. “I don’t know if I wrote you about this, but Grace and Robert E. had their baby a while ago,” she answered.
“They did? Wow, that’s great!” Colleen said, genuinely happy for the couple.
“It was a girl,” Brian interjected.
“They named her Isabelle; Belle for short,” Matthew added.
“What a pretty name,” Colleen stated, looking at Andrew. He smiled at her and then looked away.
Colleen could feel a little jealousy rising up within her. She wanted what other couples had: a permanent home. She wasn’t thinking about children, even though the news of Grace’s baby had sparked this emotion. She reminded herself of the new home she and Andrew would soon have near all of the people she cared about, and her jealousy subsided as soon as it had appeared.
Andrew had seen the wistful look on Colleen’s face, and at first he interpreted it to mean she wanted a child. He was nervous about that, even though he, too, wanted to be a parent. He looked back to Colleen’s face, and the look was gone, replaced by a hopeful, calm expression. As he studied her face, he realized that her mood wasn’t about children. It was about their life. They both wanted a more stable life, and he was going to make sure they got it.
Two days later Andrew entered the Chateau’s clinic, set his supplies down, and looked around. The clinic had been enlarged to make room for the two doctors. After the big, busy hospital in Philadelphia where he had worked for two years, the small, quiet clinic was a welcome sight.
Colleen appeared in the doorway unnoticed. “Knock, knock!” she called.
Andrew turned, startled. “What are you doing here? I thought you were going to Michaela’s clinic.”
“I was, but then I found out that you were coming here to organize. I wanted to help. After all, it’s my clinic too, right?”
“Absolutely,” he answered, crossing the room. He offered her his arm. “May I present your clinic, Madam?”
“Thank you, sir,” she replied, giggling.
A man stepped onto the porch leading to the clinic. He was tall and business-like, but not unfriendly. He approached the doorway and stopped, seeing Colleen and Andrew talking inside. “Excuse me, Dr. Cook?”
“Yes?” they answered in unison, then looked at each other and laughed.
“I’m Mr. Evan Matthews. Are you both Dr. Cook?” he asked, a bit confused.
“Yes, we are. I’m Dr. Andrew Cook, and this is my wife, Dr. Colleen Cook,” Andrew clarified.
“That explains it. As I said before, I’m Evan Matthews. I just purchased this fine hotel from...” He drifted off, searching his memory for a name.
“Preston A. Lodge III?” Andrew supplied, sarcasm in his voice.
“Yes, that’s it. How did you know?”
“I worked here for him two years ago.”
“You did? Oh, yes, I remember Dr. Quinn saying something about that when she recommended you and your wife for the job. That makes my job easier. I expect you know the rules, then?”
“I know Preston’s rules,” he told him in a spiteful tone, remembering.
“Well, things aren’t too much different now, but I’ll basically leave you to do what you like, as long as you take care of this clinic.”
“We will, sir,” Andrew promised.
“Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He nodded at them and left the way he had come.
“He seems nice,” Colleen remarked.
“Yes, he does. I have a feeling that we won’t have much trouble with him,” Andrew answered, thankful that he didn’t have to deal with another Preston.
"Is everything ready at your clinic?” Michaela asked that night during dinner.
“Yeah, everything’s perfect,” Colleen answered, smiling at Andrew.
“We’ll start there tomorrow. From what I’ve heard, you’ve been busy with all of the hotel patients,” Andrew remarked.
“Yes. I’ll be glad to get some more free time,” Michaela said, looking relieved.
The group fell silent as they enjoyed their meal. Sully turned to Andrew and asked, “When are you planning on working on the house?”
Andrew hesitated and glanced at Colleen. “I’m not sure yet, but as soon as possible. I thought I should be there with Colleen at the clinic on our first day.”
“That’s reasonable,” Michaela interjected.
“Well, how about the day after that?” Sully suggested.
“That would be fine,” Andrew decided. “I’ve already explained the situation to Mr. Matthews, and he didn’t seem to mind as long as someone was there.”
“Good,” Sully said simply
.
They went back to quietly eating the rest of their supper. Colleen smiled to herself, excited about her job, house, and new life.
“I’m exhausted,” Colleen told Andrew, stifling a yawn. It was the end of their first day at the clinic.
“Do you feel all right?” Andrew asked, concerned. He walked across the room to stand in front of her.
“I’m just tired; I don’t know why.”
“You probably worked too hard today. What you need is a good night’s sleep. Let’s go home now,” Andrew suggested, guiding her slowly to the door.
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day,” she said sleepily.
Andrew silently closed and locked the door behind them. They walked hand-in-hand to their buggy as the fiery sun sank behind the mountains.
“Good afternoon,” Colleen said, guiding a patient she had just finished treating to the clinic’s door.
It was Colleen’s first day alone at the clinic. Andrew, Sully, Brian, and Matthew had been working on the house since dawn. When Colleen had awakened that morning, no one had been home.
She stepped outside for some fresh air and caught a glimpse of a commotion a few feet away. Two men were supporting a third man, who was doubled over in pain. She hurried over to the trio and directed them to the clinic.
“Lay him over there,” she ordered, gesturing toward the examination table. The men did as they were told and quickly moved out of the way.
The man on the table was still groaning and clutching his stomach. Colleen took a closer look and realized that the man was a new guest, Mr. Pembrook.
She dimly wondered where his wife was, but dismissed the thought as his discomfort visibly increased. She quickly took his temperature and pulse, and then began pressing lightly on his abdomen. She pulled back when he screeched in pain, confirming her suspicions. Her heart began to race as she realized what she had to do. Where was Andrew when she needed him?
“Mr. Pembrook,” she said, finding her voice, “You have appendicitis, inflammation of the appendix.” She waited for a reaction, but none came. “I’ll have to remove it before it... before it bursts.”
Mr. Pembrook’s eyes widened momentarily, but he immediately consented to the operation with a nod of his head.
“Where is your wife?” Colleen questioned. “I think she would want to be here.”
“She’s in the dining room waiting for me,” he answered with some difficulty.
“Go get her,” Colleen told one of the men who had carried Mr. Pembrook in. He quickly complied.
Colleen hurried around the clinic gathering supplies and instruments and depositing them on the tray near the table. She grabbed a white cloth and dampened it with a chemical from a bottle.
“Hold this over his mouth and nose until I say,” she ordered the remaining man. He did so, and Colleen stepped back to collect her thoughts.
It was her first operation by herself as a doctor. Her mind wandered and focused on Andrew. Although she knew it was silly, she couldn’t help feeling a little angry that he wasn’t at the clinic at that moment. She had been with him during his first major operation, so why wasn’t he with her for hers?
"Ouch!” Andrew cried, grabbing his thumb in pain.
“What happened?” Sully asked from above where he was working on the barn roof.
“I hit my thumb with the hammer,” Andrew explained sheepishly. “I had this feeling...” He trailed off, searching for the right words.
“Feeling?” Sully prodded as Matthew looked up from his job in one of the barn stalls.
“What’s the matter, Andrew? You look kind of strange,” Brian added.
“I was just a little dizzy for a second, that’s all. It’s nothing to worry about,” Andrew assured them as they returned to their work.
Deep down he wasn’t as sure as he sounded. He knew that he wasn’t sick, but something was definitely wrong. It was as if someone were sending messages to him without saying a word- as if someone needed him.
Colleen finished washing her hands and dried them on a clean cloth. She took a deep breath and opened the door, searching through the small crowd for Mr. Pembrook’s wife.
“Dr. Cook!” Mrs. Pembrook called, rushing to the door just as Colleen spotted her. “My husband, is he all right?”
“Yes, I believe he will recover,” Colleen began.
Mrs. Pembrook cut her off. “Can I see him?”
Colleen nodded, and the anxious woman rushed past her. Colleen shut the clinic door to give them some privacy.
By then the curious crowd had faded away, and Colleen was left alone on the porch. She sat down on a chair, her whole body suddenly heavy. Her emotions were spinning around in her head, not allowing her to think clearly. She was annoyed and angry that Andrew hadn’t been with her, happy that Mr. Pembrook had survived, and amazed that she had just saved a life.
She sat there like that until Mrs. Pembrook emerged from within the clinic. During that time the sun had gradually fallen. The sky was glowing fiery colors as Mrs. Pembrook walked slowly toward the young doctor.
“He’s sleeping now,” Mrs. Pembrook informed her.
“That’s good,” Colleen replied. “You can stay here with him if you’d like. I’ll need to stay to be sure that everything is going smoothly.”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Mrs. Pembrook said, more to reassure herself than anyone else.
“Yes, but I should be here in case anything were to happen.”
“Of course, you’re right. I would feel much better with you here, at least for the first night.”
Colleen rose from the chair and motioned for Mrs. Pembrook to follow. “Come on, I’ll fix you a place to sleep in his recovery room.”
Mrs. Pembrook silently followed Colleen to the door, entering first. Colleen spied a young boy that helped by doing odd jobs around the Chateau and called him over. She asked him to go to the homestead and inform her family that she wouldn’t be home that night. The boy agreed to the favor and scampered away into the dusk.
Colleen took one last look at the fading sun and turned back to the clinic, entering and closing the door firmly behind her.
The four men finished taking care of their horses for the night and closed the barn door behind them. They silently walked to the homestead and climbed up the front steps. Sully opened the door and saw Michaela hurriedly packing a basket with food.
“What’s that for?” Brian asked as they filtered in.
“It’s for Colleen,” Michaela answered, adding some fresh biscuits to the basket.
“Colleen?” Andrew repeated.
“Yes, she sent a boy to tell us she wouldn’t be home tonight, because she has a patient to take care of. I figured she would be hungry, so I decided we should bring her some dinner.”
“I’ll go,” Andrew volunteered. “What happened?”
“I’m not sure, he didn’t say,” she replied. “I’ll put some food for you in here for you too.”
“All right.”
Michaela finished packing the basket and handed it to Andrew. He accepted it, telling everyone he probably wouldn’t be back that night, either. He hurried to the barn and saddled his horse. As he galloped toward the Chateau his mind was fixed on Colleen. He knew she had been tired lately because of the stresses of adjusting to the new clinic, and he was worried that she had worked past exhaustion. He urged his horse forward, becoming more anxious with every passing moment.
Colleen settled into one of the clinic’s chairs just as a loud knock sounded on the wooden door. She sighed, rose wearily, and slowly pulled the door open, praying that it wasn’t another patient. She was surprised to see Andrew standing there holding a large basket. There was an anxious, worried look on his face that softened only a little as he saw her for the first time that night.
“Colleen, what happened? Are you all right?” he asked her, coming in and shutting the door behind him.
The abandoned feeling rose inside her again, and she struggled to control it. “I had to remove Mr. Pembrook’s appendix. I’m fine.”
Her tone sounded hard and clipped to his ears. He didn’t say anything for a moment; he just stared at her, trying to find the hidden meaning of her words.
“You must be exhausted, though. You’ve been tired a lot lately,” he said finally. “Michaela made us some dinner. After we eat, you should get some sleep.”
All of her emotions exploded after that last remark. She didn’t know why, but it had pushed her over the edge, beyond reasoning. “I told you, I’m fine!”
Andrew was surprised at her outburst, now fully certain there was something going on that he didn’t know about. He decided not to push her and began removing the food from the basket. Colleen was standing with her back to him, looking through the window. He glanced at her a few times, but he was never in a position to see her face or read her expression. He finished with the food and straightened, wondering what he should do.
He looked closer at her figure and saw her shoulders shaking. That action scared him. What had happened to make her this way? He decided to try to talk to her again. He moved slowly toward her, and as he was about to speak, she turned and wordlessly threw herself into his arms.
“Colleen, will you please tell me what’s wrong?” Andrew pleaded, holding her away at arm’s length.
“I’m sorry, Andrew, sorry for yelling at you like that,” she replied, looking down at her hands. He waited patiently for her to continue. “I was just so angry with you.”
“Angry with me?” Andrew repeated incredulously.
“I know it’s silly, but I couldn’t help thinking that... well, I was with you for your first operation.”
“And I should have been here with you for yours,” he finished. “Oh, Colleen, I’m sorry. If I had known...”
“But you didn’t. If I’m going to be a doctor, I’d better learn how to cope by myself.”
“You did. You saved that man’s life, Colleen. You didn’t need me.”
“Maybe I didn’t then, but I do now.”
He judged by that response that he was forgiven and once again embraced her. “You’ll always have me,” he whispered.
Colleen held him close, allowing herself to give into her emotions. She hadn’t realized how scared she had been about Mr. Pembrook’s operation or how much she needed Andrew at that moment. She felt the bond between them growing stronger every second. He had also experienced the frightening feeling that came from medical emergencies. His embrace was exactly what she needed.
Andrew heard her stomach grumble, and he suppressed a laugh. “Let’s eat now, if that’s all right with you,” he suggested warily.
Colleen laughed slightly, knowing he was waiting for another outburst. “That’s just fine.”
A week later Colleen was again alone in the clinic. Andrew was with Sully, Matthew, and Brian at the new homestead. Andrew hadn’t wanted to leave her alone for a whole day, but she had convinced him to go, saying they really needed their own house.
Actually, she had no idea what the house looked like, so she wasn’t sure if he could afford to waste anymore time. Andrew wanted the house to be a surprise, so she purposely stayed away from the site. She had already ordered all of the furnishings, and the majority of her purchases were being stored in the barn of Sully and Michaela’s homestead.
Colleen wasn’t angry about being left alone. She knew that she could handle an emergency if one arose, but that wasn’t very likely at the usually calm hotel. Mr. Pembrook’s emergency wasn’t a normal occurrence. The worst things that usually had to be treated were headaches, fatigue, and the occasional healthy patient that only thought they were dying.
Andrew had hated working at the hotel when Preston was the owner, but now it was a nice clinic for them.
It wasn’t exactly true to say that every case they treated was some sort of silly complaint issued by a snooty hotel guest. Colorado Springs was growing larger by the week, it seemed, and more and more non-hotel guests were making their way to the Cooks’ clinic. Michaela was unable to treat them all, and she was grateful for the extra help.
Now that Mr. Matthews, and not Preston, was in charge, anyone needing help was allowed to be treated. Colleen and Andrew were both thankful for that. There was another thing they were appreciative about: since they were given a basically free run of the clinic, the horrible health tonics Preston had forced on Andrew had been the first things to go.
A knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts. She walked to the door and opened it, revealing the tall form of Mr. Pembrook with his wife at his side.
“Mr. and Mrs. Pembrook, come in. Is everything all right?” she asked, momentarily worried.
“No, I’m feeling better than ever, thanks to you,” he replied as he and his wife sat down on two of the clinic’s chairs.
“I only did what I was taught,” Colleen protested modestly.
“Perhaps, but it was incredible just the same.” She tried to protest again, but he cut her off. “This isn’t all I came to talk to you about, though. I was very impressed with your skills this past week. I am in the process of opening a hotel about five miles from here that will rival this establishment, and I need a doctor. I would like to hire you for the job.”
Colleen didn’t say anything for a moment; she couldn’t. He wanted to hire her, just barely out of medical school, for his hotel? “Well, Mr. Pembrook, I’m flattered, but...”
“I’ll pay you three times as much as what you get here,” he offered without hesitation.
Colleen’s head was spinning. Three times as much? That was more than she and Andrew were making combined. Sure, the money they were making was enough at the moment, but what if they had children? They would need some extra money then. But what about Andrew? Working together had been their dream for a long time. She couldn’t consider working without him... could she?
“Um, Mr. Pembrook, I appreciate your offer, but I like working with my husband. I might consider this opportunity if you offered both of us a position...” The statement sounded like a question.
“I understand your desire to be with your husband, but it would be impossible to employ two doctors at a hotel that has not had any business as of yet. It would be a different story a year or two from now.”
“He’s a terrific doctor.”
“I’m sure he is, but I absolutely cannot take on two doctors. I’ve seen your work, I like you, and I want you for the job. As I said before, I’ll pay you three times as much as what you’re getting for your services here. After what has happened with the banks in the last few years, I’m sure some extra money will be a welcome sight for you.”
“Yes, it would,” Colleen admitted, “but I don’t think I could take the job without my husband. I’ll discuss it with him to get his opinion, and I’ll talk to you within a week. Is that all right?”
“We’ll be staying here for another two weeks, so you can have as much time as you need.” He glanced at his wife who had been sitting quietly in the chair beside him. He gestured to her, apparently telling her that he was ready to leave. “I think we’re going to take a little walk in the gardens, if you’ll excuse us.”
“Yes, of course.” Colleen showed the couple out, promising to discuss Mr. Pembrook’s proposition with Andrew. Colleen sighed as she closed and leaned against the door. It was ridiculous for her to even consider it, so why was she?
The next night everyone retired to their rooms early. Colleen and Andrew were huddled together on the bed in Colleen’s old room. She was sitting beside him, and his arms were around her with his chin resting on the top of her head. They often sat in that position and had late night heart-to-heart conversations. Colleen was so tense that night that there wasn’t really any talking taking place between them. She was playing with Andrew’s gold wedding band, twisting and tracing it around his finger. Andrew had had no problem with the idea of wearing a ring, unlike Sully a few years before.
“Colleen?” He knew something was on her mind.
“Hmmm?” She continued twisting the band.
“Is something wrong? You seem awfully quiet.”
Her hand froze, and the twisting stopped. “Why would that mean something was wrong?”
“I don’t know. It’s just that we can usually talk about anything.” She didn’t respond, so he added, “I know you well enough to know when there’s something on your mind, Colleen. I just wish you’d tell me what it is.”
“There is something I’ve been thinking about for a little while, but I haven’t been able to talk to you about it yet.” She began nervously playing with his ring again, and he could feel her hands shaking slightly. He waited silently for her to continue. “Well, you remember Mr. Pembrook, don’t you?”
“Yes...” He wasn’t sure where the conversation was heading.
“He came to talk to me a couple days ago, and... he offered me a job, Andrew,” she finished in a rush.
“A job?” He still didn’t quite understand what she was telling him.
“Yeah, at his new hotel. It’s about five miles from the Chateau.”
“See? I knew you were a terrific doctor.” He was glad that something had happened to show her how wonderful her skills were. Then a thought dawned on him. “You told him no, didn’t you?”
“Well... not exactly.”
The room fell silent. Colleen wasn’t able to see his face to read his emotions because of the way they were sitting, and part of her was relieved that she didn’t have to talk to him face to face. She could feel his body tense a little, and when he spoke, his voice had grown a slight edge.
“What exactly did you tell him?”
“I- I told him I would have to discuss it with you first.”
“So you’re actually considering his offer?” he asked incredulously.
“I don’t know; I guess so.”
Andrew was speechless for a few moments. The room was deadly quiet until he spoke the one word that was on his mind. “Why?”
Colleen turned to face him, knowing it was best for her to be able to read his emotions. In the process her grip on his ring caused it to slip off his finger, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“Well, he offered to pay me three times as much as what I’m getting at the Chateau. Three times as much, Andrew! That’s more than we’re making together now. We’re just starting our life together, and a little extra money would be helpful, especially if any... children come along.”
Her reasoning didn’t persuade him a bit. “This is about money? Have you forgotten about a little thing called happiness?” He was still on the verge of full anger, and Colleen could hear it in his voice.
“Of course not, but why wouldn’t we be happy together if I took the job?”
“I thought working together was our dream. I’m not saying that we couldn’t be happy!”
“That’s exactly what you’re saying!” Their voices had risen in the previous few seconds, consciously unnoticed by both. “I just want you to support me in this! You can’t even discuss it rationally, because your mind is already made up! Why don’t you give it a chance and let me decide something for myself?”
Andrew didn’t retort. Colleen’s words hung in the air for a moment and suddenly dropped and hit their mark with painful precision. With one piercing look at Colleen, Andrew climbed out of bed as calmly as he could and gathered his clothes from the chair where he had piled them earlier. Colleen watched him silently from the bed, still angry. She wanted to know where he was going, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask. He slipped through the door, closing it behind him with a thud that echoed in Colleen’s head.
She stared at the door for a few moments in shock. This had never happened before; he had never walked out on her, and they had never fought to that degree. In all truthfulness, she was scared.
She knew she was right; there was no other way to look at it. He should support her. He should see the rational side. He should... Was she expecting too much from him? Was it her duty as a wife to do as he wanted, as her grandmother in Boston believed? Well, she didn’t believe that. She was a person, too. She was more determined than ever to figure out what to do about the job by herself. She had to make her own decisions.
Colleen had been absently fingering something in her hands, and after taking a closer look she realized it was Andrew’s wedding band. Her frame of mind at that moment caused her to consider throwing it against the door Andrew had unceremoniously exited a few minutes before. Instead, she burst into silent tears and clutched it to her chest, scared that it was the only part of him she had left.
Andrew looked dismally around him before settling down on a fresh pile of hay in the barn. He had considered spending the night on one of the chairs in the living room, but he wanted to spare himself the embarrassing explanation to the rest of the family. From that aspect, the barn was the best place even though it wasn’t all that comfortable. He would just have to get up early and make up some excuse for his presence in the barn.
He was beginning to see how living with Colleen’s family could become tiresome. Trying to keep some degree of privacy would be hard, especially if they continued having marital spats like the current one.
Was that all it was, a marital spat? It couldn’t be anything deeper than that, could it?
Despite the fact that he was still trying not to be angry, he loved her beyond words. It was silly to think it was anything more than a... a lovers’ quarrel.
On the other hand, she had hurt him deeply. That was the word, hurt. He still had his anger, but far beneath that were bruised feelings brought on by Colleen’s comments. He could not grasp the concept that she would give up their dreams for money.
And what was it she had said about deciding things for herself? Hadn’t he always guided her and let her experience things without interfering himself?
He hoped with all of his heart that it was only something she had said in the heat of the moment. If it wasn’t, there must be more things happening that he wasn’t aware of. And that frightened him.
Andrew shifted uncomfortably on his pile of hay and turned to arrange it into a suitable formation. In the process something caught his eye. Or, rather, lack of something. His treasured wedding ring was missing from his finger. He didn’t remember losing it, but he knew he’d had it earlier that night. In fact, Colleen had been playing with it right before their quarrel. Anything after that was fuzzy. The only thing he remembered seeing was red, and the vision of his wife moving emotionally farther away from him.
The next morning Colleen trudged down the stairs and was greeted by everyone except Andrew, who was nowhere to be seen.
She tried not to let her mood show on her face, but it was difficult. It never once entered her mind that anyone had heard any part of last night’s exchange. If anyone asked where Andrew was, she wasn’t sure what she would say. She sat down at the table and helped herself to a nice breakfast of ham, eggs, and biscuits.
“How are you this morning, Colleen?” Michaela asked, concerned. She and Sully had heard the last words of the argument the night before, and she was a bit worried about how Colleen was handling it.
“I’m fine,” Colleen answered, not looking up from her plate. The expression on her face clearly didn’t agree with that statement.
Michaela didn’t say any more, but she shot a glance at Sully, who didn’t seem to look too concerned. While everyone except Colleen went about their daily chores, Michaela began to clear away the rest of the family’s dishes, motioning for Sully to follow her into the kitchen. Once there, she set the dishes down and turned to face him.
“What do you think about this?” she asked him, gesturing toward Colleen, whose back was to them.
“About what?”
“You know what. Colleen doesn’t seem to be taking the fight she had with Andrew very well.”
“I’m sure they’ve argued before. Give them some time, and they’ll resolve it. We’ve had our share of arguments in the past.”
“Yes, but I also know how it made me feel. I wonder if there’s something we can do to help...” She trailed off and began to think, the worried look still on her face.
“Now, Michaela,” Sully warned, reading her expression, “ It’s better if you don’t get involved.”
“Not get involved?” she repeated. “I’m the mother in this situation, Sully. How can I not get involved when my child is clearly hurting?”
Sully thought a moment before replying. “She’s not a little child anymore; she’s a grown woman. Think of it this way: you don’t want to be like your ma by trying to run Colleen’s life, do you?”
She turned from Colleen to him, and there was a light of recognition in her eyes. “Oh, dear. Is that what I sound like?”
Sully nodded, a slight smile playing on his face.
She grinned sheepishly, but her expression slowly turned to one of thought once more. “Even so... maybe you should talk to Andrew to see what’s going on.”
“Me? Why should I be the one to get in the middle? I don’t think it’s such a good idea.”
“Well, you’re a man. I figured Andrew would talk more openly with you than with me. I’ll talk to Colleen in the meantime.”
Sully sighed, and even though he was against the idea, he knew he was about to give in. “All right,” he said resignedly as Michaela smiled to herself. “Have you seen him this morning?”
“No, but he didn’t sleep in Colleen’s room either as far as I can tell. Maybe he’s outside somewhere.”
“I guess I’ll go out there and see if I can find him,” he said. His expression clearly showed he wanted no part of what he was about to do.
Michaela embraced him. “Thank you.”
Sully nodded and reluctantly moved in the direction of the door as Michaela headed back toward the table where a sullen Colleen sat.
“Colleen? Why don’t you get dressed?” she suggested.
“I suppose so,” Colleen replied, pushing back her plate of barely touched food and rising from her chair.
Michaela watched as Colleen went slowly back upstairs. She collected the remainder of the dishes from the table. As soon as she finished picking up the breakfast mess, she was going to find out what was going on between Colleen and Andrew.
Sully walked slowly down the porch steps and stopped at the bottom. He wasn’t sure where he was supposed to look for Andrew; he wasn’t even sure if finding and talking to Andrew was a good idea.
Sully sighed. He knew he had to do it, because he had reluctantly given Michaela his word. He always kept his word.
Instinct told him to look in the barn first, so he took a deep breath and opened the door to the large building. At first glance he didn’t see Andrew, but after taking a second look he noticed the young man sitting on a fresh pile of hay. He was in a state of undress; his shirt was untucked, his jacket was laying in heap next to him, and his cravat was in a similar state as the jacket. Sully also noted the nightclothes folded neatly off to one side.
Andrew’s head had jerked up when Sully had opened the door, and now Andrew’s face had a definite red tint to it.
“Hello, Andrew,” Sully said simply.
“Sully... I was just- I mean, I...” Andrew stuttered.
“I know; I heard.”
“You heard?” Andrew repeated, figuring Colleen had told Sully something.
“Yeah, last night,” Sully began uncomfortably.
“Oh... well, that was...” Andrew couldn’t think of an explanation to tell him.
“You don’t have to explain anything. Actually, Michaela wanted me to see how you were doin’.”
“I’m fine,” Andrew responded automatically.
“Really?” Andrew didn’t answer, so Sully decided to get to the point. “I don’t know what exactly went on with you and Colleen last night, and I only heard the last part of your argument. Michaela seems to think there’s something serious going on.”
Andrew nervously averted his eyes as he tried to think of the proper response. “Well, Sully, we... I-”
“I ain’t gonna tell no one about this, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Sully interrupted.
“No, everything is fine.” Andrew hesitated as he realized Sully didn’t believe him. He sighed. “She wants to take another job, Sully.”
“While workin’ at the Chateau?”
“No, she was offered a job at another hotel. They said they would pay her three times as much as what she gets now... and she doesn’t want to refuse.”
Sully sensed a little bitterness in his voice. “Well, Andrew, all you can do is talk it out with her.”
“But I feel like I’m losing her,” he confessed.
“Maybe you gotta let her go a little to keep her.”
Andrew pondered that statement for a moment.
Sully noticed the look on his face and decided to change the subject. “There’s some breakfast in the house if you’re hungry,” he offered. “Me and Michaela are goin’ into town in a little bit, so you can help yourself.”
Andrew nodded, and Sully turned to leave. Before shutting the door behind him, he took another look at Andrew, who seemed to be deep in thought. Sully closed the door, knowing that Andrew didn’t really know he had gone.
Meanwhile, Michaela had wandered upstairs to talk to Colleen. After getting no response to her knock, she cautiously opened the door. She spotted Colleen sitting on her bed, dressed, with a brush at her side. She was playing with something in her hands, but Michaela wasn’t close enough to be able to see what it was.
“Colleen?” Michaela said softly.
“Oh, Ma! I didn’t hear you knock,” Colleen replied, startled.
“I see that.” She paused for a moment. “I was wondering if there was anything you wanted to talk about.”
“No,” Colleen answered, a bit too quickly in Michaela’s opinion.
Michaela decided she would have to be the one start the conversation since Colleen didn’t seem to want to share anything. “Well, last night I overheard you and Andrew, and-”
“You were spying on me?” Colleen interrupted, aghast.
“No, I wasn’t. I just couldn’t help overhearing part of your... discussion. You didn’t seem to be handling it very well, and I was wondering-”
“I’m fine. I told you, there’s nothing I want to talk about. I’m not a little girl; I can handle it myself!”
“It isn’t only a little girl that needs help sometimes,” Michaela replied softly. Michaela’s words caused all of the anger and frustration to ebb out of Colleen’s face, leaving an expression of misery. “Do you want to talk about it now?” Michaela asked gently.
Colleen nodded and haltingly began to recount the previous night. After she had finished, Michaela sat for a moment before speaking.
“Colleen, I don’t know exactly what to tell you. I can’t believe what you truly want is to give up something you and Andrew have been looking forward to and planning on for so long.” Colleen began to object, but Michaela hurriedly continued. “But I’ve always told you to go for your dreams, for what you want. If that job is what you really want, then you need to talk to Andrew and find a solution. The key to marriage is compromise.”
“What kind of compromise can there be? As far as I can see, it’s either my way or his way.”
“I don’t know about that, Colleen. Maybe what you really want and what he really wants are more similar than you think.”
Colleen froze after the comment, locked in a state of intense thought. Michaela, deciding to leave Colleen to her contemplation, rose and quietly left the room.
As Michaela descended the stairs, Sully appeared from outside. Michaela hurried over to him.
“How was it?” she asked.
“I don’t know. We’ve done enough. Let’s leave ‘em be,” he replied.
“I agree.”
“You do?” he asked doubtfully.
“Yes, I don’t think there’s anything more we can do unless they come to us,” she responded seriously.
“Really?” he asked again, still unbelieving. This was not the wife he remembered.
“Yes! Are we going to town now?” Her tone was one of exasperation, but she realized how unlike herself she must have sounded to him.
“All right, let’s go.”
As they were heading for the door to call Katie, who was outside, Colleen came into view at the bottom of the stairs.
“I’m going for a walk,” she informed them.
“What about the clinic?” Michaela reminded her.
“It’ll be all right for a while,” Colleen replied. In her mind, the reason for not going repeated itself. Andrew was probably there. She couldn’t talk to him- not yet. She wasn’t ready.
“If that’s what you want... Sully and I are taking Brian and Katie into town.”
“Okay.” Colleen went to get her shawl, signaling the end of the conversation. Sully and Michaela looked at each other and then proceeded outside, calling for Katie as they closed the door behind them.
It was a nice, clear morning and the sun was shining brightly in the cloudless blue sky. The ambiance of the environment was a complete contrast to Colleen’s mood. She was still trying to sort things out in her mind. What did she really want?
Michaela’s last comment still haunted her. Colleen knew what Andrew wanted, or at least she thought she did. The problem was, did she want the same thing?
A hawk’s screech brought her out of her deep thoughts. She looked around her. The surroundings looked vaguely familiar. She wasn’t sure of her exact location, but she was confident of her ability of finding her way in the woods that she had lived in most of her life. Colleen enjoyed the feeling of solitude she was experiencing at that moment. She wandered down the path a bit more until she came to a tiny clearing. The path turned to the right at the clearing, but Colleen chose to sit on a fallen log instead of further pursuing the trail. She sat with her back to the direction she had come.
Her mind was working in circles. What she wanted, what she didn’t, what he did, what he didn’t... Why was it constantly a question of want? What about duty and responsibility? What about doing what was right for the family? In that case, what was right for the family? Was it making money to keep them well supplied? Was it making them happy? The last idea hung in her mind, a sudden hold in all of the chaos. One question- money or happiness?
Andrew stepped out into the blinding sunlight of the clear morning. Still pondering his situation, he wandered over to the homestead from where he had been standing outside the barn.
He mindlessly climbed the steps, opened the door, and went to the kitchen. He found the food Michaela had left for him but suddenly decided that he wasn’t hungry. He wandered back outside and started walking. He wasn’t sure where he was going; he just had to get away for a bit. Anyone watching him would have thought he was losing his mind. His uncombed hair combined with his rumpled clothes, his expression, and his actions definitely gave that impression.
After walking for a while he realized that he was unconsciously heading in the direction of his homestead. He kept walking, hoping he could find solitude at the site. He looked up, focusing on the footpath ahead of him. He stopped suddenly, almost tripping over his own feet in his abruptness.
In the tiny clearing ahead of him, no more than ten feet away, sat his wife. Her back was to him, and she was bent over slightly. He wasn’t sure of what he should do, so he stood rooted to the spot. As he watched her, he became increasingly aware of his feelings toward her. He loved her, that was all there was to it. How could things have gotten so bad that they had forgotten that one tiny, meaningful, powerful word?
Colleen was still working on that one question. Money or happiness? All at once the fog in her brain lifted. It was all so clear; why hadn’t she thought of it earlier? There were two parts to that question: money and happiness. She had naturally separated the two without even realizing it.
The problem was obvious. She had mistakenly lost sight of happiness and love and begun to believe that money made happiness. If anything, happiness made money. While that job would have given her money, it could never bring her happiness unless Andrew was right there beside her.
Colleen sat up straighter and even smiled a bit. It was time to talk to Andrew; she was ready. She stood up and turned to go back the way she had come.
The person she saw standing so near made her freeze with a surprised look on her face. Evidently he had not intended on being caught watching her, because his expression matched the one she wore. Neither of them spoke, not knowing how to begin the conversation. Finally Colleen took a tiny step forward.
“Andrew?” she inquired in a quivering voice.
“Colleen?” he replied.
They both looked away sheepishly. This wasn’t getting them anywhere. Andrew decided to be the one to plunge in.
“Colleen, I-”
“No, wait Andrew.” He looked at her, surprised. “I- I don’t want you to apologize to me. I want to apologize to you.”
“What for?” he asked. The last he knew, she hadn’t thought there was anything to apologize for.
“For forgetting,” she replied softly. She looked down at her hands. “I forgot about truly being happy. When I heard how much money I could make with the other job, I guess I got carried away.” She paused, but he waited for her to continue. “You know we had to watch our money in Philadelphia for a while. If we have children, we need to be able to take care of them.”
Andrew sighed. “I know how you feel, Colleen. I’ve spent many nights thinking and planning how I would support you and our... our children.” He stepped closer and reached out and held her by the shoulders.
She looked up at him. “Things are different now. Most things here aren’t as expensive as things in Philadelphia. Besides, you’re not in school anymore; you’re working and helping with the money...” He trailed off, realizing that he wasn’t even sure if she wanted to work at all anymore.
“I know. That’s what I was coming to tell you. All the money in the world wouldn’t make me happy; you make me happy.”
“What are you saying?” He narrowed his eyes and studied her.
“I’m saying that I want to stay at the Chateau with you... if you still want me to.”
Andrew looked at her in disbelief for a moment. He had spent all that time worrying about losing her, and he hadn’t really lost her at all. A smile crept over his face, and he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. She clung to him, a feeling of relief and safety washing over her. They stood like that for a long moment. Finally, Colleen pulled away.
“I’ve got something for you,” she told him as she began digging in her pocket.
“What is it?” He looked at her curiously.
“Hold out your hand,” she instructed. He did as he was told, and into his palm she dropped a small, shiny object. He knew at once that it was the ring he had thought he had lost.
“Where did you find this?” Andrew asked, somewhat embarrassed, as he slid it on his finger. “I thought I- I lost it.”
“Actually, you didn’t lose it. I guess I sort of took it.”
“Took it?”
“Yeah, that night we...” She let the sentence hang. She knew he understood what she meant because he nodded slightly and averted his eyes. “Somehow it came off your finger, so...”
“Well, thank you... You don’t know how upset I was when I thought I had lost it.” She looked up at him and smiled; how he had missed that smile! “Do you want to go now?” he suggested.
“Sure.” She started to go in the directed they had both come, but he stopped her.
“Let’s go this way,” he said, indicating the trail that led away from the direction she was attempting to go. She hesitated for a moment, not know where he wanted to take her. He held out his hand, and she took it, deciding to follow her curious mind.
They walked silently down the trail, their hands joined. Just as she was beginning to see the first traces of a clearing ahead, he stopped and turned to her.
“Close your eyes,” he directed.
She gave him one puzzled look before complying. He waited a few seconds to make sure she kept them closed. When he was satisfied, he began to lead her again, warning her of any obstacles on the trail. Colleen felt the warm sunshine on her face when they reached the clearing. Andrew stopped her once again.
“All right, you can open them now,” he told her quietly.
Cautiously, she opened her eyes. The sight before her made her gasp and stare with surprise. She turned to look at Andrew in wonder.
“Do you like it?” he asked, smiling.
The question wasn’t necessary. “Like it? I love it!” she exclaimed. “How did you...?”
She gazed again at the sight before her. In the clearing, with the sun shining all around it, was the homestead- their homestead. It was a two-story house, somewhat similar to Sully and Michaela’s. There was a barn behind it, and a stream trickled in the distance.
“Well, when we got here it was already almost finished,” Andrew told her.
“Finished? Is it finished now?”
“Yeah, except for any touches you want to add, and the rest of our things at Michaela and Sully’s house.”
“What about furniture?”
“It’s all there. Everything we ordered when we were in Philadelphia is in place.”
“You did that?”
“Actually, Michaela and some of the other women helped with the inside as a welcome home present. The men worked on the building, using the plans we came up with.”
“So you knew about this a while ago.”
“Yes, but it was worth it to see your face.”
She turned to him, smiling. “Thank you, it’s perfect.”
Andrew didn’t answer; he just reached down and took her hand again. They walked toward the house, with Colleen’s eyes darting around trying to take in everything. They reached the wide porch and climbed the steps. Andrew stopped her just before the door. He opened it but blocked her view of the inside. He abruptly swung her up into his arms, catching her off-guard.
“Andrew!” she cried, laughing. “What-”
“I’m carrying you over the threshold. Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?” he teased.
“But that means you have to put me down after you do, doesn’t it?” She feigned disappointment.
“Perhaps.”
He carried her through the door, sealing it with a kiss that lasted many moments. Things were going to be all right between them after all.
The sun was setting as Michaela parted the curtains and glanced out of the window once again. Her brow creased, but she abandoned her position to finish setting the table. Sully wandered downstairs.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, noticing her expression.
“I was just wondering where Colleen is. I don’t think she’s been home since this morning.” She stole another glance through the window.
“She’s all right, I’m sure.” He paused, and a thought crossed his mind. “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Andrew around either.”
“Do you think they’re together?”
“Who knows? If they’re not back later tonight, we can go looking for them,” he suggested.
“All right.” Michaela turned to face the table. “I guess dinner is ready...” She looked at the array of food and dishes helplessly, as if she didn’t know what to do next.
“Do you want me to call Brian and Katie?”
Sully asked her. She nodded, but instead of doing so he embraced her without saying anything. Feeling somewhat better, she began to withdraw.
“Michaela, look,” Sully said suddenly.
Puzzled, she turned to face the window through which Sully was looking. The worried expression melted off her face as she took in the sight before her. Colleen and Andrew had emerged from the woods, swinging their joined hands between them. They were talking animatedly, and there seemed to be a glow about them. Michaela and Sully watched as they walked to the porch and stopped at the bottom of the steps, still talking. Andrew leaned down and kissed Colleen. Sully turned Michaela away from the window.
“Give them some privacy,” he told her.
“I’m glad they solved their problem,” Michaela announced.
“Me too. Making up is the best part, isn’t it?” Sully mused.
“I agree. It’s a bridge we’ve crossed a few times before.”
“It looks like they’ve just crossed a new bridge. And believe me, it gets better every time.”
Michaela glared at him in mock reprimand before breaking into a knowing smile. The more she thought about Sully’s statement, the more she believed it. Colleen and Andrew had crossed a new bridge. It was one they would probably cross more times in the future. Hopefully, doing so would get a bit better for them each time, too.
THE END
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