Grace gave a wide grin before replying. "Well I'll see what I can whip up for ya two. It'll just be a couple of minutes." Grace put the pencil behind her ear and walked away with a faster pace to go prepare their food.
"Well I gotta get back to the store. Have a great day, Dr. Mike Sully," Loren spoke up before starting to walk off towards the Merchantile.
"Good bye Loren!" Michaela said to Loren's back which now faced her. She turned attention back to Sully. "Well, now what do we do till the food is ready?"
"I know something we could do!" Sully grinned.
"Sully!" Michaela laughed. Her face grew bright red once again but she loved the humor in Sully's eyes. He knew how to keep her happy and smiling, even if it did mean embarressing her!
Just then Dorothy came walking over to her friends. Michaela's face grew even redder fearing that Dorothy had heard Sully's remark. Sully sat their silently laughing at his wife's reaction. He hated embarressing her, but no matter how long they knew each other, Michaela would always become easily embarrest!
"Good mornin' ya two!" Dorothy greeted while tightening her grip on her shawl. "Are ya back to work Michaela?"
"Oh noe Dorothy. Sully talked me out of that." Michaela's face was starting to lose it's rosieness.
"Good. Ya don't want ta go back to early. Besides, you should have some qualitity time with the kids while they are still young. They are only babies once you know." Dorothy informed her friend. "Speakin' of babies..." Dorothy started to look around for Sull and Michaela's little ones.
"They are spending the day with the older kids,"Sully informed her.
Dorothy smiled. She knew they were going to say that. The kids had told her all about it, and Dorothy was glad they were able to get Michaela to agree. "So it's just you two, hmm? That's nice of the children ta do that for ya. They are going to have their hands full though!"
"I'm afraid you're right. I can just picture Andrew running around after Katie telling her to slow down!" Michaela laughed at the thought.
"I'm greatful that it's not me for once, running after her!" Sully grinned before pulling Micheala closer to him.
"Well you two have a good time. I have to get back to the gazette or the paper will never get printed. Now a days I barely have time to get anything done. Thank goodness for Brian helping me, without him I think I would sleep, eat and breathe ink and paper!" Dorothy informed them. "See you later. And Michaela... remember don't push yourself into coming to work that soon. We are doin fine right now, and ya can relax a little longer!" With that Dorothy walked off onto the dusty road that led to her office.
"Here ya two go. It's nice and hot." Grace set the large picnic basket on the table infront of Michaela and Sully.
"Thank you Grace, Im sure we'll love it," Michaela complimented her while rising from the chair
Sully rose before her and held out his arm for her. "Shall we go Mrs. Sully?"
She smiled at him. "Yes, I believe we shall," She picked up the picnic basket with one hand and put her arm through his. With that the two walked off to the wagon that was waiting for them over by the clinic.
Sully placed the basket in the back of the wagon and then helped Michaela up into the seat. She slid over and Sullly jumped in along side her. He put his strong arm around her shoulders and with a "Ya" the wagon jolted forward.
The wagon stopped infront of the Sully homestead twenty minutes later. Sully let loose of the reigns, jumped off the side of the wagon and ran to the other side of the wagon to help Michaela down. He put his arms around her waist while Michaela put her arms on his shoulders placing her full body weight on him. Sully gently placed Michaela on the ground and grabbed the basket.
"How about we eat out here today Sully? It's so beautiful." Michaela asked turning to face him.
"I wouldn't mind. As long as you're with me. It could be pitch black and I wouldn't care." Sully gave her a wry smile.
Michaela smiled "Well then, lets fins a spot."
Sully leaned his face down and lightly kissed her. He smiled back and never took his eyes off of her. After what seemed like an eternity. Michaela turned around and led the way once to a tree that was at the edge of the homestead property. The sun was shining high above them and the huge tree gave them enough shade to cool them down but still enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
"I forgot how quiet it can be," Michaela stated as they ate a dinner of fried chicken and biscuts.
"I don't know if I like quiet. I kinda like having noisy kids around the house," Sully teased.
Michaela smiled "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Me either," Sully was being sincere. He played with her hair inbetween his fingers while he spoke those words to her. He then looked down at her plate "Are ya done eatin?"
Michaela looked down and smiled. "Yes I am! I don't think I can eat another bite!"
"Well are ya too full to hear some poetry?" Sully asked while reaching for his book filled with poetry. The binding was worn but the words inside still were young and memorable.
"I'm never too full or too tired to hear you read poetry."
Michaela snuggled in close next to Sully. He looked at her and smiled while putting his arm safely around her and squeezing her lovingly close to him. She smelled so good and every time he looked at her, he could never keep his eyes off of her. She was so beautiful.
Alright," Sully's focus came back to the present. He opened the worn book and found a poem that expressed what he was feeling. Sully shifted his weight while sitting on the ground, and cleared his throat before reciting.
CONTINUED