Original subtitles

Oh, Dorothy.

Are you all right? I can't talk now.

Brian told me you got a package for me from New York. Oh, sure do.

And a big one for Laura.

Ain't you going to open it?

Dorothy. What is it?

A

book.

Could you please stand for me, Dorothy?

There you are. Oh, thank you so much. Dorothy, a book.

I can't believe it. Neither can I.

You know, I never thought anybody'd publish it.

At first I thought, I'd never finish it.

And then I thought, it isn't any good.

And, well, here it is.

Dorothy, a book.

That's something people can hold in their hands and read and treasure.

I'm just so impressed.

Published by a fancy New York publisher, too.

What's it about?

This town and all my friends and how you all helped me and what it's like to

live on the frontier.

Am I in it?

Oh, Michaela.

Of course you are.

Here. I want you to have one. No charge.

Now you come and see me the minute that you finish it. I want to know what you

think. What you really think.

Thank you. I can't wait.

Dorothy, I would be honored if you would inscribe this for me.

Oh, of course, Reverend.

Ain't she a wonder?

Sits down and writes herself a book.

Never gave me a hint.

You kept the secret, too.

Well, actually, she didn't tell me.

Why, you two are best friends.

I'm surprised she wouldn't have told you.

From the day I walked into Colorado Springs, battered, confused, terrified,

town helped me put my life back together.

The folks here are strong and good -hearted.

They've been my salvation and my inspiration.

I dedicate this volume to them with my gratitude and love.

You told the whole world that I was an ignorant drunk.

I did not. It's right here in black and white, in a book from New York City.

I wrote that you had the strength of character to control your drinking and

learn to read as an adult, which certainly isn't easy.

Oh, that's fine. I learned just so I could read this trash.

Hey!

Anybody reading that book is going to see how strong you are.

Getting over what you did, getting elected mayor.

I wrote about you because I admire that.

That's not why you wrote this.

What are you talking about?

Revenge. You wanted to get back at me for the way things turned out between

Dorothy. Hmm?

I'm up to page 26, and there's something I've got to ask you.

Of course, Lauren.

Where am I?

Oh, Lauren, you're in there. Just keep on reading.

We were all so proud of the way Myra declared her independence and freed

from a contract with Hank.

out of my shoulder. He was scared. A perfect stranger. He just tipped his

He smiled at me.

What's wrong with that?

He was reading that book.

Oh, so everybody's reading Dorothy's book? I know.

They're all looking at us.

I don't see nobody looking at us. Why would they? Because she wrote about us.

Now everybody's gonna know.

Know what?

Know that you were one of Hank's girls.

There is not a soul that we care about that doesn't know about my past.

Now, tell me what's really going on, boss.

It's something about seeing it in a book.

A book just ain't gossip.

It sticks around a long time.

Samantha can read it when she gets older.

What gives Dorothy the right to print stuff about folks' lives?

She's a reporter. She does it every day in the Gazette. It doesn't bother

anyone.

Besides, what harm can there be in telling the truth?

Did you read that book, Dr. Knight?

Well, I've been so busy today, I haven't had a spare moment, but I can't wait.

See how you feel after you read it.

Our most perfectly named citizen is Grace.

She and her husband haven't been able to have children, but that hasn't daunted

her. She's taken Myra and her baby under her wing, and they even tried to adopt

an Indian orphan.

That's the kind of woman she is.

Even more graceful in difficulty.

Grace, we're going to have this wood box finished by the end of the day.

It'll be real nice.

Thanks for giving me a hand.

Is Grace all right?

I don't know what's going on. I don't know. She's making mistakes.

She's messing up orders. Grace, here's our food. I'd like to eat lunch before

gets to supper time.

Grace?

What is it? You sick?

Will you give them their place?

Look at me, Grace.

Look at me.

Will you look at them?

Talking about me. That's...

All I am to people now are women who can't have children.

How do you know? That's what they think.

I bet they're talking about how good your food is. Nobody whispers about

Crazy. These folks like you anyway. Anyway?

I don't want them to like me anyway.

I don't want them to pity me.

I don't want the first thing that strangers know about me is that I'm not

horrible. Shut up. Nobody thinks they're great.

The food is getting cold.

Here, finally.

Lauren Bray, my brother -in -law, owns the general store.

He was kind enough to put me up.

Well, I'm sure there'll be more of me later.

They always save the exciting stuff for the end.

Better not to be mentioned at all than... Than what?

Only with Dorothy hadn't written about me being a...

Gambler.

And the poker, Reverend?

That's the point, Jake. Dorothy was showing how the Reverend cleaned himself

and found the Lord.

I only hope the people who don't know me see it that way.

Those who do know you don't see it that way.

You didn't quite come off as a saint, Hank.

She writes about how you cheat your customers, water down your whiskey, keep

prostitutes. My reputation stands.

What I want to know is why does Spelly come off like the hero of a dime novel?

I ain't never seen such a bigger bunch of crybabies.

You're all mad because she wrote the truth.

Right, Michaela?

Dorothy's overcome so much herself. I think she means this book to be

inspirational. I'm sure she didn't mean to offend anyone.

You read it?

I haven't had time yet, but I'm looking forward to reading it this afternoon.

Where exactly are you going to be when you're reading it?

In the clinic, I suppose. Why?

Might want to steer clear of that part of town today, folk.

May I speak to you, please?

How could you?

How could you put that in a book?

What? That was private, Dorothy.

What are you talking about?

Me? Telling you about Sully, about our courtship?

About how I'd never been with a man?

That's nothing to be ashamed of. That's not the point. The point is that it was

private, Dorothy. It was between you and me. It shows you lead an honorable

life. Which is not what most people think of single women living out here.

Dorothy, I am not a lesson for your readers. I have feelings.

You knew how hard it was for me to talk about being afraid.

You knew that you were the only person that I confided in.

How could you put it in a book that anyone could read?

Are these all the books you got left?

How much did you buy them all?

Everybody couldn't know about me and Jesse.

On the cattle drive.

You know how ruthless children can be. How could you put Colleen through that?

Maybe you ought to read the whole book before you go flying off the handle.

Isn't that what a friend would do before she made up her mind? But there are

some things... Excuse me, I've got some writing to do.

And I believe you've got some reading to do.

Finish reading it?

It only gets worse.

It ain't that bad.

Brian told her he misses his real ma.

Why do I have to read about that in a book?

I read that part. I thought she made it show what a good mother you are.

Why does she have to write about it at all?

You sure you're not more upset that Brian told her instead of you?

I told Hummingbird for the report.

I can't ever get close enough to draw one.

We could build a bird feeder.

Could we?

Sure. What do they eat, Ma?

Um, I'm not sure. Sugar water?

Brian, if something was bothering you, you'd tell me, wouldn't you?

Sure.

The people we miss who've passed on like your Ma.

People we love, they stay with us always.

My father's still a part of me. He's influenced and loved with me every day.

Do you understand?

Can I be excused?

Can I be excused too? May I?

May I be excused?

You've hardly eaten a thing.

Are you feeling all right?

If your friends are making fun of you because of the book, they'll tire of it

soon. It's not that.

For the last few days, I've been feeling kind of... What?

I don't know. I got this headache and... Can I... May I be

excused?

Trust is the foundation of any relationship.

I know that some of you may have learned something new about me these past few

days, about who I was before I joined the church.

But I want you to know that you can trust me.

The relationship between a minister and his congregation is like the

relationship between a doctor and patient, or close friendship.

It's private.

If you want to tell me anything, it's just between us.

Thank you.

Reverend?

Jake?

You didn't bring in the text for the ad you're placing in the cassette.

It changed my mind.

Grace,

I baked a pie for the picnic.

I know it can't compare to yours, but I didn't want to show up empty -handed.

Well, we're not going.

Robert E. is feeling poorly.

You understand.

Ain't you gonna do something?

What can I do?

Dorothy.

I was real happy you wrote about how I gambled away the town's money.

And even Ingrid's engagement ring.

Then I figured it out.

He showed how to help me make something of myself.

The fact is I'm honored to be in the book.

Thank you, Matthew.

And I'd be honored if you'd allow me to escort you into town.

Neither can I.

Horace, oh, my goodness.

Oh, my goodness. The publisher says that the book is doing so well that he wants

me to write another book.

Dorothy, that's wonderful.

I hope it ain't about us.

Horace.

Horace, if I've offended you, I'm sorry, but I honestly don't know why.

There isn't a word in that book that isn't the truth.

I thought everybody would like my book.

I liked it.

I read it straight through. I couldn't put it down.

I was hoping you'd sign it for me.

Here.

In fact, a friend of mine is the editor of the Denver Post.

I was going to wire him and suggest that he send a journalist down here to

interview you. With your approval.

Interview?

That would be wonderful.

Oh, it's your book that's wonderful.

And it's going to do wonderful things for this town.

She gone?

Yeah. I can't believe you're still reading that sprash.

Just double -checking.

Here she's giving an interview.

Gotta tell the whole world I'm a fool.

Well, at least you're a fool.

Beg your pardon?

I'm just a bore.

According to this book, all I do is dust.

That is all you do.

Well, she don't have to write about it.

Besides, I got more than that.

Remember, I was going to Bolivia.

But you didn't go.

But I was planning to. And you didn't. But it was important to me.

She knew it was important to me.

Think what it tells you about a man.

A man who plans to make a trip like that.

Then doesn't go? You really want that in the book?

Hello, Jake.

Gotta go, Lon.

Dorothy.

Yes, Lauren.

You know, there ain't much about me in that book of yours.

Some people would be happy about that.

Do you really think I'm so... I mean, it's just that everything you got me

is so... not exactly fascinating.

Oh, Laura, not everyone has to be fascinating.

Still, it's hard to work up much excitement for somebody who never does

I know.

I'm not sure excitement's all that it's made out to be.

Okay, folks, clear of the wave. That's right, just over that way just a bit.

Just a bit, just step back just a bit.

Okay, stay there.

All right, now make sure you get as much of the bank in the background as you

can.

Mrs. Jennings, why do you think your book is so popular?

Oh, I can't say for sure. Maybe it's because it's about real people in the

Maybe that's why it's exciting to city folk.

Hold still for the photograph, please.

You know, there's no question that city people are just fascinated with life out

here. And her book makes the West appealing.

That's right.

And this is just the kind of town they want to come and visit.

And who knows, perhaps even settle down in.

Dorothy, I'm going to make sure every paper in this country knows about your

book.

It's about the best piece of civic promotion Colorado Springs could ask

You can move now.

Oh,

Michaela.

Michaela.

This gentleman is from the Denver Post.

I think you should be a part of his article. You're so important to this

and to me.

This is Dr.

Quinn. Dr.

Michaela Quinn?

From your book?

Yes. I know our readers would love to know more about you.

Excuse me, but I have patients to see.

She is very busy.

Would you excuse me a minute? I'll be right back.

I told you about the clock.

Yes, I can see you've got lots of patients waiting. Dorothy, I told you

the other day how important my privacy is to me, and now you try to get me into

the newspaper?

I was trying to be nice. I thought you'd be excited.

It seems we hardly know each other anymore.

How can you not understand?

Kayla, I am... trying to understand.

Why are you so upset about this? Not everyone likes to be the center of

attention, darling.

What's wrong with a little attention?

If you were to substitute your name for mine in your book, or Grace's, or

Colleen's, think about how you'd feel.

I wrote things about myself that were personal, about my husband, how he beat

me. But you chose to. I didn't have a choice. You didn't give me one.

You had no right. I do.

I do have a right.

You yourself always told me I've got a duty to tell the truth.

You've got your doctrine to make yourself feel worthwhile. Well, now I've

book.

Standing outside that door is the best thing that ever happened to me.

And I wanted my friend, my best friend, to be a part of it, to be happy for me.

Medical school and then practicing with my father.

People have always talked about me.

Mostly behind my back.

It wasn't any better coming out here.

Somehow I've always been on display.

And it's the price I pay, I know that.

But there are some things that I need to keep from me.

It's at the center of who I am, and if you can't understand that... What?

I don't know how to be with you anymore.

Every time I open my mouth, I'm afraid you're going to write about it.

I'm afraid this very minute.

How can we be friends if I can't trust you?

What do you want me to do, stop writing?

You're right.

We can't be friends.

I realize now we never really were.

It may be a little late. I'm going to the quilting circle.

You all right?

I think I'll pick up Colleen from school instead.

I've been meaning to talk to her.

Is that why you're not going to the quilting circle?

Or is it because Dorothy might be?

You've been miserable since the two of you stopped talking.

Well, how can I be friends with her if I can't trust her?

You didn't agree about something.

That's no reason to lose a friend.

Sully, how did this turn into a fight between us?

I guess I was hoping that you'd just try harder to work things out with people

that matter to you.

You're right, but it's hard.

And I'd appreciate your help instead of your criticism.

I'm not going to help you make Dorothy not matter to you.

Don't have that headache?

What about your appetite?

Colleen, please, if you're upset about the book, perhaps there's something I

do to help.

But if there's something wrong with you physically, you have to tell me.

It's just... For the past week or so, I haven't... Are you in pain?

It's so embarrassing.

You've always been able to talk. You know you can tell me anything.

And then you go tell everybody.

Just like you told Dorothy about me and Jesse.

Sorry I'm late.

I'm afraid I left my clothing supplies at home.

It's all right. I've got it.

Grace,

I'm trying to pick Samantha.

I'm just trying to get this.

Please, you've got to try with her. Here you go. Grace, you know how much you

love her.

But I tell you,

you've got the touch.

Afternoon, ladies.

What a lovely gathering.

Just the scene perfect for a mortalization in Collier's magazine.

Collier's? They're sending their best reporter to interview you.

Old Harvard chum of mine.

Oh, Collier's.

Oh, I always used to sit at home and read and...

wonder over the people in that magazine.

Well, now they'll be sitting at home reading and wondering over you. And our

beautiful town.

You, uh, all right, Dorothy?

I am. I should not be.

You're getting a late start.

Just a little tired. Don't make such a fuss.

I, uh, got in some of that peppermint tea you like.

Well, maybe later.

You know, folks have been asking about the Gazette.

It ain't like you to be late.

Oh, Lauren, I don't know. I just... I can't seem to figure...

I never meant to hurt anybody.

Don't you worry about hurting my feelings.

I'm like a stick of old furniture you forget.

I'm used to it.

Lauren, you got any more copies of our bestseller?

No, all sold out.

Well, I need some copies to send to people who are interested in investing

our fair city.

When are you going to get some more?

Well, I may not be ordering any more.

Why on earth not?

It's not like you not to stock a product that's so popular.

Dorothy?

Just a little tired.

Make some sugar and water up.

You're going to be fighting those hummingbirds off.

Hey, Brian.

Is there something you want to talk about?

It's all right if you don't want to talk about it.

It is?

But you know, sometimes when you don't talk about things, they rattle around in

your head and seem bigger than it really is.

Sometimes it's best just to let it out.

Even, well, maybe make somebody mad?

You mean like your ma?

I'm just learning my way around this myself, but it seems that...

When you don't talk to her, it's worse than anything you could ever say.

She never gets out of bed.

She's not eating anything.

And it's been days now.

Did she ask you to come for me? No.

She doesn't know I'm here.

But she's got to be sick.

She even missed putting out the Gazette.

That's never happened before.

I'll get my bag. I'll be right over.

Come in.

Lauren said you were ill.

Oh.

I can't seem to sleep.

Any appetite?

Any pain?

I'm sure it's nothing.

Well, I think I should examine you anyway.

May I feel your throat?

You don't have to.

I think it would be wise.

Well, you don't seem to have a fever.

I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?

Everything appears to be normal.

It's the book.

That's why I haven't been able to sleep.

I had no idea things would turn out like this. I keep going over and over it in

my mind.

Do you want me to give you something to help you sleep?

What I want, Michaela, is for things to be the way they were.

So I've been thinking that maybe the best medicine is to stop writing.

So that's what I'm going to do.

Can't sleep?

Your head never gets so full.

Feels like it's going to bust.

Well, that's why I couldn't sleep either.

Dr. Wormwood?

Yes, you read in that book.

I told Miss Dorothy.

I was scared. I told you I missed Ma.

It hurts your feelings.

That's very thoughtful of you, Brian.

I don't mean I don't love you.

It's just different.

You're right, Brian.

There are different kinds of love, too many for one little word.

I think the best kind is feeling safe with people.

Knowing you can confide in them and you'll still love each other.

How do I feel with you?

Me too.

Good night, Mom.

Good night.

Thank you.

How is the Gazette coming?

I'm finished with the Gazette.

And I've written my publisher to tell him I'm not going to write the other

What?

Why not?

The people I wrote about are mad at me for what I wrote.

And you're mad at me because I didn't write enough. And even if I had, you'd

mad at me for what I wrote.

There's just no winning.

But the Gazette, folks...

Count on it. We can find somebody else.

Dorothy. Lauren.

I've made up my mind.

My friends are just too important.

You know, Horace, you were right.

What? Dorothy doesn't tell everything right.

She says I freed myself from my contract with Hank, but I didn't do it all by

myself.

You helped me.

I didn't do anything.

I just stood by and watched.

You did.

Just right.

You stood by me.

Do you think I would have had the guts to rip out that contract if I didn't

you? I should have done it for you.

A real man would have found a way to pay it off. Just because you didn't have

the money and you didn't fight Hank, that doesn't mean you're not a real man.

Dorothy, Horace and I need to thank you.

You've done us a favor.

She did?

Your bookie brought out something in the open that we need to set straight.

I don't know what we would have done if we hadn't read it.

She's right.

Thank you, Dorothy.

I'm glad.

You want me to post that letter?

Yes, please.

Robert E., I've never seen the cafe so busy.

Ever since that book came out, all these new folks want to try Grayson's food.

It's Avila Hospitality, I imagine.

I was looking forward to some of her side of myself and saying hello.

Well, now is not a good time. She's not in a talking mood.

Rope me in to serve enough.

Robert E.

Hold your horses. Here's your meatloaf. I ordered pot roast.

No, you didn't. I don't know what I ordered. Does that look like pot roast?

This is not what I do.

Well, it's good of you to pitch in.

Pitch in?

Now, if I wasn't here, the food would just sit back there. She don't want to

anybody. Sully told me.

She's still feeling poorly?

No, I'm feeling poorly. She's being ornery.

This is your cafe. I got a business in my home. Robert E., you know how busy...

Well, why do you think you're so busy?

Because you are a great cook and a good, gracious woman, just like Dorothy

wrote. She also wrote that... You think that matters to these folks?

Come on, sugar, look at them.

They're here because of who you are, not who you're not.

the only woman in this town who's married to me.

And you're the only man in town lucky enough to be married to

me.

That's the truth.

I'm sorry, Dr. Mike. I seem to be all out.

You can't argue with popularity.

No.

Guess you can't.

It's funny how we see ourselves.

It sometimes blinds us to the way other folks see us.

Let's go check the bird feeder.

But we already... Colleen, I owe you an apology.

I shouldn't have spoken to Dorothy about you. I was wrong.

Will you forgive me?

Are you going to forgive Dorothy?

Well, that's between Dorothy and me.

Just as anything you'd say to me would be between us.

I promise.

All right.

Ma?

I'm late for my monthly.

I didn't tell you because I read it means you can't be.

But I haven't done anything.

Colleen. And then I got this headache.

Colleen, women can be late for lots of reasons that are nothing to worry about.

Especially young women.

It happened to me when I was your age.

I know it can be frightening, but it doesn't mean there's anything wrong.

Then what makes it happen?

Often, being upset.

The way you felt about the book could have made you upset in the first place,

and then worrying about it could have made it worse.

But what about the headaches and not being hungry?

And the sleeplessness? All of that could have been caused by just being upset.

Worrying about a book could make all that happen.

Then what?

Writing's like putting a message in a bottle and tossing it out into the

You don't know where it's going to end up.

But when somebody picks it up and it has meaning for them, there's nothing like

that feeling.

It's very powerful.

I didn't know how powerful.

All your friends must be very excited at the prospect of being read about all

over the country.

I wanted them to be.

I wanted so much to please them, to give them back something for all they've

given me.

What's your next book going to be about?

Any chance of getting a scoop for Collier's?

I can't tell you how flattering that is.

But there's not going to be a next book.

I never counted on folks... on friends...

getting... hurt.

And that was my fault. I didn't think things through like I should have.

So, I've decided there are other ways to live my life besides sitting inside

holding a pen.

Find time to come to your senses after the damage is done.

So you didn't like the book?

I never thought I'd live to see the day people got paid for writing half -baked

gossip.

Some things ought to stay private.

I used to think that as well.

But I've come to realize that many things do the most harm when they're

There's a difference between gossip and communication.

Dorothy's book has taught us how to talk about things, to look at things

honestly.

She's done a lot of good, at least for me and my family.

She's done a lot of good for us all.

It's in the hot spring.

Fine, it's in the west.

Maybe the train can even pick it up from Denver.

from you. You can't stop writing, Dorothy.

You're a writer. That's who you are.

I know that as surely as I know that I'm a doctor.

When I had my cancer, I asked you not to tell it so, and you didn't.

I should have talked to you about my book before. You're not a doctor or a

priest.

You're a journalist.

It's your job to tell the truth, and you did.

Keep writing.

Dorothy, I'd be honored if you would inscribe this for me.

who showed me the way.

Our friendship is like a light in the

window on a dark night.