Thank you everyone who is continuing to review the story. Glad you're enjoying it. Yes, I am trying to weave it in with events from the series, but not always in the order they originally happened. For example, Matthew's relationship with Emma and Myra starting work at the bank started in the same episode, but here I've had Myra working at the bank for a while. Hope that's ok with everyone. Please leave a review :)

May 16th 1871

Colorado Springs

Summer was fast approaching and it was unseasonably warm in town. Rebecca, hard at work sweeping the store, could feel beads of sweat tricking down her back and pooling uncomfortably at her waist. Tendrils of hair kept coming loose from where she had piled it on top of her head and she could tell, without the need for a mirror, that her face would be the colour of beetroot. Straightening up and stretching her back, she glanced at the clock on the wall again and saw that it was fast approaching four o'clock. Loren had been gone for over an hour and she was in danger of being late for dinner with Preston's investors. They had arrived on the train that morning and were staying for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Spring Chateau and Health Resort which was due to take place the following day.

"Hey Rebecca."

She turned to see Myra coming into the shop holding Samantha in her arms. "Myra," she greeted her, "Hello Samantha." The little girl smiled at her. "Is that you finished for the day?"

Myra nodded, "Thank goodness. No offence, but I'm not sure I could have stayed in Preston's company for much longer. He's been jumping about all day like a cat on a hot tin roof showing these investors round and…"she sighed, "I hope things go well tomorrow."

"So do I," Rebecca said, glancing at the clock again, "is there something I can get for you?"

"No," she replied, "but Preston asked me to come in and see if you were finished."

"Did he now?"

"He wanted me to remind you that dinner is at six at Grace's."

"As if I could forget that," Rebecca said, "impressing these investors has been the only topic of conversation for weeks now! I think he's forgotten that we're getting married in less than a month's time."

"It's so exciting!" Myra said, "You must be really looking forward to it."

"I am," Rebecca replied, "although I do hope it's not as warm as this in Denver." She fanned herself with her hand. "If you don't mind, Myra, I think I'll just…sit down for a minute…" she could feel herself growing light headed in the heat and sank down gratefully on Dorothy's chair.

"Are you all right?" Myra asked, "You went mighty pale there."

"I'm fine," she reassured her, "It's only the heat."

"You sure you ain't having one of your…you know…attacks?"

"Positive. Believe me, I would know." Rebecca wiped her brow, "Have you seen Loren? He said he was going to talk to Jake and that was over an hour ago. If he's any longer, I won't make dinner at all."

"No, I ain't," Myra replied, "Do you want me to go look for him?"

"No, no. I'm sure he'll be here any minute. You'd best get on home to Horace before he wonders what's happened to you."

"All right then," Myra said, "if you're sure?"

"I'm sure, believe me." A thought suddenly struck her, "Myra?"

"Yes?"

"What does Horace think about you working at the bank?"

Myra blushed slightly, "Between you and me, he doesn't like it. I think he preferred it when I was at the telegraph office. But I'm grateful to Preston for giving me the job. He seems to think differently to most men."

"How so?" Rebecca asked, interested.

"Well, he really wanted me to take this job and I heard that he was talking to Dorothy about her expanding the Gazette. He seems to think there's nothing wrong with women earning a living."

"Except his wife," Rebecca muttered.

"Sorry?"

"Nothing," she smiled, "off you go. I'll see you tomorrow at the ceremony."

"Ok," Myra said, "night." As she was leaving, Loren came rushing in.

"Sorry Rebecca," he said, "I got caught up with Jake and lost track of the time." He peered at her, "You all right?"

"I'm fine, Loren, thank you," she got to her feet and removed her apron.

"You sure you ain't having one of your turns? I could get Doctor Mike…"

"No, I'm not having 'one of my turns'," she replied, "it's just the heat, that's all." She wiped her forehead again, "I'd best be on my way, if I'm to make this dinner tonight."

"Oh yes, Preston's investors," Loren said, "should be an interesting ceremony tomorrow."

"Yes I suppose it should," Rebecca replied, "Good night." With that, she left the store and began hurriedly crossing the street to the boarding house. As she reached the door, she stopped at the sound of her name being called. Turning, she saw Michaela coming towards her with another woman by her side.

"Rebecca, I'd like you to meet my sister Marjorie."

"It's a pleasure," Rebecca shook her hand, "You're in town for the birth?" she gestured to Michaela's ever expanding waistline.

"We wouldn't miss it," Marjorie replied, "Michaela tells me you own a farm around here."

"Used to," Rebecca replied, "unfortunately the bank repossessed it."

"How terrible," Marjorie shook her head, "I always think it's nice to meet fellow independent women." Rebecca smiled. "Although I also hear that you're about to marry the local banker."

"Yes that's true," Rebecca said.

"Well, there shouldn't be much problem in getting your farm back then, should there?" Marjorie smiled.

"No," Rebecca said indulgently, "I suppose there shouldn't."

"Rebecca, you look very pale," Michaela said, "are you feeling all right?"

"Fine," she replied, slightly impatiently, "I'm sorry, but I'm really running late. Preston is having dinner with his investors this evening and I must change out of these clothes."

"We won't keep you," Michaela said, taking Marjorie's arm and steering her away.

Rebecca let herself into the boarding house and hurried to her room. Checking her watch, she saw she didn't have long. Splashing her face with cold water to cool herself, she opened the small wardrobe and surveyed her collection of dresses. For Preston's sake, it was important that she make a good impression this evening. Extremely important.

XXXX

As the hands of his pocket watch slipped to six o'clock, Preston found himself scanning the approach to the cafe hoping to catch sight of Rebecca. His investors were none too perturbed. Having appeared to have had a fruitful and pleasant day, they all seemed in good spirits. But Preston knew that it was a constant battle to make sure that they remained impressed and therefore keen to support their investment. It was imperative that nothing go wrong.

"Where is this charming fiancée of yours, Preston?" Thomas Ballantyne asked, "I'm eager to meet her."

"She's on her way," Preston reassured him. "Rebecca is nothing if not punctual." As he said the words, he suddenly saw her hurrying towards the entrance to the café. "In fact, here she is now." He got to his feet.

"Please excuse me gentlemen," Rebecca said, approaching the table, "I'm afraid I got held up on my way over here." They all got to their feet and nodded to her. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Not at all," Preston said, pulling out a chair for her, "You look lovely," he added quietly. "Gentlemen, this is my fiancée, Rebecca McKendrick. Rebecca, this is Mr Thomas Ballantyne, Mr Francis North, Mr Harold Lewis and Mr Charles Davidson." He introduced them in turn.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Rebecca replied, "I trust you've all had a good day?"

"Indeed!" Francis exclaimed, "Preston has been filling us in on all his plans. I must confess, it all sounds quite brilliant."

"What do you think about the resort, Miss McKendrick?" Harold asked her.

"Rebecca, please," she replied, shooting him a winning smile, "I think it's a wonderful idea and just what the town needs. Not to mention the people that will come for the hot springs."

"Took a Lodge to come up with the idea, eh?" Harold slapped Preston on the back as Grace arrived with the food.

"Preston is very creative," Rebecca added. The rest of the conversation began to wash over her as the men discussed the business plans for the resort. Occasionally, she chipped in with a comment here or there, but for the most part she tuned out.

"A resort as fine as you're going to have, Preston, needs a pretty hostess," Charles said as he puffed on his after dinner cigar, "And if your good lady is as charming to your guests as she has been to us, I foresee there being little problem."

"Of course I'll be happy to help out at the hotel," Rebecca said, "but I already have my own job."

"Really?" Thomas peered at her, "What might that be?"

"I work in the local store," she explained.

"Something which she will not be doing for much longer," Preston interrupted.

"I think that's up to me, Preston, don't you?" she said, as calmly as possible.

He looked at her and she could see the faint trace of annoyance in his expression, "Well, it's certainly something we need to discuss, my dear."

"Nothing to discuss," Harold thumped the table, "Woman's place is in the home cooking, cleaning and raising children. Make sure you take a firm hand with her, Preston."

To Rebecca's relief, the subject was quickly changed and before she knew it, everyone was rising from the table. Preston's guests were travelling the short distance by train to Soda Springs to stay at a small hotel before returning the following day for the ceremony. Preston pulled out Rebecca's chair and, as she stood, she felt the blackness threatening to close over her again. Taking a deep breath, she fought against it as hard as she could, knowing it would not be good were she to collapse in front of everyone. Preston didn't appear to notice but as Grace arrived to clear the plates, she did a double take at the younger woman.

"Rebecca, are you all right?" she asked, "You look terribly pale."

"I'm fine, Grace, thank you," Rebecca said. "It's been a long day, that's all."

"If you're sure…" Grace said unconvinced.

"Positive," Rebecca forced a smile.

"Rebecca," Preston appeared at her side, "the gentlemen are preparing to board the train. Will you accompany us to the station?"

She linked her arm through his, "Of course." They made the short journey to the station, Preston conversing with Thomas and Rebecca trying hard to remain on her feet.

"Preston, it's been a pleasure!" Harold declared as the train pulled up. "I know I'm looking forward to coming back tomorrow for the ceremony."

"Well, we'll be glad to have you back again," Preston said, "won't we Rebecca?"

"Yes," she said, "yes we will."

"It was very nice to make your acquaintance," Francis kissed her hand, "Until tomorrow then." The four of them boarded the train and Preston and Rebecca waited until it had pulled out of the station.

"Well, I think that went very well," Preston said, turning to her, "Very well indeed, don't you?"

"Yes," she replied, "they seem very nice gentlemen and very keen."

"Absolutely," he enthused, "and we need to keep it that way. Which is way tomorrow must go according to plan. Now, I have Myra working to a strict timetable, but I will need your input too."

"Of course," she said weakly.

"They all seemed rather taken with you," he continued, "And why shouldn't they be? I know I can count on you to utilise that charm tomorrow."

"Yes," she said.

He paused and looked at her, "You look rather pale, my dear, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she reassured him, "It's been a long, hot day and I'm rather tired."

"No wonder, the way Loren has you working in that store. I mean it, Rebecca, once we are married you will be giving that job up. It's not fitting for a woman of your breeding to be working in a general store."

"But it was fitting enough for me to work on the farm?"

"That was different," he argued, "no, I think the sooner you give up that job, the better."

"I think that's my decision, Preston," she said, "and I haven't made it yet."

"Rebecca…"

"Please," she interrupted him, "let's not dwell on it tonight. Tomorrow is going to be another long day for both of us."

"Of course." They started to make their way back up the street towards the boarding house. "I only hope everything goes well tomorrow," Preston said, "if anything were to go wrong it would be disastrous…"

Rebecca wasn't listening. She felt extremely peculiar, a mixture of fatigue and heat, despite the fact the sun had dipped. Her chest was tight and she could hear her breath coming in shortened bursts. It had been so long since she had had an attack. It couldn't possibly be happening now.

"…doing the food for the ceremony. I understand she's doing something for Michaela's baby shower too but…"

"Preston…" She stopped walking suddenly.

"Yes?" he turned to her, "What is it?"

"I…"

"Rebecca, you really are extremely pale." Concern flooded his face, "Are you sure you're all right?"

"I think I…" before she could finish the sentence, she had pitched forward into his arms, and the world had gone dark around her.

XXXX

Colleen was tidying Michaela's clinic, aided by Doctor Andrew Cook. In truth, he had spent most of the day there earlier when he had arrived on the train with Mrs Quinn, Marjorie and Rebecca. Colleen had laughed at that. Two Rebecca's in town. How would everyone not get completely confused? Colleen couldn't help being quite taken with the new young doctor. He seemed shy and nervous, rather like herself, but she liked him and hoped that he would be staying in Colorado Springs for some time, even after he had delivered the baby.

"Thank you for helping me," she said.

"Not at all," he replied, "I couldn't have had you come all the way back into town on your own."

"Ma said I could leave it until tomorrow but…I like having things tidy for the next day." She rolled up some bandages and put them away in the cupboard, "Besides, it's quiet in here in the evenings."

"I must say, your town is very impressive," Andrew said, "so different from Boston, but in a good way."

"It'll be getting as big as Boston in a few years," she asserted, "especially once Mr Lodge opens his hotel…" As she said the words, the door to the clinic burst open and Preston appeared, carrying Rebecca in his arms. "Rebecca!"

"Where's Michaela?" Preston demanded.

"She's at home," Colleen replied, "what happened?"

"She just collapsed in the street," he said, laying her down on the bed, "I'm concerned it might be her heart." He caught sight of Andrew. "Are you a doctor?"

"Yes, Doctor Andrew Cook."

"Thank goodness," Preston said, "please, you have to help her." He could hear the panic in his own voice.

"She has a heart condition," Colleen explained quickly. "Ma prescribes digitalis for it."

"Do we have any here?" Andrew asked.

"Yes, I'll get some," Colleen hurried over to the cupboard and began looking through the bottles. Andrew meanwhile grabbed the stethoscope and began listening to Rebecca's heart.

"Her breath sounds are good," he relayed. He made to pull up her eyelids when Rebecca's eyes suddenly fluttered and then opened.

"Rebecca?" Preston leaned in towards her.

"Preston…" she said faintly.

"I'm here," he reassured her. "You're in the clinic and you're going to be fine."

"Rebecca, I'm Doctor Cook," Andrew said, "how do you feel?"

"I'm…I'm all right," she said, "I just…I just fainted." She made to sit up but Andrew pressed her back down.

"Stay where you are for the moment," he said, "until I finish checking you over."

"Do you need this?" Colleen held up the digitalis.

"No, I don't think so."

Preston watched anxiously as Andrew continued his examination. "I'm sorry." He looked down to see Rebecca looking up at him. "I'm sorry if I frightened you."

"You have nothing to be sorry about," he reassured her.

"I don't know what happened…"

"I do," he said, "it's working in that store. I'm putting my foot down now, Rebecca. I mean it. No more. I'll tell Loren tomorrow that you will no longer be working there. It's clearly not good for your health."

"Can you sit up?" Andrew asked. With Preston's help, Rebecca pulled herself into a seated position. "How do you feel now?"

"Better," she replied.

"You're not as pale as you were earlier," Preston said helpfully.

"I was working too hard, that's all," she explained to them, "and the heat today…"

"You must make sure that you take plenty of breaks and drink plenty water when undertaking physical work in this heat," Andrew said, "aside from that, have you had any problems recently with your heart?"

"No."

"You're sure?"

"My last attack was at Christmas," she said, "I'm fine, honestly."

"You can stay here tonight," Colleen said, "I don't mind staying with you."

"No," Rebecca said, "I want to go back to the boarding house."

"Perhaps you should stay here," Preston said.

"No," she insisted, "I'm fine. It wasn't an attack. I just fainted." She swung her legs over the bed and made to climb off. "We have a lot to do tomorrow."

"All you will be doing tomorrow is resting," Preston said.

"I don't need to rest," she said, getting to her feet with his help, "I'm perfectly fine. Thank you Doctor Cook, Colleen." She reached into her purse to retrieve some money.

"Rebecca…" Preston stopped her and then handed some of his own to Andrew, "thank you for your help."

"You're welcome," Andrew said.

Rebecca left the clinic hurriedly, Preston a few paces behind. "Rebecca." She kept walking. "Rebecca!"

"What?"

He stopped her in her tracks and turned her to face him. "Have you been feeling unwell recently?"

"No. I just fainted, that's all."

"You're sure? You would tell me if you thought you were experiencing your attacks again?"

"Yes I would," she reassured him. "Now please, Preston, go home. I'll see you tomorrow for the ceremony." She reached up and kissed him quickly on the cheek before turning and heading back towards the boarding house.