Hee hee, glad you all like the new story. I couldn't let you all down now, could I? And you were right, there are other stories to be told. Although at the moment, I'm only envisioning this one and the one set 16 years later, as there's only so much you can write about the trials and tribulations of one couple without it becoming boring and far-fetched!

"You're exaggerating," Jake said early the next morning as he, Hank and Emma Jane sat down to discuss the state of their business, "We're doin' fine."

"We're not doing fine," Emma Jane insisted, "I've looked at the books, Jake," she tossed the stack of papers that constituted 'the books' onto the table in front of her, "You've been able to read for a few years now, Jake, you must be able to see what I'm talking about."

"Hotel's busy," he continued, unwilling to agree with her.

"Yes, for now. But once this spell ends, which it will, it'll be back to how it usually is. Us barely keeping our heads above water." Emma Jane sighed heavily, "We need to do something."

"Like what?" Hank spoke up for the first time.

"We need to make cutbacks."

"Cutbacks?" he looked at her. She nodded, "Such as?"

"Well, for a start…" she lifted the bottle of whisky and the empty glasses sitting in front of Hank and Jake and put them down on the bar, "no more drinks on the house."

"What?" they both declared in unison.

"If you want a drink, you can pay for it like everybody else," she continued, "the two of you are drinking so much of our stock I'm surprised we've got any left!"

"Now hang on a second…" Hank started.

"I'm serious." Emma Jane knew she was annoying them both, but something needed to be done.

"Just cause you're goin' through the change…" Jake said.

"I am not going through the change!" Emma Jane glared at him, "I'm perfectly in control of myself and I know exactly what I'm doing!"

Jake and Hank exchanged looks of annoyance, "What else?" the former asked.

"Maybe we should get the girls to increase their prices."

"Yeah, right," Hank laughed, "We do that, nobody's gonna want to go with 'em. That's a stupid idea."

"Then you think of something," Emma Jane retorted, "because if you don't, within a matter of months we're going to be out of business and Preston is going to be laughing at us."

"Don't want that," Jake mumbled, "How'd you figure all this out, anyway?"

"You may think I'm just some stupid female, Jake, but I do actually have a brain in my head," Emma Jane replied, "And I lived in a banking family for sixteen years. Father used to explain things to Thomas and I when he wasn't busy. Besides, I spoke to Thomas about it and he said…"

"Wait!" Hank picked up on this straightaway, "Ya spoke to Thomas?"

"Yes."

"Ya don't got any right to do that, Emma Jane!" he said, "this is our business! Ain't got nothin' to do with him!"

"He's my brother as well as a banker and he understands…"

"Uh, maybe I should…?" Jake said, gesturing to the door.

"Don't care what he understands!" Hank faced her, "Ya don't go talkin' bout stuff like this with other folks!"

"He's not 'other folks,' Hank…"

"Ain't havin' him thinkin' I can't provide for my own family. Ain't havin' him or yer Pa knowin' what's goin' on here and talkin' bout how right they was about me," Hank continued angrily.

"They don't think that," Emma Jane moved to put her hand on his arm, but he shrugged her off.

He stood up and walked over to the bar and poured himself a whisky. Then, as if remembering the new rule, reached into his pocket and tossed a coin down on the table in front of his wife, "Here. Wouldn't want ya to think I weren't gonna pay for it." Then he turned and left, leaving Emma Jane and Jake alone.

"Well…" Jake said after a long pause, "Reckon that went well."

"I'm sorry if you don't want to hear it, Jake. But I'm not saying all this to make things difficult. It's the truth. We need to pull something out of the bag if we don't want the Spring Chateau to push us under."

"Got any ideas?"

She shook her head, "I'll think of something."

SSSS

Preston had been ready to meet his new colleague since the crack of dawn. He had risen extra early, washed and dressed in his best suit and then had double-checked personally that the room set aside for Mr Williams at the Spring Chateau was in order. Then, he had taken the carriage into town to make sure the bank was looking its best. As he stood in front of it and admired the gleam on the windows, he told himself yet again what a smart businessman he was indeed.

As he was admiring his empire, he caught sight of Jake coming out of the Gold Nugget, looking less than happy, "Morning Jake!" Preston called cheerfully, "Glorious day, isn't it?"

Jake looked at him, "If you say so."

"Now, now, why so gloomy?" Preston inquired, "I hear you have a full hotel."

Jake, while remembering what Emma Jane had said, chose to push it to the back of his mind, "Yes we do, and we're fully booked up for the next month."

"Really?" Preston raised his eyebrows, "well congratulations. I assume you'll be putting your many profits to good use."

"Well…yes, of course," Jake replied, "We're going to be putting in extra rooms."

"How fascinating," Preston replied, "I look forward to seeing them." At that moment, a far-off whistle indicated that the morning train was approaching, "Well, I must dash. I have an important gentleman to greet." He turned and hurried towards the station.

"Pompous ass," Jake muttered under his breath, before continuing on to the barber shop.

Jake forgotten, Preston dashed onto the platform in time for the train to pull slowly into the station. Adjusting his tie and hat one more time, he waited as it came to a complete stop and passengers began disembarking. He didn't know what Frank Williams looked like, but he had a feeling he would know him when he saw him.

His intuition proved correct. A man stepped out of the train, carrying a suitcase, and began looking around him. Preston could tell, just from the cut of his suit, that this was his guest, "Mr Williams?" he stepped forward.

The man turned, "Mr Lodge?" They shook hands.

"An honour to finally meet you," Preston said, "I hope your journey was pleasant?"

"Long, but pleasant," Frank replied, "you have some wonderful scenery in these parts."

"Well that is indeed something the frontier can offer that the city can't," Preston said, "beautiful scenery and wide-open spaces. Gives a man quite a thrill to go to work in the morning with such glorious views."

"Quite," Frank replied.

"Now, I wasn't sure what you would like to do first," Preston got back to business, "Whether you would like to see the bank, or head to the Spring Chateau to freshen up before we get down to business."

"I think a stop at your hotel might be a rather good idea," Frank replied.

"Splendid. It's but a carriage ride away," Preston replied, "I know my wife, Sarah, is looking forward to seeing you again."

Frank didn't share this enthusiasm, but he smiled anyway. As Preston put his suitcase into the back of the carriage, he glanced around and caught sight of the Gold Nugget sign. "The Gold Nugget," he said to himself.

"Ah yes, the competition," Preston said, catching his words, "Not nearly in the same league as the Spring Chateau."

"Might I inquire as to whether Mrs Emma Jane Lawson lives there?" Frank asked, climbing into the carriage.

"Yes, she does," Preston replied, "Do you know her?"

"No, only her father," Frank replied, "although I would like to meet her."

"I'm sure that can be arranged," Preston moved the horse forward, "but I must warn you, she has, over the years, lost her city manners."

"Really?"

"Indeed. One would think she had been born and bred here."

SSSS

"Am I?" Emma Jane inquired fearfully, "Am I going through the change?"

Michaela removed her stethoscope and smiled, "No, you're not."

Emma Jane sighed with relief, "Thank goodness for that! Jake's had me convinced…"

"Jake?"

"Oh, he was talking about how I must be going through the change because I've been feeling a little hot," she waved her hand dismissively, "I should learn not to listen to him."

"You're a little too young for the change yet," Michaela smiled, "Even I've not experienced it yet," she confided, "It's most likely just been a case of the heat in the bar and tiredness." She moved over to her desk, "Have you been feeling tired lately?"

"Only when it's busy in the bar," Emma Jane replied, re-buttoning her dress, "and it has been for the past day or so."

"What about stress?"

"What's not stressful about running a hotel?" she replied with a smile. "I suppose I am a little stressed out. I haven't been sleeping so well lately. Too much on my mind."

"Are you worried about Will?" Michaela asked gently.

Emma Jane nodded, "Of course. I worry every time he coughs. I keep thinking he's going to have a severe attack and…and die…" she ran a hand over her eyes, "and things at the hotel haven't been going so well lately."

"I see."

"Competing with the Spring Chateau is causing a few problems," Emma Jane confided, "All I can think about is whether or not we're going to still be open in a few months time." She sighed heavily. "I think I've been a little difficult to live with recently."

"No wonder you've been feeling a little under the weather," Michaela stepped back over and put a hand on her arm, "You really should try and relax a bit, or you'll put yourself in an early grave."

Emma Jane reached into her purse and pulled out some money, "Thank you. It's just a relief to know that something isn't wrong with me too." She opened the door, "We should have lunch sometime soon."

"I'd like that," Michaela replied.

Emma Jane smiled and left the clinic, closing the door behind her. She made her way back across the street to the hotel and pushed open the door to the bar. She stopped, surprised at how quiet it was.

"Where is everyone?" she asked Jake who was cleaning glasses behind the bar.

"That Rawlston family checked out," he told her, "all ten of 'em. Guess they've left a hole."

"I suppose so," she replied, "have you seen Hank?"

"In the kitchen," he replied.

Emma Jane walked through the bar and into the kitchen where she found Hank sitting smoking at the table. "Hello," she greeted him.

"Hey," he replied.

She poured herself a cup of tea, "I went to see Michaela. She's says there's nothing wrong with me. I'm not going through the change, so Jake can keep his medical opinions to himself." She sat down opposite him, "Hank, I didn't say what I did this morning to upset you. I'm just trying to keep the Gold Nugget going, but…I'm sorry if you were angry with me for speaking to Thomas. I won't do it again."

Hank looked up at her, "Yer right about the hotel. We do gotta try and make some more money. Just didn't like the idea of yer family knowin' all about it. Can just imagine what yer Ma would be sayin'."

"Thomas wouldn't tell her anything I said," she reassured him. "But you're right. This should be between you, me and Jake, no-one else." She stood up and came and beside him, "So, do you forgive me?"

Hank pushed his chair back from the table and pulled her onto his lap, "S'pose so. Gonna have to make it up to me, though."

"Really?" she looked at him reproachfully, "What exactly did you have in mind?"

He grinned at her, "Place is quiet, Jake's workin' the bar…figure nobody'd miss us."

Emma Jane laughed, "Well, in that case…"

SSSS

"I must say, Mr Lodge," Frank said, looking around his room, "You do have a most remarkable hotel."

"Thank you," Preston replied, "but please call me Preston. After all, we are going to be working together."

"Indeed, Preston," Frank replied, "in that case, call me Frank."

"I'm glad we have that sorted," Preston replied, "would you like some lunch? It'll give you a chance to taste our fine cuisine and also get reacquainted with my wife."

"Sounds wonderful," Frank replied, following his host as he led him down the stairs towards the dining room. When they entered, he saw Sarah already sat at a table. She rose as they approached.

"Frank, you remember my wife, Sarah," Preston said.

"Of course," he replied, kissing her outstretched hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you again Mrs Lodge."

"The pleasure is mine," Sarah replied with a dazzling smile as they sat down, "You survived the journey to our little town then?"

"Yes, indeed, it was very pleasant," Frank replied, "and from what I've seen of Colorado Springs so far, it appears quite delightful."

"It is the potential for growth that I find so appealing," Preston said, "the fact that in a few years time…"

"Preston, please don't bore me for another evening with your business talk," Sarah interrupted her husband, "I'm sure you'll have plenty of opportunity to discuss that later. Mr Williams, why don't you tell me about New York? It's a city I've rarely visited and yet I understand that it is just as good, if not better, than Boston."

For the next half hour they chatted good-naturedly, comparing New York and Boston and eating the dinner that had been prepared. Frank was impressed with the standard, yet he was still curious about the Gold Nugget.

"Oh they're a rough lot over there," Preston said when he inquired about it again, "here at the Spring Chateau, we attract the more…upmarket clientele."

"Was the Gold Nugget here first?" Frank inquired.

"Goodness no!" Sarah said quickly, "the moment Mr Slicker and Mr Lawson heard that Preston was establishing a hotel here they ran out and copied him. Really, it's quite frightful when you sit and think about it." She pursed her lips, "As for Mrs Lawson…"

"Oh, so you know Emma Jane then?" Frank said.

"Of course," Sarah replied, "although I wouldn't say we were friends exactly. If you ask me, Mr Williams, she lets New York down terribly in this town. Of course, it's because of who she's married to. One can't be expected to uphold one's standards when one is married to…well…someone like Mr Lawson."

"My dear," Preston said, coughing nervously, "We don't want to give ourselves a reputation for being gossips now, do we?" He smiled at Frank, "I'm sure you'll be able to judge for yourself eventually," he raised his wine glass, "Let's have a toast. To new beginnings."

"New beginnings," Frank and Sarah echoed.

SSSS

"Ma! Ma!" Victoria burst in the back door of the hotel and into the kitchen where Emma Jane was preparing the lunch, "Ma, guess what?"

"What?" Emma Jane replied distractedly.

"We're gonna be puttin' on a play in school!" she jumped up and down, her blonde curls bouncing, "Mrs Slicker said it would be a good idea and she said I could try out for the lead!"

"That's great, Victoria," Emma Jane replied, "What's the play?"

"We wrote it ourselves," Victoria continued, "It's really good and it's about…" At that moment, Will came in the door behind her, coughing violently.

"Oh, Will!" Emma Jane rushed forward past her daughter and crouched in front of her son, "Just take deep breaths, darling, that's it." She lifted him up onto her lap, "That's it, just try and relax."

"It's…it's about a girl…who gets lost…" Victoria tried in vein to continue her story, "and she finds…"

Will's face was bright red and Emma Jane smoothed his dark hair away from his eyes, "It's all right, Will, it's all right…" his coughing was starting to get worse, "Victoria, run and get Dr Mike."

"But, Ma, the play…"

"Go now!" Emma Jane ordered her. Victoria ran back out of the door and she continued to sit rocking Will, holding him while he coughed, "It's all right, darling, you're going to be all right…"

"Ma..." Will coughed, "Ma..."

After only a few moments, Victoria returned with Michaela who hurried over to where Emma Jane was sitting. She pulled out her stethoscope and listened to his chest.

"His lungs are wet," she observed calmly, "he's having a bad attack."

"I can see that!" Emma Jane replied anxiously, "What can you do?"

"There's nothing I really can do except advise you to keep him warm," Michaela replied, "You shouldn't send him back to school this afternoon. If you put him straight to bed and give him a spoonful of this every few hours…" she pulled a bottle out of her bag, "then it might help stop his cough. But there's nothing I can give you for his lungs."

"Help me get him settled?" Emma Jane asked, turning fearful eyes on her friend.

"Of course," Michaela replied, and she followed Emma Jane through the hotel and upstairs to Will's room where she pulled back his bedclothes as Emma Jane stripped him of his clothes. As she laid him in the bed, his cough started to subside slightly and Michaela gave him some of the mixture. "Keep an eye on him for the rest of today," she advised, "and I'll come back over tomorrow to see if he's any better."

Emma Jane nodded, "Thank you."

"What's goin' on?" Hank appeared in the doorway.

"Everything's fine," Michaela said, "Will just had another attack, that's all." Hank's expression became grim, "I've told Emma Jane to keep an eye on him today and he should hopefully be feeling better tomorrow." Hank nodded, "I'll see myself out."

When she had gone, Hank came and sat on the end of his son's bed, "How ya doin' buddy?" he asked gently.

"Ok," Will replied, his voice hoarse and scratchy, "my throat hurts."

"It's just because you've been coughing sweetheart," Emma Jane said, "I'll bring you up some water and some soup for lunch, all right?" Will nodded, "Ok." She gestured to Hank who followed her outside the room.

"Ya all right?" he asked.

Emma Jane let out a shaky breath, "Every time he has an attack, I worry. I worry about him coughing so much that he stops breathing or…" she broke off, unwilling to go on, wondering if there really had been something she could have done.

"It's gonna be all right," he said, putting his hands on her shoulders, "He's a fighter. Just like his Ma. Ya both came through it all them years ago."

"He's only six, Hank," Emma Jane said, tears welling up in her eyes, "he's only six and he doesn't deserve this." She dissolved into tears, and Hank pulled her to him, letting her cry against his chest, for there was nothing he could say.

SSSS

"Well, what do you think?" Preston asked as he stood in the middle of his bank.

"Very nice," Frank replied, looking around, "very impressive for a frontier bank. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting…"

"But you're pleased?"

"Yes, of course. It really is splendid."

"Oh I'm so glad!" Preston beamed, "I'm sure you'll do much good work here, Frank. I can see the customers queuing up right now to partake of your services."

"Preston, please," Frank laughed, "You'll have my head swelling to gigantic proportions. I don't expect people here to be aware of my reputation in any form."

"Ah, but they will be," Preston continued, "I'm going to ensure that at the next council meeting, everyone knows who you are and where you are. I'm telling you, the two of us are going to make millions!"

Frank had to smile at the other man's enthusiasm, even if he didn't share it. His move to Colorado Springs had not been made in the quest for more money, rather in the need for a more sedate life for a while. He was determined not to work every hour the good Lord sent, but to try and enjoy his time here too.

"So, what can I entreat you to do now?" Preston asked, "Would you like to look over some of our accounts?"

"Actually, I think I'd like to just wander around town, if that's all right," Frank replied.

"Certainly," Preston said, "I'd be delighted to show you…"

"I'd like to go on my own, if you don't mind," Frank replied pleasantly, "Just to be a little inconspicuous for a while."

"Oh, indeed," Preston said, "what a good idea."

So, Frank left the bank and proceeded to meander around the town. He initially passed by the Gold Nugget and headed out towards Grace's Café and the church, before turning back and finding himself once more in front of Preston's rival establishment. Pausing for a moment, he decided to go in and see if he could see Emma Jane.

The bar was relatively quiet, a fact he was quite surprised about, given Sarah's damning account of the place. There were only a few men sitting drinking and a man behind the bar cleaning glasses. He stepped up, "Excuse me?"

Hank lifted his head, "What can I git ya?"

"Oh, no thank you, I'm not looking for a drink," Frank replied, "I'm actually looking for a certain person I believe lives here. Emma Jane Lawson?"

Hank regarded him suspiciously, "What do ya want her for?"

Frank smiled, "I rather think that is between Mrs Lawson and myself, don't you?"

"Seein' as I'm her husband and some strange man's askin' after her, no I don't," Hank replied sourly. He knew he wasn't displaying the typical welcoming banter he usually did, but the afternoon's events had succeeded in dampening him slightly.

"Oh, I do apologise," Frank held out his hand, "I'm Frank Williams. I'm an associate of her father's in New York." Hank shook his hand, "I've come to work with Mr Lodge at his bank in town and I was really hoping to meet Emma Jane. Her father's told me so much about her, about all of you," he added quickly.

"Uh…yeah well, it ain't a great time right now," Hank replied, "She's lookin' after our son. He ain't well."

"I'm sorry to hear it," Frank replied seriously, "Perhaps another time then?"

"Sure," Hank replied, watching as the man walked back towards the door.

A few seconds later, Emma Jane appeared. Her face was pale and her eyes red, "Who was that?"

"Some guy, Frank Williams?" he told her, "Says he works with your father. Or did until Preston roped him into working for him."

Emma Jane had to put her hand out against the bar to stop herself from fainting, "Frank Williams?" she repeated.

"Yeah," Hank looked at her, "Ya all right? Yer kinda pale."

"Fine," she replied, "I'm fine. What did you tell him?"

"That you were busy. Said he'd come back another time," Hank put down the bar cloth he was holding, "Ya sure yer all right?"

"Yes! Don't fuss!" she stepped back, "I just came to get Will some more soup." With that, she turned and headed back into the kitchen, her heart thumping. Could it possibly be coincidence that at the one moment she was doubting herself, Frank Williams, her potential destiny, had turned up on her very doorstep?