"A New Life" by Broedy
Author note: This story was first published on The Kid & Lou Shrine in 1999. It's both a prequel and sequel to "Silencing the Past" and, like that story, I gave Kidand Lou the surname of Morgan because those pesky writers never revealed his real name. (Unless you read the original script extract from the final episode which one of the extras let me post on the old site. In it, Kid's first name was actually uncovered!)
PART ONE
April, 1864
"Sweetwater!" bellowed Old George, as he drew his team of weary horses to a stop outside the livery stable. The dusty passengers began to descend awkwardly from the hard wooden seats, their steps uncertain after the long hours of jolting travel over imperfect trails as they made their way west. A young man dressed inappropriately in a dark woolen suit wiped his moist brow carefully with the back of his sleeve and surveyed the town before him. He was enthralled by everything he saw, unable to believe that they had finally arrived at their destination after so many days in the uncomfortable coach. If the proposed railway through Sweetwater had been completed they might have avoided the arduous journey, but that would be months away and he had not wanted to wait that long. He had been waiting far too long already for this moment.
A noise behind him caught his attention, and with a murmur of apology the man reached into the coach and withdrew the gloved hand of his wife. She stepped gracefully to the muddy ground, wearing the elegant traveling outfit she had worn the day after their marriage only a week before. Her coppery hair peeped out from under stylish bonnet, the curls as fresh and impossibly perfect as they were in Minneapolis when he had courted her.
"Well, we're here, Melanie," he said proudly, aware of the envious looks he was already receiving from the young men who were waiting to unload the luggage from the coach top. A woman as beautiful as his wife was an object of acute envy even in the big city, and he enjoyed the attention. She threw him a tired smile now, her green eyes shining with relief at escaping the confines of the odious carriage interior.
"I was beginning to think we never would," replied Melanie, her gaze searching the faces of the towns people as they went about their business. The lively bustle revived in her the excitement she had felt on leaving Minneapolis, and it was with keen enthusiasm that she took her husband's arm. "Where's the bank, Howard? Where is our house?"
"It's got to be around here someplace, Mr. Johnson wired me to say he'd meet the coach. Don't you worry now."
But Melanie was barely listening to him, she was too caught up in her surroundings and the new life that awaited her. She was impatient for it to begin now that she had gotten away from the city, away from her overbearing family and Minneapolis society. For years she had dreamed of coming to a town just like this and begin again, living life on her terms - being free. Of course, she had not foreseen the necessity of marrying Howard Brooks, but her parents would not hear of her leaving their house until she was married. Even the respectable position of schoolmarm was not good enough for the likes of the Minneapolis Mapletons, and her father had forbidden her from pursuing it.
Still, it had not pleased her parents when she chose a young upstart banker to wed instead, which was incentive enough for Melanie. Howard Brooks had wild notions of leaving the city and settling in the far more exciting West, and that suited her purposes. He was from a good family so her parents could not oppose the match, however disappointed they might have been. Melanie and Howard were young, her father concluded, and soon they would learn that running off to the West and leaving civilized society behind was a mistake. Melanie was determined to prove him wrong.
As the last of their trunks were hauled from the coach and the other passengers had left them, an elderly gentleman was seen hurrying towards the stables, pulling a heavy, dark jacket over his crisp white shirt. He looked less than pleased to be doing so in the midday heat, and Melanie noticed that the other townsfolk seemed to be more interested in the practicalities of a garment than fashion. Quite sensibly so, she realized, as she was already sweltering in her tight, velvet jacket and full skirts after standing only a few minutes in the early Summer sunshine. She certainly wasn't in Minneapolis any more. Melanie longed to be indoors and prayed that the gentleman approaching them was the promised Mr. Johnson.
"Brooks?" the older man inquired, lifting his hat in respect for Melanie.
"Yes, sir. You must be Mr. Johnson," replied Howard, with his best customer smile. Melanie had fast learned to read his smiles after they had met and noticed that he rarely smiled with his eyes, as though he was keeping the entire world at bay. "I'm very pleased to meet you, sir. May I introduce my wife, Melanie."
"Ma'am," he bowed his head politely and took her outstretched hand. "So, you're finally here then. Guess that means I can take up my fishing pole and retire just as I've planned to all these years."
Howard continued his simpering grin. "We're just so glad to be here, as you know, Mr. Johnson. I'm looking forward to seeing the bank and I'm ready to take over as soon as you'd like."
"I can see I've found the right man for the job, if you can work some of that well practiced charm on our customers too."
Howard's face fell immediately, but the old banker took no notice.
"Come on and I'll show you the old girl… oh, begging your pardon, Miss," Johnson chuckled, and was rewarded my a dazzling smile from Melanie. It struck her how quickly the old man had understood her husband, and that he had had no qualms about calling him on it. She had a feeling she was going to like Lucius Johnson. She took his proffered arm and allowed him to escort her from the stables, leaving a somewhat disgruntled Howard to follow, carrying their numerous small bags of personal items.
The Sweetwater bank was a small brick and wooden building in the centre of town, conveniently situated opposite the sheriff's office. Lucius Johnson had been its proprietor for over twenty years, but failing health forced him to advertise for a replacement a month before. He was surprised when the answer he received had come all the way from Minneapolis, and that a bright young banker from one of the city's most reputable institutions would leave it all behind to come to a small, relatively isolated town like Sweetwater. To top it all off, he then discovered that the young man was to be married soon and would bring his bride out with him. Johnson wondered what kind of city woman would put up with that, especially one as beautiful and stylish as Melanie Brooks. But as he showed them around the small offices he could plainly see the delight written all over her face. It seemed Sweetwater suited Mrs. Brooks just fine.
"Oh, Mr. Johnson, what of our house? Were you able to find us a suitable place?" she asked eagerly before Howard could monopolize the conversation with questions about the running of the bank.
"Why, yes indeed, Mrs. Brooks, but your husband told me you had your heart set on a little place out of town." Lucius placed a cup of tea before her and sat down heavily in his office chair. Howard remained standing by the window where he could best see faded numbers in the heavy ledger in his hands. "Are you sure you wouldn't prefer a little cottage in town? There'd be better company for you, especially with your husband working here all day."
"Oh no!" Melanie cried, her small hands clasped in her lap. "I would adore being on the land, I've lived in a city all my life. I won't be lonely."
"I'm afraid Melanie insisted on us finding a proper house in the countryside," Howard spoke up, almost apologizing for the fanciful nature of his wife. Johnson ignored his insinuating tone and turned his attention back to Melanie.
"Well you are in luck then, Miss. There's a little place not far from town. Now it isn't anything much, just a house, a barn and a few chickens, but I think it would suit you."
"It sounds wonderful," she breathed, eyes shining.
"Good, because I made the previous owner an offer so it is now owned by this bank, to be used by the family of its proprietor. I had some of the ladies of the town give it a good cleaning so you can move in straight away."
"Thank you, Mr. Johnson, you have been most kind." She took his hand warmly, the sincerity of her words evident from the look in her bewitching, emerald eyes.
"Now I can start my fishing in earnest," he mumbled dismissively into his beard, embarrassed at her attentive gaze. It had been several decades since any beautiful woman had paid him any mind. "Come with me and I'll take you there now."