Here's the next exciting chapter! I've used some of the dialogue from the episode Right or Wrong which obviously does not belong to me so thanks to the writers for their wonderful words which I have woven into my story. I hope you'll enjoy it and please leave a review :)

November 1871

Colorado Springs

"Afternoon Mrs Lodge."

Rebecca turned from where she was sweeping the floor of the store to see Ray Collins standing in front of her, touching his hat. A man in his late thirties, he had a pleasant face and a charming manner.

"Afternoon Mr Collins," she greeted him in response. "How are things at the farm today?"

"Just fine, ma'am, just fine," he reassured her, "fact is, I'm getting ready to take that cattle to market at the end of the week."

"That's wonderful," she said, "I really am very grateful to you and your family for everything. It's been a weight off my mind knowing that the farm's in such good hands."

"Hell, we're grateful to you," he replied, "if you ain't given me the job, Lord knows where we'd be by now."

Rebecca nodded sympathetically, remembering the story he had told her about how he and his family had lost their farm in the summer floods in Iowa. "What can I do for you?"

"Just need some flour, that's all," he replied. "It's my little girl's birthday tomorrow and my wife wants to make her a cake."

"That sounds lovely," she passed him a bag and he paid for it.

"Good to see you again, Mrs Lodge," he touched his hat again before leaving.

"Goodbye," she replied, lifting her broom again and resuming her sweeping.

"Hey Rebecca!" Brian came barrelling into the store, his reporter's notepad around his neck, his eyes flushed with excitement. The air was cool and crisp with the first snap of winter and his cheeks were rosy red from the cold.

Rebecca stopped and smiled at him, "Afternoon Brian, how are you?"

"Fine," he replied, "Miss Dorothy told me to come here and get your reaction to the news." He took his pencil out of the pad and opened it at a blank page.

"Did she now?" Rebecca smiled indulgently, "And what news might that be?"

"That Mr Lodge is running for mayor."

Rebecca's smile dropped, "He's doing what?"

"Running for mayor," Brian said, obliviously, his pencil poised over the paper, "he announced it just now at the train station. Made a big speech about what he was going to do for the town and gave the town $100 cheque. Made Jake real mad. Didn't you know about it?"

"No I didn't," Rebecca replied, fighting to keep her temper under control. How could he have kept this from her? After all the arguments and discussions they had had in the last six months of marriage, how could he think it was all right to keep such a secret?

"So…what can I say your reaction was?" Brian asked, drawing her back to reality.

"Oh…uh…" she was sorely tempted to drop Preston in it and say that she had never heard of anything so ridiculous in her entire life, but love and loyalty won out. "I'm excited at the prospect and look forward to seeing how the campaign goes."

Brian scribbled down her words, "Great! Thank Rebecca!" With that, he was gone again, leaving Rebecca free to fume. Loren commented on her bad mood and enquired as to whether or not it had anything to do with Preston's announcement. She responded by telling him she wasn't in a mood and that, even if she was, it had nothing to do with that. She could tell that the older man didn't believe her, especially when she excused herself at lunchtime so as to try and find Preston.

When she got to the bank, only Myra was inside and she said she hadn't seen Preston for hours. Rebecca's next stop was the café, where she found that everyone was talking about what had happened and the upcoming election.

"I never would have thought Preston would want to run for Mayor," Michaela said, when Rebecca asked her if she had seen him.

"Neither would I," she replied.

"You mean you didn't know?" Michaela asked, raising her eyebrows in surprise.

"No," Rebecca said, "I didn't." By the time she had to get back to the store, she still hadn't found Preston and her mood only decreased as the day wore on. By closing time, she was so angry she could feel a headache starting right above her left eye.

"You go on home," Loren told her, "talk to that husband of yours."

She was in no mood to argue with him so, recovering her horse from Robert E, she rode homewards out of town. When she reached it, there was no sign of Thunder and therefore she knew that Preston wasn't there. Exasperated that he wasn't there for her to take her anger out on, she began furiously cooking dinner, banging pots and pans and thumping things around the kitchen, wishing with all her heart he was there so that she could give him a piece of her mind.

An hour later, she heard the sound of horses' hooves approaching and steeled herself for the inevitable confrontation. The door opened and Preston hurried inside, hanging his jacket and hat on the peg. Rebecca, standing in the kitchen, said nothing. He hurried over and dropped a kiss on the back of her neck, "Sorry I'm late, darling."

"Where have you been all day?" she asked tightly, "I was looking for you everywhere."

"So much to do, so much to organise!" Preston declared, moving over to the fire and warming his hands. "I've spent most of the day speaking to people in town, not to mention trying to ensure that Grace and Andrew are on board as hotel employees. Running for mayor is a serious business."

"I'm aware of that," she said, slamming the lid back on the pot, "It might have been nice if you had spoken to me about it."

"The idea really only came to me a few days ago," he explained, "You should have seen the look on Jake's face this afternoon when I announced it. He wasn't expecting to have any competition."

"And you couldn't have discussed it with me before making your grand announcement?" she asked, proceeding to lay the table.

"I didn't think you would be overly interested."

"Interested?!" she exclaimed, looking over at him, "You didn't think I would be interested in something that affects me?"

"It's not going to affect you," he replied, "not really. I'm the one running for mayor."

"Yes and I'm the one expected to back you, no doubt."

"Of course I'll be counting on your support…"

"Then it would have been good if you had discussed it with me." She turned back and began plating the food, wishing she could stab him with the kitchen knife.

Preston frowned and stepped back over to the table, "I really don't see what you're getting so upset about. Wouldn't you like it if I became mayor? You'd be the mayor's wife, a prestigious position in town."

"I don't want a prestigious position in town, Preston," she replied, slamming the plates onto the table, "It's more the fact that you didn't feel the need to consult me about something this important."

"I'm sorry," he said, though she knew he was only saying it to placate her, "I should have talked it through with you. But I think this is something I have a real shot at winning."

"Why do you need anything else?" she asked, sitting down, "You already have the bank and the hotel is due to open at Thanksgiving. Why do this too?"

"Because Jake Slicker is not taking this town in the direction it should be taken." He sat down opposite her. "There are things that I can do for Colorado Springs that he can't."

"Such as?"

"Such as bringing new business to the town. And there's no doubt that I can support the town better financially."

"That's not what being mayor is about," she said.

Preston paused, "Whose side are you on?"

Rebecca sighed and met his gaze, "Preston, it's not that I wouldn't support you if you were mayor, but…you need to do this for the right reasons. Not simply to get one over on Jake."

"That's not why I'm doing this," he replied, "Rebecca this is a golden opportunity for me. For us. A little enthusiasm wouldn't hurt."

"Enthusiasm?" she echoed, "I have done nothing but be enthusiastic about all your ventures! I supported you starting your own bank. I've been by your side every step of the way with the hotel. How dare you accuse me of lack of enthusiasm!"

"Then what would you call it?" he challenged her.

"I'd call it the reaction of a wife kept in the dark by her husband about something which is clearly important and potentially life-changing for both of them!"

He set his jaw tightly, "Well I can see you're not in a position to discuss this rationally. It's the beginning of the month. I should have known that you would be ill-tempered. It's the same this time every month."

Rebecca was so stunned that she couldn't respond. They undertook their meal in silence, the waves of resentment almost choking the atmosphere. When they had finished, Rebecca whipped the plates away and cleared up the kitchen while Preston sat at the table writing notes on something which she couldn't care less about. Finally, when she was finished, she swept upstairs and into bed.

Later that night, she pretended to be asleep when Preston came to bed. She heard him undressing and then felt him climb in beside her. He shifted his body close to her, pressed against her back, his hand moving over her hip to rest on her stomach and draw small circles with his fingers.

"Rebecca?" he whispered, "Are you awake?" She refused to reply. "Rebecca?" he tried again. Again, she remained silent. Eventually, with a sigh, he rolled away from her, blew out the lamp and lay with his back to her.

She tried to will herself to sleep, but couldn't. Their argument churned over and over in her mind. She came at it from all different angles. Yes, he hadn't told her about running for mayor and yes, that annoyed her. But he was her husband at the end of the day and needed her support. Wryly she remembered Louisa's words of advice on her wedding day. Never go to bed on an argument.

She rolled over onto her side so that she was facing his back and shuffled herself closer to him. "Preston?" He was either asleep or ignoring her. Gently, she ran her hand across his back and round to his chest, puling herself against him. He started and half turned.

"What is it?" he asked, his eyes sleepy.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I don't want to fight with you. Not about this." He rolled over to face her. "I can't say I'm not angry that you didn't tell me but…what's the use in us not being united?"

He smiled at her, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I should have, I realise that now. But I need you, Rebecca. I need you to support me in this. It's important."

She cupped his face in her hands, "I do and I will."

"Jake and I are holding a debate tomorrow afternoon."

"I know," she said, "the town was talking about little else all day."

"You will be there, won't you?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, "I'll be there."

He made love to her then, slowly and deliberately and afterwards, she lay in his arms and wondered, not for the first time, if he was doing all of this because she couldn't give him a child.

XXXX

Rebecca was making her way to the church the following day for the debate when she bumped into Matthew going the same way.

"You going to the debate?" he asked her.

"Of course," she replied.

"You can't be happy about this?" he said.

"Why not?" she asked, "It's what Preston wants to do and I support him in that."

"That ain't the same thing."

"What would you like me to say, Matthew?" she said, irritated. "Are you expecting me to say that it's a terrible idea and I wish Preston hadn't decided to do it?"

"Is that what you really think?" he asked her.

Rebecca didn't reply, aware of the trap she had potentially fallen into. Fortunately, she was rescued by Preston who, catching sight of her, hurried down the steps to greet her. "Rebecca," he kissed her on the cheek. "Matthew, I'm glad to see you decided to come this afternoon. Remember, a vote for Preston is a vote for you." Matthew shot Rebecca a look before moving past them, leaving them alone together. "I think it should be an interesting debate," he said to her. "Though I fail to see how Jake thinks he's going to present himself better than I will." Though she knew he wasn't talking about clothing, Rebecca looked him up and down. He was wearing the burgundy suit, the one she liked the best. "I wore it for you," he said, reading her mind.

"Well, I'm very glad that you did," she replied, brushing an invisible speck of dust from his shoulder.

"Dorothy!" he called out, catching sight of her, "glad to see the Gazette is providing ample reportage of this event."

"Now don't you try to influence Brian's report, Preston," Dorothy warned, sharing a glance with Rebecca.

"Oh I assure you I absolutely do not want any perception of favouritism. I assume the Gazette will not be endorsing a candidate?"

"That's correct."

"Of course," Preston said, "it is very difficult for a writer to keep her personal feelings from creeping in."

"Preston…" Rebecca said warningly.

"Sometimes so subtly," he continued, ignoring her, "the reader isn't even aware of it."

"I will write an objective report," Dorothy said, preparing to move past them. "Rebecca, that's a very pretty dress."

"Oh," Rebecca looked down, impressed by the other woman's swift change of subject, "Thank you Dorothy." Once she had gone, she turned back to her husband. "Preston…"

"I do own 49% of that publication," he reminded her, "is it too much to ask that she lean a little…?"

"Yes it is," she replied firmly, "you want to win this election fairly."

He cocked his head on one side and looked at her thoughtfully, "What would I do without your good sense?"

She linked her arm through his, "Be all the poorer."

He smiled, then catching sight of Grace up ahead, pulled himself free from her, "Give me a moment, my dear, I've something I must give to Grace."

XXXX

"Now, in two years time will Jake have the streets paved? Will he bring business and prosperity to our town?" Preston leaned over his podium as he spoke and shook his head.

"We've been doing just fine," Jake countered.

"That's right," Loren, who was sat next to Rebecca, murmured. The older man turned to look at her. "Even you gotta admit that, Rebecca."

She didn't have a chance to reply. "Just fine means you're satisfied with the way things are. Not striving to improve the lives of the people of this town," Preston replied. "Now you know when I say something is going to get done, you know it's going to get done." Various people around the room applauded.

"Perhaps we should discuss the town's concerns instead of attacking each other," Michaela spoke up from her seat across from Rebecca.

"That's exactly what I've been thinking," Jake agreed, "seems he keeps telling us what we should do instead of asking you what you think needs to get done." This generated more applause.

"I get more and more strangers leaving my café without paying their bill now what you gonna do about that?" Grace demanded from the front row.

"With growth and prosperity comes more crime," Jake said, "and as Mayor, I'll make sure our Sheriff has plenty Deputies to help him fight it. Keep the streets safe, which is a lot more important than paving them."

Rebecca glanced over and saw Matthew nodding and clapping. She had to agree that it was an important issue. Looking up, she caught Preston's eye and smiled encouragingly at him.

"That's right Jake!" Hank called from the back.

"There you go again, Jake," Preston smiled, "its odd, isn't it, that a man who once tried to lynch Robert E should be so concerned about law and order."

Jake leaned over, his expression stunned. "That was a long time ago."

"Just like your drinking was a long time ago," Preston shot back before looking back at Rebecca who wasn't quite sure where to look.

"Let's stick to the issues, Mr Lodge," Michaela interrupted.

"Character is an issue," he insisted. "It's the most important issue. I suppose Jake could try to come back at me, talk about how I chopped down the Kissing Tree…"

"Make sure you put that in," Loren said to Dorothy who was sat on his other side scribbling away.

"…but you know what? That was a mistake and I learned from it and I don't see how Jake has learned from any of his mistakes."

"What are you talking about?" Jake demanded.

"Character denigration is not an issue," Michaela said.

Horace rose to his feet. "They're both the same! They only want to make out for themselves! Don't matter who you vote for." He turned to leave, but Michaela grabbed his arm.

"Yes," she said, "yes it does matter."

"Who are you going to vote for, Doctor Mike?" Horace asked.

"Well, everyone has to make up their own mind."

"Well what do you think?" Preston asked, his tone defensive.

The collective audience held their breaths, Rebecca included. She had the terrible feeling that Michaela was not going to give the answer Preston wanted.

"Well, I have to say that I've come to believe that Jake really does care about the people of this town. And you have to consider that Jake hasn't used his office to profit personally…" she left the inference hanging and Rebecca felt pity for her husband. "I think that Jake's presentation here tonight proves that he is the candidate who is more concerned with discovering your needs than dictating them." She sat down and the room erupted into applause with a rousing cry of Jake, Jake, Jake…

Jake smiled wanly while Preston looked exceedingly hacked off.

"Trust Michaela to wade in with her opinion," he declared later as they were making for home.

"I suppose she's entitled to it like everybody else," Rebecca replied.

"She knows the influence she has in this town. But to endorse Jake of all people…"

"It was one debate, Preston," she tried to reassure him, "and Michaela's opinion is only one of many. I'm sure that there are plenty of people in town who'll be happy to endorse you."

"Yes well…" he said as she linked her arm with his, "If Jake thinks he has won this race then he is very, very mistaken."