Thank you to everyone who is sticking with this – I really do appreciate it. I'm feeling the Preston mojo at the moment so let's hope it continues! My time line is still a little all over the place, as I know that Preston commissioned Sully to build his house around the time of these events and he's already threatened to call in Dr Mike and Dorothy's loans in earlier chapters of this story, but it is an AU fic after all! Any dialogue in this chapter from the episode A House Divided is not mine and belongs to the genius that is Beth Sullivan, but it fits in well with where my story is going!

March 27th 1873

As Rebecca drove the surrey up along the trail towards the farm, she couldn't help but smile as the bright spring sunshine bounced off the morning dew still lying on the leaves, almost blinding her. Spring had well and truly arrived and the smell of sweet grass flooded her senses. Though the weather had warmed considerably, there was still a lingering coolness in the air and she was grateful for having had the foresight to drape a blanket around her legs.

At the turn of the year, her tenant had approached her and indicated that he and his family would like to purchase the farm. Rebecca had been taken aback by the offer and, initially, had thought there was no way that she could possibly sell her family home. But then she had thought back to Loren's words, urging her to look forwards and not back and she had readily agreed. Little had required to change between them, except the legalities of the bank acting as creditor for the mortgage. Preston had assured her that she would remain in full control of any decisions to be taken in respect of the farm and for that, she had been grateful.

As she rounded the corner and approached the building in question, she was gratified to see the sun shining off the white painted walls, so different from how it looked when she had first returned. But then, she thought as she drew the surrey to a halt, so much had changed since then.

Mr Collins suddenly appeared from the barn and hurried over to greet her. "Good morning Mrs Lodge," he said, taking hold of Thunder's bridle.

"Good morning Mr Collins," she returned the greeting, allowing him to help her down from the seat. "What a beautiful day it is too."

"It sure is," he agreed, wiping the sweat from his brow with his arm. "What brings you up this way?"

"Well, my condition means I'm no longer able to work and there is only so much I can do at home. Mr Lodge despairs of me loitering around the bank so I elected to take a trip up here to see how things were." She shielded her eyes against the glare and gazed out happily at the sight of cattle in the field. "From what I can see, they seem to be going well."

"We're doing our best. Mrs Collins is inside and I'm sure she'd be mighty happy if you could stay a while, if you have the time."

"I would love to, thank you," she allowed him to take her arm and lead her across the yard to where his wife had appeared at the door, wiping her hands on her apron. "Good morning Mrs Collins."

"Mrs Lodge," the other woman greeted her cautiously and exchanged a glance with her husband. "You're looking mighty well."

"Thank you," Rebecca laughed. "I was just saying to your husband how lovely everything looks up here. You've no idea how happy it makes me to see life in the place."

"Yes..." Mrs Collins paused, "If it's about the mortgage payment...we're not due for another week."

"Oh no! No, not at all!" Rebecca exclaimed. "That wasn't...I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. I genuinely came simply to see for myself how well things were going. You've always been very prompt with your payments and we appreciate that."

"Well in that case," Mrs Collins said, "won't you come in for some lemonade?"

XXXX

While Rebecca was enjoying a sojourn up to the farm, Preston was enjoying his regular trip to Jake's for a hot, soothing shave. It was one of the only times when he felt as though he could simply relax, clear his mind and not think about all the worries that plagued him. Rebecca's health, the impending arrival of his child, the financial issues...

"Aw, what's Dorothy doing wasting space printing articles like this for?" It was the unmistakable sound of Loren's disgruntled voice that he could hear from beneath the hot towel. "I want local news, local. Who cares what's going on in New York?" Preston raised his hand automatically. "So what if the stock market's slipped?"

Preston sat forwards quickly in the chair as Jake removed the towel, "Slipped?"

"Yeah, you almost lost an ear," Jake quipped from behind him.

"Last I read in the Denver Post the market was stable," Preston took the newspaper from Loren and read, with dismay, the glaring headline Dorothy had printed. STOCK MARKET SLIPS AGAIN.

"Well it says all those blue bloods are running scared cashing in their investments," Loren said.

"Well they're fools then," Preston replied. "Alarmists. The market fluctuates...one must be prepared to weather the ups and downs." Though he tried to sound confident, he felt anything but. Once Jake had finished and he had made payment, he left the barber's shop with every intention of going to the telegraph office to wire his father to see if he could shed any more light on the subject. Then, he caught sight of Michaela and Sully entering the Sheriff's office and his mind suddenly ventured elsewhere.

Their mortgage payment was late and though he had given as much grace as he felt he could, for Rebecca's sake if for no other reason, there really was only so long he could ignore it. As he approached them, he saw they were deep in conversation with Matthew, but stopped when he approached.

"Sully, Michaela..." he began, the looks on their faces telling him that they knew exactly what his purpose was. "A friendly reminder...as of today your mortgage payment is three weeks late." There was an awkward pause before Sully handed him an envelope. Preston quickly glanced at the bills contained therein. "I do believe you've miscounted."

"You'll get the rest," Sully replied. "You got my word on it."

Preston pocketed the envelope. "I have more than that, Sully. I have your signature on loan papers. Binding documents...and those deadlines are there for a reason."

"We appreciate your patience Mr Lodge," Michaela said, exchanging a look with her husband.

There was another prolonged silence which Preston finally broke. "I believe we've had this conversation before Michaela. This isn't the first time that you've fallen behind with your payments. There will be late fees...penalties...and the next payment is due in a week."

"Another friendly reminder?" Matthew chipped in.

Preston smiled at him contemptuously. Time hadn't softened how he felt about the younger man and he still smarted at the memory of him kissing Rebecca. "Precisely."

"We got a train to meet, if you don't mind."Sully said, effectively bringing the conversation to an end. "A friend."

Preston touched his hat in farewell and walked back out into the warm sunshine.

XXXX

"I had to remind Michaela and Sully that their mortgage payment was late again today," Preston said that evening as Rebecca put his supper plate down in front of him. "Thank you."

She paused and stared at him, "Why?"

"Because it was late, Rebecca, why else? Three weeks late to be precise. This seems to be becoming a habit with them."

"Preston..."

"I had no choice," he insisted, lifting his cutlery. "They are customers of the bank like everyone else and I cannot give them special treatment just because Michaela happens to be your doctor."

"She's also my friend," Rebecca replied, sitting down opposite him. "Her whole family are! They helped me with the farm when I first came back, helped us when you were sick and I went into labour and Michaela has been nothing but supportive of..."

"Speaking of the farm," he interrupted her. "Did you collect the payment from Mr Collins today?"

"No I didn't. That wasn't the purpose of my visit. Besides, it's not due for another week and they always pay on time, give or take a few days."

"Yes well it's those 'few days' that are no longer acceptable," Preston said, cutting into his meat. "The stock market slipped today and investors are becoming nervous. The bank is not a charity, it's a business and if Mr and Mrs Collins cannot maintain regular payments then I may be forced to take serious action."

"Such as?"

"Such as calling in their loan."

Rebecca slowly put her cutlery down on the table, "May I remind you that the farm is in my name and that all decisions in relation to it are meant to be mine?"

"And may I remind you that that arrangement was one agreed upon between ourselves with no legal enforceability!" he snapped. "As head of this family, and President of the bank, I own the farm and it is up to me whether or not the loan is called in, on that property or any other."

"I see," Rebecca replied, stunned at his response. "Well it's nice to know where I stand! I foolishly believed you when you said that the farm was mine! That it was your gift to me upon our marriage. Clearly I was mistaken in thinking that you would stick to your word where business is concerned!" With that, she lifted her untouched plate and walked over to the sink where she began taking out her anger on the dishes. How dare he speak to her like that, how dare he..."I sometimes wonder if you forget that I am not one of your employees, nor am I a customer," she continued. "I'm your wife and I don't deserve that from you."

"I'm sorry," Preston said moments later, coming up behind her and slipping his arms around her waist. "I spoke out of turn. Things have been...things have been difficult lately. Of course the farm is yours to do with as you see fit." He kissed her neck gently. "Can you forgive me?"

Part of her didn't want to. Part of her wanted to tell him that it wasn't all right for him to say those things, to make her feel as though the arrangement they had come to was meaningless. She wanted to push him away and tell him to leave her alone. But, as she leaned back against him and felt their baby kick deep inside her, she couldn't help but feel safe in his arms at this vulnerable time.

"Yes," she sighed, "I forgive you."

March 28th 1873

It was early evening, almost supper time, when Preston rode up to the Sully homestead, pulled Thunder to a halt and slid down onto the ground. As he tied the horse to the fence, he glanced up at the house and marvelled again at Sully's craftsmanship. Had he not employed the labourers from Denver to build his own home, he may have asked Sully to consider it, though he most likely would have been reluctant to agree.

He caught sight of Michaela at the window and lifted his hand in greeting, though he knew that what he required to tell her would not endear him to her any more than he already was. He climbed the steps to the door just as she opened it, Katie in her arms.

"Preston?" she looked at him. "Is everything all right? Is it Rebecca?"

"Rebecca is fine, thank you," he replied. "This pregnancy appears, at the very least, to be agreeing with her."

"I would have to agree, given how she presented at the clinic last week, and I'm due to see her again tomorrow." Michaela said. "Then what...?"

"I'm sorry that I have to do this," Preston said, looking away, "but, in the current circumstances, and with this month's mortgage payment still largely outstanding, I'm afraid I have no option but to foreclose on your homestead."

"Foreclose?!" Michaela exclaimed. "But..."

He turned back towards Thunder. "If I had any other choice Michaela, I..."

"But Sully's away working and he'll be home in a few days..." she said, following him down the steps.

"I can't wait that long," Preston rounded on her. "Several of my hotel investors lost money in the stock market yesterday and two of them have already called in their loans."

"But what does that have to do with my home?"

"I need funds and your homestead is a very desirable property. I think it will yield handsome profits for my bank and quickly." He looked away again, discomfited by the look of devastation in Michaela's eyes.

"Well I would expect having great difficulty in selling it Mr Lodge," she said, drawing herself up to her full height, "as the current owners have absolutely no intention of leaving."

"Michaela..."

"And how convenient! Taking advantage of a time when Sully's away!"

Movement out of the corner of his eye caused Preston to glance up at the window and see a man, he could only assume to be Sully's friend, watching him through the glass. How intriguing...he thought to himself. "I had hoped to settle this matter without rancour but unless you're prepared to pay all your debts as soon as the bank opens tomorrow morning then I will have no choice but to foreclose on your home and to legally, with force if necessary, evict you."

"Evict us?!" Michaela exclaimed. "You can't do that!"

Preston climbed back aboard Thunder. "I can, Michaela and I will." With that, he touched the horse's sides and cantered back towards home. Rebecca was sweeping the stoop when he arrived and the welcoming smile she gave him, accompanied by a sweet kiss, convinced him that there was little to be gained by telling her of the conversation he had just had.

March 29th 1873

Preston pulled the surrey to a halt outside the bank, climbed out and then helped Rebecca down. "What time is your appointment with Michaela?"

"Ten-thirty," she replied, checking the clock on the bank wall. "I've got a few things to pick up at the store first and I'll speak with Robert E about mending that gate."

"I said I would mend the gate."

"And you've been saying that for weeks now," she replied good-naturedly. "Let us simply pay Robert E to do it and be done with it."

"All right," Preston agreed. "But you will come and tell me what Michaela says, won't you?" he asked.

"Of course."

"Good. Perhaps we could have lunch together and then I could take you home before the afternoon session."

"You don't need to do that. I'm more than capable of driving myself home and then returning for you later."

"I won't hear of it!" he insisted. "My role now is to take care of you, even more so that it was before. I know this is a delicate stage..." his hand drifted to her stomach and she knew that he was thinking about Caroline.

"Then I would be a fool to argue against you," Rebecca said, pressing herself close to him and then accepting his gentle kiss. "I'll see you later."

Preston watched as she walked away and marvelled at how well she appeared to be bearing up. It hadn't escaped his notice that she was at the same stage in this pregnancy as she had been when Caroline had been born and the last thing he wanted was a repeat of that sorrowful time. He let himself into the bank, straightened the papers that were on his desk and, at ten o'clock sharp, opened the door to customers. To his surprise, Michaela and Sully's friend were waiting on the other side of the door.

"Good morning," she greeted him formally.

"Morning," the other gentleman said, lifting his cheque book out of his pocket.

XXXX

Having collected her items at the store and spoken with Robert E about mending the gate at the house, Rebecca found time for a quick cup of tea and chat with Grace while the other woman busied herself preparing for lunch.

"You're sure getting big, Rebecca," she commented. "Preston still trying to convince you to name this one after him?"

"To be fair, he hasn't mentioned it in some time," she replied. "But his mother certainly tried to convince me at Christmas that it would be an unwise idea and I tend to agree with her."

"Strange that, coming from a woman who did exactly what she's advising you not to do."

"I suppose, but she said that this child shouldn't have to live up to a name and I fear that's what Preston's been trying to do for most of his life."

"Hmmm..." Grace said.

"Oh!" Rebecca glanced at her watch and drained the remainder of her tea. "I must go Grace, but Preston and I are intending to come by for lunch later."

"I'll keep plenty of pie aside for you."

"Thank you," she said, getting to her feet and hurrying as quickly as she could to the clinic. "Morning Michaela," she said when the other woman opened the door. "I'm sorry if I'm late."

"You're not. Come inside."

Rebecca did as she was bidden and followed Michaela's gesture for her to sit down on the bed. As she did so, she couldn't help but notice a distance in her friend. She didn't quite seem to be able to meet her eye and she could feel waves of tension. "Is everything all right?"

"Fine," Michaela replied, consulting her notes. "How have you been feeling?"

"Tired, but I assume that's only to be expected."

"Well you're into your third trimester now. You'll start to feel more and more tired as the weeks progress. It's important that you try and get as much rest as possible, especially with your condition. If you'd like to undress..."

Rebecca unbuttoned the front of her dress and pulled it down over her hips, leaving her sitting in only her slip. Michaela kept her back to her the entire time and she couldn't help but notice that the easy relationship appeared strained. It could only be because of one thing, she reasoned, and that was Preston's conversation with her about the mortgage payment. As much as she despised that side of banking, she knew deep down it was necessary for debtors to pay on time and, loving her husband as she did, she felt duty bound to try and explain on his behalf. "Michaela..." she paused. "I wanted to say...I know that Preston has been harassing you and Sully about your mortgage payments recently and...I want you to know that..." she floundered for the right words as Michaela turned to look at her. "He's not...he's not trying to be difficult. It's just that...with business the way it is..."

"He's only doing his job?" Michaela finished for her.

"Yes," Rebecca breathed out in relief, "Exactly. He's only doing his job and..."

"I could accept that, Rebecca, I really could, had he not taken the opportunity yesterday evening, knowing that Sully was away working, to come to the homestead and threaten to foreclose on the property."

Rebecca paused, "What?"

"It was only due to Daniel's great generosity that I was able to pay off the mortgage this morning in full, as requested, to avoid your husband following through with his plans to evict us from our home!"

"Evict you? I don't understand..."

Michaela closed her eyes and pressed her lips tightly together. "Forgive me. None of this is your doing and you are here as my patient..."

"And as your friend," Rebecca said. "I had no idea...he never mentioned it..."

"No, I suppose he wouldn't," Michaela said. She lifted her stethoscope and pressed it gently against Rebecca's stomach. "Your baby has a strong heartbeat. Everything sounds fine." She then moved to Rebecca's chest. "As it does there. Have you had any attacks lately?"

"No... not since well before Christmas."

"That's good," Michaela smiled. "You can dress yourself now."

Rebecca proceeded to do just that, though she could feel anger and resentment building within her at the thought of what Preston had done. To do it was bad enough, but to refrain from telling her was even worse. "Michaela, I am so sorry, truly I am."

"It's hardly your fault," Michaela said. "You don't control Preston any more than I control Sully. He's a banker, we owe him a debt and, as you say, he's simply doing his job."

"No," Rebecca said, shaking her head. "Not this time." She left the clinic hurriedly, stormed across the street and through the door of the bank, completely ignoring Myra who was sat at the front desk, and strode up to Preston's desk. "You threatened to foreclose on Michaela and Sully's homestead?!" she raged at him, ignoring the young couple sat opposite him.

Preston looked up at her, his expression tight. "Rebecca, I'm in the middle of..."

"How could you? How could you do that Preston and not even tell me?!"

"Would you excuse me a moment?" Preston said to the couple before he came around his desk and took her gently, but firmly, by the arm. "Not here." She allowed him to propel her into the back room and close the door after them. When he turned to look at her again, his face was thunderous. "Please don't ever interrupt me like that when I am with customers!"

"Don't turn this around on me!" she retorted angrily. "How could you do such a thing to my friends without even telling me? You let me go to that appointment with Michaela today and make a fool of myself trying to stand up for you over the mortgage payments and all the time you knew that you had threatened to evict her!"

"Any discussions I may have had with Michaela over the homestead were private," Preston replied. "I was under no obligation to tell you anything!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Preston! You've never kept these things from me under the guise of 'banker's privilege!' You told me only the other day that you had reminded them about the late payment when you had no obligation to do so! The only reason you didn't tell me about this was because you knew how I would react!"

"Well I know you very well then, given that you are reacting as I indeed suspected you would!"

"Which is how, precisely?"

"Unreasonably! Rebecca, I don't expect you to understand the complexities of the financial markets..."

"Don't patronise me!"

"...but several investors called in their loans and I required ready cash in order to meet their demands."

"And naturally the first people you decided to turn to just happened to be Michaela and Sully!"

"They were three weeks late on their payment! Thankfully, for them and us, the loan has now been repaid. Had I not turned to them then I would have required to look elsewhere!" Preston stepped towards her. "Mr and Mrs Collins, perhaps?"

Rebecca shook her head in disbelief at the fact that he would raise that particular subject again so soon after his assurances to her that the farm was her domain. "We have discussed this, Preston..."

"Well perhaps we require to discuss it again," he replied angrily, "given that you clearly see the farm as something merely to be played with for your own amusement whereas I see it as what it really is!"

"Which is what?"

"A financial drain on us, Rebecca, and we would be far better calling in the loan and selling it to someone who can afford to purchase it outright!"

Rebecca took a deep breath as her head started to swim and her chest began to feel tight. There was no way she was going to succumb to any kind of attack during the course of this argument. "Sometimes Preston, I am reminded very clearly of the man I first met when I walked into this bank two and a half years ago. I didn't like you then and, quite frankly, I don't like you now!" With that, she turned on her heel, threw open the door and strode back towards the entrance of the bank.

"What did Michaela say about the baby?" he called after her, almost as an afterthought.

"The baby is fine," she tossed over her shoulder as she stormed out.