Redemption

Old Lovers

"Stop!" His shove was harder than he meant, and he caught her arm as she staggered, almost falling. "Sorry, but I'm not interested."

"Rueben Lane, what in the world has gotten-?"

"Who?" Grip tightening, he stared hard. "Rueben Lane?"

"Yes, that's you, lover," freeing herself from his grasp, she rubbed her arm. "Unless you've managed to get yourself a twin."

He wasn't listening. Reuben Lane! That was him! He knew it as surely as the sun was shining. No memories came flooding back, but echoes sounded in the core of his being. A soldier. A lover. Sorrow. Desperation. Anger. Bitterness...

"Are you alright?" Her puzzled gaze drifted along his face, taking in his full beard and the new scars across his nose and cheek.

"Fine," he stepped back as she reached out to touch him, frowning. "I don't have time for this,"

"Is that all you can say to me?" Resentment glittered in her eyes. "After everything you put me through?"

"I don't know who you are, lady. Bugger off!"

She stiffened and looked squarely at him.

"God you can be cruel, lover," her whisper was thick as she shook her head.

"You have no idea."

"Yes, I do. I know you so well Reuben, better than you know yourself sometimes."

"Prove it." he challenged.

"You never loved me, but you made me think you could because you wanted my silence. You promised to set me free when you returned, and then you betrayed everyone, except her!" Dripping with bitterness, her voice was tinged with another emotion too.

"Her?"

"Prescott's black molly."

Molly. That was the second person who referred to Harmony that way, and his big hands clenched into fists. Seeing it, the woman cringed back as her eyes widened. For the thousandth time, Lane wondered what sort of man he used to be. That he had a short temper was obvious, and that he was prone to violence was becoming clear but at what cost? How far had he gone?

Features stiff, he turned his attention back to her.

"Never talk about her that way again."

"Why are you here, Reuben?" Hastily turning away, she tried to wipe her tears before he noticed them. "It's obvious you didn't come because of your promise to me."

"Looking to settle an account with Prescott," he answered vaguely, irritated more at himself than her.

"Then luck. I'll not help you anymore, not after what you've done. Find yourself another bird, I'm finished with you!"

"Fine with me." Readily dismissing her, he wanted out of this confusing mix while he could still see straight. His hand curled around the door handle when her voice stopped him.

"That's it? No explanation, no apology, nothing?"

Looking back, he gave her an exasperated sigh, shrugging.

"What do you want from me?"

"I want to know why! Why are you acting so cold? Why did you lie to me? Why did you abandon me, of all places, at Prescott's station? Why, Rueben!"

"I don't know."

"Tell me the truth!"

"I don't know!" His shout clamped her lips together as they glared at each other. "I can't... I can't tell you."