A/N: Ah, yes, and we're back to the angst! Enjoy!

Thanks to Leiasky for the beta (even when she's not feeling well, she can still knock out quality comments - gotta admire that!)

Please leave comments, they make me happy!

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A NEW BEGINNING, ch. 23: What We Shouldn’t Know

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As Mal pulled the mule up to the small house at the edge of town, he eyed Zoe skeptically. Guessing at his hesitation, the tall woman hopped down and told him, “Save it. He’s legit, I’m tellin’ ya and pretty nice, too.”

Shaking his head as he pulled back on the parking brake to make sure the vehicle stayed put, Mal hopped off and followed her up onto the porch, wondering when exactly someone being nice had become a prerequisite for them to do business.

Turning to his friend as she rapped on the door, Mal told her, “Nice, huh? I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Zoe let the comment slide, choosing instead to keep her eyes locked on the wooden door. When it opened a moment later, and an older gentleman, shorter than Mal, but with a face hardened by years of hardship and laughter answered, she stepped forward and stuck out her hand. “Willis, it’s good to see ya.”

“Zoe,” the man greeted her warmly, taking her hand, and instead of shaking it as Mal had assumed, he kissed it lightly. Motioning them both inside, Mal continued to have doubts about this whole arrangement as he entered the inviting room. “It’s so good to see you,” Willis was saying, gesturing his guests to two armchairs, well-appointed for the smallish space.

As Zoe sat, throwing Mal a look that had told him he’d better do the same, she turned back to the older man and asked, “How are things?”

Willis looked to her and nodded once. “Can’t complain. Can I get you anything?” he asked, looking between Zoe and Mal. “Coffee, tea, water?”

His brain having lost all ability to function in light of such an odd turn of events, Mal could only stare at the man dumbly. Zoe answered for them both, “We’re fine, Willis. Thanks.”