Chapter Text
There is a little town where the warm western winds blow in South Dakota called Redemption. The townspeople were an eclectic group of caring folk that came from all over. There were original homesteaders who had since moved on, while new ones came in with stars in their eyes to chase the dream own owning land in the West. It was a hard life, but it was a good life.
Rey Kenobi knew all too well how hard it could be. She was found wandering on the prairie one day and was adopted by Old Ben Kenobi, the bachelor pastor of the small local flock. Most in town didn’t know how she got there. A rumor had spread, amongst those that were connected with the natives of that land, that the little gal was found wandering around a camp with her deceased parents. Why or how they died, according to the rumor, was not clear. That same source said that she was purposefully dropped near Papa Ben’s homestead, in hopes that the kindly bachelor would find her and help her find a home amongst his people.
Instead, he kept her himself. He had always wanted a family, but his work had kept him from it. He doted on Rey, and she adored him.
And so, the people of Redemption became Rey’s people. She loved them, and they loved her...but now she was alone.
Four years earlier, when she was sixteen, Papa Ben had taken sick with a fever that tore through their little town. He and many others were wiped out that year.
There were some friends that offered to take her in and even some offers of marriage. She wasn’t interested in those, though. She had worked hard on their farm for many years, and she knew she could do it herself.
The thing was, though...she wasn’t doing so well on her own. Sure, she could take care of the basics, but she was not able to help the farm thrive. She was tired...and she was lonely. And, she really needed this crop to pay off the mortgage Papa Ben had gotten to build the house ten years ago. The final balance was coming up due, and she was short.
She had friends. There were the Tico sisters that ran the general store. Their parents had died of the fever too, so they had all been orphaned at the same time. There was Finn, the deputy. He was her friend, but he was sweet on Rose, and she figured any day now they would announce their engagement. There used to be Poe...but he was one of her offers of marriage, and he didn’t know when to quit and admit defeat. She didn’t feel as comfortable around him now.
And, there was Uncle Luke. Luke was groomed by Papa Ben to take over his ministry. He faithfully led the congregation each week and cared for his flock in many ways. He was kind. He and his wife Mara considered her family. They were never able to have kids of their own, and they always had her over for holidays. Well, her and the Tico sisters too, on account of them all not having kin close by.
She knew she had people who cared about her, and she cared for them. But she still felt like something was missing.
She wasn’t sure what...but it was.
She surveyed the view from her porch one more time. Her house was sturdy and more than she needed with two bedrooms, a common room with living space and the kitchen, and a pantry. It was set on a small rolling hill, purposed to protect it from the river when it swelled and flooded after the winter snows melted. That height gave her a view of her rolling property.
The field of corn stood next to the field of wheat of equal size. The pasture held her white and rust-colored mustang, Bebe. Her cow, Betsy and the goats, Artoo and Threepio (on account of his odd three horns) grazed nearby. She could hear the chickens out back.
She had a good life. The good Lord had blessed her this year with a bountiful crop that was almost ready to harvest. It was hard, back-breaking work, and she couldn’t do it alone. She would have to rely on her friends, and she hated to ask for help.
She sighed and went in to change out of her trousers she worked in and into her Sunday dress. Luke and Poe had called a town meeting tonight, and she didn’t like being late.
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Poe banged the gavel on the holy desk that doubled as a podium at town meetings.
“Order...friends. Please take your seat.”
The conversations quieted, and then Poe continued.
“The reason Luke and I asked you to come, tonight, is to decide a town matter. Most of you do not know that a week ago today, I apprehended the leader of the First Order cowboy gang, Kylo Ren. He was injured and left for dead by his gang.”
“Normally, I would hold him until the judge made his way her for his circuit. But, Mr. Ren has made a confession of his deeds and has renounced his life of crime. Because of this, Luke reminded me that we as a town have the ability to offer another option.” Poe’s expression seemed annoyed at this. “Luke...please join me and explain.”
Luke rose up, dressed in his pastoral collar, a black shirt, and a black suit. He looked official, tonight.
“Friends, when Redemption was founded, it was with the hope that it could be a place where folks could find a second chance. Many of us, myself included, have benefitted from this idea that hope for a different life was possible.”
“Because of this hope, the founders placed several laws in place that would allow for second chances for people that find themselves in a hard way. In particular, when a criminal shows remorse and renounces their foolish ways, there is a provision to extend grace...but it is conditional.”
Jonathan spoke out. “Pastor Luke - are you sayin’ we should let this criminal go free?”
Luke smiled patiently at him. “No...but I wanted to let everyone know that we have these things in place.”
“What is it? What is the condition?” the always jovial Snap Wexley asked skeptically.
“Well, the law states that if the prisoner is remorseful and renounces, and was not caught in a violent crime at the time of apprehension, he could have his crimes removed...if a willing upstanding, woman of God is willing to marry him.”
The buzz of questioning voices rose to a crescendo.
“You cannot be serious, Luke!” Robert Haagsma called out.
“We can’t let a former gang member loose in our town!” cried Carolyn Miller.
“We don’t even have anyone that could, do we?” Finn asked Rose quietly next to him?
Many other voices just started talking at the same time and blended together. Some were raised in anger, some were pleading in fear.
Luke banged the gavel. “Friends...I know this is an unusual idea, but it is part of our laws. And, for reasons I cannot divulge, I have reason to believe the sincerity of this man. I know we would not allow a dangerous man to go free, and I am not suggesting it. I am merely making the town aware. We have not had a circumstance where a criminal confessed, so it’s just never come up.”
“Why would we sacrifice one of our own to this devil?” Harriet O’Neill asked. She was a spinster and the town busy-body.
“Harriet,” Luke said gently, “we aren’t asking anyone to do anything. We are simply opening the opportunity provided by our laws, which apply to this matter.”
Rey had sat there, taking in the scene around her. Something in her had jolted and made her heart beat faster as Luke was talking. She often thought about the grace Old Ben had given her when he took in a stranger. This was not the same thing...but she couldn’t get that idea out of her head as her heart raced.
She suddenly stood up. “Luke - is he an able worker?”
Luke’s smiling eyes turned to Rey and locked on her face. “Rey...he is well equipped to do physical labor.”
When she stood to ask the question, she felt the heat of Poe’s gaze on her. She ignored it.
She raised up her chin. “I’ll do it.”
Gasps broke out across the crowd. There were more raised voices. She could see the worry and concern on her friends’ faces, and the horror of others. Even Harriet had the good sense to look worried about her.
“I would like to remind you all that I can take care of myself. I am the best shot in the state, and I cared for me and Old Ben for a long time. But, the farm is growing, and I can’t do it alone. I need help, and this man needs a home. It is a mutually beneficial solution. I will do it.”
Luke looked at her with a serious expression, but she knew him too well for him to block the light of excitement from his eyes.
“Are you sure, Rey.”
She called up a prayer heavenward, and that energy in her soul only increased. It just felt like the right thing for her to do.
“I am.”
Luke pounded the gavel again. “Then, friends, the matter is resolved. The requirements for the law have been fulfilled. Rey, please come to see me. This meeting is adjourned.”
Rey made her way to the front. She patted her friends and neighbors on the shoulders, assuring them she would be fine.
When she got to the front, she realized that Poe was staring at her. She couldn’t read whether he was angry or hurt...maybe both.
She shook her head at him and gave him a half smile,
Luke wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Rey, please come have some pie with Mara and I...then we can talk more about this.”
She nodded and walked out with him, tossing one more glance back at Poe. She couldn’t explain it to him, but she knew she couldn’t marry him just as sure as she knew she was supposed to marry this criminal stranger she had never met.
_________________________
Rey had finished half of her pie and was well through her cup of tea when Luke started. “Rey...do you remember my sister, Leia? They moved when you were still young. Her husband Han worked in transporting goods. They moved to Chicago not too long after Old Ben adopted you.”
She shook her head.
“Well...Leia and Han moved with their teenage son, Ben. He was a serious, troubled kid. He was one of those old souls, even when he was young. Anyway, the move from a small town like Redemption to a big city like Chicago took its toll on Ben. He got into trouble with a bad crowd. Leia was distraught. She even toyed with sending him to live with Mara and me for a spell, but by then it was too late. Finally, when he was 19, he left home and got involved with organized crime.”
Rey’s eyes got big. She was trying to imagine someone related to Luke turning to a life of crime.
“Well...Leia lost touch with him over the years. She tried looking for him, she tried using her political connections with the law to find him...even let Han call in some law enforcement favors. Finally, after many years, she gave up hope.”
“Ben joined Snoke’s organization about ten years ago. In all that time, I never saw him.”
He set his cup of tea he had been nursing back on the little plate. “That is, of course, until I walked into the jail yesterday.”
Rey shook herself as if that would help her better understand Luke’s words. “I’m sorry...are you saying that your nephew is Kylo’s cellmate?”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “No, Rey….I am saying that Kylo IS Ben.”
She startled and breathed in deep. “You mean...the man I just said I would marry is your nephew?”
Luke nodded and smiled bigger. “Yep...but there’s more, Rey. Leia named him after her pastor...and her pastor was…”
“Papa Ben,” she breathed.
He just nodded a full smile on his face now.
“So...is that how you know he’s sincere? That he isn’t dangerous?”
“Oh...Rey...he is dangerous. But, I am confident he won’t hurt you.”
“You are...but why?”
“Well, for starters, even though he has lived a life of crime, his Mama actually trained him with her east coast manners. They were out of place here, but they are there. But, more importantly, he was very kind to you, back then.”
He eyebrows shot up. “You mean...you mean he knows who I am?”
Again, he nodded. “He was here for about a year after you came to live here. You were so little, I wouldn’t think you would remember. But, I’m sure he would. He was very protective of you, and I am completely confident he would not hurt you.”
She swallowed. “Luke...what is he like?”
The smile left his eyes. “He is a broken man, Rey. He is broody and aloof. But, I see something in his eyes...a sincerity that hasn’t been there since he was a boy. Ben Solo is still in there.”
Her mind whirled. It was all a lot to take in. The only thing she could think to say was, “When can I meet him.”