New Woman in Town by Mack Ireland

New Woman In Town

"Chris!Chris!" yelled little Billy Travis. "It's a wagon train! It's a wagon train!"

Chris Larabee exited the saloon and looking over his shoulder saw at least a dozen wagon coming down the main street.

Right behind him Buck Wilmington said, "Well this should be good for business. I wonder if there are any ladies with them that are in need of my attention."

Vin Tanner overhearing this remark said, "Have you ever seen a woman you thought didn't need your attention?"

As the wagons came closer, the lead pulled to a stop and a lovely young woman jumped to the ground. She ran straight into the arms of Chris Larabee who swept her off her feet and spun her in a circle. Both were breathless when the hugging and spinning were finally over. The young woman kissed Chris firmly on the cheek and he returned the favor.

Everyone one of the seven were now on the sidewalk waiting to be intro- duced. Across the street Mary Travis witnessed this performance from the window of the newspaper office.

The young woman still had a strangle hold on Chris's neck and he finally sat her on her feet and broke the embrace.

"Eileen," he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Why," she answered, "I decided I wanted to live closer to you. And since it looks like you have chosen this town to settle in-well here I am! I have bought a house outside of town and brought everything from home to furnish it properly."

Josiah now stepped forward, "I am Josiah Sanchez, welcome to our humble town," he said, kissing her hand.

The other five recited their names like roll call. When Vin said his name the brash young woman stuck out her hand and said, "I am honored to know you, I am Eileen Larabee."

Vin recovered first and said, "How are you related to Chris?"

Chris having recovered from his own shock said, "Gentlemen may I present Eileen Larabee, my sister. Now if you will excuse us we have some talking to do."

Taking her by the elbow he guided Eileen to the restaurant where they both ordered coffee. To his horror he discovered that every one of the twelve wagons belonged to his sister, including eight horses following the train. A vein in his forehead began to thump painfully.

"Well," Eileen began innocently, "You don't expect me to live in frontier squalor do you? When you are ready to have a home again you can have any of Mother and Father things you would like, and you won't have to have them shipped because they will be right here!"

Chris could feel his temples throbbing. Worse yet he could see Mary Travis walking toward the cafe. Mary entered and came directly to their table. Chirs invited her to join them introducing the two women.

"Welcome," Mary said pleasantly. "It's always good to see a fresh face in town."

"RREEAALLY," Eileen replied in an unpleasant tone of voice? "Aren't you the newspaper writer and owner who once wrote that my brother made the streets of this town run red with blood? I'm an advocate of truth in journalism, I find sensationalism to be a terrible bore. Don't you?"

Chris had a full blown headache now and needed a shot of Red Eye and a beer chaser. Mary rose and walked to the door and Chris saw her return to her newspaper office.

Chris turned a stern look on his sister, "Is this how it's going to be?" he asked.

"That woman slandered my brother and until I read a retraction I don't intend to forget it," replied his sister.

"I thought after your husband was killed in the war you would remarry," Chris said.

"Being married to Charlie Hefflefinger was quite enough thank you. I am finished with widowhood and marriage is not an option," Eileen replied.

Chris groaned and said, "Well let's go and get you unpacked. I hope you brought Father's liquor cabinet with you."

"I did," Eileen replied good humor restored. "And you can keep it in your room."

"My room?" Chris said in horror.

"You don't want me to live all alone on the frontier do you?"

END

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