"LARABEE'S LADY: THE ELLA FACTOR" – CHAPTER FOUR
Title: "Larabee's Lady: The Ella Factor"
Author: Michelle Heath
Rating: MA for adult language and situations
Summary: An old flame causes trouble for Chris and Catherine.
Date Written: September 22, 2010
Disclaimer: Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, J.D. Dunne, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Ezra Standish, Nathan Jackson, Casey Wells, Mary Travis, Nettie Wells, Inez, Ella Gaines, Jack Averell, and The Magnificent Seven are the property of TM CBS, The Mirisch Group, MGM and Triology Entertainment. Other characters, i.e., Catherine Stewart, Jonathan Stewart, Eloise Stewart, Henrietta Wilkes, Miles Kettering, etc. are the sole property of the author. The author makes no profit from this work of fan fiction and no copyright infringement is intended.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story follows my first story, "Larabee's Lady" in which Chris Larabee met and fell in love with Catherine Stewart, Mary Travis' best friend. I didn't like the whole Ella Gaines story line, so I wrote "Larabee's Lady" without bringing Ella into it, but I've decided that maybe she can provide some interesting dynamics.
(Precisely at six o'clock that evening, Ella Gaines' carriage pulls up in front of Catherine's house. Ella had been expecting a modest house with only the bare minimum of furniture. When she sees the large, elegant plantation-style, two-story house with large white columns running across the front porch, the extremely well-manicured, beautifully landscaped grounds complete with a small lake, the equally elegant stables, barns, and corrals, her confidence falters. Buck greets Ella and escorts her inside to join the other guests have already arrived and are standing in small groups in the large entry hall enjoying mint juleps. A grand staircase with a deep red runner is the centerpiece of the hall, and a huge, intricately cut lead crystal chandelier provides a wealth of light. The house is tastefully decorated and the furniture is the finest available. The smile on Ella's face doesn't quite reach her eyes as she is introduced the Mary, Casey, Nettie, and Mrs. Wilkes.)
Buck: "Ladies, may I introduce you to Ella Gaines, an old friend of Chris'. This is Mrs. Henrietta Wilkes, Mrs. Nettie Wells, her niece, Casey, and Mary Travis."
Ella: "Please call me Ella. I'm not one to stand on formalities."
Mary: "I understand you're having some trouble back home."
Ella: "Yes. A man named Jack Averell is doing his best to get his hands on my land for the Culpepper Mining Company. Since Chris and I are old friends, I decided to ask for help in getting rid of Mr. Averell."
Mrs. Wilkes: "Just how long have you known Mr. Larabee?"
Ella: "We practically grew up together. In fact, several of our friends thought we'd be married one day. Of course, Chris married his Sarah and I married my Joseph and we haven't seen each other since until today."
Casey: "And now Chris is marryin' Catherine."
Ella: "Yes. Where is our hostess?"
Catherine: "I'm right here."
(All eyes turn to look toward the top of the staircase where Catherine Stewart, looking every inch the well-bred young lady, is standing. Catherine is wearing a form-fitting, off-the-shoulder gown in the latest style that is a deep green and brings out the emerald green of her eyes. Her honey-gold hair is arranged in a simple, yet elegant updo exposing the slender column of her neck, and emerald and diamond earrings and a matching necklace complete her look. For a few moments, there is absolute silence. Mrs. Wilkes and Nettie are smiling smugly, Casey is staring in adulation, Mary is amused at the reactions of all the males present who appear to be momentarily struck dumb, and Ella Gaines has a look of sheer panic on her face. Catherine is the epitome of gracefulness as she descends the stairs. Chris is waiting at the bottom and offers her his arm when she reaches him. The look Chris bestows on Catherine as she slips her hand into the crook of his arm is one of admiration and love.)
Catherine: "I'm sorry I was delayed in joining you, but I'm sure Mrs. Tyson made you all comfortable. It shouldn't be too long before we're ready to sit down to dinner. Please, don't let me interrupt your conversations."
(Catherine and Chris slowly make their way from one group to another, and finally make their way to the group where Ella stands talking with Buck, Vin, and Ezra. Even though Ella's off-white gown is of the latest design, she realizes she is no match for Catherine and she's very hard-pressed to hide her animosity.)
Catherine: "Good evening, Ella, Gentlemen."
(Vin, Ezra, and Buck acknowledge Catherine's greeting, but Ella eyes her
somewhat derisively, and her voice has a touch of sarcasm that, while not obvious to everyone, is not missed by Catherine.)
Ella: "You have a lovely house here, Catherine. And those stables . . . Why, I've never seen anything like them before. I can certainly see that Chris is going to enjoy living here"
Catherine: "Chris and I haven't decided where we're going to be living, Ella. He has a cabin not far from here that I'm particularly fond of."
(Both Chris and Vin nearly spit mint julep everywhere, but Catherine never misses a beat.)
Catherine: "It sits on a tract of land that's absolutely perfect for riding."
(This time, Vin has a sudden coughing spell that causes several people to look at him with concern. Chris is looking anywhere but at Catherine and Ella and trying his damnedest not to laugh out loud. Catherine looks at both men with the most innocent expression on her face, but devilment in her eyes.)
Catherine: "Are you two all right?"
Vin: "Fine, Catherine. Just fine."
Chris: "Me, too."
(Ella watches the easy-going interaction between the three, especially Catherine and Chris, and a cold, slithery feeling coils in the pit of her stomach. Before she can recover, Ezra and Vin see the hateful expression on her face and exchange a questioning look.)
Ella: "Must be wonderful to have everything in your life turn out so perfectly."
Catherine: "My life is far from perfect, Ella. As a matter of fact, not to long ago something truly horrible happened to me. But, with the help of my friends and Chris, I've put it behind me."
Ella: "And that's why I came here; to seek the help of an old friend. Have you decided whether or not you're going to give me that help, Chris?"
(Chris looks extremely uncomfortable so Catherine answers for him.)
Catherine: "Of course, he is, Ella. It would be inexcusably rude of him to refuse to help you with this Mr. Averell."
(Chris, Vin, Ezra, and Buck are all looking at Catherine like she's lost her mind, but she calmly returns their stares.)
Catherine: "After all, if all seven of them go, it shouldn't take nearly as long to get rid of Mr. Averell. If you all leave first thing in the morning, Chris will be back in plenty of time for our wedding.)
(Before Ella can reply, Mrs. Tyson announces that dinner is ready, and everyone moves into the dining room. The rest of the evening is spent in small talk, and, because the Seven are leaving for Ella's early the next morning, everyone begins to leave Catherine's soon after dinner. . .When everyone has left except Chris, he and Catherine walk down by the corrals.)
Chris: "Why did you tell Ella I'd go with them tomorrow? She did everything she could to provoke you tonight and you just . . let it go."
Catherine: "That's exactly why. Don't you see what she's trying to do, Chris? She still wants you. I don't think anyone's trying to steal her land; I think it's just a ruse to get you away from here, away from me."
Chris: "Then why the Hell did you agree for me to go?"
Catherine: "Because . . . You have to be the one to tell her you don't want her. You have to convince her that you're no longer interested in her, and you're going to have to do it on her home ground. Otherwise, she'll think you only turned her away because of me."
Chris: "I don't want her, and it is because of you"
Catherine: (smiling softly) "No, it's because you don't love her."
Chris: "Damned right I don't love her. Hell, I don't even like her anymore. . . . You're the only woman I want, Catherine. I love you with everything I have in me"
(He pulls her into his arms and tips her head back with one hand so he can look directly into her beautiful, emerald eyes, and kisses her slowly, lingeringly)
Catherine: "If you don't stop that, Mr. Larabee, you won't be getting any sleep tonight. And if you don't get any sleep tonight, you'll be too tired to go with the others and take care of this problem tomorrow. And if you don't take care of this problem now, she's always going to try to come between us."
Chris: "The Hell she will! I swear to you, Catherine, no one will ever come between us. Not now; not ever. I won't let that happen."