The Six-Gun Solution (TimeWars 12)

/> “Delaney. But my friends just call me Finn.”

“You sure do handle yourself well, Finn Those boys can be pretty mean.”

“Oh, I thought they seemed right sociable.” said Finn.

Jenny smiled. Oh, dear, thought Finn, not immune to its effects. What’s a heartbreaker like you doing in a place like this? One of the men behind him groaned from the floor, but made no move to get up.

“I’m afraid that coming to my rescue might have brought you trouble.” Jenny said. “Those men are Johnny Ringo’s boys. And they’ve got friends.”

“I’d be happy to make their acquaintance,” Finn said. raising his glass to her.

“I’m not sure you’d like that too much.” she replied. “What you did was very gallant, but I don’t want to mislead you. I’m spoken for.”

“So I heard.” said Finn. “I’d say the Montana Kid’s a lucky man.”

“He’ll appreciate what you did for me tonight,” said Jenny. “I’ll be sure to tell him when he gets back to town. I think the two of you might like each other.”

“Well, if you think highly of him, then I’m sure that I will, too,” said Finn. He turned around and glanced toward Stone’s table. The gambler was gone. He felt a light touch on his arm.

“You’re pretty good with your fists there, cowboy,” said a husky, female voice. “My! Strong, too!”

He turned to see an attractive young redhead smiling at him.

“Finn, I’d like you to meet my good friend. Becky,” Jenny said. “Becky, this here’s Mr. Finn Delaney.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Finn said.

“That was a nice thing that you did for Jenny.” Becky said. “Those boys had it comin’.”

“I thought so,” Finn replied.

“Too bad that Jenny’s already spoken for.” said Becky. “But I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I was to thank you for her.”

She stood up on tiptoe and kissed him. She took her time about it and she seemed sincere.

“You’re welcome,” Finn said somewhat breathlessly, when she broke off the kiss.

“Well now, I haven’t thanked you, yet,” said Becky, with a smile and a smoldering look. “That was just to introduce myself. Jenny, you’ll send up a bottle, won’t you, dear?” She took Finn by the arm. “Would you be so kind as to escort me to my room, sir?”

7

“Now let me get this straight,” hissed Andre, furiously. “I was up all night, worried about where you were, and you were off getting your ashes hauled with some bimbo?”

“It wasn’t exactly the sort of situation I could have backed out of.” Delaney protested, whispering so as not to wake Lucas, who was stretched out on the bed.

“Oh, really? What did she do, force you?”

“Come on, Andre, give me a break, for Christ’s sake! It would have looked a little strange for a cowboy fresh off the trail to turn down a proposition from a woman like that! Besides, I thought I might learn a thing or two.”

“Well. I hope she was a good teacher.” Andre said.

“That isn’t what I meant, dammit!”

“What’s going on?” Lucas mumbled from the bed. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, “Finn! What happened?”

“He was out getting laid, that’s what happened.” Andre said.

“What?” said Lucas.