AS ELLA WALKED BACK inside, tears ran down her cheeks. How could she admit her feelings for Colton when she had come so far? She wiped the regret from her cheeks and squared her shoulders. She had to go through with it; see it to the end. Somehow, she had to find a way to push Colton Hill from her mind, although it was the last thing she wanted to do. Maybe they could be friends. They had to be, as they would see each other frequently in the small town.

She let out a deep breath as she walked into the train cabin that she had shared with Colton over the past few days. The berths had been converted back into seats, and the linen stored. She packed her clothes and the last of her things, wondering what Whiskey River would be like. With a name like that, she feared that it would be a mining town filled with long-bearded mountain men. She shook her head, hoping that wasn’t the case.

She sat down on the bench that had become hers over the past few days and watched the scenery pass. The mountains stood tall in the distance and the lush green pastures stretched out endlessly before her. Summer was just beginning. The landscape was dotted with colorful wildflowers in fields along streams at the bases of mountains. Every stretch of land was just as beautiful as the last.

“Passengers, gather your things!” the conductor called out down the hallway outside of her cabin. “We will be arriving in Laramie, Wyoming soon!”

There was a knock on the door. Ella wiped her face and pinched her cheeks in an effort to be presentable. When she opened the door, Colton was on the other side.

“Come on in,” she called out as she turned her attention to her things.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” Colton apologized as he lingered in the door.

She shook her head. “Not to worry.” She let out a deep breath. “Let’s get ready to go.” She pinned her matching pink hat into place. Then, she picked up her shawl.

“Here,” Colton offered, reaching for it. “Allow me.”

She handed it to him, and he placed it gently over her shoulders. He held her shoulders for a moment as her heart beat faster. When he let go, the cold air of the cabin rushed in between them.

“Thank you,” she breathed, her voice merely a whisper as she turned around.

He nodded, reached for their bags, and placed them by the door for the porter to bring.

Colton forced a smile and extended his arm. “Shall we?”

She nodded as tears filled her eyes.

“Now, now,” he cooed as he wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “You want to look your best when you meet your new fiancé.” She looked away. “Ella,” he implored softly, placing a finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him. “You are a great person. Show him how wonderful you are.” He smirked. “If he’s any kind of man at all, he’s going to love you.”

“Thank you... for everything,” she answered, dabbing at her eyes. “I hope you find someone wonderful to love, too.”

It looked as if he was about to say something, but thought better of it. “Okay,” he agreed as he extended his arm. “Let’s go. We don’t want to keep this Mr. King waiting.”

She smiled and nodded, and they headed down the hallway toward her new life.

***

AS THEY STEPPED ONTO the train platform in Laramie, a driver met them. “Are you Miss Ella Raines?”

She nodded. “Yes, I am.”

Colton waited behind her.

“Mr. King has instructed me to drive you to Whiskey River.” The man was wearing a top hat and tails; very out of place in Wyoming.

Ella’s mouth flew open in disbelief. “He didn’t think it necessary to meet me himself?”

The man stood straighter. “Mr. King is a very busy man with many affairs to attend.”

Colton chuckled behind her and Ella let her elbow fly into his ribs, but it was like hitting brick. He chuckled again, unaffected.

“Sir,” the driver addressed Colton. “And you are?”

“This is Colton Hill,” Ella interjected. “He is my escort.” She couldn’t help but notice that Colton had accompanied her all the way from the East, but Dallas King couldn’t even travel an hour to meet her.

Colton smirked as he held out his hand to help her into the carriage.

“Don’t even say it,” Ella muttered under her breath.

He feigned an innocent look. “Say what?”

She shook her head and let out a deep breath as she stepped into the carriage and Colton slid in beside her.

After the driver took his place, they rode past people hurrying by in the street and on the wooden walkways. The men she saw came in all shapes and sizes, some were good-looking ranch hands and others were burly mountain men.

But as they ventured out of town, the scenery was breathtaking. Mountains stretched up to the sky, and oaks, maples, and spruces dotted the landscape. The turning leaves and wildflowers created a tapestry of color.

Soon, the road opened up to a small town at the base of a mountain range. The town was clean, and the wood that comprised the businesses was new and well maintained. It was as if the town had sprung up from the earth along with the mountains that surrounded it. A river ran beside it at the base of the mountains, and colorful trees and flowers surrounded the town. It was so beautiful that it took her breath away.

A moment later, they pulled into the town square. She saw a bank, a saloon, and more. A man was standing on the corner in front of the bank, surrounded by a few other men, and she assumed he was Dallas King. He was handsome with neatly combed blond hair and blue eyes, just as Madame Chase had said, and he was dressed in the finest attire around—even more fine than some men wore back East.

“Welcome to Whiskey River.” Dallas took her hand and helped her from the carriage. After she stepped down, he kissed her hand, never taking his eyes from hers.

Without a word, Colton collected his belongings and stormed off toward the saloon. Ella almost called after him, but she stopped herself. She would have to learn how to get along without him if she was to make things work. “Thank you, sir,” she answered, turning her attention back to Dallas.

He tucked her hand in his arm and led her to another carriage. “After you’ve freshened up, I’ll take you straight to the clothing shop in town. I also have a dressmaker lined up for you. She will take your measurements and will make you a whole new wardrobe.” He looked down his nose at her dress.

She forced a smile, biting her tongue. “You’ll have to forgive my appearance, Mr. King. I’ve been traveling for days now. I’ll look much more presentable after I’ve had a chance to freshen up a bit.”

He smirked. “I sincerely hope so. As my wife,” he continued, without looking at her, “you will need to dress appropriately at all times.” Then he looked into her eyes. “I have a reputation to uphold.”

As they drove away, Ella looked in the direction of the saloon, wondering what she had just done.