“OF COURSE YOU WILL stay at my ranch,” Dallas King prattled on, reminding Ella of an old woman.

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly,” Ella replied. When Dallas narrowed his eyes at her, she added, “At least, not until we’re married. It just wouldn’t be proper.”

Dallas nodded. “Very well, then.”

Relief spread through her as she forced a smile. “Is there a proper place where I could stay in the meantime?”

Dallas frowned. Ella noticed that he was a man who was used to having control of everything... including his women. “The Widow Jenkins is a proper lady who runs a boarding house for young women,” he breathed and shouted to the driver. “Bill?”

The driver nodded as he turned the carriage around, and Dallas lowered the step and helped her in, then slid in beside her. The driver clicked his tongue, and they headed out of town.

Dallas took Ella’s hand into his and raised it to his lips. “I’ll let you freshen up a bit. But this afternoon, I want to take you shopping. You need to be dressed properly before I take you into town as my future bride.”

Ella pulled her hand away abruptly. “And what is wrong with my dress?” Ella asked, unable to take any more. “I’ll have you know that I just bought this dress from an expensive shop in New York City, and I’m sure it will measure up to the ‘standards’ of Whiskey River. Maybe not yours, but I assure you that I will not be an embarrassment.” She turned toward the window and watched as the colorful scenery passed.

Ella could feel his gaze boring into her. “For one thing, you will not speak to me in that manner again. For another thing, I will choose the clothes you wear. Anything else will not be suitable.”

Ella sat back, fuming. She was relieved when the carriage came to a stop in front of a quaint two-story house just on the outskirts of town. “Thank you,” Ella shot up to the driver as she stepped down from the carriage and then turned to Dallas. “I will see you tomorrow.”

“In an hour,” Dallas corrected. “I’m still taking you shopping.”

Ella smirked as she gave him an exaggerated curtsy. “As you wish.” She turned to the driver. “Would you mind carrying in my luggage?”

Bill nodded, and then silently stepped down from the carriage.

When she turned around, Dallas was already out of the carriage with his arm extended, but Ella walked past him, not taking it. She rolled her eyes when she heard the sound of Dallas’s hard footsteps behind her. He rushed ahead and knocked on the door.

An elderly woman came to the door. She glanced over at Ella and smiled, but her smile broadened when her gaze fell upon Dallas King. “Why, Mr. King!” she exclaimed in a pronounced Southern accent, reminding Ella of a typical Georgia peach. “To what do I owe this honor?”

He smiled, enjoying her reaction. “Mrs. Jenkins, this is my fiancée, Miss Ella Raines. Do you have a room available for her?”

Her smile was devious. “Why, Mr. King! I thought that she would stay at your ranch.”

“Not until we’re married,” Ella interjected as Dallas gave her a dirty look. “It just wouldn’t be proper.”

The older woman nodded. “Of course.” She turned her attention back to Mr. King. “Yes, of course I have a room available. Always for you.”

He smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins. I won’t forget your kindness.”

“Come in and we’ll finalize the details,” Mrs. Jenkins offered as she walked back into the house, expecting them to follow.

“Actually,” Ella interrupted, placing her hand on Dallas’s chest. “I can pay for this myself. After all, you weren’t planning on this.”

“Nonsense!” he exclaimed, but Ella stopped him when he attempted to walk past.

“I insist.” Ella didn’t want to feel any more obligated to the man than she already was.

Dallas studied her for a moment, and then gave her a curt nod. “I’ll be back later.”

“Actually, I am very tired,” Ella said sweetly. “I’ll see you tomorrow... please.”

He bit his lower lip then forced a smile as he nodded. “As you wish.” He walked back to the carriage.

His driver left her trunk just inside the door and returned to his post. Dallas gave her one last look as his carriage drove off.

But as she walked into the house, images of Colton Hill and his kindness flashed through her mind.