AS ELLA WATCHED COLTON walk away, she realized how much she loved him. Even though she was ready to kill him, her heart pounded as every emotion ran through her. For a moment, he’d looked as if he wanted to kiss her, but he didn’t. Even though she would have slapped him, a part of her wished he had. Her thoughts wandered to their kiss on the train, but she quickly pushed the reflection aside. Yes, she wanted to marry for love, but marriage and love didn’t always keep the same company.

Dallas King slid an arm around her waist. “Did he anger you, my love?”

She turned to look at him, and his eyes flared as he watched Colton Hill disappear into the sheriff’s office. “No. I’m fine.” To Ella, it seemed that he was less concerned with her and more concerned with someone claiming his property. “He was just saying hello.”

Dallas looked at her and forced a smile. “Very well then.” When he extended his arm, she took it, and he guided her down the street toward the hotel restaurant. “Are you hungry? There are some people I’d like you to meet.”

Ella nodded as she forced a smile, trying to push images of Colton Hill from her mind. If she was going to marry Dallas King, then she couldn’t let Colton have this effect on her.

Dallas guided her into the hotel restaurant and pulled her to a stop in the doorway.

“Mr. King!” greeted a man dressed in a dark gray morning coat and matching trousers, black silk vest, and white shirt as he approached. “It is a pleasure indeed!”

Dallas smiled. “The pleasure is mine. Ms. Raines, this is Harrison Curry, the owner of the hotel and restaurant. Is our party here?”

“Why, yes,” he gushed, as he pointed to a private room. “The mayor and the others are waiting for you.”

“Thank you,” Dallas replied. “I do hope that you’ll join us.”

Harrison smiled. “Thank you, Mr. King, but I have work to do.”

Dallas smiled and then turned to Ella. “Shall we?”

“Why are we here?” Ella asked in a low voice as she forced a smile.

“To show you off, darling,” he said as he offered her his arm.

She took it and let him lead her into the room. When they entered, the men stood. No women were present. Ella thought it odd, but assumed that these were the men he wanted to impress. She let out a deep breath when she realized that she was attending this gathering as a showpiece, one of Dallas King’s possessions that he wanted to flaunt.

“Welcome, Mr. King,” began a well-dressed, handsome man as he shook his hand. Then he tipped his hat to Ella. “’Tis a pleasure, miss.”

“Miss Raines,” Dallas announced, “may I present Mayor Calder Williams?”

Ella gave a slight curtsy and smiled. “Mayor. The pleasure is mine.”

“Please, right this way,” the mayor added as he led her to a chair to his right.

Dallas took the seat next to her on the other side, pleased with the mayor’s reaction. “Miss Raines, may I introduce Rex Byer and Ellis Smith, owners of the biggest ranches in Wyoming? And this is Sheriff Daxton Clark, Preacher Caleb Henley, Pete McGregor...,” he introduced everyone, going around the table. Obviously, they were all important men in town and pillars of the community. “Thank you, gentlemen, for joining us today.” Then, he looked at Ella, beaming. “I just couldn’t wait to introduce you to my new bride.”

“Fiancée,” she corrected as she forced a smile. “We’re not married yet, Mr. King.”

He forced a smile. “A minor technicality.”

She sighed, and then looked around the table and smiled. “Well, it’s certainly nice of you gentlemen to meet with us.”

“Hell! Mr. King here has done a lot for our town,” praised Pete McGregor, an overweight, obnoxious older man.

“Watch your language around a lady,” Sheriff Clark muttered under his breath as a crease formed between his eyes.

Pete gave him a dirty look, tipped his hat at Ella, and gave her a leering smile. “Pardon me, miss. I meant no harm.”

“None taken,” Ella replied, and asked Dallas under her breath, “Who is he?”

Dallas slid his napkin onto his lap, bending his head. “He’s the owner of the saloon.” He raised his head and smiled. It was obvious that he didn’t like the older man, but he was important in the town so he was here.

Ella forced a smile as she folded her hands in her lap, understanding. Dallas King was more concerned about his own reputation and keeping in the good graces of the bigwigs in town than what he actually thought.

“Well, now that everyone’s present, I think it’s time we get this show on the road,” Mayor Williams said. “Millie Martin? I think we’re ready to eat.”

“Yes sir,” the waitress answered, smiling as she walked away.

“So, you come from back East?” the mayor asked.

“Why, yes I did,” Ella replied as she took a sip of her water.

The sheriff looked into her eyes. “I just hired a deputy from back East. Do you know Colton Hill?”

Ella choked on her water, coughing so much that she could hardly catch her breath.

Daxton suppressed a smile as he took a sip of his water.

“Here you go!” Millie exclaimed as she walked into the room, followed by Harrison Curry. Both were carrying huge trays filled with food—baked and fried chicken, roasted corn on the cob, potato salad, green beans... just about every food imaginable.

“Are you well?” Dallas asked, looking at her as he patted her back. Then he looked around the table in embarrassment, obviously more concerned about what everyone else thought than her well-being.

She cleared her throat. “Yes. I’m fine,” she answered in a low voice as she took another sip of water and felt much better. “Don’t worry. I won’t embarrass you.” Suddenly, she thought of Colton, knowing that he wouldn’t be the slightest bit embarrassed by something like her choking.

“Ella...,” he warned.

“Say, when are you two getting married?” Ellis Smith asked, raising his glass.

“Just let me know and we can work out a date,” Preacher Henley added, but then backpedaled when he saw the look on Ella’s face. “But there’s no rush.”

“No. That’s fine, Preacher,” Dallas cajoled looking at Ella. “Darling, when would you like to be married?”

“Um... well... I... um... I’m not sure...,” Ella stammered. Never had she been put on the spot like that before in her life.

“Well, now! Don’t rush the woman, Mr. King,” Mayor Williams chided. “A lady needs time to make up her mind about such things. Isn’t that right, miss?”

She nodded as she forced a smile, thankful for his intervention. He was a gentleman, after all.

The mayor raised his glass. “A toast! To the new couple! May you both find what you want... and a date you both agree on!”

Everyone laughed as they all raised their glasses

And Ella raised her glass, too. But her mind wandered to Colton Hill as she wondered how she ever got into this mess.