DALLAS KING WALKED into the bank and straight to Ella. “Stay away from him.”

She looked around; everyone was staring. “We’re just friends,” she replied in a low voice.

Dallas shook his head as he stepped closer. “I do not know what happened between you two, but if you think that you are ‘just friends,’ then you are deluding yourself.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “Stay away from him.”

“I haven’t gone near him,” she lied as she walked toward the door.

But Dallas stopped her. “And where do you think you’re going?”

Ella narrowed her eyes at him. “To the general store. Or is that not permitted now, too?” This she said loud enough to attract attention.

Dallas smirked and looked around, noticing that all eyes were on them. “Very well then.” He turned away and walked toward the back, several men following.

Without looking back, Ella walked out of the bank and headed toward the sheriff’s office. Daxton Clark was outside, but Colton was nowhere to be seen. “Where is he?”

“Listen, Ms. Raines,” Daxton soothed, holding up a hand to stop her. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but someone is going to end up dead if it doesn’t stop now.”

She nodded as tears came to her eyes. “I know. It’s not what I want, but I know.” She looked deeply into his eyes. “Where is he?”

Daxton let out a deep breath. Then he nodded in the opposite direction of the bank. “He went that way.”

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “Thank you.” She hurried down the street as quickly as she could.

She saw him on the walkway a moment later, walking past the general store. “Colton!”

He immediately turned around. “What are you doing here?”

She stood for a moment, trying to catch her breath. “I just wanted to apologize to you for Dallas’s behavior just now.”

He scoffed. “And you ran all the way down here to tell me that?” He turned and walked away.

“Colton, don’t walk away!” she exclaimed as she ran to him and forced him to turn around. “I don’t want to leave things like this!”

He stopped and looked into her eyes. “And what would you have me do? You’re marrying him this Saturday!”

She nodded as she lowered her eyes. “Yes. I am.”

Colton shook her shoulders a little, forcing her to look at him. “Just answer me this: what do you see in him?”

She looked at him in shock and took a step back. “He’ll be a good provider.”

“So that’s it? You’re marrying him for the money, even though he mistreats you? Even though you can’t respect him? Do you know what that makes you?”

Without thinking about it, she reared back and slapped him across the face. “How dare you say that to me? You, of all people, know I’ve never done that!”

Unfazed, Colton persisted. “Then why are you marrying him?”

Tears sprang to her eyes. “I want to live a respectable life.”

Colton took a step back. “Well, there’s nothing respectable about pretending to be something that you’re not.”

Tears flowed down her cheeks, and she didn’t follow as he walked away.

Ella darted into the general store to freshen up out of the sight of prying eyes.

“May I help you, Miss Raines?” Mrs. Carson asked behind her.

“Oh, my goodness!” Ella gasped, jumping as she placed a hand on her heart.

“Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you,” Mrs. Carson blurted, alarmed. “Offending you is the last thing I’d like to do!”

Ella nodded. Of course. She couldn’t have cared less about her. The woman was more interested in staying in Dallas King’s good graces. “Don’t worry. It was an accident.”

Mrs. Carson smiled. “Are you looking for anything in particular? Perhaps some new fabric? I just got some in from New York.”

Ella smiled. She wondered what Dallas would think if the fabric she bought came from the East and not Paris, France, or some other exotic location. “On second thought, I’ll take three yards.”

A broad smile spread across Mrs. Carson’s face. “I’ll measure it off.” She picked up the bolt of fabric and carried it to the cutting table. “If you see anything else that you’d like, just let me know.”

She spent the rest of the afternoon shopping while she thought about what to do about Dallas King... and Colton Hill.