“PULL IT TIGHTER!” ELLA yelled as Mia pulled her corset laces.

“But it’s already... tight... enough!” Mia said between pulls. “It’s a wonder you can still breathe!”

“Don’t you worry about that,” Ella breathed. “I need a small waist.”

“You already have a small waist!” Mia stated as she tied off the strings.

Ella wrapped her fingers around her waist as she looked in the mirror, satisfied. “Thanks, Mia! That’s perfect!”

Mia fell onto Ella’s bed, relieved. She looked out the window; the sun had not yet risen. “I shall miss you.”

Ella sat down on the bed beside her best friend. “And I, you,” she replied, taking Mia’s hands into her own. “But you will write to me, won’t you?”

Mia nodded as she dabbed at her eyes. “Yes, of course I will.” She rose from the bed and headed toward the door. “Well, I shall leave you to finish dressing. The train will be leaving soon.”

Ella nodded as she wiped the tears away and squared her shoulders. “I had best be getting ready.” She rose from the bed and dressed in a new purple dress, a matching hat with a small matching feather, and new black boots with short heels that were laced up over her ankles. She looked into the mirror. Satisfied, she looked around the room, knowing it would be the last time she saw it.

“Come with me to Whiskey River.” Ella pulled Mia in for one last hug.

Mia shook her head as she pushed back and wiped her eyes. “No, but promise me that this won’t be goodbye.”

Ella nodded. “I promise.”

Ella gathered the last of her things when the man arrived to take her to the train station. She boarded the carriage and waved one last time to Mia as they drove away.

The sun was peeking up over the clouds, sending slight beams down to earth just as the carriage came to a stop. Madame Chase was waiting at the station.

“Good morning,” she chirped as she took Ella’s hands. “You made it! Are you ready for your trip?”

Ella nodded as her stomach fluttered. “Yes. It’s good to see you.” She looked around, looking for Colton, but didn’t see him anywhere. Ella was surprised how disappointed she was that he had changed his mind.

Madame Chase smiled. “Miss Raines, are you sure you want to do this?”

Ella turned her attention back to Madame Chase. “Yes, of course.”

Suddenly, Colton Hill stepped out from behind the freestanding ticket booth, his long brown hair combed and flowing down neatly over his shoulders as his brown eyes sparkled. He tipped his hat. “Madame Chase. Ella,” he greeted them as he slid his cowboy hat back onto his head.

Madame Chase concealed a smile, and then turned to Ella. “Well, it looks as if you are now ready.”

Ella nodded, relieved that Colton had made it. Somehow, she knew that she couldn’t do this without him.

“Take care of her.” Madame Chase handed Colton the tickets.

Colton looked at the tickets and then showed them to Ella. They were in first class. “I will,” he replied as he nodded his thanks. She gave him a slight curtsy and turned toward the carriage.

“Thank you... for everything!” Ella called to her as she waved.

Madame Chase gave her a knowing smile. “I have a feeling that we shall meet again.”

Ella smiled. She wasn’t quite sure what the beautiful woman meant, but somehow, she knew this wasn’t goodbye.

Steam came out of the train behind them, and it let out a loud rumble as it pulled to a stop. “All aboard!” the conductor yelled into the morning air. The porter stepped up and loaded her trunk filled with her new fine clothes and Colton’s bag.

After their luggage had been towed, Colton looked down at Ella as he held out his hand. “Shall we?”

Ella forced a smile as she took it, and never looked back.

Weary passengers stepped off the train as they walked around the ticket booth and stepped onto the platform. “All aboard!” the conductor yelled again as the last of the passengers disembarked. Colton and Ella stepped into line behind the other excited passengers. “Next,” Colton handed him their tickets, and he nodded them on.

“After you,” Colton mused as he held onto the rail, bowing slightly.

Ella noticed how good Colton smelled as she stepped onto the train beside him, dangerously close, causing her heart to flutter. His scent seemed to hold a combination of musk and rain. “Excuse me.”

Colton suppressed a smile, obviously pleased with her reaction.

She rolled her eyes as she passed, taking in the red velvet seats and fancy furnishings in their private cabin. She knew they would be riding in style as she took her seat on the train.

Colton sat beside her, ignoring the other seat across from them. “What’s wrong?” he asked, feigning innocence.

Ella let out an exasperated breath as she shook her head. “You are so infuriating.”

Colton laughed. “I’ve heard that before. But I’ve been a perfect gentleman, I’ll have you know.”

Ella fumed. “Yes. That’s what makes you even more infuriating.”

Colton laughed, earning him a dirty look.

Ella looked out the wide window at the clouds filling the sky.

“Looks like rain,” Colton whispered into her ear.

She nodded, a bit uncomfortable alone with him in such close proximity.

“What are you thinking about?” Colton asked, suddenly serious.

Ella let out a deep breath. “I was just thinking that this may be the last time that I ever see New York,” she reminisced as she watched the buildings and scenery pass by.

Colton placed a finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Have you changed your mind?”

She smiled as she shook her head. “No. I’m eager to start my new life.”

“You know,” Colton whispered, “you don’t have to go halfway across the United States to do that. You could start a new life here.”

Ella let out a deep breath as she shook her head. “And how do you propose I do that?” she asked as fury filled her voice. “I’m a woman. I can’t own a legitimate business. I can’t even own property. I took the job as a dance hall girl at the saloon because it was the only job I could get. What other choice do I have?”

Colton’s eyes became serious as he looked deeply into hers. “Just open your eyes.”

Ella looked at him, unable to look away, when the train suddenly jerked. Saved by the train, she turned her attention back out the window.