ELLA WALKED INTO THE train, and it already felt too cold and lonely without Colton beside her. Earlier, she’d almost let him kiss her. He was unlike any other man she had ever known: exotic, handsome, romantic.... She pushed the thought aside as she found an empty seat and waited for Colton.

A gentleman approached her table.

“Forgive me, miss, for being so bold, but is this seat taken?” he asked with interest.

“Yes, it is,” Colton stated flatly from behind him.

“My humble apologies.” The man placed his hand on his chest and then walked away.

Colton sat down across from her and laid his napkin across his lap. “Well, it looks as if I arrived just in time.”

She smiled. “Thank you, but I can take care of myself.”

His eyebrows rose. “Yes, I can see that.”

“You’re mocking me.”

He shook his head. “No, just teasing.” It was apparent that he was avoiding eye contact.

She placed a hand over his, claiming his attention.

“Ella, don’t.” But he didn’t pull his hand away.

It hurt her to hear her own words coming from his mouth, although she wasn’t exactly sure why. “Don’t what?”

He let out a deep breath as he looked into her eyes. “Don’t make me do something that you would regret.”

“Oh.” She slowly pulled her hand away and looked into his eyes, shocked at what she saw. His eyes were filled with so much love. But how could he love her already?

“Good evening,” the waiter asked. “Would you like to see a menu?”

She was about to say no, but Colton quickly answered, “Yes, please.”

The waiter set their menus on the table in front of them. “I’ll return momentarily.”

Colton appeared to be studying the menu, but Ella wondered if he was just trying to avoid her.

“Colton, I’m sorry about earlier,” she rambled as she let out a deep breath. “I was just playing, but things got out of hand. Please, accept my apology. I mean, we’ve become such good friends—”

“Friends.” He cut her off as he nodded. “I can do that.”

Pain ripped through her chest again as the love in his eyes faded. But it was better that way. After all, she was promised to another man. “What are you going to order?” she asked as she turned her attention to the menu in an effort to move to a lighter topic.

Colton let out a sigh. “I don’t know about you, but I could go for some good ol’ fried chicken, but I don’t see it on the menu.”

Ella smiled as she closed her menu, glad to see that his spirits had improved. “We can ask. Maybe they can make us some.”

Colton looked at the menu. “Well, they have everything else on here.”

“Are you ready to order your main course, or would you like another minute?” the waiter asked.

“Could the chef make us some fried chicken?” Ella asked.

The waiter suppressed a smile. “It’s not our usual fare, but I’ll check.” The waiter collected the menus and took their drink orders. “I’ll be back with your first course.”

“Well, it’s already beginning to feel like home.” Colton folded his hands on the table. “So, are you eager to get there?”

“To Whiskey River?”

Colton nodded. “We’ll be there tomorrow.”

Ella let out a sigh. This was their last night together. The past three days had flown by. It was hard to believe that their journey would soon come to an end. “As eager as I can be.”

Colton nodded. “Would you like to play another hand of poker?”

Ella smiled. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Then a devilish smile lit her lips. “Besides, I’d just beat you.”

Colton laughed. “Yes, that’s probably true.”

Ella thought for a moment and then asked, “Colton, may I ask you a question?”

He raised an eyebrow as one side of his lips curled into a smile. “Yes,” he said, obviously leery.

She couldn’t help but laugh then turned serious. “Why did you let me win the last hand?”

He shrugged. “I’m not sure. It’s hard to explain, and you may not like the answer.”

“Try me.”

He let out a deep breath. “I was enjoying watching you win so much, having fun, clapping and giggling like a little girl.” He paused for a moment, thinking. “I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to see your reaction again.”

She placed her hand over his and looked into his eyes as she smiled sweetly. “Thank you, but don’t ever do that again.”

He laughed as he pulled his hand away. “You really are competitive, aren’t you?”

She shrugged. “I guess I never really thought of it before.”

He chuckled. “Oh, come now. You mean to tell me that you don’t get a thrill from some friendly competition?”

Ella’s lips formed a straight line. “It depends upon the competition... or the game.”

A knowing grin started to spread across his lips as he leaned forward conspiratorially. “So, do you think this Mr. King would like a little friendly competition?”

Ella scowled. “Don’t you dare!”

He shrugged matter-of-factly. “Why not?”

The waiter happily set their drinks on the table and smiled, ending the conversation. “The chef said he would be delighted to make you some fried chicken. What else would you like?”

Colton looked at Ella and raised his eyebrows, and she nodded. “Surprise us.”

The waiter smiled. “It would be my pleasure.” He walked over to serve another table.

Colton picked up his glass and looked into Ella’s eyes. “May the best man win?”

She huffed. “I’m not a prize and this isn’t a competition. I’m sure there are plenty of other girls who have caught your eye, Mr. Hill. Besides, you’re probably just teasing me.”

“Don’t bet on it,” he mumbled under his breath, and then took a drink of his bourbon.

The waiter approached with a fresh, colorful salad, oil and vinegar for dressing, and freshly sliced bread. “Here’s your first course. I’ll be right back with your main course shortly.”

“Thank you,” Colton chortled, much more cheerful as he doused his salad with oil and vinegar, mixed it up, and then took a big bite. Suddenly, his eyes opened wide and he made an awful face. Then he hurried to down his drink.

“What’s the matter?” Ella asked, suppressing a smile. “Shall I call for the waiter?”

Colton shook his head. “No. I think I put too much vinegar on my salad,” he gasped.

Ella couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “I’ll get you some water.” She called the waiter over and he quickly brought the drink over. “Serves you right.”

Colton looked up from his water. “What did I do?”

Ella chuckled as she shook her head in disbelief. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

He shrugged. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Colton gave her an innocent look as he took another bite of his salad and made another face, sending Ella into hysterics. He pushed the salad aside. “I think I’ve had enough salad for one day.”

Ella laughed again, attracting hard stares from other patrons. She saw their waiter and stopped him again. “Could we get another salad?” Then she lowered her voice. “He accidentally put too much vinegar on his.”

The waiter smiled. “Yes, of course. Right away. Would you like some more water, too? Or perhaps another drink?”

He nodded. “Both,” he choked out.

Ella suppressed a smile. “Thank you,” she replied to the waiter, suppressing a smile.

He gave a nod and then disappeared down the hallway.

“Are you okay?” Ella asked.

“Fine,” he gasped, and took another sip of his drink.

She held up her wine. “Want this?”

Colton shook his head.

“Here you go!” the waiter gushed, carrying a tray, a bit too chipper as he set down a glass of water, another bourbon, and another salad.

“Thank you,” Colton choked out as he quickly downed the water.

The waiter smiled. “If you require anything else, please let me know. I’m here to serve.”

Colton smiled. “Thank you.” He took another sip of his water as the waiter turned to another table. Colton set his glass down on the table. He cleared his throat, and the color in his face started returning to normal. “What did you mean? ‘You deserved that’?”

She shook her head and shoved the basket of bread toward him. “Here, eat this. It’ll make you feel better. It’ll absorb some of the vinegar.”

He took a bite of the bread, nodded, and bit off some more. “Tell me.”

“You know what I meant,” Ella replied, not wanting to bring it up again.

Colton took another bite. “Tell me.”

“Competition?” she asked.

He smiled as he took another bite of his bread. “Well? Do you think Mr. King is up for some friendly competition?”

Ella set down her wine. “It’s not a competition and I’m not a prize,” she repeated.

He held up his bourbon, fully recovered. “Aren’t you, though?”

Ella dabbed daintily at the corners of her lips with the napkin as she started to slide out of the booth, “Okay. I’ll be in our cabin if you need me.”

Quicker than she would have thought possible, he grabbed her arm. “Don’t go.”

She froze and looked down at his hand.

He released her right away, but his eyes pleading. “Please?” When he saw that she was not relaxing, he sat back and added, “If you stay, I’ll promise to behave.”

She laughed as she relaxed and sat back down into the booth. “You? Behave?”

He smiled as he took another bite of the bread. “I’ll try.”

She nodded. “Now, that’s more like you.”

The waiter brought their main course, consisting of fried chicken, scalloped brussel sprouts, and pecan and orange sticks, along with mashed potatoes and more bread. “I hope you don’t mind. I ordered the specialty along with your main course.” He lowered his voice conspiratorially. “Also, what’s fried chicken without mashed potatoes?”

Ella smiled. “It looks delicious. Thank you.”

“It is indeed my pleasure.” The waiter gave a slight bow. “Do you require anything else?”

Colton shook his head. “No, this looks wonderful.”

The waiter gave him a nod. “Let me know if I can be of assistance.” He walked over to another table.

“So, have you decided what you’d like to do, what profession, when we arrive?” Ella asked casually as she studied her fried chicken. She was used to just picking it up and eating it, but she didn’t want to look undignified around these people.

Colton shrugged. “I guess I’ll know it when I find it.” He had been studying the chicken, as well, but had obviously given up when he picked it up with his hands. “Let’s just dig in, shall we?”

Ella giggled mischievously. “What about ‘present company’?”

He grinned. “You don’t have to be proper for me.” He took a big bite of the chicken leg and rolled his eyes as he moaned.

“Of course, I meant the other patrons,” she said in a low voice as she leaned closer.

He shrugged. “Who cares about them? We’ll probably never see them again.” He leaned over conspiratorially. “Let’s cause a scene.” Then he sat back and turned his attention back to his chicken leg. “I don’t mind being the talk of the train.”

Ella giggled, picked up her chicken breast, and took a big bite. She moaned as the juices filled her mouth. “Um... good!”

“It really is so much better eating it this way, don’t you agree?” Colton finished off the leg, picked up the thigh, and bit into it.

“You look hungry.”

“You have no idea,” he replied between mouthfuls. “For some reason, this train is making me hungry. Maybe it’s that there isn’t much else to do.”

She thought of something else they could do as she took in the long, straight brown hair that framed his face, his gorgeous brown eyes, and his muscular frame. For a moment, she imagined how she’d love to run her fingers through his hair, or trace his perfect lips with her fingertip. But she quickly pushed the notion aside, unable to believe that her imagination had just betrayed her in that way.

“What?” he asked, looking into her eyes.

She shook her head, feeling a slight blush color her cheeks. “It’s nothing.”

He gently touched her hand, forcing her to look into his eyes. “Tell me.”

She shook her head, knowing that if she told him, she wouldn’t have the courage to go through with her wedding. This was something she had to do, but at this moment, being with Colton, she found it hard to think of ever being with another man. “No.” She forced a smile and picked up a chicken leg. “This smells so good. I haven’t had fried chicken like this in a while.”

Colton pulled back his hand. “Don’t change the subject.”

Ella let out a deep breath as she placed her piece of chicken back onto her plate. “What do you want from me, Colton? Please, let’s just change the subject.”

He sighed. “Look. This is our last night to spend time together. So, please. Don’t hold back.” He looked at his plate of food and then back into her eyes. “I know you’re promised to another, but this one night, please don’t hold anything back from me. Please tell me if something’s on your mind.”

She nodded, and they both resumed eating in silence. Within minutes, the conversation turned light, earning them more than one hard glance from the patrons around them. One thing was certain about Colton: he could make her laugh. She always felt like a kid around him, like she could be herself, no matter what, and he wouldn’t judge her.

After the dishes were cleared, Ella’s heart sank, knowing that their last night was coming to an end. And she wasn’t ready.

“Would you like to go for a walk?” Colton asked, to her relief.

She knew she shouldn’t, but she nodded. “But there’s not many places we can go.”

He shrugged. “Leave it to me.”

She laughed. “That could be dangerous.”

He smiled as he placed his hand on the small of her back, sending a shiver throughout her body, even though she could feel warmth where his hand rested.

Colton guided her toward the back of the train, through second class and past workers, until they came to the last car. They walked all the way to the rear, and Colton opened the door for her to the small observation platform. A burst of cool air rushed to her as they stepped outside. Although nights in New York were cool, it was getting downright cold here.

“Would you like me to go for your shawl?” Colton asked in a husky voice as he pulled her close.

Warmth radiated from him, and she instinctively stepped closer as she shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”

“Come here,” he cooed as he pulled off his suit coat, wrapped it around her, and pulled her close to his side. “Better?”

She smiled as she leaned into him. “But won’t you be cold?”

He shrugged as he looked into her eyes. “I’ll be fine.”

It was nice, standing so close to him, with his strong arms around her as she watched the stars.

“It’s a clear night,” Colton said, breaking the silence.

“Yes, it is,” she replied. The stars shone brightly, thousands of sparkles on a dark blue blanket spread across the sky, illuminated only by the blue moonlight. “It’s lovely.”

He smiled. “Yes. You can’t see this in the city.”

“Yes, I guess the bright lights hide the open sky.” And it was true. She loved the city, so crowded and bustling that it seemed to block out the rest of the world. Ella guessed it was true in other places, too. She supposed that in Whiskey River, she would concern herself with the affairs of the place, and this time with Colton would soon become a sweet, distant memory.

“You’re doing it again.”

Ella smiled. “What’s that?”

Colton lowered his voice to a whisper. “Not telling me what you’re thinking.”

She shook her head as she smiled. “It’s not that interesting.”

He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled the coat around her again. “It can’t be all that bad.”

She felt a light blush color her cheeks and looked into his eyes. “Does it matter that much?”

His smile disappeared as his face turned serious. “To me, it does.”

She let out a deep breath, debating as she studied up at the stars. She guessed that this time, it wasn’t that bad. “I was just thinking that once we get to Whiskey River, you’ll go on with your life and I’ll go on with mine, and this will become a distant memory.”

She looked away, but he placed a finger under her chin, forcing her to focus on him. “It doesn’t have to be.”

She let out a breath as her heart pounded. “Colton, please don’t make this any harder than it has to be.” She bit her lower lip, wanting to word it correctly. “I mean, these last few days have meant so much to me....”

He nodded as he fingered a lock of her hair hanging loosely beside her face. “It’s meant a lot to me, too,” he whispered as his gaze locked on hers. “I know I’ll never forget this time we’ve shared.” He started to lean in, and for a second, she wondered what it would be like to kiss him, to run her fingers through his hair.... Before she could stop it, his lips descended upon hers as his arms enveloped her.

She couldn’t help but respond as her lips moved with his. Her mind was screaming for her to stop, but her body was screaming for more. Finally, she pulled back, breathless. “Colton, don’t—”

“Ssshhhh...,” he whispered as he placed a finger on her lips. “I had to do that, just once. I promise I won’t do it again, unless you want me to.”

She looked into his eyes. “I want you to.” She couldn’t believe that she had said the words, but her body craved more.

He peered into her eyes for acceptance, and then his lips lowered to hers, almost an assault as he placed his hand on the back of her head and pulled her against him. He drew back, placed his hands on her cheeks, and gave her one last sweet kiss. “I think we’d better go inside.”

She nodded as she stepped back, letting the cool air clear her head. How could she have done that when she was promised to another?

“Hey,” he whispered as he placed a hand behind her head, forcing her to gaze into his eyes. “Don’t overthink it. If it has to, that kiss will sustain me for the rest of my life.”

She forced a smile as she let him guide her back to their cabin.

Being the gentleman that he was, he let her go in first to dress for bed—which had quickly become their nightly ritual.

She swiftly undressed, changed into her nightgown, and climbed into bed. “I’m decent!” She shook her head, unable to believe that she had said that. Knowing Colton, he would have something to say.

He came in smiling but, to her surprise, didn’t mention her comment. He stripped off his shirt, revealing the tanned, strong muscles of his chest as a devilish smile lit his lips. “One thing I am going to miss is your snoring.”

She laughed. “I do not snore!”

Colton chuckled as he slid off his boots. She couldn’t believe it, but even his feet were attractive. “Yes, you do.” He blew out the candle.

“Do not.”

“Do, too.” When she didn’t say anything more, he replied, “Good night.”

“Good night.” She turned over, but try as she might, she just couldn’t sleep. “Colton?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you... for everything.”

“’Twas my pleasure, my lady. Now, get some sleep.”

As she tried to doze, she wondered what she had done and what she was going to do, but decided not to overthink it, just as Colton had asked. Once she made a decision, she followed it through. She just hoped that she still could.