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THE NEXT DAY, COLTON was sitting outside the sheriff’s office in a rocking chair thinking about dinner with Ella and Madison. After a while, Colton had finally relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the evening with the ladies. For the hundredth time, he wondered what Dallas King had done to her. What he’d seen for himself was bad enough, let alone anything Dallas may have done to her when they were alone.
Soon, she would be married to Dallas King and she would be none of his concern. But if the man ever laid a hand on her, he would gladly make her a widow.
A carriage came down the street from the right and stopped before the hotel, kicking up dust and bringing Colton from his reverie. When he looked up, Dallas King was helping Ella out of his carriage. He took her hand and wrapped her arm around his and walked in Colton’s direction, headed toward the bank. He had built the bank near the sheriff’s office intentionally for extra protection.
Unable to resist, Colton stood and tipped his hat to Ella as they passed. “Morning.”
Ella held her head down at first, but then gave him a feminine nod.
Having watched the exchange, Dallas looked down at Ella and glared. “Wait for me at the bank.”
Colton’s blood boiled when he heard the tone he used with her, and he clenched his fists at his sides.
Seeing the rage in his eyes, Ella shook her head, stopping him from doing something rash. Colton looked down at her, and his eyes softened. She walked past him and silently made her way into the bank.
Dallas King stood in front of Colton and glared. “Stay away from her,” he warned in a low voice.
Colton laughed without humor. “Or what?”
“Or I’ll kill you myself.”
Colton’s smile disappeared, and he took a step closer. “If you knew who I was, you wouldn’t be saying such things to me.”
King looked him up and down. “I know enough.”
Colton nodded, enjoying the exchange a bit too much. “And here is my warning: if you ever touch her again in any manner that is disrespectful, I will gladly make her a widow.”
A smile appeared on Dallas’s face. “We are to be married this Saturday. And if you know what’s good for you, you won’t interfere.”
Colton’s eyes flared. “If you lay a hand on her again, you won’t be alive to wed.” Colton smiled. “You have a lot to learn when it comes to women.”
Dallas laughed. “You, of all people, are not one to give me advice on women.”
Colton laughed, too. “Oh, I probably have much more experience than you when it comes to women.” His smile disappeared and he stepped closer to him, nose to nose. “At least I know how to treat a lady like a lady.”
Dallas’s eyes flared. With that, he turned on his heel and marched toward the bank, his boots stomping loudly against the wooden walkway.
“What was that all about?” Daxton Clark asked, having walked up for the last of their exchange. He stood beside Colton, and both watched as Dallas King stormed away.
“Just another big fish in a little pond, trying to stake his claim,” Colton mused. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Daxton let out a deep breath. “You know they are to be married Saturday.”
“Not if I kill him,” Colton replied with a mischievous smile.
Daxton laughed. “I know you’re joking, but unless he draws on you first, you can’t kill him.”
Colton shook his head as he smiled. “I know, but you don’t know how tempting it is.”
Daxton laughed again as he slapped him on the back. “You’re a good man, Colton. But whatever her decision is, you must respect it and abide by it.”
Colton let out a deep breath. “I know, but knowing the kind of man he is, it’s not as easy as you think.” He turned and walked down the walkway in the other direction, away from Dallas King.