Micah noticed the young woman getting off the stage and idly admired her. She was a pretty little thing, with big dark eyes and long dark hair and her traveling dress, though crumpled, showed off an admirable figure. For a moment he puzzled over the fact that she didn't seem to have any luggage. She walked away from the stage with nothing more than a purse, but Nils came up to ask him a question and he forgot about the strange woman.
Her name was Ellie Palmer, and her heart stopped as she saw the marshal gazing at her. A moment later a man distracted him and with his attention drawn away, Ellie breathed easier. She scanned the street, her mouth curling as she saw the tall man outside the general store. Yes, that was Earl Bantry. He had cleaned up since she saw him last. For a moment she closed her eyes as the memory of the day he had caught her alone in her little house threatened to overwhelm her. Ellie shook herself, then extracted a pistol from her purse and walked up to Bantry.
He turned and saw her but there was no sign of recognition in his eyes. She supposed it would be strange if he did remember her out of all the women he had no doubt forced himself on. She brought up the gun. Bantry's expression turned to one of shock.
"Pa!" A boy was coming out of the store and at his cry Ellie jumped just as she pulled the trigger. The bullet intended for Bantry's heart went wide, hitting him in the side. He went down and she cocked the gun and aimed again but the boy threw himself across Bantry and she couldn't get a clear shot. She hesitated, and in that moment of indecision the marshal came up behind her and tore the gun out of her hand.