Page 25 of The Banker's Bride

“Ye look wonderful today, sir,” Mrs. Daly remarked when he reached the first floor. “What are ye doing up and about so early this morn’? I thought ye were taking off today.”

“Mr. Whitfield’s train is on its way, and I want to be there when it arrives.” Dallas took out his pocket watch and looked at the time. It was seven o’clock in the morning, and Charles’s train was due to arrive at ten o’clock. But it was at least two hours to Laramie and Charles didn’t want to be late.

Every time that Charles came into town, Dallas had insisted that he stay with him at his ranch. After all, Dallas would be much more comfortable staying with him than at the hotel. In fact, Dallas kept a room at his ranch just for Charles. Although Dallas knew that he wouldn’t mind staying at the hotel, Dallas wouldn’t have it any other way. It was also an opportunity for them to catch up.

On this visit, Charles was supposed to arrive earlier from Chicago for the wedding, but a fire had broken out in early October, and he had postponed his visit until now. Charles had been in Chicago visiting friends before coming to Whiskey River. Dallas had wired him back, asking Charles if he needed help, buthe had told him not to come, and that the fire had devastated the city, and he wanted to stay there to help. After reading about the fire in his issue ofThe New York Timesand seeing the devastation, Dallas regretted not having gone to help Charles.

“Oh! Mrs. Daly.” Dallas had stopped halfway out the front door. “Please tell my wife that I will be back shortly to help with finalizing everything for the party.”

A broad smile spread across her face. “Now, don’ ye be worrying about the little missus, sir. I’ll be here to help her when she wakes.”

Dallas smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Daly.” Then he lowered his voice conspiratorially. “But be sure to let Mrs. King have the last say.”

Mrs. Daly narrowed her eyes, and then chuckled. “Yes, sir. Ye’re the boss.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Daly.” After the older woman had barged in on Megan the morning after their wedding, Dallas had a talk with Mrs. Daly, informing her that his wife was now the woman of the house, and that she needed to respect her as such. It had taken some doing, but Mrs. Daly and Megan had come to a mutual understanding.

As Dallas stepped outside into the brisk morning air, he inhaled deeply, letting the cool air fill his lungs. Excitement was in the air. Not only would he have the opportunity to show off his wife to the town, it was also an opportunity for Dallas to show Charles that he had “arrived”. But more than anything, Dallas was excited at the possibility of seeing his best friend and having the opportunity to catch up. Charles hadn’t visited since the summer and was long overdue for a visit.

“Good morning, sir.” Bill smiled, opening the carriage door. “So, we journey to Laramie this morning?”

“Yes, Bill. To the train station, if you please.”

His driver closed the door. “Yes, sir.”

Dallas adjusted his suit coat, preparing for the long carriage ride to Laramie, and soon they were on their way.

He looked out the window and the sunrise was lovely, sending shoots of pink and orange across the morning sky. But as they rode, Dallas’s thoughts went to Megan.

She was truly a remarkable woman. To begin with, she was beautiful. But dressed in Kenzie Baker’s fashions, she seemed to blossom and had bloomed into a stunning, gorgeous woman. Kenzie had not yet finished her wardrobe, but had sent over pieces as they were finished, along with the items she had ordered.

But Megan’s beauty aside, it was her heart—who she was on the inside—that intrigued him the most. Despite him lavishing expensive gifts on her, she seemed just as happy going for a walk or a carriage ride. Perhaps he might find some earrings or jewelry for Megan in Laramie if he arrived early enough.

Dallas just wished he could give her more.

He let out a deep breath. In the short time that he had been married to Megan—nearly a month—he had found that she was stealing his heart. But could he let himself love her? Could she ever love him in return? It had been an advantageous marriage for them both and he hadn’t considered love, but he found that he could hardly wait to spend time with her, or to have dinner with her, or to walk with her. But could he ever let her love him and give her love in return? Was he deserving? After all, his father had seen fit to beat him for little things, often for nothing at all. Hadn’t he deserved it? And every time he had misbehaved as a child, his mother had seen fit to tell anyone who would listen. Between his father and his mother, that was why he had strived for perfection his whole life: So as not to attract their negative attention. As a result, he found that every time anyone got close, he pulled back. That was one of the reasons why he had sent for a mail-order bride. Love wouldn’t be an issue. But now,he wondered if he could accept the love of this woman and give it to her in return, or if he should just care for her, protect her, but not love her. After all, love was a dangerous endeavor.

As he thought of Megan and contemplated love and life, Bill soon stopped the carriage in front of the train station. Dallas glanced at his watch and, somehow, time had slipped away. It was nine o’clock. He looked out the window of the carriage and the train hadn’t arrived yet.

Yes, he had time. “Bill, let’s go to the jewelry store. I’d like to get something special for Mrs. King to wear tonight.”

Dallas felt the carriage shake and creak as Bill climbed back up onto the top.

“Yes, sir.” Evidently, Bill had been getting down when Dallas had stopped him. Dallas almost felt bad for him, but not quite. After all, he was well paid to be his driver for all hours of the day and night.

The horses plodded slowly through town, the rhythmic sound of the hooves clicking along. Dallas’s heart fluttered as excitement filled his body. Although Laramie was not nearly as exciting as New York or Chicago, being in the city caused the same excitement to course through his veins.

Dallas had thought of moving his banking business to Laramie—a much bigger city, although still small—but if he pulled the bank out, Whiskey River would surely die. Dallas couldn’t be responsible for that. Despite having become a pillar of the small community in what little time he had been there, he had come to care about the people in the small town, as well. Dallas was aware that the bank was the only thing holding the town together. And if the bank went, so would the town. And if the town went, what would the people do? No, moving away from Whiskey River wasn’t an option.

Besides, he had everything he wanted in the town: money, respect. And now that he had married, his status in the town would now be solidified.

But he hadn’t expected Megan. She was beautiful, funny, and he enjoyed seeing life through her eyes. Although she had come a long way in the short time that she had been there, it would take a while before she felt completely comfortable in her role as a banker’s wife. But he vowed to make it as easy for her as possible.

Within minutes, Bill pulled the carriage to a stop in front of the jewelry store. Dallas hopped down, not waiting for his driver this time. “I’ll only be a minute,” he yelled over his shoulder to Bill, holding up his hand up, indicating for him not to hop down.

Bill inclined his head as a sly smile spread across his lips. “Whatever you say, boss,” he replied, obviously amused with Dallas’s infatuation with his new wife.

Dallas smirked as he skipped up the steps of the store, taking two at a time. Inside, he adjusted his suit coat and strolled casually up to the counter.

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