Page 28 of The Banker's Bride

Dallas chuckled as he opened the door. “Shall we, then?”

“After you.” Charles gestured.

When Dallas opened the door, Megan was standing in the living room with her hands folded, wearing a light blue dress. He loved that color on her. Her light auburn hair was pulled up with curls in the crown.

“Welcome home.” Megan walked over to him with her arms outstretched.

He met her halfway, clasped her hands, and gently kissed her cheek. “Megan, this is Mr. Charles Whitfield….” Then he turned to Charles. “And this is my wife, Megan King.”

Megan held out her hand to Charles. “‘Tis a pleasure to meet ye.”

“The pleasure is mine, dear lady.” Charles smiled in delight as he raised her hand to his lips and then released it. “Dallas, you didn’t tell me your wife was so lovely.”

Dallas laughed. “Because I didn’t want you to steal her away from me.”

“You may have to watch me. I may do just that,” Charles teased.

“Ye’re too kind.” Megan blushed. “Mr. Whitfield, ye must be tired after yer long journey and in need of rest… hungry, too. Would ye like to eat some lunch and then take a nap beforetonight, or would ye like to rest first? I can have Mrs. Daly bring a tray to yer room.”

“You know, I think maybe some lunch would be nice. I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.” Charles offered her his arm. “May I have the honor?”

Megan smiled as she took his arm and then Dallas took her other arm. “My, my! Being escorted by two handsome gents! What’s a girl to do?”

Dallas smiled, knowing that she was just teasing, but it still rubbed him the wrong way. Was it jealousy that he felt? But he laughed it off. “Just remember who your husband is.”

The three of them laughed.

“How am I to forget?” Megan teased. “Ye remind me of it all the time.”

Charles laughed, but Dallas felt a bit foolish in front of his friend. Anger welled up inside of him. He was going to have to tell Megan privately not to make a fool of him in front of his friend, teasing or not.

She must have sensed his change in attitude, for she leaned over and kissed his cheek and whispered, “I was only jokin’, love.”

Dallas smiled and held the chair for her as she sat. “We’ll talk later.”

Then he sat down kitty corner from her at the head of the table and Charles sat across from Megan on the other side.

“Yer just in time!” Mrs. Daly announced as she walked through the door from the kitchen carrying a tray of fresh, hot bread, and sandwiches, small plates, silverware, and lemonade. “I do hope yer hungry.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Charles shook out his napkin and laid it across his lap. “I certainly am. This looks wonderful! Did you make it?”

Mrs. Daly laughed. “Oh, heavens no! Jacques would kill me if I make meself too at home in his kitchen!”

Megan chuckled. “She’s not kiddin’. I made that mistake when I first came here. Now, I sneak in when he’s not lookin’.”

Everyone laughed.

Mrs. Daly set the tray on the table, and then set a plate before them filled with sandwiches. “Well, have fun! Let me know if ye be requirin’ anything more.” She gave one last wave and waddled out through the door and into the kitchen.

“Well, I don’t think these sandwiches will eat themselves!” Dallas smiled, but Megan folded her hands at the edge of the table.

“Shall we say grace first, dear?” Megan waited politely.

“Yes, yes of course.” Dallas folded his hands and then said the blessing over the meal. Truth be told, it had been the first time he’d prayed in a while. When the prayer came to an end, he announced, “Let’s eat!”

Megan and Charles laughed.

Charles took a bite of his sandwich, moaning in delight. “Dallas, I think your wife is good for you in more ways than you think.”

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