Page 32 of The Banker's Bride

She pulled back and smoothed her hands over her hair. “Do I look okay?”

“Divine.” Dallas kissed each finger on her left hand. “Simply divine. You will be turning the heads of every man at the ball.”

She placed her hand on his cheek. “Yers is the only head I want to turn.”

He kissed the back of her hand, his eyes never leaving hers. “Let’s go. Everyone will be here soon.” Then one corner of his lips curled into a sly smile. “Besides, I want to show you off.” Dallas adjusted his vest, and then offered Megan his arm. “Shall we?”

She smiled as she slid her hand over his arm. When they walked to the top of the stairs, Charles let out a low whistle. “Don’t you both look fabulous!”

Dallas smiled and patted Megan’s hand as he led her down the stairs. When they reached the first floor, Dallas felt like a prince who had finally found his princess.

Charles extended his hand to hers. “Mrs. King, you look simply divine.” He kissed her hand and then released it and looked up at Dallas, smiling. “You, my friend, are a very lucky man.”

“Why, thank you, sir.” Megan looked around, her eyes wide. “Everything looks beautiful! It feels as if you’ve transformed the house into a castle.”

Soon, their guests started to arrive, eager to meet his new bride. Dallas had introduced Megan to everyone as they arrived, and they all greeted her warmly. He also introduced Charles, and everyone welcomed him. Dallas smiled, pleased that Charles was enjoying himself. Maybe he was right. Maybe the most important thing in life was friendship, trust, and love.

After the last of the guests had arrived, Dallas took Megan’s hand and tucked it in his arm. “You’re the belle of the ball.” She blushed a beautiful shade of pink. “Are you hungry?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think I could eat now if I wanted to.”

Colton and Ella Hill were standing off to the right holding their twins, both dressed in cute clothes—the girl was in a pretty pink dress and the boy wore cute pants, a light blue shirt, and a little cowboy hat that matched his father’s. They were talking to Wyatt and Madison Nash. Wyatt owned the Whiskey River Saloon, and Madison was the town schoolteacher.

“Come here,” Dallas told Megan. “I’d like to introduce you to some people.” He had almost said “friends” but they were more like acquaintances. But he wouldn’t mind being friends with them, and there was no better time than the present to start.

“Colton, Ella, Wyatt, and Madison, I’d like to introduce my wife, Megan.” Dallas made the introductions, pointing to eachperson. “And these are Ella and Colton’s children, Hannah and Blake.”

“‘Tis a pleasure.” Megan greeted them with a nod and then carefully reached out to shake little Blake’s hand. “‘Tis a pleasure to meet you, too.”

The baby boy cooed loudly and then let out a chorus of “Da, da, da, da.”

Dallas’s eyes flew open wide. “He’s talking already?”

“They’re both nine months old now.” Colton smiled proudly. “That’s all he says so far, but his first word was da, da.”

Ella smiled warmly as she took Megan’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “It’s so good to meet you. Welcome to Whiskey River.”

Dallas offered Colton his hand. “Thanks for your help a while back with the robbery. Colton, I hope we can put the past behind us and become friends.”

Colton smiled as he shook his hand. “Yes, absolutely.”

“The children are so cute.” Dallas slid his arm around Megan’s shoulders. “I can’t wait until we have children of our own, too.”

“It’ll happen sooner than you think.” Colton laughed as he played with his son. “But you’ll both make good parents someday.”

Dallas smiled, and then looked at Megan. “We’ll have to come by your ranch and visit and you’ll have to do the same.”

“Sure!” Colton lifted his eyebrows in surprise. “You’re welcome to come over anytime.”

Dallas then shook Ella’s hand. “Congratulations on the children. You look wonderful, by the way.”

Colton laughed. “Oh, hey now.”

Dallas gave him a wink and chuckled. “Can you blame me?” he teased.

Megan smiled. “Congratulations. You’ll have to come and visit us, too. And please, bring the children.”

Ella smiled warmly as she gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Thank you. I truly appreciate that.” She glanced over at Dallas. “I’m glad you found her. It’s good to see you happy.”

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