Page 12 of The Banker's Bride

Kenzie chuckled as she tied off the reins. “Come on. Let’s go.”

A man approached the buggy, opened Megan’s door, and extended his hand. “Please forgive the intrusion, but Mr. King asked if I could escort you into the church.” The man was tall and brunette, reminding her of her brother, Liam.

At that moment, a tinge of pain tugged at her heart, wishing Liam—and her parents, for that matter—were here to celebrate this day with her. But deep down inside, she knew they were.

“By all means. Thank you.” Megan took his hand and then glanced over at Kenzie, on the arm of another dashing man that was either her beau or another man sent by Mr. King to be her escort. It appeared that he thought of everything.

The gentleman escorting Megan smiled. “Mr. King will be waiting at the altar for you.”

Megan smoothed a hand over her dress as Kenzie gathered Megan’s train and followed behind her. The gentleman escorting her followed discreetly behind.

When they reached the top of the stairs, Kenzie straightened her train, and then pulled her in for a quick hug and handed her a wildflower bouquet. “I’ll see you inside,” she whispered. Then she released her and walked in.

“Ready?” The gentleman smiled, looking down at her as they stood in the doorway of the church.

She nodded. “But first, what ‘tis yer name?”

“Jake. I’m one of Mr. King’s guards. It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am. I think the world of Mr. King and wish you both the very best.” He offered her his arm. “Shall we?”

She smiled. “Yes, let’s.” Her heart fluttered in anticipation as she approached the doorway of the church. When the doors opened, Dallas stood at the other end of the aisle by the altar, as handsome as ever in a black suit, crisp white shirt, and black shoes that gleamed in the sunlight. Another man stood to the right of him, but no one was standing at the altar on her side.

“Kenzie!” Megan stopped her as she walked past.

Kenzie eyebrows rose.

“Could ye stand up with me?” Megan knew it was a lot to ask, especially since Kenzie hadn’t planned on it and they had just met.

Kenzie cocked her head to the side for a moment, smiling. “Why, yes! Of course I will.” The gentleman escorting her took her coat and folded it across his arm, smiling graciously, and then took his seat in the church. Nearly every seat in the church was taken.

When the music started, Megan gave Kenzie a nod and then she walked down the aisle. Then the music changed, signaling that it was Megan’s turn. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, but when she saw Dallas waiting at the altar, his gleaming smile and his beautiful blue eyes, she knew she was making the right choice. Marrying this wonderful man was not only a choice she had to make, it was the choice she wanted to make. She had a feeling that everything else would work itself out.

Jake escorted her down the aisle and placed her hand in Dallas’s, then went over to sit with the other guests. When Megan looked into Dallas’s eyes, she knew this was right.

The preacher smiled at Dallas and Megan as he held a Bible. “Ready?”

Dallas looked over at her, giving her a choice, despite everything. When she smiled and nodded, he looked back at the preacher. “Yes, Preacher Henley, we are.”

Preacher Henley nodded as he faced the congregation. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of Dallas King and Megan Shannan in Holy Matrimony.” Then in the words as old as time itself, Megan and Dallas, each repeated the words that would join them as husband and wife.

When it was Dallas’s turn, Megan wasn’t prepared for the look in his eyes. It was indescribable. Was it love? But he hadjust met her. How could that be? Then he took her hands in his and gazed into her eyes and said “I do” with conviction.

When it was Megan’s turn, she replied “I do” with no regrets. She just hoped she could live up to the respect and adoration in his eyes.

Then Reverend Henley turned to the gathered guests. “May I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Dallas King!”

Everyone clapped and cheered as Megan took Dallas’s arm and let him lead her through the church to the back. They spent the next few minutes shaking hands as everyone left the church, but Megan had a feeling they weren’t really leaving.

“Congratulations, Mr. King!” Reverend Henley smiled as he shook his hand. “Now that you’re a family man, does this mean that I’ll be seeing you on Sundays?”

Dallas slipped his arm around Megan’s waist and pulled her to his side, smiling. “That just depends upon my lovely new wife here.”

Megan nodded. “Well, then. If it’s up to me, then count us in. We’ll be here.”

Then she noticed a blonde woman hanging back with two small children. Reverend Henley reached for her about the same time. “May I introduce my wife, Mia, and our children Shane and Hailey. Mia, this is Megan Shannon.”

“Megan King now,” Megan corrected as she turned to Mia. “‘Tis a pleasure to meet ye.”

Mia gave her a warm smile. “I can assure you, the pleasure is mine.” She pulled Megan in for a quick hug. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other. But now, I think you have a reception to go to.”

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