Page 42 of The Banker's Bride

Dallas laid his hand on the six-gun revolvers strapped to his sides and took off the thumb straps. He didn’t want trouble, but if anyone was messing with a lady in his town, especially Megan, they would have to answer to him. He stepped out and Charles was right behind him, but stood back to let Dallas take the lead.

Outside, several men were in the street, blocking the way. A horse reared up and the others were prancing, mean and spirited. And in the middle of them… was Megan standing beside Jake.

“So, what is such a delicate flower doing in such a small town?” The leader took off his cowboy hat and held it to his chest. He slid down off his horse and stepped in front of her.

Jake stepped in front of her and pulled her behind him, drawing his gun. “She’s with me, mister. And you’d best be on your way.”

“Leave us alone!” Megan yelled, trying to step out from around Jake. “I’m not that kind of girl!”

A sinister smile curled his lips. “Ah! Boys, we have an Irish lassie here!”

Another man jumped off his horse and stood on the other side of Megan, blocking her way.

“Get away from her!” Dallas commanded, walking purposefully toward them.

Relief appeared in her eyes when she saw him. One man tried to block him, but Dallas punched him, sending him to the ground. Another man pulled a gun, but Charles was faster and pressed his revolver to the man’s head. The man held up his hands and backed away.

Dallas took Megan’s hand and pulled her behind him. Jake and Charles stood at his sides, creating a wall in front of her. “Idon’t know who you are, but while you’re in this town, you need to behave yourselves. And the ladies are off-limits.”

The leader held up his hands in surrender. “I meant no harm. We were just having a bit of fun.” He drew his gun and pulled back the hammer, but Dallas was quicker. Everyone had their guns drawn, pointing them at each other with the hammers pulled back, ready.

Daxton stepped out from inside the sheriff’s office with his gun drawn. “Mister, you’d better get back on your horse and go back to where you came from.” The sheriff never wavered.

Colton stepped out from inside the sheriff’s office and leaned casually against a post, watching.

The men were unfazed. “Nah, I don’t think so. We’re just getting started.”

“Go inside… now.” Dallas ordered Megan in a low, urgent voice. Mrs. Carson, the shop owner, pulled her inside the bank. Dallas glanced over and Mr. Carson had his rifle in hand, cocked and ready. Across the street, Harrison Curry stepped out of the restaurant and hotel with his gun drawn.

The newcomers watched Megan go, but thankfully, they didn’t go after her. “Yeah, this town looks like home to me. I think we’ll stay for a while.”

“You have no business here,” Dallas said. “I suggest you leave.”

The leader walked over to him and stopped a few feet away. “Sir, if you kill me, then my brothers will tear up this town.” He shook his head, smiling. “I really don’t think you want to do that.”

“Well, then….” Dallas smiled casually, his eyes never wavering. “You’ll die first. And no matter what happens next isn’t your affair because you’ll be dead.”

A silent hush came over the men, and then they started laughing and slapping each other on the back as if it was the funniest thing they had ever heard.

The click of a gun hammer was heard above everything. “Mister, I suggest you do as the banker says and get out of here,” Sheriff Daxton Clark’s voice bellowed from the wooden walkway. “And take your men with you.”

The leader smiled, looking around. “No, I rather like it here. Don’t you, boys?”

A grumble of agreement came from the men.

The leader nodded. “Oh, yes! I forgot to tell you!” A broad smile spread across his face. “We’re not leaving town until we’ve avenged our brothers. You know. The ones you shot in cold blood.” He looked between the two of them. “Now, which one of you killed them?”

Dallas smirked. They were part of the Yates Gang. “I did, of course,” Dallas smile lit his lips, tilting his head. “That’s what you get when you try to rob my bank.”

“Why, you—”

The sound of spurs jingling and the hard sound of boots against the wooden walkway resounded throughout the town as Colton stepped forward. It was known that he had been a gunslinger before, and he was fast. He was wearing his six shooters, bandana, and his cowboy hat, ready to do business. He stopped beside Daxton and struck a casual pose. “I suggest you do as these gentlemen said and leave.”

“Frank, he’s a sheriff, too!” one of the men told the leader, shifting his weight from side to side.

“No, you idiot! He’s just a deputy.” Frank smirked.

Before they could say anything more, Colton drew both guns and pointed them toward Frank and the man who spoke to him.

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