Page 43 of The Banker's Bride

“Whoa! Did you see how fast he was?” another man asked, his eyes wide.

“Shut up!” Frank yelled as he held up his hands, glancing over at the sheriff. “We’ll be over at the hotel… if you need us.”

“Just see that you don’t cause any trouble while you’re here,” Sheriff Clark warned. “And that includes harassing innocent ladies. Leave all the ladies in this town alone, you hear?”

“Let’s go!” Frank growled without answering the sheriff and headed across the street to the hotel. Three of the men stood outside, watching, and the others headed inside with the leader.

Dallas’s men sat on the wooden benches in front of the bank, one on each side, watching the men standing outside the hotel.

“Don’t worry, boss. We’ll keep an eye on them,” Jake said.

Anger flooded Dallas’s body as he took Jake in. “Why did you bring her here?”

“I asked him to.” Megan had stepped out of the bank and hurried over to Dallas. “Are you all right?”

Dallas nodded, wrapping his arm around her. He let out a deep breath, relieved that she was safe. He pulled her into his arms protectively, and she laid her head on his chest. “I’m fine. And you?”

Megan let out a deep breath. “I’m fine.” When she pulled back, there were tears in her eyes. “I was so afraid for you! You could have been killed!”

He rubbed her back as he rested his head against hers. “Shh, darling. I’m fine.”

Megan looked over at Jake. “Thank you.”

Jake nodded as he tipped his hat, and then turned his attention back to the men lingering outside the hotel.

The sheriff clapped his hand on Dallas’s back. “I didn’t know you had it in you! You showed no fear!”

Colton shook Dallas’s hand, one corner of his lips curling into a smile. “The way you faced them down was amazing. I’m impressed.”

“Thanks.” Dallas wrapped his arms protectively around Megan. “Is there any way we can get them to leave, or arrest them?”

The sheriff shook his head. “Unless they kill someone or do something stupid, I can’t touch them.”

Colton nodded in agreement. “Well, sheriff, it looks like you’re going to need a deputy until they leave. I’ll stick around town for a while.”

Daxton nodded, a crease between his eyes. “Much obliged.”

Colton had been the deputy when he first moved to Whiskey River but had given it up when he and Ella married and bought their ranch. But he always stepped in when needed. As far as Dallas was concerned, he should just remain the deputy, but he guessed it afforded him more freedom to step in only when necessary.

“Thanks, Colton. I could use the help. Dallas, I’ll keep an eye on the bank for you until after they leave.” Sheriff Clark slid his weapon back into its holster.

Dallas nodded. “Thanks, sheriff. I’ll increase my security, too.” He looked down at Megan and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look into his eyes. “I’m going to assign a guard to you, too. I don’t want you to go anywhere without him until after they leave town. Do you understand?”

Megan took a step back. “I hardly think that will be necessary—”

“Well, don’t stay out here long,” Daxton interrupted. “We don’t need to stir those men up again.” He nodded toward the men sitting in front of the hotel, appearing to have settled in for the long haul.

Dallas nodded. “We’re leaving now.”

Daxton smiled as he tipped his hat toward Megan. “Ma’am.” Then he and Colton headed toward the sheriff’s office next door.

Dallas turned his attention back to Megan when they were gone. “Please, let me do this. I’d feel a lot better, knowing you’re safe.”

It looked as if she was thinking for a moment, then nodded. “If it’ll make ye feel better….”

He let out a deep breath. “It will.” Dallas was going to do everything in his power to protect his wife. In fact, if he lost the bank, it would be nothing compared to losing her. “Why don’t you go inside? I’ll be there in a minute.”

Megan glanced over at Colton, standing just outside the door of the sheriff’s office, waiting. “I’m glad the two of ye came along when ye did.”

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