Page 52 of The Banker's Bride

He gave her a small smile, gently patting her hand. “Yes, let’s.”

“Well, well! Mr. King!” Reverend Henley held out his hand. “It’s such a pleasure to see you here!”

“The pleasure is ours.” Dallas grinned as he shook his hand. “This is Charles and of course, you know my wife, Megan.”

“Yes, it’s good to see you all again!” Preacher Henley replied, obviously overjoyed that they had come.

“Do you have room for three more?” Dallas asked, smiling.

“Yes, of course!” Preacher Henley stepped back. “There’s always room for more. I’m so glad you came.”

Dallas looked down at Megan and patted her hand. “Well, we hope to be regulars, if that’s okay?”

“Yes, yes, of course!” Preacher Henley was so overjoyed that it was almost embarrassing. Dallas silently kicked himself for not having come sooner. “I’m so glad to hear it! Now, go on in and make yourselves comfortable. The service will start shortly.”

Dallas nodded and led Megan in, followed by Charles. The men took off their hats and laid them on a table by the door alongside the other gentlemen’s hats.

On the way up the aisle, Mia, the preacher’s wife, stood in front of the first pew and waved to them. Colton, Ella, and the children sat in the pew behind them. They turned and smiled.

“Mr. and Mrs. King,” Mia greeted them, “it’s a pleasure to see you here!”

Dallas smiled. “Well, we thought it was about time.” Then he turned to Charles. “Of course, you remember my friend Charles from the party,” He was careful not to mention his last name, wanting Charles to feel completely comfortable.

“Why, yes! Of course!” Mia replied. Then she pointed to the two small children sitting in the front row: A boy and a girl. “These are our children: Shane and Hailey.”

Megan stooped down to greet them. “‘Tis a pleasure to meet you both.”

Shane’s eyes opened wide. “Wow! Where are you from? Are you from the same place as Mrs. Price?” Of course, they were talking about Gabriella Price, the princess from Monaco that had married Dirk Price.

Megan looked up at him, her eyebrows raised.

“Monaco,” he whispered.

Megan shook her head. “No, I’m originally from Ireland.”

“Ireland!” Shane exclaimed. “What’s it like?”

“Well, ye parents will have to bring ye over to our house some time and I’ll tell ye.” Megan was clearly excited at the possibility. It was obvious that she loved children.

Just then, Reverend Henley walked up the aisle, preparing to take his place at the pulpit.

“Well, it was nice to meet you, Mrs. King.” Mia hurried to quiet the children. “We can talk more after the service.”

“Yes, of course.” Megan nodded.

Colton and Ella slid over, holding the babies, to make room for Dallas, Megan, and Charles.

Megan leaned in to Dallas and whispered low so no one could hear, “Do ye think we could invite them, too? They seem delightful. We don’t have to make a big fuss—”

Dallas's lips curled into a smile, nodding. Megan wrapped her arm around his and leaned against his shoulder. He patted her hand, and she raised up, turning her attention to the pulpit.

Preacher Henley gave a wonderful sermon and spoke about the Thanksgiving holiday coming up and that it was a time of year to think about everything they had to be thankful for in their lives. After his heartfelt sermon, Gabriella and Gavin Cole, the church organist, launched into “Rock of Ages” and the service was over.

“That was wonderful!” Megan approached Gabriella after the service. “Ye have a lovely voice!”

“Thank you!” Gabriella smiled graciously, gently squeezing her hand. “I’m so glad you came,” she replied in her thick French accent. “I hope you’ll stay. The ladies of the church host an after-service lunch every week and there's usually dancing and games, too.”

Megan glanced over at Dallas, and he smiled and nodded. Then she turned back to Gabriella. “We’d love to.” Then she turned to Ella and Colton. “Are ye staying, too?”

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