Page 59 of The Banker's Bride

“It’s the day after Thanksgiving and it’s dead today. So, go home and be with your family… with pay.” He nodded toward Jake. “Why don’t you come with us, too? Just in case.”

A crease formed between his eyes. “Are you sure? What if the gang attacks the ranch while you’re in Laramie?”

Dallas shook his head. “They’ve been pretty quiet this morning. But I’m going to take Mrs. King with us, too.” Dallas didn’t want to take any chances, not where Megan was concerned. Also, he thought that he could take her out to eat while Charles was attending to his business.

Dallas looked out and Bill Myrick had pulled up outside of the bank with the carriage. After the money and the drawers were secure and everyone was out, Dallas locked up. “Bill.” Milo climbed on top of the carriage beside him, and Jake and Butch followed them on their horses.

Bill lifted his chin toward the men sitting in front of the restaurant and hotel. “They haven’t left yet?”

Dallas sighed. “No, not yet, but I wish they would.” Their presence was causing too much tension in the town. The good citizens of Whiskey River were staying at home, coming to town just to get provisions from the store when they needed them, and then went straight back home. Dallas knew it was all because of them.

“You think they’ll make their move soon?” Bill asked.

“I hope not, but we need to be prepared, just in case. Bill, let’s go home for Mrs. King. I want to get to Laramie and back before dark.” Dallas slid into the carriage along with Charles, ending all conversation.

“Yes, sir,” Bill replied, guiding the carriage toward home. The men sitting in front of the hotel smiled, tipping their hats at them when they passed. Dallas was sure they were taunting him. They were up to something. He just wished he knew what it was.

Soon Bill pulled the carriage down the long driveway of his ranch. Dallas jumped out as soon as it pulled to a stop. “I’ll be right back.”

Charles nodded. “Yes, of course.”

Dallas looked over at Milo, sitting on the carriage, waiting. “Milo, why don’t you stay close to home tonight.”

His eyebrows pulled together in concern. “Are you sure you won’t need me to go with you?”

Dallas shook his head. “No, just do me a favor and take care of business if there’s any trouble here at the ranch.”

Milo smirked. “Gladly.” Then he climbed down from the top of the carriage and took a seat on the front porch. Dallas knew he would stand guard until they returned. He didn’t want anything to happen to Mr. and Mrs. Daly, Jacques, or the few ranch hands that were staying behind.

When Dallas walked in, Mrs. Daly was walking by carrying fresh linens, headed toward the dining room.

“Good afternoon, Mr. King,” Mrs. Daly greeted him as she stepped aside.

“Is Mrs. King upstairs?” he asked, taking off his hat.

She nodded. “She’s taking a nap. She went up there not long ago.”

Dallas smiled his thanks as he headed toward the stairs. Although he hated to wake her, he really wanted to take Megan to Laramie, knowing she would enjoy getting out of the house. Also, he would feel a lot better if she were with him. If he went to Laramie and left her behind, he would worry the whole time he was gone.

A moment later, Dallas walked into the bedroom and Megan was sleeping so peacefully that he hated to wake her. He sat down on the edge of the bed. “Megan, honey. Would you like to go to Laramie with Charles and me?”

She woke with a start, sitting straight up in bed. “What time is it?”

Dallas smiled, brushing back a lock of her auburn hair. “It’s not even noon yet.”

Megan nodded, obviously orienting herself.

“Would you like to go to Laramie for dinner?” he repeated, his voice low.

“For dinner?”

“Well, Charles has to go there for business. He asked if we’d like to go along, and I agreed. I thought that maybe you’d like the opportunity to get out of town for a bit.” His heart fluttered as he watched her, so gorgeous and vulnerable, not quite awake.

“Let me freshen up a bit and I’ll be right down.”

“I’ll wait downstairs.” Dallas smiled, bending down to kiss her forehead. Then he headed down the stairs to wait for her. Any other time, he would have left her home in the safety of theranch, but he wasn’t going to trust her safety to the fate of those madmen in town. If they figured out where he lived and that she was alone… he didn’t even want to think about it.

A moment later, Megan descended the stairs, wearing a deep blue dress and matching hat.

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