Page 69 of The Banker's Bride

“I’ll be here.” Milo pulled the buggy in front of the dress shop and stood guard.

“Milo, this really isn’t necessary. I can go to the bank once I finish.”

He shrugged. “No, orders are orders.”

Megan sighed, knowing she wasn’t going to win that battle, so she headed into the dress shop.

“Well, hello!” Kenzie Baker smiled, looking up from helping another customer. “I’ll be right with you.”

“Take yer time,” Megan replied, smiling as she browsed through the shop. “I just stepped in to say hello.”

Kenzie nodded, and then turned back to her customer.

Megan was glad to see that Kenzie treated her like any other person and didn’t fall at her feet because she was married to Dallas King. As Megan looked around the shop, she thought about Dallas. She wondered if he would expect her to act a certain way, as a lady of leisure, at all times. But that just wasn’t her. Megan had always had an independent spirit.

She just wanted to live a normal life with a husband who would provide for her and their children. She would never consider letting a nanny raise their children, and if that was what Dallas had in mind, then he would have a fight on his hands. As she walked around the shop thinking about Dallas, it appeared that they still had a lot to discuss.

Chapter 15

Dallas

“Well, it’s Saturday. Let’s go home, Mr. Whitfield,” Dallas announced, closing the ledger lying on the table. He had only wanted to come in and check on everything, not to stay the whole day. But he didn’t want to leave the bank unattended for two days, not with the outlaws still in town.

“Why aren’t you calling me Charles?” He tilted his head, giving him an odd look.

Dallas smiled. “At home, it’s Charles. But here at work, I find it hard to call you by your first name.”

Charles smiled, amused. “Okay, Mr. King.”

Dallas laughed. “Call me Dallas.”

“See?” Charles smirked.

“You have a point.” Dallas sighed, leaning back in his chair. “So, when are you planning to leave for New York?” He would have liked to take him to dinner at the hotel restaurant, but he didn’t trust the gang to behave themselves.

“Why? Are you ready to get rid of me already?” A mischievous grin spread across his lips.

Dallas laughed. “Heavens, no! Stay forever if you like.” He shrugged. “I was just wondering. Actually, I would love it if you could stay at least until after Christmas or New Year’s Eve.”

“I wish I could.” Charles’s expression suddenly turned serious. “After we spoke to the men at the hotel last night, SheriffClark told them that he wanted them out of town before sun-up, but I noticed they’re still here.”

Dallas shook his head. “I just wish I knew what they were waiting for.”

Charles let out a deep breath. “I hate to say it, Dallas, but I think they’re biding their time to find a way to get even with you for killing their brothers.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Dallas agreed. “I just hope Megan doesn’t get hurt in the process.”

“Where is she now?”

“At the ranch. I told her not to leave.” Dallas had a feeling that if they saw her, the gang would kill her on the spot just to get back at him.

Charles leaned back in his chair. “But to answer your question, I’m not going anywhere until those men are gone.”

“I’ll be okay—”

“Dallas, you’re like a brother to me.” One corner of his lips curled into a smile. “And I’m not leaving town until I know you and Megan are safe.”

A crease formed between Dallas’s eyes. “Charles, you don’t have to do that. I can handle it with my men. If you have business to attend to in New York—”

---