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Dallas gave her one last wave from the door. “I’ll see you at the church.”
Megan smiled, feeling like her fairy tale had now begun. “I’ll be on time. Don’t ye be worryin’ ‘bout that none.”
Dallas blew her a kiss, and then walked out the door. Watching his carriage pull away, Megan found that she missed him already.Don’t fall in love with him,she thought to herself.Like him, yes, but don’t love him.
“Now, to get you ready….” Kenzie quickly took charge, leading her to a table. “You sit here and have a cup of tea while I prepare your bath.”
Later that day, Megan found herself in Kenzie Baker’s buggy, headed toward the church. She was freshly bathed and dressed in the white, shimmering gown, with her hair pulled up on the sides and loose curls cascading down her back. A tulle veil was attached at the crown and hung down her back, showing her curls beneath. And the slippers on her feet were made of white satin. She truly felt like a princess.
Holding the reins of the horse, Kenzie looked into her eyes. “Are you well?”
Megan nodded. “Yes, I’m fine.”
Kenzie let out a deep breath as she pulled the horse over to the side of the road and then to a stop.
Megan’s eyes grew wide. “What… what are ye doin’?”
Kenzie ignored Megan’s alarm. “Are you sure this is what you want? It’s not too late to change your mind, you know. You don’t have to do this, if you don’t want to.”
At that moment, Megan realized that Kenzie was giving her a choice, and probably at great peril to herself, should Dallas find out. Megan could see that Dallas was a powerful man and could probably ruin Kenzie, if he chose, although she hoped he wouldn’t. Megan could also see that Kenzie was a good woman, not much older than herself. She was quite accomplished for someone so young and had much to lose.
Megan smiled. “Yes, I do. I want to do this.” She sighed as she looked out over the cool, colorful countryside, which would soon turn cold. The leaves were changing, casting the land in varying shades of yellow, orange, red, brown, and green. As she looked over the land stretched out before her, decorated in a blanket of color with snow-capped mountains rising majestically in the distance, Megan had never seen anything so beautiful. “Never have I seen anything so lovely, except back home in Ireland.” She smoothed a hand over her dress. “Never have I seen such finery, such riches.” She bit her lower lip, trying to find the right words. “I know that it seems that I care only about money. But, Miss Baker, try to understand. Me parents died of starvation, and me brother and I lived in a tenement in poverty with two other families when we came to New York. I’d like to say that money isn’t everything, but it helps. I need to marry Mr. King to survive, but I plan to be the best wife that I can possibly be.”
A crease formed between Kenzie’s eyes. “And what of love?”
Megan knew she should tell her that it was none of her business, but she liked her already. Kenzie had been so kind to her, she didn’t want to hurt her. So, she thought that the truth should be explanation enough. “I’ve lost everyone I loved. I like Dallas, and for now, that should suffice.”
Kenzie patted her hand, appearing to be satisfied. “If you’re sure, then I think we have a wedding to attend.”
“Yes, I think we do.” Megan’s lips curled into a smile. “Well, dressed like this, I don’ think I should be goin’ to a factory to work.”
Kenzie chuckled. “No, I don’t think you should. Besides, they may think you’re a princess and put you on the next boat to England.” Kenzie shook the reins, and the horses trotted again.
Megan laughed. “No, they’d get one listen of me and ship me back to Ireland.”
“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.” Kenzie smiled. “Besides, I’m sure Dallas would track down anyone who tried, especially today.”
“Miss Baker?”
“Kenzie, please.”
Megan nodded. “Kenzie… thank you for your concern.”
Kenzie reached over and gave her hand a quick squeeze. “‘Tis my pleasure.”
Megan looked up and a beautiful stone church came into view, surrounded by trees before a backdrop of mountains. “‘Tis lovely.”
Kenzie smiled proudly. “Yes, it is. I was told that it was the first permanent structure built here in town.”
Carriages and buckboards set about. “It appears that Mr. King has lots of friends.”
“It looks like the whole town is here.” Kenzie shrugged. “He told everyone you were coming.”
Megan’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Really?”
Kenzie gave her a wink and pulled the buggy to a stop. “It’s not every day that the town banker gets married.”
Megan giggled. “Well, I hope not!”
