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Megan’s head snapped up toward her new husband, raising her eyebrows.
Dallas chuckled at her expression. “Yes, we do.” Then he offered her his arm. “Shall we?”
She slipped her arm in his. “I’d thought ye’d never ask.”
“Are you hungry?” Dallas asked as they walked over to the reception hall.
Noticing the firm muscles beneath his suit, Megan realized that she was now married to this magnificent man. Heat filled her body, and her cheeks flushed at the thought. “Yes, I’m getting a wee bit hungry. I haven’t had anything to eat since this mornin’ on the train. Kenzie made me some tea, though.”
“Well, we’ll have to remedy that now, won’t we?” He winked as he slid his arm around her waist and guided her toward a separate building. “This is the Recreation Hall. The congregation built it a few years ago.”
When he led her inside, everyone cheered. To the right were tables filled with food, which included dishes from people within the community as well as different kinds of meats, vegetables, and desserts that looked as if they came from a restaurant.
A tall man approached with a muscular frame and dark brown hair, wearing a cowboy hat. “I trust everything’s to your satisfaction? I did everything to your specifications, Mr. King.”
“Everything looks perfect. Thank you.” Megan, this is Harrison Curry, owner of the only restaurant in town.” After Megan nodded, Dallas turned to Harrison. “Everything looks perfect. Thank you.”
A broad smile spread across Harrison’s face. “I’m glad to hear that. Congratulations on your marriage. May it be blessed and filled with happiness.” Then he tipped his hat toward Megan. “Ma’am.”
Megan smiled graciously. “This is too much,” she whispered after Harrison walked away. “Too extravagant—”
“Shh….” Dallas looked around as he pulled her off to the side. “Please, don’t say that in front of everyone and embarrass me like that.”
“Excuse me?”
“As my wife, you need to get used to having fine things.” Dallas bit his lower lip and released it. “Megan, I’m a very rich man and you’re going to have to get used to extravagance.”
Megan stepped up to him, her gaze never wavering. “I’ve listened to ye speak, now ye listen to me, Mr. Dallas King. First of all, I will not be spoken to in this manner. Secondly….” She gestured around the room. “How many of these people are truly yer friends? Or are ye just trying to make a good show in front of ‘em?” She shook her head as she looked into his eyes. “We need to save money for a rainy day. And believe me, I’ve seen plenty. You don’t have to buy things and make a show—”
“Stop,” Dallas cut her off, continuing in a calm, soothing voice. “Let’s not do this today. It’s our wedding day, after all. I just wanted to show you a good time.” He paused for a moment, as if searching for the right words. “Megan, I know you’ve had a rough life, but I’d like to change that… if you’ll let me. Please.”
His eyes were so pleading, how could she say no? “Okay. Jus’ this once.”
A broad grin spread across his lips. “Music, please!” he yelled to the crowd and then turned back to Megan. “I’d like to dance with my lovely bride.”
Megan blushed as her new husband swung her effortlessly across the dancefloor. In his arms, she forgot about such things as money and status. The only thing she could think of was this wonderful man that she would now call her husband. Other couples soon joined them on the dancefloor. And as they swayed to the music and the night wore on, lamps were lit, creating a romantic glow. It was the most magical day that Megan could ever remember.
Soon, the music came to an end, and everyone clapped. “Are you hungry?” Dallas asked again and then laughed. “Sorry. I was going to feed you when we walked in but got distracted.”
Megan smiled. “That’s okay.” She gave his shoulder a friendly nudge. “Besides, I’m a big girl and can take care of meself, thank ye very much.”
Dallas bent down and leaned his forehead against hers. “I just love your accent.”
She pushed gently against his chest. “Oh, I think ye better be letting me eat, unless ye’d like to see me pass out.”
One corner of his lips curled into a smile. “Come on, then. The ham is exquisite. Paul, the cook at the restaurant, makes the best.”
“Sounds delicious.” Megan tucked her arm in his and he led her to the buffet table.
Being a true gentleman, Dallas took a plate off a stack at one end of the table. “What would you like?”
Megan smiled, reaching for the plate. “That’s okay. I can get it meself.”
“Well, if you insist.” He handed her the plate and then took one for himself. “The fried chicken is fabulous, and so is the corn on the cob. Since it’s October, we probably won’t have fresh corn for a while….” Dallas prattled on, pointing out different dishes and telling her about them as he made his own plate.
As Megan looked over the table, she was suddenly so hungry that she could have eaten everything, including the dishes. She had never seen such delicacies, nor had she ever had her choice of this much food before. Not wanting to look foolish, she took a little of this and a bit of that, but by the time she reached the end of the table, her plate was filled.
Dallas did a double take at her plate and nodded in understanding. Then he placed his hand behind her head and bent down to kiss her forehead. “If I have anything to say about it, you’ll never go hungry again.”
