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“Well, I don’t recall a better holiday,” Sheriff Clark told Megan as they were leaving. “Thank you so much for having us. Everything was delicious.”
“Maybe you can come to our house one day, too,” Lillian added.
“Well, I’m not sure—” Daxton started to make an excuse for them, but Megan stopped him.
“We’d be glad to….” Then she looked up at Dallas. “Wouldn’t we, dear?”
Dallas smiled. “Yes, of course…. especially if you promise to make some more of that delicious apple pie.”
Lillian smiled proudly, nodding. “I’d be glad to.”
“But ye really need to give me yer recipe, though,” Megan added. “I believe that was the best apple pie I ever had.”
“I will.” Lillian offered her hand to Megan. “Thank you so much for having us today. I really had fun.”
“Oh, I’m sorry you had to sit around and listen to us old folks talk. It was just too cold to play games outside.” Also, Megan found that she was just too tired, but she didn’t say so. “Next time.”
Lillian shook her head, smiling. “No, Andrew and I had a really good time.”
“I'm glad.” Megan gave her a feminine hug. “You all really must come back soon.”
After they left, Megan headed toward the dining room, when Dallas stopped her.
“Megan, go on upstairs and rest. You look tired.” Dallas wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to his chest.“You did a wonderful job today. I’ll have Mrs. Daly and Jacques clean everything up.”
Megan shook her head. “No, tell them to leave it until tomorrow and I’ll help them. I don’t want to leave it all fer them to clean up.”
Dallas smiled as he kissed the top of her head. “Megan, they’re employees,” he whispered, “it’s their job.” Then he laughed. “I almost had a heart attack when you went into the kitchen. I thought you were going to serve everything yourself.”
Megan shrugged. “I was until Mrs. Daly explained to me that it would embarrass ye and that a lady of the house didn’t do such things.”
“Remind me to thank her later.” Then he scooped her up into his arms and started carrying her up the stairs. “Now, let me get you into bed. You need to rest.”
Megan laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She looked into his eyes and her heart pounded, despite how tired she felt. “Ye, my dear, are spoiling me. I can walk, ye know.”
“Ahh! Yes, but I enjoy this so much more.” As Dallas carried her up the stairs, she wondered how long him carrying her to bed every night would last, but she planned to enjoy it while it lasted. As she looked into his eyes, she felt her heart swell. Was this what love was? Could she be falling in love with him? She quickly pushed the thought aside, knowing that she couldn’t bear it if he lost interest in her. No, it was good to love your children or your family, but to give your love to a man—even your husband—was foolish. The heart is too easily broken and too hard to mend. She knew first hand.
Chapter 13
Dallas
Dallas went to work early the next day to open the bank with the intention of leaving with Charles for Laramie for the rest of the day. Throughout the morning, the outlaws were still loitering in front of the hotel and restaurant despite the cold, scaring off customers. It had stopped snowing, but winter had definitely set in. Dallas just hoped they wouldn’t get a blizzard the way they did the year before. Dallas suspected that since they had arrived, the establishment hadn’t had a lot of business. Harrison Curry, the owner, told them as much, ordering the men to go to their rooms and to stop scaring off all the decent townsfolk. But the men just laughed, not moving from their perch.
When Harrison complained in front of the bank, Sheriff Clark told him that he couldn’t arrest them unless they broke the law. Harrison told him that harassing his clientele should be enough. But the sheriff said that, technically, they weren’t causing any trouble. Just leering at the women and tipping their hats wasn’t considered a crime… unless they took it further. Also, none of them could be identified as having participated in the bank robbery.
Since their arrival, tensions had been flying high in the town. When Dallas spoke to the sheriff, he had told Dallas that he was thinking of hiring another deputy. After all, Colton had his responsibilities at his ranch, and it wasn’t fair to him to haveto spend so much time in town. But Dallas had offered him as many of his men as he needed, telling Sheriff Clark that he could even deputize them, if needed. The sheriff had thanked him, but in the end, he declined his offer.
Dallas looked around the room and his eyes met Charles. “Ready?”
Charles nodded, rising from his seat.
Dallas called Milo and Butch over. “Mr. Whitfield and I are going to Laramie. Would you accompany us?” He made sure the money was in the safe with a combination lock. It was the latest and most secure model.
Milo stood and adjusted his vest. “Yes, of course.”
“Let’s go ahead and lock it up for today,” Dallas announced to everyone. “Charles and I have to go to Laramie, and I don’t want to leave you here alone. Not with those yahoos across the way.”
Russell and Alonzo looked at each other, breathing a sigh of relief.
