Chapter 12

Megan

Over the next few weeks, Megan found herself getting tired a lot more lately and she had no idea why. Perhaps she was getting a bit too used to the life of leisure, but it was hardly that. She found her days filled with running the house tiresome, especially over the last few weeks preparing for Thanksgiving. Because she never had a Thanksgiving meal before, she entrusted the menu to Jacques, much to his delight. Everything sounded delicious. The only thing she requested was that he serve traditional Thanksgiving fare, and he graciously agreed.

Mrs. Daly and Megan took care of the decorations. Megan kept it low key in comparison to the party that Dallas had thrown. She was worried about having enough room for everyone to sit together at the dining room table, but Mrs. Daly told her that it was a drop-leaf table and assured her that there would be plenty of room. She had Milo and Butch–two of Dallas's men–bring down the two wooden inserts that belonged to the table. Once installed, the table filled the room, stretching from one side to the other, and there was still enough room to serve.

Thanksgiving Day, Megan dressed in a burgundy gown, not too flashy. Although she had loved her dress for the party, she noticed that she had been severely overdressed compared to the other ladies in attendance. This time, she didn't want to make the same mistake. Also, this would be a much more intimate setting and more casual.

Once she was dressed, she descended the stairs and Dallas was waiting at the bottom, wearing his light gray suit with a dark gray vest, setting off his blue eyes. "You look lovely, dear." He took her hand and raised it to his lips, never taking his eyes off hers. "But are you sure you don't want to dress up a bit more?"

Megan shook her head. "No, today is about making friends, not about flaunting wealth." Megan smiled. "Although money helps, it's not what ‘tis important today."

Dallas smiled as he tucked her hand into his arm. "You're right."

"Dallas, people will like ye fer who ye are, if ye let them, and not fer what you can do for them or give them."

Dallas lifted an eyebrow. "Including you?"

A crease formed between her eyes. "What do ye mean? Ye take very good care of me, yer business, the house, and the people who work fer ye." She slid her arm around his waist. "Ye don't have to keep showering me with gifts and fine things."

One corner of his lips lifted into a smile. "But what if I want to?"

She returned the smile. "Well then, that's different… but in moderation. We need to start saving fer rainy days."

Megan knew, perhaps more than anyone, the importance of saving money. You never know when you might need it. One catastrophe could send someone on a downward spiral. And if you didn't have friends when that happened, God help you because no one else would.

Dallas nodded. "Yes, you're right. Believe it or not, I have some money saved, but I'll start saving more."

"Don't ye be turnin' into a scrooge, though." She shrugged. "But a happy medium would be nice."

"So, are we ready for this?" Charles asked as he walked into the room.

Megan nervously tucked an auburn tendril behind her ear. "Yes, of course. Everything's set."

Dallas smiled, taking in his wife. "Yes, Megan thought of everything."

As if right on cue, there was a knock at the door. Dallas glanced over at Megan, a smile lighting his lips. "Well, I think your guests are starting to arrive."

Megan laughed. "You mean, our guests."

"Shall we?" Dallas straightened his vest, and then offered her his arm. She took it and he led her to the front door as Charles followed. When he opened it, Sheriff Clark was standing there with his children.

"This is Lillian and Andrew. She's ten years old, and he's twelve." Sheriff Clark introduced his children to Megan.

"I made an apple pie." Lillian held out a covered pie plate.

"My goodness! Thank ye! And I'm sure it's delicious." Megan bent down to shake both of their hands. "‘Tis a pleasure to meet ye both."

Lillian's eyes widened as she handed Megan the pie. "Where are you from?"

"I'm from a country called Ireland. Do ye know where it ‘tis?"

Lillian nodded. "Mrs. Nash told us about it in school."

"Really?" Megan's eyes popped open. "Well, did ye know that Mrs. Nash and her husband are coming today?"

The conversation carried on as Megan led them to the dining room and their father followed. Dallas and Charles stayed at the door to greet their guests.

"This is lovely!" Lillian exclaimed, eyeing the fine porcelain place settings with a little floral pattern setting on the table, covered in a long white tablecloth. Glass candleholders sat in the center, holding long white candles.

"Why, thank ye." Megan and Lillian talked animatedly as everyone took their seats and got comfortable.

There was some talking at the door and then Colton walked into the dining room, carrying his daughter, followed by Ella, holding their son. "I appreciate you having us over today, Mrs. King."

"Please, call me Megan. I'm glad ye came today." Megan nodded toward the chairs. "Make yerself comfortable."

Ella held out a covered dish. "I hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd bring some potato salad."

Megan smiled, taking it from her. "No, not at all! This is wonderful. Potato salad is one of my favorites. Thank you, Ella." Megan unwrapped it and set it in the center of the table beside Lillian's pie. "It looks delicious."

Soon, Madison and Wyatt arrived, followed by Mrs. Jenkins.

"It's a pleasure to officially meet you!" Mrs. Jenkins chirped happily, giving her a feminine handshake. "I'm sorry I haven't been over before now." She leaned in conspiratorially. "I usually help all of the young brides."

"I'm so glad ye came." Megan had invited her at the church, along with the others, knowing that Dallas was quite fond of her. "I've only seen ye at church and I was lookin' forward to getting' to know ye better."

"She has helped practically everyone in town." Dallas interjected and then took her arm to lead her to a chair of honor near him. The older woman had always been like a mother to him. "But today, we want you to relax, Mrs. Jenkins, and just enjoy yourself. We're so glad you came today. It just wouldn't be a holiday without you."

"Why, thank you, Mr. King. That's very kind." Mrs. Jenkins smiled, looking up at him fondly.

"Come now. I think we're all on a first name basis now." Dallas smiled. "Please, call me Dallas."

"Only if you call me Abigail," Mrs. Jenkins added.

"That may be hard for me to do," he teased. "After all, old habits die hard."

When everyone was seated, Dallas said a heartfelt blessing over the meal, thanking God for the food, the good company, and for all of them being able to celebrate the holiday together.

Then Megan rose from the table. "Now, if you'll excuse me." She headed toward the kitchen. Dallas's eyes were wide, and Charles smirked, but Megan ignored it. She was going to enjoy herself today. And if there was one thing she enjoyed, it was feeding people.

"What's the meaning—" Jacques bellowed, but stopped when he saw it was Megan. "Oh. Are you ready, mademoiselle ?"

Megan nodded. "Yes, we are. What would you like me to do?"

Mrs. Daly was already waiting in the kitchen, ready. "Nothing, my dear. Go back in there and entertain your guests and we'll bring everything out."

She fidgeted, wringing her hands, not quite sure what was expected of her. "At least let me bring out something." Her eyes brightened. "The rolls, maybe?"

Mrs. Daly took her hand and patted it. "You, my dear, are the lady of the house." She bit her lower lip, as if trying to find the right words to explain. "Mrs. King, ye don't want to embarrass yer husband today, now do ye? The lady of the house's job is to entertain while the servants bring everything out." Her lips curled into a smile. "But don' ye worry. Jacques will help me. After all, he'll want to take a bow for the turkey."

"Oh, now…." Jacques looked up from stirring a pan of gravy on the stove.

"Well, if yer sure—"

"I am." Mrs. Daly pointed her toward the dining room. "Now, go in and entertain yer guests. Enjoy yerself! We'll be right behind ye."

Megan nodded and headed back into the dining room. Dallas breathed a sigh of relief when she took her seat without incident. "I just went to check on the food. It'll be ready momentarily."

Just then, Mrs. Daly burst through the wooden swinging door, carrying a tray of lemonade. "Here ye go! This is just to get ye started." Then she lowered her voice conspiratorially. "The rest will be out shortly."

Then, Mrs. Daly carried out tray after tray, each filled with bowls and platters of food, including candied carrots, mashed potatoes, green beans, stewed tomatoes, dressing, and more. When Jacques carried in the golden-brown turkey on a fine porcelain platter that matched the dishes, everyone applauded. Throughout the meal, everyone enjoyed themselves, talking animatedly as they ate until they sat back in their chairs, fully sated.

Colton leaned back in his chair and placed his hand on his flat stomach. "Well, that was the best meal I've had for a very long time."

"Hey, wait a minute," Ella teased, slapping him playfully on the arm.

Colton shrugged. "Hey, the truth is the truth," he teased as everyone laughed.

Megan couldn't help but steal glimpses at Dallas throughout the meal. For the first time since she had known him, he was laughing and having fun with everyone, not as concerned with his money or wealth. He was just enjoying himself, much to Megan's amazement. She didn't want a repeat performance of the party. In fact, no one even brought it up.

"You should have seen him," Charles teased Dallas. "The flock of turkeys got wind of us and one was running around in circles, not quite knowing what to do. Then one of them got the bright idea to fly away and the rest followed, but Dallas got the one running around just before it flew away. Clean shot, right through the head."

Everyone laughed.

"I wish I could have been there," the sheriff added.

"We should all go hunting some time," Dallas replied. "There's plenty of game around here." He glanced over at Megan and smiled. "In fact, I haven't had any venison in a while."

Colton took a sip of his lemonade. "So, Charles, will you be here through Christmas?"

He shook his head. "No, I'm expected back home for the holidays. But I'll come back as soon as I can."

"Please," Dallas interjected, "see that you do. It's always a pleasure having you here."

"When are you leaving?" Wyatt cut into a slice of Lillian's apple pie and took a bite, moaning with delight. "Lillian, you really need to give Madison your recipe. This is delicious!"

Lillian smiled, blushing with pride.

"I'm leaving the day after tomorrow." Then Charles chuckled under his breath. "If I try to get on the train tomorrow, I won't fit in the door!" Everyone laughed. "This meal was delicious." He held up his glass of lemonade to Megan. "My compliments to the hostess!"

"Here, here!" Everyone held up their glasses and toasted her together.

"Thank ye fer being here with us today. It means a lot to us both." Megan looked around the room, feeling kind of foolish for taking the credit for a meal she didn't actually prepare. "Although this was my first Thanksgiving, all of ye being here has made it the best." She held her glass up. "To everyone! May we all share similar holidays to come!"

Everyone raised their glasses in agreement and took a sip.

Much too soon, the evening came to an end and Megan was feeling the effects of the day.

"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.