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, Sheriff Clark 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—"

"Nothing is more important to me than your welfare." Charles rose to his feet. "I'm staying. That is, unless you're getting tired of having me as a houseguest."

Dallas laughed. "Never."

Charles smiled graciously. "Come on, then. Let's get out of here."

Dallas and Charles locked the money away in the safe and put everything else away, too. Dallas also assigned two armed guards to watch the bank. He didn't think the outlaws would be so stupid as to try to rob it again, but he wasn't taking any chances.

After they were safely out, Dallas locked the door. "So, how's Jake?"

Charles sighed. "When I went to see him, Doc Morgan said he had lost a lot of blood, but he'll recover."

Dallas nodded. "Do you think that he's up for a bit of company?"

Charles shook his head. "No, Doc Morgan said he needed to rest."

"I'll go by and visit him after church tomorrow then." Dallas's men were like his family and Jake had been with him for a long time. He was going to ask Doc Morgan when he would be ready to take home. Dallas planned to keep him in the main house and care for him until he was fully recovered.

Suddenly, Dallas's heart stopped, for walking toward him on the wooden walkway was Megan. Rage instantly filled his chest. "What are you doing here?"

Her smile faded. "Mrs. Daly and I made plans for Christmas, and I thought I'd go to the store and pick up a few things. I didn't think—"

"Yes, that's right! You didn't think!" Dallas's voice bellowed, his heart pounding. He had no idea what he'd do if something ever happened to her. "Coming into town like this was really stupid, Megan! Do you know that those men over there are looking for a way to get back at me? And seeing you here is giving them plenty of ideas, I'm sure!"

"So, now I'm stupid?"

Dallas gritted his teeth, ignoring her question. "Did you come alone?"

Megan inclined her head toward the buggy. "No, Milo's with me." She sighed. "He insisted on bringing me."

Dallas nodded. "Good."

She huffed. "Dallas, ye can't yell at me like this or order me around!"

"I'm only trying to protect you, Megan! Can't you see that?" He grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look into his eyes. Fear of losing her took over and he couldn't stop himself. "And as long as you're my wife, you will do as I say!"

Charles cleared his throat. "Dallas, we're attracting attention. Let's take this elsewhere."

Dallas glanced over and they had caught the attention of the outlaws. A few stood, stepping closer, watching, sinister sneers spreading across their faces. "After those men came after us yesterday, I'm not taking any chances with you." He needed to get Megan out of there… now. "Let's go home."

She looked at him and Charles. "Fine! But I'm cooking dinner."

"No, you will not." Dallas's lips formed a straight line. "You will behave as a lady."

"Behave as a lady?" she repeated, her voice raising several octaves as she folded her arms across her chest. "Dallas, I'm not a doll ye can dress up and bring out to show off in front of yer friends and not expect me to do anything!"

Dallas looked apologetically at Charles.

"I'll wait in the carriage," Charles replied and then slid into the carriage to give them some semblance of privacy.

Dallas nodded, fuming. Then he turned to Megan with gritted teeth and squeezed her arm. "How dare you talk to me that way in front of my friend?"

Charles shot him a warning glance out the carriage window. The men across the street were standing, watching.

Dallas pulled Megan toward the carriage, knowing he needed to get her out of there immediately. "We will continue this conversation at home."

"Dallas, let go of me!" She pulled away, and he let go of her arm. "Let's get one thing straight. I will not be ordered. Ye can ask, but never order me." Megan stared at him, her eyes never wavering.

Dallas let out a deep breath, rage filling his chest. "We're leaving… now."

Megan stared at him for a long moment. "Fine!" Then she climbed into the carriage across from Charles and looked out the window.

Dallas glared at her through the window, clenching his teeth, but she didn't look up at him. "I'll be right back," Dallas spat out, and then headed toward Milo, waiting by the buggy. Without saying a word, Dallas caught his attention and inclined his head in the direction of the ranch, indicating for him to follow them. Milo nodded once and then climbed into the buggy.

Dallas walked around to the other side of the carriage, obstructing the men's view of Megan. "Home, Bill."

Megan slid away from him and looked out the window on her side of the carriage.

Dallas looked out the window on his side, trying to calm down, wondering how in the world they could ever find a compromise to make their marriage work. She was just too headstrong… and it was liable to get her killed.