Epilogue

Megan

Later that day, Kyle came back with the U.S. Marshall. When he saw the carnage and heard the stories of what had happened, he ruled that the gang was responsible for wreaking havoc on the town. Then he went back to Laramie without incident, taking the bodies with him.

Mr. Carson was going to be all right. He would be off his feet for a while and needed to rest but was no worse for wear. Dallas sent Milo and Butch over to the General Store to help out until Mr. Carson was on his feet, and Mrs. Carson enjoyed ordering them around a bit too much. Milo and Butch couldn't wait until Mr. Carson came back to work.

Jake was back at the ranch and no worse for wear. True to his word, Dallas had brought him into the main house so Jake could be better cared for. But soon, Jake had enough of the special attention and wanted to go back to the bunkhouse. Megan suspected that he was ready for his life to get back to normal, too.

True to his word, Dallas donated the reward money to the school. New books and slates were purchased, along with a new blackboard, and there was even enough money to purchase a curtain to cover it when church services were held.

Dallas also bought food for those who needed it and he and Megan enjoyed delivering it discreetly. They also vowed to start a food pantry for anyone who needed it. Megan was glad that no one else in Whiskey River would go hungry again… not if they could help it.

Over the next two weeks, Dallas had treated Megan as an equal, turning them into the best weeks of her life. She and Dallas spent every waking moment together. He was courteous and slow to anger, as if something inside of him had changed.

And Megan knew that she had changed, too. After she had surrendered her heart to Dallas, it was as if a weight had been lifted from her. She was no longer afraid of losing those she loved… and she was no longer afraid to love.

In celebration, Dallas and Megan decided to have a Christmas party on Christmas Eve. He had stepped back and let Megan plan the party just as she wanted it. Dallas had insisted on her buying another dress, but she wouldn't hear of it. She had plenty. This time, Dallas didn't argue with her. She wore a burgundy dress with black shoes, perfect for the holidays. Then she swept the sides of her wavy auburn hair up away from her face, letting the back fall into loose waves. Dallas had dressed in his best black suit, combed his hair into place, and was as dashing as ever.

After the incident with the Yates Gang was over and things settled down, Charles had decided to stay through Christmas, much to Dallas's and Megan's delight. His father wasn't happy about it, having sent a wire, but Charles was his own man and had decided that it was time he took control of his own life.

Everyone in the town had been invited to the party, and they all came. Charles, Dirk, and Gabriella, Wyatt and Madison, Colton and Ella… and even Mrs. Jenkins had come. Gabriella and Dirk came by in their sleigh, dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the children. Gabriella looked cute with her full, round belly ready to deliver at any time.

"It looks like your party is a success," Dallas approved as he whirled Megan around the dance floor, more relaxed than she had ever seen him.

Megan smiled. "Ye mean our party."

Dallas bowed when the song came to an end. Megan was ready for another dance, but Dallas led her from the dance floor to a secluded alcove, away from the crowd.

Megan's eyebrows pulled together in concern. "Is something wrong?"

He nodded, his face suddenly serious. "Yes, there is."

Megan's heart sank. "What is it?"

Dallas pulled a small box from inside his suit coat.

"Oh, Dallas!" Megan's breath caught, lifting her hand to her chest.

He held up his hand. "It's not what you think. I mean, it's not new." Dallas opened the box, and inside was a lovely silver heart, strung on a wide blue ribbon. "This belonged to my mother."

Tears came to her eyes as she looked down at the necklace. It was unadorned but was the best gift he could have ever given her.

The smile on Dallas's face faded as he took in her expression. "Okay. I understand. You don't have to take it—"

"No, it's beautiful… it's the best gift I've ever received in my life." Megan gazed into his eyes, smiling through her tears. She took the necklace carefully out of the box and held it up to him. "Will you help me put it on?"

Dallas smiled and nodded. "Yes, of course." He carefully took the necklace and tied it off at the back of her neck.

"Dallas…." A crease formed between Megan's eyes. "Promise me you won't be mad, but I have something to tell you."

"What's that?" Dallas's eyebrows rose almost into his hairline. "Are you okay?" She had gone to see Doc Morgan earlier in the week because of her fatigue and nausea had started, too.

Megan nodded. "Yes, of course." She bit her lower lip, summoning her courage. "It's just that I'm going to have a baby."

Every emotion suddenly flitted across his face. Then, he picked her up, swung her around once, and set her on her feet, but still held her hands. "I'm going to be a father?" She nodded and he turned to everyone in the room. "Everyone! I'm going to be a father!"

Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Thank you, Dallas."

Dallas wrapped his arms around her, but leaned back, his eyes wide. "For what?"

Megan smiled, not a bit ashamed of her tears. "For everything. You've given me more than I could ever hope for."

A crease formed between his eyes. "Do you need anything else? I can—"

Megan placed her finger to his lips. "I have everything I want"—she patted his chest—"right here." And Megan knew it was true. "The only thing I want is you."

As she stood in Dallas's arms, she knew her life had come full circle. She had finally found love and was no longer afraid to love. And she knew in her heart that her brother, her parents, and everyone she had ever loved, along with Dallas, would remain with her in her heart… forever.