Chapter 4

Dallas

When Dallas woke the next morning, faint rays of golden sunshine peeked around the drapes as the events of the day before ran through his mind. Megan was curled up on her side, her lovely auburn hair fanned out across the pillow. He turned onto his side and watched her sleep, pushing her hair gently away from her face, careful not to wake her. The way the sunlight brushed across her soft pink cheeks was lovely.

Usually, he would have been up and out of bed before sunrise, but this was the morning after their wedding day, and they needed the day to sleep in. He lay next to her, listening to the steady sound of her breathing, enjoying the sight of this beautiful woman in his bed. Never had he thought that married life could hold such bliss. Why no man had snatched her up before now baffled him. It was truly a miracle that God had given her to him.

A few moments later, she rolled toward him and laid across his chest, her hair falling gracefully over one shoulder, leaving her other shoulder bare. "Good morning."

He smiled as he kissed the tip of her nose. "Good morning, love. Did you sleep well?"

A broad smile spread across her face. "Yes, when ye let me go to sleep, that is."

Dallas chuckled, unabashed. "Are you well? Did I hurt you?"

"No, not at all." She smiled, pushing playfully against his chest.

"Well, good!" He rose from the bed and slipped into his clothes, preparing for the day. "Because we have some shopping to do."

As he dressed, Dallas saw that she was watching him. He liked that she didn't turn away. He slipped into his trousers and turned away as he zipped them up.

Megan looked so attractive–propped up on her elbow with her bright auburn hair draped over one shoulder–that he almost climbed back into bed with her. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed and ran his fingertip along her jawline. "What were you thinking about just then?"

She sat up, covering her breasts with the sheet, wrapping her arms around her legs, her gorgeous long hair falling over her shoulders and down her bare back. "I was jus' thinkin' of how lucky I am… to have ye fer a husband."

"I, my dear, am the lucky one." He smiled as he gently pressed his lips to hers. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, deepening the kiss, but he pulled away. "You, my lady, need to get dressed. You have some shopping to do today."

A dejected look appeared in her eyes. "Aren't ye going with me?"

Dallas smiled, enjoying her reaction to wanting to spend the day with him. He walked over, propped his arms on both sides of her body, and gave her a long, lingering kiss. "Of course I'm going with you." One corner of his lips curled into a smile as he tilted his head to the side. "I want to show you off." Then he stepped away as the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs outside their door grew louder. "I'll send Mrs. Daly in to help you dress. She just came up the stairs."

"That won't be necessary—"

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Dallas winked, a smile curling his lips. "And there she is."

"No!" Megan looked quickly under the sheet at herself, horror coloring her face, causing him to smile. "But I'm not ready!"

He shrugged, enjoying watching her trying to cover herself, even though she was completely covered by the sheet, except for her shoulders. "I'll meet you downstairs, love."

Mrs. Daly waited until Dallas was gone, and then barged in on Megan. Mrs. Daly was the type of woman who liked to take over, but if he knew his new wife, she wouldn't stand for it for long. Dallas smiled to himself as he skipped down the stairs, the happiest he'd been in a very long time.

Dallas walked into the kitchen and his chef, Jacques Baranger, was making breakfast . While on a trip to Paris, Dallas had hired him from a wonderful French restaurant as his personal chef. After a short conversation and a sampling of his fare, Dallas had brought Jacques back with him. His magnificent dishes and pastries had proven to be a good investment.

Jacques glanced up at Dallas and frowned. "What are you doing in my kitchen, monsieur ?" he yelled in his distinctive French accent. "Out! Please wait in the dining room. Your breakfast will be ready momentarily."

"But this is my kitchen—"

"No one, but no one, enters the chef's kitchen but the sous chef and the chef's helpers."

Dallas smiled to himself as he left the room. "Well then, I guess I'll wait in the dining room." After arriving in Whiskey River, Jacques had a hard time adjusting at first. But now, Dallas suspected that Whiskey River had grown on him, too, just like it does everyone. Dallas sat at his place at the table, but Jacques was hot on his heels.

Jacques looked around. "And where is Mrs. Daly this morning?"

Dallas suppressed a smile when he heard a bit of yelling coming from their bedroom. "She's upstairs, attending to my wife."

Jacques rolled his eyes as he set a cup down in front of Dallas and poured the coffee. "I think your wife may need a private maid. Mrs. Daly usually helps me."

Dallas laughed, shaking his head. "I think she's having a hard enough time letting Mrs. Daly help her, let alone a personal maid. But, we'll see."

Jacques nodded slightly. "So, Mr. King, what would you like this morning?"

One corner of his lips curled into a smile. "Surprise me."

A slow smile spread across Jacques's face. "Well! This is a change!"

"What can I say? My new wife is rubbing off on me."

Jacques leaned over conspiratorially. "I'm glad to see that you're in a good mood this morning. I'll have your breakfast ready shortly." He walked away and then yelled in his heavy French accent. "And it will be a surprise!"

Dallas chuckled, guessing that this was the happiest that Jacques had been in a while, too. Although he felt a bit bad about not taking Megan on a honeymoon right away, he didn't want to wait to marry her. After what had happened with Ella, he wasn't taking any chances this time.

A few minutes later, Megan arrived in the dining room, followed by Mrs. Daly. Megan was frowning.

Mrs. Daly mouthed over her head, "We have to talk." Then she pointed at Megan.

"Thank ye, Mrs. Daly," Megan said curtly. "That will be all." Then she turned to face her, her hands on her hips. "And I saw ye out of the corner of me eye! If ye need to say something ‘bout me, please tell me directly."

Mrs. Daly stared at her for a long moment and then "hmphed" and walked out.

"I'll talk to her." Dallas stirred his coffee, waiting for Megan to calm down. "Are you hungry?"

Jacques must have heard her because he barged into the room carrying a pot of coffee and a fresh cup. "Well, well! ‘Tis certainly a pleasure to meet you, madame! I do hope you like coffee?"

Jacques set the coffee cup on the table in front of her, but Megan stopped him. "Thank you, but I prefer hot tea instead. I hope it's no trouble."

Jacques smiled graciously. "It's no trouble at all! I shall return momentarily." He refilled Dallas's cup, and then walked out of the room.

Megan took the napkin off the table from beside her plate, shook it out, and laid it across her lap. "I'm so sorry about Mrs. Daly, but I'm not used to people waiting on me or bossing me around."

"No, no." Dallas reached across the table and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You're the lady of the house now. But be patient with her. It may take her a while to get used to there being another lady here now. When Mrs. Daly gets something in her head, it's hard for her to change her ways."

Just then, Jacques barged in through the swinging door from the kitchen. "Here is your tea, madame." He held the lid of the pretty porcelain tea pot and carefully filled her cup. Then, he set the teapot on the table on a beautifully crocheted doily. No doubt, the handiwork of Mrs. Daly. "I'll be right back with your breakfast."

Megan pushed her chair back and was about to stand. "Here, let me help ye—"

"Oh, no!" Jacques held out his hand, stopping her in mid-crouch, preparing to stand. He must have scared her half to death because she froze. "I and I alone am the only one to cook in my kitchen!" Megan's eyes opened wide as Dallas bit his lower lip, suppressing a smile. Eyeing her reaction, Jacques lowered his voice. "I shall return momentarily with your breakfast."

Megan sat down, her eyes darted to Dallas. "Really?"

He chuckled at her shocked expression. "Yes, I'm afraid so."

"Well, at least it gives us a moment to get to know one another better." She bit her lower lip, probably remembering what they had been doing the night before.

It seemed strange to need to "get to know" a woman whom he had been intimate with. But many people these days married without getting to know each other first. They could always do that after they were married.

"You look nice today." He smiled as he took another sip of his coffee.

Megan was wearing the readymade dress that he had bought for her the day before. It was strange that it had only been one day. To Dallas, it seemed that he'd known her much longer.

"Thank ye." She laid the spoon next to her tea cup and gazed into his eyes. "So do ye."

"Here we go!" Jacques came in carrying a tray filled with pancakes, syrup, and bacon. Megan's eyes widened. Jacques smiled, obviously pleased with her reaction. After he set the tray on the table, he came back a moment later with a plate of toast and marmalade. "Well! Don't be shy! Eat up while it's hot." He smiled as he headed toward the kitchen but looked back at her once more and smiled.

Megan looked up at Dallas, her eyes wide.

"Go ahead." Dallas smiled as he motioned toward the tray, enjoying her reaction. It reminded him of where he came. He, too, remembered a time when he was hungry. But Lord willing, those days were behind them now.

Megan placed two pancakes on her plate and poured syrup over them, and Dallas did the same. She took a bite, moaning in pleasure as she closed her eyes.

"Good?" Dallas cut into his pancakes and took a bite, too. Jacques really outdid himself. They tasted delicious.

"Yes. I don't remember ever having pancakes that taste so good. They're light and fluffy, too." Megan took another bite, chewed, and swallowed.

Dallas smiled in delight. "I'm so glad you're enjoying them."

"So, do ye have to go to work today?" Megan asked between bites.

He took a sip of his coffee. "No, not today. I wanted to spend time with you and get you settled before I go back."

She nodded as she continued eating. Dallas had a feeling that they could be good friends in addition to being husband and wife. Besides Charles, it had been a while since he had made a true friend. "Go ahead and finish. We're going shopping in a bit."

Megan set down her fork, dabbing daintily at her lips with her napkin. "Dallas, we could just spend the day together. Ye don't need to spend money on me to make me happy."

Dallas took another sip of his coffee. "You need clothes and I'm sure some other things, too. As my wife, you'll be expected to dress and act appropriately at all times."

"Appropriately?" Megan's voice suddenly turned acid. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Dallas set down his coffee cup. "It means that you are now part of society and are expected to act as such."

"Oh, really?"

Dallas could see that his new wife had a quick temper.

"Here we go!" Mrs. Daly barged into the room, carrying a pot of coffee. "Would ye care fer more coffee?"

Dallas raised the napkin to his lips and wiped his mouth, and then laid it on his plate. "No, thank you, Mrs. Daly. We were just finishing up."

Megan snapped her mouth closed, folded her napkin, and laid it neatly next to her plate. She started to get up, but Dallas rushed around the table to hold her chair for her.

"Oh, for crying out loud!" Megan rose from her seat. "I can get up meself without ye help."

"You'll have to get used to being treated like a woman of substance."

Megan's mouth formed a straight line. "A woman of substance, huh?"

"Well, I'll just put this up." Mrs. Daly looked between them and then headed back toward the kitchen, giving them privacy.

"Are you ready?" Dallas asked, still holding her chair.

Megan rose from her seat. "I don't know. What is a ‘woman of substance' allowed?"

Dallas nuzzled her neck. "Come on, love. Don't be cross. I'll teach you. Don't worry."

She huffed and gently pushed him away. "I take it that I'm not to help clear away the dishes?"

Dallas gave her a weak smile and shook his head.

"I'll be right back. I need to get me hat." Megan headed toward the door.

"There's a reticule on the top of the dresser."

Megan huffed and then walked out. "I'll meet ye at the door."

Yes, it was going to take a while for his new wife to get used to being treated like a lady.

In the carriage on the way into town, Dallas had been excited at the possibilities. The possibility of having a life together, of spending the day with Megan, and the possibility of grooming her to be the wife he wanted. She was already beautiful, but with the addition of fine clothes and jewels, she would be stunning and the envy of all his friends. But after this morning, he knew better than to tell her. At least, for the moment.

"What were ye thinking about just then?" Megan's auburn hair was pulled up at the sides, letting the waves flow down her back, her lovely hat pinned forward into place.

"I was just thinking about you." He reached out and stroked her hand. "You truly are a vision."

"Thank you." Megan smiled, a delicate flush coloring her cheeks.

In addition to her beauty, she was kind. Megan glanced over at Dallas with vulnerable eyes, but he sensed a strength in her, too. As they rode to Whiskey River, he'd wondered what her story was, what her past life was like, and what had happened to make her so strong, yet so vulnerable. But now wasn't the time to ask. He didn't want anything to spoil their day together.

Megan yawned as she snuggled against his shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Dallas smiled. "I probably kept you up too late last night."

Megan chuckled. "No, it's okay. It's just that I didn't get much sleep on the train, either."

Dallas slid his arm around her, holding her close as she snuggled against his chest. On the way, white snow-capped mountains rose in the distance, a contrasting backdrop to the yellow, red, orange, and brown leaves dotting the landscape. "I never sleep well on trains either. Too much jostling, I suppose."

Megan nodded against his chest.

"So, how was your trip otherwise?"

When she lifted her head, her eyes lit up. "Wonderful. Thank ye for the caviar."

"‘Twas my pleasure." He thought for a moment. "Did you meet anyone along the way?" Dallas held his breath, dreading her answer. After what had happened with Ella, he didn't want it to happen again.

Megan shook her head as she sat up. "No, I spent most of the time in me cabin."

Smiling, he kissed her forehead. "What do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies?"

Megan looked as if she was about to say something more, but then stopped herself.

He placed his finger gently under her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Tell me what you were going to say. Please, don't hold anything back from me."

She shook her head as her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink.

He laughed. "Oh, come now! It can't be that bad. Tell me."

"Oh, no ye don't." Megan pulled back, her Irish brogue even more prominent. "Ye won't be gittin' no secrets out of me."

"I bet I can."

She shook her head, smiling.

He took her hand and kissed it, and then began kissing his way up her arm.

"Okay, okay! Ye don' play fair," she relented, pulling her arm away. "I was about to say that when ye're poor, ye don't have many choices fer hobbies. Surviving becomes yer hobby." She checked her hat to ensure that it hadn't become dislodged, and then turned to look out the window. "But of course, ye probably know nothing of that."

"You'd be surprised." Dallas squeezed her hand, claiming her attention. "Megan, I grew up poor, too. My father was a sharecropper."

She arched an eyebrow in disbelief.

"No, it's true. My father didn't believe in education, but he did believe in hard work."

"And what do ye believe in?"

Dallas's eyebrows pulled together in concern. "I believe in both." Perhaps he had learned something positive from his father, after all. He took her hand and kissed her fingertips. "Perhaps you can develop hobbies that you can teach our children one day." He lifted his eyes to hers, judging her reaction.

"You'd like to have children?"

A smile lit his lips. "Yes, of course." She had the most incredible green eyes that he had ever seen. She smiled as he continued to kiss her fingers. "I need heirs."

Megan's smile faded as she pulled her hand back. Then she turned to look out the window again, leaving him to wonder what he had said wrong.

Before he could ask, the carriage pulled to a stop in front of The Ladies' Dress Emporium. "So, are you ready to shop?"

She nodded. "Yes, I am. I'd love to see Kenzie again." Then Megan placed her hand on his arm to stop him. "Dallas, you don't have to spend a lot of money on me. I'll just get a dress or two."

"Nonsense!" He patted her arm. "Get what you want. Money is no object."

When Bill opened the carriage door and let down the step, Dallas stepped out and offered her his hand. As she stepped out of the carriage, she looked like the princess he had been wanting his whole life. Megan's eyes opened wide when she looked around the town.

"Miss Baker is waiting for us." He leaned in, smiling as he offered his new wife his arm. As he led her toward the shop, one thing was certain: He was going to enjoy spoiling her.