Chapter 9

Dallas

Earlier that morning, Dallas had gone to work at the bank, even though it was Saturday. Charles had tried to get him to take the day off, but Dallas was in a hurry to get back to work. He hadn't been to work in a few days while preparing for the party, and Megan would want to go to church the next day, Sunday.

Although he trusted his staff to run things, he couldn't be away from the bank that long. Dallas needed to check on the safe and the money and go over the ledger to make sure everything was in order. Although he trusted Russell and Alonzo, he just couldn't leave the welfare of the business to chance, especially not after being robbed just a few months before. The last member of the Yates Gang, the man in the black cowboy hat, had gotten away with a bundle and it had cost Dallas dearly. He had no intention of losing any more.

But throughout the day, Dallas found he missed Megan. He missed her smile, her laughter, her humor, her kindness, her strength. Yes, she was beautiful, but what he loved about her the most was her heart. Beauty was only superficial, after all, and would one day fade. No, he'd rather have a woman of substance, a strong woman like Megan. He was glad that she had been his mail-order bride.

That afternoon, the bell on the door rang while he and Charles were going over the ledger and updating his business plan.

"I'm sorry, Mr. King, I know it's Saturday, but I really must speak with you. I've tried over the last few days, but you weren't here."

Dallas looked up and Mr. and Mrs. Tucker stood in the doorway. They were a young couple who had just moved to Whiskey River. "By all means, come in. I'm sorry I missed you before." Dallas waved them in. "What can I do for you?"

Mr. Tucker held his hat in his hands, fiddling with it nervously as his wife looked on with wide eyes. "Well, we found a spread just outside of town and was wanting to know if your bank could hold the note on it."

"I'll go get some coffee and let you discuss business." Charles headed toward the back, out of earshot.

Dallas motioned toward the seats in front of his desk. "Please, sit down and we'll talk."

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves—a lot of them—riding into town resonated outside. Then there was men's laughter and a commotion close by.

"I can't afford a big down payment—" Mr. Tucker continued, his young wife nodding in agreement.

"Sir, let me stop you right there." Dallas rose from his seat. Outside, some men were harassing a lady—Megan. "Sorry, but I'll be right back. Please, stay inside."

What was she doing here in town? So many emotions suddenly ran through Dallas's mind. If something were to happen to her, he didn't know what he would do. He couldn't lose her. Not this way. An overwhelming need to protect her filled him as he marched purposefully toward the door.

Dallas laid his hand on the six-gun revolvers strapped to his sides and took off the thumb straps. He didn't want trouble, but if anyone was messing with a lady in his town, especially Megan, they would have to answer to him. He stepped out and Charles was right behind him, but stood back to let Dallas take the lead.

Outside, several men were in the street, blocking the way. A horse reared up and the others were prancing, mean and spirited. And in the middle of them… was Megan standing beside Jake.

"So, what is such a delicate flower doing in such a small town?" The leader took off his cowboy hat and held it to his chest. He slid down off his horse and stepped in front of her.

Jake stepped in front of her and pulled her behind him, drawing his gun. "She's with me, mister. And you'd best be on your way."

"Leave us alone!" Megan yelled, trying to step out from around Jake. "I'm not that kind of girl!"

A sinister smile curled his lips. "Ah! Boys, we have an Irish lassie here!"

Another man jumped off his horse and stood on the other side of Megan, blocking her way.

"Get away from her!" Dallas commanded, walking purposefully toward them.

Relief appeared in her eyes when she saw him. One man tried to block him, but Dallas punched him, sending him to the ground. Another man pulled a gun, but Charles was faster and pressed his revolver to the man's head. The man held up his hands and backed away.

Dallas took Megan's hand and pulled her behind him. Jake and Charles stood at his sides, creating a wall in front of her. "I don't know who you are, but while you're in this town, you need to behave yourselves. And the ladies are off-limits."

The leader held up his hands in surrender. "I meant no harm. We were just having a bit of fun." He drew his gun and pulled back the hammer, but Dallas was quicker. Everyone had their guns drawn, pointing them at each other with the hammers pulled back, ready.

Daxton stepped out from inside the sheriff's office with his gun drawn. "Mister, you'd better get back on your horse and go back to where you came from." The sheriff never wavered.

Colton stepped out from inside the sheriff's office and leaned casually against a post, watching.

The men were unfazed. "Nah, I don't think so. We're just getting started."

"Go inside… now." Dallas ordered Megan in a low, urgent voice. Mrs. Carson, the shop owner, pulled her inside the bank. Dallas glanced over and Mr. Carson had his rifle in hand, cocked and ready. Across the street, Harrison Curry stepped out of the restaurant and hotel with his gun drawn.

The newcomers watched Megan go, but thankfully, they didn't go after her. "Yeah, this town looks like home to me. I think we'll stay for a while."

"You have no business here," Dallas said. "I suggest you leave."

The leader walked over to him and stopped a few feet away. "Sir, if you kill me, then my brothers will tear up this town." He shook his head, smiling. "I really don't think you want to do that."

"Well, then…." Dallas smiled casually, his eyes never wavering. "You'll die first. And no matter what happens next isn't your affair because you'll be dead."

A silent hush came over the men, and then they started laughing and slapping each other on the back as if it was the funniest thing they had ever heard.

The click of a gun hammer was heard above everything. "Mister, I suggest you do as the banker says and get out of here," Sheriff Daxton Clark's voice bellowed from the wooden walkway. "And take your men with you."

The leader smiled, looking around. "No, I rather like it here. Don't you, boys?"

A grumble of agreement came from the men.

The leader nodded. "Oh, yes! I forgot to tell you!" A broad smile spread across his face. "We're not leaving town until we've avenged our brothers. You know. The ones you shot in cold blood." He looked between the two of them. "Now, which one of you killed them?"

Dallas smirked. They were part of the Yates Gang. "I did, of course," Dallas smile lit his lips, tilting his head. "That's what you get when you try to rob my bank."

"Why, you—"

The sound of spurs jingling and the hard sound of boots against the wooden walkway resounded throughout the town as Colton stepped forward. It was known that he had been a gunslinger before, and he was fast. He was wearing his six shooters, bandana, and his cowboy hat, ready to do business. He stopped beside Daxton and struck a casual pose. "I suggest you do as these gentlemen said and leave."

"Frank, he's a sheriff, too!" one of the men told the leader, shifting his weight from side to side.

"No, you idiot! He's just a deputy." Frank smirked.

Before they could say anything more, Colton drew both guns and pointed them toward Frank and the man who spoke to him.

"Whoa! Did you see how fast he was?" another man asked, his eyes wide.

"Shut up!" Frank yelled as he held up his hands, glancing over at the sheriff. "We'll be over at the hotel… if you need us."

"Just see that you don't cause any trouble while you're here," Sheriff Clark warned. "And that includes harassing innocent ladies. Leave all the ladies in this town alone, you hear?"

"Let's go!" Frank growled without answering the sheriff and headed across the street to the hotel. Three of the men stood outside, watching, and the others headed inside with the leader.

Dallas's men sat on the wooden benches in front of the bank, one on each side, watching the men standing outside the hotel.

"Don't worry, boss. We'll keep an eye on them," Jake said.

Anger flooded Dallas's body as he took Jake in. "Why did you bring her here?"

"I asked him to." Megan had stepped out of the bank and hurried over to Dallas. "Are you all right?"

Dallas nodded, wrapping his arm around her. He let out a deep breath, relieved that she was safe. He pulled her into his arms protectively, and she laid her head on his chest. "I'm fine. And you?"

Megan let out a deep breath. "I'm fine." When she pulled back, there were tears in her eyes. "I was so afraid for you! You could have been killed!"

He rubbed her back as he rested his head against hers. "Shh, darling. I'm fine."

Megan looked over at Jake. "Thank you."

Jake nodded as he tipped his hat, and then turned his attention back to the men lingering outside the hotel.

The sheriff clapped his hand on Dallas's back. "I didn't know you had it in you! You showed no fear!"

Colton shook Dallas's hand, one corner of his lips curling into a smile. "The way you faced them down was amazing. I'm impressed."

"Thanks." Dallas wrapped his arms protectively around Megan. "Is there any way we can get them to leave, or arrest them?"

The sheriff shook his head. "Unless they kill someone or do something stupid, I can't touch them."

Colton nodded in agreement. "Well, sheriff, it looks like you're going to need a deputy until they leave. I'll stick around town for a while."

Daxton nodded, a crease between his eyes. "Much obliged."

Colton had been the deputy when he first moved to Whiskey River but had given it up when he and Ella married and bought their ranch. But he always stepped in when needed. As far as Dallas was concerned, he should just remain the deputy, but he guessed it afforded him more freedom to step in only when necessary.

"Thanks, Colton. I could use the help. Dallas, I'll keep an eye on the bank for you until after they leave." Sheriff Clark slid his weapon back into its holster.

Dallas nodded. "Thanks, sheriff. I'll increase my security, too." He looked down at Megan and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look into his eyes. "I'm going to assign a guard to you, too. I don't want you to go anywhere without him until after they leave town. Do you understand?"

Megan took a step back. "I hardly think that will be necessary—"

"Well, don't stay out here long," Daxton interrupted. "We don't need to stir those men up again." He nodded toward the men sitting in front of the hotel, appearing to have settled in for the long haul.

Dallas nodded. "We're leaving now."

Daxton smiled as he tipped his hat toward Megan. "Ma'am." Then he and Colton headed toward the sheriff's office next door.

Dallas turned his attention back to Megan when they were gone. "Please, let me do this. I'd feel a lot better, knowing you're safe."

It looked as if she was thinking for a moment, then nodded. "If it'll make ye feel better…."

He let out a deep breath. "It will." Dallas was going to do everything in his power to protect his wife. In fact, if he lost the bank, it would be nothing compared to losing her. "Why don't you go inside? I'll be there in a minute."

Megan glanced over at Colton, standing just outside the door of the sheriff's office, waiting. "I'm glad the two of ye came along when ye did."

"Think nothing of it." Colton leaned against a post, watching.

"Yes, thank you," Dallas agreed, sliding his gun back into its holster. "Megan, why did you come here? When I looked out and saw it was you they had, I nearly had a heart attack."

"I wanted to surprise ye."

"And surprise me, you did."

"Well, all's well that ends well." Colton smiled, casually watching the men across the street. "But I'm afraid it's not over yet. I have a feeling that it's going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better."

Dallas knew he was right. He just hoped Megan didn't get hurt in the crossfire.