“I got a taker for my bride position.”
“And she sounds perfect,” Suzanne said, smiling at Sam. “Doesn’t she, Sam?”
“She certainly has all the qualities that I specified. Besides being interested.”
“Yes, and she didn’t mind that you are a bartender like the others did. That’s important,” Suzanne said.
“Sam, I hate to put this so plainly, but this is the only woman who has applied with a positive response. And she does have all of the qualifications you asked for. It’s really not something that you can debate about if you truly want to have a bride by the time your mother arrives,” Sadie said as she placed her hand on his arm.
“You’re right, Sadie. I know you are. I guess it’s just…”
Hank clapped his friend on the back. “Sudden? Yes, it is. I know exactly how you feel. But look how lucky I got with Clara. And Sadie with Tripp. I’m sure that you’ll be just as fortunate,” he said to Sam with a reassuring smile.
No matter if he’d really meant it or not, Sam seemed to relax a bit. He took the letter back from Suzanne and peered at the return address, which Meg had thought out carefully.
“Hm. It’s a number at the post office. She’s so close. What if it’s someone I know?”
“That would sure be odd, but I don’t imagine it will be. Tombstone’s a big place and we don’t know everybody,” Hank said.
Sadie rubbed her chin as she frowned. “That would be very odd, wouldn’t it? Wouldn’t someone who were interested just come by?”
“I don’t think so,” Meg said softly. “What if he didn’t want her? It would be much better to get that information by post rather than in person, don’t you think?”
Silence fell as they all turned to Meg for a moment. Finally, Sam spoke. “I guess you’re right. I hadn’t thought about the whole thing from her perspective. And I’m not even sure what type of woman needs to find a husband in this manner.”
“Don’t think about that part. Does she sound like someone you’d want to try this with?” Suzanne held out her hand for the letter.
Hank cleared his throat. “As Sadie said, you don’t have much of a choice, my friend, if you want to do this. She’s the only one who wanted you.”
Sam chuckled as he grinned at his friend. “You’re right about that. All right, let’s move forward,” he said as he gave a quick clap.
“Do what?” James, Suzanne’s husband and owner of the mercantile, said as he opened the door.
Suzanne exchanged warm smiles with her husband, and Meg wondered how they seemed to be so much in love, even after very busy twins, running a business and over six years together.
“Sam got a positive response,” she said as she walked over to take his coat, hanging it on the rack along with his hat.
James smiled as his eyebrows rose. “Is that so? A good one?”
“The only one there is,” Meg’s brother said as he laughed and shook his head at Sam. “He’s a bartender. There’s only one taker.”
Meg felt heat creep to her ears and was grateful that she still wore her , hoping they might not notice. She’d never thought that she’d be the only taker for Sam, who she thought would be the greatest husband for anyone, but as she sat while they searched for quill and paper to respond to her, her nerves settled.
Did it matter that she was the only taker? Not really. It just meant that he would be that much more interested in making a success of their marriage as she was his only option. Besides, it wasn’t personal that he wasn’t quite convinced. He didn’t know it was Meg.
She drew in a deep breath at the thought that he would soon, in fact, know that it was her. She tried not to let that thought take residence as it pushed her toward panic.
“Meg? Meg, are you there?” Her brother’s voice interrupted her thoughts and she shook her head quickly.
“Yes, yes. What is it?”
“You’ve been far away. Are you still feeling ill?” Suzanne leaned over and peered into Meg’s eyes. “You don’t look quite as pale as before.”
“No, I’m fine. Thank you.” She stood and smoothed her apron over her dress. She looked down at the dirt on her shoes and cringed once more, and her hands reached up to finger her braids. She’d had no idea this event would be taking place, or she’d have made a stronger effort to look…different. Actually, though, she could do that later. When they were introduced as future husband and wife.
“There you go again,” Hank said. “You sure daydream a lot lately. Not like you.”