On the far right of the Occidental was the private dining area that was used for small gatherings, and from the opposite side of the room, Meg could see that it had been decorated beautifully with purple and white flowers and ribbons to match. As she entered the room, the preacher—likely there to marry them—turned to Sam and said, “Well, young fellow, when are we to begin the ceremony.”
Sam glanced at the clock, both hands pointing straight up to twelve noon. He looked over to Sadie and Suzanne, who both shrugged their shoulders.
“She was supposed to be here by noon, although the wedding won’t be until one,” Sam said as he wrung his hands.
Sadie crossed the few steps over to Sam and patted him on the shoulder. She waved her hand around the room, looking at the Archer family, Suzanne, James and their twins, Lucy and Lily, and said, “Don’t worry. We’re all here and ready whenever she gets here.”
“How do you know she’s not here already,” the pastor said as he glanced around the room and then out into the main dining area of the restaurant.
Sam stood in the door of the private area, looking around at the patrons of the restaurant. After he’d scanned the room, he turned back toward the guests in the smaller room. “I would know if she was here. She said she’d be wearing a purple—”
He stopped short as his eyes fell on Meg. His eyes grew wide and questioning as he scanned her up and down, and he whispered under his breath, “dress.”
Meg’s stomach flipped as her eyes met Sam’s, hoping for some flicker of happiness at the awareness that she would be his bride, but all she saw was pure, unadulterated shock.
Meg’s father, who was standing next to the pastor, waved his hand in the air dismissively and turned away. “That’s impossible. Preposterous. Tell him, Meg.”
Meg turned, glancing around the room. Her stomach knotted as she noted each pair of eyes as big as saucers, from her brother Hank’s to Sadie’s and Suzanne’s.
She crossed the room and took her father’s hand. “Papa, I know this may come as a bit of a surprise, but it is true. I answered Sam’s ad and I intend to be his bride.”
All the blood drained out of Beau Archer’s face as he pulled his hand away from his daughter. “A surprise? A surprise? This is a ridiculous farce. A mistake is what it’s called.”
Sam came and stood beside her, his concern plain in his eyes. “Mr. Archer, I assure you—”
“I don’t know what you were thinking, young man, but this marriage will not take place. I forbid it.”
Meg had expected her father to be surprised, maybe even a little angry, but she hadn’t anticipated this. She looked up at Sam and placed her arm through his.
“Papa, you can’t forbid it. I am of age. It is my decision, and I want to do this. For Sam and for me.”
She could feel her five sisters—and even Clara—holding their breath, and heard loud, long sighs from around the room.
Clara stepped forward, looking deep into Meg’s eyes before she grabbed her hand and pulled her quickly out of the room. She spun around and asked, “Is this truly what you want, Meg?”
Meg reached out and took Clara’s hands in hers. “Yes, Clara, it is. It’s what I’ve wanted for a long time.”
Clara looked confused, at first, and then smiled. “Yes, I think somewhere deep down I knew that. I did know you were pining for someone, but wouldn’t have guessed it was Sam. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Sam didn’t even know I existed. I never knew how to get his attention, and then he needed a bride and I knew it was my only chance. I didn’t want to tell anyone in case they’d try to stop me. Which is exactly what’s happening now.”
“You can’t blame your father for being stunned. Not long ago he didn’t want you to even have suitors, let alone be married. This might take a bit of time for him to get used to. Why not wait a while and we can sort it all out?” Clara glanced back into the room, where everyone seemed to be looking at their shoes in silence.
Meg glanced back into the room at Sam, who’d sat down at one of the tables and had his head in his hands. Even in his surprised state, she thought he was the kindest, most handsome man she’d ever met. She wanted to help him with his predicament, but she also knew it was the best chance for her to be with the man that she now believed that she loved.
She squared her shoulders and smoothed down her purple dress—which would be her wedding dress.
“I’ve thought this through, Clara. This is what I want and I’m going to go through with it. If Sam hasn’t changed his mind, that is.”