The Bartender’s Mail Order Bride(18)

As Sam opened the door and extended his arm into the house for her to precede him, she decided it was time that they begin getting to know each other better. She hoped that he’d recovered a bit from the surprise and would be able to see that this had been the best thing for everyone.

Sam helped her with her coat and hung it on a pretty oak rack just to the side of the front door. He removed his hat and coat and hung them beside hers.

“I…I suppose I should give you a tour of the house,” he said slowly as he glanced around the parlor.

Meg sighed and took his hand, pulling him into the kitchen. “Let me make us some tea, first, and we can talk,” she said and began to open cupboards and scout out some tea.

He walked to a shelf at the far end of the kitchen and reached up for a lovely ceramic container, painted with white flowers on a blue background.

Meg felt suddenly uncomfortable, wishing he would say something, not exactly sure what she could do. “That’s a lovely container,” she said, and chastised herself silently for not thinking of something more clever.

Sam looked at the container as if he’d never seen it before and then looked back at her. “It was my grandmother’s. I guess it is pretty.”

He put the lid back on the jar and placed it on the shelf. Meg set the teakettle she’d filled on the stove as Sam stoked the fire.

Sam pulled out a chair for Meg at the kitchen table, and scooted her in as she sat. He paced for a moment as he fiddled with the teapot.

Meg sat quietly, her hands in her lap, watching him. She wished it could be like before, when Sam would visit Hank at the ranch and they’d all sit around drinking lemonade, laughing and talking. That’s what she’d loved most about Sam, then—he was always on the brink of laughing. Now, she wondered where that Sam had gone.

Finally, she could stand the silence no longer and said, “Sam, I know this has been a pretty big surprise, but I really did do this because I wanted to, and I’m hoping that we do a good job of it and that your mother is happy for her stay.” What she didn’t say was that she hoped by the time her new mother-in-law returned to New York, Sam would have realized how perfect they were for each other.

He sighed as he poured the boiling water into the teapot and sat down opposite her at the table, his thumbs resting in his suspenders. He held Meg’s eyes until she could look no longer, and she lowered her head as she twisted the hem of her jacket.

“I appreciate that, Meg, I really do. I feel pretty stupid that I’ve even gotten myself in this fix, and couldn’t think of any other way to get out of it.” He stood and brought mugs, sugar and cream to the table. He wrapped a dishtowel around the handle of the teapot and set it on the table as well.

“Let me pour, please,” Meg said as she took hold of the dishtowel and poured them two full mugs of tea. “Cream and sugar?” she asked, picking up the sugar spoon.

“No, none for me, thank you. I prefer it with nothing. Coffee, too.”

She poured a dash of cream in her mug and two teaspoons of sugar before she stirred her tea. “So, when is she coming, and what do we need to do? I actually think it’s quite a sweet and kind thing you’re doing, and I am happy to help in any way I can.”

Sam picked up his cup of tea and blew on it for a moment. “She’s arriving on Sunday.”

Meg gasped, her hand flying to her chest. “So soon? Oh, goodness. There’s so much to do before then.”

“To do?” Sam said. “Well, I suppose I do need to find a business of some kind. This is getting pretty complicated.”

“I’ve actually given it some thought. I wondered if maybe James and Suzanne might like to take some time off before the girls get much older. I have experience buying and selling, and for a few days, we could go to work at the mercantile. Even if they don’t want to leave town, your mother would likely believe that you own it.”

She set her mug of tea down with a satisfied grin, pleased with her plan and the smile on his face.

“That just could work, Meg,” he said as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I think James and Suzanne trust us both enough to let us in the shop, and that would be a wonderful business as far as my mother was concerned.”

“Splendid! Now there are some other things we need to think about.”

Sam tilted his head to one side, and she sensed his confusion. “Think about this, Sam. If your mother believes we’ve been married for—how long did you say she thinks it’s been?”

“Two years.” He groaned and let his head fall into his hands.

“Now, don’t despair. We just need to use this time wisely.”