The Bartender’s Mail Order Bride(45)
Sam looked up and smiled. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
“That I didn’t like school?”
“No, that you chose your own path to learn, and spent time with things you were passionate about.”
Meg blushed and looked at her hands. “Go on.”
“My father was a concert pianist, Ray Allen. He traveled all over the world, but he was based mainly in New York. I learned to play the music he loved, and I was quite good at it. Not as good as he was, of course.”
“The Ray Allen? My parents spoke of seeing him play when they went to San Francisco.”
“Yes, that would be him. He was quite famous. And had very strong views about what music both was and wasn’t.”
“What do you mean? He played classical music, didn’t he?
“Yes, and anything else was—to his mind—rubbish. I tried to play what he loved, but while he was traveling—and I was neglecting school—I began playing for fun in establishments that played different types of music.”
Meg’s eyes lit up as she remembered his face as he watched the vaudeville show. “Vaudeville? You played for the shows?”
Sam smiled and rubbed his chin. “I did, yes, and I loved it. The fun I had, playing for the people at the shows, and in the bar afterward is difficult to explain. The happiness I saw on the people’s faces made me happy, too.”
“That’s lovely, Sam. Not everyone finds what they are truly gifted at. You’re fortunate.”
“You’re not embarrassed? That your husband wanted to be a common saloon player?”
Meg laughed. “No, not at all. Why would I be embarrassed? I love all kinds of music.”
“Not everyone shares your open-mindedness, I’m afraid. Including my father.”
“Oh. And your mother, too?”
“When he came home from a world tour and found out where I was playing, he was furious. He forbade me from returning. Said he’d support a musical career for me only if I played as he did. And I couldn’t.”
“And your mother? How did she feel about it?”
Sam sighed and sat back in his chair. “She did what she could to change his mind, but he was a fairly determined individual. It didn’t work, and I had no interest following in his footsteps.”
Meg shook her head slowly. “So you left? That’s why you came West?”
“Yes. It is.” Sam stood and walked to the piano, rubbing his hand along the shiny wood on the top. “I couldn’t face that as a future, and decided to make my own way.”
“Why do you then not play here? In Tombstone?”
He picked the sheet up from the settee and draped it over the piano. “It wasn’t long after I’d arrived that my father was killed. It had been my intention that I would play here, with all the theaters and opportunities, but I found that I couldn’t. I just couldn’t play anything at all, and I haven’t since.”
“Not at all? Not once?”
“No. Not once. Shortly after I arrived, I found a job as a bartender in town, and it was a similar atmosphere. I found I could still make people happy, just in a different way. I enjoy making people happy, talking. I like my job.”
“I know you do, but I also know that you are much more passionate about music than tending bar. Sam, that’s quite a loss for people who could be hearing you play. Sharing your joy.”
Sam lit another lantern and held his arm out for Meg. “You flatter me, to think that anyone would love to listen. I’ve given that up as a dream, and as soon as Mother leaves, I’ll stop playing again. There’s no good in it.”
Meg couldn’t think of anything to say as they climbed the stairs. When they reached the top, Sam whispered, “The light is off in her room. You can sleep in your room safely, I’m sure.”
As she closed the door behind her, she couldn’t stop thinking about the beautiful music she’d heard Sam produce, the way it made her heart soar, and she knew that Mrs. Allen felt the same way. Whatever had happened between him and his father was over now, and she vowed to find a way to keep him playing. It was too great a gift to hide.
Chapter 26
“I sure hope this doesn’t come back on us,” Sam said. He’d closed the door behind them and his mother was already waiting at the buggy.
“I’m a little nervous, too, but we’ve just got to go ahead with this. It wouldn’t do for her not to see the ranch and meet my family after meeting Rosemary and Maria yesterday.”
“I know. But this just keeps getting harder and harder. Is everyone over there prepared?”
“Hank was over at the Occidental when I popped over to get lunch for us, and I brought him up to date with what’s been going on. He said he’d do his best to let everybody know.”