Sam rubbed his forehead. “I’ve got the whole town of Tombstone scurrying around on my behalf. I feel awful.”
Meg patted his shoulder. “Hardly the whole town. But honestly, I bet it’s fairly amusing at this point for everyone to watch us squirm, if nothing else.”
“Yes, we’re putting on quite the show, aren’t we?” He laughed as they arrived at the buggy where Mrs. Allen waited.
“Meg, I’m very much looking forward to meeting your family. And to see an actual cow and chicken,” she said as she clapped her hands.
Meg couldn’t help but smile at Mrs. Allen’s enthusiasm—even though she had yet to enjoy what cows and chickens actually smelled like—and felt a tug of happiness herself that she was going to go home for a bit and see her family. Or what used to be home.
Meg watched Mrs. Allen take in all of the scenery as they followed the lane away from the town and further on into the hills toward the ranch.
“This is much greener than I anticipated. Actually quite lovely.” She breathed deeply, her eyebrows raised. “What is that heavenly scent?”
“Sage,” Sam said. “Nice, isn’t it?”
“Especially nice after a rain,” Meg added.
Mrs. Allen turned around to look back at the town. “This is a much larger town than I anticipated, also. Two newspapers, theaters, lovely restaurants.”
“Finding the silver veins has really changed things for us. The town has swelled to over fourteen thousand in just a few years. Almost double the population in Tucson right now,” Sam said as he turned up the drive toward the big, iron sign announcing Archer Ranch.
“Oh, is this it?”
Meg watched Mrs. Allen’s eyes flit from tree to trail as they passed the stables, Hank and Clara’s white casita and pulled up in front of the sprawling ranch house that she’d grown up in.
Mrs. Allen’s hand flew to her chest as she gasped. “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” she said, her eyes roaming over every part of the building, coming to rest on the gardens in front and the herb garden at Clara and Hank’s house.
As the buggy came to a stop and Sam jumped down to tie the reins to the hitching post for a moment, Beau Archer stepped onto the porch, followed by what seemed to Meg to be a very large number of people. But as she looked them over, she realized it was just her family—her five sisters, her father, her brother and his wife. It hadn’t taken her long to get used to a little bit more peace and quiet.
Meg introduced each member of her family to Mrs. Allen, who shook the hand of each and every one of them. Meg felt a spark of happiness that all she got from her sisters—including Pepper, the youngest and most outspoken—was a, “Nice to meet you.” She hoped her luck would hold through dinner and they could get out as quickly as possible. Meg breathed a sigh of relief as her father bowed his head slightly at Mrs. Allen and winked at Meg and Sam as she turned toward Hank and Clara.
Maria stepped out from behind the others wearing a very colorful apron that Meg had seen her wear before on special occasions. She felt honored that Maria felt this occasion was special enough to bring it out for.
“I have lemonade on the back patio for you all. Supper won’t be too long but it’s not quite ready.” Maria smiled and waved her hand toward the front door, encouraging everyone to pass on to the back.
Meg wasn’t quite sure what to expect when they all sat down, Clara pouring lemonade and Hank helping to pass it around.
“So, Mrs. Allen, you’re from New York,” her father began and she was thankful for his help. She hoped that none of her sisters—especially Pepper or one of the twins—would saying anything at all. Perfect silence would be preferable, and Meg laughed a little knowing that it wouldn’t be possible for that to happen.
Mrs. Allen chatted lightly as the conversation turned to New York. Her father had been there, but no one else had, so they all sat rapt with attention as Mrs. Allen and her father laughed about the sights and how different it was from Tombstone.
“Are you enjoying Tombstone, Mrs. Allen?” Meg took the initiative and frowned at Pepper as she asked the question, just for good measure. Pepper looked as if she’d like to stick her tongue out at her sister, but mercifully refrained.
Meg shot a worried glance at Sam, and grew even more worried that he was rubbing his forehead, looking at Hank. Hank, however, had a big grin on his face, clearly enjoying what transpired before him.
“Oh—Pepper, is it?—I’m enjoying it very much. Meg and Sam have been the picture of hospitality and it’s so nice to spend time with young people in love.”