The Bartender’s Mail Order Bride(55)
Tonight, Mother Allen had asked if she could take them to the Occidental to have a real celebration. She’d mentioned more than once that she hadn’t been able to be at the wedding and would like to celebrate, somehow, so she’d chosen this night.
Sam looked quite dapper in his suit and tie, his blue eyes shining, and Meg had had a new dress made from the fabric that Mrs. Allen admitted she had no idea what to do with. Mrs. Allen had had one made, too, and they headed toward the Occidental, all wearing their best.
“Hey, Sam, nice to see you and your wife,” a man called out from the porch as he smiled and ducked into the restaurant.
“Who was that?” Meg asked.
“One of my better customers,” Sam said. “He might have thought I was working tonight.”
Mrs. Allen stepped down from the buggy almost as soon as it stopped, not waiting for a hand down. She hurried up the steps and reached for the door, saying, “I’ll get us a table and meet you inside.”
Sam covered Meg’s hand with his as she rested it on his arm.
“Did I mention you look beautiful tonight, Meg? Well, every night.”
She sighed as he kissed her cheek, then came around to help her down. She had never guessed she’d be this happy.
Sam opened the door for her, and she stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the light from the bright sun outside. She spotted Mother Allen waving at her from near the small dining room where she and Sam had been married, and she took Sam’s hand, pulling him in that direction as he waved and nodded to many people who greeted him as he passed by.
As Meg reached the doorway to the dining room, she saw Sadie. She waved and stepped inside, pulling Sam along behind her.
“Surprise!” came from all directions and she turned around to Sam, who looked as shocked as she felt.
She turned back around and Mother Allen came over and took her hand. “You two deserve a proper wedding reception. A real one. More suited for couples in love.”
Meg smiled as she leaned forward and kissed her mother-in-law on the cheek. She held her gaze with this kind woman for a moment, the blue eyes reminding her very much of her kind husband’s eyes, and said, “Thank you. For everything.”
“Nonsense, my dear. Nothing to thank me for. I know love when I see it.” She turned and greeted the rest of the guests, and Meg clasped her hands in front of her at the sight of her sisters, her brother, her sister-in-law, Sadie and Suzanne and their families. Once again, her heart swelled at just the thought of how fortunate she’d been.
She blushed as Sam came up from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. He bent down, whispering, “This is a lovely surprise. Congratulations, Mrs. Allen.”
“Congratulations to you as well, Mr. Allen,” Meg said as she squeezed his hands and moved to give hugs to all of their guests.
Once they’d had an opportunity to greet everyone in the dining room, Mrs. Allen lifted a glass of water and a fork, tapping the glass to get everyone’s attention.
“Excuse me, all. Firstly, thank you for coming to what is a joyous occasion for me and my new family.” She smiled and nodded at Meg. “And for joining us as they start their new lives together. I’ve had the assistance of the charming proprietors of the Occidental, Tripp and Sadie, and with their permission, I’d like to present my son and his bride with their wedding gift.”
She sighed deeply and smiled at Meg and Sam, her eyes softening as she walked to the side of the room and removed a white sheet with a flourish, revealing a beautiful piano.
As Meg gasped and Sam squeezed her hand, Mrs. Allen said, “It’s the perfect gift, I believe, for two people who make such beautiful music together. And if they are willing, I’d like to ask them to provide us with a song.”
She clasped her hands in front of her, nodding at Meg and Sam. Sam glanced at Tripp and received a nod of permission.
“Meg? Are you willing?”
Meg’s heart soared as she nodded and Sam led her to the piano. She glanced around at her family, her friends and her husband, admiring the way Sam had taken his playing back up with a passion, remembering the nights they’d played and sung together since she’d come home.
She became lost in the music, swaying to the sound of Sam’s playing and was surprised that the song ended almost as soon as it had begun, it seemed to her, as they always did.
She smiled and bowed at the applause of their friends and family, and her eyebrows rose as Sam took her arm and turned her toward the door to the dining room, where every diner and employee was standing, the applause almost deafening.
Her mouth agape, she blinked several times as Tripp came over and clapped Sam on the back. Tripp and Sadie had been dinner guests on their nights off and they’d heard Sam and Meg’s duets several times.