The Bartender's Mail Order Bride by Cindy Caldwell Page A

that question. She smiled and turned back to her father.
    “I would be happy to join you,” she said, and Suzanne let out a whoosh of breath from behind her.
    “We won’t be long,” Beau said as he held out his arm and escorted Meg out the door.
    Meg took a quick look back before the door closed, and smiled as she saw James, Suzanne and Sam all in a row, their mouths open and eyes wide.
    Neither spoke while they entered the Occidental, Sadie equally as surprised to see them together as her twin sister had been if the look on her face was any sign.
    She looked questioningly at Meg as she followed Beau to his regular table, and Meg shrugged. Anybody’s guess would be as good as hers as to what was going to happen next, but she followed along, actually a bit anxious to find out what he was going to say, knowing it would have great impact on her future. Would she be able to see her sisters? How upset was he, really?
    After her father had pulled out her chair and scooted her in, he sat down across from her and laid his hat on the chair next to him.
    “What can I get for you two,” Sadie said, and Meg could tell she was trying to sound light and cheerful, belying her furrowed brow.
    “Meg?” her father said as he placed his napkin in his lap.
    “I’ll just have tea, Sadie, and a piece of your delicious berry pie, if you have any. Papa, would you share it with me?”
    Beau smiled and nodded. “That’s an offer I can’t refuse. And tea for me, too, please.”
    Meg watched Sadie retreat to the kitchen behind Beau, and covered her smile with her hand as she saw Sadie hold up crossed fingers before she went into the kitchen.
    Beau let out a sigh. “I suppose you wonder why I’ve asked you here.”
    “I have been a little curious, yes.” She rested her hands in her lap, inwardly smiling at his obvious discomfort.
    “Well, I’ve had some time to think about all of this. Actually, I’ve had some help thinking about it, too. Everyone in the house seems to think I’ve lost my mind. I haven’t heard the end of it. Even Maria thinks so.”
    Meg smiled at the thought of their long-time housekeeper shaking her finger at her father and rattling off both Spanish and English. If anybody could get through to her father since Meg’s mother had died, it would be Maria.
    “Oh? And what do they think?”
    He cleared his throat and took a sip of water. “Well, they all seem to think that this is exactly what you want, and that I should ask you myself.”
    “It is, Papa. It’s what I’ve wanted for a long time,” Meg said, her hands in her lap and her gaze steady on her father.
    Their eyes met, and Meg held fast, refusing to look away. This was her life, hers and Sam’s, and she hoped to help her father understand that.
    “So I’ve been told. More than once.”
    “And you’d like to hear it one more time? From me?” Meg said.
    “Yes, Meg. I need to hear from you why you wanted to leave our home. I thought you were happy. I know I haven’t been quite myself since your mother died, but I thought we all were doing all right.”
    “Oh, Papa, is that what you’ve been thinking,” she said as a lump formed in her throat. It hadn’t even occurred to her that he might take her decision personally. “I love my family, and I miss you all, too.”
    “Then why?” He reached across the table and took her hand in his.
    Meg’s stomach dropped at his gesture. She hadn’t practiced for this, not even in her daydreams. “Nobody seemed to notice, but I’ve been in love with Sam for a long time. And when he advertised for a bride, I figured it was my only chance, as you forbid me from seeing suitors.”
    He sat back in his chair, his surprise evident. “I did this?”
    “No, not exactly. Well, maybe. Oh, I don’t know.” She laughed as she knew she wasn’t making any sense, and relief washed over her as he laughed, as well.
    He held both his palms up at her. “Fair enough. I agree that I was…less than open to