Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 2, Page 10
The school bell rang and the students were ready to leave. No after school lessons, but time to play ball for a short time before chores. The wagon for the farm children would come in a little while. Dee was glad the children had some time just to run around before going home. Sam had been coming on these days when there weren't any music lessons to visit Elizabeth and he wound up volunteering, leading the boys in a quick game of football. Elizabeth took the girls to play kickball. There wasn't much time left of good weather with winter coming, but outside exercise was good for them all.
"The boys are learning to work as a team," Sam told Elizabeth as he walked her home. "That's the main purpose of football, so I think this is a good thing for boys."
"Maybe we should ask the parent's permission though Sam. Football is a rough game and I don't want you to get into trouble if one of them gets hurt," Elizabeth was rightly concerned. "Even the girls playing kickball, has me watching them like a hawk. If the weather gets too cold I will bring them in for a little arts and crafts."
"I think that's reasonable," Sam agreed. "I'll leave that up to you, but now, since it's my night off, would you like to have dinner with me tonight? LJ too of course."
"That does sound delightful. Sam, come on inside. Laura?" Elizabeth called.
"Hello, Mrs. Thornton! I just got LJ up from his nap. He's pretty happy right now." Laura smiled as she handed LJ to his Mom.
"There's my sweet boy!" Elizabeth greeted LJ with a kiss. "How did everything go today?"
"LJ is learning his ABC's with me so he knows A is for apple, B is for baby, and M is for Mommy." Laura said proudly.
"Can you watch him for a few minutes more please? Mr. Tremblay has invited us to dinner." she asked Laura "I want to freshen up a bit".
"Of course, Hello Mr. Tremblay." Laura greeted Sam.
Elizabeth invited Sam to sit down on the sofa and wait. "That's okay Elizabeth, I can watch LJ, I had little brothers to watch when I lived at home. Besides, I want to get to know him, right Jack?"
It didn't take LJ long before he climbed up on the sofa to join Sam. He was laughing at the peek-a-boo game Sam was playing with a throw pillow. When Elizabeth came downstairs, LJ was laughing so hard as Sam was tickling him, that she said, "I better check his bottom Sam, he might've wet himself!" she warned him.
"Sorry, Elizabeth, I can change him." Sam offered.
"Really? Now, that's a nice surprise, but if I change him, we might leave sooner." she teased.
When they got to Billee's, Sam was glad that it was the night that Bill and Nathan were playing their guitars for a little entertainment. The place was lively for a weekday. Sam had cooked up some corned beef hash for the entree earlier and the teenagers that Bill had hired, only had to serve up what was ready in the kitchen. Bill was there to supervise, but now he was on stage.
There was a table with Dee, Faith, Allie, and Emily and another table with Molly and Dottie. Sam and Elizabeth greeted them and found a table for the three of them. Rosemary and Lee came in soon too. It proved to be such a fun bunch. While they ate, Nathan and Bill had them joining in songs from time to time. "Hail, hail, the gang's all here." or "I'm always chasing rainbows" and other tunes they played at the summer bonfires. Even LJ was clanging his spoon on the table.
"I'm not complaining," Emily was telling Dee, "but they need some tasty desserts."
"Well Emily, are you ready to offer your help with that?" Dee inquired. "You don't want to take on too much now."
"I wouldn't offer anything different than I bake for the cafe. Once I have the ingredients out, it doesn't take that much longer to make another batch." Emily said. "Maybe Bill would be interested especially with Christmas coming up."
"That's true. When he's done, ask him and see what he says." Dee suggested.
"Can I talk to Mrs. Ramsey about dresses?" Allie asked.
"Not now, let her enjoy herself my angel. We'll go over to see the dresses after school this week for sure." Emily agreed.
"I hope she has something in my size." Allie was a bit disappointed.
Rosemary was at the table next to them, and heard Allie. "Allie dear, we have so many dresses we haven't had time to put them all out on display yet. I know there's one there just for you!"
When Nathan came over to their table, everyone complimented him on his music.
Which reminded Dee to talk to Molly about singing at their wedding. "Nathan, why don't we ask Molly quickly if she would be willing to sing at our wedding"?
When Molly heard their request, she was happily surprised. "Really, how nice of you to think of asking me!" she absolutely glowed.
"I'll be choosing the songs soon, so I'll get back to you in short time so you can practice." Dee reassured her. "Thank you for accepting. We hoped you'd say yes."
Dottie was still sitting with Molly when Dee was talking to her, so Molly introduced Dee as Nathan's fiancé. Dottie smiled widely and congratulated the both of them. "When's the big day?"
"Valentine's Day!" they both said simultaneously.
"Well, Dee I better see you soon!" Dottie started. "There's so many things to get ready for. The sooner the better!"
"I'll be there as Allie and I need a new dress for the engagement dinner party and Allie needs a dress as my bridesmaid, and my sister as the maid of honor!" Dee started to get worried. "Oh my, I just can't believe all there is to do!"
Rosemary walked over as Nathan left to let the ladies talk about dresses and join his Ma. "Don't you fret Dee, we will have you looking like a star!" she assured her as they all giggled.
