Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Chapter 3, Page 21
Dorothy, George and family were upstairs in Billees gathering all their clothes out of the suitcases and hanging them up. The children were so excited to have traveled on the stagecoach that after eating lunch when they arrived, George tried to get them to settle down with a story before getting dressed. Smart mother that she is, Dorothy had they all bathe at home, so she just had to get them dressed, but not until she was first.
"I sure hope Dee doesn't get here before," Dorothy started and was interrupted by George, "we are ready?" Whew, that was a good catch Dorothy thought. They didn't want the children to know that their grandparents were coming, because they couldn't keep a secret.
Bill, Lee, and Rosemary had been over to Billees most of the afternoon helping set up the tables with candles with little candy dishes filled with mints. Sam had asked Robert and Anna to help serve again. Bill had ordered a supply of wine for the occasion, and champagne for the toast. Being the best man he even wrote up a little congratulations for Nathan, but wanted to save the better toast for their wedding dinner.
"Do you have the spotlight ready for tonight?" Rosemary asked Lee. "I want their dance on stage."
"Don't you think we should save that for the wedding reception?" Lee gently suggested.
"Of course, why didn't I think of that?" Rosemary was upset with herself, but not for long. "Bill, you didn't order any flowers."
"They are very expensive this time of year and I didn't have time to drive to Benson Hill's florist to pick some up today, sorry." Bill growled.
"Well then, men, at least the reception is 2 months away and we can have a better plan." Rosemary shrugged.
"It looks great in here!" assured Sam. Everything is ready in the kitchen. China, silver, linen cloths, champagne and wine glasses, all set to go."
"I'm going to leave you gentlemen here to complete the finishing touches. I need to freshen up and change into my gown." Rosemary said. "Don't forget Lee."
Bill turned the buffet table into the the champagne and wine table and helped Sam set the tables. Lee left for home shortly.
Dee and George could hear them working down stairs. "I think I hear an automobile engine." George quietly told Dorothy. She looked out the window, and saw her parents and Walter coming in Billees! Henry had picked them up half way here. Bill greeted them at the door, and welcomed them in with a warm handshake. Sam helped Walter grab their bags and took them upstairs where Dorothy, George and the children were waiting for them at the top of the stairs.
"Mom, Dad, Walter!" Dorothy ran to them and hugged them. "I'm so glad you made it!"
"It was so kind of Bill to make arrangement for us and Mr. Gowen, from here, was quite the gentleman." Ted told his daughter.
"Grandma and Grandpa!" Robert and Roberta laughed. "How did you get here?"
"Some very nice people brought us!" Bertie said as she kissed them hello.
"Here's your room," Bill ushered them to the room next door. "We love your daughter, Nathan is the quite the lucky man. I hope you enjoy your stay!"
"Bill, I will pay you something soon, I promise." Ted thanked him again.
"It's on me, don't think about it twice. Same thing for the wedding. Any parents of Dee's are friends of mine, and friends don't pay!" he winked as he walked away.
Dee and her mother, Bertie went into the room and saw Dee's dress. "How lovely!" Bertie declared.
"Mom, we need to get fitted at Dottie's dress shop tomorrow before we leave. There are beautiful gowns for both of us to try one for the wedding. Rosemary said she'd have them ready by Christmas for Dee to bring to us in time. So, don't you worry, we will have you a new dress for the wedding!"
As Dee's family got ready, Dee was at Faith's also slipping into her gown. Faith was stunned as she walked down the stairs. "Oh, I don't know who will look any lovelier than you Dee!"
"You too Faith, you are very pretty in your gown too! This is going to be so much fun!" Dee exclaimed.
They heard the knock on the door. Faith opened it up to see Nathan standing there all decked out in an attractive suit with a blue shirt to match Dee's gown.
As he entered, he met Dee's gaze and his knees started to buckle. She looked ravishing and he could hardly speak. She went up to him and they kissed and then laughed as he had lip stain on his lips now too. She tenderly wiped his lips clean and said, "Looks like we're ready darling!"
Henry was outside in his automobile and gave them and Emily an escort to town as Allie, Faith, and Karen drove over in Lee's automobile. It was a tight squeeze with the gowns, but better than walking in them. The noise from the party was echoing through the air, along with the steaks that Bill was grilling on the pit. The sun was just starting to set when they walked in. Several tables of good friends from Hope Valley were already seated. A table of ladies who were together in the corner, had a reservation tag that said "Chickadees" and Nathan shrugged thinking they were her Dee's friends. Everyone stood up and clapped when they walked in which took them by surprise.
Dorothy ran up to Dee and gave her a big hug. "Dee you look so attractive in that gown!"
"I just wish our parents and Walter were here," Dee whispered.
"So do I Dee, and I'm glad they are!" she turned and looked at the top of the stairs.
Dee and Nathan looked up and saw Bertie, Ted, and Walter coming down the stairs. "Oh my goodness!" Dee started to tear up. She ran to meet them with Nathan right behind her. "How?"
"We'll tell you all about it later, but for now, we are so very happy to see our gorgeous daughter and her handsome fiance as we celebrate your engagement!" They all gave long hugs to eachother, and then Nathan walked them over to the table where his mother, Emily and Allie were sitting.
They started talking as Nathan looked around. He spotted Archie sitting with Henry in the corner with Elizabeth and Sam. "Excuse me Dee, I'll be right back."
He went directly over to his Dad and urged him to join them. "Dad, please let this be a chance for all of us to be a family again. You can sit next to me. I'd really appreciate that."
"Are you sure?" Archie asked doubtfully.
"Yes Dad, I'm positive." Nathan walked his Dad over to their table and pulled the chair out next to his for him to sit down. Archie nodded at everyone, and no one was upset with it, in fact both Walter and Ted began talking to him about years gone by in Brook Springs. Emily was sitting by Bertie and Dorothy and enjoying their company, so all was well.
Sam spoke quickly to Elizabeth and told her after serving the food, he'd join her. She didn't mind as Henry and her were catching up.
Bill asked for Pastor Joseph to say grace. With that, Bill announced that the food would be served while he began going from table to table pouring wine. Sam instructed Robert and Anna to serve the plates of food and Lee played some records on the phonograph. Everyone was enjoying the tender steaks grilled to perfection and were talking and laughing having a delightful time!
As promised, Emily had made cakes for the dessert, Oma's German Apple Cake. They were scrumptious. Her fear of being shunned because of her thick German accent, was no longer relevant. She was known as the go to person for baking! She enjoyed all the compliments and clung to the praise.
Bill stood up on stage and thanked everyone for coming. As he looked around, he saw the pillars of the community and one very special lady looked alluring. Molly watched him give a toast to his honorable and lucky friend, Nathan for catching a stunning lady, Dee. As he wished them both best of luck and a lifetime of happiness Dee and Nathan tenderly kissed. "Here, here!" the crowd cheered.
"Now, let's party!" Bill declared as the phonograph played the dance music. Nathan asked Dee to dance first and they stepped on stage and whirled around. Soon all the couples and a few of the ladies' in the corner were on the floor dancing. Dazzling gowns were swishing, and ladies were twirling as they kept in time to the music. One couple was just as charming as the other. Laughter was echoing all through the room.
Elizabeth was watching from the corner and thought that could've been her. She truly realized for the first time what a fool she had been. Nathan was impeccable, she even said so herself. She shook her head, he deserved someone like Dee. Someone who loved him for who he is, and was honest and true. Just then Sam grabbed her hand and asked her to dance. She smiled, "of course!" she wasn't going to let this man get away.
Dee felt like a princess with her knight in shining armor. "You have captivated me from the first time I laid eyes on you at the music shop," Nathan told her, "you are radiant tonight, and I'm so in love with you!"
"Nathan, I feel glorious and tonight is enchanting. It's everything a girl could dream of. I love you sweetheart!" Dee answered with a kiss.
Just then their song played and they went back on stage to dance to "Let Me Call You Sweetheart!"
