Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 7, Page 66
After the bridal shower, Dorothy asked George to pick up the gifts and help take them to Nathan's home. Nathan was just returning from his afternoon rounds a bit early, so when they got there he helped unload them.
"Dee, you have just about everything we need and more!" Nathan was surprised.
"Yes, sweetheart, you even got a present but I can't show it to you until our wedding night." she teased with twinkling eyes.
"Oh yes, Nathan, you'll love it!" Dorothy giggled. "Now she has something blue."
"Hmm, sounds interesting!" George laughed. "Nathan, are you going to get ready now for your bachelor party?"
"Yes, indeed! I have been wondering all day what Bill has up his sleeve!" Nathan shook his head. Emily had plopped down in her rocker and was already napping. Even the laughter didn't wake her up. "Looks like Ma had a good time!"
"Well, she's pretty excited I broke three ribbons opening presents!" Dee told him.
"Excited? For what?" Nathan was definitely clueless.
"For every ribbon broken, that means a baby for you two!" Dorothy explained.
George burst out laughing and slapped Nathan on the back. "Looks like you'll have us beat!"
"Hey, you have plenty of time to pass us up." Nathan assured him with a grin.
"Dorothy is going to stay with me during your party. So, when Emily wakes up, we ladies will have our dinner with the leftovers." Dee informed the men.
"I'll change clothes and then walk back with you to Billees, George," Nathan told him.
Back at Billees, Bill had all the Mounties gathered and bragging about his chili! Lee had the music playing and there were card games at just about every table and others playing darts.
Outside, Nathan and George could hear the noise coming from Billees before they even stepped into town. As Nathan walked inside the noise became a roar.
"Hey there's the man of the hour!" Lee shouted.
"Look at this guy who fell in love with someone else besides Newton!" Constable Gabe laughed.
"Hey, does she know you snore?" Constable Doug teased.
Bill called everyone to the kitchen. "What I have here is THE best of the west chili. You don't want to miss this! Take a cornbread muffin to go with!"
Lee chimed in, "Grab a beer if you don't have one to wash that down. Believe me, you'll need it!"
There was no shortage of joking, laughing, singing and quite a few too many beers. Every guy was totally relaxed and having a great time. Pastor Joseph made an early exit to finish up his sermon, and told everyone he would see them in church bright and early.
The Mounties were some of the biggest troublemakers playing catch across the room with apples and giving Nathan a hard time making him Mountie in the middle. Some of the apples didn't get caught which made for a very slippery floor.
Upstairs were the ladies from the social committee who decided to have a sleepover before heading back home. At first they ignored the loud noise and outbursts but when it got so noisy they were practically shouting at each other, they quietly left their rooms, crouched on the floor, and peaked between the railings to see what was going on.
Ned was dancing by himself and then Henry joined him.
"Look at those two clowns!" Teresa snickered.
They noticed Jesse eating more chili and belching quite loudly. Mike, Sam, Lee, and George were playing poker and were concentrating, and having a good game.
Nathan was proud that his dad, Archie, was not playing cards, so he challenged him to a game of darts.
Bill got on stage and said there was going to be some live entertainment. Eyebrows raised and wondered just what he meant.
Upstairs, Mary nudged her friend, Joyce and they were wondering the same.
That was the cue for Nathan and Carson to come on stage with Bill and grab their guitars. As they sang, more of the men joined in. "Hail, hail the gangs all here", "A pretty girl is like a melody," and "When Irish eyes are smiling."
"All right men, now what I've been waiting for, much better entertainment! I have a fun surprise for all of you!" He told Nathan to stay on the stage sitting in his seat. Bill and Carson went back to their chairs. The gaslights were lowered. Everyone was waiting patiently. The girls upstairs were as quiet as a mouse. Janice and Rita almost fell down trying to see better.
All of a sudden from the kitchen came several dancing girls. (Bill had put in a reservation for them as soon as he knew Nathan was getting married)
Were they ever shocking! One sat on a chair next to a Mountie and put her leg on the table. The others sauntered up to the stage with big feather fans! As they flung their fans down there stood Ravenous Roxy with her dancing dames!
Catherine just about stood up and yelled, "Hooray!" but Virlinda had to put her hand around her mouth and hold her down.
A few of the ladies upstairs gasped, but covered their mouths quickly. "Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Margaret. They couldn't believe their eyes.
The dames started to dance around the room as Roxy sang one song after another. "Daddy long legs," "Hanky Panky," and "Puttin' on the ritz." The fans were flying all around the room and there was plenty of legs flashing in front of Nathan, who was as red as his serge, if he had it on!
Then one of the dames, did the risque "Gypsy Dance" around Nathan.
"It's too hot in here!" Jane said upstairs.
"Go get a drink of water and cool off!" Debbie hushed her.
Kenda told everyone that this was just too much and retreated to her room.
Dawn was happy Kenda left so she could see better.
Then to conclude their performance they had bubble liquid and started singing, "I'm forever blowing bubbles" as they paraded around the room provocatively blowing bubbles at all the men.
When they exited, the gaslights went back up and the ladies upstairs quietly scampered back to their rooms giggling and laughing while the men just sat there in a daze.
