Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 7, Page 70

Nathan teased Dee right back, "So, I have to keep my eyes peeled? What is my beautiful, innocent lady up to?"

"I'm not saying, game on!" Dee laughed.

Emily realized there really wasn't anything for her to be upset about if Dee wasn't. She was relieved and happy to see the two of them laughing.

"Can I come down now?" Allie called from her bedroom.

"Ya, my angel." Emily answered.

Allie brought her guitar down with her, and asked her Dad to get his and practice with her. Nathan and Dee went into the living room and joined Emily and Allie. Just as Nathan was tuning up his guitar, there was a knock at the door. Nathan opened the door to Molly and Bill.

"Sorry to bother you Nathan, but would you please let us in? I want you to tell Molly what happened last night. Please?" Bill clearly was needing his friend's support.

"Come on in you two." Nathan opened the door and shut it quickly behind them before the cold wind swept throughout the house.

Molly was clearly upset and Bill was flustered. "Have a seat with the rest of us."

Emily offered them a cup of coffee and a slice of buttered banana bread. Bill was happy to, but Molly just took a cup of coffee, as she said she didn't feel like eating.

Nathan looked confused. "What is it you want me to say?"

"The truth. That I didn't know that the 'entertainment' was going to be so..."

Bill started, "so embarrassing!"

Nathan looked at Dee, who was snickering. Nathan thought, why does he have to go through this again. "Bill, Allie is here, and we are going to play guitar."

He looked over at Molly, "So, Molly, Bill apparently didn't know what these dancing women would do. I think it was a surprise to all of us. So, why don't we just relax and enjoy the day."

"Dee?" Molly looked at her. "Are you accepting this?"

Dee put her arm around Nathan and assured Molly she was just fine.

"Well then Emily, I'd love to have a slice of your banana bread." Molly smiled.

"Great, before anyone changes their mind, let me go get my guitar, I'll be right back." Bill offered.

As Bill left out the door, there was Carson and Faith standing there ready to knock. "Hurry and go inside," Bill advised.

Nathan got up again and asked what was it they needed. "A little support please?" Carson asked.

"Don't tell me, about the party last night?" he ventured.

Dee started to laugh hysterically, then Molly joined in. Faith asked them both "What is so funny?" Dee and Molly both let Nathan off the hook and shared what they all had been talking about. Soon everyone was laughing.

"Now, would you like some coffee and buttered banana bread too?" Emily grinned.

Bill returned with his guitar as Carson left for his. When Carson returned with his, Nathan got another log on the fire. Finally everyone was gathered together in the living room, tuning their guitars, and the song fest began.

Dee's voice was so beautiful and Molly joined in with her singing. The men had a little contest among themselves who could play the fastest or the longest. The weather outside was cold, but inside the friends were warm and happy singing and laughing. Allie felt so good with her Dad and his friends surrounding her and the ladies.

Emily got up and went about her usual business of cooking, as she loved to do so, especially for a group. Since the men had indulged in chili, with more than enough beer to wash it down the night before, she decided they needed something good for their stomachs. She got busy making creamy chicken noodle soup, and baked some bread. It smelled so good filling the home with it's aroma. She sat in her rocker and as she gazed around the living room and watched her son, his fiance, her granddaughter, good friends singing and laughing, and Ella and Ginger curled up by the fire she was more than content, she was happy, especially when they sang, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart."

The three couples were more than happy to have some soup as Emily called everyone to the table. She asked Nathan to say grace as usual, and he thanked God for his Ma, Allie, Dee, and great friends. They all joined in, each adding what they were thankful for, and Bill concluded he was thankful for forgiveness. With warm freshly baked bread and a hot bowl of soup to end the day, everyone went to bed and slept much better than the night before.