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to try to pry.
    "Really?  Well, isn't that an odd coincidence!  I'm sure that agency is responsible for sending hundreds of brides out over the years, though.  We're bound to wind up meeting some of them."  Edna bit into her bacon.  "I swear, I like bacon more every year.  I could eat it for three meals a day.  I wonder what a bacon wrapped peppermint stick would taste like."
    Iris had no response for that.  How could she?
     
    *****
     
    Iris watched Edna Petunia rush away immediately after church.  She even forgot to ask for her 'cough tonic' back.  She was astounded that Edna still hadn't told her where she was going.  It wasn't like her to be able to keep a secret about anything.  She was usually one of those people who had a thought, and no sooner did she realize she had the thought than she was speaking the thought aloud.
    "Dr. Sullivan?"  There was a tug on Iris's sleeve and she looked down into a smiling face.  "Aunt Tracy wants to meet you."  It was the youngest of the three Harvey girls.  Iris wished she could remember her name.
    "I'd love to meet your aunt Tracy, Miss Harvey." 
    The girl giggled. She obviously liked being called Miss Harvey. She took Iris's hand and led her through the church. They stopped in front of a woman around forty, who had a sweet smile on her face. "Are you Dr. Sullivan?"
    Iris smiled. "I am. I hear you were a mail order bride. I think my aunt's mail order bride agency from Beckham, Massachusetts placed you."
    Tracy smiled nodding. "Your Harriett's niece, correct?"
    "Yes I am. She married my uncle when I was five."
    "I was one of the first brides placed by her replacement Elizabeth Miller. I've heard wonderful things about. Harriett Long?"
    Iris nodded. "She's been Harriett Farmer for over twenty years though."  She couldn't remember a time when Harriett hadn't been her aunt. All of her sisters could though.
    Tracy took Iris's hand in hers squeezing it tightly. "I sure would like it if you join us for Sunday dinner."
    Iris loved the idea. Edna would be off God knows where, and she didn't like the idea of eating alone again. It would be nice to be included. "I'd love that."
    Tracy smiled. "Why don't I take Francis's girls out to the ranch with me then, and he can drive you out."
    There was a light in Tracy's eyes that scared Iris a little. She hoped the older woman wasn't trying to match make her and Francis. As attractive as she found the man, she didn't think they could ever get past their differences. "It would be fine. Will he be able to bring me back as well? Or should I just bring my own buggy?"
    "Oh I'm sure he won't mind bringing you back." Tracy waved at Francis from across the church.  When he walked over to join the two women, Tracy said, "Dr. Sullivan is going to join us for lunch. I'll take the girls and you drive her out."
    Francis looked like he wanted to argue, but he just nodded. "Did you bring a buggy to church? Or can you just leave with me?"
    "I've walked. I know it's only the second week in March, but the weather is beautiful here. I don't want to think about what the summer's going to be like though."
    Tracy sighed.  "It's best not to start thinking about summer in March. It comes soon enough. As much as I love Texas, I hate the summers."
    Iris wrinkled her nose. "I think I'm going to want to spend my summers in the Pacific Northwest. I don't know that I'll have that option though."
    "I don't think the town would appreciate being without a doctor for that long."
    "Probably not. I'm glad I was able to be here when Mallie broke her arm. The wagon ride would've been excruciating for her." Iris looked at Francis. "Do you mind driving me? I can always bring my own buggy."
    Francis glanced at Tracy before responding. He obviously looked up at her as half older sister and half mother figure. "No I don't mind. I'm happy to do it."
    "Good answer." Tracy gave Francis a look that let Iris know no other answer would have been acceptable.
    Mallie came skipping