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did freak out. I can’t be Pastor Graham around you. You’re like my little sister now.”
    Sarah smiled. “Cool. Now I’ve got a pseudo big brother and big sister.”
    â€œA rather twisted family.”
    She laughed. “Listen, do me a favor.”
    â€œAnything.”
    â€œWould you keep an eye on Julia? Help her out if she needs it?”
    His shoulders stiffened. “I don’t know what I can do.”
    â€œJust help her with whatever. You’re so good with people. I’m sure she’ll need an ally.”
    Seth knew it was a bad idea to have anything to do with Julia, but he nodded anyway. “I’ll do what I can.”
    And he’d do what he could to preserve his sanity as well.
    ****
    Sarah had given Julia directions to Marry Me the day before. The boutique was located in downtown Covington Falls. The not-quite-bustling town center consisted of Main Street, which ran north-south, while 1 st Avenue ran east-west.
    Framing the four corners of town were four churches. On the north end of Main Street was Covington Falls Community Church, where Seth was the pastor. On the southern end was Christ Memorial. The eastern sentinel was Good News Gospel Church, and the western front was guarded by St. Mark’s. Covington Falls was an equal opportunity town so there was also a Jewish Temple, though it wasn’t on the main downtown strips.
    At the intersection of Main and 1 st Avenue was Rice Circle, which surrounded a picturesque park. On one side of the park was City Hall and opposite was the Main Library. The wide sidewalks were lined with old-fashioned street lamps. Colored awnings swayed in the breeze, and each store window was decked out to the nines. It was as though someone had conjured up the image of what the perfect small town should look like and plopped it down right here.
    It was downright creepy .
    Julia found Marry Me and pulled into a parking space. The shop was framed by a dress boutique on one side and a baby store on the other. She wondered if anyone had ever noticed the irony in the order of the stores. Boutique where you buy the dress for the date, which leads to the wedding, which leads to the requisite babies. True one-stop-shopping right here in downtown Covington Falls.
    She was about to go in when she happened to glance at the window display. The centerpiece of the window featured a beaded wedding gown hanging from one of those Oriental silk dressing screens. A lovely antique vanity, loaded with a collection of makeup brushes, a silver brush and comb set, perfume atomizer, silk hose, and even a blue garter, sat next to the screen. Hooked on the corner of the mirror was a long, filmy veil.
    Julia stared in fascination. The scene seemed to be a slice in time, and she half expected the bride to appear and commence getting ready for her wedding.
    The bleat-bleat of a car horn brought her back to earth. She spun around as a red compact car pulled into the empty space next to hers. Out popped a tiny blonde with cornflower-blue eyes and the widest grin Julia had ever seen. The woman was wearing a lavender suit with matching pumps. Her wispy, chin-length bob was held back with a lavender headband, and she was carrying a lavender handbag.
    Good grief! A pixie in a business suit.
    The pixie bounded up onto the sidewalk, her grin getting even wider if possible. “Hi. I’m Betsy. Sarah called and told me you’d be starting today. This is so exciting, you coming back like this. It’s going to be so much fun .”
    Julia opened her mouth to respond, but Betsy was off again.
    â€œYou probably don’t remember me. Well, of course you wouldn’t. I was only like five when you lived here before. Truthfully, I didn’t remember you, either. I don’t think I even knew Sarah had a sister. Wow, you’re a tall one, aren’t you? Love the red hair.”
    Betsy floated by on a cloud of flowery-scented perfume and unlocked the front