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the rhyme. Granny was a genius with a sewing needle and, within four days, had altered the dress to fit Hannah’s rounder, shorter figure.
    For the first time in her life, Hannah felt pretty. Too bad she also felt like she wanted to vomit.
    They were to meet the groom at ten o’clock at the small church and although it was only nine thirty, they headed over. Sometimes the cold weather made it difficult for Granny to walk and Hannah didn’t want her grandmother to have to rush. That could lead to an injury, the very last thing they needed.
    Hannah had actually spent time fixing her hair that morning, another unusual occurrence. She normally put it in a braid or in a knot and never thought twice about it. Of course, she had wasted her time attempting to look pretty, for the rain had already turned her hair into a mass of kinky curls. It had been the first time she’d tried ironing it, too. She hoped her new husband didn’t notice the burn mark on her neck.
    The door to the church was slightly ajar. Perhaps the preacher was already there, waiting or preparing for the ceremony. Matthew had told her he would make the arrangements. She hadn’t heard anything from him except a cryptic note three days earlier to meet him at the church at ten.
    That time had almost arrived.
    “Stop pinching my arm, child.” Granny pulled her to a stop. “There’s no need to be scared. He’s a good man.”
    “I’m not scared, Granny. I’m, um, well, I’m not scared.” Her stomach told another story, but she wasn’t about to admit it. “I’m just worried is all. Nobody’s bought the boardinghouse yet.”
    “That fella from Eagle Creek might. He came back twice already. Said he was gonna bring his missus next week.” Granny waved her free hand in dismissal. “I ain’t worried, so you don’t need to be.”
    “But I—”
    “We’re done jawing about it.” The older woman started walking again and Hannah had no choice but to keep up. “You are trying to slow down time and it won’t work.”
    Was that what she was doing? Trying to hold onto her maiden status just a few minutes longer? Granny was probably right. Hannah held her head high and straightened her shoulders. At least she could maintain her dignity and show her new husband just how much of a lady she was.
    She pulled the church door open and held it for Granny. When they stepped inside the gloom of the foyer, the church was totally silent. Then as Hannah walked into the light, she realized that although it was quiet, the church was not empty by any means.
    There were seven of them, all standing together at the altar. The tallest was Matthew, but there were two other young men beside him, and four girls. Hannah recognized the oldest girl from long ago when she had attended school, but couldn’t remember her name. They were all of varying sizes, some with brown straight hair, some with brown wavy hair, even one with blond hair. Their eyes, however, were very similar, all shades of the same bluish green, all blinking at her like a family of owls.
    Hannah’s heart slammed into her throat and she couldn’t have made a sound if she’d tried. Granny must have sensed Hannah’s panic and the old woman saved her again.
    “Well, howdy. I didn’t know we’d have a passel of folks here.” Granny stepped forward, peering at each of them in turn. “I’m Martha Dolan. You can call me Granny. This here is my granddaughter, Hannah Foley.”
    Hannah was able to catch her breath and murmur a hello. Not a great first impression to make with her new family, but there it was.
    “She’s tall.” The smallest of the bunch, a blond-haired girl, peered up at Hannah. “Almost as tall as Matt.”
    Matt. It suited him better than Matthew. One was formal while the other matched him, at least what she knew of him. She felt as if she’d stepped back in time and had an arranged marriage. But instead of the marriage being arranged by their parents, they’d done it themselves. Many