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claws, lashing out at Philamena, who would obviously not stand a chance.
    Unlocking the bank door, Luke vowed to keep his future wife as sheltered and protected as possible. She appeared to have endured enough hurt and pain for many lifetimes.
     
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    Philamena couldn’t believe she needed all the things Abby had insisted were necessities. Between several gowns, a warm shawl, a new coat, corsets and underpinnings, Philamena couldn’t imagine needing anything else for a good long time to come.
    Abby insisted she needed hats, gloves, shoes and boots, a reticule, stockings, nightgowns, a warm robe, scented soap and all manner of items Philamena would never think of as necessities, but luxuries.
    Keeping a few things back for Philamena to use before Saturday, Abby had the rest of the items sent to Granger House.
    She and Abby were spending the afternoon at the dress shop, finishing the final touches on her wedding gown.
    Abby used her Singer sewing machine to create one of the most beautiful gowns Philamena had ever seen, not that she’d seen many. The gown Abby fashioned was something a princess would be proud to wear with smooth white satin and thick lace.
    Tomorrow, Philamena would stand in the church and vow her life to a man who was practically a stranger. When she voiced her concern that Luke was taking his end of the bargain to an extreme, Abby just smiled and said everything would work out for the best.
    Luke had been noticeably absent since he came for breakfast Tuesday. Philamena got the distinct feeling he was staying away from the parsonage and her for some unknown reason. Catching her reflection in the window, she let out a sigh.
    Although she was wearing a serviceable white blouse with a navy wool skirt, her hair was pulled tightly against her head and she felt plain and homely beside the vibrant and lovely Abby.
    Abby glanced over at her and grinned. Philamena had made a lot of progress in the past few days. She was now able to look Chauncy in the eye, she ate her fill at each meal and was learning to laugh, smile and express her emotions. Today, she had even made a few witty comments that made Abby laugh until her sides hurt and the baby kick repeatedly.
    Seeing the potential in Philamena, Abby wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass by to help her blossom.
    The next morning, Abby chased Chauncy out the door after breakfast, insisting Philamena take a bath with one of the bars of scented soap they’d purchased at the mercantile. Philamena, at first hesitant, soon sank into the tub and inhaled of the rose scent. It made her feel pampered and womanly.
    Finished with her bath and washing her hair, Philamena was just tugging her robe into place when Abby hurried into the room, declaring she was doing something with her hair.
    Snipping a bit here and trimming a little there, Abby cut some wisps that layered around Philamena’s face, turning the angles into curves, while the rest of her thick, curly hair fell to her waist.
    “Philamena, you’ve been holding out on us. Your hair is absolutely divine. I’d love to have hair that thick and curly and altogether lovely. Let’s see if we can come up with a new hairstyle for you.”
    As Abby began to twist her hair up into a loose jumble of curls on top of her head, Philamena turned and caught her friend’s hand warmly in her own. “But you have such lovely hair and lovely everything Abby. You’re beautiful from the inside out. No wonder Pastor Chauncy loves you so.”
    Abby smiled and squeezed Philamena’s hand. “Thank you, honey. But I don’t think you realize what a beauty you are in your own right. You are going to knock Luke senseless when he sees you.”
    At the mention of her groom, Philamena wanted to run into the guest room and lock the door. Although she had grown accustomed to being around Abby and Chauncy, it certainly didn’t mean she was ready to wed a handsome stranger and move into his home.
    Laughing, it appeared Abby could read