Everyone started talking at once. Emily stared in bewilderment at the angry faces around her. Even the judge jumped into the fray, vehemently denying any wrongdoing. Clutching at their mother’s skirts, the wide-eyed children stared at the battling adults, the youngest with his thumb in his mouth.

Mrs. Decker shot an angry glance at Chase. “How could you make such a mistake?”

“That’s what I want to know,” Garvey said, looking to Emily for an answer.

Wringing her hands, Emily shook her head. “I-I thought you were him.”

Mrs. Decker scoffed. “That’s a likely story. They don’t even look alike.”

Emily and Chase took turns trying to explain how such a mistake had happened, but their words fell on deaf ears. Neither Mrs. Decker nor the man Emily was supposed to have married could be placated.

Hands at her waist, Mrs. Decker glared at Chase McKnight. “If you didn’t want to marry me, why didn’t you just say so?” Scooting her children out the door, she left in a huff, with Mr. Garvey close behind.

Chase started for the door, but his uncle waylaid him. “Let her go. She’s too upset to hear anything you have to say. Wait till she’s had time to calm down.”

Chase hesitated for a moment before giving a reluctant nod. Jaw clenched, he spun around and slammed his fist on the judge’s desk. “Fix this!”

Emily turned toward the desk, hoping for a speedy solution to their problem, but her hopes were dashed the moment she set eyes on the judge.

Looking befuddled, he ran a finger inside his collar and grimaced. “Well, I…”

Chase’s uncle shook his head. “There’s no time. Your stepbrother—”

“I don’t care,” Chase seethed. “I want this fixed! Now!”

With a glance at the clerk, the judge drew a handkerchief out of his pocket and dabbed at his sweaty forehead. Replacing the handkerchief, he cleared his throat. “I’m sure this isn’t the first time something like this has happened.” The judge’s hollow laugh was met with scowls. Growing serious, he reached for a leather-bound book and thumbed through the pages.

“Ah, here we are,” he said, sounding relieved. “Annulment.” Adjusting his spectacles, he quickly scanned the page. “This should only take a few minutes. You just have to answer a few questions.” Finger holding his spot, he looked up and asked in all seriousness, “Why do you want an annulment?”

Chase reared back. “Why? Because I married the wrong woman, that’s why!”

“Yes, yes, yes, I know that.” The judge stabbed the page with his finger. “But that’s not listed here as legitimate grounds for annulment.”

The uncle jabbed the muzzle of his shotgun on the floor and placed both hands on the butt. “What are legitimate grounds?”

The judge’s finger moved down the page. “Bigamy, for one.” He looked up. “Are either of you married?”

“Yes, we’re married,” Chase said, his voice thick with impatience. “To each other!”

The uncle stared straight at Emily. “I think he’s asking if either one of you is married to someone else.”