The news felt like a weight on Annabelle’s chest, making it hard to draw a deep breath. She plastered a fake smile on her face. Elaine claimed she could hear a smile in a voice, and Annabelle was determined to seem happy.

“Congratulations,” she said. “When is the wedding?”

“Two weeks. Walter is fifty-two and isn’t getting any younger, so we don’t want a long engagement.”

The plan was for Elaine to learn how to help in the grocery store, and then she would move into the Talbot family home above the store after the wedding. They wanted to have a child as soon as possible, and then Elaine would stay home with the baby.

Annabelle ought to be overjoyed, not low and gloomy. But this was such a dreary little apartment, and after Elaine left, it would be lonely. Should she even stay in Washington? Elaine wouldn’t need her anymore, and her parents desperately needed help on the farm.

The only thing that Annabelle knew for sure was that after Elaine married, life would never be the same again.

Annabelle’s parents arrived in Washington the following week. The intention was for Maude and Roy Larkin to meet Walter, help with the wedding preparations, and then enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime visit in the nation’s capital.

It didn’t work out that way. Their mother was critical from the moment Walter welcomed them at the train station. As he helped stow their luggage above the rented carriage, Maude pulled Annabelle and Elaine aside.

“His hair is entirely silver!” Maude whispered harshly.

“He told me he went prematurely gray while he was in his thirties,” Elaine defended in a low voice.

“And how many decades ago was that?”

It was a pointless question, for her parents already knew that at fifty-two, Walter was twenty-three years older than Elaine. Of course, Walter’s biggest crime was his intention to marry Elaine, ensuring that Maude’s eldest daughter would never return to Kansas.

Maude and Roy would be staying in their tiny apartment for the duration of the visit, and it was going to be a tight fit. As soon as they settled their luggage at the apartment, Walter drove them all to his neighborhood so they could tour his grocery store.

“I’m already learning how to pickle all kinds of salads and vegetables,” Elaine said as they entered the shop.

With its gleaming wood floors, colorful displays, and huge variety of delicacies, Annabelle thought her parents would be pleased with the shop and Walter’s ability to support Elaine, but her mother continued to find fault.

“Four dollars for mustard,” Maude said, aghast, as she held an elegant glass jar.

Walter was polite. “It is imported from France and made with fermented cranberry wine. There’s nothing else quite like it. I’d be happy to serve some at a meal while you are visiting.”