“Walter is at the front of the aisle, looking like he’s about to burst with pride. He’s rocking back and forth on his heels, and his smile is so wide. Now he’s laughing! He’s beaming at you like it’s the best day of his life.”

Everyone in the church swiveled to watch as they progressed down the aisle. Annabelle didn’t care if they looked odd as she leaned in to whisper everything into her sister’s ear. This was Elaine’s moment, and she deserved the full experience.

“Okay, he quit laughing, and he’s just smiling now,” she continued. “Dad’s eyes are getting watery. The priest looks scary, but don’t worry. Walter’s got everything under control.”

“No doubt about that,” Roy murmured, and it was true. Elaine was going to be in good hands.

Annabelle took a step back as they reached the altar. Roy greeted Walter, then stood aside while the groom took Elaine’s hand in his own. It was the proudest moment of Annabelle’s life. She had helped Elaine get this far, and now her sister was embarking on a new and wonderful life with the blessing of God and the community. After today, Annabelle’s work here was done.

Gray’s insatiable, churning desire to stop the Magruders in their tracks had consumed him, partly because he suspected them of playing a role in Luke’s downfall, partly because it was simply the right thing to do. Aside from a little egg on their face, the Magruders had suffered no lasting damage from the Good Housekeeping article. More work needed to be done.

The plan he had worked out with Caroline could impede the Magruders’ ability to foist cheap, adulterated food on the market, and he wanted Annabelle to be a part of it.

He strode through the front doors of the Department of Agriculture and vaulted up to the third floor, all the while dragging his hands through his hair and straightening his collar. Annabelle deserved his respect, and he didn’t want to look like a slovenly lout who’d raced across town. He needed her. He couldn’t explain precisely why and didn’t have the time to examine his motives too closely, but he needed to mend this rift with Annabelle.

He strode through the door of the laboratory where she worked but only saw her two coworkers. What they said made no sense. They tried to tell him that Annabelle had resigned, but he couldn’t believe it.

“What do you mean she’s resigned?” he demanded.

“She’s quit,” the younger man said with relish. “Said she needed to go back to Kansas to save the family farm, took a sack of durum wheat kernels with her, and set off for the wild west. I was appalled. Do they even have electricity in Kansas?”