“By the power vested in me by the State of Texas, I pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister from El Gato droned. He was one of those old-school fellows who adopted a singsong voice every time he preached. It was silly to use that tone at a wedding ceremony. Then...

Early December Penelope wrapped her arms around her middle and shivered at the sight of the fat white flakes falling faster and faster on the other side of the window. She wasn’t sure why she was shivering, since the fireplace in the living room was doing a marvelous...

One month later Annabelle bent over her hoe in the morning sun, putting her back into turning the soil. It was discouraging how little progress she’d made on her tiered garden in the past month. She’d been hoping to impress her husband soon with several blooming...