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Chapter Two

The ten sisters formeda semi-circle around the hearth. Jane, the youngest, fidgeted at the end of the line, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her dress. The heavy summer air seemed to buzz with expectation, the kind that precedes a long-awaited storm or, in their case, the arrival of Elizabeth Tandy.

"Will she be stern, do you think?" Jane"s voice quivered slightly.

"Elizabeth Tandy? No, I've met her," Amy said with a reassuring smile. "She's sweeter than one of my pies."

As if on cue, the door swung open, and in breezed Elizabeth Tandy, with her striking blond hair and bright green eyes that instantly scanned the room, settling on each sister like a comforting touch. She wore a dress that managed to be both stylish and modest—a perfect mirror of her reputation as a professional yet nurturing matchmaker.

"Good afternoon, ladies!" Her voice was clear and confident, yet carried an undercurrent of genuine warmth. "I hope this day finds you well."

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Tandy," chorused the sisters, some with voices bold, others barely above a murmur.

"Please, call me Elizabeth. We"re to be friends, after all," she said with a gentle chuckle, moving closer to the group.

She began engaging each sister in turn, leaning in with an attentiveness that made it seem as though, for that moment, they were the only two people in the world. To the more reticent among them, she used a softer tone, while with the bolder spirits, she matched their enthusiasm.

"And what do you seek in a husband, my dear?" Elizabeth asked one of the sisters, her gaze encouraging.

"Someone kind, someone who respects my mind as much as my cooking, I suppose," Cassandra said.

"Ah, a partnership of equals. Admirable!" Elizabeth nodded approvingly before turning to the next sister. "And you? What would bring you joy in marriage?"

"Adventure," Gail declared with a twinkle in her eye. "Life is too short for boredom."

"Yes, it is," agreed Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth reached Jane, the girl"s heart fluttered like a trapped bird. "Mrs. T—Elizabeth, I mean, I don"t quite know what to look for..."

"Jane, isn"t it?" Elizabeth said softly, her intuition guiding her. "That"s all right. Sometimes, it"s not about looking, but being open to what comes your way."

"That sounds smart," Jane said.

"Exactly. And sometimes," Elizabeth continued, "the best matches are those we never could have dreamed up ourselves."

Deborah sat on the outskirts of the gathering, her fingers moving nimbly over the knitting needles. The soft clacking sound was a soothing counterpoint to the thrum of excited voices filling the room. She glanced up now and then, watching Elizabeth Tandy"s easy smiles and listening to the laughter she drew from each of Deborah's sisters. Deborah"s own smile was small, tentative – it was easier to retreat into the familiar patterns of yarn than risk the uncertainty of conversation.

"Deborah, isn"t it?" The voice, warm and clear as a bell, pulled her gaze up. Elizabeth stood before her, a basket of colorful yarn resting on one hip. Deborah"s heart skipped, but she managed a nod, her hands not missing a beat in their work.

"I see you"re quite the knitter," Elizabeth observed, her eyes appreciative as they took in the intricate pattern emerging from the needles. "I have a feeling you put a lot of care into everything you do."

Deborah felt a blush rise to her cheeks. "It"s just knitting," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Ah, but it"s more than that. It"s an art," Elizabeth countered gently, pulling a chair close to sit down. "And if I may say so, I believe finding the right match for someone is a bit like knitting – it"s about creating something beautiful from two very different strands."

Deborah laughed softly, the tension in her easing just a bit at the analogy. "I suppose that makes sense," she said.

"Deborah," Elizabeth said, leaning forward with sincerity lighting up her green eyes, "I understand that this whole process can seem frightening. But I promise you, we"ll find someone who will value you for who you are, fears and all."

"Even if I"m... afraid of men?" Deborah asked softly.

"Especially then." Elizabeth"s assurance was firm, kind. "Someone patient and gentle, who will give you the space to grow comfortable, at your own pace."

Deborah blinked rapidly, the kindness in Elizabeth"s words weaving through her defenses. For the first time, she allowed herself to entertain the thought that maybe, just maybe, there could be a man out there who would understand her quiet ways.

"Thank you," Deborah finally said, her voice steadier than she felt. "I"ll try to remember that."

Elizabeth patted her hand, a touch as light as a summer breeze. "That"s all I ask." Rising from her seat, she added with a playful glint, "Now, don"t let me keep you from your masterpiece. I expect to see a lovely pair of socks when you're done!"

With a soft chuckle, Deborah watched Elizabeth move away, her presence leaving a warmth that lingered in the air.

"Mrs. Tandy?" Deborah"s voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried enough to halt Elizabeth in her tracks.

Elizabeth pivoted back, her green eyes locking onto Deborah with an attentive gaze. "Yes?"

"Suppose... suppose no one finds me agreeable?" Deborah"s question hung between them, laden with the weight of her insecurities. "I"m just... I"m ordinary. And I"m skilled at naught but knitting."

"Deborah Brown," Elizabeth said, taking a step closer, her tone imbued with conviction. "You are far from ordinary. I look at you and I can almost feel your kindness wash over me. That's anything but ordinary."

"But I fear men won"t see past..." Deborah trailed off, unable to articulate the shadow that lurked in her past.

"Love isn"t about seeing past," Elizabeth replied gently. "It"s about seeing within. The right man will cherish the very things that make you "you"."

"Thank you," Deborah murmured, feeling a curious lightness, as if the weight of doubt had lessened ever so slightly.

"Trust in the journey, Deborah," Elizabeth encouraged before turning her attention to the rest of the room, where the other sisters awaited her guidance.

"Hannah, what joy brings you to a man"s company?" Elizabeth asked, her manner engaging and kind. Hannah, with her boisterous laughter, spoke of a love for dancing and lively evenings.

"Cassandra, what dreams do you whisper to the night sky?" Cassandra shared her longing for a partner who would allow her to start her own business, someone who wouldn't feel threatened by her need to be independent.

"Brenda, tell me, what strength do you seek in another?" Brenda"s eyes twinkled as she confessed her desire for a man who could match her stubbornness with patience.

Deborah watched, listening to the hopes and aspirations unfolding around her. Elizabeth"s talent for reading hearts, for weaving connections where none were seen, filled the room with the promise of what tomorrow might bring.

The ten sisters circled around Elizabeth Tandy, and Deborah could feel her sisters' excitement. Deborah stood slightly apart, her hands clasped together.

"Remember, girls," Elizabeth was saying, her voice a warm embrace, "the heart knows no distance. Texas may be far, but love will bridge any expanse."

"Does love also temper the heat?" Cassandra asked, fanning herself with a hand as if feeling the Texas sun already.

"Only the heat of loneliness, dear," chuckled Elizabeth, her green eyes dancing.

Jane"s gaze fixed on Elizabeth. "We won"t forget you," she promised, the youngest's resolve mirrored in her steady tone.

"Nor I you," replied Elizabeth, her smile soft yet confident. "Each of you is bound for a grand adventure. And don't forget, I'll be with you every step of the way. And Mrs. Jackson has decided to go as well!"

"Adventure?" asked Hannah, eyebrows arched. "I thought it was a dance."

"Life"s greatest adventures often begin with a single step," Elizabeth countered sagely, her laughter mingling with theirs.

"Or a misstep," added Faith, ever the mirthful one, twirling in place. "Especially in my case."

"Then we"ll just pick each other up," Amy said.

"Indeed," agreed Elizabeth, nodding. "You have each other, and that"s more than most can boast."

"Will there be cowboys?" Imogene asked.

"Plenty," Elizabeth assured her, bending down to meet the girl"s gaze. "But remember, a cowboy"s charm is not just in his hat."

"Is it in his boots, then?" teased Deborah, surprising herself with a small grin.

"Perhaps," Elizabeth laughed, straightening. "But always look beyond the boots and hats to the heart beneath."

"Enough about hats and hearts," Amy said, with a practicality that matched her no-nonsense bun. "We have a train to catch."

"Right you are," Elizabeth said, stepping back as the sisters gathered their few belongings.

"Thank you, Elizabeth. For everything," Jane said, her voice carrying all their gratitude. "I don't like it that I can't join my sisters in Texas right away, but I'm so thankful you've made arrangements for me to

"Off you go, then," Elizabeth waved them toward the door, her blond hair catching the light like a halo.

"Texas awaits!" cheered Erna, leading the procession with a skip in her step.

"Goodbye, Elizabeth," they chorused as the older woman took her leave.

"Goodbye, my dears. I'll see you at the train station tomorrow," Elizabeth called as she walked out to her buggy.

The train ride seemed to take forever, but was also over much too soon in Deborah's eyes. Soon, they were getting ready for the dance, having taken over Susan Dailey's residence. Susan was Elizabeth's sister, and she had done a great deal to help organize the dance, making sure all the single men in the area knew what was happening.

Deborah put on the dress that had been provided, and though it felt strange to be dressed up as she was, she was more nervous about what she would do if asked to dance.

The air inside Susan Dailey's house crackled with anticipation, a flurry of activity as the women bustled about, making final adjustments to their dresses and smoothing down any stray hairs. The room was filled with the soft rustle of fabric and the gentle clink of jewelry as each sister added finishing touches to their attire. Deborah felt a bead of sweat trickle down her back, the heat of the Texas summer threatening to overwhelm her.

As the sisters prepared to walk to the church for the dance, Deborah couldn't shake off her apprehension. The thought of fainting from the oppressive heat loomed over her like a dark cloud, casting a shadow on the excitement of the evening. She glanced at Cassandra, who was adjusting a stray ribbon on her dress with practiced ease.

"Cassandra," Deborah began hesitantly, drawing her sister"s attention. "Do you ever wonder about the men we might meet tonight?"

Cassandra turned to face Deborah, her expression contemplative. "I suppose I have. But we can't keep worrying about the men we're going to meet. It's going to work out for us. I know it is!"

The Texas heat enveloped the women as they made their way from Susan"s house to the church where the dance was being held. Deborah walked with trepidation, worry etched on her brow, afraid she might faint from the oppressive heat. She fanned herself with her hand, trying to cool down as she walked beside Cassandra.

Cassandra noticed Deborah"s discomfort and placed a comforting hand on her arm. "Are you all right, Deb? You look a bit pale."

Deborah forced a small smile. "Just not used to this heat, I suppose. Maybe there will be men standing around the church with giant fans, waving them back and forth to help us stay cool. I don't know that I want to meet my future husband while I'm sweating like a...I would say sweating like a pig, but that's so cliche. Sweating like a lady at a dance on a very hot evening."

Cassandra chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling. "I doubt it, but we"ll survive, as we always do." She paused, glancing at Deborah thoughtfully. "Are you nervous about tonight?"

Deborah"s expression shifted slightly, her eyes revealing her unease. "A little. I"m not sure I"m cut out for all this dancing and socializing but I"m trying to keep an open mind. I just hope that whoever I meet will see past my awkwardness and fear."

Cassandra squeezed her arm reassuringly. "You are more than just your fears, Deborah. Remember, tonight is for us. Don't worry about disappointing anyone. Just smile and go with it!"

Deborah nodded, grateful for Cassandra"s words. As they approached the church, the strains of music drifted out into the warm evening air, mingling with the murmur of voices and laughter. The flickering lanterns cast a soft glow over the scene, creating a magical atmosphere that made Deborah"s worries momentarily fade away.

The sound of laughter and chatter grew louder as they entered the church hall, where couples were already twirling around the dance floor. Cassandra gave Deborah an encouraging smile before joining the other sisters as they dispersed to mingle with the crowd.

Deborah stood on the edge of the room, feeling a combination of excitement and dread knotting in her stomach.

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