Chapter 2: The Paper Bride

Elias stands in that yard with the matchbook in his hand, and the woman in his mother's dress talks long enough that he wears the first match out and has to take a second one. That detail is the whole chapter for me. A man who has truly decided doesn't need another match.
I also have a soft spot for Amos Kerr, who rides four miles with candy in his coat, cries over his sister's boy, and never once asks the question he came to ask.
If you'd like to read ahead, early chapters are available on my p*****n: https:///zuochuang