A hunchbacked priest pulled the bell rope in the landmark cathedral in Sangredios. He reveled in the resonant clang, then tugged the rope again.
Yaquita paced back and forth before the ornately carved altar in her dazzling wedding dress. Exasperated, Yaquita clapped her hands to get the priest’s attention. “Father, I demand that we get started.”
“No, my daughter,” he said. “We’d have to post the banns, first.”
“How long will that take? I’m sure he’ll be here any minute.”
“The banns take three days.”
“Oh, no you don’t!” Yaquita crossed her arms over her chest and gave the man a glare that would have ignited coals. “You’ll have to do better than that!”
“I … I’ll take another look in the book,” the priest said.
* * *
Smith drove down the road, scanning the village ahead until he final
