An Old Fashioned Southern Romance Novel by Annalise Arrington

about Annabella? Sure, she was beautiful, but so were a thousand other girls in town and they were not nearly as difficult to get along with as Annabella. She was simply incorrigible. But alas, she was no longer Warrenton’s headache. Annabella was gone and Warrenton couldn’t be happier. After all, he had finally settled on a bride and she was everything he ever wanted. To say that the townspeople disapproved would be an understatement. Marigold was downright hated in the community. So, it was a surprise to all when Warrenton showed up to his father’s funeral with the lengthy woman on his arm. While many tried to ignore the pairing out of respect for Warrenton’s father, some just could not let it go. Warrenton’s older sister had traveled from Washington to be there and she was in no mood to be cordial.
    “What is she doing here?” Delilah demanded to know.
    “Sister, please. This is hardly the place. Show some respect and kindly seat yourself!”
    “I will do nothing of the sort,” the stout woman assured her younger brother. “Daddy would never approve of this piece of compost!”
    “Who are you calling compost? Lard butt!”
    With that, Delilah swung her hefty handbag at the beanstalk of a woman. Marigold was struck square on the back and she wasted no time retaliating. She reached down to grab a handful of hair, but instead de-wigged the unsuspecting sibling. Delilah began to scream in horror as she placed both hands atop her bald head.
    “I will kill you!” She screamed as she charged after Marigold. Marigold began to run through the aisles, wig in hand, to evade the robust woman. Delilah was fueled by adrenaline and hate and she would not tire soon. Marigold attempted to jump over some arrangements and zigzag through others until the entire church was covered in flower petals. Onlookers shrieked in horror, but not one of them dared interfere with what appeared to be a family affair. When Delilah finally caught Marigold, it did not look good for her. Delilah snatched the wig from the young woman and began slapping her in the face with it. When Marigold attempted to block her face, Delilah grabbed her arms and wrestled her to the ground with them. Delilah commenced to sitting atop the woman and pounding her in the face. Marigold screamed to the delight of some of the mourners. Warrenton attempted to rescue his fiancée from his obviously deranged sister, but she took a swing at his face too. Warrenton had no choice but to allow the security officers to subdue her. It took more than two men to accomplish the task, but soon Delilah was handcuffed behind her back. She did not appear any less inclined to beat her nemesis to a bloody pulp, though she was now unable to attempt to do so. She was able to assess the damage she had caused as she was escorted out of the church and she was content that she had caused the girl physical harm. Marigold appeared to be dazed and still in disbelief about the events that had just occurred. She was no more in shock than the thousands that had turned out to send Daddy Boatwright home in peace. Warrenton tried to compose himself and comfort the woman he planned to marry. It was of little use, though, as Marigold was a complete wreck. One of the deaconesses escorted Marigold outside and motioned for Warrenton to sit down for the service. He felt comfortable enough with the elderly woman to trust that no harm would come to Marigold and he sat down to honor his father. Soon, like true Southerners, everyone acted as if a knock-down, drag-out fight did not occur just a few minutes prior.
    Daddy Boatwright was eulogized by his long-time friend, the bishop himself. The bishop was purposely long-winded, as he felt the man deserved to be honored in a way that meant usurping others’ time. But the gist of his recognition was that while Mr. Boatwright was an heir, he was also a self-made man. Warrenton’s father was larger than life. He was a philanthr opist and a former service man. He