Sarah's Garden (33 page)
She did so with excitement.
“
Ach
, Grant . . . I can’t believe it.”
“Hothouse grown, I’m afraid.”
“I love them.”
He held out his hand and she took it, and then he pulled them both into the shelter of greenery. An abundance of tall, new rosebushes were trellised against the back of the stand wall and she moved to press her lips to his, feeling a welter of petals fall down and around them, landing on her
kapp
and on the shoulders of his light blue shirt.
“I love you, Grant Williams.”
He half closed his eyes in pleasure at the words, enjoying the feel of her against him.
“I love you, Sarah.”
And the tendrils of the rose buds seemed to reach to encircle them, a marriage of new green and shy pink, until she pulled on a vine and rained down more petals to fall in time with the rapid beating of their hearts.
F
irst and always, for Scott, my rose and the one true love of my life—you’re my best friend.
For Scott II and Dutch Wolfe, Grant, Gracie, Grace, and Joy—I love you all.
For Sara, who gave up home and hearth and exercise to give me peace and security and a safe place to write. I look forward to spending eternity with you.
For Dad and Mom, who believed in me and actively worked to make this book a possibility.
For my mother-in-law and father-in-law, who are always praying.
For Ruth and Faith, who were here from the start and who gave up their vacation to help.
For Noelle and her wonderful photography skills—you’re walking sunshine!
For Gramp and Grambo who pray.
For Tamela Hancock Murray, my agent, who makes me feel like I’m her only client.
For Mrs. Ring and Marti—thanks for the day in the pool and on the farm.
For Anna, my friend.
For Donna and Mobile Masterpieces, who made the kids happy while I wrote.
For Dr. Kelly, vet to the Amish and the source of all veterinarian knowledge herein.
For Dan Miller, who told the truth.
For Julie, who believed and cheered.
For Berkley, who gave good feedback.
Especially for Gaye Orsini, who edited, gave me stories of love, and who knows how to quilt.
For Natalie Hanemann, my editor and “internal cheerleader.”
For Dottie at the Bookmark and Mr. and Mrs. Massey, who prayed.
For the Amish people of North Central Pennsylvania, of Rote and Beech Creek—thank you.
For all of you, friends, family, and anyone I’ve neglected to mention—thank you for helping me on this wonderful journey of faith.
1. In what ways does Sarah know that God is speaking to her and helping her make decisions in her life? How does God guide you in your own life?
2. John 5:16-18a says: “So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.’ For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him;” Do you think Sarah broke the law of not working on the Sabbath when she helped Grant learn to set up his own garden? Was it perhaps an act of service?
3. What vulnerabilities does Grant experience due to the loss of his parents at a young age? How can personal loss ultimately produce strength in an individual?
4. How do cultural differences, like those between Sarah and Grant, make it difficult at times to form relationships or friendships?
5. How is Sarah’s quilting cathartic for her during this uncertain period in her life? Do you think being creative can help you solve difficult problems?
6. What keeps the Bustles “young at heart” despite their age? What are their secrets for living a happy and abundant life?
7. What is the meaning of community in this story? How does community extend beyond the boundaries of where people live or what they believe?
8. Why does Grant become Amish? Why does his conversion have to depend on more than just his love for Sarah?
9. How are the seasons of the gardens in the story reflective of the character’s lives? Why are the gardens, both Sarah’s and Grant’s, symbolic of their love?
10. What are the hidden meanings of the various deer in the story—the one at the creek, the one on the road, and the one in Grant’s past?
11. Why does
Grossmuder
King get away with her attitude? How would you respond to someone like her?
12. Describe the relationship between Sarah and Luke. How do they function as both siblings and friends?
13. How does Sarah grow up and change throughout the story? How do these changes reflect in what she says and does?
I
NTERESTED IN LEARNING
MORE ABOUT QUILTING
?
H
ERE ARE A FEW SITES
TO GET YOU STARTED
.
T
HE
N
ATIONAL
Q
UILTING
A
SSOCIATION
nqaquilts.org
Q
UILTERS
H
ALL OF
F
AME
quiltershalloffame.net
M
C
C
ALL’S
Q
UILTING
mccallsquilting.com
She isn't looking to be courted.
He's mending a broken heart.
It will take divine intervention for
these two to fall in love.
Available April 2011
