The Homesteader's Sweetheart (26 page)

Epilogue

“I
’m glad we chose a Christmas wedding,” Penny murmured, snuggling closer into Jonas’s side under the heavy layer of blankets. Snow fell all around the sleigh, muffling sounds and making it seem as if they were the only two people on earth right now.

“It was a pretty service,” he agreed, the words muted by the scarf he’d looped around his chin and lower face. She suspected he’d have said that if the ceremony was as simple as standing up after Sunday morning services and pledging their lives to each other.

Unfortunately, Penny’s mother had wanted an extravagant affair for her only daughter. Jonas had suffered through many conversations about pine boughs and fancy dresses with good humor.

After winning over her father, Penny’s mother was easy in comparison.

Jonas’s initial courting had consisted of a couple of sporadic trips to Calvin, where he’d had to bring along the children because it was too much for her grandfather to watch over all of them. Finally, Penny’s mother had taken pity on the pair and arranged an extended visit with Walt for herself and her daughter, to keep things appropriate.

With Penny only a short walk away, Jonas had been a frequent visitor, and she’d spent much time on his homestead with the children.

She knew Jonas had been afraid she might tire of him or change her mind about their relationship, but the more time they spent together, the deeper she fell in love with him. With some not-so-subtle urging from the boys, he’d proposed in the fall.

Now, he flipped the reins and urged the horses pulling their sleigh to move faster, probably as anxious as she was to get home. To
their
cabin. And
their
children. The animals seemed to realize they were almost to their warm barn, and they sped up accordingly.

“I am sorry we couldn’t take a longer honeymoon.” Jonas shifted next to her. Probably as stiff and cold as she was after the long ride. “You deserve more than two nights in Cheyenne. I’m sure there are plenty of fancier hotels back East…”

“I don’t want to be back East. I’m right where I want to be.” She reached up and smacked a kiss on the small patch of bare skin at his temple, quickly ducking her face back into her own scarf to escape the frigid air.

“I’m glad. Because we’re about to give up our privacy for the next thirteen or so years, until Breanna leaves home.”

“Hmm,” she hummed, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Or longer, if we have children of our own…”

He inhaled deeply. “Hadn’t thought of that—”

The sleigh topped the last rise before they’d pulled into the yard and immediately a shout rang out. “They’re home!”

Chattering voices echoed across the silent, still evening. Light spilled across the darkened landscape and the family tumbled over each other onto the porch, waving and yelling wildly.

“They must’ve been waiting for us,” Penny said, unable to stop her smile. She raised her gloved hand and waved back, scattering snow and making Jonas chuckle in her enthusiasm.

“Pa! Ma!”

Hearing the title for the first time—Breanna had tentatively asked if it would be all right to call Penny “ma” just before the wedding—Penny’s heart threatened to burst.

Yes, she was right where she belonged. Home.

* * * * *

Dear Reader,

Thank you for picking up this book! I hope you fell in love with Jonas White like I did. Jonas had strength enough to overcome his past, including being abandoned by his parents and surviving life on the streets of Philadelphia. He could have let his past turn him into a bitter, cynical person, but instead he chose to use it to help him understand the orphaned kids he brought into his life. Jonas’s compassion and big heart are two of the things I like best about him.

I’d love to hear what you thought about Jonas and this book! Visit my website at www.lacywilliams.net or send me an email at [email protected].

Lacy Williams

Questions for Discussion

1. Jonas White is passionate about finding a cure for his daughter, if possible. He is willing to do anything to help her. What is the one thing you’re most passionate about and why?
   
2. Why do you think Jonas’s family is so important to him?
   
3. Penny Castlerock has dual motives for visiting her grandfather—one unselfish and one selfish. Have you ever worked on a project or helped someone with more than one reason behind your motivation? What was the end result of those actions?
   
4. In the beginning of this book, fancy clothes and fine things are very important to Penny. Is there anything wrong with thinking this way? What dangers could come from putting too much value on possessions?
   
5. Penny believes a lie about Jonas based on gossip and half-truths. Have you ever believed something and later found out the truth? How did it make you feel?
   
6. Jonas’s daughter Breanna suffers from a disorder that causes her to have occasional seizures, but she embraces the little joys in her life. Have you ever been close to someone with a disorder or disability? What did you admire most about that person?
   
7. Penny worries about her brother, Sam, and tries to encourage him to behave better. Have you ever been close to someone you thought was making a wrong decision or behaving badly? What did you do?
   
8. Penny and Jonas come from very different circumstances. Her family is comfortably wealthy while he must work hard to survive on his simple homestead. Have you ever known someone who was in a very different social circle than you? In what ways did it affect your friendship?
   
9. Penny makes the decision to write a letter to find out more about Breanna’s condition without letting Jonas know about it. Have you ever done something like this without another person’s knowledge? What happened in that situation?
   
10. Penny earns the respect of the White family by doing simple things to help them, and not because of her family’s money or social standing. Describe a time when your view of someone else changed based on their actions and not on status.
    
11. Jonas’s abandonment by his parents makes him believe that others will eventually leave him, too. Give an example of something from your past that has shaped the way you think today.
    
12. What do you think causes Penny to start seeing Jonas in a different light?
    
13. Penny rides a bronco to help Jonas’s family. Have you ever done something outrageous or dangerous? What was it and why did you decide to do it?
    
14. Jonas must overcome his fears of being unworthy to win Penny’s heart. Discuss a fear that you have had to overcome. How did you get past it?
    
15. What do you think was the theme message of this book?
    

ISBN: 9781459227897

Copyright © 2012 by Lacy Williams

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