EPILOGUE

FAITH AND JACOB STOOD ON a rise where they could see the house and fields in the distance. Jacob put his arm around his wife and pulled her close.

“It’s changed some in almost nine years, hasn’t it?”

“It has. You’ve worked hard and accomplished a lot.”

“We’ve worked hard.” He saw a look of disbelief flicker across her pretty face. “It’s true. You’ve worked just as hard as I have, and I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“It doesn’t seem that way to me. It’s been a joy. Having you for a husband has been a joy.”

He kissed her then, a slow, passionate kiss. He felt her melt in his arms and marveled she still reacted to him like that.

He felt so blessed. The farm produced well and had from the very start. They had a nice, white clapboard farmhouse and a large barn. The small herds added extra income each year, and the farm animals provided plenty of food.

They heard a faint noise from the house and turned their heads to see Jonathan come running outside with David on his heels. The boys had let the door bang again. No matter how many times they were reminded, they went everywhere in such a rush and doors slammed behind them.

Jonathan, at almost nine years old, thought he could put in a full day’s work on the farm, and he almost could. Seven-year-old David tried hard to do anything his older brother did. Thanks to Faith, they both were excellent students as well.

Little Martha made the tiniest speck in the yard, as she came out followed by Lena. Jacob smiled when he saw Marty, as he always did. She thought the sun rose and set with her pa. He’d never realized before how special a daughter could be. He wouldn’t mind another one, and the way his wife always responded to him, it was quite likely.

“Do you remember our wedding ten years ago?” Jacob knew she did.

“Who could forget? We’d both just buried family, and Marshall and the council decided it’d be best if we married. I was so afraid of what we were doing, but from prayer and Lena’s advice, I hoped for the best.”

“Why did you agree? I always thought the arrangement gave me more than it did you.”

“I really had nowhere to go after my aunt and uncle died, so that helped make the decision, but I looked into your eyes, and something drew me. I saw a warmth and openness there that I liked.”

“Well, God certainly blessed me that day and set me on a path to fulfillment and peace. I feel as if I’m sheltered by love, His love and yours. He also showed me how stupid I’d been to try to keep away from you to protect you. I’ve learned to trust Him more, and He’s always been faithful.”

“He always is, but sometimes we fail to see that. And we had to go through almost two wildernesses, didn’t we? The trip here reminds me of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for forty years. Also just like they did, we made our own wilderness when we made things hard for ourselves.”

“You mean I made things hard for us when I tried to pull away from you, thinking I was protecting you.” He paused. “Do you know how much I love and appreciate you, Faith? I thank God for you many times a day. I never knew I could feel so much love, and, as remarkable as it is, it grows deeper all the time.”

“I know. I feel like that, too.”

“Well, let’s take advantage of this day to ourselves. Let’s go back to that secluded spot by the creek you like so much. We can eat our picnic and maybe take a nap.”

The inviting look she gave him told him she knew very well they would do more than sleep. Thank you, dear Lord, for all Thy many showers of blessings.

As if He wanted to answer Jacob immediately, a warm shower of rain began to fall. Jacob picked Faith up high and spun her around as her laughter bubbled over.