by Kelly Irvin
Love needed no more words.
Feelings floated on the star-kissed breeze. They intermingled. The air became electric. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, yet lightning crackled and sparked against the velvety richness of night.
“When?”
Hannah laughed. She scrambled to her feet and blew a kiss through the open window. “As soon as possible. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Thaddeus’s kisses floated on the air around her as she skipped down the steps and into a future filled with many more days and nights of love and laughter.
EPILOGUE
Seven weeks later
The stares no longer held contempt or pity. Only delight. Hannah strolled through the throng of family members and friends wishing her and Thaddeus a long and happy life together.
She couldn’t stop smiling. Under the circumstances a small wedding had been Ben’s decree, but his smile had softened the implied criticism. The past was behind them. They’d been forgiven and now they would live the life everyone had hoped and prayed for.
The small crowd parted and slipped from the barn. Laura waited, her hands wrapped around the handles of Zechariah’s wheelchair. He had both arms around Evie, who crowed with delight at every person who passed by. Zechariah looked wizened, a frail ghost of his former self, but his smile radiated as brightly as the sun overhead.
“Congratulations, my girl.” One arm flailed while the other remained firmly anchored around Evie’s waist. “Thaddeus, Godspeed.”
Hannah ran ahead. She wrapped him in a hug. His skinny body was all pointy bones. “I’m so glad you could be here.”
“I ain’t going nowhere, girl. Not yet anyhow.”
“He’s too ornery.” Laura joined in on the hug. “The doctor says he’ll beat us all by ten years. Get over here, Thaddeus, I want to hug your neck.”
Thaddeus obliged. “Danki for everything. Both of you.”
“We didn’t do nothing.” Zechariah snorted. “You best take gut care of her now. And this bopli.”
“Daed, daed!” Evie flung both chunky arms in the air. “Take me!”
“She called me daed.” Thaddeus’s smile widened. He took her into his arms. “She knows me.”
They’d spent every possible moment together over the past three weeks since his release from the bann. Evie had taken to following him around the house like a little puppy, sitting on his lap, and begging him to sing to her.
“Take her in the house with you.” Laura patted his arm. “Have a seat at the eck. I’ll come get her as soon as I say hi to everyone.”
Only a few people had come from out of town. Ben had made it clear that weddings under these circumstances were to be low-key, forgiveness or not.
Nothing could mar Hannah’s happiness. Life would not be easy. Scripture contained no words that said it would be. But she and Thaddeus had overcome their sin and made it right through repentance and penitence. Their slates were clean.
She squeezed Thaddeus’s free hand as they neared her parents’ house. He squeezed back and grinned.
“Now?” He glanced around. That mischievous glint was back in his eyes. “Now can I kiss you?”
She followed his gaze. People were everywhere. Friends, family, visitors.
They were married after all.
“Quick.” His grip tightened. He tugged her up the porch stairs.
“Thaddeus!”
Inside the front door, he pulled her along the hallway and into the bedroom that had once belonged to her. “Little one, let’s play hide and seek. You hide your eyes.” He freed his hand and slipped it over Evie’s eyes. He leaned into Hannah’s space. “Come here, fraa.”
“I’m right here, mann.”
Hannah wrapped her arms around the two most important people in the world as she kissed him back.
The kiss was sweet, long, and filled with promise.
Their lips parted. He straightened. “The first of many, many kisses.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
And then he made good on that promise.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.The Amish follow biblical Scripture that says sex is intended to be enjoyed within the confines of marriage. Premarital sex is a sin. Today’s culture says otherwise. How do you deal with the pressures to conform to the world? What do you say to those who call this attitude old-fashioned and out of step with the modern world?
2.How do you feel about Thaddeus’s family shunning him when he refuses to repent and face punishment for his sin? Do you find the eight-week bann after his confession harsh or not harsh enough for what he did to Hannah?
3.Phillip recognizes that he has sinned by not forgiving Thaddeus and he asks God to forgive him. Have you ever been in a situation where you were called to forgive, but found it impossible to do so? How did you resolve the situation?
4.Hannah feels as if her family and friends have forgiven her, but they haven’t forgotten what she’s done. People often say they may forgive, but they’ll never forget. Is that a scripturally sound attitude? Why or why not? Have you experienced similar situations? How did it make you feel?
5.Hannah chooses to forgive Thaddeus and forge a new life with him and their daughter. Do you think she did the right thing? Put yourself in Hannah’s shoes. Could you do the same?
6.Do you think Hannah should’ve chosen Phillip? Why or why not?
Read more from the Amish Reunion collection!
Available as an e-book
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo by Tim Irvin
Kelly Irvin is the bestselling author of the Every Amish Season and Amish of Bee County series. The Beekeeper’s Son received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, who called it a “beautifully woven masterpiece.” The two-time Carol Award finalist is a former newspaper reporter and retired public relations professional. Kelly lives in Texas with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin. They have two children, two grandchildren, and two cats. In her spare time, she likes to read books by her favorite authors.
Visit her online at KellyIrvin.com
Instagram: kelly_irvin
Facebook: Kelly.Irvin.Author
Twitter: @Kelly_S_Irvin
