The Kissing Bridge
Page 24
When he was finished, she looked up at him. “I think Ben and Marianna are influencing you. You’re praying out loud, I see.”
“Ja, more than you might think.” Caleb shyly looked away. “Ben and I have talked about every week or so since I left Montana. He’d been giving me advice about the marriage stuff. It seems it’s more challenging than I thought.”
Rebecca patted Caleb’s cheek. “Ja, but you’ve always wanted a challenge, right?”
He nodded. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
It was then that Rebecca turned and took the hands of the man lying in the hospital bed. It took both of her hands to wrap around his large ones. They were weak now, and the skin was paper thin, but she remembered they hadn’t always been this way. He’d once been strong and hardworking. He’d once run his farm and worked alongside his wife to raise a houseful of children. Holding his hands made her understand even more what the commitment she was making meant.
“In sickness and in health,” she whispered to Caleb.
“Excuse me?”
“Ach, it’s what the Englisch say when they get married. ‘For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health . . .’ ” She sighed. “When I worked at the bakery I wrote those words on bridal shower cakes many times. I just had no idea then that those words could be for me.”
“I like them . . . and they are for you.”
She couldn’t help but think about her oma, and she had a feeling deep down that her grandmother would have told her she’d chosen well.
“Yes, Caleb. Those words are for both of us. God has brought us together, and as we seek Him—trust Him—we’ll live a life He’s planned. And I have a feeling it won’t be what we expected, but exactly what we would have chosen if given the chance.”
Caleb took a step closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He agreed with her. This was where they both needed to be. She had no doubt. No doubts.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Rebecca made a decision to become a nurse after her sister’s tragic death. Why was that a hard choice for an Amish woman?
2. Caleb is always in search of adventure. How did adventure and risk-taking mask Caleb’s inner struggle?
3. Marianna was Rebecca’s friend who left the Amish. What surprised you about Rebecca and Marianna’s relationship?
4. What did you learn about the expectations placed on men and women in the Amish community?
5. Caleb was first drawn to Rebecca because she was the only woman who looked away from his smile and antics. Why did Rebecca have a wall around her heart?
6. What character surprised you the most? Why?
7. What was unique about the relationships in the West Kootenai between the Amish and Englisch? How is this different than in other Amish communities?
8. Millie tells Rebecca that the word for “priest” in Latin is pontifex, which means “bridge builder.” In what ways has Jesus been a bridge builder in your life?
9. Millie offered this advice to Rebecca on the trail ride: “Sometimes the best thing we can do with our minds and hearts is to allow ourselves to rest. After all, a heavy heart takes a lot of work to carry around.” How did Caleb and Rebecca find “rest” in this book? How did it change them?
10. In what way were Rebecca and Caleb’s unique gifts able to save the boy who fell off the bridge?
11. How did Rebecca and Caleb’s trust in God grow in this story?
12. How did Rebecca and Caleb learn, as Millie said, that “truth is sweet”?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am thankful for my friends who have shared the Amish lifestyle with me. Ora Jay and Irene Eash, thank you for sharing about your northwest Montana wagon train trip!
Thank you to Amy Lathrop and the Litfuze Hens for being the best assistants anyone can have. Many people ask how I do it all . . . Thankfully, I don’t have to do it all, thanks to you!
I also appreciate the HarperCollins Christian team, my editor on this project, Sue Brower, plus Jodi Hughes, Katie Bond, Laura Dickerson, Daisy Hutton, and Becky Philpott. Your insight, help, and enthusiasm have been amazing! I also send thanks to all the managers, designers, copy editors, salespeople, financial folks, and everyone else who make a book possible!
I’m also thankful for my agent, Janet Grant. Your wisdom and guidance make all the difference.
And I’m thankful for my family at home:
John, it’s amazing that we’re about to celebrate twenty-four years of marriage. I love you now more than ever!
Cory, Katie, Clayton, and Chloe. I love having you CLOSE! God is good!
Leslie, I love your heart for God and others. Thank you for representing the Goyers on the other side of the world!
Nathan, I’m so proud of the man you’re becoming. Keep growing in Him.
Isabella, Alyssa, and Casey. God gave us a wonderful gift in you. Thank you for bringing lots of laughter and lots of crumbs into my life!
Grandma Dolores, I am a blessed woman. Eighty-four years old and shining for Jesus!
And to the rest of my family . . . I appreciate all of you! I’m so thankful you’re in my life! God gave me the gift of you!