by Beth Wiseman
When everything was on the table, the group took their seats. Owen positioned himself at the other end of the table across from Mr. Hadley, with Brooke by his side, then Brooke’s parents were seated next to her. Denny, Spencer, and Hunter were on the other side, and Meghan was squeezed into an extra chair next to Spencer. The portable playpen—with Lauren sleeping inside—sat within arm’s reach of Owen.
Owen asked everyone to join hands for the blessing, and Brooke was prepared for him to nod in her direction as he’d done in the past. But he didn’t. He simply bowed his head, and everyone else followed suit.
“Dear Lord, we give thanks for everyone gathered here today. In ways we couldn’t have foreseen, You have brought us all together and blessed us beyond what we could have imagined or hoped for. We ask You to bless this wonderful meal laid out before us and to guide us as we all strive to walk the path You’ve chosen for us. In Jesus’s name, we pray.”
Brooke swallowed hard as Owen squeezed her hand. She waited until he had carved the turkey and everyone had filled their plates, then she couldn’t stand it any longer. She glanced around the room and thought about what they’d all gone through this past summer, how God had worked miracles in their lives. But there was still one thing she needed to do. She tapped her fork to her glass, pushed back her chair, and stood up.
“Attention, please.” She cleared her throat as everyone put down their forks and stopped talking. She held Mr. Hadley’s eyes as she spoke—loudly to make sure he could hear. “I heard from the hospital yesterday, and it’s official. Hunter Lewis is indeed your great-grandson.”
Mr. Hadley’s lip trembled, the same way Hunter’s did sometimes when he got very emotional, and his voice cracked when he spoke. “I didn’t think I would ever see a day like this.” He turned toward Hunter. “I’m as proud and happy as a man can be to be included in this family.” Then he did start to cry. Brooke started to walk toward him, but Hunter was already there. Mr. Hadley slowly stood up, and Hunter gently put his arms around him. No one spoke. Even Meghan and Spencer seemed to understand the importance of what was happening.
After a few moments, Hunter returned to his seat, and everyone resumed eating. Brooke couldn’t stop looking around at their untraditional family and reveling in the joy that filled the room. She couldn’t think of anything else that could make it more perfect. Then there was a knock at the door.
“We expecting someone?” Denny stood up and walked to the entryway as they all waited quietly. He returned, ushering in a tall girl with blond hair.
Hunter bolted to his feet.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt.” The girl’s eyes widened when she saw how many people were in the room, but then she focused on Hunter. Her voice was soft. “Hey, Hunter. Did you get my e-mail?”
Hunter’s shocked expression relaxed into a smile. “Hi, Jenny.” Something unspoken passed between them as he walked toward her. Then he turned and faced everyone in the dining room. “This is Jenny, and . . . uh . . .” He introduced each one of them by name. “They are all my—my family.”
Brooke wanted to laugh aloud. Just when you think life can’t get any better, God comes up with another surprise.
She smiled as she stood up. “Hunter, go get another chair, and let’s make room for our guest.”
As she walked to the kitchen to get another place setting, she thought about how far they’d all come this past summer. She couldn’t wait to see what God had in store.
Epilogue
Brooke was flipping pancakes when Owen walked into the kitchen on Saturday morning.
“Mmm. Smells good.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her neck. “You could just turn the burner off and come back to bed since no one is up yet.”
She smiled, pulling away from him. “Stop that, now. Our herd will be ready for pancakes when they get up. Is Lauren awake yet?”
“No. Even she is still sleeping, giving you permission to come back to bed.” Owen tried to snuggle up to her again, but she slipped away from him, pointing the spatula at him. “Behave.”
It had been three months since their wedding in February. Because Lauren was still so little, they hadn’t gone away after they took their vows. But in a sense, every day had been a honeymoon since they’d committed to love each other for the rest of their lives. And while much had changed, Saturday pancakes had remained.
“I smell bacon and pancakes.” Denny shuffled into the kitchen and went straight to the coffeepot.
“You and Hunter will get the first pancakes,” Brooke said as she flipped another one. Hunter had been working at the hardware store since before the Christmas rush, and last month Brooke had left the store in his and Big Daddy’s capable hands. Juliet was back in college, and Brooke was enjoying being a full-time mommy. So it was a Saturday pancake rule that Hunter and Denny got the first batch off the griddle since they had to leave on Saturday mornings. Denny had reopened Travis’s store, and Brooke was sure Travis was smiling from heaven to know it was back in business.
Owen had signed with the public relations firm in Houston and had been working from home for six months. Life was good, even though she missed her father every day. He’d passed away a month after their wedding, but she would be forever grateful to God that he had been well enough on that day to walk her down the aisle—and that he was able to watch his grandchildren open their Christmas presents before that.
“I hear Lauren.” Owen rushed from the room toward their bedroom just as Spencer rounded the corner rubbing his eyes. Meghan was behind him, and Hunter scooted past both of them.
“I get the first batch.” He reached for a piece of bacon.
Hunter and Denny had both offered to move out after Brooke and Owen married, but Owen kept finding more projects for the men to work on in the evenings and on the weekends. The new garage was currently under construction. And she was pretty sure Owen would never run out of home improvement chores or reasons for them to stay. She didn’t mind. She enjoyed having them around as much as he did. Who said a big family had to be just parents and children?
Hunter crunched his bacon. “Miss Patsy here yet?”
“Her friend Audra is bringing her.” Brooke’s mother, who had moved back to the Oaks when they sold Brooke’s house, rarely missed pancake Saturday these days, and sometimes she brought her friends, including Mr. Hadley. They’d all celebrated his ninety-fourth birthday with him last month, and at this rate they thought he might live forever. He surely would in their hearts. He’d become very dear to all of them, but especially to Hunter.
Every now and then, even Jenny would make the drive from Houston to have pancakes with the family, then busy herself in town until Hunter got off work.
Brooke carried a plate of pancakes into the dining room, stepping deftly over the orange cat and the black cat stretched out together in the doorway. Introducing Kiki and Scooter had been challenging at first, but even the feline members of their new combined family had made peace.
Their new life was sometimes noisy and often chaotic, with people running in all directions. Even their big old house seemed crowded these days.
But Brooke didn’t mind. Because it was family.
And it was perfect.
Reading Group Guide
1. Brooke and Owen’s friendship matures into something much more despite both of their reservations in the beginning. Who do you think had the most “baggage” going into the relationship, and how did each of them work through it?
2. Brooke clung to God after Travis died—even though she admits to questioning His will. Owen did exactly the opposite and was angry at God. How do you react during an emotional upheaval in your life? Do you lean on God? Or turn away from Him?
3. Many of the characters grow and change throughout the story. Who do you think changed the most?
4. What did you think about Hunter? Was he a product of his environment? How much was he responsible for the choices he made? How much blame do you place on his parents?
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p; 5. Brooke and Patsy’s close relationship becomes strained when Brooke’s father comes into the picture. What do you think would have happened if Patsy and Harold had reunited—and if Harold hadn’t been dying? Do you think Brooke would have still opened her heart to him anyway and forgiven him?
6. Uncle Denny had a bucket list. But fulfilling those dreams became less important to him once he became part of a family. Do you think he’ll ever resume his travels? Or, do you think that he and Patsy might make a good match someday?
7. Spencer goes to some pretty wild extremes to keep Owen from wanting to date Brooke. The boy is conflicted on several levels—loyalty to his father, but also a growing fondness for Owen. What are some instances when Spencer struggles with his feelings, and when do you begin to see resolve for him?
8. Forgiveness of self and others are strong themes throughout the story. Who do you think struggles with this the most? Who do you think had the most to forgive?
9. Each character had a unique set of circumstances. Was there one character in the story that you identified with more than the others?
10. Virginia does some awful things, but we don’t really know much about her except through Owen’s eyes. Based on her brief interactions with Owen and Brooke, what do you surmise has brought her to where she is in her life? Is she truly just an evil woman? Is she lost? Will she regret her choices some day? Did you feel any sympathy for her?
Acknowledgments
When I started writing The House That Love Built, I knew that it would be a love story, and I knew that there would be a family living in the house. But I had no idea how many characters would show up along the way to be a part of the fun! Hunter was quite a surprise when he popped into my mind, demanding a large part in the story.
I still wasn’t sure who I would dedicate the book to until I wrote the very last page. Then it became clear to me. Diana and Terry Newcomer have their own love story and six children. To me they represent The House That Love Built in their own lives. They are loving, kind, and nurturing, and if I didn’t already have such a great family, I’d beg them to adopt me. Many times, Diana and I went on our daily walks and discussed the plot for this book. It’s an honor to dedicate this story to you, my dear friend.
God makes all things possible, but second to Him would have to be my husband, Patrick. Thank you, dear, for all that you do. To my entire family, while we aren’t all under the same roof, I’m so grateful for all of you. And many of my friends (you know who you are) are included in my fabulous ‘family’.
Thanks to my agent—Natasha Kern—for her keen insight and career guidance. Special thanks to my editors on this project, Natalie Hanemann and Anne Buchanan, and to my entire publishing team at Thomas Nelson.
Abbie and Joe Navarro, thanks for answering all of my Smithville-related questions. And to my assistant Janet, you continue to rock!
Praying God continues to bless me with stories to tell.
About the Author
Beth Wiseman is hailed as a top voice in Amish fiction. She is a Carol-award winner and author of numerous bestsellers including the Daughters of the Promise and the Land of Canaan series. She and her family live in Texas.
Beth can be found at her website (BethWiseman.com), on Facebook (Fans-of-Beth-Wiseman), or on Twitter (@bethwiseman).