Epilogue
Six Months Later
Jenna supposed some things would never change.
Looking around her house, with the many boxes in disarray, the collection of new clothes that Nelson had bought her when they’d gone shopping in Columbus, and the few leftover toys and crayons that Katie had forgotten when Fanny picked her up, Jenna knew that she should get busy and put everything in order.
Instead, she was writing her pen pals. Her excuse was that she needed to give them her new mailing address.
That was important. After all, she’d already filled them in about Nelson’s dreamy proposal, when he’d knelt down on one knee in the middle of the barbecue and given her a lovely ring with a beautiful, understated diamond.
Glancing at her left hand, Jenna had to smile. She’d never understood why English women liked wearing a set of wedding rings. It seemed like a waste of money and far too fancy.
Now, however, she thought she finally got it. Her engagement ring would always be a symbol of Nelson’s love and promises to her. She found herself wearing it with pride.
So, all her correspondents knew all the important stuff.
But she still felt a need to write just one more letter.
Holly, do you remember all those months ago when I shared how worried I was about the future? I was petrified to move on because I didn’t want to hurt Katie, my family, or even Jimmy’s family.
But then, there you went, telling me that love is what is important. How love overrules doubts and worries. And that it shouldn’t be taken for granted.
You were absolutely right. Loving Nelson hasn’t brought conflict into my life, instead it’s brought me peace.
So, thank you for that.
Jenna smiled. Took a fortifying breath and scanned the room again.
Now for the important stuff. You wanted to know if I was going to wear a wedding gown, and the answer is yes!
And, Holly, you should see it. It has long sleeves and goes to the floor, and it’s made of the most shimmery, beautiful white silk.
At first I thought it was too fancy, but my mother said that the pretty material made up for the fact that there isn’t a speck of lace to be found on it.
It’s all simple, clean lines with a lovely sweetheart neckline.
And yes, I had no idea such a neckline existed until the lady at the shop told me about it.
Finally, there’s a long line of buttons on the back. I think I counted twenty.
And between you and me, Holly, I’ve gotten a little misty-eyed thinking about my wedding night, when Nelson carefully unbuttons each one.
“Oh!” Jenna pressed her hands to her cheeks. She wasn’t going to cross out what she wrote . . . but it was surely time to end the note.
When I write you again, I’ll be Mrs. Nelson Harper. Jenna Harper to you. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
Now, I had better go. I have a bunch of things to put into suitcases. And I need to finish boxing up all my Amish clothes. I’m not going to give them away quite yet.
I think I want them on hand, just in case Katie wants to ask me about the life we used to have. The woman I was before I became the woman I am now.
That was a person I was proud to be, and I have a feeling I’ll even miss her simple life quite a bit.
Those boxes will serve as a reminder that I haven’t completely changed.
That’s what life does to us, doesn’t it? It twists and pulls and stains and embellishes. And the fact that we’re still standing at all? Well, that’s something to celebrate.
Thanks for teaching me that.
I love you, Holly.
Warmly,
Jenna