A Prayer for the Carpenter’s Heart – Extended Epilogue

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Five years later

Seraphina

Seraphina McKenna dipped her hands back into the hot water basin as she watched from the kitchen window as Daniel taught their four-year-old son, Thomas Jr., how to measure wood for a small birdhouse. It had been their project over the past few weeks. 

Thomas Jr. was young, but already, he was learning his father’s trade and loving every minute of it. Their two-year-old daughter, Mary, toddled nearby, trying to grab sawdust. Every once in a while, Daniel would gently redirect her, and she’d giggle. She was happy for any attention from her father. 

Seraphina still found herself surprised that she was a mother not of one child, but two. The last five years had been so busy, full of love, life, and working together. The house Dan built with his own hands sat on his property, as an add-on to the small cabin that had once been the only home there.

Seraphina loved having something of their own. The fact that they’d earned it, worked hard for it, meant everything.

The sound of hoofbeats announced the afternoon’s visitors. Sera wiped her hands on her apron and stepped onto the porch, shading her eyes against the sun. When she spotted Thomas, she smiled. He dismounted from his horse with the easy grace of someone happy, sure of his life. She was glad to see he was doing better. 

It had taken a few years for him to become himself slowly and fully. 

“Thomas!” She went to him, pulling him into a hug. “I’m glad you’re here.” 

“Glad to be here. I wouldn’t miss my nephew’s birthday. He’ll be four today, right?”

Seraphina nodded. Thomas Jr., who was also her brother’s namesake, was growing more and more every day.

Behind Thomas, Sheriff Brooks rode with Mrs. Henderson, now Mrs. Brooks, beside him on her own horse. Seraphina hadn’t been surprised when the two made it official and got married a year after the whole ordeal with Hartwell. 

Mrs. Henderson had told her in detail, and Seraphina had hoped her friend would get everything she expected. Sheriff Brooks had recently been elected mayor, and Martha had become his most trusted advisor. They were the perfect couple for the job, and many loved the work they did for the community. 

Seraphina scoured the horizon for the rest of the guests. She’d been so distracted, she didn’t see Daniel until he was right beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. 

“Is there anything you’d like my help with, my love?”

“Everything is ready. When Li Wei and Mei Chen get here, along with the Kowalskis, we can get started.”

Seraphina went out of her way to make Thomas Jr.’s birthday an occasion to celebrate not only her son but also what they’d all been through, and what happened five years ago. Not only that, but a moment to reflect on how much had changed in everyone’s life. 

Seraphina placed her head against Daniel’s shoulder and leaned into his embrace. He always made her feel stronger, as if she could face anything. They’d spent the day before setting up long tables in the yard. Some of the women had come over the night before and that morning to help her prepare all the food. The tables groaned with the feast, growing heavier with every dish each family contributed. 

“This is perfect, you know?” Daniel said gently. “This is the type of family I thought I’d never have again.” His voice was low, full of sadness.

“The same goes for both of us. I still feel as if we never did enough to repay everyone who Hartwell hurt.” 

“It’s not your burden to bear. The other day, I spoke to a man in town. He said that your father and Hartwell were terrible, and they decimated everything his family had. He said he hated your father and anyone who had anything to do with him. But then … you donated so much money from your inheritance that you helped a lot of people recover from their loss, like his.” Daniel turned her toward him, as if he didn’t care who saw. “You made a difference, Seraphina, and you set things right by returning what you could to who owned it.” 

“Thank you.” Seraphina leaned up and kissed his cheek. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” 

Daniel laughed, kissing her forehead. 

“Without the money from you and Thomas, he couldn’t have gotten the church back up on its feet or been doing the projects he’s working on now. Thomas’s church is such a pillar of the community …” Daniel smiled, and Seraphina had to agree with him. Her brother had started many programs in the church for children and families. 

He made ways for families to donate food to those in need. 

“You’re right about the church.” Seraphina felt a bit sheepish for complaining. So many would have given so much to have the issue of too much money to handle. She was being ungrateful. 

“I know I am.” Daniel grinned, then his expression turned sober. “Hartwell is in jail, Seraphina. He’s not coming back.” 

Seraphina nodded. She knew he was right. Hartwell’s time of taking advantage of others and being free was over, thank goodness. 

“We should serve our guests.” Seraphina pointed to an approaching wagon that held LI Wei, Mei Chen, and Mei Chen’s three children. “The rest are here. Oh, and there’s Mrs. Kowalski, Jimmy, and Anna.” Seraphina lifted her arm to wave enthusiastically. 

She noticed how Thomas immediately paid attention to the wagon, too. Maybe there was something there that she’d missed. 

Daniel

Daniel watched as Seraphina greeted Mei Chen with a hug. He didn’t overlook how Thomas seemed a bit too interested in speaking with Mei Chen, the way that Mei held onto every word he said. 

He chuckled as Seraphina maneuvered between her guests. Her red hair was tied back in a braid, something very unusual for her. She swirled and moved with such grace. 

“Papa …” A little tug on his shirt made him look down. It was Thomas Jr., with Mary at his side, clinging to his hand. 

“There the two of you are. Come here, let’s go say hi to our friends.” Daniel scooped them up and started toward Mei Chen’s wagon, which happened to be where Thomas was also going. Daniel matched his pace. 

“Your sister really likes her social events.” Daniel looked over at Thomas to find him laughing. 

“You know she does,” he said, and after a minute, he laughed a bit. “The two of you, you’ve built something pretty great these past few years.” 

“Thank you. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.” 

“I want that too,” Thomas blurted out. Daniel’s eyebrows shot up. He’d never stopped to really think about how seeing everyone around him getting married and starting families would affect Thomas. 

“Do you have anyone in mind?” Daniel prompted.

“There may be, Mei Chen. She is … someone special.” 

Daniel laughed, throwing his head back. “I knew it. I knew by the way you were looking at her and inviting her to every special function.” 

Thomas shook his head, looking sheepish. 

“Don’t tell anyone I said anything.” His eyes grew somber. “I wanted to know what your opinion was, since you are my friend.” 

“I think she’s good for you. She’s kind, very pretty, and you get three children instantly.” 

Daniel tried to imagine what that would be like. It had taken him time to get used to being a father, and there were some things that he was still taken aback by even after having two children. He couldn’t quite figure out if it would be a benefit to have three all of a sudden or not. 

“Thank you.” Thomas cleared his throat. They’d almost reached Mei Chen’s wagon. 

“Don’t mention it to Seraphina, this is all pretty new.” Thomas looked away, then back at Daniel, as if demanding he keep his bargain.” 

“All right.” Daniel’s gaze found Seraphina’s quickly. She was motioning for the Kowalskis and the other guests to find their places at the table. Mrs. Kowalski beamed at her son, Jimmy, and Jimmy’s new wife, Anna. 

“I remember when Jimmy was just a young man who needed a job.” Daniel looked over at Thomas. Jimmy had helped them for hours in the church after it had been damaged, and in the past. In a way, it felt as if Jimmy were his child. After all, he spent so much time at their home, whether he was working or just visiting. 

He always came in for a slice of Seraphina’s apple pie. 

“As do I.” Thomas nodded in approval as he watched the young man. “It looks as if we were a good influence on him, turning him into a hard worker.” 

Daniel knew it was true. Jimmy was one of the hardest workers he knew. Seraphina weaved her way through their guests, making her way back to Daniel. 

He immediately reached for her hand as she drew close. 

“I think we’re ready to start eating. Would you like to say grace for the meal?” Seraphina asked. 

“Of course.” Daniel made sure that everyone who was supposed to come had taken their seats. He stood at the front of the table, Seraphina at his side. He laid his arm around her shoulders, showing a fraction of how much he loved her. They could do this together. After all, this was their family, together.

“I wanted you all to come today, because every single year, we’ve celebrated Thomas Jr.’s second birthday because it was so close to that day when we brought Thomas home.” Daniel’s gaze went to his brother-in-law. There were still times when he thought of those moments, the nights of fear, where he would consider the possibility of never seeing his best friend again. “Every single year, we see all of you, your families growing … It is a good reminder of how far we’ve come. I know there is still persecution, and things aren’t always simple. There are still people who are suspicious or think the worst of you. But starting with putting Hartwell in jail, we’ve made this a safer town.” 

Seraphina nodded. She watched him with her beautiful eyes that seemed to sparkle like diamonds in the sun. 

Daniel was hit with a wave of emotion. He’d come so close to failing to return to Seraphina. Now they had a family, two children, and a community that loved them. 

“Thank you for coming!” Seraphina added to the words, and everyone nodded, thanking her for having them. As Daniel pulled her closer, turning to watch Thomas Jr. and Mary play with a ball not too far off, his heart swelled. God was good. Once he’d had everything taken away from him. His father, his brother, and his dignity in some cases. But little by little, God had built it back up piece by piece. Now, looking at all the happy, laughing faces of everyone who cared for him and Seraphina, he realized that maybe God had a good plan for him all along. There were moments when that plan seemed too hard to endure, and moments when he thought that he couldn’t make it through whatever difficulty had been set before him. 

But with every single time he was faced with such difficulty, it may have brought him to this moment. He looked down at Seraphina. 

“Are you all right?” He noticed that her eyes were misty with tears. 

“I’m perfect.” Seraphina’s voice broke with emotion. “Look at everyone! It feels as if we are all one big family, and that makes me so happy.” 

Daniel couldn’t help admiring her giddiness. He was enjoying the moment for different reasons. He pulled her close, and when she looked up, his eyes fell to her lips. He wanted more than anything to kiss her right then and there but decided to wait for their guests’ sake. They were married now, so that meant he had her all the time, something he didn’t intend to take for granted. He intended to treasure every second of his role as Seraphina’s husband for the rest of his life. 

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OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!

Grab my new series, " Faith and Love on the Frontier", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!

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