Thanksgiving Groom (16 page)

He stopped and Penelope stopped next to him, her breath freezing in her lungs. The park twinkled with snow and Christmas lights. In the middle of it all was a snowman. He wore a top hat and red scarf, and a Bible was on a little stand in front of him. “Tucker?”

He pulled her close. “I found Parson Brown.”

“I see.” But she didn't, and tears were rolling down her cheeks, warm on her cold flesh. She tried to brush them away, but more fell.

Tucker leaned and kissed them away. His lips brushed hers and then settled, kissing her until it didn't matter that it was November in Alaska and snow was falling. Or maybe that's what made it all perfect. It was cold, but his arms around her were warm and he'd built her a snowman on Thanksgiving.

He held her close and his breath was soft near her ear. “I have something else for you.”

When he pulled back his hand went to his pocket. He pulled out the gossamer veil she'd tried on at Bethany's. As she stood there trembling, from cold and from the moment, he slid the veil over her head.

“I saw you in this. I think when I did, I knew that I wanted to be the one to lift it from your face, to hear a minister pronounce us husband and wife.”

He lifted the veil and carefully moved it back, and then he cupped her cheeks in his gloved hands. “Penelope Lear, I asked your father today if he would allow me the honor of marrying his daughter.”

Her lips and chin trembled. She bit down on her bottom lip, trying to hold it all together.

“What did he say?”

“He said you're a grown woman, and it is up to you. But he'd be proud to call me son.”

“Oh.”

“Oh?”

“I mean yes.” And then she wrapped her arms around him and he held her close. “Yes, I want to be your wife. Yes, please marry me.”

He pulled free again. “I forgot something important.”

“What's that?”

“The ring. This was my grandmother's. It isn't new and the diamond isn't the biggest. If you want to pick a ring, I understand, but if not, I'd love for you to wear this ring. My grandmother wore it for sixty years.”

“I want to wear it for seventy.” She pulled off her glove and he slid the diamond-and-pearl ring onto her finger.

“I love you, Penelope Lear. I love you for who you are.”

“I love you, too.”

“So you'll marry me?” He leaned in and kissed her, making it hard to breathe, hard to answer.

“I will, but I think maybe we should find a real minister.”

“I'd like that very much.”

He hugged her tight, and when they kissed again. Snow was falling, and they could heard carols being sung. Penelope Lear had a groom of her own and life had never been sweeter.

1. When Tucker Lawson's father died, Tucker made a series of choices. The first was to leave Treasure Creek and fly to a cabin where he could think through his problems. He didn't turn to God, but how did God use the situation Tucker found himself in?
   
2. Penelope showed up in Treasure Creek because of an article. Do you think she was looking for romance or something else?
   
3. Penelope found faith in Treasure Creek. How does she first show that it changed her life?
   
4. In hunting for the treasure, Penelope seems to go off without thinking ahead. She has everything, so why would this treasure mean so much to her?
   
5. Faced with his father's death and the loss of a young woman he didn't know, Tucker isn't really searching for God. What is he looking for and how does that tie in to his lost faith?
   
6. The Johnsons have been living in this cabin for six months. They lost their son and they needed to find peace. How is their approach to grief the same as Tucker's and yet different?
   
7. Tucker doesn't want to like Penelope. He wants to believe she's just another selfish socialite. How does she show him that she is different?
   
8. Faced with the long walk back to Treasure Creek and unknown enemies, Tucker pushes everyone to keep going, including Penelope. How does she handle the situation and how does that change their relationship?
   
9. Penelope is attracted to Tucker, but she's looking for something more in life. Why is she holding back? He's wealthy. He's attractive. Isn't that enough?
   
10. Back in Treasure Creek, Penelope has to stand her ground when she is reunited with her parents. Why is this important for her future?
    
11. Tucker believes he's ready to head back to Seattle, even though he still has loose ends to tie up with his father's estate. What continues to hold him to Treasure Creek?
    
12. Penelope is willing to do just about anything to help the town of Treasure Creek. She wants to find the treasure for the community. She is helping with the Christmas pageant. Does this have something to do with her history of going on trips to impoverished areas?
    
13. Does Penelope really know what she is searching for in life? Does she finally find that completeness in Treasure Creek?
    
14. Tucker is one of the men on Penelope's father's short list as a potential husband. Why would this be a problem for Penelope?
    
15. When do you believe Tucker really returns to his faith?