Wonderland Creek Part 40

"Well . . . what do you think about you and me?"

I smiled when I remembered the first day I'd met Mack and how he'd sat cross-legged on the floor in the library foyer caressing the cover of one of the books I'd brought him. He had even lifted it to his nose to inhale the scent. I remembered my surprise when he'd used the word eschew. I pictured him holding baby Feather in his arms, singing to her, as thunder rumbled and rain dripped from the cabin ceiling. I remembered how panicked I had been at the thought of losing him when we faced the wildcat and the barrel of Maggie's rifle.

I took so long remembering all of these things that Mack finally said, "Don't leave me hanging here, Alice. Please . . . tell me what you think."

What did I think? Hadn't I lectured Freddy about taking a chance on love and jumping in with both feet? My logical side said that a mutual love of books was an excellent starting point for any relationship, and that I had much more in common with Mack than I'd ever had with Gordon or Ike. What better match could there be than between a man who loved to write books and a woman who loved to read them? And even if I threw logic out the window, a life with Mack was certain to be an adventure. Our time together had been an adventure already.

"What do I think?" I repeated. My smile must have given me away. Before I could finish, Mack leaped to his feet and grabbed my hands, pulling me up to face him. Then he planted a kiss on me that made me forget all about Ike Arnett's kisses.

When he pulled away and I could breathe again, I looked him in the eye and said, "I think Miss Lillie is the wisest woman I've ever met."

Author's Note.

President Franklin Roosevelt founded his relief program, the New Deal, in 1933 to help alleviate the effects of the Great Depression. One of the most innovative programs of Roosevelt's Work Projects Administration was the Packhorse Library Project. Considered a rousing success, the program employed mainly women who served their neighbors and community by bringing reading materials to isolated one-room schoolhouses and homes located in the very rural and remote areas of eastern Kentucky.

The packhorse librarians provided not only entertainment in the form of books and magazines, but also practical help on home health care, cooking, agriculture, parenting, canning hygiene, and machinery. They also opened the world to these isolated people, allowing them to learn not only about their own government and country, but of lands and people across the globe.

The inspiration for this novel came from a children's nonfiction book t.i.tled Down Cut Shin Creek: The Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky by Kathi Appelt and Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer. It tells the true story of the packhorse librarians, complete with photographs. Many thanks to my editor, Sarah Long, for bringing this book to my attention as a great premise for a story.

I'm also grateful to Wayne Collier and his wife, Jean, for sharing Kentucky history with me, and for taking me on a journey into the mountains of eastern Kentucky where I saw the real Cut Shin Creek. The mines and villages and creeks in the beautiful mountains of Kentucky inspired the fictional town of Acorn and Wonderland Creek.

Discussion Questions.

What were some of the lessons Alice learned as she stepped out of the imaginary world of books and into real life? What did she discover about life that was different from reading about it in fiction?

Which specific books and genres of stories "sprang to life" for Alice, a lover of novels, while she was in Kentucky?

In what ways was Alice different after her visit to Wonderland Creek? Which events or persons had the biggest influence on her?

Compare the three men in Alice's life: Gordon Walters, Ike Arnett, and Mack. How did each of them view Alice? How did they influence how she viewed herself?

What events in Miss Lillie's past shaped her life and her faith? Were any of her actions in the novel contrary to her role as a spiritual leader in Acorn and a woman of faith? If so, do you think her actions were justified?

Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21). How was the truth of this verse demonstrated in Acorn, Kentucky?

How did Alice's shallow faith as a "preacher's kid" grow or change? Compare her faith journey with Miss Lillie's, Maggie's, and Mack's.

What did Alice learn about relationships from these people in Acorn: the packhorse librarians, June Ann and Feather, Maggie and Opal Coots, Mamaw and Faye's boys, Ike Arnett and his family, Clint and Gladys, the other patrons on her route, the sheriff, and even Belle the horse?

If you could write the next chapter in Alice's life, what would it be?

Lynn Austin is a seven-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, Until We Reach Home, Though Waters Roar, and While We're Far Apart. In addition to writing, Lynn is a popular speaker at conferences, retreats, and various church and school events. She and her husband have three children and make their home in Illinois.

Books by Lynn Austin.

All She Ever Wanted.

Eve's Daughters.

Hidden Places.

A Proper Pursuit Though Waters Roar.

Until We Reach Home.

While We're Far Apart Wings of Refuge A Woman's Place Wonderland Creek.

REFINER'S FIRE.

Candle in the Darkness Fire by Night Light to My Path CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS.

G.o.ds & Kings Song of Redemption The Strength of His Hand.

Faith of My Fathers Among the G.o.ds.

Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook.

Website: www.bethanyhouse.com.

Facebook: Bethany House.

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