Odd Prompts: Homeward Bound

A bit more of the sweet romance I've been writing. Which may or may not have some magic in it.  First bit is here. 

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“Well, it’s obvious you’re not from around here.” She beamed up at them. “Who else would it be?” 

“We are on our way home.” Bonnie was smiling and shaking her head. “But we’ve never been there before.” 

“Well, I have.” John gestured to the address on the box. “My great Uncle Ted was living there, and I came to visit sometimes as a boy. I’ve been away a few years, though.” 

“Then you’re the John-boy,” The silver-haired old woman with the dried-apple face twinkled her eyes up at him. “He was proud of you, talked about leaving the place to you. Rest him.” 

“I was sorry not to be home when he passed.” John took a deep breath, and Bonnie wrapped her arm around his. 

“Are we far from his place?” Bonnie asked. “I think we missed a turn.” 

“No, no, you hadn’t come to it yet. Keep on about a mile, on your left. There’s a sign.” 

Back in the car, Bonnie looked over at her husband. “Shall we open the box?” 

“Wait until we’re home, woman!” He was laughing as he started the engine. “You’re curious as a cat.” 

“I wonder what the sign says?” She gave up on the box, which lay on the back seat, and looked eagerly forward as they crested the hill and started downward. 

“I don’t remember a sign.” John shook his head. “I realized, talking to the friendly local witch back there...” 

“She’s not a witch!” Bonnie started to giggle. “She’s the postmistress!” 

“She knew who we were!” John was grinning, his teeth showing white against his bronze face, while he never looked away from the road. “She’s the town witch. Nice, but knows too much.” 

“Every time I see her I’m going to think of that...” Bonnie broke off what she was saying. “John! There’s a sign!”

John slowed the car, pulled into the narrow lane, and then stopped. He got out of the car without a word, and stood looking up at the sign that stood off the corner of the main road and this one. 

“John?” Bonnie joined him, but other than softly saying his name, she let him stand there for a long time in silence. 

“Sorry.” He shook himself all over like a dog coming out of the water. “That... I wasn’t expecting that.” 

“The sign?” 

It hung on chains from a sturdy set of posts, dangling between them. It was blue, with the carved letters painted gold. 

“Hardine Farm.” John read it. 

“Isn’t that what it has always been?” Bonnie looked from him, with his eyes showing an extra glint of moisture, back to the sign. 

“No. My mother was a Taverner.” He shook his head and turned to look down at Bonnie. “That’s a new sign. He must have had it made before he passed. It’s his way of welcoming us home, even if he couldn’t be here himself to do it.” 

“I wish I could have known him.” Bonnie hugged her husband.

“Come on, then. We’re homeward bound at last, the farm is at the end of this drive.” 

Her eyes opened wide. “This is our road?” 

“We’re the only house on it.” 

“Oh!” She looked around. “I thought it was...” 

“Nope! Bonnie Hardine, the farm starts here. You’re on home ground.” 

***

My prompt this week came from Padre with "Finally homeward bound." 

I prompted 'Nother Mike with "The Tiki Bar on the side of the road with a free sign on it was more than they bargained for" 

You can read all of the prompt responses, or play along yourself, over at More Odds Than Ends.