by Tricia Goyer
Like her grandma had always said, what you spend your days doing is what you spend your life doing. Her grandpa also told her that if people really understood that they were writing their own autobiography, maybe they’d think a little harder about the chapters they put in.
Suddenly the weight of her decision bore down on her. Lovina placed a hand over her heart, feeling the ache. From what the doctor had said, Dat was in his last chapter. In good weather and with a lot of rest, he could still have a few years with them, and they all hoped that would be the case. But by investing so much in her pie shop, Dat was in a way choosing how his story continued. And he was doing it by believing in her.
Her eyes grew moist again as she watched him walk through the warehouse with careful steps. With the signing of the papers today it was as if he was choosing her to finish his story. It was no longer the story of a simple Amish girl who lived with her parents, spent time with her sisters, served those in her church, and baked, but rather a business owner who had dreams of shaping the community she was a part of in an important way.
Dat returned from his examination of the place, walking up to her side. He gave a low whistle and looked around. “Lovina, do you really think you can get this open by season? That’s less than three months away. It seems like it’ll take that much time just to clear out all this stuff.”
Noah approached, placing a reassuring hand on Dat’s shoulder. “Leave that up to me, sir. I have some items in my mind for Sarasota Salvage. And there are other items that can be repurposed. And because we won’t need this whole space, the first thing my guys are going to do is build a wall between the kitchen and the back area. That will be our storage area for now.”
Dat nodded. “I know you’ll take care of it, Noah.” He walked over to a dusty cabinet and leaned against it. He looked tired and overwhelmed. One of his legs trembled, and Lovina found a chair and brought it to him. Dat sat heavily as if unable to hold up his weight any longer.
The emotions of the day continued to build upon her. Worries of Dat’s health mixed with excitement over her new property and the burden of responsibility about this place. “I’m going to see if Larry has his solar-powered buggy going. See if he can give you a ride home.” She resisted the urge to brush the hair back from his forehead.
“I’m sure I can make it home. It’ll just take me a while.” He stood, but he still wasn’t steady.
“No.” She squeezed his arm. “You’ve done too much already today. You’ve been pushing yourself.”
Noah hurried over. “John, let me help you.” He took her dat’s arm, and Lovina made a motion as if to follow.
Dat shook his head. “Lovina, you stay here. Look around. You have a lot of plans to make without having to worry about me.”
She stayed rooted in place as she watched Noah lead Dat out. When the door closed Lovina looked around, wondering what in the world she’d gotten herself into. She had no idea where to even start.
Jason must have seen the panic of her face, for he approached. “Don’t let yourself get so caught up in your worries, Lovina, that you miss the joy in this process.”
“Excuse me?”
Jason continued to look at the door where Dat just exited. Then, with a heavy sigh, he turned to her. “Well, the way I see it, hope is what got you into this mess.” He chuckled and winked. “And I mean mess literally.” Then he placed his hand on the back of the chair where her dat had just been sitting. “And I have no doubt you’re going to see this place turned into a pie shop. But you have two ways to do it. You can do it with the same joy that was on your face when you first saw this place. Or you can do it with fear and dread.”
She nodded, understanding what he was saying. “And what if I can’t do it?” She looked down at her feet and the dust that now clung to her tennis shoes.
“You have to succeed. Your dat’s counting on you.” Jason stroked his chin. “It reminds me of something my own mem used to say. ‘Children are living messages we send to a world we will not see.’ ”
She lifted her eyebrows. “Well, no pressure or anything.”
“Don’t see it as pressure, Lovina. Whether your dat’s time on earth is one year or twenty more, his message will go on through you and your sisters. The way I see it, it’s already one of hope—otherwise we wouldn’t be standing here. So just continue on in the messages he’s been writing from the day you were born. It’ll be the most natural thing for you to do.”
Lovina nodded, crossed her arms, and looked around. She forced herself to think back to that first day she’d seen this place a few weeks ago. That morning she’d felt eagerness in a way that she couldn’t explain. As she set out on her bicycle she could tell God had something for her. That morning she felt so certain that God’s Spirit had been guiding her. And if that was the case, then Jason was right. She just had to keep stepping forward.
As if sensing she needed time to think things through alone, Jason walked toward the door. “I’m going to head back to the bank. My oldest daughter had some grape jelly bars cooling and she promised to bring some by work when they cool.”
“Sounds delicious,” Lovina said with a smile, remembering being a little girl and baking for her dat. Remembering how excited he’d been about her attempts, no matter how well they turned out. Even the time she’d accidentally added three tablespoons of baking soda instead of a teaspoon. Dat had eaten a whole piece of cake before she realized her error. “I think I’ll make some for my dat tonight too. I bet he’d like that.”
Jason cast her a small wave and then left the building. And as she stood there alone, looking around at all the work they had to do before her dream was even close to becoming realized, something else her grandma used to say came to mind.
After beginning by the means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?
Lovina was sure it was from somewhere in the Bible, and she didn’t need to know where for the truth of its message to sink deep. If she trusted that God had led her here that first day, she had to trust He was with her still. God had led her to this big, dirty warehouse for a reason. Maybe it was like Jason said: This was how Dat’s message of caring for others would continue.
She swallowed hard, accepting the weight of responsibility, and then she squared her shoulders. She fingered the key in her hand. God had brought her too far to leave her now. And if He brought her here, He’d no doubt see her through.
And then she smiled, realizing God didn’t expect her to do it alone. He’d brought her Noah. And even if their growing friendship was for this project alone, she was thankful that out of all the people in Pinecraft, God had brought him.
Grape Jelly Bars
2 cups quick oats
2½ cups flour
1 cup oil
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1½ cups sugar
½ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups grape jelly
Preheat oven to 350°. Mix all ingredients except jelly and press half of mixture into a 13×9-inch pan. Spread jelly on top and top with rest of crumbs. Bake 30 minutes. Makes 18 bars.
Seventeen
The best things in life are not things.
AMISH PROVERB
Three young men trailed after Noah as he entered the warehouse early Monday morning. Noah wasn’t surprised to see that Lovina was already waiting for him, even though it was barely seven o’clock. Her eyes were wide and bright with expectation.
“Lovina, you’re here bright and early. Please tell me you got some rest last night. We have a lot of work ahead and you’ll need your energy.”
Her eyes sparkled, and if she’d missed even a few minutes of beauty sleep it wasn’t evident. Her dark hair was brushed neatly under her kapp. Her dress today was light blue, and it brought color to the drab space. At least it was drab for now. Noah put his hands on his hips and looked around. Over the next few days a lot of thos
e big items would be gone, and the windows would be replaced, starting today.
On cue, Noah heard the rumbling outside and he walked to the door. Lovina’s footsteps followed. A large truck pulled up with huge window panels strapped to the side.
Lovina gasped. “Are those windows for here?”
“Ja. This place could use some sunlight, don’t you think?”
As Noah strode out to talk to the delivery driver, another truck pulled up. Sarasota Salvage was displayed on the side. The owner, Jill, had been excited on Saturday when he’d stopped by and told her about some of the items. They’d worked together enough over the last month that she bought a few of the best items sight unseen, trusting he was giving her a good deal. She’d paid him by check on Friday, and Noah smiled, realizing it had come at a perfect time. He’d made it to the bank in time to cash it, pay his Uncle Roy’s rent, and stock the fridge and cupboards. The guys had eaten well all weekend, and he’d even given each of them some spending money. He hoped that initial investment would motivate them for the work to come, but now he was starting to worry. Maybe he should have waited until they had one good day under their belts to receive any sort of reward.
As Noah walked toward the truck he eyed his uncle’s house, hoping Mose, Gerald, and Atlee weren’t going to blow this. They’d talked about the plan last night. Even this morning he’d reminded them of what they needed to do.
The driver from the window company jumped from his truck, shaking Noah’s hand.
Noah was about to excuse himself to go rouse out the guys when the back door opened and they walked out. They were wearing their Amish clothes, and Mose held a clipboard in his hand. As Noah watched, Mose approached the Salvage truck and shook the driver’s hand. Noah couldn’t hear their conversation, but he guessed by their smiles that it was going well.
Noah turned back to the window guy, eager to get started. “Thank you for bringing these out. I appreciate it.”
They walked to the side of the truck. Noah couldn’t wait until the windows were put in. It would take the four of them all day, he guessed.
“Listen, do you have any plans for those old windows?” the driver asked.
Noah shrugged. “I have a construction dumpster coming later today. I was just going to throw them in.”
“I’m headed to the recycler after this. I can stay to help you remove them and then haul them off if you’d like.”
“I’d like that, but I don’t have any extra money—”
The man held up his hand. “You don’t need to pay me. I hear you’re turning this place into a pie shop. I’d be happy for a few pies when it’s open. My mom passed away a few years ago, and I’ve missed her homemade pies.”
“What was your favorite?” Lovina’s voice called from behind Noah, and she approached with a large smile. The man got a wistful look on his face. “I loved her coconut cream. It was high and fluffy, but not too sweet.”
She pulled out her notebook and flipped to the back. “Ten coconut cream pies for…what is your name?”
“Mike. Mike Jefferson. But I really don’t need ten pies.”
Lovina chuckled. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to eat them all at once. You can come for one pie at a time. Or by the slice.”
“That’s really nice of you. Unexpected.”
“And your staying around is nice and unexpected too.” She reached out her hand. “I’m Lovina. Lovina Miller. Welcome to Me, Myself, and Pie!”
Mike chuckled. “That’s a cute name for a business. Our window warehouse is just a few miles up the road. I’ll have to tell the guys about this place once it opens.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
From that moment the morning never slowed. Gerald, Mose, and Atlee helped load up the items, and Sarasota Salvage made an appointment for the next day to come pick up more items. The windows were removed and a flood of light flowed in.
Noah’s eyes warmed when he watched Lovina standing in the open window. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and she wore a satisfied smile on her lips. He followed her gaze to the parking lot of the Tourist Church. Was she picturing the buses arriving, and the groups of Amish and Mennonites spilling out and eyeing the shop? Noah guessed she was.
She spent most of the morning cleaning—sweeping, collecting garbage, and using a long duster to rid the corners of cobwebs. After they’d been there a few hours two of Lovina’s sisters showed up. Lovina introduced him to Hope and Grace. Both of them had light hair and rounder faces. Both displayed their excitement with squeals and gasps as they looked around the place.
They stopped beside a pile of framed movie posters. Hope hunkered down, squatting in front of the posters to get a better look. “I can’t wait for Faith to get off work at Yoder’s. She’s going to go crazy about this artwork.” Hope was taller than Lovina, and she had a no-nonsense air about her. While Lovina seemed to be the type of person who would love to gather people in a group and feed them and listen to their stories, Hope seemed like someone who’d roll up her sleeves and get to work in the garden or out in the barn. Even though she wore flip-flops Noah could easily picture her in heavy work boots tromping around a large pasture or garden.
“Yes, the posters are nice. My friends at Sarasota Salvage are going to love them too,” Noah said. “Which reminds me.” He turned to Lovina. “I need you to go through this place and pick out anything you think will work for the shop, or anything you want to keep.”
“Oh no. All these items are yours.” Lovina peered up at him, her eyes growing serious. “We made an agreement. You would do all the remodeling work in exchange for the items in this warehouse.”
There was a smudge of dirt on her cheek, and Noah wanted nothing more than to reach down and wipe it with his thumb. Did she realize how beautiful she was? Didn’t she understand that her passion about this place was one of the reasons that made her so?
His chest warmed with attraction for her, and he cleared his throat, trying to keep it at bay. “I told you I’d do it in exchange for items in this warehouse. I didn’t mean every item. There are some things that I think will be wonderful in the pie shop.”
“Oh, like what?” Grace asked. She was the youngest of the sisters, and her joyful exuberance was hard to miss.
Noah motioned for them to follow, and he took them to one corner that held all different types of chairs. There were a number of items that he knew could work for the pie shop, but there was one that stood out from the rest. He pointed to the small bench that was part seat and part drawers.
Grace brushed it off with a rag in her hand. “What is this?”
Noah chuckled. “I’m not surprised you haven’t seen one of these before. It’s an old telephone seat. Probably from the 1960s. Back then the phones had cords—not like our cellphones—and people used this to sit on while they talked. It was also a way to display their phones.”
Hope peered at him curiously. “And this is something we can use for the pie shop?”
“Ja.” He pointed to the front door. “I thought it would be good for the waiting area.”
“Waiting area? Will we really need that?” Lovina asked.
He smiled at her. “Where is that faith you are known for, Lovina? When there is a crowd waiting for a table or to pick up a to-go pie, they’ll need someplace to sit.”
She glanced from the telephone bench then to the door, and then to the bench again. She kneeled before it. “Oh, and we can put menus in these drawers. People can read the descriptions of the pies while they wait.”
He smiled and snapped his fingers. “Now you’re talking.”
Then he turned to her sisters. “Would you two be able to go through these chairs and things and see what grouping you think might work?”
Both of them nodded excitedly.
“Can we take some of them up there and move things around, seeing what looks good?” Grace asked. “Maybe I’ll even take some photos on my phone and upload them to our Facebook page.”
Noa
h’s jaw dropped. “Facebook page?” He hadn’t been on Facebook before himself, but Jill from Sarasota Salvage had shown him some of the things he’d found for her displayed on her page.
“Well, Lovina may bake the best pies you’ve ever tasted…” Grace tapped the side of her head. “But I have some business sense that I think will help her. Social media is a wonderful way to get people to find out about you. I’m working on a logo now, and Joy is working on some aprons—” Grace paused and her eyes widened. She bit her lip and looked to Lovina. “I…I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”
A smile filled Lovina’s face, and she shrugged. “What? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She winked at her sister. Then her gaze turned to Noah, and he was once again swept up in the dark brown of her eyes.
“So is it all right?” she asked. “If they move those things up there?”
“Ja, but just so you know they won’t be able to stay there. Over the next week we’re going to put up a wall, splitting this large area in two. This half we’re on will be a bakery, and the back half will be storage for now. The kitchen will go up in the middle…” He pointed to the area, showing them where that would be. “And then we’re going to clear everything out of this side. Most of the big stuff will be gone, and we’ll store what’s left in the storage area. I want to be smart about going through these things. I want to do some research about the value of some of these items.”
“You seem to know a lot about old stuff,” Grace commented, looking intrigued. She wrinkled her nose. “How old are you?”
He laughed. “I’m twenty-seven, but I grew up around all types of vintage items, or ‘old stuff’ as you say. My dat has an auction yard up in Illinois. Dat’s pretty much seen at least one of everything made since the industrial revolution, or so he likes to tell people. And my father always told me not to rush into any sale. People often lose something valuable in an effort to make a quick buck. Sometimes people don’t know what they have until they lose it.”
“So what’s going to be the first step after everything’s cleared out?” Grace asked.