by Tricia Goyer
His head bent down, and he kissed her forehead. Noah’s finger slid under her chin, and he pulled back. She knew what he wanted—for her to look up and then…
The sound of a truck’s engine interrupted the moment. Lovina jerked back, remembering for the first time the large open window and the perfect view of them anyone would have from outside. The intimacy of the moment was replaced by embarrassment, and she quickly rose to her feet. Yes, she wanted to be close to Noah, and she wanted to be kissed, but that ought not to happen in such a public place.
Lovina bent down and bagged up the napkins. She set the shell to the side and hurriedly folded the blanket.
Noah waved at someone through the window, and she was afraid to turn.
“Who is it?”
“I’m not sure. Someone I haven’t met before. An Englischer.”
“I know it’s an Englischer. He’s driving.” Her words were sharp, and she pressed her lips together.
The man knocked on the door. “I’m so sorry,” she said as she hurried to the door. “I didn’t mean my words to be so harsh.”
He was right behind her, and she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Lovina.” The way he said her name was tender. “I was trying to do a nice thing, but I wasn’t protecting you. I’m sorry. I won’t be so inconsiderate with my actions in public again.”
She felt her heartbeat slowing once again. She blew out a breath and moved to the door. “Thank you, Noah.”
His words played on her thoughts as she opened the door. A real smile filled her lips as she did. A man stood there. He wore old jeans covered with paint and his T-shirt read 3J Construction.
“Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m looking for Noah Yoder. I hear he’s your contractor.”
Lovina’s eyebrow cocked, and she turned, motioning Noah forward. Noah had a smudge of frosting on the corner of his mouth and she resisted the urge to reach up and wipe it.
“How can I help you?” Noah asked.
Lovina stepped out of the way as Noah walked out to talk to the man. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but it sounded as if the man was asking Noah if he’d be interested in remodeling a building across town. Lovina smiled, realizing how Noah’s name would no doubt get out after this project was complete, but then another thought hit her. Once it was done she’d be busy running a pie shop and Noah would be working on other projects.
They wouldn’t be working together anymore. She wouldn’t see him every day.
Lovina set to work cleaning the glass in the front window. With the door open she could hear the conversation. Would Noah take the man’s offer?
“I’d like to hear more, but to be honest I’m hoping for more work in Pinecraft. It’s easier sticking closer to home, and—well, I just want to make sure the community is taken care of first.”
“That makes sense,” the man said, but from the look on his face it didn’t make sense at all. “Well, if you don’t mind I’d love to come back in a few weeks with more details. At least you can see what we’re doing. Look over our plans. Maybe you’ll be interested in putting in a bid after all.”
“Sure.” Noah nodded. “I’ll look forward to that.” He shook the man’s hand.
Lovina sprayed more glass cleaner. Noah had told the man that he was hoping for more work around Pinecraft, but was that even possible? Was there enough work here to sustain him and his teenage crew? Would he need to go back to Illinois? She hadn’t let her mind move far beyond getting the pie shop set up, but maybe she needed to do that. Noah had been more than generous by working for her, but what was next?
“Don’t waste your precious thoughts on worries that may never come to be.” She could hear her grandmother’s admonishment playing over in her mind. It was easier said than done, but Lovina knew those words to hold truth. If only she could make herself follow them.
Lovina looked at the clock. Faith would be by shortly to work on the menus, and she still had some cleaning today. She hurried to the back storage room to get more cleaning rags, and could almost imagine her grandma telling her that she needn’t be so hard on herself.
She also knew her grandma would be smiling, because for the first time ever she was actually letting her mind wander about something else other than pie. Lovina had a feeling that Grandma would appreciate her new choice of daydreaming material.
Maybe this was really love? Lovina smiled as she pulled rags out of the cleaning cabinet. She loved Noah. The joy filling her inside declared that.
Cinnamon Rolls
⅔ cup sugar
1 cup warm water
2 packages yeast
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed potatoes
4 eggs, beaten
6 cups flour
⅔ cup vegetable oil
Filling
soft butter
brown sugar
cinnamon
Combine sugar, water, and yeast. Add the rest of roll ingredients and mix well. Let dough rise until double. Preheat oven to 350°. Break dough into two portions. Roll out dough one portion at a time and spread with soft butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Roll up from long side and cut into 1¾-inch slices. Place in pan. Let rise and bake until brown, about 15-20 minutes.
Twenty-Five
If there is a smile in your heart, your face will show it.
AMISH PROVERB
Lovina heard the front door to the pie shop open, and she turned, expecting to see Faith. Instead, Grace strode into the warehouse alongside another woman—an Englischer, wearing tan slacks and a rosy red blouse.
Lovina paused from the list she’d been writing. She’d been pondering it for a week. It was a list of pies she would offer. Once she came up with the final list Faith was going to write them in calligraphy on a menu and they would make photocopies.
Lovina pushed the paper to the side and stood.
“Lovina,” said Grace, “I’d like to introduce you to Cara Johnson from the Sarasota Sun newspaper. She was in Yoder’s today interviewing Hank about the excitement of the new season. Cara’s going to shoot a few photos now with the empty streets, and then a few next week after the buses arrive.” Grace looked to the reporter, who was nodding enthusiastically. “I knew she’d want to hear about your shop.”
“It’ll make a great story,” the reporter said. “I think people have a hard time believing there’s an Amish community just a few miles down the road from million-dollar homes.”
“When I overheard them talking I had to interrupt,” Grace continued. “Ms. Johnson here was so excited, especially when I told her that an Amish bachelor and Amish teens were helping to remodel this old warehouse. She agreed that it made the perfect human interest story.”
Lovina looked to her baby sister, her eyes growing wide. Grace had never been shy, but Lovina had never seen Grace in this element before. Grace’s dark blonde hair was tucked neatly in her kapp and gave every appearance of being more comfortable in an Amish kitchen than talking to the media, but Lovina saw excitement in her little sister’s eyes that gave her face a special glow.
“Yes, I’m so thankful your sister found me,” the reporter jumped in. “Grace also said you wouldn’t mind if I interviewed you.” She pulled out a notebook and pen. “Can you start by telling me how this all got started?”
Lovina folded her hands in front of her. Her palms felt damp, and she wondered if the pounding of her heart was almost as loud as Noah’s hammer pounding in the other room. She guessed it was. “Well, as a young girl I always enjoyed making pies. I think the first pumpkin pie I made was still runny in the middle, but my mem and dat just ate around the edges. I suppose one wants to continue what one gets praise for,” Lovina chuckled. “Thankfully my pies got better over time.”
“Food is a special part of Amish social life,” Grace butted in. “It’s served at potlucks, marriage services, fundraisers, and farewells. Families gather in homes for church, and they always eat together before th
ey leave.”
The reporter took notes and then turned her attention back to Lovina. “And why did you want to open a pie shop? From that smile on your face I can see this means so much to you.”
“Well.” Lovina smiled bigger. “Food is also a way to connect people and reach out to a larger world. Offering a piece of pie makes a visitor, whether an old friend or a stranger, feel welcome. Like my sister said, we eat together as we gather, but it also is a sign of support when one’s going through a hard time. It’s a gesture of caring for each other. Sharing pie is loving another person in a caring way. And…it helps us to be reminded that God cares for us and offers us the gift of food and friends.”
Lovina looked to her sister, hoping Grace wasn’t upset that she’d been cut off. Instead, Grace’s eyes shone with pride, and for a moment Lovina felt like she was the little sister getting the big sister’s approval.
They continued to talk, and after a while Lovina forgot she was talking to a reporter. It was so natural to share about the pie shop. To express how important it was for people to sit face-to-face and enjoy the company of friends in the middle of a busy day.
Lovina showed the reporter the list of pies she’d selected. Cara took the list and began to read aloud. “Coconut cream, banana cream, peanut butter cream pie, key lime pie, strawberry rhubarb pie, cherry pie, lemon meringue, shoo-fly pie, apple skillet pie, and…orange pie? I’ve never heard of that one before.”
“It’s light and refreshing and perfect for Florida. I think it’s going to be a wonderful taste of sunshine visitors will want to try during their stay. It’s one of my favorites to make for church gatherings.”
The woman asked a few more questions, and then she turned her attention to Noah and the teens, who were installing a large pan rack in the kitchen.
Cara pointed her pen. “And tell me about them.”
“Oh, it’s a lovely story,” Grace gushed. “That handsome Amish bachelor is helping wayward youth by giving them job skills. He also does salvage work, repurposing cast-off items.” Grace pointed to the large counter where the bakers were going to roll out the crusts. “Noah found that in an old house near the water. Can you believe someone was going to just throw that away?”
The woman scribbled notes, and a smile graced her lips. “This is great stuff. It’ll make a nice story, but I have to ask one question.”
“Ja. What is it?” Lovina asked.
“Well, no one has mentioned it, but is it just a coincidence that a handsome bachelor is so generously giving his time to help a beautiful young Amish woman opening a pie shop?” The reporter leaned forward with her pen poised over the page. “A romance like that seems so lovely and innocent, so different from what we read in the papers today.”
“Well, I…it is a coincidence.” Lovina felt heat rising to her cheeks. “I mean, God probably had something to do with it, but it wasn’t in my plans.” She touched her hand to her cheek. “I can’t say too much, but I’m thankful…” She forced a smile. “Thankful that God brought Noah into my life.”
Grace placed a hand over Lovina’s. “I think what my sister is trying to say is ‘no comment.’ ” Grace wrinkled her nose, as if realizing how strange this would all sound to an outsider. “You see, in the Amish community a couple only lets others know of a possible marriage a few weeks before the wedding. It’s called ‘getting published’ when you let everyone know.” Grace laughed. “And unless my sister is planning on getting married even before the shop is open, I doubt she wants any news of their relationship in the press.”
Their relationship? The words replayed in Lovina’s mind. “Ja, no comment.” She released a breath with her words, realizing again how God was giving her more than she ever imagined. A pie shop and many people to share the joy with. And Noah, who not only shared the joy with her, but also the work. She couldn’t help but look at him. And when she turned back she realized the reporter’s eyes were on her.
“I won’t write anything about it now, but maybe when I return.” The woman offered a wistful smile. “It’s stories like these our world needs to hear. Stories to let people know that not every place is corrupt with people wanting more power, more attention, more fame.”
“When you return?” Lovina asked.
“Yes, when the pie shop is open.” Cara Johnson stood, tucked a pen behind her ear, and held her notebook to her chest. “I can’t wait to sample that orange pie.” And then the reporter looked to Noah, still hard at work, and released a sigh. “And see how the rest of this project turns out. Sweet and happy, I’m certain. For both the shop and the baker.”
There was a far-off look in Cara’s eyes—one that Lovina didn’t want to ignore. “Is it difficult being a reporter?” Lovina asked. “I’m sure you see so many hard things.”
“I do.” Cara nodded. “It is hard at times. Sometimes I’ve questioned why God lets bad things happen. But then I come to a place like this, and I’m reminded…” Her voice trailed off.
“Of what?” It was Grace who asked this time.
“I’m reminded that good things are happening too, and it may sound silly, but I can feel God here.” The woman’s eyes flickered to Lovina, but then she looked away, almost embarrassed. “I won’t write it in the story…but I having a feeling you’re going to serve up more than just pie, Lovina. I have a feeling you’ll be serving faith and hope too.”
A chill raced up Lovina’s arms. She looked to Grace and noticed her sister’s smile. And deep down she had a feeling the woman was right. Maybe this place wasn’t just about pie after all.
Lovina sat on her bed running the brush down her long hair. She was tired and sore, but in a good way. She and Faith hadn’t gotten around to working on the menus as she’d hoped, but she hadn’t minded. Instead, after the reporter had left, she’d worked with Noah, sifting through a few more items from his storage area that he thought they could repurpose for the store.
She was amazed by Noah really. Once Lovina had relayed Grace’s vision for the pie shop being a mix of Amish comfort and vintage, he’d found more items to repurpose. Her favorite item was an old, rusty metal stepladder that he’d used to display cookbooks. He’d set it up by the door, and joy bubbled up in Lovina as she imagined how delighted customers were going to be when they walked inside. There was so much to appreciate, to look at. Lovina released a contented sigh and lay back on her pillow.
On the next bed over, Hope twisted her strawberry blonde hair into a long braid. Out of all the sisters, Hope was the no-nonsense one. The sister more prone to practical ideas than wistful thoughts.
“Thinking of pies again? Have you narrowed down which ones you’re going to have on your menu?” Hope asked.
“Uh, well…” Lovina couldn’t help the smile that played on her lips.
Hope tied off her braid and then glanced over, waiting for Lovina’s answer. Then she leaned forward and studied Lovina’s face. “You’re not thinking about pies at all!” Hope gasped. “You are thinking about a bachelor.”
“Why would you think that?”
Hope’s eyes widened. “Look at you. Your cheeks are all red. It’s him, isn’t it?”
“Him who? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Hope pinned her sleeping handkerchief to her hair, a large smile on her face. “Who am I talking about?” She laughed. “As if you didn’t know. Noah.”
Lovina tried to hide her smile, but it didn’t quite work. Hope reached over and placed a soft finger on Lovina’s chin, urging her to look up.
Lovina did and the smile came.
“You like him!”
Out of all the sisters Hope had been around the pie shop the least, and Lovina knew that was why Hope was just now realizing how close she and Noah had become.
“Shhh…” Lovina placed her finger to her lips. “Of course I like him. He’s a great worker. You should see him. He’s become a favorite supplier at Sarasota Architectural Salvage, and just yesterday he traded some old wooden crates for some fenci
ng pickets for the shop. He didn’t have to do that. We agreed that he could have everything inside that he wanted, but he said he had a wonderful idea. He’s going to create a white picket fence to separate the girls rolling pie crusts from the tables out front. I never would have come up with that, but I love the idea! I loved it from the first moment he showed it to me on a sketch. Grace loved it too.” Lovina didn’t tell Hope about the surprise birthday breakfast. She was cherishing that all to herself.
“So you’re saying you’re interested in him as a carpenter only?” Hope cocked one eyebrow. “I haven’t seen him close up for myself, but I overheard one of the waitresses at Yoder’s talking about how handsome he was.”
A strange jealousy stirred in Lovina’s chest. She swallowed hard. Which waitress was talking about him? Someone she knew?
“Look at you!” Hope chuckled. “I think you’re going to have smoke escaping your ears.”
“Why would I be concerned if other women think Noah handsome? It’s not as if I have any ownership over the man. We’ve only gone on one real date.” Yet even as she said those words, she knew they had an understanding. The way he’d held her…well, hadn’t that meant something special?
Lovina put on her sleeping kapp and turned down the wick on their lantern. Even though they had electricity in their room, both she and Hope agreed that they loved the ambiance of lantern light at night when they read and talked in bed. They’d lived with lantern light their whole life. It seemed unnatural to fill their room with the harsh white light from the lightbulb now, no matter if they had electricity or not.
Hope chuckled. “And when would you have time to go on dates? You’re at the shop from morning to night. Do you ever stop to eat?”
Lovina rolled to her side. “There’s a lot to get done.”
“Ja, and it helps things that your coworker is nice to look at too.”
Lovina didn’t say anything then. She didn’t want to argue and she couldn’t lie. Instead, she decided to change the subject.