Love Comes to Paradise

by Mary Ellis

  “Now would you like something to eat?”

  “No, thanks, Mrs. Gingerich. Please tell the sheriff I’ll wait for him by the truck.” And then she was gone. Jonas and Emily were left with Micah and Laura. And for the first time, the four of them felt like a family.

  “Stop staring at them. You’ll make Emily nervous.” Violet hissed in her ear.

  Nora straightened the buffet table for the third time. She pulled her focus from Emily and the skinny woman sitting on lawn chairs. “I’m worried for Emily’s sake. That Englischer keeps scribbling on her clipboard. What if she says something wrong or that woman sees something she doesn’t like?” Nora stirred the macaroni salad again.

  “What could she possibly not like?” Violet placed her hand on her hip. “Emily hasn’t been apart from those two kids since she found them. She moved a crib and extra bed into their bedroom so they wouldn’t be alone. And she even takes them to Grain of Life to watch the rebuilding of the bakery.”

  “I know, but the English have their own ideas of what constitutes a good home…baby monitors, electric bottle sterilizers, humidifiers. At least Jonas and Emily installed smoke detectors before the county’s first visit.”

  “Remember, those kinner are Amish and have a right to stay that way. Come on,” coaxed Violet. “Let’s go convince our two fiancés that now would be a good time to take their lunch break. They can eat with us someplace private.” Violet wriggled her eyebrows.

  Nora let herself be dragged off the porch, out of view of her boss. “Stop calling Lewis that. You and Seth might be officially engaged, but my beau has yet to ask me.”

  “A minor detail. Everyone knows the only reason Lewis works at Gingerich’s and is still in town, for that matter, is because he intends to marry you.”

  Nora tucked a lock of hair beneath her kapp. “Maybe he just likes my plum tarts.”

  Violet harrumphed. “They’re gut, but not as gut as mine.” She punched Nora’s shoulder playfully as they reached the work site.

  “Miss Trask! Stop hitting people,” called Seth. “Or your daed will never marry you off. He’ll be too afraid for the sake of your unfortunate husband.”

  “Seth Yoder, come say that to my face if you’re brave enough. And bring that Yankee Lewis Miller with you. It’s time for lunch for hard workers like us.” Violet beamed at her beloved up on the scaffolds. “We’ll set up over yonder.” She pointed at a picnic table by itself, and then she marched toward the buffet.

  Nora had no choice but to follow her after making sure Lewis would take his break too. The men ate at staggered intervals to keep progress moving on the barn. Nora got in line behind Violet with two plates. On hers she placed raw veggies, a hot dog, and a portion of baked beans. For Lewis, she selected a double cheeseburger, hot dog, beans, and both potato and macaroni salads.

  Violet glanced at her second plate in shock. “Goodness, are you fattening him up for the fall slaughter or for a wedding?”

  “That all depends on how long he takes to pop the question,” she whispered on their way to the picnic table. Seth and Lewis were already waiting with four glasses of lemonade. Both men grinned when they approached.

  “Looks like you got more lunch than me,” moaned Seth, comparing the two plates. He feigned disappointment.

  Violet arched her neck. “That was due to the ‘unfortunate husband’ comment. I suggest you be nice or you’ll get no dessert.” She glared down her nose.

  “I’ll be sweet as cream, dear heart.” Seth winked as he took his first bite of hamburger.

  “Much better.” Violet straightened her apron and focused her attention on Lewis. “Did you hear where we’re going on our honeymoon? You are familiar with honeymoons, aren’t you, Mr. Miller?” She fluttered her lashes. “It’s a trip a couple takes following their wedding.”

  Nora shrank down on the bench and concentrated on her food, wishing she’d taken more to pick at. Her nudges beneath the table had gone ignored.

  “I am familiar with the idea,” said Lewis, “but I’m unaware of your destination. Will you visit relatives in outlying areas?”

  Seth resumed the narrative. “Nope. We’ve booked passage on a freighter picking up cargo in St. Louis. They accept eight or ten paying passengers each trip. We’ll have a little cabin with a window on the Mississippi River all the way down to New Orleans. Ain’t that romantic?” He aimed an adoring gaze at Violet, who blushed prettily.

  Their lunch partners stared with sandwiches held midair. “Does your father know about this cruise?” asked Nora.

  Violet nodded energetically. “Jah, he agreed as long as we dress Plain, drink no wine with dinner, and don’t spend much time with the sailors. The ship is bound for Florida.”

  “Why wouldn’t we dress Amish?” asked Seth. “And we’ll be too busy to mingle much with sailors.”

  Nora flushed until her scalp tingled, while Lewis asked, “If the ship’s crossing the Gulf, how will you get back. Or haven’t you lovebirds thought that far in advance?”

  “We’ll take the bus back to St. Louis. The boat may have room for another couple if there were to be another wedding in the near future.”

  Nora choked on a bite of baked beans. After a hard slap between her shoulder blades, she was able to address her best friend. “Stop that right now, Violet Trask. You truly are incorrigible.” Her voice was hoarse but the meaning clear.

  Lewis seemed to be biting his cheek while trying to finish his lunch. When he had swallowed the last bite of his burger, he reached for Nora’s hand. “Care to take a short walk with me before going back to work? We’ll leave these two to discuss their traveling wardrobes.”

  Jumping to her feet, Nora pushed their dirty plates across the table. “For your punishment, you can clean up our mess, missy.”

  They set off toward the Morganstein apple orchard, which they found battered by the storm but still functional. “That friend of yours is one in a million,” said Lewis, pulling Nora into his arms.

  “I hope she didn’t get your goat.” Nora peered up at him.

  “Nope. And she’s right to be impatient for your sake. You’re probably wondering why it’s taking me so long to propose after we straightened things out at Seth’s house all those weeks ago.” Lewis held her so close, Nora could barely think.

  “It had crossed my mind…maybe once or twice.”

  “I wrote to my parents to say we intended to marry. I said if they needed me, we would come back to Maine, but if they could possibly spare me, my bride greatly prefers the weather in Missouri—except for tornados, of course.”

  “Oh, my, Lewis. This is better than I dared to hope. I was all set to move back to Harmony.” She blushed and then said, “If, of course, you asked me.”

  “There never was a doubt about that.” He kissed her forehead. “Two days ago I got a letter from my parents. My fourth sister has a serious beau. That’s plenty of menfolk to help bring in the harvest and work in the store too. None of the men owns so much land that they can’t help my daed. My parents give their blessings as long as we promise to return yearly for a visit.”

  Nora rested her cheek against his chest as she hugged his midsection. “I will miss my sisters, but at least I’ll have Violet and Emily.”

  “Who could leave Violet Trask? Life would seem so dull.”

  “Shall we go tell them?” Nora turned her face up to his again.

  He kissed her lips before saying, “I’ll walk you back to the house, but then I need to get back to work. Just don’t let the future Mrs. Yoder talk the future Mrs. Miller into a trip to Louisiana and then Florida. We’re going to Maine to see our families after our wedding. There’s too many for them to make the trip here.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Nora blinked back her tears as they strode toward the house. However, they had only gone halfway when a familiar face stepped out from behind a tree. “Elam Detweiler. What on earth are you doing here?”

  Lewis nodded at his former adversary. “Ela
m has been helping on the barn, Nora. Nobody cuts joists or rafters as accurately as him.”

  “Thanks.” The two men eyed each other like hawks. “I understand congrats are in order. You two are getting hitched?”

  Lewis and Nora shared a smile. “Word travels fast. I only officially asked her five minutes ago.”

  “Seth Yoder jumped the gun.” Elam smirked. “Well, Miller, I will say you are one lucky man.” He struck out a hand.

  Lewis paused for a moment, and then he shook the outstretched hand. “I couldn’t agree with you more.”

  Elam turned to walk away, but Nora stopped him in his tracks. “Wait!” she demanded. “You still owe me several favors as I recall. And I’m here to collect.”

  Elam scratched his scruffy goatee. “Name it.”

  “You will do nothing to interfere with our future happiness in Paradise.”

  “Done.” Elam answered without hesitation.

  “Now for the big favor you owe me.” Nora looked from Lewis to Elam. “I want you to tell the truth about the robbery at the lumberyard. I won’t have anyone thinking it might have been Lewis because we intend to make our home here.” She narrowed her eyes into a glare.

  Elam stared at her before he nodded. “Why not? I’ve already made up my mind to see what Colorado can offer a trained lumberjack like me. And I know an Amish man like Gingerich won’t press charges.” He slicked his finger through his long hair.

  “Danki.” Nora clasped Lewis’s hand and turned to leave.

  “One more thing,” said Elam. “I left a message for you in Maine that I’ll share with you in person in Missouri. Don’t let Paradise moss grow up your backside, Mrs. Miller. See some sights. Have some fun before you get too old.”

  “We intend to do just that.” Lewis circled her shoulders with his strong arm.

  Nora took one last look before Elam left with his typical arrogant swagger. She felt nothing but pity for him. He was a lost soul, stuck between the English world and the Amish—not fitting in in either one. Help him, Lord. He needs You now more than ever, even though he’s too stupid to realize it.

  “Ready for the rest of our life?” asked Lewis with a grin.

  “You bet I am.”

  Mid-September

  The new bell over the new door at Gingerich Lumber jangled as Nora entered, announcing her arrival.

  Two men peered up from the computer monitor on the showroom counter. “Look who’s here, Lewis,” said Jonas. “It’s the bride-to-be with nothing better to do than drive around in the hired van. Welcome to my rebuilt establishment, Miss King. Have you come to outfit your future new home?”

  “Not today, Jonas. I had errands in Columbia and thought I’d see the repairs for myself.” She pivoted in place. “Your descriptions at the dinner table don’t do justice to this place.”

  Lewis walked around the counter to Nora’s side. “Boss, I think I’ll take one of those fifteen-minute breaks I’m supposed to have. I believe you owe me at least a hundred of them by now.”

  “Fine, but don’t think I’m not timing the fifteen minutes,” called Jonas as they headed out into brilliant autumn sunshine.

  Once out of view, Lewis slipped an arm around her waist and drew her close.

  “I have two letters from home and couldn’t wait to share the news.” Nora unfolded a pink sheet of paper. “Amy and John are coming from Harmony for our wedding. And they’re bringing Sally and Thomas and your parents. That will just about empty the town. Your schwestern and their spouses will tend the co-op in your parents’ absence.”

  “You’re joking, right? They know we’re coming to Maine in November.” Lewis took the letter to skim.

  “It sounds as though they’re curious about the tornado damage. Also, Rachel and Beth are coming from Lancaster next week. They wrote that nothing would keep them from seeing me on my wedding day.” Nora swallowed hard. “My grossmammi is mad as a hornet. My sisters are traveling unchaperoned because neither of my grandparents is up to the trip.”

  “They should be fine on the train.” Lewis took the second letter to peruse.

  “I believe grossmammi has more to worry about than that. After our wedding, Rachel doesn’t plan to return to Pennsylvania with Beth. She’s on her way to Kentucky to live and work on a chicken farm. Can you imagine, Lewis? Grossmammi has asked me to talk some sense into Rachel.” Nora couldn’t hide her joy over her newfound status in the family.

  “And why shouldn’t she turn to you?” He buzzed a kiss across her forehead. “Any woman who can change the course of a twister can surely change her little sister’s mind.”

  Nora buried her face in his soft cotton shirt. “It wasn’t just me…I had a little help from above.”

  Lewis drew her back to arm’s length and lifted her chin with his finger. “Even so, you were pretty amazing that day and all the days after. I look forward to an amazing life with you here in Paradise, Nora, or wherever strong winds blow us.”

  Recipes

  Molasses Crinkles Cookies

  Rosanna Coblentz (Old Order Amish)

  3 cups butter

  2½ cups white sugar

  2½ cups brown sugar

  4 eggs, beaten

  6 teaspoons baking soda

  1 cup buttermilk

  1 cup cane molasses (light or dark, whichever your preference)

  2 teaspoons baking powder

  10 cups flour

  Brown sugar

  Cinnamon

  Mix together the butter and sugars, and then add the beaten eggs and mix again. Dissolve the baking soda in the cup of buttermilk and add that to the mixture, and then add the molasses. Stir in the baking powder, and then gradually add in the flour.

  Chill the dough for at least 2 hours and then roll into balls the size of walnuts. Roll the balls in a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon to taste.

  Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on your oven.

  Fruit Tarts

  Rosanna Coblentz

  2 cups flour

  ½ cup shortening

  ½ cup butter-flavored shortening

  8 ounces cream cheese

  Pinch of salt

  Lemon curd or fruit preserves

  Mix the first four ingredients well with a pastry blender or fork. Form the dough into balls and then press into the cups of a muffin or tart pan and fill with your favorite fruit filling, approximately ½ to ⅔ full (lemon curd or raspberry, cherry, plum, or peach preserves).

  Bake for approximately 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool and then add your favorite topping.

  Rosie says, “We like whipped cream, but ice cream is really good too.”

  Coconut Cream Pie

  Rosanna Coblentz

  Pie Crust (makes 2 pie shells)

  1 teaspoon salt

  2 cups flour

  2/3 cup butter-flavored shortening

  Cold water (just enough to form a ball)

  Use a fork to mix the salt with flour and then work in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 4 to 6 tablespoons cold water and mix well. Divide the dough and roll out to fit into a 9-inch pie pan. Place the crust in a pan, crimp the edges, and prick the dough with a fork. Repeat with the other half of dough. Bake until slightly brown.

  Rosie’s secret: To prevent crusts from shrinking, place them under the broiler for a few seconds before baking.

  Filling

  1 pint milk

  1 cup white sugar

  2 eggs, beaten

  2 level tablespoons Clear Gel (moisten with a little milk)

  1 tablespoon butter

  1 tablespoon vanilla

  1 cup coconut, grated and dried

  Combine the milk, sugar, and eggs and cook on a medium-low heat. Stirring constantly to prevent scorching, bring the mixture to the point where it almost boils and then add the Clear Gel, butter, and vanilla. Continue stirring until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.

  After filling
has cooled, add 1 cup grated dried coconut and then divide the mixture between the two pies shells. Chill and then top with whipped cream and toasted coconut. (To toast coconut, place under the broiler for a couple minutes. Watch closely so it doesn’t become too dark.)

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Nora arrives in her new community with as much trepidation as excitement. What encouragement does she find that helps her believe Paradise might actually be a good fit?

  2. Minister Solomon Trask has his work cut out for him. Why does he find the English tourists such a threat to the Plain lifestyle?

  3. Nora originally came to Paradise because of Elam Detweiler. How and why does their relationship deteriorate? How does her character growth doom her feelings for Elam?

  4. Why does Jonas Gingerich often feel like “odd man out” in his district, especially with Minister Trask, when both men base their viewpoints on the Bible?

  5. Emily’s fascination with local history causes friction between her and Jonas. Why does her faith seem to change the more she studies the past?

  6. Solomon believes the natural disasters the community experiences substantiate his claim that God has turned His back on Paradise, Missouri. What changes his mind by story’s end and how will it affect his future as a minister?

  7. Violet Trask’s physical struggles mirror the emotional struggles of her family and friends. How does this courageous woman influence the lives of Nora, Solomon, and Emily?

  8. Nora’s relationship with Lewis is hampered by her lack of honesty. Why does finally letting go of her past mistakes finally give their love a chance?

  9. The hand of God, evident in the devastating tornado, affects Jonas, Solomon, Nora, and Violet differently. How is each of their lives changed for the better?

  10. How do Old Testament lessons versus Christ’s teachings in the New Testament continue to present challenges to Christians today?

  Don’t miss Rachel’s continuing journey in Book 3 of The New Beginnings Series by bestselling author Mary Ellis