by Tricia Goyer
Noah shrugged and looked at her as if he wondered if she really needed an answer. “I’m going to eat it.”
“Oh, I see.”
“It’s ice cream, Lovina. I’m not sure you could ever get full eating ice cream.”
Lovina nodded in a way that told him she didn’t agree.
She watched him take a big bite out of the top of his ice cream, and then he pressed a hand to his forehead as if he’d just gotten an ice cream headache. Then laughter burst from his lips. She looked up, surprised, and noticed the twinkle of humor in his blue eyes.
“What’s so funny?”
“Well, for a second I realized I was trying to figure out which hurt worse, the ice cream headache or the bump on my head. If someone was ever wanting to make a horrible first impression this would be it.” He rubbed the top of his head and grimaced. “I think I’m going to have a bump up here for a while.”
“And I think I’m going to have a red spot.” She touched the tender spot on her forehead. “I know it’s there. You don’t have to try to convince me it’s not. I can see that you keep looking at it.”
“Please forgive me.” His voice was warm. “I didn’t see you going for my pencil…but you can say that’s one way for me to bowl you over with my presentation.”
“Did you come here thinking you had to impress me?” She lifted one eyebrow. “Because I had a feeling I was coming here to convince you that my pie shop was a worthy endeavor.”
“I’m not sure I need much convincing. I need a job, mostly because I need to prove to this community that the young men I’m trying to help can put in a good day’s work. But…” He flipped through some of his pages. “If I came feeling I had to impress, the answer is yes.” He flipped two more pages and then pushed the sketchbook closer to her.
Peering down at the page he’d opened to, Lovina’s eyes widened. She’d expected the drawing to be similar to the one she’d first seen—the one that looked more like the blueprints that her father had used when erecting his barn. But that was only the beginning. On the next page he’d brought the image to life. In fact, it was as if Noah had been able to look into her head and sketch her dream. It was as if he’d been peeking into her notebook, even though she knew that was impossible.
Lovina tried to lick her cone the best she could, but her eyes were fixed on the sketched image before her.
It was a drawing of a shop with a long counter that greeted the customers as they entered the door. Where the pie counter ended, the tables began. What looked to be a white picket wooden fence separated the customer tables from a large work area.
“I love this. I can’t believe you drew this. When did you have time?”
He shrugged. “It’s nothing much. You were a little late so I just tried to picture the type of place I could see you in. This is it.”
Tears sprang to Lovina’s eyes, and her throat tightened hot and thick. She tried to speak but no words came. A small squeak found its way out—the beginning of a cry.
Noah took one last bite of his cone, wiped his hands on a napkin, and leaned forward. “Lovina, are you okay?”
She nodded, still unable to talk. She looked to the picture again, and her lower lip trembled.
“Did I do something…” he hesitated. “Something to make you sad?”
“I’m so sorry,” she finally managed to say. “I’ve been wanting this, well, as long as I can remember. My parents, they listened, and my sisters…they mostly thought it was silly.” She waved a hand in front of her face as if wishing herself to calm. “And then for two years I worked as a teacher and I saved every penny. We moved here, and I talked to Jason at the bank, and he’s the first one who really believed I could do it. But he didn’t really like the warehouse, even though I feel—deep down—that it’s right. And this morning, well, I felt God telling me to look, and then I did, and then I met you…” The words blubbered out, and she was sure that Noah Yoder must think she was the silliest woman he had met in his whole life. “And then you bring this, and…oh, Noah, how could you have known?”
He shrugged and offered her a small white paper napkin to wipe her eyes. She dabbed at them and then dared to look at him.
Tenderness mixed with confusion. “It’s just a drawing,” he said.
“But you understand what I’m trying to accomplish. Other people have listened, but they didn’t see the vision like you do.”
Noah reached across and placed his hand on hers. “I was just hoping you’d like it. I didn’t expect a waterfall.”
She chuckled and shook her head. She pulled her hand away, grabbing another napkin to dot her eyes. Thankfully, she wasn’t trying to impress him. Her eyes always got red and puffy when she cried, and she was sure she looked a mess.
“I’m glad you like what I sketched, but it’s only a start. I’d like to go through your notebook to get more ideas, but I have a question first.”
Lovina took in a deep breath. “Ja?”
His face wore a serious look. “Do you mind if I order more ice cream?”
“More?” Her mouth gaped open. She knew he’d finished off his ice cream cone, but somewhere in the midst of her blubbering he’d finished off the cup of ice cream too.
Noah looked down sheepishly. “I didn’t have time for lunch.”
“Well, you don’t need more ice cream. What you need is…” She held up one finger. “Hold on. I’ll be back in two minutes.” She left Big Olaf’s and walked around the side of the building to Mike’s pretzel stand.
Two Old Order Amish men stood in line, talking to Mike. They wore stiff, black hats and each of them had a pretzel in hand. Mike did most of his business in the winter months when the roads were filled with Amish men and women walking and riding on bicycles, but thankfully he braved the heat a few days a week in the summer and fall, serving anyone who happened by.
Mike glanced up at Lovina as she approached. He used to be in the masonry business, but when things slowed, he took up pretzel making. The two older men parted to let her through, and Lovina smiled and stepped up. “One pretzel, please.”
Mike handed it to her. “How’s your dat’s health?” he asked.
“Gut.” She handed him two dollar bills, smiling. “He went on a walk today, which shows an improvement.” She pointed her thumb behind her. “But I have a friend waiting.”
Mike tucked the money in his money box. “Waiting for the best pretzel he ever had?”
Lovina nodded and then paused. She cocked her head and looked to Mike. “How did you know my friend was a he?”
Mike chuckled. “I can see it in your eyes. That sparkle and such.”
Nods came from the two Old Order gentlemen on either side.
The pretzel smelled delicious. “Ja, well, I suppose he will like it very much.”
She returned to the ice cream shop and approached the table. Noah sniffed and then reached out a hand, accepting the gift.
“That looks delicious, thank you. I’ve seen that stand, but I’ve yet to try one.”
“Mike told me to tell you he’s sure this will be the best you’ve ever had.”
Noah cocked an eyebrow. “Has he heard of Auntie Anne’s? My driver says they’re so popular they’re all over the nation, even in airports. A business started by an Amish couple.”
“Ja, I actually know about them. My sister Grace is fascinated by small businesses that make it big. Dat says he used to ask her business advice when she was five, and she was always right. She’s talked to Mike a few times about trying to expand his business, and he’s been thinking about it. Personally I have been begging Mike for his recipe for a few months. He won’t give in, but another friend, Fannie, gave me a recipe that makes one almost as good.”
“Do you do that often?” Noah asked.
“Do what?”
“Share recipes? Talk about food with your friends?” he asked, taking a bite of the pretzel.
“Ja. Food is what binds us together in so many ways.”
He tilted
his head as if he was trying to understand.
“What are you thinking?” She pressed her lips together, wondering how she was able to talk to Noah so easily. Had it just been today that they’d met?
“You want to know what I’m thinking about,” he finally said. “Well, the truth is that my motives were to find work and to help the teens, but as we’re talking…” His voice trailed off.
“What?” she asked, leaning closer.
“I believe in what you’re doing. I really do. You’re on to something, Lovina. I mean, people can make good food that others enjoy, but you want your pie shop to do more than that. You want to build a community. Maybe you can even have customers share their pie recipes too.”
She turned to the back of her notebook and jotted down the idea. “Oh! And I can choose one to serve as a special every month. I love that idea.”
As they talked Noah continued to add more to the sketch. Looking it over, he pulled colored pencils from a plastic bag. “I bought these, but I can’t take them home.” Noah shook his head. “If I did, there would be no end to the teasing I’d receive from the guys.” She smiled, thinking of the teens asking Noah to color a picture for them. She’d seen the way they played around with each other earlier that day, and such antics were unfamiliar to her. She had male cousins, yes, but for the most part at family gatherings they stayed in the barn and the womenfolk stayed inside.
“I can’t imagine how a little package of colored pencils could cause any problems. I’ve never really seen that…I mean, being raised with only sisters.”
“You’ll see.” Noah wagged his finger in the air. “Wait until we start working on your pie shop. Then you’ll get a dose of what it’s about.”
They talked about the colors Lovina liked—the white of the cottages around Pinecraft and the light colors—teal, apricot, and pink—of the plain dresses that the young Amish women wore in these parts. They talked about what would need to happen first in the remodel.
“So when will you know?”
“I’m going out to dinner with Dat and Mem tonight. If it’s a no I’ll know by tomorrow.”
“And if it’s a yes?” Noah asked.
“Well, that could take more time. If Dat agrees to cosign for me I have to talk to Jason at the bank. He can figure out the loan and do all the paperwork.”
“I’ll be praying about that.”
“Danke.” It warmed her heart to hear that. While all Amish men were supposed to be men of prayer, hearing someone state it so plainly wasn’t common.
The bell jingled behind them, and Lovina heard a voice call out.
“Lovina!”
The smile on Noah’s face faded as footsteps neared.
Lovina turned, and her eyes widened as she saw Thomas Chupp standing there.
Soft Pretzels
1½ cups warm water
2 tablespoons yeast
5 cups flour (approximate)—can use up to 2½ cups whole-wheat flour
¼ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1½ cups hot water
2 tablespoons baking soda
melted butter
cinnamon sugar (optional)
coarse salt (optional)
Dissolve the yeast in water. Add the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Knead like bread dough. Let rise 15 to 20 minutes. Roll and shape into pretzels. Dip into 1½ cups hot water that has 2 tablespoons baking soda dissolved in it. Lay on absorbent paper towel to dry. Transfer to greased cookie sheets to bake. Bake 7 minutes in preheated 450° oven. After baking, dip into melted butter. We like to roll them in cinnamon sugar or sprinkle them with salt. These are fun to make when you have several helping hands. Makes 10 pretzels.
Ten
If you live an honest and upright life, there is no need to “talk the talk.” Your life speaks for itself.
AMISH PROVERB
Thomas Chupp strode in to Big Olaf’s, walking directly to their table and pausing next to Lovina’s chair.
She glanced up, surprised and a little intimidated by the way Thomas looked down at her. He was handsome and he knew it. It was clear that Thomas was used to having command of a room. It made her slightly uncomfortable, like something an Englisch man would do.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to thank you for stopping by earlier. My Aunt Vera told me where you lived and Faith said you were here.” He grinned. “It was nice seeing her again. She told you that I met her last night, but I had no idea you were related…” His smile brightened. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” He looked from her to Noah and then back again, but in her opinion Thomas didn’t seem sorry at all.
“Well—” she started, but he quickly cut off her words.
“You know that I’m new in town, and my aunt insists I must go to Siesta Key Beach. And since you’re the only person under the age of sixty I know in Pinecraft, I was wondering if you’d join me? I thought we could go tonight.”
“Tonight? No.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I already have plans.”
Thomas looked to Noah and frowned slightly, as if believing he had something to do with those plans. Noah did in a way, but Lovina didn’t want to try to explain.
“But what about Faith—”
“I see.” He cut off her words again. “Well, what about tomorrow night then?” Thomas’s eyes widened hopefully.
“I don’t know. I have some important things I’m working on.” She thought about mentioning Faith again, but she needed to talk to her sister first. Lovina always hated when Mem tried to set her up, and Lovina guessed that Faith didn’t appreciate it either.
“Ja, but your sister told me you haven’t been to the beach in over a month. How could you let that happen, especially when you live so close?” Thomas focused on her, refusing to let her look away.
“My interests lie in other areas.”
Thomas’s smiling eyes locked on hers. “I won’t take no for an answer.”
Lovina looked to Noah as if wanting him to jump in and save her, but his gaze was turned downward. He was busy sketching something—something she wanted to see. Thomas hovered over, and she knew he wasn’t going to leave until she gave him an answer. Not any answer, but the one he wanted to hear.
“Ja, well, maybe in the morning before it gets too hot. But just for an hour or so.”
“Wunderbar. I’ll hire a driver. I’ll get some lunch items packed too. See you at ten o’clock tomorrow.” And just like that, Thomas walked out without a parting glance.
He was there and gone quickly, and she almost wondered if she’d imagined it. But from the wall now firmly erected between her and Noah, she knew she hadn’t.
Lovina brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. She didn’t know what to say.
“The pretzel is gut.” Noah held it up. And then he took his final bite. “And if you don’t mind, I’d love to look in your notebook. To get an idea of things you like.”
Noah spoke to her in a kind, gentle tone, but there was a coolness to their interaction that hadn’t been there before.
“Ja, of course.” Her heart sunk. The playfulness of their meeting was gone just like that. And Lovina wondered if she should have done something differently. But really, what could she have done? It wasn’t as if Thomas had given her any chance to decline. And why should she have? Someone who was new to town had invited her to the beach. That was all. It was nothing to be ashamed of. And Noah wanted to work for her, nothing more.
Mem will be pleased…pleased about the date, that is. Lovina was still worried about Mem’s opinion of Noah. But she supposed time would tell concerning that too.
She opened up her notebook and flipped through a few pages, trying to get Thomas’s intense, brown-eyed gaze out of her mind and trying to decide what to show Noah first.
“I do like this cupboard.” She pointed to a large cupboard on one of the pages. There was nothing fancy about its design. It was wooden and had four shelves, but the shelves were filled with colorful dishes. Mostl
y old Pyrex bowls, mugs, and plates in colors of teal, sea foam green, yellow, and white.
Noah ran his finger over the page. “I love how they used those reclaimed letters on the top shelf to spell out EAT,” he commented, yet with little emotion.
“Ja,” she smiled, “but in my shop it would spell out PIE.” She chuckled.
“That only makes sense.” A bit of his smile returned. “I’ve seen a lot of those salvaged letters around from old signs. I wonder if you might find some old theater letters around your warehouse. I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“I like how you call it my warehouse.”
Noah shrugged. “I know it’s not a certain thing yet, but I’ll continue to do what I can to help.”
He sketched the shelf next, and it reminded Lovina of the way her sister had sketched earlier. With such concentration. It amazed her how people were able to take what was in their thoughts and put it on paper. That was something she had no talent in whatsoever.
Lovina continued to point out items, and Noah drew them. Another hour passed, and when they were through Lovina was holding three sheets of paper in her hands.
She spread them on the table before her. She had what she needed for tonight’s meeting with her parents. If her father wouldn’t say yes now, she knew he never would.
“Thank you.” She looked across the table at Noah, knowing her simple words could never convey her heart. “I’ll let you know when I hear something.”
“Thanks for considering me too.” He rose and tucked his sketchbook under his arm, but he left the colored pencils on the table.
She pointed to pencils on the table. “You really aren’t going to take those?”
“No, but you’re welcome to take them.” A smile showed a slight dimple in his cheek. “Consider them a souvenir of our meeting.”
“I’ll give them to my sister. But let me pay for them. I know you just bought them today.”
He nodded with a grin. “Yes, I’ll accept payment. But not in money.”
“What then?” She rose, standing next to him, peering up into his face.
“The first piece of pie from your pie shop.”