by Tricia Goyer
Her heart jumped at those words, and she couldn’t help but smile. “That sounds like a deal, Mr. Yoder.” She extended her hand, and he took it. His hand was rough—a working man’s hand—and she liked that about him. “That’s a deal I can work with.”
Lovina couldn’t help but notice her sisters watching from the window when she returned home and parked her bike. She couldn’t erase her smile, and she wished she could tell them everything—all about the warehouse, about Noah and his sketches—which she now had tucked inside her notebook.
She couldn’t do that, mostly because they’d never be able to keep it from their parents. Lovina wanted to be the one to tell Dat and Mem about the money she’d saved, the bank loan that Jason was working on, and her remodeling plans. She had the sketches that would capture her father’s creative nature. She also planned to downplay Noah Yoder’s involvement. She wasn’t sure what Noah had done to get on Mem’s bad side, but the fact that Mem hadn’t mentioned him once to any of her daughters proved that he wasn’t in her good graces.
Lovina strode into her house determined to hide her smile, but the four grinning faces looking up at her from around the kitchen table made it impossible.
“Okay, tell us all about it.” Grace was the first to jump in.
Lovina’s cheeks warmed at the thought of Noah Yoder. Of the way that he listened to her. The way he’d captured her dream in a simple sketch. And how he’d placed his hand on hers before they’d parted. “Tell you about what?” She fiddled with the sleeve of her dress.
“Oh, please! You act like we don’t know,” Hope huffed. Her sisters were sitting around the table, enjoying a glass of Southern Breeze Punch, as was often the custom in the hot afternoons. “Even if we didn’t have any idea what was happening between you and that handsome bachelor we could read it all over your face.”
Lovina looked away from their intent stare and went to retrieve a glass from the kitchen cupboard. She turned on the water from the tap and filled the glass, taking a long drink.
“He came by here, Lovina,” Faith said, yet her words didn’t have the same playful tone as Grace’s. “You can’t hide it from us.”
“He came by here?” She spun around then, trying to figure out how that was possible. She’d met Noah at Big Olaf’s, and then they’d parted ways and she’d come right back home. There was no way he could make it here before she did and then leave again.
She studied Faith’s face, wondering if they were playing a joke—just to try to get her to say more than she should. They used to do that when they were little, four sisters teaming up against one to weave a fanciful tale. She’d fallen for it many times, until Dat had overheard them once and reminded them that weaving tales like that was no different from lying. But if they were lying now they were getting better at it, for all of them were looking at her as if she was the one who lost her mind.
“You seem confused.” Faith narrowed her gaze on Lovina. “Did Thomas Chupp show up at Big Olaf’s or not?”
“Oh, Thomas!” It was all starting to make sense now. He had told her he’d come to the house.
Faith narrowed her gaze. “Who did you think we were talking about? Unless you thought we were talking about that other bachelor you met today. I never did hear what his name is. Boy, did you get Mem all excited when you mentioned him—and mentioned that you wanted to talk to her and Dat tonight.” Faith studied her face as if trying to get an answer to something. The only problem was that Lovina didn’t know what the question was.
“I think Mem might faint straight away when we tell her that Thomas Chupp stopped by looking for you.” Grace chuckled. “Maybe there is hope for the rest of us yet!”
“Have any of you ever had a conversation with a bachelor? Ever? Just because you talk to someone doesn’t mean you’re going to spend your life with him.” Lovina sighed. “Both Dat and Mem went on dates with others before they were married.” She wagged her finger at her sisters. “I think the four of you are trying to make a big deal out of nothing.”
Joy grinned. She was working on some handstitching on a small potholder, most likely for a gift. “Are you looking for Dat and Mem? Mem walked down to take some salve to Abby Troyer. One of her twins touched the hot barbecue grill, and Mem offered to do some doctoring. Dat offered to walk with her, which means he’s improving. This is his second walk in the same day.”
Then her sisters started talking at once, all of them having thoughts on their parents, the bachelors, and what Lovina was hiding. They talked about her as if she wasn’t in the room.
Overwhelmed with the commotion, Lovina stuck two fingers in her mouth and gave a big whistle. Even though her mother said it wasn’t ladylike, she’d used it for years to call in the cows and dogs on the farm, and occasionally to rein in her sisters.
The voices in the room stilled and Lovina took a deep breath. She was going to have to tell them something. She quickly weighed what information would appease their curiosity but also give her space and freedom to meet with Dat and Mem tonight.
Lovina held up her hands, palms out. “All right, I will tell you about Thomas Chupp. I took him—his family—Mem’s loaf of banana sour cream bread, and he was very kind. And then, when I was at Big Olaf’s he showed up. He asked me to go to the beach with him tomorrow, because at least two of my sisters told him I hadn’t been there in over a month.”
Joy and Grace gave each other knowing looks. Lovina noted disapproval on Faith’s face.
Hope drummed her fingers anxiously on the tabletop. Hope never was one to involve herself in such conversation. Her mind was most likely someplace else, like flipping through a mental seed catalog. But Faith’s eyes were focused on her. “So are you going?”
“Ja, I told him I would.” Lovina pointed at her sisters one by one. “But you can’t tell Mem and Dat. I want to take them out tonight to discuss a few things.”
“To talk to them about Thomas Chupp? Already?” Grace shook her head, her blue eyes full of humor. “I don’t think one date warrants a conversation with your parents.”
“Maybe it’s about the other bachelor,” Faith said. “The one she was talking to this morning.” Her voice held a tinge of hope.
“Ne, I think it’s something more than that.” Hope took a sip of punch with her straw. “I think it has something to do with a pie shop. Maybe Lovina found the perfect location to set up her shop today?”
The excitement in the faces around her fell, their disappointment clear. It was obvious they were far more interested in hearing about romantic pursuits than business ventures. All except for Grace, who tilted up her chin. “Just remember not to expect it to turn a profit for a year, maybe two,” Grace commented.
“Ja,” Lovina said. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
With the cloth bag slung over her shoulder and her notebook tucked inside, Lovina made her way to her bedroom. The blankets on her bed were still smooth and neat, as they’d been this morning when she’d left. Hope’s were still rumpled, just as they’d been all day. Just as they always were. Lovina had decided long ago not to get too burdened down by the actions of her sisters. They had their unique gifts and talents, and she had hers.
She sat on her bed and pulled out Noah’s sketches. Lovina sighed. If she was going to invest herself in anything, this would be it. And she couldn’t think of anyone she’d enjoy partnering in this project with more than Noah Yoder. Lovina gingerly pressed his sketches to her chest and closed her eyes. Now she just needed Dat to say yes.
She had to trust it could happen. She had to trust that the peace she’d felt earlier that day was for a reason. She had to know that it was God who’d placed that dream in her heart all those years ago. And pursuing it was even more important than turning the head of a handsome bachelor. Yes, she had to know that, truly believe it.
Southern Breeze Punch
1 envelope blue raspberry Kool-Aid
1 (6 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 cup sugar
7 cups water
2 liters ginger ale
1 (46 ounce) can pineapple juice
Mix all ingredients. Fill each glass with ice cubes and pour punch mixture over them to fill glass. Stir briskly and allow a few minutes for the cubes to thaw into the punch. This is a very refreshing drink and not too sweet. Keep some ice cubes in the freezer so you can quickly mix up a refreshing drink to serve your guest.
Eleven
When fear knocks on the door, send faith to answer!
AMISH PROVERB
The dining room of Yoder’s Restaurant hummed with conversation. Lovina sat against the back wall with her parents. Every table in her vision was filled with customers, Englischers mostly. Lovina knew that once it was the season and the Amish and Mennonites from up north began arriving on buses, that wouldn’t necessarily be the case.
She’d invited her parents out to dinner so they could talk…alone. She’d brought her satchel, and inside were the sketches from Noah. It was hard to believe that it had been just this morning when she’d first seen a For Sale sign in the warehouse. It was hard to believe that it had just been today that she’d first met Noah. Her heart warmed just thinking about him. But she couldn’t dwell on that. Not now.
Even before finding the warehouse, she and Jason had spent many hours talking about the possibility and the details of her getting a loan. The bank would loan her money for a building for a pie shop on two conditions. First, that she’d use the money she’d saved as a down payment. That savings represented two years of work as a schoolteacher in Walnut Creek. And second, that her father would agree to co-sign her loan. With his remaining property in Walnut Creek and his savings tucked in the bank from the sale of their Ohio home, Dat’s assets were protection for the bank in case her dream fell short.
They ordered their favorite meals. Smoked ham with Amish noodles and three-bean salad for Mem. Meatloaf for Dat with mashed potatoes and buttered corn. And roast turkey breast and stuffing with a baked sweet potato and green beans for Lovina. As they ate, Mem and Dat spoke about friends back in Walnut Creek who were getting married. They also discussed Mem’s ideas for a screened-in back porch. Lovina waited until their waitress, Sallie, brought hand-dipped ice cream with fresh strawberries for dessert before she dared to bring up the warehouse.
Dat was intently scooping a small bite with both ice cream and a strawberry when Lovina cleared her throat. Her parents paused and looked at her—two spoons in the air, halfway to their mouths.
“Dat, Mem, I need to talk to you about something.”
She lifted her satchel from the seat next to her and then pushed back her water glass and dish of ice cream to make room on the table. She laid the three sketches on the checkered table cloth as Mem and Dat finished off their last bites. She was just about to tell them about the day’s discovery when someone walked up in the familiar green apron. Lovina assumed it was their waitress, but when she looked up it was Faith who stood there with a coffeepot in one hand. The look in her middle sister’s eyes was mischievous, to say the least.
“Lovina!” Faith picked up the sketch that displayed the entry area of the pie shop. “This is amazing. Who drew this? Where is this place?”
“Faith…I didn’t know you were working tonight.” She reached up and motioned for her dark-haired sister to hand the drawing back to her.
Faith shrugged. “Anna-Beth’s son has a fever. She called to ask if I could cover for her tonight.” Faith refilled Dat’s cup with coffee and eyed the paper again. “This place looks wunderbar. You’ll have to take me to it someday. Where is it?”
Mem reached for the sketch, and Lovina handed it over.
“Is this restaurant someplace around Sarasota?” Mem asked. “It does look inviting.”
Lovina stared up at Faith and furrowed her brow, hoping she’d get the hint to leave. “Actually, Mem, this place is just down the street, right across from the Tourist Church.”
Faith didn’t get the hint, and she stood still, coffeepot in hand, waiting for Lovina to continue.
Mem pushed her glasses farther up the bridge of her nose to get a better look at the sketch. “I don’t remember this place. Surely it isn’t where you said. I’d know about it for certain.”
“It—it doesn’t look like this now, but it can.” Lovina turned her gaze to her father. “Do you know the old warehouse near the back of Roy Yoder’s place? It’s for sale, and I’d like to buy it. It would be the perfect place for a pie shop. I know I’ve wanted to have one for such a long time, but Dat, this is the perfect time. This is the perfect place!”
She raised her hands, palms out toward Dat. “Don’t say anything yet. I’ve thought everything through, and I know it’s been an unreachable dream for so long, but I really think this can happen now.”
Lovina went on to explain about the cost of the building and how she’d already worked on all the paperwork with Jason Schlabach over at Everence Credit Union.
“Ja, Lovina. I know this has been your dream for a long time…but there is a big difference between buying a building and opening a pie shop.”
“Faith!” One of the other, older waitresses called out to her. “Your table is ready to order, dear.”
Faith took a step back reluctantly. “I best go.” The concern on Faith’s face was clear. And both of her parents wore the same looks of concern and reluctance in their expressions.
Lovina was thankful when Faith turned and strode over to the table, smiling at her customers waiting to order. Lovina was going to have a hard enough time trying to convince her mem and dat. She didn’t need Faith butting in with her opinions too.
“There is going to be a huge cost for the remodel and all the supplies. There are advertising costs and…”
“Advertising?” Lovina couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’ll be in clear view of the parking lot at the Tourist Church, where all the buses stop. There’s a crowd there numerous times a day during season. More than that, you know how word always spreads in Amish communities. The Englischers have to pay to get the word out about their products, but I’d wager that news spreads far quicker at Amish sewing frolics and church socials.”
Mem sat next to Dat, as quiet as a church mouse, but she didn’t need to speak for Lovina to know her thoughts on the matter. Mem’s round face was all pinched up as if she’d just eaten a lemon.
“Dat, that’s not even the most amazing part,” Lovina continued, ignoring her mem’s focused gaze. “The warehouse is filled to the top with all types of old things. It looks like a lot of junk to me, but there is someone who is willing to do all the remodeling of the building in exchange for those things. He sells them to Sarasota Salvage and—”
“Who is this?” Dat asked. “Who is willing to do such a thing?” He clicked his tongue and pushed his ice cream bowl to the side. “And you have to know that a job like that is impossible for one man alone.”
“He won’t work alone. He has a crew.”
Mem’s eyes widened in disbelief. “A crew…a whole crew of men who are going to remodel a warehouse and turn it into a pie shop in exchange for some junk?”
Mem’s eyelids fluttered closed in disbelief, but Dat’s gaze was fixed on Lovina. He tilted his head and wore a knowing look.
“Tell me about this, Lovina. It seems you’ve given it a lot of thought. This man you spoke of, was he the one who did these sketches?”
“Ja, Dat. It’s Noah Yoder. He’s a carpenter and…”
“Noah Yoder? Roy Yoder’s nephew? I think not.” Mem’s voice rose, causing the patrons at the next table to pause their conversation and turn. “Lovina, surely this is some type of joke. Do you know anything about this so-called crew? What are their names? What are their ages? Do they have experience?”
“I—I’m not sure. I don’t know.”
“Of course you don’t.” Mem lowered her voice. “Do you ever pay attention to this world around us? Are pies all you think about?”
Lovina turned to her father, hoping for an exp
lanation.
Dat rested his arms on the table and leaned forward. “I’ve met Noah Yoder, and I know the three teens who are living with him, working with him. Stories have followed those young men down from Illinois.” Her father’s voice was gentle but firm. “It seems a few years ago Noah got himself in trouble too. He was in an accident, as a driver of a car…”
“A car, of all things,” Mem interrupted.
“A few years ago?” Lovina’s eyebrows furrowed. “He was in his rumspringa no doubt. Dat, please. If you discounted every young man who got in trouble during his rumspringa years there’d be no more marriages in Pinecraft! Or in any Amish community!”
“It’s more than that.” Mem pushed her ice cream back from her. “It’s this whole thing, Lovina. Do you really want to go down this path? Opening up a business is a lot of work. All that money and all that time. Is this really what you want to do with your life? Have you ever considered having a family?”
Had she ever considered having a family? What young Amish woman hadn’t? But it was easier to dream about a pie shop than about a husband. She could build a pie shop with her two hands, but gaining someone’s love and favor seemed daunting, impossible almost.
Lovina let her eyes flutter closed, reminding herself that the best response was a kind one. She opened her eyes, picked up her spoon, and slowly stirred the melting ice cream. How could she explain that although Mem had other dreams for her, Lovina was content to live the life God had called her to? Not every Amish woman married. Would Mem ever understand that Lovina had no expectation of that?
She lifted up the drafting sketch of the warehouse and looked at it. She was about to explain their ideas for remodeling only half of the warehouse to start when Faith hurried to the table, moved Lovina’s satchel off the chair, and sat.
“All right, things have slowed down. I don’t think I’m intruding, am I?” Faith picked up Lovina’s spoon and took a bite of her nearly melted ice cream.