Made with Love (38 page)

Lovina folded the teal blue napkin and placed it in the pile. “It's more than infatuation, Mem.” Yet she couldn't even say it then. Couldn't say the word
love.

Mem let out a sigh. “Lovina, it seems you always have to do things the hard way. Noah seems to be a nice man, I'll admit that now, but marrying him will not give you an easy life. And this pie shop…do you see how much time it's consuming already? And not just your time, but everybody's. It's a lot for a young woman to take on. You can sell it now and get ahead. I'm sure there's an
older Amish woman who would like such a venture. It's still not too late.”

Pained emotion rose in Lovina's throat, but she swallowed it down. “Do you think I'm making the wrong choice?”

“It's not that you're doing anything wrong…but I learned growing up that it isn't right for a woman to run a business. Besides…” Mem pursed her lips. “Now that you are building a relationship with Noah you no longer have need of a backup plan.”

Lovina gasped. She placed a hand over her heart, wishing it didn't sting so. “It's not a backup plan, Mem. This is my dream. And Noah is becoming part of that dream.”

“So it seems.” Mem rubbed her eyes, as if the weariness of this conversation was becoming too much for her. “But if we had stayed in Ohio you would have been married by now, and I wouldn't have to worry so much about this shop. About you…”

And about our whole life savings,
Lovina knew her mem wanted to say.

“But God brought us to Pinecraft for a reason,” Lovina said. “I'm using my God-given talent. I'm building connections between families and friends.”

“It's just pie,” Mem muttered under her breath, rising.

That comment stung her heart more than any ever had, and Lovina closed her eyes. It may just have been pie to Mem, but to her it meant everything. Didn't it?

“Maybe so. But maybe God put the pie shop on my heart to bring Noah and me together. Maybe it's His plans I'm chasing, not only my own.”

Mem took two steps toward the hall and then looked back over her shoulder. “It seems a bit prideful to think that God has unique plans for you, don't you think? You're not the only daughter in this family, Lovina. And you're not God's only child. He
loves you—He does. Just like I love you. But you must think of more than yourself. You must realize how much this dream is costing all of us. Daughter, would you take time to think of that?”

Anna walked with heavy steps to her bedroom. The lantern light was still on, but John was fast asleep. Her heart felt heavy from the words she'd just said. Not because she didn't believe them. She did. She was honestly worried that Lovina was getting in over her head.

If she had to choose, she'd settle for Lovina falling in love with Noah. John seemed to think the young man had changed. She'd take that any day over her daughter chaining herself—her future—to a pie shop. But Anna knew she didn't have a choice. Would anyone ever listen to what she thought?

Anna pulled back the covers, preparing to climb into bed, when an envelope on her nightstand caught her eye. It was a letter from Regina. Someone must have collected the mail and placed it there. Without hesitation Anna opened it, looking forward to some bright news that would take away the dour feeling after her conversation with Lovina.

Dear Anna,

Greetings in the name of our Lord. Isn't it wonderful that we have a God we can trust completely with our lives? How hard for all those who do not have Jesus to turn to for wisdom and strength!

I've read your recent note about Lovina's pie shop with interest. But I was especially intrigued by this young man you mentioned. I remember years ago when the accident happened. An accident like that is hard to forget. But when I was talking to Abe about it I learned what happened in more recent years. It seems Noah Yoder rebuilt the
owner's gift shop from the ground up, even though he didn't have to, since the community already built a new one. Abe seems to think the young man has a
gut
reputation now. I thought that might settle your heart. I know how you worry about these things, dear friend.

This is going to be a short note since I have so much to do, but I did want to mention something else I learned. I asked a friend about Thomas Chupp. It seems he has a girlfriend and she's moving to Somerset soon!

Of course Sarah from Sugarcreek didn't know this when she moved there and took the schoolteacher job. She met Thomas early in the year when she was visiting a cousin from Somerset. It seems that Thomas used his charm to bring in a teacher for their school. Now Sarah is brokenhearted. Everyone is guessing who Thomas's love might be, but no one knows. Maybe it's someone he met in Pinecraft?

Oh, and the reason why I have so little time to write is that Abe and I are winterizing the house since we're planning on coming to Pinecraft for the season! I've been so eager to write and tell you!

Abe found a rental and was waiting until my birthday to tell me the surprise. I'll be hugging your neck soon, friend! I cannot wait to see the girlies and the new pie shop! Anna, I know you'll be the best tour guide.

Love, Regina

Anna folded the letter and returned it to the envelope. A sinking feeling hit her stomach…and it wasn't from the pie. Had she been wrong not once, but twice? She'd been so sure that Thomas Chupp was the right fit for Lovina…and so sure that Noah Yoder wasn't.

She adjusted her sleeping kerchief and turned off the lamp. She'd have to be more open-minded about Noah…and maybe about the pie shop too. Lovina felt certain God had done this for
her. He'd helped her find a man to care for and fulfill a dream. Anna hadn't seen God in that way before, as Someone so intimately concerned with one's life. But maybe God was. After all, Regina was coming to Pinecraft! Butterflies danced in her stomach to think of it. And if God answered that prayer, maybe He was answering Lovina's prayers too.

 

Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Pie

4 eggs

1 cup sugar

1½ cups buttermilk

¼ cup butter, melted

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

whipped cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar together. Add flour and mix together. Slowly add buttermilk, butter, and vanilla until thoroughly incorporated. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Dust top with ground nutmeg. Place on a baking sheet and bake 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350° and continue baking for 30-40 minutes, or until pie is set. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Twenty-Nine

By perseverance the snail reached the ark.

A
MISH
P
ROVERB

O
kay, Lovina. Close your eyes.” Noah whispered close to her ear as she stood in front of the door to Me, Myself, and Pie.

It had been two weeks since Noah had declared he wanted to spend his life with her. And that had consumed her thoughts, but not in a happy way. More than once Noah had said he loved her, but why couldn't she respond the same? What was holding her back?

She took Noah's hand and squeezed it, closing her eyes. “Can you believe tomorrow's the opening day?”

“Finally, whew. I thought we'd never get here.” He chuckled.

She reached her hand forward and let him lead her. When she felt herself step onto the concrete floor she paused.

“Okay, go ahead and open them.”

Lovina opened her eyes and looked around. “Oh, Noah,” she sucked in a breath. For the last two days she'd been allowed into the kitchen only as he worked in front. She'd been led through
blindfolded because Noah had wanted the final reveal to be special. And it was.

A new archway had been built, leading from the pie-making station to the kitchen in the back. The countertop waited for the bakers to do their work, and a white picket fence separated the baking area from the customers.

The cash register was set up on the long wooden counter, and Hoosier cupboards held cookbooks and Lovina's display of Pyrex bowls. Vintage pie plates and antique eggbeaters hung on the wall. An old metal ladder displayed more cookbooks. Seats were clustered near the front door for waiting guests, and the tables and chairs with colorful paint, fresh flowers, and fabric napkins looked so inviting.

“It's more than I ever dreamed.” She turned to Noah, seeing pride in his eyes. “I can't wait to thank the guys as well. All three of them have done so much for this shop.”

“Ja.” Noah smiled, but she noticed the brightness in his eyes dim slightly. “And there is another surprise too.” He pointed behind her.

Lovina turned to see Joy hurrying up the walkway with a pile of fabric in hand. She smiled and waved as she entered.

“What's that?” Lovina asked.

Joy's cheeks were red and rosy. “Are you ready for this? It's a gift.”

She placed the pile on the countertop and unfolded the top one. It was a white apron with a quilted pattern on the pocket. Neat stitching on the front read
Me, Myself, and Pie.

Lovina clasped her hands together. “Aprons! But that wasn't in the budget. How did you accomplish that?”

“I didn't.” Joy giggled. “Elizabeth Beiler from the quilt store did. It was a gift from her and some of her friends. I'm not sure how many hours she spent on this.” Joy's face glowed. “Elizabeth
said it was the least she could do since God had so graciously answered her prayers.”

Lovina took the apron Joy handed her and slipped it on. She tied it and wanted to squeal. “I need to go thank Elizabeth.” She turned to Noah. “You don't need me around here, do you?”

“The guys are stocking the fridges with the supplies that were delivered just a bit ago. Why don't you go see your friend, and we can do a walk-through when you get back.”

Lovina turned to Joy. “Can you go with me?”

Joy shook her head. “I wish I could, but I want to go iron these. They need to be perfect for tomorrow.”

Lovina clasped her sister's shoulders, emotion overwhelming her. “Thank you.” Tears filled her eyes as she remembered her mother's words. “I hope all of this hasn't been too much trouble.”