Made with Love (43 page)

“What—what are they doing?”

Grace touched her arm. “Why don't you go up there and look?”

Lovina excused herself and walked to the front of the building. Jason Schlabach stood there.

“What's going on?”

“Well, do you remember how I talked to you about liability? We bankers know that Amish don't carry insurance. We still work with them because we know one thing. The Amish take care of their own.”

“So they're…”

“The bishop stopped by this morning. A fund has been set up at the bank. Donations have already come in. But more than just giving money, the people have decided to do as much as they can themselves. They're dividing up the work. Everyone is doing what he or she can.”

A click sounded behind her, and Lovina turned. It was the reporter. Cara had followed her and was snapping photos. “Honestly, in all my years covering the news I haven't seen anything like this.” She turned to Grace. “Remember how I told you I've been thinking a lot about God lately? Well, I think this pushed me over. If this is how God's people care for each other, then it's clear to me He must be real.”

Joy mounted in Lovina's heart, and she didn't think she could contain all the emotions she was holding inside. Her shoulders trembled slightly, and in her mind she said a silent prayer to God.
Thank You. You knew all along. You knew.

A truck pulled up, and she recognized Daniel from the window company. He climbed out of the truck and walked to…

…to Noah. He stood at a table filled with food and jugs of water. Love filled Lovina's heart seeing him there. Her heart also ached as she remembered her harsh words. Noah was here because he was an honorable man. Just like he'd made it right with the gift shop owner, he'd make this right too. After all, it was the teens who'd caused all the trouble.

Another truck followed. This one had
Sarasota Salvage
on the
side. Lovina gasped to see furniture in the back. Tables and chairs. She couldn't stop the tears now. Instead of picking up, they were dropping off.

Jason pointed to the truck. “Those are donations. Can you believe it?”

“They're doing all this…for me?”

“For you and the community, Lovina. It seems people caught on to your dream and they don't want to let go.”

And then something else caught her attention. Suitcases and boxes lined the roadway in front of Roy Yoder's place. She placed her hand on Jason's arm and pointed. “What's all that?”

Jason smiled. “Well, can you imagine getting off the Pioneers Trails bus and seeing all this?” He swept a hand across the view. “They heard what was happening and wanted to help. The first busload of people never did make it to their rentals to drop off their things. They just left everything there and decided to pitch in.”

“Lovina.” It was Dat's voice. Lovina turned, and what she saw surprised her. He stood erect and in charge—stronger than she'd seen him in a while.

“Dat.” She put her arms around him, not caring if anyone saw their hug. She pulled back and took note of his smile. Even with all the loss her father smiled.

“I wanted to tell you what the fire marshal found. They discovered the cause of the fire.”

Lovina braced herself. She needed to hear this. And then she knew her next step would be to work toward forgiving the teens.

“It turns out it was the air conditioning unit. It developed a leak and then shorted out the wiring, causing sparks. The fire chief says it happens often. I'm just so sorry that it happened here.”

“The…the air conditioning unit?” A gasp escaped her lips. She
was both thankful to hear the news and horrified at the way she'd jumped to conclusions. “Does Noah know?”

Dat nodded. “Ja, and I think you should go talk to him. He's been asking about you. Asking if you're alright.”

Lovina didn't have to be told twice. She moved through the crowd, making a beeline to Noah. He turned to her, almost as if sensing she approached, and he smiled. It was a weary smile. She wanted nothing more than to rush into his arms, but she held back. She felt a gentle peace wash over her to see the forgiveness in his gaze. Her cheeks grew warm remembering yesterday's kiss.

“Lovina, did you hear…”

“The air-conditioning. I'm so sorry I blamed the teens. I'm so sorry I blamed you. I'm so, so sorry.”

The noise of people at work continued around them, but Lovina only wanted to focus on him. On making up for what she'd done and how she'd treated him.

“I hope that's the first of many spats.” He grinned.

“What?”

“Don't you see, Love? I want you in my life for a very long time. More spats means more time together…and then of course we'll get to make up.”

She chuckled and realized even more why she loved Noah Yoder.

Then his face grew serious. “I can't lose you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life.”

“And I with you,” she said over the noise of another truck pulling up. She reached for his hand as she turned back to him. “Just as long as you realize we won't have to tackle life alone, Noah. Not with this community…and not with God. We'll never have to carry our burdens alone.”

“No. And we're not the only ones figuring it out.”

Lovina turned and warmth streamed in her heart to see a group of their neighbors gathering around the teens, who were standing not too far away. The teens seemed to be surprised by how everyone was pitching in. They seemed especially surprised by the way the men approached.

“Young men, I've been watching you work,” one of the men said to Mose. “Not only today, but through this whole project. I was wondering if the three of you would be interested in helping me remodel my guest cabin. It's a big project that will last a few months.”

A smile filled Mose's face, and then he looked back over his shoulder as if seeking Noah's approval. Noah nodded, and then Mose stretched his hand toward the man. “It's a deal. We'd love to help.” Gerald and Atlee nodded in agreement.

“And what about you?” Lovina asked, leaning close to Noah. “How are you going to work with your crew gone?”

Noah rubbed his chin. “Well, Lovina, I was going to ask you about that. You see, there is no damage to the back half of the building. And there are still plenty of items we need to sell. What do you think of me opening a salvage shop back there?”

Lovina smiled big, feeling the last of God's puzzle pieces slipping into place. “Does it mean I'll get to see you during the day?”

“A dozen times at least.”

Lovina extended her hand as she had seen Mose do just a moment before. “Then it's a deal.”

Noah took it and grasped it, holding it tight. “
Gut
, because I can't think of anything nicer than seeing your face throughout the day…especially as you serve up pie.”

“Is that what this is about, Noah Yoder? About the pie?”

“To start with, Love, to start with…and then God seemed to take it from there.”

Epilogue

You don't advertise your religion by wearing a label. You do it by living a life.

A
MISH
P
ROVERB

E
very Thursday during the winter season Henry Wise met the Pioneer Trails bus and pulled off two large bundles of
The Budget
newspaper. Folks who came to meet the bus lined up to get their copy. Henry glanced around, knowing they'd be especially interested in this week's issue for a few reasons. He opened the paper and read the first entry by Grace Miller:

Many of you have been following the story of the new pie shop opening here in Pinecraft. As Lovina Miller's youngest sister, I've had a firsthand view. Because of the fire you've read about, the grand opening of
Me, Myself and Pie
happened three weeks later than Lovina had planned. But she discovered that her plan didn't matter nearly as much as God's did. By 7:30 on opening day there was a line of customers in front of the door. Those who didn't get a seat at the tables sat in the waiting area. And still others brought lawn chairs and sat out front.

The pie display was full of pies. Thankfully, even in the
fire, the pie shells in the large, walk-in freezer had been saved. Still, that supply only lasted so long. The six bakers that Lovina hired worked as fast as they could. Everyone loved being able to see the bakers roll out the crusts. Some Englischers even took pictures. And if you have a chance to see one of the photos in the press, you might see one baker who had a few years on the others.

Lovina's mem (my mem too!) might have looked out of place to everyone else as she stood at the end of the line rolling out crusts, but she's the one who started the whole thing by teaching Lovina how to make pie. Our mem's best friend, Regina Schwartz, was there too. She wore a
Me, Myself and Pie
apron, freshly washed and pressed, and she stood by the door taking orders.

Each of us sisters played a part that day, and in addition to the beautiful menus our sister Faith created, she also presented Lovina with folded tent cards.
Made with Love,
they read. These tent cards were placed in front of each pie in the display. A lot of love went into them for certain—by the bakers and by the Amish community who made sure the burned building was made good as new in record time.

The first piece of pie of the day went to Noah Yoder, who was the lead contractor on the project. The second to Daniel from the glass company. And the next slices went to all those who'd helped with the remodel.

As for Noah Yoder, he's already received calls from some of the best designers in town. The calls weren't for remodel work, but for specialty items—unique pieces that most people throw away. Pieces that Noah salvages and resells. For this will be his main work from now on. Just last week, Noah's family came into town. They'll be staying the rest of the season, maybe longer. Noah's dat is helping Noah set up Pinecraft Salvage in the second half of Lovina's warehouse. And many folks from the community are excited about this second business opening up.
Noah's ability to turn trash into treasure is a gift indeed. But Noah is always quick to point out that finding true value in each and every person is even more important.

So if you visit Pinecraft please stop by. Nothing will make the bride and groom happier than to meet you. Yes, you read that right—bride and groom. Lovina Miller and Noah Yoder's wedding has recently been published. They'll be getting married the first week in January.

We have a lot to celebrate, as you can see. And we've discovered the best way to celebrate is with a piece of pie. Won't you join us?

Grace Yoder

Pinecraft's newest scribe

Reader's Guide

1. Lovina Miller wants one thing more than any other…to open an Amish bakery of her own. Why was this such an important dream for Lovina?

2. Noah Yoder longed to help out three wayward teens. Why was this so important to Noah?

3. Why did Noah choose Pinecraft as the place to help the young men start a new life?

4. How is Pinecraft different from other Amish communities you've read about or visited?