Made with Love (19 page)

She should be relishing the moment, but more than anything she wanted to leave. She wanted to go back and peer in the windows of the old, dirty warehouse. She wanted to see the look on Noah Yoder's face when she told him they were going to have a project to work on together. A big one.

Because no matter how romantic Thomas was trying to make this day, Lovina's mind was on another place and another person.

But it's only business
, she scolded herself as they walked.
Just because Noah can see my vision for a pie shop doesn't mean we have a future together
.

Just as endless as the sand on this seashore were God's plans for her—plans for her future. But no matter what Lovina's heart told her, there was no guarantee how many of those plans included Noah Yoder.

Her heart sunk a little at that thought and a piece of seaweed snagged on her toes. She kicked it off and then continued on. And beside her Thomas Chupp kept pace.

 

Blueberry Streusel Muffins

½ cup sugar

½ cup butter, softened

1 egg, beaten

2
⅓
cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1½ cups blueberries, fresh or frozen

Streusel

½ cup sugar

½ cup flour

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ cup butter

Preheat oven to 350°. Cream sugar and butter. Add egg and mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to creamed mixture, alternating with milk. Stir in vanilla. Gently fold in blueberries. Fill 12 paper-lined muffin cups. For streusel, combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over muffins and bake 25-30 minutes.

Fourteen

A happy memory never wears out.

A
MISH
P
ROVERB

I
n all their years of marriage Anna had only seen John use the cell phone a handful of times—mostly when he had to make calls concerning their house sale in Ohio. The cell phone was for emergencies only, and that was why it was so shocking when he made two calls before nine o'clock in the morning. One to Jason Schlabach at the bank and the second to Roy Yoder. John had set up a meeting with Jason, but he'd spent more time on the phone with Roy. Anna didn't like it one bit—any of it. But John hadn't asked for her opinion.

Anna poured herself a cup of coffee, adding two scoops of sugar and plenty of cream. The aroma of tomato soup simmering on the stove filled the kitchen. She'd picked up some tomatoes at the store a few days ago and knew she had to use them before they went bad. Tomato soup sounded like a
gut
lunch, but at moments like these she missed her garden back home. She also missed the days when John would discuss major decisions with her. What had gotten into him? Why had he agreed so readily to Lovina's plan without discussing it with her? He'd barely said a thing last
night when they'd gotten home. He'd turned in early and risen early too. And then he'd called Roy, discussing with the man more details than he'd even discussed with her.

She took a sip of the coffee and it burned her tongue. If she hadn't been such a dutiful wife she would have said something to her husband. The held-in words burned her tongue too, but in a different way.

Even though she could only hear one side of the conversation earlier she'd learned that Roy's nephew Noah was working outside the village that day. She also paid close attention to her husband's small talk, knowing that he had a deeper purpose for his questions. John wasn't one to talk just for the sake of talking, and it was clear he was trying to find out as much as he could about Noah Yoder and the teenage boys who worked with him.

By the time John hung up Anna could tell he was satisfied, but that made her feel only slightly better. She'd tossed and turned all night, worried about so many things. If Lovina dedicated her life to this pie shop, she'd never settle down and get married. And what type of example would that be for her younger sisters? And what if Lovina did set it up and then realized it was too much work, or she wanted to get married instead? What would that do for their investment?

Anna sighed heavily and wished she could visit Regina. Life seemed easier when her best friend was just down the road. Maybe because she didn't have to carry her burdens all on her own.

One consolation was that the purchase of the building wasn't done yet. No official offer had been made to the seller. No papers had been signed. They hadn't gone so far that they couldn't back down.

Her other consolation was that Lovina was on a date with Thomas Chupp at this very moment. Would it be wrong to pray
that a spark of romance would start today and that Lovina would come home having second thoughts about the pie shop?

Anna said a short, silent prayer for that very thing and then opened her box of stationary. Even if she couldn't chat with Regina over coffee, Anna knew she could pour out her heart to her friend. Regina knew her better than anyone. Regina would listen to the heart behind her words and not judge. Anna needed someone who could carry this burden with her, even if her friend was so far away.

Dear, dear Regina,

I promised myself when I sat down to write this letter that I wasn't going to allow myself to ask if you've heard any news of a vacation. I wasn't going to ask if you were coming down our way anytime soon. I was instead going to tell you about the weather and the visitors who've come to town first, but then I remembered that it was you I was writing to and you'd expect nothing less from me.

Please, dear friend, let me know as soon as you are able if you'll be visiting Pinecraft for the season. I'm praying Abe will be excited about the idea. I want nothing more than to see your smiling face. I always look forward to letters from you, but far better is talking face-to-face.

Fall should be on the way, but you'd never know it from the weather. It's just hot here. Hot and humid. But by the time the first Pioneer Trails bus drives into town the weather will be perfect. I'm counting down the days until we don't have to turn the air conditioning on first thing in the morning. And I'm counting down the days until I see old friends climbing down off the bus.

This afternoon there was a notice on our door stating that the Offender Work Program is coming up to clean up the park. I'm glad I don't live as close to the park as some. I never liked the idea of becoming too friendly or too trusting with those who've had run-ins with
the law. You know John. He's always been quick to forgive and forget. But you just can't be too cautious, I'm thinking.

Last night when John and I were walking by Phillippi Creek there were two men launching an airboat. I chuckled to myself, trying to picture such a thing back in Walnut Creek. A boat like that is sure to stir up the gators. (I suppose you won't find them in Walnut Creek either.)

Thank you for asking about John. He seems to be doing better. For so long he's been so weak—hardly able to catch a breath—but the weather here is helping. We went on two walks yesterday and he's been dreaming again. That's always a good sign.

I'm still discouraged by the lack of young men. I fear the health we've provided for John will cost the girls greatly. I suppose the Lord knows the ways that are best. I'm trying to trust Him, but at times I fear my daughters are becoming too independent and too focused on things beyond caring for a home.

My only happy news concerning young men is a recent occurrence. As I write this my Lovina is at the beach with Thomas Chupp from Somerset, Pennsylvania. His Aunt Vera is a neighbor of ours down the road a bit. Yesterday Lovina took over some banana sour cream bread, and she must have made some impression because not an hour later he was at our house trying to find her, seeking out a date. I've yet to see him, but both Grace and Faith say he is quite handsome. I hope Lovina feels the same.

If you come we'll have to go to the beach. Even though it is close I have been only a few times. It seems unnatural to just sit and watch the waves roll in and out when there's always work to be done at home or a neighbor to tend to. I suppose it's easier for the younger ones to let themselves relax and such. Our generation was never raised that way.

Not that I have to worry much about my girls being idle. Each seems caught up in her own pursuits. Lovina has it on her mind that
she wants to open a pie shop. I don't think she really knows how much work that will be. It's different from baking pies in one's own kitchen. Doesn't the Bible talk about counting the cost before you start a project? I want to remind Lovina about that.

There is a young man who's stepped up to help her, but I'm hoping his true colors come out before things get too far. I don't want to see my daughter taken advantage of. I just keep thinking on what my mother always used to say: “Patience is a virtue that carries a lot of wait.” I'm trusting that if I wait all will be revealed. One can't put on a show for too long, can they?

But even more important is another saying that Mem would often repeat. “A happy memory never wears out.” Even though many miles separate us there are many happy memories that I can replay during moments of loneliness. Hope you're able to do the same…when you're not entertaining family! Days like today, with Lovina finally on a date, I can once again hope that more family members will be my future too.

Your dearest friend,

Anna

Lovina rode her bike slowly past Roy Yoder's house. She'd spent most of the day at the beach with Thomas, and then the driver he'd hired had taken her home. Mem had greeted them at the front gate, and she'd invited Thomas to stay for dinner. Regrettably he'd declined, saying he'd promised his Mem he'd take her to Der Dutchman. Mem must have been planning to invite him for she'd cooked up a large meal—much more than they typically ate for supper on weekdays.

Lovina ate as quickly as she could, helped clean the kitchen, and then headed out on her bicycle. No one questioned where she was going. Everyone knew that the only thing she had on her mind was the warehouse. Everyone except Mem, who neatly turned every thread of conversation back to the Chupp family and what a beautiful place Pennsylvania was.