Made with Love (31 page)

She twirled one of her kapp strings around her finger. “Everything?”

“Everything for your birthday breakfast.” He stepped forward and reached for her hand. She placed her right hand in his left one. He gently squeezed it. “Happy birthday, Lovina.”

Outside a gentle rain began to fall, splattering on the windows and on the sidewalk, but it just made the inside seem cozier. Noah moved to the quilt and sat cross-legged. He patted the blanket beside him.

Lovina walked to the quilt and sank to her knees. A sweet, yeasty aroma met her. “Is that what I think it is?”

He reached into a paper bag. “If you're thinking it's hot cinnamon rolls from Yoder's restaurant, you're right.” He opened the bag and placed it before her. “And a little birdie told me your favorite drink is the raspberry sweet tea.”

He handed her a Styrofoam cup, and she reached for it. “Ja, and I'll have to thank my sister Faith. It helps to have someone on the inside.”

His smiled faded as she said those words. She laughed to let him know she was telling a joke.

“I was talking about inside Yoder's. Not inside like prison or anything.”

“I didn't think you were talking about that…well, not completely.” He opened his mouth as if to tell her something, and then he closed it again. “There's something I'd like to talk to you about…but later. Not today.”

She studied his face. The smile was still there, but he wore a guarded expression. She could tell something was bothering him, but she didn't want to press.

Her stomach growled and she looked to the bag. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all.” He reached into the bag, and she thought how this was the first birthday gift she'd ever received, other than homemade cards or small tokens from her family. She liked the thought of celebrating her birthdays with Noah. Of growing old together. In her mind's eye she pictured him older, but with the same wide, excited smile she saw now, and she liked the idea of that.

He took a napkin from the pile and placed a large cinnamon roll on it. It smelled heavenly. He lowered his head to say a silent prayer, and she followed his lead. She thanked God for this man sitting in front of her. Thanked Him for this chance to feel so special, so cared for.

She ate the roll with flourish and was licking off her fingers when she looked up to see Noah watching her.

“There's something else too, Lovina.” He reached into the bag of cinnamon rolls and pulled out a small white box with a bow, handing it to her. “There are smudges of frosting on it. I hope you don't mind.”

She wiped off the biggest clump of frosting with a swipe of her finger. “Not at all.”

Gingerly she opened the box. Her breath caught as she noticed the small conch shell inside. She took it out and placed it on her open palm, holding it up.

“Do you remember where we got that?”

“Of course. At the beach.”

“Ja, and then you tossed it aside. I rescued it because I wanted to remember.”

“Remember?”

“The moment I realized I loved you.”

She swallowed down her emotion and dared to look into his eyes. “You do?”

His gaze stayed on hers, and the slightest blush colored his
cheeks. “In spite of what you think, Lovina, I'm doing this for more than just the pie. Even more than just a place to put these teens to good use and to show them the value of being part of a community.” He shrugged. “Of course it didn't start that way.”

She wagged a finger at him. “I know, I know. You saw me enter this place and knew you wanted to spend your life with me from the start.” She let that word
love
swirl around in her mind and knew he meant it. All this—all he'd done for her on this picnic basket and in this place showed it. No, Noah wasn't just here for the pie.

She considered telling him that she loved him too. Or at least that was what her pounding heart and swirling thoughts told her. Still, she hesitated. How could she claim to love someone she didn't know completely? She wanted to confess her love, but Noah Yoder had some confessing to do first.

When is he going to tell me what's burdening his heart? And will it change things? Will it change us?

Noah rose up on his knees, and she was certain he was going to kiss her. He scooted forward and his arms wrapped around her, snuggling her close. His arms were strong, muscular around her, and tears pooled in the corners of her eyes. Tears of happiness. Tears of being accepted by him. She didn't even know that was possible. She expected this for her sisters, but never herself.

In a way, being held like this was even more powerful than a kiss. Her whole life she'd wondered what kissing a man would be like. She'd never realized how special it would be to be held in a loving embrace. His love was more than just a physical attraction. He was protecting her, holding her up. She snuggled closer and placed her cheek against his chest, hearing his heartbeat. The moment was intimate in a way she hadn't expected, and Lovina closed her eyes, taking it all in.

His head bent down, and he kissed her forehead. Noah's finger slid under her chin, and he pulled back. She knew what he wanted—for her to look up and then…

The sound of a truck's engine interrupted the moment. Lovina jerked back, remembering for the first time the large open window and the perfect view of them anyone would have from outside. The intimacy of the moment was replaced by embarrassment, and she quickly rose to her feet. Yes, she wanted to be close to Noah, and she wanted to be kissed, but that ought not to happen in such a public place.

Lovina bent down and bagged up the napkins. She set the shell to the side and hurriedly folded the blanket.

Noah waved at someone through the window, and she was afraid to turn.

“Who is it?”

“I'm not sure. Someone I haven't met before. An Englischer.”

“I know it's an Englischer. He's driving.” Her words were sharp, and she pressed her lips together.

The man knocked on the door. “I'm so sorry,” she said as she hurried to the door. “I didn't mean my words to be so harsh.”

He was right behind her, and she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Lovina.” The way he said her name was tender. “I was trying to do a nice thing, but I wasn't protecting you. I'm sorry. I won't be so inconsiderate with my actions in public again.”

She felt her heartbeat slowing once again. She blew out a breath and moved to the door. “Thank you, Noah.”

His words played on her thoughts as she opened the door. A real smile filled her lips as she did. A man stood there. He wore old jeans covered with paint and his T-shirt read
3J Construction
.

“Can I help you?”

“Yes, I'm looking for Noah Yoder. I hear he's your contractor.”

Lovina's eyebrow cocked, and she turned, motioning Noah forward. Noah had a smudge of frosting on the corner of his mouth and she resisted the urge to reach up and wipe it.

“How can I help you?” Noah asked.

Lovina stepped out of the way as Noah walked out to talk to the man. She didn't mean to eavesdrop, but it sounded as if the man was asking Noah if he'd be interested in remodeling a building across town. Lovina smiled, realizing how Noah's name would no doubt get out after this project was complete, but then another thought hit her. Once it was done she'd be busy running a pie shop and Noah would be working on other projects.

They wouldn't be working together anymore. She wouldn't see him every day.

Lovina set to work cleaning the glass in the front window. With the door open she could hear the conversation. Would Noah take the man's offer?

“I'd like to hear more, but to be honest I'm hoping for more work in Pinecraft. It's easier sticking closer to home, and—well, I just want to make sure the community is taken care of first.”

“That makes sense,” the man said, but from the look on his face it didn't make sense at all. “Well, if you don't mind I'd love to come back in a few weeks with more details. At least you can see what we're doing. Look over our plans. Maybe you'll be interested in putting in a bid after all.”

“
S
ure.” Noah nodded. “I'll look forward to that.” He shook the man's hand.

Lovina sprayed more glass cleaner. Noah had told the man that he was hoping for more work around Pinecraft, but was that even possible? Was there enough work here to sustain him and his teenage crew? Would he need to go back to Illinois? She hadn't let her mind move far beyond getting the pie shop set up, but maybe
she needed to do that. Noah had been more than generous by working for her, but what was next?

“Don't waste your precious thoughts on worries that may never come to be.” She could hear her grandmother's admonishment playing over in her mind. It was easier said than done, but Lovina knew those words to hold truth. If only she could make herself follow them.

Lovina looked at the clock. Faith would be by shortly to work on the menus, and she still had some cleaning today. She hurried to the back storage room to get more cleaning rags, and could almost imagine her grandma telling her that she needn't be so hard on herself.

She also knew her grandma would be smiling, because for the first time ever she was actually letting her mind wander about something else other than pie. Lovina had a feeling that Grandma would appreciate her new choice of daydreaming material.

Maybe this was really love? Lovina smiled as she pulled rags out of the cleaning cabinet. She loved Noah. The joy filling her inside declared that.

 

Cinnamon Rolls

⅔
cup sugar

1 cup warm water

2 packages yeast

2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup mashed potatoes

4 eggs, beaten

6 cups flour

⅔
cup vegetable oil

Filling

soft butter

brown sugar

cinnamon

Combine sugar, water, and yeast. Add the rest of roll ingredients and mix well. Let dough rise until double. Preheat oven to 350°. Break dough into two portions. Roll out dough one portion at a time and spread with soft butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Roll up from long side and cut into 1¾-inch slices. Place in pan. Let rise and bake until brown, about 15-20 minutes.

Twenty-Five

If there is a smile in your heart, your face will show it.

A
MISH
P
ROVERB

L
ovina heard the front door to the pie shop open, and she turned, expecting to see Faith. Instead, Grace strode into the warehouse alongside another woman—an Englischer, wearing tan slacks and a rosy red blouse.

Lovina paused from the list she'd been writing. She'd been pondering it for a week. It was a list of pies she would offer. Once she came up with the final list Faith was going to write them in calligraphy on a menu and they would make photocopies.