Made with Love Read online

  Dear friend Anna,

  Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior.

  I’m fairly certain as you read this letter it’s not the first time you’ve held its envelope in your hand. You’re so much more patient than I. You were always like that, even in our school days at Ridgebottom. I, on the other hand, can scarcely make it back to the house before ripping open any letters I receive from you, my friend.

  I try to picture in my mind exactly where you are sitting as you read this, but since you moved to Florida and have settled in a new home, I have to use my imagination. At least I know what the town and the ocean look like. I don’t suppose the beach changes too much over the years. Or maybe it does. I remember my honeymoon in Pinecraft as if it were yesterday. The beaches in Sarasota are so lovely it’s no wonder the newly-marrieds all want to head straight to Pinecraft.

  I’m still waiting—not so patiently I might add—for an answer from Abe about a trip to Florida this winter. He hasn’t forgotten my request. He’s just so busy now that autumn is nearly here. There’s so much extra work a farmer has to do to ready a dairy farm before winter comes.

  I do so miss you, Anna. Being separated for the first time in forty years has been difficult. More so than I thought. Perhaps it’s been easier for you. Having new surroundings to explore and a new home to set up housekeeping in would keep a body busy. I suppose you’ve also made new friends at church and have found your place in the community, different as it all is from Walnut Creek. My days are pretty much the same, but for new babies in the family. News of an expected little one comes every time you turn your head, it seems. I can’t wait until our Sadie Mae or Mary share such news with Abe and me one day. Hopefully soon! To be a groossmammi. I get goose pimples just thinking about it.

  How is John faring these days? Is the mild weather helping to ease his lung condition as much as the doctor said it would? I hope so.

  And the girlies? What are they doing these days to keep busy? Did Hope find a place to plant a garden? Seasons in Florida are so different from Ohio. I laughed out loud at your last letter about the sandy plot she dug up in your backyard hoping to plant corn! At least you can buy fresh anytime you get the notion with Yoder’s Produce nearby. We put up 100 quarts of Silver Queen and 50 quarts of Incredible corn. Abe likes his Silver Queen! We had plenty of help with the frolic. Several from church came, as did my sisters and Mem. It’s true that many hands make light work. Afterwards the menfolk joined us for supper. We served a roaster-full of underground ham casserole. Lamar’s Rachel brought green beans and Joel’s Laura shared several jars of pickled beets from this year’s crop. My Sadie Mae made two pans of peach delight for dessert.

  Lavon and Jaylene just returned from visiting their oldest son in Montana, so she was on hand to help too. I do wish you’d find room in your heart for her, Anna. She truly is a jewel. She’s so cheerful a body can’t help but like her. I pray you’ll feel the same one day. It wasn’t her fault that Lavon chose to marry the girl new to town rather than the one he’d caught toads with down at the pond. Even you have said you’re thankful for Lavon’s choice—thankful that God brought you John and the girls. But enough about that.

  Have you any new dresses for the upcoming winter season? I have sewing to get to this forenoon yet now that the canning is behind us. I have a dress cut for Henry’s Lizzie Ann’s wedding. That makes nine weddings in all this year, with all the nieces and nephews. We didn’t miss a one.

  Any wedding news to report on your end, Anna? Bishop Mahlon often preaches God’s timing is perfect. I have to admit, I’ve found it to be true more times than I could count in my forty-nine years. I hope you’ll apply your gift of patience in this part of your life too and not rush your girls into marriage before they’re ready.

  In His glorious name,

  your friend, Regina

  Anna read the letter a second time, and then she released a long sigh. She usually read Regina’s letters aloud to John, and he might get a chuckle out of this one. It had been nearly twenty-eight years since Regina had held her hand and offered a handkerchief for her tears, but in the mind of a best friend the memories of twenty-eight years were just as strong as twenty-eight days.

  She offered a heavy sigh, thinking of the sobs that Regina had witnessed all those years ago. Anna had believed Lavon Graber to be her first love. She’d pictured him as her husband since their days attending parochial school together. During her rumspringa they’d attended some singings and had gone on a few picnics and such, but Lavon had never given her any indication that he wanted to marry her. Lavon had set his gaze on Jaylene. And while Anna had never been close friends with the woman, she didn’t have hard feelings either. Looking back, Anna knew John had been the right choice, and she was thankful that Lavon had broken her heart. Once she made her vows to John she’d never looked back. And their love had grown over time.

  Now Anna hoped with all her heart that her five daughters would find lasting love at a young age. Like her mother, aunts, and grandmother always told her, the most important things in life were the love of God and the love of a man. And now she was in quite the conundrum. Her love for her husband had brought her to Pinecraft, but she worried every day that the decision would cost her daughters a chance at finding husbands.

  Anna’s mind focused on Lovina. What was she going to do with that girl? Her mind always seemed to be someplace else. Anna bit her lower lip and said a silent prayer for her daughter—for her daughters. And a minute later the bird’s song pulled her from her prayers.

  She thought about her own mem. Anna’s mother had urged Anna to spend time with John Miller when Lavon Graber’s affections hadn’t held promise. Maybe she needed to be more encouraging. Maybe a little prodding would stir the fires of romance. Even though there weren’t many eligible bachelors around Pinecraft, there were a few.

  Anna wasted no time. She hurried to the kitchen and took a pen from the cabinet drawer, and then returned to the wooden swing on the left side of the porch that faced the street.

  She clicked the pen and then turned over the envelope. On the back of the envelope Anna listed the young men in Pinecraft:

  David Raber

  Eli Swartzentruber

  Daniel Schmid

  Paul Miller

  Reuben Kurtz

  Jonas Gingerich

  Elmer Elzey

  Ervin Lehman

  Emory Jones

  Milo Nolt

  William-Ray Girod

  Noah Yoder

  She read the names once, twice, three times. And then, one by one, she also crossed them off. A few were handymen. Two of the men worked at Der Dutchman. One did woodworking and lived most of the year in Pennsylvania. None of the young men seemed like the type who’d be strong enough to capture Lovina’s attention. They had to be more appealing than a pie shop, and as far as she was concerned, none of them were.

  When Anna got to the last name she put two lines through it. Noah Yoder. She’d heard Roy’s nephew had come to town with a group of young hooligans. Noah’s reputation far preceded him. She’d first heard his name in The Budget. The wayward youth had not only bought an automobile, but he’d been driving under the influence, lost control, and smashed through the front of an Amish gift store. She’d heard the store had been remodeled, but she’d been shocked when she’d discovered it was that Noah Yoder who’d come to town.

  The young man was handsome enough, with a charming smile, which had made Anna even more suspicious. She’d watched him closely last week when he’d stopped by to talk to John. He’d offered to replace their roof for a low price. Too low in her opinion, which meant he had to be up to no good.

  Anna had also heard about thefts in town. Three young men had been seen nosing around her friend Merna’s place, and before you knew it a lock was broken on the back window and two pies were stolen right off the counter. Merna believed the theft would have been worse if Amish Henry hadn’t ridden by and had called out to the intruders. Because it was d
ark he hadn’t seen faces, but he’d said they must have been young, considering how fast they’d darted away. Later, as she laid in bed, listening to every noise, she’d realized that those young men had probably offered to work so cheaply so they could scope out the place. Get familiar with it so they could do some more thievery.

  She was considering all those things when the first drops of rain began to fall. She was ready to go inside anyway. Coffee with a little cream sounded good.

  Anna took her list and hurried inside. She stopped short just inside the door when she noticed John pouring coffee into two mugs. She closed the door behind her and smiled.

  “How did you know that was what I was comin’ in for?”

  John grinned, wrinkles crinkling around the corners of his eyes as he did. “We’ve been married for coming onto thirty years. I know you always take your coffee after the sun is fully up.”

  “Ja, maybe because there’s too much to do first thing in the morning. No one has time to sit and pause.”

  “Lots to do, like read a letter from your best friend?” He winked.

  “Ja.” Anna nodded, placing the envelope on the table, and he took it in his hands. His eyebrows lifted as he saw the names on the back and read over the list slowly.

  “Nice list of names here. Future sons-in-law, I’d guess.”

  “Not quite.” Anna sat down with a huff. “Not like I wished.”

  John took a slow sip of his coffee and then placed his mug on the table. “Sometimes we have too many expectations.”

  “Is it wrong to expect my daughters to want to get married? To attend volleyball games and such? To be friendly and outgoing?”

  John chuckled and leaned back in his chair. He twisted his lips from side to side like he always did when he was thinking—when he was trying to come up with the right words. He was the steady one in their relationship. He kept her grounded, but at times like this she just wanted him to spit his words out.

  “I wasn’t talking about expectations for our daughters, Anna, I’m talking about expectations of the young men. Do you remember what I was like when we met? Didn’t have but a few dollars to my name. I was stubborn, and I spent more time dreaming than working. If I hadn’t inherited the family farm, I’m not sure where we’d be.”

  Anna cocked her chin, yet her grin gave her away. “Well, as I see it, not everything has changed much.”

  John chuckled. “You talking about the dreaming part or the stubborn part?”

  Anna’s smile faded slightly. John had been so ill before they moved. For many years he hadn’t taken time to dream. It felt good to be speaking about such things. To see the twinkle in his eyes once again.

  “Both,” she said, reaching over to pat his hand.

  “Yes, well, as you’ve discovered it takes time to grow up. I think that’s the important part of finding the right person…you get to grow up together. Finding someone who makes your heart dance is a good start, and I have a feeling that one of these young gentlemen will make Lovina’s heart do just that.”

  Anna frowned. “I don’t know about all that romantic stuff. Remember, kissin’ don’t last. Good cookin’ do.”

  John smiled and patted his stomach. “Around six o’clock I might agree with that, but there were plenty of young women who cooked, but you…well, you’re the one I couldn’t stop thinking of.”

  Anna waved a hand in her husband’s direction. “You’ve gone soft in your old age for certain.”

  He shrugged. “Just don’t sign off on any young man one of our daughters brings home. The Lord sees more of the heart than we ever can.”

  Anna nodded and took a sip of her coffee, and John’s eyes scanned the list again. She’d just have to wait and see, wouldn’t she, when and if one her daughters brought a young man home.

  Her eyes paused on the last name on the list once again. Just as long as the young man wasn’t Noah Yoder. Everyone had read about his deeds, and Anna didn’t know if she could feel safe with him around. No, anyone but that young man.

  Underground Ham Casserole

  4 cups cubed ham

  4 tablespoons butter

  ½ cup chopped onion

  1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

  2 cans (15 oz) cream of mushroom soup

  1½ cups milk, divided

  2 cups cheese

  4 cups mashed potatoes

  1 pint sour cream

  bacon bits, optional

  Fry ham, butter, onion, and Worcestershire sauce together and spread in bottom of 8-quart roaster. In saucepan, heat mushroom soup, 1 cup milk, and cheese together and pour over ham. Mix mashed potatoes, sour cream, and remaining ½ cup milk and then spread on top of cheese mixture. Do not add any salt! Sprinkle with bacon bits. Bake for 20 minutes at 350°.

  Four

  No dream comes true until you wake up and go to work.

  AMISH PROVERB

  Lovina rode her bicycle past the Tourist Church, noticing how empty the large parking lot looked. In the winter, buses came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, as many as five a day! With winter came old friends and new ones. Likewise the neighborhood park overflowed with Plain people playing shuffleboard and volleyball. Children ran around with their cousins at family reunions, but today just a few part-time residents could be seen here or there. Lovina pictured these streets full. She pictured evenings of music and singing on Birky Street. Pictured serving up pie as music was carried in on the breeze.

  She smiled as she headed to the corner of Kaufman Avenue and Bahia Vista Street. Since moving to Pinecraft, she’d become a member of the Mennonite bank, Everence Credit Union, transferring all her money from her bank back in Ohio. Any bank that hosted pie contests was sure to get her business.

  She parked her bike out front, straightened her kapp, and pushed open the glass doors. A smiling teller greeted her.

  Lovina approached. “Is Jason Schlabach available?”

  The man behind the counter nodded. “He’s on a call, but I’m sure he’ll be off in a moment. From the twinkle in your eyes I assume you have good news?” Lovina crossed her arms over her chest and stepped back. “I hope so.”

  She chatted with those coming in to make transactions, and five minutes later Jason appeared, waving her into his small office. Jason’s trousers and shirt were store-bought, and he had the short hair of a Mennonite, but he had a similar look to the other Plain men in the community. Even though Jason had an important job, there was no pride in his face. Instead, his kind smile told Lovina he was honestly glad to see her.

  She hurried into his office and sat in the chair across from him. A simple wooden desk sat between them.

  Jason sat too. Then he leaned forward, resting his arms on his desk. He lifted an eyebrow. “So have you found a place? A place for your pie shop?”

  “I do believe so. There was a sign up just this morning. I couldn’t get much of a look inside but a man who lives next door gave me the owner’s name.” She slid the piece of paper across the desk with the owner’s name and number. “The man told me the price, and it’s in my price range—”

  “Are you talking about the large warehouse on Bahia Vista Street?” Jason interrupted.

  “Ja, do you know of it?”

  “I walk by all the time. Lori Ann and I do as we take our children to the park. It’s big…” His voice trailed off, and she wondered why he wasn’t saying more.

  Lovina threaded her fingers and placed them on her lap. “Very big, which means there will be plenty of room for a bakery. A nice large kitchen and…”

  “Hold on a minute now.” He held up a hand. “We’ve yet to see inside. We don’t need to be getting ahead of ourselves.”

  “Ja, I know. I was hoping…” She paused and smiled.

  “That I’d make the call?”

  Lovina blew out a heavy breath, telling herself not to get too eager. Not to lose her head in this. Jason had told her he’d help her. When she approached him about securing a future loan he’d believed in her dr
eam. More than anyone he’d believed, but now she worried. Concern darkened his gaze.

  “It really is the perfect spot,” she continued, not willing to give up until Jason agreed with her. “There are just a few houses nearby and plenty of parking. I’ve looked up and down these streets for months, and it’s the first time there’s been a For Sale sign on the lot. They must have put it there last night. You should call before anyone else does.”

  “I should, should I?” Jason dropped his fingers on the desk, tapping out a beat. “Last time it was for sale a few years ago they wanted too much money, but I suppose it doesn’t hurt to call.”

  Lovina jumped to her feet and clasped her hands. “Thank you! Thank you so much!”

  Jason glanced at the clock on the wall. “I’ll see if we can meet someone and look at the property over my lunch hour”—he steepled his fingers and leaned forward—“but I have to tell you now of my concerns. The bigger the space, the greater the cost of remodeling. I don’t want you to do anything that would risk your investment. Or put your parents’ property at risk.”

  Lovina nodded. At the thought of asking Dat for financial help her knees grew weak. She sunk back into her chair, pressing her spine against the back rest. Her stomach tightened down as if the fresh strawberries she’d eaten for breakfast had turned to lead. She’d been so excited that she hadn’t thought much about the next steps. Even if she liked the property she didn’t have enough money of her own for the purchase. She could get a loan, but only on one condition…her father had to agree to cosign. And where would she get money to remodel?

  “I—I’d never want to cause harm to my family.”

  Jason picked up the phone. “I have no doubt about that. Let me find out if we can see the place before we add in those worries to the mix.” He dialed, and she listened as he set up a showing with the owner. “I’ll be bringing a friend,” Jason told the man. “We’ll look forward to seeing you at noon.”