Made with Love (4 page)

Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes or until pear mixture is bubbling. Let cool enough to set and serve with your favorite ice cream. Super yummy when drizzled with a caramel topping.

Three

Kissin' don't last. Good cookin' do.

A
MISH
P
ROVERB

A
nna Miller sat down on the porch swing of their cottage on Gardenia Street with a small pile of mail she had yet to go through. As she dressed this morning, she'd heard Lovina and Hope's voices in the kitchen, although she could not make out their words. And nearly as soon as they were out the door her other daughters followed. Joy to her part-time job at the quilt shop and Faith to check her schedule at Yoder's, with Anna's youngest daughter Grace tagging along. She smiled, guessing that they'd probably share a large cinnamon roll while they were there, chatting over coffee and eyeing Jacob Bieler, Elizabeth Bieler's nephew who'd taken a job as a dishwasher.

A bird's song filtered down from one of the tall palm trees, carrying down Gardenia Street. The air was thick with humidity. In the distance large, dark clouds threatened to bring rain. Even though it wasn't quite mid-morning, the air was warm.

Anna pulled the collar of her dress away from her neck, wishing for a cool breeze. She knew her wishes would be in vain. She couldn't hope for cooler weather for a few months yet. And just when the weather became perfect the buses would start arriving
from the Amish communities up north, filled with the snowbirds ready to enjoy the best part of the year in Pinecraft.

If it weren't for the warm weather helping her husband, John, she'd push to return to Ohio. Yet where she wilted, he flourished. He'd even taken a long walk around the neighborhood this morning. Seeing her husband well was more important than all her discomfort, all her longing for home, and all her worries about her daughters.

Back in Walnut Creek, her friends were most likely just getting settled down after Harvest Fest in Berlin and looking forward to the Quilt Show and other fall activities. Personally her favorite was Oktoberfest at Heini's Gourmet Market. For the last few years her daughters had worked during the festival, earning extra income. And it certainly didn't hurt that her daughters got to know some of the young men who also worked at Heini's.

Last year Lovina had even gone on a few dates with one of the cheese makers. Unfortunately their family had moved to Pinecraft before Lovina had time to get to know the young man. They'd written a few letters, but those dwindled and then stopped. Her oldest daughter was focused on only one thing now—a pie shop of her own.

Anna wasn't sure what had gotten into the girl. She'd been such a good child for so many years. She'd never wavered from the faith. She'd been the biggest help around home. Was Lovina feeling growing pains like all of them after their move—just in a different way?

Anna closed her eyes and tried to picture their farm in Walnut Creek. Even though the days would be warm, the nights would be cooling off. In a matter of weeks the fall leaves would be changing colors.

She smoothed her dress and apron over her legs and scanned
the roads, looking for Lovina's bike. Why would her daughter be out on such a morning like this? Did she want to get caught in the rain? Had Lovina even noticed the clouds in the sky? Anna sighed. Most days Lovina's head was in the clouds. Yes, her body was present in Pinecraft, but her mind was somewhere else.

Ever since she was a young woman and they'd visited Patty Cakes Bakery in Charm, Ohio, Lovina had talked about a pie shop of her own. Lovina had no idea that anyone, especially her mem, knew about the scrapbook she kept under the linens in her hope chest filled with recipes and photos of décor. Lovina had “hidden” it under her bed once, and Anna had found it when cleaning for church.

Seeing it had caused Anna's gut to tighten into a hundred knots. Lovina's ideas and plans were much fancier than Anna liked, but that was not the problem. Lovina was a pretty girl with dark hair—just like John's used to be when he was young—and large brown eyes full of dreams. John had always been a dreamer and that had served him well on the farm. But where had it gotten him now? Where had it gotten them?

Chasing dreams could only last so long. It was family that stayed with you through life. It was love that stayed with you. The love of a good spouse. Anna knew this to be true.

The wind caused the branches to sway, and she sifted through the pile of mail from yesterday. She'd been so busy going with John to his doctor visits that she hadn't had time to look through it. She smiled, seeing a letter from her best friend, Regina, and quickly opened it.

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.