A Reunion in Pinecraft

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  His words made her feel kind of mushy inside. Happy too. Actually, everything he was saying was reassuring. She wasn’t alone in this relationship. He wanted the same things she did. “But if we can’t do that, then what?”

  “What would you think if I visited you in about two weeks and talked with your father?”

  Her breath hitched, but she was still afraid to hope. “About . . .”

  “About courting you. About one day marrying you, Sherry.” Linking his fingers with hers, he said, “Is that clear enough?”

  What could she say? After everything they’d been through, all the misunderstandings and all the failed hopes and dreams, they were on the same page in the end.

  “Jah,” she said. “That is clear enough. Even for me.”

  His blue eyes looked her over, then little by little sparkled in the fading evening light. Then he leaned closer and lightly brushed his lips against hers. It was a sweet kiss. Perfect, because it hinted of a future together. When he shifted and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, she leaned into him.

  Everything had been worked out, and nothing more needed to be said.

  EPILOGUE

  Dear Sherry,

  It was so good to see you last weekend. I enjoyed spending time with your family. Has your father spoken with you yet? I asked him for your hand, but before giving me an answer, he wanted to talk with you. Please tell me you won’t torture me for too long, Sherry. A man can take only so much.

  Graham

  Dear Graham,

  My father spoke with me not ten minutes after you left. We talked about love and partnerships and the Lord and commitment. I told him all about sparks and laughter and happiness. That’s when he said he had better give us his blessing . . . and fast!

  So there you are, Graham. We have my parents’ blessing so we can be officially engaged.

  Set the date, and don’t make me wait too long.

  Now I am yours,

  Sherry

  Dear Sherry,

  Is one month too long?

  I remain yours,

  Graham

  Dear Sharon,

  We’re all coming to Adams County on the fifth of next month for Sherry and Graham’s engagement party. I can’t wait to see you! I hope you’ve already scheduled lots of time off. If you haven’t, do so now.

  I think we’re going to have a lot to talk about.

  Toby

  Dear Toby,

  I wish you hadn’t had to take that early ride home yesterday! When I was trying not to cry as I told you good-bye, I felt as though I had just hugged you hello.

  Didn’t Sherry and Graham look happy? And they are so excited too! My mother is having quite the time of it, putting together a wedding in only six months.

  I’m looking forward to seeing you in Sugarcreek next month. I can’t wait to stay with your mother and sisters . . . that is, if they promise to be kind to me.

  Sharon

  Dear Sharon,

  My family all loved you. But you knew they would, didn’t you? You were a perfect houseguest, a perfect friend, and they all say you’re perfect for me. Actually, the girls now think I’m a far sight smarter than they’d ever given me credit for. Your appearance in my life has raised their view of me.

  In case you didn’t realize it, I’m teasing you. It doesn’t matter what they think, as long as we can be together.

  I’ll see you in a month when I stay at your house for a change. I have a feeling we can expect good things in our future.

  Toby

  Dear Toby,

  I’m still feeling tingly about your proposal. It was the most romantic proposal ever, and right on the heels of Sherry and Graham’s wedding too.

  My mother looks like she’s going to pull all her hair out, but I told her a four-month engagement is going to be just fine. I certainly don’t want to wait any longer—especially since we’re planning to go back to Pinecraft for our honeymoon. Maybe one of us should write to Beverly and let her know. She might want to prepare herself for that reunion!

  Love, Sharon

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for returning to Pinecraft, Florida, with me! When I heard that this collection was going to be all about summer vacations or experiences, I knew that I had to set my story at the Orange Blossom Inn in Pinecraft. This made-up place was the focal point of four books I wrote two years ago for Avon Inspire. While writing this series, I fell in love with not only the innkeeper Beverly Overholt, but also the city of Sarasota, Florida, and the surrounding areas. I’ve since returned four times!

  I really enjoyed writing about some characters who were on vacation. There is something about vacations that makes me smile. I love the freedom that I feel. I love how anything seems possible. And yes, I even love that feeling of dread that comes with knowing that I eventually have to go back home. Because of that, I try to treasure every minute. Maybe you have felt the same way?

  If you’re reading this book while on vacation, I sincerely hope you are having a great time! If, instead, you are simply enjoying a nice reading vacation from a busy day, thank you for spending it with me. I love hanging out with friends . . . even through the pages of one of my books.

  Wishing you many blessings and lots of sunny days ahead,

  Shelley Shepard Gray

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1.I had so much fun writing about reunions and revisiting Sarasota for this novella. What vacation spot are you anxious to visit again? What made it special?

  2.Who in your life has been an unexpected ‘surprise’? Who in your life made a positive first impression?

  3.What did you think about Sharon and Sherry’s relationship?

  4.I thought the following verse from Luke fit this story perfectly: “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” How does this verse apply to a person or a situation in your life?

  5.When I found the Amish proverb, “Things turn out the best for those who make the best of the way things turn out,” I knew it would work well with this story. Do you find this proverb to be true? Why or why not?

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  ISN’T IT FUNNY HOW GOD PICKS THE RIGHT TIME FOR everything? I’ve wanted to be part of an Amish novella collection for quite a while. When it finally happened, the folks at Harper-Collins Christian Fiction placed me with some of the best writers in the genre! Thank you to authors Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, and Kathleen Fuller for joining me on this journey. I’m so excited to share a cover with y’all!

  Thank you also goes out to the editorial staff at HCCP, most especially Karli Jackson and Jean Bloom. Both made A Reunion in Pinecraft something to be proud of.

  I also can’t help but acknowledge my original editor for the Pinecraft Series, Chelsey Emmelhainz. Because of Chelsey, I was able to write the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series, which this novella is loosely connected to.

  Finally, I would never know so many details about Pinecraft without the kindness and patience of my Amish friend. She and her husband took me and my husband all around Pinecraft during our first visit. She’s a gem, for sure and for certain.

  AN EXCERPT FROM SUMMER STORMS

  CHAPTER 1

  HAPPINESS BUBBLED UP FROM INSIDE ARIANA SMUCKER as she leaned back on her palms and gazed up toward the sky. The aroma of sunscreen filled her nostrils, and the hot summer sun kissed her cheeks. Then she smoothed the skirt of her red bathing suit over her thighs before smiling over at her best friend, who was sitting beside her. “This day is absolutely perfect. Don’t you agree?”

  “Ya.” Mariella Ebersol kicked her legs in the water, and the floating dock they were sitting on shifted. She pushed her long, blonde braid behind her shoulder, and her deep-brown eyes sparkled in the bright sunlight. “I can’t believe you’ll be married in five months.” She moved her slim fingers over the skirt on her black bathing suit.

  “Ya
, November is coming quickly.” Ariana’s heart fluttered and a grin overtook her lips as she looked toward the shoreline. Her fiancé, Jesse Zook, sat on the beach with her brother, close enough that she could see their faces as they talked. They were surrounded by members of their youth group as well as other visitors to Maryland’s Cascade Lake.

  Resting her hands on the warm wooden dock, Ariana kept her gaze focused on Jesse. He pushed his hand through his thick sandy-blond hair and nodded. With his cobalt-blue eyes and strong jawline, Jesse was the most handsome man she’d ever known, and she couldn’t wait for their wedding.

  She looked over at her brother, Tobias, and her smile faded as she took in his deep frown and dark expression. Tension gripped Ariana’s shoulders and her thoughts spun with anxiety. It was rare that their youth group could take a day off from work at their homes, jobs, and farms to visit a lake. Why would Tobias be troubled on a beautiful day like today?

  A group of teenagers swam near the dock, and a girl squealed as a boy splashed her, pulling Ariana from her concern.

  “You look worried.” Mariella leaned over toward Ariana. “Was iss letz?”

  Ariana turned toward her. “I was just watching Tobias talking with Jesse. Tobias looks so bedauerlich. I was hoping today would cheer him up.”

  “Cheer him up?” Mariella tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

  Ariana blew out a sigh as she recalled the past week. It seemed as if her brother and father had argued nonstop. She’d hoped a day away from their farm would brighten Tobias’s mood, but the scowl on his face as he spoke to Jesse indicated he’d brought his trouble with him to the lake.

  “Tobias has been arguing with mei dat again.”

  “Oh.” Mariella seemed to hesitate, as if awaiting more details, but Ariana couldn’t bring herself to share everything she witnessed daily between her brother and father. “They still aren’t getting along?”

  “No.” Ariana fingered her thick braid as she continued to watch Tobias interact with Jesse. “I’m worried it might be getting worse.”

  “Ach, no.” Mariella crossed her arms over her middle. “Do you think you can do anything to help?”

  Ariana swallowed a snort. “No. They’re both so stubborn. They never seem to listen to each other. I think that’s part of their problem.”

  Mariella gave a little laugh. “That sounds possible.”

  Jesse and Tobias suddenly stood up from the shoreline and started up the hill that led to the picnic area. They were walking slowly, still talking.

  “Is it lunchtime?” Ariana asked.

  “It might be. Why?”

  Ariana pointed toward the shore. “I think Jesse and Tobias are going to lunch without us.” She frowned. Why hadn’t Jesse remembered to invite her and Mariella to join them?

  Mariella clicked her tongue. “That’s awfully thoughtless.”

  “Ya, it is.” Ariana turned toward Mariella and raised her eyebrows. “Are you hungry?”

  Mariella shrugged. “Sure.”

  “We’d better go before they eat without us.” Ariana stood up on the floating dock, held out her hand, and lifted Mariella to her feet.

  She dove into the cool lake water and swam toward the shoreline with Mariella beside her. Ariana relished the feel of the cool water sluicing over her body. When she reached the shallow area, she waded to the beach, where she found her beach towel and pink bandana waiting for her.

  She pushed the bandana over her hair and draped the dry towel over her shoulders before trotting up the hill after Jesse and Tobias.

  “Jesse!” she called. “Wait for me!”

  He stopped and turned, his eyebrows raised. Tobias looked at her, but went on.

  “Did you forget I was in the water?” She pointed back toward the lake.

  “Whoops.” He shook his head as a smile turned up his lips.

  She rested her hand on her hip. “I thought I asked you to let me know when you and Tobias were going to have lunch.”

  “I’m sorry.” He ran his hand over his clean-shaven chin. “I forgot.”

  “You forgot?” She took a deep breath as irritation nipped at her.

  “Ya, I did. I was caught up in my conversation with Tobias, and I completely forgot you wanted me to call you for lunch.” His lips formed a thin line as he walked back down the hill toward her. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s all right.” She shrugged, even though his oversight did send a pang of disappointment through her.

  At just under six feet, Jesse stood over her by several inches. She silently admired how the summer sun had already begun to tan his handsome face and naturally highlight his hair to a golden blond. Like the rest of the young men in their youth group, he was clad in swim trunks.

  She hugged the towel to her body as her gaze moved to his broad shoulders, and her eyes widened. “Your shoulders are turning pink. You should put on more lotion before you burn.”

  “I’ll be fine.” He gestured toward their group of friends as they walked past them toward the picnic area. “We should go before the tables fill up.”

  He held out his hand and she laced her fingers with his, enjoying the feel of his skin against hers.

  As they began the trek up the hill, she glanced around for Mariella. “Where did Mariella go?”

  Jesse pointed in front of them. “She’s almost up the hill.”

  Ariana followed his gaze to where Mariella trudged, hugging her blue beach towel around her body. Tobias walked a few feet in front of her.

  She looked up at Jesse again. “You and Tobias seemed to be in a deep conversation.”

  Jesse nodded. “Tobias needed someone to listen.”

  “Oh?” Holding fast to his hand, she pulled him back, slowing their pace. “What did he need to talk about?”

  Jesse blew a breath out through his nose. “I guess he’s been arguing with your dat a lot lately.”

  Ariana nodded as worry coursed through her once again. “What did he say?”

  “He was venting.” Jesse shrugged. “He’ll be fine. It’s nothing to worry about.”

  “Okay.” She hoped he was right.

  “Let’s have lunch, and then I’ll try to talk to him again later.”

  “Sounds gut.” Ariana let Jesse lead her to a picnic table. She sat down on the end beside Mariella as Jesse sat down across from her and beside Tobias. When she closed her eyes in silent prayer, she thanked God not only for their food, but for this beautiful day.

  In late afternoon, Ariana lifted a bottle of root beer to take a drink. She was sitting on a glider on the far end of Mariella’s back porch with members of her youth group surrounding her. They were all enjoying Mariella’s father’s cold homemade drink and sharing stories. Ariana searched the sea of familiar faces for Jesse and Tobias, but neither was on the porch.

  As one of the young men began telling a story about a hunting trip he took last year, Ariana descended the porch steps and walked toward the pasture. She found Jesse leaning against the fence as he spoke to two of his friends, and she gripped her bottle tighter as she walked toward him.

  “Jesse?” she called, but he continued talking as if he hadn’t heard her. “Jesse?”

  “Jesse.” Ivan tapped his arm. “Ariana is calling you.”

  “Oh.” Jesse turned toward her. “Sorry. I didn’t hear you.”

  Ariana pressed her lips together as frustration tightened her shoulders. “Could I please speak to you for a moment?”

  “Ya, of course.” Jesse followed her to the far end of the fence. “What do you need?”

  “I thought you were going to join me.” She gestured toward the porch. “You said you’d have a bottle of root beer with me, and I even saved you a seat on the glider.”

  “Oh right.” Realization dawned in his blue eyes. “I’m sorry. Ivan, Henry, and I haven’t seen one another much since they got so busy working in their dat’s store. We were getting caught up. I forgot I promised to sit with you.”

  “I understand.” Ariana
nodded despite her disappointment.

  “I’ll come up there now.” He took her hand in his and gently tugged her toward the porch. “Let’s go. I’ll grab you another root beer from the cooler.”

  “Wait.” She stopped him, and they looked at each other. “I wanted to ask you if you’ve seen Tobias.”

  Jesse nodded. “I saw him sitting with Mariella on the porch, but then I saw him walk alone toward the barn a while ago. I meant to follow him, but then I ran into Henry and Ivan, and I lost track of time.”

  A niggling of worry started at the base of Ariana’s neck. Tobias had seemed off all day.

  “I was hoping today would help him.” She looked out over the pasture. The sky was clogged with gray clouds, and thunder rumbled in the distance.

  “Would you like me to find him?”

  “Ya, please.”

  “All right. We have to get going soon anyway. I think a storm is coming. Also, I promised mei dat I’d be home in time to help feed the animals.” His expression seemed tentative. “You’re still riding with me to get home, right?”

  “Ya, I’d like to.”

  “Gut.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll go find Tobias. You go back to the porch and enjoy the rest of your time with our freinden. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Her earlier worry dissipated as Jesse smiled at her. Before their trek from Cascade Lake back to Gordonville, Pennsylvania, he’d changed into dark trousers and a deep-blue shirt that accentuated his eyes. Ariana admired him as he headed toward the large barn. Her stomach took flight on the wings of a hundred butterflies at the notion of driving home with him this afternoon. Stealing a quick kiss would be the perfect ending to this special day spent with friends.

  CHAPTER 2

  DREAD BOGGED JESSE’S STEPS AS HIS BOOTS CRUNCHED on the rock path leading to Mariella’s father’s barn. Tobias’s glum mood and initial silence, followed by his venting, had bothered Jesse all day. Despite his efforts to cheer up Tobias before lunch, his best friend had never changed. Maybe he could find a way to cheer up Tobias now, before they headed home for the evening.