The Proving

by Beverly Lewis

  “I’ll walk her out to the barnyard right away,” Karl said, going immediately into the stall, where he talked to Gertie in soothing tones.

  “She should be feelin’ better soon,” Merv told them. “But give me a jingle if she’s not. Night or day.”

  Mandy and Karl both thanked him, and with some effort, Karl managed to encourage the ailing mare to her feet.

  Suddenly, Mandy remembered the washing she’d come out to take off the clothesline. It was getting chillier now, the sun drifting slowly toward the horizon. Maybe Trina already brought it in, she thought.

  “You’ve been very helpful, Karl, to Gertie . . . and to me,” Mandy said, somewhat at a loss for words.

  Unexpectedly, Karl followed her out the stable door, then hesitated, holding his hat in his hands, glancing down at it, then back at Mandy. “I mean it ’bout helping more. Just give me a holler.”

  “I appreciate that,” she said simply, glad for the vet’s caring manner and the good prognosis. But despite Karl’s offer, she really didn’t know what to think of him. Perhaps he was just a sympathetic and friendly fellow. Or was there more to it?

  Mandy couldn’t be sure, but whatever it was, she needed to nip it in the bud if anything romantic was going on in his head. He is really nice, though, she thought. I’ll give him that.

  And handsome, she pondered further. And his little boy is adorable.

  Mandy sighed. But he’s Amish, and I’ll be leaving next November, once I sell the inn.

  That Saturday noon, while Mandy helped to make salads and turkey and Swiss cheese wraps, Trina announced that she had plans for supper that evening.

  “With Gavin?” Mandy asked.

  “For some reason, he has this fascination with me.”

  “Silly him,” Mandy jested.

  “Don’t read too much into it,” Trina was quick to say as she carried their plates over to the table.

  “He’s obviously attracted to you.” Mandy took a seat across from her. “Must like your spunkiness.”

  Trina turned and gave Mandy the funniest scowl. “You crack me up.”

  “Nee . . . he’s sweet on ya.” Mandy smiled. “Seriously.”

  Trina frowned as if Mandy had just given her something profound and mysterious to ponder. She folded her arms, still seemingly perplexed. “I’m not real comfortable with—”

  “Well, Gavin’s a lovely man, from what I gather,” Mandy interrupted. “And Mamma thought the world of him, if that’s any endorsement.”

  Their eyes met, and Trina looked away, her suddenly dark mood deepening.

  “What’s a-matter?” Mandy asked.

  “Nothing,” Trina said, her eyes still dim.

  A few minutes passed as they bowed their heads for the table blessing, then began to eat in silence until Trina wiped her lips and murmured, “The shoe is on the other foot, I suppose.” She inhaled slowly. “My fiancé died in a car wreck more than a year ago.”

  “Oh . . . I’m awful sorry,” Mandy quickly replied. No wonder she’s hesitant about Gavin!

  “Sounds like both you and I have suffered big losses,” Trina said softly, telling Mandy more about the accident that had altered her happy plans. “But I’m determined to move forward. That was part of the reason I took a chance on a mystery trip.”

  Trina refilled their water glasses and then changed the topic to her elderly friend, Gail Anderson, with whom she’d spoken that morning.

  “What a sweet lady she must be,” Mandy said.

  “Is she ever. And someday, if she’s strong enough, she’s exactly the type of person who would enjoy an inn like this—she and Gavin would hit it off,” Trina said, laughing.

  “It’s good to have a friend who understands you so well,” Mandy mused.

  Trina gave her a concerned look. “What about you? I take it you don’t have time anymore to attend all the work frolics and other activities I hear the Amishwomen around here enjoy.”

  “No worries. I don’t need to sit around stitching up quilts,” Mandy said, attempting to brush off the question. “If I’d wanted that, I never would’ve left this life behind.”

  Trina seemed to consider that. “So . . . where did you go when you left?”

  “Western Kansas. A little flat, perhaps, but with lots of very nice folk.”

  Trina whistled. “A long way from here.”

  Mandy recalled the hours and hours of driving. “You can say that again.”

  “This is really home for you, then, isn’t it?”

  Not anymore, Mandy thought, instead answering, “More so now that I’m not runnin’ round like a chicken with its head chopped off.”

  “Thanks to me,” Trina said without missing a beat.

  “I am feeling far less frantic.”

  “Yes, well, and thank you for not requiring me to wear Amish clothing.” Trina glanced down at her long skirt. “As it is, I feel like someone out of a prairie romance novel.”

  Mandy gave her a smile. “Well, I think you would’ve made a fine Amish cook!”

  Trina laughed and picked up her napkin. “I may not be Plain, but I wouldn’t have let you get rid of me without a fight,” she said unexpectedly.

  “Ach, Trina—”

  “Okay, okay, enough—I’m just telling you that I didn’t have it in me to leave you hanging by a thread here, Mandy.” She folded her hands. “And I’m not even related.”

  Mandy sighed, thinking back to her first day home. “Arie Mae’s not a terrible person.”

  “Could’ve fooled me.” Trina frowned. “You said you fired her for a good reason.”

  Mandy shrugged, suddenly melancholy. Did I?

  That evening, while cleaning up after a too-quiet solo supper hour, Mandy realized again how far she and Trina had come in such a short time, and by sheer trial and error. Not necessarily a trial by fire, though, as she’d found Trina far easier to manage than initially expected.

  For sure and for certain, working with Trina day in and day out meant that disagreements lurked around every corner, but Mandy was glad for the woman’s conscientiousness, and the guests were beyond delighted with the breakfast offerings.

  An acceptable trade-off.

  Chapter

  28

  It was a particularly cold morning the Wednesday before Christmas when Gavin carried his bags downstairs. Checking the breakfast table while her famous egg bake was in the oven, Trina caught a glimpse of him and felt a wave of nerves. She hurried to the front door and opened it, stepping outside, onto the stoop, and watched Gavin load his things into the car.

  Is he leaving without saying good-bye? she wondered. Based on his kind, caring response Saturday evening when she had told him about her engagement and Shawn’s sudden death, she couldn’t imagine that.

  Just now, he spotted her and gave her a smile and a wave.

  “You’re still staying for breakfast, right?” Trina asked, shivering in the bright blue morning as he came back up the walkway. She hugged herself, her breath wisps of warm air in the cold. “It looks like maybe you’re in a rush.”

  Gavin chuckled and put an arm around her shoulders. “You can’t get rid of me that easily. Now, let’s get you inside.”

  Whew. She felt rather ridiculous chasing him outside as she had, but his reassuring manner put a quick end to that as they headed back indoors, where she excused herself and made her way to the kitchen. Mandy eyed her curiously but said nothing.

  An hour or so later, Trina was delighted when Gavin came looking for her in the kitchen, ready to make his departure. Mandy was clearing off the table in the breakfast room.

  Gavin reached for her hand and held it gently. “I’ll be in touch, okay?” he said with a wink.

  “Okay,” she said, wishing she dared to say more. After she heard the front door latch, she crept into the entryway to watch him walk down to his car and drive away, sad to see him go.

  Gavin texted Trina the next two days and called her in the evenings when he was home from work.


  Then, on Christmas Eve, she received a package containing a framed poem entitled “The Strong-Willed Woman.” At first reading, Trina didn’t think of it as the most romantic gift she’d ever received. But then, rereading it, she realized it was a unique expression of Gavin’s affection and appreciation for her, and she was so taken with its creativity, she asked Mandy if she could hang it up in her room.

  Mandy gave her that knowing look, and Trina could hardly disguise her own smile. “Maybe you’re right . . . maybe he does like me,” she admitted, to which Mandy nodded emphatically.

  A card had arrived from Janna, asking when Trina was ready to give up her country gig, a smiley face after the question mark.

  Not for a while, Trina thought, considering that even with her and Mandy both working fast, they were still just barely keeping up. But it was nice to be missed.

  I miss you, too, sis, she thought.

  Each day, Trina worked steadily alongside Mandy without stopping, except for lunch, eight hours straight. Trina wasn’t necessarily thrilled with the minimum wage she was earning, but helping Mandy had never been about making money. Trina had a purpose again, and she felt appreciated and valued as a person. And Mandy was good at promptly showering her with compliments, no strings attached, even when obviously frustrated with her.

  And each night, when Trina leaned her head on the plump feather pillow on the bed that had once belonged to Mandy’s twin sister, Trina could sigh happily, knowing she was accomplishing something good for another human being, just as she had with Gail. Trina thanked God for the opportunity to make a difference in this very rural bend in the road.

  Weeks passed, and January and February turned into March. Now that spring was on its way and the ground seemed to be thawing, there was plentiful mud everywhere, the reason for the name of the popular annual auctions held in Strasburg, Gordonville, Refton, and Bart. The mud sales were used to raise money for the area fire departments, and things got so busy that Mandy had to turn down a number of people calling to book a room. Gone were the days when she’d worried over her mother’s regular clientele drying up and disappearing.

  To Mandy’s relief, Trina continued to stay on, making no mention of when she might return to Minnesota. Little by little, Mandy and Trina began to find a more focused rhythm to their days. Along the way, they also got to know each other better, here and there sharing stories from their childhood, although Mandy had only shared about the good times. Amazingly, there were occasions when Trina didn’t respond quite so abrasively. In fact, Mandy had been seeing her softer side more recently, enough so that she sometimes dared to allow Trina—Englischer though she was—to interact with guests.

  In mid-March, winter made a sudden reappearance. It was a snowy Thursday when Trina drove Mandy’s car to Bird-in-Hand with Mandy in the passenger’s seat, as was usual these days.

  A herd of the neighbor’s cattle huddled together near the fence lines where hay had been scattered, looking miserable. When the women arrived at market, the snow made it hard to see across the parking lot as Trina and Mandy got out and hurried inside.

  They shook the snowflakes from their coats and scarves, glad to be out of the storm. Trina removed her gloves and stuffed them into her coat pockets. She was caught by surprise when Mandy abruptly changed course, touching her arm and redirecting her.

  “What is it?” Trina asked.

  “Just trying to avoid an unpleasant situation,” Mandy replied.

  “What?” Trina replied, still resisting Mandy’s efforts.

  Giving in, Mandy sighed, leaned closer, and whispered, “It’s Arie Mae. Over by the baked goods.”

  Attempting not to appear obvious, Trina glanced over and spotted Mandy’s twin sister. Now that Mandy had pointed her out, Trina realized she’d seen this young woman before, right here at the store, in fact. She was surprised to notice that Arie was quite pregnant.

  While Mandy went to get a shopping cart, Trina followed Arie Mae with her eyes. Mandy’s twin seemed tentative as she moved slowly toward the first aisle, as if taking everything in. Various people waved and smiled at her, and while Arie appeared friendly toward them, she was not as demonstrative as Mandy. She’s less outgoing, Trina decided. Shy, maybe.

  Mandy returned with the empty cart. “Prob’ly shouldn’t stare, jah?”

  “I really want to meet her,” Trina replied.

  “Ain’t a gut idea,” Mandy urged, shaking her head.

  “Oh, c’mon—how bad can it be?”

  “Nee,” Mandy said abruptly, her face suddenly pale.

  Trina was shocked at her response. “Okay.”

  Mandy looked relieved. “Denki.”

  Trina reached for the cart, following Mandy, who quickly led her in the opposite direction.

  List in hand, Trina eyed the produce section, wanting some green onions for the skillet breakfast she’d seen in Mandy’s mother’s recipe book. “We’re almost out of garlic, too,” she told Mandy as she reached for several papery bulbs.

  Trina next headed to the spice aisle for the paprika, then on toward the baking supplies as Mandy went back to the produce section for some green peppers, leaving Trina alone and wondering whether Arie Mae was still in the store. And just then, she spotted her a few yards away, coming Trina’s direction. Their eyes met briefly, and Arie actually smiled before turning away again.

  As if driven to do so, Trina began to push the cart toward Arie at the same time Mandy wandered up behind her.

  “Trina, what are you—”

  By then, Trina was within earshot of Mandy’s sister. And Trina suddenly realized she had no idea what to say to this stranger who was their closest neighbor, especially not with Mandy still following her. A forced encounter could very well be traumatic for both sisters, she thought. Am I walking into a hornet’s nest?

  “Trina!” Mandy whispered loudly at the exact moment Trina came to her senses and was about to reverse course.

  But it was too late. Arie had turned around again, this time with a curious expression . . . and Trina had no choice but to go ahead. “Excuse me, aren’t you Arie Mae?” she said, approaching her.

  Arie’s gaze shifted from Trina to Mandy, and immediately her pretty face broke into a smile. “Hullo, Schweschder. Wie geht’s?”

  Her friendly response startled Trina, and poor Mandy seemed to be struggling to produce a smile.

  “Hullo, Arie Mae,” Mandy said. “This is Trina Sutton—she’s been workin’ for me awhile now.”

  “Jerome has spoken kindly of you, Trina,” Arie said softly, still smiling at them both. She glanced at Mandy. “He’s mighty impressed with your tasty breakfasts.”

  Trina was taken by her gentle charm. “I love to cook, so it’s a good fit,” Trina replied, noticing the blush on Mandy’s cheeks. Arie, however, was as pleasant as any sister might be when running into another.

  “How’ve ya been, Mandy?” Arie asked, her hands gripping the shopping cart, half filled with groceries.

  “Oh, busy.”

  “Which is so gut to hear, considering . . .”

  “Jah, lots of guests, many repeats like before, but many more new ones,” Mandy said, her voice sounding unnatural and forced.

  The sisters just stood there, apparently at a loss for words before Arie and then Mandy said something in Deitsch. Fascinated by their similar mannerisms, Trina observed the twins closely, not sure she should interrupt.

  “Well, it’s nice to finally meet you,” Trina said when it seemed clear both were done talking. “When’s your baby due?”

  “Mid-June.”

  “Not very long now,” Trina said.

  “Real close to Mamma’s favorite season,” Arie said, looking sweetly at Mandy just then and turning to address Trina. “You’ll get to see the butterflies return by the hundreds only a few weeks before then—every imaginable color and kind.”

  “Mandy’s mentioned what a sight that is; I’m looking forward to witnessing it for myself.” Trina glanced at Mandy,
who she could see was eager to get going. “Well, we have a long grocery list, so . . .”

  “Ach, of course,” Arie said, nodding her head. “I’m glad we met, Trina. And it’s so nice to see you again, Mandy Sue.”

  “Have yourself a gut day,” Mandy said, seeming to have trouble getting the words out.

  Arie turned to head up the aisle, her long green dress and matching apron swishing against her legs as Trina hung back a bit.

  “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Trina murmured to Mandy.

  Mandy was dead silent.

  “I’m sorry,” Trina said now. “I shouldn’t have looked for your sister, hoping to bump into her like that.”

  “Jah,” Mandy said, gesturing toward the left.

  They walked through the store to the checkout as Trina pondered what had just happened. She knew one thing: Unless Arie was a pro at faking it, she was nothing like Trina had expected.

  “Not a terrible person,” Mandy had recently said.

  No doubt about that, Trina thought. Yet it was clear that something terrible had happened to the two otherwise kind and caring sisters. The way they’d interacted so woodenly, as if nervous, it was hard to believe they had once been very close.

  On the tense ride home, Mandy felt all in and hoped to divert Trina’s attention from the chance meeting. But Trina would have none of it, and Mandy felt the onslaught of questions coming. Trina was going to push her nose into things.

  “So that was really weird, huh?” Trina said. “Arie seemed so happy to see you.”

  Mandy shook her head. I can’t do this, she thought. “You agreed to leave things be.”

  “You’re right,” Trina said. “I’m just too nosy for my own good.”

  They were silent for the remainder of the trip home. Trina pulled into the lane leading to the inn, drove around to the back, parked, and turned off the car, yet neither of them made any move to head inside.

  The only sound in the car was a ticking as the engine cooled. The landscape surrounding them was a fresh sea of heavy snow. Was spring really only a few days away?