“Then how about if the baby and I come by the boardinghouse next Saturday?”
“That would be great. Should I tell Mama ahead, or do you want to surprise her?”
“Let’s make it our little surprise.” Sarah squeezed Kelly’s arm. “I need to get back up to the second floor where I work on one of the weavin’ looms.”
Kelly gave her sister another hug. “Sure is good to see you, Sarah.”
“Same here.” Sarah started for the stairs, and Kelly headed for the front door, feeling more cheerful than she had all morning. Even if she didn’t have a job, at least she’d been reunited with her sister. That was something to be grateful for.
***
For the third time that morning, Mike sorted through the stack of mail he’d dumped on the counter after it arrived by canal boat. There was nothing from Kelly. Wasn’t she ever going to respond? Had she received his birthday present? Did she like the watercolor set, sketching pad, and paintbrushes, or was she mad at him for giving them to her? If only she’d written a note to let him know the package had arrived.
“I’ve got to get busy and quit thinking about Kelly.” Mike slipped each letter into the cubbyholes he’d made for his postal customers. The packages were kept in a box underneath. As local people dropped by the store, he would hand out their mail and be glad he’d taken the time to organize it so well. Any mail that came for the boatmen who were working in the city and wanted their parcels to be held until they returned to the canal was stored safely in a wooden box under the front counter. Most canalers lived in homes nearby, and those, like Amos McGregor, would be getting their mail forwarded to their temporary address during the winter months.
Thinking about Amos caused Mike’s mind to wander back to Kelly. Whenever he closed his eyes at night, he could see her smiling face, hear her joyous laughter, and feel her sweet lips against his own. Had it been wrong to kiss her? He hadn’t thought so at the time, but after she’d pulled away and cooled off toward him, Mike figured he’d done a terrible thing.
“I kept telling myself I would go slow with Kelly, but I moved too fast.” Mike moaned. “Why must I always rush ahead of God?” He reached for one of the Bibles he had stacked near the end of the counter and opened it to the book of Hebrews. He found chapter 10 and read verses 35 and 36:
“Cast not away ... your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
Mike closed his eyes and quoted Genesis 2:18: “‘And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.’” He dropped to his knees behind the counter. “Oh, Lord, if I have patience and continue to do Your will, might I receive the promise of an help meet?”
Except for the eerie howling of the wind against the eaves of the store, there was no sound. Patience. Mike knew he needed to be more patient. With God’s help he would try, but it wouldn’t be easy.
***
On Saturday afternoon, Sarah, with baby Sam tucked under one arm, came by the boardinghouse. Kelly was shocked at her sister’s haggard appearance. Sarah had looked tired the other day, but it was nothing like this. Puffiness surrounded her sister’s red-rimmed eyes, indicating she had been crying. Something was wrong. Kelly could feel it in her bones.
Mama, who hadn’t been told about Sarah’s surprise visit, rushed to her oldest daughter’s side when Kelly stepped away and closed the door. “Sarah!” Mama exclaimed. “I can’t believe it’s you. Where have you been livin’? How did you know we’d be here?” She reached out to touch the baby’s chubby hand. “And who is this cute little fellow?”
Sarah emitted a small laugh, even though her expression was strained. “Too many questions at once, Mama. Can I come in and be seated before I answer each one?”
Mama’s hands went to her flushed cheeks. “Yes, yes. Please, let me have your coats, then go into the livin’ room and get comfortable.”
Sarah turned to Kelly, who so far hadn’t uttered a word. “Would ya mind holdin’ Sam while I take off my coat?”
Kelly held out her arms to the child, but little Sam buried his head against his mother’s chest and whimpered.
“He’s a bit shy around strangers,” Sarah said. “I’m sure he’ll warm up to you soon.” She handed the baby over to Kelly despite the child’s protests.
Feeling awkward and unsure of herself, Kelly stepped into the living room and took a seat on the sofa. Baby Sam squirmed restlessly, but he didn’t cry.
A few minutes later, Sarah and their mother entered the room. Mama sat beside Kelly on the sofa, and Sarah took a seat in the rocking chair across from them.
“Mama, meet your grandson, Sam Jr.,” Sarah announced.
Mama’s lips curved into a smile, and she reached out to take the infant from Kelly. He went willingly, obviously drawn to his grandma.
“I can’t believe you have a baby, Sarah. How old is he, and why didn’t ya write and tell us about him?”
Sarah hung her head, and Kelly noticed tears dripping onto her sister’s skirt, leaving dark spots in the gray-colored fabric. “I—I knew you and Papa were angry with me for runnin’ off with Sam, so I figured you wouldn’t want to know anything about what I was doin’.”
Kelly closed her eyes and offered up a prayer on her sister’s behalf as she waited for her mother’s reply.
Mama’s eyes filled with tears, and she hugged the baby to her chest. “I could never turn my back on one of my own, Sarah. I love both my girls.” She glanced over at Kelly, who was also close to tears.
“I love you, too, Mama,” Kelly murmured.
“So do I,” Sarah agreed. “Now as to your questions, Sam is six months old, and we’ve all been livin’ in a flat across the bridge in Phillipsburg. Up until a few weeks ago, Sam worked at Warren Soapstone, but he got fired for shootin’ off his mouth to the boss.” Sarah paused and drew in a deep breath. “I’ve been workin’ at the Simon Silk Mill ever since, and Sam
was
takin’ care of the baby.”
Was? What did Sarah mean by that? Before Kelly could voice the question, her sister rushed on.
“Sam’s been drinkin’ here of late, and actin’ real funny. Last night when I got home from work, he had his bags packed and said he was leavin’ me and the baby.” Sarah’s eyes clouded with fresh tears, and she choked on a sob. “I’ve got no place to leave Sam Jr. while I’m at work now, and I can’t afford to hire a babysitter and pay the rent on my flat, too.”
“I could watch the baby for you,” Kelly spoke up. “I haven’t been able to find work anywhere yet, so I have nothin’ else to do with my time.”
Except paint and dream impossible dreams,
she added mentally.
Sarah shot Mama an imploring look. “Would ya allow Kelly to come live with me?”
“I’m not sure that would set well with your papa.” Mama pursed her lips. “Why don’t you and the baby move in here with us?”
Sarah glanced around the room. “This is the same place you’ve always rented from Mable Flannigan, right?”
Their mother nodded.
“Mama, it’s so small. There’s not nearly enough room for two extra people.” She nodded at Kelly. “If you could come stay with me and Sam Jr., I couldn’t pay you, but I could offer free room and board. You’d also have a small room, which you’d need to share with the baby.”
As sorry as Kelly was to hear the news that Sarah’s husband had left, the idea of moving in with her sister sounded rather pleasant. It would give her more time to paint without Papa breathing down her neck or hollering because she still hadn’t found a job. She touched her mother’s arm gently. “Please, Mama. I’d like to help Sarah out in her time of need.”
Mama shrugged. “If Papa says it’s all right, then I’ll agree to it as well.”
***
The next few months were like none Kelly had ever known. Much to her surprise, Papa had given permission for her to move in with Sarah. Kelly spent five days a week taking care of little Sam while Sarah was at work. This gave her some time to use her new watercolor set, since she could paint or draw whenever the baby slept.
Besides babysitting, Kelly cleaned the apartment, did most of the cooking, and even sewed new clothes for her fast-growing nephew. She and little Sam had become good friends, and Kelly discovered she was more capable with children than she’d ever imagined.
As Kelly sat in the rocking chair, trying to get the baby to sleep, she let her mind wander back to the general store outside of Walnutport. A vision of Mike Cooper flashed across her mind. He was good with children. Kelly had witnessed him giving out free candy to several of the kids who played along the canal and to many who visited his store, as well. Mike wanted a whole houseful of children; he’d told her so.
“I never did write and thank Mike for the birthday gift,” Kelly whispered against little Sam’s downy blond head. The baby looked a lot like his papa, but Kelly hoped he didn’t grow up to be anything like the man. How could Sam Turner have left his wife and child? Just thinking about it made Kelly’s blood boil. Was Mike Cooper any different than Papa or Sam? Could he be trusted not to hurt her the way Papa often did or the way Sam had done to Sarah?
Mike had promised to write, and he’d done so several times. He’d also sent her a wonderful present. He might not be the same as other men she knew. Kelly guessed she’d have to make up her mind about Mike when they returned to the canal sometime in March.
She bent her head and kissed the tip of little Sam’s nose. “You and your mama might be goin’ with us this spring. I don’t rightly see how the two of you can stay on here by yourselves.” She giggled at the baby’s response to her kiss. He’d scrunched up his nose and wiggled his lips, almost as if he was trying to kiss her back.
“Of course, I could always stay on here, I suppose. Papa can’t make me return to the canal if I don’t want to.” Even as the words slipped off her tongue, Kelly knew what she would do when Papa said it was time to return to their boat. She would go along willingly because she missed her mule friends, missed the smell of fresh air, and yes, even missed Mike Cooper.
***
Mike stared at his empty coffee cup. He should clear away the breakfast dishes and get his horse hitched to the buckboard. He was expecting a load of supplies to be delivered to Walnutport today by train, and it would be good if he were there when it came in. Mike knew that Gus Stevens, who ran the livery stable next to the train station, would be happy to take the supplies to his place and hold them for him, but Mike didn’t like to take advantage of the older man’s good nature.
With that thought in mind, Mike scooped the dishes off the table and set them in the sink. He’d pour warm water over them and let them soak until he returned from town.
A short time later, Mike climbed into his wagon, clucked to the horse, and headed toward Walnutport. During the first part of the trip, he sang favorite hymns and played his mouth harp. It made the time go quicker and caused Mike to feel a bit closer to his Maker. It also made him feel less lonely.
As the days had turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, Mike’s yearning for a wife had not diminished. He’d been feeling so lonely here of late, he’d actually considered accepting one of Betsy Nelson’s frequent supper invitations. The woman was persistent, he’d give her that much. Persistent and pushy. Nothing like Kelly McGregor.
“I’ve got to quit thinking about Kelly,” Mike berated himself. “She obviously feels nothing for me. If she did, she would have written by now.” Mike wasn’t sure he’d ever see Kelly again. For all he knew, she’d decided to stay in the city of Easton. She’d probably found a job and a boyfriend. She could even be married.
By the time Mike arrived at his destination, he was sweating worse than his horse. He’d let the gelding run and had enjoyed the exhilarating ride. It helped clear his thinking. Nothing else had mattered but the wind blowing against his face. Tomorrow would be a new day. Another time to reflect on God’s will for Mike’s life.
***
On Monday morning, the third week of March, the Mc-Gregors boarded their boat. The canal was full of water again, and Papa was most anxious to get started hauling coal. Sarah and baby Sam had come along, since Sarah didn’t want to stay in Easton by herself and couldn’t talk Kelly into staying on. Besides, Mama could use Sarah’s help on the boat and would be available to watch the baby whenever Kelly’s sister took over walking the mules.
Kelly felt bad that Sarah was returning to the canal she’d hated so much, but it would be nice to have her sister’s help, as well as her companionship.
Kelly looked forward to stopping by Cooper’s General Store Tuesday afternoon. While they’d picked up some supplies at Dull’s Grocery Store in Easton, Papa had forgotten a couple of things and was planning on getting them at Mike’s store. Kelly planned to give Mike several more pictures to try to sell, as she’d been able to paint many during her stay in the city. She was also anxious to see whether he’d sold any of her other pieces. She hoped she could continue their business relationship without Mike expecting anything more.
Kelly pulled the collar of her jacket tightly against her chin as she tromped along the towpath, singing her favorite song and not even minding the chilly March winds.
“Hunks-a-go pudding and pieces of pie; my mother gave me when I was knee-high.... And if you don’t believe it, just drop in and see—the hunks-a-go pudding my mother gave me.”
***
Mike felt better than he had in weeks. He’d had several customers and given away a couple of Bibles to some rough-and-tumble canalers who were desperately in need of God. Mike had witnessed these two men fighting on more than one occasion, and the fact that they’d willingly taken a Bible gave him hope that others might also be receptive to the Gospel.
As Mike washed the store windows with a rag and some diluted ammonia, he thought about Kelly’s dad. Now there was a man badly in need of the Lord. Mike had witnessed Amos McGregor’s temper several times. If Amos found forgiveness for his sins and turned his life around, maybe Kelly would be more receptive to Mike’s attentions. He was sure the main reason Kelly was so standoffish was because she was afraid of men.