Sarah's Choice (16 page)

Elias made no comment. He wasn’t looking for an argument with Ned this morning.

When they docked at the store, Ned put down the gangplank and Elias helped Carolyn off the boat. “Are you coming into the store with us?” he called over his shoulder to Ned.

“Nope, not today. I’m gonna sit right here and have myself a smoke.”

Carolyn wrinkled her nose but said nothing.

Elias grimaced. He wished Ned would give up his nasty habits.

“You can unhitch the mules and tie them to a tree so they can rest awhile,” Elias told Bobby. He handed the boy a quarter. “Then you can go into the store and get yourself some candy or something cold to drink.”

Bobby’s eyes lit up. “With a whole quarter I can buy both!”

Elias smiled and patted the boy’s shoulder. “You work hard and deserve a special treat.”

When they entered the store, Elias led Carolyn over to the counter and introduced her to Mike.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Mike said, shaking Carolyn’s hand. “Elias mentioned that you’d be joining him on the boat for the summer.”

Carolyn smiled. “I’ve been looking forward to it.”

Elias glanced around. “Where’s your wife? I’d like her to meet Carolyn, too.”

Mike motioned to the adjoining room. “She’s in her art gallery working on a new painting.”

“I’d like to see it,” Carolyn said. “Would she mind if I went in?”

Mike shook his head. “Not at all. Kelly never minds when someone watches her paint.”

Elias led the way to Kelly’s little studio. They found her standing in front of a wooden easel painting a picture of a beautiful rainbow hovering over the canal.

Kelly smiled as they approached her. “It’s nice to see you again, Elias.”

“It’s good to see you, too.” He motioned to Carolyn. “This is my sister, Carolyn.”

Kelly wiped her hands on her apron and extended one hand to Carolyn. “It’s real nice to meet you.”

“It’s good to meet you as well.” Carolyn moved closer to Kelly’s easel. “That’s a beautiful picture you’re painting. Will it be for sale?”

Kelly nodded. “Just about everything I paint is for sale. Unless it’s something I’ve made as a gift for someone, that is.”

Carolyn glanced around the room, where several framed pictures were on display. “Sometime before I go back to Easton at the end of summer I’d like to buy one of your paintings. It will make a nice gift for our mother’s birthday in September.”

“If you see something you like now, I’d be happy to hold it for you,” Kelly said.

“Hmm…” Carolyn tapped her chin. “How about the picture you’re working on? I think I’d like that one.”

“But it’s not done. How can you be sure that’s the one you want?”

“I can already see that it’s going to be beautiful, so if you’ll hold it for me, I’ll pick it up before I leave the canal near the end of August.”

Elias stood off to one side as the women talked more about Kelly’s artwork. It was obvious that Carolyn liked Kelly, and he was sure Carolyn would like Kelly’s sister equally well. Elias certainly did.

While Carolyn and Kelly continued to visit, Elias went back to the store and bought a few things they were running low on. He’d just finished shopping when Carolyn joined him at the front counter.

“Think I’ve got everything you’ll need for cooking our meals, but is there anything specific you need or want?” Elias asked her.

She shook her head. “I can’t think of anything right now.”

“All right then. Let’s walk over to the lock tender’s house so you can meet Kelly’s sister and her children. I’d also like to buy some of Sarah’s bread.”

Carolyn smiled. “That sounds nice. I’ve been looking forward to meeting these people you’ve written me so much about.”

When Elias and Carolyn arrived at Sarah’s house, Sammy, who’d been walking his dog on the towpath, rushed up to Elias and grabbed hold of his hand. “It’s sure good to see ya! Did ya come to take me fishin’?”

“Not today, but maybe this Sunday, if we’re back from Mauch Chunk by then.”

“I don’t think you’ll be goin’ to Mauch Chunk today,” Sammy said with a shake of his head.

“How come?”

“There’s a break in the canal, just on the other side of our lock. Mama thinks it was caused by some of the muskrats around here.”

“Oh great. That’s just one more thing to slow us down. Is the break being fixed?” he asked.

Sammy shrugged. “Beats me.”

“Is your mother in the house?”

Sammy nodded. “She’s bakin’ some bread.”

Elias turned to Carolyn. “Let’s find out what Sarah knows about the break in the canal.”

Sammy led the way, and when they stepped into the house, the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread overwhelmed Elias’s senses, causing his mouth to water.

“Mama’s in the kitchen, so follow me,” Sammy said.

When they entered the kitchen, Sarah turned from the counter where she was working some bread dough and smiled. “It’s nice to see you, Elias. Did you come to buy some bread?”

“I did, and I also wanted you to meet my sister.” He motioned to Carolyn. “Carolyn’s a schoolteacher in Easton, and since she’s off for the summer, she decided to join me on the boat for the next few months.”

Sarah wiped her floury hands on a dish towel and shook hands with Carolyn. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Carolyn smiled. “It’s delightful to meet you as well. Elias has told me some nice things about you and your family.”

Elias’s cheeks warmed. He hoped Sarah wouldn’t get the wrong idea.

“Well, I can’t imagine that he’d have much to tell,” Sarah said with a slight nod of her head. “I mean, our life here on the canal isn’t all that interesting. It’s pretty much the same old thing from day to day.”

“You must keep very busy tending the lock,” Carolyn said. “That seems like a difficult job to me.”

“It’s not easy.” Sarah glanced toward the door leading to the parlor. “One of the young women from church has been helping me, so that takes some of the inside responsibilities off my shoulders at least.”

“I understand that the canal has a break in it right now,” Elias said.

Sarah sighed. “I’m afraid so. Some of the men from town are coming down to the canal to fix it today, but you may be stuck here several hours or even overnight before you’re able to move on up the canal.”

“That’s fine with me,” Sammy spoke up. “It’ll give me a chance to spend time with Elias, and he can finally take me fishin’.”

“Maybe Elias has other things to do,” Sarah said.

“I’d better offer my help on the canal repairs today, but I’d like to take Sammy and Willis both fishing after church on Sunday afternoon, if that’s okay with you,” Elias said.

“Well…”

“Maybe we could all go,” Carolyn spoke up. “We could pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it.” She smiled at Sarah. “While Elias and the boys are fishing, you and I can visit and get better acquainted.”

“That sounds like fun,” Sammy said excitedly. “Can we do that, Mama? Can we, please?”

Elias held his breath as he waited for Sarah’s answer and was relieved when she nodded and said, “A picnic lunch does sound like fun. I’ll bring some fried chicken, biscuits, some dill pickles, as well as either a cake or some cookies for dessert.”

“I’m not much of a baker, but I’d be happy to fix a pot of beans to take along,” Carolyn was quick to say.

“And I’ll go back over to Mike’s store and get several bottles of soda pop for us to drink.” Elias thumped Sammy’s shoulder. “Why don’t you come with me? You can pick out whatever flavors you all like. Maybe we ought to buy a few pieces of candy for you, Willis, and Helen, too.”

A wide smile spread across Sammy’s face. “Oh boy, I can hardly wait!”

O
n Sunday morning, Elias and Carolyn headed to church in Walnutport. The canal repairs had been completed on Saturday evening, and Elias was glad he would be able to resume his trip to Mauch Chunk on Monday morning. He was equally glad for this chance to spend more time in Walnutport. He was looking forward to fishing with Sammy, Willis, and Bobby after church, and also to the picnic lunch they would share with Sarah and her children. He knew this would give Carolyn a chance to get better acquainted with Sarah, and even though he’d never admit it, he was looking forward to spending more time with Sarah, too. She was not only pretty, but kindhearted. She was also a good mother to her children. If it was only possible that she could ever be interested in someone like him.

“You’re sure quiet this morning,” Carolyn said as they walked side by side. “Is something bothering you?”

He shook his head. “Just thinking is all.”

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing much. Just thinking about going fishing with Sarah’s boys and Bobby.”

Carolyn smiled. “You always did like to fish, so I’m sure you’ll have a good time. Sammy seemed awfully excited about it yesterday.”

“Yes, he did, and I would have taken him fishing right then if I hadn’t felt obligated to help the men fix the break in the canal.”

“That was important, and I’m sure your help was appreciated.”

As they approached the church, Carolyn put her hand in the crook of Elias’s arm. “I’m also looking forward to today. Not only going to church, but the picnic with Sarah and her family afterward. Sarah seems so nice, and if we had the chance to spend much time together, I’m sure we could become good friends.”

He nodded. “I think you could, too.”

When they entered the church, they were greeted by Pastor William, who stood inside the front door.

“Elias, it’s good to see you again,” the pastor said with a warm smile and a hearty handshake.

“It’s good to see you as well.” Elias motioned to Carolyn. “This is my sister, Carolyn. She’s going to be riding on the boat with me this summer.”

Pastor William shook Carolyn’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m sure that being on a canal boat will be an interesting experience for you.”

She smiled and nodded. “No doubt, and I’m looking forward to enjoying the scenery along the canal when I’m not busy cooking and cleaning for my brother and his helpers.”

“Speaking of your helpers,” Pastor William said, looking at Elias, “I take it you didn’t have any luck getting Ned or Bobby to come to church with you.”

Elias shook his head. “Bobby’s so tired after walking the mules all week, he just wants to sleep on Sunday mornings. Sometimes he doesn’t wake up until noon. And Ned…well, that man is more stubborn than the contrary mule I bought awhile back.”

“Maybe he’ll decide to join us for one of the services I’ll be holding along the canal this summer.”

“That would be nice, but I’m not holding my breath.”

“God can work a miracle in anyone’s life,” the pastor said. “I’m just hoping my wife, Betsy, will feel well enough to accompany the singing with her zither during our canal services.”

“Is your wife ill?” Carolyn asked.

Pastor William shook his head. “Betsy’s expecting a baby, and so far she’s had a lot of morning sickness and fatigue.”

“That’s too bad,” Carolyn said. “I hope she’ll feel better soon.”

“Yes, we’re hoping that, too.” The pastor motioned to the doors leading to the sanctuary, where the beautiful strains coming from the organ drifted into the foyer. “Betsy’s here today, and she’ll be playing during our service, but after church is over, she’ll need to go home and rest.”

“Betsy plays and sings beautifully,” Elias told Carolyn.

“You do a pretty fine job of playing that accordion of yours, too.” Pastor William thumped Elias on the back. “You should have brought it to the service with you today. You could have either accompanied Betsy or played us a special.”

Elias’s face heated. “I forgot about bringing it with me, and I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable playing a special by myself.”

“Well the next time you’re in the area, please bring the accordion and plan to play along with Betsy during our congregational songs.”

Elias gave a nod. “Yes, I’ll do that.”

As Carolyn stood beside Elias, singing the opening hymn in church, her spirits soared. Not only was the song uplifting and lively, but the joy she saw on the people’s faces gave her a sense that all was right with the world.