Kelly's Chance (7 page)

She nodded. “If ya don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” Mike headed in the direction he’d pointed, and Kelly turned her attention to the wall nearest the door. One of her drawings of children playing along the canal was there, but the other two were nowhere in sight. A feeling of excitement coursed through her veins. Had Mike sold them? Did she have some money coming now? Dare she ask?

When Mike returned a few minutes later, she was still studying her drawing. She glanced over at him. He held a bottle of cough syrup and stood so close she could smell the aroma of soap, which indicated that he at least was wearing clean clothes. Mike’s hair was nicely combed, too. She, on the other hand, looked terrible. He probably thought she was a filthy pig. Should she explain about falling into the canal? Would he even care?

“You’re quite talented,” Mike said, bringing Kelly’s thoughts to a halt. “Have you done any more pictures lately?”

“I did have three more ready, but Mama’s been sick, so Papa and me have had to share all the chores.” She glanced down at her soiled skirt and frowned. “As you can see, I fell in the canal earlier today, trying to jump from the boat back to the towpath. My drawings were in my pocket, and they got ruined.”

Mike shook his head slowly. “Sorry to hear that. I did wonder why your skirt was so rumpled and wet.” He moved toward the counter, and Kelly followed. “Sorry you’re having to do double duty, but maybe this will make you feel better.” He set the cough syrup down, pulled open a drawer beneath the counter, withdrew an envelope, and handed it to Kelly.

She took the envelope and studied it a few seconds. Her name was written on the front. “What’s this?”

“It’s your share of the money for two of the drawings you left with me.”

She smiled up at him. “You really sold two of my pictures?”

Mike’s ears turned slightly red, and he looked a little flustered. Was he embarrassed because he hadn’t sold all three?

“I ... uh ... found someone who really appreciates your talent,” he said, staring down at the wooden counter.

Kelly’s smile widened. “I’m so glad. Once Mama gets better, I’ll have a bit more time to draw, and maybe when we stop by here again I’ll have a few more pictures to give you.”

Mike’s smile seemed to be forced, and his face had turned red like his ears. Something seemed to be troubling him, and Kelly aimed to find out what it was.

“Is everything all right? You look kinda upset.”

Mike lifted his gaze. “Everything’s fine. Feel free to bring me as many drawings as you like.”

Kelly felt a sense of relief wash over her. If she could get Mama back on her feet, she’d have more time to draw. Mike wanted her to bring more pictures, she’d already sold two, and things were looking hopeful. She slipped the envelope into her apron pocket and turned toward the door.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Mike called after her.

Kelly whirled around and felt the heat of a blush spread over her face when Mike held up the bottle of cough syrup. She giggled self-consciously and fished in her pocket for the coins to pay for her purchase.

Mike’s fingers brushed hers as she dropped the money into his hand, and Kelly felt an unexpected shiver tickle her spine. What was there about Mike Cooper that made her feel so giddy and out of breath? Was it the crooked smile beneath his perfectly shaped mustache? Those hazel eyes that seemed capable of looking into her soul? The lock of sandy brown hair that fell across his forehead?

Kelly snatched up the bottle of cough syrup, mumbled a quick thanks, and fled.

***

Mike couldn’t believe the way Kelly had run out of the store. Had he said or done something to upset her? He’d thought they were getting along pretty well, and Kelly had seemed pleased about her drawings being sold.

Maybe she suspects I’m the one who bought the pictures. But how could she know that?
He’d been careful not to give her too much information, so she couldn’t have guessed he was the one. He hadn’t actually lied to her, but he didn’t see the need to tell Kelly he was the one either. She might have taken it the wrong way.

Seeing Kelly again had only reinforced the strong feelings Mike was having for her. When their hands touched briefly during the money exchange, he had felt as though he’d been struck by a bolt of lightning. Had Kelly felt it, too? Could that have been the reason for her sudden departure? Or maybe she just needed to get back to work. The canal boaters always seemed to be in a hurry to get to and from their pickup and delivery points. That was probably all it was. Kelly’s dad had no doubt told her to hurry, and she was only complying with his wishes.

How am I going to get to know Kelly better if she stops by the store only once in a while, then stays just long enough to buy something and hurries off again?
Mike closed his eyes.
Lord, would You please work it out so Kelly and I can spend more time together?

Mike was still standing behind the counter, mulling things over, when Amos McGregor entered the store.

“Mr. McGregor, your daughter was just here buying some cough syrup for your wife.”

“Don’tcha think I know that?” the boatman snapped. His bright red hair stuck out at odd angles, like he hadn’t combed it in a couple of days, and dark circles rimmed his eyes.

Mike shrugged. It was obvious the man wasn’t in a good mood, and there was no point in saying anything that might rile him further.

“The wife’s been sick for a couple of days,” Amos mumbled. “That left me stuck doin’ most of her chores.” He stuffed his hands inside the pocket of his dark blue jacket and started for the back of the store.

“Can I help you find something?” Mike called after him.

“Need some of that newfangled soap that floats,” came the muffled reply. “I told Kelly to get some, but as usual, she had her head in the clouds and forgot.”

Mike skirted around the counter and went straight to the shelf where he kept the cleaning supplies and personal toiletries. “Here’s what you’re looking for, sir,” he said, lifting a bar of soap for the man’s inspection.

“Yep. That’s it, all right.” Amos shook his head slowly. “I dropped our last bar overboard by mistake and didn’t wanna take the time to stop and fish it outa the canal.” He grabbed another bar of soap and marched back to the counter. “Better to have a spare,” he muttered.

Mike nodded and slipped the cakes of soap into a paper sack. “Good idea.” He handed the bag to Amos. “Need anything else?”

“Nope.” Amos plunked some coins on the counter and started for the front door.

“Feel free to stop by anytime,” Mike called after him. “And if you ever need a place to spend the night, I’ll gladly let you stable your mules in my barn.”

The boatman mumbled something under his breath and shut the door.

Mike shook his head. “I wonder why that man’s such a grouch? No wonder Kelly acts like a scared rabbit much of the time. Guess I’d better pray for the both of them.”

***

On Saturday evening, much to Mike’s surprise, Kelly and her mother stopped by the store.

“That cough syrup you sold Kelly a few days ago sure helped me sleep,” Dorrie said as she stepped up beside Mike, who’d been stocking shelves near the front of the store.

Mike smiled. “I’m glad to hear that, Mrs. McGregor. Are you feeling better?”

She nodded. “I’m back to doin’ most of my own chores, too.”

Mike glanced at Kelly out of the corner of his eye. She was standing by the candy counter, eyeing something she was obviously interested in. He started to move toward the young woman, but Dorrie’s next words stopped him.

“Amos is feelin’ poorly now, so we need more medicine.” Her forehead wrinkled, and she blinked a couple of times. “Sure hope you’ve got some, ’cause I used up the bottle of cough syrup Kelly bought.”

Mike nodded toward the back of the store. “There’s a couple bottles on the second shelf to the right. Want me to get one for you?”

Dorrie glanced over at Kelly, still peering inside the candy counter, and she shook her head. “Why don’tcha see what kind of sweet treat my daughter would like, while I fetch the medicine?”

Mike didn’t have to be asked twice. He set the tin of canned peaches he’d been holding down on the shelf and then hurried over to Kelly.

“How are you?” he asked. “Sure hope you’re not getting sick, too.”

“Nope. I’m healthy as a mule.”

“Glad to hear it, but I’m sorry about your dad. Is he able to keep on working?”

“He made it through the day, even with his fits of coughing and fever. I think he’s plannin’ to tie up here and spend the night. We’ll stay all day Sunday, so he can rest.” Kelly’s gaze went to her mother, who was at the back of the store. “Mama doesn’t have all her strength back yet, either, so a good day’s rest should do ’em both some good.”

And you, Kelly,
Mike thought as he studied her face. The dark circles under her eyes gave evidence to how tired she was.

“The last time your dad was in the store, I told him I’d be glad to stable your mules in my barn anytime he wanted to dock here for the night.”

“That’s right nice of you.” Kelly gazed at the candy counter with a look of longing on her face.

Mike wondered how long it had been since she had eaten any candy. Without hesitation, he opened the hinged lid on the glass case. “Help yourself to whatever you like—my treat.”

Kelly stiffened. “Oh, no. I couldn’t let you do that. Thanks to you sellin’ a couple of my charcoal drawings, I’ve got money of my own now.” She shrugged. “Although, it’s safely hidden in my room on the boat, and I’d have to go back and get it.”

“Wouldn’t you rather spend it on something more useful than candy?”

She pursed her lips. “Probably should be savin’ my money, but I’ve sure got a hankerin’ for some lemon drops.”

Mike reached down and grabbed the glass jar filled with sugar-coated lemon drops. “Take as many as you like, and please consider it a present from me to you.”

Kelly tipped her head to one side, as if contemplating his offer. Finally with a nervous giggle, she agreed.

He filled a small paper bag half full of candy and handed it to her, hoping she wouldn’t change her mind.

She took the sack and stuffed it in her apron pocket. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Kelly shuffled her feet, and her boots scraped nosily against the wooden planks. Why did she seem so nervous? Was it because her mother was nearby and might be listening in on their conversation?

Hoping to put her at ease, Mike reached out and touched Kelly’s arm. She recoiled like she’d been bitten by a snake, and he quickly withdrew his hand.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Kelly shrugged. What was wrong? They’d had such a pleasant visit the last time she’d come by.

“Did you bring me any more drawings?” Mike asked, hoping the change of subject might ease the tension he felt filling up the space between them.

She shook her head. “I’m out of charcoal, and for the last couple of days, Papa’s been burnin’ coal instead of wood in our cook stove. I haven’t come across any cold campfires along the canal lately neither.”

So that was the problem. Kelly was feeling bad because she hadn’t been able to draw and she’d promised Mike she would have more pictures the next time she came by.

Mike had a brand-new set of sketching pencils for sale, along with some tubes of oil paints. He would have gladly given them to her but was sure she would say no. It had taken some persuasion to get her to take a few lemon drops, and they weren’t worth half as much as the art supplies. Since Kelly did have some money of her own, she could probably purchase a box of pencils, but she might be saving up for something more important.

Suddenly, Mike had an idea. “I’ve got some burned charcoal chips in my home fireplace at the back of the store,” he announced. “How ’bout I run in there and get them for you?”

Kelly hesitated a moment but finally nodded. “That would be right nice.”

Before she had a chance to change her mind, Mike hurried to the back of the store. He passed Kelly’s mother on his way to the door leading to his attached house.

“I’ll be right back, Mrs. McGregor. Take your time looking around for anything you might need.”

***

Kelly watched Mike’s retreating form as he disappeared behind the door at the back of his store. He seemed like such a caring young man. Probably would make someone a mighty fine husband. Maybe he and the preacher’s daughter would link up. Betsy had seemed pretty friendly to him the last time Kelly saw the two of them together.

She frowned. Why did the idea of Mike and Betsy Nelson together make her feel so squeamish? She reached into the sack inside her pocket and withdrew a lemon drop, then popped the piece of candy into her mouth.

“We’ll head on back to the boat as soon as the storekeeper returns and I pay for the cough syrup and a few other things I found,” Mama said, driving Kelly’s thoughts to the back of her mind.

Kelly slowly nodded her head.

“Mike Cooper seems like a nice young man,” Mama remarked.

Kelly nodded again. “He offered to let us stable Herman and Hector in his barn for the night.”

Mama’s dark eyebrows lifted. “For free?”

“I think so. He never said a word about money.”

“Hmm ... guess as soon as we leave the store, you should get the mules fed and ready to bed down then.”

“I’d be happy to,” Kelly readily agreed. “I’m sure Hector and Herman will be right glad to have a bigger place to stay tonight than they have on board our boat.”

“You’re probably right.” Mama smiled. “Say, I was thinkin’—since tomorrow’s Sunday, and we won’t be movin’ on ’til early Monday morning, why don’t the two of us head into town and go to church?”

Kelly opened her mouth to respond, but Mama rushed on. “It’s been a good while since I’ve sat inside a real church and worshiped God with other Christian folks.”

“Well, I ... uh...” Kelly swallowed against the urge to say what was really on her mind. Being in church would make her feel uncomfortable—like others were looking down their noses at the poor boatman’s daughter who wore men’s boots and smelled like a dirty mule. Kelly had seen the way Betsy Nelson turned her nose up whenever the two of them met along the towpath. She wasn’t good enough to sit inside a pretty church building; it was just that simple.