Sarah's Choice (19 page)

“Ah, I see now. You’re concerned about Sarah and are looking for some way to help her out.”

His face turned red as he slowly nodded. “She has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. I also know that she doesn’t make a lot of money tending the lock, and I’m sure that selling bread to the boatmen doesn’t bring in much either.”

“I understand your concerns, but what if Sarah would rather not have a near-stranger staying with her?”

Elias shrugged. “Well, we won’t know until we ask, and if she says no, then you can rest on the boat while I head over to the boardinghouse and see about getting you a room.”

Carolyn contemplated the idea and finally nodded. If she had her preference, it would be to stay with Sarah.

I
can’t thank you enough for letting me stay here with you,” Carolyn told Sarah several days later as they cleared the dishes from the breakfast table. She lifted her left hand, still wrapped in a gauze bandage. “The salve and herbs Dr. McGrath gave me for the burn are working quite well, and I’ve enjoyed being here with you and the children.”

Sarah smiled as she pushed a wayward strand of hair away from her face. “We’ve enjoyed having you here and will miss you when you join Elias again.”

Carolyn set the dirty plates in the sink. “I hope things are going okay for him. From all that he’s told me, it seems as if he’s had nothing but trouble since he took over our grandfather’s boat. If Father knew about everything that had gone wrong, he’d say to Elias, ‘I told you so, son.’ ”

“A lot of things can go wrong for the boatmen, as well as those who live and work along the canal.” Sarah slowly shook her head. “I can’t begin to tell you about all the accidents that have occurred over the past few years, just along the stretch of canal that runs by Walnutport.”

“I understand that your husband was killed in an accident involving the canal.”

Sarah blinked against unwanted tears. She always felt weepy when she thought about Sam’s untimely death. “He was crushed between a boat and the lock,” she murmured. “I’m just grateful Sam found the Lord before he died, because I have the assurance that he’s in heaven now and someday we’ll be reunited.”

“As Christians, we do have that consolation,” Carolyn agreed. “It makes me wonder how those who haven’t had a personal relationship with Christ deal with death and other tragedies that occur in their lives.”

Sarah stared out the window, watching a pair of geese floating on the canal. “Several of the boatmen have come to know the Lord after attending one of the services Pastor William holds along the canal, but there are many others who are still deeply rooted in their sinful way of life.”

Carolyn nodded. “I think Elias’s helper is one of those. From what I’ve seen, Ned has several nasty habits, and he sometimes uses foul language and even takes the Lord’s name in vain. It makes me wonder why Elias puts up with him and his crude ways.”

“I understand that Ned used to work for your grandfather, so maybe Elias feels a sense of responsibility toward Ned.”

“I believe you’re right about that. I also think Elias believes that in time Ned will see his need to change and give his heart to the Lord.”

“With Elias setting the example of Christianity, maybe Ned will become a Christian someday.” Sarah took a sack of flour down from the cupboard. “Would you like me to teach you my secret for making light and airy bread?”

“Yes, I would. I’d like to learn how to make the dough dab bread you fixed to go with the stew we had for supper last night, too.”

Sarah slipped her apron over her head. “I’d be happy to teach you to make dough dab. Hopefully, the boats coming through the lock today will be far enough apart that we’ll have time to get lots of baking done.”

“With your baking skills, I’m wondering… Have you ever considered opening a bakery?”

“The idea has crossed my mind,” Sarah replied, “but I’m sure the rent on a building in town would be expensive, so I doubt that I’d ever be able to afford it.”

“Well, it’s always nice to have a goal and something to plan for.”

“Yes, and if I owned my own bakery I could give up lock tending.”

The sound of giggling coming from the parlor could be heard, and Sarah smiled. “Since Hortence has been coming to help out, she keeps my kids well entertained, which helps me get more done. Before, even when Maria was here to help, the kids always seemed to be competing for my attention.”

“It’s good that she’s such a big help with the children.”

A knock sounded on the door, interrupting their conversation. “I’ll get that!” Hortence called from the other room over Bristle Face’s frantic barking.

A few seconds later, she entered the kitchen with Patrick at her side and Bristle Face nipping at his heels.

“Stop it, Bristle Face,” Sarah scolded. “Sammy, come get your dog!”

Sammy rushed into the room and swept Bristle Face into his arms. “Sorry, Mama. He got away from me when Hortence went to answer the door.”

“Just make sure you keep that stupid mutt away from me,” Patrick said roughly. “I’m gettin’ sick of him yappin’ and snappin’ every time I come around.”

Sammy’s eyes narrowed. “Bristle Face ain’t stupid, and he only barks at people he don’t like.”

Sarah frowned. “That’ll be enough, Sammy. Just take the dog outside for a walk.”

“He was outside awhile ago, so I don’t think he’s gotta go again.”

Sarah pointed to the door. “Just do as I said.”

Sammy ambled out the door mumbling under his breath.

Sarah turned to Patrick and smiled. “Sorry about that. I don’t know why Bristle Face is so testy around you.”

“You heard what the boy said. The dog doesn’t like me, though I can’t figure out why. I’ve never done nothin’ to make him mad.”

“Some dogs are temperamental,” Carolyn spoke up. “They pick out certain people to bark at for no particular reason.”

Patrick swung his gaze from Sarah to Carolyn. “Don’t think I’ve met you before. Are you new to the area?”

Sarah introduced Carolyn to Patrick and explained that she was Elias’s sister. Then she told Carolyn that Patrick was the town’s blacksmith.

Carolyn smiled and explained why she was staying with Sarah.

“It’s nice of Sarah to take you in.” He glanced back at Sarah and grinned. “ ‘Course she’s always been kind to others.”

Sarah felt the heat of a blush creep up her neck and cascade over her cheeks. “It’s a Christian’s duty to help others, and with Carolyn staying here, the two of us have become good friends.”

Carolyn nodded. “Sarah’s going to teach me the secret of making good bread.”

Patrick smacked his lips. “Well, you’ve got a good teacher, ‘cause nobody bakes bread any tastier than Sarah’s.”

Sarah’s cheeks grew hotter. “I don’t think my bread’s anything special.”

“You’re wrong about that; your bread’s the best I’ve ever had.” Patrick took a step closer to Sarah. “I was wonderin’ if I could talk to you alone for a few minutes.”

“I guess so.” Sarah motioned to the door. “Should we go outside?”

“Sure, that’d be fine.”

“I’ll be right back,” Sarah said to Carolyn. “You can fix yourself a cup of tea while I’m gone if you like.”

“I might just do that.” Carolyn smiled at Patrick. “It was nice meeting you.”

“Same here,” Patrick said as he went out the door.

Sarah stepped out behind him. “What was it you wanted to talk to me about?”

Patrick cleared his throat a few times and glanced around as though he was afraid someone might hear their conversation, which Sarah thought was silly. Sammy was way down the towpath with Bristle Face, and no one else was around.

“I…uh…was wondering if you’d go on a picnic with me this Sunday,” he said in a near whisper.

Sarah shook her head. “I’ve told you before, Patrick. We always go to church on Sundays.”

“I know that,” he said with an exasperated groan. “I was talkin’ about after church.”

“I won’t be free in the afternoon because Pastor William will be holding another preaching service along the canal after the service in town. He plans to baptize several people in the canal.”

“Are you gettin’ baptized, Sarah?”

“No, I’ve already been baptized.”

“Then there’s no need for you to go.”

“Yes, there is. I know several of the folks who are getting baptized, so I want to attend the service to offer my support and approval.”

“I see.” Patrick pursed his lips as he tapped his foot. “It makes it kinda hard for us to court when you have to be here to let boats through the lock six days a week, and then on Sundays you always seem to have other plans.”

Sarah’s mouth fell open. “You—you think we’re courting?”

He shrugged. “I guess not officially, but I’d like for us to be. Fact is, I’ve cared for you ever since we were kids, and—”

She held up her hand. “You’re a nice man, Patrick, but I really can’t think about being courted by anyone right now.”

“How come?”

“I have a job to do, three kids to raise, and as you mentioned, very little free time.”

“Then why don’t we skip the courtin’ part and just get married?”

“Wh–what?”

“I said why don’t we—”

“I heard what you said. I’m just shocked that you said it.”

“But I’ve been interested in you since we were kids. Fact is, if you hadn’t run off with Sam when you did, I’d planned to court you.”

Sarah leaned against the porch railing, feeling the need for some support. She’d had no idea Patrick felt that way about her when they were children. Although in the last few months, she’d suspected he was interested in her now. But the thought of marrying him hadn’t even entered her mind.

Wo–o–o–o! Wo–o–o–o!
The sound of a conch shell pulled Sarah’s thoughts aside. “A boat’s coming. I’ll need to get the lock opened, so I’m afraid I can’t talk any longer.”

She started to move away, but he reached out and touched her arm. “Would you at least think about what I said and let me know when you have an answer?”

She gave a brief nod and hurried off to open the lock.

“Sure am glad we’re not far from Walnutport,” Ned said, joining Elias at the bow of the boat. “I’m out of chewin’ tobacco again and need to stop at the store.”

Elias shook his head slowly as he rolled his eyes. He wished Ned would give up that nasty habit, but he’d been doing it for a good many years, so it wasn’t likely he’d give it up now. Some things, no matter how much he wanted them, just weren’t meant to be.

“Does that shake of your head mean we’re not stoppin’ at Walnutport?” Ned asked, bumping Elias’s arm.

“Of course we’re stopping. I want to check on Carolyn. I was shaking my head because I can’t understand why you think you need that awful chewing tobacco.”

Ned merely shrugged in reply; then he leaned over the boat and hollered at Bobby, “Get them mules movin’ faster! When they start laggin’ like that, you need to take control!”

Bobby swatted Wilma’s rump, and the next thing Elias knew the crazy mule let out a loud bray and kicked her left foot back. Bobby screamed and crumpled to the ground.

M
y leg hurts!” Bobby wailed. “I’ve never had anything hurt so much!”