Sarah's Choice (21 page)

“I’d like to earn some money to help my ma, but I’ve never led a mule before.”

“I’ll teach you.”

“That’d be great.” Frank nodded enthusiastically. “I’ll have to run home and tell Ma first, though.”

“I’ll tell you what,” Elias said. “I’ll get my load of coal in Mauch Chunk and meet up with you here in a couple of hours.”

Frank offered Elias a toothless grin. “Sounds good to me.”

Elias reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a five dollar bill. “Give this to your mother, so she can buy something to eat. And no more stealing chickens,” he added as he handed the money to Frank.

“Wow! Thanks, mister.”

“My name’s Elias Brooks, but you can just call me Elias.”

“Okay. See you soon, Elias!” Frank waved and hurried away.

Elias hoped he hadn’t made a mistake. For all he knew, Frank might not even be the boy’s real name. For that matter, he might never see the boy again. Well, if that was the case, then so be it. Elias had done what he felt was right, and he’d just wait and see if Frank was waiting for him when he came back.

As Patrick headed for Cooper’s store, he struggled with the urge to stop over at the lock tender’s house and talk to Sarah. After he’d blurted out the way he felt about her the other day and suggested that they get married, he wasn’t sure if he should give her some time to think about things or keep trying to pursue her. One thing he knew was that he’d never get anywhere with Sarah if he couldn’t spend more time with her so he could show her what a good husband he’d make. Since Sunday was her only day off and she spent part of it in church, he’d come to the conclusion that he needed to attend church, too. Maybe Sarah wouldn’t mind if he sat beside her during the service.

Of course
, he reasoned
, that will mean sitting beside those kids of hers, and one in particular doesn’t like me very much
.

Patrick leaned over, picked up a flat rock, and tossed it into the canal, the way he’d done many times when he was a boy. There had to be some way for him to win Sammy over.

When he entered the store a few minutes later, his gaze

came to rest on the glass-topped counter full of candy. Ah, that might be just what he needed!

He studied the variety of candy—gumdrops, lemon drops, horehound drops, licorice ropes, peppermint sticks, and several kinds of lollipops.
Hmm…which one should

I choose?

“Can I help you with something?” Mike asked, positioning himself on the other side of the counter.

“I’m lookin’ to buy some candy, but I’m not sure what kind. Have you got any suggestions?”

“Guess that all depends on what kind you like.”

Patrick shook his head. “It ain’t for me. It’s for Sarah’s kids, but I was hopin’ to get the kind that Sammy likes best.”

“Oh, that’s easy then. I know exactly what my nephew likes.” Mike picked up the jar of lollipops. “Sammy likes cherry—although he’ll eat most any kind except orange. His little sister likes orange, though. I think Willis does, too.”

“All right then, I’ll take two orange lollipops and one cherry.” Patrick smiled. He could hardly wait to see the kids’ expressions when he gave them the candy on Sunday after church.

As Elias led the mules down the towpath coming out of Mauch Chunk, he looked for Frank, but saw no sign of the boy.
He’s probably not coming
, Elias told himself.
Either his mother said no, or he took off with the money I gave him and never said a word to his mother about working for me
. He flicked at a fly that kept buzzing his head.
Guess that’s what I get for being so nice, but I couldn’t help feeling sorry for the boy
.

“Hey, mister—I mean, Elias. I’ve been watchin’ for you!”

When Frank stepped out of the bushes, Elias jumped, causing both mules to bray and nearly run into his back.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare ya.” Frank looked up at Elias and squinted his blue eyes. “If ya haven’t changed your mind about me leadin’ your mules, I’m ready to go.” He lifted the small satchel he held in his hands. “Don’t have many clothes, but Ma said I’d need another pair of trousers to wear, and I’ve also got an old pair of my pa’s boots, ‘cause she said I might need ‘em if my feet get too sore from walkin’ the towpath.”

“Does that mean your mother’s okay with you working for me the rest of this summer?”

“Yeah, sure. Said I could work clear up to the time the canal closes for the winter.”

“What about school? Won’t you need to quit so you can return to school in the fall?”

Frank shook his head. “Don’t need no schoolin’. Pa didn’t have much, and he got by.”

Elias was tempted to argue with the boy but figured he’d wait until summer was nearing an end and then bring up the subject again.

“So what should I do to make the mules go?” Frank asked.

“If you walk along with me for a while, I’ll teach you all you need to know about leading the mules.” Elias gave the boy’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“What are their names?”

“The lead mule is Dolly. She’s been with me since the beginning of the season. I just got the other mule and haven’t named her yet, so if you have any ideas, I’m open to suggestions.”

“How ‘bout Jenny?”

Elias considered that a few seconds and finally nodded. “Jenny sounds like a good name to me.”

They walked together for a time; then Elias handed the lead rope to Frank, staying close to the boy to be sure both mules cooperated.

When they reached Walnutport sometime later, Carolyn leaned over the edge of the boat and called to Elias, “Can we spend the night in Walnutport and go to church tomorrow morning?”

“I don’t think so,” he shouted in return.

“Why not?”

“I just hadn’t planned on stopping, that’s all.” Elias wasn’t about to tell Carolyn that the reason he didn’t want to stop was because he was sure Sarah was angry with him for asking if Sammy could lead his mules again. He especially didn’t want to talk about it in front of young Frank, who was staring up at him with a curious expression.

“I’d really like to spend the night in Walnutport,” Carolyn persisted. “I miss Sarah and was hoping for the chance to visit with her.”

The pleading look on his sister’s face made Elias alter his decision. “Oh, all right. We’ll spend the night in Walnutport and go to church there in the morning.”
I just hope Sarah won’t give me a cool reception
.

O
n Sunday morning when Sarah entered the church with her children, she was surprised to see Patrick standing in the foyer talking to Pastor William. While she’d seen him in Sunday school a few times when they were children, she couldn’t remember him ever coming to church since he’d become a man.

Sammy, Willis, and Helen gathered with a group of other children to visit, so Sarah headed over to say hello to Patrick.

“It’s nice to see you here today,” she said, joining him and the pastor.

“Figured it was the only way I’d get to—” Patrick halted his words, his face turning a light shade of red. “Uh…what I mean to say is, I figured it was about time I exposed myself to some religion.” He looked over at Pastor William and grinned. “Sure don’t want to end up like some of them rusty old canalers who only speak the Lord’s name when they’re mad about somethin’.”

Pastor William’s brows furrowed. “It’s a shame to hear the way some of those men talk, and I’m hoping some of the services I’ll be holding down at the canal will reach several of them for the Lord. Maybe some will seek Him this afternoon during the baptismal service we’ll be having down there.”

“I think I might like to attend that service,” Patrick was quick to say.

“Are you planning to be baptized?” Sarah questioned.

Patrick shook his head. “Uh, no. Don’t think I’m ready for anything like that.”

“Well, let me know when you’re ready to talk more about it.” Pastor William glanced across the room. “I see Deacon Simms motioning to me, so if you two will excuse me, I’d better see what he wants.”

When the pastor walked away, Patrick moved closer to Sarah. “Would you mind if I sit with you during church?”

Sarah hesitated but finally nodded. She didn’t want people to get the wrong idea and think she and Patrick were courting, but she didn’t want to discourage Patrick from coming to church again either.

Probably the best way for me to handle this
, she decided,
is to put Helen on one side of me and Willis on the other. That will mean Patrick will have to sit beside Sammy
.

As Patrick sat on a blanket with Sarah and her children, sharing a picnic lunch after church, he was grateful that she’d invited him to join them. Not only was the fried chicken she’d prepared delicious, but he was finally getting a chance to visit with her. Of course, that was only when one of her kids wasn’t blabbering about something he thought was unimportant. He couldn’t believe that three little kids would have so much to talk about. Truth was, he wished they’d go off somewhere by themselves and play so he could talk to Sarah without any interruptions.

Just then, Patrick remembered the lollipops in his pocket. As soon as the kids were done eating their meal, he pulled the candy out and handed a red lollipop to Helen and the two orange ones to Willis and Sammy. “Here you go…a special treat from me,” he said with a smile.

“Thanks!” Willis removed the wrapper and swiped his tongue over the lollipop.

Helen did the same. “Yum…good!”

Patrick looked over at Sammy and was rewarded with a scowl. “I hate orange. Ugh, it makes me sick!”

A wave of heat shot up the back of Patrick’s neck. He remembered now that Mike had said Sammy liked cherry but didn’t care for orange.

“Sorry about that. I really meant for the red one to be yours.” Patrick looked over at Helen. “Would you trade your lollipop with your brother’s?”

“No way!” Sammy shouted before Helen could respond. “I ain’t eatin’ that after she’s licked on it!”

“I’ll tell you what,” Patrick said, “I’ll buy you another lollipop the next time I go to the store.”

“Don’t bother,” Sammy muttered. “Oh look, there’s Elias.” He pointed across the way, scrambled to his feet, and dashed off.