He glanced at the wall behind his front counter. Only two of Kelly’s pictures had sold since she’d left for Easton, and those had both been bought before Christmas. No one had shown any interest in her work since then, even though Mike often pointed the pictures out to his customers, hoping they would take the hint and buy one.
Mike studied the window he’d been washing, checking for any spots or streaks. To his surprise, Amos McGregor’s boat was docked out front, and the man was heading toward the store. Trudging alongside of Amos was his wife, Dorrie, Kelly, and another woman carrying a young child.
Mike climbed off his ladder and hurried to the front of the store. Kelly had returned to the canal! He opened the door and greeted his customers with a smile and a sense of excitement. “It’s sure nice to see you folks again.”
Amos grunted in reply, but Kelly returned his smile. “It’s good to be back,” she said.
“And who might this little guy be?” Mike asked, reaching out to clasp the chubby fingers of the little boy who was held by the other young woman.
“That’s baby Sam,” Kelly said. “In case you don’t remember, this is my sister, Sarah. She and Sam Jr. are gonna be livin’ with us for a while.”
“Yes, I remember Sarah.” Mike nodded and smiled at Kelly’s sister. He didn’t ask for details. From the pathetic look on Sarah’s face, he figured her marriage to Sam Turner was probably over.
“Do you have any soft material I might use for diapers?” Sarah asked. “Sam seems to go through them pretty fast, and I don’t have time to be washin’ every day.”
Mike pointed to the shelf where he kept bolts of material. “I’m sure you’ll find something to your liking over there.”
Sarah moved away, and her mother followed. Amos was across the room looking at some new shovels Mike had recently gotten in, so apparently Kelly felt free to stare up at her paintings.
Mike positioned himself so he was standing beside Kelly. “How have you been? I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
Her gaze darted from her dad, to the paintings, and back to Mike. “I’m fine, and I’ve brought you more pictures.” She frowned. “But from the looks of it, you still have quite a few of my old ones.”
He nodded. “Sorry to say I only sold two while you were gone.” He leaned his head close to her ear. “Did you get the birthday present I sent? I’d hoped you would write and let me know.”
“Yes, I got the package and put it to good use.” Kelly averted his gaze. “Sorry for not writing to say thank you. I kept meaning to write, but I got busy takin’ care of little Sam while Sarah went to work each day.”
“That’s okay. I understand.” Mike touched her arm briefly, but then he pulled his hand away. “Do you have the new pictures with you now?”
She nodded, reached into her pocket, retrieved the drawing tablet he’d sent her, and handed it to him. “I was able to make things look more real usin’ things you sent me.”
Mike thumbed quickly through the tablet. Pictures of row housing, tall buildings, and statues in the city of Easton covered the first pages. There were also some paintings of the bridge that spanned the river between Easton, Pennsylvania, and Phillipsburg, New Jersey, as well as a few pictures of people. They were all done well, and Mike was glad he’d sent Kelly the paint set, even if she hadn’t chosen to write and tell him she’d received it. He was even happier that she’d accepted the gift and put it to good use.
“These are wonderful,” he said. “Would you mind leaving them with me to try and sell?”
Kelly’s eyebrows furrowed. “But you still have most of my other pictures. Why would ya be wantin’ more?”
“Because they’re good—really good,” he asserted. “I’ve always admired your artwork, and I believe you’ve actually gotten better.”
Her expression turned hopeful. “You really think so?”
“I do.”
She pointed to the tablet. “And you think you can sell these?”
“I’d like to try.”
She nodded her consent. “Do as you like then.”
“Will you be spending the night in the area?” Mike asked.
Kelly opened her mouth, but her dad spoke up before she could say anything. “We’ll be headin’ on up the canal. Won’t be back this way ’til probably late Saturday.”
Mike turned his head to the left. He hadn’t realized Kelly’s dad was standing beside him, holding a shovel in one hand.
“You think you might stay over on Saturday night?”
“Could be,” Amos said.
Mike smiled to himself. If the McGregors were here on Sunday, then he might get the chance to spend some time alone with Kelly. Even though the weather was still a bit chilly, it was possible that they’d be able to go on another picnic.
***
Kelly left Mike’s store with mixed feelings. It was wonderful to see him again, but her spirits had been dampened when he’d told her he’d only sold two pictures during her absence. Mike had given her the money for those paintings as she was on her way out the door. He’d also whispered that he wanted to take her on another picnic and hoped it would be this Sunday, if they were near his store.
“Mind if I walk with you a ways?” Sarah asked, breaking into Kelly’s musings. “Sam’s ready for a nap, and Mama doesn’t need me for anything. I thought the fresh air and exercise might do me some good.”
Kelly was always glad for her sister’s company. “You wanna be in charge of the mules or just offer me companionship?”
“You can tend the mules,” Sarah was quick to say. “I think they like you better than they do me.”
“They’re just used to me, that’s all.” Kelly adjusted the brim of her straw hat, which seemed to have a mind of its own. “Truth be told, I think old Herman kinda likes it when I sing silly canal songs.”
“You sing to the mules?”
Kelly nodded. “Guess it’s really for me, but if they enjoy it, then that makes it all the better.”
Sarah chuckled. It was good to see her smile. She’d been so sad since her husband had run off, and Kelly couldn’t blame her. She would be melancholy, too, if the man she’d married had chosen not to stay around and help out. Sam Turner ought to be tarred and feathered for walking out on his wife and baby. He probably never loved Sarah in the first place. Most likely he only married her just to show her folks that he could take their daughter away.
“Tell me about Mike Cooper,” Sarah said.
Kelly jerked her head. “What about him?”
“Have you and him been courtin’?”
“What would make you ask that?”
Sarah gave Kelly a nudge in the ribs with her bony elbow. “He couldn’t take his eyes off you the whole time we were in the store.” She eyed Kelly curiously. “I’d say it’s as plain as the nose on your face that you’re smitten with him as well.”
What could Kelly say in response? She couldn’t deny her feelings for Mike. She enjoyed his company, and he was the best-looking man she’d ever laid eyes on. That didn’t mean they were courting, though. And it sure didn’t mean she was smitten with him.
“Mike and me have gone on a few picnics, but we’re not a courtin’ couple,” Kelly said, shrugging her shoulders.
“But you’d like to be, right?” her sister prodded.
“We’re just friends; nothin’ more.”
Sarah wiggled her dark eyebrows, then winked. “Whatever you say, little sister. Whatever you say.”
***
Early Saturday afternoon, Mike went outside to help one of the local boatmen load the supplies he had purchased onto his boat. They had no more than placed the last one on deck when Mike saw the McGregors’ boat heading their way.
His heart did a little flip-flop. Would they be stopping for the night? Mike stepped onto the towpath, anxious for Kelly to arrive. While he waited, he slicked back his hair, finger-combed his mustache, and made sure his flannel shirt was tucked inside his trousers.
A few minutes later, Kelly and her mules were alongside him. The animals brayed and snorted, as if they expected him to give them a handout, as he’d done a few times before.
“Sorry, fellows, but I didn’t know you were coming, so there aren’t any apples or carrots in my pockets today.” Mike gave each mule a pat on its flank, then he turned and smiled at Kelly. “I’m glad you’re here. Are you planning to stay overnight?”
She shook her head. “Now that Sarah’s here to help, Papa has us movin’ twice as fast as before. He says there’s no time to waste. Especially when we never know if there’s gonna be trouble ahead that might slow us down.”
Mike felt his anticipation slip to the toes of his boots. He’d been waiting so long to be with Kelly again, and now they weren’t stopping? How was he ever going to tell her what was on his mind if they couldn’t spend any time together?
“I’m sorry to hear you’re not staying over,” he muttered. “I was really hoping we’d be able to go on a picnic tomorrow afternoon.”
“Isn’t it a mite chilly for a picnic?”
Mike shrugged his shoulders. “I figured we could build a fire and snuggle beneath a blanket if it got too cold.”
When Kelly smiled at him, he wanted to take her into his arms and proclaim his intentions. He knew now wasn’t the time or the place, so he drew on his inner strength and took a step back. “When do you think you might be stopping long enough so we can spend a few minutes together?”
She turned her palms upward. “Don’t know. That’s entirely up to Papa.”
Mike groaned. “Guess I’ll just have to wait and ask God to give me more patience.”
“Get a move on, would ya, girl?”
Kelly and Mike both turned. Amos McGregor was leaning over the side of the boat, and he wasn’t smiling.
“I need to get the mules movin’ again,” Kelly said to Mike.
He stepped aside but touched her arm as she passed by. “See you soon, Kelly.”
“I hope so,” she murmured.
***
The next few weeks sped by, as Kelly and Sarah took turns leading the mules, and Papa kept the boat moving as fast as the animals would pull. They stopped only once for supplies, and that was at a store in Mauch Chunk. Kelly was beginning to think she’d never get the chance to see Mike Cooper again or find out if any of her paintings had sold. On days like today, when the sky was cloudy and threatened rain, Kelly’s spirits plummeted, and she didn’t feel much like praying. All the while they’d been living in Easton, she’d felt closer to God, reading her Bible every day and offering prayers on behalf of her family and her future. It didn’t seem as if any of her prayers were going to be answered, and she wondered if she should continue to ask God for things He probably wouldn’t provide.
She’d prayed for her sister, and look how that had turned out. She had prayed for Papa’s salvation, yet he was still as moody and cantankerous as ever. She’d asked God to allow her to make enough money to support herself and open an art gallery, but that wasn’t working out, either. So far, she’d only made a few dollars, which was a long ways from what she would need. It was an impossible dream, and with each passing day, Kelly became more convinced it was never going to happen.
She looked up at the darkening sky and prayed, “Lord, if walkin’ the mules is the only job You have in mind for me, then help me learn to be content.”
***
It was the end of April before Kelly saw Mike again. They’d arrived in front of his store at dusk on Saturday evening, so Papa decided to stay for the night. Since the next day was Sunday and the boatmen were not allowed to pull their loads up the canal, they would be around for the whole day.
Kelly settled into her bed, filled with a sense of joy she hadn’t felt in weeks. Tomorrow she planned to attend the church service on the grassy area in front of Mike’s store. Afterward she hoped to see Mike and talk to him about her artwork. She’d managed to do a few more paintings—mostly of little Sam—so she would give those to Mike as well.
Sam was growing so much, and soon he’d be toddling all over the place. Then they would have to be sure he was tied securely to something, or else he might end up falling overboard. Canal life could be dangerous, and precautions had to be taken in order to protect everyone on board. Even the mules needed safeguarding from bad weather, insects, freak accidents, and fatigue.
Kelly closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath as she snuggled into her feather pillow. She fell asleep dreaming about Mike Cooper.
***
Sunday morning brought sunshine and blue skies. It was perfect spring weather, and Kelly had invited her sister and mother to join her for the church service that had just begun. Mama said she’d better stay on the boat with Papa, but Sarah left the baby behind with her parents and joined Kelly.
The two young women spread a blanket on the grass and took a seat just as Betsy Nelson began playing her zither, while her father led those who had gathered in singing “Holy Spirit, Light Divine.”
Kelly lifted her voice with the others. The first verse spoke to her heart:
Holy Spirit, Light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine.
Chase the shades of night away;
Turn my darkness into day.
The song gave Kelly exactly what she needed. A reminder that only God could turn her darkness into day. As difficult as it was, she needed to keep praying and trusting Him to answer her prayers.
Kelly felt her sister’s nudge in the ribs. “Psst ... look who’s watchin’ you.”
Kelly glanced around and noticed Mike sitting on a wooden box several feet away. He grinned and nodded at her, and she smiled in return.
“I told you he likes you.”
Kelly put her fingers to her lips. “Shh ... someone might hear.”
Sarah snickered, but she stopped talking and began to sing. Kelly did the same.
A short time later, the preacher gave his message from the book of Romans.
“‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,’” Reverend Nelson read in his booming voice.
“All things.... For them that love God and are called according to His purpose.”
Kelly was sure that meant her. The preacher was saying all things in her life would work together for good because she loved God. Surely He wanted to give her good things. The question was, would those good things be what she’d been praying for?