Sarah had just finished the breakfast dishes when a knock sounded on the door.
Woof! Woof! Bristle Face, who’d been sleeping on the braided throw rug in front of the stove, leaped up and raced to the door.
Sarah gently pushed the dog aside and opened the door. She was surprised to see Pastor William there with Ruby Miller, one of the older women who attended their church.
“Good morning, Sarah,” he said with a cheerful smile. “I knew it must have been hard for you yesterday, so I brought Ruby to help you today.”
Sarah wasn’t sure if the elderly woman could keep up with three lively children, but she smiled at Ruby and said, “I appreciate you coming.”
Ruby gave a nod. “I’m sure the children and I will get along well.”
Sarah turned to Pastor William. “Give Betsy my love and tell her to keep getting lots of rest.”
“I will.” He nodded at Ruby. “I’ll be back to get you this evening.”
Pastor William had just gone out the door when a conch shell sounded, followed by another and another. “The children have already had their breakfast,” Sarah told Ruby, “but if you could see that the kitchen gets cleaned up and make sure the children get dressed while I’m letting those boats through the lock, I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem.” Ruby waved a hand. “You go ahead and take care of business. By the time you come back, the kitchen will be clean as a whistle.”
When Sarah stepped outside, she saw three boats waiting in line to go through the lock. She was glad to have some help in the house today, because if the boats kept coming like this all day, she’d have her hands full just opening and closing the lock.
After the boats had gone through, Sarah turned toward the house. She was almost to the door when another conch shell sounded. By the time she’d let that boat through another boat was coming.
It was nearly noon by the time Sarah had a break and could return to the house. When she stepped into the kitchen she expected to see Ruby fixing lunch. What she saw instead caused her to gasp.
Helen sat on the kitchen floor with an open bag of flour in front of her. Some had spilled onto the floor, but most of it was in her hair, on her dress, and all over her arms and legs.
“Oh no—not the flour again,” Sarah moaned.
Willis sat at the kitchen table eating a piece of bread that he’d smeared with strawberry jam, but there was no sign of Sammy or Ruby.
Sarah placed her hand on Willis’s head. “Where’s Sammy?”
“He took Bristle Face out for a walk.”
“Where’s Ruby?”
“She’s in the parlor takin’ a nap.”
Sarah frowned. So much for the help she thought she was getting today. She’d have been better off with no help at all!
She cleaned up Helen and the floury mess, then hurried into the parlor. Sure enough, Ruby was sprawled out on the sofa, her eyes shut, her mouth hanging slightly open.
Sarah bent down and gently shook the woman’s shoulders.
Ruby’s eyes snapped open. “Oh, Sarah, it’s you! Guess I must have dozed off.”
Sarah didn’t bother to tell Ruby about the mess she’d found in the kitchen. Instead, she helped the exhausted-looking woman to her feet. “It’s noon. If you feel rested enough would you please fix the children some lunch?”
Ruby yawned noisily. “Of course.” She ambled into the kitchen just as another conch shell blew.
Sarah could only hope that by the time she returned to the house, the children’s lunch would be made and Sammy would be back from walking the dog.
Chapter 20
When Sarah awoke the following morning, she had a pounding headache. Oh, how she wished she could stay in bed and sleep all day. But duty called, and already, at just a few minutes after five, a conch shell was blowing.
Sarah hurried to get dressed and tiptoed down the stairs so she wouldn’t wake the children. Amazingly enough, the blowing of the conch shells didn’t usually wake them, but if Sarah moved about the house too loudly, they were wide awake.
The conch shell blew again, and Sarah stepped outside just in time to see Bart Jarmon’s boat approach the lock. Bart was not her favorite person—especially not this early in the morning when she hadn’t even had a cup of coffee yet. She hoped he wouldn’t make any rude remarks, like he’d often done in the past. He’d have never done that when Sam was alive, because Bart, along with all the other canalers, respected Sam and knew better than to smart off to him the way some of them did to Sarah.
As Sarah prepared to open the lock she prayed that God would give her the right words, should Bart say anything crude. She was relieved when his only remark was, “It’s already gettin’ warm. Looks like it’s gonna be another hot one today.”
Sarah nodded and called, “Summer’s here. There’s no doubt about it.”
“Yep.”
She stood silently while the water level rose and was relieved when Bart’s boat was on its way. She hurried back to the house to start breakfast.
By the time Sarah had some bacon and eggs cooking, the children were up.
“Somethin’ sure smells good, Mama,” Willis said. “I’m hungry!”
Sarah smiled. “If the three of you will take a seat at the table, I’ll dish up your breakfast.”
The children clambered onto their chairs with eager expressions.
“Sure don’t understand why I haven’t seen Elias lately,” Sammy said. “Makes me wonder if he’ll ever take me fishin’.”
“The last time he came through the lock, he was having trouble with his new mule,” Sarah said, placing a platter of eggs and bacon on the table. “Maybe the mule’s still acting up, and that’s slowing him down.”
Sammy’s forehead creased. “If I was leadin’ his mules, bet I could make that stubborn mule go faster.”
Sarah frowned. “Don’t get any ideas about leading Elias’s mules, because that’s not going to happen ever again.”
“But Mama, I could make us some extra money.”
Sarah shook her head. “We don’t need extra money that bad, and I won’t have any of my children walking the dusty towpath from sunup to sunset.” She placed an egg and a hunk of bacon on Sammy’s plate. “Now please stop talking and eat your breakfast.”
Sarah dished up an egg and some bacon for Helen and Willis, as well as some for herself. She’d just started eating when a knock sounded on the door. “That must be Ruby,” she told the children. “You need to help her out today and not make any messes.”
Sarah hurried to the door, and when she opened it she was surprised to see Hortence Andrews, one of the young, single women from church, standing on the porch. “I’m here to help out,” she said. “Pastor William came by my house last night and said that Ruby didn’t feel up to coming anymore, so I’ll be helping you from now on.”
Sarah heaved a sigh of relief. Surely things would go better today with someone younger and more energetic overseeing the children.
“I’m anxious to introduce you to the storekeeper and his wife,” Elias told his sister as his boat approached Cooper’s store. “They’re good Christian people, and I think you’ll like them as much as I do.”
Carolyn smiled, and her blue eyes twinkled as the sunlight brought out the golden color of her shiny blond hair, which she’d worn in a loose bun. “I’m sure if you like them, then I will, too.”
“Elias likes everyone,” Ned said with a grunt. “Never met anyone, ‘cept for his grandpa, who was as agreeable as him.”
Elias’s face heated. “I’m only trying to be a good Christian.”
Ned folded his arms. “Humph! I’ve known a lot of nice folks who weren’t Christians, and I’ve known some who called themselves Christians but acted as disagreeable as that stupid, stubborn mule you bought from the blacksmith.”
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 C
arolyn 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!”
Chapter 21
On Sunday morning, Elias and Carolyn headed to church in Walnutport. The can
al 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.”
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