Free Kelly's Chance by Wanda E Brunstetter Page A

for not changing Papa’s heart. She was angry with Papa for being so stubborn and hot-tempered. And she was angry with Sarah for running off and leaving her to face Papa’s temper and do all the work.
    I’ll show them. I’ll show everyone that Kelly McGregor doesn’t need anyone to get along in this world. I’m gonna make it on my own someday.
    When Mike’s song ended, Kelly moved forward again. She could see him sitting on a small wooden stool, milking a fat brown and white cow.
    She cleared her throat real loud to make her presence known and stepped into the stall where Herman and Hector had bedded down for the night.
    “Good morning,” Mike called to her.
    “Mornin’,” she responded.
    “Looks like it’s gonna be a beautiful day.”
    “Yep. Right nice.”
    “What plans have you made for this Lord’s Day?” he asked.
    Kelly patted Herman’s flank and leaned into the sturdy mule. “As soon as I get these two ready, I plan to take ’em outside for some exercise and fresh air.”
    Mike didn’t say anything in reply, and Kelly could hear the steady plunk, plink, plunk, as the cow’s milk dropped into the bucket. It was a soothing sound, and she found herself wishing she had a real, honest-to-goodness home with a barn, chicken coop, and maybe a bit of land. Nine months out of the year, her home was the inside of a canal boat, and during the winter, it was a cramped, dingy flat at a boardinghouse in Easton. Papa seemed to like their vagabond life, but Kelly hated it—more and more the older she got. Someday she hoped to leave it all behind. Oh, for the chance to fulfill her dreams.
    ***
    Mike grabbed the bucket of milk and headed for the stall where Kelly’s mules had been stabled. He was finally being given the chance to spend a few minutes alone with Kelly, and he aimed to take full advantage. If things went as he hoped, he would have the pleasure of her company for several hours today.
    Mike leaned against the wooden beam outside the mules’ stall and watched Kelly as she fed and groomed her beasts of burden. She wasn’t wearing her usual straw hat this morning, and her lustrous brown hair hung down her back in long, loose waves. His fingers itched to reach out and touch those silky tresses.
    “You’re good with the mules,” he murmured.
    Kelly jumped, apparently startled and unaware that he’d been watching her. “Hector and Herman are easy to work with.”
    Mike drew in a deep breath. May as well get this over with. “I ... uh ... was wondering if you’d like to go on a picnic with me later today.”
    Kelly turned her head to look directly at him, and she blinked a couple of times. “A picnic? You and me?”
    He nodded, then chuckled. “That’s what I had in mind.”
    “Well, I was plannin’ to spend some time drawin’, and—”
    “No reason you can’t draw after we share our picnic lunch.”
    She hesitated a few seconds. “Mama may need my help with somethin’, and my folks might not approve of me goin’ on a picnic.”
    Mike smiled. At least she hadn’t said no. He took that as a good sign. “While you finish up with the mules, how about I go talk to your parents?”
    Kelly’s forehead wrinkled. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
    “If they say it’s all right, would you be willing to eat a picnic lunch with me?”
    She nodded. Mike grinned. “Great! I’ll take this milk into the house, get cleaned up a bit, and run down to the boat to speak with your folks.”
    “Papa’s still in bed,” Kelly said. “He ain’t feelin’ much better today than he was last night.”
    “Sorry to hear it. I’ll ask your mother.” Mike hurried out of the barn, and he hummed “Sweet Hour of Prayer” all the way. God was already answering his prayer for the day, and he felt like he was ten feet tall.
    ***
    Kelly couldn’t believe her mother had actually given permission for Mike Cooper to take her on a picnic. Maybe she felt bad because Kelly worked so hard and rarely