Free Kelly's Chance by Wanda E Brunstetter Page B

got a day off. Or it might be that Mama needed some quiet time herself today, so she thought it would be good if Kelly were gone awhile.
    The idea of a picnic did seem kind of nice. It would be a chance for Kelly to relax and enjoy Mike’s company, as well as the good food he’d promised to prepare. On the other hand, spending time alone with the fine-looking storekeeper might not be such a good thing. What if he got the notion she was interested in him? Would Mike expect her to do more things with him when she was in the area? In some ways, she hoped they could. Life along the canal was lonely, especially when her only companions were a pair of mules.
    Kelly stood in her tiny room and studied her reflection in the mirror that she kept in the trunk at the foot of her bed. Did she look presentable enough to accompany Mike Cooper on a picnic? Mike always smelled so clean, and he wore crisp trousers and shirts without holes or wrinkles. It was hard to believe he had no mother or wife caring for his needs. He must be very capable, she decided.
    Mike had said he would meet Kelly in front of his store a little before noon. This gave her plenty of time to get ready, and she’d even taken a bath in the galvanized tub and washed her hair, using that new floating soap Mama liked so well.
    Kelly grabbed a lock of hair, swung it over her shoulder, and sniffed deeply. “Smells clean enough to me.” She glanced down at her dark green skirt and long-sleeved white blouse with puffy sleeves. Both were plain and unfashionable, but Kelly didn’t care a hoot about fashion, only comfort and looking presentable enough to be seen in public. Her clothes were clean; Mama had washed them yesterday. At least today she wasn’t likely to offend Mike by smelling like one of her mules.
    Kelly took out her drawing tablet and a piece of charcoal and stuffed them in her oversized skirt pocket. Then she grabbed her straw hat and one of Mama’s old quilts. At least they would have something soft to sit on during their picnic lunch. She left the room and tiptoed quietly past her parents’ bedroom. It wouldn’t be good to wake Papa. He’d probably be furious if he knew she was taking the day off to go on a picnic—especially with a man. He might think she was going to up and run off the way Sarah had. Well, that would never happen!
    As Kelly stepped off the boat, she caught a glimpse of Reverend Nelson and his daughter, Betsy. They were standing in front of Mike’s store, and several boatmen and their families had gathered around.
    It made no sense to Kelly. Shouldn’t the preacher have been at his church, pounding the wooden pulpit and shouting at the congregation to repent and turn from their wicked ways? Instead, he was leading the group of people in song, and his daughter was playing along with her zither.
    Kelly hoped to avoid the throng entirely, but Mike, who stood on the fringes, motioned her to join him. He was holding a wicker basket, and Kelly figured he was probably ready to head out on their picnic. If she hung back until the church service was over, they would lose some of their time together.
    Mike crooked his finger at Kelly again, and she inched her way forward. Guess I may as well see what he’s plannin’ to do.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 11
    ***
    Mike smiled at Kelly when she stepped up beside him.
    “What’s goin’ on?” she whispered.
    “Reverend Nelson finished his worship service early today, so he and Betsy decided to bring a bit of revival to the boatmen and their families who stayed in the area for the night.”
    “Do you attend their church in town?” Kelly asked.
    Mike shrugged his shoulders. “Sometimes.” The truth was, he used to go every Sunday, but here of late he’d been feeling mighty uncomfortable around Betsy Nelson. He’d stayed home the last couple weeks, praying and reading his Bible in solitude. He knew he shouldn’t be using Betsy’s overbearing, flirtatious ways as an excuse to stay