Sarah's Choice

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “What’s wrong?” she asked fearfully. “Didn’t you find Sammy?”

  Pastor William shook his head. “No, but we know where he is.”

  “Wh–where is he?”

  “He’s with Elias—leading his mules.”

  Sarah gasped and grabbed the back of a chair for support. “But how can that be? This morning I specifically told him that he couldn’t lead those mules, and Elias heard me say it, too.” She looked at Pastor William. “When Elias’s boat disappeared, I thought you must have found a mule driver for him in town.”

  He shook his head. “I couldn’t find anyone, and when I went to the place where Elias had tied up his boat, he was gone. So I figured he must have found someone on his own.”

  White-hot anger boiled inside Sarah, and she clenched her fists in frustration, until her nails dug into her palms. “How could that man have taken my son when he knew I didn’t want Sammy to go?”

  Betsy shook her head. “That’s not how it happened, Sarah. William and I just spoke to Mike, and he heard what Sammy said to Elias at the store this morning.”

  Sarah’s eyebrows squeezed together. “What are you talking about? I sent Sammy to school, and Elias was going to wait until Pastor William found someone to lead his mules. How could Mike have heard Sammy talking to Elias at the store?”

  Betsy explained about the conversation that had taken place between Elias and Sammy. “Apparently, Sammy never went to school. Instead, he convinced Elias that you’d changed your mind and had given your permission for Sammy to go with him.”

  Sarah stomped her foot, and winced when a jolt of pain shot through her ribs. “I never changed my mind, and I can’t imagine that Sammy would lie and say that I had.”

  “So what are you sayin’?” Ned spoke up. “Are you sayin’ that the storekeeper was lyin’?”

  “I’m not saying that at all. What I think is that Elias was so desperate for someone to lead his mules that he talked Sammy into going with him. Who knows, maybe he even told Sammy that he’d spoken with me again, and that I’d said it was all right for him to go.”

  Ned shook his head. “Elias would never do nothin’ like that. He’s a good man—and an honest one, to boot.”

  Sarah clasped Pastor William’s arm. “Would you go after my boy and bring him home?”

  Pastor William slowly shook his head. “They left hours ago, Sarah. They’re probably halfway to Easton by now. I think the best thing we can do is trust God to take care of Sammy and wait for him to come home.”

  Sarah blinked back tears that were stinging her eyes and sank into a chair at the table with a moan.

  “Not to worry,” Ned said. “Elias will take good care of your boy.”

  Sarah couldn’t even speak around the lump in her throat. She was worried sick and didn’t know Elias well enough to have any confidence that he’d take proper care of her boy. Besides, there were so many things that could happen while he was leading the mules. He could get kicked or bitten by one of those stubborn beasts. He could collapse from the exhaustion of walking too many hours. She remembered how when she was a girl working for her father, she’d once seen a young boy get dragged by his mule right over one of the lockgates. It was a frightening thing to watch, and it was a miracle the boy hadn’t drowned in the canal.

  “I think what we all need to do is hold hands and offer a prayer for Elias and Sammy,” Pastor William suggested.

  “You can count me out of the prayer,” Ned said. “I ain’t into all that religious stuff!”

  Pastor William gave Ned’s shoulder a squeeze. “The Lord never makes a man do anything against his will, so if you’re not comfortable with praying you can just sit and listen. How’s that sound?”

  Ned gave a nod. “Suits me just fine.”

  Pastor William joined hands with Sarah and Betsy. “Heavenly Father,” he prayed, “please be with Elias and Sammy wherever they are right now. Give them a safe trip to Easton and back, and let them know that You are right there with them. Be with Sarah and her children here, and give her a sense of peace, knowing that You’ll watch over her son and bring him safely back home. Amen.”

  Sarah sniffed as tears rolled down her hot cheeks, wishing once again that there might be some way to get her children away from the canal.

  Chapter 12

  After spending a night on the canal near Kimmet’s Lock, about fourteen miles from Walnutport, Elias was able to make his coal delivery to Easton by late afternoon the following day. They’d headed out as soon as the boat was unloaded and had gone as far as the Catasauqua Lock and then spent that night. They’d gotten an early start this morning, and if all went well, they should be back at Walnutport before noon.

  It had rained off and on yesterday, and even though the sun was out now, the towpath was quite muddy. Elias hoped it wouldn’t slow them down too much. He alternated between looking up ahead as he steered the boat and keeping an eye on Sammy as he led the mules.

  He frowned when he realized that Sammy’s trousers were caked with mud. He wished he could wash the boy’s clothes before he dropped him off at home, but if he took time for that, they’d be even later getting back to Walnutport. Besides, the sun wasn’t warm enough to dry the clothes.

  As they continued to travel, Elias reflected on the time he’d spent with Sammy and realized he was going to miss the boy when he returned him to his family. Last night, they’d visited during supper again, and afterward, Elias had played the accordion while they sang. Just before they’d gone to bed, Elias had told Sammy that when they got back to Walnutport, he would pay him for walking the mules. Sammy had smiled and said he planned to use the money to buy his mother a birthday present, because this coming Sunday was her birthday.

  That boy is sure thoughtful, Elias thought. Most kids Sammy’s age only think of themselves. He must love his mother very much.

  “Get up there! Haw! Haw!”

  Elias jerked his head to the left and grimaced when he saw Sammy slipping and sliding along the muddy towpath, as he struggled to keep the mules moving. They balked whenever they came to a puddle, and Sammy had to lead them around it, no matter how small the puddle of water was. At the rate they were going, it would be late in the day before they made it back to Walnutport.

  Elias cupped his hands around his mouth. “Are you doing okay, Sammy? Do you need to stop for a while?”

  “I’m fine. Just need to show these stubborn mules who’s boss.” Sammy tipped his head back and began to sing, “I’ve got a mule, she’s such a fool, she never pays me no heed. I’ll build a fire under her tail, and then she’ll show me some speed.”

  Elias chuckled. The boy had determination, as well as a sense of humor—exactly what was needed here on the canal.

  When Betsy showed up at Sarah’s much later than usual that morning, Sarah noticed right away that she looked pale and seemed kind of shaky.

  “What’s wrong?” Sarah asked. “Has something happened?”

  Betsy shook her head. “I’m just feeling a bit queasy this morning. I think I might be coming down with the flu. If that’s the case, then I probably shouldn’t be here today. I wouldn’t want to expose you and the children, but at the same time I don’t want to leave you alone all day when I know you’re still hurting.”

  “I’m feeling better now, so if you’re not well, then you need to go home and rest.”

  Betsy hesitated a minute. “I…I don’t suppose Sammy’s come home yet.”

  Sarah slowly shook her head. “I’m trying not to worry, but it isn’t easy.”

  “I’m sure it’s not, but you need to keep trusting the Lord.” Betsy offered Sarah a smile. “When Sammy does get home, send him over to the parsonage to let me know. That way I can spread the word to those who’ve been praying for him.”

  “I will, and if you’re not feeling up to watching my kids when I start working again, let me know, and I’ll see if Kelly’s available for a few hours to help out.”

  “I’m sure I’ll be fine in a
day or so.” Betsy placed both hands against her stomach. “It could even be something I ate last night that didn’t agree with me.” She turned and started down the stairs, calling over her shoulder, “See you soon, Sarah.”

  When Sarah returned to the kitchen she discovered that Willis and Helen had gotten out some of her pots and pans and had them strewn all over the kitchen floor.

  “Pick those up and put them away!” Sarah shouted.

  Willis blinked his eyes rapidly, and Helen started to howl.

  Sarah’s head began to pound. Everything seemed to bother her more since Sammy had taken off with Elias. If she only knew whether he was safe or not. If he’d just come home to her now.

  “I’ll tell you what,” she said to the children in a much softer tone. “If you two will put the pots and pans away I’ll take you for a walk to Aunt Kelly and Uncle Mike’s store.”

  “Can we have a peppermint stick?” Willis wanted to know.

  Sarah nodded. “If you do as I say and pick up the pots and pans.”

  Willis went to work immediately, and even Helen put a few of the pans back in the cupboard. When they were done, Sarah got their jackets and led them out the door.

  As they walked the towpath, Sarah felt a cool morning breeze blowing through the canal that ran north and south.

  She glanced at the hills surrounding Walnutport and noticed how green they were. Spring was definitely here, and it wouldn’t be long before the flowers she’d planted near the house would be in full bloom.

  “Look, Mama…a quack, quack.” Helen pointed to a pair of mallard ducks floating gracefully on the canal.

  “And look over there,” Willis said, pointing to a bushy-tailed squirrel running through the grassy area on one side of the towpath.

  Before Sarah could respond, Willis darted through the grass, giving the poor squirrel a merry chase. Helen tried to join him, but Sarah took hold of her hand.

  “Leave that squirrel alone, Willis,” Sarah scolded. “If we don’t keep walking, we’ll never get to the store.”

  Willis halted the chase and joined Sarah and Helen on the path again.

  When they entered the store, the children went immediately to the candy counter, which was their favorite place.

  “What can I do for the two of you?” Mike asked as he stepped out from behind the counter where he waited on customers.

  “Candy! Candy!” Helen shouted. She hopped up and down on her toes, while Willis pressed his nose against the glass and peered at the candy.

  Mike looked at Sarah and chuckled. “These two seem pretty eager today. Did you say they could have some candy?”

  “Yes, I did,” Sarah replied. “I said they could have a peppermint stick.”

  “Alright, then.” Mike opened the back of the candy counter and pulled out the glass jar full of peppermint sticks. Then he came around, knelt beside the children, and handed them each one. “Anna and Marcus are in the house,” he said. “Why don’t the two of you go over there and play awhile?”

  The children didn’t have to be asked twice. They each took a lick from their peppermint sticks and scurried through the door leading to Mike and Kelly’s house.

  Sarah pulled some money from her apron pocket and handed it to Mike.

  “What’s that for?” he asked.

  “The kids’ peppermint sticks.”

  He shook his head. “No way; the candy’s my treat.”

  She smiled. “Thank you.” Her kids were fortunate to have such a nice uncle, and Sarah was glad that Kelly had found such a considerate husband.

  “How are your ribs feeling?” Mike asked.

  “They don’t hurt quite so much, but I’d feel a lot better if Sammy would come home.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be here soon. Elias has probably been taking his time so he doesn’t wear Sammy out.”

  “Humph! Sammy’s too young and inexperienced to be leading a pair of unpredictable mules. He shouldn’t have gone with Elias at all!”

  “You’re right, but I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

  “Is Kelly in the house or her studio?” Sarah asked, changing the subject. If she kept talking about Sammy she’d get all worked up.

  “She’s in her studio, painting. Why don’t you visit with her awhile? I’m sure she’d be glad to see you.”

  “Okay.” Sarah started in the direction of the adjoining art studio, when she heard the familiar moaning of a conch shell. She moved quickly to the front window. “Maybe that’s Elias and Sammy.” She stepped outside and waited until the boat came around the bend, but when it came into her line of vision, she realized it was traveling toward Easton, so it couldn’t be them.

  She was just about to step back into the store, when Patrick O’Grady, the town’s blacksmith, showed up.

  “Top of the mornin’, Sarah,” he said, tipping the straw hat he wore over his curly red hair. “How are you doin’ this fine spring day?”

  “I’ve been better,” she mumbled.

  “I heard about the fall you took a few days ago and have been wonderin’ how you were doin’. Fact is, I’d planned to come by your place yesterday, but I got so busy in my shop that I couldn’t get away.”

  “I’m doing some better, and my ribs aren’t quite so sore.”

  “That’s good to hear.” He grinned, and the deep dimples in his cheeks seemed to be winking at her. “Say, I was wondering. Would you and your youngsters be interested in goin’ on a picnic with me this Sunday? Thought maybe we could start out in the morning and do some fishin’ in the canal before we eat.”

  Sarah’s fingers tightened around the edge of her jacket. “Well, uh…we always go to church on Sundays.”

  “Oh yeah, that’s right. Well, how about we get together later in the day?”

  “Maybe some other time—when my ribs are feeling better, and my boy Sammy’s back home.”

  “Where’d he go?”

  Sarah explained about Sammy’s unexpected trip with Elias and ended it by saying, “So I don’t feel that I can go anywhere until my boy’s home safe and sound.”

  “When I was in here the other day I heard the preacher and his wife say they’d been lookin’ for Sammy. But I figured the boy had probably just gone off fishin’ somewhere.” Patrick’s nose wrinkled as he gave an undignified snort. “What in the world was that boatman thinking? He had no right to take off with a kid as young as Sammy.”

  “I’ve been thinking the very same thing.”

  Another conch shell blew, and a few minutes later a boat came into view. Sarah’s heart gave a lurch. It was Elias’s boat, and there was Sammy, leading the mules.

  As the boat pulled up to a wooden post near the store, Sarah lifted the edge of her skirt and raced through the tall grass, ready to give both Elias and Sammy a piece of her mind.

  Chapter 13

  Oh, I’m so glad you’re back.” Sarah pulled Sammy close and hugged him tightly. “I was worried sick about you.”

  When Sammy looked up at her, his eyes shone brightly. “I did real good leadin’ the mules; Elias said so.” He patted the pocket in his trousers. “He paid me for helpin’ him, too.”

  Sarah looked up at Elias and shook her finger, the way she often did when one of her children had done something wrong. “What were you thinking, taking off with my boy like that—and without even getting my permission?”

  Elias’s face turned red, matching the birthmark on his cheek. “But I…I thought—that is, I mean, Sammy said you’d given him your permission.”

  Sarah shook her head. “I told him no. You were right there when I said it, too.”

  “I realize that, but Sammy said you’d changed your mind, and…”

  Sarah turned back to Sammy. “Did you lie to Elias and tell him I said it was okay for you to lead his mules?”

  Sammy nodded slowly and dropped his gaze to the ground. “I wanted to earn some money so I could—”

  “There’s no excuse for lying; I’ve taught you better than that.” Sarah’s hands sho
ok as she held them firmly at her sides. “You disobeyed me, and then lied to Elias, and now you’ll need to be punished.” She pointed to the store. “Go inside and wait for me. I’ll be in soon, and then we’ll be heading for home.”

  Sammy’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Mama. Sure didn’t mean to upset ya, but I—”

  “Just go into the store; we’ll talk about this later. Oh, and please tell Uncle Mike to ask one of his customers from town to let Pastor William and Betsy know that you’ve come home.”

  “I can let them know,” Elias spoke up. “I have to go into town to check on Bobby, my mule driver, so it’ll be right on my way.”

  “Okay, thanks,” Sarah mumbled.

  Sammy started to walk away but turned back and looked up at Elias. “Thanks for all the things ya taught me. I had a real good time.”

  Elias smiled and nodded. “I had a good time with you, too.”

  Sammy turned and sprinted to the store.

  “I’m really sorry about this,” Elias said. “If I’d had any idea that Sammy—”

  “Sammy’s only a boy. You shouldn’t have taken his word. You should have checked with me first.”

  He nodded. “You’re right. In fact, I take the full blame, so please don’t be too hard on Sammy.”

  Irritation welled in Sarah’s soul. “Don’t tell me how to raise my son. Sammy lied, and he needs a reminder not to do it again.”

  “You’re right, of course. I only meant that it wasn’t solely his fault, and I hope you’ll take that into consideration.”

  “I’ll consider all that needs to be considered. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get my kids and go home.” She started to move away, but Elias touched her arm, and she whirled around to face him. “What?”

  “How are your ribs? Are they better?”

  “They’re not fully healed, but I’m sure I can manage to do my work again now.”

  “Why not give yourself another day or so to heal? I’ll be staying here until Monday morning, so Ned may as well continue opening the lock for the rest of the day, and since Sunday’s a day of rest it’ll give us all a chance to renew.”