Read Online Kelly's Chance by Wanda E Brunstetter - Free Book Online Page A

is feelin’ poorly now, so we need more medicine.” Her forehead wrinkled, and she blinked a couple of times. “Sure hope you’ve got some, ’cause I used up the bottle of cough syrup Kelly bought.”
    Mike nodded toward the back of the store. “There’s a couple bottles on the second shelf to the right. Want me to get one for you?”
    Dorrie glanced over at Kelly, still peering inside the candy counter, and she shook her head. “Why don’tcha see what kind of sweet treat my daughter would like, while I fetch the medicine?”
    Mike didn’t have to be asked twice. He set the tin of canned peaches he’d been holding down on the shelf and then hurried over to Kelly.
    “How are you?” he asked. “Sure hope you’re not getting sick, too.”
    “Nope. I’m healthy as a mule.”
    “Glad to hear it, but I’m sorry about your dad. Is he able to keep on working?”
    “He made it through the day, even with his fits of coughing and fever. I think he’s plannin’ to tie up here and spend the night. We’ll stay all day Sunday, so he can rest.” Kelly’s gaze went to her mother, who was at the back of the store. “Mama doesn’t have all her strength back yet, either, so a good day’s rest should do ’em both some good.”
    And you, Kelly, Mike thought as he studied her face. The dark circles under her eyes gave evidence to how tired she was.
    “The last time your dad was in the store, I told him I’d be glad to stable your mules in my barn anytime he wanted to dock here for the night.”
    “That’s right nice of you.” Kelly gazed at the candy counter with a look of longing on her face.
    Mike wondered how long it had been since she had eaten any candy. Without hesitation, he opened the hinged lid on the glass case. “Help yourself to whatever you like—my treat.”
    Kelly stiffened. “Oh, no. I couldn’t let you do that. Thanks to you sellin’ a couple of my charcoal drawings, I’ve got money of my own now.” She shrugged. “Although, it’s safely hidden in my room on the boat, and I’d have to go back and get it.”
    “Wouldn’t you rather spend it on something more useful than candy?”
    She pursed her lips. “Probably should be savin’ my money, but I’ve sure got a hankerin’ for some lemon drops.”
    Mike reached down and grabbed the glass jar filled with sugar-coated lemon drops. “Take as many as you like, and please consider it a present from me to you.”
    Kelly tipped her head to one side, as if contemplating his offer. Finally with a nervous giggle, she agreed.
    He filled a small paper bag half full of candy and handed it to her, hoping she wouldn’t change her mind.
    She took the sack and stuffed it in her apron pocket. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    Kelly shuffled her feet, and her boots scraped nosily against the wooden planks. Why did she seem so nervous? Was it because her mother was nearby and might be listening in on their conversation?
    Hoping to put her at ease, Mike reached out and touched Kelly’s arm. She recoiled like she’d been bitten by a snake, and he quickly withdrew his hand.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    Kelly shrugged. What was wrong? They’d had such a pleasant visit the last time she’d come by.
    “Did you bring me any more drawings?” Mike asked, hoping the change of subject might ease the tension he felt filling up the space between them.
    She shook her head. “I’m out of charcoal, and for the last couple of days, Papa’s been burnin’ coal instead of wood in our cook stove. I haven’t come across any cold campfires along the canal lately neither.”
    So that was the problem. Kelly was feeling bad because she hadn’t been able to draw and she’d promised Mike she would have more pictures the next time she came by.
    Mike had a brand-new set of sketching pencils for sale, along with some tubes of oil paints. He would have gladly given them to her but was sure she would say no. It had taken some persuasion to get her