Sarah's Choice Read Free Page A

what Grandpa taught me about running this boat
.

    Sarah had just let another boat through the lock when she spotted her sister, Kelly, walking along the towpath next to the canal with her two children: Marcus, who was three, and Anna, who’d recently turned four.
    As usual, Kelly’s dark hair hung down her back in long, gentle waves. With the exception of Sundays, Kelly rarely wore her hair up in a bun.
    “It’s good to see you,” Sarah said when Kelly and the children joined her on the section of towpath that ran along the front of the lock tender’s house.
    Kelly smiled. “It’s good to see you, too. Except for our time together on Sundays, we don’t get to see you as much as we’d like.”
    “I know. There’s not much chance for me to get away.” Sarah motioned to the lockgate. “With boats coming through at all hours, I’m needed here every day but Sunday.”
    “I’m sorry you have to work so hard.” Kelly gave Sarah a hug. “I wish there was more I could do to help, but with two young ones to care for, helping Mike run the store, and trying to squeeze in time for painting, I don’t have much free time on my hands these days.”
    “You can’t sell any of your artwork if you don’t take the time to paint.”
    “That’s true, and I do love to paint. Have ever since I was a girl and could hold a piece of homemade charcoal in my hands.” Kelly smiled. “I’m ever so grateful that Mike added on to the store so I could have my own little gallery where I can paint and sell my work.”
    Sarah nodded. “So what brings you over here today?”
    “Things have been kind of slow at the store this morning, so I decided to take the kids outside for some fresh air and a walk.” She glanced down at Marcus, who was now down on his knees inspecting a beetle. Anna stood beside him, her face lifted to the sun. “I thought maybe they could play with your kids awhile.”
    “Sammy’s at school, of course, but Willis and Helen were playing on the porch awhile ago, when I was doing our laundry in the metal washtub,” Sarah said. “When the last boat came through the lock, I sent them inside.”
    Kelly gave Sarah’s shoulder a tender squeeze. “Are things going okay? Are you managing to keep up?”
    “Everything’s about the same, but there’s always so much to do. Between tending the lock, washing clothes, and making bread to sell to the boatmen, I hardly have any time to spend with my kids.” Sarah sighed deeply. “Seems like they’re always trying to get my attention, and there’s just not enough of me to go around.”
    “What about Maria? Isn’t she keeping the kids occupied during the day?”
    “Maria’s not doing well. Her vision problem seems to be getting worse, and she’s always so tired. It’s all she can do to keep the house clean and help cook our meals, much less keep an eye on my two youngest all day.”
    Kelly’s mouth formed an O. “Are you saying that Willis and Helen have been fending for themselves when you’re out here tending the lock?”
    “Maria does what she can to keep them occupied, but she’s not up to caring for them the way I would if I could be with them all the time.”
    “Say, I have an idea,” Kelly said. “Why don’t I take Willis and Helen home with me for the rest of the day? That way they can play with Marcus and Anna. It’ll give Maria a break, and you won’t have to worry about them while you bake bread and tend the lock.”
    “Are you sure you don’t mind? I mean, how are you going to help Mike in the store if you have four kids to keep an eye on all day?”
    “I told you, things have been slow at the store today. Besides, Willis is old enough to keep the other three entertained if Mike needs me for anything. Since our house is connected to the store, if there’s a problem, Willis can come and get me.”
    Sarah hesitated, but finally nodded. “You’re right, Willis is always thinking up something to keep Helen entertained, and it would be a