The Bargain by Stephanie Reed

Author:Stephanie Reed [Reed, Stephanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8254-7996-0
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Published: 2013-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Wednesday and Thursday passed, gloomy but dry, with Betsie working hard on her own to learn harness-making. On Friday morning, brilliant sunlight graced the bedroom window to greet Betsie and Sheila. Though the peals of thunder were long gone, the two of them had cottoned to the idea of sharing a bed like sisters, “just until Mom comes back,” as Sheila had put it. Mr. Sullivan had given them his okay.

If there was a cloud remaining, it was that Michael hadn’t returned. Betsie wondered at Mr. Sullivan’s stoic acceptance, but she didn’t question him. For all she knew, Michael might be sneaking in the house late at night. She admitted to herself that the atmosphere was much pleasanter with only one Sullivan man; perhaps getting everyone together for a family meal wasn’t such a good idea. She’d have to mull it over. All in all, it had been a pretty peaceful week, much better than the last. Ach, maybe she was getting used to English life, like Mem and Dat. She shuddered.

Betsie saw Sheila off to school and opened the shop alone once again. She’d simply have to wait on any customers herself. Now that the weather had improved, she must expect some business, seeing as how there was another horse event at the fairgrounds this weekend. Michael wasn’t here … or was he? She checked behind the counter where she’d found him stretched on the blanket, but the shop was empty. On tiptoe, she peeked out the window at the rear of the shop. Satisfied that the Super Bee was not around, she found her notebook and added some fine points for Nelson, and even some notes about her life with the English.

Engrossed in her writing, Betsie forgot all about customers until a blue jay screamed a warning. Through the screen, she glimpsed somebody blond and broad-shouldered. Her heart fluttered—had Charley come to visit her here? What a comfort it would be to see his warm smile and steadfast presence after working alone.

When the man came through the door, she saw he wasn’t Charley at all, but a customer. The man seemed pleasant enough. To top it off, he sported an outlandish red riding jacket. She closed her notebook.

“Saw your sign. See, my coat ripped.” He lifted his arm to reveal a hole. “Right there. I know this is a harness shop, but sewing’s sewing, right? Can you fix it?”

Betsie gave a slow shake of her head. “I shouldn’t—”

He shifted from one foot to the other. “C’mon, if you help me out, I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll spread the word at the horse show about the filly who works here. Betcha your business will double.” He ogled Betsie’s Plain dress. “So, do we have a deal?”

Betsie let her shoulders rise and fall. “The sewing will not be too hard, but I must ask my boss if it will be okay.”

He frowned. “I’m kinda in a hurry. Can’t you whip it together, and I’ll come back for it later this afternoon?”

Hurry-up English; won’t take no for an answer.

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