“It has,” Bob eagerly replied. He patted his stomach. “And we’ll get cookies for scaring off Miss Potter, right?”
She chuckled. “Right.” Shaking her head, she started down the porch steps. These boys would do anything if it meant they could have a treat.
The walk down the block to the business district was a pleasant one. The weather was breezy and the sun warmed things up nicely. It was one of those days where she’d love to sit outside and watch the boys play. And she figured if the plan went smoothly, she would be able to do just that soon enough.
“Bob!” she called out to the boy who started across the street without looking both ways. “Get back here and wait for the rest of us.”
“Oh, sorry.” He returned to the edge of the street and waited for them to catch up to him. Looking both ways, he hollered, “No one’s coming!”
“Then we can go,” she replied.
Holding on Ben’s and Charles’ hands, she followed Bob and Doug across the street and motioned for the boys to go left. She smiled at Jessica who waited for them.
As soon as Margaret was in front of the mercantile, Jessica said, “Debra’s at Mrs. Lonny’s house.”
“Is she almost done cleaning it?” Margaret asked.
“I think so. I asked Mrs. Lonny when I could come over for tea, and she said fifteen minutes. That was ten minutes ago.”
“Good. Then it shouldn’t be a long wait.”
Bob tugged on Margaret’s arm. “Can we get a piece of candy?”
“I already promised cookies when we’re done,” she replied.
“I know but I need something sweet now.”
With an inspired look on his face, Doug added, “We’ll make sure it’s sticky and touch her with dirty fingers.”
“Yeah,” Bob agreed. “This will be even better than the time we left those fingerprints for you to clean up on the walls.”
“What?” Jessica asked.
“Two days ago, they got syrup all over the hallway walls,” Margaret told her. “That stuff isn’t easy to clean up.”
Bob shrugged. “We forgot to wash our hands after breakfast.”
“Because you were in a hurry to go outside to play,” she added, good-naturedly. “You didn’t even help me with Charles or Ben.”
“Because we know you can do it.” Bob patted her on the arm. “You’re good at being a ma now.”
“Yep,” Doug agreed. “But we’ll try to help too.”
Margaret figured it was because they were comfortable with her now and took it as a compliment for that reason. But even so, she made sure to add, “Yes, you will still need to help me.”
“We can help if we have candy,” Bob said, looking up at her with wide, hopeful eyes. “Miss Potter doesn’t like sticky fingers.”
“I see your point.” Margaret dug into her purse and handed each boy a small coin. “This better be good.”
“It will be.”
The two boys took the coins and ran into the mercantile. Charles looked as if he was ready to cry, so she called out, “Get something for Charles too!”
That’s all she needed. A screaming child before she got to Debra. She knew she was asking for messy children and lots of clean up, but it’d be worth it to get the woman away from her and her family.
Jessica turned from the entrance of the mercantile and offered a wicked smile in Margaret’s direction. “I’ll go pay Mrs. Lonny a visit.”
Margaret nodded. It was time to put her plan into action. As she waited for Doug and Bob to return so she could walk by the boarding house where Debra was staying, she peered into the mercantile. Just what could be taking those boys so long?
“Hi there, honey. Did you come to do some shopping?”
She spun on her heel, surprised to see Joseph pulling up a horse and wagon in front of the building. “Isn’t today the day you work at the paper?”
“It was supposed to be but Alan’s no longer sick, so I’m back to part-time work over there.” He pulled the brake before getting down. “I’ve been running all over the place, making deliveries and such.” He glanced up and down the boardwalk as he stepped onto it. “Where are the oldest two?”
“Oh. Um...Getting candy.” Her face flushed. Running into him hadn’t been a part of her plan. In fact, she hadn’t told him anything about it. She didn’t think he’d be pleased, but she couldn’t think of any other way to get rid of Debra.
“Pa!” Ben held his hands up.
Joseph bent down and picked up him. “Hey there, peewee.”
She glanced back into the store where Doug and Bob were sorting through the candy display with eager eyes. Just how hard could it be for them to pick out something sticky?