Page 26 of A Whim and a Prayer

“Is it now, Miss Doe?” Winnie laughed as she leaned to tug on a strawberry blond curl that sprang right back when she let go, exchanging a quick grin with Beck, who sat beside her.

Poppy’s smile diminished a hair when her freckled face hiked up with determination, those hazel eyes sobering considerably. “Yes, ma’am, it is, because the way I figure, y’all will get way more laughs with me in this here play and I just might get noticed by a new family since mine’s gone.”

Winnie froze. “Yours … is gone?” she whispered, her voice a near croak.

“Yes, ma’am—back in Texas, where my mama passed, so Gramps brought me back to Boston with him, but now he’s gone too.”

Emotion swelled in Winnie’s throat till she couldn’t breathe, swallowing hard to battle the urge to wrap the little dickens in a tight hug. “Well, Poppy, I figure you’re right, so we’ll just see what we can do, okay?”

Winnie wasn’t prepared for the crush of Poppy’s hug as she shot straight into Winnie’s arms and clung with all of her might. “God bless you, ma’am, and I promise you, I won’t let you down”—she nodded toward Mrs. C and Abby—“none of you, I promise.” Clutching the script to her chest, she dashed up to the stage with a loud “Yee-haw,” flashing a crooked smile as she began to read her lines.

Lip quivering, Winnie gladly took the handkerchief Beck nudged her way, desperate to thwart the hitch of a sob. No, Poppy, she thought to herself with another burn of tears at the back of her eyes, I don’t think you will.

Chapter Seventeen

Beck almost broke down and cried himself when he saw that little rascal fling herself into Winnie’s arms, because he knew Winnie had to be tearing up too. His best friend confirmed his thoughts when she squeezed the little scamp right back, Winnie’s blond curls tucked closely to carrot-colored ones. And when the little imp rushed up to the stage to show off her charms, Winnie dabbed at her eyes with his handkerchief before blowing her nose.

And Beck sure didn’t blame her. It was like déjà vu all over again, a curly-headed mite of an orphan with a physical attribute that others made fun of, yet stood right up and spit in their eye. It was a trait Beck had admired way back when he first defended Winnie from bullies who mocked her crossed eyes. And he knew it was one Winnie admired in the little cowgirl too, as she belted out “There’s No Business Like Show Business” from the top of her lungs as if she were Ethel Merman on Broadway herself.

When the last child had auditioned and Mrs. Cullen and Abby were wrapping up a chat with the administrators, Beck bumped Winnie’s arm with his own. “Hey, kiddo, since you’re almost done here, I’m gonna slip out to pay another visit to the chapel.”

Looking up from her notes, Winnie shook her head, a ghost of smile shadowing her lips. “I swear, Campbell, you’re obsessed with religion, you know that?”

“Yeah, I do.” He stood up and absently retucked his short-sleeve shirt as he delivered a crooked grin. “Somebody’s gotta pray for you, you know.”

Her chin elevated with a smirk. “With a family like mine, I have more than enough people praying for me, thank you very much. Besides, I think your time would be better spent seeing a movie with Abs and me tonight, don’t you?” Her brows did a dance. “Notorious with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman just opened at The Broadway Theatre, and I’m dying to see it, so will you take us? Please, please?” She pleaded with blue eyes that sparkled as always when Hollywood, Broadway, or movies were involved.

Especially movies with Cary Grant.

Shifting his stance, he expelled a noisy sigh that was all for show. “On one condition, Dennehy.”

She rose and handed him her satchel, which he promptly slung over his shoulder. “What? I have to buy the popcorn and Coke?”

“No, I will buy the popcorn and Coke because I have a job and you and Abby don’t. Besides, your allowance is in jeopardy, remember? But …” He tucked a finger to her chin, slipping into parent mode with a patient smile. “I don’t want to hear any complaining when I show up a little late at Revere Beach next Friday night for your birthday—”

“How late?” She folded her arms across her chest as if she opted for parent mode as well.

He scratched the back of his head. “I don’t know, but no later than eight, I promise.”

“Eight!” Her jaw dropped. “But it’s my birthday celebration, Campbell!”

“I know, Pooh, and I’m sorry, but it can’t be helped. I already told you my boss called a dock meeting at The Herald after work, and I have to be there. So either Will, Teddy, or Bella will have to drive everyone to the Oceanview Ballroom, and I’ll get there as soon as I can, I promise, okay?”

“I guess ...” Her agreement was half-hearted at best. She peered up, eyes in a slit. “But you have to buy me M&M’s at the show, agreed?”

“Agreed.”

“And Milk Duds and Sno-Caps too—Abs and I both love those.”

His lips swerved off-center. “Fine, I’ll rob a bank before I pick you up.”

“Good.” She patted his cheek. “Now, go pray—you’re gonna need it if you rob that bank.”

Shaking his head, he grinned all the way to the chapel, thinking that little brat was well worth a whole confectionary of M&M’s, Milk Duds, and more.

The solitude and peace of the chapel wrapped around him as soon as he entered, welcoming him into the presence of God—one of his favorite places to be. Selecting a seat in the back, he closed his eyes and communed with the Almighty, thanking Him for all of the many blessings in his life and praying for those he loved.

Especially Winnie. Please open her eyes to just how much You love her ...