Candy continued to stare blankly at her grandfather trying to absorb what he was saying.
Jeremy by now looked completely befuddled "Wh-what are you saying sir?"
"We are talking my dear boy about enough money for you ad Candy to get married and start a new life. And since I am here in Seattle, I can help look after the children, thus freeing up you two to have the life you deserve."
Jeremy chuckled just a little "You mean as normal a life as a proper New England lady can have with a lumberjack from the wilderness?"
"Jeremy!" Candy started "I.." before she was cut short by her grandfather.
"Candy would never have been happy in a 'proper' marriage, by New England standards. Look at her Jeremy! She's thriving out here with you and your family and friends. She's part of something big, the forming of a new frontier. Back home she would have done her duty and provided a good home for her husband and children. But out here, she's part of something bigger. and you Jeremy are the reason she's so happy."
Jeremy and Candy were now sitting in stunned silence. Benjamin reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope and held it out to Candy.
"Jeremy" Candy said softly.
Jeremy reached over and took the envelope and opened it to remove the letter inside. "Well?" Candy asked,
Jeremy studied the paper before answering. "It's not enough for the Taj Mahal, but maybe something a little smaller than Aaron's house."
Candy sat straight up "WHAT? Seriously? A real house? With real floors? and furniture?"
Benjamin Pruitt rose to his feet "This is now a private conversation so I'll retire and leave you two to plan your next step. Hopefully a wedding."
Both watched as the older man walked along the front of the dormitory and used the side door to enter the annex where his other two grandchildren were sound asleep.
"Jeremy? What are we going to do?"
"Well Candy that's up to you. It IS your money."
"No, it's our money, plus Molly and Christopher. Jeremy do you remember the last two times I made financial decisions? I lost the dowry Jason gave us and I bought land that ended up worthless. I need your opinion. I need your expertise.'
Jeremy studied her face for several seconds waiting for to her change her mind. Her look never changed, she just steadfastly returned his look.
"Well then. Can you pack a picnic lunch and borrow a wagon and pick me up for lunch tomorrow?"
"LUNCH!? What has got to do with the letter?" she asked while gesturing toward the piece of paper still in his hand.
Jeremy rose to his feet as a huge grin took over his face "Patience is a virtue Candy. Haven't you heard that?" With that he leaned down and gently lifted her chin and placed a light kiss on her lips. He then turned and started walking back toward the logger's camp.
