Clancy slid his ship into the port and jumped off the ship to hurry to Lotties'. Chris and Molly, who were now in their teens, greeted Clancy as he walked by.
"Hello Clancy!" Chris smiles a secret smile. Does he know something?
"Hello Clancy!" Molly also has a secret smile; she does know something. Biddie walks by and wonders why the two children are smiling.
"What are you two smiling about today? I don't recall if Clancy brought you anything?"
Both look at Biddie and say, well Grandpa Pruitt is here, and we are waiting to help him." Molly says. Just then they see Grandpa and run to help him with his bags.
"Well, you two certainly have grown." Grandpa smiles a secret smile as well. He lets Chris take his bags as they walk to Lottie's leaving Biddie behind.
She looks and then notices that someone else is getting off the ship. She hurries over to see who it might be.
Lottie was busier than usual the men from both the mill and the lumber company were crowded into her barroom talking and making gestures. Seems that there was going to be an election of who would actually be mayor of the City of Seattle. The year is now 1885 and Seattle has really grown. They have at least two schools and more residents of Seattle. Doc Maynard is one of them as well as Asa Mercer and two others. Aaron Stemple and Jason Bolt were also considered in the running for mayor, but it seems that with the newer additions Stemple and Bolt may have to be a part of the city council instead of mayor.
"But, for the record,' Aaron Stemple was saying: "I came here and helped to build this city and make into a fine place for those who wish culture and wealth to grow."
"Yes, you did Aaron, but since The Bolts were here first and we still OWN Bridal Veil Mountain!" Jason said with emphasis on 'OWN'; "I feel that it is in the best interest to the city that I throw my hat in as Mayor of Seattle!"
There was much clapping and hollering, some for Aaron, some for Jason. But when Asa Mercer and Doc Maynard stepped up to the podium, there was silence. These were two men, who had also contributed to the city of Seattle as well. Asa Mercer was able to import real teachers for the Seattle public School system, Doc Maynard, assisted in forming the University of Washington and was a physician as well, which meant that men and women had been able to receive better health care for the past decade.
"My fellow citizens of Seattle, I would like to be your Mayor, I am running on the education of our fair city, a chance to grow responsible educated adults who will in turn run this city of Seattle in the future. My designs for this future include a free and public education for all, indoor plumbing and access to better roads and water systems as well!" The clapping began and Mr. Mercer smiled and waved.
Doc Maynard stood at the podium and began to speak:
I came here when Seattle was still young, they had few if any physicians, even a woman at one point in time! But, when I helped to set up funding and build the University of Washington, I committed my self to provide public health care as well as top scientists and physicians for the whole of Washington State. I ask you who will be the better Mayor to carry us into the new century. It will be me and those who are forward thinkers as I truly am. Thank you, thank you, thank you." As he stepped from the podium the applause was thunderous, even the women were clapping and applause as well.
Grandpa Pruitt and the children came in at the end of the speech, when someone saw them and remarked loudly:
"They are still letting children into a saloon! Maude, we must see if our newest citizens will stand for that."
"What do you propose to do Helen?"
"Why get Mr. Mercer and Mr. Maynard's attention and ask them directly of course! Oh, Mr. Mercer, Doc Maynard we have a question over here.
Doc and Asa were just about done shaking hands and kissing babies when they were accosted by Helen and Maud about the situation of children in a saloon.
Jason and Aaron saw this and immediately thinking the same, went over to Helen and Maud respectively and gently redirected them out the side door and across to the store.
"Ah, Helen, it is good to see you and Maude together! How have you been? Aaron and I were wondering what you have been up to lately?" Jason smiled his most congenial smile.
"Yes, Helen, I thought that you and Maud were having a meeting of the "Ladies Betterment Society' this afternoon?" Aaron said.
"Yes, I think that was going to be directly after today's meeting around 1, isn't that right Aaron?"
"Oh, yes, that is correct. We will certainly come to that for more information. I am sure you have invited our newest citizens as well?" Aaron said rather pointedly.
Helen and Maude realized what had happened, they would have to set up a meeting and have the four men come to talk to them and ask, not ask but tell them that the one whom they would vote for, would be the one to put restrictions on where people went, what they did and of course maybe even ban alcohol and drinking all together! They looked at Aaron and Jason and Harrumphed! And walked away from them angry that they had been thwarted yet again!
Aaron and Jason both looked at each other and smiled.
"Want a beer, Aaron?" Jason said.
"Don't mind of I do, thank you Jason!" He was as relieved as Jason was and did not realize that he had actually said he would drink a beer rather than the private stock Lottie kept for him.
The dormitory was almost too empty, almost every girl had been married and was either settled in Seattle or they had moved away with their husbands. Candy and Biddie were the only two left of the original brides. The other women had arrived with Mr. Mercer and were schoolteachers some elementary others for middle or high school. The teachers for the University all lived near the university and were mostly men. Although some women professors were there as well.
"Candy, Candy!" Biddie called up the stairs.
Candy was dusting the windowsills upstairs and stopped and went to the top of the stairs:
"What is it Biddie?"
"Well, Molly and Christopher seem to know something, but they won't say anything, they just kept smiling and were polite but, they just seemed to have a secret between the two of them."
"Well, Biddie, I knew Grandpa Pruitt was coming but that may have been why they had a secret smile?"
Biddie looked at Candy, and with a sigh said what she was thinking which was usual for Biddie:
"I just thought maybe you would tell me if Jeremy and you are, you know, getting married yet? After all, it has been a few years since they came and I should think that the children are well settled and well, I just thought it would be about time? Wouldn't it?" Biddie looked at her questioningly.
Candy stopped at the top of the stairs, sat down, and thought about it. It had been quite a few years, Molly and Christopher were old enough and settled enough, yet, either she had forgotten, or Jeremy had forgotten about what they had said that long ago when the children arrived.
"Candy, what are you thinking? Did he ask you again? Did you say no again?" Biddie feel awful when she said that "I am sorry, I did not mean to say that that way…"
"Oh Biddie, that is okay. I am not sure myself. I don't think Jeremy, or I have ever discussed that since that day? I mean we see each other; we spend time with each other but, well, I think we both forgot?"
Just then there was a knock on the door. Biddie went to answer it since she was closer.
"Well, speak of the devil! "she said and then looked at Candy with a 'Whoops' and her hand to her mouth.
"Hello, Biddie, is Candy here?"
"Why yes she is Jeremy…" Biddie was about to say come in when Candy came down the stairs and said:
"Hello Jeremy, won't you come in? Biddie, can you put the kettle on and come back a little later?"
Biddie nodded yes and went to put the kettle on.
Jeremy came in and said:
"I would like…" He stopped in mid-sentence to look at Candy. She was still as beautiful as the day he first saw her hanging up her underwear on the deck of the ship.
Candy stood there and looked at Jeremy, he was so kind, thoughtful, and honest and very loving. She remembered how he had stuttered when he tried to talk to her and how she had told him she bit her nails.
"I would like to invite you to dinner tonight at the cabin?"
Candy stared at him and without hesitation said yes.
"May I c-c-call for you around 7?" His stuttering showed up when he was nervous or stressed. Candy loved that.
"Yes Jeremy. I would be glad to see you at 7."
Jeremy smiled and said: "Please w-w-w-w-ear that red dress tonight?"
Candy looked at him and a little surge of hope rose inside of her.
Quietly she said: "Yes, Jeremy, I will do that."
He went to give her a gentle kiss on her cheek but the whistle from the kettle interrupted them. "I will see you then." He left out the door. Candy forgot the insistent whistle and clapped her hands and there was a light in her eyes that when Biddie came to take the kettle off the stove, noticed it and came over to her.
"Did he ask you?"
"Not yet Biddie but I think he will tonight!" There was much joy and delight in both ladies faces and hearts.
"Chris, did you get all the things I told you to bring?" Molly said as she prepared the dinner. Jason was up at camp and promised to stay there. Joshua was on his way to get Uncle Duncan and a few other friends from Tacoma and would not be back until the day after next.
Molly and Christophe had planned this, the visit of their Grandfather Pruitt was planned all along, although he gave Candy some vague reason why he was visiting, it had actually been Molly and Lottie who had done the planning. Chris had gotten the job of procuring such things as the dinner ingredients and sneaking the silver and other things from Candy's trunk that she had had sent from New Bedford, after the house had sold. Her mother's napkins were their as well. Also, some pieces of furniture from the Bolts and from the Pruitt's had made their way to the Bolt Cabin.
Jeremy entered the cabin; his only job was to be sure that he the candles and the other Bolt items were ready. He still had the ring he had bought for Candy. He went inside to get ready.
"Jeremy," Molly said, "I laid out all of your clothes, for tonight. All you need to do is bathe and dress. Also, you should probably wear your cufflinks with the Bolt Crest on them.
Jeremy said to Christopher: "Is this what it is like to have a sister?"
Chris gave a look of utter disgust and said:
"No, Jeremy, it is worse!" They both laughed. Jeremy went to his room to clean and shave and bathe. Molly finished the meal and had it just ready when Jeremy came out of the room dressed, in his blue suit and tie that made his blue eyes shine even bluer.
"Well Jeremy," Molly said with a twinkle in her eye: "you do look wonderfully handsome, if I weren't too young for you, I would marry you!"
Jeremy laughed a nervous laugh. It was getting close to 7 and he had to walk to the dormitory. Molly would stay until they walked to the door. She was going to slip out after she had lit the candles.
Jeremy stood at the dormitory door, wanting to knock but not quite ready to embark on this new journey. His brothers had left him to do this on his own. He almost wished Chris had stayed as well but, he knew he had to go through with it. He knocked on the door. There had been sounds of voices and laughter coming from within, they stopped when the knock came.
Biddie looked at Candy and went to the door. Candy stood at the top of the stairs in the shadows until Jeremy came in and asked for her.
Biddie said: "Candy, your gentleman caller is here!"
Jeremy chuckled a little and waited for her to come down the stairs.
What he saw was a vision of an angel. She wore the red dress; her hair was done beautifully. She looked the picture of perfection. As he watched her 'glide' down the stairs, he thought he was seeing an Angel. He had brought her some wildflowers and gave them to her as she stepped on the last step. She smiled.
"Oh, My, those are beautiful flowers Candy!" Biddie remarked. "I will take these and put them in some water."
Candy did not hear her, neither did Jeremy. They just stood looking at each other. The love and joy they felt together, almost made Jeremy ask her right then and there, but he held back. This was not going to be quick. He decided that he would take his time and help her to remember this night forever!
"Take my arm, my love." He said almost imperceptibly.
She did so, she did not need to answer, she just knew instinctively what to do. They walked out of the Dormitory and to the cabin. They did not talk. The night was silent, the stars and the full moon lit their way. It seemed that they both floated on air.
Molly saw them and quickly lit the candles at the table and placed the dinner pot in the center of the table. The dessert, an Apple pie she had made was resting on the top of the counter for later. Molly thought that they might not get to the Apple pie. But that would be okay.
Leaving silently as Jeremy opened the door to the cabin, letting Candy come in first.
When Candy saw the table, the candles, her mothers' napkins, and silver she was so full of love and happiness that she started to cry.
Jeremy reached for his handkerchief and dried her eyes and smiled with her.
"Sh-Sh-Shall we sit down at the table?" he asked, pulling out a chair for her.
She sat and waited for him to sit. They said grace, and Jeremy started to put the food on his plate. She did the same.
Candy thought they should say something to one another even if it might be small talk, so she said:
"Jeremy, you did not cook this all yourself. And how did you get my mother's silver and napkins?"
Jeremy smiled and said: "I had help from some little mice!" He took a bite of the stew and smiled at her.
She took a bit from her stew as well and then said: "I think I know who those two mice might have been! They were asking all sorts of strange questions this past week!"
Jeremy just smiled and ate his stew.
"we have some apple pie that Molly made as well for dessert1"
"Molly must have fixed this whole meal!" Candy said.
"Well, she did have help, Lottie and Christopher did a great job as well!"
They finished their dinner and dessert. Jeremy got out the guitar and sang to Candy. Candy then sang a song with Jeremy as well.
It was getting close to midnight, when Jeremy put the guitar down and they took a walk outside. The moon was even brighter as well as the stars. He asked if she would sit on the chair on the porch. When she was settled, he knelt on one knee and said:
"Candy Pruitt, I have loved you for a long time now. I have gotten to know you well enough to say that I think we would make a wonderful couple and family.
Candy just looked at him. The moon shining on him, the stars twinkling in the night.
"Candy Pruitt, would you do me the honor of marrying me!"
She looked at him, she knew, without a doubt, she knew this was and is the right thing for them to do.
He looked at her, hoping, not sure because the last time he asked she had said no.
"Jeremy Bolt, Yes, I will marry you!"
They both looked at each other and without hesitation, he placed the engagement ring on her hand and then he helped her up and standing so close, they kissed and held each other for a very long time.