Family Ties Chpt 1

Clancy was checking his ship from top to bottom as they were due to set sail in about 2hours. He had seen nothing of Jeremy and Candy since he dropped them off 2 weeks ago in San Francisco for their honeymoon. He hoped that they remember it was today they were to start their journey home. He would be glad to get all the honeymoon trappings out of his cabin. The volume of passengers had been increasing in the runs from San Fran to Seattle as of late. Clancy was wondering if it would be profitable to purchase a smaller ship just for passengers for the trips for Seattle to San Fran and vice versa. While Clancy was running through his routine, a shadowy figure loomed in the background waiting for an opportunity to board his ship. When the captain disappeared into the wheel-house, they silently boarded the ship and hid in a closet in the captain's quarters currently being used as the honeymoon suite.

At Lottie's, Kathleen was seeking Lottie's advice. Kathleen had really expected Jason to propose the moment that Jeremy and Candy disappeared on the horizon on their honeymoon. She was getting concerned that he changed his mind as the honeymoon in San Fran was over today, they would be returning. Lottie hugged Kathleen and reassured her that Jason Bolt as of late has been strutting about beaming with happiness. She has never seen him this happy, he must have a reason for waiting which is probably worth it.

Outside Lottie's, Jason was awaiting the arrival of young Robert Winston. Robert was the 17 year old son of one of Jason's long time loggers. Robert wanted to become an apprentice at Bolt Brothers, Jason needed something picked up near Olympia. Robert anxious to please volunteered, Jason said that he would pay for the task but he must be very careful with the package. Suddenly, the rickety cart pulled into the square with Robert all smiles, Jason walked up to the wagon and released a sigh of relief. With his long muscular arms, he reached over the cart and opened a cage. A beautiful fluffy female Scottish collie puppy rolled out of the cage. He lifted it up to his chest only to receive an onslaught of puppy kisses. Jason smiled and pet the puppy "You have a very important job to do." Jason thanked Robert and informed him to report to the logging camp tomorrow to start training. Robert jumped from the wagon. shook Jason's hand and promised not to disappoint him. Jason laughed as he ran home to tell his family, Jason thought a great start to a great day.

Jeremy and Candy were finishing the packing from their two week honeymoon in San Fran. One to two days had been dedicated by Jeremy with some assistance from Candy for research on modern homes and the skills required. The rest of the 2 weeks was dedicated to the two of them enjoying themselves which included indulging themselves sexually. One night the neighboring room banged on the wall for them to quiet down an achievement of which they were both proud. The food had been wonderful, Jeremy wondered how he was going to feel about pork and beans, one of the camp's staples. Candy was hoping she might be able to cook some of the dishes which they enjoyed but fear access to the materials would be limited in Seattle. They were completely packed and Jeremy realized they had another hour before they had to depart. Candy's back was turned to him so he approached her and began nibbling on her neck. He had discovered that to be a very sensitive area on Candy. Candy turned to him and they started kissing passionately. They collapsed onto the bed and Jeremy whispered into Candy's ear "We have another hour, let's enjoy it."

Kathleen was busy in the kitchen baking scones and soda bread for Lottie's dinner menu when she heard Lottie loudly ask "What the Sam Hill are you doing here?" Kathleen left the kitchen for the bar/dinner room to verify that Lottie was okay. It was not a person to which Lottie was reacting but a beautiful tri color collie puppy. Kathleen had collies in Ireland and intended on finding them in the US. She scooped up the fur ball and cuddled it like a baby. "What are you doing wandering all alone you precious baby?" cooed Kathleen. She found a red string around its neck with a little card. She read the card in hopes of finding the lucky person who owned the puppy, the card read "Will you marry me?" Jason had managed to enter the bar without being noticed as Kathleen was absorbed by the puppy. She looked up and he was on his knee in front of her with a ring.

Jeremy and Candy arrived at the dock with little time to spare. Clancy was pacing the deck, mumbling to himself that if they didn't leave soon they would lose the high tide. "Young Bolt" yelled Clancy, "If you and your beautiful bride don't get your butts on this ship, I will be waving bye." Some of the crew jumped off to assist the newlyweds with their luggage. The Bolts were family now to the crew. Clancy had the young couple enter the wheel house as his crew loaded their belongings into their cabin. Candy and Jeremy decided to stay above deck as the ship debarked from San Fran on its way to Seattle. They watched as the city became smaller and smaller and they vowed to return once a year for some vacation time. Candy enjoyed the culture, theatre and shopping while Jeremy preferred the parks, sights , sounds ,and smells of the modern city. Candy was anxious to see her brother and sister whom the city of Seattle had more or less adopted. Everyone was taking turns caring for them in her absence. While Jeremy and Candy love San Fran, they both admitted to being ready to return home. They remained on deck for quite awhile arm in arm enjoying the smell of the ocean and breezes. Jeremy remarked that the ocean never gets old. Clancy informed them that the dinner would be served in 2 hours so the young lovers decided to turn into the cabin for a bit. No sooner had they entered their cabin when Jeremy pulled Candy into an embrace. He kissed her and began to remove her clothes. Candy laughed "Again, This is the third time today" Jeremy replied " You are so beautiful and irresistible." Right at that moment , the closet door flew open and a young woman appeared. She was about 5 feet 4 inches large round blue eyes and blonde. She said "Please stop." Candy was peering out from behind Jeremy, she asked "Why are you in our cabin, hiding." The young woman meekly replied " I have money to pay my way but I am escaping my family and a wedding to an man of about 50 that my family arranged. I didn't want anyone to know I was on board until we were out to sea." Jeremy and Candy introduced themselves, the young lady introduced herself as "Margaret "Maggie" Barnes." The Bolts agreed to take her to the captain and help her with her explanation as they were more or less family with the captain. Candy laughed as they exited the cabin "This reminds of when Jeremy returned from Tacoma with a Chinese girl hidden in the back of a wagon. This sort of things happens to Jeremy."