CHAPTER 2

Jemma gave her appearance a final inspection in the mirror to ensure that her hair and dress were appropriate before reaching into her dressing table drawer to retrieve the cameo earrings that Jason, Josh, and Jeremy had given her for her sixteenth birthday to match the cameo locket that had belonged to their mother. She had just finished securing the last earring into her ear lobe when a knock sounded on her bedroom door; being the only female in the house meant that she occupied the bedroom while her brothers shared the larger room, affording her privacy. Reaching for her lace shawl, she offered;

"Come in."

Jason poked his head tentatively, around the door to ask;

"Are you ready, baby sister?"

His jaw dropped in shock as he took in his sister's appearance; the emerald green colored gown that she had chosen to wear had a modest sweetheart neckline that was adorned with the same small lace ruffle that graced the bottom of the full bell-shaped sleeves and matched the shawl over her arm. He noticed that she had pulled her hair up to let the naturally curling length cascade down her back as she approached him with her hand open as she requested;

"Jason, would you mind?"

Taking the locket from her palm, he quickly fastened it around her neck as he offered;

"You look very lovely, Jemma, you're just as pretty as Mother was. I'm surprised that there hasn't been an army of men beating down our door begging for your hand."

Whirling to offer him a scathing look of sarcasm, Jemma ventured;

"What good would that do if they did, Jason? You wouldn't let any of them near me because you wouldn't approve of any of them that were brave enough to try."

She was about to walk past him out the door when he put his hand on her arm to stall her as he offered softly;

"Jemma, I only want the best for you and that includes in the man that you marry."

Jason couldn't help but notice the pleading look in her eyes as she offered softly;

"But, Jason, how is it possible to find out if anyone is the best when you're prepared to run everyone who might even show any interest away before they have the chance to prove themselves?"

With that she walked out the door, leaving Jason to ponder her statement as he turned to follow her from the room. As he entered the main room of the cabin, Jason found Joshua and Jeremy staring at him, perplexity written on their faces as Joshua demanded, his concern evident as he referred to their sister by the pet name they gave her as a baby;

"What's the matter with Pixie?"

Adding his concern, Jeremy offered;

"Yeah, she didn't exactly look happy, what's the matter?"

Shaking his head, Jason speculated;

"I think she's just feeling the constraints of being the baby sister with three older, protective brothers."

Motioning towards the door, he ordered;

"Come on, let's not keep the ladies, including our sister, waiting."

Following his brothers out to hurry and catch up with their sister, Jason couldn't shake the feeling that there was more than just a celebration about to take place that evening.

Jemma knew that she was a good distance ahead of her brothers, but given the frustration that she was feeling at the moment she knew that her emotions were lending the fuel that was increasing the speed of her natural gait. She was almost to Lottie's when Joshua caught up to her to halt her progress as he demanded;

"Alright, Pixie, what's the matter?"

Turning to face her middle brother with her hands on her hips, Jemma, vexed, demanded;

"Why on earth do you think that there is something wrong, Joshua?'

Leaning over to brace his hands on his knees to catch his breath, Joshua observed;

"Maybe because I just had to sprint from the cabin to catch up to you and the only time that you walk that fast, baby sister is when you're frustrated and angry."

Jemma studied her middle brother's expression for a moment before weighing her options as she confided;

"Joshua, it's just that Jason goes on about how he can't understand why there aren't men beating down the door to ask for my hand in marriage and how he wants the best but how is anyone to ever prove that they're the best when he won't allow anyone to get close enough to do so?"

Narrowing his gaze as he scrutinized his sister carefully, Joshua began shaking his head;

"That's not all there is to it, is it, Pixie?"

Jemma's eyes widened in shocked panic at the realization that she had not managed to hide the same things from Joshua that she had from Jeremy and Jason. Although she knew that she really shouldn't have been surprised that Joshua was so easily able to read her, given that she and he were as close as they were. When their parents had died, Jason had, naturally, stepped up to care for his younger siblings; however, he spent most of his time working at the logging camp while Joshua cared for Jemma and Jeremy. Jeremy was old enough to attend school, but Jemma, was too young to attend school so that meant she spent a great deal of time with her middle brother. The result being that Joshua and Jemma had a closer bond as siblings, although all four siblings were close and loved each other dearly. Deciding to level with her brother, Jemma pleaded;

"Joshua, you may well be right, however, as a favor to me, can we please discuss it another time. I don't quite know myself just how to explain it because I'm not quite certain that I understand it myself."

Although he might not fully understand the exact nature of his sister's dilemma, he knew that she had a good head on her shoulders and could hardly be characterized as flighty. Given that knowledge and hearing Jason and Jeremy's approach, Joshua nodded as he agreed;

"Alright, anything you say, Pixie, but only if I can see a smile on that pretty face of yours and I can escort you into the dance."

Unable to resist her brother's good nature, Jemma nodded as a genuine smile found its way to her lips as she took her brother's arm before venturing;

"That's the easiest bargain that I think I've ever made."

Jemma felt more at ease than what she had earlier, back at the cabin and the relief was highly evident as Jason and Jeremy caught up with them as Jason demanded;

"Are you alright?"

Emitting a slight laugh, Jemma nodded as she affirmed;

"I'm just fine, Jason. Come on, we have some celebrating to do tonight, don't we?"

Taking her eldest brother's arm with her free one, she glanced up to beg;

"And, Jason, I want your promise,"

Glancing at Josh and Jeremy, she continued;

"All of your promises, that you will not intimidate any man who asks me to dance tonight, no matter who they are. I'm a big girl and if I don't want to dance with someone I assure you that I can easily turn them down myself. Promise?"

Sighing in resignation of her dictate, Jason nodded;

"Alright, agreed, no matter who asks you to dance we will not interfere unless you specifically ask us to."

The matter settled, the Bolt siblings finished closing the distance to Lottie's door, none aware of the prying eyes watching, hidden, in the trees.

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Lottie stood behind the bar, pouring a round of drinks for a few of the men when she noticed Aaron Stempel leaning against the end of the bar, as though he were trying to simply blend into the woodwork. Once she had finished serving the drinks, Lottie approached him and poured a small drink as she offered;

"Aaron, you look as though you could use this to help bolster your spirits, if not your courage."

Casting a wary glance, Aaron demanded;

"Lottie, what on earth are you talking about, 'courage'?"

Before Lottie could answer, the saloon doors opened as all four Bolt siblings entered the saloon. Although it had only lasted for a few moments, it had been obvious that Jemma, as usual, had managed to capture everyone's attention and admiration. Seeing the look on Aaron's face as well as the way he seemed awestruck as he stared at the youngest Bolt sibling, Lottie knew that she need not have any concern as to whether or not Aaron realized just how blessed he would be if he were to have Jemma in his life, the look on his face told her that he felt that way just being able to look at her. Leaning closer towards him, she answered his earlier inquiry;

"The courage to ask the prettiest girl in the room to dance before someone else beats you to it."

Aaron turned, about to deny Lottie's observation, when he noticed Ward Kimberly making his way towards Jemma. Lottie couldn't help but notice, with amusement, that his eyes widened as he quickly downed the drink that she had poured him before crossing the room in large, quick strides to beat his competition to the draw. Before Ward could finish his journey across the room, Aaron approached, for appearance's sake, to greet all four of the Bolt siblings.

"Jason, I'm sure that you're happy to see this day arrive. The brides have now officially been in Seattle for a year and your mountain is secure, not to mention the progress that Seattle has made and, I have to admit it's thanks, in large part, to your efforts."

Good naturedly, Jason took the hand that Aaron had offered to respond enthusiastically;

"And I'm sure that you're just as happy as we are about that, aren't you, Aaron."

Offering a slight chuckle, Aaron nodded;

"Believe it or not, Bolt, I am."

Jeremy, hearing the beginnings of a new song and seeing Candy entering, having advised him that she would join him at the get together since she had to put her younger sister and brother, Molly and Christopher, who were visiting, to bed, excused himself to ask her to dance. Seeing his opening, Aaron turned to Jemma to offer her his hand before observing;

"It would certainly be such a shame to waste such good music and not show off such a pretty dress; would you care to dance, Jemma?"

Glancing to Jason, Aaron asked;

"You don't mind if I dance with the prettiest girl in the room, do you, Jason, even if she is your sister?"

Taking the glass of beer that Lottie offered, Jason laughed heartily as he motioned to the dance floor;

"I don't see why not. Besides, I promised my sister that I wouldn't interfere with anyone who asked her to dance tonight, and I'm sure she's safe enough with you Aaron."

Everyone turned as Lottie began coughing and sputtering at Jason's statement before glancing to Aaron and Jemma as she offered;

"I'm sorry, but you know how it is sometimes when you find something hard to swallow."

Seeing the unwritten disbelief in her eyes, Aaron took Jemma's hand as he offered;

"Come on, Jemma, let's dance."

Before quickly leading Jemma to the dance floor and away from Jason's ever-observant eyes. However, what neither Aaron or Jemma seemed to realize was that Jason's eyes weren't the eyes that were busy noticing what was taking place, Joshua's were. After his earlier conversation with his sister, he knew that there was more going on with Jemma than what even she knew. And, after observing the earlier exchange between Jason and Aaron Stempel, he had a pretty good guess as to just what that something might be, which would more than explain his sister's confusion. He knew that Jason was too full of excitement over winning the bet to really pay attention to the man, but Josh couldn't help but notice how, even when he was speaking to Jason, Aaron couldn't seem to take his eyes off of Jemma.

Josh wrestled with the temptation to go cut in and put himself between his sister and Stempel, but he couldn't fail to notice the look in Jemma's eyes as she was dancing, nor the smile that touched her eyes. Taking another moment to study the couple more closely, Josh couldn't help but notice the look of mutual adoration between the two, and despite his initial irritation over the realization of Aaron's interest in his sister, he couldn't deny the happiness that he saw in his sister's eyes. All of these thoughts were tumbling around in Joshua's head as Lottie came to stand beside him to offer;

"A penny for your thoughts, Joshua."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Josh shook his head;

"I'm not sure that they might not be worth a good deal more, at least to a certain someone."

Glancing in the direction of the couple that Joshua was studying so intently, Lottie placed her hand on Joshua's arm as she ventured;

"Joshua, she's not a little girl anymore. Not to mention; doesn't she deserve the chance to find her own happiness? I'm sure that she'd like the opportunity to take care of her own house and husband instead of keeping the house and taking care of her brothers."

Patting the woman's hand who had come to be a second mother to him and his siblings, Joshua acknowledged;

"I know she hopes and dreams for that, Lottie, even if she never complains about it. But, Lottie..."

Motioning discreetly to the subjects of their conversation, Lottie demanded;

"Joshua, look, I mean REALLY look, at how Aaron looks at your sister and tell me that you believe that his intentions are less than honorable."

Taking a few moments to do as Lottie had suggested, Joshua admitted;

"Alright, Lottie, I can't deny that you have a point on that score. But you forget, I'm not the brother that has any actual say in the matter."

Nodding towards Jason, who was engaged in conversation with Ben and Emily Perkins, Joshua advised;

"THAT'S the brother that has to be convinced. And, given his and Aaron's history, not to mention the age difference between Aaron and Jemma, I don't exactly see Jason being overly enthusiastic about the idea."

Standing her ground on her opinion, Lottie pointed out;

"Aaron is close to Jason in age, and what does that matter anyway if two people truly love each other. And, Joshua, despite everything, you know that, deep down inside, Aaron Stempel is a good and decent man who will take very good care of your sister."

Joshua turned to offer her a cynical look as he countered;

"Lottie, I'm not going to deny any of what you've just said, but I'm not the one that has to be convinced; am I?"

Tilting her head to the side as her blue eyes flashed angrily, Lottie admonished;

"No, but have you considered that, just maybe, having you on her side when Jason does find out, and believe me, he will find out, may well be just what Jemma needs?"

Relenting in his stubborn observations, Joshua nodded;

"Alright, Lottie, point taken."

Motioning towards the couple as the music was ending, Joshua couldn't help but notice the look of happiness that his sister wore as he asked;

"She really does look happy with him, doesn't she, Lottie?"

Looping her arm through his, Lottie nodded;

"Yes, Joshua, she really does, and I think that it would be such a shame if she weren't allowed the chance to take hold of that happiness because her brothers and the man she loves happen to be stubborn jackasses who enjoy butting heads from time to time."

Having said her piece, Lottie advised;

"I need to see to the other guests Joshua, why don't you find a pretty girl to dance with."

With that, she sauntered over to the bar to see to refilling the punch bowl. Sparing his sister a glance, Joshua decided to take Lottie up on her advice as he sought out Anna Marie to ask for a dance.

Despite her earlier aggravations, Jemma was enjoying herself beyond her own expectations as Aaron waltzed her across the floor. Offering a slight laugh of amusement, she ventured;

"You know, I wish that we had more dances like this, I'd almost forgotten just how good you are at it."

Twirling her around, as if to prove his statement, Aaron pointed out;

"You really shouldn't have you know, especially considering that I was the one who taught you how to dance."

Giggling at the memory, Jemma couldn't help but look at him in apology as she offered;

"I had almost forgotten, and considering just how horrible I was, I'm surprised that you willingly asked me to dance after that."

Pulling her slightly closer, Aaron leaned closer to her ear as he confessed;

"I think your memory and mine differ vastly on that point, my dear. As I recall, I was privileged to instruct a very lovely young lady in the art of dancing. And, coincidentally, I learned just how special and unique that lovely young lady was and was rewarded for my efforts by watching her grow into a very beautiful and amazing woman, who, by the way, I happen to be very much in love with."

Sensing where his admission was leading, Jemma's eyes widened as she softly demanded;

"Aaron, you wouldn't do what I'm afraid you're about to do; are you?"

When the music had stopped, Aaron took her hand to pull it through his arm as he offered;

"Wouldn't I?"

Seeing the worried look marring her features, Aaron glanced about, and noticing a quiet corner that was out of the way, he led her over to it before presenting his case;

"Jemma, I'm going to ask you an honest question and I want an honest answer. Do you love me?"

Taking a deep, steadying breath, her eyes full of pleading, she began;

"Aaron, you know that..."

Cutting off the remainder of her statement, he shook his head;

"No, Jemma, no explanation, no pleading why I shouldn't speak to Jason. It's a yes or no question; do you love me? Yes or no."

Leaning her head back slightly as she closed her eyes momentarily before biting at her bottom lip as she swallowed the lump of nervousness that had managed to lodge in her throat, Jemma offered a slight nod. Shaking his head, Aaron ordered;

"That's not good enough, Jemma. If you don't love me then that's one thing and I'll simply have to accept that and walk away from you, Miss Bolt."

His words having sparked fear in her at the thought of losing him, tears filled her eyes as she shook her head vehemently before pleading;

"No, Aaron, don't."

Making certain that no one was paying attention to them, she placed her hands against his vest as she confessed;

"Aaron, it's not that I don't love you because believe me, I do, and you know that. But it's just that, you know how Jason can be."

Ensuring that they were still unobserved and noticing how close they were to the storeroom door, Aaron ushered her inside the storeroom and closed the door as he settled her in a chair and questioned;

"Jemma, are you afraid of marrying me? Do you want to be my wife?"

She found herself shocked that she didn't even hesitate before answering;

"No, Aaron, I'm not afraid of marrying you, and yes, I do want to be your wife. But you have to know that this is not going to be something that Jason will readily give his consent or blessings to. I love you with all of my heart and soul, Aaron, but I'm sorry, I'm selfish, I don't want to lose my brother's either."

Lowering her head slightly, as if the hardwood below her chair might hold the answer to her dilemma, she took a deep breath before lifting her head to bring her eyes up to meet his, her stubborn nature showing in their emerald depths as she stated her position;

"But I can't be a little girl all of my life, hiding behind my big brothers and worrying that every action might bring them displeasure; can I?"

Shaking his head as he reached out to brush the tears away from her cheeks, he agreed;

"No, sweetheart, you can't."

Feeling the need to press the point, he rose to pull her from her chair before taking her in his arms and kissing her deeply. Lifting his head, Aaron stated, rather than asked;

"Now, let's go out there and talk to Jason and get this settled, right now. If I have my way, by next week you're going to be Mrs. Aaron Stempel."

Taking her hand he opened the door slightly and seeing that no one was paying attention, led her from the room as he searched the crowd. Finding Jason, he led her in the direction

of Jason's location and waited until he had concluded his conversation with Mathew Bolden before asking;

"Jason, could I speak to you for a second; in private?"

His curiosity heightened, Jason nodded as he motioned towards the bar as he offered;

"I don't see why not, Aaron. Let me buy you a drink."

Giving Jemma's hand a slight squeeze, he released his grasp as he followed Jason's lead and joined him at the bar. Before she could consider the enormity of what was taking place, Jemma found her attention distracted as Candy approached her with a cup of punch to inquire;

"Jemma, are you alright?"

Turning to the girl who had quickly become her best friend, Jemma shook her head;

"I'm not really sure, Candy."

Noticing Jason and Aaron in conversation, Candy wondered aloud;

"I wonder what they're discussing, Mr. Stempel seems so serious, and, uh oh."

Turning towards the bar, Jemma understood the wide-eyed look on Candy's face as she recognized her brother's scowl of anger. Closing her eyes, she muttered;

"I have a fairly accurate idea as to the subject, Candy."

Before she could say anything more, Jason's voice could be heard, booming over the sound of the music, which quickly came to an abrupt halt as he thundered;

"YOU WANT TO DO WHAT?!"

Quickly, she pushed her cup into Candy's hand as she pleaded;

"Here, hold this please, Candy."

Making her way across the space, she joined the two men at the bar as she begged;

"Jason, please, calm down."

Turning, his eyes flashing with barely restrained anger, Jason demanded;

"Calm down, calm down! Do you have any idea what he just asked me?"

Realizing what her silence meant as well as the look he saw in her eyes and how incredibly pale she seemed to go, Jason accused;

"You knew! You knew didn't you?"

Taking her by her shoulders, Jason gave her a slight shake as he demanded sharply;

"Pixie, don't you realize why he wants to marry you? He lost the bet and owning one-quarter of Bridal Veil Mountain is better than owning none of it."

Finding her patience at an end as well as her frustration at its peak with her brother's callous assessment of her worth, Jemma's eyes flashed fire as she spoke in a tone that conveyed her extreme displeasure as she advised;

"Then I guess my true value must be dwindling rapidly, Jason. Because by your standards, a little more than a year ago, when Aaron first proposed to me, I was worth all of Bridal Veil Mountain and now, a little more than a year later, I'm only worth one fourth as much."

His anger with her statement evident, Jason's fingers dug into her shoulders in frustration as he fumed;

"Jemma Elise Bolt, are you telling me that you've known for more than a year that this, man, wants to marry you, and you didn't say anything?"

Noticing how she was wincing from the grip of iron that her brother had on her slight shoulders, Aaron grew angry as he snatched Jason's wrist in a grip of iron as he ordered;

"For God's sake, Bolt, she's your sister, you're hurting her."

Having heard the ruckus, Jeremy and Joshua rushed over to see what was taking place with their eldest and youngest siblings. Knowing the situation, Joshua rushed to his sister's aid as he pried Jason's other hand from Jemma's small shoulders as Jeremy turned to Candy to demand;

"What happened?"

Shrugging her eyes wide, Candy shook her head;

"I'm not really sure, Jeremy. But from what I can understand, Aaron Stempel wants to marry your sister and Jason isn't very happy about it."

Once Joshua and Aaron had gotten through to Jason and he had turned loose his hold on Jemma, Jason noticed how Aaron placed his arms protectively around his sister's shoulders as he turned to accuse;

"For God's sake, Bolt, she's your sister. Was that really necessary? If you're so frustrated that you feel the need to strike out, then you strike out at me. And I don't care if she's your sister or not, NEVER again put your hands on Jemma the way that you just did, or you and I will be settling the matter on a more permanent basis."

His temper having reached its end, Jason turned to Aaron to roar;

"I never would have done that had it not been for you, Stempel. Despite all of our disagreements over the years, I never thought that you would have stooped this low, to use my sister in this manner."

Noticing Lottie and Candy behind them, Aaron gently pushed Jemma into their waiting and protective embrace as he narrowed his eyes to slits of anger as he stepped closer to Jason and issued in a low and dangerous tone;

"I would NEVER do anything like what you've just accused me of, Bolt. I want to marry Jemma because I love her, not because I want your damned mountain or anything else from you except your blessing and Jemma's hand in marriage."

Crossing his arms stubbornly over his chest, Jason shook his head emphatically as he accused;

"I don't believe you, Stempel. I think that this is just another one of your schemes and my sister is the one paying the price for whatever it is that you have up your sleeve this time."

Shaking her head, Jemma pleaded;

"Jason, please, you really don't know what you're saying."

Turning on his sister, Jason ordered sharply;

"Be quiet, Jemma, this has nothing to do with you. This is between Stempel and me, you're just being used as a bargaining chip, you just don't realize or understand that."

Jemma wasn't certain which one had reached its limit first; her anger or her pain at her brother's words. Slowly, she approached her brother, her feelings evident by the bright flash in her eyes as well as the tears that had begun falling from her eyes as she stated in a quiet, defeated voice;

"That's all I've ever really been to you, isn't it, Jason? The baby sister that you have never believed had any worth, for anyone, and who, apparently, you also believe too stupid to think for herself or make her own decisions. I never thought, until tonight, that you thought that way or felt that way about me, I guess that really does make me a fool, doesn't it?"

Turning as she lifted the hem of her gown in both hands, Jemma ran for the door and outside, leaving everyone shocked by what they had witnessed. Aaron was the first to recover his shock as he turned to follow until Jason grabbed his arm to stall him as he demanded;

"And just where do you think you're going, Stempel?"

Turning to glare heatedly at his adversary, Aaron shook Jason's hand from his arm as he thundered;

"Obviously, Bolt, I'm going after her, she shouldn't be out there by herself and definitely not in the condition that she just left in."

Relenting somewhat, hoping to ease the situation, if for no other reason than to help secure Jemma's peace of mind, Aaron stated emphatically;

"Look, Bolt, Jason, I know that you and I have butted heads in the past and I also know that there are occasions when I've given you plenty of reasons to feel as you do. But I swear to you on everything that I hold dear, which includes your sister, I have no schemes or plans, save that of making Jemma, my wife. Now, I don't like the idea of her out there in the dark as upset as she is and, whether you like it or not, I'm going after her."

Jason stood silent in indecision for a moment before taking a step as if to follow when Joshua stepped in front of him to put his hand against his brother's shoulder as he shook his head;

"No, Jason, let them be."

Turning on his brother, Jason demanded incredulously;

"What do you mean, 'let them be', Joshua? Do you understand what he wants?"

Nodding, Joshua replied;

"Yes, Jason, although I didn't realize it until earlier tonight, but I do realize what it is he wants; he wants to marry Jemma. And, if you actually paid attention you would realize that she wants to marry him. I know that we've had differences with Aaron in the past, Jason, but where do we have the right to stand in the way of her happiness? I watched them tonight when they were dancing, and I don't know how we didn't see it before, but those two are the picture of love."

Narrowing his gaze as he watched Aaron head for the door, Jason found that he had to put his anger and hurt aside as a scream could be heard a few moments before Biddie Cloom rushed through the door in a state of extreme agitation and near hysteria, screaming at the top of her lungs;

"OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!, THIS IS DREADFUL THIS IS TERRIBLE, THEY TOOK HER! THE BIG ONE JUST SNATCHED HER UP AND THEY RODE OFF!"

Aaron was in the process of passing by her when her words set off an alarm of panic that sent his heart beating faster than a steam locomotive at full speed. Panic spurring his actions, he grabbed Biddie by the arms to turn her to face him as he demanded sharply;

"TOOK WHO, BIDDIE? WHO DID THEY SNATCH! AND WERE YOU THE ONE WHO JUST SCREAMED?!"

Although he asked the question, in the pit of his stomach he already knew the answer before Biddie wailed;

"JEMMA! THEY TOOK JEMMA! IT WAS HER SCREAMING!"

Rushing forward, Jason, Joshua, Jeremy, and Candy circled her as Candy asked, the panic for her friend evident in her voice;

"Biddie, what happened?"

Placing her hand over her chest to slow her heart as well as calm herself, Biddie began;

"Well, I had just left the dormitory when I noticed Jemma running from here and I could tell that she was crying and upset. She ran towards the trail leading to the lake and I decided to follow to make sure that she was alright. I had almost caught up to her when four men on horses came out of the woods and circled her. She tried to fight them off but the big one snatched her up and they road off."

His fear for Jemma's safety increasing, Aaron demanded;

"Did you see who it was, Biddie, did you recognize any of them?"

Nodding solemnly, Biddie swallowed the lump of fear in her throat as she explained;

"Yes, Mr. Stempel,

I did. It was that nasty old Mr. Harmon and his three sons, the one who didn't speak, the big one, he's the one who took her."

Aaron and Jason exchanged twin looks that conveyed their fear and worry over Jemma's predicament, however, neither had time to speak as Jeremy demanded;

"What are we going to do, Jason? You know how the Harmons are, and we have no idea why they would have taken Jemma."

Before Jason could speak, Aaron fumed;

"What's it matter the reason why they did it, let's just focus on getting her back before they can hurt her."

Everyone, having gathered to assess the seriousness of the situation, Big Swede demanded;

"We'll all go with you, Jason, we'll get her back."

His mind racing, trying to formulate the plan that would see to Jemma's safe return, Aaron turned to Jason to venture;

"We have to put our differences aside, Jason. You and I both know that if we take a big group to go after them the likelihood of surprising them and of getting Jemma back in one piece, let alone safe and sound, will be almost impossible."

His temper rising in indignation, Jeremy interjected;

"You're not going without us, Stempel. She's our sister and there's no way that we're not going; besides, there's four of them."

Jason, having remained silent up to that point and intently scrutinizing Aaron's sincerity, nodded as he issued;

"You're right, Jeremy, there are four of us. You and Joshua are coming with us, be ready and to go in the next ten minutes."

Turning to Lottie and Candy, he requested;

"Ladies, would you mind?"

Shaking their heads in unison, Lottie simply asked;

"Will four or five days provisions be enough, Jason?"

Nodding, he motioned to his brothers and Aaron as he advised;

"Let's get ready."

Allowing the others to precede him out the door, Jason placed a restraining hand on Aaron's arm after they left the saloon to advise;

"We're not finished with our discussion, Stempel. But we'll table that topic until Jemma is back safe, where she belongs."

Even in the dark, Aaron's aggravation was evident as he issued;

"Bolt, I could care less about your opinion, aside from how it affects Jemma. But I'm not so stubborn or bull-headed that I'm willing to put her at risk, and you're right, we need to table our discussion until we have her back where she belongs, safe and sound. But make no mistake, we WILL be having that conversation."

Turning in the direction of his house, Aaron threw over his shoulder;

"I'll be ready in five minutes, Bolt, if you and your brothers aren't then you can catch up."

Jason watched as Aaron quickly stalked off and found himself absently wondering if he had not seriously underestimated his adversary in this case. Dropping the line of thought for the moment, he hurried to join his brothers at their cabin to prepare for their journey.