True Love for Joshua
Part III
Chapter 21
At the Seattle jail, the 'prisoner' was fidgeting and was in general not happy or patient about his situation.
"Would you please ask one of those Bolt brothers to come here and explain why I am detained in this dreary cell? I daresay I could at least be let out without the threat of running away."
Corky, who was 'on duty' at the time, said, "Sure, I can do that - especially since the Circuit judge is on his way."
Mr. Smithers expressed some alarm at that. "Then I really, really need to talk to Mr. Jason Bolt right away!"
"OK, then." Corky opened the door to the jail and hollered, "Sam! Can you get Jason down here for a minute? I think the prisoner may just want to confess now before the Marshal gets here."
"I said no such thing, young man!" argued Mr. Smithers. He plunked back down on the hard bench inside the cell.
Jason was glad he had been called down to see Mr. Smithers, for he indeed wanted a chance to let the man confess to the contract swapping and fine print regarding the delay penalties.
He strolled into the jail and said, "Thank you, Corky - I probably would have headed over here in a little while anyway."
"You want me to leave you two alone?" asked Corky.
"No, no - that won't be necessary. In fact, I'd like a witness to stick around, to help keep the facts and deposition straight."
"OK," replied Corky, and sat himself down again at the Sheriff's desk.
Jason began: "Well, Mr. Smithers, what did you want to talk to me about - specifically?"
"Well, I.. I - er - I want you to know I did NOT touch that Cloom lady!"
"Oh?" replied Jason."Then looks must be deceiving, considering what we saw when we happened upon you two."
"There was absolutely NOTH—"
"Mr. Smithers, let's change the topic to a more pressing one. Why did you switch out the original contract with a sticky one with forged signatures? I'd really like to know your motive. In fact, do you even WORK for the Portland firm that secured our bid?"
"Well, my oh my," Mr. Smithers spat out. "It sounds to me like you are playing both the prosecutor and the judge. I want to talk to a lawyer first before I answer any of that line of questioning,"
"Oh, well, then - what did you bring me down here for?" asked Jason innocently.
"Well, I wanted to - wanted to - oh, blast it! I'm all befuddled now!"
"Well, then, Mr. Smithers, I think I best leave you to sorting out your thoughts before the Circuit judge gets here. We'll try and scare up a lawyer for you, IF we can find one. Good day, sir!" With that, Jason grabbed his jacket and left the jail to go back to work.
Chapter 22
The day of Bonnie's funeral was rainy, with occasional brief storms.
"I thought it would have been more of a lovely day, to honor Bonnie's entrance into heaven," sighed Clara.
Josh smiled as he showed Clara to her seat. He was thankful that this was not a graveside service, for he didn't want anyone coming down with pneumonia.
The chapel was packed. People had known Joseph and Bonnie for decades. They were very well-liked in the community. Clara, too, was considered part of the Fisher family.
The service was beautiful. They were able to hire a singer who sang so beautifully that it eased much of their pain and sorrow. Each sung note felt like a healing balm had been poured over them.
When the service concluded, the guests let Clara, Josh, and Joseph process out first, then they all followed them to the reception area. Again, Josh's eyes grew wide at the opulence of the food assortment. As the attendees came up to console Joseph and Clara, Clara would take a peek at Josh now and then, to make sure he was still there. She was having a harder time with this than she thought. She actually did feel like the Fisher's daughter, loving the couple as much as she did.
A few people came over to Josh before being seated at a table, and they commented on his distinguished appearance. They could not quite figure out why he was there, but they all noticed Bonnie's large diamond on Clara's finger.
"Mr. Bolt," asked one woman with a shrewish face, "I see Clara wasted no time in displaying Bonnie's rather large diamond. Did you know about that?"
"Yes, Ma'am, I do know about it. Joseph gave it to me as an engagement ring for Clara. They wanted to keep it in the family, and I guess I will soon become family!"
"Oh, I see…." they each said when they realized that all was strictly on the up-and-up. A few of the Fisher's friends stopped to chat with Joshua, but it was mainly lip service just to say hello. He was just as glad that their greetings and chats were brief.
As the last person filed out of the reception area, Clara wilted. Josh thought she might faint, so he ran to her side and bolstered her up. She smiled weakly and finally sat down.
"It just dawned on me that both of you stood during the entire reception. You two must be exhausted," Josh noted.
"You stood for the entire reception, too, Joshua," Clara noted.
"Well, yes; I suppose that's why I feel a bit 'wrung out' now myself."
"Let's retire to the house, and spend a quiet evening together," suggested Joseph.
"That sounds like a perfect idea, sir," exclaimed Josh, as he took Clara's arm and helped her into the carriage.
The clouds had parted during the reception, and as the sun was starting to set, a beautiful rainbow arched across the sky.
"Oh, my, I do believe that's Bonnie telling us Hello and that she's fine," conjectured Joseph. They all smiled at that thought, for at least one bright moment had finally occurred during that gray, dismal day.
Chapter 23
In Seattle, the Circuit judge arrived on the stagecoach in the morning.
He went straight to Lottie's, where all was set up for the trial.
The place wasn't packed, per sé, but there were enough townspeople interested in the hearing that the Saloon was a bit stuffy.
Lottie brought the judge a tall glass of water. "Thank you, Lottie," he replied.
He remarked, "Now, ladies and gentlemen, since this is not a federal hearing, I want ONLY those people associated with this case to stay; all others must leave."
Everyone raised their eyebrows, but they complied. Less than half of the attendees remained in the saloon. Biddie asked Candy to stay with her, and she did, holding her gloved hand with her own. The stuffiness cleared.
"Now, I gather we are here to discuss a case concerning a Mr. Carl Smithers and the Bolt Brothers Logging Company, the Stempel Lumber Mill, and a Miss Biddie Cloom; is that correct?"
"Yes, your honor," chimed in both Aaron and Jason.
"Where is the defendant?" asked the judge.
"Here, your Honor," replied Mr. Smithers, dolefully.
"You haven't retained a lawyer, Mr. Smithers?" asked Judge Weems.
"They couldn't find one for me."
"Oh - I'm sorry to hear that. It seems as if Seattle will have to grow a bit more to include more of these professionals. I will take your defense statement later, Mr. Smithers."
"Thank you, Your Honor," mumbled Mr. Smithers.
The judge continued;
"All right, then. Who would like to present the case first?"
"I will, Your Honor," replied Jason.
He and Aaron then proceeded to tell the judge all about the fake contract pages, the sticky maple syrup, the forged signatures, and the deadlines, which all were not printed in the original contract. Jeremy produced the original contract and handed it to the judge, so he could compare the two documents.
"Well, this is pretty blatant. You said you signed only the original one, Mr. Bolt?"
"Yes, Your Honor, but Mr. Stempel here was given only the fake contract."
"Now, why on earth would anyone go to these lengths to…. Mr. Smithers, do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"I didn't do anything wrong, Your Honor," he replied haughtily.
Lottie laughed out loud. "Oh, you didn't? I heard you give me a full confession in that jail just the other night, Mr. Smithers."
"Nobody else heard any such confession!" shouted Mr. Smithers.
"We did!" Aaron, Jason & Jeremy all said in unison.
"Whaaa…? Oh, I've been hornswoggled!" moaned Mr. Smithers.
"You didn't think I'd let you talk freely without witnesses, do you? You really are a weasel, Mr. Smithers," retorted Lottie.
Mr. Smithers had nothing to say. All the evidence was definitely quite obvious, and obviously not in his favor.
"We also have a complaint from a Miss Biddie Cloom," the judge announced.
"Oh, that would be me." Biddie stood up tall.
You were accosted by the defendant?" Judge Weems asked.
"Well, not exactly, Your Honor. Mr. Smithers startled me when he grabbed me, and he tried to kiss me against my will (sort of)." She whispered the last two words under her breath.
"You were not physically harmed then, Miss Cloom?"
"Oh, no, Your Honor. I was quite unscathed," replied Biddie.
"Do you wish to press any charges against the defendant, Miss Cloom?" inquired the Judge.
"No, Your Honor. I would just like to forget the whole thing."
"Then consider it all forgotten, Miss Cloom, and I'm very glad you are all right," said the Judge.
Judge Weems finally said; "I only have one question for the defendant," he added. "Please stand, sir." Carl Smithers stood.
"Please tell me, sir - why on earth would you hatch a scheme like this?"
"Well, Your Honor," Mr. Smithers replied, shakily. "I, uh… I didn't feel like I was being treated fairly or paid enough by my employer, Sir."
"The Portland, Oregon Lumber Company…?"
"Yes, Your Honor. They were asking me to do more and more work without any pay raise to match, so I figured I could pocket some kind of raise through deadline penalties at the Logging Company."
The Judge sighed. "I don't know how you did this subterfuge, and I don't care. I do think you went out on a far, far limb to try and achieve something so elementary that it could be solved by a child."
"Yes, Your Honor; I obviously don't have much experience in subterfuge…"
"Well, lack of experience or not, Mr. Smithers, I find you guilty of all charges, and you will have to pay dearly for your actions. I sentence you to six months in prison, which ought to be a hard enough lesson for you."
"Six months?! I won't have any job when I get out of there!" wailed Mr. Smithers.
The Judge quickly replied, "You won't have a job even before you set one foot in your cell, Mr. Smithers. We are going to inform your employer about your shenanigans, and advise them to grant bonuses for both the Bolt Brothers and Mr. Stempel, for all the trouble you caused."
Mr. Smithers just wrung his hands, whimpered, and sat down.
"Well, fair citizens of Seattle, this court is now adjourned."
He tapped his gavel on the table and asked, "Miss Lottie, may I bother you for a drink?"
"Not only a drink, your honor, but lunch!" Lottie beamed and retired to make everyone a hearty lunch.
"Mr. Smithers, do you have all of your belongings packed up and ready to go?" asked Jason.
"No, sir, I need to gather them together."
Jason turned to Jeremy and said, "Jeremy, why don't you accompany Mr. Smithers and make sure he has every piece of paper, clothing, and what-not packed?"
Jason then turned to the judge. "Your Honor, the next stage out is tomorrow mid-morning. Why don't you relax and spend the rest of today day among friends in this beautiful pine country?"
"Well, I don't mind if I do!" replied Judge Weems.
ssssssssss
The rest of the day was just as beautiful as Jason foretold. Mr. Smithers spent the rest of his time in the town jail, worrying about his future, now that it was ruined. He wanted to kick himself for not thinking of something more complicated and devious than what these yokels had figured out so quickly.
As the afternoon turned to dusk, a beautiful carriage came into town and stopped in front of the dormitory. Josh exited and helped Clara down. She was followed by Joseph Fisher, who looked well despite his immense sorrow.
"Well, if it isn't the Lovebirds!" said Jason, heartily. Everyone nearby gathered 'round them. Candy and Biddie each gave Clara a huge, sincere hug. Even the men came over and hugged both Josh and Clara.
"You must be Mr. Fisher," Jason said, at last. "Please accept my sincerest sympathy for the loss of your wife. I'm surprised but very glad you decided to come to Seattle for a while."
"You must be Jason Bolt," said Joseph, shaking his hand sincerely. "I decided to accompany these two and visit your town while I had the opportunity. It also is a blessing to be out of the house for a few days."
Judge Weems overheard the conversation and came up to greet Mr. Fisher.
"Excuse me, sir, but are you THE Joseph Fisher from Tacoma?"
"Oh, dear, what a reputation I must have, to be known away from my home area!" replied Joseph.
"Actually, sir, it is a glowing reputation that you have had for decades. I'm honored to meet you. I worked with Bonnie on many a fundraiser over the years. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. She was quite a remarkable woman."
"Ah, yes, she was," replied Joseph, with tears forming in his eyes.
Josh and Clara then approached the small crowd. "Judge Weems, I'd like you to meet my fiancée, Miss Clara Porter."
"Fiancée?!" all the men and brides exclaimed at once.
"Yes, I decided after Bonnie passed that I could not see my future without this lovely lady at my side. She actually accepted my proposal, believe it or not!"
The whole crowd gathered around the couple, then Clara lifted her left ring finger to show off the ring.
"My - where did you find that incredible diamond?" asked Aaron.
"Actually, it was Bonnie's," interjected Mr. Fisher. "She handed it to me just before she passed. She wanted it 'kept in the family,' so to speak, and I'm proud to include Joshua in our family now,"
Everyone applauded the happy couple. They knew there were some big parties in their future…
Chapter 24
"Are you sure you wouldn't like a woman to accompany you on this trip?" Candy asked Clara again.
"Oh, I'm fine with just Joseph accompanying me. I have wanted to spend some quality time with him, especially since he is now all alone… you do understand, don't you?"
"Of course I do!" replied Candy. "Maybe if you can't decide on a wedding dress right now, we can return together so I can get some ideas as well…."
The ladies both chuckled at that. "Candy, what is holding up your wedding, may I ask? I'm sorry; I don't want to pry," said Clara.
"Well, there have been a few 'false starts,' so to speak. I just want both of us to be very, very sure about this. My little sister and brother are coming to visit soon, so I want to make sure Jeremy feels comfortable with them, too, and vice versa. I mean, it's not like we're planning to have them living with us or anything, but it would still be nice to have the ice broken, so to speak."
"Yes, I understand completely. I'll send you a telegram when I find the perfect dress!"
Clara firmly told Josh that he was NOT allowed to accompany them, even though Joseph (she started calling him 'father' now) could be a chaperone.
"Do you know just how much bad luck it would be to see my wedding dress before the big day?" Clara demanded. "Especially if I'm modeling it for father?"
"I can't think of any 'bad luck' surrounding either you or me at this point. Well…I'll be counting the hours until you both return."
"I will, too," said Clara softly. They kissed deeply, then she and Joseph boarded the Shamus O'Flynn, and Clancy pushed off the dock, sailing into a setting sun.
ssssssssss
As soon as Clara and Joseph were settled in their San Francisco hotel rooms, they met at the hotel restaurant for supper.
"Well, my dear, are you going to do any actual shopping while you're here?" asked Joseph.
"I don't know, father - I've got so many doctors' appointments lined up that I fear I won't have time to check even one store."
"I'm hoping for the best, dear Clara. Try to keep the faith and think positive. Miracles do happen, you know. How else would you have come into our lives?"
"Thank you, father. Do you really not mind if I call you father?" she asked.
"I am honored, sweet girl. Bonnie and I have always considered ourselves your parents, especially when you lost yours at such a young age. In fact, you can call me anything you like!" he chuckled.
"Hmm.. I'll see what liberties I can take with that suggestion…." she laughed back.
"Well, we better get some rest. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow."
"What are you going to do while I'm at all those appointments?" Clara asked.
"Well, I do have a bit of business to do here in San Francisco, but that should not take too long. After that, I might just stroll around the city. It has been quite a few years since Bonnie and I took our honeymoon here."
"Do you think Joshua and I should come here for our honeymoon?" asked Clara.
"My dear, anywhere on this globe will be an appropriate place for your honeymoon. You two will be so wrapped up in each other that all you need is a place big enough to hug and kiss."
Clara softly said, "Mmmm… that sounds nice."
The next day, Clara had five doctor's appointments in a row. All of them were highly recommended, and all said they needed to see her in two days to discuss their test results.
Bonnie met up with Joseph at a trendy new restaurant in town.
"My, some things have certainly changed in fifty years!" exclaimed Joseph. The restaurant was very elegant, with crystal chandeliers and the finest tablecloths, silverware, and stemware carefully placed at each setting.
"How was your day, my dear?" gently asked Joseph.
"Well, they all did a lot of tests, but they won't know the results until the day after tomorrow. I'm either going to have a wonderful day or a disastrous day…"
Joseph raised his wineglass and said, "Here's to a wonderful, perfect day!"
They clinked glasses and she pondered all the ramifications in her heart.
ssssssssss
The third day in San Francisco, Clara asked Joseph to accompany her to the doctors' offices to find out the test results. In office after office, the doctors gave her the same diagnosis. After the final doctor finished, she just laid her head on the doctor's desk and wept.
"Clara, my dear," Joseph said, trying to sound optimistic, "you do know that doctors can sometimes be wrong."
"But all five of them? Clara demanded, with tears streaming down her face.
"You also know that miracles can happen," Joseph added.
"Not this big a miracle, father."
The rest of the time in San Francisco was spent shopping for gifts for all the new friends back in Seattle, especially Josh. Clara also found something special for Joseph. Her final day saw her walking up and down the storefronts, occasionally glancing at some beautiful wedding dresses, but not daring to be tempted by them. She found a perfect hat for Lottie, and even a special brand of whiskey for Clancy.
"Ready to shove off, me buckos?!" hollered Clancy. "We have to go out with the tide, ya's knows."
Clara walked slowly aboard the mule boat. Joseph was quite somber as well.
"Well, now, Missy - you seem loaded down with lovely gifts, but you don't seem to have a package that Joshua told you to buy. Did nothing please you in all them boutiques?"
"No, not a thing," Clara said as she ran sobbing to her cabin.
"Is something wrong with the Lass?" asked Clancy.
"Well, maybe. She has some serious things to discuss with Joshua when we return."
Clancy said nothing but gave them a "Fishy Eye" as Joseph retreated to his cabin as well.
Chapter 25
As soon as the Shamus O'Flynn came into port, Josh and many others ran down to the pier to welcome the travelers back.
Josh could tell that something was wrong the minute he looked at Clara. She looked like she was trying to smile, but it was such a weak smile that it could turn into tears at any moment.
He closed the distance between them as fast as he could. "Clara! I've missed you so much!" he exclaimed.
"I was gone less than a week, my dear fiancé," admonished Clara.
"Well, every day without you feels like a month now." He smiled as he whirled her around.
After putting her safely on the ground again, he asked, "Clara, what's wrong? You look so sad, and I noticed you didn't even have a certain package with you."
"Can we go somewhere private and talk, Joshua?" she asked softly.
"Of course!" Would you like anything to eat or drink first?" asked Josh.
"No, I'm fine, thank you," replied Clara.
They proceeded to walk away from town and up the East Ridge of the mountain.
ssssssssss
The couple reached a scenic point up on the East Ridge. You could see Bridal Veil Mountain a bit farther away than the other time Josh showed it to her, yet it still stood majestic.
Josh took her in his arms, faced her, and said, "Clara, please tell me what's bothering you. Surely we can do something about it."
Even though Clara tried to hold back tears, they streamed down her face.
She just told Josh, "Joshua, I may not be the right girl for you after all…"
"What? Nonsense!" replied Josh. "You're everything I've ever dreamed of! Why, we could bring about a whole new generation of Bolts to take care of this mountain long after we're gone, and…"
"Joshua, I can't do that."
"Do What? Get married? Have children? Why would you think that?"
"Because... I'm… barren….!" Clara sobbed. She tried running away, but Josh quickly came upon her. grabbed her by the arm, and turned her around to face him. "What do you mean, you're barren?" he asked, a bit confused.
"Well…" she said in-between choked sobs, " instead of shopping for wedding dresses as you asked me to, I spent day after day in doctors' offices, having them take labs and examine me. And they all concurred. I cannot have children."
"What makes them think that they can throw down that diagnosis so easily?" demanded Josh.
"Well, remember that childhood illness that robbed me of most of my sense of smell?" she asked Josh.
"Yes, I remember," he answered.
"Well, apparently that childhood illness was more severe than we thought. It also robbed me of my ability to have children."
Josh got very quiet for a moment. While he was thinking, Clara turned from him and ran as fast as she could down the mountainside. Josh was about to go after her as she disappeared around the corner, but held back, trying to absorb all the upsetting information she just told him.
Suddenly, a loud horse's neighing and a woman's loud, piercing scream immediately came from that direction. Josh ran as fast as he could down the mountainside to where Clara ran.
What he saw made him stop in his tracks and gasp. Clara was lying under a carriage wheel, her sternum crushed. She also had several contusions where the horses reared up over her. The driver was yelling. "I couldn't see her! I swear, I couldn't see her! She was running so fast, and we was driving so fast that…I just couldn't stop in time!"
By this time, many of the townspeople had gathered around the accident scene.
The carriage driver immediately backed the wheel off of Clara. Josh rushed to her side, and picked her up in his arms.
"Oh, Clara, my dearest Clara, can you breathe? Can you speak to me?" He lifted her closer to him and noticed she was gasping with every breath.
"Joshua?" she whispered very weakly.
"I'm right here, holding you," Joshua said gently.
"I can't feel you, or feel …anything." She looked up at him. She saw the tears streaming down his face. She managed to gasp, "Maybe… it's better this way… "
She pointed to the Mountain and gasped out, "Go, live your legacy…" and then whispered, "I love you…"
Then she went limp.
"No, No, Clara! Oh, Clara!" Joshua sobbed as he continued to hold her while rocking back and forth.
Mr. Fisher came forward and quietly knelt down next to Josh. He too began crying.
The scene seemed frozen in time for several minutes. Nobody moved. Then Jeremy and Candy came forward, and Jeremy put his hand on his brother's shoulder. Candy put her hand on Mr. Fisher's shoulder.
They all continued crying for the rest of the day.
sssssssss
That evening, people were moping around Lottie's, wishing they knew what to say to ease Josh's and Joseph's sorrow and pain. Josh returned Bonnie's ring to Joseph. "Clara and I won't be needing this now…."
Mr. Fisher asked Josh if it would be OK for him to take Clara back to Tacoma and bury her next to Bonnie. Josh thought about it for a minute. He was torn between wanting to still see her every day, no matter where she was laid to rest, and just wanting to close this chapter in his life. Eventually, he said, "Sure, Mr. Fisher, as long as I can go visit them whenever I'm in Tacoma."
"Certainly! I'll go with you," answered Joseph.
Jeremy quickly asked, "Are you sure you want to do that, Josh? She was going to be a Bolt, and deserves a space with the rest of our family."
"No, I think it would be better if she were near her family, in Tacoma."
With that, Josh stood up, turned, and slowly walked back to the Bolt brothers' cabin… alone once again.
The End