CHAPTER 3

"Jeremy, I brought you some supper," Lottie exclaims as she enters the room to see Jeremy sitting by Candy's side, holding her hand with their fingers intertwined. "Any change?"

Shaking his head no he answers, "No, nothing. Thanks Lottie, but I'm not hungry."

"Well young man, you're going to eat whether you're hungry or not. Candy would want you to eat. Plus, you're going to need to keep your strength up for when she wakes up." She sets the food tray on the small table in front of the window.

"You really think she's going to wake up, Lottie?" Jeremy asks.

"Why of course she will. You haven't given up hope, have you?"

"No, I just wish she would hurry and wake up. I need to see those beautiful blue eyes of hers."

Lottie laughs.

"What's so funny about that?"

"Nothing, not a thing. It's just, while you were gone Candy said the same thing about your eyes."

"She did?"

"Yes, she certainly did. She had come over to the saloon to see if I needed any help. She was lonesome and missing you terribly. She said, "I wish Jeremy were here. I miss him and those beautiful blue eyes of his."

Jeremy slightly chuckles as he raises Candy's hand to his lips and kisses her fingertips. "All right, Miss Pruitt. I'm here. Open those blue eyes so you can see my blue eyes."

Lottie sighs, "Come over here Jeremy and eat before the stew gets cold. I'll sit by her side while you eat."

Jeremy reluctantly rises and goes to the table to eat. He hurriedly begins to eat so he can get back to Candy's side. "Slow down Jeremy, you're going to choke to death. Candy's not going anywhere. Take your time."

Jeremy nods his head and slowly eats the rest of his meal. When finished, Lottie says, "I know you must be feeling the call of nature by now. Go tend to your needs, stretch those legs, and get some fresh air."

"But. . ."

"No buts about it. Go! I've got this until you get back."

"Thanks Lottie. I'll hurry," Jeremy replies.

"I'm sure you will," Lottie laughs.

After tending to his needs, Jeremy literally runs over to the church and enters. He goes up and sits on the front pew. Bowing his head, he begins, "Dear Lord, I don't really know where to start. I know you already know what's in my heart and on my mind. Candy. Lord, I love her so much. I want to marry her and raise a family with her. She is my everything. Please dear Lord, please let her wake up and recover from this horrible accident. I honestly don't know what I'd do without her. She doesn't deserve to die like this. She's so young and vibrant and. . .and full of love and. . ." He pauses. "Candy. . .just please bring her back to me. Thank you dear Lord for your many blessings. Amen."

Jeremy sits down beside Lottie as he takes Candy's hand again. "Feel better?" Lottie asks.

"Yes, I do. Thank you."

"Jeremy, if you need to talk, I'm here to listen. It wasn't so long ago when you were feeling down that you'd run into my arms and tell me what was bothering you. I'd hold you while you let all the hurt and tears out."

"Lottie, I'm not that little boy anymore. I'm a grown man, now," Jeremy sighs.

"I know that Jeremy, but you'll always be that little boy to me. I loved you then and I love you now. Sometimes, even a grown man needs a hug and for someone to listen to him."

Jeremy smiles and lays his head on her shoulder. "Maybe you're right, Lottie. I always felt better after you held me and talked to me. I guess that's what mother's are for, right? You have always been like a mother to me. I barely remember my own mother. I was so young when she passed."

"I'm glad you feel that way, Jeremy because you're like my own son. All three of you Bolt boys are my family. If I can ever do anything for any of you, you know I will."

"I know." Jeremy kisses her cheek. "Lottie, what do I do if Candy never wakes up?"

"Well Jeremy, it will be hard, but you will pull yourself up and move on. That's what Candy would want you to do. She wouldn't want you to go back into your shell."

"But Lottie, how do I move on without her? I can't."

"Let's don't think about that unless we have to. Candy is a fighter and I just know she's fighting to come back to us. . .to you."

"I hope so. I just can't imagine life without her, my beautiful Miss Pruitt."

Lottie gives him a big hug. "None of us can. Hopefully, we won't have to. Jeremy, Allyn brought that cot in for you while you were gone. Are you sure you want to stay here tonight? You can go home and get some rest. I'll be glad to stay with Candy. I'll let you know if anything happens."

"Thanks Lottie, but I need to be here with her. I know she would do the same for me. I'll be all right. This is just something I have to do. Will you tell Jason and Josh that I'm staying with Candy tonight? I'll see them both in the morning."

"All right Jeremy, I'll let them know. You do try to get some rest." Lottie gives Jeremy another hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Lottie." He watches her leave, then leans over and kisses Candy's lips. "I'll be right here beside you. I love you. I love you so much." He kisses her again, then moves the cot right next to Candy's bed. He lays down facing Candy and holds her hand, intertwining their fingers. "Goodnight Beautiful."