CHAPTER 9

Jeremy takes Candy's hand and hooks it into the fold of his arm. "Okay, Candy. Now we're going to go slowly down the gangplank." He feels Candy's hesitation as he takes a step forward. "It's all right, Candy. I've got you and I promise I won't let anything happen to you. You trust me, don't you?"

Candy whispers, "Yes, I trust you. I'm sorry, I'm just nervous and a little bit afraid."

"I understand. Let's try again," Jeremy says as he helps her down the ramp. "All right, watch your step. This is the last one. We're on land now. Feel better?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Jeremy! Candy! Over here!" they hear a familiar voice call out.

"Who is that, Jeremy?" Candy asks. "I've heard that voice before."

"Why it's Julie! Julie Stempel. How about that?" Jeremy laughs.

Julie hurries up to them. "It's so good to see you both. How was your trip?"

"Boring! I couldn't see anything that was happening," Candy complains.

Frowning and shaking his head slightly, Jeremy replies, "It was fine, Julie. What are you doing here? How'd you know we were coming to San Francisco?"

"Aaron wired me. I want you both to come home with me. You can stay at my place instead of a stuffy old hotel. I have bedrooms on the ground floor so you won't have to climb any stairs."

"That's very kind of you, Julie, but we don't want to be a bother. A hotel will be fine," Candy says.

"Nonsense! I won't take no for an answer. We have a lot of catching up to do," she turns and directs her driver to load Jeremy and Candy's trunks in the buggy.

"Do you mind staying at Julie's?" Candy whispers to Jeremy.

"No, it's fine with me. What about Allyn? Where is she anyways?" Jeremy asks as he scans the area for her.

"I'm right here," Allyn exclaims as she hurries up to them. "I'm going to go to the hospital to talk to Dr. Wise about how soon he can see you. I'll meet you at the hotel later."

Julie comes back and hears the conversation. "Oh, you must be Dr. Wright. I've heard so much about you. I'm Julie Stempel. Candy and Jeremy are going to be staying at my home. You can stay at my place too." She turns and informs her driver to load Allyn's trunk also.

"Oh well, I wasn't expecting this. You're Aaron's sister, aren't you?" Allyn inquires.

"Guilty as charged," Julie laughs. "Please don't hold that against me. You can call me Julie."

"And you can call me Allyn. Thank you so much for your hospitality."

After getting settled in, Allyn leaves for the hospital while Jeremy goes to order some supplies for Bolt brothers Logging. Julie and Candy sit in the parlor and have tea while they talk.

After an hour or so, Julie finally brings up Candy's accident. "Candy, Aaron told me about your accident. I'm so sorry."

"Thank you. I don't know if I'll ever get use to this."

"Maybe I shouldn't ask you this, no never mind," Julie changes her mind.

"No, go ahead and ask," Candy replies.

"Well, okay. I was just wondering what it's like. To be blind, I mean."

Candy sighs loudly. "It's torture. I hate not being able to see what's going on right in front of me. Everything is just pitch black. I can't move without bumping into something. From the time I get up until the time I go to bed, I'm in limbo. I can't cook, I can't sew, I can't wash clothes, I can't do anything. Why, I can't even fix my bath or do my hair. Someone else has to pick out my clothes. Oh Julie, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy."

"I'm sorry things are so bad for you, but Jeremy seems to help you out a lot."

"He does, bless his heart. I don't know what I'd do without Jeremy. He's so patient with me. But I know this isn't easy on him. I'm so glad he got to go off on his own today. He needed some time to himself, to do whatever he wants to do. He was cooped up on that boat having to tend to me for a solid week. I don't know how much longer he can take it. He shouldn't be a caregiver to me for the rest of his life. That's not fair to him," Candy begins to cry.

"As much as he loves you, I'm sure he doesn't mind," Julie says. "Besides, this Doctor Wise may have the remedy."

Wiping her eyes, Candy replies, "Oh, I hope so. If he doesn't, I don't know what I'll do. I can't live like this and I don't want Jeremy to either."

"What will you do?" Julie asks.

"Well, I've been thinking a lot about this. If. . . .wait, Jeremy are you here?" Candy asks as she starts sniffing the air.

Jeremy laughs. "How did you know I was here?"

"Because I smelled you."

A surprised look comes over Jeremy's face. "You smelled me? Do I smell that bad? Maybe I should take a bath."

"No, I don't mean you stink. But you have this wonderful smell about you, a woodsy, spicy, manly aroma." She holds her hand out to him and he comes over, takes her hand and sits beside her. "I love the way you smell."

"Hmm, so I guess this means I can't sneak up on you," he laughs.

"I guess not. Did you get your order filled for the camp?"

"Yes, I did. Now I'm all yours for the rest of our time here," he answers.

"Oh Jeremy, you don't have to spend all your time with me. I want you to enjoy your time here. Go out and do things that you usually do when you come here."

"Candy, spending time with you is my enjoyment. I couldn't enjoy myself without you," he leans over and kisses her cheek.

"Knock, knock," Allyn says as she rushes into the room. "Candy, I have great news. Dr. Wise says he will meet with you at nine o'clock tomorrow morning."

"That soon? Oh Jeremy, I'm so nervous," Candy states.

"It's all right, Candy. I'm nervous too but you can count on me to help you through this."

Candy nods her head. "So you're going with me?"

"Of course. You don't think I'd let you go through this alone, do you?"

"I was hoping you would go with me. I don't think I can do this without you."

Jeremy squeezes her hand. "You won't have to." Looking at Allyn Jeremy asks, "So did the good doctor say anything else?"

"No, there's nothing he could say without examining Candy. I think you'll like him," Allyn states.

"Excuse me, but it's almost time for dinner," Julie says. "You have about thirty minutes to freshen up."

Jeremy helps Candy up and escorts her to her room. Allyn then takes Candy's arm and tells Jeremy, "I'll take it from here. We'll see you shortly."

"Yes, you will. You can count on it," he chuckles as he goes to his room.