CHAPTER 5

Jeremy is sitting at Candy's side, resting his head on the bed holding her hand. She has not woken up since her collapse the day before. Allyn told Jeremy that Candy is just exhausted and needs plenty of rest.

"Jeremy," he hears faintly while a hand runs through his hair.

Raising his head, he looks into the most beautiful blue eyes he has ever seen as tears spring to his eyes. "Candy, oh thank God!" he says excitedly kissing her hand. "How do you feel?"

Looking confused she asks, "Jeremy, where am I? What happened?"

"You're at Allyn's. You collapsed on my front porch."

Touching her head where the gash is, Jeremy tells her, "You hit your head on the door, but Allyn says you're going to be all right. Does your head hurt?"

"A little. Not too much." Remembering what had happened, she gasps. "Oh Jeremy, I'm so sorry," she says as tears start to fall.

"I know and I'm sorry, too. We both said some things that we really didn't mean. Let's forget it and move on." He leans in and Candy meets him half way, wrapping their arms around each other and enjoying a tender kiss. "Allyn gave me strict orders to call for her if you woke up. I don't want her to get mad at me too. Jason and Josh tore into me last night because I didn't send word to them about what happened to you. Guess I better let them know that you're awake," he chuckles. He turns his head and yells, "Allyn! Allyn, Candy's awake!"

"All right, Jeremy. I'm here," Allyn says laughing. "If I can squeeze in between you two, I need to do a little exam just to be sure Candy's all right." She gives him a little wink and Jeremy blushes.

After the exam, Allyn faces Candy and says sternly, "Candy, you collapsed from exhaustion. I know you're going to fight me on this, but I want to keep you here at least until tomorrow. I know you and I'm afraid if I send you home, you won't get any rest."

Candy starts to protest, but Jeremy jumps in. "She's right, Candy and you know it. You need to stay here and rest just for today."

"But Jeremy, who is going to look after you? I need. . ."

"Candy, I'm a big boy, I can look after myself. Well, sort of. But I'll manage, don't worry."

Candy rolls her eyes. "All right, Jeremy, but would you stay here and keep me company?"

Jeremy gives her that big smile that melts her heart. "Miss Pruitt, I would be honored to spend the day with you, but you have to promise to get some rest."

"I promise," she answers.

"But first, I need to let Jason and Josh know you're all right and awake," Jeremy says.

"Leave that to me, Jeremy," Allyn tells him. "I'll send word to them. Make yourselves at home and I'll bring you both some lunch in a while." She leaves as Jeremy and Candy tell her thanks.

Several days later things are back to normal except Candy is not allowed at the Bolt cabin until late morning. The Bolt brothers had sat her down and told her in no uncertain terms that she isn't going to work herself into exhaustion like she did before. She can cook and help Jeremy with his exercises, but that is it. Candy is not happy about the arrangement as she wants to do more, but she reluctantly agrees.

About a week after Jeremy had his talk with Allyn about the home, she comes calling after she knows Jason and Josh have left for camp and before Candy is to arrive. Hearing a knock on the door, Jeremy calls, "Come in!"

"Hello Jeremy. How are you doing this morning?" Allyn asks.

"Fine, I guess. I take it you have some news for me?" Jeremy asks her nervously. "Have a seat."

"Yes Jeremy, I did hear back from the group home. They said you can move in any time you're ready. Just let them know when to expect you." Seeing that Jeremy is near tears, she says as she places her hand on his hand, "Jeremy, you know you don't have to do this."

Trying to hold it together, Jeremy says, "Yes, I do. I have to do this for Jason, Josh, and especially Candy. Candy and I have talked about how we want to have a large family someday. She deserves to get married to a man that can give her those children. I'm not that man. It kills me to think of her loving another man and being in his arms, but I'm not going to stand in her way. Hurmp," he grunts. "Stand? I guess that's the wrong word to use, since I can't stand for anything."

"You know she's not going to give you up without a fight. She loves you, Jeremy."

"I know. I love her, too. That's why I'm doing this," he says as he blinks back the tears. "I'll talk to Jason and Josh tonight. Hopefully, I'll get my courage up to talk to Candy tomorrow." He shakes his head. "This is going to be so hard."

"I know it is, but it has to come from you. If you need anything, I'll be around. Just let me know." Bending down and giving Jeremy a little kiss on the cheek, the door opens and Candy walks in.

"Well, should I be jealous?" Candy giggles as she places her basket on the table.

"No, you shouldn't. Besides, I wouldn't stand a chance. His heart belongs to someone else," she laughs. "I'll see you two later. Have a good day. Good luck, Jeremy," Allyn says as she leaves.

"Thanks Allyn," Jeremy says turning his attention to Candy. "What's in the basket?"

"I fixed us a picnic lunch. What was that all about, Jeremy?" Candy inquires.

"Oh, nothing important. I'll tell you later," he says hoping to change the subject. "Picnic lunch, huh? And just where are we going to have this picnic lunch?"

Leaning over to place a kiss on Jeremy's lips she says, "I thought maybe we could go to our favorite spot, spread a blanket on the ground, and have a nice change of scenery. What do you think?"

"I don't know about that, Candy. I don't know if it's flat enough for my chair to make it out there."

"I've already been out there this morning and I have found that it's pretty flat. Come on Jeremy, let's at least try. If it becomes too difficult, we'll turn around and come back."

Jeremy sees the pleading look in her eyes and thinks to himself, Come on Bolt. You're going to break her heart tomorrow. Give her anything she wants today. "All right, let's go. It'll be good to get out of this house for a while. And I can't turn down a picnic lunch with the prettiest girl in Seattle," he laughs.

Candy is so excited, she stoops down and throws her arms around Jeremy. "I love you, Jeremy Bolt."

Jeremy puts his arms around Candy and hugs her tight. "I love you too, Candy Pruitt. More than you'll ever know." He places his lips on her lips for a sweet tender kiss.

Candy jumps up. "You grab the basket and I'll push. Oh, this is going to be so much fun."

They get to their spot without any problems. Candy spreads the blanket and Jeremy slides out of his chair and lowers himself onto the blanket as Candy sits next to him and begins to fix their plates. Jeremy takes her hand raising it to his lips and kisses her fingertips. "I love you."

"And I love you." She gives him a quick kiss on his cheek. "Let's eat. I hope you're hungry."

After lunch, they lay down on the blanket to rest and look at the majestic Bridal Veil Mountain. "Thank you, Candy. For everything. For loving me and always being here for me. I'll never forget how beautiful and loving you are."

"Jeremy, you're welcome, but is something wrong? You seem sad all of a sudden."

"No, I just want you to know how much I love you and appreciate what you do for me." He clears his throat. "Um, I'm glad we came out here. I never thought I'd see our mountain again."

Candy moves closer to Jeremy and snuggles up to him. "We're going to have to start getting out more. I think this little excursion has done both of us some good."

Jeremy puts his arm around Candy and pulls her close. They spend most of their day just laying in each other's arms, with a little talking and a little kissing. Finally realizing that it's getting late in the day, they head home. Jeremy knows he has a talk coming up with his brothers that he dreads. Lord, please get me through this talk with Jason and Josh. And with Candy tomorrow. I'm going to need your help more than ever. Amen.