CHAPTER 10
Getting up a little earlier than usual this morning, Candy bakes a coffeecake to take to Jeremy as a peace offering. After much thought, she has decided that Jeremy is right, she should stay here. For now, that is. As she gets to the totem pole, she sees Jeremy on the front porch shaking Captain Clancey's hand. She moves over into the bushes until Clancey has gone by on his way to Lottie's. Her heart feels like it's in her throat. I was hoping that since I changed my mind, that maybe he had changed his mind, too. I guess not. He's still going. Oh Jeremy!
After getting herself together, she goes to the cabin. Knocking lightly, she opens the door and goes in. Seeing him sitting with his elbows on the table and his face in his hands, she knows he has something weighing heavily on his mind. "Hello," she calls out.
"Candy?" Jeremy is startled. "Uh, what are you doing here so early?" He swipes his hair from his face while clearing his throat.
Setting the coffeecake on the table, she answers, "I baked your favorite coffeecake. I was hoping we could share it while we talk. I hope you don't mind me coming over."
"You know you're welcome here anytime. I don't think there's any coffee left."
"That's all right. It won't take me long to make some." She prepares the coffee, picks up some plates, cups, and forks and returns to the table. "Did you and Captain Clancey have a nice visit?"
"Uh, Clancey? How did you know Clancey was here?"
"I saw him leaving. I guess you're really going, aren't you?" she meekly asks as she starts to slice the cake. Her hands are shaking so badly that Jeremy takes the knife from her.
"I'm sorry, Candy. I was. . ."
"No, don't be," she says wiping her eyes. "I didn't really think you'd change your mind, but I was hoping. Jeremy, I have some news that should make you happy. I've decided not to go to San Francisco after all."
"Oh, what made you change your mind?" Jeremy asks.
"You did. I thought about everything you said and I decided you are right. Besides, why should I go if the man I love, doesn't want me there?" she asks as her tears fall. "Damn, I don't want to cry. I'm sorry."
"Candy, come here," he says taking her hand and pulling her down on his lap. He hugs her and lets her cry on his shoulder. He kisses her cheek. "Everything will be all right, Candy. I promise."
"How can you say that, Jeremy? You're leaving. I'll never see you again. It'll never be all right!" she cries angrily, as she starts to get up from his lap.
Jeremy pulls her back down on his lap. "If you'll calm down and listen, I'll explain it to you. Will you listen to me?"
"Sure, why not? What do I have to lose, besides you? " she sniffs.
Jeremy sighs loudly. "Well, Candy, I've been doing a lot of thinking, too. I am still going to San Francisco to learn how to do things for myself so I can be independent. I need to do. . ."
"So nothing has changed! You. . ."
"Candy!" he shouts. "You said you would listen. Do you want to hear this or not?"
"Fine! Go ahead!"
"What I was going to say is, I need to do this not only for me, but for you too. For us. I'm going and that's not up for debate. After I can do for myself, I'm planning on coming back to Seattle. . .to you. If you'll still want me, that is."
"If I'll still want you? Of course, I'll still want you. Always." She hugs him tightly, then takes his face in her hands and their lips meet. "Jeremy?"
"Yes."
"Jeremy, how do I know you're not just saying this to make me feel better? Are you really going to come back or are you just telling me what I want to hear?"
Jeremy places his fingers under her chin and tilts her head up where she is looking into his eyes. "Candy, have I ever lied to you?"
Candy shakes her head no. "No, you haven't. But Jeremy, I'm afraid."
"Of what? What are you afraid of?"
Tears fill her eyes again. "I'm afraid of when you get there, you'll change your mind again. You won't come back." Her tears fall.
"I promise I won't change my mind. You're just going to have to trust me."
"I do trust you." She kisses his lips softly. Laying her head against his head, she asks, "When do you leave for San Francisco?"
Jeremy swallows hard. "Clancey said he was setting sail in . . .in two days." He braces himself for her reaction.
"Two days! No! That doesn't give us enough time. I have to talk to the Captain and get him to give us more time together." She starts to rise from his lap.
"Candy! Stop! You're going to do no such thing."
"But Jeremy, I need more time. I'm not ready for this. Not yet."
"I'm not either, but look at it this way. The sooner I leave, the sooner I'll be back. Back to you." He kisses the tip of her nose. "I love you, Candy."
"I love you too, Jeremy. I'll always love you." They kiss.
"Maybe, we can have some of that coffeecake and coffee now. All of a sudden, I have an appetite again," Jeremy chuckles.
