CHAPTER 15

Candy Bolt lays awake watching her husband sleep as she thinks about how her life has changed for the better in the past several hours. My life went from totally miserable to absolutely perfect. When I woke up this morning, I was convinced I'd never see Jeremy again. But he not only came back to me, he's walking again. How did that happen? Then on top of all that, he made me his wife and had this beautiful house built for us. But the highlight of this whole day was Jeremy making love to me. He was so gentle and loving. I have never felt so loved in my entire life. It was beautiful. She smiles lovingly at Jeremy as she swipes his hair back out of his face, letting her hand lightly rest on his cheek.

As she goes to move her hand, Jeremy grabs it and kisses her fingertips. "I love you, Mrs. Bolt," Jeremy lovingly says with his eyes still closed.

"And I love you, Mr. Bolt," Candy says as she giggles. "Mrs. Bolt. I like hearing Mrs. Bolt."

"I like saying Mrs. Bolt. Come here," Jeremy says as he puts his arm around her and draws her closer.

"Jeremy, this is the happiest day of my life." She snuggles closer to him. "I don't know how you did all this but it was perfect, just like you."

Jeremy laughs out loud. "Well, I don't know about that, but I will say today is the happiest day of my life too." He kisses her lips softly.

"You have to tell me how you did it."

"All right, but I'll tell you the condensed version tonight. I'll tell you everything else later."

"How did you come to walk again?"

"After I'd been there about two days, I think it was, Allyn introduced me to Dr. Li. He's a specialist in acupuncture. We talked for a while and when I told him I had this tingling sensation in my legs, he got real excited. He said he believed he could help me. He thought it may be badly pinched nerves causing my problem."

"Acupuncture? Isn't that where they stick needles in you?" Candy ask.

"Yes, it is. I wasn't too keen on having needles sticking in me, but then I thought what the heck, I wouldn't feel it anyways. So I agreed. And Candy, after that first session I could faintly feel it when he tickled my feet. Then after several more sessions, I could feel everything and I could move my legs. I had to start over learning how to walk again. It's all I've been doing for the past couple months." He laughs. "The first time I tried to walk, it wasn't pretty. I fell flat on my face."

"So you were like a baby trying to walk?"

"Yeah, pretty much. But I was determined I was going to walk before I came back home." He hesitates and blushing shyly continues, "I thought about you a lot too. And when I did, I would get aroused. So I knew I could be a husband to you in every way."

Candy lovingly runs her hand up and down Jeremy's chest and kisses his lips. "Oh Jeremy, you were perfect in the husband department," she giggles. "I never imagined it would be so wonderful."

"Thank you, Mrs. Bolt," he chuckles. "You were pretty perfect yourself." He kisses her cheek.

"Really? I didn't disappoint you?"

"Disappoint me? Never. I loved being with you."

"I loved being with you, too. Jeremy it was so beautiful."

Jeremy grins. "Yes, it was. Just like you."

"Thank you." She kisses his cheek. "Okay now, how did you plan everything all the way from San Francisco?"

"I had help from Allyn, Ben, and Clancey. I just told them what I wanted and they did it. We really have some great friends."

"Jeremy, why didn't you send me any letters? I wrote you every week. I really thought you were breaking all ties with me, that you were m-moving on w-without me," she states as tears slowly fall.

"Please don't cry, Candy. I know I should have written you. It's just I've never liked writing letters. Allyn kept reminding me to write, but I kept putting it off. I'm sorry. That's all I can say."

Drying her eyes with the sheet Candy says, "Well, after today, I have no choice but to forgive you." She giggles and kisses his lips. "So, Jason and Joshua didn't know anything either?"

"No, they didn't. I did ask them to finish our house for me. But that's the only thing they knew. And Lottie and Biddie didn't know anything until today. Allyn asked them to plan the party. That's all they knew. And she had to get Jason and Josh to change the time for your dinner date. I wanted there to be enough daylight left for you to see the house."

"I love our house, Jeremy. Thank you."

"You're welcome." He kisses her cheek. "Allyn said she had to be sure you wore the perfect dress and looked your best. She didn't want you to have any regrets later on about how you looked. And Mrs. Bolt, you look beautiful."

"The dress! I was going to wear the red gingham dress that you like, but Allyn insisted I wear the one she picked out. Now I know why. It looks more appropriate for a wedding. I guess she had Biddie do my hair and makeup. I couldn't figure out why they were making such a fuss," she laughs. "So, Biddie didn't know about the wedding?"

"Now Candy, do you think I would trust Biddie to keep our wedding a secret? She would have blabbed it all over town." They both laugh.

"But Jeremy, how did you know to send me the I love you message? I only told Allyn that and she was already off the boat. And where were you all this time?"

"I was on the boat watching everything. When I saw you run up to Allyn, it took every bit of strength I had to not run down and grab you. Candy, I wanted you so much then. I saw you walk away looking so depressed. Allyn came back on board and told me you were very disappointed I didn't send you a card or letter. I wanted to kick myself. But she said you only wanted to read three little words. I knew then I had to tell you that I love you. I had Ben pick a daisy and deliver them both to you. Anything else you want to know?"

"So, who spoke to Reverend Adams? You?"

"Allyn did. She explained everything to him and he agreed to perform the ceremony."

"And in the saloon, of all places," she giggles.

"I know. Who would ever think of him agreeing to do such a thing? Maude and Helen will probably have a fit when they hear about it," he laughs.

"Jeremy, I've missed you so much. There were some days it got so bad that I would go to your room just so I could feel closer to you. I would smell your shirts and lay in your bed. Silly, huh?"

Jeremy squeezes her tightly. "I'm glad I could help you in some small way."

"Bed! This is your bed! Jeremy, how and when did you get your bed here? And all the other things, too," Candy asks excitedly.

"It's very simple, really. I watched to see when all of you went to Lottie's. Then me, Ben, Clancey, and his crew all went to the cabin and got my bed, clothes, and some linens together and brought them up here. Ben got Emily to get some of your things too. I had already told Josh what to put in the house after he said it was finished." Jeremy laughs. "I thought this was going to be a short version."

"Sorry, but I have a ton of questions," she giggles. "Jeremy Bolt, do you know how much I love you?"

"I have a good idea. Probably just as much as I love you." Their lips meet for a brief moment.

"Jeremy, I have one last question." Jeremy groans. "Please, this will be it for tonight. I promise."

"All right. Go ahead, what is it?" He grins at her and squeezes her tight.

"Well, I just want to know whatever happened to my shy, insecure, stuttering, little Jeremy? He disappeared somewhere," she says laughing.

"Really? That's what you want to ask me?" he laughs.

"Yes, really. I just wondered that's all. I mean, he was the Jeremy that I fell in love with."

"You are what happened to him. You changed him and I thank you for that." He kisses her softly. They look into each others eyes. "Have I given you a happy birthday, Candy?"

"Oh yes, very happy. There's only one more thing that would make me even happier."

"Name it and it's yours."

She takes Jeremy's hand and places it on her stomach. "I would love to have a little Bolt baby in here."

Jeremy gives her that big smile she loves. "I think I can do that. Of course, we may have to make love all night long to be sure we put a little Bolt in there," he chuckles. "Hey, but I'm willing to do that for you."

"So am I," Candy states. "Whatever it takes."

THE END