CHAPTER 4

Hoping that Josie hasn't heard any of the talk he had with Candy, Jeremy knocks on her door. "Come in," Josie says.

Jeremy opens the door and when Josie sees him, she runs and throws herself into his arms. "Daddy! I'm sorry, Daddy!"

Shutting the door, Jeremy asks, "What are you sorry for? I'm the one that came to apologize to you." He kisses her cheek.

"Oh Daddy, I heard you and Mama talking. I believe you Daddy. I know you wouldn't do anything like what Mama is accusing you of doing."

"Well, thank you Sweetheart. I just wish your Mama would believe me."

"She makes me so mad. Sometimes, I just hate her. She is so mean to you."

"No Josie, don't ever say that. Your Mama is a good woman. She. . .She. . ." he breaks down but quickly recovers not wanting Josie to see him like that. "She needs time to think about what I told her, that's all. Hopefully, she'll realize I'm telling the truth. Don't be too hard on her."

"Daddy, how can you take up for her after the way she treated you?"

"Because I love her, Josie. I love her with all my heart."

"Even when she treats you like that?"

"Even when she treats me like that. Someday I hope you fall in love with a young man that will love you as much as I love your Mama. Not anytime soon though, okay?" he grins.

"Okay. Daddy, I hope I can find a man just like you. You're such a good man and I love you so much." She lays her head on his shoulder and cries.

"I love you too, little girl. Now, I hate to do this, but I think it's for the best."

"Do what Daddy?"

"I'm going to move up to my parents' cabin for awhile. To give your Mama some space. She might see things differently if I'm not around."

"No, Daddy! Please don't go. I don't want you to go," Josie cries.

"Josie, I need to do this. Please, don't cry," Jeremy says as he has misty eyes.

"But Daddy, if you move out, that means you don't love us anymore."

"It means no such thing. I love you and all your brothers and sisters. And Sara. Don't ever think that I don't love you. It's just that I can't live like this. I have to do this for all of us. I can't seem to make your Mama happy right now. Maybe this will make her happy." He shakes his head, "Something has happened to her and I don't know what it is, but she's changed."

"Can I go with you? I want to stay with you, not her."

"Josie, you listen to me. I don't want you to blame your Mama. She loves you. She needs you. I need you to stay here and look after her for me. Can you do that?"

"Okay. Can I visit you up there?"

Jeremy smiles and says, "You better visit me. I will be hurt if you don't. Now, I better go pack. Would you help me?"

"Sure Daddy. I'll do anything for you, even if my heart is breaking." She takes his hand and goes with him to his room.

Jeremy and Josie come downstairs with carpetbags and some loaded boxes. When Candy sees them she asks, "What's going on?" What are you doing?"

"I'm moving up to my parents' cabin, Candy," Jeremy answers.

"But why? Jeremy, this is your home. You built it. You don't have to leave. Besides, that cabin is not fit to live in."

"Yes, it is. It's quite nice actually. The boys and I have been fixing it up as a surprise for you. Remember our talk about spending the weekends up there someday. I didn't realize I'd be spending my time there alone. As for this house, I may have built it, but I don't feel welcome here anymore. I can't. . ." Jeremy says before Josie interrupts.

"This is your fault, Mama! You can stop him from leaving! Please, Mama!" Josie pleads.

Jeremy drops his boxes into a chair and takes the carpetbags from Josie placing them on the floor. He puts his arms around her. "Josie, remember what we talked about. How I need to do this for all of us. It's not your Mama's fault. She's only doing what she feels is right."

"But Daddy. . ."

"Josie, I need you to be strong. Okay? It'll make my leaving easier for me. I don't want the last memory I have of here, to be of you being upset and blaming your Mama. Can you be strong for me?" Josie nods her head. "Good." Turning to Candy he says, "Candy, if you need anything just send word and I'll help you anyway I can. Take care of yourself. I lo. . ." He stops and picks up his boxes, while Josie gets the carpetbags. "Oh, I might need to stop by and get a few more things, depending on how long I'll be up there. Is that all right?"

"Yes, that's fine." She watches as they exit the room. "Jeremy!" she says as she rushes out to join them.

Jeremy stops and looks at Candy hopefully. But Candy says, "Take care of yourself, too."

Jeremy nods as he and Josie go out to place his things in the wagon. As he is hitching the horse to the wagon, Allyn and Peggy ride up.

Josie runs to them crying, "Oh Aunt Allyn, Aunt Peggy!"

"Whatever is wrong, Josie?" Allyn asks as she hugs her.

"Daddy! Daddy is leaving us. Please, do something!" she cries.

"Leaving? Jeremy Bolt, just what are you doing?" Peggy asks.

"Well Peggy, it's just like Josie said. I'm moving out," Jeremy says. "Candy can fill you in on what's happening. Thank you for being here for her. Can you tell my brothers I'm going to take a few days off to get settled in our parents' cabin?"

"Sure Jeremy, but don't you think you moving out is a little hasty?" Allyn asks him.

"No. Candy has lost trust in me. She needs her space and I do too." Jeremy hugs both of them. "I'll see you all later." He stops in front of Josie and wraps his arms around her. "Be a good girl and be nice to your Mama. For me? I love you, little girl."

"I love you too, Daddy."

Jeremy climbs onto the wagon and rides off. When he gets to the end of the drive, he stops, turns around in his seat, and looks at the home that isn't his home any longer. With tears rolling down his cheeks, he waves at the three ladies standing there watching him. He sees Candy looking out the window. Then he turns back around to go to his new home.