CHAPTER 6

Several weeks go by and Jeremy tries to get his life back in order. He has gone back to work at the logging camp, but other than that, he mostly stays at the cabin alone. His children and brothers often invite him for supper, but he declines not wanting to be a charity case. Jason and Josh try to get him to go fishing with them or go out for a beer, but he just wants to stay at home where he doesn't have to put on an act and make people think he is doing better than he is. If he is around others, he feels like he has to get cleaned up, shave, and comb his hair. Being alone he can dress and do whatever he likes. He is soon sporting a short beard and longer hair.

One day when he is off from work, he decides he better go into town and get some supplies. He needs to buy some more food, something besides soup. He is tired of soup and doesn't care if he ever eats soup again. He wants to make a stew, a roast, or maybe even fry a chicken. He has watched Candy fix these meals before, so surely he can do that. While he is in the store, he ask Emily which one would be the easiest for him to make. She says a stew would probably be the one he should start with. She gives him some pointers and he is excited to get home and get started.

As Jeremy is about to leave, Ben calls out to him. "Jeremy, you finally got a reply from Christopher. It came in about a week ago." He hands Jeremy the message.

Jeremy reads the message and sighs. "I guess I better tell Candy. She is going to be disappointed."

"How are things between you and Candy now? That is, if you don't mind my asking," Ben says.

"About the same. She doesn't bother me and I don't bother her. Well thanks Ben, Emily. See you later."

"Good luck with the stew," Emily tells him. After Jeremy has left, Emily tells Ben, "I just can't believe those two haven't made up yet. I wish there was something we could do to help them."

"Now Emily, the best thing we can do is just stay out of it. They have to figure this out on their own. But I know what you mean. I hate seeing them like this."

Jeremy stops by the house on his way home to tell Candy about the telegram from Chris. As he nears the house, he sees a nice looking man around their age leaving the house. He stops and watches until the man has left and then he drives the wagon on up to the house. He is very curious about the man and becomes jealous, but he is determined he's not going to let Candy see his jealousy. He starts to open the door and go on in, but soon remembers he should knock first.

Candy opens the door and is surprised to see Jeremy standing there. "Jeremy?" She smiles and touches his face. "That is you under there, isn't it? You going with the Lorenzo Bush look now?" she giggles.

"Ha ha, very funny," he smirks. "I just don't have any reason to get all cleaned up anymore. Besides, I kind of like the beard. How are you doing, Candy? Need anything?"

"I'm all right and no, I can't think of anything I need right now, but thank you for asking. How are you doing, Jeremy?"

"I'm doing great. Just great."

"Are you still eating a lot of soup? You look like you have lost some weight," Candy asks concerned.

"Soup? As a matter of fact, I'm going to try making a stew when I get home. Emily gave me the directions on how to do that."

"I could have told you how if you would have asked me. Would you like to come in?" she asks.

"Uh, yeah thanks," he answers as he steps inside. "I did think about asking you, but then I saw that you might be too busy."

"Too busy? Doing what? Jeremy, I have too much time on my hands. I need to stay busy, but I can't seem to find enough things to occupy my time."

"Oh really," he muses. "I would think having a gentleman caller this time of day would keep you busy. You didn't waste any time moving on, did you Candy?"

"What? A gentleman caller? Moving on? What are you talking about?" Candy says puzzled.

Putting his hands on his hips Jeremy tells her, "Come on, Candy. You don't have to pretend you don't know what I'm talking about." With each sentence their voices keep getting louder . "I saw him, Candy. I saw him leaving the house. You and him alone here all by yourselves. Was he keeping you busy?"

"Jeremy Bolt! How dare you accuse me of. . .of. . .of doing that!" she angrily says. "For your information, that man brought his daughter over here to spend some time with Josie."

"Sure! You can do better than that Candy. Josie is in school. So who was he and what was he doing here?" Jeremy demands.

"I don't owe you an explanation, Jeremy. It's none of your business. You left me, remember?"

"I left because you accused me of doing the exact same thing that you're doing," he shouts.

"Mama! Daddy! What are you doing? Stop it! You're embarrassing me in front of Annie!" Josie cries.

Jeremy looks startled to see Josie at home. "Josie, what are you doing here?" he asks.

"I live here Daddy. Don't you know that?"

"Don't get smart with me, little girl. I mean, what are you doing home. Aren't you suppose to be in school?" Jeremy inquires.

"There is no school this week, Daddy. If you'd ever come around to see us, you would know that. You two need to stop arguing and grow up. What must Annie think of the two of you?"

"Annie ? Who's Annie?" Jeremy asks.

"That's it! Josie, bring Annie out here right now. She should meet your Daddy," Candy says excitedly. "Hurry! Go get her!"

"No way! I don't want her to see the two of you act like children," Josie refuses.

Candy stomps her foot. "Oh for Heaven's sake, Josie. Annie! Annie, would you please come out here for a minute?" Candy shouts.

"Mama, no! Don't embarrass me anymore than you have already," Josie pleads.

Annie comes out to join them. "Yes, Mrs. Bolt?"

Candy takes Annie's arm and leads her over to Jeremy. "Annie, this is Mr. Bolt. Would you please tell him who you are and why you're here."

"Uh, sure Mrs. Bolt." Annie turns to Jeremy. "Hi, I'm Annie Cooke. I came over to spend the day with Josie. I hope that's all right."

"Nice to meet you, Annie. I don't think I've ever seen you around Seattle before."

"I doubt if you have, Sir. My Dad and I just moved here from Olympia."

Candy gloats as she says, "Your Dad. What is your dad's name again, Dear?"

"Dan Cooke. Why? Is there a problem?" Annie asks.

"No problem at all," Jeremy says. "I was just wondering who the man was I saw leaving the house as I arrived. So you just moved here?"

"Well, we got here last week. We're staying at the boarding house until we can find a place."

"Umm, I see. What kind of work does your Dad do? Maybe I can help him with a job," Jeremy states.

"He's a surveyor. He hopes to open an office here as soon as he finds a good location," Annie says.

"A surveyor. Well, Seattle certainly can use it's own surveyor. I guess your Mother is looking forward to finding a house and not have to live at the boarding house any longer," Jeremy says.

"Well, it's only Dad and me. Mother died a little over a year ago. That's why we moved here. He said there's too many memories in Olympia."

"Oh, I'm sorry about your Mother, but I can understand that. There's places I'd rather not go to because of the memories," he says as he looks at Candy. Candy hangs her head.

"Mr. Bolt, can I be blunt?"

"Of course," Jeremy tells her.

"Well, I heard what you said earlier about Mrs. Bolt moving on with my Dad. Sir, my Dad wouldn't do that." She looks at Candy and immediately says, "As I'm sure Mrs. Bolt wouldn't do that either. Mother and Daddy has always said that if anything ever happened to one of them, the other one would never remarry. I believe Daddy still means it. He has no interest in other women."

Jeremy and Candy look each other in the eyes. "I seem to recall another couple making that same statement," Jeremy says.

"Really? How did it turn out for them?" Annie asks.

"I know the man still means it, but I haven't a clue what the woman feels now." He shakes his head. "I look forward to meeting your Dad. He sounds like a good guy. Now, I guess I better go up to the cabin. It was good meeting you, Annie. Glad to see Josie has made a new friend." Turning to Josie he says, "Well, Josie, do I get a hug goodbye or will. . ."

Running to Jeremy, Josie says as she hugs him, "Daddy, you know you can always get a hug from me." She then whispers in his ear so only he can hear. "I wish you would hurry and come back home, Daddy. I miss you."

Tears fill Jeremy's eyes as he whispers back, "I wish I could, little girl. I miss you, too. I miss all of you." In a normal voice he says, "Now, you be good and go have fun with your friend. I'll see you later. I love you, Josie." He kisses her on the forehead.

"I love you too, Daddy." She gives Candy an evil look as she passes by her on the way to her bedroom. "Come on, Annie."

Jeremy goes out the door to his wagon without saying another word.. Candy rushes after him and says, "Jeremy? Are you all right?"

Shaking his head he replies, "Candy, I haven't been all right in a long time.. I don't know if I'll ever be all right again. I want to apologize for accusing you of. . .well, you know. I'm sorry. I guess I just let my jealousy take over."

"Well, it's not the first time you've done that and I doubt if it'll be the last time. It seems we both have a tendency to do that," she smiles.

Jeremy chuckles. "You're right." He reaches into the wagon and gets a package of meat. "Here, you might as well take this. I've changed my mind and I won't be needing this anymore."

"Jeremy, what about your stew?"

"I've lost my appetite, Candy. If I get hungry, I'll just heat up some more soup."

"Why don't you stay here and I'll fix the stew? You need a good hot meal ever once in a while."

"I can't stay, Candy."

"Well, why don't you come back for supper? I know the kids would love to have you here."

"Maybe some other time. I have to go. Got a lot of thinking to do. See ya, Candy. Take care," he says as he climbs onto the wagon and heads home.

Candy calls out to him, "Jeremy, take care!" Then she whispers, "I love you, Jeremy Bolt."