CHAPTER 11

The next morning, Jeremy and Candy are still all aglow from their night of lovemaking. They are lingering at the table holding hands while nursing their second cup of coffee, when Jessie and Sara, both carrying a tote bag, come into the kitchen. Sara runs and jumps onto Jeremy's lap throwing her arms around his neck. "Hey Grampa, whatcha doin'?" she asks.

"Oh, just sitting here looking at the most beautiful woman in the world," he answers as he raises Candy's hand to his lips and kisses her fingertips. Looking at Sara he asks, "And what little princess, are you up to, today?"

"Mommy said I can't play wif you cause you and Gramma want to be alone," she says pouting.

"Well, I think maybe Gramma won't mind if I spend a little bit of time with my princess. Why don't you ask her?" he says winking at Candy.

"Okay." She looks at Candy and asks, "Gramma, can Grampa play wif me?"

"Well, I think I might be able to share him with you. I'm going to try on some of your Mommy's clothes she wore when she was carrying you. Mine are getting too tight. So you can keep Grampa company while I do that. But first I need you to give me a big hug and a kiss," Candy says.

Sara crawls over onto Candy's lap and throws her arms around Candy's neck giving her a big kiss on the mouth. "Tank you Gramma."

"You're mighty welcome, Sara. I know how much you've missed your Grampa. I missed him, too." She hugs Sara. "And what is it you and Grampa are going to be doing?"

Crawling back onto Jeremy's lap she replies, "I want Grampa to read me a tory. I got a new book."

Jessie tells Sara, "Sara Jessica Reed, you know better than to tell a fib. You did not get a new book."

"I not tellin' a fib, Mommy. I did get a new book," she says as she looks in her bag and pulls out a brown leather bound book.

When Jeremy sees the book, he grabs it out of Sara's hands and says sternly, "The journal! Sara, where did you get this?"

"In your room, Grampa."

"You mean to tell me, you've had this book the whole time!" Tears spring up in Jeremy's eyes as he looks at Candy and hands her the book. "I can't believe it! Sara, you. . .you. . .excuse me," he says as he stands up and places Sara in her Mommy's arms. He hurries out of the house and goes down to the water to sit and think.

Crying, Sara says, "Grampa mad at me." She buries her face in her Mommy's bosom.

Candy tries to console Sara by patting her on the back and saying, "Sara, Grampa isn't mad at you. He has been looking for that book, that's all. I'm sure he'll come back and tell you how happy he is that you found it for him. I think I'll go be sure he's all right. Be back soon." She gives Sara a kiss on top of her head as she heads outside.

Sitting down beside Jeremy she says, "A penny for your thoughts."

"You already know what I'm thinking. Save your money."

"Jeremy, Sara didn't know that taking that book would cause all those problems. You know how much she loves books."

"I know that, Candy. I'm not mad at her. It's just that by her taking that journal, she put me and you through Hell."

"I know, I know. But Jeremy, if you want to blame someone, blame me. I forgot that Jessie and Sara came over that morning. I should have remembered that. I'm sorry."

"I'm not going to blame you or Sara. I just can't believe she had that book all this time and no one saw it. If she. . ."

"Jeremy, what was it you told me last night? Don't think about the if's or why's. Remember?"

"I remember. And you're right. I should be glad she gave the journal back, so now you know without a shadow of a doubt that there was a journal and I was telling the truth."

"Jeremy Bolt! I already know that. I have no doubts. I believe you. I'm sorry it took me so long to come to my senses," she says as she kisses his shoulder.

"I guess Sara is upset that I left the way I did, isn't she?" Jeremy asks.

"Well, she was crying when you left. She thinks you're mad at her. I tried talking to her, but I think you're going to have to tell her yourself that you're not mad before she'll believe it."

Standing up he says, "I guess I better go fix this." He helps Candy up and she puts her arms around Jeremy's neck.

"I love you, Jeremy and I'm so sorry about everything. I wish we could go back in time and have a do over. I promise you that I will never treat you like that ever again."

"I know. I'd do a lot of things differently, too. I love you, Candy," he says as he places his arm around her waist. "Come on, Sara's waiting."