Chapter 1
"Jeremy, I still don't understand why you have to go to Alaska. I mean you just got home from that San Francisco trip. Why can't Josh just go? Why do you both have to go?" Candy pouts as she slides down off the big boulder at their favorite spot.
"I told you, Candy. This is the biggest contract we've ever gone after and Jason feels like it'll take both Josh and me to win it," Jeremy replies.
"I know," Candy sounds dejected. "But after what happened between us the last time, well, I. . ."
"The last time? You mean when you got mad at me and didn't even come to the boat to see me off? Or are you meaning when you took up with Ward Kimberly?"
"You make it sound like everything that happened was my fault."
Jeremy puts his hands on her waist and looks into her teary eyes. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to do that. I know you getting mad at me and storming off was my fault. And me accusing you of kissing Ward was my fault. But you and Ward was your fault. Don't you think so?"
"I guess you're right. I should have handled everything differently. It's just that I was angry and hurt."
"Yeah, that Pruitt temper came out. But this time we're not going to let that happen, are we? We're going to be together when I leave. You'll be there to see me off. There is one thing though."
"Oh, and what is that?" she asks.
"I don't have to worry about you stepping out with another man again as soon as I leave, do I?" he chuckles.
"Jeremy Bolt! I. . ." She finds Jeremy's lips on her own lips for a sweet tender kiss.
"I was just teasing Candy. I trust you."
Sliding her arms around his neck she says, "Good. Jeremy, I promise I'll be faithful to you. I'll be here waiting for your return. I'm going to miss you so much."
"I'm going to miss you, too. A month will fly by, right?"
"I hope so. It's so lonely here without you. I love you, Jeremy."
"I love you too, Candy. Come on, we better go. I need your help packing. Tomorrow will be here before we know it." They walk back to town with their arms around each other's waists dreading tomorrow's arrival.
Two days after Jeremy's departure, Ben brings a telegram to the dormitory for Candy. "My goodness Ben, Jeremy just left. How is he already sending me a telegram?" Candy asks excitedly.
"Well, Candy. I'm afraid this isn't from Jeremy." He hands the paper to Candy.
"Not from Jeremy? Then who's it from?" she asks as she opens it and begins to read. "Oh Dear Lord!" she gasps. "Mother!" Tears spring to her eyes. "Ben, how can I get to San Francisco as quickly as possible?"
"You planning on going back to New Bedford?"
"I have to. Mother needs me."
"Uh, well there's the stage. Or you could go to Tacoma and catch a boat. Port Townsend or Port Angeles would be even better. But Port Angeles is a more dangerous place."
"Oh, I don't think I want to go to Port Angeles ever again. That's where Jeremy and Joshua were almost shanghaied. Maybe Port Townsend would be better."
"But Candy, how do you propose to get to Port Townsend? That might not be easy for a woman."
"Ben, you forget who you're talking to. I can do it and I will."
"Uh, I think there's something else you may want to think about," Ben says. "Something very important."
Candy gets a puzzled look on her face. "What's that?"
"Candy, you do remember if you leave before your year is up, the Bolts lose their mountain."
Candy's jaw drops. "Oh, I forgot about that. I can't let Jeremy lose his mountain. Thanks Ben for bringing this over to me. I have to go talk to someone who can help."
"I did see Jason going into Lottie's as I was coming over here."
"I don't mean Jason," Candy says as she rushes out of the dormitory.
Candy stands outside the door and straightens her hair and dress. She takes a deep breath and exhales hoping to get her courage up for what she is about to do. After knocking gently on the door, she hears a gruff voice, "Get in here, Harve!"
Opening the door she steps inside. "I'm sorry, Mr. Stempel. It's only me, not Harve."
"Oh Miss Pruitt, come on in," he replies as he stands up behind his desk and motions to a chair. "Would you like to sit down?"
"Oh, I don't know." She begins wringing her hands.
"Is there something you need? Anything I can help you with?" Aaron Stempel asks.
"I have a problem, Mr. Stempel. A very big problem."
"And you came to me?" Aaron sounds bewildered. "I thought Bolt was the one you always run to with your problems."
"Well, I usually do, but you're the only one who can help me this time."
"Well, let's hear it. How can I help?"
After a few seconds of Candy's nervous fidgeting, Aaron says, "Candy? Uh, Miss Pruitt?"
"Oh Mr. Stempel, I'm in deep trouble. I received a telegram from my Mother a little while ago. She is very sick. She says she may be dying." Candy begins to cry. "Mother wants me to come home and take care of her."
"I'm sorry, Miss Pruitt. Of course, you should go look after your Mother. What's the problem?"
"I'm glad you agree, but Mr. Stempel, you're the problem."
"Me? I'm the problem," he chuckles. "How so?"
Candy sighs loudly. "Well, it's that contract you made with the Bolt brothers about taking over their mountain if a bride should leave Seattle before their one year is up. You do recall that, don't you?"
"Uh, yes, I do seem to recall that," Aaron answers sheepishly.
"If I leave to help my poor sick Mother, then you'll take the mountain. It'll be all my fault that Jeremy and his brothers lose their mountain."
"Oh you're afraid that Jeremy will turn against you if you leave and I take the mountain. Well, Miss. . ."
"No, that's not what I'm worried about. If I leave Seattle, Jeremy and I will be over anyways. I mean, if I leave I don't think I'll ever be coming back. I'll have to stay to take care of Mother and if she should pass, then I'll have my little brother and sister to take care of. No unfortunately, I don't see me coming back here. Jeremy and Seattle will be only a sweet memory." She cries into her hands.
"Don't you think you should be talking to Jeremy about this?" Aaron asks as he hands her his handkerchief.
"Jeremy isn't here, remember. He went to Alaska. I can't wait for him to return. It may be too late by then. Mr. Stempel, please help me."
"What do you want me to do? I don't see how I can help."
"Oh, yes you can. Please let me go to New Bedford to help my Mother and don't take Bridal Veil Mountain from the Bolts because of it."
"Miss Pruitt, you don't know what you're asking me to do. Why if I did that, the other Brides would be asking me to do the same for them. It would never stop."
"You can tell them this is a one time exception. You'll never do it again. Or make up some lie. I don't care what you tell them, but please let me out of this contract," Candy begs as she begins to sob.
"How soon would you be wanting to leave Seattle?" he asks.
"As soon as possible. Probably tomorrow. I'll need to go to Port Townsend or Tacoma and catch a boat to San Francisco. From there I can take a train/stagecoach. It'll be faster than going by boat."
"Yes, faster, but more dangerous. Do you plan on going by yourself?" Aaron asks.
"Yes, I do. There's no one else that can go."
"Take Jason."
"Absolutely not. He needs to stay here and run his camp. No, I'll be fine. I know I can do this."
"You do know that Jeremy is going to be devastated when he returns and finds out you've left him, don't you?"
"Yes, I know. I hate doing this to him, but what choice do I have? My Mother needs me. Mr. Stempel, will you please do this for me? I hate asking you for a favor, but please help me. "
"And if I say no. What would you do?"
"I don't know. Jeremy can't lose his mountain because of me." She breaks down and begins crying again.
"Miss Pruitt, I want you to go find Jason. Then the two of you come back here and we'll discuss it. I'll give you my answer then."
"You'll consider it then? There's a chance you'll help me?" she asks as she wipes her eyes.
"Yes, there's a chance. Now, you and Jason be back here in two hours."
Standing, she offers his handkerchief back to him. "No, you keep it. I'm sure you'll need it when you tell Jason."
"Thank you, Mr. Stempel. We'll see you soon."
"Yeah, yeah. Goodbye."