CHAPTER 6

Jeremy is sitting on the large boulder at his and Candy's special place, something he has done every morning before work, ever since he found out she had left. The first two to three weeks were the hardest. He couldn't even go to work then. All he wanted to do was stay in bed, or drink, or come here to try to connect with Candy. But he finally realized how much he was letting his brothers down by not working. Now, he comes and stays about an hour before he has to trudge up the mountain to begin work that he use to love but doesn't care about anymore. Damn Candy!

"Jeremy?" Jason asks as he comes up to the boulder. "Mind if I sit down?"

"I guess not. I don't know how much c-company I'll be though," Jeremy replies.

"That's all right. I don't know if I'll be much company either," Jason chuckles. "Josh and I appreciate you putting in the effort to help us out at the camp. We realize you're still hurting. Is there anything we can do to help you?"

Jeremy shakes his head. "No." There is silence. "Jason, she's not coming back, is she? I keep hoping she will show up at our door one day. Guess I'm only f-fooling myself, huh?"

"Well, Jeremy. I keep hoping the same thing. For your sake. But no, I don't think she's coming back. I'm sorry."

"I under-st-stand why she left. If I had the ch-chance to help my Mama, I'd do it, too. But I don't under-st-stand why she can't come back to S-Seattle. I guess she didn't love me as much as I

th-thought she did. It hurts Jason. It really hurts."

"I know Jeremy. But I think you're wrong about how much Candy loves you."

"Yeah? How so?" Jeremy asks.

"Well, I think Candy loves you so much that she doesn't want to burden you with her little brother and sister. That's a lot of responsibility for someone your age."

"But Candy is going to have to take c-care of them on her own and she's a little younger than me."

"Yes, but she has to. They're her brother and sister, not yours. Try not to think too harshly of her. I'm sure she thinks she's doing what's best for all of you."

"I'll try. Guess it's time to go to w-work, huh?"

"Guess so, but Jeremy I want to ask you to do me a favor."

"I'll try Jason but I can't pr-pr-promise I can. What is it?"

"Well, it's the dance coming up Saturday. Since Allyn is out of town, I was wondering if you'd mind coming and keep me company."

"I don't think I can do that. Sorry."

"Why not? Got something more important to do?"

"No. It's just that Candy always loved those d-dances. It would remind me too much of her and I'm trying to for-forget her."

"Oh, I see."

"Plus, Candy was the one that got me to d-dance in the first place. Did you know that? It was at the big party S-Seattle gave for the brides when they first arrived. She wanted to d-dance, but I told her I can't d-dance. But then Billy Sawdust asked her to d-dance and I wasn't about to let her go off with him. So, I grabbed her and we started d-dancing."

"Candy was real good for you, Jeremy. She helped you come out of your shell."

"Yes, she was. I want to for-forget her, but then again, I hope I never for-forget her. I still love her."

"I know you do. It will get easier. Or at least that's what people say. So, how about the dance?"

"Let me th-think about it, all right?"

"All right. Come on we better get to work. Josh is going to think we've both abandoned him," Jason chuckles.

Saturday night comes and Jeremy reluctantly decides to go to the dance. He just gets there and three girls immediately ask him to dance. He declines and sneaks off to the saloon, hoping to spend time alone. He sits down at a far table with his back to the door, hoping no one will notice it's him. After a while, Jason, Josh, and Lottie join him. Lottie brings a bottle and four glasses over to the table. Jeremy drinks his shot of whiskey down in one gulp, then pours himself another.

They try to engage him into their conversations, but he's not much into talking. The talk turns to the next big celebration coming up in a few months, the one year anniversary of the brides coming to Seattle. Jeremy tunes them out.

"Jeremy, how does that sound to you?" Lottie asks.

Jeremy doesn't answer. "Jeremy? Lottie asked you a question. The least you could do is answer her," Jason scolds.

"I'm sorry, Lottie. I wasn't lis-listening. I think I'll just go on home."

"Oh stay a little while longer, Jeremy. I'd like to hear your answer to my question," Lottie implores.

Jeremy sighs heavily. "What was the question?"

"Well, we were talking about the one year brides celebration. Jason wants to see fireworks and Joshua wants to see like a carnival atmosphere with games and contests. What would you like to see?"

Jeremy thinks about it then answers, "It doesn't matter because I won't be here."

"Why not?" Lottie asks.

""I don't have anything to be celebrating. I'll just stay home that night."

"Jeremy, what will people think if you don't go? After all you are partly responsible for bringing all those girls here," Josh tells him as a young woman walks up behind Jeremy with her finger over her lips asking them not to say anything.

"Frankly, I don't care what they think, just like they don't care what I think," Jeremy states.

Two hands rest on his shoulders as a kiss is plopped on top of Jeremy's head. "I care, Jeremy," a soft voice says.

Jeremy twirls around as he jumps up from his seat, knocking his chair over. He stares into a pair of the most beautiful blue eyes he's ever seen. "C-C-Candy? Wh-wh-what, um, what are, why are you here?"

"I came home, Jeremy." Looking at everyone at the table, she curtsies and says, "Hello, everyone."

Everyone happily says hello. Jeremy hasn't said anything else, he just stares at her. "Jeremy, can't you say hello?" Candy asks.

Jeremy, bites on his lip and sneers. "Do you think you can just w-waltz in here and. . .and. . .Do you ex-expect me to welcome you back with open arms?"

"No, I wasn't expecting it, but I was hoping," Candy replies.

"Sorry, but that sh-sh-boat has sailed." He stomps out of the saloon.

Tears sting Candy's eyes as she fights them back. In a quivering voice she says, "He hates me. I never thought I'd see the day when Jeremy hates me."

"What did you expect, Candy? He was devastated with the way you broke up with him," Josh says.

"Josh! That's enough!" Jason shouts.

"No, Joshua is right, Jason. I. . ."

Jeremy grabs Candy by the shoulders and spins her around facing him. He cups her face with his hands and pulls her face as close to his face as they can get without touching, all the while staring into her eyes. He places his lips on hers for a long, warm, tender, loving kiss. Finally parting for air, he hugs her close as he whispers in her ear, "I love you."

Candy slides her arms around his neck and whispers in his ear, "I love you, too."

"Well gentlemen, I think we better leave so these two can get reacquainted," Lottie laughs.

"No." Jeremy says. "You all stay here. Candy and I are going to go dance. Then we need to do some catching up. I may be late coming home tonight."

"That's fine, Jeremy. You and Candy take all the time you need," Jason speaks.

Jeremy and Candy walk out of the saloon with an arm around each others waist, her head on his shoulder. Just like old times.