CHAPTER 7

"Jeremy?" Candy asks as they sit on the large boulder, arms around each other.

"Hmm?"

"Jeremy, I'm sorry."

"It's all right, Candy. You're back now and that's all that matters."

"No, it isn't. I hurt you and I'll forever be sorry for doing so. Please, can you forgive me?"

"Candy, I understand why. . .hey! I said understand and I didn't stutter! I said it again! I'm not stuttering anymore," he laughs.

"That's wonderful, Jeremy."

"You know, I was dreading for this day to come. I didn't want to go to that old dance, but I did it only because Jason asked me to. He's helped me so much through this, I felt like I owed him. But it has turned out to be better than I ever imagined. My girl came back and I no longer stutter," he laughs and gives Candy a kiss on the cheek. "I was going to say I understand why you left. Heck, if I would have had the chance to take care of my Mama, I'd leave too. What I didn't understand was that you weren't planning on coming back to Seattle. You just left me. It was like our love meant nothing to you."

Candy places her hand on the side of his face. "Jeremy, our love means everything to me. I didn't want to end things, but I felt like I had no choice. I couldn't ask you to move to New Bedford. I knew you would, but you would eventually grow bored with being there. You'd never be completely happy. And I couldn't bring the children here. To give up everything they'd ever known, to move here where there is not much going on. I don't think they'd be happy here, either."

"Wait! How is your Mother? She didn't, uh, die, did she?"

"No, you won't believe what happened. There was a mix up between Mother's blood results and some other woman's blood results. Mother isn't dying after all, but that other woman, bless her, she is the one dying."

"That's great, Candy. I mean, uh, not for the other woman but for your Mother it's great news."

"Anyways, Mother saw how miserable I was and she insisted I come back to Seattle," she begins laughing. "Her exact words were, 'Candace, I want you to pack your bags and go back to fix things between you and that young man of yours. Go to him'."

"I think I like your Mother," Jeremy laughs. "Candy, will you promise me something?"

"Well, it depends on what you want me to promise. Let me hear it first."

Jeremy takes her hand and kisses her fingertips. "Promise me that you'll never leave me again. If anything ever happens that could hurt us, let's talk it over before making a decision that could end us."

"I wanted to talk to you Jeremy, but you weren't here. And if I waited, I was afraid Mother would pass before you got back from Alaska."

"I realize that Candy. I'm glad you went, but. . ."

"Jeremy, I promise we'll always talk about any problem we may have. I'm not going to end things between us, ever again. You're stuck with me, Mr. Bolt. How's that?"

"Perfect. I promise you the same thing." He takes her in his arms and they kiss. "I love you, Candy. I've missed you so much."

"I love you too, Jeremy. You wouldn't believe how much I've missed you."

"I guess I better take you home, it's getting late. I don't want to, but I'm sure you're tired. I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"You sure will. And every day after that, too."

Weeks have gone by, when Candy rides up to the Bolt camp looking for Jeremy. She runs into the tent calling his name. "Jeremy! Jeremy!"

Josh is the only one there. "Jeremy's up on the north ridge, Candy. He should be back soon, if you want to wait."

"All right, I'll wait for Jeremy outside. I have some important news to tell him."

Pacing back and forth outside the tent, she finally spots Jeremy coming in laughing and joking with his crew. "Jeremy!" she calls out.

Jeremy comes running. "What are you doing here? Is something wrong?"

Handing a piece of paper out to him, she says, "Nothing's wrong. Here read this."

Jeremy skims over the paper and a big smile appears on his face. "That's great, Candy. I can't wait to meet them."

Jason and Josh walk over to them. "Hey, Candy just found out her little brother and sister are coming here for a visit," Jeremy tells them.

"Really? That's great, Candy. How are they getting here?" Josh asks.

"Is your Mother coming too?" Jason inquires.

"No, Mother's not coming. My aunt and uncle are coming to San Francisco on business and they're bringing Molly and Christopher. They'll arrange passage for them to Seattle, when they arrive in San Francisco. Oh, I'm so excited for them to meet all of you."

"Maybe Clancey will be in San Francisco then and he can bring them here," Jeremy says.

"I hope they get here before the brides celebration. Wouldn't that be wonderful! I think I'll go talk to the Captain and see what his plans are. Jeremy, can you come with me or do you need to finish up here?" Candy asks.

"I'm finished for the day. Come on, let's go." Jeremy takes her arm and helps her up on the wagon seat. Looking at his brothers, he adds, "See you two later tonight."

Jason laughs and says, "I thought you said you were worn out and couldn't wait to eat and go to bed early."

"Yeah, well, Candy just brought me my second wind," Jeremy says as he climbs up on the seat. He leans over and gives her a quick peck on the cheek.

Watching them drive off, Josh says, "Those two are something else, aren't they?"

"Yes, they certainly are," Jason answers. "It does my heart good to see how much in love they are. We should all be so lucky."