The Wedding

Chapter 2

Our big day has finally arrived. Our wedding day, Candy thought as she awoke before the sun had come up. She thought about Jeremy and wondered if he was as excited as she was. I doubt it. He's probably sleeping like a baby. Candy got up and dressed quietly so she wouldn't wake Molly and Christopher. She ran a comb through her hair and grabbed her wrap. Going outside, she headed for her and Jeremy's special spot. She wanted some alone time before everyone else woke up.

As she neared their spot, she caught a glimpse of someone sitting on the boulder. She stopped in her tracks. It was Jeremy. What was she to do? Tradition says the bride and groom were not to see each other before the wedding. Oh hang the traditions. I want to be with the man I love. She quietly walks up next to the boulder. "Hello," Candy says very softly.

Jeremy practically falls off the boulder. "C-Candy, what are you doing here?" He stands and looks startled.

"Oh, I just wanted a little alone time. What about you? Why are you here?"

"The same. Couldn't sleep." He started towards her, then stopped. "Candy, I thought it was bad luck for us to see each other today before the wedding? Or at least that's what everyone has been telling me."

She walks closer to him. "I know that's what everyone says, but I saw you sitting here and I just wanted to be with you. Do you mind?"

"Miss Pruitt, I always want to be with you and hold you." Jeremy takes her in his arms. "And kiss you." He gives her a tender kiss. "So no, I don't mind. Do you want to sit?" He helps her up on the boulder and sits next to her. He puts his arm around her and she lays her head on his shoulder. They sit there for a long while, not talking, just enjoying the closeness they are sharing.

"Jeremy, what were you thinking about when I walked up? You looked like you were somewhere else."

"Oh, I was just thinking about how my life has changed for the better ever since you came into it." He kisses the top of her head. "And what I would be like now if we hadn't gone to New Bedford or if I hadn't got the nerve up to talk to you on the boat. It scares me Candy to think of what could have been."

"Sometimes I think that way too, Jeremy. If you Bolt Brothers hadn't come to New Bedford, I would probably have wound up an old maid. Or if we hadn't talked, I might still be looking for a man."

"I doubt that, Candy. These men would have been fighting over you. One of them would have won."

She turned and looked into his beautiful blue eyes. "No, Jeremy. I wouldn't accept any of them, because they are not you. You are the man I've been dreaming of my whole life. You, and only you." She kisses his cheek, then lays her head back on his shoulder. "What scares you about what could have been?"

Jeremy lets go of her and stands up, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Candy, I think I would still be the shy, awkward, stuttering boy I was before. I would never have the life I wanted. You changed everything. You gave me a life and I owe it all to you. I don't know how I'll ever repay you for what you have done for me." He walks over to her and helps her down. His arms go around her and he holds her close. "I love you Candy. Thank you for coming to Seattle, talking to me on the boat, and taking the time to get to know me. For giving me a chance." His lips cover her lips.

"Oh Jeremy, I love you too." She returns his kiss.

When they part, they notice the sun being up. Jeremy looks at his watch and shows Candy the time. "I guess we better get back before they send a search party out looking for us," he chuckles. "Just a few more hours till we're Mr. and Mrs. Bolt."

"I can hardly wait." She takes his arm and they walk back to the dormitory.

Biddie, Lottie, Jason, Joshua, and some of the brides are on the porch waiting for them to return. "Well, there you two are. We were afraid you had run off and eloped," Jason said.

The women were all talking at once. Jeremy and Candy tried to talk but couldn't get a word in. Finally, Joshua whistled loudly to get everyone's attention. He nodded his head to them. "Your turn."

"Thanks Josh. Candy and I were needing some time alone when we ran into each other. I know you're going to say we aren't suppose to see each other, but we did. And once we had seen each other, there was no use for us to keep apart."

"Sorry, if we worried you. But as you can see, we're fine." She smiled at Jeremy and gave his arm a squeeze. "No, we're better than fine."

"Good. We all need to get busy. It's going to be time for these two to get hitched before we know it." Lottie starts shooing everyone away.

Jeremy takes Candy in his arms and gives her a sweet soft kiss. "I'll see you in a few hours, Miss Pruitt. Then you will become Mrs. Bolt." He kisses her again.

"I can hardly wait to be your wife. I love you Jeremy Bolt."

"I love you Candy Pruitt." With one more kiss, Jeremy leaves and Candy watches till he is out of site. She goes inside to get ready for her big day.