CHAPTER 9

Kassandra wandered aimlessly along the bank of the flowing river, stopping occasionally to admire the reflection of Bridal Veil Mountain against the glassy waves of the water. Despite just how rustic Seattle was, she couldn't deny the beauty to be found, all one had to do was look, something that Kassandra was beginning to appreciate as it allowed her the excuse of staying off on her own, especially after what had taken place with Jacob at the picnic. Noticing a flat boulder that faced the water, Kassandra spread her skirt to sit on the surface, once she was comfortably settled she clasped her hands in her lap and stared at the water, hoping for a solution to her problem.

She had tried to talk to Josh, but, aside from checking on her to see how she was doing and seeing to her comfort, he had kept himself occupied between the camp and the mill, the only conversation that she had been able to have with him had been a dismal failure. Kassandra couldn't help but flinch as she recalled the look of intense frustration and anger that filled Josh's blue eyes, let alone the vein of anger that filled his voice. Despite the opinion that, she was certain, everyone had of her, especially after what had taken place with Jacob, Kassandra wasn't happy in the role that seemed to have been cast for her. Any doubts that she had in that regards were soon eliminated by her and Josh's conversation. She could still hear his words as her memory brought the incident to mind.

The day after the picnic, when Josh had come to see about her, Kassandra had tried to discuss the incident at the pond with him, but Josh didn't seem so inclined, a fact made obvious as he stated firmly;

"Look, Kassandra, I know that you didn't meant for Jacob to fall into the water. And, I know that you're sorry for what happened, but I really think you need to let things calm down before we talk about this, alright?"

Reaching across the table to take his hand in hers, Kassandra tried cajoling;

"Maybe I should go and talk to Jemma, to make her see that..."

The remainder of her statement was cut off as Josh snatched his hand from her grasp before shooting to his feet, knocking his chair backwards before placing his hands flat on the surface as he leaned across the table to hiss;

"Listen to me and listen to me good, Kassandra; you WILL NOT say one word to Jemma unless you are told to do otherwise, at least not right now."

Realizing just how harsh he sounded, Josh relented somewhat;

"I'm sorry, Kassandra, it's just that, well, Pixie's been through a lot and you need to give this a few days. I can promise you, what she said, she meant every word of it. You need to let her get past her anger before you try to approach her."

Kassandra's eyes narrowed in aggravation as her own temper rose, something that found her lifting her head as she demanded haughtily;

"And just how long do I have to wait for Little Miss Princess Jemma'stemper to cool to everyone's satisfaction? Especially since I should have the right to, at least, apologize to 'her highness', and defend myself for something that was an accident. I mean, after all, everything turned out just fine."

Josh stared at her in disbelief, however, before he could voice his outrage, both found themselves shocked as the owner of a deep, familiar voice challenged;

"Our son had the right to not have his life put in danger because of the carelessness and negligence of some spoiled San Francisco socialite, especially on his and his sister's birthday. But you didn't seem to respect that fact so why should we be concerned about what you see your 'rights' to be?"

Trying to divert his brother in law's focus from Kassandra, Josh asked;

"Aaron, how's Pixie doing today?"

Shifting his eyes from Kassandra to Josh, Aaron debated just how much he wanted to say about what had happened. But, knowing how worried Josh was and, admittedly, wanting an opportunity to force the woman to own up to some type of remorse for her actions, Aaron decided to share what had taken place the evening before; well, SOME of what had taken place. Pouring himself a cup of coffee from the pot Lottie kept at hand on the stove, Aaron took a long sip before he began;

"She's a little better then what she was yesterday. Mind you, that was after she tried to just push everything that had happened to the back of her mind, which, I might add, did not work."

Josh's eyes darted towards Kassandra in silent warning to remain quiet before turning to his brother in law. However, before he had the chance to speak, Kassandra, ignoring his warning, blurted;

"Well, everything turned out just fine in the end with your little boy. I mean, she should have just focused on the good and not the bad, and maybe she wouldn't have had such a bad time."

Josh closed his eyes as he hung his head to lament;

"Why can you not just take a hint and learn to keep your mouth shut sometimes?"

Although he already knew what to expect, Josh slowly turned to study his brother in law's reaction to Kassandra's remark. Just as he had known would be the case, Aaron's dark eyes were burning with restrained anger, reminding Josh of burning embers of coal. Even though Josh was familiar with the man's temper, he realized that, to someone who didn't know Aaron, he appeared calm and in control of his emotions. However, as Josh knew from experience especially when it came to the subject of Jemma, fanning the flames of Aaron's temper, the way that Kassandra had just done, was a dangerous petition. Any doubts that he might have had as to just how furious his brother in law was were soon put to rest as Aaron, very deliberately, set his coffee cup on the bar before taking a few long strides to stop in front of Kassandra's chair and crossing his arms over his chest. Turning to face Josh, and in a very quiet, low, and dangerous tone of voice that left no doubt as to the deadly seriousness behind his words, Aaron addressed his brother in law;

"Joshua, I'm about to say something that you may well not like. But, to be blunt, I don't particularly give a damn at this moment, something I'm sure you're going to appreciate after you've heard what I have to say."

Kassandra paled considerably as Aaron turned to focus on her, his dark eyes pinning her to her chair more effectively than had she been tied to it. As frightening as the look she saw was she felt her blood chill, as if she had been given a transfusion of ice water, when Aaron began to speak;

"I want to make something VERY clear to you, Miss Everston. When our children were born my wife and I were smart enough and realistic enough to know that there might be moments, such as yesterday, that would scare the daylights out of us. However, we never thought that those moments would happen out of negligence, or selfishness."

Narrowing his eyes as he tried to retain his control over his anger, Aaron continued;

"As far as your 'observation' goes, Jemma and I, both, were VERY grateful that she just happened to look up when she did. Although, as we discovered last night, the sight of our son falling off the pier into the water is probably going to haunt her for quite some time."

Aaron took a moment before launching back in;

" An innocent child, more specifically, mine and Jemma's son, could have died because of you and you have the gall to demand to know when you can apologize to his mother? And by the way, just so you have no doubts as to how I feel about this whole situation, if you were a man I would have thrown you off that pier myself. You need to be thankful that Jemma didn't, the only thing that held her back was having Jacob in her arms."

Leaning in closer, Aaron seethed;

"I can promise you that if you were a man, and especially after what my wife went through last night, thanks to you, you and I would be having a much different conversation."

Deciding that he needed to try and get his brother in law's anger reined in somewhat, Josh interceded;

"Aaron, I know that what happened was bad, and I'm just as upset as you, Pixie, and everyone else. But, I know that, despite appearances, Kassandra feels..."

Aaron spun around to face him so quickly that it left Josh reeling as the man railed;

"Kassandra feels? Really, Josh? Well, I'll tell you what, why don't you just ask her what it is that she does 'feel'. She didn't seem to feel anything yesterday, except for maybe fear, when mine and Jemma's son, YOUR nephew, fell off that pier, and the only reason she felt that was because she came face to face with Jemma and her temper. Oh, and while you're at it, why don't you ask your future wife about her conversation with MY wife the night of the dinner party at my house. Maybe then you'll understand what's been wrong with your sister lately."

His eyes registering his shock as he narrowed them, Josh faced his fiancee to demand;

"What's he talking about, Kassandra?"

Seeing by the look of guilt and fear in her eyes that she was reluctant to disclose the events, Josh turned to Aaron;

"Do you know EXACTLY what happened?"

Bobbing his head slightly, Aaron huffed;

"Yes, I do."

Despite her trepidation, Kassandra's desperation overrode her good sense, something that found her blurting;

"Oh, of course, you know HER side! I'm sure the little princess just couldn't wait to fall into her big, strong husband's arms sobbing and telling you all sorts of lies, just so she could get attention."

Kassandra blanched considerably as Aaron's fist slammed on the tabletop in front of her as he warned;

"Miss Everston, let me explain something to you. I try to be a gentleman, at all times, but let me assure you, you are sorely testing my limits at this moment. But to answer your statement; NO, my wife did not do that."

Glancing at Josh, Aaron's voice lowered slightly as he admitted;

"She didn't want to tell me at all, but there's one thing that Jemma can't do and that's hide what she's feeling, at least not with me. I knew she was upset, no matter how she tried to act otherwise, and I knew that it had to have something to do with the time she and HER,"

Aaron jerked his thumb in Kassandra's direction before continuing;

"spent together alone in the kitchen, and I was right. At first, she wouldn't tell me, she kept trying to say that it was nothing, but you know your sister well enough to know that it takes something mighty bad to dim how happy and cheerful she normally is, especially considering that you're home."

Josh swallowed hard, not certain that he really wanted to know, before turning to his brother in law to demand;

"What happened, Aaron? How did you finally get her to tell you?"

Crossing his arms in a defiant stance, Aaron confessed;

"I told her that I knew it had to have something to do with whatever took place in the kitchen between her and Kassandra and that if she wasn't going to tell me, I had no choice but to talk to you about it and see if we could get to the bottom of it."

Shocked by the admission, Josh huffed somewhat;

"And you're still standing here? I mean, that would have made her furious..."

Shaking his head, Aaron corrected;

"No, Joshua, it did not! Actually, it terrified her."

Cutting his eyes in Kassandra's direction, Aaron snarled;

"I'd like to thank you for that, by the way, Miss Everston. Thanks to you, I saw terror in my wife's eyes that night at the thought of me saying something to her brother."

Shrugging as he spread his hands wide, Josh puzzled;

"I don't get it, Aaron. I mean, why in the world would Pixie be afraid of you saying something to me?"

Aaron's chest rose and fell in a heavy sigh as he pointed out;

"Because, Josh, after what happened between you and Jason over Valerie Watkins and what happened last year between you and her, Jemma's been afraid that if anyone said anything to you about some of this that you would turn your back on the family in defense of your fiancee."

Josh made momentary eye contact with Kassandra, and seeing the fear lurking in their depths, making them glow brightly, he knew he had to let his brother in law finish;

"Go on, Aaron, what happened?"

Josh knew how truly angry and aggravated the man was as he huffed;

"What happened was that the minute I said I would have to talk to you to get to the bottom of things, Jemma became hysterical and begged me not to say anything. I told her that I wouldn't but that I wanted to know what happened to upset her so much."

Shaking his head, Aaron lamented for a moment;

"I had no intention of it, but I can't sit silent anymore either. Anyway, she calmed down enough to tell me what happened. It seems that your 'intended' believes that you, Jason, and Jeremy 'sold' your sister into marriage to combine your logging business with my mill, and that I was at a point where I was ready to settle down and Jemma was the logical choice so I 'bought' myself a wife and into your logging business. Oh and did I mention that she also advised her that, as long as she was discreet and we kept up the appearance of a normal marriage for 'propriety' sake, there's no reason why Jemma can't find happiness outside of our marriage? And, I almost forgot this little treasure, Jemma more than did her 'duty' in giving me an heir with Jacob and Amie, but she can understand how we ended up with Alex since she can't blame Jemma for giving into my more 'attentive' side since she, apparently, thinks I'm attractive."

Turning his focus on Kassandra, Aaron directed;

"I think there are a few things that you and I need to come to an understanding about, Miss Everston. First, and most importantly; I married Jemma because I was and still, very much, am in love with her, the Bolts business plays no part into that. For your information, I asked Jemma to sign her part of the mountain over to her brothers before we were married so that there were no doubts that I wanted Jemma for Jemma and for no other reason. Secondly, as far as it being time to settle down, that was something I decided the moment I realized I was in love with her, however, I had also decided that if I couldn't marry Jemma, I wasn't getting married, so that eliminates the idea she just happened to be the 'ideal candidate' as you put it. And last, but not least, as far as our children are concerned; we didn't have those children because it was expected or because it was our 'duty' to do so. Our children happen to be a blessing to us and even more so because they're the result of mine and Jemma's love for each other. Despite what you may think, children are not a commodity and anyone who thinks that should be horsewhipped."

Having stood by quietly, Lottie poured a drink in a glass before holding it up to offer;

"Aaron, a drink?"

His chest heaving, Aaron nodded as he closed the distance between where he stood and the bar to take the glass before nodding;

"Thanks, Lottie! I need it!"

Taking a long sip from the glass, Aaron glanced over his shoulder;

"Oh, and, Miss Everston, I happened to overhear you refer to my wife as 'a princess' and 'your highness', something I'm quite sure you didn't mean in a flattering way. I'm more than aware of your resentment towards her, as is she. In Jemma's case, she feels it's because you might be jealous over the close relationship that she and Josh have, I don't happen to think that's all there is to it. I think that you resent my wife because you're jealous of her. Period! You don't like the fact that, most people, are as fond of her as they are, but maybe you need to ask yourself why that is. I find it funny you refer to her the way you do, since she's not the one around here who wants to wear a crown or be a Queen Bee."

Slinging back the rest of his drink, Aaron nodded his gratitude;

"Thank you, Lottie."

Making his way towards the door Aaron stopped to place his hand on his brother in law's shoulder as he begged;

"Josh, I know that you're, more than likely, upset by what I said, and I can't exactly blame you. But I'm asking you to, please, take it out on me and not your sister, it's not fair to her and I don't want to see her hurt any more than what she already has been."

Hanging his head somewhat dejectedly, Aaron sighed;

"Now, if you'll all excuse me, I have to go tell my wife that I just broke a promise I made to her."

Before he got to the door, Josh shot to his feet;

"Aaron, don't! Don't say anything to Pixie. I'm not mad at you and certainly not at her."

Kassandra's eyes widened in panic as he faced her and declared;

"I think I need to do some thinking, some very SERIOUS thinking about what I do and don't need to do."

With that, he brushed past Aaron as he hurried out the door. Turning to face her, Aaron shook his head;

"Miss Everston, I'm sorry. Not for what I said but for the fact that Josh is a very good man and I truly believe he'll be a wonderful husband to the right girl, but I don't think you're that girl because I don't think you understand what love is. But I do want you to understand something; I meant what I said, man or woman, I won't see my wife hurt, by ANYBODY."

Feeling shaken to her core, Kassandra slowly rose from her chair before bracing her hands against the top of the table. Lottie, who had tried to remain silent during the exchange, shook her head before chastising;

"I'm sorry about that, Kassandra. But, I warned you when you first arrived and I know that you had to have taken notice of just how much Aaron loves Jemma, the only thing that shocks me about what just happened is the fact that Aaron held his tongue for so long. And just so you know; Jemma is very dear to me, she's like a daughter and I consider her children to be my grandchildren, had I been in her shoes yesterday-well, let's just say you wouldn't be standing here today."

Watching as Lottie turned on her heel and left the bar, Kassandra decided that she needed time on her own and away from everyone, something that soon found her strolling the riverbank in the woods. She had spent most of that day at the river and had returned the next day and spent the better part of the morning soul searching as she sought to commune with nature in the hopes of finding some peace. Although the more she tried the more her thoughts seemed want to punish her as they continuously conflicted with each other.

Her mind returning to the present, Kassandra found herself lamenting;

"How did I become such a horrible person?"

Before she knew what was happening, Kassandra heard the sound of a twig snapping as a vaguely familiar voice ventured;

"I don't think you're such a horrible person, Kassie."

Jumping from the boulder, Kassandra whirled in the direction of the sound of the voice, she stood staring in shock as she began breathing in short, quick breaths as her eyes widened before exclaiming;

"WARDEN!"

Josh paced back and forth in the small glen where he had always come to think, he was furious but only at himself. Picking up a hand full of stones from the water's edge, he began tossing them angrily into the small pond's depths, as he tossed the last stone he swore aloud;

"Joshua Duncan Bolt, you're a damn fool and you know it."

Surprised, Josh swung around as he heard a female giggle before acknowledging;

"Well, Josh, I have heard it said that there's hope for someone who admits they have a problem."

Placing his hands on his hips, Josh demanded sharply;

"Peggy, what are you doing here?

Pointing to a few small trees just behind him as she held up her basket, Peggy reminded him;

"I'm picking some wild cherries, or did you forget the fundraiser so we can add on to the schoolhouse?"

Tilting her head to the side, Peggy offered quietly;

"There are other trees, I'll leave you be."

She was about to take a step away when Josh closed the distance between them to place his hand on her arm;

"Please don't! I mean,"

Sighing in frustration, Josh admitted;

"Peggy, please don't go. Here,"

Taking the basket he waved towards the trees;

"I'll help you with the picking. I'd really like to talk to you, if that's okay."

Although she didn't really want to stay, not because she didn't want to help Josh, far from it, but Peggy knew what Josh didn't; she was vulnerable to the man standing next to her. Even though both had declined to get married once they had seen the last of her Uncle Jebediah, that didn't, however, end the feelings that she had for Josh. She had been so proud of herself, of how she had kept herself aloof, yet friendly where Josh had been concerned. But then she had to go and slip from the tree right into his arms, something that led to a kiss and reminded her of just how she felt for Joshua Bolt. However, seeing the sad, lost, and forlorn look he was now wearing, Peggy felt her heart going out to him and found she could no more refuse him then she could stop breathing. Nodding, Peggy agreed;

"Alright, Josh, let's talk."

Making their way across the glen, Josh sat the basket on the ground between them as he began picking at the cherries, finally, he began speaking;

"I thought that when I first saw her, Kassandra was the woman I wanted to spend my life with."

Focusing on her own sections of the tree, Peggy shrugged;

"So what's changed? Don't you love her anymore?"

Stopping to drop the handful of cherries he was holding into the basket, Josh spread his hands as he huffed in frustration;

"That's just it! I thought that I did love her, but, "

Shaking his head, Josh huffed in frustration;

"Seeing how she is, especially after what I found out yesterday, and seeing how we just seem so...distant. Peggy, I can't marry her!"

Letting the cherries that she had been holding drop from her hand, Peggy stared at him in shock before demanding;

"Joshua Bolt! Why on earth did you ever ask her to marry you then?"

Leaning his head back as he tried to find a way to express himself, Josh sighed as he shook his head;

"I thought that I was in love with her, but, looking back, I think that it was more a case of being awestruck by her beauty. I guess I thought that if she was so pretty on the outside that must be the case on the inside, I'm finding out I was wrong about that."

Turning to face him, Peggy shook her head as she admonished;

"You and your weakness for a pretty face! Josh, ever since I've known you, it's as if you see a pretty face and stop there. You never look for a girl's worth or her substance, as long as they look pretty that seems to be your only requirement. But you seem to forget, a pretty face ages and changes, a good heart and personality never change or fade, at least not as long as they're treated right."

Josh hung his head before muttering in self-contempt;

"I always was a sucker for 'fool's gold' I guess."

Lifting his head to search her eyes, a gleam of hope in his own, Josh cupped her face in his hands;

"I think I know the difference now."

Hesitation showing in her eyes, Peggy grabbed his wrists to demand;

"Joshua, do you remember what I said after the picnic?"

Refusing to relinquish his hold, Josh nodded;

"Yes, I do! And I've been doing just what you suggested, Peggy; I've been doing a lot of thinking. Even before Aaron told me what happened, I knew that there was no way I could go through with marrying Kassandra."

Josh shook his head;

"I realized that we seem to have nothing in common. She doesn't seem to find enjoyment in the small things like I do, and like a certain young lady I happen to know does."

Closing her eyes, Peggy inhaled sharply before opening them to look into Josh's;

"Josh, do you remember what I said?"

At his nod, Peggy vowed adamantly;

"I meant it! I won't be part of any game, if you're not..."

His hands holding her face firmly in his grasp, Josh stared intently into her deep blue eyes;

"Peggy! I am not playing games with you! I've been giving this A LOT of thought, even before what happened with Jacob at the pond. I don't want to marry Kassandra, the more I think about it and the more time I try to spend with her here in Seattle, the more I'm coming to see just what a mistake it would be."

Even though there was no denying the sincerity that she saw flooding the depths of his bright blue eyes, Peggy's heart was beating wildly with a combination of fear and hopeful excitement as she asked softly;

"But you were so sure in San Francisco, Josh. How can you..."

Josh shook his head as he finished her question;

"How can I be sure? I told you what attracted me to her in the first place, I let myself be taken in by a pretty face. But, as far as how can I be sure? That's simple! I never knew exactly what it was that I wanted before, but now, I know."

The corners of his mouth turning up in a warm and inviting smile, Josh brushed the back of his fingers gently over her cheek;

"I want someone who I can enjoy spending time with, even if it's just doing the small things, like picking berries or having a conversation with them about nothing in particular. Peggy, I want to feel that I can talk about anything with the woman I spend my life with, not just frivolous or fun things, and I want her to be able to feel she can be the same way with me. I want a woman, no I want a wife, who isn't afraid to be herself, speak her mind, or tell me what I need to hear; not what she thinks I want to hear, but what I need to hear."

Placing his arms around her shoulders, Josh's tone softened;

"Peggy, when I kiss or hold the woman I spend my like with, I want that to be a bonus, not the main reason why she's a part of my life."

Lowering his head as he pulled her closer, Josh claimed her mouth in a deep, yet tender, kiss in the hopes that he could convey, through his actions, what he couldn't seem to communicate through his words, at least not to his satisfaction. When he slowly pulled back and Peggy opened her eyes, he held her chin between his thumb and forefinger and nodded;

"I want to spend my life with you, Peggy, not someone like you, but YOU."

Peggy's eyes widened in disbelief as she demanded;

"Joshua Bolt! Did you say what I just thought you said?"

Noticing a fallen log not too far behind them and his eyes never leaving hers, Josh, gently, pushed her backward until she was sitting on the log. Taking her hand in his, Josh fell to one knee;

"Miss Margaret Yvonne Thornly, would you do me the honor of agreeing to marry me and becoming my wife?"

Josh, seeing her shock, asked worriedly;

"Peggy, are you alright?"

Finding her voice, Peggy asked quietly;

"Josh, are you sure? I mean are you REALLY sure that this is what you want.? What if I'm just a mistake? I mean, what if it's just a case of you thinking that I'm what you want..."

Placing his fingers over her lips, Josh looked into her eyes so that there would be no doubts as to his sincerity;

"Peggy, I've cared about you for a very long time. I should have married you when we got that license when your uncle was here. But, well, my pride was involved because I didn't want to feel that I HAD to do anything. Outside of that, I saw the look in your eyes; you would have felt guilty and I didn't want any of that standing between us, not if we were going to try and have a good marriage."

Running the idea through his mind, Josh's brow furrowed as he asked quietly;

"Although I guess I should have asked the two most important questions before asking you to marry me. Peggy, how do you feel about me, HONESTLY?"

Peggy lowered her head for a moment, something that found Josh's heart beating a mile a minute as he began panicking over what possible answer she might give him. Finally, she raised her head to meet his gaze of concern and trepidation with love and adoration overflowing the depths of her own eyes as she bit at her bottom lip nervously before confessing;

"Do you remember me telling you once how I thought that I wanted to marry you ever since I first laid eyes on you?"

At Josh's slight nod, Peggy continued;

"Well, that's never changed. But I knew that I had to find my own happiness and not necessarily depend on anyone else for it."

Peggy gave a slight shake of her head;

"Josh, I want to make sure you understand something; I did and do love you, and I very much want to be your wife, but I think it's only fair to tell you that I'm not that same agreeable girl you knew before. I don't and won't agree with a man, even you, just because I think it's what you want to hear and I want to keep the peace. I have my own opinions, and I'm not afraid to speak my mind or stand my ground when something is important to me. Now, if you feel that you can live, and be happy, with that, then I would love nothing better than to become your wife."

Seeing the look on his face, Peggy felt her heart skipping as she wondered if the admission of her character was more than what he could deal with. However, as was his want, she found herself surprised by the wide grin that broke across his face when he asked;

"Peggy, do you remember what Aaron Stempel was like before he and Jemma were married?"

Uncertain as to where he was going with his statement, Peggy nodded as Josh laughed;

"Well, look at what being married to a smart, strong-willed girl did for him. Just imagine how happy that'll make me."

Hope and excitement brimming in his eyes, Josh placed his hand on her cheek;

"Did I hear what I hope I heard? You'll marry me?"

Although she knew there would be problems to solve before they could do so, Peggy nodded eagerly;

"Yes, Joshua, I'll marry you!"

Unable to contain his happiness, Josh pulled her up from the log to swing her about as he whooped in delight before holding her close to him as he gave her a deep, lengthy kiss. Despite her own happiness, when Josh ended the kiss, Peggy couldn't help but remind him;

"Josh, not that I want to spoil this moment for anything in the world, but don't you think there's something you should take care of before we start planning our wedding?"

Feeling the heavy rise and fall of his chest as he sighed, Peggy knew that he wasn't particularly looking forward to the task that lay ahead for him, but she also knew that he was determined to see it through for the sake of their happiness. He left no doubts as to that fact when he nodded and assured her;

"Yes and I plan on doing that very thing by tomorrow at the latest. The only reason that I don't do it now is that I want to give her time to think and myself time to cool down."

Seeing the curiosity alight in Peggy's eyes, Josh explained what had taken place the day before with Aaron, something that found Peggy shaking her head in aggravation as she huffed;

"No wonder Jemma was so upset!"

Her face reflecting her concern, Peggy demanded;

"You mentioned that Aaron said Jemma broke down, is she alright now?"

Facing her, Josh demanded wryly;

"Knowing how Aaron is about her, do you have any doubts that, as long as he has a say in it, Pixie will be anything but alright?"

Shaking her head, Peggy admitted;

"No, there's no denying how much he loves your sister or how much he'll do to make sure that she'll be fine."

Casting a glance towards their basket, Peggy grabbed his hand as she suggested;

"Well, since you need some time and space and we haven't even made a dent in filling that basket, I think we should get busy. Don't you, Mr. Bolt?"

Remaining steadfast in his spot, Josh pulled her back towards him to give her another kiss as he laughed;

"Sharpening up your bossiness for when we're married?"

Looping her arms around his neck, Peggy smiled coyly as she shook her head;

"Nope! I plan on finding a more pleasant way of convincing you on the merits of helping me with things like this."

Placing a kiss on her forehead, Josh smiled;

"And I look forward to seeing just how creative you can be when you're Mrs. Bolt. Now, lets pick some wild cherries!"

With that, the couple went back to their task, stopping now and then for a kiss as they made quick work of filling the basket. Although he was certain in his decision and felt elated, Josh couldn't help but wonder what he would be facing when he had his discussion with Kassandra.

Kassandra stood so suddenly that the full skirt of her dress took a moment to stop swishing about her legs. Her breathing quickened as she stared in disbelief before exclaiming;

"Warden! What, what in heaven's name are you doing here, in Seattle?"

Ward Kimberly took a moment to study the lady in front of him. He had been very deeply in love with Kassandra Everston five, almost six years before, and truth be told, there was a part of him that still was and always would be. Although she was still the same ebony haired beauty with the same mysterious blue-green eyes that had always been able to captivate him, Ward could also see the changes that the time and exposure to her father's cynicism had wreaked on her. However, he could also see a hint of the same sweet girl that he had loved, what seemed like, a lifetime ago. Motioning towards the boulder, Ward asked;

"May I?"

Kassandra nodded as she settled herself once more to ask again;

"You didn't answer me, what are you doing here in Seattle?"

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, having forgotten just what having her so near to him could do for his pulse, Ward began;

"Well, after your father's and my 'discussion' I decided that I was fed up with San Francisco and the, so-called, high society there. I heard about a possible opening here in Seattle at Stempel's Mill so I decided to settle here."

Shocked, Kassandra demanded sharply;

"You work for Aaron Stempel?"

Nodding, Ward explained;

"Well, here in Seattle, Kassie, it's either the Bolts or Mr. Stempel. I like it at the mill, I've been there since I arrived and I'm a foreman there now. So, despite your father's predictions, I think I've done pretty well."

Lowering her eyes to study the ground, Kassandra scuffed some of the dirt with her foot as she ventured;

"I wouldn't put very much faith in my father's predictions if I were you, Warden."

Before she could continue he placed his hand on her arm and pleaded;

"Kassie, I know it's been a while, but let's not have any formality or pretensions between us. We never did before, okay?"

Turning to study him for a moment, Kassandra could see that the only thing time had done was to make Warden Kimberly more attractive, although the one thing that hadn't changed was the sincerity that she had always been able to find in his grayish blue eyes. Smiling timidly, she nodded;

"Alright, Ward, I'd like to avoid that as well."

Sighing heavily, she lamented;

"I supposed that, as small as Seattle is, you're more than aware of why I'm here? Or, should I say, why I was here."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Ward gave a slight nod;

"I heard that you're engaged to Joshua Bolt. He's a good man, Kassie, and all the Bolts are nice and a close-knit family, even Mr. Stempel, since he married Miss Jemma. It won't be anytime at all before you're a sister instead of a sister-in-law, just like Miss Julie and Miss Candy are."

Shaking her head vehemently, Kassandra couldn't prevent the tears that began falling as she exclaimed;

"No, I won't!"

Before she knew it, she was pouring her heart out about everything; from her engagement and her father's encouragement to what had taken place the day before with Aaron Stempel. Normally, she scoffed at women who shed tears over regret of their actions, but sitting so close to a man who knew her, despite the years of separation that stood between them, better than even her own father, Kassandra couldn't help the sorrow and regret she felt over her actions. Putting his arm around her shoulders, Ward pulled her against his side and let her lay her head against his chest and let her cry out her sorrows as he shook his head;

"Oh, Kassie! Honey, how could you let your father push you into that? You were such a sweet girl! No, never mind, I know the answer. You were trying to please him, you always did try to get him to make some fatherly affectionate gesture."

Lifting her head from his chest as she wiped the tears form her eyes, Kassandra nodded as she stated in self-loathing;

"I know, Ward, I know! How could I be so stupid? I wanted my father to care for me, that's part of why I didn't except your marriage proposal because I was trying to please HIM! I should have begged you to elope when you proposed and been rid of him!"

Ward's face reflected his shock as he asked quietly;

"Kassie, do you mean to say that you wanted to marry me?"

Puzzled, Kassandra demanded;

"Ward, I told you that I did, why would you believe otherwise?"

Noticing the granite set to his jaw, Kassandra knew, from past experience, that Ward was angry, something that became contagious as soon as he explained his reasons;

"I believed otherwise, Kassie because your father told me when I asked for his blessing to marry you that you were much too valuable to him to allow you to marry a poor nobody like me. He told me that you let your heart run away with your good sense and that you didn't really love me, but that if I truly loved you I wouldn't force the issue, that I'd let you have your chance to marry a wealthy gentleman who could give you the life that you deserved."

The look on his face an open book of his feelings for her, Ward begged;

"Then why, Kassie? Why didn't you find a way to come to me or let me know that he was lying?"

Kassandra hung her head in shame as tears began streaming from her eyes;

"Because I didn't want to see you in jail or worse."

Placing his hands on her upper arms, Ward turned her to face him;

"What do you mean by that? Kassie, what did he say to you?"

Wiping the tears from her cheeks, Kassandra began relaying the events of the night that Ward had offered her marriage. She found that she had to stop a moment to catch her breath before continuing;

"I told you that I was trying to please him and that it was part of why I went along with him, that wasn't the only reason. He told me that if I tried eloping that he would make certain that he saw you in jail or worse. He threatened to go to the authorities and tell them that you 'compromised' my virtue and that if the law wouldn't do anything about it then he would hire professional toughs to take care of it for him. I couldn't let him do that to you!"

Ward stared at her in shock before shaking his head;

"He was determined to get me out of the way, wasn't he?"

At her nod, Ward asked softly;

"Kassie, what did YOU want?"

Her eyes reflecting her sincerity, Kassandra declared;

"I wanted to marry you! I didn't want to become his pawn."

Her voice full of self-loathing, she continued;

"I'm wrong for going along with him all this time. I thought that, if I couldn't have what I wanted; to be your wife, then I'd make the best of the situation for myself that I could. I figured that, at least, I could find a way to enjoy my existence, somehow."

Rising from where they sat, Ward paced back and forth for a few minutes before turning to face her;

"Kassie, I've never married, there's never been anyone that made me feel the way you did, the way you still do for that matter. I know that sounds silly, we haven't seen each other in nearly six years, but the moment I saw you I felt it all over again."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Ward sighed heavily, dreading her answer he asked;

"Tell me truthfully, Kassie, do you want to marry Joshua Bolt?"

Folding her hands in her lap, Kassandra bit at her bottom lip nervously;

"Ward, I didn't think there was a possibility of a marriage for me that would include love. I thought that, at best, if I was very lucky I would marry a man that I liked and didn't mind spending some time with. Josh fit that perfectly."

Shaking her head, she confessed;

"But, I don't love him! I like him well enough, but I don't love him. The funny part is that I thought I could do this; marry Joshua, I mean. And, had we stayed in San Francisco, I might well have been able to do just that, but coming here and seeing all of this,"

Making a sweeping gesture with her hands to indicate the expanse of the area around them, Kassandra continued;

"where Josh came from and seeing what his brothers' and sister's marriages are like, I know that I can't go through with it. Not that he would probably want to at this point anyway, especially after what happened with his nephew and what I said to his sister."

Exhaling sharply as he shook his head, Ward agreed;

"There's no doubt that you would have definitely riled some tempers, Kassie. Considering what you said to Miss Jemma, and what happened with little Jacob, I'm surprised that Mr. Stempel wasn't harsher with you than what he was. Trust me, that is one man that you do not want to push where his wife and children are concerned."

Pushing that aspect of their dilemma to the side, Ward approached her to sit on his heels as he took both of her hands in his;

"Kassie, is that the ONLY reasons why you don't want to go through with marrying Josh?"

Meeting his look of hopefulness with her own look of brutal honesty, Kassandra shook her head;

"No, that's not the only reason. Ward, I never stopped loving you, every man I've met, every 'candidate' that Father found I would compare them to you and try to decide if they were enough like you that I could find some small bit of happiness with them. But no one, not even Joshua Bolt, even though he's a wonderful man, could compare to you."

Given the circumstances, Ward threw caution to the wind before falling to one knee;

"Kassie, I know that we have a lot to work out between us and that it's been six years. I also know that most people would think this was completely insane, but would you consider marrying me?"

Seeing the stunned look on her face, he rushed to assure her;

"I know it would be a shock, somewhat, but I make a good living here. Or, if you don't want to live here, we can live in San Francisco, I know Mr. Stempel will give me a good reference so I don't think getting a job will be a problem. As far as that goes, we can live anywhere you like."

Taking a moment to gather her bearings, Kassandra asked hesitantly;

"You, you still want me as your wife? Even after all of the horrible things I've admitted to you that I've done. Especially, after what I almost let happen to Jacob?"

Clasping her hand between his, Ward questioned;

"Kassie, honey, did you do that intentionally?"

Before she even spoke, he knew the answer by the look of absolute horror reflected in her eyes at just the suggestion that her actions had been intentional, let alone the vehement shake of her head as she exclaimed;

"NO! I SWEAR IT WASN'T! But, I was careless and I never should have sat him down on the pier, but he got fussy. I wanted to take him to Jemma but Father insisted that I not do that and then when he asked to be put down, Father said just put him down. But that doesn't matter, I should have known better and done what was best for that child, not what my father ordered me to do."

Taking a deep breath, Ward advised;

"Kassie, hun, you realize that, if we get married, your father will probably not be a part of our lives, don't you?"

Giving his statement serious consideration, Kassandra nodded;

"Yes, Ward, I do."

His heart ached for the pain that he saw in her eyes at the reality that she was facing where her father was concerned, even more so as she wiped a tear from her eyes;

"I know that I should feel sad at the idea of not having him in my life, but I've come to realize recently that all I am for my father is a source of income and a bargaining chip to force his way into a partnership with Mr. Thorndyke."

His eyes narrowing, Ward asked;

"Thorndyke? Do you mean Edward Thorndyke, the man that Mr. Stempel and the Bolts are in a partnership with?"

At her nod, Ward thought for a few moments before pressing;

"Kassie, I never got an answer, you know there's no way that your father is going to give his blessing for our marriage though."

Kassandra shrugged slightly as she lifted her head in defiance;

"Considering that his main concern has been for his own financial gain, rather than what was best for me, or for my happiness, I don't care about having his blessing. As far as your answer, Ward, are you certain?"

Ward placed his hand on her cheek as he locked gazes with her;

"Kassie, sweetheart, I've never stopped loving you. I know you've been through a lot, and I know that your father is at the center of most of it. I also know that you must have loved me a great deal to put yourself through what you did for my sake. We'll have some things that we'll need to work through, but if we still love each other, and I KNOW we do, then there's nothing we can't work through. Not to mention, asking you to be my wife feels just as right in my heart and soul as it did the first time that I asked."

Taking a deep breath, Kassandra felt her heart lighten considerably as the corners of her mouth lifted in a genuine smile, something that she found miraculous given all the years she had spent perfecting a smile to charm and beguile. She had forgotten what it was like to have something make her so happy that she felt the actual need to smile just for the sake of expressing that happiness. Any doubts that she might have had about accepting Ward's proposal were squashed as she realized that she had him to thank for her discovery. Meeting his hopeful gaze with her own gaze, filled with certainty and love, Kassandra nodded eagerly;

"Yes, Ward, I'll marry you! Just as soon as you'd like!"

Pulling her from where she sat, Ward held her close to him before claiming her mouth in a kiss that conveyed how much he had missed her and how much love he had for her. Breaking the kiss, Kassandra put her hand against his chest as she took a deep breath before shaking her head;

"I think I understand now why no man was ever able to measure up to you."

Laughing, Ward lifted her chin with his finger to look into her eyes;

"Well, considering that I've been saving that up on the hope of having you in my arms again, I actually think it was rather mild, Kassie hun."

Turning serious, Ward ventured;

"Don't you think that we should find Josh and have a talk with him?"

Kassandra sighed as she nodded;

"Yes, I do. I think that he and I need to have a long overdue talk, but I think I should wait and have it with him tomorrow. He was very upset, and I can't blame him, I think I'll give him a little time to calm down."

Taking her hand, Ward ventured;

"Well, I have the rest of the day off, since we have to wait on a belt from Tacoma to arrive. Care to spend the day with me admiring the beautiful scenery and discussing our future together?"

Laughing, Kassandra gave his hand an affectionate squeeze;

"Yes, I would! Very much so!"

Their decision made, the couple walked hand and hand along the riverbank, contemplating their plans for the future. Although neither could have guessed just what a hindrance Carlin Everston was about to prove himself. To everyone!