Times Are A Changing Chpt4
Josh sprinted up the stairs two at a time to find Lottie at the top just getting ready to descend the stairs to her saloon. She admired the handsome blonde Josh "Why aren't you particularly handsome tonight Josh, not that you are ever anything less than strikingly handsome." Lottie observed what she thought was a huge beautiful bouquet of flowers, jokingly she said " Are those for me, I can't remember the last time a gentleman arrived with such an extravagant bouquet?" Clancy suddenly appeared behind Lottie "You making the moves on me girl, Mr. Bolt. What did you have to clear half a mountainside for that bouquet?" Josh flashed a boyish smile at his two friends and provided Lottie with half of the large bouquet. He a bit shyly asked if he may speak to her alone. Clancy and Lottie exchanged glances and Clancy started down the stairs. Clancy turned around to Josh "You don't have a chance me boy against the old captain, go ahead and speak with her." Lottie wiggle her finger for Josh to follow her to her room.
Lottie without removing her eyes from admiring the flowers inquired "Joshua Bolt , what is all this about? You are duded up and bearing gifts. I don't suppose the next thing is a ring." Josh appeared deflated when she surprised him by guessing his motive. Lottie realizing that she had ruined the surprise squealed "Oh my God, you want to propose to Maggie." Josh nodded his head and proceeded "Lottie Hatfield, I, Joshua Bolt request the honor of asking your daughter, Maggie to be my wife." Josh released a large gasp of air as if he had been holding his breath for hours. Lottie's large blue eyes filled with tears as she grabbed Josh into a bear hug. She could barely speak. Finally, she managed to utter "I can't imagine anyone else whom I would rather have as my son-in law. You will need to call me mom. These last few months have given me my daughter back and now I will have a son also." She grabbed Josh again and sobbed into his chest. Joshua unsure asked "Are you really okay with it? You seem a bit upset plus remember she has to say yes." Lottie cried "These are tears of pure joy. Oh my God, my grandchildren with be Bolts."
Downstairs, Jason, Jeremy, Johnathan, Clancy, and Aaron were alone at the tables. Their ladies were on a mission to get Candy to be there for what hopefully was going to be a wonderful family moment rather than a reason to drown their sorrows. Jason, the perpetual optimist, was insisting that Maggie would be a fool to reject his brother. Aaron was enjoying the opportunity to antagonize Jason. Aaron suggested " If I were Maggie, I might be a bit concerned about his reputation as a ladies man. As a matter of fact, does Kathleen have any concerns about your ability to stay faithful?" Jason glared at Aaron "Just when I think that you really want to be a member of our family, you start up with garbage like this. You dated more of the brides than I ever did. Did I hold that against you? " Aaron calmly replied "That was all a cover so you didn't know I was dating your sister." Jeremy who was in no mood for the games played by Jason and Aaron at this time sternly requested that they both "Shut up. Josh is committed to her and will make a wonderful husband, Aaron. Jason, please stop taking his bait. You know he likes to get your goat and to be frank vice versa." Johnathan enjoyed watching the family interactions though he wasn't certain if his father and Aaron were really best friends or if given the chance they would chose to never see each other. Finally, Johnathan decided it was time for him to join the discussion, he pointed his question at his father "You have told me a number of times that you will be very happy when Josh is settled and happy but you never mention any real concern about Jeremy or Jemma." Well, Johnathan had successfully gotten all the attention focused on his father. Jason sat forward with his elbows on the table " I have been concerned about Joshua's inability to chose a women with whom he really is attached. Most of the women he dates more than once have some deep seated problem. For example, Bridget originally was more than happy to blow Seattle off the map, he became more interested in Rachel after discovering the religion problems, Kallie whom he has known since childhood, he lost any romantic interest in her after she could see though I am uncertain that they were not always just friends. Last but not least there was Valerie, the ultimate wolf in sheep's clothing. I heard they finally put Miss Peake in a home and the stress of it caused Valerie to have a breakdown. Both women are tucked away in a home for the insane." Aaron who was no longer joking inquired "Jason, have you been keeping track of them?" Jason shook his head yes and added "Wouldn't you? She shot at me, she really intended to kill me. She turned my brother against me. Valerie wrote Josh a couple of times since then and he responded. I really wanted to shake him at the time." Aaron sighed "I would have wanted to do more than shake him." Jason's tone softened "Josh had the hardest time with the deaths of our parents. He was at an age where he understood everything that was happening but at the same time could do little to nothing about it. After my mother's death, we became very close since father was struggling so. He begged me not to leave him and go to Scotland though I was being told that I had no choice. When I sailed away to San Fran to start my journey, all I remember was how he was crying on the dock. His face was beet red, he looked so desperate, I had let him down. I have always felt I failed him on some level and he is waiting for me to fail him again. I will be happy when he is pursuing the career he wants and is happily settled down with the right woman." Aaron now in a solemn mood realized that while the Bolts appeared the perfect family, they paid for that closeness sometimes with a great deal of pain.
Lottie's double doors swung open as the women arrived. Candy had arranged a babysitter and was now part of the party. When Jeremy saw her, he rose immediately to greet his wife. He took both of her hands in his hands and apologized. Candy's eyes filled with tears as she said I am sorry, I had no idea that Josh was proposing." Jeremy turned to everyone and said "We should not be asked to keep secrets from our spouses or our families. Can we agree going forward that it is not okay to ask us not to tell our spouses anything." Jason looked out of his eyes sideways at Kathleen, he knew that he better agree if he ever was going to have one of those delicious pot roast again. Jason added "Let me be the first to agree, no more secrets or little white lies." Aaron laughed "Do we have to do one of those hand sandwich things that you Bolt's love or can we just agree with a simple shake of a hand." Jason looked at Jeremy who looked at Jemma, Jeremy directed "Everyone stand up we are making it Bolt official." Jeremy put his fist out first, followed by Candy's hand, then Johnathan, Jemma, a grumbling Aaron, Kathleen and Jason. Candy whispered in Jeremy's ear "Have you heard the good thing about newlyweds fighting is the making up." Jeremy blushed a bit and wished they could leave this second.
Josh and Lottie appeared at the top of the stairs. Josh announced that Lottie approved of his proposal now all that was left was for Maggie to say yes. Maggie was due in any minutes on the Olympia stagecoach. He was going into the back room until she arrived and Lottie would get her back there. Josh said "My palms are sweaty, I am so nervous." The sound of the stage coach could be heard as he ran to the backroom. Aaron shouted "Everyone sit down and act normal. Never mind act like she would expect you to act."