Disclaimer: I don't own Candy, Candy and it's characters. Candy Candy and all characters belong to Kyoko Mizuki, images to Yumiko Igarashi and anime a Toei Animation.

I am posting this now for changed it several times to the point of insanity. I still have no beta reader so if anyone wants to volunteer please let me know.

Thank you for all readers and please remember to review, all are greatly appreciated.

Chapter 6 Unexpected Surprises

Upon arriving very late, Mr. Matthews immediately unloaded the mails and parcels to lighten the load, when he brings Candy back to Pony Hill. However, while unloading Candy woke up.

"Oh, Mr. Matthews we are here already?" asked Candy yawning and stretching her arms.

"Well we arrived here at my home; I am lightening the load so it is easier for the horse as we travel towards Pony Hill. It's been a long day for her." explained Mr. Matthews also yawning and stretching his sore back.

Candy perceived that Mr. Matthews was in fact worn out too. She thought that she can sleep here and just wake up early tomorrow to go back to Pony Hill. Therefore, Candy suggested, "Mr. Matthew if you don't mind I can stay here for the night so that you and the horse can rest."

In spite of being exhausted from travelling all day, Mr. Mathews tried to convince Candy otherwise; after setting her mind, she can never be persuaded. Therefore, that evening Candy stayed at Mr. Matthew's little cozy home surrounded with mails and parcels.

George drove as fast as he can through the dark road that seemed have no end. Finally, reaching Pony Hill, Albert suddenly, realized a huge problem; how can he explain their sudden and unexpected visit to the two women without causing unnecessary concern. So George suggested, "Simply explain that Candy left abruptly and we only desire to make sure that she's home safely."

"What if they asked why did she left so suddenly?" Albert asked George.

"Tell them you're not quite sure." George replied.

"Isn't it lying then?" Albert confusedly inquired.

With a cast down look in his eye, George only muttered, "We must do what we can for now."

Albert sighed, closed his eyes and knocked at the door, he thought, here goes nothing.

Sister Maria opened the door and was surprised to see the two gentlemen. "Well good evening Albert and George, what an unexpected visit. Are you here for Candy?"

The sound of her name, pierced thru Albert's soul. He breathed deeply and with a melancholy voice said, "That's why we are here to make sure that she's home safely. You see she left the mansion without saying goodbyes and we..." Albert seemed to lose his composure thus George intervened, "Good evening to you too Sister Maria, is it ok if come in to see Candy?"

"I am afraid that she is not here." explained Sis. Maria.

"Not here are you sure? I mean it's already late and she should be here by now." with a trembling and worried voiced Albert asked.

Sis. Maria looked concerned and fell pity towards Albert so she suggested, "Why don't you two come in and wait for her inside."

They sat and waited. Miss Pony joined them while Sis. Maria offered some tea. The two women silently looked at each other and eventually understood that something was not right between Albert and Candy, and George seemed to act as their guardian or father figure. Whatever it maybe, both women are hoping that Albert and Candy will soon realize how much they love and belong to each other.

Albert continued to pace back and forth glancing at the window and sometimes jumped from any sudden movement or sounds coming from outside. Hours past no one arrived.

"Albert and George, I am afraid I need to excuse myself. I need to retire for I have to wake up early tomorrow." explained Miss Pony.

"So am I." added Sis. Maria.

Albert stood, bowed, and replied, "I am so sorry Sis Maria and Miss Pony, we didn't wish to disturb both of you this hour. Can we.." Albert trailed off looking down at the floor, for he wishes to sleep there and wait all night.

Sensing his hesitation, Miss Pony suggested, "We hope to offer you a place to sleep here but I am afraid that we have neither bed nor room to spare. We hate to see you sleep on the floor. But if you go to Mr. Cartwright's ranch surely he can offer you a better comfort for the night. Then come back here early morning to see Candy." Miss Pony suggested.

"Yes, that's a good idea; Mr. Cartwright's ranch is not that far away. In fact, one winter, Candy and the children walked over there and sing Christmas songs in attempt to prevent Mr. Cartwright from converting Pony Hill into a cattle pasture.

Albert was in awe for Candy's heroic deed. Neither has she asked me nor Archie for help; it's her nature not to inconvenience others; and now she's handling things on her own again, Albert pondered in his heart.

George stood up and gave his sincere thanks to both ladies. He helped Albert to stand up for his heart was heavy and weary. Miss Maria gave them a note for Mr. Cartwright explaining their situation. Albert left as if he had weights on his feet. He couldn't speak for he thought that he will burst into tears so he only nodded towards the two women and left with George.

Mr. Cartwright happily received Candy's friends. As he settled them to their rooms, he mentioned how he wished to adopt Candy before but she refused since she was still legally an Ardley.

"She would be a wonderful daughter." Mr. Cartwright proudly said.

"But then she helped young Billy and I to find each other. I owe a lot from her. When you see her, please tell her that I miss her." added Mr. Cartwright.

Again, Albert couldn't believe how Candy tried to make it in her life on her own. He admired her more and loves her more and long for her more.

It was barely dawn when Candy when she said goodbye and thanked Mr. Matthews. In her hurry she was almost got run over by a young man driving a carriage.

"Hey, lady move out of the way!" Tom yelled while holding his grip on the reigns to stop the horse.

"Ahhhh, hey you almost killed me." Candy screamed and moved away.

"Candy is that you? I'm sorry I didn't see you my eyes are too spent and it is still dark." Stunned Tom then he jumped to greet her.

"Tom? Tom! Oh, Tom! I am so glad to see you." Candy run towards him and hugged him.

Tom was so surprised from her enthusiasm but thought not much of it since they haven't seen each for some time. But right now Candy feels she needed a friend to talk to. After all Tom was like her older brother and the feelings of despair, lost, and pain were all too much to endure; to endure alone.

"What are you doing here?" Tom inquired.

Candy explained, "It's a long story I can tell you on the way if you can give me a ride back to Pony Hill?"

"Ey what's that oh yes, I can give you a ride back." Tom said yawning.

Sitting next to Tom, Candy asked, "How about you what are doing at this time Tom?"

Tom chuckled as if he was remembering something while scratching his head, "Oh that, my friend's cattle was calving and he needed an extra hand. So there I was up all night. You should have seen all those young calves. So now I'm going home to sleep, I mean after I bring you home."

Throughout the ride, Candy rested her head onto Tom's broad and muscled shoulder. A shiver feeling runs through his spine, a feeling of pleasant sensation filled his being. He thought while smiling to his heart content, I can get use to this. Later on, Tom sensed something was not right so he asked, "Are you ok Candy?"

"Huh, what's that, oh nothing, Tom how do you know if a man loves you?" asked Candy unexpectedly for her thoughts were wondering.

Tom was perplexed from her question. "Well, uhmm, he cares for you, always there for you, and of course he tells you that he loves you. Why Candy?"

"What if he doesn't confess his feelings; I am so confused right now Tom." sighed Candy

Unable to discern whether she was referring to him or another, pausing for a while he cautiously asked, "Candy who are you referring to?"

Candy let out a big sighed and said, "Just someone tall, blue eyes, and blond."

"Aha, so he is tall, blue eyes, and blond and a big moron!" Tom displeasingly grunted.

Candy chuckled but her eyes expressed sorrow. "How about you Tom, have you been in love and did you ever confess to her?"

Tom blushed and started to sweat. Candy noticed, for his shoulder became unease. Candy looked at him intently and asked, "What's the matter Tom?"

Tom looked at her and said, "I was in love before to a girl who I knew since we were babies. Then we got separated, things happened along the way; next thing I knew she had fallen in love to a rich young BLOND boy. There I knew that she will never return my love for she only sees me as an older brother." Tom gently smiled at her. He seemed wounded for what could have been between the two of them.

"Eh, Tom I didn't know. I thought…" Candy blushed, lowered and covered her face.

Tom put his arm around her shoulder and comforted her, "It's ok Candy; I have accepted. I am content just like this." grinning and pointing to his warm embrace. After a long pause and full of awkwardness he said with loud and distinctive tone, "But if I fall in love again, I will tell her right away for I don't want to miss the boat again." Tom chuckled releasing his arms from her.

Candy rested her head back against his shoulders with a heart broken three times. Candy thought miserably, THREE TIMES! Imagine that three times! How was it possible? First there was my dear sweet Anthony, then my rebellious Terry, and now my prince, Albert. When will I ever find a love that will last till I am no more?

Mustering all the courage she had left, she is now more determined to go to France, this time she knows there's a man out there, Michael who loves him. No more guessing no more what ifs. I can learn to love him, maybe, Candy trying to convince or yet lie to herself.

Nearing Pony Hill, Candy pleaded Tom gazing at him with her magnificent green eyes, "Tom if this will be our last time seeing each other will you do me another favour please?"

Briefly, Tom shuddered and gaped upon her beauty, like brisk, cool morning dew refreshing his face, Tom felt surreal. Coming back to reality Tom snapped out from his dream and blurted out, "Candy, what do you mean last time?"

Candy wasn't sure if she should tell Tom about going to France, surely he will stop her; but she couldn't stay here. Albert is here and she couldn't bear to near him.

"Well I am going back to Chicago. So maybe I meant for a long time. hihi..." Candy tried to hide by laughing.

"What is it your request my dear Candy?"

Reluctantly and shyly she asked, "Well I know you're very tired Tom, but can you also give me a ride back to the train station?" Candy pleaded while wrapping her arms around Tom's.

(Seriously, this guy used to be or maybe still in love with this girl and with these things she's doing to him how can our simple rancher say no? Talk about women's manipulations.)

"Oh I see, Huh! What! Train station? I just came from there? Really Candy are you serious I am dead tired and I am so.." Tom explained, pointing back from where he had travelled, shaking his head from disbelief.

Realizing Candy's face turned pale like the first snow fall untouched. He stopped the carriage in front Pony Hill, cupped her face gazing at her and said, "I am so tired but I will do it for you Candy, anything for you. Although I wish I have some sleep." Tom smiled from his heart.

At that moment Candy felt love by a real and strong man which she hasn't felt for a long time. A man she knows since she was a baby, he was there ever since and always let her wins and do things her way. This man even helped Anthony to experience how to be a man by riding the rodeo. Yet she never did anything in return to him. Also, he even confessed his feelings to her right now; without forcing himself to her. The only thing she thought she can do was…

Hence, she hugged him so tight and kissed him on the cheek, "Tom thank you so much you don't know how much this means to me." Then off she runs hurriedly inside Pony Hill.

Tom was left frozen and dumbfounded.

Inside Pony Hill, Candy tried not to make a sound, but unfortunately Sis Pony and Miss Maria were already awake. Candy was rushing since Tom was waiting outside.

"Hello mothers, sorry to be in a hurry but I have to go back to Chicago, Tom will give me a ride to the train station. He is waiting outside." Candy said this as she runs around the house gathering her belongings.

"Wait Candy; settle down, why are you going back to Chicago in a hurry? Albert and George were here last night waiting for you. In fact, they spend the night at Mr. Cartwright. I told him to come back here early this morning to see you."

At the moment when she heard his name, she stopped, her knees buckled, and couldn't move. He was here! I have to hurry then. Candy thought.

Candy pretended that she didn't hear anything, instead she said, "Mothers, I have no time right now to explain things, I will write to you as soon as I can. I am so sorry to leave like this but I do have to go. I can't stay here any longer. Please do understand." Candy couldn't look into their eyes for she was filled with sorrow and pain. She didn't know when if she ever going to see them again. So Candy rushed outside and cried out, "Tom we can go now and thanks for waiting."

Tom finally snapped and said, "Oh ok."

Their journey was a quiet one. They talked about the past and how they miss everything. Until they reached the station, "So this is goodbye Candy?" Tom said looking at the ground kicking some rocks.

Candy hugged him tight and said, "Hopefully not goodbye but more like see you later."

Unable to control her overwhelming gratitude and emotion, Candy kissed Tom on the lips and said, "That's for everything Tom, for being honest, sincere, and loving brother to me."

As their bodies touched, Tom wrapped his hands around her waist, holding his tears, trying to live the moment. Candy hugged him back and rested her head on his broad chest. Moment past, Tom kiss her golden hair then let her go. He wave back at her and was finally able to rest, for now he knows if they had the chance Candy could love him. Oh how her lips taste sweet, Tom thought. "Good luck Candy, I hope that man will smarten up and finally confess his love for you." But Candy didn't hear those words anymore.

Tom was in heaven riding back, beaming with excitement astonished, after all this time, that Candy finally kissed him. After the long ride and still elated he didn't noticed Albert's approaching car.

"Watch out!" Tom said, "Stupid city people. They think they own the road?"

Dark circles around his eyes and weakened Albert stepped out from the car and apologized.

Tom thought it was Anthony, and then realized it was Albert. "Albert is that you?" Tom said.

"Tom? You're Tom, Candy's friend or brother right?" Albert understood.

"Yea that's me. Sorry about yelling at you. I was in deep thought you see." grinning Tom explained.

Knowing the feeling, Albert said, "I'm afraid I was too. I am sorry as well."

"What are you doing here?" Tom curiously asked.

"I am going to see Candy; I have been waiting for her all night, unfortunately, we have to spend the night at Mr. Cartwright for there were no room at Pony Hill." Albert explained with a heavy heart.

Tom revealed, "CANDY! Oh my I just dropped her to the train station an hour ago."

Albert was petrified, as if the shadow of darkness engulfed his entire being and uttered with gravely voice, "You did what?"

Puzzled Tom repeated, "I said the train station." Is he deaf? Tom mumbled. Later added, "She seems to be in a hurry, I don't know why? She acted differently, I mean not as cheerful as before."

Albert who is now more terrified and shaking for he missed her again; continued to inquire to get more information; since he knows that it is impossible to reach her at this time.

With a heart breaking voice he uttered, "Where is she going?"

"Oh she said that she's going back to Chicago. Maybe because that moron guy who couldn't tell his feelings for her lives there and she's going to confront him."

"A moron guy, ha?" Albert asked raising his brow.

"Well, I added that you see, she's been asking me questions about how do you know if a man loves you and so on. Afterwards before boarding the train, she kissed me. I think it her way of saying thanks for everything. I never thought Candy will kiss me ever." Tom explained with a wide grin on his face and eyes.

As he listened, Albert was slowly drowning into the depth of sorrow, an abyss with no end. He finally uttered, "I am the moron guy."

"What is that, you?" Tom confirmed then surveyed Albert from head to toe. He added "tall, blue eyes, and blond."

Albert gave him a confused look and was about to ask then, thought that Candy probably was only describing him. "Yes, and know she is going to France to join the medical war nurses, for she doesn't want to see me ever again."

"What, what have you done? Candy could be killed out there?" Tom jumped off his carriage full of anger grabbed Albert's collar and shaking him.

Unable to look him directly in the eyes, Albert spoke no words. George intervened and said, Tom we are trying to stop her and all these things are misunderstandings.

"Misunderstanding I say, Albert you better bring her back alive, or else." Tom released him. He sat and covered his face and tears started to fall.

"You don't know how much she means to me and to all other people who loves her. Now go be a man Albert, the man that Candy expects you to be, and the man she deserves." Tom cried out.

Therefore, Albert rested his hand against Tom's shoulder, look unto his eyes and said,

"I am bound to her and she's to me. She's the air I breathe, the reason for my existence, without her I am nothing. I will find her Tom and if she takes me back, I will take her as my beloved wife. I am sorry for every pain I've caused you."

Tom stood and the two men nodded in agreement.

He left and followed Candy back to Chicago.