CHAPTER 1

Jeremy Bolt sleepily turns over in bed to drape his arm over his wife Candy. Not feeling her body next to him, he moves his hand around the area to touch her. Realizing she's not in bed, he suddenly awakes and props himself up on his elbow, looking around for her. He quietly gets out of bed and slips on his longjohn bottoms. Now where is Candy? he thinks to himself.Looking at the large clock on the wall, he sees it's 1:33 in the morning.

He goes downstairs and looks in the parlor, kitchen, and dining room. Seeing the front door ajar, he opens it and steps out onto the big wrap around porch. Candy is sitting in the porch swing with a sad worried look on her face.

"Candy? Candy, what are you doing out here? Do you know what time it is?" he asks as he sits down beside her.

"I couldn't sleep so I came out here. I didn't want to disturb you. I'm sorry."

"No, don't be. Is there anything wrong? Is it the baby?" he asks very concerned.

"The baby's fine, don't worry."

"Then why can't you sleep? You look worried. What is it?"

Candy shakes her head. "It's nothing. You go on back to bed. You need your sleep."

"So do you. I'm not going back to bed and leave you out here alone." He takes her hand in his and kisses her fingertips. "Candy, you know you can talk to me. You can tell me anything."

She smiles as she sighs and rubs her fingers on his cheek. "I know I can, but Jeremy honestly, I don't know what to tell you. I just feel like something is going to happen. I don't know what or when, but something big is coming. And I don't think it's going to be anything good."

"Are you sure?" he asks.

"No, I'm not sure about anything. It's just a feeling I have," she answers.

"So maybe you're just getting yourself worked up over nothing. Worrying about nothing."

"Maybe."

He puts his arm around her shoulders and pulls her close to him. "I don't want you to worry about anything. I'm here and I'll do my best to keep you and the baby safe. Same for Molly and Christopher."

"I know you will, but Jeremy sometimes things happen that we can't control."

"I know. But there's no need to worry about something that's just a feeling." He wants to lift her spirits so he says, "Besides you worry too much, you're gonna make that beautiful auburn hair of yours turn gray. You know you wouldn't like that," he chuckles.

She giggles, "And this is coming from you? The man that worries over every little thing?"

"Right now, I'm only worried about you. Maybe a cup of warm milk will help you sleep. I'll fix you some if you'd like," he says as he kisses the side of her forehead.

"That's not necessary. I think maybe I can fall asleep if you just hold me in your arms."

"What are we waiting for then? Let's go back to bed," he says as he rises and helps her up from the swing. They go upstairs to bed and he holds her close to him. "Candy, I want you to go see Doctor Wright tomorrow morning."

"Why? I told you it's not the baby," she replies.

"I know you did, but I just want to be sure. Will you go? I'll go with you." He kisses her lips gently. "Please, for me."

"All right. Jeremy, I'm sorry. Now I have you worrying about me and the baby. I didn't mean to do that."

"It's all right, Candy. That's what husbands do. They worry about their family. Let's try to get some sleep. It'll be time to get up before we know it."

"I'll try. Thank you, Jeremy. I do feel better already. I love you."

"I love you, too. Now close your beautiful blue eyes." He gives her a gentle squeeze and a kiss on her cheek.