CHAPTER 2

Jeremy arrives back at the cabin earlier than he thought he would. Not only did they complete their contract but they finished by mid afternoon. Jason was so thrilled he told the loggers that their first drink was on the Bolt brothers and he didn't want to see them back at camp until Tuesday morning. He gave them Monday off so they could have a long three day weekend.

"Aren't you coming to Lottie's with us to celebrate?" Josh asks Jeremy.

"No, you go on without me. I've got some things I need to attend to before tonight," he replies.

"Big date with Candy tonight, uh?" Jason laughs.

With his face blushing he answers, "Yeah, something like that."

"But that's later. You have time to have a drink with us," Josh informs him.

"I know, but I need to take a bath. I don't think Candy would appreciate me showing up looking and smelling like this."

"Go ahead then. Tell Candy we said hi and we're sorry for keeping you up at the camp all week," Jason says.

Jeremy nods as he enters the cabin. He chuckles as he whispers, "I don't appreciate me smelling like this either."

When supper time comes, Jeremy heads over to the dormitory. He wonders, why is it taking so long for someone to answer the door. I mean there's nearly ninety girls living here, give or take a few. Surely someone could manage to open the door in a reasonable amount of time.

Biddie finally opens the door and Jeremy can tell by her expression she's not in a good mood. He smiles real big and greets her, "Hello Biddie. Nice seeing you. Is Candy ready?"

"No, she's not," Biddie grumbles. "She just now got in the tub."

"Just now? Is she feeling all right?" Jeremy asks concerned.

"Well Jeremy, you kept her up half the night. She was so tired today that she laid down after lunch and took a nap. She slept longer than she meant to. Now, she's running late and oh my word, everyone needs to stay out of her way," Biddie explains.

"I see. Well, I'll just wait on her out here then."

"No, Candy said to tell you to go on over to Lottie's and she'll get there as soon as she can."

"All right. Thanks Biddie." Jeremy heads over to Lottie's and before stepping inside the saloon, he sees the stage coming in.

When the stage stops, the only two passengers aboard climb out. "Remember now," the man tells the lady in a quiet voice so as to not be heard by anyone else. "Do it exactly like we talked about. That young man that just went into Lottie's, is the man you're after."

"This is going to be more enjoyable than I thought. He is one fine looking man," she giggles.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," he says sarcastically. "All the girls around here find him to be attractive. It's sickening. You play your cards right and you'll have him all to yourself. Candy Pruitt won't even know what happened."

"You can count on me, Mr. Stempel."

"I hope so. You don't get paid until Miss Pruitt is on her way back to New Bedford. Oh and if I happen to walk in later, don't let on that we know each other." He turns and heads over to the mill to check on things before going home.

"Beer, Lottie," Jeremy orders.

"One beer coming right up. I thought you'd be out with Candy tonight," Lottie states.

"Oh, she's running late. She's going to meet me over here for supper. We'll have two of your specials whenever she gets here," Jeremy chuckles. "If she gets here, that is."

"She'll be here all right. Candy's been mooning around here all week, missing you. She'll be here, you can count on that."

Jeremy heads over to a table close to the door. As he sits down he takes a big swig of his beer, then props his feet up on the chair beside him. Laying his head back to rest, he closes his eyes.

"Pardon me, sir. Could you please help me with my luggage?" a female voice interrupts his rest.

Jeremy opens his eyes to a young pretty blond who is struggling to drag her trunk into the saloon. Jumping up, he says, "Here let me get that for you." He carries the luggage over to the stairs while the lady gets a room key from Lottie.

"I have room 105. Would you mind taking that to my room?" she asks.

"All right. After you."

Upon entering the room, the lady instructs Jeremy to put her trunk over by the window as she then shuts the door. "Thank you so much. I appreciate your help," she says as she bats her eyes at him.

"You're welcome." He starts to head for the door when she places her hand on his arm.

"My name's Jasmine. Jasmine Westover." She holds her hand out to him.

"Glad to meet you Miss Westover. I'm Jeremy Bolt." He shakes her hand. "You going to be in Seattle long?"

"I don't rightly know. I have some business to take care of and I don't know how long that will take. And call me Jasmine, please."

"All right, Jasmine. Call me Jeremy," he smiles at her.

"Very well, Jeremy." Jasmine takes her cape off and lays it on the bed. When Jeremy sees what was underneath the cape, he can't help but stare. "Tell me, what's a girl to do for fun around here?" she asks.

"F-f-fun? Uh, well, um, n-not m-much." He closes his eyes for a moment to get control again. Opening his eyes he avoids looking at Jasmine, especially since her voluptuous breasts are practically pouring out of her dress.

"Maybe I could persuade you to show me around Seattle tomorrow. I mean you're the only person I've met and well, I think we could get along together quite well. Don't you think so?"

"Hmmm, to-tomorrow? I-I'm sorry, but I already have p-plans for tomorrow," he stammers nervously.

"Oh, that's too bad. Can't you change your plans?"

"No sorry, I can't do that."

"Hmm, I'm sorry, too. If you decide to change your mind, I'll be sitting here twiddling my thumbs," Jasmine pouts.

"Yeah, I-I gotta go. I'm meeting my g-girl. Can't keep her waiting, you know.

Before he can leave, Jasmine kisses him on the cheek. "Thanks again, Jeremy. Maybe I'll see you later."

"Maybe," he mutters and hurries out the door. He can hear Jasmine giggling as she shuts the door behind him. Stopping at a mirror in the hall, he checks himself. He grabs his handkerchief from his pocket and begins to wipe Jasmine's lip rouge from his cheek. Boy, wouldn't want Candy to see that and get the wrong idea. Being satisfied with his appearance, he looks at his handkerchief with the smeared lip rouge and gives it a toss out the side window. Then he goes down to finish his beer and wait on Candy. I might need a stiff drink instead of that warm beer, he chuckles.