CHAPTER 11

When Candy gets back to Seattle, she sees Ben, Lottie, and Aaron outside the store talking. She walks up to them and asks, "Ben, when is the next stage due?"

"Tomorrow afternoon. It's going to Olympia," Ben drawls.

"I don't care where it goes, just somewhere that's not Seattle. Olympia? Can I get off anywhere between here and Olympia?"

"You can, just tell the driver."

"Candy, what's going on?" Lottie asks.

"I really don't want to talk about it, Lottie. I just need to find a way to get out of here as soon and as fast as possible."

Aaron perks up and comments, "You are planning on coming back, Miss Pruitt, aren't you?"

Candy's expression changes from angry to sad. "No, I'm not. I'm going home to New Bedford."

"What? Why?" Lottie asks.

"Miss Pruitt, you do realize that if you leave, the Bolts lose their mountain. Are you sure you want to do that to Jeremy?" Aaron asks.

"Yes, I'm aware of that." She wipes her eyes, "But Jeremy should have thought of that before he ruined what we had. I hate doing this to Jason and Josh, but it can't be helped."

"What did Jeremy do?" Lottie asks.

"Oh Lottie, he cheated on me. I caught him making out with that trollop Jasmine," Candy says as she bursts into tears as Lottie holds her.

"That doesn't sound like Jeremy," Ben remarks.

"Ben, don't be taking up for Jeremy after what he did to poor Miss Pruitt. He finally just showed his true colors," Aaron smirks. "He's not a saint."

"Ben, how much is a one way ticket?" Candy asks between sobs.

"Now, don't you worry about the cost. I'll be glad to pay for your way back to New Bedford," Aaron replies.

Lottie gives Aaron the look of death. "Aaron, you stay out of this. You're just wanting that mountain."

Aaron chuckles, "I don't deny that, Lottie. But I have always said that if any bride wants to leave, I'll pay her way. I can't go back on my word."

"Thank you, Mr. Stempel. I'm very grateful for your help. Ben, what time does the stage come?" Candy asks.

"Around 2:00. Candy, are you sure about this?" Ben asks. "Maybe you and Jeremy just need to talk this over."

"I'm sure Ben. Jeremy and I have nothing to discuss. He made his choice." Candy dries her tears. "I better go pack. I'll see you all tomorrow at 2:00." She turns and walks slowly to the dormitory.

"Aaron, you need to stop gloating. It doesn't look good on you," Lottie says as she goes back to the saloon.

"Well, I never saw that coming," Ben says.

"Neither did I," Aaron remarks with a cheshire cat grin on his smug face.

After Candy gets her things packed, she tells Biddie, "I'm going for a walk. Would you please walk with me? I need some alone time with my best friend."

"Of course, I will," Biddie replies as she winks at Candy.

In the meantime, Jasmine returns and enters Lottie's. Lottie is sitting at a table with Jason and Josh who are drinking their sorrows away.

"Good evening, Lottie," Jasmine greets her. I guess you've already heard their version of what happened."

"Yes, I did. How could you do such a thing?" Lottie asks.

"I have no excuse. Jeremy was flirting with me and I just got caught up in the moment. Everyone is making such a big deal about this. It was just one kiss," Jasmine tries to explain.

"Maybe it didn't mean much to you, but to Candy, it was so much more. She lost all her trust in Jeremy," Lottie replies. "She'll never trust him again. That's why she's leaving on the stage tomorrow afternoon."

"Leaving? Really?" Jasmine asks with a gleam in her eyes.

"I guess you and Jeremy will be going to Olympia?" Jason inquires.

"Me and Jeremy? No, that's what he thought too, but I corrected him about that. I have no desire to take up with Jeremy. He's just a boy," Jasmine informs them.

"A boy that you single handedly destroyed his whole world. He was so happy before you ever came here. Now, thanks to you, he's lost everything. He's lost the love of his life, his brothers, and his mountain. And all for what? All because you wouldn't leave him alone. He naively thought you really cared for him. That the two of you would have a future together. Now, he doesn't even have that. I hope you're happy about what you've done," Josh angrily says. "And to think I thought I was in love with you."

"I admit I was wrong to come on to him. But if he really loved Candy, then I wouldn't have stood a chance with him. This just shows Candy that she dodged a bullet. She should be thanking me."

"Thanking you?" Lottie yells. "Jasmine, I want you out of here tomorrow. There's a stage leaving at 2:00. Be on it."

"Gladly. My business here is finished anyways." She goes upstairs to pack while Lottie, Jason, and Josh smile happily.

Jeremy hears a knock on the door of his parents' old cabin. Opening it, Candy throws herself into his arms. He holds her tightly.

"You two go on in and talk. I'll be the lookout," Biddie giggles as she closes the door.

"Oh Jeremy, I never want to go through something like that ever again. It was killing me to watch you touch her. You promised me you wouldn't kiss her."

"I didn't kiss her back. I swear I was trying to escape from her kiss. Please Candy, don't be mad."

"I'm not mad at you," she says as she kisses his cheek. "Jeremy, how was it? Did you enjoy her kiss?"

"How would I know! I was too busy trying to get out of her clutches."

Candy breaks their embrace and wanders around the room. "You know when you were unbuttoning her dress and your finger ran down to her cleavage, I almost lost it. I couldn't believe you would do such a thing."

"I know and I'm sorry. I even surprised myself on that move." He sees the hurt look on Candy's face. "B-B-But I only did what Josh told me to do. I didn't come up with that on my own."

"So, Josh really told you to do that?"

"Yes, he did. I told him I didn't know if I could do it or not. He said to pretend that Jasmine was you. It worked." He hesitates then adds, "Maybe I can try that move on you someday," his face turning red.

Candy's eyes get wide and she blushes too as she replies, "Maybe I'll let you try that move on me someday."

"Come here," he says as he pulls her into his arms again. "We don't have much time. Once word gets out that you're leaving, everyone will be wanting to say their goodbyes to you." He kisses her lips tenderly. "Candy, you are going to get off that stage right outside of town, aren't you?"

"Of course I am. You don't think I'd ever leave you, do you?" she asks.

"Well, no I don't, but I just wanted to hear you say it. I don't want anything to go wrong. I love you, Candy." He sneaks another kiss in.

"I love you, too." She pushes him down into a comfy chair and sits on his lap. "Jeremy, you should have seen Aaron gloating on the news that I was leaving Seattle. He's paying for my passage all the way to New Bedford."

"That's mighty generous of him," Jeremy laughs. "I can't wait to see his face when we come walking back into town together."

"Me either. So, how exactly are we going to catch him paying Jasmine?"

"I don't know. Jason said him and Josh would figure it out and put the plan into motion, which suits me fine. All I have to do is concentrate on us."

After another half hour passes with many kisses, Jeremy and Candy say goodnight to each other. "I'll see you tomorrow. I love you," Candy says.

"I love you, too," Jeremy says. "Pleasant dreams."