Chapter 1

It was very wet this fall, the rain kept coming and coming. It seemed as if everyone in Seattle would eventually have to use Clancy's ship just to stay 'afloat.' Jason was not happy. Aaron was not happy; Joshua was not happy either. The only one that was happy was Jeremy. The heavy rains meant he could spend some time with Candy without feeling so worn out and tired. They sat in the little sitting room at the dorm. The loggers had built a little alcove just at the entrance to the dormitory which would give the ladies and their gentlemen callers a little privacy to sit and talk when it was too wet outside. Many of the ladies took advantage of the situation so much so that they had to set up a schedule for the little room.

"Audrey, I have it at 2 could you change your time so that Rob and I can have time earlier?" Sally asked.

"Well, I know that Kirk is not going to be working on that mountain so, 2 will be fine with us." Audrey said as she took the pencil and changed her time and Sally's time. Candy and Jeremy came in to the dorm. She and Jeremy had gone over to sit at Lottie's for a while.

"Well, thank you Mr. Bolt for the lovely time at Lottie's."
"You are welcome, Miss Pruitt. Shall we plan another time?" Jeremy said as he held her hand and would have given her a kiss if Biddie had not stepped in between them and said:

"Candy, I am glad you are back! I need to talk to you!"

"Could you give us a minute please?" said Candy as she maneuvered away from Biddie who did not move but waited until Candy and Jeremy said their goodbyes. Jeremy looked around to be sure no one was going to come in between them again and kissed Candy on her lips. She was taken by surprise that he did that, but she did not resist. They looked into each other's eyes and held hands. Biddie made a coughing sound. She was trying to be patient, but she wanted to talk to Candy. They both looked at her but made no faces, they turned back and kissed again and then Jeremy gave her a hug and walked out the door. Candy stood for a moment, holding her hand over her lips. That was the first time he had kissed her on her lips, and she had kissed him back! Oh, the luscious feel of his lips against hers. She would have swooned anywhere else, but 'duty' called.

"Okay Biddie what is it that is so important?" Candy said as she headed upstairs to change. Biddie followed her and as soon as they were upstairs, she made sure no one was up there. What she had to say was very, very private.

"Candy, Have I got news for you!" said Biddie as she sat on Candy's bed. Candy sat down as well.

"What is this news that you are so excited about Biddie!" Candy asked.

"Well, I you know how I talk about my aunt; she is coming to visit me, and she is bringing a friend that we have known for a long time!"

"Oh, that is exciting, who is this friend of yours? "asked Candy.

"His name is William Barstow. He is coming out west, he was thinking of going to California but then Aunt Sarah wanted to come out to visit me, so she asked him to come to Seattle first."

"Oh, Biddie, that is wonderful!"

"Oh, it is and one more thing, I think you should know about." Said Biddie was not sure if she should tell her or not, but she thought it would be good to let her know ahead of time.

"Do you remember Simon Weston?" asked Biddie and was immediately sorry she said his name. Candy looked at her with shock in her eyes.

"I thought he had been killed in the war?" said Candy as she tried to take this in.

"Well, he was wounded, I am not sure how, but Aunt Sarah says he would like to come out west to recoup and thought about going to San Francisco but found out you had gone to Seattle, so he decided to come along!" Biddie said the last part of her sentence winding down to a whisper. Candy looked at Biddie and then stood up to look out the window. The rain had stopped and people were getting out for a little fresh air.

"Biddie, thank you for letting me know. I will have to let Jeremy know; how soon will they be here?"

"I don't know. I got the telegram a couple of days ago and all it said was that they would be arriving by stage sometime this week. Is there a problem?" asked Biddie and then put her hand to her mouth and said: "Oh, no!"
"Oh, yes! Biddie! I am not in love with Simon and if he wants to rekindle, he will have to know that I am with Jeremy now! I will have to tell Jeremy before they get here!" cried Candy, gathering her coat and hat again so that she could find Jeremy.

"Biddie, are you certain they will be arriving this week?"

"Why yes, I have the telegram here. Let me read it to you." she opens the telegram and reads:

Dear Biddie, I have brought William Barstow along with a friend of Candy's who asked to ride along with us. Please let her know that Simon Weston is coming to Seattle with us. We will be arriving on stage on Thursday at noon. Looking forward to a nice visit! Aunt Sarah.

Candy looked at Biddie and then realized what day it was and what time it was. She then looked out of the dorm window to see the stage, it usually stopped in front of Lottie's since that was the best central location at the time. She saw the stage, she saw Simon getting off the stage, it looked like he had one leg. She felt sorry for him, but she had to find Jeremy before he found Simon.

"Biddie, they are here right now! I have to go find Jeremy!" said Candy as she raced out of the dormitory. She decided to avoid the stage as best she could and went over to the Bolt cabin. No one was home. She dreaded the thought of going to Lottie's, but she had to if Jeremy wasn't home, he might be in Lottie's with his brothers.