Double Bolt: Part Three
"Jimmy, did Candy tell you her husband's name?" asked Jason.
"Yes, his name is Caleb Carter." Jeremy answered.
"Where do they live…I mean, what area of town?" inquired Joshua.
"They used to live close to the docks. Their house burned recently. I'm not sure where they live now. They live with Mr. Carter's friend, Jasmine." Jeremy replied.
Jason cleared his throat. Joshua coughed a little.
"Was anyone injured in the fire?" Jason asked.
"No, I don't think so. Candy didn't mention it. She and Jarred seemed to be fine." Jeremy replied. "What's with all the questions?"
"Oh, we are just interested in your new friend." Joshua told him.
"Oh, well, thanks for your interest. I'm going to take my boys back to the park on Saturday. Candy said she and her son might be there. I hope so. It would be nice to see her again." Jeremy smiled. "It's getting kind of late. I think I will look in on the twins and turn in myself. I have to be back at work tomorrow. Good night." Jeremy told them.
"Okay, Jimmy." Jason replied. "Good night."
"Good night, Jimmy." Joshua said.
Jeremy went upstairs. In a few minutes, Biddie came downstairs. She had eaten supper earlier so she could take care of Jake and Jamie as soon as Jeremy got home with them.
Biddie went into the kitchen. She found Jason and Joshua deep in conversation.
"Do you mind if I ask what or whom the two of you are discussing so intently?" Biddie said.
"No, we don't mind, Biddie." Jason replied.
"You had better sit down, Biddie." Joshua told her.
"Oh, dear! What's wrong now?" Biddie asked as she sat down at the table.
"It's actually good news, Biddie." Jason answered.
"Well, Jason, don't keep me in suspense! What is it?" asked Biddie.
Jason nodded at Joshua.
"Biddie, Candy and the baby are alive. Jeremy saw them in the park today. He talked to Candy." Joshua said.
Biddie was shocked. "That's wonderful! Did Jeremy get his memory back? Why didn't Candy and Jarred come home with him? Biddie asked.
"No, Biddie, Jeremy didn't get his memory back. He thinks he just met Candy today. Let me ask you, Biddie, do you know a man named Caleb Carter?" Jason questioned.
"I'm so sorry that Jeremy still has amnesia. Yes, I know Caleb Carter. His family is close friends with the Applegates. Caleb was always close to Jasmine Applegate." Biddie replied.
"He must think he's a warlock since he is a close friend of the Applegates." Joshua said.
"Right, Josh. I don't think Candy recognized Jeremy. If she had, I am pretty sure she would have found a way to return here with him. I wonder if Mr. Carter has given Candy some type of drug to cause her to forget her life up until now." Jason said.
"You're talking about a drug induced amnesia. So, I guess Jeremy and Candy both have amnesia. Oh, hell!" Joshua exclaimed.
"I think that's the only answer for why Candy didn't come home with Jeremy. If she recognized him, she would not have returned to Caleb Carter." Jason told his brother and Biddie.
"I think you're right, Jason. Candy loves Jeremy dearly. She wouldn't have walked away from him if she had known him." Biddie responded.
"Unless Carter is threatening her, Jeremy, or the baby." Joshua said sadly.
Jason sighed. "That is very possible, Joshua."
"What are we gonna do, Jason?" Joshua looked at his older brother.
"I'm not sure, Josh. Let's sleep on it. Maybe we can find the answer tomorrow." Jason yawned.
The next day, Jeremy went to work. Biddie took care of the babies. Jason and Joshua had a long talk about how to help Jeremy and Candy.
"I say let's just get our brother, his wife, and three babies on the train with us and Biddie and go home." Joshua stated.
"That sounds simple, Josh. But, Jeremy and Candy have amnesia. Candy thinks she is married to another man. In their frames of mind, how could we get them to go to Seattle with us?" Jason looked at his brother.
"It would be impossible. We are strangers to them. My plan wouldn't work." Joshua admitted.
" I guess we will have to wait until one or both of them gets their memory back." Jason said.
"Yeah, I guess that's all we can do." Joshua agreed.
Jeremy saw Candy at the park every Saturday for the next three weeks. Then he began seeing her at a local restaurant on Wednesday nights. He seemed very happy. On their third Wednesday night, Jeremy did not come home until the next morning.
That night when Jeremy returned home from work, he asked Jason and Joshua if he could talk to them. They said they would be glad to talk to him. The three of them sat at the kitchen table. Biddie was upstairs with the children.
"I know you don't know me very well. But, I promise that I have never been involved with a married woman before. I always figured there are enough ladies to go around without stealing one from another man. But, with Candy, it's different. I feel like I have known her much longer than two months. She feels the same way about me. It's like we were meant to be together. That sounds trite, but for us, it's true. I love Candy and she loves me." Jeremy explained. "We spent the night together last night. We went to a hotel. Usually, I am shy with a new lady friend. But, with Candy, I felt like I was where I belonged." Jeremy told them.
Jason thought to himself dear brother how I wish I could tell you and help you to understand that you are right where you belong with Candy.
"Candy and I want to get married, but she is afraid her husband won't agree to a divorce. She's scared that he would take Jarred away from her." Jeremy looked at the two older Bolts.
Jason and Joshua looked at each other. Jason nodded at Josh.
"Jimmy, my brother, and Biddie, and I are from Seattle. We are thinking about going home soon. You and Candy and the three babies could come with us. It's a very long way from Massachusetts. It could be the answer to your problems." Joshua encouraged.
"It would be great if Candy and I could put a lot of distance between Mr. Carter and us. What about her divorce? Carter would try to make her look like a floozie running off with another man. He would use it to take Jarred away from her." Jeremy worried.
"Don't worry about that, Jimmy. The Governor of Washington, Territory is a friend of mine. He would make arrangements for Candy to get a divorce without any complications. She would be able to keep Jarred." Jason said.
Jeremy smiled. "Well, that sounds great. I will talk to Candy about it. Wait….why are you willing to help us like this?"
"Jimmy, even though we haven't known you very long, we consider you our friend. We've been living in the same house for two months. When a friend needs help, you step up and help in any way you can." Jason replied.
"That makes sense. Thank you, Mr. Bolt." Jeremy said gratefully.
"You're welcome. But no more Mr. Bolt. We are Jason and Joshua." Jason told him.
"Okay, thanks." Jeremy said. "I'll let you two know what Candy says."
Jeremy talked to Candy a few days later on Saturday. They were sitting on a park bench. The babies were playing on a pallet next to the bench.
"Oh, Jimmy! We can really have a life together and raise our children as one family!" Candy said excitedly.
"Yes, we can, sweetheart. I am very happy! Are you happy, Candy?" Jeremy asked.
"Yes! I am the happiest I have ever been in my whole life!" Candy gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Jeremy gazed into Candy's eyes. There was something about her eyes. He couldn't quite figure what it was, but something…
Suddenly, Jeremy collapsed into Candy's arms. He wept like a frightened child.
Candy held him tightly. She comforted him as he cried.
"It's alright, darling, it's alright. Shush, sweetheart, shush." Candy whispered in his ear.
Jeremy cried so hard he began gasping for breath.
Candy still held him in her arms. "Try to take a deep breath, sweetheart. You're alright, I'm here. Take as deep a breath as you can, darling. That's good. Try to do it again. Breathe for me, Jeremy. That's right, Jeremy."
Jeremy was able to take a deep breath. He broke the embrace with Candy.
"Why did you call me, Jeremy? My name is Jimmy." Jeremy looked into her eyes.
"No, your name is Jeremy. You are my husband. I am your wife." Candy said softly.
"No…." Jeremy tried to stand up.
Candy caught his arm. Jeremy was still sitting beside her.
"Don't run from me. Please, Jeremy. I believe you cried because your mind was trying so hard to remember me but it couldn't quite do it. Isn't that right, Jeremy?" asked Candy very gently.
Jeremy looked intensely into her eyes. He fought the urge to run. What was he so afraid of? Reliving the pain of when he thought he had lost her and Jarred. But, they weren't lost. They were here with him and they were fine. They were here. They were fine…
"CANDY! It really is you! Oh, sweetheart! Are you and Jarred alright? I have been so lost without you and the baby! I love you both so much!" Jeremy exclaimed.
Candy smiled. "Jarred and I are fine. And what is your name?"
"My name is Jeremy. I am your husband. You are my wife. Before we got married, you were my Miss Candy Pruitt." Jeremy grinned at her.
"Let's go home, Candy!" Jeremy said.
"Let's go!" Candy exclaimed.
They put the babies in the baby carriage. Jeremy folded the pallet.
The little family began the walk to the Pruitt house.
"How did you suddenly remember me, Candy?" asked Jeremy.
"Well, when you were crying, my heart ached so much for you. And I felt such deep love for you at the same time, that my memory of you came rushing back to me." Candy told him softly.
"I guess I'm a big crybaby, huh?" Jeremy asked.
Candy stopped walking. Jeremy stopped too. Candy turned and looked in his eyes.
"No, Jeremy. You're not a crybaby. Not at all. I think it is very sweet how you express your emotions through tears. It shows that you feel things deeply. I also think it is very masculine. It takes a real man to let his tender heart show." Candy gave him a passionate kiss on his mouth.
Jeremy gave her a tender passionate kiss in return. "I love you, Candy." He whispered softly.
"I love you, Jeremy" Candy said sweetly.
When Jeremy, Candy, and the babies went into the Pruitt house, Jason and Joshua were sitting in the parlor.
"Well, hello!" Jason said.
"Hello, brothers!" Jeremy exclaimed.
Jason and Joshua jumped up from their seats.
"Brothers! Did you say brothers? Joshua, he said brothers!" Jason was ecstatic.
"Yes, Jason, I said brothers. You and Josh are my brothers and I love you very much. Thank you for helping Candy and me and the children."
"All of you are welcome! Jeremy, we are so happy that you have gotten your memory back. And of course, you too, Candy." Joshua said.
Biddie heard all of the talking. She came running down the stairs.
"Oh, Candy! The baby! Jeremy! I'm so very happy to see you all!" Biddie cried.
Biddie hugged Candy and Jarred. She looked at Jeremy and then she looked at Candy.
"Biddie, it's okay, you can hug Jeremy." Candy smiled.
Biddie gave Jeremy a big hug. "I have been so worried about the three of you." She told him.
"Thank you, Biddie. We are fine now." Jeremy said. "Thanks for helping me with the twins. They love you very much. All of us love you, Biddie."
"Oh my, Jeremy. You are so sweet." Biddie replied.
Later that night, everyone was asleep. A noise woke up Jeremy.
Jeremy sat up in bed and listened. He heard the noise again. It sounded like someone was rattling the doorknob on the front door.
Jeremy got out of bed. He got dressed.
When Jeremy went into the hall, Jason and Joshua were dressed and coming out of their bedrooms. They had heard the noise too.
The three brothers got their shotguns. They went quietly downstairs. Joshua peered out the front curtain. He didn't see anyone.
Suddenly, they heard screams coming from the house across the street.
"HELP! HELP! Our house is on fire! We can't get out! HELP!"
The Bolt brothers looked at each other. Joshua had just looked out. He didn't see any fire over there.
Joshua looked out the window again. "The house across the street is on fire now!"
All the brothers rushed out the front door. Jeremy was the last one out.
As Jeremy was running down the steps, he heard a rifle being cocked behind him. He looked back.
"Hello, Jeremy. My name is Jasmine. I am going to kill you."
Jasmine raised the rifle.
Jeremy raised his shotgun. He hesitated a second because he had never shot a woman.
Sadly, that was one second too long.
BOOM! Came the blast from Jasmine's rifle.
Jeremy fell on the steps. He rolled down the steps to the ground.
Jason and Joshua heard the gunfire from across the street. They came running back to the Pruitt house.
Candy and Biddie were awakened by the blast of the rifle. They came rushing outside.
"Oh, my God! No!" Jason bellowed. He knelt down by Jeremy. He put two fingers on his brother's neck. Jeremy was alive.
Joshua looked at Jasmine. She was smiling an evil smile.
"You, witch! Why did you shoot Jeremy?!" He roared at her.
Jasmine laughed. "Because I love him and he does not love me. Jeremy only loves little miss goody goody over there."
Candy had knelt on the other side of Jeremy. She was sobbing uncontrollably. Biddie was beside her trying to comfort her.
"Joshua! Go get Dr. Ferguson, quick!" Jason said.
"Oh, no, you don't." Caleb stepped up from the side steps to the porch. "Not until we get Jarred." Caleb had a rifle.
"Jeremy will die without medical treatment!" Jason yelled.
"Well, you had better give us the baby quickly then." Caleb replied
"No! I will go with you! I'm an adult Angel child. I can help you more than a baby can. But, first I get the doctor for Jeremy." Joshua demanded.
"No, Josh, no" Jeremy whispered weakly.
"Don't talk, please sweetheart. Save your strength." Candy said through her tears.
"Jeremy, you must have a doctor and this seems to be the only way." Jason said gently. He was holding his shirt tightly against Jeremy's stomach trying to stop the bleeding.
"Alright, but I go with you to get the doctor." Caleb said.
"We go fast." Joshua said.
"Agreed." Caleb replied.
Joshua and Caleb went quickly to get Dr. Ferguson. In the meantime, Jason carried Jeremy upstairs to one of the bedrooms.
When Dr. Ferguson arrived with Joshua and Caleb, he examined Jeremy. He said Jeremy was too weak from losing so much blood to be moved to the hospital. Dr. Ferguson performed surgery on Jeremy to remove the bullet there at the house. He said the surgery went well. The doctor took out the bullet and stopped the bleeding.
Joshua and Caleb left with Jasmine. Joshua assured Jason he would be alright. Jason said he would let Joshua know how Jeremy was doing.
Dr. Ferguson did everything he could for Jeremy. He came to see him twice a day. On two nights, the doctor sat up all night with Jeremy. After almost two weeks, Dr. Ferguson gave Jason and Candy the sad news. Jeremy was dying.
Candy and Biddie brought the babies into the room so Jeremy could talk to them. Candy held each son separately on Jeremy's chest so he could see them.
"Hey there, Jake. Daddy loves you. You be good for Mommy and take good care of your brothers, okay? Brothers are important. Daddy knows because he has the two best brothers in the world. I love you, son. Bye bye." Jeremy reached and patted Jake's leg.
After Jeremy said goodbye to Jamie and Jarred, Jason knelt by the bed.
"Jeremy." Jason whispered as he stroked his baby brother's hair.
Jason's face fell onto the side of the bed. He sobbed like a heartbroken child.
Jeremy put his hand on the back of Jason's head stroking his hair. "It's alright, Jason. I'm not afraid. I love you."
Jason looked up at Jeremy. "I know you're not afraid. You are very brave, Jeremy. I'm the one who is afraid. I can't make it without you, brother. I love you so very much." Jason's tears fell on Jeremy's face.
Jason got up. He sat in the chair by the bed.
Biddie got on her knees by the bed. "Jeremy, I don't know what to say. That's a first isn't it? Biddie Cloom at a loss for words. I love you, Jeremy." Biddie told him.
"That's the best thing to say. I love you, Biddie. Take care of our sweet girl, okay?" Jeremy asked.
"I will, Jeremy. I promise." Biddie gave him a tiny kiss on the top of his head.
"Thank you, Biddie." Jeremy said.
Biddie got up from the floor.
Candy sat on the side of the bed. "It isn't hurting you for me to sit here is it, Jeremy?"
"No." Jeremy's voice was getting weaker.
"I love you with all my heart, Jeremy. I always will. Oh, hell! This is so unfair! We were supposed to have a lifetime together not just a few years." Candy broke down sobbing.
"Candy, you loved me a lifetime's worth in these few years. I love you with my whole heart, sweet girl." Jeremy said. "Be happy. Find a nice man and get married again. It's okay. You have my approval. Give me a kiss, please,Candy." Jeremy said.
Candy leaned forward. She gave Jeremy a sweet tender kiss on his lips. Jeremy gasped. Candy started to pull away, but Jeremy put his hand on the back of her head and held it in place. He gave her a short tender kiss on her lips.
Jeremy began gasping for breath. He put his hand over his heart. "Chest hurts."
Jason knelt by the bed again. "Jeremy, I love you. I'll think of you everyday."
Jeremy's breathing was shallow. "I love you, Jason. Please tell Joshua that I love him."
"I will." Jason said. He stroked Jeremy's hair. Tears were pouring down his face.
Candy was holding Jeremy's hands in hers. "Oh, Jeremy! I love you!"
Jeremy barely squeezed Candy's hand. "I love you, Candy."
Suddenly, Jeremy smiled. "Jason, I see Mom! She is so beautiful. There's Dad too. They are coming for me, Jason. It's okay. Everything is okay. Tell Josh, I love him. I love you, Jason." Jeremy closed his eyes.
Jeremy was gone.
Jason cried so badly that he sounded like a wounded animal.
Candy and Biddie tried to comfort him. Jason was inconsolable.
The ladies tried to get Jason to lie down and rest. He said he had to go tell Joshua the terrible news about Jeremy.
Jason regained his composure in about an hour. He went to talk to Joshua. Of course, Joshua was heartbroken. He vowed to make Jasmine pay.
When Jason returned to the Pruitt house, he talked to Candy and Biddie. Candy was devastated. She said she had to be strong for the children and for Jason and Joshua. She said she knew that's what Jeremy would want.
Two days later, they had Jeremy's funeral at the New Bedford Baptist Church. Jeremy was buried next to Candy's mother.
Candy and Biddie decided to stay in New Bedford. Candy said she had no reason to return to Seattle without Jeremy. Jason said he would stay in New Bedford too. With Jeremy gone and Joshua living with the Applegates, Seattle held nothing for him anymore.
Candy asked Jason about Bridal Veil Mountain. Jason told her the mountain didn't mean anything to him now. He said he was going to give the mountain to Aaron. Jason said he planned to sell the logging business to Aaron as well.
The next day, Jason went to town. He sent Aaron a telegram.
This is what the telegram said:
From: Jason Bolt, New Bedford, Massachusetts. To: Aaron Stempel, Seattle, Washington Territory.
Aaron, very devastating news. Jeremy died. Gunshot wound. Please tell Lottie and Clancy in a gentle way. They loved him very much. Tell them he went peacefully saying that he saw our parents coming for him. Joshua belongs to a coven of witches now. Josh made that decision to keep them from getting Jarred. Aaron, I am giving you Bridal Veil Mountain. It means nothing to me now without my brothers. I will sell you the logging business if you are interested. Talk to Barnabas about the paperwork. Yes, I'm sure about giving you the mountain. I hate it now. If I was you, I would burn every damn tree on it. Candy, Biddie, and I are not ever returning to Seattle. It holds nothing for us without Jeremy and Joshua. Signed: Jason Bolt
Aaron was shocked when he received Jason's wire. Telling Lottie and Clancy that Jeremy died was one of the hardest things he had ever done in his life. They cried terribly.
Aaron kept reading the telegram over and over. He just couldn't believe it. Jason Bolt was defeated. He was a broken man. Aaron remembered how badly he had wanted Bridal Veil Mountain in the past. Aaron had schemed and planned numerous ways to try to take the property from the Bolts. He never wanted it like this.
Aaron arrived at his office. He walked inside. He sat down at his desk. Taking the telegram from his pocket, he read it again.
No, he didn't want Bridal Veil Mountain like this. At such a high personal cost to Jason. The death of one brother and the enslavement of the other. The horrible truth hit Aaron right in the face. His best friend had lost everything. Aaron put his face on his desk and cried.
Back in New Bedford, Joshua was surviving the coven. They tried to drown him. The coven thought that failed because Joshua was an adult Angel child. It failed because Joshua could hold his breath under water for five minutes. Joshua was beaten with a strap regularly. He didn't cry because he was so angry about what Jasmine had done to Jeremy. The coven thought that his lack of tears was another sign that he was an adult Angel child.
One night the coven had a meeting. Caleb had his assistant make sure that Joshua was cleaned up and well dressed.
At the meeting, Joshua was asked to go up to the podium. Joshua complied.
When he was behind the podium, Joshua was asked why he had not given any blessings to the coven since he arrived.
"There have been no blessings awarded to this coven because I am very angry over the death of my brother. One of the witches here is responsible for his death." Joshua answered.
There was murmuring among the group. "He's right. Jasmine killed his youngest brother."
"In fact, I am so furious about the loss of my brother, Jeremy, that I am seriously considering withholding my protection from the coven. And God help….what am I saying? You idiots don't believe in God." Joshua glared at them.
There was a collective gasp among the coven members.
When the meeting was over, Jasmine walked up to Joshua.
"You can't do anything to me because I shot Jeremy. It was the doctor's fault he died not mine." Jasmine said.
"You think that makes everything alright, don't you? It doesn't matter to you that Jeremy is dead. It only matters to you that you think you're not to blame." Joshua retorted. "Well, I have news for you, Jasmine. Jeremy was in love with you. He loved you deeply."
"He never told me that. He never even came to visit me." Jasmine was surprised.
"Jeremy came here many times to see you. But, he had to be discreet because he was married. He had to love you from afar so to speak." Joshua responded.
"What about wooing Candy back when we had her? Why did Jeremy do that if he loved me so much?" Jasmine inquired.
"He wanted Candy to give him a divorce so he could marry you. Jeremy knew that drug induced amnesia would wear off in time, which it did. So he was going to lull Candy into a false sense of security and then ask her for a divorce. Jeremy knew she would feel so foolish and humiliated for believing that he loved her that she would agree to a divorce. Then you and Jeremy could have been together forever." Joshua explained.
"But, I ruined everything when I shot Jeremy." Jasmine was about to cry.
"Yeah, you ruined it. Besides killing Jeremy, you broke his heart too. My brother, Jason told me that Jeremy cried out for you day and night for several days before he died." Josh said sadly.
"Oh, my poor darling! What have I done? If only I could have another chance!" Jasmine cried.
"I'm afraid that's impossible." Joshua responded shaking his head.
Two weeks later, it had been six weeks since Jeremy died.
Late one night, Jasmine was asleep. All at once, she woke up. She thought she heard someone calling her.
"Jasmine! Jasmine!" The voice called.
Jasmine got out of bed. She looked around her bedroom. No one was in there with her.
"Jasmine, I love you! I love you, darling! I'm free now! I can be yours!" The voice told her.
"Who are you? Where are you? What makes you think I want you?" Jasmine asked.
"I heard you tell Joshua that you love me. That's how I know." The voice answered.
"I told Joshua that I love Jeremy. JEREMY! Is that you?!" Jasmine was shocked.
"Yes, my darling Jasmine. It's me, Jeremy. I am free now. No wife. No children. We can be together now. I'm all yours. Come to me, darling." Jeremy answered.
"Oh, my goodness! Wait a minute…Jeremy, you died. How can we be together?'" asked Jasmine.
"That's very simple, sweetheart. All you have to do is die. It doesn't hurt. It's like going to sleep." Jeremy responded.
"Jeremy, I don't want to die. Where are you?" Jasmine questioned him.
"I'm outside your house, Jasmine. What do you mean you don't want to die? You thought dying was fine for me. Maybe I didn't want to die. But you didn't think about that, did you?" Jeremy was angry.
Jasmine looked out the window. There was a full moon. She could see Jeremy several feet away from the house. He was wearing his grey suit.
"I'm sorry, Jeremy. I shouldn't have shot you. I love you very much and I didn't think you loved me." She told him.
"Well, now that you know I love you, why aren't you willing to die to be with me? I love you so much that I came back to get you so we could be together." Jeremy replied.
"Let me think about it, Jeremy." Jasmine sighed. "Dying is a big deal especially when…"
"Especially when it's you? Yeah, I found that out a few weeks ago." Jeremy said sarcastically.
"How can I find you, Jeremy?" Jasmine asked.
Come to the cemetery by the New Bedford Baptist Church. You will see me there. Come at 11pm tomorrow night." Jeremy responded.
"I'll be there, Jeremy. I love you, sweetheart!" Jasmine exclaimed.
"I hope you mean it, Jasmine. I gave up everything for you and because of you, darling. I hope you won't disappoint me." Jeremy said.
"Goodnight, sweetheart!" Jasmine responded. She watched as Jeremy walked away.
The following night, Jasmine arrived at the cemetery at the New Bedford Baptist Church at 10:55pm. She found Jeremy sitting under a tree next to his grave.
Next to Jeremy's grave there was an open grave.
"Hello, Jeremy." Jasmine said walking toward him.
"Don't come too close. Hello, Jasmine." Jeremy replied.
"What is that for?" Jasmine questioned. She pointed at the open grave.
"That's your grave, darling." Jeremy said sweetly. "I hope you have decided to join me beyond the grave so that we can be together."
"About that, Jeremy, I love you very much. I truly do. But dying, I'm just not ready to give up this life yet." Jasmine spoke timidly.
"Oh, you're not ready?! Well, guess what, Jasmine? I wasn't ready either! But I didn't get to decide for myself! YOU made that decision about MY life when you shot me!" Jeremy shouted.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't think of it like that. I was so upset that you didn't love me, that I lashed out in a horrible way. I wanted you so badly. Every day when you went to work on the docks, I followed you so I could be close to you. Lots of times when you went out on the fishing vessels, I stowed away on them to be near you. I kept hoping that you would fall in love with me. But, you didn't. Then when you and Candy got your memories back and you were happy with her again..I knew I didn't have a chance. That's why I shot you." Jasmine explained.
"Well, if you want to make it up to me there's one thing you can do, Jasmine." Jeremy told her.
"What can I do?" Inquired Jasmine.
"Release my brother, Joshua from your coven. And never bother any of my family ever again." Jeremy answered.
"I will have to talk to Caleb." Jasmine said.
"Why? You're in charge of the coven. You make the decisions." Jeremy asked.
"He has one more test for Joshua to prove that he is an adult Angel child." Jasmine replied.
"What is the final test?" Jeremy was worried.
"Joshua has to drink poison and survive." Jasmine looked longingly at Jeremy.
"How much poison?" Jeremy demanded.
"About half a cup." Jasmine told him.
"When and where is this final test?" Inquired Jeremy.
"Day after tomorrow, Friday at our house at 9pm." Jasmine said.
"After Joshua passes this test, you and Caleb must release him. If you don't , Jasmine, I will haunt you forever." Jeremy was angry.
"Please don't be angry, Jeremy. We will release Joshua, I promise." She implored.
"You better." Jeremy raised an eyebrow.
"We will. You have my word." Jasmine replied.
Jeremy smirked. "We will see. You need to go now. Good night."
"Good night, Jeremy. I love you." Jasmine said.
Jasmine left the cemetery. Jeremy waited fifteen minutes to make sure she was gone.
Jeremy hurried home. He was careful not to be seen by anyone. That was easy since it was almost midnight. There were very few people out.
When Jeremy got to the Pruitt house, Jason was waiting up for him.
"How did it go with Jasmine, Jeremy?" Jason asked.
"About like we expected, Jason." Jeremy answered.
"She's not too fond of the idea of dying….even to be with her beloved, right?" Jason said.
"Right." Jeremy replied.
Jason stood up. He walked over to Jeremy.
"How about my hug, baby brother?" Jason grinned.
Jeremy gave Jason a hug.
When the hug ended, Jeremy sat down on the sofa.
Jason walked over to the sofa. He stood as straight as he could.
Then six foot five inch Jason Bolt bellowed, "Alright, Joseph! Where is JEREMY?"
Joseph was Jeremy's twin brother. He was the opposite of Jeremy. He was mean, selfish, rude, and hateful. Joseph tried to drown Jeremy when they were four years old. Their parents sent Joseph to be raised by Aunt Catherine in Boston.
"How did you know that I'm not Jeremy?" Joseph sneered.
"When Jeremy hugs, he holds on to you. You just barely touched me. Also, for the past few weeks, Jeremy winces when he hugs due to his surgical wound. You didn't wince." Jason told him. "Where…is….he….Joseph? When did you kidnap him?"
"I snatched him tonight when he was on the way here from the cemetery. I took him to Jasmine's house. She probably has Jeremy tied to the bed. She's probably having a good time." Joseph laughed.
"Oh, I heard the family's dramatic goodbye scene a few weeks ago when Jeremy supposedly died. I was outside the house listening. May I ask what was the purpose in that?" Joseph inquired.
"In case someone was outside listening as you were, Joseph. We staged Jeremy's death so Jasmine wouldn't try again to kill him. And so Jeremy could play into her belief in witches, ghosts, and goblins to get Joshua released from the coven." Jason explained.
"I put a damper on your plan, didn't I?" Joseph smirked.
"Yes, you did, Joseph. I know you hate Jeremy. If you have hurt him in any way, I will kill you, Joseph. That's a promise." Jason was furious.
"Lighten up, big brother. Sweet Jeremy is fine. He kept babbling something about Candy needs to wear her great great grandmother's locket and make sure it's full whatever that means." Joseph said.
Jason made a mental note about the locket.
"Why did you kidnap Jeremy, Joseph?" Jason asked.
"Like you said, Jason, I hate him. I enjoy disturbing the tranquility of the wonderful Bolt brothers from time to time. I learned a long time ago if I mess with the baby brother, the older brothers get terribly angry and upset. So it's a win times three for me." Joseph laughed cruelly.
Jason shook his head.
"I'm going to see about my brothers and you're coming with me, Joseph. I have to go upstairs first." Jason said.
Jason went upstairs to talk to Candy and Biddie. He told them that Joseph took Jeremy to Jasmine's house. Jason explained that he was going to get Joshua and Jeremy. Jason advised the ladies to bring the babies into Candy and Jeremy's room and lock themselves in there. Candy and Biddie agreed to that. Jason told Candy to be very cautious if someone claiming to be Jeremy came to the house. Candy said she would be careful. Candy gave Jason her great great grandmother's locket. It was full of the poison antidote. Jason put the locket around his neck so he wouldn't lose it.
After making sure the women and babies were locked in the bedroom together, Jason went downstairs. Joseph was gone. Jason got his shotgun and ran out the door.
When Jason arrived at the Applegate house, the police were there. Officer George Cook recognized Jason.
"Mr. Bolt! We have been looking for your brothers. We haven't found them yet. Some of the other residents here told us they got away okay."
Officer Cook told him.
"Why are the police here, Officer?" Jason was scared.
"There have been two murders, but definitely not your brothers." Cook answered.
"Who was killed?" Jason inquired.
"Jasmine Applegate and Caleb Carter." Officer Cook answered.
"Do you know who committed the murders?" Jason's mind was spinning.
"Some of the folks here said the man looked like Jeremy, but it wasn't him. The residents I spoke to said the man didn't act like Jeremy so it had to be someone else." Officer Cook answered.
"Jeremy has a twin brother named Joseph. The residents were right. He doesn't behave like Jeremy. Joseph is mean, rude, selfish, and conniving." Jason explained.
"Do you think he is capable of murder, Mr. Bolt?" Officer Cook inquired.
"Definitely. He tried to drown Jeremy when they were four years old. Our parents sent him to live with an aunt in Boston to protect Jeremy." Jason told Cook.
"We will be searching for Joseph, Mr. Bolt. Thank you for telling me about him." Officer Cook said.
"You're welcome, Officer. I'm going to look for Joshua and Jeremy." Jason replied.
Jason went into the Applegate house. He searched the house from attic to cellar. There was no sign of Joshua or Jeremy.
Jason went outside to search the Applegate property. There were dense woods behind the house. Jason went into the woods. He had found a lantern inside the house.
There were several police officers and people from the Applegate house looking for Joseph. Jason knew somehow that Joseph had returned to this property when he left the Pruitt house. Maybe to try once again to kill Jeremy.
Jason was deep in the woods when he heard someone calling his name.
"J-J-Jason! Help me!" The police think I'm Joseph.
Jason ran in the direction of Jeremy's voice. In just a few minutes, he met Officer Cook and Jeremy.
"H-h-help me, J-J-Jason. He thinks I'm J-J-Joseph." Jeremy was anxious.
"Jeremy, where is Joshua?" Jason asked.
"We got s-s-separated." Jeremy replied.
"I find that hard to believe. Joshua would be watching you like a hawk. He wouldn't let you get separated." Jason said skeptically.
"Josh didn't mean for it to happen, J-J-Jason. It j-j-just did." Jeremy replied nervously.
"Officer Cook, I know an easy way to determine if this is Jeremy or Joseph. Jeremy has a surgical wound on his stomach from a recent operation. Drop your trousers, Jeremy." Jason said.
"Oh, Jason!" Jeremy scowled.
Jeremy dropped his pants. There was the surgical wound on his stomach. Jeremy looked at Jason and huffed.
"Oh, Jeremy! I'm sorry that I didn't believe you. Officer this is Jeremy. No doubt." Jason told him.
"Okay, Mr. Bolt. Back to searching for Joseph." Officer Cook went back to the temporary command post.
"Well, Jeremy. Let's find Josh. Where were you when you got separated?" Jason asked his brother.
"We were in the woods on the right side of the house." Jeremy said.
Jason and Jeremy went to that section of woods.
They looked for Joshua for about half an hour.
"Jason! We are over here!" Joshua shouted.
"We?" Jason wondered aloud.
Jason and Jeremy ran toward the sound of Josh's voice.
When they got to Joshua, they also saw…..Jeremy!
"Jason! That's Joseph! This is Jeremy with me. You know I wouldn't let Jeremy out of my sight in a dangerous situation." Joshua was exasperated.
"I realize that Josh. But, he has a surgical wound on his stomach. He has to be Jeremy." Jason was frustrated.
"Jeremy." Joshua nodded at the brother standing next to him.
"Fine thing when your own brothers can't recognize you without you having to get undressed." grumbled the brother next to Joshua.
Jason and Joshua looked at the sibling who was with Josh. He had a surgical wound on his stomach too.
Jason smacked his forehead with his hand. Joshua frowned and shook his head.
"What are we going to do?" Jason pondered.
"Now, I'm Jeremy and you darn well know it! I lived with the two of you for twenty one years until I married Candy!" shouted the Jeremy next to Joshua.
"No, I'm Jeremy. I s-s-stutter." Jeremy with Jason said.
"I know how to determine which one of you is the real Jeremy." Jason declared. "I am going to whisper a question in your ear and you whisper the answer in my ear."
First, Jason whispered the question to the Jeremy with him. That Jeremy whispered his answer in Jason's ear.
Then, Jason did the same with the Jeremy next to Joshua. Josh's Jeremy whispered his answer in Jason's ear.
Jason looked at the twin brothers for a moment.
"Joshua, you were right. The real Jeremy is with you. I'm one hundred percent sure." Jason smiled.
The question Jason asked Jeremy was when did you start stuttering? Jeremy said at Mom's funeral. Joseph said when he started to school.
"So you finally determined which one of us is sweet Jeremy!" Joseph shouted. "What if I just get rid of your precious baby brother once and for all!" Joseph pulled a gun out of his pocket. He pointed the gun at Jeremy.
Jason and Joshua lunged at Joseph. They wrestled him to the ground and got the gun away from him.
"I hate you! You bastard! Why did you get everything and I got nothing!
You were always the baby! You came first no matter what! Even now they risked their lives to save you! They grabbed me when I could have killed them!" Joseph screamed.
"Our parents and our brothers loved you just like they did me, Joseph. You threw it away a long time ago the first time you tried to kill me. I didn't take anything away from you. You threw it away." Jeremy said sadly.
Jason escorted Joseph to the police command post. Joseph was arrested for the murders of Jasmine Applegate and Caleb Carter.
The Bolt brothers went back to the Pruitt house. Candy and Biddie were so happy to see them. Jason gave the locket back to Candy.
"Why did Joseph kill Jasmine and Caleb?" Candy asked.
"He was in love with Jasmine. When he found out that she loved Jeremy, he lost his mind and killed her. Joseph killed Caleb because he tried to stop him from murdering Jasmine." Joshua explained.
"Oh, I heard the reason Caleb kidnapped you, Candy. He was also in love with Jasmine. He was jealous that she loved Jeremy. Caleb thought he could make Jasmine jealous by pretending to love you and then Jasmine would love him instead of Jeremy." Joshua told her.
A few days later, the Bolt family and Biddie boarded a train to go home to Seattle. The trip home was peaceful and quiet.
After several days, the group arrived in Seattle by stagecoach which they took from Olympia.
Later in the day, after the babies had gotten settled in the nursery and he and Candy had rested, Jeremy decided to go see Clancy.
On his way to the ship, Jeremy stopped by his brothers's cabin. He tapped on the door. "Hello, brothers. I'm on my way to see Clancy. I will see you two later at Lottie's."
"Hello, brother! See you at Lottie's. Jason and Joshua called out.
"Oh my word! Josh, I forgot to send Aaron another wire to let him know that Jeremy didn't die. Run, Josh, run catch Jeremy before Clancy or Lottie see him!"
Josh ran like the wind. But, just as he got to the ship, he heard,
"Hello, Clancy! I sure missed you while I was gone! But, I've come back now. Do you want to hear about my journey?" Jeremy asked.
"SON OF A SEA HAG!" Clancy screamed before he fainted.
Fortunately, Jason was able to get to the saloon to tell Lottie the good news about Jeremy before she saw him.
Clancy was fine. He only had a little bump on the head. Lottie, Clancy, and Aaron were overjoyed that Jeremy was fine.
Aaron was also glad that he was not getting the Bolt brothers' mountain or their logging business.
About two weeks later, Candy and Jeremy were getting ready for bed.
"Sweetheart, we need to make an appointment soon to go see Judge Vernon about adopting Jarred." Jeremy said.
"Yes, darling, we do." Candy agreed.
Candy smiled at Jeremy. "Sweetheart, I have something to tell you. I went to see Dr. Wright today."
"Candy, are you alright?" Jeremy was worried. He put his arms around her.
"Yes, Jeremy. I'm fine. We are going to have babies!" She said excitedly.
"Oh, Candy! Another baby! Wow! We will have four babies! No, wait…you said…babies." Jeremy looked puzzled.
Candy smiled a huge smile. "Dr. Wright said we are having twins or triplets. She is sure there is more than one baby on the way!"
"Twins or triplets! That means we will have five or six babies. If we have six that will be two sets of Bolt brothers. Two Jason's, two Joshua's, and two Jeremy's. Wow!" Jeremy exclaimed.
Jeremy gave Candy a tender kiss on the lips. "I love you, Mrs. Bolt."
"I love you, Mr. Bolt" Candy said as she hugged him close.
Jeremy grinned at Candy. Then he fainted falling on the bed. .
The End