Chapter 6

After a long night of coming up with a plan and trying to figure out where they might have taken Jeremy, Candy and Biddie, Jason and Joshua had decided that they would take their loggers towards the caves. Aaron and his men would come around from another side.

"Aaron thank you for wanting to help us. I think if Josh and I go to the caves, the front and you circle around to where the opening was in the back, we might be able to surprise them. I don't think since they are not from here, they will think of the back cave entrance, although Jeremy might but he wouldn't say anything to them."

"No need to thank me, I am just protecting my investment, the ladies need all the help we can give them!" Aaron said, trying not to show too much concern for anything other than business.

So, Jason and Joshua started out the opposite direction that the soldiers had taken, that was the back way, Aaron and his men were going to go that way. Jason planned to pick up some of the Indians they knew nearby for help in rescuing Jeremy and the ladies.

Aaron had Harve and a couple others, one who knew the area around Seattle also knew of the caves as well. He had been in school with Joshua when Jeremy and Josh had their summer camp. His name was George Hornnickel and without anyone's knowledge, he did kind of sort of like Biddie. He thought she was fun and beautiful, but he was a bit shy. In fact, no one knew he liked her! So, going on this rescue mission was his way of seeing if she would notice him!

It had taken the soldiers and the ladies all night to get to the caves. It would take Jason and Joshua about 6 hours. Jason's plan was to watch and make sure no one left the caves until Aaron and his men got to the other side. If they did move, he would have someone let Aaron know and they would follow the trail. Aaron stopped when they got to the goat path, and he saw that his men would have to walk single file. It was already noon, so they had their midday meal and placed the horses in the nearby pasture. Leaving one of the men there to watch the horses. George was not left behind. He was one that had known about the 'backdoor' to the cave and therefore was needed. They trudged up and down the steep path silently and on the alert.

At the cave, Candy, and Biddie both were tied up so that they would not be able to go 'wandering' off. Simon/Robert came and sat beside Candy with a drink in for her.

"I don't drink, but Biddie might like it?" she looked over at Biddie and Biddie said:

"I could use a little to calm my nerves!" said Biddie. Simon/Robert frowned but he was in a benevolent mood so he had he untied so she could hold the glass.

"Miss Pruitt, I would like to let you know, in case you haven't guessed by now. I am not Simone Weston!" Candy looked at him not surprised but what he said next really surprised her.

"I am actually Robert Davenport, and I am finally of an age where my proposal will be accepted by you!" He smiled at that, and she looked at him and then said:

"Why do you think I will accept your proposal now, when I wouldn't accept it then!"

"Oh, my dear, I think I will have to show you why!" He untied her hands and feet and helped her to stand up. Then he took her over to a large rock. He had one of his men lite a fire since it was very dark there. When she saw Jeremy attached to the rock and his head was hanging down, she screamed. Then she ran over to him and started to hold him.

"Jeremy, oh, Jeremy what have they done to you?" Candy cried as she wiped the hair off his face and kissed him. He came to for just a little bit but could not say anything to her. But he did recognize her and smiled a little for her.

"What have you done Robert! Why have you hurt him like this?" Candy said in tears.

"Oh, dear, my darling, don't cry over him. He isn't really worth your tears!" Robert said to her and then said.

"He will soon be dead, and we can live a life as you would never believe! Of course, I can disable him and let him live if you say you love me and marry me!"

Candy could not believe what was happening. She didn't know what to say or do. She stood there and Robert said:

"I realize that this is a little hard to accept but at least he can live. Of course, you realize that he will have to live with the knowledge of you and me together. But that can be gotten over we will no longer be near this place, in fact, I will provide you with a beautiful home, money and all the things a woman who will be the top of society, maybe even a senators' wife?" Robert said convincingly.

Jeremy whispered, "don't do it, Candy!"

Robert doused the firelight and took Candy back to Biddie and tied her up again. She sat there looking at Robert wanting to say something but afraid she would say the wrong thing.

"I will leave you to sit and commiserate with your friend. You have until dinner to make up your mind!" He left and went out of the cave.

Biddie wanted to know what happened and when Candy through tears told her she was very angry.

"Candy, you can't, I know you can't, it would break your heart just as much as Jeremy's!"

"But if I don't, he will kill Jeremy!"

"Candy, if you do, YOU WILL KILL JERMEY!" they both sat and cried.

Candy heard Jeremy's whisper inside of her saying: "Don't do it Candy."